Saturday, February 4, 2012
Homemade Fresh Gulab Jamun
Indian Egg less Sweets Special
Homemade Fresh Gulab Jamun
Classic Soul Food & Old Favorites!
Serves 3-4
Ingredients:
Milk Solids (Khoya/Mawa)-
All Purpose Flour (Maida)-
For Sugar Syrup:
Water-
Sugar-
Saffron-
Method:
In a Bowl, Combine the Khoya with just about 2-3
Tbsp. of the Flour
So we are adding just some Starch to the Khoya to
help it bind
Knead it just like the Roti Dough
Make small balls make sure the Gulab Jamun Balls have no cracks
In a Sauce pan, Boil Water & Sugar to make a Sugar Syrup
Add Saffron & Let it reduce after Adding Saffron
Heat Oil for Deep Frying
Gently glide the balls & deep fry till Golden
Brown
Add the Deep Fried Gulab Jamun Balls in the Sugar
Syrup
Tips:
One of the Main Technique used in making Gulab
Jamuns is that of Deep Frying & has to be learned gradually (so let’s try
& get less cuts & burns on our hands every time) :)!!
English- Saffron
Hindi- Kesar/Zafran
Telugu- Kunkumapuvvu
Feel free to share your views & do let us know
how this one turned out :)
Chocolate Pudding with Dark Cherry Sauce
International Desserts Special
Chocolate Pudding with Dark Cherry Sauce
Serves
Ingredients:
Dark Chocolate-
Eggs-
Sugar-
For Dark Cherry Sauce:
Dark Morello Cherries-
Sugar-
Method:
In a Pot, Melt Chocolate & Butter together
In a Bowl, Whisk Sugar Eggs
Add the Melted Chocolate in this Egg Batter
With a Cut-n-Fold Technique Mix the Batter
In a Baking Tray with 3 Round Pudding Moulds covered with Foil, Pour the Batter in each
to create a Steam Bath, add water in the Tray til about 1/3rd
Bake for 30-35 Minutes at 160-170 Degrees C
For Dark Cherry Sauce:
In a Pan, Heat Sugar with just a touch of Water to Caramelize
Add Cherries & their Juice & Saute till a Sauce like consistency is acieved
Pour the Sauce on the Pudding, Dusted with Powdered Sugar
Serve Fresh!
Tips:
Chocolate is the best Anti Depressant & is a High on the List Priority for Women just like Shopping
this Recipe is like a Deconstructed version of Black Forest
Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)
Chocolate Pudding with Dark Cherry Sauce
Serves
Ingredients:
Dark Chocolate-
Eggs-
Sugar-
For Dark Cherry Sauce:
Dark Morello Cherries-
Sugar-
Method:
In a Pot, Melt Chocolate & Butter together
In a Bowl, Whisk Sugar Eggs
Add the Melted Chocolate in this Egg Batter
With a Cut-n-Fold Technique Mix the Batter
In a Baking Tray with 3 Round Pudding Moulds covered with Foil, Pour the Batter in each
to create a Steam Bath, add water in the Tray til about 1/3rd
Bake for 30-35 Minutes at 160-170 Degrees C
For Dark Cherry Sauce:
In a Pan, Heat Sugar with just a touch of Water to Caramelize
Add Cherries & their Juice & Saute till a Sauce like consistency is acieved
Pour the Sauce on the Pudding, Dusted with Powdered Sugar
Serve Fresh!
Tips:
Chocolate is the best Anti Depressant & is a High on the List Priority for Women just like Shopping
this Recipe is like a Deconstructed version of Black Forest
Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)
Kerala & its Cuisine- God's own Country!!
