Sizzling Dishes

experience the special sizzle recipes…

CARROT HALWA (GAJAR KA HALWA)

One cannot announce the arrival of winters without making the season’s first Carrot Halwa (Gajar ka Halwa). Grated carrots in a loving embrace with milkmaid and assorted nuts is the most comforting sign of a long awaited winter.

Ingredients:
  • 1 litre Milk
  • 1/2 tin Condensed Milk
  • 2 tbsp Ghee
  • 1 kg Carrots-grated
  • Almonds-sliced
  • Cashews-chopped
  • Handfull Raisins
  • Pistachios-chopped
  • Method:
    • Mix carrots and milk in a pan, bring to a boil. Cook on low flame, stirring occasionally, till milk dries up.
    • Add condensed milk and continue cooking on low flame, stirring occasionally, till it dries up.
    • Add the ghee and cook for another 10 minutes. Garnish with nuts and raisins and serve hot.

WALNUT PESTO PENNE

A twist on the traditional pesto pasta. Try this easy pesto made with raw walnuts and fresh basil and pair it with your pasta of choice for a warm and comforting meal!

Ingredients:
  • 2 cloves Garlic-finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp Fresh cream
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan/ normal cheese-grated
  • 1/2 cup Milk
  • 4 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 packet Penne pasta
  • 5 tbsp Walnuts, peeled (you may use any other nuts-cashew, pine nuts, peanuts)
  • 1/2 cup Basil leaves
  • Salt or Black Pepper powder to taste
Method:
  • Cook the pasta as per instructions on pack and not too soft.
  • Blend together basil leaves, garlic cloves and 1 tbsp of olive oil in a blender.
  • Add walnuts, 3 tbsp parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp olive oil, and continue to blend.
  • Add 1 tbsp of olive oil and blend further to make a green paste - pesto.
  • In a deep frying pan ,pour 1 tsp of oil,add the pesto (paste), 3 tbsp of milk, stir and add 2 tbsp cream and stir on low flame.
  • Pour 1 tbsp of milk, to loosen the pesto and cook for a min. Add penne pasta and toss to coat the pesto on high flame. Add salt and mix.
  • Walnut Pesto Penne ready to be served.Serve with garlic bread.

CHICKEN KABSA

Kabsa is an exotic Saudi Arabia rice dish made by combining rice and meat (chicken, lamb, camel, beef) and served with handful of nuts on top.

Chicken Kabsa is a very unique Arabian delicacy with full of traditional Arabic flavors. This dish reminds me of my childhood spent in Saudi Arabia and is my all time favorite food.

Make sure you try this wonderful recipe.

Ingredients:
  • 4 cups Basmati Rice
  • 1/2 kg Whole Chicken pieces
  • 1 Onion
  • Few Nuts-Almonds,Cashews and Raisins
  • 2 Carrots-shredded
  • 1 tbsp Ghee or clarified butter
  • Oil
  • 2 Black cloves
  • 2 Cinnamon sticks
  • 2 Cardamom pods
  • 1 Maggie Chicken stock cube
  • 1 tbsp Ginger and garlic paste
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
  • 2 tsp Red chili powder
  • 1 tsp Garam Masala powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/2 cup Tomato puree or tomato paste
  • Coriander and Mint leaves-finely chopped
Method:
  • In a separate pan on medium heat,add a bit of ghee and add the nuts and brown them one by one.Once brown put it on tissue paper. Also roast the shredded carrots.Keep them aside.
  • Wash and soak rice for about half an hour.
  • Meanwhile in a cooking saucepan, add 1 1/2 tbsp of oil and 1 tbsp clarified butter or pure ghee. Add sliced onions, black cloves, slit cardamoms and cinnamon sticks.Add the maggie cube. Stir for 15 seconds and add ginger and garlic paste and stir for few seconds. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder and salt.
  • Mix well and add chicken pieces. Stir fry for about 5 minutes.
  • Add chopped mint leaves, chopped coriander and add tomato puree. Stir fry for 30 seconds and add 1 litre of water.
  • Add 1/2 tsp of spices or garam masala powder to enhance the taste. Close the lid and cook on low flame for about 20 mins, till the chicken pieces get tender. After 20 minutes, take out the chicken pieces and keep them aside.
  • Into the same boiling water (in which we have cooked chicken pieces), add soaked and drained rice. Close the lid and cook till the water dries up completely and rice gets tender. Switch off the flame and keep the lid closed for about 5 minutes.
  • Into a flat bottomed pan, add 2 tbsp of oil. When the oil is hot, add cooked chicken pieces and close the lid. Semi fry on both sides while keeping the lid closed.
  • Cook till the chicken pieces get very tender and crispy.
  • Chicken kabsa is ready to be dished out in a separate bowl.Serve rice first,then chicken on top and then garnish with roasted almonds, cashews,raisins and carrots on top.

