"Open Subs"

This weekend I was craving to have an open sandwitch or a big sub. I thought of calling Subway and ordering in a big foot-long with lots of veggies and cheese. But then I thought of making one myself with my choice of dressing and veggies. It looks like a very simple and open sandwitch which you can easily make at any time, provided you have sufficient ingredients available. But, a touch of aromatic and beautiful dressing takes this open sub to a different level of comfortness. 

The foremost thing you need is a good foot-long bread. I opted to go to bakery and pick the freshly baked soft garlic foot-long bread. You can try it with french baguettes if you like it more crunchy and hard. Though i suggest the garlic foot-long is the best option for this sub. Of course it would be awesome if you bake the bread at home and make it fresh from scratch :) But as we are talking about simple comfort food today which can be prepared fast, buy one and prepare the sub.

I have made two types of subs - veg and non veg. The only difference is that of Ham and Cottage cheese.  

Hope you enjoy this yummy and simple yet delicious recipe of open subs / sandwitches 

" Open Subs " 

Ingredients : 

1 garlic foot-long bread

2 tomatoes - sliced

2 onions - sliced

1 big capsicum 

Coriander or basil leaves

Mozzarella cheese 

4-5 garlic cloves 

extra virgin olive oil

white vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Italian seasoning

Chilli Flakes

Butter

Mayonnaise

Mustard Sauce

For Non Vegetarians - Chicken or Pork Salami/ Ham 

For Vegetarians - Cottage Cheese / Tofu slices

Preparation :

• Take two pans and pour olive oil. Crispy fry or saute the ham and cottage cheese slices seperately and keep aside
• Take the capsicum and roast it on the stove top burner directly till it becomes burnt and charred from all sides. Peel the skin and slice it in long strips. Keep aside
• Slice the garlic foot-long in half and cut it into four pieces ( you will have four subs of approx 6")
• In a bowl take 5 tbsp of olive oil, add 2 tbsp of vinegar and grate the garlic cloves. Mix well
• Spread this garlic oil dressing on all four breads properly and let it soak. 
• Mix butter and mayonnaise and spread on top of the bread evenly
• Arrange the fried ham slices on two bread subs. Place the onion rings and tomato rings on top. Arrange few capsicum slices on top. Cut mozzarella cheese and spread all over. Dress it with mustard sauce and drizzle olive oil, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and chilli flakes. Spread few basil or coriander leaves.
• In the same manner arrange the vegetarian sub. Just replace the ham with the cottage cheese slices. 
• Once all four subs are ready, place them on baking trays, drizzle with little more olive oil and bake at 180*C for 10-15 minutes till the cheese melts and the bread becomes little crusty.
• Serve warm with ketchup and more mustard sauce.

Note : You can add mushrooms, baby corn, baked beans or salad leaves to the recipe to make it more appeasing and filling. You have the option of making it like an open sub or closed and increase or decrease the ingredients as per availability. This sub is my fav as i get the sourness of the garlic oil and the sweetness of the roasted pepper which together is divine. So try it and tell me what you liked about it.

" Baked Macaroni with Vegetables and Cheese"

There's a chill in the air ... The roads are covered with rustling leaves ... We desire for a hot cup of tea and would love to cuddle in our quilts and sleep. 

Yesss, Winters are approaching and what is more desirable than warm good comfort food in this chilly weather. Winter season is best for hot, piping, spicy food. Hunger strikes more often in winters than in other seasons and calls for more delicious food each day.

So lets enjoy the upcoming season with a host of comfort recipes. 

This recipe is of Cheesy Macaroni baked with veggies and herbs. Its light, tasty, warm and can be enjoyed with or without accompaniments. 

" Baked Macaroni with Vegetables and Cheese"

Ingredients :

100 gms Macaroni 

1 onion - chopped

1 tomato - chopped

2 green chillis - slitted

1/2 cup boiled peas

1 cup capsicum - chopped ( red/green/yellow)

few baby corns

few mushrooms - chopped

spring onion - chopped ( optional)

few brocolli or cauliflower florets - boiled 

salt as per taste

black pepper powder

oregano powder

chilli flakes

italian seasoning

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

1 cup warm milk

cheddar or mozarella cheese for grating

olive oil

Preparation:

