Halloween Mini Pies - Pumpkin Pizza Pie and Ghost Pizza Pie

Halloween and Half term coinciding this year is turning out to be absolute fun week. My little one and I are having loads of fun doing some craft activities and then ofcourse making some fun food. Though these ideas are great for halloween and the autumn season, I am sure they are a great way to feed a picky eater. Idea for these is borrowed from this recipe for a sweet pop tart.

Corn and Cheese Tart - Indian Food Bloggers Meet - Freedom Tree Baking Challenge

Cheese and Corn are things that my little one loves. And Puff Pastry is another one of his favorite things. This corn and cheese tart (or Pizza as we sometimes call it) is one of his fav food. Its so tasty and easy to make. I even pack this for lunch.

This post is an entry to the IFBM and Freedom Tree Baking Contest. Check out the link here

Plum and Raisin Puffs - Indian Food Bloggers Meet - Kitchen Aid Contest

Did you know that the first Indian Food Bloggers Meet is happening in Bangalore on Aug 1st-2nd 2014? I am so excited to be in India at that time. You will understand my sentiment if you are a blogger. I am going to meet my friends of the last couple of years for the first time. It feels like I have known these gals all my life. Its hard to believe I have never met them. So now my dream comes true.

Check out this link for more details of what is happening at the event. There are so many wonderful sessions on Food Photography, Food Writing, Master Classes, a goody bag to take home and the opportunity to meet some wonderful food bloggers. Many of these people have helped me understand the world of blogging and baking. I would never be so confident if it had not been for the virtual support of these wonderful bloggers.

Now the event is studded with contests and prizes to be won. So here I am sending my entry to the Kitchen Aid Contest. I am a big fan for Kitchen Aid. My husband got me a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer for my last birthday. I have used it almost every day in the last year. Be it to make the humble atta for my daily Chapati, or my weekly bread fix or the cakes and cookies that I have whipped up. So looking forward to a chance to win the Kitchen Aid Chopper! What an addition it would be to my kitchen.

Ingredients (Makes 9)

Puff Pastry Sheet 1
Plums 2
Raisins 2 tbsp
Sugar 1 tbsp (more for sweeter pastry)
Cinnamon 1/4 tsp

Milk for brushing
Sugar for Dusting 1 tsp

Method of Preparation

1. Chop the Plums into small pieces.

2. Add the Raisins, Sugar and Cinnamon. Toss well.

3. Spread the puff pastry and cut it into 9 pieces.

4. Add a tbsp of the mix into each puff sheet.

5. Fold it into two and seal the edges.

6. Make small slits on top to let steam out while baking.

7. Brush on top with milk and sprinkle the sugar on it.

8. Preheat oven to 220 C and bake for 15-20 min till the top is slightly browned.

9. Cool on a wire rack. 

Mini Apple Pie - Individual Serving Size - Perfect Party Treat!

Making these Apple Pies have been one of my best baking projects ever. Well, you might think it is cause of the taste. It tasted awesome and it was simple to make. But no, that was not why I am so happy today. We woke up early this morning and made these together. My husband, little one and I had a fun morning making these Super Cute Pies. When we were done, the house was smelling so good. Am feeling really happy.





You can choose to make your own pie crust. Its quite simple. Its just a question of mixing flour, butter and water. I just chose to use store bought one this time. Will make my own next time may be.

Avant Garde Cookies chose Pies and Tarts for this week. The moment I heard the theme, I had 2 options that I wanted to try. One was a savoury one and other was this Apple Pie.



For years, I have hated Apple Pies. Don't ask me why. I don't even think it was cause of its taste. As a result, I extended my dislike to all Pies. Then incidentally, I ate a Pecan Pie (from Costco) and fell head over heals in love with it. You might wonder then how I started liking Apple Pie. It is quite a silly way. I had an apple pie from McDonalds as there was not other option for me at that time. And I kind of liked it. Then I thought, if I can like something from McDonalds, then the real deal should be better. Ofcourse it was!



Recipe Source

Ingredients

Ready Roll Short Crust Pastry 2 packs
Green Apples (or any baking apple) 5
Sugar 3/4 cup
Cinnamon 2 tsp
Flour 6 tbsp



Method of Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 200C (400F). Keep a muffin tray ready. No need to grease or flour it.

2. Peal and dice the apple into small bits.

3. Add the sugar, cinnamon and flour to it and give it a toss.

4. Roll out the short crust pastry. If you are making your own dough, just roll it out. I just went for the easy way out and picked it up at the store.

5. Using a 9cm cookie cutter, cut out circles and place them on the muffin tray. Press each circle in muffin tins until all the way up each side, to form little bowls.

6. Spoon in the filling.

7. If you are closing with a lid, cut out another circle with a 7cm cookie cutter. Place on top and using a fork press on the sides to join. Don't forget the little + on the centre to let the steam out.

8. If you are making lattice, cut out 6 strips. Just weave them alternating the weave. Its very easy.

9. Brush with a little milk on top. You can do an eggwash if you choose.

10. Bake for 20 minutes till the top is evenly browned. We are looking for a pale brown colour.

11. Let it cool in the tray for 5 minutes. Then gently pop it out and cool in a wire rack for another 5-10 min.

Serve warm as is or with some Vanilla Ice cream.

Check out the other AGC thoughout this week 
Anusha, Jayanthi, Kavitha, Priya M, Radhika, Priya S