Baked Vegetable Cheesy Pasta / Baked Cheesy Pasta

Baked Cheesy Pasta is a delicious, lip smacking dish! I prepared this dish for a gathering and it was a hit among everyone especially kids! Though the ingredients list and methods seems lengthy, it is worth to give a try.

Let's check the recipe now,

PREP TIME

25 min

COOK TIME

20 mins

TOTAL TIME 

45 mins

                                                                                                                                                

Recipe for Baked Cheesy Pasta

Recipe type: Main Course

Cuisine: International

Serves:  3 to 4 (approximately)

Ingredients:

For the white sauce:
Milk - 1 ½ cup to 2 cups
Butter - 1 tablespoon
All purpose flour –1 tablespoon
Cheese slice - – 2 or 3
Pepper powder - ¼ tsp
Chili flakes – To taste (optional)
Oregano or mixed herbs – 2 tsp
Salt - to taste

To cook pasta:
Pasta any variety - 2 cups

Oil – to drizzle
Salt - 2 tsp
Water – 4 to 6 cups water

Other ingredients:
Olive oil - 2 tsp
Onion - 1(finely chopped)
Garlic – 3 to 4 cloves
Tomato sauce – 2 tsp
Mixed vegetables –  (capsicum, carrot, spinach and corn)

For topping to bake:
Mozzarella Cheese -  ¾ to 1 cup (you can adjust  the amount according to your preference)

Bread Crumbs - ¼ cup

Oregano - ½ tsp

Directions:

Pre Preparation:

To cook pasta:

Add water, salt and oil in a wide pan and allow to boil. Once it starts boiling, add the pasta to it and cook till it becomes soft. Once it is done; drain and keep aside.

Chop all the veggies needed and keep aside.

To prepare white sauce:

Heat butter in a pan, once it is starts melting add all purpose flour and saute for a second.

Then add milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps (you can use egg beater).

Once the sauce thickens add pepper, mixed herbs, salt and cheese. Give it a quick stir and keep aside.

To prepare the main dish:

Take a kadai or pan; add finely chopped onion and garlic; stir for a second.  Now add vegetables, salt and stir it. Allow to cook by adding little water.

Once it is done, add prepared white sauce, chili flakes (optional), tomato sauce and cooked pasta.  Mix well.

 

Transfer the pasta in a baking dish. Sprinkle the top with mozzarella cheese, bread crumbs and oregano.

Bake at 180 C for 15 minutes or until top turns golden brown.

Serve hot!

Notes:

You can use any pasta variety for this dish.

Adjust the spice level according to your taste.

Cauliflower Pakoda / Pakora

Cauliflower pakoda is one of the popular and delicious vegetarian Indian snack.  Try this for evening snack along with hot cup of coffee  / tea.  It is hit starter among kids too!

Ingredients:

Cauliflower - 1 medium seized 
Besan flour / Kadalai mavu - 3/4 cup
Rice flour - 1/4 cup
Red chilli powder - 1 to 1 1/2 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Oil - for deep frying

To Grind:

Ginger - 1" piece
Garlic - 4 to 5 cloves
Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp

Directions:

Remove the stems of the cauliflower and cut into small florets.

Boil water with salt; add in the cauliflower florets and switch of the gas. Let the cauliflower florets soak-in for nearly 5 minutes. Drain and keep aside.
(This is to get rid of any bugs that may be inside the heads; soak it in salt water or vinegar to force out any insects that may be lodged within the florets).

Take cauliflower florets in a wide bowl, salt, ginger garlic paste, red chilli powder, garam masala. Mix well and add besan flour and rice flour.

No need to add water, give it a toss to coat the cauliflower. Check for salt and spice.

Then add 1 tbsp of hot oil over the flour mixture .

Heat oil in a kadai, add the cauliflower florets and deep fry it in medium flame till it turns golden brown in colour / until the sizzling sound of the oil stops.

Once it is done, remove the pakoda from oil and drain in tissue paper.

Serve hot.

Note:

Adjust the amount of red chilli powder, according to your taste..

Medu Vada / Ulundu Vadai

Medu Vada / Vadai  is one of the most popular & easy to prepare snack of South Indian cuisine; usually served along with Sambar and Coconut chutney.  

I prepare this often at home as it is my elder son's  favorite.  However  it is only now I am posting this step by step elaborate description with pictures to be helpful for beginners.  

