Curry de vita ca in Lahore / Lahore-style Beef Curry

Ingrediente / Ingredients:

• 60 ml ulei vegetal / 60 ml vegetable oil      
• 2 frunze de dafin / 2 bay leafs
• 2 cuisoare / 2 cloves
• 4 boabe piper negru / 4 black peppercorns
• 1 ceapa feliata / 1 onion, sliced
• 450 g carne vita dezosata, cubulete/ 450 g boneless beef, cubed
• ¼ lingurita curcuma / ¼ teaspoon turmeric
• 1 ½ praf de ardei iute rosu / 1 ½ chilli powder
• 1 lingurita seminte zdrobite de coriandru / 1 teaspoon crushed coriander seeds
• 2.5 cm bat de scortisoara / 2.5 cm piece cinnamon stick
• 1 lingurita usturoi zdrobit / 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
• 1 ½ lingurita sare / 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• 1.5  l apa / 1.5 l water
• 50 g mazare galbena uscata / 50 g yellow split peas
• 2 rosii (taiate in sferturi) / 2 tomatoes, quartered
• 2 ardei iuti verzi, tocati / 2 green chillies, chopped
• 1 lingura frunze proaspete de coriandru (tocate) / 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)

Mod de preparare / Method of preparation:

1. Se incinge uleiul intr-o tigaie wok sau o tigaie mare. Focul se da mai incet si se adauga frunzele de dafin, cuisoarele, boabele de piper si ceapa. Se distuie 5 minute sau pana cand ceapa capata o culoare aurie / Heat the oil in a wok or large pan. Lower the heat slightly and add the bay leafs, cloves, peppercorns and onion. Fry for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is golden.

2. Se adauga carnea de vita, turmeric, praful de ardei iute rosu, semintele de coriandru, batonul de scortisoara, usturoiul, sarea si se distuie/prajeste (stir fry) timp de 5 minute la foc mediu / Add the cubed beef, turmeric, chilli powder, coriander seeds, cinnamon stick, garlic and most of the salt, and stir fry for about 5 minutes over a medium heat.

3. Se toarna 900 ml de apa, se acopera cu capac si se fierbe timp de 35-40 de minute sau pana cand, carnea de vita este moale / Pour in 900 ml of the water and cover the pan with a lid and simmer for 35-40 minutes or until the beef is tender.

4. Se pune mazarea galbena uscata intr-o tigaie mare cu restul de apa, putina sare si se fierbe timp de 15 minute sau pana cand apa se evapora iar mazarea este destul de moale pentru a fi zdrobita / Put the yellow split peas into a large pan with the remaining measured water and a good pinch of salt and boil for 15 minutes, or until the water has almost evaporated and the peas is soft enough to be mashed.

5. Cand carnea de vita se inmoaie, se i-a capacul iar amestecul se lasa la prajit (stir fry) folosind o lingura de lemn pana cand uleiul se va ridica pe marginile tigaii / When the beef is tender, remove the lid and stir-fry the mixture using a wooden spoon, until  some free oil begins to appear on the sides of the pan.

6. Se adauga mazarea galbena si se amesteca bine cu carnea de vita. Se mai adauga si se amesteca si rosiile, ardeii si coriandrul proaspat tocat / Add the cooked yellow peas to the beef and mix together well. Stir in the tomatoes, chillies and chopped fresh coriander and serve.

Carne de porc Balchao / Pork Balchao

Balchao este o mancare picanta în bucătăria indiană goana. Balchao este o metodă de a găti, fie peşte, creveţi sau carne de porc, într-un sos condimentat si picant de rosii si ardei iuti.

Balchao is a spicy dish in Indian Goan cuisine. Balchao is a method of cooking either fish, prawns or pork, in a spicy and tangy tomato-chili sauce.

Ingrediente / Ingredients:

• 60 ml ulei vegetal / 60 ml vegetable oil
• 1 lingura radacina de ghimbir proaspata rasa / 1 tablespoon grated fresh root ginger
• 1 lingura usturoi zdrobit / 1 tablespoon crushed garlic
• 2.5 cm bat de scortisoara, rupt in bucatele / 2.5 cm piece cinnamon stick, broken up
• 3 ardei iuti rosii uscati, tocati sau rupti / 3 dried red chillies, chopped or torn
• 4 cuisoare / 4 cloves
• 2 lingurite seminte de chimion / 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 10 boabe de piper negru / 10 black peppercorns
• 675 g pulpa de porc fara grasime taiata cubulete / 675 g cubed leg of pork without fat
• 1 lingurita curcuma macinata / 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 200 ml apa calduta / 200 ml warm water
• 1 ½ lingura pasta de tomate / 1 ½ tablespoon tomato paste
• ½  lingurita praf de chilli (optional) / ½ teaspoon chilli powder (optional)
• 1 ceapa mare tocata / 1 large chopped onion
• 1 lingurita sare / 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 lingurita zahar granulat / 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 2 linguri otet de cidru de mere / 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• ardei proaspeti pentru ornat / fresh chillies, to garnish

Metoda de preparare / Method of preparation:

1. Se incalzeste 30 ml din ulei intr-o karahi, wok sau o tigaie mare si se adauga ghimbirul si usturoiul. Se prajeste timp de 30 de secunde / Heat 30 ml of the oil in a karahi, wok or a large pan, and add the ginger and garlic. Fry for 30 seconds.

