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Showing posts with label Strawberry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Strawberry. Show all posts

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Moment’s Falooda Mix





On one of those Grocery store trips in an unexpected corner of Reliance Fresh Store, I saw the Moment’s Falooda Rose Flavoured Mix. Rest of the 9 flavours available are Vanilla, Rajbhog, Butterscotch, Kesar, Pista, Sitafal, Chocolate, Mango, Strawberry & are a great addition as coolants in Summer


The actual preparation happens literally in few minutes with a great result!

One 200 Grams Packet Serves about 5-6 (this is based on the Packet Instructions but trust me it would eventually turn to be for may be about 4 to 5)
In 1 Litre of Milk, mix about a Glass of Water & bring to a boil
Add the whole pack of Falooda Mix & boil for 10-15 Minutes till the Mix thickens

Keep aside so that it reaches room Temperature after which Refrigerate to Chill
The Chilled Falooda is ready to be served!

Some of the Additional Toppings can be Ice Cream, Roasted Dry Fruits etc.


Moment's Mango Falooda Mix:



Moment's Pista Falooda Mix:













Strawberry Mix:

    



After this pack, we were not able to get another one soon but finally found luck with the Mango Flavour
I just wish this Falooda Mix is available at most stores in the South especially Chennai & Tamil Nadu

Just for some information on different Indian Names for the versatile world famous Rose Flower, I have put together its names here:

Bengali- Golap
Hindi- Gulab
Kannada- Gulabihuvu/Tarana
Odiya- Gulap
Tamil- Irosa/Pannirpu/Pannir Roja/Rajappu
Telugu- Gulabipuvvu/Rojapuvvu



English- Saffron
Hindi- Kesar/Zafran
Telugu- Kunkumapuvvu




Feel free to share your views on this Product & let us know how it can be of use in our Pantry :)

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Cyprus & Cypriot Cuisine



Cyprus

Lania lies in the Northern Wildland built at the foot of Mount Troodos on the main Limassol to Troodos road
also called an Artist's Village




Cypriot Halloumi Cheese made from Goat's or Sheep's Milk & is believed to be an Aphrodisiac
for the Handmade Cheese, the ratio depends like 60:40 Goat's:Sheep's
Handmade baskets from the mountains
cheeses are flipped & pressed in the baskets

Whey mixture prepared with salt
Ruby straws scrapper ladle
scopped into cylindrical plastic mould
drained overnight & hung to dry for few weeks
young Haloumi placed on grease proof paper & put in the boiling Whey to cook for 90 minutes
inside the folded Cheese (like Pita Bread), Salt, dried Mint Leaves are stuffed

Traditional Cypriot Pizza Pie:
Combine Flour, Olive Oil, once mixed slowly Water to form smooth dough
dough left to stand
Haloumi cheese cut in cubes, Fresh Mint
kneaded with the dough until combined
spread across a large Pita tray & baked in Moderate oven till 45 Minutes till Brown & served with Tea or Coffee

Pan Fried Grilled Haloumi with Fig Syrup:
Dried Baby Figs Coriander Seeds Cloves Cinnamon Vanilla Slit Balsamic Vinegar Simmered together till a Thick Syrup
Fresh Watermelon Honey



In Cyprus, the Carob Syrup is known as Cyprus’s Black Gold & is widely exported

Carob Juice is traditionally consumed during the Islamic month of Ramadan
It also is believed to be an Aphrodisiac


Flower Infused Fresh Honey is believed to be great for Cough/Cold etc.




Mezze: Weed Pickled with Vinegar & Olive Oil







Fresh Strawberry Salad with Halloumi Cheese:

In a bowl, drizzle the sliced strawberries with a good splash of balsamic vinegar, the lemon juice and some Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Season with salt and pepper. This will draw out and flavour the lovely strawberry juices
Preheat a large non-stick frying pan to medium hot and add a splash of olive oil
Press a basil leaf on to each slice of Halloumi. Place the slices, leaf side down, in the frying pan and fry for a minute
Turn over carefully and fry for another minute until the Halloumi is light golden and crisp
Put the mint, the rest of the basil leaves and the Salad Leaves into the bowl with the strawberries and toss together
Pile some of the strawberry mixture in the middle of each plate and drape the speck over the top
Finish with more Salad Leaves
To serve, drizzle with Balsamic Vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  

Cypriot Smoked Pork (Lounza) prepared in a Traditional Way in an Deep Bottomed Clay Oven



Spinach and Feta Parcels:


Ingredients:
4 tbsp Olive Oil
1 kg Spinach, chopped, stalks discarded
1 bunch of Spring Onions, finely chopped
Salt, and freshly ground pepper
2 tbsp Parsley, chopped
½ tsp Nutmeg, freshly grated
100 g Feta Cheese, chopped
2 Eggs, lightly beaten
350 g Filo Pastry, thawed if frozen
50 g Butter, melted

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas 6.

2. Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based saucepan. Add in the spring onion and fry gently until softened but not browned, around 2-3 minutes.

3. Add in the spinach and fry, stirring, until the spinach begins to wilt.

4. Cover and cook over a low heat for 5 minutes, stirring now and then.

5. Set the spinach aside to cool slightly, then season with salt and freshly ground pepper.

6. Mix in the parsley, nutmeg, feta cheese and eggs.

7. Cut the filo pastry sheets into 32 pieces, each 15cm square.

8. Brush four of the filo squares with a little melted butter. Stack the filo squares on top of each other, forming a star shape.

9. Repeat the process, making 8 filo star shapes in all.

10. Take a generous tablespoon of the spinach mixture and place it in the centre of the filo star. Fold the filo around the spinach mixture, forming a cracker-like top to the filo parcel.

11. Repeat the process, filling the remaining filo stacks.

12. Place the filo parcels on a greased baking sheet and brush with melted butter.

13. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or cold.




Semolina Cake:
Sugar
Secret ingredient Mastica Powder Edible Gum is good for health
Whole Pistachios
Water
Whisk the Dough
Layer on Baking Tray
Brush with Sugar Syrup
Cut in Squares
Bake again in Oven for 10-15 Minutes

On the Hot Cake, Pour the Cold Sugar Syrup

Semolina Almond Cake:
Rose Water/Orange Blossom Water/Mastichi

Cookies:

Chocolate Orange Cake:
Wash Orange, Cut in Quarters with Skin, Put in Food Processor for Coarsely Chopped, Keep Aside

In the Processor, Add Eggs 2, 1/2 a Glass Sugar, Keo Cypriot Brandy (Optional) Olive Oil 1/2 Glass
Mix all, to this Mix Add 1 Glass each of Wholemeal Flour & Village Unbleached White Flou, 1 Tbsp Cocoa Powder 5 Tbsp Drinking Chocolate & Mix all together
Pour out in a Bowl
Add Walnuts in the Cake Batter & Mix Well
Pour in a Cake Tin 180 Degrees C for about an Hour
last 10 Minutes need to be observed
Spear the Cake to check
Pour the Cold Syrup (1/2 Glass Sugar 1 Glass Water Boiled to make the Sugar Syrup) on the Hot Cake

For Moorish Glaze:

Butter, Condensed Milk, Cocoa Powder & Drinking Chocolate
3/4 Pack of Butter Melted take off the heat
Add 5 Pouring Tbsp of Condensed Milk & Whisk
2 Tbsp Cocoa Powder & 5 Tbsp of Drinking Chocolate
Mix Well for a thick consistency

Garnish with Orange Slices & Walnuts!!

 
Sesame Seed & Anari Parcels:

Anari (Anthotyro or Myzithra) is made from the by-product of Halloumi Cheese and contains Sheep/Goat’s Milk with a Creamy, Soft texture
a local white Unsalted Haloumi Cheese similar to Ricotta Cheese

Honey, Toasted/Non Toasted Sesame Seeds
Filo Pastry brushed with Extra Light Olive Oil
Bake for 20-25 Minutes at 180 Degrees C








Famous People
George Calombaris The Press Club Restaurant in Australia






Saturday, January 21, 2012

Chocolate Covered Strawberries


International Egg less Desserts Special
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Serves 2

Ingredients:
Fresh Strawberries- 1 Dozen
Dark Chocolate/Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips- 1 Cup

Method:
Wash the Strawberries; Drain & Pat dry on a Paper Towel so that they are completely dry
Keep the Chocolate in a Microwave Safe Bowl & Keep it for 2 Minutes on high till it turns as a Creamy Dip
If not put it back in the Microwave for another 30 Seconds till Done
Dip One Strawberry at a time into the Chocolate Dip in a Circular motion 2 times, Lift & Twist to Coat the Dripping Chocolate back to the Strawberry
Place this Piece on a Tray Layered with Aluminum Foil
Finish Dipping the Rest of the Strawberries & keep them in the Refrigerator for about 30 Minutes to an Hour till the Chocolate Coats on the Strawberries



Tips:
Avoid addition of Milk or using Milk Chocolate for this Recipe
Traditionally a Double Boiler is used to Melt the Chocolate

Variations:

Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

English Cuisine- Decadence Unlimited!

British/English Cuisine


People regularly visit the Farmer's Market for Seasonal Fruits & Vegetables
Handmade Pork Pie Stall
Fresh Seafood & Fish Stall
Brown Eggs


Leftover cuts of Meat were the Peasent's Favorite Food 

 Centuries ago, every Village & Town had its own Unique Sausages from Lincolnshire Pork & Sage, Cambridge, Cumberland Pork Thick, Blood Sausage etc.
Gamon is Ham Steak (made with Bacon Leg)
Famous Traditional Blood Sausage/Black Pudding/Sausage (made with Pig's Blood, Rye, Oatmeal, Onion, Barley, Spices etc.)

