Torcettini di Saint Vincent

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 4/24/2013 2:33:00 PM

'This month Aparna decided to bake yeasted cookies by "We knead to bake" group. These are soft as well as slightly crispy cookies coated in sugar. The recipe is adapted from A Baker's Tour by Nick Malgieri.Warm Water-1/2 cup(about 110F)Active Dry Yeast-11/4 tsp(Instant Yeast-1 tsp)All-purpose flour-11/2 cupsSalt-1/4 tspLemon Zest-1 tspUnsalted Butter-40gms(cold and cut to small pieces)Sugar-1/3 cup(for rolling the cookies)Preparation:1. Dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside.2. I(...)'

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Mango CheeseCake

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 4/15/2013 11:15:00 PM

'With dark fluffy clouds, fierce winds and occasional snows my part of world is still in the clutches of winter...Everyday sun tries to make an effort to shine high and bright but immediately it is attacked by cold and dark clouds that it goes unnoticed. With all these dull stuffs happening here I was eager to bring in some sunshine to the hearts of my loved ones. It was at that time Baking partners group decided to bake cheesecake and this bright and summery cheesecake was in there.(...)'

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Chutney Podi/Chutney powder

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 4/12/2013 6:19:00 PM

'Chutney podi using coconut is something I have never tried or I should say that Idli podi is the only one I have ever done. When Nagalakshmi said this recipe for cook along in Kerala Kitchen I was eager to try it out and glad that I could make it. We have been using it with rice, breakfast till now and it goes very well with the spicy and very slight(barely noticeable) tangy taste. If you are planning to try this you might want to reduce spice if planning to feed kids. I used store (...)'

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Soya Chunk Masala Curry using Coconut milk

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 4/11/2013 4:49:00 PM

'I never liked soya chunks as a kid and even my initial experiments with them were a disaster. As time went I kind of understood that it is my not so good way of cooking that ruined its taste. Then I started frying it with spices...ummm that was immediately accepted by my family. Then I started to experiment with them so much that we enjoy them in all forms these days.Here is how they can be prepared to a delicious curry using coconut milk.Soya chunks-1 cupOnion-1 small(chopped to sm(...)'

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Parippu Vada/Lentil Fritters

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 4/5/2013 3:06:00 PM

'Some snacks holds tons of memories in it..This is one such thing..Its been the part of so many wonderful years of train travel's that I cherish..These are easy to prepare and delicious to munch on..Chana Dal-1/4 cupToor dal-1/4 cupFennel Seeds-1/4 tspPearl Onion-4 nosGreen chili-2 nosAsafoetida-2 pinchGinger-1 tsp finely chopped.Curry Leaves-1 sprigSalt to tasteOil to fry.Method of Preparation:1. Soak chana dal and toor dal for min. 3 hours. Wash and drain the water.2. Set aside abo(...)'

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Rasmalai

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 4/2/2013 4:08:00 PM

'Hope everyone had a great start for the month April and are looking forward for another beautiful month. Here this part of world is still cold and windy though I see a small change in the ice that covered the lake...hmmm ya its slightly melting giving way to the hidden water to reflect the sky...To boost up the mood with climate made some sweet treat and ya sweet does wonders..:)Rasgullas-10  nos(I made at home)Sugar syrup of rasgullas-3/4 cupMilk-2 1/2 cupMilk maid/condensed m(...)'

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Hot Cross Buns

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 3/31/2013 3:50:00 AM

'Happy Easter to everyone who celebrate...Here is some hot cross buns..:) Everytime I studied the rhymes" Hot cross buns" I have wondered how these buns were.. Finally I baked my own batch of hot cross buns by replacing egg with  flax seeds and using raisins and cardamom as flavors..Here is the recipeAll purpose Flour-3 cupsActive dry yeast-2 tspMilk-1 cup(lukewarm)Honey-1/4 cupSalt-1 tspFlax seed powder-1 tbspHot Water-3 tbspCardamom-1tsp(seeds lightly crushed)Raisins-1/2 cup(g(...)'

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Cocoa Brownies with Walnut and Brown Butter

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 3/28/2013 2:33:00 AM

'  When Abraham Chacko approached me to write a guest post for his space I was very happy to do it and accepted it without second thought said yes. He had given me enough time and wanted it only by the end of march. As many of you know me..I am the last minute person..No matter how much time I get..ok sometimes I do start early but then there will be something that holds me till the last minute..I guess that is how I am programmed by God..Now I don't want to rewrite it..;)..So h(...)'

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Hokkaido Milk Bread with Tangzong(Eggless)

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 3/24/2013 3:02:00 PM

'This time Aparna gave us the detailed recipe to bake Hokkaido Milk bread.They are soft white breads which gets its texture from the use of Tangzhong. This month I have been baking a lot of bread using this method as a part of another baking group too. As I have done the loaf already here I have tried some shapes.Original recipe is from 65 Degrees Tangzhong “65C Bread Doctor” by Yvonne Chen, and adapted from here.For Tazgzhong(Flour-Water Roux):All purpose flour-1(...)'

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Spaghetti Stir Fry

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 3/20/2013 4:48:00 PM

'Being a mom is very special, but is there any mom out there who doesn't think - hope I was all alone doing it or who doesn't want to spend a day all free not thinking of anything, not thinking that my kid is pulling this or is putting himself here or there or is too quite..I know all moms do that..and everyone would eagerly be looking for some time to be free..Hmm I do and finally I got 2 days a week free from the past month..Initial few days went in my thoughts whether he will adju(...)'

