Pongal

This is one of my most favorite South Indian dish.

I always had south Indian food during my college days in Matunga, a locality in Mumbai which is full of south Indian Restaurants.

The best Pongal I had was on my trip to Tirupati and Chennai and since then was hunting for a recipe.Finally a colleague of mine from Chennai shared a recipe and I modified it a little for my taste buds. It turned out to be successful.Here is it


Ingredients
Moong Daal and Rice (Equal Quantity)
Cumin Seeds
Pepper corns
Pepper Powder
Grated Ginger
Red dried chilly
Curry Leaves
Cashewnuts,Raisins 10-12
Grated Coconut
Ghee
Milk
Salt to taste
Water


Procedure

Cook the rice and moong dal together in a separate utensil

In another pan add ghee add Cumin Seeds,Pepper corns,Pepper Powder,Grated Ginger,
Red dried chilly and Curry Leaves.Let it fry for a while add cashews and raisins.Add salt to taste and grated coconut.Now add the boiled Moong dal+Rice.
Add some milk and water.Once it becomes soft add some ghee.

Serve hot with Sambhar

Chef's Tips:
1)Never Pressure Cook the Rice Moongdal Mixture as it becomes too soft.Cook it in an open utensil.Cook it 75-80% as later when you add it to mixture it gets perfectly cooked
2)When you add cumin and pepper corns to ghee, wait for pepper corns to pop and then add rest of the ingredients
3)You can substitute red chillies with green chillies depending on your taste.I recommend red chillies as it gives a wonderful aroma.
4)You can add coconut milk instead of grated coconut
Bon Appetit
Ash

Zaalouk and Moutabel

We all are fascinated by the Middle East.Their colorful culture,the big barren desert,Oil fields,Hookas and Sheeshas,Camels,belly dances..blah blah.Very little is known about the food.So I made these lovely Middle Eastern Dishes rather Middle Eastern Dips

Naina and Monica have been preparing lovely Moutabel since months and I love it each time they make it.So today I thought trying my hands at it.I made Moutabel and it turned out to be lovely.I tried another dip called "Zaloouk" which is from Morroco and it turned out to be lovely too.Since we already have Moutabel om the blog I thought of sharing Zaalouk recipe with you all

Zaalouk

Ingredients:
Aubergine
Tomatoes
Olive Oil
Garlic
Parsley
Chilly Powder
Salt to taste


Procedure
Roast/Cook the aubergine and smash it well.Add boiled smashed tomatoes.Add a little tomato Ketchup.Add Crushed ground Garlic.Add some Red Chilly powder and Chopped Parsley.Finally add olive oil and salt per taste.Smash it in a huge vessel for about 5-10 minutes till it blends well.

Decorate with Olives and Parsley.Serve with Crusty bread

I served both Zaalouk and Moutabel with Garlic breads and they were too yummy

It was kinda great to have 2 dishes of Aubergine made on teh same day both tasting so different yet so nice

Bon Appetit
Ash

Butter Chicken with Kasoori Methi

My Favorite Recipe from Childhood Days.Once Mum's Kitty Party Friend had made it around 15-20 years ago and since then is a famous one in my household

Ingredients:
Boiled Boneless Chicken
Oil
Chopped Onions
Tomatoe Puree
Milk
Cream
Chicken Stock
Chicken curry Masala
Red Chilly Powder
Kasoori Methi
Salt

Procedure:
Fry Onions in Oil in a Kadhai.Add the Ginger Garlic Paste.Now add Chicken Masala.Normally these Everest/Badshah have good Chicken Gravy Masalas.Pick anyone of your choice.Mix well.Red Chilly Powder.Once the Onions are brown, mix all very well in a blender.Add little water if you want.

Next add Tomato Puree.Let it cook well.Add the Boiled Boneless Chicken.Add Milk and Cream.Finally Add the Chicken Stock and Kasoori Methi.Add Salt as per taste.
Serve Hot with Parathas:)
Enjoyyyy

Chef's Tip:Additionally you can Add Cashew paste to make gravy thicker and tastier

Restaurant Recommendations- From Singapore with Love

Singapore has almost become second Home for me. It’s a Modern and Happening City with a wonderful nightlife,superb brands to shop, warm and friendly people and fantastic places to eat There are some Restaurants you shouldn’t miss from Singapore

1)Crystal Jade: Authentic Chinese/Cantonese Cuisine
The Food and Ambience is Mind blowing.This is a Chain of Restauarants spread all over Singapore and serve authentic Chinese food.I never used to like the Chinese food that restaurants in India serve.But the kind of food they serve here changed my psysche about Chinese food. Don’t Miss the Dimsums.I tried both the Pork and the vegeterian ones.The Noodles and Fried rice were superb too.The starers were great although I don’t remember the Chinese names.Most important,they serve fantastic Chinese tea to sip in between meals. I tried eating with Chopsticks and believe me it was fun.The Chinese staff was happy to see an Indian woman like me savouring the cuisine the traditional way

2)Thai Express:Thai Cuisine
I go to this place each time I go to Singapore.The food is very nice. Right from Tom Yum Soup,Fried Prawns,Phad Thai(traditional Noodles),to Thai Curry and Rice the food rocks.Also,don’t miss the Tender Coconut Water which they serve with the Coconut itself.The taste is a little different from what we get in Bombay or Goa

