Braided Bread stuffed with Chicken & Veggies

Bread filled with fried Chicken, green Bell pepper, Broccoli, Tomato, Onion, 
White sauce, Sriracha hot sauce and Ketchup.

Total Time......2 hrs (Prep-15 min, Cook-10 min, Bake-25 min, Inactive-1 hr 10 min)  
Yield...............4 to 5 servings
Level..............Easy

(I) Ingredients for the dough

• 1 1/2 cup Whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup All purpose flour (Maida)
• 1 tbsp Active dry Yeast
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 3/4 cup warm Water
• 3/4 tsp Salt

Directions:

1. Mix yeast and sugar in warm water. Keep aside for 10 min.
2. In a food processor, add both flours, salt & fermented yeast solution.
3. Prepare dough and keep in a bowl wrapped in cling wrap. Keep aside for 1 hour.
4. Knead with hands and make 2 equal balls.

(II) Ingredients for the white sauce

• 2 tbsp All purpose flour(Maida)
• 3/4 cup Chicken stock 
• 1 tbsp Butter
• Salt as required

Directions:

1. Take a sauce pan and melt butter. Mix in four and stir.
2. Add chicken stock and 1/4 cup water. Stir till the solution is slightly thick.
3. Remove from flame & keep aside.

 (III) Ingredients for the filling

• 1 cup cooked & pulled Chicken pieces
• 1/2 cup chopped Onion
• 1/2 cup Green Bell pepper(Capsicum)
• 1/2 cup chopped Broccoli
• 1/2 cup chopped Tomato
• 3/4 tsp Black pepper powder
• 1 tbsp Sriracha hot sauce
• 2 tbsp Tomato ketchup
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 Egg
• Salt as required

Directions:

1. Take a pan and lightly fry in oil, the cooked chicken pieces with 1/4 tsp black pepper and salt. 
2. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic powder, remaining black pepper. Saute for 5 min.
3. Mix in tomato and broccoli. Cook for 1 min.
4. Pour the prepared white sauce, sriracha sauce and ketchup. Turn off the flame and combine well.
5. Preheat oven at 375 degrees F.
6. Flatten dough & cut on both sides with a knife, leaving space in the middle for the filling 
7. Place the filling in the middle of flattened dough and start braiding.
8. Beat egg well & brush on the fully braided bread.  
9. Carefully transfer onto a greased cookie pan and bake for 25min.   

Orange Strawberry Lemonade

A refreshing drink prepared by extracting  fresh juice from  strawberries, oranges & lemon to quench your thirst on a hot day!

Total Time......7 min (Prep - 5min, Blend-2min)
Yield...............4 glasses
Level..............Easy

Ingredients

• 2 cups(20) strawberries
• 2 small oranges
• 2 small lemons
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 cups cold water
• Ice cubes

 Directions

1. Take a blender. Add hulled strawberries, peeled oranges, sugar, lemon juice and water. 
2. Blend till everything mixes thoroughly. Strain into a glass and add ice cubes. 
3. Serve into a decorated glass & enjoy the chilled & refreshing drink!

Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza

Pizza made with whole wheat flour crust and topped with pepperoni slices, smoked beef sausage, jalapenos, onions and sun-dried tomatoes.

Total Time....1 hr 32 min (Prep-10 min, Bake-17 min, Inactive-1 hr 5 min)    
Yield.............1 pizza (12 inch)
Level.............Easy

Ingredients for the dough

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp oregano powder
• 1 tsp dried basil leaves
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Mix yeast and sugar in warm water. Keep aside for 5 min.
2. Knead together wheat flour, oil, salt, parsley, garlic powder, oregano, basil and the above yeast solution.
3. Place the dough in a big bowl and cover the bowl in plastic wrap. Keep aside for 1hr.
4. Roll out the dough in round shape and place on a slightly greased pizza pan.

