CRISPY BAKED ONIONS RINGS

Who doesnt like Fried foods?They are so tasty and comforting any given day but a lot of guilt comes with it. For a person like me who loves fried food but doesnt like to fry its  such a daunting task to stand in front of the hot oil and fry especially in this summer heat. But I had to do something to satisfy my cravings for it. This crispy baked onion rings is just the solution. Its totally GUILT FREE and completely satisfying. Its one of the best onion rings I ever had.
The secret is to coat the bread crumbs with a little bit of oil before coating it onto the rings. This helps it to brown evenly. This was one of the tips given by the chef on foodnetwork. Dont remember his name.

INGREDIENTS

Vidalia onions - 2 nos
Buttermilk - 1 cup
Hot Sauce - 1 tbsp ( I used buffalo wing sauce)
All Purpose flour -  1 cup
Garlic pdr - a few sprinkles
Cayenne pepper - 2 tsp
Black pepper pdr - 1 tsp
Panko Bread crumbs(seasoned)
oil - 1 tsp
Ice cold water

Note:- The measurements here doesnt have to be perfect you can increase and decrease the amount according to your taste.You can also add any other spices and herbs you like.onion pdr, cumin pdr, thyme etc

METHOD

Slice the onions to 1/2" thick rings. Separate them and put them in ice cold water to firm it up.
In a plate mix flour,garlic pdr,cayenne pepper, pepper. Salt is not reqd if you are using seasoned breadcrumbs otherwise add some for taste. In a bowl pour buttermilk and hot sauce.If you like spicy add more hot sauce. In another plater add bread crumbs and a tsp or so just enough to wet the crumbs. This helps the crumbs to brown nicely without drying out. I like to use panko breadcrumbs cause it gives a great crunch.

Preheat oven to 375 deg F. Remove the rings from the cold water one at a time.You dont have to pat it dry, the water will help the flour to stick to the onions. Coat the rings  in the order of flour, buttermilk and bread crumbs. Transfer it to the cooling rack. Baking it on the cooling rack will let the heat to flow nicely and help the rings to brown evenly. Bake for about 20- 25 mins or until brown. Serve warm with coffee or tea!!!

ENJOY!!!

CHEWY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

I love to snack on peanut butter sandwich (without the jelly) anytime, especially if its chunky peanut butter. Its very filling and so nutritious that i sometimes replace my meal with a peanut butter and banana sandwich.It's really delicious.So absolutely no surprise that i made these cookies.These cookies are chewy with a perfect crunch to it.All you need is a glass of milk to dunk it in :).

INGREDIENTS

Chunky peanut  butter -- 1 cup( can also use smooth one too, add nuts in the end for the crunchiness)

Sugar - 1/3 cup
Brown sugar - 1/3 cup, tightly packed
Egg  - 1
Milk - 2 tbsp
Vanilla extract - 2 tsp
All purpose flour - 2 tbsp
Baking powder - 1 tsp
baking soda - 1/4 tsp

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 deg F.Mix together flour,baking powder and soda in a bowl.Keep aside.In another bowl,using a beater ,cream together peanut butter,sugar and brown sugar until well combined. Add the egg and beat again.Now add the milk and vanilla extract. Beat it until its all mixed together.Do not over beat.Stir in the flour mixture.Line a cookie sheet with aluminium foil.Grease your palm with some oil.Make lemon size balls of the dough and put it on the sheet.Press it  a little.Leave enough space between each balls for the cookies to spreaad. Bake for 10-12 mins until golden brown. Let it cool for 10-15 mins before eating.

ENJOY!!!

CHICKEN BURGER

Burgers are the most popular fast food in America.You can see that with the increasing fast food restaurants all over the country and the world.To name a few popular ones are McDonald's, burger king, Subway etc.These are the ones we rely on when we are traveling.Beef is the most popular meat here for burgers but my favorite is chicken burger.For healthier reasons I wanted to give it a try making them at home.It was a success,my hubby really loved it and so did I.Its one of the easiest thing to make.Its so moist with so much of flavor.Here is the recipe.

INGREDIENTS

Bun /bread - atleast 1

mayonnaise - just enough to spread on the bun

Onions - cut into thin rings

tomato - cut into thin rings

lettuce

dill pickles(optional)

For making the Patties:-(Use the spices and seasonings more or less to your taste)

Ground chicken - 1 lbs

Onion - 1 medium size,diced small

Green pepper - half a piece, diced small

Garlic - 2 cloves, chopped

Egg white - of 1 egg

Red chilli pdr - 2 tsp

Garlic pdr - 1 tsp

Seasoned breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup(can use plain breadcrumbs)

Dried oregano - a few sprinkles

Italian seasoning - a few sprinkles

Cajun seasoning - a few sprinkles

Cilantro - a small bunch,chopped (can use fresh parsley as well)

salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

Heat some oil in a pan.Add the onions, garlic and green pepper .Saute them well on a medium low heat until they become soft and translucent.Add salt and pepper.Ones they are done mix in the chopped cilantro.Keep aside let it cool.

