Creamy Zucchini Soup#SoupSwappers

Had some frozen zucchini in the freezer decided to make a delicious creamy soup with my DIY/Homemade Cream Of Soup Mix. This is so quick and delicious to make do try this recipe.

Ingredients
½ Cup Level Cream Of Soup Mix -DIY/Homemade
1 Big Vegetable Stock Cube
4 - 5 Cups Water
2 Cups Diced Zucchini - I used frozen
1 Clove Garlic - minced
1 Small Onion - finely chopped
A Dash of Black Pepper powder
Salt to taste
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Teaspoon Mixed Herbs
Toasted Chopped Almonds - as required

Method 

In a sauce pan add the butter , garlic and on medium low flame sauté for a minute, immediately add the onions and sauté till its translucent. Add the cream of soup mix and stir it with a whisk for a minute or two. Now add the diced zucchini and sauté till it softens. Add the stock cube and water and whisk till it is lump free. Continue to whisk on medium low flame till it comes to a boil. Taste for salt and pepper, give the soup a good mix. Puree this in a blender. Add this puree back into the soup and again give it good whisk and heat it if necessary. 

Serve this into big bowls, garnish with a dash of pepper powder and few fresh basil leaves and chopped toasted almonds ( this is optional), the toasted chopped almonds give an awesome crunch to the soup. Enjoy it as a meal or as an appetizer.

Labels: Zucchini , Vegetarian, Main course, Appetizer, Soup, Soup Swappers, International Cuisine

Want some great ideas for soups with frozen vegetables? Check out what the rest of the Soup Saturday Swappers group created for this! 

• Creamy Zucchini Soup - Sneha's Recipes   
• Curried Carrot and Red Pepper Soup from Magical Ingredients
• Easy Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup - Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Quick and Healthy Butternut Squash Soup - A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Slovakian Green Bean Soup - Pandemonium Noshery

Thakkali Chammanthi / Tomato Chutney

Tomato Chutney is a tangy and tasty South Indian chutney made from tomatoes, herbs and spices, there is no onion no garlic or coconut in it. There are many variations of making Tomato chutney / Thakkali Chammanthi. 

Ingredients
3 Rip Tomatoes - diced
3 Dried Red Chillies
1 Tablespoon Split Urad Dal
Salt to taste
1 Tablespoon Oil or as required
1 Teaspoon Finely Chopped Ginger
1 Whole Clove
For The Tadka
A Sprig Curry Leaves
½ Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
A Pinch Asafoetida
1 Tablespoon Oil

Method

Heat oil in the pan and add in the urad dal first. On low heat allow it to turn light golden. Now add in the ginger , red chillies (break them into pieces) and the clove. Sauté for a minute till the red chilly changes color. Now add in the chopped tomatoes and salt. Cook the tomatoes till they are soft and mushy.

Take off heat and allow this mix to cool. Now grind this mixture to a fine paste and keep aside. While grinding, you can add 2-4 tablespoons of water to get the desired consistency of the chutney.

For The Tadka

Heat oil in a small tadka pan add the mustard seeds when they splutter, add the asafoetida and curry leaves give this a good mix. Add in the ground tomato chutney, taste for salt, add if needed. Cook for 2 minutes till all comes together. Take it off heat and enjoy this yum..mm chutney!

This Tomato Chutney taste good and is a perfect accompaniment to enjoy with Idli, Dosa, Vada, Uttapam or even rice and dal. 

We enjoyed this with Ragi Idli and Drumstick Sambar | Murungakkai Sambar... a perfect combo!! 

Labels: Vegan, No Onion No Garlic, Chutney, Tomato, Gluten free, Appetizer, South Indian

Thai Fried Chicken Wings With Red Fiery Sauce#Foodieextravaganza

This sauce is super delicious. Fiery, but it does not burn your mouth. You will love, you'll be licking your fingers for sure.

Serves 4
Ingredients
For The Marination 
9 Chicken Wings With Skin
2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
1 Tablespoon Heaped Potato Starch/Corn flour
¼ Teaspoon Heaped Baking powder
1 Teaspoon Sesame seeds
1 Tablespoon Thai Red Curry Paste
1 Teaspoons Lemon juice
1 Small Egg
¼ Teaspoon Salt
½ Teaspoon Chicken powder
1/8 Teaspoon White pepper 
For The Red Fiery Sauce
½ Cup Water
½ Teaspoons Red Pepper Flakes
1 Teaspoon Ketchup
2 Tablespoons Sweet & Sour Sauce
½ Teaspoon Vinegar
1 Teaspoon Sugar
1 Teaspoons Corn flour - dissolved

Method
For Wings Marination

Marinate chicken wings with all the given ingredients for 30 minutes, or overnight in the refrigerator.
Mix the all purpose flour, baking powder, potato starch and sesame seeds well.
Before frying add the egg and the flour mix. Mix well so that the wings are coated with this mixture.

