Kadala Urundai/ Sweetened Peanut Balls

Nothing much to say about a delicacy which wraps up any tongue.

Ingredients
400 gms - Dry Roasted pealed or raw pealed Peanuts
500 gms - Dark coloured Jaggery
100 ml.   - Water
1 tbsp.    - Cardamom or Elaichi powder
1 tbsp.    - Dry Ginger powder or Suk powder

Method:
1. Crush the peanuts roughly using a dough roller.
2. In a pan add in jaggery and water.
3. Once it starts boiling drain out the impurities and again pour it into pan and boil.
4. Drain at least twice.
5. Once the jaggery  starts thickening. Pour one drop into a water filled steel cup. If it immediately roles to a ball means it's ready.
6. In a non sticky bowl poi in the crushed peanuts over it pour in the jaggery, elaichi and suk powder.
7. Roll the mixture into small balls quickly. Remember it would be extremely hot.  Also use a sodden ladle or iron one to mix them well.

Eggless Chocolate Cheese Cake - No Baking

Bored of baking cake. Try this chilled eggless cheese cake.

Ingredients

300 gms - Digestive or orange or ginger biscuits

400 gms - Cooking chocolate or any bar chocolate

300 ml    -  Pasteurized Cream

250 gms -  Cream Cheese. I used Italian Mascarpone

25 gms   -  Cocoa Powder

10 gms.  -  Coffee powder

30 gm

Sprinklers

Cake tin

Method

1. Powder the biscuits and mix with melted butter and spread on the bottom of the cake tin.
2. Double boil chocolate or melt it in microwave.

3. Beat cream and cream cheese into a smooth stiff batter.

4. Either ways you can layer the chocolate and cream.
5. I layered cream cheese layer over the biscuit layer.
6. On top of it added chocolate. Sprinkle cocoa powder and coffee powder as required.

7. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hrs.
Yummy chocolate cream cheese cake is ready.
I have not added any extra sugar as chocolate and biscuits have enough sugar content.

Instant Coconut Balls

Unable to make a lengthy process sweet. Make this simple sweet using desiccated coconut.

Ingredients:
500 gms - Desiccated Coconut
250 ml   - Condenssed Milk

10   gms - Kaju / Cashew Nuts pieces

Method:
1. Dry roast the coconut in a pan in low flame along with cashew nuts.
2. Add in the condensed milk and mix well.
3. Once the mixture starts leaving the sides of pan take off from the heat.
4. Immediatly role them into small portions of balls coating them with more coconut.
Here instead of condensed milk you can add in sugar and milk with equal proportions.
Note: Store it in an air tight container in a refridgerator if your are not going to serve immediately.

Masala Mathri

Masala Mathri is a Marati snack made during festivals. Similar to Namkeen family. It's a kind of masala Indian biscuit.

Ingredients:
400 gms - Maida / All purpose flour
5     gms - Carrom seeds/ Ajwain/Omam
200 ml    - Water
Oil to deep fry
Salt to taste

Stuffing :
100 gms  - Gram flour / Chickpea flour
1     tbs    - Jeera
1     tbs    - Red Chilly powder
1     tbs    - Dry Mango Powder/Aamchoor
1     tbs    - Garam Masala (Optional)
2     tbs    - Oil
Salt to taste

Method:
1. Sieve the dough and mix carrom, water to make a soft dough.

2. Set aside covering with a wet muslin cloth for ten minutes.
3. Meanwhile, add oil in a pan to make the stuffing.
4. Once oil is hot add in jeera let it spluter. Add in gram flour and rest of the ingredients.
5. Roast it and add little water so that the flour becomes into a fine paste.
6. Take of the wet cloth from the dough and flatten it into a big chappati having 1inch thickness.
7. Place the paste over the dough and cover the paste completely pulling all corners of the dough.
8. Now slowly flatten the dough again without putting much pressure leaving 1 inch thickness.
9. Cut them into various shapes desired.

10. Heat oil on medium range and fry Mathri's.
Enjoy the Mathri's with your family.

Khaja/ Chirotie

Happy Diwali folks :)  Khaja or Chirotie is a sweet which part of Badushah or Balushahi family. 

