PIZZA PINWHEELS

For Home bakers challenge group, Gayathri challenged us with great 4 recipes. I am very thrilled to try the 4 recipes. Usually i am making sweet items. So i want to try something different and decided savoury. And will try the rest whenever i get time. I am using chicken for this item, but you can use corn, paneer etc instead of chicken. Anyway thanks gayathri for your wonderful challenge.

Ingredients for dough :

1. Flour - 2 cup
2. Instant yeast - 1 1/2 tsp
3. Egg - 1 ( lightly beaten )
4. Curd - 1 tbsp
5. Salt - 1/2 tsp
6. Sugar - 1 1/2 tsp
7. Milk - 1/2 cup

Filling :

1. Pizza sauce - 1/2 cup
2. Mozzarella cheese - 100 g
3. Chicken - small 5-6 boneless pieces
4. Onion - 1
5. Capsicum - 1/2
6. Dried oregano - 1/2 tsp
7. Dried basil - 1/2 tsp

Method :

1. Cook the chicken pieces with some red chilly powder, salt and pepper powder. Heat 1 tsp in a pan and just stir fry the chicken and cut into small pieces.

1. In a large bowl combine together flour, yeast , sugar, salt, curd and egg. Mix well with your hands.

2. Now add enough milk and knead till it forms a soft dough. Continue to knead till the dough is smooth and elastic.

3. Shape the dough into a ball and place in a well oiled bowl. Cover with a cling wrap and leave in a warm place to rise till double in size. ( 40 - 50 min )

4. Deflate the dough and roll out into a rectangle.

5. Spread pizza sauce all over the rectangle. Sprinkle oregano and basil over the sauce.

6. Add sliced onion, Chopped capsicum and chicken pieces. Sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese.

7. Sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese.

8. Starting at the long end, roll the dough tightly to form a log and slice into 1- inch pieces.

9. Place the rolls on greased baking pan and bake for 10 - 15 minutes or until browned on top.

fresh out of oven.....

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN PIZZA

I am a part of  international food challenge group initiated by sara of sarasyummybites and shobhana of kitchen secrets and snippets. Their mission is to learn new recipes from all around the world. For this month challenge  host by Joanne of Whats on list. Joanne selected four different  recipes from california cuisine. I choose californian pizza. My family enjoyed it a lot. Thanks dear Joanne for your wonderful selection. 

                                                                          CALIFORNIA PIZZA

                                                                                   Serves - 8

                                                                                Recipe : Relish

Ingredients for crust :

. Flour - 1 cup

. Salt  - 1 tsp

. Olive oil - 1 tbsp

. Warm water - 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp

. Yeast - 3/4 tsp

. Sugar - 1 tsp

For topping :

. Chicken - 150 g ( boneless and cubed )

. BBQ sauce - 1/2 cup

. Olive oil - 1 1/2 tsp

. Mozzarella cheese - 1 cup

. Gouda cheese - 1/2 cup ( i used cheddar cheese )

. Sliced onion - 1/2 cup ( i used normal one )

. Chopped cilantro - 2 tsp

. Pepper - to taste

. Salt - to taste

Method :

1. Combine water, yeast and sugar.  Let sit for 5 minutes, until the yeast starts to foam. Add flour, salt and olive oil and mix until dough comes together. Knead for at least 10 minutes.

2. Place dough on a well greased bowl. Cover and let rise for 2 hrs.

3.  Mix chicken pieces with 1/4 cup BBQ sauce and marinate for 2 hrs.

4. Saute chicken over medium heat until cooked.

5. Sprinkle some flour on your working surface. Roll pizza dough into a circle  with 10 inch diametre.

6. Spread remaining 1/4 cup BBQ sauce on dough. Sprinkle half mozzarella and cheddar cheese. 

7. Top with chicken, sliced red onion and remaining mozzarella cheese.

8. Preheat the oven for 10 minutes. Transfer pizza to oven and bake at 180 degree for 10 - 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Top with cilantro.

FLAOUNES / CYPRIOT SAVOURY EASTER CHEESE PIE

April is the month of easter. So Aparna chose flaounes or cypriot easter cheese pie for april month,'
we knead to bake' group.. Thanks a lot aparna for your wonderful choice. Everyone loved it.

Flaounes is also known as cypriot easter cheese pies. It is a special easter bread on the island of cypriot. They are traditionally prepared on good friday, and are part of fast breaking meal after lent when meat and cheese are not eaten. Usually 'flaounes cheese' are used to made flaounes. But its very difficult to find in kerala. Flaounes cheese can be substitute with cheddar, mozzarella and cottage cheese.

There are a couple of ingredients used in flaounes. They are Mahleb and Mastic. Mahleb is made by powdering the dried pits of a wild mediterranean cherry. Mastic is the dried resin of a kind of shrub. Both these spice are quite common in greek and middle east cuisine. But here in kerala its very difficult to find these spices. So just leave them and there is no real substitute for this flavours.

