Soni's Food

Indian Inspiration!

Butternut Squash and Couscous Patties-Indian Inspired #Squashin’ Winter #SundaySupper

17 | 11 | 2013
By Soni Sinha

Yeah you heard it right.We’re squashin’ Winter by bringing some of our favorite Squash recipes for you today.

Do you like Squash?Do you often use it in your recipes?I would really love to use it more in my cooking but I always end up roasting it or making a soup.When I heard the theme for our Sunday Supper, I decided to make something that’s not the first thing that comes to your mind when you’re thinking Butternut Squash, like these Patties that have been given an Indian Inspired makeover that tickles your tastebuds with layers of delicious flavors in every bite.

Butternut Squash and Couscous Patties 1

I  had some leftover cooked Couscous from my Couscous Tabbouleh that I made over the weekend and I decided to use some of the couscous in my patties to give it some body and also make it easier to handle.I was a bit apprehensive at first, but I went ahead and used it only to realize that it wasn’t a bad idea after all.

The inspiration for these patties is the Indian Aloo Tikki that’s a favorite street food in Northern India.I’ve made another version of the Aloo Tikki using Quinoa over here.The char marks you see is what gives these patties a unique smoky flavor combined with the sweetness of the Squash.The ginger and the spices add tons of flavor and the icing on the cake is definitely the chat masala that’s an essential component in any Tikki.You can easily find them in any Indian store.

Butternut Squash and Couscous Patties 4

The patties use a little bit of couscous, so you can taste the butternut squash in all its glory.The one thing you really HAVE to do is to let the liquid drain from the squash.I typically leave it in a colander for sometime.Once you’re past that step you can add the rest of the ingredients.Its a great way of enjoying Butternut Squash and you can serve it as an appetizer or as a side dish along with your favorite condiment or my mint chutney this Thanksgiving.Enjoy!

Butternut Squash and Couscous Patties 5

Butternut Squash and Couscous Patties 1

Butternut Squash and Couscous Patties-Indian Inspired #Squashin’ Winter #SundaySupper

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Ingredients
  

  • Peeled and Cubed Butternut Squash-1 lb
  • Couscous-1/2 cup
  • Water-1 cup
  • Fresh Ginger crushed-1 tbsp
  • Ground Cumin-1 tbsp
  • Ground Coriander-1 tbsp
  • Garam Masala-1 tbsp
  • Fresh Coriander chopped-1 cup
  • Salt- to taste
  • Oil- to pan fry
  • Chat Masala-to sprinkle

Instructions
 

  • Boil the cubed Butternut Squash in some water for about 10-15 until all cooked.Mash it and keep aside.
  • Bring a cup of water to a boil and add the couscous.Mix well, cover with a lid and switch off the heat.Let it sit for about two minutes.Fluff it with a fork.
  • Mix a cup of cooked couscous into the squash along with the ginger,all the spices and coriander.
  • Add salt.
  • Take a small portion in your hands to make round disks.
  • Heat about 2 tbsp of oil in a non stick pan and swirl the oil all over.Place the patties in a single layer.
  • Keep the heat on medium and let it develop a golden color on one side before flipping and repeat the process for the other side too.
  • Arrange in a tray along with some salad.Sprinkle chat masala all over.Enjoy!

This event is hosted by the lovely Heather from Girlichef and we’ve got some amazing Winter Squash recipes for your Thanksgiving table.

Breakfasts and Breads

Appetizers, Starters, and Condiments

Soups, Sandwiches, and Salads

Main Dishes

Side Dishes

Desserts

Wine Pairing Recommendations for Squashin’ Winter #SundaySupper from Enofylz Wine Blog

Sunday Supper Movement

 

 

 

 

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET.  Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
 

Spiced Sweet Potato Bites with Kale and Goat’s Cheese

06 | 11 | 2013
By Soni Sinha

You know when you’re out for your groceries and you tend to pick up a few items just randomly.Well I did just that .In fact I do just that all the time.

You do too?

That makes me feel so much better.

Spiced Sweet Potato Bites with Kale and Goat's Cheese 1.jpg

And imagine your excitement, when you incorporate all those items in your dish and it turns out to be a success!

