Juicy, Delicious, and Flavorful, Oven Baked Meatballs make a great appetizer or as an addition to your pasta.

Ever since my son started saying yes to pasta, I’ve been experimenting different pasta recipes and proteins to go along with it. These meatballs are one of his favorites which he devours in seconds; served either ways, with marinara sauce or with a creamy white sauce.

This is a classic Italian style meatball recipe with garlic, chili flakes, oregano, parsley, herbs, parmesan, onion, egg and breadcrumbs. Once your ingredients are ready, the preparation is very easy; mix everything together, roll it and bake it in the oven, Voila!  Don’t be surprised if your family starts munching it directly from the pan, it’s that good!

So, let’s get into the details of cooking up these meatballs.

What kind of meat portion should I buy?

Most people buy a mix of beef, veal and pork to make meatballs as it brings so much of flavor, but here I have used only beef. I’ve used ground chuck with 80/20 blend, which means 80% lean meat and 20% fat. It makes the meat hold together during the bake, while keeping it tender and juicy.

How can you serve these meatballs?

1. You can go for the classic combination of meatballs with spaghetti or any pasta of your choice.
2. Or you can serve meatballs as an appetizer with marinara as the dipping sauce.
3. These meatballs make a great protein for your sandwich, wrap or on your salad, the options are endless!

How can you store leftovers?

Once you are done with your cooking, make sure to bring it down to room temperature. You can store the leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator, or freeze it in a freezer safe zip lock bag or container for up to 2 months.

For reheating; Meatballs reheat like a gem, although it is ideal to thaw them before heating by transferring from the freezer to the refrigerator a day prior to serving. You can either microwave it, or heat on a pan with its lid on.

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!

Interested in other appetizer recipes? Check these out:

• Chicken meatballs
• Honey Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks
• Beef Cultet/Croquette
• Buffalo Chicken Bites

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Meatballs

Juicy, Delicious, and Flavorful, Oven Baked Meatballs make a great appetizer or as an addition to your pasta.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Italian

Keyword meatballs, pasta, spaghetti

Servings 30 meatballs

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 large egg
• 1 medium sized white/yellow onion (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp oregano (dried)
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup water
• A small handful of parsley (finely chopped)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350-degree F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and keep aside.
• In a bowl, using your hands or a spatula, mix together minced beef, garlic, onion, egg, parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, oregano, chili flakes, water, salt and pepper until its well combined, but make sure not to overmix it.
• Wet your hands with water or oil and using a cookie scoop or with your hands, roll the mixture into small round sized balls and place them on the baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes flipping them midway through the cooking until they are nicely browned on the outside and cooked well. The internal temperature should reach 165-degree F.
• Remove from the oven and drain off any leftover excess fat.
• Serve them hot along with pasta or serve as an appetizer with marinara sauce on the side. Enjoy!

The post Meatballs appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Gorton’s Seafood. All opinions stated in this post are entirely my own and true to my personal experience while using this product. #GortonsShrimpAppetizers #Ad @gortonsseafood

A party is incomplete without fried food and if you are a seafood lover like me, this recipe is a must try. Yes, we are talking about Crispy Crunchy Shrimp dipped in everyone’s favorite buffalo sauce. An easy peasy recipe with minimum work and a definite crowd pleaser!

I have used Gorton’s Butterfly Shrimp for this recipe which is crispy golden shrimp fried to perfection. I absolutely love using Gorton’s products as they are convenient and tastes just like freshly cooked food. And definitely a great way to add more seafood into your diet. To know more about Gorton food products and their availability in your area, click here.

You can use an oven or air fryer to make this crispy shrimp. Once the shrimp is ready, the next step would be to make the buffalo sauce. Whisk together hot sauce and melted butter, and your sauce is ready. I like to mix hot sauce with butter rather than directly using the hot sauce, as it helps to reduce the overpowering taste and balance the sauce out. Plus, the addition of butter adds a nice flavor too. Dunk your shrimp in the prepared sauce and serve, easy it is!!!

These Buffalo Shrimp work perfectly as a protein in tacos, wraps, sandwiches, or even just served as an appetizer. Either way you can make a quick and delicious meal out of it which kids also enjoy.

