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.
  

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.

Soft and Fluffy Milk Bread | Eggless White Bread | TangZhong Method

Soft and fluffy milk bread

Soft and fluffy bakery style milk bread.
Prep Time: 45 minutes + 1 hr 40 minutes proving time.
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Makes: 1 loaf
Recipe source: Sara's Kitchen, You can find the original recipe here.
Ingredients:

1. Active dry yeast- 2.5 tsp ( see notes)
2. Luke warm milk - 2/3 cup( 150 ml)
3. All purpose flour - 2.5 cups
4. Milk powder - 1 tbsp
5. Caster sugar /Superfine sugar - 1/4 cup
6. Salt - 3/4 tsp( or to taste)
7. Butter- 2 tbsp (at room temperature)
8. Lukewarm water - as required( i used 1/4 cup /see notes)
9. Milk- 1 or 2 tbsp (to brush the loaf )

To prepare Water -Roux paste /TangZhong:

1. All purpose flour - 1.5 tbsp
2. Water- 100 ml(1/3 cup + 2 tbsp)

Instructions:

To Prepare Water-Roux paste/TangZhong-In a small pan combine together 1.5 tbsp all purpose flour and 100ml water.Mix well until lump-free.Cook over medium heat ,stirring continuously until it turns thick.You should be able to get soft peaks out of the roux.Allow this to cool completely.

In a bowl combine together active dry yeast and lukewarm milk.Keep aside for 5 minutes or until it turns frothy.In another large mixing bowl,combine together all purpose flour,milk powder,caster sugar and salt using a fork /whisk.

Add the water- roux paste( at room temperature),yeast mixture.Mix well until combined.Gradually add sufficient quantity of lukewarm water and mix well to form a soft and slightly sticky dough.Knead for atleast 15 minutes ,until the dough turns soft.

Now add the softened butter and continue to knead for about 5 to 10 minutes ,until the dough turns soft and elastic.(When it is done, you will be able to stretch the dough into a thin translucent film without breaking.)

Transfer it to a greased bowl.Cover and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in volume for about 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours.

To see if the bread has proofed enough,gently poke your finger into it.If the dough quickly bounces back,it isn't ready,if it comes back slowly ,then the dough is ready.  

Punch down the dough and transfer it onto a lightly floured surface.Divide the dough into 4 or 5 equal parts.

Roll each  into  balls and let them rest for 10 to 15 minutes.Roll each ball into a thin rectangle.

Take one end of the sheet and  fold into the middle.Then fold the other end to the middle to form a long rectangle.

Now fold the shorter end into the middle and then fold the other short end to the middle.

Roll the folded dough from one end to the other to form a roll.Place the roll in a loaf tin lined with parchment paper  ( or a greased loaf tin).

Place all the 4 ( or 5 ) rolls into the loaf tin.Cover with a clean kitchen towel and leave to rise( 2 nd round proofing) for about 40 minutes or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 180 Deg C.Brush the loaf with milk and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes .Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

NOTES

• If you are using instant dry yeast, add it directly to the flour along with the rest of the dry ingredients. (and add milk to the dry ingredients along with the water-roux paste.) 
• Different flour types require different amounts of liquid,so start with 1/8 cup lukewarm water and add more if required.
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Stuffed Bread | Chicken Stuffed Bread

Stuffed Bread

Bread stuffed with creamy chicken filling.
Prep Time: 60 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4 to 5
Recipe source: Fauzias Kitchen, You can find the original recipe here.
Ingredients:
To Prepare the Dough:

1. Yeast - 1 tbsp
2. Sugar - 1.5 tsp
3. Warm water - as required
4. Egg - 1
5. Milk Powder - 2 tbsp ( or use milk)
6. All purpose flour - 4 cups
7. Oil - 4 tbsp
8. Salt- to taste

To prepare the Filling:

1. Butter - 2 tbsp
2. Chicken,cooked and shredded -1.5 to 2 cups
3. Onion ,chopped- 1 medium
4. Black pepper powder - 1 tsp(or to taste)
5. Garam masala powder - 1 tsp
6. All purpose flour - 2 tbsp
7. Milk - 1 cup
8. Coriander leaves,chopped - 2 tbsp
9. Green chilies,chopped -4
10. Salt - to taste

Other Ingredients:

1. Egg - 1( for egg wash)
2. Water - 1 tbsp
3. Sesame seeds- as required

Instructions:

In a bowl combine together yeast,sugar and 1/4 cup warm water.Keep aside for 8 to 10  minutes or until frothy.

Beat the egg lightly,keep aside.

 

In a bowl,combine together milk powder, all purpose flour and salt.Add oil,yeast mixture and egg.

Add sufficient quantity of warm water and mix well to form a smooth dough,Knead well for about 5 to 10 minutes .Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Lightly brush the top of the dough with oil.Cover it with a clean kitchen towel and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in volume for about 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours.

To prepare the filling,heat butter in a pan.Add onion and saute until it turns soft.Now add salt,black pepper powder,garam masala powder and all purpose flour.Mix well until combined.

