Crab Masala from India

This is the  crab masala straight from my mother in law's kitchen.
Recipe is already in the blog.

Crab Masala

Crab is a good source of Vitamin C,Vitamin B12, protein,Iron,Zinc,Selenium etc.

At the same time it has high cholesterol and sodium. So enjoy in moderation.

In the below recipe i have used soft shell crabs. But the same works for other types as well.

Ingredients:

Crab: 4

onion -1 large

tomato - 2 medium

ginger - 1/2 inch piece

garlic - 2 or 3 cloves

turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

chilli powder - 1/4 tsp

pepper powder - 1/2 to 1 tsp as hot as you like.

coconut milk -1/2 cup

oil - 1 to 2 tbsp

mustard - 1 tsp

salt to taste

Method:

Wash and clean the crab and cut into 2 or 4 as you like it to be.

Heat oil, splutter mustard.

Add ginger, garlic, onion and saute well.

Then add turmeric powder, chilli powder and salt ans saute for another 2 minutes.

Add crab and mix and close and cook for 5 minutes.

Then add pepper powder and add a little water if desired.

Let it cook for another 5 minutes.

Then add coconut milk, adjust seasoning and simmer for 5 minutes.

Done.

Cheese Cake

Cream cheese (softened) - 4 packet [ I used Philadelphia cream cheese 8 oz pkg]
egg - 4
sugar - 1 cup
vanilla extract - 1 tsp
Oreo cookies - 24

Preheat oven to 350 degree F.
Take cream cheese,sugar and vanilla extract and beat until well blended.
Add eggs and blend until its just mixed.
Crush the Oreo cookies and add a couple of tablespoons of butter.
Place the crushed cookies in the bottom of the baking pan , level it and pack it down.
Pour the blended mixture over it.
Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes. It will be set but the center will be slightly wobbly.
Cool and refrigerate for 3 hours.
Top it with fresh cream or fruits and enjoy!

Avial

Avial is very popular kerala dish. Its a medley of vegetables combined in a coconut mixture.Its a sure accompaniment in any vegetarian feast. You can add numerous vegetables in this dish. Think of adding different colours. Slice them thin and cook and add a coconut mixture along with a tinch of sourness from either raw mango or curd or tamarind.

A mix of vegetables - like yam, raw banana,carrot,beans,potato,brinjal,drumstick etc- sliced thin about 3 cups
green chilli - 2 or 3
turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
coconut - about 1 cup
cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
curry leaves - 1 or 2 sprigs
curd - 2 tbsp
coconut oil - 1 or 2 tbsp
salt to taste

Thinly slice all the vegetables. Add turmeric powder,curry leaves, salt and some water , may be half cup or so and cook the vegetables in low medium flame.
When its almost cooked, grind coconut and cumin to a coarse paste and add.
Do not keep mixing too much after the vegetables are cooked. And do not add too much water also for cooking them. Add half cup and cook for around 8 - 10 minutes and check them. Depending on what vegetables you use it may need a little more or less. Adding too much water will make it mushy..
Once its done, add 1 tbsp curd and gently mix. Switch off and add coconut oil on top and keep covered for 10 to 15 minutes. Then stir gently and serve.
Some home make it with little gravy with it. Typically avial is a dry dish.

Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer Butter Masala is a very tasty north indian dish which is a favourite to many.

Ingredients

Paneer - 1 package of about 350 gms
onion - 2 medium size
tomato - 2 or 3
ginger garlic paste - 1tsp

whole garam masala - 1 or 2 pieces of each
turmeric powder - a pinch
chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
kashmiri chilli powder - 2tsp[optional]
coriander powder - 2tsp
kasoori methi leaves - 2 tsp dried
heavy cream - 1/4 cup
oil
salt for taste

Method

In a pan add a little oil, add whole garam masala, saute onion.
To the blender add sauted onion, chopped tomato and ginger garlic paste and grind them till smooth.
In the same pan add a tsp or two of oil and add the ground mixture along with turmeric, chilli and coriander powders,salt  and cook it down until oil oozes out.
It will splutter first, so keep covering and mixing in between.  It would be easy if you do this in a wide non stick pan.

It will take around 8 to 10 minutes. But do not skip this part. This really changes the texture and taste.

Now add about 2 cups of water and stir add more water if you prefer little more thinner consistency.
Now take the kasoori methi leaves and just grind it in your palms and add.
Now add the cubed pieces of panner and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Add heavy cream, mix and switch it off.

Done. Enjoy with naan or chapathi or fried rice or any of your favourite combination.

Birthday Cake

I made this cake for my son's 4th birthday; upon his request for a McQueen shaped cake.
This is made with two 13*9 cakes vanilla cake and whipped cream frosting. One I split and kept for the base and another one cut into a car shape. Just basic colors red for the full car and some blue and yellow for the features.For black I got a prepared small tube black frosting, as i was not able to find black food color.

Rava Ladoo

Rava Ladoo is a quick and easy sweet item to make. The below quantity makes around 30 nos.

Ingredients:

Rava - 2 cups
sugar - 2 cups
coconut grated - 1/4 cup
milk - 1/4 cup
cashews and raisins - a few
cardomom powder - 1/4 tsp
Ghee - 2 tbsp

In a pan add ghee and fry the cashews and raisins. Take them out and keep it aside.
To the same ghee add the rava and fry until it just starts to turn slightly brown.
Take it out into a large bowl. Add sugar,coconut grated and mix it.
Slowly add luke warm milk and mix it well. You may use a little more or less of the milk
[Those who like dry type of ladoo stop adding milk just when it is wet enough and rava mixture hold together. Otherwise add a couple of spoons more.]
Close it and leave it for 2 or 3 minutes.
Now add the fried cashews and raisins and cardamom powder.
Mix and make ladoos. Leave it for half an hour to just set.
Enjoy!

Caramel Pudding

Whole milk  - 3 cups
Sugar - 1 cup + about 6 tbsp(for caramel)
Egg - 4
Vanilla extract - 2 tsp


First make caramel.
Take 6 tbsp sugar and 2 tbsp water and heat it up until its melted and changes to desired colour.
Don't stir it just swirl the pan in between.
And pour into a dish in which you are going to bake the pudding.

Preheat the oven to 350F.
In a bowl whisk together milk, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract until well mixed.
Gently pour this into the dish with caramel.
Place this dish in a tray or another dish with some water in it. It helps the pudding  to not get dried off.
Place them in oven and bake for about 40 minutes. It will be almost firm except in the middle which will slightly wiggle if you shake the pan.
Take it out and cool. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours.
Slice and scoop out and enjoy!

Idichakka thoran (Young Jackfruit stir fry)

Idichakka is malayalam word for young jackfruit. Its made from fresh young jackfruit. Since that is not available here, the following recipe is with the tinned version.

Young jack fruit - 1 can
onion - 1 small
garlic - 2 or 3
green chilli - 1 or 2
turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
salt to taste
curry leaves

Open the can and wash the pieces well. In a pot add jackfruit pieces,turmeric powder,salt  and some water and boil until cooked around 10 minutes.
Chop them up into small pieces.
In a pan, add 2 tsp oil, splutter mustard, curry leaves. Saute onion,green chilli, garlic.
Check for salt. Saute for a couple of minutes.
Done