Lentil-Soup

Lentil Soup

Lentil Soup

Dal Shorba or Lentil soup with roasted garlic

This is a very comforting soup perfect on a winter evening. Shorba means soup which comes from the Arabic word Chorba. This is a quick and delicious recipe made with red lentils, it can be made with moong dal too. It's filling and can be served with hot rice or baked croutons.

You can add veggies to make it more healthy.

Ingredients

Red lentils 3/4cup

Ginger chopped 2tablespoons

Garlic chopped 3 tablepoons

Turmeric powder 1/3 teaspoon

Water 2cups

Vegetable oil 2tablespoon

Chilli powder 2teaspoon

Mustard seeds 1teaspoon

Coriander leaves to garnish

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Directions

In a saucepan combine red lentils, turmeric powder and water and bring to boil.

Stir and reduce heat and let it cook in low heat.

 Check after 20 mins it should be well cooked.

When cooked remove from heat.

Using an immersion blender blend the lentil to puree.

Season with salt and pepper and keep aside.

Now heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan.

Add mustard seeds and garlic.

Saute for few mins.

Now add ginger, chilli powder and sauté for 1min.

Add cooked lentils and little water to achieve soup like consistency.

Check salt.

Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve hot Lentil soup with rice or croutons.

Red-Velvet-Cupcake-Recipe

Red velvet cupcakes

Red Velvet Cupcake

I am in love with these cupcakes. I always wanted to make it….. its like dream come true. Recently I went to one of my friends house where I tasted red velvet 3 layer slice cake. It was wonderful…..buttery,moist full of vanilla flavor with a little hint of chocolate. The cream cheese frosting was awesome but I made my frosting with vanilla, butter and sugar. This tastes good too. I will give you  the recipe of both vanilla butter and cheese frosting separately. Buttermilk is a must for these cupcakes. Red velvet cake just can't be made without buttermilk. Vinegar is also must for these cupcakes….Surprised? Just follow the recipe.

Ingredients

All purpose flour 2 1/2 cups

Sugar (powdered) 1 1/2 cups

Baking soda 1 teaspoon

Cocoa powder 1 teaspoon

Salt 1 teaspoon

Vegetable oil 1 1/2 cups

Buttermilk 1 cup

Eggs 2

White distilled vinegar 1 teaspoon

Red food coloring 2 tablespoon

For Vanilla butter frosting

All purpose flour 6 tablespoon

Milk 2 cups

Unsalted butter 2 cups

Sugar 2 cups

Vanilla extract 2 teaspoons

Method:

In a medium sized on stick pan whisk flour and milk until smooth. 

Put the pan over medium heat and stir continuously.

When the mixture is thick  switch off the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

Now in a separate bowl beat the butter until creamy. 

Gradually add sugar and continue beating.

Add vanilla and beat well.

Add the cooled milk mixture and beat again until smooth and white in color. 

Cover and refrigerate for 15mins.

After taking out use immediately.

For cream cheese frosting

Cream cheese 1 pound

Butter 2 sticks

Vanilla extract 1 teaspoon

Confectioners sugar 4cups

Directions

In a medium bowl shift flour,sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder.

Now in a separate bowl beat the eegs, buttermilk,oil, food coloring, vanilla and vinegar.

Add the shifted dry ingredients and mix well until smooth.

Now fill the cupcake tins 2/3.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 22 mins at 180C.

Test the cupcakes with a toothpick.

If done take out and let them cool.

Now make the cream cheese frosting.

In a bowl beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth.

Add the sugar and mix till its light and fluffy.

Frost the cupcakes and serve. Merry Christmas.

Spanish omelette with mashed potato and eggs

Spanish omelette with mashed potato and eggs

This is simply my way of preparing a super easy spanish omelette with mashed potatoes and eggs. Include peas or any other veggies you like, it will make more delicious and healthy specially for the kids. I made my omelette with some juicy tomatoes, onion, green chilly, potatoes and eggs.
Ingredients
Eggs 2
Onion 1(finely chopped)
Green chilly 1(finely chopped)
Tomato 1 ( finely chopped)
Potatoes 2 small( boiled and mashed)
Freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon
Oil for frying
Directions
Start with boiling the potatoes. When boiled peel and mash them.
Add salt, pepper and mix well if needed add little milk, beat till soft and smooth
Now heat a non stick frying pan and add oil.
Add onion and green chilli, fry for few minutes.
Add tomatoes and sauté for 3 minutes.
Beat eggs together with a pinch of salt and pour into the pan.
Swirl the egg around. 
When most of the egg has been done or when the egg is nicely cooked, add the mashed potato to one side of the egg.
Flip the other side and turn off the heat.
Serve hot with toasted bread.

