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...

Read more »

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 Wednesda...

Read more »

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 postI would categorize two of my posts as most beautiful.Ragi Kaara Biscuits and Tomato Basil Soup2. The most popular postI have picked the most popular posts based on the page hits. And the popular post is Mango Cupcakes3. The most controversial post - I believe I do not have anything controversial on...

Read more »

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 cupsGarlic cloves - 6 or 8 - mincedBasil leaves - 1/2 cup - tightly packed - thinly slicedDry Red chillies - 5 or Red pepper flakes - 1 1/2 tspExtra Firm Tofu - 1 block - pressed and cubedCarrots - 2 - juliennedRed...

Read more »

Black and White Wednesday - Oops! Scoop!!

Honey-dew melon - scooped out!Sending this to Susan's Black and White Wednesda...

Read more »

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, flourand 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...

Read more »

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 - cubedEggs - 2Milk - 1.5 cupsLight brown sugar - 2 tbsp (can use white...

Read more »

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 greatwith grilled steak. It's also a good lunchor a great afternoon snack.   Combine the leftover 1/2 C creamed spinach with2 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 Tomatoes1 beefsteak tomato1/2 C garlic creamed spinach2 T melted butter2 T seasoned breadcrumbs3...

Read more »

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...

Read more »