Insalta Caprese Salad#Improv

It's our posting day for Improv Cooking Challenge, hosted by Nichole Little,  theme for month is "Tomato & Cheese". 

Insalta Caprese Salad is an Italian restaurant style presented  salad, made of sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, seasoned with salt and olive oil. It looks so pleasing to the eyes,  beautiful to look at, most of all taste delicious because of fresh, tomatoes and soft mozzarella.😋😋 A perfect summer light salad.

Ran out of basil leaves hence used mint leaves, this too gave a refreshing taste to this salad. I have used pepper powder in  the salad but forgot to sprinkle before taking pics😥😥

 Serves 2

Ingredients
2 Large Ripe & Firm Tomatoes-  cut into thick slices 
1 Pack of  Fresh Mozzarella Cheese - cut into thick slices
Fresh Basil leaves  as required - I used Mint Leaves
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
salt to taste
Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste

Method

On a serving  plate, alternate and overlap the tomato slices, mozzarella cheese slices, and basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with sea salt and pepper.

Labels : Italy, Salads, Insalta Caprese Salad, Mozzarella Cheese, Tomato, Mint, Basil, Olive Oil, Healthy, Healthy Dinners, Improv Cooking Challenge

An InLinkz Link-up

Chipa Argolla#BakingBloggers

Chipa Argolla  is recipe of Paraguay.  This is a breakfast or a snack small cheese bread which has, two versions one  is called chipa the other is chipa argolla.  Chipa argolla is the popular ring shaped version.

  I,  believe that in Paraguay, the town of Coronel Bogado, which is the capital of chipas,  even hosts an annual festival of chipas. The word chipa comes from the Guarani language and it  means cake or bread.

These are a mainly prepared, given to family and friends   during the Holy Week of Lent. 

For Baking Bloggers Sue of Palatable Pastime is our host and every month we get to vote on theme. For September the theme is biscuit and scone recipes which are American based.

I, have seen so many recipes on net, but,  this  is a perfect, tried and tested recipe.  

Ingredients
205 Grams Sabudana Atta / Tapioca Flour
115 Grams Fine Corn Meal
60 Grams Butter - unsalted   
2  Eggs
65 Grams Mozzarella Cheese - grated
65 Grams Parmesan Cheese - grated
½ Teaspoon Heaped Anise seeds / Saunf  

¼ Teaspoon Salt  

¼  Cup Milk

¼ Teaspoon Baking powder

Method

In the bowl, add the butter and the eggs. Mix for a couple minutes with electric hand blender. Incorporate the grated cheeses and anise seeds. Add the salt and milk, mix well . Then, add the tapioca flour and corn meal,  continue mixing until well combined.   Keep this  covered with a cling film to  chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour.

After you take the dough out from the refrigerator, add the baking powder and knead to a soft dough. 

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.  Line two baking trays, with parchment paper and lightly dust it with cornmeal.  Keep aside.

Pinch the dough into small balls.  Roll each ball into a rope of about 5 or 6 inches long and ½ inch thick. Bring ends together to form a small circle and press to seal. Place them an inch apart on baking sheets .

I made the first tray into big circles and kept them about 2 -3 inches apart.  Found that on baking they did not expand much.  

The next tray, made small circles,  see pic above.

Bake them for 20 to 25 minutes until slightly golden  and can  see tiny red spots on the Chipa Argolla . Remove and cool them on to cooling rack. 

These are crisp from outside and soft and chewy from inside.

Lablels : Breads, Baking Bloggers, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Tapioca Flour, Cornmeal, Gluten free, Egg, Latin American, Paraguayan, Baked
Have a look at other Biscuits and Scones Recipes 

• Blueberry Drop Scones by Simply Inspired Meals
• Breakfast Biscuits by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking
• Carrot Cake Scones by Caroline’s Cooking
• Cheesy Garlic Jalapeno Drop Biscuits by Jonesin' For Taste
• Chipa Argolla by Sneha’s Recipe
• Chipas by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Gruyère Prosciutto Scones by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Lemon Blueberry Biscuits by Jolene's Recipe Journal
• Orange Pecan Biscuits by Palatable Pastime
• Sour Cream & Chive Jumbo Biscuits by Faith, Hope, Love & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Spiced Pumpkin Scones by The Redhead Baker
• Very Cinnamon Scones by Hardly A Goddess

Vegetarian Red Bean Enchiladas#Foodieextravaganza

An enchilada is a popular Mexican dish- tortillas stuffed with baked beans ,vegetables and baked in enchilada(tomato based) sauce. It is one of the most popular street food.  Enchilada is pronounced as "ehn-chee-lah-thahs", term means " dipped in chilly".

May 5th is National Enchilada Day. Our host for the month is Camilla of Culinary Adventures told us to celebrate it with your favorite version.

Ingredients
6 Homemade Tortillas
Mozzarella cheese
as required
For the filling
1 Tablespoon  Olive oil
1 White Onion - finely chopped
3 Garlic loves - finely chopped 
2 Large Tomatoes
1 Cup Boiled Rajma / Red Beans
1/2 Teaspoon Red chilly powder
1/2 Teaspoon  Mixed herbs
1 Tablespoon Tomato sauce
Salt to taste
1/4 Cup Cheese
For the Enchilada sauce
1 Tablespoon Butter
3 Garlic Cloves - finely chopped
3 Tomatoes -  pureed
1 Tablespoon Tomato sauce
1 Teaspoon Red chilli flakes
1 Teaspoon Oregano 
3/4 Cup Grated Mozzarella Cheese

Method
To make the Enchilada sauce

In a mixer jar add the tomatoes, garlic and puree to a fine paste .
In pan heat butter add the chilly flakes, tomato sauce and saute for a minute, then add the tomato puree and cook till it thickens to a sauce like consistency . Remove in a bowl  then mix in the cheese and keep aside.
For the filling

Crush the rajma / red beans lightly and keep aside.
Heat oil in a pan, add onions,  garlic, sauté till onions are softened. Add the chopperized tomatoes, tomato sauce, red beans, red chilly powder, mixed dried herbs, mix and cook till almost dry. 