Choco-Chip-Cookies

Choco Chip Cookie Recipe

Choco Cookie Recipe

This Cookie recipe is for all the cookie eaters of the world. Who wouldn't love cookies? These cookies are crunchy and delicious.

I have posted healthy salads, no cheese pasta and many more healthy stuff but this is Christmas time so it's time for muffins, cakes,cookies and chocolates. Baking is like my passion I can't live single day without Baking....So please follow this recipe to get chocolate Chippy cookies.

Ingredients

Butter 1cup

White sugar 1 cup

Packed brown sugar 1/2cup

Eggs 2

All purpose flour 3 cups

Vanilla extract 2 teaspoons

Baking soda1 teaspoon

Hot water 2teaspoon

Salt 1/2teaspoon

Semisweet chocolate chips 2cups

Directions

Preheat the oven at 180C

Now beat the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth and glossy.

Beat in the eggs and add vanilla extract.

Now dissolve Baking soda in hot water and add into the batter.

Shift flour and choco chips

Take a spoon and drop spoonfuls onto the Baking pan.

Bake for 15 to 20mins.

Take them out and let them cool

Serve Chocolate Chip Cookies or keep in an airtight jar.

Aloo-Paratha

Aloo-Paratha

Aloo Paratha

A perfect Indian breakfast, Paratha stuffed with spiced potato mixture.The stuffing is quite simple and very easy to make. Aloo Paratha tastes best when hot and normally accompanied with yogurt and pickle.

I add onion, roasted cumin powder, rock salt, coriander powder and Kashmiri red chilli powder. Today I made this Parathas with little twist which turned out delicious. So here's my aloo Parathas recipe.

Ingredients

Boiled potatoes 3 to 4 ( mashed)
Onion 1large( chopped)
Green chillies 2( chopped)
Cumin powder 1teaspoon
Coriander powder 1 teaspoon
Rock salt 1teaspoon
Garam masala powder 1 teaspoon
Mango pickle
Oil as required for roasting the Parathas

Directions

Start with boiling the potatoes.When boiled peel and mash them properly.
Now add chopped onion,green chillies and all the masalas mentioned above.
Mix everything with the potatoes and keep aside.
In a separate bowl take whole wheat flour.
Add salt and 1tablespoon oil.
Now add water and knead into a smooth soft dough.
Make small balls from the dough and flatten it out into disc.
Take one flatten ball, roll into 4inch diameter circle.
Put the stuffing inside and spread little mango pickle.
Now seal it by gathering the edges into the center.
Flatten it and roll into 5to 6 inch diameter circle.
Heat a flat non stick pan.
Fry the Parathas on hot pan using oil till both sides have golden brown spots.
Repeat the same process and make rest of the Parathas.
Serve hot with curd and pickle.

Pan-Fried-Chicken-Tasty-Recipe

PAN FRIED CHICKEN WITH VEGETABLES

Pan Fried Chicken

It's cold and raining here so in this type of weather condition I definitely don't wanna do any fussy cooking. Let's go for Pan Fried Chicken. Some veggies and chicken with little seasoning, throw them in a large nonstick pan or put it in the oven and your dinner is ready.This is my long time favorite dish. The reason it cooks fast because the chicken is cut into small pieces.

Ingredients

Chicken breasts 2medium , chopped

Potatoes 3 large( cut length wise)

Onion 1 coaresly chopped

Garlic 3cloves chopped

Olive oil 2 teaspoons

Carrot 2 medium size cut in cubes

French beans 6 to 7

Tomatoes 1large chopped roughly

Salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon

Paprika 1teaspoon

Directions

First preheat oven to 500 deg F

Chop the veggies and the chicken( into cubes)

Place the veggies and the chicken in a roasting dish.

