Cucumber-Onion-Pomegranate salad

Looking for a 'cool, crunchy, colorful' and delicious salad??? Here is one for you! The crisp green cucumber slices with the crunchy 'mildly' spicy white onions (actually red onions would be fantastic in here!) and the pretty- red juicy pomegranate...all come together to make this beautifully refreshing cool salad!!

Ingredients:
1 Seedless English cucumber, sliced
1 small white onion sliced
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1-2tsp olive oil
1/4tsp oregano
salt and pepper

Method:
1) Mix all the ingredients ...except the salt and Keep the chopped veggies in the refrigerator to 'chill' them.
2) Just before serving, sprinkle salt. Serve cold!

'Paneer Chili' and 'Tandoori Gouda' Paninis

This was the 'Valentines dinner' for us--- Paneer Chili and Tandoori Gouda(cool isn't it..I found it at Jungle Jims!) Paninis, Roasted Veggies and for dessert ..Tiramisu!!.
I couldn't wait to get my hands on to the "Tandoori Gouda".I kept wondering all week after we bought it from Jungle Jims.... how it will taste??? It was 'orangish' in color with little specks of red chilies(like in Pepper jack cheese). It was mildly spicy with a slight hint of 'coconut' taste. All in all...I LOVED it!!!

Ingredients:
Paneer Chili :
1 cup Paneer cubes
1/2 tsp Ginger garlic paste
1 onion thinly sliced
1/2cup Green pepper sliced
2 green chilies sliced
1/2tsp Kitchen king masala
1tsp chili powder
1tsp cumin-cilantro powder
1/2tsp cumin
salt
oil
chopped cilantro 

Italian bread
Tandoori Gouda cheese sliced
 Maggie hot and sweet sauce

Method:
1)Heat 2tsp oil, add cumin, onion,green pepper and chilies. Fry for 2 mins.Add the Paneer cubes and rest of the spices. Mix and saute for 2-3 mins.Keep aside
2) Cut the Italian bread into thick slices
3) Heat the Panini grill
4) Apply hot and sweet sauce on a slice, add 2tbsp Paneer chili, Tandoori gouda slices and some chopped cilantro.Put the bread slice on top.
5) Grill with slight oil spray till grill marks are seen and the cheese starts to melt.

6) Cut and serve Hot!!

Easy Tiramisu (without the Zabaglione)

"Love is in the Air".....it was  Valentines day yesterday...and my gift to "M"...what else ??? His favorite food:)) So, the menu was Italian (I got a bunch of cool stuff from Jungle Jim, last week) and so..we had "Paneer Chili and Tandoori Gouda (my Jungle Jim find) Paninis"- recipe coming soon, Roasted Veggies And for dessert  the delectable ...chocolaty...creamy...luscious..."Tiramisu"!!!
Paneer Chili and Tandoori Gouda Paninis :

 

Roasted Veggies

 

Ingredients:

Lady Fingers (20-25) ( I read somewhere, if you can't find lady fingers...white cake will work)

Whipped creamy layer:

8oz Mascarpone Cheese

1 Cup Whipping cream

6 tbsp Powdered sugar

1tsp Vanilla essence

Coffee+Rum soak

1tsp granulated sugar

2tsp Instant coffee (I used Bru instant Coffee)

1 cup water

1/2tsp Imitation rum Extract (Rum Essence)

Chocolate Ganache:

 1/2 cup Chocolate chips

1tsp milk

Garnish:

1/2 Cup Dark chocolate shavings

Strawberry for Garnish

Method:

1) Boil 1 cup water,1tsp sugar and  2tsp instant coffee for 2-3 mins.Let it cool completely.Add Rum extract to the coffee.

2) Whipped cream: Chill a metal bowl in refrigerator. Wisk together 1 cup chilled whipping cream, 4tsp powdered sugar and vanilla, until stiff.

3) Separately whisk together Mascarpone and 2 tsp powdered sugar until well blended.

4) Gently fold together Whipped cream + Whipped Mascarpone cheese. Chill in refrigerator for 1/2 hr

5) Layer  half of the lady fingers in rectangular glass container at the bottom

6) Chocolate Ganache: Mix together chocolate chips +1tsp milk and microwave for 15 sec. Mix till smooth.

6) Drizzle each lady finger with 2tsp Coffee+Rum soak.Let them soak for 5 mins. Spread 1/2 of the Chocolate Ganache on the lady fingers.