Interested in other Gorton’s recipes? Check these out:

1. Crispy Fish Tacos
2. Shrimp Manchurian
3. Crispy Fish Burger

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!

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Buffalo Shrimp

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and how about an easy appetizer for the feast? This Buffalo Shrimp made with Gorton’s Butterfly Shrimp is crunchily delicious and makes a great dish to your party menu, YUM!!!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword appetizer, buffalo shrimp, shrimp

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 3

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 pack of Gorton’s Butterfly Shrimp
• ½ cup hot sauce
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
• Ranch sauce (as side)
• Celery sticks (as side, optional)
• Spring Onions (chopped, as garnish)

Instructions

• Cook Gorton’s Butterfly Shrimp according to the package instructions. Keep aside.
• For making the buffalo sauce: In a bowl, whisk together melted butter and hot sauce until it is well combined.
• Dip each butterfly shrimp in the prepared buffalo sauce and arrange on a plate.
• Sprinkle the spring onions on the plate.
• Serve with ranch and celery sticks on side.

The post Buffalo Shrimp appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Calling out to all the garlic bread lovers! This recipe is a keeper and I’m sure you’re gonna fall for the jalapeno version. It has everything you would look for; the crunch, the heat, and the cheesy goodness in every bite. It’s simple to make and even more delicious to eat, both kids and adults will equally love it.

Jalapeno Garlic Bread is definitely a party pleaser, it can be served as an appetizer or as a side with creamy soups, for example my Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup. It is best when served hot, right out of the oven. Although the dish may look spicy with the jalapenos, the heat is subdued perfectly by the flavors of cheese and mayonnaise, making it a kids favorite too.

This recipe has been partially adapted from Food Network.

Interested in other party pleaser appetizer recipes? Check these out:

• Hummus
• Honey Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks
• Beef Cutlet
• Buffalo Chicken Bites

Happy Cooking…!

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Jalapeno Garlic Bread

Cheesy with a slight hint of heat, this Jalapeno Garlic Bread hits all your taste buds! An easy appetizer and a total winner recipe!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword appetizer, garlic bread, jalapeno garlic bread

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 12 slices

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 Italian loaf or French Baguette
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1½ cup mozzarella cheese (grated)
• ¼ cup pepper jack cheese (grated)
• 2-3 jalapenos (sliced into thin rounds)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• Green onions (garnish)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degree F.
• In a bowl, mix together garlic, softened butter, mayonnaise, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, pepper jack cheese, salt and pepper.
• Cut the loaf into half inch slices.
• Spread the prepared mix generously on one side of the bread slices. Top with jalapeno slices and the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese.
• Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese has fully melted. Serve hot.

The post Jalapeno Garlic Bread appeared first on Pepper Delight.

I am a Huge Fan of Wraps and Tacos! I guess that would be obvious with my Indian roots and my love for the flavours of Rotis, Chapatis n breads. My previous post was all about Hummus, I also did talk about my upcoming recipe, and the variety foods you could make by incorporating hummus. There are a thousand reasons to love it, but if I am to list out my top picks, then this recipe which is my newest obsession would be flying high among them all. It’s a fusion of Mediterranean and Indian flavours; creamy hummus and a crunchy garam masala flavored roasted chickpeas, a match made in heaven!!

These are incredibly easy to make and works perfect as a meal prep recipe too. It’s a protein packed filling meal, and to all the non-veg lovers out there… you wouldn’t even believe this dish is vegetarian, it’s soo good! The wraps can be rolled and sliced into half as pinwheels which you can serve at parties & picnics or even pack into kids lunch boxes.

Substitute/Add chicken or meat with the chickpeas, n there’s another great combo. For the hummus, you can buy it readily from the stores or else DIY with my creamy hummus recipe here, which is what I love to do always as I can serve it many ways; as a dip, wrap or platter.

I have prepared this hummus wrap dish on many occasions over the last few months, and each time it turned out to be a super hit, equally loved by veg & non-vegetarians. This recipe might doubtfully look to be a chickpea overload, but why not? After all it’s healthy and vegetarian right? So go ahead, give these wraps a try and if you have any new combinations, let me know in the comment section below.

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!!!

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Roasted Chickpeas Hummus Wrap

Crunchy Garam Masala Flavored Chickpeas, Hummus & a Veggie Salad… wrapped in a Pita… Healthy, Delicious n a Protein packed Power Meal…!

