Vegetable Noodles

The taste of home made noodles is really different when compared to the shop bought ones. It was really exciting to prepare wheat noodles for the first time. Usually maida is used but for more healthier noodles wheat flour is the best.  Friends, try this out…its so simple & delicious. Yipeee…No need to shop for noodles anymore  :)

Ingredients for the noodles

• 1 cup Wheat flour 
• 1/2 cup warm Water 
• 1 tsp Salt 
• All purpose flour/Maida for dusting

Directions

1. Prepare dough with wheat flour, water & salt.
2. Make sure that the dough should not be too soft but hard enough so that u can flatten it.
3. Roll out the dough wth rolling pin in round shape & with the least thickness(like chapati). Dust with maida on both sides.
4. Fold in the flattened dough from one end & keep on dusting maida in each fold so that it wont stick together.
5. Very thinly slice and then separate using your fingers carefully so that finally you'll get the shape of noodles.
6. Boil water with little salt and cook the noodles for 15 to 20 min. Allow it to drain.

Other ingredients

• 1/4 cup thinly sliced Onion 
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced Carrot 
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced Cabbage 
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced Capsicum 
• 1 tbsp Soya sauce 
• 2 tbsp Tomato Sauce 
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper powder 
• 1/2 tsp Red Pepper flakes 
• Olive oil 
• Salt

Directions

1. Heat oil & sauté onion. 
2. Add capsicum, carrot & sauté for 5 min.
3. Stir in the sauces, black pepper & salt
4. Add the drained noodles and sauté carefully so that the noodles wont break.
5. Take off from heat & mix in 2 tbsp olive oil. Serve hot with ketchup.

***Sharing this recipe with Healthy Cooking Challenge - Lunch hosted by Kavi @ Edible Entertainment.

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AWARDS

Really honored to receive awards from Julie @ Erivum Puliyum. She has a wonderful space with really delicious & creative recipes. She is a sincere & hardworking person in terms of cooking. Do visit her blog & leave your valuable comments. Thanking Julie for the following awards !

I would like to pass it to my following blogger buddies:

Anzz @ Anzz Cafe

Cay @  Tickle My Senses

Faseela @  Good Food Ends With Good Talk

Ganga @ My Favourite Foods

Nalini @ Nalini's Kitchen

Prabha @ Cookwell

Sanhita @ Taste Buds

Sheema @ Life Scoops

 

Chicken Paratha

Parathas are my favourite. It is damn easy to make & the best part is no side dish is needed :) Chutneys or Sauces are great combination. Kids will also like it. Any kind of stuffing can be used.......Veggies, Paneer, Beef, Egg etc. This is a tasty chicken paratha recipe. Hope you'll love it !

Ingredients for the chicken stuffing

1/2 cup cooked Chicken pieces 
1/4 cup finely chopped Onion

1/2 tsp black pepper powder

1/2 Green chilly

Coriander leaves

Salt

Oil

Directions 

1. Heat oil in a pan. Saute chopped green chilly and chopped onion until golden brown.
2. Finely chop the chicken pieces  and add to the above with pepper powder & salt.
3. Saute for some more time & finally add coriander leaves. Keep aside.

Ingredients for the dough

1 cup Wheat flour 
1/2 cup warm Water

1/2 tsp Salt

Directions  

1. Mix all the ingredients and prepare the dough.
2. Flatten it in a small round shape & stuff with the prepared chicken stuffing.
3. Close it by pressing the ends of the flour together & carefully flatten it using roll pin.
4. Cook both sides of paratha in a flat pan & have it with sauce or chutney !!

AWARDS

(1)  Liebster Blog Award

Really happy and excited to receive my first award. I am so grateful to Faseela of ''Good Food Ends with Good Talk'' for giving me this lovely award. She has a wonderful blog with lot of delicious recipes. Please do visit her blog and convey your valuable comments.

'Liebster' means 'favourite or dearest' in German. 
Rules for accepting the award:

- Thank the person who gave the award and link back to their blog.
- Copy and paste the award to your blog.
- Reveal the 5 blogs you have chosen to award and let them know by commenting 
  on their blog.
- Hope they pass it forward by accepting and awarding it to bloggers they would 
  like to honour.

