Christmas cake Repost

 CHRISTMAS CAKE 

Not all Christmas Cakes are loaded with sugar if try and make it at home. Here’s a Simple Easy Christmas Cake recipe with little healthier version.

Pre heat the oven at 180C.

Ingredients and Procedure

Mix dry fruits( I used mixed dried berries, chopped dates, chopped almonds, black raisins and cherries)soak them  overnight in grape juice

Ingredients 

2 cups of all purpose flour/ cake flour

1 &1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1& 1/2 tsp mixed spice

1/2 cup oil/ unsalted butter (melted)

1/2 cup coconut sugar / jaggery sugar

1 tsp mixed fruit jam( optional) or 1tsp molasses 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1 tbsp grape juice

3 eggs ( if without eggs substitute with 1/2 cup curd)  

Pre heat the oven at 180 C 

Sieve the dry ingredients first and keep them aside

In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer mix the sugar and oil/butter till well mixed

Gradually add the eggs one at a time at medium speed for 1 min and increase the speed.

Mix till it looks light and fluffy

Add the dry ingredients in batches adding gradually the grape juice.

Stop the mixer when all are well incorporated. Do not over mix the batter. 

Using a spatula combine everything well and add the soaked fruits. 

Bake in a pre heated oven for 50 to 60 minutes at 180C or check with a skewer till it comes out clean. Let it cool and enjoy. Will share a gluten free Christmas cake recipe soon.

Cumin

                                                     Cumin  

                                          

Cumin (mostly known as Jeera) is a spice made from the seeds of the cuminum cyminum plant. It is native to Asia, Europe and Africa but used widely in cooking in India from ancient ages. Mostly it is available as wholeseeds but ground form is also available in the market easily. I have seen from my childhood, my mom roasting the cumin seeds and then grinding the dry seeds. I do the same thing and while roasting my house is filled with beautiful aroma. Normally in India people use both whole or grounded cumin in almost every dish. It has some amazing medicinal properties too. It promotes digestion, contains beneficial plant compounds, is a rich source of iron, may improve blood cholesterol and even promotes weight loss and fat reduction. It even works as a great acid neutralizer and relieves stomach pain. I will share a very easy drink which you can make everyday and a very common Indian dish. You will need 1teaspoon of cumin seeds, 2glasses of water and 1teaspoon of honey(optional). In a sauce pan, add water and cumin seeds and bring it to boil. Put the flame on medium or low and allow the seeds to be absorbed into the water. Let it boil for 5minutes. Switch off the flame, strain it in a glass. Add honey and stir well. Consume the drink on an empty stomach or after meals both are fine.

Jeera Aloo

Jeera aloo, one of the simplest, easy and quick recipe, yet delicious can be easily made at home. You can have it with  plain roti or even the combination of dal, chawal(boiled rice) and jeera aloo is a perfect comfort food.
 Ingredients for jeera aloo
5 medium size boiled potatoes(cubed)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 green chilies chopped
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
salt as required
1/4 cup of chopped coriander leaves
1 teaspoon lemon juice(optional)
Procedure- In a sauce pan , heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, let the oil become hot.Add cumin seeds and wait till they crackle in the hot oil. Then add green chilies and stir well. Add the potato cubes followed by turmeric powder, salt and mix well. Saute the potatoes for 3 minutes. Now add chopped coriander. Switch off the flame, add lemon juice and serve hot.
This is all about another amazing Indian spice, for more information about Indian spices keep reading, I will be back with another wonderful Indian spice with its medicinal properties and some easy recipes.