Mutton Lababdaar

 Mutton is a one pot dish prepared using goat meat. Meat is cooked , along with whole spices  over low heat using , onions and tomatoes to give it a balanced, yet flavorful  taste.

In India this dish may be prepared with some variations depending upon the location or region.

For example in Kashmir, the mutton is prepared as rogan josh using fennel powder, spices, tomatoes and no onions.

In Bengal, it is called mutton Kosha and is cooked over low heat using mustard oil, yogurt, spices and onions.

In Northern part meat is cooked Mughlai style as salan using onions, tomatoes and with whole spices.

Today we are going to be preparing the Northern style of mutton curry that is first , for about 30 minutes in yogurt and other spices. Later, I cook it in an insta pot cooker. I particularly enjoy using insta post, feel it's more enjoyable and hassle free, almost like hands free cooking ;)

Another thing, please see the quality of ingredients, it is very important, as is the freshness of the spices. 

Making a dish takes effort and low quality ingredients can make the effort go to waste.

Mutton Lababdaar

                                                                               

                                                                              

                                                                                   

Mutton Lababdaar with rotis 

Ingredients 

2 pounds goat meat (cut into curry size pieces by butcher)

2 medium size red onions

2 medium size roma tomatoes, grind in a mixer.

2 tsp ginger garlic paste (1 inch ginger and 3 to 4 cloves of garlic, grind to a paste )

2 to 3 thai green chillies 

2 tbsp plain yogurt

Whole spices: 2 cardamon, 2 to 3 cinnamon sticks, 2 bay leaves, 3 to 4 lavang, 4 to 5 peppercorns

1 tsp cumin seeds

Salt to taste

2 tsp red chilly powder ( I like to use Kashmiri chilli powder, for the color and it is not spicy)

1 tsp turmeric (haldi) powder

2 tsp store bought Everest meat masala. I like it, but any garam masala powder is good to use.

Method;

1. Wash the meat (cut into curry sized pieces) Using a medium size bowl, add meat, ginger garlic (use store bought paste, or fresh)salt, red chilli powder, turmeric, yogurt, mix all and keep aside, for approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

2. Heat a medium sized pressure cooker (I like to use an Insta pot as I find it to be very helpful and easy to cook with) 

First, add 2 tsp clarified butter, add whole spices and finely chopped onions, green chillies. Saute' for a few 10 minutes and then add in the marinated mutton. 

3. Stir and cook for another 10 to 12 minutes, add in tomatoes and spices. Add salt. and garam masala powder. Keep stirring

4. Continue to cook  mutton till it appears well sautéd. Add in 200 ml water and check for salt.

5. Close and secure the lid and pressure cook for approx. 20 to 25 minutes. Allow the cooker to be closed for another 10 minutes. Open carefully and check if mutton is well cooked, or else cook for another 10 to 12 minutes and until the mutton appears soft and gravy is done.

Enjoy mutton with Indian bread or plain white rice, along with freshly sliced white onions.

Besan Ladoos

 Winter nights call for something that is warm, sweet and energizing. That's what these besan ladoos 

are, healthy and perfect  during cold winter weather. Ladoos are an Indian confection, that are prepared using gram flour, sugar, nuts,small cardamom, clarified butter and rolled into golf size or smaller ball shape. 

Growing up , most of South Asian households' prepared these ladoos and kids, as well as adults can benefit with nutritious values and energy one gets by having just one ladoo a day. Besan flour can come as fine or coarse. Usually for preparing ladoos the coarse type is used.

To get started just follow these simple steps.  Ladoos can be stored for a month, in refrigerator. Warm ladoos, a few seconds, before enjoying them.

Ingredients:

2 cups gram flour (Besan flour) available at Indian stores or also online

1 cup powdered sugar ( I like to grind sugar in the grinder to make it into a powder)

3 to 4 small cardamom seeds, deseeded and powdered

1/4 cup or approximately 20gms clarified butter (ghee)

1/4 cup thinly sliced almonds or pista (unsalted) to garnish ladoos.

