Cheese Ravioli with Tomato Basil & Cream Sauce

Ravioli, by far, is my preferred pasta choice over any others, and I tend to be partial towards places which serve a good plate of Cheese Ravioli cooked in Creamy Tomato sauce. I don't like the plain marinara sauce with my Ravioli, and white sauce gets too heavy, so whenever we make Stuffed Ravioli at home, I go for a Tomato Basil and Cream sauce, which is a best of both the worlds! Filled with the goodness of tomatoes, spiced with basil and herbs, and with just a hint of cream to give it the smooth texture, this sauce is a perfect accompaniment to any stuffed ravioli, be it mushroom, spinach or cheese! Just sprinkle some Parmesan on the top and you are good to go. Try this Cheese Ravioli with homemade Tomato Basil Cream sauce and you'll never miss the restaurant recipe again!Ingredients1 packet of spinach raviolisParmesan cheese - for garnishslivered almonds - for garnishRavioli Sauce1 cup fresh tomatoes1/2 small onion - chopped3 garlic cloves - minced2 tbsp butter4 tbsp parmesan cheese2 tsp basil flakes1/2 tsp oregano1/4 cup whipping creamsalt & pepper - to tasteMethodBoil the tomatoes for 4-5 mins or until tender; Chop the onions and saute them in some oil till they look pinkish and glazed. Add the minced garlic and saute for another 1 minute.Now blend the tomatoes, onions and garlic mixture to form a smooth paste.Add some butter to a non-stick pan, then add the tomato sauce and let it boil on medium-flame. Add the basil and oregano, salt and pepper, and let it simmer.Whisk the whipping cream and the Parmesan cheese in a separate bowl to form a thick mixture. Reduce the flame to low, and add this mixture to the tomato sauce.Meanwhile, cook the cheese ravioli in boiling water as instructed on the packet.To ServeLayer the cooked ravioli in a dish, then top it with a generous coating of the sauce. Garnish with some more Parmesan cheese, slivered almonds and basil flakes. Serve your delicious restaurant-style Cheese Ravioli with Tomato Basil & Cream Sauce and flatter your friends and family! Off this goes to DK's AWED-Italian Food event, and also to Harini's Food in Color featuring Red this month!

Khasta (Raj) Kachori - Indian Chaat Dish

One of my best foodie memories of my hometown is waiting in line for a 3 rupees Khasta Kachori in a small 4 ft x 4 ft roadside food stall so I could satiate my craving for a spicy & tangy indian chaat!! Khasta Kachori, also known as Raj Kachori or Daal Kachori is a popular street-food in India. "Khasta" actually means "flaky", so this is essentially a flat disc-shaped kachori which is filled with a delicious moong dal mixture, then deep fried, and later stufed with potatoes, sev, onions and chutneys. Next to sev-puri, this is my favorite chaat, and once you try it, I bet it will become your favorite too!Sia asked for Street Food for this edition of Coffee's MBP, and I finally got a chance to try my hand at Richa's Khasta Kachori recipe, which I had bookmarked for quite some time now. I followed her recipe to a large extent, except that I added moong dal to the filling, and used all-purpose flour for the crust. I also modified a few spices according to my taste. It looks intimidating at first, but is not that tough. With a little help from my cousin, I was able to make my Khasta Kachori; they didn't puff up as much as Richa's, but it tasted great and we absolutely loved it!! Its totally worth the effort! Believe me, this is definitely something you'd NOT want to miss!!IngredientsFor the Crust2 cups plain flour (maida)1/4 cup ghee - melted1/4 tsp soda (fruit salt)1/2 tspn saltabout 1 cup warm water (approx) - to knead the doughFor the Filling1/2 cup yellow moong dal (split yellow gram)1 tspn cumin seeds (jeera)1/4 tspn asafoetida1 tspn ginger-green chilli paste1 tspn chilli powder1 tspn garam masala1 tbsp amchur powder(dry mango powder)2 tbsp Bengal gram flour (besan)3 tbsp oilsalt to tasteTo Serve green cilantro chutneykhajur-imli chutneythin yogurtboiled potatoes - chopped finelyonions - chopped finelychopped corianderthin sevMethod Make the Dough for the CrustMix all the ingredients and knead into a firm dough by using a little water at a time. Knead properly for at least 5 to 7 minutes, but keep it hard and firm. Remember, it should be harder than regular chapati flour, as the kachoris need to be thick and flaky. Cover with a wet muslin cloth and leave for 30 mins.Make the FillingSoak the moong dal in water for at least 6 hours. Then drain the water and set aside.Heat the oil in a pan, add the jeera and asafoetida. When the seeds crackle put the soaked and drained moong dal and fry for a few seconds.Add the green chilli-ginger paste, chilli powder, garam masala, gram flour, amchur and salt. Stir for 5-7 minutes till all the masalas are cooked properly. Pulse this mixture in a food processor to form a coarse-to-fine powder. Divide the mixture into 12 equal parts and shape each part into a ball.Make the KachoriDivide the dough into 12 parts. Take each part, roll into a circle of 2" diameter. Add the mixture to the center, then roll the dough over it to cover the filling. Pinch the ends together, then roll it out again gingerly to make a 2 " disc. Make sure that the filling does not spill out.Lightly press the centre of the kachori with a thumb. Now deep fry them in hot oil over a slow flame till they puff up and turn golden brown on both sides. Drain on a tissue paper and keep aside.Assemble the KachoriKeep one kachori on a plate and a crack a hole in the centre of it. Fill it with 3 to 4 tbsp of the beaten yogurt. Add the chopped potatoes and onions, then drizzle with the green chutney, tamarind chutney, and chopped coriander. Sprinkle the sev on top.Serve this delicious Khasta Kachori as a perfect evening snack, serve two of these and you are pretty much done with dinner! Hope you enjoy this kachori chaat as much as we did!

