Cheese Buns/Stuffed Buns (Eggless)

Hello everyone, today I have got for you all a very yummy recipe of Stuffed buns. I used to have them during my school time, stuffed with masala potaotes. So just thought to prepare them with Paneer and cheese filling. The result was just awesome. This is a great snack, either with tea or coffee, we had it with freshly squeezed orange juice and is a huge hit in my house.

Preparing them is a bit lengthy process but at the same time they are very easy to prepare. The best part is that you can stuff them up with any filling you like be it Vegetarian or non vegetarian or may be the left overs. They have a very nice crust and very soft inside. You can make them in large numbers in advance or freeze them, microwave them for 15 secs and they will be fresh again. They are an awesome idea for pot lucks too :))))

So without wasting much of the time lets dive into the ingredients following the method.

Video Link :

 

Ingredients :

For the dough :

• All purpose flour : 2 cups
• Dried active Yeast : 1 tbsp (If using instant yeast then take 2+1/4 tsps)
• Sugar 1 tbsp
• Luke warm water : 1/2 +1/2 cup
• Butter : 1+1/2 tbsps  (melted)

For the stuffing :

• Onion : 1 small finely chopped
• Red Bell pepper : 1/2 finely chopped
• Green Bell pepper : 1/2 finely chopped
• Garlic : 2-3 cloves finely chopped
• Paneer/cottage cheese : 1cup finelydiced
• Cheese (any) : 1 cup (You can adjust the quantity)
• Oregano : 1 tsp
• Chilli flakes : 1 tsp
• Salt : As per the taste (add a little less as cheese also contains salt)
• Oil : 1-2 tbsps

Method :

Activate the yeast :

• In a bowl take 1/2 cup of luke warm water. To this add yeast and sugar,  mix well, cover and keep aside for 10-15 minutes or unless yeast becomes foamy or frothy.
• If you are using Instant yeast, then skip this step and add yeast and sugar directly to the flour and knead with warm water.

Make the dough :

• Once yeast activated, take All purpose flour, add salt, mix well, add yeast mixture and try to knead a dough.
• Also add the rest half of the luke warm water, little by little and knead a very sticky dough. Half way through add 1 tbsp melted butter and knead.
• As shown in the video, take the dough on to the working surface and knead atleast for 10-12 minutes. This will activate some gluten in the dough, which helps to make the buns light and soft. You might need some dry flour and butter to make it smooth. But don't add a lot of dry flour or it will become dense.
• Once done with the kneading, place it in a well greased bowl and apply some oil on the top as well. Cover it and keep it in some warm place so that it rises well. I kept it in my oven, switching on only light and not the oven. It takes 45 minutes to 1 hour or sometimes more than that, as per the whether.

Make the stuffing :

• In a pan, take some oil, to this add garlic and saute, then add onions and again saute unless they are golden, then add bell peppers and saute for 1-2 minutes. Now add the paneer, also add the chilli flakes, oregano and salt. Mix well and cook fora minute more. Keep aside to cool.
• Once cooled, add the cheese and mix.

Second proofing of the dough :

• Once doubled, take out the dough on the work surface, deflate it and roll it to a rectangular blog of same thickness, with the help of your palms.
• Cut the dough into six equal parts.
• Take each part and form a ball, as shown in the video.
• Keep these balls with some distance, apply some oil, cover and let them rise again. This will again take 40 minutes to 1 hour.

Stuffing the buns :

• Once balls are doubled in size, stuff them with the filling and close them. Try to pinch them nicely so that they don't open while baking.
• Keep all the stuffed balls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper/butter paper or aluminum foil. 
• Cover them and rest them again for 15-20 minutes. 
• In the mean while preheat the oven at 220° Celsius.

Baking the buns :

• Once rested, apply some milk with brush, for nice shine and bake them for 20-25 minutes.
• Also keep an oven proof dish filled with a cup of boiling water in the lower rack to create steam. This helps in forming nice crust.
• Mine were exactly for 22 minutes.
• After taking them out, put them on a cooling rack and apply some butter.
  Let them cool a bit.

Enjoy!!!!

Note :

• Yeast is a main hero of the recipe so if it doesn't froth nicely, throw away the mixture, check the yeast expiry date and start with fresh.
• Never skip the dough kneading part, this makes the bun softer.
• You can always play with filling part, as per you taste preferences.
• Proof them twice, as told in the recipe.
• You can also apply some egg wash instead of milk. 

