It's been almost three months I logged on to my computer!! Nope, I can't say that I did log on to my laptop to upload loads of photos as I told you in my earlier post that I have been traveling.  I just came back from a long holiday of one and half months in Amsterdam.  Visiting family is always welcoming that too when you are needed to help them out is a blessing, as at least somebody thinks you are needed! I could say this trip which did not start as a pleasure trip ended up as a good holiday for me, especially in the last week as my sister pampered me so much and I had a good rest with no moving around and enjoying lots of TV shows and food served right onto my lap and also with loads of filled up mugs of teas and coffee every now and then what more can I ask for.  Hmmm..., that was bliss.

Are you wondering why all the fuss? well, I went to this cheese factory which I fell in love with ( stay tuned will post the pictures soon ) asked the owner if I could get some photos he was reluctant  had to convince him a lot at first then, when I showed him my website and my photos he was quite impressed (and I was glad! somebody was impressed)  after all that he gave me permission take photos, once when done I came out climbed onto the car and was about to leave the premises suddenly I remembered that I had forgotten to take a good picture of the entrance!! asked my sister to stop the car, I got out with my camera in my hand turned around walked 2 steps back trying to focus and Lo! my foot just gave away! that was unexpected.  The autumn leaves had covered a concealed little dent in the road and  I staggered and toppled onto the ground with my camera flying from my hand.  Like an acrobat, I caught hold of my camera and saved it from hitting the tar road but I simply forgot about where my leg was heading out!  Ouch! it hurt so badly I couldn't get up, tears came rolling down my cheeks without my consent like little transparent pearls of water from the colourful leaves falling to mingle with mother nature soaking my torn jeans.

I sat there for some time, as my sister never realised that I was lying on the ground it wasn't her fault, as I can't blame her for my stupidity, how could she know that I was going to fall (that was the lecture she gave me later on as she was so worried about my leg). Actually, the lady from the next farm saw me in the act she could have waved at my sister and could have pointed at me, but she walked past with her wheelie bin and came back the same way looking at me all the way!!  can't blame her either right?  It was all my fault.  Anyways I pulled my leg slowly got on to my feet dragging it through went to the car, that was when my sis realized I was in trouble, she was so terrified scolded me all the 30 minutes driving back.  Coming back home I sat to remove my shoes, when I removed my socks I knew that something had happened to my ankle it was fully blown up to my knee I had a lot of bruises, long story short I am alright now back home went to my GP she got  some x-rays done thank God! I haven't got any broken bones she suspects a stretched ligament and also declared I have sprained my ankle very badly so I need to take few more days of rest (which hasn't happened after coming back I should have stayed some more days in Amsterdam).  That's the end of my story.

winter soups

Sun  is minimal  and the days are becoming shorter as well. The warm weather  is slowly drifting away, from the brighter skies to cold, gray obscure gloomy parasol.   Colourful T-shirts and leggings are replaced with Jumpers and Jackets to ward off the nippy weather.  But, the question is  which side of the coin you are in?  Do you feel if you are slipping into a fantasy land  and dreaming of drizzling  snow steadily onto the ground like a white blanket, Hearth buzzing away furiously burning logs of firewood, the crackling sound and the puffing smoke seeping through the chimney and you cuddling on your sofa with a warm blanket, a book and a bowl of warm soup with a home made bread and enjoy the wonder world  OR  feeling somber, going through the winter blues and dripping into a cocoon only to wake up after six months!! I would prefer the dream world looking out in the window from my sofa where I can see the white crystal flakes falling obliquely into the crisp clear starry black night onto the ground against the lamp light is my favourite sight.

Winter brings us squashes of all varieties.  I buy them now and then as they literally have a long  shelf life, they don't seem to die at all.  Butternut  squash is one such winter squashes which my hubby keeps buying because he likes the soup I make out of it.  So, here is our hero today and now I have to tell you how I make it and if you like it as well ping me on one of my social media hashtag @ #myvegfare and I will be one happy blogger.

Let's get back to the recipe then...

