Pimento Cheese

It's a Southern thing.Even though Florida is not considered "the South",I've had a craving for it all week.Pimento cheese is the Pate' of the South.You can serve it on crackers, stuff celery, fill cherry tomatoes,make a sandwich with soft white bread, make grilled cheese,serve it open faced spread on sourdough bread, make cute little tea sandwiches.It's a snack, an appetizer, lunch and a dip.Perfect with your afternoon teaor an evening glass of wineYou could even fill small jars to give away.That's a lot from a little 'ol spread. Grate the cheese yourself instead ofbuying the preshredded bags. Add the remaining ingredients.Combine...

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Roasted Potatoes Spiced with Curry Leaves

I am making great use of the "curry leaves season".. Yes it is a season here in the US where curry leaves may no more be available in the winter. After making Podis and Chutneys I used the leaves in the Roasted potatoes with Indian spices for a wonderfully aromatic side dish. Potatoes are one versatile food which can be cooked in infinite ways and would taste great every time. I kind of did an experimenting preparation with boiled potatoes and the spice mix with curry leaves and the outcome was simple awesome. Do check out my other Roasted potato dish here.Ingredients:Potato - 3 big ones - boiled with salt and cubedSalt - to tasteAsafoetida...

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Sesame Grilled Pork Chops

Pork is always a perfect dinner for Fall;pork chops, roast loin, and ribs. These pork chops are delicious on the grill.I like to serve them with acorn squash roasted with butter and brown sugar, another Fall favorite. They would also be good with; corn casserole, scalloped potatoes, cheesy potato casserole, deluxe macaroni and cheese, rice pilaf....so many good choices.Just add a green vegetable.Marinate the chops for an hour or cover and refrigerate for a longer time.Then grill just until done, about 4-5 minutes per side for 3/4" thick chops. Keep the meat moist and juicy by not overcooking. This...

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Autumn Granola

Adding pumpkin seeds and maple syrup gives my easy granola a nice nod to autumn.I keep the granola handy in a glass pumpkin on the counter. Combine the dry ingredients.Stir in the hot liquid untileverything is well coated.Spread onto a rimmed baking sheet.Bake @300 for 35  minutes, stirring halfway through.Let cool and break apart. Pour into container.It will keep at room temperature for2-3 weeks. Have it with milk and a sliced banana for breakfast, or sprinkle some over yogurt and ice cream.It makes a great snack too.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Autumn Granola2 C Oatmeal (quick-cook rolled oats)1/4 C sliced almonds1/4 C chopped...

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Beans Poriyal / Beans Thoran / Easy String Beans Stir-Fry - South Indian Style

As I had promised in my Bread Upma post I have been posting few recipes regularly on the tag "Quickies/Bachelor Cooking". There are 20+ recipes under this label currently which enables newbies in the kitchen to whip up tasty dishes. These are easy to make for anyone who is running against time. So here is my new addition in the tag. Beans Poriyal/Thoran here is a basic easy to make thoran for beginners in South-Indian cooking. I have made two types of poriyal. One with a simple tempering and garnishing with coconut and the second one seasoned with spice powders. The first method can be taken as the basis of most of the vegetable poriyals. One...

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Dried Figs and Dates Spicy Jam

Dried Figs (Athipazham in Tamil) are one of our favorite dry fruits. We always stock up on dried figs and dates and it is our most easy to reach pastime snacks. I always put it up on the center of our dining table. Yesterday I picked few of 'em and made this simple and delicious jam. I added ginger and chilli to give a little kick since I didn't want it to be too sweet. Addition of cinnamon gives a warm and spicy undertone to the jam. I am planning to buy extra figs next time and make this more often.Ingredients:Preparation time - 30 mins; Yields - about 2 cups; Dried Figs - 1 cup (about 10)Dates - 1/4 cup (seeded and halved)Maple Syrup...

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Baingan Bhartha / Roasted Brinjal Curry | Indian Curry Recipes

This recipe had been lying on my drafts for nearly 6 months now. I don't know how it had gone unnoticed. We love eggplants in any dish. Be it a traditional South-Indian Ennai Kathirikkai Kulambu or the exquisite Italian Eggplant Parmigiana we always cant say no to it. I made this Baingan Bharta as a side-dish for chapathis. Ingredients:American Eggplant / Large Brinjal - 1 lbOnion - 1 med sized  - chopped fineTomato - 2 med sized - chopped fineGreen Bell pepper  - 1/2 - choppedCoriander powder - 1 tspChilli powder - 3/4 tsTurmeric powder - 1/4 tspCumin powder - 1/2 tspCumin - 1/2 tspAsafoetida/Hing - 1/4 tspOil - 2 tsp + 1...

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German Spaetzle

Spaetzle With Chicken Paprikash~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This German classic is a light, smalldumpling-like noodle, wonderful with roasts and chicken, or anything that has a sauce. This recipe will be enough for 3-4 servings,but I usually make a double amount andput extras into Ziplock bags and store them flat in the freezer.Combine the eggs, water and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk with a fork.Stir in the flour. It should be a wet dough that you can stir with a fork. If it's too stiff add a little more water.Ist das nicht ein Spatzle maker? Ja das ist ein Spatzle maker.The spaetzle maker fits...

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