Announcing "Serve It" series... Serve It - Steamed

After the rip-roaring success of the Serve It - Fried event (with 117 entries), here we are with the next theme for the Serve It - Series. The theme for this month is "Steamed". If frying makes everything taste better, Steaming is nothing less compared to it. There are authentic recipes in every cuisine which are steamed. 

Steaming makes the food healthier and the amount of nutrients lost is very minimal compared to other methods of cooking. Steaming is when the food is cooked in steam or water vapour. It should not be confused with boiling, where the food is dropped into hot water. It is also different from double boiling, where the food's contact to the steam is undesired e.g. melting chocolate.
Here is the list to give an idea on examples of steamed foods...
When Idli, Idiyappam, Puttu(Pittu), Sevai, Kozhukattai (Modak),Momos, Dhokla, Paruppu urundai etc.,. makes the predominant Indian Steamed Foods, Dumplings, Dim Sum, Manapua, Shumai (Siu Mai) are few examples of the Oriental foods. However steamed vegetables and fish are always made in all cuisines.
Here are the guidelines for the event:
1. You may send in any entry that has been ‘Steamed’. Not to be confused with boiling/double-boiling/bain-marie method of cooking. Please do not link entries which are pressure cooked with water. If using the pressure cooker for steaming that is OK. 
2. Both Vegetarian as well as Non vegetarian entries are welcome. Although, No Beef/Pork/Alcohol please.
3. Please link back to this announcement page and also to Denny's page.
4. New entries are appreciated, however if you are sending archived entries, please re-post as latest (with a date in September 2011) and update with both the links to the announcement page and logo.
5. Usage of logo is mandatory.
6. Last date for submission of your entries is September 30, 2011
7. To send in your entries, just link your entries using the below linky tool. 
8. Non-bloggers also can send their entries with a picture to the below email-id.
9. If you have a problem in linking email us your problem to serveit[dot]series[at]gmail[dot]com. We will try to resolve it.

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Black and White Wednesday - First Starbucks Store

The name says it all.. The First Starbucks Store in Seattle. This picture was taken during our last year visit to Seattle. Our friend Denny had invited us over for the Tulip Festival.

Sending this to Susan's Black and White Wednesdays!

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I am Tagged for the 7 links challenge..

Neha of From my Heart blog and Aarthi of YummyTummy have tagged me to play a game of the 7 links. It is one of the recent blogosphere's interesting tagging event. Thanks Neha for tagging me along, had real good time in thinking over the links. It is selecting the 7 of your blog posts links for the following categories.


1. The most beautiful post
I would categorize two of my posts as most beautiful.
Ragi Kaara Biscuits and Tomato Basil Soup

2. The most popular post
I have picked the most popular posts based on the page hits. And the popular post is Mango Cupcakes

3. The most controversial post - I believe I do not have anything controversial on food posts :).
4. The most helpful post 
I had posted a new page for Basic & Tips and I would think the Making of Idli batter as the most helpful post. 

I also list Paneer Butter Masala as another helpful post because my recipe is lower in fat but has the same great taste as the restaurant version.

5. A post that was surprisingly successful
My post on Tomato chopps, a traditional curry prepared at our house fetched surprisingly a lot of accolades and comments.

6. A post that did not get the attention it deserves
Pasiparuppu Upma, my favorite kind of upma. I believe it did not have many visitors because it was one of my earliest posts. I simply love this one.

7. A post I am most proud of
Without doubt my post on Wheat Halwa/Tirunelveli Halwa. I was beaming with proudness when I got this traditional authentic recipe right on my first try.