Ideas on Hosting a Cocktail Party

Cocktail parties are a fun way to catch up with old friends, or entertain people from work. And they are so much easier to plan and execute as these parties last for mostly an hour or two, and as the menu has only drinks and appetizers, perhaps some desserts, they do not require a lot of work! The other thing I love about cocktail parties is that they can easily be hosted inside your house, out on a patio or club-house, or you can choose to host a happy-hour at a restaurant or cafe, which can be a great option for someone who is short on time or doesn't need the pain of planning a party. Whatever your incentive, here are a few tips that can help you host a successful cocktail party, and master the art of entertaining! (img source: wikimedia )Know Your GuestsThis is extremely important because you have only a couple of hours to dazzle your guests and play the perfect host! So think ahead about who your guests are and their preferences. Are their vegetarians in the group, or people who'd prefer virgin drinks and sodas over cocktails? Is this a conservative work group or a gathering for friends? Will they prefer loud music or soft instrumentals in the background? Think about these things and consider it while deciding on the venue, decor and the menu. Check out online resources or entertaining magazines, or good old food-network for ideas and tips; this helps to give shape to what you might have in mind!The Purpose and OccasionThe success of a party depends largely on what you plan to accomplish by hosting it. If you are just trying to catch up with old school friends you haven't met in quite some time, you'd have to go for neutral choices in food. If you are entertaining your boss and his family, or colleagues from work, trying to attract a promotion or get into someone's good books, it pays to take an extra step in knowing their favorites so you can impress them! If its just a bunch of people hanging out on friday night, or a high-tea with movies and games, you don't need to fret that much as you know your friends and their taste.Planning AheadNo matter what kind of a party it is, it always pays off to maintain a list of your invitees, and another task List that you can check-off as you finish things. Keep sections like guest list, catering options, menu items, grocery list, contact numbers, etc so you know what's missing and you don't get frantic at the last minute! If this is a formal or theme party with a dress-code, make sure you inform everyone about it, as well as check to see that you are ready for the theme party too! I've seen so many instances where parties turn sour because some of the guests did not know you were supposed to be "dressed formally", or because they think "Jeans" is "formal", while others are dressed in tuxedos and blazers! If this is an event aimed at having fun, think about simple drinking games that you can enjoy while talking and lounging, not something you have to rack your brains for!!Hiring Caterers or BartendersAgain, based on why you are entertaining, choose a location to host the party. Your house works fine for casual gatherings, but if you need this to go perfect, try hiring professional terers as they are trained for this! Here's a site that can help you find places that host a Happy-Hour. They also have a wider range of food and drink options to choose from, and you don't have to worry about anything except paying them and impressing your guests! if you have a fancy bar in your house that you are keen to show off, consider hiring a bartender who's familiar with several drink recipes (or just ask him to take a look at the right sidebar of this blog for some great recipes!:))Food and DrinksA cocktail party menu is generally more stress-free than other parties as you mostly serve appetizers or finger-foods, drinks and desserts. Choose 3-4 entrees, at least one of them vegetarian, and choose individual desserts, mainly petit-fours or tarts and cakes. Decide on what you want to cook at home and what you'd rather order from outside. It's good to balance between time and money. If you are doing this at your house,it might be a good idea to ask for help your family or friends or guest so they can come in early and help you with the cooking, cleaning, decoration and setting up the place. As Cocktails are the highlights, decide on what you'd like to serve. Here's a cocktail drink-dictionary if you are not familiar with the gazillion options available; mixed drinks with seasonal fruit flavors, coffee or shakes work best. Also keep room for sodas and virgin drinks for people who do not take alcohol. Select strong or mild alcohol depending on the time of the party. You can't serve whiskey at 4 pm!! Wine goes best with any kind of food as long as you pair it well. Here's a good read on wine-and-food-pairing.Enjoy YourselfPlaying a host doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy yourself. Planning ahead is crucial so it leaves you to mingle with your friends and entertain without being stressed. After all, its your gig, and you control the way you want the party to go! So keep these effective tips in mind the next time you plan a cocktail party and you can be sure to win accolades for being a perfect host!Related Articles:Celebrating Halloween - Martha Stewart StyleHow to Make Candied Edible FlowersIdeas on Hosting a Sweet Sixteen Party

