City Connect celebrates the birthday of the actress Catherine Deneuve who was born on this day in 1943. She is considered one of France’s most successful actresses and has starred [...]
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
Turkish Eggplant and Red Pepper Dip
A delicious spicy and tasty dip with a smoked flavour. Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 30 minutes Serves 6 Ingredients: I large dutch aubergine 1 red capsicum pepper 1 teaspoon salt Juice of 1 lemon 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes 1 clove garlic finely minced Fresh chopped coriander [...]
Pumpkin and Apple Soup
A quick and easy heart warming winter soup with a fruity tasty. Sweetness from the pumpkin, balanced by the tartness from the apple balances the flavour of this soup beautifully. Preparation time-10 minutes Cooking Time-20 minutes Serves- 4 Ingredients: 400 grams pumpkin peeled and diced. 2 cups water 1 granny smith apple (need apples that [...]
Russian Salad
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Chilling time: 30 minutes A refreshing salad that’s colourful, tangy and tasty. Ingredients: 2 medium potatoes boiled and diced 240 g / 8 oz precooked diced mixed vegetables (green beans, carrots, sweetcorn) 60g / 2 oz pickled beetroot diced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 1 tablespoon [...]
Mini Puff Pastry Apple Bites
Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 20-25 Minutes Makes 20 Delectable cinnamon and apples bites that will melt in your mouth. Ingredients: 1 sheet ready to roll puff pastry 2 Granny Smith apples 4 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder 1 teaspoon icing sugar for dusting Method: 1. Peel the apples and grate them. 2. Add [...]
Summer Fruits Yoghurt
A burst of summer freshness folded into smooth creamy yoghurt. Preparation Time – 10 minutes (plus 2 hours draining time) Serves 4 Ingredients: 240 ml natural low fat yoghurt 240 grams mixed berries- raspberries, strawberries and blackberries. 2 tablespoon icing sugar or to taste Method: 1. Place a muslin cloth in a colander and pour the yoghurt into [...]
Cake Bites
Delectable little cake bites, coated in delicious milk chocolate. Preparation time – 60 minutes Chilling time – 30 minutes Makes approx 40 Ingredients: 1 small chocolate cake loaf 4 tablespoons Nutella chocolate spread 1 large bag of chocolate melts Edible cake sprinkles of choice. Method: 1. Cut the cake into small pieces and add to [...]
Pizza Bites
Preparation time – 15 minutes Cooking time – 20 minutes Makes about 40 small pizza bites Ingredients: 2 sheets of ready rolled puff pastry 2 tablespoon sun dried tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato puree ½ teaspoon chilli flakes 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning ¼ teaspoon salt 200 grams grated mature cheddar Method: 1. Preheat oven to [...]
Adzuki Bean Curry
Red Chori-Adzuki beans-Low in cholesterol , high in protein this bean has a rich nutty flavour.When cooked with aromatic spices Adzuki beans makes a delicious rich and creamy curry . Preparation time - 20 minutes Cooking time -20 minutes Serves-4 Ingredients: 2 cans precooked Adzuki beans 100ml water 1 teaspoon garlic paste 1 teaspoon salt 1 [...]
Iced Orange and Apple Tea
Refreshing summer drink that is delicious and cooling. Preparation time- 10 minutes Chilling time -2 hours Serves 4 Ingredients: 2 teabags 1 tablespoon sugar 300 ml boiling water 150 ml apple juice 150ml orange juice 1 cinnamon stick Method: 1. Place tea bags in a pot and add boiling water. Add the cinnamon stick. 2. [...]
Peas and Potato Curry
A fast and easy dish to make. Simple flavours but a classic curry that makes a good accompaniment to any rice dish or chapatti. Preparation Time-20 minutes Cooking time 20 minutes Serves 4 Ingredients: 240 grams peas (fresh or frozen) 2 medium potatoes peeled and diced. 2 medium tomatoes de seeded and blended to a [...]
Tomato and Carrot Soup
A fast and speedy soup that is hearty and delicious . Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes. Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 medium carrots diced 8 tomatoes diced 1 potato diced 2 cups water 1 bay Leaf 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Method: 1. In a microwaveable bowl add [...]
