Sweet Corn Soup

When I was in school we used to spend our summer vacation in Chennai. During the vacation we'll never forget to have a dinner in a chinese restuarant. No matter how many soups they serve, I'll always order Sweet Corn Chicken Soup. Till now I do the same. I can have a bowl of soup anytime, never mind the climate is hot or cold. I love soups.... Talking about this recipe, this is a semi-homemade soup and a quick one too.

Ingredients

Vegetable or Chicken Broth - 2 cups
Cream Style corn - 1 cup
Egg - 1
Pepper - 1 teaspoon
Corn flour - 1 teasppon (Optional)

To make vegetable Broth: Pressure cook the desired veggies in 2 cups of water. Don use beetroot. Mash the veggies and strain it. Or you can just use the remaining water as broth.

Boil the broth with corn and pepper. If you are using store bought broth, dont add salt because those broth are high in sodium. When it boils, turn off the heat. Beat the eggs and pour into the soup in a thin string. If you like to thicken your soup, then mix corn flour in water and add.

YOu can add cooked noodles, chicken. Its upto your taste. If you entertain a huge crowd, try this. This is really easy and simple.

Chocolate Mousse

Benefits of Chocolate

• Cocoa has the content of magnesium. High intake of magnesium content is good for Cardiovascular System and hypertension.

• Fat in high quality chocolates will not increase the cholesterol level, because the fats used in this are saturated.

• Cocoa has antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay.

• Smell of chocolates increases the theta waves of the brain. This relaxes you more.

• Chocolate contains good cholestrol.

So never ever feel guilty of being chocoholic.



Ingredients:

Egg yolks - 4
Sugar - 1/4 cup
Heavy whipping Cream - 2 1/2 Cups
Chopped Semi-sweet Chocolate - 6 Oz.

Beat the yolks by adding the sugar gradually for about 3 mins.
Heat 1 cup of the whipping cream in a sauce pan. Do not bring to boil.
Gradually add the yolks into the pan and stir constantly. Let it be in a low flame until it thickens. It might take about 5 mins.
Add the chopped chocolate and remove imeediately from heat. Stir it until the chocolate melts.
Bring into room temperature and refrigerate it for about 2 hrs.
Beat the whipping cream on high until stiff.
Fold the whipping cream into the chocolate mixture until well blended.




Tips:
All the ingredients should be at room temperature.
While whipping the cream, use a chilled bowl and a chilled attachment(beater).
Chill the dessert bowl before you serve.
The eggs can be easily seperated when cold.
You can vary the amount of sugar and chocolate according to your taste buds.
Most importantly, always use the chocolate which you like the most.

Rice Vadagam

Took the recipe from arusuvai... Tried it for the first time.. believe me, it was perfect. Definetly try this if you have a hot climate.

Ingredients
Cooked Rice
Green chilli
Salt
Cumin Seeds

Hmm.. NO measurements... Add the salt and green chillies according to your taste buds. Leave the leftover rice overnight in water. Drain the water and grind into a paste with salt and green chillies. It will be in Semi-solid form. Add the cumin seeds. In a plastic sheet, place a little amount of mixture and make a circle. Have fun with different shapes. Let it be in Sun for couple of days. Once it is thoroughly dried, store it in a airtight container. Fry it in oil and serve with Rice.

Mango Coconut Burfi

I was doing Coconut Burfi, thought of adding some fruity flavour. Poured some Mango Pulp.. and it tasted really good. Here goes the recipe.

Ingredients

Coconut - 1 cup
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Ghee - 3 tablespoon
Mango Pulp - 3 tablespoon
Cardamon Powder - 1/3 teaspoon

Fry the Coconut in a empty kadai. Remove it from fire before it gets brown. Add the sugar and a 1/4 cup of water. Bring it to a syrup. Add the coconut, Ghee, cardamon Powder and the Mango Pulp. Stir it until it thickens. Remove it from Fire and pour it in a tray. Cool, Cut and Serve.

