Soni's Food

Indian Inspiration!

Easy Memorial Day Menu Ideas with a twist!

28 | 05 | 2016
By Soni Sinha

Its the much awaited Memorial Day weekend and I’m sure you all have plans to get together and kick off the unofficial start of summer!While you’re looking for some inspiration for your memorial day cookouts, I’ve compiled a list of some easy menu ideas.These recipes have some incredible flavors going on that will surely make your party stand out.And did I mention that they’re also super easy? Your annual barbecue will never be the same!Enjoy!

Poultry and Fish

Memorial Day recipes

Tandoori Turkey Sliders 

Chicken Burgers with Curried Cabbage Slaw

Harissa Mint Chicken Kebabs

Salmon Tikka Wraps with Cucumber Raita

Vegetables

Memorial Day vegetarian recipes

The recipes below can be cooked on the grill too!

Coconut Crusted Tofu with Mango Cucumber Topping

Curried Roasted Asparagus with Boiled Eggs

Indian Spiced Roasted Eggplant

Roasted Curried Fennel

Salads 

Memorial Day Salad recipes

Couscous Tabbouleh

Black Bean and Mango Salad

Baby Arugula,Beet and Gorgonzola Salad with Balsamic Dressing

Indian Spiced Roasted Fennel and Goat Cheese Salad

Desserts

Memorial Day Dessert recipes

Mini Strawberry Cheesecake

Grilled Peaches with Halloumi 

Individual Strawberry Trifle

Mango and Strawberry Cream

 

 

 

Puff Pastry Apple Tart

03 | 05 | 2016
By Soni Sinha

With this damp weather dampening our spirits,easy comforting desserts bring much needed solace.If you find yourself craving for some warm desserts on such days,then you’re not alone.I’ve been dreaming of tarts lately and my frozen puff pastry came to the rescue yet again. What would I do without them! This buttery delicious pastry is a freezer staple and so versatile. I love tarts and having these on hand makes the process so much more easy and convenient.

Puff Pastry Apple Tart 1

Apple desserts are a family favorite and we make them a lot like this and this. They’re delicious every single time and my kids can’t get enough of those. My apple tarts are quick and taste amazing. All you need is your puff pastry, some thinly sliced apples (I use the slicer attachment of my food processor), brown sugar, a little salt and some lemon juice.

Puff Pastry Apple Tart

The aroma of warm apples and cinnamon baking in the oven is pure joy and nothing brings comfort like biting into a warm tart with sliced sweet apples coated with cinnamon and brown sugar. Deliciousness defined. Enjoy.

Puff Pastry Apple Tart

Puff Pastry Apple Tart

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Ingredients
  

  • One sheet of frozen puff pastry
  • One large apple-thinly sliced
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • some lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Thaw the puff pastry in the refrigerator for about 3 hrs.
  • Dust some flour on the puff pastry and cut them in equal rectangles or any desired shape.Leave about an inch around the top and bottom edges and prick all over with a fork.
  • Transfer onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Thinly slice the apples using the slicer attachment of your food processor or by hand.
  • Mix brown sugar,cinnamon, salt and lemon juice in a bowl.
  • Toss the apples in the mix.
  • Arrange the slices on the puff pastry.Brush the edges with some water and bake it in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
  • Serve warm.

 

10 Easy Recipes for your Super Bowl Party

06 | 02 | 2016
By Soni Sinha

10 Easy Recipes for Super Bowl

The biggest football event is here and I’m sure many of you are eagerly waiting to see your favorite team win!Whether you’re watching it with your friends or just your family at home you will need some food to munch-on.

I’ve compiled a list of 10 easy and delicious recipes that you can cook-up in no time there-by allowing you to sit back,relax and watch the game.Enjoy!

Beet Hummus

Beet Hummus

 

Roasted Red Pepper Dip with Mint

Roasted Red Pepper Dip with Mint

 

Cream Cheese and Peach Chutney Cups

Cream Cheese and Peach Chutney Pastry Cups

 

Lamb Seekh Kebabs

Lamb seekh Kebabs

 

Thai Spiced Chicken Meatballs with Satay Sauce

Thai Spiced Chicken Meatballs with Peanut Sauce 1

 

Curried Roasted Asparagus with Boiled Egg

Curried Roasted Asparagus with Boiled Egg

 

Hearty Ratatouille with Goat’s Cheese

Ratatouille

 

Tandoori Gobhi

tandoori gobhi

 

Individual Strawberry Trifle

Individual Strawberry Trifle

 

Chocolate Drop Cookies

Chocolate Drop Cookies

 

 

Individual Strawberry Trifle

18 | 12 | 2015
By Soni Sinha

Holidays are the time to indulge in delectable desserts like the one I have for you today.

If you’re looking for an easy dessert that would undoubtedly be the star of the evening, then this one is for you.

If you’re looking for last minute dessert ideas, then this for is for you.