Alleppey:
Toddy Shops like Ammus Restaurant in Kainakary have Fermented Toddy
Vegetarian Menu options like Veg Thali, Avial, Bhindi Thoran, Steamed Rice 40/-
Sea Food like Lobster, Meen Curry 250/- depending on Price
City Tour:
Backwaters for Houseboats built in Kitchens
Cochi/Kochin:
Freshest Seafood is available on the Port
Fort Heritage Hotel has Unique Breakfast Soft & Hard Boiled Eggs (Muttu Curry) with Appam
Salt n Pepper Restaurant Tower Road for Fishing Lesson, Mackarel & Cooking
one of the most famous dish from this region is Meen Moily made with only White Fish in Mild Coconut Milk
Rahmattulah Restaurant:
Famous Biriyani, Malabari Parantha with Date Imli mixed Spices Chutney, Ghee Rice, Mutton Curry etc.
Kerala is famous for the Serving of Warm Water with Spices like Jeera
Arab influence for Non Vegetarian Lovers!
City Tour:
Famous Street is famous for Antiques, Handicrafts
Biggest Vessel in the World is a Traditional Cooking Vessel seen here
Asia's Largest Spice Market is in Kochiwhich proves why the City is still considered the Capital of Spice as the Olden times!!
World Famous Cardamom, Cinnamon Bark is the Outer Bark & Sweet Cinnamon is the Inner Bark, Vanilla 1800/- Per Kg. grown locally
January is the time for the Ginger harvest which when Dried serves as an excellent spice
Thiruvananthapuram:
Cooked Mangoes mixed with Sugar Syrup & Blended to make Mango Juice, Watermelon Juice
The local Rice is Short, Puffy & Light
Puttu is rarely available in this City for some strange reason!
City Tour:
Lord Padmanabhaswamy, Royal Family of Travancore headed by Sri Marthanda Varma, Princess Gowri Lakshmi Bayi (from family of Raja Ravi Varma)
Toddy Shops like Ammus Restaurant in Kainakary have Fermented Toddy
Vegetarian Menu options like Veg Thali, Avial, Bhindi Thoran, Steamed Rice 40/-
Sea Food like Lobster, Meen Curry 250/- depending on Price
City Tour:
Backwaters for Houseboats built in Kitchens
Cochi/Kochin:
Freshest Seafood is available on the Port
Fort Heritage Hotel has Unique Breakfast Soft & Hard Boiled Eggs (Muttu Curry) with Appam
Salt n Pepper Restaurant Tower Road for Fishing Lesson, Mackarel & Cooking
one of the most famous dish from this region is Meen Moily made with only White Fish in Mild Coconut Milk
Rahmattulah Restaurant:
Famous Biriyani, Malabari Parantha with Date Imli mixed Spices Chutney, Ghee Rice, Mutton Curry etc.
Kerala is famous for the Serving of Warm Water with Spices like Jeera
Arab influence for Non Vegetarian Lovers!
City Tour:
Famous Street is famous for Antiques, Handicrafts
Biggest Vessel in the World is a Traditional Cooking Vessel seen here
Asia's Largest Spice Market is in Kochiwhich proves why the City is still considered the Capital of Spice as the Olden times!!
World Famous Cardamom, Cinnamon Bark is the Outer Bark & Sweet Cinnamon is the Inner Bark, Vanilla 1800/- Per Kg. grown locally
January is the time for the Ginger harvest which when Dried serves as an excellent spice
White
Pepper comes from the Ripe Red Berries Soaked, Dried with husk removed
which much milder Black Pepper comes from Full Sized Mature fruit made
with the Green Berries
they are dried in the Sun & the enzymes from the
berries get the Black outer skin in the drying process giving their Strong
flavor
Thiruvananthapuram:
Cooked Mangoes mixed with Sugar Syrup & Blended to make Mango Juice, Watermelon Juice
The local Rice is Short, Puffy & Light
Puttu is rarely available in this City for some strange reason!
