Veggie Puffs

 Veggie puffs , a conversation starter at a  party :) A versatile starter that use pastry sheets and the fillings can be vegetarian, using peas, potatoes, carrots, etc or non vegetarian by filling the puffs with cooked and ready to eat minced meat.

Vegetarian puffs

Pastry sheets and veggie filling 

Add filling 

Bake in Preheated oven 

Just baked :) Veggie puffs 

Ingredients:

1 packet store bought  pastry sheets 

1/2 cup green frozen peas 

1/4 carrots boiled and ready to use 

2 medium potatoes boiled 

1 medium potato boiled 

1 small capsicum diced 

2 garlic cloves minced 

1 inch ginger grated 

1 medium onion chopped fine

Salt as per taste 

1/2 tsp red chili powder 

1/2 tsp chat powder 

1/4 tsp cumin seeds 

1/4 tsp turmeric powder 

1/2 tsp garam masala powder (available in Indian store or online shopping too )

1/4 tsp fresh lemon juice 

Method:

1. Using a medium pan heat 2 tbsp oil ( I like olive oil or vegetable oil) add cumin seeds allow to splutter , add onions saute for few mins adding in ginger garlic . Next add in boiled vegetables and capsicum , mix for 5 to 10 mins . 

2. Add spices and lemon juice. Allow  mixture to cool . 

3. Thaw the pastry sheets from frozen to cold , cut out square shapes and using a spoon add the filling mixture to the center of the square . knife carefully cut out medium size square shape. 

4. Fill each square with 1 tbsp of vegetables mixture . Apply on all four sides a mix of milk and melted butter and seal the pastry by folding in half or across , or triangle shape your chive . Make sure it’s sealed well , you can make a design with a fork to seal the pastry .

5. Brush top surface with melted butter for that color as it bakes in a  preheated oven at 350 F for about 10 to 15 mins as they turn light golden color and done.

Jam Filled cookies

Holiday time is the perfect time to enjoy treats and these butter cookies are just the thing festive with their colorful fillings and soft to melt in your mouth.
Easy to prepare and a favorite with all. 

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup softened butter
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup fruit jam / jelly of your choice and flavor

Lavender and Jam filled cookies

Butter cookies filled with Jelly 

Method:
1. In  medium mixing bowl cream together the softened butter and sugar, till light and creamy.Add one egg yolk at a time, continue to mix gently.
2. Sieve the flour, and add it slowly and continue to mix to form a dough.Cover with saran wrap and refrigerate dough, in the fridge for about 20 minutes. As it cools, make small balls ,approximately 1 inch balls and arrange them on a lined baking tray about 2 inch apart .
3. Using  back of a spoon or thumb press into each of the dough  ball, to make a well for the jam filling.
4. Fill each hole with your choice of jelly preserve. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 10 to 20 minutes, and the cookies get baked to alight golden color.
5. Remove cool, over a rack and enjoy freshly baked butter jam cookies.

Next will be the recipe for lavender cookies.

Thanksgiving, and my favorite Pies!

Thanksgiving that perfect holiday before Christmas. The weather is getting cooler, with snow  and rain in many places. I love fall colors,  leaves change into beautiful colors during this time. New England has the most lovely natural display of fall trees, with yellow, red colors.
Not only nature, but also everyone gets into the holidays and gifting mood :)) and that is always exciting. But let me pause and speak for all, when we enjoy these treats  and feasts with our families, we should not forgot about those that need some support or donations to enjoy the Thanksgiving too.
So while we are thankful, we can express and share a little love to all.
The feast of thanksgiving can include some many different things, like pies , turkey, mashed potatoes, biscuits, corn and vegetable casseroles, with ham and bacon, and so much more that we can make and enjoy with our family and friends.
This is my share of recipes that I would be making as we like pies.
This year I decided to prepare apple., pumpkin and my favorite chocolate pie.
I like to use ready to bake pie crusts
Lets's start with apple pie, with easy to make step by step recipe.

Ingredients for Apple pie
8 apples, pealed and sliced. golden or granny apples your choice
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tsp sugar  to sprinkle on top
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
1/4 tsp nutmeg powder
2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 tbsp of all purpose flour 
2 tbsp butter
Pie crust 9 inch ready to bake available in stores

                                          

                                            

Apple pie

Ingredients for Apple 

Pie crust

Ready to bake

in oven

Apple pie with ice cream 

Method:
For pie crust you can buy ready to bake pie crust available easily in market.
I used the 9 inch pastry sheet.
First  for the filling , in a medium bowl,add sugar and mix with dry ingredients, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, toss in apples, add lemon juice and  mix gently and keep aside.
Next, line up a 9 inch bottom baking plate with ready to bake pie crust, trimming the  edges and making a design to give it a border frill.
Add  apples filling in the bowl,don't add any more liquid! top with butter. Roll out remaining pastry sheet to cover  apples filling. Trim and seal edges, and make slits on top to allow steam to escape while baking.
Brush the top, with milk and sprinkle some sugar for that extra sheen. Cover with silver foil and bake at 375 degrees F, for 25 to 30 minutes, till crust is golden brown and apple filling is bubbly. Allow to stand, for about 20 minutes before slicing the pie. Goes well when served with cream or vanilla ice cream!


