The Most Horrifying Halloween Cake Ever!

Yea, I know what you're thinking. Not posting for so long and I come back with this gruesome photo of a scary edible cake that looks so, uhm, terrifyingly delicious! I ran across this edible work of art in Deviantart, and I just can't help but share this with everyone! It's  made by ohnoono from DA, and she calls it the Dead Man's Farm Cake.
Just look at the detail! I'm pretty sure I'll be

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Rich Badam Halwa (Almond Dessert)

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This weekend we had invited some friends for dinner and I wanted to make something easy and special to celebrate with them. I bookmarked this recipe long back from Ayeesha and got a chance to prepare it today.Thank you Ayeesha for sharing this wonderful recipe.

This badam halwa is basically rich in texture with a mild sweetness. Grinded almonds are simmered in some creamy milk with a touch of cardamom flavor. Its got a divine taste and I am sure you will enjoy it.

Preparation Time: 10 time

Cooking Time: 13 min

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup badam (almonds)
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup full fat milk
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
• 4 to 5 finely chopped almonds for garnishing

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Cooking Procedure

Soak almonds for 1 hour. Then make a fine smooth paste with some milk as required.

Take a large a microwave safe bowl, mix all the above ingredients except ghee with this badam paste, stir nicely. Microwave on high for 10 min. Stir every 3 minutes. After 10 min once it begins thick add the ghee and stir nicely. And microwave for 3 min stiring it every 1 min.

Then transfer it to a serving bowl, granish with chopped almonds and put it in refridegerator. Serve chilled. Your badam halwa is ready.

Note:

1. I did not remove the skin of the badam it is optional.
2. I used brown but if you are using normal then adjust to your taste buds, as normal sugar is sweeter.

I am sending this recipe to the event

MEC Festive Events hosted by Smitha and started by Srivalli

'Cooking for Kids' event by Sharmi , guest hosted at Veggieplatter

Along with this I am also sending Shahi Rabri to these 2 wonderful events

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Tags: Almonds, Dessert, Halwa, Sweet

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Tangy Mango Dal

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Raw mango is available in abundance during summer. It is a classic dal prepared in Andhra, the raw mango lends a unique flavor to the dal, a perfect tangy lipsmacking dal that will leave everybody at home asking for more .... specially my FIL : ) he truely enjoys it. He even claims he can have this dal everyday of the week !!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup toor dal
• 1 cup diced raw(unripe) mango
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1 tsp oil
• 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp urad dal
• 1 tsp crushed garlic
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 green chilli sliced
• 2 red chilli
• 1 pinch hing (asafetida)
• salt to taste
• 3 cups water

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Cooking Procedure

Wash the mango,peel it and dice it into small chunks of pieces leave some chunk of mango still stuck with the seed. Keep aside the diced mango pieces with the seed.

Wash the dal with normal water n keep aside.In a pressure cooker heat 1 tsp oil add urad dal,mustard seeds,cumin seeds,hing,turmeric powder n stir till mustard seeds splutter.Then add onion,garlic,curry leaves,green chilli,red chilli n fry for a min.

Now add the dice mango pieces n dal let them fry one more min.Then add three cups of water, salt n close the lid, pressure cook for 3 whistles.Then off the flame.Once it cools open the lid mix it well.Add 1 cup water n let it boil for 5 min. Your dal is ready.

The mango seed chunk can be served with curd rice. Kids will love to hold it and bite a little tangy mango off it.

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Tags: Mango, Raw Mango Dal

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CHICKEN TETRAZZINI WITH HOME MADE PASTA

One of our favorite dinners is Chicken Tetrazzini with home made pasta.

