Mango Thin Sliced Bread

This is home baked bread and a very basic mango flavored bread recipe. I love making fresh breads for my family. Its hygienic, nutritious. Moreover, I know whats going in there. You can save it in a refrigerator for a week or freeze it for months and eat it whenever you feel like. Just take it out and microwave it for 2 minutes and your sweet tooth will say Thank you :) to you. You can try your own flavor and enjoy it. The texture is so good that I feel like sending it to my parents. My mom-in-law is a huge fan of my baking. Just try it this is very simple and delicious recipe.

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Ingredients:

1. Bread flour - 3 cups
2. Mango Puree - 3 cups
3. Baking Soda - 1 tsp
4. Baking Powder - 4 tsp
5. Sugar - 1 1/2 cups 
6. Olive Oil - 3/4 cup
7. Vanilla extract - 2 tsp
8. Salt - 1/2 tsp
9. Cinnamon or nutmeg (optional) - 1/2 tsp

Method:

1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Put parchment paper in the loaf pan or spray it with oil.
3. Mix the flour with baking soda, cinnamon, salt and sugar.
4. Whisk mango puree, olive oil, vanilla extract together.
5. Now mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients.
6. Just mix it do not beat it. 
7. Shift the batter in the loaf pan.
8. Bake for 50-60 mins. Time may vary according to oven.
9. Insert tooth pic and if it comes out clean. It means you bread is ready.
10. Let it cool for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to the wire rack.
11. Cut it into slices and enjoy it with tea or eat it as a dessert.

Substitutions:.

1. Bread flour can be replaced by all-purpose flour.
2. Olive oil can be replaced by any oil or Butter. However I prefer olive oil in cooking. Its healthy & tasty.
3. Mango puree can be substituted with water or milk.
4. If you like, you can add mango chunks 1 1/2 cups.
5. Adding nuts (3/4 cup) will be a option if you are not allergic.
6. Dry yeast (1/4 tbsp) can be used instead of baking soda. But you need to dissolve it in warm water and let it sit for 10 mins to be frothy.

Tips:

1. Reduce Sugar if you like less sweet. I ll do 1 cup next time.

Lettuce Wrapped Salad

Lettuce wrapped salad is a healthy alternative meal or you can make this as a simple side. These are easy, light and super tasty dish with full of colorful vegetables. This also has a antioxidant-rich dried cranberries. This is a great and healthy substitute for Tacos with a fresh and crispy lettuce leaves. I love to serve this because it has a great source of protein and we are vegetarians with no eggs. My husband and I were never been a huge fan of salads, but when we started trying with variety of combinations, we started liking it. And now my husband can live on my homemade salads.  

We can do it with whatever vegetables we like. Add tofu or cheese (indian cheese) for extra flavor and it will make you full for longer. Make dressing according to your taste. If you like tangy flavor go for ranch dressing, creamy flavor go for caesar dressing, vinegratte, honey mustard, french, italian and make it in a way you like.

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Ingredients:

1. Edamame shelled frozen - 2 cups
2. Cranberries dried - 1/4 cup
3. Corn kennels frozen -2 tbsp
4. Carrots diced - 1 cup
5. Onion diced - 1/2 cup (optional)
6. Red pepper - 1/2 cup (optional)
7. Basil fresh - 1/4 cup (optional)
8. Olive Oil - 2 tbsp
9. Sugar - 1/2 tsp
10. Basil dried - 1 tbsp
11. White vinegar - 2 tbsp
12. Salt and black pepper

Method:

1. Cook edamame and corn for 5 mins in a boiling water and then drain and rinse it under a cold water.
2. Toss all the vegetables in a salad bowl from step (1 - 7).
3. Pour an olive oil in a cup and slowly add white vinegar and sugar and then whisk it.
4. Keep the dressing for 15 mins in the refrigerator.
5. Before serving toss the vegetables with the dressing add basil salt & pepper.
6. You are ready to serve it over fresh lettuce leaves.

Substitutions:

1. Olive oil can be replaced by any oil or Butter. However I prefer olive oil in cooking. Its healthy & tasty.
2. Microwave edamame and corn separately for 3 minutes.

Tips:

1. Add tofu or crumbled feta cheese on top.
2. For different dressing recipe please check my other post.

Eggless Apple Carrot Cake

 

A simple, rich and moist spice cake. It has a great flavor, texture & color and taste delicious with cream cheese frosting. Hit on the LIKE button if you like it.

