Chocolate cup cakes and my first frosting ever:))))))

chocolate cupcake

I am so excited to post this one.Finally I tried icing on the cake..that too on these wonderful looking and absolutely delicious chocolate cupcakes.My husband got me a brand new  blender few days back.I consider it my x'mas gift;).But the very first recipe i tried was not this icing but that of Mayonise....it came really well..Then i tried this frosting with butter and icing sugar.I even made orange juice with my blender..yaaa i looooooove my blender😙

Look at them!!!..aren't they real beauties?I love these many colours here.I  bought these lovely silicon cupcake moulds recently.I am on a baking spree since Christmas.i have baked some cookies, cupcakes, chicken and so on.

INGREDIENTS

All purpose flour -1 1/2 cup
Baking powder -3/4tsp
Baking soda -1/2tsp

Coco powder -1/2cup
Sugar -3/4 cup
Egg -1
Oil - 1/4 cup
Buttermilk - 3/4 cup(i mixed 1/2cup milk with 1/4cup curd)
Vanilla essence -  1tsp

For frosting

Butter -100gm
Icing sugar -200gm
Vanilla essence - few drops
Milk - 2 or 3 tbsp
food colour of your choice a pinch

METHOD
Preheat oven at 180 degrees for 10 minutes
In a bowl mix flour baking powder baking soda and coco powder and keep aside
In another bowl mix sugar and oil well
Add in egg and whisk
Now add vanilla essence followed by buttermilk and mix everything well
Add the wet mixture into the flour mixture and fold gently
Grease the muffin tray or mould and pour in the batter only till 3/4th of the mould
Bake for about 15-20 minutes
 Check whether the cake is done by inserting a toothpick or knife at the center .if it comes out clean your cake is done
while the cake is getting baked we can make the frosting
in a bowl add butter and blend at high speed for 5minutes
add icing sugar little by little and beat
finally add the vanilla essence and milk and beat again
your icing is ready
Allow the cake to cool once baked and apply the icing on the cake
Serve and enjoyyy...:)

Beetroot Mezhukupurati/Beetroot stir fry

This is a very simple dish which goes very well with rice.We even use it along with chapati too.I love vegetables as much as i love meat.When it comes to food i eat almost anything and everything unless it is forbidden:).and beetroot tops my favourite list of vegetables.I don't think i have to mention the nutritional benefits of this wonderful creation of God:) here again as you all are well aware of it already

My mom used to prepare beetroot mezukupuratti in a different and more simpler way.And it tastes delicious.My fond memories of childhood definitely includes my mom's beetroot mezhukupuratti and morukoottan/morucurry(yummm)

To the recipe

Ingredients

1. beetroot - 2 nos
2. onion - 1 big
3. garlic - 2 or 3 pods
4. chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
5. turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
6. grated coconut - 2 tbsp
7. mustard - 1 tsp
8. dry red chilly-2 or 3
9. oil - 2 tbsp(i used coconut oil)
10. curry leaf - a spring
11. water  and salt -as required

Method

• cut beetroot into small cubes and put them in water in a bowl and keep aside.
• heat oil in a  pan and splutter mustards
• add dry red chillies
• add finely chopped onions and saute nicely
• add in curry leaves and crushed garlic
• drain the beetroot add it along with chilly powder, turmeric powder and salt
• cover and cook for 3 minutes
• now add water and salt and mix well
• cover and cook in medium to sim flame till the water evaporates and beetroot gets cooked
• finally add the grated coconut
•  give a nice stir and switch off the flame

PLUM CAKE/X'MAS CAKE

Helloooo folks....MERRY CHRISTMAS to one and all.....Christmas has always been a wonderful time since childhood. Lot of fond memories are associated with Christmas. Of course it was always about  holidays that comes after looong tiring  exams and the last day of examination we used to have x'mas celebrations ...Once i became  Virgin Mary for the nativity scene with a real 7 month old baby in my hands as the baby Jesus:)...i still remember how the baby looked at me in my hands.May be he din't like all those make up in me . He showed his dislike by crying sooo loud..All the guests and audience were surprised to see a real baby .never before or after i have seen a real baby for a nativity scene:)))

Coming to present...I decided to give it a  try on  x'mas cake this time.I hated plum cake or x'mas cake right from childhood ..It was the black raisins i hated the most.It used to give a burnt taste which spoiled my taste buds.But this time i wanted to try a plum cake for x'mas sake  or for "blog" sake:)))....AND i am glad i tried:))))...I loved every bit of this cake....The original recipe called for black raisins..But i was very careful .I used the normal brown raisins.I added more nuts and tutti fruties and cherries than raisins.Plus i skipped  the traditional soaking the dry fruits in rum or so .The color the texture and the taste...everything was perfect with this yummy cake