I couldnt resist the smell while I was cooking so I couldnt wait until it gets thicken. So I rolled it as ladoo:)

Butter Biscuits

Butter Biscuit... Its one of my favourite snack next to macaroon. No.. I'm not talking about the Biscuit which we get in McDonalds... I call cookies and crackers as Biscuits... I love the butter biscuit which we get in Tuticorin. I was hunting for the recipe, and atlast found a recipe which almost tastes like that. And the good news in NO EGGS!!!

Ingredients
(Serves 6-8 people)

Butter - 6 Oz
Icing Sugar - 1 Oz
All purpose Flour - 4.5 Oz
Corn Flour - 3.5 Oz
Vanilla Essence - 1 teaspoon
Salt - 1/4 teaspoon

Mix the butter and the sugar at room temperature. Add the salt and the vanilla essence. Add the flour little by little. Make sure it doesnt make any lumps. Once the flour is completly mixed, add the cornflour. Make a ball with the mix and refrigerate for an hour. If the dough becomes too hard, bring back to room temperature. Roll the dough in a workarea which is generously coated with powdered sugar. When you get the desired thickness, cut the dough with the cutter. I rolled into 1/2 cm thickness.

Preheat the oven for 320 F. Bake it for 15 mins. Coat the cookies with powdered sugar when it is warm. Transfer to an air tight container when cooled.

Caramel Custard

I have been using store bought custard powder to make caramel custard. Thought of making at home and it was perfect.



Ingredients (Serving 2)

Large Eggs - 2
Yolk - 1
Vanilla Essence - 1 teaspoon
Milk - 1 cup
Sugar - 1/2 cup

To make Caramel

Sugar - 1/2 cup

Heat a heavy skillet and add the sugar. Let it caramelize till it becomes brown. Pour it immediately in a mould or a ramekin. Set aside.

Beat the eggs and the yolks. Add the sugar and beat till its dissolved. Add the vanilla essence and beat for few mins. Heat the milk. Heat it, do not boil it. Pour the milk in the egg mixture and stir it. Then pour the mixture in the mould.



There are two ways to cook it.

1.Oven - Place the moulds in a water bath and cook in a oven at 350 degree for 10 mins - 15 mins.

2. Stove top - Cover the mould with aluminium foil and steam it in the pressure cooker for 10 - 12 mins.

After its done, refrigerate for more than an hour. Insert a knife along the sides of the mould and invert it in the serving plate.

Strawberry with whipped cream

This might not be a recipe. This is just an idea, if you want to have a light dessert after a heavy lunch. Got this recipe from my favourite baking site.



Ingredients

Strawberries - 10

Heavy whipping Cream - 1/4 cup

Mascarpone cheese - 1/4 cup

Sugar - 2 - 3 tablespoon

Vanilla extract - few drops



Beat the whipping cream, sugar and mascarpone cheese until soft peaks form. I would suggest to add sugar little by little until you get the desired sweetness. Cut the strawberries is X shaped and fill it with the cream. You can use pastry bag with a tip and make some pattern. I wasnt patient enough to do those. So i just filled without a tip:).

The Goodness of Lentils

Some nutrients facts about Lentils.


Lentils have been found in Egyptian tombs that date from 2400 BC. They also thought that the lentil enlightened the minds of children, making them more cheerful and studious.Lentils are packed with nutrients, fiber, complex carbohydrates, and folic acld. Lentils are a low calorie, low fat, and cholesterol free food.




Folic Acid is one very important nutrient found in lentils. One cup of cooked lentils provides 90% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Lentils provide more folic acid than any other unfortified food. Lentils are also an important source of iron. Eating lentils with foods rich in Vitamin C, such as tomatoes, green peppers, broccoli, and citrus fruits or juices, helps the body absorb iron more efficiently. Lentils are also protein rich. They lack only one protein, methionine. Adding grains, eggs, nuts, seeds, meat, dairy products, or egg will provide a complete protein. Soluble fiber in lentils acts as a scrub brush, cleaning the digestive system. This type of fiber also decreases serum glucose and cholesterol, and decreases insulin requirements for people with diabetes.