Please do share your experiences and feedback with me in the below section of comments or on my Facebook page. I too have a You Tube channel please do visit for all the video recipes. All the links mentioned below :) 

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/cookwithpriyanka

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cookwithpriyanka

Thanks & Happy Baking

Priyanka

Baked Papdi/Baked crackers

These days I am on a mission of healthy snacks which have a longer shelf life and can be enjoyed guilt free. In our Indian homes, the most famous snacks are mathri, but........they have huge amount of ghee in it :((((, I can't even imagine the number of calories they have!!!!!. But at the same time they are so so addictive that one can't resist to have just one :))).  This is human tendency I believe, the food which is unhealthy is loved most and we always don't prefer healthy ones :). One fine day we friends were discussing about the same on a group chat, found that most of the people have green tea but just as a sake to have it and never preferred it above their proper Indian ginger tea :))). But at the same time there are many more who love to have it, I am among them.

I have a habit of munching something after every 2-3 three hours, need some biscuits, flakes or anything. If I have anything which is high in calories and have high fat content, then I am gone. So therefore I planned to have healthy snacks with full of flavours. Sushant's colleagues demanded for some Indian samosas (proper aloo one). So I prepared in a very large batch and was left with some dough. My mother always used to fry mathris from the left over dough and I am sure you all too do the same thing :)))). But I gave a new twist to it and just baked them and voila the results were outstanding - crisp, crunchy and light. Goes amazingly good with a cup of tea. As it was from the samosa dough hence made from Maida/ All purpose flour, but next batch I will prepare from whole wheat flour and soon share the results. So here is the recipe, its quite simple and easy to prepare, hope you all will like it too.

Ingredients :

• All purpose flour - 1 cup
• Vegetable oil - 2 tbsps (I used Olive oil)
• Carom seeds/Ajwain - 1 tsp
• Salt as per the taste
• Warm water - 1/4 cup (to knead the dough)

Method :

• Mix all the ingredients (except water) in a big bowl. 
• Now add little by little water, we need to have a stiff dough (not very soft). You can always adjust the amount of water. Once done cover and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.
• Now divide the dough into two parts and roll like thin chapati. With the help of a cookie cutter or a bottle's cap cut into desire shape. Place them on baking tray, lined with butter paper/aluminum foil.
• Bake them on the middle rack at 180 ° C for about 18-20 minutes, do flip them in between. Mine were done in exactly 20 minutes but every oven varies in terms of power hence would advise to keep an eye.
• Also if u want dark brown color, then put them on broil (on the top rack with temperature 220 ° C) for just 30 sec. But make sure that you don't move from there as they might burn.
• Take them out from the oven, let them rest in baking tray for 5 minutes and then transfer on to a cooling rack. Once completely cooled store them in an air tight jars. These will remain good for a month.
• Now prepare a nice cup of tea and have them with a cute smile :)

Note : You can add flavours of your own choice like - chili flakes, kasuri methi/Dried fenugreek leaves, Italian herbs too if you like :)

Do share your experiences and feedback with me in the below section of comments or on my Facebook page. I too have a You Tube channel please do visit for all the video recipes. All the links mentioned below :)

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/cookwithpriyanka

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cookwithpriyanka

Enjoy making them :)

Thanks & Happy Baking
Priyanka :)

Quick Roasted Murmure/ Laiya/Lava - Low cal (Roasted Puffed Rice)

It was raining here in London since morning and I was craving for some adrak wali chai (Ginger Tea), I love it and can have 4-5 cups in a day, though I have started controlling my tea and switched to green tea more :))). 

We always have some snacks with evening tea, I am sure you all too. Usually in my Native Town, we all sit together and have evening tea with lots of fried snacks and no one is worried about the weight gain at all. I still remember during my schooling whenever I had my exams, mummy used to make a big dabba of murmure namkeen. She used to roast it in batches with lots of oil. I loved it and had it in huge quantities, later realized the unhealthy part. After marriage I started roasting them in a nonstick pan with no oil, but the results were not that good. Then one day I made this namkeen in microwave and voila the results were just mind blowing. My mother didn't realize that they were made in 1 tsp of oil (that too for only tadka/tampering). Its supereasy and quick to make too. I also prepare flattened rice/chivra namkeen almost in the same manner and pretty sure that you all will love it :))).

