Soni's Food

Indian Inspiration!

Kashmiri Dum Aloo (Potatoes cooked in aromatic spices-an authentic Kashmiri dish)

10 | 07 | 2014
By Soni Sinha

If there’s one cuisine that’s always intrigued me,it has to be Kashmiri cuisine.Its amazing how with just a few spices and yoghurt, you can create some amazing recipes that’s to die for.I was introduced to Kashmiri food through my brother who has friends from the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India.Being a foodie just like the rest of us he has learnt to cook some of those amazing dishes that he enjoyed at his friends’ .When I recently visited India he made the most amazing Mutton Rogan Josh, and the taste still lingers in my mouth.

Kashmiri Dum Aloo

The recipe I have for you today is a Kashmiri Potato dish called Dum Aloo and involves cooking whole potatoes in some aromatic spices like aniseed and cumin along with some yoghurt.It takes some effort but the end result is out of this world.Its in a way easier than any other Indian preparation since the recipe does not call for onion or garlic.But you do have to patiently stir throughout for the sauce to come together. Enjoy.

Kashmiri Dum Aloo

Kashmiri Dum Aloo (Potatoes cooked in aromatic spices-an authentic Kashmiri dish)

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Ingredients
  

  • Potatoes medium same size-1 lb
  • Cumin Seeds-1 tsp
  • Cloves-3
  • Asafoetida-1 pinch
  • Red chili powder-2 tsp or a mix of 1 tsp kashmiri chili powder and 1 tsp red chili powder
  • Turmeric-1/2 tsp
  • Ground ginger-1 tsp
  • Aniseed powder-1 tsp
  • Yoghurt-1/2 cup
  • Garam masala-1 tsp
  • Powder 1 black cardamom 1/2 inch cinnamon and black pepper-1 tsp
  • Salt- to taste
  • Mustard Oil- 1/2 cup to fry potatoes plus cooking

Instructions
 

  • Boil the potatoes until tender.Once cool peel and prick the potatoes all over using a tootpick.Keep aside.
  • Heat some oil in a wok or a deep dish and fry the potatoes until golden on all sides.
  • Strain with a slotted spoon and keep aside in a tray.
  • Add about 1/4 cup of oil back into the wok and add cloves,cumin and asefoetida.
  • Stir, lower the heat and slowly add the red chili and turmeric along with a tbsp of water.
  • Make sure to not burn the chili and turmeric.
  • Stir till the oil separates from the sides and mixes in with the chili/turmeric about 3-4 minutes stirring continously.
  • Beat the yoghurt with a little bit of water to smooth.Add in the beaten yoghurt into the mix while still stirring.
  • Add the ground aniseed and ginger and conitnue to cook constantly stirring until you see oil separating.
  • Add the potatoes and mix all over so that they get coated in the mix.Add just enough water to cover the potatoes.
  • Cook on low heat until oil separates and the sauce thickens.Add a little water if too dry.
  • Add garam masala and the cardamom spice mix.Adjust the seasonings.
  • Serve hot with your favorite bread or rice.

Healthy #FathersDay #Recipes

14 | 06 | 2014
By Soni Sinha

I’ve got for you a round-up of some amazing grilled or roasted foods for the Dads that are also healthy.From Salmon to Chicken to even Tofu these recipes are super easy and also very different in terms of flavors that go beyond the usual.We all know that men love foods from the grill or BBQ so its only natural that I chose all the recipes that call for either grill, oven,BBQ or even your griddle pan.Its a great way of saying thankyou to the men in our lives for all that they do for our families!