3)Original Sin: at Holland Village. Mediteraanean Cuisine
This one is for all the Vegeterians.it is located in the quiet and yet posh area of Holland Village.Among the very few Restauarnts serving vegetarian food They have Greek ,Italian and other typical Mediterrrainean Food. I tried the Pumpkin Soup,Vege Platterr and Risoto.Also they serve greek dips like Tchachiki etc You can always ask the staff to describe the contenst of all food and then chose what you want as per your specifications

4)Marakkesh ,at Clarke Quay ,Moroccan and Arabic Cuisine
It’s a Moroccan Lounge bar at one of the most happening locations,Clarke Quay.The Ambience makes you feel you are in the Middle East.They have Arabic style seating and also have swinging seats.Also they play the Arabic Music in background and there are Sheeshas and Hookas all over too. The Platter which we ordered was nice.We ordered for 3 dips hummus,moutabel and Zaalouk, some falafel type tikkis and some Pita bread The food was good,so many new things.I don’t remember the exact names but you can always ask the staff to serve you authentic food as per your choice

5)Tratorria : at Orchard Road , Italian Cuisine
This one has the traditional Italian food and since Italian food is my personal favourite I had everything in the course from Soup,Starters,Salads,Main Course of Lasagna and Tiramisu. Its straight Italian food and superbly tasty

6)Komalas,at Little India, South Indian Cuisine
This one will be very useful for you once you are tired of eating the Chinese,thai,Italian blah blah. The restaurant is located in little India Area very close to the famous Mustafa Shopping Centre and is the low priced high quality South Indian food place.You get everything from Dosas,Idlis,uthappa .I guess I need not recommend what to eat as all the food is equally great.

7)The Soup Spoon, at Raffles Place, Soups ,Dips, Sandwiches and Salads
It’s a restaurant specilising in soups, and delis.It has outlets all over Singapore but I have been to the only place in Raffles Place.Raffles Place is the Office are and everyone is looking for quick bites here. Though its soup, one set meal will make u really full. The mushroom soup is thick and the best.Tomato soup and Pumpkin soup are next..Also they have good sandwiches and wraps.Try the Sandwich in Focacia bread.One of the best things to try is the Caeser Salad which is one of the best I had till date.I also tried the Ice tea which was good too

Prawns in Okhra Gravy South Indian Style(Courtsey:Masterchef Australia)

I have off late been addicted to Masterchef Australia on StarWorld big time.I love the way they make those dishes and also the way they give small tips.
Last week when famous chef Kumar Mahadevan gave this recipe,I really found it interesting.I have not yet tried,but it looks so intesting ,that I thought I should record it somewhere before I forget and share with all of you.

Ingredients:
Oil
Okhra
Prawns
Grated Coconut
Chopped Onion
Chopped Tomato
Mustard,Cumin,Fenugreek and Dhaniya Seeds
Red Chilly powder
Turmeric Powder
Chana Dal Roasted
Curry Leaves

Heat oil in a Pan.Add Mustard,Cumin and Fenugreek.Now add Chopped Onions.Add Dhaniya Powder ,Red Chilly Powder Turmeric and the Okhras (Ladyfingers) with its top chopped.Let tehm Fry well.Once fried ,remove the Okhras.
Now add Tomatoes,Green chilly and Water.Add the Prawns now.Add Curry Leaves and let it Simmer a while.
Separately mix grated coconut and roasted chana dal in a mixer,add water and make a paste and add it to the above.Re add Okhras and Serve hot

(Courtsey:Masterchef Australia)

Celebration Time

We had so many reasons to celebrate as September witnesses 3 Le-Bouffe Member Birthdays..

It was Palak,Monica and Suzanne's Birthdays..
Monica actually baked a Cake for Suzaane and we got some Yummy Cakes for Palak and Monica as well.
We at Le-bouffe Team wish that all the 3 gals ..fondly called as Mini,Mo and Sue have superb year ahead .May God fulfill all their desires and give them a long and beautiful life..
Please join me in wishing them a wonderful wish fulfilling year ahead !!
Time to Raise some Toast..
Cheers
Ash

Cabbage in Tomato Base

I am not particularly fond of Cabbage.But this is something Novel and interesting
Also, Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamin C. It also contains significant amounts of glutamine, an amino acid that has anti-inflammatory properties.

I wanted to make something Mexican..But realized I had no Bell Peppers or Jalapenos or chilly flakes.So decided to make Indian and was happy that this turned out to be nice.Everyone in office seemed to like it too

Ingredients:

Oil
Tomato Ketchup
Ginger Garlic Paste
Cabbage
Vermicelli
Milk/Cream
Chopped Corriander
Kitchen King Masala
Red Chilly Powder
Turmeric

Procedure:
Toss oil in a Pan/Kadhai.Add tomato ketchup to form gravy base.Add ginger garlic paste and let this cook for a while.Add Kitchen King masala,chilly powder and Turmeric.
Now add half -boiled Chopped Cabbage
Add Vermicelli and let it cook for a while
Season with Milk and cream and Corriander leaves
Serve With Roti/ Jeera Rice

Chefs Tips:
Cabbage if not cooked well may give a peculiar smell.See to it that when you half boil, add a little bit of salt and pepper
It hardly takes 7-8 mins to cook.Its good to cook when you are in a hurry and have to rush to work or When you have least ingredients at home
I have not added salt to the gravy as Ketchup already has salt in it.You can add depending on your choice
You can Substitute boiled cabbage with Boiled Sweet corn or Baby Corn or Even Half Boiled Mushrooms
Never tried it with Boiled Chicken though. but guess that should be tasty too

Bon Appétit
Ash