Wafers @ the temple

Banana Wafers - Ganeshpura Ganpati Mandir

Had the gud fortune to visit the Ganeshpura Ganpati Temple near Ahmedabad today on the day of Ganpati Visarjan..As famous as the mandir and the legend behind it is..equally famous are the fresh wafers stands lining the path leading to the temple..the smell of freshly frying wafers is simply divine and tempting..Total and absolute self control is required not to just go to 1 of these stalls and devour a fresh batch of these wafers before paying respect to Ganpati Bappa in the mandir...

These wafers stand sell fresh fried Banana wafers with black pepper masala, red chilly masala and 2 varieties of potato wafers plain and red chilly masala..they are freshly fried in front of you and they would weigh and pack what ever u want right out of the frying wok..price is rs. 50 for 250 gms for all varieties offered. A pack of masala is included in every packet for that little bit of extra seasoning if someone requires it.

Simply described these wafers are melt in your mouth..crisp..perfectly seasoned and above and all fresh everytime..anyone who happens to visit this temple should eat a fresh batch of wafers there and get some for the home to b relished at a later stage...yummylicious...

Nafees - Indore

Indore again..For non-veg lovers this time around...

A very old institution called NAFEES in Indore, had the gud fortune of dining here on the recommendation of my taxi driver who was kind enough to take me here and joined me for dinner..They are a very old and famous bakers in Indore and they are famous for their various bakery products and 1 stands out in particular their very famous and popular Rusk Toast...they have an awesome non veg restaurant and the food is lip smakingly superb..Choice of kababs, tikkas, rolls and the usual subjis..they serve a mean chicken Tikka masala and serve hot off the tawa rumali rotis..soft and melt in your mouth..Highly recommended this restaurant if anyone is visiting Indore.

The Pattis @ the Vijay Chaat House, Indore.

Foodies Journey Continue....Indore Food Dairies...

They say if you want to eat chat go anywhere..they say if u want to eat awesome chat then go to Indore..I just happen to b in Indore for some work and I got my chance to try out some specialities..

Presenting 'The Pattis' @ Vijay Chaat House at the 56 Dukkan area..not just any Pattis its the perfection that goes into making this table tennis ball sized pattis of amazingness..

Perfectly seasoned potato covering, crisp to the bite but hot and fluffy on the inside, then there is the filling grated fresh coconut and coriander, green chilly perfectly spiced..then the whole Pattis is smothered in sweet and spicy green and brown chutney..this Pattis tests yr resilience and tempts you to have 1 more and I advice you all to give in and have that 1 more to curb yr guilty pleasure if ure a foodie...

Lal Mirchi ka UP istyle ka Aachar.....

Lal Mirchi ka Aachar.

Having a blog that says Foodiesexperiments..it was true to the name and an experiment happened..happened to visit the shrine of Sarangpur Hanuman the roads were lined with these thelas selling chillies Dark green, red and light green chillies..

Having picked some of all the 3 varities and having gone through 2 green ones in a vege and a salad..the Red was left and not in that much quantity..a cousins nani told me her recipie of this aachar that can b made in any season..here goes..

Remove the ends of the chillies and desead them..keep aside.

Pls excuse as she did not tell me the exact measurements of the spices..so I winged it but used each and everything she mentioned.

Salt
Turmeric powder
Mango Powder (Amchur)
Methi dana Powder
Saunf powder
Hing powder
Mustard powder.
Mustard oil
Red chillies ground coarsely
I didnt have some of the powders so just mixed it in a blender and powedered them.
Smoke the mustard oil and cool it.
Grind the chillies coarsely in a blender.
Mix all the spices and add to the chillies and mix well.

Pour the cooled mustard oil on top and mix well. Put all of this in a sterilized bottle and keep in the sun for 3-4 days and enjoy with yr food..

Again pls excuse me for not mentioning the quantities precisely.

