Condiments

Chimichurri

Chimichurri – Argentina’s Favourite Condiment.

Chimichurri pronounced as chee-mee-CHOO-ree is a savoury sauce native to Argentina and Uruguay.  Linguists trace the origin of this name to Basque’s ‘tximitxurri’ which translates to “random mixture of things.”  Basque Argentinas were immigrants who arrived from Northern Spain to Argentina in the 19th century.  According to food historians, Chimichurri was first prepared by gauchos (skilled horsemen) to flavour meat cooked over open fires.

The bright and zippy sauce is full of flavour and is used for basting, marinating and dipping.  Its fresh flavour and crunchy texture pair exceptionally well with grilled food such as steaks, chicken and veggies.  I absolutely love this condiment as it adds depth to grilled foods without overpowering the main dish.

Drizzle this authentic homemade Chimichurri over everything grilled or smear it over your breakfast toasties.  And the best part?  You only need 10 minutes to whip up this yummy sauce.  Try your hands on this recipe, your friends and family will love it!
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August 12, 2022 By
Appetizers

Herbed Cheese Log

This creamy, savoury and herbaceous recipe packs a punch and is utterly addictive!

Cream cheese, Cheddar cheese and Goat cheese come together to lend a delicious flavor and texture to this recipe.

With every bite, you’re left with an incredible mouth feel as the herbed crust adds a unique flavor. It’s creamy yet not overwhelming!

Serve this gourmet appetizer alongwith some crackers or lay it on your cheeseboard for some pizzaz. This hassle-free make-ahead recipe is perfect for festivities and an absolute crowd-pleaser.

P.S. Tempering (bringing it to room temperature) the cheese before infusing it with spices is vital.
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August 10, 2022 By
Drinks

Raw Mango Shot (Kachi Kheri shot)

My Keri Bomb is the only drink you need to resuscitate yourself after a long day.

This Kachi Keri shot cools you down in an instant and involves a bit of spectacle!  The consumption of this non-alcoholic shot is akin to a Jaegerbomb.  Except I swapped the Jaegermeister for a Raw Mango Shot and Redbull for a fizzy and bubbly 7 Up.  The pleasures of shipping on this drink are multi-sensory!  It’s visually appealing and tastes absolutely fantastic.  It’s a magical concoction of sweet, sour, salty, spicy and bubbly flavours.

There’s a certain level of dram and alchemy attached to this recipe.  The salt and chilli mix on the rim of the shot glass reacts with the 7 Up, altering its chemistry.  This leads to a fizzy explosion that amplifies the flavor profile of individual elements.  Every sip is pure delight, a feeling that can’t be described but experienced.

P.S.- Ditch the Jaegerbomb for a Raw Mango Shot infused with Vodka on your next evening soiree, your friends will thank you!
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July 29, 2022 By
Condiments

Raw Mango & Chana Dal Chutney

A spoonful of this delicious chutney will swiftly uplift your meals in seconds.  The term chutney is derived from the Hindi word ‘chatna’, which means to lick.  This literal definition aptly sums up the entire experience of eating this mouth-watering chutney.

Servings Makes 1 bowl
Course Condiment
Preparation Time 1 hour
Cook Time Nil

Ingredients for the Raw Mango & Chana Dal Chutney 

(1 cup=200 ml, 1 tbsp=15 ml)
1 cup Roasted chana dal (dalia)
1 cup (2 – 3 Nos) Grated raw mango
1” pc Ginger
2 – 3 Green chilies
Salt to taste

Ingredients for tempering
2 – 3 tbsp Oil
1 tbsp Mustard seeds
A pinch Of hing (asafoetida)
1 – 2 Dry red chilies
A few Curry leaves

Instructions for the Chutney
1. Wash and soak the roasted Chana Dal for 1 – 2 hours. Drain the water after that completely.
2. Add the dal to a blender.  Add ginger and green chilies.  Add salt as per taste.  Blend the mixture like a dry chutney.  (if it feels too dry add just 2 – 3 tbsp of water to help in blending).
3. Remove in a bowl.  Add in the peeled grated raw mango and mix well.   Prepare the tempering and season the chutney on top.  Mix again.  Serve at once.
July 28, 2022 By
Appetizers

Spicy Smashed Potato with Gochujang Mayo

Spice up your appetizer game this monsoon with my Smashed Potatoes recipe.

