Friday, April 29, 2011

Breads & More...

BROWN BREAD CHEESE SANDWICH


2 brown bread slices
1 tsp butter
50 g cottage cheese, cut into 1cm strips
2 tbsp green chutney
1 onion chopped
½ capsicum, deseeded and chopped
2 springs coriander leaves, chopped
Salt to taste
¼ tsp chaat masala
2 lettuce leaves 3 mint leaves

FOR THE GREEN CHUTNEY

1 bunch coriander leaves
½ bunch mint leaves
2 green chillies chopped
1tsp cumin seeds
Salt to taste
½ tsp sugar

To prepare the green chutney, blend the ingredients in a mixer for a couple of minutes. Add water to adjust consistency.
Toast the bread slices on a griddle. Spread with the butter.
Mix the cottage cheese, the chutney, onion, capsicum and coriander leaves. Sprinkle salt and chaat masala over.
Arrange lettuce leaves on one slice. Spread the cottage cheese mixture on it, followed by the mint leaves, top with other slice.

CHILLI PANEER BUNS
Serves 6

Processed cheese grated 1pkt
Cottage cheese cubed 100 gm
Onion chopped 1
Capsicum chopped 1
Tomato sauce 1 tbsp
Tomato puree 2 tbsp
Salt & pepper to taste
Vinegar & soya sauce 1 tsp each
Plain flour to dust only
Burger buns 6
Oil for frying

Heat 1 tsp of oil. Add tomato puree, tomato sauce salt & pepper for few minutes. Keep aside.
Scoop out enough from buns to make big hollow for stuffing.
Marinate cottage cheese with vinegar, soya sauce, salt & pepper for 15-20 minutes.
After that dust flour on cottage cheese and deep fry it.
Apply 1 tsp topping in hollow of bun. Put fried cottage cheese, processed cheese follow by onion, capsicum and again processed cheese.
Repeat it with other buns also.
Bake it till cheese melts.

PANEER TIKKA SANDWICH
Serves 4

Cottage cheese cut into 1” flat pieces 200gm
Capsicum chopped 1
Bread slices lightly buttered 4
Few lettuce leaves

MARINADE

Hung curd ½ cup
Red chilli powder, turmeric powder, chaat masala, salt, garam masala, coriander powder roasted cumin powder ½ tsp
Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp

Mix all ingredients of the marinade in a bowl. Add cottage cheese and capsicum.
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, add cottage cheese and capsicum. Cook on low heat for 5-6 minutes or till dry and golden brown.
Lay a lettuce leaf on a slice. Spread the cottage cheese mixture and cover with the second slice. Grill on a wire rack in a hot oven till golden brown. Cut into triangles.

RUSSIAN SALAD SANDWICH
Serves 4

Mayonnaise ¾ cup
Cream 1/3 cup
French beans threaded & finely chopped 1 cup
Carrot finely chopped 1 cup
Boiled potato finely chopped ½ cup
Boiled peas ½ cup
Tinned pineapple or apple or grapes finely chopped 1cup
Lettuce leaf 1big
Mozzarella cheese grated ½ cup
Sandwich bread 4 slices

Boil 4-5 cups of water with 1tsp salt. Add French beans, carrots & peas in boiling water & cook for 3-4 minutes till the peas are just done. Do not over boil.
When done, drain immediately and refresh by putting in ice cold water. Strain. Keep in the strainer for few minutes.
Mix boiled vegetables, boiled potato & fruit in a large bowl.
Mix mayonnaise with cream and cheese. Pour the mayonnaise dressing gradually over the fruit & vegetable mixture, mixing lightly.
Take a bread slice, arrange half of lettuce leaf, layer this sandwich mixture on it and cover with another slice.
Repeat the same for other slices.
Now place these sandwiches in hot griller and grill it till done.
Remove the grilled sandwiches and serve hot on the bed of French fries (optional).

APPLE & CHEESE SANDWICHES
Serves 2

4 slices of brown bread
1apple peeled, cored and grated
½ tsp lemon juice
25g cheese grated
2 tbsp cheese spread
½ tsp capsicum sauce
½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper to taste

Sprinkle lemon juice over the grated apple. Mix lightly with a fork.
Add grated cheese, cheese spread, capsicum sauce, salt & pepper.
Divide the mixture into two and spread evenly over 2 slices
Cover with the other 2 slices. Press well. Divide into two.

VEGETABLE SANDWICH
Serves 2

4 tbsp finely chopped shredded cabbage
4 tbsp grated carrot
2 tbsp mayonnaise or butter
1 cube cheese
4 brown bread slices crust removed

Spread mayonnaise or softened butter on 4 slices of brown bread
Sprinkle some cabbage on a slice spread with mayo. Now sprinkle a layer of grated carrots on the cabbage.
Grate some cheese over it.
Cover with another slice spread generously with mayo or butter.
Press well. Cut in to two diagonally.

