Thursday 3 August 2017

Lunch Box Surprise: Penne In Basil Pesto Sauce (Penne con Pesto Genovese)

Pesto originates from the town of Genoa, located in Liguria, Italy. It is popular because of its strong herbal flavours of basil and pine nuts, which is complemented by spicy garlic and salty parmesan cheese. In America, butter and cream is added to make it richer, but I myself recommend you stick to this version because it's lighter and more authentic. Have it with a crusty bread and a lemonade or Sprite...

To watch my video, go to the link below: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vOH3cw2x-w

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup penne
Water, salt and olive oil for boiling

PESTO SAUCE
1/2-1 cup basil leaves (fresh)
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tbsp pine nuts * <
3 tbsp walnuts *  <
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt to taste
Dash of crushed black pepper
Parmesan or pecorino cheese, shaved or grated (vegetarian variety, e.g. Cowhead, Sargentos)
Cherry tomatoes, split in half for garnish

METHOD
1. Boil the pasta with water, salt and olive oil until al dente (firm and tender enough- NOT TOO SOFT AND NOT TOO HARD)
2.  Toast your pine nuts and walnuts till fragrant if you like. This step is optional
3. Heat oil, add garlic and cook till fragrant. This step is also optional
4. In a blender, add basil, nuts, garlic and about 2-3 tbsp olive oil, and grind to a fine paste.
5. Heat a little olive oil, add pasta and basil pesto, and toss them together.
6. Add cherry tomatoes & toss again.
7. Top with parmesan cheese and serve hot with your favourite salad, roast vegetables and/or crusty bread.

Wednesday 2 August 2017

Lunch Box Surprise: Street Style Potato Burger (Vada Pav)

Hey guys, this is yet another wonderful recipe to serve at Indian parties. Many people long for good vegetarian burgers. If you hate the meaty taste of the vegan barbeque burgers, then this one is for you. It is a spicy deep fried potato in burger buns with mint and tamarind chutney, topped with onion slices. This is enjoyed by the street folk in Mumbai.

Since it is so good, I also have included a special healthy version of this vada pav, and also a recipe for mint chutney. It is quite similar to Mcdonald's Aloo Tikki burger because it is grilled with breadcrumbs instead of deep fried, like a patty. This is better for heart patients or health conscious people.

Here's the video:
Part 1- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-KbXiKptcI&t=2s
Part 2- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6wJdgP-mWE&t=8s


VADA PAV 
3 potatoes, boiled and mashed
1-2 tbsp oil
½ onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 inch ginger, finely chopped
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
Little asafoetida
5-6 curry leaves
½ tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder
2 tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp red chilli powder + extra for batter
½ cup chickpea flour
Water as required
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp baking soda

Grilled Vada Pav patty- (do not use ingredients in bold; instead add 1/2 cup beaten rice/poha to potato mixture and mix well. Shape the mixture into patties, flatten and coat with breadcrumbs. Grill with a little oil and serve as per below instructions)
GARLIC CHUTNEY
1 tbsp sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tsp red chilli flakes
Salt to taste

FOR SERVING
6-8 hamburger buns (mini), cut lengthwise (otherwise, use 2-3 normal size burger buns, and cut into quarters)
Butter for grilling buns
Mint chutney (see recipe for College Grilled Sandwich)  & sweet tamarind chutney for serving


METHOD: 
Vada Pav
1. Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and asafoetida.
2. Add curry leaves and wait for the seeds to crackle. Add onions and cook till translucent.
3. Add ginger & garlic, and cook until fragrant and/or brown. You can add salt at this point to help cook faster.
4. Add green chilli and cook again for a few seconds, then add mashed-up potatoes, turmeric powder, roasted cumin powder, red chilli powder and salt. Add lemon juice. Mix well and keep aside.
5. Prepare batter for vada pav. Mix chickpea flour with salt and a little red chilli powder.
6. Gradually add water to the batter and beat until you get a lump-free batter with easy to pour consistency.
7. Prepare garlic chutney. Heat 1 tsp sesame oil, add garlic and cook till fragrant. Pound the mixture coarsely and then add salt and red chilli powder. Keep aside.
8. Shape the potato mixture into golf ball shapes & dip into batter. Deep fry until golden brown.
9. Grill the hamburger buns and butter. Place a potato vada in the centre and close.
10. Serve with your choice of chutney(s) and garnishes-see below.



Tips:
1) Left over chickpea batter? Take little spoons full of batter and sprinkle all over a pan filled with hot oil.
Deep fry until crisp.

2) You can serve the vada pav with your fav garnishes: usually, I like to slice onion  and/or tomato and sprinkle some lemon juice, cumin powder, red chilli powder and black salt over it. I also like to serve green chilli and coriander leaves, both finely chopped.