Thursday 25 February 2016

Eggless Chocolate Cake with chocolate buttercream frosting

This Chocolate cake was baked by me for my beautiful niece Aadyaa for welcoming her at our home for first time last year when she was only three months old. It was moist, yummy and loved by all from kids to elders.


Ingredients for Cake :

1 cup All purpose flour
6 tbsp Cocoa Powder
3/4 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
1/4 cup Milk
1/4 cup Thick Curd
1 tsp Vanilla Essence/ Chocolate Essence
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Coffee powder in 1/4 cup Hot water


Ingredients for Chocolate buttercream frosting :

1/2 cup Amul butter at room temp
2 cup Icing Sugar
4-5 tbsp Cocoa powder
2-3 tbsp Milk
A pinch of Salt
1 tsp Vanilla/Chocolate Essence
2-3 tbsp Grated White chocolate for garnishing

Method : Take one bowl sieve all purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda and keep it aside. In another bowl add sugar, vegetable oil, milk, curd and coffee mixture and mix well. Now start mixing wet ingredients with dry and add vanilla essence while mixing cake batter.

Pre heat microwave at convection mode at 180 degree for 10 mins. Pour batter in greased round cake tin of 8 inches and tap a bit to level cake batter. Bake it for 25-30 mins at 180 degrees or till its done. Take it out and keep on wire rack for cooling.


For butter cream frosting take butter in mixing bowl and whisk it with hand whisker till it is light and creamy start adding icing sugar 1/2 cup at time and whisk continuously to avoid lump formation. Keep on adding icing sugar once its done add milk, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla essence and give final whisk.

Once cake is cool apply buttercream frosting on it and finish it with grated white chocolate. Serve it to your loved ones.

Tip : If frosting is thick add milk and if it is thin add more icing sugar to it :)


Meethi Mathri

Meethi Mathri is usually cooked during festivals like Diwali or Holi. I tried it first time on Ahoi Ashtami vrat as we cook five different kinds of things at home including sweet and salty on this fast.
Its crisp from outside and soft from inside and sweetened with jaggery/ gur.


Ingredients :

2 Cup Whole wheat flour/Atta
1/2 cup Semolina/Sooji
3/4 cup Jaggery/gur
1/4 cup Clarified Butter/ Ghee
3-4 tbsp Fennel seeds/Saunf
Oil for deep frying


Method : Pour 1/2 cup water in pan and keep it on flame for boil add jaggery to it and mix till it is dissolved in water. Switch off flame put jaggery syrup aside. In another bowl mix all other ingredients and knead dough with jaggery syrup. Dough should be hard in texture , once done keep it aside for around 20 mins.

After 20 mins take one big size ball from dough and roll it with rolling pin 1/2 cm thick round. Now cut it into round shapes with help of cookie cutter or small katori. Heat oil in wok start frying mathris when oil is medium hot on low flame . Flip them once they are light brown in color from one side. Take them out once they are fried from both sides.

Keep them on kitchen towel to remove excess oil and cool them. Store them in air tight container for later use.

They are healthy as made from whole wheat flour and jaggery.

Meethe Poore

Meethe Poore is a Punjabi Dish which is usually made during rainy season and on festivals. As the name suggests it is sweet in taste and made with goodness of fennel seeds/saunf.


Ingredients :

1 Cup Whole Wheat flour/Atta
1 tsp Fennel  Seeds/ Saunf
Sugar to taste
Water as required
Oil for shallow frying
1- 2 tbsp Chopped Almonds


Method :  Take whole wheat flour in bowl add fennel seeds, sugar and water as required. Batter should have consistency like besan ka chilla not thin like dosa batter. Now heat non stick tawa or pan and put 1 tbsp oil on it. Take 3-4 tbsp of batter and put on tawa and spread in circular form like dosa let it cook for 2-3 mins. When color start changing from above it is cooked from bottom, flip to other side and cook for 2 mins or till it is brown from both sides. 

Cook it at medium flame and keep low flame while putting batter on tawa. Cook all pudas in same manner and serve hot with tea or coffee and garnish with chopped almonds.

Meethe poore taste best with chilled kheer.

Sunday 21 February 2016

Cold Coffee

Cold Coffee is my all time favourite drink which i can have at any time of day. Its very simple and quick recipe with very few ingredients required for it.

Ingredients :

1 cup Iced Cold Milk (200 ml)
1 tbsp Nescafe Coffee powder
2 tbsp Sugar
2 tbsp Hershys Chocolate Sauce.


