Sunday, November 13, 2016

Methi Mutton & Chicken Koftas ( Methi Meatballs)


Meat Balls are perfect dish or appetizer served during any occasion. There are many different ways one can serve these spicy and flavorful meat balls be it a mezze platter or roti rolls, spicy and succulent meat balls are everyone's favorite. 

People who are not familiar with dried fenugreek leaves should try incorporating them in many or all meat based recipes the curry like flavor from fenugreek when cooked enhances the flavor of this dish. We can prepare many variations using this basic meat balls, add it to spicy yellow curry, pulao or serve it as it is....

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Ingredients:
500 Grams Lamb Mince
200 Grams Chicken Mince or Boneless Chicken Thighs
1 Tbsp Chilly Powder
1/2 Tbsp Turmeric 
2 Tbsp Coriander
1 Tbsp Garam Masala
2 Tbsp Dried Fenugreek leave(Kasoori Methi)
1 Large Onion (Peeled and Finely Chopped)
Fist Full Mint and Coriander Leaves Washed and Finely Chopped
2 Tbsp Ginger and Garlic Paste
4 Green Chilies Finely Chopped
2 Tbsp Oil
Salt as per taste

Method:
In a mixer jar add the chicken and pulse twice and then grind on low speed to form a mince. 

Once the chicken mince is ready add the lamb mince and grind on low speed till both the meats are well combined.

Transfer the mince the a mixing bowl.

To the mince add finely chopped onions, coriander and mint, ginger and garlic paste, chilies, chilly powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, dried fenugreek and salt mix the meat well till all ingredients are well incorporated.

Place a cover and allow the meat the marinate for 1 hours time in the fridge or for best results allow to marinate over night.

Place a pan on medium flame add 2 tbsp oil. Apply oil to your hands and take portions of the meat start forming meat balls add the the pan and cook for 10 mins keep tossing every 2 mins until the meat balls are cooked and there is no moisture.

We can add these koftas to a curry or serve as appetizer...Enjoy :) 

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Taste of PUGLIA @Bene, Sheraton Grand, Bengaluru

I was invited for ongoing South Italian Food festival at Bene, Sheraton-Grand which is located at Melleshwaram, Bengaluru. 

Our tasting session started with a choice of wine and fried bread (petolle) followed by fresh baked breads and olives from Italy, ending with a yummiest nutella tart. 


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Bread Basket: Foccasia and Ciabatta 


Meet Chef Giuseppe Lioce who has strong roots from Puglia-Italy. He explains Puglia cuisine is a combination of land and sea. Pastas I'm used to eating are always handmade freshest sea food and combination of slow cooked lamb was my staple diet at puglia. 

I was surprised to Bengalureans are huge fans of Italian cuisine and wanted to showcase authentic Italian food. Pastas are made with 3 ingredients rawa, water and olive oil when we make everything from scratch the taste truly differs we cannot compare it with bottled stuff. 

One can find women preparing hand made pastas in tiny lanes of Puglia we used to buy pasta by kilos and prepare our meal, Italian cuisine is never complex but we are very particular about the ingredients used. 

I wanted Bengalureans to experience and relish it all like the olives, limes and cheese are from Italy. Procuring fresh catch and cod fish was also a task the buttery cod is something everyone should try. 
 Stuffed Olives with capers, almonds or onions is a traditional italian starter/antipasti.


Petolle  is prepared with leftover bread bread dough or fermented dough which is spongy and chewy served with romano tomato sauce.


Caprese alla Barese
(Bocconcini mozzarella, fresh basil pesto and sundried tomato tossed with extra Virgin olive oil,fresh oregano,Modena balsamic vinegar)

 Bruschetta Pugliese
(Homemade Puglia Bread,topped with fresh cherry tomato,sundried tomato,shaved aged parmesan cheese,extra Virgin olive o il arugula leaves)

Panzerotti Pugliesi
(Mini folded pizza ,stuffed with burrata cheese,tomato and basil)

 Via botto
(Seafood soup [catch of the day] ,cooked in bisque and fish stock,served with grilled bread)
Orecchiette al Ragu, made using homemade orecchiette handmade pasta with slow cooked lamb ragout and pecorino cheese...

 Branzino in crosta di patate
(Branzino in crosta di patate, cherry tomato,asparagus and garden salad)

Zucchine al tonno 
(Zucchini stuffed with tuna,garlic and cappers,served with garden salad)
Biscotti di mandorla
(South Italian short bread tart,stuffed with homemade Nutella served with home-made vanilla ice cream) 

Taste of Puglia at Bene till 13th november 2016.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Spaghetti Arrabiata @Howard Johnson, Hebbal-Bengaluru

I'm always in search of live pasta counters at buffets. The pasta that I truly enjoyed was at Howard Johnson, located at Hebbal. Chef Vikas Chandra prepared a spaghetti with simple set of ingredients which was so tasty and packed with flavors, I happen to record a video while he prepared my order. 

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Chef Vikas Chandra

Spaghetti for 2 servings:
Spaghetti 1 packet follow the package directions and cook and reserve.
1 Cup Veggies of choice: Broccoli, Carrots, Baby Corn, Mushrooms, Zucchini and Bell pepper chopped into cubes blanched and reserved we can also steam cook the veggies and reserve.
1 1/2 Cup Pasta sauce or Arrabiata Sauce.
1 Tbsp Finely Chopped Garlic
1 Tbsp Chilly Flakes
1 Tbsp Mixed Italian Herbs: Oregano, Thyme, Basil 
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper as per taste

Method:
Heat a pan on medium flame add olive oil and the garlic fry till raw flavor from garlic has reduced. Add chilly flakes and fry. Add pasta sauce and veggies fry for a minute. Add the pasta and herbs toss to coat and serve sprinkle grated cheese if needed Enjoy...:)

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Green Beans Stir Fry (Southindian style) / Beans Pirattal

Green beans stir fry is a common side dish that we serve with roti or rice. This side dish is prepared at a typical Bengaluru based Mudhaliar house for lunch or dinner.

