Welcome to My Kitchen

I started cooking 20 years ago, and every day has been a new experience. You might not believe it but i was a person who could not fry an egg...but 20 years on..i feel i can take on any challenge.

I'm constantly trying out new recipes and looking for innovative ways to improvise my dishes and make it more easier. The easier the cooking gets and the less time it takes the more time for me to relax with my loved one.
But easy and quick does not mean compromise on taste or the way a dish is presented. I take great pride in decorating my dishes as i am a firm believer of ' The first impression counts'.

I decided to start this blog to help others like me discover that cooking a feast does not require slogging for hours in the kitchen all it requires is the right ingredients, tools and a creative mind and voila! you will have your family and guests begging for second helpings....

My inspiration for cooking has always been my husband...he loves his food..and like the saying goes 'A way to a man's heart is through his stomach'..i can confidently say it's true and it works wonders for a happy relationship...but he is also my best critic and competition.

I've got two little girls both who love to eat, and my eldest always enjoys helping me in the kitchen. I will try to post more kid friendly recipes that can be fun to eat and make together.

Hope you enjoy this blog and find it useful...please do feel free to leave any feedback or comments...remember there's always room for improvement!!!

Sunday, 11 May 2014

Goan Beef Stew



This Goan dish is served at most occasions. Its one of my husband's favourite dishes, so tried to make it using basic ingredients. Although I did not have any goan sausages I improvised and used Spanish chorizo's, but it turned out similar, even my 19 month old daughter gobbled it up..

Ingredients:

1/2 kg beef, cut into small pieces
1-2 chorizo (small sausages)

1 cup diced chicken (optional)
1 cup diced pork (optional)
1 tablespoon ginger/garlic paste
6-8 peppercorns
4-6 cloves
2 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tbsp vinegar
1-2 green chillies, chopped finely
2 onions chopped
1 tomato chopped
2-3 potatoes, chopped into small cubes
2-3 carrots, chopped into small cubes
1 cup peas
1 cup macaroni/pasta, boiled
2-3 eggs, boiled and cubed
1/4 cup milk
Salt and pepper for seasoning

Method:


1. Marinate beef with ginger/garlic paste, salt, pepper and vinegar. Keep aside at least for 30 minutes.

2. In a saucepan, heat oil , add cumin, peppercorns, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon, fry until the oil is infused with the spices. Add in the beef and fry until lightly brown. Add in water and boil until meat is tender. Once meat is half cooked add in the chopped carrots and potatoes. Make sure there is light gravy left and meat is not dried. Add the peas and cover , it will cook in the steam.

3. In another saucepan, heat oil, fry the chorizo, chillies, if you are using the other meats (chicken and pork) add that now and fry. Season accordingly.

4. Add onions and cook until golden, mix in chopped tomatoes. Cook until tomatoes have softened, then mix in the beef & vegetables.

5. Add in the leftover liquid from boiled meat.

6. Stir in the milk and macaroni, season well. Add chopped egg and mix well.

Serve hot.