Low Cal Masala Pizza

A Pizza without cheese!Unbelievable right?But this pizza is exactly that,yes a pizza made without cheese.

I am not into low cal diet but I made pizza without cheese only because I realised midway while getting things together for a pizza that I have no cheese left in my fridge.So I decided to go on and to satisfy my craving for a pizza.

Frankly, all the way through I was skeptical about a pizza made without cheese!But I was surprised that even without the cheese the pizza was lip smacking good:)

This made me realise that pizzas can be eaten without any guilt of it being a junk food(Food considered "junk" are those that have very high amounts of fat,salt and sugar)The key to making pizzas healthy is in picking the right toppings,vegetables are lowest in calories and the richest in nutrients.Reduce the fat and salt content and instead use more herbs or spices which will add more flavour to the pizza.

No pizza is more healthier than a freshly baked homemade pizza and the best pizza is made only at home!

My entry to VKN's VCC Q2 2006 and Santhi's for JFI 4 for flour

Ingredients

for the dough
Refined flour(maida)= 2cups
Bakers Yeast = 1/4tsp
Sugar = 1/2tsp
Water = to knead
Salt = to taste

for the topping
Red bell pepper(diced) = 1/2cup
Yellow bell pepper(diced) = 1/2cup
Onion(diced) = 1/2cup
Tomato(diced) = 1/4cup
Tomato puree = 2-3tbsp
Red chilli powder = 1/8tsp
Curry powder = 1/2tsp
Italian dry herbs mix = for seasoning
Olive oil = 1tsp

Method

Add the yeast and sugar into half a cup of hot water and leave it aside till it becomes frothy
Knead the flour with salt,the yeast & sugar solution with water into a soft dough
Keep it covered with a cling film, for it to double in size
After it rises,knead well again and allow them to rise for the second time

For the topping,heat a tsp of oil add the onion,peppers and saute till onion turns glossy
Add the tomatoes,curry and red chilli powder,tomato puree,salt and the Italian herbs and saute for 15 seconds

Grease a baking tray,take the required amount of dough(depending on the size of the pizza you need) and spread it on the baking tray with your palm(spread it thin if you want a thin crust pizza)
Spread the toppings over


Bake it in a pre heated(250 degree C)oven for 10 to 12 mins



Also check Indianadoc's Chicken Pizza and RP's Pizza 101

Blogger Postcards From The World Event

All my blogger buddies,there is an absolutely amazing event that Meeta of What's for lunch honey is hosting,its the Blogger Postcards From The World event!

Bloggers from around the world are taking part in this event.You wouldn't want to miss it.Do check her blog right now for all the details!

Rajma Masala/Dark Red Kidney Beans Masala

Rajma masala,I love it the most as a side dish for puris.It is easy to make and is also a very delicious and nutritious dish.

My entry for Nandita's Weekend breakfast blogging ,Tony's Curry Mela and Cate's ARF/5 A DayTuesday

Ingredients

Rajma = 1&1/2cup
Onion = 1
Tomato = 1
Ginger&garlic paste = 1tbsp
Cumin seeds = 1/4tsp
Turmeric powder = 1/2tsp
Coriander powder = 1tsp
Red chilli powder = 1tsp
Garam masala = 1/2tsp
Kasoori methi = 1/8tsp
Oil = 2tbsp
Salt

Method

Wash the kidney beans and soak it in plenty of water overnight

Dark red kidney beans
After soaking overnight

Rinse and Drain
Boil the kidney beans(If pressure cooking add 1cup water for every cup of rajma)
Heat oil,add the cumin seeds and ginger-garlic paste and sauté till it turns brown
Add finely sliced onion and fry till it turns brown
Add the red chilli,turmeric and coriander powder and fry for a few seconds
Add the finely chopped tomato,salt and allow it to cook for a minute
Add the boiled rajma along with the water it was boiled in
Allow it to simmer for 10 min
Finally add the kasoori methi and garam masala powder and simmer for another 3mins

Rajma masala served with puris

P.S This is how I make a quicker version of the same rajma masala...Instead of sautéing the onions,I add sliced onion and tomato along with the rajma in a pressure cooker with little salt.Then I sauté the ginger garlic paste,add the masala powders,tomato puree and add this mixture.This way we save the time the onions take to sauté and also it makes a fairly thicker gravy.

Chocolate Facial !

All of us would have probably heard of how Chocolates are good for human health,they are rich in antioxidants,good for the heart,increases the level of serotonin in the brain resulting in a sense of well being etc.