Crispy & less sugar content sweet. Why not try  for this Diwali!!! 

Ingredients:

400 gms - Maida or Refined flour

200 gms - Ghee or Clarified butter

50   gms - Rice flour

500 ml    - Water

200 gms  - Sugar

1     gm    - Saffron strings (Optional)

1     tsp    - Kewda/ Jasmine essence (Optional)

Oil to deep fry

Method:

1.  Sieve maida into a large bowl and  4 tbs of ghee.

2.  Mix the ghee evenly thru the maida rubbing with both your palms.

3.  Add in 100 ml of water slowly till the maida becomes a dough.

4.  Dough has to be at a nan dough consistency.

5.  If, required you can add baking soda. I have not added.

6.  Keep aside for 10 mins closing with a wet muslin cloth.

 

7.  Meanwhile, make a mixture of rest of ghee and rice flour into a fine paste.

8.  Keep the oil ready in a medium heat.

9.  After 10 mins remove the cloth and knead the dough for 2mins.

10.Make the dough into a lengthwise portion and cut them into 5 chunk portions.

11. Flatten each portion into a chappati shape and set aside.

12. Now take the first flattened dough over it spread the rice flour and ghee paste.

13. Place another flattened dough over it and repeat the process.

14. After the 5th dough spread the remaining paste. 

15. Role the entire dough into a big roll.

16. Cut the roll into 2inch pieces.

 17. Press lightly the dough pieces. Fry them until they turn brown. 

18. In another pan put sugar and water make 1 string consistency.

19. Put saffron and kewada essence.

20. Dip the fried Khajas into the sugar syrup and take it out drain excess syrup.

 

Eggless Banana Chocolate Walnut Muffins

These are quick mixture muffins. This time I made it for a Cancer Trust. Just heart filling.

Ingredients:

1 Cup   - Maida/ All purpose flour

2            -  Ripe Bananas 

3/4 Cup - Castor Sugar

1/2 Cup - Unsalted butter

1   Tbsp - Baking Powder

1/4 Cup -  Curd 

1/4 Cup - Warm Milk

2   Tbsp - Olive oil

2.  Tbsp - Choco chips

2.  Tbsp - Crushed Walnuts

1   Tbsp - Vannila Essence

Pinch of salt

For garnish coloured sprinklers

15 Cup cake moulds

Method:

1. In a cup add Choco chips & Walnuts to some Maida and keep aside.

2. Beat well butter,sugar until sugar gets dissolved.

3. To it add in curd and oil and keep beating for 5mins free hand. By blender 2mins.

4. Sieve Maida , baking powder & salt in a bowl.

5. Incorporate wet ingredients to dry one's and keep folding.

6. Mash bananas well into a paste . Add them to mixture and mix well. Also add in the powdered choco chips & Walnuts.

7. Pre- heat Oven by 180˙ 

8. Scoop some batter in a spoon and slowly fill cup cake liners to 1/4 th height. Decorate with sprinklers.

9. Bake well for 15-20 mins at 180˙

10. Baking options may vary from oven to oven

11. Once done keep muffins inside the oven for 5mins.

12. With a toothpick check whether muffins are done.

Serving hot muffins is just yummy. Shelf life 1 week.

Corn Sundal

Ingredients
2 - Sweet corn
1 tbs -  Urad dal
1 tbs -  Mustard
2 tbs -  Oil
1 tbs - Black Pepper powder
Asafatida
Curry leaves
Salt to taste
Pinch of sugar

Method:
1. In a pan add oil, Mustard seeds, urad Sal, curry leaves,asafatida.
2. To it add boiled sweet corn,salt,sugar,black pepper powder.
3. Mix well and serve hot.

Healthy Crispy Dinner Table

Healthy yet crispy dinner table is a rare combination.

