Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Mango Chia Mousse


Mango Chia Mousse


There is only one bag of frozen Alphonso Mango left and I am using it as a jewel. I love mango and like to use in ice cream, pudding, srikhand, lassi, milkshake, smoothie, dessert, where to stop? 
Now, going bit off the topic because I have small travel story that just popped up in mind while I am writing about mango mousse. 




I love travelling; different places, people, historical monuments, nature and food of course. I still remember my trip to India. I had visited this place called Madhavpur OSHO Ashram, Madhavpur Gujarat which is very close to Porbandar with my family. I was amazed by this divine place. Close to the Arabian Sea and had mind blowing carvings. This particular place is actually man made from lime stone mines which were unused after mining and are now a beautiful, spiritual divine ashram. Here is a picture of a beautiful painting of Buddha on the wall! 







बुद्धम शरणम गच्छामि








This information was provided by locals. Lord Krishna's place in Madhavpur is still there. Natural healing processes through meditation and unpolluted environment were done there. I also saw mango and coconut trees and thoughts were generated on the spot.



















Art of carving is astonishing!!!!!!!!






Hand painting on limestone!






Well here comes mangoes again! Can't control myself  and my taste buds. I am using Chia seeds for many sweet preparations as well as in my green smoothies, salads, puddings and list goes on and on. Yesterday night, usually before go to bed, I like to make some plans for what I will tryout in my kitchen the next morning and this idea came into my mind. I like to get up early and dig out only one ingredient from my fridge or pantry. Then the brain starts to arrange pieces and I come up with a recipe automatically.




So, I have made Mango Chia Mousse.

Before sharing this recipe, I would like to tell you something.
Now I am officially member of Food Bloggers of Canada. Yesss!
You can see my name in directory and my blog as well. Excited!!!

www.foodbloggersofcanada.com/




Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon Chia seeds
4 Cardamom pods
1 Cup water
4-5 drops Rose essence
2 Cup Frozen Mango pieces
1 Cup Whipping cream
1/4 cup water
2 Tablespoon honey
4 Tablespoon mango pulp
Saffron strands

Procedure(Serves 6):

  1. In medium bowl, soak Chia seeds in 1 cup water and add cardamom pods and rose essence .
  2. Cover it with lid and set a side for 20 minutes
  3. After 20 minutes of soaking chia seeds , check out if all water has been absorbed by chia seeds and seeds become soft and more than double in size.
  4. In blender add frozen mango pieces, whipping cream and water and blend it at medium high speed for 2-3 minutes until fluffy mousse texture is achieved .
  5. Add honey and blend it again for 30 seconds 
  6. In soaked chia seeds , add mango puree and mixed well. Don't forget to remove cardamom pods now from chia seeds.
  7. In clear glass serving cup , make layers of Chia seeds mixture and and on top of it add Mango mousse mixture
  8. Sprinkle Saffron Strands on top
  9. Chill in refrigerator and served chilled mango mousse.
Note:
1. Buy Organic Chia seeds and Honey for Healthy Food Choice.
2. Use half amount of Honey if you want to avoid extra calories.






Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Almond Biscotti

Always thinking to make biscotti at home and whenever I am out grocery shopping, I end up buying ready made ones. Finally I got this recipe from one of my friends. I was thinking it might be very difficult to make it but once I had started making it, I found it easy. 
Now the kids are ready to start school, and they need something homemade snakes to munch on with milk, so this is a favorite that I like to have in my pantry. You might be thinking why I am using almonds in my food preparation all the time? Answer is health. Almonds are very rich, powerful, and full of nutrients. My family has 10 overnight soaked almonds daily in morning time.









