The oatmeal cake mix cookies are very easy to prepare, it is delicious and comfort type cookie to go with milk. It is slightly moist inside and crunchy outside. I have added ground pecan and cashews. This yummy little treat can be made with in 25
mins and once made, will vanish in no-time!!
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Ingredients:
Yellow Cake Mix - 1 cup
Quaker Oatmeal - 2 cups
Powdered Pecans - 1/2 cup
Powdered cashews - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 2 tbsp
Shortening or butter - 1 stick
Egg - 2
Preparation:
Combine the oatmeal, cake mix, powdered nuts.
Beat shortening and eggs, then mix in to the dry ingredients slowly and stir well.
Place a spoon full batter in a greased pan, with 2-inch apart from each other.
Drizzle some sugar on top of it.
Preheat the oven to 350F and bake for 12-15
mins or until
golden brown.
Enjoy with a glass of milk to complement the cookies.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 |
Category: |
Couple of days back I watched everyday Italian in food network, where
Giada made an Italian sweet calling it as
Zeppole (Italian Donuts) !...
hummm sounds interesting. But when you compare
Giada's recipe with the dessert- Sicilian
Sfinci ,You would agree to name it Sfinci rather Zeppole. Sfinci are a regional sweet, originated in south of Italy and typically served during 19th of march .I could able to make one today. Not that bad at all, it turned out well, I just followed
Giada's recipe with slight alteration in the
propotion, which is very simple to follow.
While searching net, I also found Rowena's blog which has good chunk of info about
Zeppole:
http://rubbahslippahsinitaly.blogspot.com/2008/03/making-zeppole-interview-with-bakery.htmlRefer the pics for
Sfinci:
http://www.comune.marsala.tp.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/4413Few Important tips:
Make sure the oil is at right temp, this recipe calls for 375F. Else they wont cook well or it will get burnt, takes about 4-5
mins to get the golden brown color.
Ingredients:
Sugar - 3 tablespoons
Butter room temp - 1/2 stick
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Water - 1/2
All-purpose flour - 1/2 cup (self raising)
Large eggs - 2
Oil for frying
Method:
Mix Sugar, water and butter in a medium pan and heat till it boils.
Take off the pan from heat and add the flour mix well and keep in the heat again stir for 2-3 mins until it forms a ball.
By Using electric mixer add in the egg 1 after the other, incorporating the egg completely before going for the second. It comes to the consistency shown below.
Heat the oil to 375F and drop a spoon of dough, let it fry till it turns golden brown.
Once done, remove from heat and drizzle it with some sugar and serve immediately.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 |
Category: |
It's 11.15 p.m, I just
don't feel like sleeping,
studying, watching TV or just sitting still. Only thing runs in my mind is to fulfill my
obsession to bake an Orange Chocolate Cake!
The Color of the cake turned out exactly the way I wanted, since I'm not a sweet tooth, I reduced the
proportion of chocolate chips to half and also didn't add any flavor like
vanilla, it has pure orange-chocolate smell with a great texture.
With no hint of
guiltiness for eating cake in the mid-night, I
happily had two big chunk of the cake. I think, maybe I can sleep now.
Ingredients:
Prepare Cake flour for - 3 cups
Fresh Orange juice - 1/2 cup
Grated Orange Zest - 1/4 cup
Eggs - 2
Butter milk - 1/2 cup
Butter - 1/2 stick
Chocolate chip -
handfulMethod:
Blend the butter,eggs, orange zest and juice.
Add the Buttermilk.
Mix the cake flour gradually.
Finally add the chocolate chips and blend gently, Pour in to the greased pan.
Pre-heat the oven for 350F and bake for 35-40
mins. Let it cool for 10 mins before serving.
Monday, February 16, 2009 |
Category: |
In a small island called strawberry Garden, there is a very calm, composed, young, talented and yet shy female strawberry - Tiffany! whose parents are always worried that Tiffany will end-up staying single due to her lack of dating skills! besides from the little
secret she is having a long time crush with Jimmy, her dad's friend's Son.
Jimmy is smart,
energetic and handsome strawberry lives in the same island. Though he had too many strawberries ready to fall for him, He dislikes the female strawberries who are materialistic and
opportunist, hence he had no luck with love. Jimmy and Tiffany happened to meet each other in a family meeting and they chatted for a while.
