Pizza Parcel Bake

Pizza parcel is nothing but a pizza in a different shape. By making it in this way makes it easier for packing as lunch box or for any picnic outings where open pizza could be a mess. I usually prepare it this way when I have left overs from the previous night pizza dinner and the quantity is very less to make a whole big pizza again. Enjoy it as a finger food or as evening snack with your guest. 

Ingredients

• Pizza dough
• Pizza sauce
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• Chopped capsicum
• Chopped tomatoes
• Cooked meat (left over chicken tikka pieces, boiled chicken, cooked mince etc)

For the pizza dough:

• 3 1/2 to 4 cups of plain flour (plus more for kneading)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp instant dry yeast + 3 tbsp warm water
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp oil + more for greasing
• 1 and 1/2 cups of warm water (little less or more as required)

Method:

1. In a small bowl mix together sugar, yeast and warm water. Set aside for 10 minutes till it gets frothy and bubbly.
2. In a large bowl add the flour, salt, oil and yeast mixture. Combine everything slowly by adding water and until it forms a soft sticky dough. You can either use a stand mixer or mix by hand.
3. If the dough is too sticky and difficult to manage, add additional flour, 1 tbsp at a time until the dough comes to a solid form. Scrape the dough from the sides and turn it on to a lightly floured surface on a clean table.
4. Knead the dough for sometime in a stretching form, in order to build the gluten. The overall texture of the dough should be soft and not hard. In case if it sticks too much to the surface, sprinkle some dry flour and form into a smooth dough. 
5. Grease a large bowl with some oil and transfer the dough into it. Cover the bowl and keep it in a warm place to let it double in size. This will take about 1 hour or less.
6. Prepare the Pizza Sauce, cooked meat and chopped vegetables for topping.
7. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees C. 
8. Divide the dough into desired size. It could be small lemon size or little bigger.
9. Grease the baking tray with oil or butter and place the lemon size dough into the tray.
10. In the tray spread each part of dough into a small disc using your hand (circle shape). Spread the pizza sauce on one half of the disc. Keep few pieces of cooked meat (chicken, sausage, mince) some shredded vegetable and grated mozzarella cheese. Close the disc with other half to form into a semi circle or half moon.
11. Secure the edges tightly so that it does not open while baking. Brush some egg white or butter on top..
12. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or till parcels are golden brown from top.  

For the Pizza Sauce:

• 5 medium size ripe tomatoes (roughly chopped)
• 6 cloves of garlic finely chopped
• 1 small onion finely chopped (optional)
• 1 green chili or fresh red chili finely chopped
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 tsp black pepper powder
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt ( according to taste)
• 1 tsp red chili powder ( optional)
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 4 tbsp oil for cooking

Method:

1)  Place the chopped tomatoes into a mixer jar and pulse it for few seconds at a time to get a coarse mixture. We do not want to make a fine puree. 

2) Heat oil in a sauce pan and fry garlic till light brown, followed by onion and fresh chili. Fry till everything is soft and oil separates.

3) Add crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, oregano and black pepper. Stir well and cook on high heat for 2 minutes and bring to a boil.

4) Once it starts to boil, lower the heat and add red chili powder and cumin powder and continue to cook on low flame till all the water evaporates. ( This will take about 15 to 20 minutes)

Step by step pictures

Method:

1)  In a small bowl mix together sugar, yeast and warm water. Set aside for 10 minutes till it gets frothy and bubbly.

2)  In a large bowl add the flour, salt, oil and yeast mixture. Combine everything slowly by adding water and until it forms a soft sticky dough. You can either use a stand mixer or mix by hand.

3) If the dough is too sticky and difficult to manage, add additional flour, 1 tbsp at a time until the dough comes to a solid form. Scrape the dough from the sides and turn it on to a lightly floured surface on a clean table. 

4)  Knead the dough for sometime in a stretching form, in order to build the gluten. The overall texture of the dough should be soft and not hard. In case if it sticks too much to the surface, sprinkle some dry flour and form into a smooth dough. 

5)  Grease a large bowl with some oil and transfer the dough into it. Cover the bowl and keep it in a warm place to let it double in size. This will take about 1 hour or less.

For the Pizza Sauce:

• 5 medium size ripe tomatoes (roughly chopped)
• 6 cloves of garlic finely chopped
• 1 small onion finely chopped (optional)
• 1 green chili or fresh red chili finely chopped
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 tsp black pepper powder
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt ( according to taste)
• 1 tsp red chili powder ( optional)
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 4 tbsp oil for cooking

Method:

1)  Place the chopped tomatoes into a mixer jar and pulse it for few seconds at a time to get a coarse mixture. We do not want to make a fine puree.

2) Heat oil in a sauce pan and fry garlic till light brown, followed by onion and fresh chili. Fry till everything is soft and oil separates.

3) Add crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, oregano and black pepper. Stir well and cook on high heat for 2 minutes and bring to a boil.

