Grilled Zucchini Bruschetta Bites#Alphabet Challenge

These Keto Zucchini Bruschetta Bites are a fun and tasty and a great way to enjoy a tasty alternative where the toast is replaced with slices of zucchini making for some light, bite sized treats! Whether you are looking for a Keto appetizer, snack or even a light meal these zucchini bruschetta bites are the perfect finger food!

Ingredients
2 Medium Zucchini - sliced ⅛ inch thick
2 Medium Tomatoes - diced
2 Tablespoons Basil - chopped
2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
1 Clove Garlic - minced
Salt & Pepper to taste
Cheese Slices as required.
Grated Pizza Cheese as required
Method

Mix the basil balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Keep aside.
Top the zucchini slices with a piece of cheese slice then tomato the mixture of the tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar mix, sprinkle on the pizza cheese.

Broil or grill until the cheese has melted.

Enjoy these bites...yum!! 
Labels: Alphabet Challenge, Keto, Low Carb, Zucchini, Appetizer, Snack

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "Z"

• Culinary Cam: A Holiday Zaza or Two or Three - Cheers!
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Baked Ziti 
• Food Lust People Love: Boursin Zucchini Tart 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Grilled Zucchini Bruschetta Bites
• Blogghetti: Homemade Za’atar Seasoning 
• A Messy Kitchen: Lemon Eton Mess 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Simple Zero Cream Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Zacatecas Beef Stew
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Zeppole 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Zeytin Piyazi

Dahiwale Aloo Ki Sabzi/Potatoes In Yogurt Sauce#AlphabetChallenge

Dahiwale aloo is nothing but potatoes in yogurt gravy.  This  is a very creamy and flavorful gravy.  Its quick easy and tastes delicious.

Ingredients
For the  Aloo 
10 - 12 Peeled Baby Potatoes
½ Teaspoon Cumin seeds
½ Teaspoon Mustard seeds
½ Teaspoon Onion seeds
½ Teaspoon Fennel seeds
¼ Teaspoon Asafoetida
2 Bay leaves
3 Cloves
1 Stick Cinnamon
A Sprig Curry leaves
1 Green Chilly - slit
2 Teaspoon Red chilly powder
1½ Teaspoons Coriander Cumin powder
¼ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
1 Cup Yogurt - whisked
2 Tablespoons Ghee
Salt to taste
For The Garnish
2 - 3 Tablespoons Coriander leaves - chopped

Method  
Heat the ghee in a kadai/pan,  add the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, onion seeds, fennel seeds and asafoetida. When the seeds crackle, add the bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, curry leaves and green chilli and sauté for a few seconds.
Add the potatoes, chilli powder, coriander-cumin powder, turmeric powder, salt and sauté till the masala coats the potatoes evenly. 

Add ½ cup of water and bring to a boil.
Add the curds and bring to a boil while stirring continuously so that the gravy does not split.

Garnish with the coriander. Serve hot as a side dish or have as a main course meal with rotis, naan or paratha.
My Notes

As this gravy cools, potato will absorb some of it, so serve hot. If serving later then add a little more water and make a thin gravy. By the time you reheat/serve, you will still have some gravy left.
Labels : Baby Potatoes, Vegetarian, Yogurt, Main course, Side Dish, Gluten free, Vrat, Jain food, No Onion No Garlic, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "Y"

• Sneha’s Recipe: Dahiwale Aloo Ki Sabzi/Potatoes In Yogurt Sauce 
• A Messy Kitchen: Frozen Yogurt Pie 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Teriyaki Ahi, Avocado, and Cucumber Salad
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Vegetable Raita | Indian Yogurt Salad 
• Food Lust People Love: Yamitsuki Addictive Cabbage
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Yangzhou Fried Rice
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Yellow Mustard Seed Giardiniera Deviled Eggs
• Culinary Cam: Yemarina Yewotet Dabo (Ethiopian Honey Bread)  
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Yogurt Cornbread 

Xacuti Chicken Mince Stuffed Bell Peppers#AlphabetChallenge

These Keto Xacuti Chicken Mince Stuffed Bell Peppers is a simple comfort food that's hearty, filling, has incredible flavors, you can bake them or make it in a stove top pan. This is a hassle free versatile, easy, meal which can be prepped earlier or even freeze them.