Method : Pour milk in blender jar add coffee powder and sugar in it. Blend it for 3-4 mins till it mixes well and froth appears on cold coffee. Take glass pour chocolate sauce in it by moving glass with hand to get zig zag swirls on surface and keep it in freezer for 2-3 mins . Finally pour chilled coffee.

You can add ice cubes or vanilla ice cream to add on flavour to your coffee.

Chawal ki Kheer

Chawal ki kheer also known as Rice pudding is made by boiling rice with milk and sweetened with sugar and is flavoured with cardamom, almonds and raisins etc. It is simple yet delicious sweet dish served in almost all part of India.


Ingredients :

5 cups / 1 litre full cream Milk
1/2 cup Rice
1/2 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Dry fruits ( Almonds, Raisins)


Method :  Pour full cream milk in heavy bottomed pan and keep it on medium flame for boiling. Soak rice in water for one hour. Once milk start boiling add rice into it and stir well. Keep flame on medium and stir after every 2-3 mins to avoid sticking of rice to bottom of pan. Rice will be half cooked in around 20 -25 mins at this stage add chopped dry fruits and keep cooking kheer till rice get mixed with milk completely. Whole process take around one hour time. Once done switch off flame and add sugar , mix well.

Serve hot or cold by keeping in refrigeration.

Thursday 18 February 2016

Tutti Frutti Eggless Vanilla Cake

Tutti frutti eggless vanilla cake is like the one we get Britannia fruit cake in market. It is soft, moist and very yummy with goodness of tutti frutti. It is also known as tea time cake.


Ingredients :

1+ 3/4 cup All purpose flour/Maida
1+ 1/4 cup Thick Curd
3/4 -1 cup Sugar
1 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
1/2 cup Tutti frutti

Method : Sieve all purpose flour and keep it aside. Now take another bowl add curd and sugar to it mix well till it is smooth in texture now add vegetable oil and vanilla essence and mix well. Add baking soda and baking powder and stir it and keep it aside for 5-6 mins till it becomes frothy in appearance.

Now start folding all purpose flour in this mixture in 2-3 batches and finally add tutti frutti , keep some for putting on top of cake. Pre heat at 180 degree for 10 mins at microwave convection mode and than pour cake batter in rectangular microwave safe dish and bake it for 30-35 mins or till it is done.

Take it out and keep on higher wire rack for cooling. Slice them and serve with tea/coffee.

Nachos with Cheesy Dip

Nachos is a Mexican dish or we can say snack which is comprised of tortilla chips and served with cheese sauce and tomato salsa. They can be made at home either by deep frying or baking in microwave. Taste wise fried version is better and health wise baked.


Ingredients for Tortilla chips/ Nachos  :

1 cup Makki ka atta
3/4 cup All purpose flour/Maida
1 tbsp Salt
1/2 tbsp Oregano flakes
1/2 tbsp Chilli flakes
Water as required for kneading dough
Oil for deep frying


Ingredients for Cheesy Dip :

1 cup Milk (200 ml)
Amul Cheese slices 3
1 tsp Maida
1 tbsp Butter
A pinch of Salt
1 tsp Oregano flakes
1 tsp Chilli flakes

Method for Nachos : Knead soft dough with water by mixing all the above mentioned ingredients and let it rest for 10 mins by covering from kitchen towel. After 10 mins take one big size ball from it and roll it like chapati by applying little maida flour. Thickness of rolled sheet should be slightly less than normal chapati. Now prick it with fork so that it won't puff up during deep frying. Cut it into triangular shapes or any desired shape. Heat oil in deep wok at medium flame and fry 6-7 pieces of chips at a time on medium low flame and turn them once they r light golden brown in color from one side. Take them out once done and keep on tissue paper to remove extra oil. Always fry them on low to medium flame to attain crispiness in chips. Follow same procedure for all the chips. Cool them and keep them in air tight container for later use.

Method for Cheesy Dip : Take a pan and melt butter in it , add maida and saute it for 1-2 mins. Add milk slowly and boil on medium flame once it start boiling add cheese slices i used Amul by cutting into small pieces. Mix it with whisker to avoid lump formation. Boil for 3-4 mins on medium flame till sauce/ dip thickens. Switch off flame, add salt, oregano and chilli flakes and mix well.

Crispy nachos chips are ready to serve with cheesy sauce.


