Sunday Brunch, Lazy Sunday Wishlist

The reason I call it 'brunch' is because of those late lunches I have on Sundays after having a fill of luchi, aloo bhaja or aloo tarkari for breakfast...and that too around 10.30 or 11 in the morning! So yeah...it's Sunday brunch for me...from breakfast to lunch :)


I generally get up late on Sundays after rolling lazily  on bed for quite sometime. After that, I relish the delicious luchi, aloo bhaja combo that Ma prepares at home. For all those who don't know...luchi-aloo bhaja or aloo tarkari is a traditional and perhaps the most popular breakfast on the Bengali platter on any given day. Most true-blue Bengalis would swear by this finger-licking treat. And yes, Bengali luchis are way softer, fluffier and tastier than pooris prepared in North and rest of India.

But hey...wait! Sundays wouldn't be over without a lavish lunch! So after those drool-worthy luchis, it's time for me to gorge on a delicious spread of authentic Bengali meal. Most Sundays it's bhat or gheebhat (fried rice), fries or machh bhaja (fried fish), dal, any kind of seasonal vegetable curry or aloo posto (another authentic Bengali dish), macher jhaal (fish curry) or any preparation of chicken, chutney or mishti doi (sweet yogurt) followed by meetha paan. On a rainy day, it's khichuri and ilish machh bhaja. Phew! Sumptuous Sundays, I must say!

It goes without a doubt that we all crave for the weekends, especially Sundays. It's a day when we let go of all our reservations, diets, rules and reservations and engage in unlimited masti - be it with friends, relatives or family. Sundays are lazy, crazy and meant for absolute fun without even an iota of glum. My idea and wishlist  of an ideal Sunday would be - mouthwatering breakfast, lunch, long hours of hang out with friends, family and loved ones, loads of music and movies, ice creams, shopping followed by a quiet candlelit dinner. Awesome...isn't it? But don't you think that 24 hours is little too short for all this? But I would be the happiest if it actually happens...so here's keeping my fingers crossed :)

Mango Kulfi

Summer and mango - I guess it's a deadly combo! Likewise with ice-cream. With scorching heat outside and never ending perspiration, we crave for cool treats. And kulfi is one of those yummy cold desserts that are perfect to combat the sweltering heat. Unlike ice-creams, kulfis are very simple to prepare and takes longer to melt.

I cannot help but recall the Kulfi wala screaming "Kulfi Ice Kulfi Ice" in summer afternoons with their kulfi carts during our childhood days. The call sent instant happy sensation in our hearts. That nostalgia still haunts me. All kids of our age would pester our parents to buy us those frozen delights.

With mangoes now flooding the markets, here's a recipe that'll be lapped up by young and old for sure...try it!

Ingredients:

    * 2½ cups milk
    * ¼ cup milk powder
    * ½ cup condensed milk (You can use sweetened condensed milk)
    * ¼ cup sugar
    * 1 cup sweet mango pulp

Procedure:

Mix everything properly except the mango pulp in a hollow non-stick container. Boil this mixture and then stir gently for 10 minutes till it thickens. Let it cool completely. Now add the mango pulp in the mixture and stir well. After the mixture cools off, pour it into kulfi moulds and freeze still completely set. For unmoulding the kulfi, you can place the frozen mould under running water for few seconds and it will come out. Your mango kulfi ice-cream is now ready to eat!

 

 

Basic Cooking Tips - 2

Some more essential tips on easy cooking...

• To slice meat into thin strips, especially for Chinese dishes, freeze meat for sometime to slice it easily.
• Add little milk to the water to keep cauliflower white while cooking.
• Microwave a lemon for 15 seconds and you will get double the juice when you squeeze it.In the same way, garlic cloves can be microwaved for 15 seconds to peel off skin easily.
• Bread will stay fresh longer if a celery rib is stored with it in the package.
• Pakodas will turn out crispier if a little corn flour is added to the gram flour (besan) while preparing the batter. 
• To get rid of the smell of prawns, apply salt and lemon juice to the prawns before cooking. Leave for 15-20 minutes, then wash off and proceed with the recipe. This is usually done with prawns, fish and all kinds of seafood.
• If you forget to soak chana/rajma overnight, just soak the chana/rajma in boiling water for an hour before cooking.
• For grinding poppy seeds, soak it in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes if you are grinding in a mixie. 
• While boiling milk, always add a little water at the base of the vessel to avoid the milk from sticking at the bottom.  

