Pizza Buns

This makes a really nice snack and can be made quickly. You can vary the toppings based on what you have at home and what you enjoy eating. I use packaged tomato puree bought from a supermarket, though you can make home-made puree though then it would take much longer to make. I use chorizo slices for meat topping but you can also use ham, salami, sausage, grilled chicken pieces or avoid it altogether. The meat should be fully cooked before using it as a topping as grilling in the oven is only for a few minutes. The chorizo we get to buy from supermarkets is ready to eat, so it is easy to use. Mushrooms, corn, red and yellow bell peppers can also be used for vegetarian topping. If using mushrooms, I would suggest you saute it in a little olive oil or butter and cook it before using it as a topping. Regarding cheese, I prefer cheddar, but you can also use any other type of cheese or even chopped up cheese slices.

Ingredients

• Plain buns - 2
• Tomato puree - 4 heaped tbsp
• Capsicum - 1/2 chopped 
• Chorizo slices - 2 chopped
• Oregano - 1/2 tsp 
• Cheddar cheese - to taste
• Salt - to taste

Method

1. Cut the buns and spread tomato puree on inner side of the buns.
2. Garnish with cut capsicum pieces, chorizo pieces & cheese.
3. Sprinkle salt and oregano.
4. Grill in the oven for 4-6 mins at 180 degs C or until the cheese has melted.

Tandoori Paneer Fry

This is a really simple recipe and one that you can make when you don't have time to cook an elaborate dinner. You can also serve this as a starter for dinner parties. In which case I use tooth picks to skewer the paneer and arrange them on a plate.

Ingredients

• Paneer - 250 gms
• Curd/Yoghurt -3/4th cup
• Ginger -garlic paste - 2 tsps
• Red chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
• Green chilly - 1 chopped
• Coriander leaves - A few
• Garam masala powder - 1/4tsp
• Salt - To taste
• Oil -3 tbsp

Method

1. Cut the paneer into cubes.
2. In a bowl, mix curd with all other ingredients mentioned in the list except oil.
3. Let the paneer marinate in the curd mixture for at least half hour. Ideally you may marinate it over night.
4. Place a non-stick pan on the fire and add oil. When hot, drop the paneer into the oil and fry till paneer is cooked.
5. Paneer should not become hard but should remain soft but firm. 
6. Eat with chapathis or parathas.

Double Chocolate Pudding

This is a very easy dessert which you can make at short notice. It's very chocolatey and yummy! Also useful when you want to make dessert only for two people and you don't want to have leftovers. You can scale it up depending on how many people you have, the quantities mentioned below are for 2 people. This recipe contains alcohol, though if you don't drink you can leave it out.

Ingredients

• Sugar -1/3 cup
• Salt - a pinch
• Cocoa powder - 2tbsp
• Corn flour - 4 tsps
• Whole milk - 1 cup
• Bittersweet chocolate chopped - 1tbsp
• Vanilla essence- 1tsp
• Rum/Whisky - 1tbsp

Method

1. Mix sugar, cocoa, corn flour & salt in a heavy saucepan.
2. Gradually add half the milk, whisking until the mixture is smooth.
3. Whisk in the remaining milk.
4. Continue whisking over medium heat until pudding thickens and comes to boil, will take about 5 mins.
5. Continue to boil for a minute longer whisking constantly.
6. Remove pudding from heat.
7. Add chopped chocolate pieces and vanilla essence. Mix until the chocolate melts and pudding is smooth.
8. Add 1 tbsp of rum/whisky.
9. Divide between 2 dessert bowls.
10. Cool pudding in freezer for 20 mins and serve. Alternately you can put it in the fridge if you are making it well in advance.

Pineapple & Walnut Cake

This is one of my favorite cakes, it's light and fruity and a great evening snack with tea. If you don't like walnuts or you can't get them you can substitute with cashewnuts and it's just as tasty!

Ingredients

• Whole wheat flour (Atta) -1 cup
• All purpose flour (Maida)- 1 cup
• Sugar - 1 1/4 cup, plus 2 tbsp sugar
• Baking powder - 1tbsp
• Baking soda - 1tsp
• Salt - 1/2tsp
• Egg -1
• Yoghurt/Curd - 1 cup
• Oil -1/4 cup
• Vanilla essence - 1tsp
• Pineapple - 1 1/2 cups diced and blotted dry
• Walnuts- 1/4 cup

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 Deg F. Coat an 8" baking pan with oil. Just enough to give the tin a glossy coat, no excess oil should be left in the pan.
2. Mix whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, 1 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. Whisk egg, yoghurt, oil, vanilla essence in a large bowl until smooth. Add dry ingredients from step 2.
4. Mix till blended. Do not over mix. Fold in the diced pineappple. Pour the batter into the baking pan.
5. Combine walnuts and the remaining 2tbsp sugar in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the batter.
6. Bake the cake until the top is golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Approximately 30-45 minutes. Please monitor it after 25 mins to check if ready.
7. Let it cool on a wire rack for 15-20 mins.
8. Cut and serve either plain or with cream/ice cream.