May 2009

Roasted Potato Wedges - Heaven On Plate

Crispy on outside and velvety inside, roasted potato wedges are the perfect low calorie appetizers. Sprinkle a few herbs and you have heaven on a plate. It is also recommended that 50% of our diet should consist of carbohydrate, mainly from starchy foods like potatoes. They are a rich source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C

From my childhood years, I have been in love with the potatoes and never could grow out of them. Initially I used to hate the skin of potatoes, then I got to know the nutritional value of the skins one day, while going through an article in newspaper, I prefer the potatoes with skin. Potato skins store many nutrients and also contain a lot of fiber which is essential for a healthy diet. Leaving the potato skins on the potato also helps contain the nutrients in the flesh of the potato which has a tendency to escape during cooking. Even it saves a lot of time. What is important is that they should be washed with utmost care.

Ingredients

* 5 large potatoes
* 4-5 tbsp vegetable oil
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
* salt to taste
* 1 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 teaspoon red chili powder ( if you like it to be spicy )

Method

* Scrub and wash potatoes properly
* Pat them dry and cut lengthwise into thick wedges (peeling is not necessary, depends on what
* In a large boil add potato wedges and toss them with oil, butter, salt, pepper
* Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet
* Roast them for 15 minutes in a preheated oven at 450 degrees.
* Shake around. Stir.
* Bake for another 20 minutes. Turning occasionally with a wide spatula, until potatoes are golden brown and tender when pierced
* Take them out. Check the seasoning. Add more if necessary.
* Sprinkle with herbs.
* Serve immediately.

Grilled Cheese Tomato Sandwich - A Creamy Treat

While travelling to many places by road around the country, whenever we used to take to stop at some road side restaurant to take a short break, the first thing that came to both mine and my brother's mind was Cheese Tomato Sandwich. We both just loved them and devoured on them, everytime we got a chance. And still it is our favorite because of its heavenly taste and being a special part of our growing up years.

The creamy melted cheese and juicy tomatoes complement eachother perfectly in this mouth watering grilled cheese sandwich recipe, which is so easy to make.

Ingredients

* 4 slices white/brown bread
* 3 tbsp butter, divided
* 2 slices cheddar cheese
* 1 tomato sliced
* 1/2 tbsp black pepper
* salt to taste (not necessary)

Method

* Melt a teaspoon of butter in the preheated sandwich maker
* Apply the remaining butter on one side of each slice of bread
* Then apply cheese slices on the two slices of bread, butter side down
* Add tomato slices on top.
* Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper
* Then at last the remaining slices of bread, butter side out
* Grill the sandwiches till they turn golden brown
* Serve them hot with mustard or tomato sauce and coffee

Masala Lemonade - A Refreshing Summer Drink

One of my favorite drinks in summer is the masala lemonade. Its cool and refreshing. Not just that, it comes with a lot of health and beauty benefits too. Most of the food we have are acidic in nature leading to a lot of health problems. While both lemon and water help in clarifying our system removing toxins and making our skin glow.

In my college days, I used to have lots of Masala lemonade to cool myself from the scorching heat. And still do in summers. I just love it. It gives such a soothing effect. You can also use sugar syrup to make the process quick by saving your time in dissolving sugar.

Ingredients

* Juice of 4 lemons
* Sugar or Honey to taste
* 2 tbsps Chat Masala or Jaljira powder
* 2 Soda bottles (250ml) (fizzy mineral water)
* 1 Cup Chilled water
* Crushed ice
* Lemon slices to garnish

Method

* Squeeze all lemons to extract juice and remove seeds
* Pour water into a large jug. Add sugar and stir well to the get desired sweetness
* Add chat masala, lemon juice and crushed ice. Again stir well
* When ready to serve, add soda
* Serve in chilled glasses garnished with lemon slices

Banana Smoothie - An Excellent Energy Booster For Summer

In summers, if you are feeling tired and low in spirits, then you must go for a banana smoothie. Banana acts as an instant energy booster making it a must to add in our daily diet in summers. As it contains Tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone which is known to improve your mood, make you feel happy and relaxed.

You can also add few drops of vanilla essence in the smoothie. And one important tips for making banana smoothie is use chilled glasses i.e glasses which have been kept in freezer for some time before pouring the smoothie into it, so that it doesn't change its color.

