Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken stew baked with a biscuit crust and served with salad.  

Total Time....55 min (Prep - 10 min, Cook- 45 min)

Yield..............4 to 5 servings

Level.............Easy

Ingredients for the stew

• 1 Chicken breast
• 1/2 cup sliced Onion
• 1/2 cup sliced Potato
• 1/4 cup sliced Carrot
• 1/4 cup Green peas
• 1/4 cup Celery
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 3/4 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tbsp All purpose flour (Maida)
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 1/2 cup Milk
• Salt as required
• Oil as required

Ingredients for the biscuit crust

• 1 1/4 cup All purpose flour (Maida)
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1 1/2 tbsp Butter
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1 tbsp Oil 
• Egg white 
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven at 375 degrees C. 
2. Take a shallow pan. Add water, potato, carrot, onion and cook with a closed lid. 
3. Season chicken with oil, salt & back pepper. Bake for 25 to 30 min.
4. Take another shallow pan, add butter, flour & milk mixture, pepper and salt. Stir well until thick.
5. Take out the cooked chicken and preheat oven at 450 degrees F. 
6. Add the cooked vegetables, pulled chicken, bay leaf, celery, green peas, amd chicken broth.
7. Cook in a low flame till you obtain a thick gravy & till everything mix well.
8. Then take a food processor & put all the ingredients for the biscuit crust and blend till you obtain a soft dough.
9. Make small balls and then flatten in round shapes(1 inch thick) to fit inside the ramekins. Leave little space when arranging so that there is space for the dough to rise.
10. Take ramekins and pour the vegetable stew. Place the round dough on top and brush with egg white
11. Bake for 10 to 15 min. Serve hot with salad!

HAPPY 1st ANNIVERSARY TO ''YUMMY DELIGHTS'' !!!

I still can't believe that 1 year is over after I started blogging (Sep 15, 2011)! It was a thrilling experience to be in the Bloggers World :) I want to thank my family and friends for all the encouragement they have given me. I am really grateful to all my 223 blogger friends for their immense support through their lovely comments, awards and event participation!! Hubby was the one who gave me the confidence to start my own blog & criticized my cooking experiments :) My brother, sister & best friend were the ones who criticized in my food photographs, giving me the best suggestions and support to move forward with more perfection. And last but not the least I thank all my 926 Facebook fans for their support too :) Thanks a million to each and every one of you and I'm hoping that you all will keep on encouraging me :) Given below are some of the major happenings:

• My first posts: Strawberry Smoothie and Sausage-Chicken Pizza 
• Most viewed recipes: Fruit Custard and Chicken Tikka Masala 
• Recipes with max. no. of comments: Carrot Cupcakes and Raspberry Jam Tarts 
• First 2 blogger friends: Faseela and Julie 
• First 2 awards by: Amy  
• First event: Valentine's Day Event

As part of my Blogoversary celebration, I made a special cupcake that I got inspired to make when I once had from ''Cupcake Royal'' :) It was so so YUM!! Eventhough I couldn't beat them, I've tried to make something similar ;) Hope you all will love this!!

Total Time....1 hr (Prep - 10 min, Cook- 35 min, Inactive-15 min)

Yield..............5 to 6 cupcakes

Level.............Easy

Ingredients for the Chocolate Cupcake

• 1 3/4 cup All purpose flour(Maida)
• 1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 1/4 cup Sugar
• 3/4 cup Cocoa powder
• 2 Eggs
• 1 cup Milk
• 1/2 cup Oil
• 2 tsp Vanilla essence
• 1/2 tsp Salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven at degrees 350 degrees F(175 degrees C).
   
2. Sieve flour, baking powder and baking soda together.
3. Take a large bowl and mix butter and sugar thoroughly. Then add eggs and whisk.
4. Make a solution of cocoa powder and milk. Mix in this solution and flour alternatively.
5. Add vanilla essence, oil and salt. Mix everything thouroughly.
6. Bake for 15 to 20 min.

