Daring Bakers - Cheesecake

Daring Bakers April 2009 - Cheesecake Centerpiece

Cheesecake cupcakes

After a very sweaty but delicious March challenge of Daring Bakers Lasagna, April challenge was very relaxing and cool..

The April 2009 challenge is hosted by Jenny from Jenny Bakes. She has chosen Abbey's Infamous Cheesecake as the challenge.

Cheesecake was very new to me as i had never baked a cheesecake before and had tasted it just once as one of my friend had forced me to try it as it was her favorite dessert. It was long time ago and i had almost forgot how it had tasted. I used to avoid buying cheesecake as just had in mind that, it would be full of cheese and would load me with calories.. And finally i ended up baking it for the Daring Bakers challenge and i had to bake it!

The challenge here was to bake not a usual cheesecake but we were given freedom to play with the flavours, the sauces and the topping. We had to make it look and taste unique and make it a showstopper of a dessert. Yes, it was another daring bakers creative challenge.

First thing i did was i stepped into a bakery and tasted a simple cheesecake. Just to get the taste of it so that i could think upon what kind of flavours i could use and with what i could decorate it with. Then i decided to pair it with cardamom, as somehow i felt it would taste more like our North Indian sweets where Indian cheese, Paneer is paired with cardamom and i loved that combination. For the topping i decided to use a vibrant colour which would go well with the light shade of the cheese filling. I then decided to use fruits, all kinds, berry's, banana, grapes.. I found this gelatine based strawberry glaze which i thought, i would use over the fruits. Finally i ended up with a rich, creamy and delicious dessert. I actually fell in love with it. I loved the combination of the base, the creamy cheese filling paired with cardamom and the stawberry glazed fruits topping. It was scrumptious.

The recipe would fit for a 9" springform pan but i had a 7" pan. So i used the recipe for one 7" pan and used up the extra with a muffin pan, where i got another 6 muffin shaped cheese cakes.

So here is the recipe..

Abbey's Infamous Cheesecake:

Crust:

2 cups / 180 g graham cracker crumbs (I used zweiback)

1 stick / 4 oz butter, melted

2 tbsp. / 24 g sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Cheesecake:

3 sticks of cream cheese, 8 oz each (total of 24 oz) room temperature

1 cup / 210 g sugar

3 large eggs

1 cup / 8 oz heavy cream

3 cardamon pods, with seeds removed

1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp. vanilla extract (or the innards of a vanilla bean)

Topping:

2 Cups fruits, Chopped ( Strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, banana, grapes)

1 Packet Tortenguss rot

250 ml Water, hot

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (Gas Mark 4 = 180C = Moderate heat). Begin to boil a large pot of water for the water bath.

2. Mix together the crust ingredients and press into your preferred pan. You can press the crust just into the bottom, or up the sides of the pan too - baker's choice. Set crust aside.

3. Combine cream cheese, cardamom seeds and sugar in the bowl of a stand-mixer (or in a large bowl if using a hand-mixer) and cream together until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Make sure to scrape down the bowl in between each egg. Add heavy cream, vanilla, lemon juice, and alcohol and blend until smooth and creamy.

4. Pour batter into prepared crust and tap the pan on the counter a few times to bring all air bubbles to the surface. Place pan into a larger pan and pour boiling water into the larger pan until halfway up the side of the cheesecake pan. If cheesecake pan is not airtight, cover bottom securely with foil before adding water.

5. Bake 45 to 55 minutes, until it is almost done - this can be hard to judge, but you're looking for the cake to hold together, but still have a lot of jiggle to it in the center. You don't want it to be completely firm at this stage. Close the oven door, turn the heat off, and let rest in the cooling oven for one hour. This lets the cake finish cooking and cool down gently enough so that it won't crack on the top. After one hour, remove cheesecake from oven and lift carefully out of water bath. Let it finish cooling on the counter, and then cover and put in the fridge to chill. Once fully chilled, it is ready to serve.