INGREDIENTS

1. all purpose flour -1 cup
2. butter - 2/3 cup  
3. sugar - 3/4 cup
4.   eggs - 3
5. chopped cashews - 1/4 cup
6. raisins - 1/3 cup
7. chopped dates ,cherries,tutti fruty ,orange peels etc - 1/4 cup
8. cinnamon powder -1/2 tsp
9. clove powder - 1/2 tsp
10. baking powder - 1tsp
11. vanilla extract - 1tsp
12. sugar - 2/3 cup
13. a pinch of salt

for the caramel syrup

1. sugar - 1/2 cup
2. water - 1/4 cup

METHOD

• in a pan melt the sugar slowly in medium heat
• it will first melt and then turn into a dark brown goop.keep stirring and let it turn a deep dark caramel colour
• turn off heat and add about 1/4 cup water
• turn the heat back on and slowly heat the caramel mixture until sugar dissolves
• let this cool aside
• pre heat oven at 180 degrees for 10 minutes
• mix the dry fruits and nuts with around 2 tbsp flour and coat it completely.this is to avoid the dry fruits n nuts to sink to the bottom of the batter 
• in a bowl mix the flour baking powder spices and salt and mix well
• in another bowl mix butter and sugar until fluffy
• add vanilla essence and mix
• next add one egg and beat.now add the flour mixture little and mix. likewise alternatively add egg and flour mixture and mix well
• add the cooled caramel and the dry fruit and nuts and gently fold in
• pour the batter into a well greased pan
• bake for about 30-35 minutes or when a skewer inserted comes out clean
• allow the cake to cool completely 
• slice and enjoy

WITCH FINGER COOKIES

 My eyes always get stuck in such colourful and creative things.The child in me suddenly awakes.Same happened when i saw this spooky witch finger cookies in yummytummy..There is a kick in making such beautiful cookies .Since the day i bookmarked this recipe;my little one has been nagging me to make them

As a first step i have bought all the ingredients required and kept.but still got busy with other works.But every now and then i used to get the reminder from my little one:)

These creepy looking witch finger cookies ,when i finally made few days back,came out really well.It was crispy and utterly butterly delicious.My little one was absolutely happy and surprised to see how the cookies came infront of her for real finally....I have packed few for my friend's kids and they all were surprised and  loved it.now to the recipe

INGREDIENTS

all purpose flour /maida - 1 3/4 cup
Baking powder -1tsp
Butter -100gm
Icing sugar -3/4 cup
Egg - 1
Almond extract - 1tsp
Vanilla essence -1 tsp
Green food colour -1tbsp
Strawbwerry /mixed fruit jam - as required
Almonds - as required



METHOD

•  preheat oven to 160 degrees for 10 minutes
• In a bowl mix the flour baking powder and keep aside
• In another bowl mix butter and sugar well
• Add in the egg  ,both essences,green colour and mix .
• Now add the flour into the egg mixture and form a soft dough
• Refrigerate for 30 minutes
• Take the dough from fridge and make small balls
• Roll it into long finger shape
• Make indention(small hollow)on one end as on our finger and place almond on it as nail
• make wrinkles on the cookies with a knife or fork as in our fingers
• Arrange in a baking tray and bake for 20 - 25 minutes
• once done remove the almonds and apply some jam there and place back the almonds.
• Allow to cool and serve ..enjoyyy

GROUNDNUT CHUTNEY

This groundnut chutney is a wonderful side dish for idly or dosa.lt needs very few ingredients and less time to make.This chutney is not only yummy but very healthy also since we are adding lot of groundnuts/peanuts in to it.

I was introduced to this delicious chutney by my friend D.She is a wonderful cook.i have felt she has magic in her hands.Anything she prepares is sooo delicious may it be fried rice or biriyani and the list is endless.And her idlys are sooooo soft and fluffy that we all call her "idly"and totally forgotten her actual name.She is a wonderful human being too..Lucky to have some amazing people in my life:))))))...

I got the recipe from her and tried it which came out really well.Thanks a ton D...Now to the recipe...


INGREDIENTS

1. Groundnut/peanut -1/2 cup
2. Coconut  - 2 tbsp
3. Dry red chillies - 2 or 3 soaked
4. Shallot - 1 small
5. Tamarind - 1 small piece

TO TEMPER

1. oil - 1tsp
2. Mustard - 1tsp
3. Dry red chilli - 1 or 2
4. Curry leaf - 1 spring

HOW TO MAKE

• dry roast the groundnuts till golden brown
• Once it cools down peel the skin and grind it along with all the ingredients to a fine paste by adding little water
• To temper ,heat oil in a pan ,splutter mustards
• Add dry red chillies and curryleaves
• Switch off the stove and pour this in to the chutney.
• Serve with idly dosa or even with rice or chapathi.

