Fasting and feasting- Bhagar (spicy Barnyard millet) and Danyachi (Groundnut) Amti

Bhagar and Danyachi amti is a typical Maharashtrian feast made during religious fasts.This spicy dish is a great gluten free meal option even on non-fasting days

‘Super Grains’ for a Super Summer Breakfast!Nagli Ambil/Ragi Kanji Recipe

Nagli Ambil (Ragi Kanji) is a quick,rustic porridge made from Nagli/Ragi/Finger Millet flour, usually served for breakfast in many parts of Maharashtra. The nutritive benefits of Nagli are well known since ancient times. In fact these are our very own ‘Super Grains’,making a fashionable comeback of sorts, with smart colourful boxes labelled ‘Millets’ , sitting fashionably on the health food aisle in supermarkets! 🙂 A bowl of Ragi Kanji in the morning serves as a calcium+protein rich, power packed breakfast and also helps to keep the body cool (nugget of my Grandma’s wisdom J). This is one of my most…

Soulfull 8 years!

The blog officially turned 8 this August! Still on a high after attending the first ever Indian Food bloggers meet, I almost forgot that it’s been 8 long years since the Food blogging bug first bit me! I can still vividly remember the day, long long ago when I discovered this wonderland through the gorgeous Mahanandi.

This gastronomic journey, more than anything else, has been such a precious learning experience for me. On my way I have also discovered my passion for baking and a whole new world of Food photography. Reading, learning and imbibing everything shared by all the talented, generous and ever encouraging Food bloggers has enriched my culinary life and opened up many new avenues for me. So a big Thank you to all my Food blogger friends, for being so inspirational and encouraging throughout this ride.

A huge THANK YOU to all the readers of My Foodcourt. To those who have stuck around for a long long time- posts or no posts. Thank you to all the new readers and to those whose comments & message are ever so encouraging. To those who check on me when the blog is silent for long- everyone Thank you very much.

And now to today’s Soulfull post. Of the cart load of Goodies we received at the #IFBM2014, the one from Soulfull was tried, tasted and over as soon as I returned back. I had heard great reviews about Soulfull from Food blogger friends, mostly on Twitter. This got attested when the fussy daughter finished the Soulfull Choco fills-Nagli bites without any fuss and was asking for more. I immediately checked with them if they deliver products in Nasik and to my delight they do! The son loved the Granola bars and I did not get even a glimpse of the bars.

The Adai mix packet at the outset did not receive such a warm response. The fussy one declared- not another dosa. I promised her, no dosa.

Both kids love Appe – dosa + veggies in a cuter Avatar. The Appe pan/ Aebleskiver pan is currently my favourite pan to use. The kids love their ‘Pancake appe’ made with the Appe pan. The Adai mix, instead of being served as a plain old dosa was dressed up with some veggies and served as cute little cocktail bites. I made an Indian version of the Chimichurri sauce- a Cilantro mint Chimichurri sauce, which was relished with the Veg Adai Appe.

From no more Dosa to more ‘Cocktail Adai Appe’ pls,the Soulfull Adai mix was a hit with the kids. I particularly liked the predominant flavor of Asafoetida in theAdai mix.

This is one of those dishes that has to be served and savoured as soon as it is made. A perfect rainy weather snack- here’s the recipe for Cocktail Adai

 

Cocktail Adai with Soulfull Adai mix Recipe:

Makes~ 10-12 Appe

Ingredients:

1 cup Soulful Adai mix

½ cup homemade buttermilk

1 cup water to make a thick batter (or as needed)

2 tsp fine semolina/Rava

A handful of (total)veggies (I added Sweetcorn, chopped onion,chopped Spinach and grated carrot)

1 tsp chopped coriander

Oil for drizzling

Method

Mix the Adai mix,Rava, buttermilk and water and keep aside for half an hour.

Mix in the veggies.

Heat a Appe pan/ Aebleskiver pan ( I use a non-stick one)

Drizzle oil in the cavities.

Drop spoonful of the batter in the Cavities.

Cover and cook on low flame for 3-4 minutes or till the bottom is golden brown.

Use a wooden skewer to turn each Appe and cook on the other side for 1-2 minutes.

Serve immediately.

