Let's Eat!

2015-11-29T14:30:00.001+05:30

Cooking for Babies

My love for food and for cooking has grown 10 fold since I found out I was pregnant. I kept reading about first foods for babies and methods of cooking for them throughout my pregnancy. I decided very early that I will not give my baby any packaged baby food. This decision was made after reading a lot about the ingredients that go in packaged baby food, talking to my baby's pediatrician, reading about the guidelines given by the WHO (World Health Organization) and of course taking tips from my mother.

Another important decision was to start solids only after baby turned 6 months (80 days old). I often see enthusiastic young parents giving their babies fruit and/or vegetable purees and dal ka pani at 4 months. the WHO recommends only mother's milk or formula or a combination of both till the baby is 6 months old. Unfortunately, many pediatricians ask parents to start with packaged baby food at 4 months. The reasons for the same are many and I would not like to talk about them here.

So darling daughter is almost 11 months old and I am having a fantastic time cooking for her. I will share my recipes and our culinary adventures in the days to come. See you soon with traditional weaning recipes of first foods for babies.

Banana Walnut Cake

2014-10-22T15:01:00.000+05:30

Bananas are the ultimate stress busters. They are rich in many nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and manganese. They have a lot of soluble fibre and can be enjoyed even by people who keep a close eye on their calorie intake.

The thought of making a cake out of this wonderful fruit and hence ruining its wonderful nutritious qualities crossed my mind many times! Then I looked up my mother's recipe of the ultimate banana bread and tweaked it a little to make a healthier version.

The method doesn't involve any heavy duty machinery. Just a bowl and a whisk make a perfect cake! The batter is versatile and can also be used to make muffins. Here is my take on a Banana Walnut Cake.

Ingredients

Ripe Bananas - 3
Wholewheat Flour - 1 cup
Refined Flour - 1/2 cup
Baking Powder - 1 tsp
Eggs - 3
Sugar - 1 cup (You may use brown sugar if you like)
Vanilla Extract - 1 tsp
Oil - 1/2 cup
Walnuts - 1/2 cup

Method

1. Whisk the eggs in a bowl and add the sugar.

2. Whisk in the sugar and add the vanilla extract.

3. Now add the oil slowly in a steady stream and keep whisking. The mixture should become slightly thick and pale.

4. Mash the ripe bananas with a fork and add them to the egg mixture.

5. Sift together the flours and baking powder. Fold in the flour and baking powder mixture with a metal spoon or spatula.

6. Now, add the walnuts. Make sure your walnuts are coated with a little flour. This will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the baking dish while the cake bakes.

7. Pour the batter in a greased and floured baking dish. Use a loaf tin or a bundt pan. Don't worry if you don't have either. A regular baking dish works just fine.

8. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for about 35 to 40 minutes.

9. Let the cake cool slightly and invert it on a serving plate. You may sprinkle powdered sugar to decorate the cake. You may also add some caramel sauce or sweet sugar icing. I didn't do any of this as I wanted to keep my cake healthy.

10. I managed to make a medium bundt cake and four large muffins using this recipe.

11. A little brushing of maple syrup add a little more sweetness and gloss to the muffins. They were packed in a pretty box with a pretty bow and sent off to a friend's place as a diwali gift!

12. Happy baking! Enjoy!

Rumali Roti

2014-08-03T10:52:00.000+05:30

Bread is an essential part of many cuisines but is probably most significant in Indian cuisine. Indians love their flat breads and the vast diversity of the subcontinent has given birth to a plethora of recipes each more tempting and mouthwatering than the other.

One such flat bread is the Rumali Roti. A literal translation is 'like a handkerchief'. This flatbread is a part of the Mughlai repertoire and is best enjoyed with Kababs and Makhni Dal! I learnt how to make Rumali Roti from my mom-in-law's friend. Traditionally it is made with refined flour, milk and ghee or clarified butter, but I make a healthier version with just whole wheat flour, water, salt and a little bit of clarified butter.

Here is the recipe.

1. Knead a soft dough with Wholewheat Flour, Water and some Salt. Make small balls of the dough and keep them aside, covered for 15 minutes.

2. Roll two balls separately to form small discs, the size of small puris.

3. Spread some clarified butter on one disc and sprinkle some flour on top. Place the other disc on top of the first and roll the two together as thin as possible.

4. Place this rolled bread on a hot Tava and cook on both sides.

5. Separate the two discs into two wonderfully soft and moist rotis!

6. Roll them or fold them and enjoy with your kababs. You can even make these rotis in advance. They keep very well up to a day! Enjoy!

Red Velvet Cheesecake

2014-07-27T11:45:00.001+05:30

A red velvet cake or cupcake with cream cheese frosting and a good, well baked cheesecake are two of my husband's favorite desserts! I decided to combine the two to make a sinful, dense, moist and rich red velvet cheesecake.

There are two parts o this dessert. The red velvet cake, which is baked first, and the cheescake which is baked next. Use a small springform pan as it makes the removal of the finished cake easy. If you don't have one, use a small cake tin or even a small "patila" used in Indian households. Make sure you line the tin with aluminum foil so that you can use the foil to pull the cake out. Here is the recipe.

For the Red Velvet Cake

1. Sieve together 1 and 1/2 Cups Flour, 1 tsp Baking Powder and 1 Tbsp Cocoa Powder.

2. Mix 3/4 Cup buttermilk with 3-4 Tbsp of Red Food Color or Concentrated Beetroot Juice.

3. Beat 1/2 Cups Butter with with 1 Cup Sugar till the mixture turns pale. Now beat in 1 Egg till the mixture turns light and fluffy. Add 1 tsp Vanilla Extract.

