Simple Vanilla Cake

Ingredients
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla

Method:
Beat the sugar and eggs in a separate bowl and keep it aside
In a bowl mix the other ingredients flour, milk, vegetable oil, baking powder and vanilla
Prepare the baking pan with a parchment paper or a sprayPreheat the oven at 350deg F and bake the cake for about 40 minutes

Carrot Halwa

I tried to cook the shredded carrot in the microwave for about ten minutes (please check inbetween and give a stir) and then stove top the same to add the sugar and garnish. It works just fine.

For best results, you can also use heavy cream/condensed milk or regular milk while stirring on the stove top.

Ingredients:
Carrots (shredded) – 1 cup
Sugar – ¾ cup
Cardamom – 1 tsp
Raisins and Cashews – 4 tbsp
Clarified butter – 2 tbsp

Method:
Microwave the shredded carrot for about 10-12 minutes (check after 5minutes and give a stir)
On a medium heated skillet, transfer the carrot and add the sugar. Stir for about 7-10 minutes
On a separate pan heat the clarified butter and add the raisins and cashews to it
Mix the clarified butter and raisin mixture to the carrot mixture
Add the cardamom powder and mix well
Serve warm or cold

Dates and walnut Eggless Cake

This is the best optional cake for people who do not eat eggs. You have to try this recipe, it is very delicious and without eggs…

Ingredients:
All Purpose flour – 1 ¼ cup
Baking soda – 1 tsp
Baking powder – ½ tsp
Dates (made to paste) – about 20
Condensed Milk – 14oz can
Butter (unsalted) – 1 stick
Walnuts (roasted) – 3 tbsp
Chocolate chips – for garnishing

Method:
Sieve the dry ingredients (all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder) in a large mixing bowl
Add the butter at room temperature
Add the condensed milk and mix well
Fold in the walnuts into the mixture
Transfer the cake batter into a cake pan and garnish with chocolate chips/chunks
Preheat the oven to 350 deg F and bake the cake for about 40-50 minutes (Use a toothpick or a fork to test if the cake is done completely. The fork should come out clean)

Chatnipudi

This goes well with chapati, dosa and roti. Also can be mixed with a little oil with rice.

Ingredients:

Channa dal - 3 cups

Urad dal - 2 cups

Dry Red chilles (Byadige chilles) - about 15

Tamarind - 3 tbsp

Jagerry - 3 tbsp

Curry leaves - 4 sprigs

Dry Coconut powder - 1 cup

Salt - to taste

For Tadka/Saute:

Oil - 2 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 3 tsp

Asefotida (optional) - 1 tsp

Method:

1. On a medium heated wok fry the Channa and urad dal and grind in a mixer. Set aside.


2. Again on a medium heated skillet fry the other ingredients and grind the same in the mixer


3. Mix both the mixtures in a large pan (steps 1 and 2)


4. Prapare the tadka by adding oil, mustard seeds and hing


5. Add the tadka to the combined mixture (step 3)


6. Chatnipudi is ready. Store in a air tight container

Mint Palov (Pudina Bath)

I got this recepi from my Mother-in-law. Its really good.

Ingredients:
Mint/Pudina leaves chopped – 2 cups
Onion chopped – 1 cup
Basmati Rice – 2 cups
Water – 2 cups
Oil – 3 tbsp
Cloves – about 4
Cinnamon sticks (Dalchini) – 3 sticks
Cardamom (elaichi) – 2
Green chilles - 2
Ginger paste – 1 tbsp
Garlic (optional) – 1 tbsp
Cashews – about 15
Salt – to taste

Method:
Place the Pressure cooker on the stove and turn on the heat
Pour the oil into the cooker pan and heat it
Add the cloves, cinnamon sticks, cardamom, green chilles, ginger paste and cashews. Saute for 3-4 mins
Add the onion and fry for about 5mins
Add the mint leaves and mix
To the above mixture, add the rice and water proportionately
Add salt to taste and give a stir
Close the Pressure cooker and wait for 2 whistles
Serve the Mint Palov hot with any raita

Simple Shrikand

Want to eat Shrikand?? Its not difficult at all…its dead easy J

Ingredients:
Yogurt (beaten) – 1 cup
Mango pulp – ½ cup
Sugar (powdered) – ¼ cup
Saffron – 1 tsp
Mango slices – for garnish