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Keyword hummus wrap, roasted chickpeas, roll

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry chickpeas
• 2 cups water
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp black pepper
• Salt (as required)
• Hummus
• 1 cucumber
• 1 tomato
• 1 red onion
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• Cilantro leaves (garnish)
• Pita bread

Instructions

• Soak chickpeas overnight to rehydrate and increase its volume. Drain and rinse well before cooking.
• Pressure cook the washed chickpeas with a pinch of salt and water, for 3 whistles. Take the cooker off the flame, and allow it to rest till the pressure subsides. Take of the lid and reserve some of the cooked liquid, drain the rest.
• Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Arrange the chickpeas on a baking sheet. Toss in olive oil, garam masala, pepper and a generous amount of salt to coat the chickpeas well.
• Roast for 40-45 minutes until they crisp up, stir half way through the cooking.
• Chop veggies and mix with lemon juice and salt. Keep aside.
• Warm pita breads in a pan or microwave/oven to make them soft.
• Spread hummus, top with roasted chickpeas and veggies. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves. Roll into a wrap and enjoy!

Notes

1. Substitute pita bread with tortilla / naan / breads of your choice, and veggies with your favorites.
2. For non-vegetarians, chicken or meat can be added as toppings and make a great combo.

The post Roasted Chickpeas Hummus Wrap appeared first on Pepper Delight.

The most Popular & Healthiest Middle Eastern Dip – Yes… We are talking about Hummus today! Made with chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil, this is one of the most adapted recipes with tons  n tons of variations – From the Classic to Spicy versions, vegetable based ones like Baba Ganoush, Avocado / Roasted Red Pepper / Beetroot Hummus… the list just goes on and on, and they all have one thing in common, Yummiliciuos!! I am a Huge Fan of Hummus; I can eat it daily… I love it as a dip, or even as a spread on my favorite Crunchy Garam Masala flavored Chickpeas Wrap.

The health benefits of hummus are enormous. The core ingredient, Chickpeas / Garbanzo beans is a vegan source of iron, high in fiber content, and an excellent source of protein. It also helps to lower cholesterol and in weight management. Hummus can be served as a dip along with crackers, spread on a pita, or even to make sandwiches…the options are endless. I would suggest using dry chickpeas rather than store bought canned ones, coz canned chickpeas are high in sodium.

So, how can you make your hummus Creamier?  The secret is, to peel the skin off the cooked chickpeas. Blending chickpeas with its skin on results in a grainy textured hummus, whereas take the skin off and you get an ultra-smooth and creamy dreamy Hummus!  I know it sounds like a lot of work; peeling the chickpeas one by one, and it does test your patience… but it’s definitely worth the effort.

And during this holiday season, give your party a twist by creating a Hummus platter! Its pretty easy, colorful, vegetarian, and gluten free too (just go for GF crackers). Stack up your favorites, let your creativity flow, and impress your guests (Check out my Notes below for platter ideas)!

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!!!

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Hummus Platter

An Ultimate Hummus Platter for your Holiday Celebrations... with Pita, Veggies, Pickles & Feta Cheese…! Plus, The Secret to make the World’s Best Creamiest Hummus… Let’s Party…!!  

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mediterranean

Keyword appetizer, hummus, hummus platter

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry chickpeas
• 2 cups water
• 2 garlic cloves (roughly chopped)
• 6 tbsp tahini sauce
• 1 lemon squeezed (plus more if needed)
• 6 tbsp olive oil (plus more)
• 6-8 tbsp reserved liquid (or water)
• Salt and pepper
• Paprika / pepper (a pinch to garnish)
• Platter ingredients: carrot, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, pickled olives, crackers, pita.

Instructions

• Soak chickpeas overnight to rehydrate and increase its volume. Drain and rinse well before cooking.
• Pressure cook the washed chickpeas with a pinch of salt and water, for 3 whistles. Take the cooker off the flame, and allow it to rest till the pressure subsides. Take of the lid and reserve some of the cooked liquid, drain the rest.
• Remove the skin of the cooked chickpeas (Optional, preferred for a creamier consistency).
• Combine chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, reserved liquid, salt and pepper in a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy.
• Sprinkle paprika or pepper and serve with a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

1. For the platter, you can arrange all your ingredients on a large tray, plate, cutting board or baking pan.

2. Be creative in choosing your veggies, fruits, nuts, and dry fruits.

3. Include breads, pitas, chips, crackers, or wedges.

4. Feta cheese is optional, but complements well with the contents.

5. Either go for pickled or marinated olives / artichokes / sundried tomatoes.

6. To make your tray look attractive, fill it as much as possible by tightly arranging the ingredients without leaving any gaps.