“Wishing all the Dads a Very Happy Father’s Day”

Healthy Father's Day Recipes

1. Chicken Burger with Curried Cabbage Slaw-Indian Inspired

chicken burger 2

2. Indian Lemon Chicken Kebabs 

lemon chicken kebabs 2

3. Tandoori Paneer Tikka

tandoori paneer copy

4. Tandoori Salmon

Tandoori Salmon 4

5. Thai Style Grilled Monkfish

Thai Style Grilled Monkfish 5

6. Tofu Hariyali Kebabs

Tofu Hariyali Kebabs 1

7. Indian Spiced Chicken Drumsticks

Indian Spiced Chicken Drumsticks 1.jpg

8. Indian Roasted Cornish Hens 

Indian Roast Cornish Hens 1

 

 

Potatoes and Pepper Breakfast Hash with Fried Egg-Indian Inspired using #SafestChoice Eggs

03 | 06 | 2014
By Soni Sinha

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Have I told you how I get obsessed with certain items in my kitchen?There was this time when all I could think of was Sweet Potatoes and then there was the Quinoa phase!My current obsession is with Eggs.I love Eggs and especially fried eggs with a raw runny yolk are a staple breakfast most days of the week.I’m obsessed about cooking my eggs just the right way.Do you have that obsession too?Maybe not.I just cannot trust anybody and have to make them myself.Due to the fact that I eat raw eggs most days of the week,its difficult to trust all the brands out there.So I always go with Safest Choice Eggs that guarantee that the eggs have been pasteurized and are safe to be eaten raw.

[Read more…]

Brussels Sprouts Kofta for #MothersDay #SundaySupper

11 | 05 | 2014
By Soni Sinha

“Time and again,
come joy, come pain
your smile, your words
of wisdom,
of life,
of the values
instilled in our minds
has taught me so much
that I can carry forward
your message
to my kids,
teach them
the values,
of living this life
with love,
with compassion,
with a purpose,
with passion”

One remarkable woman is on my mind today.A woman who has endured so much pain in the past few months..lost her husband,survived a life threatening health condition and still trying to recover,but yet she smiles in all her pain,yet she speaks of positivity,of happiness,of joy,of love.Yeah that’s my Mom.And I’m so grateful that I’m her child.

Brussles Sprouts Kofta

My mom makes the best Koftas ever.And today I thought of recreating her favorite recipe using Brussels Sprouts along with some dried sweetened cranberries and I’m elated that it turned out absolutely delicious.A new family favorite indeed!Its a special dish that requires a special occasion for it to be served.

Brussels Sprouts Kofta 4

My Brussels Sprouts Kofta is one amazing dish with some exotic flavors and super simple for anyone to try.I recently spotted sliced Brussels Sprouts at Trader Joe’s and couldn’t resist buying one pack.Its a time saver.The koftas have some spices, ginger and dried cranberries and are bound together using some Gram Flour (Besan) easily available at your local Indian Grocers.The combination of the tart, sweet,spicy flavors is insanely good and will convert any Brussels Sprouts hater into a Brussels Sprouts lover.The only thing that you have to be careful about is to not cook the koftas for too long in the sauce.They might collapse.You can add the koftas just before serving and cook for a couple of minutes.They should be perfectly coated in the juices and taste delicious.Enjoy.

“Wishing all you Moms a Very Happy Mother’s Day”

Brussels Sprouts Kofta

Brussles Sprouts Kofta

Brussels Sprouts Kofta for #MothersDay #SundaySupper

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Ingredients
  

For the Koftas

  • Brussels Sprouts Shredded/sliced-2-3 cups
  • Gram Flour Besan-1/2 cup
  • Crushed Ginger-1 tsp
  • Dried Sweetened Cranberries-3/4 cup
  • Cashews chopped-1/2 cup
  • Ground Coriander-1 tsp
  • Ground Cumin- 1tsp
  • Salt-1 tsp
  • Oil-to deep fry

For the Sauce

  • Onion Medium-1 finely chopped
  • Crushed Ginger-1 tsp
  • Crushed Garlic-1 tsp
  • Medium Tomatoes-2 pureed
  • Ground Cumin-1 tsp
  • Ground Coriander-2 tsp
  • Garam Masala-1 tsp
  • Turmeric-1 tsp
  • Red chili powder-1 tsp
  • Salt- to taste
  • Sugar-1 tsp
  • water-1 1/2 cups
  • Oil 2-3 tbsp

Instructions
 

Koftas

  • In a microwave safe dish soften the shredded brussels sprouts for about 3-4 minutes.
  • Mix all Kofta Ingredients and roll into small balls.
  • Deep fry the balls in the oil in batches until golden on all sides and keep aside.