4) Once it starts to boil, lower the heat and add red chili powder and cumin powder and continue to cook on low flame till all the water evaporates. ( This will take about 15 to 20 minutes)

Adjaruli Khachapuri | Georgian Cheesy Flatbread

This is the first time that I get a chance to be a part of a challenge created by a food bloggers group on facebook. The members were assigned a common blog from where we can select any recipe of our choice and post it. And the blog happens to be Chefindisguise by a very hardworking and talented blogger Sawsan, orthodontist by profession with a strong passion for food. What I like about her and her blog is her simplicity in presenting the food and her stunning skills in food photography. Each recipe on her blog is a piece of art in itself, they all look fresh, crisp and full of life. After short listing loads of them, I decided to try Adjaruli Khachapuri which is a baked cheesy flat bread.

Adjaruli Khachapuri is part of Georgian cuisine and very similar to Turkish as well. This recipe resembles my previous post called Turkish Pide. Here I have prepared using cheese and zatar.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup plain flour ( + 1/2 cup more if needed)
• 1 tsp instant yeast
• 1/2 sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup warm milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup shredded feta cheese
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

For the topping:

• Sliced tomatoes
• sliced olives
• Chopped mint leaves
• Dried basil or dried oregano
• Melted butter to brush over the bread

Method:

1. Combine yeast, sugar and 2/3 cup warm milk (not too hot or too cold) in a bowl and set aside till the yeast turns frothy or for about 10 minutes. 
2. In a stand mixer bowl attached with a dough hook - add plain flour, salt, oil and yeast mixture. Knead the mixture for about 5 to 10 minutes or until you get a smooth dough. You might require extra 1/2 cup plain flour. (you can also mix and knead the dough with hands)
3. Transfer to a lightly greased bowl, cover and set aside in a warm place until the dough doubles in size. (for 1 hour or less)
4. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees C.
5. Divide the dough into 4 parts and roll each part into a rectangle shape. Place the rolled rectangle sheets on a greased baking sheet.
6. Tightly roll the sides bringing them towards the center and forming a boat shape with the ends joined to each other.
7. Apply melted butter on the rolled sides with help of a brush or spoon.
8. Fill the boat shaped rolled out dough with desired amount of both the cheese and top with tomatoes, olives and mint leaves.
9. Finally drizzle them with dried herbs and olive oil.
10. Place the baking tray in the center of the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or till the cheese melts and sides turn golden brown.
11. Serve hot.

Note: The other flatbread in the picture is stuffed with zatar, jalapenos and tomato.

An InLinkz Link-up

Coconut & Egg Burji | Indian Style Coconut Scrambled Eggs

Serves: 2
Preparation time: 15 minutes


Ingredients:

• 1 cup freshly grated coconut
• 1 egg
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 2 green chilies (broken or torn with hand)
• 4 to 5 curry leaves torn
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
• Salt to taste
• 4 tbsp cooking oil or coconut oil

Method:

1. In a bowl whisk the egg with a pinch of salt.
2. Heat oil in a thick bottom saucepan or kadhai. Add green chilies, curry leaves and chopped onion.
3. Fry onion till soft and add grated coconut. Gently cook the coconut on low flame for 2 minutes and then add the whisked egg.
4. Keep stirring constantly till all the egg has combined well with the coconut and the whole mixture is dry. Add a bit of salt if needed.
5. Finally add the chopped coriander leaves and stir well.
6. Serve hot with roti or toasted bread.

Note: Try to keep the flame as low as possible after adding the coconut, as the coconut and the eggs burn or stick to the bottom and can even end up burning.

You can check out my other recipes for breakfast.

Click here for all the recipes: Breakfast

Mince & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich

Serving size: 2 sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of sandwich bread
• 1 cup cooked mince stuffing
• 2 eggs
• 2 slices of cheese / 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1 tomato cut into thin slices
• 2 leaves of romaine lettuce
• 2 to 3 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp mustard sauce
• 2 tbsp soft butter

Method:

1. Beat the eggs in a bowl with a pinch of salt and make thin omelette. Cut into two halves.
2. In a bowl mix together 3 tbsp mayonnaise and 1 tbsp mustard sauce
3. Place 2 slices of bread on a flat surface.
4. Spread some mayonnaise mustard mixture on each bread slice as needed.
5. Place the lettuce leaves, tomato slices, omelette sheets, cheese slice and finally 2 tbsp of cooked mince on each slice.
6. Place other 2 slices and complete the sandwiches.
7. Spread butter on the top of the sandwich and toast it in a pan, or a sandwich toaster.
8. Cut the sandwich diagonally and serve hot.

