Chinese Noodles By Kousalya

Ingredients

Pasta noodles (#1 or#5) - 1lb

Onion small size -1 sliced

Capsicum small size-1sliced

Spring onions-5 chopped (keep the base and top part separately)

Ginger garlic chopped/paste-2tbl spoon

Carrot-1 thinly sliced

Beans -10nos thinly sliced

Cabbage sliced-1cup

Soya sauce-5tblspoon

Vinegar-2tblspoon(optional)

Tomato sauce-3-4tblspoon

Chili sauce-2tblspoon

Pepper powder-1/2 tablespoon

Oil & salt

Coriander leaves

Procedure:

In a pot bring some water to boil add 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoon of olive oil (or any cooking oil). When the water starts boiling add the pasta noodles and cook for required time (time will be stated in the cover), for number 1 type pasta it takes only 3 to 4 minutes.

Drain the excess water and put the noodles in strainer and run some cold water on it and a spoon of oil and make sure that oil slightly coats in each string, so that noodles won’t be sticky.

Keep the shallow pan on stove pour some oil when the oil is hot add the ginger garlic when it getting fried add the onions and fry for a min -the ginger garlic tend to turn brown soon so make sure it doesn’t get burnt.

Add the spring onions and capsicum and fry for a minute then add the veggies one by one and fry them for few minutes.

Now add all the 4 sauces and salt let the veggies cook for few minutes in that sauce in medium high flame.

Check the veggies are cooked and add the noodles and mix it well and reduce the flame to medium.

In this stage check for spice and salt and adjust the taste by adding the sauce and mix and fry them well.

Garnish with spring onions and coriander leaves and serve hot.

Notes:

Don’t forget to add salt while cooking the noodles else the noodles will be mushy.

If you use chili tomato sauce adjust the chili sauce proportion.

Use noodles spoon for mixing so that it won’t break and be mushy.

I use KIKKOMAN SOY Sauce, Sambhel chili sauce and maggi tomato sauce.

1lb of pasta serves up to 5 people.

Roasted bell peppers stuffed with rice n pasta by Rukmini

Roasted bell peppers stuffed with rice n pasta

Ingredients:

Bell peppers
long grain rice
Orzo pasta
Cheese
Rao's pasta sauce
Alfredo sauce (optional)
Onion
Garlic (I used garlic powder for a change)
Chives, rosemary n oregano (all optional)
Unsalted butter

Method:

In a pan melt some butter, fry garlic n onion till it turns golden. Add in the rice n pasta saute till rice + pasta is evenly coated with butter. Add water n cook the rice + pasta. Cook till the rice + pasta is just done. Add in the pasta sauce (tip: rao's marinara sauce works best) and adjust salt if reqd.Add the seasonings.

Scoop out the seeds of the bell peppers and coat the outside with a generous amt of oil and stuff in a lil rice in the pepper, grate a layer of cheese, again rice and then a layer of cheese. Keep in in the oven preset at 350 F till u see tht the pepper is nicely roasted and gives out a nice aroma.

Tip: Add Sriracha sauce if u need it spicy.

Indianised Quesedilla by Ramya Praveen

Indianised Quesedilla

Bell peppers chopped finely
zuchini chopped finely
Onions chopped finely
Tomatoes chopped finely
Corn
carrot grated
Cumin powder
coriander powder
red chilli flakes
Sargento mexican cheese mix
Tortilla's

i make a indian version stuffing inside with corn, bell peppers, zuchini , onions, tomatos , grated carrot, chopp all the veggies finely.. in a pan take some olive oil, heat it slightly and add the onions and saute for a while then add the bell peppers, grated carrot, corn, zuchini and tomatoes one by one and saute on high for couple of mins until they are half done... then add some cumin powder, coriander powder and chilli flakes and finally salt to taste...