Pear Carrot Soup

1 - Pear/ Berika

1-  Big Carrot

1 - Potato

1tbsp - Dried Fenugreek leaves

1tbsp - Salt

2 pods - Garlic

2tbsp - Butter

500ml Water

4 pods - Black Peppercons

Mixed Italian Herbs

1. Peel off the skins of pear, potato,carrot.

2. In a pressure cooker add in butter, peppercons,pear pieces,carrot,potato.

3. Stir fry for 2mins.

4. Add in dried fenugreek leaves, Salt

5. Pour in water & and close lid.

6. After 5 whistles. Cool it and strain the veggies and fruit.

7. Cool and grind into paste.

8. Add the paste to the drained water along with mixed Italian herbs.

9. Serve hot with spring onion

Quinoa Salad

50gms - Quinoa

200 ml - Water

50gms - Green capsicum

50gms - Orange or red capsicum

1          - Medium onion

1.         - Green chilly

Green coriander leaves

2tbsp.  - Lime juice

Salt to Taste

1tbsp.  - Black Pepper powder

1. Boil quinoa in water for 7mins. Once it turns transparent separate it with fork.

2. Finely dice capsicum, onion, green chilly and add it to quinoa.

3. Add in salt, black pepper, lime juice and mix well.

4. Serve chilled.

Baby Corn Manchurian

100gms - Baby corn

50hrs     - Green capsicum

1             -  Onion

2             -  Green chillies

4             - Garlic pods

1 inch.   - Ginger

2 string. - Spring onion

3tbsp      - Tomato chilly sauce

1tbsp.     - Soya sauce

1tbsp.     - Sweet chilly sauce

4tbsp.     - Cornflour

Salt to Taste

Oil to fry

1. Grind 2 garlic pods,ginger,1 green chilly into a paste.

2. Make a smooth cornflour batter adding salt, ground paste 1 tbsp.

3. Heat oil in a pan to deep fry.

4. Dip baby corns into cornflour powder and deep fry them.

5. Meanwhile finely chop capsicum,pinion,remaining garlic,green chillies,spring onion.

6. In a pan add 2tbsp oil stir fry onion,green chilly,garlic for 2mins

7. Add in remaining garlic ginger paste, capsicum and saute for another 3mins.

8. Add in soya sauce,sweet chilly sauce,tomatoes,tomato chilly sauce,salt.

9. Sure for 2mins.

10. Add in fried baby corns

11. 

Thattai

Thattai - name calls for crisp,tasteful snack anytime. Down south of India along with Seedai thattai is also made on Lord Krishna's birthday or Krishna Jayanthi.

Ingredients:

1 cup - Idli rice or Boiled rice
1/4 cup - Pottukadalai or roasted gram dhal
1 tbs     - Pepper powder
1 tbs    - Asafatida
2 tbs   - Channa Dhal or Kadalai Parupu
1 arc.  - Curry leaves
1 tbs.   - Red Chilly powder or flakes
Salt to Taste
Water to soak rice and dhal
Oil to deep fry

Method
1. Soak rice for 4hrs. Drain and grind into a fine semi liquid batter
2. Soak Channa dhal for 1hr
3. Grind the pottukadalai into powder
4. In a bowl add in the rice batter. To it add pottukadalai powder little by little in small quantities.
5. Add in salt,chilly powder,pepper powder,asafatida,Channa Sal drained,curry leaves.
6. Mix well into a dough.

7. Meanwhile heat oil on medium flame or induction 3 point
8. Take a small lemon size dough and flatten it round using 3 fingers a tissue paper or plastic sheet or wet cloth.
9. Test a bit of dough in oil to check temperature of oil. Dough has to raise up.
10. Slowly drop 2 to 3 flattened dough into oil depending on size of your pan

11. Turn the dough after 30 secs to other. Fry them until golden brown.
12. Drain it on to a tissue paper and store it in air tight container once it cools down.

Bharwan Lal Mirch Aachar

Lal Mirch Aachar - A common pickle in northern parts of India. I have been tasting since my childhood. Made by my mother, aunts. Note: there are many alternate receipe options also.