In restaurants Vada is usually served along with idli / pongal as a breakfast combo and we South Indians prepare this at home mostly for festive/special occasions!

Let's check the recipe now,

                   

PREP TIME

2 hours soaking time

COOK TIME

20 mins

TOTAL TIME 

2 hrs 20 mins

                                                                                                                                                   

Recipe for Medu Vada / Ulundu Vadai

Recipe type: Snack

Cuisine: South  Indian

Yields -  18 to 20 vadas(approximately)

Ingredients:

Whole urad / ulundu - 1 cup
Ginger - 1" piece
Green chillies - 2
Onion - 1(finely chopped)
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Coriander leaves - 1 to 2 tbsp(chopped)
Salt - as required
Water - as required
Oil - for deep frying

Directions:

Wash and soak urad dhal for 2 hours.  Drain and add it to a mixer or grinder along with chopped ginger and green chillies. 

Grind it into a smooth paste by adding water little by little.

The batter have to be smooth, not too thick or liquid. (Tip: A Take a dollop of of batter and add it to the water; if it floats; then its the the correct consistency to prepare vada)

Add salt, finely chopped onions, chopped coriander leaves and curry leaves; mix well. (if batter is thin, you can adjust the consistency by adding rice flour)

Heat oil in a pan; mean while keep a bowl of water and vada batter ready.

When a oil is hot; wet your hands and take a portion of batter in your finger and flatten it roughly;  make a hole in the center using your thumb.

(You can also use banana leaf or zip lock covers to make the shape)

Drop slowly inside the oil, deep fry the Vadas till both sides turn golden brown in colour. Strain the oil; repeat with the remaining batter.

Hot Medu vada's are ready to serve!

Notes:

Don't add salt while grinding.

Try to make vada, once the batter is ready; If you keep it for long; Vada will absorb more oil.

You can also add whole pepper to the vada batter.

Mango lassi - Summer Special!

Here is a tasty & refreshing treat for all mango lovers! Slrupp!😋😋😋

Mango lassi is a yoghurt based drink and perfect to have in hot summer.  

PREP TIME

10 min

COOK TIME

0 mins

TOTAL TIME 

10 mins

                                                                                                                                                   

Recipe for Mango lassi

Recipe type: Beverages

Cuisine:  North Indian 

Serves: 1  to 2 (approximately)

Ingredients:

Chopped Mango - 1 cup ( approximately 1 or 2 mangoes)
Yogurt / Curd - ½ cup
Milk - ¼ cup
Sugar - to taste
Cardamom powder - a pinch
Ice cubes - 2 to 3

Paneer Pizza Sandwich / Pizza Sandwich - My 400th Post

Time flies past even before we recognize! I still remember starting this blog with my first post and here I am with my 400th post! 

While feeling excited about this, I am very much thankful to all my readers and friends who continue to encourage me to keep my blog active. 

Through blogging, I have also developed an interest for food photography. 

To celebrate this occasion, here is a lip-smacking paneer pizza sandwich. It is very easy to prepare and great to have at any time.

Yummy indeed!😋😋

                                   

PREP TIME

10 min

COOK TIME

10 mins

TOTAL TIME 

20 mins

                                                                                                                                                   

Recipe for Paneer Pizza Sandwich

Recipe type: Veg

Cuisine:  Indo - Italian

Serves: 2 to 4 (approximately)

Ingredients:

Bread slices – 6 to 8

Grated mozzarella cheese - 4 tbsp

Paneer / Indian cottage cheese - 1 cup
Oregano - 1 tsp

Chilli flakes (optional)

Tomato sauce or pizza sauce – 2 to or 4 tbsp

Onion - ½ (thinly sliced)
Capsicum - ½ (deseeded and thinly sliced)
Black olives - 6 to 8(Sliced)

Butter - to apply on bread

Sprouts Potato Sandwich / Healthy Sprouts Sandwich / Sprouts Masala Sandwich

Here is the continuation to my previous post "How to Sprout Moong Beans (Green Gram Sprouts) at home".  Potato sprouts sandwich is amongst the hits in my family.

Use of Indian spices in this dish adds to the taste and aroma.  This is a perfect choice for breakfast or even a quick meal during the day.

Try this and let me know your feedback!

