My kids are busy these days with online studies. The simple lunch I made for them is a pizza-style bagel. I prepared spicy marinara sauce at home and baked the bagel with cheese.

Ingredients:

• 3 bagels, regular size, sliced in half (or use bread slice)
• 1 cup grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese, mixed

Marinara Sauce:

• 2 cans (14-ounce) tomato sauce
• 1 red onion, medium size, finely chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 cube of chicken stock
• 1 cup fresh basil, finely chopped with stems (or 2 teaspoons dried oregano)
• I teaspoon black pepper, crushed
• 1 tablespoon roasted combination of spice powder (1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon raw coriander, and 2 teaspoons crushed red chili flakes; combine and roast on low flame, then grind into a powdered form)
• Parchment paper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt according to the taste
• Optional garnishes:
• Fresh basil leaves
• Fresh cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced
• Fresh chicken or beef sausages, thinly sliced
• Fresh jalapeno, thinly sliced

Method:

Marinara Sauce:

Heat a large saucepan and add olive oil over medium heat, then add onions. Cook until onions get softened. Then add garlic and cook until they get fragrant. Add  combination of spice powder, chicken stock, and salt with half cup of water. Stir for a few minutes, then combine tomato sauce, basil, and black pepper.  Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for about 10-15 minutes until mixture has thick consistency. Season with salt and set aside.

Tips: Add water to prevent from sticking

Baked Pizza Bagels:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Spread a tablespoon of marinara sauce on each bagel slice. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top of each bagel slice. Place the parchment paper on the baking tray. Lightly brush the parchment paper with olive oil. Bake until cheese melts (about 5 -10 minutes). Serve with fried sausage, basil leaves, tomatoes, and jalapeno.