Now add milk and cook until the mixture turns thick,stirring continuously. 

Add cooked chicken,coriander leaves and green chilies.Add more salt and pepper powder if required.Allow it to cool completely.

Now punch down the risen dough with your fist.Divide the dough into 2 or 3 parts.Take one portion of the dough and place it on a lightly floured surface( or place the dough on a sheet of parchment paper or foil,so that you can transfer the bread to the baking tray easily.).Roll it to form a rectangle.

Place the filling in the center.Using a knife make  inclined cuts on both the sides to form 1" strips.

Fold the top most dough strip diagonally over the filling.Fold the strip from the opposite side to overlap the previous strip.Continue by alternately folding the left and right strips.Beat egg and 1 tbsp water together and brush this over the bread.

Sprinkle sesame seeds on top ,Transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper or foil. Preheat oven to 200 Deg C.Bake for about 25 minutes .After baking ,brush with butter and cover with a clean kitchen towel for  few minutes to keep the bread soft.

NOTES

• I scaled down the recipe to 1/2 as you can see in the pics.
• You can also use beef or mutton instead of chicken
• Adjust the quantity of black pepper according to your taste.
  

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Grilled Cheese Rolls | Quick Snack Recipe

Grilled Cheese Rolls

Quick and easy grilled cheese rolls ,ready in less than 10 minutes.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3 people
Ingredients:

1. Sandwich bread- 8 slices
2. Cheese slices- 8
3. Butter-2 tbsp

Instructions:

Using a rolling pin,roll out each slice of bread and make it as thin as possible.Remove the crusts ,if desired.

Place the cheese slice on the bread and roll up tightly,press it down firmly to seal the edge.

Heat butter in a pan,place the rolls seam-side down.Cook on all sides,until the bread is toasted and cheese is melted.Serve with ketchup.

Strawberry Jam Recipe

Strawberry Jam


Quick and easy strawberry jam recipe.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Yields: 2 cups ( approx)

Ingredients:

1. Strawberry,roughly chopped- 3 cups
2. Sugar-1.5 cup
3. Vanilla pod-1 small
4. Lemon juice-2.5 to 3 tbsp

Instructions:

In a large pot,combine together strawberry,sugar and lemon juice.Cut the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the pot.

Bring it to a simmer over medium heat.Mash it using a potato masher as you cook it.( i like it be a bit chunky,so did not mash the berries)

Stir well and bring it to a boil.Cook until it turns thick and glossy.Skim the foam as you cook it.(To test if it is ready or not,place a spoonful of jam on a plate and place it in the fridge for a minute or two,if it is still runny cook for another 5  minutes and check again)

Let it sit for 10 minutes.Transfer the jam to a sterilized jar and let cool to room temperature,before sealing the jar.( Refrigerate upto 10 days)

   

MINI FALAFEL

Mini Falafels

Ingredients
For Falafel

1. Dry chickpeas- 1/2 cup
2. Coriander leaves-chopped- 1/4 Cup
3. Parsley-chopped- 1/4 cup
4. Green chilies-chopped- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp( or to taste)
5. Cumin powder- 1/4 tsp
6. Coriander powder- 1/2 tsp
7. Red chili powder- 1/4 tsp
8. Baking powder- 1/4 tsp
9. Onion-chopped- 1/4 cup
10. All purpose flour- 1/2 to 1 tbsp( see notes)
11. Garlic- 2 cloves
12. Salt- to taste
13. Oil- for frying

For Tahini sauce

1. Tahini-(or use 4 tbsp toasted sesame seeds)- 2 tbsp
2. Yogurt-( for vegan option,use cashew yogurt)- 1/4 cup
3. Garlic-chopped- 1/4 tsp
4. Lemon juice- 1/2 tbsp
5. Salt- to taste

For Falalfel wraps

1. Pita bread- 4 to 5 nos
2. Hummus- 1/2 cup
3. Cucumber-sliced- as required
4. Tomato-sliced- as required
5. Salad greens-chopped- as requied
6. Pickled chilies- Few

Directions

 To prepare falafel

• Soak dry chickpeas in plenty of water for about 8 to 12 hours.

• Drain and add it to a blender with the rest of the ingredients listed under 'for falafel'( except oil).Grind to form a coarse paste.( It should not be smooth)

• Shape this into small patties.Refrigerate the patties for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Heat oil in pan and deep fry the falafels until it turns golden brown,turning once in between.( you can also shallow fry the falafels,if desired.)

Serve with tahini sauce or  make falafel wraps with it.

To prepare falafel wraps 

• Combine all the ingredients listed under 'for tahini sauce' in a blender and blend to form a smooth paste.
• Spread 2  to 3 tbsp of hummus on the pita bread.Top with cucumber ,tomato and pickled chilies.Then add two to three broken falafels.Drizzle tahini sauce,wrap tightly. Serve immediately.

NOTES

• You can make about 12 to 14 mini falafels from this quantity.
• If you are finding it difficult to shape the patties,add few tsp of water and pulse again.
• I used rice flour instead of all purpose flour and it tasted fine.