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Monday 29 November 2021

Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread

                  

This Christmas Tree Pull-apart bread with a cheesy Spinach, caramelized Onions and Corn stuffing is a perfect Christmas Appetizer. Shaped as a tree, this egg-less pull apart bread made with homemade dough is not only delicious but also eye-appealing. Serve it with Homemade Pizza Sauce and it would be a crowd pleasure for sure at your Christmas party. This stuffed pull apart bread is spiced with minced garlic and made using whole wheat flour which makes it a healthy and guilt-free treat

                 

What is Pull-apart Bread ?

Pull Apart-bread is basically a loaf that is already portioned into sections, that you can just pull with your fingers upon baking, rather than slicing it with a knife.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

1st proofing: 1 hour 

2nd proofing 35 minutes

Serves: 2 large Christmas Tree Pull-Apart bread

Ingredients: Measurements used 1 cup = 240 ml

For the Spinach filling:

  • 500 grams Spinach
  • 1 /2 cup finely chopped onions
  • 1/4 cup corn kernels
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped/minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Salt to taste
For the Bread
  • 1 1/2 cup Whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 cup semolina/ Suji
  • 1/4 cup Cornflour
  • 5 tablespoon milk powder
  • 3/4 cup Milk 
  • 2 teaspoon dry active yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

For Garlic Butter Sauce:

  • 3 teaspoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon fresh coriander, chopped
  • Salt to taste
Other ingredients:

Mozzarella or Pizza cheese 1/2 cup, grated 
Milk butter for brushing (add 1/4 milk to melted 1 teaspoon butter)

                   

Method:

  1. In a bowl take 1/2 cup lukewarm milk. Add sugar and dry yeast to it. Stir well and keep aside for 10 minutes for the yeast to bloom.
  2. While our yeast blooms, we will make the garlic butter sauce. For that take 3 teaspoon butter in a small pan and heat on medium flame. Add minced garlic to it and allow to saute for around 30 seconds. add chili flakes, salt and fresh coriander leaves to it and stir fry everything for another 30 seconds. Put off the flame. Allow the sauce to cool down.
  3. After 10 minutes, our yeast mixture will turn frothy. If it does not , it means the yeast you are using is old and of no use. Throw away the mix and start again with step 1 using a fresh batch of yeast.
  4.  Next, in a mixing bowl take whole wheat flour,semolina, corn flour, milk powder, 3/4th of the garlic butter sauce and salt to taste. Mix everything very well.
  5. To this, add the bloomed yeast culture . Mix well and knead the flour. Use warm milk as needed to knead the flour to a soft dough.
  6. Remove the dough on to a working surface and knead it for around 15 minutes using heals of your hands by knocking it to and fro, using little butter or oil to get a soft dough. At first the dough will be sticky but as your knead further it will become smooth and shiny.
  7.  Tug the dough and keep it in a greased bowl . Cover it with another bowl and keep for proofing for about an hour.
  8. While our dough is resting, we will prepare the stuffing. For that, heat butter in a sauce pan. Add minced garlic to it. Saute the garlic for a minute or so. Next, tip in the finely chopped Onion and stir fry until the onions get caramelized. Add corn kernels followed by chopped spinach and saute for 2-3 minutes or until the spinach wilts. Season it with black pepper, chili flakes and salt to taste. Put off the flame when all the moisture has dried up. Remove the mixture on to a plate and allow it to cool down completely.
  9. After the first proofing, the dough would be double in size. Punch it and knead it again for 2-3 minutes. Divide the dough into 4 parts.
  10. Roll out 1 dough portion into a sheet of 1/2 inch thickness. Cut it into a Christmas tree shape with a triangular shape at top with a rectangular shape resembling the tree trunk at the bottom using pizza cutter or sharp knife. Refer to the pic or video for clear understanding.
  11. Place enough spinach filling over it.
  12. Add grated cheese over it. Roll out one more sheet from the dough ball and place it over the stuffed first portion. Press the edges to secure them and then cut out the upper sheet , so that you get a stuffed Christmas tree.
  13. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter give parallel horizontal slits sparing the central part of the tree. Refer the pic or video for clear idea. Now twist each part, so that you get a beautiful tree shape.
  14. Brush the tree with garlic butter sauce and cover it and keep it in a dark warm place for 2nd proofing, now for 35 minutes.
  15. In the last 15 minutes of 2nd proofing, preheat the oven at 200 degree Celsius.
  16. The dough will further increase in size. Add 1/4 cup milk to melted 1 teaspoon butter. Use this milk to brush the dough before placing it in the preheated oven for baking.
  17. Make another tree in the same manner. I have baked one tree in the oven and the other one in a preheated pressure cooker for 25 minutes. Both have turned out to be great.
  18. Once the bread is baked, and out of the oven, rub butter over its surface and cover it with a kitchen towel, so that it does not become dry and hard.
  19. Serve the cheesy and delicious Christmas tree pull apart bread with homemade Pizza sauce or any dipping sauce or simply with butter or mayonnaise and enjoy with your loved ones ! 

