Month: April 2011

Chicken Lasagna

Published by

Lasagna was always one of those things on the menu that I was in awe of. Considering I dint know how to pronounce it when I looked at the spelling!  Oh puleez, stop raising your eyebrows and shaking your head in disbelief. That was eons ago! I know how to say it now ‘La-zan-ya’. There. Can we move past this now? Layers of pasta, cheese, meat and sauce – looked complicated! (Ok Ok … NOW I know its nothing but assembly line work). If you have all the components in place you really just need to stand there and go into a trance like state where you slop on pasta, meat, white sauce and cheese in a never-ending sequence. (Again I exaggerate – till you have reached the top of the baking dish is more like it). It does give you a very satisfying feeling at the end of it … mindless repetitive work always takes me into zen mode. (Ask me more about that meditative technique later). For the time being it’s safe to …

Everyday Chocolate Cake

Published by

What is it about chocolate cake that makes men go weak in the knees? (Women as well… excuse the gender bias!). I am not the biggest chocolate fan… though my friends would beg to disagree. But I can honestly tell you, you can get away with murder if you offer someone a slice of chocolate cake. (OK, maybe not murder but a parking ticket for sure!). I won’t wax eloquent about the awesomeness of chocolate… some things are better experienced. This recipe is for the ‘easiest chocolate cake’ that you can whip up, to receive praise from one and all. Trust me, I have husband, siblings, friends and collegues who have fallen for its charm. My weapon of choice. Everyday Chocolate Cake Prep time: 20 mins Cooking time: 30 mins Serves: 6-8 What you need: 1 cup Flour 3 Tbsp Cocoa Powder ½ cup Butter ¾ cup Sugar 2 Eggs 1/3 cup Milk 1 tsp Baking powder ¼ tsp Soda Bicarbonate 1 tsp Vanilla essence a pinch of Salt Chocolate sauce to serve What to do: …

Fluffy Cheese Omlette

Published by

One of the most satisfying things you can have for brekkie is a nice cheese omelette. (Yes…I like this spelling in comparison to the plain old ‘omelet’). Its feels decadent but it’s very healthy, And it’s definitely more inspiring than just plain toast and orange juice. No kidding, but a cheese omelette is considered special breakfast in my place. I always make it when my sister spends the night at my place and we have lazy conversations over it the next morning. Whip it up on any day in under 5 mins and I ensure it will sit pretty and happy in your stomach till lunch break. Fluffy Cheese Omelette Prep time: 2 mins Cooking time: 5 mins Serves: 1 What you need: 2 Med Eggs 1 Tbsp Water 25gm/ 1 cube of Cheese (Cheddar) A dash of Butter Salt and freshly ground Pepper What to do: Ensure the eggs are at room temperature. Crack them open into a bowl, add a tablespoon of water and whisk to get some air into the mixture and …

Coq Au Vin with a Twist

Published by

 Coq Au Vin simply means Chicken in Wine. The French sure know how to make simple things sound so ooh-la-la. Traditionally Coq Au Vin is made with red wine and mushrooms. This recipe however is made with white wine and green olives. The result is simply delish! Use chicken pieces with the skin on – this gives it a lovely brown color on the outside, while keeping the flesh inside nice and juicy. Serve it with some mashed potatoes or some buttered carrots to make a complete meal. This takes 50 mins tops to make, so if you want to impress the family on a weekday… I’d say go for it. Coq Au Vin with a Twist Prep time: 10 mins Cooking time: 40 mins Serves: 4 What you need: 1 kg Chicken, cut into serving pieces 1 Onion, sliced 12 Garlic cloves, to taste, crushed 1 tsp dried Thyme 2 cups dry white wine 1 cup pitted Green Olives (16-18) 1 bay leaf 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice 1-2 Tbsp Butter Salt and Black Pepper …

Spirulina Spaghetti with Garlic Butter

Published by

Spirulina is a blue-green algae which is being developed as the superfood of the future. Spirulina is 70% complete protein in comparison to beef which is only 22% – it has all amino acids in complete balance. That being said, you can imagine why I fell for the fancy all organic packing of the spirulina spaghetti. I thought I’d toss it with Garlic butter to serve as a simple sauce so that the flavor of the spirulina can shine through. And shine through it did… actually all I could taste was the spirulina! It was a completely new taste on my palate… sea like, veggie like, earth like…. I don’t like!!! The co-resident graciously took a small portion and insisted that he was really full. I on the other hand had to prove that I had an iron gut and frankly bit off more than I could chew! On the whole … what’s life without a little jolt to the palate once in a while?? Recommended for the earth mother loving organic farming people who …