In a bowl ,add the ground chicken,onion and green pepper mixture and the spices.Drop in the egg white for binding it all together.Add salt and pepper.Now use your hands to slowly mix in all the ingredients .Make medium size patties and keep them aside.

Heat a pan and coat its bottom with oil.Ones the oil is hot place the patties and cook them for 3-4 mins.Flip it over and press it down gently using a spatula and cook that side too for 3-4 mins.Using a meat thermometer check the internal temperature of the patties.For ground chicken it should be 165 deg F.If it hasnt reached that temperature continue cooking the patties flipping it every 2 mins.Keep checking the temperature.Ones they are done keep them aside on a plate.

Now keep all the ingredients nearby to arrange the bun.First lightly toast the insides of the bun/bread and apply mayonnaise on it. On the bottom half of the bun arrange the ingredients in the order of lettuce ,onions,tomatoes,dill pickles and the chicken patty.Cover it with the top half of the bun/bread.Serve it alongside ketchup and french fries.

CHIPOTLE ROASTED VEGETABLE QUESADILLA

Whenever the weather is dull like it is nowadays i crave for something spicy. Indian dishes are spicy , yes but i tend to get bored eating it. Thats when i try my hand at world cuisine. One of my favorites is Mexican food. It has the right amount of flavor and spiciness that makes it exceptionally good. If you have the ingredients mexican food is very easy to prepare. Quesadilla's are one of the many things thats easy to make.All you need are some vegetables,cheese and tortilla. Here i roasted the vegetables  and spiced it up a bit with some chipotle pepper adobo . I made some mango salsa to go on the side. They compliment each other really well.
I sometimes add some grilled chicken pieces when i want to make chicken quesadilla's.

INGREDIENTS

Quesadilla:-

Flour tortilla - atleast 2 nos
mexican cheese blend
Roasted vegetables

For Roasting Vegetables:-

Button mushroom - 5-6 nos, sliced
Onion - 1 medium size, sliced
Green pepper - 1 medium size, thinly sliced (you can also use red, orange or yellow peppers)
Corn kernels - 1/4 cup ( i used frozen)
Chipotle pepper Adobo ( composed of chipotle peppers, vinegar, onion and tomato paste or ketchup) - 1 , deseeded and chopped.
Adobo - 1-2 tbsp
Salt and pepper
Cilantro - 2 tbsp, chopped
oil
In addition to these vegetables you can also use zucchini and yellow squash.

Mango salsa:-

Semi ripe mango - 1 cup, peeled and diced small
Tomato - 1 cup, diced small
lime juice - 1 tbsp
Cilantro to garnish
salt and pepper

METHOD

Heat some oil in a non stick skillet. Add the mushroom first, stir for a couple of mins until slightly brown. Do not add salt now. Add the onions, stir for couple of mins as well.Add  the green peppers and corn kernels.Some salt and pepper. Cook it until its slightly soft. Now add the chopped chipotle pepper and the adobo.Stir in the cilantro.

In a bowl ,combine all the ingredients to make the mango salsa. Keep aside. Now to prepare the quesadilla, keep all the above mentioned ingredients close by.Heat a nonstick skillet.Spread some oil.Place a tortilla in the skillet, spread the vegetables evenly over it.Now generously put the cheese on top.Cover it all with another tortilla.Roast it until that side turns brown. Then carefully flip it and brown the other side as well. .Serve warm along with some mango salsa.

 

ENJOY!!!

Ricotta stuffed French Toast with Strawberry Compote on top

Nothing can start off your morning  right than a good satisfying whole hearty breakfast.Well this french toast made of wheat bread with flax topped with strawberry compote will definitely set your mood right.

I received this Nature Pride's Hearty Wheat with Flax bread from Foodbuzz . French Toast is one of the quickest breakfast to make when one is hungry and want something in a jiffy.I make this when i want something different than the usual dosas and idlis.