• Prepare the macaroni as per packet instructions and keep aside
• To make the white or Alfredo sauce, heat a thick pan. Add little oil and to that add butter. Add flour and whisk to avoid any lumps. Once it turns light pink add warm milk and keep stirring to form a smooth paste. It will take few minutes to get a thick sauce consistency. Remove and keep aside.
• In a pan, add little olive oil. Add onion and saute, add green chillis, tomatoes and stir well. Add salt and black pepper powder and let the tomatoes become soft.
• Add all the vegetables and macaroni and stir well. 
• Add the prepared white sauce and mix well. 
• Pour the entire mixture in a baking tray or dish. Grate cheese on top and garnish with italian seasoning, oregano and chilli flakes
• Bake in a preheated oven at 180*C for 15 minutes till the cheese melts.
• Serve hot with garlic bread or sticks

Note : You can skip or add any other vegetables of your choice. 

" Rustic Ham and Cheese Pizza" & "Farmfresh Veggie Pizza"

Everytime I see an Italian cookery show, the first thing I wish for is a Wood fire oven in my house. 

Nothing can be more appeasing than the stonebrick walls , the glowing fire and the freshly baked breads and pizzas from that miracle oven. One can actually destress and feel absolutely rejuvenated by kneading the bread and pizza dough and looking at the final baked creation. My Destress mantra -- Home made Rustic Pizza with freshly made toppings and cheese. Today, I am sharing a veg and non veg pizza recipe which is prepared from the scratch at home with readily available ingredients.

This Pizza will not take much time to vanish. Few minutes and people will be asking for more :)

" Rustic Ham and Cheese Pizza" 

Ingredients : 

For the Dough :- 

2 and 1/2 cups plain or self raising flour 

1/2 tsp active dry yeast

1 cup warm water ( around 110*F - it should be very lightly warm when u touch with your wrist)

1 and 1/2 tsp sugar

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt

If you're using Dried yeast in place of active dry yeast then skip the sugar as it doesnt need seperate proofing. You can directly add it to the flour with other ingredients and knead and rest the dough. The Active Dry yeast which are like granules needs seperate proofing in order to activate the yeast for baking.

For the Sauce and topping : 

3 large ripe tomatoes

1 onion finely chopped

4 cloves garlic

dried red chilli flakes

oregano powder

salt and pepper as per taste

Ham torn into small pieces

Cherry tomatoes

Arugula Leaves ( optional) 

Mozarella cheese 

Extra Virgin olive oil for drizzling

Semolina for dusting 

Preparation:

•  For making the dough , put warm water in a cup.Sprinkle active dry yeast and stir in the sugar. Let it stand for about ten minutes or until it starts to bubble.
• Combine flour and salt in a big bowl.Add oil and yeast and stir until a stiff dough is formed.Remove the dough to a floured kitchen surface and knead it till it becomes smooth and elastic. Add extra flour to keep from sticking and to make it firm.
• Put the dough in a large bowl which is greased with butter. Roll the dough inside the bowl to make it little greasy with the butter.
• Cover with a tea towel and let it rest in a warm place for few hours till it doubles in size.
• To make the sauce, add oil in a pan and saute garlic and onions. Add tomatoes, salt,red chilli flakes,oregano and pepper and cook till tomatoes are cooked and it becomes thick ( you can blend this sauce if you want a fine consistency, but if you like fresh and rustic taste then use as is )
• When ready to cook, remove the dough on a flour dusted kitchen surface and knead it till it becomes firm and non sticky. Divide the dough into two big or four small portions. Roll one portion on the floured surface in the shape of a pizza. Dust the baking sheets with semolina to avoid the dough from sticking the sheet. Place the rolled pizza onto the sheet and let it rest for ten minutes.
• Heat the oven at 220*C for ten minutes before baking
• Layer the base with some tomato sauce, spread the cherry tomatoes , ham and cheese on top covering the entire base evenly. Add a little arugula leaves in the centre. Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 220* C for about 25 minutes or till the crust is crisp and brown and the topping is bubbling. 
• Garnish with some fresh arugula leaves and chilli flakes. Slice and serve

Note :: you can add artichokes, olives and parmesan cheese with the ham for added taste. If you cant find arugula leaves, then replace them with basil leaves, baby salad leaves, etc. 