                   

Recipe Notes:

  • If the dry yeast does not bloom and your milk does not turn frothy , it means the yeast you are using is old and of no use. Discard the milk yeast mixture and make a fresh culture with new batch of yeast.
  • Another important factor to be kept in mind while using dry yeast is the temperature of milk. Always add dry yeast to the lukewarm milk. If the milk is hot it will kill the yeast culture. If it is cool, the yeast will not bloom.
  • You can totally skip the garlic butter sauce and simply add about 1/4 cup oil to the flour while kneading the dough instead.
  • You can use pesto sauce instead of spinach and corn stuffing.

Would love to hear from you !

I hope you would love trying out this healthy and delicious Christmas Tree Pull-apart bread. If you do so, feel free to share your feedback with us in the form of likes and comments in the section below this post.

All your suggestions are more than welcome. If you like my work, and feel that it is worth following, do hit the follow button on the top right corner of this blog. Your appreciation means a lot to me. It gives me the inspiration and motivation to keep doing my work and give my best each time.

If you like my work and want to be updated with new recipes, do follow us on various social media platforms. My social media handles for your kind reference are as follows. 

 

You Tube Channel English :

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasKW9Cq5khnTS3JnJ43m2A 

You Tube Channel Marathi :

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5lWdtDq45pDz04dJeezw7A

You Tube Channel Hindi :

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3BoiHHEbhS8gIfeRzPfb7w

Facebook Handle: https://www.facebook.com/poonambachhavblogspot

Instagram Handle: https://www.instagram.com/poonambachhav/

Pinterest Handle : https://in.pinterest.com/poonambachhav/

Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/poonampagar_B

 

See you soon with yet another healthy and delicious creation from my Kitchen. Until then Stay safe and eat right !

 

Happy Cooking !

Happy Eating !

 

Regards

Poonam Bachhav 


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Tuesday 23 November 2021

Singhada Stir-Fry / Stir-fried Water Chestnut Recipe

                                      

Singhada Stir-fry is a simple yet flavorful dish made with Water Chestnut and basic Indian spices. With a quick and fuss free recipe, stir-fried Water Chestnut can be served as a side dish or as a crispy delicious tea time snacks. The dish is onion-garlic free and can be served as a fasting food as well. 

                                       

Water Chestnut and Its health Benefits:

Water chestnuts or singhada is a seasonal fruit and appears in the market for just 2-3 months during winter sesaon. It is an aquatic tuber that grow in ponds, paddy fields, marshes and shallow lakes. 

  • It is a low in calories and can aid weight loss. 
  • Singhada or water chestnut is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. 
  • It can reduce growth of tumours and also promote hormonal balance in the body.
  • People with high blood pressure can benefit from singhada as it helps in reducing blood pressure levels significantly.
  • Eating singhada can offer relief from acidity. 
  • Singhada is super nutritious and low in calories. It can be included in weight loss diet as well. 
  • Regular intake of singhada can provide you with fibre, protein, potassium, calcium, manganese and copper.

                              

What goes into my version of Stir-fried Water Chestnut ? The Ingredients:

  • Water Chestnut / Singhada : Key ingredient of the recipe is fresh Water Chestnut fruit. We are going to use the raw fruit, wash and peel it before stir frying. Some recipes call for par-boiling the water chestnut.
  • Ghee: The recipe calls for using ghee or clarified butter for tempering. You may replace it with oil of your choice for a vegan version.
  • Red Chili Flakes: You may used green chili instead
  • Dry mint powder: This is optional but lends a lovely refreshing flavor and aroma to the dish.
  • Black Pepper Powder: Freshly crushed black pepper enhances the taste of the stir-fry.
  • Roasted Cumin Powder: You may use cumin seeds instead.
  • Rock Salt to taste
  • Lemon juice : add a aovely tangy flavor to the dish
  • Fresh Coriander leaves for garnishing

