Pane Bianco Bread with Garlic Basil and Sundried Tomatoes

Pane Bianco Bread with Garlic, Basil and Sun-dried Tomatoes

    I was bored and wanted some excitement! Burning a hole in my pocket was definitely NOT a good option at that moment.Hence, I settled down to try and bake something  complicated . My search came to an end when I tumbled upon the Italian Pane Bianco bread. The swirly shaped bread with a filling of garlic , sun-dried tomatoes and basil leaves absolutely captivated me ! Since my basil plant had a few leaves to spare me and I had a bottle of homemade sun-dried tomatoes tucked away safely in my fridge, I gleefully opted to kill my boredom by attempting this complicated bread. As I went about the procedure I was truly amazed at how really simple it is! (Pictures can indeed be very deceiving!)

Here’s the recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour website.

‘Tomato, Basil &Garlic filled Pane Bianco Bread.’

The flavor of garlic,basil and the sundried tomatoes on each slice of bread was awesome! I had it with a bowl of Tomato Soup. Absolutely yummylicious !!! J

   

Pane Bianco Bread with Garlic Basil and Sundried Tomatoes

Ingredients

•         3 cups all purpose flour
•         ¼ cup warm water     
•         1/8th   cup sugar  or 1 Tbsp sugar             
•         2 tsp instant yeast
•         ½ cup warm low-fat milk 
•         1Table spoon &1 tsp  extra-virgin olive oil
•         1 large egg
•         1 tsp salt

Filling

•       2 tablespoon oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
•       1/2 teaspoon  garlic powder
•       ½  cup shredded  cheese (I used Cheddar cheese)
•       ½ cup chopped fresh basil
•       ½ tsp onion powder
•       2 tbsp Parmesan cheese

Method

1.   Warm water and add the yeast and sugar.Let it stand for about 5 – 10 mins till it   becomes frothy. Add this to the other ingredients like flour, oil, warm milk and    salt. Also add the beaten egg.
2.   Knead to a soft dough.
3.  If you're kneading in a stand mixer, it should take 5 to 7 minutes at second speed.    The dough should clean the sides of the bowl, perhaps sticking a bit at the    bottom.Take out the dough.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, and turn to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
5.  What I did…I dumped all the ingredients into my Bread Machine and set it to ‘dough”  It took about 1 hr &  20 mins  for the dough to rise so very beautifully.
6.  Meanwhile, drain the sun-dried tomatoes, lay them on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Finely chop the tomatoes and basil leaves.
7.   Next, gently deflate the risen dough and put it on a table top. .
8.   Roll into a 22" x 8 1/2" rectangle. 

9.     Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, cheese, basil, and the sun-dried tomatoes.

10.    Starting with one long edge, roll the dough into a log .

11.     Pinch the edges to seal.

12.    Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

13.    Place the log seam-side down on a baking sheet. 

14.    Using kitchen scissors, cut the log lengthwise down the center about 1" deep, leaving 1/2" on either ends.That is, 1/2 " on either sides of the log is left uncut.

15.   Keeping the cut side up, form an "S" shape. Tuck both ends under the center of the "S" to form a "figure 8"; pinch the ends together to seal. 

16.   Cover and let rise in a warm place until double, 45 to 60 minutes.

17.     Brush the top with egg wash

18.   Preheat the oven to 350°F and  bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

That's it! Easy! Not at all complicated!! :) :)

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Eggless Wholewheat Ragi(Finger Millet) Chocolate Muffins

   Yes,I know that millets are awfully good for health.. Still,with a tinge of  disdain, very very reluctantly  I tried out muffins with a combo of wholewheat flour and Ragi flour. When the aromatic muffins came out of my oven , I was so very  pleased with the outcome- really really moist and  soft muffins with a  wonderful burst of chocolaty flavored Ragi (Finger Millet).

Here we go.... the recipe for the totally healthy easy wholesome chocolate muffins!

Eggless Wholewheat Ragi(Finger Millet) Chocolate Muffins

(Yeilds about 12) 

Eggless Wholewheat Finger Millet Mufins

Ingredients

   Whole Wheat Flour- 1 cup (I used Ashirwad wholewheat atta)
   Ragi Flour(Finger Millet)-1/2 cup
   Brown Sugar-1 cup 

   Oil -1/4 cup

   Baking powder- 1/2 tsp
   Baking Soda- 1/2 tsp
   Cocoa powder - 2 tbsp
   Thick Yogurt- 3/4 cup
   Milk -1/4 cup
   Vanilla essence- 1 tsp
   Honey-2 tsp

   Salt - 1/4 tsp
   Walnuts and Cashewnuts chopped- 1/4 cup (optional)
  
To Serve:

   Ganache - 1 cup(Optional)

Method:

Sieve together ragi flour, wheat flour,baking powder,baking soda, cocoa powder and salt. Powder the brown sugar.