Recipe Author : Jayasri
Recipe Type: Soup
Prep time : 10 minutes
Cook time : 20 minutes
Serves : 4
Shelf life :2 to 3 days in refrigeration

Ingredients:

1 Butternut squash (approx..750grms)
2 cloves garlic
1’’ Ginger
1 onion
1 litre vegetable stock (using stock cube)
2 sprigs of Basil
½ tbsp of oil
1 tbsp of mixed seeds (sunflower, linseed, pumpkin, sesame and chia)
6 cashew nuts
½  tsp cumin seeds
½  tsp coriander seeds
½  tsp Black pepper

Method:

Cut the squash in half and scoop out the pith by removing the seeds.  Peel the skin and cut into cubes.
In a wok/pan heat oil add cumin seeds, coriander seeds and black pepper fry for a minute then add chopped garlic, onion and ginger sauté for few minutes till the onions become translucent.
Now add the cubed squash and cook stir-frying it for 5 more minutes with a lid closed in a medium flame.  Within few minutes it gets well cooked. Add the basil leaves give a stir for few seconds within seconds it wilts.
Allow it to cool down, when it is cooling down prepare the stock using around 4 cups of water.
Once it is cool blend it in a food processor or in an Indian mixie to a smooth consistency. (Or you can pour the stock into the pan using a hand blender you can blend in batches until you get a smooth puree).
You can pass it through a sieve into a clean saucepan and pour the vegetable stock (keeping aside ¼ cup of water) season it with salt, taste and adjust the seasonings.

In a small skillet heat a tsp of oil toast the mixed seeds for few minutes with cashew nuts. Grind them into a smooth paste using little stock water add this ground paste to the saucepan and heat through gently for few more minutes keep an eye so it doesn’t get stuck to the bottom as it starts thickening. Switch off the stove, to serve ladle the soup into bowls garnish with few more basil leaves and toasted seeds.  Serve it with a bread of your choice or with crunchy croutons.

Make your own crouton:  It’s easy to make your own crouton. Crush using a pestle and mortar a clove of garlic and herb of your choice with 3 to 4 peppercorns and salt. Take a day-old bread, cut into cubes marinate the cubes with the above said mix.  Heat a little olive oil in a skillet add this marinated bread mix and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown. It’s now ready to go on the soup.

Print

Creamy Butternut Squash soup #Vegan #Glutenfree

Vegan and Gluten free winter squash soup is also creamy and delicious hearty meal in itself.

Course Soup

Cuisine International

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• 1 Butternut squash approx..750grms
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 ’’ Ginger
• 1 onion
• 1 litre vegetable stock using stock cube
• 2 sprigs of Basil
• ½ tbsp of oil
• 1 tbsp of mixed seeds sunflower, linseed, pumpkin, sesame and chia
• 6 cashew nuts
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp coriander seeds
• ½ tsp Black pepper

Instructions

• Cut the squash in half and scoop out the pith by removing the seeds. Peel the skin and cut into cubes.
• In a wok/pan heat oil add cumin seeds, coriander seeds and black pepper fry for a minute then add chopped garlic, onion and ginger sauté for few minutes till the onions become translucent.
• Now add the cubed squash and cook stir-frying it for 5 more minutes with a lid closed in a medium flame. Within few minutes it gets well cooked. Add the basil leaves give a stir for few seconds within seconds it wilts.
• Allow it to cool down, when it is cooling down prepare the stock using around 4 cups of water.
• Once it is cool blend it in a food processor or in an Indian mixie to a smooth consistency. (Or you can pour the stock into the pan using a hand blender you can blend in batches until you get a smooth puree).
• You can pass it through a sieve into a clean saucepan and pour the vegetable stock (keeping aside ¼ cup of water) season it with salt, taste and adjust the seasonings.
• In a small skillet heat a tsp of oil toast the mixed seeds for few minutes with cashew nuts. Grind them into a smooth paste using little stock water add this ground paste to the saucepan and heat through gently for few more minutes keep an eye so it doesn’t get stuck to the bottom as it starts thickening. Switch off the stove, to serve ladle the soup into bowls garnish with few more basil leaves and toasted seeds. Serve it with a bread of your choice or with crunchy croutons.

