Crackling Spinach / How to Make Crackling Spinach - Chinese Recipes

Crackling Spinach

Ingredients
Spinach - 1 small bunch
( I have used baby spinach )
Salt to taste
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Red chillies - 2
Sesame seeds - 1 tsp
Chopped garlic - 2
Oil to deep fry

Method
Dry roast sesame seeds till they change colour and keep it aside.
Put the red chillies and sugar into a mortar and crush,keep it aside.
Wash the spinach remove stems use only the leaves, pat dry well to remove water and shred it to thin strips.
Heat oil in a pan and deep fry shredded spinach in batches in medium high flame till crisp.Mix in between for even frying.Remove it on a kitchen paper.
In the same oil add the chopped garlic fry till light brown and remove it on a kitchen paper.
Take a wide bowl add the fried spinach,garlic,salt,toasted sesame seeds,crushed red chillies and sugar,gently mix or toss till well combined.
Serve this immediately as a starter or as a side to any Chinese/Indo Chinese main dish.


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Garlic Butter Shrimp / How to Make Garlic Shrimp

Garlic Butter Shrimp

Ingredients
Butter - 2 tbsp
Olive oil - 2 tsp
Chopped garlic - 10
Chopped fresh parsley - a handful
Salt and pepper to taste
Mixed herb seasoning -  1 tsp
Red chilly flakes - 1 tsp
Medium size raw shrimp - 15
( clean,wash and pat it dry with a paper towel)
Paprika ( optional) - 1/4 tsp
( I add it to give a nice colour)
Lemon juice - 1 tsp

Method
Heat butter and oil in a pan add the chopped garlic and saute.
Add chopped parsley add red chilly flakes,mix well,
Add the shrimp toss till it is well coated with the mixture.
Cook shrimp in high flame,they cook very fast.
Add salt and pepper,mixed herb seasoning gently mix.
Switch off the stove garnish with chopped parsley and sprinkle lemon juice.
Serve hot as a starter.


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Cauliflower Lemon Rice / Lemon Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower Lemon Rice

Tempering
Oil - 2 tsp
Mustard - 1/2 tsp
Urad dal and Channa dal - together 1 tsp
Mor milagai or red chillies - 2
Peanuts - 2 tsp
Hing - 1/8 tsp
Curry leaves few
Other ingredients
Cooked cauliflower rice - 1 cup
( boil cauliflower florets in hot water for a minute,strain it out and let it cool.Pulse or grate the cooked cauliflower,they should resemble like coarse bread crumbs.Do not grind it to a paste,your cauliflower rice is ready to use)

How to make cauliflower rice

Salt to taste
Turmeric powder - 1/8 tsp
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
( add more if you want too sour)
Method
Heat oil in a pan temper it with above ingredients.
Add the lemon juice and salt immediately switch off the stove.
Now add the cauliflower rice and gently mix till everything is well combined.
Ready to serve with papad and pickle.

Cauliflower Curd Rice : Click HERE


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Cauliflower Curd Rice / How To Make Cauliflower Curd Rice

Cauliflower Curd Rice

Ingredients
Cauliflower florets - 6 to 7 medium size
Salt to taste
Beaten curd as needed ( around 2 cups)
Chopped ginger - 1/8 tsp
Coriander leaves for garnish
Tempering
Oil - 2 tsp
Mustard - 1/2 tsp
Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
Hing a generous pinch
Chopped green chillies - 1
Chopped curry leaves few

Method
Boil water in a pan add the washed cauliflower florets and give a nice boil ( may be for a minute) and switch off the stove.
Strain out the water and let it cool.
Add these to a chopper or food processor and finely grate,do not over grind and make it a paste.
Heat oil in a pan and temper it with above ingredients.
Pour this tempering into the cauliflower rice,add salt,chopped ginger,chopped coriander leaves and the curd.Mix till everything is well combined.
Enjoy this Cauliflower Curd Rice with pickle!