 

Cilantro-Mint Chimichurri Sauce recipe

Makes~ 1 ½ cups

 Ingredients

1 cup firmly packed fresh Cilantro/Coriander

¼ cup mint leaves

3-4 garlic cloves

½ small onion chopped (~2 tbsp)

1 Tbsp lime juice

1 Tbsp wine Vinegar

¼ cup olive oil

½ tsp Crushed black pepper/ Red chilli flakes

Salt to taste

 Method

Pulse together the onion, garlic in the blender/food processor.

Add the Cilantro and mint leaves and pulse till just crushed

Take out the mixture in a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients and mix.

Refrigerate if not using immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

Macadamia Marmalade cake

I have been guarding my prized stash of Macadamia nuts for almost a year now. I found these delicate creamy nuts in Sugarland last year when Indira took me on a foodie tour at the Whole foods market. I had bookmarked several recipes using Macadamia nuts to be tried. Somehow I never got around trying any of those and the nuts continued to lurk around in my freezer.

I hardly make resolutions, but this year I have resolved to use up all the ‘treasured ingredients’ I have been collecting from my various trips to different places; now it was the turn of the Macadamia nuts. The blog has been starving for quite some time now and needed some food. Life has been a roller coaster for the past few months and to add to that a few health concerns, sick little ones and the last straw –my old haggard camera dying on me! I have been handicapped photographically for the past 2 months and have resorted to ‘phonography’ for the time being. So please pardon the pictures in this post- they have been taken from my cellphone!

I have been toying with the idea of investing in a good DSLR camera for some time now (read 2 years) . Left with little choice now the DSLR has been ordered and will be with me in a couple of days! You know what they say-Every dark cloud has a silver lining!

I also thought a baking partner would be fun and a great motivation to return and feed the blog. Who better than my friend and a fabulous food blogger Aparna to bake together? Aparna too was game for it.A few messages later we were set to make this delectable ‘Macadamia Marmalade cake’. Apart from our fascination for Macadamia nuts the tangy Marmalade also attracted both of us to this recipe. We gave ourselves time till today to bake the cake and so I had to post it even if it meant taking pictures with my cell phone 🙂

I made this cake when we were visiting our friends for a casual weekend dinner at their place last night. The cake was light and has a fabulous crumb. The zesty marmalade added a lovely citrusy tang to the mildly sweet cake and the creamy ,delicately flavored nuts the required crunch.

I served the cake with vanilla ice-cream for dessert but you can have it as it is for a tea time snack.

Here’s the recipe for the Macadamia Marmalade cake:

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup self-raising flour
• 1/2 cup semolina
• 1/2 cup ground almonds
• 180g butter  (I used Amul)
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1/2 cup buttermilk  (I substituted with ½ cup milk and 1 tsp vinegar)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup marmalade (I used orange)
• 100g macadamias, chopped

Method

Grease a 17cm x 27cm x 4cm  tin(I used 17 x27x3 cm)) Line base and sides with baking paper. Preheat the oven to moderate, 180ºC.

Sift flour into a large bowl.

Add the semolina and ground almonds. Make a well in the centre.

Melt butter and sugar in a bowl in the microwave or on the stovetop in a pan. The sugar does not need to dissolve completely. Cool slightly. Pour mixture into the well.

Add the buttermilk and eggs. Stir to combine.

Pour mixture into the prepared tin.

Heat the marmalade in a bowl in the microwave or on the stovetop in a pan until warm and slightly runny.

Stir in the macadamias.

Spoon marmalade mixture over the surface of the cake. If the marmalade is too hot, it will sink into the cake mixture.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden on top and a skewer comes out clean when inserted in the centre.(Mine took 45 minutes)

Leave cake in the tin to cool.

This cake will keep for up to two weeks stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Mine already got over! 🙂

See Aparna’s eggless version of the cake here

 

Comfort food-Poha(beaten rice) spiced with Methkut

I was feeling a bit under the weather for the past few days. The wet rainy days did not help to lift up my spirits. Elaborate cooking took a back seat and it was time for some quick easy meals.

Poha (beaten rice) is a must-have ingredient for all Maharashtrian pantries. It is a regular item on the ‘essential items’ in the monthly grocery list. Poha is a handy ingredient when you have unexpected guest, you are pressed for time, need a quick meal or when you want some comfort food!

The modest Poha is dressed up here with a few spices and a classic Methkut powder to make one of the most delightful comfort foods for me.

