Halloween Sugar Cookies

Halloween is an annual holiday on October 31^st which is celebrated by attending costume parties,  watching horror movies, trick or treating, playing pranks etc.  All houses will be decorated with scary props,  halloween decorations, jack-o -lantern (carved pumpkins) & even the food items prepared will look scary (Scary cakes, cookies, desserts etc).  So i thought of making sugar cookies of witch hats & brooms…Enjoy making cookies & have a fun filled Halloween !!  BOO !!!!

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour (Maida) 
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar 
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence 
• 1/2 cup Butter 
• 1 Egg 
• 1/4 tsp Salt 

Directions

1. Preheat oven at 325 degrees F.
2. Whisk egg, sugar, salt, vanilla essence & butter thoroughly.
3. Add flour and mix thoroughly till a dough is formed.
4. Roll out the dough and cut different shapes using cookie cutters.
5. Arrange the cookies on baking sheets on a tray and bake for 12 min.
6. Take out the cookies & allow it to cool so that it becomes hard.
7. Decorate with icing and sprinklers. Icing can be prepared by mixing powdered sugar, few drops of vanilla essence & food colour. You can add little milk for mixing the icing. Hope you'll enjoy !

Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry

Stir frying is usually done in high heat with very little oil & by constantly stirring for few minutes. It is the most popular Asian cooking technique. Stir fries can be just veggies/veggies & meat/veggies and seafood combination. Here is the recipe of shrimp and veggie stir fry. Have a tasty meal or lunch of stir fry with rice, pasta etc.

Ingredients for marinating shrimp :

1/2 cup shrimp

1 tbsp Ginger garlic paste

1tbsp soya sauce

1tsp chilly powder 
1 tbsp lime juice

Salt as required
Vegetable Oil

Directions

Marinate for 1 hour & saute in any vegetable oil & keep aside.

Ingredients for the sauce :

4 tbsp Soya sauce
4 tbsp Honey


Directions

Mix both well & keep aside.

Other ingredients :

1/4 cup sliced Red Bell Pepper(Capsicum)
1/4 cup sliced Green Bell Pepper(Capsicum)
1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
1/2 cup cooked Broccoli florets
1/4 cup sliced Carrot
1/2 Onion
2 tsp Black pepper
1 tsp Red Pepper flakes
Salt
Olive Oil


Directions

1. Take a pan & stir fry onion & garlic in little oil. Add the other veggies & saute for few minutes.
2. Add fried shrimp, black pepper, red pepper flakes & salt. Cook for 2 minutes.
3. Transfer into a serving plate. Pour the prepared sauce on top & it will be more tastier if garnished with cashew nuts.

Chocolate Biscuit Pudding

Ingredients

25 Arrowroot biscuits

10 Hide & Seek biscuit/any chocolate biscuits

2 tbsp Butter
1/2 cup Granulated sugar
1/4 cup Cocoa powder
1 3/4 cup Milk

1 Egg
Cashew nuts
Cherries 

Directions 

1. Take a sauce pan. Melt butter. Add sugar and cocoa powder (dissolved in milk).
   
2. Take a separate bowl & add 2 tbsp of hot solution from saucepan & beat with the egg. Then transfer the egg solution into the saucepan. Stir continuously for sometime.
3. Allow it to cool and mix 17 crushed arrowroot biscuits into it.
4. Layer a container with remaining biscuits & the solution in alternative layers.
5. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
6. Make a solution of hide & seek biscuits with water & pour in a zig zag manner on top of the pudding.
7. Decorate with dry cherries & cashew nuts. Refrigerate for somemore time & its ready.
   
   

Paneer Tikka Masala

Ingredients for the marinade

• 3/4 cup sliced  Paneer  
• 2 tbsp Yogurt(Curd)  
• 1/2 tsp chilly powder 
• 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste 
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder 
• 1/2 tsp garam masala 
• 1/4 tsp corrander powder 
• Salt as required 
• Oil for frying

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients except paneer.  Marinate paneer  slices for 1 hour in refrigerator. 
2. Take a pan. Spread oil & fry the paneer on both sides till golden brown. 

Ingredients for the masala

• 1 cup finely chopped Onion 
• 2 tomatoes 
• 1 tbsp Yogurt(Curd) 
• 1/2 tsp Ginger Garlic paste 
• 1 tsp Chilly powder 
• 1/4 tsp Coriander powder 
• 1/2  tsp Cumin seeds 
• 1/2  tsp Garam masala 
• 1 tbsp Butter 
• 3 tbsp cashew paste 
• 2 small Bay leaves 
• 3/4 tsp fenugreek leaves 
• 2 Elachai 
• Few Corriander leaves 
• Salt as required

Directions

1. Cook the tomatoes, peel of the skin & blend. Keep aside.
2. Take a pan. Melt butter and add cumin seeds and ginger garlic paste. Saute.
3. Add finely chopped onion & sauté till golden brown. Add chilly powder, coriander powder, garam masala. Saute for some more time & then add bay leaves, fenugreek leaves, elachi & cashew paste.
4. Pour the tomato puree, salt & mix for some more time. Add remaining marinade & curd. Cook till the gravy thickens. 
5. Add the fried paneer & let it remain on the heat for 2 minutes.
6. Transfer to a bowl & garnish with coriander leaves & serve with naan or chapatti. 