Well, I had my AHA moment over the weekend in my kitchen trying to use three ingredients that I bought,namely some Sweet Potatoes,Kale and Goat’s Cheese.

Sweet Potato Bites with Kale and Goat's Cheese 3

I’d initially planned on making some Sweet Potato fries,but then,I also had to use the other two ingredients in some way.I found the perfect solution in the way of these bites, where in I could incorporate all three and besides,who could resist such a healthy starter?

I peeled up my Sweet Potatoes and sliced them at an angle.That’s probably the only tricky part in this recipe and if you’re not very comfortable using your knife just slice it normally in rounds or long slices.Once they’re sliced all you do is coat them with the spices and bake them in the oven.

Spiced Sweet Potato Bites with Kale and Goat's Cheese 2.jpg

Its that easy.

The Kale is then sautéed along with some garlic and olive oil and makes the perfect topping for these bites.A layer of Goat’s cheese goes next and I’ve used Chevre with Honey that gives a perfect sweet balance to the dish.The Cumin and Cayenne add that spicy heat element to my Sweet Potatoes that I love.The Kale is a nice contrast texture, color and flavor-wise and also makes this appetizer super healthy.Its bursting with flavor and I couldn’t stop eating them once they were ready!So so good!You have to try it to believe.

Spiced Sweet Potato Bites with Kale and Goat's Cheese.jpg

 

Spiced Sweet Potato Bites with Kale and Goat's Cheese

Spiced Sweet Potato Bites with Kale and Goat’s Cheese

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Ingredients
  

  • Chevre with Honey-1/4 log
  • Sweet Potatoes-3 sliced at an angle
  • Ground Cumin-2 tbsp
  • Cayenne or Red chili Powder-1/2 tsp
  • Salt- to taste
  • Olive Oil-2 tbsp

For the Kale

  • Fresh Kale leaves chopped-3 cups
  • Crushed Garlic- 1 clove
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil-1 tbsp
  • Salt- to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Mix all the spices and coat the sliced Sweet Potatoes on both sides.
  • On a foil lined oiled baking sheet, arrange the Sweet Potatoes in a single layer.Drizzle Olive Oil all over on both sides.
  • Bake for about 20-25 minutes until you see them turning slightly golden.
  • Turn off the oven.Arrange them in a tray using tongs.
  • Meanwhile in a pan heat the olive oil.Add the crushed garlic followed by Kale.Add a little salt and cook just until they've wilted just a little.
  • Empty in a bowl and keep aside.

To assemble

  • Top about a tbsp of Kale on top of each Sweet Potato bite followed by some roughly crumbled Goat's Cheese.Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

14 | 10 | 2013
By Soni Sinha

I’m trying to immerse myself in my kitchen and as I try and regain my strength, I’m sharing with you this old post, my Pumpkin Bread Pudding that was written when Papa was still alive, days were brighter and the weather was gorgeous.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding 1

The pretty hues of orange,yellow and red is breathtaking and it brings about a new energy in me.I get all excited to start making those lovely dishes that scream autumn.Dishes that use warm spices using the produce in season like Apples,Pumpkins and Sweet Potatoes!Oh the redolence of cinnamon,the orange colored treats,soups, stews and desserts!And that’s what I’ve got for you today, a decadent rich moist Pumpkin Bread Pudding warm from the oven,with the thick custard with warm spices and pumpkin puree,combined with Cinnamon Raisin Bread ready to be devoured.Its everything I associate Autumn with, the orange color,the spices, the pumpkin, the aroma and it’s absolutely delicious!

Pumpkin Bread Pudding 2

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

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Ingredients
  

  • Cinnamon Raisin Bread-1 loaf cut into cubes
  • Pumpkin Puree -1 15oz can
  • Eggs-3
  • Whole Milk-3 cups
  • Packed Brown Sugar-1 cup
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice-2 tsp
  • Vanilla Extract-1 tsp

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
  • Grease the bottom and sides of an oven proof dish.
  • Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until well blended.
  • Add the bread cubes and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.
  • Pour into the dish and bake for about an hour and 15 mins or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding 3

 

 

 

 

 

