Hello there dear Bhabi’s Corner fans and welcome to this May edition of your favorite column. Winter has certainly announced itself, with the nights being downright chilly. As you wrap yourselves in the necessary woolies, Bhabi’s Corner comes to the rescue with some tasty treats to warm you from within. Aside from the warming soup and pasta, we also feature a delightful Rolo cupcake… the perfect accompaniment to the Nutella Hot Chocolate and the Choco-chino as well. We just know that theses dishes and treats are going to do the job of keeping you well satisfied and warm, this winter… Enjoy!!
Spicy Butternut & Carrot Soup
2 medium sized butternut squash
4 large carrots, 1 tsp fresh ginger
1 tsp fresh garlic, 1 large onion
6-10 dried chillies, 1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp dhania jeera powder
2 chicken / veg stock cubes
2 cups water, 1/2 cup milk
Salt to taste, Olive Oil
Chillie flakes for serving
Method:
Mix first 9 ingredients together and cook on medium high until fragrant and lightly browned. Add next 2 ingredients and cook until everything is soft.
Blitz with an immersion blender until smooth. Add milk and simmer for a few minutes. Season to taste. Serve hot.
Alfredo Pasta
200g fettuccine pasta
1 cup fresh cream, 2 tbsp. flour
1 cup cottage cheese, 1tsp. garlic
3 tbspn chopped onions
Salt & pepper to taste, Green Chillies
½ cup grated Parmesan or Cheddar cheese
2 cups diced cooked chicken fillet
Method
– Boil pasta
– Combine fresh cream, flour, cheeses, garlic onions, salt & pepper, in a food processor and blend till smooth.
– Place mixture on stove and mix in chicken & chillies.
– Cook till heated through then pour over pasta.
– Bake at 180° for 20 minutes
Rolo Cupcakes
3 eggs (separated)
1 cup castor sugar, ¼ cup oil
½ cup boiling water, 1 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder. 2 tbsp. cocoa
Method:
– Beat egg whites stiff
– Add sugar and beat
– Add yolks and beat well.
– Add flour and mix well with metal spoon
– Mix oil, cocoa and water together, then add to above mixture.
– Add baking powder & fold ·Pour batter into paper cups
– Add ½ tsp caramel treat into each cup ·Bake at 180°C till done
– Cool, then spread a thin layer of caramel treat over each cake
– Piper rosettes of fresh cream on top of the cake and place 1 rolo over
Nutella Hot Chocolate
4 cups low fat/skim/full cream milk
2 tablespoons Nutella
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar
Optional Toppings:
Marshmallows, Crushed hazelnuts
Chocolate chips, Extra Nutella
Method:
Heat milk in a medium sized saucepan on medium-high heat until beginning to warm and steam. Add the spread, cocoa powder and sugar and whisk until dissolved and combined. Bring to a gentle simmer while stirring, and take off heat. Serve with your desired toppings.
Choco-Chino
4 heaped tsp hot chocolate
2 heaped tsp coffee creamer
1 tsp espresso, 1 pinch salt
(any strong coffee of your choice)
Freshly boiled water
Method:
Place first 4 ingredients in a mug. Add & mix in boiled water. You can top with a dash of fresh cream / milk if you prefer.
Turmeric Milk Drink
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
½ teaspoon fresh grated ginger
Pinch ground black pepper
Honey to taste
Method:
– Add all ingredients to half cup water and bring to boil
– Add in about half cup milk and heat to just below boiling point
– Drink mixture while hot. (Careful not to burn)
Food for thought
“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” – Reader
Household tips and hints
– To make jellies set quicker, add a few drops of lemon juice.
– Always store eggs with the pointed end down. This keeps the yolk in the center & helps keep the eggs fresh.
– To keep biscuits fresh, add a cube of sugar to the container.