Chocolate Pie
Another of my favorite pie, is of course chocolate pie. I mean who can resist the combination of smooth chocolate, with heavy whipping cream , that is fluffed up! I saw this recipe on TV and the next thing was like, I am definitely going to make this :)) and since then it has become my favorite. 

                                                                 

Chocolate pie 

                               

Ingredients for chocolate pie 

Add coco powder to sugar

Mix dry ingredients 

Prepare graham cracker base in pie dish 

Add fluffy whipped cream and sprinkle chocolate 

Chocolate pie 

Ingredients
For the crust
2 packs (approximately 14 graham crackers )
6 tbsp melted butter
1/4 cup light brown sugar ( or you can use just plain sugar too )

For chocolate pudding ingredients
2 eggs separate the yolk ( you can save the white, I made an egg white omelette for my lunch :) using the leftover egg whites.)
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 cup sugar
pinch of salt
3 tbsp of coco powder
1 tsp vanilla essence
milk 2 cups ( I prefer to use whole milk, or at least 2 % for this recipe) 

For the pie crust, using a mixer, add graham crackers, grind to coarse powder, add melted butter. Cover the pie dish, with  this mixture, and pack the edges too. Use a measuring cup to press the mixture down, it works well.
Next, for the filling, using a sauce pan. Heat milk. Add cornstarch and stir on low heat.
In another bowl, add sugar and coco powder, add eggs one at a time.Add salt, vanilla essence  gently add this mixture with warm milk, continue to cook on low heat, making sure to stir it.don't over cook, stir gently for few minutes and close burner as pudding bubbles, 
Pour this prepared coco pudding mixture evenly into the already prepared graham pie dish. Cover with saran wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 to 4 hours.
For the topping you can whip up 1 cup whipping cream, with 1/4 cup sugar. Whisk to form peaks,and then garnish the cooled pie with soft peak and you can add strawberries or soft chocolate curls as garnish too, along with the whipped cream.
Some like to use coco powder, whereas others even like bitter sweet, or plain chocolate for preparing the pudding, choice is yours :))have fun preparing this simple yet scrumptiously delicious pies, please yourself, friends and family!!

Chocolate Bark!

If you like chocolate, you will love chocolate bark🍫 that is basically tempered ( melted ) chocolate!

The fun is you can choose whether, you want the base to be milk, white or dark chocolate. My preference is bitter sweet chocolate. Also you get to add toppings, like sweet or salty nuts, of your choice and create your own style of chocolate.

I like the toppings to be in  many colours, texture and sweet and salty. You can have fun making it your way and surprising your guests for a little chocolate treat after dinner or just indulge in some yourself:) after all its a chocolate, and who doesn't like some!!

Do try out this very simple but special treat.

Ingredients are very basic

8 ounces chocolate, bitter sweet chocolate

2 ounces of white chocolate

Toppings your choice 

1/4 cup salted peanuts, or your choice of nuts

1/4 cup M&Ms

1/4 tsp or less butter ( optional but I used some just for making sure the chocolate doesn't stick to bowl while tempering)

                                           

  

Ingredients

                                                                   

Melt chocolate 

                                                                           

Melting chocolate

Pour chocolate  on the template 

Add toppings 

Sprinkle white chocolate 

Chocolate Bark 

 Doesn't it look yum! so do try out the simple steps and make some.

Method:

1. Cut the slab of chocolate, into pieces, put into a microwaveable bowl and microwave at intervals of 20 seconds. .In the first batch, chop approximately 5 ounces of chocolate and temper (melt) in microwave. As it melts, don't over melt.

Add remaining 3 ounces, continue and melt.

2. With the help of a pencil and ruler, mark out a rectangular shape on the parchment paper. Turn the paper and pour the melted chocolate on the side that has no pencil marks.Using a spatula, spread out the melted chocolate in a way that it stays within the marked rectangular shape.

3.Start adding toppings of your choice, while the chocolate is still in melted stage. Lightly press with hands, making sure the toppings get embedded. Now refrigerate fo 2 to 3 hours.

4. Temper some white chocolate, in a bowl in microwave and sprinkle on top of ready cooled chocolate bark.

Cut out shapes using a knife or just by your hand. Enjoy with friends and family, or at parties.

Cannoli, a Sicilian dessert

Cannoli is an Italy dessert, from the region of Sicily. they are tube shaped fried pastry shell, filled with  creamy filling of ricotta, sugar and vanilla essence. You can dust them with powdered sugar. A perfect ending to an Italian or any meal :)
I  first tried these yummilicious cannoli's in a Italian area in Boston, when I went o meet my daughter who studies in Harvard in Boston. The store had a great display of cannoli's and enjoyed the taste, while sipping some coffee, that goes great with cannoli.
This made me want to search for that perfect recipe that would excite my taste buds and here it is tried and tasted!!

