Soni's Food

Indian Inspiration!

Easy Tofu Scramble

15 | 09 | 2016
By Soni Sinha

Crisp morning air feels magical, especially after the recent heat spell the past few weeks. Kids are now settled into their routine and I can finally get back into my own routine after the summer break. I’m back into my kitchen rejuvenated and inspired (this weather does that to me) and the focus will be on healthy recipes since I’ve realized that I might have gained a few extra pounds over the summer break, especially our month-long UK holiday! (blame it on my list of must-eat British foods and its quite a long list 🙂 )

easy tofu scramble

My recipe today involves Tofu and it’s a simple breakfast/brunch recipe that’s absolutely delicious! If you haven’t tried a Tofu Scramble yet, well then, you should. I love Tofu and it’s one of the easiest things to work with. It can take on any flavor and it’s a good source of protein and energy. Its also pretty filling so you won’t be hungry for a while!

easy-tofu-scramble-2

My Tofu Scramble uses onions, scallions and peppers (in yellow and orange keeping in mind the warm autumn hues) along with some cilantro for garnish. The peppers are a nice addition here adding their crunch and color and I’ve also added some chili flakes for a hint of heat (that’s purely optional). The dish takes less than 30 mins to prepare and looks beautiful on the table. The flavors are very clean and fresh and it’s a simple dish that looks as good as it tastes. Enjoy.

easy-tofu-scramble-1

Easy Tofu Scramble

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Ingredients
  

  • Extra Firm Tofu-2 15oz packets
  • small onion-1
  • scallions chopped-1/2 cup
  • chili flakes-1tbsp
  • 1 large yellow pepper
  • 1 large orange pepper
  • cilantro-for garnish
  • salt and pepper
  • oil-2 tbsp

Instructions
 

  • Drain the tofu and place it between two thick towels to squeeze out the liquid.Crumble the tofu with your hands.Keep aside.
  • Chop the peppers and scallions.
  • In a pan heat oil and add the onions and scallions.
  • Saute for a about 2 mins and add the chili flakes.
  • Follow with the peppers and let it cook for another 3-4 mins.Add some salt and pepper.
  • Add the crumbled tofu and let it cook for about 2-3 minutes.Check the seasonings.
  • Add the cilantro.Mix well.
  • Serve hot.

Fish Curry with Coconut Milk

28 | 06 | 2016
By Soni Sinha

Summer is upon us and I’m loving the days spent with my kids being home and our plans for each day that involves generous amounts of chocolate and sugar in the form of cake-in-a-mug and brownies that my 12yr old loves to bake these days. I get to enjoy the desserts but I’ll have to increase my Fitbit steps to cope up with the calorific sugar intake as a result! I tend to balance that with a healthy dinner like this Fish Curry over a warm bed of Quinoa.Have I told you that I also love Quinoa?These Quinoa Potato Cakes are a favorite when entertaining and I love Stir fried Quinoa for my lunch.

Fish Curry with Coconut Milk

We’re big fish lovers over here and it’s served on our table every week.I’m constantly experimenting with different flavors to break the monotony.My Fish Curry with Coconut Milk is an easy dish that takes minutes to prepare but is insanely delicious! The onion and garlic together with cumin and curry powder provide the flavor base and the coconut milk adds that creamy richness that brings it all together. I’ve used Arctic Char since we love it but you could choose any fish of your choice.

Fish Curry with Coconut Milk

Serve this over a warm bed of rice or Quinoa (if you’re watching your calories like me)and a simple salad on the side.This is a perfect dish for an easy curry night at home.Simple pleasures of life.Enjoy.

Fish Curry with Coconut Milk

Fish Curry with Coconut Milk

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Ingredients
  

  • Arctic Char or any fish of your choice-1 lb cubed
  • Onion-1
  • Garlic-5-6 cloves
  • Curry Powder-1 1/2 tbsp
  • Ground Cumin-2 tbsp
  • Turmeric-1 tsp
  • Red chili or paprika-1 tsp
  • Coconut Milk-14 oz can
  • ½ cup water
  • Salt to taste
  • Oil-4 tbsp

Instructions
 

  • Blend the onion and garlic into a paste using a little water.
  • Heat oil and add the onion garlic paste.
  • Saute for a few minutes until the raw onion smell goes away.
  • Add the spices and cook on low heat for a few minutes (4-5 minutes apprx) until aromatic
  • Add the fish pieces and mix gently.Add the coconut milk and salt and water.
  • Mix well and bring to a boil.Lower the heat, cover and cook until all cooked (about 6-8 minutes).
  • Check the seasonings.Serve hot.

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

 

 

 

Tandoori Turkey Sliders with Mint Raita

14 | 05 | 2016
By Soni Sinha

While sunshine and warm days still elude us, I’m hoping that the weather is only going to get better and looking forward to lots of grilling and barbecue in the coming days and weeks!Dinners are a breeze during this time of the year.Just throw in some meats, veggies in the barbecue, make a salad and you’re done!Fun to eat and flavor possibilities are endless.

Tandoori Turkey Sliders with mint raita

My Tandoori Turkey patties (you can use chicken if you prefer) are bursting with warm tandoori spices,mint, ginger and garlic.These take literally minutes to make to go on the grill.I’ve used regular store bought tandoori spice mix here.The flavors taste amazing and my kids loved them!They can also be made ahead and frozen.The patties are placed on a hot grill and cooked to perfection until golden and delicious.

Tandoori Turkey Sliders 5Indian spices add a wonderful depth of flavor to meats and poultry and this recipe is one such example where a few ingredients transform a mundane dish to something phenomenal.The tandoori spice blend consisting of aromatic spices such as coriander,cumin and cardamom is a great way to enjoy some Indian flavors effortlessly.

Mint Raita

My Mint raita is the perfectly luscious base to place these patties on.The sweet and salty raita with a hint of cumin compliments the tandoori spices well and its a great Indian spin on a traditional turkey slider. They make for delicious kids’ lunches and party appetizers with layers of lettuce,red onions and tomatoes on some mini hamburger buns.An easy and fun dish for the grilling season.Enjoy.

Tandoori Turkey Sliders with mint raita

Tandoori Turkey Sliders with Mint Raita

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Ingredients
  

  • Mini Hamburger Buns
  • 1 large tomato-sliced
  • lettuce leaves
  • ½ small red onion-peeled and chopped

for the Tandoori Turkey(or Chicken) Patties

  • Ground Turkey or Chicken- 1 lb
  • 1 small onion
  • Tandoori masala powder- 2 tbsp
  • Crushed ginger-1 tsp
  • Crushed garlic-1 tsp
  • Chopped mint- 1/4 cup
  • Salt to tatse
  • Oil to grill

Mint Raita

  • 1 cup greek yoghurt
  • ½ cup chopped mint
  • juice of 1 small lemon
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • salt to taste
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp red chili or paprika optional

Instructions
 

  • Mix the raita ingredients in a bowl.Keep aside or refrigerated.
  • Make a paste of the onion in your food processor.Empty in a mixing bowl and add the rest of the ingredients for the patties.
  • Make round balls in your palm and flatten them to make round patties.
  • Heat the grill or griddle pan brushed with oil.
  • Place the patties and cook on both side until golden.

to make the sliders

  • Take one half of the bun and spread some raita topped with one patty followed by lettuce,onion and tomato.Cover with the other half.Repeat with the rest.

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.