Showing posts with label kids special. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kids special. Show all posts

Thursday, 26 May 2016

Chai Spiced oats banana smoothie

Like most Indians, I am a chai fanatic. I try to add my chai spices and chai concoction into every possible dish around.




It really pleases me to get an absolutely innovative recipe with chai spices in it.




Here in Mumbai , its peak summer time. This cold, creamy and healthy smoothie satisfies the taste buds and refreshes one too.
Not just that, this smoothie is extremely easy and fast to prepare.

Whenever I feel like having a second breakfast ( yes i do that often, once at 6 am and second at 8am), I go for this smoothie.



Thankfully my hubby and Mr6 love this too so this gives one more reason to prepare it often.

Go ahead friends, try this one and let me know how it was.





Chai spiced oats banana smoothie

Recipe by Shivani Saxena
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Yield: For 1
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup
    Rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup
    water
  • 1/2 cup
    Chilled Milk
  • 1/2 cup
    Chilled curd/ yogurt
  • 3 tbsp/ or a sper taste
    honey
  • 1
    banana (frozen and diced)
  • Chai spices
  • 1/2 tsp
    cinnamon powder
  • 1/2 tsp
    nutmeg powder
  • 1/2 tsp
    cardamom powder
  • 1/2 tsp
    cloves powder
Cooking Directions
  1. Take a pan, add oats and water in it. Cook this for 2 minutes on medium heat and then take it off the heat.

  2. Take a blender. Add cooked oats, milk, curd, honey, banana and ground chai spices, Puree until smooth. Serve immediately.



Monday, 9 November 2015

Nutella stuffed dumplings | Nutella gujiya

This recipe of Nutella ( OMG ) stuffed dumplings is actually a continuation of my last post about Gujiya.




This dish is a wonderful example of fusion of conventional Gujiya with Nutella.

Everything in the recipe remains the same except for the filling which is nutella in this case. Hubby dearest calls these dumplings as Nutella Gujiya ( lol ).




Easy and fuss free to make ! A quick sweet for shining and colourful festivals like Diwali ,Christmas ,Holi etc .






Nutella Stuffed Dumplings



Recipe by Shivani Saxena
Prep time: 35 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Yields : 20 to 22 dumplings



Ingredients
For pastry dough
  • 2 cups All purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup Vegetable oil
  • pinch salt
  • As required Water
For filling 
      2 cups Nutella 
  • For frying Vegetable Oil


Cooking Directions
  1. To make pastry dough
  2. In a bowl , take all purpose flour , vegetable oil , salt. Start adding water to the flour but little at a time . We want a firm yet soft dough . Knead the dough well.

  3. Once the dough is ready , let it rest for 25 minutes by covering it with damp cloth . 

  1. Steps to make Dumplings
  2. Make small balls of dough and cover them with damp cloth . Take one ball at a time . With the help of rolling pin , roll it into a circle of approxi mately 4 " t 5 " diameter .
  3. Fill 1 tbsp Nutella inside the circle . Apply water on one half of the flattened ball and seal the sides properly.
  4. Fold into pleats by pressing and folding it . Seal it properly to avoid tearing of dumpling while frying . Place dumpling below damp cloth to avoid drying .
  5. Repeat the procedure and make remaining dumplings .
  6. Now take vegeatble oil in a thick bottomed pan .Place it on low flame .
  7. Place dumplings carefully in it . Add 2 -3 dumplings in hot oil at a time . Dont overcrowd the oil .
  8. Fry the dumplings till outer crust is golden and crisp .
  9. Take the dumpling out of oil and on absorbent paper . Once cold , dumplings can be stored in airtight container for approximately 1 week in refrigerator .


Mawa Gujiya recipe | Karanji recipe | Sweet dumplings recipe

              Light a lamp of love !
              Blast a chain of sorrow !
              Shoot a rocket of prosperity !
              Fire a flowerpot of happiness !
                                                       By Anonymous




Wishing you all a glowing Diwali and a glowing life !

Diwali....the light , the sparkle , the crackers . Sit quietly . Close your eyes . Withdraw the senses . Fix the mind on illumination of soul  and enjoy the true essence of diwali !

This gorgeous festival of snacks , sweets , crackers and feast ,where old and young meet each other with delight . This Diwali , I am presenting you with a conventional Diwali sweet called Gujiya.



Gujiyas are known by several names in different parts of India . Like Ghughra in Gujarat , Karanji in Maharashtra , Karachika in Tamil Nadu , and so on.
Recipe is almost  similar for all with slight variation as per the region.