I would like to share this award with some of my blogger friends,

• Amy @ Food Corner
• Julie @ Erivum Puliyum
• Aarthi @ Yummy Tummy
• Christy Gerald @ My Kitchen Flavors - Bon Appetit!
• Neethu @ Neethu's Kitchen to Yours

Dear friends, grab this token of appreciation and continue being an inspiration :)

Best Wishes and Happy Blogging !!!

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(2) The Circle of Friends Award, Cutest Blog Award, Cherry On Top Award & Kreativ Blogger Award

Really honored to receive awards from Julie @ Erivum Puliyum. She has a wonderful space with really delicious & creative recipes. She is a sincere & hardworking person in terms of cooking. Do visit her blog & leave your valuable comments. Thanking Julie for the following awards !

I would like to pass it to my following blogger buddies:

• Anzz @ Anzz Cafe 
• Cay @  Tickle My Senses 
• Faseela @  Good Food Ends With Good Talk 
• Ganga @ My Favourite Foods 
• Nalini @ Nalini's Kitchen 
• Prabha @ Cookwell 
• Sanhita @ Taste Buds 
• Sheema @ Life Scoops

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(3) Fabulous Blog Award

I'm extremely thankful to dear Faseela @  Good Food Ends With Good Talk  and dear Christy Gerald @ My Kitchen Flavors - Bon Appetit!  for sharing  'Fabulous Blog' Award with me. Its truly special and i'm  really honoured ! Please visit their space and explore their truly inviting & mouth watering recipes !!

I would like to pass it to the following bloggers who have inspired me a lot with their fabulous blogs. Please visit their lovely blogs too. This award should be  shared for 10 people but as i got the award twice i thought i'll share it with 20 of my blogger friends!! So here it goes.....

• Sobha Shyam @ Good Food
• Tina @ Kaipunyam
• Shaheen @ Allotment 2 Kitchen
• Viki @ Viki's Kitchen
• Ann @ Cooking Healthy for me
• Vardhini @ Zesty Palette
• Jay @ Tasty Appetite
• Revathi @ Kaarasaram
• Jen @ What's Baking??
• Prathibha Sreejith @ Cook-Ezee

 

• Balvinder @ Gluten free food
• Kavi @ Edible Entertainment
• M.J. @ I like to Bake and Cook
• Amee @ Amee's Savoury Dish
• Francesca @ Saucy Siciliana
• Sushma Mallya @ Authentic Food Delights
• Loveforfood
• Priya's Feast
• Pan Cuisine
• Mama's World

Rules for the Award:

-Thank the person that gave the award and link back to their blog
-Copy and paste this award to your blog.
-Reveal the 10 blogs you have chosen to award and let them know by commenting on their    blog.
-Hope they pass it forward by accepting and awarding it to blogger they would like to honor.

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(4) Happy Blogger Award

I'm extremely happy & thankful to  Jay of  “ Tasty Appetite “  for choosing me this 'Happy Blogger award'.  Jay  has a lovely blog with lot of delicious recipes with an impressive presentation. Check out her space to see her lovely recipe collection..!

I'm  passing this award to my 10 deserving blogger friends…and here they are:

• Sangee Vijay @ Spicy Treats 
• Ramya @ Ramya's Recipe 
• Roshni @ Roshni's Kitchen
• Radhika @ Ticklng Palates
• Kaveri @ Palakkad Chamayal
• Hema @ Hema's Blog
• Hima @ Dumuki
• Ridwan @ Ridwan's kitchen / Asian-spice mix
• Faseela @  Good Food Ends With Good Talk 
• Sonali Pradhan @ Only Fish recipes
  

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(5) Versatile Blogger Award

I'm so grateful to Julie @ Erivum Puliyum for passing me the "Versatile Blogger Award".She has a cute & lovely blog with awesome recipes & events.  Please do visit her space for mouthwatering delights !!

