Soni's Food

Indian Inspiration!

Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Patties

20 | 04 | 2012
By Soni Sinha

My newest craze these days are Sweet Potatoes.So rich in texture, taste and a nicer and healthier alternative to Potatoes.Packed with nutrition, rich in fiber, vitamins and beta carotene, this is a wonder vegetable that you can incorporate into your family’s diet. Its a versatile vegetable, that can be used in many different ways right from cutlets,to a simple mash, casseroles or desserts.

sweet potatoes

I’d originally planned on making sweet potato mash for dinner.The idea of making these into patties popped in when I’d peeled them up and I instantly changed my plan.I opened up my spice cabinet and threw in some coriander and cumin to give it a kick.The result is a luscious healthy appetizer or snack that you can enjoy guilt free!

The patties taste best when the natural sugars in the sweet potato caramelizes and imparts an earthy slightly charred flavor!The ginger kicks in along with the spices and the corn starch works as a binder.Its rustic and delicious!!I have been making it ever since and I’m sure you will too!

Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Patties

Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Patties

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • Sweet Potatoes-3 Medium or 4-5 small makes about 8-10
  • Potato any kind-1 medium boiled
  • Ginger-1 inch crushed
  • Green Chillies jalapeños-2 chopped finely
  • Ground Cumin-1 tsp
  • Ground Coriander-1 tsp
  • Cornstarch-2-3 tbsps
  • Salt-to taste
  • Oil-for shallow frying

Instructions
 

  • Wash the Sweet potatoes and bake it in the oven at 350 degrees F for 50 mins- 1 hour until cooked.
  • In the meantime boil a potato either on the stove-top or in a microwave.
  • Peel off the skin of the sweet potatoes and the potato, mash it and mix all the ingredients except oil.
  • Take some of the mix and flatten it between your hands, into round shaped patties.
  • Heat oil in a non stick pan over medium heat.
  • Shallow fry until nicely brown and caramalized on both sides.Serve hot with some ketchup!
Notes: For best results 
  • refrigerate the ready patties for about 20 minutes before you fry them
  • Use a Non-Stick pan to prevent them from sticking (do not use too much oil, just 2 tbsp on each side should suffice)
  • Let the patties develop a nice golden color on one side before you flip them.

Indian Style Cabbage and Peas Stir-fry

16 | 04 | 2012
By Soni Sinha

Cabbages are one of the most popular vegetables and are used in so many different preparations around the world.They are quite flavorful and spicy and enhance the flavor quotient of any meal that they’re a part of.Nutritious and quick cooking, they make for the perfect weeknight vegetable for the whole family.
Indian Style Cabbage and Peas
Cabbages are also rich in anti-oxidants and help in lowering cholesterol.(Source WHFoods).I usually cook Cabbage in a North Indian way that my Mom makes it.Its a simple stir fry that’s packed with flavor and perfectly spiced.
You could also enjoy this as

  • a dry vegetable side dish along with a Naan or Rotis.
  • a filling inside a puff pastry for an Indian inspired appetizer!
  • a filling for an Indian style veggie tortilla wrap with yoghurt and cucumber raita.
 

Indian Style Cabbage and Peas Stir-fry

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • Green Cabbage-1 large head sliced
  • Frozen green Peas-1 cup
  • Onion-1 medium chopped
  • Green Chilli Jalapeños-2 (whole or chopped)
  • Ginger-1 inch crushed
  • Cumin Seeds- 1 tsp
  • Tomatoes-2 large chopped
  • Ground Coriander-2 tsp
  • Ground Cumin-2 tsp
  • Turmeric-1 tsp
  • Salt-to taste
  • Oil-2 tbsp

Instructions
 

  • In a deep skillet heat oil.
  • Add the cumin seeds and once they crackle add the onions.
  • Add the green chilli and saute for about 2 minutes and add the ginger.Saute for about a minute and add the tomatoes and the spices with salt.
  • Cook for about 2-3 minutes and add the cabbage and peas.
  • Mix well together and cook covered on medium until all the water has been absorbed and the cabbage is cooked but crunchy.Serve hot!

 



Blackberry Cobbler – #Berrylove Bloghop

01 | 04 | 2012
By Soni Sinha

Today I’m going to share with you the new found love of my life, the ‘Fruit Cobbler’.How else would you explain the fact that in the past month I’ve made it not once or twice or thrice but 5 times!! I’m not kidding!Its THAT good and with Berry for our theme for this month’s bloghop, I knew exactly what I was going to be making AGAIN. 🙂

Blackberry Cobbler

Cobbler is a classic American deep-dish fruit Dessert where the fruits are either enclosed in a thick fluffy pillow of a butter batter or have a drop biscuit or crumb topping.While I’ve had the fruits with crumb toppings before, the fruits enclosed in the crust was new to me.

