Fastest Way to carmelize Garlic

From the nytimes website:
http://www.nytimes.com/video/2013/04/19/dining/100000002179029/the-fastest-way-to-caramelize-garlic.html

To make it, smash several garlic cloves and then peel off their skins. Heat 1/4-inch or so of olive oil in a skillet and add the garlic. Let the garlic cook over medium to medium-low heat until the edges turn golden, about 2 to 6 minutes. If the garlic starts to turn dark brown, lower the heat.

The garlic and garlic oil will last for at least 2 weeks in the refrigerator if you don’t use it all before then. And if you do, making more is a snap. 

Veg Paella

From Mark Bittman's Paella Recipe. I have to try this yet, but recently I had Paella served during a Business Lunch. I thought it was light and flavorful and the overall texture was different than the Pulao or Biryani. I will be trying this out soon.

Paella Master Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, minced
• 2 cups rice
• 1 pinch saffron
• 3 1/2 cups liquid (vegetable stock; water; wine, etc., or a combination)
• 1/2 pound vegetables, like olives, tomatoes, snow peas, mushrooms

1.

Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add one chopped onion and some minced bell pepper at the same time if you like and cook until soft. 

2.

Add 2 cups rice and (if you have it) a pinch of saffron and cook, stirring, until shiny. Add 3 1/2 cups of your liquid of choice, heated, and stir until just combined.

3.

Cook over medium-high heat, undisturbed. If the pan is too big for your burner, move it around a little; but after that initial stirring, leave it alone. When the mixture starts to dry, begin tasting the rice; if the liquid amount seems O.K., keep going. If the rice seems quite tough, add another 1/2 cup or so of liquid. And if you can smell the bottom starting to burn, lower the heat a bit. About halfway through the cooking (about 10 minutes), add any vegetables, adjust seasonings and stir gently, just once.

4.

The rice is done when tender and still a bit moist; if the mixture has stuck to the bottom of the pan, congratulations: you have socarrat, a characteristic of good paella. This should be served in the pan, in the middle of the table, and dinner guests — up to six — should fight over it.

Vegetable Soup with a light broth

This is the soup that I made for tonite's dinner. Yum!

It is a wonder that a simple mix of vegetables add so much flavor in this simple but immensely satisfying soup.
Flavor base: 2 cloves garlic, 2 carrots; 2 stalks of celery; 1 med onion - all diced and lightly sauteed in olive oil.
To this add coarsely sliced vegetables: 3 small potatoes, 1 red peper, 1 yellow squash, 3-4 tomatos, 1/2 cup spinach, 1 cup frozen green peas (or other veggies in similar amounts, not a whole lot). Sautee some more.
Add 1 carton of veggie stock, bring to a boil and then simmer for 40-60 mins after adding Seasoning: i.e. 1 tsp of thyme powder (or dry thyme), 2 tbsp chopped basil, 1 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp pepper, salt to taste

Croutons make this into a meal. Cut white bread slices to triangles (it is more fun that way), sprinkle 1 tbsp olive oil and optionally dice 1 tbsp butter into small pieces and sprinkle over the bread slices. Bake at 350 deg for 8 mins; turn the broiler on for 2 mins watching carefully in the oven so it doesn't get burnt.

Pita Bread

I got this recipe from: http://www.thefreshloaf.com/recipes/pitabread
and I am going to try this tomorrow. Since I baked Naan Bread on my pizza stone and it came out always good, I am going to try this one.

Pita Bread

Makes 8 pitas

3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 Tablespoon sugar or honey
1 packet yeast (or, if from bulk, 2 teaspoons active dry yeast)
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups water, roughly at room temperature
2 tablespoons olive oil, vegetable oil, butter, or shortening

Steps

• Warm the water in microwave for 30 secs and add sugar/honey in it. 
• Add active dry yeast to proof it for about 10 mins. If you are using instant yeast skip this step and add the yeast to the dry ingredients.
• Mix all ingredients in a bread machine for 10 mins
• Put the dough in a bowl coated with oil/spray and cover it with kitchen towel and let it raise for 90 mins
• After this punch down the dough; divide into 8 balls; put it back into the bowl and let it raise for 30 mins.
• At this point you can make the pitas or store the dough in the fridge for several days
• Load the pizza stone into the oven and put the oven on maximum temperature, in the broil mode.  
• Roll each ball into 1/8 or 1/4 inch thick disc
• Place the discs on the pizza stone and bake for about 3 mins until they are puffy. 
• If you need them crispy bake them for an additional 3-5 mins.
• 
  

Mushroom Pulao

I made this today and it turned out to be a fairly easy recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 Med onions thinly sliced or diced
• 2 med tomatos diced
• 2 Garlic pods chopped finely
• 1-2 cups of sliced mushrooms 
• 1/2 cup of peas (optional)
• 2 Green Chillies
• 2 Cloves
• 1 Stick cinnamon
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 Star Anise
• 1 tbsp Garam Masala Powder
• Salt
• 2 cups Basmathi Rice
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp ghee/butter
• Coriander leaves to garnish

Method:

• I used a Pressure Pan for this dish. You could use a wide skillet with a lid also but you need to adjust cooking time and water accordingly.
• Soak rice for 10-20 mins and drain water and set aside
• Heat oil and ghee in pressure cooker.
• Add cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf and star anise.
• After a few seconds, add garlic, onion and green chilli. Saute for a couple of minutes.
• Add mushroom and peas and Sautee for 5 mins
• Add rice and saute for 5 mins
• Add Tomato and Saute for 5 mins
• Finally add 4 cups water and cover the pressure cooker and cook for 3 whistles.
• Cool and garnish with coriander leaves.
• Serve with Raita.

Naan

I adapted this recipe from Aarti Sequeira's recipe.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aarti-sequeira/naan-indian-oven-baked-flat-bread-recipe/index.html. I reduced the yeast a bit as using a whole teaspoon will make the naan very yeasty and flaky and somewhat not Naan-like. Also I used 50% whole wheat and 50% all purpose flour to add whole grain goodness. It came out quite well. If you dont have yogurt, you could use Kefir instead. Buttermilk wont be a good substitute I think. 

