Spaghetti Carbonara - Chicken

Self cooking photograph

Self cooking photograph

Self cooking photograph

chicken strips	250g
onion	1, small, chopped
green chili	2, chopped
garlic clove	3, minced
lemon juice	1 tsp
salt	1/4 tsp
black pepper	1 tsp, crushed
olive oil	1 tbsp
spaghetti	400 g
parmesan	1 tbsp, grated
For Sauce:
eggs	4
cream	4 tbsp
salt	a pinch
black pepper	a pinch
parmesan	1 cup
parsley	1 tsp, chopped
Method:
Sauce:
In a bowl whisk together the eggs, cream and parmesan.
Stir in salt, a generous amount of black pepper and parsley; mix well set aside.
Fill a large pot with water, add salt and bring it to a boil.
Add spaghetti and let it cook until al dente.
Drain it well, toss it with olive oil and set aside.
In a pan, heat the olive oil and add onions until soft.
Add chicken strips and cook for a few minutes until light golden.
Season with salt and black pepper; and cook for atleast 5 minutes.
Take the pan off the burner and add spaghetti and toss it well.
Very quickly add in sauce, stir and toss.
Do not scramble the eggs. Sauce has to remain silky and smooth.
Sprinkle remaining  cheese on top and serve immediately.
Serves 4.
* Beef can be used instead of chicken.

Yellow Daal Makhni

Self cooking photograph

split mung beans	175gram, soaked
split orange pea	3 tbsp, soaked
onion	1 large, sliced
tomato	1 medium, sliced
garlic/ ginger paste	1tsp
coriander powder	1tbsp
red chili powder	1-1/2tbsp
turmeric powder	1/4tsp
salt	to taste
green chilies	5 - 6, whole
fresh cream	1 tbsp - optional
oil	1/2 cup
For Tempering:
cumin seeds	1 tsp
round red chilies	5, whole
garlic cloves	5
For Garnishing:
fresh coriander	2 tbsp, chopped
ginger julienne	1 tbsp
fresh cream	1 tsp
Method:
Heat half oil in a pressure cooker and fry onions until golden.
Add garlic/ ginger paste; saute for 1 minute.
Add red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric and salt; mix well.
Add daals, tomato, green chilies and 3 cups of water.
Boil on high heat for 5 minutes and then put on pressure for atleast  20 to 30 minutes.
Note: Daal should be very smooth and mashed.
Turn off heat, release the pressure and add fresh cream; mix well.
Note: Fresh cream can be skipped to make it simple daal.
Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan, fry all the ingredients for tempering together for about 1- 1/2 minute.
Pour it over the cooked lentil curry, cover and cook for 10 minutes on a very low flame.
Garnish before serving.
Serves hot with boiled rice.
Serves 4 to 6.

Coffee Cream souffle

Self cooking photograph

large eggs	3, separated
brown sugar	1/2 cup
instant coffee	1 tbsp
gelatin powder	1-1/2 tsp
cream	1 cup
water	1/2 cup
chocolate	grated to decorate
Method:
In a bowl cream egg yolks with sugar.
Make gelatin through double boiling method and add coffee once gelatin is dissolved.
Or
Mix coffee and gelatin powder in boiling water until dissolved.
In a separate bowl whisk egg whites until stiff.
In another separate bowl whip the cream until thick.
Now fold egg whites into cream.
Add coffee mixture in egg yolks mixture and combine/ fold in egg whites mixture.
Pour into a dish and keep in the fridge until set.
Decorate with grated chocolate and serve.
It can also be served with a cake.
Serves 6.

Strawberry Jelly Poke Cake - Christmas Special

Self cooking photograph

Self cooking photograph

vanilla cake mix	1 box (super moist)
strawberry jelly	1 box (85g)
hot water	1 cup
lemon juice	2tbsp
red food color	1/2 tsp (optional)
whipping cream	250ml
sugar	1tbsp
Method:
Bake the cake as directed on the cake mix box.
Let it cool completely.
(detach the sides of the springform pan once it cools or leave as is in the baking dish to poke)
Poke the cake all around with a fork.
Separately, stir jelly powder into a boiling hot water and add red food color; mix till the powder is completely dissolved.
Take one tablespoon of jelly liquid and keep aside.
Now add lemon juice to the remaining jelly liquid and mix well.
Pour this jelly liquid over the cake evenly.
Now make frosting.
Beat the whipping cream and sugar together until soft peaks.
Spread the frosting on the cake evenly using a butter knife.
Now take that 1tbsp of jelly liquid and drizzle on top of the cake frosting.
(You can heat this liquid before pouring on top of the cake)
Take a butter knife and swirl around to make a design.
Garnish with strawberries if you like.
Serves 6 to 8.
Merry Christmas!

