Fruity Bread Pizza - Fusion Dessert

 

            PIZZA is an universally favorite fast food. So now how about having it in a dessert form? Here is my version of a 'FRUITY BREAD PIZZA' that can be served as an after-meal dessert. There is a hidden dessert in it. The Bread pizza base is generously spread with SHRIKHAND (leftover Sweet Corn Shrikhand), topped with some colorful fruits and finally garnished with chopped nuts, dry rose petals and few saffron strands. 

        

          I tried to keep this amazing pizza, simple, healthy and appealing. Any other variety of fruits can be used. So this way I was able to use up the leftover shrikhand. 

 

          With very few basic ingredients you can create this amazing fusion pizza. So go ahead and create your own fusion style fruit pizza by checking out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this visual treat.

• 2 bread slices (white or brown), slightly toasted
• 1/3 cup leftover Shrikhand
• few strawberry slices
• few dragon fruit slices
• few blueberries
• 1-2 tsp. chopped nuts (almonds. pistachios, etc.)
• few dry rose petals
• few saffron strands

           To assemble the Pizza - Take the bread slices and generously spread the leftover shrikhand over it.

           Arrange the cut fruits accordingly in an attractive pattern.

           Top it up with chopped nuts, dried rose petals and few saffron strands.

           Serve as an after-meal dessert and enjoy at room temperature

To assemble the Pizza - Take the bread slices & generously spread the leftover shrikhand over it.

       Arrange the cut fruits accordingly in an attractive pattern.

 Top it up with chopped nuts, dried rose petals & few saffron strands.

                       Serve as an after-meal dessert.

                      And enjoy at room temperature.

Strawberry Rasam

          Rasam is an integral part of a South Indian Platter. It can be enjoyed as a soup or with rice. Both ways it just tastes awesome. Rasam is my personal favorite and I like experimenting. So today let me share a fruit based rasam made out of strawberries. It turned out surprisingly real yummy and lip smacking. 

          As the strawberries that I used were sour, the rasam came out real tangy just the way I like it. You may add some sugar / jaggery if preferred. So do give it a try and surprise your loved ones with this new fusion recipe. 

• 8-10 strawberries, pureed
• 2 cups water
• 1-2 tbsp. oil / ghee
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds 
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 tsp. salt or to taste
• 1 tbsp. rasam powder
• 1/2 tsp. red chili powder

          Heat oil / ghee in a pan and temper with mustard seeds. After it stops spluttering, add the asafoetida and curry leaves. Sauté for a few seconds. 

          Add the strawberry puree, water, salt, chili powder and rasam powder. Mix everything well and bring it to a boil.

          Simmer for 2-3 minutes on a low flame. Serve with hot steamed rice or as a soup / appetizer.

Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie

          Strawberry contains a lot of minerals, nutrients, vitamins, dietary fibre and antioxidants. So this small pretty fruit has a lot of health benefits for our body. On the other hand, yogurt aids in digestion, treats an upset stomach and has a cooling effect on our body, especially during summers. 

           So the combination of both these superfoods in the form of a smoothie does wonders and is worth a try. It is both low in calorie and fat. This yummy, creamy and delicious drink can be dished out in a ziffy and can be enjoyed for a nutritious and healthy breakfast or anytime of the day. 

• 3-4 strawberries
• 1 cup yoghurt
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar or to taste
• pinch of cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• sliced strawberry, mint leaf & chopped pistachios to garnish

          Blend together all the ingredients in a mixi jar and refrigerate for a couple of minutes. 

          Garnish with sliced strawberry, mint leaf and chopped pistachios. 

          Serve chilled in individual glasses.

Fruity Poha Delight

          Here is a nice healthy way to start your day. Enjoy this easy and simple to assemble - 'Fruity Poha Delight' first thing in the morning for some energy boost. It will also give you a much needed relief in checking your waistline. You can choose any of your favorite fruit to go with the brown poha and yoghurt mix. 

          The addition of a pinch of salt, cardamom powder and kewra water gives a balance and a lingering aroma to the end product. You can also serve this amazing concoction as an after meal dessert or as and when you desire.

• 1/2 cup poha / flattened rice
• 1 cup yoghurt
• pinch of salt
• 2-3 tbsp. sugar or to taste
• 1 tsp. kewra water
• pinch of cardamom powder
• 1 peach, chopped
• 1 plum chopped
• 1/2 cup strawberries, chopped
• 1/4 cup pomegranate pearls

          Wash the poha well (I used brown poha) and then soak it in water for 15 minutes or till it turns soft. Drain and add in the yoghurt and all other ingredients (except the fruits)

          Now take a glass and pour in 2-3 tbsp. of the the poha-yoghurt mix. Then arrange a layer of some of the chopped peach (or any other fruit of your choice).

          Layer few spoonful of the poha mix over it and again a layer of a different fruit and so on till you reach the top. 