6. For the topping, spread the chopped fruits over the chilled cake.

Stir in hot boiling water with tortenguss and leave it for a minute for the flavour to infuse. Just pour the tortenguss liquid over the fruits and chill.

7.Just before you serve just take some left over crust mixture and pat the sides of the cheesecake with your hands, just to cover the sides evenly.

Pan note: The creator of this recipe used to use a springform pan, but no matter how well she wrapped the thing in tin foil, water would always seep in and make the crust soggy. Now she uses one of those 1-use foil "casserole" shaped pans from the grocery store. They're 8 or 9 inches wide and really deep, and best of all, water-tight. When it comes time to serve, just cut the foil away.

Prep notes: While the actual making of this cheesecake is a minimal time commitment, it does need to bake for almost an hour, cool in the oven for an hour, and chill overnight before it is served. Please plan accordingly!

Paneer Kheer (Indian Cottage Cheese Pudding)

A simple yet an elegent dessert. When one thinks of Kheer one automatically relates it to rice kheer or semolina kheer. Here is a brilliant innovation, the "paneer kheer". As the name suggests this kheer is made with grated paneer that is cooked in milk along with some sugar and flavoured with cardamom powder. The dry fruits provides the crunch and enhances the taste also adding to the richness of the dessert. Corn flour has been added to help thicken the milk faster so as to reduce cooking time. Since dairy products are plentiful in North India, this dessert is an apt end to North Indian meal. This dessert is a great made ahead option to opt for..

Preparation time:5 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves:4

Ingredients required:

3 Cups milk
2 tbsp cornflour dissolved in 5 tbsp water
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups grated paneer (cottage cheese)
2 tbsp chopped pistachios
2 tbsp chopped almonds
1/2 tsp cardamom powder

To decorate:
4 tbsp Sweetened Condensed milk
Few roasted and chopped nuts on top

Preparation:

Combine milk and sugar in a broad non-stick pan. Simmer on a medium flame, while stirring continously, till the sugar dissolves completely.

Add the cornflour mixture and stir continously till the mixture thickens.

Add the paneer, pistachios, almonds and cardamom powder and mix well. Thats it!

Refrigerate for atleast an hour.

Serve Chilled with a spoon of condensed milk on top and decorate with roasted and chopped nuts.


Enjoy!!

Sweet Ricotta Pie

This dessert uses pasta frolla, a sweet Italian pie dough for the base and lattice. The filling used here in this recipe can be made in minutes. It uses just 5 ingredients and Anisette, a licorice-flavoured liqueur, is the traditional flavouring for this type of cheese cake, but you can use anise extract or alter the flavour completely by substituting vanilla or almond extract, using brandy, or mixing in a little fruit-flavoured liqueur, such as Grand Marnier.

I made a mini version of this recipe as i had to serve just 2 people. I reduced the recipe into half (reduced all the ingredients for filling by half and used just 1 large egg) and used 4 mini tart molds instead of a large one. I loved this dessert as it has a light cheese filling and a crisp cookie feel base. I freezed half the recipe of pasta frolla and will be using it for other recipes.

Recipe adapted from "Baking With Julia"

Ingredients required;

1 pound, OR 450 gms whole milk ricotta
1/3 cup sugar, ( i added a little extra for the sweetness)
1 tbsp anisette or 1 tbsp vanilla extract
3 large eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 recipe Pasta Frolla

Method;

Stir in ricotta, sugar, anisette, and eggs together in a bowl until smooth; set aside.

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 deg F. Butter a 9-inch glass pie plate. (If you dont have a glass pie plate, use metal, but increase the oven temperature to 375 deg F.) (I used mini tart molds)

Working with 2/3 rd of the dough, knead it into a disc and roll it on a lightly floured work surface into a 12 inch circle. Transfer the dough to the pie plate and press it gently against the bottom and up the sides of the plate. Dont worry if the dough tears-just press it back together. Use the dull side of the knife to trim the excess dough even with the rim. Srape the filling into the pie shell, smooth the top, and dust with cinnamon.

