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Wednesday, 30 May 2012

Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting


Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, Being a desert lover, I now find this blog someway more complete with the introduction of surely the most luscious of all deserts known to mankind – The Cup Cakes!! I made these Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting to complement a nice dinner, and, the only lesson I learned – They are never enough!! No matter how many you make – No matter how much you ate before – No matter how much you resist – There’s always a room for one more!!. Cakes or Cupcakes are easy to begin with, but, perfecting them is an intricate process. Too many subtleties and their hell lot of significance in getting a perfect result needed me to be too much pedantic here. But, one thing for sure, when you bite one all your efforts seems rational - The Crunch of walnuts – The Flavor of Fresh Carrots - The Cream Cheese frosting – What else!! Nothing else matters!!

Ingredients: Portion 10 Cupcakes
1 cup of All Purpose Flour/ Maida

  ½ Cup Refined Sugar

  ½ Cup Light Brown Sugar

  1 tsp of Vanilla Extract

  2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spices

  ½ tbsp Baking Powder

  ½ tbsp Baking Soda

  1 Cup Chopped Walnuts

  ¼ tsp Salt

  1 Cup Shredded Carrot

  ½ Cup Vegetable Oil

  ½ Cup Mix of Raisins and Chopped Walnuts

  1 Egg


       Cream Cheese Frosting:

  1 Cup Soften Cream Cheese

  2 tbsp Soften Butter

  ¼ tsp Pumpkin Pie Spices

  1 tbsp Milk

  1 Cup Powder Sugar

  1 tsp Vanilla



Process:

**Tools Used: Hand Mixer, Spatula, Whisk, Bowl, Muffin Pan.

1)     Preheat the oven to 350F. Line the Cupcake baking pan with liners

2)     In a bowl sieve flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Pumpkin Pie Spice and Salt. We will call it Bowl 1 from now onwards.

3)     In another bowl mix together the vegetable oil, egg, curd, vanilla extract, refined sugar and brown sugar until the mixture gets fluffy and lite. Let’s call it Bowl 2.

4)     Add in flour into Bowl 2 and mix it well with spatula until everything’s get well incorporated. delightful

5)     Add in carrot, raisin and chopped Walnuts into the above mixture and mix them well. 

6)     Use large ice cream scoop to pour the batter into cupcake tin. 

7)     Bake them for 25-30 minutes and it’s done.

8)     For cream cheese frosting take a big bowl, mix in cream cheese, butter, pumpkin pie spice, sugar, vanilla and milk with whisk till it comes out lite and fluffy.

9)     Spread the frosting over the cupcakes once cupcakes are completely cool. Cover the cupcakes and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Tips:
1) Don't over mix the batter.
2) Avoid Salt if you’re using Salted Butter.

3) All the ingredients should be at room temperature.



Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Cheese Croissant




Cheese Croissant, is a simple and tasty snack with flavor of cheese, serve them warm and goes well with tea. 

Ingredients: Portion 6


 1 Puff Pastry Sheet

 ½ Cup Grated Mozzarella
 1 Egg


Process:


**Tools Used: Bowl, Cookie Pan.

1)    Preheat the oven to 425F. Line the flat baking pan with butter paper.


2)    Roll out the puff pastry sheet with the help of all purpose flour. 


3)  Cut puff pastry sheet in six triangles with the help of pizza cutter.

4)  Spread mozzarella all over the triangle and roll them in the shape of Croissant. 

5)   Place them on baking pan with enough space in between each other. 

6) Brush Croissants with beaten egg.Bake for 15-30 minutes until golden in color.

Enjoy!



Tips:


1)  Move puff pastry sheet from frozen section of refrigerator section at least 2 hours prior from the making time.

2)   Use any kind of thin sausage slices or ham slices with cheese for the variation.

Beans Bruschetta





Beans Bruschetta” a very simple tasty dish has nothing much to explain about, but, has all the qualities to prefix any meal or a perfect standalone snack for your Chai (Tea) Time. The Crunchy bread – The Soft Beans - The Homemade Salsa – A Sip of Tea – And I Say Wow!!


