Creamy Chicken Triangles

Marhaba !!

Mum and I were fasting for the Dhul-Hajj. Since we have cut down on fried food, I made unfried snacks for Iftar this time. I had the leftover pizza base at home and so I decided to make Chicken Triangles with it. This idea of making it with pizza base is purely not mine. It is inspired from my Aunt. Whenever we visited her on Eid, she would serve us something of this kind. She made a different filling though. I decided to make creamy chicken filling as it would perfectly go along with the dry base.

These Triangles are so creamy and the crispy crust after grilling gives it a crunchy twist with extra added cheese layer. They are delightful in their own way. Every bite gives a flavorful and juicy taste. 

Here’s the recipe for an unfried snack tonight;

Ingredients:
2 Medium Sized Pizza Base
130 Grams Chicken ( Cut into bite size pieces )
Salt and Pepper To Taste
1/4Tsp Tabasco Sauce
1Tsp Hot Sauce
1/2Tsp Soy Sauce
1/4Tsp Oyster Sauce
1/4 Cup Cream
2 Cloves Garlic
1/4Tsp Oregano
1/4Tsp Chili Flakes
1 Medium Sized Carrot Grated
1/2 Capsicum Thinly Sliced
2Tbsp Butter
Sliced Olives (optional)
4Tbsp Ranch Dressing
1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese

Method:
1)Heat butter in a pan, when it starts to melt add in chopped garlic. Cook it for a minute and add in chili flakes, oregano and chicken. Season it accordingly. Cook on medium high heat until the chicken is tender. Add in carrot and capsicum. Cook for another 4-5 minutes.
2)Transfer the chicken into a small bowl. In the same pan add in all the sauces along with cream and keep string for 30 seconds.
3)Add in the chicken and mix well and cook for 1-2 minutes. Switch off the heat and add in sliced olives. Divide the mixture into two.
4)To slice the pizza base into two layers, start by tracing a line around the middle of the base with a long serrated knife. Then slowly rotate the base while following that line with the knife and cut through the base toward the center. After a few rotations you will have sliced the base in two.
5)Spread 1Tbsp ranch over 1 side base slice. Sprinkle on cheese. Place the chicken mixture on top of mozzarella cheese. Scatter 1/4 cup of cheese over the mixture. Top it with other ranch dressed base slice.
6)Grill until golden, about 1 minute per side.
Repeat the same with remaining base.

Ma’Salama !!

Red Sauce Baked Pasta

Marhaba !!

The only reason why Pasta is my absolute favorite is because it was the first thing I ever tried my hands on and ever since I loved experimenting with different pasta recipes. A couple of years back, while I was reading the label of Prego Sauce, I came up with this idea of Red Sauce. After many trials with different ingredients I discovered this recipe.I have been making this pasta from two years now and every single time I make, we enjoy it throughly.

This is a classic pasta sauce dish — veggies and creamy Mozzarella add extra dept of flavor. After making this,I assure u would never go and buy Red Pasta Sauce again.

Here’s the recipe ;

Ingredients to make the Sauce:
75ml Tomato Paste
2Tbsp Tomato Sauce
1Tsp Sweet Chili Sauce
2Tbsp Ranch Dressing
1/4Tsp Worcester Sauce
1/2Tsp Hot Sauce
1/4Tsp Soy Sauce
1/2Tsp Cumin
1 Medium Sized Onion
2 Cloves of Garlic
1 Cube Maggi Chicken Stock
3/4 Cup Water

Other Ingredients:
350 Grams Penne Lisce
130 Grams Chicken (Cut into medium size thin strips)
1 Small Capsicum (Cut into long thin strips)
2 Medium Sized Carrots (Grated)
3Tbsp Butter
1/2Tsp Oregano
1/2Tsp Tabasco Sauce
1/2Tsp Chili Flakes
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Method:
1)Boil water in a large saucepan and sprinkle generous amount of salt into it. Stir in the pasta, and boil until the pasta is cooked well. Strain and set aside.
2)Place all your sauce ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth and set aside.
3)Heat butter in a wok, when it starts to melt, add in chili flakes, oregano and chicken. Cook on medium high flame until the chicken is cooked perfectly and season accordingly. To this add in carrot , capsicum and tabasco sauce. Cook on high heat for 2-3 minutes.
4)Mix in pasta with veggies and chicken. Pour in the sauce and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes. Cook with lid on for another 5 minutes.
You can dig in right away if u like your pasta Saucy. Since I like my pasta dry. I transfer the pasta into a baking dish, sprinkle 1/2 a cup of cheese and bake it in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese melts and bubble on top.
Serve warm and Enjooyyyy…

Ma’Salama !!

