B4U India

Thai Basics - Red & Green Curry Paste

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:25:01 -0400

Thai recipes are favorites for many people, including myself! I love coconut-based gravies, but its the special herbs and spices that are so typical of Thai cuisine, which attract me even more. Use of exotic spices like lemongrass, galangal and kafir leaves makes it interesting to the palate, and an easy way to incorporate vegetables in your diet! With these basic recipes to make Thai Red & Green Curry paste, you are all set to enjoy authentic Thai Curries any time you want, made fresh in your...

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Chicken Tandoori

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:00:00 -0400

Ingredients

Chicken(leg pieces) - 8
Plain yogurt - 6-7 tablespoon
Fresh lemon juice - 2 tablespoons
Minced garlic - 2 tablespoon
Minced ginger - 1 tablespoon
Green chilli paste - 1 tablespoon
Ground cumin - 1 tablespoon
Ground coriander - 1 teaspoon
Fenugreek leaves pd (Kasoori methi) - 1 tablespoon
Turmeric pd - 1/2 teaspoon
Cayenne pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
Paprika(kashmiri red chilli pd) - 1 teaspoon
Garam masala pd - 1/2 teaspoon
fresh-ground black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
Chaat masala pd - 1 teaspoon
Salt(to taste)
Oil(for brushing)
Cilantro

Method:
1. Remove skin and wash chicken.
2. Prick the flesh of the chicken all over with a fork. Then using a sharp knife, make incisions.
3. In a small bowl mix 1/2 tsp of paprika, 1/2 tsp kasoori methi, turmeric pd, green chilli paste,salt and lemon juice.
4. Apply this marinade on the cuts then all over it.Keep it aside for half an hour.
5. In a bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, cumin pd, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, paprika, black pepper, garam masala, kasoori methi and salt. Stir until well-mixed.
6. Then take the marinated chicken and dip pieces one by one in the mixture and rub into the flesh (turning the chicken several times) and refrigerate for three to four hours.
7. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees fahrenheit. Place the chicken in a roasting pan, brush with oil lightly and cook 25-30 minutes.
8. Sprinkle chaat masala powder, cilantro and serve with onion rings.

Boiling Water in Microwave Can Be Dangerous!

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:45:01 -0400

I got this email from a friend a few days back about the dangers of using Microwave for heating water and liquids. For something that we practically do at least 8-10 times a day, I was shocked at how harmful it could be, if not done in the right way! Here is a story about a person who got serious burns trying to brew coffee in a microwave. I'm not sure about the origins of this tale, but it does sound scary, and a little research showed me that this can indeed happen to anyone who is not...

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Green Coconut Pandan Cakes - Asian Delight

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:44:01 -0400

Pandan Cake is a light, fluffy cake of Malay origins (Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines) flavored with the juice of Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius) leaves. I've always been fascinated by their beauty! These cakes are light green in color due to the chlorophyll present in the leaf juice. But most of the times, additional green food coloring is used to further enhance its colour. Right from the time I tasted one at an Asian Cafe, I've been wanting to try these at home. Luckily, I found some...

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A Pledge for Help - And a Vacation

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:57:01 -0400

Hope you folks are having a great weekend! I'm typing this up as I leave for a long-awaited vacation in a couple of hours, but I needed to inform you about 2 things before I leave! The first is a pledge for help, where I request you to be generous and donate for a life of a young mother Lakshmi, who needs to be operated within 5-6 months. She is currently prescribed heavy dosage of medicines to sustain. Lakshmi is 28 years old and suffers from Coronary Artery disease. She has two children,...

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Savoury Cheese Breakfast Muffins

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:50:12 -0400

Savoury Muffins are the best way to kick-start a day, especially when they are loaded with Cheese and veggies, providing enough protein and other nutrition that will make you fresh and fit early in the morning! I had some left-over Pizza sauce and as I'm going to be leaving for a vacation in a couple of days, I wanted to clear my pantry of the cheese and veggies that needed attention! So, what better way to use these than throw it all together in muffin moulds?!! - the result, these easy and...

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Gujarati Dal (Healthy Lentil Soup)

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:21:24 -0400

Gujarati Dal is famous for its spices, and the distinct taste of sugar; never before has sugar & spice tasted so great together! The traditional Gujju Dal is made from Tuver dal, and characteristically uses ingredients like Kokum, cloves, peanuts, sugar and methi, which give it a subtle flavor. This is one "no onion, no-garlic" recipe that will be cherished for ages, by Gujaratis(people from a state in western India) and non-gujaratis alike! It is a highly versatile recipe - you can modify it...

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Tadka Indian Restaurant Review - Manhattan New York

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:40:09 -0400

On a recent business trip to New York, I was craving for some delicious indian food, and I have to say I was happy when a colleague recommended Tadka Indian restaurant in Manhattan, for a memorable lunch! Its hard to find nice and reliably good food for reasonable prices in a Manhattan/Midtown, and Tadka turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It is indeed a very tiny and cramped place in a busy location, but if you are seeking fast service, better-than-average food, and affordable lunch...

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Mini Chocolate & Fruit Trifles

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:29:36 -0400

Fruit Trifles have been a favorite at holiday gatherings - layered with a piece of sponge cake, topped with whipped cream, fresh fruits, chocolate, nuts and your favorite toppings, they not only look elegant, but are the perfect end to a holiday dinner! So I tried to re-create the magic of trifles, albeit, in a smaller size, which suits perfectly for individual servings. Layered with fresh bananas, berries, mixed-fruit puree, whipping cream, rich swiss-mocha chocolate syrup and crushed...

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Instant Pineapple Dessert

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:28:00 -0400

Ingredients

Heavy Whipping Cream - 1 small container
Sweetened Condensed Milk - 2-3 tablespoon
Pineapple Chunks (in own juice) - 1 can

Method

1. Whip cream in a blender, add sweetened condensed milk in it , whisk a while.
2. Fold in pineapple chunks or your favorite fruit like mango, strawberry, cherries etc.
3. Refrigerate and serve chilled.