Freshly Baked Eggless Cinnamon Rolls

These last couple of months I have been very busy with some personal engagements. Now I have the time I thought I can share one of my favorite baking creations. I wanted to make these eggless as I am sure there are lot of you who would want to try this out without eggs. I was pleasantly surprised that they tasted wonderful too ... so here is the recipe

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 all purpose flour
• 1 tbsp yeast
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 tbsp sugar
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cup warm milk
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For spread

• 4 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp butter

For glaze

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla powder
• 1 tsp butter
• 3-4 tbsp milk

Stage 1 - Making the dough

Take a large bowl add sugar,salt, butter and yeast and mix nicely.Then add warm milk and let it sit for 10 min. After 10 min add the all purpose flour 1 cup at a time and knead for approximately 5 min or until the dough becomes smooth.Keep the dough aside.

Stage 2 - Resting the dough for baking

Coat the bowl with 1 tbsp olive oil,then place this dough in it and roll it. Cover this bowl with a damp cloth or a cling wrap and let it sit for 1 hr.

Stage 3 - Shaping

The dough size will double after 1 hr, knead it again nicely and divide it into two parts and spread it with a roller like chapatti and apply butter evenly and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar powder. Then roll it and cut into 1 inch thick swirls. Let is rest for 20 minutes.

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Stage 4 - Glaze Preparation

Preheat the oven for 180 Celsius. In the meantime whisk butter, sugar and milk till it reaches a thick flow-able consistency.

Stage 5 - Baking

Bake the cinnamon swirls for 30-40 min till golden brown. Remove the baking tray and let it cool. Drizzle the glaze over the rolls and let it sit. Serve warm and enjoy the cinnamon rolls.

Note: The temperature of milk should be luke warm to ensure the activation of yeast is perfect. If the yeast does not foam then the yeast is not activated properly, discard the solution and prepare fresh again.

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Butter Naan With Corn Capsicum Masala

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This months tried and tasted is from chef in you blog choosen by Priya. I had bookmarked so many recipes and I got a chance to try butter naan today.Sometimes I am amused with the name naan wonder what it really means.With a little research I learnt the name stems from the Persian language, a generic word for bread.

Generally it is little thick but I prefer it to be thin. This give it the ability to eat easy. I have noticed people love nan when it is not too soggy.

I made corn capsicum masala to have with the nan which is one of my favorite combinations.This masala curry with corn and bell pepper is simmered in a mildly rich cashew,onion and tomoto gravy with a flavor of fenugreek leaves.I wanted to try this at home and I got this oppurtunity, it proved to be a beautifull combination to have with naan.

Butter Naan

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Ingredients

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp yeast
• 2/3 rd cup warm water
• 1/4 cup warm milk
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp chopped cilantro
• 2 tbsp butter
• salt to taste

Preparing the Naan

Mix yeast,sugar,salt in a big bowl ,add warm water to it ,stir it n let it sit for 15 minutes or till yeast become foamy(active)

Mix milk and 1 tbsp butter together and mix flour,cilantro together and keep both aside

After yeast activates ,add milk n then mix the flour n knead with hand to a smooth n sticky dough. The dough should be very soft .Add few drops of oil to dough n shape it to ball.Let it sit for 2 hrs or till it doubles .

After 2 hrs ,take out the air from dough n knead it approximately for 1 min . Divide into 12 to 14 parts and shape them to round .

Set the oven on high broil.

In lightly floured surface, take each ball of dough and with rolling pin shape to oval shape. Should be as thin as possible.

Take a baking tray, lightly grease it with oil put each nan into it and keep it in the oven for one min on the first side, it will start having some brown spots.Immediately flip it and keep it for another 30 seconds. It depends from oven to oven so keep a eye on it.

Remove the remove the naan from the tray and apply a little butter on it. Serve hot with your choice of curry.

Note:

In broil mode the oven will be hot so be very carefull in handling in the tray.

If you try big enough you can put 2-3 nans at a time.

Immediately put the nan in the tray for baking after rolling it as the dough should be as fresh as possible for baking.