Chocolate Mousse

Marhaba !!!

When my older sister had come over to visit us for the first time after her marriage, mom and I hosted a tea party for our building friends.We made a variety of dishes and everyone rejoiced it. Like always I had taken charge of making dessert. Playing around with chocolate is something I absolutely enjoy. So, I decided to make Chocolate Mousse. I googled for mousse recipes as it was my first time. Couldn’t really find a felicitous recipe so I decided to combine a couple of recipes and make my own version of Chocolate Mousse.

My younger sister loves it and always after me to make this for her. It is the most delicious chocolate dessert and it is sure to tempt your taste buds.

Here’s the recipe ,
Makes about 20 small mousse cups

Ingredients:
Chocolate pound cake
You can make your own cake or use the grocery bought cake
3/4 cup of Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped
1 Tsp of Water
1 Tbsp of Unsalted Butter
2 Egg Yolk
½ tsp of Vanilla Extract
2 Tbsp of Granulated Sugar
1 cup of Whipped Cream
Oreo crumbs (optional)
Grated Chocolate (optional)

Method:
1)In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and sugar for bout a minute or until it becomes thick and pale in color or until the sugar dissolves.
Use electric mixer as it makes work a lot easier and faster.
2)In a small saucepan, add about an inch of water and bring it to a simmer. Place a small bowl over the saucepan and add the chocolate, water, and butter and over very low heat, cook everything together just until the chocolate melts.
3)Spoon 1/4 of the chocolate into the egg yolk mixture and mix it to combine. Pour the yolk mixture into the chocolate. Add vanilla and stir constantly , cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens. Let it cool for bout half an hour.
4)Now fold in the whipped cream with cooled chocolate mixture. Set aside.
5)Make crumbs of chocolate cake and press down the crumbs in the mousse cups. Make a thin cake layer. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cake layer evenly. Decorate it with grated chocolate or Oreo crumbs.

Refrigerate for about 7-8 hours or preferably overnight. Relish !

Ma’Salama !!

Tomato Soup

Marhaba !!

I am not really a soup fan. I don’t even make soup that often. I get Knorr Cream of Chicken soup mix if I ever want to make one.The only bowl of soup which I can actually finish is the Tom Yom Soup. I haven’t have had an authentic Thai Tom Yom soup yet. I am very much satisfied with the Tom Yom soup that they serve at some of the IndoChinese restaurants.

This soup in particular is mamma’s favorite. Not that I don’t like it, I can just have a couple of spoon from her’s. I don’t really recollect to how I started making this soup, but mamma loved it from my first try.

The only reason why I make this soup is because it is super easy to make. And if you are a soup lover or want something light for supper then your sure to love this recipe;

Ingredients:
3 Medium Sized Tomato
1 Small Onion
3 Cloves Garlic
1/4 Tsp Cumin Seeds
1/4 Tsp Oregano
1/4 Tsp Chili Flakes
1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
1/2 Tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tsp Olive Oil
Salt To Taste
1 Cup Water
1/2 Maggi Chicken Cube

Method:
1)Preheat the oven to 160 C.
2)In a baking dish, add all your ingredients except water and chicken cube. Toss all together to make sure that the oil has coated all of the veggies.
2)Roast it in the oven for 40 minutes making sure you give them a toss.
3)Leave the veggies to cool at room temperature. Place your veggies in a blender along with water and chicken cube and puree until smooth.
4)Place the creamy mixture in a saucepan and bring it to a boil and simmer for bout 5 minutes.
You can add another 1/2 cup of water if u feel the mixture has become too thick.
6)Taste for seasoning and adjust according to your liking.
7)Serve right away with croutons or toasted bread pieces.
I toasted both white and brown bread. 

Ma’Salama !!

‘De Pizza !!!!

Marhaba !!

Since this pizza is loved by all those who have tasted it, I decided to name it ‘Everybody’s Favorite Pizza’. When we had gone to India for our vacation , this pizza was prepared by me  every other day. And there was a point where I felt like starting a Pizza Parlor that would serve only this flavored Pizza, Hahaha.

This pizza is no special. In my Hometown we got limited ingredients and I used whatever was available. The secret to make great Pizza is Cheese !!! Never cut down on cheese if your making this pizza. U can add as much as your heart desires. And trust me it will taste great.

This definitely is one of the easiest pizza to make. If you have unexpected guest then this recipe will surely come in handy. If your looking for light supper or craving for something cheesy then you gotta try this out.

Sorting the ingredients before hand makes my work a lot easier . And this is how I sort them out.

