Cherry Tomatoes and Ricotta baked Crostini

Crostini in Italian means,  thin slices of bread, drizzled with olive oil and toasted. Served as an appetizer, though this recipe can satisfy as a side dish at lunch. The toppings over the bread consists of savory such as cheese, shrimp , or simply saute vegetables .My dish has a topping that has been inspired by a recipe seen on a cooking show. My daughter prepared these crostini's by making slight alternations to recipe and they turned out delicious!!!
Cherry tomatoes are  grape tomatoes, they are juicy  and sweet and go great with cheese!
Thin slices of bruschetta , topped with dollops of ricotta and baked in the oven tastes divine, and hard to resist :))) 

                                             

Cherry tomatoes and herbs, with balsamic vinegar

Baked crostinis

Ready to eat 

Red cherry tomatoes and ricotta cheese crostini

Lets get started

Ingredients
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil and more for drizzling
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp brown sugar
salt to taste
1/4 cup ricotta cheese
1 loaf bruschetta bread cut diagonally into 1/2 inch thickness slices.
Fresh Oregano leaves sprigs about 3 to 4 

Method:
1. Using a medium bowl, combine sugar, olive oil, vinegar ,salt and add cherry tomatoes, mix to coat tomatoes  evenly with this mixture. Add fresh basil leaves sprigs, for added aroma and taste.
2.Bake onto a silver foil lined baking sheet,at 350 F for about 10 to 12 minutes. As tomatoes appear to soften, remove from the oven. Keep aside.
3. Arrange the sliced crostini on another  baking sheet. Sprinkle few drops olive oil onto bread slices and bake for 4 to 5 minutes, at 350 F. Remove as this appear toasted and add a spoonful of ricotta cheese on the bread tops, sprinkle a dash of balsamic vinegar onto the ricotta cheese. Add  cherry tomatoes on the top, and put them back in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes, tastes nice warm and softened,take out from oven and enjoy.
Great as an appetizer or even perfect as an afternoon lunch dish.

Chili peanut Chicken

Thanksgiving time is a lovely holiday, all friends get together, celebrate, eat , drink and just have a good time.
I took this starter a potluck party last week to my friends place. Not only adults, but kids too enjoyed the spicy, and sweet tart  flavor of pineapple, and I was glad it went like hot cake.
Do give it a try and make your friends and family happy too.


Ingredients:
3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken cut into 1 inch cubes
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp each ginger,garlic paste
3 to 4 green chilies chopped
Salt to taste
2 tsp Lee Kim chilies garlic ready paste
2 tsp corn flour 
Method:
1.Clean chicken , and marinate with above ingredients for about an hour.
2.Before frying add 2 tsp corn flour to marinated chicken and mix well.
Heat oil in a kadai , and fry  chicken pieces , on low to medium heat, till they appear golden brown and are done . Drain and keep aside.

Sauce Ingredients
2 tsp Soy sauce
2 tsp vinegar
1 tsp red chili powder
3 to 4 dried red chilies
2 spring onions chopped fine, save some for garnish
1/4 cup peanuts 
1 small tin of pineapple pieces cut 

Spicy Peanut Chili Chicken

Method:
1.Using the same kadai, add 1 tsp red chili powder , 2 tbsp soy sauce , 2 tsp vinegar , spring onions , dried red chilies, pineapple bits and then as the sauce sizzles , add in the fried chicken and sauté for another 3 to 4 mins .
2.Garnish with peanuts and leftover chopped spring onions. serve hot.

Harabhara Kababs

Whenever I am throwing a party for guests, planning for starters , is always a dilemma, there is never one thing that I feel confident for starters. When I heard about these Hara bhara Kababs, it sounded something that would impress  guests,but  not easy to prepare, then my friend showed me that its not difficult after all and I prepared them , she was right , they seemed straight forward to make.

Hara bhara kababs, as the name suggests is prepared by using  greens, and potatoes, along with spices, and later shallow fried. The outer coating gets a crisp finish and the warmness of inside creates a unique texture and makes them special to eat.

                                             

     

Harabhara kababs coated with sooji 

Hara Bhara Kababs 

Ingredients:

4 to 5 medium sized boiled potatoes ( try to use the potatoes that are a little dry after being boiled)

1/4 cup boiled  (blanched) spinach 

1/2 cup boiled green  peas ( Puree both  spinach and green peas, add 2 tsp lemon juice  and  keep aside)

2 tsp freshly minced garlic ginger paste

1 tsp finely chopped green chilies
1/4 freshly chopped green coriander leaves 

2 tsp salt
2 tsp gramflour ( available in Indian store)

1 tsp red chili powder

1 tsp garam masla powder ( available in Indian stores)

1 tsp chaat masala powder (available in Indian grocery store)

1 cup Rava sooji for coating ( Also called semolina flour, available in Indian store)

Method:

1. Firstly peel and mash the boiled potatoes, to this add pureed spinach and peas.Mix together, add all spices, ginger garlic paste, green chilies and coriander.Check for salt, and if less add 1/2 tsp salt. 