Mawa Gujiya | Sweet dumplings



Recipe by Shivani Saxena
Prep time: 35 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Yields : 20 to 22 Gujiya



Ingredients
For pastry dough
  • 2 cups All purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup Vegetable oil
  • pinch salt
  • As required Water
For Filling
  • 2.5 cups Mawa / dried whole milk
  • 1 cup dessicated coconut powder
  • 1/2 cup sugar powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup  chopped raisins and cashew nuts
  • 1/4 tsp cardamom powder

  • For frying Vegetable Oil


Cooking Directions
  1. To make pastry dough

  2. In a bowl , take all purpose flour , vegetable oil , salt. Start adding water to the flour but little at a time . We want a firm yet soft dough . Knead the dough well.

  3. Once the dough is ready , let it rest for 25 minutes by covering it with damp cloth . 


  4. To make filling

  5. In a thick bottomed pan , take dried whole milk ( mawa ) and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on medium flame till it changes colour to light brown.

  6. Take mawa off heat and let it cool completely.

  7. Add sugar , raisins and cahew nuts , dessicated coconut and cardamom powder to it . Mix well and your filling is ready .


  8. Steps to make Gujiya

  9. Make small balls of dough and cover them with damp cloth . Take one ball at a time . With the help of rolling pin , roll it into a circle of approxi mately 4 " t 5 " diameter .

  10. Fill 1 tbsp filling inside the circle . Apply water on one half of the flattened ball and seal the sides properly.

  11. Fold into pleats by pressing and folding it . Seal it properly to avoid tearing of Gujiya while frying . Place Gujiya below damp cloth toa void drying .

  12. Repeat the procedure and make remaining Gujiya .

  13. Now take vegeatble oil in athick bottomed pan .Place it on low flame .

  14. Place Gujiya carefully in it . Add 2 -3 Gujiya in hot oil at a time . Dont overcrowd the oil .

  15. Fry the Gujiya till outer crust is golden and crisp .

  16. Take the Gujiya out of oil and on absorbent paper . Once cold , Gujiya can be stored in airtight container for approximately 1 week.
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Bhapa Doi|Baked Sweet Curd , Carrot halwa | Gajar Halwa| How to make Carrot halwa , Churro bites | Eggless Churro bites

Thursday, 29 October 2015

Churro bites | Eggless Churro bites

I couldnt blog regularly since some time. Guilty !! Reasons being hectic schedule in my dental clinic and my son's studies. But come Karwa chauth and I couldn't stop myself from posting an easy and yummy Spanish snack ....Churro bites. How long can I stay away from my passion FOOD !! 



Yes Churro bites....a quick and different version from original  big spiral Churros. 
Try out this Spanish street food as a Diwali snack along with all traditional sweets. I am sure your family and friends will love it. 



Last week I had a kitty party at my place. I was with my friends and doing what I love the most....cooking. A happy meal experience that it was! All aligned towards friends and food. And no it was no hashtag foodgasm. It was a true foodgasm ...a soulful experience of eating with friends. This experience was taken to another level by this Spanish Tapas / snack served by me.
It was sweet yummy easy to make and fancy too.



So friends ...go ahead make these Churro bites this season and enjoy !





Churro bites | Eggless Churro bites

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Yield: for 3 to 5 people
Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup
    Milk

  • 3 tbsp
    butter( salted )

  • 2 tsp
    sugar (regular table sugar in powder form )

  • 1/4 tsp
    salt

  • 1 tsp
    vanilla essence

  • 1 cup
    all purpose flour

  • As required
    Vegetable Oil ( for frying )

  • As required
    Powdered sugar for dusting

  • As required
    Cinnamon powder for dusting( optional )
Cooking Directions

  1. Take a thick bottomed pan. Add milk, butter sugar and salt to it. Place it on medium heat and bring it to boil. Once it reaches boil, take it off heat .Add vanilla eassence and all purpose flour to it. Keep mixing with a spatula till you get a s,mooth mixture with no lumps. Take vegetable oil in a thick bottomed pan.Let it heat on medium flame. Transfer all Churro batter in a piping bag with a large open star tip.


  2. Pipe 1 to 1.5" dough out over hot oil and using scissors ,cut the dough so as to drop over the ocil. Remember to make churros in small batches to avoid burning. Allow churros to fry until golden brown by stirring occassionally. Then take them out of oil and place on absorbent paper to drain excess oil. Do this for the entire churro batter. In a small mixing bowl,add cinnamon powder and sugar together and mix well. Coat churros with this mix. Serve warm .


