Kuzhambhu Spicy Fish With Curry

Ingredients:

• Sesame oil : 3 tbsp
• Vegetable oil : 2 tbsp
• Fenugree k Seeds : 1/4 tsp
• Vadagam: 11/2 tbsp (Optional)
• Fish : 1lb(Cleaned and cut it into your desired shape)(I’ve used salmon)
• Onion : 1 (Medium Finally chopped)f
• Tomatoes : 2
• Garlic : 8-10
• Curry Leaves : 5-6 springs
• Chili powder : 1/2 tbsp(according to your spice level)
• Coriander Powder : 1 tbsp
• Turmeric Powder : 1/4 tsp
• Tamarind Pulp : 11/2 tbsp

Instructions:

1. Wash and clean the fish. Cut them into pieces. Dust them with a little salt and keep them aside.
2. Now just microwave the tamarind pulp with 1 cup of water for 30 seconds or soak them for an 5-10minutes. Mash it well and strain the tamarind water.
3. Now add red chili powder, salt, coriander powder and turmeric powder into the tamarind water.
4. Mix it all together in this step itself. You can taste and adjust the sour and spicy consistency from the above mixture.
5. Now take a wide pan add 2 tbsp of vegetable oil add fenugreek seeds, vadagam(optional), garlic pods, fry them for a minute.
6. After that add onions, curry leaves sautee it very well.
7. Once the onion becomes translucent add the chopped tomatoes and the tamarind water mixture into it.
8. Taste the salt and adjust according to it.
9. Add 2 tbsp of sesame oil and bring it to boil in medium heat till the oil floats on top.
10. The gravy should taste little sour and spicy.
11. Finally add the fish and just bring it to a boil only once and remove from heat.
12. Garnish with fried curry leaves.

Fish kozhambhu is ready and if you eat it next day it tastes like heaven because the fish get soaked in the gravy.

Caribbean Pot Roast

Ingredients:

2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed
2 large carrots, sliced
¼ cup chopped celery
1 boneless beef chuck roast (2½ pounds)
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¾ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon ground coriander
¾ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon grated orange peel
¾ teaspoon baking cocoa
1 can (15 ounce) tomato sauce

Directions:

1. Place potatoes, carrots and celery in a 5-quart slow-cooker. In a large skillet, brown the meat in oil on all sides. Transfer meat to slow cooker.

2. In the same skillet, sauté onion in drippings until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Combine the flour, sugar, brown sugar, seasoning, orange peel and cocoa. Stir in tomato sauce; add to skillet and heat through. Pour over beef. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until beef and vegetables are tender.

Serves 10
Serving size: 3 ounces cooked beef with ½ cup vegetable mixture

Per serving
Calories 278 
Fat 12g
Saturated 4g
Cholesterol 74mg
Sodium 453mg
Carb 16g
Fiber 3g
Protein 25g

Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients:

For the Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1½ cups)
4 cloves garlic, minced (about 4 teaspoons)
3 tablespoons tomato paste
One 28-ounce can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, with their juices
1 teaspoon finely minced canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, or more to taste
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 sprig fresh rosemary
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
¼ cup torn fresh basil

For the Meatballs:
Cooking spray
1 pound lean ground turkey meat*
1 slice whole-wheat bread, crusts removed and pulsed into crumbs in a food processor
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
½ cup finely grated carrot
½ cup finely chopped onion
2 large garlic cloves, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
2 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1 large egg, lightly beaten
½ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper

For the Spaghetti:
One 16-ounce box whole-wheat spaghetti
⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Minced fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish

Directions:

1. To make the sauce, in a 4-quart saucepan heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring a few times, until translucent, about 3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste, tomatoes, chipotle, oregano, and rosemary, bringing to a low boil, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the liquid has evaporated slightly, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

2. While the sauce is cooking, make the meatballs. Preheat the broiler. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Combine the ingredients for the meatballs in a large bowl. Form into 2½-inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Broil until browned and almost entirely cooked through, about 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, removed the rosemary sprig from the sauce and stir in the basil. Add the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and cook until sauce has slightly thickened and meatballs have absorbed some of the sauce, about another 10 minutes.

4. While the meatballs are cooking, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the sauce and meatballs, toss together, and heat through over medium heat. Divide evenly among 6 pasta bowls, sprinkle with the Parmesan, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Serves 6
Serving size: 1⅓ cups pasta and sauce, plus 2 meatballs

Per serving
Calories: 330
Total Fat: 10.5 g
Mono: 4.3 g
Poly: 2 g
Sat: 3 g
Protein: 23 g
Carb: 38 g
Fiber: 7.5 g
Cholesterol: 60 mg
Sodium: 625 mg

Turkey Sausage Pizza

Ingredients:

Dough:
2-2¼ cups (11 to 12⅔ ounces) bread flour
2 cups (11 ounces) whole-wheat flour
1 envelope (2¼ teaspoons) instant or rapid-rise yeast
1½ teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
1½ cups warm water (110 degrees)

Sauce:
1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained, juice reserved
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon salt

Toppings:
4 teaspoons olive oil
1 onion, halved and sliced thin
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and sliced into ¼-inch thick strips
4 ounces hot or sweet Italian turkey sausage, removed from its casing
Salt and pepper
3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 12 ounces)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Pulse 2 cups of the bread flour, whole-wheat flour, yeast, and salt in a food processor to combine. With the processor running, pour the oil, then the water, through the feed tube and process until a rough ball forms, 30 to 40 seconds.

