Sunday, September 17, 2017

Southindian Side dish: Broad Beans Keema Curry Recipe (Avarakkai Mutton Kothu Curry)


Broad beans keema curry is packed with unique flavor and taste. This recipe is typical mudhaliar cuisine prepared during weekdays, very simple yet most satisfying curry served for lunch with hot steam cooked rice or roti. 


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Ingredients:
750 Grams Mutton Keema with bones 
500 Grams Board Beans/Avarakai
2 Green Chillies (Finely Chopped)
3 Tbsp Ginger and Garlic Paste
1 Tbsp Chilly Powder
1 Tbsp Garam Masala
1 Tbsp Coriander Powder
1/2 Tbsp Turmeric Powder
2 Bayleaves
2 Inch Sticks Cinnamon
5 Cloves
3 Pods Cardamom
1 Star anise
3 Tsp Ghee
2 Tbsp Oil
Salt as per taste

1/2 Lime Juiced
5 Sprigs Mint and Coriander Finely chopped for garnish...
Ginger and garlic paste recipe video.

Prep Up:
Start cleaning the broad beans first, pluck and remove the strings. Open every bean pod and check for any insects. Chop the tender beans into bite size pieces. 

If the beans are ripe use only the beans and discard the shell. Wash the beans drain excess water using a colander reserve.

Wash the meat drain excess water using a colander reserve. Start preparing the bone broth/soup. Heat a pressure cooker on medium flame add the mutton bones, chilly powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, coriander powder and 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste. 

Add 2 cups water and 1/4 Tsp salt stir and cover, place a whistles and cook for 4 whistles or until the bones are cooked.

Method:
Heat a pan with 2 tbsp oil and 3 tbsp ghee. Add whole spices allow to splutter. Add chopped onion, curry leaves and ginger garlic paste fry until onion turns golden.

Add the mutton mince and ripe beans along with chillies cook until meat has fried and separated. Add the mutton broth along with the bones to the meat, add salt as per taste cover and place on medium flame bring to a boil cover and cook until meat is well done.

Add the tender broad beans to the cooked meat stir and cover. Tender bean pods will cook in 5 minutes. Once the beans have cooked check for salt add if needed. Reduce excess moisture, garnish with 1/2 lime juice, chopped mint and coriander stir and serve hot...Enjoy!


Thursday, September 14, 2017

Cheese Idly Recipe #Streetfood


I always stumble upon street food videos on Youtube, cheese idly was one such video which totally tempted me to recreate the same at home. Street food vendors use tomato soup powder and mushroom soup powders in many dishes, these soup powders are mixed with garam masala and chilli powder for added flavor and taste. 
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Ingredients:
6 Idllies
1 Medium Onion, 2 to 3 Green Chillies, 3 Sprigs Curry Leaves, 3 Sprigs Coriander Leaves (Fine chop all the veggies)
1 Tbsp Idly Chutney Powder Please Click Here For Recipe
1 1/2 Tbsp Tomato Soup Powder
1 Tbsp Paprika Powder or Kashmiri Chilly Powder
3 Tbsp Ghee
2 Tbsp Oil
Salt as per taste
1/2 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
Lime Juice and Coriander Leaves for garnish...


Method:
Heat a pan on medium flame with 2 tbsp oil. Add finely chopped onion, chillies, curry leaves and coriander fry until onion turns light pink in color.

Add tomato soup powder, chilly powder and idly podi to the onion and fry for 30 seconds or until the raw flavor from these masalas reduce.

Add 2 to 3 tbsp water to cook these masalas evenly cook on low flame for a minute. Add salt if needed since the soup powder and chutney powder already has salt I added only a pinch of salt.



Add 3 tbsp ghee to the masala spread and cook the masala in a even layer. Once the ghee and oil starts to separate from the masala, start placing the idllies and cook on low flame for a minute.

Flip the idllies to the other side and cook for another minute. Top the idllies with grated cheese cover and cook until the cheese starts to melt.

Once the cheese starts to melt dishout. Garnish with chopped coriander and lime juice serve hot...Enjoy!



Sunday, September 10, 2017

Double Chicken Macaroni Recipe


Double chicken macaroni is a quick and easy fix meal on a busy day. This dish is an excellent option for lunch box, potluck or for picnics. I have avoided adding cheese to this recipe it can be added or left out. In my opinion tastes good without cheese.