Ingredients for the topping

• 15 Pepperoni slices
• 1/2 cup Chopped Sausage
• 1/2 cup Chopped Onion
• 1 Chopped Jalapeno
• 3 tbsp chopped Sun dried Tomatoes
• 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup Pizza sauce (or Tomato Ketchup)
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper powder
• Salt as required

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven at 425 degrees F.
2. Spread pizza sauce on the rolled out dough.
3. Top with sausage, onion, jalapeno and sun-dried tomatoes. Sprinkle black pepper and salt.
4. Top it with cheese and then arrange the pepperoni slices.
5. Bake for 15 to 17 min. take out from the oven & add pepper flakes .
6. Slice and serve hot with spicy chicken wings! :)

Saucy Beef Burger

Burger made with grilled beef patty, pickles, onion, lettuce and tomato flavoured sauce.

Total Time....25 min (Prep-10 min, Cook-15 min)    
Yield.............4 to 6 burgers
Level.............Easy

Ingredients for the sauce

• 1 cup Tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped Celery
• 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

Directions:

1. Take a pan, saute pepper and pour in ketchup. Add celery and cook for 2 min. 
2. Divide the mix into two equal halves and keep aside.

Ingredients for the beef patty

• 2 cups Ground beef
• 3/4 cup Bread crumbs
• 1 tsp Garlic powder 
• 1 Egg
• 1/2 tsp dried Oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried Basil
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped Onion
• 1 tsp Black pepper powder
• Salt as required
• Vegetable Oil 

 Directions:

1. Take a mixing bowl and combine beef, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, egg, oregano, basil, parmesan cheese, onion, pepper and salt.
2. Mix thoroughly by adding half of the prepared sauce. Make round patties.
3. Brush oil on both sides of patties and grill.

 Other ingredients

• Pickled cucumber
• Lettuce
• Burger Buns
• Chopped Onions
• Mayonnaise

Directions:

1. Spread mayonnaise on both insides of the burger buns.
2. Top with lettuce, beef patty, other half of the prepared sauce, pickled cucumber and onion.

Pineapple Curd Cupcakes

Pineapple flavoured cupcakes with pineapple curd filling and cream cheese frosting!

Total Time......44 min (Prep - 20 min, Bake- 24 min)  
Yield...............16 cupcakes
Level..............Easy

Ingredients for the pineapple curd 

• 2 Egg yolks
• 1/2 cup granulated Sugar
• 1 cup Pineapple juice(**strained) 
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 1 1/2 tbsp Corn starch
• 1 tbsp Lime juice

Directions:

1. Beat egg yolks, sugar and butter thoroughly.
2. Mix in pineapple juice, cornstarch and lime juice.
3. Take a shallow pan & transfer the contents. Place on a medium flame & keep stirring till you obtain a slightly thick consistency. Turn off the flame and allow it to cool.

** Grind pineapple slices with 1/4 cup of water and separate the juice using a strainer.

Ingredients for the cupcakes

• 2 cups All-purpose flour(Maida)
• 1 cup Sugar
• 6 tbsp Butter
• 1 cup Milk
• 2 Eggs
• 2 tsp Pineapple extract
• 2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt 
• Cupcake liners
• Cupcake baking tray
• Pineapple slices for decoration

Directions:

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees F(176.67 degrees C).
2. Take a bowl and whisk eggs, butter and sugar thoroughly.
3. Mix in flour, baking powder and salt. Combine well by adding milk in between.
4. Add  pineapple extract and mix everything thoroughly.
5. Take cupcake tray and place the liners. Pour batter in each liners till 3/4th full.
6. Bake for 22 to 24 min. Insert a tooth pick or a skewer. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready! Allow it to cool and then frost.

Ingredients for the cream cheese frosting

• 8 oz Cream cheese 
• 4 tbsp Butter 
• 3 to 4 cups confectioners(powdered) Sugar 
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract

Directions

1. Combine cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract in an electric mixer. Add powdered sugar & beat thoroughly.
2. Take the cooled cupcake. Scoop out the middle portion (3/4th deep) with a pointed knife and fill with pineapple curd. Place the top of the scooped portion back, to seal it.
3. Start frosting the cake and decorate it with pineapple slices.
   