Ingredients

* 2 bananas
* 250gm pineapple chopped
* 1-2 cups of milk
* 2 tbsp honey (or sugar)
* 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream
* few chopped nuts

Method

* Blend bananas, pineapple & honey in a blender until smooth
* Add milk then blend again
* Start adding ice slowly or use crushed ice
* Pour the mixture into chilled glasses
* Garnish it with ice cream scoop & nuts before serving

Note: A banana smoothie is not advised for people who have weight problems rather it is good for people who want to gain weight. Hence, excellent for athletes and people interested in body building.

Egg Chili - Indian Style

Egg recipes are generally easy to cool, moreover eggs have a very high nutritional value with lots of proteins, minerals and vitamins. Whenever I think of making a quick dinner or breakfast, the first thing that comes in mind are eggs.

So, in continuation of quick recipes, this is another one which is a little spicy but sumptuous for a dinner with brown bread or wheat rotis (paranthas also go well with it). I learn' t this originally from my husband but changed a bit to make it more spicy. Instead if chopped onion & tomotoes, I prefer to make a seperate paste of both. Then use it, as this makes the gravy thick. The ingredients I have mentioned make the recipe for two.

Ingredients

* 4 eggs - boiled
* 2 tbsp oil
* 2 tomatoes - chopped
* 2 pc onions - chopped
* 2 pcs green chilies
* 1/4 tbs red chili powder
* 1/2 tbsp garam masala
* 1 tbsp chicken masala
* salt to taste

Method

* Heat 1 tbs oil in a pan
* Fry the onion and green chilies, saute till the onion turns brown
* Then add the chopped tomatoes and mix well. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the gravy thickens
* Add red chili powder, saltto taste, chicken masala and garam masala
* Add 1 cup water & boiled eggs cut into two seperate pieces
* Cook on medium heat for few minutes
* Before serving garnish it with chopped coriander leaves

Mango Pudding - A Delicious Summer Dessert

India is the largest producer of Mangoes. But mango lovers are found all around the world. Because of its tasty juice, flavor and fragrance, they form a key ingredient of various desserts and drinks. Mangoes are not only delicious but are rich in vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Also are high in fiber but low in calories and sodium.
This recipe is for all the mango lovers and the credit for this recipes total goes to my husband, who not only discovered it but also taught me. Normally mango puddings contain gelatin, but that is only for giving it the right shape. I love my mango pudding without it and I am sure others will also love it. Very easy to make and delicious to eat as a dessert after dinner in summer nights.

Ingredients

* 3 cup sugar
* 3 pureed fresh mangoes
* 2-3 cup milk (or 1 cup condensed milk)
* 2 eggs

Method

* In a large bowl, mix the mango pulp, milk, sugar & eggs
* Blend the mixture in a mixer
* Then in a vessel boil the mixer on medium heat till it gets to somewhat thick
consistency
* Let the mixture cool
* Then pour the mixture into small molds or serving bowls and chill in a
refrigerator until set for at least 3 hours.
* Before serving garnish it with mango slices

Chilly Chicken - Indian Style

When I got married, what I knew in cooking was just day to day food. No Chinese recipes or any other cuisine. Simple Indian food was all I knew. This is a problem with all the working women who eventually get married and because of lack of time don't get to learn. This is one of the first recipes I got to learn from my in laws. This Chilly Chicken is not at all Chinese. No soya sauce, no vinegar. Acts as a very tasty appetizer with chilled bear or cold drinks.

Ingredients

* 1 kg boneless chicken
* Red color (a pinch )
* 1-2 tbsp green chilly paste
* 3-4 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
* 4 tbsp cornflour
* 2 tbsp all purpose flour
* 2 eggs
* salt according to taste
* black pepper according to taste

Method

* Mix green chilli paste, garlic-ginger paste, cornflour, flour, salt, black pepper & eggs in a large bowl
* Marinate the chicken in this paste for 1 hour
* After 1 hour, fry the chicken pieces till they are brown and keep them on a tissue paper to absorb the excess oil
* Serve them hot with any sauce you like and garnish with onion rings, lemon wedges, tomato slices