Spaghetti Stir Fry

Being a mom is very special, but is there any mom out there who doesn't think - hope I was all alone doing it or who doesn't want to spend a day all free not thinking of anything, not thinking that my kid is pulling this or is putting himself here or there or is too quite..I know all moms do that..and everyone would eagerly be looking for some time to be free..Hmm I do and finally I got 2 days a week free from the past month..Initial few days went in my thoughts whether he will adjust there and how is he going to manage without me..I was all sad then..then few days he din't go because of cold and now we both are doing fine..No more tears to mama and baby.:) And all this has happened in 8 days..Yes he is a playschool going kid now and mama planning to maximum utilize that time..;)
Now my hubby comes home for lunch and God I have always felt to tell him that he can have food from office for those 2 days of week...Don't you think its a good idea as I don't want to spend time preparing food..Hmm need to  put that idea on plate sometime soon..

Off to the recipe..This is one I made on one such days...Its easy to put together...

Whole wheat thin Spaghetti -11/2 cups cooked
Carrots-1 big/6 baby cut(I used purple and orange ones, cut lengthwise to thin sticks)
Green beans-10 nos(cut lengthwise)
Cabbage-1/4 cup(Used purple ones, finely cut lengthwise)
Capsicum-1/2 of big one(cut lengthwise)
Onion-1/2 of small one(thinly sliced)
Garlic-1 tsp(minced)
Ginger-1 tsp(minced)
Soya Sauce-1 tsp
Red Chilly Sauce-1 tsp
Tomato Ketchup-1/2 tsp
Vinegar-1/4 tsp
Olive oil-2 tsp
Spring Onion-2 tsp(chopped)
Salt and pepper to taste

Method of preparation:
1. Cook the noodles as in the package. Drain, Wash with cold water and set aside.
2.  Heat oil in a wok.Add the minced ginger and garlic and fry for a second.Then add onions and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Then add veggies,pepper and saute it well. Add the sauces and salt on medium high flame and mix well.
4. Then add the coked noodles and mix well. Do not overdo it or you will end up breaking the noodles.
5. Add the vinegar to this along with spring onion. Mix well on high heat and serve warm.

Herb and Cheese Pull-apart Bread

A post after a short break..When this year started I had thought that I would post in some rhythm, now that was just a thought not a resolution and I am happy that it was a thought else I would have had to add one more broken resolution to my list...:) Now I cant take the whole blame..it may be the weather too which doesn't allow me to wake up from bed or from couch or wherever I am seated...Oh come on! weather is not having an effect only on me...The Sun who is supposed to wake us up or who is supposed to bring light is resting the whole day..making day look more like night..Now don't you think the sun has to do its job even if humans don't ???? That is enough of reasons to support me from missing in action..:)..Hey BTW thanks to all food groups I am there because of whom I post at least 2 or 3 times a month...:)

This bread was made a year back just now got the privilege to be here..It is from here..I had prepared this for a party and was enjoyed by everyone..A delicious one with flavors from herbs and cheese...

Active dry yeast- 2 tsp
Luke warm water-1 1/3 cups
Extra-virgin olive oil-2 tbsp
Salt-2 tsp
All purpose flour-3 1/2 cups
Butter-1/4 cup(melted)
Red Chilli Flakes-1 tsp
Italian Seasoning-1 tbsp
Garlic-2 cloves(minced)
Parmesan cheese-1/4 cup (grated)

Method of preparation:
1. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the yeast and water. Let sit 5 minutes until yeast is foamy. Mix in the olive oil, salt, and flour.
2.Mix the flour and then knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until dough is soft and elastic, 7-10 minutes.
3. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a kitchen towel.
4. Allow to rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until dough is doubled in size.
5. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic. Set aside.
6. Punch down the dough. Tear off small pieces of dough, coat in the butter mixture, and place in the bottom of a bundt pan. Repeat this process until you have one layer of dough balls.
7. Sprinkle some of the Parmesan cheese. Continue layering the dough balls and cheese until you have 3 layers.
8. Cover the pan with a clean towel and allow to sit until dough has doubled in size, 20-30 minutes.
9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bread is golden brown.Serve hot.

