..................................Dahi Palak

.......................Tomato Pickle

....................Sponge Cake Bars

....................STUFFED DATES.................... Crispy French toast Looking forward to try and share a bunch of yummy food in the comming year

Cashews for Click

http://jugalbandi.info/2007/11/click-december-2007-the-theme-is/

Sponge Cake Bars

Ingredients :

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup +2 tbs sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoons vanilla extract

Method:
Set rack at the middle level in the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar for about 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Combine eggs, milk and vanilla extract. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture then add half the milk mixture. Continue to alternate beginning and ending with flour mixture.
Spray cake pan with non stick spray
Pour the batter in to pan and smooth top
Bake cake about 20min until a toothpick comes out clean
Cool pan for 5 minutes and cut in to sqares
done.

Sugar Cookies

This is my first attempt to bake cookies and I started with basic sugar and butter cookies I made a shape of square but after baking they endup with round I have seen lot of wonderfull and yummy cookies baked by fellow bloggers ,inspired by them and started baking and the final result of my cookies are OKEY
(but not so perfect) and i have taken this recipe from Asha ji's "Foodies hope "

Ingredients :

1 cup all purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp soda, 1/4 tsp salt ,1/2 cup soft butter,1/3 cup sugar ( I used sugar powder) ,1/2 tsp vanilla extract ,1/2 cup chopped cashews ,sugar for sprinkle

Method:

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy , shift all the above dry ingredients

Add the dry ingredients in batches to the creamed butter and sugar mixture

Make a soft dough, divide in to equal parts ,shape as u like ,sprinkle with sugar and cashews and refrigerate for 1/2 hour

Preheat oven to 350 and bake for 12 to 15 min

cool and done .

Tomato Pickle

Ingredients
4 tomatos ( chopped finely)
1 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp methi seeds
3 dry red chillis
pinch of hing
1 tsp musturd seeds
pinch of turmuric
5 tbs oil
2 tbs tamarind paste
salt

Method

Heat 1 tbs oil in a pan add chopped tomatos fry for 4 to 5 min mashing with back of spoon in the middle ,HEAT remaining oil in another pan when oil is hot add methi seeds,musturd seeds,red chillis and hing then add mashed tomatos and tamarind paste cook on a low flame for 15 to 2o min until oil is separated completely then add chilli powder and salt cook for another 5 min

cool and store in refrigerator

Chicken in Green Gravy

indredients

2 chicken breast cubed( u can use dark meat or white meat which ever u prefer 2 cups)
4 tbs oil
1tsp cumin and musturd seeds
2 dry red chillis
2 cloves and cardamom pods




for grinding :

1/2 cup cilantro
6 green chillis
4 garlic cloves
2 in ginger
1 tsp pepper powder
1 tsp coriander powder
salt
2 tbs coconut ( fresh or dry)
1/2 cup pudina leaves
1 tomato (small)
1 onion (small)

grind all the above ingredients to a smooth paste by adding 1/4 cup water



Method:

Heat 2 tbs oil in a pan add cubed chicken ,salt and turmuric close lid and cook chicken until water is eveparated
Heat remaining oil in another pan add cumin and musturd seeds,red chillis,cloves ,cardamom then add ground masala paste sautee until oil is separated on edges
When masala is cooked completely add cooked chicken and fry for 5 min then add 1 cup of water and cook for 10 min .done
Serve hot with plain rice or roti

Dahi Palak

ingredients
4 cups palak (chopped)
1/2 cup yogurt
1 onion (chopped)
2 tbs ginger (chopped)
2 tbs garlic (chopped)
1 tsp garam masala powder
4 green chillis (chopped)
3 tbs oil
1 tsp cumin and musturd seeds
salt
1/2 tsp turmuric




method:
Heat 1 tbs of oil in a pan add chopped spinach sautee until it is wilted and cooked
remove from pan and keep aside, in a same pan heat remaining oil add cumin and musturd seeds let them splutter then add chopped ginger,garlic,onions and green chillis fry until golden then add cooked palak ,turmuric , saltand garam masala powder sautee for 5 min ,now add yogurt mix well and cook for another 5 min.DONE
SERVE HOT WITH ROTI ,NAAN,CHAPATHI.............