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Thursday, 30 July 2015

Nutella choco chip cookies recipe|eggless nutella choco chip cookie recipe

I eat chocolate everyday.
Call me a choco addict but I cant live without this browny piece of indulgence.
Oh and yes lets forget for a while that I treat teeth.




Me without chocolate is like a kid without music!
In fact I am surprised that I took so long to present these cookies to you all.
But I know one thing for sure that today is the right day to bake these cookies ...why?
Because tomorrow is birthday of two people 
MY DAD and  MY MOM IN LAW

Yes..they share same birthdate.
My dad,my inspiration,I couldnot have been what I am today.
He has a big sweet tooth.
So if I bake a jar full of these cookies,I know he will and can finish them off.

And my mom in law...she is my soul sister.
No mommy daughter relation.
We are friends and we bitch about our hubbys.))))





With these reasons and chocolate in mind,I present you eggless nutella choco chip cookies.

Preparation time:15 minutes
Chilling time for dough:2 hours
Baking time:15 minutes
Yields:10 big chunkies

Ingredients:

  1. 2 and 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  2. 1 cup castor sugar
  3. 1 tsp vanilla essence
  4. 1/2 cup slightly cold nutella
  5. 1/2 cup butter
  6. 1 tsp baking powder
  7. 1 tsp baking soda
  8. 1/2 cup chilled milk
  9. 1 cup or more choco chips

RECIPE:
  1. Take a bowl.Add all purpose flour,castor sugar,baking powder,baking soda,butter to it.
  2. Add only 1/4 th nutella and mix well.
  3. Add only1/2 cup choco chips and mix well.
  4. Now add milk to the mix and let it all come together into a soft,crumbly mass.
  5. Now add remaining nutella and just mix it roughly into the dough.
  6. Chill this dough by placing in fridge in a covered container.
  7. Preheat oven to 200 degree celsius.
  8. Now take out the dough from fridge and start shaping it into round balls,pressed all over.
  9. Line the baking tray with butter paper,and start placing cookies on it .Maintain sufficient distance because cookies are gonna rise so they will need space.
  10. Bake for 8 minutes .Take the tray out of oven.Softly press some choco chips on cookies and place the tray back in oven.Bake for 7 more minutes.And yes big choco chip nutella chunkies are here!

Tuesday, 28 July 2015

Easy buttermilk scone recipes|Nigellas buttermilk scone recipes

I love Nigella Lawson and her recipes.Check out my pinterest board The famous Nigella Lawsons creations and you will see that there is a separate board dedicated to Nigella.
Wow..isnt she?


These buttermilk scones perfectly explain why I admire this kitchen goddess.
This scone recipe is simple and fuss free...sounds familiar.Ya right...my whole blog is about cooking fuss free!


Scones are actually small cakes but are very minimally sweet.Therefore any homemade jam goes well with it.Check out this jam Organic Plum and apple jam.yum!!!



A quick treat for kids,guest or yourself and which is very filling too! and yes the recipe is eggless.
Also you can replace buttermilk with milk to get simple scones instead of buttermilk scones.

Lets quickly make them and eat them too!

Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
Yields:10 scones

Ingredients:

  1. 2 cups all purpose flour
  2. 2 tsp baking powder
  3. 1 tsp baking soda
  4. 1o tbsp butter(chilled)
  5. 1 tsp salt
  6. 1 to 2 tbsp castor sugar
  7. 1/3 cup buttermilk
  8. All purpose flour for rolling scone dough


RECIPE:
  1. Preheat oven to 220 degree celsius.
  2. Sift all dry ingredients in a bowl which include all purpose flour.baking powder,baking soda,salt,castor sugar.
  3. Add butter to this bowl and mix with hands till mixture ressembles dry bread crumbs.
  4. Add buttermilk and start mixing to get a firm but bit moist dough.
  5. Dust flour on kitchen counter,press the dough with hands till it is 1 " thick.
  6. Cut into pieces with the help of scone cutter or simply a steel bowl.
  7. Place a baking sheet on baking tray and place the scones on it.
  8. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.After 8 minutes of baking ,you will have to change side of baking tray for uniform baking.
  9. Scones are ready once they are firm and slightly golden brown in colour.
  10. Serve with jam at tea time and watch Nigellas show!!