And now the fun part. I am tagging my 7 more of my blogger friends to play along. 
Harini-Jaya of Tamalapaku
Prathima of Prat's Corner
Priya of Now Serving
Priya of Mharo Rajasthan 
Shanavi of Kitchen Secrets
Savitha of Savitha Kitchen
Sara of Saras' Yummy bites

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Garlic Basil Vegetable Fried Rice - Thai Style

I believe my readers would very well know that I am a big fan of Thai Food. After the Thai Red Curry and Thai Green Curry, my next attempt is this Garlic and Basil Fried Rice. This is another favorite recipe in Thai cuisine - Kapow Jae meaning Thai basil with vegetables. I looovvvee Basil. The beautiful fragnance of Basil is simply divine. No wonder the holy basil or Tulsi is an offering made to Hindu gods. 

Ingredients:
Rice - 2 cups
Garlic cloves - 6 or 8 - minced
Basil leaves - 1/2 cup - tightly packed - thinly sliced
Dry Red chillies - 5 or Red pepper flakes - 1 1/2 tsp
Extra Firm Tofu - 1 block - pressed and cubed
Carrots - 2 - julienned
Red bell pepper - 1/2 - julienned
Green bell pepper - 1/2 - julienned
Soy sauce - 1/4 cup (I used Low-sodium variety)
Light brown sugar - 1/2 tsp
Sesame oil / Canola oil - 2 tbsp

Method:
Wash and soak the rice in water for 30 mins. Cook the rice with 4 cups of water, 1/2 tsp of salt and a drizzle of oil. When done, fluff it with a fork spread it on a baking sheet and allow it to cool. Saute the cubed tofu in a tsp of oil until light brown on all sides. In a wide pan, add the oil and garlic and heat in a medium flame. When it starts getting hot add the carrots, bell peppers and increase the heat to med-high. Saute well for 3 to 4 mins and add the basil leaves and red chilli flakes. Add the soy sauce, sugar and salt. Mix well and reduce the heat to medium. Add the cooked cooled rice, tofu and toss gently to mix well. Serve hot.
Note: You can add any vegetables of your choice. Take care while sauteing the garlic as it tends to burn very quickly.

Sending this Garlic Basil Fried rice to Herbs & Flowers - Garlic event by PJ and to Rice Recipes Event.

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Black and White Wednesday - Oops! Scoop!!

Honey-dew melon - scooped out!

Sending this to Susan's Black and White Wednesdays!

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Lemon Brownies

This is a good treat for someone that 

doesn't like chocolate.

( I can't believe I just typed that sentence )

In a large bowl combine the sugar, flour

and salt. Add the softened butter.

tip:You can soften a stick if butter in the 

microwave for 25 seconds on 30% power

 Whisk the eggs in another bowl and add the lemon juice,

and zest.

Combine the two and beat until smooth.

I always use the butter wrapper to grease the pan.

Pour in the batter.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Mix the powdered sugar, lemon juice and zest.

 Spread on the cooled lemon brownies.

It will make a nice thin glaze.

Cut into squares.

These have a light yet dense texture, 

similar to brownies. I'll give them their own

new name......Lemonies!

Enjoy!

Lemon Brownies

3/4 C flour

3/4 C sugar

1/4 t salt

1 stick butter, soft

2 eggs

juice from 1/2 lemon (about 1T)

zest from 1/2 lemon (about 1t)

Combine the flour, sugar and salt

 in a large bowl.

 Mix in the softened butter.

In another bowl whisk the eggs with 

the lemon juice and zest.

Add to the larger bowl and mix well.

 Pour into prepared 8X8 brownie pan.

 Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

You can double the recipe and bake in a

 9X13 pan for 30 minutes.

Remove and let cool, then glaze.

Glaze

1/2C powdered sugar

1 T lemon juice

additional lemon zest

stir together

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

note: 1 stick of butter is = to 1/2 C or 1/4 pound.
I use unsalted butter.

Check out my Lemon Lover's Bundt Cake too.

Links: Savvy Southern Style, Designs By Gollum,
EKats Kitchen

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Baked French Toast Minis with Strawberries

This weekend for my regular Sunday morning french toast breakfast, I tried baked french toast with chopped strawberries. These were cute little bakes which were colorful and elegant at the same time. Perfect for breakfast these can also be served as a party dessert. You should definitely use old bread since fresh bread would become mushy. Also check out my other french toast recipes, Blackberry French Toast and French Toast with Stuffed Walnuts.