Wow! that's called Love at first sight. Jimmy got so attracted to Tiffany, he asked her for a date and Tiffany waiting for no seconds, screamed out of her lungs saying SURE :)
Tiffany and Jimmy went for couple of dates, Jimmy proposed Tiffany and they so wanted to have the wedlock on Valentines day.
Tiffany family is so happy for her and the celebration for the big event started a few weeks before in her house.
Tiffany and Jimmy shopped all day for their wedding dress, Finally decided to go with "Ann designer wear". All the arrangements for the wedding is done.
The Big day is Today!! The marriage is set in the Church of Strawberry Island. All the guest's were dressed elegant and tasty in the combination of milk chocolate, white chocolate and the mix of chopped nuts.
Jimmy groomed so well in Milk and White chocolate tuxedo, waiting for the bride to walk down the aisle. Famous singer Strawberry
Shania Twain song " From the Moment" was played in the background.
The Gorgeous Bride is wearing a beautiful white chocolate gown from 'Ann Designer wear' is walking down the aisle with her proud father, with the
Shania Twain music in the back ground.
The
life's commitment and promise is made between them, They got married with all their family members blessing
They lived happily and had many children strawberries. Tiffany and Jimmy wished all a very Happy Valentines Day 2009!
So if you want this strawberry marriage in your house... Follow the below recipe :)
Ingredients:
Strawberries -15
Milk chocolate chips -
White Chocolates Chips -
Chopped Nuts -
Preparation:
Clean the strawberries and let it dry completely in the room temperature.
Melt the chocolate in microwave for 30 seconds, and give a good stir and reheat again for every 15 seconds till the chocolates melts completely.
Place a wax paper in a tray, dip the strawberry in the chocolate covering 3/4 of the strawberry and roll over in a chopped nuts and keep it in a wax sheet.
Wait for the strawberry to dry before applying second coat or mixing with different colored chocolate.
Pop it in a refrigerator for 10 mins to fasten up the drying process to do the second chocolate layer.
Serve within few hours to get the best of taste.
Saturday, February 14, 2009 |
Category: |
This Dried whole green peas curry is very filling and will taste just perfect! It is a perfect side for rice or
Indian bread. If you like the coconut flavored peas, then this recipe is sure for you to give a try!
Trying this recipe with
frozen peas or fresh peas won't promise you the traditional taste. So have some dried peas ready to make this delicious curry.
Ingredients:
Dried whole green peas - 2 cups(Soaked overnight)
Onion - 1
Tomato 1
Coconut Milk - 3tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1tbsp
Fennel seeds - 1 tbsp
Turmeric - 1tsp
Red
Chilly - 2
Cilantro leaves - few
salt
Oil - tbsp
Method:
Cook the over night soaked peas in a pan with enough water for 15
mins. Keep aside.
Heat pan with oil, add the fennel and cumin and red chilly
Add the onion and fry till golden brown.
Mix the chopped Tomato and salt, let it fry till the tomato gets soft.
Add the turmeric powder.
Introduce the cooked peas in to the gravy, allow to cook in medium heat for 5
mins, let it mix well with all the ingredients.
Add 3 tbsp of first coconut milk, cook in low heat for 5
mins and garnish with cilantro.
Good to serve with rice or bread
Saturday, February 14, 2009 |
Category: |
No need to say
Avocado's are healthy and tasty, I like it just as a fruit, in my salads and also as a great dip for corn chips.
Ingredients:
Avocado - 2
Sour Cream - 1 tbsp
Hot Salsa - 2 tbsp
Marinated Artichoke chopped - 1tbsp
Marinated olive chopped - 4
Preparation:
Mash the
ripen avocado's with fork, add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
Add a 1tsp of lemon( optional) just to avoid the Guacamole from turning brown.
Serve with Corn Tortillas.
Saturday, February 07, 2009 |
Category: |
Fenugreek Leaves has a wonderful smell, that adds up the flavor in breads. It is available in the form of dry leaves in Indian Grocery in name '
Kasuri Methi'. This bread is traditionally called
as '
Methi Thepla' and are ideal to take along in long trips. It stays even fresh on the third day without refrigerating!
