Roasted Potatoes Peppers and Shallots

Serves Four

1.25 pounds potatoes
12 Shallots
2 Yellow Bell Peppers
Olive Oil
2 Sprigs of Rosemary
salt and pepper to taste

1. In a big pot boil water. Put the potatoes (poke holes with fork) and blanch for 5 minutes in boiling water.
2. Drain, cool and peel and cut into wedges.
3. Peel Shallots and allow them to fall in their natural shape. Slice in half if each clove is too big. Slice Yellow Peppers. We used 1 Yellow and 1 Green to add colour to the dish. Cut the rosemary springs into 2 inch long pieces.
4. In a bowl mix a little Olive oil Salt and fresh ground black pepper.
5. Take a oven ready glass bowl and place a layer of potatoes. Season with the salt and pepper oil. (The more generous the dressing, the tastier it is :)).Place a layer of peppers.Alternate such that you finish with a layer of peppers on top.
6. Stud with the shallots. Tuck the Rosemary Sprigs in the vegetables.
7. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until veggies are tender.
8. Serve hot and enjoy.

Argula Pear Salad

Serves 4

2-3 Bartlett Pears Sliced
1 packet Arugula (2-3 Ounces)
Lemon Juice (2 Tablespoons)
Olive Oil ( 2 Table Spoons)
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Walnuts to garnish
Shaved Parmesan to Garnish (Just a little bit)

Mix all the ingredients gently in big bowl and serve :)

Wine Pick

Grand Vin De Bordeaux 2005

Chateau Candelaire

Canon ~ Fronsac


Excellent smooth wine brought over by Soumitra !

Cream of Mushroom Soup

You need:
1 pack mushrooms
1 small onion
1 table spoon butter
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup organic veg broth
Salt and Pepper to taste

How to:
1.Sautee Mushrooms and finely chopped onions in the 1 tbspn butter until soft. Add salt and pepper to taste.
2.Blend well to thick consistency in a food processor along with the milk and broth.
3. pour back into pan and simmer for a few minutes.

Serves two.

Spinach Soup

A healthy tasty recipe that looks great too :)

You need (makes 4 servings):
250 gm of washed ready to eat baby spinach
1/2 of a mid size onion
1 small potato
1 piece ginger
2-3 garlic cloves
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 - 1 cup vegetable broth
1/4 cup skimmed milk

1.In the pressure cooker combine choppped spinach, peeled and chopped potato, onion, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper. Add some water and cook for 2 whistles.
2. Drain out the water and keep aside.
3. Blend the rest well in the mixer.
4. Add milk and blend again.
5. Pour it out into a vessel and keep on low flame.
6. Add the drained water and broth till you get desired consistency.
7. Mix well and let it simmer for a few minutes.
8. if you like a twist, squeeze a little bit of lemon into it :).

Serve hot and enjoy !

Wine Pick

Fetzer Gewürztraminer

Its about 6 bucks but a delicious wine that pair very well with Indian food.

Lemon Rice

This is one of my all time favourite rice dishes. It is especially great for serving non-desi guests.

Ingredients:

Rice - 2 cups
Lemon - one medium to large
Green chilles
Cilantro
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
Turmeric

How to:

1. Cook rice with 2:1 water ratio.
2. Dry Roast peanuts and keep aside.
3. Spread the cooked rice on a large dish so it cools.
4. Heat some oil and add mustard seeds and finely chopped green chillies.
5. pour this on the rice. Add peanuts and 1/2 spoon of turmeric and salt to taste. Do not mix it in while rice is still very hot.
6. once it cools a bit mix all of it till the rice is evenly yellow and salt is even.
7. Now squeeze the lemon on the rice and mix well. Addding lemon when rice is hot will make it bitter.
8. Garnish with finely chopped cilantro. Pair with Sambar and cucumber raita to make a simple and wonderful lunch :)

Yum.