Cooking With Shazia

Home cooking can be approachable & enjoyable

RECIPES

PERI-PERI CHICKEN

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Nandos’s is a South African restaurant chain that has worldwide locations.  They specialize in Portuguese food, especially known for their peri peri chicken.  Peri peri aka African Bird’s Eye Chili is a particular species of chili peppers that were produced in Southeast Africa by the Portuguese explorers.  Recipes for this sauce vary from region to region.  Even with the variations all have some common ingredients like birds eye chili, lemon, red bell peppers, garlic and paprika. This homemade version is spicy and tangy, I’m so excited to share it with you guys!

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KADHI PAKORA (yogurt/garam flour curry)

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Kadhi Pakora is one of my favorite dishes when it comes to Pakistani food.  I find this dish to be so interesting in preparation and flavor compared to other Pakistani curries.  This dish has two main components, the kadhi and the pakoras. The kadhi which is a thick gravy base that’s made with yogurt and gram flour (chickpea flour) with some basic aromatics and powder spices.  Than you have the pakoras which are similar to fritters also made from gram flour and few other ingredients that I will go over . The flavor and texture is creamy with a tang from the yogurt.  Both of these components are finished off with a tempering (tarka) of oil that has been infused with cumin seeds, dry fenugreek and red dry chilies.  It’s often eaten with plain rice or chapati.

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ALOO BHUJIA (SPICED POTATO CURRY)

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This potato curry brings me so many memories of comfort and family.  Aloo Bhujia (Potato curry) is not just our family favorite but a staple of many South Asian households.  In a bhujia style curry there is no gravy/sauce that you usually see in other curries.  The oil is infused with cumin and black mustard seeds to build layers of flavors, following the use of basic aromatics and spices.  If you are new to cooking believe me you want to learn this one.  It’s such an easy recipe to start of with, it’s very forgiving.  There are many different ways of preparing this comfort meal.  Today I am sharing how my mom has always made this delicious family favorite dish.

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VERMICELLI PUDDING (seviyan kheer)

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Seviyan Kheer is a very popular South Asian dessert.  It’s very similar in taste and texture to a pudding.  The flavors are a delicious combination of milk, heavy cream and vermicelli noodles flavored with cardamom and sugar.  With just a few ingredients you will be surprised how quickly this dessert comes together.  Keep in mind this dessert has many variations across the region.

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EASY VEGGIE LO MEIN

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A simple easy recipe with all the flavor but without the guilt of Chinese takeout. Lo Mein is very similar to Chow Mein in flavor, the egg noodles used in both dishes. But authentic chow mein noodles are can be fried to crispness, and lo mein noodles are boiled to softness. The ingredients in this dish are readily available. Even as a beginner cook I am sure you will find this recipe super easy to follow.

This easy veggie Lo Mein is guaranteed to become a family favorite on your weekly menu.

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THE BEST HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

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A delicious Chocolate Cake never goes out of style. I’m taking you back to a simple moist Chocolate Cake with simple ingredients you probably already have. No buttermilk or sour cream is used in this recipe. If you are making this for kids than you don’t have to worry about coffee in a Chocolate Cake.  The cake is frosted with chocolaty, silky smooth Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. This is one of the easiest frosting you will make.

This will be your “go to” Chocolate Cake no matter your baking level. I hope you get to bake this for your loved ones.

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EASY NO-KNEAD BREAD

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This No-Knead bread will have you feeling like an Artisan bread baker, it requires no special equipment or skills.  It uses the most basic bread making technique and method, but produces flavor that any level baker will enjoy. You mix everything in a bowl and than just let it rest and rise covered at room temperature and see the magic happen. It’s a bakery style white bread with a thin crusty exterior and a tender interior perfect for sandwiches, dipping in soups/sauces, and perfect with slab of butter!

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EASY HOMEMADE CHICKEN RAMEN

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Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup dish. The noodles that are used in Ramen are Chinese-style wheat or egg noodles.  The noodles are served in a delicious broth/stock alongside cooked protein and many different toppings.  The variations are endless for this soup and there are different styles of this soup.  This recipe is closer to SHOYU Ramen which has the soy sauce in the stock. This is not an authentic Japanese Ramen recipe but it’s packed with flavor and very easy to make at home.

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BHUNA GOSHT (sauteed meat curry)

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Bhuna gosht is a type of a main course curry in South Asian cuisine.  Beef pieces are slow cooked with powder/whole spices, onions, tomatoes, ginger/garlic. Once the beef is tender and has cooked in it’s own juices oil is added to sear/fry the meat and the gravy. This searing technique in South Asian curry is called “bhuna”.  In a bhuna technique spices are cooked in oil with no water. The results are tender pieces of beef that just melt in your mouth. This particular type of curry has a very thick gravy and all the pieces of beef are coated with this gravy.  This popular dish is another example of using basic South Asian ingredients/spices to create such an aromatic flavorful curry.

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EASY TIRAMISU NO EGGS

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Tiramisu is an Italian decadent dessert of espresso-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone, cream cheese and sweetened whipped cream. Classic Tiramisu is made with eggs, but I am showing you the easy no-bake version, it has bold flavors with simple ingredients. Since it requires no-baking it’s a perfect make ahead dessert and serves a big crowd. I have gotten so many compliments every time I have served this delicious dessert!

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