Tried and Tasted : A Life(Time) of Cooking

Ganga's A Life(Time) of Cookingis a simply elegant blog ,a reflection of life's little pleasures ,memorable travelogues ,healthy living ideas besides an appetizing database of recipes.
Ganga has been writing in A Life(Time) of Cooking for about 2 years now,but was in to blogging her wonderful experiences of life and food in her old website Food Matters for many many years,even before any of us knew about blogging world.Her impressive writing style and subtle photography beautifully expresses the mood for the food.
I happen to discover her awesome blog just recently,thanks to Zee of Zlamuska's Spicy kitchen.Have spent good chunk of time browsing through her engrossing posts.And I'm pleased to be featuring the blog for this month's Tried and Tasted Event.So While I'm tempted to cook up all of Ganga's Lifetime collection of recipes I also invite all the foodies to share my pleasure , try & taste the blog with few simple rules in mind:


(big thanks to Ksenia Tales of a Spoon ,who designed the logo for the event.Her inspiration of the fantastic graphic was Ganga's Soothing Yogi tea )

1. Cook any recipe(s) from A Life(Time) of Cooking and post about it. Stay as true to the original recipe(s) as possible. Therefore, there is no need for re-posting it, simply link to the original post :-)
2. Link your post to HERE (feel free to use the logo) and to the original post. Please always link to both sites, so both blogs are given credit and you are avoiding copyright fuss.
3. Send me an e-mail (Yasmeenhealthnut@gmail.com) with your name, your post URL as well as the original URL and a picture (300px by height, please).
4. Deadline is the August 31th 2009 and the round up will be posted within a week.

Non-bloggers are more than welcome to participate Simply e-mail me (Yasmeenhealthnut@gmail.com) with your experience of what you cooked and please include a picture.

The round up will be posted during the first week in September(Hopefully)

Here is a simple sweet dish from Ganga's blog,a glossy buttery divine beetroot halwa :D

Archives July 2009

July 30My debut in Walima Club :Egyptian Special - Koshary and Basbousa(Semolina cake)

July 28Kosambari,a raw vegetable and lentil salad

July 27Daring Bakers...Milan cookies


July 23Dodol(Coconut Milk Jaggery sweet)

July 21Eggcelent Eggplant recipes :Ratatouille Pasta,Kashmiri Baigan and Stuffed Baby eggplants

July 20Bisi Bele Bath(Hot Lentil Rice)

July 15Ice Dream Cook Book Review.Roasted Banana nut Ice Dream.Peach Melba

July 11Shahi Paneer(Indian Cottage Cheese)

July 8Beet Chalupas


July 6Rosemary Zopf(Swiss Braided Bred)

July 6Grilled Vegetable Wild Rice Salad

July 216 Bean Stew With Whole Grain Dinner Rolls

July 1I Love Cilantro!:Cilantro Coconut Milk Pasta

My Debut in Walima Cooking Club :Egyptian Special - Koshary and Basbousa(Semolina cake)

In Arlette's words-
"The Arabic word Walima (banquet) is derived from the root word Walam, which literally means to gather and assemble. The Arabs used it for a meal or feast where people were invited and gathered to eat and celebrate for days, either for new born babies, a traveler returning home or for weddings.Later the term became exclusive for banquet celebration."
(The Logo is from one of Lebanese famous Painter, Mustapha Faroukh’s “Still Life Album".)

Walima cooking club celebrates Middle Eastern food.Each month foodies(members of the club) around the world cook a specialty dish of the region.The July 2009, Challenge was choosen by Talented Chahira from Chahira's Cuisine.She choose 2 prominent dishes of Egyptian Cuisine,Koshary and Basbouussa.

Koshary

Koshary is one of the popular street foods in Egypt,its savored like the Chole chaat in India and Burger in USA.The layers of pasta,rice and lentils are topped with spicy tomato sauce,chickpeas and the crispy fried onions.This is complete vegan meal,the flavors are simple and spicy yet unforgettably delicious.

There is little one can go wrong with the easy recipe.I like the spice from the chili and sweet crispy bits of onion and with lentils,rice and pasta all in one ,the meal was thoroughly fulfilling.

