Chai panna cotta

A spiced indian take on a classic dessert. 

Makes

8

Ingredients

• 3 cardamom pods, bruised
• 2cm piece ginger, peeled, grated
• 2 chai and vanilla tea bags
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1 litre buttermilk
• 3/4 cup caster sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• 1 tablespoon powdered gelatine
• 1/4 cup chopped pistachio kernels
• 1 tablespoon orange zest

 

Method

1. Place cardamom, ginger and tea bags in a heatproof jug. Add 1/3 cup boiling water. Set aside for 30 minutes for flavours to develop. Strain mixture into a bowl. Discard cardamom, ginger and tea bags.
2. Place buttermilk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and tea mixture in a saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes or until sugar has dissolved and buttermilk is just warmed through. Remove from heat.
3. Place remaining boiling water in a heatproof bowl. Sprinkle over gelatine. Whisk to dissolve. Add gelatine mixture to buttermilk mixture, stirring constantly until combined. Pour into eight 200ml-capacity glasses. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until set.
4. Divide pistachios and orange rind between glasses. Serve.

Indian lamb cutlets with coriander and coconut rice

Cooking Time

30 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1 1/2 cups basmati rice, rinsed
• 1 small bunch coriander
• 2 long green chillies, deseeded, chopped
• 1 cup plain natural yoghurt
• 2 tablespoons desiccated coconut
• 2 tablespoons Indian curry powder
• 12 (100g each) French trimmed lamb cutlets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

 

Method

1. Place rice in a medium saucepan. Cover with 1 1/2 cups of cold water. Add a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 12 minutes or until rice is tender.
2. Meanwhile, place coriander and chillies in a food processor. Process until coarsely chopped. Combine yoghurt and 2 tablespoons of coriander mixture in a small bowl. Combine remaining coriander mixture and coconut in a small bowl.
3. Spoon curry powder over a plate. Press cutlets into powder to coat. Shake off excess. Heat oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook lamb, in batches, for 3 minutes each side or until cooked to your liking.
4. Stir coconut mixture through rice. Serve chops with rice and a dollop of yoghurt mixture.

Chicken korma with chickpeas

With a few pantry staples and a little creativity, we've stirred up these curry pots to fill your kitchen with the aroma of Indian cuisine. 

Preparation Time

20 minutes

Cooking Time

30 minutes

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 2 tbs canola oil
• 6 chicken breast fillets, cut into 3cm pieces
• 2 brown onions, halved, cut into wedges
• 3 tbs Patak’s Korma Paste
• 800g Butternut pumpkin, peeled, seeded, cut into 2cm pieces
• 400g can diced tomatoes
• 500ml (2 cups) chicken stock
• 400g can chickpeas, rinsed, drained
• 200g snow peas, trimmed
• Fresh coriander sprigs, to serve
• Tzatziki, to serve
• Roti bread, warmed, to serve

 

Method

1. Heat half the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook half the chicken, turning occasionally, for 3-4 minutes or until browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken, reheating the pan between batches.
2. Add the onion and remaining oil to the pan and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until the onion is soft. Add the chicken and curry paste and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until well combined. Add the pumpkin, tomato and stock and stir until well combined. Cover and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender.
3. Add the chickpeas and snow peas and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until the snow peas are bright green and tender crisp and the sauce thickens slightly. Spoon the curry among serving bowls. Top with coriander and tzatziki. Serve with roti.

Indian-style gazpacho

Spain's famous chilled tomato and vegetable soup, made Indian with fresh chilli, ginger and pappadums, is the perfect start to your night. 

