Baguette Bites

Last few days were BUSY, super BUSY :D I know you must be thinking I sound crazy because each household is always busy, but believe me they were busy. With my daughter's 8th birthday, I was busy baking her cake and then planning where to take her for day out.

Sunday evenings are already very lazy and being on Friday and Saturday made it super Lazy. We went to ZSL London, where we walked almost 6 miles and shatter by the end of the day. So Sunday was like not wanting to get up from the bed.

Kids do not care about how tired you are, they need exciting and attractive food. Breakfast was a late affair this morning and I wanted to make something not so time and energy taking. Anyways I donot have much energy left.

There was half baguette, some cheese and some assorted veggies left in the fridge, so made these little bites for breakfast along with some Uttapams. Everyone enjoyed and satisfied their Tummy. Now everyone is off to the Park and I'm gonna catchup with my sleep.

We loved these bites and I'm sure you will too, as they are simple to make and light to your tummy as well. Don't forget to comment below Until next time.......Happy Cooking Friends, Saumya

Ingredients:

Baguette slices                               - 6 (I used Chili and Onion Baguette)
Grated Cheese                                - 1/4 cup
Pizza Sauce                                    - 2 tblspoon
Onion                                             - 1 small finely diced
Olives                                             - 2 tblspoon
Sweetcorn                                       - 2 tblspoon
Mushroom                                      - 3 big finely diced
Oregano                                          - 1/2 tspoon
Chili Flakes                                    - 1 tspoon (optional)
Salt                                                 - to taste (optional)
Butter                                             - 1 tblspoon

Method:

Preheat the oven on 200c.
Take 6 slices of any flavoured Baguette. Plain can also do, but flavoured add a twist to the taste.
Cut them to half. Roll each half of them with a rolling pin. Place all 12 rolled pieces in a 12 muffin pan.

Rub a little butter on each rolled slice.

In a bowl, Mix Pizza Sauce, Mushroom, Sweetcorn, Onion, Olives, Oregano, Salt, and Chili Flakes.

Spoon this mix on each slices, equally.

Sprinkle few strands of cheese on each slice.

Bake the slices on 200c for 10 minutes or until the cheese starts to turn golden. Take it out and let them cool in the tray as they will get Brown while cooling in the Pan.

Baguette Bites are ready to serve.
Serve them Warm with choice of dips and drinks in a Tea-Party or as a starter in a get-Together.
My Family had them on evening tea and they absolutely love these bites.

Sweet Corn / Makai Pulao

Ingredients:

Basmati rice         -2 cups
Sweet Corn, Frozen -1 cup
Mint leaves         -5
Coriander leaves -2 tblsp
Salt                          -To taste
Garlic                 -2 cloves
Ginger                 -1/2 tspoon very finely chopped or grated
Black Pepper            -4 whole
Cinnamon         -1 small stick
Cloves                 -2
Bay leave                 -1
Black Cardamom     -1
Mace                        -very small piece
Star Anise               -very small piece
Turmeric                 -1/2 tspoon
Coriander powder   -1/2 tspoon
Oil/ghee                 -2 tblsp
Water                 -2 cups



Method:

I always use frozen corn to cook corn pulao.
If you prefer to use the fresh sweet corn, first separate the kernels. Wash and keep aside. Wash and soak the rice for at least 15-20 mins.
Heat a heavy bottom vessel with oil into it. Now add bay leaves, black peppers, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom, mace, star anise. Stir them for 2-3 minutes, when they start to leave their aroma, add ginger and garlic fry for 2 minutes in medium flame and let the raw smell go away.Now add Turmeric and coriander powder, mix well.
Add the corn kernels and fry for another 3-4 minutes in medium flame. Add little salt for the corn.
Now add salt, mint leaves, coriander leaves and rice. When it starts boiling, check for salt and reduce the flame to lowest possible and cook for 12-15 minutes and switch the flame off. Now cover it and keep off from the heated burner to avoid over cooking.
You corn pulao is ready. My Kids love to eat it as they love sweet corn. You can serve it with any Sabzi, just Yogurt or Raita.

Note: If you do not prefer basmati rice, you can use your regular grain rice, only adjust the quantity of water to cook the rice.
If you are using pressure cooker, just go until one whistle and switch off the flame.