Shakshuka

 

Shakshuka is a popular dish originally from North Africa, mostly in Tunisia. The dish is prepared using with tomatoes and bell peppers base, flavored with spices. Eggs are cracked and added to the fresh tomatoes mixture and cooked to prepare shakshuka. This dish is enjoyed as a complete breakfast meal or even as a nutritious lunch.

                                                                     

                                                                        Shakshuka

First cook onions

Add bell peppers

Add finely chopped tomatoes

Season with spices

                                                           Add coriander, and crack eggs and add to tomato mixture

                                                                                            

Cook the eggs

                                                                         

Shakshuka

Ingredients:

4 to 5 eggs

5 to 6 roma tomatoes

1 medium onion 

3 to 4 cloves of garlic

Salt to taste

1 medium red bell pepper

1/4 finely chopped green coriander 

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp black pepper 

1/4 finely chopped parsley (optional)

Olive oil 

Method:

1. Finely chop tomatoes, onions. Heat a big skillet, add 3 to 4 tsp olive oil. Next, add in onions, stir and allow them to get little translucent, add in bell peppers, continue cooking on medium heat. Add tomatoes, continue to stir. Add in finely chopped garlic.

2. Season with salt, cumin powder, cayenne powder , sugar and little black pepper. As the tomatoes mixture appears softened, lower the heat. Using a spoon, make 4 to 5 well like spaces. Break each egg and directly add to the space. Allow the eggs to cook for next few minutes. Sprinkle fresh coriander and parsley.

3. As the eggs appear done, closer burner and enjoy yummy shakshuka with some warm bread or pita bread.

Pho- Chicken clear soup with rice noodles

 

Pho is a popular Vietnamese soup that is made by preparing a clear broth,  it begins by using meat or and cooking a fresh batch of clear broth. To this hot broth, they add in slices of cooked meat, bean sprouts, spring onions, etc.

In Vietnam they usually make it as beef broth, you can also make it by preparing a chicken broth.

I am preparing chicken broth, from scratch by using chicken legs on the bone with skin on. To make it aromatic I  add whole roasted spices,  along with charred onion and ginger. 

You can also prepare vegetable broth by adding carrots, sweet potato, radish ,ginger, garlic, green onions  along with spices, cilantro, charred onion. The spices used are star anise, coriander seeds, black cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, fennel seeds are all dry roasted on a pan,  and then added to the broth, while preparing it. 

After the chicken broth is ready it is strained and kept aside. Boiled rice noodles, bean sprouts, and chicken are then placed in a soup bowl and pour the hot broth to soak the noodles. 

Left over noodles can also be stored separately and the left over broth and chicken can be stored separately,  for later use.

                                                         

Chicken Pho 

Ingredients for preparing chicken pho broth 

Toppings for pho bowl

                                      

You can broil them in the oven 

                                         

I further charred them on the pan, it was faster ;)

Dry roast the spices

Dry roast coriander seeds

Heat 2 tbsp oil in a big pot and add the charred onions, ginger, spices, sugar.

Add chicken 

Add water 6 cups 

Cover and allow to boil for 30 to 40 mins 

Add salt 

Continue cooking 

Add fresh coriander leaves

Chicken appears cooked :)

.    

Strain the broth

                    

Beautiful broth 

                                                                     

Start arranging all ingredients in the bowl. Don't forget to squeeze lemon juice.

Pour the broth to soak all the ingredients and enjoy:)

Ingredients for preparing broth 

2 pounds chicken thighs or leg meat with skin on

1 large yellow or white onion large (this can be char broiled in the oven) before adding it to the broth water, while preparing the soup broth.

1 medium sized fresh ginger sliced and charred.

2 tsp Tamari sauce ( it's similar to soy sauce) But it is made from soy and rice and is more aromatic and is gluten free.

1 medium sized piece of rock sugar or 2 tsp regular or brown sugar can be added to the broth

Salt as per taste ( Tamari is also added so be careful and not add too much of salt)

Spices to be roasted 

2 tsp black pepper crushed 

For spices:

Gather together and dry roast

2 star anise

1/4 tsp coriander seeds

1 tsp fennel seeds

2 sticks cinnamon

3 to 4 cloves

2 black cardamon

In a pan, on medium heat dry roast the above spices for 5 to 6 minutes on medium heat. Later, these get added to the broth, while preparing it.

For the toppings:

You can let your imagination run, and add as per your taste. Like I've seen people also like to add avocado slices, mushrooms, tofu, bean sprouts, etc along with cooked rice noodles.

I used bean sprouts (some people like to soak it in warm water before using it) , rice noodles, chicken,

and garnished it with Thai basil, coriander leaves and spring onions. Do squeeze some lemon juice on the top and add some Hoisin sauce or fish sauce or hot sauce (Sriracha) as per your taste.