Serves 4
Ingredients
500 Grams Chicken Mince
1 Tablespoon Heaped Xacuti Masala
1 Teaspoon Each Minced Garlic and Ginger
½ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
2 Medium Onions - chopped
2 Green Chillies - minced
4 Large Bell Peppers/Capsicums - cut into halves
1 Tablespoon Olive oil/Coconut oil
Cheese for topping as required
Method

Saute chopped onions, ginger and garlic in a pot till the onions are soft. Next add the xacuti masala and saute for a minute.
Add the chicken mince, water and stir it well till no big chucks of meat. Add salt to taste and cook covered on medium heat for 20-25 minutes.
Turn the heat off and add the chopped fresh cilantro. Let cool.
Preheat oven to 180°C.
Cut thin slice from stem end of each cleaned bell pepper to remove top of pepper. Remove the seeds and membranes.

Apply little salt to the bell peppers on the inside. Place them in a microwaveable dish add a splash of water to the bottom of the dish and microwave for a minute to soften the peppers a little.
Pour out any liquid from the inside of the bell peppers. Next spoon in the chicken mince in each pepper, drizzle a little olive oil on the sides of the dish. 

Cover the dish with a foil and then bake in a preheated oven for 35-40 minutes at 180°C with both the elements on - top and down. After 40 minutes remove the foil and again bake at 200°C till the cheese turns golden.
Remove cool and enjoy.

Labels: Keto,Alphabet Challenge,Low Carb, Chicken Mince, Stuffed Peppers, Side Dish
Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "X"

Sneha’s Recipe: Xacuti Chicken Mince Stuffed Bell Peppers 

A Messy Kitchen: Xiao Mi Zhou (Millet porridge/congee) 

Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Xocolati- Aztec Hot Chocolate 

Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Xavier Soup 

Food Lust People Love: Homemade XO Sauce 

Palatable Pastime: Vietnamese Sesame Shrimp Noodles (Mi Xao Tom) 

Culinary Cam: The Luxurious Umami Bomb that is (Homemade) XO Sauce + How to Use it 

Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Rotisserie Chicken Xavier Soup with Fennel 

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Xanthia Cocktail 

Mayuri’s Jikoni: Pai Huang Gua Hé Xigua

White Chicken#AlphabetChallenge

This  is a chicken dish  in white gravy, hence it is called White chicken. It can be made with boneless or  with bones,  it will still taste delicious.  I, have used chicken with bones and this dish was too  yummy. Its a very rich gravy made of yogurt, poppy seeds, cashewnuts and cream.  It's a  Mughlai cuisine and makes a fantastic  party dish and mildly spiced.

Ingredients 

½ kg Chicken - cut into medium pieces
2 Medium Onions - sliced
4 Tablespoons Heaped Yogurt - beaten
3 Long Green chillies
2 Tablespoons Ginger Garlic paste
Salt
2 Tablespoons Fresh Cream
12 Whole cashewnuts
1 Tablespoons Poppy seeds / Khus Khus
¼ Cup Warm Milk
Whole  Spices

1 Bay leaf

1 Big Brown Cardamom 

2 Green Cardamoms

2 Cloves 

2 Black peppercorns 

1 Teaspoon Cumin seeds 

1 Stick Cinnamon
Oil as required 
Method

Marinate chicken in yogurt, ginger garlic paste, salt and keep aside for half hour.

Soak the cashewnuts and poppy seeds in ¼ cup warm milk for at least half hour.  Then grind this to a fine paste with the milk.  Keep aside.

Saute  the onions in 2 tablespoons  oil,  till then turn light pink then add all the whole spices and green chillies saute till the spices release an aroma ( do not brown the onions or else the color of the dish will change). Let this cool completely then grind it to a fine paste with little water.

Saute the marinated chicken with 2 tablespoons oil on high heat till chicken becomes soft for 10 mins. Add the ground  onion and spice paste and saute till oil surfaces. Add  the cashew and poppy seeds paste and stir till well incorporated and on low flame let it simmer for 10 minutes or till oil surfaces and chicken is done.  