The recipe is quite forgiving and does not need any pre-planning. Day-to-day ingredients are used and it can be made at the last minute.

The key ingredient used to flavor this Spicy Poha is a Methkut. Methkut is a classic powder made from a few dals and spices and is used in most Maharashtrian households to flavour soft cooked rice; again a comfort food and one with lot of childhood memories.

I used readymade Methkut powder but you can find recipes here and here.

This spiced Poha makes a great tea time snack along with a cup of spiced Chai or a glass of freshly brewed filter coffee.

Here’s the recipe:

2 cups Thin poha (beaten rice)

2-3 tbsp Methkut powder

3-4 tsp coconut water /buttermilk/milk or just plain water

Pinch of sugar

Salt to taste

For the tadka (tempering):

A handful of peanuts

A handful of roasted Chana dal (Dalia)

4-5 dry Red chillies cut  into pieces

4-5 curry leaves torn into pieces

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp cumene seeds

½ tsp turmeric powder

~2-3 tbsp oil 

For the garnish:

Lime Juice

Fresh coriander leaves 

Method:

Sprinkle coconut water/buttermilk/milk or just plain water on the poha and mix to make it a little moist.

Add the methkut, salt and sugar and mix nicely to coat the poha. (Adjust the amount of Methkut to your taste).Keep it aside.

Heat oil in a small pan.

Add the mustard seeds and once they splutter add the cumene seeds followed by the peanuts.

Fry the peanuts well and then add the roasted chana dal.

Add in the turmeric powder, Red chilles and curry leaves.

Add this tadka\tempering to the poha and mix nicely.

Keep covered for a ~ 5 minutes for all the flavours to mingle.

Garnish with lime juice and coriander leaves.

Variation: If you cannot find Methkut you can use the Chutney podi which is normally served with dosa.

Or I have blogged about another version of spicy Poha (Dadpe Pohe) earlier on My Foodcourt here.

 Also see Poha spiced with Tamarind

Tiramisu Cake- A sweet punch

One of my resolutions (?) for the New Year was to explore baking beyond the simple basic cakes and cookies. This also meant an opportunity to try out different recipes from the several cookbooks I own; cookbooks which were just gathering dust on the shelves.Given my hectic schedule and the 6-7 hr daily power out(r)age I was getting nowhere near implementing my resolution.So when Ria, Maria and Divya announced –A Sweet Punch I could not resist the opportunity.

‘A Sweet Punch is a monthly baking event started by Ria, Maria and Divya, to make baking as simple as possible, bringing you a tried and tested recipe every month. It could be either from cookbooks or from other food-blogs.All we need to do is, follow the recipe and create magic!’

The recipe chosen for this month was Tiramisu Cake from Dorie Greenspan’s Baking From My Home To Yours

There were quite a few ‘firsts’ for me:

• This is my first Sweet Punch
• This is my first recipe from Dorie Greenspan’s Baking From My Home To Yours , which I bought months ago from Flipkart
• I made my first batch of Mascarpone at home! I have been eyeing this on blogs and always planned to make it.

 The Sweet Punch rule was simple: ‘try to stick to the recipe as far as you can but you can make changes to suit your religious/ dietary requirements’ and I did just that!

I followed the recipe to the tee. The only change I did was to bake a single cake and then cut it into two, instead of the recommended two 9”cakes.

My first try at making Mascarpone was very encouraging and I was quite pleased with the results, moreover it was so simple to make…making me wonder why I did not try this before?

I made the Mascarpone 2 days in advance and the cake a day earlier.

The only problem I faced was, when I mixed the Mascarpone with the other ingredients for frosting it changed its texture (I guessed the heat here was too much to keep the cheese firm, any suggestions to firm up the frosting are pls. welcome). I did not have the time to keep it back in the refrigerator to firm it up so I just poured it on the cake and inbetween the layers and let the frosting drizzle from the sides.

I used mini chocolate chips for the filling and dusted the top with dark Cocoa. I had a small bottle of Amaretto liqueur, which a close relative had gifted us many many years ago (another first) and I am glad I added it to the frosting. The rich burst of flavors from the coffee and the liqueur made the cake almost divine! I am glad I used the entire syrup to soak the cake even if I had some initial doubts.