Wednesday 17 February 2016

Savoury Semolina Cake

Savoury cake is healthy version of cake as it is baked with less oil usage and full of vegetables. It can be eaten at any time of day and can be served as evening snack also. Its ingredients are mentioned below.


Ingredients :

1 cup Semolina/ Rava/Sooji
1 cup Thick Curd
1/4 cup grated Carrot
1/8 cup chopped French beans
1/4 cup Fresh peas
1/4 cup Sweet corn
1 tsp grated Ginger (optional)
1 chopped green chilli
1 tbsp Mustard seeds
1/2 tbsp Cumin seeds
1/2 tsp Red Chilli powder
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tbsp Salt
3-4 tbsp Oil
1 tsp White sesame seeds

Method : Take a mixing bowl add semolina and curd in it, mix well. Now add all vegetables including carrot, french beans , sweet corn, ginger and green chilli and mix well. Take another pan heat oil in it add mustard seeds and cumin seeds once its hot , add all spices and switch off flame. Pour this spice mixture on batter and give nice mix.
Preheat microwave at convection mode at 180 for 10 mins meanwhile add baking soda into batter and mix and pour it into microwave safe dish which must be greased with oil. Tap it gently to remove air inside batter and top it with white sesame seeds. Now bake it at180 degree at convection mode for 25-30 mins. Check by inserting toothpick once done take it out, let it cool down for 10-15 mins and than slice them in desired shape and serve it with your choice of chutney or as it is with tea/ coffee.

Yummy and moist colourful cake is ready to serve :P

You can add any other vegetables like panner, capsicum and cabbage etc.

Rava / Sooji Dhokla

Dhokla is a vegetarian food item originated from the state of Gujarat. It is steamed dish originally made from rice and split chickpeas. It can be served as breakfast , main course or snack item. Today we are going to make dhokla from Semolina/ Rava /Sooji which is very simple and easy recipe. Best snack item for Guests too.

Ingredients :

1 cup Semolina/Sooji
1/2 cup Thick Curd
1 cup Water
2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
1 Eno sachet
1 tbsp Gram flour/Besan
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1 tsp Sugar
2-3 tbsp Lemon Juice
1 tbsp Mustard seeds
8-10 Curry leaves
2-3 Green chillies (Slit from between)
Salt to taste

Method : Take a mixing bowl add semolina , curd and 1/2 cup water and mix well with spoon or hand whisker till it becomes smooth in texture. Add 1 tbsp oil , salt to taste , gram flour ,turmeric powder and mix well. Now add eno sachet and give nice mix and pour it in microwave safe dish and microwave for 8-10 mins and its done. Check by inserting toothpick. U can steam it in steamer by placing on gas for 10 mins on high flame.

Keep it for cooling for 10-15 mins on room temp. Cut into desired shape with knife and now prepare tadka by heating oil in pan , add mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chillies and fry for 2-3 mins. Pour 1/2 cup water , sugar and boil for 3-4 mins and add lemon juice and switch off flame. Pour tadka over steamed dhokla and serve after 10-15 mins.

Light and healthy dhokla ready to eat.

Monday 15 February 2016

Tomato soup with rose shaped cheesy bread and fresh Salad - Refreshing meal

This was the meal cooked by me on one of Saturdy's Lunch and I am glad that it was liked by everyone. Although i am not a good photographer but for this recipe picture speaks all. So if u want to get a break from regular meal than do try it one day and let me know your comments in comment section.


Ingredients for Tomato Soup :

5-6 large size ripe Tomatoes
Salt to taste
1 tsp crushed Black Pepper
Sprig of Coriander leave for garnishing
1 tbsp butter for serving (optional)
6-7 pieces of fried bread crotouns


Ingredients for Fresh Salad :

1/2 cup chopped Cabbage
1 medium sized Tomato diced
1 medium sized Cucumber diced
1/4 cup of pickled Jalepones and Black Olives
2 tbsp of Vinegar

Ingredients for Rose shaped cheesy bread :

1 Cup All purpose flour/Maida
1 tsp Active dry Yeast
1 tsp Sugar
Salt to taste
4-5 tbsp Oil + brushing the baking tray
1 tbsp Melted butter for brushing baked bread
100 ml Milk for kneading dough
1/4 cup grated Mozzarela Cheese
1-2 tbsp Oregano flakes
1-2 tbsp of white sesame seeds


Method for Tomato Soup : Wash tomatoes and cut them into 4-6 pieces each and put in pressure cooker add 300-400 ml water along with salt. Switch on flame let it cook on medium flame till 3-4 whistles. When pressure release cool it down and blend in mixer grinder and strain it. Check consistency of soup and add more water if required or if it is thinner than boil it and serve hot with crushed black pepper and butter. Garnish with coriander leaves and fried bread croutons.