But,I just read this very interesting article today on www.ibnlive.com that,Beauty experts claim that chocolates have anti ageing properties and is beneficial for dry skin and has thus given rise to the latest fad in Chennai,India that is Chocolate Therapy which includes Chocolate Facials,Chocolate Manicures and Pedicures!Beauty experts also believe that this will be the most preferred treatment in the future!

You can read the whole article here

Picture Sharing

I received these pictures as an email forward from my friend and they are so cute I wanted to share it with all you guys!

5.Do You Know?

Hamburger University (HU) is a training facility of Mc Donalds Corp.,located at Oak Brook,Illinois,in a 80 acre campus!

Offers courses such as Bachelors degree in Hamburgerology!

More than 5800 students attend HU each year!

Trains so many people each year that they've surpassed the US Army as the Nations largest training organization!

Today HU are in UK,Japan,Germany,Australia and Brazil!

Source

Chilli Chicken

This is one dish that will test your chilli tolerance,so be prepared for tears rolling down your cheeks and a burning mouth!

Ingredients

Boneless Chicken(skinless,cut into pieces) = 350g

for the marinade
Egg = 1
Red chilli powder = 1/4tbsp
Cornflour = 1tbsp
Dark soya sauce = 1/4tsp
Salt

for the chilli sauce
Ginger & Garlic chopped = 1tbsp
Green chillies = 2
Sambal oelek = 1tbsp
Tomato sauce = 1tbsp
Hot and sweet sauce = 1tbsp
Dark Soya sauce = 1/2tsp
Red chilli powder = 1/2tsp
Green bell pepper = 1
Onion = 1
Cornflour = 1tbsp
Water = 1/2cup
Peanut oil = to shallow fry

Method

Clean the chicken and cut it into small cubes
Whisk an egg,add cornflour,red chilli powder,salt and mix well
Coat the chicken with the marinade and marinate it for an hour refrigerated
Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the marinated chicken pieces under high heat
Fry till they turn brown on both sides
Drain on absorbent paper,keep aside

the chilli sauce
Dice onion and bell pepper
Heat 1tbsp oil,add chopped ginger and garlic,fry till light brown
Add the chopped green chillies,diced onion and bell pepper and saute till onion turn transparent
Add the red chilli powder,sambal oelek,tomato sauce,hot and sweet sauce soya sauce and salt and mix well
Add the fried chicken pieces and mix well
Serve hot

Chilli Chicken Dry

If you desire a chilli chicken gravy,dissolve 1tbsp cornflour in 1/2 cup water(increase the quantity in this proportion if you need more gravy)
Add this solution and blend it well into the chicken,in low flame

Chilli Chicken Gravy

Do check other recipes like Pamela's Quick Chilli Turkey and Sudha's Chilli Chicken

Ghee Rice

When you are bored of eating the regular cooked rice and want something with rice that is quick and easy to make yet very flavourful and rich thats when Ghee Rice comes to our rescue.I believe it is one of the popular dishes served in a Kannadiga's wedding,I had it first, a long time back from one of their weddings.It is one of those flavored rice dishes that goes well with both a vegetable or a meat side dish.

Ingredients

Basmati rice = 2cups
Water = 3cups
Ghee = 50ml
Onion(sliced) = 1cup

whole garam masala
Cumin seeds = 1/2tsp
Cardamom = 4 to 5
Cloves = 8
Bay leaves = 3
Star anise = 1
Cinnamon(1/2 inch stick) = 1
Peppercorns(slightly crushed) = 6 tp 7/to taste

Salt = to taste

Method

Wash the rice and soak it in water for 30mins,Drain
Heat one tablespoon ghee in a pan and saute sliced onion till it turns dark brown,keep aside
In the same pan,add a tablespoon of ghee and fry the whole garam masala for a few seconds,till it emanates a nice aroma
Add the drained rice and fry it for about 2 to 3 minutes,till any remaining moisture in the rice evaporates(frying for too long can break the rice grains)
Add 3cups of warm water,fried onion,salt and cook till rice is done
Heat the remaining ghee and pour it into the cooked rice
Blend it well into the rice
Cover and set it aside for 10 to 15 minutes before serving for better flavour
Garnish with fried cashewnuts and raisins
Serve hot with any side dish of your liking

Ghee rice served with Chilli Chicken

Also do check out Indianadoc's Neichor served with mouthwatering Mutton Vattichathu
and for a yummy vegetable side dish do check Sudha's Navaratna Korma and Latha's Vegetable Saagu!

