Mexican Rice/Spanish Rice - Method 1/Mexican Rice with step by step photos

I am very fond of Mexican food, may be because it is spicy and hot like the South Indian food. Living outside India I have got wonderful opportunities to try different cuisines in these past 10 years. Whenever I get a choice of cuisines, my first choice will be Mexican followed by Thai food, and then Italian.

Spanish rice is also known as Mexican rice is a very common side dish in Northern Mexico. In Mexico this rice dish is referred to as “Arroz” which translates to “rice”. In Northern Mexico the rice is cooked with chicken broth, tomato, onion and garlic, it is the Mexican way to flavor the rice. So the “Mexican Rice” is nothing but the rice is cooked in the Mexican style.  Today I made Mexican rice and Chicken Fajitas for lunch and chicken fajitas is coming up in my next post.

Here’s how to make Mexican/Spanish rice with step by step photos…

Garlic & Herbs Pasta with Parmesan Cheese/Garlic Cheese Pasta Recipe/Garlic Cheese Pasta with step by step photos

Today I was in no mood to do an elaborate cooking, so made a very quick and simple garlic and herbs penne pasta with parmesan cheese. Actually the name says it all; it can be made in no time with very less ingredients. I made this pasta and served them with fresh zucchini stir fry. It was an elegant and heavenly Italian lunch which just made our day. My kids love pasta and they got excited and finished them all.

Here’s how to make Garlic & Herbs Pasta with Parmesan Cheese with step by step photos…

Garlic & Parmesan Pull Apart Bread/Monkey Bread

I am happy to say that I am part of Home Bakers Challenge started by some of the fellow bloggers , initiated by Mrs. Priya Suresh and hosted by Mrs. Manjula of DesiFiesta . The objective of this challenge is to learn and bake together.A special thanks to  Mrs. Manjula and Mrs. Priya Suresh for this wonderful challenge.

Mrs. Manjula challenged 4 different breads Rainbow swirl bread, Monkey bread, Chocolate marble bread and Anadama bread. Of all these breads I chose the Monkey/Pull apart bread and did the savoury version of it. We all love it so much the bread was gone in no time as soon the bread was baked.

Though I don’t know why this bread gets its name, I found some info in Wikipedia that says “The origin of the term 'monkey bread' is uncertain. Possible etymologies include that the bread resembles the monkey puzzle tree. It consists of soft pieces of bread with cinnamon sprinkled on it. It is served at fairs and other parks as a treat.” Ok guys now all that said, let’s see how to make the monkey bread/pull apart bread

Here’s how to make Garlic & Parmesan Pull Apart/Monkey Bread with step by step photos…

Vegetable Pasta Recipe– Indian Style/How to make Vegetable Pasta Recipe with step by step photos

This is a very simple Penne pasta cooked with healthy vegetables and delicious Indian spices. The name says it all, so I don’t think it needs much of an introduction.

Here’s  how to make Vegetable Pasta with step by step photos…

Strawberry Nutella Thumbprint Cookies

I baked Strawberry Nutella Thumbprint Cookies and Peanut Butter Cookies[PBC's] for the third Home Baker’s Challenge(HBC) initiated by Mrs. Priya Suresh of Priya's Versatile and hosted by  Mrs. Viji of Virundhu Unna Vaanga. The main objective of Home Baker’s Challenge is to learn and bake together. Thank you very much Mrs. Priya Suresh and Mrs. Viji for this wonderful and delightful challenge.

This month’s challenge was to bake cookies announced by Mrs. Viji. She gave four different types of cookies and I chose to make two different types of cookies for the challenge and here are the Strawberry Nutella Thumbprint Cookies for HBC.

Here’s how to make Strawberry Nutella Thumbprint Cookies with step by step photos…

Peanut Butter Cookies [PBC's]

I happily baked Peanut butter cookies for the third Home Baker’s Challenge(HBC) initiated by Mrs. Priya Suresh of Priya's Versatile Recipe and hosted by  Mrs. Viji of Virundhu Unna Vaanga. The main objective of Home Baker’s Challenge is to learn and bake together. Thank you very much Mrs. Priya Suresh and Mrs. Viji for this wonderful and delightful challenge.

This month’s challenge was to bake cookies announced by Mrs. Viji. She gave four different types of cookies and I chose to make two different types of cookies for the challenge and here is one among them, the peanut butter cookie for HBC.

Here’s how to make Peanut Butter Cookie with step by step photos…

Simple Vegetable Pizza And Cheese pizza from the scratch…

I am happy to say that I am part of Home Bakers Challenge started by some of the fellow blogger and initiated by Priya's Versatile . The objective of this challenge is  to learn and bake together.A special thanks to Divya for choosing Pizza for this month’s baking challenge.

Here’s how to make Simple Vegetable Pizza &  Cheese Pizza from  the scratch with step by step photos…

Pizza Sauce Recipe/Pasta Sauce Recipe/How to make Pasta Sauce at home with step by step photos

I know probably I am the last one to come up with pizza in the Home bakers challenge, but I believe "better late than never". My pizza is getting ready, meanwhile decided to post the pizza sauce. This is a very basic Pizza/Pasta sauce, I made this as a part of Home Baker's Challenge initiated by Mrs.Priya Suresh and this month host being Mrs.Divya Prakash. The original recipe did not call for all ingredients given below, I added a little more to give it little more flavor and taste.

