Hummus With Roasted Red Pepper

Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip  made out of boiled chickpea's along with sesame seeds paste(Tahini),olive oil and lemon juice,usually served with bread.There is no end to the varieties of hummus preparation,the recipe is so versatile that it will  blend easily with most of vegetables and herbs which will add different flavours to the hummus.Here I have prepared hummus with Roasted red peppers.

Roasting red peppers will adds smokiness and flavour to the peppers.
It can be roasted in 2 ways.
1.Grill Method
This method is good when you have more peppers to roast.Preheat the grill and turn the oven to 250'C,place the oven rack to the highest position,making sure that the peppers still fit under the grill without touching the flame or heating element.Place the whole peppers on a baking sheet and slide them under the grill,make sure to keep an eye on the peppers by turning them often as they brown using long tongs.The skin of the peppers will charred and bubble but don't get them over burn,The total roasting time will be 5-20 minutes depending on the size of the peppers and the capacity of your oven/grill.
2.Stove Top Method:
If you got only one or two peppers to roast try this method using metal tongs,hold the peppers directly over the flame and turn the peppers as the skin gets charred.
After roasting,place the roasted peppers in a bowl,cover with cling wrap or tight fitting lid and leave it for 5-10 minutes.This will make them sweat and it will be easier to peel the skin.Remove the seeds and chop.This can be used in any salads or any dish as you like.

Ingredients:
Red pepper/ Red Capsicum/Red Bell Pepper-1(Roasted)
Chick peas(boiled) -11/2cups
Tahini Paste(Sesame seed paste)-2Tbsp
Garlic- 3 cloves
Olive oil-1/4cup
Lemon juice-2Tbsp
Roasted cumin powder-1tsp
Black pepper powder-1/2 tsp
Chilli flakes-1/2tsp
Chilli powder/Paprika-1tsp(optional)
Salt to taste
Sesame seeds,chilli flakes and olive oil for garnishing

Method.
1.Add every thing except olive oil in a blender or food processor  and blend pouring olive oil bit by bit until it becomes a smooth paste.
2.Take out the hummus to a bowl,drizzle olive oil,sprinkle few sesame seeds and chilli flakes on top of the hummus.
3.Serve with toasted pitta bread or any kind of bread of your choice.

Note:
1.You can use coriander or parsley when blending.
2.Adjust the spices less or more according to your preference and taste.
3. In Kannada,Red pepper/Red capsicum  Known as Dappa kempu menasinakayi/Donne kempu menasinakayi.
4.In Hindi,it is known as Lal Shimla mirch.
5.It can be stored in a jar or air tight box for up to week in the fridge.

6. Check out my  Hummus and other Middle eastern recipes

Apricot Salsa

Ingredients:
Apricot,firm ripened ones-6
Red bell pepper-1/2 or small one
Fresh or pickled Jalapeno chillies to taste
Fresh coriander-3-4 sprigs
Lemon or Lime juice-1Tbsp or to taste
Sugar-1/2tsp
Salt to taste
Pepper powder-1/2tsp

Method:
1.Remove the seeds from the apricots and finely chop them.
2.Finely chop the bell pepper,jalapeno and coriander.
3.In a bowl mix chopped apricot, bell pepper,jalapeno, coriander,lime juice, sugar,salt and pepper
mix well.
4.Serve with Tortilla chips or any chips of your choice.

Note:
1.Choose the apricots which are firm and ripen.
2.You can also try this recipe with peaches and nectarines.
3.If the apricots are sour add sugar and lime juice adjust more or 
less accordingly.

Fusilli With Tomato And Basil Sauce/Marinara Sauce

Marinara sauce is a very simple and basic sauce eaten with pasta,which can be prepared in no time yet very delicious.I am using here chopped pomodoro Italian tomato can,which is very convenient and gives the authentic taste. I recommend you to use canned tomatoes because with fresh tomatoes you won't get that exact taste.

Ingredients:
Pomodoro tomato can-1
Onion-1
Garlic-2-3
Extra virgin olive oil-2tbsp
Dried basil-1/2tsp
Fresh Basil leaves,chopped -handful(reserve few for garnishing)
Chilli flakes-1/2tsp(optional)
Salt to taste
Sugar-1tsp
Black pepper powder-1/2tsp
Bell pepper/Capsicum(diced)-1
Fusilli pasta(cooked)-2cups

Method:
1.Heat a olive oil in a pan,add chopped garlic saute for a minute then add onion fry until translucent.
2.Add a can of chopped tomatoes,salt,sugar,dried basil,chilliflakes and pepper powder,cover the lid
and simmer on a low heat for 10-12 minutes.
3.Fry the bell pepper with little oil until nearly soft and keep it aside.
4.Take a pasta in a wide bowl,add sauce and bell pepper mix well.
5.Garnish with torn basil leaves and dash of olive oil.
6.Serve hot with Garlic bread.

