European Holiday

Hi Friends and my dear readers, Hope you all are doing great and as for myself I just returned back from a beautiful holiday, visiting some countries in Europe. The beauty of these places made me want to share this lovely experience of travelling. The travel through the country side was a delight. And not to forget the smooth travel by  trains, that aren't only comfortable, but also always on time and well connected to all the places there.

First we went to Amsterdam & stayed there for 2 days. We took a direct flight from California to Amsterdam. The day we reached we roamed around the city center as our Hotel was right in the city and most of the places around are walking distance. People there bike a lot, and for tourist too they can hire bikes, or there are trams, hop on / hop off buses or a beautiful ride on the canal by the boats that makes it look romantic. They serve wine and do candle light canal cruise.




                                             

 

Amsterdam Canal Cruises 

Amsterdam Cruise 

Day 3 we took a train to Brussels, by their luxury high speed train called Thalys Express. The train has red velvet seats and they serve snacks & drinks. Brussels was a 3 hour train ride from Amsterdam. The ride was a treat to  eyes with open green fields & beautiful country side.The day we reached Brussels we took their brochure, and found places of interest to see. The Cathedral was close to Hotel, so we walked over. It was beautiful , peaceful church with stained glass window works.

Thalys Train 

Then we walked over to Grand place, that is like their main attraction and it is just seeing is believing. Amazing splendid architecture. While we were there we were fortunate to experience a flower show in the city center. They had made awesome flower arrangements, with their colorful real flowers.

Flower show 

We treated ourselves at their cute quaint chocolate shops, and to waffles that are very famous there.
Next day we took a day trip from Brussels to a near by place that has models of Mini Europe, also very interesting place. It also has an atomium structure. You an actually take an elevator to the top and view the full of Brussels from there.

Mini Europe

Windmills at Mini Europe 

Next day we left back for Amsterdam and took a flight to London. Only an hour flight from Amsterdam, you can also take a train to London.We were there for 3 days in London.
First day we saw the famous London eye. My cousin lives there so it helps to have a local there so you can pick and choose the main places. She gave us good advice to buy the London eye ticket on fast track online, that way you save on standing in the long lines!

London Eye

London

Buckingham Palace 

Next we walked across the river Thames, and reached Piccadilly square where we treated ourselves to London high tea , an experience not to miss :)) London is so well connected with Tube, the metro system there should be applauded, and is very convenient. Since London is an English speaking city, as a tourist you don't face the language problem, which can be seen in Europe otherwise.

Day 5 we had booked tickets to see Buckingham palace, a palace that has over 700 rooms!!! Dignitaries from all over the world visiting London, are hosted by the royal family at the palace.

After walking so much we sat for lunch at an English pub and relished fish and chips.

Day 6 we saw the famous London bridge and walked around and went to Harrods, which in my opinion was over hyped , but anyways we enjoyed London for its land marks.

Next day we flew back to Amsterdam, where I met with my dear friend of school,a dream come true !!! as we all met for a school reunion after 30 years !!! this all was possible when 10 of us agreed to come to Amsterdam, where a friend of us hosted us all at her place, thanks to her and to all the friends who came from different parts of the globe to make this possible and we stayed together for a week at our friends place , each day was filled with chats, laughs and all the madness one can imagine.
Then we all flew back and I went to Boston for my daughters college, to set up her apartment.
This has been a wonderful experience that I wish one should experience and the memories of it will remain forever
Bonvoyage!!

Creamy Pasta in Vodka sauce

A creamy pasta , cooked in vodka sauce :)) and served with garlic bread!! This is a dish my daughter made for us and we just loved the flavor and smooth texture of pasta, that we make a point to remind her to make it often :))  
The recipe has simple ingredients with bold flavors, give it a try and you will want more!!
We just love this dish , hope you'll enjoy it too!!


