Thursday, 12 February 2015

Laccha paratha|Lacchedar paratha|How to make Laccha paratha

Laccha Paratha is  a popular paratha from North India,made from whole wheat flour.Its South Indian counterpart is made of all purpose flour and yeast.

The tougher it seems....the easier it is to prepare.Fast, fuss free.. as usual!!!!

Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
Serves:2 to 3

Ingredients:

  1. 2 cups of whole wheat flour
  2. 2 tsp vegetable oil
  3. 1 tsp salt
  4. Water  as required for kneading
  5. Vegetable oil for roasting

RECIPE:

  1. Take a bowl.Add wheat flour,salt and oil in it.Add water in parts and start kneading.
  2. Knead till you get a smooth dough.Cover the dough and keep aside for 20 minutes.
  3. Take a medium size ball.Dust some flour on rolling board.Start rolling the ball till you get a circle of approx 8" diameter.
  4. Apply oil and flour on this paratha,start folding and pleating the paratha.
  5. Roll the pleated edges tightly and join the edges to get a ball.
  6. Lightly dust this ball with flour and roll it again till you get a paratha of 5 " to 6" diameter.
  7. Heat a skillet on low heat.Place the paratha on skillet.
  8. Flip the paratha after 1 minute.Apply oil on this  side .Now cook  again  for 1 minute.
  9. Flip 2 to 3 times till you get a lightly browned ,cooked parathas.
  10. Serve hot with any vegetable curry.


Palak Paneer|How to make palak paneer

Palak Pnaeer is a popular North Indian curry made of blanched spinach and paneer /cottage cheese.



This combination of spinach and cottage cheese is highly nutritious.It is recommended for kids especially.Usually kids dont like spinach including my four year old.This dish allows me to play hide and seek by hiding paneer cubes in palak gravy.This recipe is quite fuss free and hence a great choice for all working moms.Nutrition and taste both together.

Preparation time:20 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
Serves:4

Ingredients:

  1. 10 cups of chopped spinach leaves
  2. 2 cups water(for blanching spinach)
  3. 1/2 tsp salt(to be added in water with spinach)
  4. 1 bowl of cold water
  5. 2 garlic cloves(paste)
  6. 1/2"ginger(paste)
  7. 1 big onion(paste)
  8. 2 big tomatoes(pureed)
  9. 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  10. 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  11. 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
  12. 1 tsp coriander powder
  13. 1/2 tsp garam masala
  14. 250 gm cottage cheese(paneer) cut into cubes
  15. 1 cup water
  16. 2 tbsp cream(amul cream)
  17. 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
  18. Salt as per taste
RECIPE:
  1. Add spinach leaves and salt to boiling water(in a pan).Cover the pan with lid and let it cook on medium heat.After 5 minutes,drain water and immediately add spinach to a bowl of cold water so as to stop cooking process. This method helps in preserving green colour of spinach.Let it rest for 2 minutes.
  2. Drain cold water.Add spinach to mixer and grind it to make smooth puree.Usually water is not needed in the mixer.
  3. Take a thick bottomed pan.Add oil to it.Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
  4. Add onion paste and saute it brown.Now add ginger garlic paste .Saute them till raw smell of garlic goes away.
  5. Add tomato puree,turmeric powder,red chilli powder,coriander powder and water to the pan.Stir well.
  6. Once this is done,add palak puree and let it simmer for 6 to 7 minutes on high heat.
  7. Add garam masala followed by salt.
  8. Stir again and add paneer cubes to the mix.Let it simmer for 2 tpo 4 minutes.
  9. Lastly add cream,stir gently and take it off heat.Serve hot with Indian flatbreads .




Monday, 9 February 2015

Basic fondant cake


I am a home baker.I love making both sponge cakes and  fondant cakes. This basic fondant cake is being put on my blog because it was demanded by some foodies. Enjoy my basic fondant cake !!!!All working women and teenagers,this cake is not 100% fuss free but it is a hit in parties and super yummy....so try it for sure.))))))

Preparation time:no specific preparation time as it all depends on things available with you and your skills of fondant moulding.