Spicy Smashed Potato with Gochujang Mayo is an absolute flavor bomb- it’s crispy, spicy and deliciously creamy.  It’s a perfect way to indulge in your crispy potato cravings.  This dish is a little more redeeming than French fries as it’s baked.

What makes this recipe unique is my signature Gochujang Mayo.  Gochujang is a thick and spicy crimson paste fundamentally used in Korean cuisine.  This mouth-tingling sauce pairs superbly well with the creamy texture of mayo.  The sauce adds a mild tanginess and a rich umami taste to this comforting snack.

This wholesome snack is perfect for rainy and glooming evenings.  Make sure you serve it right off the oven for an extra crisp texture.
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July 27, 2022 By
Appetizers

Labaneh Dip with Green Chili Thecha

Introducing my Labneh Dip with Green Chili Thecha – it’s spicy but also cooling at the same time.  The yogurt and chilli come together beautifully to challenge your taste buds – making it a delicious summer time dip!

I often make this dip when I entertain friends and family for two reasons – Firstly, this dip is delicious and gets my guests hooked.  Secondly, it is easy to prepare everything you need for this dip, is sitting right in your pantry- Hung curd, cloves, chilli, garlic, coriander, lemons and salt.

It’s also a versatile dip to serve as a snack, it goes well with bread, veggies and kebabs.

Servings 3 – 4 persons
Course Appetizer
Preparation Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute

Ingredients for the Labaneh Dip

(1 cup=200 ml, 1 tbsp=15 ml)
1 cup Hung curd (2-3 cups of curd hung overnight gives 1 cup of hung curd)
Salt to taste
1 No. Lemon juice

Ingredients for the Green Chili Thecha

(1 cup=200 ml, 1 tbsp=15 ml)
6 – 8 Green chilies
5 – 6 Cloves of garlic

Ingredients for Garnish

(1 cup=200 ml, 1 tbsp=15 ml)
1 – 2 tbsp Oil
A handful of Mint leaves
A handful of Coriander leaves with thin stems
2 – 3 Green chilies

Instructions for the Green Chili Thecha
1 Pound the green chili and garlic cloves together. (It should be coarsely ground).  Alternatively you can use a blender and coarsely grind the same.

Instructions for the Labaneh
1 Mix the hung curd, salt and lemon juice.
2 Add in 1 – 2 tbsp of the thecha prepared above.  (increase or decrease quantity as per your taste)
3 Chill the labaneh for 1 – 2 hours.

Instructions  to serve
1 Heat oil in a tadka pan.
2 Fry the coriander and mint leaves.
3 Fry the green chilies.
4 Garnish the thecha labaneh before serving with the friend green chilies and fried leaves.  Serve with pita bread.  Chips and crudités.

 

May 16, 2022 By
Drinks

Aam Panna

Rehydrate the desi way with Aam Panna!

A classic Indian summer drink, Aam Panna is renowned for its thirst-quenching and hydrating properties.  This flavoursome drink is super refreshing and is ideal for hot sunny afternoons.

Aam Panna reminds me of my summer break as we would live off this drink and beat the heat.  It’s a quick and delicious recipe.  All you need is some raw green mangoes, spices, water and sugar.  Viola! You have a perfect drink to beat this scorching heat.

Pro-tip- Serve it super chilled and garnish it with mint leaves.

Swipe right for detailed recipe and instructions.  Save this recipe for the incoming heat and share it with your friends and family.

PS: Cocktail enthusiasts, this might be your favourite summer mixer!
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May 5, 2022 By
Drinks / Soup

Bloody Mary Gazpacho

Who said soups are not for summer?  Bloody Mary Gazpacho is summertime soup that is simply delightful.  To make things interesting, I have infused this recipe with some vodka, however you can omit it for a non-alcoholic version.

Gazpacho is quintessionally, an Andalusian dish, hailing from Spain.  This fresh and energizing drink is all you need on a lazy sunny afternoon.

