Thursday, May 26, 2016

Steamed Artichoke

Every time I saw artichokes, they look so very intimidating to me that I never wanted to try them. One day S, insisted to try something new and step out of my comfort zone. He suggested that I cook spinach and artichoke dip, as it tastes delicious and he loves it. This was motivating factor to try this intimidating vegetable.
First thing I had to learn was how to use artichoke and which part to eat/ not eat. I referred various videos on internet. If you are like me who is cooking and eating for first time then do refer to the link below. It is one the simplest and very well explained videos. The best part of this video is the Roasted almond and saffron dip recipe. It is so very delicious and so flavorful. Let's get started !!!

Ingredients


4 artichokes
Pinch saffron
1 tablespoon boiling water
1/4 cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper


Directions

Arrange the artichokes in a steamer basket set over at least 3 cups of water and steam, covered, until the leaves can be easily removed, about 1 hour. Let cool. About halfway through cooking check the water level and add more, if necessary.
In a small bowl, stir together saffron and the tablespoon of boiling water. Toast the almonds in a small dry skillet over medium-high heat until beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Remove the almonds and add 1 tablespoon of the oil to the pan. Add onion and cook until beginning to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a bowl and let cool. In a food processor, grind the almonds until finely chopped. Add the saffron mixture, onion mixture, yogurt and parsley and puree until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the lemon juice and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve with the artichokes.




For complete video on this, click on the link below -
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/steamed-artichokes-with-almond-saffron-dip-recipe.html

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Vada Pav

Yay!!! summer is fast approaching and it's time for all outdoor activities. I am very excited, as after so long I can step out without wearing multi-layer of clothing and be able to indulge in some outdoor activities.

Before spring bids adieu I enjoyed so much of fried food with hot mint-masala chai. One of the all time favorites is vada-pav. Till date I haven't met a single person across India who doesn't like this. I made few americans here try this delicacy and they too enjoyed it. This is one of the simplest and easiest to cook, which requires very few ingredients. So let's dig in people.

Ingredients - 

5 Medium Sized Potatoes (Boiled and Coarsely Mashed)
Few Curry Leaves
5 Cloves of Garlic
1 Inch Piece of Ginger
8 Green Chillies
Few Coriander Leaves
1/2 Tsp - Mustard Seeds
2 Tbsp of Oil
1&1/2 Cup Gram Flour
Pinch - Turmeric Powder
Pinch - Asafoetida (Hing)
Salt to taste
Pinch - Soda Bicarbonate
1 Tbsp - Cornflour
1/2 Tsp - Red Chilly Powder
5 - 6 Pav or Burger Buns
Cilantro Chutney
Dry Garlic Chutney
Tamarind-date Chutney 

Directions - 

1. Grind Chillies, Ginger, Garlic
2. Heat 2 Tbsp of oil in a pan and add Mustard Seeds & wait for them to crackle
3. Add Asafoetida & Curry Leaves, Ginger, Garlic & Chilli Paste, Mashed Potatoes, Turmeric, salt (to taste) & Coriander Leaves and mix everything well and cook for some time
4. Remove the potato Filling in different bowl and let it cool
5. Heat Oil in a Pan
6. Mix Gram Flour, Cornflour, Turmeric Powder, Red Chilly Powder, Asafoetida, Salt to taste, Water, Soda Bicarbonate & Hot Oil in a bowl and mix well all the ingredients so as to to make a smooth paste (not thick paste). (There are videos online which shows the desired consistency, if you are unsure check these videos for additional guidance)
7. Make small balls of Potato fillings
8. Dip Potato balls in the smooth paste
9. Deep Fry the potato balls till golden brown
10. Cut the Pav into two halves
11. Add Coriander Chutney, dry Garlic Chutney & Tamarind-Date Chutney on both the sides of the bread
12. Place the Batata Vada in the centre of the pav & Close it with other half 

Serve Hot with Some More Coriander Chutney, dry Garlic Chutney, Tamarind-Date Chutney & Green Chillies

Suggestion:
If you want, you could add apply some butter on Pav and cook on medium flame till they turn light brown and crisp on both sides. Then follow steps 11& 12. I always prefer my vada-pav this way. This is known as Butter vada-pav in some places of India.  


Do try and let me know your feedback.