Loquat Chutney

It's loquat season here in Bay Area. Loquats, native to China  growing in clusters are oval shaped with a yellow or orange skin. Their succulent flesh is tangy sweet. Each fruit contains three to five brown seeds. Loquat tree blooms in early winter and fruits in early spring. They make excellent chutneys, jams and preserves. Don't know why this fruit is so unpopular here. I haven't notice  any super market carrying this fruit. 

Kaju Burfi/Cashew fudge

                                                                 

Holi celabration, an ancient Indian festival of colors also known as "Phagwa" falls on full moon day in Phalgun month(February or March). Holi celebration starts on Holi eve with a public holika bonfire in an open space where people gather, sing and dance which signifies "good over evil". Next day it is a  riot of colors where people spray colored powder and water at each other. In west Bengal it is called "Boshonto utshov or Doljatra".  Holi also welcomes spring.

Chocolate covered strawberry

 Let's make elegant chocolate covered strawberries to celebrate Valentine's day or any other occasions such as baby shower, mother's day, father's day and birthdays etc. They are quite expensive to buy in stores and chocolates are not real chocolates most of time, just candy melts. It is so easy to make with best quality ingredients and takes just an hour or less. 

Steel Cut Porridge or Irish Oatmeal

Hello Everyone. Belated Happy New Year to you all.  It's not too late to make New Year's resolution with hearty staple breakfast on  weekday mornings.

 

A good day always starts with the wholegrain breakfast and a steaming bowl of hot porridge is the best. But porridge often gets a bad rap if prepared poorly. Porridge, dressed with fresh fruits, dry fruits, nuts, seeds, yogurt or milk tastes heavenly. I love porridge so much that I wouldn't even mind eating it again for dinner. 

Pomegranate Martini

Let's toast to a healthy and happy New Year with  delicious Martini.

I have been planning to make this cocktail since Thanksgiving. Due to various reasons, I wasn't able to make it earlier. I had focused on baking and cooking mostly. That's my top priority always. Finally I am ready to make this delightful sweet-tart  cocktail with freshly  home made juice for New YEAR'S  Eve. This is my first time making Martini. Fresh pomegranate juice mixed with good quality Vodka and Cointreau or Triple sec, lime juice and crushed ice make absolutely fantastic cocktail for any holidays. If you are hosting a party, serve this Martini to brighten up the celebration.

Eggnog

                                            

Christmas spirit is quite incomplete without Eggnog, a festive drink at most households. Traditional Eggnog is made of milk, sugar, heavy cream, raw eggs, vanilla and spices. This kid friendly Eggnog is made by slowly cooking the eggs with milk and sugar to eliminate salmonella poisoning. This will be part of our holiday tradition now on.

Turkey Shepherd's Pie

                                            

We had a big fancy Thanksgiving dinner with a soft n succulent turkey roasted by my friend and I knew I would make Sheppard's Turkey Pie with leftover turkey. What a wonderful way to gobble up leftover turkey!