I use Sargento Mexican cheese mix...

then i heat one tortilla and topp it with the veggies and cheese and close it with another heated tortilla so the cheese will melt and stick to it.. then toss it to heat on the other side also... serve it hot :)

Burrito wrap by Ramya Praveen

Burrito wrap
You can make a wrap with your tortilla....

Cooked Rice - 1/2 cup
Baked Black Beans - 1/2cup (use the canned ones drain the water)
Salsa - 1/4 cup (i used medium salsa)
Gucamole - 1/4 cup
Green Pepper - (cut length wise)
Onions-(cut length wise)
Lettuce-(cut length wise) i used cabbage instead
Cilantro- (finely chopped)
Sour cream - 1/2 cup (Optional but it adds to the taste)
Cheese - 1/2 cup (grated)

1.Its all about layering the ingredients now.Take ur tortilla and First add the rice, then top it with the beans
2.Now add the sauted veggies and add the salsa on top of the veggies.
3.Top it with sour cream and cheese and micro wave this for 45 sec.
Yummy burrito wrap ready.. dont use too much stuffings coz the tortilla might tear ..

the above measurement will be enough for 4 to 6 wraps

Gucamole Recipe

Gucamole u can make at home using two ripe avacados... Cut the avacado into half take the seed out and scoop out the pulp... and mash it nicely with a spoon now add 1//4 cup of salsa to it... it tastes perfect.....

Back Bean Burger recipe by Shubha

Back Bean Burger recipe by Shubha

Ingredients :

Black beans - 1 can (or soaked overnight n rinsed n drained)

Old bread - 4 to 5 slices (grind it to pwdr in a mixer) OR Brown rice- 1 cup cooked (u can even use white rice...)

Dried Oregano - 1 tbsp (italian seasoning blend will also do.)

Cumin powder - 2 tsp (cumin -coriander powder will also do)

Red chilli powder - 2 tsp / green chillies -2(optional)

Bell pepper- 1 cup finely chopped

Onion -1cup finely chopped

Garlic - 3-4 pods chopped

Coriander - 1/2 cup (i like the smell of fresh coriander so I add a lot..u can reduce if u want)

Salt to taste

Oil for brushing

Olive oil 2 tsp extra

Method :

Wash the canned black beans and remove all the brine. Pour in little bit of fresh water and MW for 3to 4 minutes. till the beans cook a bit. Mash them lightly with a potato masher n keep aside. If using soaked beans wash them n MW for 5 minutes until its a bit soft to touch.

In a skillet add the olive oil and saute the onion, garlic with salt n spices. Saute for a while and add the oregano to this now.Cook till its soft. Now add the red chilli pwdr or green chillies if using.

Add this mixture to the mashed beans along with, rice/ bread, Bell pepper ,coriander leaves, and mix well with hands to form a dough like mixture. dont worry if its a bit loose add a slice of bread extra and the texture will become fine..:) See that u drain ur beans well of any water before mashing.

Make patties of this mixture. Now u can either bake them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or u can grill them in a tawa or an open BBQ grill. Choice is urs.

Serve this patty in between burger buns, stacked with tomato,Onion, lettuce, cheese slice n sun dried tomato dressing..:) & tomato ketchup. Thats how i did it :D

Or u can just melt the cheese on the Patty when its on the tawa. Heat ur bun a bit of tawa and then place the patty on ur heated bread cheese side up and serve..:)

Apple pie by Athisaya

Ingredients

For the crust
All purpose flour / maida - 2 cups
Ice water - 4 teaspoons
Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
Sugar - 1 teaspoon
Butter - 1 stick

For the filling
Apples - 2 or 3 depending on the size of your pie
Sugar - 1/2 cup (depends on how tart the apples are)Brown sugar can also be used
Cinnamon powder - 2 teaspoons
Lime juice - 1/2 teaspoon (optional)
Vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon (optional)
AP Flour - 1 spoon

Directions

Sieve the flour,sugar and salt together..Add the butter and using your finger tips mix it together so that it forms a crumbled mixture..`Add the ice water and mix well..Knead to form a dough..Refridgerate for about half an hour so that it turns firm..

