Baked Veggie florets



There has been an age long war between mums and kids over Veggies . Parents struggle to get their kids to eat more veggies and I was no exception to this, until I found this recipe where I could make my Son finish all his veggies and that too with a spark in his eyes and a wide smile on face. These baked Veggie florets are not only best way to trick your kids into eating their veggies, but also serve as good appetizers at kids parties ! 

I tried using vegetable juices to colour the bread to make it more healthy and appealing and the colored baskets resembled florets on baking and thus clicked the name of this recipe ! Topping the veggies with cheese and herbs make them flavorful. 

Ingredients:

• Mixed veggies of your choice(I have used Carrots, Green peas,Sweet corn)
• Beet root juice - 2 tsp
• Carrot Juice -2 tsp
• Tomato sauce/ any Chutney - 2 tsp
• Bread slices-6
• Cheddar cheese
• Mixed Italian herbs-1/2 tsp (optional )
• Crushed black pepper-1/2 tsp
• Butter to grease the muffin tray
• Salt

 

   Method:

1. Chop the veggies of your choice. You may also blanch the veggies before baking them, I haven't.
2. Keep the bread slice on board and flatten it evenly using a rolling pin. Cut it in round shape using a lid or bowl. Repeat the same for rest slices. ( Use the left over edges of bread to make bread crumbs).

       

      3. Now we have 6 round bread slices. Coat 2 slices with carrot juice, 2 with Beetroot juice  using a pastry brush and keep the remaining 2 slices as it is . Do not make the bread slices too soggy with juice, Just apply enough juice to give colour to the bread slices.

     4.   Grease the muffin tray with butter and preheat the oven at 375 F for 15 minutes.

     5.  Place the bread slices in the muffin tray and fold the edges properly to give it a cup size. Now bake this for 10 minutes at 375 F. This will make the bread slices dry before we assemble them with veggies.

     6. Now coat little sauce or any chutney of your choice in these baked bread cups. Sprinkle salt on all the veggies and mix well. You may also add chat masala to the veggies. Now add 1-2 tsp of the mixed veggies in the bread cups.

    

       7.  Top the veggies with grated cheese and lastly sprinkle crushed pepper and herbs on them.

     8. Place the muffin tray in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes at 375 F or until they turn crisp and golden. I have baked these florets using Convection Microwave. No preheating needed in convection mode. Place the tray on rotating plate of oven and select convection mode and set 180 degree Celsius temperature for 25 minutes. You can even grill these florets.

      9.    Colourful Veggie florets are ready ! 

     Notes:

• You can make similar baked bread baskets , add any salad or fruits or sprouts and enjoy as chaat.
• Use of vegetable juice to colour the bread is optional.
• Adjust the time of baking, to make the bread crisp and golden .