Kitchen Corner-Try It

Chocolate Mousse Chocolate mousse is a rich and classic dessert. It is a favorite among many chocolate dessert lovers. It is rich, airy and light dessert with chocolate goodness. This recipe is my absolute favorite,it is an easy no fuss recipe from Nigella Lawson . I have tried this many times and it is a no fail recipe. This is also perfect for those who do not want raw eggs in their dessert. It sets faster  than the regular mousse. Try this, you will surely love it. Ingredients Mini Marshmallows- 2 1/2 cups Semi sweet chocolate- 6 oz. ( preferably dark chocolate ) Butter- 3 tbs Heavy cream- 1 1/2 cup Sugar- 3 tbs Hot water- 1/4 cup Vanilla essence- 1 tsp Rum extract- a few drops Into a sauce pan add marshmallows, butter, chopped chocolate and hot water. Cook in low flame and stir. The chocolate will melt faster. The marshmallows will take about 5 minutes to melt completely. Stir till the mixture is smooth and velvety with no white streaks. Allow this to coo

Crab Croquettes Crab croquettes is delicious appetizer perfect for parties and get together. It has a creamy and tasty crab meat filling and is crispy in the outside. Béchamel sauce is used to make the it creamy and rich.It also helps to bind and shape the patties. Try this,you will surely love it. Ingredients Crab meat- 8 oz. Onion- 1 small Garlic 2 cloves Pepper powder-to taste salt to taste Chopped parsley- 2 tsp Lemon juice-a few drops For the white sauce Milk- 1/2 cup Cream-1/4 cup Butter-  3 tbs All purpose flour- 2 tsp Panko bread crumbs- 1 cup Egg -1 Oil for frying- 2 cup To make the sauce,heat a pan and add butter, when it melts add the flour and cook the butter and flour in low flame, till the raw flavor disappears and  the flour changes color. Do not allow it to brown up. Add milk and cream and whisk till it thickens to sauce consistency. Switch off the flame. If you are using regular crabs cook and break the sh

Green Beans with Caramelized Onion and Chestnuts Green beans, onions and chestnuts is a yummy and healthy combo. I have tried green beans with sesame seeds and almonds. Tender crisp beans go well with crunchy nuts. Caramelized onions and chestnuts has a natural sweetness which adds a nice touch to this dish. You can roast the chestnuts or boil them.This can be served as a side dish. Ingredients Green beans chopped- 12 oz. Onion - 2 large Garlic - 2 cloves Chopped chestnuts-8 oz. Paprika or smoked paprika- 1 tsp salt and pepper to taste Lemon juice- 1/2 lemon Olive oil- 3 tsp (or butter) To roast the  chestnuts wash and then dry them with a towel. Place on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife make a "X" on the chestnut skin. This allows the steam to escape and easy to peel later. Bake for 25 minutes in 350 degree oven. You can also boil the chestnuts like potatoes. Make the "X" mark and boil for 10-12 minutes and drain them. When cool enough

Green Peas Mushroom Curry Simple and breezy curry for chapatis. This is a vegetarian version of my egg and peas curry that I posted earlier.Mushrooms are versatile and can be used to make both mild and spicy curries. I love to cook it just like chicken curry and the subtle mild flavor of mushrooms and the roasted spices complement each other so well. This is a rich and flavorful gravy with coconut milk, tomatoes and cashew nuts. Try this,you will surely love this.. Ingredients Frozen green peas- 1 1/2 cup Mushrooms- 8 0z. Onion- 1 medium Tomato puree-  3/4 cup Cashew nuts- 10-12 Ginger garlic paste- 1 tsp Coconut milk thick-3/4 cup Chilly powder- 1 tsp Coriander powder- 1 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp Garam masala- 1/2 tsp Meat masala- 1/2 tsp Ghee- 1/2 tsp (optional) oil- 2 tsp salt and pepper to taste Coriander leaves Soak cashew nuts in 1/2 cup of warm water for half an hour(or you can put cashews into boiling water for two minutes,drain and t

Croissant Bread Pudding Classic old fashioned bread pudding served warm with caramel sauce is one of my top favorite desserts. Left over bread can be converted into a baked classy and yummy dessert in no time. Instead of the traditional bread this recipe uses the rich buttery croissant bread. Flaky buttery bread with rich custard takes this dessert to the next level. Add chocolate chips, nuts or raisins and serve warm or chilled. This recipe is inspired from Nigella Lawson show.Try this,you will surely love it. Ingredients Croissant bread- 8 (mini or 4 regular) Eggs large- 5 Milk- 1 1/2 cup Heavy cream- 1 1/4 cup Sugar- 3/4 cup Semi sweet chocolate chips-1/2 cup Butter- 1 tsp Salt- a pinch Rum extract- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract- 1 tsp Pre heat oven to 350 degree. Melt butter and grease baking dish with it and spread the left over butter in the pan. Slice croissants lengthwise but not all the way through. Place this in a single layer in the baking dish. In a bow

