Life 'n' Such

What’s a quiche, hmmm.. it is a variation of a pie. It uses a pie crust (similar to the one used in apple pies, etc) and other ingredients. Its salty; not sweet like a pie. So its not a dessert, actually its quite the opposite. One big piece of this quiche, and you dont need anything else. Its excellent for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner! How versatile.

I am not sure if all Southeast Asians (from India and surrounding countries) will like this recipe the first time, because, salmon has a very specific taste, and this is not spicy! Over the years, my food choices have changed, and I no longer can eat extremely spicy Indian food (even if I want to). I like bland foods, where I can get the flavor of the ingredients, rather than the spices.

This is just that kind of recipe! You will get the rich taste of salmon, and the unique taste of spinach, their flavors blend so well together. A little bit of Thyme (that is the only herb used in this recipe) enhances the overall taste. I love it.

Oops, I forgot to mention, this is one of Mrs. Vanards recipes.
Ingredients:

1 Pie Crust, unbaked (Pillsbury brand, in the frozen section, or you can make your own)
1 – 8 oz salmon crumbled,
3 oz cream cheese,
1 box frozen chopped spinach, (or you can use fresh too, I think about packed 2 cups)
8 oz Monterey Jack cheese (grated)
1/2 -3/4 tsp Thyme
1/2 tsp salt,
1/2 grated onion (optional)
4 eggs mixed with a cup of milk

Method:

First bake the pie crust at 375 deg F for 10 minutes. While its baking, mix together, softened cream cheese, grated Monterey jack cheese, spinach, thyme, onion, and salt. Keep this ready.

When the pie crust is baked half way, let it cool for a couple minutes, then crumble the salmon on it. Then put the spinach cheeses mixture, then finally pour the egg-milk mixture all over.

Bake this at 375 deg F for about 45 minutes, till the eggs are firm.

Cut a slice, and serve immediately!

To store, cool it completely, then lay over a wax paper. Refrigerate.

Note: Another variation try chicken and mushrooms. I think that would be delicious. I must try that myself!

Update: If you dont have a round baking pie tray, then use a 8 X 11 inch tray. That will be fine!

1 Comment | In: Appetizer/Snack, Food, Other, Recipes | | #

Reshmi Kebab has a special little place in my heart! I used to eat it in restaurants in India, where they served it with mint-coriander chutney (pudina and dhania chutney). It is a great appetizer! When done right, it really melts in your mouth. I think marination is the key.

My friend Tehsin is into barbecuing these days, and she happened to experiment with a few ingredients, and she says, this recipe is pretty close to the Reshmi kebabs served back home in India.

I am going to try it this weekend. And I will let you all know for sure, what I think. But till then if you would like to try it out, here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

2 Onions (grilled on barbecue or in oven, wrapped in aluminum foil) till smooshy
few green hot peppers,
Whole Spices: 2 tsp coriander seeds (akha dhania) , 2-3 cardamom (elaichi), 4-5 cloves (laung) , cinnamon stick (daalchini)
3 tbsp yogurt,
1 tbsp garlic,
salt, black pepper

Chicken breast (or boneless chicken, any part)
skewers (bamboo, or metal)

Method:

Grind all the listed ingredients in a blender (except the chicken). Cut chicken in little cubes and marinate it in the prepared marinade for atleast 5-6 hours, the longer the marination, the velvety your kebabs will be.

Put them on the skewers, and at this point, you have 2 options. Either you can grill them, or if you dont have a grill, then you can just fry in the pan, with a little oil. (If you dont have a pan big enough to hold the skewers, trim off the skewers to the desired size).

Serve hot with mint chutney!!

No Comments | In: Appetizer/Snack, Food, Indian, Kashmiri, Recipes | | #

I got this Betty Crocker Cooky recipe book from Mrs. Vanard, and it is a really old book. I have to look up the book details, it has wonderful cookie recipes (including brownies, bars, etc). Here is the website address: http://www.bettycrocker.com/
I made the stir and drop cookies(sugar and oatmeal), what it means is, you put your ingredients and stir, and then with a tsp drop them on a cookie sheet.

The sugar recipe yielded lots of cookies (unfortunately, I put either too much of the vanilla essence or the fresh grated lemon rind) because it has a bitter after taste. I have to see how to use them with something else, so the bitter taste gets neutralized. Other than that, it is really easy, and they look so cute!!
Click here for the recipe on Betty Crocker website, or go to: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?recipeID=7280&Source=SearchResultPage
The only thing extra in my recipe is the 1/2 tsp lemon rind (grated lemon skin, but I think you leave that out, maybe that was what gave the bitterness, I must have not grated it right!)
The oatmeal cookie made a small batch of cookies (about 20 something). But they are soooooo good! I think i am going to make another batch if possible. I couldn’t find this recipe on the website.
And did I mention, I am not a baker, and I could still manage these recipes!

No Comments | In: Appetizer/Snack, Food, Recipes | | #

Just pictures today to titillate your senses! Mrs. Vanard, or Jeanie as everyone calls her, is the best neighbor anyone could have! And I am lucky to be her neighbor!

These are a couple things she made recently, I am putting up pictures now, I just have to get the recipes from her soon. She also made oatmeal and sugar cookies, but I ate all of them before I could get to my camera!

No Comments | In: Recipes | | #

Banana Split Sundae is an all around favorite! Its practically made in every country, if not, you should start it! This is not really a recipe, its more like an assembly to make Banana Split Sundae. It cannot get easier than this.

You could modify or add to this recipe. It is very very flexible and there are no rules. Actually, just one rule, you have to have a split banana to start with… duh!

Ingredients:

Banana, split, lengthwise
vanilla ice cream,
Toppings:
Strawberry Syrup (or homemade straweberry sauce I have to get this recipe from Ulfet, she makes a killer fresh Strawberry sauce),
Chocolate Sauce, and
Crushed Pineapple (from a can is the easiest, or you could cut up fresh Pineapple)
Whipped Cream

Method:

First put the split banana in a dish, then put 3 scoops of icecream over it. Drizzle on one scoop, lots of strawberry syrup or sauce, then on the middle scoop put crushed pineapple, on the last scoop, my favorite part, lots of chocolate syrup. Finally garnish it with whipped topping!!!

So, what do you say, for the next barbecue, Banana split sundaes for your friends and family. You don’t even have to make all of them, just organize all the ingredients in an assembly line, and ask your guests to make them to their liking. You could also have nuts like walnuts, pecans, and fresh fruits like strawberry, pineapple, etc as extra toppings!

No Comments | In: Dessert, Food, Recipes | | #