Notes:

1. Any herb and cheese can be used.

2. I made the above recipe in 2 small bundt pans and about 8 rolls. 

We knead to bake #1: Baingan Bharta Pull apart bread

Baking breads is not something I do on a regular basis and if I do so,  it always ended up with white or garlic rolls. Then I saw Aparna starting  a group known as We Knead To Bake where in she was checking with people who was interested to bake one bread every month thereby 12 breads for the year. That sounded interesting and I was sure that I would get to do many other varieties other than the white and garlic ones. I sent her a mail and she added me to the group and sent me the recipe for this month. When I opened it I realized that very recently I did a herb bread which is still to be published. So this time I went a little wild and wanted to try something different. That was when we had a dinner at Mediterranean and had baba Ganoush. Now that made me think that I would try that as a filling, but then that would be too tangy for our taste. Then came the idea of using eggplant in the Indian way known as Baingan bharta where the eggplant is smoked on fire and then mashed and mixed with other spices. Now I had to make it dry in order to not end with a soggy bread. so have made some variations resulting in a delicious spread on bread.As for the bread this is very soft and delicious one and using milk to knead it adds to the deliciousness.

For the dough:
Milk-1/2 cup(warm)
Sugar-1 tsp
Active Dry Yeast-2 tsp
All Purpose flour-23/4 to 3 cups
Salt-1 tsp
Butter-25gms(soft at room temperature)
Garlic paste-3/4 tsp
Milk-3/4 cup(a couple of tbsp more to brush over the bread)

For stuffing/spread Baingan bharta(smoked mashed Eggplant) :
Eggplant-1 big(smoked)
Onion-1 medium(cut to small pieces)
Tomato-1 small(cut to small pieces)
Butter-2 tsp
Cloves-2 nos
Coriander seeds-1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds-1/2 tsp
Garlic clove-2 nos
Ginger garlic paste-3/4 tsp
Chili powder/chili flakes-1 tsp
Garam masala-1/4 tsp
Salt for taste
Amchur-1/4 tsp
Nutmeg-1/4 tsp
Coriander leaves-2 tbsp(chopped fine)
Melted Butter-15 gms

Method of preparation:
1. Wash the eggplant and wipe the water away. Apply a little oil on surface and roast the eggplant by turning around on flame till the skin becomes dark and the eggplant turns mushy. Keep aside to cool and remove the peel leaving some on.
2. Now heat butter in a wok and fry cloves, cumin,coriander seeds in it. Add onion, garlic,garlic paste and cook till it turns golden brown.
3. Add tomatoes to this and cook them till it turns mushy. Now add the spice powders and mix well. Add salt to taste and then cool the mixture.
4. Once cooled grind it coarsely along with eggplant.
5. Turn it down to a bowl and if you feel it has too much of liquid or is too moist, heat it again till it turns dry. Garnish with coriander leaves. Let it cool before using on bread.

Method of Preparation:
1. In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar and the yeast in the 1/2 cup of warm milk. Keep aside for about 5 minutes till the yeast rises.
2. Put 2 3/4 cup of flour, salt, softened butter, and garlic paste in a bowl and mix.
3. Then add the yeast mixture and the 3/4 cup of milk and knead till you have a soft, smooth and elastic/ pliable dough which is not sticky. Add a little extra flour if your dough is sticking.
4. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a well-oiled bowl, turning the dough to coat it completely with oil. Cover and let it rise for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until almost double in volume.
5. Dust your work surface lightly with flour. Deflate the dough, shape it into a square and roll the dough out into a larger square that is about 12" by 12".
6.  Brush the surface of the square with the melted butter. Evenly spread the bhaingan bartha filing.
7. Using a pizza cutter, slice the dough from top to bottom into 6 long and even strips – they do not have to be perfect. Lay each strip on top of the next, with the topping facing upwards, until you have a stack of the strips.You can put the 2 strips cut from the sides in the middle of the stack so it looks neater.
8.  Using a pastry scraper or a sharp knife, cut straight down through the stack dividing it into 6 equal pieces (6 square stacks).
9. Grease and lightly flour a 9" by 5" loaf tin. Butter and lightly flour a 9 x 5 loaf pan. Layer the square slices, cut sides down into the loaf tin
10. Cover the loaf tin dough with a towel and allow the dough to rise for an hour. Lightly brush some milk over the top of the loaf.
11. Bake the dough at 350F for about 30 to 40 minutes until it is done and the top is golden brown. This recipe bakes one 9" by 5" loaf.

.

Notes:
1. Baingan bharta has to be dry to avoid a soggy bread.
2. Before applying the mixture on bread see that its completely cooled.
3. In order to reduce moisture I have decreased the amount of tomato and added amchur.