Legendary Gotas of DAKOR

Legendary Gotas of DAKOR

Been Travelling a lot lately and had the gud fortune to visit the famous Ranchod Rai Mandir at Dakor and after paying respects at the temple, as famous as the temple and its belief is..equally famous are the savoury dishes available here..and 1 in particular that stands out..The Famous and legendary Gotas of Dakor.

They are streets lined with shops selling instant mixes of the gota and khaman and then u can smell these freshly frying...ask anyone and they point you to this shop named Bapalal Maganlal Vallabhdas..as soon as you get there u know its popular as there is a huge crowd eating these tasty fresh out of the oil gotas..these are priced at rs.200 per kg and are yummy and really gud with a different taste than the usual gotas you have had.

The traditional accomplishment is curd with red chilly powder and salt that you have to buy from the adjoining shop.

Pick up some instant mix ready to eat packets to be enjoyed at home later on from the same shop.

I highly recommend having these gotas if someone is heading to Dakor to pay their respects to the Ranchod Rai Mandir..

Diwali is coming...Festival of Food 2015

5 Ingredients No Bake - Oreo Chocolate Strawberry Pie.

3 Big packets double chocolate oreo cookies
2 Tetra pack small of Amul Cream
2 Amul Dark chocolate big slabs (55% cocoa)
50 gms Melted Butter
Fresh strawberries cut into halves for decoration and some to put into the chocolate mix.

Warm (do not boil) the cream in a saucepan and break the chocolate into bite size pieces, once the cream is warm pour over the chocolate and mix well the choclate will melt due to the warm milk.

In a mixer make a fine powder of the oreo cookie, put in a bowl and then add the butter mix well. 

Press the oreo cookie mixture firmly into a pie crust or like me in a round form tin so its easy to demould, put this into the freezer for 30 mins till firm.

Cut the strawberries into fine pieces and add to the chocolate cream mixture.

Remove the spring form tin from the freezer and layer the chocolate strawberry mix into it evenly, lick the left over chocolate mixture off(perks of making chocolate based deserts) and decorate with half cut strawberries.

Chill for a futher 45 mins..run a sharp knife all around the inside of the tin so the mix does not stick to the sides.. Buttering the sides help.

Cut into even slivers and serve with fresh whipped cream..

Pls substitute dark chocolate with milk chocolate or any chocolate brand of yr choice.

Long time coming....

Coming back after a long long time to writing...

Lifes become busy...work, travel, relationship disappointments, as said earlier the kitchen is my solitude and cooking is my penance.

Out of the solitude comes 2 cooking show episodes a valentine desert special and a expert show with Eggplant or Brinjals as the main ingredient.

Well the Valentines show was placed 2 days before Valentines day and men being the most cooking impaired people in the kitchen made recipes without the use of a hob or oven or a stove, all 1 needs is a microwave which everyone generally has.

The brinjal or eggplant show was for an expert section and it went well..Showcases a family recipe of a brinjal curry and an international dish of Egg plant parmesan..both went well and were showcased well..

It feels gud when strangers walk up to u and tell you that they liked what u cooked on tv..ha ha ha..

Read up people more recipies coming.

Eggless Orange n Chocolate Chips Cake.

Eggless Orange n Chocolate Chips Cake.

2 cups Maida flour
1 cup Corn flour
1+1/2cups Sugar
1cup Orange juice
1cup Yoghurt
1cups Canola oil
2tbsp Orange rinds
1/4tsp Orange food colour
1tsp Baking powder
1/2tsp Baking soda
1/4cup Dark Chocolate chips

Preheat the oven at 350F (180d).

Mix together the maida flour, corn flour, baking soda, baking powder in a large vessel.

Beat together the sugar, yoghurt, canola oil, orange juice with orange food colour until everything turns soft.

Add gradually the dry ingredients until the cake batter turns soft.

Fold gently the orange rinds and chocolate chips.

Grease a cake pan and pour the cake batter.

Arrange the cake mould in the middle rack and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the skewer come out clean.