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Munch on this chewey cookie baked with oats, take a bite of raisins in between and get the aroma of nutmeg & cinnamon!

Total Time.....22 min (Prep-10 min, Bake-12 min)    
Yield.............15 to 20 cookies
Level.............Easy

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cup Oats
• 1/4 cup Raisins
• 3/4 cup All purpose flour (Maida)
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
• 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 cup Butter
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence
• 3/4 tsp Cinnamon powder
• 1/4 tsp Nutmeg powder
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/4 tsp Salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven at 375 degrees F.
2. Take a bowl & whisk egg, butter and sugar thoroughly.
3. Add cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder, vanilla essence & mix well.
4. Add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix thoroughly and then stir in add oats & raisins.
5. Place parchment paper on baking tray. Using small ice-cream scoop, place cookie batter on the parchment paper with enough space leaving in between for the cookie to expand.
6. Bake for 12 to 15min, allow it to cool and enjoy a chewy healthy cookie!

Sweet Potato & Beef Chili

Slow cooked Chili with Beef, Beans, Veggies, Tomato juice, Spices and served with Sour cream.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cubed and cooked Beef
• 1 cup Beef stock
• 1/2 cup Garbanzo beans
• 1/2 cup Pinto beans
• 1/2 cup Kidney Beans
• 1/4 cup Black Beans
• 1/2 cup cubed Sweet Potato
• 1/2 cup sliced Onion
• 1/2 cup chopped Celery
• 1/2 cup sliced Green bell pepper(Capsicum)
• 15 oz(425g) diced Tomato with juice
• 1/4 cup chopped Cilantro (Coriander leaves)
• 7.5oz(212g) Tomato paste
• 3/4 tsp Garlic paste
• 1/4 tsp Cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp Oregano
• 2 tbsp Parsley
• 2 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 5 tbsp Soya sauce
• Salt as required

 Directions

1. Bake cubed sweet potato marinated with salt and pepper at  400 degrees F for 25 min.
2. Take a shallow pan and saute onion and bell pepper in oil.
3. Then add garbanzo beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, black beans, cubed sweet potato. Saute well.
4. Mix in beef stock, diced tomato, tomato paste, garlic paste, cumin powder, oregano, parsley, paprika, black pepper, soya sauce and salt. Close an cook for sometime.
5. Add cooked beef and cook in a low flame doe 30 min. Keep stirring occasionally.
6.  When you obtain a thick solution, add celery, cilantro and cook for some more time. Serve hot with sour cream and celery on top!

Unniyappam

Traditional South Indian (Kerala) snack, prepared mainly with rice flour and bananas.

Total Time......5 hrs 40 min (Prep - 10 min, Cook- 30 min, Inactive-5 hrs)  
Yield...............25 to 30 Unniyappams
Level..............Easy

Ingredients

• 1 cup Rice flour 
• 1/2 cup All purpose flour(Maida)
• 3/4 cup melted Jaggery
• 2 over ripe Bananas
• 2 to 3 tbsp dry Coconut pieces
• 1/4 tsp Cardamom powder 
• 1/4 tsp Baking Soda 
• 1/2 tsp Sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp Ghee
• 1/4 tsp Salt

Directions

1. Fry coconut pieces in ghee and keep aside.
2. Strain melted jaggery and allow it to cool. (Melt jaggery chunk with 1 cup of water).
3. Mash bananas thoroughly. Mix with rice flour, melted jaggery, maida and salt.
4. Add cardamom powder, sesame seeds, fried coconut pieces and water (if needed) for perfect consistency(similar to idli batter). 
5. Keep aside the batter for 5 to 6 hours.
6. Heat oil in an unniyappam pan. When oil is really hot, reduce the flame to medium and pour batter in each holes. Fry both sides till a golden brown colour is obtained.
7. Place fried unniyappams on tissue so that excess oil is absorbed. Serve hot!

Marbled Banana Nut Bread

 Cinnamon flavoured bread with banana, nuts & chocolaty marble designs.

