culinarystorm

Mini oat bites and the (very) funny Vikas Khanna

June 17, 2013 by culinarystorm

Chefs, in general, are quite wonderful.

They could be moody and temperamental, or lovable and cuddly, or bald and handsome.

Whatever their personality, it’s always a treat to spend time in their company.

Last week, Saffola Masala Oats organised an event at Blue Frog, Mehrauli to meet the Michelin Star chef, Vikas Khanna.

Since I’m far from what you would call a fan of the Masterchef India tv show, I went with not-too-high expectations.

I was SO pleasantly surprised!

Vikas Khanna (as anyone who has interacted with him will know) is a veritable treat. He has that rare and supremely attractive quality of being able to laugh at oneself. He’s obviously very talented, but he’s incredibly humble. He lives in New York, but is endearingly Punjabi at heart. And he is crazy funny! We all were in splits throughout the event.

He made a surprisingly tasty baked tinda dish (I know!) and spoke about the healthy + tasty dishes you can rustle up with oats.

I decided I’d give it a shot too.

And these mini cuties are the result of that.

What I don’t like about oats is their general gloopy quality. Made this way, the baking dries them out a little bit, while retaining all the goodness.

I used Saffola Classic Masala Oats, which is one of the 6 flavours available. You could be far more adventurous with your toppings – although this fresh, lemony tomato-onion mix is kinda perfect

Mini oat bites

Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 15 mins
Makes: 5

Ingredients:

1 packet Saffola Masala oats
oil, for greasing
1 tomato, chopped
1 onion, chopped
juice of 1 lemon
salt to taste

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180º C. Pour the oats into a bowl and cover with about half a cup of boiling water (the mixture shouldn’t be too runny). Stir well, cover, and set aside.
2. Grease a cupcake tray with oil. Mix the tomato, onion, lemon juice, and salt together in a bowl.
3. Add about one heaped tablespoon of oat mixture into each of the grooves in the tray (I got about 5). Pat down gently with the back of the spoon and bake for 15 minutes.
4. Remove from the oven and run a knife around the sides of each oat patty and gently remove from the tray. Top with the tomato-onion mixture and serve.

Posted in Bloggers meet, healthy, Review, snack type things | Tagged chef, healthy, mini, oats, Vikas Khanna | 1 Comment »

5 (awesome) people I want to chat with

June 10, 2013 by culinarystorm

*This post is my entry for the “WeChat with Anyone, Anywhere!” contest on Indiblogger.*

If I could summon any 5 people, dead or alive, to chat with in a WeChat group, those 5 awesome people would be:

Julia Child
Gordan Ramsey
My mother
Adriano Zumbo
Nigella Lawson

Okay so the most obvious thing they have in common is that they’re bad asses in the kitchen, but apart from that I doubt there is a single thing they’d agree about.

To properly understand why I’ve chosen these people, you need to get to know them.

Person 1: The feisty and proudly unconventional Julia Child. She loved butter, French food, and was the creator of quotes that make me want to high five her.

Here’s an example: “If you’re afraid of butter, use cream.”
Here’s another: “The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.”

Still need another reason to love her? She wore pearls in the kitchen. I know, right? LOVE.

Here’s what our conversation would probably sound like:

If that’s not sound kitchen advice, I don’t know what is.

Person 2: The eternally mean, I-get-my-kicks-from-your-wimpy-tears Gordan Ramsay. He’s just the kind of person you need around when you think you’re too good for everyone. His words cut, like a knife. A real one.

Let’s look at a couple of memes to show you what I mean, okay?

They don’t call it Hell’s Kitchen for nothing y’all!

But why oh why would you want to chat with him, you ask? Here’s why:

I don’t know about you, but I would love that kind of encouragement in the kitchen.

Person 3: My always-ready-with-hugs mother. After large doses of Ramsay, my mother who is the most encouraging person in the world, would be a welcome break.

My mother makes me believe I can do anything I want. That kind of confidence is crucial when you’re making say a mille-feuille for the first time, don’t you think?

Isn’t she lovely?

Person 4: The Patissier of Pain who can disarm you with a macaron or his killer smile (or both), Adriano Zumbo.

