The Secret Ingredient (Chamomile): Seared Sea Scallops with Chamomile Beurre Blanc

 Seared Sea Scallops with Chamomile Beurre Blanc
Ingredients
 * 1 shallot, chopped
 * 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
 * 1/3 cup dry white wine
 * 1 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
 * 1 tablespoon cream
 * 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed and cold, plus 1 tablespoons
 * 4 large sea scallops

Procedure
1. Begin with the beurre blanc. In a medium saucepan, place the shallots, vinegar, wine, and chamomile. Bring to a low simmer,

Avial (Mixed Vegetables With Sauce)

Avial (Mixed Vegetables With Sauce)
Required ingredients:
Cubed White Squash (pumpkin) -- 1 cup
Chopped French Beans, Cauliflower,
Drumstick*, Bell Pepper, Potato -- 3 cups
(mixed together)
Green Chilies -- 4 (medium sized)
Plain Yoghurt -- 2 cups
Grated Fresh Coconut -- 1 cup
Curry Leaves -- 10
Coriander Leaves -- 4 tsp.
Mustard -- 1/8 tsp.
Turmeric -- 1/8 tsp.
Cooking oil -- 1/2 cup
Dried Red Chilies -- 2
Sugar -- 1 tsp.
Cumin -- 1 tsp.
Split Black Gram -- 1/8 tsp.
Asafoetida -- a pinch or two
Salt to taste

Method
In a deep pot boil the mixed vegetables in a cup
of water until tender. Keep aside. (If there is any
water left in the pot, do not discard it).
In a blender, blend yogurt, sugar, cumin, grated
coconut, turmeric, salt, coriander leaves, a cup of
water until well mixed. Pour this mixture into the
pot containing the vegetables and keep it on
medium heat. Add the green chilies sliced
lengthwise and simmer the contents for ten
minutes. (Remember to stir frequently, as yogurt
tends to stick to the bottom of the pot). Remove
from heat and keep aside.

In a wide skillet heat oil on medium. When oil is
hot add dry red peppers and fry for one minute.
Then add mustard seeds, black gram and curry
leaves. When the mustard seeds pop, add
asafoetida. Immediately add the vegetables and
sauce from the pot. Cook for a minute or two.
Remove from heat.
Goes well with plain white rice, pita, paratha, puri.
*If drumstick is not available, you can add some
other vegetable. Eggplant, however, is
not advised because it becomes bitter when
boiled in water.

Preparation time: 40 minutes
Serves 4

Green All-Purpose Chutney

Green All-Purpose Chutney
Ingredients:
15 green chillies
1/2 cup coriander
1/2 lemon
1 tbsp. sev or potato wafers crushed
1/2 tsp. jaggery
salt to taste
1 tsp. oil
1 clovette garlic

Method:
Put all the ingredients , except oil and asafoetida , in a small mixie.
Heat the oil and add the asafoetida and put in the mixie.
Run the mixie till a smooth chutney is obtained.
Try using no water or as little as possible to make the chutney keep longer.
Add water as and when required.
Store in a clean glass bottle.

Note: Sev is a fried Indian snack made of gramflour.
Makes 1/2 cup chutney
Making time: 5 minutes
Shelf life: 1 week (refrigerated)

Coconut Burfi

Coconut Burfi
Ingredients
250 gms. finely grated coconut
250 gms. sugar
150 ml. water
ghee for greasing plate

Method
1.Prepare syrup with sugar and water to 2 1/2 thread consistency.
Use method as shown in introduction.
2.Warm coconut in heavy saucepan, pour in the syrup.
3.Stir well and cook till soft lump forms.
4.Spread in a greased plate. Cool.
5.Sprinkle cardamom powder (optional).
6.Cut into squares, store in airtight container.

Making time: 30 minutes
Makes: 20-25 pieces
Shelflife: 2 weeks
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