Total Time.....1 hr 15 min (Prep - 15 min, Bake- 1 hr)
Yield...............1 Loaf
Level..............Easy

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups All purpose flour(Maida)
• 1/4 cup Wheat flour
• 2 large ripe bananas
• 7 tbsp Butter (room temperature)
• 2 Eggs
• 1 tbsp or more Milk
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence
• 2 tsp Cinnamon powder
• 1/4 cup Cocoa powder
• 3/4 tsp Baking powder
• 3/4 tsp Baking Soda
• 3/4 cup Sugar
• 1/4 tsp Salt

Directions

1. Take a mixing bowl, mash bananas and whisk egg, butter and sugar thouroughly.
2. Sieve maida, wheat flour, baking powder & baking soda together. Add to the above little by little and mix well.
3. Divide the batter in 2 separate bowls.
4. Make a solution of cocoa powder by microwaving it with 1/4 cup water for 30 sec.
5. Add the cocoa solution into 1 of the bowls and mix well.
6. Grease a bread pan with cooking spray and add the batter in the 2 bowls alternatively.
7. Using a skewer, slightly stir the batter to obtain the marbled design.
8. Preheat oven at 350 degrees and bake for 1 hour.
9. Insert a skewer in the middle of bread. If it comes out clean, then your bread is ready!

Pepper Fried rice and Pepper Chicken

Black pepper flavoured rice and chicken for a perfect spicy meal!

Total Time......2hrs 30 min (Prep - 10 min, Cook- 20 min, Inactive-2 hrs)

Yield...............4 to 6 servings
Level..............Easy

Ingredients for Pepper Chicken

• 2 cups Chicken pieces
• 1/4 cup Curd
• 1 tsp Lime juice
• 1 tbsp All purpose flour(Maida)
• Puree of 2 Tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp Chilly powder
• 1 tsp Ginger Garlic paste
• 1 tbsp Pepper powder
• 2 cups sliced Onion
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
• Salt as required 
• Cilantro

Directions:

1. Marinate chicken pieces with curd, lime juice, flour, chilly powder, pepper,  turmeric and salt. Keep aside for 2 hours.
2. Heat oil in a pan and fry the marinated chicken.
3. Take some oil in a pan & saute onion till golden brown.
4. Add ginger garlic paste, pepper and salt. Saute for sometime.
5. Mix in the tomato juice, 3/4 cup water and fried chicken Cook for 10 min.
6. Add chopped cilantro and serve hot.

Ingredients for Pepper Fried rice

• 2 cups Rice
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 3/4 cup Corn
• 2 tbsp Soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Black Pepper
• 1 cup sliced Onion
• 1/2 cup Green peas
• 1 tsp Ginger Garlic paste
• Salt as required

Directions:

1. Cook rice and keep aside.
2. Saute Onion for 2 min. Add corn, peas, soy sauce, pepper and salt.
3. Mix cooked rice to it. Saute for sometime and serve hot with the pepper chicken!

Fried Banana with Ice-cream

Banana is coated with cinnamon flavoured flour and coconut batter, then it is deep fried in vegetable oil. I got inspired to try out this combo when I once had a similar dessert from a Thai restaurant :) The combination of coconut ice-cream scoops and fried bananas gives this dessert a very unique taste!

Total Time......15 min (Prep - 5 min, Cook- 10 min) 
Yield...............5 to 6 servings
Level..............Easy

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour(Maida)
• 1 cup unsweetened Coconut flakes
• 4 large size ripe bananas
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp Salt
• 1 Egg
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon powder
• A pinch of salt
• Vegetable oil 
• Hershey's chocolate syrup 
• Coconut ice-cream

Directions

1. Take a bowl and beat egg thoroughly. Add flour, coconut flakes, cinnamon powder, sugar, water and salt. Mix thoroughly.
2. Heat oil in a shallow pan. Then slice bananas and coat with the batter. 
3. When oil is hot, fry the bananas till golden brown colour & place on a paper towel so that the excess oil is absorbed.
4. Serve with coconut ice-cream and Hershey's syrup!

