Food

Tastylicious surprises

The winter season makes you crave for food all the time and our exotic recipes are sure to satisfy your taste buds and also keep you warm

Published

10 years ago

March 3, 2014

FWDmedia

The winter season makes you crave for food all the time and our exotic recipes are sure to satisfy your taste buds and also keep you warm

Got a crowd coming round for New Year eve? And you don’t have the time to spend hours in the kitchen, try out these time saving recipes designed to serve your guests.

1) Roasted Tomato and Garlic Tart (Pastry)

Ingredients

For the pastry

250g (9oz) plain flour
125g (4½oz) butter
½ tsp salt
2 egg yolks

For the filling

1 garlic bulb
2 tsp olive oil
900g tomatoes
50g ground almonds
50g grated parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil

Preparation

Put the flour, butter and salt into a food processor and blend it until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the yolks. If the mixture doesn’t come together into a ball, add 2 tbsp of very cold water.

Wrap them in a foil sheet and refrigerate it for an hour. Put the head of garlic in a little foil parcel with the olive oil and 2 tbsp water. Place it in a small roasting-tin and bake in an oven preheated to 180°C for about an hour, until the garlic is completely tender. Leave until it is cool enough to handle. Squeeze the pulp out of each clove and mash with a fork.

Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface, gently pressing the pastry into the grooves. Put back in the coldest part of the fridge for 30 minutes or in the freezer for 15 minutes. Cut the tomatoes into slices with ¼ inch thickness.

Season the garlic purée and spread on the pastry base, sprinkle almonds and half the parmesan, followed by the laying of tomato slices. Drizzle it with olive oil and bake it in an oven preheated to 220°C for 45 minutes. Once the tomatoes appears to be shrunken and slightly golden, take it out and serve it lukewarm.

Baking tips

1) Add one teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice as part of your liquid for each cup of flour in pastry and pie dough recipes. This won’t affect the flavor but will result in more tender baked products.

2) To prevent soggy bottom crust brush melted butter on the bottom of the crust and refrigerate for about 15 minutes.

2) Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower, Tomatoes, and Pepperoni (Main Course)

Ingredients

1 small head cauliflower, cored and sliced

2 tablespoon olive oil

¼ pepper

12 ounces of medium shells or other short pasta

1 pint of grape tomatoes

3 ounces of pepperoni thinly sliced

1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

Heat oven to 425 degrees F on a large rimmed baking sheet and into it pour olive oil and then put the cauliflower. Add a teaspoon of salt and pepper and continue tossing the cauliflower. Roast it for 12 minutes, meanwhile, cook the pasta and drain it.

Add tomatoes to it and toss them and roast for 6 minutes more. Scatter the pepperoni over the vegetables and roast until the cauliflower is golden brown and tender. This may take 6 to 8 minutes or slightly more.

Then toss the pasta with the cauliflower mixture and parsley and serve it with hot with slices of toasted garlic buttered French bread.

Cooking Tip

Scatter the cauliflower mixture over pizza dough. Top with cheese and bake per package directions.

3) Jacobite Blazer

Drive away the evening chills of January sipping a warming whisky cocktail

Ingredients

35ml/1¼fl oz whisky

1 tbsp orange liqueur

2 tsp honey syrup

2 dashes whisky bitters

2 fresh blackberries

2 fresh raspberries

Strip of orange zest

Preparation

Heat the whisky, orange liqueur, honey syrup and whisky bitters in a saucepan over a low heat until warmed through.

Slowly tilt the pan towards the gas flame, or light it with a match. Let the flames flare up and then die down. Pour the cocktail into a heatproof brandy glass and garnish with the berries and orange zest.

Caution: Watch your face and hair from flames of whiskey. Do not leave unattended.

Food

Benefits of Including Crab in your Diet

Published

4 weeks ago

March 23, 2024

Reshma Vivekanandan

Crab has all the attraction of seafood without the fishy flavor that some people want to avoid. It is delightfully salty with a delicate mineral sweetness. Crabs were reportedly among the foods that coastal societies eaten a hundred years ago. On the menus of the greatest restaurants today, it stands out as the highlight dish. Crab is famous for its distinctive, exquisite flavor as well as for the health benefits it provides.

Omega-3 fatty acids and protein are abundant in crabs. The Food Experts advise two servings of fish and seafood every week, which is not difficult.

Good Protein Source

Crab is a low-fat, nutritious protein source that boosts metabolism and gives you energy. In reality, crab has less saturated fat and about the same amount of protein per 100 grams as other meats.

