Thursday, August 30, 2012

Another Dosa Story

Dosa and her close friend Sambar 
After Onam feast I was left with a big bowl of sambar. To finish this extra sambar, I decided to make dosa for next day's breakfast. Apart from sambar, I had ginger pickle, and dry powder.So, here I pictured dosa along with other accompaniments.

If you're looking for dosa recipe or looking to learn dosa, then you can attend one of my South Indian Cooking classes. 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

My Tangy Orange Marmalade Cupcake

Orange Marmalade Cupcakes

If you are having a sweet tooth but want something fresh and not too heavy, this is definitely my recommended Cupcake....my ever loved Tangy Orange Marmalade Cupcake.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Onam Ashamsagal - Onasadya 2012 with Menna


Onam is celebrated over 10days with Sadya eaten over plaintain leaves, it is difficult to find these traditions  outside Kerala.  But I always  try and manage to make the sadya in the traditional way.
The first course of an Onam Sadya is always Paripp curry and  ghee with red boiled rice and pappadam.

Paripp curry -Roast the Moong Dhal  then add water and cook it with some salt and a coarsely ground  coconut, jeera and green chillies. When it is cooked , temper it with dry red chillies, mustard and curry leaves.

Olan – Cut the vegetables into fairly big pieces  as for avial (Raw banana, Brinjal, Raw papaya, Lady’s finger, pumpkin, snake gourd and split green chillies).  Boil Red gram (vanpayar) . Cook all the vegetables add the boiled gram. Crush the garlic cloves with the grated coconut and stir well. The curry should be fairly thick. Temper the curry using coconut oil, mustard, dry red chillie and curry leaves.

Avial – Cut the vegetables into big pieces (Brinjal, pumpkin, snake gourd, string beans, drumstick etc., ) Boil the vegetables along with slit green chillies , turmeric powder, curry leaves and salt. When the vegetables are done add coarsely ground coconut and cumin seeds mixed in curds. When the gravy is fairly thick. Season the curry using coconut oil, mustard, dry red chillies and curry leaves.

Thoran – Thoran can be made with cabbage, beans, carrot and other vegetables also. You need to grate the vegetables for making thoran  or slice it very thin.  Add oil and cook the vegetable with salt and turmeric and when it is half done add coarsely ground coconut, jeera, green chillie and garlic.  Heat oil add mustard seed, red chillie and curry leaves and season the thoran  ( please don’t add water while cooking the vegetables)

Pulinji Curry – In oil fry mustard, curry leaves,jeera  and methi seeds. Add ginger and tamarind pulp and jaggery and cook till the gravy thickens. Garnish with fried curry leaves.

Along with the above curries the usual Sambar, rasam , moru curry along with Kaduku manga pickle, pachachdi etc are served.

Now let’s move on to the sweet dishes served on Onasadya.  There will be Ada payasam,  pal payasam,  parippu payasam

Ada Payasam - Boil the ada. Add milk cook until done. Then add sugar and cardamon powder. Stir well. Add ghee and garnish with fried coconut pieces

Make your Onasadya and Enjoy your Onam

Onam Ashamsagal!



Saturday, August 25, 2012

Happiness in a piece of Cake

Cake Present From my Student
Life holds many little surprises, especially when it comes from unexpected corners. Just like that, I had a sweet surprise when a baking student came to my house and presented a piece of her first cake.. It was just sweet of her to give this little joy ...What do you say..?

Friday, August 24, 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012

I miss you like the sunshine in the rain

Chocolate Icing Sunshine Cupcake

I miss you like the sunshine in the rain 
I miss you like the sunshine, on a cloudy day 

I Love you my Sunshine Cupcake

Thai Chicken Green Curry



Ingredient
  1. 4 tbsp Thai Green Curry Paste
  2. 1 table spoon  oil
  3. 1 onion, sliced
  4. 1 green pepper, cut into strips
  5. Few Mushroom, cut into strips and 1 Red Bell pepper
  6. 1 tablespoon ginger, julienned
  7. 500gms chicken
  8. 2 cups coconut milk
  9. 1 cup fresh chicken stock
  10. 1 tablespoon Thai fish sauce
  11. 1 or 2 limes
  12. 2 Kaffir lime leaves
  13. Thai basil leaves
  14. salt to taste

