Christmas Fruit Cake

Wish you all a Happy New Year............

Ingredients

Maida-1 cup

Butter-3/4 cup

Sugar-1 cup

Baking powder-1tsp

Vanilla essence-1tsp

Eggs-2

(separated)

Cream of tartar-less than 1/8tsp(optional)

Ingredients soaked in orange juice or rum for at least a day.

Fresh orange juice-1/3 cup

Fruit cake mix-1 cup

(its citrus peels & cherries cut into cubes soaked in dry sugar syrup)

or Tutti fruity

Raisins-1/4 cup

Cashew nut-1/4 cup

Chopped almonds-1/4 cup

Chopped walnuts-1/4 cup

(dust the above ingredients with 2 tsps of maida)

Spice powders

Cinnamon powder-1/4 tsp

Grated nutmeg-1/4tsp

Grated fresh ginger-1/4tsp

Clove powder-1/4tsp

Caramel

Sugar-1/3 cup

Water-5 tsp

(In a pan add sugar & 1tsp of water & keep stirring till it changes its colour to golden brown.Now slowly add remaining 4 tsp of water,mix it well.Be care full at this stage it may splutter & burn fast.Remove from fire,cool it before adding it to the cake batter)

Method

Sieve baking powder,spice powders & maida.Add tartar to egg whites & beat it till fluffy.Beat essence & egg yolks.Cream butter & sugar till creamy,slowly add egg yolk mixture & maida alternatively & beat it till mixed well.Now add the dry fruits mixture,caramel liquid & egg whites & fold it well.Grease a baking tray dusted with little maida.Pour this cake mixture in it,bake it for 40 minutes at 350 deg.C till done.Cool it completely & cut it the next day.

Courtesy:Sangeetha with some slight changes......

Kollu(Horse Gram)Podi

Ingredients

Kollu-1/3 cup

Urad Dhal-1tbsp

Coriander seeds-1 tbsp

Red chilly seeds-1/2 tbsp

Curry leaves-a hand full

Hing-1/2tsp

Pepper-1/4tsp

Jeera-1/2tsp

Salt to taste

Method

Dry roast all above ingredients separately till nice aroma comes.Cool, add salt & powder it in mixi.Store it in a dry jar.Mix some with hot rice with little ghee or sesame oil & eat.

Double Beans Curry

Ingredients dry roast & make a powder
Coriander seeds-1/2tbsp
Jeera-1/2tsp
Whole pepper-1/2tsp
Red chillies-3
Garlic-1
Coconut-2tbsp
Ingredients
Boiled double beans-1 & 1/2 cup
(boil it with salt & little turmeric powder)
Onion chopped-1/2
Chopped tomato-1
Curry leaves-little
Tempering
Oil-3tsp
Mustard-1/2 tsp
Urad dhal-1/2tsp
Hing-1/8tsp
Method
Heat oil temper it.Fry onion,tomato & curry leaves till light brown.Add the ground masala & the boiled beans with the water.Cook it till all the water is evaporated & dry.Serve it with hot rice.

Courtesy:RaksKitchen with a slight change.......

Avocado & Cornmeal Muffin

Ingredients
Avocado-1

(mashed)

Fine cornmeal-1/2 cup

All purpose flour-1 cup

Sugar-1/4 cup

Baking powder-1 & 1/2 tsp

Egg-2

(beaten)

Milk-1/4 cup

Salt -1/4tsp

Method

Mix all above ingredients together.Pour in greased muffin tins.Bake at 350 deg.C for 10 minutes or till done.

Kovakkai Podi Fry

Ingredients
Kovakkai (Ivy Gourd)sliced-3 cups
Salt to taste
Turmeric powder-little
Ingredients dry fry & powder
Oil-3tsp
Sesame seeds-1tsp
Grated coconut-1 tsp
Garlic-1
Channa dhal-1/2tsp
Urad dhal-1/2tsp
Red chillies-3
Curry leaves-2tsp
Jeera-1tsp
Coriander seeds-1tsp
Pepper-2 or 3 (optional)
Method
Heat oil in a pan add kovakkai,salt & turmeric powder fry a bit.Sprinkle very little water cover & cook it till done.Sprinkle required amount of the ground powder,mix & remove from stove.Served best with rice.

This podi was told by my cousin from NC.This podi goes very well with any vegetable fries & the powder can be stored in fridge,its very handy.

X'Mas Tree

My daughter decorated this Christmas tree........Merry X'Mas to one & all.