Now, let us use the same base and convert it into simple Veggie Pizza :) 

" Farm Fresh Veggie Pizza" 

Ingredients:

Dough preparation remains as above

Tomato Sauce recipe remains as above

Cherry Tomatoes - one cup

Mozzarella cheese

Basil Leaves

Arugula Leaves

Onion - 1 sliced

Extra Virgin olive oil for drizzling

Chilli Flakes and Italian Seasoning

Parmesan Cheese ( optional)

Preparation:

• Prepare the pizza dough and tomatoe sauce as mentioned above. 
• Layer the pizza base with a good filling of tomatoe sauce. 
• Spread onion slices on top. Squash the cherry tomatoes on top of the base and spread them all over the pizza
• Tear the mozzarella into small pieces and place them all over the base
• Add few basil leaves in the centre. Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 220*C for 25 minutes or till the crust becomes crisp and the topping starts bubbling. 
• Garnish with parmesan cheese, chilli flakes, italian seasoning and freshly torn arugula leaves. Slice and serve

Note : You can play with a number of toppings for this pizza. Add mushrooms, cottage cheese, olives, capers, etc. 

The most important thing to remember while making any pizza is the Dough. If that comes right, the toppings are a piece of cake :) .. Yeast is the breaker or the maker of any pizza dough. Just follow the activation instructions given on the packet and you can make wonderful pizzas at home. Enjoy feasting !!!!

" Low Fat Veggie Brown Burgers"

Burgers ... Burgers .. We love Burgers !!! It is one of the most convenient  food item that man has created to satisfy our sudden hunger pangs at any place. Just walk in McDonalds or KFC and grab a burger and you're  ready to go. A small round handy dish that is cheap and yet so filling and tasty. More than hunger, it is soul satisfaction.Some people think its an overrated dish and go blah blah about its fatty content and high calorie issues.. Dude, you don't eat burger ???? I mean common, you need to gorge on such yummy comfort snacks to appreciate living and trust me if you're feeling guilty then just run a little extra the next day to burn those calories . Simple !!! 

So for all you snack lovers, I am sharing a sexy and healthy burger recipe that is easy to make, great to taste and will not leave you feeling guilty the next day ;)

" Low Fat Veggie Brown Burgers"

Ingredients :

Whole wheat Burger Buns - 6 

2 big potatoes - boiled

1 big raw banana - boiled

1/2 cup chopped spring onion

coriander leaves - chopped

2 green chillis - chopped 

2 cloves garlic - grated

salt as per taste

1 tsp red chilli powder

1 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp black pepper powder

1 lemon juice

oil for shallow frying

2 onions sliced ( rounds )

2 tomatoes sliced ( round)

salad leaves

6 slices low fat cheese slices ( optional)

Low fat / cholestrol free butter

tomato ketchup

mustard sauce

low fat mayonnaise

Preparation:

• To make the patties, mash the boiled potatoes and banana till soft and smooth. Add spring onion, coriander leaves,green chillis,garlic, salt, chilli powder,cumin powder,pepper powder and lemon juice.
• Mix all the spices with the mash nicely to ensure consistency in taste. ( Check for salt and seasoning as per your taste at this stage)
• Heat little oil in a non stick pan ( Stick to pomace olive oil for healthy cooking ) 
• Make 6 balls of the mash and shape them in round and flat patties. 
• Shallow fry them in the hot oil on both sides till crusty brown. Remove on a kitchen paper and keep aside
• Slice the buns in two and toast them on a hot pan on both sides. Spread a little butter and ketchup on the lower buns.
• Place a cheese slice, salad leaves,onion slices, patty, tomato slices, add a little mayonnaise and mustard sauce on top.
• Place the upper cover of the bun. Press the burger a little. Insert a toothpick in the center to hold the burger together. Decorate the toothpick by inserting a cherry tomato or candied cherry. 
• Serve with potato wafers or french fries or enjoy it just like that.

Note : This is a healthier version of the normal burger with the inclusion of whole wheat, low fat products. You can always change the fillings with your choice of patties and salads. 

"Spinach Fusilli Pasta with pinenuts and cheese"

When we talk about comfort food, Pasta for me tops the list. Homecooked pasta is simple yet yummy. You can play with so many vegetables, cheese and meats while making pasta. I will try and share few recipes of different styled pastas that I usually cook at home. Today I will share a pasta recipe which is very high in Iron content as it contains Spinach. If you want to kickup your Iron intake and love spinach then you got to prepare this meal immediately.

