Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
For next few months you
will see a host of low calorie cuisines in my space. With some serious efforts
being made from my side to reduce weight, I conceive my sharing recipes
conducive to weight loss would help a lot many like me struggling to keep in shape.
However, that does not mean that I will refrain from posting the savory treats
that are regular in my blog.
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Chicken Chopsuey
Chopsuey is a traditional
Chinese dish concocted with an assortment of vegetables and a choice of meats
including beef, chicken, pork, prawns and fish. Usually served with boiled
rice, chopsuey can be enjoyed in restaurants typically with the hallmark Chinese
stir-fried noodles. However, in my preparation I had chopsuey with boiled rice
noodles simply because I wanted to curb my intake of oil. Getting really health
conscious, you see :o
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Palak Paneer
Do you like friends
imitating you blindly? I had a childhood
buddy who was into this noisome habit of emulating whatever I would try to do
and mind you, it's not at all interesting when friends try to copy your dressing
or emulate things you are involved in. It just makes you feel that your friend
is trying to get into a competition with you. It's irritating. It does not end in one thing, it just goes on from one thing to another. It spoils the
spontaneity of the friendship. My friendship with my childhood friend did fall apart because of her constant nagging ways to compete me.
These friends will never
waste a word in praise of you, but you can feel that whenever the next good
thing you engage yourself with, they do the same. If you get into baking class,
they will do the same. If you go for painting, you will find them waving at you
from the last row of the painting class. If you buy a set of goggles, you will
find another pair in their bags the next day. If you start writing poems or making any literary composition, next day
you will find them attempting the same. But never will you see them passing any
compliment to you.
I wonder why ideas don't pop into their nutty heads on their own. Why do they have to derive passion out of watching their friends do something? Passion is never developed by copying someone. It is there in your heart. Just because your friend, you might look up to or feel slightly jealous of, engages himself/herself with something, you don't necessarily be toeing the same line. Hobbies are not a place for competition. Hobbies are something followed out of passion. Finding the right passion is more important than doing the one your friend is doing.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Peanut Cookies
I love peanuts. Peanuts are
enriched with many beneficial nutrients, anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Peanuts are essentially helpful in lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) and
increasing HDL (good cholesterol). Research studies have shown that a kind of
anti-oxidant present in peanuts prevents stomach cancer. For more to know about
peanuts and related health benefits, please view the following website:
However, people allergic to
peanuts must avoid them at all costs.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Scallop Curry
My hubby few days back
bought frozen scallops from the market. I have eaten scallop a number of times
in restaurants, but never cooked it at home. Not having any continental scallop
recipe handy, I relied on my instinct to conjure up a spicy flavorsome scallop curry
that perfectly conformed to our Indian taste bud.
Sour Cream Muffins with Parsley
Recently, we had been to
Cedar Point which is one of the popular theme parks in US boasting of a record
number of 74 rides including 16 roller coasters 4 out of which are taller than
200 ft (61m). Frankly, I don't enjoy rides, at least, consciously. I don't like
the very idea of sending my adrenaline glands into sudden rush by some
electrical giants. Yet, at the insistence of my hubby and his peers, I got into
some rides one of which was from category 5 thrill ride. I must say, 'Wicked
Twister' was really wicked in giving me palpitations. Whenever the ride took a
coil at the top at a speed seemingly faster than winds, I literally had my
heart in my mouth. I was scared to death praying for the whole whirlwind to
come to an end. I took an oath sitting there screaming my lungs out to relieve
stress that from then onwards I would not step inside a category 5 thrill ride.
After that tumultuous ride,
I had to satisfy my hunger pinch with these beautiful sour cream muffins which
seemed as true blue delights in the face of danger. It is nothing short of a
danger to have a ride enthusiastic husband who likes to try each and every ride
and roller coaster available in a theme park expecting me to accompany him. Ki jala !