You can get more useful info about soaked almonds from the link below, 

http://frugivoremag.com/2012/02/raw-food-101-why-you-should-always-soak-almonds/

Hope you like this recipe.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup whole almonds
3 large eggs
2 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt


Procedure (makes 35):

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  2. Place the almonds on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until very lightly brown. 
  3. Let cool and then chop.
  4. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  5. In a small bowl whisk the eggs with the vanilla and almond extracts and butter.
  6. In a large bowl whisk the flour with the sugar, baking powder and salt. 
  7. Stir the chopped almonds in flour mixture.
  8. Then add the egg mixture and stir until a dough forms.
  9. Divide the dough in half, and on a lightly floured surface roll each half into a 7 inch (18 cm) log that is about 3 - 4 inches (8 - 10 cm) wide. 
  10. Transfer logs to the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 35 minutes, or until firm to the touch
  11. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for about 10 to 15 minutes.
  12. Transfer logs to a cutting board and, using a sharp knife, cut logs into slices about 1/4 - 1/2 inch (6-12 mm) thick on the diagonal. 
  13. Place the slices of biscotti on the baking sheet and bake about 10-15 minutes, turn slices over, and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until firm Remove from oven and let cool.









Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Black beans Corn Tostada with Mango Salsa

Everyday I love to present something new for my family on dinner table or for lunch. As all parents know, kids can be picky eaters but thank god mine are very easy going but obviously they don't like to eat curry,rice and roti everyday. So, I have to try new food ideas as per their taste of course.

Indian and Mexican cuisine are almost similar from what I have found, and also the culture as well. If you want to travel in North America, Mexican food is easily available mostly in every part of North America. I am vegetarian so I would like and love nachos , tacos, burritos, rice, guacamole, salsa and list goes on on. Fresh herbs, vegetables, rice ,beans, and spices are also used in any Indian dishes. 





I like to make home made burritos from whole wheat flour ,which is healthy. I have made Black bean Corn Tostada and Mango salsa; an easy to prepare, quick meal! This year I didn't get a chance to visit Farmer's Market but hopefully I will make it this week for fresh vegetables and fruits. I like to freeze some of the fruits which I could not have during winter and of course they are fresh right now in summer.

OK let me start with salsa. One of my favorite is mango salsa. well mango is my favorite anyways :)

Mango Salsa (serves 4-6):

2 cup Wine Tomato diced (app.3 large tomato) 
1/2 cup Unripe raw mango peeled and diced
1/4 cup Onion chopped
1 teaspoon garlic finely chopped
2 jalapeno pepper chopped
1/4 cup Mixed color peppers
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon ketchup
2 tablespoon cilantro

Procedure:

  1. Wash and clean tomato properly and buy bit hard skinned tomato for easy dicing.
  2. Diced tomatoes into small pieces.
  3. Peel mango and chop into small pieces as well
  4. Chop onion, peppers (red, green, yellow which ever is available), garlic,jalapeno and cilantro
  5. In medium bowl add tomatoes, peppers, garlic, onion, jalapeno and toss them well
  6. Add salt as per your taste
  7. Add ketchup and mix well.
  8. Serve with nachos, use in burritos, tacos or with your favorite side dish.








Black bean Corn Tostada:






 Ingredients (serves 4):

1/2 cup Black beans
12 Corn Tostada
1 cup Mozzarella Cheddar cheese grated
1 cup Mango salsa (Recipe above)

Procedure:

  1. Use freshly boiled black beans or use canned black beans.
  2. Preheat oven at 350 degree F. and keep rack in middle of the oven.
  3. In baking tray lay tostada and layered grated cheese then black beans.
  4. Add 1 tablespoon salsa over black beans then sprinkle good amount of cheese on top.
  5. Bake it for 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted.
  6. Serve with Guacamole,salsa or even with chipotle dip .









Note:
For chipotle Dip visit my post: Calamari & Chipotle Dip

http://saffronplatter.blogspot.ca/2014/07/calamari-chipotle-dip.html

For more recipes please visit my Facebook page as well :) and don't forget to leave your comments and suggestions.
www.facebook.com/saffronplatter