Corn Capsicum Masala

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Ingredients:

• 1.5 cup frozen/fresh corn
• 1.5 cup diced bell pepper (red and green)
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 cup diced tomato
• 8 to 10 cashew nut
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tbsp kasuri methi
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• 1/4 tsp cummin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/8 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp ghee
• salt to taste

Cooking procedure:

Soak cashew nuts in milk for 30 min .

Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan and shallow fry the diced bell pepper for 5 min then add corn and fry for two more min and shift it to a plate.

Heat oil in the same pan ,add onion ,turmeric powder stir till onion become traslucent, then add tomatos and fry till tomatos become soft ,then add all powders , stir till oil begins to appear in gravy and transfer the mixture to a plate n let it cool.After it cool add to the blender with cashew nuts n milk ,make a smooth paste .

Now heat the ghee and add some oil in the same pan ,add cummin seeds n once cummin seeds splutter . Add the paste n fry for 2 more min n once butter starts coming out in gravy add the bell pepper and corn mixture and mix nicely

Add a 3/4 cup of water n let it cook till bell pepper become soft.Now add crushed kasuri methi and stir it nicely and let it cook for 2 more mins and serve hot with nan or rotis.

Note:

1.If are using frozen corn thaw it for 2 min in microwave and use it.

I am sending this to T&T -Chef in you guest hosted by Priya, event by Lakshmi.

Bookmarked Recipe Every Tuesday hosted by Priya n Aipi

I am sending Corn masala to Akheela's Food platter series-orange

Hearth n Soul

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Tags: Naan, Butter Naan, Indian Flat Bread, Corn, Bell Pepper, Curry

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Spinach n Fenugreek Bread (Palak Methi Bread)

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After coming to the blog world, I have been inspired to bake different types of breads, whether it is simple classic white bread, cottage cheese stuffed buns or braided bread with spicy filling.Then I realized I need to make a bread with herbs too and with ingredients we can get in India easily....

Spinach,garlic and fenugreek is always a favorite combination of mine and wouldnt it be a great idea if i could use it in my bread.!!

When I started baking this bread it filled the house with a tempting aroma , and after baking was really pleased with the end result ,the bread was a little crispy on the outside and wonderfully soft inside. I had this bread with a cup of tea and it made my tastebuds dance.

I want to share this bread with a indian twist as 16 Oct is the World Bread Day,

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp dry active yeast
• 1/2 cup luke warm water
• 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 cup finely chopped spinach(palak)
• 1/4 chopped spring onions
• 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
• 1 tsp dry fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
• 2 tbsp mozarella cheese / cottage cheese
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp milk for glazing
• 1 tsp salt

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Making the Bread

Step 1: Preparing the yeast

Mix yeast,sugar and warm water in a big bowl at let it rest for 15 min.After 15 min add 1 cup flour to the yeast and stir nicely and let it sit for 45 min.

Step2: Preparing the dough

Heat 1 tbsp oil in pan, add spring onion and garlic and fry till garlic turns light golden brown, now add spinach,pepper and a little salt and continously stir till spinach leaf (palak) becomes soft. Now add the dry fenugreek leafs (methi) and stir till all the moisture evaporates and switch off to let it cool.

After it cools add this spinach mixture to the yeast along with salt,oil and mix nicely, then add the remaining flour little by little and stir with spatula till it becomes a stiff to stir.

Transfer to a floured surface and knead until it becomes smooth and elastic. Now shape it into a ball and place it in a bowl , cover and leave to rise until it doubles in volumes for 1 -1.5 hrs.

After 1.5 hrs grease a large baking sheet,take the dough and punch out the air and knead it to nice round ball again. Leave it to rise in a warm for another 30 min.

Step 3: Baking

Preheat the oven to 375 F, take a long knife and make a grid pattern on the bread by pressing the knife into the bread with i inch gap between the lines. Now brush with the milk and bake it for 25 min or until it turn golden brown or the bottom sounds hollow when tapped. Shift it to cooling rack.

Serving Tip:

After it cools, slice it and toast it with a little butter to serve with a cup of tea or a bowl of soup.

Note:

1. You can substitute spinach with any other green too.
2. To get a big loaf increase the measurement to double
3. The water should be luke warm while adding the least, as hot water kills the yeast and your bread will not rise.

