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.