Mini Eggplant Pizza

Globe eggplant is a spongy, mild-tasting vegetable that's meaty yet low in calories.  It's never eaten raw, but it can be baked, grilled, or sautéed.   The best eggplants are firm and shiny eggplants with unbroken skin.

In this recipe the eggplant is wonderfully flavoured and meshed so well with the pizza toppings.
Instead of sauce you can use slice of tomato.
I eat the whole eggplant since no one else likes eggplant.
It has protein from cheese and veg, sometimes I make garlic toast to go with it.
Also before oiling eggplant, I season oil with Italian seasoning... yummy!

To make it Hawaiian, you can add cubes of ham and pineapple-much more flavor that way. give it a try.

Add some protein more. Ham, sausage, pepperoni. anything. You will not dissapointed.

Pleasantly surprise on how simple, quick and tasty this recipe was try and I will be trying this one again and sharing.

Ingredients: 

1 globe eggplant, 9-10 inches long
1 Tbsp salt, for drawing water out of eggplant (optional)
2 Tbsp olive oil, for brushing eggplant before roasting
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning, for sprinkling on eggplant before roasting
10 large basil leaves, cut in chiffonade strips (optional)
1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan/mozzarella
hot red pepper flakes for sprinkling finished pizza (optional)

To prepare Sauce:
3 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 cups diced fresh tomatoes
1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp dried oregano
Salt as required

Method:

1. Remove the stem from the eggplant,then cut it into 3/4 inch thick slices.
2. Sprinkle salt on both sides of slice.  (You can skip this, it will just make the slices brown. Sprinkling salt prevents slices from browning)
3. Keep the salt coated slice about 10 minutes to draw out the water. 
4. Meanwhile turn on the oven to 190C.

Preparing Sauce:

1. Heat 3 tsp olive oil.
2. Once hot,add finely chopped garlic and saute in medium flame for about 1 minute or till raw aroma goes away. Don't let it brown.
3. Add the diced tomatoes.
4. Once it starts melting, add dried Italian seasoning and dried oregano.
5. Let the sauce cook at a low simmer until it's thickened. 

Preparing Pizza:

1. After 10 minutes, wipe the eggplant dry with paper towels, it 
2. also take the salt out.
3. Take the bake tray and apply/spray the olive oil on it.
4. Lay eggplant slices on, brush/apply the tops and sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil.
5. Roast the eggplant about 25 minutes or till the slices are done. Make sure not to over-baked that slices lose their shape.  
6. While the eggplant roasts, finely slice the fresh basil leaves (if using).
7. Combine freshly grated Parmesan and low-fat mozzarella. 
8. After 25 minutes or when eggplant pieces are done, remove the slices from the oven.
9. Spread a few tablespoons of sauce on the top of each eggplant slice.
10. Sprinkle with thin basil slices (if using) and top with a generous amount of cheese.  
11. Put pizzas in oven with broil mode and let it broil until the cheese is melted and slightly browned. This took 8 minutes for me.

Sprinkle red paprika flakes and dried oregano on pizza.Serve hot

Homemade Brownies

I read somewhere that one of the ways you can help curb cravings for unhealthy foods is to commit to cooking/baking them at home rather than going to a fast food restaurant or buying pre-packaged sweets.  This has helped me to lot extent with my cravings lately. Mostly on weekends, i get to create in kitchen...used to explore the new options for recipes.

This time i picked up brownies. Moist and chewy, these brownies will be a hit whether as an afternoon snack or topped with ice cream and served as an after dinner dessert.

I made these yesterday and they turned out so gorgeous.  The flavor was awesome.

