Spelt Banana Bread#BreadBakers

Spelt is a special and ancient grain. Spelt is an excellent source of protein, dietary fiber, several vitamins and dietary minerals. Since this flour is high in protein and low in gluten lends a slightly sweet and nutty flavor to the bread. This is a one bowl banana bread, just mix the dry ingredients to the wet  and bake.

Ingredients
3 Very Ripe/Blackened Bananas
175 Grams Brown Sugar
2 Large Eggs
125 Ml Buttermilk
25 Grams Honey
115Grams Salted Butter - melted and cooled
200 Grams Spelt Flour
1 Teaspoon Heaped Baking powder
1 Teaspoon Level Baking soda
Pearl Sugar for the topping/decoration - optional

Method
Preheat your oven to 180°C. Line a loaf pan (11.5 x 20cm/8" x 4") with baking parchment or grease it well and keep aside.

In a large bowl, mash your ripe bananas with a fork. 

Add in the brown sugar, eggs, buttermilk, honey and butter. Whisk thoroughly to combine.

In another small bowl, whisk together the spelt flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the wet.

Fold until the dry ingredients are just combined with the wet( do not over mix).  

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan.   

Sprinkle the top with pearl sugar, if using.

Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when you poke the center of the bread. If it starts to brown too much, you can cover the top with foil.

Leave to cool in the bread pan, then turn out 

and slice to serve. 

Enjoy!

Labels: Breads, Bread Bakers, Spelt Flour, Banana, Gluten free, Healthy

#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our lovely bread by following our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated after each event on the #BreadBakers home page. We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. This month the Bread Bakers are making Griddle Breads, a theme chosen by Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm



And don’t forget to check out all the amazing Griddle breads baked by our talented bakers ~
Bread Baker's Event for April 2021- Theme Whole Grain Breads   

• Zesty South Indian KItchen: Einkorn and Spelt Whole Wheat Flour Sourdough Bread 
• Passion Kneaded: Marble Wheat Loaf 
• Magical Ingredients: Multigrain Carrot Rolls 
• The Wimpy Vegetarian: Oatmeal Rolls with Molasses
• Making Miracles: Seedy Soft Sandwich Bread 
• Culinary Adventures with Camilla: Sourdough Boules with Quinoa, Oats, and Sprouted Seeds
• Food Lust People Love: Sourdough Sprouted Spelt Blini 
• Sneha's Recipe: Spelt Banana Bread 
• A Messy Kitchen: Sweet Wheat Braid
• Karen's Kitchen Stories: Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin Bread
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
• Ambrosia: Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread 

Baked Pork Enchilada Salsa Verde Casserole#BakingBloggers

I wanted to make something easy, so instead of making traditional rolled enchiladas made these no fuss casserole. Made this quick dish where in I just threw everything into a casserole.
Assembling the pork enchilada casserole takes little effort, as I simply layered the pork and rest of ingredient one by one and baked it. To save time, I made the pork and the Salsa Verde two days in advance and refrigerated it. I made the Fried Corn Tortillas on the day when I wanted to bake it. If you want, this, can be assembled well , in advance, as it reheats quite well, can assure you this, since I, had leftovers and reheated it after two days and it tasted just as good as the freshly made one.

Servings 2 -3
Ingredients 
250 Grams Pork Mince
1 Cloves Garlic - finely chopped
1½ Teaspoon Lime juice
½ Teaspoon Pink Himalayan Salt
¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper powder
1 Teaspoon Vegetable Oil
Other Ingredients
Salsa Verde
4 Corn Tortillas - torn
1 Cup Shredded Provolone & Cheddar Cheese
1 Small Onion- diced
¼ Cup Chopped Coriander/Cilantro leaves
Sour cream, for serving
For the Fried Corn Tortillas
1 Cup = 250 Ml
Ingredients
1 Cup Maize Flour
¼ Teaspoon Pink Himalayan Salt
1 Teaspoon Oil
125 Ml+ Water

Method

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pot/kadai, add minced  garlic and the pork mince, sauté till it changes color

add salt  and pepper powder , mix well

add ½ cup water. Bring the pot to a boil, and then turn the heat down to low and simmer uncovered for until the mince is cooked 

and all moisture nearly evaporated ( there should 2 - 3 tablespoons of liquid in the mince). 

Cool till it comes to room temperature add ½ cup of the Salsa Verde, lime juice and little coriander leaves . Taste for salt and spice, add more Salsa Verde if you want it more spicy. 

For the Fried Corn Tortillas

In a skillet, boil the water, add salt and oil. When it comes to a rolling boil add the maize flour and mix well with a spoon. Let it cook for a minute. Switch off the flame and cover it with a lid for 3 minutes. When it is still warm, knead this to soft dough, if required add a teaspoon of hot water while kneading. Knead it well into soft dough. Cover and keep it aside for just 5 minutes. 

