My very first...Homemade Italian Bread !!

Baking this bread... was like a dream come true!! I was intimidated by the thought of baking my own bread. I worried about the time it will consume, the hard kneading it might take, especially since I don't have a bread machine. Was worried that the texture might not come out as 'fluffy' as the chemical laden store bought breads have manipulated our tastes and perception of texture.

But finally....I made up my mind one fine day and gave it a try!!! And let me tell you...it wasn't a daunting task...nor did it need lots of kneading..and the texture was 'fluffy' but not artificial sponge like! I would say..it did take up some time...but it was mostly for the yeast to rise and the baking time.
All in all..everyone loved the Home baked... tasty... no artificial anything bread!!!

Ingredients:

2 cups warm water
1.5 cups Whole wheat flour
1.5 cups (plus some extra) All purpose flour
1 pkg or 2.5 tsp active dry yeast
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp Sesame seeds
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt

Method:

1) To 1 cup warm water, add sugar and yeast. Keep aside for 10 mins
2) Sieve together both flours and salt. Add to the yeast and knead gently. Add warm water as needed to form a moist and soft dough.

3) Cover with a cloth and keep in a warm place for 30 mins to rise

4) After 30 mins, with oiled hands, pat down the dough.Knead into a ball.Cover again and let it rise again for 30 mins.
Again after 30 mins pat down, knead, cover and let it rise. (So total rising time will be around 1 hour and 30 mins)

5) Pre heat oven to 375 F

6) Place wax paper on a large cookie sheet. Knead the dough gently and form into a log. Pat with sesame seeds and make diagonal marks with a knife.Brush with olive oil.

7) Place the bread in the pre heated oven and bake at 375 F for 35-40 mins. If you knock on the bread, you should hear a 'hollow' sound and the bread should have a golden brown color.

8) Let it cool  for 15-20 mins before slicing with a bread knife.

9) Enjoy the bread with your favorite soup or as toasted or as Bruschetta with your favorite topping!


Bruschetta:
Brush the sliced bread with olive oil and crushed garlic. Toast in the oven for few minutes (optional) Top with sliced cherry tomatoes, chopped onions, basil, salt and pepper and grated cheese. You can drizzle the toast with balsamic vinegar if you like! Munch crunnnch...yummm!

Moist and delicious Banana bread with Cranberries and Almonds

So last week...The highlight of my busy hectic day was .... A slice of home baked banana bread!! So moist and delicious...will easily beat the store bought one!!
It's easy to find joy in small things...the mundane things...and brighten and freshen up your day....the only problem is you should be able to 'look' for such things around you.

I have always loved banana bread and back in India we would make a very rustic version with semolina, bananas and yogurt.
This one, that I baked, received a comment of being a 'Upscalish' banana bread ...and I agree that it looks kind of fancy with the dried cranberries and chopped almonds:)

Method:
Mix together 1.5 cups all purpose flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/4 tsp salt.
In another bowl mash 2 ripe bananas, 1/3 cup oil, 4 tbsp butter, 1 tsp vanilla essence. Add 1/4 cup dry cranberries and chopped almonds.
Mix dry ingredients with wet ingredients. Bake in greased pan at 350F, till golden brown. Takes about 25-30 mins.

Egg-in-a-Hole!

Since the summer break started, I hardly get to watch my favorite "Food Network". Little 'E' has captured the TV and plays "Magic School Bus' NON Stop!!

Just when he was busy with something else, I happened to see a part of Ree Drummond's show and she was making ....Egg in a Hole!!! Loved the simplicity and the 'wow' factor which could be created with such few ingredients and I totally saw myself making this for breakfast the very next day!!

Here is the recipe:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/egg-in-a-hole-recipe/index.html

The only thing which I had to do extra was..to cook the egg longer to cook the yolk completely. ( I don't like uncooked flavor of eggs) Some yolk was still moist....which I re-heated in the pan to cook it fully.

Ciabatta Bread and Spicy Guacamole sandwich

Had 'Ciabatta' bread before???  It is a crusty chewy white Italian bread. I love crusty and chewy breads!! They make great sandwiches and paninis.When I saw it at Jay-C the other day, couldn't keep my hands off of it:)....though 'white'....it's OK to eat 'white bread' once in while ...agree???

For a simple meal....this sandwich is easy to make, versatile and super delicious!!

