Wednesday 29 January 2014

Whole-wheat Bread Loaf


Healthy Whole-wheat bread recipe with olive-onion topping…


Ingredients:

1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup warm milk
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp yeast
1 ½ tsp sugar
1 tsp salt

For Topping: (optional)

Few onion strips
3-4 olives, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil

Method:

  • Mix milk, yeast and sugar together in a bowl, keep it in a warm place for yeast to activate for 5-7 min.
  • In another bowl, shift flour and add salt; add in yeast mixture and half of oil to it.
  • Now using enough water and oil, knead a soft and elastic dough.
  • Place the dough in a oiled bowl, cover with cling film and leave to rise until doubled in size at least for 1 ½ hours.
  • Punch the dough down and place to the floured board. Knead for another few min then shape into a loaf .
  • Add the toppings and place in greased loaf tin; keep covered for another 30 min.
  • Bake in a preheated oven at 190 deg C for 20- 25 min.
  • Take the bread out of the tin; it should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  • Allow it to cool thoroughly on a wire rack before slicing.

Monday 27 January 2014

Smoked Macaroni Pie


Treat yourself with macaroni in pie form with smoky flavor…



Ingredients:


1 cup boiled macaroni
1 cup white sauce
½ cup cheese
Salt & pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped onions & capsicum
2 inch charcoal piece
2 tsp melted butter
1 clove garlic, crushed

Method:

  • In a pan, heat 1 tsp butter and add garlic, saute till light brown.
  • Mix in boiled macaroni and white sauce with salt & pepper.
  • Hold charcoal with tongs and heat directly over flames from all sides. It will turn red hot.
  • Place it in a small bowl and keep the bowl in center of cooked macaroni.
  • Drop butter over hot coal and cover with lid for 2-3 min.
  • Spoon the smoked macaroni in pie cases and add chopped capsicum and onions.
  • Sprinkle grated cheese and some tomato ketchup.
  • Bake till cheese melts and serve hot with any soup.




























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Friday 24 January 2014

Whole-wheat and Oats Cookies


Healthy and crispy cookies prepared with whole-wheat flour, oats and tutti-frutti….


Ingredients:


60 gm wheat flour
60 gm oats
70 gm white butter
55 gm sugar
1 tbsp custard powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
3-4 tbsp tutti frutti
2 tbsp milk


Method:

  • Grind oats to a coarse powder. Add to shifted flour and baking powder.
  • In a bowl, cream the butter by adding 1 tbsp sugar at a time till light & fluffy.
  • Add milk and mix well.
  • Add in dry ingredients and gently mix with light hands into form dough.
  • Fold in tutti frutti. Roll dough into a log and wrap in foil and keep in fridge for 20 min.
  • Divide the log into equal sized rounds (appox.10-12) and place on greased baking tray.
  • Bake in preheated oven at 170 deg. for about 12-15 min. (keep watch after 10 min.)
  • Remove and cool on wire rack.

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Cottage Cheese and Spring onion Tarts



Cottage cheese and Spring onions filled tarts, topped with cheese is simply delicious.



Ingredients:


For the tarts (make 8-10)

1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
2-3 tbsp ice-cold water or just enough to combine

For the filling:

1 cup spring onion, chopped
100 gm cottage cheese, cut into small cubes
4-5 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup white sauce
1/2 cup grated cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste

Method:


For the tarts:
  • Preheat oven to 200 deg C.
  • Sieve the flour and a pinch salt together. Rub butter into the flour with finger tips till a crumbly mixture.
  • Knead lightly with cold water to form dough. Wrap in a cling film and refrigerate for 15-20 min.
  • Roll out tart dough into 1/4" thick. Cut into small tarts with cutter or any lid.
  • Press into small tart shells and prick them with fork all over. Bake for 10-12 min.
  • Once the shells are ready, keep aside to cool.


For the filling:
  • Heat oil in a pan, add garlic and saute for a min. Add the spring onions and cook till translucent.
  • Add cottage cheese and stir, add white sauce and mix well.
  • Add salt and pepper and mix well. Turn off the flame.
  • Spoon the filling into the tarts, sprinkle the cheese and bake for 5-7 min. and serve hot.




Monday 20 January 2014

Dates and Almond Cake


Enjoy winter breakfast with yummy and moist Dates and Almond cake….


Ingredients:

1 cup white flour
1/2 cup pitted dates + 1 tbsp chopped dates
2 tbsp crushed almonds
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp baking powder

Method:

  • Grind together 1/2 cup dates, sugar and 1/4 cup milk and blend it to a smooth paste.
  • Shift flour and baking powder in a bowl.
  • Add the blended mix, oil, remaining milk and mix well with a spatula.
  • Mix in almonds and dates in the batter. Preheat oven at 170 deg C.
  • Pour batter in a greased baking dish and bake for 30-40 min; insert a fork through the cake and if it comes clean then the cake is done.
  • Cut into slices and serve.





Thursday 16 January 2014

Buttermilk Scones


Simple and easy-to-make Scones… can be enjoyed with a dash of butter or any dip.





Makes 6-7

Ingredients:


100 gm plain flour
2 tbsp cold butter
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried herbs
1/2 cup minus 2 tbsp buttermilk

Method:

  • For buttermilk mix equal amount of water and curd and keep aside.
  • Shift all the dry ingredients in the bowl.
  • Rub in the butter with fingertips to get mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
  • Gradually pour buttermilk and mix well to form a soft dough (use buttermilk as required)
  • Roll out the dough about 1/2 inches thick and cut out rounds of 2 inch with a cutter.
  • Bake at 200 deg C for 10-12 min or until golden.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature.



Monday 13 January 2014

Spicy Raisin Rock Buns


Aromatic buns made with raisins, mix spices to be enjoyed with tea or coffee…..



Ingredients:


115 gm plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
45 gm brown sugar
1/4 cup raisins
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp mixed spice (grounded cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon)
25 ml sunflower oil
2-3 tbsp milk

Method:

  • Shift flour and baking powder, and then stir in the sugar, raisins and mixed spices.
  • Mix in oil and milk, stir into the mixture to make dough which just binds together.
  • Preheat oven to 200 deg C, lightly grease baking tray.
  • Make small rounds with light hands or just spoon the mixture on baking tray.
  • Bake for 15-20 min until golden. Cool on wire rack.