Spicy Pepper Popper

Ingredients:

·         8 each – bell pepper, mini
·         1/2 cup (8 fl oz) – yogurt, plain, low-fat
·         1/2 cup – cream cheese
·         ¼ cup corn kernel

Directions

1.      Slice bell peppers and remove seeds.

2.      Mix together cream cheese and yogurt.

3.      Fill peppers with cheese/yogurt mixture.

4.      Sprinkle corn top of peppers

5.      Bake at 375 degrees F for 12-15 minutes.

6.      Serve warm.

Corn and Spinach Toast / Corn Bruchetta

Ingredients:

      Sweet corn kernels - 2 cups
Fresh spinach – 2 cup chopped
1 1/2 tbsp butter
2 Tsp white flour
1 1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp ginger finely grated
1 tbsp fresh jalapeno, finely grated (or more if you prefer spicier)
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
½  Black pepper
8 slices bread, sandwich size OR slices French Bread (your choice)
cheddar cheese, grated (optional)

Method:

1.    Heat a medium non-stick pot to medium heat. Add the butter and wait until it is melted.

2.    In the meantime chop the Spinach in the microwave and set aside.

3.    Add the flour to the pot and whisk until all the butter is mixed in. You should have a paste like consistency. Cook the butter and flour for a few minutes while mixing continuously (the mixture should bubble slightly from cooking) until it is light brown.

4.    Slowly add in the milk and mix continuously until the flour/butter mixture is completely blended into the milk. 

5.    Turn the heat to medium/low and continue to whisk. When you first start to notice the sauce thickening, add the grated ginger, jalapeno, and lemon juice. Continue to stir until the sauce has thickened (note: the thickness should be such that the sauce still pours off the spatula).

6.    Turn the heat to low and add salt, sugar, and pepper to taste.

7.    Next mix in the corn kernels and spinach. Cook for another 5 minutes. Adjust the amount of sugar/salt/pepper if needed. Turn off the heat.

8.    Bake the slices of bread in the oven at 350 until toasted. If you put the slices of bread on a pan, be sure to flip the pieces half way so that both of the sides are toasted.

9.    Spoon the hot mixture on each slice of bread.

10. (optional) Top with shredded cheddar cheese and bake at 350 for another few minutes until the cheese has melted. Enjoy with your favorite hot sauce!

Dry Fruits Bar

Easy and quick recipe for making healthy and delicious dry fruits Bar for the kids. This recipe is a no ghee/oil, no sugar and a vegan recipe.

INGREDIENTS

·         1 cup chopped dates (remove the seeds)

·         2 to 3 tbsp almonds or badam

·         2 tbsp raisins

·         1 to 2 tbsp cashews

·         8-9 whole dry figs

·         1 to 2 tbsp Oats (optional)

·         1tsp chia seeds

·         1tsp flax seeds

·         2 green cardamom pods, peeled and seeds crushed

Method:

1.    Roast the almonds in a pan till they get browned. Cool them.

2.    Then grind the almonds coarsely.

3.    Chop the dates and figs.

4.    Powder the cardamom seeds, chia seeds and flax seeds coarsely.

5.    In a dry grinder add the chopped dates, figs, raisins, cashews, Oats and cardamom powder mixture.

6.    Add the ground almonds and grind to a coarse mixture.

7.    Spread on a tray or plate and make it flat for ½ inch thick and let it set for 20 mins.

8.    Cut them square or rectangle shapes.

9.    Dry fruit bars are ready.

10.   Serve them immediately or store in an air tight container and refrigerate.

Optional – Any nuts (Chia seeds, flax seeds, Cranberries, pistachios, Walnuts etc. ) can be added to this bar. Be creative. 

Quinoa Moong Daal

Ingredients:
Quinoa – 1/2 cup washed
Mung Daal – 1/2 cup washed
Water – 4 cups
Salt – to taste
Ginger – 1 Tbsp minced
Ghee/ Butter) – 1 Tbsp
Asafoetida (Hing) – 1/4 tsp
Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp
Cumin Powder – 1/2 tsp
Garlic – 5 to 6 cloves, roughly crushed or sliced thinly
1 Green Chilly slit
1 Tomato – chopped
Cilantro for garnishing
1tsp Lime Juice – to taste

Method:
1. In a large pot, add Quinoa, Moong Daal, 4 cups Water, Salt and Ginger.
2. Cook uncovered on medium heat until Daal and Quinoa are tender but not completely mashed – approx 20-25 minutes. Skim foam off the top as needed.
3. In a skillet, heat Ghee.
4. Add Asafoetida, Turmeric Powder, Cumin Powder, Garlic and Green Chilies. Mix and cook for 30 seconds.
5. Add Tomatoes and cook for another 30-45 seconds.
6. Add mixture into the cooked Daal and Quinoa along with 1/2 cup water.
7. Bring to a rolling boil and remove from heat.
8. Garnish with Cilantro and Lime Juice and serve hot as a soup or with Rice or Chapati.

Homemade Pizza

For making Pizza dough:

Ingredients:

3 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tbsp oil
1 1/4 cup luke warm water

Method:

1.Take luke warm water in a wide bowl and add sugar to it.Once the sugar has dissolved sprinkle yeast over it and let it rest for 10 minutes.The yeast will bubble up and turn frothy.

2.Take the flour in a mixing bowl,add salt and oil to it.Mix well. Then add the yeast water and mix slowly. Knead to a smooth dough.

3.Covert it with a damp cloth and let it rest in a warm place for 30-60  mins or until it rises twice in volume.

For Making Pizza:

Ingredients:

Pizza sauce / Basil pesto sauce
Dough
Topping:
Onion - thinly sliced
 Red or green bell peppers - cubed 
Pineapple (cubed)
olives (optional)
Jalopinoe's 
Spinach leaves (optional)
Grated mozzarella or Cheddar cheese 
Grated ginger (optional )
chilli flakes

Method: 

1.Take the dough and punch it back. Knead well once again. Preheat oven at 375 degrees.
2.Take the dough on a clean surface and spread it in a rectangular shape (I have a rectangular baking  tray), you can make it thin or thick crusted as per your wish. Grease and dust the pizza plate well before transferring the dough.Transfer the rolled dough to the baking tray and prick the base here and there with a fork.
3.Now spread the sauce on it evenly.Now add all the toppings. Add  the grated cheese as much as required.
4.Bake the arranged pizza for 20 minutes or until the crust turns light golden.

5.Allow to cool for 5 minutes and cut into wedges.

Tips:

1.You can add Paneer cubes along with vegetables as topping.