Method:
Add the mango pulp and sugar into the beaten yogurt and mix well
Now add saffron (kesar) and give a stir
Refrigerate this mixture for about an hour
Serve chill with mango slices as a topping..yum…

Kadalebele Kosambari

This is very simple to make and a healthy snack to eat

Ingredients:
Channa dal (Kadalebele) soaked – 1 cup

Oil - 1 tbsp
Green chilles – 2
Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
Coconut (shredded) – 4 tbsp
Salt to taste
Cilantro to garnish

Method:
Set the soaked (at least for 4 hours) Channa dal in a bowl
On a medium heated skillet add oil and sauté mustard seeds, green chilles and add it to the channa dal
Add salt according to your taste and mix well
Garnish with shredded coconut and cilantro and serve

Shavige Payasa

This is a very simple sweet dish for any festival

Ingredients:

Semolina - 1 cup

Ghee/oil - 2 tbsp

Whole Milk - 2 cups

Sugar (powdered) - 3/4 cup

Raisins and cashews - 4 tbsp

Saffron (optional) - a pinch

Method:

• On a medium heated pan add ghee (clarified butter) or oil and saute the semolina for about 8-10 mins, until the semolina turns a little golden in color


• Once the aroma of the ghee starts, add the milk and sugar and keep stiring for about 10mins until all semolina is cooked well


• Add saffron and mix well


• Saute the raisins and cashews in a separate skillet with a little ghee and add the same into the payasa mixture


• Enjoy the payasa hot or cold...its good!!!

Almond Butter Biscuits

This is a very super easy recipe that anyone can make.

Ingredients:

All purpose flour - 1 cup

Sugar (powdered) - 3/4 cup

Almond (powdered) - 1/4 cup

Butter (unsalted) - 3/4 cup

Vanilla extract - 1 tsp

Method:

1. Mix the powdered sugar, vanilla extract with butter in a bowl

2. Add the dry ingredients (flour and almond powder) into the bowl

3. Pre-heat the oven to 350F

4. Make the dough and place the shaped dough (round balls) on a baking sheet and bake it for 10-15 mins

5. Cool the biscuits completely and then serve

Coffee Shortbread Cookies

Yum...Very thin and very light baked coffee shortbread cookies.

Ingredients:

All purpose flour – 2 cups
Powdered sugar – ¾ cup
Butter (unsalted) – ¾ cup
Vanilla extract – 2 tsp
Coffee powder (instant black coffee) – 3 tsp
Salt – a pinch

Method:
1. In a bowl cream the butter and add sugar, coffee powder, vanilla extract, salt and beat well
2. To the above mixture add the flour (give no room for lumps)
3. Form a dough and refrigerate it for about an hour
4. Preheat the oven at 350 F
5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut into favorite shapes (or use a cookie cutter)
6. Place the cookies on the parchment sheet and bake for 10-15mins in the preheated oven
7. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely
8. Store the cookies in a air tight container

Palak Paneer

Have lots of spinach?? Make this easy recipe and enjoy with chapathis.

Ingredients:

Spinach - 1 pound

Onion - 3 medium sized

Green chillies - 3 slit

Paneer (cubes) - about 15 to 20 cubes

Coriander powder - 2 tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1 tsp

Cumin powder - 1 tbsp

Chilli powder - 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Oil - 2 tbsp

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Garlic paste - 1 tsp
Ginger paste - 1 tsp

Method:

1. In a medium heated skillet, heat the oil and add cumin seeds, slit chillies, ginger paste and garlic paste
2. Add the diced onions to the skillet and cook it for 10 mins

3. Add the spinach to the onions and cook for 5 mins

4. Add the above into a mixer/blender and form a paste

5. On a medium heated pan transfer the above paste and bring it to boil

6. Add the coriander powder, turmeric, chilli powder and salt

7. Fry the paneer cubes with a little oil in a separate small skillet

8. Transfer the paneer to the paste mixture and bring to boil

9. Remove from heat and serve hot with chapathis

Chocolate truffles

Truffles!!!! very delicious (more when its winter :) )Just have it everytime along with few dry fruits...very yummy

For best results, use good quality dark/bitter sweet chocolate and organic cocoa powder.

