"Fusion Cuisine"- Collard Leaves Rollups ( Collard leaves--Aloo Vadi)

These 'Rollups' or 'Vadis' are typically made with " Aloo" i.e Colocasia leaves(Shown in the picture below) and are one of my favorites!!

But since colocasia leaves are not easily available here in Columbus, I substituted the leaves with 'Collard Greens" and tried out the vadis. They came out pretty good and tasted very much like the 'real deal'.

So try this out.....I think it's a good way to eat your greens too!

 Ingredients:
4 Large Collard leaves
1cup Besan/gram flour
1tsp chili powder
1/2tsp turmeric
1/2tsp goda masala (maharashtrian masala)
1tsp sesame seeds
1tsp tamarind extract
1-2tsp grated jaggery
salt
oil

Method:
1) Gently wash the greens and dry them with paper towels.
2) Trim the stems from the backside of the leaf, so that the leaves are pliable and can be easily rolled.

3) Mix besan with turmeric,chili powder, masala,salt,sesame seeds,tamarind, jaggery and water.Make into a thick paste which can be spread on the leaves.This paste should be 'Spicy-sweet and tangy'

4) Spread the paste on the backside of the largest leaf. Sprinkle few sesame seeds.Place the next leaf on top of this one. Spread another 2 tsp of paste on this leaf.Repeat for all 4 leaves.

5) Roll the stack of leaves into a tight roll. Seal the edges with the besan paste.

6) Steam in the pressure cooker for 15-20 mins.

7) Slice horizontally.

8) Shallow fry in oil till golden brown. Serve hot or at room temperature.

"Everyday Cooking"- Quick and Easy-- Apple Pickle

"Quick and Easy" are the key words of my "Everyday Cooking" lately.....
With two little kids ....it's already a  handful! Anything 'extra'....festivals, potlucks, parties, guests, doctor visits, tonsillectomies,colds..runny noses......and I am EXHAUSTEDDDD...With all this, all I can manage cooking is...just plain Chapati,Bhaji, Bhat and Amti.
But today there was a potluck and along with the 'Curry" that I was supposed to make, I made this 'quick-easy-and delicious' Apple pickle. I had it once at "A's house. Her mother- in- law had prepared it and I had absolutely loved it!!!!
There are some people...whom you visit and every time you learn something new from them...it's the case with "A's mom-in law.She is so brilliant in cooking and making so many different things.So.. is my friend "M"...she always has some new food, or some new tips and always 'wow's me!!!

Ingredients:
1 Gala Apple
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/4tsp Turmeric
1/4tsp chili powder
1/2tsp salt
1tsp lemon juice
1/8th tsp Asafoetida(hing)
1tsp oil

Method:
1) Cut the apple into small cubes.leave the skin on.It gives nice 'red' back to each cube.
2) Apply salt and lemon juice to the cubes. to stop them from becoming 'brown' due to maillard reaction.
3) Heat the oil, add mustard seeds (let them crackle). Add the turmeric and hing.
4) Pour over the cubed apple
5) Add chili powder.Mix and serve.
6) Refrigerate any leftovers.

Treats for Diwali

Here is the compilation of links to some delicious and mouthwatering treats for Diwali, that I made over the last couple years....

Kaju- Pista Rolls
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2010/11/ricotta-kaju-pista-rolls.html

Kesar - Malai Pedhas
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2009/10/treats-for-diwali-ricotta-cheese.html

3 minute Pedhas
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2011/03/sweet-treats-3-minute-pedhascondensed.html


Kaju Katli and Kaju Flowers
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2009/10/everyday-cooking-kaju-katli-and-kaju.html

Shankarpali
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2009/10/treats-for-diwali-shankarpalisweet.html

Chakali/Murukku
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2009/10/treats-for-diwali-chakalimurukku.html

Alu Bhujia/ sev
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2009/10/treats-for-diwali-alu-bhujia-sevpotato.html

Chocolate Burfi
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2011/04/sweet-treats-chocolate-burfi.html

 Shrikhand
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2011/04/sweet-treats-shrikhand-fruit-and-nut.html

