Indo-Chinese "American Chopsuey"

Indo- Chinese is one of a kind cuisine! It is nothing like Indian nor authentic Chinese. The dish names ...the flavors...everything is unique. What "American Chopsuey" (similar to Chili mac- macaroni with beef) is to a American, is very different from the Indo-Chinese "American" chopsuey. I have no clue...why the word "american' was in the dish name!! Maybe anything 'american' sounded cool ;) In Pune, I have even had a "American" Shev Batata Dahi Puri!!! Instead of puris, the base was something similar to 'Ritz' crackers.
The Indo-Chinese American chopsuey is a spicy-tangy thick soup with vegetables topped with crunchy fried noodles. There are many variations in this recipe too, depending in which part of India you get it!

 So here goes my recipe for a "Indo-Chinese Vegeterian American ChopSuey":

Ingredients: makes 6-7 servings
1 cup Bean sprouts ( I used caned ones, but fresh are great!)
1/2 cup finely chopped cabbage
1/2cup finely chopped carrots
1/2 cup bamboo shoots (I used caned ones)
1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped green onions
3tbsp  corn starch
2tbsp Light soy sauce
1tbsp Hot and sweet sauce
1tsp Ginger-garlic paste
1tsp vinegar
1/2 tsp Sambal Olek chili paste
1/2tsp sugar
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2tsp oil
salt
Cilantro for garnish
4-5 cups water

"La Choy" Chow mein noodles

Method:
1) Soup: In a large pot, heat 2tsp oil, add the chopped vegetables and saute.Add the ginger garlic paste and the water.
2) Mix the cornstarch into smooth paste in little water. Add to the above pot and stir. Add the sauces,spices salt and stir. Check for seasoning. The soup should be mildly sour and spicy to your taste.
3) Let it boil till it thickens.
4) Serve hot! While serving, place the soup in the serving bowl, top with the crunchy chow mein noodles, cilantro and chopped green onion.

Enjoy a steaming bowl of this spicy-tangy-crunchy bowl of "American Chopsuey" !

Spinach-Corn cheesy 'Biscuit' Oysters/ Foldovers

I love making different shapes out of food.I think it is a 'fun' way to eat and kindles your creativity too!
I have experimented with 'shapes' before, and here a few examples--
Phyllo "Potlis":
http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2009/12/appetizers-phyllo-potlis-with-spiced.html
Pumpkin Shaped Pedhas:
http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2012/11/pumpkin-shaped-pedhas.html
Spooky Halloween Pasta:
http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2012/10/spooky-halloween-pasta-spaghetti-with.html
Potato balls with Spicy green peas filling:
http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2009/12/appetizers-potato-balls-with-spicy.html

 But this time, I am going to be honest....I didn't mean to make them into "Oysters"....I wanted them to be just 'foldovers'. But then, the dough unfolded while baking (probably because I didn't press it hard enough), and Viola....there were these beautiful...Spinach-Corn cheesy Biscuit Oysters!!!

Ingredients: Makes 10 foldovers

1 Can Pillsbury Jr Biscuit
2 cup chopped Spinach
1/2 cup Corn kernels
1/2cup Shredded mild cheddar cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 garlic clove minced
1tsp olive oil
1/4tsp Red pepper flakes (add more for spicier taste)
1/8tsp ground black pepper
salt
Some all purpose flour
Marinara sauce/ Ketchup/ Maggie hot and sweet sauce


 Method:
1)  Filling: Heat the olive oil, add the garlic and chopped spinach, corn, red pepper flakes and black pepper.Saute till cooked and the water evaporates.Add little salt. Keep aside.Let it cool completely.Add the cheeses and mix.
2) Pre heat the oven to 375F. Spray a cookie sheet with oil spray.
3) Open the biscuit dough can, separate the biscuits. Roll each biscuit in all purpose flour and roll out to make a circle.Place a spoonful of the filling in the center and foldover.

4) Press the edges slightly with a fork till the Foldovers are closed completely.

5) Bake at 375F for 12-14 mins till golden brown

6) Serve hot with your favorite sauce!

Eggless Custard Fruit Tart

A recipe...long due to be written. Finally, here it is!! I never had a 'tart' pan before. The other day at Target...I found this colorful cool looking one! It has a removable bottom...which is perfect!!