Sauce

  • In a deep skillet heat the oil and add onions.
  • Fry for about 4-5 minutes until golden and add the ginger and garlic.
  • Add the tomatoes and spices and cook until oil starts to separate from the sides.
  • Add the water, bring to a boil.Lower the heat and cook for about 8-10 minutes.
  • Adjust the seasonings.Your sauce is ready.
  • When its time to serve, add the balls into the sauce and cook for about 2-3 minutes until the sauce bubbles.Serve hot with Naan, Roti or Rice.

Sunday Supper is celebrating Mother’s Day and my friend Liz from That Skinny Chick can Bake is hosting this exciting event.Scroll down for some mouthwatering breakfasts,appetizers,entrees and desserts for Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day Breakfast:

Mother’s Day Appetizers, Soups and Salads:

 Mother’s Day Main Dishes:

Mother’s Day Desserts:

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.

Tofu Asparagus Jalfrezi

23 | 04 | 2014
By Soni Sinha

Good weather motivates me to get into my kitchen and create some exciting recipes!This time round gorgeous Asparagus are in season and that got me thinking, “why not use them in my Indian cooking?”.I love crunchy vegetables and Asparagus is one of my favorites.They’re super easy to cook, hardly require any preparation and they’re healthy in vitamins and minerals.Combine them with some Tofu and Peppers and you have one irresistible dish that’s to die for.Its an Indian stir fry that is super easy and makes for a great side dish.

Tofu Asparagus Jalfrezi

Jalfrezi is a dry stir fry that uses onion,tomatoes and peppers along with chilies and you can make it using your favorite meats or veggies.The vegeterain version is typically made using Paneer,but Tofu is a great alternative.My kids love Tofu and I’ve been using them instead of Paneer in most of my Paneer dishes of late.I love the taste and texture once they’re shallow fried in a little oil to get those crispy edges.

Tofu Asparagus Jalfrezi 2

My Tofu and Asparagus Jalfrezi has some amazing flavors going on with the onions,garlic,ginger and the spices.Adding Asparagus was a genius idea and once it gets coated in these flavors its out of this world.The Peppers along with the Asparagus add their lovely color and crunch and the Tofu absorbs all the wonderful spices.The whole dish has this lovely spring feel to it and its a new family favorite.Enjoy.

Tofu Asparagus Jalfrezi

Tofu Asparagus Jalfrezi

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Ingredients
  

  • Extra Firm Tofu-13 oz
  • Cumin Seeds-1 tsp
  • Whole Red Chili-2
  • Onions-2 sliced
  • Crushed Ginger-2 tsp
  • Crushed Garlic-2 tsp
  • Ground Coriander-2 tsp
  • Garam Masala-1/2 tsp
  • Turmeric-1/2 tsp
  • Red chili or paprika-1 tsp
  • Tomatoes-2 sliced
  • Sliced Red and Orange Peppers-2 cups
  • Asparagus-1 bundle chopped
  • Oil-2 tbsp plus 3 tbsp
  • Salt-to taste

Instructions
 

  • Squeeze excess water from the Tofu by pressing between your hands and cut them into long pieces.
  • In a wok add about 2 tbsp of oil and saute the Tofu on medium high heat until golden.Transfer onto a tray.
  • In the same wok heat oil and add cumin seeds until they splutter.
  • Add the sliced onions and chili.Saute until translucent.
  • Add the ginger and garlic and saute until the raw smell disappears.
  • Add all the spices and mix well until fragrant.
  • Add the tomatoes and cook for about 4-5 minutes until tomatoes are cooked.
  • Add the Peppers and Asparagus and cook for about 5-6 minutes until they're cooked through but not overcooked.
  • Add the fried Tofu and mix well.Check the seasonings.Serve hot.