WALDORF SALAD

Salads feed a lot of people on a budget, and Waldorf salad is always a treat. The combination of apples, celery, and walnuts is delicious. This recipe works anytime for lunch or dinner. Enjoy this gorgeous,luscious salad or dessert.

Ingredients:
  • For the Salad:
    • 2 cups Red apples-cored and diced (I used Red Delicious apples)
    • 1 cup Celery sticks-thinly sliced
    • 1/2 cup Walnuts-chopped
    • 1/2 cup each sliced Green grapes
    • 1/2 cup each Black grapes
    • Parsley- chopped
    • 1/2 cup Raisins -optinal
    • Garnish with fresh Lettuce leaves
  • For the Dressing:
    • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
    • 1/2 tsp Lemon juice
    • 1 tbsp Sugar or 1 tsp honey
    • pinch of Salt
    • 1/2 cup Whipping cream- whipped ,or 1/4 cup Sour cream or Hung curd
Method:
  • In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Mix until smooth and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the apples,celery,grapes and walnuts.
  • Whip 1/2 cup whipping cream.Fold the whipped cream or sour cream into the mayonnaise mixture.
  • Pour the mayonnaise mixture over the salad and toss until coated.
  • Cover and chill for 30 minutes.Serve in a salad bowl or on a green lettuce wrap placed on a dessert dish.Top it with chopped parsley.
  • Cover and refrigerate any remaining salad. You may use this as a salad or as a dessert.

Note-To make Mayonnaise:Blend together 250 ml milk,olive oil using a hand blender.
To this add salt,ground black pepper and lemon juice.

MASALA PAPAD BRUSCHETTA

Bruschetta is a fresh, simple and delicious Italian appetizer. This recipe is prepared with an Indian twist.A perfect evening snack or starter.

Ingredients:
  • 1 Bread Loaf or French bread or Regular bread
  • 1 Onion-finely chopped
  • 1 Tomato-finely chopped
  • 2 Green chillies-finely chopped
  • Coriander leaves-finely chopped
  • 2 Lemons
  • 1 tsp Olive oil
  • 1 tsp Chaat Masala
  • 3-4 Papad
  • 250 gms Butter
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper powder-optional
Method:
  • Cut the bread loaf into slices and toast it in butter in a grill pan.
  • Roast the papad over stove and keep aside.
  • Add the finely chopped onions,tomatoes, green chillies,coriander leaves,chaat masala,lemon juice, olive oil and salt.Stir well.
  • Spoon the mixture on top of toast and also add some crushed roasted papad over it and serve.

Note:You can sprinkle some grated mozzarella cheese over this before baking.
You may also add small chunks of paneer.

GUACAMOLE DIP-FAMOUS MEXICAN DIP

Guacamole is a healthy and delicious snack enjoyed with tortilla chips,crackers or any chips. It can be served along with lamb chops as well.Do make this healthy homemade dip.

Ingredients:
  • 2 Ripe avocados
  • 2 Onions medium-finely chopped
  • 1 cup Tomatoes-chopped
  • 1 tsp Red chilli sauce
  • Coriander leaves- chopped
  • Jalapeno -seeded and chopped(optional)
  • 1/2 tbsp Lemon juice
  • Garlic 4-5 cloves-crushed
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper powder or to taste
  • Salt to taste
Method:
  • Cut the avocado into half and discard the seed. Scoop out flesh using a spoon.
  • Using a fork mash well.Blend together avocado, onions, garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, black peppercorns and jalapeno to a fine paste.
  • Serve with tortilla chips or serve as a side dish with lamb chops.

PHIRNI

Light, creamy and sweet, this chilled rice pudding flavored with rose water is the perfect accompaniment for a hot summer day or after a spicy meal. Top it with chopped nuts for added indulgence. You can even add saffron (kesar) too.

Ingredients:
  • 3 cups (450 ml) Milk
  • 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 100 gm Rice
  • 1 tsp Cardamom Powder
  • 1 tsp Rose Water
Method:
  • Soak rice in water for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Drain water and grind to a fine paste.
  • Add milk to paste and heat together, stirring constantly so that the mixture does not stick to the bottom. Bring to a boil. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Add sweetened condensed milk and remove from stove.
  • Add cardamon powder and rose water. Leave to cool and set in a refrigerator. Serve garnished with chopped nuts.