            

Short Video for Stir-fried Water Chestnut 

               


Dietary Notes: Stir-Fried Water Chestnut is
  • Gluten Free
  • Kid Friendly
  • Healthy and Flavorful
  • Side Dish
  • Tea-Time Snacks
  • Fasting Food
  • Quick and Easy


Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 7-10 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
  • 500 gram Singhada / Water Chestnut
  • 1 tablespoon ghee/oil
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon dry mint powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Rock salt to taste
  • Fresh Coriander Leaves for garnishing
Method:
  1. Wash the water chestnut thoroughly under running water.
  2. Pat it dry with kitchen towel.
  3. Cut it into 2 pieces through mid way using a sharp knife.
  4. Now simply peel the fruit with your hands , discard the peels and keep the white inside part of the fruit.
  5. Heat a sauce pan or wok and add ghee t it.
  6. Tip in the chopped water chestnut and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
  7. Cover cook on low to medium flame for another 5-7 minutes.
  8. Keep stirring intermittently to ensure the water chestnut does not catch the bottom.
  9. Once the singhada is cooked nicely and it appears, golden brown, lower the flame and add the seasonings.
  10. Add red chili flakes, roasted cumin powder, dry mint powder, black pepper powder and rock salt to taste.
  11. Stir fry the water chestnut with seasonings for another 1-2 minutes.
  12. Put off the flame , add lemon juice and fresh coriander leaves.
  13. Give a quick stir and our healthy delicious Stir-fried Water chestnut is ready to serve.
  14. Serve it as a side dish or as a tea time snacks.
                              



Recipe Notes:
  • You can par-boil the water chestnut or just peel and use it in the stir-fry.
  • You can adjust the seasonings as per your taste and liking.
  • Green chili can be used instead of red chili flakes.

Would love to hear from you !

I hope you would love trying out this healthy and delicious Stir-fried Water Chestnut. If you do so, feel free to share your feedback with us in the form of likes and comments in the section below this post.

All your suggestions are more than welcome. If you like my work, and feel that it is worth following, do hit the follow button on the top right corner of this blog. Your appreciation means a lot to me. It gives me the inspiration and motivation to keep doing my work and give my best each time.

If you like my work and want to be updated with new recipes, do follow us on various social media platforms. My social media handles for your kind reference are as follows. 

 

You Tube Channel English : 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasKW9Cq5khnTS3JnJ43m2A 

You Tube Channel Marathi : 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5lWdtDq45pDz04dJeezw7A

You Tube Channel Hindi :

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3BoiHHEbhS8gIfeRzPfb7w

Facebook Handle: https://www.facebook.com/poonambachhavblogspot

Instagram Handle: https://www.instagram.com/poonambachhav/

Pinterest Handle : https://in.pinterest.com/poonambachhav/

Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/poonampagar_B

 

See you soon with yet another healthy and delicious creation from my Kitchen. Until then Stay safe and eat right !

 

Happy Cooking !

Happy Eating !

 

Regards

Poonam Bachhav 


Related Posts:
                                              



Monday 15 November 2021

Gujarati Kadhi Recipe


Gujarati Kadhi is a sweet tangy yogurt based curry dish that is made from buttermilk and gram flour and seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices like cinnamon, cloves, curry leaves etc. Kadhi is an essential part of Gujarati Cuisine and no Gujarati Thali meal is complete without this sweet tangy kadhi served by its side. Gujarati version of kadhi is an onion garlic free curry and can be served with steamed rice, jeera rice or with Khichdi , which is yet another soulful meal option. I like to have Gujarati Kadhi piping hot on its own like a soup and believe me it is very soothing and comforting especially during monsoon and winter months.


What is kadhi?

Kadhi is a famous Indian dish made by blending beaten curd or buttermilk and gram flour (besan) and tempering it with flavorful spices. This humble dish can be made in many ways and every Indian state and household has its own version. In Maharashtra and Gujarat, the Kadhi is thin in consistency and sweet and sour in texture as against the thick, spicy and sour Punjabi Kadhi. In Chattisgarh , black gram non-fried dumplings are cooked in the Dubki Kadhi. Fajeto is a mango flavored kadhi from the Gujarati Cuisine. It is basically a ripe mango and yogurt based curry that is ghee tempered with basic spices to give a mildly sweet, tangy and hot dish. Have you heard about Methi kadhi ? I am tempted to try out this healthy gluten free kadhi version with greens from my friend and fellow blogger Kalyani's blog.