Now add olive oil, salt, paprika,garlic and black pepper.

Toss to combine.

Bake for 30min or until the chicken is cooked.

Serve Pan fried chicken hot with rice or bread.

Chocolate-Cake-recipe

Chocolate  Cake Recipe

Chocolate Coconut Cake

I made this Chocolate Coconut cake with two most beautiful things Chocolate and Coconut. I found this recipe from a Facebook video and it is amazing.  I am not a professional pastry chef but to create a gorgeous layer cake you need to follow few tips and tricks. Lets start

Ingredients

Eggs 4
Sugar 1cup
Vegetable oil 1/4 cup
Flour 1cup
Chocolate powder 1 cup
Boiling water 1/2 cup
Vanilla essence 1 teaspoon
Baking soda 1and 1/2 teaspoon
A pinch of salt
For frosting
Sweetened condensed milk 2cans(790gms)
Butter 50gms
Dry coconut flakes 1 and 1/2 cup
Chocolate ganache 300gms
Dry coconut flakes for decoration

Directions

Take a mixing bowl, mix the eggs, sugar and oil.
Mix flour, chocolate powder and salt. 
Add the boiling water into the flour mixture and mix well.
Now add the egg mixture, vanilla essence and mix.
Add baking powder.
Fold gently.
Bake it in a preheated oven at 180C for 40mins.
In a saucepan add the condensed milk and butter.
Stir in medium heat constantly.
Now add the Coconut flakes and mix.
Allow it to cool and make the ganache.
For chocolate ganache melt semi sweetened chocolate and cream together.
Mix until smooth and glossy. Put it in the refrigerator to set for 10 to 15 mins.
Now when the cake is ready let it cool and cut it in half.
Apply the coconut mixture on the cake base and cover with the other part.
Cover the cake with the ganache.
Garnish with coconut flakes.

Have Chocolate Cake with coconut flakes….:)

Potato-Pancake-Recipe

Potato Pancake

Potato Pancake

Potato Pancake is a very easy recipe. Normally authentic potato pancakes are made with grated cheese but I tried this time without cheese. If you want , can add cheese but without cheese too it tastes nice. If you have boiled potatoes then it becomes more easy to make these pancakes. I made with unboiled grated potatoes.

Ingredients

Potatoes 2( grated and squeeze and drain out the water)
Egg 1 large
Spring Onion 1/2cup( chopped)
Garlic powder 1 teaspoon
Freshly ground black pepper 1teaspoon
Salt to taste
Flour 1/2 cup
Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup ( optional)
Vegetable oil for frying

Directions

First grate the potatoes and squeeze the water completely.
Now add spring onion, salt,pepper,garlic powder and flour.
Mix well.
Heat oil in a nonstick pan.
Take 2tablespoon of the potato mixture in the palm of your hand and flatten as best as you can.
Place the potato mixture on the pan and fry till golden.
Flip and brown the other side too.
Serve the potato pancake immediately with tomato sauce or any other dipping of your choice.

Chocolate Fudge

 Chocolate fudge

Chocolate Fudge

This is a very easy method of preparing fudge with only few ingredients. I have used condensed milk,chocolate, butter and dry fruits.

You can  make plain fudge without any dry fruits. If adding cashews or almonds then dry roast them first.

Ingredients

Chololate( semisweet and chopped) 1 cup

Condensed milk 2/3 cup

Butter 1/2 tablespoon

Almonds and cashews chopped 1/4 cup

Vanilla essence 1 teaspoon

Directions

First dry roast almonds and cashews and chop them

Now line an aluminum foil in a 6x6 inch square pan.

Take the chopped chocolate in a bowl.

Add condensed milk.

Now heat water in a pan.

When the water is boiling place the chocolate pan on top of the heated water pan.

Stir continuously till the chocolate melts and becomes a smooth mixture.

Add the chopped dry fruits, mix and add vanilla essence.

Then pour the chocolate fudge mixture in the lined pan and let it cool at room temperature.

Once the fudge has cooled put the pan in the refrigerator to set completely.

After 1/2 hour remove the fudge along with the foil and place it in chopping board.

