Pineapple upside-down cake

    This is one of the most delicious cake I had ever baked.  This special cake was made for my birthday. And its taste was so amazing that it justified the occasion.

As the name goes, pineapple upside-down cake is baked with pineapples , caramel syrup and Butter cake batter  on the bottom of cake dish, later titled upside down and served.  Though these are recommended with an dollop of cream, trust me just a hot slice is enough  :D 

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

Kalaan rasam - Mushrooms curried in south-Indian rasam style

There are rarely a very few vegetables that become central to all  food.  On this very few, Mushroom tops all.  Be it an pizza topping, fried rice or our style gravy, this divine fruiting body (of an fungus) dominates all!  So, why not go an bit innovative and try on rasam style.  Rasam is an south-Indian soup, usually eaten at the end of lunch.  With an hybrid combo of tomato-tamarind this rasam is believed to aid in digestion.

 

My husband, who is an mushroom-aholic guy totally loved it :)  I have also mentioned below how to serve them on an three-meal course below.  Kindly leave an feedback about how you feel, and do try when had an chance.

 

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Serves : 2  

 

Ingredients required

For temper

• 1 tsp rai/mustard seeds
• 2-3 broken red chilly
• Pinch of hing/asafetida