Tagged: nutmeg

Cumin Flavored Potatoes

Cumin Flavored Potatoes

This recipe was an instant family favorite. It is literally inhaled as a snack or even as a side dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer, light meal, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large Idaho potatoes
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 6 small green chilies, coarsely cut
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seed, lightly roasted and ground in a mortar and pestle
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup Broth or water
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped cilantro

Equipment

  • Large heavy bottom frying pan, Cast iron frying pan

Method
 

  1. Peel potatoes, and cut into thick slices. Set aside in a bowl of cold water.
  2. Heat oil in a heavy bottom large frying pan or cast iron frying pan, making sure not to overheat.
  3. Add cumin seed and cook until they pop and are dark brown.
  4. Add ginger and green chilies and cook on low fire for 2 minutes.
  5. Add drained potatoes, crushed coriander, white pepper, nutmeg, and salt and stir to cook for a few minutes (about 5 minutes) on low heat.
  6. Add water mix well, cover and cook on low fire for 20 minutes turning the slices to caramelize them on both sides.
  7. Cover and simmer for around 10 to 15 minutes until they are fork tender. You may need lot less. if water dries out, sprinkle tablespoons of water to prevent burning.
  8. Sprinkle lemon juice and mix well.
  9. Transfer to a platter, sprinkle chopped cilantro to serve.
  10. It could be a snack or a side dish as you prefer.

Notes

Mortar and pestle is a very useful tool for grinding all kinds of spices. Two of my most treasured tools in the kitchen are the two mortar and pestles. One large greenish granite one, and the other small brass one. Curries with spices done in a granite one are soft, silky and magically tasty. I use the brass one for smaller amounts of spices, such as, cloves, cardamoms, cinnamon, and saffron etc. that I need for desserts and rice dishes.

Mortar and pestle

Rice pudding (Kheer) Hyderabadi Style

Rice Pudding (Kheer) Hyderabadi Style

This rice pudding made with heavy cream, rice and almond is thick and creamy. It is traditionally served with puris ( sweet pies) on religiuous occasions. But also is a regular,popular desserts item. Luxuriously tasty but sort of heavy on digestive system, especially for those who are lactose intolerant.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients
  

  • cups heavy cream
  • cup whole milk
  • cup ground rice
  • cup ground almonds
  • ½ cup cooked white rice processed with ½ cup water in a food processor
  • 1 4 oz can condensed milk
  • cups sugar
  • ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons almonds, lightly roasted, peeled and crushed

Equipment

  • Heavy mil saucepan

Method
 

  1. In a bowl, soak the ground rice, and ground almonds in ½ cup  milk and set aside.
  2. Add heavy cream, and remaining 1 cup milk to a large heavy saucepan and heat until it comes to a simmering  boil. 
  3. Lower heat immediately, and let it simmer to reduce and get thickened
  4. Stir the ground rice and ground almond mixture and add to the simmering cream while stirring to avoid lumps. 
  5. Continue to simmer for a few more minutes. before adding cooked and processed white rice, condensed milk, and sugar while stirring to ensure that the sugar dissolves completely. Continue stirring while cooking on very low heat to prevent sticking to the bottom and burning.
  6. Once it reaches a creamy, thick, (not too thick)or desired consistency, sprinkle ground nutmeg , and crushed almond and stir well to meld the flavors. Remove from the heat and allow the kheer to cool to room temperature.
  7. Serve  as a dessert in individual bowls or decorative glasses.