Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients:

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) unsalted butter, diced
2 tablespoons hot water
1 cup cold heavy cream
3 large eggs, separated (whites and yolks)
1 tablespoon powdered sugar/ Castor sugar
Preparation

• Combine the chocolate and butter in a double boiler over hot, but not simmering, water, stirring frequently until smooth.


• Remove from the heat and let cool until the chocolate is slightly warm. If it is too cool, the mixture will seize when the other ingredients are added.


• Whip the egg whites in a medium bowl until they are foamy and beginning to hold a shape. Sprinkle in the sugar and beat until soft peaks form.


• Now stir in the yolks. Gently stir in the whipped cream. Fold in the stiffly beaten egg whites(meringue) .


• Spoon or pipe the mousse into a serving bowl or individual dishes. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours.


• Garnish with whipped cream and cherry.

CHICKEN BALLS IN CLEAR NOODLE SOUP

Ingredients Preparation time: 20 mins
Chicken Breast : 500 gms(finely minced)
Cornflour/ Arrowroot powder : 2-3 Tbsp.
Butter : 2 Tbsp
Parsley : 2Sprigs.
Thyme and Rosemary : a Pinch.
Cilantro : 2 tsp roughly chopped
Shallots ; 2 -3 coarsely chopped.
White Pepper : 1/2 tsp
Black Pepper : 1 tsp(coarsely grounded)
Salt : To Taste
Paprika : 1 tsp.
Chicken Stock : 1.5 lts.- 2lts.
Spaghetti / Rice noodles : 500 gms.
Onion : 1 finely chopped
Garlic : 4-5 cloves finely chopped
Worcestershire sauce : 1 tsp.
Soy Sauce :1 tsp.
Bread rolls : As required.
Method:

• Mix together the minced chicken, cornflour or arrowroot powder, salt , pepper, thyme rosemary and cilantro (2 pinches)., 1 tsp paprika, soy sauce 2-3 dashes, chopped onion and garlic in a large bowl. Roll them into small even balls. Refrigerate
• Put the Chicken stock to boil and allow to simmer.
• Slowly add the chicken balls and allow to cook till they set.
• Adjust seasoning.
• Par-boil the Spaghetti or rice noodles and drain excess water.
• Place a handful of spaghetti each in 4 Thai soup bowls, now add handsome amount of the chicken ball soup with dashes of Worcestershire sauce in each of them.
• Garnish with the chopped parsley, paprika and shallots.

Serve piping hot to your hungry ones with hot bread rolls. An ideal treat for this monsoon.

FRIED ICE-CREAM.....

Ingredients:- Preparation Time : 10-15 mins.

Flavoured Ice-Cream scoops: 8-10 baby scoops (Frozen rock hard in an air tight deep freezer)

For the Batter:
Flour : 250 gms.
Sugar : 2-3 tsp.
Salt : a pinch
Baking Soda : 1/2 tsp.
Egg whites : 2 (stiffly beaten)
Milk : 3 tea cups.
White Oil : For deep frying.
Whipped Cream and Maraschino cherries: for Garnishing
Method :

• Sieve the flour to avoid any hidden lumps.
• Add in the salt and milk and mix well till smooth.
• Fold in the the stiffly beaten egg white mixture.
• Add the baking powder. Allow to stand for 2 mins.
• Heat oil in a pan.
• Now take out the Ice-cream scoops from the freezer and immediately coat them up with the batter and fry in batches till golden brown.
• Quickly serve with whipped sweetened cream topped with maraschino cherries.

Watch your little ones simply gorge on them...

VEGETABLE AU-GRATIN

A Special Treat For Your Special Ones....

Ingredients: For 2 portions. Preparation Time:15 mins.

Carrot : 1 Large (diced / Cubed)

French Beans : 50gms (diced / Cubed)

Green Peas : 50 gms

Potato : 1 Large (diced/ Cubed)

Grated Cheese :100 gms

Milk : 300ml

Flour : 3 Tbsp.

Butter : 3 Tbsp.

Salt : To Taste

White Pepper : To Taste.

Onion : 1 (small)

Garlic :2-3 Cloves

Parsley : Few Sprigs.

Boiled Egg : 2 For garnish Cut into vandiques.