I decorated them with homemade chocolate frosting. Also tried with homemade chocolate ice-cream and cherries. They were just delicious. YUM-MY 

Ingredients:

Butter 1 cup 
Granulated sugar 3/4 cup 
Light brown sugar 1/4 cup 
Vanilla extract 2 tsp 
Large eggs 4
Unsweetened Cocoa 3/4 cup 
All-purpose flour 1 cup 
Baking powder 1/2 tsp
Salt 1/4 tsp 
Chopped walnuts 1 cup 
Semisweet chocolate chopped 150 grams 

Method:

1. Melt the butter and chopped chocolate in a saucepan, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes. 
2. Remove from the heat, pour into a large mixing bowl, and allow to slightly cool for 10 minutes.
3. Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat oven to 350F degrees. 
4. Line the bottom and sides of a 9x9 inch square baking pan. Set aside.
5. In a different bowl take eggs and whisk it.
6. Add the granulated sugar and brown sugars into the eggs, whisk until smooth. 
7. Pour this mixture into the chocolate butter mixture.
8. Whisk in the vanilla. Gently add in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. 
9. Once combined, add in the walnuts.
10. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 35-36 minutes. 
11. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with only a few moist crumbs when the brownies are done. 
12. keep checking on brownies after 25 minutes and use the toothpick test to see when yours are finished.
13. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan set. Cut into squares. 

The brownies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week. If freezed it will stay up to 2 months.

Moist Chocolate Cupcake with Vanilla Frosting

Rich, tender homemade chocolate cupcake topped with my favorite vanilla frosting

The special occasions present a pleasant break from the daily routine. My bestfriend's sister is in town and on the occasion of her birth day i wanted to gift her something really sweet and flavourful creation...
At the same time I wanted to try my hands on muffins for long time, I thought this will solve my purpose...
Super easy and super yummy chocolate coffee cupcakes make any occasions even more special! And the recipe didn't disappoint me.This cocoa-based cake is deeply chocolaty and incredibly moist.

It came out sinfully delicious, with simple ingredients. It is very easy in the sense the beginners in baking, like me, can try it out without giving a second thought.

Chocolate and coffee always make a super cool couple and they reach perfection in these chocolate coffee cupcakes! Coffee just deepens the flavour of the chocolate and the heat helps smooth out the batter and get rid of lumps.
Do you ever dip your chocolate into coffee to double your happiness ? You will have a similar feeling when you are devouring these cupcakes. 
Buttermilk is required for this recipe – the lactic acid present is what will allow the baking soda to react and leaven the cake.

I followed this recipe from 
http://foodess.com/6134-moist-chocolate-cupcakes-with-oreo-cream-cheese-frosting.html

Lovely blog with lovely bakery recipes

Instead of Oreo Cream Cheese frosting, I used vanilla frosting. 

Ingredients:

CUPCAKES

 Unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 cup
 All purpose flour 3/4 cup
 Baking soda 1/2 tsp
 Baking powder 3/4 tsp
 Salt 1/4 tsp
 Large eggs (at room temperature) 2 
 Granulated sugar 1/2 cup 
 Light brown sugar 1/2 cup
 Melted butter 1/3 cup 
 Vanilla extract 2 tsp
 Buttermilk 1/4 cup 
 Hot coffee  (or 2 tsp instant coffee in 1 cup boiling water) 1/4 cup

VANILLA FROSTING

 Unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 1 cup 
 Confectioners' sugar 4-5 cups 
 Heavy cream 1/4 cup 
 Vanilla extract 2 teaspoons 
 Salt, to taste

Methods:

1. Preheat the oven to 170C degrees. 
2. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.

Make the cupcakes: 

1. In a large bowl, whisk the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together until thoroughly combined. Set aside. 
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla together until completely smooth. 
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Beat it for 3 minutes
4. Then take small amount of buttermilk. Gently stir about 5 stirs. 
5. Repeat it till all the buttermilk is poured and mixed. The batter won't be very thick.
6. Pour hot coffee in small amount and stir it. Repeat it till all the hot coffee is mixed.  (The batter for the cupcakes is very thick. Very thick – almost like frosting)
7. Pour/spoon the batter into the liners - fill only halfway to avoid spilling over the sides. 
8. Bake in batches for 20 minutes (Check by inserting a toothpick, if a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, then its done.)
9. Allow to cool completely before frosting. 

Make the frosting: 

1. Beat the butter until creamy - about 2 minutes. 
2. Add confectioners' sugar, cream, and vanilla extract . beat for 3 full minutes. 
3. Add more powdered sugar if frosting is too thin or more cream if frosting is too thick. 
4. Add a pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet.
5. Frost cooled cupcakes however you'd like.

Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days and in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

Chocolate Butter Cookies

The Friday before Christmas. A new year is on the way. 
Holiday fever is back.
I have no clue where this past month went. 
I have to tell you that I'm beyond excited about this post!
I don't even know where to begin! First of all, there are no strange ingredients in it.
Second, it's probably the easiest thing you could possibly make, and it's just so darn delicious.

Today I want to give you some stellar gift ideas…for your closest foodie friend, or for yourself.
Everyone’s in the kitchen this time of year, whether it be baking cookies to give to friends, entertaining and having friends over or going to a holiday party!
Chocolate Butter cookies  are perfect for everyone. They are crispy and buttery and perfectly hinted with chocolate or you may want the chocolate pieces come as surprise when you are having the crispy bite ;) 
I stuffed the chocolate pieces in the center of the cookies ball instead of mixing well with the dough. I like it in this way :)

Also there is nothing more comforting than a hot cup of cocoa during the holidays that too during December. Cookies go well with the hot drinks be it coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
Fresh from the oven,  These cookies are so yum.

You simply have to make this one!

Ingredients:

All purpose flour 2 ½ cup 
Butter  1/3 cup (in room temperature)
Powdered sugar 1/3 cup
Chocolate bar (Cadburys or any other) 40 gms 
Rice flour 1 tbsp 
Vanilla essence ½ tsp 
Milk

Method:

1. Take a bowl, add butter and vanilla essence and mix well
2. Add rice flour and all purpose flour
3. Knead to form a smooth dough. (Add milk little by little if necessary. Too much milk will result in a sticky dough)
4. Take a chocolate bar cut it into pieces and mix well with the dough
5. Preheat the oven at 160 degree Celsius for 10 minutes
6. Meanwhile grease and slightly flour a baking tray, take small balls from the dough, flatten them and place on the baking tray. 
7. Bake for about 20/25 minutes or until the lower part turns slightly brown and upper part is cooked
8. Remove the baking tray from the oven and allow it to cool

Once cooled chocolate butter cookies are ready to be eaten. Njoy ! :)

Farmhouse Pizza Recipe

How much do you like pizza?
Pizza : IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TOPPINGS, primarily the sauce. Am I right?

Thin crust is more my scene, obviously because I can justify more pieces and thus more toppings. So I go with pizza base (without yeast) preparation.

Makes 2 pizza bases

Ingredients :

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (maida)
1 tsp oil
1 tsp dry yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
lukewarm water

Method :

With Yeast : 

1. Take a bowl, add yeast, salt, sugar and 1 to 2 tbsp of warm water and mix well. 
2. Set aside for 10 minutes till the yeast froths 
3. Sieve maida and baking powder and add to the yeast mixture 
4. Add little water and oil and knead to form a smooth dough 
5. Cover the dough with a lid and set aside till it doubles in size (approximately for 1 to 2 hours)
6. Knock down again and knead well 
7. The dough must be smooth and elastic
8. Divide it into 2 or 3 balls according to your choice and roll to form a circle of about 1/4" thickness
9. Place it on the baking tray, keep the tray in the middle shelf of a preheated oven and bake at 200 degree Celsius for 8 minutes 

Without Yeast :

1. Take a bowl, Sieve maida and baking powder, Add salt, mix well
2. Add little water and oil and knead to form a smooth dough 
3. The dough must be smooth and elastic
4. Divide it into 2 or 3 balls according to your choice and roll to form a circle of about 1/4" thickness
5. Place it on the baking tray, keep the tray in the middle shelf of a preheated oven and bake at 200 degree Celsius for 8 minutes

Pizza base is now ready, Remove from the oven
You can also store the pizza base in zip lock bags and refrigerate for later use

For Farmhouse Pizza:

For Topping :
Mushroom
Bell pepper
Tomato
Onion
Pizza Sauce
Grated Mozzarella cheese 

For Seasoning :

Oregano 
Chilli Flakes

1. Spread the tomato pizza sauce on the pizza
2. Top up with the veggies 
3. Sprinkle generous amount of mozzarella cheese
4. Baking time now….. bake the veg pizza in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 200 degrees C till the base becomes golden brown and the cheese on top melts and gets browned
5. Season with oregano and chilli flakes

Cut into equal wedges and serve immediately :)