Ingredients for the Caramel Sauce

• 2 Egg Yolks
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1/4 cup Butter
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence

Directions:

1. Beat all ingredients and heat in a shallow pan & stir till it boils and become thick.
2. Allow it to cool.

Ingredients for the Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz Cream cheese
• 4 tbsp Butter
• 1/2 cup Caramel sauce (Prepare as shown above)
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups Powdered sugar

Directions

1. Whisk butter and sugar well. Then mix in caramel sauce.
2. Add cream cheese, vanilla and whisk thoroughly.
3. Frost & decorate the cupcakes once they are completely cooled.

Rice Krispies Kheer (Payasam)

Payasam (Kheer) is one of the unavoidable desserts for the South Indians during Onam festival. In my recipe I've used 'rice krispies cereal', which is entirely different from the usual traditional kheer preparations with 'vermicelli' or 'rice'. I'm sure you'll love it. Do give a try!

 

Total Time....1 hr 10 min (Prep - 5 min, Cook- 5 min, Inactive-1 hour)

Yield..............3 to 4 servings

Level.............Easy

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup Rice Krispies cereal
• 3 cups Milk 
• 1/2 cup Condensed milk
• 4 tbsp Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Cardamom powder
• 1/4 Cup Raisins
• 1/4 cup Cashewnuts
• 2 tbsp Ghee  
• Pinch of saffron

Directions:

1. Take a shallow pan and slightly fry cashewnut & raisins in ghee. 
2. Add cereal and saute for 2 min.
3. Pour milk, condensed milk and sugar. Then mix in saffron and cardamom powder. Stir till the milk boils.
4. Allow it to cool and refrigerate for 1 hour(minimum). If its too thick before serving, add more chilled milk & stir well.

I hope all the Keralites had a great Onam with the lovely celebrations and tasty Sadya :)    

 Wishing everybody a very HAPPY ONAM !!

Chicken Fingers

Chicken strips coated with herbed, cheesy & crispy mix. It goes perfect with tomato sauce, mayo,honey mustard dip etc. This is definitely a crunchy & tasty appetizer!!

Total Time....30 min (Prep - 10 min, Cook- 20 min)

Yield...............3 servings

Level..............Easy

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup Chicken strips
• 2 cups Crushed Corn flakes cereal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose Flour (Maida)
• 4 tbsp Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp dried Thyme
• 1/2 tsp Basil leaves
• 1 tsp black Pepper powder
• 1/4 cup Milk
• 1 Egg white 
• 3 tbsp Butter
• Salt as required 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven at 375 degrees F. (about 190.56 degrees C)
2. Beat egg white with little water thoroughly and keep aside.
3. Make a mixture of crushed cornflakes, cheese & garlic powder. Keep aside.
4. Take a separate  bowl and mix flour, milk, herbs, pepper and salt.
5. Dip the chicken strips first into the flour mixture, then into the egg mixture & then again into the flour mixture.
6. Finally coat evenly with corn flakes mix. Arrange on a baking pan and drizzle little butter.
7. Bake for 10 min. Turn the strips & bake for another 10 min.

Note: Same method can be used for preparing big chicken pieces. Increase the baking time to 50 to 55 min and serve hot with mashed potatoes :)

Tilapia Fish Curry

Tilapia pieces and green peas, cooked in a thick and spicy coconut gravy! It goes perfect with rice, paratha, roti etc.
.

