Friday, March 24, 2017

PISTACHIO ICE-CREAM


how to make homemade pistachio ice-cream

There's nothing better than a frosty scoop of homemade pistachio ice cream. 

Ice cream is loved by everyone, it's one of the most popular desserts of all little toddlers and all the grownups. For some grown up kids it's a must have staple in the fridge. A tub of ice cream brings back the fond memories of happier and carefree days, it gives an instant mood-uplift but hey, you don't always have to buy ice creams from the market, you can make these yummy desserts at home!! They are way much easier to make, than most people think.

Churned with generous amount of pistachios and dusted with almonds, this is hands down the best homemade pistachio ice cream you'll ever eat. It's thick, creamy and provides much joy when the climate doesn't. I made this yesterday and I'm craving for one badly right now. Of course, I had to share this with you!

This ice cream is made with 4 main ingredients - milk, cream, sugar and tons of pistachios. I used milk and cream in 2:1 ratio. I didn't added any food coloring, so my ice cream was light green in color. However you can add few drops of artificial food coloring, if you want!

This is best homemade ice cream which I've eaten recently. Chunks of pistachios, almonds and homemade whipped cream were added to gave this ice cream a wonderful texture and flavor. So may I present you, easy to make, vegetarian pistachio ice cream recipe!! It's heavenly!!





PISTACHIO ICE CREAM


Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6-7 people
Author: The Food Root

INGREDIENTS
4 cups - Milk
1 cup - Heavy Cream
1 cup - Sugar
1 cup - Pistachio, roasted and salted
2 tablespoons - Almonds (optional)

For whipped cream:
1 cup - Heavy cream
1 teaspoon - Salt
1 teaspoon - Sugar

DIRECTIONS
1. Chop or grind pistachios in a processor and keep it aside.

2. Combine milk and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a gentle boil. Continue to stir, till the sugar dissolves completely.

3. Add the ground pistachio mixture in the pan.

4. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 5-6 minutes. Stir it constantly, until the mixture starts to thicken slowly. Do not boil. Remove the heat and let cool for sometime.

5. Pour it into the container or a bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

6. Now, let's prepare the homemade whipping cream:

(Always remember that, the colder and heavier the cream is, the easier it is to whip)
  • So our first step is to place the empty bowl in a freezer for a quick chill. 
  • Than, pour cold, heavy cream in the bowl and add a pinch of salt and sugar.
  • Whisk for 2-3 minutes or till it's well blended. Set it aside.

7. Next remove the (milk, sugar and ground pistachio mixture) container from the refrigerator after an hour, than add homemade whipped cream followed by 1 cup of heavy cream and whisk to combine.

8. Add 2 tbsp of crushed pistachio and/or almonds, mix gently.

9. Then cover the container with plastic wrap. Refrigerate it again, for 2-3 hours or till it's well set.

10. Scoop the ice cream into the bowl and top the ice cream with syrup or serve it plain.

11. Enjoy!! ;-)

NOTES
1. I used roasted and salted pistachios, however you can you use raw too.
2. I didn't added any food coloring, so my ice cream was light green in color. However you can add few drops of artificial food coloring, if you want!
3. You can adjust sugar as per your taste.

Friday, March 10, 2017

VEGETABLE FRIED-RICE


how to make vegetable fried-rice

Indulge in this one pot meal dish and take your tastebuds on an interesting ride...!!!


This hearty and wholesome one pot meal dish is loaded with garden fresh veggies, vinegar, dark soy sauce and assorted spices. Flavored with the aroma of cumin seeds, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaf, this is an extremely delicious recipe for rice lovers and a simple satisfying meal for a lunch, dinner or any kind of occasion!

Vegetable fried rice is a Chinese dish of cooked rice, mixed with vegetables, sauces and spices that has been stir fried in a frying pan. It's one of the most popular Chinese dishes, consumed mainly in Asia and Middle East regions. It's often served as a complete dish or can also be enjoyed with fresh yogurt, salad or your favorite curry!!

Fried rice are mostly prepared with the leftover rice but can also be prepared with the freshly cooked rice. It's a complete dish on it's own and is just like what you get at your favorite Chinese restaurant. I love eating vegetable fried rice. It's absolutely one of my favorite things to eat. It's easy to prepare and a great recipe to use up the leftovers!!

It's a simple delicious meal made from white rice. I have worked with aged good quality basmati rice. You can use any type of white rice in the dish. I have used freshly cooked rice but it's advisable to use the leftover rice because there is more moisture in the freshly cooked rice whereas the leftover rice are little more dried and are easy to work with.

It's versatile meal. I always try to make it differently, depending on what is available at my home. You can add your favorite veggies and your favorite stir-fry sauces. Spices like cumin seeds, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaf can be avoided. You can make it according to your taste and requirements.

Hope you give it a try and love it as much I do!!



