Celeb chef's Indian-inspired meal on a budget

You might say Floyd Cardoz is a true master.

Cardoz, executive chef of the soon-to-be-opened North End Grill in Manhattan, beat out some of the best cooks in the world to win this year's "Top Chef Masters" on Bravo.

But on "The Early Show on Saturday Morning," Cardoz showed whether he could master being our "Chef on a Shoestring," by making a three-course dinner for four on our meager budget of $40!

Our "Shoestring" chefs are also automatically entered in our "How Low Can You Go?" competition, in which the one with the lowest ingredients cost will be invited back to whip up the feast for our year-end holiday extravaganza.

Floyd chose to put an Indian spin on the dinner he made.

He began his career in his native Bombay, where he attended cooking school, and even interned at the Taj Mahal Intercontinental Hotel.

Enjoy all our "Early Show" recipes!

MENU

• Heirloom Tomato Salad
• Chicken Thighs with Vegetables
• Tapioca Pudding

FOOD FACTS

Source: Epicurious.com

Fennel: It is a highly aromatic and flavorful herb with culinary and medicinal uses, and, along with the similar-tasting anise, is one of the primary ingredients of absinthe. It has a strong licorice flavor. Fennel seeds are oval and greenish-brown. The seeds are available whole and ground and are used in both sweet and savory foods.

Cardamom: A member of the ginger family, this aromatic spice is native to India and grows in many other tropical areas including Asia, South America and the Pacific Islands. Cardamom seeds are encapsulated in small pods about the size of a cranberry. Each pod contains 17 to 20 tiny seeds. Cardamom has a pungent aroma and a warm, spicy-sweet flavor. It's widely used in Scandinavian and East Indian cooking. Cardamom can be purchased either in the pod or ground. The latter, though more convenient, is not as full-flavored because cardamom seeds begin to lose their essential oils as soon as they're ground. The seeds may be removed from the pods and ground, or the entire pod may be ground.

Coriander: Native to the Mediterranean and the Orient, coriander is related to the parsley family. It's known for both its seeds (actually the dried, ripe fruit of the plant) and for its dark green, lacy leaves. The flavors of the seeds and leaves bear absolutely no resemblance to each other. They are mildly fragrant and have an aromatic flavor akin to a combination of lemon, sage and caraway. Whole coriander seeds are used in pickling and for special drinks, such as mulled wine. Ground seed is used in many baked goods- curry blends, soups, etc.

RECIPES

Heirloom Tomato Salad

For the spice blend:

• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1/2 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 3/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
• A pinch chile flakes

For the salad:

• 1 1/2 pounds mixed ripe heirloom tomatoes, cored and cut into even wedges
• 1 teaspoon chopped & peeled fresh ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoon chopped (mild to moderately hot) fresh green chile
• 1/4 cup whole cilantro leaves
• 6 tablespoons Thai basil leaves, cut into1/4inch slices
• A small pinch sugar
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Make the spice blend:

1. Toast the spices separately in a small dry skillet over moderately low heat, until seeds are fragrant and a couple of shades darker, about 3 minutes. Transfer the seeds to a small tray or a plate to cool.

2. Grind all the toasted spices together in an electric coffee/spice grinder until ground fine.

3. Combine the ground spices

4. Put the tomatoes in a large bowl and add the remaining spice blend.

5. Add the ginger, chile, cilantro, Thai basil, sugar, oil, and vinegar, and stir gently to blend well.

6. Serve the salad, along with any juices that have accumulated in the bowl.

For more of Floyd's recipes, go to Page 2.

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[atolbe01]

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[RealiteBites]

I'm not crazy about this whole 'budget' and 'shoestring' theme ... it makes the recipes sound unappetizing.

And besides, yeah $40 isn't exactly 'cheap'. I'm not even on a budget, and who here spends $10 a person for a meal? Just pick any cut of meat and $20 is generally enough to feed a family of 4 without even thinking about it (unless you're making roast beef with a higher quality cut, or lobster, fresh fish, etc).

Most people just like good eats - you know, comfort food. That stuff is cheap, cheap, cheap ...

[WillowSunstar]

$33.54 isn't bad but saffron is the world's most expensive spice. Buying a jar of saffron would push this to over $40.

Also if you want to go cheaper, I'd avoid making dessert anyway. Most people don't need the extra calories.