4.Do You Know?

Oysters are the richest source of the mineral Zinc,needed for immunity,wound healing,healthy skin and fertility.

The taste of Oysters varies greatly depending on the type of algae fed upon and the salinity in the area they are harvested.

The color of the meat varies with the color of the algae the Oyster feeds upon

Source

Shrimps In Coconut Milk

This is one of my favoutite curries not only because it is easy to make,specially so since it has the yummy coconut milk!It reminds me of home wherein coconuts where grated and then the milk extracted out of them each time a recipe called for coconut milk!Quite a tiresome procedure...I wonder how my mum managed to make it always with fresh coconut milk extracted at home!Things are so easy for us now with readily avaialable coconut milk etc,but for all this we compromise on the authentic taste:(But I dont want to complain because honestly it has made cooking less time consuming,time,our most precious commodity!
Here goes the recipe....

Ingredients

Shrimps(cleaned) = 1cup
Onion(sliced) = 1/2cup
Tomato (chopped) = 1/4cup
Ginger-garlic paste = 1tsp
Dried red chillies = 2
Curry powder = 1/4tsp
Coconut milk (thick)= 1cup
Mustard seeds = few
Curry leaves = 3 to 4
Coconut oil = 1tbsp
Salt = to taste

Method

Clean the shrimps,shell and devein
Marinate it with a pinch of turmeric and red chilli powder for 10 mins
Heat oil in a pan,splutter mustard seeds and add red chillies and curry leaves
Add the finely sliced onion and saute till it turns brown
Add the curry powder and fry for a few seconds
Add the chopped tomato and salt and fry for a minute
Add the marinated shrimps and saute well for a minute


Add the coconut milk,reduce flame and let it simmer for 3 to 4 mins
Serve hot with rice or appam


Other Shrimp recipe - Shrimps and Capsicum Stir Fried

Strawberry And Yoghurt Jelly

Another quickie dish from me,this time its a dessert.With temperatures soaring high this summer,it was high time I started making desserts at home,so here it is....

This is my entry for Monthly Mingle 3 - Beat The Heat and ARF/5-A-Day Tuesday

Ingredients

Strawberries = 150g
Yoghurt = 150ml
Gelatin leaves = 5
Sugar = 25g
Hot water = 50ml

Method

Soak gelatin leaves in water for ten minutes
Hull the strawberries and blend it in a food processor(without adding water)along with half the amount of sugar,keep aside
Blend yoghurt along with the remaining sugar,keep aside

Dissolve the gelatin leaves in 50ml hot water and allow it to attain room temperature
Divide this solution 2 halves
To one half add the sweetned strawberry puree and mix well
To the other half the sweetned yogurt and mix well
Into the mould pour the strawberry-gelatin mix until half full and slowly add the yoghurt-gelatin mix


Keep refrigerated till its firm and set
Unmould and serve cold
Spoon fresh strawberry puree onto the plate

3.Quote

"There is no sight on earth more appealing than the sight of a woman making dinner for someone she loves"
Thomas Wolfe

Egg Rice

This quick and easy to make rice is what I make when I am very lazy to cook something elaborate.This is also what I like to eat when I dont want to eat something elaborate too:)!Even back at home in India,there are some days when I would prefer a very simple meal,so thats when I make it and love to eat it with some tomato ketchup!

Ingredients

Rice(cooked) = 2cups
Egg = 1
Tomato = 1/2
Onion = 1/2
Green chilly = 1
Coriander powder = 1/4tsp
Turmeric powder = 1/8tsp
Black pepper powder = 1/8tsp
Fennel seeds = 1/8tsp
Mustard seeds = few
Curry leaves = 2 to 3
Oil = 1tbsp
Salt = to taste

Method

Heat oil,splutter mustard seeds
Add the curry leaves,slit chilly,fennel seeds,chopped onion and saute till onion turns light brown
Add the coriander,turmeric & pepper powder and fry for 3 to 4 seconds
Add the chopped tomato,and fry for a minute
Add the beaten egg,rice,salt and mix thoroughly
Serve hot

A Terrible Day

It has been a terrible day for all of us,my heart goes out to all the innocent people affected.What struck me most was the attitude of the Mumbaikars,the way they helped,helped in whatever little way they could,they didnt run away from the scene and continued to help even when it was pouring heavily.I just saw on CNN IBN that people of the affected areas are distributing tea and biscuits to those thousands of people who are stuck in the traffic unable to reach their homes.We all should learn from them,I feel so proud to call myself an Indian with fellow citizens like them.If only the world had more people like them.

