Tag: butter
Besan and Nariyal Barfi (Indian Confection Made with Chickpea Flour and Coconut)
Here is one of my favorite Indian sweets! Happy Diwali! Enjoy..
- 1 cup besan (chickpea flour)
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- ½ cup fresh ricotta cheese
- 4 to 5 green cardamoms (seeds taken out and crushed)
- 1¼ cups sugar
- Sliced almonds
- Pistachios, chopped
Heat a medium frying pan and add the coconut oil. Add the besan and sauté on medium heat for at least 30 minutes (or more) till the mixture turns a light caramel color.
Add the ricotta, coconut and cardamom seeds. Mix well and let the moisture from the ricotta cook out- about ten minutes.
Turn the heat off and add the sugar. Mix well until all is incorporated.
Spread the mixture on to a shallow platter with edges. Smooth with a spatula and sprinkle the almonds and pistachios and press down with fingers. Keep in fridge for half an hour to set. Take out and cut into small squares and serve.
Chicken with Almond and Cilantro Curry
- 1 pound chicken thighs, skinless and boneless, cut into 2 inch pieces
- ½ cup full fat yogurt
- ¼ cup half and half
- ¼ cup fresh mint
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- 2 inches fresh ginger, peeled and cut
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoons salt
Add the yogurt, half and half, mint, cilantro, ginger, garam masala and salt to a blender and blend till a smooth sauce is formed. Transfer to a mixing bowl with the chicken pieces and marinate for at least 2 to 3 hours, preferably over night.
- ½ cup slivered almonds
- ½ cup hot water
Soak the almonds in the hot water for an hour and then place in a blender and blend till a smooth paste is formed, keep aside.
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon mace
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon black cumin seeds
- 1 cinnamon stick, ½ inch
- 1 medium onion, chopped
Heat a heavy saucepan with the butter. Add the mace, nutmeg, black cumin seeds and cinnamon stick. Saute on medium heat for 30 seconds. Add the onion and sauté on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the almond paste and sauté for another 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the chicken with the marinade and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cover with lid and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Take the lid off and check for seasonings. Turn the heat up to cook off any excess moisture. Mix well and serve warm with rice or rotis.
Curried Chickpeas
- 2 cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight or at least 5 to 6 hours
- 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter or ghee
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 teaspoons coriander powder
- 2 inch cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 1 large cardamom
- 2 medium shallots, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 inch fresh ginger, chopped
- 1 14 ounces can diced fire roasted tomatoes
- Salt
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
Heat a pressure cooker or regular saucepan with the oil and ghee. Add the cumin, coriander, cinnamon stick, cloves and cardamom. Saute on medium heat for a minute. Add the shallots, garlic and ginger. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the tomatoes and sauté for another 3 minutes. Add the chickpeas with the soaking liquid. Bring to a boil. If using the pressure cooker, cook for about half an hour. If using regular saucepan, cook for at least an hour or till the chickpeas are soft but not mushy. Check for seasonings and garnish with cilantro.
Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes, Asparagus & Broccolini with Toasted Breadcrumbs
Another pasta dish but completely different from yesterday… this has spring vegetables and is topped with the most delicious toasted breadcrumbs…
- 1 lb plum tomatoes, cut in half and seeds scooped out
- Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
Place the tomatoes face down on a lined cookie sheet. Drizzle the oil and sprinkle salt and pepper. Roast them for 3 hours until soft. Let cool and scrape off any lose skin. Chop the tomatoes and set aside.
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
- 1 bunch broccolini, trimmed and sliced in half
- Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Transfer the vegetables to a lined cookie sheet. Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper and roast for about 30 minutes. Take out and keep aside.
- ½ pound cooked pasta plus 1 cup of pasta water, penne or any kind
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large shallot, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
Heat a large frying pan with the olive oil and butter. Add the shallot and garlic. Saute on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and pasta water. Bring to a boil and simmer for a minute. Add the pasta and the vegetables. Mix well and season accordingly.
Toasted Breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup parsley, chopped
- 1/3 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Heat a medium frying pan with the olive oil. Add the breadcrumbs and garlic with the salt. Saute on medium heat, stirring constantly, making sure the breadcrumbs don’t burn. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes and keep aside and let cool. Once cool, add the parsley and cheese. Mix well and top the pasta before serving.
Mushroom and Scallion Enchiladas
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 4 cups Cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 bunch scallions, cut into 1 inch diagonal pieces
- Salt
Heat a large skillet with the oil and the butter. Add the cumin and sauté on medium heat for 15 seconds. Add the mushrooms and sauté on high heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, scallions and salt. Continue to sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add salt, check for seasonings, turn off the heat and set aside.