Thank you Ria, Maria and Divya for the intiative, lovely recipe and most of all for the detailed explanation to make it look so easy and simple! 

Here’s the recipe for Tiramisu Cake:

Tiramisu Cake

Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan

 For the cake layers:

2 cups cake flour (I used All purpose flour +Cornstarch)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 sticks (10 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs

1 large egg yolk

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup buttermilk (I used homemade buttermilk)

 For the espresso extract:

2 tablespoons instant espresso powder

2 tablespoons boiling water

 For the espresso syrup:

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon amaretto, Kahlua, or brandy

 For the filling and frosting:

1 8-ounce container mascarpone (store-bought or homemade) (I used 250 gms homemade from the recipe on Deeba’s blog here)

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon amaretto, Kahlua, or brandy

1 cup cold heavy cream

2 1/2 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped, or about 1/2 cup store-bought mini chocolate chips

Chocolate-covered espresso beans, for decoration (optional) (I did not have these so I skipped it)

Cocoa powder, for dusting

 Getting ready:

Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F ( I baked at 180 degrees C). Butter two 9×2 inch round cake pans,(I used only 1) dust the insides with flour, tap out the excess, and line the bottoms of the pans with parchment or wax paper. Put the pans on a baking sheet.

 To make the cake:

Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until soft and creamy.

 Add the sugar and beat for another 3 minutes. Add the eggs one by one, and then the yolk, beating for 1 minute after each addition. Beat in the vanilla; don’t be concerned if the mixture looks curdled. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk, adding the dry ingredients in 3 additions and the milk in 2 (begin and end with the dry ingredients); scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed and mix only until the ingredients disappear into the batter. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and smooth the tops with a rubber spatula.

Bake for 28 to 30 minutes,( took ~ 45 minutes for me) rotating the pans at the midway point. When fully baked, the cakes will be golden and springy to the touch and a thin knife inserted into the centers will come out clean. Transfer the cakes to a rack and cool for about 5 minutes, then run a knife around the sides of the cakes, unmold them, and peel off the paper liners. Invert and cool to room temperature right-side up.

 To make the extract:

Stir the espresso powder and boiling water together in a small cup until blended. Set aside.

To make the syrup:

Stir the water and sugar together in a small saucepan and bring just to a boil. Pour the syrup into a small heatproof bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon of the espresso extract and the liqueur or brandy; set aside.

 To make the filling and frosting:

Put the mascarpone, sugar, vanilla, and liqueur in a large bowl and whisk just until blended and smooth.

Working with the stand mixer with the whisk attachment or with a hand mixer, whip the heavy cream until it holds firm peaks. Switch to a rubber spatula and stir about one quarter of the whipped cream into the mascarpone. Fold in the rest of the whipped cream with a light touch.

 To assemble the cake:

 If the tops of the cake layers have crowned, use a long serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion to even them. Place one layer right-side up on a cardboard round or a cake plate protected with strips of wax or parchment paper. Using a pastry brush or a small spoon, soak the layer with about one third of the espresso syrup. Smooth some of the mascarpone cream over the layer – user about 1 1/4 cups – and gently press the chopped chocolate into the filling. Put the second cake layer on the counter and soak the top of it with half the remaining espresso syrup, then turn the layer over and position it, soaked side down, over the filling. Soak the top of the cake with the remaining syrup.

 For the frosting, whisk 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of the remaining espresso extract into the remaining mascarpone filling. Taste the frosting as you go to decide how much extract you want to add. If the frosting looks as if it might be a little too soft to spread over the cake, press a piece of plastic wrap against its surface and refrigerate it for 15 minutes or so. Refrigerate the cake too.

With a long metal icing spatula, smooth the frosting around the sides of the cake and over the top. If you want to decorate the cake with chocolate-covered espresso beans, press them into the filling, making concentric circles of beans or just putting some beans in the center of the cake.

 Refrigerate the cake for at least 3 hours (or for up to 1 day) before serving – the elements need time to meld.

Just before serving, dust the top of the cake with cocoa.

(Though the cake recipe looks exhaustive it turned out to be quite simple when I actually made it)

Check out the roundup for more scrumptious versions of this cake at A sweet Punch

Oat Bran and Rajgira with Buttermilk

The last 2-3 days have been really very busy, with my little one having a severe bout of Flu. Life comes to a standstill when he is unwell.So cooking had to take a backseat.