Cool it completely!

Whip Fresh cream to stiff peaks with icing sugar and orange essence and layer on the top of the cooled cake and cool.

Slice the orange cake as u desire and serve.

Whiskey sour

Tired of just having it on the rocks, with water, soda, hot water or god forbid a cola drink...well here is something fun to do if u want a change from the traditional Whiskey drinking.

The oldest historical mention of a whisky sour prepared in the world comes from a newspaper published in Wisconsin, US in 1870.

Traditionally an egg white is added to this drink but it is delicious without it also, i have not included it.

Foodies Experiments are not limited to food only, they are also extended to mixed drinks and mocktails and cocktails also.

Ingredients

1 Peg of Whiskey.
Juice of 1/2 lemon freshly squeezed.
1 teaspoon sugar (grounded)
2-3 tablespoon of cold water.
Loads of crushed ice.

Preprations

Put all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake well till mixed, pour in a tall glass and garnish with a lemon wedge or maraschino cherry and serve chilled.

Exotic Falafel

Falafel - is a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both. Falafel is a traditional Arab food, usually served in a pita bread, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a flat bread known as lafa; "Falafel" also frequently refers to a wrapped sandwich that is prepared in this way. The Falafel balls are topped with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces. Falafel balls may also be eaten alone as a snack or served as part of a meze.

Generally accepted to have first been made in Egypt, felafel has become a dish eaten throughout the Middle East. The Copts of Egypt claim to have first made the dish as a replacement for meat during Lent. The fritters are now found around the world as a replacement for meat and as a form of street food.

The prepration is a little tedious and many small small things need to be done, but the end result is simply amazing.

The Pita Bread is now available ready in bakeries like Fresh n Fresh and Upper Crust ready off the shelf, and if they are not you can have it ordered and made.

There are 4-5 parts to this recipie, here goes.

 

Ingredients for the Patties:

1 1/2 cup chickpeas (White Chole) soaked overnight and drained do not boil them as they will be deepfried.
1 medium onion, finely chopped.
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic.
3 tablespoons fresh coriander finely chopped.
2-3 green chillies finely chopped.
3/4 teaspoon Jeera powder.

Salt/Pepper to taste.
2 tablespoons flour(Besan) for binding.

Oil for frying.

Preparation:

Crush the soaked chickpeas in a grinder but leave them coarse do not turn them into a fine paste, Combine chickpeas, garlic, onion, coriander, green chillies, cumin, salt and pepper (to taste) in medium bowl. Add flour and combine well.

Form the mixture into small balls or flat discs.

Fry until golden brown and keep aside

Ingredients for the HOT SAUCE:

3/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon Harisa (see below for recipe)
1/2 teaspoon Sugar
salt to taste

Preparation:

In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 15 -20 minutes. Stir frequently.

This is for spreading inside the Falafel.

Ingredients for the Harisa

10-12 dried red chili peppers
3 cloves garlic, minced
salt to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds powder
1 teaspoon ground caraway seeds powder (Ajwan seeds)
1/2 teaspoon cumin seed powder(Jeera powder)

Preparation:

Soak the dried chilies in hot water for 30 minutes. Drain. Remove stems and seeds.

In a food processor combine chili peppers, garlic, salt, and olive oil. Blend.

Add remaining spices and blend to form a smooth paste.

Mix with the hot sauce and use as required.

Ingredients for HUMMUS:
1 cup of chickpeas soaked and boiled till soft and mashable
Lemon juice (depending on taste) i like my hummus really tangy.
1 tablespoon Roasted and ground sesame seeds (Til Seeds).
2 cloves garlic, crushed
salt to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation:

Boil the chickpeas and set aside to cool . Combine all the ingredients in blender or food processor. Blend for 3-5 minutes on low until thoroughly mixed and smooth.

Add a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) of olive oil.

