Ingredients

For the pasta

• Raw Pasta : 200 Gms
• Broccoli : 15 to 20 florets
• Capsicum: 1/2 sliced
• Fresh cream 250 Ml
• Salt
• Water
• Olive oil or any refined oil

For the sauce

• Egg yolk : 1
• Parmesan cheese : 1 Tbspn
• Fresh Cream : 1 Tbsp

Method

1. Boil water and cook pasta for 10 mins. Do not over cook
2. In another pan heat oil and saute the vegetables for 5 mins
3. Meanwhile mix the egg yolk, cheese and cream with a for and keep the sauce ready.
4. Strain the pasta once cooked and drizzle some olive oil and mix and keep aside
5. Once the vegetables turns soft add the fresh cream and mix well until cream is warm
6. Add the cooked pasta and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste
7. Mix in the sauce and switch off flame and give a good toss, add more cream to adjust consistency. 
8. Yummy and simple healthy version of pasta is ready to serve.

Happy Cooking!!

Shabana

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Meatballs in Sauce

 
These yummy meatballs uses ground beef seasoned with bread crumbs, eggs, cheese, salt and pepper. They are then rolled into small balls and cooked by braising in sauce. You can however omit preparing the sauce and can simply bake, steam or fry these meat balls. 

Ingredients

For the sauce

• Onion: 1 diced
• Garlic: 2-3 cloves smashed
• Crushed Tomatoes: 400 gms can
• Tomato paste: 100 gms
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Ground beef: 50 gm ( optional)
• Oregano or Italian Seasoning; 1 Tbsp
• Olive oil: 2 Tbsp

For the meat balls

 

• Ground beef: 500 gms
• Egg: 1
• Milk: 1/4 cup
• breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup
• oregano: 1 tsp
• Garlic powder: 1 Tsp (optional, add garlic paste instead)
• Salt: 1 Tsp
• Pepper: 1 - 2 Tsp
• Parmesan cheese: 2- 3 Tbsp (optional)

Method

 

Preparing the sauce

1. Heat oil and saute the onions and garlic until translucent. If adding the meat add them once the onions are soft and allow it to brown slightly
2. Once meat changes colour add the tomatoes crushed and the paste and add all the seasonings and half a cup of water and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes. While the sauce is getting ready lets prepare the meatballs.

Preparing the meat balls

1. Add all the ingredients mentioned in the ingredient list and mix very well with hands. 
2. Make lime sized balls of the mix and keep ready.

 

Putting the meat balls in the sauce

1. Once the sauce is simmering for 20 minutes add the meat balls and allow it to simmer for another 30 minutes until the meat balls are cooked and sauce thickens. If you find the sauce is getting too thick in between add some water to adjust consistency and continue to simmer.
2. Serve hot with preferred pasta or rice dish.

Note: You can use chicken mince instead of the beef mince to prepare these meat balls.

If you prefer cheesy meat balls, while rolling out the mixture just keep a small mozzarella cube in between and roll the meat balls.

You can also omit the sauce and simply bake the meat balls in 180 degree Celsius for 15 - 20 minutes

or you can shallow fry them in olive oil or even steam them for the most healthiest option.   

Try it in the way you love it!!

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Happy Cooking!!

Shabana.

 

 

 

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Berry Tiramisu

Here is a twist on a classical dessert that highlights another flavour combo that we loved at home. This tiramisu uses a berry flavour instead of the traditional coffee and cocoa. The lady fingers dipped in orange juice gives it a unique flavor and I have used a cream mix instead of mascarpone cheese. Lets look into how we can get it done.

Ingredients

Serves: 6-7 

For the cream layer

• Thick Cream: 150 gms
• Whipping cream: 50 Gms
• Powdered Sugar: 5-6 Tbsp ( Can adjust to taste)

For the biscuit layer

• Lady finger biscuits: 1 pack
• Orange juice to dip the biscuits

For the Berry jam layer

• Any berries of choice; 300 Gms ( fresh or Frozen)
• Sugar: 100 - 120 Gms

Method

1. Prepare the berry jam by heating the strawberries and the sugar until the sugar melts completely. Allow to cool and refrigerate until ready to be used
2. Whip the cream until soft peaks are formed and then add the thick cream and sugar and give a good mix with a spatula
3. Take an appropriate dish to arrange the dessert which is about 4 inch of height and form the bottom most layer with the lady finger biscuits after dipping them in fresh orange juice. 

On top of this layer spread the cream layer and then the berry jam. 

Keep repeating until all the cream and jam is used up. Keep in mind that the top most layer should be the cream.

Dust a teaspoon of cocoa powder through a sieve on top of the cream layer to give that finishing touch.

Allow to set in fridge for 5-6 hours.
Slice and enjoy

Note: You can also set this desserts in individual ramekins or pudding bowls and serve as a whole or set it in one big dish and slice according to need.

I used strawberries and blueberries for this recipe but you can choose any berry of your liking.

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Happy dessert time!!