City Tour:
Lord Padmanabhaswamy, Royal Family of Travancore headed by Sri Marthanda Varma, Princess Gowri Lakshmi Bayi (from family of Raja Ravi Varma)
Friday, February 3, 2012
Koraishutir Kochuri with Aloor Dum (Matar Kachori/Puri aur Tariwale Aloo)
Indian Vegetarian Breakfast Special
Flavours of Eastern India- West Bengal & Orissa Cuisine
Koraishutir Kochuri with Aloor Dum (Matar Kachori aur Tariwale Aloo)
Serves 2 (makes 6 Kachoris)
Koraishutir Kochuri with Aloor Dum (Matar Kachori aur Tariwale Aloo)
Serves 2 (makes 6 Kachoris)
For Dough:
Whole Wheat Flour (Gehun ka Atta)- 2 Cups
Salt- 1 Tsp.
Water- To
make Dough
For Aloo Dum:
Baby Potatoes- Boiled & PeeledGinger- Crushed & Finely Chopped
Baby Tomatoes- Finely Chopped
Green Chillies- Slit
Jaggery- (used here for Health purpose but can use plain White Sugar instead)
Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil-
Fresh Coriander Leaves-
For Aloo Dum:
Baby Potatoes- Boiled & Peeled, Ginger- Crushed & Finely Chopped, Baby Tomatoes-
Finely Chopped, Green Chillies- SlitI am using Jaggery here for health reasons but can use plain White Sugar instead
Fresh Coriander Leaves, Keep Aside
Heat Mustard Oil till Smoking Point
Add Cumin Seeds (Jeera), Bay Leaf, Crushed Green Cardamom,
Cinnamon Stick & Sauté
Add the
Baby Potatoes & give a gentle mix
Let the Potatoes get Golden Brown
Let the Potatoes get Golden Brown
Add the Ginger, Tomatoes, Jaggery, Salt, Turmeric
Powder, Water, Cover & Cook for about 5-7 Minutes
For Stuffed Green Peas Deep Fried Bread (Koraishutir Kochuri/Matar Kachori/Puri):
For Stuffing:
Heat Mustard Oil till Smoking Point
Add Ginger Paste, Sugar, Salt, Green Chillies, Mashed Green Peas & Stir for 3 Minutes until Cooked
Add Ginger Paste, Sugar, Salt, Green Chillies, Mashed Green Peas & Stir for 3 Minutes until Cooked
The Stuffing should becomes Powdery
For Dough:
Make a Hard Dough with Flour, Salt, Oil & Water
Make Equal sized Balls with the Dough, Roll to flatten the
Balls
Put the Stuffing in the center & cover the Filled Dough like a Dumpling
Roll both sides of the Filled Dough
Gently glide the Rolled out Bread in Hot Oil & Fry on High Flame till Golden Brown on both sides
Put the Stuffing in the center & cover the Filled Dough like a Dumpling
Roll both sides of the Filled Dough
Gently glide the Rolled out Bread in Hot Oil & Fry on High Flame till Golden Brown on both sides
Bottle Gourd Pudding (Doodhi ka Halwa)
Indian Egg less Sweets Special
Bottle Gourd Pudding (Doodhi ka Halwa)
Serves 3-4Bottle Gourd Pudding (Doodhi ka Halwa)
Ingredients:
Bottle Gourd (Lauki/Doodhi)-
Margarine-
Jaggery (Gud)- Powdered
Margarine (Nutralite)-
Soy Milk-
Slivered Almonds-
Method:
Heat a Kadhai, Add Nutralite & Ghee Add Grated
Lauki & Stir Fry till Brown, Caramelized & its Natural Sugars are
released
In a Sauce Pan, Add Soy Milk, Almonds & Let the
Milk get the Flavours of Almond till it Boils & Thickens
Add Jaggery in the Lauki & Stir till it turns into
a Dark Golden Brown Caramelized Color
Add the Milk & on low flame
Tips:
Margarine is a substitute for Butter without the
Extra Calories
Ghee protects the Margarine from Burning & loses
its colour due to its low Smoking Point
Feel free to share your
views & do let us know how this one turned out :)
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Tuscana by Willi Pizzeria @ Chennai
Tuscana by Willi Pizzeria @ Chamiers
One of the few places in Chennai other than Bella Ciao where Traditional Wood Fired Pizza's are available (well I may need to get updated so if there are any other places feel free to share :) & spread the news!)