This is to be applied inside of the pita bread when assembling the Falafel

Ingredients for the SALAD:
1/2 cup cabbage / lettuces shredded
1/2 cup capsicum sliced
1/2 cup carrot grated finely
olive oil/salt and pepper for flavoring.

Combine all the ingredients and toss with olive oil and season with salt and pepper

Assembly of the Falafel
Lightly toast the pita bread so they become soft and start to open up on 1 side, apply hot sauce on 1 side and hummus on the other side of the bread, layer genereously with the salad and the pita balls and close and enjoy a hearty middle east closed sandwich.

Sinful Dark Chocolate and Orange Mousse

Dark Chocolate and Orange Mousse

Ingredients

• 2 dark chocolate, chopped
• 1½ tbsp. Golden syrup / Maple Syrup (sugar syrup)
• 1½ tbsp. Orange Juice
• Few Drops of Orange Essence
• 1 cup – 200 gms fresh cream whipped till soft peaks form.
• Chocolate Sprinkles or Chocolate Chips for Decoration.

Instructions

1. Melt the chocolate and golden syrup together in a double boiler or Microwave till you get a smooth mixture. Don’t overcook. Cool slightly.
2. Add Orange juice to the chocolate mixture.
3. While the chocolate mixture is cooling, begin to whip the cream till you get soft peaks.
4. Fold the cream gently into the chocolate mixture.
5. Once you get a uniform even mousse mixture, pour the mousse in bowl or glasses.
6. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours or till the mousse is set and chilled.
7. Decorate the Dark Chocolate and Orange mousse with chocolate chips or sprinkles and serve.

Mousse for those who do not like eggs in their Desert and are Veges. 

Finger licking Good...Please avoid licking the spoons and bowls when making this desert, its too tempting not to...ha ha ha...Enjoy

Taco Filling (Raju Kaka's Recipe)

Taco Filling (Raju Kaka's Recipe)

It was a pleasant Sunday evening and we were supposed to have leftovers from the Sunday afternoon Mothers day Brunch, got a call from my cousin that he was coming over to give me some dishes made by my uncle Kartik (Raju kaka to us), it was almost 9 pm that he came and i went and collected the goodies from him, brought it home and open them, i was delighted to find taco shells, taco filling which from the looks and smell of it looked superb and a Mexican salad, made 1 taco for trial basis and the filling was so good that i made it a point to ask him for the recipe next day at the office, i asked him for it the next day at the office and at the end of the day it was sent to me, so here it is Taco Filling Raju kaka's Recipe as written by him and mailed to me.

1.use ready made tacos ,which are available at all provision stores

 

2.recipe for fresh and light fillings .

Soak 1 cup of kidney beans (rajma) overnight.Pressure cook the  beans , with a pinch of salt-until fully cooked (overcooked would be better).once cooked ,open the lid and take the beans out and let them cool .put in fridge

Take 2-3 medium tomatoes / 1 onion / 1/4 th capsicum / 3 green chillies ,and very very finely chop them up ,as we do in salsa sauce ,squeeze 1 full lemon juice in it  ,crush 1-2 cloves of garlic ,very fine ,and mix in ,mix all the things together in a bowl,and put it in the fridge ( not freezer).add oregano powder /red chilly flakes / any other herb powder ,before putting in the fridge .

Grate about 100 - 125 gms of any cheese ( amul/ brittania),and keep aside .

Take the now cool Rajma ,and crush them ,making them into a semi paste ,where no beans are full ,but crushed .take the bowl Out ,and mix the Rajma in it .add 50-60 gms of cheese into the mixture.mix well ,let everything be mixed together ,the Rajma should be mixed in well ,without lumps ,and the cheese broken up too.

Before serving add SALT TO TASTE, and a big table spoon of olive oil ,mix well,and serve cool.

Put the filling in the tacos ,and sprinkle cheese as per choice.

Except Rajma,cooking time ,takes 15minutes to make,serves 20 -25 tacos.

Enjoyyyyyyyy.

Kartik.