2. Let the dough rest for 2 minutes, then process for 30 seconds longer. If the dough is sticky and clings to the blade, add the remaining ¼ cup bread flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse to incorporate.

3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter and knead it into a smooth, round ball. Place the dough in a large, lightly greased bowl and cover with greased plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until nearly double in size, 1 to 1½ hours, before using.

4. Meanwhile, prepare sauce. Pulse the drained tomatoes, oil, garlic, and salt together in a food processer until coarsely ground and no large pieces remain, about 12 pulses. Transfer the mixture to a liquid measuring cup and add the reserved canned tomato juice until the sauce measures 2 cups.

5. Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position, place a baking stone on the rack, and heat the oven to 500 degrees. Let the baking stone heat for at least 30 minutes (but no longer than 1 hour).

6. Meanwhile, heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and pepper and cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and transfer to a bowl.

7. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, divide it into 2 equal pieces, and cover with greased plastic wrap. Working with one piece of dough at a time, press and roll the dough into a 14-inch round flouring the surface as necessary. Transfer the dough to a rimless (or inverted) baking sheet lined with parchment paper and reshape as needed.

8. Lightly brush the outer ½-inch edge of the dough with 1 teaspoon more oil. Spread 1 cup of the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border at the edge. Sprinkle with 1½ cups of the mozzarella, 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan, and half of the sausage mixture.

9. Slide the parchment paper and pizza onto the hot baking stone. Bake the pizza until the edges are brown and the cheese is golden in spots, 8 to 13 minutes. (Assemble the second pizza while the first bakes.)

10. Remove the pizza from the oven by sliding the parchment paper back onto the baking sheet. Discard the parchment paper and slide the pizza onto a cutting board. Slice the pizza into 8 slices and serve hot. Let the stone reheat for 5 minutes before baking the second pizza.

Serves 8
Serving size: 2 slices

Per serving
Calories 520 
Fat 21g
Saturated 7g
Cholesterol 30mg
Sodium 1140mg
Carb 64g
Fiber 7g
Protein 24g

Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients:

2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
4 Tablespoons oil
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
3/4 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper, to taste
1 pound fettuccine

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a 10 inch skillet.

2. Cut chicken breast into small strips, add salt and pepper. Cook on medium heat until cooked through.

3. In a saucepan, melt the butter, then add the cream and Parmesan cheese.

4. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly. Do not boil.

5. Mix chicken and Alfredo sauce together.

6. Cook fettuccine in 3 quarts boiling water. Drain, pour sauce and chicken over noodles.

Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients:

Stew:
1 4-pound whole chicken
3 quarts water
3 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrot
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 garlic cloves, peeled
4 thyme sprigs
2 bay leaves
¼ cup all-purpose flour (about 1 ounce)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons heavy cream

Dumplings:
¾ cup 1% low-fat milk
1 large egg
1½ cups all-purpose flour (about 6¾ ounces)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon cornmeal
½ teaspoon salt

Remaining Ingredients:
1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. To prepare stew, remove and discard giblets and neck from chicken. Rinse chicken with cold water; place chicken in an 8-quart stockpot. Add 3 quarts water and next 8 ingredients; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes; skim surface occasionally, discarding solids. Remove chicken from pot; cool. Strain stock through sieve into a large bowl; discard solids. Remove chicken meat from bones; tear chicken meat into 2-inch pieces, and store in refrigerator. Let stock cool to room temperature.

2. Pour stock into 2 zip-top plastic bags. Let stand 15 minutes. Working with one bag at a time, snip off 1 bottom corner of bag; drain liquid into stockpot, stopping before fat layer reaches opening. Discard fat. Repeat procedure with remaining bag. Bring stock to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat, and simmer until reduced to 8 cups (about 15 minutes).

3. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes. Lightly spoon ¼ cup flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Add flour to pan; cook 1 minute or until lightly browned, stirring constantly. Combine browned flour and cornstarch in a large bowl; add ⅔ cup stock to flour mixture, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add flour mixture to remaining stock in pan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook 2 minutes or until slightly thick. Reduce heat; stir in cream. Add chicken; keep warm over low heat.

4. To prepare dumplings, combine milk and egg in a medium bowl. Lightly spoon 1½ cups flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, cornmeal, and ½ teaspoon salt. Add flour mixture to milk mixture, stirring with a fork just until dry ingredients are moistened.

5. Drop one-third of dumpling batter by 8 heaping teaspoonfuls onto chicken mixture. Cover and cook 3 minutes or until dumplings are done (do not allow chicken mixture to boil). Remove dumplings with a slotted spoon; place in a large serving bowl or on a deep serving platter. Keep warm. Repeat procedure with remaining dumpling batter.

