Date Brownies!

Hi Everyone,

Cooking and blogging are my greatest stress buster. I love both of these things. And of course...desserts. I can eat only desserts full day :-D. Sharing one of my favourite recipes with you all. Enjoy :)

Date Brownies!

Ingredients:

• 100gm Maida
• 90gm sugar
• 5 tbsp Chocolate Powder
• 1tsp Baking Powder
• 2 Eggs
• 100ml Oil/ Butter
• Vanilla essence
• Sliced dates

Method:

Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl, except the sugar. In a mixer, add oil/butter and sugar and give it a quick mix. Now add the eggs one by one and mix it for 2 minutes. Add the vanilla essence and pour this wet ingredients over the dry one. Using cut and fold method, mix them together. Now add the sliced dates. Pour them in moulds and bake them for 30 minutes in pressure cooker or for around 25 minutes at 160* deg c.
Tip: To check if the muffins are done, insert a toothpick in the centre of the brownies. If it comes out clean, they are done. Enjoy warm :)

Paneer Masala Exotica

Hi Everyone,

I have been trying quite a few recipes these days. Whenever I am in doubt or in a hurry, humble Paneer comes to my rescue. Its actually a life saver. There are very few people who do not like Cottage cheese or paneer. If you are one of them, then you can use tofu or soya in this recipe.

Paneer Masala Exotica

Ingredients

• 500gm Paneer
• 2 Tomatoes
• 2 Onions
• 4 Green Chili
• 1inch Ginger grated
• 1tbsp Garlic paste
• 2 Tej Patta
• 5-6 Whole Black Pepper
• 2 Green Cardamom
• 1 Black Cardamom
• 4 pcs Laung
• 1tsp Cinnamon Powder
• 4tbsp Milk
• 1tsp Turmeric powder
• 2tsp kitchen king/all spice powder
• Salt & Black Pepper : As per Taste
• Coriander for garnishing

Method: 

1. Put small slits on the tomatoes and put them in boiling water till the skin starts to remove slightly.
2. Put the tomatoes in cool water for 5 minutes and then remove the skin.
3. In a pan, put 2 tbsp oil. Fry tej patta, green & black cardamom, laung and whole black pepper.
4. Once the crackling sound starts, add grated onions. 
5. After a minute or so, add ginger and garlic. 
6. Saute them till the onions turn slightly golden.
7. Now add the boiled tomatoes. I prefer to remove the seeds too. Also, add green chili.
8. Cook for 5 minutes and then add Turmeric powder, black pepper, salt, all spice or kitchen king powder.
9. Once the raw smell is gone, add warm water according to the required consistency. 
10. Bring it to a boil and then add Paneer and cook it on low heat for 5 minutes.
11. Now add milk and cinnamon powder and again cook it for 5 minutes or till the gravy is of required thickness.
12. Garnish it with fresh coriander. You can also garnish it with browned onions and ginger.
13. Serve hot and enjoy with hot phulkas :)

Dry Chilli Mushroom!

Hi Everyone,

Have been so busy for past few days. Missed you all so very much. It feels great to share my kitchen experiments, "successful", with food enthu people :-D
Today's recipe is a greater starter-cum-snack. Amazingly delicious and super easy. Do try :)

Dry Chilli Mushroom

Ingredients:

• 1 packet mushrooms
• 1/2 Green, Yellow, Red Capsicum
• 4 Green chillies 
• 1inch Ginger
• 3 Garlic strands
• 1 Onion
• 2tsp Soya Sauce
• 1tsp Vinegar
• 2tbsp Tomato ketchup/sauce
• 1/2 tbsp Red chilli sauce
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper crushed to taste
• Oil

Method:

1. Dice the capsicums after washing, keep them aside.
2. Slice the onions, ginger & garlic. 
3. Wash mushrooms, peel off if required. Cut it in two halves.
4. Warm some oil in a pan, saute the mushrooms till golden brown.
5. Set it aside. Heat 1tbsp oil in another pan and saute onions, garlic & ginger together.
6. Once onion turns translucent, add the capsicums and chillies. 
7. Add salt & pepper according to the taste.
8. Now add soya sauce, tomato sauce and red chilli sauce. Cook for a minute.
9. Mix the mushrooms now and let it absorb all the flavors. Cook it for 2-3 minutes.
10. Finish off with vinegar. Dont cook after vinegar is added.
11. Serve hot :)

 

Apple Cake!