Ingredients:

1. Whole Wheat Flour (King Arthur) - 2 cups
2. Baking Soda - 1 tbsp
3. Baking Powder -1 tbsp
4. Cinnamon - 1 tbsp
5. Pinch of salt
6. Yogurt - 1 1/2 cup
7. Olive Oil- 1/2 cup
8. Sugar - 1 cup
9. Pureed Carrot - 1 cup
10. 1 1/2 Apple chopped
11.  Fresh Orange Juice- 5 tbsp
12. Vanilla - 2 tbsp
13. Choclate Chips- 1/2 cup

Method:

1.  Sift together the flour, baking soda and powder and salt & cinnamon; set aside.
2. Whisk together yogurt, oil, vanilla, juice, pureed carrot and sugar well.
3. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients which we set aside earlier until the flour is combined.
4. Gently fold in the chopped apples and choclate chips.
5. Pour the batter in the cake pan and bake it on 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
6. Cool the cake in the pan for at least 5 minutes then shift to the cooling rack.
7. Enjoy it warm with cream cheese frosting if you like.

Substitutions:

1.  Olive oil can be replaced by canola oil or Butter
2.  Orange Juice or water or cow milk  anything is fine
3.  Choclate chips can be substitued by butterfinger chips, walnuts , or pecans
4. Pureed carrot can be switched with heap of shredded carrots
5. Cinnamon powder can be replaced by all spice powder or pumpin pie spice

Tips:

1. Add a tablespoon of cinnamon if you like
2.  Cooking time may vary it depends on the oven
3.  Liquid quantity can be varied according to your cup size

Chana Chhole Chickpeas Masala

Who doesn't love Chhole Masala. This is a very popular dish in Indian cuisine. Chhole Masala is a big hit in my family and one of my favorite dish too. This goes well with Bhatura, Poori, Rice, Roti, Parantha etc. Chickpeas are very high in protein. Easy to prepare and good for any occasion. 

Ingredient:

1. 1 cup chana / chickpeas (soaked overnight)
2. 3 green chili  (finely chopped)
3. 2 medium onion (finely chopped)
4. 3 medium tomatoes  (finely chopped)
5. Cilantro leaves (to garnish - optional)
6. 2 tea spoon minced ginger & garlic 
7. 2-3 tea bags

Spices:

1. 2 spoon oil
2. Salt 
3. Red chili powder (depends on your spice level)
4. 1 bay leaf
5. 1/2" cinnamon stick
6. 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
7. Pinch of asafetida

Roasted Powdered Spices: (Can be substituted with any ready-made Chana Chhola Masala)

1. 1 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
2. 1 1/2 teaspoon pomegranate seeds
3. 1" cinnamon stick
4. 2 black cardamon
5. 3 cloves
6. 7 pepper corns
7. 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

Method:

1. Wash & soak the chickpeas overnight in the water
2. Cook the chickpeas with enough water, salt, tea bags, cinnamon stick & black cardamon for 5-6 whistles until it becomes soft & tender
3. Heat oil in the pan, once it becomes hot add asafetida, cumin seeds, green chili, ginger garlic, bay leaf, cinnamon stick and stir it for few seconds
4. Now add onion and saute it until it turns golden brown. Then add red chili powder & salt
5. Add tomatoes and cook till it gets soft and mushy
6. Add the roasted spices mix and mix it well for few minutes
7. Add the boiled chickpeas and cook it on low heat for 15 minutes
8. Now mash little bit of chickpeas to get the thick desired consistency
9. Adjust the water and salt
10. Garnish it with cilantro & onion rings.
11. Chhole masala is ready to be served with Bhatura or Rice

Kadhai Paneer

This is the north-Indian dish and a very easy recipe. Kadhai Paneer is a very quick stir fry like recipe which is made in a Kadhai. And thus it got the name "Kadhai Paneer". This is a very common, tasty and a colorful recipe. This is great for any get-together Lunches, Dinners, and good for boxes too. Enjoy the  taste of Kadhai Paneer with any Indian Breads. I prefer Naan or Kulcha.