So, this tart was going to be a 'dessert' for a friends birthday party...and many of them happen to be 'vegetarian'...and so I was hunting for 'Eggless' Tart recipes.Where else do you find a good baking recipe???....My favorite 'go to' site: www.joyofbaking.com

Shortbread crust:
I baked the crust, just like how they tell to...there is even a video for it. It comes out so buttery and flaky..it will just melt in your mouth!!
The only think I changed was the baking temperature: I baked the crust at 350F for 20-22 mins (The pan had those instructions)
http://www.joyofbaking.com/EasyFruitTartRecipe.html

Custard filling:
This one..I made up.Just like the custard made with 'custard powder', in the 'fruit salad with custard recipe....it is similar ...just needs to be 'thicker'.
 Ingredients:
2 Cups whole milk
4tbsp Custard powder
4tbsp sugar
1/2tsp vanilla extract
4tbsp cream cheese(optional- if you want a little 'tart' flavor)

Method:
1)Mix the custard powdered with 1/2 cup milk and mix till smooth and all lumps are gone.
2) Heat the remaining milk. When it is warm, slowly add the custard powder mixed with milk.Stir continuously on medium-low flame till it thicken up.
3) Add the sugar and mix.Boil more for couple mins.Stir constantly till thick.Add vanilla extract and mix. Take off the flame. Let it cool completely. Stir after every few mins, when it is cooling.It will thicken more.
4) Meanwhile bring the cream cheese to room temperature.Whisk it into smooth paste.Add to the cooled custard and whisk till well incorporated.
5) Pour the cooled custard into the baked cooled tart. Smoothen it with a spoon. Chill in the refrigerator covered till ready to decorate with fruits.

Fruits: (of your choice. More colorful the better!)
Strawberries
Blueberries
Kiwis
grapes
mandarin oranges
You can decorate the tart in any pattern. Fill the tart with fruits.Do this few hours before ready to serve.Chill in the refrigerator,covered with plastic wrap.

You can glaze the cut up fruit with 'sugar syrup' or apricot/ or any other fruit preserves.This will prevent the fruits from drying up and they will appear fresh for longer!

Ciabatta Bread and Spicy Guacamole sandwich

Had 'Ciabatta' bread before???  It is a crusty chewy white Italian bread. I love crusty and chewy breads!! They make great sandwiches and paninis.When I saw it at Jay-C the other day, couldn't keep my hands off of it:)....though 'white'....it's OK to eat 'white bread' once in while ...agree???

For a simple meal....this sandwich is easy to make, versatile and super delicious!!

Ingredients:
4 Ciabatta bread rolls
2 firm tomatoes sliced
1/2 cup shredded cheese
 Ground Black pepper
Salt

For  Spicy Guacamole
1 Avocado
1/4 Red onion
1 green chili/ Jalapeno finely chopped
 1/4 tsp Cumin
2tsp lemon juice
2tsp chopped cilantro
salt

Method:
1) Slice the avocado and scrape out all the flesh.
2) Finely chop the red onion
3)  Spicy Guacamole: Mix together Avocado,red onion, green chilies, salt,cumin, cilantro,lemon juice and mix.
4) Cut the ciabatta bread in the center. Apply 2tsp Guacamole. Place tomato slices.Sprinkle salt and black pepper. Top with shredded cheese.
5) You can grill it into a Panini or have as it!

Lentils and Carrot Soup

Last week was pretty busy ...I was drenched from head to toe...in preparing for my very first "Lil Chefs" workshop at TheSizzlingPan!! Pictures of the workshop are here:https://www.facebook.com/Thesizzlingpan
Amongst all the craziness happening last week, 'M' was out of town for 2 days. That is when this 'soup' happened for a quick lunch!

Ingredients:
1 Cup lentils/ whole Masoor
1/2 cup baby carrots sliced into circles.
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic finely chopped
1tbsp Olive oil
1tsp cumin powder powder
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4tsp black ground pepper
salt

Fresh cilantro for garnish
Sour cream for topping
Croutons

Method:
1) Wash and soak the lentils for 3-4 hrs in water.
2) Heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and garlic.Fry for couple mins.
3) Add the lentils and carrots.Add the rest of the spices.Add 2-3 cups water and Mix.
4) Let the soup boil till the lentils are tender.Add the salt.Add more water to make the correct consistency.
5) Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream.Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve along with crunchy croutons!!

"Lil Chefs" Food Science Camp @ The Sizzling Pan

Had the Best Day ever with the 'Lil Chefs"!!!