Rasmalai
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2009/11/sweet-treats-no-big-deal-ricotta-cheese.html

Baklava Cups(Filo cups with nuts and honey)
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2009/10/around-world-in-30-weekends-weekend-4.html

 Besan and Wheat Burfi
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2011/09/sweet-treats-besan-and-wheat-flour.html

 Filo cups with Sweet coconut and raisins
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2011/08/sweet-treats-filo-cups-with-sweet.html

Moong Dal Halwa
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2010/05/sweet-treats-moong-daal-sheera-halwa.html

Spicy Filo cup Kachoris
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2010/11/spicy-phyllo-kachoris.html

Basbousa
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2009/10/around-world-in-30-weekends-weekend-3.html

Mango Basbousa
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2010/04/sweet-treats-mango-basbousa-egyptian.html

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

"Aroma From a Guest Kitchen"- (Guest- Shyam Jugade)- Spring Onion and Egg Pakoda

Guest- Shyam Jugade
This amazingly crispy and tempting pakodas were made by Shyam kaka last week for our weekly 'Mantra Mugdha assemblage' at the 'Jugades brand new Palace'!
There is so much to learn from kaka..... his friendliness, his passion towards acting/theater, his leadership skills, his genuine nature and now.... I newly learn ....he has great 'cooking' skills too!!!
These pakodas made that day, were a 'vegetarian' version(with potatoes -I think that was Swati kaku's idea!) of the original 'Egg' pakodas.But Shyam kaka says the ones with 'eggs' came out tastier!

Ingredients:
2 bunches of spring onions chopped
4 hard boiled eggs grated OR use potatoes for vegetarian version
1-2 tsp Gram flour
1tsp ajwain seeds
red chili powder
salt
oil to fry

Method:
1) Mix together spring onions,grated eggs, gram flour, ajwain seeds, salt, chili powder.Add just a little water to 'wet' the mixture. Don't add too much water.
2) Take 2 spoons.Take one spoonful batter in one spoon, with other spoon scoop the batter and make 'Egg shape' and drop it into hot oil and fry till golden brown.
note- Kaka had used a deep fryer to fry these pakodas.
3) Serve hot  along with your favorite chutney/ ketchup.

These pakoras came out really cripsy and tasty.....everyone was going in for the seconds and asking for the recipe!!!

"Aroma From a Guest Kitchen"-(Guest-Aditi Kakde)- Sandwich Delight

Guest = Aditi Kakde
'The Taste of Columbus" Cooking Competition 1st prize winner in the "For Little Connoisseurs-Nutritious but Delicious snacks for Kids" category

The Tri colored 'Sandwich Delight' made by Aditi looked  so colorful and pretty and it all came together to taste great and sure to be your little ones favorite!!!

Aditi tells about her recipe:
I always think that preparing any item for kids is always challenging...since they are the best judges always....

and more over I feel that they usually get attracted to some sort of color combination ...

this inspired me to make a tri-color sandwich which is easy to prepare and also looks attractive ...yet its nutritious values are maintained...

 

Ingredients:

Whole Wheat bread

Butter

For Red Layer:

Shredded beet root

Shredded carrots

Vinaigrette made with olive oil,honey, vinegar and salt

For Green layer

Green Chutney( cilantro, mint,green chilies,lime,salt, sugar and ginger)

Potato boiled and shredded

Onion

Sprouted mung beans

salt

White layer

Cream cheese, paneer and yogurt(mix to make a 'spread' and add salt and sugar)

Cooked corn kernels

Pineapple slices

Method:

1) Cut the edges of 3 slices of wheat bread

2) On one slice apply red layer, on the 2nd apply the white layer and on the 3rd apply the green layer.

3) Toast the sandwich on a skillet with little butter till it is golden brown.

4) Cut into triangles and serve!