7. You can substitute dry chickpeas with canned ones for ease.

8. Add more lemon juice to your hummus while blending if you prefer a tangy flavour.

9. You can also add more of the reserved liquid from the cooked chickpeas while blending, to suit your desired consistency.

The post Hummus Platter appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Roasted potatoes are my go-to dish for a quick prep appetizer, and I love them when planning parties. Be it a Baked Wedges recipe or a simple buttery dish like these colorful mini potatoes, they are always a favorite. Add a sauce dip, and everyone is going to love it!

So, the bunch of baby potatoes I have used in this recipe comes all the way from Soulard Farmer’s Market, one of the oldest farmers market in the US, located near downtown St. Louis. Everybody loves visiting Farmers Market, and so do I! But a visit to Soulard Market is a unique experience on its own; the layout, open stalls, wide variety of produce, and the eateres, reminds me of my hometown markets and brings back childhood memories. You get fresh meat, fruits vegetables, cheese and breads, even livestock! Not only are they cheap, but best in quality too. And same goes with the potatoes I bought, fresh & earthy!

Coming back to my dish of the day, if you are looking for an easy and minimal ingredient appetizer, then this is for you. All that you need are regular pantry ingredients. And if you don’t have Italian seasoning at home, you can skip it, trust me… the dish still tastes wonderful!  Its buttery soft on the inside with a crispy skin outside, just how perfectly anyone would love their appetizer to be!

The combination of a great sauce adds depth and volume to your dish; Tahini and Yogurt with Mint leaves gives the sauce a nice freshness and aroma which blends perfectly with the roasted potatoes.

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!!!

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Roasted Baby Potatoes with Mint Tahini Sauce

Crispy on the Outside, Buttery Soft Inside… Roasted Baby Potatoes…!! A 5 Ingredient Recipe; Simple, Delicious & Appetizing, a Definite Crowd Puller…! 

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword appetizer, mint tahini, roasted potatoes

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 5

Author Akhila

Ingredients

For Roasted Baby Potatoes

• 1 lb baby potatoes (halved, skin on)
• 2 garlic cloves (crushed)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and Pepper
• Parsley (garnish)

For Mint Tahini Sauce

• 16 -18 mint leaves
• 1 tbsp tahini sauce
• 4 tbsp yogurt
• ½ of lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

For Roasted Baby Potatoes

• Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Grease your baking pan with cooking spray.
• Wash the baby potatoes thoroughly under running water, scrub of dirt if any and pat dry with a kitchen towel.
• Toss the potatoes with olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
• Arrange the potatoes in the prepared baking tray. Slice butter into small cubes and sprinkle between potatoes.
• Bake for 25- 30 minutes until they are crispy golden. Stir the potatoes halfway through the cooking process.
• Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley leaves. Serve hot.

For Mint Tahini Sauce

• Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Adjust seasoning according to your taste.

The post Roasted Baby Potatoes with Mint Tahini Sauce appeared first on Pepper Delight.

I am a huge fan of Mediterranean food… be it the wraps, gyros, falafels, or the even more exotic Kebabs, Kabsahs, & Mansafs. My childhood memories of the Middle East still tickle my taste buds and that’s probably the reason why I’m so fond of their delicious cuisine. After moving back to India at a very young age I had almost forgotten the taste of Mediterranean food, until Shawarma became popular in my hometown and various joints started popping up. I have always felt that your tongue and your memories are soo connected, in fact recently I got to taste some authentic white garlic sauce at a restaurant here in the US, and at that moment I started recollecting long forgotten memories of the place I last tasted it while I was a kid, the other dishes served there, the city, people, and many more…wow, the feeling is so beautiful…!