CHAPATHI PIZZA

Yes..it looks like pizza but its not pizza ..its our own chapati loaded with veggies and cheese.last sunday when we went out my little one was craving for pizza .since it was raining and we were getting late ,we couldn't buy one.she rarely craves like that.:)...so when we got back home i thought of recreating pizza on a chapathi and thus did this very own chapati pizza came into our lives...

My little one absolutely loved this chapati pizza...and she wanted me to make it everyday 🙃....i have tried  with different toppings like chicken ,mushroom ,corn which is her favourites.i have even tried eggs as the toppings too...eggs and cheese what a great combo to bulge in!!!

In to the recipe....

INGREDIENTS

1. Chapati - 1
2. Onion - 1;finely chopped
3. Tomato-1
4. Capsicum-1
5. Pizza sauce-2tbsp
6. Mozarella cheese(or any cheese) -as needed
7. Salt ,pepper,oregano -to taste - to sprinkle 

METHOD

• Chop the vegetables and keep aside.
• Take the chapati and apply pizza sauce.
• On top of it spread onion tomato and capsicum .
• Cover the veggies with grated cheese.
• Sprinkle pepper oregano and salt .
• Place it in a pan on the stove.
• Cover and cook till the cheese melts.
• Slice and enjoyyy:)...

Notes

• Take care not to burn the chapatis
• You can customize the toppings like chicken mushroom corn paneer or anything of your choice.

Netholi/Anchovy Fry

There has been lot of recipes lying in my draft.This nethili fry is one among them..I grew up eating fish almost every single day..Fish was inevitable in our house,mainly tuna ,sardines,mackeral,anchovy dominating the list.Chicken and other meat were something we used to have  only during eid or if some guests r visiting.Now the scenario has changed though because my husband is a chicken lover.

M not a big fan of nethili ;but the fact that its a fish helps me to have it.yesss..i am a fiiiiish lover..

INGREDIENTS

1. nethili/anchovy fish - 250gm
2. ginger garlic paste  -1tbsp
3. kashmiri chilli powder - 1tbsp
4. turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
5. pepper powder - 1tsp(i used freshly grounded)
6. fennel powder - 1/4 tsp
7. garam masala -1/4tsp
8. salt - to taste
9. oil for frying

METHOD

• clean the fish and pinch off the head part.
• in a bowl add all the ingredients except oil and mix nicely
• heat oil in a pan and fry the fish until nicely browned.
• serve with onion rings and enjoy with rice

                                                                                                                                

GHEE CAKE

HELLOOO  one and all.......WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY KERALAPIRAVI :)))))))...Let's celeberate this Kerala Piravi with  a delicious Ghee cake.It's raining cats and dogs here and what better way to enjoy the rain holidays other than this wonderful cake.

This aromatic melting yummy cake was made for my mom who came here for a visit...On a casual conversation she mentioned about the Azad bakery ghee cake which my sister used to buy and send to my mom.Then i remembered trying ghee cake looooong back...I wanted to make that again and surprise my mom...

This is a very very soft but not moist cake.Ghee is the highlight of this recipe.I used pure homemade ghee which my husband's grandmother made.There is nothing that can compete with homemade stuffs.While the cake was getting baked, our house was filled with the heavenly aroma.My mom said it tasted the same like Azad ghee cake:)..My father n little one made sure that it got over within an hour.....Now to the recipe.

INGREDIENTS

1. All purpose flour(maida)-1cup
2. Baking powder-1/2tsp
3. Baking soda-1/4tsp
4. Sugar-3/4cup
5. Eggs-2
6. Milk -1/2cup
7. Ghee -1/2cup
8. Vanilla essence-1tsp
9. sugar - 1tbsp

METHOD

• Preheat oven at  180 degrees for 10 minutes.
• Mix the flour with baking soda and baking powder and keep aside.
• Separate egg whites and yolks
• In a mixer add sugar and powder it.
• Then add ghee and blend well.
• Add in egg yolks one by one and blend.
• Now add the flour and milk little by little alternatively and blend.
• Now in another mixie jar ,beat the egg whites ,vanilla essence and a tablespoon of sugar and beat well till frothy.
• Add this mixture to the flour batter and fold gently.do not overmix at this stage.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. 
• Bake for about 30 -40minutes.
• Allow to cool and transfer the cake to a plate and enjoyyyyyyyyyyyyyy:))

WHOLE GRILLED CHICKEN

Today is a very important day of fasting prior to ramadan..i was thinking what to prepare for "nombtura".Then striked the idea of grilled chicken.It's my husband's all time favourite.My little one love the skin of grilled chicken whenever we buy from outside

It is actually very easy to prepare this grilled chicken.But it takes sometime for marination and cooking.This is the second time i am attempting this preparation..The first time i made whole grilled chicken was 2years back and of course could not post it.This time i got it right too.i used homemade masala powders.That did make a very good difference this time.Masala was well coated on the chicken and was tender and juicy .It tasted perfect!!.I was super excited with the end result:)