Famous Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding from Yorkshire:
Boneless Beef (Scotch) Rolled in Flour 2 Tbsp.
Seal the Meat in about 2 Tbsp. Oil
When well Coated, stick in some Rosemary Sprigs in the Meat
Bake for 1 Hour for about 1 Kg Meat

For Pudding:
Whisk Eggs with Full Cream Milk
Mix the Egg Mix with Flour (sifted with Baking Powder Salt)
Pour some Water in the Pudding Pan


Farm House produced Dairy Cheeses are consumed like the Blue Cheese, Goat & Sheep Milk Cheese


Seafood dominates in Fish & Chips

the Famous Pork Pies are a Hunting Community essential 

Roll Mops


Pigs in Blanket

Roly Poly



English Favorite Eggy Bread BLT:
Stale Sourdough/French Baguette/Ciabatta- 1 Loaf cut into 3, six inch loaves & halved
Bacon- 6 to 8 strips without the Rinds
Free Range Eggs- 6
Milk- 2 Tbsp.
Extra Light Olive Oil- 1 Tbsp.
Tomatoes- 2, Finely Sliced
Rocket Leaves- 25 Grams
Dijon Mustard- 1 Tbsp.
Mayonnaise- 2 Tbsp.
Sea Salt & Black Pepper- For Seasoning
Tomato Ketchup

Method:
Whisk Eggs, Salt & Milk
Soak the Bread in Eggs for about a minute on one side

Heat Oil Add Bacon Strips & on medium heat Fry till Crisp
Set aside on a Kitchen Paper

Toast the Bread by placing the cut side down & cook for 1-2 Minutes till Golden Brown on each side

Spread Mayo, Ketchup, Mustard, cripsy Bacon, Lettuce thick Tomato Slice, cracked Pepper & Dijon Mustard on the Toast with



English Favorite Eggy Bread by Nigella Lawson:
For Cinnamon Plums:

250ml/9fl oz Cranberry Juice
100g/3½oz Caster Sugar
500g/1lb 2oz Plums
1 Cinnamon Stick


For Eggy Bread:

2 Free-Range Eggs
60ml/2½fl oz Full-Fat Milk
½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tbsp Sugar
4 large slices Stale White Bread
2 tbsp soft, Unsalted Butter

Method:
In Cinnamon Stick Whole Plums Syrup

Eggs Cinnamon Powder
 
Soak the Bread Slices in Egg Mixture
Heat Butter & Toast the Eggy Bread
Top with Plums & Scarlett Syrup



Beetroot is also used extensively

Classic British Hot Sticky Pudding Cooked Golden Syrup in a Tin:
Whisk Castor Sugar Unsalted Butter
Add Eggs & Whisk
Add Caramel Extract (Dark Caramel Deglazed in Water), Baking Powder & Flour
Put in Fridge till Afternoon
For Extra Flavour add the Tea Bag
Put 2 Big Spoons of Golden Syrup in the Tin, Fill Halfway through with the Batter
Clean the Sides of the Tin
On a Baking Tray in the Oven  
When Done, Cut the Top Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream


Beetroot Pudding:
Antioxidants Energy Aphrodisiac
Peel Beetroot, Grate
Golden Castor Sugar & Vegetable Oil are combined to make Syrup
Expensive Vanilla Pods
Separate the Eggs Yolks from the Whites
Add Grated Beetroot & Chopped Nuts (Hazelnuts, Walnuts) in the Vanilla Syrup
Mix Flour, Egg Yolks, Little Milk & Whisk
Whip the Egg Whites till Stiff Peaks Form & Gently fold in the Egg Whites with the Cake Batter just enough to make the Batter Fluffy
Pour this Mixture in the Greased Rectangular Loaf Tin
Keep the Batter to bake in the Oven on Medium Heat for about 30 Minutes
With a Brush, Apply the Diluted Apricot Jam Loosened with Little Hot Water for a Glazed effect
Cut in Slices & Serve Warm!


Fusion Version of the Classic Burnt Creme Brulee:
In a Food processor, Add Chopped Lemon Grass, Whole Vanilla Pod (No Need to Scrape the Pods), Fresh Ginger 2 Inch Piece & Whisk
To Infuse the Milk with
Add Double Cream & Milk in a Sauce Pan
Add Lemongrass-Vanilla-Ginger in it & Mix Well
Stir till it starts to Boil
Whisk Eggs & Sugar
Add Castor Sugar & Whisk
Can keep the Crème to soak in nicely & can bake just the Guests arrive
Add the Infused Milk & Whisk
Strain the Lemon Grass- Ginger-Vanilla out of the Batter
In a Shallow Ceramic Baking Dish, Pour the Batter & Keep to Bake for about 45 Minutes
When Cooked & Chilled Add the Demerara Sugar (Best for Brulee) on Top of the Brulee
With a Torch Burn the Sugar Carefully & Blow any Extra Smoke
Check to see that the top should be Crispy!