4. Now add the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture alternately till you get a smooth red batter.

5. Now, mix 1/2 tsp Baking Powder and 1 tsp Vinegar and quickly add this mixture to the cake batter. Mix quickly, pour into a prepared mould and put it in a preheated oven set at 180 degrees C. The baking powder and vinegar reacts with the buttermilk to give the characteristic texture of a red velvet cake. Make sure your pan is prepared in advance! Bake for 15 minutes, only till the top of the cake is slightly set but still wobbly. Take it out of the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare your cheesecake mixture.

For the Cheesecake

1. Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature and kept ready for you to mix and whip. You have to do this step quickly.

2. Mix together one packet or 225 g of Cream Cheese with, 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar, 1 Egg, 1 tsp Vanilla Extract, the zest of 1 Lime and 1 Tbsp Flour.

3. Fold in 1/2 Cup of softly whipped Cream and pour this batter over the half baked red velvet cake.

4. Bake at a very low temperature, 160 degrees C for 20-25 minutes till the cheesecake is just set. DO not over bake. Take it out of the oven and bring to room temperature. Then, chill in the fridge for 6 hours. DO NOT be tempted to cut into it while it is hot!

5. Remove from the pan, cut into wedges and serve! Enjoy!

Puran Poli

2014-07-19T09:08:00.001+05:30

A puran poli is essentially a sweet stuffed parantha. The dough is made of refined flour or whole wheat flour and the stuffing is chana dal or bengal gram sweetened with either sugar or jaggery and flavoured with cardamom and nutmeg. It is best enjoyed hot with a spoonful of ghee or clarified butter.
Puran polis are famous in the west of India, especially in the states of Maharshtra amd Gujrat. The puran poli made by the Maharashtrians living along the coast is slightly different from the one made by those living in central Maharashtra or Vidarbha.

This is my grandmother's recipe. Sometimes I tweak it a little to make a healthier version. In the healthier version I use only whole wheat flour to make the dough and sweeten the stuffing with jaggery instead of sugar. Do try making these and do let me know your feedback! Enjoy!

Preparation Time: 1 hour
Makes: 10-12 polis

Procedure:

1. Add 3 cups water in 2 cups chana dal and pressure cook til the dal is cooked. Remove the lid and keep cooking till all the water evaporates and the mixture becomes dry.
2. Grind the dal to a smooth paste.
3. Add 2 -3 cups of sugar (depending on taste) and cook the mixture on a slow flame till it leaves the sides of the pan.
4. Let it cool and add 2 tsp of cardamom powder and 1/2 tsp of nutmeg powder.
5. Mix 2 cups whole wheat flour and 1 cup refined flour with 1/2 cup oil and water to make a very soft, stretchy dough. Knead the dough very well and leave it aside for 15-20 minutes.
6. Make balls of the stuffing and stuff them into little balls of the dough and then roll it like you would make a parantha. Make sure you put lots of stuffing and roll evenly so that the stuffing spreads all over the parantha.
7. Cook using a little ghee and serve hot! Enjoy!

Trifle - Tiramisu

2014-01-24T00:47:00.000+05:30

A Tiramisu is an Italian trifle made with strong flavours as is usually seen in Italian cooking. The proper recipe for an authentic Tiramisu requires special ingredients such as ladyfingers, mascarpone and Marsala wine. Ladyfingers are soft, buttery biscuits that have a cake like texture. They are dipped in strong black coffee mixed with Marsala wine and layered in a dish. Each layer of soaked biscuits is then covered with a custard like mixture made using mascarpone cheese, fresh cream and egg yolks. A final dusting of instant coffee or cocoa powder gives the oh so important finishing touch which enhances the flavour and makes the dessert look appealing.
It is difficult to find all the ingredients required for an authentic Tiramisu, so I often make an easy "cheats" version of the same that takes less than an hour to make and tastes equally delicious! I am sharing both recipes with you. Hope you enjoy making and eating this heavenly dessert!

Tiramisu - Authentic

Preparation Time: 30 Mins
Assembly: 30 Mins

1. Mix 5-6 tbs of Marsala wine in 2 cups of strong black espresso coffee.
2. Mix 3 egg yolks with 1 cup of granulated sugar in a heatproof bowl. Put the bowl on a double boiler and whisk the eggs and sugar till the mixture cooks to form a pale yellow custard.
3. Cool this mixture and fold in 1 cup of mascarpone cheese and 1 cup of whipped cream along with 2 tablespoons of Marsala wine.
4. Now you are ready to assemble your trifle. Dip 10-12 ladyfingers in the coffee-wine mixture and lay them at the bottom of a glass dish such that the bottom of the dish is completely covered. Use only 2-3 biscuits if you are making the dessert in individual glasses.
5. Now pour a layer of the custard mixture. Repeat this procedure till you reach the top of the dish/glass. Always finish with the custard layer on top.
6. Put some instant coffee or cocoa powder in a sieve and dust it on top of the custard layer.
7. Refrigerate the trifle till chilled and enjoy!

Tiramisu - Made in Five Easy Steps

Baking Time: 30 minutes
Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Here is a very simple, cheats way, of making the famous Tiramisu. This recipe uses ingredients that are easily available and can be made in an hour!

