Raffaello, any fans?

Do we have any fans of Raffaello? My Big Brother used to bring them over from Dubai when he used to live there, and they are scrumptious! They are like the white chocolate and coconut version of Ferrero Rocher. Well as Big Brother can no longer transport some over for me, I found a recipe on Simplicity's blog. I think I'll give it a try for Eid inshaAllah, already I'm drooling!

Nihari

Nihari is a curry made from beef shank and spices. Originating from Delhi, in modern-day India, it is widely popular in Pakistan and (along with its cousin Siri paya) in Punjab. The Muslims of Delhi brought it to Pakistan after independence in 1947. The dish is known for its spiciness and taste. It is originally more of a delicacy with myriad variations on spiciness and texture.Read more here.

I make nihari quite regularly and serve it with either roti, rolls or naan. It is spicy, aromatic and delicious and I cheat by using the following packet which can be brought from Indian/Pakistani stores:

The recipe is at the back of the box, and it is very easy. Just braise the meat in some oil, place the spices from the packet, add a whole load of water and cook. When meat is cooked, make a paste with some flour and add to thicken. Serve. Delicious.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Does anyone want to send me a gift? ... here is a great idea ;)

Image from: Cupcake of the Day with Recipe

My baby sister's scrumptious cake

My sister is almost 10 years old but I still think of her as my 'baby' sister. In fact, some times when I look at her I can't believe she will be starting secondary school soon, and then before I know it she will be hanging around in high heels! Now that thought is scary. But most of all I miss her alot.

The last time I visited home she made this scrumptious cocount cake for us:




Yummy. I so want some now ...

Soup: Vegetable Bliss

This recipe is dedicated to my sis-in-law H : I hope to make it for her some day.

I made this vegetable soup a couple of weeks ago, delicious and healthy, one can't really go wrong. Give it a go! :)

Tasty Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp oil
1/2 tsp garlic paste
1 large onion, grated
2 medium carrots, grated
1 medium potato, cubed
1 large tomato, cubed
1/2 cup oats
1 tsp red chillies (adjust according to taste)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp parsley, chopped
1/2 cup chicken fillet, cubed (optional)

Method:

1. Heat oil, fry garlic and onion.
2. Cook for a few minutes, then add the chicken filler, carrots, potato and tomato.
3. Braise for a few minutes and add the oats.
4. Add the spices and cook for a few minutes.
5. Add 1 1/2 liters water and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer soup until boiled down to half.
7. Cool, liquidize and strain soup.
8. Bring to a boil once again and add the parsley.
9. Check seasoning and serve.

Delicious Akhni

Last night I tried Aayi's Chicken Birynai with Cocount Milk Recipe, or Gujarati's like to call it akhni, when the rice has not been boiled separately. I made slight adjustments to her recipe, but overall it was fantastic, the coconut milk gives it a lovely creamy flavour. I will be making this regularly. Give it a try. Sorry I don't have a picture, as I was too eager to tuck in!

Aayi's Akhni Recipe (adjusted)

Ingredients:
1/2 chicken or 4 chicken pieces
1 1/2 cups rice (any rice)
1/2 cup mixed veg
2 cups(1 can) light coconut milk
3/4 cup onion slices
1/2 cup tomato
4-5 strands coriander leaves
1 tea spn coriander powder
1-2 tea spns chilli powder
3 green chillies (I left that out and added more chilli powder instead)
1 tea spn ginger paste
1 tea spn garlic paste
Ghee/Oil
Salt

Whole Spices :
4-5 cloves
2″ cinnamon
4 green cardamom

Method:

1. Heat ghee/oil (I add both ghee and oil) and add all whole spices. Now add onion and fry till they are brownish.

2. Add chicken along with ginger paste, garlic paste, green chilies (chopped finely or made into paste), chilli powder, coriander powder and salt to chicken pieces and fry for 3-4 minutes.

3. Add rice, vegetables, tomato and fry for few more minutes.

4. Pour in the coconut milk and about 1 and 1/2 cups water, salt, mix well.

5. Cover the lid and cook on a medium heat till done.

6. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with raita or green chutney.