Meanwhile prepare the filling..Core and slice the apples finely..Combine it along with the limejuice,sugar,cinnamon and vanilla extract..Leave it for ten minutes until the juices flow out..Add the flour to thicken..

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Divide the dough into two parts..For the lower crust roll the dough into a large circle with a rolling pin..Spray the pie pan (alternatively, a shallow round cake pan can be used) with non-stick spray and lay the rolled out dough over it..Spread the filling evenly over the dough..Dot with small pieces of butter..For the top crust spread the other part of the dough evenly into a circle using a rolling pin..Using a knife or a cookie cutter form thin strips of about 1 inch thick and lay each strip over the filling so as to cover the filling as desired..A weave pattern can also be made for the upper crust..Alternatively,instead of doing such patterns just place the rolled out dough over the filling and make three slits in the centre..

For more details about making a lattice top crust check out this video..

Crimp the edges of the lower and upper crust using fingers or with a fork..Give an egg wash over the top for a nice golden colour..You can also brush the top with milk instead of using eggs..

Place on lowest rack in oven preheated to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake for 30 to 35 minutes longer.

Serve warm or cold.I had it with vanilla Icecream..Yummo!

Cocoa Dates Oatmeal by Shubha

Cocoa Dates Oatmeal

Ingredients
U.S. Metric Conversion chart
1/4 cup(s) chopped pitted dates (10-12 dates)
1 cup(s) old-fashioned rolled oats
2 tablespoon(s) cocoa
salt
2 cup(s) water

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Directions

1.Combine dates, oats, cocoa and salt in a 1-quart microwavable container. Slowly stir in the water. Partially cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on Medium for 4 or 5 minutes, then stir. Microwave on Medium again for 3 or 4 minutes, then stir. Continue cooking and stirring until the cereal is creamy.

Indian style spaghetti by Preethi posted by Malathi

Indian style spaghetti by Preethi

cook spaghetti separately and keep aside.

For Sauce

1 big onion
2 small tomatoes
1 big green pepper
1 or 2 italian sausage
singles cheese

increase or decrease the proportion according to ur taste

chop the onion, tomato, pepper finely and in a kadai add olive oil saute the onion til they turn transparent then add tomato and saute for few minutes, add chopped green pepper and cook for 2 minutes, dnt overcook the pepper, then finally add tomato puree to make it like a gravy let it cook for 2 mins, chop and add the sausage (u have to microwave or cook the sausage in hot water before adding) finally add cheese. Add salt according to ur taste and if u want it spicy add little black pepper or chilli sauce. let all cook for 1 min then switch off. Pour the gravy over the cooked paste and add dry basil, oregano, and shredded cheese before serving.

Cheese & Jalapeno Quesadilla by Sunitha

Cheese & Jalapeno Quesadilla
Tortillas - Medium diameter - 2
Monterey Jack Cheese blend - I pick it up at Target or Safeway - about 1/2 cup or more (depending on how cheesy you want it)
Jalapenos - canned ones - I like them better, as they are soaked and not very spicy.. they also have a tangy taste
Onions, bell peppers - if you wish - either raw or slightly sauteed

Lay out a tortilla and spread half the cheese
Spread the jalapenos, onions, bell peppers and top with remaining cheese
lay the 2nd tortilla on top of the cheese.
Heat a tava on medium heat and slowly place the assembled tortillas. Let it cook for some time (cheese will start melting)
Then carefully turn over the entire quesadilla. Try to get golden brown on both sides. Dont let it go more than golden brown, as it will get stiff soon
Slice using pizza cutter or knife into quarters or 1/8ths Serve with Guacamole and Sour Cream and Salsa..