2. Se macina cat mai fin batul de scortisoara, ardeii uscati, cuisoarele, semintele de chimion si boabele de piper  / Grind the cinnamon stick, dried chillies, cloves, cumin seeds and peppercorns to a fine powder.

 3. Se adauga mixul de condimente in tigaie si se prajeste pentru inca 30 de secunde, amestecand / Add the spice mix to the pan and fry for a futher 30 seconds, stirring.

4. Se adauga carnea de porc si curcuma si se mareste usor focul. Se prajeste timp de 5-6 minute amestecand regulat / Add the pork and turmeric and increase the heat slightly. Fry for 5-6 minutes, stirring regularly.

 

5. Se adauga apa, pasta de rosii si praful de chilli aducandu-se la fierbere. Se acopera tigaia si se fierbe usor timp de 35-40 de minute / Add the water, tomato paste and chilli powder, and bring to the boil. Cover the pan and simmer gently for 35-40 minutes.

6. Se incalzeste uleiul ramas si se prajeste ceapa timp de 8-9 minute, pana cand se rumeneste, amestecand regulat / Heat the remaining oil and fry the onion 8-9 minutes until browned, stirring regularly.

 

7. Se adauga la carnea de porc ceapa prajita impreuna cu sarea, zaharul si otetul. Se amesteca, se acopera si se fierbe 30-35 de minute sau pana cand, carnea de porc este frageda  / Add the fried onion to the pork along with the salt, sugar and vinegar. Stir, cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until the pork in tender. 

8. Se ia de pe foc si se scoate intr-un vas de servire. Se decoreaza cu ardei si se serveste / Remove from the heat and spoon into a serving dish. Garnish with chillies and serve.

Aperitiv cu dovlecel si cartofi / Appetizer of zucchini and potatoes

Ingrediente / Ingredients

• 1 dovlecel marime medie / 1 medium size zucchini
• 2 cartofi / 2 potatoes
• 3 oua / 3 eggs
• 100 g faina / 100 g flour
• 60 g parmesan ras / 60 g grated parmesan
• 2-3 linguri ulei / 2-3 tablespoons oil
• 50 ml lapte / 50 ml milk
• 3 linguri smantana / 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 7 g praf de copt / 7 g baking powder
• 1 lingura marar tocat / 1 tablespoon chopped dill
• sare dupa gust / salt to taste

Mod de preparare /  Method of preparation

1. Se curata dovlecelul, se taie felii, apoi bastonase / Peel the zucchini, slice it, and then cut thick.

2. Se fierb cartofii in coaja, se scurg, se curata de coaja si se taie cubulete mici / Boil potatoes with skin, drain them, peel them and cut them into small cubes.

3. Se aseaza cartofii si dovleceii intr-un castron mare / Put potatoes and zucchini in a large bowl.

 

4. Separat se bat ouale cu parmesanul ras, se adauga smantana, uleiul, laptele, mararul tocat, sare dupa gust iar la sfarsit faina cernuta cu praful de copt si se amesteca cu dovleceii si cartofii / Separately beat the eggs with grated parmesan, add sour cream, oil, milk, dill, salt to taste and at the end sifted flour with baking powder and mix with zucchini and potatoes.

5. Se unge o forma de chec, se tapeteaza cu hartie pentru copt, se toarna amestecul si se intoroduce in cuptorul praincalzit circa 40-50 de minute, pana se rumeneste frumos deasupra / Grease a cake form, line with parchment paper, pour the mixture and introduce it in the preheated oven about 40-50 minutes until nicely browned on top.

 

6. Se scoate din cuptor, se lasa la racit, se da la o parte hartia de copt si se azeaza pe un platou / Remove from oven, allow to cool, remove the baking paper and place it on a tray.

