Sinful Spinach Pizza

Planing to invite a few friends for a pizza party, you can surprise them with this pizza.This delicious homemade pizza with some delicious toppings with prebought pizza base can make your party grow wild.Who said a perfect pizza has to have italian flavors,I have experimented with indian flavors ... it has a exceptional taste that will make your taste buds dance.So enjoy the recipe and celebrate your pizza party

Ingredients :
Palak/Spinach Sauce

• 2 cups tightly packed spinach
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
• 1/2 cup finely chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp kasuri methi
• 1 tsp dhania/coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 tsp chopped garlic
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp finely chopped green chilli
• 1/4 tsp cummin/jeera seeds
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt to taste

Topping

•  1/2 cup paneer cubes (1/2 inch paneer)
• 1/2 cup sliced mushroom
• 1/4 cup boiled sweetcorn
• 1 tsp kasuri methi
• 1/4 tsp coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp chilli flakes
• 1/4 tsp chat masala
• 1 tsp oil
• 1/4 tsp salt

And

• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 4 pan size pizza base

Take a bowl and mix all the ingredient in toppings and let it marinate for 20 minutes.Boil the spinach for 2 minutes in microwave and make a puree out of it.

To make sauce heat oil in the pan add cummin seeds and when it splutters add onion and garlic, and let it fry till onion becomes translucent. Then add ginger garlic paste fry for another 1 min, then add tomatoes till they become soft. Add all the masalas and fry till begins to saturate. Now add spinach puree and let it boil for 5 min on medium flame.Add kasuri methi cook for a minute and switch off the flame.

To prepare the pizza , spread the sauce on the pizza base, sprinkle mozzarella cheese, add the toppings and grill it for 8-9 minutes.Your pizza is ready to eat.

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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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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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Enticing Ghugni with Spinach Puri

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Ghugni is a popular dish in West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and Assam. It is a delicate spicy dish with a combination of some wonderful spices simmered in a tasty onion tomato gravy.

In Orissa ghugni is a part of a delicious chaat (street food). A combination of chilled dahi wada, spicy aloo dum and steaming hot ghugni is served with a topping of onion and sev ... mmmmhhhhh....a superb treat for your tastebuds. I really miss it. This version of ghugni is from my moms kitchen which we used to enjoy with rice, chappatis or puris. It is one of our favourite curries at home.

Today I prepared ghugni to have with spinach puri.I got the recipe from Sanjana's Blog.Thanks Sanjana. I love this combination of spinach puri and ghugni as it is very colorful and tasty too.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry green peas
• 1/2 cup onion
• 1.5 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic ginger
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp oil

For dry masala

• 1 tbsp whole coriander seeds
• 1/2 tbsp cumin seeds
• 3 red chillies
• 1/2 tsp whole black pepper
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 4-5 cloves

Cooking Procedure

Soak the peas overnight, wash them thuroughly , pressure cook with 1 cup water till three whistles n switch off the flame.

Take a pan n roast all the dry masala ingredients without any oil, once cumin seeds starts to change color remove from flame and let it cool. Once it cool make it a fine powder

In a blender make a paste of ginger,garlic n tomatoes n keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan n and the cumin seeds n once it splutter add the onion,turmeric powder and once onion become translucent add the tomato puree and fry for 5 min then add the dry masala powder n fry till oil begin to saturate on the sides.

Now add this gravy to the pressure cooked peas and mix it nicely, add 3/4 cup water and pressure cook again for 1 whistle and switch off. Once it cools open the cooker and check the consistency and stir nicely. Serve hot with rice, chappati or puri.

Spinach Puri

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Ingredients

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup spinach leaves
• 2 green chilli
• 3/4 cup water
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp oil
• oil for deep fry

Cooking Procedure

Make a puree of spinach n green chilli n keep aside.

Heat oil in a frying pan .

Take the flour, mix the salt n oil,now add the above spinach puree to it and stir it continously. Then knead it for 4-5 min to a soft firm dough. Divide the dough into 12 balls n roll each ball to a circle of 5 inch diameter with a rolling pin.

Deep fry the puri one by one till it puff up n begins to look crispy.

Note: Oil should be hot before dropping the puri. While frying the puri, press them lightly into the oil until they puff up.

Any one can cook series:3,FB hosted by ayeesha

Bookmarked Recipe Every Tuesday hosted by Priya n Aipi

Kids Lunch Box Treat by Tastebuds

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Tags: Ghugni, Channa Masala, Puri, Spinach, Breakfast, Easy Recipe, Tasty Recipe

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Spinach Cottage Cheese Stuffed Buns

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These buns are inspired from Vaishalis blog which she got from Champa's blog. I bookmarked the recipe long back n today I tried it n they came out very well.I used a little different stuffing but the baking procedure is the same. We all enjoyed it these delicious buns with a cup of tea.

