Tag: bruschetta

World’s Best Selling Cocktails

People just love to drink cocktails as they are not only alcoholic but also refreshing in taste. The main constituents of the cocktails are water, sugar, alcohol and sour and they are mixed according to the recipe of the drink being prepared. Many people belief that the experience of the bartender matters a lot as making cocktails requires expertise. All the ingredients to be used in the particular drink are required to be mixed in right proportion and then only the actual taste can be experienced. Further the steps involved in their preparations should also be strictly followed. People select cocktails according to their taste and desire. Some like to drink those cocktails which have less alcohol in it while some go for the cocktails with more alcohol. Today there are endless recipes available for making cocktails. But some of them have made their own name and are loved in every corner of the world. Hereby we are mentioning the most sold cocktail drinks in the whole world.

Bloody Mary:

Without a doubt Bloody Mary is the most favorite cocktail in the whole world. It is mostly served in the tall glasses. Since tomato juice is used in its preparation, it has a red blood like color. Vodka, flavoring agents and tomato juice are used as the main ingredients in its preparation. The flavoring agents which can be used are olives, black pepper, lemon juice, salt, Tabasco sauce, horseradish and many more. Its preparation is quite complex and so everybody cannot prepare it easily. To prepare Bloody Mary cocktail, take 4.5 cl Vodka, 1.5 cl Lemon Juice and 9 cl Tomato Juice. Add other sauces along with pepper and salt. Stir it gently and then pour it into a tall glass with ice cubes.

Margarita:

Margarita is one of the Mexican cocktail which is now loved everywhere, mostly by the females. Many believe that Margarita was invented by a person named as Carlos Danny Herrera in the year 1938. He created this drink for his friend Marjorie King who had special love for tequila. There is a special type of glass used for serving this cocktail named as Margarita glass. Tequila, Lime juice and Cointreau are taken into a high ball glass along with ice and are mixed properly. Along the rim of the Margarita glass, salt is applied and the drink is poured in it in such a way that the salt does not get disturbed.

Screwdriver:

Ask cocktail lovers about Screwdriver cocktail and they will have special praise for this drink. It is highly popular among the people. Different variations of Screwdriver cocktail is prepared and served at different places. This drink is prepared using vodka and orange juice. To prepare Screwdriver cocktail, add 1 part of vodka and 2 part of orange juice. Shake them well and then serve it in a glass after decorating it appropriately. Many people say that this cocktail was first prepared by the American aviators and they used the screwdriver to stir the drink they made by adding orange juice and vodka. So it is named as Screwdriver.

Apple Martini:

Now the next cocktail that we are going to mention here is Apple Martini which is a variation of the highly popular Martini cocktail. Its basic ingredients are Apple Juice or Apple brandy, vodka and Vermouth. All these are taken in appropriate quantity in a shaker and then poured into a glass filled with chilled ice. In 1995, a bartender working in the Lola’s bar which is in Hollywood, California made this drink for the first time. His name is Adam Karsten and so sometimes this cocktail is also known by the name of Adam’s apple martini. If you will add rum instead of vodka, you will get a new drink named as Rumpletini.

Mojito:

Mojito has a long history behind it. This magic drink was invented by the slaves who used to work in the sugar cane fields of Cuba in the 19^th century. Today it is extremely popular and is served in the Collins glass. The preparation of Mojito cocktail requires 3 parts of Lime Juice which should be fresh, 4 parts of white rum, 2 teaspoon sugar, soda water and few leaves of mint. Lime juice, sugar and mint leaves are first muddled and then white rum is added to it along with the soda water. Few mint leaves are used to decorate the glass in which it is served.

Piña Colada:

The very meaning of the word Piña Colada is strained pineapple and it gives us the idea about the ingredients which are used in its preparation. To make Piña Colada cocktail take 3 parts of pineapple juice, 1 part white rum and one part coconut milk. Mix them well with the crushed ice and then serve in a special glass called as the Poco Grande glass. Piña Colada is slightly yellowish in color and has a very pleasant taste. It was first prepared by Ramon Perez in the year 1952 in the bar of the famous Caribe Hilton Hotel located in San Juan.Since 1978 Puerto Rico has officially named Piña Colada as the official beverage of the country.

June 24, 2014
Bean It Up!

Green Beans are popular among vegetarians as well as non vegetarians because of their high nutritional value. Beans are classified into Bush beans, Pole beans, Shell beans, Mottled beans, White beans, Yellow wax beans, Red or Kidney beans, Black beans and Pink beans.

Fresh green beans are a rich source of dietary fiber, vitamins (especially Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Folates) and minerals (Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese Phosphorus, Zinc, Iron and Potassium). Moreover, they are low in calories and contain no saturated fats.