Shabana

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Technology makes your life lot easier! This saying goes very true in your work space, well in my case its the kitchen! Recently tried out kneading pizza dough in my Food Processor and it came out amazing and nothing less than a ' store bought ' base; or should I say its better! Try out this amazingly easy pizza dough and top it with your favourite pizza sauce and toppings.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour : 1.5 cups
• Warm water (not boiling) : 1/2 cup and a couple of tablespoons more
• Instant yeast : heaped 1/2 tsp
• Salt : 1/2 tsp
• Granulated Sugar : 1 tsp
• Olive oil : 1 tbspn

Method

1. Put all the ingredients except water to the processor and knead for minute so that all ingredients mix well with the flour
2. Gradually pour the measured warm water into the processor and keep kneading until it forms a soft dough and doesn't stick to your fingers
3. Brush the dough with some oil and allow it to rest in the processor for 45 mins
4. Take the dough and roll it to a large circular pizza and top it with your favourite sauces, veggies or meat and mozzarella

Method for barbecue chicken pizza

 Pre heat oven to 220 Degree Celsius

1. Place the rolled out dough on a pizza tray or use the base of a spring foam cake tin if you are a beginner so that your pizza gets a perfect shape. Trim out the edges.

2. Spread a generous amount of pizza sauce of choice. Here i used a mix of tomato paste and ready made barbecue sauce. Simply mix 1 tablespoon tomato paste with 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce.

3. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce




4. Add all preferred toppings (veg or non veg). Here I used some caramelized onions (check note below), bell peppers and chicken chunks in barbecue sauce.







5. Top it with generous amount of mozzarella




6. Pop it into the hot oven in the middle rack and cook for 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on it after 10 minutes and bake till cheese is all melted and slightly bubbling

Note : Roll out the dough very thin if you want a thin crust pizza and keep it thick for a thick crust pizza. Both works out perfect. 

If you are adding chicken chunks to your pizza just marinate with chilli powder and salt and shallow fry it before adding to the pizza. This will give a nice flavour. You can also cook it with some salt then shred it and mix it with some barbecue sauce and arrange on your pizza . 
To caramelize the onion simply saute the onions in little olive oil and add half teaspoon brown sugar and keep sauteing on high flame until it changes colour.

Variation : If you want to substitute the all purpose flour with wheat to make a wheat pizza you can go for it. The ratio is 1/2 cup all purpose flour for 1 cup of wheat.

Suggestions for toppings

Diced White onions

Capsicums

Mushrooms

Sausages

Pepperoni

Meat chunks

Green/Black Olives

Tomatoes

Pizza with pepperoni and mozzarella

The Slice with pepperoni 

Chicken tikka (tikka recipe) and Mozzarella 

Hot from the oven

Topped with Mushrooms, olives, bell peppers and cheddar slices

Enjoy!!

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Happy Baking!!
Shabana

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Strawberry Panna Cotta - Its the time of the year for some Reds, and strawberries are the ones you may have a handful of.... Lets create a loving impression for those dear ones !

Ingredients

Makes about 4 servings

• Milk: 200 ml
• Whipping cream: 200 ml
• Gelatin powder: 1/2 tbsp (5 g)
• Sugar: 1/4 cup
• vanilla extract: 1 tsp

For the Strawberry Sauce

• Fresh or frozen strawberries: 300 gms
• water: 2 tbsp
• Sugar:1/3 cup (70g) 
• Gelatin: 1/2 tsp

Method

1. Dissolve gelatin in 2 tbsp cold water and let it swell for about 5 to 10 minutes. 
2. In a medium saucepan bring the cream, milk and sugar to a simmer over medium-low heat (Do not boil). When sugar has dissolved remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Let cool for 5 minutes before adding the gelatin. 
3. Add gelatin in the milk mixture and stir until the gelatin has completely dissolved. Pour it in the serving glasses as shown below to make it look attractive. Just keep glasses tilted and pour the mixture and allow to set in the same inclined position.
4. To prepare the sauce cut strawberries in quarters. In a small saucepan put the strawberries, sugar and water. Bring to a simmer and remove from heat immediately. 
5. Pour into the bowl of a blender or food processor and blend the mixture to make a smooth sauce. Pass through a strainer to remove the seeds out of the sauce, if needed. Mix half tsp gelatin in little hot water and once dissolved add it to the sauce and dissolve completely.Cover and let it cool to room temperature then refrigerate until ready to serve.
6.  Before serving pour the strawberry sauce over the panna cotta and serve.

Pouring the panna cotta to set

Note: You can always use your creativity and change the type of berries you add in this dessert. Try it with blueberries, cranberries or apricots and peaches..

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Happy dessert time!!

Shabana

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' Macaroni and Cheese ' is one of the favorite Cheese recipes of America. It is said to be born in Italy and now it is a best seller in its 'boxed' version. I am sharing with you a no bake version and this takes very less effort and time to cook.

