Za Recipes

Showing posts with label black. Show all posts

Friday, May 9, 2014

Black Pepper Blackberry Slush – Relax Theres More Food Coming

Very early in my career, I remember being at a somewhat fancy banquet, and after the first course had been served, the waiters came to the table and placed down, what appeared to be a small bowl of sorbet.

I was told it was a "champagne intermezzo." Instead of being happy, I was more concerned that somehow they had forgotten about our main dish and skipped right to dessert. Not wanting to make a fuss, I ate, wondering what going to happen next.

What happened next was a very nice Veal Oscar. Relieved, I admitted to a tablemate the sorbet had caught me a bit off guard. After a few chuckles, it was explained that an intermezzo was a small, refreshing palate cleanser served in between courses.

So, while you are more than welcome to use this black pepper blackberry slush as a dessert, Im hoping you give it as try as an intermezzo at your next dinner party. Some of you may call this a "granita," and it is very similar, but its not quite as icy as that. This has a softer, slushier texture.

I made a very small batch, as I only had a half-pint of blackberries, but you can double or triple this easily for a bigger group. You can also make it the day before, "slush it," and keep it frozen until needed. I hope you give it a try soon, but do me a favor, and warn your guests, so theyre not worried the meal is over. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 cup blackberries

2 1/2 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons water

pinch of black pepper

very small pinch of salt

View the complete recipe

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Kidney beans Black eye peas vegetables Healthy soup

Yesterday I made this yummy soup for dinner. This smells awesome and tastes delicious. Apart from haing excellent smell and taste we have to look at the another important and intresting feature of this recipe. It is healthy and can be had with roti(Indian Bread) or Bread or Rolls. We had with toasted white bread. You can also have this soup with out any bread. You can modify this recipe to your taste, that is you can add more spices or reduce the spices and cook. You can even choose your favorite vegges also. That is why I like this soup a lot. Try it and you will ike it for sure.

Ingredients
Kidney beans 1/2 cup
Black eye peas-1/2cup
water as required
carrot-1 medium size sliced
Tomato-1 medium size schopped
Cauliflower/broccili-1/2cup florets
Green chili-2
salt to taste
Method

I am making the mild spicy version of this recipe. you can prepare it to you taste by reducing or increasing the amout of ingredients. Wash and soak Kidney beans and Black eye peas for about 4-6hrs.
Now take a pressure cooker and add Kidney beans, black eye peas, chili, carrot, tomato, cauliflower and cook it for 3 whistles by adding required amout of salt. When all the pressure escapes from the cooker open it and mix well with spoon. Serve hot.

For more spicy version
Prepere tempering (talimpu/thadka). For this heat 2tbsp of oil in a pan and add 1tbsp of cumin seeds and 1/2tbsp of fresh garlic crushed. When the garlic turns golden brown mix with the cooked soup. You can also add 1/4tbsp cumin powder and 1/4tbsp of coriander powder and cook it again.

Garnish with coriander/cilantro and serve hot.

Hope you like my recipe.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Lady in Red and Black and White

{Dress: ManRepeller, Blazer: Zara, Jewelry: Arden B., Express, Shades: Thierry Lasry, Shoes: Sam Edelman}

photos by Monique Dolbin

Welcome back, to pictures of me wearing cute outfits! Todays installment has two exciting components.

First of all, I get to blogger-model my amazing red Man Repeller dress. Literally, this dress was designed by Leandra Medine, of Man Repeller fame. Sadly for all of you, the dress was only available for a limited time, but just so you know, the proceeds went to charity and the fabric is a divine silk. Jealous??

To be honest, I dont see whats repellent about it: its red, its got dainty straps, and it shows some leg. Im pretty sure those are all surefire ways to propel men your way. I decided it needed a little help in the form a black and white tuxedo jacket and heels with spikes on em. Now thats how you keep the boys away.

The second component to this post is to unveil the special offer from the amazing photographer who snapped these shots of me looking super glam for CupcakesOMG! readers (read: you too can look amazing in your own pictures!).

As I mentioned earlier this week, Monique is a fantastic photographer who recently launched her professional photography business. As part of this launch and new partnership with CupcakesOMG!, shes put together a super cool offer for folks looking for anything from great Facebook or LinkedIn pictures, gifts for family (or other strangers who want pictures of you--thats your business to be weird), headshots, or just something for you to look at when youre feeling blue and say, "damn, I look good."

Monique will be holding 30-minute mini-sessions at a set location in the DC and NoVA area for CupcakesOMG! readers!!! (dates TBD). You can select from four options:

$45 for 2 images
$75 for 4
$110 for 6
$150 for all

Thats it! The price includes the sitting fee and the images. Availability is limited, so if youd like to reserve a spot, reach out soon via Moniques website. Of course, if youd like a longer session with multiple looks, you can always reach out to Monique for more inquiries.

Ive gotten several questions over the last few days regarding my make up, and yes, I did do it myself. And yes, I agree--it does look great. So for an even extra exciting offer, I will be available for make-up applications for another $25.

I mean, really, who DOESNT want pictures of themselves walking and smiling and holding their designer coffee-drink in the big city???

I mean, really???

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Black Channa Rice

I love Black Channa in any dish. Last week I had soaked channa in my fridge, and then thought to make use of them for my lunch box.

So tried this rice and it came out so tasty!! Loved it!!

This simple rice is not only colorful and vibrant but also low in calories and nutritious too. This tangy rice is prepared by using black channa, tomato puree, green chillies, onions and basmati rice

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice – 1 cup

Black Channa – 1 cup

Onion – 1 no

Green chillies – 4 to 5 no

Ginger garlic paste – 1 tsp

Cloves – 2 no

Cinnamon stick – 1’’ inch

Cardamom – 1 no

Tomato paste – ½ cup

Coriander leaves – 2 tsp

Salt as Required

Oil – 3 tsp

Preparation

Soak Black Channa overnight and pressure cook them with salt for 5 to 6 whistles or cook for ½ hr.

Wash Basmati Rice and soak them in water for 30 minutes.

In pan heat oil, add ginger garlic paste and cook for 1 min.

Now add cloves, cinnamon sticks, cardamom and sauté for few minutes.

Add onions and green chillies and mix well.

Add soaked and cleaned black chickpeas and mix well

Add tomato puree, coriander leaves and mix well

Cook for 5 mins.

Add basmati rice by draining water and mix well.

Now take the above mixed spices, rice in rice cooker add water, lemon juice and salt and cook well.

Serve with raita or curry.

Sending this to Food Palette - Black hosted by Akheela, HCC - Healthy Lunchboxes hosted by Anamika originally started by Smita, Dish it Out : Tomato and Chilli hosted by Reva originally started by Vardhini