Ginger Scones

Ginger scones can be taken for breakfast or for tea.These have a special flavour of the spicy ginger.T his recipe has been taken from a book and tried at home.

Serves six scones.

Ingredients	Quantity
Plain Flour	1 ½ cups
Powdered Sugar	a little less than ½ cup
Baking Soda	½ tsp
Baking Powder	¼ tsp
Salt	a pinch
Candied Ginger (if available)	¼ cup
Lemon Zest	½ tbsp
Grated Fresh Ginger	½ tbsp
Buttermilk	a little less than ½ cup
Unsalted Butter (melted)	5 tbsp
Coarse Sugar (for sprinkling)	1 tbsp

If buttermilk is not available,then substitute with ½ tbsp lemon juice and ½ cup or less of regular milk.
Method

1. Preheat the oven to 400degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.


2. In a large bowl whisk vigourously flour,sugar,baking soda,baking powder and salt. Then stir in the candied ginger,lemon jest and fresh ginger until evenly mixed.


3. Create a well in the center of the flour and pour in melted butter and buttermilk. Gently mix with a wooden spoon until the flour mixture is just moistened.Do not over mix it. The mixture should look shaggy.


4. Divide the mixture into a large ball and flatten on a floured board into one inch thick and six inches wide circle.Cut this into six wedges and transfer them to the baking sheet carefully spacing atleast an inch apart. Sprinkle coarse sugar on them.


5. Bake in a preheated oven at 400degrees F for 18 to 20mins.Cool them on a rack before serving.

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Mexican Rice

Mexican rice will be liked by most Indians because it is spicy and colourful. It is simple to make and is different from the regular pulavs and biriyanis. Sometimes we do need a change! Try this tasty,spicy and colourful Mexican rice. Be cautious not to give it to children who do not like spicy food.

Serves four to five people.

Ingredients	Quantity
Cooked Basmati Rice	2 cups
Sliced Red Bell Pepper (Red Capsicum)	½ cup
Sliced Green Bell Pepper (Green Capsicum)	½ cup
Sliced Yellow Bell Pepper (Yellow Capsicum)	½ cup
Sliced Red Tomatoes (deseeded)	1 cup
Chopped Onions	¼ cup
Chopped Garlic	2 tbsps
Pepper Powder	½ tsp
Red Chilly Paste	2 to 3 tbsps
Oil (Olive oil can be used)	2 tbsps
Bay Leaf	2
Onion Rings	a few
Salt	to taste

How to make Red chilly paste
Take fresh red chillies,vinegar and salt and grind them to a paste and store if you like. If fresh red chillies are not available,dry red chillies can be washed and soaked in vinegar for and hour or so and grind to a paste with salt.
Method

1. The grains of the rice cooked should be seperate. Take a pan and add the oil and heat it. Then add the chopped garlic and bay leaves and fry them.


2. Then add the chopped onions,sliced red bell pepper,green bell pepper and yellow bell pepper and stir fry. Add a pinch of salt and add the sliced tomatoes and fry till cooked.


3. Next add little salt and red chilly paste and mix well.


4. Then add the cooked rice and mix well with all the other ingredients.


5. When the rice is piping hot, remove from the heat and dish it out into a bowl or rice plate.


6. Garnish it with onion rings and serve.

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