Jackfruit (Kathal in Hindi): A culinary adventure...

This was quite an adventurous weekend from a culinary perspective. My 10 year old asks his dad, "What is one of your favorite vegetables?" and dad's reply, "Jackfruit or popularly known as Kathal in Hindi." So we hunted it down and then began the process of actually cooking it. I have never cooked the vegetable/fruit in my life but loved eating it every single time in India so I tried to replicate it from memory. It was quite a tall order for me too. Lets say it took a few hours from start to finish and was fried so not one of my healthiest recipes. It will be interesting to see if there is any other way to cook it. I have experience only with the fried version.That said, it turned out exactly as I remember and was a huge success so well worth the hard work. It is also called the Vegetarians meat dish since it has quite a few similarities with goat curry.

Jackfruit cooked Curry style

History of Jackfruit: Jackfruit is native to South East Asia and is believed to have originated in the Western Ghats of India, present day Goa, Kerela and coastal Karnataka.

Description: It has a starchy and Fibrous texture and is a great source of easily digestible fiber. It is also a good source of the antioxidant Vitamin C. Jackfruit seeds are rich in protein and also has Vitamin B6, potassium, Calcium and Iron. It has a distinctive musky with a hint of sweet and fruity aroma. The only comparison I can make texture wise is with a pineapple.

Whole/halved, cut into pieces and frying

Fried

Ready to serve

This endeavor took about 4 hours and that's why you do not see a full recipe with it. Only seriously interested people will get the recipe emailed to them. 

Thanks a lot. 

Caramelized Upside-Down Banana Cake

What do I do with over ripe Bananas? I am sure there is about a million things you can do with them. First and most common use of ripe Bananas is in Traditional Banana Bread and even though I love it, it sounds boring today. I am in the mood for something new, more exciting, adventurous, creative. Something I have not tried before. You get my drift...

I have made the authentic Upside-Down Pineapple Cake several times and another huge favorite is the Pear Upside-Down Gingerbread. Fear not, its Fall so I am sure I will be making it this season. So I am trying this Banana Upside-Down Cake inspired by yet another favorite of mine, "Banana Foster". Bananas go extremely well in baking, caramelizing with brown sugar and Flambeing so this should work well. This recipe is an adaptation from Avery Cooks.

Caramelized Upside-Down Banana Cake

RECIPE: Caramelized Upside-Down Banana Cake

Ingredients
1 stick Butter, unsalted
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
3-4 Bananas, sliced in half horizontally, then slice each half vertically into 3-4 pieces
1 TBSP Rum, optional
Dry Ingredients:
1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1/2 Cup Sugar
2 tsp Baking Powder
pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients:
1 Egg
1/2 Cup Buttermilk (you can substitute it with half cup milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar mixed in)
1/3 Cup Greek Yogurt
3 Tbsp Canola Oil
2 tsp Vanilla Extract

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Have a 9" Springform pan ready. A regular 9" cake pan will be too shallow. You can also use a flat bottom glass bowl if you have it.
2. Melt the butter and pour into the cake pan. Swirl it around to cover all the nooks and crannies.
3. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the butter and fan the banana slices over it like a wheel and place them close together. Fill in all the gaps with smaller pieces. You can also put some slices around the circumference of the pan. If using the rum pour it over the banana slices.
4. Whisk together the dry ingredients 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder and a pinch of salt in a bowl.
5. In another bowl whisk the wet ingredients. 1 large Egg, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/3 cup greek yogurt, 3 tbsp canola oil and 2 tsp Vanilla.
6. Fold in the wet ingredients with the dry using a spatula. It will be lumpy so do not over mix, just enough to mix it in.
7. Carefully pour the batter into the pan so as not to move the banana slices.
8. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until it is set. insert the toothpick and make sure it comes out clean.
9. Make sure you allow the cake to cool before you invert, slice and serve. You can serve it with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or some vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients you will need

Sliced Bananas

Melted butter in the springform pan

Layer the brown sugar evenly on top of the butter

Fan the banana slices over it like a wheel and place them close together. Fill in all the gaps with smaller pieces. You can also put some slices around the circumference of the pan. You can pour a TBSP of Rum if you want at this point.

Whisk together the dry ingredients 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder and a pinch of salt in a bowl.