• 3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast (instant yeast also worked)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 cups Bread flour, plus more for rolling, (Alternatively 1 cup whole wheat and 1 cup all purpose)
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kalonji (nigella seeds), optional
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, optional
• Ghee or Butter for brusing on finished naans

Directions

• First dissolve 1 tsp sugar with 3/4 cups warm water and add yeast. Let it sit for 10 mins.
• Put all the other ingredients into a food processor or a stand mixer or a bread machine and mix. Add water as the flour forms into a ball of dough.
• This dough should be somewhat sticky. But if it is too sticky reduce water.
• Coat Oil in a mixing bowl put the dough in it and cover with a wet kitchen towel.
• Leave for 2-4 hours or more.
• Punch down and divide the dough into about 6 balls, You need to coat your hands with oil and dust with flour as the dough will be sticky. Leave for another 20 mins or so.
• About 1 hour before making naan, leave a pizza stone in the oven at the maximum temp in broil. Pizza can be in the top Rack in order to take maximum advantage of radiated heat from the top heating elements. If your oven is convection one, turn it into convection broil.
• Now, take a ball, moisten your hands with water and pat the dough between your hands shaping it into a tear drop shape.
• Put it on your Gaddi and then slap it into the pizza stone.
• (You can make gaddi by rolling a few kitchen towels into a small pillow shape. If you dont have Gaddi, you can use your mittens as well)
• Naan will be done in about a min or so. Keep watching it and as it turns brown take it out.
• You may want to have a flat spoon handy for taking it off the stone, just in case it sticks to the pizza stone.
• Once you take the Naan out of the oven, brush it with Ghee or butter. 
• You can have Naan with curries like Mutter Paneer, Chana Masala, etc.

Minimize the time the oven is open so that the pizza stone keeps at the hottest possible temperature. You could finish baking the whole batch of 6 naans in about 15 mins.

This Naan came out quite good and was very comparable to the Naan you get from the Tandoori Oven. It was chewy and remained moist even after cooling down. It can be reheated in the toaster oven before serving. 

Vegetable Dum Biryani

After much research, I made this dish today. Once you get the hang of the recipe this should be somewhat simple to make.

Here is the general plan.

1. Cook Rice Separately to about 50% doneness. This can be done by soaking Basmati Rice for 20 mins and cooking it in water with 1 cup rice - 1.5 cup water proportion. You should be able to cook this in about 15 mins.
2. Prepare Vegetable curry separately
3. Prepare Savory water
4. Prepare Sweet Milk
5. Layer Rice and veggies in the dish and bake for 30 mins.

Here is the recipe:

Savory Water

1. Boil 2 cups water; 
2. Add 1 tbsp mace; 1 tbsp kala jeera; 3 pieces of cinnamon stick; 5 cardamom pods; 8 cloves; 2 tsp fennel seeds; 1 tsp nutmeg; 2 star anise pods; 1 tsp peppercorns; 2 long bay leaves
3. Simmer for 20 mins; Then filter out the spices and keep the water

Sweet Milk

1. Boil 1 cups milk
2. Add few strands of saffron; 2 tbsp rose water; 2 tbsp kewra water; 1 tsp cardamom powder; 1 tbsp sugar
3. Simmer for 10 mins

Rice

Soak 2 cups Basmati rice for 20 mins; Saute 2 cloves and 1 piece of cinnamon stick and onions in 2 tbsp of ghee and add 1 large diced tomato; Add rice and when it is coated with ghee, add water and cook for about 10 mins

Vegetable Curry

A medley of veggies can be used for this. For example, you can have 2 potatoes, 1 chayote squash, 3 med carrots, 1 cup peas, 1 cup cauli flower, etc.

1. Cut the veggies to small chunks. They should not be diced too small otherwise they will lose integrity during the cooking process and will turn mushy.
2. Sautee the veggies with 1 small diced onion and 3 garlic (minced - opt).
3. Grind the following in a blender: 2 tomatoes, 1 inch ginger, 5 green chilies, 1/2 cup cashews or almonds, 1 cup cilantro, 1 cup mint. (The herbs can also be added to the curry without blending).
4. Cook for just about 10 mins in med flame so that the veggies are still crunchy.
5. Add about 3 tbsp of the savory water prepared.
6. Add 3 tbsp yogurt when the veggies are about done and turn off the flame.

Dum cooking

• Take a thick dish that you can keep in the oven. Dutch oven will be good as it has a heavy lid. 
• You can either seal it with dough or cover it with aluminium foil.
• For sealing with dough, use 1/4 cup of flour with 1 tbsp water.
• Layer Rice and Veggies with the pattern of: 1 layer rice; Savory water and sweet milk swirled over the rice; 1 layer of veggies; 1 layer of rice again, etc. Seal the dish with dough or aluminium foil.
• Bake the dish in the oven for 30 mins at around 350 deg for 45 mins.
• Unseal after removing from the oven after about 20 mins.

This dish is not very spicy and should be served with onion raita or pickle on the side. Almonds and cashews can be added for garnish.

Tikka Masala (Aloo, Gobi, Vegetables, Paneer)

The word Tikka means "bits, pieces". Masala often refers to a gravy made with tomato and spices.

"Tikka Masala" can be made with marinated pieces of Vegetables(Peppers, onions, zuchhini, mushrooms, etc.),

 Aloo(potatoes), Gobi(Cauliflower), Paneer, etc.

The recipe is actually very simple. 

Marinading

When the vegetables are used the following procedure can be used for marinading: 

o 2 cups of Vegetables or Paneer cut to pieces

o 1/4 cup of yogurt. Thick yogurt is a better option. You can either strain yogurt with cheesecloth or use greek yogurt. But if you dont have em you can use just the plain yogurt.

o 1 tbsp coriander powder

o 2 tsp paprika

o 2 tsp chili powder

o Diced ginger 1 tbsp

o 1 tbsp Kasoori methi leaves

o 1 tsp turmeric

o Juice of 1 lime

o 1 tbsp amchoor powder

o 2 tsp of flour (corn, arrow root, wheat or rice in that order of preference)  for binding

o Mix spices with yogurt and add vegetables, coat them well, cover the vessel and leave in the fridge for 1 hour or more. (If you are in a hurry, atleast 10 minutes would be needed to marinade otherwise the contents wont absorb the flavor)

Gravy

The gravy is fairly simple. Essentially, it is just pureed tomatoes and aromatics with spices.

o 1 can of tomatoes or about 1 lb of fresh tomatoes - Diced. Fresh ones are better for this dish.

o 1 big onion  - diced

o 1 tbsp of ginger and 1 tbsp or garlic (optional)

o 2 tbsp coriander powder

o 1 tbsp Garam Masala powder

o 1 tbsp paprika

o 1 tbsp chili powder

o 2 tsp turmeric

o 1 tsp cumin 

o Heat oil, add cumin and when they pop add onions. Add ginger and garlic (or ginger garlic paste) as an option.

After Onions caramelize a bit, add tomatoes

o Once the tomatoes are cooked a bit and disintegrating, add the spices with Garam masala as the last step.

o Cover and cook for 10 mins; Then use a hand blender or food processor to puree the gravy

Putting it together

o Heat some oil, add 1 tsp cumin seeds and when they pop, add the marinated vegetables and fry them for a bit until the vegetables or cooked or when paneer browns a little bit. Do not overcook.

o Add the stir fried vegetables to the gravy and cook for about 5 mins.
o Garnish with Cilantro Leaves.