Ingredients: 

• 3 Tilapia fish fillets
• 1 cup sliced Onion
• 1/2 cup Green Peas
• 1/2 cup Coconut milk 
• 1 tsp Ginger-Garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Red chilli powder
• 1 tsp Coriander powder
• 1 tsp Garam masala powder
• 3 tbsp Tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp Oil
• Salt as required 
  

Directions:

1. Clean the fish in water and lime juice(to reduce the smell) and marinate for 10 min with little red chilly powder, turmeric powder and salt.
2. Take a pan, pour oil & saute onion till golden brown. 
3. Make a paste of 1/2 cup cooled sauteed onion and add back to the pan with ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, coriander powder, remaining red chilly powder & fry for sometime.
4. Now add the peas and tomato sauce to it. Stir for some time.
5. Then add coconut milk and 1/4 cup water, mix it well and allow it to boil.
6. When it will starts boiling, add the marinated fish and cook with the lid closed for 3 min.
7. Then open the lid & cook so that the fish is cooked perfectly and a thick gravy will be formed. Serve hot!

Chicken & Vegetable Stir Fry

Simple, healthy & colourful dish of stir fried veggies and chicken strips served over plain rice. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups Chicken strips
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
• 6 tbsp Seasoned Rice Vinegar
• 2 tbsp Cornstarch
• 4 tbsp oriental Sesame Oil
• 1/4 cup Asparagus
• 1/4 cup sliced Carrots
• 1/4 cup sliced Grean Beans
• 1/2 cup chopped Cauliflower
• 1/2 cup sliced Yellow squash
• 1/2 cup chopped Celery
• 1/4 cup chopped Onions
• 1/4 cup chopped Mushroom
• 1 tsp Black Pepper
• 1/4 cup Water
• 2 cups Cooked rice
• Sriracha hot Chilly sauce

Directions

1. Take a small bowl & mix together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, chicken broth, cornstarch and water.
2. Stir fry vegetables in a skillet until soft.
3. Add chicken and sesame oil. Stir fry for 3 to 5 min.
4. Stir in sauce (1) and cook until the chicken is cooked thoroughly.
5. Serve over rice & drizzle with soy sauce and chilly sauce.

Choco Vanilla Cookies

Ingredients for the Vanilla dough

• 1 1/4 cup sifted all purpose Flour
• 8 tbsp Butter
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 1 Egg yolk
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence
• A pinch of Salt

Directions:

1. In an electric mixer beat butter and sugar. 
2. Add egg yolk and mix thoroughly.
3. Gradually add flour, salt and vanilla essence. Beat till a soft dough is formed. 
4. Cover in plastic wrap & refrigerate for half an hour. 
5. Unwrap and flatten using rolling pin to 1/2 inch thickness and in rectangular shape.

Ingredients for the Chocolate dough

• 1 1/4 cup sifted all purpose Flour
• 3 tbsp Cocoa powder
• 7 tbsp Butter
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 1 Egg 
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• A pinch of Salt 

 Directions:

1. In an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar. 
2. Mix thoroughly and add egg yolk. 
3. Gradually add flour, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla essence. Beat till a soft dough is formed. 
4. Cover in plastic wrap & refrigerate for half an hour. Unwrap and flatten using rolling pin to 1/2 inch thickness and in rectangular shape.
5. Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Place the vanilla on top of chocolate.
6. Cut into half & place one half on top of the other so that the colours come alternatively.
7. Cut into 1/4 inch length wise strips. Place all strips one above the other so that the chocolate & vanilla comes alternatively.
8. Wrap the logs in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour. Unwrap, cut into squares and bake for 10 to 12 min.

Note: (Brush egg white in between the dough while arranging & press slightly to join)

Vegetable Pakoras (Fritters)

Vegetables coated in a spicy batter and deep fried in vegetable oil.