Monday, June 25, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Malabari Prawn Curry
Malabar, a southern
coastline nestled between Arabian Sea and Western Ghats, is lined with a string
of coconut trees. Hence, the flavour of coconut predominates over the Malabar
cuisines. Originally, any authentic Malabari dish is cooked with coconut oil. I
have learned this recipe of Malabari Prawn curry from a cookery show hosted by
Aditya Bal. Bal hewed to the authenticity of Malabar cuisine by cooking it in
coconut oil. You may do the same if you like. But since I don't like the over
pervasive smell of coconut oil, I have replicated the dish using white oil.
Lal Shak Diye Moong Dal - Moong Lentil with Amaranth Leaves
I am feeling really restless. I wish I could know a way to parry people I cannot stand for a moment. I wish I could defuse a bomb in their car or poison their food to make them disappear forever from my sight. But alas! My heart is soft and mushy and tender and I cannot think of spilling blood to get rid of enemies just as Henry VIII did. I covered the full 4 seasons of Tudors recently on Netflix and am still under its hangover. I was just wondering how mighty and reckless one is likely to become in the face of absolute power bestowed on him. Despite being one of the highly learned kings of his time, all Henry VIII is remembered today is for his brutality and ruthlessness in executing any potential threat coming his way. Whenever he found anyone rebuffing his diktats or brewing a plot against him, he sought to remove their heads.
Good that we are over with monarchy when power rested in the hands of few and others were at the mercy of their whims. But as I was saying, sometimes a little bit of magical power becomes a need of the hour when you find yourselves in an uncomfortable position with people you don't gel well. At least, if you cannot vanish them, you can go and disappear yourself into thin air.

I owe the below recipe to SpicyTasty which features some authentic South Indian as well as an array of interesting cuisines from all over the world. Except the measurements of some of the ingredients used and the addition of butter and ghee, I have stuck to the original recipe as showcased in their blog.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Spicy Bhindi - Dharosh Masala
Bhindi in Bengali is called
"Dharosh". Dharosh is also an expression addressed to mean stupid or
imbecile. It was my mother's favourite word to describe me when I was growing
up. I am sure in Bengal, sometime or the other; every parent might have used
this epithet on their wards in reference to a silly mistake. But how the
connection between Dharosh and this allusive adjective came into effect is
still unknown to me because I don't find bhindi anyway near to stupid looking.
Anyway, this spicy bhindi
is my all-time favourite accompaniment with roti or chapati. Besides tasting
delectable, it is also a healthy dish full of nutrition.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Kolhapuri Egg Masala
Over the last one week, me
and my hubby have been spending a considerable amount of time covering the
seasons of The Tudors on Netflix. Must I say, it's an amazing watch and quite
addictive too. The story about Henry VIII and his realm are so rife with atrocities,
decapitation and adulteries that you never have a moment of dullness. Though my
husband says that the actual Henry VIII was more forbidding in disposition than
the one portrayed in the serial, I find the portrayal no short of brutalities.
Imagine what the actual Henry would have been!! It's interesting to know that
during his reign some 72,000 people were sentenced to death.
As regards the recipe, the
credit of it goes to my new Marathi friend who painstakingly makes effort to
pamper me with Maharashtrian delicacies and I keep noting them down to share
them here.
For more recipes on eggs, please click the links below:
Egg Kosha
Egg Sandwich
Egg Drop Curry
Mexican Egg
Egg Devil Curry
Egg Kosha
Egg Sandwich
Egg Drop Curry
Mexican Egg
Egg Devil Curry
Kokum Chana Masala
I am a great Balika Vadhu
fan. My husband often teases me about my fondness of watching Balika Vadhu the
craze of which didn't diminish an iota even after coming here. I am not hooked
on to any other daily soap except this one. I remember once I used to watch
Uttaran which came on air about at the same time as Balika Vadhu, but after one
or 2 years of watching Uttaran, I just felt I have had enough entertained
myself with illusory fabled stuff that the serial was showcasing with one
character murdered in broad daylight and then reappearing the next day in his
spitting image ('hamshakal').
But Balika Vadhu is
different. The story though based on a regressive custom of child marriage has
shown progress in the lead characters moving on with their lives without any
futile attempt being made to establish illogical or irrelevant connection of events.