Whey Protein & Its Role in your Diet

Being a vegetarian since birth, a lot of people ask me how I fulfill the need of proteins in my diet. Do I use protein powders? Well, as most other vegetarians, getting enough protein into our system just by means of diet can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you are trying to gain or lose weight and are on a special fitness regime. I have used protein shakes while following diets, so I'm going to try to address a few basic points about protein isolates, especially whey protein, and what role they play in your daily life.Protein Powders have long been associated with Bodybuilding, as they are primarily used by those who like to build muscles and beef up their bodies through heavy weight-lifting and exercise. However, protein powder is not just for bodybuilders or those hoping to bulk up and become macho!A human body needs daily protein because that is what muscles and tissues are built from, and there is no place where the body can store extra protein. The need for adequate protein in the human body is second only to the need for water. Research has proved that ingesting protein powder every day can boost your immune system, speed up recovery of wounds after surgery or injury, and promote healthy skin, all this by increasing muscle strength and development. Types of Protein PowdersProtein powders are made from four basic sources - Whey (from milk), Egg, Soy and Rice(vegetable protein). Just like any other supplements available in the powder form, Protein powders can contain one or more of the above protein forms processed into the powdered form, so its easy to mix and incorporate into your food. Adding them to water or milk and ingesting it as a protein Shake is one of the most preferred choices!Importance of Whey ProteinOut of all of these protein supplements, whey protein has the highest biological value as it gives you more usable gram of amino acids than the other forms. It is recommended to consume between 1 and 1.5 grams of quality protein per pound of body weight each day. Just make sure you divide your total protein consumption into 4-5 meals per day, which ensures create an anabolic effect, that build more muscle and burns more fat.Lots of people consider using Whey Protein Isolates to compensate for the protein deficiency in their diet. Whey Isolate contains around 90 - 96% protein; this process has more of the lactose and fat content removed from the powder, so you get a higher quality protein. Talk to a nutritionist to compare the different types of Whey protein forms, like Isolates vs Concentrates, or a blend of both. Athletes and bodybuilders need a higher level of protein for faster muscle build-up and hence their needs would be different than an average person. Your trainer or nutritionist can guide you through the process and help you choose what's right for you.For beginners, here is an excellent writeup on understanding Whey Protein. As a part of my diet and exercise plan, I've used Whey Isolates in the form of protein shakes as there's no way I could get the recommended daily intake by means of cereals, pulses and vegetables. And personally, I would recommend the Optimum brand protein powders for quality. However, if you are just an average individual with no special fitness plan, you can easily get your protein from natural sources like fish and seafood, dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt, beans, lentils, soy, eggs, lean red meat, etc. However, make sure you do not go overboard than your required protein intake, as excess of anything is poison!I hope this simple writeup helps you understand the importance of Protein in your diet, understand the different forms of proteins available, especially Whey (vegetarian protein), discuss your options with a nutritionist and choose the one that's right for you. There's no reason to sacrifice your health, even during the holiday season!

