Vegan Aloo Rice With Fruity Nutty Veg Salad- A One Pot Meal

This is quick instant one pot meal.  Quick to make and really delicious.  A complete and comforting meal. Its Vegan and Gluten free too.   
Ingredients
1.1/2 Cups Basmati Rice
1 Large Potato - scrubbed and cut into wedges
1 Large Onion - sliced
1/2 Teaspoon Red Chilly powder
1/2 Teaspoon Pav Bhaji Masala
1/4 Teaspoon Turmeric powder
1/2 Teaspoon Kasoori  Methi
3 Black Peppercorn
2 Petals Star Anise / Bardian
1 Bay Leaf
1 Veg Seasoning Cube
1/4 Teaspoon Salt or to taste
2 Tablespoons Chopped Coriander Leaves
3 Tablespoons Oil
2.1/2 Cups Hot Water

For the Fruity  Nutty Veg Salad
3 Green Grapes - cut into two
3 Black Grapes  - cut into two
2 Kiwi - cut into slices
3 Cherry Tomatoes  - cut into two
3 Iceberg Lettuce leaves -  finely chopped
1 Fried Green Chilly- de seeded and finely chopped
White Sendav Namak to taste
1 Cup Yogurt - beaten
2 Tablespoons Fried Masala Peanuts

Method
For the Fruity  Nutty  Salad

Mix all ingredients well into a serving bowl and refrigerate, till it time to serve.
For the Rice

Wash and soak the rice.  Keep aside.

In a pressure pan heat 2 tablespoons oil and fry the potato wedges on medium high flame till golden.  Remove it on to a plate with a slotted spoon.  In the same oil fry the onions till golden, remove them and keep aside.  In the same oil fry the green chilly for the salad.  Keep aside.

In the same pan add the remaining  tablespoon oil  , add the bay leaf, peppercorns and star anise, half of the fried onions and fry for a minutes.  Now add the rice , little coriander leaves, turmeric, chilly powder and pav bhaji masala fry for a minute.  Add the soup cube, kasoori methi and salt to taste.  Mix them well add hot water and close the cooker, on high flame take 2 whistles. 

Let the cooker cool, open and add the fried potatoes, coriander leaves and mix lightly with a fork.

Serve garnished with fried onions, coriander leaves.  

Enjoy with  Fruity Nutty  Salad  and roasted papad.    A delicious and comforting meal.  Very tasty.

Labels : Rice, Potato, Fried Onions, One Pot Meal, Vegetarian, Salads, Grapes, Masala Peanuts, Cherry Tomatoes, Kiwi, Iceberg Lettuce, Rice, Vegan, Gluten free

Alcohol White Christmas Cake

This is rich Alcohol White Christmas Cake, delicious and soft. You will love this cake.

Makes two rectangle cake tins of 10.1/2 x 8 inches.
Ingredients 

500 Grams All Purpose Flour
500 Grams Salted Butter
500 Grams Caster Sugar1/2 Teaspoons Salt  
12 Eggs
2 Tablespoons Baking powder
1 Teaspoon Mixed Fruit Essence
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Essence
825 Grams Mixed Fruits

100 grams Each Cashew & Almonds  - chopped
4 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
3 Tablespoon Alcohol
1 Teaspoon Cake Spice - Homemade

Method
These fruits are soaked in alcohol for year, whatever alcohol - can use what alcohol you wish. I soak 800 grams of mix fruits ( cranberries, cherries, mixed peels, black raisins, sultanas and prunes) in alcohol mix of rum, whisky, beer , vodka , bourbon. Pour this in a jar and cover it with alcohol.  If you can,t soak for a year then it should kept in alcohol for at least a month.

Before using this mix I drain all the alcohol and then add 100 grams each of cashew and almonds chopped. Mix it well.
Grease and line 2 baking tins with parchment paper on all sides.
Mix the drained fruits with 4 tablespoons of flour and mix well keep aside.
Sieve the flour, salt, cake spice and baking powder well . Keep aside.

In a bowl break the eggs and keep aside. Add the essence in it and lightly beat them.

Cream the butter till light and fluffy then add the caster sugar in batches and continue beating till the batter turns creamy, add an egg at a time and continue beating till all the eggs are incorporated. Add the sieved flour again in batches and on low speed continue beating. When all the flour is incorporated, add the 3 tablespoons of alcohol, fruits and fold in with a spatula gently till the fruits are well mixed into the batter. 

Pour this into the prepared tins and bake in a pre heated oven at 180 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes or till a skewer comes our clean.

When the cake is out of the oven immediately take a tea strainer ( it spreads evenly over the cake) and pour the drained alcohol 2 -3 tablespoons  over cakes (this is optional). I do it since it keeps the cake moist.  

Let them cool completely and then um mold. Enjoy!!

Labels : Cakes, Fruit Cake, Christmas Cake, Alcohol, Homemade

Cream of Mushroom Soup With DIY/Homemade Cream Of Soup Mix#Soupswappers

This is excellent for a party. Place this in a large bowl and keep small individual soup bowls at the side. Let each one serve themselves.