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Ingredients:
500 Grams Green Beans
1 Tbsp Mustard Seeds
A Pinch Cooking Soda
6 Dried Red Chilies
3 Tbsp Black Gram Dhal
1/4 Tsp Asafoetida
Salt as per taste
2 Tbsp Oil

Prep Up:
Wash the green beans pat dry.
Snip the tips and remove any fibrous strings.
Slit the green beans and cut into 2 inch pieces. 

Method:
Heat a wok on medium flame once the wok smokes reduce the flame add the black gram dhal dry roast until pink in color. 

Add the dry red chilies dry roast along with dhal for a minute remove both the ingredients from flame, transfer to a plate allow to cool.

Place the wok back on medium flame add oil once the oil smokes add mustard allow to splutter add asafoetida followed by beans stir and fry the beans for a quick minute.

Add salt as per taste stir and add 1 cup water followed by cooking soda stir all the ingredients place a cover and cook on medium flame for 10 minutes.

Add the dry roasted ingredients to a mixture jar pulse and grind to form a coarse powder reserve. In 10 minutes if the beans has softened place the flame on high and allow the excess moisture to evaporate.

Add the ground powder to the beans fry for a minute and serve hot with roti or rice...Enjoy...:)

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Heavenly Food @Pepper Cafe-Near Lavanya Theatre, Ulsoor, Bengaluru, Karnataka


I'm a person who enjoys eurasian cuisine from soups to pastas. My friend invited me for a chefs table tasting session at pepper cafe, I was totally looking forward for this tasting session since we had food home delivered  from pepper cafe on few occasions. I truly enjoyed the crab soup and pizzas from here. Pepper Cafe is located at St. Johns Road, Near Lavanya Theatre, Ulsoor, Bengaluru.

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We started our tasting session with mojitos- in green apple, mint and water melon.


My Favorite was Green Apple Mojito...Up next were a series of starters...

MOZZARELLA CHEESE BALLS: Melt in your mouth creamy potatoes stuffed with back olives, apples, olives, walnuts, cheese, were crumb coated  and fried was super crunchy, served with a cocktail dip.

STUFFED POTATO SKINS: Baked skins topped with Mexican flavored chili beans, mozzarella & olives, served with a sweet chilli dip.


CAJUN CHEESE FINGERS: Herbed, spiced cheesy sticks, served with a sweet chilly dip.


TERIYAKI PRAWNS: Herbed grilled, prawns, served with pomegranate salad and honey balsamic dressing.


CHA CA: Vietnamese street food. Fish cakes with salad and a tartar dip.


CHICKEN CROQUETTES: Succulent chicken cutlets served with zesty pomegranate salad & balsamic dressing.

The starters were superb specially the teriyaki prawns, potato skins and cajun paneer sticks. Service for main course started, from the mains I enjoyed the Chicken agliolio, Spaghetti meatballs, Panko crusted fish and spicy chicken pizza.

GRILLED PORTUGUESE FISH: Basa seared with spicy Portuguese marinade, pan grilled served with a seasonal salad & herb potatoes.
SPINACH STUFFED CHICKEN SUPREME: Juicy grilled chicken stuffed with herbed spinach and mozzarella, in a rich creamy sauce, served with herbed vegetables and mashed potatoes.
CHICKEN STEAK IN BURGUNDY MUSHROOM SAUCE: Pan grilled chicken breast in a red wine pepper mushroom sauce, served with mashed potatoes and assorted vegetables.
PARMESAN PANKO CRUSTED FISH: Lush Japanese style bread crumbed fish, pan fried, sprinkled with parmesan, served with mashed potatoes, garlicky spinach and anchovy dressing.

Mexican Sangria

PEPPER CAFÉ SPECIAL SIZZLER(VEG): A grilled cottage corn cheese topped vegetable stake, served with mushroom cheese cause, buttered rice and herb roasted potatoes.


SPINACH CHICKPEA FETA ROLLS (VEG): Light pastry rolled with tossed spinach and chickpea, smeared with tom yum glaze, served with buttered rice and herb roasted potatoes.

SPICY CARIBBEAN PIZZA: Topped with spicy barbeque chicken, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, olives, shredded basil and chilli.

THE PEPPER CAFÉ SPECIAL ‘FARM HOUSE’ PIZZA (VEG): Topped with roasted garlic, sliced onion, chili flakes, broccoli, baby corn, olives, jalapenos, and sundried tomatoes.

PEPPER CAFÉ’S SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS: Succulent lamb and feta meatballs served on sautéed vegetables and flaked almonds.


CHICKEN AGLI OLIO PASTA: Garnished with broccoli, mushrooms, haricot beans, baby corn, carrot, herb, chilli flakes, olives & sundried tomatoes, and chicken, tossed in olive oil.

Oreo Cheese Cake 

Chocolate Mousse 

Warm Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream

Banofee Pie 

I enjoyed the food and service at pepper cafe they are centrally located. Desserts were all made by the owner I needed an extra tummy to accommodate all the yummy food. 

Where are they located??