 7) Spread half of the Whipped cream+mascarpone mixture on top

8) Layer with lady fingers..then coffee+rum soak...then chocolate ganache...then whipped cream+mascarpone.

9) Top with shaved dark chocolate and sliced strawberries.

10) Chill for few hours before serving.To serve cut and dig out a piece

 Enjoy with your Loved ones:))

'Wheat Dalia' Idlis

After the "Oatlis OR Oats Idli" (http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2011/09/fusion-cuisine-oatli-oat-idlis.html) , the " Ragidlis OR Ragi Idli "(http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2012/08/nutritious-and-delicious-ragidlis-ragi.html), the "Brown Rice Idlis"(http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2012/12/brown-rice-idlis-and-dosa.html) and the "Masala Corn stuffed Brown Rice Idlis" (http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2013/01/masala-corn-stuffed-brown-rice-idlis.html)....here comes another one!!!

Wheat Dalia Idlis!!!!!

Couple weeks ago..when I posted my "Brown Rice Idli" recipe on a facebook forum "Bon Appetit'...a fellow member ( Gayatri Tatke )....said she makes "Wheat Dalia Idlis" and they come out 'even softer than our regular idlis". Now..... you know me!! I had to try these ASAP!!!
Loved them!! The color is well...a little "Wheatish"...but you wouldn't miss the Rice in the Idlis!!

 Ingredients:
2 Cups Wheat Dalia (Cracked wheat-I had the coarse variety)
1 Cup Urad daal
salt

Method:
1) Soak 1 cup urad daal and 2 cups wheat dalia for 8 hrs separately.( I soaked it in the morning and ground it at night) Grind into fine paste and let it ferment overnight. I warm the oven on 'warm' for 5 mins and then keep the batter in the Oven and TURN IT OFF.
After fermentation add salt to the batter.
2) Spray the Idli stand/mold with non stick cooking spray
3) Steam for 20 mins
4) Serve hot along with Sambar/Coconut Chutney/ Spicy Powder Chutney

Sambar and Chutney Recipes:
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2013/01/masala-corn-stuffed-brown-rice-idlis.html

Spicy Powder Chutney:
 I bought the MTR "Spiced Chutney Powder" and mixed it with yogurt.( you can mix it in Oil too..but  I prefer yogurt)

"Coconut-Almond-Wheat Bran" Butter cookies

Every morning, before going to school, all 'E' has is....'Milk and Cookies'. Now which cookies you ask....not the 'healthy' kind I say. Oreo, Pepperidge farm Milanos and Chocolate chip (store bought) are his favorite kinds. Every now and then...I strive (yes that's the right word) to make him eat a 'bit' healthier homemade cookie.But most of the times, it is in vain. He will try one..and then he is back to what he likes.Same with "A'...I have to feed her a cookie (like I feed her Roti) with Great Effort!! But like all 'moms' are...I am very persistent....I will keep on trying...to bake a healthier cookie that they will like :))  
This is another one ....a 'tad bit' healthier version of a butter cookie.

Ingredients:
1 Cup All purpose flour
1 Cup Powdered sugar (heaped full cup)
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp unsalted butter (that is total of 9 tbsp butter)
1/2 cup Dry powdered coconut
1/4 cup Powdered Almonds
1/4 cup unprocessed Wheat bran
1/4 tsp Baking powder
1tsp Vanilla essence
Mini chocolate chips and chopped almonds for garnish

 Method:
Preheat the oven to 300F 
1) Bring butter to room temperature. Sieve the all purpose flour and baking powder.
2) Beat the butter till light( you can beat with a hand whisk) Add the powdered sugar and beat for few seconds.
3) Add the coconut powder, almond powder,wheat bran, all purpose flour, vanilla etc and make into a soft dough.
4) Refrigerate the dough for 15 mins.
5) Butter a cooking sheet. Make small round balls with the dough and flatten them slightly. Press almond chips/ chocolate chips in the center.
6) Bake at 300 F for 15-20 mins. Keep a watch. Do not let them brown much.
7) Let them cool completely before storing.

You will enjoy  every bite of these crisp,nutty Cookies with a little bit of 'less' guilt:)

Paneer Carrot Masala Bread with 'Cream of Broccoli' Soup

I was just complaining to "M' the other day...that sometimes....there are days..I feel..I am not motivated enough to cook something different and fun.For the next hour or so...I kept thinking...What should I cook for dinner?/? What did I want to make for a long time??? And then....suddenly remembered this Spicy Bread my friend 'G' had baked (Recipe:www.showmethecurry.com) and put yummy pics on FB.
 I wanted to bake my own bread and this was the perfect evening when I was running out of any other ideas!

