Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Wheat Naan Bread











Wheat Naan Bread
Ingredients:
  • White bread flour - 1 cup
  •  Wheat flour- 1 cup
  • Vegetable oil - 1 tablespoon.
  • Salt - 1 teaspoon 
  • Baking powder - 1 tea spoon.
  • Sour curd (yogurt) - 1/2 cup
  • Water - ½ cup or as needed.
  • Some plain flour for dusting.
Preparation
  • Mix flour, salt, baking powder, curd, salt and oil in a big bowl.
  • Add water little by little and form soft dough. The dough should not be too tight.
  • Knead well. Keep aside in a warm place for 3-4 hours or more, till the dough rises.
Making Naan:
  1. Knead the dough again till it is smooth.
  2. Divide in 4 big portions.
  3. Sprinkle a little flour on the board. Place a dough ball on it and pat in a thick oblong or round shape as you like. You can also use a rolling pin if you wish.
  4. Heat oven or grill .  Place the rolled naan on it and cook on both sides till brown spots appear.
Once the bread is done, add your favorite sauce or pesto sauce then top with fresh uncooked veggies, my favorites( onion, green, orange, red peppers, mushrooms, zucchini slices,). I prefer without cheese but if you do add cheese, just lightly sprinkle on top.  Cook for 10 minutes until cheese melts and veggies are lightly cooked. Enjoy!!

Zucchini and Carrot Muffins

These tasty zucchini muffins would also be delicious with about 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans, either in addition to the carrots or to replace them.

Ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 cups finely shredded unpeeled zucchini
  • 1/2 cup finely shredded carrot

Preparation:

Grease and flour 12 muffin cups. Heat oven to 375°.
In a mixing bowl, beat the oil with eggs, sugars, and vanilla extract.
Combine the flour, soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; add to the wet ingredients; stirring until blended. Fold in the shredded zucchini and carrots.
Fill muffin cups about 3/4 full; sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or granulated sugar, if desired. Bake for 20 minutes. Voila!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Pupusas Recipe : A Delicious Salvadorean dish, version one



Pupusas and salsa




1.- Obtain tortilla instant corn flour such as Maseca and mix with water until its consistency is such that the masa (dough) does not stick to your hands.

2.- Use refried beans and mix with 'Oaxaca' (you can buy this cheese at a Mexican supermarket or replace or blend with another soft cheese, like mozzarella. Mix until the consistency is similar to the masa prepared in step 1.
3.- Take the masa in your hands and make a ball about two inches in diameter. Once you finish, make a hole with your fingers, take some refriend beans and cheese mix (from step 2) and fill the hole with it.
4.- Cover the hole with the masa and flatten by using your hands in a clapping motion. This takes practice but the goal is to make a disc.
5.- Once you are done, place the pupusa on a preheated flat iron skillet. Leave it there until each side is cooked by noticing the dark spots (you'll need to flip the pupusa periodically).

Variations :

  • Pupusas de Queso(Mexican cheeses): Use grated quesilloqueso fresco, queso Oaxaca, mozzarella, monterey or a combination. Add some minced green chile if you like.
  • Pupusas de Chicharrones: With a filling of fried chopped pork that is made on a daily basis and found in Latino Grocery stores.  
  • Pupusas de Frijoles Refritos: With a refried bean filling.
  • Pupusas Revueltas: Use a mixture of chicharrones, cheese and refried beans.
  • Pupusas de Queso y Loroco: With a cheese and tropical vine flower filling.Loroco can be found in jars at many Latin markets.
  • Pupusas de Arroz: A variety of pupusa that uses rice flour instead of corn masa.
  • Other Fillings: Cooked potatoes or finely minced, sautéed jalapeño peppers are also tasty fillings. Try a mixture of different fillings.