I salute and Hats off to the Mumbaikars and to their spirit!

Indira has mentioned this particular site Mumbai Help for all of them who needs information and assistance about their loved ones in Mumbai.Also do refer the NDTV website for more information.

Banana Fritters

These fritters are generally made out Banana,the variety known as Ethakka/Nenthra pazham in Malayalam,in Kerala.But what do you do when getting these varieties is a dream?To satisfy the cravings of having a good pazham pori(banana fritters)try it with the ripe banana variety that is readily available.I tried it myself and am not disappointed with its taste,although if you have tasted the ones made out of Ethakka...you will only stick to making that:)

Ingredients

Banana(ripe) = 2
Refined flour = 3tbsp
Cornflour = 1tbsp
Sugar = 1/2tsp
Turmeric powder = 1/8tsp
Salt = to taste
Baking soda = a pinch(optional)
Oil = to deep fry

Method

Peel the bananas,cut them into 2 halves
Slit the two halves lengthwise
Make a thick batter of cornflour,refined flour,turmeric powder,salt and sugar to coat the banana pieces
Heat oil
Deep fry the banana pieces after coating them with the batter
Fry till it turns golden brown
Drain and serve hot


P.S The banana should not be overripe
After frying,sprinkle a little powdered sugar,if desired to make it more sweet
Turmeric powder is added to give the fritters a golden hue

Mushroom Masala

Had been a little occupied with some work off late and have been whipping up some quick meals!What better thing to cook than the nutritious mushrooms which needs very little cooking time!

Ingredients

Button mushrooms = 200g
Ginger-Garlic(chopped) = 1tsp
Onion(big) = 1
Tomato puree = 2tbsp
Kashmiri red chilli powder = 1/2tsp
Mustard seeds = 1/2tsp
Cumin seeds = 1/8tsp
Fennel seeds(saunf) = 1/8tsp
Oil = 1tbsp
Salt


Method

Clean the mushrooms and cut into small pieces
Heat oil,splutter mustard seeds,add cumin and fennel seeds
Add the finely sliced onion and saute till it turns brown
Add the red chilli powder and fry for few seconds
Add the tomato puree and then the mushrooms and cook for 2 mins
Add a little warm water and allow it to simmer for another 5 mins
Serve hot with rice or roti

Gobi Manchurian

One of my favourite street food is Gobi Manchuri.Take a stroll on the streets of Bangalore in the evening and you cant miss the many Chinese fast food centres present in its every nook and corner!Initially this dish was exclusively a street food but now we get it even in big restaurants and has made its way into the dinner menus at weddings replacing some of the traditional food items that were served before!

Ingredients

Cauliflower(cut into florets) = 250g
Refined flour/maida = 2tbsp
Cornflour = 2tbsp
Kashmiri red chilli powder = 1tsp
Ginger garlic paste = 2tsp
Onion(diced) = 1cup
Red bell pepper(diced) = 1/2cup
Green chillies = 3
Tomato sauce = 4tbsp
Soyasauce = 1tsp
Curry leaves =5 to 6
Oil = to deep fry
Salt to taste

Method

Wash the cauliflower florets in water with a little salt dissolved in it or they can also be soaked in water with a little vinegar in it to thoroughly clean them
Make a slightly thick batter with cornflour and refined flour dissolved in water,add a tsp of the ginger garlic paste,1/2tsp red chilli powder,salt and a pinch of soda to it
Coat the florets with the batter and then deep fry till it turns golden brown(heat the oil at high and add the florets,lower the heat so as to cook them through)
Drain and keep aside

Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan
Add 1 tsp of ginger-garlic paste and fry till light brown
Add the onions,slit green chillies and bell pepper and saute till onions turn translucent and shiny(do not brown the onions)
Add 1/2tsp red chilli powder,roughly torn curry leaves,tomato sauce and soyasauce(if you want it to be more spicier you can add chilli sauce too)
Add, 1tbsp cornflour dissolved in 1/2 cup water
Add the fried cauliflower florets and mix well
(If you would like the gobi manchurian with a little gravy,you can add some more cornflour dissolved in water)
Serve it hot immediately with the garnish of your choice,chopped spring onions,coriander leaves...