Vegetarian Midi Pizza
Vegetarian Midi Pizza
Vegetarian Sicilliana Pizza
Feel free to share your
views & do let us know of Quality Bakeries/Cafe/Restaurants in your
area :)
Noodles with Chillies, Tamarind & Malabar Cucumber
International Vegetarian Main Course Special
Noodles with Chillies, Tamarind & Malabar Cucumber
Asian Egg less Noodles 250 Gms.
Malabar Cucumber 1/2
Tofu- 100 Gms., Cut in Cubes
Light Soy Sauce 1 Tsp.
Corn Starch 1 Tbsp.
Carrot- 1/2 Sliced
Spring Onions- 1 Stalk
Cashew nuts- 1 Handful
Cabbage- 1/3 Sliced
Ginger- 2 Tsp. MInced
Garlic 1 Clove
Red Chilli Paste/Sambal Oelek- 1 Tbsp.
Brown Sugar- 1 Tsp.
Light Soya Sauce- 2 Tsp.
Green Chillies- 1 Sliced
Tamarind Pulp- 1 Tbsp.
Bok Choy- 4 Leaves
Coriander Leaves- 1 Handful
Rice Wine Vinegar- 1 Tsp.
Sesame Oil- few Drops
Bean Sprouts- for Garnish
Method:
In a Pot of Boiling Water, add the Noodles for about 3 Minutes
Drain out the Cooked Noodles from the water
Add Oil in the Noodles stick to each other
Marinate the Tofu in Soy Sauce & Dust the Tofu with a Tbsp. of Corn Starch & Fry them Rapidly in little Oil along with Cashew nuts till Golden, Drain & Keep Aside
Add Cabbage, Carrots, Spring Onions, Ginger, Garlic, Malabar Cucumber, Bok Choy, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Tamarind Pulp & Toss
Add the Noodles & Toss by mixing properly
Sprinkle Coriander, Tofu, Bean Sprouts & Serve Fresh!
Noodles with Chillies, Tamarind & Malabar Cucumber
Serves
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
Asian Egg less Noodles 250 Gms.
Malabar Cucumber 1/2
Tofu- 100 Gms., Cut in Cubes
Light Soy Sauce 1 Tsp.
Corn Starch 1 Tbsp.
Carrot- 1/2 Sliced
Spring Onions- 1 Stalk
Cashew nuts- 1 Handful
Cabbage- 1/3 Sliced
Ginger- 2 Tsp. MInced
Garlic 1 Clove
Red Chilli Paste/Sambal Oelek- 1 Tbsp.
Brown Sugar- 1 Tsp.
Light Soya Sauce- 2 Tsp.
Green Chillies- 1 Sliced
Tamarind Pulp- 1 Tbsp.
Bok Choy- 4 Leaves
Coriander Leaves- 1 Handful
Rice Wine Vinegar- 1 Tsp.
Sesame Oil- few Drops
Bean Sprouts- for Garnish
Method:
In a Pot of Boiling Water, add the Noodles for about 3 Minutes
Drain out the Cooked Noodles from the water
Add Oil in the Noodles stick to each other
Marinate the Tofu in Soy Sauce & Dust the Tofu with a Tbsp. of Corn Starch & Fry them Rapidly in little Oil along with Cashew nuts till Golden, Drain & Keep Aside
Add Cabbage, Carrots, Spring Onions, Ginger, Garlic, Malabar Cucumber, Bok Choy, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Tamarind Pulp & Toss
Add the Noodles & Toss by mixing properly
Sprinkle Coriander, Tofu, Bean Sprouts & Serve Fresh!
Feel free to share your views & do let us know
how this one turned out :)
Greece & Greek Cuisine!