Ingredients

1. One whole chicken

To marinate

1. Butter - 2tbsp
2. Ginger garlic paste - 2tbsp
3. Red chilli powder - 1tbsp ( i used kashmiri chilly powder )
4. Corriander powder -1 tsp
5. Turmeric powder - 1tsp
6. Pepper powder - 1tsp
7. Garam masala - 1tsp
8. Soyasauce 1tsp
9. Sugar - 1/2tsp
10. curd - 2tbsp
11. lemon juice - 1tbsp
12. salt - to taste

Method

• Wash and clean chicken and drain excess water.
• Poke the chicken with knife or fork all over and keep aside.
• Heat a pan and add butter and sugar to it.
• mix well and switch off the flame.
• Add all the marinade ingredients to it and mix well.
• Now apply this masala all over the chicken.
• Keep the chicken inthe fridge for minimum 2 hours and more. may be overnight..do not keep the marinated chicken in freezer.
• Take the chicken out.
• Heat a big pan .
• cover  and cook  the chicken in low flame  for 15 minutes.
• When the chicken is being cooked preheat the oven at 220 degrees for 10 minutes.
• In a baking tray keep an alluminium foil and place the chicken on that.
• Pour the chicken juice that came out while cooking on all over the chicken.
• Now bake the chicken for about 20 minutes.
• When done take the chicken out and pour the juice from the chicken all over again.
• Again keep the chicken back in oven and bake for about another 20 minutes.
• Repeat the same process and bake for another 15-20minutes.
• Now its done
• Garnish and serve hot.
• Enjoyyyyy your grilled chicken with your favouritr dip:)...

Whole wheat butterless cookies

Yesterday my little one was craving for some snacks.But nothing was in d pantry.She asked whether i could make something.So i made these goodies yesterday.

And i do not want this one to remain in draft forever:(..so thought of posting it .

Ingredients

Wheat flour/atta -1cup
Baking soda -1/4tsp
Salt - a pinch
Sugar -1/2 cup
Oil-1/4 cup
Vanila essence -1 tsp
Milk  - 1/4 cup
Cherry - to decorate

Method

Preheat oven at 180 degrees
Mix flour salt and baking soda and keep aside
Powder sugar finely
Mix powdered sugar oil and vanilla essence well
Now add the flour mix to it and mix well
Now add milk slowly and form a soft dough
Make small balls out of it and flatten slightly
Place cherry on the centre and press lightly
Arrange in baking tray with space apart
Bake for 10-12 min
Allow to cool and enjoyyyyyyy

APPLE JAM

Anything homemade is really exciting and greaaaat!!!..if it's jam ,bread ,cookies anything..i have made strawberry jam loong back..and this time its apple jam😊...
This is one among the many recipes that was being suffocated in my drafts..🤕

And i cannot forget the day i made this jam..It was the day cyclone hit our city..Obviously there was no power anywhere.We had no idea when the power will be resumed..forget the power..it was a mess everywhere.I do not want to go into the details..it was such a terrible day..so these apples were  lying in the fridge and i was afraid it will get spoiled.not only apples..there was fish too in the freezer..i made them into pickle😋😋.recipe on the way.(hopefully..bcz dn know when i will again disappear from blogging😯😑)..

My husband and little one loved this jam.He does not like jam or particularly anything sweet, but this was home made:)....To the recipe...........

Ingredients
apple - 5 nos chopped
sugar - 1/2 cup
lemon juice - 1tbsp

Method
wash and peel apples.
chop them and cover and cook  with little water till the apples are cooked
switch off the stove and mash the cooked apples
now take a pan or kadai and transfer the mashed apples to it and saute on medium heat
add sugar and mix well
cook till the mixture gets thick and starts leaving from the sides of the pan
add lemon juice  mix well and switch off flame
let it cool completely
transfer to a container or jar and use

PINACOLADA

Hello all...very happy to be back again blogging.its been loooooong time ....summer is getting hotter day by day and what else other than a refreshing pinacolada recipe i could chose to post here today.

Happened to have this yummy drink at a restaurant here.i love pineapple..that too with coconut milk and fresh cream..it was heavenly..since then i wanted to make this at home.

Pinacolada is actually a  sweet mocktail made with rum ,coconut cream coconut milk and pineapple juice .But i have converted this cocktail conveniently  into a mocktail :)).It is regarded as the national drink of  Puerto Rico...do you all know we too have our national drink .it's Tea:).                                

Ingredients

1.pineapple  - 1cup chopped

2.coconut milk - 1/2 cup

3. Fresh cream  - 4 tbsp

4.sugar - as required

Method

put the chopped  pineapple into the blender and blend well

now add the coconut milk and cream and sugar

blend well till frothy

serve and enjoy...........................:)