           Garnish with some pomegranate pearls and relish as and when desired. Bon Appetit!!

Strawberry Pudding

          Yet another dessert option - this simple and yummy homemade strawberry pudding makes for a perfect summer treat. Made with fresh strawberries, evaporated milk and jelly crystals, they are extremely light and divine. Be sure to have them chilled. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 10-12 fresh strawberry, chopped
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 2 tbsp. sugar or to taste
• few drops of vanilla essence (opt)
• 1 & 1/2 tsp. gelatin
• 1 & 1/2 cups water
• 2 tbsp. strawberry jelly crystals + 1 tsp. sugar
• melted butter to grease
• sliced strawberries & mint sprig to garnish (opt)

          In a small bowl, mix together 3/4 cup hot water, sugar and the jelly crystals till it dissolves.  

         Transfer to a greased mould and freeze for just 15-20 minutes as I want it to blend slightly with the strawberry pudding .

         Meanwhile, blend the chopped strawberries into a puree. Then add in sugar and blend again. Transfer into a bowl and add the milk and vanilla essence. 

         Mix everything well and keep aside. Mix the gelatin in the remaining water and heat it on a medium flame till it dissolves. Keep aside to cool down.

         Mix the gelatin to the strawberry mix and pour this over the jelly that was sitting in the freezer. Chill for 4-5 hours or till it is set.

          While serving, run a knife along the edges of the mould and gently flip it over a serving dish. Garnish with sliced strawberry and a sprig of mint and serve.

                  Mix together 3/4 cup hot water, sugar & jelly crystals till it dissolves.  

                    Transfer to a greased mould & freeze for 15-20 minutes as I want it 
                    to blend slightly with the strawberry pudding .

                                 Meanwhile, blend chopped strawberries into a puree. 

                                 Then add in sugar & blend again. 

                                 Transfer into a bowl.

                                  Add milk & vanilla essence. Mix well

                      Mix gelatin in the remaining water & heat on a medium flame till it 
                      dissolves. Keep aside to cool down.

Mix gelatin liquid to strawberry mix & pour this over the jelly

                               that was sitting in the freezer. Chill for 4-5 hours or till it is set.

While serving, run a knife along the edges of the mould & gently flip it over

                  a serving dish. Garnish with sliced strawberry & a sprig of mint and serve.

Strawberry Lassi

          This is a delicious Strawberry Lassi with a twist. As I love creating something different to the same old traditional recipes, Here is my take - I added some crumbled store bought milk pedas to give a thick and creamy texture to the finished product. It turned out simply yummy with a slight hint and flavor coming from the cardamom powder and rose water.

• 1 & 1/2 cups yoghurt
• 1 cup strawberry puree (frozen or fresh)
• 2 pedas, crumbled
• sugar to taste
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1/2 cup water (opt)
• 1/2 cup milk 
• fresh strawberries and mint leaves to garnish (opt)

          Blend together all the above mentioned ingredients (except fresh strawberries and mint) to a smooth puree. 

          Pour into glasses and serve, garnished with fresh strawberries and mint.

Rustic Strawberry Brown Bread

          
          Here is yet another healthy version of a whole wheat flour bread with some pureed strawberry and flavoured with cardamom powder. It is a rustic kind of bread. Easy and simple to prepare, this delicious bread can be enjoyed with butter, jam, eggs or just the way you like it.

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp. active yeast
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1/3 cup lukewarm water
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1/3 cup strawberry puree (I used frozen ones)
• fresh strawberry to garnish (opt)

          In a small bowl, mix together yeast, sugar and lukewarm water. Mix well and cover. Keep aside for 10-15 minutes.

          In a separate bowl, mix together whole wheat flour, salt and cardamom powder. Make a well in the centre and add the oil, followed by the yeast mix and the strawberry puree.

          Combine everything with a spoon. Adjust the puree accordingly. My dough was very soft and loose.

          Set aside for 1-2 hours. Dust some flour and punch back the dough. Make into a round shape. Place on a baking tray lined with butter paper.

          Bake in a microwave oven for 25-30 minutes at 180 degrees C. Transfer to a wire rack and set  aside to cool down. Cut into slices and enjoy with jam, butter or just the way you like it.

                Mix yeast, sugar & lukewarm water. Mix & cover. Keep aside for 10-15 min.

                                After 10 minutes.

                         In a bowl, mix together whole wheat flour, salt & cardamom powder. 

                                 Make a well in the center & add oil, followed by..... 

                                 yeast mix.....

                               .....and strawberry puree.

                                 Mix everything with a spoon.  

                                  After 2 hours.

                        Dust some flour & punch back the dough. Make into a round shape.

                    Place on a baking tray lined with butter paper. Bake in a microwave oven
                    for 25-30 minutes at 180 degrees C. 

                           Cut into slices & enjoy with jam, butter or just the way you like it.