Serving

Tikka Masala can be served over Basmati Rice and it makes a wonderful meal.

It can be had with Roti/Chapati/Puri, etc.

Katti Rolls

You can easily make Katti Rolls out of it with Roti/Chapathi or some flat bread 

(Pita, Middle Eastern Flat Bread, Tortilla, Lavash of these can qualify). 

Smear a bit of yogurt and optionally any kind of chutney you may have.

Place a bit of Basmati Rice, Tikka Masala and shredded lettuce and roll up the flat bread. That's it!

Puliyodarai - Tamarind Rice - Iyengar style

Dry Powder ingredients

Dried Red Chillies --- 15 

Coriander seeds---- 2 tbsp

Methi (fenugreek) seeds----1 tsp

Wet ingredients

Tamarind - One large lemon size (pulp extracted as per directions)

Dried Red Chillies --- 5 cut into half

Asafoetida – A pinch or two

Turmeric powder- 1 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tbsp

Urad Dal - 1 tbsp

Chana Dal (bengal gram) - 2 tbsp

Peanuts - 1/4 cup

Cashew nuts - 10 or so(optional)

Jaggery - 1 tbsp

curry leaves - 2 sprigs

1/4 cup gingelly oil (sesame oil).

Salt to taste

• This dish is most flavorful if enough time is given. It is not as tasty if prepared in a rush. Give the ingredients enough time to come together and develop flavor.
• Soak the tamarind in 1 cup of warm water; leave it for 15 mins and then use your hands to mash the tamarind into pulp. It doesnt take much effort. Leave for another 30 mins or so and then use your hands to squeeze the fruit matter to extract out the pulp and throw the fiber and seeds away. 
• Heat 1/4 cup of Sesame oil aka Gingelly Oil aka  Nallennai in a heavy pan. Add mustard Chana Dal, Urad Dall and after a few mins Peanuts and mustard and Asafoetida. After muster seeds start popping add cashew nuts and then curry leaves; Finally add jaggery and the chilies
• Finally add the tamarind pulp and turmeric; Cover and leave for 10-15 mins on low flame to reduce and to lose the raw tamarind flavor after cooking
• Dry roast the dry powder ingredients and then powder them in a coffee grinder/ Mixie
• After the tamarind pulp mixture reduces after the water evaporates, add the powder and then take off the heat. Add salt to taste. This is Pulikaichal, which will make the Tamarind Rice or Puliyodarai
• 
  
• To prepare rice: Cook 2 cups of rice in a rice cooker with about 5 cups of water.
• Once the rice is done open the lid, add 2 tbsp of sesame oil and spread the rice on a mixing bowl or plate
• After the rice cools add Pulikaichal to the rice and mix using your hands. Add salt as needed. Thee ingredients should be cool at that point. Leave the mixed rice for about 2-3 hours to develop the flavor. 
• This tastes much like the Perumal Kovil Puliyodarai.

Vegetarian Pho

Adapted from here and Mark Bittman's recipe.

For the Broth:

1 small unpeeled onion, quartered

2 unpeeled shallots, halved

8 garlic cloves, halved

a 1-inch piece of ginger, coarsely sliced

two 3-inch cinnamon sticks

2 pods of star anise

4 cloves

2 bay leaves

1 carton vegetable stock/ broth

3 tablespoons soy sauce

salt

o Add onion, shallots, garlic, ginger, spices and dry roast for a few mins

o Once they begin to char (gets a smoky flavor this way) add stock and soy sauce and bring to a boil over high heat

o Turn heat to low and simmer for 30 mins

o Strain into a clean pot, discard the solids and keep warm over low heat

o You can then serve the broth ladling it over rice noodles and add garnish as desired such as:

Tofu, peas, carrots, bean sprouts, green onions, basil leaves, cilantro, diced chilies, etc. etc.

Mac 'n' Cheese

I adapted this from Mark Bittman's cookbook and from Aarti Sequira's show.

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• Cheese Sauce
• 4 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp white flour
• 1 cup cream
• 2 cups milk (or you could have 3 cups low fat milk instead as well for less richness)
• 1/2 lb sharp cheddar (grated)
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Bread Crumb mixture:
• 1-2 cups Panko Bread Crumbs
• 2 tbsp butter
• Heat butter and add crumbs mix well and set aside

1. Heat oven to 400 F. Boil enough water for the macaroni;
2. Simultaneously, boil the milk and cream with 2 bay leaves
3. Cook macaroni for about 5 mins and take off the heat while still not fully cooked. Pour cold water to stop cooking and set aside
4. Heat butter and when it is melted, add flour and keep whisking in low heat until the flour mixture turns mildly brown
5. Take bayleaves off the milk and add the milk slowly while whisking vigorously. Flour is going to absorb milk and bulk up so you want to make sure there are no lumps forming when that happens.
6. Increase heat, add all of the milk and keep stirring to make a sauce of thick consistency
7. Add cheddar cheese to the sauce, lower the heat and stir well
8. Add sauce to the macaroni; Mix well; Add parmesan cheese
9. You can use 9x13 baking dish or 2 casserole dishes for this after greasing the dishes. Bake at 400 F for about 15 mins or until the it bubbles and the crumbs turn brown.

I am trying variations like the several ones suggested by Mark in his How To Cook Everything Vegetarian book and Aarti.

Tiramisu

This is very simple to make and a very customizable recipe, doesn't need eggs, etc.

24 lady fingers (or savoiardi)

5 tbsp instant coffee powder (or espresso shots)

1 1/2 cup hot water

3 tbsp rum (or equivalent rum flavor) (optional; you can substitute with vanilla or other favorite flavoring. it wont be tasting like authentic tiramisu though)

1 1/4 cup cream (heavy or whipping)

250 g or 1 cup mascarpone cheese

1/3rd cup powdered sugar

2 tbsp cocoa powder

5 ameretto cookies (optional)

1. Heat water to boiling and add coffee powder or espresso; Add 3 tbsp of sugar ( and if the coffee is too bitter you can moderate it with 1/2 pinch of salt (really!)); Add rum or other flavor to the coffee
2. Whip the cream in a mixing bowl; stir in the cheese and then the sugar; mix all into a nice and smooth topping consistency
3. Take a serving dish (9x13 would work for this)
4. Dunk the lady-fingers in coffee and lay out in a row to cover the length of the dish; pour some coffee on it to make all of them moist.
5. Spoon half of the topping and spread on the sponge layer; Dust 1 tbsp of cocoa powder on the topping and crumple 2-3 amaretto cookies.
6. Repeat step 4 and 5 for another layer
7. Chill for 3-4 hours before serving

Honey Mustard Dressing

From Alton Brown's Recipe, seems to work fine. Very simple to make and a very tasty dressing, especially if you want something tangy and not oily.