Cauliflower Lemon Rice - Click HERE

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Chalupas Recipe / Bean Chalupas / Bean and Cheese Chalupas / Homemade Chalupas - Mexican Recipe

Chalupas

Ingredients for the dough / fried bread
All purpose flour / Maida - 2 cups
Baking powder - 1 tbsp
Salt to taste ( around 3/4 tsp)
Milk - 1 cup or more if needed
Cumin powder - 1/8 tsp
Melted butter - 1 tbsp

Method
Take a wide bowl add all the dry ingredients and butter and mix.
Now slowly add milk little by little and make a semi tight dough.
Add 1 tsp of oil spread it on top to prevent drying.
Cover the dough with a clean towel for 30 minutes.
Punch the dough and divide the dough into equal size balls and roll to a semi thick disc. Do not roll it too thin.
Heat oil and slowly slide the dough into the hot oil and deep fry till light brown on all sides.
Remove it on a kitchen paper and while still hot fold it into half to stuff the filling.
Filling
Kidney beans or Tri bean blend - 2 small cans ( each 15 oz)
(or soak beans in water for 8 hours next day wash it well add fresh water and cook the beans till soft)
Drain the water from the beans and mash the beans well add 2 tbsp of hot sauce,little salt and cumin powder ,mix it well and keep it aside.
Chopped onion, Chopped bell pepper ,Chopped tomato,Chopped lettuce - as needed
Sour cream - as needed
Shredded cheese - as needed.

How to serve
Take a chalupa fill it up with some mashed beans next add the chopped onion,tomato,bell pepper then top it with some sour cream,lastly add the lettuce and cheese.
Serve it immediately.

Note:
a) Your filling can be more creative by adding salsa,guacamole,coloured bell peppers,etc
b) You can use just wheat flour or a mixture of both wheat flour and all purpose flour for making the dough.


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Vegetable Hakka Noodles / Vegetable Noodles / Hakka Noodles Recipe / Veg Hakka Noodles - Indo Chinese Recipe

Vegetable Hakka Noodles

Ingredients
Hakka noodles - 1 small packet
( Cook it according to the instruction on the packet)
Shredded cabbage - 1/2 cup
Sliced or Shredded carrots - 1
Sliced capsicum - 1/2
Cut beans - 1 cup
Chopped onion - a handful
Chopped spring onion - a handful
Ginger/Garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
( or add chopped ginger and garlic)
Chilly oil or sesame oil - 1 tbsp
Vinegar - 2 tsp
Soy sauce - 1 tbsp
Salt and pepper to taste

Method
Cook noodles according to the instruction on the packet and keep it aside.
Heat oil in a pan add onion and fry next add ginger/garlic paste and saute.
Now add vegetables one by one and saute in high flame.
Add soy sauce,salt & pepper,cooked noodles and  toss well till everything is combined.
lastly add vinegar mix well,garnish with spring onions and serve hot.



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Eggplant Parmesan / Baked-Eggplant Parmesan / Eggplant Parmigiana Recipe

Eggplant Parmesan

Ingredients to be brushed on sliced eggplants
Olive oil-1/3 cup
Salt & pepper to taste
Italian seasoning -2tsp
Crushed dry parsley-1/2tsp
Chilly flakes-1/2tsp
(mix everything in a bowl)
Eggplant-1big
(cut into semi thick circles,brush the seasoned oil on both sides of the eggplant.rest it for 10 minutes)
For coating
Egg beaten-1
Salt & pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese-2tsp
(Whisk egg,seasoning and cheese everything together)
All purpose flour/maida-little
Bread crumbs-1 cup or more
(Dust the marinated eggplants in all purpose flour,then dip both sides in the egg mixture,roll it both sides on the breadcrumbs.Arrange these on a baking tray & drizzle some oil on top.Bake these at 400 deg. for 20 minutes or till crisp & brown on all both sides.)
Other ingredients
Paste sauce-2 to 3 cups
Parmesan cheesee/mozzarella as needed
Fresh basil leaves
Method
Take a oven proof baking dish spread some sauce at the bottom,arrange the baked eggplants.
Sprinkle some cheese & basil leaves.repeat the same & finish it with sauce on top.Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
Bake this for 10 minutes till the cheese melt at 350 deg.
Serve it hot with spaghetti

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Thai Red Curry Recipe with Vegetables / Veggie Thai Red Curry Recipe / Thai Red Curry Recipe

Thai Red Curry

Ingredients
Vegetables - 3 cups cut into cubes or thin strips
( I have used Carrot,Beans,Zucchini,Broccoli,Coloured bell peppers/capsicum,Onion)
Red Thai curry paste - 2 tbsp heaped
( Store bought Thai Kitchen brand)
Coconut milk - 2 cans ( 399 ml)
Lemon grass - 1 long leaf
Tofu cubes - 1 cup
Baby corn - 6
Salt to taste
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Soy sauce - 2 tbsp
Roasted peanuts - a handful powdered
( This is used to thicken the curry)
Chopped garlic - 2
Oil - 3 tsp
Basil leaves - 10
Method
Heat oil in a pan add garlic and saute for a minute.Now add the Thai curry paste and saute for raw smell to disappear.
Now add the vegetables,tofu,baby corn lemon grass,half of chopped basil leaves,salt,sugar and coconut milk and soy sauce.
Simmer this till vegetables are cooked,lastly add the powdered peanuts.Check if any  sauces or paste needed and switch off the stove.
Garnish with remaining basil leaves,powdered peanuts and chilly flakes if using.
Best served with white or brown rice.