Cherry Smoothie Smoothie is fresh and fast breakfast on the go. Blended fruits with milk or yogurt gives you the needed protein and nutrients to start your morning right.Cherry smoothie is no exception as cherries has a rich flavor  and is packed with anti oxidants,vitamins and dietary fiber. Added to this it is super yummy. You can add other fruits or flax seeds to your smoothie. Ingredients Pitted cherries- 1 cup Banana- 1/2 Yogurt- 1/2 cup Water- 1/4 cup Ice cubes- 4-5 honey- 1 tsp Remove seeds from the cherries and add to a blender. You can also use pitted frozen cherries for this recipe. Add yogurt, banana and ice cube into the blender and pulse a few times. Now add water and honey and blend for one minute or till nice and smooth like a puree. Serve immediately. You might also like, Mango Smoothie Mango Lassi Guava and Lychee Cooler Apricot Mango Juice  Strawberry Pistachio Milkshake Try this, Hope you will all enjoy!

Kilikoodu/Malabar Snack Kilikoodu is a Malabar snack made with chicken and quail eggs and coated with vermicelli.It is a deep fried crispy snack that can be served along with tea.The vermicelli gives it an extra crunch. The name kilikoodu means birds nest. If you do not have quail eggs you can use regular eggs cut into quarters. Try this,you will surely love it. Ingredients Chicken cooked- 1 cup Potato medium-2 Quail egg- 6-8 Onion- 1 medium Ginger Garlic paste- 1  tsp Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp White pepper powder- 1/2 tsp Chilly powder- 1/3 tsp Garam masala- 3/4 tsp Chopped Coriander leaves- a little Lemon juice- 1/2 lemon salt to taste Vermicelli- 1/2 cup Egg-1 Oil for frying Cook chicken along with salt and turmeric powder and when it cools down, mince in a food processor. Into this add the boiled potatoes and make into a course mixture. Boil quail eggs, remove shells and set aside. Heat oil in a pan and saute onions till golden brow

Double Chocolate Brownies Brownies are addictive with rich chocolate flavor.  These brownies are rich,moist and melt in mouth. If you are a chocolate lover what richer and more delicious taste can you think of than a rich and gooey decadent brownie. This is the first desert I tasted when I first came to the US several years ago. Ever since I have been hooked to this dessert. I have many failed attempts trying to recreate the same taste and texture.  I found this recipe from the book Hershey's Fabulous Desserts and followed the exact recipe. This is my go to brownie recipe and it comes out perfect.Try this,you will surely love it. Ingredients All purpose flour- 1 1/2 cup Cocoa powder- 1/2 cup Sugar- 1  cup Baking soda- 1/2 tsp Salt- 1/4 tsp Boiling water- 1/2 cup Butter- 1/4 cup melted Oil- 2 tbs Egg- 2 Vanilla extract- 1 tsp Chocolate chips semi- sweet- 3/4 cup Pre heat over to 350 degree.Grease 9 inch square baking pan and set aside. In a medi

Roasted Potatoes with Sumac Roasted potatoes with sumac is delicious with a tart and lemony flavor. Sumac is a popular spice is middle eastern cuisine.It is used in a variety of dishes from meats to salads. This can be used as a snack or as an accompaniment with rice or meat recipes. Ingredients Baby potatoes- 1 pound Sumac- 2 tsp Paprika- 1 1/2 tsp Garlic 2 cloves Salt and pepper to taste olive oil- 2 tsp  chopped parsley- 1 tbs Wash and cut potatoes into half. Per heat oven to 400 degree F. Into a bowl add potatoes, minced garlic, sumac, paprika,salt and pepper to taste and olive oil. Toss and mix well. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the potatoes cut side down and bake for 30-40 minutes or till potatoes are cooked and crispy. Remove from oven and garnish with chopped parsley. Try it, Hope you will all enjoy!

Coorg Pepper Pork Masala Coorg Pepper pork masala is spicy and tangy curry. The unique ingredient in this recipe is Kudampuli/Malabar tamarind. Kudampuli is used as a souring agent in fish curries. The recipe has a unique in taste and color since we are adding kudampuli. Try this,you will surely love it. Ingredients Pork - 1 kg Shallots- 1 1/2 cup Ginger- 2 inch thick Garlic- 7-8 pods Green chilly-3 Kudampuli- 3-4 pieces Coriander leaves chopped- 4 tbs Black pepper- 1 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp Chilly powder- 1 tsp Coriander powder- 1 1/2 tbs Cumin powder-1/2 tsp Garam masala- 1 tsp Mustard seeds- 1 tsp Fenugreek seeds- 1/4 tsp Cardamom- 2 Cinnamon stick- 2 pieces Curry leaves- a few Make a course mixture of shallots, ginger, garlic, coriander leaves and green chilly (you can use mortar and pestle to crush the masala). Dry roast and make a fine powder of cumin, coriander, fenugreek seeds, black pepper, mustard and chilly and garam masala and