This recipe is one of the easiest and healthiest ways to make Chicken Pita Wraps. The sauce is the hero of this recipe, it’s a yogurt based sauce with Tahini, garlic, lemon juice and cilantro. It tastes soo good that you can simply dip pita breads in it and enjoy, or even your finger and lick!!

Tenderloins were my preference of the chicken used in this recipe, you can also replace it with breast pieces if you prefer. Pan roast the chicken to perfection until it is charred on both sides, and slice it to thin strips. The simple salad of veggies with freshly squeezed lemon juice is also very refreshing and satisfying to your stomach. All these simple ingredients wrapped together in a warm pita bread make it a super delicious meal; one great option for your lunch or your dinner… with a Mediterranean touch…!!

Enjoy, Happy Cooking!!!

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Mediterranean Chicken Pita Wraps with Cilantro Tahini Sauce

Mediterranean Style Spiced Chicken & Veggies, topped with a Yogurt based Cilantro Tahini Sauce, wrapped in a warm Pita Bread, & garnished with a drizzle of Lemon Juice. 

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Keyword Mediterranean Chicken, roll, tahini sauce, wraps

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Akhila

Ingredients

For chicken

• 6 chicken tenderloins (1 lb.)
• 1 garlic clove (finely minced)
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp pepper powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• salt (as required)

For cilantro tahini sauce

• 5 tbsp low fat plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp tahini sauce
• 1 garlic (finely minced)
• ½ of a lemon squeezed
• 1 tbsp cilantro (chopped)
• salt (as required)

For salad

• 1 cucumber (sliced into cubes)
• 1 tomato (sliced)
• 1 onion (cubed)
• romaine lettuce (chopped)
• ½ of a freshly squeezed lemon juice
• salt and pepper

4 pitas

Instructions

For chicken

• Marinate chicken with the above ingredients for 3-4 hrs.
• Heat olive oil in pan on a medium heat, add chicken pieces and cook until it is charred on both sides (5-6 mins).
• Slice the chicken into thin strips and keep aside.

For cilantro tahini sauce

• Combine yogurt, tahini sauce, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisk well.

For salad

• Mix veggies with lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Assembling the pitas

• Warm pita breads in a pan or microwave/oven to make them soft.
• Arrange sliced chicken, veggie salad and top with a dollop of cilantro tahini sauce.
• Fold them and enjoy!

Notes

• I have used chicken tenderloins in this recipe, which I find easy to manage with the cooking time. You can also use breast pieces or boneless thighs.
• You can use your choice of veggies for the salad.
• Leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for 2-3 days.

The post Mediterranean Chicken Pita Wraps with Cilantro Tahini Sauce appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Are you a fan of Baileys? Well you would if you haven’t!! A sweet drink or a mocktail is what I would usually sip on at a party or any gathering, and until recently sweet wines were my preference. Also to me, cocktails are all about fresh fruits extracts paired up with any alcohol; a milk/cream based drink never ever crossed my mind. And so when I got to taste Baileys for the first time, I was like Woow…! Never did I imagine it to be something which looks like milk, is creamy and coffeeish. I love coffee with plenty of milk, in fact iced café lattes are my favorite. Baileys was like a revelation, the adult version of my Latte…!!

My next big surprise was Godiva. I love Godiva chocolates and never miss an opportunity to stop by their premium outlets in malls. The first stint I had with their liqueur products was with Godiva Truffles Liqueur chocolates, a pleasant surprise of chocolate luxury which introduces your taste buds to their world of liqueur. It was by accident that I stumbled upon their Liqueur, my husband and I were shopping through the wines & liqueurs aisle to gift our friend on his birthday, and there it was… Godiva! Was quite amused to see this beautiful bottle, and knowing that our friend loves chocolates, we gifted him this; not only did he love it, we got a chance to even taste it …

So here is my best of the two; Baileys Martini with Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur & Vodka!! Creaminess at its best with the Goodness of pure White Chocolate…

Enjoy…!

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Baileys Martini

Smooth and Creamy Martini… with Baileys Irish Cream, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, and Vodka…!! Bold and Smooth, Compliments your Attire, and a Perfect drink for any Party…! 