Simple Cooking .. Happy Living :)

"Spinach Fusilli Pasta with pinenuts and cheese"

Ingredients :

1 small packet of Fusilli or small pasta

Spinach - 1 bunch

few garlic cloves

Processed or Mascarpone cheese - grated

1/2 lemon juice

pine nuts - half cup toasted ( optional )

Salt as per taste

Preparation:

• Cook the pasta as per the packet instructions.
• Blend half the washed spinach in a blender with garlic,little salt,some cheese and lemon juice
• Heat a pan, add little olive oil and pasta, stir in the sauce,pine nuts and remaining spinach leaves.
• Stir till the leaves become soft and cooked and the sauce is completely mixed with the pasta.
• Garnish with more pine nuts and cheese
• Serve with garlic bread

Note : You can use any other cheese like parmesan for the dressing and garnish for different taste. 

" Spicy Spaghetti with Cherry tomatoes and cheese"

Evening comes in and we crave for some hot and yummy food to replenish our fatigued soul. After a long day you dont want to spend hours in the kitchen whipping up big dishes and making yourself more tired. So a one stop solution is a quick and tasty spaghetti ..

This recipe is easy, tasty and filling as it has the goodness of tomatoes, cheese and wholewheat spaghetti.

So try this recipe to make your evenings more fresh and energetic 

" Spicy Spaghetti with Cherry tomatoes and cheese"

Ingredients :

200 gms or half pack wholewheat spaghetti

100 gms cherry tomatoes

1 big onion chopped

4-5 cloves garlic

Parmesan or mozzarella cheese - sliced or grated

Italian seasoning mix 

Chilli flakes

Olive oil for cooking 

Salt to taste

Preparation :

• Prepare the spaghetti as per the packet instructions 
• Heat a pan and add 3 tbsp oil. Add garlic and let it saute for few secs till it becomes light brown and you can smell the aroma of garlic oil
• Add chopped onions and saute till they become soft and light pink in colour
• Add little salt and mix well ( Remember - you will be putting salt while making the spaghetti so taste and add more salt as per your taste later )
• Add cherry tomatoes and saute for a little while. Do not squash them
• Add the prepared spaghetti and mix with the spices properly
• Season with Italian seasoning and chilli flakes
• To serve top it with grated or sliced cheese and serve hot 

Note : You can add bacon / ham or any other veggies of your choice to this dish. 

" Pasta Delight - Veg & Non Veg style"

Imagine cooking two meals at the same time cause one person eats veg and the other non veg. I usually land up doing this at home when my husband is in the mood of eating non veg and I want to eat simple veg food. So I came up with a simple solution of cooking one dish and adding non veg as an extra condiment :)

This recipe is of mixed baby pasta served in two styles. 

Hope you will enjoy this recipe and relish it for your beautiful Sunday evenings 

" Pasta Delight - Veg & Non Veg style"

Ingredients : 

1 packet mixed pasta 

2 onions chopped

2 tomatoes chopped

5-6 flakes garlic

100 gms cottage cheese or tofu

100 gms bacon or ham sliced

chilli flakes

salt as per taste

olive oil

Parmesan or mozzarella cheese

Arugula leaves ( optional)

Italian seasoning

Preparation :

•  Prepare the pasta as per the packet instructions
•  Heat oil in pan and add garlic cloves. Saute for few secs till it becomes light brown in colour
• Add onions and fry them till they turn pale pink
• Add chopped tomatoes and salt and saute till they becomes soft and forms a thick sauce
• Add little grated cheese in the sauce, add the pasta and stir it well with the sauce ( adjust the salt as per your taste at this stage)
• Add italian seasoning and chilli flakes and mix well

For veg version - crispy toast the cottage cheese or tofu in olive oil and add it to half the prepared pasta. Top it up with more grated cheese and arugula leaves and serve

For Non veg version - crispy fry or grill the bacon or ham strips till they become toasty and cooked. Add them to the remaining pasta. Top it up with cheese and arugula leaves and serve

You simple comforting pasta dish is ready in two simple styles ..

"Veggie Hot Dogs"

Weekends are all about relaxing and enjoying and one of the common thing that makes them more special is good food. When you want a quick evening snack with your chilled beer, the most delicious item that comes to my mind is Hot Dogs. I am sure all you have enjoyed a variety of meat hot dogs but today I will share a vegetarian hot dog recipe with you all. Its easy, munchy, quick and a hit accompaniment for beer weekends.