Chicken Biryani

Biryani  is one among the most popular lunch/dinner item on the Indian menu, that brings the aromatic flavours of Indian spices! It can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian, and is made by preparing rice & masala(gravy) separately. And finally layering them brings the contrasting taste of the 'flavored rice' and the 'spicy masala'. The best way of eating Biryani is with Raita, Papadum and Lime Pickle! 

Total Time......2 hr 30min (Prep - 15 min, Cook- 1 hr 15 min, Idle- 1 hr)

Yield...............4 to 5 servings 
Level..............Intermediate

(I) Ingredients for the Rice

• 1 1/2 cup Basmati rice 
• 4 Bay leaves
• 5 green Cardamoms
• 5 Cloves
• 1 medium sized Cinnamon  
• 5 Pepper corns
• 2 tbsp Ghee
• Salt as required

Directions:

1. Wash rice 3 to 4 times and drain the water. Take a vessel and lightly fry rice in ghee for 2 to 3 min.
2. Cook rice with bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, pepper and salt. 
3. When rice is fully cooked, remove all spices(if needed) and keep aside.

(II) Ingredients for the Chicken Masala

• 2 pounds Chicken pieces
• 3 cups sliced Onion
• 2 Tomatoes 
• 3 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste
• 3/4 tsp Cinnamon powder
• 3/4 tsp Cloves powder
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder 
• 1/2 tsp Cumin powder
• 5 green Cardamoms
• 2 tsp Garam masala
• 1 tsp Coriander powder
• 4 Bay leaves
• 4 tbsp Yogurt(Curd)
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper powder
• 1 tsp Red chilly powder
• 2 Green chillies
• 1/2 cup chopped Coriander leaves (Cilantro) 
• 1/2 cup chopped Mint
• 5 tbsp Ghee 
• 2 tbsp Lime juice
• Salt as required

Directions

1. Marinate chicken pieces in 2 tbsp yogurt, turmeric powder, 1 tsp chilly powder, lime juice & salt. Keep aside for 1 hour.
2. Take a pan and pour ghee. Saute onion with salt till you obtain a brown colour. Then add ginger-garlic paste, chopped green chillies, tomatoes and saute for sometime.
3. Add cardamoms, cinnamon powder, cloves powder, corriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala, pepper powder, chilly powder and turmeric powder. Saute for 2 min.
4. Mix in marinated chicken pieces & saute for 3 minutes
5. Add 1 1/2 cup of water, chopped cilantro, mint, bay leaves, lime juice and salt. Close the lid and cook for 15 min in low flame. (Stir occasionally)
6. Then mix in remaining yogurt and cook for 5 more min or till you obtain a thick gravy. Take off the cardamom pods and bay leaves (if needed). Keep aside.

 (III) Ingredients for the Raita

• 1 1/2 cups Curd
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced Onion
• 1/2 cup sliced Tomatoes
• Salt as required

Directions

1. Mix onion with a pinch of salt.
2. Add tomato, curd and a pinch of salt into the above mix. Combine well and keep aside. 

(IV) Other Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Raisins and Cashew nuts (lightly sauteed in ghee)
• 4 boiled Eggs 
• Fried onions (1 cup sliced onion fried in ghee)
• 1/4 cup chopped Coriander leaves (Cilantro)
• Papadums (fried in vegetable oil)
• Lime Pickle 

Layering 

Take a shallow pan, spread little ghee and start layering as shown below:

• Layer a) Rice                                         
• Layer b) Chicken masala, few Cashew nuts, few Raisins and chopped Cilantro
• Layer c) Rice 
• Layer d) Chicken masala and eggs
• Layer e) Rice 

Keep in a low flame and let it cook for 10 to 15 min. When it is ready to serve, garnish with fried Onions, remaining Cashewnuts, Raisins and chopped Cilantro. Serve the delicious Biryani with Papadum, Lime Pickle and Raita!