Ingredients: ( To prepare the dough for pastry shells)
1.5 cup flour
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp cold unsalted butter cut into pieces
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup white wine( I prefer to use white wine, original recipe also says Marsala wine, choice is yours )
                       

                                           

    

Ingredients 

For filling 
1.5 cup ricotta cheese ( strain the excess water out from ricotta cheese, you can use a muslin or cheese cloth and drain the water out) at least 30  minutes before  using, refrigerate.
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla essence 
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips ( optional , you can use pistachios or any other nuts, or candied cherries as a topping)
1 egg for egg wash
Vegetable Oil for frying 
Powdered sugar to dust over prepared  Cannoli

Method: for preparing dough
1. For the dough sieve together flour ,salt and sugar into a mixing bowl. Add the cold chopped butter, rubbing the butter into the flour with your fingers, till it appears coarse. Add in egg and mix in wine . Form a dough ball and flatten over a flat surface. Wrap a plastic wrap and allow the dough to cool.

Sieved dough, salt,sugar and cold butter 

Add egg yolk and white wine to dough

Knead and wrap dough in plastic wrap

Method for preparing filling.
1.Put the drained ricotta, into another mixing bowl, add sugar, vanilla essence and cinnamon.
2.Mix heavy cream with a whisk, and using a spoon gently folded cream into  ricotta.Stir in chocolate chips and put this  filling mixture into a pastry bag, that has no tip and refrigerate till ready to use.
                         

whisk ricotta cheese, sugar 

Add cinnamon powder, vanilla essence

Add whipped full cream and choco chips 

Fold carefully and store the filling in refrigerator 

For preparing  Cannoli's
1.Remove the plastic wrap, and place  dough on to a flat surface, dusted with flour. Using a rolling pin, roll out a thin sheet of dough approximately 1/4 th thickness.
2.Using a glass bowl or any bowl that is about 2 to 3 inch in diameter cut out disc's of  dough.
3.Using  cannoli mold, wrap each cut out circle onto the mold.Seal the ends with a little egg wash, and flare the ends, this also helps with the filling later on.
4.Heat oil to 250 F and using kitchen tongs carefully submerge the wrapped cannoli to cook the shells, on medium heat. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, and remove the cannoli mold from oil , using a tong onto a paper towel. Gently using a towel,hold the mold and slide off the prepared shell off the mold.
5.Repeat the process to complete making all the pastry shells.

                                   

Dough 

Divide dough into halves

Roll out dough as big as 1/4 inch thickness 

Using a cup cut out smaller circles of dough and wrap each on a cannoli mold 

Seal ends with an egg wash 

Filling the cannoli shells:
1. Just before serving, using a pastry bag , without a tip, squeeze out the filling into both ends of pastry shell.
Even you can use a ziploc bag, fill the bag with ricotta filling, seal from one side and clip off a tiny slit on the corner of the other side.
Dust with powdered sugar and serve, enjoy with coffee or after a meal :)
       

Cannoli's 

 One can  prepare the Cannoli's about 60 minutes before and refrigerate, to enjoy later. Don't store filled shells for longer time as they can turn soggy and crispy pastry shells taste yum :)

Sticky cinnamon rolls

Cinnamon Sticky rolls!! hmm... a dessert or some like it for breakfast with their coffee. Loaded with melted butter, brown sugar dust of  cinnamon and nuts makes them totally mouth watering and difficult to resist!!!
I came across a cooking show and the way it was prepared , seemed not so difficult, so I thought why not give them a try, and here I am making them on a weekend, and the freshly baked sticky buns, fills the whole house with a sweet aroma !!
For spending less time making these, use store bought Filo dough ready sheets. Remember to take out of the freezer and thaw at room temperature for  a good 30 to 40 minutes before use.

                                                    

Ingredients

Beat unsalted butter,light brown sugar together

Brush butter over the filo dough sheet and add  light brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins

Carefully roll the filo dough

Using a knife cut out disc's

                                                       

Baking till almost brown and crisp on top

Sticky Cinnamon rolls!!

Ingredients
1 package of frozen puff pastry 17 oz or 2 sheets (preferably Pepper ridge farm pastry)
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter room temperature
1/3 cup of light brown sugar
1/2 cup pecans/ walnuts your choice
1 tsp honey (optional)

Filling
2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
2/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon powder

Method:
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, beat 1 1/2 sticks of butter and 1/3 cup light brown sugar. Add in honey 1 tsp (optional) and mix together.  Using a tsp place a 1/2 tsp  of this mixture into the bottom of each of 12 muffin cups.Distribute  chopped walnuts/pecans as  topping over butter and sugar mixture.
2.Dust the board with flour and carefully take out each puff pastry sheet, handle with care as pastry sheets are very delicate. Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter and lightly brush the middle of  sheet with melted butter, leaving about 1/2 inch around the edges.
3.For  filling spread evenly 1/3 cup light brown sugar, again leaving an inch from the edges and next add cinnamon powder and raisins.
4.Starting with the end carefully start rolling the sheet, rolling it into a cylinder shape, cut out the front edge and cut into round discs and place each cut out dough in each of the muffin cups.