This bread goes to the wonderful annual event " World Bread Day 2010 "

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Braided Bread With Spicy Mushroom Stuffing

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I recently came across a braided bread recipe which captivated my mind . Few days back I prepared this braided bread . This bread is known as Vienna Bread in Denmark and as Danish bread in the rest of the world. Traditionally it is stuffed with fruits n butter but I used a Indian curry with mushrooms and some Indian spices as a stuffing for this aesthetic bread.It is very easy to prepare and very delightful to look at.

The whole process requires two main procedures

1. Preparing the stuffing
2. Making the braided bread

Ingredients for Stuffing

• 2 cups finely chopped mushroom
• 1 cup finely chopped onions
• 1 tbsp garlic ginger paste
• 2 chopped chillis
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander (cilantro)
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• salt to taste

For paste

• 4 garlic cloves
• 1/4 tsp jeera
• 6-7 black pepper

Stuffing Preparation

Crush black pepper, garlic and cumin seeds together into a coarse paste and keep aside.

Heat oil in a deep bottom pan and add cumin seeds and fry till it splutter,add the above garlic mixture and fry for a min. Add onions and keep stiring and add garlic ginger paste, chopped chillies,turmeric powder and salt

Once the onion is golden brown add all powders and stir ,add mushrooms stir and cover and let it cook in medium flame till mushroom become soft .Make the flame to high to evaporate any excess moisture in it ..n ur stuffing is ready

Ingredients for Bread

• 2 cups all purpose flour + some flour for dusting
• 1/2 tbsp dry active yeast
• 1/8 cup luke warm water
• 1/8 cup luke warm milk
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg (optional)
• 2 tbsp butter at room temp
• 3 tbsp milk with 1 tbsp oil for glazing
• 1 tbsp olive oil for coating dough

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Bread Preparation

Step 1: Making the Dough

In large a bowl yeast,salt n sugar nicely and add the luke warm water and stir. Let it sit for 15 min. The yeast will become foamy after 15 min then add milk and egg.

Gradually add flour cup by cup and stir it. Transfer to a floured surface and knead it to get a smooth and elastic dough.Shape it into a nice big. Apply oil to it and transfer it again the bowl,cover and keep in warm place to let it rise until double in volume. It will take about 1 hr 30 min.

After 1.5 hr grease a large baking sheet or tray,punch the dough to take the air out, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface,knead it lightly then roll out into a rectangle to a thin sheet 5 mm thick.

Step 2 - Making the braided pattern

Spread the stuffing in the center along the length.It should cover 1/3 width portion of the total width in the center.With a sharp knife cut 10 strips at a angle on both sides of the filling.

For a braided pattern fold up one end neatly then fold over the strips from alternating sides until all the strips are folded over.Trunk excess dough underneath at the end.

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Step 3 - Baking

Shift it to the baking tray carefully, cover loosely with a dish towel and let is rise in a warm place until almost double in volume, it will take about 30-40 min

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, brush the bread with a glaze and bake until brown for about 30 min. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Your stuffed braided bread is ready

Note: You can choose paneer in place of mushroom stuffing but it should be dry.

I am sending this Bread to

Champa's Bake off event

Hearth n Soul

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Tags: braided bread, danish bread, stuffed bread, mushroom garlic stuffed bread

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Pizza Apne Desh Ka (Indian Style Pizza)

Today I have wonderful news to share with you all , as you all know my Bread Swirls was in contest at Manjulas kitchen n I won it....all because of you. Thanks a ton to all my blogger friends for your support as you spared some time to vote for me.Also won a giveaway at Akhilas blog.On this wonderful occasion I am going to share pizza from scratch with Indian style sauce n toppings. I used to prepare this version before blogging n shared with lot of friends n whoever tried it have fallen in love with it. I used to buy pizza base earlier but now I make it.I am 100% satisfied. Yesterday I made two pizzas one medium size n one pan size. My hubby like more crispy n I love little soft so I made accordingly.

This sauce is made with all Indian ingredients which suits our taste buds.It can be prepared quickly before making the pizza or store it for a couple of days.We always enjoy this version n hope you too.

Thank you once again for your love,support n encouragement.