You will need:

  1. One medium size rolling pin
  2. Brush(for dusting off cornflour)
  3. Small brush(for applying fondant glue)
  4. Home made fondant glue(a small ball of fondant in warm water,let it melt and mix and cool down)
  5. Pizza cutter
  6. Fondant of colour of your choice(store bought)
  7. One blunt knife
  8. One sharp knife
Ingredients:
  1. Cake (in this case I have taken two 10" eggless vanilla sponge cakes)  
  2. Icing(i have taken buttercream icing)
  3. Cornflour(for dusting)
  4. 1 tsp butter
PROCEDURE:

  1. Take both the cakes and prepare them by removing a small part of  the upper dome of cake.You will get a flat surface.
  2. Start applying icing on one cake with the help of blunt knife.You can put as much icing as you want.
  3. After the first cake is covered with icing,place the second cake on it .Cover this cake with icing too.
  4. Now add icing on all exposed surfaces of cakes.Make the icing as smooth as possible as you dont want an uneven fondant surface.
  5. Now chill the cake for half an hour in fridge.
  6. Start kneading the fondant by applying little butter on your hands.If your fondant has hardened then put it in a bowl in a microwave for 10 to 30 sec.Keep an eye on fondant otherwise it might burn in microwave.
  7. Fondant should be well kneaded before rolling.
  8. Spread cornflour on your kitchen platform and start rolling the fondant with rolling pin.
  9. Fondant should be around double the diameter as compared to your cake and should be around 15"thick after rolling.Brush off all the cornflour from fondant before placing it on cake.
  10. Either lift the entire fondant or roll the fondant on rolling pin and place it over the cake.
  11. You need to smooth out the top of cake .Donot press very hard.Fondant should not be uneven in any area.If you see folds repeat step8.
  12. Once all sides are covered with fondant smoothly,remove the excess from bottom edge  of cake with pizza cutter.
  13. Cake is ready for decoration.It is all up to you.I created this cake for my hubby as valentines day is approaching.So I kept it simple with stars and cake sprinkles.
  14. Cookie cutters work awesome for fondant!They come in all shapes and sizes.So buy some nice metal cookie cutters and stick the decorations on cake with homemade fondant glue.Have fun decorating your own cake.

Cake recipe:
http://veggiebusonsimpleroute.blogspot.com/2015/02/eggless-vanilla-sponge-cakehow-to-make.html
Buttercream icing recipe:
http://veggiebusonsimpleroute.blogspot.com/2014/12/vanilla-cupcake-basic-cupcake-recipe.html




Sunday, 8 February 2015

Baked Kaccha kela kabab| Baked Raw Banana Cutlet|How to make kaccha kela kabab

Vegetable kababs or cutlets make great starters and Kaccha kela kabab is no exception.


Yes...this one is baked so guilt free to a large extent.It is really easy to make.So all those multitasking ladies.........this one exotic starter is for  you.You can win acclodes for this dish without spending hours in kitchen.



Donot be disheartened by the long list of ingredients,it is a simple dish and totally fuss free.

Preparation time:20 minutes.
Cooking time:25 to 30 minutes
Serves:6(12 pieces)

Ingredients:
  1. 6 raw bananas of medium size
  2. 2 medium size potatoes(boiled,peeled and mashed))
  3. 1 medium size onion(chopped)
  4. 1 " ginger(chopped)
  5. 2 cloves of garlic(chopped)
  6. 2 green chillies(chopped)
  7. 1 tsp red chilli powder
  8. 1 tsp coriander powder
  9. Salt as per taste
  10. 2 tbsp gram flour
  11. Dry mango powder as per taste
  12. 2 to 3 bread slices(grinded and made into bread crumbs)
  13. Vegetable oil for applying on hands and on skillet
REC IPE:

  1. Boil bananas in a pan(with their peel on)  till they are cooked and can be mashed.
  2. Take a bowl. Add mashed bananas,potatoes,onion,ginger,garlic,salt,dry mango powder,red chilli powder,coriander powder,green chillies and gram flour in it.Mix all this well to get a firm yet soft dough.
  3. Applying oil in your hands,shape the mixture into kababs /cutlets.Coat the kababs with bread crumbs.
  4. Preheat oven to 230 degree celsius.Brush oil on microwave safe non stick flat dish or microwave safe skillet.Place kababs on this dish and place the dish on medium rack in oven for 25 minutes.
  5. Flip  the kababs after every 8 to 10 minutes for uniform baking.
  6. Take out the kababs after 25 minutes and serve them hot with coriander chutney and salad.