5 Dhal Adai

Ingredients

Idly rice-1 cup

Pinto beans-1/3 cup

Whole green moongh dhal-1/3 cup

White channa/chole-1/3 cup

American lentils-1/3 cup

Moth beans-1/3 cup

Red chillies-5

Ginger-a small piece

Chopped curry leaves-little

Chopped onions-3tsp

Hing-a pinch

Salt to taste

Grated carrot-1/2 cup

Oil -to make adai

Method

Soak all the dhals together overnight & rice for 3 hrs separately.Grind both with ginger,onion,salt & hing to a semi coarse thick batter.Mix chopped curry leaves & carrot.Make adai as usual.Cook it till crisp & brown on both sides.Serve it hot with any chutney or Idly podi.

Note:You can dilute the batter & even make it like dosa.You can use any other dhal of your choice to replace the above.

Award

Thanks Shama for giving this valuable gift.......I would love to share with one & all.

Pineapple & Banana Smoothie

Ingredients
Banana-1

Pineapple juice-1 cup

(I used juice drained from the tin pineapples)

Grated nutmeg-2 pinch

Honey-1tsp

Table cream-3tsp

Method

Blend everything in a mixi until smooth & frothy.Serve it cold with some ice cubes.Garnish it with some grated nutmeg or cocoa powder.

Fresh Turmeric Pickle

Ingredients

Grated fresh turmeric-2 cups

(skin removed)

Lime-3

Salt -3tsp

Chilly powder-1tbsp

Sliced garlic-10

Tempering

Oil-10tsp

Hing-1/2tsp

Mustard-1 & 1/2 tsp

Jeera & methi powder-1/4tsp

Curry leaves-little

Method

In a jar mix lime juice,salt,garlic & grated turmeric,mix it well. keep it outside for 3 days mixing it well everyday.Heat oil add mustard when splutters switch off the gas.Add other ingredients.Put the turmeric mixture & mix it well.Cool & store it in a jar in fridge.

Note:This pickle tastes better after a week.Have it in small quantity as it has a strong flavour.This stays better outside for 3 days,then keep in fridge.

Easy Pineapple Shrikhand

Wishing my hubby a Happy Birthday with this tempting dessert.......


Ingredients
Sour cream-8 0z
Powdered sugar-1 & 1/2 tbsp
Cardamom powder- 1/4 tsp
Saffron strings-little(optional)
Chopped canned pineapples-3
(squeeze out the water completely)
Method
Mix sour cream,saffron,cardamom powder & sugar in a bowl.Fold in the chopped pineapples & serve it cold.
Note:You can use chopped fruits of your choice or puree instead of pineapples.

Mushroom Idiyappam

Ingredients
Homemade or Ready made cooked Idiyappam-2 cups
(I used homemade)
Salt to taste
Chilly powder-1/2tsp
Turmeric powder-little
Garam masala-1/8tsp

Chopped mushroom-1 cup

Peas-1/4 cup
Sliced onion-1/4
Chopped tomato-1

Sliced green chillies-2

Ginger & Garlic paste-1/2tsp

Curry & coriander leaves-little

Fried cashew nut-10
Tempering
Oil-2tsp

Cloves-2,cinnamon-a small bit,fennel seed powder-1/2tsp,cardamom-1,bay leaf-1

Method

Heat oil in a pan temper it.Fry onion,chillies,peas,mushroom,ginger & garlic paste till light brown.Add the dry masala powders & fry for a minute.Put the cooked Idiyappam & toss it well.Garnish it with cashew nut,curry & coriander leaves.Serve it hot.

Award

Thanks Asha for your lovely thought.Nice gift for the New Year. I like to share it with all my friends.

Lemon Pickle

Ingredients
Large lemons cubed-10
Salt-1/4 cup
Red chilly powder-2 & 1/2 tbsp
Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Oil-3/4cup
Mustard-1tbsp
Hing-1tsp
Jeera & Methi powder-1/2tsp
Method
Mix lemon,salt & turmeric powder in a jar.Leave it covered outside for 3 days,mixing it well everyday.On the fourth day add chilly powder & mix it well.Heat oil in a pan temper it with mustard.Switch off the gas & add the hing,jeera & methi powder.Let it cool completely.Pour it in the lemon mixture & mix it well.Store it in the fridge.
Note:As I have added little salt & oil in this pickle it has to be stored only in the fridge.Do not keep it outside or make small quantity & finish it by 2 or 3 days.