Do not add salt while cooking, it might make it tough.


How to Select and Store


Whether purchasing lentils in bulk or in a packaged container, make sure there is no evidence of moisture or insect damage and that the lentils are whole and not cracked.
keep in a cool, dry place. After long storage, the color may fade slightly, but the taste will not be noticeably altered.

My entry to CLICK - Beans and Lentils hosted by Jugalbandi.

Mango Kulfi, Fresh and Creamy

Ingredients

Fresh Mango puree - 1 cup

Cream - 1 cup

Milk - 1 Cup

Sugar - 1/2 Cup

Pista or Almond Powder - 1/2 cup

Cardamon Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon

Heat the milk. Add the sugar, Mango Puree, almond or pista powder, cardamon powder and the cream. Stir it continously, it gets thicken. Remove from heat. Pour it in the mould at room temperature. Freeze it for about 6-7 hours. I dont really know whether this is the way to prepare the kulfi but this one really tasted the same and the cardomon powder made it very refreshing.

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls with Strawberry Fool and some fresh strawberries with whipped cream.

Ingredients

All Purpose Flour - 5 cups

Large Eggs - 3

Milk - 1 Cup

Dry Yeast - 1/4 ounce

Butter - 1/3 cup

White Sugar - 1/3 cup

For filling

Brown Sugar

Ground Cinnamon

Mix the flour and the yeast. Heat milk, butter and sugar. Remove from heat when the butter is melted. Mix it with the flour, yeast mixture. Add the eggs one by one. If you are mixing with an electric mixer attach the dough hook. Else use your hands. It becomes soft and non-sticky. If it still sticky add some flour. Let is stay for an hour in a warm place. The size doubles, so leave enough room for it.

After an hour, roll the dough in square using a rolling pin. Dont roll the dough thin as you roll for chapathi. It should be thick as Naan. Spread the sugar and cinnamon in the dough. You can add your own fillings like raisins or nuts. Its up to you. Now roll the dough as you roll a stuffed chapathi. Cut it onto 8 equal parts in a baking pan with enough room for it to rise. Cover it with a plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 - 24 hrs.

Remove from refrigerator an hour before you bake. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for about 25 mins. To avoid the over-browing cover it with a aluminium foil for the last 5 - 10 mins. After it is done brush it with half and half cream to make it moist.

Can drizzle with a powdered sugar glaze.

Cauliflower Curry

Ingredients

Cauliflower

Onion

Tomato

Chilli Powder

Dhaniya Powder

Turmeric Powder

Ground Coconut

Cinnamon

Add a stick of cinnamon in hot oil. Saute onion till brown. Add tomatoes. Add salt once you add the tomatoes. It makes the tomatoes cook faster. Once the onion and tomatoes start leaving oil, add all the powder listed above. Then add cauliflower and a water. Once the cauliflower is done add the ground coconut. Simmer it for few minutes. Remove it from heat until you get the desired consistency. It goes well with chapathi and variety Rice.

Avial

I didnt like avial when i had for the first time in my college hostel. Gradually i started liking it. Thanks to my friend of mine in Portland who gave the recipe. When I tried it for the time, it was really really good. This is such an easy one, a beginner can easily do it.

Ingredients

Carrot - 1 cup

Potato - 1 cup

Drum Stick - 6 piece

Raw Mango - 1/2 cup

Plantain - 1/2 cup

Coconut - 3/4 cup

Cumin Seeds - 2 teaspoon

Green chilli - add acc. to your tastebuds

Coconut oil

(You can add any veggies of your choice, except BeetRoot. Chop the veggies lengthwise)

Pressure Cook all the veggies with 1 cup of water and a pinch of turmeric powder. Coarse grind coconut, cumin and chillies.Mix the coconut mixture, with the veggies. If you need little watery, add water.In a pan, add coconut oil and throw the curry leaves. (Yeah.. I throw.. Kinda scared abt hot oil.)Add the oil mixture to the veggies. If you dont have raw mangaoes, add curd.