Here’s the recipe to fulfill your cheese cravings;Ingredients to make the Chicken:
1 Tbsp Butter
3 Garlic Cloves
1/2 Tsp Cumin Seeds
1/2 Tsp Chili Flakes
1/4 Red Chili Powder
1/2 Tsp All Spice Powder/Garam Masala Powder
1/2 Tsp Pepper
Salt To Taste
150 Grams Chicken( cut into bite size pieces )

Ingredients for the topping:
4 Medium Size Pizza Base
I wasn’t happy with the base that I bought. Lulu’s base ain’t that great.
1 Tomato Thinly Sliced
1 Onion Thinly Sliced
1 Medium Capsicum Thinly Sliced
2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese (U can use more)
3 Tbsp Mayonnaise
3 Tbsp Ketchup

Method:
1)In a medium bowl , combine the chicken, cumin, chili flakes, salt, chili powder, garam masala powder, and pepper. Mix until the chicken is evenly coated.
2)Heat butter in a wok, when it starts to melt add the chopped garlic and cook for a minute. To this add the chicken and cook until lightly brown.
3)Preheat the oven to 150 C and lightly grease your pizza pan or baking sheet.
4)Spread mayonnaise and ketchup over your pizza base. Sprinkle on cheese. Place capsicum , onion, tomato and chicken on top of mozzarella cheese. Scatter the remaining cheese over the pizza. Sprinkle oregano and chili flakes .
You could top it with sliced olives if you like.
4)Bake until the cheese melts and the crust is golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

Pizza is ready to get baked 😀 😀

Voilaaa… Its readyyy .

Serve Warm.

Ma’Salama !!

Stuffed Dates (:

Marhaba !!

Staying in Saudi Arabia, surrounded by Date Palms we tend to get liking for Dates. They are healthy and nutritious too. Mum makes sure that we at least eat two dates a day. Mum always stores them so, we don’t ever run out of dates in our house.

It is a custom to break our fast with dates in Ramadan. This is something I prepared for Iftar. Rather than eating plain dates I decided to make a stuffing that would go along. After profound thoughts, I came up with this recipe. It may seem like an odd combination of flavors at first, but trust me, these can be addictive !!

This recipe requires no baking or cooking. Just with very few ingredients you can make it in no time. It’s a perfect appetizer or dessert. It’s Great “sweet tooth” snack for diabetics and hypoglycemics.

Here’s the recipe to make for your next celebration :

Ingredients:
20-25 Dates
1 Tin Nestle Cream
1 and 1/2 tsp Creme Caramel Powder
5 Blanched and Chopped Almonds

Method:
1)Transfer the cream to a small bowl. To this add the caramel powder and almond. Mix until well combined. Refrigerate it for bout 30-60 minutes.
2)Using a small knife, make a small lengthwise incision in each date. Carefully remove the pits. Fill with generous amount of the cream mixture.
3)Garnish it with almond and pistachio powder.
U need not add any sweetener to this as the Dates are naturally sweet and adding sugar or honey would make extra sweet.
Do not Refrigerate the left over stuffed dates. All the sugar from the dates will get transferred to the cream and cream will change it’s color.

Ma’Salama !!

RasMalai

Marhaba !!

This recipe has been passed on to me by my mum and it is family’s favorite. She’s a perfectionist when it comes to cooking (and all the other things too). Her meals are always enjoyed by all those who have ever tasted it. I can never reach up to the perfection as hers. There’s loads to learn from mumma.

This one in particular is my favorite Indian Dessert of all time. It is so succulent and delectable that you are to fall for it in your first bite. The taste of this RasMalai is very different from that which they serve at Indian restaurants. Classic RasMalai is made from homemade paneer and it is a great deal to make it. This recipe has it’s own goodness and is delicious too. It is a perfect way to end any Indian meal. Make it for your next party or holiday celebration!

Here’s a simplified version that is made with very few ingredients;
Ingredients:
1 Cup Milk Powder
I recommend using Anchor or Nido powder.
1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
Always use fresh or new pack of Baking Powder.
1 Tsp Ghee
1 Egg Lightly Beaten
3 and 1/2 Cup Whole Milk
1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Tbsp Condensed Milk
Cardamon and Cinnamon Stick (optional)

Method:
1)In a saucepan mix milk,sugar and condensed milk. Bring it to a boil.
Adding cardamon and cinnamon will help eliminate the smell of milk in your RasMalai.
2)In a bowl, mix together milk powder and baking powder. To this add beaten egg and ghee. Knead it into a dough.
3)Make balls of it and throw them into the boiling milk.
It makes bout 8-9 big balls or 15-17 small balls.
4)It takes bout 15-20 minutes for the balls to cook. Cook the balls for 5 minutes and flip them over. Cook the other side for 5 minutes too. Cook with half lid open for another 5-6 minutes.
5)Cut one Rasmalai and see if it is cooked well. If not leave it on heat for another 4-5 minutes.
6)Remove from heat. Garnish it with dry fruits of your choice.
7) Best served chilled.
I didn’t perfect myself in making RasMalai in one try. After failing four times I finally made the Perfect RasMalai. And now it’s a fail-proof recipe for me. I can make it in a jiffy . Yes, it’s because of the trial and patience I have perfected myself. So, if u fail the first time don’t loose your calm. Keep trying till you perfect yourself. 