Ingredients:

 Serve 2 Person
 4 Slices of baguette
 1 Cup Boiled Beans
 1 tsp Olive Oil
 ½ Cup Homemade Salsa


Process:

1)    Heat up a flat nonstick pan on medium high heat. Brush the pan well with Olive Oil.

2)    Once the pan is hot, roast both sides of baguette slices till they turn brown.

3)    Take a bowl and mix boiled Beans with Salsa.

4)    Put Beans and Salsa mixture over the top of toasted baguette.

Enjoy!

Monday, 28 May 2012

Walnut Cookies



Walnut Cookies, is my all-time favorite Walnut cookies. As soon as you bite one, it breaks up into small granules in your mouth. With every grind you feel the rich flavor of Walnuts oozing out. When made to perfection, they attain the much desired granulated texture due to added Walnut powder. I would suggest you to savor each one by serving them warm with any hot beverage (Not in Sheldon Cooper’s Way though).

Ingredients:
3 cup of All Purpose Flour/ Maida
1 Cup Sugar
 1 Cup Butter
 1 tsp of Vanilla Extract
 1 tsp Almond Extract
 3 tbsp Warm Water
1 Cup Chopped Walnuts
½ Cup Walnut Powder

Process:
**Tools Used: Hand Mixer, Spatula, Whisk, Bowl, Cookie Pan.

1)     Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease the cookie pan with butter and cover the bottom with butter paper.
2)     In a bowl sieve flour and Salt. We will call it Bowl 1 from now onwards.
3)     In another bowl mix together the Butter and sugar until the mixture gets fluffy and then add vanilla extract, almond extract and warm water. Mix well. Let’s call it Bowl 2.
4)     Add in flour into butter/sugar mixture (i.e. Bowl 1 to Bowl 2) and mix it well with spatula until everything’s get well incorporated.
5)     Add in Walnut powder and chopped Walnuts into the above mixture and mix them well. Cover the cookie dough and leave it for at least 30 minutes.
6)     After 30 minutes, place cookie dough on baking sheet with help of small sized ice cream scoop leaving enough space in between cookies.
7)     Bake them for 25-30 minutes and it’s done.
Enjoy!!
Tips:
1) Don't over mix the batter.
2) Avoid Salt if you’re using Salted Butter.




Sunday, 27 May 2012

Paneer Bhurji




Scrambled Cottage Cheese , or, as we Punjabis call it “The Great Punjabi Paneer Ki Bhurji” – The Easiest Wholesome Appetizing Indian side dish. The dish is usually mentioned under dry or non-gravy captions  in any Indian cuisine menu, but, the amalgam of juicy tomatoes and Cheese (Paneer) makes it a complete dish in itself so that you need not bother for gravy along. I used to prefer the dish with Indian bread (Chapati) but recently, I tried it with Tortillas and believe me, the novel idea stimulated the whole newer set of taste buds all together. It went brilliant with my homemade Tortillas & a glass of Cranberry juice on that nippy day in Grand rapids!! 
               Ingredients:
             Serving: 2 Persons
1 Cup Crumbled Cottage Cheese
1 Medium Onion Chopped
1 Medium Tomato Chopped
1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
½ Cup Peas
1 tsp Chat Masala
1 tsp Minced Green Chili
1 tbsp Oil
Cilantro for Garnish
Salt and Pepper as Taste

Process:
1)     Heat the Oil in large skillet on medium high heat.
2)     Once Oil is hot, add in Cumin seeds, Green Chilies and Ginger Garlic paste.
3)     Once Ginger Garlic turns brown add Onions & Peas and stir continuously till they turn glossy. Add in Coriander Powder, Chat Masala and Salt & Pepper. Stir it well.
4)     Then, add in scrambled Cottage Cheese and mix well. Stir continuously.
5)     Cook for 5 minutes on low heat with lid on.
6)     Garnish with Cilantro and Serve hot.
Enjoy!

Saturday, 26 May 2012

White Chocolate Strawberry Cake


White Chocolate Strawberry Cake, is super moist cake with goodness of white chocolate with fresh strawberry frosting and crunch of Almonds on the top.

