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