• 5 tablespoons medium body honey (sourwood is nice)
• 3 tablespoons smooth Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Serve as a dressing or a dip.

Chocolate Souffle Cake

I made Chocolate Souffle Cake following the recipe from Martha Stewart as here.

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/chocolate-souffle-cake

It came out well. The cake had a good lift as a Souflle cake should be and it was very light as expected. I think I could have left it in the oven for 10 more mins to caramelize it further.

I made vanilla cream sauce following this recipe:

http://www.nickstellino.com/recipes_display.asp?ind=244

I served it A La Mode with Vanilla Icecream or Coffee Icecream.

I think it was overall a very successful cake.

Trip to Buenos Aires

Just returned from a business trip to Buenos Aires. Its pretty tough for vegetarians to survive if you do not know atleast some spanish. Most dishes have Ham (jamon) or seafood or chicken in them. The only safe bet often is spaghetti with tomato sauce.

One of my colleague asked me for Masala Dosa recipe. I searched for indian grocery stores in BA but im not getting any good references from googling. There seems to be popular spice store: El Gato Negro . There are a few indian restaurants in BA, but there doesn't seem to be any indian or south asian grocery stores. I am working on an MD recipe that would work for people at BA.

Pesto Is Not Just About Basil Any More - WSJ.com

Pesto Is Not Just About Basil Any More - WSJ.com

Swiss Chard and Chikpea soup

I adapted this recipe from: http://talesfromaveggiekitchen.blogspot.com/2006/10/chickpea-and-swiss-chard-soup.html

I had this soup at Oracle's Bon Appetitt restaurant and it was very earthy and tasty. I bought Swiss Chard from the Fremont farmer's market today. Here is the recipe for a big pot full of soup.

o 1 big bunch of swiss chard

o 2 large onions - diced

o 4 carrots cubed for soup

o 3 stalks of celery - diced

o 1 carton of veg stock

o 1 can of tomato paste (small can)

o 2 cans of garbanzo beans

o Clean the chard, trim the root end of the stem; then cut the whole stems into small pieces and the leaves into ribbons

o Saute the onions, carrots and celery along with the chard stems in EVOO for 10 mins in the soup pot with the cover on the pot.

o Add the chard ribbons and saute for 5 mins

o Add the stock and a lot of water in the pot and bring to boil.

o Add the whole can of paste to the pot and the garbanzo beans and boil for 10 mins

o Optionally take about 3 cups of the soups with veggies and beans and puree in blender gently. Then return puree to pot.

o Reduce the heat, add seasoning (oregano, thyme, parsley etc.) and simmer for 30 mins or more.

o Add pepper and salt to taste before serving.

Recipes — Cooking Ideas — Italian Farro & Beans— SFGate Food & Wine

Recipes — Cooking Ideas — Italian Farro & Beans— SFGate Food & Wine

Bitter Gourd ( Karela ) Curry

I adapted this recipe from a funny show from the Vahchef on youtube

o Bitter Gourd 1/2 pound

o Chilly Powder: 2 tsp

o Coriander Powder: 1 tbsp

o 1 inch ginger diced or grated

o 1 med onion diced

o 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 sprig curry leaves, 1 pinch Hing

o Cut Bitter Gourd into half, scoop out the inside white pith, but you can keep the seeds as they come out crunchy in this dish. Dice into small pieces

o Soak in hot water with salt and 1 tsp turmeric for 15 mins; then squeeze out the liquid and set aside.

o Fry mustard, cumin seeds, curry leaves, Hing in oil. When mustard seeds pop, add onions and sauté. Add Ginger to onions.

o Add coriander powder and chili powder

o Add bitter gourd; cover for about 10 mins until it is cooked

o Then uncover and cook in high until the veggies caramelize and become crispy

o When it is almost done, add Jaggery or Sugar and some lemon juice

o You can also substitute 1 tbsp of tamarind instead of the lemon juice at the time you cook the vegetable.

This curry is bitter, spicy, tangy and sweet at the same time. This is a fine accompaniment to rice dishes.

Bitter Gourd aka Karela that you can get from Indian markets is a spiky green vegetable. This link shows the differences between the various varieties of this vegetable.

Vegan Cupcake Recipe wins Cupcake war!

Vegan Chef: Chloe Coscarelli Won the recent Cupcake War with Vegan Cupcake recipes!

Here is the link from nytimes article

Her Mango Masala Panini Recipe which won award in another competition is here

Bitter Gourd Kootu

Adapted from: http://www.asvadha.com/2008/04/bitter-gourd-kootu.html

5 or 6 bitter gourds - diced into rings after removing pith
1/2 - 1 cup - cooked Toor dal,
1 1/2 tsp - Salt or to taste
1/2 tsp - Turmeric
1 tbsp tamarind paste
2 tsp - Oil

For Coconut-masala paste:
1/4 cup - Coconut , grated
1 tbsp - Coriander seeds
1 tbsp - Channa dal
1/2 tbsp - Urad dal (
1/2 tsp - Fenugreek/Menthia seeds
3-4 - Red chillies
pinch of asafoetida

For Tempering :
1 tsp - Mustard seeds
1 tsp - Urad dal
1/2 tsp - Fenugreek seeds
Few curry leaves
2 tbsp - Peanuts, roasted

o Cut Bitter Gourd into half circles

o Add salt and turmeric and soak in water for 20 mins; Then squeeze out water and set veggies aside.

o Fry ingredients for masala paste (minus coconut) in oil; Then grind to a smooth paste

o Fry tempering ingredients, then add peanuts then add Bitter Gourd and fry for 5 mins

o Add 1 1/2 cups water and Tamarind and cook for 10 mins

o Add cooked Dal and cook for 5 mins

o Add masala paste and cook for 5 mins

o Add 1 tbsp jaggery to sweeten the dish

o Serve hot with rice.

Cabbage Rice

I built this recipe from several web sites and it came out quite well. It can be had with a Channa masala or some other curry or with Raita.

• 1/2 head cabbage
• 1/4 cup onion
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 4-5 curry leaves
• 1 tbsp channa dal (soaked for 10 mins in hot water)
• 1/2 tea spn mustard seeds

Spice paste :

• 1 tsp chana dal
• 1/4 cup dry peeled peanuts
• 1/2 tsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1 tbl spn coconut
• 4-5 green/red chillies
• 1 tea spn chopped ginger (opt)

o Cook rice and set aside to cook (you can put it in freezer optionally)
o Grind spice paste and set aside
o Heat oil, add mustard seeds, onion and then cabbage and curry leaves; finally add soaked channa dal and fry
o Once the cabbage is somewhat done (still crisp), add the paste and cook for 5 mins
o Then add the rice, mix well and serve

Simplest Raita Ever

Raita cools the palette and hence is often paired with spicy dishes like Biryani or Pulao.
It is mostly yogurt or cultured milk (Kefir) with some vegetables or herbs or just chaat masala.

