Almond Thumbprint Cookies with Fruit Preserves

With holiday treats stocked in stores,I keep an eye out for new and easy cookie ideas during this time of the year.I happen to see this thumb print cookie tray in the store,with not so attractive or should I say complicated ingredient list.I just needed the recipe to experiment with my own healthier additions,which I thankfully could Google it up.
I mix Almond flour(fine ground raw almonds is equally good) with the wheat flour that gives a more hearty texture to the dough.And also the fresh cranberry preserves were the best match for the filling.All in all,an incredibly nutritious treat.

Recipe : Almond Thumbprint Cookies with Fruit Preserves
Makes a dozen
Ingredients
3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup almond flour, or almond meal
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup pure cane sugar,divided(reserve a little to sprinkle on top)
4 tablespoons cold unsalted Organic butter(cut in pieces) or virgin pressed coconut oil or pure Ghee
1 large Organic egg, lightly beaten
2-3 tablespoon cold milk.
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup or little more of Home made Fruit Preserves(Cranberry,Cranberry Apple,Plum,Mango,Strawberry or Apricot)

Method
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Making dough by hand:
Whisk together sugar, flours and salt in a bowl.
Rub or cut the butter or other fat used ,into the sugar and flour mixture until it has the consistency of coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the flour and butter mixture and pour the beaten egg and vanilla extract into it.
Use a fork to incorporate the liquid into mixture and then use your fingertips.
Knead lightly just until the dough comes together into a ball.
Shape the dough into a flat disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Place the dough in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes.
With a food processor:
Put sugar, flour, and salt in the bowl of the food processor and pulse a few times to mix.Add butter and pulse a few times until the mixture has the consistency of coarse meal.Empty food processor's bowl onto your work surface.
Make a well in the center of the mounded flour and butter mixture and pour the beaten egg and vanilla extract into it.Use a fork to incorporate the liquid into the solid ingredients then use your fingertips.Knead lightly just until the dough comes together into a ball.Shape the dough into a flat disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes

Shape the Cookies
Roll the dough into a circle about 1/2 inch thick,cut in circles using a cookie cutter about 2 inches along diameter.Press each circle using thumb to make a light indentation into the top.Sprinkle a little sugar all over the cookies.Place them on a cookie sheet.Drop 1/4 teaspoon of jam into each indentation. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes,top is lightly golden brown. Cool and serve.



These Thumbprint cookies are my entry for Weekend Herb Blogging #264,hosted this week by Haalo from Cook (almost) Anything

Captivating Cranberry Recipes and Cranberry Upma

Unlike most berries ,cranberries are very lightly sweet but really tart,that makes it a better addition in savory dishes cause making a dessert would mean adding a lot more sugar to balance the tartness.Not that I haven't tried it in a Sweet recipe,some of my favorites are :

Cranberry Apple pie ,
Cranberry Creme brulee ,
Chocolate Cake with Cranberries and Pomegranates,
Cranberry preserves,
Berry Green Smoothie,
Pomegranate Cranberry Plunge, and
Cranberry bread(same is good for making muffins)

But I love them better in savory dishes :

Cranberry Chicken Satay,
Cranberry Falafel ,
Cranberry Lentils ,
Cranberry Chicken,
Cranberry Salsa,
Cranberry Sauce
Almond Cranberry Crusted Wild Salmon
and Cranberry Lamb(recipe not posted yet)


Cranberry Upma
A flavorful South Indian breakfast dish,Upma is not a favorite in my family, that was until I prepared Upma with touch of tangy cranberries.Sure enough Upma got the uplift it needed with the despicably delicious cranberries,my family simply loved the combination of spicy and tangy, which means I could make it more often for our special weekend breakfasts as long as the cranberries are in the market.

Upma needs some special ingredients like mustard seeds,curry leaves,turmeric and fine semolina(Suji Rava) that are exclusively available in Asian or India stores.
For cranberry upma do not mix the berries while the Upma is cooking unless you like the upma pinkish red in color.I saute berries separately and top on Upma before serving,that also retains most juiciness of berries.And if cranberries are not available in your part of the world,then a fresh squeeze of lemon juice over the Upma at the end of cooking process could be the next best substitute.