Here is the link for roasted chivra namkeen - Click here

Ingredients :

• Laiyya/Murmure/Puffed rice - 2 cups
• Peanuts - 3/4 cup
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Black salt - 1 tsp
• Green chilies - 3 medium sized (finally chopped)
• Curry leaves - 15 (appx)
• Sugar - 1 tsp (optional)
• Salt - if needed (I didn't add)
• Oil - 1 tsp

Method:

• Take a microwavable big bowl, dry roast murmure in microwave for 2-3 minutes on high (do stir twice in between) and keep aside. Following the same procedure roast peanuts also for a couple of minutes or unless nicely done.
• In the same bowl, heat oil for 2 minutes in microwave. Now add curry leaves, green chilies turmeric powder, mix well and again microwave it for a min.
• Finally add black salt and sugar, mix (If you are adding plain salt, add at this point of time)
• Now add roasted peanuts and murmure, mix very well.
• Cool the mixture completely and store it in an airtight container for a month and enjoy with tea, coffee or cold drink. But I am sure it won't last for such long :)))

Note : 

• You can add some dry fruits like coconut, raisins, almonds etc.
• Adjust the quantity of peanuts, green chilies & salt as per the taste. You can also add red chili powder while tampering, and omit green chilies.

Do share your experiences and feedback with me in the below section of comments or on my Facebook page. I too have a You Tube channel please do visit for all the video recipes. All the links mentioned below :)

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/cookwithpriyanka

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cookwithpriyanka

Thanks & Happy Healthy Cooking
Priyanka :)))

Oats & Whole wheat crackers with a kick of chili & lime

Today I have got something healthy for you guys and can bet you all that " no on can eat just one". Here in London there are various options for sweet snacks but very rare for savoury ones. Though I have a sweet tooth but sometimes really crave for something Chatpata :). Same thing happens with Sushant too, he needs to have something savoury with tea. So just thought to prepare a batch of these crackers. 

It was in my mind since a long time but never prepared, always was searching aisles in the supermarkets and returned with very mild biscuits or the one which we liked, had too many calories. 

While I was baking these, just gave a thought to add in some oats too as they are among one of my favorite ingredients. And yes the decision was right :)), Oats gave nice texture and made it healthy too. Secondly I used olive oil in place of butter and the results are not bad at all :). Adding chilies & lime was totally up to the preference. So lets quickly run through the ingredients following the method :)

Ingredients :

• Whole wheat flour - 3/4 cup
• Quick Oats - 1/4 cup
• Baking Powder - 1/2 tsp
• Red chili flakes - 1/2 tsp (or as per the taste)
• Mixed dried herbs - 1/2 tsp
• Lemon Zest - 1/2 tsp (optional)
• Salt - as per the taste (I used a little more than 1/4 tsp)
• Olive oil/Veg Oil - 3 tbsps
• Water - less than 1/2 cup

Method :

• Preheat the oven at 180 ° C.
• Mix all the dry ingredients well including the lemon zest.
• Add oil and mix nicely. The mixture should be a little crumbly and when you hold it in your palm it should come together. 
• Now add little by little water and try to gather it. Pleas don't knead it. Kneading will form gluten and the crackers will not become crispy then.
• Try to make a ball and transfer it to a flat surface. If required dust the surface with some dry flour and roll it to 1/4 inch thickness.
• Cut them into desired shape and repeat the same process with rest of the dough. Transfer them on to a baking tray lined with baking paper.
• Prick them with a fork, to avoid puffing.
• Now apply some milk with a brush on the top.
• Bake them for about 20-25 minutes. Mine were exactly in the oven for 25 minutes and I also flipped them after 15 minutes for even cooking. (Every oven varies when it comes to temperature)
• Finally, I kept them on to the top rack and increased the temperature to 220 ° C for 30 sec, to get a nice color.
• Cool them completely by keeping them on a cooling rack and store in an air tight container.

Enjoy with hot Ginger Tea or cold drinks :)))

Note : The addition of flavors is totally as per the taste buds, you can also add cumin seeds or carom seeds. If you are baking it for your kids, then decrease the amount of chilies.
Adding lime zest is totally optional, but it gives a unique flavor.

You can roll them thin also if you want :)

Thanks & Happy Baking 
Priyanka :)

Avocado Kebabs

In continuation with my love towards Avocados, here is one more savory dish - The Avocado Kebabs. I never tasted Avocados while I was in India, but heard a lot about them. When I shifted to London the first thing which I tried was Avocados, I didn't like them as their taste were quite subtle but yes they taste nice in Guacamole & salads. But why just in salads or dips ??? Tried out some recipes with it and would say that its an amazing ingredient I found. Firstly I just tried it as a patty in burgers and yes its a hit in my house. You can find the link for Burgers here - Avocado Patty Burgers

And now its the time for Kebabs. Trust me they are so moist and just out of the world. My husband has forgotten the non-veg ones :)))). Secondly they can be made zhatpat without any mess and with very few ingredients. Last week I had a Tea party at my place so prepared some and it was quite appreciated by all the guests. I usually purchase Avocados 2-3 days prior and let them ripe completely till they are soft. This gives a nice texture as well as the taste. So lets quickly see the ingredients followed by the method.