Enjoy the refreshing dessert!

MUTTON BONE SOUP

Mutton bones soup is a flavourful, tangy and spicy soup made of tender mutton bones and fat cooked with aromatic spices.This dish goes well with cooked naan or rice. This soup is so delicious and is a must-have if you are suffering from severe cold and throat infection.It soothes you immediately!

Ingredients:
  • 1 pound Mutton with tender bones
  • 1 Tomato, chopped finely -optional
  • 1 Onion -finely chopped or Shallots(6-8)
  • Chicken stock powder/Vegetable stock powder - 1 cube/2 tbsp -(optional)
  • 5 Garlic pods
  • 1 tsp Turmeric powder
  • 2 tbsp Lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Whole black pepper
  • 3-4 Dry Red chillies
  • 1 tsp Coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp Cumin seeds
  • Bunch of Curry leaves
  • Coriander and Mint leaves - chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • 4 cups Water
Method:
  • Wash the mutton pieces thoroughly.
  • In a pan, dry roast dry red chillies, whole black pepper, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, garlic and shallot. Grind all these ingredients to make a coarse paste.
  • Heat a deep bottomed pan or pressure cooker and add mutton, onion, tomato, turmeric powder,chicken stock powder,curry leaves, salt and 4 glass of water and bring it to boil.
  • Once the mutton pieces get cooked, add the coarse mixture to the soup and and mix well.Once cooked switch off the stove .
  • Add coriander and mint leaves and lemon juice. Serve hot with any type of naan.

BASBOUSA(SEMOLINA CAKE)

Semolina Cake, popularly known as Basbousa are small cakes made of semolina soaked in sugar syrup. These are perfect with coffee or tea.

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/4 cup Semolina
  • 1 1/2 cup Dessicated coconut
  • 1/2 cup All purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup Sugar
  • 1 tsp Baking powder
  • Butter (melted)
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 cup Milk or 1 cup Yogurt
  • Saffron ½ g
  • 1 tsp Cardamon-optional
  • 3 drops Almond essence
  • Sugar Syrup:
    • 1 cup Sugar
    • 1 cup Water
    • 1/2 tsp Lemon juice
    • 1 tsp Rose water
Method:
  • Take a bowl mix butter, semolina, desiccated coconut, all purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, butter, egg, milk with saffron and almond essence into a batter.
  • If the batter is very thick add a little of milk.
  • Butter or oil your pan or oven proof casserole and add the batter in it then level it off and cut it any shape you like.
  • Decorate with almonds.
  • Bake at 350 degreesF for 30 to 40 minutes depends on your oven temperature till golden color on top.
  • Pour the warm sugar syrup on the top of the basbousa.
  • Preparing Sugar Syrup:
    • In a saucepan add sugar,water and lemon juice.
    • Cook over medium to low heat until the mixture comes to boil.
    • Continue boiling for 5-10 minutes till the syrup is thick.
    • Add rose water and then let it cool down.

AVOCADO MILKSHAKE WITHOUT ICE CREAM

A healthy and creamy shake made from only 3 ingredients:avocado,milk and sugar. Avocado,also known as Butter Fruit, is rich in vitamin, potassium, magnesium and fiber. Avocado flesh has creamy texture and hence, its milkshake doesn’t need ice cream to bring creaminess. Enjoy it as an afternoon summer drink or healthy breakfast drink.

Ingredients:
  • 1 large Ripe Avocado
  • 2 cups Milk or Almond Milk
  • 3 tbsp Sugar or to taste
Method:
  • Choose ripe avocado by pressing it gently; if it is hard, it means Avocado is unripe; if it’s too soft then it means Avocado is overripe; if it is soft yet little firm, then it means Avocado is ready. Cut it into half and remove the pit
  • Scoop the pulp out using a spoon and place it into a blender jar. Add milk and sugar.
  • Blend until smooth texture. Taste it for sugar at this stage and add more sugar if desired. Grind again for few seconds.
  • Pour it into serving glasses and serve immediately for immediate consumption.
  • Sweet and creamy Avocado Milkshake is now ready to serve.

Tips and Variations:
* Use almond milk or soy milk or thin coconut milk instead of dairy milk to make the Vegan Avocado Shake .
* Consume the milkshake immediately. As time passes, it would start to become dark due to oxidization.
* Add few ice-cubes while blending in step-3 for an extra chilled drink.