To make Cooked Mince:

Ingredients:

• 500 gms mince (beef/mutton)
• 1 tbsp ginger & garlic paste
• 2 tbsp yogurt
• 2 tsp red chili powder
• 2 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tbsp kasoori methi
• 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
• Salt
• 4 tbsp of cooking oil
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped spring onion (green & white)
• 1 or 2 green chilies finely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped mint leaves
• 1/2 cup chopped coriander leaves
• 1/2 cup finely chopped capsicum
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Method:

1. In a bowl, mix together first 9 ingredients. Mix well and marinate the mince for 1 hour.
2. Heat oil in a sauce pan or kadhai. Add the marinated mince and cook on high heat for 30 seconds by stirring constantly. 
3. Cover and cook on low flame till the mince is fully cooked. Dry out the liquid if any by cooking without lid.
4. Then add last seven ingredients and cook on high heat for 1 minute. Stir well, check the salt and adjust all the spices.
5. Remove from heat and cool it before using it as a stuffing. 

Chicken Bread

For Chicken Mince Stuffing

Ingredients:

• 500 gms Chicken mince
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 tbsp chopped garlic
• 2 tbsp yogurt
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp chopped green chilies
• 1 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped spring onion (green & white)
• 1 tsp black pepper powder
• Salt
• 4 tbsp cooking oil

Method:

1. In a bowl, mix together chicken mince and yogurt.
2. Heat oil in a saucepan and fry garlic and onion till soft and slightly changes color.
3. Add chicken mince and stir well till well combined with onion. Cook for 1 minute on high heat and then reduce the heat.
4. Now add soy sauce, chopped green chilies (as per your taste), chili flakes, salt and pepper.
5. Place the lid and cook the mince till is fully done. Cook till the water in chicken mixture has dried out.
6. Finally add chopped spring onion, stir well and remove from heat.
7. Cool the chicken mixture completely before using it as stuffing for any dish.

For the Dough:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups plain flour
• 2 tbsp powdered milk
• 1 tbsp instant yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 4 tbsp oil
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp castor sugar
• Enough water to make a dough

Method:

1. In a small bowl combine yeast,1/4 cup warm water and sugar. Mix well and set aside for 10 minutes till you see a froth formed over the yeast.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine together flour, milk powder, egg, oil and yeast mixture. With water make a soft and smooth dough. 
3. Place the dough in a bowl smeared with oil and keep it in a warm place for 1 hour or till the dough rises to double its size.
4. Punch down the dough after it has risen. And now the dough is ready for the preparation of chicken bread.
5. Take a baking tray and grease it with some oil. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C.
6. Divide the dough into small lemon size balls.
7. Flatten each part into a small 4 inch diameter disc or small circle.
8. Place the chicken stuffing on one side of the disc and fold over the other half.
9. Seal the edges with help of a fork. Brush the top portion with some egg white and sprinkle sesame seeds.
10. Repeat this with all the dough parts and place them on a greased baking tray.
11. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or till it turns golden from outside.

Baked Cheese Toast

Ingredients:

• 10 slices of bread
• 300 gms grated cheddar cheese
• 100 gms butter

For the chicken topping: (mix together)

• 1 cup boiled & shredded chicken (or left over tikka pieces)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped capsicum
• 1/2 cup finely chopped tomato
• 1 clove of garlic grated
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 1/2 cup ketchup (optional)
• 2 tbsp of chili sauce
• 1 tbsp of mayonnaise
• 1 tsp black pepper powder
• 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
• Salt

Method:

• Preheat oven to 200 deg C.
• Take a large baking tray and keep a foil sheet of same size.
• Spread the chicken mixture over each bread slice and place them on the baking tray next to each other.
• Sprinkle grated cheese and butter over each slice and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts. Serve hot.

English Breakfast

Serves 2
Preparation time: 20 minutes





Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese / 2 cheese slices.
• 2-3 sausages
• 2 carrots
• 4 to 5 cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms (as shown in the picture)
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 4 to 5 green beans whole
• 2 stems of spring onion
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• Salt to taste
• Crushed black pepper
• Butter for cooking

Preparation:

• Beat eggs in a bowl with some salt and 2 tbsp of water.
• Fry sausages and keep warm.
• Peel and cut carrots into thick slices. Wash and cut of the ends of green beans and steam along with carrot slices and keep warm.
• Heat 1 tbsp butter in a pan and saute the mushrooms with salt and black pepper powder.
• In the same pan stir fry red bell peppers and cherry tomatoes.

To prepare omelet:

1. Heat 2 tbsp of butter and pour the whisked eggs. Keep the flame on the lowest. Sprinkle chopped spring onion and chili flakes.
2. While the eggs are being cooked, keep shaking the pan so that the omelet gets ripples or folds and raw eggs run to the bottom of the pan.
3. Keep doing this till all the raw egg is cooked.
4. Place the grated cheese or torn cheese slices on one half of the omelet and turn the other half over it. Remove from heat.See the pictures.
5. Place the bread slices in the toaster and toast.
6. Arrange the breakfast plate with fried sausages, steamed carrots, beans, fried red bell pepper and cherry tomatoes.