AV's - VEG. KITCHEN | FOOD & TRAVEL STORIES

C H R I S T M A S  is almost here with Santa, gifts, good will & cheer Annual festival & integral part of the holiday season, observed as a religious and cultural celebration by billions of people around the globe. It is an annual festival among Christian community commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ which is observed primarily on 25th December each year.   It is religiously celebrated by a majority of Christians as well as culturally by many non-Christians who have adopted many of the secular aspects of Christmas such as giving gifts, decorating their homes and Christmas trees. Here are some Christmas Cookie ideas & Recipes Lemon Shortbread Ingredients (makes 15-20 pieces) 2 cup plain flour 250 gms softened butter 1 cup sugar, powdered 2-3 tsps. Lemon juice + lemon rind Method -   Cream butter & sugar, add flour, lemon juice & lemon rind – mix well to combine, knead gently until smooth.    Shape shortbread dough into your des...

Savoury Puff with cabbage, eggplant & capsicum filling INGREDIENTS & METHOD 1/2 cup cabbage, 1 eggplant, 1 capsicum, salt to taste, 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder, 1-2 tbsp. garam masala powder,  1-2 tbsp. curry powder, 2 tbsp. oil,  2 puff pastry sheets. Heat oil in a pan,  cook vegetables until tender.  Add other ingredients.  Mix to combine,  remove from heat & let it cool for 10-15 mins.   Cut pastry sheets into you desired shapes,  add filling, close all sides.  Bake in a pre-heated oven @ 200 deg. C for about 20-25 mins.  (lightly golden brown on top) Savoury Puff with Potato & Peas filling Savoury Puff with Potato & Peas filling Mixed Veggie Puff Puff Pastry Recipe Ingredients – for stuffing – 3-4 cooked and mashed potatoes (1/2 cup cooked peas – optional), 1 chopped onion, salt, pepper powder, red chilli powder to taste 1 tsp. oil.  For covering –3-4 puff pastry sheets (makes 8-10 ...

Potato Wedges - a variation to french fries, often large and unpeeled wedges of potatoes, either baked or fried; served with tomato ketchup, tomato sauce, sour cream, sweet chilli sauce.  Ingredients: 6-8 medium sized potatoes (cut into wedges) 1/4 cup olive oil salt to taste 1/2 tsp. each - coriander, cumin, red chilli powders pinch of turmeric powder 1/4 tsp. each - basil, oregano & parsley Method: Preheat oven to 200 degrees C.  Line base a baking tray/dish with little olive oil (OR non-stick baking paper may be used) Combine all spice ingredients with oil and mix well.  Cut each potato into wedges,  Toss to coat with spices.  Arrange wedges in a single layer, sprinkle with salt Bake for about 45 minutes or until tender and crisp. When done transfer to a serving bowl; serve this yummy snack with tomato ketchup/sauce, sour cream/sweet chilli sauce

INDIAN - BUTTER BISCUITS |  BUTTER COOKIES |  BENNE BISCUITS Ingredients for Sweet Butter Biscuits   Sieve flour, baking powder together in a bowl.  Mix sugar and melted butter until creamy and add this to flour to make dough.  Make small balls out of dough, arrange them on a greased or lined tray and bake in the oven @ 180 degree C for 25 - 30 minutes. (approximate baking time) F or Savoury | Spicy Biscuits   - Instead of Sugar, add salt, chopped green chillies, curry leaves, coriander, make dough and bake as above. COCONUT Biscuits HOW TO PREPARE?  - mixing below ingredients to make a dough (dough rested at room temperature for 15 minutes),  baked in a pre-heated oven at 180 deg. C for 12-14 minutes. WHAT YOU NEED?  - 1 cup self-raising flour, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 cup dry grated coconut, 4 tsp. home-made ghee, milk as required to make dough, cardamom & cloves (powdered)

Easy, Healthy Winter Dinner Recipe   2 cup self-raising flour, 1cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, pepper & dry red chillies to taste, chopped coriander & curry leaves.  Baked @ 180 deg. C for 25-30 minutes (till cooked through in the centre and golden brown on top) Steam cooked - Onion, tomato, cauliflower, broccoli, simmered by adding ghee, salt, pepper, chilli flakes, milk, vegetable broth, cumin & coriander powders

HEALTHY DIET VERSION  - whole wheat flour (instead of self-raising / plain four), olive oil (instead of butter), cardamom & cinnamon powders,  H on ey (instead of sugar),  Soy milk (instead o f full cream milk) Ingredients - 3 ripe bananas (mashed), 1/4 cup milk, 1 1/2 cup self-raising flour, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 125 gms butter, 1 tsp. vanilla essence. Method - Heat a sauce pan and melt vanilla, sugar and butter.  Remove from heat and add mashed bananas, flour, milk and mix well.  Preheat oven @ 170 deg. C, grease a cake pan & bake for approximately 45 minutes or until done.