October 31, 2015

Announcement - November Month World Food Guide Challenge !

Hi friends,

After Burmese cuisine, lets move to our next Alphabet C - Cuban recipes. Cuban cuisine is a fusion of Native American Taina food, Spanish, African and Caribbean cuisines. Some Cuban recipes share spices and techniques from Spanish and African cooking, with some Caribbean influence in spice and flavor. Rice and beans are their primary element and typical food of Cubans, which is either cooked together or separate. When it is cooked together, it is called Moros y Cristianos and when cooked separate, it is called Arroz con/y Frijoles (Rice / Beans ). Cuban cuisine uses citrus, tomato, vinegar, onion, garlic,peppers, white wine or beer, raisins,olives and capers to flavor savory dishes. Cuban desserts are famous for its sweetness and the ingredients used for desserts are cirtus peel, cinnamon or anise seed to add distinct flavor.
Some of listed cuban dishes are..
Arroz con leche
Frita
Empanada
Sandwich cubano
Tortilla de patatas
Yuca frita

Click here LINK 1 LINK 2 LINK 3for more recipes...

All you have to do is, try any cuban recipes, it can be an authentic one or modified ones according to taste and innovation and post it before or on 30th November 2015.  If you are a blogger, then post your blog link in the below linky tool ( will update soon ). If you are a non blogger, then send your recipe along with picture to priyasmenu@gmail.com.

Winners of WFG Challenge will be choosen according to their recipe selection, their active participation and commenting on other blogger's post. So, get ready to explore Cuban recipes and win "AMAZING CHEF OF WORLD FOOD GUIDE".

Important : Usage of logo and hastag ( #wfgchallenge ) is mandatory.


If you have any queries on this event, please feel free to contact me or my co-host Lakshmi Vimala from cookingclub17.blogspot.com through email priyasmenu@gmail.com or vimalalakshmi2010@gmail.com

* Use this html on your event post to spread a word and this is Mandatory.

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Join hands with us and indulge yourself in world's special delicacies....

                                                          All the best and Happy cooking !

 





     

October 29, 2015

Kothu Parotta using leftover grilled chicken curry


Here comes my final post of leftover recipes using grilled chicken...

Check out previous posts...

Potato stuffed grilled chicken
Grilled chicken and apple sandwich
Grilled chicken curry

and my today's post is KOTHU PAROTTA using leftover grilled chicken curry....

Kothu parotta, one of the famous and flavorful street food in Tamil Nadu which is prepared using parotta and salna. Both veg and non veg can be prepared and also lots of variations can also be made according to our creativity and taste bud. The sound of mincing parotta in local shops, itself a rhythm for all food lovers.. am I right ? Very easy to prepare and very delicious to taste.. Generally, salna is used for this parotta but sometimes, I use my chicken gravy or non veg kurma too to prepare kothu parotta. It gives a different taste and flavor. Onion raita is an excellent combination for this kothu parotta though some prefers to have it as such...

Here is the recipe of my style kothu parotta.....


Ingredients :

4 Parottas
2 Onions, Finely chopped
1 1/2 Cups Leftover Grilled chicken curry ( You can use any chicken curry or gravy )
1 Big Tomatoes Finely chopped
2 Eggs
Handful of Curry leaves
Salt to taste
2 Tbsp Oil

Method :

Add 1 1/2 Tbsp oil in a Iron tawa and add the chopped onions.

Saute till it turns light brown color and add the chopped tomatoes.

Saute till the tomatoes turns soft and add some curry leaves.

Mix well and add two eggs to the onion mixture.

Scramble the eggs and cook it for a minute.

Now add the leftover curry and mix well.

Meanwhile, tear the parottas into small pieces.

Add the parottas and mix well.

Simmer the flame and keep on mixing till the curry gets coated well with the parottas.

Now take a tall stainless steel glass, turn upside and mince it evenly.

Turn the flame to medium and pour the remaining oil and curry leaves.

Add salt if required as the curry already contains salt.

Cook it till it gets light crispy texture.

Switch off the flame and serve hot.


