Cinnamon Roll Bun

A must try recipe for those with a sweet tooth.This can be eaten at breakfast or tea time.I have introduced two additional ingredients : jaggery and cardamom to the traditional cinnamon roll bun recipe .The combination of cinnamon , cardamom and jaggery does wonders for your tastebuds.And the sweet aroma of these yummy delights will make you ask for more.Best when eaten warm  alongside a cup of tea

The rich flavours of jaggery,cinnamon and cardamon

For the dough 
ingredients.

4 cups all-purpose flour
 1 tablespoon active yeast
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoon milk powder
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup raisins

Method for making dough

In a large bowl combine the flour, yeast, milk powder,sugar ,salt,  melted butter and the warm water and stir well to combine.knead it well with an electric mixer.When the dough has pulled together, scoop it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic,
Slightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and  cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size about 1 & 1/2 hours.

 Preparing the baking tray ( line the tray with aluminium foil for easy cleaning)

For the base
(Ingredients)
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup jaggery ( scrapped and melted in the microwave ( 30 secs)
2 tablespoons  cinnamon powder
1 tablespoon cardamom powder


In a pan, melt 3/4 cup butter in medium heat. Turn off heat. Stir in 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup melted jaggery ,cardamom powder,cinnamon powder whisking until smooth  Pour it evenly  into greased 9x13 inch baking tray. Set aside.

The baking tray lined with aluminium foil and the jaggery- cinnamon mixture

For the cinnamon roll filling.
(Ingredients)
3/4 cup brown sugar
 2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon cardamon powder
1/4 cup melted butter
Method for the filling-
Melt butter; set aside. Combine 3/4 cup brown sugar,, and mix cinnamon/cardamon powder and  set aside.

Preparation for baking

 Gently deflate the dough ( remember?? Which was kept to rise in a warm place ) and onto a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough  into an 18x14 inch rectangle.
(Herein  make use of the cinnamon roll  filling ingredients )
Brush the rolled out  dough with 2 tablespoons melted butter, press the raisins firmly on the dough. sprinkle with brown sugar ,cinnamon and cardamon powder. Tightly roll up the dough, pinching seam to seal. Brush with remaining 2 tablespoons butter.Cut the roll into 15 pieces; and arrange the pieces in the prepared baking tray. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in volume.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Bake in preheated oven for 25  minutes, until golden brown. Invert into a serving dish  whilst still warm.  

   

Press the Raisins firmly into the rolled out dough

Brush with butter and sprinkle with sugar,cinnamon and cardamom

Roll the dough

The cinnamon rolls kept in warm place to double in size

Just out of the oven

Invert the baking tray onto a serving platter 

Indulge in the most delicious and goey buns

Spicy Gotukola Porridge

This is a herbal porridge eaten during breakfast.This is usually made without any spice and eaten plain or with a piece of jaggery.I made my own twist to this divine porridge by adding up some spice.This porridge is commonly known as Kola Kenda. This also could be made with a mixture of leafy greens.Kola kenda is known to boost the immune system.

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked red rice

1 cup Gotu Kola (centella leaves)

1 ½ cups  thick  coconut milk

3  cups Water

1 Teaspoon  chopped ginger

1 pod  chopped garlic

½ juice of  Lemon

Salt to taste

½  teaspoon chilly flake

¼ teaspoon fenugreek ( methi) seeds

Method

Wash Rice.Add  garlic,ginger,fenugreek seeds,chilly flakes and salt and boil with 2 cups of water.

Blend gotu kola leaves  using 1 cup of water ( strain the juice  and keep aside)

When the Rice is cooked,stir in the  coconut milk and  the gotukola juice and bring it to a boil.

Season with  lemon juice.

* Once the porridge cooled I   pureed  the  porridge in a blender. 

Savoury Chicken Buns

This is an easy to make recipe.I have used chicken to stuff the buns but a meat of your choice or even  fish too could be used in the filling.You could also make the filling a day ahead and refrigerate.I know there's plenty of smiles in my home when  the aroma  of freshly  baked buns wafts through my kitchen door.

Ingredients for the buns

3 cups all purpose flour 2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast 2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoon sugar 1 tablespoon powder milk  3 tablespoon oil  1 ½ cups lukewarm water

Method -In a large bowl mix all the dry ingredients and then add the oil and water ( use the water little by little till you get the correct consistency) and knead it to a soft dough.It should feel smooth and elastic to the touch.If its too wet add a little flour and knead again.Grease another bowl and place the dough in it covering with cling film or cloth and leave it to activate in a warm place.When it doubles the size in 1-2 hours,Divide the dough into golf size balls .Flatten out each ball into a small tortilla/chapatti.Place approximately 1 and  ½  tablespoons of filling in one end ( edge ) of the tortilla/chapatti Roll over once, tuck in the sides, and then continue rolling. Seal the top.Leave to rise again for 15 minutes. Glaze the buns with egg yolks Then bake it in a pre heated oven at 350F for approximately 25 minutes

You can make a dozen or more  buns

For the filling ..