I made it in the following way and it was very tasty and so simple to make:
o 1 Tomato diced
o about 5 - 10 mint leaves
o 1/4 cup of cilantro
o 1-2 cups of yogurt or kefir
o salt as needed

Mix these. Thats it!

Mushroom Pulao

I made this recipe adapted from:
http://valar-myblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/mushroom-pulao.html
and it came out well. It is quick and easy to make.

Ingredients
Mushrooms - 1 packet of sliced mushrooms from the megamart
Basamti Rice - 2 cups
Cinnamon - 1 stick
Cloves - 3

Onion , chopped - 1
Salt to taste
Ghee or oil - little

For the Ground masala
Garlic - 6 pods (optional)
Ginger - 1" piece
Green chillies - 3 (5 if you want it spicy)
Fennel seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
Black Pepper Corns - 1/2 teaspoon
Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon
Cardamom - 4
Mint leaves - few
Coriander leaves - few

o Soak Basmati Rice for 10 mins
o Grind the above masala ingredients. Set aside
o Cook Rice with cinnamon and cloves and a tsp of butter in rice cooker with 4 cups of water.
o Saute onions with 1 tbsp oil or butter. When it caramelizes add ground masala and leave for 2 mins until the water in masala evaporates. Then add mushrooms and cook for 5 mins.
o Then add cooked basmati rice and gently mix all ingredients.
o Garnish with cashews fried in butter or ghee.

Cooking Basmati Rice in Rice Cooker

Good tips that worked for me are in this link.
More tips :

1. link1
2. link2 talks about cooking in zorijushi. This calls for the same method as below but for soaking in salted water.
   

• Rice to Water Ratio is 2 cup water for 1 cup rice
• Rinse/Wash rice gently and Soak rice for 10 mins and not more than 10 mins
• Optionally add a bit of spices (like 2 cardamom, 1-2 cloves, 1 small cinnamon stick, etc.) and 1 tsp butter
  
• Cook in the regular rice cooking mode of your rice cooker
• Once cooking is done, switch cooker off and Leave closed for 10 mins
• Open after 10 mins and fluff gently with a fork. If you fluff too long after cooking it could get clumpy.
• Keep rice covered. Do not keep it in warm setting of rice cooker as it could get hard and clumpy.
  

All about Biryani

Here are some links about a popular dish in India: Biryani
This is a complete meal with protein, carbs and fat. This is a dish of Mughlai cuisine, basically developed with the persian cooks who belonged to the court of the persian Mughal kings of India.

This article talks a lot about the method of cooking Biryani and the difference between Biryani and Pulao both of which are rice dishes: link
Dum Pukht is the traditional method where an earthern pot called Handi is filled with ingredients (rice, meat or veg, spices, etc.) and sealed with dough. It is then kept on hot coals which turn the pot into an oven. The ingredients cook with their own steam which forms inside the pot and remains trapped in it due to the dough seal. Pretty neat!

More links:
wikipedia link
History of Biryani

By authentic standards my recipe for Vegetable Biryani is not a Biryani but a Pulao.
Biryani making process is a bit complex as described here

Armed with all these good information, i cannot wait to craft my own easy to make version of Biryani. I will post the recipe and the method once i figure this out.

Butternut Squash And Apple soup with Cream

I adapted this recipe from multiple sources:
Ina Garten's recipe,
Another one
Williams Sonoma recipe

The idea is somewhat simple and you can adapt it as you like it. Aromatics (diced onions, mire poix or leeks any of these will work) provide the base notes and heat. Stock provides the body. Butternut Squash (pumpkin will also do; Canned squash or pumpkin works just fine) provide the flavor and the sweetness. It is balanced by the tartness of Apples. Tart varieties like Pink Lady and Green Apple are better suited. The soup is ideal for cold months can be served with Sweet French Bread.

• Aromatics - 2 cups
  
• 1 can of butternut squash (or you can roast the squash in the oven and take the meat of the vegetable).
• 3 or 4 apples, peeled, cored, diced
• 1 carton of veg stock or broth
• 2-3 cups of water as needed to adjust the soup's consistency
• 2 cups of cream
  
• 1 tsp dried or fresh thyme
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• 1 pinch saffron (optional)
• Salt and Pepper

o In a stock/soup pot, heat tbsp olive oil and add the aromatics
o when the onions/leeks are well done, add the diced apples and cook for 5 mins
o Add the stock, turn to high heat bringing to a boil and keep for 10 mins
o Add thyme, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper
o Add the squash and cook for another 5 mins
o Take off the heat, puree using immersion blender or blender, return to pot
o Add the cream (or milk) and saffron and leave in the med for 5 mins
o Add salt and simmer until you serve the soup

Ghee Rice / Simple Pulao

Another receipe from my mother.
This is a great dish to have with Vegetable Kurma

• Rice 1 cup
• Ghee 3 tbsp (Use butter if you dont have Ghee)
  
• Cashews - 6
• Raisins - 15 (optionally)
• Green Chilies - 2
• Cilantro - 1/2 cup
• Spices: 1/2 inch cinnamon bark; 2 cloves; 2 cardamoms

o Soak rice for 10 mins
o Dry heat and grind the spices
o In a wide pan heat the ghee, add spices and then the cashews and raisins
o Add chilies and then add rice and fry for 5 mins
o Add cilantro and salt and add 1 1/2 cup water and cook in pressure cooker
o If you want to cook in the wide pan, you need more water ( I will update the recipe with the rice/water ratio after testing this method)

Tomato Rice

This recipe is from my mom. This comes out much like the biryani or a spicy pulao.

• 1 lb tomatoes; diced well
  
• 1 large or 2 med onions; diced
  
• 3 green chilies (or more if you need this to be more spicy) slit into two
  
• Cilantro and Mint 1/4 cup each
• Garam masala powder 1 tsp
  
• Rice 1 cup
• Spice powder:
• 2 cloves; 2 cardamoms; 1 tsp fennel seeds; 1/2 inch cinnamon bark
• Dry Heat the spices and powder them
  

o Soak rice for 10 mins
o Add 2 tbsp oil to a wide pan and add spice powder
o And add onions and fry until onions are translucent
o Then add tomatoes and chilies and for 10 mins
o Add Rice and salt and fry for 5 mins
o Add the herbs and garam masala powder and mix well
o Add 1 cup water and cook in a pressure cooker for 2 whistles
o After the cooker cools, open and mix the rice well and leave to cook in the remaining heat for 10 more mins
o If you are cooking in a wide pan instead of the cooker you need to add more water
o The key is to find the right water/rice/cooktime ratio for your cooking method so that the rice doesn't lose its texture.