2.Add in 2 tsp chickpeas flour and using a spoon, spoon out little portions and using your palms, shape them into 2 inch diameter round shaped  patties  .Flatten the top a little, and coat with sooji, and shallow fry on both sides, for about 5 minutes on low to medium heat, till the cutlets appear brown in colour.

  

Home made Pizza

All kids love pizza, and at my home we believe there's no pizza like home made pizza. I have previously made home made pizza sauce that my kids absolutely love to have by spoon too:))
Recipe below is for a semi home pizza made with store bought dough, it saves time . Now you can use store bought sauce or look at my blog recipe of home made sauce , making pizza at home is not only delicious but totally worth it as all can get together in the preparation fun , and get to add toppings that we love. Kids can get involved in the making , so lots of fun for them too:))

Ingredients
1 pack ready dough
 1 cup store bought or home made marinara sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2  tspn salt 
1cup thinly sliced bell peppers
1/2 cup thinly sliced tomatoes
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onions
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese or Parmesan cheese
2 to 3 fresh cloves of finely minced garlic
1tspn chilly flakes
1tspn freshly chopped rosemary herb or 1 tspn store bought Italian seasoning herb mix
2 tbsp butter


                                               

     

Ingredients 

Home made pizza sauce 

Ingredients 

Making pizza  from dough

Pizza ready to bake

Pizza

Method
1 Heat butter in a sauce pan, add in crushed garlic. Cook for a minute or two, next add in fresh or store bought herbs , close burner. Keep aside.
2. Divide the dough into equal proportion and form each divided dough into medium sized ball.   Sprinkle little flour on a board, so that dough won't stick to the board. Work with each divided ball sized dough , one at a time .Place dough on board and using the palms of your hand gently pat dough,to flatten it using circular motion. , simultaneously work with your hands to kind of stretch the dough , like a rubber , as you try to make an oval or circular shape pizza  , pressing with your fingers ,note that it should be evenly uniform and  1/2 inch or less in thickness and approx 8 to 10 inches diameter. You can also use a rolling pin instead.
3.Using a baking sheet, sprinkle few drops olive oil to grease the baking sheet and place the flattened pizza onto the baking sheet. Adjust the shape, if required.
 Sprinkle each pizza with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle little salt over it.
Now comes the fun part, where kids can take turns too:) for the toppings
4.For  garlic lovers use the  prepared garlic herb butter as first topping that you can brush right onto the surface pizza , using a pastry brush. 
5.Next add a layer of marinara sauce and top with shredded cheese, sliced bell peppers and tomatoes and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes at 375 degrees and until the crust appears golden brown. Enjoy with friends and family or a treat just for your self.
Different toppings like mushrooms,pineapple little cubes,spinach,grilled  chicken pieces, mango pieces,  can be used to create a pizza of your choice.

Rolls ,Snack it :)

These Easter eggs shaped rolls are enjoyed as a quick to make starter or snack by and loved by all:)) I decided to prepare them in keeping with April month's theme. 
Guess how its prepared,have fun ;)


Ingredients :
2 pounds potatoes
1 small bunch coriander leaves
2 tsp salt
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp chaat powder
2 tsp ginger green chili paste
6 to 7  bread slices
1 tsp garam  masala powder
16 oz oil for frying
1 cup (200gm) semolina (coarse)

Bread Rolls with chutneys(left-green chutney,right-garlic chutney)

Method:
1.Boil the potatoes, peel the skin and mash them.Add  salt,red chili powder,garam masala,chaat powder,ginger green chilies paste,mix all together. Divide mixture into small equal size oval shaped portions. Makes approximately 8 to 10 oval shape portions..
2.Trim out the sides of the bread slice and sprinkle few drops of water to wet the bread slice. Pat the bread and add in the rolled out oval shapes,  bringing both the ends of the bread together to seal it .Take semolina (rava) in a plate and carefully roll the bread rolls to coat on both sides.
3.Heat oil in a fryer, slowly add the bread rolls and fry on medium heat  for about 5 to 6 minutes, on both sides till they appear crisp and golden brown in color. Remove and serve hot as a snack.


Sending this recipe to Pari's event,hosted by Raji, Only Snacks in April month. 
http://cooking-goodfood.blogspot.in/2012/03/event-announcement-giveaway-of-april12.html

http://vegetariantastebuds.blogspot.com/2012/03/event-announcement-only-snacks-and.html#comment-form
 and also sending to http://verygoodrecipes.com/april-fool-challenge

Khaman dhokla~snacks

Khaman  dokhla is an Indian snack , that can be enjoyed as a starter or side dish. it is very light in texture and spongy too :)) Its like a savory cake, made with gram flour and perfect for snacking:)) it"s steamed , so  healthy too:)

Khaman Dhokla

Ingredients
2 cup Besan (gram flour )
2 tsp Eno fruit salt
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp asafetida
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 cup water
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp ginger green chilies paste
2 tbsp grated coconut
For Tempering
2 tsp oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
1tsp sesame seeds
3 to 4  dried chilies
2 tsp shredded coconut 
3 to 4 curry leaves.