Koshary Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup brown lentils
1 cup rice (I used brown and wild rice blend)
1/2 pound whole grain pasta
1 1/2 teaspoon Salt

For the fried onions :
2 medium onions,sliced
2 tablespoon vegetable oil or extra virgin olive oil

For Spicy tomato sauce(salsa)
2 cups tomato puree or 1 can(8 oz) crushed tomatoes
1/2 a medium onion,finely chopped.
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped.
1 teaspoon hot chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 Tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or extra virgin olive oil

Method
Cook lentils ,pasta and rice
Cook all the 3 separately in salted water.
Cook the rice with 2 cups of water and some salt until tender but not mushy.set aside.
Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente,drain and set aside.
Cook the lentil in 2cups of salted water until tender about 30 minutes in a covered skillet and 9-10 minutes in a pressure cooker on medium heat.drain any excess water.

Fry the Onions
Heat the oil in a large pan,add the onions and saute until nicely brown,stir occasionally.When done transfer on to a paper towel to strain excess oil.
Prepare the tomato sauce
In the same pan ,Saute onions until soft, then add garlic and fry to a pale brown. Add tomato puree,chili powder,cumin and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until sauce is cooked and becomes thick . Add vinegar ,pepper and salt, cook 2-3 more minutes .
To serve
Arrange a layer of cooked pasta,lentils and rice on each of the serving plates.Top with tomato sauce and garnish with fried onions and cooked chickpeas .Serve with a bowl full of Dakka on side.


Suggested Accompaniment - Dakka(Vinegar cumin garlic sauce)
Ingredients needed:
2 teaspoon cumin seeds ,coarsely ground
4 garlic cloves
1/2 a cup of vinegar
1/2 a cup of hot water
1 teaspoon of hot chili
salt and pepper

To make Dakka :
Take garlic cloves and hit them with the end of the knife, but don't break them up. Add into white vinegar and water mix. Add some cumin and coriander into the vinegar as well as salt and pepper and hot chili. Stir and let sit for an hour.Serve on side with Koshary.





Basbouussa(Semolina Cake)

Most celebrated dessert of Egypt,is also famous in other Arab countries.The following is Chahira's Egyptian Basbouussa with Semolina,coconut and yogurt.I made few changes in the sugar and fat quantities,my usual fiddling to make a dessert lower in fat and sugar(Hope you don't mind chahira).
I always spotted this dessert in the middle eastern stores,is almost as popular as baklava.The tantalizing dessert had nice and moist texture,I was pleased to be able to bake one fresh at home.


Recipe
Ingredients
2 cups fine Semolina(sooji) or semolina flour
1 tablespoon baking powder.
1/2 cup dry coconut
3 tablespoon pure ghee(vegan substitute :Virgin pressed Coconut oil)
1 tablespoon Orange blossom water or rose water or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
1 cup fat free yogurt.(vegan substitute :Soy yogurt)
1/4 cup white or brown sugar(or use half agave nectar & half sugar)

For lite sugar syrup
1/2 cup white or brown sugar*(or use half agave nectar & half sugar)
1 cup of water
1 teaspoon lemon juice.
1 tablespoon orange blossom water or rose water

Tahini and some butter to grease the baking tray.
1/2 cup whole or chopped nuts for garnish(I used almonds)

*for heavy syrup use equal quantity of water and sugar.

Method
In a large bowl,mix the semolina, baking powder, coconut, sugar, ghee, yogurt and blossom water until smooth and well incorporated.
Grease the baking dish little bit of butter(or coconut oil) and tahini, you can use just Tahini.Pour your basbouusa dough and spread it evenly .Garnish it choicest dry fruits and nuts,insert them partially in to the mixture.Set the tray aside for at least an hour.

Bake
Preheat oven to 350F.place the dish in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown.


Prepare the syrup
While the basbousa bakes,prepare the syrup.Boil the sugar,blossom water and water in a small saucepan,until bubbly and in thread point stage.Pour the warm syrup over the warm basbousa.let the flavors soak in for an hour at least.Then slice in squares and serve.



