Rana's Authentic Wood Fried pizza

 

Chef Avtar Singh Rana

, also known as Chef Ember, is a seasoned culinary professional currently serving as the Executive Chef at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center in Alexandria, MN. While he is a global cuisine specialist with decades of experience in luxury hotels and fine dining, his current work often highlights his mastery of open-flame and wood-fired techniques, earning him the moniker "Chef Ember"

Classic Italian Varieties

These styles emphasize high-quality, simple ingredients and traditional baking techniques. 

• Neapolitan: The original style from Naples, featuring a thin, soft, and chewy crust that often has "leopard-spot" charring.
  • Margherita: Topped with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and extra virgin olive oil.
  • Marinara: A simple, cheese-less pie with tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, and olive oil.
• Sicilian (Sfincione): A thick, spongy, square-cut pizza. In its traditional form, it's topped with tomato sauce, anchovies, onions, oregano, and hard sheep's milk cheese.
• Roman: Comes in two main forms: Pizza al Taglio (rectangular, sold by weight) and Pizza Romana Tonda (thin, round, and exceptionally crispy). 
• American Regional Styles
• Immigrant traditions and local preferences have created unique American variations. 

• New York Style: Known for large, hand-tossed, thin-crust slices that are foldable. It typically uses low-moisture mozzarella and a seasoned tomato sauce.
• Chicago Deep-Dish: Baked in a deep pan, this "pie" features a buttery crust with layers of cheese on the bottom, followed by meats and vegetables, and finished with a chunky tomato sauce on top.
• Detroit Style: A rectangular pizza with a thick, airy crust. It is famously topped with Wisconsin brick cheese that caramelizes against the edges of the blue steel pan, with sauce ladled on top after baking.
• St. Louis Style: Features a very thin, cracker-like unleavened crust and is typically made with Provel cheese (a blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone) and cut into squares.
• New Haven (Apizza): A coal-fired, thin-crust pizza with a characteristic char. A "plain" pie consists of tomato sauce and grated Romano cheese; mozzarella is considered an extra topping. 

Chef Avtar Specialty Toppings

• Quattro Formaggi: A "four cheese" pizza usually featuring mozzarella, gorgonzola, parmesan, and fontina.
• Capricciosa: A vibrant mix of tomatoes, mozzarella, mushrooms, artichokes, cooked ham, and olives.
• Meat Lovers: Heavily topped with various meats like pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and ham.
• White Pizza (Pizza Bianca): Omits tomato sauce, focusing on olive oil, garlic, and cheeses like ricotta and mozzarella. 

Traditional Indian, Persian Bread, Garlic Butter Naan

 Traditional Indian, Persian Bread, Garlic Butter Naan

Ingredients needed for Naan

• ▢1/4 cup warm water
• ▢2 teaspoon fine sugar
• ▢1 1/2 tsp dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm milk
• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 tbsp. Chopped fresh garlic
• 2 tbsp. chopped fine cilantro
• 3 tbsp. melted Butter
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• Method of making the Naan Bread
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• 1. In a bowl combine water, sugar and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes or until the mixture begins to bubble on top
• 2.Add in the milk, yogurt, oil, minced garlic, flour baking powder and salt. Mix until the dough comes together with your hands.

3.Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Use floured hands to knead the dough until smooth, about 3 to 5 minutes.
4.Lightly grease the same mixing bowl with a small spray of cooking oil. Transfer dough to the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest at room temperature for about an hour until doubled in size.
5.When ready to cook, divide the dough into 10 equal pieces. Roll into balls, stuffed the chopped garlic on the top of each ball and similarly do with the cilantro, then use a rolling pin to roll each piece of dough into a large oval, or round shape as per your choice about 6-inches long and 1/8-inch thick. Repeat with remaining dough/ balls.
6.now turn by turn you can put in the clay oven one after another, be careful while putting the naan inside the oven, don't burn your self.
7.check the naans when it start getting brown from the edges and bubbles appears then it means its cooked and crispy, remove the naan from the clay oven with the help of the irons rods. brushed the cooked garlic naan with warm butter and served hot with any vegetable or non vegetarian preparation.

Please note

There are so many different preparations you can make out from the same recipe like stuffed naan, sesame naan, mint, cheese, potato and so many.

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Seared Cod Fish In Pungent Watermelon Sauce, Chef' s Nectar Recipe of New Year 2026

 Seared Cod Fish In Pungent Watermelon Sauce

Ingredients for making the Fish
Seared Cod
4 (5 oz.) cod fillets
Salt and pepper, to taste
1½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for coating
1 cup cornstarch
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 to 2½ cups sparkling water or club soda- you can add beer as well 
1 tsp. lemon juice or vinegar
2 qt. vegetable oil

Please note: Watermelon slices or grind them to make the juice or cook like that 
Sauce
¾ cup finely diced red onion
½ cup rice wine vinegar
½ cup sugar
2 cups diced watermelon/Juice
1 Fresno Chile, thinly sliced and seeded
1 tbsp. slivered fresh mint to enhance the sauce or make it more aromatic

1 tbsp. chopped cilantro optional 

Method of making the Fish

1. Cut each fish fillet into two pieces.  Season with salt and pepper. make the rolls

2. In shallow bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt for the batter and keep aside.

3. For sauce: In large saucepan, combine onion, vinegar and sugar. Cook over medium heat until reduced by three-quarters.  Add watermelon dice/juice and Fresno Chile, continue to cook for 5 more minutes until thickened. stir in mint and cilantro. 

