Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Traditional Baingan Bharta or roasted eggplant recipe



This traditional style of making mashed Brinjal or Eggplant is a favorite dish in all Indian households. Baingan ka bharta is famous for its unique taste and flavor and is a much healthy food unlike other Indian recipes which uses a lot of oil and spices. The eggplant which is the main ingredient in this dish is rich in dietary fibers and Vitamins like B6 and C. It is also roasted which ensures that all its essential nutrients are preserved. It is low in fat content, making it a delightful preparation for both the taste buds as well as the waist line. The below recipe uses less spice and oil but you can add more spice if you want to add a little more flavor to the dish. It makes a serving for two.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Delicious strawberry mousse




Mousse might have been a concoction invented by the French, but its popularity now is world-wide. This light fluffy dessert can give your taste buds a sure relish and once tasted, you have the risk of turning into a sure addict. There have been different variations of mousse both in texture and flavors which have been tried and tested by pastry chefs across the world, but chocolate still remains the popular choice. 

The original chocolate mousse earlier prepared as a specialty in French restaurants have given way to a whole range of other flavors like strawberry, vanilla, mocha, pistachio, pumpkin, lemon etc, just to name a few. Also, the consistency might vary from thick and frothy to light and fluffy, to creamy, depending on the preference. Whatever the flavor or texture, this is one dessert which you don’t want to waive off to save your waistline.

Although chocolate is the preferred flavor of mousses, you can use any number of variations of your choice. 

The below recipe serves eight portions and uses fresh strawberries which gives the dessert it a delectably, tangy flavor. But if fresh strawberries are not in season, you can use strawberry syrup instead.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Delicious baked pork chops


Pork chops, a delight to even the most seasoned taste-buds are prepared in different variations and flavors across the world. Lot of different flavors and sauces are also added according to taste and preference to make the dish richer and tastier. Herbs and crusts of bread or biscuit are also added to give it a crisp coating. 

Even though the fried variety of pork chops are more popular, however the baked variety is also gaining a lot of preference and popularity. Baked pork chops are not only healthier than its fried counterpart but also succulent and tastier as the baking helps the chops to retain its juices.

Here is a simple, easy to prepare recipe of bakes pork chops which can be served with rice in the main course.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Quick Strawberry Jam recipe



image courtesy: superhotmobile

Jams and jellies, once a kingly delicacy, enjoyed and afforded only by the richer class of society has now become part of almost all the cupboard shelves of kitchens across the world. The word jam brings images of warm scones and crisp toasts neatly spread with a generous serving of fresh, aromatic jam which not only puts color to them but also gives it a delightful taste. May it be a hurried breakfast or a lazily enjoyed evening tea; these fruity, fragrant preserves are a delight to the taste buds. 

Although the advent of numerous products and brands in the market has made the making of home-made jam a rare feat, still there are many a households who still swear by their secretly hoarded recipes and will never buy one from the store.
Strawberry jams are one of the most popular and loved variants of jams and freshly picked strawberries can turn your jam into a sensuous delight. Try out this easy recipe right in your own kitchen and see the difference from your store bought, expensive jam.

Monday, December 29, 2014

How to cook pot roast


Pot roast has its originality claimed by the Americans and many believe it to be a Southern dish and the rest claim it to be of Northern origin. It is said to have been first prepared during the 1880-85's. But originality aside, it is allegedly claimed that the aroma of this delectable Grandma’s recipe has the power to make even the dead rise from their slumber. 

Once tasted, a person cannot forget the taste of the succulent meat or the flavor of the spices and the gravy. 

The traditional way of making pot roast might however die a slow death over a period because of the hectic lifestyle of the new age. The current generation seems to have lost the time and patience to appreciate slow cooking, but this is one recipe which will be a big loss to all, if it is lost.
Traditionally, pot roast is a brisket of meat (originally beef was used), slow cooked over a covered pot and served with its own gravy. But over the ages there have been many variations due to the difficulty in getting the meat and also because of the time factor. 
Some also prefer the oven or pressure cooker over the crock-pot or stove-pot used for slow cooking. The below recipe is a modification of several old recipes of pot roasts and uses the old slow cooking method.

Monday, December 22, 2014

How to make your own ground beef



Making your own home-made ground beef is a much better alternative than purchasing commercially packaged ones, both in terms of freshness as well as taste. Packaged ground beef would have most likely used discarded portions of meat and more fat in addition to having more risks of contamination. You also tend to spend more in buying ground beef commercially than making your own. When you ground the beef at home, you have the liberty of choosing the best meat without having the fear of being given unhygienic meat in the stores. The taste will also be far better than using packaged ground beef.

Contrary to how some might feel, making ground beef at home is not too much of a bother and you are most likely to have all the ingredients and equipment you require, right inside your kitchen.

Read on to find out how to grind beef without much hassle, including instructions on storage. Once you are done, you can dish up some nice yummy burgers or simply make a few meat balls in a jiffy.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Making a Pina Colada


Pina colada is a delightful cocktail which has the ability to transform your sunny terrace into a tropical paradise with just one sip. This coconut based drink is a marvel during the sweltering summer heat and a favorite at the beaches and outdoor summer parties. 

It has proudly occupied the position of the official drink of Puerto Rico since the 1978 and is simple enough to be made at home. So now you can sip and enjoy this delightful tropical cocktail sitting at your apartment and imagine yourself luxuriating in the beach.

Pina coladas are rum based cocktails prepared with coconut cream and blended pineapple extracts and ice. There are also various other flavors like strawberry, blue curacao etc. which can be added to the mix, depending on taste and preference. Malibu rum is also a popular replacement of the regular variety of rum. Pina colada without the rum is known as virgin colada which is popular in its own right, especially with the teetotalers.