Makes approximately 20 to 25 ladoos of medium size.

Ingredients:Cardamom powdered, pistachio, clarified butter, gram flour, powdered sugar

Add clarified butter to pan

Roast flour on low to medium heat for about 10 to 15 minutes

As it cooks, the ghee appears on top

Continue cooking till flour appears drier

                                                         add cardamom powder.

Closer burner and add sugar as flour comes to room temperature

Garnish with thinly sliced pistachios or almonds :)

Besan Ladoos

Method:

1. Heat a heavy bottom pan , add ghee. Add gram flour and stir on low heat to allow the flour to cook and slow roast, using a spatula. Careful not to let it burn at the bottom.

2. Next, as the flour gets roasted, the house will get the amazing earthy aroma. Now add cardamom powder. Close burner.

3.  As the flour cools to room temperature, add powdered sugar and mix well. 

4. Rub a little ghee on the palm of your hand, add a tablespoon full of the mixture and using your palms

form the mixture into a ball. Arrange on a plate and add slivered almonds, and pista on the top.

5. Keep the plate in  fridge for approximately 20 minutes to set the ladoos. Enjoy daily one ladoo or for special occasions, like weddings, Diwali, etc.

Black Forest Cake

 Black forest cake got it's name from Germany's black forest region, a large mountain forest region in the 

southwest part of Germany. The area is known for cherries and cherry brandy. 

We are having a holiday party and it's Christmas time and I wanted to prepare this cake for my family and friends and of course me :-) though German's prepare it often as a national pride and not just for occasions.

This beautiful cake is prepared as a chocolate cake and then sliced into layers, where each layer is 

brushed with cherry syrupy that could have a hint of brandy or almond extract.

Ingredients 

1.5 cups all purpose flour

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened coco powder

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 large eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil or  un salted melted butter

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp coffee 

Cherry filling and topping

1 can canned cherry 

1/2  cup granulated sugar

2 tbsps corn starch

1tsp brandy or almond extract

Whipped cream frosting 

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup or 5 tbsp of confectioners sugar 

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

                                                                  

                                                                       

                                                                          

                                                                                        

                                                                           

For the cake

1.  Using a sieve add flour, coco powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, strain and keep in a medium mixing size bowl.

2. To this add eggs, vanilla extract, sugar, oil or butter, milk, coffee and beat until combined. Please don't over beat.

3. Line the two 9 inch cake tins with round cut parchment paper and dust with some coco powder. Divide the dough into two cake tins. Bake for 30 to 35 mins at 350 F

For the cherry filling

1. Strain the cherries from the tin. Save the  syrup. Keep aside. Pour  syrup in to a pan. Add sugar and cornstarch and cook it for few minutes. Add cherries,  brandy or almond extract stir and close the burner as it turns smooth and thickened. Cool in the refrigerator.

For the whipped cream

1. To make the whipped cream please make sure the cream is cold and the container is cold too. Add sugar and vanilla extract and beat, using a hand beater or electric hand beater to form stiff peaks. Continue to keep in refrigerator.

1 bar of chocolate  50 gms, to shave and add to the cake for decorating.

Method:

As the cake cools, turn it upside down with the flat layer on the top, on a cake stand.

Split each cake into two layers using a serrated knife or cake cutter. Now you have 4 layers. (available on Amazon)

Dust off any crumbs. Next, spread the cool frosting on the layer of the cake and add the cherries filling in the middle. Cover with more frosting and add the second layer of cake and repeat the process. On the top layer add frosting and cover the remaining frosting on the sides of the cake. Now add chocolate shaving onto the sides of the cake. Add some chocolate shavings on the top. Using a pastry bag and star nozzle pipe out frosting on the border of the top layer. Add the remaining cherry filling in the middle. Cool again in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!