Masala bread

 I prefer making bread at home as it is fresh from the Owen and is free from preservatives. Today, I made masala bread with Indian flavours. 

Ingredients:

2 cups - all purpose flour/maida

1/2 cup - warm milk

1 tsp - sugar

1 tsp - salt

1 tsp - cumin powder

1 1/2 tsp - instant yeast

1/ cup - chopped coriander leaves

1/4 cup - chopped green chilles

1/4 cup -  butter/oil

Method:

Combine the flour with coriander leaves, green chillies and cumin powder. Add the sugar, salt and yeast to the warm milk. Pour this solution to the flour and mix. Add more water (about 1/2 cup of water) and make a soft sticky dough. Smear the batter with butter. Rest for two hours or more till the dough rises and doubles in size. In the meantime grease a bread tin. After two hours, punch the dough and knead again. Place it in the greased tin. Cover and set aside for one hour or more till it rises again. Bake in a preheated oven for 25 to 30 mins at 180 c till done.

Note:

Time taken to bake depends on the size of the oven.

Dry yeast also can be used, but it must be activated. For that add same quantity of dry yeast to warm milk or water to which some sugar is added. Cover and set side for few minutes till it becomes frothy. Add this activated yeast to dough.

Eggless fruit bar

I made this recipe with the  ingredients that had in my hand. However, more nuts and other extotic dry fruits can be added to make it rich. 

Ingredients:

2 cups - maida/all purpose flour

1 cup - brown sugar

1 cup - orange juice

1 cup - dry fruits(candied cherries, tutti frutti,black raisins, yellow raisins)

1/2 cup - cashew nut

1/2 cup - vegetable oil

1/2 cup - curd

1 tsp - baking powder

1/2 tsp - baking soda

Eggless Choco Cup Cake

Cup cakes are easy to make as they require less time. Besides, it can be served directly in a cup without having to cut it. 

Ingredients:

All purpose flour - 1 cup (200 gm)

Cocoa powder - 4 tbsp

Baking soda 1/2 tsp

Baking powder - 1 tsp

Powdered sugar - 1 cup   

Melted butter or oil - 1/2 cup

Curd - 1/2 cup

Vanilla essence - 1/4 tsp 

Salt - one pinch

Method:

Set the oven and preheat at 180 C. In the meantime, let us prepare the batter for cake. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Sieve it twice.

In a mixing bowl add the sugar, butter and curd. Mix well till the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the dry ingredients and gently mix. Add the vanilla essence. Pour in greased cups and bake for 25 mins at 200 C. 

Semolina cake

This cake is mildly sweet and grainy in texture. It is so easy to make that even kids can be given a chance a try their hand. Further, the ingredients required to make this cake are easily available in every kitchen. It can be had with tea or served in birthday parties. 

Ingredients:
Roasted semolina- 1 cup
Milk - 11/2 cup
Sugar -1cup
Curd -1/2 cup
All-purpose flour/Maida -3/4 cup
Butter 1/2 cup
Candied papaya pieces -1/2 cup
Baking powder -1/2 tsp
Baking soda -1/2 tsp
Salt -1/2tsp
Pineapple essence -1 tsp

Method:
Combine the semolina and milk. Set it aside to soak for 10 minutes. Sieve the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Combine the sugar with butter and whisk for 5 minutes. Add the flour mixture and curd. Then, add the semolina mixture, half the candied papaya pieces and essence. Mix well. Pour it in a greased baking tin. Sprinkle the balance candied papaya pieces on top. Bake it in a pre-heated oven for 30 to 45 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. Switch off the oven once the cake is cooked. Remove it from the oven after few minutes. Cool it before inverting the tin. Cut into pieces.

Note:
1. All the ingredients should be at room temperature before baking.
2. Choose a smoother version of semolina. 
3. Add more milk or flour to bring the dough to the right consistency.

Egg-less fruit n nut cake

I made this fruit and nut cake for this new year as it is very easy to make. It is rich in fruits and nuts and can be made for any occasions It tastes great even without any glazing.

Ingredients:
All-purpose flour/ maida -1 cup (100 ml)
Coco powder -1/2 cup
Powdered sugar -1 cup
Fruit n cuts -1/2 cup
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Eating soda -1 tsp
Salt -1 tsp
Butter -1/ 2 cup
Curd -1/2 cup
Milk 1/2 cup
Mixed fruit essence -1 tsp
Bring all the ingredients to room temperature.

Method:
Fruits n nuts can be anything like cashew nut, candied papaya pieces, cherries, raisins, black currants and walnut. 
Wash fruits like raisins and candied papayas in water. Dry and keep it aside. Chop the nuts, raisins and cherries. Combine the fruits and nuts and measure. Dust 1tsp of flour on them. This is done so that they don't sink to the bottom while baking.

Grease a baking pan. Line it with butter/parchment paper. Grease that also. Set it aside. 

Pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees Celsius. 