Vo-lau Vents with Mushrooms & Hollandaise Sauce

Self cooking photograph

Note: Mushrooms can replace diced chicken/ meat.
vo-lau vent cases	6 to 8
onion small	1, chopped
mushrooms	50g, diced
flour	1tsp
salt n pepper	as per taste
butter	1tsp
milk	30 ml
cream	30 ml
coriander or parsley	for garnishing
egg	1 for washing
Hollandaise Sauce:
butter	1 cup, clarified
egg yolk	3
lemon juice	3tbsp
salt	as per taste
black pepper	as per taste
water	1tbsp
Method:
Preheat oven at 180 C.
Egg wash the vol-au vent cases and bake for 13 - 15 minutes.
Heat butter in a pan, add onions and saute.
Now add diced mushrooms and flour; saute.
Stir in milk and cream, cook till the mixture is thick.
Add seasoning and set aside.
When vo-lau vent cases are baked, cut the top cap with a knife.
Now spoon the filling in to the cases.
Serve hot with hollandaise sauce on the top of each case and garnish with coriander or parsley.
Hollandaise Sauce:
Fill the double boiler pan part way with water and bring to a simmer.
In the top of double boiler, whisk the egg yolks.
Add in the lemon juice, salt, black pepper and water.
Add the clarified butter to egg yolk mixture 1 tbsp at a time while whisking constantly.
Now remove this mixture from heat when it reaches a ribbon consistency.
Note: If sauce gets too thick, add 1tbsp of hot water.
Serve hot. Self cooking photograph

Chocolate Coffee Pavlova - Halloween Special

Self cooking photograph

Especially made for my beautiful Persian friend Azita who came all the way from a different country to meet & spend time with me. Celebrating our old friendship. Uzmi, we really missed you!
Meringue:
egg whites	2
sugar	1/2 cup
vanilla essence	few drops
coco powder	1tsp
coffee powder	1tsp
Topping:
whipping cream	150g
strawberries	250g, sliced
sugar	1tbsp
shredded chocolate	1tbsp
Method:
Heat oven to 150 C.
Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Draw 5 inch circle.
In a large bowl, beat egg whites at full speed until foamy.
Sieve coco powder and coffee into sugar and mix.
Gradually add sugar mixture (1tbsp at a time) in the eggs.
Beat at high speed until stiff and glossy peaks form and sugar is almost dissolved.
(around 6 minutes)
Stir in vanilla drops; fold in lightly.
Spoon meringue onto circle on paper building upsides with the back of the spoon.
Reduce the heat to 130 C.
Place it in the oven on the top rack.
Bake for 2 hours to 3 hours or until form and dry in and out.
(If you don’t want crispy from inside then cook it for only 2 hours) Self cooking photograph
Remove from oven; cool completely.
Carefully remove paper and place it on a serving dish.
Separately whip the cream with 1tbsp of sugar until fluffy; set aside.
Fill top with whipped cream in the center and arrange sliced strawberries on top.
Sprinkle shredded chocolate on top.
Keep it in the fridge.
Serve cold.
Serves 4 to 6.

Walnut Coffee Roll - Eid Special

Self cooking photograph

eggs	4, separated
caster sugar	4 oz
all purpose flour	4 oz
baking powder	1/2 tsp
vanilla essence	1/2 tsp
dark chocolate	30g, melted
extra sugar	2 tbsp
walnuts	1/3 cup
Coffee Cream:
dry instant coffee	2 tsp
cream	300 ml
ground sugar	4 tbsp
water	1 or 2 tsp
Method:
Grease a swiss roll pan.
Separate egg whites and yolks; whip egg whites until thick and fluffy.
Add sugar and yolks; beat again.
Fold in sifted flour mixed with the baking powder, chopped walnuts and chocolate.
Pour into prepared pan and bake at 200 C for about 12 minutes.
Turn immediately on to the paper sprinkled with extra sugar.
Trim the crisp edges of cake, roll up with the paper from the long side, stand for 2 minutes and unroll.
Let it cool.
Coffee Cream:
Dissolve coffee in water.
Combine with sugar and cream until peaks form.
Spread half of the coffee cream on the cake, roll up.
Cover and decorate with the remaining cream.
Serve chilled.
Serves 6 to 8.