Savory Butter Crackers with Lemon
In Bengal, there are two types of gaja: salty and sweet. Within these two types, several shapes and flavors are possible: poppy seed cubes, sesame seed oblongs, kalonji curls and this variation: lemon zest diamonds. These crackers are somewhat crumbly, with a faintly sour taste. They are a much-loved delicacy throughout Orissa and Bengal, popular at late afternoon tiffin with contrasting sweet gaja and tropical fresh fruits....
Succulent Eggplant & Paneer Cheese in Spicy Tomato Glaze
Ingredients: • Ghee for deep-frying • Black mustard seeds – 1½ tsp • Minced fresh ginger – 2 tsp • Minced fresh green chili – 1 tsp • Yellow asafetida powder – ¼ tsp • Tomato puree – 2 cups • Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp • Ground coriander – 1 tsp • Paneer cheese from 2½ litres milk, pressed and cut into 1.5 cm cubes, (recipe follows) • Eggplant, cut into 1.5 cm cubes – 1 large • Garam masala...
Braised Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients: • Brussels – 7 cup • Ghee – 4-5 tbsp • Hing – 1/4 • Ground coriander – 1/2 tsp • Black pepper – 1/4 tsp • Water – 1 1/2- 2 cup • Salt, as desired Preparation: 1. In a frying pan on high, chaunce in the hot ghee the hing and then the coriander and pepper. 2. Add the brussels and stir fry a few minutes until they begin browning. 3. Add water and cover. Cook on high heat until the water...
Khamang kakdi
Ingredients • Cucumbers – 3 medium sized • Green chilies – 2 • Fresh cilantro leaves – ½ bunch • Peanuts (roasted and peeled) – ½ cup • Coconut (scraped) – 1/3 cup • Lemon juice – 1 tbsp • Sugar – 1 tsp • Salt – as required For Tempering: • Pure ghee – 1 tbsp • Mustard seeds – ½ tsp • Cumin seeds – ¼ tsp Preparation 1. Peel, wash, cut into half, deseed and finely chop...
Cauliflower and potato Surprise
Although this was one of four cauliflower and potato vegetables served at a recipe testing banquet, it was unanimously voted the favorite. It is indeed popular through out much of North India, this version a long-time secret from the Shashi gupta family of Kurukshetra. I noticed that although undeniably rich, it is always one of the first to disappear at holiday dinners. I often use homemade yogurt, or good commercial yogurt like...