Notes

Notes: If you do not want to do it on stove top you can grill or bake in the oven until the veggies become soft. Then fry the spices in a skillet and continue as above.
Make your own crouton: It’s easy to make your own crouton. Crush using a pestle and mortar a clove of garlic and herb of your choice with 3 to 4 peppercorns and salt. Take a day-old bread, cut into cubes marinate the cubes with the above said mix. Heat a little olive oil in a skillet add this marinated bread mix and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown. It’s now ready to go on the soup

The post Creamy Butternut Squash soup #Vegan #Glutenfree appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Don't wonder why I am posting a cold soup when we still have chilled winter days here, as of my last post when we had that beautiful day the saga continued,  I needed something cold to eat as well, I did quite a lot shoots that week, as I went crazy when I saw the sun!

After long day's work in the garden, I didn't want to spend too much time in the kitchen.  I wanted to fix something quickly.  When I stood in my refrigerator my mind went blank!  kidding! my mind was blank because I hadn't made up my mind about what to cook ?  Let me make a one pot meal with rice dump everything in my cooker and that's it! My daughter came down and said make some soup mom as we have some French Bread.  So, Ok!  I know what to make,  next is which vegetable or any other ingredient? That's when I saw these bunch of Beetroots I had, actually loads of them!  I decided on making a Beetroot soup but didn't want to have it hot so decided on making it cold.  I had been chopping and trimming all my plants, I have a Bay leaf tree and a Kaffir Lime tree you must have noticed it in my last post, I used them to decorate my styling :), I used those fresh cut leaves in my soup.

This soup was so delicious for the weather, it had some sweetness and it is very easy to make.  It might not be everybody's cup of tea if you like beetroot you might like this.  But, it went so very well with my bread I had 2 cups of it, I had some left over which I had it in my fridge next day hubby came home and had it.  He loved it too.

If you try this and like it share it with me, I would love to hear from you...,

Cold Beetroot Soup or Chilled Beetroot Soup

Recipe Author: Jayasri
Recipe Type: Soups
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves : 4
Shelf time: 2 days

Ingredients:

3 Medium Sized Beetroots
1'' Ginger
3 Garlic cloves
4 Kaffir Lime Leaves
2 Cups thick Yogurt
2 to 3 tbsp Cre'me Fraiche (optional)
4 to 5 tbsp Chopped Chives/Coriander
1 tbsp Cumin seeds
2 to 3 Bay Leaves
4 Cloves
2 tsp Black pepper

Method:

Wash, Peel and chop Beetroots. Roast Cumin seeds and pepper until the cumins crackle.
In a pressure cooker take chopped Beetroots, peeled Garlic cloves, Kaffir lime leaves, Bay leaves, roasted cumin, roasted Black pepper and cloves.
Steam them all in 1 cup of water for 3 whistles.
Once cool discard  the Bay leaves and Kaffir lime leaves and rest put them in a blender and blend them into a smooth paste.
Add another half cup of water if needed when blending them into a smooth puree, to this add 2 cups of yogurt and salt blend well together.
If you want it thick and creamier add more yogurt or add water  to make it slightly semi liquidy.

Season it with pepper and salt if  you need, serve it with chopped chives or cilantro, I used chives and oven roasted crispy Kale and some croutons and some Cre'me Fraiche before serving.

Notes:

This soup is on a bit sweeter side because of the beetroots, even if you seasoned more with peppercorns it really doesn't help much, I would just say, have it as it is, with a tolerable seasoning and enjoy it as it is.If you don't find Kaffir lime leaves you can substitute with one tbsp of lemon juice or just omit it from the recipe

Print

Cold Beetroot Soup

Beetroot soup served chilled or cold is delicious during summer for a cooling tummy and also yummy to enjoy this one quick to make recipe.

Course Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch box

Cuisine International

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• 3 Medium Sized Beetroots
• 1 '' Ginger
• 3 Garlic cloves
• 4 Kaffir Lime Leaves
• 2 Cups thick Yogurt
• 2 to 3 tbsp Cre'me Fraiche optional
• 4 to 5 tbsp Chopped Chives/Coriander
• 1 tbsp Cumin seeds
• 2 to 3 Bay Leaves
• 4 Cloves
• 2 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

• Wash, Peel and chop Beetroots. Roast Cumin seeds and pepper until the cumins crackle.
• In a pressure cooker take chopped Beetroots, peeled Garlic cloves, Kaffir lime leaves, Bay leaves, roasted cumin, roasted Black pepper and cloves.
• Steam them all in 1 cup of water for 3 whistles.
• Once cool discard the Bay leaves and Kaffir lime leaves and rest put them in a blender and blend them into a smooth paste.
• Add another half cup of water if needed when blending them into a smooth puree, to this add 2 cups of yogurt and salt blend well together.
• If you want it thick and creamier add more yogurt or add water to make it slightly semi liquidy.
• Season it with pepper and salt if you need, serve it with chopped chives or cilantro, I used chives and oven roasted crispy Kale and some croutons and some Cre'me Fraiche before serving.