FYI, I dont have to pack lunch or go on picnics when I like to fix such meals is after a long grocery shopping day or when I'm very busy on deep cleaning my house. Such recipes are handy, saves a lot of effort and time. Since macaroni is whole wheat I am happy my diabetic parents can also enjoy this meal without guilt.


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Ingredients:
200 Grams Macaroni(Elbow Pasta)
200 Grams Chicken Breast ( Chop into tiny pieces)
100 Grams Chicken Sausages (Chop into coins)

1/2 Onion (Roughly Chopped)
1/2 Tomato (Roughly Chopped)
3 Green Chilies (Finely Chopped)
1/4 Cup Frozen Peas
1/2 Cup Capsicum (Chop into tiny bite size cubes)

2 Tbsp Regular Tomato Soup
1/2 Tbsp Paprika Powder
1/2 Tbsp Chilly Powder
1/2 Tbsp Coriander Powder
1 Tbsp Garam Masala
1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning

1 Tbsp Ginger and Garlic Paste
1 Tbsp Salt
2 Tbsp Oil + 2 Tsp Oil
Salt as per taste
Chopped coriander, lime juice and grated cheddar cheese for garnish...



Prep Up:
Please follow package directions to cook your pasta. I used bambino whole wheat pasta and cooked it in a jiffy.

Boil 3 cups water in a heavy bottom pot on medium flame.
Add 1 tbsp salt and 1 tbsp oil, add pasta and bring to rapid boil.

Cook pasta for 3 minutes drain excess water using a colander.
Wash the pasta in cold water thrice add 2 tsp oil mix well and reserve.

Wash the chicken breast twice pat dry using a paper towel.
Cut excess fat in the chicken and discard. Chop the chicken into bite size cubes. Chop the sausages into bite size coins.


How we prepare ginger and garlic paste recipe video...


Method:
Heat a pan with 2 tbsp oil on medium flame. Add the ginger and garlic paste fry for 30 to 40 seconds or until the raw flavor reduces.

Add onions, tomato and chillies and fry until onion turns transparent the juice from the tomato will soften the onions.

Once onion softens add chilly powder, tomato soup powder, coriander powder, garam masala, paprika and chilly powder fry until raw flavor reduces.

Add the chicken and sausages along with peas and capsicum fry until chicken starts to release moisture place on low flame allow to cook. Do not add salt allow the chicken to cook and all ingredients to wilt a bit before adding salt as per taste.

If the chicken meat is lean there wont be much moisture add 1/4 cup water to cook all the ingredients. Once all the ingredients have cook and the chicken is fork tender add salt as per taste stir and place on high flame allow excess moisture to evaporate.

Add macaroni and mix well in the masala check for salt add if needed. Add Italian seasoning and mix well allow the macaroni to cook on low flame for 5 minutes. Garnish with coriander and lime juice mix well and serve hot...Enjoy!


Thursday, September 7, 2017

Mushroom Uppukari Recipe (Kalan Uppukari Recipe)


Uppukari is a famous southindian side dish. Every region in southindia has its own uppukari recipe. For example in Mangalore uppukari is a fish fry, whereas in Tamilnadu uppukari is a salty meat stir fry to compliment a Southindian meal. 

I have already prepared chettinad/Tamilian nonveg versions chicken and mutton uppukari. This time I challenged myself to recreate the same recipe using juicy button mushrooms; this is an excellent vegan/vegetarian side dish to compliment a Southindian meal. 

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Ingredients:
500 Grams Button Mushrooms
1 Tbsp Fennel Seeds
1/2 Tbsp Pepper Powder
1/4 Tbsp Chilly Powder
1/2 Tbsp Garam Masala (we can also use tandoori chicken masala or any mutton masala)
3 Sprigs Curry Leaves
1 Cup Peeled Baby Shallots(Sambar onions)
10 Cherry Chillies 
1 1/2 Tbsp Crushed Ginger and Garlic Paste
1 Whole Garlic Peeled
Salt as per taste
1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
1 Tbsp Sunflower Oil
Salt as per taste.


Prep Up:
Wash button mushrooms thrice and place in a colander allow the excess water to drain.

Chop the mushrooms into halfs or quarters depending on size.
Peel and wash the garlic and shallots reserve.

Peel 10 pods garlic and 1 inch ginger using a mortar and pestel crush and prepare a coarse paste.



Method:
Heat a wok with sesame oil and sunflower oil on medium flame.

Add crushed ginger and garlic paste and fry for 30 seconds.