Serve with white rice or chapathi.

Stir Fry Vermicilli

Thought of making chinese noodles for dinner, atlast I came with my own. And the good news is, it came out well. Instead of noodles, I used Vermicilli (Semiya). Anywayz it was good.
Ingredients

Vermicilli

Green Onion

Green Peas

Green Beans

Carrot

Soy Sauce

Scrambled Egg

Add the Vermicilli in the boiling water and remove it fire when it is done. Strain the excess water and let it run through cold water. In a large pan, heat the oil and fry the veggies until it is done. Add the Vermicilli, Scrambled egg and Soy Sauce. Jus to get the taste of chicken, I added a quarter cup of chicken broth but its optional. Let it be in the heat for a minute. I served it with teriyaki chicken.

The Goodness of WaterMelon

As summer approaches, its good to have fresh fruit juice daily. My favourite drink is the watermelon juice. Slice, blend and drink. I take the seedless watermelon, so that i dont need to use a strainer. Dont add xtra sugar!!!

THought, I could give some nutrient facts about watermelon. Watermelon’s red color is caused by lycopene, an antioxidant researchers believe helps fight cancer and other diseases.In fact,
the American Heart Association recently recognized watermelon's nutritional properties by giving it the "heart healthy" seal of approval. Now research has shed new light on its potential health benefits. Watermelon is fat-free, saturated fat-free, low in sodium and cholesterol-free. Watermelon is practically a multi-vitamin unto itself. With a 2-cup serving of watermelon containing excellent levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, this product contains a number of nutrients that are vital to good health.

Vitamin A found in watermelon is important for optimal eye health, can help prevent nightblindness, and boosts immunity by enhancing the infection-fighting actions of white blood cells called lymphocytes.

Vitamin B6 found in watermelon is used by the body to manufacture brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), such as serotonin, melatonin and dopamine, which preliminary research shows may help the body cope with anxiety and panic.

Vitamin C in watermelon can help to bolster the immune system's defenses against infections and viruses and can protect a body from harmful free radicals that can accelerate aging and conditions such as cataracts.

The Good: This food is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Potassium, and a very good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

The Bad: A large portion of the calories in this food come from sugars.

When choosing a watermelon, pick one without dents, bruises or cuts. You should hear a hollow sound if you thump on it. And pick the watermelon up and look at the underside; it should be a mild yellow color.

Macaroon

I was waiting to start this blog with a special food from my region. Macaroon is the most famous sweet snacks in tuticorin. I would call this sweet as a comfort food. Its so tasty and you just cant stop with one. I never thought I could do this at home and I found out that its very easy and simple. It takes time to bake but its worth waiting!!!

Ingredients

2 egg Whites

3/4 cup of sugar

3/4 plain cashew

Beat the egg whites for few mins.(Beat it with an electric beater) Add sugar little by little while beating the egg. Beat the mixture until it becomes stiff. It would take 10-15 mins to become stiff. Chop the cashew into small pieces. Add the cashew in the mixture and slowly mix it with a spatula. Pre-heat the oven for 200 degree. Cover the cookie tray with a parchment paper. Place a small amount of mixture making it as an inverted cone shape. Bake it for 30 mins, turn off the oven and let it cool in the oven for another 30 mins till it becomes crispy.

Note:

You can reduce or increase the sugar and cashew from 1/2 cup to 1 cup depending upon your taste.

Warming up.....

This is a better idea for me to try out new recipes, share the special traditional food and also to save some special so that each time I dont have to call my mom and ask for the recipe :-). Most of the the time I eyeball all the ingredients, will try to make it perfect recipe when it comes here. So friends and family, need your ideas and thought to make this perfect.