CHEESE RAISIN SANDWICH
Serves 2

4 slices bread lightly buttered
2 tbsp raisins soaked in water
2 cubes cheese grated
2 tbsp milk
2 tbsp mayonnaise

Soak the raisins in warm water for 5 – 7 minutes. Drain off
Blend the grated cheese with milk and mayonnaise
Add soaked and properly drained raisins
Butter all the slices lightly. Spread some filling on a slice and cover with another slice.
Cut into two and serve.

COTTAGE CHEESE SANDWICH
Serves 2

75 gm paneer grated
2 tbsp coriander finely chopped
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
2 tsp tomato ketchup
Salt & pepper to taste
4 slices of bread

Mix paneer with coriander, ginger garlic paste and tomato ketchup. Add salt & pepper.
Spread paneer mix on a plain or lightly buttered slice.
Spread tomato ketchup on another slice & place on the paneer slice.
Press cut in to 3 triangular pieces. Arrange on a bed of shredded cabbage & carrot.

SUPER VEGGIE SANDWICH
Serves 2

Brown bread 8 slices toasted
Cabbage leaves 4 leaves torn into bit size
Onion finely sliced 1
Tomato finely sliced 2
Cucumber 1 finely sliced (preferably pickled)
Capsicum shredded 1
Olives diced 1 tbsp (optional)
Black salt to taste
Tabasco garlic pepper sauce (readymade) 4 tsp
Any salad dressing 2 tsp

Place 4 toasted bread slices.
Arrange cabbage leaves on it, followed by onion, tomato, cucumber, capsicum, olives.
Season them with black salt.
Sprinkle few drops of Tabasco & salad dressing.
Cover them with another toasted bread slices.
Cut each sandwich in to two, enjoy it with tomato ketchup.

BAKED BEAN WRAP

Serves 1

2 whole wheat flour chapattis
2 tbsp salsa
50g baked beans, tinned
4-5 lettuce leaves shredded 1 carrot, grated
75g cheese, grated
½ tsp red chilli flakes

Heat one chapatti on a griddle.
Put some salsa over the warm chapatti and spread evenly.
Spread half the baked beans over the salsa. Top with lettuce, carrot and cheese.
Sprinkle red chilli flakes over and roll the chapatti firmly. Wrap a silver foil around it to secure. Repeat the process for the second wrap.

VERMICILLI TOAST


Brown bread 1Loaf
Roasted Vermicelli 1Packet
Cottage cheese 1Kg.
Chopped Onion 3 Big
Chopped Capsicum 3 Big
Salt & Black Pepper to taste.

METHOD
1. Grate cheese and mix veggies in it.
2. Add salt and black pepper in it.
3. Take a slice of bread and spread a tablespoon cheese mix on it.
4. Now sprinkle some roasted vermicelli on it. Press it with fingers.
5. Heat a griddle, spread little oil on it.
6. Now crisp this bread slice facing cheesy side down to hot griddle.
7. Cook for few minutes than turn the side of slice, crisp again.
8. Vermicelli toast is ready.
9. Cut it from centre and eat it with tomato ketchup or dhaniya chutney.

VEGETABLE SWISS ROLLS
Serves 10

Bread slices w/o crust 10
Processed cheese (grated) 1 tin
Mushroom chopped 1 pkt
Green chillies chopped 3-4
Coriander leaves chopped 1 tbsp
L’ll salt to taste

Mix cheese, mushrooms, green chillies, coriander leaves & salt together.
Wet a bread slice, flat it with rolling pin.
Spread 2 tsps of cheese mixture on it, roll the bread & paste the sides with water.
Deep fry it till golden.
Cut the roll into small circular slices.
Repeat the same with all slices.

LEBANESE WRAPS

Serves 2

Carrots grated 200g
Cabbage grated 200g
Spring onion chopped 1
Capsicum chopped 30g
Curd hung ½ cup
Tomato chopped 1
Lettuce leaves 2
Oregano 1tsp
Whole wheat rotis 2
Salt & pepper to taste
Garlic flakes 4
Boiled chickpeas 50g
Olive oil 1tsp

Make the hummus by churning the chick peas, olive oil, curd, garlic, salt.
Add carrots, cabbage, onion, capsicum.
Spread the hummus and veggie mix, liberally on rotis.
Top with tomato, lettuce, oregano and pepper.
Roll into wraps and serve at room temperature.


















Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Palak Channa Masala

PALAK CHANNA MASALA
Serves 6-7

Spinach (palak) chopped 1kg
Green chillies 2-3
Garlic 5-6 cloves
Onion sliced 1
Milk ½ cup

Pressure cook together to give one full whistle & remains simmer for 5 minutes.
Cool & puree it to smooth paste.