Heat oil in a deep frying pan , place the wings in a single layer (fry them in batches), let them fry on medium low flame for 10 minutes on one side, then turn the sides and let it fry for another 5 minutes . Then fry the next batch of wings. Remove them to when done. Just before serving refry them in hot oil on high flame for just 2 - 3 minutes or till crisp and golden.
For The Red Fiery Sauce 

Mix all given ingredients except the corn flour in a sauce pan, cook till mixture reduce to nearly half. Mix the corn flour in a tablespoon water, add it to the sauce and keep stirring till it thickens.

Serve the fried wings with this Red Fiery Sauce.  

Enjoy!! 
Labels: Thai Red Curry Paste, Thailand, Asian Cuisine, Chicken Wings, Dipping Sauce, Appetizer

Foodie Extravaganza is where we celebrate obscure food holidays or cook and bake together with the same ingredient or theme each month. If you are a blogger and would like to join our group and blog with us, come join our Facebook page Foodie Extravaganza. We would love to have you! If you're a spectator looking for delicious tid-bits check out our Foodie Extravaganza Pinterest Board.

Posting day for #FoodieExtravaganza is always the first Wednesday of the month.    

• Cánh Gà Chiên Nước Mắm (Vietnamese Fried Chicken Wings by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Copycat Canes Chicken and Sauce by Palatable Pastime
• Dirty Fried Chicken by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Korean Fried Chicken by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Thai Fried Chicken Wings With Red Fiery Sauce by Sneha's Recipe
• Vegan Buffalo Chicken Sandwich by The Spiffy Cookie

BBQ Whole Cauliflower Tikka#SundayFunday

This marinated cauliflower tikka I took it for our homestay at Lonavla with my family. The manager arranged a grill for us with all necessary accessories. The smoky flavor was awesome in this and was relished by all. If you do not have a grill then bake it in the oven and give the flavor of liquid smoke or smoke it with charcoal.

Ingredients
To Blanche The Whole Cauliflower
1 Medium Whole Cauliflower
1 Teaspoon Heaped Turmeric Powder
½ Teaspoon Heaped Sea Salt
For  The Marination
½ Cup Greek Yogurt/ Hung Curd
1 Tablespoon Vinegar Or Lemon Juice
1½ Teaspoons Ginger Garlic Paste
1 Teaspoon Heaped Homemade Tandoori Masala
½ Teaspoon Fennel Powder
1½ Teaspoon Roasted Chana Powder
Salt to taste
1 Cube Vegetable Seasoning
2 Tablespoon Olive Oil 0r Mustard Oil
2 Tablespoons Mustard Oil
½ Teaspoon Ajwain / Carom seeds
1½ Teaspoon Kasuri Methi
2 Green Chilies- finely chopped

Method

In a large pot/kadai heat water with salt and turmeric powder. When the water comes to boil add the whole cauliflower and blanche is for just 10 minutes.

Heat mustard oil or olive oil or any vegetable oil of your choice in a pan, then switch of the flame in a pan, add carom seeds and the chopped Green chilies sauté for a minute. Let it cool. Mix all ingredients in yogurt along with this flavored oil well. Pour this into a piping bag and pipe it into the crevices from the bottom of cauliflower then rub the marinade on the top too. Marinate this for at least 30 minutes. I left it overnight to marinate in the refrigerator. 

Now grill it on a charcoal grill or bake it at 200°C in a preheated oven with both the elements on for for 20-25mins.

Serve this with coriander chutney and a sprinkle of lemon juice.

Labels: Cauliflower, BBQ, Yogurt, Smoked, Vegetarian, Appetizer, Main course, Healthy, Sunday Funday, Keto, Low Carb

For our event called Sunday Funday, wherein we share recipes our families will love to enjoy on a Sunday. Our theme for Sunday Funday: " Vegetarian BBQ Recipes".   

