FRUIT AND NUTS ABOUT CHOCOLATE

Every once in a while, my sweet tooth triggers a sudden urge in me, to get up and make something sweet (off course !),well chocolaty to be more precise.

Thanks to that urge...... I came up with this amazing fruit and nut chocolate bar. One can surely not go wrong with chocolate and nuts.....

I started to look at all the stuff in my pantry. Came across a whole lot of dry fruits, and chocolate chips. I could suddenly taste the nuts covered in chocolate simply melting in my mouth......so off I went to get started on my nutty delight.

Once I was done,I came to a sweet realisation. This recipe packs a whole lot of goodness. First it hardly took any time, Then it was low in calorie, coz i had not added any sugar. And then to top it all up, it was packed with antioxidants (because of all the dry fruits I used). A great home made remedy for our sugar and chocolate cravings, which was healthy. So I thought why not share it with all.

here it is. enjoy.

FRUIT AND NUT CHOCOLATE BAR

The proportions mentioned are not exact. You can add whatever you want, and in any proportion. This is very approximate.

INGREDIENTS

dry prunes- roughly chopped- 5-6
dry mangoes-roughly chopped- 5-6
almonds- 1/2 cup
pistachio- 1/4 cup
dry banana chips- 1/2 cup
dried apricots- 6-7
cashew-a handfull
dry cereal (any flavour can be added. i added the rasin and bran cereal)
semi sweet chocolate chip- 2cups
butter- 1 tbsp

METHOD

• Roughly chop the prunes and the dry mango.


• Add all the other dry fruits along with the cereal in a food processor and simply pulse for a few mins. Do not powder. There should be pieces of the dry fruits. You can even just chop the fruits individually.


• Melt the chocolate over a double boiler.


• One it has completely melted add the butter. Stir in all the fruits. Mix.


• Line a 13 x 7 baking dish with cling foil.


• Spread the mixture evenly and leave it to set.


• Once cooled down,mark squares with a knife. Refrigerate.


• Store in the refrigerator or outside if its not too hot.

enjoy it any time.

CHEESY CRUNCHY GARLIC BREAD

It was Sunday, and my husband and I really did not want to go out and eat. So Ithought of making something at home.

A few days earlier,I had got this par baked bread from trader joes and some herbed mozzarella cheese. Made some cheesy,crunchy,garlic bread. Made a quick salad and some pasta. Had a nice itallian dinner with some white wine.

here is the recipe for the garlic bread. manged to take a picture too......check out the nice cheesy crust,and the herbs.


ingredients

butter-1/4 cup
crushed garlic- 1/2 cup
chopped coriander leaves- 1 tbsp
salt and pepper- to taste
oregano- 1/4th tsp
herbed mozzarella (can use regular mozzarella too)- a few slices....depending how much cheese you like.
bread (can make it with any bread, thats at home)- 4-5 slices.

method

• mince the garlic with a kinfe on achopping board, really fine.
• in a bowl add the butter, the minced garlic, chopped corainder,salt and pepper and the oregano.mix all this well.
• spread the mixture over the bread.
• top with slices of mozzarella.
• bake in a hot oven at 450.
• serve hot with soup or pasta or salad

enjoy..........

MOONG DAL IN COCONUT GRAVY

I have been thinking to update my blog with some of the new recipes I have been wanting to share. Since the time I started cooking, its been a challenge to find out new and different ways to cook the same old things.
Surprisingly each one of us add a new twist to old favourites. Its not only the ingredients but also an individual style that plays a role in developing the taste of a dish. Thanks to that, there is so much of variety in cooking. Our kitchens are like chemistry labs, we keep experimenting and creating new stuff everyday without us even realizing it.

The other day I wanted to make green moong dal (green lentils). Did not want to cook it the way I usually do. After going through all the stuff in the kitchen I found can of coconut milk. That was enough to give me a new recipe idea. It tasted great with hot steaming rice.

here is the recipe for anyone who would want to try it out:

MOONG DAL IN COCONUT GRAVY

INGREDIENTS

green moong- 1/2 cup
onion (ground to a paste)- 1cup
Ginger, garlic, Green chillies (ground to a paste)-1/2 cup
red chillies (whole)- 2
mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
sambhar powder- 1 tsp
salt - to taste
red chilly powder- 1/2 tsp
coconut milk- 1 can
oil- 2 tbsp
coriander leaves to garnish

METHOD

1. heat oil in a pressure cooker.
2. add the mustard seeds and the whole red chillies.
3. after they begin to splutter, add the ground ginger garlic paste. Saute.
4. now add the onion paste and saute. To this add all the spices.
5. saute till golden brown. add the dal, mix.
6. add the coconut milk and mix everything well.
7. add a little water.
8. pressure cook for two whistles.
9. turn off the heat and let it cool naturally.
10. garnish with chopped coriander and lemon juice.
11. serve with rice.