SHAHI VEGETARIAN NARGISI KOFTA CURRY

Nargisi kofta curry is a lovely party dish loved by all. Vegetarians can make this version and enjoy too. I had tried out vegetarian Nargisi kababs for an event. They really looked so pretty and I thought why not serve these beauties with a shahi gravy. Everyone loved the curry to the core.




To make vegetarian Nargisi kababs select small oval shaped potatoes,boil and peel them. Cut them

DAL KA DULHA

Dal ka Dulha is such an interesting recipe from UP and Bihar. I was really fascinated when I saw this in the show Northern Flavours- Doosra Tadka by Chef Ajay Chopra. Small flower shaped dumplings made with wheat flour are cooked with lentils. It makes a complete meal on its own.
This month our group Shhhhh Cooking Secretly is doing the Bihar Cuisine. My partner of the month is Aruna

STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD (Dessert)

Strawberry pretzel salad is a very easy and delicious dessert. It is neither too sweet nor salty. The taste is well balanced.








Ingredients:

Crushed Pretzels .... 2 cups

Melted butter ......... 3/4 cup

Sugar ...................... 1 cup +3 tbsps
Cream cheese .......... 8 ounces (about 225 gms)

Whipped topping ....  8 ounces ( about 225 gms)

Strawberry Jello / jelly ... 2 packets 

Panettone (Italian Christmas Bread) – Hard to Make, Or At Least That’s What We’re Telling People

I’ve never tried to make panettone before, mostly because of how notoriously difficult it is to make, or so I was told. Turns out that wasn’t the case, unless people are factoring in the time, as this does take three days to complete, but other than that, I thought it was a pretty straightforward bread recipe.

I think bakers like us regular folks to believe everything is super hard to make, so as to elevate their standing in society; or, maybe this is difficult, and I just got lucky, but regardless, I was thrilled with how this came out.

I may add a bit more vanilla next time, and possibly a few extra tablespoons of sugar, as it wasn’t quite as sweet as I imagined, but other than using all the fruit, I don’t think I’d change much else. Speaking of the dried fruit, there are so many other things you can include, such as nuts, and chocolate chips, just in case this seems too healthy.

You'll find the panettone baking molds at places like Sur La Table, or other kitchenware stores at the mall, but they're also inexpensive and easy to find on Amazon. You'll see both in this size, and also the more traditional, tall, coffee-can shape. It might be a little late to start this, and finish by Christmas, but I would try it anyway. Just don’t let your guests know how easy it was to make, unless they’re professional bakers, then do. I really hope you give this special occasion bread a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for one 7-inch Panettone:

The night before…

For the panettone starter:

1/4 cup sourdough starter (click here for recipe)

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cold water

NOTE: If you don’t have sourdough starter, mix 3/4 cup flour with about 1/3 cup cold water, or enough to simulate the thickness of the one seen in the video, and add a pinch (1/16 teaspoon) of yeast. Mix, cover and leave overnight, just like the one in the video.

For the dried fruit:

1/2 cup golden raisins

1/2 cup dried cherries, quartered

1/2 cup diced dried pineapple

1/4 cup rum for soaking fruit

For the dough:

1/4 cup warm water

1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) dry active yeast

2 large eggs

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoon sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest

1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest

all the starter from above

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

6 tablespoons softened butter

For egg wash:

1 large egg

1 tablespoon water

CRISPY FRIED STUFFED BOMBAY DUCK / BHARLA BOMBIL

Bombay Duck or Bombil is a variety of fish which is good for frying. You may fry it with or without any stuffing. It is very popular in Maharashtra. The crispy fried one pairs well with dal chawal. I have tried out with stuffed prawn mixture. The taste was divine.




Ingredients:
Bombil / Bombay Duck ....... 6
Prawns ................................ 8 medium sized
Onion .....................

Lobster Thermidor – Not Your Parents’ Thermidor

I don’t remember that much about the lobster thermidor I ate in culinary school in the early eighties, other than not really being able to taste any lobster. Instead of the nice, light sauce I used here, the meat was hidden in a thick, eggy, cheese sludge, which looked great broiled to a bubbly, golden-brown, but wasn’t the best method if you actually wanted to know you were eating lobster.

Lobster is sort of sweet, and rich tasting to begin with, so covering it in a super heavy sauce never made much sense, which is why I like this approach so much more. Our sauce is just heavy enough to coat the chunks of meat, without hiding it, and while we’re not adding handfuls of cheese, or a bunch of egg yolks, we’re still going to enjoy a fairly decadent dish.

Not only is this great for a fancy dinner party because it looks and tastes great, but you can also do all the prep ahead of time, and then just pop them in the oven when you’re ready for service. If you go that route, they’re going to be much colder, so you’ll probably need to give them a few extra minutes in the oven. Remember, everything is already cooked, so just roast until the meat is heated through.

The classic version is made with a whole, split lobster, which admittedly tastes better, but is a hundred times messier, and harder to do, not to mention probably more expensive. Frozen lobster tails can be surprising affordable, and there isn’t any waste. Either way, I really hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 2 large or 4 appetizer size portions:

4 lobster tails (about 4 oz each about)

3 tablespoons butter, divided

2 tablespoons minced shallots

salt to taste

1 1/2 cup diced mushrooms

1 tablespoon flour

2 tablespoons cognac or brandy

1/2 cup whole milk

2 tablespoons crème fraiche or heavy cream

1 generous tablespoon minced fresh tarragon

cayenne to taste

2 teaspoon dry breadcrumbs

2 teaspoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

2 teaspoons melted butter for the top

NUKHTI / MITHI BOONDI / SWEET BOONDI

Sweet boondi is also known as "Nukhti" in Sindhi. We usually make this as prashad during festive days and sometimes the fine variety of namkeen sev is mixed together with the boondi to balance the taste. The preparation is not very difficult if you get the consistency of the boondi batter right.




Ingredients:
Gram flour ..... 5 tbsps
Water ........... 3/4 cup or as needed (to make the