Sinful Spinach Pizza

Planing to invite a few friends for a pizza party, you can surprise them with this pizza.This delicious homemade pizza with some delicious toppings with prebought pizza base can make your party grow wild.Who said a perfect pizza has to have italian flavors,I have experimented with indian flavors ... it has a exceptional taste that will make your taste buds dance.So enjoy the recipe and celebrate your pizza party

Ingredients :
Palak/Spinach Sauce

• 2 cups tightly packed spinach
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
• 1/2 cup finely chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp kasuri methi
• 1 tsp dhania/coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 tsp chopped garlic
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp finely chopped green chilli
• 1/4 tsp cummin/jeera seeds
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt to taste

Topping

•  1/2 cup paneer cubes (1/2 inch paneer)
• 1/2 cup sliced mushroom
• 1/4 cup boiled sweetcorn
• 1 tsp kasuri methi
• 1/4 tsp coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp chilli flakes
• 1/4 tsp chat masala
• 1 tsp oil
• 1/4 tsp salt

And

• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 4 pan size pizza base

Take a bowl and mix all the ingredient in toppings and let it marinate for 20 minutes.Boil the spinach for 2 minutes in microwave and make a puree out of it.

To make sauce heat oil in the pan add cummin seeds and when it splutters add onion and garlic, and let it fry till onion becomes translucent. Then add ginger garlic paste fry for another 1 min, then add tomatoes till they become soft. Add all the masalas and fry till begins to saturate. Now add spinach puree and let it boil for 5 min on medium flame.Add kasuri methi cook for a minute and switch off the flame.

To prepare the pizza , spread the sauce on the pizza base, sprinkle mozzarella cheese, add the toppings and grill it for 8-9 minutes.Your pizza is ready to eat.

Pizza Apne Desh Ka (Indian Style Pizza)

 

I used to prepare this version before blogging n shared with lot of friends n whoever tried it have fallen in love with it. The sauce is made with all Indian ingredients which suits our taste buds.It can be prepared quickly before making the pizza or store it for a couple of days.We always enjoy this version n hope you too.

Ingredients for Pizza sauce

• 1 cup chopped onions
• 2 cup chopped tomatos
• 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped cilatro
• 1 tsp chopped chillies
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt to taste

Cooking Procedure

Heat oil in a pan ,add add onion ,garlic n chillis saute for a min then add bell pepper n fry for a min .Now add tomatos ,cilantro n cook till tomato become soft ,now add coriander powder, cumin powder,salt n ketchup n let it cook for one more min n switch off the flame n let it cool .After it cools make a coarse paste n keep aside (Note if ur tomatos r not juicy add 1/4 cup water after tomatos cook n before adding masala)

 

Ingredients for Topping

• 1 cup diced mushroom
• 1 cup diced cottage cheese(cut them to 1cm cube)
• 1 cup diced bell pepper(all colors)
• 1/2 cup sweet corn
• 1/2 tsp chill powder
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp chat masala
• 1 tbsp kasuri methi
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Mix all the above ingredient except oil and marinate them for 20 min. After 20 min heat oil in a pan ,add all these veggies n stir fry on high flame for 4 min n shift it to a plate

Ingredients for Pizza Dough

• 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour+tbsp for dusting
• 1 tbsp yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 3 tsp oilve oil + 1 tsp to coat the dough

In a big bowl add yeast,sugar,salt n warm water let it sit for 10 min. It will become foamy. Then add oil Then add flour slowly 1/2 cup at a time n stir with spatula. Then take it make it into a ball(It shpuld be little bit sticky than usual). Grease it with oil cover with a damp cloth n let it sit for 1 hr.

After a hour or till the dough become double.Take it out n punch it in the center to take all the air out.Again make the dough to a round shape let it sit for 30 min.

Pizza Assembly

After 30 min take the dough to a floured surface n divide the dough into 2 parts n with a rolling pin spread it into a circle to the size of the pan. shift it to pan and adjust according to that and press the dough toward the edges to give a nice crust.I prepared one medium size n one pan size pizza.let it rest for 10 min.

Preheat the oven to 400 with silicone sheet/or a pizza stone in the lower rack

Take the the pizza base n spread the pizza sauce on the pizza dough base ,spread the toppings and sprinkle cheese on top of it n apply oil to the edge with a brush.