                                                                   

Saute Onions and garlic

Add strained pasta to creamy  vodka sauce 

Creamy Pasta in Vodka Sauce 

Ingredients
1 box  pasta shells ( You can use penne, bow pasta )
1 can tomato sauce ( Roma tomatoes, but you can pick your choice )
2 cloves of garlic peeled and chopped finely
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp salt
1 tsp red chili flakes
1/2 cup vodka ( I prefer Grey goose but again take the vodka you would like to drink)
1/2 cup full cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
3 to 4 Fresh basil  leaves finely chopped
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Method 

1.Heat 2 cups of water , add 1 tsp salt and pasta shells, boil  for about 10 to 15 minutes. Check to see if cooked, ( should become soft, but not over cooked) strain and keep aside.
2.Heat a medium size skillet, Add unsalted butter and 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil, add in finely chopped onions. Saute for a minute or  two, as the appear translucent , add in garlic, continue stirring, for another minute. Remove from heat, and pour in the vodka, return skillet to burner, carefully allowing most of the vodka to evaporate. 3.Add in the tomatoes sauce , continue stirring. Add in salt, and red chili flakes, basil and lower heat and check for taste. Add in 1/2 tsp sugar if the tomatoes are too sour.
4.Next stir in the full cream, continue cooking, as the sauce starts to thicken, add in Parmesan cheese.
add the strained pasta and mix well. 
5.Served topped with some sprinkled Parmesan cheese and chopped basil leaves. 

Vegetable Jalfrezi

A Mughlai  style gravy, cooked with vegetables, that also looks like a  Indian stir fry, is usually served with Indian bread. Jalfrezi has a slightly sweet and sour flavor to it and is presentable at a party with its colorful vegetables.
A flavorful aromatic dish , served in almost all Indian restaurants. 
I like preparing this dish as I know by including these veggies, my family is getting the nutritional value of this dish.
The main work is cutting the veggies :))

Ingredients
100 gm carrots peeled and cut into 1 inch thick julienne style strips
100 gm green  beans , cut similar julienne style
1 small green and yellow bell pepper cut into julienne strips
50 gm green peas, optional 
100 gm florets of cauliflower chopped
100 gm cottage cheese (paneer ) cut into 1 inch strips


For gravy
1 medium Onion, cut lengthwise in thin strips
1 cup tomato purée
1tbsp fresh ginger garlic paste ( you can grate both ginger, garlic to get a paste)
3 to 4 green chilies chopped finely
Salt to taste
1 tsp red chili powder ( I prefer Kashmir chilies as they are not that spicy but do provide the much needed color to the gravy sauce )
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 tsp garam masala ( available at all Indian grocery stores) Again I prefer to use Everest brand but all are good and more or less similar.
1 bay leaf
1 small cinnamon stick
3 to 4 cloves 
2 to 3 big cardamom
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp  butter
2 tsp kasoori methi (available in Indian stores) for garnish/ or freshly cut green coriander leaves.

1/4 cup chopped cashews for garnish



                                                           

             

Chopped vegetables and browned onions

Brown sliced onions in 2 tsp vegetable oil

Add bay leave,cloves, cardamom, cinnamom

Add tomato puree

Add vegetables 

Cottage cheese saute 

Add paneer to vegetables 

Cook covered for another 5 to 6 minutes till it all blends into the curry ,check for seasonings

Vegetable Jalfrezi

Garnished with chopped cashews 

Method:

1. Wash all chopped vegetables and boil them  separately in a  cup of  water , with 1/4 tsp salt for about 5 minutes, drain water and keep aside .
2. Heat oil in a medium size pan, add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick , cloves . Allow to splutter , add onions , sauté till light golden , add in ginger garlic paste , green chilies.
Continue stirring. Add in tomato purée and taste for salt, add in red chili powder, turmeric, and garam masala. Cover to cook for about 5 minutes . This is the gravy sauce.
3. In a separate pan , heat butter add in drained pineapple cut into 1 inch . In a separate pan saute paneer (cottage cheese) cubes. Next add in the parboiled veggies and saute in tablespoon of oil.
4. Lastly  add these  vegetables along with paneer to the cooked gravy sauce . Cook covered further another 5 to 6 minutes, close burner. Garnish with kasoori methi/ freshly chopped coriander leaves. Garnish with chopped cashews or green chilies and serve vegetable jalfrezi hot with tandoori naan / or enjoy with Basmati rice.

