Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Indian Bakery Style Zeera Biscuits | Sweet and Salty Cumin Cookies


The Daring Bakers had a great challenge for November 2012 - 12 Days of Cookies!! Unfortunately as I am away from both home and desk at this time I am unable to have a steady access to the Internet and computer. As a result I find my self posting my DB Challenge late for the month. With limited possibilities I have posted my own recipe of a cookie that is loved and enjoyed by many Indians in their homes. Zeera Biscuits are a staple at local bakeries throughout the country and as I never get to see them in the States I was keen to try my hand at baking them. I did and the result was delicious!!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

MultiGrain Onion Capsicum Bread | Pyaz Shimla ki Dabal Roti


Earlier this summer I made my Zesty Onion Chile Bread and it was a big hit. Visiting India, I made a similar bread at my Mum's place (big thanks to her for the beautiful props, her super camera, and tonnes of natural light!!). I used a different mix of flours for the bread and thought I should share the recipe for this delicious loaf with my readers.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Badam ki Kheer | Almond Milk Pudding


Diwali Greetings to all my readers!! I have been wondering for some time what sweet I should make to mark this festival and I realized that it has been some time since I made Kheer!! Badam Kheer or Almond Milk Pudding is one of my favourite Kheer recipes. The Kheer has a deliciously soft grainy texture, is fragrant with cardamom and saffron, and if you pay close attention gives a hint of heady almond towards the end.  Here is the delicious milk pudding recipe.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Saboot Moong Dal Pulao | Whole Mung Bean Pilaf (with Coconut)


Right in the middle of all the festive cooking, the deep frying, the sweets, the savouries, isn't it just typical that one should crave simple home cooked food!!!! I have been making festive treats ever since the beginning of the Navratras and all I wanted to eat yesterday was some simple everyday khana (food) - chawal (rice), dal (lentils), dahi (yogurt) - sigh!!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Mixed Dal Vada | Mixed Lentil Fritters


I have a soft spot for Dal Vadas | Lentil Fritters. I am always on the lookout for opportunities to make them. They are so good with tea or a glass of lemonade. They make a perfect snack - deliciously crunchy with a soft centre. Dal Vadas are a lunch box favourite and they travel well. Pack a box for your next holiday and enjoy with a glass of sweet milky tea. I promise you will not regret it:)

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Chocolate Doodh Burfi | Chocolate Milk Fudge: Indian Festival Sweets

Chocolate Doodh Burfi

Chocolate Doodh Burfi is one of the most popular burfi items around festival times in Delhi. When I came across this confection the first time I was quite frankly horrified by the idea. The very thought of combining creamy milk burfi with cocoa seemed strange!! But one bite and I was hooked. This delicious sweet is seldom found in the Mithai Shops we have around here. This year I was simply craving this burfi and so I decided to just go ahead and make it. All I can say is that there were no regrets and the family just loved it!!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Spicy Cilantro & Poblano Cornmeal Muffins | Eggless Baking

Savory Muffins

I always have a bag of cornmeal handy in my pantry. We love corn bread and it can be made in a pinch for soups and stews. Sometimes I make savoury cornmeal muffins. They are simply delicious warm with lashings of butter! I also like to make these for the lunch box. They are easy to carry and not messy to eat especially on a really busy day. Just warm in the microwave and enjoy with your favourite beverage - healthy and nutritious on the go. Yumm!!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Vrat ka Khana | Fasting Foods: Farali Pudina Raita | Minty Yogurt Dip


Yogurt is a must have during fast says, be it plain, in the form of lassi, or a fruit smoothie. This is the simplest way to spice up your yogurt and probably the tastiest if you are fasting!! I love this simple raita as a dip because it perks up all fasting treats. It tastes particularly wonderful with any deep fried fasting foods - like farali pakoras, sago vada, fried potatoes, and more.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Kuttu aur Aloo ka Bonda | Deep Fried Buckwheat and Potato Patties: Fasting Foods


Here is another deep fried treat for those of my readers who are fasting this Navratri. I made some farali Aloo Bondas with sendha namak, cumin powder, and potatoes. I used kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour) to make the outer covering of the bondas. As always the kuttu did not disappoint and they turned out delicious. So delicious that they disappeared almost as soon as they were fried.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Rava Laddoo | Rava Laddu | Suji Laddoo: Indian Festival Sweets


