Soni's Food

Indian Inspiration!

Roasted Tomato Soup and Croutons

25 | 10 | 2013
By Soni Sinha

With temperatures dropping each day, its time to get cozy with a warm bowl of soup for dinner. Comforting, healthy and delicious, soups are a staple in my house in the cooler days. My kids love it with a grilled cheese sandwich and we just enjoy ours with some crunchy croutons and crusty bread.

My homemade Tomato Soup develops a rich flavor achieved by roasting the tomatoes along with some garlic, herbs and olive oil. The tomatoes along with the juices are then transferred into a saucepan and cooked along with some broth and finished off with a splash of half and half. Its creamy, slightly sweet and absolutely delicious!

Roasted Tomato Soup 1

For the Croutons I just cube some bread, drizzle some olive oil all over and bake it in a preheated oven for 10 minutes until golden and crispy. Couldn’t be easier.

Roasted Tomato Soup and Croutons

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Ingredients
  

  • Large ripe Tomatoes-4-5 quartered
  • Garlic Cloves-3 sliced
  • Thyme – 1 tsp
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil- 2 tbsp
  • Chicken or Vegetable Broth-2 cups
  • Salt- to taste
  • Pepper- 1/2 tsp
  • Brown Sugar-1 1/2 tbsp
  • Half and Half-3/4 cup

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Place the tomatoes on a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil,salt,pepper,garlic and thyme.
  • Bake for about 20-25 minutes until tomatoes are softened.
  • Transfer all the contents including the juices and all into a deep pot.
  • Add the stock,sugar,salt and bring to a boil and cook for about 5-10 minutes.
  • Transfer into a blender and puree the soup.Be careful to not burn since it will be really hot.
  • Transfer the puree back into the pot.Add the half and half and cook for another minute or two.
  • Your soup is ready.Arrange croutons and serve immediately.

For the Croutons

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Cube 3-4 bread slices and drizzle some olive oil and salt.
  • Arrange in a single layer on a cookie sheet.Bake for 10 minutes until golden.

Fish Kebabs with Mint Chutney #SundaySupper

30 | 06 | 2013
By Soni Sinha

Its the first week of my kids’ summer holidays and I’ve been really enjoying my lazy mornings without the rush to wake them up or get their lunch boxes ready!Summer is my favorite time of the year!There’s fresh fruits and vegetables in abundance and let’s not forget the hot smoky barbecue that you can enjoy each day every day!!From fresh corn, to meats and seafood, grilled foods are probably the best thing about summer.They’re fun to eat, adaptable to every palate.And with the Fourth of July round the corner,we’re celebrating this season with a Summer BBQ party!

Fish Kebabs with Mint Chutney

My fish kebabs are super easy and have tons of flavor.You can also use Chicken,Lamb or Shrimp for this preparation.I’ve used a combination of Swordfish,Tuna and Salmon here.I let them marinade for about two hours and then grill them for about 6-8 minutes on each side.

You can choose any kind of firm fish for these kebabs.I just love the different textures in the fish and they came out great!The flavors of mint and coriander goes really well with the fish and the reserved chutney can be served alongside these kebabs.The chutney has a bit of tang from the lemon, and slight hint of heat from the Jalapeño, that I love.I served it on a bed of Couscous Tabbouleh with grilled corn for our dinner.Enjoy.

Fish Kebabs

Fish Kebabs with Mint Chutney

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Ingredients
  

  • 1 thick deboned fillet each of-Swordfish,Tuna and Salmon (6-8 oz each)

For the Mint Chutney

  • Fresh Mint-1 cup
  • Fresh Coriander-1 cup
  • Garlic clove-1
  • Green Chili or Jalapeño-1 seeded and chopped
  • Salt-to taste
  • Lemon Juice-1 tbsp
  • Olive Oil-2 tbsp
  • water-1/4 cup or more if required

Instructions
 

  • Wash the fish and pat dry.Slice though the middle and cube into apprx 2 inch pieces.
  • Chop up the coriander and mint.In a wet spice grinder or any food processor combine all the chutney ingredients except lemon juice and blend.Add a little more water if required.
  • In a ziplock bag take about 4-5 tbsp of the Chutney and the fish and give it a good mix.Save the remaining chutney.
  • Refrigerate the fish for two hours.Add the lemon juice a few minutes before grilling.
  • Preheat the grill.
  • Arrange the fish on skewers alternating each fish and grill on medium for about 6 minutes on each side.
  • Serve hot with the reserved chutney.