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword baileys irish cream, Baileys martini, martini

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 2 oz Vodka
• 3 oz Baileys Irish Cream
• 2 oz Godiva White Chocolate liqueur
• Ice cubes
• Chocolate syrup (for decoration, I used Hershey’s)
• Cocoa powder (to garnish)

Instructions

• Decorate the martini glass with chocolate syrup and chill for it to set. 
• Into a cocktail shaker, add vodka, baileys Irish cream, chocolate liqueur and ice cubes. 
• Shake vigorously until thoroughly mixed and chilled. 
• Strain into the martini glass, garnish with cocoa powder.  

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Mojitos are among the easiest cocktails you can pull off when compared to other fancy drinks; with its minimal ingredients and its revitalizing effect, this drink is enough to Wow your Guests! Though originally from Cuba, mojitos are a favorite among people all over the world. The classic mojito recipe calls for lime, mint leaves, white rum, soda and ice cubes, but this recipe is unique with its own twist in vodka and sprite, retaining the original taste and most importantly it’s refreshing feel.

Mojitos come in different varieties and flavours, and if you prefer any fruity variations you can do so by adding the fruit pulp of your choice along with the other ingredients. To my non-alcoholic friends out there, check out my Virgin Mojito recipe on Pepper Delight.

Talking about the booze levels, mojitos are more of a lighter drink leaving hardly any hangover. You can always vary the amount of vodka added to make your drink boozier, but I would advise to sip it along with food to avoid the tipsy dozy feel. Pair your drink with lean proteins like chicken, turkey or fish, to easily balance your diet.

Enjoy, Chill…!

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Coastal Mojito

A Light & Refreshing Classic Mojito with a Twist… made with Vodka in a fizzy splash of Sprite…!!! A Perfect Summer Drink… Cheers!!!

Course Drinks

Cuisine Cuban

Keyword coastal mojito, cocktail, mojito

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• Juice of 1 lemon
• Juice of 2 limes
• 3 oz vodka
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 10-12 mint leaves
• Ice cubes
• Sprite

Instructions

• Squeeze the lemon and lime juices into a shaker. Add crushed mint leaves, sugar, vodka and ice cubes.
• Shake well, pour into prepared glasses with ice cubes.
• Top-up with sprite and garnish with mint leaves.

Notes

• You can vary the amount of vodka according to your choice.
• If you prefer a less sweeter drink, cut down the sugar.The sprite will anyways give you a hint of sweetness.

The post Coastal Mojito appeared first on Pepper Delight.

(Thanksgiving chicken/turkey leftovers can also be used)

Your first worry after a huge feast or a Thanksgiving / Christmas party is the leftover food. You just don’t want to throw it away considering all the hard work you’ve put in to prepare it, and at the same time you’re bored to repeat it again for your next meal.  So, how do you make it fun and satisfy your dilemma? Well, that’s why you are here..!

When it comes to preparing sauces for a sandwich or salad, I prefer it to be creamy, tangy, loaded with herbs, and overall flavorful. Avocado brings a natural creaminess to any sauce, keeping it healthy without the need of any mayo. The tanginess from the lemon, and the green goodness from herbs like parsley & cilantro together works very well with the veggies and chicken for this recipe. I hope you love this Green Delight…

Are you still searching for your roasted bird recipe? Check out my Whole Roasted Chicken recipe with Garlic & Rosemary.

Enjoy, Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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Roasted Chicken Sandwich with Green Delight Sauce

A delightful Sandwich loaded with Veggies, Roasted Chicken, and a dash of Green Sauce blended with Avocado, Parsley, and Cilantro!!!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken, roasted chicken, sandwich

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 cup roasted chicken / turkey (sliced) (leftovers can also be used)
• Spinach / arugula / lettuce
• 1 large tomato
• 4 bread of your choice

Green Sauce

• 1 avocado
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup parsley
• ½ cup cilantro
• salt

Instructions

• For the Green Delight Sauce: In a food processor, pulse all ingredients until smooth. Adjust salt and tanginess with lemon juice.
• Prepare the sandwich by toasting bread and arranging veggies and chicken along with tomatoes and green sauce. Enjoy!

The post Roasted Chicken Sandwich with Green Delight Sauce appeared first on Pepper Delight.