INGREDIENTS

Bread - 4-6 slices
Egg - 1
Milk - 1 cup
Sugar - 2 tbsp
orange or vanilla extract - 1 tsp

For Stuffing:-

Ricotta cheese - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 2 tbsp ( add more or little depending on ur taste)
Orange zest - of 1 orange

For Compote:-

Strawberry - 1 cup ,  sliced
sugar - 1 tbsp
water - 1 tbsp

METHOD

First to prepare the strawberry compote heat a pan and stir in all the ingredients for the sauce.Let it slowly come to a boil.Cook it until the strawberries become soft.Keep aside.

In a small bowl combine ingredients for the stuffing and keep aside.In another bowl whisk egg,milk,sugar and orange extract. Keep aside.

 

Heat a pan.Spread some butter on it.Now take 2 slices of bread and spread some generous amount of the ricotta stuffing on one of them .Place the other one on top.Dip this in the egg-milk mixture and place it on the heated griddle.Cook it on a medium low flame for a 3-4 mins or until it turns brown.Turn it and cook for the same amount of time.Serve it warm topped with the strawberry sauce and some powdered sugar.

ENJOY!!!

BROWNIES

"Belated happy new year to all of u".

Let me start this post by sharing a good news with u all. We have a new addition in our family now :).YES!!Hubby and me have been blessed with a healthy baby boy on Oct 19th ,2009.We named him Siddharth.He is 3 months old now .Its a joy having him around.Just cant wait for him to show us his new tricks as he grows.

I wanted to make some brownies for a long time now.Everytime for some reason or the other i kept postponing it.I had to share this good news with something sweet.I found no reason to postpone this any further.Just a week back i came across this very interesting brownie recipe.Unlike other brownie recipes this particular one required an unual ingredient - Avocado.Surprised!!!Well i was too and made up my mind to try it out.The result was astounding.Not a trace of avocado but a gooey rich chocolatey nutty taste.Too good to be true.Every chocolate lover has got to try this recipe out.I made some modifications to the original recipe.


INGREDIENTS

All purpose flour - 1/2 cup

Cocoa powder - 1/2 cup

Instant Espresso powder - 1 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Almonds - 1/2 cup
Cashew nuts - 1/2 cup

Dark chocolate - 3.5 oz

Canola oil - 1/2 cup

Ripe Hass avocado - 1 large

Eggs - 6 nos
Granulated sugar - 1/4 cup

Dark brown sugar - 1 cup

Dried cranberries - 1/4 cup

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 deg F.In a bowl sift together flour,cocoa,espresso pdr and salt.Light roast the nuts and chop them into small pieces.Mix it with the flour and cocoa.Chop chocolate also into small chunks and mix it with the flour and keep aside.In a blender mix together eggs, avocado, sugar, oil to a smooth paste.Now pour this mixture into the bowl with flour and cocoa and slowly mix it using a whisk.

Pour this mixture into a baking dish coated with butter.Pu the cranberries evenly on top. Bake for 30-35 mins.Let it cool completely before cutting.Serve at room temperature.

CRANBERRY CHOCOLATE COOKIES

It was a really nice long weekend for us.I made some delicious cranberry chocolate cookies for valentine's day.It may not be the appropriate sweet for the day but anything with chocolate in it sounds good to me.And if its combined with something like cranberries then there is no doubt.This heavenly combo is what attracted me to this in the first place.I saw these cookies on HC's My kitchen treasures blog and i knew it right away i have to make it.They were absolutely delicious.A little crunchy but i didnt mind that at all as long as i get a chocolate and cranberry in every bite.

The only small change i made is i added equal quantities of white and dark chocolate chips.Thank you HC for this wonderful recipe!!!

VEGETABLE PUFFS

Vegetable puffs remind me of my good old school days.After school my friends and me used to hog on these crunchy puffs from the bakery before heading for our tuition classes.I loved it so much especially the egg puffs.Thats for later ,today its vegetable puffs.Its very easy to make this goodie as long as one has these store bought puff pastry sheets in their refrigerator.One can make any kind of filling,cheese and spinach or a sweet filling or a chicken filling.The one i have made is a simple potato and onion filling.I have taken this to so many get together parties and its always a hit.
INGREDIENTS

Puff pastry sheets - 1

For Filling:-

Boiled potatoes - 2 nos

Onion - 1 medium size, sliced

Frozen peas - 1/4 cup

Fresh ginger - 1 1/2 tsp, chopped

Fresh garlic - 2 cloves, chopped

curry leaves - of 1 sprig

turmeric - 1/4 tsp

red chilli pdr - 1 1/2 tsp

cumin seeds - 1 tsp

coriander pdr - 2 tsp

cumin pdr - 1 tsp

amchur pdr - 1/4 tsp

chaat masala pdr - 1 /4 tsp

coriander leaves - a small bunch, chopped

salt to taste

METHOD

Mash the potatoes and keep aside.Heat some oil in a pan.Add cumin seeds, ginger, garlic and curry leaves.Saute for a few seconds and then add the sliced onions.Saute it until they turn soft and translucent.Then add turmeric pdr,red chilli pdr,amchur pdr ,coriander pdr,cumin pdr and chaat masala pdr.Stir well and add the peas.Add salt and stir in for a couple more mins.Now add the mashed potatoes and mix well.In the end stir in the chopped coriander leaves.Keep aside and let it cool.

