Monzoors Kitchen- A Food Blog With Perfect Recipes

 Ingredients:  Bamboo Shoots:Bamboo shoots ate called for in many Thai recipes. In order to prepare a bamboo shoot for cooking  you need to peel them and boil the white inner stalks for 30 minutes in water.If you are using canned bamboo shoots you will only need to boil them for 10 minutes, or if they are going in to curries or soups, boiling might not be required. Basil(Fresh): There are three types of basil's used in Thai cooking, sweet, holy and lemon. Sweet basil is much easier to find because it is commonly used in western cooking. Holy basil has a spicier taste and can be recognised by its slightly purple leaves. Lemon basil has lemony flavour and can be detected by it's distinct lemony scent.If you can only find sweet basil you can compensate for holy or lemon basil by adding finely chopped chili peepers or a bit of lemon rind. Bergamot: Also known as Kaffir lime leaves has a slightly limey flavour which goes well with all Thai dishes. Since this may be hard ...

  Cooking vegetables well can make all the difference between a bland side and a vibrant, flavorful dish. Here are some secrets to making your vegetables truly shine: 1. Don’t Overcook Overcooking leads to mushy, dull vegetables and can strip them of their nutrients. Aim to cook vegetables until they’re just tender-crisp—vibrant in color and slightly firm. 2. Season Properly Vegetables benefit from proper seasoning. Use a pinch of salt to enhance natural flavors, and don’t shy away from spices, fresh herbs, citrus zest, or a splash of vinegar for added brightness. 3. Try Different Cooking Methods Roasting: High heat caramelizes the sugars in vegetables, creating a deep, sweet flavor. Toss veggies in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast at 400°F to 425°F. Sautéing: A quick sauté in a hot pan with oil or butter keeps vegetables slightly crispy and vibrant. Steaming: Retains nutrients and natural color, but be careful not to over-steam. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil or a...

Here's a simple and delicious recipe for a fresh tomato and zucchini pizza! Ingredients: 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade) 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced 2 tbsp olive oil 1-2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp Italian seasoning Salt and black pepper, to taste Fresh basil leaves, for garnish Instructions: 1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up. 2. Prepare the Dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or preheated pizza stone. 3. Add Olive Oil and Garlic: In a small bowl, mix the olive oil and minced garlic. Brush this mixture over the dough, spreading evenly. 4. Layer the Toppings: Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese on the dough. Arrange tomato and zucchini slices in a single layer over the cheese. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, s...

Cooking with fresh herbs can elevate the flavor, aroma, and appearance of your dishes. Here’s how to make the most of fresh herbs in your cooking: 1. Choose the Right Herbs for the Dish Soft herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro, dill, and chives are delicate, bright, and often best added at the end of cooking or as a garnish. Hardier herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage have more robust flavors and withstand longer cooking times. These are great for stews, roasts, and soups. 2. Add Fresh Herbs at the Right Time Early in Cooking: Add woody herbs (like rosemary and thyme) early in the cooking process to infuse flavors into slow-cooked dishes. End of Cooking: Add delicate herbs (like basil, parsley, and cilantro) at the end of cooking to maintain their fresh, vibrant flavor. 3. Chop Herbs Properly Use a sharp knife and chop herbs gently to avoid bruising them and releasing too much moisture. With herbs like basil, stack leaves, roll them up, and slice thinly into ribbons (...

Grilling can be a healthy and delicious cooking method when done mindfully. Here are some tips to make your grilling experience healthier: 1. Choose Lean Cuts of Meat Opt for leaner cuts like chicken breast, fish, pork tenderloin, or lean beef cuts (like sirloin). Trimming visible fat can reduce flare-ups that cause smoke and char, which contain potentially harmful compounds. 2. Marinate for Flavor and Health Marinating meats in mixtures containing herbs, vinegar, lemon juice, or olive oil can reduce the formation of carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Marinates with garlic, rosemary, and thyme are especially good at lowering these risks. 3. Add More Veggies to the Grill Vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, and asparagus are delicious grilled and don’t produce harmful compounds when cooked at high temperatures. The fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins they provide help balance a meal. 4. Use Whol...

