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Showing posts with label BACHELOR'S COOKING. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BACHELOR'S COOKING. Show all posts

August 16, 2017

White Sauce Pasta Recipe – Creamy Garlic Pasta In White Sauce - Indian Vegetarian

white sauce pasta recipe
White sauce pasta recipe with step by step pictures and video. My daughter loves penne pasta in creamy white sauce (bechamel sauce) than red sauce. So I made this Indian vegetarian, creamy garlic flavored white sauce pasta at home for our breakfast yesterday. Basic white sauce can be prepared with 3 major ingredients - butter, all purpose flour and milk. It makes the white sauce thick and rich without cream. Garlic and Oregano is used to give a nice Italian flavor. So never attempt this recipe without these ingredients. Original Italian white sauce pasta calls for using heavy cream instead of milk. But I used very simple and easily available ingredients in this recipe.


I referred the terrace kitchen YouTube video for this recipe. It came out really well. To make white sauce pasta more colorful and healthy, we can add vegetables like sweet corn, carrot, broccoli, mushroom etc. After trying this recipe, I learnt the knack of making white sauce without lumps. Yes, the secret is to add more butter and milk than maida. I have also used cheese slice to make the sauce more creamy. But adding cheese is optional. You can use it if your kids like it. Even though this dish is high in calories, its a tasty indulgence. You can make and enjoy it once in a while. If you want to make a low calorie version, you can use olive oil instead of butter and skip cheese.

Lets see how to make penne pasta in white sauce with step by step pictures and video.


Recently I got a herb grinder from FLINTSTOP online. You can find many useful and technologically advanced cool gadgets for the entire house. They also provide Corporate Gifting for different multinationals along with their company logo and customization as per the requirements. I used this herb grinder for garnishing pasta with oregano and dried basil. I loved this gadget. I am planning to use it in my South Indian cooking as well. You can find the picture of the herb grinder below.

Do check out my Indian style masala penne pasta, tomato spaghetti and garlic spaghetti recipe.

creamy white sauce pasta recipe



White sauce pasta recipe – Pasta in white sauce

white sauce pasta recipe

How to make creamy white sauce pasta

Indian
dinner
3

Ingredients (1 cup - 240ml)

  • Penne pasta - 1.5 cups
  • Butter - 4 tbsp
  • Boiled milk - 2 cups
  • Maida/All purpose flour - 2 tbsp
  • Cheese slice - 3 nos
  • Garlic - 5 cloves(finely chopped)
  • Capsicum - 1/4 no (finely chopped)
  • Chilli flakes - 1.5 tsp
  • Pepper powder - 1.5 tsp
  • Oregano - 1/2 tsp
  • Salt - as needed
  • Water - 6 cups

How to make white sauce pasta

  1. Boil 6 cups water. Add 1 tsp cooking oil and salt.
  2. When the water roll boil, add the pasta. Stir well.
  3. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes in medium high flame.
  4. Heat 1 tbsp butter in a kadai. Saute garlic and capsicum adding chilli flakes, pepper powder and salt. Collect in a plate.
  5. Heat 3 tbsp butter and add maida. Roast well till raw smell goes off.
  6. Add milk gradually and stir using a whisk.
  7. Add sauteed vegetables, chilli flakes, pepper powder, salt, sauteed capscium. Mix well.
  8. Lastly add cooked pasta, cheese slices, Mix till cheese melts. Sprinkle oregano serve !.

