Sunday, March 10, 2024

Menna's Delight - Potluck 2024

 

Hi everyone!

I am excited to announce that we will be having a potluck at my place in Trivandrum, Kerala on 16th March 2024 11:00 am.

I have conducted the first Potluck at 2016 which many of my old students have attended and I cannot wait to see all of you again.

Just a quick reminder: a potluck means that each person brings a small dish to share, while I will take care of the main dish. It is a wonderful way to experience a variety of cuisines and enjoy a meal together.

 Also want to keep this event a little more meaningful way. Apart from bringing food for the potluck, try to bring a food pack to give to a needy at Medical College area. This is just optional for those who has time to make such a pack

There will be 2 speakers at this event to give you more ideas to grown your business to next level, all are welcome to share their experience in this journey of baking and cooking

Most welcome to all my outstation students who would like to attend this potluck, I can provide you stay and food at my place.

I know this date will be difficult for many who are doing fasting at this time and School exams but why I choose this date is, our ever-loved Kanika from Andamans is visiting Trivandrum so thought of a get-together at this time

Please add your name along with the dish you plan to bring in the list below:

1.    Marina Charles – Vegetable Pulao and Chicken Mappas

2.    [Student 1's Name] - Appetizer (e.g., pickles, raita,papadam)

3.    [Student 2's Name] - Side Dish (Vegetables, Chicken, Egg etc)

4.    [Student 3's Name] - Dessert (payasam, puddings, brownies, etc )

5.    [Student 4's Name] - Salad (e.g., any salad )

6.    [Student 5's Name] - Beverage (e.g., fruit drinks, buttermilk etc)

7.    [Student 6's Name] - [Dish……]

Looking forward to meeting you all and sharing a delicious meal together! Let us make this potluck another memorable event.

The last


date will be 14th March 2024 6:00pm to give your names

Love
Marina Charles 

 

Top of Form

 

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Jack fruit cake



Ingredients:

  • 2 cups ripe jackfruit, mashed
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs 
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)1/4 cup caramel syrup
  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a cake pan.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together mashed jackfruit, sugar, oil, and caramel syrup until well combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  5. Stir in vanilla extract and chopped nuts, if using.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Once cooled, you can dust the top with powdered sugar if desired.

Enjoy your homemade jackfruit cake!

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Japanese love for Indian Cooking

 I wanted to share a heartwarming experience from my yesterday’s cooking class. A talented Japanese chef Ibuki of Pizza4P’s who had set up Cafe’s at Vietnam and Cambodia had traveled all the way to Bangalore to open a pizza outlet, attended my Indian cooking class with his lovely wife. It was a delightful evening filled with the aroma of spices and the joy of culinary exploration.

What struck me the most was their genuine enthusiasm for Indian cuisine. Despite their expertise in the art of pizza-making, they expressed a deep love for our traditional dishes. Dosa, with its crispy texture and flavorful accompaniments, seemed to captivate them. And when it came to the rich and aromatic Butter Chicken, their smiles spoke volumes about their enjoyment.
It was a reminder of the universal language of food, transcending borders and cultures. We bonded over the shared love for flavors, techniques, and the joy of creating something delicious from scratch. Their presence added a special flavor to my class, reminding me the beauty in appreciating and embracing different culinary traditions.
I’m grateful for this delightful encounter and the opportunity to connect through the love of food. It’s moments like these that make teaching the art of cooking an incredibly rewarding experience.

Nathan from France and Adam from the Netherlands for Indian Cooking Class

I recently had the pleasure of hosting two interns who came to Bangalore for their internship.

 Eager to experience Indian cuisine, they joined my cooking class, where we prepared the most loved dishes like Butter Chicken, Naan, Paneer, and Aloo Gobi. 

 After the class, we enjoyed a good time chitchatting, and to add a special touch, my husband served them his favorite fish fry, which they relished and enjoyed.

 It was heartwarming to see Nathan from France and Adam from the Netherlands embrace the flavors and techniques of Indian cooking. I had a wonderful time teaching them, and I’m eagerly looking forward to our future sessions where I plan to introduce them to more South Indian dishes.

 It’s moments like these that make sharing the joy of cooking truly special. 

 #mennasdelight #marinacharles2004 #indiancookingclass #marinasindiancookingclass #bangaloreexpats #butterchicken #paneer #aloogobhi

Friday, September 22, 2023

Jackfruit Fritters

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup ripe jackfruit pieces, deseeded and cut into small chunks
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons rice flour (for extra crispiness)
  • 1/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder (optional, for flavor)
  • 1/2 cup water (adjust for batter consistency)
  • Oil for frying

Instructions:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, rice flour, sugar, salt, and cardamom powder (if using).

  2. Gradually add water to the dry ingredients and whisk until you have a smooth batter. The batter should have a thick consistency that coats the back of a spoon.

  3. Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat.

  4. Dip each jackfruit piece into the batter, ensuring it's well coated, and carefully place it into the hot oil. You can fry a few fritters at a time, depending on the size of your frying pan.

  5. Fry the fritters until they turn golden brown and crispy, turning them occasionally to ensure even frying. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side.

  6. Once they are golden brown, use a slotted spoon to remove the fritters from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

  7. Allow the fritters to cool slightly before serving. You can optionally dust them with powdered sugar or serve with a drizzle of syrup for added sweetness.

  8. Enjoy your homemade jackfruit fritters as a delightful snack or dessert!