6. Remove pan from heat; slowly pour stew over dumplings. Sprinkle with parsley and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.

Serves 6
Serving size: 1⅓ cups stew and 4 dumplings

Per serving
Calories: 334 (21% from fat)
Total Fat: 7.9 g
Sat: 3.2 g
Mono: 2.4 g
Poly: 1.2 g
Protein: 31.4 g
Carb: 32.2 g
Fiber: 1.2 g
Cholesterol: 130 mg
Iron: 3.3 mg
Sodium: 755 mg
Calcium: 211 mg

Red Velvet Cupcake

Ingredients:

Cake Ingredients:

1 stick butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 ounces red food coloring
2 Tablespoons cocoa (heaping)
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda

Frosting Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup butter

Directions:

Red Velvet Cake Directions:

1. In a larger mixer bowl, cream together butter and sugar.

2. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

3. In another bowl, mix red food coloring and cocoa until cocoa is completely dissolved. Add to the creamed mixture.

4. Mixing on low speed, add buttermilk and flour alternately, beginning and ending with flour. Mix well but do not over-beat to ensure a light fluffy cake.

5. Add vanilla flavoring, mix well.

6. Blend the baking soda into the batter.

7. Transfer into two floured and greased 9 inch round cake pans.

8. Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven for 25-30 minutes. Cool.

Cherry Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Crust Ingredients:

1 package yellow cake mix
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 egg

Filling Ingredients:

2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. vanilla
3/4 cup sugar

Topping Ingredients:

2 cups sour cream
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1/4 cup sugar
1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Mix cake mix, butter and egg with mixer on low speed until crumbly. Place into an ungreased 13 x 9 x 2 pan.

3. Combine cream cheese, eggs, 1 Tbsp. vanilla and 3/4 cup sugar, mix with electric mixer until smooth. Spoon over cake crust.

4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until set.

5. Mix sour cream, 1 Tbsp. vanilla and 1/4 cup sugar until smooth; spread on top of cheesecake. Bake 5 minutes longer. Cool completely.

6. Spread cherry pie filling on top and refrigerate at least 8 hours.

Amaretto Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 stick butter, melted

Cake:

24 oz. cream cheese (3 packages, 8 oz. each)
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup Amaretto (up to 1/2 cup)

Topping:

8 oz. sour cream
1 Tablespoon Amaretto
1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sugar

Directions:

1. Mix cinnamon, 1/4 cup sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and butter. Press mixture in bottom of a 9 inch springform pan.

2. Beat cream cheese and 1/3 cup amaretto until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in 1 cup sugar and the whipping cream, then add the eggs one at a time (beating well after each addition).

3. Pour mixture into crust and and bake in a preheated 375F oven for 45-50 minutes.

4. Mix the 1 tbsp. sugar, the sour cream, and 1 tbsp. amaretto. Spoon the mixture over the cheesecake when done and return to oven for 5 minutes at 500 degrees F.

5. Let set for 48 hours in the refrigerator.

Chicken Quesadilla

Ingredients:

2 10-inch flour tortillas
2 Tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup diced chicken
1/3 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 medium tomato, chopped
2 teaspoons diced onions
1 teaspoon diced canned jalapeno
1 slice bacon, cooked
1/4 teaspoon finely chopped cilantro
1 dash salt

For serving as toppings:

Sour cream
Guacamole
Salsa

Directions:

1. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Spread half of the butter on one side of each tortilla.

2. Put one tortilla, butter side down, in the hot pan, then spread cheese and cut up chicken strips in the center of the tortilla, leaving about an each all the way around.

3. Sprinkle the tomato, onion, and jalapeno over the chicken and cheese.

4. Crumble the slice of cooked bacon and sprinkle it over the other ingredients.

5. Sprinkle the cilantro and a dash of salt over the other ingredients.

6. Top off the quesadilla with the remaining tortilla, being sure that the buttered side is facing up.

7. When the bottom tortilla has browned, after 45-90 seconds, flip the quesadilla over and grill the other side for the same amount of time.

8. Remove the quesadilla from the pan, and, using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the quesadilla three times through the middle like a pizza, creating 6 equal slices.

Oats Buttermilk Dosa A Super Tasty Healthy Breakfast

1 cup oats (I used quaker oats)1 1/4 cup rice flour1 cup curd/plain yogurtpinch of hing (asafoetida)4 finely chopped green chilli2 tbsp chopped coriander/cilantro1 tsp jeera (cummin seeds)1/4 tsp freshly crushed black pepperProcedure
Dry roast the oats in medium flame for few min until a nice aroma emanates,shift it to mixie and grind to fine powder. Mix all the above ingredients along with the oats powder and make it lump free smooth paste. Add water to make it have a flowy consistency.
Heat tawa on medium flame,add a tsp oil and pour 1/2 cup batter in a circle starting from the edge of tawa towards the center,add little oil around if needed .


Once the edges start to become golden brown flip it and increase the flame,let it roast for 1 minute or until lite crisp.Flip and fold the dosa .
Serve hot with your choice of podi and chutney .I love to serve this yummy dosa with sesame tomato chutney.