Chocolate Biscotti

Who doesn't love chocolates? I wanted to open my pack of cocoa powder for making something, but at first, I thought of using it in mocha only ;) Planned to bake chocolate cake several times, but didn't do that as well... Meanwhile, I came across a page where I read a monthly challenge posted for home bakers!!!

Immediately sent a request to join 'Baking Partners' group... And I received a confirmation email too within 24 hours by Swathi :) I would like to thank her for including me in this challenge...

Now being a part of this group, I was supposed to bake any/all of the given International goodies! I planned to make 2 of them but somehow couldn't manage the other one :(

Here is a recipe of eggless 'Italian Chocolate Biscotti' that I tried for the 1st time in my home-bakery!!!

Makes: 7-8 (1 log)

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup All-purpose Flour (Maida)

1 tsp Baking Powder

1/4 tsp Baking Soda

2 tbsp Cocoa Powder

1/4 cup Sugar

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/4 cup Chocolate Chips

1/4 cup Oil

A pinch of Salt

Water, as required

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

- Sieve maida, baking powder, baking soda and cocoa powder in a big bowl.

- Add rest of all ingredients in it and mix well.

- Knead a soft dough by adding water gradually into it. 

- Prepare a log out of it and arrange it on a lined baking tray.

- Bake it in pre-heated oven on 180° for around 20 mins. Then after, transfer it to a cooling rack and let it cool down to room temp.

- Cut the log into slices of your preferred thickness. 

- Bake them again in pre-heated oven for 10 more mins.

- Serve with a cuppa tea or coffee!!! 

SJ's NOTE:

- Once it's cooled down to room temp, can be kept in air-tight container for a week long.

- Add a fistful of almonds (or your choice of nuts) to add more crunchiness n flavors!

Spinach-Paneer Pizza

If I make a pizza in my kitchen and don't bring those authentic Indian flavors... It's useless ;) 

Expressions on my husband's face were worth-watching when I told him that I was making a 'Spinach-Paneer Pizza'!!! He definitely doubted to have a delicious dinner that time... :P But when he grabbed a 1st bite, I saw a big smile on his face... It was just too yummy to have! 

You too try this 'Indian' topping ingredients for your next pizza bake :)

Makes: 2

INGREDIENTS:

2 Soft-Pizza bases

1 cup Blanched Spinach

1/2 cup Paneer (cottage-cheese) Chunks

1/4 cup Boiled Corn

1 cup Pizza Sauce

1 cup Pizza Cheese

1/4 tsp Kasoori Methi (crushed)
1/4 tsp Kitchen King

Salt, to taste

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

- Heat a teaspoon of olive oil in pan. Add paneer chunks with a pinch of salt and kitchen king masala into it. Toss it well with spices.

- Turn off the heat in a min and transfer to another bowl. Let it cool down to room temp.

- Chop the spinach into strips and add it into bowl along with boiled corn. Mix everything well. 

- Take a soft-pizza base and spread 1/2 cup pizza sauce evenly over it.

- Arrange 1/2 of the topping mixture onto it. 

- Sprinkle 1/2 cup pizza cheese over it and then kasoori methi. Repeat the same process for another pizza.

- Bake them in preheated oven for around 12-15 mins on 200 degrees. 

SJ's NOTE:

- Blanching: It's a cooking technique where an element is kept into boiling water for around 2-3 mins. 

Follow the same process for spinach. Drain excess water after that and rinse with chilled water to retain the green color or spinach.

Linking it to Guru's Cooking - Kids Special Event!!!

Mushroom-Onions Pizza

We love pizza, but avoid having them many a times just 'coz that isn't a healthy option to have on menu every now n then! :( After a long time, couldn't control my inner urge to make one at home :P

For the 1st time I had store-bought soft-pizza bases :( Didn't have much time left for dinner to make a dough n ferment n roll n all... Phewwwww!!! Here is a pizza with sliced mushrooms n caramelized onions picked for toppings :) I added a little amount of capsicum n corn too for a crunchy texture, which can be eliminated for sure!

Makes: 2

INGREDIENTS:

2 Soft-Pizza Bases

8 Button Mushrooms 

1 cup Onion (caramelized)

1/4 cup Chopped Capsicum

1 cup Pizza Sauce (I used grilled veggies flavor)

Oregano, to sprinkle

1 cup Pizza Cheese

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

- Wash and trim button mushrooms properly. Cut them into thin slices.

- Heat one teaspoon of olive oil in pan. 

- Add sliced mushrooms, onions and capsicum into it and sprinkle a pinch of salt. 