Ingredients for Pizza sauce

• 1 cup chopped onions
• 2 cup chopped tomatos
• 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped cilatro
• 1 tsp chopped chillies
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt to taste

Cooking Procedure

Heat oil in a pan ,add add onion ,garlic n chillis saute for a min then add bell pepper n fry for a min .Now add tomatos ,cilantro n cook till tomato become soft ,now add coriander powder, cumin powder,salt n ketchup n let it cook for one more min n switch off the flame n let it cool .After it cools make a coarse paste n keep aside (Note if ur tomatos r not juicy add 1/4 cup water after tomatos cook n before adding masala)

Ingredients for Topping

• 1 cup diced mushroom
• 1 cup diced cottage cheese(cut them to 1cm cube)
• 1 cup diced bell pepper(all colors)
• 1/2 cup sweet corn
• 1/2 tsp chill powder
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp chat masala
• 1 tbsp kasuri methi
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Mix all the above ingredient except oil and marinate them for 20 min. After 20 min heat oil in a pan ,add all these veggies n stir fry on high flame for 4 min n shift it to a plate

Ingredients for Pizza Dough

• 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour+tbsp for dusting
• 1 tbsp yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 3 tsp oilve oil + 1 tsp to coat the dough

In a big bowl add yeast,sugar,salt n warm water let it sit for 10 min. It will become foamy. Then add oil Then add flour slowly 1/2 cup at a time n stir with spatula. Then take it make it into a ball(It shpuld be little bit sticky than usual). Grease it with oil cover with a damp cloth n let it sit for 1 hr.

After a hour or till the dough become double.Take it out n punch it in the center to take all the air out.Again make the dough to a round shape let it sit for 30 min.

Pizza Assembly

After 30 min take the dough to a floured surface n divide the dough into 2 parts n with a rolling pin spread it into a circle to the size of the pan. shift it to pan and adjust according to that and press the dough toward the edges to give a nice crust.I prepared one medium size n one pan size pizza.let it rest for 10 min.

Preheat the oven to 400 with silicone sheet/or a pizza stone in the lower rack

Take the the pizza base n spread the pizza sauce on the pizza dough base ,spread the toppings and sprinkle cheese on top of it n apply oil to the edge with a brush.

Baking the Pizza

Bake the pizza for ten minutes after which remove from pan n shift it directly to the silicone baking sheet/pizza stone n increase the temperature to 450 F n bake for another 5 min. Your pizza is ready!! Serve warm after 10 min.

Note: Temperature may vary from oven to oven so make sure to keep looking at it. Once it starts to change color to light golden brown remove it.

To make pizza crispy you can keep for another min.

If you wish to thin crust pizza then you have use lesser dough or bigger pan. You can use any baking pan it need not be a pizza pan. I used pie pan for my pizza.

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Tags: Pizza , Indian Style Pizza

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Rich Chocolate Almond Tea Cake

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I wanted to prepare chocolate truffles but the chocolate seemed to be too rich with cocoa flavor with a mild bitter taste which didnt suit us so I modified it to make a rich chocolate cake.It came out very well and it is also my first chocolate cake !!

I was pleasantly surprised I didnt have to throw it away n could make another dish that balanced the bitterness of cocoa powder n its tasty too for chocolate lovers like my hubby.

Ingredients:

• 5 oz unsweetened chocolate bar (Bakers Brand)
• 1/2 cup grounded almond
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup finely chopped almonds (optional)

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Baking procedure

Preheat oven 350 F.

Break the chocolate into pieces n melt it with almond n vanilla extract in a bowl set over sauce pan of hot water. Stir until well blended. Now add butter to it n stir till it melts.

Mix all purpose flour with baking powder, baking soda n grounded almonds nicely.

In another bowl beat the eggs and sugar for 3 min with a hand blender with medium speed till it become fluffy.Then add oil,milk and again blend till it all mix nicely.Then chocolate sauce to it n stir with spatula.

Take the flour and slowly add to the above mixture and stir till it blends properly .This can done with hand blender or even with a spatula.

Pour it into a well graeased 9x5 inch loaf pan n bake for 30 min. check with a toothpick if it doesnt stick its ready.

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Serve with a cup of coffee or tea.

I am sending this chocolate almond tea cake to

Champa's Bake off event

Chocolate Dreams hosted by Shabitha

EFM - Bakes and Cakes Series hosted by Srilekha

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Tags: Chocolate cake, cake, tea

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