Mughlai Mutton Curry

This Mutton curry dish is basic , yet very full on taste and so much of my type of curry dish.
Mutton should be marinated well , so then it cooks better and retain good moisture to keep it soft.You can  use lamb meat for this recipe , though I like the goat taste too:)) 
This is a wholesome non vegetarian dish and I'm sure when you try to make it, you will keep making it often.


Ingredients
2 pounds mutton leg cut into 2 inch cubes ( with or without the bones) wash and cleaned
1 inch ginger freshly grated
1 clove garlic grated 
1/4 cup  plain yogurt
salt to taste
1 tsp Everest meat masala
1 tsp chopped green chilies 
1/2 fresh lemon juice
For Gravy
2 medium sized onions peeled and chopped fine
1/2 cup  tomatoes pureed'
1 tbsp freshly grated ginger garlic paste
1 tsp red chili powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
4 to 5 small cardamons
1/4 cup Vegetable oil 

Mutton Curry!!

Method:
For marinate
Wash the mutton pieces, and marinate in a medium size bowl, add in curd, lemon juice, salt, ginger garlic paste, meat masala (available in Indian grocery) . Mix all together and keep aside for about an hour.
For gravy
1. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a pressure cooker (faster way to cook) add cumin seeds, small cardamon, bay leaf, cinnamon stick,Add in the onions, continue to cook the onions on medium heat till they appear light golden in color. Add in the marinated mutton, keep stirring and cooking for approximately 10 minutes, till oil separates on the sides.Add in red chili powder, turmeric, and check for salt, add little more if required.
2. Add in pureed tomatoes, stir in 1 cup water and close the pressure cooker to cook further on medium heat for 2 whistles.Turnoff burner and the lid of the cooker closed for another 10 minutes.Pour the ready curry into a serving dish and garnish with freshly cut coriander leaves.
Serve hot with rotis/naan or rice.

Spicy Veg Pulao

Pulao is a rice dish ,  prepared by using vegetables, cooked with curry sauce as the base. This dish makes a complete meal and the spices used to prepare the curry add to its rich flavor.S
It's an Indian dish and is perfect for vegetarians and also great for packing as lunches for office.
There are many different varieties of Pulao ,with each region specializing in their own different way.
Today the one I am making is more from the Northern parts of India.

Vegetables Pulao

Ingredients:
3 cups Basmati rice
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup frozen corn
1 cup mixed veggies ,chopped small (carrots, French beans,cauliflower)
For the curry 
1 medium onion
1 medium tomato
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
3 to 4 green chilies
1/2 cup yogurt
1/2 lemon juice
1 inch cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp garam masla powder (available in Indian store)

Method

1. Wash and soak rice in 2 cups water. Later boil rice in 2 cups of water over medium heat for about 10 minutes , till it appears semi cooked ,drain and keep aside.
2. Peel, and chop  onions, tomatoes , fresh coriander leaves, ginger , garlic , and green chilies,grind in a blender to form a paste. 
3. Heat 4 tbsp oil in a medium size pan , add cinnamon stick, bay leaf, cumin seeds, next add in pureed  onions mixture .
4. Stir and cook covered for about 10 to 15 minutes,  till they appear light golden and oil separates to the sides of the pan . 5.Lower heat ,add in salt, red chili powder, garam  masala.
Add in veggies and stir in yogurt.  Cook on medium heat for another 5 to 6 minutes covered. Add 1/4 cup water and continue cooking another 5 minutes.
4. For  assembling together, I  prefer using a baking dish , that I can put in the oven , and use for serving too.
5. For layering add 1 tsp ghee(clarified butter) to the bottom of the pan,  then  add the cooked rice layer, next on that you spread  a layer of cooked veggies with gravy, repeat with another layer of rice on top , followed by veggies and continue.. Cover with silver foil and bake in a pre - heated oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, at 300 degrees F and its hot and ready to serve.Enjoy warm veggie pulao with cool yogurt. 

