With Ramazan around the corner, everyone is already making lots of plans. And an important part of the plan is the menu, for we all love feasting after fasting!

So today’s recipe is a very easy and quick one (as always) and with ingredients that are always in the fridge. It’s ‘Chilli and cheese bread bowl’ — the recipe, like the name, is kind of my own invention. You can call it anything else, and use other ingredients too.

I love versatile recipes that allow for experimentation and in which common ingredients at home can be used, like in this one. It will also be a very convenient thing to make when craving for a snack at an Iftar spread that offers only dinner options. The measurements I have used are enough for one serving only, so just increase it according to the number of people, adding two-three slices per serving. The rest of the items are also adjustable according to personal taste and you can switch chicken tikka chunks with boiled chicken or eggs, other veggies and even some mayonnaise!

Ingredients

• 2 slices bread

• 2 tablespoons chicken tikka chunks

• 2 tablespoons or to taste, chilli garlic sauce

• 2 tablespoons cheese, or as required

• 1 tablespoon chopped capsicum

• 1 tablespoon chopped spring onion

• Pinch of salt

Method

Cut away the corners of the bread slices, you can also leave them on if you don’t mind. It really doesn’t make much of a difference in the recipe.

Cut the slices further into small pieces, transfer to a microwave or oven-proof bowl, depending on whether you will be using the oven or microwave to cook just enough to melt the cheese at the top.

Add the rest of the ingredients — chilli garlic sauce, capsicum, spring onion, chicken tikka chunks and salt. Mix well so that the sauce coats the slices well. If it feels too dry, you can add more chilli garlic sauce or substitute with tomato ketchup if you don’t want it very spicy.

Sprinkle grated cheese on top and cook for about a minute in the microwave, till the cheese melts on top, or bake in the oven for five minutes. Since there is nothing to cook in this super easy snack, we just want the cheese to melt on top. Our chilli and cheese bread bowl is ready!

Have a very blessed Ramazan!

The writer Instagrams @the_experimentalcook

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 11th, 2023