Method for Fresh Salad : Mix all the above ingredients in big mixing bowl and give nice toss so that vinegar coats on salad pieces. Simple, easy and quick salad ready to serve.

Method for Rose shaped cheesy bread : For preparing dough of bread heat 2-3 tbsp of milk it should not be too hot just warm if touch with fingers, add dry active yeast and sugar in it, mix well and let it rest for 10 mins..mixture becomes frothy once yeast activate. Take another bowl add all purpose flour add yeast mixture to it mix well with hands , add remaining milk, salt, oil and knead dough with hands by bringing all flour together till dough becomes soft and shiny in texture and it will not break on stretching. All process takes around 5-6 mins , now keep dough in bowl by greasing from all sides and cover it with cling film. Keep it in warm place say microwave for 2-3 hrs till it becomes double in volume.

Take out from warm place and knock out all the air in it by tapping with hands , now divide into small balls like we need for rolling chapati and and shape into round balls and cover them. Take each ball and roll it like shown in attached picture and slit it from sides keeping centre intact and than fold it by inserting 1 tbsp of grated mozzarella cheese in it in the same way as shown in picture. Once done shape all remaining balls into rose shape and cover it, let it rest for another 30 mins for second rise. Sprinkle some oregano flakes and white sesame seeds
and brush some milk over it.

Pre heat microwave at 180 degree for 10 mins at convection mode and than bake these rose shaped bread by placing on greased tray for 20-25 mins or till they are light brown in color. Once done take them out and apply butter on freshly baked bread to keep them soft for longer duration. Let it cool down for 10 mins and than serve with soup and salad.


Tuesday 9 February 2016

Veg Seekh Kabab - Starter

Kababs are famous in the street food of Lucknow but now a days it is served in many restaurants and food joints. Veg seekh kabab can be made from vegetables of your choice and they are cooked on griddle or tawa.

Ingredients :

2 medium sized potatoes boiled, peeled and mashed
1 medium sized carrot grated/ finely chopped
1/4 cup blanched fresh green peas
1/8 cup boiled corn (optional)
1 tbsp grated Ginger
1-2 tbsp finely chopped green chillies
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp garam masala powder
2 tbsp Oil for stir frying vegetables
1-2 tbsp for greasing kababs
1-2 tbsp Sooji/Semolina

Method : Take oil in pan, heat it and add grated ginger saute for 1-2 mins, add carrot, green peas, corns, green chillies and cook for 2-3 mins till mixture is dry in texture. Switch off flame and take out mixture in mixing bowl add boiled and mashed potatoes and all spices and mix thoroughly with hands.

Now take one skewer grease it with oil and shape kabab mixture on it with help of hands like seekh kababs. Follow same procedure for all the mixture and now heat griddle or tawa and place kababs on it. Apply oil on kababs with help of brush, apply sooji and roast them from all sides by turning in between till they are golden brown in color.

Serve hot with choice of sauce / chutney.

Potato Corn Capsicum Sandwich - Breakfast / Snack

Sandwiches can be prepared in variety of ways and this version i have learnt from one of my neighbour.  My family loves its taste as it is colourful with goodness of potato, corn and capsicum.
Lets start gathering ingredients required for it.

Ingredients :

4 slices of White Bread
1 medium sized boiled Potato
1/2 cup chopped Green Capsicum
1/4 cup Boiled Corn
Salt to taste
1 tsp crushed Black Pepper
2 Tbsp Oil


Method :

Take a mixing bowl add boiled potato in it mash it , add chopped green capsicum and boiled corn and mix well with help of spoon. Put salt and black pepper in it and mix again. You can add 1 tbsp of mayonnaise too for creamy texture, its optional.

Take one slice of white bread and spread mixture over it evenly with help of spoon and place other slice of bread over it. Press gently and apply oil on both sides and toast it in sandwich toaster either on gas burner or electric toaster till sandwich become crispy and light brown in color.

Serve hot with coriander mint chutney and tomato ketchup.

Ideal recipe for kids tiffin by skipping black pepper in it.