Italian Chocolate Salami

Well like the name suggests this is nothing like a regular salami. Salami is actually cured, feremented and air-dried meat shaped like a  cylinder. Originating from Italy, its now very popular with different varieties across Europe.

Now coming to this elegant creation, its super easy to make with just a handful of ingredients. And due to the similarity in its look to the original salami, we borrowed the name. Well another interesting fact is that  this creation is in the family for  almost 20 years and has won many prizes in many cooking competitions.

So waste no time and definitely give this  a try!!! 

Prep Time: 10 mins +Refrigeration time
Ingredients

Marie Biscuits: 1 big pack (about 15-20)
Cocoa Powder: 2 1/2 tablespoons
Sugar: 3/4 cup
Butter: 1 stick
Spiced Rum: 1/4 cup or lil more if you like the kick
Almonds/Walnuts (Finely chopped): 15-20

Powder the marie biscuits and sugar. Add the cocoa powder and chopped almonds. Pour in the melted butter and rum. 

Knead well into a smooth dough and make it into a cylinder. Wrap it in cling foil and refrigerate for about 3-4 hours.

When completely firm, slice it into circles and serve cold, either with ice cream or even as an after dessert with a hot cup of coffee..

We are sending this recipe to Spicy Tasty's Sizzing Summer contest  - Summer themed Dessert.

Broccoli Asparagus Stir Fry

Here is one easy stir fry recipe which can be ready in a jiffy. Absolutely delicious and super healthy these two vegetables are great by itself or together.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Ingredients

Broccoli Florets: 1/2 cup

Asparagus (cut into halves): 10 - 12

Garlic (sliced): 2 pods

Chili Flakes: 1-2 teaspoon

Pepper Powder (optional): 1 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Oil to fry

Heat some oil in a pan, add the chopped garlic pods and flakes. Add the broccoli florets and asparagus and saute. Sprinkle salt. Saute well. Its completely your choice when you decide to take it off the gas because some people like it fully cooked while some like with a little crunch.

This makes a perfect side for any meal.

Vendakka Malsyam / Okra in Coconut gravy

If you are also wondering whats with the peculiar name of this dish which literally mean okra fish in malayalam; there is no great story behind it. As far we understand this simple creation is very local  to Kannur, a region in the North Malabar and gets its name because of its similarity to the fish curry. Just that the  fish is substituted with okra . A great recipe for everyone.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Ingredients

Okra/Vendakka (cut): 10 - 12
Red Onions (sliced):  1/4 cup
Tomatoes (sliced): 1
Ginger (chopped): 1 teaspoon
Garlic (finely chopped): 1 teaspoon
Green Chili (chopped): 2-3
Curd: 1/4 cup
Grated Coconut: 1/3 cup
Cumin seeds/ Jeera: 1 teaspoon
Coriander Powder: 1 1/2 teaspoons
Dried Red Chilies: 3-4
Turmeric Powder: 1-2 teaspoons
Water: 1/2 cup

Seasoning
Pearl Onions/ Shallots (finely chopped): 2-3
Garlic (finely chopped): 1 teaspoon
Curry Leaves: 1 sprig
Mustard Seeds: 1 teaspoon
Dried Red Chilies: 1-2
Oil to fry

* You can cut the okra into 2 -3 pieces same as for sambar.

Heat some oil (1-2 tablespoon) in a pan. Add the cut okra, ginger, onions and saute for about 10 minutes till the okra is medium cooked. Put some turmeric powder. Add the sliced tomatoes. Add water and cover. Let it come to a boil. Make  sure the okra doesnt get over cooked and thus mushy.

Meanwhile, grind the grated coconut, a pinch of turmeric powder, coriander powder, dried red chillies, jeera, garlic and curd into a fine paste. Add this ground mixture to the okra. Let  it simmer on low heat until everything incorporates well. For seasoning; add oil, fry the garlic and chopped shallots until golden brown, then  splutter mustard seeds, dried red chillies and curry leaves.  Adjust the salt.

Serve hot with rice.

Pachakkaya Payar Thoran / Raw plaintain long yard beans stir fry

The other day while watching a Malayalam Movie "Neelathamara" which is set in olden Kerala, reminded  us of our ancestral homes with  big backyards of vegetable gardens.The interesting bit was when we heard of a  recipe in the movie. Funny isnt it.. Thanks to blogging, our ears automatically tune to hear anything about food..

Its just a casual scene where the mother tells the maid to make a little stir fry using Raw Plantains and Long yard beans she plucked from the garden with little this n that..We had never tried this combination, but tweaked the original recipe a little bit to get this thoran and verdict; we love it now..

Ingredients

Raw plantain (cubed): 1
Long yard beans/Pacha Payar (chopped): 1/2 cup
Garlic: 1-2 pods
Shallots/Pearl Onions: 4-5
Ginger (chopped): 1 teaspoon
Curry leaves: handful
Grated Coconut: 1/4 cup
Dried Red chillies: 2-3
Green chillies (slit): 1-2
Turmeric powder: 1 teaspoon + lil more for washing the plantains
Chilli powder: 1 teaspoon

Cube the raw plaintain and keep in turmeric water for about 10 mins. It helps in washing off the strechy stains. Meanwhile chop the long yard beans and keep aside. Roughly crush the garlic, pearl onions and the red chillies. Heat some oil, splutter the mustard seeds, add curry leaves and the crushed garlic and onions. Add the chopped ginger and green chillies. Add a little turmeric powder and saute. Now add the rinsed plantain pieces and cover and let it cook for a bit. When it starts to get a little soft, add the long yard beans and keep stirring. Cover for some more time. When the water from the steam starts to come in, take off the lid and keep stirring. Add the grated coconut. Adjust the salt.Once both the veggies are cooked, take it off from the heat.

Enjoy this great side.


We are sending this recipe to Green Gourmet event hosted by Preeti of Write food.