Follow the box instructions and thaw the puff pastry sheets.Preheat oven to 400 deg F.Sprinkle some flour on both sides of the pastry sheets and roll it out a bit.Cut it into 9 equal squares.take a spoonful of the filling and place it on the center of the square. Close it by lifting the opposite corner over the filling and pressing it tightly.Apply some water to help seal the edges.Bake for about 10-15 mins or until it turns golden brown.Serve it warm with coffee or tea.

SAMOSA CHAAT

Samosas are a very popular snack in India and even more popular are samosa chaat.I remember having it from the roadside stalls or carts in manipal during my college days.We went there whenever my friends and i wanted to have some.They are so delicious and very fulfilling with layers of masala gravy,yogurt ,onions, tomatoes,tamarind sauce,green chutney and sev.Its very easy to make at home ones you have the samosas.I use store bought ones to prepare the chaat.

This is my post on day 25 of RM 2.

INGREDIENTS

Samosas - Atleast 1

white chana/garbanzo beans - 1 can

turmeric pdr - 1/2 tsp

red chilli pdr - 1 tsp

cumin seeds - 1 tsp

asafoetida - a pinch

sugar - a pinch

cilantro - a bunch,chopped

yogurt/sour cream - 1/2 cup

onions - 1/2 cup,chopped

tomato - 1/2 cup , diced

chaat masala - few sprinkles

cumin pdr - few sprinkles,roasted

tamarind sauce 3-4 tbsp

green chutney - 2-3 tbsp(optional)

Thin sev - 1 cup

salt

METHOD

First prepare the masala gravy.heat some oil in a pan.Add cumin seeds,turmeric pdr,asafoetida and red chilli pdr.Now pour the canned garbanzo beans and some water.Add salt and a pinch of sugar.Let it simmer for soe time.Using a masher coarsely mash the beans.Garnish with cilantro.Keep aside.Whisk the yogurt smoothly and keep aside.

Heat a griddle/tawa.Place the samosa on it and gently flatten it.Let it crisp on one side and then turn it to crisp the other side too.Now keep rest of the ingredients nearby before assembling the chaat.

Break the samosa to 3-4 pieces and place it on a plate.Generously pour some of the masala gravy on top.Now add a layer of yogurt.On top of this sprinkle chaat masala ,roasted cumin pdr and red chilli pdr.Put some of the onions and tomatoes on top.Now pour some of the green chutney and tamarind sauce and then generously sprinkle the top with sev.Serve immediately.

Do check what my fellow marathoners have cooked up today!!!

1) DK 2) Srivalli 3) PJ 4) Curry Leaf 5) Medha 6) Priya 7) Bhawna 8) Raaji 9) Ruchii 10)Anu 11) Kamala 12) Roopa13) Divya Kudua 14) Rekha 15) Divya M 16) Lakshmi 17) Raaga 18)Lakshmi Venkatesh 19) Sripriya 20) Viji 21) Pavani 22) Kamalika 23) Karuna 24) Roochi

STEAMED PEANUT SHELLS

There are exactly 2 things i like about the winter in US.One is watching a snow fall from our patio door and the other is the weekly football matches.We simply love to watch the football matches with a bowl full of steamed peanut shells to munch on.They are so soft ,delicious and healthy as well.I feel a lot more happier and guiltless eating a steamed peanut shell than if we were to eat potato chips or popcorn.

INGREDIENTS

Shelled peanuts - 5-6 cups,raw

salt

water


METHOD

Put the peanuts in a vessel that will fit in a pressure cooker or u can directly put in the pressure cooker vessel itself.Add water ,just enough to cover the peanuts.Add generous amount of salt,give a stir and let it cook on medium heat for 3 whistles.Remove from heat and let it rest till the pressure completely goes.Drain off the water and serve immediately.

NOTE:-One can also make peanut upkari using the steamed peanuts by adding a tadka of mustard seeds,cumin seeds,curryleaves and red chillies.Remove the peanuts from the shell and add it into the tadka pan.Stir and chk salt.Serve it with rice and dal.

