Homemade panner/ricotta cheese

There are few things I like to make from scratch. I do not prefer using canned or store bought ready to use ingredients, which I can make easily at home. For simple health reasons and added preservatives.

This is how I make panner also called as ricotta cheese. You will not buy store ricotta cheese anymore if you try this.This is widely used in Indian cuisine to make curries, grilled and a delicacy for vegetarians. Its tastes fresh and can replace any meat in a dish. I see it is also used in many Italian recipes.

Ingredients:

1/2 gallon of whole organic milk

1/2 cup of lemon juice or a white vinegar

Cheese cloth

Strainer

salt if required

Method:

1. Take a heavy bottom pan and heat milk. Make sure that you get whole milk, as skimmed milk will not yield the same results.When milk is about to boil add lemon and stir. Put of the gas.

2.Milk will start to curdle, keep stirring. Let it seat for 2 minutes. Add salt if you want, I don’t add to mine. In the meantime spread cheese cloth over the strainer and let the strainer rest on some vessel in which you can collect the whey. Pour the contents onto the cheese cloth, the solids will collect on the cheese cloth, I pour a glass or 2 of cold water on the solids.

3. Get the ends of the cloth and squeeze out the excess liquid, put a weight on the cheese cloth and set it aside for a hour or so. You will get fresh homemade panner in no time.

Tip: You can use the whey to in soups or knead a dough.

Egg plant curry

Egg plant is a very versatile vegetable. Add to any preparation or just have it alone, it enhances the flavor. One of the meatless days and I tried and made this curry, very simple to do and requires a few ingredients.

Ingredients:

1 medium sized egg plant

1 medium sized potato

1 big sized tomato

1 tsp mustard seeds

3 tbsp oil

1 tbsp coriander powder

1 red dry whole chilli

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste

1 bunch coriander leaves

1 cup water

salt to taste

 

Method:

1. Take a heavy bottom pan, add the oil, once oil is hot add mustard and the whole chilli. Cook on a low to medium heat at the start, as this will not burn the spices.Once they splutter, add in the spices turmeric, chilli, coriander, ginger-garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.

2. Add finely chopped tomato and cook till it has reduced to a paste consistency.

3.Cut egg plant and potato in cube shape, add to the pan once tomato has completely cooked.Toss in the chopped coriander. Add a 1 cup water and cook the curry till you can easily pierce the potatoes.

Serve with rice and enjoy.

 

 

Roasted Carrot Soup

Was little reluctant to try this recipe at first as I like carrots raw, in my salads or in carrot halwa. But this turned out very comforting and a great dish for supper.You can have it with a toasted bread or just as it is.

Roasted cut carrots with a piece of ginger and a tomato.I have been using oven a lot these days and its a easy way to get that extra flavor to your dish with roasting these vegetables.

Ingredients:

5 to 6 medium sized carrots

1/2 in ginger

1 medium sized tomato

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tbsp olive oil

1 medium sized onion

2 cloves garlic

1 tbsp butter

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1/2 tsp chilli powder

2 tbsp coriander/cilantro leaves

salt to taste

 

Method:

1. Preheat the oven at 375 degree Fahrenheit, roast carrots, ginger, tomatoes with pepper, salt and oil for 20 minutes.  Let them cool to room temperature, then blend to a rough consistency.

2. In the meantime take a deep skillet add butter, add finely chopped onions. Once caramelized add in chopped garlic, turmeric and chilli powder.  Cook for 2 minutes.

3. Incorporate the blended gravy to the skillet with onions and garlic, add water if required. I kept the soup to a thick consistency. Add salt to taste.

 

 

 

 

Nuts energy bites/Dry fruit Ladoo

Most of us crave for something sweet after meals, these ladoos are just perfect for that sweet tooth. Loaded with roasted dry fruits and sweet flavor at its best for that quick energy.

I have used jaggery in these tiny shaped balls. Jaggery is made from cane sugar too as sugar and has its sweet taste. Its the most raw form of sugar and there are no chemicals added in its making. Its widely used in India for sweet preparations and has its own health benefits. It has a golden yellow, brownish color. You will get it on amazon or in any Indian grocery store in US.