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Cashew Basil Pesto Recipe / Basil Cashew Pesto Recipe / Cashew Nut Pesto Recipe

Cashew Basil Pesto

Ingredients
Fresh basil leaves - 3 cups packed
( wash and wipe the leaves)
Raw unsalted cashew nuts - 1/2 cup
Parmesan cheese - 1/2 cup
Garlic - 3
Salt to taste
Olive oil - 1/2 cup
Lemon juice - 1 tsp
Method
Take a food processor add the cashew nuts,garlic,salt,Parmesan cheese and basil leaves pulse them.
While blender is process slowly add the olive oil into the mixture.
Once everything is well combined add the lemon juice and switch off.
Store them in a clean glass bottle and keep it in refrigerator.
Note:
a) Pulse according to the texture you want smooth or crunchy.
b)Mix it with paste,spaghetti or use as a bread for your sandwich.
c) Make sure your drizzle some oil on top of pesto to keep it green.

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Szechuan Asparagus Stir Fry / Sichuan Style Asparagus Stir Fry / Asparagus Stir Fry Sichuan -Style

Szechuan Asparagus Stir Fry

Ingredients for the sauce
White Vinegar - 1tbsp
(can use rice wine vinegar)
Soy sauce -2tbsp
Chilly garlic paste -1tbsp
Brown sugar-1/2tsp
Salt to taste
Water-1/4 cup
Maida/all purpose flour or corn starch -1tsp
(Whisk the sauce ingredients together in a bowl & keep it aside)
Other ingredients
Sliced onion-1/2
Asparagus trim & cut into 1/2'' length -1 bunch
Sesame oil-3tsp
Chopped ginger & garlic -1tsp each
Method
Heat 1tsp of oil & saute onion in high flame for a minute & remove it on a plate.
In the same pan add 1tsp of oil saute asparagus in high flame for couple minutes & remove it on a plate.
Heat oil in the same pan & add the chopped ginger & garlic,saute till nice aroma appears.
Now pour the sauce,when the sauce starts to bubble,add the fried onion & asparagus.Saute till everything is well combined.
Switch off the stove garnish with some fresh garlic on top & serve.
Note:
You can garnish with some toasted sesame seeds.
Drizzle some sesame oil once switched off the stove for extra flavour.

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Honey Glazed Chilly Eggplant Recipe

Honey Glazed Chilly Eggplant

Ingredients mixed together
Soy sauce - 1 tsp
Honey - 1 tsp
Maggie tomato chilli sauce - 2 tsp
Ching's All in one sauce - 1 tsp
Vinegar - 1 tsp
Water - 2 tbsp
Salt to taste
Method
Take a bowl mix all the above ingredients together & keep it aside.
Other ingredients
Small long purple eggplant - 6
( cut into thick strips)
Mini sweet pepppers - 6
( cut into thick strips)
Salt to taste
Chilly flakes - 1/2 tsp
Chopped ginger & Garlic - each 1 tsp
Oil - 4 tsp

Honey Glazed Chilly Eggplant

Method
Heat oil in a pan saute the eggplant & peppers till light brown.
Add the chopped garlic,ginger & fry for a minute.
Add salt & chilly flakes saute,now pour the sauce & quickly give a toss.
Switch off the flame & garnish with spring onions or chopped garlic.

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Cauliflower Au Gratin Recipe / Cauliflower In White Sauce Recipe / Cauliflower Bake Recipe

Cauliflower Au Gratin

Ingredients
Cauliflower florets-2 cups
(blanch the florets in hot water with little salt,drain & keep it aside.Do not over cook)
Salt & Pepper to taste
Parsley-1tsp
Bread crumbs-1/4 cup
Melted butter-1tbsp
Grated mozzarella cheese-2tbsp
Parmesan cheese-2 tbsp
Homemade White sauce/Bechamel sauce-1 cup

Method
Pour some white sauce in a baking tray arrange the blanched cauliflower on top.
Sprinkle some seasonings,parsley & Parmesan cheese,cover it with remaining white sauce,
Sprinkle the shredded cheese & bread crumbs evenly on top.
Pour 1tbsp of butter all over the top & bake it till the crust is slightly golden brown at 350 deg.F.
Serve it with toast or as an appetizer.


