payasam/kheer

It is amazing as to how just a few simple ingredients can be used to make some of the most delectable dishes.This post is on one of the most popular desser

Ruby salad:)

A refreshingly tangy and colouful salad :) Its very simple

Custard & jelly :)

Custard is a fabulous make ahead dessert. You can have it with jellies, jams, fruits, nuts or even caramel . You want it set in little moulds or  want it to be creamy , want it hot , want it cold??  Anything is fine. Thats why I really love custard.

South starter :) - paruppu vada / masala vada

Its bin raining here on and off!! And Chennai ! god only knows what happened. All I hear for the past 1 month is its raining!!! the weather is very nice. I envy u all. Love to walk on the beach road when it rains. One of the most beautiful experience.Damn! I am missing it.

Dum aloo

Dum aloo is a popular recipe and when you google, about a zillion recipes come up and no two are same. There are differnt styles and versions, some people use yogurt some dont. I did use yogurt, and it cameout  well.

Fruit bowl :)

Salads are simple, easy to make and very healthy. I enjoy both fruit and  vegetable salads. This time its going to be a double post. First a fruit salad, then  a veggie salad.

PART 1

Pears have started coming here so tried  apple, pear and kiwi salad. Its a  refreshingly tangy salad with a slight hint of spice (pepper).It tastes better if it is chilled before serving.

INGREDIENTS
serves 2

• Apple       -  1( medium sized)
• Pear         -  2  small/ 1 big
• Kiwi         -  1 
• Lemon     -  1/2
• Pepper    -   1/2 tsp
• Salt          -  a pinch
• Sugar       -  1 tsp

1. Chop apple, pear and kiwi.
2. Add lime juice, pepper, salt , sugar and mix.
3. Chill for at least  half hour, serve.

P.S
Instead of pepper and sugar, honey (1 - 2 tsp) and cinnamon(1/4 tsp  powdered)can be used.
For  better taste use ripe fruits.
Chopped nuts especially almonds can be added for the extra crunch.

Veggie delite:)

PART 2

 Fresh, juicy and crunchy vegetable salad. I  added  sprouts too and it is quite filling.

INGREDIENTS

serves 2

• Cucumber  - 1/2 cup
• Tomato      - 1/2 cup
• Onion        - 1/2 cup 
• Capsicum  - 1/4 cup
• Carrot       - 1/4 cup grated
• Sprouts     - 1/3 cup
• vinegar      - 1/2 tsp
• Oil            - 1/2 to 1 tsp
• Coriander  - 2 tsp finely chopped
• Mint leaves- 4 to 5 leaves
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Salt
• Pepper

1. In a bowl, mix the finely chopped cucumber, tomato, capsicum, carrot and onion.
2. In a kadai heat oil and add mustard seeds.
3. Once they splutter add sprouts and turn off the flame. Saute for a minute and add it to the veggies.
4. To it add salt, powdered pepper. coriander and mint leaves.
5. Add vinegar and toss it lightly. Chill and serve.

P.S

• Lemon juice can be added instead of vinegar
• To make  sprouts bhel, add little bhel and 3 - 4 tsp chutney (1/2 cup pudhina, 1/2 cup coriander, 1 green chilli, salt,sugar, garlic, chat masala, small piece dates,lemon juice - grind)
• If possible use olive oil
• Keep in fridge for half hour before serving

Golden fry - Baby corn fritters

This post is dedicated  to all who love Eden's fried baby corn :)!!!

INGREDIENTS

Classic paneer recipe

Paneer butter masala is one of my favourite and its special too. Its special coz tis is one of those dishes which I learnt to make all by myself when I started cooking. Back then, I used to think most of the dishes like channa masala, tikka masala, paneer butter masala etc had the same gravy recipe. But slowly I learnt that to get a good dish lott of care has to be taken while making the gravy . That's what makes them unique.(ratio/ the way you add ie pureed or chopped onions, tomatoes does make a lottt of difference)

Paneer butter masala is a rich dish with silky tomato sauce. Onions are optional but if u add they give a nice flavour. The recipe requires adding some ketchup to the gravy. This is the first time I used and it did make a big difference.

Black and white

I have been really excited about  this post. It's special coz this is my first "fancy" cake ;) lol yea really. Its called "zebra" cake as it has black and white stripes. I came across this recipe in one of the food blogs and was dying to try this.

This cake contains egg, so its soft and fluffy. The intense flavour of the dark chocolate in the chocolate layer is nicely complemented by the mild vanilla flavour in the white layer making it a wonderful tea time snack :)!!!

This is a slightly big cake and hence, had to use a 9 inch round baking tray.