Recipe
Serves 3-4
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup Fine Semolina (Suji Rava)
1/2 a medium onion,finely chopped
1 plum red tomato,finely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoon Canola oil or vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon black Mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon Ginger root,grated
2-3 small green chillies,chopped(or skip chillies and use 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup fresh or frozen Cranberries
1 cup Vegetables (Carrots finely chopped and peas)

Method
Heat pan on medium heat and roast rava by stirring occasionally until aromatic and lightly browned,keep an eye as it can burn easily.
In a deep sauce pan or Kadai/Wok ,heat the oil on medium high heat and add mustard seeds,onions,curry leaves,cumin and saute for 2-3 minutes. Then add ginger, green chillies and turmeric ,cook another minute before adding tomatoes.Now cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until tomatoes are tender,then add 3 cups of water and bring to a boil.Add vegetables and salt,then add the roasted semolina while constantly stirring(important! or the Upma could get lumpy).Reduce heat to medium low,cover and let cook for 3-4 minutes.
Meanwhile heat a teaspoon of oil in a pan and add the cranberries,saute for 2-3 minutes just until tender but not bleeding or mushy.Keep aside.
To serve ,transfer upma in a serving dish and top with sauteed cranberries.For individual portions in a bowl shape as in the picture,lay the berries on the bottom of a bowl,top with upma and lightly press,flip slowly in a serving plate.

Cranberry Upma is my entry for Weekend Herb Blogging #263,hosted this week by Huan ofEat.Read.Live

Roasted Pumpkin Farro Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Farro(pronounced FAHR-oh)is one the oldest grains,originally found in Middle East and now grown mainly in Italy.Pearled Farro is incredibly easy to prepare.It is a good source of Protein and Iron.In the following recipe I use left over pumpkin puree from a roasted pumpkin and use it while cooking the farro for added nutrition of pumpkins.Stuffed in mildly spicy Poblanos,this is one remarkably delicious appetizer.

Farro is sold in specialty stores and Health food stores.I got my pack from the local Costco retail store.




Recipe : Roasted pumpkin puree
Halve a medium pie pumpkin with a sharp knife.Remove all strings and seeds. Don't throw away the seeds. Wash and roast in oven ,great for munching or for baking.Place the pumpkin halves cut side down in a roasting pan along with a cup of water.Bake the pumpkin until tender, about 90 minutes.Scoop the flesh out of each pumpkin half.Puree in a food processor or blender. Store in Refrigerator for a week and use in baking or cooking.
Recipe :Roasted Pumpkin Farro Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Serves 3

Ingredients
1 cup Farro grain(I used the Earthly Delights brand)
6 large or medium Poblano peppers,hulled and seeded
1 cup roasted pumpkin puree(as in the recipe above)
1/2 medium onion,finely chopped
1 medium ripe tomato ,chopped
2 cloves garlic,chopped
1 teaspoon spice mix of choice(I used a combination of chili powder ,turmeric and cumin )
2 tablespoon any chopped herbs(cilantro or parsley)

Method
Prepare the Farro stuffing
Heat oil in a medium pan,add the onions ,garlic and saute for 3-4 minutes,add the spices , 2 cups of water.Bring to a boil,mix in the Farro ,cover and allow to cook until tender about 20-25 minutes on medium low heat ,occasionally stir it.
Stuff and Bake
Slightly cool before stuffing in the hallow peppers.Lay in a cast iron or bake proof dish ,bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes until peppers are tender and skin is lightly browned.Serve warm as appetizers or as a side dish.


This is my entry for Weekend Herb Blogging ,hosted this week by Rachel ofThe Crispy Cook

Apple Cranberry Crostata(Tart) with Almond Barley Crust.

Daring Bakers were invited this month to bake an absolutely tantalizing Italian dessert called Crostata,tart that has sweet crust(pasta frolla),filled with either fruity,cheesy,creamy or savory ingredients.

My trial here has hearty multi grain\nut crust that includes nutritious almond and barley flour besides the whole some wheat flour.You can finely grind raw almonds to make the almond flour ,the barley and whole wheat pastry flour are available in Indian stores or health food stores or well-stocked supermarkets.The filling was fruity with a perfect balance of sweet red delicious apples and season's fresh tart Cranberries.All in all this was a much easier challenge,not to worry if you don't have a tart pan,a pie pan would be equally good.


The 2010 November Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Simona of briciole. She chose to challenge Daring Bakers’ to make pasta frolla for a crostata. She used her own experience as a source, as well as information from Pellegrino Artusi’s Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well.

Recipe : Apple Cranberry Crostata(Tart) with Almond Barley Flour Crust.