The first time I ever tried fish fingers was during my good old Hyderabad days. It was my lovely friend who also is a wonderful cook, was our menu planner for any party and she always suggested that it’s best to make your appetizer crispy. And being fish lovers, we began our experiments and food journey with fish fingers from there on…

There are many ways to make your fish crispy, like using the skin of the fish, or with a beer batter, etc. But using breadcrumbs is still a good old fashioned way. I have used here panko breadcrumbs, which are Japanese style breadcrumbs commonly used to coat deep fried foods. Since it is made from bread without the crust, deep fried foods will remain crispy and crunchy. You can always try out a homemade version too. The outer crust of the panko bread crumbs usually lack flavour, so I recommend seasoning the breadcrumbs with salt and pepper to make that first bite memorable.

You can try out this dish with any fish. Keeping your oil hot enough is key to crispy golden fish fingers, without turning soggy.

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Prep time:  30 minutes
Serves: 3-4 servings

INGREDIENTS

For making Tartar Sauce

• 5-6 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp shallots (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp pickled cucumbers (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp parsley (finely chopped)

For making Fish Fingers

• 3 tilapia fillets
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1½ cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 egg (beaten)
• salt (as required)
• pepper (as required)
• oil (as required)

INSTRUCTIONS

Preparation of Tartar Sauce

1. Mix mayonnaise, lemon juice, shallots, pickled cucumbers and parley.
2. Beat well till the sauce is properly combined.

Preparation of Fish Fingers

1. Cut the fish fillets into finger length pieces. Marinate with lemon juice, salt and pepper, and set aside for 10 minutes.
2. In a bowl, mix panko bread crumbs with a little salt and pepper.
3. In another small bowl set aside the beaten egg.
4. To a large skillet add oil and heat on a high flame till it reached the frying temperature.
5. Take each fish finger and dip in the egg batter, then coat with bread crumbs. Turn the flame to a medium and carefully drop each finger in to the frying pan.
6. Deep fry until they turn golden brown. Ensure that you do not crowd the pan and leave ample space between each fish finger.
7. Transfer the cooked fingers on to a paper towel to drain out the excess oil.

Serve with tartar sauce.

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An easy and a wonderful appetizer for your busy day, straight from the oven in 30 minutes…!!! These Buffalo Chicken Bites taste soooo good that you would crave for more.

We all love buffalo chicken and what more can you ask for if it can be homemade in a short time and taste exactly like the ones from your favourite restaurant. These chicken bites are loaded with the flavours of blue cheese, crunchy panko bread crumbs, and juicy Buffalo sauce. And the best part is that it is baked n healthy!

Appetizers are the best part of any parties, and if you want to wow your guests then this is something you need to try out.

Also for theme based, game day, Super Bowl, or for any occasions where your folks would like to grab something quickly, you can serve these chicken bites on toothpick and avoid all the messy stuff.

I’ve used Franks Red Hot Wings Sauce for this recipe which is commonly available in stores. This recipe is enough to prepare 20 chicken bites. And to complete your dish, serve with celery sticks, sliced carrots and Ranch.

Hope you like it, Enjoy…!!!

Print

Buffalo Chicken Bites

Tangy and Tasty Buffalo Chicken Bites

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword buffalo chicken, chicken meatballs, meatballs

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 23 minutes minutes

Total Time 33 minutes minutes

Servings 20 chicken bites

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 lb (454g) minced chicken
• 1 celery stalk (finely chopped)
• 3 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
• ½ cup blue cheese (crumbled)
• ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
• ½ cup Franks Red Hot Wings sauce
• Spring onions (chopped)
• 3 tbsp butter
• Oil (to grease)
• Pepper (as required)
• Salt (as required)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Line a baking tray with foil and grease it with cooking oil.
• In a large bowl, combine minced chicken, celery, garlic, panko bread crumbs, blue cheese, spring onions, Franks red Hot Wings sauce, salt and pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to mix until well combined. Make sure not to overdo it.
• Roll the mixture into 1 inch balls with your hands and arrange them on the baking tray.
• Bake for about 20 minutes until cooked through.
• Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by mixing melted butter, Franks Red hot sauce and whisk for a minute.
• Remove the tray from the oven and pour a portion of the prepared sauce over the chicken balls. Bake again for another 3 minutes and then keep aside to cool.
• Serve the chicken balls with celery & carrot sticks on the side. Garnish with crumbled blue cheese and spring onions, add extra sauce if needed. You can also serve Ranch along as a dipping sauce.

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