Notes

This soup is on a bit sweeter side because of the beetroots, even if you seasoned more with peppercorns it really doesn't help much, I would just say, have it as it is, with a tolerable seasoning and enjoy it as it is.
If you don't find Kaffir lime leaves you can substitute with one tbsp of lemon juice or just omit it from the recipe

The post Cold Beetroot Soup appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Did you all enjoy eating Pancakes yesterday, I made a special pancake for my daughter will post it soon, photos are still in my camera, need to download and sort it out.  I thought of doing it today, but it’s been a long and tiring day.  I never thought I would be so busy, joining college has taken most of my time.  It’s been a long back I did any studying so, coming back to terms with it is a big deal for me.   Cooking has become an ordeal for me these days, just  for two has become a strenuous job.  I miss my kids so much who came home  always hungry, checking out what I have in store! Cooking and baking had a purpose and  fun then.

The Day before yesterday I was talking to my sister I was telling her it’s not been a good winter this year, I felt that the weather hasn’t been that cold.  Maybe I jinxed it, already past week it’s been horrible with stormy gale force howling winds creeping  through the chimney  walls was scary and horrible to listen to.  Couldn’t even walk on the road, it was raining and so windy I thought I might fly away.   When you are out the house you know how numb your hands and feet feel the comfort of a home onto my couch with a warm shawl around me is all that I long for. And of course, I love warm and comfort food and when you are too lethargic to cook steaming Soups are the best option with lovely crusty bread is all I wish for.

I love peppers and usually have it in my pantry, I use it every possible way! I get these in abundance in summer and I grow them in my little garden, the fresh pepper from the plant is so delicious, I just love it.  My favourite is the green pepper I think I like it because of the spiciness it gives rather than the others.  All the other coloured peppers are mildly sweet to my liking.

Soups always remind me of my home, I wouldn’t have so much soup as I have it here, and Soup was something I used to have when I visited a restaurant with my North Indian meals.  After coming here, it has become a staple food for me with a crusty loaf.

Author: Jayasri
Recipe type: Appetiser
Cuisine: Fusion
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
2 Large Red Peppers
1 small Green Pepper
1 small Yellow Pepper
1 Tomatoes
1 Onion
2 cloves garlic
1’’ Ginger
1 or 2 Bay leaf
3 to 4 cloves
½ tsp Black Pepper corns
½ tsp Cumin
2 tbsp of Crème Fraiche (optional)

Method:

On a stove top place a metallic frame and place all the veggies said above to roast turning them now and then which helps in charring them Or you can place these on a baking sheet and cut the peppers and place the cut side down in between place the garlic cloves and onion and tomatoes in a preheated oven gas mark 5 or 6 for 20 to 25 minutes until they are charred.
Remove them from the oven or from the stove top once they are cool remove the charred skin from the peppers and tomatoes, I don’t throw them away but keep it and use it in my curries.  Gives a smoky flavour to my dish.  Remove the skin from onions and garlic as well and keep aside.
In a skillet add a tsp of olive oil once it is warm enough add cloves, pepper corns, Bay leaves and cumin roast them to this add skinned bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and garlic and sauté for a one or two minutes.
In the mean time take 500ml of vegetable stock in a pot and allow it to boil with the bay leaves removed from the sautéed veggies above.
Once they are cool take the rest of the sautéed ingredients into a blender or mixie Blend them all into a smooth paste
Add this smooth blended paste into the vegetable stock mix well add Himalayan salt, taste and adjust.
You can also taste and add finely freshly crushed black pepper corns to suit your taste, and allow it to boil further 5 minutes.  Don’t boil for too long you will lose the colour.