4. Fish preparation:  In mixing bowl, measure sparkling water and lemon juice. Stir in reserved flour mixture until just blended, do not overmix. Dry fish well, coat with flour, and dip into batter and deep fry pour oil so that it reaches halfway up sides heat to 350°F. Place fish into the hot oil and fry until golden brown or fully cooked.

5. Arrange the fish in the Serving plate, pour the watermelon sauce on the top garnished with your favorite, aromatic herbs or decorate as you love to make it more appealing. 

for more details you can connect with Chef Avtar Singh Rana.

Some of the innovative creations, Lamb shank, famous known as Nihari Gosht..

 

Cajun jambalaya Chef Avtar Singh rana Classic recipe

Jambalaya is a traditionally dish of native American and good resources of so many different countries, its succulent , sweet and spicy flavors enticed the appetite and good source of nutrition and proteins.

Jambalaya is a savory rice dish that developed in the U.S. state of Louisiana fusing together African, Spanish, and French influences, consisting mainly of meat and/or seafood, and vegetables mixed with rice and spices. 
 

Ingredients for making the Jambalaya

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 (12 ounce) package Hillshire Farm® Rope Smoked Sausage, cut in 1/2" bias-cut slices
2 cups chopped yellow onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
2 cups uncooked jasmine rice
3 cups unsalted chicken stock
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
½ cup thinly sliced scallions, plus more for garnish
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Method of making the Jambalaya

1. Heat oil in a large heavy bottomed pan  over medium-high. Add sausage; cook about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Add onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, and jalapeno. Cook 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened. Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds.

2. Add stock, tomatoes, salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until rice is just tender, 10 minutes later. Add shrimp, cover, and cook until shrimp turn pink, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in scallions and lemon juice. Garnish with additional scallions.

3. Served hot garnished with fresh green spring onions, yum yum yummy..

Burrata Salad (In My Way of plating and style)

" Burst Tomato Burrata Salad. Juicy roasted cherry tomatoes, creamy burrata cheese, dollops of pesto, swish of olive oil and crusty bread. Simple, luscious, rustic perfection"

Ingredients needed to make the Salad

• ▢200g/ 6 oz x 1 fresh burrata cheese

Roasted tomato: Optional 

• ▢500g/ 1 lb (4 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes
• ▢2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ▢2 tbsp shallot , finely chopped (US: shallot), ~1/2 small (Note 3 subs)
• ▢1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
• ▢1/4 tsp black pepper
• ▢2 tsp sherry vinegar (or apple cider or red wine vinegar)

Serving:

• ▢1/2 tsp salt flakes (or half the quantity for cooking/kosher salt) (Note 4)
• ▢1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil , a good one is best, for finishing
• ▢Few fresh basil leaves , for sprinkling (Note 2)
• ▢Warmed crusty bread , for mopping

• e-chill – Take the burrata out of the fridge and leave on the counter for 30 minutes, to take the fridge-chill out of it. Keep it in the water in the tub.

Roasted tomatoes:

• Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F (180°C fan).
• Roast 10 min – Toss the cherry tomatoes with the olive oil, shallot, salt and pepper (in a bowl, or on a tray). Spread on a tray. Roast 10 minutes until softened but not collapsing.
• Vinegar – Gently push the tomatoes to one end of the tray. Drizzle over vinegar. No need to mix.

Arrange on the platter

• Tomatoes – Carefully transfer tomatoes to a plate, spreading them out in a single layer.
• Burrata – Gently (GENTLY!!) drain the water out of the tub and roll the burrata out into your hand. Place a burrata on top of tomatoes.
• Finish – Drizzle the 1 tablespoon of good extra virgin olive oil all over the plate. Dollop pesto randomly all over. Sprinkle with salt flakes and basil.
• Serve with crusty bread on the side! or you can serve on the top of the sour dough.

Creamy au Gratin Potatoes

 

There's nothing like au gratin potatoes to take any meal over the top. The creamy, decadent, and oh-so satisfying recipe is sure to please everyone at your table.

Au Gratin Potatoes Ingredients

These are the ingredients you'll need to make this top-rated au gratin potatoes recipe:

• Potatoes: This recipe starts with thinly sliced Russet potatoes. You can substitute Yukon gold, if you like.
• Onion: Slice one onion into rings to layer with the potatoes.
• Seasonings: These creamy au gratin potatoes are simply seasoned with just salt and pepper.
• Butter and flour: The cheese sauce starts with a roux made with butter and all-purpose flour.
• Milk: Make sure you slowly whisk in the milk to create the creamiest consistency.
• Cheese: Because isn't everything better with shredded Cheddar?

How to Make Au Gratin Potatoes

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these creamy potatoes au gratin:

1. Assemble the casserole: Layer half of the potatoes in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Season. Layer onion slices over top, then top with remaining potatoes. Season again.
2. Make the sauce: Melt the butter in a saucepan. Gradually whisk in flour and salt and cook for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture has thickened. Stir in the cheese.
3. Bake the casserole: Pour the sauce over the potatoes. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven until the potatoes are tender and the sauce is bubbling.

Au Gratin vs. Scalloped Potatoes

Au gratin potatoes and scalloped potatoes are both creamy, rich, and starchy side dishes. But they're not quite the same thing: Au gratin potatoes are usually sliced slightly thinner than their scalloped counterparts. Also, scalloped potatoes traditionally don't include cheese (but more modern recipes can incorporate cheese into the mix).