Step 1: Make a Chocolate Cake. Use this link to get the recipe for the perfect chocolate cake. Make sure you add half a cup of strong black instant coffee to your cake batter.
Step 2: Mix 1 cup of Cream Cheese with 1 cup of sweet Vanilla Custard made using packet custard powder.
Step 3: Now mix together 2 cups of strong instant coffee and 4-5 tbsp of Rum.
Step 4: Put cake in a glass and soak it with the coffee-rum syrup. Then add a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture. Repeat this process till your glass is full.
Step 5: Dust some cocoa powder on top and chill in the refrigerator for an hour. Enjoy!

Birthday Cakes

2014-01-03T21:45:00.000+05:30

Some pictures of birthday cakes I made recently. All these cakes were for cute and naughty kids!

I made this Doll Cake for my 6 year old niece! This is an egg less chocolate sponge cake with cream cheese and butter cream frosting. The cake was decorated with sparkling candles and was a big hit at the birthday party!

This Cricket Cake was custom made for a 11 year old boy! It is a pineapple sponge cake filled with fresh cream and pineapples, covered with a layer of pineapple butter cream and a layer of rolled fondant. Colored fondant is used to make the design on the bats. The ball is made of cake and is also edible. Dessicated coconut and butter cream icing makes the grass on the field. Some black fondant is used to make the score board.

This Jungle Cake was made for my 4 year old neighbor. The cake is a rich chocolate cake filled with chocolate truffle and covered with butter cream and chocolate ganache. Decorations are done using gumpaste, butter cream and royal icing.

More pictures and recipes will be uploaded soon!

Mango Trifle

2013-05-19T22:26:00.000+05:30

The Indian summer is warm, bright and sunny. It is also incomplete without mangoes. Dussheri, Langda, Kesar, Chosa, Safeda. The list is endless! But I am a Bombaywallah and can't look beyond Alphonso, lovingly called Hapus! I can eat my hapus in any form - aamras, aamrakhand, ice cream or just as slices of sweet juicy mango.

This mango trifle has all the goodness of mango coupled with the richness of custard and whipped cream. It is an easy dessert that can be fixed within 20 minutes.
Here is the recipe.

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients
1 recipe basic vanilla sponge cake
1/2 cup mango juice
1 cup custard
2 mangoes, diced
1 cup whipped cream
2-3 biscuits

Procedure
1. Cut the cake into small pieces and place the pieces at the bottom of a deep, round, transparent dish.
2. Pour the mango juice over the cake and let the cake soak all the juice.
3. Now, pour the custard over the soaked cake and spread it evenly.
4. Next, put in the chopped mangoes. Make sure you have enough mango to make a nice thick layer.
5. Top the mangoes with the whipped cream.
6. Crush 2-3 biscuits and sprinkle over the whipped cream.
7. Serve chilled!

Citrus Chicken with Star Anise

2013-05-18T00:11:00.000+05:30

Oranges, Lemons and Star Anise. Can you imagine the aroma that will fill your house when you cook this absolutely fabulous and aromatic dish? It is extremely easy to make, looks great and appeals to grown ups as well as kids.

The star anise gives a wonderful earthy flavour and the honey and red chilly tantalize the taste buds creating a culinary melody in the mouth!

It is a special dish for special occasions! Put some flowers on the table, light a few candles and serve this chicken with some star anise flavoured rice and good wine!

Chocolate Fantasy

2013-04-16T12:09:00.000+05:30

Chocolate Fantasy! Doesn't it sound delicious? Well, it tastes delicious too! Deep, dark, moist and gooey, this stuff is what dreams are made of!
This dessert has the texture of a gooey brownie but is made like a normal cake using regular ingredients like flour, eggs, sugar and milk.
I like to serve it with vanilla ice cream but it is extremely delicious without any accompaniments.
I soak the cake with a flavoured sugar syrup. Here i used some rum infused sugar syrup. You can use any flavour of your choice.
I got the idea of creating this dish when my brother in law wanted to take some home made dessert back to college for his friends. So this one is for Tanmai and his friends.
Here is the recipe.

Preparation Time: 20 mins
Baking Time: 40 mins
Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

4 Eggs
3/4 Cup Butter
1 Cup Sugar
11/2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Dark Chocolate
1/2 Cup Milk made sour with juice of 1 Lemon
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 Cup Sugar Syrup
3/4 Cup Chocolate Ganache ( made with 1/4 cup Cream and 1/2 Cup Chopped Chocolate)
Silver Balls for decoration

Method
Melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave and leave aside to cool.
Beat eggs till light and fluffy and mix in the melted chocolate.

Cream butter and sugar together in a separate bowl.

Add the egg chocolate mixture to the sugar and butter and mix well.

Now add curdled milk and sifted flour alternately starting and ending with the flour.

Pour the batter into a greased and lined baking dish. The batter will be quite liquid and runny, thinner than a cake batter.

Bake in a preheated oven at 190 degrees Celsius for 40-45 mins.

Keep on a wire rack and let cool.

Prepare ganache by mixing together warm cream and chopped chocolate.
Soak the cake with the cooled sugar syrup.
Pour the ganache on the cake. Let it drizzle down the sides.
Decorate with silver balls and refrigerate.

Serve chilled.

Enjoy!

Rainbow Cupcakes with Vanilla Butter Cream Frosting

2012-02-27T22:14:00.000+05:30

I love kids and I love baking for kids! I have a very cute 3 year old neighbor and I often bake for him.

I made a Doraemon cake for his 3rd birthday. My colleague has two very cute and very naughty boys who love cakes!

So, I decided to make some rainbow cupcakes for three little boys!

I had an amazing time baking and frosting these lilltle colorful delights! I used simple vanilla cake batter and a basic butter cream frosting.