It is simple and inexpensive to make and (in my opinion) pure comfort food.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 cups of good chicken broth
1 medium onion chopped
3 stalks of celery chopped
2 carrots cut into chunks
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
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Put the above items in a crock pot, on low, for 6-8 hours (you want extremely tender chicken). Remove the chicken and break into pieces. (see note)
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In medium saucepan, with heavy bottom, melt 3 tablespoons of butter; add 3 tablespoons flour + ½ teaspoon black pepper + 2 teaspoons chicken bullion granules. Let this simmer (stirring) for a couple of minutes, then add 2½ cups of milk (whisk like crazy as you slowly add the milk so you do not get lumps). This entire mixture will thicken as it comes to a boil.
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When the mixture boils and thickens, turn heat to LOW and add broken up chicken breast pieces, 1 cup frozen peas, 1 cup sauteed mushrooms, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, a pinch of dry red pepper flakes and 1 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese. Let this cook on low (to warm everything through) but watch it because it can scorch if the heat is too high. Serve over fettuccini noodles.
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If you are going to make your own pasta, here is an easy recipe:
Put 2 cups of all purpose flour in a heavy duty stand mixer. Make a “well” in the flour and put in five whole eggs:

Mixing with your paddle attachment, mix until the eggs are well incorporated into the flour. It shouldn’t be sticky; if it is, add a little more flour. Remove the paddle attachment and add the dough hook. Knead with the dough hook for about 5 minutes. Dough should be very smooth. Cover with plastic and let it rest for about 30 minutes before you cut it.
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Keep majority of dough covered with plastic wrap and work with a small ball of dough at a time. A small ball like this:

will roll out to a flat ribbon like this!

Fold the flat ribbon over onto itself a couple of times and run it through the roller four or five times. Roll the dough out one last time and dust it lightly with flour. Now you are ready to run it through the cutter. Two small balls of pasta dough (like the one in my hand above) made this much cut pasta!!

Bring a big pot of salted water to a full boil. Fresh (un-dried) pasta cooks in about 3 minutes. If you have let your pasta air dry, it takes about 8 to 10 minutes to boil (depending on its thickness).
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NOTE: I’ve noticed when boiling fresh pasta, it tries to “boil over” more easily than commercial pasta. If you add just a few drops of oil to the water, it will stop that.

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NOTE: A (bristle type) pastry brush is great for brushing off excess flour from your pasta dough.

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NOTE: If you do not have a pasta roller/cutter, you can still make home made pasta by rolling it out super thin and cutting it with a pizza cutter.

NOTE: Cool and save the liquid from the crock pot for another recipe, it is excellent broth.

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Délicieux Spinach Mushroom Quiche

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Are you looking for an exotic one pot meal other than the usual routine ? Look no further as I have a tasty and filling quiche that is made with spinach, mushrooms, and cheese. This is my first attempt trying out a french cuisine and it came out pretty well and here is the recipe. The total process involves

1. Preparing the base
2. Preparing the filling
3. Assembling n Baking

For Quiche Base

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• Flour for dusting
• 6 tbsp unsalted cold butter
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 beaten egg
• salt to taste

Mix the flour,baking powder and salt together nicely. Chop the butter and mix it with flour nicely with ur fingers. When butter incoporates into the flour nicely then add the beaten egg and mix it till it forms a soft round dough.

With a rolling pin making it into a 11 inch dia circle. Carefully shift into the greased pie pan.Press it softly against the pie pan and discard the extra dough on the edge.

Poke some holes into the base with a fork to avoid it to puff when it bakes.Keep it in fridge while u are making ur stuffing.

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For Filling

Ingredients

• 1.5 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1/2 onions
• 2 finely chopped green chillies
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• 1/2 tsp dry basil
• 1 tsp chopped garlic
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt to taste

Heat oil in a pan add garlic,green chilli,onions and fry till onion become golden brown,add mushrooms,spinach,salt and cook for 5 min or till mushroom becomes soft. Evaporate all excess moisture then add chilli flakes,basil and mix nicely.Switch of the stove and let it cool.