                                                                                           

Sunday, 1 February 2015

Eggless Vanilla Sponge Cake|How to make basic eggless sponge cake

My blog is going to be three month old on 9th feb 2015.So I thought of some early celebration by making something sweet.
What better than a classic Vanilla Sponge Cake. Ohhh yes....this is eggless, quick to make and as always fuss free.






This Cake is often used as base for pasteries. Just stick to the recipe and you will get a soft airy sponge cake. The amount of sugar mentioned in recipe is as per pastry base, if this cake is to be eaten on its own then sugar can be increased.






Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time (baking ) : 35 minutes

Ingredients:

  1. 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  2. 1 cup curd (beaten)
  3. 2 tsp baking powder
  4. 1 tsp baking soda
  5. 4 tbsp melted butter
  6. 10 tbsp milk or till you get dropping consistency of batter
  7. 1/2 cup castor sugar
  8. 1 tsp Vanilla essence
  9. plain all purpose flour for dusting
  10. melted butter for greasing
RECIPE:
  1. Take a bowl and add curd, baking powder and baking soda in it. Mix them and let the mix stand for 5 to 8 minutes undisturbed . This mix will swell and show bubbles.
  2. Take  another  bowl and sieve flour in it.Keep aside.
  3. Add butter, castor sugar , vanilla essence and milk in third bowl.
  4. Add curd mix to this bowl .Now add  seived flour to this mix . Start mixing. Donot whisk. Just fold the mixture gently. We dont want to loose air bubbles. The ready batter should be of dropping consistency.
  5. Take a 7"cake tin. Grease it with butter and sift flour over it. Pour the batter in this tin.
  6. Place the tin in a preheated oven(180 degree celsius) for 35 minutes.
  7. Cake is ready when a toothpick is poked and it comes out clean. Also the cake leaves the sides of tin.
  8. Remove the tin from oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
  9. Once it cools, invert the tin and give it a sharp tap. Cake comes out easily. Serve as it is or with chocolate syrup. Enjoy!

Check out following recipes too:


Wednesday, 28 January 2015

Kesari Meethe Chawal | Sweet Saffron Rice | How to make Meethe chawal

This is a celebratory dish,often made on festival of Basant Panchmi in India.


Popular in all parts of Northern India,it is easy to make and delicious to taste.This dish is so simple that you will love making it on all occassions be it pooja,birthdays or festivals.Like all my recipes,this too is suitable for all working ladies and new cooks.
So what are we waiting for.... lets enjoy this traditional recipe!


Preparation Time:15 minutes
Cooking Time:20 minutes
Serves:4

Ingredients:

  1. 1 cup rice(long grained)
  2. 2 tbsp ghee(clarified butter)
  3. 1 cup powdered sugar
  4. 1 tbsp warm milk(for mixing kesar)
  5. few saffron strands(kesar)
  6. 1 tsp cardamom powder
  7. 6 almonds or nuts of your choice (sliced)
  8. 1 tbsp ghee( for roasting almonds)
  9. 2 cups boiling water(for cooking rice)
RECIPE:

  1. Add saffron to milk in a small dish and let it stand for 10 minutes.
  2. Take a pan.Add ghee ,now roast almonds till golden brown and keep aside.
  3. Clean ,wash and soak rice for 10 minutes.Drain and keep aside.
  4. Take a heavy bottomed pan,add ghee to it.Add rice and roast it for 3 to 4 minutes on medium flame.
  5. Now add boiling water and saffron to the pan.Cover it and let it cook till rice is 80% cooked.Keep stirring so that rice doesnt stick to bottom.
  6. Now add sugar and cardamom powder and cook till rice is ready.Donot overcook.
  7. Garnish with roasted almonds and serve hot.

Check out following recipes too:

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

Mexican Stuffed French Toast sandwiches recipe|How to make Mexican stuffed French Toast sandwiches

This Mexican stuffed french toast sandwich is nutricious,delicious and quick.