Ingredients
2 tablespoon pure cane sugar
3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup almond flour, or almond meal, or coconut flour
1/2 cup whole-grain barley flour
1/4 cup all purpose flour
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter(cut in pieces) or virgin pressed coconut oil or pure ghee
1 large Organic egg, lightly beaten
2-3 tablespoon cold milk.
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Fruit Filling
2 Red delicious apples,cored and chopped
1 1/2 cup cranberries
1 cup pure cane sugar


Method
Making the crust dough(Pasta Frolla) by hand:

Whisk together sugar, flours and salt in a bowl.
Rub or cut the butter or other fat used ,into the sugar and flour mixture until it has the consistency of coarse crumbs. You can do this in the bowl or on your work surface, using your fingertips or an implement of choice.
Make a well in the center of the flour and butter mixture and pour the beaten egg and vanilla extract into it.
Use a fork to incorporate the liquid into mixture and then use your fingertips.
Knead lightly just until the dough comes together into a ball.
Shape the dough into a flat disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Place the dough in the refrigerator and chill for at least two hours. You can refrigerate the dough overnight.
With a food processor:
Put sugar, flour, and salt in the bowl of the food processor and pulse a few times to mix.Add butter and pulse a few times until the mixture has the consistency of coarse meal.Empty food processor's bowl onto your work surface.
Make a well in the center of the mounded flour and butter mixture and pour the beaten egg and vanilla extract into it.Use a fork to incorporate the liquid into the solid ingredients then use your fingertips.Knead lightly just until the dough comes together into a ball.
Shape the dough into a flat disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Place the dough in the refrigerator and chill for at least two hours. You can refrigerate the dough overnight.

Prepare the Fruit filling
In a non reactive pan add 1/2 cup of water,sugar,apples and cranberries and let cook until soft about 20-25 minutes.Cool and process in a blender until smooth.Set aside.

Heat the oven to 375ºF [190ºC/gas mark 5].
Shape
Take the pasta frolla out of the fridge, unwrap it and cut away 1/4 of the dough. Reserve this dough to make the lattice or other fun shapes on top of the crostata. Refrigerate this dough while you work on the tart base.
To help roll the crostata dough, keep the dough on top of the plastic wrap that you had it wrapped in. This can help rolling the dough and can also help when transferring the dough to your pan. You can also use parchment paper for this. However, you can also roll the dough directly on a work surface if you prefer.
Lightly dust the top of the dough and your work surface (if you’re rolling directly on a work surface) with flour. Keep some flour handy to dust the dough as you go along.
If the dough is very firm, start by pressing the dough with the rolling pin from the middle to each end, moving the rolling pin by a pin's width each time; turn the dough 180 degrees and repeat; when it softens, start rolling.
Roll the dough into a circle about 1/8th inch (3 mm) thick.
If you used the plastic wrap or parchment paper as rolling surface, flip dough over the pan, centering it, and delicately press it all around so the corners are well covered. Peel away the plastic wrap.
Trim the excess dough hanging over the edges of the pan. Press the remaining dough around the border into the sides of the pan making sure the border is an even thickness all the way around.
Prick the bottom of the dough with a fork in several places.
Take out of the fridge the reserved pasta frolla you had cut away earlier. Roll it with your pin and cut into strips or use cookie cutters to make small shapes (this is not traditional, but it looks cute); or roll with your hands into ropes.
Spread prepared apple cranberry filling evenly over the bottom of the crostata.
Use the prepared strips or rolls of dough to make a lattice over the surface, or decorate with the cut shapes.
Bake
Put the tart in the oven and bake for 25 minutes.
After 25 minutes, check the tart and continue baking until the tart is of a nice golden hue. (Note: Every oven is different. In my oven it took 34 minutes to bake the tart until golden.)
When done, remove the tart from the oven and let cool. If you have used a tart pan with a removable bottom, then release the tart base from the fluted tart ring. Make sure the tart is completely cool before slicing and serving.


Check out more creative Crostata's at Daring Baker's Blog roll

Eid-ul-Adha Special :Cherry Tomatoes and Minced Lamb(Kheema Tamatar)

Happy Eid-ul-Adha!!

Any meat dish is the center of table during this Holiday.A recap of some classic I had shared in past :
Lamb Biryani
Hyderabadi Kachchi Lamb Biryani
Kheema Vegetable Sevia
Kofta Pulao
Low fat Kofta Curry
Lamb Kabouli
Green Kababs(Shami Kabab style)
Spinach Lamb
Hyderabadi Haleem
Mint Lamb Chops
Mutton Dopyaza(Lamb Onions)
Tomato Bredie

Eid special this year is Cherry Tomatoes and Minced Lamb(Kheema Tamatar),a juicy spicy side dish that would leave any meat-lover asking for more.I know meat is the attraction of this recipe,but what makes it even more special is the garden fresh Cherry tomatoes.I had a whopping good cherry tomato harvest from the vegetable patch,almost 3 pounds!.I love to snack on them or just add on any entree or side dish towards the end of cooking process,for a juicy tangy touch to the recipe.