Ingredients:
2tbs - Turmeric powder
1 ltr - Mustard oil
25gms - Dry coriander seeds
25gms - Fenugreek / Methi seeds
25gms - Brown or Black Mustard seeds
10 pcs  - Dry red chilly
2 tbs.    - Dry Mango powder
25gms  - Saunf or Fennel seeds
5 tbs.    - Black Salt or  if, Rock Salt then 4tbs, if, table salt 5tbs
400 gms/10 to 12 - Fresh long Red Chillies
2tbs.     - Asafetida

Method:
1. Wash & dry the red chillies with a dry cloth.
2. Cut the chillies into 2 to 3 pcs each measuring at least 5 inches
3. Scoop out the seeds seperately.
4. Coat the chillies with some mustard oil
5. In a pan dry roast all ingredients except salt. Dry roast salt after switching off the flame
6. Cool them and grind them into powder along with the seeds taken out from fresh chillies
7. Fill tightly the powder into  the red chillies.
8. Meanwhile heat the mustard oil until the smoke comes.
9. Have a sterilized glass or ceramic jar.
10. Place in the chillies on by one into the bottle.
11. Once oil cools down pour it into the jar or bottle .
12. Remember oil should be at least 1/4th of the glass. This avoids fungus formation.
13. Keep under sunlight for a week.
14. Keep it in a dry place and use for minimum 6 months.

Crunchy & Yummy dinner platter

Got bored of the usual dinner platter. At times joining different cuisines for a meal makes a great platter. Try this time a thick soup, crunchy cool salad with Focaccia by side.

Carrot Lentil Soup
Ingredients:
Carrot-1 , Onion-1,Garlic-2 pods,Thoor Dal-1/4 cup,Yellow Moong Dal- 1/4 cup, Water-3cups,Salt & Pepper to taste,Mixed herb seasoning, Butter-1Tbs

In a pressure cooker add in the butter. To it add in the veggies, lentils, half salt. Sure for 2mins. Add water to it. Cook until 5 whistles come up. Cool and drain water & keep aside. Grind the veggies and lentils. Pour in the paste to the drained water and mix well. Add in remaining salt, pepper,mixed herbs. Serve hot with krutons.

Feta Cheese Cool Salad
Ingredients:
Feta Cheese-100gms, Cucumber-1 cut in circles, Onion-1, Green Chilly - Finely Chopped, Letuce- 1/2 Cup, Apple Cider Vinegar- 1/2tbs,Pepper-1tbs,Olive Oil- 2tbs,Salt half the usual as Feta Cheese contains salt,Green Coriander,Blanched French Beans-5, Sugar-1/4tbs

In a bowl add in all the veggies cut lengthwise except for cucumber in circles. Make a salad dressing with apple cider,pepper,Olive oil,green coriander,half salt, sugar. Beat well. Pour the dressing into the veggies. Mix well and add in Feta cheese to it and mix well gently. Refrigerate it for 10 mins and then serve cool.

Veg Cheesy Focaccia Bread
Ingredients:
Focaccia bread- 1, Red Yellow Green Capsicum- 1 cup, Onion-1 cup sliced, Tomato sliced-1 cup, Mozerella Cheese grated-1cup, Bolanse Sauce- 1 cup, Pesto Sauce- 1/4 cup, Salt pepper & mixed herbs to sprinkle.

Cut the focaccia into 4 parts and slit them.
Rub butter and make it half crisp by baking it in Oven for 2mins. Once done layer it with Bolanse Sauce, Pesto sauce, Capsicums, Onions, Salt,pepper,mixed herbs, Mozzerela on top. Bake them on a silver foil tray for 12mins @ 220 Degrees.

Platter the above on a plate with Salad and Soup.
Enjoy ths

Whole Wheat Bread

It's a really good feeling when you bake your own bread. When you know what exactly you eat it multiplies your taste buds.
These days so called whole wheat is considered healthier ..Ok I see the word "gluten" with a hazard mark. Let it be a refined or Maida bread, whole wheat bread or any grain bread when you consume any food over and above it creates problem. My line is just one life eat what you like and do what you like life would be easier..