• Peri-Peri Grilled Sweet Potato from Cook with Renu
• Grilled Bean and Cheese Quesadillas from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Vegan Coney Dogs from Palatable Pastime
• Margherita Portabella Caps from Amy's Cooking Adventures
• BBQ Whole Cauliflower Tikka from Sneha’s Recipe

Keto Fried Beef Steak #SundayFunday

These Keto Fried Beef Steaks are so delicious and yum. They are low crab, quick to make. Half I fried in egg batter and the other half with egg batter, both methods taste delicious. So you can use egg to dip or completely skip this step.

Makes 16 - 18
Serves 6
Ingredients
1/2 Kg Beef (Undercut) - cut into slices
6 - 8 flakes garlic
2 Inch Piece of Ginger
30 Mint Leaves
1/2 Cup Coriander leaves
1/2 Teaspoon Garam masala powder
1 Scallion - Chopped
1 Sour Lime
Salt to taste
Coconut oil as required for frying
2 Eggs  - lightly beaten  

Method

Wash and cut the meat into slices abut 1 inch thick. Lightly beat each slice with a meat mallet to flatten them lightly.
Grind the garlic, ginger, mint, coriander leaves, scallions to fine paste ( do not add water to grind). Mix in the lime juice and salt to the paste. Apply this paste to the meat slices and marinate it in the refrigerator or an hour. 

Dip each slice in egg. Shallow fry them till golden brown. Serve these as sides to a main course meal or as starters. 

Enjoy hot with chutney or spicy tomato sauce.

Labels: Steaks, Pan Fried, Appetizer, Keto, Sunday Funday, Main course, Beef

For Sunday Funday our theme is "Steakhouse Recipes". 

• Palatable Pastime: Chopped Steak with Longhorn Steakhouse Seasoning 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Grilled New York Strip Steaks with Herb Compound Butter 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Keto Fried Beef Steaks 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Shallots and Rosemary 
• Food Lust People Love: Ruth’s Creamed Spinach 
• Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Steakhouse Garlic Butter  

Pudina/Minty Shrimp Skewers#FishFriday

Looking for a quick and tasty shrimp recipe? Try Pudina/Mint Shrimp Skewers. With a few ingredients, you can impress your family and friends with this flavorful small bite appetizer.
   
Ingredients  
15 Large Shrimp (Prawns) – cleaned with tail on
A Handful Mint Leaves 
2 Large Cloves Garlic
1" Piece Ginger –
2 Green Chilies or to taste
½ Tablespoons Oil
½ Tablespoon Lime Juice 
1 Tablespoon Yogurt - whisked  
½ Teaspoon Black Pepper  
½ Teaspoon Salt or to taste  
For Frying  
1½ Tablespoon Sesame Oil  
For Garnishing  
Orange Slice

Lime slices 

Salad

Method

Soak the skewers in water for at least 30 minutes
Wash, devein and pat dry shrimps.
Add remaining ingredients into a blender or spice grinder and grind to a smooth paste. Coat Shrimp with ground mixture and marinate for minimum of 15 minutes in the refrigerator.   

Thread them in small skewers on each. Heat a skillet with oil and fry them 2- 3 minutes on each side or till done. 

Squeeze fresh lime juice before serving. Serve hot.

Labels: Mint, Shrimps, One Bite, Appetizer, Seafood/Fish, Fish Friday  

Are you a food blogger who would you like to join Fish Friday Foodies? We post and share new seafood/fish recipes on the third Friday of the month. To join our group please email Wendy at wendyklik1517 (at) gmail.com. Visit our Facebook page and Pinterest page for more wonderful fish and seafood recipe ideas.    

• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Smoked Salmon Rolls
• Culinary Adventures with Camilla: Marbled Smoked Salmon-Topped Deviled Eggs
  
• Food Lust People Love: Baked Crawfish Rangoon
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Shrimp Cocktail Cucumber Cups
• Of Goats and Greens: Steamed Scallop Wontons
• Palatable Pastime: Kung Pao Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
  
• Sneha’s Recipe: Pudina/Minty Shrimp Skewers

Paneer Lollipops#SundayFunday

A yummy combination of paneer slices on stick marinated with spices, called paneer lollipop is a perfect snack to prepare over the weekend or a party! These are a realy kid's delight.
Ingredients
250 Grams Paneer
For The Marination
¼ Teaspoon Vegetarian Stock Powder
2 Tablespoons Red Chilly Garlic sauce
¼ Teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
¼ Teaspoon Coriander Powder
¼ Teaspoon Amchur/Mango Powder
2 Tablespoons Corn flour
For The Paste/Slurry
¼ Cup All Purpose Flour
¼ Cup Corn Flour
Salt & Black Pepper Powder to taste
Water as required to make a thick paste
Other Ingredients
Toothpicks as required 

¼ Cup White Sesame Seeds
Corn Flour as required for rolling
Oil as required for frying

Method

Wash and cut the paneer into broad/lollipop sticks.

