Matcha Lemonade

      Oh my goodness, this is my new favorite drink! I just love matcha tea. Thank you Karen Sleger for introducing me to Matcha tea. It's finely grounded powder of specially grown processed green tea. It has bunch of health benefits. Like when you drink Matcha tea you ingest the entire leaf and receive 100% of the nutrients of the leaf. Matcha tea has 137 times more antioxidants than regularly brewed green tea. So I keep looking for  different ways to use it. This time it's lemonade. When the temperature goes up it always calls out for something fresh and cold. So I made matcha lemonade and here's how! :) Give it a try!

Ingredients: 

lemon 1

Desired amount of sugar (Since the Matcha tea I'm using already has sugar in it so I'm going easy with sugar )

Matcha green tea powder: 1.5 tsp

Mint leaves few

Some Ice and water

Method:

• squeeze the juice of one really juicey lemon and put it in your jar.
• add a teaspoon of matcha green tea powder.
• add as much sugar as you like ( I like mine sweet) and shake it all around until everything is well combined!
• Crush few mint leaves and add it to the drink.
• add some ice and fill the rest up with water!

Makes 2 servings.

Rotini with broccoli

           There is nothing fancy about this dish, its simple and easy. There are times when we get bored of eating typical desi food. That's when these kind of dishes come for my rescue.
          
             Since today I spend my whole day with my son doing different activities, gardening, Lego building,  painting. so I had no time to cook. Thought lets make it quick and easy. In 30 Minutes dinner was ready. I used only Broccoli But you can use your favorite vegetable in it. This is a busy day dinner for us. Hope you like it.

 Ingredients:

1 Bulb of garlic, minced
1 lb. Tri-color rotini pasta
1 small head broccoli, broken into florets
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 tsp chili flakes
salt and pepper
grated parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top (optional)
Basil For garnishing


Procedure:

• Cook rotini in a pot according to the packet instructions or until al dente.( don't forget to add salt to the water.)
• 4 minutes before the end of cooking time, add the broccoli to the same pot.
• Reserve 1 ladle of the pasta water and drain the rest.
• heat oil in a pan on simmer, add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, chili flakes. Now add Rotini and broccoli and toss it.
• Season it with salt and pepper. if pasta looks dry a bit dry then add a little of the cooking pasta water and shake the pan to emulsify.
• Serve it hot with some grated parmesan cheese on top. Garnish it with Basil.

Makes 4 servings.

Chocolate Mocha Mousse

          Well, Its been really long time since I posted anything. Between work n home it was difficult for me to find time to do what I wanted to do( My blog).That doesn't mean I stopped cooking hehehehe.

           But now that the summer break is going on for my kid, and I have also taken break. I thought this is the right time to start working on blog again. Why not start with something sweet. So Here is Chocolate Mocha Mousse. This amazing dessert is sure to win your guests heart. Delicious and decadent in the same time. Come celebrate International chocolate day with Me.

Ingredients:





• 6 oz. high-quality chocolate (60-70% cacao )
• ( I went crazy and tried with chocolate with almond chunks in it But after seeing the end result I would suggest use just plain and simple chocolate)
• 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
• 1 egg yolk 4 egg whites

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 tablespoon salt

Procedures: 

• Chop chocolate into small pieces and place in a bowl large enough to contain all of the ingredients and accommodate the folding process. Place the bowl over a simmering water bath. Make sure the bowl is not touching the water and the water is kept to a simmer. Take off the heat when the chocolate is melted.
• Gently bring the milk to a boil and whisk in the espresso powder and salt until it is completely dissolved. Pour over the melted chocolate and slowly whisk. Add the egg yolk and whisk until fully incorporated.
• Whip eggs whites on medium speed until they reach medium peak stage using your hand blender. Increase speed to high and gradually add sugar in a slow steady manner until egg whites are firm and glossy. 
• Using a large rubber spatula, add 1/3 of whites to chocolate mixture and gently whisk to combine and lighten. Gently fold in remaining 2/3 egg whites until there are no streaks. This step is very important. Make sure not to stir but to fold but not too much. Then portion into individual servings or a large bowl. Chill for 45 minutes before serving for peak texture, or up to two days.

Serves 4.