For making the broth:

1. First, heat the oven, put it on broil temperature of about 450 degrees F and place the peeled onion, cut into halves on a baking tray along with ginger piece and let it char broil for about 5 to 6 minutes. remove and keep aside. Spray some olive oil on the baking sheet, before adding the onion and ginger.

2. Next, take a big pot or utensil, any is fine except try to use a big sized one to hold almost 6 to 7 cups of water to prepare the broth. ( I like to use my Dutch oven, for even heating ) Heat  2 tsp olive oil, add in the charred onion and ginger. Add the chicken and about 1.5 liters of water, add in the spices. Next, add tamari sauce and salt as per taste (but not too much) and 2 tsp crushed black pepper.

Add in rock sugar and allow the broth to boil for another  40 to 50 minutes. Keep checking and as the chicken cooks, remove and de bone the chicken and keep it separately. Taste the broth for seasoning.   

Next,  boil a packet of rice noodles for 5 to 6 minutes , strain and keep aside.

Slice 2 to 3 spring onions and keep aside.

2 to 3 small red radish, thinly sliced. 

100 gms Tofu  is cut into 1 inch cubes. If using tofu or mushrooms, lightly saute it on a separate pan and keep aside.

Serving soup:

In an individual soup bowl, start by adding prepared rice noodles, cooked  chicken, thinly cut spring onions. Next, add in spoonfuls of prepared broth till the top of the bowl. Garnish with some more spring onions or thinly sliced onions. If you like, you can add a teaspoon of Hoisin sauce or fish sauce to the broth, before eating. 

Red Boat is a nice brand of the fish sauce, available on Amazon too.

Garnish with finely chopped coriander and thai basil leaves and enjoy a hearty yum pho soup.

Enjoy!

Fruit -infused water

 

When the weather gets hot and humid. A refreshing chilled glass of water does the work.

Water becomes inviting and refreshing with infused fruits or vegetables, like sliced cucumber.  It is also low calorie, fruits give the water flavor and as they say, " water is good for you". Like cucumber helps to detoxify and is anti inflammatory. Adding berries to the water helps lower cholesterol, promote bowel movement and is anti inflammatory. They also provide antioxidants.

At a spa or restaurant (hotel) you will usually come across a nice pitcher or jar that is transparent and has colorful fruits or cucumber in them. I have added slices of orange, apple, berries to make it colorful and interesting.

Fruit- infused water

Method:

1. It is as easy as it looks. Try to use a tall, transparent water pitcher. 

2. Next, clean and cut the fruits of your choice. 

3. Put some ice cubes on the bottom of the pitcher. Add chilled water and preferably keep it in fridge for couple of hours, before enjoying it.

4. I have used fresh fruits, but you can also use frozen fruits of your choice.

5. One can also add 1 or 2 cinnamon sticks, or some fresh herbs of your choice, like lavender, rosemary, etc. Please remember these herbs can be strong so add accordingly.

Do try it out and share with me what else could one add to the water. Thanks.

Overnight Chia Pudding

Chia seeds, are tiny nutrient-dense edible seeds full of nutrition. Packed with fiber, protein, omega 3 fatty acids. This makes them a good option for breakfast time or anytime snack. They are effortless to prepare. Soaking them overnight in milk, gives them a creamy smooth texture. The pudding is light and healthy. You can use white or black chia seeds. You can get creative and top them with freshly cut strawberries, blueberries, crunchy granola or just some nuts, choice is yours :-)

Please remember while chia seeds have lot of protein, they also have fiber and that means please drink more water while having chia seeds.

                               

Chia Pudding 

Ingredients:

1 cup milk.(Your choice almond milk, oat milk, regular milk)

1/4 cup chopped fresh strawberries, blueberries to garnish.

1/4 cup chia seeds, black or white

1/4 cup chopped nuts of your choice

1 tsp honey or maple syrup

1/4 tsp vanilla extract and a pinch of cinnamon powder

1 tbsp crunchy granola, cereal of your choice

Method:

1. Using a mason jar, or any cup of your choice, that has a lid. Add milk, add in chia seeds, add honey or maple syrup. Next, a dash of vanilla extract or cinnamon powder.  Stir well, this step is important to ensure a smooth creamy texture. Close the lid and keep the jar in the refrigerator overnight for at least 7 to 8 hours.

2. Next day, shake the jar, stirring the milk. If the pudding appears runny add a tsp more of chia seeds. Add chopped fresh fruits and any nuts,of your choice. Top with a tablespoon of crunchy granola. Enjoy a creamy pudding for a refreshing and healthy breakfast  start, filled with protein and fiber. 

Other options is just sprinkle, a teaspoon of black or white chia seeds over your greek yogurt, mix well and top with some fresh fruits of your choice.

Also, you could add them to your overnight oatmeal bowl. Sprinkle a little chia seeds, to your glass of smoothie.