Add the powdered brown sugar to the sieved flours.

Whisk together oil,yogurt,milk,vanilla essence and honey.

Now add in the sieved flours,sugar,baking powder and baking soda.

Mix gently.

Pour into muffin tray.

Bake in a preheated oven at 180C for 25-30 mins.

(Baking time varies from oven to oven)

If you are NOT worried about calories you can serve with Chocolate Ganache!  :)

Children will love these healthy muffins with Chocolate Ganache!!

Absolutely easy peasy  healthy muffins! 

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Whole Wheat Eggless Fatfree Carrot Muffins

Absolutely no Eggs, no Butter/Oil and no white Sugar!Sugar is substituted by  jaggery ....
What made me to try out this awesome Whole Wheat, Egg-less, Sugarless and Butterfree  Muffins? Well, Wheat is more healthy than All Purpose Flour and so on and so forth!
Hence, I went about browsing  the internet for a good recipe and came across this one in a baking group ! I tried it and was pleasantly surprised at the moist and soft texture.

Whole Wheat Eggless  Fatfree Carrot Muffins

Whole Wheat flour - 1 1/2 cup
Grated Carrot - 1 cup  (fresh & uncooked.)
Powdered Jaggery - 1 cup
Curd - 1 cup
Apple sauce - 1/2 cup (Cut chunks of Apple and cook with minimal water  until  soft .Blend )
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Baking soda - 3/4 tsp
Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Cinnamon powder – 1/2 tsp
Chopped walnuts and cashewnuts - 1/4 cup

Method:
Heat the powdered jaggery in 2 tbsp of water and when melted,strain.
In a large bowl, combine the wet ingredients - curd and apple sauce. Now, add  the strained jaggery and vanilla extract. Mix well.
 Sift the whole wheat flour with the baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until combined well. Add the carrots and the chopped nuts.
 Do not over mix.
Pour into muffin pans or papercups.
Bake in a pre heated oven at 180 degree centigrade for about 25 to 30 minutes.

Note: Baking time  may vary from oven to oven.

A wonderful healthy muffin!

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Homemade Rice Wine

  Homemade Rice Wine

My first home- made wine ! It all started like this…one day , in midst of my youngest daughter’s wedding preparations, I got a call from the groom’s mother requesting me to make wine for the wedding toast! I was flabbergasted or rather nonplussed or whatever! I had never made wine nor do I know anything about wines. She coaxed me saying that it is really really a simple procedure and gave me a Mangalorian wine recipe made from rice and raisin. Since ignorance is bliss and  being unfamiliar with the nuances of the delicate art of wine making, I just followed the recipe blindly and made it! After 3 months, was I in for a big big surprise? Indeed yes! The groom's parents tasted it and said that it was awesome & that it was sooo good that I can even consider marketing it! There were no words to describe the euphoria I felt…I raise my glass to a toast, ‘There’s a first time for everything, including wine making. Cheers.’


Homemade Rice Wine

Rice -500 gm ,washed
Sugar-1 ¼ kg
Lime juice from 2 limes
Raisins- 100 gm
Yeast -1½  tsp
Drinking water- 3 liters 

Method:
Put the rice, sugar, washed raisins and  lime juice into a clean sterilized bharani (ceramic jar)or a food grade plastic bucket. Add the water.
Stir well, sprinkle yeast; mix well and cover .
Stir this mixture every day for about a couple of minutes.The mixture will be frothy.
On the 18th day, strain the mixture through a  muslin cloth into a clean dry vessel.
Again after a couple of days, pour the clear liquid from the top to another bharani (ceramic jar) .
Close and keep in a dark and cool place for 3 months.
After 3 months your wine is ready,crystal clear and light honey colored.
Cheers!

Since I did not have a good wine bottle..I bottled the wine in a Whiskey bottle

Serving Wine at home for the first time.

Imp Note: The jar should be cleaned in soap water, sterilized with hot water and sun dried.

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Curried Baked Eggs

 

       I was stuck with 12 eggs! Since I needed 12 egg shells to make 'Chocolate Eggs with Cream cheese' , I had cracked and poured  12 eggs on to a container.  ‘Now what do I do with all these eggs?’ I wondered. Should I make omelets or scrambled eggs? I was not inclined towards making elaborate cakes or deserts. Egg curry? No, not today! The cracked full eggs in the container looked so cute that I did not feel like mixing the yolk and white together. Weird? Well, maybe I was in one of those moods! :)  Then, I hit upon an idea…why not bake it as it and throw in some curry powder to make it  tangy and spicy?  Yes. That's it. When done, it was such a hit with the family, I served it with chicken steak and mushroom sauce! You can make with fewer eggs as well or according to your requirements.