Serving Options :

Serve hot with Onion Raita.


Grilled Chicken Curry / Leftover recipes


After posting my creamy sandwich "Grilled chicken & Apple Sandwich" using leftover grilled chicken, this is my second recipe using the same potato stuffed grilled chicken. This is a delicious one pot gravy prepared using pressure cooker and also an excellent side dish for Dosa, Idly and Roti. Personally, I served it with dosa n hot rice and it tasted heavenly. As I have used the leftover dish for this curry, I have included the grilled potatoes too but it can also be omitted or added into the curry using fresh cubed potatoes. Poached eggs makes the dish more exotic while serving and also enhances the flavor and taste.

Do you have leftover chicken at home... then, here is the recipe of simple and tasty one pot curry....

Ingredients :

1 Cup Chopped Grilled chicken ( I have used Potato stuffed grilled chicken leftover )
1 1/2 Tbsp Oil 
1 Tsp Saunf / Perunjeeragam 
2 Large Onions, Finely chopped
2 Tomatoes, Finely chopped
2 Green chillies, slitted
1 Bell pepper / Capsicum, Cut into small cubes
1/2 Tsp Chilli powder ( Increase the quantity if you want it more spicy )
1/2 Tsp Jeera / Cumin powder 
1 Tsp Coriander powder
Salt to taste
2 Eggs
Water, as needed
Handful of Mint leaves 
Potatoes, Optional ( I have used the leftover potatoes from grilled chicken recipe )

Method :

Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add saunf.

Fry it and add green chillies followed by the chopped onions and few mint leaves.

Saute till it turns transparent and add the chopped tomatoes.

Saute and add the cubed capsicum ( potatoes too if you are adding it ).

Add the chopped grilled chicken and add all the powders ( Turmeric, Chilli, Cumin and Coriander ) and salt.

Mix well and fry it for a minute.

Add 1 or 1 1/4 cups of water and pressure cook it for 3 whistles.

Once the pressure gets released, open the lid and switch on the flame.

Simmer the flame, slowly break and add  the eggs in the boiling curry.

Poach it for 5 minutes or till the eggs get cooked and the curry gets gravy consistency.

Garnish with the remaining mint leaves and serve.


Serving Options :

Serve with Idly, Dosa, Rice or Roti.


Stay tuned for final leftover recipe using grilled chicken......


October 28, 2015

Grilled Chicken & Apple Sandwich


As I had mentioned in my previous Potato stuffed grilled chicken recipe, posting one of the dish using leftover grilled chicken. Apple and chicken makes a delicious combo and this is one of our favorite sandwich which we often make with our leftover chicken dish. I have used honey mustard in this recipe but if it is not available, just mix mayo and mustard sauce to get this creamy texture. Very simple and no - cooking easy breakfast or lunchbox snack menu. This sandwich can also be served warm or cold and both tastes delicious. 


Ingredients :

1 Cup Chopped Grilled chicken ( Click HERE for grilled chicken recipe )
1/4 Cup Honey Mustard ( Increase the quantity, if you want juicy sandwich )
1 Big Apple, Finely chopped 
8 Sandwich slices ( I have used Oregano flavored bread for this sandwich )

Method :

Take chopped grilled chicken in a bowl and add finely chopped apple and honey mustard.

Mix well and keep aside.

Take 2 slices of bread and toast it on a grill pan on both the sides for a minute.

Now take the mixture and spread it evenly on one slice of bread.

Close the sandwich with another lightly toasted bread and toast it again on grill pan or tawa in a low flame.

Flip the other side to toast well.

Once done, remove from the flame and repeat the process for remaining sandwich.

Slice and serve hot or cold.

Serving Options :

Serve it with Tomato sauce.






October 27, 2015

Potato Stuffed Grilled Chicken


If you are looking for some interesting whole chicken recipes for parties or get together, then try this easy and delicious grilled chicken stuffed with potatoes and roasted along with cherry tomatoes and sliced onion. I have placed bacon on top of the chicken so that the fat from bacon melts and roast the chicken beautifully and the additional butter is to enhance the taste and crispiness of the chicken. The juice from the stuffed lemon also gives a lovely flavor and it is optional. This can be served with any flavored dip or mint curd chutney.