I would like to pass it to the following blogger friends-

• Carrie @ Carrie's Experimental Kitchen
• Liz @ That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Elpiniki @ Discovering in the Kitchen 
• Chris @ Retired and Loving It
• Amy @ Food Corner
• Jincy @ Third Kitchen
• Deepthi @ Naughty Curry
• Kay @ The Church Cook
• Mom, What's For Dinner?
• My Life n Charante

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Onion Rings

Ingredients

• 2 large Onions 
• 1/2 cup All purpose flour(Maida) 
• 1 cup Bread crumbs 
• 1 tsp Black pepper 
• 1 Egg 
• 1/2 tsp Salt 
• Vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Make a batter with flour, pepper, egg & salt. If the batter is too thick you can add little milk.
2. Cut onion in round shapes and dip the onion rings in the batter.
3. Coat with bread crumbs and keep it ready for frying.
4. Heat vegetable oil & fry both sides till golden brown.
5. Enjoy the crispy appetizer. 
6. Onion rings are also yummy if used in a burger with bacon, beef patties & tomato.

Tips

• Lettuce & cheese can be used for a more tastier burger.
• Bread crumbs can either be shop bought or grind normal bread in food processor or mixi into fine powder and then use. Enjoy !!

Sharing this recipe with: 

• Snacks Mela hosted by Srivalli.
• Winter Carnival hosted by Radhika.

Doughnuts

Ingredients for the frosting

• 3 1/4 cups confectioners Sugar 
• 1/4 cup Butter 
• 3 tbsp Milk 
• 1/4 tsp Salt 
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence

Directions

1. Beat all the ingredients in an electric mixer till smooth.
2. Use few drops of food colours for coloured frosting and add 1/2 cup cocoa powder to the mentioned ingredients for making chocolate frosting.

Ingredients for the doughnuts

• 2 cups All purpose flour(Maida) 
• 1/2 cup granulated Sugar 
• 1 Egg 
• 2 tsp Baking powder 
• 1 1/2 tbsp Butter 
• 1/2 cup Milk 
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence 
• 1/4 tsp Salt 
• Vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Combine egg, sugar & butter. Beat until fluffy.
2. Add the sifted flour and baking powder, vanilla essence, milk & salt to the above.
3. Mix until smooth so that a soft dough is formed.
4. Roll out the dough gently to 2 inches thick and cut in shapes using a doughnut cutter.
5. After 10 minutes fry the donuts in vegetable oil at 370 degrees F.
6. Fry for 3 min or till they turn light brown and drain on a paper towel.
7. Decorate by dipping in frosting and sprinklers.

Tips

• Do not overload the fryer with doughnuts. Leave enough space in between.
• Use the softest dough as possible.
• Doughnut cutter can be replaced with two different size of container lids.
• The extra dough in the middle can be made in small balls to make doughnut holes.
• Glaze can be prepared with confectioner's sugar, vanilla essence & milk.
• Check out for the Cinnamon doughnut holes recipe. 

Cauliflower-Carrot Manchurian

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup Cauliflower florets 
• 1/2 cup grated Onion 
• 1/4 cup grated Carrot 
• 1 1/2 tbsp  Soya sauce 
• 2 1/2 tbsp Green chilly sauce 
• 2 1/2 tbsp Tomato sauce 
• 1 cup Cornflour/Maida/All purpose flour 
• 1 tsp Black Pepper powder 
• Celery for garnish 
• 1 1/2 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste 
• 3 tsp chilly powder 
• Salt as required 
• Oil

Directions

1. Cook the cauliflowers, drain & keep aside.
2. Make a batter with cornflour/maida/allpurpose flour, salt, 1tbp ginger garlic paste, 1 1/2 tsp chilly powder, 1/2 tbsp each (soya sauce, tomato sauce & green chilly sauce)
3. Dip the cauliflowers in the batter & fry in vegetable oil till golden brown. Keep aside.
4. Saute onion & carrot for 5 min.  Add 1/2 tbsp. ginger garlic paste & saute .
5. Add 1 tbsp soya sauce, 2 tbsp green chilly sauce, 2 tbsp tomato sauce.
6. Add 1/2 cup water in the remaining batter. Mix well & pour to the above.
7. Add salt, 1/2 tsp chilly powder & 1/2  tsp pepper.
8. When you obtain a thick gravy, add the fried cauliflower .
9. Garnish with celery & serve hot with chapati/naan.       