INGREDIENTS
serves 6-8

• Sugar                      - 1 cup
• Eggs                       - 4
• Butter                     - 1 cup (melted about 200ml or little less)
• Milk                       - 1 cup (200ml)
• Vanilla extract        - 2 tsp
• Maida                    - 2 cups (about 260 - 280g)
• Baking  powder      - 2 tsp
• Salt                        - 1/4 tsp
• Cocoa powder       -  2 tablespoon (tbs) ie about 6 tsp
• Dark chocolate      -  60g (preferably cooking grade)

1. In a bowl mix sugar and eggs ( beat one at a time) till creamy and light yellow.
2. To it add butter and mix well. Then add milk and vanilla extract, mix again.
3. In another bowl mix maida, baking powder, salt and sieve the mix twice or thrice.
4. Slowly add the sieved mix in small portions to the bowl containing the egg mix.
5. Mix well (gently) to get a smooth batter.
6. Divide the batter into 2 equal portions and to one add cocoa powder and chocolate (melted).
7. If the batter containing the chocolate is thick add some milk.(3 - 4 tsp)
8. Grease a 9 inch round baking tray.
9. Take a cup of batter (vanilla and chocolate alternatively) and pour on the center of the tray.                (Dont pour anywhere else. As you pour to the centre, the mix well spread evenly and you will get concentric black and white circles. Donot disturb the tray and dont wait for the layers to spread, keep pouring alternatively and dont use spatula to even the batter) 

  10. Bake at 180C for 45 minutes (roughly)(check if the cake is done after 40 minutes. It might take less or     more than 45 depending on the oven)

  11. Allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges and tap firmly

 P.S

• To melt chocolate use double boiler method ie heat a vessel containing water . Place another thick bottomed kadai (that has the chocolate) on top such that the water touches it.
• I used both butter and oil, ie half cup butter( melted) n half cup oil.

QUTUB MINAR

Monsoon special :)!!!

Hello!!! I am back from Chennai :) !!! Two weeks of non stop fun and now I am back in my kitchen.
When I reached Chennai there was no trace of laila (the storm that hit chennai jus few days before I reached) and I was really disappointed..
After about a week of scorching sun, rain came from nowhere and overnight the weather changed. Chennai is at its best during the rains (not talkin about the roads) . All you feel like doing is sit beside the window and watch the rain. And ya I love to munch ;) !!! Snacks like pakodas are reserved for such days:)
Love the crisp, hot onion pakodas. Here is the recipe....

INGREDIENTS
serves 2

• Gram flour          1 cup
• Rice flour           1/2 cup
• Onion                1 large (chopped fine, length wise)
• Green chilli         3 or 4 finely chopped (add more if u want it 2 be spicy)
• Ginger                1 piece finely chopped 
• Oil                      1 tbs plus for frying
• Salt                    
• Curry leaves 
• Water
• Baking soda (optional)

1.  Chop the onion into fine strips and add little salt, ginger, chilli, curry leaves and keep it aside.
2. In a bowl mix gram flour, rice flour , salt and baking powder.
3. Add 1 to 2 tablespoon of oil to it make a coarse mixture.
4. To this now add the onion sprinkle some water and knead to get a coarse mixture (donot add to much water,  just sprinkle to make all the ingredients come together and form dumplings ).
5. Deep fry in oil.
6. Serve hot.

Dark temptation - Chocolate cookies

 After the shortbread cookies thought will try my all time favourite - rich , dark and melt in mouth chocolate cookies. I like my cookies to have a nice chocolate flavor, must be like biting into a crisp choco-truffle ;) (yup  something like yummy pure magic). So to get that flavor I used dark chocolate.

-

• Nutralite or unsalted butter - 1/2 cup

• Flour - corn flour               - 1/4 cup

                      maida                    - 1/2 cup

• Chocolate shavings (dark)  - 1 tbs
  
•  Drinking chocolate             - 2 tsp
• Cocoa powder                   - 1/2 tsp
  
• Powdered sugar                 - 1/3 cup
• Baking powder                   - 1/4 tsp

1. Sieve together flour, cocoa powder and baking powder.
2. Melt butter and to it add the drinking chocolate powder and chocolate shavings.
3. Mix well to make a smooth paste and to it slowly add the sieved flour.
4. Make a nice soft dough (like a chapathi dough).
5. Roll out on a clean surface (has to be little thicker than chapathi) cut to desired shape (use tumblers or cups with sharp rim)
6. Transfer to greased baking trays and bake at 150C for 20 minutes.

p.s

• Donot overbake as cookies will crumble
• 1 tablespoon (tbs) is equal to 3 leveled  teaspoons (tsp)
• I use nutralite for baking as I dont get good white butter and it also has less cholesterol ;) 
• If possible buy cooking grade dark chocolates as they will  give a better flavour and be cheaper
• If you dont hav dark chocolate substitute it with milk chocolate (1/2 tbs) and add 3/4 tsp of cocoa powder instead.
  

Tangy tomato

 After all the butter, spice and sugar overdose, thought will post something healthy.Will start with the all time favourite starter, cream of tomato.
I am not a big fan of soup but once in a while on a rainy day would love to sit back and enjoy tangy, creamy tomato soup with lots of pepper and chopped coriander.