What goes into Gujarati Kadhi ? The ingredients:

I have followed this recipe from a cookbook named Kitchen Secrets by Sanjeev Kapoor. This book was gifted to me by one of my friend Rajvinder Kaur. The recipe is pretty simple and does not involve any fancy ingredients. 


  • Curd / Yogurt: You can either use curd or butter milk in this recipe. I have used curd and blended water to it to make buttermilk. Use sour curd to make this Gujarati Kadhi.
  • Gram Flour / Besan: Gram Flour or Besan is used as a thickener in the kadhi. It gives a nice creamy texture to the kadhi.
  • Spices: Gujarati Kadhi is tempered with aromatic spices like cinnamon , cloves, dried red chilies, mustard seeds, Cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds and asafoetida. Turmeric powder is not used in Gujarati kadhi and it appears white as against the yellow kadhi.
  • Sweetener: Usually sugar is added to the kadhi as sweetener but in this recipe, i have added a lemon sized jaggery piece.
  • Ginger: Gujarati Kadhi is onion garlic free but ginger is used in ot and it really tastes great.
  • Herbs: Curry leaves , coriander leaves add a refreshing flavor to the curry.
  • Ghee: Gujarati kadhi is tempered in ghee and that lends a lovely flavor to it, however you may temper the kadhi using oil.
                          

Dietary Notes: Gujarati Kadhi Is
  • Aromatic and flavorful
  • No Onion-No Garlic recipe
  • Kid friendly
  • Refined sugar free
  • Sweet and Tangy
  • Side dish
Short Video for Gujarati Kadhi

            

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup thick curd
  • 2 cups water
  • 3-4 tablespoon Besan/gram flour
  • 2 green chilies, chopped finely
  • 1/2 inch ginger, minced
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 lemon sized jaggery piece
  • 1 inch cinnamon
  • 2 dried red chilies broken
  • 3-4 cloves
  • Small bunch of coriander leaves
  • Salt to taste
Method:
  1. In a mixing bowl take curd and add gram flour to it.
  2. Add chopped green chilies, salt and minced ginger to it.
  3. Whisk it to blend everything well.
  4. Add water and whisk again to get a thin lump free batter
  5. Add Jaggery to it and give a good stir.
  6. Heat ghee in a sauce pan on medium flame.
  7. Add mustard seeds to it.
  8. Once the seeds splutter, add cumin seeds to it.
  9. Once the seeds crackle, add fenugreek seeds,followed by cinnamon, clove, broken red chilies, and curry leaves.
  10. Allow the spices to sizzle in ghee for few seconds, taking care they do not burn.
  11. Add the  yogurt gram flour slurry to it.
  12. Allow the kadhi to come to a rolling boil and then further simmer it for 10 minutes or until you get a creamy desired consistency.
  13. The kadhi gets thicker further on cooling so adjust the cooking time accordingly, also if you feel the kadhi is too thick you may add 1/2-1 cup water and allow it to come to a rolling boil before switching off the flame.
  14. Add finely chopped fresh coriander leaves and give a good stir.
  15. Serve the flavorful and aromatic Gujarati kadhi with steamed rice, jeera rice, Khichdi or phulka.
  16. You can even enjoy it on its own as a soup.
                         


Recipe Notes:
  • Gujarati kadhi is pretty sweet and usually sugar is added as sweetener but i have added just a lemon sized jaggery piece to it. You may adjust the amount of sweetener as per your taste and liking.
  • Green chilies can be slit or finely chopped. Adjust the quantity as per your spice tolerance.
  • The kadhi gets thicker further on cooling so adjust the cooking time accordingly, also if you feel the kadhi is too thick you may add 1/2-1 cup water and allow it to come to a rolling boil before switching off the flame. 
  • Serve the flavorful and aromatic Gujarati kadhi with steamed rice, jeera rice, Khichdi or phulka.

  • You can even enjoy it on its own as a soup.

Would love to hear from you !

I hope you would love trying out this flavorful and aromatic Gujarati Kadhi. If you do so, feel free to share your feedback with us in the form of likes and comments in the section below this post.

All your suggestions are more than welcome. If you like my work, and feel that it is worth following, do hit the follow button on the top right corner of this blog. Your appreciation means a lot to me. It gives me the inspiration and motivation to keep doing my work and give my best each time.