Do try this recipe and I'll wait for your comments and feedback 

  

"Veggie Hot Dogs"

Ingredients :

Hot Dog Buns - 2 per person

3 potatoes - boiled and mashed

1/2 cup boiled mixed vegetables - mashed

1 tbsp red chilli powder

salt to taste

1 tbsp cumin powder

1/2 cup chopped coriander

1 lemon juice

3 tbsp cornflour

oil for shallow frying 

4 tbsp butter - melted

 tomato ketchup

 mustard sauce

 mayonnaise 

1 onion sliced

1 tomato sliced

1 cucumber sliced

black pepper

Preparation:

•  To make the veg sausages, mix the mashed vegetables and potatoes. Add chilli powder,salt,cumin powder,coriander,lemon juice and cornflour. Mix well and make round balls. Now shape these balls in long stick shape ( it should look like long kebabs or sausages)
• Once all the patties are ready, shallow fry them in little oil in a non stick pan till crispy and brown from all sides
• Remove on a kitchen paper and keep aside
• Slice the hot dog buns keeping one end intact for holding .
• Spread butter and little tomato\ kethcup on both the internal sides
• Put one patty inside the bun. Layer it with onion,tomato and cucumber slices
• Dress it up with a squeeze of mayonnaise, mustard and tomato sauce on top in zigzag fashion
• Season with little black pepper
• Wrap the bun in a tissue paper and serve with french fries or potato wafers

Note : You can use cottage cheese in the patties with potatoes to get a different taste. For filling up the bun , you can also use some shredded cabbage and carrot. 

"Egg Wraps"

Egg Wraps or Egg Rolls are an all time favourite snack with anyone and everyone. The hot and spicy wrap has its own charm and the taste is so vibrant and classic that you keep asking for more.

I made Egg wraps on weekend to serve as an evening snack and it was so delicious that we landed up eating  more of them and skipped dinner.. This recipe is simple and will produce the most comforting and yummy egg wraps. 

Do try them and I'll wait for your feedback :)

"Egg Wraps"

Ingredients :

4 eggs

100 gms plain flour

salt to taste

cooking oil 

2 onions sliced

2 tomatoes sliced

1/2 cup shredded cabbage

1/2 cup shredded carrot

tomato ketchup

chilli sauce ( optional)

cheese - grated 

black pepper powder

Preparation:

•  Add little salt and 1 tbsp oil in the flour and knead it with water to form a smooth dough. Keep aside for few hours 
• Make small balls and roll them like a thin pancakes. Heat a griddle or pan and cook these thin flour pancakes with little oil on both sides. Keep aside
• For the filling, heat a little oil and fry the onions till light pink. Add tomato,cabbage and carrot and saute for few minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add little oil to the pan. Whisk one egg with little salt and pepper and pour in the hot pan to make an omelette. Cook on slow flame. Immediately press one pancake on top of the omelette so that it sticks to that side.
• Flip the egg over and cook on the other side as well.
• Remove on a tissue or kitchen paper. Spread some tomato and chilli sauce. Arrange the onion and vegetable mix in the middle. Add grated cheese 
• Roll out the wrap with the help of the tissue paper and seal the bottom with the paper to avoid filling oozing out. 
• Serve hot with tomato ketchup

Note : For filling you can replace these veggies with chicken/mutton/fish or potato and cheese based fillings.

"Hummus"

When we talk about Mediterranean food, the first thing that comes to my mind is Hummus. The smooth,flavourful and rich dip is one of the most exotic dishes of the middle east. Its a very humble dish which is very nutritious and can be eaten at any time of the day. Served with crackers, sticks, salads and breads, Hummus is one of the best starter dishes that you can make and serve to your guests with a glass of wine.

Enjoy the aroma and spices of this simple dip.

"Hummus"

Ingredients:

500 gms chickpeas

1 tbsp soda bi carb

2 tbsp tahini paste

1 lemon juice

coriander leaves - chopped

chilli flakes for garnish

extra virgin olive oil 

Salt to taste

Preparation:

• Soak the chickpeas overnight in water mixed with soda bi carb
• Boil the soaked chickpeas till soft 
• Once they cool down, blend them in a mixer or blender till soft and smooth
• Add tahini paste, lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil and salt. Blend well till it turns in a soft and smooth dip
• You can add extra water if its difficult to blend or if its not smooth
• Put the dip in a flat plate or bowl, garnish with some boiled chickpeas,coriander, chilli flakes and olive oil
• Serve with wheat crackers, bread sticks, pita bread or cucumber and carrot slices.