In a large bowl add all the marination ingredients and make thick paste, add paneer sticks and toss it so that the spices stick to paneer sticks and leave aside for about 20 minutes,
Now take another bowl and add the slurry ingredients to this and add salt n pepper and dissolve with water to make a thick coating paste. 

Pierce each paneer lollipop to a stick one by one and roll each in dry corn flour and then roll in slurry, shake this lightly to make a even coating. Then roll in  sesame seeds. 

Heat oil in broad frying pan, shallow fry each paneer lollipop on medium high flame till one side is golden brown then flip and fry till all sides and golden. Serve hot with ketchup or any chutney or your choice.  

Very yummy and delicious .......crispy from outside and soft from inside with a rich garlic flavor.

My Notes 
I haven't used any salt in this recipe as chilly garlic sauce and stock has already lot of salt content in it ..you could check the marinade and use according to your taste.       

                                      

Labels: Paneer, Starters, Appetizer, Kids delight, Party pleasers, Sunday Funday, Vegetarian, Eggless

For Sunday Funday our theme is Something On A Stick, Host is Mayuri.
Here are some delicious recipes of Something On A Stick:  

  

Something On A Stick:

• Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Bacon Mini Cheese Balls on a Stick
• A Day in the Life on the Farm Homemade Corndogs
• Food Lust People Love: Marinated Turkey Kabobs - Shish Hindi
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Mini Caprese Salad Skewers
• Sneha’s Recipe: Paneer Lollipops
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Vegetable Seekh Kababs 

Kerala Style Surmai Fish Cutlets#FishFriday

Crispy fish cutlets with traditional Indian flavors. Serve with a side of simple onion or tomato salad and watch your guests enjoy.. just sensational! These Kerala style cutlets are traditionally served as starters/appetizers.

Serves 4  
Ingredients

500 Grams Surmai Fish
1 Teaspoon Ginger Garlic Paste
2 -3 Green Chillies - finely chopped
1 Medium Onion -finely chopped
¼ Teaspoon Garam masala
¼ Teaspoon Pepper powder
1 Medium Boiled Potato - grated
1 Egg - separated
1 Cup Bread Crumbs
Salt - to taste
1 Teaspoon Oil
Other Ingredients
Oil as required for frying

Method

Wash & clean the fish. Boil fish in one cup water(without salt). Drain and remove the bones / thorns from the fish and then
shred it, ensure that there are not thorns.

Heat oil in a pan & and sauté onion till translucent then add the ginger garlic paste. Add minced fish & stir. Add salt & pepper. Stir well. Add garam masala. Cook for 3 more minutes. Take off flame and cool then add the grated the boiled potatoes, egg yolk and mix well so that all ingredients are well mixed. Make equal size small balls. Flatten each ball to make cutlets.
Beat the egg white. Dip the fish balls in egg white & roll with bread crumbs.

Heat oil in a broad frying pan. Shallow them on one side till golden brown then flip them gently and fry till that side too is golden brown. 

Serve with sliced tomatoes, lemon and a sprinkle of coriander leaves.   
Labels: Fish, Cutlets, Appetizer, Amuse Bouche, Fish Friday, Surmai Fish

Today we are sharing favorite recipes for Steamed Fish:

 

• Kerala Style Surmai Fish Cutlets from Sneha's Recipe
• Ligurian Seafood Salad from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Nori-wrapped Ginger Soy Steamed Cod from Food Lust People Love
• Sand Dabs en Papillote from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Steamed Fish Tacos with Avocado Salsa from Palatable Pastime
• Steamed Haddock with Brussels Sprouts in Vermouth from Goats and Greens
• Steamed Salmon with Fennel from Karen's Kitchen Stories  

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Bell Pepper Soup#Soupswappers

This Italian roasted cherry tomatoes and red bell peppers soup reminds me that winter is in. I love the reddish orange color of this soup and it's the simplicity, a no-fuss cooking that makes it my favorite.