I pretty much followed the recipe of 'showmethecurry'...(http://showmethecurry.com/breads/paneer-masala-bread.html) except for ---
few changes in the filling, using 1/2 whole wheat flour and the times of letting the dough rise and baking and sprinkling sesame seeds on the bread before baking

Filling:
Paneer-Carrot masala
1 cup paneer chopped into small pieces
1/2 onion finely cut
1 tomato finely chopped
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1tsp Ginger garlic paste
1tsp red chili powder
1/2tsp cumin seeds
1/2tsp garam masala
1tsp oil
salt
1tbsp chopped cilantro

Heat the oil. Add cumin seeds and onion. Fry till translucent.Add the ginger garlic paste and tomatoes and fry till water evaporates.Add the carrots and fry for few minutes.Add the rest of the spices and paneer and mix.Keep aside for filling in the bread dough.

Baking:
1) Follow the instructions for making dough from the above website.Substitute the all purpose flour with 1/2 whole wheat flour.
2) I let the dough sit for 50 mins and  let it rise again for 45 mins after rolling out and filling.

Serve the bread Hot out of the oven with your favorite dipping sauce or soup!

Cream of Broccoli Soup

1 cup finely chopped broccoli
2 cups milk
2tsp all purpose flour
2tsp butter
1/4tsp red chili powder
1/8tsp black pepper
1/4tsp oregano
salt

1) Heat butter in a pan.Add the flour and saute for few seconds.Add the chopped broccoli and saute for 1 mins. Add the milk, spices and let it boil on low-medium flame till it thickens a little.Add salt. Serve hot along with bread/ croutons

'Masala Corn' Stuffed Brown Rice Idlis

Finally...after two weeks of  sneezing and coughing....I am back to myself!!! Yeah!!! And now I am craving all the yummy spicy Indian food:))
So there goes a combination of my two favorite things- "Masala Butter Corn" and my new found favorite "Brown Rice Idlis".... to make the delicious and nutritious "Masala Corn Stuffed Brown Rice Idlies"

When I visited "The Steamy Affairs" in Pune last year..they had any and every variety of Idli..which you could think of!! There was Idli Manchurian..there was Buttermilk Idli...then there was Jungli idli....crazy names...but delicious !
Stepping on their footsteps..I am trying out my very own Idli combos!!!

Masala Corn:

1 cups frozen-(thawed to room temp) corn kernels
1/2tsp chili powder
1/2tsp kitchen king masala
1/2tsp chaat masala
1/4tsp mustard seeds
1tsp oil
salt
 Masala  Corn=Heat 1tsp oil, add mustard seeds,corn, salt, ,chili powder, masala etc. Sir fry till properly heated.
You can eat this by itself, with a squeeze of lemon and a dap of butter.( chopped raw onions and cilantro if you like)

Brown Rice Idli
2 Cups Brown Rice
1 Cup Urad daal
salt

Method:
1) Soak 1 cup urad daal and 2 cups brown rice for 8 hrs. Grind into fine paste and let it ferment overnight.After fermentation add salt to the batter.
2) Spray the Idli stand/mold with non stick cooking spray
3) Add few masala corn kernels, then idli batter, then masala corn kernels and then idli batter again into the molds.
4) Steam for 20 mins
5) Serve hot along with Sambar and Coconut Chutney

 Sambar and Chutney Recipe:
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2012/12/brown-rice-idlis-and-dosa.html

Blog on break

Amongst Cold and Coughs, Hot teas and cough medicines...Antibiotics and sneezes...Accchhoo...
....there isn't much time and energy to cook.
See you all in a bit...once I get all good and rested:)
Hope you will visit again
Deepti

TilGul / Tilachi Vadi

 TilGul Ghya Goad Bola!!! 

