Chef at Large

Naheed happened to visit the okhla vegetable bazaar a few days back and was nice enough to bring back some fresh thyme for me.
Thyme is used most widely in cooking. Thyme is a basic ingredient in Spanish, French, Italian, and Turkish cuisines, and in those derived from them. It is also widely used in Lebanese [...]

We dined at a restaurant in the Bhiwadi Gymkhana a short while back. It is a spanking new place with clean, simple decor and good, friendly service. The presence of Manu, the man behind the efficient running of the entire complex, did make a difference to the experience.Our dinner menu comprised minestrone soup [...]

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 [...]

Ok, so I love potatoes. Who doesn’t? You can stuff pies, bread, paranthas [a kind of indian roti bread], mash it, fry, boil it, steam it and oh, you can even eat it.
This one builds on a previously published recipe - Stuffed Potatoes. If you haven’t seen it, do take a quick look first.

I used [...]

Just saw Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag. Amazingly pathetic. Dialogue delivery sucked. Song sequences were too pseudo new age. Sets and ambience were make-believe. Songs themselves, including the mehbooba remix failed to inspire. The only people who *looked* good were Ajay Devgan, Jr Bacchan and Ms. Matondkar.
Big disappointment. Just goes to show, a mega [...]

This is a simple, hearty soup that can be a whole meal if you like. Some fresh buttered bread would go well, though the dumplings were carb enough for me. At least Indu thought so.

Refined Flour
Grated cheese
Baking powder
Mustard powder
Salt
Pepper
Onion Salt
Stock [chicken/beef/vegetable]
Bay leaves
Small finely chopped onion
Eggs
Chopped french beans
Cauliflour florets
Chopped Carrots
Handful macaroni or other pasta

Method:

Mix the flour [...]

This is quite a simple recipe, but very effective as an entree or a quick [a bit elaborate perhaps] snack. You’ll need:

2 - 3 large potatoes
2 tbsp Grated cheese
One egg
1 tbsp flour
1 small onion
salt
pepper
Butter
Chicken/Vegetable stock

Method:

Trim the potatoes from both ends so a cylinder remains. Wash and scrub. Leave the skin on.
Cut out the flesh inside [...]

My parents were due to visit a couple of weeks back and I didn’t want to spend all my time in the kitchen. So, decided to make a hearty but small meal for the occasion. Baked a couple of loaves of bread, made some cheesy mashed potatoes and a stew that was simmered for 2 [...]

This is a good main course, though I think I could have presented and served it a bit better. My excuse is that it was a quick Saturday afternoon meal. Send me photos of how you did it. You’ll need:

Chicken [boneless]:

1/2kg chicken
Oil for frying
Flour
Salt + Pepper

For the croquettes:

Spicy potato mixture
1 Egg
Breadcrumbs

For the sauce:

50gm butter
25gm [...]