I used some colourful candy like Gems for decoration.

Here is the recipe

PreparationTime: 20 Minutes
Baking Time: 20 Minutes
Makes: 12 Cupcakes

Ingredients
1 recipe of basic vanilla cake
Food colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet)
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Gems

Procedure
1. Divide the cake batter into 6 equal portions and mix in the food colors.

2. Pour the coloured batter in little cupcake cases. Pour spoonfuls of batter, one color on top of the other.

3. Bake the cupcakes at 180 degrees Celsius for 18 to 20 minutes.

4. Let cool completely and frost with vanilla butter cream frosting.

5. Decorate with gems.

6. Share with kids and enjoy!

Fruit Trifle - Tipsy Pudding

2012-02-12T21:23:00.001+05:30

Trifle Puddings are the easiest puddings to make! I like to add some rum to these puddings and call them Tipsy Puddings!

You can make a trifle in a big bowl or in individual glasses. I made this fruit trifle puddings over the weekend with some very basic and simple ingredients. The outcome was outstandingly beautiful and sinfully delicious!

Here is the recipe

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Serves: 6-8

Ingredients
Cake crumbs: 1 Cup
Chocolate sauce: 1/2 Cup
Rum: 2 Tbsp
Biscuit crumbs: 1/2 Cup
Melted Butter: 2 Tbsp
Custard: 3 Cups
Mixed fruits (chopped): 1 Cup
Strawberry Jam: 1/2 Cup
Fresh strawberries: 8-10
Multicolored sprinkles for decoration
6-8 long stemmed glasses

Procedure
Mix cake crumbs with chocolate sauce and rum.
Mix biscuit crumbs with melted butter.
Place some cake crumbs on the bottom of a glass and press very well with a back of a spoon.

Add a layer of custard.

Now add a layer of chopped mixed fruit.
Add another layer of cake crumbs. Follow this with a layer of strawberry sauce.
Add another layer of mixed fruits and top it up with custard.

Now sprinkle biscuit crumbs on top.

Add the sprinkles and slit strawberries to decorate.

Chill well and serve.
Enjoy!

Pink Marble Cupcakes with Butter Cream and Royal Icing

2011-12-27T22:36:00.000+05:30

There is something very special and inviting about cupcakes. One look at a cupcake and you feel like popping it in your mouth! Isn't it? Well, it certainly is with me! The prettier the cupcake, the better!
I recently made cupcakes for my cousin who is getting married soon. These were for a kind of a bridal shower. So I decided to go with pink!
The batter i used here is an ordinary cupcake batter made using eggs, milk, butter, sugar and flour.

I used two icings. Butter cream and Royal. Here is the recipe

Ingredients
Any cupcake batter divided into two. Colour half the batter pink and leave the rest white.
2 Cups Buttercream Icing ( made using 11/2 cup butter and 1 cup icing sugar whisked together till all the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes light and fluffy.)
2 Cups Royal Icing ( made using two egg whites and 1 cup icing sugar whisked together till the mixture forms firm peaks. Add a bit of vanilla essence to get rid of the eggy smell)
1/2 Cup Sugar Syrup

Special Equipment
Piping bag and nozzles

Method
Bake cupcakes and let them cool to room temperature.
Make both icings and fill in piping bags.
Use different types of nozzles to decorate.
Brush the cupcakes with some sugar syrup to keep them moist.
Decorate using butter cream icing and royal icing.

Serve at a tea party or as dessert. Enjoy!

Chocolate Cupcakes

2011-09-28T11:32:00.000+05:30

I love Chocolates! I love Cupcakes!!! So, it is no surprise that I love Chocolate Cupcakes! They are a delight to make and taste absolutely gorgeous!
I made these wonderful cupcakes with some Chocolate Frosting and some sugar decorations! They are lovely for any and every ocassion!

Here is my recipe

Preparation Time 10 minutes
Baking Time: 15 minutes
Makes 18 Cupcakes

Ingredients

Cupcakes
11/2 Cups Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
1 Cup Dark Muscovado Sugar
1/3 Cup Butter
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup Milk
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 Tsp Vanilla Essence

Chocolate Frosting
1 Cup grated Dark Chocolate
2 Tbsp Dark Muscovado Sugar
1/2 Cup Thick Cream
Sugar decorations

Method
Mix lemon juice in milk and keep aside to curdle.
Sieve flour, cocoa powder and bakiung powder together.
Cream together butter and sugar til light and fluffy.

Add eggs one by one and beat very well till the mixture is light.

Add vanilla essence and mix well.

Now fold in the flour mixture and curdled milk alternately.
Pour batter into muffin molds lined with cupcake cases. Fill only 3/4th of the molds.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 15 to 2o minutes.
Let cool on a wire rack.
For the frosting
Heat cream in a pan and add the grated chocolate and sugar.
Mix well till everything is dissolved perfectly.
Remove from heat and let cool completely before frosting the cupcakes.
Decorate the cupcakes with sugar decorations or flowers.
Enjoy!

Homemade Pizza

2011-09-17T16:49:00.001+05:30

A lot of people think I don't need to go through all tis trouble to make a pizza when I can order one easily in under 30 minutes! But all I have to say to them is that making a pizza at home is no trouble at all! In fact it is quite an enjoyable experience and is fantastic for a family get together!
A good homemade pizza needs only three things! Pizza base, tomato sauce and different types of toppings!
I like to make as many toppings as I can and then I let each person in my family decide what they want and create their own personalized pizza!
I make the sauce in advance and store it in a sterilized glass jar. I always have a bottle of pizza sauce in the fridge! Sometimes, I like to cheat and use this pizza sauce to make pasta! But let's leave that for another post! :-)
The pizza base in question is also homemade and is the most fun to make. It requires a little bit of effort but the results are amazing!
Here is my fool proof recipe for the best homemade pizza!