Serves 2
Ingredients 
8- 10 Cherry Tomatoes
1 Large Red Bell Pepper
2 Cloves Garlic cloves – crushed lightly
1 Teaspoon Olive oil
Sea salt to taste
¼ Teaspoon Lemon Pepper Seasoning
3 Cups Vegetable Stock
Crispy Fried Basil leaves – to garnish

Method 
Pre-heat oven at 200°C.

Wash and pat dry ,garlic, tomatoes and pepper. Place them in a foil tray, in a single layer and drizzle ½ teaspoon olive oil . Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the tomatoes break into juice and the bell pepper is charred.

Cool and blend in a mixer to smooth consistency. Remove in a sauce pan, add 3 cups of vegetable stock to thin and bring this to a boil. Add the seasoning of salt and lemon pepper. Taste, the soup, it should smooth and not too thick.

Serve as it is with a few drops of extra virgin olive oil on top, or with fried basil. Enjoy this delicious soup with any crusty bread.

Labels: Soup, Red Bell Pepper, Cherry Tomatoes, Oven Roasted, Garlic, Serves Two, Soup Swappers, Healthy, Appetizer, Main course, Dairy Free, Gluten free, Nut Free, Vegan, Italian, International Cuisine

Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm our host and author of Soup Swapper's group, today we are making Chilly Soups to celebrate National Chili Day.  

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Chicken Chile Verde 

Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Instant Pot Spicy Turkey Chili 

Sneha’s Recipe: Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Bell Pepper Soup 

Magical Ingredients: Garbanzo Chili Verde

Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Turkey, Stout, & Sweet Potato Cincinnati Chili 

Our Good Life: Six Can Chili

Crispy Veg Heart Cutlet#SundayFunday

These are Restaurant Style cutlets, crisp, savory, golden, delicious and not oily. Kids as well as adults love this as snack or appetizer. There are so many ways to make them. These vegan vegetable cutlet are deep fried, you, can also shallow fry.

Ingredients
3 Boiled Potatoes - peeled & mashed
2 Medium Carrots - finely chopped
100 Grams French Beans - finely chopped
100 Grams Sweet Corn - finely chopped
50 Grams Green peas - finely chopped
1 Teaspoon Salt or to taste
1 Teaspoon Butter
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1Teaspoon Heaped Red Chilly Flakes
1 Teaspoon Oregano - crushed
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper Powder
½ Cup Fresh White Bread Crumbs

For The Slurry
2 -3 Tablespoon Corn Flour
2 -3 Tablespoon All Purpose Flour

Water - as required

Oil -  As Required For Deep Frying
To Serve
Tomato sauce

Method

In this cutlet recipe, I have used panko breadcrumbs to get a crispy texture. Regular breadcrumbs also work wonderfully.

In a pan heat a tablespoon each of oil and butter, then add chopped corn and green peas and high flame continuously keep stirring till all the moisture evaporates. Then add in chopped beans and carrot, and keep stirring on high flame till all the moistures evaporates and are soft. Remove this on to large plate and spread it so that it cools down completely. Once the veggies cool down then add in mashed potatoes, add in salt, chilly flakes, oregano, black pepper powder and massage them well, then add 1 tablespoon corn flour and 2 tablespoons heaped bread crumbs and mash it well till it forms a smooth ball. 

Divide this into small balls. Oil the heart shape mold and press the ball into it remove and arrange this on to a plate. Like wise make all the cutlets.  
Make a slurry of 1 tablespoon each corn flour and all purpose flour with a pinch of salt, add water little at at time to make a smooth and thin slurry.

Dip in the slurry and remove all the excess slurry, coat in bread crumbs . Make all like wise.

Heat oil in a deep frying pa and deep fry on medium high flame till golden and serve with ketchup.

Labels: Kebabs, Cutlets, Vegetarian, Starters, Appetizer, Sunday Funday, Mixed Veggies, Restaurant Style, Vegan

For our event called Sunday Funday, wherein we share recipes our families will love to enjoy on a Sunday. Our host for this week's event is Rebekah of Making Miracles and the theme is Sunday Funday Recipes Of The Heart.  

Palatable Pastime: Antipasto Salad
Food Lust People Love: Baked Nutty Truffles
Sneha’s Recipe: Crispy Veg Heart Cutlet
A Day in the Life on the Farm: Hearts of Palm and Avocado Salad
Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Heart Shaped Garlic Knots
Making Miracles: Heart Shaped Pizza Pocket
Mayuri’s Jikoni: Heart Shaped Raspberry Rolls