                                           FLAOUNES ( CYPRIOT EASTER CHEESE PIES )
                                                     Recipe adapted from Travelers lunch box
                                                                              Yield : 8


Ingredients:

1. Flour / Maida - 2 1/2 cup
2. Instant yeast - 3/4 tsp
3. Salt - 3/4 tsp
4. Sugar - 1 1/2 tsp
5. Egg - 1
6. Milk - 1/4 cup
7. Butter - 60 g  melted and cooled
8. Luke warm water - 1/4 cup

Filling :

1. Grated cheddar - 1 cup
2. Grated mozzarella - 1/4 cup
3. Crumbled paneer - 1/3 cup
4. Flour - 2 tsp
5. Semolina - 1/4 cup
6. Mint leaf - 1/2 tbsp
7. Red chilly flakes - 1/2 tsp
8. Raisins - 1/8 cup (opt)
9. Baking powder - 3/4 tsp
10. Milk - 1 to 2 tbsp
11. Egg - 1
12. Sesame seeds - 1/3 to 1/2 cup

Method :

1. Mix flour, yeast, salt and sugar.

     2. Whisk together egg, milk, butter in a bowl and add it to the flour. Knead with enough water until you             

          have a soft smooth and elastic dough.

     3. Place dough in a well oiled bowl turning to coat it well.

     4. Cover loosely and let the dough rise until double in volume, 1 to 2 hrs.

     5. Once it has risen deflate the dough by pressing it out and folding it a few times. Cover loosely and         

           refrigerate for 2 hrs.

     6. Mix all the filling ingredients except egg and milk with a fork. Add milk and egg only when you are   

          ready to fill.

     7. Divide dough into 8 pieces. Oil your work surface and roll one piece into a circle. Not too thick or          

           too thin.

     8. Spread sesame on a plate and place the round dough on it, in the centre and press down slightly. 

     9. Place circle on working surface and put 1 tbsp full filling in the centre.

     10. First fold the two opposite edges over the filling leaving the centre exposed. Then fold the other 2 

            edges as well. You got a square shape. Press down sealed points with a fork.

     11. Use egg to seal the flaps of dough well. Press down the sealed points with a fork.

     12. Place flaounes on a baking paper leaving space between them and let it rise for 40 minutes. Just 

             before baking them brush the sides with egg.

      13. Bake at 190 degree for 25 - 30 minutes or till top is golden and cheese melts.

FOCACCIA CAPRESE

For this month we knead to bake group, Aparna  choose focaccia caprese. Focaccia with basil, tomato, some herbs and cheese. Thanks Aparna for your wonderful choice.

Focaccia is a popular bread in italy. Usually it seasoned with olive oil and some herbs, topped with cheese and vegetables. Focaccia are similar in style and texture to pizza. Focaccia can be used as a side to many meals.
Recipe adapted from : The kitchen whisperer

Ingredients for dough :

. Yeast - 2 tsp
. Sugar - 1 1/2 tbsp
. Flour / maida - 3 1/2 cup
. Salt - 1 tsp
. Oil - 1/4 cup
. Warm water - 1 - 1 1/2 cup

For topping :

. Tomato - 2 sliced thin
. Mozzarella

Herbed oil :

. Olive oil - 1/4 cup
. Oregano - 1 tsp
. Dried basil - 1 tsp
. Red chilly flakes - 1/2 tsp
. Crushed garlic - !/2 tsp
. Salt to taste

Method :

1. First make herb oil : combine all the ingredients together and whisk. Keep aside.

2. Combine flour, yeast, sugar, salt and oil in a bowl. Add enough warm water and knead into a soft elastic dough, that is short of sticky.

3. Shape the dough into a ball and place in a well oiled bowl. Cover and let it rise till almost doublke in size.( 1 hr )

4. Divide the dough into 2 balls and lightly roll them out into a round or rectangle shape.

5. Transfer dough in to baking sheets. Let it rise for 20 minutes.

6. Lightly oil your fingertips and press into the dough creating evenly spaced dimples on it.

7. Brush surface with oil. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes till it almost done and is start to golden brown colour.

8. Take out and turn the heat to 230 degree.

9. Lightly drizzle some herbed oil and arrange mozzarella slices., leaving some space between them. Arrange tomato slices over cheese and sprinkle basil.

10. Drizzle remaining herbed oil and return to oven. Bake for 5- 8 minutes or cheese melts.

11. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and slice when it is still hot.

CHEESE STICKS

A perfect tea time snack. And very easy to make.