Every baker girl needs this guy on speed dial. Not only will he suggest recipes that constantly challenge you, he will smile like a sweet assassin while doing it. Also, his name makes me want to dance.

His recipes are the best and the craziest.

Person 5: The Queen of making cooking a sexy activity, and being unabashedly proud of her curves, Nigella Lawson. I love how she uses her hands to measure things, how she’s always tasting and eating through the process, and how she feeds our souls with her words.

Much too often I’m a complete mess in the kitchen. There is flour everywhere, and bits of batter on every surface except my apron. Nigella is the best sexy food teacher. Take notes, children.

Anyone who covers her face with salted caramel is a genius. Agree? Move over Justin. She’s bringing sexy back.

Those are the 5 people I’d like to WeChat with. Who’d make your list?

Posted in lists | Tagged chat, contest, indiblogger | 7 Comments »

4-ingredient chicken bread bowls

June 6, 2013 by culinarystorm

There are many uncertainties in life.

And uncertainties are unpleasant. In fact, sometimes I want stab uncertainties in the face.

I really, really wish I knew what the future holds. For sure. Without a doubt.

But uncertainty is just never knowing.

We all find the strength to deal with difficult situations when they happen. It’s the not knowing that troubles the best of us.

I’ll tell you what I do know for certain though.

I know that when you put chicken and tomatoes and cheese inside a hollowed-out bread bun, bake it, and eat it, you will be happier.

This is true. I swear it.

Choose a soft bun with a slightly firm exterior so it’s easy for you to take the centre out.

You can fill it with anything really, but I love this combination of minced chicken, juicy tomatoes, and melty cheese. You’d like it too

After it’s baked, the bread is toasted on the outside, but the insides are moist and bursting with the delicious filling.

Cut it open and watch yumminess come tumbling out.

And about that uncertainty – let’s try to remember that it essentially means you don’t know how something will turn out. It could possibly be bad, but it could also be wonderfully good.

So that’s what we’re doing then.

In the face of uncertainty, let’s focus on the possibility of awesomeness.

Life is too short to worry And the best things are yet to come!

Hugs!

4-ingredient chicken bread bowls

Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 25 mins
Makes: 2

Ingredients:

2 plain buns
200g chicken mince, cooked (I stir-fried mine with garlic, onions, and salt)
2 tomatoes, chopped
50g cheese, grated (use any cheese you like)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180º C. Cut a hole in the top of each bun and gently remove the centre, keeping the outer bowl-shape intact.
2. Fill the hollows with the mince, followed by the tomatoes, and then the cheese. Place on a wire rack and bake for 25 minutes. I put the grill setting on for the last 2 minutes. Remove and eat warm.

Oh and before you go, if you’re a little blue today and need a pep talk, this video may help

Posted in savoury, snack type things | Tagged bread, cheese, chicken, life, tomatoes, uncertainties | Leave a Comment »

Mojito Mania festival at Hard Rock Cafe, Delhi

June 3, 2013 by culinarystorm

What’s better than a chilled mojito on a hot summer day?

Maybe two?

Perhaps three?

The very popular Hard Rock Cafe, in Delhi, is currently running a mojito festival called Mojito Mania.

All the mojitos are made with Bacardi and are available in many, many fresh, fruity flavours like Watermelon, Mango, Grape, Green apple, Strawberry, and Kiwi to name a few.

The drinks have a generous portion of muddled lime and mint in them. Such summery flavour boosters!

I particularly loved the watermelon one – it had chunks of the juicy fruit in it and wasn’t too sweet.

Strawberry was another popular one at our table, although I found it a little too sweet.

The mango one was super – yellow in colour and very refreshing with the occasional bite of slightly-sweet, slightly-tart mango.

The ones to steer clear of in my opinion are: kiwi, grape, and bell pepper. None of them had any discernible flavour.

On only for a few more days, stop by the Hard Rock Cafe, Delhi for perfect summer pick-me-up drink!

Read what the others there had to say:

Sid from Chef at Large
Parul from The Shirazine

Posted in Bloggers meet, drinks, food festival | Tagged Bacardi, drink, mojito, summer | Leave a Comment »

A very French afternoon at The International Institute of Culinary Arts, New Delhi

May 29, 2013 by culinarystorm

Recently, the CAL Blogger’s table had the opportunity to visit The International Institute of Culinary Arts in Hauz Khas.