Recipe : Cherry Tomatoes and Minced Lamb(Kheema Tamatar)
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 pound Minced lamb\veal\Beef\goat(99.9% lean)
1/2 pound Cherry tomatoes
Handful of herbs(Fenugreek\Methi or cilantro or Mint)
1 small onion ,finely chopped
3/4 teaspoon ginger and garlic paste
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon hot chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon each of Garam Masala and Coriander Powder.
Whole spices 2 Cloves ,2 cardamom,1 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon Extra virgin Olive oil or canola oil
3/4 teaspoon Salt

Method
Marinate the minced meat ,mix with all the spice besides the whole spices,greens and oil and set aside for about 15 minutes.
Heat oil in pressure cooker or a saucepan.Add the chopped onions,whole spices and saute until golden brown. Add the marinated meat ,chopped herbs,season with salt and stir until meat has no lumps. Add 1/2 cup of water and cover. Let cook for about 10-15 minutes in a pressure cooker or 30-40 minutes in a saucepan.Uncover and add the tomatoes,and cook just until tomatoes are slightly tender about 3-4 minutes.Garnish with more fresh herbs,serve with brown rice or whole grain flat bread(paratha\roti)


This is my entry for Mona's Bakrid Event

Pumpkin Seed Crusted Tuna

After hallowing a pumpkin,its seeds are simply too good to be thrown away ,the slimy seeds can be cleaned and roasted whole for a nutritious snack.Although there is a way to get the seeds off the shell,but I like to leave the shell on,that gets the crunch after roasting.I decided to create something new this season with the roasted seeds,by using it for a crust on fish fillet.I have tried and loved the almond crusted fish,the pumpkin one was light but just as appetizing.Feel free to use any kind of firm fish instead of Tuna.



Recipe : Pumpkin Seed Crusted Tuna
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 (4-ounce) Tuna Steaks or other firm fish like Salmon or Tilapia
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon spice mix of choice(I use garam masala - ground Cumin,cinnamon,coriander and cloves)
1/2 teaspoon fresh minced ginger

For Crust
1 cup Roasted pumpkin seeds
2 slices of whole grain bread
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon spice mix of choice(I use garam masala - ground Cumin,cinnamon,coriander and cloves)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme , chopped

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Method
Marinate the fish in spices and salt for few minutes.

Coarsely grind the pumpkin seeds in a food processor.Tear the bread slices and transfer in the food processor along with the spices,thyme and salt,pulse until the mixture comes together.Lay the mixture on a plate

Preheat oven to 400F.Heat a cast-iron pan on medium heat,add oil.Dredge the fish steaks\fillets on both sides in the mixture and remove. Sear in the hot pan for 2 minutes on each side until crust is golden brown.Then place in oven for another 10-15 minutes until fish is cooked through(takes longer for tuna steak,salmon will cook faster).Slice and serve with salad or vegetables.I served with sauteed broccoli and polenta.



This is my entry for Weekend Herb Blogging # 259,hosted this week by Susan of Well Seasoned Cook

Oikos Greek Yogurt Carrot Protein Shake

Remember my post about Organic Stonyfield yogurts and my advocacy for organic foods,I was elated again when offered a free sample coupons for Oikos Greek yogurt,that is fat free with 10grams of protein in a 4oz container and available in delicious flavors such as chocolate,honey caramel and blueberry.
If the store were I shop had chocolate that would have been my first pick,but since it wasn't in stock,had to settle with blueberry as my next best choice.The blueberry oikos Greek yogurt blended with carrots and whey protein yielded one of the most delicious fat-free shakes by far,a perfect finish after a light afternoon or evening meal or even a nutritious start of the day.

Ingredients
4 oz fat free(0%) Oikos Greek yogurt(if using plain add a tablespoon of agave nectar)
2 cups skimmed milk
1 medium carrot,peeled and halved(cut in smaller pieces if using a standard blender)
1/2 cup Whey or Soy protein powder(I used chocolate flavored)
1 cup fresh or frozen berries

Method
Blend all the ingredients in a Vitamix until smooth and frothy,keep cold until serving time.