Spicy Green Bell Pepper Side

As soon as I saw this recipe I knew I was going to try it. It was one of those that use a special spice powder and all the ingredients in the powder screamed - delicious. So here is my version of a spicy green bell pepper side.

I found this recipe on Pavani's blog. I stayed fairly true to the recipe except I cut down on the number of dried red chili peppers. 

You will need
For the spice powder
1 tbsp. channa dal
1/2 tbsp. urad dal
1 tbsp. coriander seeds
1 dry red chili pepper
1 tsp. tamarind paste
salt to taste

2 medium preferably, thin skinned green bell peppers
All of the spice powder above
2 tbsp yogurt, sour
1 tbsp oil, I used olive oil
1 tsp. mustard seeds
1 tsp. cumin seeds
1/4 tsp asafoetida
3-4 curry leaves (I did not use any)
salt to taste

Roast the first four ingredients for the spice powder until they start to turn color. Turn off heat and allow to cool. Add the remaining ingredients and grind to a powder. Keep aside until needed.

Rinse and dice the green bell pepper. In a bowl add the yogurt and the diced bell pepper. Keep aside for 10 minutes.

Heat a pan with the oil. Add the mustard seeds. When they crackle add the cumin seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves. Add the yogurt and bell pepper mixture and salt. Add a tablespoon of water. Cook covered until the bell pepper is cooked through, but not mushy. Add the spice powder. Cover, and cook on low heat for a couple of minutes.

Turn off the heat.

Enjoy!

Gigantes Plaki

I had some lima beans I wanted to use up, but I wanted to try something different with them. I decided to search for a new recipe to try. My search took me to a site with a lot of Egyptian recipes and gigantes plaki is the recipe I picked. I tweaked the recipe a little based on what I had in the house. The end result was delicious. I knew this would be loved at home as it has beans and tomatoes, both favorites.

This recipes could be made with other white beans as well. It would taste great as a dip with crackers or chips. I will definitely make this again.

You will need
1 cup lima beans, soaked and cooked (alternately used canned beans)
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
2 pods garlic, peeled and minced
3 large tomatoes
4-5 sprigs cilantro
salt and pepper to taste
feta cheese for garnish

If you are using dried beans, soak them overnight, pressure cook until tender but not mushy. To pressure cook add twice the quantity of water and cook for 10 minutes. Dice the onions, mince the garlic, chop the cilantro and shred the tomatoes.

Preheat the oven to 375F. In a pan heat the oil and add the onions and garlic. Saute for a few minutes and then add the tomatoes and half the cilantro. Let the mixture cook for a few minutes so it comes together as a sauce. Mix in the cooked beans and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to an oven safe dish and bake for 20-30 minutes.

Sprinkle the feta cheese and remaining cilantro.

Enjoy!

Creamy mashed potatoes with chives

Mashed potatoes with chives is one of our must have recipes at the Thanksgiving table. I got this recipe several years back when I started looking out for recipes for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. My daughter loves potatoes and mashed potatoes are her favorite. This is one of the original recipes that has not changed at all over the years. I have offered to make the cream from scratch using fresh chives but my daughter will not allow it. And so every year we go looking for the cream cheese with onions and chives before the stores run out. Luckily, we all like the recipe and it is also liked by the visiting extended family. Thanksgiving would not be complete without it.

These mashed potatoes taste best with Yukon gold potatoes. They are available in every supermarket before Thanksgiving. However, just before Thanksgiving they usually sell out. One year I forgot to stock up early and had to go looking for them the day before Thanksgiving. I had a very hard time finding them. I had to go from store to store until I found a few in one of the stores. Stock up early if you plan on making mashed potatoes using Yukon gold potatoes.

You will need
3 lbs. peeled Yukon gold potatoes
2/3 cup nonfat milk
1 tsp. salt
2/3 cup light cream cheese with chives and onion

Wash and peel the potatoes.

Quarter the peeled potatoes.

Place the potatoes in a Dutch oven, and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Drain. Return potatoes to pan. Add the milk and salt. Mash the potato mixture with a potato masher to desired consistency. Add the cheese, and stir just until blended. Mashed potatoes are ready.

Enjoy!