Thank you Chahira for the delicious picks.And Thank you Arlette for making me a part of this exciting club.To join the creative team ,write to Arlette(phoeniciangourmet@sympatico.ca).

Kosambari,a raw vegetable salad(With Carrots,Cucumber and Lentils)

A summery salad with fresh veggies including cool cucumber,carrots and tender soaked moong lentils,Kosambari is a favorite side served along with rice,sambar among other tasty dishes in a full course Udupi meal. With minimum or no cooking required the salad\side is definitely a favorable dish for hot summers.

Recipe adapted from Ramya's Mane Adige
Ingredients
1 cup carrots,grated
1/2 cup Moong lentil,soaked (for 4-6 hrs or over night) or use full grown moong sprouts or any other tender sprouts(I used broccoli sprouts).
1 small cucumber,diced
1/2 cup coconut,fresh or dried
1 tablespoon cilantro,finely chopped
1-2 small green chillies,finely chopped(optional)

for dressing
2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil [exclude the oil here if tempering the salad]
1/2 teaspoon black pepper,freshly ground
1 tablespoon lemon juice,freshly squeezed
1/2 teaspoon salt

optional for Tadka (tempering)
2 teaspoon vegetable oil or coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
few curry leaves

3 leaves Romaine lettuce(optional)

Method
Mix all the ingredients in a large salad bowl.Whisk all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and pour in the salad,toss to mix.The salad in the picture is not tempered to keep it as raw as possible, for more flavor temper the salad.Heat the oil and add the seeds and leaves,when seeds start to splutter.turn off the heat.let cool for a minute or 2 before mixing in the salad.Served on fresh lettuce leaves with rice and curry or sambar or rasam.

Kosambari is my entry for Lakshmi's RCI event,hosting Udupi and Mangalorean Cuisine this month is Sia of Monsoon Spice.

Milan Cookies.

The July Daring Bakers' challenge was hosted by Nicole at Sweet Tooth. She chose Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies and Milan Cookies from pastry chef Gale Gand of the Food Network.

With or\and choice in the challenge I picked what seemed easier ,the Milan cookies,a famous European sandwich cookie with luscious dark chocolate filling.To add to the scrumptiousness I dipped the cookie in some more goodness of dark chocolate and sprinkled with dried coconut.To say the least these make a delicious treat for any cookie monster and a exciting bake for a daring baker.


Recipe
Adapted from Gale Gand's Recipe
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 1 hr
Serves: about 1 dozen cookies

Ingredients for the Cookies
• 2 tablespoons Organic unsalted butter (vegan substitute : virgin pressed coconut oil), softened
. 2 tablespoon organic reduced fat milk or soy milk or almond milk
• 1/2 cup brown or white sugar
• 3 Organic egg whites(vegan substitute : 2 tablespoon arrowroot or corn starch + 2 tablespoon almond or rice milk)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract(optional)
• 1/2 cup Whole wheat flour + 1/2 cup all purpose flour


for Cookie filling:
• 1/4 cup heavy cream(Vegan Substitute: thick coconut milk)
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate or Dark chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest

some roasted nuts or grated coconut for sprinkling.

Method

1. In a large mixing bowl whisk butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the egg whites ,milk,gradually and then mix in the vanilla and lemon extracts.
3. Add the flour and mix until just well mixed.
4.For piping use a large ziploc(plastic storage bag),snip the end or a regular pastry bag with plain tip, pipe 1-inch sections of batter onto a parchment-lined sheet pan, spacing them 2 inches apart as they spread.
5. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let cool on the pan.
6. While waiting for the cookies to cool, in a small saucepan over medium flame, scald cream.
7. Pour hot cream over chocolate in a bowl, whisk to melt chocolate, add zest and blend well.
8. Set aside to cool (the mixture will thicken as it cools).
9. Spread a thin amount of the filling onto the flat side of a cookie while the filling is still soft and press the flat side of a second cookie on top.For more chocolate covering dip half of the cookies in the chocolate mixture,place on a large plate or sheet pan to cool.Sprinkle some powdered nuts or coconut before it cools.
10. Repeat with the remainder of the cookies.
The video here might help for beginner bakers.