It can be conveniently called STAR amongst breakfast recipes....and at my place it is eaten as Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner(literally!).
So all you multitasking ladies,fresh cooks and teenagers who want to throw a party,this dish is a crowd pleaser.

Preparation time:10 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes

For Stuffing:

  1. 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  2. 1 capsicum (choppped)
  3. 2 green chillies(finely chopped)
  4. 1 tomato(chopped)
  5. 1/2 cup boiled corn kernels
  6. 2 medium potatoes
  7. Salt as per taste
  8. black pepper crushed(as per taste)
Other Ingredients:
  1. 6 big white bread slices
  2. 2 tbsp milk
  3. 2 large eggs
  4. 2 tbsp butter
  5. 2 cups grated cheese(cheese block will  do)
RECIPE:
  1. Boil the potatoes and chop them roughly.Donot mash.
  2. Take a pan.Add oil to it.Add capsicum,tomatoes and green chillies to it.Saute it for 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Add potatoes and corn kernels to the pan and saute for 2 more minutes.Take it off heat.
  4. In a small bowl,whisk egg and milk together.
  5. Now take a skillet over medium heat .Add butter to it.
  6. Now dip 2 slices of bread(both sides) into egg milk mix and place them onto buttered skillet.
  7. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes till light brown.Do this for both sides of breads.Place the stuffing and grated cheese onto first slice and cover it with second slice.
  8. Now cook for 2 to 3 minutes more till all cheese is melted.Remove from heat.
  9. Repeat and make two more sandwiches.Serve hot!
Check out following recipes too:

Banana kiwi fruit smoothie,Plum and apple jam|How to make jam at home|Homemade jam,Paneer Manpasand recipe|How to make paneer manpasand,Vanilla Cupcake| Basic Cupcake recipe| How to make Cupcake recipes




Sunday, 18 January 2015

Besan Laddoo|how to make Besan Laddoo

Laddoo.......and my son starts mimicking his favourite cartoon character Chhota bheem.

I first made Besan Laddoo on my sons demand.He wanted to become strong by eating laddoo just like chhota bheem.And like a true health conscious mom,I made these healthy Almond induced Laddoo.You should see him relishing these laddoos.Every minute of hardwork is worth it!


Preparation Time:10 minutes
Cooking Time:20 -25 minutes

Ingredients:

  1. 500gm besan flour(bengal gram lentil flour)
  2. 1/2 cup ghee(clarified butter)
  3. 1/2 to 1 cup powdered white sugar
  4. 4 tsp cardamom powder
  5. 20 almonds powdered(in grinder)
For Garnish:Cashewnuts and pistachios (optional)

RECIPE:
  1. Sieve gram flour in a thick bottomed pan.Place the pan on heat.
  2. Roast it in low flame until colour changes to brown or deep brown colour.Keep stirring continuously toavoid burning at the bottom.This may take 10 to 12 minutes or more.
  3. Take it off the gas.Let it cool a bit.Add sugar and crushed almonds to the mix.
  4. Now transfer mix to a bowl and add ghee to it.
  5. While mix is still warm ,combine well to form a smooth dough.
  6. Now grease hands with ghee,shape balls with your hands.
  7. Let the laddoos cool.Transfer the laddoos to airtight container and enjoy them whenever you feel like.

Check out the following recipes too:

Monday, 12 January 2015

Hummus recipe|How to make Hummus

Hummus is a middle eastern chickpea based dip.It is now enjoyed worldwide.

Hummus is  a proof that best tastes dont need complicated techniques of cooking.It only needs a few ingredients a nd a mixer.What we usually do with chickpeas is make 
Punjabi Chole Masala or chana masala or chana pulao.But food blogging gives me the joy of trying out new dishes and then share that with world.


Hummus can do much more than just cling to a croot or cucumber stick.It can be added to salads,sandwiches,rolls,breads,crackers etc.What more .......it is so simple to make at home.It is only the sequence of ingredients that you have to take care of.


I was introduced to Hummus for the first time by a friend,an Australian resident,who was visiting India.She was praisin g this guilt free dip and I was staring hard at her.That was when she explained me all about it.I tasted it and was bowled over instantly.