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Potato Crusted Pizza Recipe / Potato Pizza Recipe

Potato Crusted Pizza

Ingredients for the crust
Boiled medium size potato -2
Rice flour - 2 tsp
Italian seasoning - a generous pinch
Salt to taste
Oil-2tsp
Grated garlic - 1
Other ingredients
Vegetables of your choice
Mozzarella cheese required amount
Italian seasoning a generous pinch
Salt to taste
Ready made or homemade pizza sauce as needed

Potato Crust Pizza

Method
Mash the potato well make sure there are no lumps.
Take a bowl add all the crust ingredients,mix well to make a soft ball.Do not add any water.
Grease a pan with little oil pat the potato mixture to the thickness you like.Brush some oil on top.
Bake this crust for 10 minutes or till light brown at 400 deg.
Remove the crust from the oven, now spread the pizza sauce evenly.
Top it up with your favorite vegetables & seasoning,
Lastly sprinkle the cheese on top & bake till the cheese melts.
Last 2 minutes i kept it in broil for the top to get light brown.
Remove from oven stand for a minute & cut into slices.
Serve them hot.

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Salad Rice Paper Rolls - A Quick Lunch Box Recipe

Salad Rice Paper Rolls

Serves : 2
Making Time - 5 minutes

Ingredients
Grilled chicken strips - 4 pieces
(I used the frozen,thaw & cut them into thin strips)
Carrots cut into thin strips - a handful
Cucumber cut into thin strips - a handful
Bell pepper / Capsicum cut into strips  - a handful
( I used yellow & green colour bell peppers)
Chopped olives - 6
Mashed avocado - 1/2
Salt & Pepper to taste
Lime juice - 1 tsp
Lettuce leaves -2
Rice paper sheets - 2

Salad Rice Paper Rolls

Method
Cut the vegetables into strips,wash the lettuce leaves & pat them dry.
Remove the avocado from the peel & mash them.
Add the lime juice,salt & pepper,mix well till combined.
Fill some warm water in a wide bowl or plate.
Dip a rice paper sheet into the warm water for 15 seconds or till soft.
Remove & lay them on a wooden cutting board/paper towel or on a clean cloth.
Place a lettuce leaf on the rice paper sheet then spread some mashed avocado mixture.
Now arrange the vegetables on top.Sprinkle some salt & pepper to taste.
Gently fold the bottom of each rice sheet over the filling then fold in ends & roll into tight cylinder.
( Check the above picture for reference )
Cut each rolls diagonally & serve them with any sauce your kids love to eat with.
Note:
a) Choose your own fillings like chopped boiled eggs,grilled shrimp,beans,rice,pasta etc.
b) Use your imagination to create your own rolls to impress your kids.

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Baked Tomato Eggs / Baked Eggs in Tomato Cups Recipe

Baked Tomato Eggs

Ingredients
Tomato-2
(cut off the top,scoop out the pulp)
Salt & pepper to taste
Dry basil-1/8tsp
Grated cheese-1tsp
Eggs-2
Butter-1/4tsp
Method
Beat the eggs with salt & pepper,mix in the basil.
Pour this mixture into the tomato cups,sprinkle the cheese & place a small piece of butter on top.
Bake it at 350.deg. for 10 minutes or till the eggs are cooked inside the tomatoes.
Serve it hot with bread.

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Singapore Curry Noodles /Curried Singapore Noodles /Singapore Rice Noodles Recipe

Singapore Curry Noodles

Ingredients
Cooked Rice noodles-1/2 pck
(I used vegetarian noodles)
Salt to taste
Frozen stir fried vegetable mix-2 cups
(Blanched,you can also use fresh vegetables)
Sliced carrots(blanched)-1/4 cup
Chopped ginger & garlic-each 1 &1/2 tsp
Diced onion-1/4
Diced capsicum-1/2
Cubed firm tofu-1/2 cup
(saute in oil till light brown)
Dried shiitake mushroom-a handful
(boil it in water with salt for 5 minutes,drain off the water)
Curry powder-1/2tsp
(I bought it from Asian/Oriental store)
Soy sauce-1tbsp
Chilly sauce-1/2tsp
Oil-6tsp
Method
Heat oil in a wok,saute onion,ginger,garlic & bell pepper till transparent & nice flavour appears.
Add all the blanched vegetables & saute for a minutes in high flame.
Add the curry powder,soy sauce,salt & chilly paste saute for one minute,now add the noodles & toss until everything is nicely blended..
Garnish with spring onions & serve it hot.