              

Recipe for Sprouts Masala Sandwich
Recipe type: Sandwich
Cuisine: Indian

Serves: 3 to 4 persons

Ingredients:

Green gram sprouts - ½ to ¾  cup 

Potato - 1(big)

Bread – 6 to 8 slices 

Onion – 1 (finely chopped) 

Tomato – 1(finely chopped) 

Turmeric power - ¼ tsp 

Red chilli powder - ½ tsp 

Garam masala powder - ¼ tsp

Coriander leaves - 1 tbsp (finely chopped) 

Salt - to taste 

Butter – to spread as required 

Tomato ketch up - to spread 

Cream cheese - to spread 

Oil - 1 tbsp

To grind:
Ginger  - 1'' piece
Garlic - 4 to 5 cloves
Green chillies - 1 or 2

Bread Cheese Rolls / Cheese Roll-Ups - Kids Special

Cheese roll-up is an easy to make, delicious snack variety that is perfect for kids lunch box!

Usually, kids like the foods which are easy to handle without any mess and yes, this is it!

Try this calcium rich snack and give your feedback!

Ingredients:

White / brown sandwich bread - 4 slices
Cheese - 4 slices
Butter - to toast
Tomato ketchup - to spread

Sugarcane Juice / Homemade Sugarcane juice / கரும்பு ஜூஸ்

Most of us would have tasted sugarcane juice in roadside shops particularly during seasons & festivals; here is an easy way for those sugarcane lovers to try it at home!

During my childhood days, I used to munch on sugarcane especially during Pongal festival time, but now its a big task for my kids. 

At least to get them experience the taste of sugarcane, I prepared this juice and they just loved it! 

Sugarcane is rich in vitamins and minerals; loaded with many health benefits. 

Instead of drinking artificial and aerated drinks, try this natural Sugarcane Juice / கரும்பு ஜூஸ் (in Tamil) to improve your health. 

Ingredients:

Sugarcane (chopped) - 2 cups
Ginger - one small piece ( chopped)
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
Honey / Sugar - to taste (optional)
Water - to dilute

Paneer Bhurji / Scrambled Indian Cottage Cheese

Try this popular, delicious and easy to make Paneer Bhurji / Scrambled Paneer which is favourite for all ages, especially kids!  This can be used as stuffing for sandwiches, parathas or kathi roll to make a wholesome meal.

Try this calcium and  protein rich paneer bhurji; make your kids healthy & happy!

Ingredients:

Paneer - 200 to 250 gms
Onion - 1 (finely chopped)
Tomato - 1 (finely chopped)
Green chillies - 2
Turmeric powder - ½ tsp
Red chilli powder - ¾ tsp
Garam masala powder - ½ tsp
Coriander leaves - 1 tbsp (finely chopped)
Salt - to taste

For seasoning:
Oil / butter - 1 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Avocado Ice cream / Eggless Avocado Ice cream

Here is refreshing fruit based Ice cream, perfect to beat the heat!  Two special things about this Ice cream is that it is egg- free and it is prepared without use of Ice cream machine. This  recipe is adapted from Alton Brown.

Try this smooth and healthy fruit based ice cream for dessert! I am sure you will enjoy this.

Ingredients:

Avocados - 2
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
Full fat milk - 1½ cup
Sugar - ½ to ¾ cup
Heavy cream - 1 cup

Strawberry Yogurt Popsicle - Summer Special

This Strawberry Yogurt Popsicle is packed with vitamin C and good quality protein - a perfect, refreshing treat for summer!

I am sure kids will love this!

Ingredients:

Strawberries - 8 to 10
Yoghurt - ½ cup
Sugar - 2 tbsp ( adjust according to your taste)

Lime juice - 1 tsp (optional)
Popsicle mould

Dates Cake (Eggless & Butterless) / Eggless Dates Cake

This incredibly soft and tasty date cake is made without egg and butter!  Especially, for those health conscious ones, to eat guilt-free!

Try and give your feedback!

Ingredients:

All purpose flour - 2 cups
Dates - 25 to 30 no. (De - seeded)
Milk - 2 cups
Granulated Sugar - 1 ½ cup
Oil - ¾ cup
Baking Soda - 2 tsp
Nuts - 2 tbsp chopped (I used pistachio)

Chicken & Mayonnaise Sandwich / Chicken Mayo Sandwich

Here is a tasty and easy to prepare sandwich prepared with chicken and mayonnaise as the main ingredient.

Both kids and adults will love this delicious sandwich and perfect to pack for kids lunch / snack box!