Oftentimes we are in a great hurry and find it difficult to spend time in the kitchen laboriously making sweets. This is all too true during the festival period when there are so many activities at home and events elsewhere that attract our attention. Yet the thought of store bought mithai is so depressing, especially to many of us who have homes on other continents! All sweets tend to taste the same - full of sugar and no flavour of their own, so much so that it becomes impossible to distinguish one from the other!!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Vrat ka Khana | Fasting Foods: Kuttu aur Aloo Ke Pakore | Buckwheat and Potato Chips


Kuttu or Buckwheat is the base food in the North Indian Hindu Kitchen during key fasting dates. Navrarti is no exception and delicious treats are prepared using this gluten free buckwheat flour or kuttu ka atta during this festival period! I remember Kuttu from my very early childhood when my grandmother would sometimes add it to her diet during fasts. Usually she made roti or puri with it.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Yummylicious Banana Cardamom Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting


This is one of our favourite banana cakes. Seasoned with cardamom that complements bananas so beautifully, it is a perfect treat for the festive season! Of course, I love that the cake is eggless too. Usually when I make this cake in the afternoons for tea, I just dust it with some icing sugar! This time however to chase the rainy day blues away, I decided to indulge and frost it too:) The frosting recipe is very easy to do, just throw it all together and blend it and you are good to go.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Khasta Aloo | Crispy Pan Fried Potatoes


Potatoes are said to be the perfect food. While I am not so sure about that, they certainly are universal. Pretty much every culture boils, mashes, and fries potatoes and seasons them in its own unique way. Interestingly almost everyone who loves potatoes enjoys them in any form available!! I know people who always look for potatoes on the menu when traveling in an attempt to ensure a vegetarian and filling meal!!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Rustic Mushroom and Corn Empanadas


The Daring Cooks September 2012 Challenge was Empanada Gallega! Yet another delightful recipe from the ever creative Daring Bakers!!! I made a vegetarian version, though not in pie form. I made individual Mushroom Corn Empanadas with caramelized onions. Oh, they were really good, kept well in the refrigerator for a few days and also warmed beautifully in the microwave later.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Roasted Cumin and Poblano Whole Wheat Scones (Eggless)

Savory Scone

When someone mentions scones, the first thing that comes to mind are Raisin Scones that go so perfectly with butter and jam and a cup of hot tea. I love them and make them every so often. More recently though I love baking savoury scones that also taste wonderful with butter, are perfect with a cup of soup, and taste great cold too.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Sour Cream Bread with Onions and Peppers


Here is another of my favourite go-to bread recipes. Whenever I make soup or stew this is the bread I bake to accompany it. Not only does it have a great texture, it slices and toasts really well too. Making bread sometimes seems like a really tricky job. But I can assure you that it is not. In fact whats really difficult is staying away from it once it ready to eat!! Try this beautiful loaf. After the compliments you receive, you won't regret it!!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Kamut Chivda | Crispy Spiced Puffed Kamut


I always like to prepare some sort of Chivda around the festival season. Usually it is the Poha version | Beaten Rice Chivda. Last year I made Jowar Chivda | Crunchy Puffed Millet Snack. This year I had a bag of Puffed Kamut in the pantry just crying to be used!! So Kamut Chivda it is! This a the perfect low calorie snack for tingling tastebuds. Its great for festival snacking but also on game night or movie night!! Try it, you will be hooked.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Kaju Pista Modak | Cashew Pistachio Modak (Sugar Free)


This morning I made Modaks for Ganesh Chaturthi. The last time I made these beauties, I had tried them with the traditional jaggery and coconut filling. This time I wanted to make something different. These modaks are sugar free, as they are made only with dried fruits and nuts, NO ADDED SUGAR!! They came out incredible well and the filling was mellow but delicious.


You may notice that some of the modaks are a deep brown. That's because that are made with a ragi flour covering! Both kinds turned out really well. I will post the Ragi Flour recipe shortly.

Ingredients:
1 cup rice flour
1 tbsp ghee
Warm water as needed

For Filling:
1/4 cup raw pistachios
1/4 cup raw cashews
1/3 cup golden raisins
1 tbsp ghee