250 grams boiled chicken (shredded )

1  large potato boiled and mashed

1 onion chopped

1 tomato chopped

2-3  cloves of garlic,/ a piece of ginger

2 green chillies chopped

*½  tsp back pepper powder,

*1 tsp curry powder

*¼  tsp cumminpowder

(* you can adjust the spices according to your preference)

2 tablespoon oil

A few coriander leaves chopped

A little  lemon juice to taste

salt to taste

Method -Heat 2 tablespoon of oil in a pan and sauté the onions till light brown.Ad garlic/ginger green chillies and the spices and cook for few minutes. Add the chopped tomato.Cook till soft.Next stir in the shredded chicken and mix it well ( break the shredded chicken as you mix).Add salt according to take.Once cooled.Mix the mashed potato and the coriander leaves. (the filling has to be dry)

Favourite Sandwiches

Each day for breakfast , I prepare sandwiches  for my school going children .The night before,,I  plan out the type  of  sandwiches that  I will be making  and organize everything  in advance ,like washing and slicing  the stuff  needed for the sandwiches  and    keep them neatly   covered  in the refrigerator.This makes it so easier to cope the pressure that awaits me every morning. Undoubtly each morning even If I am  well organized with the breakfast menu, something will  spruce up unexpectedly  and  outrighly stress me  out.Making  an assortment of sandwiches  can be  fun  when  the mood is calm and controlled.However  when you have a houseful it becomes a tedious task because you got to cater according to each ones preferences. At home,each one has  his/her  favourite.With a  little extra effort  on our part,we can delight the family with their choice.My oldest daughter likes her sandwich spicy.My second daughter  is a vegetarian,so I have to make something that she is  fond of.Whereas my two sons love the cheese and egg toast .When it comes to hubby, there’s no fuss at all from him.He’ll eat whatever I have prepared that day.Most  days I make  My favourite  tuna fish sandwich.It’s really easy making with canned tuna.I crumble the the fish add butter,cheese cream,pepper and salt if necessary and mix this spread on sliced  bread.My husband  also loves when I add some tomatoes and salad leaves to his sandwich.Obviously when an occasion arises,I do everything I can, to make the sandwiches more presentable.During  these  instances,I make them  a scrumptious treat.Imake  rainbow sandwiches which give colour to the bread and a  glow on the  children's face.

 

Rainbow sandwiches

 

 

Dinner Rolls

This is a curry made out of onions,bell peppers ,tomatoes and potatoes.Whenever I have left over dinner rolls that was bought from the baker ,I make a new  curry as a filling for the buns.When the children get tired of eating the same food ,they relish  a change of flavour.This is something I usually make for breakfast or dinner with the left over buns.This meal is made in  a jiffy .I am sure all you vegetarians out there will enjoy trying  this recipe. I also make use of these buns to make hot dogs.

This is prepared according to the amount you need to fill up the buns.I will give you the recipe to roughly  fill 3-4 buns.

You will  need: one big sliced onion,a big green pepper sliced hoarsely,one tomato chopped roughly and  a small potato cut in tiny pieces.Saute the onions,bell peppers,and potato in a tablespoon of oil.When it turns pale in colour, add 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder and the chopped tomatoes.Add salt to taste and cook until the onions  and the  green bell peppers start to wilt.You can also add a dash of soya sauce and a spoonful  of tomato ketchup to get an extra zing.

Serving Suggestions:

Pan Toasted Bread

During the cold season cooked meals  become chilled after sometime.Even the bread becomes a little soggy thus making it a little cumbersome to make firm and fresh sandwiches.So the only alternative is to toast the bread.Bread toasted on an electric toaster is easier than pan toasted or grilled .But it gives out  a different taste and texture when toasted on a hot griddle.The children love it and so do I.So when ever there is bread available at home ,I try to make something new for the children to relish on.

Last morning for breakfast I pan toasted slices of bread and to eat with those, made two items to spread on or dip with the toast.Pan toasting  gives a unique taste and is a lot  more crunchier.

I scrambled three eggs and after it came down to room temperature added to it some butter,cheese, mayonnaise ,pepper and salt.One on toasted slice of bread I spread a little of this mixture.Then I covered it with another slice and reheated it. This binds the slices together.

This is a creamy paste made with tuna fish,butter,cheese, pepper, mustard cream and salt.Whip all the ingredients to a fine paste and dip with toasted bread.

Scramble Me-Omelette

This is an easy to do breakfast. This is like an omelette but chopped into chunks or wedges while still  in the cooking process .

You will need

2 eggs

2 medium tomatoes ( chopped )

1/2 oz butter

1 oz chopped chicken sausages ( previously sauteed)

1 oz  chopped bell peppers 

1 oz chopped onion 

salt and pepper to taste

Method

Melt the butter in a pan and add all the ingredients except the eggs and  cook for about 5-10 minutes.Then add the beaten eggs and stir it well with the rest of the ingredients.Once it begins to thicken cut it into chunks.Remove from pan  and serve immediately with buttered toast.

A Fiery Breakfast Dish

This sambol is a favourite amongst the Sri Lankans.This is known as Pol Sambol amongst the natives.It is very hot and spicy.It is made from fresh,scrapped coconut and a lot of red chillies.It is mostly eaten with string hoppers and rotis.This is also a favourite breakfast dish.I love eating this with warm ,fresh bread.Here is the recipe for those who want to try it.

1/2 a coconut ( scrapped)

8-10 dry red chillies

1 dessertspoonful Maldive fish ( pounded)

1 medium red onion sliced

Juice of 1 lime/lemon

salt to taste

Method

Pound all the dry ingredients and then add the scrapped coconut and mix them together.Add the lime/lemon juice and salt according to taste.

The Sambol goes well with String hoppers

It also tastes good with beef curry