Super soft and Fluffy Cake in Sandwich Maker 

Who Says you need a Oven or Microwave to make a Cake!! All you need is a Sandwich Maker. Honestly  don't prefer using Pressure Cooker to make a cake as I find the process tiring and then the Cooker does not work well for other purposes. You may not be able to make complicated Cakes in the SW Maker however t will help you to satisfy your Cake Pangs.

Actually I find this method to be quicker as the Cake is ready in 2 minutes. You can take any simple recipe and make this. I used a Egg less Vanilla Cake Recipe. The cake recipes with eggs will come out much better for sure, however, due to the food choice of my family members I did not try it yet.

Ingredients

Maida or APF - 1 Cup
Sugar - 1/2 Cup
Curd- 1/2 Cup
Milk- /4 Cup
Cooking Oil - 1/2 Cup
Baking Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Vanilla Essence - 1 Teaspoon

Method

• In a mixing bowl, add all ingredients except APF and Baking powder and whisk it well.
• Sieve Baking Powder and APF together 2-3 times.
• Now add the sieved Mixture to the ingredients in the mixing bowl and mix till they are all combined well.
• Meanwhile, switch on the SW maker and once its ready, grease it with some oil and pour the prepared batter into the SW maker.
• Close the SW maker and leave it for a minute or 2.
• If required you can flip it and do the other side for like 30 seconds.
• Enjoy Your Cake.

Note: The picture you see above is cooked for a minute on each side on the SW maker. The below picture in when I left it for more time (2-3 minute) to brown well.

I personally liked the 2nd One while my hubby liked the first one so cook it as per your wish. 

Alo Stuffed Bread Pakora(Bhajji) with 1 Tablespoon of Oil 

During one of the sleepless nights, I went about browsing the channels and found a chef using this 1 Tablespoon of Oil technique instead of Deep Frying. I was thinking of some recipe to try it out and I had my lightbulb moment and decided to make some Bread Pakoras using the same technique. I have used Homemade Potato Bread and some leftover Potato Masala  to make this.

Believe me, it was tasting amazing and you can eat them without any guilt. As I used homemade Bread, I made Thicker Slices,you can use thin or thick slices and either way they will taste yum. Instead of Potato you can add any filling or any Sabzi which is leftover. I also had some Leftover Mint chutney that I added which took the Pakora to another level.

The major Trick in the recipe is the consistency of the batter. If you make this think the batter will runny and this technique wont work. On the other hand if the batter is Thick then you will face difficulty in smoothing them over the bread.

Basically take whatever is available in your kitchen and experiment with this technique.

I have found another technique to make these Pakoras with even less than 1 Tablespoon of Oil which I will share with you soon.

Ingredients
Bread Slices - 4 (As much as you need, I have used Homemade Whole Wheat Potato Bread)
Mint Chutney - 1 Teaspoon (As Required)
Potato Curry - As required
Besan/ Gram Flour - 2 Tablespoon
Hing or Asafoetida - A generous Pinch
Sooji or Semolina - 1 Teaspoon
Cornflour - 1/2 Tablespoon (Optional)
Water - 1/4-3/4 Cup (Based on Besan/Gram flour quality)
Hot Oil - 1 Teaspoon
Salt - To Taste
Oil - 1 Tablespoon for Making the Pakoras

Method

• In a mixing bowl, add the Gram flour,sooji,cornflour,salt and hot oil, asafoetida and mix them well.
• Adding Hot oil will ensure that the crust is crispy and the Batter absorbs less oil while cooking.
• Now add water little by little and mix well.This should be of Idli Batter consistency neither too thick nor too Thin.
• Heat a Non stick Tava and add a tablespoon of Oil.
  
• Circulate the Tava or griddle so that the whole Tava is smeared with Oil. 
• Now take the bread slices and smear some Mint Chutney on 2 slices.
• Now place the Potato Stuffing on one of the slices and place another slice smeared with mint chutney on top of this.
• Now take this sandwich and dip it in the prepared batter.
• Ensure that it is coated with batter from all sides.
• This was pretty easy and not as difficult as it sounds, however, if you a beginner then you can insert a toothpick into the sandwich to ensure that they don't fall apart when you dip them in the batter. 
• Once the Sandwich is coated with Batter from all sides, place this on the Hot Oil Smeared Tava or Griddle.
• Allow it to cook on one side (maybe a minute or 2) and flip and cook it.
• It will be crispy and would have got a nice colour. 
• As I had Thicker slices,my cooking time was more. I also cooked them on the sides.
• Now your Alo Stuffed Bread Pakora is ready to be gobbled. 

Whole Wheat Potato Bread

I have read in many blogs and posts that adding Vital Gluten improves the texture of the Bread. However, I was not so sure of whether Gluten is good or bad for Health, so did a Google and found this article.

Then my next search was to look for alternatives and I found that using Mashed Potatoes or Milk or Milk Powder enhanced the quality of the Bread. Here is my first try of making WW Bread with Mashed potatoes. I made it as a Masala Bread, you can skip it and make it as a Potato Bread. 