Ingredients :

1 cup almonds

1 cup walnuts

7 to 8 pitted dates

1 cup jaggery

3 to 4 tbsp clarified butter or unsalted butter

 

Method:

1. Preheat the oven at 400 degree Fahrenheit. On a baking sheet spread almonds and walnuts. Roast them for around 10 to 12 minutes. Once at room temperature roughly pound them to little pieces, not too fine.

2. Take a heavy bottom pan, put in 2 tbsp of clarified butter. Keep the heat on low to medium. Toss in the jaggery, once it comes in touch with heat, it will start melting. Stir for 5 minutes.

3. Add almonds, walnuts and dates, stir in for another 2 to 3 minutes.

4. On a large flat plate smear the a tbsp of butter, get the pan mixture on to this plate and rest for 1 or 2 minutes. When the mixture is still little warm, apply butter on your palms. Take a portion of mixture and roll them into desired size balls. You can keep them in room temperature for 1 week and refrigerate for months together.

These are great after workouts too.

 

 

 

 

 

Apple salad

Salads are complementary with any dish you name. I try and experiment with quiet a few. Had friends over lunch to all konkan delicacies, and realized later that I forgot to capture the dishes I prepared except this salad.

This salad is crunchy, sweet and tangy. It is quick recipe and filling too.

Ingredients:

1 medium sized carrot

2 baby cucumbers

1 medium sized apple(I used fuji apple which is sweet and crunchy)

1 small sized zucchini

3 tbsp Olive oil

2 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp pepper powder

salt to taste

 

Method

1.Cut cucumbers, apple, carrot and zucchini in desired shape, preferably in thin strips. As this will help the seasoning to mix well.

2.In a large bowl, mix oil, lemon juice, pepper powder and salt. Add in the cut ingredients and give a stir.Check for pepper and salt and add to adjust to your taste.

Enjoy as a side dish or have it alone.

 

 

Chicken Burger

I like American chicken burgers, a variety to taste and endless toppings. You can never go wrong with burgers here. We use to go to this local restaurant, burgers were their specialty and we always loved the food there. Sadly it closed down. I have tried my best to make these burgers today and they tasted pretty good.

Hope you will too like them.

Following are the ingredients you will require for the burger.(This recipe will make 2 medium sized burgers)

250 grams minced chicken

2 medium sized onions

3 cloves garlic

1/2 inch ginger

2 tbsp coriander leaves

1 egg

1 tbsp soy sauce

4 to 5 lettuce leaves

3 to 4 tbsp unsalted butter

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp cajun powder

1 tsp paprika/chilli powder

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp cumin powder

3 to 4 tbsp Sriracha sauce

3 to 4 tbsp tomato sauce

1/2 avocado sliced

2 buns of your choice

2 tbsp mozzarella cheese

2 to 3 tbsp bread crumbs if required or 2 to 3tbsp of boiled potato

salt to taste

 

Method

1.We will start with making the burger , take the minced chicken in a large mixing bowl, add 1 grated onion with its juices, finely chopped garlic, ginger, coriander leaves, soy sauce, olive oil, egg, bread crumbs or boiled potato, cajun, cumin, coriander, chilli powder and salt to taste. Incorporate all the ingredients well and keep it aside.

2. In a flat pan add 1 tbsp of butter and add sliced pieces of 1 onion, saute them until golden brown, add salt and set them aside.

3. Apply a little oil on your palms and make 2 portions of the burger mixture and make patties with help of your palms and pat it on the same skillet you have used earlier for sautéing onions. Put in the remaining butter and cook the patties on both the sides, each side should take around 3 to 4 minutes at least.

4.Once the patties are ready put cheese of your choice on patties when they are still on the pan, this will allow the cheese to melt, you could cover the pan with plate or foil to accelerate the process of cheese melting.

4. Once the patties are ready its time for assembling your burger, take buns of choice, I have used whole wheat buns here. Cut them into half, place some lettuce leaves at the base, put the patty on it. Then goes the caramelized onions, sliced avocado, sriracha sauce and tomato sauce. Cover it with the top bun. Enjoy the Burger!!

 

Tips: You could also add caramelized bell peppers and  mayonnaise on the burger.

Baked Kale chips

This is new addition to to my evening snacks. I have never had kale before, this was my first try and was a hit. Loved the crispy and crunchy texture.