How to prepare beans before cooking?

Wash raw beans in cold water. Just before using, remove the strings and trim the ends.

Green beans can be used in grilled-salads, curries, soups, stews, stir fry (with rice) and be steamed with other vegetables. It tastes brilliant when mixed with butter, meat, seafood, nuts, mushrooms, leafy vegetables, cheese, etc. With anything and everything, it is good to go!

So, Bean It Up!

Bean Enchiladas

Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients: 1 tsp olive oil, 2 onions (chopped), 280g carrots (grated), 2 – 3 tsp chilli powder, 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes, 2 x 400g cans pulses in water (drained), 6 small whole meal tortillas, 200g low-fat yogurt, 50g extra-mature cheddar cheese (finely grated)

Method: Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Cook the onions and carrots for 5-8 minutes until soft – add a splash of water if they start to stick. Sprinkle in the chilli powder and cook for 1 min more. Pour in the tomatoes and pulses and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from the heat and season well.Heat grill to high. Spread a spoonful of the bean chilli over a large ovenproof dish. Lay each tortilla onto a board; fill with a few tbsp of chilli mixture, fold over the ends and roll up to seal. Place them into the ovenproof dish. Spoon the remaining chilli on top.Mix the yogurt and grated cheese together with some seasoning, and spoon over the enchiladas. Grill for a few minutes until the top is golden and bubbling. Serve with a green salad.

Broad Bean Bruschetta

Time: 40 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients: 300g podded broad beans, 4 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for drizzing, juice 1 lemon, handful mint leaves, 4 slices rustic white bread, 1 garlic clove (peeled but left whole), 140g pecorino cheese (shaved with a peeler)

Method: Cook the broad beans in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain, refresh under cold water, drain again and then peel from their skins.Use a masher to roughly crush the beans with the olive oil and lemon juice and then stir through the mint. Season with salt and pepper to taste.Heat a griddle pan; toast the bread on both sides, then rub with the garlic clove. Spoon some of the beans over each slice of bread, scatter over the pecorino and drizzle with more olive oil to serve.

Spanish Bean Stew

Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil, 200g chorizo sausage (thickly sliced), 1 onion (chopped), 400g chicken thigh fillets (cubed), 1 tomato (roughly chopped), 410g can cannellini beans (drained), 1 large potato (cut into small cubes), 500ml hot chicken stock, 4 tbsp chopped parsley

Method: Heat the oil in a large pan. Cook the chorizo, onion and chicken over a high heat for 5 minutes. Add the tomato and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until pulpy.Stir in the beans, potato and stock. Bring to the boil, then cover and gently simmer for 20 minutes until the potato is soft and the chicken cooked through. Stir through the parsley and serve. You can cool and freeze the stew for up to 2 months. To serve, defrost and heat through thoroughly.

Fettuccine with Beans and Pancetta

Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients: 100g pack smoked pancetta rashers, 350g fettuccine, 400g runner beans (trimmed and thickly sliced on the diagonal), 6 tbsp crème fraÎche, 15g pack chives (snipped), finely grates parmesan (optional)

Method: Put a large pan of water on to boil for the pasta. Meanwhile, separate the rashers of pancetta and cook them in two batches (without oil) in a large non-stick frying pan until the fat on the pancetta is golden. Lift out onto a plate to crisp up.When the water is boiling, add salt and the pasta to the pan and boil for 6 minutes. Tip in the beans, quickly return to the boil and cook for about 4 minutes more until both the pasta and beans are just tender.Drain and tip into a large serving bowl. Toss with the crème fraîche, chives or basil and plenty of seasoning and then quickly tear in the crisp pancetta (keeping it quite chunky). Serve with the Parmesan, a simple tomato salad and some crusty bread (optional).

Butter Bean

Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil, 4 garlic cloves (crushed), 400g tin chopped tomatoes, 2 tsp sugar, 2 x 400g tins butter beans (rinsed and drained), small bunch basil (chopped)

Method: Heat the oil in a medium saucepan. Fry the garlic for 1 min, then add the tomatoes, sugar and some seasoning. Tip in the beans and a splash of water. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes, then stir in the basil and serve.

Recipe and Image Courtesy – bbcgoodfood.com

May 29, 2014
The Way to a Man’s Heart is through his Stomach

“I think careful cooking is love, don’t you? The loveliest thing you can cook for someone who’s close to you is about as nice a valentine as you can give “

-Julia Child

The age old saying, ‘The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’ has proved to be true time and again. I don’t really know what it is between a man and his food, and the maker of his food. But nevertheless, the equation always works!

