Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Christmas-3


~ Merry Christmas -3 ~
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year !!

The festivities are in full swing. Gifts are all wrapped and placed under 
the christmas tree, the sweet smell of freshly baked cookies and pudding
is gently wafting, the colorful decorations on the xmas tree  are beautifully 
gleaming in the warm hues of christmas lights ! A tiny lil replica of our 
the tree and presents is all ready for my lil ones salad platter too !!

Christmas tree on my plate 



Sliced Cucumber, red n yellow peppers, steamed bay corn, cheese circles 
(use a tiny piece of  straw to cut out perfect circles) 


Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas-2

~Merry Christmas - 2 ~  

Dull gloomy days of winter are perfect to involve lil ones in 
DIY holiday crafts and keep them occupied. To ride out  cold breezy 
days with loads of fun and frolic we have been making lots of christmas 
crafts- santas, snowmen and  christmas tree both on paper and plate ...
These christmas themes salad plates are not only easy to make but
 also great to eat !! Even the smallest hand would love to get involved ..

HoHoHo Santa on the go ..


Guava, banana, black grapes , red pepper , cucumber , pea, cheese 
and savory stars. 

This year my little one  had taken the responsibility of decorating 
the Christmas tree. From the big box of last years decorations she 
picked out some of the vibrant pieces and tied them up all on her own. 
Truly kids grow up so soon .........



With delicious guavas in abundance , our second creation was also 
with similar ingredients .....but you can  replace the guava slices 
with juicy  pineapple slices too .

Frosty the guavaSnowman 

Sliced guava, cucumber, banana, black grapes, pea, red bell pepper 
and cheese (Use a piece of drinking straw to cut out tiny circles from
 a cheese slice) 

If you are planning a christmas party for kids these tiny fruity
easy to  make edible crafts are sure to be a hit !! 


Merry Christmas !!!! 






Friday, December 20, 2013

Merry Christmas


 ~ Merry Christmas ~ 
Sesame crackers with Tomato apple  relish 

Jingle bells jingle bells , jingle all the way , 
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh...

Christmas is in the air ..Chill wind and  fog has engulfed the northern
 part of the country, the mornings are biting cold but the afternoons 
are slightly  better. The markets have  transformed to tiny santa lands
 with the wide array of colorful displays ,beautifully decorated
 christmas trees, shimmering  decorations and gorgeous red 
Santa ensembles ,the streets seem to radiate in a sea of red n green  .
With just less than a week on the advent calendar its time to 
gear up with the holiday goodies. 



Christmas is synonymous with  hearty heavenly baking. Sugar cookies , fruit loaded 

rich buttery plum cake, gingerbread houses and marzipan encased petit fours ....ah 
the list is endless ....but  we decided to start the festivities with some savories.



Winter season brings in rich luscious tangy apples and ripe juicy tomatoes too. Their
 abundance in the market was truly a perfect excuse for some culinary experiments. 
While lil one was busy decorating the christmas tree with cute lil santa , bells and 
baubles , I was in the kitchen kneading the cracker dough . 




Sesame Crackers with Tomato apple relish 
A wonderful alternative to readymade crackers , these are perfect 
for holiday munching .


  
Ingredients for Crackers 

1 cup whole wheat flour ( atta), 1/2 cup refined flour (maida), 

1tsp baking powder, 2 tbsp vegetable oil or butter, 2 tsp sesame seeds, 

 1/2 tsp dried rosemary ( or fenugreek leaves for an indo version) .

1/2 cup warm water , salt to taste . And a star shaped cookie cutter 



Method

Combine everything and  knead to a stiff dough.

Divide into two large balls .

Roll out the dough , cut into stars and prick with a toothpick .
Bake in a preheated oven at 180C for 18-20  mins or till golden.
Cool on a wire rack and store in air tight box.


 Tomato apple relish 
Ingredients 
5 large tomatoes, 2 medium size onions , 1 apple, 2 tbsp sugar,
 2 tbsp raisins, juice of 1/2 lemon , 1/2 tsp grated ginger , 
pinch of pepper & cinnamon , 1/4 tsp rock salt , 1/2 tsp toasted 
sesame , 1 tsp vegetable/olive oil. 
 Opt-  2 tbsp finely chopped red and green bell
 peppers for garnishing 

Method 
Peel , core and  grate the apple . Chop the tomato and onions and keep aside.
Heat oil in a pan , add ginger and onion and saute till pink. Mix in grated apple 
and chopped tomato along with raisins, sugar n spices. Cook for 10-12 mins till the
tomatoes are mushy . Add in toasted sesame and  lemon juice . Gently mash the
  pulp with  a ladle or potato masher. Cook for a min . Garnish with chopped red 
 green bell peppers for an added Christmas zing. 


Serve the dip with  crackers and  Cheesy Xmas trees . 






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