If you’re looking for a dessert that can be made a day ahead so as to save you time and effort on the day itself, then this one is for you.

If you love cake and custard and cream, then this one is for you.

If you’re looking for a kid pleasing dessert, then this one is for you.

Individual Strawberry Trifle

Trifle is my all time favorite dessert and I love making it during the holidays.The layers of cake,custard and cream is magical and the rave reviews you get for a dessert as easy as this makes it all the more worthwhile.I love strawberries in my trifle but you could use any fruit that works for you.I’ve made these in individual portions but you could use a big trifle dish too.I just find the individual portions cute during the holidays.

Individual Strawberry Trifle 3

You could make the cake from scratch but I’ve used a regular store-bought pound cake and pudding mix.Makes the process even quicker.The beauty of layered desserts is that you can involve your kids and its a fun way to get them into the kitchen during the holidays!My kids layered this one for me 🙂 This is one dessert that’s going to disappear quickly so be sure to make some extra servings.

Happy Holidays!Enjoy.

Individual Strawberry Trifle

Individual Strawberry Trifle

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Ingredients
  

  • 1 package vanilla instant pudding
  • 1 package pound cake cut into cubes
  • 1 package fresh strawberries halved
  • 1 container frozen whipped topping thawed

Instructions
 

  • Prepare pudding according to directions on package.
  • Let pudding stand a few minutes to set.
  • In your mini dishes, layer some of the cake pieces,top with some strawberries,then some the pudding,more strawberries,some of the whipped topping and repeat.
  • Repeat layers with the remaining ingredients.
  • Cover and store in the the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

 

 

 

Easy Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie #Thanksgiving #EasyAsPie

19 | 11 | 2015
By Soni Sinha

Easy Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie

Holiday menu planning can be an arduous process with all the shopping, prepping and finally executing. As I mentioned in my previous post, try and keep things simple yet flavorful. The idea is to have all the prep work done so that on the day, you get to enjoy quality time with family and friends. I like to make my desserts a day in advance so that they get enough time to set/chill in the fridge. And talking of desserts and Pumpkin being the flavor of the season, I’m sure there’ll be a lot of Pumpkin pies served during Thanksgiving dinner all across America.

perosnal creations pie dish

I personally adore all Pumpkin desserts. Cakes, Pies, Bars, you name it and look forward to having them this time of the year. To add to my excitement I was sent this gorgeous personalized Pie Dish from Personal Creations, your one stop shop for all personalized gifts this holiday season!They have tons of unique gift ideas for your loved ones and they help create memories that are bound to last a lifetime.You might want to check out their coupons and discounts currently going on and get some good deals.

Pie crust 3

As much as I love Pumpkin Pecan pies, I don’t make them since my 7 yr. old is allergic to pecans. I make my Easy Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie instead that I’ve adapted from this recipe and my kids adore it. It’s scrumptious with all that pumpkin goodness and screams Thanksgiving. The flavors are spot on with a slight hint of the pumpkin spice in the background.Its rich and creamy and perfectly sweet.If you’re a pumpkin dessert lover like me, then this dessert will satiate your dessert cravings like none other.

Easy Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie 2

I made the Pie Crust using this recipe and it turned out perfect. The crust can be made ahead and stored up to 2 days in the fridge. The filling is quick and easy with cream cheese, pumpkin, eggs, and spices.Top it with some whipped cream and you have one stunning dessert as easy as a Pie! Literally.

Easy Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie #Thanksgiving #EasyAsPie

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

For the crust

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter cold and cut into cubes
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons ice water

Filling

  • 2 packages one 8 ounces, one 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 can 15 ounces solid-pack pumpkin
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie spice
  • 3 eggs lightly beaten

Instructions
 

Crust

  • In a food processor place the flour and salt and pulse.Add the butter and pulse until you see lumps form.
  • Add water a little at a time until the dough just comes together.
  • Flour your surface and gather the dough together into a ball.Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge.
  • When ready to bake,preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Roll out the dough into a large round (approx. 13 inch for a 9 inch pie dish).
  • Once rolled carefully place the rolled out dough onto the dish using your fingers spread out evenly all over.Prick all over with a fork.
  • Cover the crust with a parchment paper and fill it with dried beans all the way till the top.
  • Bake the crust in the oven for 20-25 minutes until slightly brown.
  • Transfer onto a wire rack.

Filling

  • In a large bowl beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy.
  • Add the pumpkin,flour,pumpkin pie spice and mix again.
  • Add the eggs and blend the mixture until all smooth.

To bake the Pie

  • Pour the pumpkin mixture into the baked pie crust and bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes until the filling is just set and the edges are golden.
  • Cool on a wire rack and allow to chill in the fridge for at a least 5-6 hours before serving.

For more info on Personal Creations check out their website.You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Disclosure:Personal Creations provided me with a Pie Dish.All opinions are my own.