 

Here is how I got it done.

Recipe:

1 lb kale (you could pick any type of kale)

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp pepper powder

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1/4 tsp red chilli powder or paprika

salt to taste.

 

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degree F.

2. Wash the kale and pat them dry to remove the water content.

3. Sprinkle the oil on the kale and rub them well with the oil, you should make sure that you have spread oil on every leaf. Once done put in the pepper, turmeric, chilli powder and the salt.

4. Mix them well and lay them on a baking tray in a way that the kale is not over lapping, this will make sure that the kale turns out to be crispy and is cooked well.

5. Bake the kale for 10 to 12 minutes, but do check after 8 minutes have passed as every oven is different. There will be change in color.

Enjoy the snack with your favorite drink.

 

 

 

Banana Cookies

I always think of baking a cake when I see ripe bananas laying on my counter, but the amount of sugar and butter goes into baking a cake made me think I should try something different this time.

I came across these recipes of banana cookies and everyone had their own version like adding oats, flour and so on.

Here is my version of a Banana Cookie. You will be surprised with the sweetness and deliciousness of these cookies without sugar or butter.

 

 

Ingredients:

2 ripe bananas

1 1/2 cup ground almond powder (Grind a cup of almonds, should give you around 1 1/2 cup of powder)

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup dry coconut flakes

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp dark chocolate flakes (Optional)

1 tsp vanilla essence

 

Method

1. In a large bowl mash the bananas, add in the almond powder, coconut flakes, raisins,honey and vanilla essence. Mix it well.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit.

3. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet, spray cooking oil and scoop out the cookies on the baking sheet.

4. Bake them for around 14 to 18 minutes, do check now and then after 12 minutes in oven. It may vary in given conditions. Once you take them out, cool it for 10 minutes and enjoy!!

 

Sweet Potato Chapati/Indian flat bread

Sweet Potato, reminds me of my childhood days when dad use to cook them as sides with food. I never savored them much until now when I realized the nutritional value of it. I try and search different ways to incorporate them in my diet. Today I made sweet potato chapati’s , Indian flat bread. Chapathi is usually made of wheat. Recipe: 1 medium sweet potatoes 2  cups whole wheat flour 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp turmeric powder Water if required   Method 1. Roast or pressure cook the sweet potatoes until completely done. Allow them to cool to room temperature, peel of the skin. Mash the potatoes  in a large bowl, add around 2 cups of wheat, salt, turmeric and knead. The dough should be firm and soft. You could add more flour or water to get to the required firmness. 2. One should be able to roll the dough with a rolling pin to a flat sheet. Divide the dough in size of golf balls or say in size of truffles and roll them with a rolling pin on a hard surface. Dust flour if required on both sides while rolling them to thin sheets which will prevent it from sticking to the surface. 3. Take a flat skillet, keep on medium heat. Once hot enough put the rolled sheet, cook through on both the sides. Enjoy chapati’s with a gravy or you can use as a tortilla.

Varan/ Lentil coconut gravy (Dal)

Varan is one of the most delicate and scrumptious dish you will ever have. It is made from simple ingredients and yet appetizing. It goes along with rice as well a side dish to any meal.

It a dish made widely in Goa, originally made on festival days for its simplicity.

 

 

Ingredients:

1 cup pigeon peas lentil (toor dal)

1 cup coconut milk or 2 cups grated coconut

2 tbsp cumin

2 green chillies

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tbsp oil/clarified butter

1 tsp turmeric

 

Recipe

1. Cook the lentils through with 2 cups water, I pressure cook them. Tip: Its easy and quick to cook lentils and beans in a pressure cooker.

2. Grind fresh coconut with a tbsp of cumin and extract the coconut milk.

3. To a pan add clarified butter, once the butter melts add in the mustard and cumin. Allow the seeds to splutter, add slit green chillies, followed by the extracted coconut milk. In case you have store bought coconut milk, add that with 1 tbsp ground cumin.

4. Stir the mixture continuously till it boils. Add turmeric and the cooked lentils with a cup of water. Get the whole gravy to a boil.Adjust the gravy with water if required.

Hope you will enjoy this! Let me know how you liked this and if any questions you have for me.