Note:
1.If you want to use fresh tomatoes,first blanch them,remove the skin and blend it into a smooth
paste.
2.You can use any veggies coloured bell peppers,broccoli,mushroom,courgettes,peas etc
3.It can be Prepared in advance and can be freezed for upto 1 month.
4.This sauce can also used on Pizza as pizza sauce.

Mushroom and bell pepper Stir Fry With Green Chutney

Ingredient:

Mushroom-1cup,chopped

Mix colour bellpeppers-1cup,sliced

Onion-1,sliced

Green chutney-2tbsp or to taste

Gingergarlic paste-1tsp

Salt to taste

Ghee-2tsp

Jeera-1tsp
Coriander to garnish

Method:

1. Heat a ghee in pan,add Jeera when it begin to pop add onions when they become translucent 

add gingergarlic paste and bell peppers fry  for minute  and add mushrooms fry  them for a minute and 

allow to cook on low flame by closing the lid.

2.Mushroom leaves water so no need to add water,open the lid and cook by turning occasionally until all the

 water is evaporated from the mixture on a medium flame.

3.Now add green chutney and salt to taste,cook for another 2 -3minutes and remove from the flame,now it is ready to serve,garnish with coriander.Serve with Chappatis or rice as a side dish.

Note:

1. you can also use any other vegetable to make this simple stir fry.

2. Serve as a roll or wrap with tortilla's or leftover chappati's or even pitta bread

3.Suitable for grown ups and  kids lunch box.

Masala Stuffed Pepper Fry

Ingredients:
Banana peppers-4
Roasted peanuts-1cup(roughly chopped)
Salt to taste
Turmeric powder-1/4tsp
Coriander powder-1tsp
Dry mango powder/Amchur-1tsp
Red chilli powder to taste
Lemon juice-1tsp
Oil-1tbsp

Method:
1.Wash,wipe the whole peppers and make a slit in the middle,remove the seeds.
2.In a bowl mix all the ingredients except oil,stuff spoonful of mixture to
peppers through slits.
3.In a pan heat a little oil,place all the peppers on tawa shallow fry stuffed peppers on both sides until it gets char-grilled colour.
Serve as side dish with rice and dal or rasam.
Note:If you like to eat very hot and spicy,use hot variety chillies.

Mirch Ka Salan

Ingredients:
Pepper(mild or hot variety)-10-15
Onion-1
Roasted peanuts-1/2cup
Toasted sesame seeds-1/4cup
Tamarind concentrate-1tsp
Ginger-1" piece
Garlic- 3cloves
Salt to taste
Red chilli powder-1tsp
Jaggery to taste
Cloves-2
Dry red chilli-1
Cinnamon-1"stick
Cumin seeds-1tsp
Coriander seeds-1tsp
Oil-2tsp

Method:
1.Dry roast cloves,redchillies,cinnamon,cumin seeds and coriander seeds.
2.In a same pan add 1tsp of oil,add onions and fry until golden brown and take out.
3.In a blender,add fried onions,roasted spices,sesame seeds,ginger, garlic,tamarind paste toasted peanuts and 1 cup of water little at a time.
4.For preparing pepper,take whole chillies or pepper make slit in the middle,if you  don't want hot remove the seeds in hot varierties.
4.In a same pan add little oil and fry the  peppers until brown,add blended paste and little water,turmeric,salt,red chilli powder and jaggery mix well,cover the lid and cook on a  low flame 10 -12minutes.
Serve hot with biryani,pulao,any rice varieties,chappatis or rotis.
Note:This gravy may burn or stick to the bottom of the vessel very quickly due to addition of peanuts and sesame paste so make sure that to cook on a low flame.

Bell Pepper Open Sandwich

Ingredients:
Ciabatta bread-2
Garlic butter-2-3tbsp
Bell peppers-1cup(any color or mixed color)
Tomato-1 
Cheddar cheese(grated)-1/2cup
Dried Italian mixed herbs-1/2tsp
Salt and pepper to taste

Method:
1.Cut  the ciabatta rolls into halves horizontally and keep it aside.
2.Cut the bell peppers into stripes and same with tomato, deseeded and cut lengthwise.
3.Apply garlic butter on the bread slices,then top it with peppers and tomato pieces.
4.Sprinkle salt n pepper on top,then top it with grated cheese.Sprinkle dried herbs on top.
5.Bake or grill in a Preheated oven at 180'c for 7-minutes or until cheese melts.Serve immediately.