Combine the flour, coco powder, baking powder, eating soda and salt. Sieve twice. This is done to evenly distribute the baking powder and soda.

Mix the sugar and butter to form a smooth cream. Add milk and curd. Mix it well. 

Next, add the flour mixture little by little to the butter mixture. The consistency should be thick and sticky. If it is very thick then add more milk. 

Stir in the essence and finally the chopped fruits and nuts. Pour it in the prepared baking pan. Bake it in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes. Check the middle of the cake by inserting a fork. If it is wet and sticky, bake for another 5 minutes. Keep checking till the fork comes out clean. Switch of the oven. Rest the cake in the oven for another 5 minutes and then remove it. Cool it completely before turning it upside down. Cut it and enjoy.

Note:
Vanilla essence can also be added instead of mixed fruit essence.
Any fresh juice can also be added instead of milk.

Baked vegetable

I had returned home after a short visit to my friends place. I was hungry and had to cook up some good meal. I didn't have the time to run to the market to buy more vegetables. So, I decided to cook with the little stocks stored in my fridge. I had some blanched vegetables, few pieces of bread and a chunk of blended cheese. I used all of them to make this delicious vegetable bake, which was a meal in itself. Go ahead try it. 

Ingredients:
Blanched carrot -1/2cup
Blanched beans -1/4cup
Blanched potatoes -1cup
Tomato sauce -3tblsps
Chilli sauce -3tblsps
Chopped onions -2cups
Pizza seasoning -1tsp
Bread pieces -1cup
Grated cheese blend -1cup
Salt and oil -as required

Method:
In a frying pan fry the onions in little oil. When it turns translucent, add the blanched vegetables, salt and the pizza seasoning. Switch of the flame and add the two sauces. Allow it cool for few minutes. Transfer the prepared vegetables to a greased baking tray. Press it lightly to level it. Top it with bread pieces and grated cheese. Bake it in a pre-heated oven at 200°C for 10 to 15 minutes.

Note:
Cheese blend is blend of mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese. Mozzarella cheese can also be used instead of cheese blend.

Bake bun without oven

Bun, bread roll and few cakes can be baked in a cooker. The texture and taste of the baked items is very much similar to the oven baked foods. It is also easy to bake in a cooker because the temperature settings required for an oven is simply absent here.
However, it is important to take note of the following points before attempting to bake in a cooker.

1) Do not use non-stick cookers for baking.
2) Remove the rubber gasket from the lid before baking.
3) Do not use the weight while using the cooker for baking.
4) Place a perforated plate or a steel stand inside the cooker and preheat the cooker.(Do not add water to bottom of the cooker) This is give a gap between the bottom of the cooker and the baking dish.
5) Place the baking dish with the dough on the perforated plate or stand. This helps to prevent the food from burning at the bottom.
6) Preheat the empty cooker in high heat and lower the flame once the baking process starts.  

Ingredients: 
Dry yeast -2tsps
Warm water -3tblps
Sugar 3tsps
All-purpose flour -3cups
Salt -1tsp
Warm milk -1cup
Oil -4tsps
Butter -5tblps


Method:
Combine yeast, warm water, 1tsp sugar and 1tsp flour. Set it aside to become creamy and frothy.
In another bowl mix the balance flour and butter to the texture of bread crumbs.
In another bowl combine the warm milk, balance sugar, salt and oil. Then, add the yeast mixture. Mix well. Then, slowly add the flour to make dough of sticky consistency.  Cover and set it aside it to rise. It will triple in volume. Then, deflate and knead once. Allow it rise for two hours. Deflate and knead again.  Then, make small round buns out of this dough and place it in a wide vessel. Place the buns at a distance, so that they do not touch each other when they rise again. Allow it to rise and then place them in the preheated cooker. Bake it till the top of the bun starts changing colour.  Remove and allow it cool before cutting it.

Eggless Velvet cake

This cake is simple to make and uses beetroot puree to colour the cake. It tastes delicious when eaten alone or with a topping of whipped cream.

Ingredients:

Beetroot -100gms
All-purpose flour -11/2 cup
Baking powder -1tsp
Cocoa powder -2tblsps
Sugar -1cup
Salt -1/4tsp
Melted butter -100gm
Curd -1/2cup
Milk -1/2cup
Mixed fruit essence -1tsp

Method:
Wash, peel and puree the beetroot. Keep it aside. 
Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa powder. Sieve this mixture twice. Keep it aside.
Mix melted butter, curd, milk, sugar, salt, beetroot puree and the mixed fruit essence. Slowly add the flour mixture to the beetroot mixture to make a smooth batter.
Spoon the batter into greased cupcake mould. Bake them in a pre-heated oven at 180°C for 15-20 minutes. Remove the mould from oven and cool to room temperature.

Eggless coffee cake

Teatimes can be little different and cheering, when cake is served. This mildly sweet cake has the flavour of coffee, chocolate and a dash of vanilla.