Divide the dough into 5 equal balls. Roll each between a oiled plastic sheet in a tortilla press/puri maker. 

Cut it with a mould to make the edges smooth and tortilla the same size. 

Bake this in non stick skillet (See Notes) till it get brown spots on each side. 

Keep this on wire rack. Like wise make the rest of the corn tortillas. 

Wrap them in a towel and let them cool completely.
Heat up the vegetable oil on low heat in a small pan Use a pan that will fit the tortillas so that you can use a little to fry them).

Once the oil is hot add one tortilla at a time, and fry on medium flame till they are crisp. Keep aside to drain on a kitchen towel.

I even fried the broken tortilla pieces and used that to layer the casserole, since they are to broken into pieces.

To Assemble- Pork Enchilada Salsa Verde Casserole
Preheat the oven to 170°C.

In a casserole, place half of the broken tortillas in it, tearing in pieces to fill in any gaps. 

Evenly top the tortillas with half the pork, 

sprinkle half the diced onions ( I had 2 tablespoons of leftover red and green capsicum so used that too)

half the chopped coriander leaves, and and evenly spread the Salsa Verde. 

Then sprinkle the shredded cheese. 

Top that layer with remaining torn tortillas and then add the rest of the pork, 

the rest of the onions, capsicums, evenly spread the salsa,

sprinkle coriander leaves and then top evenly with the rest of the cheese.

Bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until the casserole is lightly browned and bubbling. Allow to rest for 10- 12 minutes before serving. 

Serve warm with sour cream and wafers.

My Notes
The pork and Salsa Verde can be made ahead of time and kept refrigerated for 3 days.

I baked the first tortilla on my anodized tawa and it got stuck see pic, so use a non stick pan to bake the tortillas.

Labels: Pork, Salsa Verde , Mexico, Mexican, Baking Bloggers, Corn, Tortilla, Baked, Enchilada, Serves Two, Main course, Green Tomato, Breads  

Baking Bloggers (April 2021): Baking of Mexico

• Baked Pork Enchilada Salsa Verde Casserole from Sneha's Recipe
• Bolillos from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Capirotada de Leche from Palatable Pastime
• Cheesy Corn Dip from Magical Ingredients
• Chicken Chili Tortilla Casserole from Food Lust People Love
• Creamy Caramel Flan from Making Miracles
• Mexican Chicken Bake (DASH Friendly) from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Tacos De Jocoqui (Sour Cream Tacos) from Sid's Sea Palm Cooking
• Telera Rolls from Karen's Kitchen Stories

Red Garlic Chutney#SundayFunday

This Chutney is an easy side dish which goes well with idli, dosas and with dal rice, can be made with minimum ingredients and also used a multi purpose masala in gravies. This is real spicy fiery red chutney. If you are spice lover then this is for you!!

Makes One Cup
Ingredients
25 Grams Peeled Garlic Cloves
25 No's Dried Bedgi Chillies
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt or to taste
¼ Cup + Sesame Oil

Method

Break the chillies into small pieces, wash and soak it hot water till they soften.

Heat a tablespoon sesame oil in a pan, add the garlic and fry it stirring continuously until it becomes translucent ( do not brown/ burn it). Remove from flame and allow it to cool to room temperature. Drain the chillies completely, squeeze out the water ( if you want discard the seeds to reduce the spiciness- I used the seeds also). Now grind all the above ingredients together without adding any water. Add a teaspoon of oil at a time to to grind it to a smooth fine paste.

Remove this into a sterilized jar/bottler and pour the remaining oil on top. The chutney is ready for serving and does not require any tadka. It can be stored for a week or two in a cool place with a inch of sesame oil on top or in the refrigerator for 3 months.

My Notes

The Bedgi Chillies lends a tangy, fiery red color and offers a moderately spicy taste, unlike the Kashmiri chillies. Do try it and you can use this in gravies too, as a multi purpose masala.

Labels: Chutney, Garlic, Spicy, Multipurpose Masala, Sunday Funday

For our event called Sunday Funday, wherein we share recipes our families will love to enjoy on a Sunday. I thank our host for this week's event Rebekah Rose Hills of Making Miracles.
Sunday Funday Theme "Garlic"   

• Blackened Steak Caesar Salad by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Shrimp by Making Miracles
• Family Secret Garlic Bread by Food Lust People Love
• Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes by Mayuri’s Jikoni
• Garlic Roasted Salmon with Brussels Sprouts by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Garlicky Fregola with Edamame, Mint, and Ricotta by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Indo Chinese Style Schezwan Chutney by Cook with Renu
• Lasanachi Chutney | Maharashtrian style dry Garlic Chutney by Sizzling Tastebuds
• Red Garlic Chutney by Sneha's Recipe
• Tomato, Basil, and Garlic Filled Bread by Karen's Kitchen Stories

Torta Frita -Uruguay#Eattheworld

The name Tortas Fritas means "fried cakes" or "fried pies." and are more like fried biscuits. This dough is prepared with more fat (usually lard), like biscuit dough. Torta Frita is a popular item in both Uruguay and Argentina to be consumed with coffee, tea, served with dulce de leche or jam. 

