Indian Spinach & Cheese Swirls

I've been wanting to try the recipe from the package of Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets, for a while, and since Appa's home, I wanted to finish most of my experiments while he's still here. I bought these pastry sheets for the first time ever to make Indian puffs a few weeks ago (which btw was delicious!!), and had one big sheet left. I didn't have a few suggested ingredients such as onion powder and garlic powder, so I substituted it with Maggi Hot & Sweet Tomato Chili Sauce. This was the surprise ingredient that brought together all the flavors I wanted. It added the extra Indian spice that this snack would have otherwise lacked. Also, this could serve as a very quick and easy snack to enjoy after a long and tiring day.

Ingredients:
- 1 sheet (half package of) Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets
- Half package of Frozen chopped spinach
- 8-9 tbsp Maggi Hot & Sweet Tomato Chili Sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or any white cheese)
- Few tbsp Shaved parmesan cheese
- Salt (to taste)
- Butter (or 1 beaten egg if you prefer)

Directions:
1. Let the spinach thaw completely and squeeze out as much water as you can.
2. In a bowl, combine spinach, hot sauce, parmesan cheese, and salt well.
3. Unfold the thawed pastry sheet and spread a thin layer of butter all over.
4. Spread the spinach mixture in a thin and even layer over the pastry sheet.
5. Top with as much of the shredded cheese as you would like.
6. Roll tightly from one side to the other, and seal the corner with the remaining butter (or egg mixture).
7. Cut into 16-20 .5 inch slices. Place the slices, cut-side down, onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Brush the tops with more of the egg mixture if you'd like.
8. Bake for 20 minutes in a 375 degree oven, flipping them at the 10 minute mark.
9. Let cool for 10 minutes before indulging in. I served mine with a side of hot salsa!

 

Healthy Pizza

Once in a while, the absence of the of grease most store bought pizzas have is tempting. I'd been wanting to make pizza at home for a while, so one day last winter, I decided to make it for my family. I'm a big TJ fan, so the main ingredients are from there. Also, I used whole wheat, because while it is obviously healthier, I prefer its taste to regular while dough. My dad, who's usually very picky was pretty impressed and surprised that it tasted so good!

Note: This is a great recipe to make the dough from scratch.

Ingredients:

- 1 pack Trader Joe's 100% Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
- Trader Joe's Pizza Sauce

Topping suggestions
- Thinly sliced onions, bell peppers, olives
- Sliced sundried tomatoes, olives, jalapenos
- Shredded mozzerella cheese
- Goat cheese crumbles
- Garlic

Directions:

1. Let dough rest and rise at room temperature for 30 minutes
2. Add a drop or two of olive oil to lightly grease the pizza pan
3. Sprinkly some semolina (rava) for that extra crisp on the bottom
4. Place the entire dough in the middle of the pan and spread out as thin as possible with your fingertips.
5. Pop it into a 400 degree oven for 7-8 minutes.
6. Take it out and add as much sauce as you like. (I used few spoons of it)
7. Add all your favorite toppings (except for cheese) one by one, and lay it out nicely. (If adding the garlic, grate it evenly all over)
8. Sprinkle the shredded cheese as lavishly as you'd like over the other vegetables. I used a little bit less, because I added the goat cheese as well.
8. Bake it for another 15-20 minutes, checking on it towards the latter half. The aroma will hit you soon :)
9. Let cool for 5 minutes, slice and enjoy!

Excuse the phone quality pics :)