Forming the lattice
Knead and shape the remaining piece of dough into a block and roll it on a lightly floured surface into a 9-inch square. Using a pizza or pastry cutter ( a ruffle-edged pastry wheel is nice) or a thin sharp knife, cut the dough into 12 even strips. To form the lattice top, lay 6 of the strips across the pie at 1 1/4 inch intervals, then crisscross with the remaining strips, placing them diagonally across the first strips. Trim the ends of the lattice even with the edge of the pan.

Baking the Pie
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is firm and slightly puffed. Transfer the pie to a rack and cool completely before serving.

Storing ;
Leftovers can be kept, well covered in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.

Pasta Frolla

Pasta frolla - pasta means "paste" or "dough" amd frolla means "tender" - is a sweet Italian pie dough. It is indeed tender, light and crumbly too, and a crust as commendable with savory fillings as with sweet such as Sweet Ricotta Pie. Its a made-in-the-food-processor dough thats's almost indestructable. And because of relatively large amount of sugar, you dont have to worry about overworking it, nor do you need to be concerned if it cracks as it goes into the pie plate - everything is fixable.

Makes enough for a 9-inch lattice -topped pie

You'll need the following Ingredients...

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 stick (4 ounces) cold unsalted butter or 4 ounces cold lard, cut into 8 pieces
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Method

Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into the work bowl of a food processor fitted with metal blade; pulse a few time just to mix the ingredients. Add the butter and pulse 15 to 20 minutes, or until the mixture resembles fine cornmeal. With the machine running, add the eggs and process until the dough forms a ball on the blade, about a minute or so. Remove the dough from the food processor and knead it, folding it over on itself, until it is smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Wrap the dough in plastic and set aside for up to 30 minutes, or chill until needed.

Storing
The dough can be made up to 3 days ahead, wrapped well, and refrigerated, or frozen, tightly wrapped, for up to a month. Thaw , still wrapped, in the refrigerator.

Try this recipe with Sweet Ricotta Pie.

Goanese Potato Curry

This delicious curry tastes great with parathas or preferably with steamed rice or pulao. Here is a lovely blend of spices and coconut which gives the curry an authentic taste.



Recipe adapted from Tarla Dalal's Curries and Kadhis

Ingredients

4 cups big chunks of potatoes
1 large tomato
2 tbsp oil (sunflower or vegetable)
1 tsp mustard seeds
Salt to taste

For the paste
2 whole onions
2 tsp poppy seeds (khus-khus)
2 sticks cinnamon (dalchini)
2 cloves (laung)
2 peppercorns
2 tsp coriander (dhania) seeds
3 whole dry red chillies, broken into pieces
3/4 cup freshly grated coconut or 1/2 cup dessicated coconut powder
5 cloves garlic
3 tsp oil

For the paste

Put 1 tsp of oil in a frying pan and fry the poppy seeds, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, corriander seeds and red chillies for a few minutes. Keep aside.

Fry the onions in a tsp of oil till they are soft and keep aside.

Put 2 tsp of oil in a frying pan and fry the coconut for 1 minute.

Mix all the above three ingredients along with garlic and blend to a smooth paste in the blender by adding a little water if required.

How to Proceed

Cut the tomatoes into big pieces, add two cups of water and cook. When soft, prepare a soup by passing through a sieve. Keep aside.

Heat the oil in a kadai, add mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds stop crackling add the potatoes, salt and a cup of water. Cover with a lid and cook till the potatoes are done.

Add the paste, tomato soup and salt (if required) and bring to a boil.

Serve hot. Its yumm!!

Beetroot Halwa

Beetroot halwa is a lovely Indian dessert. Its usually prepared during festivals or when there is a guest at home. It has the taste, the colour. Its rich and a great treat for your tastebuds. I learned about this recipe from my mother-in-law. She prepares this dessert real good. This recipe, the one below is one of my version which includes sweetened condensed milk which makes the dessert rich and creamy and gives totally a different taste and texture.