White sauce pasta recipe - Step by step photo

  • In a wide bowl, boil 6 cups of water. Add cooking oil and salt. Chop the garlic and capsicum finely.
    White sauce pasta recipe
    White sauce pasta recipe
  • When the water starts to roll boil, simmer the flame and add the penne pasta. Stir well else it may stick to the bottom of bowl. Boil for 10 minutes stirring now and then. Cook al dente. Cover the bowl partially and cook for last 5 minutes. I do this to cook the pasta soft. Take one, break it and check for doneness.
    White sauce pasta recipe
  • Drain the cooked pasta in a colander, set aside. Wash with cold water and drain the water completely. 
    White sauce pasta recipe
  • Heat 1 tbsp butter in a kadai and saute the finely chopped garlic till golden. Add capsicum, frozen sweet corn and saute for a minute. It should remain crunchy in taste. Remove in a plate.
  • In the same kadai, heat 3 tbsp butter. Add 2 tbsp maida and roast till its raw smell goes off. Lower the flame. Add milk in one hand while stirring with a whisk in other hand. This helps to avoid lump formation. So keep stirring with a whisk while you add the milk. Mix till there are no lumps.
    White sauce pasta recipe
  • Add  sauteed vegetables, red chilli flakes, pepper powder and some salt. Let the sauce boil till thick. Lastly add the cooked pasta, mix well. Tear the cheese slice into small pieces. Add to the boiling sauce. Mix till it melts.  Garnish with oregano, basil and other spices if you like. Remove and serve hot.
    White sauce pasta recipe

Notes

  • Adding oil in the water helps to cook the pasta non-sticky.
  • I like my pasta to be soft. So I cover & cook it for 5 minutes. But usually people won't do that.
  • Adding cheese is optional. But it makes the white sauce more creamy.
  • You can replace cheese slice with cheese cubes or grated cheese. Mozzarella or even cheddar cheese is fine.

Try this easy, yummy kids friendly white sauce pasta recipe at home and enjoy !
garlic pasta in white sauce
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July 13, 2017

Avarakkai Poriyal With Groundnut – Broad Beans Poriyal With Peanuts

avarakkai poriyal recipe

Avarakkai poriyal recipe (Broad beans curry for rice) is one of the easy South Indian poriyal recipes(stir fry) which I make very often in my kitchen. In tamil nadu, people make this avarakkai curry in different ways. I prepare broad beans poriyal with coconut directly in a pressure cooker just like my carrot beans stir fry. Its so easy to make and saves lot of time than stir frying it.

Actually there are two varieties of broad beans available in the market. In Tamil, we call it as patta avarakkai (broad ones) & sanna avarakkai( thin ones). You can find patta avarai very commonly in Tamil nadu. In Bangalore, I get only the thin variety near my house. But this poriyal suits for both. I learnt this recipe from my MIL. She usually make this poriyal with thick broad beans. 

Once I saw my friend Megha adding peanut powder to this poriyal instead of coconut. She told its of Andhra style. So I too make this way sometimes as Sendhil loves to have peanut powder in broad beans curry. If you want to make this avarakkai poriyal without coconut, you can either add onions or peanut powder at the end as specified in this recipe. In this poriyal recipe, I used little coconut just for attraction.

Otherwise I don’t add it. This poriyal tastes the best with sambar rice. I served with Radish/Mullangi sambar and microwave roasted sago vadam. It was yummy ! Actually I was planning to make a post on sweet recipe or murukku today but I couldn’t do it as I am unwell. So I am posting this poriyal recipe which I scheduled for this weekend. I will try to share the sweet recipe tomorrow. Ok, Lets see how to make South Indian style broad beans poriyal with step by step photos.
Broad beans stir fry/ broad beans poriyal

Avarakkai poriyal / Broad beans poriyal / Broad beans curry recipe


Avarakkai poriyal / Broad beans poriyal /  Broad beans curry recipe

Avarakkai poriyal / Broad beans poriyal / Broad beans curry recipe - South Indian style stir fry recipe for rice


Cuisine: South Indian
Category: Side
Serves: 3
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 25 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

1 cup - 250ml
  • Broad beans / Avarakkai - 25 nos (Chopped)
  • Moong dal - 1 tbsp
  • Sambar powder - 1 tsp
  • Salt - as needed
  • Water - 1/2 cup
  • Roasted peanut powder - 1.5 tbsp or Grated coconut – 1/4 cup

  • To Temper

  • Cooking oil - 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
  • Curry leaves - Few

HOW TO MAKE BROAD BEANS PORIYAL

  1. Wash and chop broad beans thinly.
  2. In a cooker base, heat oil. Temper it.
  3. Add chopped avarakkai, saute for a minute.
  4. Add sambar powder, moong dal, salt and 1/2 cup water.
  5. Pressure cook in high flame for 2 whistles.
  6. Boil & drain if excess water else add roasted peanut powder. Mix well and cook for a minute. Serve with rice.