Ingredients:
4 Ciabatta bread rolls
2 firm tomatoes sliced
1/2 cup shredded cheese
 Ground Black pepper
Salt

For  Spicy Guacamole
1 Avocado
1/4 Red onion
1 green chili/ Jalapeno finely chopped
 1/4 tsp Cumin
2tsp lemon juice
2tsp chopped cilantro
salt

Method:
1) Slice the avocado and scrape out all the flesh.
2) Finely chop the red onion
3)  Spicy Guacamole: Mix together Avocado,red onion, green chilies, salt,cumin, cilantro,lemon juice and mix.
4) Cut the ciabatta bread in the center. Apply 2tsp Guacamole. Place tomato slices.Sprinkle salt and black pepper. Top with shredded cheese.
5) You can grill it into a Panini or have as it!

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

"Appetizers"- Carrot Masala Bread

Someone please tell me the restaurant that was on the corner of FC Road (Pune) and served this spicy delicious 'masaledar'  Masala Bread....or more so...Masala Pav!!! I am trying to recollect the name of this small restaurant and I am not being able to:(  I  still remember the taste of this buttery spicy masala pav though!! The taste still lingers in my mouth...
Those good old college days...you didn't care where you ate...what you ate.....how much you ate....how many calories it had....how 'dirty' that place was....how often you ate out....you cared for nothing....
All you did was..have fun!!!
Don't you want to revisit that life? I feel like!!

Since, it isn't really possible to go back(unless someone really has a time machine!!)....I am revisiting my college days...by having this Spicy tempting 'buttery' masala pav!!
The original one doesn't have carrots..but to 'up' the nutrition factor and give the masala a little 'crunch' I added some carrots to the mixture.
Ingredients:

8 slices of white bread( use 'pav bhaji' bread for original masala pav. I used whole grain white bread)
1 medium onion chopped
1 medium tomato chopped
1 carrot shredded
2cloves garlic finely chopped
1tsp red chili powder(add more for spicier taste)
1/2tsp garam masala
2tsp ketchup
1/2tsp cumin
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
salt
oil
butter(amul butter if you have)

Method:
1) In 2tsp oil fry the cumin, onions,garlic till tender. Add the tomatoes and fry till soft.
2) Add  carrots, chili powder,salt,ketchup,garam masala.This mixture should be spicy and little tangy from the tomatoes and ketchup.Add the chopped cilantro and take off the heat.

3) To a slice a bread apply butter.On the other slice apply the carrot masala thinly.Make a sandwich
4) Toast the sandwich on low flame on little butter till golden brown and delicious.

5) Slice into triangles before serving.Serve hot!!!

I am sure you will love this....even my  little "E' and 'A' tried it and loved it (I made it less spicy for them )!

"Aroma From a Guest Kitchen"- (Guest -Shyam Jugade)- Bread Wada

Looks Mouthwatering...isn't it???
Yet another masterpiece from Shyam kaka! He had shared this unique "Spring onion and Egg Pakoda" recipe before- http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2011/10/aroma-from-guest-kitchen-guest-shyam.html and Yesterday....he amazed me with these golden crispy-crunchy-spicy-nutty Bread wadas!
Kaka loves to try out new recipes and this was one such trial and it came out super delicious!!

I couldn't even tell.......these were made with bread!!! They were so unique in taste.
You can mould these with a hole in the center like "medu wadas" or just like plain wadas. The texture is so crispy-crunchy you will surely make everyone wonder....how they are made!
The nuts/ cashew makes them nutty and gives them a extra crunch...

Shyam kaka said this recipe comes from Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi.
Here is his recipe video from Youtube-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4VTOOanj7s

You know now.....what I am making for the next Potluck party!!

"Aroma From a Guest Kitchen"- (Guest- Soniya Keskar)- Shahi Tukda

Guest Recipe by: Soniya Keskar
This recipe comes from my friend Soniya, who these days I call....'The Queen of Sweets" ....she makes amazing desserts of various kinds. She made this delicious luscious Mango dessert for a party. I already got this wondeful recipe of Mango Cheese Cake from her-
http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2011/07/aroma-from-guest-kitchen-guest-soniya.html
Then the other day she made a 'Cake pudding' similar to bread pudding..but with pound cake,nuts and chocolate.It was sooo good....everyone was tempted to go for seconds:)
The 'Shahi Tukda" was her first attempt and a wonderful dessert I thought after a traditional meal.
 It consisted of bread cut into heart shape and fried to crispy golden brown.Then it was dipped in sweetened milk and topped with 'Malai - Kesar Pedha mixture. The crispy bread soaked in milk and topped with smooth sweet malai....was heavenly combination!

Ingredients:
White slice bread
oil/ butter/ghee to fry the bread
Milk- sweetened like basundi and flavored with cardamom/ Saffron etc
Malai mixture-Ricotta cheese, milk powder, sugar, saffron.
Garnish- chopped nuts/ almonds/ sliced cherries

Method:
1) Cut the bread with a cookie cutter into heart shapes. Deep fry in Butter/ Ghee/ oil till golden brown and crispy.