The story has matured over time showing the protagonist picking up the pieces
of her life and move on. After all, a failed marriage should not end a woman's
life pushing her into an eternal darkness. Hailing from a literature
background, I have known that any piece of art is a reproduction of life. Hence
any story represented in action on big or small screen should not stretch to
the extent of incredulity that the audience fails to connect after some time.
The good thing about Balika Vadhu is every character seems alive in flesh and
blood without getting overboard with the positive and negatives shades of their
essence. They resemble so much the people we interact with daily or have come
across in our lives. That is the beauty of this serial which glues me on to it.
Coming back to the recipe,
I have cooked chana masala many a time with tamarind pulp, but first time with
kokum. The idea of cooking it with kokum came along the day I cooked Toor Dal
with Kokum. Kokum has a mild flavour of tanginess that never feels sharp on
your tongue. For people who don't like the taste of tamarind may find kokum a
good substitute.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Red Velvet Cake
Finally, I have updated my
travel blog with the story of Mackinac trip. Anybody interested in travelling
there may find the information shared useful.
Coming to the recipe now,
Red Velvet Cake not only looks gorgeous and beautiful, it is equally charming
and pleasing in taste. If anybody has any misgiving towards adding synthetic
color to the cake, beetroot juice can be a good substitute.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Egg Pulusu
Egg Pulusu is an archetypal
Andhra cuisine with tamarind pulp and an assortment of exquisite Indian spices
cooked together. I adapted the recipe from Sanjeev Kapoor. Though I have kept
the ingredients more or less similar to what he has used, but I slightly
twisted the preparation according to my taste bud.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Carrot, Apple and Celery Soup
The other day when I was
baking Vanilla Apple Pear Cake, my hubby brought home a carton full of apples while I
needed only two for baking the cake. So there are a bunch of apples still in
the refrigerator waiting for their turn to be used. With intent to put the
apples to some good use, I thought of incorporating them in my soup. Besides,
as some serious endeavors to shed weight are underway, this carrot apple soup
is exactly what I need to feel my tummy filled without any guilt afterwards.
Addition of butter into
this soup is absolutely discretional. It will taste yummy regardless of butter
or any other taste boosting agent.
Posto Diye Chingri Malaikari - Prawn Malai Curry with Poppy Paste
This is another variation
of Prawn Malai Curry I recently had at one of my friends' house. If you have
tried and enjoyed Prawn Malai Curry, you must check out this variation with
poppy paste. It is equally delightful and savory.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Borar Jhal
Borar Jhal is a very
flexible recipe not to mention a tasty one indeed. "Bora" means deep fried
patties. I have used moong lentils to prepare the boras which can be made using
other sorts of lentils like masoor or red lentil, chana dal or split Bengal
gram and even with a random mix of two or three types of lentils. The process
of making the lentil paste also follows the same procedure as described below,
irrespective of the type of lentil used - soaking overnight and then grinding
them until smooth.
You can fry the boras and
then serve them as it is with chutney or sauce; or you may choose to cook a
curry with them just like me.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Tomato Soup
We all love tomato soup,
but do we know that tomato is actually a fruit and not a vegetable as the
popular belief is. Tomatoes attribute to a slew of health benefits fighting
cancer being one of them. It is rich with a vital anti-oxidant called Lycopene
that prevents harmful formation of cancerous cells within the body. Tomatoes
are full with fibers which help regulate the blood sugar and cholesterol
levels. Another interesting fact about tomato is that it is available in every
color possible save blue. Indeed, inclusion of tomato in your daily diet solves
many of your health concerns.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Pudina Magic
The temperature is soaring
high in Kolkata with scorching hot waves testing the strength of endurance in
people. While in some parts of India, the dry heat drains people of their
stamina, in Kolkata, it is extreme humidity coupled with the scorching heat
that makes life a living hell.
