Easy Coconut Milk Soup

This is an easier and modified version of Thai Tom Kha Ghai soup.. and of course cheaper too (you can imagine how expensive those lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves etc. can be).

All you need is:
1. Coconut milk (thick and creamy) - 2 table spoons
2. Chicken breast - 1/2 (optional; can replace with your choice of vegetables)
3. Lemon juice - 1 teaspoon
4. Chicken bouillon - 1/2 cube (you can substitute this with chicken broth)
5. red chilli peppers - 2
6. Ginger - 1/2 inch size (or you can use ginger paste - 1/4 teaspoon)

Preparation time: 5 to 10min

Preparation:
1. Mix the thick coconut milk with sufficient water and bouillon cube (if your coconut milk is watery or if you are using chicken broth instead of chicken bouillon, you can skip adding extra water)
2. Bring the mixture to a boil and add crushed ginger, lemon juice and red chilli peppers
3. Bring the mixture to a boil again and add chopped chicken breast pieces
4. Cook on medium until the chicken pieces are cooked and tender

Simple, hot and yummy soup is ready..!!!

PS: Do not add extra salt since the chicken bouillon will have sufficient salt.

Something quick and spicy with bread

I had some left over bread and ran out of peanut butter and jam... :(
And I need to improvise with what ever was lying in the pantry.. and it turned out to be really good. In fact better than peanut butter sandwich.

Preparation time: 5 to 10min

You need:
1. Bread slices (white or whole wheat) - 4
2. Onion - 1/2
3. Tomato - 1 (you can use paste or replace with pasta sauce - 1cup)
4. Garlic (chopped) - 1 teaspoon (if you already have garlic in pasta sauce, you can cut down on the quantity)
5. Salt - to taste
6. Cayenne pepper - to taste
7. Oil - 2 teaspoons
8. mustard seeds - 1/2 teaspoon (optional)
9. Cilantro - to garnish

Preparation:
1. Cut bread slices to medium squares
2. Pour oil into heated pan and add mustard seeds (optional).
3. Once the mustard seeds splutter, add chopped onions and garlic and saute until golden brown.
4. Add chopped tomatoes or tomato paste or pasta sauce (saute or cook until the sauce is thickened into a gravy)
5. Add the chopped bread and saute
6. Add salt and cayenne pepper as per your spice level and mix well.
7. Garnish with cilantro and it is ready to be served.


Bon Appetite!

Quick Snack - Spicy Corn

Many a times we crave for a low fat savory snack to munch on... Here is something I prefer especially when I am too lazy or to busy to spend time on preparation - SPICY CORN.

Preparation time: 3 mins

You need:
1. Frozen corn - 1 cup
2. Lemon juice - 1 teaspoon
3. Salt - to taste
4. Cayenne pepper (powder) - 1/2 teaspoon
5. Garlic (finely chopped or paste) - 1/4 teaspoon

Preparation:

1. Microwave the frozen corn in a bowl for 30s on high (to thaw it).
2. To this corn, add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
3. Microwave this mixture on high for 2 minutes and it is ready.

Enjoy your snack!!

PS: you can adjust the cayenne pepper, salt and lemon juice levels based on your spice level