Baking the Pizza

Bake the pizza for ten minutes after which remove from pan n shift it directly to the silicone baking sheet/pizza stone n increase the temperature to 450 F n bake for another 5 min. Your pizza is ready!! Serve warm after 10 min.

Note: Temperature may vary from oven to oven so make sure to keep looking at it. Once it starts to change color to light golden brown remove it.

To make pizza crispy you can keep for another min.

If you wish to thin crust pizza then you have use lesser dough or bigger pan. You can use any baking pan it need not be a pizza pan. I used pie pan for my pizza.

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Tags: Pizza , Indian Style Pizza

Chilli Tofu Wrap

There is no need to mention the health benefits of tofu as it is known to everyone....though it has the same texture of paneer we have to shallow fry it nicely before using it in any recipe ... i was a bit lazy yesterday night i wanted something quick to cook and i had some rotis in my fridge so i prepared this chilli tofu and served as a wrap for dinner. It is very filling,tasty and healthy too. I hope u will enjoy it too.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup diced tofu
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup diced green and red bell pepper
• 2 sliced green chillis
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic
• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp soya sauce
• 1 tbsp chilli sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• a pinch of sugar
• salt to taste

For wrap

• 4 rotis/ tortillas
• slice onions
• sliced tomato

Cooking Procedure

Wash tofu nicely under cold water n keep it in warm water for 10 min ,after 10 min again wash n squeeze gently to

take out excess water from it ,cut tofu bar into cubes

Now heat 1 tbsp oil in a nonstick pan n shallow fry the cubes till all sides light golden brown ,remove the tofu in

to a plate n keep it aside..

Add all the sauce in a bowl,mix nicely n keep it aside

Heat oil in the same pan add garlic,chillies and onion let it saute for a min or two

Add bell pepper and saute for a min

Then add all sauce ,salt ,sugar n mix nicely ,stir for a min

Note: Veggies should not be overcooked as it should be slightly crunchy

Next add tofu cubes mix them gently till all the sauce will blend with and stir for a min

For wrap:

Take one roti add put one full tablespoon of chilli tofu on it lengthwise

Drizzle some fresh sliced onion n tomato on top of it ,wrap / roll it and enjoy

I am sending this post to the holy event Iftar Moments Hijri 1431 hosted by Umm Mymoonah

and also to the Global Kadai - Tofu event at Desi Soccer Mom.

This event was started by Cilantro.

Potato Vada / Egg Potato Vada

This is one more recipe i prepared on my hubby birthday , he is big fan of potato vada, he was insisting me to do prepare potato vada for him but because of deep fry i was avoiding his request. So on his birthday i prepared this to make him happy. His friends also had turned up in the evening some of them were non-veg lovers.My hubby recently avoiding eggs in direct form so i made these two types of fritters with the same potato mixture. His friends loved it too and it was new to them. This egg fritters is a street side food in orrisa.I used to enjoy it very much with my friends in my college days. I am sure you will enjoy it too.

Ingredients:

• 3 hard boiled eggs
• 2 cups mashed potatos(4 big potatos)
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 tsp garlic ginger paste
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 green chilis
• 1/2 tsp corainder powder
• 1/4 tsp cummin powder
• 1/4 tsp garam masala
• 1/4 tsp chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp cummin seeds
• 2 green chillis chopped
• 1 tsp oil
• oil for deep fry
• salt to taste

For Batter:

• 2 cups gram flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• salt to taste

Cooking Procedure:

Heat oil in pan and add cummin seeds and when it splutter add onions,garlic ginger paste,chopped chillis,turmeric powder and fry till onion become translucent.

Add all the powders and stir for a minute.

Add the mashed potato and mix it till the potato blend with masala nicely

Fry for 2 mins, switch it off and transfer the mixture to plate and mix the chopped cilantro leaves.

Mix all the ingredients of batter with water into a semi-thick paste and keep aside.

After the potato mixture cools, Divide the potato mixture into equal sized portions, the size of a lemon and flatten it 1 inch thick

Heat oil in a deep fry pan.

Dip the balls in the batter and fry it till golden brown.

Serve hot with ketchup.