Servings Makes 4 cups
Course Drink / Soup
Preparation Time 10 minutes
Cook Time Nil

Ingredients for the Bloody Mary Gazpacho

(One glass = 200 ml; 1 tsp = 5 ml)
6 Nos Fresh red tomatoes, diced
½ cup Cucumber, diced
½ cup Red pepper, diced
1 – 2 Celery sticks
½ cup Red onion diced
½ cup Green capsicum diced
2 Garlic cloves
2 – 3 Green chilies
1 Toasted baguette slice (bread slice)
1 – 2 tbsp Olive oil
1½ tbsp Red wine vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
A few drops Tabasco
60 – 90 ml Vodka
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
½ – 1 cup Tomato juice (real brand)
1 cup Ice cubes

Ingredients for Rimming

(One glass = 200 ml; 1 tsp = 5 ml)
A wedge of Lemon
1 tbsp Salt
A few Celery sticks to serve

Instructions for the Bloody Mary Gazpacho
1 Blend all ingredients for the bloody mary gazpacho in a blender until smooth.
2 In case the mixture is too thick, add more tomato juice and ice, and blend again.
3 Taste and adjust the seasonings as per your choice.
4 Chill in refrigerator for 2 – 3 hours.
5 Rim the glasses with salt and lemon wedge.  Add in crushed ice.  Pour the gazpacho and serve each glass with a celery stick.

Notes:

  1. You could omit the vodka for a non-alcoholic version.
  2. The gazpacho should not be too thick, nor thin. In case you prefer, you can strain it down too. Some prefer it chunky.
  3. In case you find it too tart (sour), you could add sugar as per taste.

 

May 5, 2022 By
Soups & Salads

Mango Salad

A quick delicious salad in under ten minutes?  Let’s make my go-to summer Mango Salar.

Toss some mangoes, capsicum, onion, coriander, and mint leaves in a bowl.   Drizzle some salad dressing made of lemon, sugar, chilli flakes, vegetable oil, and salt.  Lastly, munch on this beauty while you watch your favourite show or serve it to friends you dropped by for a drink.

Servings 2 – 4 persons
Course Salads
Preparation Time 5 minutes
Cook Time Nil

Ingredients for the Mango Salad

(1 cup=200 ml, 1 tbsp=15 ml)
2 Nos. Ripe Alphonso mangoes, peeled and thinly sliced
½ No. Red capsicum, thinly sliced
½ No. Red onion, thinly sliced
A few Basil leaves
A few Coriander leaves
A few Mint leaves

Ingredients for the Salad Dressing

(1 cup=200 ml, 1 tbsp=15 ml)
1 – 1½ Nos. Lemon Juice
2 tsp Caster sugar
½ tsp Red chili flakes
1 – 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
Salt to taste
Zest of a lime

Instructions for Mango Salad
1. Combine all ingredients for the salad in a bowl.  Mix well and refrigerate for 1 hour.
2. Mix all ingredients for the dressing.  Whisk well to combine.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve immediately.
May 4, 2022 By
Mains

Pav Bhaji Pasta

Hear me out before you disregard it: the best things in life are unexpected, and this recipe embodies this saying.  I thoroughly enjoy fusing unexpected flavours.  Adding a desi twist to western dishes has been an integral part of my gastronomical journey.  This recipe is surprisingly yummy and has the right amount of spice you need in life.

It’s perfect for kids during their summer vacation. What do you think about this recipe? Do try and let me know in the comments section.

Servings 3 – 4 pax
Course Main Course
Preparation Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes

Ingredients for the Pav Bhaji Pasta

(1 cup=200 ml, 1 tbsp=15 ml)
2 cups Boiled pasta (Farfalle or Penne)
2 tbsp Butter
1 tbsp Finely chopped garlic
2 – 3 tbsp Chopped onion
2 tbsp Red capsicum, chopped
2 tbsp Green capsicum, chopped
2 tbsp Carrots, blanched and then chopped
2 tbsp Tomatoes, chopped
1 – 2 tsp Green chili, finely chopped
1 tbsp Pav Bhaji masala
½ tsp Turmeric powder
2 cups Milk
1/3 rd cup Grated Amul cheese
½ cup Fresh cream
Salt to taste
Red chili flakes to taste
Basil leaves for garnish
4 – 5 Slices grilled buttered pav to serve

Instructions for the Pav Bhaji Pasta
1. Heat butter in a pan.  Sauté the onion and garlic until translucent.
2. Add in all vegetables one by one and sauté.
3. Add in the turmeric powder and pav bhaji masala and sauté well.
4. Add milk (at room temperature). Add in the cheese and stir on a low flame.  Do not let it curdle.
5. Add in the boiled pasta and cream.  Mix well. Season with salt and chili flakes. Don’t let the sauce dry out.  (adjust by adding a little pasta water or milk if required).
6. Serve at once garnished with basil leaves and buttered pav slices.
May 4, 2022 By