Method:
  1. Sift the rice flour into a mixing bowl.
  2. Add the ghee, and rub into the flour.
  3. Now pour the warm water, just a little at a time.
  4. Using a wooden spoon bring together the flour and water.
  5. Allow this mix to sit for 10 minutes, then using your hands, turn it into a soft but pliable dough.
  6. If needed at this stage sprinkle a little extra rice flour or water on the dough to get the correct consistency.
  7. Dry roast the pistachios and cashews, the grind them into a fine powder.
  8. Pour the ghee into a pan, heat, then add the raisins. Fry on a low heat. The raising will puff up and become soft. Remove from the heat immediately, cool completely.
  9. Give the raisins one spin in the food processor.
  10. Combine them and any ghee remaining from the frying process to the nut powder.
  11. To put the modaks together, divide the flour into 10 balls of equal size.
  12. With a little ghee on the palms of your hands, pat one ball flat. Place a level tablespoonful of the fruit and nut mixture in the centre, then bring together the edges. Form a circle. 
  13. Place this on a greased steaming tray. Repeat for remaining dough and filling.
  14. Steam for 15-17 minutes. Remove and enjoy warm.
Vegan Substitute: Replace the ghee in this recipe with canola or raw sesame oil.

Like this recipe. Tried it. Leave me a comment:) 

All content, text and photographs in this blog, unless otherwise noted, are Copyright of © Annarasa 2007 - 2012. All Rights Reserved. Kindly do not reproduce without permission.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Lachha Paratha | Flaky Pan Roasted Flatbread


I had wanted to make Lachha Parathas for ages. But I always put off the thought of making them thinking that the effort would be too much. I was sure that it would be cumbersome to get these parathas going, what with the rolling, re-rolling, and getting all those flaky bits right!! But I was wrong. It could not be simpler to make this incredibly festive, beautifully flaky flat breads together. I am so glad I tried these as they make a perfect substitute for puris or bhaturas.


My version here is a tad rich as I used milk to prepare the dough. I find that milk often makes for a softer dough for flat breads. But if you prefer warm water with a tablespoon of oil works just as well. We loved these with the Chana Masala | Spicy Chickpea Curry that I posted here last!

Ingredients:
3 cups atta (Chappati Flour)
1 cup + 2tbsp milk, warmed
1 tbsp oil
1/2 tsp sugar
Salt to taste
Oil, as needed


Method:
  1. Place the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix the milk, sugar, and oil. Blend with a fork.
  3. Pour this mix into the flour and salt mix.
  4. Bring the ingredients together using a large wooden spoon.
  5. When everything has come together, turn out onto the kitchen table and knead into a soft and pliable dough. Place this dough into a bowl, cover, and allow to rest for at least an hour.
  6. Place a griddle on medium heat. Pour a couple of tablespoons of oil into a bowl and keep a pastry brush handy.
  7. Divide the dough into 8 equal parts. Take one part, keeping the rest covered.
  8. Pat with oil, roll into a ball, then using a rolling pin, Roll this out into a thin 8-10 inch circle.
  9. Brush with oil. Using a sharp knife, cut the rolled dough into horizontal strips about 1/2 inch wide.
  10. Stack the strips one on top of the other! Then roll tightly to form a circle. Seal the edges by pinching them together.
  11. Flatten this dough with the palm of your hand, then roll out into a circle of about 6-7 inches diameter, using a rolling pin.
  12. Repeat for the remaining dough. 
  13. Place one paratha onto the griddle. Cook on one side. Turn over. Cook on the other side.
  14. Brush both sides with oil. Remove onto a plate lined with wax paper.
  15. Repeat for the remaining pieces of dough.
Enjoy warm with your favorite curry, or dal. Lachha Parathas can be stored in the refrigerator for upto a week. Wrap tightly in wax paper, cover in a tea towel, and they will stay soft. To eat, warm on the griddle or microwave.

Vegan Substitute: Replace the milk in this recipe with warm water.

Like this recipe. Tried it. Leave me a comment below :)

All content, text and photographs in this blog, unless otherwise noted, are Copyright of © Annarasa 2007 - 2012. All Rights Reserved. Kindly do not reproduce without permission.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Chana Masala | Spicy Chickpea Curry | Garbanzo Bean Curry


Kabuli Chana is a very popular and loved food in my family. Its made almost on every festival or celebration with Puri, Paratha, or Luchi. However we never really seem to stick to a particular recipe. As I was getting this post together, I realised I already have two recipes of Chole on my blog: Tari Wale Chole | Curried Chickpeas and Rice Plate Chole | Chickpeas with Rice. The first is a recipe that TH likes to make every so often, and the latter is a reminiscence of my days at DU!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Nariyal Barfi | Coconut Burfi (Soft) | Coconut Fudge


Come Autumn, its the beginning of festival season in India. Festivals of course mean family, friends, and food!! Lots and lots of delicious food made especially to celebrate. Festival food tends to be rich in every way - full of sugar, deep fried, packed with dried fruits and nuts, and topped off with lashings of ghee (clarified butter). Everyone has their favourites and can't imagine the festival season without them.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Lasun wala Shimla Mirch Aloo | Garlicky Green Peppers and Potatoes


We have been visiting the farm  every two weeks. The harvest has been fantastic and unexpectedly so given the heat we experienced this summer. I have been making pickles, chutneys, and we are enjoying fresh vegetables on our table every day now!! Last night I made a simple vegetable dish with farm fresh green peppers and potatoes. No store bought vegetable that has made it to the table via the cold chain can compare. Enjoy this simple and tasteful vegetable with chapatis, parathas, and plain curds (yogurt).