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 medium onion, chopped fine
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 3 cups tomato sauce/passata, homemade or store bought
- 1 cup water
- Salt
- Sugar
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
Heat a saucepan with the olive oil. Add the ground cumin and paprika. Saute on medium heat for 30 seconds. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes on medium heat till the veggies are soft and translucent. Add the tomato sauce/passata and water and bring to a boil. Add some salt and sugar to taste in case the tomatoes are too tart. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes with lid on. Take the lid off and check for seasonings. Add cilantro and turn the heat off and let the sauce cool.
- 6 to 8 small corn tortillas
- Grated cheese, Monterey Jack, cheddar or a mixture, about 2 cups
1 8X8 oven ready pan
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Divide the mushroom mixture into 6 to 8 parts (depending on how many tortillas you are using)
Put a dollop of tomato sauce in the bottom of the pan and spread it around evenly.
Dip each tortilla in the tomato sauce, place the mushroom filling in the middle and top with a tablespoon of grated cheese. Roll the tortilla and place it seam side down. Repeat with the rest and top the dish with the rest of the grated cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Take the foil off and broil for a few minutes to brown the top. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Hanger Steak with Caramelized Onions, Roasted Potatoes, Gorgonzola and Red Wine Demi
- 1-2 pounds hanger steak
- Salt
- Coarse black pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra light olive oil
Generously sprinkle salt and pepper, pressing the spices down with your palm. Keep aside.
Heat a large non-stick frying pan. Add the olive oil and sear the hanger steak on each side for 3 to 4 minutes each. Take out and cover with aluminum foil and place on a cutting board. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. Slice once the meat has rested. Reheat the slices according to every ones taste right before serving.
Caramelized Onions
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced thin
- 1 tablespoon extra olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
Heat a small non-stick frying pan. Add the olive oil and sliced onion and cook on a medium low heat. Add the salt and sugar. Cook for 30 minutes till the onion slices are translucent and golden brown. Keep aside.
Roasted Potatoes
- 3 to 4 medium yellow potatoes, cut into a half inch dice
- 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pepper
Heat a medium non-stick frying pan. Add the olive oil and the potatoes. Cook on a medium heat till the potatoes are cooked and golden brown- about 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper. Keep warm.
- ½ cup gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
Red Wine Demi-Glace
- ½ cup red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 shallot, minced
- Salt
- Pepper
Heat a medium frying pan and add the butter. Saute the shallots on a medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the flour and cook for a minute. Whisk in the wine and beef broth, making sure no lumps are formed. Bring to a boil and lower the heat to medium. Let simmer for about 1 hour, until reduced by 1/3, stirring occasionally. Keep warm.
Buttered Haricots Verts
- 1 pound trimmed French green beans
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt
- Pepper
Bring some salted water to a boil and blanche the beans for a minute in boiling water. Take out and add to chilled water with ice to shock the beans to stop the cooking process. Drain and pat dry.
Heat a medium frying pan and add the butter. Add the blanched green beans and sauté well for 3 to 4 minutes. Add salt and pepper and keep warm.
To assemble, place the steak slices on a plate. Add the caramelized onions and potatoes on top. Place the green beans on the side. Sprinkle gorgonzola cheese and drizzle demi-glace on top.
Morel Mushroom Risotto
I served the risotto with lamb chops- yum!
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium shallot, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 pack wild mushrooms, sliced (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 3 to 4 cups mushroom broth
- Salt
- Pepper
- 3 to 4 dried morel mushrooms
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/3 cup half and half
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/3 cup Pecorino cheese, grated
Soak the mushrooms in the warm water for 3 to 4 hours. Take the mushrooms out and strain the water of any sand/impurities. Keep the water aside. Chop the mushrooms and add the wild mushroom heap.
Heat the morel broth and the packaged mushroom broth in a medium saucepan and keep warm (use 3 cups of packaged broth in addition to the morel broth; use 4 cups of packaged broth if not using morels).
Heat a wide frying pan with the olive oil. Add the shallot and garlic and sauté on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wild and morel mushrooms and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes on medium high heat. Add the rice and sauté for a minute. Add a half cup of warmed broth to the rice mix and stir on medium low heat. As soon as the liquid is cooked off, add the next half-cup. Stir and cook till the rice grains are cooked through- it should take about 20 minutes. Add half and half, butter, cheese and salt. Mix well and check for seasonings. Add pepper and serve hot.