Ingredients

• Macaroni : 2 cups
• All purpose flour : 2 tbsp
• Milk : 1.5 cup
• Cheddar cheese : 1.5 cups
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Cook the pasta according to packet instructions and keep aside
2. To about half cup of milk mix the flour without lumps.
3. Meanwhile add the remaining 1 cup milk to a pan and heat it ( need not boil). Once the milk is moderately hot add the flour mixture and stir and cook for 3-4 minutes.
4. To this add the grated cheese and mix well until all cheese is well melted. 
5. Add salt and pepper to taste
6. Add the cooked macaroni and mix well in the cheese sauce 

Serve it hot! The beauty of this dish is that you can add any seasonings of your choice.
However this is the simplest!

Happy cooking!!
Shabana.

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Tiramisu

This is one of those few desserts that I learnt to make during my initial experiments with food. This recipe was shared by an old friend of mine and it has been my favorite since then not only because of the easiness to make when compared to the traditional recipes but also the great taste. Tiramisu is an Italian dessert traditionally made from mascarpone cheese and lady finger biscuits but today i am going to share with you a 'No Cheese' recipe and trust me its no less in taste. The name of the dessert means"pick me up" which is definitely gonna happen once you taste this cocoa - coffee flavoured dessert.

Ingredients

• Lady finger biscuits : 15-18 nos.
• Egg yolks : 3 nos
• Powdered sugar 1cup ( can be adjusted according to taste)
• Vanilla essence : 1tsp
• Thick black coffee without sugar : 1-1.5 cups (to dip biscuits)
• Thick cream ( breakfast cream) : 350ml
• A setting dish where 6 biscuits can form a layer and having space for three such layers and filling in between

Thick cream

Lady Finger Biscuits (Two Variants)

Method

1. Double boil the egg yolks and cook for less than a minute on simmering flame ( very slight cooking needed)
2. To a mixing bowl add the cream and  sieve the egg mixture and mix well with a spatula,
3. Add vanilla essence and powdered sugar and mix well  ( sugar level can be altered at this stage keeping in mind Tiramisu is a mild dessert with less sweet)
4. In the setting dish arrange the biscuits after a quick dip in the coffee  mix. After a layer of biscuits its time to spread 1/3 rd of the cream mix and level with a spatula without damaging the lady finger biscuits. Repeat the step with biscuits and then the filling and then the last layer of biscuits and the top layer to be spread with all the left over cream mix and levelled with a spatula.
5. Using a coffee strainer or a sieve dust the top layer with cocoa powder and  allow to set in fridge till the cream sets ( approximately 6-7 hrs)
6. Cut into big squares with all layers and serve

Happy cooking!!

Shabana 

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Lasagne

Lasagne is a traditional Italian dish, a flat shaped Pasta, oven baked with intervening layers of Béchamel and meat sauce and cheese. This is an easy homemade version without ricotta cheese. The preparation of lasagne  has mainly three steps: one is making the meat sauce and the second being the preparation of Béchamel sauce and finally the assembling and baking. So lets get started!

Ingredients for the meat sauce

• Spaghetti or pasta sauce of your choice : 1 bottle ( 350-400Gms)
• Ground or minced beef : 500 Gms
• Onion : 1 ( diced to small cubes)
• Cloves of garlic : 4-5 (crushed)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking oil : 3-4 tbsp.
• Water : 1/3 rd cup
• Italian seasoning or dried basil

Ingredients for the Béchamel Sauce

• Butter : 3 tbsp.
• All purpose flour : 3 tbsp.
• Fresh milk : 1 cup
• Cheddar cheese : 1/4 cup

Other ingredients

• Lasagne sheets
• water for boiling
• Mozarella cheese : 60-70 gms
• Parmesan cheese : 40gms
• Crushed Tomatoes : 100gms

Making the meat sauce

1. Add oil to wok and add the minced beef and break to small pieces using a spoon
2. Add the diced onions and garlic
3. Add the spaghetti sauce and the seasonings.( wash the bottle with 1/3rd cup of water and add along with the sauce)
4. Close lid and cook in low flame

Making the Béchamel sauce

1. Heat the butter in a pan
2. Add the flour 1 tbsp. at a time and blend well with the butter
3. Mix well in very slow flame until the dough mixes well with butter
4. Stir in the milk slowly by adding very little at a time and make it into a creamy sauce
5. After stirring in all the milk add in the cheese and mix till cheese melts.

Cooking the lasagne sheets

Boil water in a wide vessel and add some salt and oil to the water and add the noodles and cook for not more than 5 minutes. Do not cook the sheets completely. Drain water and keep aside


Assembling the Lasagne 

Take a square dish or rectangular dish which has space to align 3-4 lasagne sheets and is tall enough to accommodate 2-3 layers of sauces and noodles.

1. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the dish
2. Layer the noodles by slightly overlapping
3. Add a generous amount of béchamel and cover the noodles
4. Add the meat sauce on top of it and sprinkle the mozzarella and parmesan
5. Repeat the process by adding noodles again and then béchamel and the meat sauce and both the cheese
6. The top layer needs to be the sauces topped with generous amount of mozzarella and parmesan.

Baking the lasagne

Place in a pre heated oven at 200° C and bake for 30 minutes until the cheese has bubbled and the cheese slightly changes colour on top. Cut into squares and serve hot!

Enjoy Baking!!
Shabana.

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