Total Time......30 min (Prep -10 min, Cook-20 min)      
Yield...............15 to 20 pakoras
Level..............Easy

Ingredients

• 1 cup Gram flour(chick pea flour)
• 3 cups sliced vegetables (Carrot, Cabbage, Onion etc)
• 1 tsp Chilly powder
• 1/2 tsp Garam masala
• 1/2 tsp Corriander powder 
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder
• Salt as required
• Oil for frying

Directions:

1. Take sliced vegetables in a big bowl. Mix in gram flour, spices, ginger-garlic paste and salt. 
2. Add water and mix well so that the vegetables are well coated with the batter.
3. Heat oil in a shallow pan. When oil is really hot, drop the veggie batter.
4. Fry until golden brown and have a tasty tea time snack with some ketchup :)

Chocolate Strawberry Cake

This was a surprise cake prepared for my bro-in-law's wedding anniversary :) I was confused with many options but finally ended up in preparing the strawberry cake, as I always wanted to try out & ofcourse strawberries makes the occasion more romantic!!! This is a vegan recipe but beware of the chocolate frosting, chocolate strawberries and the cookies used for decoration, it is not vegan ;) Cake was a bit too sweet with all the frosting but it turned out to be delicious. Hope you will also love it. Give it a try!!

Ingredients for the cake

• 3 cups self-rising flour
• 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 lb organic Strawberries
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• Egg re-placer for 4 eggs

 Directions:

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees F.
2. Puree and strain the strawberries. Keep aside.
3. Take the flour and sugar in a bowl. Add vegetable oil and mix well.
4. Mix the pureed strawberries & combine thoroughly.
5. Add egg re-placer and vanilla essence. Mix everything well and pour in 2 cake pans.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 min. Insert a toothpick/skewer and check whether it comes out clean else you have to bake for some more time. 
7. Allow it to cool, prepare the frosting & start decorating!

Ingredients for the frosting and decoration

• 3 cups powdered Sugar
• 1/4 cup Earth Balance buttery spread
• 1/4 cup Soy milk 
  
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 12 oz Semi-sweet chocolate baking chips
• Chocolate sprinkler
• Cookies

Directions:

1. Whisk butter and powdered sugar. Then add Soy-milk and vanilla extract.
2. Whisk until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Spread in-between the 2 cakes.
3. Use melted semi-sweet chocolate baking chips for  frosting  the sides.
4. Decorate with chocolate strawberries, chocolate sprinkler and cookies!

Tuna Quesadilla

A quesadilla is made with tortilla filled mainly with cheese and other ingredients such as cooked meat, vegetables etc. This dish originated in Mexico, and the name is derived from the Spanish word queso(cheese). The filled tortilla is then toasted until the cheese melts and then sliced. The main ingredients in my recipe is tuna and blackbean and is served with Pico de Gallo/Salsa/Guacamole/sour cream.

Ingredients for quesadilla

• 6 Flour Tortillas
• 9oz canned Tuna
• 1/2 cup Black bean
• 1/4 cup chopped Onion
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped Cilantro
• Salt as required

Directions

1. Mix carefully all the ingredients except tortilla.
2. Take one tortilla and spread the mix. Place the other tortilla on top.
3. Grease a pan and add the quesadillas, one at a time and cook until lightly browned.
4. Turn and cook until cheese has melted.
5. Take off from the pan, cut into slices and serve.

 Appliance used for this recipe:

Sweet Momos

How about a bite of sweet momo??? .....mmm...yumm right! Here is my special recipe using coconut, sugar and raisin filling. Being a sweetaholic, I felt like giving a twist to the normal veg/meat momo recipe :) You can even replace the usual hot sauce with a chocolate sauce dip ;) This is not a traditional recipe but I'm sure anyone will love this different taste! So what are you waiting for? Wear your chef hat and get creative ;)

Ingredients for the dough

• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp Baking powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 cup lukewarm water 

Directions 

1. Mix all the ingredients and kneed the dough till soft and non-sticky. 
2. Cover and  keep aside for at least half an hour. 
3. Before rolling out, prepare the 'filling' as explained below. 

Ingredients for the filling

• 1 cup Coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup Raisins
• 1/2 cup Brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon powder
• 1/4 tsp Nutmeg powder
• 1/4 tsp Cardamom powder

Directions

1. Mix everything and keep aside.
2. Roll out the prepared dough for momo in small circles & place the filling inside. Close it by folding and pinching the dough to the top. 
3. Lay the momos without touching each other in a greased steamer.
4. Steam for at-least 10 minutes and then serve hot !