This is so delicious and easy to make from start to finish it take just 30 minutes and you are done with a quick meal.

Serves 3 as a meal and 4 -5 as an appetizer
Ingredients

1/2 Cup Level Cream Of Soup Mix -DIY/Homemade 

1 Big Vegetable Stock Cube
4 - 5 Cups Water
1 Cup Sliced Fresh Mushrooms
2 Cloves Garlic - minced
1 Small Onion - finely chopped
A Dash of Black Pepper powder
Salt to taste¼ Teaspoon Freshly Grated Nutmeg - optional
1 Tablespoon Butter

Method

In a sauce pan add the butter , garlic and on medium low flame saute till it start to turn brown, immediately add the onions and saute till its translucent. Add the cream of soup mix and stir it with a whisk for a minute or two. Now add the chopped mushrooms and saute them for 2 minutes. 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.

Continue to whisk till it thickens, taste for salt and pepper, if you like nutmeg add at this stage . Give the soup a good mix. Remove half of the mushrooms and puree it 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. Enjoy it as a meal.

Labels : Mushroom, Vegetarian, Creamy, Healthy, Preservatives free, Main course, Appetizer, Soup, Soup  Swappers, Homemade Cream Of Soup Mix

Check the other recipes for Soup Swappers this month, our host is Camilla M. Mann.  Thank you dear for hosting this event.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup With DIY/Homemade Cream Of Soup Mix by Sneha's Recipe
• Italian Wedding Soup by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• New Year's Soup by Making Miracles
• Pear and Sweet Potato Soup by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Potato Leek Soup with Herbes de Provence by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Trinidadian Corn Soup by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Velouté de Châtaignes by Palatable Pastime

DIY/Homemade Cream Of Soup Mix / Condensed Soup Mix

This is a super delicious and easy way to make your quick creamy soup.  Just mix this in milk or water and you will have creamy soup ready in minutes.

250 Ml Cup measurement

Ingredients 
1 Cup Level Dry Milk Powder - I used Full Cream
3/4 Cup Level All-Purpose Flour
1 Tablespoon Dehydrated Onion Flakes -Homemade

¼ Cup Level Potato Starch 
¼ Teaspoon Heaped Dried Herbs 
¼ Teaspoon Heaped Dried Thyme
¼ Teaspoon Heaped Dried Basil
¼ Teaspoon Heaped Dried Parsley

 ¼ Teaspoon Heaped Black Pepper powder 

Method

In a blender add all the ingredients and just pulse it once or twice.

When you are ready to make your condensed soup mix 1/2 Cup level of the mix  for Cream of Mushroom Soup

My Notes

 Label and store this in the refrigerator.  It stay's good for months.

To Make it Gluten free use Gluten Free All Purpose Flour.
To Make this Vegan / Dairy Free, use Coconut Milk Powder instead of Milk Powder,
If you do not have Potato Starch Powder then use Corn Flour Powder

Labels : Full Cream, Milk powder, Potato Starch, Soup, Dehydrated, Onion Flakes, Dried Herbs, Thyme, Basil, Parsley, Vegan, Gluten free

Creamy Mackerel Tulip Salad For Two#FishFriday

These are so beautiful , make very good appetizer or salad. When you have a party surprise to your guests with these tulips. they are one bite and delicious too!

Ingredients 

1.1/2 Tablespoons Mackerel Paste
1.1/2 Tablespoons Cream cheese
A Dash of Dried Basil and Smoked Paprika
A Sprinkle of finely chopped Scallion greens

Method

In a bowl, combine the mackerel paste, cream cheese, dried basil and smoked powder and scallion green.

Wash cherry tomatoes, wipe and cut a cross on top (not all the way through). 

Scoop out the seeds and with kitchen shears 

snip off any inner tough membranes. 

Insert a skewer  at the bottom of each tomato.

And cover it with scallion green.

They are so pretty and  ready to be filled. 

Fill each tomato with the mixture.

Place tomatoes in the serving plate.. ready .... 

Serve as an appetizer or salad. Enjoy !!

Labels : Fish, Mackerel, Cream Cheese, Smoked Paprika, Dried Basil, Cherry Tomatoes, Fish Friday, Salads, Appetizer

Welcome to the Feast of the Seven Fishes, hosted by Karen of Karen’s Kitchen’s Stories for Fish Friday Foodies. 

• Artichoke Crab Dip Pasta Bake from Food Lust People Love
• Baccala Soup from Palatable Pastime
• Baked Mussels from Caroline's Cooking
• Creamy Clam Dip from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Creamy Mackerel Salad for Two from Sneha's Recipes
• Italian Seafood Salad (Insalata di Mare) from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• La Vigilia di Natali from Culinary Adventures with Camilla, who made new dishes for all of the courses for this Italian Christmas Eve dinner! Fun fact: She once spent a year in Rome and learned the food traditions of Italy. You need to check out her menu!