Hello Everyone,

Blogging after a month long vacation feels really great. Enjoying the weather of a new city & planning future vacations..Amazing!! What is happening with you all? Tried any new recipe, a dish, a new place, anything? Do tell!!

              Today's recipe is one of my favorite. I love fruit cakes & a yum warm Apple cake is one of my favorites. Sharing this recipe with all of you. Hope you will also love it!!

Apple Cake

Ingredients: 

• 2 apples
• 100gms Refined Flour /Maida
• 75gms Butter
• 3 Eggs
• 1tsp Baking Powder
• 75gms Sugar
• A pinch of Cinnamon
• A pinch of Salt
• Vanilla Essence

Method:

1. Peel both the Apples. Thinly slice one of the apples & make a rough puree of the other.
2. In a bowl, sieve the flour, salt, cinnamon powder & baking powder together. Keep it aside.
3. I another bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the butter & sugar & whisk till the sugar is melted completely. 
4. In the wet mixture, add 1-2tsp of Vanilla essence. Mix.
5. Now, add half of the pureed apples in the wet mixture.
6. Pour the wet mixture in the dry mixture & gradually fold together.
7. In a cake tin,pour half of the mixture. Then spread a layer of apples. Now add rest of the cake mixture. Spread the apples again on the top.
8. Bake it for 40minutes in the microwave. Or add some water in the pressure cooker & keep the tin. (p.s. The tin should be only 1/4th Immersed in water)
9. Once cooked, cool it for 5minutes & then Enjoy a heavenly slice of my favorite Apple cake :)

Happy Monsoon!!

Hey Everyone,

Loving the life in a new city. Especially the Monsoon Season is amazing here. It gives a fab motivation to try out new recipes. Will start sharing the awesome recipes pretty soon. Coming soon: Besan Halwa, Chocolate Mud Cake, Vegetable Poha, Chocolate Truffles and much more :)

Till then enjoy the lovely monsoon :)
::xoxo

Aam Ki Chutney

Hey Everyone,
I am very happy today. We have grown to 500(members) . Thank you all for showering your love :)
Today's recipe is not by me. It's from my dear husband :-D. Do try it!!

AAM KI CHUTNEY

Ingredients :

• Grated Raw mango 1/2kg
• Sugar 1small cup
• Methi Seeds 1/2tbsp
• Red chilli powder 1/2tbsp
• Salt 1/2tbsp
• Saunf/ Fennel seeds 1/2tbsp
• Kalonji 1/2tbsp
• Cooking oil 1tbsp

Method

1. Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Add methi dana and cook on high flame till it becomes brown.
2. Add grated raw mango and mix. Cook on low flame now.
3. Now add all of the ingredients except sugar and mix them properly. Cook for 2 minutes.
4. Now add sugar & keep on stirring (medium flame). Cook it for 5 minutes. Remember to stir it continuously.
5. Once it gets thick, turn off the heat. Let it cool. For few hours.
6. Refrigerate it so that it becomes nice & cool.
7. Serve with paranthas, roti or have it as it is :)

Vegetable Biryani!

Hi All,
Sharing a quick yet yummy recipe today. My favourite : Vegetable Biryani
Ingredients:

• Basmati Rice
• Diced Tomato -2
• Sliced Onion- 1
• Ginger Chopped – 1tsp
• Cauliflower – 1small cup
• Boiled Peas
• Boiled & Diced Carrot & Beans
• Cinnamon Stick – 1/2inch
• Black Cardamom – 1
• Bay Leaf – 1
• Black peppercorns – few
• Green Chillies -2
• Dry Spices : Salt, Red Chilli, Turmeric, Biryani Masala
• Oil for Frying

Method :

1. Soak a glass of Basmati rice In water for atleast half an hour. Keep aside.
2. In a deep pan, put black cardamom, peppercorns & bayleaf.
3. Once the crackling sound starts, add onions & fry for 2 minutes.
4. Then add ginger & fry till the onions are slightly brown.
5. Add tomatoes to it.
6. After a minute, add all the vegetables to the pan & chopped green chillies.
7. Add salt,red chilli powder, turmeric powder as per taste.
8. Now add the rice & water (twice of rice).
9. Now add a tbsp. of biryani masala.
10. Cook on high flame for a minute then on medium flame with the lid on till the water is absorbed & rice is cooked.
11. Serve hot with nice bowl of vegetable curd :)

Vegetable Samosa Recipe

Hello Everyone,

I know its been a long time since my last post! But I promise that I am gonna be regular now :-D
               Well, today's recipe is any Indian's favourite. But with a twist.!! I thought, why not to re-invent the traditional Indian snack. So here it is :)