Ada/ila ada

When  Sreevalli of Ammaji Recipes asked me for a guest post some time back,  I was totally hooked up with multiple jobs.. but before i could tell a list of tasks in front of me she told that I can chose a later date, for which I accepted..I totally left it there and was moving around when around the corner I remembered about the guest post. Now cooking was fine but clicking it was very difficult..Finally when I saw a little sunshine I went with this simple but a traditional recipe of Kerala.

   
 Ada is a sweet delicacy from Kerala.These are steamed  rice pockets filled with sweet coconut filling.  It is know as ela ada because of the way it is made. Usually plantain leafs are used to cook them, but due to the unavailability of them here I have experimented with parchment paper and its a success. They are enjoyed as snack/sweet during evenings with tea as well as can act as breakfast if you have a sweet tooth in the morning.

 Hop over to her space to see how this simple delicacy is prepared....

Aida's Corn, Tomato and Avocado Salad Recipe and Free Cooking Tips

Ingredients

For the dressing:

1 1/2 cups packed fresh cilantro

1/2 cup good-quality extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 

For the salad:

4 ears corn, kernels removed (about 3 cups)

1 1/2 pounds grape tomatoes, halved (about 3 cups)

1 pound fresh mozzarella, diced

2 medium avocados, diced

Directions
Combine the dressing ingredients in a blender, using 2 teaspoons salt, and pepper to taste; process until smooth. Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss with the dressing. Let sit at least 15 minutes before serving, or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.

Pasta Primavera Recipe and Free Cooking Tips

Ingredients

Kosher salt

12 ounces fusilli or other corkscrew pasta

1/2 pound sugar snap peas, halved lengthwise, or broccoli florets (or a combination)

2 carrots, shredded

1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh mint

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli and cook as the label directs. Add the sugar snap peas and/or broccoli, carrots and bell pepper to the boiling water during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and vegetables and return to the pot.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until just golden, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon salt; cook until the tomatoes begin to wilt, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water. Pour the tomato mixture over the pasta and vegetables. Add the mint, parmesan and half the goat cheese and toss to combine. Season with salt.

Divide the pasta among bowls. Top with the remaining goat cheese and drizzle with olive oil.

Per serving: Calories 638; Fat 27 g (Saturated 10 g); Cholesterol 33 mg; Sodium 841 mg; Carbohydrate 77 g; Fiber 7 g; Protein 24 g

Mustard Roasted Salmon Recipe and Free Cooking Tips

Total Time:25 min

Prep 10 min

Cook 15 min

Yield:4 pieces

Ingredients

1 1/4 pound wild salmon, skin removed, cut into 4 pieces

2 tablespoons whole grain mustard

2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup

1 clove garlic, minced

Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Directions

Preheat oven to 400-degrees Fahrenheit. Place salmon pieces on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Season with salt and pepper; roast for 10 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine mustard, maple syrup, garlic and lemon juice. After the 10 minutes of cooking, brush salmon with mixture and return to the oven for 5 minutes or until salmon is just cooked through.

Nutrition Information (per serving):

Calories: 240; Total fat: 9 grams; Saturated fat: 1.5 grams; Carbohydrates: 14 grams; Cholesterol: 50 milligrams; Sodium: 125 milligrams; Protein: 25 grams

Roast Chicken with Herbed Mushrooms Recipe and Free Cooking Tips

Ingredients
1 (3 pound) organic free-range chicken
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 red onion, quartered
1/2 lemon, cut into 4 pieces
1/2 head garlic, about 6 cloves, smashed
1 bunch fresh thyme
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1/2 pound sliced bacon, cut in 1/2
3 pounds whole cremini mushrooms, wiped clean with a damp towel

Directions
Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season the cavity with salt and pepper.
In a large bowl combine the onion, lemon, garlic, half the thyme, and 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper and mix it well. Stuff the bird with the mixture. Using 2 (3-foot) pieces of kitchen twine, tie up the chicken: Tuck the wing tips between the wings and the body. Put the midpoint of the twine under the chicken, bring the ends up and around the wings, and pull them tight against the body. Bring the ends of the twine up underneath the legs, wrap the string around them, pull the legs together, and tie them tightly. Place the chicken, breast side up in a roasting pan, and layer the strips of bacon up breast until covered. Scatter over the remaining thyme, drizzle over some more olive oil and season everything with salt and pepper.
Roast the chicken for 1 1/2 hours; arrange the mushrooms around the chicken 45 minutes after roasting. Baste with the pan juices every 20 minutes. The chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer registers 165 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (the legs should wiggle easily in their sockets.)
Remove the chicken from the pan, cover with foil, and let stand for 10 minutes to rest. Serve the chicken with the roasted mushrooms and pan juices.