Ingredients:

Chicken - 250 grams
Wheat / Wheat bread - 4 to 6
Lettuce leaves – 1 to 2 (tear into small pieces)
Mayonnaise – 4 to 5  tbsp
Tomato ketchup or hot sauce -1 tsp (optional)
Salt - to taste
Pepper – to taste
Spring onion white part / Onion – 2 tsp finely chopped
Butter – to toast

Wheat Paneer Tikka Pizza / Whole Wheat Pizza / Paneer Tikka Piizza / Home Made Pizza

Paneer tikka pizza is really a tasty choice of topping for vegetarians!

Though i have posted Pizza recipe earlier; i want to try a healthier version as my kids are very fond of pizza.

So to improve the nutritional value of pizza, I included half whole-wheat flour and half all-purpose flour to prepare pizza base which gives a soft crust. To improve the flavour you can also add garlic powder / oregano to the pizza base. 

Try and eat this healthy cum fusion pizza without guilty!

Yield - 2 medium sized pizza

Ingredients:

For Pizza Base:

Whole wheat flour - 1 ½ cup
All-purpose flour- 1 cup
Sugar - 1 tsp
Warm water - 1 ½ to 2 cup
Active dry yeast - 2 tsp
Olive oil - 2 tbsp
Salt - 1½ tsp

For Paneer Tikka:

Paneer (cottage cheese) - 250 grams 

Hung yogurt - 1 tbsp 

Lemon juice - 1 tbsp 

Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp 

Red chili powder - 3/4 tsp to 1 tsp( adjust according to your spice level) 

Coriander powder - ½ tsp 

cumin powder - ¼ tsp 

Garam masala powder - ½ tsp

Salt - to taste 

Oil - 1 tbsp

For Pizza Topping:

Pizza/Pasta Sauce - 3  to 4 tbsp
Onion - ½ (thinly sliced)
Capsicum - ½ (deseeded and thinly sliced)
Black olives - 5 to 6 (Sliced)
Grated mozarella cheese - 2 tbsp or as required to cover the topping
Olive Oil - for brushing the base
Oregano and chilli flakes - to sprinkle on top (optional)

Chicken Masala Pasta / Spicy Masala Pasta- Indian Style

Here is a spicy variation of pasta preparation suitable for Indian palate.   This is a tasty &  filling meal, ideal for lunch box and picnics and now this has become my sons favourite!

Ingredients:

Macaroni pasta - 1 cup
Chicken - 150 grams( cut into bite size pieces)
Onion - 1( finely chopped)
Tomato - 1 (finely chopped)
Ginger&garlic paste - 1 tsp

Red chilli powder - ½ tsp
Coriander powder - ¾ tsp
Garam masala powder - ½  tsp

Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp
Tomato Ketchup - 2 to 3 tsp(optional)
Coriander leaves - 2 tsp ( finely chopped)
Oil - 1 or 2  tbsp

Salt - to taste

Ragi Cupcakes / Ragi Chocolate Cupcakes / Finger Millet Chocolate Cupcakes

Can you imagine adding Ragi in baked goodies and how would it taste? See the recipe below:

This recipe is my entry for the event "Shhh!!! Cooking Secretly" challenge started by Priya Suresh. In this, I have joined with Lakshmi Vimala of Cooking Club and the ingredient given by her was Ragi and Jaggery.

I have taken Ragi as the main ingredient and prepared cupcakes using this recipe from Priya's blog. I have just altered the sugar, milk quantity and added vanilla essence. 

A special thanks to her for a wonderful recipe; my kids enjoyed eating this yummy cupcakes without knowing that I have added Ragi in it!

Ingredients:

Ragi flour - ¾ cup
All purpose flour – ¼ cup
Butter - ¼ cup
Sugar - ¾ cup (powdered)
Baking powder - ½ tsp
Baking soda - ½ tsp
Salt - ½ tsp
Cocoa powder -2 tbsp
Vegetable oil - 2 tbsp
Egg - 1
Milk - ½ to ¾ cup
Walnuts - chopped(optional)

Rose Milk Popsicles / Home Made Popsicles

Popsicle (may also be referred as kuchi ice, freeze pop, ice lolly, ice block, ice pop, etc.) is prepared by freezing any flavored liquid.  You may prepare different flavors, adding fruits, chocolates etc., using your creativity!

Beat the heat with yummy Popsicles!

Ingredients:

Milk - 2 cups

Sugar - 1 tbsp (if required)
Rose syrup - 2 to 3 tbsp