AVARAKKAI PORIYAL RECIPE WITH STEP BY STEP PHOTOS

  • Wash and chop the broad beans thinly. If you are adding peanut powder, roast 1 tbsp peanuts in a microwave for 3 minutes in high power or dry roast in a kadai. Powder it with skin and set aside.
    avarakkai poriyal recipe
  • In a cooker base, heat oil and splutter mustard seeds, urad dal and cumin seeds.After it splutters, add curry leaves and chopped broad beans. Saute till it turns dark green in color. Keep the flame medium.
    avarakkai poriyal recipe
  • Add turmeric powder, sambar powder, moong dal and salt. Add 1/2 cup water and mix well. Pressure cook in high flame for 2 whistles or till broad beans become soft.

  • Open the cooker after the steam is released. Mix well and check if there is excess water as shown in the picture below. If its there, cook in high flame for 2 minutes till all the water drains out.
    avarakkai poriyal recipe
  • Reduce the flame low to medium when the poriyal is becoming dry else it may burn at the bottom. Lastly add the grated coconut or peanut powder. Mix well and serve with sambar rice.
    avarakkai poriyal recipe
  • Enjoy !


Note

  • Adjust the quantity of sambar powder as per your taste.
  • You can use red chilli powder instead of sambar powder. My mom does this way.
  • You can also saute finely chopped onions after tempering. In that case, you don’t have to use coconut.


Try this easy, healthy, yummy avarakkai poriyal/ Broad beans curry for rice !

You will like it . I used grated coconut just for garnishing. 
broad beans poriyal
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July 10, 2017

Raw Banana Curry – Andhra Style Plantain Curry – Aratikaya Kura

I tried Andhra style raw banana curry/ Plantain curry (Aratikaya kura in Telugu) as side dish for rice for the first time. Being a South Indian, Poriyal / Dry curry is a must in our daily lunch menu. As I got bored of my Tamil nadu style vazhakkai poriyal, I wanted to try something different with raw banana. I found this curry recipe very simple and easy.This aratikaya koora has no masala or coconut, still it tasted great with rice. We loved it very much. Its taste reminded our vazhakkai podimas to me.


Andhra plantain curry

I tried this recipe referring Swasthi's recipes Cooking from heart blogs.In South India, people make raw banana curry in different ways. Kerala style raw banana thoran and Tamil nadu’s Vazhakkai poriyal tastes great in its own ways.I am happy that I learnt this Andhra style raw banana curry.Soon I must try Kerala style thoran too. This recipe would be suitable for bachelors and working women as it has no grinding job. Friends, do try this plantain curry. I am sure you will love its taste and easy to cook steps. Lets see how to make Andhra style raw banana curry recipe with step by step photos.

Do check out my Tamil nadu style vazhakkai poriyal with fresh masala

Chettinad Vazhakkai curry




Aratikaya kura - Andhra plantain curry

Andhra Raw Banana Curry / Plantain Curry / Aratikaya Kura

Andhra raw banana curry / Aratikaya kura

How to make Andhra style Raw Banana curry / Aratikaya kura

South Indian
Side
2


Ingredients  (1 cup = 250ml)

  • Raw banana – 1 no
  • Big onion - 1 no (Finely chopped)
  • Green chilli - 1 no (slit)
  • Ginger - 1/2 inch piece
  • Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Salt & water - as needed
  • To Temper

  • Cooking oil – 1.5 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
  • Chana dal - 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds/ Jeera - 1/2 tsp
  • Curry leaves - few

How to make Raw Banana Curry

  1. Cook raw banana with skin in 3 cups of water till soft.
  2. Prick a toothpick and check if its done.Peel the skin, chop into cubes.
  3. In a kadai, heat oil. Temper all the ingredients.
  4. Saute onion, green chilli, ginger till transparent.
  5. Add turmeric powder, salt and raw banana pieces. Mash few banana pieces and cook for 2 minutes. Serve with rice.