Almond Flour Apple Crumble #Glutenfree

21 | 08 | 2013
By Soni Sinha

Almond Flour Apple Crumble 1

“The warm afternoon sun

on an autumn day

the breeze,the trees

rustling in the wind

the colorful leaves

falling to the ground

the crunchy piles

the magic of Fall

Almond Flour Apple Crumble 3

I revel in this joy

as I take my spoon

a bite is all I need

to make me swoon

The soft apples

the warm cinnamon

the crumbly topping

warm from the oven

the aroma,the delight

on my daughter’s face

that mama made her favorite”

Yeah that’s right,its my daughter’s favorite dessert!Well, you certainly don’t have to wait for autumn to enjoy this dessert. And if you’re like her you will want this all year round!Apple Crumble is her most requested and I make it frequently.But this time round I used Almond Flour instead of All Purpose Flour in the topping and she still loved it!It makes for a rich buttery nutty topping that I’m really fond of and I really like the flavor.In addition, its rich in protein and anti-oxidants and ideal for baking.So even if you don’t have a Gluten allergy you could still use Almond flour for its health benefits.

Almond Flour Apple Crumble 4

I’ve made them in individual ramekins for easier serving.Serve it with whipped cream ,Greek Yoghurt ,custard or Ice cream to take it to another level!The best part is that its so super easy and you can just eyeball the ingredients.Its one of those desserts that’s literally no work but comforts you like none other.It feels like you’ve really put an effort into it but you know it better ! 🙂

Almond Flour Apple Crumble #Glutenfree

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Ingredients
  

  • 3 Granny Smith Apples- peeled cored and sliced
  • Ground Cinnamon-1 tbsp
  • Brown Sugar-1 tbsp

For the topping

  • Almond Flour-1 cup
  • Chilled butter cubed-2 tbsp
  • Packed Brown Sugar -2 tbsp

Instructions
 

  • Mix the apples,cinnamon and brown sugar and place in individual ramekins.
  • Mix the topping ingredients by hand or in a food processor until crumbly.
  • Cover the apples with the topping and bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 25 minutes until the topping is slightly golden.
  • Serve with whipped cream or ice-cream!

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Masala-Spiced Pumpkin

22 | 10 | 2012
By Soni Sinha

With the abundance of Pumpkins this season, its always a challenge to come up with new and exciting recipes that are easy to make, yet different and of course taste delicious.My recipe today is the result of exactly that, an experiment that was successful and received a thumbs up from the taste testers aka hubby and kids 🙂 We recently went Pumpkin picking and got ourselves some gorgeous looking pumpkins in two different sizes one large and one small.The smaller pumpkin is what I’ve used here today.It was unripe and I would recommend using unripe Pumpkins for this preparation, since they are not overly sweet.

On a recent twitter chat when some friends asked about some good pumpkin recipes to try, I recommended Pumpkin Curry!My friends immediately wanted recipes and that gave me the idea to come up with an Indian inspired Pumpkin recipe on my blog.So here is a savory Pumpkin recipe that will totally blow you away with all the different layers of delicious flavors.Its savory, spicy, tangy all in one and its totally different from the sweet creations thats normally associated with Pumpkins.

 

Indian Spiced Masala Pumpkin

Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • Small Unripe Pumpkin- 2 cups Cubed
  • Onions-1 cup chopped
  • Crushed Ginger-1 tsp
  • Crushed Garlic-1 tsp
  • Jalapenos/Green Chili-1 chopped
  • Large Tomatoes-2 pureed
  • Ground Coriander-2 tsp
  • Ground Cumin-2 tsp
  • Garam Masala-1 tsp
  • Turmeric-1/2 tsp
  • Red Chili Powder Cayenne-1 tsp
  • Water-2 cups
  • Salt- to taste
  • Oil-3 tbsp

Instructions
 

  • In a skillet, heat oil and add the onions.
  • Saute until slightly golden and add the ginger and garlic.
  • Add the spices and saute on low heat for about 2 minutes stirring constantly.Add the jalapeno/green chili
  • Add the tomato puree and continue to cook on medium heat, until the oil begins to separate from the sides (about 8 minutes)
  • Add the pumpkin pieces.Stir and mix well.Add salt and water.Mix well, cover and cook on medium until fully cooked (about 10-15 minutes)
  • Serve hot!