Add fennel seeds stir and allow to splutter. Once the fennel stops spluttering, add peeled garlic and dried red chilies fry for a minute.

Add curry leaves and onions fry the onion on medium flame.
Once the onion starts to turn transparent add garam masala, chilly powder and pepper powder fry for a minute.

Add mushrooms stir and fry for a minute place on low flame cover and cook for 10 minutes on low flame.

Do not add salt and water to the mushrooms as it tends to turn salty and soggy, allow the mushrooms to wilt, adjust salt later. Mushrooms tend to have a lot of moisture it will cook in its own moisture.

Check the mushrooms if its cooked in 10 minutes add salt as per taste and place on high flame stir and fry allow the excess moisture to evaporate before serving.

Once the moisture has evaporated serve hot with rice, roti and dhal enjoy this simple side dish for lunch or dinner. 😁

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Product Review: Unibic Cookies + Banoffee Pie in a Shot Glass Recipe


Unibic initially started selling oatmeal and chocochip cookies in India. Over 10 years the company has seen the consumer demand for whole wheat, multi grain, millets and oatmeal snacks, hence the entire range of cookies are made with the best ingredients combined with mixed fruits, nuts and spices to create a range over 20 flavors that will delight your taste buds! 


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I was recently contacted by the company PR to taste and review the product. Overjoyed I agreed to review the product since we were familiar with the brand and the range of cookies. 

We have been tasting these cookies over two years now I constantly keep purchasing the orange flavor cookies a family favorite for sure. These perfect little snacks are healthy, packed with flavors. kids and elderly will surely enjoy these cookies since it’s easy to digest and very crunchy. These cookies come in 75 to 200 gram packs, priced at 25 to 150/- rupees. 

Best gifting option for health freaks, elders, kids and pregnant women. Unibic always has offers and sales we tend to purchase these cookies in bulk and gift it to kids in our community.

Cookies that we got to taste were oatmeal digestive cookies, sugar free oatmeal cookies, honey oatmeal cookies, cashew cookies, Choco chip cookies and butter cookies. We loved the entire range of cookies, very crunchy and addictive, must thank Unibic and PR team for choosing me to taste and review their product. Using Unibic Butter cookies I have created a recipe...


Banoffee Pie in a Glass Recipe

Ingredients:
2 Ripe Bananas
400 ML Sweetened Condensed Milk
75 Grams Unibic Butter Cookies
Whipped Cream and Grated Chocolate for garnish...


Unibic Butter Cookies is a Vegetarian product
Rich butter cookies 75g pack, Price: 25.00

 These Cookies already contain 9.6 percent real butter...

 Zero percent cholestrol, Trans fat Free...

Method:
Use a heavy bottom pot place on medium flame add 3 Liters water allow to rapid boil on low flame to prepare Dulce de leche (toffee sauce).

Drop the can of condensed milk in hot water allow to cook on low flame for 2 hours. After 2 hours switch off the flame allow the water and can of condensed milk to cool completely.


Once the can of condensed milk has reached room temperature gently open the toffee sauce its ready to use.

Add the butter cookies to a paper bag crush the cookies using a rolling pin reserve. Slice 2 Bananas into coins reserve.


Using shot glasses assemble the bonafee pie.

Layer with crushed cookies for first layer top with sliced banana and toffee sauce...Repeat the layers...


Top with whipped cream and grated chocolate serve chilled...Enjoy!



We can pre plan and prepare this recipe in a jiffy if all the required ingredients are prepped ahead of time...Its one of the easiest recipes I've ever done. The cookies remain crunchy and do not get soggy till we serve.


Unibic Cookies are available at all local grocery stores, supermarkets, amazon, bigbasket and other online food and grocery delivery chains. Thank you so much for taking time and reading my review🙏

Sunday, September 3, 2017

Chicken Tikka Biryani Recipe


Hi Friends, Chicken tikka biryani is a simple and easy to prepare dish. Since i stay in a apartment its tough for me to cook the chicken on a coal grill, only option is oven for me. Some people may have BBQ grills use a grill or bake the chicken if possiable for added flavor and taste. 

