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.
   
   
   

Cinnamon Doughnut Holes

This doughnut holes were prepared from the earlier mentioned Doughnut recipe. The extra flour in the middle of the doughnuts were made into balls and fried in vegetable oil. Make a mix of 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar and 1 tsp Cinnamon powder. Coat the fried doughnuts with the mix and eat it before it cools.

Chicken Burrito Bowl

I got inspired to make this when i had it once from Chipotle Mexican Grill.  Burrito Bowl includes rice, fresh veggies and black beans/white beans. This is not the exact Chipotle style. Just a normal homemade recipe which i felt would taste similar. Hope you'll love it !

Ingredients for the Avocado sauce

1 Avocado 
1/4 cup diced Tomato

1/2 tsp chilly powder

1/2  tsp Garlic paste

1 tbsp chopped cilantro/coriander leaves

Salt to taste

Directions

1. Mash avocado and add chilly powder, garlic paste & salt. 
2. Mix well with tomato and chopped cilantro. Keep it aside.

Other Ingredients

1 cup White rice

1/2 cup grilled Chicken pieces

1/2  cup Black beans

1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup diced Tomatoes

1/4 cup Sour Cream

1 tsp Black pepper

Fresh Cilantro(Coriander leaves)

Bay Leaves 

Salt as required

Directions

1. Cook rice with salt and bay leaves.
2. Marinate black beans with pepper and salt.
3. Take a bowl and layer boiled rice mixed with chopped cilantro.
4. Top it with sour cream, black beans, chicken pieces, diced tomatoes and cheese.
5. Top with avocado sauce. You can have an awesome lunch or dinner. Its more tasty if Corn, Lettuce and Red Onion is included !

 

Halloween Sugar Cookies

Halloween is an annual holiday on October 31^st which is celebrated by attending costume parties,  watching horror movies, trick or treating, playing pranks etc.  All houses will be decorated with scary props,  halloween decorations, jack-o -lantern (carved pumpkins) & even the food items prepared will look scary (Scary cakes, cookies, desserts etc).  So i thought of making sugar cookies of witch hats & brooms…Enjoy making cookies & have a fun filled Halloween !!  BOO !!!!

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour (Maida) 
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar 
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence 
• 1/2 cup Butter 
• 1 Egg 
• 1/4 tsp Salt 

Directions

1. Preheat oven at 325 degrees F.
2. Whisk egg, sugar, salt, vanilla essence & butter thoroughly.
3. Add flour and mix thoroughly till a dough is formed.
4. Roll out the dough and cut different shapes using cookie cutters.
5. Arrange the cookies on baking sheets on a tray and bake for 12 min.
6. Take out the cookies & allow it to cool so that it becomes hard.
7. Decorate with icing and sprinklers. Icing can be prepared by mixing powdered sugar, few drops of vanilla essence & food colour. You can add little milk for mixing the icing. Hope you'll enjoy !

Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry

Stir frying is usually done in high heat with very little oil & by constantly stirring for few minutes. It is the most popular Asian cooking technique. Stir fries can be just veggies/veggies & meat/veggies and seafood combination. Here is the recipe of shrimp and veggie stir fry. Have a tasty meal or lunch of stir fry with rice, pasta etc.

Ingredients for marinating shrimp :

1/2 cup shrimp

1 tbsp Ginger garlic paste

1tbsp soya sauce

1tsp chilly powder 
1 tbsp lime juice

Salt as required
Vegetable Oil

Directions

Marinate for 1 hour & saute in any vegetable oil & keep aside.

Ingredients for the sauce :

4 tbsp Soya sauce
4 tbsp Honey


Directions

Mix both well & keep aside.

Other ingredients :

1/4 cup sliced Red Bell Pepper(Capsicum)
1/4 cup sliced Green Bell Pepper(Capsicum)
1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
1/2 cup cooked Broccoli florets
1/4 cup sliced Carrot
1/2 Onion
2 tsp Black pepper
1 tsp Red Pepper flakes
Salt
Olive Oil


Directions

1. Take a pan & stir fry onion & garlic in little oil. Add the other veggies & saute for few minutes.
2. Add fried shrimp, black pepper, red pepper flakes & salt. Cook for 2 minutes.
3. Transfer into a serving plate. Pour the prepared sauce on top & it will be more tastier if garnished with cashew nuts.

Chocolate Biscuit Pudding

Ingredients

25 Arrowroot biscuits

10 Hide & Seek biscuit/any chocolate biscuits

2 tbsp Butter
1/2 cup Granulated sugar
1/4 cup Cocoa powder
1 3/4 cup Milk

1 Egg
Cashew nuts
Cherries 

Directions 

1. Take a sauce pan. Melt butter. Add sugar and cocoa powder (dissolved in milk).
   
2. Take a separate bowl & add 2 tbsp of hot solution from saucepan & beat with the egg. Then transfer the egg solution into the saucepan. Stir continuously for sometime.
3. Allow it to cool and mix 17 crushed arrowroot biscuits into it.
4. Layer a container with remaining biscuits & the solution in alternative layers.
5. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
6. Make a solution of hide & seek biscuits with water & pour in a zig zag manner on top of the pudding.
7. Decorate with dry cherries & cashew nuts. Refrigerate for somemore time & its ready.
   
   

Paneer Tikka Masala

Ingredients for the marinade

• 3/4 cup sliced  Paneer  
• 2 tbsp Yogurt(Curd)  
• 1/2 tsp chilly powder 
• 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste 
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder 
• 1/2 tsp garam masala 
• 1/4 tsp corrander powder 
• Salt as required 
• Oil for frying

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients except paneer.  Marinate paneer  slices for 1 hour in refrigerator. 
2. Take a pan. Spread oil & fry the paneer on both sides till golden brown. 

Ingredients for the masala

• 1 cup finely chopped Onion 
• 2 tomatoes 
• 1 tbsp Yogurt(Curd) 
• 1/2 tsp Ginger Garlic paste 
• 1 tsp Chilly powder 
• 1/4 tsp Coriander powder 
• 1/2  tsp Cumin seeds 
• 1/2  tsp Garam masala 
• 1 tbsp Butter 
• 3 tbsp cashew paste 
• 2 small Bay leaves 
• 3/4 tsp fenugreek leaves 
• 2 Elachai 
• Few Corriander leaves 
• Salt as required

Directions

1. Cook the tomatoes, peel of the skin & blend. Keep aside.
2. Take a pan. Melt butter and add cumin seeds and ginger garlic paste. Saute.
3. Add finely chopped onion & sauté till golden brown. Add chilly powder, coriander powder, garam masala. Saute for some more time & then add bay leaves, fenugreek leaves, elachi & cashew paste.
4. Pour the tomato puree, salt & mix for some more time. Add remaining marinade & curd. Cook till the gravy thickens. 
5. Add the fried paneer & let it remain on the heat for 2 minutes.
6. Transfer to a bowl & garnish with coriander leaves & serve with naan or chapatti.