query Dear Chitra, just wanted to know about the ingredient, Mixed Spice - what are the spices here? is it just clove, cinnamon & nutmeg or something else ?? pls do reply, would like to try this one.... thanks & regards,
Hello Meena ! Dear Meena, You can use the garam masala you have at home for sabjis. I go on changing my garam masal combinations made at home. My combination is: Garam masala powder: Cloves - 20 gms Pepper - 20 gms Cinnamom - 20 gms Jeera - 20 gms Cardamoms - 20 gms Dhaniya - 40 gms Nutmeg - 1 Dry ginger - 40 gms Dry well in sun & powder The other one is just equal cinnamon+cardamom+cloves. you can use any combination. regards, chithra.
Thanks a ton for the garam masala recipe Chithraji!! Can you please give measurements in terms of spoons or tbsp? Thanks Seetha
Hello Seetha ! Dear Seetha, I shall attempt. But it is very difficult to give cinnamon etc in spoons ! Besides, for garam masala to get the correct flavour, it is better to weigh. Very small quantities can be measured only approximately ! regards, Chithra.
Dear Seetha Saw your query to Chithra Madam and thought I can be of some help.I got this recipe for Garam masala from some site ,don't remember which site.Maybe this can help you.I have tried this garam masala recipe and it is quite good and keeps fresh for long under normal room temp. GARAM MASALA Ingredients Method Cinnamon - 3" sticks Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tbsp Coriander Seeds - 1/2 tbsp Black Pepper - 5-6 Bay Leaf - 1 Cloves - 4 Take all ingredients and mix. Put ghee, add ingredients and roast on low flame till crisp and golden. It should give off a strong spicy aroma. Cool. Pound to a coarse powder, either in a mortar and pestle or dry grind in a mixie. Use as required. Note: Use a heavy pan or griddle (tawa) for best roasting. Makes: 2 tbsp.
Coconut Thumbprint Cookies - Cashew-coconut combination! Maida - 2 ¼ cups Butter - 1 cup Sifted icing sugar - 1 cup Desiccated coconut - 1 cup ( you can use fresh, finely grated coconut) Cashew powder - ¾ cup Salt - a pinch Almond essence - 3,4 drops ( optional) Jam - 2 different colours Additional Grated coconut to sprinkle ( optional) Cream butter with salt. Gradually add sugar, creaming well. Stir in essence & 1 cup coconut. Add flour, a little at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in cashew powder & chill the dough. Roll into size of walnut. Place on baking tray & bake at 350 deg f for about 8 mts.. Remove & make a depression in the centre of each ball with thumb. Then bake again till cookies begin to brown. Cool & fill the depression with jam & sprinkle coconut around.
Eggless Boiled Fruit Cake - fruit cake has its own rich taste! Maida - 225 gms Dried fruit - 175 gms Butter - 85 gms Sugar - 115 gms Water - 140 ml Baking powder - 2 tsp Soda bicarb - 1 tsp Mixed spice powder - ½ tsp Salt - ¼ tsp Clean & prepare fruit. Put with butter, sugar & water in a pan, bring to boil, simmer for 10 mts & cool. Sieve all dry ingredients except soda. Dissolve soda in a little water & combine all ingredients. Stir well, do not beat. Pour into a greased baking tin & bake at 350 deg F for 1 hr or till done.
Nankhatai - the favourite crunchy biscuit. Maida - 450 gms Fine rava - 150 gms Powdered sugar - 300 gms Ghee - 300 gms Soda - 1 /2 tsp Vanilla essence - 2 tsp Cardamom powder - 2 tsp Chopped cashew or almonds - for topping Beat ghee & sugar. Add all other ingredients & make a dough as for puris. Cover the dough with damp cloth & allow to stand for 2 hrs. Make about 6 dozen balls, press slightly in the centre & place a nut. Bake in a moderate oven(160 deC) till light brown.
Cauliflower au Gratin - my version is Indianised ! I do not use white sauce, to avoid butter which is a must for white sauce. I use cornflour & add butter just for dotting on top, at the end & that too is optional. I have slightly Indianised my version to be less bland. The bread crumb topping gives it a nice crunchy taste. Wash & chop cauliflower into not less than 1” cubes. Cauliflowerettes - 3 cups Milk - 2 cups Cornflour - 3-4 tsp Oil - 1 tbsp Onions - 2 Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tsp Red chilli powder - 1 tsp Sugar - 1 tsp Salt Grated cooking cheese - 2 tbsp For topping: Bread crumbs - 2-3 tbsp Butter - 3,4 tiny knobs Steam cauliflowerettes till just soft. Mix ½ cup of cold milk with cornflour & keep ready. Boil the rest of the milk & when it boils, add the paste, stirring well to avoid lumps. Let the mixture boil & keep it aside. In a vessel, heat the oil& fry the onions lightly. Then add ginger-garlic paste, fry for a mte & add chilli powder, salt & sugar. Next add the milk mixture & steamed vegetables & mix well. Remove from flame & add grated cheese. Transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle bread crumbs & dot with butter. Bake in a hot oven at 400 deg F for 20 – 25 mts till golden brown. In restaurants, it is served with potato chips