Ingredients
2 cups / 500gms - Wheat flour (I used Medium ground. You can use normal fully ground wheat flour)
1 tbs   - Salt
2 tbs   - Dry Yeast
1/2 cup. - Hot Milk
1/2 cup. - Hot Water
4 tbs   -  Olive oil/ Refined oil
9*4'Inch Baking Tray

Method
1. Add in wheat flour, dry yeast,sugar,salt into a mix bowl.
2. Mix well and start adding milk slowly.
3. Keep mixing add in water when required.
4. You can blend them in a blender at high speed for 5 mins. I used my hand to knead the dough.
5. To it add olive oil and keep kneading.
6. You can add egg if you prefer. I have not used egg.
7. Since I am using hand method to knead. Minimum 150 times you need to knead and food the dough gently. Put some flour on the cooking surface to avoid sticking.
8. Keep aside the dough for 30mins covering it with transparent foil or damp cloth.
9. Once the dough raises to double it size again knead for 2mins.
10. Grease the baking tray and spread the dough evenly.
11. Again keep aside the dough for 10mins.
12. Dough has to raise only up to 1 ' inch above the tray rim.
13. Pre heat Oven at 375°C if baking for 15mins.Since my oven has max 300°C I chose 230°C/ 450°C/Fan 210°C/ Gas mark 8
14. Remove the cloth and bake it for 30 Mins.
15. After 20 mins cover the tray with a aluminium foil to avoid over browning.
16. Golden colour would indicate that bread is ready.
17. Rest for 2mins once done.
18. Cool the bread to room temperature and store it in a air tight container.
19. This bread stays for 2 weeks
Note: Dry yeast you can also initially soak in hot water and sugar leave it for 30 mins and then add on to dry ingredients.

Eggless Blueberry Muffins

Muffins & Cupcakes how do they differ from each other— a controversial debate.

Muffins — less sugary, fast to make, contains hidden fruits bits,crumble outside denser inside, can be savoury too.. a sure tea time snack or early morning breakfast.

Cupcakes— filled with sugar, has a icing on top, takes a bit longer to make, soft both outside in.

Muffins that to eggless its pretty simple. They adapt to any form of flour you use. I used the usual Maida or all.purpose flour. You can use wheat flour, any other grain flour,off course not rice or gram flour ;)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups- All purpose flour

1/2 cup      - Unsalted butter

1/4 cup.     - Olive oil ( any oil which doesn't have pungent smell is fine)

3/4 cup.     - Buttermilk

1/2 tbsp.    - Baking Powder

1/4 tbsp.    - Baking Soda

50 gms.     - Blueberries

1/4 tbsp.    - Salt

1/2 cup.     - Sugar or powdered sugar

Method:

Note: Pre- heat Oven @ 180 deg Celsius.

1. Seive flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda into a bowl.

2. In a small cut coat the blueberries with 1tbsp Maida and keep aside. This avoids them sinking inside muffins.

3. In another bowl add in butter kept in room temperature and beat it with sugar.

4. Beat with a laddle blender not necessary. 

4. Once mixture turns creamy add in oil and mix for few mins.

5. Add in the dry ingredients and do the cut fold method. Do.not beat them.

6. To make the batter bit semi solid add in buttermilk little by little.

7. Take care batter should not be hard not watery. Has to be in a icing consistency.

8. Add in the berries and mix.

9. Place the muffin cups - they can be pepper or aluminum or silicon. Grease them.

9. Pour in batter into each cup up to 2/3rd linner of the cup.

10. Place them into Oven and bake for 10 mins or until muffins turn light brown.

11. Once they are done check with toothpick if it comes out clean then muffins are ready.

12. Give a standing time of 5mins minimum before serving.

Its yummilicious !!!!

Homemade mixed flour Sweet & Salt Cookie

Homemade yummy biscuits are always good special and more cost effective.

 Ingredients
1/2 cup Maida/all purpose flour
1/2 cup medium or fully ground Wheat flour
1 tbsp - Salt
1/2 cup - Powdered or icing sugar
100 Gms - Unsalted Butter
1 tbsp - Oil which does have any strong smell
1 1/2 tbsp - Roasted &  crushed jeera
1/2 tbsp - Coarse black pepper powder ( depends on your preference)
1/4 tbsp - Baking Soda
1/2 tbsp - Baking Powder
3 tbsp - Milk

Method
Pre- heat Oven at about 180 degree C or 350 degree F
1. Seive Maida, Wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt into a bowl
2. To it add in the butter which was kept in room temperature.
3. Mix them well. Rub in between your hands.
4. Add in half of need a powder and full black pepper powder.
5. Mix well adding milk little by little to make a dough.
6. On to a flat surface sprinkle some flour and roll the dough in a circular shape putting roasted jeera a on top.
7. 1/2 inch thickness roll the dough.