Egg potato vada recipe

Cut the eggs along the length into two portion

Take some potato mixture in your palm and shape it like a half egg and join with mixture with the half cut egg.

Press nicely and it will look like a complete egg half white half brown

Dip it in the batter and deep fry till golden brown.

Serve Hot

Tofu Hot Dog

I had bought tofu a couple of weeks back, i do not know much recipes with tofu so whenever i saw it lying in the fridge i would think what to prepare with it. Maybe this or maybe that : ) then finally i experimented with it to prepare tofu hot dogs as i had some hot dog buns at home.

It has come out very well and was very delicious. This recipe serves 6 hot dogs.

Ingredients:

6 hot dog buns

• 1 cup grated tofu
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup boiled potato(mashed)
• 1/2 inch grated ginger
• a hand full of cilantro(chopped)
• 2 tbsp kasuri methi(dry fenugreek leafs)
• 1/4cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp chat masala
• 3/4 tsp chana masala
• 1/4 tsp chilli powder
• 3 to 4 chopped green chillis
• 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs(I used wheat bread)
• oil for shallow fry(1 tsp per tofu roll)

Toppings

• 1 cup sliced onions and tomato
• 2 tbsp mustard sauce

Cooking Procedure:

Take all the above mentioned ingedients except oil and bread crumbs in bowl and mix them nicely

Heat 1 tsp oil in pan and add this mixture and stir for 5 to 7 min in a medium flame to let it cook.

Then shift the mixture to a plate and let it cool

Once it cools down divide the mixture into six part and shape it 2.5 inch rolls and roll it nicely in bread crumbs.

Then heat a pan and put all these rolls it and add 1 tsp oil for each roll and slowly turn it till it is golden brown.

Note: Tofu rolls are very soft so cautiously turn it so it does not break apart

Then place each roll in a toasted hot dog bun

Add onions and tomato slices with mustard sauce and enjoy it.

I am sending this Healthy n Yummy Tofu Hotdog to the Global Kadai - Tofu event at Desi Soccer Mom.

This event was started by Cilantro.

Maggi Masala Noodles

Still in vacation mood and not feeling like to cook a full meal and so today evening i decided to prepare noodles as maggi is a all time everybody's favorite. I planned to enrich it with available ingredients at home. It came out very well and every body enjoyed it.I am sure you will enjoy this version of maggi noodles.

Ingredients:

• 2 pck Maggi noodles
• 3 chopped spring onions
• 1/2 cup chopped bell paper
• 1/2 cup chopped tomato
• a handfull of of parsley (chopped)
• 1/2 tsp chopped garlic
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
• 1 tsp grated parmasen cheese
• salt to taste(only for veggies)

Cooking Procedure:

Heat oil in a sauce pan add garlic n spring onion ,stir for 1 min

Add bell paper and stir fry for 1 more min

Add chopped tomato n fry till it become soft

Add chopped parsley and salt n stir for a while then add 3 cupS(750 ml) water n let it boil

In the mean time maggi masala packets into the pan

When the water starts boling ,then break the noodle bars into 4 pieces n add to the pan and stir occasionally

When noodles cooked add the chilli flakes n parmesan cheese

Stir for a while n take out of the flame

Serve hot n enjoy

Indian Salsa ( Tomato Onion Chutney )

We recently bought tortilla chips, i had coincidently prepared tomato onion chutney so when he asked for dip i immediately mixed fresh chopped onions and tomatoes to the chutney and served him with tortilla chips. He enjoyed it very much and exclaimed it as a indian salsa !! This way we were both happy : )

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes
• 3 tbsp chopped cilantra (coriander)
• 1 tbsp chill flakes
• 1 tbsp coconut powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp cummin seeds
• 1 tsp olive oil

For tempering

• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
• pinch of hing
• 1 spring curry leaves

For garnish

1/4 cup chopped onions and tomatoes and fresh cilantro

Cooking Procedure

Heat oil in a pan add cummin seeds when it splutter add onions and fry for 2 min

Add the rest of ingedients and stir for 3 min on medium flame

Take out and let it cool, once cool put in blender and make it a paste with little water

For tempering take the pan and heat the oil and mustard seeds and hing, once mustard seeds splutter add curry leaves and fry for 1/2 a min

Then add the blended paste in the pan and stir nicely and take it off the flame

Garnish or mix the fresh chopped onions,tomatoes and cilantro this will give a nice crunch.