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Summer Sweet Corn and Tomato Pie


Its coming up to the end of summer and corn and tomatoes are available aplenty here. I made this sweet corn and tomato pie last week to enjoy both the flavours at the peak of the season. We had picked up some sweet corn from a farmers market and the tomatoes I got from the farm where I get my summer produce!! The pink tomatoes were just so gorgeous that the moment I saw them all I could think of was making a pie with them.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Methi Matar Malai | Creamy Fenugreek with Peas


Methi Matar Malai is a wonderful and mellow fusion of sweet, bitter, sour, and tart flavours. I adore this dish and though it uses a good quantity of cream, the final result if worth it. Its a perfect dish for a treat, a party, or an add on dish to a complete table! Try it and I assure you there will will no protests at home!!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Chili Tofu | Indo Chinese Kitchen


Chili Tofu is a take on the very popular Chili Paneer served in Indo Chinese establishments! I tasted Chili Paneer many years at Sakoni's - a Gujarati restaurant in Wembley, London. It was such a popular dish that Desis (colloquial for South Asians) living in London would plan special trips to Sakoni's just for a stab at the dish. I was dragged across town by just such an eager friend. Unfortunately at the time the dish I was least impressed with was, you guessed it, Chili Paneer. I am guessing that it was overshadowed by other delicacies like Chaat, Lassi, Samosa, that I focused on during the meal!!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Zesty Onion Chili Bread | Pyaz Mirch ki Dabal Roti


I am baking a lot more these days. And its mostly bread, savoury bakes, and pies. A brief cool down in the last few weeks made it possible to get the oven going and get back to baking. I have so many recipes I want to share with you, but I am going to begin with this Zesty Onion Chili Bread or as it would be called in India Pyaz Mirch ki Dabal Roti!!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Matar Tofu Masala | Spicy Green Peas and Tofu


One dish I have always loved is Matar Paneer! I make it often enough and we love it with parathas. Some days back I was just craving this curry, but there was no paneer at home. So I decided to go ahead and veganize this recipe to Matar Tofu!! The result was wonderful. Tofu picked up the flavours of this curry so well that even I was surprised. 

Friday, August 10, 2012

Doodh Peda | Milk Fudge for Krishna Janmashtami


I have been wanting to make Pedas at home for a long time now. I find most Halwai Pedas to contain way too much sugar. Not that they don't taste good - lots of sugar can make for a delicious melt in the mouth Peda. But I was looking for something a little less intense. Here I have used condensed milk for that extra milkiness and sweetness. My recipe has no sugar and I found that the proportions below gave me a delicious milk fudge.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Firni | Phirni | Creamy Ground Rice Custard - Three Ways


Monday night and I was craving some really creamy dessert!! No, not ice cream or even cream cake. I was looking for something smooth, milky and sweet. Phirni, the fabulously easy milk custard had been on my mind for a while! Thickened with rice paste and sweetened with sugar, this dessert harks back to hot Delhi days when cold desserts were a welcome relief. Prepared in the heat of the day, garnished with nuts fried in ghee, and chilled to perfection in the refrigerator, Phirni always marked the perfect ending to spicy meals!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Gobhi Mussallam | Slow Cooked Marinated Cauliflower


Gobhi Mussallam is a wonderfully delectable dish that once again comes from the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Heartwarming and delicious, this recipe is typically made in the winter as its stars are winter vegetables. Both cauliflower and peas, today available around the year, were to be found in the sprawling vegetables markets of the north only in winter. In fact, when peas did make an appearance out of season, people rarely purchased them, as they would often have a bitter aftertaste. Winter peas were always sweet!!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Daring Bakers July 2012: Crunchy Crackers


