Chocolate Pudding

A quick n simple pudding for ur taste-buds...

 Milk - 2 cups
Gelatin - 1 tbsp
Powdered Sugar - 4 tbsp
Cocoa Powder - 3tsp
Vanilla ess. - 1/2tsp
Water - 1/2cup

Makes - 4 glasses(small juice glass)

Method :-

1. In 1/2 cup water,mix gelatin and keep aside to dissolve.
2. In a microwave safe bowl -mix cocoa,vanilla ess.,sugar n milk.Microwave @ 100 percent power for 6-7 min.
3. Now,add gelatin to above  and mix well.Microwave @ 60 percent power for 4 min.s
4. Pour in serving glasses/bowls and refrigerate till set.

Garnish with sweet cream/cherries/strawberries....Serve CHILLED ..Njoy!!!

Kerala Plum Cake/Xmas Fruit Cake

A LONGgggg time wish when i started baking was -to make a perfect Kerala Plum Cake and finally dis Xmas i did ..oh!! am so happy it came out so YUM n Gud...my hubby really luved it ..well the credit goes to Sangeetha (from Kothiyavunu.com)..Thanx!!! for sharing such a Delicious n Easy Plum Cake recipe...Thanx once again.

For Caramel
Granulated Sugar - 1/2 cup
Water - 1 tbsp + 1 cup

• Heat a heavy -bottomed vessel & add the sugar with 1 tbsp water on medium high heat.You'll find that the sugar will melt & start to change colour.Don't stir,you can swirl the vessel,once or twice.When you find that the color has changed to a little darker golden brown color,turn off heat.Immediately,pour 1/2cup water VERY Carefully into the caramel & stir-mix well.Cool caramel before adding to the cake batter.(This could be made ahead & stored in the fridge for a few days)

For Spice
Caraway Seeds - 1 tsp
Cinnamon powder - 1/4tsp
Nutmeg powder - 1/4tsp
Ginger powder - 1/4tsp
Cloves powder - 1/4tsp

For Cake Batter
Maida - 1 cup
Butter - 3/4cup(room temp.)
Sugar - 1cup
Baking Powder - 1tsp
Vanilla ess. - 1 tsp
Eggs - 2 (room  temp.)
Tutti fruitti - 1 cup
Raisins - 1/4cup
Cashew - 1/4cup
Almonds & Walnuts - 1/4cup
Dates - 1/4cup
Dry Fig  - 1/4cup (not in the original recipe..but i used it)
Rum/Wine - 1 cup or enough to soak the dry fruits

• Chop and soak the ingredients( typed in orange color) in rum/wine and keep it in a bottle overnight at room temp.(it could be prepared a month/week in advance-will taste much flavourful..rum/wine could be substituted with pineapple or orange juice..i used sweet wine here)

Method : -

1. Pre-heat oven @ 180 degree C.
2. Sift the flour,baking powder & keep it aside.
3. Separate egg yolks from white.In a separate bowl,whisk egg yolks & vanilla ess.
4. Beat butter and sugar till  creamy & combined well.
5. Add egg yolk mixture little by little,alternating with a tbsp of sieved flour & combine till smooth.
6. Pour in 1/2cup caramel syrup & all the spice powders and beat thoroughly till everything is creamy & combined.
7. Add the flour in small quantities and fold in with wooden spoon.
8. Drain the soaked dry fruits and add them to the above batter. 
9. Whisk egg whites till it forms peaks & gently fold into the Cake batter till well combined.
10. Grease cake tin & line with parchment paper.Pour batter up to half of the prepared cake tin.
11. Bake for 45-50 min.

 Njoy Yummy Plum Cake on Xmas n New Year...Best wishes to everyone !!!