Here's the Pizza/Pasta Sauce with step by step photos...

Classic Creamy Mashed Potato

These creamy and delicious mashed potatoes are made during Thanksgiving dinner (USA) and other special get-togethers. It is very easy and simple, can be made in big batches the previous day and heated in the oven and served hot. I eat usually spicy food, but my kids like the mashed potato, so I make it for them. It is very filling and super delicious creamy potatoes.

Here’s how to make mashed potato with step by step photos…

Focaccia Bread with Onions, Olives & Herbs [Italian Bread]

Focaccia is an Italian bread, which can be made either savory or sweet. It is one of the easiest breads to make, here I have made Focaccia with onions, olives and herbs as toppings. It can be changed according to your taste as well. I have had focaccia bread several times but wanted to give it a try. So I referred to food network  and made it for my kids. The bread came out great, so I thought I will share it with you all.

Here’s how to make it with step by step photos…

Pineapple pancakes/Hawaiian Pancakes/Pneapple Pancake Recipe/Easy Pancake Recipes

Pineapple pancakes/Hawaiian Pancakes. Whenever we think about pineapples, the first thing that comes to all of us is the sandy beach and hot tropical climate. Here’s a cool pineapple pancake for a hot breakfast that gives the same tropical feel.

If you are in a holiday mood, thinking of Hawaii, then have these pancakes. They make your day a holiday.

Here’s how to make it with step by step photos ...

I made small bunny rabbits with cookie cutter in these pancakes, you can as well make it for Easter and give it to kids.

Coffee & Walnut Cake For Birthday's/Coffee & Walnut Cake Recipe/Coffee & Walnut Cake with step by step photos

I wanted to make something special for my girl’s birthday. It has always been a vanilla or chocolate cake, so this time for a change I made Coffee & Walnut cake. I have baked simple cakes but this is my first walnut cake with icing. It just came out great and it was a hit. My girl is celebrating her birthday in London (school trip). So I made this cake at home before she left to the trip and we had a great time together.

Here's how to make it with step by step photo's ...

Guacamole Sandwich

A very healthy sandwich with guacamole. Try it you will surely like it. I have posted the guacamole recipe in my previous post. Click here for Guacamole recipe

Guacamole "Avocado Sauce" /How to make Guacamole with step by step photos

Guacamole literally means “Avocado Sauce” and originated in Mexico. Avocado is a fruit, which matures on the tree and ripens afterwards. It is fleshy and has buttery taste. It can be eaten as such, it is loaded with 20 vitamins and minerals and has lots of health benefits. It is packed with antioxidants and fiber and helps to lower cholesterol.

Now a days we get avocado in India in shops like Nilgiris, do try this fruit you will surely love the taste and enjoy the benefits of it. 

Here’s how to make “Guacamole” with step by step photos…

Evening Buns

Evening Buns are very yummy, crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. It is great for breakfast, tea or lunch.

Ingredients

All purpose flour	4 ½ cup
Butter	1 tbsp melted
Milk	1 cup
Sugar	1 tsp
Salt	1 tsp
Yeast	1  tsp
Egg	1 beaten(Optional)
Sesame seeds	1 tbsp
Tea Towel	1
Egg (optional)	1 beaten with 2 tbsp of water for brushing.

Mushroom 65 Recipe/Kalaan 65 Recipe/Mushroom 65/How to make Mushroom 65 with step by step photos

If you want an exotic starter or an evening snack “mushroom 65” is the one. Even the kids and adults who don’t like mushrooms will fall for this dish. Also check out other interesting and tempting 65 Recipes here.

American Pancakes/Pancake Recipe/American Pancake Recipe/Easy Pancake Recipes

American pancakes are really easy to make, you need not always depend on the pancake mix for the same. My kids call them the golden disc, because they are small and gold in color and glitters with honey or maple syrup.

Here’s how to make Pancake from the scratch with step by step photos...

Raspberry Pancake Recipe/Raspberry Pancake/How to make Raspberry Pancake with step by step photos/Easy Pancake Recipes

The first time, I had my pancake was in IHOP restaurant (USA). My husband took me to ihop the very next day I landed there. It is almost 10 years now and still, I cannot forget those wonderful moments. They had all kind of pancakes with different fruits and lots of other choices. I was leaning towards the strawberry pancakes. Here I have replaced it with raspberries. This was one among them…

Here's how to make Raspberry Pancake with step by step photos...

[ The butter started to melt as it was piping hot]

Peanut butter & Banana Pancake Recipe/Peanut Butter Pancake/Banana Pancake with Peanut Butter - Easy Pancake Recipes

Pancakes are easy and quick breakfast to make. This is one yummy breakfast that has nutty taste and banana in it. It is healthy, nutritious and a filling breakfast.

Falafel Recipe - Middle Eastern Dish/Falafel Recipe/How to make Falafel Recipe with step by step photos

Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern dish.  Since today is Valentine's day, I have planned a special exotic dinner for us. And today it's going to be Mediterranean menu, Falafel with pita bread, salad and hummus.

Falafel is a very filling vegetarian dish, is perfect as a starter, or a main course or just a snack. In this post I ‘am going to show you how to make Falafel with step by step instructions and photos.