Sweet Pizza & A Doctor Consultation story.

You'll love it if you are a fan of Pizza's :)

Warning  : 

The following is a short description of my visit to an Eye Doctor recently and nothing related to the Sweet Pizza recipe given in the Caption , for those who are impatient like me, kindly scroll down to the recipe details as my description is slightly long , at times I go crazy and write lot of nonsense too :)

Last night I was insomniac, a concern which came up recently,striving to find a solution for the same, hence I had my eyes wide open and with the melodious sounds of good sleep of my people, I recollected one eventful day in my life.

My younger brother once took me to his favorite eye Dr, whom he said may seem funny and may talk silly but is brilliant. I agreed and went with him,without caring my Mom's warning as she knows that my bro has a tie up with all peculiar- characters.
Sorry VK ;)

Glad to see that I had to wait just for 2 more people before my chance to go in,
I noticed other people in the Queue, all of'em looked pensive, may be because of the wait period.
Sat on a seat, from where I could see a bit of the inside of that consultation room, the doors of which was kept open.While peeping in with extreme curiousness I could see only the Dr's hands holding some cotton and mystic devices which was constantly moving as if there was some informal surgery going on.

I  felt pity for "Nazeer"-  the patient whom the Dr was examining,as this Dr was loud enough to let even his neighbors know the patients name, and he would call out scream the name each time he asked the patient to roll his eyes towards something in that room.

I wondered - what made the patients confused in rolling their eyes?

After 3 hours of wait,it was my turn to go in, meanwhile I learned the names of 2 other patients who went it before me & also their eye issues. I prepared myself and planned on the ways to roll my eyes as I was almost sure of the things I'll be asked to do, decided not to give the Dr much stress from my side.

Finally I sat beside the Doctor on the patient's chair, glanced at the Doctor's face, to see if he looks normal....
and he very much did.

But the chair I was given to sit was very uncomfortable,
I didn't get enough space to keep my -
you know what ;)
but too scared to check what's wrong,there wasn't any way other than to adjust with the uncomfortable seat.

Dr took a white paper as usual and asked me to read

"Perfect" said the Dr
Any other issues ??

Happy because I could read till the last line, I asked him about a black - mole kind of spot on the white part of my eyes, which recently only did I notice

Just in case :)

Doctor stood up from his seat all of a sudden,
seeing his reaction a transition occurred in me from happiness to nervousness,
but he just got up to walk up to another desk,
and I could see my brother sitting outside starting to laugh.

 In the meantime I tried to move my uncomfortable chair a bit to my side which was not happening as if there was some hindrance.
 Seeing the Dr come back with all the equipment's, I withdrew from my trial to make myself comfortable & he examined my eyes in all possible ways & angles, standing/slanting/ posing as a well trained Yoga instructor.
.

Slow but powerful he seemed to me

As usual he told me to roll my eyes,but to my surprise I couldn't see any of those spots in that room - which he asked me to focus,
I don't think any person with a normal 20/20 vision would ever find those spots that easily.
and that's the reason why this Doctor took so long to consult each patients I guessed.

Doctor's looks towards me made me more anxious,
what I had asked him is a significant question he said,
a black spot in eyes can be as simple as a mole
 OR
as complicated as

 @#$#%^&%##     @#$%$^%@!@@$% -  that's the name of the disease that he told, I don't think I can write that name ever as it was almost like a "tongue twister" for me
Believe me I forgot the name,
all I understood from his words was that its serious.

I sat in that uncomfortable chair dumbstruck, heart broken to see my bro's pathetic looks towards me, he seemed to me as if distressed and irritated  - a feeling you'll have when a live game which you were watching with much enthusiasm suddenly got intercepted and now the television screen shows just the white and black -grains.

Now the only hope I had was the Dr words that  - 95% it should be fine but there is this 5 % chance which cannot be neglected,
He asked me to consult some one else in any other specialty hospital to make sure its okay.