Cereal Chocolate Crispies
Crunchy cereal, dry fruits & coconut all coated in a golden syrup and scrumptious chocolate. Preparation time – 20 minutes Yields 24 Ingredients: 480 grams / 16 oz of Kellogg’s special fruit and nut cereal. 30 grams /1 oz butter 60 grams / 2oz desiccated coconut or coconut flakes 120 grams / 4oz mixed chopped nuts [...]
Banana Chocolate Pancakes
Light, soft and fluffy pancakes, served with sweet bananas and chocolate sauce. Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes Serves 4 Ingredients: 75 g plain flour Pinch of salt 2 large eggs 150 ml milk Sunflower oil for frying 2 bananas sliced Chocolate sauce 1 tablespoon confectioner’s sugar for dusting. Method: 1. Place [...]
Oatmeal Cookies
Healthy and delicious oatmeal cookies that are chewy and delicious with a glass of cold milk. Preparation time – 30 minutes Cooking time – 25 minutes Chilling time – 30 minutes Ingredients: Dry Ingredients: 1 & ½ cups of rolled oats 1 cup wholewheat flour ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda [...]
Fennel Pilaf Rice
Fennel, a fragrant spice, giving a lovely liquorice flavour to dishes. Using this in this vegetable pilaf, it brings freshness to the dish making it delicious and aromatic. Preparation time – 5 minutes Soaking time – 35 minutes Cooking time – 30 minutes Serves – 4 Ingredients: 1 cup Basmati Rice 2 cups Hot Water 1 [...]
Masala Aloo (Spicy Potatoes)
Tender baby pototoes steamed and cooked in a fusion of spices and aromatic green peas gravy. Preparation time – 15 minutes Cooking time- 30 minutes Serves- 4 Ingredients: 10 Baby new Potatoes 1 cup frozen or fresh Green Peas 1 red Onion finely diced 2 medium Tomatoes 1 teaspon Garlic paste 1/2 teaspoon Mustard seeds [...]
Houmous Dip
A rich and creamy Mediterranean dip, with a hint of garlic, perfect dip for any snack. Preparation time – 10 minutes Cooking time – none Serves 6 Ingredients: 15oz / 450 grams cooked white chickpeas,( precooked in can) rinsed and drained 1 clove garlic 2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 teaspoons tahini (sesame [...]
Guilt Free Banana Ice Cream
Creamy delectable substitute for dairy ice cream that tastes delicious without the fat and the added calories. Preparation time- 10 minutes Freezing time - overnight Serves – 4 Ingredients: 3 Ripe Bananas 2-3 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon vanilla essence For Garnishing: Handful chocolate chip. Sliced bananas Method: 1. Peel and chop the bananas, place them in [...]
Christmas Cake Pops (Eggless)
Delectable little Christmas pudding shaped cakes on sticks, coated in chocolate and edible decorations. Preparation time – 2 hours Cooking time- 30 minutes Chilling time – 45 minutes Makes 18 Ingredients: For Cake 420 grams / 14 oz Plain flour 240 grams / 8 oz Sugar 60 grams / 2oz Cocoa ½ teaspoon Salt [...]
Chinese Hot and Sour Soup
Hot and spicy, tangy soup with wonderful garlic and ginger infusion making this soup a wonderful accompaniment to any Chinese meal Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Serves 2 Ingredients: 450 ml boiling water 1 vegetarian stock cube 240 grams / 8 oz mixed vegetables, carrots, beans, peas, sweet corn finely diced 2 [...]
Ask City Connect
A Cambridge-Oxford Motorway?
Have you ever tried to travel to Oxford from Cambridge? The journey is cumbersome, long and tiring. For a long time, people have wanted to build a motorway between the [...]
Style
To Snood or Not to Snood?
Summer is just around the corner but the vagaries of British weather mean that you should ensure you can quickly lay your hands on something to wrap around you on [...]
Relationships
Made in Chelsea – Episode 8
We have now viewed the final episode of E4′s show Made in Chelsea and have enjoyed for the last time this season the love, intrigue, wealth, gossip, glamour and bitchiness of these South West London young socialites. We [...]
