SMTC Cooking Class

To Register: http://www.cookingschoolsofamerica.com/centralmarketplano/index.php?flag_menu_index=reservation_php#539 Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in Odds & EndsFlavored Homemade Butter - August 30th, 2010Barbecue (with the guys) - July 17th, 2010Oats Dosa - Healthy Dosa - May 24th, 2010Sabudana Khichdi - Spiced Tapioca (Sago) - March 22nd, 2010Vegetable Broth or Stock - February 15th, 2010Ginger & Garlic Paste - February [...]

Flavored Homemade Butter

Ever wonder why Betty bought some “better Butter”? Why did she not just make the “better Butter” at home herself? Sometimes it is so wonderful to go back to the original way to doing things…making fresh Butter at Home and then giving it the personal touch and making it even better. So next time you [...]

Barbecue (with the guys)

The “guys” decided that they should teach us on how we should work on our Show Me The Curry videos! What better way to tell us than “show” us how it’s supposed to be done! Hetal and I sat back and watched the drama and the action unfold…and we both have to admit that they [...]

Oats Dosa – Healthy Dosa

This fantastic nutritious packed Dosa made with majority Oats and lesser Rice is a perfect start (breakfast) or end (dinner) for the day. More of the Oats and less of the Rice makes this a lot easier to grind, a task that can become cumbersome at time. The flavor of the Oats in the Dosa [...]

Sabudana Khichdi – Spiced Tapioca (Sago)

Sabudana Khichdi is a popular dish from Maharastra, India. Made from tapioca (sago), this sabudana khichdi recipe is a wonderful blend of flavors — sweet, tangy, spicy, balanced to perfection. It makes a mouth watering brunch or lunch item and is often enjoyed during times of fasting. Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 [...]

Vegetable Broth or Stock

Vegetable Stock is a very important ingredient when making soups or just making daals and pulaos more nutritious and flavorful. This vegetable stock recipe is very simple yet it’s packed with goodness and so much more flavorful that using water. Homemade broth or stock is not just cheaper but a lot healthier and tastier [...]

Ginger & Garlic Paste

A big time saver in the kitchen is to have ginger and garlic paste on hand and ready to use. Unfortunately, the store bought ones tend to have a lot of preservatives, giving them a funny aftertaste and smell. Try this quick recipe to make your own ginger and garlic paste at home [...]

Ghee (Clarified Butter)

Ghee is a very integral part of a South Asian household. It is used for cooking and religious functions. The flavor, the aroma is so distinct and there is not a substitute for it. Clarified Butter in Hindi is called Ghee (घी) and in some of the other languages: Nepali: घ्यू ghyū, Urdu: گھی ghī, [...]

Basic Garam Masala

Here is a basic Garam Masala recipe that we can use on an everyday basis. Make it and use it and you’ll have a new flavor in life and in your food! AMAZING! And the best part is that it is so easy to make that you’ll wonder why you have not been doing it [...]

Rava Pongal (Healthy Upma)

Rava (Rawa) Pongal is a type of healthy upma because it’s made with protein packed mung daal. The mung daal also provides great texture to the normally soft sooji upma. Try this delicious and comforting recipe (courtesy of Girija Challa) for your next weekend breakfast or brunch. Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in [...]

Community powered bargain hunting!

Join us in our latest “Show Me” venture “Show Me The Bargains”. We have just launched ShowMeTheBargains.com, a community powered bargain hunting site. We invite you to come and share the bargains you find as well as benefit from bargains that others on the community have shared. There is no sign up [...]

Tea Rusk – Perfect for Dipping!

All of us have some nice warm memories of dipping rusks in our tea on rainy days and the satisfaction that goes along with that homely feeling, mmmm! Then wanting to recreate that ever so often and getting a sticker-shock at the store. Yes, it can get expensive! But, ever thought about making it at [...]

Paula Deen at BlogHer ‘09

We were excited to see Food Network celebrity Paula Deen as she shared her inspirational story at the BlogHer ‘09 conference in Chicago, Illinois. Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in Odds & EndsSMTC Cooking Class - September 2nd, 2010Flavored Homemade Butter - August 30th, 2010Barbecue (with the guys) - July 17th, 2010Oats Dosa - Healthy [...]

Happy Independence Day!

This is Ayan Jannu at age 2 1/2 singing “Jana Gana Mana” while on a trip to India. Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in Odds & EndsSMTC Cooking Class - September 2nd, 2010Flavored Homemade Butter - August 30th, 2010Barbecue (with the guys) - July 17th, 2010Oats Dosa - Healthy Dosa - May 24th, 2010Sabudana Khichdi [...]