Fish Kebabs in Mint Chutney 1

The lovely Jenny from The Messy Baker Blog is hosting this special Sunday Supper and we’ve got some amazing summer dishes and drinks for you 🙂

SundaySupperBBQ

Hot Off the Grill:

On the Side:

Sweet Tooth:

In the Cooler:

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter on Sunday, June 30th to celebrate Summer. We’ll tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. 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 delicious recipes and food photos.

 

Baked Lemon Coconut Risotto #SundaySupper

28 | 04 | 2013
By Soni Sinha

So many times you come across recipes that look and taste really good, but you’ve never tried making them yourself.Either its the technique or the process or for whatever reason, you’re scared to give it a try.You’ve drooled over them on the web, you’ve ordered them in restaurants and you’ve always wanted to try making them in your kitchen.Well, Sunday Supper is tackling exactly those kinds of recipes today and I’m so excited 🙂

For me the Risotto is one such recipe that I’ve always admired from afar.I order it in the Italian Restaurants,I’ve had it with so many different combinations asparagus,shrimp,mushrooms, but I’ve never attempted to cook it myself!Well today I did it!I made RISOTTO!!Please bear with my craziness but I’m just so so happy that it turned out lip-smackingly delicious!!!

Baked Lemon Coconut Risotto

Although technically its not the perfect way of cooking a Risotto since its baked not cooked on the stove-top by slowly adding the stock ladle by ladle,I found this baked version so much easier without any of that effort!I tweaked the original recipe by using Coconut Milk and Lemon that gives this dish so much flavor and richness.The subtle hint of coconut in the background combined with the tang from the lemon is just incredible!Its so light and refreshing with the grated parmesan and fresh parsley!I’m in love 🙂

Baked Lemon Coconut Risotto 1

Baked Lemon Coconut Risotto

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Ingredients
  

  • Arborio Rice- 3/4 Cup
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil-1 tbsp
  • Onion-1 chopped finely
  • Dry White Wine-1/4 Cup
  • Coconut Milk-1 1/2 Cups
  • Low Sodium Chicken Broth-1/2 cup
  • Salt- to taste
  • Pepper-1/8 tsp
  • Lemon Juice-2 tbsp
  • Lemon Zest-1 tbsp
  • Butter-1 tbsp
  • Fresh Parsley- for garnish
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese-1/4 cup

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
  • In an Oven proof sauce pan or dutch oven heat the olive oil.
  • Add the onions and saute until translucent for about 5-6 minutes.
  • Add the Rice and stir for about a minute.
  • Add the White Wine and cook until all of the wine has evaporated.
  • Add the coconut milk, chicken broth, salt and pepper.
  • Bring it to a boil, cover and transfer into the oven.Bake for about 25 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and stir the lemon juice, lemon zest,butter and parsley.Add a little more broth if you want it more creamy. Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan all over.
  • Serve immediately!

Thanks to our SundaySupper host Conni Smith from The Foodie Army Wife, who chose this wonderful theme!We’re sharing with you our culinary conquests in our kitchens!!Please scroll down for the amazing menu we have for your today!

New Expeditions (Sides, Starters & Staples)

Homemade Corn Tortillas from Pescetarian Journal

Easy Oven Polenta from Shockingly Delicious

Homemade Spiced Flour Tortillas from Chocolate Moosey

Naan from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

Homemade Tofu from Kimchi MOM

Indian Moong Beans from Magnolia Days

Baked Lemon Coconut Risotto from Soni’s Food

Homemade Peanut Butter from Home Cooking Memories

Homemade Ricotta Cheese from Webicurean

Portuguese Chorizo Bread from Family Foodie

Grand Quests (Main Dishes)

Traditional Pork Tamales from Gourmet Drizzles

Braised Lamb Brisket with Lemon Oregano Yogurt Sauce from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen

Rice Burger from The Urban Mrs.

Pan-fried Scallops with Garlic Chili Linguine from Food Lust People Love

Miso-Glazed Salmon from The Foodie Patootie

Penne with Mustard and Chives from My Other City By The Bay

Arepas Rellenas (Stuffed Arepas) from The Wimpy Vegetarian

Spanish Baked Scallops from Momma’s Meals

Black Beans and Cheese Empanadas from Basic N Delicious

Pork Dim Sum from Small Wallet, Big Appetite

Venison Steak Gyros from Curious Cuisiniere

Baked Tilapia with Parmesan Basil Sauce from Growing Up Gabel

Vegetarian Hortobagyi Pancakes from Happy Baking Days

Caribou & Andouille Chili from The Foodie Army Wife

Escapades (Sweet Treats & Spirited Companions)

Vegan Chocolate Mousse from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen

Zebra Cake from That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Multilayer Bars from What Smells So Good?