Preparation Time

10 - 70 minutes

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 250g vine-ripened tomatoes, quartered
• 1/2 red onion, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 red capsicum, deseeded, coarsely chopped
• 10cm-piece Lebanese cucumber, peeled, deseeded, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 small fresh red chilli, deseeded, finely chopped
• 1 tbs chopped fresh coriander
• 2 small cooked pappadums, coarsely broken
• 250ml (1 cup) chilled vegetable stock
• 1 tbs white wine vinegar
• 1 tsp caster sugar
• Natural yoghurt, to serve
• Coriander leaves, to serve

 

Method

1. Place the tomato, onion, capsicum, cucumber, garlic, ginger, chilli and coriander in the jug of a blender and blend until almost smooth. Add pappadum and blend until the mixture thickens slightly.
2. Transfer the tomato mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the stock, vinegar and sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the tomato mixture to an airtight container. Place in the fridge for 1 hour to chill.
3. Pour the tomato mixture among serving glasses. Top each glass with a small dollop of yoghurt and a coriander leaf to serve.

Indian rice capsicums with mint yoghurt

Juicy currants and crunchy pistachios are the hidden secrets in these cute capsicums. 

Preparation Time

20 - 30 minutes

Cooking Time

35 minutes

Makes

12

Ingredients

• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1 small brown onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbs Sharwood's Tikka Masala Curry Paste
• 150g (3/4 cup) basmati rice
• 500ml (2 cups) water
• 45g (1/4 cup) currants
• 2 tbs chopped pistachio kernels
• 2 tbs chopped fresh coriander
• 12 (3 x 250g pkts) baby red capsicums (see note)
• 260g (1 cup) Greek-style natural yoghurt
• 1/4 cup shredded fresh mint

 

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Heat half the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until the onion softens. Add the curry paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until aromatic. Stir in the rice. Add the water and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, for 10 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Set aside, covered, for 10 minutes. Use a fork to separatethe grains. Stir in the currants, pistachio and coriander.
2. Meanwhile, cut the tops from the capsicums and reserve. Use a small sharp knife to cut around the membrane and seeds. Discard. Combine the yoghurt and mint in a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge.
3. Divide the rice mixture among the capsicums. Place in a roasting pan and drizzle over remaining oil. Replace tops.
4. Bake the capsicums in oven for 20 minutes or until tender. Arrange on a serving platter and serve with the minted yoghurt.

 

Notes

• You can prepare this recipe to the end of step 3 up to 6 hours ahead. Cover the capsicums with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. Continue from step 4, 20 minutes before serving.
• Rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, sweet baby red capsicums taste great when filled with Indian-style rice.

Indian kofta

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 500g lean beef mince
• 2cm piece fresh ginger, peeled, finely grated
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 small onion, finely grated
• 1 tablespoon tandoori paste
• 1 tablespoon mango chutney

• Yoghurt sauce

• 1 cup thick natural yoghurt
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon mango chutney
• 1 teaspoon salt
• steamed basmati rice, to serve
• pappadams, cooked, to serve
• mint leaves, to garnish

 

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
2. Combine mince, ginger, garlic, onion, tandoori, chutney, and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix with clean hands until well combined. Roll tablespoonfuls of mixture into balls. Place onto baking tray. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until cooked.
3. To make yoghurt sauce: Place 1/2 cup yoghurt and mint leaves into the bowl of a food processor. Process until mint is finely chopped and sauce is green. Transfer to a bowl. Add remaining yoghurt, chutney and salt. Stir to combine.
4. Serve kofta with basmati rice, pappadams and yoghurt sauce. Garnish with mint leaves.

Indian beetroot dip

Makes

1 cup

Ingredients

• 1/2 bunch beetroot (2 beetroot)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 small brown onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• pinch chilli powder
• 1 1/2 tablespoons flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup plain yoghurt
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh coriander leaves

 

Method

1. Trim beetroot stems and leaves. Wearing gloves, peel and grate beetroot.
2. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until tender. Add ground coriander, cumin and chilli. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add beetroot, coconut and 1/2 cup cold water. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, stirring, for 10 minutes or until beetroot is just tender. Transfer to a bowl. Cool for 15 minutes. Add yoghurt, mint and coriander leaves. Stir to combine. Serve.

 

Notes

You could serve dip as a side with curries, naan and pappadums.

