Table Settings

Whether it's a laid-back picnic or lively dinner party, forget about setting a serious table. After all, it's summer and that's the perfect excuse to dish out a table that's drenched with color and wild with pattern. Since we have only a few months of reliable warm weather each year, why not make the most of them and create a special place in your kitchen for summertime dining and entertaining? With a little imagination, even the daily mundane stuff can make an interesting table setting. A plate of green artichokes as the centerpiece; three colored jars filled with water and floating tea-candles; a antique lamp/lantern; some twigs from a tree on a nice tablecloth---all add the touch of the unexpected. Bon Appetit!

Lamb "Kofta"

Kofta's are simply balls of minced or ground meat — usually beef or turkey — mixed with spices and/or onions. Today I made lamb kofta for a bit of change to the usual recipe.

Ingredients:

* 1 lb minced lamb
* 5 onions chopped very fine
* 2 tbsps garlic paste
* 1 tbsp ginger paste
* 2 tbsps garam masala (for the Koftas)
* 3 tbsps tomato ketchup
* 1/2 cup coriander leaves chopped fine
* Salt to taste
* 3 tbsps vegetable/canola/sunflower cooking oil
* 1 tbsp ginger paste
* 2 tbsps garlic paste
* 2 tsps coriander powder
* 1 tsp cumin powder
* 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
* 1 tsp chilli powder
* 1 tsp garam masala (for the gravy)
* 4 large tomatoes cubed

Method:

* Put the minced lam, 2 of the chopped onions, 2 tbsps garlic paste, 1 tbsp ginger paste, 2 tbsps garam masala, tomato ketchup and coriander leaves in a large bowl and mix well.
* Form the mixture into equal sized balls and keep on a plate.
* Heat the oil in a pan and add the remaining onions. Fry till they are light brown then add the ginger and garlic pastes. Fry for a minute.
* Add all the powdered spices - coriander, cumin, red chilli powder, 1 tsp garam masala, turmeric - and fry for 2-3 minutes.
* Add the tomatoes and mix well. Fry the masala till the oil begins to separate from it.
* Add 2 cups of warm water to the masala and season with salt to taste. Gently add the meatballs now. Do not stir for at least the next 5 minutes.
* Stir gently so as not to break the meatballs.
* Cook uncovered till the lamb meatballs are done. The gravy can be as thick as you like so add or dry up the water as required.

Berry and Chocolate filled Crescent Rolls

This recipe can be done with both homemade or store bought crescent rolls. Honestly I first tried the rolls with store bought dough but the next time after some effort, I made the rolls from scratch and they were simply amazing. You can make these rolls both sweet or savory. I tried them with berry and chocolate filling for a nice dessert for some friends and they were a sure hit!


Homemade Crescent Rolls
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/4 cup water, warm
1/2 cup milk, warm (100-110F)
1 tbsp sugar
2 cups bread flour
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp butter, room temperature

Take a large bowl and combine yeast, water, milk and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes, until foamy. Add in bread flour and salt and mix well. Cut the softened butter into three or flour pieces and drop them into the dough and blend them in. Knead the dough(with a mixer or by hand) for about 2 minutes. Cover the bowl and let rise for 45 minutes in a warm place.
Turn risen dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Press it out into a circle with your hands, then use a rolling pin to roll it out into an even, 10-inch circle.
Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to divide the circle into 12 triangles (just like slicing a pizza).

Preheat oven to 400F.

Put some jelly in the middle of each triangle and place rasperries/ blueberries or any other fruit filling you would like.Cover with a few pieces of cholate and roll the dough to tie both ends in a crescent shape.

Bake till the rolls are golden brown (approx. 10-12 minutes)

Penne Pasta with Shrimp and Parsley

A complete comfort food that is ready within a few minutes. A perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients:
•1 packet of penne pasta
•2 tb butter
•2 tb olive oil
•2 garlic cloves, minced
•10 med shrimp - cleaned
•pinch salt
•pinch pepper
•1 1/2 tb chopped parsley
•1 tb Parmesan cheese


Method:
Cook the pasta as per package directions. Meanwhile, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, cook until golden. Pat dry the shrimp and add it with salt, pepper, and chopped parsley. Cook over medium heat until shrimp turn pink. Remove saucepan from heat. Toss with drained pasta, parmesan and remaining parsley. Serve immediately.

Yummy Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup (105 grams) light brown sugar
1/4 cup (50 grams) white granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup (130 grams) all purpose flour
1/4 cup (30 grams) cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (260 grams)chocolate chips or chopped walnuts.

Method:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until incorporated. First sift together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt and then add to the butter and egg mixture. Mix just until incorporated. Fold in the the chocolate chips.

Using a small ice cream scoop or two spoons, place about 1 1/2 tablespoons of batter on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.

Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until the the cookies are still soft in the center but are firm around the edges. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheet for about 5 minutes before removing the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes about 24 cookies.

Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 onion, chopped
1/2 pint sour cream
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup of corn kernels
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
8 (10 inch) flour tortillas
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese


Method:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.In a medium, non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear. Drain excess fat. Cube the chicken and return it to the skillet. Add the onion, sour cream, Cheddar cheese,corn kernels, parsley, and ground black pepper. Heat until cheese melts. Stir in salt, tomato sauce, water, chili powder, green pepper and garlic.
3.Roll 1/2 the mixture in the tortillas. Arrange in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover with the rest of the mixture on top and sprinkle some cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 20 minutes.

The 2 minute Mini-Dessert!

Ok, here's the deal: we all love dessert and this recipe is a perfect 2 minute solution to that sudden craving for something sweet and sinful. It's fast, easy and you get to eat a fruit too!:)

Ingredients:
6 strawberries
2 tbsp of chocolate syrup/ melted chocolate
1 tbsp of finley-chopped walnuts/ pecans

Method:
Slice a knife midway through each strawberry and gently pour the melted chocolate into the mid-section. Top with chopped nuts. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries.
You mini-dessert is ready!