Monthly Archives: February 2025

Vermicelli Kheer


Vermicelli Kheer

Ingredients

  • 1 Litre milk
  • 1/2 cup vermicelli
  • 1 tin (200 gms or 395 gms.) sweetened condensed milk, to taste
  • 1/4 cup Pistachios
  • 1/4 cup Almonds
  • 1/4 cup golden raisins
  • 1 tbsp. ghee
  • Salt to taste (optional)
  • 1 tsp. vanilla essence or 1/2 tsp cardamom powder

Method

  1. Soak the pistachios and almonds in some hot water for 10 minutes. Blanch, slice and set aside.
  2. Heat Ghee and fry the raisins lightly till they swell. Remove and set aside.
  3. Add the vermicelli and fry for a minute or two.
  4. Add the milk and cook till mixture is fairly thick.
  5. Now add the condensed milk to the milk mixture and continue cooking stirring to prevent the mixture burning, till the kheer is thick. I have used 200 gms condensed milk and found it sweet enough. If you like it sweeter, you may use the 395. gms tin.
  6. Add  the raisins and nuts and vanilla essence or cardamom powder.  Stir and take off heat.
  7. Serve warm or cold.

Delicious Black Olive Tapenade Recipe


Black Olive Tapenade

Olives are a rich source of Vitamin E.  Since table olives are processed, they are also high in sodium. 

Black olive tapenade is a classic Provencal spread from France!  It’s typically made from a combination of the following ingredients and anchovies,(Source Meta AI) which I have omitted:-

Ingredients

1 cup pitted black olives (kalamata or Nicoise)

8 to 10 cloves garlic cloves

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

2 tbsp. capers

2 tbsp. lemon juice

2 tbsp. olive oil or as required

Salt to taste

Ground black pepper to taste

Add all ingredients, except salt and pepper, to a grinder and grind to a paste, either chunky or smooth, as per your taste.  Season with salt and pepper.  Bear in mind that olives and capers already have salt in them, so use salt sparingly after tasting.

Serve on crackers, pita chips, toast or chips, as a dip with vegetables, bread sticks, bread or in sandwiches.  Have it with khubous, pita bread or chapati for breakfast or as a snack.

Here are some popular serving suggestions from Meta AI, for your homemade black olive tapenade:

Appetizers and Snacks

1. *Crostini*: Spread tapenade on toasted bread, top with cherry tomatoes or goat cheese.

2. *Veggie sticks*: Serve with carrot, celery, or cucumber sticks.

3. *Crackers*: Pair with crackers, such as water crackers or wheat thins.

Sandwiches and Wraps

1. *Panini*: Spread tapenade on one of the bread slices before adding other ingredients.

2. *Tapenade and cheese*: Combine with cheese, lettuce, and tomato for a simple yet flavorful sandwich.

3. *Wraps*: Add tapenade to your favorite wrap fillings.

Entrees and Sides

1. *Grilled meats*: Serve tapenade as a condiment for grilled meats, such as steak or chicken.

2. *Roasted vegetables*: Drizzle tapenade over roasted vegetables, like Brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes.

3. *Pasta*: Toss tapenade with pasta, cherry tomatoes, and basil for a quick and easy dinner.

Other Ideas

1. *Dip for fries*: Use tapenade as a dip for French fries.

2. *Stuffed mushrooms*: Fill mushroom caps with a mixture of tapenade, breadcrumbs, and cheese.

3. *Tapenade and egg*: Spread tapenade on toast, top with a fried or poached egg.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations!

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