Mango Kulfi

A Mouth-watering,easy, home-made Kulfi...By Chef Sanjeev Kapoor

That's my son with a plate of kulfis

Ripe Mangoes - 4
Milk - 1 ltr
Khoya/Mawa - 5 to 6 tbsp
Milkmaid - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 1/4 cup
Illachi powder - 1 tsp ( i added this extra touch) * Optional

Method :-

Puree mangoes.Boil milk & reduce it .
Add khoya & mix well.
Add milkmaid,sugar & mix properly.
Simmer the mixture for 15min or until it thickens.
Cool & add the mango puree..mix well.
Pour into moulds & leave it in freezer to set.

Njoy!!!

Turai( Ridged Gourd) ki sabzi

Turai - 4
Tomato(chopped) - 1(big)
Green Chilli - 1 (chopped)
Tumeric - 1/2tsp
Hing - a pinch
Jeera - 1tsp
Veg Oil - 1 tbsp
Coriander Powder - 2tbsp
Red chilli powder - 1/2tsp
Salt
Lemon juice - 1tbsp
Coriander leaves - a few

Method :-

1. Wash and peel the turai,chop off the top & bottom tip and then cut into small circles.
2. On medium heat in a pressure cooler add oil,jeera,hing & fry them for 2-3 min.
3. Add  coriander powder,red chilli powder,haldi & mix well.
4. Add chopped tomatoes & cook for 5-6 min.
5. Add turai ,salt ,green chilli ,1/2 cup water & pressure cook(2 whistles).
6. Once steam goes down ,open cooker n mash  few pieces of turai(with a ladle)-this helps in making gravy thicker.
7. Add lemon juice.

Garnish with coriander leaves...Serve with chapati. ..Njoy!!

Aam Ki Chutney

A Sweet n Spicy chutney ...a great side-dish for ur chapatis...Thanx Mum n Vini(My Bhabhi) for teaching me dis yummy Mango dish..

Ripe Mango - 2(cut into cubes,i like using the seed also)
Fennel Seeds(Saunf) - 2tsp + a pinch to Garnish
Salt - 3/4tsp
Tumeric - 1/2tsp
Jaggery - 2tbsp
Red Chilli Powder - 1tsp ( or more if u like more spice)
Ghee - 2 tbsp

Method : -

Heat ghee in a pan ,add saunf and then add the mango cubes.Saute for 2-3 min.s

 Cover and cook till its gooey.

 Then add all the masalas n salt, mix well.

Atlast add small Jaggery Pieces..and cook till jaggery dissolves fully and mango mix starts leaving the sides of the pan.
Garnish with a pinch of Saunf and serve it hot with Chapati..or store it in a glass jar for 2-3 days in fridge.You can even spread it on bread slices...slurrppppp...Njoy!!!

Egg Fritters/Pakodas

Easy n tasty snack for luvly rainy evenings or make it for ur kid's tiffin...

Try the Cornflour version

or Besan version

Serves - 4 to 6 people

For Omelet
Eggs - 3
Onion/Spring Onion - 1/4 cup
Black pepper - 1 tsp
Salt - 1/2tsp
Oil - a little (for greasing the pan)

For Batter1

Maida - 3tbsp
Cornflour - 2tbsp
Salt - a small pinch
Water- as reuired

For Batter 2

Besan(gramflour) - 4tbsp
Ajwain(Carrom Seeds) - a pinch
Hing - 1/2tsp
Salt - a pinch
Red Chilli Powder - 1/2tsp
Water - as required

Oil - for deep frying

Method :-

• Mix all the ingredients given under "for omelet" and prepare one single -big /thick omelet on a non-stick pan using little oil.Cut this omelet into small bite size squares and keep aside.
• In a medium bowl, prepare a little thick batter of ur choice(batter1 or batter2)
• Heat Oil in a Wok .
• Dip omelet square(one by one) in the batter and deep fry.
• Drain out on kitchen towl .

Serve with Chutney /Ketchup and a Hot Cup of TEAaaa.....Njoy!!!

Sharjah Shake

A Yummy -chilling Banana Shake with a twist...my version of Kerala's most Popular shake....Miss it badly...used to have it almost everyday during College Days..

