Category Archives: Appetizers-Snacks

Coconut Jalapeno Pouches

Appetizers-Snacks

act_Coconut Jalapeno PouchThis recipe is very close to my heart, I have grown up eating it and it was my mother’s go to recipe for a quick snack with just three simple ingredients. It is vegan friendly so everyone can enjoy it.

The recipe consists of two different sections: The shell and the filling.

Ingredients you will need:

For the pouch you will need:

1 cup of all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon oil

1 and 1/2 cups of warm water

 

What you need to do:

Mix all the above ingredients into smooth dough and add more flour if you need. It would be fairly stiff dough. Keep aside wrapped in plastic.

 

For the filling you will need:

1 cup grated coconut

1 jalapeno chopped

1 medium sized onion chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1 teaspoon salt

 

What you need to do:

Mix all the above ingredients.

To make the pouch you will need enough neutral oil to deep fry, the oil will not be infused with any smell so it can be reused.
Divide the dough into small balls about 1 inch in diameter.
Flour your work surface and roll the little balls into circles just like wanton wrappers.
Now place the rolled out circle into your palm and scoop in 1 tablespoon of the filling.
Fold the circle into half to make a pouch and pinch the open side together. You can use water as an adhesive.
After making all the pouches, deep fry them until they get golden brown. This should happen fairly soon, in about 2 minutes.
Drain the excess oil from the pouches onto an absorbent paper and serve it hot.

Tips:

Store bought wanton wrappers are a time saver.

Add salt to the filling when you are ready to make the pouches or else they will release water and the pouches will fall apart.

 

Sticky Date and walnut cookie

Appetizers-Snacks, Desserts

act_sticky date and walnut cookiesDates and walnuts have been an integral part of Middle Eastern desserts for many years. Now that dates and walnuts are available nearly everywhere, it is time to put together an easy to do dessert and for me it will be sticky gooey cookies. Yum!! Just writing about it makes my mouth water. I have made it healthier by adding oats. The measurements for this recipe yields about 18-20 medium sized cookies and can easily be multiplied for a bigger batch.

 

Ingredients for the cookies:

½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature

½ cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 and ½ cup of oats (crushed)

1 cup chopped dates

½ cup chopped walnut

 

Ingredients for the Toffee sauce:

1 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoon heavy cream

 

What you need to do:

  • To make the sauce, heat the butter and sugar in a saucepan until bubbly and then add the cream and stir.
  • To make the cookies, beat the butter and sugar till it is an even paste.
  • Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat till it is properly incorporated.
  • Mix all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and gradually add the dry mixture gradually to the wet mixture until fully combined.
  • Make small balls from the dough and refrigerate for an hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F or 175°C.
  • Place the cookie balls 2 inch part on a baking sheet and bake the cookie balls for 18 mins or until golden brown.
  • Cool on a wire rack and pipe over some of that delicious toffee sauce.