Check what my marathon buddies have cooked up in their kitchen today!!!

1) DK 2) Srivalli 3) PJ 4) Curry Leaf 5) Medha 6) Priya 7) Bhawna 8) Raaji 9) Ruchii 10)Anu 11) Kamala 12) Roopa13) Divya Kudua 14) Rekha 15) Divya M 16) Lakshmi 17) Raaga 18)Lakshmi Venkatesh 19) Sripriya 20) Viji 21) Pavani 22) Kamalika 23) Karuna 24) Roochi

ROASTED CUMIN POTATOES

Roasted potatoes with cumin is a perfect side dish to have along with almost anything. You can have it instead of french fries with sandwiches and burgers and is lot more flavorful and healthier since there is no deep frying involved.One can also have it as an appetiser.It can be made in a jiffy with all the ingredients readily available in your pantry.The potatoes are simply boiled and then roasted on medium heat with cumin and some spices.

This is my post on day 20 of RM2.

INGREDIENTS

Potatoes - 4 medium size

cumin seeds - 2-3 tsp

turmeric - 1/2 tsp

red chilli pdr - 1 tsp

amchur/mango pdr - 1/2 tsp

salt to taste

oil

METHOD

Boil and cook the potatoes until they are just done.Be careful not to overcook the potatoes. They will turn mushy and wont keep its shape while roasting.Peel off the skin and cut it into large cubes.Keep aside.

In a wide flat bottom pan add some oil just enough to cover the bottom surface.When its hot add the cumin seeds,turmeric and red chilli pdr.Immediately add the potatoes pieces and toss it so that its evenly coated with the spices and cumin.Stirring it with spatula will squish them.So tossing is the best option .Add salt.Spread out the potatoes evenly in the pan and let it roast on medium heat until they turn golden brown.Dont disturb the potatoes for some time,that will help them to get a nice brown crust.In order to get the best result use a nonstick pan.Roast all the sides of the potatoes.Serve hot with burgers or rice.

Now its time to check my fellow marathoners blogs.Cant wait to see what they have posted today!!!

1) DK 2) Srivalli 3) PJ 4) Curry Leaf 5) Medha 6) Priya 7) Bhawna 8) Raaji 9) Ruchii 10)Anu 11) Kamala 12) Roopa13) Divya Kudua 14) Rekha 15) Divya M 16) Lakshmi 17) Raaga 18)Lakshmi Venkatesh 19) Sripriya 20) Viji 21) Pavani 22) Kamalika 23) Karuna 24) Roochi

PINEAPPLE CAKE

Cake is everyone's most favorite dessert.I had some canned pineapples in my pantry and i wanted to make something with it other than the usual pineapple rasam (which i will talk about in a different post).Pineapple cake was the first thing that came in my mind.I used a basic vanilla cake recipe as a base.To give it the pineapple flavor i used pineapple juice as the liquid ingredient and to top it i also added chopped pineapples in the batter to give it that extra zing.The cake so moist and tasty.My husband said its one of the best cake i ever made.I just couldnt be happier.
This goes for the Recipe marathon -day 6


INGREDIENTS

All purpose flour(bleached) - 2 1/2 cups
sugar - 2 cups
eggs - 3
baking pdr - 2 1/4 tsp
pineapple juice(unsweetened) - 1 cup
oil - 1/2 cup
vanilla - 2 tsp
salt - a pinch
pineapple chunks - 1 cup,chopped

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 deg F. Sift all the dry ingredients-flour,baking pdr and salt and keep aside.In a mixing bowl whisk together eggs and sugar for a couple of minutes.Mix in the oil,vanilla essence and pineapple juice.Then slowly add the dry ingredients and mix it well.Do not overmix.Stir in the chopped pineapple chunks in the end.Spray the cake pan with a non stick spray and pour the batter in it.Bake the cake for 40-50 mins or until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.Let it cool before removing the cake from the pan.Store it in room temperature,closed for upto 5-6 days.Serve it just plain or with chocolate sauce .

Check what's cooking in rest of the marathoners blog :-

1) DK

2) Siri

3) Srivalli

5)PJ

6)Curry Leaf

7)Medha

8)Priya

9)Bhawna

10)Raaji

11)Ruchii

12)Anu

13)Kamala

14)Roopa

15)Divya Kudua

16)Rekha

17)Divya M

18)Lakshmi

19)Raaga

20)Lakshmi Venkatesh

21)Sripriya

22)Viji

23)Pavani