Ingredients:

1 Whole chicken
1 Tsp Red chilli powder
1 Tsp Cheddar cheese powder ( Optional )
1 Tbsp Crushed Black pepper
1 Tbsp Mixed herbs ( Oregano, Thyme Rosemary, basil and Dill )
2 Tbsp Coarse salt
3 Tbsp Butter
1 Tbsp Olive oil
2 Potatoes, cubed
1 Lemon
Handful of Mint leaves
1 Onion, sliced ( I have used white onions in this recipe )
6 Cherry Tomatoes
3 Bacon strips
1 Tsp Butter, for final brushing

Method :

Boil 2 Cups water in a pan and add the cubed potatoes and lemon.

Cook it for 5 minutes and switch off the flame. keep aside.

Clean and wash the whole chicken.

Now add Chilli powder followed by cheese powder, pepper powder, mixed herbs, salt. mint leaves and olive oil and rub it all over the chicken.

Marinate it for half an hour.

Now prick the lemon and place it inside the chicken along with few potatoes and one piece of bacon.

Tie the chicken with thread so that the filling doesn't come out.

Place the potato stuffed chicken on the baking tray and place the remaining potatoes along with the sliced onions and cherry tomatoes on the tray.

Now place the remaining bacon strips on top of the stuffed chicken and grill it in a pre heated oven.

After 15 mins, remove the chicken and brush butter on top of it.

After half an hour, slowly turn the chicken other and grill it again.

After 45 mins, brush the remaining butter and continue to grill.

Altogether, grill the chicken for 1 hour 15 mins.

If  the chicken turns black on top, place an aluminum foil while grilling.

Once done, Remove from the grill, apply 1 Tsp butter and remove the tied thread.

Slice and serve hot.


Serving Options :

Serve it hot with any flavored dip or Mint curd chutney.


Stay tuned for more recipes using leftover grilled chicken......

October 26, 2015

Spicy Tomato Soup


When it comes to soup, my family members never says NO and always, its a big YES from them. It is one of the healthiest, easy and of-course tummy filling breakfast, when it is served with a toasted bread. This soup is a little spicy soup than the regular tomato soup, as it contains ginger and chilli powder. In this recipe, I have not strained the soup but it can also be strained using strainer after blending it.


Here is the recipe for this flavorful and delicious soup...

Ingredients :

6 Tomatoes, Finely chopped
5 Garlic pods, peeled and chopped finely
1/2 Inch Ginger, Finely chopped
6 Basil leaves ( If not available, use coriander leaves or stalk )
2 Tbsp Masoor Dal
Salt to taste
1/2 Tsp Chilli powder 
1/4 Tsp Jeera powder / Cumin powder
2 1/2 Cups Water  
1 Tbsp Pepper powder, crushed
2 Tbsp Olive oil 
Curd, for garnishing
Basil leaves, for garnishing

Method :

Heat olive oil in a deep pan and add chopped garlic followed by chopped ginger.

Saute and add the finely chopped tomatoes and basil leaves.

Saute till the tomatoes turn soft.

Now add masoor dal followed by chilli powder, cumin powder and salt.

Saute for a min and add the measured water.

Simmer the flame and cook for 20 minutes or till the dal gets cooked.

Remove from the flame, cool and blend it smooth using blender.

Again heat the soup and add crushed pepper or pepper powder.

Adjust salt and add water if required.

Boil it for couple of minutes and remove from the flame.

Serve in a bowl and garnish with little thick curd and basil leaves.


Serving Options :

Serve hot with any bread.





October 23, 2015

Banana - Peanut Butter Smoothie


My today's post is a yummy drink prepared using banana and peanut butter which also acts as a great substitute for breakfast. A big glass of this delicious smoothie, not only fills the tummy, it is very healthy and nutritious. This creamy and tasty drink is my favorite one and personally, love to have it any time of a day. Banana and Peanut butter compliments each other and well known universal combo. Very easy to prepare, yet flavorful with a pinch of cinnamon touch.