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Baking Time: 12-15 minutes
Serves:4-6

Ingredients
For the Pizza Base
3 Cups Self Raising Flour
3 Tbsp Fresh Yeast or 11/2 Tbs Dry Yeast
2 Tbsp Sugar
1 Tbsp Salt
Warm Water
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
For the Sauce
3 Tbsp Oil
6-8 Cloves Garlic
3 Onions finely chopped
8-10 Tomatoes finely chopped
Salt, Sugar and Red Chilly Powder to taste
1/2 Cup Tomato Ketchup
1 Tbsp Dried Oregano or Ajwain

For the Topping
Mushrooms
Capsicum
Grilled Chicken
Onions
Cottage Cheese or Paneer
Baby Corn
Salami
Sausages
Mozzarella Cheese

Method
Activate the yeast by dissolving it in warm water and sugar.

Mix flour and salt together and add the yeast mixture.
Add more water if required and knead till you get a soft smooth ball of dough. See Knead to Bake! for how to knead dough for breads.
Cover with cling and let the dough rise for 2 hours.
For the sauce, heat oil in a pan and add garlic. Add onions and cook till they soften.
Now add tomatoes and cook thoroughly.
Add ketchup, salt, sugar, red chilly powder and oregano.
Cool and store in a jar in the fridge.
Assembling the pizza
Punch down the risen dough and divide into balls.

Roll the dough balls into flat circular pizza base.

You can use a rolling pin

Or just flatten the dough with your fingers.

Now spread the sauce followed by the grated cheese.

Put toppings of your choice and add salt and pepper to taste.

Bake in a very oven for 10-12 minutes till the dough is slightly risen and cooked and the cheese is melted.

Serve hot with some soup or cola!'

Enjoy!

Apple Raisin Cinnamon Muffins

2011-09-12T14:31:00.001+05:30

Apples and Cinnamon! A heavenly combination! There is nothing better than a warm muffin to go with your Tea or Coffee and this delicately flavoured and fragrant Apple Cinnamon Muffin is exactly what you need with a hot cup of Coffee.

These muffins are very easy to make and the same batter can be used to bake a cake and make wonderful gifts!
Here is the recipe

Preparation Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 25-30 mins
Makes 12 large or 18 small muffins

Ingredients
1 Cup Flour
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Oil or Melted Butter
2 Eggs
2 Apples Chopped and mixed with 2 Tbsp Flour
1/2 Cup Raisins mixed with 1 Tbsp Flour
2 Tbsp Cinnamon Powder
1 Tsp Baking Powder
2 Tbsp Demerara Sugar

Method:
Beat eggs till light and fluffy.
Add sugar and continue beating till the sugar dissolves.
Add oil slowly beating all the time.
Now fold in sifted flour, baking powder and cinnamon powder.
Fold in the raisins and chopped apples.
Pour in muffin molds and decorate with few slices of apples.
Sprinkle some Demerara Sugar on top.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Serve warm with fresh cream or ice cream and hot cup of coffee.

Enjoy!

Vegetable, Cottage Cheese and Lentil Pilaf

2011-08-31T15:47:00.000+05:30

Rice is an integral part of Indian Cuisine. It is made in different ways in different parts of the country. South Indians like their Tamarind Rice or Lemon Rice. Dal Khichadi, a dish made with Rice and Lentils is famous in the West. People from the East of India love to eat rice with Fish and North Indians love their Pulaos or Pilafs!
The Pilaf I made yesterday is extremely nutritious and healthy. It contains a a whole lot of vegetables, cottage cheese and lentils.

I used Carrots, French Beans and Grean Peas. You can also use Cauliflowers and Potatoes. Cottage Cheese is extremely healthy and a rich source of Calcium. It is easily available now.
The lentils in question were in the form of 'Wadian'. This is a typical Punjabi term. These Wadian are little dried balls of lentils that have been cooked with spices. They are usually made with Urad Dal that is Split Black Gram.
This is soakd overnight and then cooked with whole spices like Black Peppercorns and Cloves. The mixture is then shaped into balls and left in the sun to dry. You can make them at home or just buy them from the supermarket.
Don't worry if you can't find any wadians. Make the Pilaf without the wadian. It will still taste amazing.
Here is the recipe.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 3-4

Ingredients
2 Tbsp Oil
Mixed Whole Spices like Cinnamon, Cloves,Green
Cardamom, Black Cardamom, Black Peppercorns
2 Tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
1 Green Chilly
1 Onion Sliced
2 Wadian
2 Cups Mixed Vegetables Chopped
6-8 Smal Pieces of Cottage Cheese.
1 Cup Basmati Rice (washed and soaked in 2 cups water)
1 Tsp Punjabi Garam Masala Powder
Salt to taste

Method
Heat oil in a pressure cooker or wok and put in the whole spices. Let them crackle.

Crush the wadian with your fingers and add to the oil. Stir for a few minutes.

Now add the ginger garlic paste and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the sliced onion and slit gren chilly. Cook till the onion becoms slightly golden brown.

Now add all the chopped vegetables and stir for a few minutes.

Add the rice.

Stir the rice for a few minutes.

Add 4 cups water, salt and garam masala powder.
Drop in the cottage cheese pieces.

Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles. If you are makin this in a wok then cover the wok with a lid and keep on a low flame till the rice soaks up all the water. This will take around 20 minutes.
Serve piping hot with Mango Pickle and Boondi Raita!

Enjoy!

Boondi Raita - Spicy Yogurt Dip

2011-08-29T23:31:00.000+05:30

Curd or Yogurt is an essential part of every Indian meal. People all over the country have different ways of eating yogurt and we Punjabis love our Raitas!
A raita is a kind of a yogurt dip made with, of course the yogurt and a variety of things like cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, potatoes and even spinach.
My favourite is the Boondi Raita! The boondi in question is made up of Gram Flour or Chick Pea Flour. The chick pea flour is mixed with salt, oil and water to get a thick batter. This batter is then dropped into hot oil using a sieve to get crisp, small balls of Chick Pea Flour known as Boondi!
Boondi is readily available in

India

This Raita goes very well with with a Pilaf or Mutter Paneer. Everyone in my family loves this cool soothing dish.

Here is the recipe

Preparation Time: 5 Mins

Serves: 3-4

Ingredients

2 Cups Curd or Yogurt

1 Tsp Black Salt ( optional)

1 Tsp Regular Salt

1 Green Chilly Chopped

2 Tbsp Chopped Corriander

1/4 Tsp Red Chilly Powder

1/2 Tsp Roasted Cumin POwder

1/4 Cup Boondi

Method

Whisk Curd/Yogurt very well to remove any lumps.

Mix in the salts. Black salt gives a very pungent odour. Avoid if you don't like the odour. In that case use 2 Tsp of regular salt.

Mix in the chopped chilly.

Now stir in the chopped corriander.

Add the boondi and mix very well. You can even soak the boondi in some hot water for 5 minutes to remove any excess oil.

Transfer to a fresh bowl and decorate with chilly powder and roasted cumin powder.

Serve chilled.

Enjoy!

Keema and Naan Bread

2011-08-26T00:55:00.002+05:30

This dish is an absolute favourite in our house! I learnt how to make Mutton Keema in true Punjabi style from my mom in law. Keema is an Indian way of cooking Minced Meat. It is made up of Minced meat and wonderful medley of aromatic spices like Cinnamon, Cloves, Black Peppercorns, Black Cardamom and Green Cardamom.

I make keema in a pressure cooker as it takes less time and cooks well. One trick I learnt from my mom in law is to add big pieces of Potato during the final cooking stage. The potatoes absorb all the flavour of the meat and the lovely spices and tastes absolutely delicious! You can add some shelled Green Peas to make Kemma Mutter!

Naan is the world famous Indian Bread! It is served in all restaurants in India and in all Indian restaurants across the globe. It is traditionally cooked in an oven known as Tandoor. You can make Naan at home using the conventional oven. I have used an inverted Pressure Cooker! Yes, an inverted pressure cooker. It sounds complicated but actually is a very easy method of cooking Naan. It also gives the smoky Tandoor flavour.

I made Keema and Naan for my Dad and Husband last night and they are still licking their fingers! Just serve some Onion and Raw Green Chillies with the Keema and Naan and watch people eat the tastiest meat dish ever!
Here is my recipe

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes
Cooking Time: 1 Hour
Serves: 3-4

Ingredients
For the Keema
500g Minced Meat
2 Tbsp Oil
1 inch stick of Cinnamon
2 Nos Black Cardamom
3 Nos Green Cardamom
7-8 Nos Black Peppercorns
4-5 Nos Cloves
1 Nos Bay Leaf
2 Large Onions Finely Chopped
6 Tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
2 Tbsp Green Chilly Paste
4 Tsp Corriander Powder
1 Tsp Turmeric Powder
2 Tsp Red Chilly Powder
2 Tsp Black Pepper Powder
2 Tsp Punjabi Garam Masala Powder
2 Large Potatoes cut in halves
Salt to taste
Corriander leaves to garnish

For the Naan
500g Flour
1 Tbsp Fresh Yeast or 1/2 Tbsp Dry Yeast
1 Tsp Sugar
1/4 Cup Curds
1/4 Cup Oil
Salt to taste
Warm Water to knead the dough
Chopped Corriander Leaves
Chopped Green Chillies

Method
Activate yeast my dissolving it in 1/2 Cup warm water and sugar.
Mix Flour with salt. Rub in the oil and curds. Now add the yeast mixture.
Add enough warm water and knead very well to make a soft smooth dough.
Leave aside for 30-40 minutes
Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add the whole spices. Let them crackle and give out their wonderful aroma
Add the onions and saute till they turn golden brown.
Add the ginger garlic paste and the green chilly paste and cook well.
Now add the minced meat and keep cooking for 10-12 minutes. This constanty stirring is called "bhunana" in Hindi. The more you stir, the better the Keema turns out.
Now add all the dry Powdered Masalas like the corriander powder, red chilly powder etc..
Add 2 Cups water, potatoes and salt and pepper to taste.
Put the lid and weight of the pressure cooker and let it cook very well for 15-20 minutes.
If you don't have a pressure cooker then make it in a wok. Cover the wok and let it cook for 30-35 minutes.
Garnish with corriander leaves and serve hot!

Get goin with the Naan while the Keema is cooking.
Make small balls of the dough and flatten and stretch them as show in the picture.

You can put a topping of chopped corriander and green chillies like I have done or even use dried mint or garlic as a topping.

Keep a pressure cooker on the gas in an inverted position. If you don't have a pressure cooker then you can again use a wok or even bake the Naan Bread in an very hot oven.
Put some water on the flattened Naan and stick it on to the insides of the pressure cooker or wok.