Be it a birthday or Valentine’s Day dinner/ lunch or simply, one making up after a teeny tiny fight – cooking a lovesome meal is the right way to do it. Now, imagine your man, after a hard day’s work, coming home to a surprise candle lit dinner – all planned, set and cooked by his better half. Wouldn’t he feel elated? I know my man would. Show a man you love and he will return it double. Yes, men are such adorable creatures.

The small things matter a lot. Be it a simple Cheesy Garlic Bread or a spicy Schezwan Paneer or the healthy alternative of a Mexican Omelette or plain old Chocolate Brownies – he will gobble it up like it is the best thing he has ever tasted.

Men are simple. Men are easy to please. And men definitely know and love their food. So, for all the damsels out there, here is an easy step- by- step romantic dinner to ease your way into his heart.

~~~~~~~

Menu

Drinks

ü Alcohol of your choice

ü Sweet Lime Soda

Starter

ü Italian Bruschetta

Main Course

ü Roasted Chicken with Lemon, Garlic and Thyme

Dessert

ü Red Velvet Cup Cakes with Cream Cheese frosting

~~~~~~~

Drinks

As far as alcohol is concerned, feel free to choose whatever you two like.

Sweet Lime Soda

Total Time- 5 minutes

Serving – 4 glasses

Ingredients – 1 cup lime juice (that has been refrigerated), 1/3 cup powdered sugar(Splenda can be used) , 3 cups club soda, crushed ice, mint leaf (for garnish, optional)

Directions – Mix lime juice and sugar together till the sugar dissolves. Add the club soda and stir lightly just to mix. Place the crushed ice in 4 glasses and pour the soda over it. Garnish with mint leaves and serve at once.

Starter

Italian Bruschetta

Total Time – 6 minutes

Serving – 2

Ingredients – 4 baguette or crusty bread slices, 2 garlic cloves (peeled), 2 tomatoes (cored and chopped), salt (to season), 8 basil leaves (torn or chopped), 1 or 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Directions – Place the bread on a baking tray and toast both sides under the grill until golden brown. While the bread is still warm, rub one side of each piece of toast with a garlic clove, top with chopped tomatoes, a little salt and fresh basil. Drizzle olive oil over the top and serve.

Main Course

Roasted Chicken with Lemon, Garlic and Thyme

Total Time – 1 hour 45 minutes

Serving – 6

Ingredients – 1 (6 pound) roasting chicken, 4 tbsp unsalted butter (softened), 3 tbsp minced fresh thyme (plus 1 handful for stuffing), 4 cloves garlic (chopped), 2 tsp fresh lemon zest, Salt, freshly ground pepper, 1 lemon (quartered), 1 onion (coarsely chopped), 3 celery stalks, 3 carrots (unpeeled cut into thirds), 1 onion (cut into quarters), 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 2 tsp all- purpose flour

Directions – Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Rinse the chicken and pat it dry.

In a small bowl, make a compound butter by combining the softened butter, minced thyme, garlic cloves, lemon zest, salt and pepper.

Season the cavity of the chicken generously with salt, and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the lemon quarters, a handful of fresh thyme leaves, and the quarterd onion. Place the carrot, celery and onion in the bottom of a roasting pan and place the chicken on top of the vegetables. Cross the legs and tie with kitchen twine.

Gently lift the skin away from the chicken and spread 2 tbsp of the softened butter mixture underneath the skin, distributing it evenly. Spread the remaining butter over the entire surface of the chicken and season generously with salt, and pepper.

Place the chicken in the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and roast the chicken for about 45 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the inner thigh, not touching the bone registers 160 to 165 degrees F. transfer the chicken and vegetables to a cutting board to rest for about 15 minutes. Tent the chicken with aluminium foil to keep warm.

Pour the pan juices into a large glass measuring cup. Spoon the fat off the top. Add the chicken broth to the roasting pan and place over high heat. Bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Return the pan juices to the pan. Whisk the flour into the broth mixture and bring to a boil until slightly thickened, for about 2 minutes. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Serve alongside the roast chicken.

Dessert

Red Velvet Cup Cakes with Cream Cheese frosting

Total Time – 40 minutes

Serving – 24 frosted cup cakes

Ingredients –

For the cake: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp cocoa powder, 1 ½ cup vegetable oil, 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature), 2 tbsp red food colouring, 1 t sp white distilled vinegar, 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the frosting: 1 pound cream cheese (softened), 2 sticks butter (softened), 1 tsp vanilla extract, 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar, chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries(for garnish)

Directions –

For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12 cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers. In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy. Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.

Recipe Courtesy: allrecipes.co.uk, foodnetwork.com

Image Courtesy: southernplate.com, thekenebunkkim.com, marhaba.com

May 23, 2014