More Pics here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.525271180852068.1073741827.464363670276153&type=1&l=f77bd2697b

Vanilla and Chocolate "Checkerboard" Cake with Strawberry cream filling

It was 'M's birthday and like every year I do, I was going to bake a special cake for him!! Last year it was "Zebra Cake" (http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2012/04/pat-cake-zebra-cake-with-chocolate.html) and this year, I wanted to try something 'new'...not just 'any' cake...something new...some new technique.This one seemed to be exciting and involved some 'thinking' and planning-which type of cake to bake..soft textured or sturdier/denser cake and a bit of geometry too:)
Here is how you make it-

Basically you need 2 types/ colored cakes.I baked a vanilla and other dark chocolate. If your cake it too moist or spongy, you will have hard time cutting and lifting the cake circles. This cake modified from this recipe (http://www.azcookbook.com/zebra-cake/) is a denser cake and did hold the cutting and lifting pretty well.

Ingredients:
Bakes two -8 or 9 inch cakes
4 extra large eggs, at room temperature
2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 and 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
1 cup canola oil
2tbsp butter at room temperature
1tsp tsp vanilla essence
1 +1/4 tbsp baking powder
1 tablespoons dark cocoa powder  (dark cocoa is necessary to get rich dark brown color for better contrast)
3tbsp grated dark chocolate bars- microwave for few seconds until soft.
1/4tsp salt

Strawberry cream filling
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream(cold)
1/4 cup fresh strawberry puree(chilled for 1 hour)
1tbsp sugar

Whipped cream icing
1 Cup heavy whipping cream(cold)
2tbsp sugar
1/2tsp vanilla essence

Decoration:
Mini chocolate chips
fresh sliced strawberries

Method:
1) Pre heat the oven to 350F. Grease 2 cake pans with shortening/non stick spray and dust with flour.
2) Sieve together all purpose flour, salt, baking powder.
3)Beat the eggs for 3mins with electric whisk. Add the butter and sugar and whisk till it is light color and fluffy.
4) Add the oil and milk and beat for few seconds.Add the vanilla extract.
5) Add the dry ingredients slowing and beat only till well blended.
6) Divide the batter in 2 parts. To one part add the dark cocoa powder and softened dark chocolate bar.Beat for few seconds till well blended.
7) Pour the vanilla and chocolate batters into 2 separate pans. Bake at 350F for 30-35 mins, until golden brown and inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool completely for few hours before cutting and icing.
The cakes upside down for sturdier cutting.If your cake has a bulge cut and level it out:

Strawberry Whipped cream:
Beat the whipping cream on high speed with a electric mixer, till soft peaks are formed. Add the chilled strawberry puree and sugar and beat till stiff peaks are formed.Store in refrigerator.

Whipped cream icing
Beat on high speed the heavy whipping cream, sugar and vanilla till stiff peaks are formed.Store in refrigerator.

Assembling the cake:
1) With chart paper, make circular stencils or concentric circles, 1.5 to 2 inches thickness. Largest will have the diameter as your cake pan.
2) Place the stencils on the cake one at a time and carefully cut the concentric circles.Gently lift each circle and place on a platter.

3) Inserted a vanilla ring inside the chocolate outer ring.Alternate the rings and fit into each other.

4) Place the cake on the serving platter.On the bottom reassembled cake, spread the strawberry cream filling. Make sure to push it in the concentric gaps. This will help in better sticking of the 'checks'. You can also pipe the icing in between the concentric circles when you are fitting them into each other.

5) Place the other reassembled cake on top. Ice this layer and the entire cake with the whipped cream icing. Spread and smoothen from all sides. Decorate with strawberries and mini chocolate chips.
With icing tip, makes borders withe the whipped cream icing.
Chill in refrigerator till ready to cut!

6) Cut into wedges(like pie) to serve.Enjoy!!

 





 

Quick and Easy Homemade Strawberry icecream

It's strawberry season here....and the markets all full of these lovely red berries!! What's the next better thing than eating them fresh.....turn them into a creamy luscious pretty pink Strawberry ice cream!! Agree??
I love this Quick and easy recipe of using whipped cream and condensed milk to make ice cream.The ice cream comes out creamy, perfect texture every single time.
It took 4 mins to 'make' the ice cream mixture and then 5 hrs to set it in the freezer! There was no mixing every 1/2 hour, no tedious work involved, no ice crystals.....and the results were still luscious and heavenly!!
Using the same recipe...this is my favorite Mango ice cream..and I promise it will be yours too:)
Quick and Easy Mango Saffron ice cream

http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2011/08/sweet-treats-quick-easy-delicious.html

Ingredients:

This is all you need!
1) 12-14 fresh strawberries
2) Half of the 8 oz tub of Kraft Cool Whip
3) Half of the 14 oz can of Sweetened condensed milk
4) 2 tbsp milk
5) 2tbsp Strawberry syrup

Method:

1)  Thaw the cool whip in refrigerator for 1/2 hr till softens.