For a quick breakfast yesterday I had Oats and puffed Rajgira with buttermilk.

                          Puffed Rajgira (top) and Oat Bran

I could find a packet of Oat Bran (Bagrry’s) thanks to the Reliance Fresh outlet here.

Rajgira also known as Ramdana is the seed of the Amaranth plant. It is usually consumed during fasts since it belongs to the non-cereal category. These ‘poppy seed look alikes’ have enormous nutritive significance and is the local nutraceutical.

                                              Puffed Rajgira

Puffed Rajgira is readily available here and we also make chikki (sweet bar) or Ladoos from it. Its flour is also used for making parathas.

                                                  Rajgira Chikki

Rajgira and Oat Bran put together in buttermilk and flavoured with mint-my quick and healthy breakfast recipe.

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Oat Bran Rajgira with Buttermilk recipe

For 1 bowl

_____________________________________________________ 

½ cup Oat Bran (Bagrry’s)

½ cup puffed Rajgira

1+ ¼ cup buttermilk (slightly sour)

¼ tsp black/white pepper powder

¼ tsp cumene powder

5-6 mint leaves torn with hands

Salt as per taste 

Mix salt,pepper powder, cumene powder with the buttermilk and whisk nicely.(You can use chilled buttermilk if the weather is really hot)

Add the Oat Bran and keep it for 5 minutes.

Add the puffed Rajgira and mix nicely.

Garnish with the torn mint leaves. (you can alternatively add fresh coriander leaves if you like)  

Serve immediately. 

Kadhi Pakoda

I have learnt quite a few dishes from my Punjabi colleague. I have already blogged about the Beetroot Kanji and Makki di Roti Sarson Da Saag, she taught me.Kadhi Pakoda is one more recipe that I have learnt from her.

The weather here is perfect for hot piping Kadhi with Pakodas – the Punjabi style.

Kadhi is made differently in different regions in India. The Maharashtrian Kadhi is hot and spicy (will blog about it soon). The Gujrathi Kadhi is a little sweetish to taste. The famous Sindhi Kadhi is an altogether different recipe, which doesn’t use buttermilk at all.

The difference in this Punjabi Kadhi is the addition of Pakoda-of course and also the addition of onion.

I am sending this Kadhi Pakoda straight from Punjab to Richa of As Dear As Salt , who is hosting this month’s RCI

__________________________________________________________                                                            Kadhi Pakoda recipe

Serves : ~4

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For the Pakoda

~ ¾ cup Besan (gram flour)

1 onion chopped

¼ tsp turmeric powder

½ tsp Red chilli powder

1 tsp ajwain (Carom seeds)

Salt to taste

Oil for deep frying 

For the Kadhi

3 cups buttermilk. This has to be a little sour.

2 tbsp Besan (gram flour)-you can vary the proportion depending on the desired consistency of the Kadhi.

1 onion chopped

½ tsp ginger garlic paste

½ tsp methi (fenugreek) seeds

3-4 green chillies, chopped (optional)

½ tsp Red chilli powder

½ tsp mustard seeds

½ tsp cumene seeds

2 tsp oil

Coriander leaves for garnishing 

For the Pakoda

Mix all the ingredients for the Pakora except the oil.

Heat oil in a kadai/wok for frying the pakodas.

Add 1 tbsp of hot oil to the pakoda mixture.

Add water and mix nicely to make a thick batter.

Check if the oil is sufficiently hot by putting a drop of the batter in the oil.It sizzles right away and floats on the top.

Using a spoon (teaspoon) drop portions of the batter in the hot oil and fry till golden brown.

Drain on a paper napkin.  

For the Kadhi

Mix the buttermilk with the besan and blend it thoroughly, ensuring that no lumps are formed. (Use your hand and dissolve any lumps if any!)

Add salt, turmeric powder and red chilli powder.

In a wok/kadai heat oil.

Add the mustard seeds and once they crackle add the cumene seeds.

Add the fenugreek seeds and then the ginger garlic paste and the chopped green chillies

Add the chopped onions and fry till translucent.

Now add the buttermilk- besan mixture and bring to a rolling boil.

The Kadhi will thicken after a few boils.

Switch off the gas and add the Pakodas.

Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve hot with steamed rice.