Ingredients:

For stuffing

• 1.5 cup chopped palak (spinach)
• 3/4 cup grated paneer (cottage cheese)
• 1/2 boiled mashed potato
• 1/4 chopped onions
• 1 tsp kasuri methi(dry fenugreek leaves)
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp chat masala
• 1 tbsp oil
• salt to taste

For Buns

• 1 n 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 n 3/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 2 tbsp warm water
• 2 tbsp oil

For greasing the buns

• 1/2 tsp milk
• 1 /2 tsp oil

Preparing the Stuffing

Heat oil in a pan add cumin seeds n when it splutter add chopped onions n when turns translucent add chopped spinach and cook for 2 min. Once it done add mashed potato mix it well n add all the powders along with salt n blend nicely n stir for 1 min.Add the dry fenugreek leaves n paneer n fry for one more min n your stuffing is ready. Let it cool to room temperature.

Making the Stuffed Buns

Step 1: Making 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 n milk mix nicely. Then add flour slowly 1/2 cup at a time n stir with spatula. Then take it out of the bowl n on a lightly floured surface knead it for 5 min n then make it into a ball. Grease it with oil then put it in a bowl n 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.Now divide the dough into six parts n shape it into six balls n let it sit for another 10 min.

Step 2 : Stuffing the Buns

Then take each ball n spread it on your left palm by pressing with ur right hand into a circle.Then put 1 tbsp of stuffing on it and enclose it by pulling the dough over it from all sides n shape it into a smooth ball. Put it in greased baking tray n let it sit for 45 min.Then grease each bun with milk n oil mixture n make it ready for baking.

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Step 3: Baking

Preheat the oven at 350 F 15 min before baking n bake these buns for 15 min or till they golden brown.

Serving Procedure

Serve the buns once they cool or store them in a fridge reheat in microwave for 10 seconds n serve warm with a cup of tea.

I am sending these delicious buns to some wonderful events like Yeastspotting

Champa's Bake off event

Bookmarked Recipe Every Tuesday hosted by Priya

Two for Tuesday

Letz Relishh – Paneer hosted by Jaya

EFM - Bakes and Cakes Series hosted by Srilekha

Kids Menu Event hosted by Neha

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Tags: Bread, Buns, Cottage Cheese, Spinach, Stuffed Buns, Palak, Paneer, Veggie Stuffed Buns

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Cottage Cheese Spinach Sandwich

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Sandwich is a favorite breakfast of my hubby when he is in a rush and he wanted to have it after going to office. I prepared this sandwich with some grated home made paneer and spinach which he liked very much,and it is also healthy and filling. This sandwich is very ideal for picnics too. I am sure u will love it.

Preparation Time:10 min

Cooking min: 10 min

Makes : 5 sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 10 slices bread
• 1 cup grated paneer (cottage cheese)
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 2 small green chillies chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper(I used red)
• 1 tsp chat masala
• 1 tsp oil
• salt n pepper to taste

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Cooking Procedure:

For sandwich stuffing

Heat oil in a pan add onion,green chillies and stir till onion become translucent,then add bell pepper fry for a min and then add spinach and let it cook for 2 min, then add chat masala,salt and pepper and fry for 1 more min.Switch of the stove and paneer and mix it.Your stuffing is ready.

Making the sandwich

Heat a tawa , spray little oil,spread the stuffing on one slice,sandwich it with another slice,toast it till golden brown n enjoy your sandwich.

This recipe goes for the wonderful event Letz Relishh – Paneer hosted by Jaya

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Tags: Cottage Cheese, Spinach, Sandwich, Paneer, Palak, Bread, Easy Recipe, Simple Recipe, Brunch, Picnic, Snack, Travel Food, Healthy Recipe, Tasty Recipe, Kids Recipe

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Hariyali Methi Chaman

Methi Chaman is considered an authentic kashmiri dish.It resembles palak paneer but its flavor is very unique. Any kashmiri cuisine restaurant will have two vegetarian dishes for sure dum aloo and methi chaman. Kashmiri cuisine has been influenced by many cultures and many dishes have evolved over time.I hope you will enjoy this version of methi chaman.The original kashmiri uses more cream however i have toned it down .

Cooking Time: 45 min

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cubed paneer(cottage cheese)
• 1 1/2 cup palak(spinach)
• 1 cup methi (fenugreek leaves)
• 1 tbsp kasuri methi
• 3 to 4 green chillis(according to ur taste)
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1 tsp garlic ginger paste
• 2 tbsp fresh cream(optional)
• 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp cream
• 1 tsp sugar
• salt to taste

Cooking Procedure:

Boil palak n methi leaves together in a deep bottom pan with some water for 5 mins n keep it aside ,let it cool, after it cools blend them into fine coarse paste.

Heat oil and butter in a pan once butter melts put cumin seeds n stir, once its splutter add onion ,garlic ginger paste ,green chillis and fry till onion become golden brown.

Add the paste n kasuri methi to it n stir for one min ,then add coriander powder,sugar,garam masala and fry it on medium flame till oil saturates from the gravy.

Add cream n mix it well n then add required amount of water to get the right consistency for ur gravy, let it boil for 3 min then add paneer cubes n stir nicely, let it cook for one more min.

Your methi chaman is ready , serve hot with rotis n enjoy.

This methi chaman goes for the the wonderful event Think Spice Think Fenugreek host by Priya started by Sunita and also sending this dish to the event Side Dishes from India hosted by Suma

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Tags: Methi, Palak, Methi Chaman, Kashmir, Authentic Dish, Spinach, Fenugreek, Paneer, Cottage Cheese, Vegetarian, Healthy

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