Spring Rolls

Spring rolls are a common type of appetizer/snack filled with meat, veggies etc. Of all the different names, the one which is more familiar to me is Lumpia. It is the name for spring rolls in the Philippines and Indonesia. Today I've prepared a veggie roll with a homemade wrap & a hot sauce dip. This sauce is not a traditional recipe but a normal tomato sauce with some extra spice in it.  Do try this as an appetizer or as a tea time snack.  Hope you all are enjoying the spring time & eagerly waiting to welcome the most awaited Summer time!....Have Fun!!!

Ingredients for the filling

• 1 cup thinly sliced vegetables (Carrot, Cabbage, Celery) 
• 1/4 cup Onion
• 2 tbsp Soya sauce 
• 1 tsp Ginger Garlic paste
• 3 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1 tbsp black pepper 
• Salt to taste

Directions 

1. In a frying pan, pour oil and saute onion and garlic. 
2. Add vegetables, salt, pepper & saute for few minutes.
3. Set aside and now prepare the wrapper.
   

Ingredients for the wrapper

• 1 cup All-purpose flour(Maida)
• 1 Egg
• 3/4 cup or more Water
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• Oil  

Directions

1. In a bowl beat egg well & add flour, water & salt. Mix thoroughly.
2. Heat a pan, spread little oil & pour the batter to make a thin wrapper.
3. Cook till the crepe pulls away from the pan. 
4. Fill it with the prepared veg filling, roll carefully and then deep fry in oil till golden brown.
5. Prepare the sauce as mentioned below.

Ingredients for the Hot sauce

• 1/2 cup Tomato sauce
• 4 to 5 Red chillies
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• Salt

Directions 

Blend everything together with little water and dip the rolls to enjoy the hot taste!

Coconut Cake Bites

I am sure everyone would be enjoying the warm Springtime now! Hence i thought of making colourful cake bites. This is a normal coconut cake recipe and the different colours of the decoration makes it more perfect for the season :) Few weeks back I had a great time experiencing the beauty of Springtime flowers at Tulip town. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of the destination events for the Pacific Northwest, held each year from April 1st- April 30th. During this time, thousands of people come to enjoy the celebration of spring as millions of tulips burst into bloom! The view was simply amazing!! I have shared a photo collage below. Hope you'll like it.  And now onto the recipe:

Ingredients for the Cake

• 1 1/4cup All purpose flour
• 2 Eggs
• 1 stick Butter
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence
• 3/4 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 cup sweetened Coconut Flakes
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 cup Coconut milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Fry coconut flakes slightly & keep aside.
3. Into a bowl whisk  flour, baking powder and salt together. Set aside. 
4. 

In another mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 
5. Add the eggs, vanilla extract and coconut milk. Mix well. 
6. Add the mixed dry ingredients, fried coconut flakes and combine thoroughly.  

7. Bake for 25 to 30 min.
8. Cool the cake and cut into round shapes using cookie cutter & apply frosting as explained below.

Ingredients for Honey butter cream frosting

• 2 tbsp unsalted Butter
• 2 tbsp Honey
• 1 oz Cream Cheese
• 1 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar

Directions

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until light and smooth. 
2. Add the confectioners sugar  and honey slowly  until thoroughly incorporated. 

3. Spread on the cake bites & decorate with coloured coconut flakes.

Ingredients for the Decoration

• Sweetened Coconut Flakes
• Food colours

Here is a glimpse of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival :)

Beef Momos

Momo is a type of dumpling mostly famous in Tibet and Nepal. They are made with a simple flattened dough filled with minced meat or veggies. There are different choices for momo shapes in which the most common are the basic round shapes, and the half-moon shapes. This is the recipe of a steamed Tibetan half-moon shaped Momo.