Ma’Salama !!

Cookies and Cream Popsicle

Marhaba !!

Oreos have never been our favorite. Anything that has oreo is always disliked by my family. While I was cleaning the kitchen shelf the other day I came across a packet of oreo biscuit. Rather than throwing it away I decided to make something with it. And it amazed me as the whole family enjoyed this treat. I googled for oreo recipes and since summer is coming to an end I decided to make popsicles to enjoy the last days of summer. Me and mum always like to play around with popsicles every summer. This summer was spent in India and I couldn’t really come up with any new flavors. Next summer for sure I will come up with tons of popsicle recipes.

These frozen treats are so rich and creamy that you are to enjoy it till your last bite. It’s so easy to make that kids are sure to enjoy making it during their summer break. This particular popsicle is my younger sister’s favorite even though she is not an oreo lover. 

Here are a couple things you may need for this Oreo Cookies and Cream Popsicles recipe. Use this as a reference for your next grocery shopping trip.

Ingredients:
3/4 Cup Whole Milk
1/2 Cup Nestle Tin Cream
1/2 Cup Condensed Milk
4 Oreo Biscuits Crumbs

Method:
1)Process milk,cream and condensed milk in a blender.
2)Add the oreo crumbs and give it a quick stir with a spoon.
I personally like the uneven crumbs of the biscuit and that is the reason why I don’t blend the oreos along.
3)Transfer mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze for 6+ hours or until solid.

And Enjooyyy 😀 😀

Ma’Salama !!

Baked Pasta

Marhaba !!

Today’s recipe is my all time favorite. I am a Pasta Person. I can’t go bout having pasta for more than a week. Every weekend I tend to try out different pasta recipes. I am not a great fan of homemade white sauce pasta. I have tried many white sauce recipes and was always disappointed with the results. Every time I made, I could taste the raw flour in it. Later, I discovered a way to eliminate the raw taste of the flour in white sauce.

If your looking for some easy and not so time consuming pasta recipe then this is something u must surely try. It is filling, delicious and very easy to prepare with minimal ingredients. You can add your choice of veggies and customize it your way. But white sauce pasta usually calls for Broccolli, Mushrooms and Zucchini.

So, here goes the recipe;

Ingredients:
300 grams Perfecto Bow/Spiral Pasta
1 Chicken Breast
1tbsp pepper
Salt to taste
2tsp White Flour
2tbsp Butter
3/4 Cup Milk
1 and 1/2 Cup Chicken Stock or Broth
1 Small Broccolli
2 Medium Sized Zucchini
1 Cup Grated Mozzarella Cheese
Leaves of Parsley for Garnish

Method:
Preheat the oven to 150C .
1)Place chicken in a saucepan and add enough water to cover the chicken. To this add pepper and salt. Bring to boil on a medium-high heat; reduce the heat. Cook until is soft and tender. Shread and set aside. Measure bout 1 cup of the water and sieve it into a bowl.
The water u sieved is the Chicken Stock or the Broth.
2)Boil water in a large saucepan and sprinkle generous amount of salt into it. Stir in the pasta and cook it according to package instructions and drain well.
3)Heat butter in a wok , when it starts to melt add the flour. Whisk until well combined. Now add the chicken stock and milk. Keep whisking until the mixture becomes slightly thick and creamy. Cook on medium heat to avoid lumps.
There is enough salt in the stock. Add salt if needed.
Adding stock helps to eliminate the raw taste of the flour and milk.
3)Once the white sauce is ready stir in the chicken, broccolli florets, zucchini and 1/2 cup cheese. Keep on medium heat for bout 3 minutes. Mix the pasta into the white sauce and give it a quick stir and switch off.
4)Transfer the pasta to a baking dish . Scatter the remaining cheese over the pasta. Sprinkle oregano, chilli flakes and leaves of parsley.
5)Place the dish in the oven and bake for bout 15-20mins or until the cheese melts and bubble on top.
You can bake it before serving as it taste best when hot.

Ma’Salama!!!