Chocolate cheesecake

Chocolate cheesecake

Serves 12 to 14 You only live once, so do it. • 1½ cups fine graham cracker crumbs • ½ cup butter • 2 cups plus 3 Tbs. sugar • 1½ lbs. soft cream cheese • 3 eggs • ½ lb. semisweet chocolate • 3 Tbs. heavy cream • 2 cups sour cream • ¼ cup dark rum • ¾ tsp. cinnamon •...

Lemon torte

Lemon torte

Serves 10 • 1¼ cups egg whites • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar • 2 Tbs. cornstarch • ¼ tsp. almond extract • 1⅔ cups ground almonds (unblanched) • Lemon Filling • garnish: • blanched almond halves 1. Beat the egg whites with 1 cup of the confectioners’ sugar until they...

Genoese

Genoese

Makes 1 very large cake or 2 large layers. One of the very best basic cakes, from which any number of tortes can be made, Genoese is especially good for soaking up rum or brandy, as in a Zuppa Inglese. • 8 eggs • 1½ cups sugar • grated rind of 1 lemon • 1¾ cups sifted...

Sponge cake

Sponge cake

Makes 1 large cake. • 6 eggs, separated • 1 cup sugar • ¼ cup boiling water • 1 Tbs. lemon juice • ½ tsp. vanilla extract • 1½ cups flour • 1½ tsp. baking powder • pinch of salt • 4 Tbs. butter, melted and cooled 1. Beat the egg yolks until they are creamy and light,...

Garam masala

Garam masala

A masala is a mixture of spices, either dry or in the form of a paste, and there are many masalas for many uses. This one is a fragrant blend of spices—not especially hot—which is sometimes added to food during cooking and sometimes sprinkled over a dish just before...

Potato chat puris

Potato chat puris

Serves 6 to 8 as an hors d’oeuvre or snack. • 18 small Puris • ⅓ cup slivered onions • 2 cups cubed, cooked white-skinned potatoes (waxy) • 1½ cups cooked garbanzo beans • 1 Tbs. minced hot green chilis • 3 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) • 2...

Akni

Akni

Akni is a delicate, aromatic broth made with a combination of spices. It is used to poach or flavor certain Indian foods, and can be kept for several days in the refrigerator. • 1½ Tbs. butter or Ghee • 1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped • 4 cloves garlic, sliced • 2...

Akuri (spiced scrambled eggs)

Akuri (spiced scrambled eggs)

Serves 3 to 6 • 6 eggs • ¼ cup milk • ½ tsp. salt • black pepper to taste • 3 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) • 3 Tbs. butter or Ghee • ½ onion, finely chopped • 1 small green chili (jalapeño), minced • 1 Tbs. minced fresh ginger • ½ tsp. crushed dried...

Pakoras (hot vegetable fritters)

Pakoras (hot vegetable fritters)

Serves 4 to 6 Pakoras are spicy fritters, ideal to serve hot as an appetizer or snack, with a tall, cool drink. Try them with a gin and tonic, or a Pimm’s and soda with a slice of cucumber in it. ⅔ cup chick-pea flour ¼ tsp. baking soda 5 Tbs. cold water ¼ tsp. ground...

Khagina (Indian spiced omelet)

Khagina (Indian spiced omelet)

Serves 4 to 5 • 5 large eggs • 5 Tbs. chick-pea flour • dash of black pepper • ¼ tsp. ground coriander • crushed seeds from 4 to 5 cardamom pods • ½ tsp. salt • ½ cup minced or finely chopped onions • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley • 3 to 4 Tbs. yogurt • 3 Tbs. butter...

Raisin and tamarind chutney (a fresh chutney)

Raisin and tamarind chutney (a fresh chutney)

• Makes about 1½ cups. • 1 cup raisins • 1 Tbs. tamarind concentrate* • 6 to 8 Tbs. water • ½ tsp. ground ginger • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper • ¼ tsp. salt 1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and purée, scraping down as necessary, until there are...

Uppama farina with vegetables and spices

Uppama farina with vegetables and spices

Serves 8 to 10 • ¼ cup vegetable oil • 1 medium-sized yellow onion, chopped • 1½ tsp. whole mustard seeds • 1 green chili, minced • 1 tsp. crushed dried red chilis • 1 cup farina • 5 cups hot water • ½ cup sliced green onions • ⅓ cup finely diced carrots • 1 large,...