My hands began to shake, and I could no more feel my body or mind in place & my eyes could no longer focus on any thing there, but still before I leave that room, I wanted to know why my chair was uncomfortable.
So tried my best to focus my blurred sight on the chair and down to its legs &
I noticed that It was actually tied up using a rope to the table ,with 2 of its legs inside the table stand.

Strange but confused..........

A mixed emotion which happens not that often in one's life,
 I then got a doubt if its the Doctor or Me who's insane???
Got out of the consultation room, holding the paper with some complicated disease name on it,

I hoped I heard it wrong or if it was just a bad dream

" Joy of life " then left me till the next day when I flew to another Eye specialist
who said my eyes are completely normal.
So what was all that confusion??
Now I like to think of it as just an other funny experience,
for my good or bad that it happened.
As that day, taught me few good lessons which, we as human beings tend to forget,
I confirmed that Life can be enjoyed only when it has a healthy body - which is also God's gift,
and there's no point in being anxious about the future,
as the plans that we do for our good will happen only if we have the fate too.

:)

Coming to the Sweet Pizza Recipe.

This is one dessert that our friend served us once, she had bought it from a pizza store.
Since I had some dough sitting in my fridge, thought to give it a try.(and I tried it with the normal pizza dough that I made few days ago)
As for this Pizza , its good  to make the base little more sweeter than the regular one,
may also use any packed pizza base/ or dough and roll it, then make the toppings extra sweet.

Ingredients for Sweet Pizza Dough
(If not using any packed dough)


All purpose Flour - 2 cups (and more for dusting)
Instant Yeast - 2 and 1/2 tsp ( almost a sachet )
Sugar - 1 Tbsp
Brown Sugar - 3 Tbsp (may use honey or else white sugar)
Melted Butter - 2 table spoon(or more)
Warm milk - 1/2 cup (approx to make a soft dough )
A pinch of salt.

Method

* Mix sugar to warm milk and add the yeast to it , keep it aside to activate yeast , takes almost 10 minutes. (milk shouldn't be hot , as very hot temperature may kill yeast ) smell the yeast and also it may rise a bit by 10 minutes.

 I go absent minded often  :( 

* Combine flour , salt , Brown sugar (honey or white sugar) and 1 table spoon (or little more)of melted butter and slowly add the milk- yeast mixture to the flour , work with your hands(if not using a stand mixer)  to make a dough.It should be soft , use somemore warm milk if necessary.
But if it looks more soft and its difficult to work with ,add a little more flour to make it pliable.

* Make a ball with the dough and coat with the rest of melted butter , cover with a wet cloth and keep it in a warm place to rise , this one rises quite soon , I kept these in my lightly preheated(preheated to warm) oven for about 45 minutes and it doubled its size by then.If not warm place it may take longer time to rise.

* Punch'em down and the dough is now ready. Sprinkle the surface with little flour and start rolling.
Refrigerated any left over dough for experimenting the next day, may refrigerate these till 3 days. (If you made more of this dough and plan to use it the following days , keep the portion for refrigeration before they rise, and on the day you use it , bring the dough back to room temperature ,then allow to rise)

*  For thin crust pizza , roll the dough thinner (1/4 inch thickness) and also prick the bottom of the dough with a fork to help air escape , then it won't rise and will help get a thin crust and it cooks in lesser time.High temperature plays a major role in cooking the inner crust part , minimum is 400 degree F , can make it higher to 450 F for better results.


For the Sweet Topping - use desired toppings
Like Nutella ,Peanut Butter or any other you like,

I used

Chocolate syrup
Condensed Milk
Melted Butter - little (to spread)
Strawberries - few sliced
Corn slakes or Cheerios  - 1/4 cup approx (For crunchiness, use any cheerios you like)
Semi sweet chocolate chips - few (optional)
Marshmallows - 1/2 cup




Method   

* Pre heat the oven to 450 Degree F, Spread melted butter over the rolled pizza dough. Bake this in the pre heated oven for 10 to 12 minutes on one side, flip to the other side and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes (until the sides turn lightly brown)

*  Meanwhile mix condensed milk and little chocolate syrup and keep aside.