Ingredients:
Whole wheat flour - 2 cups
Kasuri methi (
Fenugreek leaves) - 2 tbsp
Onion paste - 2tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1tsp
Fennel seeds - 1tsp
Red Chilly powder - 1tsp
Turmeric - 1 tsp
Salt - 1 tsp
oil
Mix all the ingredients (except oil) with enough water to pastry dough consistency.
Divide the dough in to small pieces and roll them out . Use very less flour if it sticks.
Heat the flat pan, and fry the breads each side (40 sec) using few drops of oil.
Serve hot with any type of Chutney, Pickle or Curd.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009 |
Category: |
Cow peas or Red
Chori (
Indian) is slightly smaller than other beans and has very dark brown/red color with very nutty flavor. It is available in any
Asian food market. It cooks faster than other beans. Apart from Indian
cuisine it is widely used in African cooking too.
Cow peas or Red Chori
Ingredients:
Cow peas - 1 cup
Onion - 1
Tomato - 1
Green
chillies - 2
Garlic - 5
Coriander powder- 1tbsp
Red chilly powder - 1 tbsp
Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1tsp
Tamarind juice - 3 tbsp
Salt
Coriander
Oil
Method:
Dry fry the
Cow peas for 3
mins, add enough water and let it be in medium heat for 15
mins.
Add oil in a pan and fry cumin seeds,
fenugreek seeds, green chillies, onion, tomato and salt, fry till the tomato gets tender and mix this gravy in to the boiling
cow peas. Mix well.
Add the coriander and red chilly powder and let it cook in medium heat for 3
mins.
Mix the tamarind juice and turn off the heat after 2
mins.
Garnish with Coriander leaves.
Serve with Indian bread or rice.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009 |
Category: |
I got fresh plantain from a local market, plantain spicy fries are very simple to make and it is a best combo with any subtle Indian curry.
Ingredients:
plantain- 1
Fennel seeds - 1 tbsp
cumin seeds - 1tbsp
Ginger garlic paste - 2 tbsp
Red chilly powder- 1tbsp
Turmeric - 1 tsp
Salt
Preparation:
Peel the
plantain skin and cut in to two big chunks and boil in water for 5
mins.
Cut the half boiled
plantain in to small pieces and mix with all the ingredients and let it marinate for 5
mins.
Drizzle few drops of
oil in a heated pan, add the marinated plantain and fry in low heat till it turns golden brown.
Serve with Indian curry rice.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009 |
Category: |
What else to do on a snowy sunday!
Tuesday, February 03, 2009 |
Category: |
One of my friend who is very creative in cooking, prepared a delicious Thai curry for our dinner, Since then I was so tempted to make one at home.
At the same time I was so intimidated by the fact that all
Thai curries contains fish. well, not really, I could able to find ( after a LONG research on
Thai curry pastes) a Thai red curry paste which is 100% vegan and gluten free - Eureka!!
Thai Vegetable curry is very refreshing,
flavorful and yummy. This recipe is quite easy to make and tastes great!
Ingredients:
Thai red Curry Paste - 2 tbsp
Coconut Milk - 250 ml
Tofu - 10 cubes
Salt
Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
Red Chilly powder - 1 tbsp
Coriander - for garnish
Mixed
Vegetables:
Broccoli
Yellow Carrot
Mushroom
Green Peas
Red Pepper
Cauliflower
Carrot
Method:
Add oil in a heated pan, fry the sliced tofu and keep aside.
In the same pan fry the mixed
vegetables with turmeric, chilly powder and salt let it cook in
low heat for 3 m
ins.
Meanwhile, In other pan, mix the coconut milk and red curry paste and heat for 5
mins.
Add the coconut milk in to the vegetable pan and mix well, add the fried tofu in to the curry and let it be in medium heat for 10
mins.
garnish with Coriander.
Serve with Thai Jasmin rice or B
asmati rice.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009 |
Category: |
The oatmeal cake mix cookies are very easy to prepare, it is delicious and comfort type cookie to go with milk. It is slightly moist inside and crunchy outside. I have added ground pecan and cashews. This yummy little treat can be made with in 25 mins and once made, will vanish in no-time!!.JPG)
Ingredients:
Preheat the oven to 350F and bake for 12-15 mins or until golden brown.