  Introduction : To help you on your way to cooking chinease food at home,I am going to briefly describe the basic equipment, Ingredients and techniques.Which you need to know so that you can produce some simple and tasty dishes.           Equipment : Although there are many implements and pieces of equipments you can buy to start on the road to cooking your own chinease food, you really only need a good knife or two and a wok.Woks come in all shapes and sizes, they can be nonstick,flat- bottomed,they can even be electric these days.As well as wok you will need a wok stand, particularly if you have an electric hob. This keeps the wok stable if you are using it for braising or deep frying. You also need something to stir with- Any spatula,slice or slopped spoon will do-metal for metal wok and plastic or wooden for a non stick wok.                                  ...

 Here’s a simple Chocolate Cake recipe, perfect for any occasion: Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 cup milk ½ cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup boiling water (or hot coffee for extra richness) Instructions: 1. Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans, or line them with parchment paper. 2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 3. Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine sugar, eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until well blended. 4. Combine: Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Then, stir in the boiling water (or hot coffee) gradually until smooth. The batter will be thin. 5. Bake: Divide the batter eve...

 Here's a recipe for Mutton White Korma, a creamy and aromatic Mughlai dish that uses yogurt, spices, and nuts to create a rich and flavorful curry. Ingredients: 500g mutton (bone-in, cut into medium pieces) 1 cup yogurt (whisked) 2 medium onions (thinly sliced) 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste 1/2 cup fresh cream 1/4 cup almonds or cashews (soaked and ground into a paste) 2-3 green chilies (slit) 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 4-5 green cardamoms 2-3 cloves 1 bay leaf 1-inch cinnamon stick 1/2 teaspoon white pepper powder 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder Salt to taste Ghee or oil for cooking Instructions: 1. Fry the onions: Heat ghee or oil in a deep pot, and fry the sliced onions until golden brown. Remove and set aside. 2. Brown the mutton: In the same pot, add cumin seeds, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaf. Once they release their aroma, add the ginger-garlic paste. Sauté for a minute, then add the mutton pieces and brown them on medium heat for 5-7 minutes. 3. Add yogurt ...

  Here’s a Samosa Recipe, a popular fried snack filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes meat: Ingredients: For the Dough: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup oil or ghee (clarified butter) 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup water (or as needed) For the Filling: 3-4 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed 1/2 cup peas (fresh or frozen) 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 tablespoons oil 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon mustard seeds (optional) 1 teaspoon ginger, finely chopped 2 green chilies, finely chopped (optional) 1 teaspoon garam masala 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (optional, for heat) Salt to taste Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish) For Frying: Vegetable oil Instructions: 1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and oil/ghee. Rub the oil into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Gradually add water, a little at a time, and knead the dough until it's smooth and...

Here’s a classic Chicken Fry Recipe that's crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside: Ingredients: 1 whole chicken (cut into pieces) or 4-6 chicken drumsticks/thighs 2 cups buttermilk (or substitute with 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar) 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat) 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional) Salt and pepper to taste Oil for frying (vegetable or peanut oil) Instructions: 1. Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, mix the buttermilk with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but overnight for best results. This helps to tenderize and flavor the chicken. 2. Prepare the coating: In a large bowl or shallow dish, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well. 3. Coat the chicken: Remove the chicken from the butter...

Here’s a delicious and simple Oatmeal Cookies Recipe: Ingredients: 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup (200g) brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 cups (240g) old-fashioned rolled oats 1 cup (150g) raisins or chocolate chips (optional) 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat. 2. Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy and smooth, about 2-3 minutes. 3. Add the eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully mixed in before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. 4. Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cin...

  Here’s a hearty Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe that's easy to make and full of flavor: Ingredients: 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well) 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend) 2 cups enchilada sauce (red or green) 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed (optional) 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies (optional for extra flavor) 1 cup frozen corn (optional) 10-12 corn tortillas (or flour tortillas, if preferred) 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish) Sour cream (optional, for serving) Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a little oil or cooking spray. 2. Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, black beans, green chilies, corn, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add 1 cup of the enchilada sauce and mix everything together until evenly coated. 3. Ass...