* Takeout the baked pizza crust, spread the condensed milk - syrup mixture (may use Nutella instead) over the pizza first then top with some marshmallows ( spread evenly) Bake this again in 400 Degree oven for another 3 to 5 minutes.

* Take'em out and place sliced strawberries over ,sprinkle cheerios(or corn flakes) & chocolate chips Bake again for another 1 or 2 minute

* When done ,drizzle Chocolate syrup over the top and serve hot.
   May serve them cold too.

Try it with any other toppings you like
 Nutella would be the best I think but didn't have it here to try  :(

Happy Weekend !

Click the link below for Pizza dough, Pizza Sauce and toppings  recipe in this blog
Pizza From Scratch & Pizza Sauce.

Cheers
TN

Gobi Aloo & Easy to make Palak Roti

We decided to partake fully in Lent this time, by avoiding Non vegetarian food until Easter , though this decision is so far being executed successfully I start itching my back when ever I think of cooking a meal these days :( as satisfaction is not guaranteed if there isn't any Non veg :)
I know that's not a good idea.
Admire people who's fully satisfied and happy when served with a veggie plate,but for strongly carnivorous people like me, it is indeed difficult.
Anyways we do it just for a month, I like to believe that sacrificing something which we love may boost up our will power......hope I'll attain at least some :)

Chapthi/Indian Bread is always "IN" when ever we decide to diet, so I take this time of the year as an opportunity to practice making Chapathi/Roti's easily , also to improve the taste and texture of the same. Since Soccer man is not very happy with the Roti that I make when he compares it with my friend's from Punjab/North India , but she's says its the same in her house when her husband compares Idli's & Dosa's (typical South Indian dishes) that she makes with mine.
Diversity in the cuisines in India is in fact intriguing.
Tried making these Palak/Spinach Roti's and it came out very well for me,
these also fortifies the normal Chapathi's with more nutrition and of course makes it colorful.

Just mixed some finely chopped Palak /Spinach while making the dough for Roti / Chapathi's.
Different ways can be tried to make the same (thanks to the food blogs)
I tried the easier version of it.

May add all or any one ingredient given below to make "Palak Roti"more flavorful, 

* Cumin Seeds or Cumin Powder 
* Chili Powder or finely chopped Green chili's 
* Carom Seeds /Ajwain 
* Coriander leaves / Cilantro finely chopped   or pureed 
* Pureed Palak/Spinach instead of chopping , a bit more work ;) 

Gobi Aloo - is one another specialty side dish for Chapathi in North India, a very simple and easy dish to prepare. Combination of Cauliflower (Gobi)  & Potato (Aloo) with some Indian spices makes it look simple & taste simply great :)
I have a similar recipe for Cauliflower and Potato Stir fry  in this blog which is without herbs or spices and it goes well with plain rice,
while this recipe here goes well with Roti's or any Rice Pulav / Pilaf

Ingredients for Gobi Aloo

Gobi / Cauliflower - One head , cut in to medium sized pieces
Potato - 1 medium -boiled , peeled and cubed.
Ginger minced - 1 tsp
Garlic Minced - 2 tsp
Onion - 1 medium chopped
Tomatoe- 1 finely chopped
Cilantro - 1/2 cup finely chopped
Vegetable oil - 2 Tbsp
Salt to taste

Masala / Spices - 

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp
Red Chili Powder or Paprika - 1/2 tsp or more as per your preference.
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida/ Hing- a pinch (Optional)
Amchur Powder / Dry Mango Powder - 1/2 tsp (Optional)
Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 tsp or
Use whole spices - 1 bay leaf, 2 cloves, 1 small piece Cinnamon & 2 Cardamom (I used green Cardamom , if possible use Black Cardamom)

Method

* Add a pinch of turmeric powder to water and boil Cauliflower florets in it for 5 to 7 minutes , strain and keep aside.