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Thursday, 23 July 2015

Earthquake cake|Earthquake cake recipe

Rumble...a tempting Earthquake Cake is here.Eathquake cake is named so because the cake is irregular on top when done.So dont worry when you see them,it is supposed to be like that.


Hold on to your seats because things are gonna rumble as this is Earthquake cake!!!Yippee...My son is shouting as he is enjoying this Chocolate and cream cheese Divine mix.

I first came across this cake when a friend of mine who stays in Goa kept praising about it.I googled and started trying out this cake with local ingredients available.And here after 15 trials I hqve my version of Earthquake cake,eggless,no walnuts and with cheese spread instead of cream cheese.


Lets tighten our seat belts and enjoy the roller coaster to reach this delicious destination called Earthquake cake.

Preparation time:20 minutes
Baking time :40 to 45 minutes
Serves:Only 1(meeeeeeeeeeee)

Ingredients:
  1. 1 cup dessicated coconut
  2. 1/2 cup chopped cashewnuts
  3. 1 package(200 gm)dark chocolate cake
  4. 6 heaped tbsp cheese spread
  5. 2 cups icing sugar
  6. 2 tbsp butter
  7. 1 tsp vanilla essence
  8. 1/2 cup chocolate chips/shavings
  9. Milk as required for packaged dark chocolate cake


RECIPE:

  1. Preheat oven to 170 degree celsius.
  2. Take a baking pan of 6'' by 8" .Layer it with dessicated coconut and cashewnuts followed by chocolate chips.
  3. Prepare cake mix with the help of milk by following package instructions .Pour this cake mix over coconut and cashewnuts.
  4. Cake mix should completely cover the base layer.
  5. Take a saucepan.Melt butter,cheese spread,icing sugar,vanilla essence in it.Whisk it well till you get a uniform liquid.Pour it over cake mix.Swirl into this cake using a knife so as to get both cheesy and chocolaty layers on top.
  6. Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes.The cake is ready when it doesnt wobble iin the pan if you shake it.The toothpick test doesnt work because cake should be a bit gooey in nature.
  7. Enjoy this simple cake which has blast of both chocolate and cheese at once.

Thursday, 16 July 2015

Bharva Paneer Pakode|Stuffed Cottage Cheese fritters

I am a greedy girl and I want all of my favourite food regularly.Especially the comfort food made by my mom(READ fried snacks).





Yes my MA makes the most delicious,ravishing,mouth watering comfort food.
Since last one week ,I am feeling a little lost and missing my mom a lot.Although we stay in same city,but my busy schedule(as a doctor) doesnt allow me to visit my mom very often.By the way a city like MUMBAI makes me travel for 2.5 hours to reach my moms place.And we call it same city...phew((((




So whenever I miss my mom I make her fuss free comfort food.And this time it is Stuffed cottage cheese fritters.







My stomach is churning,heart is craving and mouth is watering for this yummy snacks.Lets start cooking.

Preparation time:20 to 25 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
Serves:4 to 5

Ingredients:

15 to 16 cubes of cottage cheese
Vegetable Oil for frying
Stuffing of fritters:

  1. 1 cup grated onion(squeeze water completely)
  2. 1 tbsp grated ginger garlic
  3. 1 tsp red chilli powder
  4. 1 tsp garam masala
  5. 1 tsp dry mango powder
  6. 2 tsp salt
Batter for dipping fritters into before frying:
  1. 2.5 cups bengal gram lentil flour(besan)
  2. water as required
  3. 1 tsp turmeric powder
  4. 1 tsp red chilli powder
  5. Salt as required(as stuffing also has salt)

RECIPE:

  1. Take a bowl.Add all ingredients of stuffing in it.Mix well .
  2. Take one cube of cheese at a time,split it length wise but dont cut them completely.You will get a pocket in which you can fill your stuffing.
  3. Fill all cubes with stuffing with the help of butter knife.
  4. Take another bowl.Add all ingredients of batter in it.Mix well so as to get a thick batter of dropping consistency with no lumps.
  5. Take a thick bottomed pan with vegetable oil.Place it on low flame.
  6. Dip the stuffed cubes of cottage cheese in batter completely.Place these cubes in hot oil.Let it fry on low flame for 2 minutes and then on high flame for 2 minutes till it gets golden brown.
  7. Fry all cubes like this.Serve hot with Mint coriander chutney|Dhaniya pudina chutney.


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Thursday, 9 July 2015

Bhapa Doi|Baked Sweet Curd

Bhapa Doi ,a refreshing summer dessert,is very much sought after in my house hold.