Ingredients:

Veggies:

1. 1 pack Paneer - 10 oz.
2. 4 medium Bell Peppers (I used all four colors 1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow, 1 orange)
3. 2 medium Onions
4. 1 large tomato
5. 3 clove peeled & minced garlic
6. Minced ginger
7. 1 green chili chopped

Masala:

1. 3 tablespoon oil
2. Pinch of asafetida (hing)
3. 1 teaspoon cumin seed (jeera)
4. 1 and 1/2 tablespoons coriander powder (dhania)
5. 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (haldi)
6. 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
7. 1/2 teaspoon  garam masala
8. 1 teaspoon kasturi methi (Crushed dried leaves)
9. Salt & Pepper
10. 3 whole dried red chili
11. 1 teaspoon  coriander seeds

Add-ons:

1. 1 teaspoon  tomato ketchup
2. 1/2 cup of whole milk
3. 2 teaspoon  yogurt

Method:

1. Wash the veggies (onion, peppers, tomatoes)
2. Cut onions, peppers into 1/2" cubes
3. Slice the tomatoes, paneer into cubes
4. Dry roast red chili and coriander and coarsely grind it
5. Heat oil in a kadhai/ pan then add asafetida and cumin
6. Once they get roasted add ginger, garlic and green chili
7. Now add onions and sauté it until it turns golden brown
8. Add finely chopped tomatoes, ketchup, and yogurt, sprinkle little salt and sauté until the tomatoes turn soft n mushy.
9. Now add the masala ingredients (4,5,6,7,10,11)  and stir fry for a minute
10. After that add ½ cup of whole milk and mix it with masala. Constantly stir the gravy for a minute so that milk blend in with the gravy well, and let it cook for 5 -7 minutes to evaporate the liquid.
11.  After that add bell peppers, paneer cubes, kasturi methi, and enough salt and gently combine everything and stir fry for a minute. Mix them well
12. Kadhai paneer is ready to be served.

Apple Cranberry Bread

Healthy and tasty Apple Cranberry Bread. This is perfect for a breakfast, a snack or a dessert. Perfect for kids brown bags. Kids definitely ask for many more lunches like this. The best part is it contains no animal product. Try it and give me the feedback. The texture is so good and the cranberry flavor makes it yum. Hit on the LIKE button if you like it.

Ingredients:

1. Pastry Flour - 2 cups
2. Brown Sugar - 3/4 cups
3. Baking Soda - 3/4 tbsp
4. Baking Powder - 3/4 tbsp
5. Pinch of salt
6. Melted Butter - 1/2 cup
7. Applesauce - 1/2 cup
8. 1 Apple chopped
9. Dried Cranberry - 1/2 cup
10. Soy Milk - 1/4 cup
11. Vanilla - 2 tbsp

Method:

1. Mix Flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. Whisk together applesauce, melted butter, vanilla and brown sugar well.
3. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients which we set aside earlier until the flour is combined
4. Now add soy milk to make it at right consistency.
5. Gently fold in the chopped apples and dried cranberry.
6. Pour the batter in the loaf pan and bake it on 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
7. Cool the bread in the pan for at least 5 minutes then shift to the cooling rack.
8. Enjoy it warm with peanut butter if you like

Substitutions:

1. Butter can be replaced by canola oil
2. Soy milk or cow milk  anything is fine
3. Granulated sugar can work great instead of brown sugar

Tips:

1. Add a tablespoon of cinnamon if you like
2. I baked the bread for 18 minutes. It depends on the oven
3. Milk quantity can be varied according to your cup size.

Savory & Spicy Sour-Cream Dip

Sour cream dipping sauce is great for any tortilla chips, Chorizo, Quesadillas, and Tacos. It is so refreshing and tasty. You name it this sauce will enhance the flavor of the dish. Spread it on sandwich bread and it will taste yum.

Ingredients:

1. Sour Cream (16 oz)
2. Finely chopped onion
3. 1 medium cucumber slices
4. Parsley/cilantro/dill leaves
5. Salt & Pepper
6. Taco Seasoning (optional)
7. Lemon (optional)

Method:

1. Mix the sour cream, cucumber, onion and dill leaves (I prefer dill) in a bowl.
2. Add lemon juice, taco seasoning, salt and pepper according to taste.
3. Cover and refrigerate for few hours.
4. Ready to serve cold.

Substitution:

• Use thick yogurt to make this dip (it has less calorie)

Tips:

• Can be refrigerated for 3 weeks
• Good in freezer for 3 months.
• Make it and store it in small containers
• Once the dipping sauce is about to be over in the refrigerator. Take out another container from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator a night before to get it thaw. Enjoy it directly from the refrigerator.
• Don't microwave it or  thaw it outside at room temperature. It will have bacteria, so avoid it.