Tip:
Can Add Lavender, Fresh Berries instead of the Asian Flavours



Eggnog Trifle with Mixed Berries Compote- The Traditional Trifle turned into a Decadent Dessert!

Gently mix 350 Grams of Fresh Berries (Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries or can add Cranberries during Christmas also!) with 3 Tbsp. Icing Sugar & 3 Tbsp. Grand Marnier (Orange Alcohol/Liquor) till Sugar dissolves & Coats the Berries
We would need about 12 Soft Amaretti Biscuits for this Recipe
In a Serving Bowl, Layer the Amaretti biscuits
In another Bowl, Fold 250 Grams of Mascarpone Cheese with 50 Grams of Castor Sugar early ahead & can keep it Refrigerated
In the Serving Bowl, add 6 Tbsp. of Bonne Maman Preserves like a Layer (this is one of the Good Blackberry Preserve/Concord or for a Homemade Recipe, Reduce the Fresh Berries on Stove with Sugar & Let it Cool)
Then add the Berries Mixture, Whipped Cream & Chill in Fridge

For Eggnog Custard:
In a Mixing Bowl, Whisk 2 Large Egg Yolks thoroughly
Add 2 Tbsp. Sugar, 2 Tbsp. Of Corn Flour & Whisk until Pale
In a Sauce Pan, Heat 300 Ml. of Milk till Warm but do not boil
Add this Warm Milk to the Sugar-Corn Flour Bowl & Whisk
Return this Mixture to the Sauce Pan & Heat till it Thickens
Add this Eggnog Mixture in the Bowl & Whisk
Add 3 Tbsp. Of Advocaat Liquor & ¼ Tsp. of Pure Vanilla Extract & Whisk till Smooth
Spoon this onto the Berry Trifle on top of the Whipped Cream Layer in the Trifle
Crumble the rest of the Amaretti Biscuits on top of the
Add the Rest of the Berries on Top
Dust Icing Sugar & Serve Fresh!

Tip:
This Trifle has Flavours of Berries, Orange, Amaretti Biscuits, Mascarpone Cream in this Dessert

Summer Pudding:
Boil Fresh Strawberry, Blue Berries, Mulberries with Stock made with equal quantity of Water & Sugar
Strain this Mixture to get the Pulp
Pour on the Bread& Rest for some more time

Heat the Sauce with some Leftover Fruit
In Separate Pudding Moulds, Set the Soaked Bread first, then the Soaked Fruits, then the Soaked Bread on top to Chill in the Fridge
Serve with Cream



Britain:
 

Neal’s Yard Dairy From The British Isles has a factory is located in Druid Street London
Randolph Hodgson has brought a renewed interest in Cheese making for this Generation

David Lockwood

this place has shifted the interest from the Industrial Cheeses to handmade Cheeses since 1980's
Neal's Yard Creamery brand Charie Westhead

Organic Greek Style Cheese


Hawkstone Abbey Farm run by Paul & mother Lucy Appleby
make the ancient Cheddar Cheese made from Raw Unpasteurized Milk wrapped in cloth through maturation

Mrs Kirkham's Traditional Lancashire Farm made Cheese run by Graham Kirkham
made with unpasteurized Raw Milk through use of home made starters


Wensyldale Creamery Hawks Cheese run by Richard Clark
located in a beautiful place in North Yorkshire

England's most famous Blue Cheese made only from Unpasteurized Raw Milk

Collingsthwaite Farm, a small Dairy started making Blue Cheese this way in North Nottingham


Stichelton Dairy in North Nottingham
run by Joe Schneider is reviving this tradition of Cheese making so it doesn't diminish
9 months old Cheese- as it is made with less Rennet tastes like soft Butter


Welbeck Estate run by Joe Schneider
their shop has many tourists showcases their Organic Dairy Farm & Products like the Welbeck Stichelton Cheese

Holker Farm run by Martin Gott


Perroche made from fresh, unpasteurized English Goat’s Cheese

Red Leicester Cheese

St. Gall, St. James Cheese

Spenwood Cheese

Finn Cheese

Tymsboro Cheese



Roast is an eatery located on the 1st Floor
English Breakfast Toast Sausages Bacon Eggs




In Australia:

Bob's British Butchery in Suburban Melbourne catering to the English & Ireland Taste buds


Shaun's Kitchen in Melbourne