Valentine's Day Special

February 25, 2014

We are a group of morning walkers who go trekking every day. We trek the Yeor Hills.  This year Vasudha our friend came with an idea that we should celebrate Valentine’s day.  So, each one of us decided to bring an item for breakfast.  We had Tea, Lassi, Chocolates and offcourse a bouquet of Roses. The most important part was that this bouquet was passed to each one us. A symbol of unity and Love. This is what I contributed to this celebration.  Herb and Cheese Pull Apart Bread, Tomato Apple Jam & Eggless Flaxseed Chocolate Cake. Thanks very much Vasudha for this plan.  We enjoyed this Valentine's Day celebration.

Labels: Breads, Jams & Sauces, Cakes, Healthy, Vegan

Herbs and Cheese Pull apart Bread

February 25, 2014

I always thought that bread making is impossible since my previous attempts were failure.  Since, then I never attempted to make bread again at home.  As I going through various blogs, came across this recipe.  In this blog I found that there a group of bloggers baking bread every month.  This gave me confidence that if they can do it I, too should try making this bread.  The original recipe is from here.

Herbs and Cheese Pull apart Bread

Ingredients

For the Dough

Warm Milk   1/2 cup

Sugar     1 tsp

Active dry yeast  2.1/4 tsp (I used a rapid rising yeast 2.25 tsp)

All-purpose flour   3 cups

Salt                    1 teaspoon

Butter (soft)     4 tablespoons

Garlic-Red Chili paste   (3 garlic cloves + 2 dry red chilies)

Milk                       3/4 cup + 3tblsp for brushing over the bread

For the Filling

Melted Butter                               15 to 20gm (about 3-4tblsp)

Dried Italian seasoning herbs       2 tsp (contains dried oregano, thyme, parsley)

Roasted cumin seeds                    2 tsp

Saunf powder                               3 pinches (optional for flavor)

Grated cheddar cheese                 1/2 cup

Method

In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar and the yeast in 1/2 cup of warm milk. Keep aside for about 5 minutes till the yeast mixture bubbles up. Grind 3 cloves of garlic with 2 dry red chilies to a coarse paste. Put 3 cups of flour, salt, softened butter, and garlic-red chili paste in a large bowl mix it well. Then add the yeast mixture and 3/4 cup of milk, knead till you have a soft, smooth dough which is not too sticky.  Oil your palms and shape the dough into a ball and place it in a well-oiled bowl, coat the dough with oil. Cover and let it rise for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until almost double in volume.

Dust the work surface lightly with flour. Punch the dough and deflate it,  shape it into a square and roll the dough out into a larger square that is about 12" by 12".

Brush the surface of the square with the melted butter. Mix to together herbs, cumin seeds, powdered saunf and evenly sprinkle it over the square and then spread the grated cheese. Use a rolling pin to very lightly press the topping into the dough to ensure the topping sticks.

Using a pizza cutter, slice the dough from top to bottom into 5-6 long and even strips – they do not have to be perfect. Lay each strip on top of the next, with the topping facing upwards, until you have a stack of the strips. Cut straight down through the stack dividing it into 6 equal pieces (6 square stacks).

Butter and lightly flour a 9 x 5 loaf pan. Layer the square slices, cut sides down into the loaf tin. Cover the loaf tin dough with a towel and allow the dough to rise double its size.  I preheat the oven for 5 minutes at 100 degree C and placed the loaf tin inside. It took more than 2 hours for it rise since it was winter.

Lightly brush some milk over the top of the loaf and Bake the dough at 350F for about 30 to 40 minutes until it is done and the top is golden brown.

My daughter was so thrilled to see this bread and was waiting for it cool down as when it was being baked the aroma of the bread filled the full house. As soon as the bread was cooled she sliced it and had it with butter and omelet. My friend and her family too had this bread and enjoyed it. I made this bread twice and she too tried it twice. My friends too enjoyed this bread on Valentine’s day.

Do give this bread a try and post your comments.

Labels: Breads, Healthy, Eggless, Herbs, Cheese

Watermelon Paratha

Health Benefits Of Watermelon & Nutrition Facts

Besides it tastes refreshing and seductive colors, watermelon nutrition also has so many health benefits. Fruit which has the Latin name Citrullus lanatus, contains certain substances that is effective enough in killing cancer cells, a substance that is able to turn the activity of white blood cell function can improve the immune system. 