Indian parsnip soup

A colourful array of root vegetables proves to be versatile riches in this tasty recipe. 

Preparation Time

15 minutes

Cooking Time

30 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 30g butter
• 1 brown onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tbsp finely grated ginger
• 1 long green chilli, seeded, finely chopped
• 6 fresh curry leaves
• 4 parsnips, peeled, coarsely chopped
• 1 potato, peeled, coarsely chopped
• 1 litre vegetable or chicken stock
• 1/2 cup coconut cream
• Natural yoghurt, to serve

• Coriander sambal

• 2 tbsp flaked coconut
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 cup coriander leaves
• 1/4 cup mint leaves
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

 

Method

1. Heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until soft and golden. Add the garlic, ginger, chilli and curry leaves and stir for 1 minute or until aromatic. Add the parsnip, potato and stock and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until parsnip is tender.
2. Set aside for 5 minutes to cool slightly.
3. Blend half the parsnip until smooth. Transfer to a clean saucepan. Repeat with remaining parsnip mixture. Add coconut cream then taste and season with salt and pepper. Warm through over low heat.
4. To make the coriander sambal, heat a small frypan over medium heat. Add the coconut and cook, tossing the pan, for 2-3 minutes or until lightly toasted. Transfer to a bowl.
5. Add the cumin seeds to the pan and cook for 1 minute or until aromatic. Remove from heat.
6. Add the cumin, coriander, mint and lemon juice to the coconut and stir to combine.
7. Ladle the soup among serving bowls. Dollop with yoghurt and spoon over the sambal. Serve immediately.

Baked Indian fish pilaf

Take time out after a busy day to whip up this quick and tasty Baked Indian fish pilaf for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 3 teaspoons chicken stock powder
• 3 1/4 cups boiling water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup tikka masala curry paste
• 1 1/3 cups basmati rice
• 450g frozen barramundi fish fillets, thawed, cut into 2.5cm pieces
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 100g baby spinach
• Pappadums or naan bread, to serve

 

Method

1. Preheat oven to 190ºC/170ºC fan-forced.
2. Combine stock powder and boiling water in a jug. Heat oil in a large, heavy-based, non-stick flameproof casserole dish over medium heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes or until softened. Add curry paste. Stir for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add rice. Stir to coat. Add 3 cups stock mixture. Bring to the boil. Cover. Transfer to oven. Bake for 20 minutes.
3. Stir in fish, peas and remaining stock. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes or until fish is just cooked through. Gently stir in spinach. Cover. Set aside for 3 to 5 minutes or until spinach has wilted. Serve with pappadums or naan bread.

 

Notes

Super saver: By using stock powder instead of liquid stock, we’ve saved you around $2.76 in total.

Mango chicken pappadums

A fusion of fresh Indian flavours atop crispy mini pappadums is finger food heaven. 

Preparation Time

30 minutes

Cooking Time

15 minutes

Makes

14

Ingredients

• 2 single chicken breast fillets
• 2 tbs tandoori curry paste
• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 14 plain mini pappadums
• 1 Honey Gold mango, peeled, cut into 1cm pieces
• 1 small Lebanese cucumber, cut into 1cm pieces
• 2 tbs finely chopped red onion
• 1 tbs chopped fresh coriander
• 3 tsp fresh lime juice
• 130g (1/2 cup) natural yoghurt
• 1 tbs chopped fresh mint
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• Fresh coriander sprigs, to serve

 

Method

1. Place the chicken and curry paste in a glass or ceramic bowl and turn to coat.
2. Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Cook chicken for 7 minutes each side. Set aside to cool. Shred.
3. Meanwhile, cook the pappadums following packet directions.
4. Combine the mango, cucumber, onion, chopped coriander and one-third of the lime juice in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Combine the yoghurt, mint, garlic and remaining lime juice in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Place pappadums on a serving platter. Top with chicken, mango mixture, yoghurt mixture and coriander sprigs to serve.