- Toss everything on high heat. 

- Take a soft-pizza base and spread 1/2 cup pizza sauce evenly over it.

- Arrange 1/2 of the topping mixture onto it. 

- Sprinkle 1/2 cup pizza cheese over it and then oregano. Repeat the same process for another pizza.

- Bake them in preheated oven for around 12-15 mins on 200 degrees. 

SJ's NOTE:

- Here is a link to follow for caramelizing onions:

http://myownfoodcourt.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/caramelized-onions.html

- A recipe to make pizza-sauce will be posted soon! :)

Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

Who doesn't love cheese??!!! And specially if you talk about kids, they hate veggies but love cheese :) A combination of both in one casserole - "Cheesy Cauliflower Bake"! Very mild flavors of Italian seasoning... Smoky flavors of baked cauliflower n creamy texture of cheese... Yummm, a perfect bake to include as a side on main course!

Already had a half head cauliflower in veggie rack n I got one more! Couldn't think of anything else than combining it with cheese n simply bake, to accompany my creamy shell pasta for dinner :P

INGREDIENTS:

15-20 Cauliflower Florets
2 tbsp Grated Cheese
1 tsp Dried Oregano
1/2 tsp Chilly Flakes
2 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt, to taste

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

- Preheat the oven on 200º for 5 mins.
- Take cauliflower florets in a big bowl and add olive oil, oregano, chilly flakes, lemon juice and salt into it.
- Mix everything well and transfer it to a baking bowl.
- Put this bowl in oven to bake for around 30 mins (turning it once in between).
- Sprinkle cheese over it and bake it for 5 more mins.
- It's ready to serve as a side for your family dinner! :)

SJ's NOTE: 

- Adjust the amount of cheese as per your taste. Kids would love it more!
- I used a combo of 3 cheese: Mozzarella, Cheddar & Parmesan here.

Mushroom Spaghetti

Spaghetti - A type of thin, cylindrical pasta and that too with garlicky mushroom flavor! Yummm...

It's very easy, quick to cook under 30 mins and of course, super delicious! It looks and tastes as good as anything you order in Italian eating joint, if you're a pasta-lover. Optionally, add a bunch of roasted / grilled veggies i.e. broccoli, carrots, capsicum to the dish... And it's definitely a treat to kids!

Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS:

6 Button Mushrooms

1/2 pack Spaghetti (I used semolina-based)

2 Garlic cloves (finely chopped)

3 tsp Olive Oil

1 tsp Mixed Herbs

1/4 tsp Paprika

4-5 drops of Capsico Sauce (Option: 1 tsp Red chilly sauce)

Salt, to taste

Slurry Mix--

1 tsp Cornstarch

3 tsp Water

METHOD:

- Boil water in a big vessel and add 1 tsp olive oil along with salt. Add spaghetti in it and boil it for around 5-7 mins. Turn off the heat when it's 85%-90% done. 

- Drain excess water out of it, rinse with fresh water and apply 1 tsp olive oil to keep them non-sticky. 

- Wash and trim (remove stems) of button mushrooms and slice them medium-thick.

- Heat olive oil in a deep pan and add minced garlic to it. Saute it for a few seconds.

- Add sliced mushrooms and cook it for 30-35 seconds only. Make sure you don't overcook it.

- Mix all the spices and capsico sauce. Add cooked spaghetti and pour cornstarch slurry over it.

- Toss it gently and serve hot!!!

SJ's NOTE:

- Can be a quick, simple meal to be served with garlic bread.
- To make it more kids-friendly, sprinkle cheese on top... It will definitely be a kids-party pleaser :)

- The best to be a part of Italian Sizzler!!! 

Strawberry Panna Cotta

MAKES: 2

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup Full Cream
1/2 cup Milk
1/2 cup Caster Sugar
1/4 cup Strawberries (chopped)
1 tsp Gelatin (Agar-Agar powder/flakes, for core-vegetarian)
5-6 tsp Water

METHOD:

- Take full cream, milk and sugar in a pan and bring to the boil (around 4-5 mins) it on medium-heat.
- Turn off the heat and add chopped strawberries.
- Mix gelatin with water and add it to cream mixture.
- Transfer the prepared mix in ramekins or silicone moulds and cool it down to the room temperature.
- Keep it in the freeze to set for 4-5 hours and serve chilled.

SJ's NOTE:

- Unmoulding them is optional.
- Take 2-3 chopped strawberries and caster sugar in pan with 2-3 tsp water. Cook it for around a minute and drizzle on the plate while serving.
- Can be served with butter cookies or fresh strawberries.

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