"Appetizers"- Grapes coated with Cheese and Nuts

'Navaratri' 2011 celebrations are going on all over.....and we celebrated 'Bhondla' last week here in Columbus! 'Bhondla' is a Maharashtrian 'All Girls' celebration where in......girls and women get together all dressed up in nice clothes.They hold hands and go around in circles singing songs.Some of these songs are hilarious ...praising their 'maher'(mothers side) and talking about how bad their 'in-laws' side is!!!
After the songs ....it's yummy food time!!! Each women brings in some snack/ food item which she won't disclose.Everyone else has to make guesses ....what the dish could be! So...everyone tries to make things that are hard to guess...

Yes...you guessed it.....mine was really very hard to Guess!!!! I made these yummy sweet and sour and nutty grapes.....coated with Cream and blue cheese...
"P' had made similar ones for 'K's birthday with Goat cheese and walnuts .
Ingredients:

1) About 50 Red/ green seedless grapes washed and dried with paper towel
2) 8 oz Cream cheese
3) 1-2 tbsp Blue cheese( If you like....)
4) 2tbsp milk
5) 1 tbsp sugar
5) Finely chopped Pistachios and almonds
6) Grated sweetened coconut flakes

Method:
1) Mix together cream cheese and blue cheese with electric mixer. Add the milk and beat again.
2) Coat the grape with cream mixture with your hands and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment /wax paper

3) Sprinkle sugar on the cheese coated grapes
4)Roll the grapes into chopped almonds/ pistachios/ sweet coconut and place on the wax paper

5) Chill for few hours before serving.Can be made a day or two in advance.

Serve the chilled, sweet and sour- cheese and nuts coated grapes and 'wow' your guests!!

"Everyday Cooking"- Thai Green Curry

Thai food can be easy to prepare and tasty if you take some help from the 'store'. For last weeks party, I did just that...... and the Green curry came out to be perfect and so much easier!!! I bought the canned 'coconut milk' and the 'Green curry paste'. While it would be good to know and learn, what all spices go in the green curry paste, I decided to keep the 'learning session' for the next time and go ahead and use the canned green curry paste!

Ingredients:
2-3  cups canned coconut milk
1-2 tbsp canned Green curry paste (First taste it! If it's too spicy add less or if you like spicier, add more)
1/4 cup each-square cut pieces of  red pepper, green pepper, yellow pepper, onions, bamboo shoots, baby corn, Tofu, green beans,mushrooms etc
1tbsp black Raisins
chopped cilantro for garnishing
oil
salt

Method:

1) Heat 1 tbsp oil, Stir fry the veggies and tofu on high heat.
2) Add the coconut milk, green curry paste and mix. DONE!! That's it!

3) Add salt as per taste and let it simmer for few minutes.Add the raisins and chopped cilantro.
4) Serve hot with Jasmine thai rice

"Sweet Treats" - Thai Iced Tea

This weekend had invited 'A' and 'G''s family over for dinner. On menu was Thai food from start to finish!
Appetizers- Thai chicken satay and Tofu fry
Entree- Veg Rice Noodles with peanut sauce and Green Curry and Rice
Dessert- Thai iced tea and Thai coconut custard
It was the first time I made such an elaborate thai menu all at once!
It was fun to cook and more fun to enjoy the food with friends......

 I love the thai iced tea and every time we go to the thai restaurant I order one. 'R' had gifted me these gorgeous glasses on my birthday and I thought....these would be perfect for Thai icea tea!!!
Now, I did not have 'thai' tea so I used some regular black Indian tea along with a 'Fruit Tea' packet and it worked out PUURRRRRFECTTTT!!!

Ingredients:
2 tsp black tea
3 tsp sugar
2 packets/ tea bags of a fruit flavored tea( I used Black cherry tea)
4 tsp condensed milk
1/4 cup regular milk
4cups water
Ice cubes

Method:
1) Boil 4 cups water, add the sugar and tea, and fruit tea to it. Let it brew for few minutes.The thai tea will usually give 'orange' color.But because I used black tea, my tea was dark brown colored.
Let it cool.Chill in the refrigerator

2) While serving- Fill the glass 3/4th with tea, add a spoonful of condensed milk to it.It will sink to the bottom.Add the ice cubes

3) Add just a splash of regular milk. Serve cold. Mix it up as you drink it!

Sip the Sweet-fruity- cold iced tea along with your favorite dinner or just by itself!