Breakfast – Page 2 – Smriti "Simmi" D. Isaac

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Simmi D. Isaac — Leave a comment

Dosai, Podimas & Garlic-Chilli Chutney

So, for the uninitiated, Dosai or Dosas as they are more commonly known are the most delectable crepe-like pancakes made of fermented rice and lentils. They’re served any time of the day, and could be breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack. Check out the slideshow above for how they look while they’re cooking in a dosa tava and later when they’re served on a plate.

And so these Dosais, they go with just about anything. The classic accompaniments are a variety of chutneys, and a seasoned mashed-potato filling. The not-so-classic accompaniments include two that I served up this morning: Eggs Podimas and Garlic-Chili Chutney.

The Podimas is a simple way of breaking the eggs directly into the pan of finely-chopped sauteeing onions. Only, I gave it a twist by adding a Mexican seasoning of cilantro and annato available in a popular brand called Sazon Goya.

The Garlic-Chilli Chutney is a home-made staple you will find in my refrigerator at all times.

And what better beverage to wash it all down than home-made Cappucinos?

Mmmm! Mmmm! Mmmm!

Yep, that’s how we roll sometimes on a Saturday morning!

Oh, and just in case you’re wondering, mine is the larger cup!

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Simmi D. Isaac — 2 Comments

Toast, Eggs, et al on a Snowy Morning

So, what’s good for breakfast on a snowy morning? Well, anything at all! Anything you please!

I’ve been known to whip up an omelette just as fast as I can steam a batch of idlis or roll a few parathas, but on this snowy morning, the breakfast of choice was a simple one:

Two slices of multi-grain toast: one spread with peanut butter, the other with orange mamalade; two eggs not-so-scrambled; a glass of OJ.

It hit the spot, spot-on!

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Simmi D. Isaac — Leave a comment

Pie-like Omelettes

I had recently put up a lovely post on all things quiche: the lovely delicate pastry shells, both regular and mini size that contain all sorts of fillings.

Well, this is no quiche, but it sure looks like one. It could be called a frittata of sorts, but it contains no potatoes. And it’s certainly not a quiche because there’s no pastry holding its contents.

What it is, is a stand-alone omelette. Only it’s cooked on a stove-top but on so low a flame and with a covered lid that the egg mixture sets beautifully. Also, the onions, tomatoes, green chillies and cilantro are finely chopped and sauteed first, folded into the frothy beaten eggs, and then transferred into a sturdy pan.

What you’ll have fifteen minutes later is a gorgeous omelette that looks like a quiche or a pie. Ideally, there must be nothing sticking to the bottom and it ought to slide off onto a plate with ease, or at the very least must be able to cut firmly into wedges or squares.

Serve with toast, pitas or rotis. Makes a hearty entree any day. This was my slice from last evening. There were three more where that came from, BTW!

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Simmi D. Isaac — Leave a comment

Open-Faced Brunch Sandwiches

Thanks to the MLK holiday, these open-faced brunch sandwiches seemed to materialize out of nowhere. Well, out of the left-overs from within the fridge, to be precise.

The main ingredients were: a loaf of french-bread, pepper-jack cheese, four boiled eggs, and some rotisserie chicken. Salt, pepper, dijon mustard and butter are staples that almost go unmentioned.

Thick slices of the bread got a thin spread of Olivio butter, followed by the cheese, eggs and the shredded chicken, and finally topped off with a swirl of dijon mustard and a thin slice of butter.

Bake at 400 in a pre-heated oven for five mins; then, broil for another 5.

Serve with love.

A slideshow follows. Note: this is our variation of the Danish open-faced sandwiches mentioned in this blog a couple weeks ago.

Posted on December 12, 2010 by Simmi D. Isaac — Leave a comment

East Meets West

What’s that you say? Dosas go only w/ sambar and chutneys and alu-masala? Not if you’re in my house!

Especially not if it happens to be a snowy Sunday morning and you find yourself seated around my kitchen table for brunch. What you might very easily find paired w/ the crispest and most delectable dosas are scrambled eggs– scrambled in desi-ghee, no less, and mini chicken-sausages made w/ spinach and asiago cheese. Oh, and you might also find a jar of Kissan– the finest mixed-fruit jam from India, along w/ apricot jelly from Greece.

Yes, that’s what East meets West means.