Tiramisu – A simple version

Tiramsu is an elegant and famous Italian dessert of sponge cake soaked with coffee and sandwiched with fresh mixture of mascorpone cheese and whipped cream. Traditional tiramisu recipe calls for ladyfingers, that have been soaked in coffee and spirits, and layers with a rich custard but i have used normal sponge cake which has been dipped in thick coffee decotion.

In a tall glass, arrange the sponge cake dipped in strong coffee decotion. For the cream, i used cream cheese whipped with fresh whipping cream and icing sugar. Take equal portion or vary the portions of each and whip it well. Pour the cream over the arranged cakes and again place some sponge cakes, pour the cream again and sprinkle cocoa powder on top. Thats it your yummy exotic italian dessert is ready.

Cheese Balls

 

Ingredients

For the dough:

•     1/2 cup mashed potato(boiled)
•     3 tbsp breadcrumbs
•     1 tbsp corn flour
•     1 tbsp maida flour
•     1 tsp salt
•     3tbsp Mozzarella Cheese(grated)

For the stuffing:

•     3 tbsp Mozzarella Cheese(grated)
•     1 tbsp mashed potato
•     1 green chilli-finely chopped
•     1/2 tsp garam masala powder
•     1/2 tsp cumin seeds
•     few coriander seeds
•     1/4 tsp salt
•     Oil for deep-frying

Directions

1. Mix the ingredients mentioned in dough part well and knead this into a dough for 6-7 mins. Spread that into thick and small puris of round shape. U will get 6-8 puris depending upon the size of the puris.
2. Mix the ingredients in the stuffing part well and place 2 tsp cheese-potato stuffing on the spread puri and seal the edges and shape them into round balls.
3. Heat oil in a kadai and deep-fry the potato-cheese balls till it turns golden brown in colour.
4. Serve this potato-cheeseballs hot with ketchup of ur choice.

Hummus – A healthy dip

The recipe can be found in my other blog here Hummus

Chicken Shashlik

A simple and yummy starter in which the marinated chicken cubes are skewed along with few veggies in small skewers and deep fried or grilled. Ideal starter for any kitty parties. I actually served this in hot sizzlers plate as Chicken Shashlik Sizzlers for that great sizzling effect on a cold winter night and hence failed to capture the pics of the final product, However the pic before frying is provided here

 

Ingredients:
500 gms boneless chicken breast
2 capsicum
2 medium onions
2 medium tomatoes
1/4 cups lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp Soya sauce
1 tbsp hot sauce
oil for deep frying

Method:

Cut chicken into 1″ pieces.
Put in a round dish with the lemon juice, salt ,black pepper soya sauce and hot sauce.
Mix well,cover and leave to marinate for 2-3 hours.
Cut the onion, capsicum, and tomatoes into small cubes.
Skew chicken and vegetables closely on bamboo skewers.
Heat up oil in a big size frying pot or karahi.
Fry skewers for 8-10 minutes or until chicken begin to change its color and the vegetables are soft.
Take off from oil and put it on absorbent paper or you can grill the chicken over hot charcoal.

Idli Manchurian

A versatile dish made using leftover idlis..

Ingredients:

Idli – 4 to 5
Chopped Onion – 1 cup
Chopped Capsicum – 1 cup (red, yellow and green)
Tomato Sauce - 1 tsp
Mango Powder – 1 tsp
Ginger-Garlic Powder - 1 tsp
Green Chillies – 4 to 5 (optional)
Oil to fry

Method:
1. Cut the idlis into small pieces.
2. Heat 2 tsp oil in a pan.
3. Fry idlis till it becomes brown colour.
4. Keep aside.
5. In another pan, pour a little oil.
6. Add the chopped onions and fry.
7. Add capsicums and add garlic paste.
8. Add finely chopped green chillies.
9. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
10. Add mango powder and tomato sauce.
11. Add little salt and remove from the heat.
12. Add the fried idlis.
13. Mix together thoroughly.
14. Garnish with curry leaves.
15. Serve hot.

