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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






Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Bengaluru



Vidyarthi Bhavan is famous for its Breakfast items like Dosa, Coffee, Puris etc.


South Indies Restaurant provides an elite ambiance with a Luxury Menu serving Authentic Dishes from the 4 South Indian states
Dishes like Babycorn Black Pepper (Mokkajonna Miriyalu) Fry



‘Gupshup’ is a small rooftop snack joint in Indiranagar Bengaluru

Most evenings in Rural Northern Eastern India are spent over ‘Chai’ and ‘Gupshup’ & that is what is missed by most professional away from home in other States


Soukya

Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR)
Quality & Religious purity of the Food is commendable with their strong 75 members staff working neatly & diligently in the kitchens
Ministers & other high profile people have their food packed from here
one of the attractions is the Dosa with Pure Ghee is served







Village House (HalliManne) in 3rd Cross, Sampige Road, Malleswaram
Local Kannada Cuisine with a Home Food Taste
Poppy Seeds Milk Drink, Pineapple Dosa, Coconut/Dal Holige Chutneys, Yaksha Gana Performances are promoted here as well for which Show Details are available


Shivaji Military Hotel Jayanagar 8th Block is a highly recommended place especially for Non Vegetarians!




Night Life:

This city has the highest number of Pubs in India

"The 13th Floor" has a great view of the City along with the crowd


"Pecos" has been around for a long time Owners Colin & Elango, this place also has a collection of Music Legends

"Geoffrey's" Bar has a British & more mature ambience


City Tour:

Vidhan Sabha


City Market for Fresh Flowers 
Museum

Lizzat Papad Factory where Papads are prepared here & their Homes by many women in huge quantities

Joe's Bikers

Judy Bidappa
Embassy Riding School
Prasad Bidappa

Nrityagram Dance School

Infosys Campus


Feel free to share your views as on how this Trip turned out & do let us know of any Quality Bakeries/Cafe/Restaurants in your area :)

Monday, April 16, 2012

Goa- India's Miami



Interestingly, Goa is India's richest State!
Laidback attitude is visible everywhere


Authentic Goan Cuisine at Fernandos Nostalgia Restaurant:
Portugese Indian & Arabic Masalas
Seafood Coocnut Milk and Rice are essentials
Sana like Idlis but Sweetened cooked in Tori Taadi, Round Steamed Pancakes
Kaafriyal
Prawns & Bhindi cooked in Ambaada
Mario de Miranda:

Baingina in Northern Old Goan or in Konkani Saibache Goa:
St Augustine Ruins was a Convent 1572 which still can be seen with the Old Architecture
Western Goa Famous Arpora Night Market:
World Food Court:
Southern Goa Neptune Point in Palolem for Silent Noise Party:


Carrot Gojju


Tito's Restaurant David


Calamari Restaurant Reggie


Panjim:

Mums Kitchen- Goan Cuisine Revived
Prawn Shekshek Coconut Red Chilies Spices Kokum for Tanginess

Seafood Peri Peri Platter with Pomfret, King Fish Steak piece, Grey Fish, Lobster, Tiger Prawns, Kalamari (Squid)

Pork Vindaloo are famous



Ravi Kesar Ship
Gambling

Remo Fernandez
Singer

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Andhra Style Brinjal & Indian Broad Beans (Vankaya Chikkudukaya Mudda Kura)

South Indian Vegetarian Main Course Special
Andhra Pradesh Cuisine
Andhra Style Brinjal & Indian Broad Beans (Vankaya Chikkudukaya Mudda Kura)
Serves 2

Ingredients:
Indian Broad Beans (Saem/Chikkudukaya)- 100 Grams
Long Purple Brinjal (Baingan/Vankaya)-  250 Grams, Small

Turmeric Powder- ¼ Tsp.
Salt- To Taste

Tamarind Pulp- 1 Tbsp.


For Tempering:
Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil- 3 Tsp.
Dried Red Chilli- 1, Broken in Half

Split Bengal Gram (Chana Dal)- ½ Tsp.
Split Black Gram (Urad Dal)- ¼ Tsp.
Mustard Seed (Rai/Sarson)- ½ Tsp.
Cumin Seed (Jeera)- ¼ Tsp.
Hing- a Pinch
Green Chillies- 2, Finely Chopped 
Curry Leaves- 10 Small

Method:
Wash, Clean, De String from both sides and Cut Broad Beans breadth wise into Inch long pieces
Wash and Cut Brinjal into Cubes and keep them in Salted Water (to prevent discoloration)

Heat Oil in a Pan, Add the Tempering items & Sauté

Add the Boiled Vegetables (Brinjals & Broad Beans) & Mix

 
Add the Tamarind Pulp & Mix



Check for Water if needed (try to make this without Water which results in a Dry Preparation), Cover & Cook till done


Tips:
This recipe can be made with the Seeds (Daane/Ginjalu) of the Broad Beans & Brinjal

Brinjal & Peas can be cooked directly on the flame which would Cook on Medium High Flame straight after the Tempering & then Covered  to cook on Low Flame
The reason we Cook Brinjals on Medium High Flame initially is to avoid the Bitterness it may produce while being cooked on Low Flame 

The Stove Top method is the Best if we have enough time instead of Boiling the Vegetables which would be appropriate when running short of time or trying for a different method to make these Vegetables (Boil together the Beans & Brinjal with Salt, Turmeric Powder till Tender)

Optional is to add Red Chilli Powder- 1 Tsp. in the end


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

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Andhra Style Brinjal & Green Peas (Vankaya Bataani Mudda Kura)

South Indian Vegetarian Main Course Special
Andhra Pradesh Cuisine
Andhra Style Brinjal & Green Peas (Vankaya Bataani Mudda Kura)

This comes straight from my Grandmother's Kitchen :)
She always has these practical ideas to utilize whatever Pulses, Vegetables we have in the Pantry, so we made this Traditional Andhra Recipe with just the available ingredients for Lunch :)
In a Traditional Andhra Kitchen, the vegetables are always bought with these Recipes ready in mind! There is so much to learn from our Grandmother's who always knew their mixes, ratios, proportions & also the importance of Seasonal Vegetables & Fruits in the Kitchen :)
Serves 2

Ingredients:
Green Peas (Matar/Bataani)- 100 Grams
Long Purple Brinjal (Baingan/Vankaya)-  250 Grams, Small
Turmeric Powder- ¼ Tsp.
Salt- To Taste


For Tempering:
Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil- 3 Tsp.
Dried Red Chilli- 1, Broken  9

Split Bengal Gram (Chana Dal)- ½ Tsp.
Black Lentil (Urad Dal)- ¼ Tsp.
Mustard Seed (Rai/Sarson)- ½ Tsp.
Cumin Seed (Jeera)- ¼ Tsp.
Hing- a Pinch
Green Chillies- 2, Finely Chopped 
Curry Leaves- 10 Small

Method:
Wash and Cut Brinjal into Long Slices and keep them in Salted Water (to prevent discoloration)
Boil together the Brinjal with Salt, Turmeric Powder till Tender


Heat Oil in a Pan, Add the Tempering items & Sauté

Add the Boiled Vegetables (Brinjals & Peas) & Mix
Add Turmeric Powder, Salt & Mix Well

On Medium High Flame, Keep Stirring occasionally uncovered till the Brinjals become Tender
Check for Water if needed, Sprinkle all over with hand
Cover & Cook till the Brinjals & Peas are done



Tips:
Can also prepare the Brinjal with Peas directly in the Pan instead of Boiling the Brinjal separately


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