Fry Onions and Tomatoes..add ginger garlic paste and curry powder .Add salt to taste.
 

Crack eggs and empty on to a baking dish  spread with a thin layer of curried mix.Bake till done.

 

Sprinkle pepper and spread the remaining curried mix on top.

Garnish with capsicum and spring onions.

Sprinkle Morzella Cheese and grill till cheese melts!

Curried Baked Eggs

Ingredients

12   Eggs
4 big  Onion ,grated
4 big  Tomatoes ,pureed
1 tsp  Ginger garlic paste 
1tsp  Curry powder 
1   Capsicum
2  sprigs  Spring Onions
½ cup  Morzella cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste

Method:
    Fry the grated onions and pureed tomatoes in a little oil in a pan. When fried till transparent, add the ginger garlic paste .Saute .Add the curry powder and salt to taste. Remove from pan and let it cool. Alternately, you can fry chopped onions and chopped tomatoes, then  add ginger garlic paste, curry powder .Remove from heat and cool. Then put them in a mixer and grind coarsely. Keep aside.
    Preheat the oven at 200c .Take a baking dish, spread a thin layer of curried onion and tomatoes mix. Crack eggs and empty them on to the baking dish on top of the thin layer of curried mix. Do not beat them. Put the dish in the oven and bake them till they are set (approximately 220 mins)

     Remove from oven, sprinkle pepper and spread the remaining curried mix on top of the set egg.Garnish with cut round capsicum and snip some spring onions. Top with grated morzella cheese and grill till the cheese melts.

 

Done! Yum Yum!!! Served with chicken steak ,mashed potato and mushroom sauce.

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Chocolate Eggs With Cream Cheese

Chocolate  Eggs - soft boil egg lookalike ... so very pretty and appealing!

Hate soft boil eggs? Well, you would love this soft boil egg, that is, if you have a chocolatey sweet tooth!!

I came across a picture of this choc soft boil egg on the net and I knew that I HAD to try out this cutie!! If you are lucky to get readymade empty choc shells from the stores, then that’s absolutely great. But I belong to the unlucky group who live in tiny towns where such items are unheard off. But that is not going to deter my enthusiasm or my decision to try out this soft boil egg. What’s the big deal? Yes, I WILL do it from scratch!

Armed with my resolution, I selected 12 eggs...

 I broke the top quarter of the eggs and emptied the eggs on to a bowl (use the eggs for baked dishes or omelets or whatever you crave for, at that time! :)

I washed the empty egg shells , rinsed them in soap water.Wash again thoroughly.

Then, I microwaved the empty shells for 15 seconds to dry them out completely. 
Here are the clean shiny egg shells...
 

Next, melt Chocolate and put in 1 teaspoon of the melted chocolate inside the egg shell and coated the sides with a spoon till the inside of the egg shell is completely covered.

Freeze the chocolate coated egg shells in the refrigerator till the chocolate gets hard.
Remove from fridge and peel off the egg shells.I was honestly surprised and thrilled that  the shells come off easily leaving behind a smooth chocolate egg shell. While peeling the shells, some parts of the shells were stubborn and they did poke under my nails and  hurt me.. :(

Fill the egg shells with cream cheese and put them in the fridge to set.

When set,scoop out a tiny portion in the middle and squeeze in yellow colored butter icing to look like yolks.

Wow...your Chocolate soft boil look alike egg is ready!!

You can see my Chocolate Eggs below, which I served on Easter with my homemade Chocolate Easter Egg in the background..

The kids admiring the chocolate soft boil egg !!

 Chocolate Eggs with Cream Cheese

For Egg shells:
12 eggs
100 gms  Dark Chocolate

For cream cheese filling:

150g (about 5oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup icing sugar  or confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

For the Egg yolk:   

Make Butter Icing with..
1 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp icing sugar
Yellow color


Place the cream cheese, icing sugar, lemon juice and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and beat on high until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside.


Whip the thickened cream in a separate mixing bowl to stiff peaks   


Gently combine the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until it is smooth. 

Carefully spoon or pipe the mixture into the prepared chocolate shells. Chill eggs till the cream cheese is set.

Next,scoop out a tiny portion from the center of the set cream cheese.

Make the butter icing by creaming  butter and adding the sugar and yellow color.Pipe into the tiny scooped out centers to look like yolks.

Done! Aren't they pretty?

It was indeed satisfying and reasonably easy to make these eggs from scratch and it was not at all complicated like I thought it would be!! Try them..you will get loads of oohhs and awwws from your guests!! :) :) :)

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