Anjum Anand's Egg Biryani

Anjum Anand is an Indian food writer and has aired her own BBC Two six-part series, Indian Food Made Easy (2007) and Indian Food Made Easy 2008. I came across her book 'Indian Food Made Easy' a while back, and tried some of the recipes. One of the recipes I am hooked to is the Egg Biryani Recipe. It is quick, easy and most importantly delicious, at the same time especially good for those days when I have forgotten to thaw meat or chicken. Enjoy!

Anujm's Egg Biryani

I have the recipe in an image format, click on image to expand and save:

Delicious Spicy Urad Dhal

I have been trying to increase the intake of lentils and vegetables, so today I made Urad Dhal with rice, using the recipe below, and it turned out great. The bonus with this recipe is that it is quick because you microwave the lentils so they are cooked in approximately 15 minutes. With a rice cooker in the other hand, I had dinner ready in less than 30 minutes. Go Nigella ... :)

Easy Pineapple Dessert

This is a real quick dessert, ideal for unexpected guests. I made this last week but I never got round to taking a picture, as my camera wasn't charged. So here goes:

Ingredients

1 tin condensed milk
1 tub of fresh double cream
1 tin pineapple/mixed fruits
1 packet of coconut biscuits (or digestives)
1 lemon squeezed (optional)

Method:

1. In a bowl whisk cream until creamy.
2. Add condensed milk & whisk a little.
3. Grind the pineapple chunks fine and add to the mixture. Place in a bowl.
4. Place the bowl in the fridge.
5. When its time to serve, crush the biscuits either in a grinder or with a rolling pin and place over the above mixture.

Recipes at BBC Good Food

I've just been browsing around the BBC Good Food website, and there have some recipes that have been consistently rated at 5. Here are a few that I am hoping to try soon:

Spicy Root and Lentil Casserolle - This looks tasty.

Falafel Burgers

Chicken Biryani - I don't expect this to be authentic but I think it'll be more like pulaou rice, but its worth a try minus the raisins!

Courgette Lasagne - This is a really quick lasagne, for suprise guests its perfect.

Spaghetti Carbona - This is a very simple recipe with very few ingredients required.

Carrot & Coriander Soup - I'd probably add a few more spices to this, especially chilli powder.

Baked Rasberry Cheesecake - This looks like a foolproof recipe.

Enjoy or as said in spanish, disfrutar!

Date and Almond Cake

A scrumptious gooey cake is all I need to lift my mood. With short winter days and cold weather days, this cake is guaranteed to lift your spirits. Made with dates that are rich in iron and calcium, thats enough to convince me to stick one in the oven. Go on, try it.

Date and Almond Cake

5 oz butter

1 cup brown sugar (Demerara)

1 cup roughly chopped dates

1 cup ground almonds

3 eggs

1 cup plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

A pinch of Cardamom or nutmeg (optional)

Method:

1. Place butter and sugar in a pan and heat on low.
2. Once the sugar has melted add the dates and heat until the dates are mushy. Take it off heat and leave it to cool (20 minutes roughly).
3. Once it has cooled add the almonds and the eggs. Give it a good mix.
4. Finally sift in the flour, baking powder and cardamom/nutmeg. Give it a final mix.
5. Pour into a 20 x 20 square tin and bake on 180C until a skewer comes out clean.

Spaghetti with Coriander Sauce

This is one of my favourite 'quick-I-have-no-time' dish. It is delicious and spicy and requires little except green chillies and coriander. It is perfect for one of those lazy days.

Spaghetti with Coriander Sauce

1 chicken fillet cubed

25g/1oz rougly chopped coriander

2 garlic cloves

4 green chillies (or according to taste)

60ml/2 tbsp cashew nuts, toasted

150ml/ 2/3 cup olive oil

350g/12oz dried spaghetti

salt and ground black pepper

Method

1. Put the coriander, garlic, chillies, nuts and oil into a blender or food processor.

2. Place the above sauce into a pan with the cubed chicken and cook until done. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. Cook the spaghetti in plenty of boiling salted water for about 8 minutes until al dente. Drain.

4. Add the sauce to the spaghetti and toss well. Serve immediately.