Invert the vessel again and let the Naan cook for 3-4 minutes till it puffs up and becomes golden brown.

Brush with Butter and serve hot with Keema or any other curry of your choice!

Enjoy!

Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino and Pollo Cacciatore

2011-08-23T10:18:00.001+05:30

I love cooking for friends and family and my Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncini and Pollo Cacciatore dinner was a quick and easy meal made with lot of love on a lazy Sunday. "We want to have Italian", they said! All I had in my fridge was some Chicken, Tomatoes, Capsicum and Mushroom! I always have different types of pasta at home and so I decided to make Spaghetti and Chicken!
Aglio Olio e Peperoncino is the simplest Spaghetti dish one can ever make! It has Aglio, that is Garlic, Olio, that is Olive Oil and Peperoncino, that is red chillies! Anyone can make this and it tastes wonderful! It tastes even bettter the day after and that is why I always make a little extra.
The chicken in question was Pollo Cacciatore or Hunter's Chicken. Traditional Hunter's Chicken requires time and quite a few ingredients including wine but I made mine without the wine, with just 5 main ingredients in under 30 minutes!
The chicken has a saucy, tangy Tomato gravy with Mushrooms and Peppers and goes brilliantly with the Spaghetti.

Here is my recipe

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes
Cooking Time: 20 Minutes
Serves: 4 Hungry People!

Ingredients
For the Spaghetti
1 Packet Spaghetti
3 Tbs Olive Oil
6-8 Cloves Garlic
1 Fresh Red Chilly
1 Tbsp Chilly Flakes
Salt to taste
Water for boiling spaghetti

For the Chicken
4 Chicken Breasts
4 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Lemon
4 Tbsp Dried Mixed Herbs
2 Tbsp Chilly Flakes
4-5 Cloves of Garlic
2 Onions
4 Tomatoes
1 Large Capsicum
8-10 Mushrooms
1 Tsp Sugar
Salt and Pepper to taste

Method
Marinate Chicken breasts in 2 Tbsp Olive oil, Lemon juice, 2 Tbsp Mixed Herbs, 1 Tbsp Chilly flakes, salt and pepper and keep aside till you chop the vegetables
Finely chop garlic, onions and tomatoes and cut capsicum into long strips and mushrooms into halves.
Heat a non stick pan and place the chicken breasts on the hot pan. You don't need to add any oil as the marinade has enough oil to cook the chicken in. Let the chicken breast develop a nice brown colour and cook on both sides. Remove from pan and keep aside.
Add 2 tbsp Olive oil in the same pan and add in the garlic and onions. Cook for a while. Now add Tomatoes and cool till soft.
Add the remaining mixed herbs and chilly flakes and season with salt, pepper and sugar.
Now add the Capsicum and Mushroom and the Chicken Breasts. Cover and cook.

While the chicken is cooking, boil enough water in a large pot and add some salt and olive oil to it. Cook the spaghetti in the boiling water till al dente. Drain and keep aside.
Heat olive oil in a pan and add chopped Garlic. Let the garlic turn slightly golden brown. Now add the Red Chilly and Chilly Flakes. Mix in the Spaghetti. You can even add some Bacon to intensify the flavour.
Serve Chicken on a bed of Spaghetti.

Enjoy!

Banana Walnut Buttermilk Muffins

2011-08-19T11:42:00.001+05:30

I always buy Bananas in bulk and never manage to eat all of them. So i always have ripe Bananas in my fruit basket. There are many things you can do with a ripe or overripe banana like blend with some curd and make a smoothie or blend with chilled milk, honey and some vanilla extract and make a yummy milkshake.
I was feeling a little more adventurous so I decided to make Muffins!

I made Banana Walnut Buttermilk Muffins. Because these muffins are made with buttermilk and baking soda, they do not require any eggs. So this recipe is fantastic for vegetarians and for those who are allergic to egg. However, if yoy are one of those bakers who doesn't bake without eggs then just replace the buttermilk and baking soda with 1 egg and 1/2 Tsp of Baking Powder.

I added walnut because i had some in my fridge but you can add any other dry fruit like raisins or even some chocolate chips or crunchy peanut butter!
Here is my recipe

Preparation Time: 5 Mins
Baking Time: 15 Mins
Makes 9 Small Muffins

Ingredients
6 Tbs Flour
4 Tbs Sugar ( use brown sugar if you can)
1 Tsp Baking Soda
1/4 Cup Buttermilk
2 Bananas ( mashed)
3 Tbs Oil or Melted Butter
1/4 Cup Walnuts ( chopped)
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon Powder

Method
Mix all dry ingredients (flour, sugar and baking powder, cinnamon powder ) in a bowl.
Mix all wet ingredients ( oil, buttermilk, mashed bananas) in another bowl.
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir to mix.
Stir in the walnuts. Let the batter be lumpy.
Scoop out spoonfuls into muffin moulds and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 12-15 mins.

Serve warm.
Enjoy!

Sesame Potatoes

2011-08-13T12:37:00.000+05:30

I love potatoes in any form! Baked, roasted, boiled or fried. My husband can eat endless amounts of fried potatoes and is also a loyal potato lover. So, I often try to cook potatoes in more different and innovative ways.

I made some Sesame Potatoes or Til Wale Aloo when our neighbours came over for lunch unexpectedly. The addition of Sesame powder and whole Sesame seeds gave a crisp and nutty edge to the humble fried potato. Everyone loved it so much that now I make these Sesame potatoes every week.

