Friday, July 20, 2007

CHEESY CRUNCHY GARLIC BREAD

It was Sunday, and my husband and I really did not want to go out and eat. So Ithought of making something at home.


A few days earlier,I had got this par baked bread from trader joes and some herbed mozzarella cheese. Made some cheesy,crunchy,garlic bread. Made a quick salad and some pasta. Had a nice itallian dinner with some white wine.

here is the recipe for the garlic bread. manged to take a picture too......check out the nice cheesy crust,and the herbs.


ingredients

butter-1/4 cup
crushed garlic- 1/2 cup
chopped coriander leaves- 1 tbsp
salt and pepper- to taste
oregano- 1/4th tsp
herbed mozzarella (can use regular mozzarella too)- a few slices....depending how much cheese you like.
bread (can make it with any bread, thats at home)- 4-5 slices.

method

  • mince the garlic with a kinfe on achopping board, really fine.
  • in a bowl add the butter, the minced garlic, chopped corainder,salt and pepper and the oregano.mix all this well.
  • spread the mixture over the bread.
  • top with slices of mozzarella.
  • bake in a hot oven at 450.
  • serve hot with soup or pasta or salad





enjoy..........







Friday, July 6, 2007

MOONG DAL IN COCONUT GRAVY

I have been thinking to update my blog with some of the new recipes I have been wanting to share. Since the time I started cooking, its been a challenge to find out new and different ways to cook the same old things.
Surprisingly each one of us add a new twist to old favourites. Its not only the ingredients but also an individual style that plays a role in developing the taste of a dish. Thanks to that, there is so much of variety in cooking. Our kitchens are like chemistry labs, we keep experimenting and creating new stuff everyday without us even realizing it.

The other day I wanted to make green moong dal (green lentils). Did not want to cook it the way I usually do. After going through all the stuff in the kitchen I found can of coconut milk. That was enough to give me a new recipe idea. It tasted great with hot steaming rice.

here is the recipe for anyone who would want to try it out:

MOONG DAL IN COCONUT GRAVY

INGREDIENTS

green moong- 1/2 cup
onion (ground to a paste)- 1cup
Ginger, garlic, Green chillies (ground to a paste)-1/2 cup
red chillies (whole)- 2
mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
sambhar powder- 1 tsp
salt - to taste
red chilly powder- 1/2 tsp
coconut milk- 1 can
oil- 2 tbsp
coriander leaves to garnish

METHOD
  1. heat oil in a pressure cooker.
  2. add the mustard seeds and the whole red chillies.
  3. after they begin to splutter, add the ground ginger garlic paste. Saute.
  4. now add the onion paste and saute. To this add all the spices.
  5. saute till golden brown. add the dal, mix.
  6. add the coconut milk and mix everything well.
  7. add a little water.
  8. pressure cook for two whistles.
  9. turn off the heat and let it cool naturally.
  10. garnish with chopped coriander and lemon juice.
  11. serve with rice.