Ripe banana - 4
Vanilla Ice-Cream - 2tbsp + 2 scoops (for topping each glass)
Cornflakes - 4tbsp
Sugar - 2tbsp
Ice cubes - 4 to 5
Milk - 2 glasses(chilled)

Method:-
Blend together banana,sugar,milk,cornflakes,a few ice cubes and 2tbsp of vanilla ice-cream-till well combined.
Pour into glasses and top it with a scoop of Vanilla ICE-CREAM...Njoy!!!

Oats Apple Crumble

Yesterday evening my house was filled with d Aroma of Baked Apples+Cinnamon+Cardamom...ufff..i can't explain u how divine it was...No need of a room  freshner :p :)

 Past many months i  was planning to prepare dish..always had seen n heard about it on Tv..never ever tasted before...am so HAPPY with d result.. it came out YUM YUm...and best compliment i could get(even without saying was )...watching my Hubby searching for d crumble dis morning..luckily had 2 spoons left in d fridge..he had a spoon full n left for d office Happily :D !!!

Recipe Source - NDTV Show

Apples(thinly sliced) - 4
Cinnamon Pwdr - 1tsp + 1/2 tsp (keep separate)
Brown Sugar - 2tbsp + 2tbsp(keep separate)
Lemon Zest - 1 tbsp
Lemon Juice - 2tbsp
Jaggery - 2tbsp
Nutmeg - a pinch (i used Cardamom instead)
Oats - 1 cup
Butter(chilled) - 2 tbsp(diced)

Method :-

• Take a wide bowl,add lemon juice to the cut apples.Add the sugar,cinnamon(1tsp),nutmeg,jaggery,lemon zest and mix well with your hands.As an option,you can add a tablespoon full of marmalade(of ur choice).Leave for 30 min.
• In another bowl-mix oats,sugar,cinnamon(1/2tsp),then add the butter and crumble the mixture with ur hands.
• Now take a baking pan-grease it .Sprinkle a bit of Oat mixture at the bottom.Then add the apple mixture and sprinkle rest of the oats mixture.As an option,you can grate a little bit of extra butter on top.
• Bake this in a pre-heated oven(190 degree C) for 40-45 min. or till the crumble is browned n apples look gooey.

Serve it warm with a Dollop of Vanilla Ice-Cream on the top....YUm YUm ..NJoy!!!!

Banana bread

A yummy kick start to ur  Breakfast Time...

 Recipe source - All About Chocolates,a Pakistani Baking Show.

Maida - 180gm(sieved)
Baking Powder  - 1tsp
Vanilla ess - 1tsp
Salt - a pinch
Butter - 80 gm(softened)
Egg - 1
Ripe Banana - 4
Sugar - 200 gm
Icing sugar - 1 tbsp (for topping)-Optional

Method :-
Preheat oven to 175 degree C
Mash bananas using a fork.Mix sugar,baking powder,salt,vanilla ess. and egg-beat well.
Add soft butter n atlast add maida-comine well.
Place butter paper inside a bread tin and pour the batter.Bake for 45 min.

Note - for this cake u don't need to use hand blender or electric mixer...just combine everythg using a whisk.

Lemony Ruh-afzaa

A gr8 drink for hot summer days....

Ruhafza - 4 tbsp
Water - 2 glass
Ice - 4 cubes
Lemon  - 1
Kala Namak(rock salt ) - a pinch (for each glass)

Method: -

In a jar mix ruhafza,water,lemon..Pour in 2 glasses,add a pinch of kala namak in each glass and serve it with ice cubes...Njoy!!

Strawberry Shake

Yummy n healthy ...

 

Strawberries -6 (sliced)

Chilled Milk - 2 cups

Sugar - 1tbsp(use less if the strawberries r  too sweet)

Method :-

In a juicer blender (or Mixcy)..blend all the above ingredients till frothy..Yummy strawberry shake ready.

for sum additional flavour you can add half of a sweet banana or even a scoop of Ice-cream..

Njoy!!

Mango Pickle

A north indian style Pickle...