Print

Roasted Tri-coloured Bell Pepper Soup

Hearty Healthy a Winter warmer with lots of nutrition significant amount of vitamin C, beta carotene, B complex, vitamins, calcium, phosphorous and Iron.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Fusion

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• 2 Red Peppers
• 1 Green Pepper
• 1 Yellow Pepper
• 2 Tomatoes
• 1 Onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 ’’ Ginger
• 1 or 2 Bay leaf
• 3 to 4 cloves
• ½ tsp Black Pepper corns
• ½ tsp Cumin
• 2 tbsp of Crème Fraiche optional

Instructions

• On a stove top place a metallic frame and place all the veggies said above to roast turning them now and then which helps in charring them Or you can place these on a baking sheet and cut the peppers and place the cut side down in between place the garlic cloves and onion and tomatoes in a preheated oven gas mark 5 or 6 for 20 to 25 minutes until they are charred.
• Remove them from the oven or from the stove top once they are cool remove the charred skin from the peppers and tomatoes, I don’t throw them away but keep it and use it in my curries. Gives a smoky flavour to my dish. Remove the skin from onions and garlic as well and keep aside.
• In a skillet add a tsp of olive oil once it is warm enough add cloves, pepper corns, Bay leaves and cumin roast them to this add skinned bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and garlic and sauté for a one or two minutes.
• Meanwhile take 500ml of vegetable stock in a pot and allow it to boil with the bay leaves removed from the sautéed veggies above.
• Once they are cool take the rest of the sautéed ingredients into a blender or mixie Blend them all into a smooth paste
• Add this smooth blended paste into the vegetable stock mix well add Himalayan salt, taste and adjust.
• You can also taste and add finely freshly crushed black pepper corns to suit your taste, and allow it to boil further 5 minutes. Don’t boil for too long you will lose the colour

Notes

If you find the soup is thin to your liking mix 1 or 2 tsp cornflour or arrowroot powder in 2 or 3 tbsp of water before adding it to the soup, this makes the soup to thicken up and looks creamier. You can top with crème fraiche and serve it steaming hot with a country bread.

The post Roasted Tri-coloured Bell Pepper Soup appeared first on My Veg Fare.

BRAZILIAN SWEET POTATO SOUP

Recipe source : Simply Soups


INGREDIENTS:
500 gms of Sweet Potato
1 Onion
3 Ripe Tomatoes
4 cups of Vegetable Stock (The recipe uses Beef stock)
4 tbsp of Unsalted butter
1/4 cup of fresh Cilantro/Coriander leaves
Salt and Freshly ground Pepper

METHOD:
Peel and skin the onions, chop them.
Chop the Tomatoes (the original recipes says to peel & seed the tomatoes)
Peel the sweet potatoes, cut into slices.
I tweaked the recipe a little bit 🙂 I added 2 tbsp of butter to a wok, sauteed the onions, Tomatoes and then the Sweet Potatoes until they got cooked then pureed them in a blender and added the stock to it, Keep a 1/4 cup aside. (In the original recipe the sweet potatoes was put them in a heavy pan with the stock, bring it to boil, then the same way as the above procedure).
Bring them to boil then add 2 to 3 tbsp of Cornflour in the 1/4 cup of stock kept aside mix well and add this to the boiling soup, Keep Stirring as the soup starts to gets thickened, then Season it with  a tbsp of salt and a tsp of pepper and reheat it gently.
Serve hot garnished with Chopped fresh Coriander leaves OR you can serve this soup just as it is as it delicious on its own.

I like to send this to AWED - Brazil, of Sara of Sara's Corner who is the host of AWED events started by DK of Chef in you.

The post Brazilian Sweet Potato Soup appeared first on My Veg Fare.

For a starter they made water cress soup, Main course - Vegetarian Paella, for the side spiced Roast potatoes, and a dessert (don't know what to call - you can choose one for me!!), and Garlic bread (bought from the store). They used 2 books
1. Vegetarian Cook book by parragon books
2.Vegetarian book by Rebo productions.

WATER CRESS SOUP

The post Water Cress Soup - from Aish & Chondu's kitchen appeared first on My Veg Fare.

PUMPKIN SOUP

The post Pumpkin Soup appeared first on My Veg Fare.