Best of 2008 - Recipe Collection

Time flies faster than you think, and its already time to bid farewell to 2008, and welcome the New year with open arms and loads of dreams and aspirations. This has indeed been a very eventful year for us, both professionally and personally, and 2008 is definitely one of our most memorable years. I'm not going to bore you with details about why it is so, but I would surely like to thank all of you, my blogosphere friends, my readers, subscribers, silent followers and the enthusiastic commentors who keep Fun and Food a cheery place for food-lovers from around the world! This year also saw the launch of Fun and Food Cafe, and thanks for showering your love and support for the new baby just as you have shown to my blog; I'm happy and proud to see that FFCafe has started attracting more traction than I hD expected.You might have seen a tiny drop in the number of posts on this blog, but that is just because I have enveloped the doctrine that Quality is indeed better than Quantity, at least as far as Food goes - so as personal life gets a bit more demanding, I shall promise to keep delivering good food, nutrition advice and keep sharing all my ideas with you here as well as at Fun and Food Cafe - so keep reading for there's lots more coming in the New Year!And now, without further ado, here are some of my favorite 2008 Recipes and Articles. Just a recap for those who need a few ideas as you still indulge in the holiday season. I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we did! Off this goes to Srivalli, who's hosting the Best of 2008 event this month!Best of 2008 - Savory TidbitsSpicy Tomato & Bell-Pepper RicePaneer & Sun-Dried Tomato MuffinsInstant Microwave Khandvi(Suralichiwadi)Vegetarian Zucchini Crab CakesSpinach Fettucini with Garlic & Cherry TomatoesMoong Dal Kachori (basket kachori)Cheese Ravioli with Tomato-Basil Cream SauceGujarati-Style Handvo - Vegetable Cornmeal CakeTri-Colored Dhokla SandwichVegetarian Schezwuan Hakka NoodlesBest of 2008 - Curries & GraviesKashmiri Dum AlooHyderabadi Baghare BainganTandoori Paneer Tikka with Mango DressingStuffed Bell Peppers (Bharoni Shimla Mirch)Mixed Vegetable KormaPaneer Butter MasalaBhindi Masala with Peanuts & CoconutLauki(Ghiye) ke KofteBest of 2008 - Desssert RecipesChocolate Nutella CookiesFudgy Mocha Pistachio BrowniesSpiced Apple Bread RecipeLayered Chocolate Cake with White FrostingBaked Strawberry Dessert PuddingMoist Espresso Kahlua BrowniesChocolate Banana BreadNo-Bake Mini CheesecakesRaspberry Jelly Swiss Roll CakeRasgulla - Traditional Bengali SweetPanna Cotta with Balsamic StrawberriesMango Cake with Streusel ToppingWish you all a wonderful and joyous 2009. May you be blessed with health and happiness, and of course, good food!:)

Homemade Garlic Bread - Caprese Style

I love Garlic Bread, especially when its fresh homemade bread where I am free to indulge in the toppings that I please! A salad or a bowl of your favorite pasta is never complete unless accompanied by a few pieces of sizzling hot and cheesy Garlic bread. I try to be innovative with my toppings to bring out the variety and though Bruschetta toppings are my preferred option, this time we tried to make something similar to a Caprese salad. Inspired by the Italian traditional Caprese, I used thick tomatoes, Cheddar and Mozarella with a hint of basil as a delicate topping for our homemade Garlic Bread.Ingredients1 loaf of Italian bread or French bread1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened2 large cloves of garlic, smashed and minced1 tbsp olive oil1 heaping tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)Caprese Toppings7-8 thickly sliced tomatoescheddar and mozarella cheese - shredded** or use fresh slices of thick white Mozarella cheesedry basil flakes (optional)MethodPreheat oven to 350°F. Cut the bread in half, horizontally, and keep aside.Heat the olive oil in a pan, just enough to warm it. Now add the minced garlic to the oil. Let it roast for about 2 minutes on low flame. Remove from heat and let it cool a little.Then mix the butter, roasted garlic, and parsley together in a small bowl. Spread butter mixture over the the two bread halves. Place on a sturdy baking pan and Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes.Remove pan from oven. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over bread if you want. Top with the thick sliced tomatoes, sprinkle some more shredded Mozarella and Cheddar on the top, and finish with Basil flakes.Return to oven on the highest rack. Broil on high heat for 2-3 minutes until the edges of the bread begin to toast and the cheese bubbles slightly. Do not go for more than 3 seconds as the bread can burn and brown very easily!Remove from oven and let it cool for a minute. Now cut into 2-inch slices, or larger if you choose, and serve the piping hot Caprese-style Garlic bread with your favorite pasta or salad!Note: You can even chop the tomatoes instead of slicing them if you want thinner pieces to serve. Related RecipesIndian Bruschetta (Chana Masala Bruschetta)Cheesy Breakfast MuffinsTomato Herb & Cheese Bread
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How to Prevent Food Poisoning?