Greece has many Regions & different Islands which in turn have their own distinct cooking process like in the Islands of Lesbos and Chios
Islands of Lesbos is Greece’s 3rd Largest Island with distinctive Landscape, Sea & is known for its Famous Drink Ouzo (one of the main Ingredient in Ouzo is Aniseed (some include Fennel) which is distilled over 3 times)
It is a Strong Alcoholic Drink distilled from the Wine Residuals, including Pits, Seeds & Skins
The Coffee shops in Lesbos serve the Ouzo which is
consumed diluted with Water accompanied by Small Plates called Mezes
H'orderves/Appetizers
There are over 11 Million Olive Trees on the Island of Lesbos
There are over 11 Million Olive Trees on the Island of Lesbos
Cretan Cuisine comprises of Olives, Olive Oil and Fresh Produce
Some Olive Trees in the Island are almost 3000 Years old with Organic Olive Oil produced, the branches of this Ancient Tree were also sent to the Olympic Committee for World Peace
The Olives are ground, Cold Pressed, without Heat so that the Nutrients & Beneficial Properties of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil are preserved in its Purest Form
The Oil is filtered & is so good for health that it helps reduce Cholesterol & Coronary Heart Diseases
Even though a Cretan Diet of a Poor Family may look
unappealing especially the Lunch is an essential meal for the day, but as it
mostly includes Wild Greens, Beans, Grains, Vegetables Milk Products &
Olives the diet is known for its Medicinal properties of Longevity
Greek Cuisine
In Greece, just like the Ancient times, the Athens
Central Market is a hub of activity filled with Tourists, Food Enthusiasts
& the regular Local Shoppers!
According to the Popular Greek Food Journalist &
Cookbook Author Aglaia Kremezi, the most unlikely Herb Coriander was originally
from Greece which was taken to India by Alexander! If given a serious thought,
its Usage in the Indian Cuisine especially the North Indian Region had also
started just after the Mughal Empire moved away
In the Ancient Greek Cuisine, the Coriander in its
Fresh, Dried & Seeded form was used in abundance though it gradually. The
Olives that are picked earlier than the Black Olives would be the Green ones
& Greeks always prefer the slightly bigger Green Olives!
Other Important Vegetables in the Greek Cuisine are
Large Brinjal/Aubergine (mainly came from India brought in Greece by the Arab
Travellers), Green Beans are a Local favourite, & most importantly the ever
present Tomatoes were only introduced in the Greek Cuisine in the 20th
Century
In Greece, the Northern Region Cuisine is mostly
Plains where the Animals are found in abundance, so most of the Animal meat
needs to be heavily cooked with rich spices while in the Southern Region
Cuisine is a lot simpler, uses a lot of Fresh Seasonal Vegetables & Sea
Food like Fish
The few Cultural Food Tricks to learn from the
Greeks would be how to choose the best Olive Oil, how to pick a Good Feta
Cheese, how to pick great Spices like Natural Resin Masticha & the
Quintessential Herb such as Rigani (Oregano)
Olive Oil is the Main Oil used liberally for
Cooking, Dressings, Salads & Dips
Olive Oil also has a Religious Importance as it is used in the Christening Ceremony
Olive Oil also has a Religious Importance as it is used in the Christening Ceremony
The Flower Buds of the Rigani are used more than its
leaves
Masticha is the Sap from trees which grow only on
Chios Island
Translucent Droplets are referred to as ‘Tears’ It
has an Earthy Musk Vanilla flavour & used for the consistency it gives to the
Ice Cream, Sweets, Chewing Gum & Liqueur & even used in the manufacture
of Varnishes
Halloumi Cheese is from Cyprus, usually fried &
tastes great with Watermelon as a Salad also
Kasseri Cheese is mild & soft used mostly in
Saganaki dishes
Kefalogravierais is a Hard & Salty Cheese
Piperati is a Barrel-aged Piquant Cheese with a
Creamy Flavour, can be used for Greek Salad & is of a higher quality than
Feta Cheese
Ladi is Greek Olive Oil,
Ladthera refers to Dishes prepared with a lot of Olive Oil (though rare to find
any that use less) such as Tomatoes stuffed with Rice, Sautéed Okra, Giant Butter
Beans (also known as Gigantes) Stewed with Tomato
Mezethes (plural for Meze) are served either to enhance the taste of any Drink (Wines, Ouzo, Raki etc.) or for a Social Setting like Small or Big Scale get together of Family, Friends etc.
