Quick tip: Healthier, No-fry papad

Take 2 kitchen paper towels & stack 2 papads in between them. Heat in the microwave oven for about 45 seconds and they should be cooked evenly all the way to the centre.

Experiment with timing since wattage may differ, but this worked for me with the plain white kind and turned out nice & crunchy, not too hard. Enjoy! :)

Italian wedding soup

This is a lovely classic Italian soup, usually served as an appetiser at weddings, hence the name. I first tried this at an Italian restaurant chain, East Side Mario's - it was unlimited, and I couldn't stop eating it! I decided for the sake of my wallet, to recreate it at home, and it is just as tasty. Enjoy!
                                                                                

Ingredients:
(Serves 4)
- 18-20 small-med frozen beef meatballs or homemade (optional)
- Pasta: 1cup acini di pepe (tiny) or 1-2 cups rotini (heartier)
- 3 chicken stock cubes
- 1/2 small onion (fine chop)
- 1 garlic pod (minced)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 cups fresh spinach/escarole (optional)
- Salt

Method:
Meat: (frozen)
1. 300-400g meat/18-20 small-med sized frozen meatballs
2. Brush tray with olive oil & cook in toaster oven/ grill at 400f/200c for 7 min each side
3. Let rest on kitchen roll to absorb excess grease. Chop into small pieces
Pasta & Veg: (cook while meat is in oven)
4. Boil water, salt (1 tbsp), add pasta, bring back to boil & lower to simmer for 12 mins (5)
5. Strain & keep aside.
6. In a pan, heat 1tbsp olive oil, sauté onion until lightly golden, then add garlic.

Broth:
7. Boil 600ltr water & add to large pot. Crush/dissolve stock cubes in bowl and add to pot.
8. Add sautéed veg, spinach/escarole (optional), meat, oregano, salt, pepper & boil 10 mins. Lower to simmer (5) and add pasta until it is evenly heated. Serve!

Leek & Potato Soup

Ingredients: (6-8 servings)

 

- 3 large leeks
- 2 small onions (fine chop)
- 2 cloves garlic (very fine chop)
- 2 med potatoes diced
- 2-2.5 cubes chicken stock (dissolved)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1/3- 1/2 cup semi-skimmed (1%) milk

 

Method:

1. Leeks: chop off base (1cm), chop dark green parts off, peel outside layer if too muddy and wash throughly. Cut in half lengthways & fine chop (1/2cm slices). If very muddy, wash all & drain well.

2.  In a large pan (non-stick is good), heat 2-3 tbsp oil & sautée garlic, onion, leeks 8 mins (stir, half cover and don't let burn) Med-high heat (8)

3. Boil 1.5l water. Crush stock cubes in a small bowl, add a little water to dissolve & add to large pot.

4. Add leeks, potatoes, salt & pepper to pot, bring to boil, then lower heat (6).

Simmer 10-20 mins +

5. Add butter (optional) & milk to thicken (whatever % you have)

6. Taste and add more stock/seasoning salt if necessary. Can be enjoyed hot or cold, tastes even better the next day!

Extra options:
Can add bacon substitutes (chicken, turkey, beef) - fry beforehand until soft to garnish
Can also add pasta (tiny acini de pepe or normal rotini twists), grains, wheat puffs.

*Be prepared with a sharp knife for this recipe!! (Shashi's original recipe)

Thank you!

Thank you all for the latest recipes...can't wait to try them out! Will post pics when I make a blog-worthy dish!

Upkaris (More in Comments)

Method: (Beans, Cabbage, Potato, Carrots, Tendles, Alsondo, Beans, etc)

1. Wash and slice finely/ lengthways..

2. Heat 2 tbs of oil (med-high, 8 on electric stove)

3. Add 1/4 tsp mustard seeds till it pops

4. Add 1-2 small red chillis torn or 1/8tsp chilli powder (very spicy)



5. Add veg quickly before chillis start to burn. It will make a noise - don't worry - quickly stir.

6. Salt to taste (Shashi method) - stir again for 30 secs

7. Add small cup of water just to cover the veg.

8. Lower heat, cover and cook for about 10-20 mins..

*Payal's pics.

Pi is married!

Please help her out by posting your most delicious recipes so she (and her husband) can enjoy some aamchi delights. :)

-You can either make a new post or post a comment in sweet recipes, dinner recipes or snack recipes sections)