We were invited to sample a 5-course French meal prepared by the 1st year students of the institute.

The institute was started in 2005 by Mr V.S Dutta with a vision “to become India’s finest culinary institute delivering international standards of culinary education and training chefs for tomorrow.”

Before the lunch we were given a tour.

We saw some fantastic sugar work action (we even learnt a trick or two).

And also checked out the kitchen where our lunch was being prepped and prepared.

We were then seated at an elegant, tastefully set table with refreshing bright-yellow lemon drinks. I must add that there was some very romantic French instrumental music in the background that did its part in mentally transporting us.

The first course was the very classic Salad Nicoise. This is a salad I’ve eaten in several places across the city and I have to say this is the best rendition of it I have tasted. Not only did it include all the right elements (right down to potatoes, capers, and anchovy paste), but it was also plated in a simple way that made it look just beautiful. I could go on about the mix of textures and flavours in this dish (the meatiness of the tuna, the creaminess of the egg, the sharpness of the olives, the fishy-ness of the anchovies, the crunchiness of the beans) but it will suffice to say I absolutely loved it. (I still have dreams about that wonderful anchovy paste.)

The second course was Soupe a l’Oignon or French onion soup. The soup was mild and not onion-y enough in my opinion. Traditionally it is made with beef stock which lends it a stronger base flavour, but here it was made with chicken stock which is obviously weaker. The Gruyere-covered baguette could have done with a little more bubbling cheese.

There was an assortment of freshly baked bread and herbed butter at the table, which we were constantly nibbling at. Can someone please tell me how, just how, breadsticks are so awesome?

The third course was Sole Meuniere. The fish was cooked to perfection – moist and covered with a very light lemon-butter sauce. It came seated on a bed of delicious sauteed spinach, accompanied by a posh lady lemon wedge who looked like she was carrying an olive hand-bag! No, seriously! Look

The fourth course was Poulet Saute Chasseur or Hunter style chicken. Crispy skinned chicken, covered in a rich brown sauce, served with a steamed vegetables and some divinely buttery baby chateau potatoes.

The fifth and final course was my favourite. Yes, yes, it was the dessert course – a stunning Mango Romanoff. A chilled cream and sweet mango marriage, topped with a crisp sugar-work web. Inside there was also a thick mango puree (not too sweet) which added even more flavour. We all devoured this dessert like it was the end of the world. And believe me, I’d do it again.

Post this wonderful, wonderful lunch it was time to meet the very talented students and the teacher-chefs while we snacked on some petit fours with tea.

If you’re someone who’s been thinking about taking a cooking course or want to study the art, this seems like a wonderful place to do it. The teachers are inspired and fun, and the stuff you learn is bound to be delicious!

I’m tempted to do it myself!

Here’s the very happy bunch of us. Thank you to all the students and staff at IICA for making it a truly memorable French afternoon.

Read what the others there had to say:

Sid from Chef at Large
Himanshu from The White Ramekins
Mukta from Bake-a-mania
Tanya from Communicating and Cooking
Aishwarya from Aishwarya Eats

*GIVEAWAY WINNERS*

The following lucky folks have each won a 150/- INR FoodPanda voucher.

1. priyankazneverland
2. Philip
3. who am i??? (@myscribblings)
4. kumartarang
5. Nungshi Singha
6. Manasvi

Send me an email at charis1984@gmail.com and I will send you the voucher codes. Congratulations

Posted in Bloggers meet, Review | Tagged culinary, French, IICA, institute | 4 Comments »

2-ingredient mini dark chocolate discs + giveaways!

May 23, 2013 by culinarystorm

At precisely 2pm every afternoon, post my lunch, I’m hit with an unavoidable sugar craving.

Usually there is a way to fix it – I take a quick walk with a friend and pick up a small pudding cup.
Or I remember there’s chocolate in my bag. Or maybe some blessed soul has brought mithai to office.

But on the days when there is nothing sweet around, I’m a little like this:

So I’ve always been on the lookout for something healthy + sweet that I can keep by my desk for those pesky sugar cravings.

And you’ll be please to know – I have found it, my sweet peas.

And here they are.