Basic Cooking Tips - 1

Cooking is no doubt an art which needs to be experimented often to keep your culinary skills up-to-date and innovative. Here are few pointers for easy and hassle-free cooking:

• Wash vegetables before peeling or cutting to preserve the water soluble vitamins.

• Peel vegetables as thinly as possible to preserve the minerals and vitamins.

• After peeling onions cut in half and soak in water for about 10 minutes before cutting to avoid crying.

• Soak almonds in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes .The skin will peel off easily.

• Chopping vegetables can be done in different ways using a sharp knife and a wooden chopping board. Cutting on a marble slab will blunt your knives.

• Heat a non-stick pan and add a little more butter than usual. Now beat the egg and stir briskly (even while frying) with a fork. This way more air goes in your omelet, making it light and fluffy. Fry till done and serve hot.

• Soak whole pulses overnight and other dals for one hour before cooking.

• If poppy seeds are used in grinding, soak it in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes, if you are grinding it in a mixie.

• Always use heavy bottomed vessels to make desserts, in order to avoid burning.

• Immediately after boiling noodles put them in normal cold water to separate them each.  

Finger Licking Good!

Saint Valentines Day, commonly known throughout the world as "Valentines Day" has turned out to be a rage with people of all communities irrespective of colour, caste and creed.The "season of love" is not just about exchanging gifts and pleasantries, it is also about indulging in your favorite food and beverages.

Celebrate this Valentines Day with your loved one with heart-shaped chocolates, cookies, cakes and other confectioneries.Also,there are other mouthwatering foods to choose from, such as chocolate mousse, chocolate-dipped strawberries, pancakes, fondues, pastas and pizzas, steaks, cocktails, mocktails, salads and puddings.Just take your pick!

Here's a list of my top five Valentines Day delicacies:

Red Velvet Cake

Dark Chocolate Cake with Whipped Frosting

Strawberry Margarita

Spicy Chicken Wings

Chocolate Fondue

Enjoy and let me know what would you like to have with your loved and dear ones on this Valentines Day!

New Year Resolutions and Aspirations

These days, I don't make any resolution...I've seen they are hard to keep anyways! Hence, if I really wanna do something worthwhile this year...will be furthering my career to new heights. I guess, that's what I want now...I hope all my dreams to come true. Bless me O Lord!

Curious to know about your new year resolutions and aspirations...come on and share your thoughts!

Simple Homemade Christmas Cake

It's Christmas again and the most beautiful time of the year!

Cakes, pastries, chocolates, yummy desserts, ice creams and what not! Just wish upon your lucky star and enjoy the season...let Santa bring you joy, fun and happiness!!!

And what's Christmas without cakes, right? So spend this festive season indulging in your favorite delicacies and just give a miss to your calorie thoughts!

This time of the year, I rustle up a simple cake which basically requires zero effort and minimum time, yet tastes great! And anyone who's a busybee like me, can delight their family on Christmas by whipping up this simple cake at home :)

You'll need : Plain flour - 2 cups, Sugar - 1 and 1/2 cup, Egg - 2, Refined oil or plain butter - 1/2 cup
Baking soda - 1 tsp, Milk - 1 cup, Vanilla or any essence of your choice. For garnishing: Almonds, raisins, pistachio, cherry etc.

Preparation: In a hollow bowl, mix flour and sugar together. Then add egg, refined oil or butter, baking soda and blend properly. Add milk and vanilla essence to whip up a thick batter. Pour the batter in cake oven and top it with almonds, pistachio, cherries and raisins. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 or 20 minutes.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!