Incorporating four of the five main actors from the 2010 smash-hit, Bridesmaids, new comedy blockbuster Friends With Kids holds a lot of promise with its cast’s reputatio. It seems logical [...]
Author Archive for Nayna Kanabar
Nayna Kanabar is a working professional who has a passion for cooking, an interest in food styling, fruit and vegetable carving, innovative cookery and photography. Having a strong belief in healthy eating and home cooking, Nayna spends much of her spare time in the kitchen preparing and experimenting with wholesome healthy ingredients creating fusion and continental dishes giving them an Indian touch. She also enjoys cooking old family favourites but adapting the recipes and cooking techniques for healthier options to incorporate them into today’s lifestyle whilst taking care not to lose the authenticity of the dish. Click here for her food blog. Follow Nayna on Twitter @SIMPLYF00D
Greek Halwa
Greek Halwa ~ a rich and fragrant sweet semolina dessert that is flavoured with spices such as cinnamon, cloves, star anise and garnished with nuts. Ingredients: 60 g / 2 oz fine semolina 60 g / 2 oz unsalted butter few pistachio nut to garnish Sugar Syrup 60 g / 2 oz sugar 250 ml water 3 [...]
Pasta Bake
Penne pasta baked in a spicy tomato sauce with a delicious cheesy topping. Ingredients: Pasta: 240 grams / 8 oz uncooked pasta penne 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon olive oil 2 litres Water Arrabbiata Sauce: 60 grams / 2 oz pre cooked sweet corn kernels 60 grams / 2 oz mixed peppers red /green / [...]
Beetroot Relish
Sweetness of the beetroot and the tang from the lemon makes this relish delicious and tasty. Ingredients: 2 medium raw beetroots 1/4 small white cabbage 1 tablespoon brown sugar Juice of half lemon 1/2 tablespoon sunflower oil 1 green chilli finely diced 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 red dried chilli 1/2 teaspoon salt Method: 1. [...]
Caramel Fudge
Delectable pieces of melt-in-the-mouth soft brown fudge topped with flaked almonds. Ingredients: 240 ml / 8 oz Caramel Condensed milk 300 g / 10 oz Milk Powder Flaked almonds Butter to grease the pan Method: 1. In a large microwaveable dish add the caramel condensed milk and the milk powder. 2. Mix the ingredients and [...]
Chocolate Coins
These simple and delectable little chocolate coins are simple and easy to prepare and make wonderful Easter treats. Ingredients: 8 oz / 220 grams White chocolate 8 oz / 220 grams Milk chocolate Edible coloured sugar or sprinkles to decorate. Method: 1.Break up each type of chocolate into small pieces and place it in two separate bowls [...]
Roti Canai: Malaysian Flaky Flat Bread
Flaky Malaysian flat breads that are delicious with curry or pickle Preparation time: 30 minutes Resting time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 cups All purpose flour 1 egg or 2 tablespoons natural yoghurt 2 tablespoon cooking oil for dough 4 tablespoons for cooking the Roti Canai and kneading the dough Salt to [...]
Yoghurt and Coconut Chutney/Dip
Creamy and delicious spicy yoghurt and coconut chutney. Preparation time- 10 minutes Serves-4 Ingredient 170 grams (1 small tub) Chobani Natural low fat Yoghurt ( or any Greek yoghurt) 30 grams / 1 oz dessicated coconut 1 green chilli finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt For tempering: 6 curry leaves 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds 1/2 tablespoon sunflower oil 1/2 [...]
Baked Potato Skins
Delicious oven baked cheesy potato skins with a spicy sweet corn filling. Preparation Time- 10 minutes Microwave-10 minutes Baking time- 25 minutes Serves- 4 Ingredients: 4 medium white baking potatoes 125 grams / 4 oz grated cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons cooked sweet corn 2 spring onions finely chopped 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon white pepper 1/4 teaspoon [...]
Apple, Mango and Kiwi Breakfast Smoothie
Refreshing and delicious fruit smoothie which is healthy and filling. Ingredients: I ripe mango 2 ripe kiwi 1 apple 100 ml apple and mango innocent fruit juice 1 tablespoon clear honey Method: 1. Peel the kiwi and cut it into quarters, remove the white core and dice it. 2. Peel and cut the mango in half, remove the stone and dice [...]
Three Merry Berry Mocktail
Three Merry Berry Mocktail A delicious nostalgic Christmas spiced Berry mocktail Serves 2 Ingredients: For Spiced honey syrup 90 ml water 60 ml light runny honey 2 inch piece of cinnamon Small pinch cinnamon powder 2 star anise 2 cloves For Mocktail 2 strawberries 4 raspberries 4 blackberries ½ teaspoon orange zest ½ teaspoon lime [...]
Snowflake Lemon Shortbread
Rich melt in the mouth shortbread with a lovely citrus zing. Preparation time- 20 minutes Chilling Time- 30 minutes Baking time – 10-12 minutes Makes 22 Ingredients: 180 grams / 6 oz plain flour 60 grams / 2 oz sugar 120 grams /4 oz butter Zest of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon milk Icing: 4 tablespoons icing sugar [...]
Tourchi Batata – Tunisian Spicy Potato Salad
A delicious and spicy potato salad with a hint of cumin and lemon. Preparation Time-20 minutes Cooking time- 20 minutes Serves- 2 Ingredients: 4 medium sized potatoes 1 tablespoon Harissa paste 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin powder 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon olive oil Method: 1. Boil the potatoes and when they [...]