Preparation Time:20 minutes
Cooking Time:10 minutes

Ingredients:
  1. 250 gm chickpeas
  2. 3-4 cups of water
  3. 2 garlic cloves(chopped)
  4. 1 cup chickpeas stock
  5. 2 tbsp thaini paste(sesame seeds paste)
  6. 3 tbsp lemon juice
  7. 1 tsp crushed sea salt
  8. 1 tsp cumin powder
  9. 1 tsp paprika powder
  10. 6 to 8 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
For granish(optional):Coriander or Parsley leaves

RECIPE:

  1. Take chickpeas in a pressure cooker.Add garlic and water to it.Let it cook on high heat for 15 to 20 minutes till chickpeas are toatlly soft.Now drain and cool them.
  2. Now take a mixer.Add tahini and lemon juice to it.Blend it well.
  3. Add remaining ingredients and blend them well for a while till you get an extra smooth Hummus.
  4. Hummus can be refrigerated for upto three days and kept in freezer for a month.Add olive oil whenever you want to use it.

Check out following recipes too:

Thursday, 8 January 2015

Banana kiwi fruit smoothie

A health drink,energy booster,crowd pleaser and pleasant part of brunches and breakfast.....that is what smoothies are all about!


Simple is beautiful.And that is what I love about this drink.Just whiz everything together and voila!your smoothie is ready.



My son lend his hand (very enthusiastically) in making this drink.A time will come when I will have to officially hand over the charge of making smoothies for my entire family ,to my four year old.
Kids are often tired of eating fruits.Smoothies are the easiest way to let kids try different types of fruits/.
P.S: Adults,this is guilt free!

Cooking time:10 minutes

Ingredients:

  1. 2 ripe bananas(peeled  and chopped)
  2. 1 kiwifruit(peeled and cooked)
  3. 5 tbsp yogurt/dahi
  4. 2 tbsp milk
  5. Sugar(if you need it)
  6. Crushed ice(if you need it)

RECIPE:
  1. Take a pan,add kiwi fruit to it and let it simmer for  a minute till soft.I have included this step only as a precaution.Because if eaten raw ,kiwi can cause irritation in throats of some people.(you can totally avoid this step too).
  2. Now put all ingredients in blender .Process untill smooth.Pour in a glass and enjoy!

Monday, 5 January 2015

Tandoori aloo|Tandoori Aloo tikka|How to make Tandoori Aloo without oven

One late evening,when I returned from clinic,I found my hubby had got a kilo of baby potatoes.

His wish was to cook his all time favourite Dum aloo.But I had something else in my mind.A foodie had asked for this recipe.And I had promised her  too.Here was my chance to please my hubby and make my foodie friend happy  too.So here I present an easy and fast method of making tandoori aloo.

 Preparation Time:1 hour 15 minutes
Cooking Time:15 minutes

Ingredients:
  1. 8 medium baby potatoes
  2. 4 tbsp refined sunflower oil 
For marinade:
  1. 1 cup beaten curd
  2. 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
  3. 2 tbsp lemon juice
  4. 1 tsp turmeric pwder
  5. 2 tsp kashmiri red chilli powder
  6. 1 tsp garam masala/tandoori masala
  7. salt as per taste
For garnish:
  1. Kashmiri red chilli flakes
  2. Pinch of chaat masala
RECIPE:
  1. Wash,half boil and peel baby potatoes.
  2. Pierce them with a fork and keep aside.
  3. Take a bowl .Add all marinade ingredients in it and mix well.
  4. Add potatoes in the bowl and coat well.
  5. Let the potatoes marinade for an hour in fridge.
  6. Heat oil in a non stick pan and start adding potatoes to it.Close the lid and let it cook for 10 to 15 minutes till dry.
  7. Take off the heat and  garnish with kashmiri red chilli flakes and chaat masala.
  8. Serve hot with coriander chutney.
                                                                                                                                                        
Check out the following recipes too:











                           

Friday, 2 January 2015

Plum and apple jam|How to make jam at home|Homemade jam

Jam at home??You must be wondering that why to make jam at home.

Well the reasons being,its fresh,hygienic and organic.Over riped fruits dont get thrown away.The recipe needs only 40minutes approximately the time of 2 episodes of a daily soap.