Strengthens Heart Health

Consuming a lot of crab meat can actually benefit your cardiovascular system. The Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and protein found in crab are all beneficial sources of lowering cholesterol. Having lower cholesterol lowers your chances of heart attacks and strokes.

Increases Brain Activity

Crabs are healthy for you since they are a high source of selenium, vitamin B2, copper, and other vital vitamins and minerals. Together with omega-3 fatty acids, these nutrients support healthy brain ageing and reduce the risk of dementia. They aid in defending against oxidative stress, inflammation, and other elements that may have an impact on the growth and health of the brain.

Strengthens bones

You may already be aware of the significance of calcium for bone health. However, did you realize that phosphorus plays an equal role? Due to its high phosphorus content, crab flesh can aid in the development of strong, healthy teeth and bones.

Contains selenium

Compared to other meats, crab offers a substantially higher supply of selenium. As an antioxidant, this necessary mineral not only assists in preventing cell damage from free radicals but also strengthens your immune system. Selenium aids in the regulation of your metabolism and is essential for healthy thyroid function.

An aphrodisiac

The aphrodisiac property of crab meat promotes libido and sexual energy. They have high quantities of zinc and substances that increase estrogen and testosterone levels, enhancing sexual desire.

Makes the blood flow faster

Copper is yet another significant mineral present in crab meat. One significant advantage of copper is that it facilitates the body’s absorption of iron, which enhances the creation of red blood cells. After injuries and illnesses, proper circulation aids in the healing process.

Consuming excessive amounts of crab can have certain unfavorable impacts, just like with most other foods. If you eat too much of some of the nutrients in crab, such copper and zinc, you could get sick. Crab, however, is a fairly nutritious item to eat in moderation unless you have a seafood allergy, and adverse effects are uncommon. Before consuming any seafood, always make sure you don’t have any allergies.

Food

The Taste Of Malayali Kitchen In Sweden

Published

2 years ago

May 23, 2022

Contributor

A Kochi-based malayali is creating a sensation by preparing Kerala Cuisine in the foreign swedish kitchen. Devi Nair, who has been settled in Sweden with her husband for almost 10 years, wanted her daughter to experience the delicacies of the Malyaali culture along with her International palette. The sense of homesickness and nostalgia has a part to play in this venture as well. In recent years, as the pandemic hit she chose to share her cooking extravaganzas on Instagram which led her to become more known to the public. Her recipes featured celebratory treats like the Bengali confection Rosbora, local parotta, and non-vegetarian Kerala foods that are popular on social media because they’re simple to make yet delicious to eat and look at. Devi whips up a storm of authentic Kerala delicacies during Malayali festivals. Tender, plump unniyappam, spongy kozhukkatta, rice dumplings, Vishu ada, and Vishu katta are just a few of the items on her Vishu menu this year. She prepared undaputtu with spicy prawn filling, kilikkoodu with meat and egg white, and ammini kozhukatta, a spicy rice dumpling, for Eid. It is also heard that she is planning to launch her own bakery in Sweden as well.

Words By : Goutham Satheesh

Food

Some Flavourful Delights to Savour this Festive Season

Published

2 years ago

April 16, 2022

Contributor

Vishu and Easter festivities are around the corner. Along with dressing up and gathering around for some fun family time, you would definitely want to indulge in these simple but festive special treats.

Lilly’s Pattisserie

What if we told you could have Payasam cakes? Yes. You heard that right. The Lilly’s Patisserie, Thrissur is offering Payasam cakes on it its Vishu Special menu as a distinct highlight. Try out their Palada and Pazham Pradhaman cakes which are available in two sizes.They have also got you covered for Easter with a range of Hot Cross Buns from traditional to chocolate and candy berry flavours. You can also spice up your Easter treats with their artisanally crafted Easter Eggs.

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Pandhal Cake Shop

The Pandhal Cake Shop, Kochi is shelling out some amazing Easter Egg Surprises this Holy Season. Their marzipan-based eggs come in varied sizes and colours vibrant enough to cheer the grimmest of the lot. Also, check out their Easter Egg Baskets that are sure to surprise you!

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Lebanese Grill

No Easter is complete without some spicy meat-based main course to savour. This Kottayam-based Arabian restaurant is all about gifting your loved ones with some flavourful rice for the festive season. This Easter they are introducing the Mutton Cask Biriyani. The cask comes along with pappad, pickle and raita. These are only available on a pre-order basis. So, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and order now.