About Nimbus- "Recall the moments when drink, music and good company lit you full of fraternal love, forgiveness and joy, then think: according to every doctrine those are the highest states we can reach as human beings"(yeah, I am thinking LOR J).
Well…that was my beloved weekend goal. To raise a Nimbus. The plan was simple. Grab a book, go to Herbs and Spices. Order some food, wine. Open the book and spend the next 2 hours letting the Nimbus rise.
Unfortunately, it was not to be. Karnataka government rudely interrupted my search with a strike. I was warned by husband to not step out. A trip to my favorite fresh grocer in Indira Nagar could save the Nimbus. I could cook exotic vegetables and fresh herbs! Not so bad huh? And as long as I can do that in half an hour, no one needs to know, right? Alas, that was not to be either. My timid venture to the neighborhood told me nothing, absolutely nothing, was open.
In order to save the day, fill the tummy, and suit my picky needs, I decided to cook. With whatever I find in my fridge and in whatever manner that I took fancy to. So, cut cauliflowers, shelled peas were the obvious choice (minimal effort, maximum output). The obvious cooking means was baking (in my new microwave/grill/convection oven! Of course!). To make it a "pot roast" (with the crust) was a last minute inspiration to add some carbohydrates without having to make something additionally.
For a completely experimental, spontaneous, almost impulsive recipe, the output was out of this world (even if I do say so myself).Cooking replaced the wine…reading was discarded to the unexpectedly yummy food. And Nimbus was achieved!
But…but, but but. This whole thing inspired me to try something. For one full week, I'll use only vegetables I can find in my neighborhood (sorry MK Retail!), and cook something different in flavour, texture or cooking technique. And post it here of course! If necessity makes me invent something yummy, it is worth giving this a try, no?
Vegetable "Pot Roast"
Ingredients:
Cauliflower- cut into flowerets 2 Cups
Green Peas 1/3 rd Cup
Onion, sliced 1, small
Garlic, minced 3 pods
Milk 1 Cup
Cinnamon 1 inch piece
Bay Leaf 1 Leaf
Salt 2 teaspoon (more according to your taste)
All purpose Flour (maida) 1 Tbs
Whole wheat flour 3/4th cup
Butter Milk 1 cup (to use as needed)
Thyme 1 Tsp (this can be replaced with oregano or parsely as well)
Olive Oil 1 Tbs
Pepper 1 tsp, more to taste.
Cooking Soda ½ teaspoon
The filling:
In a pan, pour the oil, and over low heat add bay leaf, cinnamon, sliced onion & minced garlic and 1/2 teaspoon of thyme. Let the mixture slowly heat up. As it begins to sizzle, add ½ teaspoon of salt to make the onion sweat.
Clean the cauliflower florets. When the onion is translucent and the raw smell from the garlic is gone, add the flowerets and the peas. Add 1 ½ tsp of salt and 1 tsp of pepper.
Toss everything together and keep on low heat for 2 to 3 mins. The idea is to seal the flavours and not to cook the vegetables.
Sprinkle the table spoon of maida over the vegetables and toss together for a minute. Be careful not to let the flour stick to the base of the pan. Empty the contents of the pan into an oven proof casserole dish.
Keep the pan back on to stove over a low flame. Add 1 cup of milk, bring it to a simmer. Scrape any flour that maybe sticking to the bottom of the pan and stir it in with the milk. Add a pinch of thyme, a pinch of salt and pepper. Let it all simmer together for a minute.
Pour the milk mixture into the casserole, over the vegetable mixture.
Pre heat your oven to 220 degrees.
To make the crust:
Sift together wheat flour, ½ teaspoon of salt and cooking soda into a mixing bowl. Add a pinch of thyme.
Make a well in the center and pour a ladle full of the buttermilk.
Gently, bring the buttermilk and flour mixture together by holding your hands like a claw and moving it in circular motion around the mixing bowl.
As the butter milk is absorbed, add more so that all the flour is clumped together. Do not knead under any circumstances. Once all the flour is clumped together in a lump, but still sticky, the dough is ready.
Shape the flour, using your hand, (dust your hands with flour make it easy to maneuver) into a circular shape, to roughly cover the vegetable filling in your casserole dish. It should be around 1 cms thick. This is quite roughly done, no need to aspire for an even or nice-looking crust J.
Place the curst over the vegetable mixture. Place the casserole, preferably, half way up your oven, and bake for 25 mins or till the crust is done.
Serve with a side of salad, herbed pasta or rice.
This is how Nimbus was achieved:
Firstly - What is Nimbus?
ReplyDeleteSecondly - loved this recipe! I simply never never never buy or cook cauliflowers, but this recipe has inspired me enough to buy them next time I go to the store, will let you know how it turns out after I make it!