VEGETABLE FRIED RICE






VEGETABLE FRIED RICE


Cooking time of Basmati Rice - 
Soaking time : 30 minutes               
Boiling time : 10-12 minutes
Resting time : 30 minutes

Preparation time : 15 minutes
Cooking time : 20 minutes
Serves : 4 people
Author : The Food Root


INGREDIENTS
200 grams or 2 cups Basmati Rice
4 cups - water
1 tablespoon - salt
2 tablespoon - oil
1/2 teaspoon - crushed cumin seeds (jeera)
1 - green cardamom (choti elaichi)
1- bay leaf (tez patte)
3-4 cloves (lavang)
1/2 inch - cinnamon (dalchini)
1/2 teaspoon - crushed cumin seeds
1 inch long - ginger, grated
5-6 - garlic cloves, chopped
1 - onion, chopped
1/2 cup - beans, chopped
1 - carrot, chopped
1- potato, chopped
3/4 cup - cauliflower, chopped
1/2 cup - green peas
2 - green chillis, chopped
1/2 teaspoon - red chili powder
1/4 teaspoon - garam masala
1/2 teaspoon of salt or as per taste
4-5 cashews, chopped (optional)
5-6 raisins (optional)
1 tablespoon - soy sauce
1 tablespoon - vinegar
chopped coriander leaves


METHOD
1. Rinse the basmati rice with cold water and soak it for about 30 minutes.

2. Next, cover a saucepan with a lid to bring 4 cups of water to boil. Add 2 cups of basmati rice, followed by 1 tablespoon of salt and loosely cover the pan. Reduce the heat and cook the rice for about 10-12 minutes. Don't overcook it. Stir it once and turn off the flame. Let the rice sit for about 5-7 minutes. Drain the rice using a colander or a strainer let it cool for sometime.

3. Heat 2 tablespoon of oil in a pan and add crushed cumin seeds, cardamom, bay leaf, cloves and cinnamon. Wait till they crackle. Then add grated ginger, chopped garlic and a chopped onion. Sauté it on a lower flame till it turns golden brown.

4. Add peas and the other chopped veggies (beans, carrot, potato, cauliflower) in the frying pan and stir it for 2-3 minutes on a high flame. Mix it well.

5. Cover the lid and let the mixture cook for 7-8 minutes on a lower medium flame. Stir it occasionally. The vegetables should be tender yet still have a crunch

6. Next, add chopped green chillis followed by the spices - red chili powder, garam masala and salt and stir it well.

7. Then, sprinkle some cashews and raisins in the mixture. Stir it gently on a low flame.

8. Next, add the cooked rice in the pan, toss it with vegetables and continue to mix together for 3-4 minutes on a medium flame. Make sure to check nothing is sticking to the bottom.

9. Pour in some soy sauce and vinegar and toss to combine. Turn off the flame and remove it.

10. Now, transfer the vegetable fried rice to a serving bowl and garnish it with fresh coriander leaves.

11. Serve them as a complete dish or enjoy it with fresh yogurt, salad or your favorite curry!!


NOTES
1. Soak basmati rice or any type of white rice for 30-40 minutes.

2. I have used freshly cooked rice but it's advisable to use the leftover rice because there is more moisture in the freshly cooked rice whereas the leftover rice are little more dried and are easy to work with.

3. Do not overcook the rice.

4. This recipe works best with aged good quality basmati rice.

5. You can add your favorite veggies and your favorite stir-fry sauces.

6. Spices like cumin seeds, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaf can be avoided. You can make it according to your taste and requirements.

Friday, March 3, 2017

SIMPLE JOYS!


what a stunning harvest. this is my first batch of tomatoes.

What a stunning harvest!!! This is my first batch of tomatoes!! I can't thank my garden enough for feeding us with these delicious cherry red tomatoes. No one can beat the taste of a red, ripe tomato straight out of the garden!!!

I got a taste of how refreshing it can be to grow your own fruits and veggies in an era where food has become so processed and devoid of nutrients and flavor. Now that I have some time on my hands, I am setting up an organic fruits and vegetable patch in my garden. I've planted tomatoes, beetroots, eggplants, radishes, peas and spinach seeds in my garden. I'm working on it from last couple of weeks. I just can't wait to share the progress with you all!!

tomato plant at my terrace ready for another harvest


I think my plant is ready for another harvest!! For those who will be heading into Spring, do give it a try!!




Tomatoes are not difficult to grow. They are easy to care and are rich in vitamins A, B and C. You can plant marigold or basil with the tomatoes. Marigolds enhance the growth of tomatoes and it helps to keep bugs away and basil helps in improving the flavor of the fruit.

Growing tomatoes indoors or out is an easy and rewarding experience. I've grown this plant in a big pot on my terrace. If you want to maintain or harvest healthy plants, make sure the soil is properly conditioned. Adding compost and gardening soil is very beneficial. It enhances the fertility of the fruit. Remember to remove the yellow branches and mulch well. Tomatoes need plenty of sunlight and proper watering. Give them the much needed water and provide them with an area that is protected from wind and harsh weather.

so many tomato plants. so excited for another harvest.

So many tomatoes in just two plants, I can't wait for my another harvest!!! I'm amazed by how quickly and easily these tomatoes grow. Don't miss that luscious spinach, so vibrant and so green!!!
I hope you enjoy these pictures and I promise I'll be posting more!!
Have a great weekend and GO ORGANIC!!!