 Ingredients for the dough

• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp Baking powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 cup lukewarm water

Directions 

1. Mix all the ingredients and kneed the dough till soft and non-sticky. 
2. Cover and  keep aside for at least half an hour. 
3. Before rolling out, prepare the 'filling' as explained below.

Ingredients for the filling

• 3/4 cup ground beef
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
• 1 tsp Ginger garlic paste
• 2 tbsp Soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Black pepper
• Salt to taste
• Chopped cilantro 
• Oil

Directions

1. Take a bowl & mix all the ingredients well.
2. Then roll out the dough  and cut it into little circles (about the size of your palm)
3. Take one and hold the flat circular dough in your left hand and put a tablespoon of filling in the middle of the dough. Fold and  press together the two edges of the half circle. Start at one tip of the half-moon, and fold over a very small piece of dough, pinching it down until you reach the other tip of the half-moon.
4. Fill in all the rolled out dough and lay the momos without touching each other in a greased steamer.
5. Steam the momos for atleast 10 minutes and then serve hot with the hot sauce!
   

Ingredients for the Hot Sauce

• 2 Tomatoes
• 5 Red chillies
• 2 cloves of Garlic
• 2 tbsp chopped Cilantro
• 1/2 cup sliced Onion
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 tbsp Oil

Directions

1. Pour oil in a pan and saute onion. Add red chillies and garlic. Saute for some time.
2. Mix in sliced tomatoes, cilantro, salt & saute for some more time.
3. Allow it to cool it a little and make a paste using a food processor or blender.

 

  

Appliance used for this recipe:

Spicy Shrimp Masala

Do you need a recipe idea for Easter lunch/dinner? Here goes a spicy & rich recipe of shrimp coated with ground Indian spices!!! This dish goes perfect with rice, paratha, roti, naan, chapati etc. This is interesting, easy to prepare and ofcourse delicious!!! Here are the ingredients for the mouthwatering dish:

Ingredients for grinding

• 1/2 cup Onion 
• 2 Red Chillies 
• 1 tsp G-G paste 
• 2 Tomato 
• Salt as required

Other ingredients

• 1 cup Cooked Shrimp  
• 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil 
• 1/2 cup Onion 
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric  
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper 
• 1/4 cup Grated coconut 
• 1 tsp Fish masala 
• 1/2 tsp Garam masala 
• 1 tbsp Vinegar   
• Mustard seeds 
• Cumin seeds
• Cilantro(Corriander leaves)
• Salt as required

Directions

1. Saute all the 'ingredients for grinding' in 1 tbsp vegetable oil & grind to a fine paste. Keep aside.
2. Pour oil in a pan & put mustard & cumin seeds. Add grated coconut & saute till brown.
3. Add Onion & tomato. Saute well & mix black pepper, turmeric, fish masala, garam masala and vinegar.
4. Saute  for some time & mix the ground paste, and little water. Add shrimp & cook with the pan closed for 5 to 8 min till you obtain a thick gravy. Then garnish with cilantro & its ready to serve!

 

Fruit and Nut Cornflakes

Today i was craving for a chocolaty breakfast & thought of giving a twist to my usual milk & fruit combo with cornflakes. Grabbed some nuts, chocolates, fruits & tried out this delicious combo! This yummy breakfast includes:

• Cornflakes
• Cashewnuts
• Raisins
• Banana
• Apple
• Milk
• Sugar
• Chocolate syrup

Mix everything up with the quantity you desire & start a chocolaty morning with this scrumptious breakfast!! Enjoy & have a great day :) :)