Method
  • Heat the oil in a large pan.
  •  Add the onion, green pepper, Mushroom and ginger and sautee for a few minutes.
  •  Add  salt and 4 or 5 tablespoons of the green curry paste and stir until fragrance comes.
  • Add the coconut milk, chicken stock  and Kaffir lime leaves and bring to a very slow simmer. 
  • Add the chicken pieces and continue to cook for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are tender. 
  • Season with salt, Thai fish sauce, lime juice and add Thai basil leaves to the pot. 
  • Cook for a few more minutes 
  • Serve hot with Steamed rice
Note: . The good green curry is using the right ingredients,  and adding on the right time.
 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Where to have Onam Sadya in Bangalore 2012

Onam Sadya at The Paul -2012

The Paul presents a two days Onam Buffet @ Rs.750/- on Aug 29th and 30th  2012. And a Traditional Sadya @1000/- on 29th August ,  It will be served the traditional way – on a banana leaf and will have 16 dishes including four payasams along with an assortment of accompaniments.

Onam Sadya at Ente Keralam -2012
Enter Keralam presents a special Onam Sadhya from 20th August to 2nd Sept 2012 created by Chef Thirumeni Unnikrishnan Namboodiri and his team. The menu features special delicacies like Chakka and Ada Pradhaman, along with Thorans, Avial, Eruseri, Rasam and more.

ITC Dakshin Onasadya 2012

Dakshin: A special thali ‘Onasadya’ lunch at ITC Windsor, will feature classic vegetarian dishes and Payasams and Prathamans  
Taj Vivanta , Trinity Circle, MG Road
Taj Vivanta has organised an Onam Buffet on 29th August 2012 from 12:30pm to 3pm. Veg buffet @1200/- inclusive tax and Non veg buffet @1500/- inclusive tax . Contact 66604444 for details.
The Park, Beside Taj, Trinity Circle, MG Road
The Park offers an Onam Buffet on 29th August 2012 from 12:30 to 3pm. Veg@1000/- inclusive Tax. Contact 25594666 for reservation

Enjoy your Onasadya...

Monday, August 20, 2012

Buttered Rosemary Rolls - Finally I made it!!!!






Finally I made them, after so many trials..... So happy that I got it right.
Ingredients

  1. Flour                                      3 ½ Cup
  2. Water                                     250 ml
  3. Yeast                                     2 tsp
  4. Salt                                        1 ½ tsp
  5. Oil                                          5 tbsp

Method
  • Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water(100ml) with 1 tsp of sugar and keep it for 10 mts
  • Dissolve salt and oil in the remaining water (100ml)
  • Pour the yeast mixture to the flour and mix well then pour the salt mixture to the flour and knead well for at least 5-7 mts till it become smooth.
  • Coat the mixing bowl with oil and place the dough in it and cover with a damp towel and let the dough rise to double the size, keep it at least for 2 hours
  • Grease pan with oil and keep aside.
  • After 2 hours punch down the dough and knead for 2-3 mts 
  • Now Divide the dough into balls and place it in  the grease pan.
  • Again cover it with a damp cloth and  set it aside for another 2 hours
  • Now brush the top with butter and sprinkle rosemary on top.
  • Pre heat the oven to 200 degree and bake it for 20-25mts.
  • Run a knife around the edge and immediately remove the rolls from the pan and cool it.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Rachel Allen's Chocolate Cake


Ingredient
  1. Cocoa powder   1 tbsp
  2. Dark Chocolate  125 gms
  3. Milk                    3 tbsp
  4. Butter                 150gms
  5. Castor Sugar      150gms
  6. Eggs                   3
  7. Flour                  200gms
  8. Baking powder   1 tsp
  9. Baking Soda       ¼ tsp

Method
  • Melt Dark chocolate and milk for a minute in microwave.
  • Sieve flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda for thrice
  • Cream butter and sugar and add one egg at a time and beat for a minute before adding each egg
  • Fold in the melted chocolate to this mixture (use spatula for mixing this)
  • Now fold in the sieve flour to this mixture slowly and mix well
  • Pre heat the oven in 180 degree for 10mts and bake the cake for 20mts in two pans
  • When the cake is cool layer it with butter cream icing and use choco chips or dark chocolate to decorate the cake.
  •  Enjoy the Cake