Recipe Source - Khana Khazana

Mango - 500 gm
Haldi - 2 tbsp
Salt
Methi dana - 3 tbsp(Fenugreek seeds)
Saunf - 4tbsp(Fennel seeds)
Kalonji - 1tbsp(onion seeds)
Dhaniya - 2tsp(coriander seeds)
Jeera - 1tsp(Cumin)
Hing - a large pinch
Red chilli pwdr - 2 tbsp
Mustard Seeds - 3 tbsp
Mustard Oil - 2 cups

Method :-

• Wash  and wipe the mangoes dry.Cut them into half,remove seed and then cut into cubes.
• put the pieces in a bowl,add haldi salt(3tbsp),mix well and allow to rest for 2 hours.
• Drain out excess moisture.
• Grind methidana,saunf,mustard seeds,half of kalonji,dhaniya n jeera - to a coarse powder.
• Add hing,red chilli pwdr and salt-2tbsp(as required) and mix well.
• Heat mustard oil in a pan to smoking point,remove and let it cool thoroughly.
• Mix half of the oil with the freshly prepared masala.Add this to the mangoes.
• Mix well to coat the mangoes properly.
• Sprinkle the remaining kalonji on top and mix well.
• Allow it to stand for 3 days.On the 4th day transfer it to a porcelain jar,add the remaining oil and mix properly.
• Cover the jar with a muslin cloth,tie a string and let the pickle mature for 8-10 days in Sun.
• Remember to mix the contents atleast once a day.

Yummy Homemade Pickle is ready to be used...Njoy!!

Khatte Aloo

Simple , Tasty...n slightly Sour - Potato Curry....

Potato(big) - 5 (cubed n boiled)
Onion (medium) - 2 (sliced)
Tomato(medium) - 2(sliced)
Ginger - 1 small pc(grated/chopped)
Curry leaves - a few
Green Chilly  - 4(sliced)
Ghee- 1 to 1.5 tbsp
Cumin - 1 tsp
Bay leaves - 1 small leaf
Hing - 1 tsp
Haldi - 1/2tsp
Red chilli pwdr - 1 tsp
Aamchur/Dry Mango pwdr - 1 tsp
Salt
Water - 2 cups(or more if required)
Coriander leaves - 1tbsp

Method:-

• Heat Ghee in a wok,crackle cumin seeds-curry leaves-bay leaves n hing.
• Add ginger ,green chillies n onions..saute n cook till onions turn light golden.
• Add tomatoes and cook for 5 min.
• Add haldi,red chilli pwdr n salt.
• With the help of a spoon,mash half of the potaotes.
• Add mashed potatoes n rest of the boiled poatoes  to the wok.
• Add water,put on the lid.Bring to boil on medium flame.
• Atlast check salt and add aamchur .

Garnish with coriander leaves...serve hot with Puri/Chapati/Rice....NJOY!!!

Chicken Korma

A south indian style Korma...Simple n quick to prepare.

Chicken pcs- 1/2 kg
Coconut milk - 1 cup
Onion(small) - 4
Green chilly - 4
Ginger-Garlic paste - 2 tsp
Coriander pwdr - 2 tsp
Cumin pwdr - 2 tsp
Salt
Cumin seeds - 1tsp
Cinnamon stick - 1 small pc
Curry leaves - a few
Coconut Oil - 2.5tbsp
Coriander leaves - a few
For Marination - Haldi-1tsp,Red chilli pwdr - 1tsp,Salt - 1tsp

Method : -

Marinate chicken pcs with haldi,red chilli pwdr n salt for 1 hour.
Heat oil in a pan and add cumin ,cinnamon stick n curry leaves.Later add ginger-garlic paste.Saute well.
In a mixer grinder make a paste of onions + green chilli.Add this to the pan and cook till onions turn light brown.
Add Cumin pwdr , Coriander pwdr .Add the chicken pcs and mix well..
Add 1/2cup coconut milk and check salt..if needed add more.Cook till the chicken is done.
Atlast add the balance coconut milk and garnish with Coriander leaves.

Njoy with Jeera rice,Appam...etc

Note :- If u feel that the gravy is too thick pls add little water.