In another bowl whisk the wet ingredients. 1 large Egg, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/3 cup greek yogurt, 3 tbsp canola oil and 2 tsp Vanilla.

Fold in the wet ingredients with the dry using a spatula. It will be lumpy so do not over mix, just enough to mix it in. Pour it over the bananas and bake for 40-45 minutes.

Fresh out of the oven

Hope you enjoy this special treat with your friends and family. Please tag me on facebook and Instagram or send me pictures of things you try and don't forget to recommend this site to your friends.

Apple Coffeecake Mini Loaves

So many happy occasions today, my neighbor was blessed with twins, a boy and a girl a couple weeks ago. I have a little something for the babies but I wanted to bake something special for the mom so I decided to make these as mini loaves today. We can celebrate the babies and its the first day of Fall so this Fall Classic absolutely fits the bill. My house smells divine with the aromas of stewed apples, cinnamon and caramelized brown sugar. 

I usually make it in a bundt pan or a 9" round cake pan (baking time would be 350 degree for about 50-55 minutes).

I ALWAYS buy organic apples as apples are more susceptible to bugs, hence the use of heavy pesticides in Apple farming. I also keep the skin on the apples, I don't like to peel and throw away the most nutritious part. Apple skin contains most of the fiber and vitamins. Apple skin also helps in breathing, protects your memory and prevents certain cancers. I have read so many articles on why you should never peel your apples. To read an article from the Huffington Post click here.

Apple Coffeecake Mini Loaves

RECIPE: Apple Coffeecake Mini Loaves

Ingredients

For Cake:
1 1/2 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 Cup (half Stick) Butter
1 Egg
3 Apples, Medium size, cored and chopped (I like to keep peel on)

For Crumble:
1/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar (packed)
1/2 Cup Chopped Macadamia nuts or nuts of choice
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a 9" round pan or in this case 4 mini loaf pans with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, butter, egg , flour, baking powder and salt. It will be very crumbly the moisture will come in from the apples while baking.
3. Stir in the apples and spoon into prepared pan.
4. In a small bowl mix the brown sugar, cinnamon and macadamia nuts for the crumble.
5. Spoon in onto the cake mixture and bake it in the oven for 37-40 minutes.
6. Let it cool in the pans a little before you put them on a platter. 

Chopped Apples with Peels

beat the sugar, butter, egg , flour, baking powder and salt. It will be very crumbly the moisture will come in from the apples while baking.

Whole Hazelnuts

Brown Sugar, Cinnamon and roughly crushed Hazelnuts for crumble

Cake mix with apples spooned into the pans

Crumble mix on top of cake mixture

Let it cool a little and unmould

Serve it warm with a cup of coffee or a dollop of ice cream on top. Hope you and your family enjoy making this treat.

4 Ingredient Brownies

Is there anyone on the planet who does not like Brownies especially with a glass of cold milk. These are the moistest, chewiest and fudgiest brownies ever. Had to try a few different times to get these perfect for you. You have to try these best-est ever cakey on the outside and fudgy on the inside recipe and judge for yourselves if this can be crowned the KING of Brownie recipes.

Nutella being the star ingredient, stock up on it because I guarantee you'll be making it often. I use cupcake liners and recently bought the silicone ones from Crate and Barrel (click here to buy) and they work like a charm. They are great since you can use them stand alone on a baking sheet and won't need any muffin tins.

This is such an easy (here it is again, I was trying to avoid using the word) recipe that your kids will love making it under your supervision.

4 Ingredient Brownies

RECIPE: 4 Ingredient Brownies

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Nutella

2 large Eggs

2/3 Cup All Purpose White Flour

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

2 tbsp Walnuts, chopped and totally optional (we like them plain)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Line the cupcake tray with cupcake liners.

3. In a mixing bowl, add the Nutella and egg.  Mix it well.

4. Next add the flour and vanilla extract.  Mix until all the flour is incorporated.

5. If adding nuts, chop the walnuts and add to the batter.  Mix it well.

6. Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners.

7. Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, I baked mine for 20 minutes exactly.

8. Allow this to cool completely before serving, the center is so gooey... YUMMY!

Hope you enjoy them with your family and friends. Don't forget to leave a comment below. Until next time...

Antipasto for Dinner

On days that I don't feel like cooking much (apart from grilling a few Zucchini and Yellow Squash slices) this is a fairly simple but lavish spread. All my boys love this for a change from our usual dinner and we kick off the weekend on a happy, fun and exciting note.