Vegetable Biryani

This is made South Indian Style and the masala is much like in this korma recipe.
The spicing is "Sweet" and "Green" meaning that it doesn't use tomatoes or red chilies.

• Vegetables:
• 1 large Onion (or 2 med) diced well
• 1 cup beans cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1-2 large potatoes cut into 4 each
• 2 carrots cubed
• 1 Chayote squash cubed
• 1/2 cup peas
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• The veggies should not be cut too small or they will dissolve when making biryani
  
• Spices:
  
• 2 tsp soonf (fennel seeds)
  
• 8 cloves
• 1/2 inch cinnamon bark (lavang pattai in indian terms)
• 5 cardamom pods
• Heat the above spices in a pan in mild heat to bring out the flavors
• 
  
• Masala to grind:
  
• Use the above spices
• 4-5 green chilies - adjust heat depending on the heat of the chilly
• 1/2 cup coconut (frozen is fine)
• 2 tsp poppy seeds
  
• 8-10 raw cashews
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves optionally
• 1/2 inch ginger
  
• 2 garlic cloves (optionally)
• 1/2 cup of yogurt or sour cream or kefir optionally for tangy flavor

o Soak 2 cups of Basmati or other long grained rice for 30 mins or so; drain and set aside
o In a wide pan add 2 tbsp butter or ghee
o Add 1 tsp soonf seeds and fry the drained rice; set aside
o Add 2 tbsp butter or ghee and fry the onions
o Add Veggies and fry for 5 mins
o Add masala and fry for 5 mins; Add Salt as needed.
o Add rice and 7 cups of water, cover and cook until biryani is done. Cook in mild heat otherwise the dish will burn in the bottom of the vessel. Dont overcook it. Rice continues to cook after the direct heat is turned off.
o Serve with Raita

Tomato Leek Carrot Soup

• 2 Leeks (keep only the white part; split in the middle and washed very well)
• 2 stalks of celery
• 3 carrots
• 2 cans of plum tomatoes (diced)
  
• 1 pkg of vegetable broth (16 oz)
• 2 tbsp rice
  
• 3-4 cups of water
• Dried Thyme of powdered thyme for seasoning

o Dice all vegetables and saute in 2 tbsp olive oil
o Add tomatoes cook for 5 mins
o Add broth; Add 1 tsp of pepper flakes and 1 tsp of pepper for heat
o Add rice to the soup (it will give some body to the soup);
o Add water and seasoning
o Bring to boil and then cook in med heat for 30 mins
o Use a hand blender or blender to puree the soup
o Adjust seasoning and salt
o Serve with garnish (basil, chives, parsley etc. will work)
o Optionally add a dollop of sour cream during the serving

This is a great winter soup, especially if you add heat and spiciness it is very comforting for the cold winter nights.

Cauliflower Korma

This Korma is made with "green" spices, in the sense it doesn't use red pepper or tomato.
So it results in sort of a green curry. This is great to eat with Roti or other flat bread and with Basmati rice

• 1 large Onion (or 2 med) diced well
• Spices: 2 tsp soonf (fennel seeds)
  
• 8 cloves
• 1/2 inch cinnamon bark (lavang pattai in indian terms)
• 5 cardamom pods
• Heat the above spices in a pan in mild heat to bring out the flavors
• Masala to grind:
  
• 4-5 green chilies - adjust heat depending on the heat of the chilly
• 1/2 cup coconut (frozen is fine)
• 2 tsp poppy seeds
  
• 8-10 raw cashews
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves optionally
• 1/2 inch ginger
  
• 2 garlic cloves (optionally)
• Veggies: 1 head cauli flower cut to small pieces and steamed
  
• 4 small potatoes boiled and cut to 4 pieces each
• 1/2 cup of yogurt or sour cream or kefir optionally for tangy flavor
  

o You can steam cauliflower and boil potatoes at the same time and set aside
o Grind the masala ingredients and spices together
o Sautee Onions with a 1/2 inch of cinnamon bark in oil or butter
o Add masala to onions and cover and cook for 5-10 mins in mild heat
o Add veggies to masala and cook for 5-10 mins in low heat; add salt to taste
o Add yogurt/kefir/sour cream optionally for the tangy flavor and creaminess
o garnish with cilantro

Thanksgiving Dinner - 2009

Menu:

Hot And Sour Soup
Hara Kabab (basically spinach cutlets)
Polenta with Tomato Sauce
Pasta Bake with Eggplant
Pad Thai
Baked Potato
Fruit Salad with Custard and Vanilla Icecream

Yum!

Vegetarian Hot And Sour Soup

I adapted this from: Vegetarian Chinese Cooking by Wendy Lee

4 Mushrooms (reconstituted from Dried Shitake mushroom or similar kind)
1/4 tub of Firm tofu, diced into thin strips
1 cup canned bamboo shoots (optional) cut into thin strips
2 cups of veg stock and 1 cup of water
1/4 cup peas (optional)
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp vinegar (rice or white wine)
2 tbsp cornstarch
salt and pepper
sesame oil to garnish (optional)

o Boil 1 cup of water; take off heat and put mushrooms in it; soak for 25 mins
o Later take mushrooms off and cut to thin strips, removing the stems in the center
o reserve the mushroom liquid; Reconstituted mushrooms give out huge amount of umami in the liquid
o Bring stock and water to boil
o Add mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tofu and peas; simmer for 5 mins
o Mix soy sauce, vinegar and cornstarch and add 2 tbsp mushroom liquid
o Stir into soup with mushroom liquid; bring to a boil
o Add plenty of pepper and salt to taste; optionally add 1 tbsp sugar; taste the soup as you season; simmer for 2 mins
o Serve in bowls with drops of sesame oil in each

The soup comes out quite good comparable to the soup from chinese takeouts. Mushroom's umami makes it very tasty. You can also make it without mushrooms but the taste will be different. Similarly you can also omit the stock. But these steps remove flavor from the soup. This spicy soup is very good for cold wintery evenings. Good amount of pepper can clear sinus. Tanginess of the vinegar can invigorate the palette.

Vegetarian Tamales

I made tamales after learning enough about making them from Alton Brown's show.

Filling: This can be made before and kept aside. You can be creative in choosing the ingredients for filling. Any good curry will work actually as long as it is somewhat dry. I made my filling using carrots, potatoes, kidney beans which give a sweet flavor.