Easy Chocolate Fudge

Ingredients
Sugar-1 & 1/2 cup
Carnation milk-2/3 cup
Butter-2tbsp
Salt-1/4tsp
Mini Marshmallows-2 cups
Chocolate Morsels -1 & 1/2 cup
(I used semi sweet chocolate chips,it was a bit sweet,reduce if you like)
Chopped pecan-1/2 cup
Vanilla essence-1tsp
Method
Mix sugar,carnation milk,salt & butter in a sauce pan.Boil it for 2 to 3 minutes.Reduce the flame & add the marshmallow,mix till it melts completely.Switch off the stove & mix essence,chocolate chips & nuts.Mix well till chocolate melt & pour it on a square dish lined with a foil.Sprinkle some pecan on top,cool & cut into desired shapes.
Courtesy:verybestbaking

Kollu (Horse Gram) Dosa

Ingredients
Kollu-1/2 cup
(soaked overnight)
Idly rice-1 cup
(soaked for 3 hrs)
Red chillies-3
Ginger-a small piece
Hing-little
Curry leaves-6
Salt to taste
Oil-to make dosa
Method
Grind every thing together to a semi smooth batter.Fermentation is not required.Make dosas as usual.

Mutton Cashew nut Varuval

Ingredients boiled with mutton

Mutton-1 & 1/2 pound

Coriander powder-1tsp

Chilly powder-1tsp

Salt to taste

Turmeric powder-1/2tsp

Cinnamon-a small piece

Cloves-2

Cardamom-2

Ginger & Garlic paste-1/2tsp

Tempering

Fennel seeds-1tsp

Red chillies-6

Curry leaves-little

Crushed pepper-1/2tsp

Onion chopped-1/2

Ginger & Garlic paste-1/2tsp

Oil-4tsp

Fried cashew nuts-12

Method

Heat oil in a pan fry fennel seeds,red chillies,pepper & curry leaves.Now add onion ,ginger & garlic paste & fry till brown.add the mutton with the water & fry it till dry.Add the fried cashew nuts & mix well.Garnish it with curry leaves.

Achari Baingan

Ingredients

Long purple brinjal-1

(cut into finger size strips)

Salt to taste

Chilly powder-1/2tsp

Turmeric powder-little

Tomato-1

(pureed)

Ginger & garlic paste-1/4tsp

Amchur powder-1/4tsp

Tempering

Oil-6tsp

Mustard-1/2tsp

Methi seeds-6

Methi & Jeera powder-1/4tsp

Fennel powder-1/2tsp

Method

Heat oil & fry brinjals with salt & turmeric powder till brown,keep it aside.Heat oil in a pan temper it.Add ginger,garlic paste,salt,chilly powder,amchur powder & tomato puree & cook till its almost dry & oil separates the masala.Add the brinjals stir till well coated.Serve it with roti or rice.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Celebrating my 500 th post today with a lovely cake..........Enjoy!!!!!!

Ingredients for topping

Butter-1/4 cup

Light brown sugar-3/4 cup

Tin pineapple slices-7

(pat it dry)

Maraschino cherry-7

Ingredients for the batter

All purpose flour-1 & 1/2 cup

Baking powder-2tsp

Salt-1/4 tsp

Butter-1/2 cup

Sugar-1 cup

Vanilla essence-1tsp

Egg-2 separated

Milk-1/2 cup

Tartar-1/4tsp

Method

Pre heat oven at 350 deg.C.Grease a round pan.Cook butter & brown sugar till it caramelize.Pour it into the greased pan.Arrange the pineapple slices & cherry.Sift flour,salt & baking powder.Cream butter & sugar,add the yolks & beat well.Now slowly start adding the milk & flour mixture alternatively.Beat the egg white & tartar till it forms peaks.Gently fold into the cake batter.Pour this mixture on top of the pineapple.Level it well & bake it for 30 minutes or till done.Cool & then invert the cake.

Courtesy:Joyofbaking..

Masala Wheat Flakes

Ingredients dry roasted & pound coarse
Jeera-1/2tsp

Fennel seeds(Somph)-3/4tsp

Coriander seeds-3/4tsp

Cinnamon powder-more than a pinch

Pepper powder -little

Other ingredients

Whole grain wheat flakes-1 cup

Cashew nut made half-8

Almond made half-10

Salt & Chilly powder-to taste

Curry leaves-little

Butter-2tsp

Method

Heat butter in a pan fry the nuts till light brown.Add the curry leaves,salt,chilly powder & pound powder.Fry for a minute,now add the wheat flakes & toss it well.Let all the masala get evenly mixed.Switch off the gas.Cool & store it in air tight container.

Saw this recipe in a TV show ,made it in my version with a slight change.......