Ingredients:

Chocolate (melted) - 1 cup

Butter (unsalted) - 4 tbsp

Heavy whipping cream - 6 tbsp

Vanilla extract - 2 tsp

Cocoa powder or almonds(chopped) for coating

Method:

1. Melt the butter, chocolate and heavy cream in a pan until all the ingredients are well incorporated

2. Add the vanilla extract and remove from the heat

3. Chill the mixture for atleast 3-4 hours

4. Roll the chocolate mixture to desired round shapes

5. Coat the chocolate balls with cocoa powder or almond pieces

Carrot Kosambari

You can eat this as a snack or as a side dish along with lunch and dinner. And the best part is, you can eat more, more and more (very low in calories). Green grams used here is optional.

Ingredients:
Carrots shredded – 2 cups
Green grams (soaked overnight) – 1 cup
Green chilies finely chopped – ½ tsp
Oil – 1 tsp
Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cilantro for garnishing

Method:
1. In a mixing bowl take the shredded carrot and add the soaked green grams(separate it from water)
2. On a heated skillet add the oil and then mustard seeds
3. Once the mustard seeds pops, add the green chilies
4. Transfer the oil mixture into the mixing bowl with carrots and green grams
5. Add salt and pepper to taste and mix it
6. Garnish with Cilantro

Black Bean Brown Rice

This is a very quick recipe if you have left over rice (White/Brown Rice). Brown rice is very healthy and has a chewy texture which I like.

Ingredients:
Black beans – 2 (canned)
Red Bell pepper chopped – 1 cup
Onion chopped – ½ cup
Tomatoes chopped – 1 cup
Raw peanuts – 4 tbsp
Corn/vegetable oil – 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
Coriander powder – 1 tsp
Chilli powder – ½ tsp
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cilantro and Curry leaves for garnishing

Method:
1. Prepare the skillet at medium heat and add the oil. When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds
2. Add the chopped onion, red bell peppers, tomatoes and then the canned Black beans
3. Now add turmeric, coriander and chilli powder
4. Mix the above mixture with the cooked rice and add salt accordingly
5. Garnish with cilantro and curry leaves before you serve

Almond Biscotti

I used to love the biscottis from Starbucks. And then i tried making them at home. Here is what you need..

Ingredients:
All purpose flour - 1 cup
Butter (unsalted) - 1 stick
Eggs - 2
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Vanila extract - 2 tsp
Roasted almonds (chopped) - 5 tbsp
salt - 1 tsp
Baking powder - 1 tsp

Method:

1. Mix the butter, sugar, eggs and vanila extract in a bowl


2. Mix all the other dry ingredients in a separate bowl (avoid the formation of lumps)


3. Add steps 1 to 2 and mix well and form the dough


4. Make the dough into a oblong shape (baguette) and place it on the baking sheet


5. Preheat the oven to 350F and bake the baguette for 3omin


6. Remove and cut it to biscotti shape and place back the baking sheet into the oven for 10 more minutes on each side (or till it is golden brown)

Enjoy with a cup of hot coffee or tea.

Black Bean Salad

This is a very quick and figure friendly recipe.

Ingredients:
Black beans (canned) - 6 ounces
Red bell pepper (chopped) - 1/2 cup
Cherry tomatoes - 1/2 cup
sweet corn (frozen) - 1/2 cup
Extra virgin olive oil - 2 tbsp
Chat masala (optional) - 1 tsp
Cilantro (chopped) - 3 sprigs
Salt and pepper to taste

Method:
Drain and wash the canned Black beans
Microwave the frozen corn for about a minute
Transfer all the ingredients into a bowl
Garnish with cilantro and serve

Iyengar's Coconut Biscuits

Remember the coconut biscuits from Iyengar's bakery :) soo yummy.
I tried to make it as good as the bakery but was not that successful...not bad for the first try though...

Ingredients:
All purpose flour (maida) - 1/2 cup
Powdered sugar - 1 cup
Cardamom powder - 1 tsp
Baking powder - 1/2 tsp
Coconut powder - 1/2 cup
Butter (unsalted) - 3/4 cup

Method:
1. Sift all the ingredients from 1 to 4 into a mixing bowl
2. Add the butter and make a dough out of it
3. Take a small amout of dough and make round shape balls
4. Preheat your oven to 375F and bake for 15-20 minutes