Blackberry Cobbler 1
I tweaked the original recipe by cutting down on the butter and used Olive Oil instead in my batter and trust me it tasted delicious.I didn’t miss the butter in my batter at all!I’ve made these using blackberries here,but you can use any seasonal fruit like apples, peaches,plums,mixed berries etc.The lemon sugar is the key in this recipe as it adds that sweet lemony touch to the Dessert!

Blackberry Cobbler 3
The batter rises and covers up the fruit and the berries oozing out their gorgeous juices intermingling with the chewy moist crust!Oh the simple pleasures of life~

Recipe Adapted from Scarletta Bakes 

Blackberry Cobbler #Berrylove Bloghop

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • Unsalted Butter-2 tbsp cut into 4 pieces
  • Olive Oil-1/2 cup
  • Sugar-1 1/2 cup
  • Lemon Zest-1 1/2 tsp
  • Blackberries-3 cups
  • All Purpose Flour-1 1/2 cups
  • Baking Powder- 2 1/2 tsp
  • Salt-1/4 tsp
  • Milk- 1 1/2 cups I used 2%

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Place 2 tbsp of cut-up butter into a baking dish and transfer into the oven.Heat until the butter is melted.
  • Meanwhile mix the lemon zest with 1/4 cup of sugar in a bowl.Keep aside.
  • Combine flour, remaining sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
  • Whisk in the milk,olive oil into the flour mixture until smooth.
  • Take the baking dish out of the oven and make sure to spread the melted butter evenly so that it coats the entire bottom of the dish.
  • Transfer the batter into the dish.Arrange the blackberries evenly over the top.
  • Sprinkle the lemon sugar and bake until the golden brown edges are crisp about 40-45 mins.Serve warm.

April is #Berry-love month!Please join in the Berry-love fun by linking up any Berry recipes from the month of April 2012.Don’t forget to link back to this post so that your readers come stop by the Berry-love event!

Co-hosting this Blog-hop with my fabulous friends listed below.Please stop-by their pages as well while you’re here 🙂
Alittlebitofeverything~ Roxana GreenGirl ~ @RoxanaGreenGirl,BakerStreet ~ Anuradha ~ @bakerstreet29,BakingandCooking, ATaleofTwoLoves ~ Becky Higgins,BigFatBaker ~ Erin Meyer ~ @bigfatbaker,Bonàcroquer~ Valerie ~ @valouth,CakeDuchess~ Lora ~ @cakeduchess,EasilyGoodEats~ Three Cookies,ElephantEats~ Amy,Georgie Cakes ~ Georgie ~ @GeorgieCakes,HobbyAndMore~ Richa ~ @betit19,JavaCupcake ~ Betsy Eves ~ @JavaCupcake,MisPensamientos~ Junia ~ @juniakk,NoOneLikesCrumbleyCookies~ T.R. ~ @TRCrumbley,OhCake~ Jessica ~ @jesshose,Queen‘sNotebook~ Elizabeth  Quirino ~ @Mango_Queen,RicosinAzúcar~ Helena ~ @ricosinazucar,SimplyReem~  Reem ~ @Simplyreem,Soni‘sFoodforThought~ Soni ~ @sonisfood,TeaspoonofSpice~ Deanna Segrave-Daly ~ @tspbasil,ThatSkinnyChickCanBake!!!~ Liz ~ @thatskinnychick,TheArtofCookingRealFood ~ Laura ~ @TAofCRF,VeganYackAttack~ Jackie S. ~ @veganyackattack,VegetarianMamma~ Cindy ~ @vegetarianmamma

Of Awards and Associations!!

28 | 03 | 2012
By Soni Sinha

This past month has been phenomenal for me as a blogger and the food blogging community as a whole.We’re now part of a wonderful community of bloggers called Food Bloggers Network started by Jessica Hose of Oh Cake !Its a great platform to professionally interact with other bloggers and a great learning tool for all of us. Needless to say, I’m immensely enjoying all the discussions that take place here and we have great plans of expanding in ways that the food blogging world hasn’t seen yet!If you’re interested please request to be added to the group!

Through this, I’ve now met so many wonderful friends and like minded bloggers who’re always ready to help with any query or issue that presents itself.Makes you feel like a part of a supportive and nurturing community where bloggers do not compete with each other, instead, they’re there to support and help each other.