 Sharing this recipe with Winter Carnival event hosted by Radhika.

Chocolate Chip Pancake

I got inspired to make this when i once had it from IHOP (The International House of Pancakes) in Seattle. Pancakes are always great for breakfast but this one can be used as a dessert also ;) coz its that much sweet & delicious with all the chocolate chips and syrup.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup Flour

2 tbsp Melted butter

1/2 cup Semi sweet Mini Chocolate chips
1 1/2 tsp Baking powder

2 tbsp Sugar

1 cup Milk

2 Eggs

1/4 tsp Salt

Directions 

1. Mix flour, sugar, salt & baking powder together & keep aside.
2. Whisk egg, milk & butter thoroughly.
3. Melt chocolate chips in microwave or double boiler, add little vegetable oil & mix with the dry ingredients.
4. Add little unmelted chocolate chips also.
5. Combine thoroughly & pour on a pan spread with vegetable oil.
6. Cook both sides for few miniutes on a low flame & eat hot with any pancake syrup.

Submitted this recipe to Winter Carnival event hosted by Radhika.

Chocolate Strawberries

Those who know me really well knows my passion for chocolates :) I had some left over strawberries after preparing the smoothie. So thought of having fun with strawberry dipping in chocolate and decorating them.  Its really yummy and great for all occasions. Kids will also love them !!

Ingredients

• Ripe strawberries 
• Semi sweet chocolate chips 
• White chocolate chips 
• Sprinklers

Directions

1. Wash & dry the strawberries.
2. Take 2 bowls (one for white chocolate & other for semi sweet chocolate)
3. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave.
4. Dip the strawberries in melted chocolate & spread the sprinklers.     
5. You can design the strawberries using fork dipped in the chocolate syrup also. 

Sharing this recipe with:

•  Love n Chocolate Fest-''White Chocolate with Strawberry Challenge'' hosted by Vimitha @ My Culinary Trial Room 
•  Berries event started by Anu @ Anu's Healthy Kitchen & hosted by Vardhini @ Zesty Palette.
• Christmas Delicacy event hosted by Julie. 
•  Food of the month (Christmas theme) event hosted by Amy.

Blueberry Cupcake

Cupcakes are so tasty and really easy to make. You'll enjoy making if you love to bake & decorate. This blueberry cupcake is perfect for a Christmas treat. Enjoy making cupcakes and have a yummy X'mas !!! Here goes the recipe :)

Ingredients

2 cups Flour

2 Eggs

1/2 tsp Salt

1 1/2 tsp Vanilla essence

4 tbsp Butter

2 tsp Baking Powder

1 cup Milk 

1 cup Sugar

3/4 cup Blueberries

Icing (Pastel Colours)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Arrange 12 cup cake liners in a cupcake pan.
3. Take a bowl. Whisk egg, butter & sugar well.
4. Add sieved flour & baking powder.
5. Mix well with milk and add vanilla essence & salt.
6. Mix everything thoroughly and add the blueberries. Mix again.
7. Transfer the batter & fill each cavity to the top.
8. Bake in the middle oven rack for 20 min to 25 min.
9. Insert a tester in the center to check whether the cakes come out clean.
10. Take out from the oven & let it cool for 10 min.
11. Unmold the cupcakes & decorate with icing (pastel colours). 

Shared this recipe with:

•  Christmas Delicacy event hosted by Julie. 
•  Food of the month (Christmas theme) event hosted by Amy.

Chocolate Cake with Buttercream Frosting

Cocoa cake frosted with Vanilla Buttercream and Nutella spread.