1 Cup = 250 ML
Ingredients 
½ Cup Homemade Evaporated Milk
½ Cup Water
2 Tablespoons Shortening or Clarified Butter
2 Cups Self Raising flour
½ Teaspoon Salt
Vegetable Oil as required for frying
For Serving
Icing Sugar  - for dusting
Dulce de Leche or Fruit Jam

Method

Heat evaporated milk and clarified butter in small saucepan or microwave just until melted. Don't boil it.

Combine flour and salt in medium bowl. Make a hole in the center. Pour the hot evaporated milk into the hole; Stir this with a wooden spoon until it forms a soft dough. Put the dough on a lightly floured surface; Knead until soft and pliable (you may need a few drops of water). 

Cut the dough into 15 to 16 equal pieces, roll each piece to form a smooth ball. Use a rolling pin to roll each ball into a circle about ¼ inch thick. Use your hands to form circles and make a hole in the center by piercing each circle with one finger.

Heat oil in large skillet. 

Carefully drop 4 rings of dough into hot oil. Fry until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove the cakes and drain them on paper towels. Repeat this with the rest of the dough rings. 

Dust them with icing sugar.

Serve them warm with dulce de leche, a favorite fruit jam or nothing.

Few were remaining these I broke into pieces and enjoyed with my soup.. they go well, use these instead of bread!! 
Labels: Fried Biscuits, Uruguay, Argentina, International Cuisine, Eat the World, Biscuits & Cookies, Deep Fried

Join us as we Eat the World!!!

Each month Evelyne of CulturEatz invites us to visit a country and explore their foods. This month it's Uruguay.

Check out all the wonderful Uruguay recipes prepared by fellow Eat the World members and share with #eattheworld. Click here to find out how to join and have fun exploring a country a month in the kitchen with us!

Magical Ingredients: Tortas Fritas 

Sneha’s Recipe: Torta Frita -Uruguay 

Pandemonium Noshery: Polvito Uruguayo 

Palatable Pastime: Grilled Chicken Pinchitos 

Sugarlovespices: Uruguayan Pancho Hot Dog with Fries on the Side 

Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Pasta Caruso 

Culinary Adventures with Camilla: Empanadas a la Criolla, Uruguayan Wines, and Upcoming #TannatDay 

Kitchen Frau: Torta de Fiambre (Baked Ham & Cheese Sandwiches) 

Cultureatz: Chaja Cake, an Uruguayan Peach Meringue Layer Cake 

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Milanesa Napolitana 

Making Miracles: The Chivito: Uruguay's Iconic Steak & Egg Sandwich

Tomato And Balsamic Pasta#Improv

This dish is super quick and easy to put together especially perfect for those when dinner needs to be ready in a hurry. The magic of this dish is the balsamic vinegar, it gives a tangy flavor to it.
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 Cup Heaped Ziti Pasta
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Medium Onion - chopped
4 Cloves Garlic - minced
2 Medium Tomatoes - chopped
1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
1 Cup Vegetable Stock
½ Cup Pasta Water
½ Teaspoon Red Chilly Flakes
½ Teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper 1 tsp
2 Tablespoon Freshly Chopped Basil Leaves
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano as required

Method

Boil the ziti pasta as per package instructions. Drain and reserves ½ cup pasta water.
In large pan heat the olive oil add onions, garlic sauté till the onions are translucent. Now add in tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and vegetable stock, pasta water, bring this to a boil, cover and let this cook till the tomato softens a little. 

Then add red chilies, black pepper, basil leaves and pasta, give this a good mix and let it simmer it for 2 - 3 minutes, on medium high flame, stirring at intervals.

Serve it up in a bowl with lots of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and with a fried egg (optional).... Enjoy!!

Labels : Vegan, Italian, Serves Two, Tomato, Basil, Balsamic Vinegar, Pasta & Noodles, Improv Cooking Challenge, Parmesan Cheese, Main course, Italy, International Cuisine

Improv Cooking Challenge:April 2021

Tomatoes & Balsamic 

Stuffed Caprese Chicken by Making Miracles 

Tomato and Balsamic Pasta by Sneha’s Recipe

Tomato Tart with Balsamic Glaze by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking  

Balsamic Braised Chicken Breasts by A Day in the Life on the Farm   

Homemade Whole Wheat Sun-dried Tomato Pasta and a Salad by Magical Ingredients  

Asparagus Bacon Caprese Salad By Cookaholic Wife