Andhra raw banana curry / Plantain curry (Aratikaya kura) - Step by step pictures

  • Wash and cut the banana into two or three. Cook with skin in 3 cups of water. Cover cook for 8 to 10 minutes till banana becomes soft. Prick with a knife or toothpick and check if its done. Make sure you do not over cook the banana.You can also pressure cook it in high flame for 2 whistles.
    Andhra raw banana curry recipe - aratikaya kura
  • Remove & keep the cooked banana in cold/plain water for 2 minutes. It helps to keep it firm yet soft. Peel the skin and chop into cubes.
    Andhra raw banana curry recipe - aratikaya kura
  • Finely chop the onions,ginger. Slit the green chillies and curry leaves. Heat oil in a kadai and temper mustard seeds, urad dal, chana dal and cumin seeds.
    Andhra style raw banana curry - aratikaya kura
  • Saute onion,curry leaves, green chilli and ginger pieces till onion becomes transparent.Add turmeric powder, salt and raw banana cubes.Mix well.
    Andhra raw banana curry recipe - aratikaya kura
  • Mash few banana pieces and cook for 2 minutes in low flame. Switch off the flame, sprinkle lemon juice and garnish with coriander leaves if desired.I did not add it.Remove and serve with rice.

Note:

Adjust the quantity of chillies as per your spice level.
Do not over cook the banana. Check with a toothpick whenever needed.



Enjoy this easy, yummy Andhra style vazhakkai curry at home ! You will love it for sure.I served it with thick Karuveppilai kuzhambu :)
Andhra style raw banana curry

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June 29, 2017

Palak Chapathi – Spinach Chapati – Pasalai Keerai Chapathi Recipe

Palak chapathi (Spinach chapati, Pasalai keerai chapathi in Tamil) is an easy, healthy paratha recipe that can be served with onion raitha or boondi raita and pickle as the side dish.
Palak chapati recipe

I make this easy palak chapathi for our dinner usually. I followed my soft chapati recipe and added masala powders to make this spinach chapathi flavorful and soft. Curd & oil is the major ingredient that helps to make it soft. You can roll it thin or thick and pack it for lunch box if you like. You should eat it hot to enjoy its best taste. For variations, you can add finely chopped palak leaves and add it to make the job easier. Lets see how to make easy palak chapati with step by step photos !
Spinach chapathi

Palak Chapati / spinach chapathi recipe


Palak Chapati / spinach chapathi recipe Easy , healthy palak chapathi / Spinach chapathi recipe with step by step photos - Easy, instant dinner recipes
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Dinner Recipes
Serves: Serves 14 nos
Prep time: 30 Minutes
Cook time: 5 Minutes
Total time: 35 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

1 cup - 250ml
  • Wheat flour / atta - 2 cups
  • Palak leaves - 2 cups
  • Ginger - 1 inch piece
  • Green chilli - 1 no
  • Curd - 1 tbsp
  • Cooking oil - 1 tbsp
  • Ajwain/ Carom seeds OR cumin seeds - 1 tsp
  • Garam masala powder - 1 tsp
  • Salt & water - as needed

METHOD

  1. Wash and clean the palak leaves. Grind the leaves, green chilli and ginger to a smooth paste adding required water. Set aside.
    Palak chapati/ spinach chapathi
  2. In a wide plate or bowl, take the whole wheat flour, ajwain, ground palak, curd, cooking oil, salt, garam masala powder and mix well.
    palak chapati recipe
  3. Add little water only if needed. Make a smooth dough.Knead for 5 minutes. Grease with oil. Cover & rest for 30 minutes.
    palak chapati recipe
  4. After 30 minutes, make ball sized dough and dust in wheat flour.Roll it thin or thick as you like. I rolled it medium thick.
    palak chapati recipe
    palak chapati recipe
  5. Heat a dosa pan. Put the chapati and cook in low to medium flame. When bubbles start to appear, flip the chapati and cook the other side. Apply oil on both the sides by flipping the chapathi.
    palak chapati recipe
  6. Remove and serve hot with onion raita or boondi raita.
    Enjoy !
Note

  • Adjust the quantity of masala powder as per your taste.
  • For variations, you can add finely chopped palak leaves, grated ginger & green chilli instead of grinding them.
  • You can use cumin seeds instead of ajwain.


