Chef at Large

Having bought some fresh crusty bread on the way back home, I wanted a hearty soup to go with it. Going against my normal defaults, this is a 100% vegetarian soup.

1 cup blanched and pureed spinach
1 cup cauliflower florets
1 cup diced bean curd (tofu)
1/2 cup sliced carrots
1 cup chopped beans
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
1 litre [...]

On the first day of the weekend, I feel like unwinding with a drink and a simple hot meal. We were out of chicken and I found some fresh (frozen a day previously) Tuna in the freezer. About 20 minutes of active cooking (excluding baking and preparation time) make this a very convenient meal. Did [...]

Made this for Cherie’s breakfast this morning. Simple, fast and tasty. Another variation could be spreading the egg on only one side, frying it, then spreading some cheese and onions on the egg side, covering it with another toast, egg side inside and grilling in a sandwich toaster.

6 slices of bread
1 egg beaten
2 tbsp milk
Salt [...]

I had this urge to indulge in red meat yesterday. So we headed for Karim’s, NOIDA.
Can’t say much for the ambiance - bare or stark rather than minimalist. The service too isn’t anything to write home about. I will concede they are mostly polite and keep out of your way.
Coming to the food - We [...]

Yesterday, for some reason, I felt like cooking something… anything spicy, in a rich gravy. Unorganized people as we are, I couldn’t find much to work on. Here’s what we ended up with - and I must say, though it doesn’t look as nice as I would have wanted it to, I loved every bite!! [...]

I’m on an egg spree these days and here’s what we had for breakfast this morning.

4 Eggs, beaten
1/2 cup cooked rice
1 tbsp Harissa Twist
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp butter
1 tbsp Tomato ketchup
1 slice cheese [optional]
Parmesan cheese [optional]

Method:

Melt the butter in a small pan
Saute the onions
Add the Harissa Twist
Add the rice, stir
Add the tomato ketchup
Saute for a [...]

Breakfast was to be eggs today. Needed to quickly whip something up for 3 people, so here’s what we did.

5 Eggs
1 cup chopped cabbage
1 slice of cheese [pre-sliced]
1 small onion, chopped
Butter for cooking

Method:

Beat the eggs well
Heat some butter in a pan. Reduce flame. Note that the pan should be a small one, else the shape [...]

We get this brand of frozen foods called ‘Al Kabeer’. While the rest of their range seems fine, their frozen spring rolls are simply awful - as you can see below - this is what you get when you fry the rolls as per instructions on the pack. If 2 out of 6 rolls are [...]

Surprise guests dropped in for dinner recently. While I could rustle up an acceptable dinner quickly, I really didn’t know what to serve for desert - which isn’t my forte anyway. Using some crunchy pastry shells (bought from Goa on a recent trip), and some butterscotch ice cream, here’s what was served. Quite presentable, though [...]

Tragedy has struck. I’ve been asked, no - ordered, by my doctor to cease and desist from consuming any spicy or fried food. Looks like its cottage cheese cubes and celery for me from now… or thats what he thinks. <grin> Here’s a defiant recipe.

3 cups dried red chillies
1 cup whole garlic pods, peeled
1 cup [...]