Dreaming of Spices

I hope our lucky giveaway winners enjoyed Cooking With Stella!

I have been thinking about spice a lot lately and will definitely test out butter chicken recipes quite soon - that was the #1 request from our readers. Can I honestly say that I have not eaten this more than twice? So far, I have preferred nicely done Tandoori chicken, but I may change my mind!

Some of you also asked for restaurant recommendations... When I crave juicy, tender tandoori chicken, I go to Ceylonta. Every single time, it has lived up to my expectations.

I read just yesterday some wonderful suggestions from Ottawa Food Blogger Shari of Whisk - she also writes for Metro, read her Indian Lunch suggestions!

Spices, spices, spices. I suggest that you buy the best possible... Read Rachelle Eats Food and her wonderful discovery of Epices de Cru. Philippe de Vienne and Ethnee have been to the urban element some years ago and had the most impressive selection and quality - it is worth every penny.

No ham, lamb or turkey for me this Easter - I'm trying out Indian at home!

-marysol

gnocchi dearest

i have always loved gnocchi.
making gnocchi is a labour of love, its an involved, dedicated process.
but the results are worth it! after roasting potatoes, scooping out flesh and pushing the potato through a ricer, mix together with one egg, flour & salt.shape into a ball and cut in four (as above).

roll into strips .... its up to you the size you like

...i like to cut on the diagonal into diamond shape pillows. then toss
the dumplings on a baking sheet coated with flour

boil the gnocchi in salted boiling water until each floats to the top.
remove with a slotted spoon. toss with quality olive oil and let sit until use.
in my opinion, the sauce is the most important (and delicious) part of gnocchi, so put some love into it! this gnocchi was savoured with a porcini and pork ragu, torn fresh basil and a ridiculous amount of parmesan!

-carley

Cooking with Stella ticket giveaway!!!

I recently received 10 double passes to the premiere screening of Cooking with Stella (thank you Mongrel Media!!!) and thought of sharing them with you... but there is a catch.

We would like to hear about your favourite Indian dish.
Is it something that you make at home? Do you have a recipe? Then please share it!
Do you have a favourite Indian restaurant? What are the must haves on the menu?
Maybe would you like to learn to prepare a certain dish that you have tasted? We can test it out for you and post the results!

View the Cooking with Stella trailer and get more info here.
The tickets that we have are for Thursday, March 25th at 7pm for the Coliseum Cinema.

Please reply to marysol@theurbanelement.ca

fun bite

Kerr Farm Beef & Butterfly Sky Farms Microgreens with an Herb Aïoli on Bleu Bénédictine Gougères. Num. Nummmm.