Coffee trials @ Coorg

 

Standing next to us, Mrs. Rohini Suraj, is  proud owner of "Coffee trials" at Coorg. Being an busy home-maker all her life, she opted to work after her children got married and settled. She, along with her husband, bought land at Coorg and starter their dream. Currently they run four rooms.

After an tiring journey through Bangalore, Mysore, we ended up at Coorg almost seven in evening. We were greeted by Mrs. Rohini herself, with a gentle smile. With a short conversation with her, I can foresee that this friendly lady enjoys attending her guests. She runs this place as a hobby, unlike profit-oriented place. Tariff per day is Rs. 3500 (excluding food) which is quite reasonable.

 

Rooms, nevertheless to mention are clean and hygienic. Balcony provides a great scenic view. Room service was available on pressing a bell & he was too polite to listen. Living even one day was great in that peaceful ambience.

Highlight is the food served which is delicious as well as home-made. We were served dinner with roti, dal, chicken khurma and rice (sorry, no clicks with six hungry eyes around) I still remember my fussy daughter licking the delicious dal with a sparkling desire through her eyes. This place was a blessing in terms of divine food for which each traveler or every family person would look upon. Similarly, the other day we had an awesome breakfast with Poori, aloo masala and bread toast. Mrs. Rohini is all in praise for her cook. I must admit, she has a great team of staff.

Though we went to other places, visiting 'Coffee trials' itself created an unique experience for us, with pleasant stay and divine food. I wish for their growth, on every tourist location and to serve across the country. All my best wishes!!

Homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Caramel (Beginner Friendly)

Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a timeless classic loved for its beautiful caramelized topping and soft, buttery texture. This cake is baked with pineapple slices and rich caramel syrup at the base, then flipped upside down to reveal a glossy, golden top.

I made this cake for my birthday, and it turned out absolutely delicious—perfectly moist, rich, and full of flavor. While it pairs wonderfully with a dollop of cream, a warm slice on its own is simply irresistible.

                                  

If you’re looking for an easy yet impressive homemade cake recipe, this one is a must-try!

Recipe Details

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Baking Time: 40–55 minutes
• Servings: 4

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Ingredients

For Caramel Topping

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 4–5 fresh pineapple slices

For Cake Batter

• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
• 1/2 cup milk

Method (Step-by-Step)

1. Preheat Oven
   Preheat your oven to 180°C. Grease a baking pan and set aside.
2. Prepare Dry Ingredients
   Sieve flour and baking powder together and keep aside.
3. Prepare Pineapple
   Remove the hard core (eye) from pineapple slices.
4. Make Caramel Layer
   In a pan, melt butter and brown sugar on low heat until fully combined and bubbly (about 3–4 minutes).
   Pour this mixture into the greased pan.
5. Arrange Fruits
   Place pineapple slices over the caramel. You can add apple pieces optionally.
6. Prepare Cake Batter
   In a bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla essence, mix well.
7. Combine Batter
   Add flour and milk alternately in batches. Mix gently to form a smooth, lump-free batter.
8. Assemble
   Pour the batter evenly over the pineapple layer.
9. Bake
   Bake for 40–55 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
10. Cool & Flip
    Let the cake cool for 2 minutes. Run a knife along the edges and carefully invert onto a plate.

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Serving Tip

Serve warm for the best taste. The caramel topping tastes amazing when slightly warm and gooey.

Healthy Sprouts salad

   Diwali is over and many are finding way to de-tox.  So am I here posting an healthy salad that you can munch at noon, evening snack or along with dinner, as an accompaniment.  This salad is made with sprouts which additionally supports the motive.  I, have topped them with few walnuts too!  Best part is with least additional time, with very few spices they go great on taste too!

 

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Serves: 2

 

Ingredients required:

• 1 cup mixed sprouts, steam-cooked for five minutes
• 2 tbspn finely chopped onion
• 2 tbspn finely chopped tomatos (de-seeded)
• 1 tbspn finely chopped coriander leaves
• 2 whole shelled walnuts (which is later de-shelled and broken into tiny pieces)
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper powder

Method

Mix all and serve.  Make sure you don't add more walnuts, because adding more will cause an bitter taste to salad. If you prefer to do so, then deskin them and add.  Also walnuts are best preferred, because almonds gives an 'too much crunchy effect' to salad. 

 

 

Happy cooking!!!

 

Panda cupcake

   Diwali went awesome, made an quick Chennai trip, visited all and had an good time.  How was yours??  Guys, before I proceed, let me make an friendly reminder about event & giveaway happening, kindly click here for more details.   Now, getting back to my post,  let me introduce you a new panda family, which officially resides at our home!!!

 

They look beautiful and adorable also, don't they??  And methodology, unlike other designer cup-cakes is simple.  Bake an chocolate cupcake, top them with vanilla icing, spread over sugar granules and with an few touch of chocolate chips/buttons you are done!!!  :) :)   My daughter loved them very instant, and she wants to take them to school to show-off!!  :D  :D

Preparation time: 35 minutes

Baking time: 15 minutes
Yield: 10 cupcakes

Ingredients required

For the cake batter

• 1 tbspn oil
• 1 tbspn melted butter
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp Baking powder

Motichoor laddu - Diwali sweet

 Back at Chennai, my MIL  always prepares boondhi laddu and my baby used to gobble them up.  So, I asked myself why not try some?  But, apart from boondhi laddu, I liked motichoor laddu that hangs around every sweet shop.  Garnished with silver varq and opped with nuts, these are most delicious and one will definitely experience  melt in mouth moment. 

   Originally hailing from Central Bihar, Motichoor laddu (Moti means pearl) are nothing but deep-fried gramflour, mixed in sugar syrup, flavoured with saffron threads, rose water, nuts and shaped into laddu.  Though they look like boondhi laddu, the methodology differ because motichoor laddu are fried till they reach pale yellow/golden colour and is removed.  And after soaking in sugar syrup they are mixed with warm water and is blended once which is not the same with boondhi laddu.  Warm water, thus added aids in much softer texture to motichoor laddu comparing to later.

   Yes, my daughter loved it and better half was completely impressed.  Apart from the fact that they turned successful, they consume lesser time too!!  About one batch can be done within an hour, isn't it an boon? :D  Follow the entire post for tips