Keep giving it a stir after every 2 minutes or else it will burn at the bottom of the pan.   Drizzle a little cream. 

 Garnish with sprigs of mint leaves and  serve it with Hyderabadi Parathas or naan or any crusty bread.  

Enjoy...

Labels: Chicken, Mughlai Cuisine, Cashewnuts, Poppy seeds, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "W"

• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Chocolate Mint Whoopie Pies 
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Cranberry Wild Rice 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Creamy Butternut Squash Soup with Whiskey
• A Messy Kitchen: French Onion Sausage and White Bean Bake
• Culinary Cam: Frisky Whiskey Chocolate Cake 
• Blogghetti: Homemade White Gravy Mix
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Waldorf Salad 
• Food Lust People Love: Welsh Rarebit Potatoes with Cavolo Nero 
• Palatable Pastime: Warm Potato Salad with Kielbasa
• Sneha’s Recipe: White Chicken 

Vangi Bath Masala - Homemade#AlphabetChallenge

This is a recipe from Karnataka. This spice blend is so flavorful and fragrant, easy to make and a versatile masala, can use this to make other masala bath with the veggies you like. This masala has no preservative or added color.

Try this flavorful masala and you too will love it.
Ingredients
¼ Cup Chana dal
¼ Cup Urad dal
12 Bedki Red chillies or Adjust according to your taste
1 Tablespoon Heaped Coriander seeds
1 Tablespoon Heaped Poppy seeds
1 Tablespoon Heaped Dry Coconut grated or 8 - 10 slices
1 Stick Cinnamon
6 Cloves
1 Cardamom
A Sprig Curry Leaves
Method

Heat a teaspoon of oil in a pan and fry each of these ingredients - chana dal, urad dal, poppy seeds, coriander seeds, dry coconut, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, curry leaves and red chillies, separately on low flame until they release an aroma and turn red. Remove from pan and keep aside.

Once they cool down, grind all the ingredients into a fine powder. Ta daa.. Vangi Bath Masala is ready .
Store the powder in an air tight container and use it for making Vangi Bath or any other masale bath / rice with the vegetable of your choice.

Check this Vangi Bath Recipe

Labels: Homemade, Masala, Karnataka, South Indian, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "V"

• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Cranberry Orange Vinaigrette 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Instagram - Sweet Tea Vodka Vegetable Couscous Soup
• Food Lust People Love: Mirabelle Plum Vodka 
• Blogghetti: Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Salata De Varza Rosie 
• Culinary Cam: Summer Rolls and Nước Chấm, a Ubiquitous Vietnamese Dipping Sauce
• Sneha’s Recipe: Vangi Bath Masala - Homemade
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Vanilla Bean Sable Cookies 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Vaquero Chicken
• A Messy Kitchen: Vichy Carrots  

Upside Down Apricot Bundt#Alphabet Challenge

When my favorite apricots are in season, this apricot cake is the first on my baking list. Pretty basic upside down fruit cake , except this one is very soft , almost melt in your mouth,with a little tanginess from apricots. A real treat for apricot lovers and the apricot cake itself looks just gorgeous and so appetizing.  

1 Cup Measurement = 250 Ml

Ingredients
75 Grams Butter 
1½ Cups Sugar
1/3 Cup Water
2 Large Eggs
1/3 Cup Sour Cream
½ Teaspoon Grated Lemon zest
½ Teaspoon Vanilla Essence
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
¼ Teaspoon Salt
Firm Ripe Apricots - see my notes
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting - optional
Method 
Preheat the oven to 180°C
Generously butter a bundtpan and arrange the apricots in the dish.

Slice the apricots in half and place the cut side up
Start by making the caramel ,sugar syrup

Combine ¾ cup of the sugar and 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over high heat until it turns a warm amber color, swirl the pan but don’t stir. Pour evenly over the apricot slices.

In a mixing bowl beat the butter and the remaining ¾ cup of sugar until light and fluff
Lower the speed and beat in the eggs one at a time.
Add the sour cream, zest, and vanilla and mix until combined
Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, add to the mixture in 2 batches, mix until combined.
Pour the cake batter evenly over the apricot slices.