Note:
a) Sauteing vegetables takes only one minute,too much frying then your vegetables will become soggy.
b) Scrambled egg can be added at the last.
c) Add chilly sauce according to your spice level.
d) Do not use Indian curry powder,use only the oriental curry powder.There is a big difference in taste.

Inspired by dishesfrommykitchen

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Honey Sesame Potatoes / Honey Glazed Potato / Sesame Honey Chilli Potato /Sesame Chilli Honey Potato Recipe

A quick & easy starter.....

Ingredients
Boiled potatoes-3
(Peel them cut into big cubes & deep fry them till light golden brown,keep it aside)
Oil-2tsp
Chilly flakes-1tsp
Chopped garlic-2
Tomato ketchup-3tbsp
Honey-2tbsp
Slightly toasted/dry roasted sesame seeds-1tbsp
Vinegar-1tsp
Salt to taste
Method
Heat oil in a pan saute red chilly flakes & garlic till light brown.Mix ketchup,salt,honey & vinegar in a bowl.Pour this mixture into the potatoes,toss it well.Switch off the stove,sprinkle the sesame seeds on top mix & serve it hot as a starter or with fried rice.
Note:
a) If you don't want to deep fry bake the potato in oven.But i love them deep fried.

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Homemade Vegetable Pizza

Step by step method & picture to make a Homemade Pizza

Ingredients for the dough
Maida/All purpose flour-3 & 3/4 cups
Dry yeast- 2 & 1/4tsp
Sugar-2tsp
Salt-1tsp
Olive oil-3tsp
Warm water-1 & 1/2 cups

Method
Mix sugar & yeast to warm water & leave it to froth for 5 minutes.Add the olive oil to the yeast mixture & mix.Mix salt to flour,pour the yeast mixture & knead it to a soft dough.Apply 1/2tsp of oil to the dough,cover & keep it to ferment for1 hour.Divide the dough into two, again cover & rest it for 45 minutes.Now your homemade pizza dough it ready.
Topping
Pizza sauce/Marinara sauce-required amount
Vegetables of your choice-required amount
(I used chopped onion,mushroom,capsicum,olives)
Italian seasonings-less than 1/8tsp
Mozzarella cheese/pizza blend cheese-required amount

Method
Pre.heat your oven to 400 deg.f.Grease a baking pan,take a ball of dough & spread it to the thickness you want ( thinner is better).Spread the sauce evenly on top,sprinkle the vegetables,Italian seasoning & then the cheese.Bake this for 15 to 20 minutes or till done.

Note: After spreading the dough you can bake it for 5 to 8 minutes in the oven for the base to get half cooked, remove & spread the sauce,vegetables & cheese.Then you bake it for 10 minutes or till the cheese melts & vegetables are cooked. I have done even this way.I liked this version better.

Inspired by favfamilyrecipes

Aglio e Olio

Ingredients

Whole wheat thin spaghetti-a small bunch

(Cooked with little oil & salt)

Salt & Pepper to taste

Chopped garlic-3

Chopped ripe red chillies-2

Olive oil-2tsp

Dry parsley-1tsp

Method

Heat oil in a pan fry the chillies & garlic till nice flavor comes out.Switch off the stove add the spaghetti,seasoning & parsley.Toss it well & serve it hot.

Sweet Basil Pesto On Wheat Spaghetti & Sauted Vegetables

Ingredients for pesto

Sweet basil leaves-1 & 1/2 cup

Olive oil-1/4 cup

Pecan -a handful

Salt & Pepper to taste

Garlic-2

Parmesan cheese-1/8 cup

Lime juice-1tsp

(blend everything in a food processor to a coarse paste.Don't add water,store in fridge.always make sure there is olive oil floating on top of pesto to retain its colour))

Other ingredients

Cooked whole wheat spaghetti

Some mushroom,sliced onion & steamed broccoli sauteed in 1tsp of oil with some pepper,salt & Italian seasoning

Method

Mix required amount of pesto with the spaghetti & serve it with sauteed vegetables.Before serving sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top.Serve it hot.