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White Bread using Tangzhong Method

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 3/15/2013 10:38:00 PM

'Baking a bread and then enjoying the fruit of your work is the best thing to do..And if the bread turns super soft and delicious then you can sing along about it..:) This time Baking Partners group came up with baking bread using either Asian method-Tangzhong or the Scandinavian method. I went with the Tangzhong method where in one part of flour is heated to 65C with five part of water. This method yields soft breads. The recipe is from Christine's Recipe   and thanks Swathi fo(...)'

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Tomato Celery Soup with Coconut milk....

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 3/12/2013 2:52:00 PM

'Hoping that winter would end any sooner is just a dream and so is my sons cold going to last till the sun shines strong and warm. Every time the suns rays enter the house through the large patio window my heart feels to go outside and hold it as much as possible..A step outside,  chill wind hits your face and  you get to know that sun is there just as an object without a meaning..This is what is happening for the past few days/weeks..Hope things get better soon..For time b(...)'

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Strawberry Cake

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 2/28/2013 4:38:00 AM

'Finally it is the end of feb and here comes my valentines day cake...:) A cake that I had almost lost hope of been seen here..Now there is no point in saying about my love story as Valentines day is long passed..so we will stick to cake and the day it is baked...I have been saying that feb was a terrible month for me..now why is never told...so here it is...   The month begins with a busy schedule for hubby..which in turn means..early to office and late to home...That(...)'

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Classic Croissants- A buttery flaky delight..

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 2/24/2013 4:27:00 PM

'This time Aparna gave us the detailed recipe to bake buttery croissants. They are cute buttery delights when done. But baking them meant a lot of patience, effort, and calculation, all divided into 3 days. I have had them many times from here and have thought of baking them too but never imagined that it was going to be a 3 day process and some work. Thanks to the group "We Knead to bake" which inspired to make this and for the detailed information given by Aparna.. The original rec(...)'

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Kappa Masala/Tapioca Masala

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 2/22/2013 5:37:00 AM

'As in any part of world, Kerala too has a diverse character when it comes to food and culture. Since here we are speaking about food the south and north of Kerala have a wide difference there.... Now that I belong to this part I totally love the food there and love to cook it..When Nags started the Kerala Kitchen group in fb,  I was interested to learn new recipes and so joined there. The very first one being Tapioca masala by Edible Garden.Tapioca is accepted whole hearti(...)'

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Quinoa Tabbouli/Tabbouleh

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 2/21/2013 5:52:00 AM

'Feb has been a rough month for me until now(later part is yet to come)...There has been no time to do anything..was buried in work and health related issues..The first thing I abandon at these time is this little space..and it is evident when you see only 2 recipes for this whole month. Now I cant redo it but to remove the guilt feel I have finally drafted a recipe and here it is...Lightly tangy with loads of herbs and crisp and juicy veggies makes this a perfect, &nb(...)'

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Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 2/15/2013 4:34:00 PM

'We have decided to keep the ingredients minimal just to make trials easy ... hence this recipe adapted from : http://www.marthastewart.com/318387/french-macaroons  ( I changed the amount of sugar in the recipe)   Icing sugar/Confectioners' sugar-1 cup/ 125g Almond flour-3/4 cup/75g Egg whites- 2 large , 60g egg whites (60ml) (1/4 c.)room temperatureCream of tartar- PinchSuperfine sugar-1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon/20g/30ml  1.  Pulse confectioners' sugar an(...)'

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Kerala Naranga Achaar/ Lemon/Lime Pickle

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 2/6/2013 9:41:00 PM

'Pickle is a condiment that is very popular in Indian food culture. Naranga achaar is a spicy tangy pickle. Lemon/Lime-20 nosWater -Enough for steaming the lemonsSesame Oil/Gingely Oil - 3 tbspMustard Seed-1 tspWhole Dried Red Chili - 4 nosCurry leaves-1 to 2 sprigSalt as requiredGarlic - 8 clovesGreen Chilies- 10 nos(cut to small rounds)Turmeric Powder- 1/2 tspRed Chili Powder- 2 tbsp(add more if needed)Fenugreek Powder- 1/4 tspAsafoetida Powder- 1/4 tspVinegar- 1 tbspMethod of(...)'

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Herb and Cheese Pull-apart Bread

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 1/31/2013 4:54:00 AM

'A post after a short break..When this year started I had thought that I would post in some rhythm, now that was just a thought not a resolution and I am happy that it was a thought else I would have had to add one more broken resolution to my list...:) Now I cant take the whole blame..it may be the weather too which doesn't allow me to wake up from bed or from couch or wherever I am seated...Oh come on! weather is not having an effect only on me...The Sun who is suppo(...)'

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We knead to bake #1: Baingan Bharta Pull apart bread

Author : Reshmi Mahesh      Blog : EasY CooK      Date : 1/24/2013 6:25:00 AM

'Baking breads is not something I do on a regular basis and if I do so,  it always ended up with white or garlic rolls. Then I saw Aparna starting  a group known as We Knead To Bake where in she was checking with people who was interested to bake one bread every month thereby 12 breads for the year. That sounded interesting and I was sure that I would get to do many other varieties other than the white and garlic ones. I sent her a mail and she added me to the group and sen(...)'

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