Cracked Wheat (Daliya) Khichdi

If your baby is getting a bit older and past the jarred baby food stage, here is something that may interest you. Try this delicious Cracked Wheat (aka Daliya) Khichdi. Cracked wheat, a wheat product made from whole raw wheat kernels that are crushed or cut into smaller pieces, has a great deal [...]

Poha (Powa) Recipe

There are many preparations and recipes for Poha, or flattened rice. These dry flakes are used for various Indian snacks such as chivda or in desserts like poha with sweetened milk. In this recipe poha is washed gently and fluffed up to make a soft and savory dish sometimes known as Batata Powa [...]

Handvo Recipe (Handwa)

Here’s a Gujarati recipe that’s had a lot of requests. Handvo (or Handwa) is an all time favorite snack — perfect for tea time, brunch, anytime! Savory inside with a nutty Sesame Seed crust…just one word — YUM! Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in Odds & EndsSMTC Cooking Class - September 2nd, 2010Flavored [...]

Tofu Stir-Fry

With soy gaining reputation as a “super food”, it’s no wonder that many people are turning to tofu as their heart healthy and cancer fighting protein source. According to an article in Reader’s Digest, a recent study of 68,000 Chinese women who ate a soy-rich diet found that 30 percent were less likely to [...]

Homemade Pizza Crust (Dough)

Homemade Pizza! Yummy! Here’s your chance to get creative in the kitchen. Watch the video, then make the perfect crust…crispy, chewy…and have a field day coming up with delicious toppings. Try this simple recipe for homemade pizza dough and yes, it’s eggless!. Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in BreadsFocaccia - Easy [...]

Kothu Parotta Recipe

Kothu Parotta just means it’s ‘minced’ or ‘beaten-up’ Parotta…and there are a lot of variations to this wonderful dish that you can just whip up and impress everyone. The first time I had this dish was at a small little road-side shop in Trivandrum (aka Thiruvananthapuram), though origianally from Tamil Nadu! Enjoy this wonderful dish [...]

French Toast, Sweet or Spicy?

French Toasts are just an easy and amazingly quick option for breakfasts. There are days when you want something sweet, so we have the traditional Sweet French Toast or there are days when you need that spicy kick right from the get-go and for those days we have Spicy French Toasts! Either way, we have [...]

12 Days of Christmas – Curry Style

Wishing all of our viewers a wonderful holiday season and a very healthy, happy & prosperous New Year! Hetal & Anuja Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in Odds & EndsSMTC Cooking Class - September 2nd, 2010Flavored Homemade Butter - August 30th, 2010Barbecue (with the guys) - July 17th, 2010Oats Dosa - Healthy Dosa - May 24th, [...]

Medu Vada

Medu Vada or simply Vada are crispy fritters made with urad daal and enjoyed with sambar or chutney. They are usually served along side idli as part of a perfect South Indian breakfast, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying these vadas for lunch or dinner. Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in Odds [...]

Idli	Idlis are traditionally a breakfast item but the fact that when served with Sambar and Chutney, they are a full meal and can be enjoyed at any time of the day! Idlis are steamed making them very healthy and very light. You’ll be amazed how many you can eat but then who’s counting? [...]

Breakfast Burritos

Try something different, try something new, try Breakfast Burritos! Contrary to the name of this dish, it can be enjoyed just as much for a snack, lunch or dinner! Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in FusionThai Larb Spicy Chicken Salad (Laab Gai) - August 26th, 2010Thai Green Papaya Salad - August 9th, 2010Spicy Thai Basil - Thai Cuisine [...]

Egg Bhurji (Masala Egg Scramble)

Egg Bhurji is great for days when your refrigerator has no vegetables in it or you are just too tired to cook and need something quick! It can be served at breakfast, lunch or dinner, Masala Egg Scramble is fantastic any time of the day. Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in Odds & EndsSMTC [...]

Chapatti Dough in Bulk

If you are one of those busy people who just can’t find the time to make homemade chapatti or paratha, try making the dough (atta) in bulk. With the help of your food processor and freezer, you will be enjoying hot, fresh chapati in no time. Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in BreadsFocaccia - [...]

Sevia Upma

Ever tire of the Suji Upma? Try this wonderful twist for a change. Vermicelli is known by a host of other names – Sevia, Seviya, Semiya, Sevai. Upma is a great breakfast or snack idea and goes great with C-Chutney or Tomato Chutney or just plain old pickle! Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in [...]