If you like my work and want to be updated with new recipes, do follow us on various social media platforms. My social media handles for your kind reference are as follows. 

 

You Tube Channel English :

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasKW9Cq5khnTS3JnJ43m2A 

You Tube Channel Marathi :

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5lWdtDq45pDz04dJeezw7A

You Tube Channel Hindi : 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3BoiHHEbhS8gIfeRzPfb7w

Facebook Handle:

 https://www.facebook.com/poonambachhavblogspot

Instagram Handle: https://www.instagram.com/poonambachhav/

Pinterest Handle : https://in.pinterest.com/poonambachhav/

Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/poonampagar_B

 

See you soon with yet another healthy and delicious creation from my Kitchen. Until then Stay safe and eat right !

 

Happy Cooking !

Happy Eating !

 

Regards

Poonam Bachhav 


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Monday 1 November 2021

Apple Peda Recipe /Instant Peda

                                               

Apple Peda is a delectable sweet treat perfect for any special occasion. It is basically a cute apple shaped milk peda that requires just 2 key ingredients, milk powder and sugar . The recipe is simple and super fast and you can made apple peda within no time. Best part is that it is artificial color free as i have colored the apple peda with natural food colors using beetroot and saffron. Try out this quick instant apple milk peda recipe this festive season.

      

What is Peda ?

Peda is a popular Indian dessert. It is soft sweet dish similar to milk fudge, that has got a lovely grainy texture and melt-in-mouth taste. Peda is traditionally made from reduced whole milk. There are many variation to peda like chocolate peda, Kesar peda, Instant peda, Paneer peda, Cheena peda etc.


Video Recipe For Apple Peda

               


    

Dietary Notes: Apple Peda is

  • Instant peda
  • Quick and simple
  • Easy to follow
  • Delectable
  • Kid friendly
  • Artificial color free
  • Gluten free
                     

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time:5-7 minutes
Serves: 10 peda

Ingredients: 1 cup =240 ml
  • 1.5 cups milk powder
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tsp ghee
  • Few cloves
  • Few slivered Pistachios
  • 1 tablespoon beetroot juice
  • 1 tablespoon saffron water
            
Method:
  1. Heat a pan and add 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water to it.
  2. Once the sugar syrup becomes slightly sticky, add milk powder in batches, while stirring continuously to get a lump free mixture.
  3. Add ghee to it and cook the mixture on low to medium flame, until it leaves the sides of the pan.
  4. Put off the flame and allow the peda mixture to cool down in a plate.
  5. Once it cool enough to handle, start pinching out small portions from the dough.
  6. Roll the mixture between your palms and then make a small indent in the centre to resemble apple shape. 
  7. Insert a clove inside the indent of each peda. This is the stalk of our apple peda.
  8.  Add l slivered pistachio as well besides each clove, This is the leaf.
  9. Color each peda using beetroot juice and saffron water to resemble real apple. Use brush and add vertical strokes.
  10. Our quick and easy dessert is ready to serve !

             


             

Recipe Notes:

  • Do not over cook the peda mixture as it will turn hard , rubbery and chewy on doing so.
  • This peda can be stored in refrigerator for up to a week.
  • Do not add all the milk powder at one go as it may lead to lump formation.

Would love to hear from you !

I hope you would love trying out this instant apple peda recipe. Thank you. If you do so, feel free to share your feedback with us in the form of likes and comments in the section below this post.

All your suggestions are more than welcome. If you like my work, and feel that it is worth following, do hit the follow button on the top right corner of this blog. Your appreciation means a lot to me. It gives me the inspiration and motivation to keep doing my work and give my best each time.

If you like my work and want to be updated with new recipes, do follow us on various social media platforms. My social media handles for your kind reference are as follows. 

 

You Tube Channel English :

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasKW9Cq5khnTS3JnJ43m2A 

You Tube Channel Marathi :

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5lWdtDq45pDz04dJeezw7A

You Tube Channel Hindi :

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3BoiHHEbhS8gIfeRzPfb7w

Facebook Handle: https://www.facebook.com/poonambachhavblogspot

Instagram Handle: https://www.instagram.com/poonambachhav/

Pinterest Handle : https://in.pinterest.com/poonambachhav/

Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/poonampagar_B

 

See you soon with yet another healthy and delicious creation from my Kitchen. Until then Stay safe and eat right !

 

Happy Cooking !

Happy Eating !

 

Regards

Poonam Bachhav 

 

         Related Posts:       

                                   



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