Tales from the kitchen, culinary techniques, cultural practices, recipes,travel, health and life
Bessara is a middle eastern dish served as a dip or as a soup and is made with cooked fava beans.This can be served as part of a mezze platter.Preparation time:30 minutesServes:6-8Ingredients:1 cup dry split fava beans (also called as habas, soaked in water overnight)3 garlic cloves1 teaspoon of salt1 teaspoon of cumin1/2 teaspoon Shatta(red... Continue Reading →
Baba Ghanoush is a smoked eggplant dip eaten with pita bread or as part of the mezze platter.Slight variations are made to the recipe with other ingredients like paprika,onions,tomatoes and is called with different names.This can be served as part of the Mezze platter.Preparation time:30 minutesServes:2Ingredients:1 large eggplant1/4 cup tahini(sesame paste)3 garlic cloves1 tablespoon lemon... Continue Reading →
Hummus is a healthy middle eastern chickpea dip, gently spiced and blended. This is eaten with pita bread or crackers or served as a part of mezze platter.Preparation time:30 minutesServes:6-8Ingredients:1 cup dry chickpeas soaked overnight1/4 cup tahini(ground sesame paste)1 tablespoon olive oil(more if you like)1 tablespoon lemon juice5 garlic cloves1 teaspoon salt1 green chili(optional for... Continue Reading →
Polenta is of Italian origin.It is cornmeal cooked with water or cream.Served usually the starch in a main course.Polenta goes well with marinara sauce or other italian sauces.This recipe uses cooked polenta and bakes them to crisp them and topped with a sundried tomato goat cheese spread for an appetizer.Preparation time:1 hourServes:12 moonsIngredients:1 Polenta logor1... Continue Reading →
Poori is an Indian puffed bread made from whole wheat flour.This is probably every kids favorite breakfast item in India.This is also served as an appetizer in Indian Weddings.The common accompaniment to Poori is the Chole Curry or Potato Curry.Preparation time25 minutes Serves12 PooriServing Size2 PooriCalories Per ServingApproximately 189 per servingDifficultyMediumIngredients:1 cup whole wheat flourpinch of... Continue Reading →
Quail is a game bird available in the US,It is also called as Kamzu Pitta in Telugu.This recipe uses the Quail eggs soft boiled and battered and deep fried.Truly a delicacy.Preparation time:25 minutesServes:10Ingredients:3 tablespoons all purpose flour+2 tablespoon for coating1/2 cup milk1 tablespoon butter1/3 cup panko bread crumbssalt to taste10 quail eggsoil for deep frying1/2... Continue Reading →
Bajjis are fritters fried in oil with a golden chickpea batter. This recipe is for sweet potato slices dipped in a chickpea flour and deep fried to a golden perfection.Preparation: 30 minutesServes:12Ingredients:1 large peeled and sliced sweet potato2 cups besan/chickpea flour1/4 cup rice flour3/4 teaspoon red chilli powder1/4 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon ajwain seeds/vaamu/carrom seedssalt... Continue Reading →
Bajjis are fritters fried in oil with a golden chickpea batter. This recipe is for plantain slices dipped in a chickpea flour and deep fried to a golden perfection.Preparation: 30 minutesServes:12Ingredients:2 peeled and sliced raw plantain2 cups besan/chickpea flour1/4 cup rice flour3/4 teaspoon red chilli powder1/4 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon ajwain seeds/vaamu/carrom seedssalt to taste1... Continue Reading →
Caprese is an Italian delicacy where tomatoes are serves with fresh mozarella cheese.Preparation time:20 minutesServes:6Ingredients:3 tomatoes6 oz fresh mozarella cheese log1 tablespoon balsamic vinegarsalt to tastefew dashes of black pepper powderProcedure:1.Slice the tomato into 1/4 inch slices and mozarella cheese to slices.2.Place a tomato slice and stack it with a slice of mozarella followed by... Continue Reading →
A sweet and savory appetizer with sweet potato and paneer.Preparation time:40 minutesServes:12Ingredients:1/2 medium onion chopped3 button mushrooms chopped1 1/2 grated sweet potato8 green chili minced4 oz paneer grated(1/2 cup)1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste1 teaspoon coriander powder1/2 teaspoon garam masala powdersalt to taste1/4 teaspoon chat masala2 teaspoon oil or butter2 eggs1 puff pastry sheetProcedure:1.Preheat oven to... Continue Reading →
Prathima Koneru 