Method
1.Make a medium consistency paste of gram flour with  water,not too thick and not too runny.Add salt,turmeric  asafetida, sugar and ginger green chilies to this paste ,stir and allow to sit for 5  minutes.Next take Eno (fruit salt) in a cup ,add few drops water (1 tsp water) mix and add this to the gram flour mixture.
2.Heat water in a heavy bottomed container or a steamer , take a  6 inch round thali ,apply 1 tsp oil.Pour half  the mixture into the thali and allow to steam ,covered till about 15 minutes,until the dokhlas are ready and rise up like a cake.
Repeat same step to make another batch of dokhla. Cut dokhas into equal sized squares, arrange the dokhla in a serving dish.
3.For tempering take 2 tbsp oil in a pan as it gets hot,add mustard seeds,allow to splutter,add til seeds and curry leaves and pour this over the ready dokhla pieces.Sprinkle few drops water onto the tempered dokhlas ,this will keep them soft. Garnish with grated coconut.

Bhel Poori~ Chatpatey snacks

Bhel poori  a savory Indian snack ,its delicious so its enjoyed by all:)) It's ingredients all add up together to make it so colorful and delicious!!! Hope this tempts your taste buds too:)

Bhel Poori

Ingredients:
2 boiled potatoes , peeled and diced small
1 small onion chopped  finely
1 small tomato diced small
2 to 3 green chilies chopped fine
1 bunch fresh green coriander leaves chopped fine
1 packet 250 gm Kurmura
1 packet 100 gm Bhel sev
1 packet of flat bhel pooris
2 tsp oil
1 tsp asafetida (hing)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 lemon juice


Method:
1.Boil potatoes, peel the skin of the potatoes and dice them. Keep aside.
2.In a wok heat oil,add asafetida,add the kurmura,stir with a spoon on low heat, for about 5 to 10 minutes making sure the kurmura don't  burn. Add 1 tsp salt,1/4 tsp turmeric . Mix together  and close burner .Keep aside.




Sweet Tamarind chutney Ingredients
250 gm tamarind deseeded
50 gm dates pitted
100 gm jaggery 
50 gm sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp red chili powder1/2 tsp chat powder (optional)


Method:

1.Soak the tamarind and dates in 1/2 cup water in a pan and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes till it boils.
2. Strain the tamarind pulp and add in jaggery and  sugar , salt, red chili powder,cumin powder. Mix together and keep aside.


Green chutney Ingredients
1 bunch coriander leaves (wash and clean the coriander leaves)
1 inch ginger piece
3 to 4 green chilies
1 tsp salt
1/2 lemon juice
1/4 cup peanuts
1/4 cup water


1. In a blender, add all the above ingredients and grind for 2 to 3 minutes to form a smooth paste. Pour the ready coriander chutney into a bowl and keep aside.


To assemble Bhel follow these steps:  

1. In a mixing bowl take the kurmura (puff rice).Add in the chopped onions, boiled potatoes,  sev,tomatoes,green chilies, add in approximately 3 tsp green chutney,  2 tbsp of tamarind chutney, stir together and squeeze in 1/2  tsp lemon juice and sprinkle some more sev on top and serve in a plate, garnished with finely chopped coriander.

Julie's event Participation Award:)
http://erivumpuliyumm.blogspot.com/2012/02/ep-series-herbs-spicesevent.html 

Rainy Day

Hi Friends,

It's pouring in the Bay area today and the air is cold. Have some perfect plans for the evening...hot onion fritters (pakodas) at tea time, easy and tasty snack that goes perfectly well with tea on a cool afternoon. Also  the big game is on, as 49ers  (SFO football team) are playing against NY Giants. My son and husband will be glued to TV watching the game. During the tea time we'll treat ourselves to crispy onion pakodas and enjoy it with tea....

Ingredients:

1 cup gram flour (Besan)

2 medium sized onions sliced or chopped

2 green chilies chopped fine

1/4 tsp of baking soda

1  tsp salt

1 tsp red chili powder

1 tsp chaat masala powder (available in Indian grocery store)

1/4 tsp cumin seeds

Oil for frying (Vegetable oil)

1/2 cup water

3 to 4 curry leaves

2 tsp fresh chopped coriander leaves

Method:

1. Peel onions and either slice or chop into medium sized.

2. In a shallow dish combine gram flour,salt,red chilly powder,cumin seeds,chaat powder, freshly chopped coriander,few curry leaves(optional). 

3. Add just little  water to make a thick paste.Mix in the onions into the batter.

4. Heat oil and using a spoon drop in spoonfuls of the prepared onion batter into the hot oil and fry until golden and crisp. Remove from oil.

5. Enjoy crisp hot onion pakodas with coriander chutney and tea.

Onion Pakodas

Participation Award:)