Easy, healthy palak chapathi is ready to relish with boondi raita & pickle.
Palak chapathi recipe
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June 27, 2017

Cauliflower Poriyal Recipe | South Indian Style Gobi Poriyal For Rice

cauliflower poriyal
Cauliflower poriyal /South Indian Gobi fry is a tasty side dish for rice. When I was young, my mom used to make a spicy cauliflower poriyal recipe (In Tamil nadu style) with mild masala flavor for rasam rice as my dad likes that way. Sometimes she adds boiled peas to make it colorful and healthy.

I had already shared my mom’s all-rounder cauliflower gravy for chapathi, rice, idli, dosa So today I thought of sharing my mom’s, South Indian style cauliflower dry curry recipe with you all.  You can make it less spicy if making for kids. Even bachelors can try this recipe as its easy to make & no grinding job as well. It tastes the best with sambar rice and rasam rice. Lets see how to make Tamil nadu style cauliflower poriyal with step by step photos !

cauliflower poriyal


Cauliflower Poriyal Recipe / South Indian Gobi Poriyal Recipe


Cauliflower Poriyal Recipe / South Indian Gobi Poriyal Recipe Cauliflower Poriyal - side dish for sambar & rasam rice
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Poriyal
Serves: 3
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 25 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

1 cup - 250ml
  • Cauliflower florets - 20 nos
  • Water - to parboil cauliflower
  • Salt - as needed
  • Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
To temper
  • Cooking oil - 2 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
  • Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Big onion - 1 no ( finely chopped)
  • Ginger-garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
  • Curry leaves - Few
  • Tomato – 1 no
  • Red chilli powder - 1 tsp ( use 1/2 tsp for less spicy taste)
  • Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Salt - as needed
  • Coriander leaves - as needed
  • Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp ( optional, I din't add)

HOW TO MAKE CAULIFLOWER PORIYAL
  1. Take the cauliflower, remove the florets. If the florets are big, chop and make it small. Boil 5 cups of water adding turmeric powder & little salt. When the water starts to roll boil, switch off the flame. Add the cauliflower florets and rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Drain the excess water and collect the parboiled cauliflower. Set aside.
    South Indian cauliflower poriyal
  2. Heat oil in a kadai and splutter mustard seeds, urad dal and cumin seeds. Add finely chopped onion, ginger-garlic paste, curry leaves. Saute till raw smell goes off.
  3. Add chopped tomato & saute until mushy (It is not shown in the picture) Add turmeric powder, salt & red chilli powder. Mix well for a minute.
  4. Lastly add the parboiled cauliflower florets, 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water. Mix well & simmer the flame. Cover cook for 5 to 10 minutes till cauliflower becomes soft & well cooked. Check for taste, add more salt & chilli powder if needed.
    South Indian cauliflower poriyal
  5. Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves. Serve with rice, sambar or rasam.
    South Indian cauliflower poriyal
Enjoy ! 



Note

  • Adjust the quantity of chilli powder as per your taste.
  • You can add garam masala powder along with chilli powder for more masala flavor. You can also have this curry with chapathi if you like.
  • Tomato gives mild tanginess to the poriyal. So don’t skip it.  If you don’t have tomato, you can add lemon juice after switching off the flame.