Bengal gram (Kabuli channa) 1cup
Split gram (channe ki dal) 2 tbsp
Black Cardamoms 2

Soak channa & channe ki dal overnight. Next morning add cardamoms and enough water to cover the channas nicely.
Pressure cook all to give one whistle. Keep on low flame for about 20-25 minutes. Keep aside.

Onions chopped finely 2
Pomegranate seeds powder 11/2 tsp
Tomato chopped finely 1 big
Ginger chopped finely 1”
Green chilli chopped finely 1
Garam masala ½ tsp
Coriander powder 1 tsp
Channa masala 1 tsp
Salt & red chilli powder to taste

Heat 4 tbsp of oil. Add onions. Sauté till transparent. Add pomegranate powder. Cook stirring till onions turn dark brown.
Add chopped tomatoes, ginger & green chilli. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes.
Add coriander powder, chilli powder & garam masala.
Mash & stir fry tomatoes occasionally till they turn brownish in colour and oil separates.
Strain channas, reserving the liquid. And add to onion tomato masala. Mix well. Add salt. Stir fry for 5-7 minutes.
Add channa masala, channa liquid (if necessary) and palak puree. Cook until first boil comes, low down the flame for another 5-10 minutes. Serve



Tuesday, April 19, 2011

MEXICAN RICE

MEXICAN RED RICE
Serves 3

long grained rice 1 cup
medium onion chopped 1
medium red capsicum chopped 1/2
medium green capsicum chopped 1/2
medium tomato deseeded & finely chopped 1/2
salt & red chilli powder to taste
lemon juice 2 tbsp

GRIND TOGETHER
whole, dry red chillies 3
garlic flakes 4-5

wash rice & leave in astrainer to drain. do not soak.
grind red chillies & garlic to a paste in a mixer.
heat 3 tbsp oil. add ground paste and fry for a minute.
add rice & stir fry for 5 minutes till rice gets a slightly brown toasted colour.
add chopped onion, red & green capsicum, tomato, salt & red chilli powder. mix well.
add 2 cups of water. give one boil. cover. lower heat. let it cook for 12-15 minutes till rice is fully cooked or water has been absorbed.
sprinkle lemon juice & serve hot garnished with capsicum strips. 

Friday, April 15, 2011

Oriental Cooking....

VEGETABLE IMPERIAL

Serves 2

Cauliflower (cut into small florets) 1 cup
Peas ½ cup
Carrot (cut into 1” long) 1
Corn (tinned or fresh) ½ cup
French beans (cut into 1” long) ½ cup

Steam all these vegetables and corn without water for 5 minutes. Cool. Keep aside.

Butter 1tbsp
Plain flour (Maida) 1 tbsp
Milk 1 cup
Processed cheese 25gms
Salt & pepper to taste

Heat butter in a heavy bottomed pan.
Add plain flour & stir fry till flour changes to slightly golden colour.
Add milk, stirring continuously till thick.
Remove from fire. Add salt & black pepper.
Mix all steamed veggies & corn in to this sauce.
Pour this mixture into greased baking dish.
Garnish with grated cheese.
Bake in pre heated oven for 20 minutes.
Serve with toasted multi grained bread.



Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Healthy non-fat yummy sandwich

SUPER VEGGIE SANDWICH

Serves 2

Brown bread 8 slices toasted
Cabbage leaves 4 leaves torn into bit size
Onion finely sliced 1
Tomato finely sliced 2
Cucumber 1 finely sliced (preferably pickled)
Capsicum shredded 1
Olives diced 1 tbsp (optional)
Black salt to taste
Tabasco garlic pepper sauce (readymade) 4 tsp
Any salad dressing 2 tsp

Place 4 toasted bread slices.
Arrange cabbage leaves on it, followed by onion, tomato, cucumber, capsicum, olives.
Season them with black salt.
Sprinkle few drops of Tabasco & salad dressing.
Cover them with another toasted bread slices.
Cut each sandwich in to two, enjoy it with tomato ketchup.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

New Meal Combo for NAVRATRA

CHEESE TOMATO

Serves 4

Cottage cheese 1”slices 500g
Tomatoes 5
Green chillies 2
Ginger 1”piece
Black cardamom 1
Milk ½ cup
Oil 2 tsps
Salt, red chilli powder & garam masala as per taste

Grind tomatoes, green chillies, ginger & black cardamom in a mixer to smooth puree.
Heat oil, add tomato puree cook till oil separates.
Add spices, cook for few seconds.
Add milk, boil it.
Add cottage cheese, lightly mix it.
Cook for another few minutes & serve.


ALOO PARANTHA
Makes 10

Potato boiled & mashed 4
Buckwheat flour 1 cup
Salt, red chilli powder, garam masala, grated ginger, coriander leaves 1tsp
Little water
Little oil

Combine all the ingredients to make dough with water.
Roll out 10 chapattis from dough.
Heat griddle, shallow fry the chapattis one by one with little oil till crisp.
Serve with cheese tomato & salad