Ingredients:
All-purpose flour (maida) -1 cup
Cocoa powder -1/4cup
Powdered sugar - 1 cup
Instant coffee - 10gms
Baking powder -1/4tsp
Baking soda -1/4tsp
Beaten curd -1/4cup
Milk -1/4 cup
Butter -1/2cup
Salt -1 pinch
Vanilla essence -1/2tsp
Choco chips - 1/4cup (optional)

Method:
Mix the instant coffee in milk. Keep it aside.
Combine all the dry items and sieve it twice.
Cream the butter and sugar. Then add the dry items and milk. Mix well. Finally add the beaten curd, essence and chocolate chips. Pour it in a greased pan dusted with some plain flour. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 45  minutes.

Note:  It can also be baked in small cups to make cupcakes.

Baked rice

This rice, which is loaded with spinach, baby corn and colourful capsicums is a meal in itself. Cooked long rice is drenched in white sauce and placed between a layer of blanched spinanch and baby corn and capsicums in different colours. Then it is drizzled with a layer of grated cheese and baked to perfection.

Ingredients:

Blanched and chopped spinanch - 1/2 cup
Blanched and chopped baby corn - 1/2 cup
Cooked long rice- 3cups
Chopped mixed capsicums - 2cups (red, green & yellow)
Chili flakes - 1tsp
Black pepper powder - 1tsp
Tomato sauce - 2tsps
Grated cheese - 1cup
All purpose flour - 2tsps
Cold milk  -2cups
Olive oil - 2tsps
Salt to taste

Method:
Smear little salt to the capsicum and baby corn . Keep it aside.
Dry toast the flour till it changes colour. Remove from heat and add the milk. Cook on low flame stirring continuously till it thickens. Cool for a while. Then, add half the cheese, salt, pepper powder and tomato sauce. Keep this sauce aside.

                                         before baking
 
Grease an oven proof dish. Arrange the blanched spinach and baby corn in the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle the chilli flakes over it. Top it with cooked rice. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the rice. Then arrange the capsicums over it. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over it.  Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180°C for 30-35 minutes.  

Baked soup rice

 Baked soup rice is made with soup powder and grated mozzarella cheese. This creation of mine is quick to make as it bypasses the need for white sauce.

Ingredients:
Cooked long rice - 4cups
Knorr Vegetable soup powder- 1 packet
Grated mozzarella cheese - 1/4 cup
Blanched vegetables - 1/2 cup
Milk -1/2 cup (optional)

Method:
Prepare soup using milk and water as per the procedure mentioned in the packet. Mix the blanched vegetables along with the soup and cooked rice. Allow it to cool completely. Then in a baking dish spread the rice evenly. 
Sprinkle cheese on top and bake in a pre-heated oven at 200°C for 10 to 15 minutes.

Simple veg brownie

This is a light and easy to make cake.  It requires very little ingredients. It can be served plain or with a glazing.  It is an ideal accompaniment for tea as it is not very sweet. I generally serve it as a dessert after dinner.

Ingredients:

All-purpose flour (maida) -1/2 cup
Cocoa powder -1/2cup
Castor sugar -3/4 cup
Beaten curd -1/cup
Instant coffee -6gm
Dark chocolate -50gms (chopped finely)
Baking powder -1tsp
Refined oil -100gms


Method:
Mix the cocoa powder, flour and baking powder together. Sieve it twice. Keep aside.
Mix the curd, instant coffee and sugar. Slowly add the oil. Then add the mixed flour and the chopped chocolate. Mix well.
Pour it in a greased pan dusted with some plain flour.
Bake it in a pre-heated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 20 to 25 minutes.

Notes:
I have used 2 small sachets of Bru instant coffee and ¾ bar of Bournville dark chocolate. I have also applied dark chocolate glazing on the the brownie.

For Chocolate glazing

Ingredients:
Dark Chocolate - 1/4 cup
Clarified butter - 1tbsp
Milk – 4tbls
Sugar – 6tbls

Method:

Mix milk and sugar. Then add the clarified butter.  Heat it on a low flame. Then slowly add the Dark Chocolate. Keep stirring it, till it thickens. Remove from flame and cool it before well before applying it over the cake.

Vegetarian pineapple cake

This is a recipe made from left over pieces of tinned pineapple and curdled milk solids.

Ingredients

1.All purpose flour (maida)-2 cups
2.baking powder -1/2 tsp
3.baking soda -1/2 tsp
4.butter-4tbsp
5.Curd/curdled milk solids- 1 cup
6.chopped tinned pineapple 1/4 cup
7.powdered sugar- 1 1/2 cups.

Method:

Sift ingredients 1,2,and 3 together in a mixing bowl.Add the butter and sugar and blend well with a beater. Add the  curd or curdled milk solids and the pineapple pieces to the cake batter  and mix well. Consistency should be thick and smooth. Transfer the batter to a greased tin. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes at 160 degree Celsius.