Carrot Cake

   

Here is the recipe for a simple and tasty carrot cake. One of my friends shared this recipe with me and she tried it from here.

Ingredients

1. All purpose flour/maida - 2 cups

2. Granulated sugar - 1.5 cups
3. Vegetable oil - 1 cup

4. Eggs - 3 large 
5. Ground cinnamon powder - 2 tsp
6. Baking Soda - 1 tsp
7. Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
8. Grated carrots - 3 cups
9. Chopped walnuts - 1 cup

10. Salt - Around 1/2 tsp

 

Method

1. Beat sugar, oil and eggs in a bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until they are blended (about 1 minute). Add everything else apart from the carrots and nuts. Beat until blended for 1 minute on low speed.

 

2. Add the carrots and walnuts and stir them in. Pour into a 13 x 9 inch  pan or two 8 inch or 9 inch round pans (I halved all the ingredients and used a 9 inch round pan). Bake at 350 F for 40 - 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean . Allow it to cool down completely.

For the cream cheese frosting

Ingredients

1. Philadelphia cream cheese - 8 oz
2. Butter - 1/4 cup 
3. Milk - 3-4 tsp
4. Vanilla - 1 tsp
5. Icing sugar/confectioners sugar - 4 cups (I used 2 cups)

 

Method

1. Beat the cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla until smooth on low speed.
2. Gradually add in the icing sugar 1 cup at a time and beat until smooth.

3. Spread on the cooled cake. Store in a refrigerator.

 

Stuffed Buns

 

      I saw these really yummy stuffed buns in Marias Menu and wanted to give it a try. I have bookmarked lots of her yummy recipes but this is the first one I tried. The buns turned out really well and was absolutely delicious. I was so excited that I sent its pictures to all my friends, the minute I clicked them. Its just so easy to make them though it takes a few hours to get the end result. My hubby loved it and he in fact took it for his lunch next day :). Thanks a lot Maria for sharing this recipe and thanks to Ria who shared the original recipe.  Though I tried to stick to the recipe, some measurements got changed when I made the dough. I made it twice in the last week with the same measure of ingredients and both times they turned out successful. I used a chicken and egg filling for these buns.

 

For the bun (Yield - 9 buns)

Ingredients

 

1. All purpose flour/maida - 2.5 cups
2. Active dry yeast - 2 tsp
3. Warm water - 2 tbsp
4. Sugar - 1 tbsp + 1 tbsp
5. Milk - 1/4 cup
6. Oil - 1/4 cup
7. Egg - 1 beaten
8. Egg white - of 1 egg, for egg wash
9. Sesame seeds - 1.5 tsp, to sprinkle
10. Salt - To taste 

 

Method

 

1. Dissolve the yeast in warm water along with 1 tbsp sugar. Set aside for around 10 mts.

 

2. Combine the all purpose flour(start adding 1 cup, you will need to add more while kneading the dough), sugar, milk, oil, salt and mix until you get a smooth paste. Now add the beaten egg, yeast, remaining all purpose flour and knead until you get a soft dough, adding extra flour little by little( I used a food processor). Keep it covered in a warm place for around 2-3 hrs. The dough will double in volume by that time.

 

3. Now punch it down lightly and make large lemon-sized balls out of it. Flatten them and fill with the stuffing (around 1.5 tbsp each).  Reshape back into a ball. Arrange them on a greased foil and let them rest for 15 - 20 mts. Preheat the oven at 350 F for around 15 mts. Beat the egg white nicely, apply it over the buns and sprinkle sesame seeds. Put them in a baking tray and bake for 20 - 25 mts or until their surface becomes reddish brown in color.

For the  egg filling

Ingredients

1. Egg - 2 ( Boiled and chopped)
2. Red onion - 1 small (sliced lengthwise and chopped or finely chopped)
3. Ginger - 1 tsp finely chopped
4. Garlic - 1 tsp finely chopped
5. Green chilly - 1 chopped fine
6. Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
7. Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
8. Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
9. Fennel powder - 1/2 tsp
10. Salt - To taste
11. Oil - As required
12. Cilantro - 1 tbsp

Method

1. Heat some oil in a pan and add the ginger, garlic and green chillies. Saute for a minute and add the red onion. When it turns light brown, add the masala powders. Saute for a few seconds, add the chopped eggs and chopped cilantro. Mix well and switch off. let it cool down.

 

 

 

For the chicken filling

 

Ingredients

1. Chicken breast - 1 (Cook it adding pepper powder and salt. Mince when it cools down)
2. Red onion - 1 small, chopped fine
3. Ginger - 2 tsp chopped fine
4. Garlic - 2 tsp chopped fine
5. Turmeric powder  1/2 tsp
6. Chilli powder  - 1/2 tsp
7. Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
8. Pepper powder - 1 tsp
9. Garam masala - 1 tsp
10. Fennel powder - 1/2 tsp
11. Salt - To taste
12. Oil - As required

Method

 

1. In a pan heat oil and add the finely chopped ginger and garlic at medium heat. Saute for a few minutes and add the chopped red onion. When it turns light brown and oil appears on top, add the masala powders. Saute for a few seconds and then add the minced chicken.  The filling should not be too dry. In case it is dry, sprinkle some water. Mix well and check for salt. Cool down.