Serve with tortilla chips

Quinoa Porridge (Upma)

Quinoa's origins are truly ancient. It was one of the three staple foods, along with corn and potatoes, of the Inca civilization. Quinoa was known then, and still is known, with respect, as the mother of all grains.

It is easy to find it in grocery stores and much cheaper than high quality brown rice. When cooked, quinoa is light, fluffy, slightly crunchy and subtly flavored. It actually cooks and tastes like a grain.Quinoa is tasty, and easy to digest too. It is not sticky or heavy like most other grains, and it has a delicious flavor all its own.

Quinoa is wonder food for health, quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it provides the body all nine essential amino acids. In addition to being a good source of protein and it also is rich in minerals like magnesium, zinc, vitamin E, and selenium, which help to control weight and reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Studies suggest quinoa is high in antioxidant activity, helping to protect the body from free radical damage.It is excellant substitute for rice and oats.

I never tried this in india as i never came across it but in US it is easily available and very good for diabetics. My mother-in-law is diabetic and she eats this almost everyday as a substitute for rice.

But the real benefit of eating quinoa can be obtained by soaking it overnight as soaking brings out the best of nutrition to be absorbed by our body.

I am sure this recipe would interest everybody as it is very simple to cook and extremely nutritous meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa (soaked overnight in two cups of water)
• 1/3 cup chopped onions
• 1/3 cup chopped potatos
• 2 green chillies slit
• 1 floret chopped cauliflower
• 1/4 cup carrot
• 1/4 cup green peas
• 1/2 inch grated ginger
• 1/4 tsp mustard
• 1/4 tsp cummin seeds
• 1/4 tsp split urad dal
• 1 spring curry leaves
• 1 tbsp oil
• salt to taste

Cooking Procedure:

Wash the quinoa thuroughly in cold water after it has been soaked overnight and keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan and add urad dal,cummin seeds, mustard seeds

Once mustard seeds splutter add onions,ginger,curry leaves and chillies and fry for 1 minute

Add potatos,carrot,cauliflower,peas and salt and stir and cover with lid and cook till it potato softens

Add two cups of water bring to boil

Add quinoa and stir occasionally until it cooked ( approx 15 min on medium flame )

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

Quinoa 101 by Dani Spies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7uvygMiwfo

Mini Shell Pasta Indian Style

Today i prepared new style of pasta which came out very well. My husband liked it very much.In this i used mini shell as mini pasta shells are quicker to cook. Anybody would love this small shell pasta as it has got a nice shape and texture. I am sure you will enjoy this indian style pasta. Let me know if u like it :)

Ingredients:

• 2 cup small shell pasta
• 1/2 cup medium chopped onion
• 1/2 cup medium chopped capsicum
• 2 florets diced cauliflower
• 1/2 cup carrot and peas
• 1/2 cup medium chopped potato
• 1 tsp chopped garlic
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp instant soup mix
• 1 green chilli cut length wise
• 3 tbsp cooking oil
• salt to taste

Cooking procedure:

Take 5 cups water in a deep sauce pan and let it boil . Add a little salt and oil to boiling water to prevent pasta to stick to each other.

Then add pasta shells .Let it cook till tender

Drain the water and run under cold water for a minute and drain again and keep the pasta aside

Note: Cold water will help the pasta to cool down quickly and prevent stickiness.

Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan and then add onion,garlic,green chilli and stir till onion become transparent.

Add all the remaining vegetables along with salt and pepper and let it cook till the veggies become tender.

In a bowl mix the instant soup powder with 1/4 cup water and blended well , then add this mixture to the above vegetables in the pan and stir well to blend the ingredients nicely for a minute.

Toss the pasta shells in pan and stir it evenly to blend the vegetables with the pasta.

Serve hot

Tip: I used Knorrs cream of mushroom instant soup powder which gives a distinct taste to my pasta but you can use any instant soup mix or maggi masala too. As soup powder contains starch so i didn't add it directly otherwise it will be more sticky and not blend with veggies and pasta but for maggi masala u can add directly to the veggies with out mixing with water.