Guacamole recipe
Avocado - 3
onion - 1/2 - finely chopped
TOmato - 1 - finely chopped
Fresh Jalapeno - 1 or 2 (depending on spice required) - finely chopped
Chopped fresh coriander - 2 tsps
Salt to taste
1/2 Lemon

Pit the avocado and cut them into medium pieces into a bowl
Add the onion, tomatoes, jalapenos, coriander and mix completely. Ensure that the avocado is not chunky.
Add salt to taste and mix thoroughly
Once all mixed, squeeze the lemon juice into this and mix (this helps in preventing the avocado from turning black)
Enjoy with chips or as an accompaniment for quesadillas or burritos

Snow Peas by Selvi

Snow Peas by Selvi

chinese style

cut each one into two pieces...aprum...oil..red chillies,crushed garlic.aprum snow peas...ithu fulla veha koodathu..crunchya irukkanum...towards the end...salt and roasted peanuts..yummmmmm...appadiye saapidalam..

Asparagus quinoa Pilaf by Shubha

Asparagus quinoa Pilaf

Alterations that I made: I din't have sun dried tomato,so used half a tomato(chopped) and added it at the end,after adding the boiled quinoa,and switched off the stove in a couple of mins..Quinoa boil panrache tomato edhuvum add pannla..
Oil-la along with garlic and chilly flakes,I also added a bay leaf,sesame seeds,and sliced onions...apram naa konjam pepper powder-um potten...It was super yummy,simply loved it...thanks for the recipe Shubha :)

Asparagus qouinoa Pilaf (for Shakthi)
Ingredients :
Asparagus - 1 bunch (snapped,washed and cut in 1 inch pieces and steamed in MW)
Green peas - 3/4 cup
Quinoa - 2 cups
Oregano - 1 tbsp
Basil - 1 tbsp
Garlic - 3 pods chopped
Chilli flakes - 2 tsp (according to taste)
Salt to taste
Sun dried tomato - 1/2 cup chopped
Olive oil

Method :

Firstly cook the Quinoa. In a deep bottomed pan put water 1:2 proportion. (i.e for 1 cup quinoa u need 2 cups water.) Boil the quinoa in this water and keep stirring in between...so that it doesnt stick to the pan. Put a spoon of oil, some oregano and 2-3 pieces of sun dried tomato and let the quinoa cook well. When all the water is soaked it... and the quinoa is cooked well. Keep it aside. (To know when its cooked... u will see it will become a bit transparent... I ate some and saw....:P)

In another pan, take some oil and add the garlic and chilli flakes to it. Let it stay for a minute and add the Asparagus and peas... stir fry them... so that the asparagus is cooked but yet a bit firm.Stay for 30 sec or so and add the quinoa. toss well. Add basil and organo and stir fry well. Now add salt, chilli flakes (if needed) and the sun dried tomato. Stir and mix well and serve it. Garnish with italian parsley if u like..:)

Grilled Asparagus by Ramya

Grilled Asparagus : I took this from Food Network

Ingredients

* 1 pound asparagus
* 3 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
* 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
* 1/4 teaspoon paprika / 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Trim asparagus. In a small bowl, combine oil, garlic, zest and paprika/chilli powder and stir with a fork. Lay asparagus side by side and pierce on 2 wooden skewers to form a raft. Place rafts on the grill and brush with oil mixture. Cook to desired tenderness and season with salt and pepper and Some lemon juice on top (my touch hahahaha)

Grill: I have Panini Maker I Grilled it in that....

homemade guacamole by Anusha

homemade guacamole recipe
* 1 ripe avocado
* 1/4 red onion chopped very finely
* 1-2 green chiles, minced
* 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, finely chopped
* 1 tablespoon of fresh lime or lemon juice
* 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
* A dash of freshly grated black pepper
* 1 ripe tomato,finely chopped


Cut avocados in small chunks. Using a fork, mash the avocado. Add the chopped onion, cilantro, lime or lemon, chillies, salt and pepper and mash some more. add tomato at the end and dont mix too much after adding tomato. I had it with tortilla chips. but is a good topping for burritos and tacos.