Strawberry and cream

Don't they look like tulips?

Vegetables au gratin

Vegetables au gratin: I made it with cauliflower, broccoli, long beans, petite red potatoes and leeks. Carrots are often added too.

Ingredients:

1 Cauliflower, cut into florets ($4.39/lb)
1 broccoli crown, cut into florets ($2.49/lb)
3 -4 petite red potatoes, cut into thick slices ($2.20 each, you might get them cheaper at local grocery stores when you buy in bulk)
4-6 long beans, cut into inch long pieces ($3.29/lb)
Chopped leeks ($1.49/each, you may skip using it if it is not in your pantry. You may also add freshly chopped parsley instead)
Salt
Freshly ground pepper

For the sauce:
Butter 2 tbsp (Use some to grease the baking pan)
Plain flour 2 tbsp
Milk

Method:

1. Boil water with salt in a steamer. Boil or steam the vegetables(except the leeks) till just tender. Set aside and drain excess water in a colander.
2. For the sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter on low heat and add plain flour while stirring continuously. Do not let it turn brown. Now add milk slowly ( to avoid lumps) till the sauce is thick. Add salt and pepper to taste. You may add grated parmesan in the sauce. 
3. In a greased baking pan, pour the steamed vegetables, sprinkle salt and pepper to taste (you may use ground spices of your choice too), fresh leeks, and the sauce. Top with breadcrumbs and cheese of your choice. Alternately, you may top with some crushed parmesan crisps(my style). Bake until the sauce is bubbly or at 400 F for 30 mins.
   
   This dish is best served hot off the oven. 

A variation is broccoli cauliflower casserole is here.

I added sliced fingerling potatoes and sliced onions

Breakfast ideas : Cilantro-mozzarella omelette

Cilantro-mozzarella omelette (you may also use goat cheese, mushrooms and spinach)

Meatball gravy with achari spices

You may use fresh homemade meatballs or frozen ones for this recipe.

Ingredients:
1 packet frozen meatballs
1 onion - diced
5 big garlic cloves, minced
Thai chilis -halved 5-7
Achari spice
Nutmeg powder
1 tbsp Sour cream
Chicken broth


Method:

1. Heat frozen meatballs in a pan until thawed. Add diced onions, green chilies and minced garlic. Add chicken broth, achari spice and a pinch of nutmeg (my secret ingredient).
2. Bring it to boil.Add  1 tbsp sour cream. Mix well with the gravy. Add more chicken broth if needed. Serve hot.

Brussel sprouts with salt and pepper

Roasting some brussel sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper (you may add bacon). Winter is a good time to use the oven. The warmth from the fire is an added bonus.

I had them with meatball gravy with achari spices.

Pressure cooker pot roast

You may choose to slow cook and go the traditional way. I sauted the ingredients with a little wine and pressure cooked it to perfection. This is similar to one of my lamb recipes, but I use minced ginger and jalapenos with the lamb.

Ingredients:
Olive oil  2 tbsp
Butter 1 tsp
1 lb beef stew cut (you may use other cuts of meat if you don't eat beef)
Salt
Whole garlic cloves- 5 big
Red potatoes, quartered 2
Celery stalks, chopped
Baby carrots 8-10
Peppercorn 1/2 tsp
Coriander seeds 1 tsp
Nutmeg powder 1/8 tsp
Two sprigs of fresh rosemary
Red wine, a dash

Water for gravy- warm, 2 cups

Method:

1. Heat olive oil and butter in a pressure cooker. Add the meat, sprinkle liberally with salt and crushed pepper. Add the peppercorn, coriander seeds and sprinkle nutmeg powder. Cook the meat on both sides. Apply the dry ingredients equally on both sides.
2. Add whole garlic cloves, quartered red onions, quartered red potatoes, celery, and baby carrots.
3. The kitchen should smell of pot roast by now. Add rosemary sprigs and a dash of red wine. Cook further.
4. Add 2 cups of warm water and pressure cook it till the meat is tender. Serve hot.

Lamb stew with potatoes and carrot

Ingredients:
Lamb loin chops- 4 pieces (1 lb)
Onion-1 medium, diced
Carrot- 1 medium size, diced
Potatoes- 4 small size/petite, halved
Garlic - 5  big cloves, minced
Ginger- 1/2 inch, minced
Cloves- 8
Coriander seeds- 1/2 tsp
Peppercorn-10
Organic Chicken broth (low-sodium), may use water as substitute.
Salt to taste
Jalapeno- 1, diced

Ground nutmeg

Method:

1. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp butter in a pressure cooker.
2. Add diced onions, ginger, garlic, cloves, peppercorn, coriander seeds, and halved potatoes. Saute till the ginger-garlic don't smell raw anymore. Add the lamb chops and jalapeno. Cover and cook both sides. Add the diced carrots and then chicken broth. You may also season with crushed pepper and ground nutmeg for a richer stew.
3. Bring to boil, cover and cook under pressure until done. If you are using a dutch oven, it may take longer to cook.