Every year...I am trying out new TilGul recipes...some I have liked....and some I need to improve on and practice. Couple years ago, when Mummy was here, she made these Soft,Sweet 'Sesame-Peanut' vadis. They had a perfect texture/ softness to them yet holding their shape properly. Lazy me...I forgot to note down exact ratio of what she added. I asked her today..and like all 'Pro' cooks...she says...just add the ingredients by your judgement. No Mummy..I am not as great cook as you are..I am still under training...I need exact ratios:)

But here is the recipe with Mummy's and my friend Soniya's guidelines:

Ingredients:
1 Cup coarse ground roasted sesame(til) seeds
3/4 Cup coarse ground roasted peanuts
1 and 1/2 cups grated Jaggery
1tsp Ghee + little to coat a plate
1tsp water
1tsp Cardamom powder
2tsp grated coconut for garnish
Few Pistachio pieces for garnish or dry edible rose petals 

Method:
1) Lightly roast the sesame seeds. Make into coarse powder after cooling
2) Heat a pan, add ghee and the jaggery +1tsp water.Let it melt completely
3) Butter a plate to make vadis
4) Add the sesame powder, peanut powder, cardamon powder and mix till everything comes together.
5)Press this mixture onto the buttered plate with a  buttered steel bowl/vati.
6) Sprinkle dry coconut powder and press again
7) With a sharp buttered knife, cut into small squares.Press a pistachio piece onto each vadi or decorate with dry edible rose petals. Let it cool completely
8) Cut again with a sharp knife

Happy Makar Sankranti to All! 

Dark Chocolate Mocha Granita

A refreshing cold ..Icy...Chocolaty....Dessert ...Just for both of you:)
( It has Coffee and hence 'adults only' dessert!!)

"Granita" is a Semi frozen, icy dessert made with Sugar, water and various flavorings. It looks like shaved ice/ crushed Popsicles!

I was watching "Melissa De'Arabian" on Food Network that day in the afternoon.In her $10 meals ...was this easy breezy icy dessert called "Mocha Granita". I just couldn't wait to try it out..and gave it my version by additions of Dark chocolate and chocolate chips.....and our very favorite ...Bru Instant Coffee :)
I thought the dark chocolate makes it more richer tasting and the mini chocolate chips give a pleasant surprise when you bite into the icy granita.

Ingredients:
2 Cups Water
1/2 cup milk
3 tsp Bru Instant Coffee
4tsp sugar ( add more for sweeter granita)
3tsp Hersheys Dark Chocolate cocoa powder( unsweetened)
1/2tsp Vanilla essence
1 tbsp 'mini' chocolate chips

(You can use Whipped cream to garnish the Granita)

Method:
1) Boil water and add the coffee. Let it boil for 2-3 mins
2) Add sugar, cocoa powder, milk and mix. Let it cool completely
3) Add the Vanilla essence and stir
4) Pour in freezer safe glass dish( I used 8x8 glass container)
5) Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips and stir.
6) Freeze for total 4-5 hrs.Stir every 45 mins or so.
7) When serving defrost on counter top for 5-10 mins. Scrape with a fork

 8) Scoop out with ice cream scoop. You can garnish with a dollop of Whipped Cream ( I didn't have any in the refrigerator) and more mini chocolate chips.

Linguine with Artichoke hearts,Red Bell Pepper,Mushrooms and Broccoli

Atleast once a week..we have a "Pasta" meal time! Everyone at home likes Pasta and then there are so many variations that you can play with..it's always fun!!
When I first came to USA....my culinary knowledge was limited.."M" taught me how to make "Pasta". It was like---In short--- Boil Pasta, Open Garden Combination "Ragu" bottled sauce, add frozen Mix Veg....tadah...All Done!! For few years I did make my Pasta the same way!! We have so many of those empty bottles hosting other ingredients in the pantry even now!
But now....with all the culinary exposure...I have learned many different sauces and a lot of variation in Pasta making and... We hardly buy the 'Pasta sauce' anymore!

Ingredients:
(Serves about 4-6)
1/2 pkg Linguine pasta
1/2 cup  Artichoke hearts( I used canned)
1/2 cup chopped Red bell pepper
1/2 cup sliced mushroom
1/2 cup broccoli florets
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes( I used canned)
3 garlic cloves minced
1/2tsp black ground pepper
1/2tsp dried basil
1tsp oregano
1/2 to 1tsp red pepper flakes (adjust spice level)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2tsp lemon juice
salt
2tbsp olive oil
Parsley/ Cilantro for garnish

Method:
1) Boil the pasta as per package directions in salted water.
2) Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in the pan, saute the garlic and the veggies for few seconds.
3) Add the drained pasta, herbs, spices,salt, lemon juice and toss.
4) Just before serving, add the Parmesan cheese and toss.

 Serve hot along with a warm bowl of soup/ salad or a crunchy Garlic toast!