Easy Cucumber Sandwich

Easy Cucumber Sandwich.

Quick and easy cucumber sandwich.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2 to 4

Ingredients:

1. Cream cheese - 1/2Cup
2. Garlic,minced- 1/8 tsp
3. Fresh dill, chopped-  1 tbsp 
4. Whole wheat bread- 8 to 10 slices
5. Butter- as required
6. Cucumber,sliced-1/2 of a large
7. Black pepper powder- to taste
8. Salt- to taste

Instructions:

In a bowl combine together cream cheese,garlic,dill and salt to taste.Mix well until smooth.

Spread a thin layer of butter onto each slice.( this will keep the bread from getting soggy).

Spread the prepared cream cheese mixture evenly on each piece of the bread.

Evenly distribute the cucumber slices on 4 (or 5) slices of bread and sprinkle pepper powder on top.Press the other bread slices,cream cheese mixture side down on top of the cucumber slices.

Trim the crusts from the sandwiches,if desired.Cut into half and serve.

NOTES

• You can use cilantro instead of dill.or use 1 fat pinch of dried rosemary /dill/tarragon or Italian seasoning mix.
  

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Quick and easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 8 to 10 minutes
Makes: 18 to 20 servings
Recipe source:Serious Eats ,You can find the original recipe here
Ingredients:

1. Chocolate ,grated- 1 and 1/3 cup
2. Unsweetened Cocoa powder - 1 Cup
3. Cane sugar - 1 Cup
4. Corn Starch / Corn Flour - 2 tbsp
5. Salt - 1 fat pinch
6. Vanilla bean,scraped - 1(optional)

Instructions:

To prepare Hot Chocolate Mix:Combine all ingredients in a food processor/blender.Blend until it is completely powdered.Transfer to airtight container ( add the vanilla bean pod to the container ,if desired)and store in a cool,dark place for upto 3 months.

To make hot chocolate:  Add 1 to 3 tbsp of the hot chocolate mix into 1 cup of boiling milk and mix until combined.For a thicker hot chocolate, heat the mixture for about 30 seconds ,until smooth and slightly thick.

NOTES

• Increase or decrease the quantity of hot chocolate mix per cup of milk depending on how 'chocolatey' you want it . 
• To scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean,cut the vanilla bean in half along its length using a sharp knife.Scrape out the seeds with the back of the knife and add along with the rest of the ingredients.Place the  empty pod in  the chocolate mix container,if desired. 

Gobi Paratha | Cauliflower masala stuffed Indian Flatbread

Gobi Paratha

Cauliflower masala stuffed Indian flat bread.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Makes: 6 to 8 parathas
Ingredients:

1. Whole wheat flour- 1 Cup(+ extra for dusting)
2. Water - as required
3. Salt - to taste
4. Oil / Ghee - as required

For Cauliflower stuffing:

1. Cauliflower,grated- 1  to 1 and 1/4 cups
2. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Onion,finely chopped - 1/4 cup
4. Green chilies,finely chopped - 1 ( or according to taste)
5. Ginger ,finely chopped - 1/2 tsp
6. Kashmiri chili powder- 1/4 tsp( or to taste)
7. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
8. Coriander powder - 1/4 tsp
9. Garam masala powder- 1/4 tsp
10. Coriander leaves,chopped - 1 tbsp( optional)
11. Salt- To taste
12. Oil- as required

Instructions:

In a bowl,combine together whole wheat flour,salt and sufficient quantity of water and mix well.Knead to form a soft dough.Cover and keep aside for atleast 20 minutes.

Heat oil in a pan,add cumin seeds and saute for few seconds.Add onion,green chilies and ginger .Saute until onion turns golden brown.

Now add kashmiri chili powder,turmeric powder,coriander powder and garam masala powder.Saute for few seconds.Add grated cauliflower and salt to taste.

Cook until all the moisture evaporates . Add coriander leaves ( if using) and switch off the stove.Allow this filling to cool completely. 

Divide the dough into 6 to 8 equal parts. Roll a portion of the dough into a circle of 4" diameter on a lightly floured surface.

Place 1 tbsp  cauliflower filling in  the center.Bring all the sides to the center and seal tightly.

Pinch off the excess dough,if desired.Dust the surface with whole wheat flour ,roll the stuffed dough lightly to form 6 to 7 " circle.(Lightly dust the parathas with flour,if it sticks to the rolling pin or the  working surface.)

Heat a nonstick /iron tawa ,place the paratha and let it cook until the color changes slightly for about 15 seconds over medium high heat.Flip the paratha and cook for few more seconds.Drizzle 1 tsp oil over the paratha.Flip the paratha again and gently press using a spatula.Cook until golden brown spots appear on both the sides.Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.Serve hot with pickle and yogurt.

NOTES

• For best results, drizzle ghee over the parathas. 
  