Bake 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Cool for 5 - 10 minutes, then turn the cake onto a flat  plate
Dust with confectioners sugar before serving. Enjoy!!

My Notes
Use apricots as many as you need to cover the bottom of the pan.
This same cake can be made with sliced apples, plums, nectarines or peaches. When choosing fruit for the cake, make sure they are not too ripe so they don’t produce too much juice and make the cake soggy.

Labels: Alphabet Challenge, Apricots, Upside Down, Bundts, Cake

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "U" 

A Messy Kitchen: Apple Bourbon Upside Down Cake
A Day in the Life on the Farm: Black Forest Upside Down Cake
Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Chunky Pumpkin Ancho Unsweetened Cocoa Chili
Blogghetti: Jumbo Upside Down Pineapple Muffins
Culinary Cam: Sea Urchin Crostini
Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Ube Pandesal
Mayuri’s Jikoni: Udon Noodle Salad
Food Lust People Love: Umeboshi Calamansi Lime Juice
Sneha’s Recipe: Upside Down Apricot Bundt
Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Upside Down Bacon Apple Pancake  

Thakkali Chammanthi/Tomato Chutney#AlphabetChallenge

Tomato Chutney is a tangy and tasty South Indian chutney made from tomatoes, herbs and spices, there is no onion no garlic or coconut in it. There are many variations of making Tomato Chutney/Thakkali Chammanthi. 

Ingredients
3 Rip Tomatoes - diced
3 Dried Red Chillies
1 Tablespoon Urad Dal
Salt to taste
1 Tablespoon Oil or as required
1 Teaspoon Finely Chopped Ginger
1 Clove
For The Tadka
A Sprig Curry Leaves
½ Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
A Pinch Asafoetida
1 Tablespoon Oil 
Method

Heat oil in the pan and add in the urad dal first. On low heat allow it to turn light golden. Now add in the ginger, red chillies (break them into pieces) and the clove. Sauté for a minute till the red chilly changes color. Now add in the chopped tomatoes and salt. Cook the tomatoes till they are soft and mushy.

Take off heat and allow this mix to cool. Now grind this mixture to a fine paste and keep aside. While grinding, you can add 2-4 tablespoons of water to get the desired consistency of the chutney. 
For The Tadka

Heat oil in a small tadka pan add the mustard seeds when they splutter, add the asafoetida and curry leaves give this a good mix. Add in the ground tomato chutney, taste for salt, add if needed. Cook for 2 minutes till all comes together. Take it off heat and enjoy this yum..mm chutney!

This Tomato Chutney taste good and is a perfect accompaniment to enjoy with Idli, Dosa, Vada, Uthappam or even rice and dal. 

We enjoyed this with Ragi Idli and Drumstick Sambar/Murungakkai Sambar... a perfect combo!!

Labels: Vegan, No Onion No Garlic, Chutney, Tomato, Gluten free, Appetizer, South Indian, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "T" 

• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Tomato Tortellini Soup
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Tangerine Ricotta Cookies
• Food Lust People Love: Roasted Chicken Thighs with Stuffing
• A Messy Kitchen: Blueberry Buckle Tassies
• Sneha’s Recipe: Thakkali Chammanthi /Tomato Chutney
• Palatable Pastime: Pass Around Macaroni and Tomatoes
• Blogghetti: Thanksgiving Turkey Veggie Platter
• Culinary Cam: Bitter Orange and Blackberry Thumbprint Cookies
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Michigan End of Summer Harvest Salad
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Budget-Friendly Chunky Potato Soup with Thyme
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Mini Taco Salad Cups

Spicy Peas#AlphabetChallenge

When it's winter and you will find the heaps of peas in the market. These are so fresh and green that you are invariable tempted to buy them. These are fantastic to enjoy for a evening snack or serve as an appetizer. They are so easy to make.