Filling

* 1 or 2 potatoes diced
* 2-3 carrots diced
* 2 tbsp oil
* 1 large onion, finely chopped
* 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
* 1 tsp chili powder
* 1 tsp oregano
* 2 tablespoons kosher salt
* 2 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
* 2 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1 can kidney beans
* 1 cup veg stock
* 1 tablespoon chopped jalapeno pepper (1 pepper seeded and diced)
* 2-3 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
o Heat oil and saute onions and garlic;
o Add cumin powder and cayenne pepper and chili powder and oregano
o Add carrots and potatoes and cook well
o Add Kidney beans and salt and tomato paste
o Add veg stock and cook until veggies are well done

Masa

* 3 1/2 cups Masa Harina Flour
* 1 tablespoon kosher salt
* 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 cup veg shortening (or you can freeze olive oil and use it instead)
* 2 to 4 cups vegetable stock
* You can mix these with hand in a mixing bowl

Tamale:
* Soak corn husks in hot water for 1/2 hour or so
* Take one husk, scoop 1/2 icecream scoop of masa and flatten masa with your palm
* place 2 tbsp of filling in the center of masa and roll up the husk
* Tie 3 tamales into a bundle using cotton twine
* place them on a steamer and steam for atleast 1 hour
* You can look at the tamale rolling instructions in the web or in alton brown's episode on Tamales.

It came out pretty good. I am plannning to use a curry based filling next time and also try out sweet versions of Tamale.

Enjoy!

Cream of Corn Soup

I made this today after tweaking Tyler's Corn Chowder recipe:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/corn-chowder-recipe/index.html

Ingredients:

o 5 ears of corn removed from the cob (fresh corn is better)
o 1 medium onion, diced
o 1 medium potatoes, diced
o 1/2 tsp powdered thyme (or dry thyme or fresh thyme)
o 1/4 cup flour
o 2 tbsp butter
o 1 1/2 cup cream
o 2 cups water
o 6 cups vegetable stock
o Salt and pepper to taste

o Heat butter in a soup pan; Add onions (and optionally diced garlic) and sautee for 5 mins
o Add diced potatoes and sautee for another 3 mins
o Add flour to coat the veggies and leave in med heat for 2 mins until flour turns slightly brown. Add thyme at this point.
o Add 6 cups of vegetable stock and boil at high heat for 5 mins
o Meanwhile in another vessel boil water and then add cream and corn to it and boil for 10 mins until the corn is soft.
o Now mix the two and boil for 2 mins
o Use a hand blender to puree the soup. You dont have to cool the soup for this. You can put the soup pot in the sink and use blender.
o Return soup pot to medium heat. Add some water to dilute.

This soup came out very delicious.

Things i am planning to try further
o Try the same recipe with milk instead of cream
o Try to simply the steps to make it a one pot recipe.
o Find a way to make it a bit more spicier.
I will paste the results once my experiments succeed.

Chana Masala Recipe

This recipe from recipezaar is adapted from Madhur Jaffrey's recipe. I tried this and came out very well and it is also very easy to make. This makes quick and easy vegetarian curry dinner. This is very delicious with bread or sourdough bread. Just toast the bread with some butter and scoop channa masala on top of it. Ofcourse it goes very well with chapati/roti, naan and you can also have it with pita or middle eastern flatbreads. This is also an excellent accompaniment to Basmati Rice. Just make some quick raita (or just plain yogurt) to balance the heat of the dish. With the protein of channa and the carbs from the bread/rice it makes a well balanced meal.

http://www.recipezaar.com/Channa-Masala-17471

This is how i make it:

The key ingredient is chana. I use canned Garbanzo beans. I like the garbanzo well cooked meaning, they should have a soft texture, so they almost break down if you press them. Some of the organic varieties come with firmer texture and dont soften even after long cooking. You can also make your own garbanzo by soaking the beans in water overnight and then cooking them either in pressure cooker or in water for 1 hour. If you have the right ingredients handy, this recipe is so simple to make and can be made in about 15 mins.
I also use canned tomatoes for this as the canned varieties develop the sauce with a very deep flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 medium onions (peeled and minced)
• 1 clove garlic (peeled and minced) (optional if you dont like garlicy flavor)
  
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 cup diced canned tomatoes
  
• 1 cup water
• 4 cups cooked chickpeas or

  1 can of garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 tablespoon amchoor powder (optional)
• 2 teaspoons paprika (or 1/2 tsp red chili powder)
  
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 lemon (juiced, optional)
• 1 fresh, hot green chili pepper (minced)
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• Cilantro for garnish.
  

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet.

2. Add onions and garlic and sauté over a medium heat until browned (3-5 minutes).

3. Turn heat to medium-low.

4. Add the coriander, cumin (not the roasted cumin), cayenne and turmeric. Stir for a few seconds.

5. Add the tomatoes. Cook the tomatoes until browned lightly.
   

6. Add a cup of water. Use a hand blender to blend the tomatoes.
   

7. Add chickpeas, add amchoor, paprika, garam masala, salt and lemon juice.

8. Cook covered for 10 minutes.

9. Remove the cover add the minced chili and ginger. Cook for 30 secs

10. Add Cilantro for garnish.

(For a larger portion, i made the recipe using
1 large canned tomatoes
3 cans of garbanzon beans
and adjusting the spices accordingly. No lemon necessary
)

Good Article about Aromatics in Soups

Good details about cooking techniques for soups

http://www.timesoftheinternet.com/absolutely-scrumptious/what-are-aromatics/

Tomato Leek Basil Soup

This is so simple to make and has simple and clear flavor. Using Leeks instead of Onions keeps the flavor without the pungency.

o 2 or 3 cans of canned tomatoes (or fresh ones)
o 2 or 3 dried chilies, chopped very well
o Salt and pepper as needed
o 2 tbsp olive oil
o 1/2 cup of chopped basil; 1/4 cup chopped parseley
o 1-2 cups of vegetable stock or broth optionally
o 3 cups water

o Dice the tomatoes very well as they have to release all of their flavor to the soup.
o Clean and dice the leeks
o Add oil to a hot soup pan and add chopped garlic optionally
o Add leeks, sautee for a few minutes and then add the diced tomatoes and then the chopped chilies
o Cook for 5-7 minutes; Then add broth or water
o Then add basil and parseley reserving some for garnishing the soup.
o Cook for 15 mins. Then take off the heat and use hand blender to puree the soup
o Then add water to desired consistency. The key is to taste the soup and add water so that the soup is not too thick but it is not too diluted to lose it's tomato flavor.

o You can garnish with herbs and sour cream, avocados, as needed
o If you serve this with toasted crusty bread, even day old bread, this becomes a hearty meal by itself.