Here is the recipe for this ultimate dessert.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 big Beetroot(600gms), washed, peeled and grated
1 cup Milk
3 cloves
1/3rd tin Sweetened Condensed Milk
50 gms Sugar
3 Tbsp Ghee
1/2 tsp cardamom powder

For Tempering:
1Tbsp Ghee
3 Tbsp Broken cashew nuts
1 Tbsp Raisin

Method:

First prepare the tempering. Take a thick bottomed pan and fry the cashews and raisans in a tbsp of ghee till golden brown and keep aside.

In the same pan, combine grated beetroot along with milk and cloves and let it cook on a medium heat without the lid on for about 30 to 40 minutes, till most of the milk is absorbed. Keep stirring in between.

Stir in the condensed milk and sugar and  keep stirring till the mixture becomes thick and starts leaving the sides of the pan. 

Finally add ghee and cardamom powder. Add the tempering.

Serve hot or at room temperature.



Storage: Can be kept in room temperature for a day. Can be refrigerated in an air tight box for a week.

Daring Bakers - Lasagne of Emilia-Romagna (Lasagne Verdi al Forno)

Daring Bakers March 2009 Challenge

The March 2009 challenge is hosted by Mary of Beans and Caviar, Melinda of Melbourne Larder and Enza of Io Da Grande. They have chosen Lasagne of Emilia-Romagna from The Splendid Table by Lynne Rossetto Kasper as the challenge.

Lasagne is a dish that has successfully transcended borders and is today made around the world, albeit with many variations from the Italian original. Even within Italy, there are many variations and each region has its own lasagne tradition. But, as Lynne explains in her introduction to the recipe –and Enza, as our Italian expert for this dish, also agrees - the dish should always be a “vivid expression of the ‘less is more’ philosophy of cooking. Mere films of béchamel sauce and meat ragu coat the sheerest spinach pasta. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese dusts each layer. There is nothing more; no ricotta, no piling on of meats, vegetables or cheese; little tomato, and no hot spice. Baking performs the final marriage of flavours. The results are splendid.”


(Serves 8 to 10 as a first course, 6 to 8 as a main dish)

Preparation Time: 15 minutes to assemble and 40 minutes cooking time

10 quarts (9 litres) salted water
1 recipe Spinach Pasta cut for lasagna (recipe follows)#1
1 recipe Bechamel Sauce (recipe follows)#2
1 recipe Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce
1 cup (4 ounces/125g) freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 cup grated Mozzarella cheese (my touch)


Method
Working Ahead:
The ragu and the béchamel sauce can be made up to three days ahead. The ragu can also be frozen for up to one month. The pasta can be rolled out, cut and dried up to 24 hours before cooking. The assembled lasagne can wait at room temperature (20 degrees Celsius/68 degrees Fahrenheit) about 1 hour before baking. Do not refrigerate it before baking, as the topping of béchamel and cheese will overcook by the time the center is hot.

Assembling the Ingredients:
Have all the sauces, rewarmed gently over a medium heat, and the pasta at hand. Have a large perforated skimmer and a large bowl of cold water next to the stove. Spread a double thickness of paper towels over a large counter space. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). Oil or butter a 3 quart (approx 3 litre) shallow baking dish.

Cooking the Pasta:
Bring the salted water to a boil. Drop about four pieces of pasta in the water at a time. Cook about 2 minutes. If you are using dried pasta, cook about 4 minutes, taste, and cook longer if necessary. The pasta will continue cooking during baking, so make sure it is only barely tender. Lift the lasagne from the water with a skimmer, drain, and then slip into the bowl of cold water to stop cooking. When cool, lift out and dry on the paper towels. Repeat until all the pasta is cooked.


Assembling the Lasagne:
Spread a thin layer of béchamel over the bottom of the baking dish. Arrange a layer of about four overlapping sheets of pasta over the béchamel. Spread a thin layer of béchamel (about 3 or 4 spoonfuls) over the pasta, and then an equally thin layer of the ragu. Sprinkle with about 1&1/2 tablespoons of the béchamel and about 1/3 cup of the cheese. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with béchamel sauce and topping with a generous dusting of cheese.