I was delighted that the July 2012 Daring Bakers Challenge featured four recipes for home made crackers!! Yes, that wonderfully salty treat that goes so well with cheese, a wide array of vegetables, and even fruit. Loved the recipes even more as most did not feature butter! I chose two types of crackers: the first Health Crackers. I made just one third of the recipe, replaced the egg with some milk, and topped the crackers with sesame seeds, red chili flakes, and roasted cumin.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Mathura ke Dubkiwale Aloo | Mathura Potato Curry


Another delicious recipe from Uttar Pradesh is none other than Mathura Aloo. Famously paired with freshly fried poories or kachoris, they make the perfect weekend breakfast. The recipe is incredibly simple. This dish can come together in a pinch and is ideal as an add on in case of surprise visitors!!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Spicy Vegetable Chow Mein | Indo Chinese Kitchen


Continuing with the theme of Indo Chinese food I began last month, I made some delicious Vegetable Chow Mein!! Chow Mein is a staple at Indo Chinese restaurants and is typically a spicy main dish. Served with a side of some equally spicy dish with a sauce, its a whole different experience from meals at regular Chinese restaurants.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Uchche Posto Jhuri | Khus Khus Karela | Bengali Style Bitter Gourd with Poppy Seeds


Karelas or Bitter Gourd have just started coming in at our local farm. We went Karela hunting last week, and got ourselves a stash of eight wonderfully fresh and tender karelas!! This apart from green beans, okra, and some wonderful beets!! My first karela recipe is Khus Khus Karela - this is bitter gourd made in a typically Bengali style with poppy seeds. It is a very simple recipe with just a few spices, but the taste is mind blowing!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Paneer Bhara Pudina aur Kali Mirch ka Paratha | Mint and Crushed Black Pepper Flatbread


I made these delicious parathas last week for lunch. They are just yummy!! The combination of mint and paneer in a paratha reminds of Delhi summers when we enjoyed both in plenty. Eat these parathas warm with butter or enjoy them with plain yogurt. They also taste delicious cold and make a wonderful addition to any lunchbox!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Lucknowi Dal | Creamy Lentils Lucknow Style


Lucknowi Dal or Creamy Lentils Lucknow style are a delicious addition to any full Indian Thali | Meal. This is one of the tastiest ways of making Toor Dal | Arhar Dal| Split Pigeon Pea. Pigeon Pea when cooked by itself gives a really creamy dal! In Lucknowi Dal, we just make it creamier by adding some milk to the final product. The result - a deliciously tasty, wonderfully satisfying dal that goes beautifully with steamed rice!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Makkai ka Wada | Corn Vada | Sweet Corn Fritters


Its corn season out here and despite the heat, the markets are loaded with delicious fresh sweet corn. We get the very tasty tri-colour corn and I love to buy it to make all kinds of treats. Last week I got a batch of corn ears to make corn vadas. There are many recipes for corn vadas and they often involve grinding dals. I was not keen to make something quite as heavy so went for a lighter version of this deep fried treat!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Kadai Tofu | Tofu with Fenugreek in a Tangy Tomato Sauce


Here's another Indian Style Tofu Recipe I'd like to share. After posting Tofu Tikka Masala and Palak Tofu, I was swamped with requests for more spicy tofu recipes from family and friends. Lately I made a delicious Kadai Tofu and here is the recipe for you!!


Ingredients:
1 block extra firm tofu
1/2 cup tomato paste
1 tbsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
1 green bell pepper
1 large onion, chopped fine
1" ginger, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 green chili,chopped fine
1 tbsp oil
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp haldi (turmeric powder)
1/4 tsp zeera (cumin seeds)
1/2 tsp lal mirch (red chili powder)
1/4 tsp garam masala
1 tbsp dhania powder (coriander seeds powder)

Method:
  1. Cube the tofu into bite size pieces. Dry roast it on a pan. Set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add the cumin, and then the ginger and garlic. Reduce heat and fry for a couple of minutes. 
  3. Next add the onions and fry until translucent. Now throw in the spices including the turmeric, red chili powder , and dhania powder.
  4. Stir well, fry for a minute, then add about 2 cups of water, stir to blend. Cook on medium heat until the water has reduced to about half its original amount and the sauce has begun to thicken. 
  5. Add the kasuri methi, garam masala, and salt to taste. Stir and continue cooking for 5-6 minutes.
  6. Now add the tofu, reduce heat to low, and allow the tofu to absorb the sauce. 
  7. Add the green peppers, give a final stir, heat, and enjoy.
There is just so much flavour in this recipe you can almost feel juicy tomatoes in your mouth when you eat it. Kadai Tofu can be enjoyed with Roti, Parathas, Naan, and even rice. Just prepare a simple dal | lentils to go with it and you have a complete meal! Sending this recipe out to Vardhini @ Cook's Joy. She is hosting Kalyani's Kitchen Chronicles - Only Vegan event this month.