Apple Bread Pudding

Ingredients
Bread cut into cubes-4 slices
(I used whole wheat bread)
Apple chopped-1
Milk-1 & 1/4 cup
Egg-1
Grated nutmeg & cinnamon powder- each a pinch
Brown sugar-2 & 1/2 tbsp
Butter-2tsp
Raisins-2tsp
Method
Grease a baking dish.Beat,egg,milk,brown sugar,cinnamon & nutmeg.Arrange a layer of bread in the dish next some apples & raisins.Pour the milk mixture on top.Repeat the process,dot with butter on top & bake at 375 deg.C for 15 minutes or till top is slightly brown .Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream.

Pumpkin Erissery

Ingredients to grind
Coconut-3tsp
Jeera-1/2tsp
Garlic-1
Green chillies-1
Ingredients fried till brown
Onion-3tsp
Coconut grated-1tsp
Grated ginger-1/4tsp
Other ingredients
White pumpkin cubed-2 cups
Salt to taste
Turmeric powder-little
Tempering
Coconut oil-2tsp
Mustard-1tsp
Curry leaves-little
Red chillies-2
Method
Cook the pumpkin with salt & turmeric powder & mash it.Add the ground paste & give a boil.Temper it.Mix the roasted ingredients & serve it with rice.
Courtesy: Sarah with a slight change....

Nei Appam

Ingredients

Rice flour-1/2 cup

Jaggery-1/2 cup

Mashed banana-3/4

Salt a pinch

Cooking soda-a pinch

Cardamom powder-1/2tsp

Bits of coconut-3tsp

Ghee to fry

Method

Mix all above ingredients together.Pour water & make a semi thick batter.Heat a paniyaram pan pour a teaspoon of ghee in each hole.Pour a ladle of the batter & cook it both sides till crisp & brown in colour.

Roasted Roma Tomatoes

Ingredients

Roma tomatoes-2

(cut into half)

Olive oil-1tsp

Grated garlic-1

Chilly flakes-less than 1/8tsp

Basil-1/8tsp

Salt & Pepper to taste

Parmesan cheese-little(optional)

(to sprinkle on top before serving)

Method

In a bowl mix all above ingredients except cheese.Brush it on top of each tomatoes.Bake or broil till top is slightly brown.Sprinkle cheese on top & serve it hot.

Courtesy:A book from Costco with a slight change....

Coleslaw & Almond Kheer

Ingredients

Coleslaw-1/2 cup

(red cabbage,green cabbage & carrot)

Carnation milk -1 cup

Milk-1 cup

Sugar-3tsp

Almonds powdered -10

Cardamom powder-1/2tsp

Ghee-1tsp

Saffron-little

Chironji/Charoli -little

(saraparupu)

Method

Heat ghee in a pan add the coleslaw & fry till raw smell disappears.Add both the milks,almond powder,cardamom powder & sugar.Boil it well till its slightly thick.Switch off the stove ,serve it hot with chironji & saffron garnished on top.

Happy Karthigai Deepam

Happy Karthigai Deepam to one & all......

Broiled Orange

Ingredients

Orange-1

(cut into half)

Butter-little

(to dot on top)

Cinnamon sugar-little

(to sprinkle on top)

Brown sugar-little

(to sprinkle on top)

Method

Cut the orange into half.With a knife loosen up all the segments & make a slit around the fruit.This is done for all the flavours to get inside the fruit while broiling.Sprinkle some brown sugar & cinnamon sugar on top.Dot it with butter & broil it till the top portion is light brown & sugar starts to bubble.Serve it warm.

Award

Got this precious gift from Malar on Karthigai Deepam.Thanks a lot & would love to share it with all my friends.Please accept this .

Spinach Dip

Ingredients
Spinach-4
(only the leaves)
Green chillies-1
Garlic-1
Salt to taste
Lemon juice-1tsp
Curd-1/3 cup
Chopped parsley-1tsp
Method
Make a smooth puree with all above ingredients except curd.Mix the puree with the curd & serve it cold.This dip can be served with fresh vegetables or tortilla chips.

Cream Cheese Grapes

Ingredients
Cream cheese-3tsp
Grated ginger -1/2tsp
(slightly toss it in pan till dry)
Honey-1/2tsp
Pecan-12
(dry roast slightly & chopped finely)
Globe grapes-6
(seedless is better)
Method
In a bowl cream together cream cheese,ginger & honey.Put the grapes in the bowl & with a spoon evenly coat the grapes.Roll the cheese coated grapes in the pecan.Keep it in fridge until the coating is firm.Cut into halves & serve.
I saw this recipe from a book given by Costco............with a slight change.