Eggless Strawberry Mousse | Three Ingredient Strawberry Mousse Recipe

Eggless Strawberry Mousse

Easy Eggless-strawberry mousse recipe.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Serves: 5 to 6
Ingredients:

1. Strawberries- 2 to 2.5 cups
2. Powdered sugar- 3 to 4 tbsp( or according to taste)
3. Whipping cream - 1 cup
4. Vanilla extract - 1/4 tsp( optional)
5. Strawberries,sliced- few ( to garnish)

Instructions:

Puree the strawberries along with  powdered sugar in a blender .

Whip the cream till you get soft peaks.Do not over whisk.Add the vanilla extract(if using) and 6 to 7 tbsp of the strawberry puree.Fold it very gently,until combined.

Spoon into serving glasses.Top with remaining strawberry puree if desired.Refrigerate for about  1 or 2 hours.Garnish with sliced strawberries.

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of powdered sugar according to your taste.

Eggless Jowar Banana Muffins | Eggless Sorghum Flour Banana Muffins

Eggless Jowar Banana Muffins

Eggless,dairy free,gluten free Banana muffins using sorghum flour.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 to 22 minutes
Makes: 8 muffins
Recipe source: Indiancuisine,You can find the original recipe here.
Ingredients:

1. Sorghum flour /Jowar flour - 3/4 cup
2. Baking soda- 1/2 tsp
3. Baking powder - 1/2 tsp( 1 large)
4. Salt - 1 pinch
5. Banana ,mashed - 3/4 cup
6. Sugar - 6 tbsp( i used brown sugar)
7. Oil (or melted ghee) - 1/4 cup
8. Vanilla extract - 1/4 to 1/2 tsp
9. Walnuts or cashew nuts ,chopped - 1 to 2 tbsp

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 180 deg C.Line the muffin tin with paper liners.

In a bowl,combine together sorghum flour,baking soda,baking soda and salt.

In a separate bowl ,combine together mashed banana,sugar,oil( i used ghee) and vanilla extract.Mix well until combined.

Gently fold in the flour mixture in two batches,just until combined.Do not over mix.

Fill the cupcake liners so that they are 3/4 th full.Top with chopped nuts,if desired.Bake at 180 Deg C for about 20 to 22 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

NOTES

• If the batter is too thick add 1 or 2 tbsp of water and mix gently.

Hummus and Curried Cauliflower Tartine

Hummus and curried cauliflower tartine

Quick and delicious hummus and curried cauliflower open faced sandwich.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 to 20 minutes
Serves: 4
Recipe adapted fr:here , Le pain Quotidien Cookbook
Ingredients:

1. Cauliflower ,cut into very small florets- 1/2 of a small
2. Turmeric powder -3/4 to 1 tsp
3. Cumin powder - 1 tsp
4. Freshly grated nutmeg - 1 pinch
5. Cinnamon powder - 1 pinch
6. Fresh Thyme leaves - 1 sprig( i used 1/4 tsp dried thyme)
7. Extra virgin olive oil - 2 tbsp
8. Salt - to taste

To serve:

1. Whole wheat sandwich bread,or sourdough bread,lightly toasted - 4
2. Hummus- as required( approx 3/4 cup)
3. Spring onion,chopped -1 tbsp
4. Extra virgin olive oil - 2 tbsp
5. Chili flakes - as required

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 220 deg C.In a bowl,combine together cauliflower florets,turmeric powder,cumin powder,nutmeg,cinnamon,thyme,olive oil and salt .

Transfer this to a baking tray ,bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly brown on top.Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

To serve ,spread hummus on the bread and top with the curried cauliflower.Sprinkle the spring onion and chili flakes on top and drizzle with olive oil .

NOTES

• You find the recipe for hummus here.

Gothambu Puttu | Wheat Puttu

Gathambu Puttu

Healthy Steamed wheat flour cake.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:

1. Wheat Flour- 1 cup
2. Salt - to taste
3. Grated coconut - as required
4. Water - as required

Instructions:

Dry roast the wheat flour over medium low heat ,stirring continuously for about 5 minutes or until the colour changes slightly.Set aside to cool.

Transfer the wheat flour to a mixing bowl ,add salt and  mix well.Sprinkle water little at a time and mix well using your fingers until you get a crumbly texture with tiny lumps.(The mixture should  not be dry and should be just wet enough for steaming.)

Transfer this mixture into a mixer /food processor ,pulse for few seconds.

This is done to remove the lumps and to make it soft.

Add 1 or 2 tbsp of grated coconut  into the puttu mould.Spoon in the wheat mixture until the mould is halfway filled.Next add 1 or 2 tbsp of grated coconut and fill the remaining half with the wheat mixture.Finish off with 1 or 2 tbsp of grated coconut ,if desired.

Steam it for about 5 to 8 minutes.Transfer the cooked puttu to a serving tray.Serve with banana and pappadam or kadala curry.

NOTES

• Make sure you add water little at a time.If there is too much water in the wheat flour mixture,puttu will turn out hard.