Ingredients:
Preparation time: 10 mins; Setting time: 4 - 8 hrs; 
Serves - 2; Yields 8 muffins;
French bread - stale - 7 or 8 oz - cubed
Eggs - 2
Milk - 1.5 cups
Light brown sugar - 2 tbsp (can use white sugar as well)
Ground Cinnamon - 1/2 tsp
Vanilla - 1/2 tsp
Strawberries - 5 or 6 - chopped
White Sugar - 1 tsp

Method:
Grease the muffin cups with butter or oil. Chop the strawberries into small pieces and add some white sugar. Allow it to macerate for about 10 mins. Meanwhile drop 3 or 4 cubes of the bread to each muffin cups. Whisk the eggs until frothy. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and milk. Add the milk mixture to eggs. Pour the egg mixture to each cup until full. Spoon the strawberries on the top. Cover with an aluminium foil and pop it in the fridge overnight or for a minimum of 4 hrs. Bake for 20 - 25 mins in an oven preheated to 350 F/175 C. Cool for a couple of minutes and then scoop out carefully. Serve hot topped with sugar or maple syrup and fresh fruits.
Note: Before baking you could top the strawberries with a mixture of cinnamon and brown sugar for a caramelized topping. The toast will be puffy just out of the oven but eventually flattens down.

Sending these to Let's Cook - Scrumptious Breakfasts event by Radhika and to Anu's Strawberries - Dessert event.


Sending this to Srivalli's Kid's Delight hosted by Nupur of UK-Rasoi, for the month of April 2012.

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Joe's Grilled Tomatoes

I hope you saved 1/2 C of the garlic creamed spinach from the previous post.

This is a fast easy side that goes great
with grilled steak. It's also a good lunch
or a great afternoon snack.  

 Combine the leftover 1/2 C creamed spinach with
2 T melted butter and 2 T bread crumbs.

 Divide the mixture on top of four 1/2" thick slices of beefsteak tomatoes.

 Cover the top with 3 slices of American cheese.

 Real cheese works best (not cheese product)

Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is bubbly

 and slightly browned.

Grilled Tomatoes

1 beefsteak tomato

1/2 C garlic creamed spinach

2 T melted butter

2 T seasoned breadcrumbs

3 thick slices American cheese

Slice the tomato into 1/2" slices.

Combine spinach, butter, and breadcrumbs.

Divide on top of the tomato.

Dice the cheese and add to top.

Broil 2-3  minutes

(watch carefully)

Links: Designs By Gollum

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Joe's Garlic Creamed Spinach

Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant on South Beach

 is world famous. They have been a Florida 

landmark for almost 100 years.

 Everybody goes for the amazing stone crab, 

but their sides dishes and key lime pies 

are also very popular.

Here's the recipe for the garlic creamed spinach, 

one of the house specialities.

 Have the ingredients ready because it doesn't take long to prepare.

 Saute the garlic in the hot butter.

 Add the flour and whisk to cook for one minute.

 Add the half and half and cook until thickened.

 Stir in the spinach and seasonings.

 Let simmer for about 10 minutes. 

You can cover it and keep it warm for longer.

Garlic Creamed Spinach

2 boxes frozen chopped spinach,  thawed

3 T butter

1 T minced garlic

1 T flour

3/4 C half and half

3/4 t salt

1/2 t nutmeg

1/4 t pepper

Squeeze all the water out of the spinach and set aside.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan and cook the 

chopped garlic about 1 minute until fragrant.

Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.

Gradually whisk in the half and half and cook until thickened.

Stir in the spinach and seasonings. 

Cook on low for about 10 minutes. 

Save any leftover spinach for Joe's Broiled Tomatoes.

I'll post that next.    

Enjoy!

Links: Stone Gable

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