Beef in Oyster Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef steak
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons peanut oil
• 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 ½ tablespoons finely chopped scallions, to garnish

Method

Cut the beef into slices 2 inches long and ¼ inch thick, cutting against the grain of the meat. Put them into a bowl. Mix in the soy sauce, sesame oil and cornstarch. Let the meat marinate for 20 minutes. Heat a wok until it is very hot, then add the peanut oil. When it is very hot and slightly smoking, add the beef slices and stir-fry for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove the meat from the wok and drain well in a colander set over a bowl. Discard the drained oil. Wipe the wok clean and reheat it over a high heat. Add the oyster sauce and bring it to a simmer. Return the drained beef slices to the wok and toss them thoroughly with the oyster sauce. Turn the mixture on to a serving platter, garnish with the scallions, and serve immediately.

Semia Briyani – Eid Special

 

Oats with Chicken Soup

An Arabic cuisine made with oats, chicken and moong dalA very delicious, healthy & a filling soup for Iftar or any other occasion. It s a all time favorite for my dad as its a super soothing food for his aged stomach.  A very quick to make recipe with min ingredients. You could replace the chicken with veggies too.  Very ideal soup for Diabetics or heart patients without a compromise on the taste. Try it yourself.

A very delicious, healthy & a filling soup for Iftar or any other occasion. And a very ideal soup for Diabetics or heart patients without a compromise on the taste.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil for sauting
• boneless skinless chicken breast finely chopped – 2 tbsp
• lil Ground cumin
• lil Ground black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 1/3 cup yellow lentil.
• 5 Tablespoons oats.
• 4 cups water.
• Fresh parsley or Coriander, chopped(for garnish).

Method:

• Heat oil in pan ,add the chicken cook until lightly browned and almost cooked,season with salt,cumin and pepper.
• Add lentil,oats and water ,bring to boil, simmer, covered about 20-25 minutes.
• Squeeze some lemon juice while serving for an enhanced taste.

You may boil 2-3 pieces of chicken along with bones in enough water and add to the soup along with the stock for a super duper taste!!

 

 

Chicken Nuggets – Crispy Outside Tasty Inside

Who doesn’t like Chicken Nuggets?? Is int a favorite for all age groups?? I think the answer is a big Yes. Thanks to McDonald’s or KFC who has made chicken nuggets famous all over the world Made of boneless chicken meat molded into shapes,  these deep fried Nuggets are very easy to make  and very delicious. I always prefer this over the store bought frozen ones.

Ingredients

• 1 kg boneless chicken (cut into small pieces)
• 2 tbsp white vinegar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (optional)
• 1 tbsp chili sauce
• 1 tsp black pepper powder
• 1 tsp white pepper powder
• 2 cup bread crumbs
• 2  eggs
• 3 tbsp corn flour
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Method

• In a large bowl add chicken pieces, soy sauce, white vinegar, black pepper powder, white pepper powder, salt, chili sauce, and corn flour.
• Mix well all ingredients and marinate for 40-45 hours in refrigerator.
• In a bowl beat eggs. Heat oil in a pan while coating the chicken nuggets in eggs and bread crumbs.
• Fry chicken nuggets on a low heat till golden brown and crispy.
• Remove to absorbent kitchen paper.
• Serve hot with tomato ketchup or mayo dip.

Shrimp Pasta

Need a feel of an gourmet Italian restaurant???..Try this out

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 or 2 white onion
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 kg pasta
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• Shredded mozarella cheese (as required)

Directions

1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Cook shrimp, garlic and white onion for 5 minutes, or until shrimp is pink. Remove shrimp with slotted spoon and set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and keep aside.
3. While pasta is cooking, cook tomatoes with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, oregano and basil over medium heat along with tomato sauce until tender, 10 minutes.
4. Line a baking dish with pasta, topped with tomato shrimp mixture and generously top it with shredded mozarella cheese. Bake for around 10-15 mts till cheese has completely melted. Serve hot.