No Bake Bars!!

 These no bake bars are a great source of energy, and  kids love them. For adults, too with our busy life styles, these oats bar are great to take along on the  run, they are packed with  the goodness of Oats!! perfect health benefits combined with taste. Also they store well. You can make more and store them in the freezer too.

I find these super easy to prepare and the best part there is no baking to do.Also by preparing them myself I know exactly what ingredients I am eating or giving my family , as most of the store bought bars are filled with ingredients like High fructose corn syrup, you don't want to have that!!! in your diet.

Ingredients:

1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 cup quick cooking oats /instant oats
1/4  cup butter
2 tsp Molasses
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp  mini chocolate chips
2 tsp sunflower seeds, optional



                                                 

Ingredients 

Butter and brown sugar, add molasses and vanilla extract to this 

Mix the dry oats and rice krispes with the wet mixture  

Flatten mixture on baking tray , sprinkle chocolate chips on top

No Bake Bars!

Method:

1. First mix oats and rice crisps, keep aside.
2. In a separate pan, on medium heat, melt butter, honey, molasses and brown sugar until it gets bubbly. Stir in vanilla extract. Add this mixture to the dry mixture, mix well together. Lightly grease a  baking sheet , add this  mixture onto the baking sheet and using a spatula  to press down the mixture uniformly.
3.  Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the mixture and press them slightly.Cover with parchment paper &  refrigerate for at least an hour before you cut them into equal sized bars. 
4.Wrap the cut bars, in plastic wrap and store at room temperature. Left overs, if any :)) freeze them to  Enjoy later!
I added some sunflower seeds later for added nutrition , but its optional :))

Vanilla Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting & strawberries

  Happy Valentine Day !!
 Made these cupcakes for friends on Valentine's Day  , what better time than this to enjoy home made cupcakes, and don't forget to decorate them with sweet strawberries and cream cheese frosting.
Whenever I think of cupcakes, I think about all the lovely ingredients, used to make them so colorful and creative !!!

I searched this recipe on the net and found some that used store bought cake mix, as I prefer making them from scratch, I  made some changes to suit my style... do feel free to try out this recipe .

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup All purpose  Flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter 
1 cup sugar
1 Egg
1/2  cup butter milk
1/2 tsp.  vanilla extract

Cream cheese Frosting:
4 ounce cream cheese 
4 ounce unsalted butter
2 cups powdered sugar 
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup sweet fresh strawberries for decorating 

Method:
1.Preheat oven to a baking temperature of 350 degrees. Line up a 12 cup cake baking tray or 2 tray's with  6 cups, each  lined with paper cups.
2. In a large bowl, add butter , using a hand mixer, add in  sugar and mix till they are well combined, and smooth. Butter should be at room temperature.
3. Sieve  flour, add in baking soda and baking powder, and keep aside.
4. Add an egg to butter, sugar mixture, add vanilla essence and beat until well combined. Next add in half of the flour mixture, pour in milk, add in the remaining flour and stir till well combined. 
5. Using an ice cream scoop or using a spoon , distribute batter evenly into the paper cups and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Take out of the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting them.

Cream cheese frosting:
1. Beat cream cheese that is at room temperature, in a bowl along with unsalted butter and vanilla extract. Next add in the powdered sugar , continue adding sugar till the frosting tastes sweet enough.
You can add a few drops of red colour (food colour for cakes) if you prefer a pink colour icing on the cupcakes :)
Also use a piping bag with a star tip to create beautiful icing on the cupcakes...enjoy !! Happy baking and spread the joy of sweet things 
Cool the cupcakes, and then using a large pastry bag, fitted  with a star tip, add frosting to fill the bag , half way full. Start from the centre of the cupcake to the outside to create a beautiful swirl.
Add some thinly sliced strawberries on the top.

                                                 

Ingredients

Baking in the oven

Yippe!! cupcakes ready 

Enjoy cupcakes with friends and family :)))