Consuming Bhapa Doi doesnt remain confined to my house in sunny season only.Instead it is eaten all year long.And specially on demand on festivities.




Making this Bengali dessert is so easy that even my five year old can make it.It is basically assembling of a few ingredients and putting them in oven or pressure cooker or steam boiler.
My mouth is already watering so lets stop chatting and lets start cooking.






Preparation time:5 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
Freezing time:6 hours
Serves:4

Ingredients:

  1. 2 cups condensed milk
  2. 1 cup curd/yogurt(I have used curd)
  3. 1 cup toned milk
  4. Handful of crushed cashewnuts and raisins
  5. 4 tbsp brown sugar for garnish
RECIPE:
  1. Take a microwave safe borosil or pyrex bowl.Add condensed milk,curd,toned milk and dry fruits in it.whisk it well to remove lumps.
  2. Preheat oven to 170 degree celsius.Fill  a baking tray with water.Put the baking dish in middle rack.Place the bowl with all ingredients in the centre of baking tray.Water is added to the tray so as to avoid burning of milk.Bake this for 30 minutes.
  3. After 30 minutes,put a toothpick in the centre of Doi.Toothpick should come out clean.Remove the bowl out of oven and let it cool for 10 minutes.
  4. Now place Doi in freezer for 6 hours or overnight so as to set completely.
  5. Garnish with brown sugar.Caramalize sugar with blow torch.Serve it cold and enjoy summers!

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Thursday, 25 June 2015

Sago pudding|Sabudana kheer|How to make sabudana kheer

Sabudana kheer is one dessert which takes me back to my childhood instantly.



My mother and grandmother used to make this kheer every thursday(as they used to fast on thursdays).And me the little greedy girl,used to wait for thursday to come.



I used to attack this kheer with all my might and not even bothered to keep fasting food satvik or pure.Obviously my mom and grandmom never minded.And the result is that I am still super crazy for this kheer.



Sabudana kheer is also a great #babyfood as it is very soft on stomach and filling.

Preparation time:2 to 3 hours to  soak and store drained sago pearls
Cooking time:15 minutes
Serves:3 to 4

Ingredients:

  1. 1 cup sago pearls
  2. 2 cups water(for soaking sago)
  3. 3 cups toned milk
  4. 5 tbsp sugar
  5. Pinch of saffron strands(optional)

RECIPE:
  1. Soak sago pearls in water ,drain the water and keep wet pearls stored in a bowl covered with lid.
  2. Take a thick bottomed pan.Add milk in it .Let the milk come to boil.Now add swollen sago pearls to the pan.Let this cook on low heat for 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Once the milk has reduced to half of its original quantity,add sugar.Let this cook on low heat for 5 minutes.Stir well.
  4. At the end add saffron strands,stir once again and take it off heat.Serve hot and relish this simple dessert!


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Monday, 1 June 2015

French fries|How to make French fries at home

French fries....well who doesnt love them?These cream coloured soldiers when lined on a baking tray help me fulfill those anytime snacks demand of my little one.


French fries can be made at home..equally crisp and golden brown.And the technique is as usual fuss free like most of my recipes.


All you need is some good large potatoes and patience.The result is a delectable snack.
Till two years back,I used to  buy frozen fries for my son.But a mom that I am,I switched over to fries made at home so as to avoid all preservatives of frozen fries.
These fries can be fried or bakedand can be stored in freezer for a month or so.(they wont last that long)



Preparation time:1 hour 30 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes

Ingredients:

  1. 4 large potatoes
  2. Vegetable oil for frying
RECIPE:
  1. Peel the potatoes and wash them thoroughly.
  2. Now take a large bowl full of water.Start cutting potatoes first in circular slices and then cut each circular slice into long sticks.
  3. Soak these potato sticks in water for 1 hour.
  4. After 1 hour remove these potato sticks from waterand place them on kitchen towel to dry.
  5. PLEASE NOTE this stage is very important because if there is little moisture left in fries,they will not be crisp.So start dabbing each fry with papaer napkin.Yes.Literally each fry.
  6. Take a thick bottomed pan.Heat oil on low flame.Start frying by pouring some fries in oil.Fries will start floating on oil in a while,this means the fries can be removed from oil.Do thsi for all fries.
  7. After first round of frying,fries can be stored in freezer.But to serve we need second round of frying .Second time,fries are fryed on high heat till crisp and golden brown.Serve the fries witha  dash of  salt.
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