Vegan Recipe

All content, text and photographs in this blog, unless otherwise noted, are Copyright of © Annarasa 2007 - 2012. All Rights Reserved. Kindly do not reproduce without permission.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Banana Cake with Chia Seeds and Oats (Eggless)


I have been baking cakes a long time now. Earlier I baked with eggs, then only with egg whites, but now I prefer eggless cakes and bakes. I just find the texture, flavour, and smell of the baked product improve if you skip the eggs altogether. The cakes are also less heavy and more easily digestible. What I love even more about this cake is that it is virtually grease free too! Yes - just one tablespoon of butter.


This is also one of the easiest cakes I have created. You can pretty much just throw all the ingredients in a bowl, one good whisk, and its good to in the oven. The final product is delicious and healthy. I loved the moist spongy texture that I got and the chia seeds added just the right amount of delicate crunch to this bake.

Ingredients:
1 cup All Purpose flour
1/2 cup oats flour
2 tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup apple sauce
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tbsp butter
1 large very ripe banana, mashed
1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:
  1. Sift together all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add the apple sauce, buttermilk, vanilla extract, butter, and the mashed banana.
  3. Using a wooden spoon, mix well.
  4. Pour the mix into a prepared baking pan.
  5. Bake at 350 F for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
  6. Cool the cake in the tin for 15 minutes and then on a wire rack.
Enjoy with a glass of cold milk!

All content, text and photographs in this blog, unless otherwise noted, are Copyright of © Annarasa 2007 - 2012. All Rights Reserved. Kindly do not reproduce without permission.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Vegetable Manchurian | Indo Chinese Kitchen


Our city is cosmopolitan in character and this is reflected the wide food choices available in restaurants here. Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Indian, Caribbean, Peruvian, Afghan, Lebanese, Fusion, Korean, Vegan, Deli, French Bakeries, you name it and its available. But did you notice I left out Chinese cuisine. This is because this is possibly the one city in country that does not have a single Chinese restaurant with good food. Not even a a cheap and cheerful variety. This has become so obvious that people actually discuss it and not many send out for Chinese take-out, a staple of many other cities!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Oven Baked Potato Chips with Sage and Cracked Pepper


I last made Herby Oven-Baked Chips over three years ago!! This afternoon I was going through my refrigerator and I found I still had a few sprigs of sage left over from last weeks groceries. They were in great shape thanks to the chiller setting on my fridge and I wondered how I could best enjoy them!! Its too hot to really cook, so I settled on baked chips. Potatoes and sage go together beautifully. A little salt and pepper, a few wedges of onion, loads of garlic, and a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, and you have the perfect combination.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Summer Pasta Salad with Feta and Pine Nuts


I love pasta salads and summer is the perfect time to enjoy them. They are easy to put together, delicious to eat, and packed with raw vegetables that just make a pasta dish so much more nutritious. You can be really creative with a pasta salad and I never follow a recipe when I make one. I create one using a combination of vegetables in my refrigerator and nuts and herbs in my pantry! I generally use whole grain pasta for salads. It has a nuttier taste and is more chewy that adds to both taste and texture of the salad.


A pasta salad can be a complete meal, a side, or indeed great on a picnic table along with your favourite burgers, grilled vegetables, and greens! Just pack a box of it in a food safe container and place in an ice box until ready to eat! On Saturday we had beautiful weather and drove to the lake for a picnic. I made this winner of a salad for lunch. It got the thumbs up from everyone at home.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Cinnamon Smile Buttermilk Pound Cake (Eggless)


When I started out with this project I intended to make a Cinnamon Swirl Cake! Pressed for time as I was I forgot to swirl the cinnamon streusel layer of the cake after pouring it into the pan. Oh well!! I thought: never mind, I am sure its it will make no difference to the cake. Even so, I was a bit upset knowing that the baked product would have no beautiful swirl to it.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Malvani Aloo-Nutri Nuggets | Potato and Soy Nuggets in Malvani Spices


My Mum makes masalas (Indian Spice Mix) at home.When she visited last year she brought us two bags of Malvani Masala. One was a regular version, one slightly spicier with these amazing red chilies that she had sourced especially for the masala. I have been using the mild version last year. It has the most amazing flavour and I use it in various vegetable dishes. As I am now close to running out of it, I decided to dive into the spicy one. This version is simply divine!! I am loving it!!