8. Use cookie mould or any bottle cap cut them.
8. Now sprinkle bit of oil or butter on to the Owen tray and place cookies leaving 2 inch gap.
9. Bake it for 10mins to 12 mins ( Owen specs vary)
10. Once they turn golden brown rest for 10mins.
11. Store them into a cool air tight container.

Strawberry Jam

Yummy Strawberry homemade jam.

Ingredients:
500gms - Strawberry
500gms - Sugar
2 cups - Water
2 drops - Lime Juice
1 pinch - Salt

Method:
In a pan add in washed , cut strawberries.
To it add in water until the berries sink into it.Boil until Strawberries turn soft. Mash them completely. Add in sugar, salt and stir. Remove the white layer once it starts thickening. Pour in lime juice and keep stirring. To test whether jam is done take a spoon of jam and pour on to a ceramic or steel plate if, the liquid dos'nt flow means your jam is ready. Cool the same and stir in a sterilized bottle.

Apple with Brocolli & Red Bell Pepper veg soup

Weather is freezing cold & your tummy calls for some hot one bowl complete meal. Check this..

Ingredients

1 - Apple peeled

1 - Carrot

1/2 cup- Cabbage Shredded

1 inch - Ginger

1 pod  - Garlic

1/2 PC - Red Bell Pepper

4 florets - Broccoli

4 pods - Whole Black Pepper

1tbs    - Black Pepper Powder

1 tbs   - Any Cooking Oil

2 tbs.  - Milk or Cream

Salt to Taste

Method:

1. Cut the Carrots into cubes, Apple peeled and cut, shred the cabbage

2. In a pressure cooker pour oil add in the carrots, diced apple, cabbage,ginger,garlic,pepper pods.

3. Add half salt, water and give 4 whistles.

4. Cool them drain the water in a seperate bowl. Grind the vegetables and apple in a blender.

4. In a pan add in the drained water, rest of the salt, broccoli,red bell pepper and bring it to a boil.

5. Now pour in the thick mixture from the blender to the pan

6. Boil for 3mins adding pepper powder.

7. At last boil add in your cream or milk.

8. Serve hot with munchies.

9. Do not boil for long after adding milk or cream.

Biscuit Cream Cake

 When you dont have an Owen and really relish the baked recipes there comes out the alternates to them. So too this one which i tried. A desert to complete any good evening. Can be stored for atleast a week.

Ingredients:
200gms - Any Marie or Digestive Biscuits
100gms - Any Chocolate Biscuits
200gms - Cholocate bar
50  gms - Dark Chocolate bar
100 gms - Fresh Thick Cream
50 gms   - Butter
Water to double boil
Coloured sprinklers, choco chips for decoration
Mixed Nuts powder if required.
Butterscotch shots if required

Method:
1. Powder the Marie  biscuit & chocolate biscuits separately.
2. Melt the Chocolate bar in a double boiler along with the dark chocolate. Once it melts add butter.
3. Meanwhile whip the fresh cream so that it becomes thick
4. In a heavy bottom glass bowl layer the bottom with marie biscuit powder
5. Press tightly and then over it add some melted chocolate
6. Again on top of it add the powdered nuts layer
7. 4th layer would be the chocolate biscuit powder.
8. 5th layer melted chocolate.
9. 6th layer powdered marie biscuit
10. 7th layer fresh cream lyer
11. 8th layer butterscotch shots crushed
12. 9th layer melted chocolate
13. 10th layer add in the remaining cream
14. Decorate with coloured sprinklers.
15. Tightly close the case and refridgrate for 3hrs.
Caution: The cake would be hard at the bottom so use a good knife and a good rectangular case. I used a circular one which might be hard for few to cut the cake.

Relish, enjoy!!! :)