Check out other Daring Bakers creative variations.

Dodol.

A beloved delicacy in the scenic Islands of South East Asia(Malaysia, Indonesia,Philippines, Singapore, and Sri Lanka) and also Goa(in India),the Dodol is hard to miss on festive occasions like Eid and Christmas.Its made from incredibly simple ingredients,coconut milk ,sugar and rice flour.The method is fairly simple ,but requires muscle power for the constant stirring to achieve a luscious smooth mixture when cooled gets a sticky candy\fudge like texture.I found this droolworthy dodol recipe at Asha's Foodies Hope,a blog with huge collection of delicious recipes from regional cuisines of India and other global cuisines.
Use only thick coconut milk for best results and I used ordinary rice flour instead of glutinous rice flour( which I can't find in stores here),could be the reason my dodol wasn't very sticky like the Original dodol.Pandan leaves are a popular flavoring in this dessert,wish I could them here,I had to be content with some cocoa powder instead.

Recipe :Dodol
Ingredients
2 cups preservative-free coconut milk
*1/3 cup Jaggery(chopped) or brown sugar or white sugar[or use half Agave nectar and half sugar]
2 tablespoon dry grated coconut
3/4 cup rice flour
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder(optional)
Pandan leaves for fragrance (optional)
1/4 cup roasted nuts

*sugar quantity has been reduced from the original recipe.add a little more if needed.

Method
Heat the milk on medium heat in a non-stick pan or heavy bottom Aluminum or Iron pan.
Season with pinch of salt,mix sugar or jaggery ,stir until dissolves,now add the dry coconut.
Start adding the flour,little at a time while stirring constantly to prevent lumps.Keep stirring until the mixture is nice and thick ,and flour is cooked through.About 10-12 minutes.Transfer in a greased(with coconut oil ) dish ,sprinkle with nuts and any remaining dry coconut,let cool and set for at least 3-4 hours(I kept it in fridge), before slicing and serving.Can be stored in refrigerator for up to a week.

Asha's delectable recipe is marked as Tried and tasted ,the host of the month is Ashwini's Spicy Cuisine .

I'm also sharing this with Let go nuts :Coconuts food event.

Nutrition

Though this is a high calorie dessert ,its very nutritious with goodness of coconut milk.The fat from coconut milk is far healthier than other kinds of saturated fats like butter.Coconut milk is very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Iron ,calcium ,magnesium and Manganese.Learn more about its health benefits in my post.

Eggcellent Eggplant recipes:Ratatouille pasta,Kashmiri Baigan, Stuffed Baby Eggplants ,Bagara Baigan and more

Nick named "Baigan Raja"(the king of vegetables),the plump,crowned head Eggplant\Aubergine\Brinjal\Baigan with shiny attractive suit ,never appealed to me as a kid,I didn't care to finish the plate whenever it was served.I still find it challenging to eat unless cooked with lots of spices.It so happened ,hubby dear bought a generous batch of them last week.Since these don't store for more than a week,we had to chow down before they spoil in the fridge.Of all the different shapes and sizes,I personally like the smaller round Asian variety eggplants.Here are the 3 interesting dishes I made all in the same week;and believe me, we were not bored and mostly importantly I finished my plate.

Ratatouille Pasta

Ratatouille is a classic French side dish made with fresh vegetables and herbs,including egg plants,zucchini,squash and tomatoes.Tossed with pasta,the dish makes a wholesome entrée.
Ingredients
1 pound Whole grain pasta,cooked al dente as per the package directions
Half a big or 2 medium or 4 small eggplants,diced
2 medium plum red tomatoes,chopped
2 small zucchini or yellow squash(or use 1 of both),diced
1 big carrot,sliced
1/2 a medium onion,chopped
2 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon chili powder or freshly crushed black pepper
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon fresh herbs(basil,thyme or rosemary),chopped

Method
Heat the oil over medium heat in a large pan,add the onions and garlic;saute for 3-4 minutes.Add the eggplants and saute for 2-3 minutes.Now add the chili powder\pepper ,herbs,tomatoes and zucchini\squash and cook until vegetables are tender,5-6 minutes.
Mix in the cooked pasta ,garnish with some more fresh herbs and serve warm.