Stoforno literally
means 'in the Oven'
Dishes such as Lamb with Lemon Potatoes, Lamb Shoulder Meat with Baby Fennel & Parslety, Beef in Tomato
Sauce, Lamb cooked in a Clay Pot are all prepared using this method
Tiganita refers to 'Shallow Fried Food in Olive Oil'
The Greeks love Fried Meatballs, Potatoes,
Sardines & Pumpkin Balls
A popular Entrée is Fried Eggplant/Zucchini Slices
Psito means 'Roasted' which is the Greeks Favorite for Pork, Wild Boar & Lamb just like the Most
Famous Greek dish, Ograten (literally means 'a Dish covered with Béchamel Sauce with Cheese')
Moussaka (a layered dish of Beef and Eggplant topped
with Béchamel Sauce and Cheese)
Avgolemono is the light
and delicious Egg & Lemon Sauce, known to adorn Spring Artichokes and Peas as
well as add Flavour to Pork Fricassee & Fish Soup
Yachnee is a Hearty Tomato based Stew often served with Tiny Pasta shapes
Vrasto means Boiled and
usually applies to Wild Greens picked during the Rainy season
Stifado indicates the
addition of Small Pearl Onions and Cinnamon to a dish, the most famous being
Slow cooked Beef/Rabbit
Kokkonisto means Red
and this is always a Tomato based Oven Baked dish, usually with Beef/Chicken
Plaki (means Flat/Spread out) which usually refers to Fish arranged Flatly in a Baking dish and Baked in
the Oven
Saganaki refers to the
Skillet/Heavy Cast Iron Frying Pan used in the cooking process
One of the Popular Meze Greek Cheeses either Kefalotiri or Keflograviera is dusted with Flour and Fried in Olive Oil in this style of Vessel is also referred to as Saganaki
One of the Popular Meze Greek Cheeses either Kefalotiri or Keflograviera is dusted with Flour and Fried in Olive Oil in this style of Vessel is also referred to as Saganaki
A Classic Watermelon & Feta Salad is also very popular in Greece
Tzatziki is a great Cold Dip for Vegetarians made of
Strained Yoghurt, Cucumbers, Olive Oil, Garlic, Pepper, Lemon Juice,
Parsley/Mint/Dill
A Vegan Tzatziki can also be made with Soy Yoghurt
& with the same ingredients as the Original
Filo are Thin Pastry Sheets which are brushed with
mostly Melted Butter before cooking, is used in many ways to Wrap or Roll
fillings in either Main Course Dishes or Sweets
Filo Pastry is liberally used in Greece like about
once or twice a week
Spanakopita (Spinach Pie):
The tip is to use the best pick of the crop for this
Dish
Can use about half a packet of Filo Pastry on the
Bottom & other half on the Top
Brush up with Melted Butter on every Layer &
also in between every layered sheet
In a Bowl, Whisk the Ricotta Cheese, Eggs, Nutmeg Powder, Breadcrumbs, Pepper Powder, Olive Oil, Shredded Spinach Greens & Put the Filling in the Filo Pastry
Cover the Bottom Layer with another set of Brushed
Filo Sheets one by one
Wrap the Sheets to the sides of the Baking Pan so that
the extra can be cut
Cut into Diamond Shaped Pieces
Bake for about 45 Minutes & Serve Fresh!