For topping

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 beaten egg
• 1/2 cup grated cheese ( i used cheddar and mozzarealla cheese)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

For topping, in a bowl beat the egg nicely,add milk, grate cheese salt pepper and mix nicely and keep aside

For Assembly

Preheat the oven 350 F.

Take out the quiche crust from the fridge. Spread the mushroom stuffing evenly. Then pour the milk mixture on top of it evenly. It is should be 1/2 cm below the top edge.

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Put it in oven and bake it for 40-45 min or till the crust become golden brown and the topping too.After baking pull it out from oven and let it rest for 10 min. Slice it and enjoy.

Note: You can avoid egg by adding 1/2 cup grated cheese while making Quiche base n add more cheese on the top before baking

I am sending this to Champa's Bake off event

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Tags: Quiche, Spinach, Mushroom

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Brussel Sprouts In Peanut Gravy

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Brussel sprouts in one of my favourite veggies after coming to US. I love this veggie as it has got a nice crunchy , mild sweet flavor and looks like a mini cabbage.

I had already posted one version of brussel sprouts curry. This time I wanted to make something with more gravy and goes well with roti or rice. In this curry brussel sprouts is cooked with tomato n onions and simmered in a creamy and delicious peanut gravy.

Preparation Time :15 min

Cooking Time : 30 min

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 12-15 Brussel sprouts
• 1/4 cup peanuts
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup chopped tomato
• 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/8 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp garlic ginger paste
• 3 red chillies
• 2 tbsp oil
• pinch of hing
• salt to taste

Cooking Procedure

Wash the sprouts and cut the bottom which is hard and remove the outer leaves and again wash

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Cut each brussel in 2 parts along the length or in quarter depending upon size, heat one tbsp oil in a pan and shallow the brussel sprouts for 3 to 4 min or till it light golden brown.Keep it aside.

In the same pan heat 1 tsp oil add peanuts and fry till they start changing color, add sesame seeds and fry for 30 seconds then add red chilli and fry till sesame seeds change color. Immediately shift it to a plate and let it cool. Once it cools blend it to a nice powder.

Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds when it splutter, add onion garlic ginger paste,turmeic powder and stir till light golden brown. Add tomatos and cook till soft.Add the coriander powder,hing,sugar,salt and stir until oil saturated out of gravy.Then add brussel sprouts and stir n blend the mixture with the brussel sprouts.

Now add the peanut powder mixture and stir nicely and add 1 cup water. Let is simmer on medium flame and stir occasionally till brussel sprouts are soft.Add water if required. After 15-20 min the brussels will be soft and your is ready, take it off the flame.

Serve hot with roti or rice.

Note:

1. To adjust the consistency add water to the gravy and keep stiring frequently to prevent the sprouts from sticking to the vessel.
2. You can also microwave for 10 min to cook the brussels instead of cooking on the flame for the last 15 min. But you need to stir every 3 min in microwave.
3. In place of brussel sprouts u can use any other veggie like eggplant, bell pepper, paneer, mushroom.
4. Brussel sprouts is available in spencers food mall in chennai too

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Tags: Brussel sprouts, Peanut, Curry

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Chocolate Topped Coffee Cake

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I bookmarked this delicious cake from the chef in you blog. It is a soft moist cake with a combination of chocolate topping and coffee flavor.I made it with a little variation instead of toffee I used chocolate for the topping. I am sure you will enjoy it.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp oil
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup cold strong coffee
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup curd
• 3 oz milk chocolate
  

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Baking Procedure

Preheat the oven at 325 F.

Mix the two flour,baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

In another bowl beat the egg and sugar for 3 min till it becomes fluffy then add butter,oil,vanilla extract and blend nicely.Now add the coffee and whisk it nicely.

Then add 1/4 cup yogurt and 1/2 of the flour and mix it nicely and then again add the remaining 1/4 cup yogurt and the flour, beat it until the batter is smooth and creamy. Now spread the batter in a greased 9 inch round pan.