 

 

 

Banana Bread

        I had banana bread for the first time from a local road-side shop on our way to Hana in Maui, Hawaii. They were freshly baked and were sold in small zipper lock bags for 5$ / half lb or so. It was so delicious that we had lots of it that day. I had no idea that it was so easy to make until my friend Reshmi shared this easy banana bread recipe. Nowadays I make it  whenever I have some ripe banana left. It calls for the most common ingredients that are available anytime in our kitchen pantry. You just need to mix them and bake for an hour. You do not even need a hand mixer, you can use a spoon or fork.  You can have them for breakfast, as a tea-time snack or even as dessert. This is the basic recipe for a banana bread. There are n number of variations that you can make to this basic recipe. You can make it even more delicious by adding chopped walnuts, almonds, chocolate chips, raisins or other dry fruits and nuts of your choice. I will post the healthier version soon with whole wheat flour, honey, nuts and absolutely no oil!

 

Ingredients

1. All purpose flour - 2 cup
2. Banana - 3 overripe
3. Sugar - 3/4 cup
4. Eggs - 2
5. Baking powder - 1tsp
6. Baking soda - 1 tsp
7. Cinnamon powder - 1/2 tsp (optional)
8. Apple sauce - 1/2 cup (optional, added to make it moist)
9. Vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp (optional)
10. Canola oil - 1/2 cup

Method

1. Mash the banana with a fork.

2. In a bowl add 2 cups of flour, sugar,  baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon powder. Give it a mix and stir in the eggs, apple sauce, vanilla essence and canola oil. Now add the mashed banana mixture and mix well.

3. Grease a baking tray or loaf pan and pour the mixture.  Preheat the oven at 350 F and bake for 1 hour until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Take it out and let it cool in the pan for around 10 mts or so. Cut into slices and enjoy!!

 

 

Tips:

 

1.  You can substitute all purpose flour with whole wheat flour for the healthier version. 

3.  You can reduce the quantity of oil and add some honey instead.

Egg - Mango Curry

Egg curry can be made in many different ways.  This is a trissur style tangy egg curry which goes well with rice. 

Ingredients

Eggs - 5  hard-boiled

Onion - 1 small sliced

Green mango pieces - 1/2 cup sliced (I used frozen mangoes)

Green chillies - 2 sliced

Ginger - 1 inch piece chopped fine

Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp

Coriander powder - 2 tsp

Thick coconut milk - 1/2 cup

Pearl onion - 3

Salt - To taste

Method

1.  Mix together the  onion, mango, green chillies, ginger, curry leaves, turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, salt and 1 cup of water. Cover with lid, bring it to a boil and cook for 10 - 15 mts at medium heat. 

 

 

2.  When the onion and green mangoes are done lower the heat and add the thick coconut milk. Now add the eggs (make gashes on the eggs if you want)  and simmer for 10 more minutes or till you achieve the desired consistency. 

3.  Heat oil in another pan and add the sliced pearl onions, brown them. Pour it over the curry and mix well. Serve with rice.

 

 

Recipe contributed by Preetha

 

Tips:

 

1.  If the mango is less sour, you can add some tomato paste or lemon juice.

 

2.  You can also add ground coconut paste instead of coconut milk.

Chicken Fried Rice

   Fried rice is one of the most popular recipes in Asia. This is a versatile dish since you can use any combination of vegetables, meat or seafood that you like. My mother used to make it for us when we were kids and it was a treat for us. Every one have their own way of making fried rice. I got this basic recipe from vahrevah.com to which I have made a few changes. The best rice to make fried rice is left-over rice since each grain will be separate. This delicious dish is extremely easy to prepare. Be careful not to overcook the vegetables, they should be crunchy. Kids will love it.

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

 

 

1.  Cold cooked rice - 3 cup (I used basmati rice)

2.  Chicken breast halves (skinless boneless) - 2 finely diced

3.  Green bell pepper - half finely chopped

4.  Red bell pepper - half finely chopped

5.  Carrot - 1

6.  Beans  - 50 gm

7.  Onion - half finely chopped

8. Garlic - 3 minced

9.  Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp

10.  Corn flour - 1/2 tsp

11.  Soy sauce - 1 tbsp or to taste

12. Vinegar  - 1 tbsp

13. Egg - 3 beaten

14. Spring onion - 2

15. Celery - 2 stalks

16. Salt - To taste

17. Sugar - 1/2 tsp

18. vegetable oil or butter - 1 tbsp

 

 

Method

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1)  To the chicken pieces add pepper powder, few drops of egg, salt and corn flour.  Shallow fry them in oil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2)  Heat 1 tbsp oil or butter in a wide pan. Add chopped garlic, onion and saute till onion turns light brown. Now add beans. Saute at high heat for a minute. 

 

 

 

 

 

3)  Add carrot and bell pepper.  Saute for a few minutes at high heat. Add soy sauce, vinegar

and mix well.  Add the chicken pieces (you can chop the fried chicken pieces if you want) . Mix well.

 

 

 

 

 

4) Now add rice and stir fry for a few minutes. Add sugar and garnish with spring onion and celery.  Check salt.  Scramble the eggs in a separate pan and mix well with the rice. Serve hot.

 

 

 

Tips:

 

1.  Vegetarians can avoid egg and chicken.

2. Use left-over rice to make fried rice.

3.  You can use other veggies like green peas, corn, broccoli, bean sprouts, babycorn, mushroom etc.