Whole wheat Breadsticks

I just can't stop talking about the weather here. It was snowing non stop last week and the temperature was so low the actual feel plummeted down to -21C. Well actually its better than yesterday. With the weather so cold, I had to take a a day off for pappu. I had to calm him down with some activity and so finally we ended up making straw necklaces. It was a great passtime and it really helped in hand and eye co-ordination for the kid.

Now lets talk winter food. We have been making a lot of soups lately and I make some sort of homemade whole wheat buns to go with it. I made these breadsticks for a change and it was a winner. Pappu totally loved it, he simply soaked it in some garlic butter and devoured it.

~*What U Need*~ Warm water - 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp Olive oil - 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese - 2 tbsp Sugar - 1 tsp Garlic powder - 1 1/2 tsp Salt - 3/4 tsp Dried basil - 1/4 tsp Bread flour - 1/2 cup Whole wheat flour - 1 cup Vital wheat gluten - 1 tbsp Instant yeast - 1 tsp Butter - to brush the sticks How I Made it: Sprinkle the yeast and sugar on the water and allow to activate for 10 mins. Take the flour, cheese, garlic powder, salt, basil and olive oil in a bowl, add the yeast water and knead or 10 mins. Cover and let rise for 45 mins to 1 hour. Once doubled, divide into 8-10 portions. Shape each into a ball; roll into a rope. Place on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 40 minutes or until doubled. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Brush warm breadsticks with butter.

So thats it Folks...
With Love,

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Chicken Parmesan Sandwich

Sandwiches are a staple at house. Whenever I am lazy to make lunch for us I make sandwich for self and a simple paruppu saadam for pappu. Well, the huss eats at office, ofcourse. Since its sandwich just for me, I like to play with the fillings. Add something of this, something of that, give it a taste test, season it some more, more garlic would never hurt. This is how I go about when I make salads or sandwich fillings. Its really therapeutic when you make a delicious cheese laden sandwich which you know that no one is there to share it with.

I love grilled cheese sandwiches, can have them anytime but sometimes I like these cheese laden sandwiches too... And when its got parmesan in the filling its just the best.

~*What U Need*~ Bread slices - 2 Chicken breast - 1, cooked and chopped Basil - 1 handful, chopped Mayo - 4 tbsp Garlic powder - a big pinch Salt, pepper - to taste Parmesan cheese, grated - 3-4 tbsp Sour cream - 2 tbsp Butter How I Made it: Mix the chicken with the basil, mayo, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours. When ready to serve, butter the bread slices, place the filling in between and toast in a medium hot pan or preheated grill.

Serve warm!!!

So thats it Folks...
With Love,

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Fresh Tomato Basil Pizza Sauce

Pizza sauces are easy to make and so are pizzas. Truth unveiled yesterday. Yes, you heard made right. I made a pizza yesterday and that too from scratch. No store bought pizza base or pizza sauce. Made everything from scratch... High five to me.
I first thought of dedicating only one post for the whole episode but then the post went on and on.. so have put up the making of pizza sauce in this post and the pizza post is coming up.

Fresh tomatoes sauteed with basil leaves and reduced to a flavorful sauce

I didn't have mixed herbs in hand and hence threw in few basil leaves to get that beautiful flavor. The sauce was just perfect to be topped on a pizza and that is what I did!!! This makes 3 tbsps of pizza sauce. You increase the quantity as needed.

~*What U Need*~
Tomato(large) - 1
Garlic (crushed) - 2 cloves
Chopped Basil leaves - 1 tsp
Vinegar - 1/4 tsp
Sugar - 1/4 tsp
Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Olive oil

How I Made it:
Make 2-3 slashes in the skin of the tomato. Bring water to a rolling boil. Place the tomato in water for 30 sec. Remove the tomato and peel off the skin. Chop the tomatoes finely and keep aside.
Heat oil in a pan and add the finely chopped garlic and saute. Now add the chopped tomatoes and mix well. When half done, add the basil leaves, vinegar, sugar, pepper powder and salt. Cover and cook until the tomato is completely cooked and mashed up.
Allow to cool.

Fresh and flavorful homemade pizza sauce ready!!!

So thats it Folks...
With Love,

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