Method:

• Par Boil all vegetables. Should not be overcooked but should remain slightly crunchy.
• Slightly season.
• Heat Butter in a skillet and add finely chopped onion garlic and white flour.
• Now add the milk.
• Mix well till smooth and creamy to avoid lump formation.
• Add the chopped parsley.
• Adjust Seasoning by adding salt and pepper.
• Take a micro-proof bowl grease slightly and add the vegetables.
• Mix it with the white sauce and cook for about 4mins.
• Top up with bread crumbs and grated cheese.
• Switch on the Grill and slightly grill till the cheese topping turns golden brown.
• Serve hot with Vandique of Boiled Eggs.

Watch the apple of your eye lap it up in a jiffy...

Muffins:

Sweetness Intended...

Muffins:

Preparation time :12 mins.

Flour: 80 gms.

Sugar : 100 gms.

Eggs : 3 nos.

Butter : 100 gms.

Baking Powder : 1/2 tsp.

Cocoa Powder : 20 gms.

Method :

• Sieve the flour , Cocoa powder,and baking powder together.
• Cream the butter and sugar together adding the eggs from time to time to a smooth consistency.
• Add the flour in this creamed mixture.
• Pour into slightly greased muffin cup moulds and microwave for 5 mins. on full power.
• Pour over thick chocolate sauce .
• Garnish with Chocolate Curls..{ Just rub the chocolate bar on the butter curler}.
• Allow to stand for a few seconds and serve.

Serve these freshly made muffins instantly. or (These can be stored for upto 20 days in refrigerator.)

The Ever Loved....Tastiano...Pasta Treat....

Macaroni with White Pepper and Cheese....

Ingredients:
Macaroni : 250 gms.
Water : 2lts.
Salad oil : 1 Tbsp.
Cheese : 100gms.
Butter : 2 Tbsp.
Bell Pepper / Capsicum:-
(Green,Yellow and Red.): 1 Each. (diced into 1cm. squares)
Onion : 1no.
Garlic : 3 Tbsp.(chopped)
Red Chillies: 2 whole red Chillies finely Chopped.
Tomatoes: 4 Large ones.
Salt: To Taste
White Pepper : To Taste.
Method :

• Boil the water and add the macaroni. pour the oil and drain when the macaroni is slightly crunchy.(i)Keeping the macaroni slightly crunchy prevents over cooking and sogginess and (ii)adding the oil prevents sticking.
• Heat up a shallow pan or a Chinese wok. Add 1 Tbsp. butter. allow to melt.
• Add the chopped red chillies and garlic . Cook on high flame till slightly golden.
• Add the chopped tomatoes.
• Add the salt.
• Remove and keep aside.
• Add the second helping of butter and add the onions, red, green and yellow bell peppers.
• Toss while cooking so that the butter evenly covers up the Bell peppers. Keep it slightly crunchy and add the pasta.
• Toss and add the pasta tomato sauce you prepared and kept aside.
• Now cut the cheese into cubes and add it to the steaming hot pasta.
• Toss and check the seasoning.
• Serve hot.

An ideal Monsoon Treat for Your little wonders....

Hey Presto....Pop it in Li'l Angels....

Cottage Cheese Cookies
Preparation Time : 5 Mins. Portions : 4 nos.
Ingredients :

• Grated Cottage Cheese :250gms.
• Soy Sauce : 1 Tbsp.
• Chilly Sauce : 1 tsp.
• Salt : A Pinch or to taste (Note soy sauce itself is salty in nature so look out...)
• Sugar :1 tsp.
• Parsley/ Cilantro /Fenugreek leaves( Methi) : 1tsp. finely chopped.
• Grated Carrot : 1 Tbsp.
• Flour : 1 cup.
• Baking Powder 1/2 Tbsp.
• Cashew nuts : for topping.

Method:

• Mix all ingredients well along with the sieved flour and baking powder.
• Divide into small balls and tap them on the head for a little dent on their heads.
• Place one Cashew nut on every little head.
• Arrange them in a microwave proof tray with ample spacing for them to expand.
• Microwave for about 1-2 mins.
• And lo behold they are ready.

This one is for the li'l Ones...who don't like sweeties....See the cookies disappear right in front of you...