Ingredients :

• Avocado - 1 nos
• Onion - 1 small (finely chopped)
• Suji/Rava/Semolina - 1 tbsp
• Cornflour - 1 tbsp
• Garlic powder - 1 tsp
• Chili flakes - 1/2 tsp
• Garam Masala - 1 Pinch (optional)
• Salt - 1/4 tsp (or as per the taste)
• Oil - 1 tbsp

Method :

• Slit the fully ripped Avocado and take out the seed. Now scoop the pulp in a bowl and mash with a spoon.
• Add onions, Suji, Cornflour, Garlic powder, Chili flakes, Garam Masala and salt to it. Mix well. (You can also use chopped garlic of garlic paste in place of garlic powder)
• Apply water on to your palms and try to make Kebabs. The mixture will be too runny but applying some water will help in forming shapes.
• Place them directly on griddle (on medium flame) and drizzle some oil. Turn them after 2-3 minutes very gently. And they will be done in another 2-3 minutes.

Serve them hot with Pudina chutney, onion rings and lime wedges.

Note: Don't worry at all about the shape, they are going to be just out of the world in taste :)  
Thanks & Happy Cooking
Priyanka :))

Avocado Patty Burgers (Eggless/with egg - both the recipes)

These days most of us wants to live their lives on a healthy platform. Everyone wants to be fit and honestly speaking one has to. I am on the same track even :))). I always avoid eating burgers, though I just love them. Sacrificing them is a big task :((( What if you find Health and taste together ???

One morning I had wheat buns with me. Some avocados, eggs, about to make salad. But suddenly I thought to make avocados and egg Patty burger. Sounds a bit different and unusual but trust me guys its full of taste. Once you start preparing them you will forget those fried aloo/chicken pattice. They are very easy to make with very little ingredients. As avocado have a very bland taste hence they can be mixed very well with others for a nicer taste. 

I usually purchase avocados and keep them for 2-3 days. Once they are perfectly ripped I use them for making salads or Mexican Guacamole.  But this time I incorporated it with some eggs and made burger Patty for it. And guess what it was a super duper hit in my house. Avocados have many health benefits, few of them are -

• Lowers cholesterol levels and maintaining a healthy heart.
• Controls blood pressure
• Regulates the blood sugar levels 
• My fav-Anti-aging properties 
• It protect against cancer 
• Has lots of goodness for Skin 
• Gives lot of energy 

I prepared it with eggs but it can also be very well prepared without them. So here I am posting both the versions :)))))

For the whole wheat buns please visit the mentioned link - Whole wheat seeded buns

Ingredients for the Patty with egg :

• Avocado - 1 nos
• Hard boiled egg - 1 nos
• Corn flour - 1/2 tbsp
• Semolina/Rava - 1 tbsp
• Garlic powder - 1/2 tsp
• Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - 1/4 tsp (adjust as per the taste)
• Oil - 1/2 tsp 

 Ingredients for Assembling burger :

• Wheat buns - 1 nos
• Ice burg lettuce leaves - few
• Sliced tomatoes
• Sliced Onions (optional)
• Some low fat spread - I used hung curd with little salt & pepper as a spread

Method :

Making Patty

• Slit the avocado in between and take out the seed. Now with the help of a spoon scrape out its pulp leaving the skin.
• In a bowl mash it and add finely chopped egg
• Add rest of the ingredients - salt, garlic powder, chili powder, semolina and cornflour and mix well. Give it a minute, let semolina absorb some moisture.
• Apply some water on the palms and try to make out a Patty (size depends as per your choice). It will be a bit sticky but no worries.
  
• Immediately put it on a hot pan and drizzle some oil. Cook for a couple of minutes on medium flame and then turn lightly and then again cook.

Assembling the burger :

Slit the bun in to two. Keep it on the same pan without any oil, and slightly warm them up.

Apply spread on the bun, put lettuce leaves, then Pattie, then tomatoes/onions and cover it with the other part of the bun. And your burger is ready.

For the Eggless version, instead of egg simply mix a small sized boiled potato to it and rest of the ingredients & method will be same :)))

Enjoy your yummy Breakfasts !!!!!

Thanks n Happy Cooking 
Priyanka :)