Vegan Refried Beans in edible bowl

Everyone loves to entertain but the biggest problem raises time to time what to cook : from appetizer, first course, side dishes and finally to dessert. Sometimes, I wonder, do we really need to cook many items to entertain? After the party or get together, you don’t even think for another one in the near future :) If planning is huge struggle, forgot about cooking and settling down with a menu. Well, if you are the one who experience all the symptoms before hosting a party. Grab this idea!
Get this easy, elegant and healthy appetizer in your next fiesta. Could be planned and made ahead the papad/papadum bowl or cup. It looks fancy but don’t be scared it takes only seconds to create one bowl! You need some Urad dhal papad, microwave and small cup to shape it.
For the filling, it could be anything, salad, beans, or even serve along with a bowl of rasam/sambar, chutney,....
I filled with easy microwave refried beans, which probably takes another 3 or 4 minutes!
How to make Papad/papadum bowl in microwave?
Papad or papadum/ appalam is an Indian product made with lentils (mostly urad dhal with different flavor, pepper, cumin, even plain etc..) usually deep fried in oil and thank God for the microwave invention which made life easier and even better with oil free.

Microwave timing for each small bowls: 13 seconds (could be less or more according ur microwave and depend on the papad size)
I have given the method for only one papad bowl.

Items needed:
Papad/papadum/appalam: medium size round one ( I used pepper papadum)
Tissue paper: one (optional)
Small bowl: to shape it

Method

I usually place a tissue paper first in the microwave and arrange the papad leaving enough space to grow.
I placed one papad (yes u have to proceed one by one to make this cute cup) .Microwave until they turn pale (it should be cooked after 13 seconds) and still pliable when u take it out. Place immediately in a small bowl and without much pressure slightly flatten the bottom (refer to the above picture). Leave it for another few seconds. Scooping papadum cups are ready!
Refried bean in microwave: Usually refried beans contains fat (lard) but this one is totatlly vegan using vegetable oil. Almost fat free! Using the pinto bean is authentic one! But I always cook with whatever I do have in my pantry!

My microwave cooking time: 4 minutes

My vegan version of Refried beans:

Ingredients:

Black bean: 1 /2 cup
Kidney bean: ½ cup
Salsa (hot): ½ cup
Onion: ¼ cup minced
Garlic clove: 1 or 2 minced
Oil: ½ tsp
Green onion: sliced (optional to garnish)

Method:

In a microwave safe bowl, add the oil, minced onion and garlic. Set the microwave for 2 minutes, in high power every 30 seconds take out and mix it.
Once they turn soft (after 2 minutes) add the beans (black & kidney) and salsa. Mix well and warm through (approximately one or 2 min). Take out and mash with potato masher! Or make life easier with hand blender but try to keep coarsely! If necessary add some water to prevent dry dip! I didn’t add any water and salt!
For non-vegan version, simply sprinkle some cheese after blending and keep in microwave until the cheese melt.
Idea of serving: You can serve with nachos or stuff the tortilla and make burrito!
Important serving suggestion for party: Make the bowl ahead and store in air tight container. Keep the filling in separate bowl. If you fill it , serve immediately otherwise they will turn soggy!
After my photo shooting, I ended up eating the soggy and soft bowls!
Enjoy the microwave snack at any time.

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Another easy cool breeze drink, to entertain in hot summer days. Pink lemonade! One of the things I got fooled when I landed US. Seeing the pink lemonade, I searched in every aisle of grocery store for pink lemon. In vain I didn’t find one hope it doesn’t exist! They just add (grenadine/pomegranate syrup or cranberry to give such a hue. Only the search engine God revealed all this answers for my curiosity!
Ok, I didn’t proceed any particular recipe for the lemonade, I just made a glass (of course for me)

Pink lemonade

Lemon: ½
Cold Water: 1 cup
Powder sugar: 3 tsp (could be less or more)
Cranberry juice: 2 tsp
Ice cube: optional
Lemon wedges: optional

Squeeze the lemon in tall glass, add the sugar and mix well until it dissolves. Add the water and cranberry juice.
Serve chilled with ice cubes and lemon wedges.

Here goes my both recipe to Priya who is hosting two events at the same time.

MEC-Savoury Snack hosted by Priya, originated by Srivalli
FIC: pink Event , hosted by Priya , originated By Sunshinemom

Of course the vegan Refried beans with papadum is reaching to Holy Cow,Vaishu who is hosting a fiesta of Vegan world: Mexican.


Note: This page marks my 150 th post , Thanks for your generous encouragement, suggestion, support and awards. I have updated my award section!