Made with just dark chocolate and an assortment of dried fruit and nuts, they’re the perfect healthy sweet fix.

You can experiment with what you want to put on the discs – I did coconut, almonds, cashews, prunes and raisins.

Once you have the ingredients, all you have to do is happily plonk the dry fruit and nuts over the chocolate. Or you could arrange them with precision and artistry. Just have fun with it!

Mix and match to make each one look different.

They’re the perfect size when you want a hit of sweetness.

Make some now!

2-ingredient mini dark chocolate discs
Adapted from: Undressed Skeleton

Prep time: 5 mins, plus setting
Makes: 12

Ingredients:

125 g dark chocolate
a handful of your favourite dried fruits and nuts

Method:

1. Melt the chocolate in a microwave or in a double boiler. Line a tray with some grease-proof paper.
2. Using a tablespoon, scoop out melted chocolate and create small circles on the paper, flattening gently as you go. Add a mix of dried fruits and nuts over the circles and leave to set in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Remove gently from the paper and eat, or store in a sealed container in the fridge.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT*

Have you guys heard of Food Panda? A website that allows you to order food online, these guys have scouted your city and put together the menus of hundreds of restaurants in your area. It’s super easy to use, really fast and they’ve even listed places with discounts and special vouchers together for your convenience. Pretty cool, right?

Food Panda wants to offer 6 lucky readers a 150/- INR voucher to use the next time you’re hungry! All you have to do visit Food Panda, and tell me which restaurant you’d love to order from. Yup, that simple.

I’ll pick 6 winners by a random draw and announce them in my next post

Have a fun week ahead, lovelies!

Posted in desserts, giveaway, healthy | Tagged chocolate, dry fruit, giveaway, healthy, nuts | 12 Comments »

Carrot and olive oil cake

May 15, 2013 by culinarystorm

Do you like carrots?

The bright orange colour?
The happy crunch it makes when it meets your teeth?
The gentle sweetness?

I do.

These days I often just wash and eat them as they are – a mobile snack.

On other days when I have more energy, I cut them into sticks and eat them with a yummy yogurt-mustard-garlic dip.

So I decided it was time to use this bright and happy vegetable in a cake.

Not a carrot cake smothered in so much cream-cheese frosting that you can’t taste the carrot any more.

No way. In this cake, the carrot is the star.

It’s also really healthy and good for you. So reach for that third slice like you own it, sistah.

There’s something so happy about the colour orange, isn’t there?

Look at this freshly squeezed orange juice. Sunshine

I made one large cake and 2 mini cakes with this recipe.

The cake isn’t too sweet at all, and it’s crazy moist.

Here’s the recipe if you want to give it a whirl.

Carrot and olive oil cake
Recipe adapted from: The Diabetes cooking book

Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 90 mins
Serves: 10

Ingredients:

250 g plain flour, sifted
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
250 ml olive oil (I used Leonardo Olive oil)
100 g brown sugar
4 eggs
2 tbsp honey
juice and zest of 1 large orange, plus juice of one more
400 g carrots, roughly grated
50 g walnuts, roughly chopped
butter, for greasing

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 160º C. Place the flour, cinnamon, and baking soda in a large bowl and mix to combine.
2. In another bowl, mix together the olive oil, sugar, eggs, honey, and juice of 1 orange. Add this to the flour mixture and mix well until smooth. Add the orange zest, carrots, and walnuts and mix to evenly distribute in the batter.
3. Grease a 9-inch round cake tin with butter and pour the batter in. Bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes, or until set and firm.
4. Remove the cake from the oven, and while it is hot, pierce it all over with a toothpick. Drizzle the juice of 1 orange all over the cake. Let it cool in its tin and absorb the juice, before turning out onto a wire rack or serving plate. Eat warm.

Posted in desserts, healthy | Tagged cake, carrot, healthy, olive oil | 2 Comments »

Older Posts »

culinarystorm

It's raining food!

Mini oat bites and the (very) funny Vikas Khanna

5 (awesome) people I want to chat with

4-ingredient chicken bread bowls

Mojito Mania festival at Hard Rock Cafe, Delhi

A very French afternoon at The International Institute of Culinary Arts, New Delhi

2-ingredient mini dark chocolate discs + giveaways!

Carrot and olive oil cake

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