Some combo ideas

Thanks for writing back after reading the brunch piece. In all fairness, I should be giving you some good combos so that your coming weekend does not have the ever looming problem of WHAT TO COOK!

Try these – Appam with Kaikari Ishtew, Vermicelli upma, Ginger tomato thuviyal and Filter coffee. Or – Peethiwali puri with Veg Makhanwala, Kasuri paneer tikka and Suji aur badam ka halwa.

If the kids want pasta etc, give them more than expected with Fresh dough pizza,

Fried herbed mozzarella, Cool pasta with red pepper dressing and Tiramisu.

As the rains evoke massive hunger pangs have a parantha party – Stuffed mooli ke paranthe, Mushroom stuffed tawa samosas, Gobhi ke paranthe, Fruit and veg raita, Burfi parantha with rose and rabdi.

Or if you want to impress try your hand at Sultani dal, Varqi parantha, Ananas muzzafar.

All these and more await your attention at http://www.sanjeevkapoor.com

I have been talking to a lot of folks about how to manage the costs of cooking at home (and in my restaurants) what with every thing just going up, up, up! There is no need to waste food and cook in large quantities at home. In fact, optimisation is the need of the hour. In case you do have any leftovers, recycle immediately at the next meal….like moong dal left from lunch can be used to knead dough for paranthas for dinner, or steamed rice can be tempered in a variety of ways….vegetables can be used up in roti rolls, and chicken or meat can be deboned and used to make jiffy biryanis. In case you would like to talk more about these ideas, lets… just let me know.

For the time being, some recipes that are tasty but do not pinch the daily budget.

Kathal ki biryani

Khattu Mag
Aloo Tuk

Till I write again

Sanjeev Kapoor.

Brunch is easy

This Sunday why not be a wee bit lazy and have a brunch instead of cooking breakfast AND lunch. If this ideas works for you, why not extend the invitation to some close friends too? A brunch needs to be preplanned so that all the ingredients have been bought a day earlier. A weekend is best enjoyed when the pace is leisurely so why rush out for shopping?

I would prepare some of the ingredients a night before so that I can have some more shuteye. Things like potatoes can be boiled and refrigerated; dough can be kneaded and refrigerated; greens can be cleaned and trimmed; pulses can be boiled and refrigerated the night before.

Try and combine recipes that will cater to the whole family. A mix of Indian and Conti works just fine! If you have invited extended family and friends over, maybe a potluck idea is more exciting! In which case you will have to cook less but do discuss the menu before hand with them so that the dishes complement each other. Also keep the table settings in place and house cleaned up. Combine the simple with the complex, or the ordinary dish with an exotic one. This works well because you have the time to dish up something new and cook at ease.

If there is one deep fried dish then take care to see that the rest of the meal is not deep fried too. It becomes high in calories and too much work for the person cooking who will have to fry a lot! If you are expecting a large group over, it makes sense to make coffee and tea in adequate amounts and pour them into thermos flasks.

As it rains outside and you sit comfortably in your living room sipping coffee and chatting post brunch, write back and tell me how much you enjoyed your Sunday! Let me give you some brunch recipes too. Appam, Vegetable Ishtew, Oven Baked Eggs with creamy vegetables is a good combination. Or try Aloo Chole, Peethiwali Puri with Murgh Makkai.

Till I write again.
Sanjeev Kapoor

Kitchen with no hassles

Have always been impressed by the Japanese style of uncluttered homes! Saw pictures in magazines and now a chance to see them first hand.

Anyway, I have been thinking about how our own kitchens can be organized better. I really do not want to stress on modular kitchens, or small Mumbai kitchens specifically. Any kitchen with an active cook, according to me, should have the focal point where the stove is (gas burner, electric burner etc) and so shall everything remain leashed to this point – you want to have things within reach especially those things that you use the most. Rest of the things put them in the periphery of vision. But a big ‘no’ to have the oil and spices in plain view. Well, you can buy the fancy containers but I would still tell you to put these two things inside a cupboard because these things are best kept in the innards of a dark cupboard. Keeps the quality and flavours going for a longer time.

I can say for myself that I love researching new appliances and then acquiring them! Well, if there is a need and space, then why not? There are so many tempting things that are creatively made to make things easier. Mount them on racks or slip under the shelf. Another space saver is a big spoon holder that allows smaller spoons in the periphery and long handled ladles etc in the centre. These are the things that get mixed up in drawers and one search for the right spoon can test the patience of a good man. If at all you like to organize things in a drawer, get one with separators. So in go the knives in one slot, forks in another, spoons in yet another! And yes, such drawers are also a blessing in the clothes cupboard because they keep the handkerchiefs away from the socks and save you oodles of search time. The fridge and freezer have door shelves. Good place to hide keys but also wonderful to keep small things like bottle openers and can openers, straws, cling film (keeping a roll in the freezer keeps the loose end always ready to pull and use!). Use this space to stack small items that will easily get lost in the deep shelves.

I get transported to the kitchen very easily, don’t I? Well, to give you some nice things to cook up if you are in your kitchen….how about…Alu Kachalu Chaat, Nariyal Puri, Kaju aur Moti Pulao.

In Dubai this weekend for a live show. Will post the details in a day or so.

Till I write again.
Sanjeev Kapoor.