Cool then add the cheese and mix well

Preheat the oven to 200°C.

Place a tortilla, spread some of the filling in the center and top with cheese.

Roll the tortilla.Place it in a baking dish.
Similarly make more rolls and place in the dish.

Drizzle the  enchilada sauce over.

Grate mozzarella cheese on top and sprinkle some chilly flakes and mixed herbs.

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake till the cheese melts.

Serve hot.

Labels : Enchilada, Mexican, Vegetarian, Rajma Beans, Mozzarella Cheese, Tortilla, Enchilada Sauce, Baked
You might also like to check these Mexican recipes:

Air Fryer Nachos

Cheesy Pasta Noodles in Salsa Sauce
Chicken Fajita

Vegetarian Mexican Quesadillas

Vegetarian Chalupa – A Crispy Mexican Bread
Salsa Sauce - How to make Salsa Sauce
Spicy Salsa Red Bean Soup
Sweet Corn Atole - Mexican

An InLinkz Link-up

100% Whole Wheat Veggie Calzone#BakingBloggers

I love these Whole Wheat Calzones. They make an easy lunch box or a main course for weekend dinner, since you can prepare these in advance and freeze it.  When you want to have them just heat it in the microwave in minutes and enjoy them. 

Wrap these in a foil and place it in their lunchbox and give it with your kids as tiffin to school.

These are always made by me for a  weekend dinner,  these cheesy, full of veggies make a complete meal.

250 ML Cup Measurement
Ingredients

For Dough:3/4 Cup Warm Water
1/2  Teaspoons Rapid Rising Yeast
1/2  Teaspoon Granulated Sugar
2 Teaspoons +  2 Teaspoons Olive oil
1 Cups Whole Wheat Flour

1 Teaspoon Vital Wheat Gluten 

1/4 Teaspoon Heaped Sea Salt

1 Tablespoon Milk for brushing

For the Filling

1/2 Cup Capsicum

1/2 Cup Mushrooms

1/2 Cup Carrot

1/2 Cup Broccoli

1/2 Cup Fresh Peas

1 Medium Onion

2 Cloves Garlic

2 Tablespoons Heaped Cream Style Corn - Homemade

1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne pepper

1/4 Teaspoon Red pepper flakes

1/4 Teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/4 Teaspoon Dried Rosemary

1/2 Teaspoon Level Sea Salt

Grated Mozzarella & Cheddar cheese as required

2 Teaspoon Olive Oil

Method

For Dough:

In the bowl , combine yeast, flour, vital wheat gluten,2 teaspoons olive oil salt and sugar. Mix it well and then slowly add the water to make a soft and sticky dough ( used exactly 3/4 cup warm water ). Take this dough on to lighlty floured work surface. The remaining 2 teaspoon oil pour it into a bowl. Oil the bowl well and keep oiling your hands in and knead the sticky dough for a 20 to 25 turns or till it forms a smooth ball. Place dough in the oiled bowl, cover loosely with a towel, and let rise for 30 minutes in a warm place.
In the meantine let's make the filling

Chopperize all veggies finely and keep aside.

In a pan heat oil, add the garlic saute for a minute 

add the onions when it softens 

add the peas, carrot and broccoli, saute for a minute. Cover with a lid and cook it for 2 minutes. 

 Open the lid add rest of the veggies and seasoning saute well and let it cook again for 3 minutes. 

Now add the cream style corn and saute till all the moisture evaporates and the filling is dry. Taste for salt and seasoning if necessary adjust according to your taste.

Filling is ready.  Take off flame and let it cool.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees C for 20 minutes.

After 30 minutes you have a beautifully risen dough, deflate it on a floured surface.  

Cut into 5 equal size balls.

Roll each ball into a round circle, 1/4 inch thick 

place the filling on one side 

Top it with grated mozzarella & cheddar cheese 

Close it like a turnover 

Press the edges with a fork even a few on the top to release the air while baking. 

Keep this in a greased baking tray. Like wise make rest of them and brush them with milk. Place them in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or till golden brown and when tapped it gives an hollow sound. 

Cool them on a wire rack. 

When cooled enjoy with any dip or sauce of your choice.

These are yum!

Labels : Breads, Calzone, 100% Whole Wheat, Mushroom, Broccoli, Carrot, Capsicum, Mozzarella Cheese,  Cheddar Cheese, Baking Bloggers, Vegetarian

Here are some of the Calzone  recipe of our other #BakingBloggers

• 100% Whole Wheat Veggie Calzone by Sneha's Recipe
• All Mixed Up Calzone by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking
• Calzoni Quattro Stagioni by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Classic Ham and Ricotta Calzone by Palatable Pastime
• Ham and Cheddar Pretzel Calzones by Cookaholic Wife
• Loaded Vegetable Calzone by Hardly A Goddess
• Spicy Beef Curry Calzones by Food Lust People Love
• Spinach, Ricotta, and Three-Meat Calzone by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Toddler Friendly Calzones by A Day in the Life on the Farm