Dholl Puri – Mauritian Flatbread
Delicious flat breads with a spicy aromatic lentil filling. Preparation time- 30 minutes Cooking time -30 minutes Serves 4 Ingredients For filling: 120 grams/ 4 oz yellow split peas, soaked in water overnight 1 teaspoon salt 2 green chillies finely chopped 1 tablespoon fresh coriander finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon toasted cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon [...]
Mauritian Lima Bean Stew
Hearty and delicious Mauritian spicy Lima bean stew. Preparation time- 10 minutes Cooking time-20 minutes Serves 2 Ingredients: 300 g precooked tinned broad beans/ Lima beans 2 medium potatoes peeled and diced 1 small onion finely diced 1 carrot peeled and diced 1 clove garlic 2 large tomatoes diced and puréed 1 tablespoon sunflower oil 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder 1/4 [...]
Touarits – Tunisian Stuffed Semolina Bread
Crispy Tunisian style stuffed semolina bread with a spicy vegetarian harissa filling. Preparation time 30 minutes Dough Resting time 1.5 hours Cooking time -25 minutes Makes 5 Ingredients: 240 g / 8 oz fine semolina 1 teaspoon fast acting yeast 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1 tablespoon oil 1/2 -1 cup warm water( use [...]
Kenyan Spicy Black Eyed Bean Stew
Spicy and rich protein packed Kenyan black-eyed bean stew. Preparation time – 5 minutes Cooking time – 15 minutes Serves 2 Ingredients: 8oz / 240 g cooked black eyed beans 1 tablespoon sunflower oil 1 clove garlic finely chopped 2 medium tomatoes 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder 1 tablespoon [...]
Matoke – Kenyan Green Banana Plantain Stew
Delicious wholesome spicy Kenyan style plantain stew. Preparation time -10 minutes Cooking time – 15 minutes Serves- 2 Ingredients: 5 green bananas -raw plantain (Matoke) 2 medium tomatoes 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons sunflower oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 green chillies. 150 ml water 1 tablespoon fresh chopped coriander for [...]
Chilli Marinade
Fiery chilli marinade that is perfect for marinading vegetables and meats for a barbecue. Preparation time-5 minutes Chilling time 3-4 hours Makes 1 cup Ingredients: 4 tablespoons ketchup 1 medium ripe tomato blended to apuree 4 tablespoons reasonable flavor neutral oil 4 cloves crushed garlic 4 tsp red chili flakes 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin [...]
Moroccan Roasted Almonds
Salted crispy almonds that you will not be able to stop munching. Preparation Time 5 minutes Baking time -20 minutes Serves 2-3 Ingredients: 240g / 8 oz Almonds 1 tablespoon salt Method: 1. Wash the almonds and drain them . 2. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C / 350 degrees F. 3. Line a [...]
Thai Green Mango Salad
Thai Mango salad, tropical sharp and tangy mango balanced with sweet coconut in a sweet and sour and spicy dressing. Preparation time – 10 minutes Serves 2 Ingredients: I large green mango 60g / 2oz fresh grated coconut 2 red chillies cut into thin strips 1 red sweet pepper cut into thin strips 1 tablespoon fresh chopped coriander leaves [...]
Broad Bean Curry
Healthy and nutritious broad beans cooked with a blend of spices in a garlicky curry sauce. Preparation time – 15 minutes Cooking Time - 20 Minutes Serves 2 Ingredients 8oz fresh or frozen broad beans 1 teaspoon turmeric ½ teaspoon garlic paste 1 teaspoon chilli powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 tomatoes deseeded and pureed 1 teaspoon [...]
Tzatziki
A rich and creamy yoghurt and cucumber dip flavoured with garlic . Preparation Time – 10 minutes Chilling Time – 1 hour Serves 4 Ingredients 500g Total 0% fat Greek yoghurt ½ cucumber ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic 1 pinch paprika powder Method 1. Empty one pot of [...]
Malaysian Pineapple and Cucumber Salad
A refreshing sweet and sour tangy salad that is a perfect side dish to a main meal. Preparation time – 10 minutes Chilling Time -30 minutes Serves 2 Ingredients 1 cucumber, cut in half lengthways, seeds removed and sliced 1 red onion thinly diced 2 slices fresh pineapple, cubed 1 red chilli pepper thinly sliced [...]
Apple Cake
The delicate flavour of sweet apples and cinnamon baked in a soft, moist and spongy cake. Delicious served hot or cold making a superb dessert or teatime treat. Preparation time – 20 minutes Cooking time – 40 minutes Serves 8 Ingredients 250 grams all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking sugar 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1 [...]
Pizza Bread
Delicious savoury bread with italian pizza flavours. Preparation time – 20 minutes Cooking time – 40 Minutes Serves 4 Ingredients: 240 grams / 8 oz wholemeal flour 240 grams / 8 oz plain flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1/2 cup yogurt 1/2 cup cheddar cheese grated 1 teaspoon italian seasoning [...]
Cherry Ice Cream
Delicious creamy and smooth ice cream with succulent pieces of cherry. A subtle hint of vanilla compliments the sweet cherries making this ice cream not only a visual treat but a gastronomical treat to the palate too. Preparation time – 20 minutes Cooking Time – 10 minutes Freezing Time – 9 hours Serves 4 Ingredients: [...]
Style
Suits – What if You Only Have £200?
Earlier this year, I wrote “If you can’t afford bespoke”, which covers the main hierarchies of tailoring: “ready to wear”, “made to measure”, “bespoke” etc.
After receiving a lot of e-mails from English [...]
Relationships
The Dating Diary of Miss X – Chapter 7
In Cha pter 7 of The Dating Diary of Miss X, our very single and very anonymous Miss X talks about how things went with Mr LinkedIn from Chapter 6.
It was very bizarre as I contacted [...]
