Bruschetta

Simple and healthy Italian appetizer. These can be served as canape during dinner parties. Bruschetta is lightly toasted, crisp garlic bread with tomato and basil salad.

Mumbai ragada

Last time when I went to Cream center I stumbled across mumbai ragda in the menu. I have been to cream center a million times but never bothered to order this dish. Dont know how I missed it! It tasted heavenly. Truely desi !!!

Corn on toast :)

 Your meal at Eden is incomplete if you havent  had this amazing dish. Ever since I moved to Gurgaon my cravings for it has increased and so thought ll try it at home. And eureka !!!!! I cracked the code :)

Its quite simple & the base for this recipe is white sauce. Once you get a creamy lump free white sauce,all you have to do is mix it with corn curry seasoned with kasuri methi. Yes !!! they add kasuri methi :) Its a desi style Au Gratin that's served with toasted bread.


RECIPE
(serves 2)

WHITE SAUCE

• Flour (maida)     -  1 tsp
• Butter                -   2 tsp
• Milk                  -    1 cup
• Cheese              -   1 tbs ( grated)optional
• Salt

1. In a non stick vessel, melt the butter. To it add the flour and saute well for a minute, remove from flame.
2. Add half the quantity of milk and mix well with a flat wooden spoon to get a lump free mixture.
3.Put the vessel back on stove and simmer.
4.Add rest of the milk and keep stirring till it reaches the desired consistency ( little thinner than milkmaid or     condensed milk  ).
5. Add grated cheese (optional) and salt. Mix. Remove from flame.

TOAST

• Bread   -  2 slices
• Ghee    -  1/2 tsp

1. Toast the bread slices with little ghee till crisp (keep it in sim).

 

CORN CURRY

• Boiled corn      -   little more than 1/2 cup
• Onion              -   1tbs (1/2 medium sized onion finely chopped)
• Tomato            -   1 tbs (1/2 medium sized tomato finely chopped)
• Chilli powder    -   1/2 tsp
• Dried fenugreek leaves or kauri methi -  2 - 3 tsps
• Oil                    - 1 tsp
• Salt
• Italian seasonings (optional)

1.  Heat oil in a kadai and add onions, saute for a minute.
2. Add the tomatoes and saute again for a minute.
3. Add the boiled corn, chilli powder, salt and half the kasuri methi.Saute.
4. Add the white sauce and simmer for a minute.
5. Add rest of the kasuri methi.
6. Arrange the toast  on a plate and pour the corn-sauce mix over it.Serve hot.

Note
1tbs =  3 tsp
Always crush kasuri methi in ur hands before you add for a better flavour.

South starter :) - paruppu vada / masala vada

Its bin raining here on and off!! And Chennai ! god only knows what happened. All I hear for the past 1 month is its raining!!! the weather is very nice. I envy u all. Love to walk on the beach road when it rains. One of the most beautiful experience.Damn! I am missing it.

Golden fry - Baby corn fritters

This post is dedicated  to all who love Eden's fried baby corn :)!!!

INGREDIENTS

Monsoon special :)!!!

Hello!!! I am back from Chennai :) !!! Two weeks of non stop fun and now I am back in my kitchen.
When I reached Chennai there was no trace of laila (the storm that hit chennai jus few days before I reached) and I was really disappointed..
After about a week of scorching sun, rain came from nowhere and overnight the weather changed. Chennai is at its best during the rains (not talkin about the roads) . All you feel like doing is sit beside the window and watch the rain. And ya I love to munch ;) !!! Snacks like pakodas are reserved for such days:)
Love the crisp, hot onion pakodas. Here is the recipe....

INGREDIENTS
serves 2

• Gram flour          1 cup
• Rice flour           1/2 cup
• Onion                1 large (chopped fine, length wise)
• Green chilli         3 or 4 finely chopped (add more if u want it 2 be spicy)
• Ginger                1 piece finely chopped 
• Oil                      1 tbs plus for frying
• Salt                    
• Curry leaves 
• Water
• Baking soda (optional)

1.  Chop the onion into fine strips and add little salt, ginger, chilli, curry leaves and keep it aside.
2. In a bowl mix gram flour, rice flour , salt and baking powder.
3. Add 1 to 2 tablespoon of oil to it make a coarse mixture.
4. To this now add the onion sprinkle some water and knead to get a coarse mixture (donot add to much water,  just sprinkle to make all the ingredients come together and form dumplings ).
5. Deep fry in oil.
6. Serve hot.

Tangy tomato

 After all the butter, spice and sugar overdose, thought will post something healthy.Will start with the all time favourite starter, cream of tomato.
I am not a big fan of soup but once in a while on a rainy day would love to sit back and enjoy tangy, creamy tomato soup with lots of pepper and chopped coriander.

INGREDIENTS
serves 2

• Tomato        - 3
• Onion          -  1
• Carrot         -   1
• Garlic          -  1 clove (optional)
• Milk            - 1/4 cup or more depends 
• Water          - 1 - 1 1/2 cups
• Salt
• Pepper
• coriander
• Cornflour (optional)

1.  Pressure cook whole tomatoes, chopped onions,garlic (optional) and diced carrot in 11/2-2cups of water.
2. Remove the skin from the tomato.
3. Liquidize the cooked vegetables along with the water left in the cooker.
4. Strain and the thick pureed mixture has to be warmed (cook in slow flame and stir).
5. Add the salt and pepper.Cook for a minute or two.
6. Remove from flame and add warm milk (how much to add depends on your taste)
7. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander.

p.s
In case your soup is too watery then add 1 tsp of corn flour dissolved in warm water before you add salt and pepper.
Warm the pureed mix and add milk just before serving.
Once you add milk if necessary warm it slightly but do not boil.
Fresh cream can be added instead of milk if you want a richer texture.
For extra flavor add a tsp of butter .
Can be served with fried bread pieces.
Can be made using microwave too.