Slice into squares

Easy-Pasta-Recipe

Easy pasta recipe

Pasta in white sauce

I usually make pasta at home when I want to make something easy and fuss free food.  This pasta recipe in white sauce without cheese is loved by all in my house specially if taken hot.

Different veggies like mushroom, broccoli, chopped carrot or baby corn can be added.  Just steam the veggies first and then add them in the white sauce( homemade) with the pasta. 

For kids add cheese before serving. For flavors and seasoning I use Italian seasoning  with fresh coriander.

Ingredients

Macaroni or shell pasta 1 cup

Onion 1 chopped

Garlic 2 to 3 finely chopped

Milk cups

Flour 2 tablespoon

Italian seasoning 1/2 teaspoon

Butter 2 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Black pepper 1/2 teaspoon

Direction

Start with boiling the pasta in hot water with few drops of oil and salt.

When the pasta is cooked properly drain the pasta in colander and rinse with running water.

Keep aside and start making the white sauce.

Heat butter in a nonstick pan.

Add onion and garlic, sauté till the onions are translucent.

Then add all purpose flour and stir well.

Pour milk and keep stirring , after few minutes the sauce will become thicker.

At this stage add salt,pepper and Italian seasoning.

Add the cooked pasta and mix well.

Serve the pasta with grated cheese.

Pomfret-Fish-Fry-recipe

Pomfret-Fish-Fry-Recipe

Pomfret Fish Fry Recipe

Pomfret Fish fry is one of  my favorite food. Hot rice, dal and fish fry is like a comfort food for us. My son is not very fond of fish curries but he likes  fish fry. Whenever fish curry is prepared with Pomfret fish, I keep few pieces for making this fry which is made with fresh homemade masalas. Pomfret is a soft fish which melts in your mouth. It tastes best when purchased fresh. This is a simple and easy recipe and less time consuming.

Lets start

Ingredients

Pompret fish 3( white pomfret, medium size, cleaned)

Ginger garlic paste 2 tablespoon

Coriander powder 1 teaspoon

Cumin powder 1 teaspoon

Garam masala powder 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon

Red chilli powder 1 teaspoon(optional)

Salt to taste

Fresh lime juice 3 teaspoon

Oil for frying

Directions

Wash the fish pieces and pat dry.

Make small slit in the fish pieces.

Now make a mixture of all the above masalas together.

Add little cornflour with water and make a smooth paste.

Now marinade the fish pieces with the prepared paste.

Keep in the refrigerator for 1/2 hour.

Now put oil in a nonstick frying pan.

When the oil is hot enough put the marinated fish pieces and fry till both sides are brown( it is better to fry in medium or low flame)

Garnish fried pomfret fishes with onion, tomato and fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

Chocolate-Cake

Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cake

This chocolate cake recipe is just perfect for birthdays.It is easy, moist and fudge and will keep well for 4 to 5 days.

Ingredients for the cake

Plain flour 225g
Sugar 300g
Cocoa powder 80g( I use Hersheys cocoa powder)
Baking powder 1 teaspoon

Baking soda 1 teaspoon
Eggs 2
Milk 250ml
Butter/ vegetable oil 125ml
Vanilla essence 2 teaspoon
Hot water 250 ml

For frosting

Plain chocolate 200gms
Fresh cream 200 ml

Directions

Pre heat oven to 180C.
Line two 20cm baking tins.
Now in a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar and butter till smooth.
Gradually add the eggs.
Add vanilla essence and beat till smooth.
Sieve flour, cocoa powder and all the dry ingredients.
Mix them with the egg mixture and beat until well combined.
Now add the hot water to the mixture and mix well( at this stage the mixture will be little liquid but that is fine)
Divide the cake batter between the tins and bake them for 35 to 40 mins.
Insert a toothpick into the center and check if it comes out clean then the cake is done.
Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool.
Prepare the icing.
Heat the cream and chocolate in a saucepan over a low hate until the chocolate melts.
Remove the pan and whisk till the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Set aside for 1 hr until thick enough to spread over the cake.
Carefully remove the cakes.
Spread the chocolate icing over the top of one of the chocolate cakes and then carefully top with the other cake.
Cover the cake all over with the icing using a palette knife.
Decorate the chocolate cake with cherries and serve.

Chocolate Cake