Ingredients :

. Unsalted butter - 80 g cold

. Flour / maida - 200 g

. Cheddar cheese - 80 g

. Egg - 2 

. Salt - 1/4 tsp

Method :

1. Cut cold butter into small pieces.

2. Mix flour with butter and rub well. The mixture looks like bread crumbs.

3. Grate cheese and add almost all of it to the bowl.

4. Beat eggs with a fork. Add enough egg and combine into a big ball.

5. Divide the dough into 4 portions. 

6. Sprinkle some flour on working surface and roll one piece with 1/2 inch thickness.

7. Cut the rolled dough into thin strips and arrange on a baking tray. Repeat for the remaining dough.

8. Brush remaining egg over cheese sticks.

9. And sprinkle remaining cheese.

10. Bake at 180 degree for 10 - 12 minutes.

CHEESE OMLET

Ingredients :

. Egg - 2
. Onion - 1 small
. Green chilly - 1 small ( opt )
. Grated cheese - 1/2 cup ( i used cheddar and mozzarella )
. Salt
. Pepper powder to taste
. Oil / Butter - 1 tsp

Method :

1. Beat egg, finely chopped onion, finely chopped green chilly ( if use ) and salt with a fork.

2. Heat oil in a non stick pan. Pour the beaten egg into the pan and shake gently, cook on medium flame.

3. Let cook almost set, add grated cheese and sprinkle pepper powder. Let sit for some seconds.

4. Fold the omlet in half and slide into your plate.

MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA

Here is the third challenge from International-food-Challenge, hosted by priya suresh. She challenged with 5 different recipes from campania cuisine of italy. I choose mozzarella in carrozza recipe. Thanks priya for this great  recipe. And thanks to sobhana and saraswathi for this wonderful challenge.

There are various cuisine in italy and compania is one among them. Companias cuisine is mainly on herbs, vegetables, pasta and cheese. Mozzarella in carrozza is a classic recipe. In carrozza means in a carriage.
Recipe source : campania

Ingredients :

. White bread slice - 8 crust removed
. Flour - 1/4 cup
. Egg - 2
. !/4 tsp salt
. Oil
. Mozzarella

Method :

1. Place 4 bread slices on a flat surface.

2. Top with mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle some pepper powder and a pinch of salt.

3. Close with the other bread slice and trim the edges.

4. Make a thick paste with flour and enough water.

5.Apply flour paste to the e sides. It acts as a glue.

6. In a small bowl beat the egg with salt and pepper. Dip the sandwich in egg and keep aside.

7. Heat oil in a pan and fry the sandwich both sides.

8. Turn to a tissue paper.

KUGELHOPF ( SAVORY,EGGLESS )

I am a part of International-food-Challenge group initiated by sara of sarasyummybites and sobhana of kitchen secrets and snippets. Their mission is to learn new recipes from all around the world. For this month challenge is alsace - lorraine recipes from french cuisine. Out of the 3 recipes i choose savory kugelhopf. 

Kugelhopf is also known as gugelhopf.Basically kugelhopf is a sweet dish made with  raisins and nuts. But this
 is a savory version.  used cheese and vegetables.
recipe source : here

Ingredients :

.  Flour / maida - 1.5 cup
. Instant yeast - 1 tsp
. Warm milk - 6 tbsp
. Curd - 2 tbsp ( whisk )
. Butter - 2 1/2 tbsp ( softened )
. Oil - 1 tbsp
. Sugar - 1 tbsp
. Salt - 1/2 tsp

Filling :

. Cheddar cheese - 50 g
. Onion - 1 chopped into small cubes
. Capsicum - 1/2 chopped into small pieces
. Zuchini/ cucumber - 1/2 chopped into small pieces
. Tomato - 1/2 deseeded and chopped
. Chilly flakes - 1 tsp
. Black pepper - 1/2 tsp freshly ground
. Thyme - 1 tsp or any other herb seasoning
. Salt
. Oil

Method :

1. Mix 1 cup flour, salt, sugar and softened butter. Mix well and it looks crumbly.

2. Add warm milk and curd to flour and mix. Now the dough will be very sticky, add oil and mix well.

3. Add the remaining flour and knead into a smooth dough. Knead for 4-5 minutes.

4. Cover and keep in a warm place for 1 hour. Meanwhile make the filling.

5. In a pan with a tsp of oil saute onions until it just turn brown. Remove them and set aside.

6. Next saute tomato for few seconds and remove to the onion bowl.

7. Saute capsicum with red chilly flakes and salt. Cook for few minutes.

8. Finally add zuchini ( if you use cucumber remove the skin and seeds ) with salt and cook until it is half way cooked.

9. Transfer everything to a bowl and add ground pepper, enough salt, cheese and herb seasoning. Mix well

10. Once dough has raisen punch them and roll out into a rectangle and Spread the filling over the dough.

11. Roll them into a log.

12. Place the log in a greased bundt pan or normal pan.

13 . Keep aside until it double in size.

14. Preheat the oven and bake until top are golden in colour. Serve with any spicy sauce.