Food from all across the world and lots more...

Here comes summer and brings days of heat, sweat and has the body yearning to quench its thirst. I love to keep my family nourished with healthy fruit juices, vegetable coolers, milkshakes with fruits, chocolate specials, cold coffee, ice cream floats & shakes  and frappes -cooling the body. These favourites have an interesting history..so before I share my summer specials,I am sharing something about them. (Reference: Wikipidea)   NOMENCLATURE In the 1950s, milkshakes were called "frappes", "velvets," "frosted [drinks]", or "cabinets" in different parts of the U.S. A specialty style of milkshake, the "concrete," was "...a milk shake so thick that the server hands it out the order window upside down, demonstrating that not a drop will drip."  In 1952, the Newport Daily News in Rhode Island contained a "Guide For Top Quality ICE CREAM SODAS CABINETS MILK SHAKES", which shows the use of the term "cabin...

Hara Bhara Kebab (Vegetarian Kebab with Peas and Corn) It turns out really tasty and was a hit even with my hard-ore non-veg kebab lover husband..he loves his tangdi kebab, tandoori chicken, tandoori pomfret and reshmi kebab- I just added one more favourite to his list! Ingredients Green Peas: 400 gms (Frozen Peas can be used too) Corn: 200 gms Boiled Potato- 1 small (optional) Ginger: 1 inch Green chilli: 1 large Garlic: 10-12 cloves Raw ginger : 1/2 inch (crushed) OR Ginger- garlic paste: 1.5 tbsp Green chilli: 1 large Raw Ginger: 1/2 inch (crushed) Dry Masala Mix Amchur - 1 tsp Chaat Masala - 2 tsp Dhania powder - 1 tsp Jeera powder -1 tsp Kala namak/ black salt - 1 tsp Garam masala- a pinch (optional) Mix the above and keep just before cooking the peas Salt - 2-3 tsp (to taste) The spice powders' quantity may be suited to one's taste and increased accordingly    Maida/ Refined flour- 1 tbsp Corn...

Memories: My cousin couldn't enjoy too many things bought from the confectionery or bakery due to a skin condition. Even when she was a pre-schooler, she used to give me and my younger sister all the chocolates she got at school. So, to give her something in return, I found his 'Grandma' recipe in an old encyclopaedia (ya really!) and it tastes awesome. Ingredients 2 cup sugar 8 tbsp cocoa powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup and 2 tbsp of whole milk Later: 1-2 tablespoons butter [Use 2 tbsp if you like it silky] (plus more for greasing the dish) 2 teaspoons vanilla essence Optional: Walnuts and/or almonds (chopped)- a generous handful Another delight Dark Chokolate: Black Coffee- 1 tsp Method: Heat a heavy-bottomed dish. Mix the sugar and the milk along with the cocoa powder. Pour into the heavy bottomed dish and heat on medium flame stirring till sugar dissolves. Keep on heat and stir till all sugar melts. Keep cooking till chocolate thickens. You c...

This I bring from the site http://cakerecipeidea.com. This recipe is simple to make and tasty too. This is awarded The Best (probably best liked !) Wedding Cake Flavour Ingredients : 2 pound of half cut cherries, 10 pineapple rings finely chopped 12 cups of golden raisins 3 cups of mixed fruit peel 2 cups of almonds 12 cups of all-purpose flour 4 cups of butter 4 cups of white sugar 12 eggs 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract Half cup of orange juice 4 teaspoons of baking powder 1 teaspoon of salt 12 almonds split The stepwise procedure : In a large mixing bowl, take cherries, pineapple, almonds, raisins, and mixed fruit peel and mix them. Add two cups of flour to the fruit mixture and blend it so that all the fruits are coated. In the next bowl, blend the butter and sugar together till a fluffy mixture is created. Add one egg at a time and continue with the mixing procedure. A creamy mixture is formed. Add orange juice and vanilla to the creamy mixture. Then co...

Drumsticks are seen as boring vegetables.This interesting spicy version makes a lip-smacking accompaniment and stand-alone version of this nutritious vegetable.This recipe can be made with beans,potatoes and cauliflowers too!Be free to experiment.A personal favourite, especially in hot summers with "Pakhala" or rice. Ingredients Drumsticks- 6 Garlic- 7 to 8 cloves (can increase if you like the flavour) Green chilies-2 Salt- 1/2 tsp and more to boil Rice flour- 2 to 3 tbsp Oil - 3 tbsp Water to boil the drumsticks in Oregano- 1/2 tsp (Optional) Chop drumsticks in to French fries sized (3 inch) long pieces) Boil in sufficient water with salt to taste. Cook till tender,but not very soft. * You can see the seed getting separated from the flesh inside,the drumsticks shouldn't start splitting. Can press one and check-not raw not totally cooked. Chop garlic and green chilli into small pieces. Pound together coarsely. Drain water from drumsticks and transfer to broad bowl to mix....

Try this snack of chopped cucumbers stuffed with seasoned cottage cheese.Makes a great eat for parties or barbecue lunches. Cucumbers-3 to 4 Cottage Cheese-200 gms (can be altered) OR Hung curd- 150-200 gms I am giving 3 suggested combinations. These ingredients are to be blended with Crumbled or Grated cottage cheese or hung curd. The proportion is suggestive,adjust according to taste Combo 1 Sslt-to taste Chilli flakes or pepper- 1 1/2 tbsp Oregano - to taste Basil- optional Combo 2 Honey- 2 tbsp Pepper- 1 1/2 tbsp Salt- to taste Oregano-1 tbsp Combo 3 Carrot grated- 1/2 cup Green chilli (chopped fine) Chopped coriander- 1 to 2 tbsp Oregano- sprinkle Salt-to taste Peel the cucumbers and cut into 2-3 pieces vertically. Carefully scoop out the seeds,an apple corer is quite useful. Make the pieces stand and stuff with the desired stuffing. Make about 15 minutes before serving Top with grated cheese,carrot or sprinkle seasoning. Can be served on a bed of lettuce or basil.Crackers or Na...

INGREDIENTS (To serve 2) Wholemeal bread-8 slices http://quezi.com/4450 Tomatoes-2 Onions- 1-2 Green chillies- 1 Coriander leaves- a handful Chaat Masala or Oregano- 1 tsp (to taste) Butter Salt- if required Cheese-4 slices or grated as required. Chop tomatoes,onions,chillies and coriander and mix. Add seasoning and butter slices. Toast on skillet and place filling and cheese on toasted bread. Seal with second toasted slice and let cheese melt before serving. If grilling,butter slices and fill with chopped vegs and cheese. Make crisp and brown. Serve with ketchup or chutney. Makes for a good meal with Hot Soup.