Baking and Serving the Lasagne:
Cover the baking dish lightly with foil, taking care not to let it touch the top of the lasagne. Bake 40 minutes, or until almost heated through. Remove the foil and bake another 10 minutes, or until hot in the center (test by inserting a knife – if it comes out very warm, the dish is ready). Take care not to brown the cheese topping. It should be melted, creamy looking and barely tinged with a little gold. Turn off the oven, leave the door ajar and let the lasagne rest for about 10 minutes. Then serve.

This is not a solid lasagne, but a moist one that slips a bit when it is cut and served.

#1 Spinach Egg Pasta (Pasta Verde)

Preparation: 45 minutes

Makes enough for 6 to 8 first course servings or 4 to 6 main course servings, equivalent to 1 pound (450g) dried boxed pasta.


2 jumbo eggs (2 ounces/60g or more each)
10 ounces (300g) fresh spinach, rinsed dry, and finely chopped; OR 6 ounces (170g) frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
3 & 1/2 cups (14 ounces/400g) all purpose unbleached (plain) flour (organic stone ground preferred)

Working by Hand:

Equipment

A roomy work surface, 24 to 30 inches deep by 30 to 36 inches (60cm to 77cm deep by 60cm to 92cm). Any smooth surface will do, but marble cools dough slightly, making it less flexible than desired.

A pastry scraper and a small wooden spoon for blending the dough.

A wooden dowel-style rolling pin. In Italy, pasta makers use one about 35 inches long and 2 inches thick (89cm long and 5cm thick). The shorter American-style pin with handles at either end can be used, but the longer it is, the easier it is to roll the pasta.
Note: although it is not traditional, Enza has successfully made pasta with a marble rolling pin, and this can be substituted for the wooden pin, if you have one.

Plastic wrap to wrap the resting dough and to cover rolled-out pasta waiting to be filled. It protects the pasta from drying out too quickly.

A sharp chef’s knife for cutting pasta sheets.

Cloth-covered chair backs, broom handles, or specially designed pasta racks found in cookware shops for draping the pasta.

Mixing the dough:
Mound the flour in the center of your work surface and make a well in the middle. Add the eggs and spinach. Use a wooden spoon to beat together the eggs and spinach. Then gradually start incorporating shallow scrapings of flour from the sides of the well into the liquid. As you work more and more flour into the liquid, the well’s sides may collapse. Use a pastry scraper to keep the liquids from running off and to incorporate the last bits of flour into the dough. Don’t worry if it looks like a hopelessly rough and messy lump.

Kneading:
With the aid of the scraper to scoop up unruly pieces, start kneading the dough. Once it becomes a cohesive mass, use the scraper to remove any bits of hard flour on the work surface – these will make the dough lumpy. Knead the dough for about 3 minutes. Its consistency should be elastic and a little sticky. If it is too sticky to move easily, knead in a few more tablespoons of flour. Continue kneading about 10 minutes, or until the dough has become satiny, smooth, and very elastic. It will feel alive under your hands. Do not shortcut this step. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, and let it relax at room temperature 30 minutes to 3 hours.

Stretching and Thinning:
If using an extra-long rolling pin work with half the dough at a time. With a regular-length rolling pin, roll out a quarter of the dough at a time and keep the rest of the dough wrapped. Lightly sprinkle a large work surface with flour. The idea is to stretch the dough rather than press down and push it. Shape it into a ball and begin rolling out to form a circle, frequently turning the disc of dough a quarter turn. As it thins outs, start rolling the disc back on the pin a quarter of the way toward the center and stretching it gently sideways by running the palms of your hands over the rolled-up dough from the center of the pin outward. Unroll, turn the disc a quarter turn, and repeat. Do twice more.