 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

1 1/2  cup All-purpose flour (Maida) 
1/2 cup Granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed Brown sugar
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 tsp Baking soda 
1 tsp Vanilla essence 
1/2 cup Butter
1/4 tsp Salt 
1 Egg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a a bowl & whisk egg, butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Add vanilla essence, salt & baking soda. Mix well.
4. Beat flour & mix chocolate chips carefully.
5. Place baking sheets on top of baking pan & using tablespoon, drop the combined mix leaving space in between to expand.
6. Bake for 10 minutes. Take out from oven. 
7. When you take out you may feel its too soft but allow it to cool for 15 minutes or more and then it'll turn hard, crispy and ofcourse delicious.   

***Sharing this recipe with:

•  Tea Time Snack Event hosted by Akheela.
•  Sinful Delights event hosted by Vardhini.  
• Snacks Mela hosted by Srivalli.

Hot & Sweet Vegetable Strips

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp All purpose flour(Maida) 
• 1/4 Green bell pepper(Capsicum) 
• 1/4 Red bell pepper(Capsicum) 
• 1 Potato 
• 1 Carrot 
• 3/4 tsp Chilly powder 
• 1 tbsp Soya sauce 
• 1 tbsp Green chilly sauce 
• 1 tbsp Red chilly sauce 
• 1/2 tsp Ginger Garlic paste 
• 1 tbsp Honey 
• 2 tbsp Water 
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• Vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Cut the vegetables in strips. Wash and dry with paper towel.
2. Make a batter with flour, 3 sauces, ginger garlic paste, chilly powder, honey, salt & water. If the batter is too thick, add little more water
3. Marinate the vegetable strips in the batter.
4. Heat oil & fry the vegetables.
5. Drain the excess oil & cut one end of the vegetable strips so that the colour of veggies can be seen. It is useful when decorating the plate.
6. It is a tasty appetizer with tomato sauce.       

Beef Pizza

Ingredients for 12 inch thin crust pizza base

• 1 cup All purpose Flour (Maida) 
• 1/4 oz (7g) Pizza yeast 
• 1 tsp Sugar 
• 3/4 tsp Salt 
• 1/2 cup Warm water 
• 3 tbsp Oil

Ingredients for the Topping

• 1/4 cup diced Green bell pepper(Capsicum) 
• 1/4 cup  diced Red bell pepper(Capsicum) 
• 1/2 cup minced Beef 
• 1/2 Onion 
• 1 tsp black Pepper powder 
• 1 tsp Parsley  
• 1 tsp Basil 
• 1/2 tsp Oregano 
• Salt as required 
• Parmesan Cheese 
• Pizza sauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Combine flour, yeast, sugar & salt in a large bowl. Add oil, water & mix thoroughly.
3. Add additional flour if the dough is too sticky.
4. Roll out  the dough in a 12 inch circle & transfer to greased pizza pan.
5. Saute minced beef with pepper, parsley, basil, oregano & salt.
6. Spread pizza sauce & cheese. Top it with veggies, sauteed minced beef and sprinkle cheese on top.
   
7. Bake for 10 to 12 min on the bottom oven rack.

Guacamole (Avocado Dip)

Mexican dish made with mashed avocado mixed with chopped tomatoes, onions, pepper & seasonings

Ingredients

• 2 ripe Avocado  
• 1 Tomato 
• 1/4 Onion  
• 1 Jalapeno pepper  
• 1/4  cup Cilantro leaves  
• 1/4 tsp Cumin powder 
• 1/2 tsp Chilly powder 
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice 
• 1 Garlic clove  
• 1/2 tsp Salt

Directions

1. Chop tomato & onion. Keep aside.
2. In a food processor, grind the jalapeno pepper, cilantro leaves, garlic clove, chilly powder & cumin powder.
3. Add avocado, salt, lime juice & grind for 3 seconds.
4. Transfer the mix into a bowl & add chopped tomatoes, chopped red onion. Mix well.
5. Enjoy the dip with chips or you can use as a spread for pizza, wraps etc. 

Spaghetti and Meatballs

This is an Italian meatball recipe. Meatballs can usually be fried or baked. I prefer baking to reduce the unwanted oil obtained when fried. Usually its made from ground  meat mixed with bread crumbs, onions, spices, egg etc. The sauce is the main thing which adds on the taste. It is great with pasta/spaghetti. Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner with this recipe.

 

 

Ingredients for the Sauce

4 Tomatoes

1/2 cup chopped Onion

2 tbsp Tomato sauce

1/2 tsp ground Oregano

1 tsp Basil leaves

1 tsp Parsley flakes

1 tsp Black Pepper

1/2 tsp Garlic powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Butter

Directions

1. Boil tomatoes. Peel of the skin & make a paste using food processor/mixi.
2. Saute onion in butter till golden brown. Add garlic and the tomato paste. Stir for sometime.
3. Add the remaining ingredients, little water and cook for 5 min and keep aside.