Serves - 2

Ingredients :

5 Long Ripe Bananas, chopped
2 Tbsp Peanut Butter 
A pinch of Cinnamon powder 
1 1/2 Cups Chilled Milk

Method :

Mash the chopped bananas and put into the blender.

Add peanut milk followed by cinnamon powder and milk to the blender.

Blend well till it turns smooth.

Serve chill in a tall chilled glass.


Note :

I have not added honey or sugar in this smoothie. If you have sweet tooth, either one of it can be included.


Fruit Bansi Rava Kesari


Belated Dussehra wishes to all my friends :) Hope you all had a fantastic dussehra with loads of yummy sweets and meals. I prepared this delicious healthy sweet yesterday for pooja using Bansi rava, fruits and Demarara sugar with less ghee. Bansi Rava is a healthy rava which is also an excellent option for weight loss and diabetes. I have used Demerara sugar in this recipe to make my sweet very healthy but it can also be substituted with a regular ones. Demerara sugar is a unrefined sugar which is large, irregular grains, dark brown in color and crunchy in texture. As it is considered to be a healthy sugar, this can also be used in regular coffee and tea. I have included only 3 varieties of fruits in this recipe due to availability but other fruits like pineapple, strawberry can also be included.


Ingredients :

1 Cup Bansi Rava
3/4 Cup Demerara sugar 
1 1/2 Tsp Ghee
1 Banana, finely chopped
1 Apple, finely chopped
2 Tbsp Pomegranate 
A pinch of Saffron
10 Cashews, broken
10 Raisins 
2 1/2 Cups Water

Method :

Heat 1/2 Tsp ghee in a non stick pan and add bansi rava.

Roast it for a minute in a low flame or until the flavor comes out.

Once done, remove and keep aside.

Heat 1 Tsp ghee in the same pan and add cashews followed by raisins.

Fry till it turns brown color and add the chopped fruits ( Banana, Apple and Pomegranate )

Now add the demerara sugar and saute till the sugar melts.

Add the measured water followed by saffron and let the water boil.

Now slowly add the roasted rava and mix well to avoid any lumps.

Simmer the flame and cook it for 5 minutes in a low flame.

Switch off the flame and transfer it to a small bowl.

Garnish with fruits and serve hot.





October 21, 2015

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus


Bacon Wrapped Asparagus makes a delicious appetizer with a minimal number of ingredients. The fat from salty bacon gets melted and beautifully roasts the bacon and asparagus to get the crunchy texture. Very simple and exotic starter to serve with any flavored dip.


Ingredients :

10 Medium sized Asparagus
7 - 8 Bacons
8 Bok Choy
1 Tbsp Pepper, crushed
4 - 5 Cherry Tomatoes ( I have used for garnishing but can also be used while baking )
15 Spring Onion leaves

Method :

Take a baking pan and arrange Bok choy leaves on it. Keep aside.


Take 2 Asparagus stalk and wrap it with a Bacon.

Tie both the ends using Spring onion leaves.

Repeat the process for the remaining asparagus.

Now arrange the bacon wrapped asparagus on the bok choy bed.


Sprinkle crushed pepper on top of it and bake it in a pre-heated oven for 15 - 20 mins at 180 degree C or till the bacon turns crunchy.


Remove and garnish with cherry tomatoes while serving.

Instead, arrange the sliced cherry tomatoes along with the wrapped asparagus and bake it together.

Serve hot with any flavored dip.



October 20, 2015

Dates & Muesli Ladoo / 3 Ingredients recipe / Microwave Recipe


Are you looking for some healthy sweet for this upcoming diwali festival... ? Then, try this nutritious ladoo and enjoy the festival...

Only 3 ingredients does a wonder to get a tasty and healthy sweet. This recipe is very easy to prepare and as I have mentioned below, prepare it using microwave or it can also be prepared using non stick pan in a low flame. This can be served as breakfast with a glass of milk for busy bees or a evening healthy snack for kids. As muesli contains loads of nuts and varieties of seeds like melon, pumpkin, flax etc, it is a power packed snack. Here is the recipe for easy, healthy and tasty sweet...


