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!!!

Tuesday 29 August 2017

Traditional Goan Beef Croquettes

I've tried to make croquettes before but it never tasted as good as my grandparents used to make it. Both my little girls love this goan snack. As my mum is visiting us we decided to teach my eldest daughter (4 yrs old) Jiselle how to make it the traditional way. It turned out really well and tasted like how my grandparents made them.

Jiselle enjoyed preparing and eating them. This recipe made 24 croquettes.

Ingredients:

250g lean beef 
50g goan sausage meat
1 onion, chopped
2 green chillies, chopped
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp whole jeera powder
1 red chilli
4 cloves
1/2 inch cinnamon stick
4-6 black peppercorns
2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 inch ginger chopped
2 slices of bread
1 tbsp vinegar
1 egg
chopped coriander
Semolina/Breadcrumbs for coating 
Salt & pepper according to taste

Method:

1. In a saucepan, cook together the beef,sausage meat, garlic, ginger, chillies and spices on a low flame. Add little water to cook the meat. Once meat is half cooked add the chopped onions and cook until meat is tender and all the water is absorbed. Add the vinegar and chopped coriander and turn the heat off. Season with salt and pepper.



2. Soak the bread for little while in water. Squeeze out the water and add to the meat. Mince the meat in a meat mincer. Mash everything together and add the egg.


3. Cover with clingfilm and leave in the fridge for atleast half an hour.

4. Shape the meat into small cocktail sausages using the palm of your hands and then coat with breadcrumbs or semolina. You can used your hand or a palate knife to shape them.


4. Shallow fry in oil until golden brown.

Tips:


You can freeze the uncooked croquettes to use for later date.