Easter Egg Carrot Cupcakes

Easter marks the end of Lent(a forty-day period of fasting and prayer which begins on Ash Wednesday) that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ (three days after his death by crucifixion). It is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of the church year. Easter customs vary across the world but one of the oldest & common tradition is to use painted chicken eggs and hide the brightly colored eggs for children to find on Easter morning! But the modern practice is to substitute chocolate/plastic eggs filled with confectioneries. The egg is used as a symbol of the start of new life (just like a new life emerging from an egg when the chick hatches out). So, i thought of baking a carrot cupcake with cream cheese frosting, decorated with coloured coconut flakes & egg shaped candies. This is a common type of decoration but still i wanted to give it a try once :) Isn't that really cute? I used to have shop bought carrot cakes but this was my first trial & i totally loved the homemade taste! Hope you'll also love these :)

And now, I am taking this opportunity to thank all those who entered the giveaway. The winners were chosen through Random.org. The lucky winners of the 'The New Green Smoothie Diet' eBook are:

• Hema @ Aromatic Cooking
• Prathibha @ Cook-Ezee
• Reshmi @ Noel Collection

Congrats all three of you! Hope you will love this eBook. Please mail to yummydelights@hotmail.com with subject as ''Winner of Giveaway'' so that i can mail the eBook to you :) Hope you'll love reading & experimenting the lovely recipes in it! Now coming onto the cupcake recipe:

Ingredients for the cupcake

• 1 cup all-purpose Flour
• 1 tsp Baking soda
• 1/2 tsp Salt 
• 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
• 1/4 tsp Nutmeg powder
• 2 Eggs
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• 3/4 cup Vegetable Oil
• 1 cup grated Carrots
• 1 cup chopped Walnuts 
• 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence

Directions

1. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F and fill the cupcake molds with paper cups.
2. Whisk sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla essence in a cake mixer. 
3. Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg together. Mix with the above batter.
4. Add sugar and salt. Whisk until smooth.
5. Stir in carrots, coconut flakes and walnuts.
6. Fill 12 cupcake liners 3/4th full and bake for 20 to 25 min.

Ingredients for the Cream Cheese Frosting

• 3 oz Cream Cheese
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla essence

Directions

1. Whisk cream cheese, butter & vanilla in a mixer.
2. Then add sugar & blend until smooth.
3. Spread frosting on the cupcake.

Ingredients for the Decoration

• Coconut flakes
• Food colours
• Egg shaped candies

Directions 

Mix the food colours with the coconut flakes & spread on top of the frosted cupcakes with the egg shaped candies. Sit back & enjoy the pretty & delicious cake :) Wishing you all a Happy Easter in advance!

Cupcake pan & Cake mixer useful for this recipe:

Croissant BBQ Chicken Sandwich

Here is a simple Croissant Sandwich with pulled BBQ chicken and Coleslaw filling! This recipe is very easy, delicious & you can prepare in no time!!! Before going into the recipe details, i wanted to inform you that i've started event albums for monthly food blog events in my FB page. March & April albums are now open. Do check it out here & let me know your 'event with the link'(if yours is not mentioned there). Hope you'll find this more useful for sharing recipes without missing any of the monthly events :) And now coming onto the recipe details:

Ingredients for the Coleslaw

• 1/4 cup minced Onion
• 1/2 cup shredded Carrot
• 1 cup chopped Cabbage
• 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
• 1/2 tbsp Sugar
• 1/2 tbsp Vinegar
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

1. Combine mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper.
2. Add cabbage, carrots & onion to the above dressing.
3. Mix well & refrigerate for at-least 1 hour.

Ingredients for the BBQ Chicken

• 2 cooked Chicken breasts
• 3/4 cup Honey BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped Onion
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/2 cup water
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a pan, add the onion, sauce, pepper, garlic, salt and water. Bring to boil.
2. Shred the cooked chicken with fork & add to the above sauce.
3. Close the pan and simmer till the chicken is drenched.

Other Ingredients

• Croissants
• Potato Chips

Take a croissant & carefully slit open one side & fill it with pulled BBQ chicken, Coleslaw and enjoy with potato chips :) Voila!!!!