Since we are only three people at home I use a wok to dum cook my biryani its easy and simple way for me to prepare everything on a stove and achive the same results as a restaurant.
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Ingredients:
For Marination
500 Grams Boneless Chicken (Skinless and boneless chicken thighs used in this recipe)
1/2 Cup Yogurt
1 Tbsp Garam Masala
1/2 Tbsp Chilly Powder
1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder
1 Tbsp Ginger and Garlic Paste
1/2 Tsp Kasoori Methi
1/2 Tsp Salt

For Biryani:
300 Grams Basmati Rice 
2 Large Onion Sliced to perpare fried onions
1 Roughly Chopped Tomato
1 Roughly Chopped Large Onion
3 Chopped Chillies
1 Tbsp Paprika Powder (Kashmiri Red Chilly Powder)
1/2 Cup Fresh Cream
1/4 Tsp Orange or Red Food Color
1 Tbsp Kasoori Methi
1 Tbsp Cumin seeds
1 Bayleaf
2 Inch Sticks Cinnamon
3 Pods Cardamom
4 Cloves
1 Tbsp Tomato Ketchup
1 Tbsp Tomato Soup Powder (Use regular or plain tomato soup without any added herbs)
1 1/2 Tbsp Ginger and Garlic Paste
2 Tbsp Oil
Fist Full Mint and Coriander
Salt as per taste...


Method:
Thinly slice two large onion deep fry the onion on medium flame till golden brown, drain and reserve. we can prepare this ahead of time and also use the fried onion oil in other recipes for added flavor...

Add all the ingredients to the chicken listed for marination. Mix and marinate the chicken for 1/2 hour in the fridge.

Heat a pan on medium flame with 2 tbp ghee. Add the marinated chicken to ghee fry on medium flame. Add 1 Tbsp Paprika Powder (Kashmiri Chilly Powder) for color, cook the chicken until half done.

We can grill the chicken on coals or also bake in oven. Once the chicken has half cooked drain excess oil and reserve the chicken pieces.

Use the same pan to prepare the biryani masala. Add 1 Tbsp cumin seeds, 1 bayleaf, 2 Inch sticks cinnamon, 3 pods cardamom and 4 cloves. Add 1 roughly chopped tomato, 1 roughly chopped large onion and 3 chopped chillies...fry all the ingredients for 30 seconds, add 1/2 Cup water all the onion and tomato to cook and caramalize. Once the onion and toamto has cooked andmoisture has evaporated reserve the masala.


Wash basmati rice thrice and add to a pressure cooker measure
and add water for every one cup rice add 1 1/2 cups water, cook for 5 Minutes or 3 Whistles.

I switched to a wok to finish my chicken tikka masala and will use the same wok to cook biryani. On medium flame heat the wok with 2 tbsp oil, add 1 1/2 Tbsp ginger and garlic paste, fry till raw flavor reduces transfer the tomato masala and fry for 10 seconds.

Add 1/2 tbsp chilly powder, 1 1/2 Tbsp tomato ketchup, 1 Tbsp tomato soup powder, 1 Tbsp kasoori methi, 1/2 cup fresh cream to the tomato masala fry all the ingredients for a minute on medium flame...

Add 1/4 cup water, 1/4 tsp ornage or red food color to create a vibarant gravy we can avoid the food color. Add the cooked chicken to the gravy cook until chicken is well done. Reserve 1/2 amount chicken gravy to create layers in biryani

Start layering the biryani:
Add coriander and mint for first layer. Top with 3 tbsp fried onions
layer rice and repeat the same process for two more layers...Cover with tight fitting lid and cook on very low flame for 10 to 15 minutes. After 15 minutes open and do not mix the biryani serve in layers...Serve hot with raita, lime wedges and mint chutney...Enjoy!

Friday, September 1, 2017

Dill Roasted Potato Pizza Recipe


I created this pizza in a fluke, used what ever ingredients was in my fridge. I like tiny cubed potatoes it can be thinly sliced into coins as per preference. Instead of pizza base use left over bread slices and create bread pizzas.


Subscribe to me on Youtube English and Tamil Channels for regular updates...

Ingredients:
Half baked ready to use pizza base 3 packs
2 Tbsp Maida 
2 to 3 Cups Milk
1/2 Cup Grated Mozzarella 
1/2 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
1 Large Onion Sliced 
1 Potato Cubed
1/4 Cup Dill Leaves (Finely Chopped)
4 Cloves Garlic (Grated or thinly sliced)
4 Green Chillies (Finely Chopped)
1/4 Tsp Pepper Powder
Salted Butter as required
Italian seasoning and Chilly flakes as required
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt as per taste...


Method: 
Heat a wok on medium flame. Add 2 Tbsp olive oil. Add the sliced garlic and chillies till raw flavor has gone. Add sliced onion, potato and dill leaves fry for a minute...