2)Wash and Cut off the strawberry leaves and stems.Put them in the blender along with 2tbsp milk.Puree them.

2) Mix the 1/2 container of cool whip, 1/2 container of sweetened condensed milk, strawberry puree and syrup.Mix gently till lumps are gone.

3)  Pour into a freezer safe container/ individual serving glasses( I like the 'bath' cups...they are perfect for single serving of ice cream)

4) Freeze for 5-6 hrs.Done!!!

Pearl Barley and Spinach Patties

"Barley"...yet another grain..I hadn't cooked with before. Yesterday, I cooked it with an intention to make Barley soup..but these patties came impromptu to my mind...and made a delicious evening snack!
Pearl barley:

Barley is yet another "Nutritional powerhouse"(http://www.barleyfoods.org/nutrition.html) It has the slow digesting carbohydrates called "beta glucans" in the grain.I also read that, the beta glucans and the fiber is distributed throughout the grain and hence...even if it is "pearled" barley( bran and outer layers removed)...it is still better than many other refined grains.(http://www.oprah.com/health/Why-Barley-Makes-the-Best-Breakfast)
 Cooked Pearl barley:

Ingredients:
1/2 cup pearl barley (pressure cook in 1 cup water plus little salt)
1/2 cup finely chopped spinach
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 boiled potato(mashed)
3/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs( E doesn't like his sandwich with crust.I cut them off,freeze them..pulse them to make these whole wheat bread crumbs.)
1/2 tsp finely chopped garlic
1/2tsp red pepper flakes
1/4tsp cumin
salt
olive/ canola oil for shallow frying

Method:
1) Cook the pearl barley in pressure cooker -3 whistles.Let it cool completely.
2) Mix the cooked barley,chopped spinach,onion,mashed potato,garlic,red pepper flakes,cumin,salt,1/4 cup of bread crumbs and mix well.
3) Heat a non stick pan with oil for shallow frying.
4) Make patties with the above mixture.Roll them in the bread crumbs and fry on medium- low heat till they are golden brown and crisp on the outside.
5) Serve hot along with your favorite sauce/ maggie hot and sweet sauce( I love it!!)/ green mint chutney.

Eggless "Saffron-Mango" Cake (Kesar-Mango Cake)

Looks more like a 'Rangoli' (a traditional Indian design made with rangoli powder/salt/rice flour), than a 'cake' isn't it!!! Last week, was all a 'birthday' celebration week. 3 of my friends had their birthdays.This cake...was baked specially for a friend...who doesn't eat eggs and hence is egg less.The Mango and saffron gives the cake a rich flavor,a beautiful aroma and lovely golden yellow color!!

For my last birthday, a friend had gifted these lovely cake stencils.Didn't have a chance to use them so far.It was so easy to make the cake look stunning with these stencils!

The only down side is.....the powdered sugar melts in few hours especially if it is hot and humid outside...and therefore the design can be done only few hours before serving the cake!The Cocoa powder might work well..but still have to try that one.

Ingredients: Makes 8inch round cake
1 and 1/2 cup All Purpose flour
3/4th cup sugar
1/2 cup Mango Puree (I used Swad Kesar Mango pulp)
1/2 cup Cold water
1/3rd cup Canola oil
1/2tsp salt
1tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp saffron strands
1tbsp vinegar (Add just few drops less than 1tbsp.....it prevents that 'vinegar' taste)

1/2 cup powdered sugar for dusting


Method:
1) Sift the flour, sugar etc separately.Then measure correctly with a measuring cup.Don't over fill the cups.
Pre heat the oven to 350F
2) Mix together dry ingredients-flour, sugar, baking soda, salt etc
3) Mix together wet ingredients- water, oil,vinegar.
 4) Mix together the wet+ dry ingredients and stir in one direction till well blended
5) Stir in the saffron and Mango puree
6) Mix again.
7) Grease the pan 8 inch round pan with shortening and dust with flour.
8) Pour in the batter till 3/4th full.
9) Bake at 350 F for 20-25 mins until golden brown.
Let it cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar

10) Just before serving: Place the stencil over the cooled cake. In a small sieve place the powdered sugar.Sprinkle over the stencil till all the cake is covered.Lift the stencil gently.