Letters to Santa ~ Part III *Xmas Recipes

The holidays have begun. Gifts have been wrapped. Happiness is in every heart. And everybody is singing the Christmas Song.

We are all waiting for a party and a get together. How can a festival be complete without food? Well, these are few top recipes that whenever I present to my family and friends, guests give me a longing look asking for more. I will give the frame work of my recipes, you can make changes according to your tastes.

First I will begin with Chicken Drumsticks. You are free to use any non-veg item other than chicken as well. If you are a vegetarian, you may try with mushrooms or cottage cheese (i.e. paneer).








Ingredients:

Bread Crumbs = 1 bowl
Chicken = 1/2 Kg
Egg = 2
Lemon = 1
Red chili powder = 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder = 1 tablespoon
Vinegar = 1 tablespoon
Turmeric powder = 1/2 tsp
Tomato ketchup = 2 tablespoon
Oil to fry
Salt to taste

Preparation:

Clean the chicken and put it to marinate with vinegar, red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, tomato ketchup for minimum one hour. Beat the eggs and salt in a bowl. Put a pan with oil to heat. Once the oil is hot, dip each piece of chicken in eggs and then bread crumbs then again in eggs and again in bread crumbs and fry. Repeat the process for all the pieces and serve hot with sauce.

Next we make the sauce. People have different tastes. So, serve the Chicken Drumsticks with white sauce and spicy sauce.
To make Spicy sauce.







Ingredients:

Parsley (finely chopped) = 1 bunch
Cilantro (finely chopped) = 1 bunch
Garlic cloves (minced) = 2
Vinegar = 1.5 tablespoon
Red pepper flakes = 1/2 tablespoon
Ground black pepper = 1/2 tablespoon
Olive oil = 1/2 cup
Salt to taste

Preparation:

Put parsley, cilantro and garlic in a mixing bowl and toss. Add vinegar, salt, red and black pepper. Stir. Pour olive oil and mix well. Let is sit for about an hour and then serve.

Next we prepare the White sauce












Ingredients:

Butter = 2 tablespoon
Shallot (finely chopped) = 1/2 cup
Flour = 1/4 cup
Milk (warm) = 2 cups
Parmesan cheese (grated) = 1/4 cup
Coriander leaves (finely chopped) = 1/2 bunch
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

In a sauce pan melt butter over medium heat. Add shallots and cook till they are tender. Stir flour and gradually whisk in warm milk. Bring it to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Keep whisking. Then remove from heat and put Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

The last preparation that I will share is the desert. I named it Healthy Desert for all Seasons. This particular recipe I learnt from my aunt when I was 5 years old and I improvised over the years.It is a very easy to do recipe for kids.








Ingredients:

Fruits = 1/each kind of fruit (chopped)
Dry fruits (finely chopped) = handful
Custard = 1 big bowl
Cream = 1 cup
Fruit juice = 1/2 jar
Fruit cake = 2 packets

Preparation:

Take a large bowl. Place the slices of fruit cake to cover the bottom. Pour fruit juice until they are completely soaked. Put a layer of custard. Then put the fruits and dry fruits. Put another layer of fruit cake and repeat the process until the bowl is completely full. On the top put a layer of cream and decorate it with a cherry or strawberry. Refrigerate and serve.

*This recipe can be topped with vanilla ice cream for summer season.

I hope you enjoy the yummy food and share your unique recipes with me too.

"Merry Christmas to you and your family!"