Ingredients:

2 ¼ cup of All Purpose Flour/ Maida
1 Cup Sugar
½ Cup Butter
3 Eggs
1 tsp of Vanilla
2 tsp Baking Powder
2 tsp Curd
2 tsp Sour Cream
¼ tsp of Salt
3/4 Cup Milk

Topping

¼ Cup White Chocolate Chips
4 tbsp Strawberry Preserve
¼ Cup Sliced Almonds


Process:


**Tools Used: Hand Mixer, Spatula, Whisk, Bowl, Cookie Pan.


1) Preheat your oven to 350F. Grease rectangular pan with butter and line the bottom with butter paper.

2) In a bowl sieve the flour, Baking Powder, Salt and set aside.

3) Take a microwave safe bowl, add in Milk, White Chocolate Chips and microwave for a minute and mix till white chocolate combines well with milk.

4) In another bowl cream together the Butter and sugar until the mixture gets fluffy ,then add eggs one at a time and beat till the mixture gets lite and fluffy. Add vanilla extract, Curd and Sour Cream and mix well.

5) Add flour mixture into wet batter slowly alternate with Milk and Chocolate mixture.

6) Pour the batter in a baking pan. Bake for 45 mins

7) After 45 minutes, take the cake out from oven and spread strawberry jam all over the cake, sprinkle White Chocolate Chips and Sliced Almonds evenly.

8)  Bake for another 15 minutes  and let it cool...Enjoy!


Tips:

1) Don't over mix the batter.

2) Avoid Salt if using Salted Butter.

3) Sour Cream can be replaced with another 2 tsp Curd.

4) All the ingredients should be at room temperature.



Thursday, 24 May 2012

Salsa Bruschetta


Salsa Bruschetta, flavorful Bruschetta recipe with the beautiful looking and yummy Salsa.


Ingredients:

Serve 2 Person
4 Slices of baguette
tbsp Cream Cheese
1 tsp Olive Oil
½ Cup Homemade Salsa


Process:

1) Heat up a flat nonstick pan on medium high heat. Season the pan well with Olive Oil.

2) Once the pan is hot, roast both sides of baguette slices till they turn brown.

3) Once done spread Cream Cheese over once side of baguette's. 

4) Put Salsa over the top of Cream Cheese spread....Enjoy!


Homemade Salsa



Homemade Salsa, the Chunky and Citrus Salsa. 


Ingredients:

Portion 1 Cup Salsa
¼ Cup Finely Chopped Onion
¼ Cup Finely Chopped Tomatoes
¼ Cup Finely Chopped Green Bell Pepper
¼ Cup Finely Chopped Yellow Bell Pepper
¼ tsp Finely Chopped Green Chili
½ tsp Lime Juice
¼ Cup Chopped Cilantro
Salt and Pepper as Taste


Process:

1) Mix Onion, Tomatoes, Green Bell Pepper, Yellow Bell Pepper, , Lime Juice, Cilantro, Green Chili, Salt and Pepper in a bowl until combined well.

2) Serve with Nacho's or over the slice of baguette...Enjoy!

Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Rice Kheer



Rice Kheer, is Rich Indian sweet dish made from Rice and Milk with the crunch of Nuts and flavor of Saffron.


Ingredients:

1 Cup Raw Rice
4 Cup Milk
1 Cup Sugar
½ Cup Sliced Nuts like Almonds, Raisins, Pistachios
½ tsp Grounded Cardamom
Pinch of Saffron


Process:

1) Take a heavy bottom pan, Add in raw Rice and Milk and cook on medium low heat.

2) Add in Saffron, Keep stirring and make sure milk doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.

3) Continue Stirring till milk thickens and reduces to the level of the cooked rice.

4) Add in Nuts and Grounded Cardamom at the end. Garnish with Nuts and Saffron.


Tips:

1) To save time cooked rice can be used instead of raw rice. In that case for 1 cup of cooked rice have 2 cup milk and rest all the same.

2) To make smooth kheer, Keep mashing up the rice while cooking.