Crispy French toast

This is my contribution to this month's WBB cornflakes hosted by nags
http://cookingandme.blogspot.com/2007/11/theme-for-wbb-17-is.html

Ingredients

4 slices bread
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbs sugar
1 tbs butter
1 cup cornflakes
chocolate syrup or strawberry syrup(store bought)

I dont use eggs

Method

in a sauce pan warm milk add sugar MIX until sugar melted then add vanilla extract to milk
Pour milk mixture in a plate
Pour corn flakes in another plate
DIP bread slices in milk then in corn flakes on both sides
Heat butter in a pan when melted put bread slices and toast until golden on both sides
Serve warm with chocolate syrup

STUFFED DATES

Chocolate and Pistachio stuffed dates are elegant fingerfood or dessert for parties

STUFFED DATES is my contribution to "A FRUIT A MONTH " hosted my chandrika of "AKSHYAPATRA"

For chocolate stuffing melt semi sweet chocolate in a double boiler by placing a chocolate filled glass bowl on top of boiling water

Open dates in middle and fill the hallow space with melted chocolate until it oozes out then place stuffed dated on a tray let it set ( dont not refrigerate)

soft chocolate tastes very yummy than refrigerater one

;

Pulse unsalted pistachios in foodprocesser .

Heat pan add ground pistachios and sugar sautee until sugar is melted COOL

Stuff tsp of pistachio mixture inside dates

and serve

Black forest cake

Black forest cake is a traditional southern german dessert .In germen they call it as a Black Forest gateau it is a popular dessert in austria and other parts of world too .Traditionally black forest cake is a layer of chocolate cake ,wipped cream and cherries but i used rasberries insted of cherries
Traditionally, Kirschwasser a type of liquor is added to the cake but generally we add RUM . Ingredients for cake
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour or cake flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 stick butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup boiling water
large tin of wipped cream ( i used store bought wipped cream )
2 cups cherries

For surup
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
4 tbs rum ( optional)

USE CHERRIES ( RASBERRIES DOES'NT TASTE SO GOOD )



Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by rubbing with butter, sprinkling with flour and tapping out extra.

In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt mix together with a spoon then set aside.

In small bowl combine eggs, milk, butter and vanilla. Beat well with hand mixer.

Slowly add boiling water and mix.

Add wet ingredients to flour mixture and fold and stir until smooth.

Pour batter into pans, dividing evenly.

Bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove cake from pans and cool on racks.

To make syrup

Add water to sugar and bring to boil until sugar is dissolved completely then COOL it completely and add rum

TO assemble

Take one cake pour sugar and rum syrup with spoon until cake become moist then add a layer of wipped cream and cherries then cover with other cake and moist that cake with sugar syrup and layer wipped cream and cherries

GARNISH with chocolate shavings

Stuffed bread vada

My contribution for poweless cooking

Stuffed bread is my childhood favorite my mom use to make this when ever she has some leftover potato curry

Ingredients

8 bread slices

3 potatos ( boiled and cubed )

2 tbs oil

1 medium onion ( chopped)
1 tsp cumin and musturd seeds\

3 slit green chillis

pinch of turmuric
1 tsp garam masala powder
oil for deepfry
salt





Method:

Heat 2 tbs oil in a pan when oil is hot add cumin and musturd seeds when starts to splutter add slit green chillis ,onions and sautee for 3 min then add turmuric

Now add boiled potatos ,salt and garam masala mix well and slightly mash potatos with back of the spoon

Take water in shallow bowl dip bread slice in water and press the bread by keeping in between your both palms until water is sqeezed out completely

Now take 2 tbs of potato curry keep in the middle of damp bread and cover curry with corners of bread and make a ball ( as u see in photo)

Now make the balls with remaining bread and curry as above

Heat oil in a frying pan and fry on a low flame until golden brown

Drain on a paper towel and Serve hot with ketchup

Happy diwali

Lemon cake with rasberries

Cake with refreshing lemon flavor and rasberries

Ingredients ( we can make 2 cakes )
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar, divided
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup grated lemon zest
3 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Topping
1 cup frozen or fresh rasberries
2 tbs sugar
5 mint leaves

Method

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Grease and flour cake pan

Cream the butter and 2 cups granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer , about 5 minutes .Add eggs 1 at a time, lemon zest and lemon juice MIX

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl

In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla

Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour.