Gulas de porc/ Pork goulash

Ingrediente/Ingredients

• 500 g pulpa de porc / 500 g pork thigh
• 50 ml ulei / 50 ml oil
• 2 cepe / 2 onions
• 2 morcovi / 2 carrots
• 3 cartofi / 3 potatoes
• 250 ml smantana / 250 ml cooking cream
• 3 linguri faina / 3 tablespoons flour
• 3 linguri boia dulce / 3 tablespoons paprika
• ½ lingurita boia iute / ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• sare dupa gust / salt (to taste)
• chimen dupa gust/ caraway seeds (to taste)
• piper dupa gust / pepper (to taste)

 

Mod de preparare/ Method of preparation

1. Speli carnea si o tai cubulete / Wash the meat and cut it into cubes.
2. Toci ceapa si o calesti in ulei / Chop the onion and sauté in oil.
3. Adaugi carnea si rumenesti aproximativ 5 minute / Add the meat and fry it for aprox. 5 minutes.
4. Adaugi boiaua amestecand usor, apa fierbinte cat sa acopere carnea, sarea si chimenul / Add the paprika, mixing slowly and then the hot water, just enough to cover the meat and add the cumin and salt.
5. Acoperi si lasi sa fiarba,  amestecand din cand in cand / Cover and let it boil, stirring occasionally.
6. Adaugi apa calda daca e nevoie / Add warm water if needed.
7. Adaugi cartofii si morcovii taiati cubulete / Add the cubed potatoes and carrots.
8. Amesteci faina cu smantana si torni sosul in cratita / Mix the flour with the cream and pour the sauce in the pot.
9. Lasi sa fiarba inca 20-30 de minute /Let it cook for another 20-30 minutes.
10. Adauga sare si piper dupa gust / Add salt and pepper to taste.

Budinca de orez / Rice pudding

Ingrediente / Ingredients

• 250 g orez / 250 g rice
• 1 praf de sare / a pinch of salt
• 2 linguri unt / 2 tablespoons butter
• 5 oua / 5 eggs
• 200 g branza de vaci / cottage cheese
• 100 g zahar pudra / 100 g powdered sugar
• 3 linguri zahar tos / 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 lingura esenta vanilie / 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
• 500 g caise / 500 g apricots
• 1 l lapte / 1 l milk

Mod de preparare / Method of preparation

1. Se spala orezul in mai multe ape si se fierbe in 500 ml lapte cu putina sare / Wash the rice thoroughly and boil it in 500 ml milk with a little salt.

2. Se lasa sa se raceasca, dupa care se amesteca cu 3 linguri de zahar tos / Let it cool down and then mix it with 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar.

3. Se bat 3 galbenusuri si se amesteca cu branza, zaharul pudra si esenta de vanilie. Se mixeaza pana se obtine un amestec cremos / Beat 3 egg yolks and mix it with cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla essence. Mix it until you get a creamy mixture.

 

 

4. Se pune jumate din cantitatea de orez intr-un vas termozistent mai mic uns cu unt. Dupa aceea se intinde in strat uniform amestecul de branza, se aseaza caisele taiate jumatati si se acopera cu restul de orez / Place half of the rice in a smaller thermo-resistant bowl greased with butter. Then spread in a uniform layer of the cheese mixture and  place the apricots, cut into halves and cover with remaining rice.

 

5. Se bat 2 oua cu 500 ml lapte si se toarna peste budinca / Beat 2 yolks with 500 ml milk and pour over pudding.

6. Se introduce vasul in cuptorul preincalzit circa 30 de minute / Place  bowl in preheated oven for 30 minutes.

7. Intre timp se bat albusurile spuma tare si se intinde peste budinca. Se introduce din nou in cuptor pentru 8-10 minute, pana se aureste usor / Meanwhile beat egg whites well and spread over the pudding. Put it back in oven for 8-10 minutes until it gets a golden colour.

8. Se decoreaza cu caise si frunze de menta / Decorate with apricots and mint leaves.

Smoothie de pere / Pear Smoothie

Portii 3 / Serves 3

Ingrediente / Ingredients:

• 350 g pere coapte (reci sau inghetate), decojite si taiate cubulete / 350 g ripe pears (cold or frozen), peeled and diced
• 380 g iaurt semidegresat / 380 g  low fat yogurt
• 2-3 linguri de miere organica / 2-3 tablespoons organic honey
• 1 lingurita esenta de migdale / 1 teaspoon almond essence
• 8 cuburi de gheata (optional) / 8 ice cubes (optional)
• decoratuni (fulgi, bilute) de ciocolata / chocolate sprinkles

Mod de preparare / Method of preparation :

1. Se adauga perele, iaurtul, mierea si esenta de migdale intr-un blender impreuna cu cuburile de gheata / Add the pears, yogurt, honey and almond essence in a blender along with the ice cubes.

2. Dupa ce se adauga ingredientele, asigurati-va caci capacul blenderului este inchis bine pentru a avita un dezastru / After you add ingredients, make sure the lid of the blender is secure and shut tight to avoid a mess.

3. Se adauga miere in functie de gust / Add honey according to taste.

4. Blenderul se pune la cea mai mare viteza si ingredientele se blendeaza pana se omogenizeaza / Put the blender on the highest setting and blend the ingredients until smooth.

5. Se toarna in pahare si se decoreaza  fiecare pahar in parte cu decoratiuni de ciocolata / Pour into glasses and ganish each with chocolate sprinkles.