Try this easy, yummy cauliflower poriyal for rice and enjoy !
South Indian gobi poriyal
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June 15, 2017

Bread Pizza Recipe On Tawa,Oven, Microwave With Video

Bread pizza recipe on tawa, oven, microwave(with video)
Vegetable Bread Pizza is an easy and quick breakfast and snack recipes for kids.It tastes good with or without cheese.Actually Bread pizza can be made in 3 ways.It can be made without oven ie. in dosa tawa ( Stove top) or it can be baked in convection oven or microwave if you have at home. All are easy to make and tastes good in its own way.Its a great idea to use the leftover bread slices. I feel tawa and microwave options are easier as it takes less time to cook than baking in convection oven. But we should do it carefully as the chances of burning is more.This morning I prepared bread pizza recipe on stove top, oven and microwave just to make this post. I have shared all of the 3 methods below with a short video. Choose & try whichever is convenient to youHappy. I have used store bought pizza sauce and pizza seasoning/ spice mix. You can make it  just by using tomato ketchup & pepper powder. To make a pucca Indian version, sprinkle some garam masala powder or tandoori masala powder, marinated paneer cubes if you have in hand. You can top with lots of cheese for kids & without cheese if making for you & your husband ( If you are calorie conscious)Winking.Adding grated mozzarella cheese is just for attracting kids because taste of this pizza comes from the sauce, mixed vegetables and spice mix.Just play around with your favorite veg and non-veg toppings and enjoy it. Now lets see how to make this easy and simple recipe for vegetable bread pizza without oven( on tawa), microwave and convection methods with step by step photos and video.

Bread pizza on tawa

How to make bread pizza on tawa, oven and microwave


How to make bread pizza on tawa, oven and microwave Easy, yummy, kids friendly bread pizza recipe on tawa/stove top, convection oven and microwave methods
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Kids Recipes Indian
Serves: 5
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Total time: 20 Minutes


Ingredients

1 cup - 250ml
  • Bread slices - 5 nos
  • Grated Cheese - 1/2 cup to 1 cup ( I used Amul Mozzarella cheese)
  • Capsicum - 1 no ( finely chopped)
  • Big onion - 1 no ( finely chopped)
  • Ripe tomato - 1 no ( finely chopped)
  • Black Olives - 5 nos ( sliced)
  • Boiled Sweet corn - 1/4 cup ( optional)
  • Pizza sauce or paste sauce or schezwan chutney - as needed ( I used pizza sauce around 3-4 tbsp)
  • Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Salt - a pinch
  • Chilli flakes - 1 tsp ( optional)
  • Oregano mix or pizza seasoning mix - 1 tsp

  • Butter - to grease the tawa & bread

Method

  1. To make bread pizza, wash and chop all the vegetables finely. Grate the cheese and keep aside.Take a bread slice and apply butter on both the sides.Keep in a plate.
    Bread pizza recipe without oven
  2. In a wide bowl, mix all the finely chopped vegetables, pepper powder, salt and pizza seasoning mix.Keep it ready.
    Take the bread slice and apply the pizza sauce on one side.Spread the mixed vegetables. Top with grated cheese. You can either cook them on tawa/pan, microwave or bake in convection oven.
    Bread pizza recipe without oven
  3. Bread pizza in tawa : Heat a dosa tawa and apply some butter. Keep the loaded bread slice.Cover cook in very low flame for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese melts.Remove in a plate and serve hot. Cover cook is very important. If you don’t cover cook, cheese won’t melt and bottom of bread slice may burn.
    Bread pizza on tawa / Bread pizza without oven
  4. Bread pizza in microwave : Place the bread slice in microwave and cook in high power( mine is 800w) for 1 minute or until cheese melts.If the power is less, it may take 1.5 to 2 minutes. If power is more, it can be done under 1 minute.So keep an eye.
    Bread pizza in microwave
    Bread pizza without oven
  5. Bread pizza in convection oven : Preheat convection oven in 180c. Keep the bread pizza in a baking tray. Bake it for 5 minutes at 180c. Cheese melts and the sides of bread slice turns slightly crispy. Remove and enjoy !
    Bread pizza baked in oven


Note

  • The quantity of chilli flakes, pizza mix and pepper powder depends on our taste.
  • You can add any number of toppings like paneer, mushroom, jalapeno, sweet corn etc..
  • Do not cook the pizza on open tawa, it takes long time for the cheese to melt.
  • Microwave bread pizza takes very less time to cook.If you keep for more time, pizza would burn.
Enjoy this easy, yummy bread pizza at home ! Kids would love it for sure !!
Bread pizza in oven


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