* Heat oil in a Kadai/Pot , add cumin seeds & whole spices (if using or else use Garam Masala later)

* When it starts to sizzle, add ginger, garlic, green chili's (is using) , Onion and Tomatoes, saute till very well fried

* Add then the spices turmeric powder,coriander powder, cumin powder , chili powder , Garam Masala , Amchur Powder & Asafoetida - if using
Stir vigorously and add some water (about 1/2 cup) followed by almost cooked cauliflower and potato pieces

* Let it cook for 5 minutes in low heat, stir in between to help combine the flavors,
   Switch off the heat and sprinkle chopped Cilantro/Coriander Leaves.

* Serve Hot with Chapathi/Roti.

Cheers
TN

Squid /Calamari Roast (Kerala Style Spicy Squid) / Koonthal Roast.

I was lucky to spent an evening in Marari Beach near my place during this vacation.
Happy and excited to stay in a Fisherman's Home there, which they have upgraded to give
 "Bed and Breakfast" facility -a side business some of them started recently.

Usually they go fishing early in the morning and comes back by noon ,some leave during night and comes early in the morning. Its interesting to hear their experiences when they are in the Sea.
They do take breaks in between fishing, in some other sea shores where there'll be some Tea -shacks open for them in the mid night,interesting isn't it ?
They say there is total quietness once they reach deep Sea though at times there is a storm or high tide, it looks scary but they enjoy it as they believe that the Sea would never forsake'em.
They call the Sea "Kadalamma" meaning Mother Sea.

Here's someone who came to say "Hi" :)

Have uploaded a video which my bro captured, that beautiful scene of  fisher men bringing in fresh caught fish from the Arabian Sea.

And we had those Sardines - fried for dinner. :) 

Sad that I haven't witnessed  a  "Chakara" anytime while growing up.
That's a peculiar marine phenomenon in which large number of fish and prawns throng together, a boon for the local Fisherman, but usually it happens only after the Monsoon there (July - August)
Watch this Youtube Link to get an Idea about "Chakara"

This recipe of Squid Roast is from my friend's mother who made these for me.
It should be noted that the squid/Koonthal just needs 10 to 12 minutes of cooking,
as it turns rubbery even if lightly over cooked.
And the main ingredients while cooking squid are - Black pepper , Coriander Powder & Fennel Seeds (Perumjeerakam) crushed.

Ingredients 

Squid/Koonthal/Calamari - 1 pound (Cut in to desired shape)

 

Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp
water - 1/4 cup or less.
Vinegar - 1 tsp
Salt to taste

For the Gravy 

Onion - 1 medium sliced
Ginger - 1/2 inch size -crushed
Garlic - 4 to 6 No's crushed
Green Chili's - 1 or 2 sliced
Curry Leaves - 2 or more springs (Optional)
Fennel seeds Crushed ( Perumjeerakam) - 1 Tbsp
Crushed Black Pepper - 1 to 2 tsp (Adjust as per your tolerance level)
Coriander Powder - 1 Tbsp
Kashmiri Chili Powder(Paprika)  - 2 tsp
Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp ( Cinnamon sticks+Cloves +Cardamom - crushed) or else use store bought Meat Masala or Garam Masala Powder.
Salt to taste
Coconut Oil - 2 to 3 Tbsp (may use any other oil)


Method 

* Clean Caramari/Squid , add turmeric powder ,Vinegar , salt and 1/4 cup water to it and keep to boil. Cover with a lid leaving little space for the steam to escape. Cook for not more than 12 minutes covered (after boiling), stir in between, if there is water left, cook on high heat and allow to dry.

* In an other pan , heat oil, add crushed Fennel seeds ,followed by crushed ginger, garlic, sliced green chili's & curry leaves (if using) saute for a minute and add sliced onion. Saute till lightly brown.