Vegetable Samosa

Ingredients:
Wheat flour (Atta)
Refined flour (Maida)
Ajwain
Oil
Water
Salt
Filling:
Boiled & diced carrots - 2tbsp
Boiled peas                   - 2tbsp
Grated cauliflower        - One cup
Chopped ginger             - 1tbsp
Salt                                 - as per taste
Black pepper                   - as per taste
Diced green chillies        -2
Chopped Coriander leaves
Pinch of Dry mango powder (amchur)- Half a tsp

Method:
Take all the ingredients for the filling together & mix them. Keep it aside. Now for the samosa cover, take 3/4th cup refined flour & 1/4th cup wheat flour. To this, add a pinch of salt. Mix together & add 1tsp ajwain. Now add 2tbsp oil & enough water to knead it. The dough should be slightly tight. Knead it properly for 5minutes. Then let it rest for 15minutes.
Now, take a small ball of this dough & pat it flat. Fill enough filling inside the dough & wrap carefully forming a triangle. Or any other desired shape! Seal the edges with a drop of water.
Deep fry these yummy samosas till golden brown.
Enjoy them with yumm Mint chutney & a cup of masala tea :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Hello Everyone,

Have a yummy Valentine's Day!!!

Happy Republic Day!!

5 Teas that makes you slim!

Hello Everyone :)

I was going through archives of TOI and found this really cool article. Sharing this with all of you. It is really beneficial for people like me who are trying to loose weight the healthy way. Cheers !!:)

Here are 5 teas that can result in a slimmer you…

Star anise tea: promotes digestion Star anise, the fruit of a small evergreen tree (Illicium verum) native to China, can be used in the treatment of digestive troubles such an upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea etc. One may drink a tea made from it by steeping a whole pod in one cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Strain this and sweeten it if required. Sip on this slowly when an upset stomach occurs.

 Peppermint tea: controls what you eat If you like peppermint tea then try and rotate that with a green tea drink as both speed up digestion and thus help you burn more calories. The peppermint leaves can be used to make a light, refreshing tea, which can be drunk either hot or chilled. To prepare the tea, take a tablespoon of fresh or dried leaves and add them to boiling water and let it steep for four to five minutes. Strain and add honey, if needed.

Green tea: builds metabolism Research says the chemical EGCG found in green tea that speeds up the body’s metabolism, is responsible for helping people lose the kilos – it can burn a whopping 70 calories a day! Green tea also raises the level of antioxidants. It’s believed the antioxidant catechins in green tea boost metabolism and helps burn fat (can burn a whopping 70 calories a day!) Steeping time for the tea: two to three minutes at 85 Degrees Celsius.

Rose tea: prevents constipation One of the oldest flavouring teas available, rose tea – made by mixing fresh roses and the bud of the tea – has a major therapeutic effect on the human body. Apart from clearing toxins and beautifying the skin, rose tea contains vitamins A, B3, C, D and E and is known to act against infections. It also prevents constipation and helps one lose weight.

Oolong tea: guards against obesity Research reveals that oolong, a semi-fermented tea may have a stronger effect than even green tea. It promotes fat burning is said to help reduce cholesterol and the concentration of fat in the body. About two cups per day is recommended. Steep oolong tea anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes, for a more full-bodied cup.

Article Source : TOI

Apple Kheer Recipe

Hello Everyone,

Festival season is here. Everyone loves to eat sweets. Sharing this beautiful recipe which is perfect for weight watchers. Enjoy :)

****Apple Kheer****

Ingredients:

• Apples 2 medium
• Milk 5 cups
• Sugar 1/2 cup (optional)
• Green cardamom powder 1/2 teaspoon
• Almonds 6 – 8
• Pistachios 6 – 8

Method:

Bring milk to a boil in a thick bottom pan and simmer till it thickens. Thickly grate peeled apples. Heat a pan, add some ghee & the grated apples and cook on medium heat. Add sugar and mix till sugar melts. Continue to cook till most of the moisture evaporates. Add some of the reduced milk and cook. As the mixture thickens add the remaining milk and cook till the kheer thickens some more. Add green cardamom powder, almonds and pistachios and continue to cook till the kheer thickens to the desired consistency. Let it Cool… Enjoy :D

img: Google

Cheers for 200!!

Hey Everyone,

We are now a family of 200 food lovers. Thank you everyone for being a part of Chocolates Paradise!! Cheers :)

Happy Lohri!!

Happy Lohri Everyone :)