Bake it in oven for 40 to 50 min depend upon oven.Till it becomes golden brown. Meanwhile while it bakes chop the chocolate in small pieces and keep it ready.

Once the cake is done remove the cake from the pan on a cooling rack, sprinkle the chocolate and let it cool. After it completely cools enjoy ur cake.

Note:

1. The chocolate will melt very fast if its too hot, so let it be warm when u sprinkle the chocolate.
   
2. In place of 2 eggs u can also use 4 egg whites.

I am sending this cake to

T&T -Chef in you guest hosted by Priya, event by Lakshmi.

Champa's Bake off event

Dish Name Start With - C ,Event by Akhila

Bookmarked Recipe Every Tuesday hosted by Priya n Aipi

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Tags: Cake, Coffee Cake, Chocolate Coffee Cake

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PUMPKIN - CRANBERRY BREAD (the best)

If the rating system for this recipe was 1 to 5 stars; I would rate this a 10. It is absolutely delicious and will be perfect for your holiday table!! It is very easy to make (doesn't even take an electric mixer) and yet it is unique enough for gift giving. I hope you try it, it is SO GOOD... extremely moist, total comfort food!!! Preheat your oven to 350, and grease and flour two 9" x 5" loaf pans. Set out two large bowls. In the first one mix:

3 cups all purpose flour
3¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¾ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons baking soda
1½ teaspoon salt

In the 2nd bowl, mix:
3 cups granulated sugar
(1) 15 ounce can pure pumpkin (see note)4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
½ cup orange juice (see note)
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (see note)
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Whisk the first bowl (with the flour in it)until the dry ingredients are well mixed. Whisk the 2nd bowl (with the pumpkin in it) until WELL mixed and oil is completely incorporated. Pour the wet into the dry and mix with spoon just until moistened. Stir in cranberries gently.
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Pour batter into prepared loaf pans. Bake 60 to 65 minutes (my oven took 70 minutes). Cool (in the pans) for about 10 minutes, then turn them out. Wrap the hot bread IMMEDIATELY in plastic wrap, covering tightly. Let the breads cool completely in the wrap.


NOTE: Make sure you use a 15 ounce can of plain packed pumpkin and NOT pumpkin pie filling (big difference).

NOTE: Recipe calls for ½ cup of orange juice, which I didn't have, so I used pineapple juice instead.

NOTE: Wash and sort your cranberries. Try to use the darkest berries. Make sure they are thawed out before mixing into batter.

NOTE: It is OK to put the plastic wrap on the hot bread as soon as it comes out of the pan. This forces the moisture back into the bread as it cools.

NOTE: My oven took 70 minutes to cook these loaves. Use the toothpick test to determine doneness.

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Paneer Achari Kati Roll

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Kati roll is a street-food originating from Kolkata, India. Originally kati means stick in bengali and kababs very prepared on the stick and then the kababs were used as a stuffing within the paratha and the generic name of Kati Kabab or Kati Roll got stuck with it. The street vendors have a lot of variations with diffent fillings and sauces.

For my version of kati roll I used paneer, bell pepper, onion blended with minimum spices and flavored with pickle for the stuffing. This is a very simple version which can be prepared very quick and easily. For the masala I used crushed coriander and cumin which gives it a unique flavor and the magic ingredient is the pickle (achar) found in every indian home.

Ingredients

• 6 roti ( I used some rotis which are in fridge)
• 1 cup diced paneer (cottage cheese)
• 3/4 cup diced bell pepper
• 3/4 cup sliced onion
• 3/4 cup tomato
• 1 tsp kasuri methi
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp pickle paste (I used mango pickle/achar)
• 1 tbsp oil
• salt to taste
• sliced onion for serving

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Cooking Procedure

Make a coarse powder of coriander and cumin seeds.