Tuesday, 22 May 2012

Sweet Potato Chaat



Sweet Potato Chaat, Here's the Indian snack. This is sweet and sour snack for tea time.


Ingredients:

2 Big Sweet Potatoes
¼ Cup Chopped Onion
¼ Cup Chopped Tomato
¼ tsp Black Salt
½ Cup Sev
¼ tsp Red Chili Powder
1 tbsp Cilantro Mint Chutney
1 tbsp Tamarind Chutney
4-5 Papdi's
Cilantro for Garnish


Process:

1) Boil Sweet Potatoes on medium low flame covered for about 10 minutes. Test with fork inserted in Sweet Potatoes if they are cooked.

2) Once Sweet Potatoes are cooked, Remove from water and let them rest for 10 minutes. Remove the skin from Sweet Potatoes and chop in bite size pieces.

3) Take a big bowl, Add in chopped Sweet Potatoes, Chopped Onion, Chopped Tomato, Cilantro Mint Chutney, Tamarind Chutney, Red Chili Powder, Black Salt and Mix everything well.

4) Serve with papdi whole or crushed. Garnish with Sev and Cilantro...Enjoy!


Tips:

1) Recipe For Tamarind Chutney, Cilantro Mint Chutney and Papdi are already posted on the blog.

Monday, 21 May 2012

Vegetable Upma



Vegetable Upma, Here's the Mild and Savory snack. Can be enjoyed as breakfast or tea time.


Ingredients:

1 Cup Semolina (Rawa)
1 tbsp Oil
1 Medium Onion Sliced
1 Medium Tomato Sliced
¼ Cup Sweet Corn
¼ Cup Chopped Carrot
¼ Cup Peas
¼ Cup Chopped Beans
1 Cup Water
½ tbsp Chopped Green Chili
2 tbsp Chopped Cilantro
1  tsp Grated Ginger
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 tsp Lime Juice
Salt as taste



Process:


1) Heat the Oil in large skillet on medium high heat.


2) Once Oil is hot, Add in Mustard Seeds and allow them to pop. Then add in Onion, Tomato, Beans, Green Chili, Grated Ginger, Peas, Carrot and saute till cooked.

3) Add in Semolina and stir till that turns lite brown. Add in Water slowly and stir continuously till water evaporates.

4) Garnish with Cilantro...Enjoy with a cup of Tea!

Sunday, 20 May 2012

Homemade Dabeli


Homemade Dabeli, is such a wonderful recipe. Dabeli is an Indian road side snack. It is sweet, sour, crunchy, spicy and flavorful appetizer/ Snack. This is the best recipe out of all i have tried till date. 

Ingredients:

2 Cup Boiled Mashed Potatoes
1½ tbsp Dabeli Masala
4 Dabeli/Burger Buns
1 tsp Red Chili Powder
2 tbsp Tomato Ketchup
2 tbsp Tamarind Chutney
1 tsp Butter
1 tsp Sugar
Salt to taste


Garlic Chutney

2 tbsp Tamarind Chutney
1 tsp Garlic Paste
2 tbsp Grated Coconut
1 tsp Red Chili


For Garnishing

Finely Chopped Onion
Roasted Peanuts
Chopped Cilantro
Sliced Grapes
                                                     Pomegranate Seeds Fresh
Sev for Garnish


Process:

1) Mix Tamarind Chutney, Garlic Paste, Grated Coconut, Red Chili to make Garlic Chutney and set it aside.

2) In a small bowl, Add in Dabeli Masala, Tomato Ketchup,Tamarind Chutney, Salt, Sugar and Mix well. Heat up butter in a skittle then dabeli masala paste and stir for 2 minutes, add in mashed potatoes and little bit water to make it like a paste.

3) Toast Dabeli Buns in Toaster, Spread Garlic Chutney on both sides of the Bun.

4) Spread potato mixture on lower side of the bun. 

5) Garnish with Chopped Onion, Peanuts, Grapes, Pomegranate Seeds. At last Garnish with Sev and Cilantro.

6)  Serve with Tea/Coffee and Enjoy!
 
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