Convinced.I hope so.You wouldnt believe how wonderful it tastes.The consistency is not very thick but its oh so yummy.You can store it in fridge for upto three weeks(if it doesnt get over before that).

You can get creative and make label for your jam.So guys Happy jamming!!


Preparation Time:10 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes

Ingredients:

  1. 250 gm plums(chopped,seed removed)
  2. 2  medium apples(peeled,cored and chopped)
  3. 1 cup powdered sugar
  4. 1.5 tbsp lemon juice
  5. 1 sterilised glass jar(for storing jam)
  6. 1 cup water
RECIPE:
  1. Place water,plum and apples in a frying pan and simmer on high heat.Simmer until fruit is softened that is for approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
  2. Add sugar over low heat and stir until dissolved.Add lemon juice and stir.
  3. Boil this mixture for 15 minutes more till it becomes gelatinous.
  4. We dont need artificial pectin as apples provide pectin and make our jam gelatinous.
  5. Take off the heat and let it cool.
  6. Put the mix in mixer and grind to get that extra smooth texture.
  7. Store in glass jars.Serve with bread,pancakes or just eat it on its own:)
Check out the following recipes too:

Tuesday, 30 December 2014

Paneer Manpasand recipe|How to make paneer manpasand

A yummilicious lip smacking main course dish,which has still not received its deserved appreciation in food world.

I being a North Indian ,was always stuck  with my creamy tomato rich north Indian curries......TILL I CAME ACROSS THIS RECIPE.
My first cousin was coming to meet me from  Delhi.I wanted to make something different yet tasty for him as he was fed up of most of north Indian cuisine(overdose of it caused this).At that time accidentally on google ,I came across this recipe.My mom in law being from Hyderabad guided me with the coconut paste part.And voila I got something as good as this to put on my blog.
My brother loved it so much that he finished most of the dish by himself.:)))


Preparation Time:15 to 20 minutes
Cooking Time:10 minutes

Ingredients:
For Paneer cubes coating:

  1. 200 gm paneer/cottage cheese(cut into cubes)
  2. Half cup corn flour
  3. Half cup all purpose flour
  4. Salt as per taste
  5. Half cup milk
  6. 1 tsp mustard oil
  7. Some more refined sunflower oil for frying
For curry:
  1. 2 medium onions(paste)
  2. 5 cloves of garlic(paste)
  3. 1 inch ginger(paste)
  4. 1 tsp cumin seeds
  5. 2 tsp turmeric powder
  6. 1 tsp red chilli powder
  7. 5 cloves
  8. 1 cinnamon stick
  9. 4 tbsp mustard oil
  10. 2 cups cow milk
For coconut  based masala(grind in mixer)
  1. 1/4cup freshly grated coconut
  2. 1/4 cup peanuts
  3. 1 onion chopped
  4. 2 green chillies
  5. Salt as per taste
  6. 1 tsp mustard oil
  7. 1/4 cup water
Some grated cottage cheese for garnish.

RECIPE:
  1. Firstly cut paneer into cubes with the help of a cookie cutter.
  2. Take a bowl.Add cornflour,all purpose flour,salt,oil and milk in it.Mix well.
  3. Take a pan and add oil for frying paneer cubes.
  4. Now coat paneer cube in above mix and fry them in oil.
  5. Remove the cubes from pan one they are golden brown on both the sides.Place them on absorbent paper for excess oil to get soaked.
  6. Take another pan to make curry.Add mustard oil to it.Add cumin seeds  to oil.Let them splutter.
  7. Add cloves and cinnamon to it.
  8. Add onion paste ,saute a bit.Then add ginger garlic paste,Cook for one minute.Dont saute them brown.
  9. Add coconut based masala paste to the pan.Let it cook for 4 to 5 minutes on medium flame till the raw smell goes off.
  10. Add turmeric powder,red chilli pwder and salt to the pan.
  11. Now add milk to it and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  12. Add paneer cubes to the mix and let it simmer for 3 minutes.
  13. Garnish it with grated paneer and serve with naan.You will find Naan recipe on

        Naan recipe| Naan made on tava|How to make Naan at home