* Add Coriander powder , Garam masala & Kashmiri Chili(Paprika) - stir and add the cooked squid.

* Stir well to combine and sprinkle black pepper powder , add salt (if needed) , a final stir and its ready.

Also some fried sardines :)

Yummy Yummm !

Notes :
         
          : Do not over cook Squid as then it turns rubbery.

          :  May add finely chopped tomato instead of vinegar, to this recipe,
          add it while adding onion.

          : May use some fresh Coconut pieces/cubed - 1 or 2 Tbsp, if you like add it while adding sliced              onion.

Cheers
TN

Pista-Elaichi Pudding with China-Grass

A truth that I realized this time while in India was that what ever globalization and modernization happens, those familiar faces, topic of  discussion among the common people, few old places there and the usual scene of fishermen near the Sea shore trying their best to make a day luxurious in their own way, will always remain the same.

And my love for the beach in Alleppey-Kerala  (My place) will also remain unchanged,
like how I loved going there when I was a child , from the time I can memorize things.
as no where else can I breath in happiness and calm with the Sea breeze.

Red flags are not permanent :)
Flags of  CPI (Communist Party of India) were placed because they had some conference going on in Alleppey.
The CPI & Congress Party usually rules alternately in Kerala (State) 

Morning walk with friends to the beach and the tea that I usually had from the beach shack there was the best, am not sure what secret ingredients made that tea extraordinarily refreshing.

It was nice to see people exercising, practicing Yoga, some playing volley ball , and some others playing soccer altogether an inspiration to live healthy and happy.

Neither the spirit nor the flesh is willing to get timed to the new schedules here in the US,

though its almost a week that we have reached here after the vacation.

Have a lot to write about my trip but may be because half of my brains are still following Indian time, am not getting words to express any of my thoughts at present. 

I feel my trip to India was just a dream as time flew away so fast, the smell of pickles and chutney powders here in my kitchen reminds me that I was in India last month. 

With lot many new memories to boost up my spirit, I decided to try something sweet today.
A pudding with China grass, here they call it Agar-Agar (for China-grass) its a veggie alternation for Gelatin, usually seen in Asian grocery stores here in the US.

Recipe is from one of my cousin, who made it with Pineapple layering underneath, almost similar to Easy Pineapple Pudding (Egg less recipe) which I have in this blog, but that was made with gelatin and there isn't any milk powder in it, though milk powder makes it more dense in consistency,
so its good to add the same.

I tried it with Pistachio- Elaichi (Cardamom) essence, though I don't prefer Elaichi, didn't have any other option this time in the grocery store :(

Ingredients 

Milk -  2 cups / Half Liter
Sugar - 2 to 4 Tbsp -Optional (Adjust sweetness as per your preference)
Sweetened Condensed Milk - 1/2 a tin
Milk Powder - 1/2 cup (I used Nestle Milk powder)
Pistachio Essence - 1/4 tsp (I used Pistachio- Elaichi/Cardamom essence)
China grass / Agar Agar - 1/2 cup when dry (soak these in little water for sometime)

For Topping

Praline Nuts crumbled
Click here for Praline Nuts Recipe 

Method 

* Soak Chine grass in water for some time.( 1/2 an hour to 2 hour's)

* Mix sugar, condensed milk and milk powder with 2 cups milk,keep to boil, stirring occasionally.

* Heat the soaked China grass in water till nicely melted, pour this to the boiling milk mixture.Switch off the heat.
(May strain this milk mixture to get rid of any undissolved china grass butI didn't strain it :(
 as usual I was lazy)

* Add Pistachio essence to it, stir and allow to cool.

* Pour this to any pudding bowl or glass, keep in refrigerator to set (at least 2 hour's)

* Top with Praline nuts/ Caramelized Pistachio nuts before serving.

Enjoy !

Cheers
TN