This feast consists of the following goodies. Best thing is there are no rules and there are no recipes so go all out and pair with whatever your heart desires.

FRUITS: Fresh Brown Figs and Sweet Babydoll Grapes (you can use regular, i found them fresh so they went well with my off-beat theme :)

MEATS: Prosciutto (dry cured ham), Sopressata, Dry Coppa (rubbed with black pepper and wine)

CHEESES: Bucheron (soft ripened goat cheese) and Brie (I love it with a little drizzle of fresh honey)

OLIVES: Stuffed Green and Pitted Black ones cured in oil.

VEGGIES: Grilled Zucchini (on a cast iron grill pan) and a medley of pickled veggies and banana peppers (carrots, bell peppers, cauliflower to name a few)

BREAD: A Crusty Roasted Garlic Bread

SALAD: Caprese (tomato, basil, mozarella medallions with a drizzle of honey balsamic vinaigrette) 

Hope you enjoy this with your friends and family. 

White Beans and Kale Soup (Vegetarian)

Last few days have been amazing with the preview of what Fall is all about. I have been loving this weather and have been craving our staple soup for fall season. Its the White Bean and Kale soup that is vegetarian, hearty and screams Fall. I have been making this for years and had to search high and low to give credit to the amazing column USA Weekend for featuring this years ago.

I know all my recipes say quick and simple a thousand times over but in all honesty it is just that and extremely satisfying. I try to purchase organic vegetables most of the time since we consume so much of them but its totally a personal preference. 

White Beans and Kale Soup

RECIPE: White Beans and Kale Soup

Ingredients
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
6-8 Garlic Cloves, chopped
1 White Onion, chopped
3-4 Cups Kale (I use both Curly, lighter color and Flat, darker color for different nutrients)
4 Cups Vegetable Broth
1 Can Cannellini  Beans (Yes! I use canned beans too, not worth soaking and boiling for such a small quantity)
1 Can White Northern Beans (do not Drain, either one)
4 Tomatoes, chopped
2 tsp Italian Seasoning powder
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 Cup Parsley, chopped
Ricotta Cheese and Parsley for garnish

Method

1. In a deep pot heat some Olive oil on medium heat. Saute the onions and garlic till they are soft and translucent.
2. Add Kale and saute till it wilts.
3. Now add the beans with the liquid, vegetable broth, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt and pepper.
4. Simmer for about 15 minutes till it thickens a little.
5. Garnish with a little dollop of Ricotta cheese (or butter) and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Serve this with some toasted Garlic and cheese bread. Hope you and your family enjoy this heart warming soup.

Chopped Kale, Garlic, Onions, Tomato and Parsley

Cut out the hard stems from Kale

And if the kids ask to save the leftovers for them you know you did something right :) They enjoyed it even more the next day for dinner. Hope you can enjoy some with your friends and family.

Banana Sushi...What?

My 6 year old comes back from school and demands (few tears were shed) I make him some Banana Sushi. He is not a big fan of the regular Sushi so it was surprising. I asked him what he was asking me for and with his :Really Mom!" expression he politely asks me to "google it". To my surprise there are about a million versions out there.

Till date I get a different story of where he heard or saw Banana Sushi but I am so grateful he discovered it. Its our favorite snack these days and its super balanced and healthy. I have my own version of it with Hemp Seeds.

Hemp is a high protein seed containing all nine of the essential amino acids. Great thing about it is that he protein is a very digestible form and easily absorbed. It also has high amounts of fatty acids and fiber as well as containing vitamin E and trace minerals. It has a balanced ratio of omega 3 to 6 fats at around a three to one ratio.

Banana Sushi

RECIPE: Banana Sushi

Ingredients

1 Ripe Banana
1 Tbsp Peanut Butter (yes! I like JIF)
1 Tbsp Hemp Seeds (You can use anything you have)

Method

1. Peel the banana and slather it with peanut butter. Sprinkle hemp seeds on it and cut into slices. Is this easy or what. You can use any seeds you have, Chia, Flax even crushed nuts like Pistachios, Walnuts, Cashews. Get creative and send me pictures of your own version.

This is making me so hungry. Time to eat some Banana Sushi with a cup of coffee. Hope you all have a great day.