INGREDIENTS
serves 2

• Tomato        - 3
• Onion          -  1
• Carrot         -   1
• Garlic          -  1 clove (optional)
• Milk            - 1/4 cup or more depends 
• Water          - 1 - 1 1/2 cups
• Salt
• Pepper
• coriander
• Cornflour (optional)

1.  Pressure cook whole tomatoes, chopped onions,garlic (optional) and diced carrot in 11/2-2cups of water.
2. Remove the skin from the tomato.
3. Liquidize the cooked vegetables along with the water left in the cooker.
4. Strain and the thick pureed mixture has to be warmed (cook in slow flame and stir).
5. Add the salt and pepper.Cook for a minute or two.
6. Remove from flame and add warm milk (how much to add depends on your taste)
7. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander.

p.s
In case your soup is too watery then add 1 tsp of corn flour dissolved in warm water before you add salt and pepper.
Warm the pureed mix and add milk just before serving.
Once you add milk if necessary warm it slightly but do not boil.
Fresh cream can be added instead of milk if you want a richer texture.
For extra flavor add a tsp of butter .
Can be served with fried bread pieces.
Can be made using microwave too.

Pav bhaji - Mish-mash of cooked veggies!!!

In about every corner of the street you would find a food stall in India.Such is the popularity of the street food or chat. One of the most popular chat is Pav bhaji. Buttered pav buns are had with vegetables cooked in a rich tomato gravy that is nicely spiced and has a mild butter flavor.This modest street food from Maharashtra is no longer just a snack, its gaining popularity as a main course too.
The taste of the bhaji lies in the spices.Therefore, to get a delicious bhaji use a good pav bhaji masala (instead of garam masala).

Ingredients

Simply vanilla

Sponge cake is my all time favorite and is very easy to make. This eggless sponge cake makes a good tea time snack. Generally, it is tougher to make eggless cakes as they wont rise well and  have to be made thinner to ensure that they bake well.To get a soft, fluffy cake the flour and baking powder have to be sieved well twice or thrice.

INGREDIENTS

• Flour (maida)      -  1 cup (about 125g)
• Condensed milk  - 200g (1/2 can)
• Baking powder   - 2 tsp
• Butter/nutralite     - 60ml(melted)
• Water                 - 75 ml
• Vanilla essence   - 1 tsp 

1. Sieve flour and baking powder together thrice.
2. In a bowl added the sieved mix, condensed milk, butter, water and vanilla essence. Beat well  till it forms a smooth paste.
3. Grease a baking tray and pour the mixture.
4. Bake at 200c for 10 minutes and then at 150c for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. The cake is done when an inserted skewer comes out clean or when the cake leaves the sides of the tray.
6. Cool the cake for 5 to 10 minutes. Loosen the edges, invert and tap.

p.s
Recipe courtesy Tarla Dalal
Make sure you add the right amount. Use measuring cups if possible.
To make chocolate sponge cake add 1 tbs cocoa powder and 1 tbs chocolate powder to maida before sieving.
1tbs is equal to 3 leveled tsp.
Toss in some chopped walnuts on top before baking the cake.

SANDWICH ALSA MALL ISHTYLE !!!

The desi style veggie chutney sandwich is finger licking good , healthy and easy to make. Though I have had it numerous times, the one i had at Alsa mall is the best (thanks to Deepak :)). Fresh vegetables, tangy chutney and the mild flavour of butter makes them irresistible (Its a typical Bombay chutney sandwich).

INGREDIENTS

• Bread
• Mint - coriander chutney
• Vegetables - boiled potatoes, onion, cucumber and tomato (thinly sliced)
• Chat masala
• Butter

Mint coriander  chutney

1. Take 1 cup mint leaves and 1 cup chopped coriander
2. 2-3 garlic cloves
3. A small piece ginger
4. 2 green chillies (according to taste)
5. Salt 1 tsp and sugar 1/2 tsp
6. Grind the above ingredients and then add juice of half  a lemon and 1/2 spoon chat masala (optional).

•  Take 2 slices of lightly buttered bread
• Apply the chutney evenly
• Layer the veggies on one slice.(usually cucmber, tomato, onion and then potato)
• Sprinkle chat masala
• Place the other slice on top
• Cut into 4 small squares and serve with sauce.

p.s- Can sprinkle alubhujia or sev on top of the vegetables if you like crunchy sandwich .
       Garlic in the chutney gives a very nice flavour so dont omit it.

AGRA

      

  

 

 

 

Scrumptious Cookies:)

Whenever I enter Spencer or Citi center I get bowled over with the smell of freshly baked cookies from Cookie man!!! Though you get a number of packed cookies there is nothing to beat the freshly baked. So one afternoon thought will try making some cookie that is simple, tasty and melt in mouth ;)

Flour, sugar, butter and vanilla essence is all you will need to make this soft yet refreshingly crisp shortbread cookies. A range of deliciously soft cookies can be made by making just a few variations to the original recipe like adding flavouring agents (pineapple essence, Chocolate , cocoa or instant coffee powder) nuts , raisins , chocolate chips(cooking grade) or even cinnamon.

Ingredients