Vegetable Quesadilla

Ingredients:

Spring onions-2 sticks,finely chopped

Coriander-2tbsp

Cheddarcheese-1/2cup,grated

Red chilli flakes-1/2 tsp(if preparing for small kids,use black pepper powder instead)

Sweetcorn-handful(I have used frozen)

Red or green bellpepper-1/2portion,finely chopped

Salt to taste

Flour tortilla's-4

Method:

Toast all the tortilla's and keep aside.In a bowl mix all ingredients and keep aside.Heat a tava place the tortilla and spread the handful of mixture on the tortilla and cover the another tortilla on top and press gently,make sure that the flame is low because tortilla' will burn quickly.Cook on both sides until cheese melts,cut them into 4 or 6 triangular wedges.Serve warm with sour cream or any dip of your choice.

This Quesadilla's are off to  Event Kids lunch box treats hosted by Smitha of Taste Buds

Tortilla Wheels With Tomato Salsa

This is a yummy recipe i got it from Very Vegetarian Cook Book,a real treat for vegetarians.I prepared this dish several times before,i thought of sharing my favourite recipe for this Easter with you guys!.In original recipe it is served with pineapple salsa,but i personaly liked to serve this with tomato salsa than pineapple salsa,it taste better with tortilla wheels.This is a fine finger food. Enjoy the long weekend!!! "Happy Easter" to all of u!!!

                                 Stack them one on another

                                unwrap and cut into slices
Ingredients:
cream cheese-150g
greenchilli,chopped -1
fresh coriander leaves,chopped -2tbsp
tomatoes-4,deseeded and finely chopped
spring onions-4,finely chopped
red or yellow pepper-1,deseeded and finely chopped
cheddar cheese,grated-125g
salt and black pepper to taste
flour tortilla's-8


Method:
1.Beat the cream cheese until smooth and  add all other ingredients for filling
mixell and season to taste with salt and blackpepper.
2.Divide the mixture among tortilla's,spread it evenly.place each tortilla on top
of another.
3.Making four stacks of two,then rollthem up tightly,cover in cling film and chill
for atleast 2 hours.
4.Preheat the oven to 200'C/400'F/Gas6,unwrap the tortilla's and trim away the ends
and then cut each roll into eight slices.
5.Place on baking sheets and bake for 15-20minutes until golden brown.
6.Serve with tomato salsa.


Tomato Salsa


Ingredients:
Hard ripen tomatoes (Chopped) - 4
Red onions - 1 medium
Coriander - 2 tbsp
Garlic - 2 cloves
Pickled jalapenos - 1tsp
Lemon juice - 1tbsp
Salt and Black pepper to taste
Olive oil - 1 tbsp
Method:
Blend all the ingredients except oil, in a blender to a fine puree.
Heat a olive oil in a pan,add the puree cook until it nearly thickens,
remove from the heat, leave to cool.
Serve chilled with  tortilla wheels.

Spicy Bread Pudding

Ingredients:

6-Slices whole wheat bread with crust removed

1tbsp-Polyunsaturated margarine/butter

1-Green capsicum,halved and seeded

1-Yellow capsicum, halved and seeded

2-Tomatoes,chopped

1-Red onion, finely chopped

2-Greenchillies,finely chopped

1/2cup-Low fat cheddar cheese,grated

2-Eggs,beaten

2cups-Skimmed milk

1tsp-Dried mixed herbs

Ground black pepper to taste

Salt to taste

Method:

1. Spread bread with the margarine and cut each slice into four triangles.
Place capsicum on a rack and broil for 10minutes under the grill until slightly blackened.
Place the capsicums in a polythene bag with tongs, seal and let cool.peel the skins and discard.
Slice the capsicum into thin strips.

2. Layer the bread, peppers,tomatoes,onion,greenchillies and half of the cheese in a large ,shallow ovenproof dish.

3. Mix the eggs and milk together with herbs, salt and pepper to taste and pour over the bread.Allow to sit for 30minutes.

4. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the dish and season.

5. Bake in the oven at 160'c for 45minutes untill set and risen,serve hot.

NOTE: This can be prepared with leftover bread and vegetables