Baked Croutons

Croutons in Marathi

Makes: 4 to 5 servings
Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
4 bread slices
2 tbsp Olive Oil
2-3 pinches of salt
1/2 tsp of Garlic powder (Optional)
1/2 tsp Italian Herbs blend (Dried)

Method:
1) Brush little olive oil on each bread slice. Cut each bread slice into 12 small pieces. If you want little bigger sized croutons, then make 9 equal pieces.
2) Preheat oven at 300 F (150 C) for 7 minutes.
3) Spread bread pieces on a baking sheet. Make a single layer, sprinkle Italian Herbs, little salt and garlic powder. Pop in the oven for 15 minutes (until they become light brown and crispy). If croutons are not browning evenly on all sides, turn over after 10 minutes. Cool them on baking sheet.
Croutons can be added in Salads to give little crisp. They are great accompaniment to the soup.

Tips:
1) Croutons can be prepared in the pan. Follow the first step from the above method. Sprinkle spices and salt. Then heat a wide skillet over low heat. Saute bread pieces until crispy and golden brown. Turn them over occasionally.
2) Butter can be used instead of olive oil. (If using salted butter, limit the amount of salt)
3) If you don't have garlic powder and Italian herbs like oregano, rosemary, etc that's okay. Plain croutons taste good too.
4) You can sprinkle some red chili flakes alongwith other spices.

Pitta bread Pizza

Pita Bread pizza in Marathi

Time: 30 minutes

Makes : 4 servings

Ingredients:

4 Pita Bread

1/2 cup Pizza sauce

1 small red onion, Make thin round slices, then separate the rings.

1 small bell pepper, julienne

5-6 Mushrooms, thin slices

2 tbsp sweet corns, boiled

1.5 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

1/2 tsp red chili flakes

1/4 tsp Italian seasoning

2 tsp Olive oil

Salt to taste

Method:

1) Preheat oven at 400 F for 10 minutes

2) Heat a pan. Add 1 tsp olive oil, saute onion rings, bell pepper slices, mushroom slices and sweet corns. Sprinkle little salt, Italian seasoning and red chili flakes. Saute for two minutes. Remove pan from heat.

3) Brush little oil to pita breads. Place pita bread on a baking sheet. Put it in the oven for two minutes, just to make them warm. Take the baking sheet out.

4) Spread Pizza sauce evenly, 1 to 2 tbsp on each pita bread. Sprinkle cheese, 1/4 cup on each bread. Place sauteed onion rings, bell pepper juliennes, mushroom slices, and sweet corns.

5) Put pita bread pizzas in the oven. Bake for 8 minutes or until cheese melts and becomes slightly brown.

Serve hot.

For more flavor, sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese.

Tips:

1) Try some other of toppings to create your own pizza. Pineapple pieces, black olives, Jalapino peppers, Broccoli etc can make a delicious pizza.

Baked Vegetables

Baked Vegetables in Marathi



Serves: 3 persons

Time: 30 minutes



Ingredients:

1 tbsp butter

1 tsp paste of - ginger + garlic + green chili

1 cup Cauliflower florets, small (I used 3/4 cup cauliflower + 1/4 cup broccoli)

1/2 cup carrot, small dices

1/2 cup sweet corns, (I used canned one)

1/4 cup french beans, 1 cm round slices

1/2 cup onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup green bell pepper, small dices

salt to taste

Spice mixture of - 3 pinches of Cinnamon pdr + 2 pinches crushed black pepper + 2 pinches cardamom powder

White sauce - Click here for the recipe

Other Ingredients:

1/2 cup Italian cheese blend

1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese

1/4 cup bread crumbs (optional)



Method:

1) Preheat the oven at 350 F.

2) Heat butter in a pan. Add ginger-garlic-chili paste. Saute for few seconds. Add onion and saute until translucent. Now add cauliflower, carrots, french beans, and bell peppers. Saute for a minute. Add sweet corns, salt and spice mixture. Mix well.

3) Put vegetables in baking glass pan. Pour in white sauce as much as needed. Mix in some cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bread crumbs, evenly on top.

4) Increase the temperature to 400 F. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or cheese on top melts and turn slightly brown.



Serve with brown bread.



Tips:

1) You may use other vegetables of your choice.