Butter Chicken


Ingredients

Chicken boneless pieces  500gms

For Marination
1.     Curd                           1/4 cup
2.     Garam Masala             1/2 tsp
3.     Chilli powder               1 tsp
4.     Pepper powder            1/2 tsp
5.     Ginger Garlic paste      1 tsp
6.     Lime Juice                  1 tbsp
7.     Oil                             2 tbsp
8.     Salt                            3/4 tsp
Mix all the ingredients and marinate the chicken and keep it for 2 hours and grill the chicken

For the Gravy
  • Butter                     3 tbsp
  • Oil                          1 tbsp
  • Onion                     2 big grated
  • Ginger garlic paste   1.5 tsp
  • Chilli powder          1 tsp
  • Tomato puree         3/4 cup
  • Sugar                     2 tsp
  • Fenugreek leaves     1 tsp dry roasted and powdered(kasuri methi)
  • Cashew nuts           4 tbsp(add water to make a smooth paste)
  • Chicken                 500gm grilled
  • Salt                        3/4 tsp
  • Cream                    4 tbsp
  • Coriander leaves for garnishing
Method
  • Heat oil and butter in a pan
  • Add onion and fry till golden brown.
  • Add ginger garlic paste and fry well
  • Add Chili powder. Now add tomato puree and sugar.
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes
  • Add cashew paste and one cup of water.
  • Cook until the gravy has thickened.
  • Add Chicken and salt. Cook for 2 mts.
  • Reduce the flame and add cram stirring continuously,
  • Mix well and garnish with coriander leaves and cream
  • Serve hot with roti or naan.


Ribbon Fish Curry/ Vaala Meen Curry


Ingredients to make fish curry:-

·                     Fish - 250 gm
·                     Small onion chopped - 1/2 cup
·                     Ginger and garlic finely chopped 1 1/2 tsp
·                     Green chili chopped - 2
·                     Chili powder - 1 tsp
·                     Coriander powder - 2 tsp
·                     Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
·                     Methi powder -1/4 tsp
·                     Salt to taste
·                     Curry leaves
·                     Mustard 
Method - Step by step approach to yummy Meen Curry

1.             Clean and cut the fish into medium pieces.
2.             Crush ginger , garlic and green chilies ,
3.             Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and methi powder
4.             Add chopped onions, and toss it well for 3-4 minutes.
5.             Add ginger,garlic and green chilies,stir them till the raw smell goes away or till turns brown.
6.             Make a paste of chili powder, coriander and turmeric powder, adding a little water
7.             Add this mixture to the pan and sauté for few seconds
8.             Now you can add fish pieces.
9.             Cook it covered in slow flame for 15 - 20 minutes.Add curry leaves and remove from heat.

Serve warm with boiled rice to enjoy at it's best.

Banana Wheat Bread Cake


Ingredients

  1. 3 Bananas
  2. 2 eggs
  3. 1/3 cup oil
  4. 1/3 cup milk
  5. 2 cup maida (All purpose flour)
  6. 1/2 cup wheat flour
  7. 1 tsp salt
  8. 1/2 cup sugar
  9. 1 tsp baking soda
  10. 1 tsp cinnamon powder
  11. 1/2 tsp all spice (clove, nutmeg etc)
  12. 1 tsp vanilla

Method

  • Sieve flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and all spice thrice and keep aside
  • Mash Banana and mix well with egg.
  • Now add oil, milk, vanilla essence and sugar then mix well.
  • Fold in the sieve flour slowly to the wet mixture.
  • Pre heat the oven for 10mts in 180 degree
  • Pour the batter in a 8" pan and bake for 40 mts in 180 degree.
  • Cool and slice the cake.
  • Enjoy


Monday, August 13, 2012

Fondant Grapes on Grape Wine Cupcake

Fondant Grapes and leaves on Grape wine cupcake

 Yet another cupcake variety... vineyard themed cupcakes. I made these grapes and ivy on fondant icing. To make this icing, it took around 45 mins. I find colouring as a main task that takes time and colour sense. A word of advice here, use only colour gell while mixing it in fondant paste.

Try this grape theme or other fruit theme on your cupcake experiment. Share your fruits of labor by posting your link in the comments box.

Happy experimenting... 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Double Chocolate Snowball


Chocolate Snowball


Impress  friends with a simple piping techniques. A half moon cake yellow cake gives instant elegance and  brightens your day. You make the cake more romantic by adding borders or giving different color patters using pink, blue and lavender roses.

No harm trying out different designs and cake recipes.