Samosa Chaat With Chole

I have had samosa and I have had chole but I had never tasted a combination of the two. In fact I had never heard of samosa chaat with chole where the two are eaten together. The ingredients seem like they would make a perfect combination so I decided to give it a try. I had baked some samosa. I had made tamarind chutney and pudina chutney to go with it. All I needed was chole and some whisked yogurt.

I have the say the result was exceptional. The flavors were great together. They were perfect for a cold fall afternoon. I will definitely make this combination again.

Chaat toppings vary as per taste. I have seen pictures of sev and onion added as topping to this chaat. For my family I chose the chutneys and yogurt. Once you have the base you can experiment with the topping till you find a combination you love.

You will need
For the chole
1 cup chickpeas or garbanzo beans
1 tbsp. olive oil (or vegetable oil)
1/2 large onion, diced
1 tsp. ginger garlic paste
1 tsp. turmeric powder
1 tsp. chole masala
1 tsp. cumin coriander powder
1 green chili pepper, minced
1 large tomato, diced

1 1/2 tsp. tamarind paste

salt to taste

For the chaat
Samosas
Tamarind chutney
Pudina chutney
1/2 cup yogurt, whisked
Chole from recipe above

To make the chole
Soak the beans overnight. Discard the soaking water, add half a cup of fresh water and pressure until tender for about 10 minutes (3 whistles). Reserve the cooking water. If using canned beans drain the water, rinse and keep aside until needed.

Heat oil in a pan and add the onion. Saute the onion on medium low heat until it is translucent and starts to change color. Add the ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, chole masala, cumin coriander powder and the green chili pepper. When the spices coat the onion add the tomatoes. Add the reserved water. If using canned beans add fresh water. Cook the masala until the tomatoes are mushy and the masala comes together. It will start to ooze oil. Add the tamaring paste and cooked beans.

Add a little water if too dry. Add salt to taste and bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes and turn off heat.

To assemble the chaat
In a plate place two samosas. Crush their center so the other ingredients can be added.

Add a spoonful of chole masala on the top. Sprinkle some whisked yogurt, tamarind chutney and pudina chutney.

Enjoy!

Welsh Potato and Onion Cake

This was the first dish I baked in my cast iron pan. I made it as part of a very rustic meal. I baked and served it in the pan. My daughter loved it.

Recipe adapted from here.

You will need
1 large Russet potato
1 medium onion
2 tbsp. butter, melted
salt and black pepper to taste

Some butter for brushing

Preheat oven to 400 F. Wash, peel and slice the potato. Soak it in water for a few minutes. Drain and discard the water. Wipe off water from potatoes using a tea towel. Combine with the butter, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Keep aside.

Dice the onions. Season them with salt and pepper.

Apply some butter to the cast iron or any oven proof pan. Layer the potatoes and onions, starting and ending with a layer of potatoes. Bake covered with aluminium foil for 30 minutes. Uncover and brush the top with a little butter. Bake uncovered for another 7-10 minutes to allow the top to brown.

Enjoy!

Salsa Carioca (Venezuelan Salad)

Salsa Carioca is a simple Venezuelan salad. It is made with simple ingredients, tomatoes, onion, hard boiled egg and avocado. It is really the salad dressing that makes the salad. It has a good amount of hot pepper sauce giving it a real kick.

We like salad in my family and we like all the ingredients that went into this one. I used tomatoes and the Serrano pepper from my garden. The hot pepper dressing took the salad to a whole new level.

Recipe adapted from here
You will need
1/2 onion
1 tomato or 10-12 cherry tomatoes
1 medium avocado
1 Serrano pepper
1 hard boiled egg

For the dressing
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. white vinegar
1 tbsp. hot pepper sauce
salt and pepper

Slice the onion. Remove the seeds and dice the tomato. Remove the seeds and vein from the Serrano pepper and mince it. Peel and dice the hard boiled egg. Combine these ingredients in a mixing bowl and keep aside so the flavors blend together.

When you are ready to mix the salad remove the seed and peel from the avocado and dice it. In a separate bowl combine the ingredients for the dressing and whisk together. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well. Salsa carioca is ready.