Stretch and even out the center of the disc by rolling the dough a quarter of the way back on the pin. Then gently push the rolling pin away from you with one hand while holding the sheet in place on the work surface with the other hand. Repeat three more times, turning the dough a quarter turn each time.

Repeat the two processes as the disc becomes larger and thinner. The goal is a sheet of even thickness. For lasagne, the sheet should be so thin that you can clearly see your hand through it and see colours. Cut into rectangles about 4 by 8 inches (10 x 20 cm). Note: Enza says that transparency is a crucial element of lasagne pasta and the dough should be rolled as thinly as possible. She says this is why her housekeeper has such strong arms!

Dry the pasta at room temperature and store in a sealed container or bag.

#2 Bechamel Sauce


Preparation Time: 15 minutes

4 tbsp (2 ounces/60g) unsalted butter
4 tbsp (2 ounces/60g) all purpose unbleached (plain) flour, organic stone ground preferred
2 & 2/3 cups (approx 570ml) milk
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Freshly grated nutmeg to taste

Method:
Using a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over low to medium heat. Sift over the flour, whisk until smooth, and then stir (without stopping) for about 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk a little at a time and keep the mixture smooth. Bring to a slow simmer, and stir 3 to 4 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Season with salt, pepper, and a hint of nutmeg.

Enjoy!!

Buttermilk Scones

Makes 12 triangular or 24 rolled scones

Think of scones as British biscuits. They are made in a manner similar to biscuits and, in fact, share biscuits' buttery-layered texture, but their name, their shape, and the fact that they're served with tea rather than gravy lift them to the level of fancier fare.
Here are scones two ways: the traditional triangle and the rolled--tender buttermilk dough rolled around chopped fruits, nuts, and/or jam. Whichever way you choose, they're luscious: à la the British, with tea and whipped cream, or served the American way, with coffee and a gloss of jam.

These scones had a very thin crisp outer crust and a soft, flaky and moist bread/cake like inner crumb. Rolled scones were a nice idea as they already had jam filled in and no other accompanyment was required. These scones can be served as a great snack along with coffee or tea.

This post is my contribution to Egg Substitute - Yogurt/Buttermilk Event , an event hosted by Madhuram of Eggless Cooking.

Recipe adapted from "Baking with Julia" by Dorie Greenspan.

Ingredients required:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar (i added plus 1/4 cup)
2 1/2 tsps baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup (approximately) buttermilk
1 tablespoon grated orange or lemon zest

1/2 stick (2 ounces) unsalted butter, melted, for brushing
1/4 cup sugar, for dusting

4 tablespoons jam or jelly and/or 4 tablespoons diced or small plump dried fruits, such as currants, raisins, apricots, or figs, for filling (optional)

Here we start..

Position the oven racks to divide the oven into thirds and preheat the oven to 425 deg F (220 deg C).

Mixing and Kneading:
In a medium bowl, stir the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together with a fork. Add the cold butter pieces and, using your fingertips (the first choice), a pastry blender, or two knives, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. It's OK if some largish pieces of butter remain--they'll add to the scones' flakiness
Pour in 1 cup buttermilk, toss in the zest, and mix with the fork only until the ingredients are just moistened--you'll have a soft dough with a rough look. (If the dough looks dry, add another tablespoon of buttermilk.) Gather the dough into a ball, pressing it gently so that it holds together, turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface, and knead it very briefly--a dozen turns should do it. Cut the dough in half.

To make triangular shaped scones:
Roll one piece of the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick circle that is about 7 inches across. Brush the dough with half of the melted butter, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and cut the circle into 6 triangles. Place the scones on an ungreased baking sheet and set aside while you roll out the rest of the dough.

To make rolled scones:
Roll one piece of dough into a strip that is 12 inches long and 1/2-inch-thick (the piece will not be very wide). Spread the strip with half of the melted butter and dust with half of the sugar. If you want to spread the roll with jam and/or sprinkle it with dried fruits, now's the time to do so; leave a narrow border on a long edge bare. Roll the strip up from a long side like a jelly roll; pinch the seam closed and turn the roll seam side down. Cut the roll in half and cut each piece into six 1-inch-wide roll-ups. Place the rolled scones cut side down on an ungreased baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Baking the scones:
Bake the scones for 10 to 12 minutes, until both the tops and bottoms are golden. Transfer the scones to a rack to cool slightly. These are best served warm but are just fine at room temperature.