Desi Mac (Macaroni and Cheese)

Now give us a good reason why the grown-ups should be left out when the kids eat that yummy Mac ‘n’ Cheese! Here is a recipe for ‘Desi’ Mac (macaroni and cheese) and as the name suggests, it is full of flavor and other goodies that you will be proud to eat as well [...]

Masala Egg Paratha

Looking for a hearty and healthy weekend breakfast idea? Running out of things to feed the kids after school, filling enough to keep them happy until dinner? Look no further. This wonderful Indian recipe for Masala Egg Paratha is perfect. With it’s fun presentation, everyone will be asking for more. Visit our [...]

Suji Upma

Do away with the boring breakfast of toast and cereals and jazz up with some spice and flavour. This quick and easy Suji Upma recipe is tradiaonally served for breakfast but then there is no rule that you can’t enjoy it any other time of the day. Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in Odds & [...]

How To Make Masala (in bulk)

Every few months I get together with a friend and we have a ‘masala making session’! We spilt the cost of the materials, the work load and then, split the masala. It takes a few hours but once it’s done, cooking is just so easy and so fast. All you have to do is add [...]

Portobello Burger

This is a recipe that we demonstarted on Y!live. Try this wonderful and very flavorful burger and yup, it is a Portobello Mushroom. Have it with a bun and some garnishings or just by itself. Great for the summer BBQ parties or grill it in a ‘Lean Mean Cooking Machine” just for yourself. Visit our Kitchen Store! Last [...]

How to Sprout Beans

Bean Sprouts are an extremely healthy and delicious way to enjoy legumes. Although sprouting can seem intimidating to some, it is really an easy process. Any whole bean can be sprouted – Mung, Garbanzo, Moth, Adzuki, Lentil, etc. Sprouts can be eaten raw in salads or cooked. Try this simple method [...]

Homemade Paneer – Indian Cheese

Paneer is an Indian cheese which is used in many recipes for appetizers, main courses and desserts. It does not melt when heated. Paneer is very easy to make at home. Try this easy to follow recipe. Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in Odds & EndsSMTC Cooking Class - September 2nd, 2010Flavored Homemade Butter - [...]

Home-made Kahlua

For all those wonderful people who’d like to make that tempting “Warm Kahlua Dessert” but have some restrictions….make your own Kahlua with or without alcohol and let that not come in the way of enjoying this gorgeous dish! Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in Odds & EndsSMTC Cooking Class - September 2nd, 2010Flavored Homemade Butter [...]

Homemade Yogurt (Dahi)

Homemade yogurt is so simple to make that you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it before. Try this recipe and you will agree that homemade yogurt has a delicious flavor that is very different from store bought ones, not to mention how much cheaper it is to make versus buying. Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 [...]

Open Sandwich My Way!

Baked Beans have been a camping favorite, it seems, from the beginning of time…..but with this recipe, we take them to a whole new level.  An Uncle of our’s introduced it to our family years ago and with a few tweaks and changes, it has been our family favorite “quick lunch” for many many years.  Using Vegetarian [...]

Hindustan Times’ “K2K Food Court”

One of our subscribers sent us an excellent article from Hindustan Times called “The K2K (Kashmir to Kanyakumari) food court”.   It showcases 60 of the most classic Indian dishes for the 60 glorious years of Indian independence.  Check to see how many of your favorites make the cut and you will be surprised to [...]

Tandoori Masala

This Tandoori Masala has a universal appeal…..Use it for Tandoori Chicken, Fried Fish, Grill Shrimps or Paneer and Vegetable skewers. The list is endless so be creative! Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in Odds & EndsSMTC Cooking Class - September 2nd, 2010Flavored Homemade Butter - August 30th, 2010Barbecue (with the guys) - July 17th, 2010Oats Dosa - [...]

Stocking your Pantry for Indian Cooking 101 – Part 2

Hetal and Anuja show you the basics of stocking your pantry for Indian cooking. This is part 2 of the 2 part series: Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in Odds & EndsSMTC Cooking Class - September 2nd, 2010Flavored Homemade Butter - August 30th, 2010Barbecue (with the guys) - July 17th, 2010Oats Dosa - Healthy [...]

Stocking your Pantry for Indian Cooking 101 – Part 1

Hetal and Anuja show you the basics of what you need in your pantry for Indian cooking. Visit our Kitchen Store! Last 10 posts in Odds & EndsSMTC Cooking Class - September 2nd, 2010Flavored Homemade Butter - August 30th, 2010Barbecue (with the guys) - July 17th, 2010Oats Dosa - Healthy Dosa - May 24th, 2010Sabudana [...]