Last week, we had a rough time with quite a few of our family members trying to fight a dose of what doctors could only call "Food Poisoning"; with 3 out of 7 of us falling sick with severe stomach aches, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, it was hard to single out the food that could have caused this. One of our cousins even had to be hospitalized while the other 2 rattled on with the pain and medication at home. Unfortunately, cases like these have been significantly on the rise all over US in the past few months, so it becomes imperative to monitor what you eat, even if you cook your own meals at home, as we did, and take extreme caution and care in making sure you follow a few simple guidelines to keep those virus and bacteria at bay!Food Poisoning is a very common problem that people are facing these days, and though most mild cases can be cured naturally within 2-3 days, this is not something that can be ignored. In fact, not taking proper care can lead to really dangerous consequences or complications. More than 250 different diseases can cause food poisoning, and a recent News feature showed that 1 out of every 3 people in the US are becoming victims to Salmonella poisoning. Here's a great writeup and explanation about the different types of virus & Bacteria that cause Food Posioning, and here's a specific one about Salmonella Poisoning.A Few Symptoms To Look For* An upset stomach or nausea* Feeling bloated and heavy* Painful stomach cramps * Pain in any part of abdomen in varying degree* Having diarrhoea and/or fever Listed above are just a few symptoms that hint that you might be suffering from food poisoning. Ask your friends or family who's eaten similar meals like you in the past few days if they are having similar symptoms; if not, it could be something else altogether. Sometimes feeling sick from food poisoning shows up within hours of eating the bad food. At other times, it may take upto several days to kick in. With mild cases of food poisoning, you will not feel sick for very long and will soon be feeling fine again. If you throw up, your body has most likely eliminated the "bad food", but if the above symptoms do not wear off in a couple days, consult your doctor immediately. Its better to be safe than sorry. And keep yourself hydrated by drinking loads of water, juices, preferably lemonade, and avoid heavy, starchy or acidic food.Here are some tips one can follow to prevent Food Poisoning, or at least mitigate its effects.1. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating or cooking with them. Steamed, Baked or cooked food is always better in terms of preventing spread of bacteria than raw food, especially for some vegetables.2. When shopping for perishable foods, avoid packaging that is torn, or looks really old. Wilted leafy greens and fruits with saggy skin, or browned bananas have probably been lying there for a long time, and its good to pass on them.3. Look at your food to see any visual signs of staleness, and smell it too. If something looks or smells different from normal, check with another person before eating or drinking it. When in doubt, its better to throw it away than get infected!3. Leftovers should be preserved carefully in air-tight containers or wrapped in bags, and should be stored in refrigerators. Also, its always a good idea to re-heat your food, especially leftovers as heat will destroy major bacteria.4. Never use stuff after the Expiration date - those dates have been printed for a good cause; don't give in to the urge of saving a few bucks by consuming expired food as it could cost you your health.5. Avoid raw food like uncooked sprouts, poultry or eggs. Thoroughly wash all your salad greens too before using them as spinach and similar leafy vegetables can contain contaminants.6. Use different utensils (knives, cutting board, vessels, etc) for meats and produce, or wash them thoroughly between use.7. Try cooking at home as much as possible, and avoid any restaurants and eateries that you may think do not follow the cleaning guidelines correctly. In fact, report such places so some action can be taken against them. Insist on eating hot/warm food even at restaurants, to minimize chances of infection.These are just a few tips to help you make sure you are doing your best in preventing food poisoning. WebMD has a good read on Myths About Food Poisoning, in case you are interested in some additional tips. Remember, Health is Wealth, and though this may not seem like a disease or ailment you'd be too worried about, let me tell you that it can get really ugly when someone in your family bundles up with acute pain, fever and keeps throwing up every now and then. So do your best to prevent the spread of food-borne diseases, and keep yourself and your family healthy.
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