Add salt as per taste and 1/4 cup water to cook the potatoes place a cover, cook on medium flame until the potatoes are well done. Once the potatoes are cooked if there is any moisture place on high flame and allow the moisture to evaporate.

Add 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning to the potato topping stir and switch of the flame reserve the potato topping in a bowl.

Heat a wok or pan on medium flame with 3 tbsp butter. Once the butter starts to melt and foam add maida (All purpose flour). Fry the maida in butter for a minute on medium flame.

Add 1 cup cold milk to the butter and flour, stir quickly. Dont worry if lumps are formed keep stirring the sauce. Add salt and Pepper powder. Add 1 more cup milk to form a smooth sauce
Stir... Stir...Stir...on medium flame, eventually the lumps will melt and the sauce will be smooth. Cook the sauce on low flame for 2 more minutes, remove from flame reserve...


Heat a skillet or tawa on medium flame toast the pizza bread with butter or oil. Flip the toast side up place on low flame and start
layering the pizza base with sauce and topping, sprinkle with even layer cheese, italian seasoning and chilly flakes.

Cover and allow the pizza to toast on the other side on low flame for 5 minutes keep checking if the cheese has melted and the base has toasted to required consitency.

We can also bake this pizza at 250 degree for 10 minutes. Once the cheese has melted its ready to slice and serve...Enjoy!


Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Mandarin Calling (Chinese Food Festival) @OKO - THE Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru

OKO is a PAN Asian restaurant serves Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and Malaysian cuisines nearly a decade now, OKO is known for Sushi, Teppanyaki and Oriental Grills. Located at 6th Floor of Lalit Ashok, warm toned interiors, friendly hospitality and the scrumptious food here will surely win your hearts. I was recently hosted for mandarin calling (chinese food festival) curated by expat Chef Luo.

Chef Luo Jinhong from Hunan Province, China.

Chef Luo has handpicked an exclusive menu from his vast experience and will be dishing out some of his signature dishes such as Chong Qing Chicken,Crispy Vegetables in Plum sauce, Vermicelli Spinach soup,  Sliced chicken Shui Zhu sauce,  Wood-ear Mushroom and black bean sauce and Sticky Rice Ball, Cantonese style. Apart from the A la Carte menu they have also created a 4 Course Chef’s Choice Menu which comprises of Starter, Soup, Main Course and Dessert. 

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Ambience

Menu

At the Bloggers Table:
Asparagus and corn soup
Corn and chestnut dumpling
Crystal Prawn dumpling
Spicy and sour cucumber salad 
Tofu chilli black bean in Hunan style
Crispy fried lamb Beijing style
Chong qing chicken with onion and dry chilli
Pomfret in fukien sha cha sauce
King prawn in Xiang la sauce
Sizzling eggplant in barbeque sauce
Tofu with leek Hunan 
Olive vegetable fried rice
Slice chicken Shui zhu sauce 
Chilli black bean fried noodles with schezuan pepper oil
Steamed chocolate bun with honey butter sauce....

Welcome Drink Water Melon Mojito

Condiments
 Crispy Potato Stacks

 Pickled Peanuts and Lotus stems

 Asparagus and Corn Soup

 Spicy and Sour Cucumber Salad

Dumplings

 Plum Chilly Sauce

 Corn and Chestnut Dumpling

 Crystal Prawn Dumpling

 Virgin Sangria Spiked with Lemongrass

 Tofu, Chilly Black Bean in Hunan Style

 Chong Qing Chicken with Onion and Dried Chilies


 Crispy Fried Lamb Beijing Style

Mains

 Sizzling Eggplant in Barbeque Sauce

 Stir Fried Sha Cha Noodles

 Hunan Vegetable fried rice

 King Prawns in Xaing La Sauce

 Pomfret in Fukien Sha Cha Sauce


 Mixed Green Vegebales in Scallion and Garlic Sauce

 Diced Chicken in Kung Pao Sauce


My Plate


 Virgin Lychee Martini spiked with ginger

Steam Chocolate bun with honey butter sauce...

The food was well balanced neither too spicy nor too bland perfect for Indian taste palate. My picks from the entire tasting was the spicy cucumber, king prawns, fried rice, sizzling eggplant and chocolate bun, mocktails paired with the food was excellent. 

Priced at INR 1350++ from 25, August 2017 until the 3rd September, 2017 for Lunch and Dinner.
OKO – The LaLiT Ashok Bangalore
For Reservations : 9980158286