Rosti (Swiss Potato Pancake)

Rosti is the Swiss version of potato pancakes. This is the potato dish I added to the menu because my daughter loves potatoes. It is super simple and makes a filling side to any menu. Alternately, you can have it for breakfast.

You will need
1 potato
1 tbsp. butter
salt to taste

Place potato in a pan of water and bring to a boil. When the potato is fork tender drain the water. Wrap the potato in foil and place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Remove the potato from the refrigerator and peel off the foil. Peel the potato and shred it using a large holed grater.

Melt butter in a pan and add the shredded potato. Add salt to taste and using a spatula combine the potato with the salt and butter. Pat it down into shape and let it cook on medium heat until the bottom is brown.

Rosti does not have flour in it, so it is not easy to flip it over. Place a dish over the top and flip the pan over so that the pancake drops on to the dish. Slide the pancake brown side up on the pan and cook the underside until brown.

When done take off heat and enjoy.

Dubu Buchim Yangnyeom Jang (Spiced Pan Fried Tofu)

Tofu has gotten a lot of attention in the last decade, some good and some bad. In the countries where tofu is part of the traditional cuisine it is generally eaten in small quantities as part of a meal. I try to keep it that way in my house too. Spiced pan fried tofu is a delightful side dish. If you like tofu then you should try it. I made it as part of a Korean meal but you can make it as a side to noodles.

This dish tastes best when hot.

Recipe adapted from here
You will need
7 oz. extra firm tofu
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 tsp. honey
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. pepper flakes
2 tbsp. chopped scallion

Cut the tofu into 2 inch cubes. Heat oil in a pan and place the tofu slices in the it. When browned turn over and brown the other side. Drain on a paper towel and keep aside.

Combine all the other ingredients. When you are ready to plate arrange the tofu on the plate and sprinkle the topping all over.

Onion Soup au Gratin

French onion soup is known all over the world and is available in most restaurants serving a continental menu. It is one of the favorite soups in our house. I have a tried and tested recipe used for years.

I was first introduced to this soup as a child. I did not care for it then as I preferred soup with thick broth. When I was older I began to appreciate the subtle flavor profiles of broths in soups. When I made it for the first time at home my husband came over to look at what the lovely aroma was. He was none too impressed with the look of the brown mess in the pan. Brought up in an 'Indian food only' household he had never had a chance to try this soup. One sip changed all that.

Unlike most recipes I do not add dry white wine to the soup. Instead I use fresh vegetable stock to deglaze the pan. In the past I used to struggle with the bread to make this soup au gratin. Either the bread was to tough or it fell apart. This was the first time I topped the soup with homemade bread. It was perfectly moist but not soggy and mushy. From now on I will always top it with homemade pain de campagne. My husband prefers this soup without the bread and cheese topping. My daughter and I prefer au gratin. Either way it is loved.

You will need
2 large white onions
3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. cream
1 1/2 tsp. salt
6 cups vegetable stock (I made it fresh for the soup)
1 cup dry white wine (I used additional stock)

For the topping (to make 4 bowls)
4 slices of French bread (I used Pain de Campagne)
4 thin slices Gruyere

You will need vegetable stock for the soup. I recommend making it fresh or at least use homemade stock. It makes such a huge difference to the flavor of the dish. I have provided a link to my recipe for  vegetable stock.

Cut the onion into thin slices and keep aside. In a thick bottomed pan heat butter until the butter melts. Add the onions, cream and salt. Cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes until onions are translucent.

Increase heat and let the onions brown without stirring. When the edges and bottom start to brown add a ladle of stock and deglaze the pan.

Spread the partially browned onions on the bottom of the pan and let them brown some more. Repeat the deglazing and browning 3 more times until the onions are a darker caramel color. Add the remaining stock. Adjust seasoning and simmer for about 15 minutes. Turn off heat.

Preheat oven to 400 F. Place the four slices of bread on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for 2-3 minutes on each side. Meanwhile ladle the soup into oven safe soup bowls almost to the top. Place the toasted bread on the top. Place the slice of cheese over the bread to cover it completely. This bowl is for my daughter and loves it with lots of cheese. You can cut the slices thinner. :)

Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese begins to melt. You can switch the oven to broil to brown the melting cheese. Ensure you do not overcook the cheese. It should melt but the solids should never separate from the liquid.