Ingredients for the Meatballs

1.5 cups Ground beef

1/2 cup Bread crumbs

2 tbsp Parmesan cheese 

1/2 cup chopped Onion

1 tsp Garlic powder

3/4 tsp Black Pepper

3/4 tsp ground Oregano

2 tsp Parsley flakes

2 tsp Basil leaves

1 Egg

3/4  tsp Salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Mix thoroughly all the above ingredients & make round balls.
3. Spray oil in a baking pan & bake for 35 - 40 min.
4. Add the meat balls to the prepared sauce & heat for 5 min.
5. Cook spaghetti & strain. Saute it in little butter & garlic.  Have a delicious lunch or dinner with the saucy meatballs. I'm sure that you'll love it !!

Note:

• Canned tomatoes are better if used instead of fresh ones.
• I have used dry herbs but you can use fresh herbs also.
• Bread crumbs can be shop bought or normal bread can be powdered and used.

Submitted this to Food of the month event (Festive/Party theme) hosted by Amy.

Vegetable Patties with Spicy French Fries

Ingredients for the veggie patties

1/2 cup mashed Potato

1/2 cup chopped Onion 
1/2 cup grated Carrot

2 tbsp chopped Spinach 

1/2 tsp Chilly powder 

2 tsp Pepper 

1 tsp Salt 

1 Egg
Olive oil
1 tbsp all purpose Flour(Maida)
1/4 cup Cilantro(Coriander leaves)

Directions

1. Saute onion & carrot slightly. Mix with all ingredients & make round patties. If the patty is not thick enough to make rounds, you can add more all purpose flour.
2. Take a pan & spray olive oil. Cook both sides of the veggie patties until brown colour is obtained. Serve hot with French fries.   

Ingredients for the spicy french fries

Potato

Black pepper

Salt

Directions

1. Cut the potatoes in strips. Wash in ice cold water 2 or 3 times & then wipe of the excess water using a paper towel so that it is perfectly dry before frying.
2. Marinate potatoes with pepper & salt
3. Heat oil in a pan & fry. Serve hot & crispy !

Bread Pudding in Raspberry Sauce

Ingredients

8 slices of Bread 
3 Eggs 
2 cups Milk 
1 cup Sugar 
1 tbsp butter 
1 tspVanilla essence 
2 Elachi 

Directions

1. Take a container. Beat egg  & butter.  Add sugar & milk in it. Mix well.
2. Heat the container in a low flame & keep on stirring so that no small lumps are formed.
3. Add finely powdered elachi & vanilla essence.Take off from the flame & let it cool.
4. In a bowl arrange small pieces of bread & pour the thick solution over it.
5. The bread should be completely soaked in the solution.
6. Refrigerate for 2 hours or more. 
7. Take a serving plate & put the pudding bowl upside down & remove carefully so that we’ll get the bread pudding in the shape of the particular container.
8. Pour raspberry sauce on top & enjoy !! If you like you can include nuts or grated coconut  also.  

Plum Upside Down Cake

Upside down cakes are mostly prepared with pineapple/peach/plum/cranberry/pear/apple..etc. It is tasty & lovely in appearance. The more we are careful in arrange the fruits, the more lovely the cake would be. Bake and fall in love with decorating !!

Ingredients

3 Plums

1/2 cup Brown sugar

1/2 cup Granulated sugar

1 cup Flour

1 Egg

1 tsp Vanilla

1/2 tsp Baking powder

1/3 tsp Baking soda

1/2 tsp Cinnamon powder

4 tbsp plus 3 tbsp Butter

1/2 cup Milk

1 tsp Lime juice

1/2 tsp Salt

1/4 cup Orange juice 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease a 9 inch cake pan with butter. Cut the  plums & arrange in the pan. The more carefully & creative you arrange the plums, the end result will be more lovely.  
3. Sieve flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon powder, salt together & keep aside. 
4. Take a sauce pan, melt 4 tbsp butter & add brown sugar. Mix until well combined.
   Take off from heat & keep aside for 2 min & then pour evenly in the cake pan & on the arranged plums.
5.       Make a solution of milk & lime juice.
6.       In an electric mixer, beat 3 tbsp butter, granulated sugar & egg. Add the milk & lime juice solution (4)  vanilla essence & orange juice into the mixer & mix till smooth.
7. Add the sieved dry ingredients little by little & beat.  
8. Transfer the batter evenly into the cake pan.
9. Keep in the middle oven rack for 30 to 35 min. 
10. When its tested with a tooth pick or any testers & it comes out clean, take out the cake pan & allow it to cool for some time.
11. Place a plate which is more than 9 inch on top of the cake pan & turn it upside down.
    Carefully take off the cake pan and the lovely & delicious plum upside down cake is ready !