I like having people over announce and unannounced. And when people come over I do like to make sure that there is something decent that is served to them. Now there are times when you have really nothing much to work with and have people over. I have a few things that I whip up in situations like these. They are easy to do, most use things that either you have at home or can get someone to go and pick it up from your neighborhood shop ( I mean like the ones in Bangladesh not necessarily abroad where you sometimes have to drive for 45 minutes to get to a store!). These are life savers and your guests will never guess how little effort went into make these delectable offerings!
Super Quick Pakoras
Serves 4
Plain Flour - 4 heaped tablespoons
Cilantro/Spring Onion - Finely chopped 1 1/2 tablespoon
Onion - Finely sliced or diced 1 (medium sized one)
Green Chili - Finely chopped 1 (more or less according to how hot you want it to be)
Baking powder - 1 1/2 teaspoon
Garam masala powder (optional) - 1/2 teaspoon
Egg - 1 (medium size) beaten lightly
Salt - to taste
Oil - for deep frying
1. Mix all the ingredients together until you get a nice batter of dropping consistency. If the batter is too thick add 1 teaspoon of water until you get the desired consistency.
2. Drop teaspoonful of the batter in hot oil and deep fry till the turn golden.
3. Serve hot with Tomato or chili sauce. Great with tea and peppered with a good conversation. You can also add finely diced (whiz them in a food processor or grate them) vegetable into the batter if you have some handy.
Enjoy!!!!
Bread Pizza
Serves 4
Bread slices (preferably sandwich bread) - 4 slices
Ready Made Pasta sauce - 3 tablespoon
Grated cheese - 3 tablespoon
Sliced topping - Capsicum (bell peppers - green/yellow/red, mushroom, onion, artichoke, olive, cooked chicken/beef etc.)
Oregano - Dried 1/2 teaspoon
Olive oil - 2 teaspoon
1. Heat oven to 300 degree F. You can also use a toaster oven for this.
2. Toast the bread slices until the top is a bit crisp but not yet browned
3. Drizzle olive oil on top of each toast, spread some of the pasta sauce, arrange the toppings and sprinkle with some of the grated cheese and oregano.
4. Toast/bake the bread slices until the cheese is slightly browned and bubbly.
5. Serve immediately. I found kids especially like this. They make great snacks for kids parties as well.
Enjoy!!!
Note: You can use any kind of topping you want. I have used canned tuna, even chicken/beef pieces from curry. Simple rinse the meat pieces with some water dry and then shred them before using. It is a great way to use leftover stuff in the fridge!
If you don't have any ready made pasta sauce, heat a tiny bit of oil, add 1/2 teaspoon garlic, 1/2 teaspoon oregano and either tomato ketchup or tomato paste, cook for 1 minute.
Cookie Sundae
Serves 4
Ice Cream- 4 to 8 scoops (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, caramel, mocha etc.)
Chocolate Syrup - 4 to 8 tablespoon
Chocolate biscuit/cookies - 8 roughly crushed
Sugar Sprinkler (optional)
Chopped nuts such as peanuts, pecan, walnut, almond etc. (optional)
Wafer - 4
1. In each Sundae glass, spoon 1/8 of the crushed biscuit. Top it with 1 teaspoon chocolate syrup and sprinkle with 1/8 the chopped nuts (if using). Repeat the process again.
2. Top the layers with one to two scoops of ice cream.
3. Pour the remaining chocolate sauce on top and sprinkle with nuts and sugar sprinkler.
4. Stick a chocolate wafer on one side of the ice cream scoop. You can top it with a cherry if you have one handy. Serve Immediately
Enjoy!!!
Note: If you don't have any chocolate syrup, break some chocolate pieces, add a knob of butter, stick it in the microwave at defrost setting. Time to time take it out and stir the mixture until the chocolate is melted and you get a nice thick creamy chocolate syrup. To thin it out you can add a bit more butter.
You can replace the crushed cookies with chopped fresh or canned fruits or even add one layer of cookies and on layer of fruits.
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