HEART SHAPED BUTTER ROLLS

What was your favorite bakes on Valentine's Day? There were breakfast, bread, cookies, bars, cupcakes, tarts, pies and candy all over the places to celebrate this occasion. In this case. I've turned this butter rolls into heart shape using sweet bread dough. Used ready made red bean paste for the filling since this is special request from my son. Other stuffing such as chocolate spread, strawberry or even kaya (egg jam) works well too.  They are wonderful for everyday or for special holiday dinner. You can  make the dough ahead of time and bake the rolls just before the dinner is ready. It uses straight forward method,  easy to prepare and  add a special touch to any meal.

For shaping, roll out each ball into oval shape, spread the filling then fold into 2, again into quarter. With sharp knife, slit the center of  folded roll half way through, spread open to get heart shape. It was time consuming but had so much fun shaping them for the very first time. These are fantastic rolls,  light buttery taste and so soft.

HEART SHAPED BUTTER ROLLS
Yield   12 rolls

2 C all purpose flour
1/4 C warm water
4 T softened butter
1/2 T dry yeast
2 T dry milk
1 T sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C warm water
1 tsp sugar
red bean paste or other
filling of your choice

METHOD

*   Mix together  yeast, 1 tsp sugar and 1/4 cup of warm water in a bowl and for 10 minutes until frothy.

*   In a mixing bowl, put in  water, salt and yeast mixture, stir well. Add in dry milk, butter and 1 cup of flour, beat until smooth.

*   Add the remaining flour, forms into a dough.

*   Transfer onto floured board and knead for 10 minutes until elastic.

*   Keep in a covered and oiled bowl until double about 1-1 1/2 hours.

*   Gently punch out dough  and divide into 12 ball. Roll out into oval shape and stuff with filling, roll up the dough. shape into half of oval shape. Fold again into quarter. Using a sharp knife cut through the top portion and shape into a heart.

*   Repeat with the remaining dough.

*   Leave for 45 minutes. Heat the oven @ 180 C towards the end of raising time.

*   Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven, brush top with melted butter and transfer to rack to cool.

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PASTA PANCAKE

This is created out of the leftover we had from cooking fried spaghetti. Instead of dumping them in a freezer I thought why don't we created another easy dish we could enjoy.

If you are not spicy person, you can easily removed the chili powder and green chili used, just sprinkle a bit of pepper will do the trick. They were surprisingly, really good! Such a perfect meal, I'll be making them often. .

PASTA PANCAKE

1 C boiled spaghetti/macaroni
1 Onion chopped
1 Tomato chopped
1 tsp chili powder or to taste
3 green chili chopped
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
1/4 C corn flour
1/4 C gram flour
salt to taste
milk to mix
oil for frying
2 T coriander leaves chopped

METHOD

*   Place pasta, onion, tomato, green chili, ginger, garlic and a tablespoon oil in a mixing bowl.

*   Mix corn flour, gram flour, salt and chili powder with small amount of milk, stir until well combined.

*   Add corn flour mixture to the pasta, mix well and forms into thick batter. The consistency is same as regular pancake batter.

*   Heat 1 teaspoon of oil, pour 2-3  tablespoons of batter into flat pan, fry until both side turn golden brown. Drizzle more oil if required.

*   Complete with the rest of the batter.

*   Serve warm with tomato/chili sauce. 

FRUIT SLICES

At times fruit cake may taste awful especially the mass produced ones but a homemade version can be truly delicious. Generally fruit cake contains a mixture of fruit and nut. If there are certain fruits you don't like, you can always include more or another, some of your favorites.

This recipe makes  quite a moist cake which is not as heavy as a traditional fruit cake. The best part, it is incredibly easy to prepare. Besides sultana and dates, it can easily replaced with chocolate chips, dried apricot, cranberries, dried pineapple or even dried papaya. Feel free to pick and mix to create a cake that's perfect for your family.

FRUIT SLICES
Yield    One 7 in loaf

1 C self raising flour
1/2 C brown sugar
3/4 C hot milk
100g butter
3/4 C dates
3/4 C sultana
flaked almond
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

METHOD

*   Soften dates and butter in hot milk. Allow to cool. Preheat oven @ 170 C and grease 7in pan.

*   In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar and sultana. Pour in dates mixture and vanilla  into the dry ingredients. Mix well, pour into prepared pan.

*   Sprinkle almond over the top and gently press into the surface.

*   Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

*   Cool on pan 10 minutes, transfer on rack to cool.

*   Slice to serve.

PIZZA ROLLS

Everyone loves pizza. Have you tried  Pizza Rolls? These rolls taste exactly as regular pizza but the only difference is that it comes in rolls with a filling of your choice. They are practically great for parties, snack or lunch box.

Home made rolls give you the ability to choose what goes into them so no preservatives or mystery ingredients.  Pizza Rolls  also make a wonderful appetizer, perfect for parties or any occasion.

Mine is very spicy since my kids love them but you can omit the chili paste altogether if you're serving small kid. For filling you can opt for mushroom, bell pepper, olives, pineapple, pepperoni, ham just to name a few but for vegetarian version just minus the meat. These are best pizza roll ever!

MUTTON HARYANI

There are so many ways to cook mutton. Each and every Indian states has its own unique recipe to boot. The spices used play a vital factor to how it will taste.

Now I'm using mutton but can easily substituted with beef or lamb.  It is way more healthier since use of oil and coconut is kept to a minimum. Beside cooking on stove top, you can also use your pressure cooker, cook  up to 4-5 whistles. Adjust the spice level according to your taste. Have added a tablespoon of chili powder to the original recipe. Do you know the difference between lamb and mutton?

Lamb    :     A sheep than is less than a year old. Slaughtered between the ages of 4-12 months, very tender
                   and little fat

Mutton  :     Older sheep, has much stronger flavor, tougher meat, considerable amount of fat

Despite of the changes, this recipe is a keeper, won't feel bored to cook it again and again. Marvellous!