A Hint of Spice

TOMATO,BELL PEPPER & MOZZARELLA BRUSCHETTA

Bruschetta is a dish which originated in Italy but is popular all over the world.consists of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Variations may include toppings of spicy red pepper, tomato, vegetables, beans, cured meat, and/or cheese; the most popular American recipe involves basil, fresh mozzarella, and tomato. Bruschetta is usually served as a snack or appetizer.

This winter we had soup and some form of bread almost 3-4 times a week and I got tired of having Garlic Bread or french bread....so for variety I tried my hand on bruschetta.My poor DH ...he has to taste all my experiments.

Coming back to the recipe.The ingredients are as follows.

Ingredients

1 /2 (32-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained or 3 fresh tomatoes

1 green bell pepper diced finely
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, peeled
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large French baquettes, sliced 1-inch thick (about 36 slices)
fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2.Finely Dice the whole tomatoes,mix the finely diced bell pepper,olive oil,salt and black pepper.

3.On a baking sheet, line up baguette slices. Toast in oven for about 3 minutes or until light golden brown.

4.Working quickly, rub the garlic on the toasted side of each slice .

5.Spread 1 tablespoon of tomato mixture on baguette slices and top with shredded mozarella.

6.Place bread back in oven and melt cheese slightly, about 45 seconds.

'njoy!!!

12:09 PM | Labels: Appetizer, Bell Pepper, Breads, Cheese, Comfort Food, Italian, Snacks, Tomatoes, Vegetarian | 1 Comments

SWEET CORN SOUP

This winter most of our dinners comprised of soup and salad and sometimes accompanied by bread.I love making this soup as it is very simple and easy to make ....a no fuss soup and does not require many ingredients.

Ingredients:

2 tblsp Olive Oil

2 cup Fresh or Frozen Corn kernels

1 green onion-finely chopped

1 cup Chicken broth or Stock( can be replaced with water)

1/2 tsp Garlic paste

1 tsp Black pepper

Salt acc to taste

1 tsp Italian Seasonings

Hot Sauce acc to taste

Soya Sauce acc to taste

2 tblsp Corn Flour (optional)

Directions:

1.Boil the corn kernels in chicken broth or water till they are tender.

2.Strain the corn kernels and save the stock they were boiled in.

3.Keep 1/2 tblsp of corn kernels aside and blend the remaining kernels.

4.In a soup pot heat olive oil and add the garlic paste,green onions and then add the pureed corn.

5.Stir it for 2-3 mins.

6.Add the stock that was kept aside and let the soup come to a boil.

7.Add the seasonings to it and serve it hot.

8.If the soup is too thin ,you can mix cornflour with cold water to make a paste and then mix it in soup, stirring the soup continously.

9.Serve with Salad or Garlic Bread or bruschetta.
'njoy!!

Tip:-

1.Extra Salt in the soup...no problem follow this tip.

2.Soup too runny ....? and you are all out of corn flour,no problem ....follow this tip.

11:47 PM | Labels: Comfort Food, Cooking Tips, Corn, Eating Healthy, Soup | 0 Comments

PIZZA SAUCE

Ingredients:
2 tblsp Olive Oil
2 tblsp fresh Basil or 2 tsp Dried basil
1 tsp dried Oregano leaves
1 tsp Chilli Powder
1 tsp Sugar
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Cinnamon Powder
1 tsp Garlic paste
1 cup Onion -finely Diced
1 cup Tomamto-finely Diced
1 cup Tomato Puree

Directions:
1.Heat the 2 tblsp Olive oil & add the garlic paste and Onions.
2.When the onions turn light brown ,add the tomatoes & cook till the oil seperates.
3.Add the tomato puree,salt,sugar,chilli powder,oregano,black pepper and cinnamon powder and let it simmer.
Sending this to Padmajha for her event Healing Food-Tomatoes and to Siri who started this roundup.

11:10 PM | Labels: Event Entrees, Italian, Pizza, Sauce, Tomatoes, Vegetarian | 1 Comments

PITA PIZZA

Ingredients:
4-6 pita rounds (white or whole wheat)
1 cup of pizza sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese
toppings of your choice (veggies, cooked meats, cheeses)-I used Green Bell Pepper,Tomatoes,White onions,Olives,Banana peppers,Roasted Red peppers

Toppings

Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 375 Degrees.
2.Spoon pizza sauce over pita rounds.
3.Top with mozzarella and desired toppings.
4.Place on baking sheet and cook for 7-10 minutes, or until cheese has melted. Serve immediately.