Watermelon is low calories fruit, calories in watermelon every 100 grams only 30 calories, so watermelon could serve as a diuretic. According to a study in the United States, the flesh and skin of the watermelon found citrulline substances, these substances will react with the body's enzymes when consumed in considerable amounts then changed into arginine, acid non-essential amino acids are efficacious for the heart and immune system. A USDA study found that the tart white rind offers a high dose of citrulline, an amino acid that helps dilate blood vessels to improve circulation.

Watermelon skin are also rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and chlorophyll. Vitamins that are found in watermelon skin include vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin E, and vitamin C. The content of vitamin E, vitamin C, and protein in the skin of the watermelon can be used to smooth the skin, hair, and make hair look shiny. While beta-carotene and lycopene found in watermelon skin can be used as an antioxidant to tighten facial skin and prevent wrinkles in the facts.

Looking at the above benefits I am sure that you will never throw the white part of the watermelon.  I prepared parathas of the white part of the watermelon. These parathas are so soft and delicious that you will never guess of what they are made of.  These parathas remain soft for 2 days.  These can be given as tiffin to the children.  I have even made mini cheese stuffed paratha.  I am sure the children will love this, just imagine when they bite into it the cheese oozes out.   Just give this a try and you will not regret making them.  They are easy to make.  Let’s go to the recipe.

Ingredients

Watermelon white part puree     1 cup

Wheat flour                                       2+1/2  cup

Chilly flakes                                       ½ teaspoon

Salt                                                       ½ teaspoon

Sugar                                                   ½ teaspoon

Ghee/oil                                             1 teaspoon (I used ghee)

Method

In a mixing bowl add all the above ingredients except the ghee and knead it into a dough.   The add the ghee and knead again into a smooth dough.  Keep this dough to rest for 10 minutes.   Then divide into equal portions according to the size of parathas you would like to make.  After rolling bake them on a hot girdle till done.

To make a cheesy paratha. Take a ball and flatten like a puri stuff it with grated cheese, close the edge and then roll into a mini paratha. Bake and apply ghee/butter on top. Serve hot.

Do give this a try and post your comment.

Labels: Parathas, Rotis,Healthy, Kids delight, Vegan, Watermelon, Indian, Breads

Palak (Spinach) Paneer

February 23, 2014

Ingredients

Palak / Spinach chopped            2 cups 
Paneer                                              100 grams

Grind to Paste

Cumin seeds                            1 teaspoon
Cashewnut                               5 pieces
Onion  Large                            1 no
Green Chilly                            2 nos
Curd                                           1 tablespoon
Ghee/Oil                                  2 tablespoon
Salt                                             1/2 teaspoon

Method

Wash clean and chop the palak.  Pour boiling water on it.  Drain and grind to paste.
Cut the paneer into cubes.  Heat little water and immerse the paneer in it for 10 - 15 minutes.  
Fry the ground paste in ghee/oil (I used ghee) till ghee separates. Add the palak paste and fry well. Add salt and little water to adjust the consistency of the gravy.  Cover and cook on slow fire for 4 -5 minutes. Add paneer lightly stir it into the gravy. Serve hot with rotis or puris.

Note:  You can also fry the paneer and then add to the gravy. To make it vegan, use tofu.

Do try  this recipe and post your comment.

Labels: Vegetables, Leafy vegetables, Paneer, Healthy, Main course, Vegan, Palak

Tomato Carrot Soup

February 18, 2014

This soup is healthy  version of  Cream of Tomato Soup.   This is a vegan soup, minus cream, milk, all purpose flour and cheese.   This soup still taste delicious and easy to make.

INGREDIENTS 

Carrot                      1/2   cup  (grated)

Tomato                   2 nos  

Onion                      1 medium size ( chopped)

Garlic                      3 flakes (chopped)

Cinnamon              1 stick (1 inch)

Peppercorns          8 - 10 nos

Wheat flour           1 Teaspoon

Butter                      1 Teaspoon

Vegetable Stock    1.1/2 cup

Salt                           1/2  teaspoon

Sugar                       1/2  teaspoon 

Method 

The tomatoes should be ripe and firm chopped in large pieces.

In a pan heat butter add onions, garlic and saute for a minute. Add flour and saute till light brown. Add the cinnamon, peppercorns,carrot, tomato and cook till soft.   Cool and puree.

In a pan add the puree, vegetable stock, salt and sugar and let it boil for 5 minutes till thickens a little. Switch off the flame and pour it in a soup bowl and serve hot. 

Try this soup and post your comments. 

Labels: Healthy, Soup, Tomato, Vegan, Main course