Food Event Submission
The pasta dish is off to Ruth's Pesto Pasta Nights Event . This week PPN is hosted Amy of Very Culinary

Kashmiri Baigan in yogurt gravy
adapted from recipe at Indianrelish

Originating from the picturesque land of Kashmir(North India),the dish is perfect for hot summers with yogurt and fennel seeds.
4 baby eggplants\brinjals(baigan)
2 cup reduced fat yougurt\curd
1 teaspoon fennel seeds (saunf)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dry ginger powder (sonth)
2 green cardamoms
2 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
finely chopped fresh coriander to garnish

Method
Rinse the eggplants and cut the stem off ,slit across on both sides.
Heat oil in a deep pan or kadai over medium heat kadai,shallow fry the eggplants until evenly browned and soft.Get the eggplants out and set aside.Add the cumin seeds,cardamoms,fennel seeds and roast for few seconds,then add the turmeric,salt and chili powder.Turn the heat to low,add the yogurt and stir.Let cook on gentle heat ,this is important or the yogurt will curdle and look more like cheese.Add the cooked egg plants and let warm for 5-6 minutes until flavors soak in.Serve with rice or bread.


Stuffed baby Eggplant(Bharwan baigan) with onions and coconut
With coconut and onions,and seasoned with spices,these stuffed eggplant are hard to resist.

Ingredients
4 baby eggplants\brinjals(baigan) .
for stuffing
1 big or 2 small onions,chopped
1/2 cup dried shred coconut
1 big clove garlic,chopped
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cumin powder or seeds
2-3 green chillies
4-5 curry leaves or 3-4 sprigs cilantro
1 teaspoon Dry Mango Powder(optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Vegetable oil

Method
Rinse the eggplants and cut the stem off ,slit across on both sides.
Prepare the filling by blending together stuffing ingredients. Stuff the eggplant with this mixture and keep aside.Reserve any remaining stuffing.
Heat oil in a deep pan or kadai on medium heat,place the stuffed eggplant ,let cook for 5 minute before turning.Cooking another 5 minutes,pour the remaining stuffing if any,cover and let cook another 8-10 minutes until soft and cooked through.Serve with rice and Sambar.


Bagara Baigan(Eggplants in spicy peanut tamarind gravy)


Ingredients
6-8 small round eggplants,cut the top and slit across
3/4 cup skinned and roasted peanuts (add other nuts if desired like almonds and cashews)
1/2 a medium onion,finely chopped
1 teaspoon minced ginger and garlic,use fresh not canned if possible
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon hot chili powder
1 tablespoon tamarind ,soaked in cup of water
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Method
Heat oil in large deep pan on medium heat,fry the eggplants ,cover and turn occasionally,take about 10-12 minutes until eggplants are softened.
In the same oil add the seeds and onions,saute until lightly brown,add the ginger and garlic and other spices and salt.Let saute another minute,then grind them all together to a paste along with the peanuts,add little water if needed.Transfer the paste back to the pan,turn the heat on and roast for 2-3 minutes until oil starts to leave.Now squeeze the tamarind and get the juices out.Filter the tamarind water without any pulp in to the cooking mixture ,add another 1/2 a cup of water.Simmer then add the fried eggplants,cover and cook another 10-12 minutes until the eggplants soak in the flavors.Serve with vegetable pulov or biryani
Other Egg plant recipes posted :

Gosthu(Spicy medley of eggplant and other vegetables)


BabaGanoush(A lip-smacking dip)


Eggplant Chutney(South Indian Style spicy chutney)


Gingered Eggplant chutney pasta with spring peas.


And these are off to the food event ,Fall in Love :Brinjals at Sanghi's Food Delights.

Eggplant Nutrition:
Eggplant are high in Dietary Fiber & Potassium.And a good source of Folate, Manganese, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin(B1), Niacin, Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Copper.And always keep the skin on,it has the potent antioxidants and free radical scavenger called Nasunin.