Ingredients

500 Grams Peas
8 Tablespoons Oil
½ Teaspoon Hing
2 Teaspoons Ajwain/Carom Seeds
Salt to taste
Grind To Paste - Chutney
1 Cup Coriander Leaves
6 Green Chillies
8 Cloves Garlic
2" Piece Ginger
2 Tablespoons Lime juice
Salt to taste
Method

Mix well all ingredients with the chutney, over and keep in microwave high for 5 to 6 minutes. After every minute giving it a stir.

If you feel that it is not cooked well, then keep for an additional minute or two also. If done keep it in the microwave for a standing time of 4 -5 minutes. Remove and serve.

These were so yummy and super delicious that my daughter and me sat with a tray full of these and relished eating these as our dinner.
Labels: Vegetables, Peas, Microwave, Microwave, Peas, Alphabet Challenge, Vegan, Gluten free, Indian

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "S"

• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Sourdough Focaccia 
• A Messy Kitchen: Marionberry Lavender Chiffon Cake 
• Blogghetti: Spinach and Cheese Crescent Rolls 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Spicy Peas 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Semitas 
• Food Lust People Love: Fresh Scallop Sashimi 
• Culinary Cam: Semifreddo al Miele 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Weeknight Sweet Italian Sausage Gravy with Beer 
• Magical Ingredients: Shahi Paneer Dip
• Palatable Pastime: Seasoned Baked Chicken Legs
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Chermoula Sweet Potato Salad

Homemade Roasted Tomato Sauce - Keto#AlphabetChallenge

A delicious and fingerlicking sauce, easy homemade sauce, that is keto, no added sugar, preservatives or peeling of tomatoes. no thickening agents, so flavorful with herbs and spices, then blended into a sauce, freezes beautifully. When tomatoes are cheap then it's perfect time to make a batch of roasted tomato sauce. Use this to make pasta, pizza for even to make a gravy.

Makes 5 Cups

Ingredients

1½ Kgs Fresh Tomatoes
1 Whole Head Garlic - peeled
2 Medium Onions roughly chopped
1 Small Carrot - chopped - optional
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Wine - optional
2 Teaspoons Dried Oregano Leaves
2 Teaspoons Dried Basil Leaves
2 Teaspoons Dried Parsley
2 Teaspoons Dried Thyme
2 Teaspoons Dried Rosemary
½ Teaspoon Black Pepper Powder
½ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes optional
1 Teaspoon Pink Himalayan Salt
½ Teaspoon Keto Sweetener - I used Stevia powder
Method
Preheat oven to 200°C With both the elements on.

Cut tomatoes in pieces. Place in a large roasting pan. Scatter garlic , onion, carrot over-top. Drizzle with olive oil, wine & balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with all the herbs, salt, peppers. Toss with a large spoon to coat.

Place in preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, stirring well half way through cooking. The mixture shouldn’t dry out completely and some of the tomato skins will char slightly. Stirring well half way through ensures that nothing gets too dark. Allow to cool.

Blend in a food processor or use immersion blender to create a sauce with your desired chunkiness level. I made a smooth sauce, strained it into a strainer. If you find the sauces tangy then add ½ teaspoon sweetener of your choice, I added stevia powder. 

Here is a delicious, fingerlicking and silky smooth sauce. You will love this sauce. It has a natural roasted color, do try it, worth the effort and time taken to make this!!
Freeze this in a zip lock bag on a baking tray. When required just break pieces you require and your ready to go!! 

Labels: Alphabet Challenge, Roasted Tomato, Keto, Low Carb, Sauce, Garlic, Dried Herbs, Balsamic Vinegar, Wine, Carrot, International Cuisine, Marinara Sauce, Preservatives free 

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "R" 

• Food Lust People Love: Celeriac Mash with Scallop Roe Butter 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Homemade Roasted Tomato Sauce - Keto 
• A Messy Kitchen: Self-Saucing Rhubarb Pudding Cake 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Caprese Ricotta Toast 
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Rosemary Roasted Red Potatoes 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Rosolli, Finnish Salad 
• Blogghetti: Shrimp Fried Rice 
• Magical Ingredients: Ricotta Red Pepper Dip 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Rustic Rye Sourdough Loaf 
• Palatable Pastime: Red Hot Pepper Vinegar 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Cinnamon Raisin Vanilla Zucchini Bread Muffins