Ingredients :

20 Dates
1 Cup Nuts and seeds Muesli
1 Tsp Ghee 
1 Tsp for Greasing 

Method :

Remove the seeds from dates and make a paste without adding water.

Add ghee and dates paste in a microwave bowl.

Microwave it for 1 minute and mix well.

Now add the museli and mix well.

Microwave it for again 2 minutes with an one minute interval to stir.

Remove and cool it for a minute.

Grease your hands with ghee, take little dates mixture and prepare small lemon shaped balls.

Repeat the process for remaining ladoos. ( Approximately 15 Ladoos ).

Store it in a air tight container and serve.


Serving Options :

Serve it with a glass of milk.


Tomato Curry / Pressure cooker method


Tangy and flavorful curry which goes yummy with Chapathi, phulka, Idly or Dosa. Very easy to prepare and less time consuming because of pressure cooker method. The same recipe can be prepared using regular pan or kadai but it takes extra time to get the gravy consistency. This is an excellent method to follow during busy mornings.

Ingredients :

2 Tbsp Oil
1 Tsp Jeera / Cumin seeds
5-6 garlic pods, crushed
A pinch of Hing / Perungayam powder
1 Onion, finely chopped
5 Tomatoes, chopped
2 Green chillies, sliced
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
3/4 Tsp Chilli powder
1/2 Tsp Jeera powder
1 Tsp Coriander powder
Salt to taste
1 1/2 Cups Water  
Curry leaves / Coriander leaves / Mint leaves - garnishing

Method :

Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add Jeera / cumin seeds followed by crushed garlic pods and hing.

Add the finely chopped onion and saute till the color changes to light brown.

Add green chillies and chopped tomatoes.

Simmer the flame and saute till the tomatoes turns soft.

Add turmeric powder followed by chilli powder, cumin / jeera powder, coriander powder and salt.

Mix well and cook till the raw smell goes off.

Add the measured water and cook it for 4 whistles.

Once done, switch off the flame and wait for the pressure to get released.

Open the lid and mash the tomatoes using masher.

Boil it again for 5 minutes or till it turns gravy consistency.

Garnish with coriander leaves or mint leaves or curry leaves.

Switch off the flame and serve.


Serving Options :

Serve with Phulka, chapathi, Idly or Dosa.




October 19, 2015

Bottle Gourd Dal Rice / Lauki Dal Rice / Surakai Parupu Satham


Bottle gourd Dal Rice is a simple, tasty and healthy one pot meal dish. Generally, Bottle gourd which is called Surakai in Tamil is used to prepare Kootu, poriyal and kuzhambu. Being my family's favorite veggie, I love to include this veggie in a different varieties of menu. The water content is high in bottle gourd which helps in weight loss and apart from this, lots of medicinal values are hidden in this healthy veggie.This rice is also an excellent option for kids lunch box menu as it contains protein (dal ) and veggie. I have added equal amount of ghee and oil in this recipe which can be substituted with only ghee or oil. But, adding ghee brings out the flavorful and gives a delicious taste. As this is kids friendly recipe, I have given the measurement of green chillies and red chilli powder according to their taste bud. If you want to make it spicy, just increase the quantity of either green chillies or red chilli powder. This can be served with potato fry, pickle or any spicy side dish or papad.

Ingredients :

1 Cup rice
1/2 Cup Toor dal
2 Cups Bottle gourd / Lauki / Surakai, cut into small cubes ( approx. 30 small cubes )
1 Tbsp Ghee
1 Tbsp Oil
1 Tsp Mustard seeds
1 Tsp Jeera
5-6 pieces Cashews, broken
2 Green chillies, sliced vertcially
1 Onion, Finely chopped
1 Tomato, Finely chopped
1/4 Tsp Turmeric powder
1/2 Tsp Chilli powder
3 + 1/4 Cups Water
Salt to taste 

Method :

Before starting the cooking process, wash dal and rice and soak it together in a water.