Heat oil in a pan add the onions and saute for 1 min, then add bell pepper and stir.Add the salt and fry a little more and bell pepper should be slightly cruchy. Add tomato and saute for 1 min, now add the crushed coriander and cumin seed powder and fry. Then add paneer cubes and kasuri methi, blend the paneer nicely with the spices.Stir for 1 min, then add the pickle paste and mix nicely and fry for 30 seconds and remove.

Making the kati roll

Warm the roti on a tawa/skillet.Take 2 tbsp of stuffing and place it in the roti lengthwise in the center, sprinkle some onion slices and roll it . Wrap the bottom with a silver wrap and fold the end and serve hot and enjoy.

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Tags: Kari Roll, Wrap, Paneer, Cottage Cheese

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Multilayered Quesadilla With Corn Salsa

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A quesadilla ( tortillas with a cheese-based filling ) is basically a mexican-style stuffed paratha.It is very yummy. It is served with guacamole, corn salsa and sour cream. I made multilayered quesadilla with one layer of beans and another with veggies.

I got the inspiration from Sushma Mallya blog, when I saw this recipe in her blog I immediately bookmarked it. And yesterday I got a chance to make it for dinner.Its tasty,healthy and filling too. It is a perfect one pot meal. Thank you Sushma...

I also made the tortillas, a little healthy version by adding wheat flour and prepared corn salsa to have it as a side for this quesadilla.

The total procedure to make multilayered quesadilla requires

• Making the tortilla
• Preparing the stuffing
• Making the quesadilla

Preparing the tortilla

Ingredients

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup wheat flour
• 2 tbsp cold butter
• a pinch of salt

Cooking Procedure

Mix both the flour with salt,then add the butter and crumble with ur hands and mix nicely my by adding little by little water and make a soft dough.Let it rest for ten minutes.

After ten min knead the dough into a smooth ball and then divide the dough into six parts.Make them into small balls, with a rolling pin roll it into a nice thin circle of 8 - 10 inch diameter and as thin as possible.

Heat the skillet/tawa and it should be hot. Put one tortilla and after 2 min flip it let it cook for 1 min. Both the sides should cook nicely. Repeat the procedure for the rest of tortillas.

Seal it in a large ziplock once they cool for later use.

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For Stuffing

Ingredients

• 1 cup sliced onions
• 1 cup sliced bell pepper
• 1/2 cup sliced mushroom
• 1 cup boiled soft black beans
• 1 tbsp chopped jalapeño
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup cheese (for sprinkling)
• salt and pepper to taste

Preparing the stuffing

Heat a pan with 1/2 tbsp oil, lightly mash helf of the black beans, then add all the black beans to the pan and stir fry for 1 to 2 min, Add salt and pepper to taste, keep it aside.

Now again 1/2 tbsp oil again in the same pan, add onions and stir fry for 1 min, then add bell pepper and stir for 30 seconds and them add mushrooms and let if cook with salt and pepper for two minutes.Then check if any excess moisture ans stir till it all evaporates then shift to a plate then mix the jalapeños and keep it aside.

Preparing the quesadilla

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Warn three 3 tortillas, then take one tortilla on a tawa, spread the veggies, sprinkle cheese on top of it. Press it nicely and then flip.

Now spread the beans the sprinkle some cheese and put the last tortilla on top of it and press it firmly and flip it carefully and let it cook for 1 min to melt the cheese.

Your quesadilla is ready, slice and serve hot with your choice of salsa, guacamole and sour cream.

Corn Salsa

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Ingredients

• 2 cups corn
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 2 tbsp cilantro
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp chopped alepenos
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder
• salt to taste

Preparing the corn salsa

If you are using frozen corn thaw it in microwave for 2 min and for 1 min if it is fresh corn.

Mix all the above ingredients nicely in a bowl, cover it refridgerate for 2 to 3 hrs Your salsa is ready to enjoy with quesadilla.

I am sending this quesadilla to Nupur's BB#8-One Dish Meals

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Tag: Quesadilla, Tortilla, Mexican Food, Salsa, Tasty Veggie Quesadilla

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