Hand Embroidered Baby Elephant

I have used this baby elephant motif on my little sons’ baby shirt. It is very easy to sew and does not take much time.

• Stitch the outline of the elephant using dark brown silk thread and outline stitch.
• Sew the eyes using the same thread and make French knots.
• Sew the tusk using off white silk thread on satin stitch.
• Sew the foot marks using black thread.
• Fill the elephant body using random cross stitch.

Do let me know whether this information is helpful. I will post on how to do specific stitches and the pattern later.

Spicy Chicken Pizza with Button Mushrooms

Spicy chicken pizza with button mushrooms is a hot version for someone who loves spicy food. My family loves homemade pizza as I am very generous with the topping.

Ingredients - Pizza

1 lb. (450gm) flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
10oz. lukewarm water
3 teaspoons yeast
2 teaspoons sugar

Ingredients – Chicken and Button Mushroom topping

1 lb. (450gram) chicken breast
4 cloves garlic chopped
1 big onion chopped
1 big tomato cubed
3 capsicums chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon curry powder
Pinch saffron
½ lb (200gram) button mushroom sliced
2 sprigs curry leaves
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon tomato sauce
1 tablespoon soya sauce
1 teaspoon pepper powder
2 tablespoon olive oil
8 oz.(200gram)mozzarella or processed cheese

Recipe - Pizza

Mix flour and salt in a basin. Make a hollow and add sugar and then yeast add the lukewarm water. Let the yeast dissolve in the water. Mix to a soft dough. Make a hollow and pour the oil and knead the dough for about 10 minutes. To test whether it is properly kneaded, press gently with a floured finger. If it rises quickly it is enough.Shape into a ball and leave it to rise until double the size or 1 hour.

Recipe - Chicken and Mushroom topping

Season the chicken, boil and shred it.
Place a wok on the stove and pour oil. Fry garlic, onion, curry leaves and capsicum. Add chicken and button mushrooms and mix well. Add tomato, curry powder, chili powder, saffron, pepper, and salt. Add the tomato sauce and soya sauce.
To make the pizza, punch the dough and take out the air. Roll out and cut rounds. Grease a baking tray and keep the pizza dough round leaving room to rise. Spread filling and flatten it. Sprinkle with grated cheese and bake in a pre-heated oven at 220C for 20 minutes.

White Sauce

White Sauce is the base sauce used as a component in the preparation of several casseroles, soups, gravies and sauces. It can also be used to thicken stews and gravies.

Ingredients

4oz. (100gm) flour
4oz. (100gm) butter or margarine
1 pint (500ml) milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe

Place a pan on the stove and add the butter and keep on low heat. When the butter is melted add the flour and mix well. Let the flour cook well. Add the milk little by little and mix with a whisk to avoid clumps. Add salt and pepper.

Pasta with Sausage

Pasta with sausage is a quick and easy to make dinner recipe which will be a favourite among kids. You may substitute sausage with boiled chicken or beef.

Ingredients

15 oz. (400gm) pasta
5-6 sausages sliced
3 cloves garlic
2 sprigs curry leaves
1 large tomato cubed
1 big onion chopped
A piece of rampe
2 tablespoons oil (vegetable, corn or olive oil)
Salt to taste

Recipe

Cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the packet. Leave to drain.

Place a wok on the stove and pour the oil. Add chopped garlic, curry leaves, rampe, and onions and fry until the onions are browned. Add the sausages and tomato. Close with a lid and keep on low heat for 5 minutes until the sausages are cooked. Add salt and mix in the cooked pasta. Serve immediately with white sauce.