Also in the last month I’ve been greatly honored to receive many awards from my fellow blogger friends!Thank you so so much for passing on these awards to me.I’m very humbled by all your love and support!Here goes my list of Awards.
versatile_blogger_award

Given to me by an amazing baker CCU @Go Bake Yourself who loves to create desserts that I would never be able to create myself, that too at a very young age!Yeah she’s still in school, but her creativity stretches way beyond her age!Thanks so much my friend!Please stop-by at her blog to see the decadent desserts she bakes!

The second “Versatile Blogger” award comes from a very dear friend I’ve met though Food Bloggers Network (told you its a nice place :)!)Susan @ Girl in the Little Red Kitchen who’s lack of space in her NY apartment hasn’t stopped her from creating the delectable edibles that she conjure’s up in her tiny kitchen!Please stop over to see for yourself!Drool Alert!!Susan was kind enough to pass on not one or two but THREE awards to me!YAY…Happy Dance:)Thanks so much my dear.I’m honored to be receiving these from you!

The Third “Versatile Blogger” Award comes from a friend I recently got to know!She’s Kelly@The Corner Kitchen!Kelly will wow you with her recipes and stunning pics!!I mean literally :)She’s amazing with sweet and savory dishes alike and a great person!Thanks so much for thinking of me my friend 🙂

kreative blogger

The Kreative Blogger award was passed on to me by my dear friends Susan@ Girl in the Little Red Kitchen and Sofie @German Foodie.Talking about Sofie,I have to say that she is one of the friendliest bloggers out there and I find her to be a very genuine person without any pretense.She loves to create scrumptious German recipes sweet and savory that are truly mouthwatering and gives you an insight into German cooking!Please stob-by her blog to see the unique delicacies she creates!Thanks so much Sofie and Susan for this award!I really appreciate it 🙂

sunshine award

This is my first Sunshine Award!Passed on by the lovely Susan@Girl in the Little Red Kitchen!!Thanks again my friend 🙂

leibster

Leibster award was passed on to be from a very inspiring friend Susan@The Wimpy Vegetarian!Susan is a very experienced cook who has a great repertoire of recipes in her belt.She has won many contests on Food52 with her elegant creations.She is a great source of inspiration to all of us and is a very kind and a dear friend.Please stob-by at her blog to see her recipes for yourself.Thanks Susan for the award.I’m honored to be receiving it from you 🙂

The second Leibster was passed on to me by a very kind friend Laura@Lauralicious Recipes!!Laura’s recipes are absolutely delicious and yummy.I can guarantee you that you’ll not leave her blog without bookmarking a few!!Thank you dear friend for thinking of me!Please stop-by to check out her creations and start bookmarking 🙂

So dear friends,now you know why the past month has been great!Always feels great to be recognized 🙂 I have to now pass the love on to my friends out there.Will be letting you all know very soon 🙂 Until then Happy Cooking/Baking!

 

 

 

 

Vanilla Olive Oil Muffins

25 | 03 | 2012
By Soni Sinha

My kids love to help me whenever I’m in my kitchen baking.This time round my four year old was very excited to be my helper.While I was getting the ingredients ready he had taken out a large bowl and the whisk on the table ready for mixing!!Of late I’ve been coming across a lot of cake and muffin recipes with Olive Oil which cuts off the fat content by a lot.
Vanilla Olive Oil Muffins
Olive Oil muffins sounded so good, but unfortunately I’d never tasted them and was always intrigued every time I saw the recipes posted by my baker friends.So I decided to try making these muffins and figure out myself!My son loves vanilla hence, Vanilla Muffins it had to be!

Vanilla Olive Oil Muffins 1

Oh my, what a delicious, moist treat this was? I have to tell you that these are now my absolute favorites and thanks to all my baker friends out there, I was inspired to bake with Olive Oil.You can clearly taste the Olive Oil in every bite.The yoghurt make it super moist and so good!My son enjoyed it too and was very proud that it was his creation 🙂 My daughter enjoyed it for her school snack the following day!Hubby who is very finicky when it comes to desserts also liked it!That tells it all I guess 🙂

Adapted from The Foodies’ Kitchen
Makes 12 muffins

Vanilla Olive Oil Muffins

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ¾ cup All purpose Flour
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 ¼ tsp Baking Powder
  • ¼ tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • ½ cup Olive Oil
  • ¼ cup Plain Yoghurt
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Egg White
  • 1 ½ tsp Vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Line standard muffin pan with paper liners.
  • Sift together Flour,Baking Powder, Baking Soda and Salt.
  • In a mixing bowl mix the Oil,Yoghurt, Milk,Egg, Egg White and Vanilla Extract.
  • Mix well and add the dry ingredients and just mix until combined.
  • Take an ice cream scoop and divide between 12 muffin cups.
  • Bake on the center rack in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until slightly golden.
  • Enjoy!