Paneer Carrot Masala Bread with 'Cream of Broccoli' Soup

I was just complaining to "M' the other day...that sometimes....there are days..I feel..I am not motivated enough to cook something different and fun.For the next hour or so...I kept thinking...What should I cook for dinner?/? What did I want to make for a long time??? And then....suddenly remembered this Spicy Bread my friend 'G' had baked (Recipe:www.showmethecurry.com) and put yummy pics on FB.
 I wanted to bake my own bread and this was the perfect evening when I was running out of any other ideas!

I pretty much followed the recipe of 'showmethecurry'...(http://showmethecurry.com/breads/paneer-masala-bread.html) except for ---
few changes in the filling, using 1/2 whole wheat flour and the times of letting the dough rise and baking and sprinkling sesame seeds on the bread before baking

Filling:
Paneer-Carrot masala
1 cup paneer chopped into small pieces
1/2 onion finely cut
1 tomato finely chopped
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1tsp Ginger garlic paste
1tsp red chili powder
1/2tsp cumin seeds
1/2tsp garam masala
1tsp oil
salt
1tbsp chopped cilantro

Heat the oil. Add cumin seeds and onion. Fry till translucent.Add the ginger garlic paste and tomatoes and fry till water evaporates.Add the carrots and fry for few minutes.Add the rest of the spices and paneer and mix.Keep aside for filling in the bread dough.

Baking:
1) Follow the instructions for making dough from the above website.Substitute the all purpose flour with 1/2 whole wheat flour.
2) I let the dough sit for 50 mins and  let it rise again for 45 mins after rolling out and filling.

Serve the bread Hot out of the oven with your favorite dipping sauce or soup!

Cream of Broccoli Soup

1 cup finely chopped broccoli
2 cups milk
2tsp all purpose flour
2tsp butter
1/4tsp red chili powder
1/8tsp black pepper
1/4tsp oregano
salt

1) Heat butter in a pan.Add the flour and saute for few seconds.Add the chopped broccoli and saute for 1 mins. Add the milk, spices and let it boil on low-medium flame till it thickens a little.Add salt. Serve hot along with bread/ croutons

Veggie Fettuccine in Lemon-Butter-Garlic sauce

Weekend went by like a breeze. "M' had taken 2 days off and we visited St.Louis along with some friends.'E' and 'A' had great fun taking a tram on the St.Louis Gateway Arch. 'E' even drew a picture of us under the Arch!! Isn't it cute:))

For dinner we had stopped at Olive Garden. I had ordered the Chicken Scampi Pasta. I loved how such a 'light' sauce can be so flavorful and had decided to give it a try as soon as I come home.

So here goes my version of a similar sauce---

 Ingredients:
1 Pkg Fettuccine Pasta
1 cup broccoli florets
1/2 cup red bell pepper cut into squares
1/2 cup green peas
1/2 cup whole milk(optional)

Sauce:
4tsp butter
4tsp olive oil
2tsp Lemon juice
1tsp crushed garlic
1/2tsp red pepper flakes
1tsp Italian seasoning(basil, oregano. thyme etc)
1/2tsp black ground pepper
salt

Method:
1) Boil the pasta in salted water as directed on the package.Drain and keep aside
2) Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pan.Add the garlic and the veggies and saute for 1-2 mins. The veggies should remain crisp.Add the remaining seasoning to the butter and toss the pasta in.Add the milk and toss again till well heated.
3) Squeeze lemon juice on the pasta and toss.Serve Hot!!

"Appetizers"- Mini 'biscuit' pizzas/ Veggie Focaccia

At times..I love being a "Semi homemade' type cook. I loveee cooking ...but with 2 little ones on hand...I tell you..it gets tough at times!!
I find myself looking for short cuts and easy to make dishes that taste and look good too! Like Sandra Lee (food network) - use some store bought ready -to- use ingredients and cook in minutes!

Here is one such recipe.....I used store bought buttermilk 'Biscuit' Dough as a base for these mini pizzas or Focaccias.

The possibilities for the toppings can be endless but here are a few ideas-
1)Broccoli,Onion and Cheese

2) Tomatoes and Broccoli-

3) Roasted Chicken(I used store bought Rotisserie chicken),Onions and Green peppers

Ingredients:

* For Broccoli-Onion-Cheese topping

1 can Small size buttermilk Biscuit dough

1/2 cup chopped broccoli

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/2cup shredded cheese

1/4 cup Ketchup

1tsp Italian herbs

salt and pepper

1/2tsp chili flakes

2tsp olive oil

Method:

1) Place the biscuits on a cookie sheet. Pre heat the oven as directed on the biscuit dough can.

2) Mix the chopped onions,broccoli,herbs,chili flakes,salt and pepper

3) Make a 'well' in the biscuits by pressing fingers in the dough.

4) Spread a tsp of ketchup and place a spoonful of the veggie mixture on top.

5) Bake as directed till golden brown

6) Sprinkle a tsp of Shredded cheese on top.Serve Hot!

'Everyday cooking'- Ziti Pasta bake with broccoli and tomatoes

Ziti Pasta Bake with Broccoli and Tomatoes

Opened the refrigerator this morning,only to realize...'time to go grocery shopping'! With the very few things left in the fridge,'what to cook' for lunch becomes more prominent.Found a head of broccoli and 4-5 large jumbo sized tomatoes(which we bought @ the Tomato festival on this weekend).Always have some kind of Pasta on hand( coz... well ..easy to cook and both 'E' and 'M' seem to like it).And then..put together this pasta bake.Usually I like Spinach in white alfredo sauce,but didn't have any..so well...used up the broccoli head.'E' asked me to take out all the broccoli when I was feeding him..but ate the pasta and the tomatoes.

Ingredients:

2 cups uncooked Ziti Pasta

1/2 cup brocoli cut into bite size pieces

2 tomatoes cut into round slices

1 cup milk

2tsp corn flour

2 cloves garlic crushed

2 pinches of owa/ajwain seeds(taste similar to Oregano)

4tsp Ketchup/marinara sauce

Black pepper,salt,red pepper flakes,italian seasoning to taste

1tsp butter

1/2 cup shredded mozarella

1/4 cup pepper jack cheese

Method:

1) Boil the pasta till cooked (8-10 mins),drain well.

2) Heat 1tsp butter,added crushed garlic,corn flour.Saute for minute.Add broccoli and saute again for 1-2 minutes on low flame.

3) Add milk slowly,and cook the sauce till thick.Add salt,black pepper,italian seasoning,red pepper flakes,ketchup 1/4 cup of shredded mozarella etc.

4) Add the cooked pasta and mix.

5) Pre-heat the oven to 375.

6) Put the pasta in oven safe dish,sprinkle with ajwain seeds.Place the sliced tomatoes on top.Cover the tomatoes with shredded cheese.

7) Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 15 mins till the cheese melts.

8) Broil for 2-3 mins till the cheese turns golden brown.

9) Garnish with cilantro/parseley leaves

10) Enjoy hot.