Gyros (Yeeros):
The Vegetarian Version of this Classic Sandwich can
be made with Whole Wheat Pita Bread with Slices of Lettuce, Onion, Tomato,
Cheese, Cucumber, Garlic, Dill flavoured with Sauces like Tzatziki, Tahini,
Hummus, Yoghurt, Oregano, Cumin, Mustard etc.
Bean Skordalia:
Skordalia is traditionally a Sauce/Dip usually made
with Potato flavoured with Garlic, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice & Parsley but a
little change can be to add White Cannellini Beans instead & keep the Lemon
Juice, Garlic & Olive Oil to make a Dip
Mosaka:
An Urban Dish invented by Nicolas Solemon Vaz
(originally an All Arab Recipe transformed by him!) It is a Casserole Dish made
with Vegetables, Meat but I tried to modify it for us Vegetarians with Cottage
Cheese (Paneer) & retain the original Béchamel Sauce
In this Dish, there is an abundant use of Fresh Colorful Assorted Vegetables like Potatoes, Brinjal/Aubergine, Green Bell Pepper, Red Onion etc.
Potatoes- 2 Large, Peeled, Sliced, Half fried in
Olive Oil, Layer the Slices in a Baking Dish
Large Brinjal/Aubergine-1, Washed, Dried, Thickly
Sliced, Sprinkled with Salt & kept Aside for 30 Minutes till most Water
Releases & the Slices are Soft, Dry with Cloth/Paper & Fry in Oil till
Brown & Layered in the Baking Dish over Potatoes
Green Bell Pepper- 2, Thinly Sliced, Fried in Oil
& Layered in the Baking Dish over Brinjal
In a Deep Pot, Heat Olive Oil, Add Sliced Red Onions
& Saute
Add the Crumbled Paneer & Saute
Add Red Wine & Cook on High Heat
Add the Cinnamon Sticks 2 in the Sauce (Whole
Cinnamon Stick is used widely in the Greek Tomato Sauce Base)
Add Mediterranean Powdered Aleppo Pepper (not as
Spicy but adds a Smoky flavour to the dish)
Grate the Pulpy Tomato on a grater with the Skin,
Add this Pulp to the
Add a Handful of Currants,
In Olive Oil Add Flour, Add Milk 2 Cups, Yoghurt
Add Grated Cheese, A pinch of Pepper
Spread the White Sauce over Vegetables
Keep the Dish to Bake in the Oven for about an Hour
& don't forget to add the Butter at the End!
In the Modern Day Greek Household, the Greeks
consume more Cheese & White Sauce than the Europeans!
Greek’s most famous Cheese is Feta Cheese made from
30 % Goat’s Milk & 70 % Sheep’s Milk
In the Process, Salt is sprinkled on the Cheese so
that it absorbs most of the moisture & Feta gets its Crumbly Texture
Also just like the Wine, the Cheese matured in Old
Barrels allows the Cheese to take on more complex flavors
During Summer time, Athens (the capital of Greece)
has the local youth hanging out with Friends at the Sidewalk Cafe’s (Theme
based) drinking Coffee & indulging in the various activities like Board
games, reading Comics all day long etc. Frappé is an instant foamy Cold Coffee
with Ice
People usually don’t have Breakfast in Greece as
they have pretty late Dinners
One of the Snack items Kouluri/Kuluri is a Bagel
like Breadstick Ring sprinkled with Sesame Seeds (so a non-steamed Bagel)
When in Athens, make sure to taste the variety of
Finger Sweet items like Baklava (all lay its claim on this) or the Tavuk Göğsü (a
Milk & Chicken Breast Dessert with Cinnamon flavour)!