Ingredients

For chocolate cake:

• 2 cups All purpose flour(Maida) 
• 1/2 cup Cocoa powder 
• 1 1/2 cups Granulated sugar 
• 1 1/2 tsp Baking powder  
• 1 1/2 tsp Baking soda 
•  2 tsp Vanilla essence 
• 1/2 cup Vegetable oil 
• 1/4 cup Hot water  
• 1 tbsp Butter 
• 1 cup Milk 
•  2 Eggs 
• 1 tsp Salt

For frosting:

• 1/4 cup Vegetable shortening   
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence  
• 1 lb Powdered sugar 
• 1/2 cup Butter  
• 2 tbsp Milk

Other:

• Nutella hazelnut spread 
• Cooking Spray 

Directions

 For preparing chocolate cake

1. Sieve flour, baking powder & baking soda together. Keep aside.
2. Whisk eggs. Add butter & sugar. Mix thoroughly.
3. Make a solution of cocoa powder with hot water
4. Add the dry ingredients(1) & the cocoa solution (3) alternatively and mix thoroughly.
5. Add vanilla essence, milk, salt & vegetable oil. Mix thoroughly
6. Grease two 9 inch cake pans or one 13 X 9 inch cake pan with cooking spray.
7. Pour mix and bake for 350 degrees for 35 - 40min.   

 For preparing the frosting

1. Mix butter & vegetable shortening in an electric mixer.
2. Add the remaining ingredients & cream till smooth & fluffy.
3. Apply on cake using a cake spatula.
4. Decorate with Nutella hazelnut spread. 
   
   Tips for frosting double layer cake

• Cool the cake completely & brush off the loose crumbs.
• Place one layer (top side down) on a cake stand.
• Spread frosting on top.
• Place second layer (top upside up) on the first layer.
• Spread frosting on top & sides of the cake.
• Decorate as desired.

Submitted this recipe to:

• Christmas Delicacy event hosted by Julie . 
• Bake Fest event hosted by Vardhini. 
• Food of the month (Christmas theme) event hosted by Amy. 
• Decorating challenge event hosted by Amy.

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka means small pieces of chicken marinated in yogurt, spices and then baked in tandoor or in oven.

 

Ingredients for the marinade

• 1/2 cup Yogurt (Curd) 
• 2 tsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
• 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves(optional)
• 1 tsp Garam masala powder
• 3/4 tsp Chilly powder 
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1tbsp Oil
• 1 tsp Salt

Other ingredients

• 15 to 20 boneless Chicken pieces  
• 1 Green/Red Bell pepper(Capsicum) 
• 1 Onion
• Skewers

Directions

1. Marinate the chicken pieces in lime juice, salt and ginger-garlic paste. Keep aside for 20 min.
2. Mix yogurt, chilly powder, garam masala, turmeric powder and oil. Add the above marinated chicken pieces. Mix well & keep aside for 5 to 6 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
4. Soak skewers for 15 min.
5. Arrange chicken pieces and bell peppers on skewers. Keep on a baking pan with foil on top.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Turn the skewers and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes.

Fruit Salad with Custard

It was my hubby's birthday this week and i was confused what kind of dessert to prepare for him. I wanted something not too sweet and something which looks lovely. While shopping, a mixed fruit box caught  my eye & suddenly thought of preparing him a birthday special Fruit Salad. The custard recipe is similar to my Vanilla custard recipe. It was really yummy & he enjoyed too.  I'm sure you'll also love it. Try it out !!

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Corn flour (Cornstarch)
• 2 cups Milk 
• 1 Egg  
• 1 tbsp butter 
• 1/2 cup or less Sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence   
• Sliced fruits

Directions

1. Whisk egg in a bowl. Add sugar and vanilla essence. Beat well and keep aside.
2. Mix cornflour and 5 tbsp milk separately and keep aside.
3. Take a container, melt butter on medium heat, add milk and stir. 
4. Transfer little hot milk from the container into the egg mixture. Stir & then pour the egg mixture into the boiling milk. Keep on stirring till you obtain a thick mix.
   
5. Allow it to cool and sieve the custard to avoid small lumps.
6. Refrigerate for 2 hours and mix with your favourite fruits. I have used strawberry, kiwi, pineapple, banana and grapes.
      
   Sharing this recipe with Winter Carnival event hosted by Radhika.