Pour batter in to pan

bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean.

In a sauce pan add rasberries and sugar simmer for 10 min

Pour rasberries on the top of lemon cake and sprinkle with mint

Rice noodles with tomato flower

Hi every one these photos are for this month CLICK EVENT

this is a very nice contest i just loved and enjoyed a lot while taking these photos

Brownies

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Frosting
3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F . Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
To Make Frosting:

Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Frost brownies while they are still warm.

Dipping sauce for Kebabs

Ingredients:
1/8 teaspoon saffron strands
2 tablespoons boiling water
2 tablespoons blanched pistachios
4 tablespoons blanched almonds
1 tablespoon ghee or butter
3/4 cup cream
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

Method:
Pound saffron in mortar and pestle, then dissolve in the boiling water
Put pistachios and almonds into electric blender and grind finely
Heat the ghee or butter in a small pan and fry the ground nuts, stirring constantly Add the saffron, cream, milk, cardamom, salt and pepper and simmer, stirring constantly, until sauce is thick.
Serve with kebabs.

Coconut Rice

Ingredients

3 cups cooked rice

1 cup fresh grated coconut

3 tbs oil

salt

1 tbs chana dhal

1 tbs urad dhal

6 slit green chillis

2 red chillis

1 tsp cumin and musturd seeds

1 spring curry leaves

1/2 cup boiled or fresh green peas( optional)

Method

Add coconut and salt to cooked rice , mix well and keep aside

heat oil in a pan add cumin and musturd seeds

red chillis

green chillis

chana dhal

urad dhal

curry leaves

green peas

fry for 4 min

Add the above tadka to coconut mixed rice

SERVE with eggplant curry

Murg Makhni --Butter Chicken

Ingredients for chicken
500 gm chicken breasts cubed2 tbs ginger garlic paste
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup curd
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tbs oil
Ingredients for sauce
2 tbs oil
5 cardamom pods
5 cloves
bay leaves
6 green chillis
1 inch ginger root
6 tomatos
1 tsp chilli powder
1/2 cup cashewnuts
1 tbs honey
1 tbs tomato paste
1 tsp kasoori methi
50 gm butter
4 tbs cream

method to make chicken

Marinate chicken with salt ,ginger garlic paste,curd,chillipowder,oil ( amount in the ingredients to make chicken) for atleast 4 hours
Layer the chicken in the baking dish broil , bake for 25 min ( until chicken is alomost done)

Method to make sauce

.chop ginger root in to tiny pices
.In a sauce pan add oil ,when oil is hot add cardamom,cloves, bay leaves ,cinnamon and chopped
ginger cook for 1 min then add green chillis and whole tomatos fry for 2 min on medium heat
then add 1 cup water close lid and simmer for 25 min until tomatos are cooked to puree
.Now add the cooked tomato mixture to a blender and make a smooth paste and Strain
.Add 1 cup water to this strained tomato puree transfer to sauce pan and bring to boil
.Now in a blender add cashews and water make a smooth paste
.Now add ground cashew paste and tomato paste to the boiling tomato puree
.Then add chilli powder ,salt and honey to the sauce MIX and cook for 5 min
.Then add 2 tbs of butter to sauce and add karoosi methi SIMMER the sauce on medium heat for 20 min

Mixing sauce and chicken

In a pan add 1 tbs butter and cooked chicken cubes fry for 5 min
Now add prepared sauce and cream to chicken stir for 3 min
DONE . enjoy butter chicken with roti or naan