Storing:
If you're not going to eat the scones the day they are made, wrap them airtight and freeze; they'll stay fresh for a month. To serve, defrost the scones at room temperature in their wrappers, then unwrap and reheat on a baking sheet for 5 minutes in a 350 degree F oven.

Vegetarian Spaghetti Bolognese Sauce

Bolognese sauce, one of the best loved Italian pasta sauces, is traditionally made with ground meat, tomatoes and seasoning but here's a satisfying vegetarian bolognese tomato sauce that will add a hearty, wholegrain flavor to any pasta or lasagna dish. Its a vegetarian version and is loaded with vegetables and nutrition. Use the sauce to top freshly cooked spaghetti and you'll love it.


Ingredients Required;

3 tbsp Olive oil
3 cloves of Garlic, finally chopped
1 Onion, chopped
1 Red Capsicum(Bell pepper), chopped
1 Carrot, grated
1 Zucchini, chopped with skin
300 gm Mushrooms, canned or fresh
800 gms chopped canned tomatoes
2 Bayleaves
1 tbsp Chilli powder
1 tsp Light soy sauce
1 tsp Oregano
2 tsp Basil
5 tbsp thick tomato paste
1 cup Soya chunks, blended into powder
Salt to taste

Method:

First, before you start, take the powdered soya in a small saucepan. Add hot boiled water till the powder is completely immersed. Add a tsp of olive oil and set aside.


Heat 3 tbsps of olive oil in a large pan. Fry garlic for about half a minute and then add onions. Fry till the onions turn translucent. Add all the vegetables, capsicum, carrot, zucchini, mushrooms and tomatoes. fry for 2 to 3 minutes.


Then stir in the bay leaves and cilli powder. Keep it on low to medium heat.

Add the rest of the ingredients, the prepared soya along with the water, tomato paste, soy sauce, oregano, basil and salt to taste.

Simmer and cook till all the vegetables are soft and done and the sauce has reduced to the required thick consistency.


Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce is ready. Serve pasta with large ladlefuls of sauce and sprinkle generously with grated parmesan or cheddar cheese. Enjoy!

Storage;
Can be kept for 3 days covered and refrigerated. It also freezes well for up to 1 month.

French Apple flan

This tart is one of the easiest and delicious tart i have ever made. It takes just few ingredients and can be made in minutes. Can be a great treat for your guests. It can be served as a starter as well as a dessert.
When cutting a round from puff pastry make a number of short cuts around the plate rather than drawing the knife around, as this can stretch the pastry.


Serves : 4

Ingredients required:

350gm puff pastry sheets
2 apples, peeled, cored and seeded
1 tbsp caster sugar
25 gm chilled unsalted butter

Apricot glaze, to decorate (any fruit glaze can be used)
2 tbsp apricot jam
4tbsp water

Method:

First of all, lets make the apricot glaze. Put the jam in a small saucepan with water and heat gently until the jam melts. Increse the heat and boil for a minute, remove from the heat and press through a fine sieve. Keep warm until it is needed.

Take the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface and roll out a little bit. Using a 14cm (5 1/2 inch) plate as a guide, cut out four rounds and put each one on a baking sheet. Place a slightly smaller plate on each pastry and score around the edge to form a 1cm (1/2 inch) border. Prick the centers with a fork and chill for 30 minutes.

Arrange the apple slices in a circle over the pastry and scatter over the sugar. Grate over the butter and bake in a preheated oven, 220 deg C (425 deg F), for 20 to 25 minutes or until the pastry and apples are golden.

Reheat the apricot glaze until it is warm and brush over each tart while still warm.

Serve with vanilla ice cream.