The refugees & Alexander brought back with them the Eastern Cuisine influence in Greece, so the Modern Greek Food uses a lot of the Spices that like the Black Pepper, Cumin, Maztec (a Natural Chewing Gum that aids in Digestion), Cinnamon etc. are found in the local Spice Shops
Yamista:
Stuffed Vegetables Tomatoes Peppers
Thickly Slice Tomatoes
Scoop the inside part of the Tomatoes, Green
Peppers, Add some Salt so that the Vegetables Dry Fast
In Olive Oil, Add Finely Chopped Onions, Dried Chilli
Flakes, Cumin Powder,
Add Finely Sliced Carrots, a Handful of Pine Nuts, ½
Kg of Minced Beef & Stir till Meat loses its Color & Brown
Add 1 Tbsp of Concentrated Tomato Puree (diluted in
Fresh Tomato Sauce), Season with Salt & Pepper, Spoonful of Brown Sugar,
Few Broken Cinnamon Sticks & Stir Well
Add Dry Raisins, Add Rice, Water Cover & cook on
Low Flame for 5 Minutes
Add Fresh Parsley
Fill the Rice in the Scooped Vegetables, Cover with
the Top Layer of the Vegetables
Add some Chopped Potatoes filling the Dish, sprinkle
Water & Bake for Minutes till Done
A Great Cup of Greek Coffee is traditionally made
using a Briki (Coffee Pot)
Briki is a Metal Pot with a Long Handle used on the
Stove top to make a Thick Coffee
Every Greek girl’s rite of passage includes learning
to make Greek Coffee which has a Kaimaki (mean the Nice Thick Foam that forms on top of the
Coffee)!!
The shape of the Briki is important in the creation of the Kaimaki
The shape of the Briki is important in the creation of the Kaimaki
For a Metrion (Mildly Sweet) Coffee, use a 1:1 ratio
of Sugar: Coffee with about a Heaped Tsp. each for every cup of Coffee
Sweets:
The Greek have 3 different categories of Desserts;
first are the Nutty Syrupy ones, second are the Divine Biscuits & third are
the Luscious Custards
One of those Greek Grandmother's Favorite Recipes that she would like to make for her Grandkids!!
Fig Loukomadas with Raspberry Filling:
Fresh Green Figs- 12 No’s
For Batter:
Plain Flour- 1 Cup
Dried Yeast- 1 Packet
Sugar- 2 Tbsp.
Sea Salt- a pinch
Water- To Make Batter
For Syrup:
Sugar- 2 Cups
Water- 2 Cups
Juice of 1 Lemon
Raspberries (Fresh/Frozen)- 1 Cup
Rose Water- 1 Tsp.
Plain Flour - 2 Tbsp., For Dusting
Whisk the Flour, Yeast, Sugar, water & leave it
for about 2-3 Hours
Make Sugar Syrup with 2 Cups Sugar & 2 Cups
Water
Add Fresh Raspberries, Rose Water & stir to
loosen the Raspberries
Dust the Fresh Figs with Flour, Roll them iman the
prepared Batter & Deep Fry
Pour the Sauce over the Fried Figs & Serve
Fresh!
Feta Cheese Wrapped in Filo Sheet with Honey &
Sesame Seeds is a Greek Cretan Cuisine Dessert
Cut Feta into 1cm-Thick Pieces
Brush the Filo Pastry Sheet with Olive Oil one at a
time
Wrap the Feta Cheese in the Brushed Filo Pastry Sheet
into a Square Shape
Heat Olive Oil in a Wide Pan & Deep-Fry the
Squares till Golden in Color
Drain the Squares onto a Plate with Kitchen Paper
Drizzle Honey, Sprinkle Poppy Seeds & Sesame
Seeds
Serve Fresh & Warm!
Places to visit in Greece:
FT Bletsas is a Greek Cookery Show Host & Song Writer
Places to visit in Australia:
Places to visit in Greece:
FT Bletsas is a Greek Cookery Show Host & Song Writer
Places to visit in Australia:
As shared by one of my
Blogger friends (many thanks for that), Lopi from Greece, Ryzogalo is the Greek Rice Pudding equivalent
of the Kheer- Indian Rice Pudding
Feel free to share your views & do let us know
how this one turned out :)
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