Rut-Busting Wines For New Cooking Adventures from ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Homemade Vanilla Marshmallows from Vintage Kitchen

Strawberry Raspberry Fruit Leather from Juanita’s Cocina

Making Macarons – FAIL! from girlichef

Macaroons from Noshing With The Nolands

Fresh Strawberry Frozen Yogurt from The Messy Baker

Bircher Muesli from Peanut Butter and Peppers

Hello Kitty Rice Krispies from The Ninja Baker

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls from In The Kitchen With KP

Dorie Greenspan’s Orange Almond Tart from Hip Foodie Mom

Ombre Mini Cakes from Daily Dish Recipes

Chocolate Dipped Madeleines from Big Bear’s Wife

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter on Sunday, April 28th to talk all about our foodie fears! We’ll tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 3:00 pm AKST/7:00 pm EST. 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 delicious recipes and food photos.

Check out the Food & Wine Conference sponsored by Sunday Supper! Being held July 19th – 21st in beautiful, sunny Orlando, FL. It’s a must for food bloggers. Find out more here → Food & Wine Conference

Chiocciole with Creamy Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Mushrooms-Guest Post at Noshing with the Nolands

27 | 03 | 2013
By Soni Sinha

Before I begin my post today,let me wish you all a Very Happy Holi, the Hindu festival of colors 🙂

I’m excited for today’s post since I’m guest posting over at my friend Tara’s blog Noshing With the Nolands!At this time of the year we all look for fresh spring flavors and gorgeous colors of all the fresh produce that’s abundant in the markets.I went with vibrant juicy Cherry Tomatoes that I absolutely love.This dish barely takes any time and is perfect for a light lunch or dinner.The roasted cherry tomatoes with garlic are so so delicious and bursting with juices in every bite!

chiocciole

chiocciole 3This recipe has been with me for quite sometime and I’m glad I finally made it!You can use any pasta of your choice.I just found the Chiocciole at my local Whole Foods and wanted to try it!The addition of mushrooms is also optional and you could just go with the cherry tomatoes and basil.Its a dish that screams spring and with Easter round the corner, this will make a perfect dish for a crowd and its easy, flavorful and looks beautiful!!

 

Chiocciole 1

My kids love this dish as much as we do!So, what are you waiting for then?Hop over to Noshing with the Nolands and check out the recipe for yourselves 🙂

 

 

Apple Ricotta Cake-Guest Post at The German Foodie

22 | 07 | 2012
By Soni Sinha

Today its my great pleasure to be guest posting over at my friend Sofie’s blog The German Foodie!!Sofie and I met through one of our facebook groups and I just love her German recipes.She is a great friend and extremely helpful! She is also well versed in photography skills and I enjoyed her little workshop on the same topic some time back!So when Sofie wanted me to guest post for her while she was on vacation I was thrilled! 🙂
I decided to make an Apple Ricotta Cake for this post mainly because it uses two of my favorite ingredients apples and ricotta!I found a simple recipe at All Recipes and just added some ricotta into the mixture!The result was a creamy, moist and delicious cake with a great personality coming from the juicy apples with cinnamon!

Apple Ricotta Cake

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Ingredients
  

  • 2 medium apples-peeled cored and chopped or sliced
  • Cinnamon-2 tsp
  • Ricotta-1/4 cup
  • Eggs-2
  • Sugar-1 cup
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil-1 cup
  • All purpose flour-1 ½ cup
  • Baking Powder-1 ½ tsp
  • Vanilla extract-1 tsp
  • Kosher salt-1/4 tsp

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease a 9-inch spring form pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle some flour all over.
  • Cream the sugar and oil in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer until creamy.
  • Add the ricotta and vanilla and mix. Add the eggs and continue to mix until well combined.
  • Mix the flour, salt, baking powder and ground cinnamon in a separate bowl and add to the liquid mixture. Mix until well combined.
  • Fold in the apples and pour the batter into the greased pan.
  • Bake for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  • Once done cool on a wire rack and serve warm