I sure like trying new recipes and that is the way I de-stress after a long busy day.

Fish is healthy and easy to cook. I have been trying lot of Lebanese and Mediterranean food off late.

The latest being the shakshuk, baked fish and Lebanese rice.

These definitely are not my recipes, I have been trying to get a few authentic recipes and this is how mine looked.

For recipe, please use the below link

Mediterranean Fish Fillet Recipe, Shakshuka Style

Junk to Jewel

Why the caption because I believe that all processed or packed food is Junk. But how one converts junk to Jewel is an art. The art that I am passionate about.

So when we decided to make instant noodles for breakfast after probably more than 1year. My heart and mind were screaming no, no, but my son was insistent. The foodie in me started working on how to give my son what he wanted yet make it healthy and yummy for his to tongue and tummy!!!

And vola, this is how it happened:

1) 1 large carrot chopped

2) 1 capsicum chopped

3) spring onions the leaves and the roots chopped.

4) 1 string of celery chopped

5) 2 packs instant noodles (I used Maggi)

6) 1 TSP organic sesame/ gingerly oil

7) I egg (optional)

8) salt to taste if required

Method:

Boil water according to instructions on the noodles packet.

Add all the vegetables to the boiling water and boil for 2 minutes (do not over cook the vegetables) add the sesame oil on the boiling vegetables.

Add the noodles and the masala ( if you do not want to use the masala, throw the masala away and add pinch of turmeric power, 1/2 TSP coriander powder, 1/4 TSP jeera/ cummin powder, 1/4 TSP chili powder, 1/4 TSP garam masala powder, salt to taste)

When the masala, noodles and vegetables together have cooked for 2 minutes. Crack the egg, cover and cook for another minute or two for the egg to cook. 

Sprinkle some herbs on the egg if required for extra taste ( I sprinkled lemon grass powder)

Yummy, healthy, simple Junk to Jewel breakfast ready to be indulged!!!

Thai flavoured bread and  zuccini pizza with fresh herbs.

Fresh herbs are aromatic, adds loads of flavour and good for health too!

My bread recipe is already on my blog. Please check. What I added extra after the first punch to my dough to make it Thai flavoured was Thai red curry paste and loads of fresh Thai basil.

For the zuccini pizza:

Sliced the zuccini and stauteed it in olive oil with crushed garlic, fresh rosemary and thyme.

Rolled the bread Dough  to disc/ roti/ pancake shape.

Apply Thai curry paste mixed with some tomato puree and tomatoe ketchup to give it a sweet taste. Arrange the zuccini on the spread, cover with mozzarella cheese, sprinkle basil and drizzle some extra virgin olive oil for moisture.

Bake at 200 degrees for 20mins.

Yummy healthy Thai flavoured pizza ready to be gobbled!!!🍕 🍞

Spanish Potato Egg Omlette

Just when I realised that I had no bread for breakfast and had to do with eggs alone. I decided to make potatoes egg Spanish Omlette with fresh rosemary, thyme and crushed garlic.

Ingredients:

1) 1 medium size potato

2) 2 eggs

3) 2-3 flakes garlic crushed

4) Fresh rosemary leaves, you may use dry if you do not have fresh.

5) fresh thyme, you may use dry if you do not have fresh.

6) 1tsp butter

7) 1tbsp olive oil

Method:

Slice the potato.

Take oil and butter in a pan, add the garlic, rosemary, thyme potato and shallow fry on low heat. 

Beat the egg with salt. When the potato is cooked and a little brown add the eggs, cover and cook.

You may add cheese if you like, I made it without cheese.

You do not need bread for this breakfast, since the potatoes are a replacement for your carbs.

Simple healthy breakfast, can go with some fresh fruits.🍌🍊

Rice Paper Rolls

Ingredients:

Ready made rice paper

For stuffing:

1) shredded carrots and capsicum

2) Steamed Broccoli 

3) Noodles cooked and flavoured with sesame oil and vinegar.

4) Garlic steamed shrimps with basil leaves.

5) lettuce.

Orange chilli dip

1) 1/2 cup orange juice

2) 1tsp lemon juice

3) 1tsp soya sauce

3) 1tsp sesame oil

4) 1/4tsp chilli flakes

5) salt to taste.

Mix all the above ingredients. Dip is ready.

For the peanut sauce

1) 1 small onion chopped to small pieces

2) 2 flakes garlic

3) I red chilli

4) 1/4 cup peanuts

5) 1tsp sugar

6) 2tbsp coconut milk.

7) 1tbsp groundnut oil.

8) 1tsp soya sauce

Method:

Fry the onion, chopped garlic and red chilli in groundnut oil.

Add sugar and let it caramelise.

Add soya sauce

Add the ground peanuts.

When the whole sauce comes together add the coconut milk and switch off the fire.

The rice papers are extremely sticky and tricky to work on. Dip the paper in water to make it soft, fill in the vegetable and prawn and roll it.

Serve with the dip and peanut sauce.

Vegetarian can make the same  roll minus the shrimps.

The one place that I keep hunting for, is a place where I can get my sauces, butter and paste all home made without preservatives. I use these when I run out of time and patience and am not n a mood to make them.

This sweet little lady who has moved base from Delhi to NAMMA Chennai, where the food scene is rocking, has magic in her hands and churns out the best mixes you can ever ask for.

Thai red curry paste, Thai green curry paste, pesto sauce, Alfredo sauce, pizza sauce, almond butter, peanut butter, etc ,etc and etc.

You can be rest assured it’s made fresh and to order. Few things that I tried. Please check the pictures.

Vegetable stir fry

Just when I realised that I had a whole pack of mushroom untouched and that I needed to do something, I also realised that I had a combination of veggies that could make a good stir fry.

Prep time-10 mins

Cooking time-10 mins

Ingredients

1) I pack mushroom

2) 1 carrot

3) 1/2 capsicum

4) 100gms Broccoli

5) 2 leaves pak choi

6) 6 flakes garlic roasted

7) I red chilli roasted

8) salt to taste

9) 1 tbsp sesame oil

10) 1 TSP cornflour

11) 1/4 cup water or broth

Method:

Chop all veggies

Crush the roasted garlic and red chilli

In a pan heat the sesame oil, add crushed roasted garlic and chilli, add veggies, salt and stir fry for 2-3min. Add water or broth and cook for 3-mins. Add cornflour with a little water to thicken the  stir fry and for the gloss.