The soup au gratin tastes best when hot.

Colorful Cutlets

Picnic BBQ is a great way to spend time outdoors with friends. Most park ramadas are equipped with electrical connections. All you need is an electric skillet. These cutlets make a great snack for the afternoon tea. You can shape them ahead of time and cook them when needed. As I was making these at home today I decided to bake them. But the process for stove top cooking is exactly the same.

You will need
1 large potato
3 carrots
1/2 cup frozen peas
paprika, salt and cumin powder to flavor each vegetable
1 tbsp. oil.
1/2 cup breadcrumbs

If you do not have breadcrumbs make your own. Bake day old bread for 5-8 minutes until toasty, or you can toast it in a toaster. Try not to use the store bought sugar laden breads. Allow to cool without covering. Cut up the cooled dry bread in a food processor and you have breadcrumbs.
Boil the potato, cook the carrots and peas separately. Peel and mash the potato. Mash the carrots and peas. Season each vegetable separately and divide into 8 portions. Take the butter out of the refrigerator and cut it into 8 portions. Flatten one portion of potato in the palm of your hand. Spread one portion of carrot on the potato and finally on the peas. Place one portion of butter in the middle.

Bring the sides together trying to ensure the layers remain intact. Flatten it to shape like a cutlet and roll in the breadcrumbs. Repeat for all the remaining portions. Arrange on a sheet (oven proof if you want to bake them).

At this stage you can cover the sheet and keep aside until needed. On a hot day keep the sheet refrigerated or on ice. When ready to cook either pop the tray in an oven preheated to 375 F for 25-30 minutes or cook on a skillet with a tbsp of oil.

Enjoy!

Methi Pithla

Pithla is a Maharastrian preparation using besan as the main ingredient. This dish can be flavored with a variety of vegetables. Leafy greens like spinach or methi are popular as they blend in nicely. As a child I liked the pithla dry and chunky. I refused to eat it if it were even a little runny. Now I like it either way. Today I made chunky pithla.

You will need
1.5 cups besan
1 bunch methi
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp. yogurt
5 cups water
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. Madhava agave nectar (or 1 tsp. sugar)
1 tsp. mustard seeds
1 tsp. turmeric powder
1/2 asafetida
olive oil

Heat olive oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When they crackle add the asafetida and turmeric powder. Then add onions and sauté. While the onions are cooking, wash the methi and separate the leaves from the stems. Wash the leaves again, drain and chop finely. Add to the onions and let it cook for another few minutes.

When the methi is cooked it will shrink in size.

In a bowl, add the besan, yogurt and water and whisk together. Add salt, chili powder, nectar (or sugar) and whisk again.

Add the mixture to the onions and methi. Keep whisking the mixture on medium heat until the besan is heated through. This prevents the mixture from sticking to the bottom or forming lumps.

Cover and allow it to cook for 5 minutes. Remove the cover and using a spoon mix well. Repeat until the besan is cooked. Serve hot.

You could add whole cloves of garlic to the oil with the mustard seeds. It adds a unique flavor.

Beet Koshimbir (Beetroot salad)

My mother made this recipe often. It is one of my favorite koshimbirs/salads. There are only four ingredients and two of them are salt and sugar. This brings out the taste of the beetroot. If you love beetroot this recipe is for you. It makes a great addition to the everyday meal of poli/Indian flatbread and sides.

Koshimbir is usually a second side in the traditional meal. It is usually made with raw ingredients or ingredients in a form as close to raw as possible. Koshimbir is nutrient rich and allows you to add color and seasonal variety to the meal. It provides a different texture and is easy to prepare.

I posted this recipe several years ago. The pictures were not really good and needed an update. Now, 4 years later I finally got round to it.

You will need
2 medium sized beetroots
1/2 - 3/4 cup yogurt
1 tsp. sugar
salt to taste

Wash the beets and cut off the edges. Slice the beets in half and place in the pressure cooker cut side up. Add just enough water to keep them from drying out. Pressure cook the beets.

Take out the cooked beets from the pressure cooker and peel. The peel should come right off. Shred the cooked beets.

Add the salt and sugar. Add just enough yogurt to bring it all together.

Enjoy!