2) Heat milk and add sugar, cardamom.Let it cool to 'luke' warm temperature.
3) Make the Malai mixture by this recipe. Keep the consistency little loose than the 'Pedha' , so that the malai mixture can be easily spread on the bread.
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2009/10/treats-for-diwali-ricotta-cheese.html

4) Just before serving....dipped the fried bread in warm milk and place on the serving plate. Spread the malai mixture on the bread and garnish with chopped nuts/almonds.

Serve this 'new' dessert along with your traditional meal and 'wow' your guests!

"Appetizers"- Bruschetta Bites and Toast with Sweet Ricotta and Pineapple

My favorite appetizer!!!! I already wrote a post on this one before...on how to pronounce it and how I got mad at a waitress when she corrected me ...when infact I was the one who pronounced it right!!
(http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2009/10/everyday-cooking-bruschetta.html)
Anyways...
I found this really cute little bread called "Party Cocktail Bread" at Kroger the other day. They came in various flavors like white bread..sour dough etc.But I bought the plain white one.The slices were a perfect size for making 'Appetizer Bites' and looked sooo fancy!

I made two types of appetizers with this bread....Bruschetta and Toast with Sweet Ricotta cheese and Pineapple topping.

Bruschetta:

Ingredients:
8 slices of party cocktail bread
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4cup chopped  Roma plum tomatoes
1/2tsp Basil(dried or fresh)
1/4tsp black ground pepper
1/2cup shredded mozzarella (fresh is best)(I used Pepper jack)
1 tbsp olive oil
1clove garlic crushed
1tsp Balsamic Vinegar
salt
 Cilantro/parsley or fresh basil for garnishing

Method:
1) Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2) Mix olive oil and crushed garlic.Apply liberally on the bread slices.Toast in the oven for 5 mins or so till slightly golden.Let them cool.
3) Mix onion,tomatoes,basil,black pepper and salt.Place a spoonful on the garlic toast

4) Add the shredded cheese on top.Drizzle few drops of balsamic vinegar. Done!

Toast with Sweet Ricotta cheese and Pineapple topping

 Ingredients:
8 slices of party cocktail bread
1 tsp melted/softened butter
1/4 cup Ricotta cheese
1/4cup pineapple pieces
2-3tsp sugar

Method:
1) Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2)Apply butter liberally on the bread slices.Toast in the oven for 5 mins or so till slightly golden.Let them cool.
3)  Mix together ricotta cheese and sugar
4) Place a spoonful of the ricotta cheese on the toast and garnish with pineapple pieces.

"Everyday Cooking"- Egg Bhurji Pav/ Spicy Egg Scramble Sandwich

Amongst the 'street foods' in Pune, this one is probably not a very famous one.Mostly because it is sold on 'not so fancy' carts and also sold mostly outside ' drinking bars'.We made 'Egg Bhurji' many times back home and had it mostly with chapati.It was so quick, tasty and high protein food.
The other day, I wanted to make a 'fancy' sandwich for dinner.I thought..why not 'up-notch' Bhurji-Pav , give it a 'Make over' and make it into a 'fancy' sandwich!!!

Ingredients:
For all the vegetarians out there:  Use Paneer to make 'Paneer Bhurji' instead of eggs.
 
Eggs Bhurji/Spicy egg scramble:

4 Eggs
3/4th cup Chopped onion
1/2tsp turmeric powder
1tsp Chili powder
1/2tsp Chicken masala/ Kitchen King masala
1/4th tsp Black ground pepper
1tbsp Chopped cilantro
oil
Salt

Toppings:
1/4th cup sliced red pepper
1/4th cup sliced green pepper
1/2cup sliced onions
1/4th cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4th cup Maggie Hot and Sweet sauce( I loveeeee this sauceeee!!!!)

4 Brat Buns

Method:
1) Stir fry the sliced red,green pepper and onions for couple mins.Season with salt and black pepper.Keep aside.
2) In 1 tbsp oil, fry the chopped onion till for 3-4 mins, add the chili powder,chicken masala, black pepper,salt and add the eggs one by one.Keeping stirring to get a good scramble.Cook till well done.Add the chopped cilantro.
3) Cut open the Brat bun, add  the green and red peppers, onions,eggs bhurji.Top with cheese and maggie hot sauce

4) Heat a grilling griddle and grill the sandwich ( on little butter if you like) till it gets the grilling marks.
5) Serve this Spicy Sandwich ....Hot hot hot!