Heat ghee and oil in a cooker and add mustard seeds.

Once it starts spluttering, add Jeera  followed by cashews, green chillies and finely chopped onions.

Saute it for a minute and add the chopped tomatoes.

Add turmeric powder and chilli powder, fry them for a minute and add the chopped bottle gourd cubes.

Mix well and simmer the flame for 3 - 4 minutes.

Add salt and the measured water.

Meanwhile, drain the water from soaked dal - rice.

Once the water starts boiling, add dal - rice, mix well and close the lid.

Cook it for 3-4 whistles and switch off the flame.

Once the pressure gets released in cooker, open the lid, garnish with coriander leaves and slowly fluff the rice.

Serve hot.


 Serving Options :

Serve with Potato fry or any spicy side dish or pickle or papad.


Big Basket - Online Grocery Store Guest post and Review !

It is evident that the recent biggest change in environment is, the rise on online shopping which saves our precious time. Personally I believe, it is a tension free shopping and importantly, it saves money. You must be wondering, how money gets saved on online shopping ?? Yes, the urge of buying whatever we see in shops gets controlled and we to tend to buy only the actual requirement. So, the money gets saved right?

There are lots of online shopping website but we have to identify the genuine ones and start purchasing. And my today's post is all about an online shopping grocery store - BIG BASKET. Recently, I was contacted by them to publish their guest on my space. And, I take it as my privilege to share it to my readers along with my personal feedback, as I am a regular customer of Big basket for the past one year.

Big basket is an Indian online grocery store which has a wide range of products including all home needs. I still remember my first purchase on exotic veggies and my regular pantry stuffs. The products got delivered on the same day, on exact time which I had mentioned while shopping. The timing is purely based on our convenience and till now, I had never faced any issue on that. The veggies were also fresh and wrapped neatly, which made me to continue their service till now. The most exciting part of purchase is their Mobile App, which is really user friendly and super easy. And coming to the cost, I feel it is little cheaper than my nearby super market rate. There are lots of discounts and coupons available for the first time shopping members and also based on the purchase amount.


Buy imported meat and gourmet online

With the borders, getting narrow with every day that passes by the accessibility to the food available in all parts of the world and the country has become easy. Right from the strawberries that come from mahabaleshwar to the oranges that come from Nagpur, you can get almost everything today delivered at your doorsteps. All this has happened due to the trends and online supermarket Coimbatore coming in the picture. Keeping into knowledge the reliability of people on the internet, this is one of those sectors that people would readily opt for in the years to come, as this is one of those things that get them the desired results with reduced efforts. People these days have a varied range of eating habits and unlike the old days, the roles of imported meats and gourmet have drastically improved on their platters. In most of the cases, you would hardly find these les selling international brands available in a normal supermarket. However, when you choose the online super market, they provide you with such products and thus making their base of customers even stronger. 


It has normally been seen that traditional supermarkets give big deal of offers and discounts to their customers. However, the percentage of the offers in comparison to what is available online is completely negligible and therefore helping these online grocery Coimbatore making a stronger and satisfied base of their customers. Once the customer gets used to this style of shopping, there is no chance he would want to look back to the style where they had to drive to the mall, deal with the entire crowd and come home with everything they had on the shopping list. There are many benefits that you as a customer will experience when you opt for online grocery shopping. With the common aspects that tell about the saved time and money, pay attention to the option of home delivery as well. Moreover, in a big traditional supermarket, you have to cross through number of racks to reach the right place from where you want to buy something. In this process, you often pick up things that are eventually not necessary. This extra unnecessary expense can be avoided as you get to choose the filters on the website or application from where you do the shop. All you need to do is enter the details in the search bar and further filter the products in terms of brands, quantity, quality, etc.
If you are one of those people who like to check the things personally before you buy, there are options like easy return policies as well if you are not satisfied with the things that are delivered to you. Everything going as per your wish and favoring you, all you need to do as a customer is to open the website as soon as you need something and place your order. Depending upon the delivery slot that you choose the things would be delivered in no time. 

Thanks for this opportunity and happy to be a customer of Big Basket !