Here is my recipe

Preparation Time: 5 Mins

Cooking Time: 15 Mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients

4-5 Large Potatoes

2 Inch Piece of Ginger

2 Green Chillies

1 Tbsp Cumin Seeds

3 Tbsp Corriander Powder

1 Tbsp Red Chilly Powder

2 Tbsp Sesame Seed Powder

1 Tbsp White Sesame Seeds (Roasted)

½ Tsp Sugar

1 Tsp Dry Mango Powder (Amchur)

Salt to taste

2-3 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

Procedure

Peel and wash potatoes and cut them in pieces. Don’t make the pieces too small.

Finely chop ginger and green chillies.

Heat oil in a wok and add Cumin seeds.

Now add the chopped ginger and green chillies and stir for a while till the ginger turns slightly brown.

Add the potato pieces and stir on high heat till the potatoes turn golden brown.

Now add the corriander powder and red chilly powder. Mix well.

Add salt and sugar. Cover and let cook for 5-7 minutes.

Stir the potatoes gently and add the Sesame Powder. Mix well.

Add the whole Sesame seeds once the potatoes are completely cooked.

Garnish with Fresh coriander leaves and more sesame seeds.

Serve hot!

Enjoy!

Bread and Butter Pudding

2011-08-05T13:05:00.000+05:30

Like most of my recipes, this bread and butter pudding recipe is easy to make, doesn't require a lot of cooking and tastes delicious!
It just requires a few simple ingredients, nothing fancy, but the finished product looks beautiful and mouthwatering!
I often make this dessert when i have stale bread in the kitchen. It is also good when you have guests over on short notice.
There are many versions of the classic bread and butter pudding like chocolate, caramel etc...
Many people will tell you it is a tricky dessert as it involves making a custard with eggs and milk. Don't listen to them! It doesn't matter how much milk or how many eggs you use as long as the bread is completely soaked in the custard and absorbs all the liquid.
This is a must try recipe and can assure you that you will keep making this dessert again and again!
So here goes...

Preparation Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Serves: 6-8 (or 2 greedy people!!!)

Ingredients
4-6 Slices Bread
1/2 Cup Melted Butter (Optional)
3-4 Eggs
1/2 Litre Milk
1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp Cinnamon Powder
1 Tbsp Demerara Sugar or Dark Muscovado Sugar

Method
Boil milk and leave aside to cool slightly.

Cut bread slices (use the crust too) diagonally and arrange in a greased ovenproof baking dish.

Pour the melted butter over the bread slices. You can also make bread and butter sandwiches and arrange then in the baking dish.

Mix eggs with sugar, cinnamon and warm milk. Don't worry about the ratio of eggs to milk. That is important only if you are making delicate custards like a creme brulee.

Strain the egg and milk mixture and pour over the bread slices.

Let the bread soak up all of the custard. Meanwhile preheat your oven.

Sprinkle some Demerara or Muscovado sugar on top. You can use simple Brown Sugar too.

Bake the dessert in a preheated oven at 160 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Serve warm with Vanilla Icecream or as by itself.

Enjoy!

Iced Tea

2011-08-03T13:49:00.000+05:30

We all need something to beat the heat! A tall, chilled glass of iced tea is the perfect answer!
My husband and I had this iced tea every afternoon while sailing transatlantic this summer!
He likes the basic lemon iced tea but I like to experiment with other flavours like green apple, strawberry, raspberry and even pineapple!
Let your imagination run wild and create a flavour that you like.
Here is my recipe for the humble lemon iced tea.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2 Thirsty People!!!

Ingredients
2 Tea Bags
4 Tsp Lemon juice
Sugar or Honey to taste
A pinch of Salt
Lukewarm Water
Ice

Method
Mix sugar/honey and salt in lukewarm water.
Dip teabags in this and set aside for a while.
Decorate your glasses while the tea is brewing. I like to decorate the rim with some salt and sugar and a wedge of lime.
Fill the glass with ice.
Pour the tea on the ice and serve chilled.
Enjoy!

Russian Salad

2011-08-03T13:31:00.000+05:30

Russian Salad, also known as Salad Olivier is a sure shot party hit! It is a wonderful medley of flavours and can be served with a wide variety of meat and vegetable dishes.

It is basically a mixture of fruits and boiled vegetables combined with a velvety smooth dressing made up of Mayonnaise and Salad Cream or Fresh Cream. You can also add meats of your choice like boiled, shredded chicken to make a non vegetarian version.

Do not, under any circumstances, use store bought mayonnaise! Homemade mayonnaise always gives a much better flavour.

I like to serve this dish with some baked beans, barbecue chicken and veg au gratin.

Here is my recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

2 Cups Boiled Vegetables (Carrots, Cauliflower, French Beans, Peas)

1 Cup Chopped Fruits ( Grapes, Pineapple, Apple)

1 Cup Mayonnaise(with lemon juice, salt, pepper and mustard)

1/2 Cup Fresh Cream or Salad Cream

1/4 Cup Cold Milk ( Optional)

1 Tsp Sugar

Salt and Pepper to taste

Lettuce leaves

Method:

Mix all fruits and vegetables in a large bowl.

Mix mayonnaise, cream, sugar, salt and pepper in another bowl to make the salad dressing.

Pour the dressing on the fruits and veges and toss gently to mix well. Add some cold milk if the salad is too thick.

Check seasoning and chill.

Arrange lettuce leaves in your salad bowl and put the salad on top of the lettuce leaves.

Serve chilled.

Enjoy!