Saag Paneer

Recipe from Milk - Surprising story of milk through the ages by Anne Mendelson

12 oz chhenna (made with 3 qts of milk + 1/3 cup lemon juice)
6 tbsp ghee (or veg oil)
2 lb fresh spinach or leafy greens (or two 10 oz frozen leaf spinach, thawed)
2 inch ginger, chopped
1 green chile, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp mustard seeds
1 med onion, chopped
1 ripe med tomato, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garam masala
3/4 cup well drained, creamy plain yogurt
3/4 cup heavy cream

o Press Chhenna firmly and cut into cubes and fry in ghee or oil
o Cook greens for 3-4 mins
o Drain and dry by squeezing water away and chop or puree in blender
o Mince garlic, chile, ginger into a paste
o Heat ghee or oil (3 tbsp), add cumin and mustard and when they pop add the above paste
o Add onion and cook for 10 mins
o Add tomato and cook for few more mins and then add spinach
o Add garam masala and cook uncovered for 20 - 25 mins
o Add Paneer to the sauce and cook 5 mins
o Finally add Yogurt and heavy cream

Serve with Naan or Basmati Rice

Malai Kofta

Recipe from Milk - Surprising story of milk through the ages by Anne Mendelson


Sauce:
masala:
Seeds from 15 cardamom pods or 5 black cardamom pods
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp black peppercorn
3 whole cloves
(heat the above spices in a skillet and grind in spice grinder)
1 tbsp each: raw cashews, pista, almonds
(separately heat the nuts, grind along with spices and set aside)

1 inch ginger minced
2 green chilies minced
3 - 4 garlic cloves minced
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
10 curry leaves
3 med onions chopped
3 plum tomatoes; peeled, seeded and chopped finely

o Heat 3 tbsp ghee in a skillet; add cumin and mustard seeds
o After they start popping, add ginger, chillies, garlic; leave for 2 mins
o Add onions turn to med heat and fry for 10 mins; Then take away and let it cool
o Add onions, nut masala and plum tomatoes in a blender and puree
o Add 2 tbsp ghee in a skillet over med heat and when it sizzles add puree
o At this point you can start making kofta balls
o cook for 20-25 mins


For the croquettes(kofta)
12 oz chhenna (made with 3 qts milk)
1 tbsp each of cashew, pista, almonds
1 tbsp raisins
1 or 2 dried apricots
1 lg potato, boiled and grated
1/4 cup chickpea flour (besan)
1 tsp cumin and 1tsp coriander powder sifted into besan

o Chop nuts, raisins and apricots in a coffee grinder
o Mix potato, 1 tsp salt and chhenna into a soft dough
o Oil your hands, Pat dough in your palm and spoon nut/fruit mixture in the center, then roll it into a ball or into bullet shape
o Mix besan, 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tbsp veg. oil with water to make a batter
o Dip kofta ball into batter and Fry in oil
o Lift and dry on paper towels
o Drop it into the sauce

Serve with Naan or over basmati rice

Chhenna / Paneer - Indian Cottage Cheese

I found instructions for making Chhenna and Paneer from the book: Milk - The surprising story of Milk through the ages by Anne Mendelson.

2 Quarts milk (whole milk works the best. Non-homogenized aka creamtop milk is the best option).
1/4 cups freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice (strained)

o Pour the milk into a heavy bottomed saucepan, bring to a boil over high heat while keeping the milk stirred.
o When it starts boiling, remove from heat and add lemon/lime juice
o The milk should rapidly separate into clouds of white curd and greenish/yellow whey.
o Let stand for 8 to 10 mins;
o Line a strainer or colander with tight-woven cheesecloth or cotton cloth and put curds and whey into the cloth
o Tie the cloth and let it drain for a few mins
o Then put some weight (like can of soup/bean) on top of it and let drain for some more time
o This keeps for 3-4 days

Paneer
o If you press chhenna for 1-2 hours it becomes more densely packed.
o Then cube it and fry in ghee for a few mins; this is paneer

Brownies

Recipe from my friend Nogah Shmeltzer who credits this to her friend Bob Carroll

I have not tried this myself yet, but the Brownies that Nogah made using this recipe tasted very good.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 oz unsweetened chocolate
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 375 deg F
2. grease and flour 9x12 pan
3. Melt butter and chocolate; set aside
4. mix well eggs and sugar; add vanilla extract
5. combine melted chocolate and eggs mixture
6. add flour and mix well; add walnuts and chocolate chips
7. bake for 25 minutes
   

Lentil Dal recipes from nytimes

I found these lentil dal recipes: dal and soup from nytimes. I haven't tried them yet though.

Homemade Tomato Soup

Adapted from:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/homemade-tomato-soup-recipe/index.html

Ingredients

• 1 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups vegetable stock
  
• 1 yellow onion or 3 shallots, diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Strain the chopped canned tomatoes, reserving the juices, and spread onto a baking sheet, season with salt and pepper, to taste, drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and roast until caramelized, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat remaining olive oil over medium-low heat. Add shallots and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the roasted chopped canned tomatoes, reserved tomato juices, veg stock, bay leaf and butter. Simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add basil and cream, if using. Take the bay leaf away. Puree with a hand held immersion blender until smooth.

Okra Curry / Okra Raita

Okra Curry / Okra Raita

Okra Curry is a regular fixture in South Indian Vegetarian households, almost like cheese sandwiches in American households. This is a recipe that i sent to my son's class for a multi-ethnic recipe collection activity.


Ingredients

• 1/2 lb okra (full okra is preferable instead of the frozen ones. You can get them in Indian or Asian grocery stores at a lesser price and better quality than in supermarkets)
  
• 1 1/2 cups yogurt (non flavored variety). (optional)
  
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp oil (veg oil will do)
  
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds (you can get them in indian grocery store. They are black in color)
  
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 dried red chilli crumpled or 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust according to desired spice level)
• 1 pinch asafoetida. (optionally)
  

Cooking method

• Wash okra before cutting (or it becomes gooey).
• Remove the stem part of the okra, the one that looks like a knob. Cut to 1/2 inch pieces
• Heat Oil in a sautee pan just until it starts smoking.
  
• Add mustard seeds. It will soon start cracking up in oil. Add Cumin seeds and chili pepper.
• Add okra pieces and start frying. The heat will caramelize the sugars in okra and make the vegetable nicely fried. Take off the heat when it is done and slightly crispy.
• You can add salt at the end.
• At this point , you can serve this as a side dish. It goes well with steamed rice or flatbreads like pita, tortilla, naan, roti etc.
• Raita:
  
• Optionally you can add yogurt to the okra and make raita which is a condiment or sauce that is similar to the greek tzatziki sauce. Raita should be served cold ideally and room temperature serving also works.
• Okra Raita can be used as a dip or you can use it in wraps or as a side dish. It goes well with a spicy dish as the yogurt balances the heat of the spicy dish.
  

Cooking Time - 10 minutes
Preparation Time - 15 minutes
Serves 4.