My summer experience in
Kolkata was pretty dreadful especially while I was serving in a school. Many a
time the power cut would last through the entire day forcing us, the teachers,
to work in the furnace of school building for hours on end. The compulsory
dressing code of wearing saree only added to the agony of suffering. Now in
summer months, to help the body from giving in to dehydration, drinking gallons
of water is a must. Nothing seems more blissful then than a glass of cold
drinks topped with ice cubes gurgling down the throat quenching your thirst. It
feels like an elixir amid the scathing summer heat. Hope this Pudina magic does its magic giving you some respite from the painful summer.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Cherry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Cake decoration is an art
which I am still struggling with to come to a decent level. After viewing few
of my blogger friends outdoing in this art of decoration, I have developed a
little inferiority complex about myself. Frankly, prima facie what appears by
the variegated display of colorful cakes around the blogging world is that cake
decoration entails a lot of patience. Of course one needs to be imaginative too
to be able to conjure up various ideas for adorning the cakes. But at the end,
to put ideas into execution, you need to show patience and dedication which I
believe I lack in myself.
Hopefully, someday with trial and error I would be able to achieve some decency in my cake embellishments.
Chicken Chaap
There is a very famous
traditional Muslim restaurant in one corner of Old Esplanade in Kolkata where I
first tasted Chicken Chaap as a side dish to the most authentic flavoursome
Biriyani. One of my friends threw a treat in celebration of her b'day in Aaminia
giving me an opportunity to enjoy the most luscious plate of Mughlai cuisines
ever. Aaminia, though famous for its food, is very simple in presentation,
devoid of flamboyance and hence might lose out to the fashionable trendy
restaurants offering a perfect cozy environment to their patrons. Unless you
are a stickler for fancy decor in an eatery, you might like to have a dining
experience in Aaminia which has an old appeal of traditional Kolkata.
I have prepared the Chicken
Chaap in a traditional Mughlai way. But as opposed to the traditional Mughlai
preparation, I have used minimal ghee in proportion to my taste bud. So you may
adjust the same according to your palate.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Chicken Mole Poblano
Chicken Mole Poblano is a
Mexican cuisine cooked with chocolate, sesame seeds and almonds. The dark,
thick sauce spread over chicken or turkey makes a rich sumptuous treat to
savour. As opposed to the much spiced Indian curry, Mole Poblano is very low in
spices with the dark color contributed by bitter dark chocolates. Chocolate is
essential to the dish, so even if you don't like chocolates (who doesn't btw?)
you must add some if you want to concoct Mole Poblano.
I added this recipe to my
kitty during our Yercaud trip when we stayed for a night in an exotic resort
owned by Mr.Visu Kaliyappa. He had an awesome collection of recipe books
gathered from all over the world. Me and my friend took our turns to capture
some of the recipes that caught our fancy in our cameras. Along with many other
things, this Chicken Mole Poblano is one of the recipes we picked up in our
treasure of memories.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Carrot Coriander Soup
Carrots are very good for
eyesight. I recall when I got my first pair of spectacles due to migraine; I
was so paranoid that I started eating bunch of carrots raw on the advice of my
father. My eyesight was perfectly normal even few years before until I weakened
it by involving in excessive embroidery works.
Anyway, this Carrot
Coriander Soup is instrumental in increasing your appetite if taken before a
meal. With only a hint of oil, this is perfectly healthy concoction for anyone
working on weight loss.
Cauliflower with Kasuri Methi
My father's cataract
operation is due on this Sunday. In the event of his sugar again on the
increase, the general physician has recommended him to postpone the operation,
but the ophthalmologist has given him a green signal and so my father has
decided to go on with the cataract removal. The only consolation amidst the
tension and anxiety I have been feeling, sitting some thousand miles away from
my home, over my father's deteriorating health is that both my brother and
sister will be there beside him at the time of the operation.
My didi and dada have
always been the saviours for me. When I was a child, I often used to rue over
the fact of didi and dada getting more importance than me at our home for their
status of older siblings whereas me being the youngest was always treated like
a child even when I grew up. None of my views held any importance to anyone as
did of my brother and sister. While the downside of being the youngest in the
family is that you are always made to feel like a child even after you grow up
into an adult, the upside is no problem in the family passes through you.
Before even the problems begin to affect you, they are well taken care of by
the elders.
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