 

Ingredients

• Potato – 2 (Medium, Boiled, peeled and mashed)
• Whole Wheat Flour – 3 -4 Cups ( I needed around 3.5 Cups of Wheat Flour as this would depend upon on the Potato and its moisture)
• Dried Herbs - 1 Teaspoon (Optional)
• Garlic - 6 Pods (Peeled and Finely Chopped)
  
• Chilli Flakes - A Generous Pinch (Optional )
• Luke Warm Water - 1 Cup
• Dry Yeast - 1.5 Teaspoon (1 Teaspoon Instant yeast, 1.5 teaspoon Active Dry or 3 teaspoon Fresh Yeast)
• Sugar- 1 tablespoon
• Salt - 1 Teaspoon (Adjust to taste)
• Oil - 1 Tablespoon (I used Olive Oil)

Method

•  In a mixing bowl, place the luke warm water and add the sugar and stir it well.
•  To this add the Dry yeast and cover with a plate and leave it aside till it is frothy.
• In another mixing bowl, place the Wheat Flour and Salt and add Butter or Oil and mix it well.
• To this add Mashed potatoes, Dried Herbs, Garlic, salt, Chilli Flakes and Mix well.
• To this add the Yeast water and knead for 8-10 minutes or till you get a smooth pliable dough.
• I felt the dough needed more Flour as the moisture was more so I added Flour Tablespoon by tablespoon till I got a smooth Pliable Dough.
• Now place this dough in a oiled bowl and cover it with a damp cloth and allow it to rise. This may take 1 Hour.
• Once the Dough has doubled, bring the dough to the top of the kitchen counter and punch it down and knead for couple of minutes.
• Then shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased Loaf tin. Cover it lightly with a damp cloth and allow it to rise for 30-45 minutes.
• After 30-45 minutes, Bake it in a Pre heated Oven for 30 minutes at 180C and Broil for 5 minutes.

 .

Bombay Veg Grilled Sandwich recipe 

I am sure you would noticed the new look of my Blog. I simply love it as it is simple and neat. I don't like anything that's too fancy. Anyway, during re-designing of my blog I was updating some tags and that's when I realized I did not have even a single Sandwich recipe on my Blog. This recipe is inspired from here. However I have adapted to my taste and what was available in my pantry.

Ingredients

Bread Slices - 6 or More (Depending on how many you want to eat)
Potatoes - 2 (Boiled, Peeled and Sliced into circles)
Onions - 2 (Peeled and Sliced into Circles)

For Marinade
Oil - 3 Tablespoon ( I used Olive Oil)
Red Chilly Powder - 1 Tablespoon
Salt - To taste
Cumin Powder - 1 Teaspoon

For Spread
Thick Curd/Yogurt - 1/2 Cup
Tomato Ketchup - 1 Tablespoon



Method

• In a plate, add some oil and to it add Red Chilly powder, Cumin Powder and Salt and Mix well.
• To this add the sliced Potatoes and coat them with the marinade. 
• If you have some time, you can allow it to rest for some time,however be careful as it will release water if you leave it for longer time. 
• Also add the sliced onion to the marinade and coat it well with the marinade.
• Now heat a Tava with some oil and once it is hot arrange the marinated potatoes and get them cooked and keep it aside.
• Now in the same tava cook the Marinated onions too.
• Now in a bowl, mix Curd and Ketchup well.
• Take a slice and spread the Yogurt- Ketchup mix on the bread slice. Spread this like how you will spread butter on Bread.
• Now on this place some Cooked potatoes and Onions and Cover with it another Bread slice.
• If you want, you can spread the Yogurt-Ketchup spread on this slice also, I did as I love Yogurt.
• I used a sandwich maker as I have one. So I pre heated my sandwich Maker and brushed some oil, then placed the prepared Sandwich in that and locked the sandwich maker.
• After a minute or so my Sandwich was ready.
• I also tried making this on the Tava top and it also turned out great.

Samai Kozhukattai (Little Millet)

One more recipe from my Mom's repertoire. After the millets started to be in rage, I ask her for recipes using these Millets and she immediately gives me a yummy and easy recipe.

Samai - 1 Cup
Yellow Moong Dal - 2 Tablespoon
Black peppercorns - 1 Teaspoon
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 Teaspoon
Grated Coconut - 1/4 Cup (Optional)
Oil - 1 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds - 1/4 Teaspoon
Dry Red Chilly - 2
Gram Dal - 1/2 Teaspoon
Hing or Asafoetida - A generous Pinch
Salt - To Taste
Water - 3 Cups

Method

• In a mixer, add the Moong Dal, Samai, Cumin Seeds and Peppercorns and pulse it so it is all coarsely grounded.
• Place a Kadhai in stove and add oil and once the oil is hot, add the Mustard seeds and once it splutters add the red Chilly, Gram Dal and Saute for 10 seconds.
• Add the Asafoetida and add the water and Salt.
• Once the water starts boiling, add the mixture in the mixer and stir well.
• Check for seasoning and cover with a lid and cook till it is done or all water is gone.
• Once it is cooked, add the coconut and stir it well and switch off the flame.
• Once the mixture is warm enough for your hands to handle, take little portion of the mixture and shape into Kozhukattais. (Keep them in same size so they can get cooked evenly)
• Meanwhile, pour water into the idli pot and grease the Idly plates.
• Place the prepared Kozhukattais in the greased idly plates and steam them for 5-7 Minutes.

Notes

• It tasted good as such, if you want you can make Chutney or Sambhar.
• My mom said that once you cook the Samai , it should be kept covered throughout , while shaping them and after steaming them. After cooking, there were hardly any to keep as it was so tasty and healthy.

Tutti Fruitti bread 

I have loads of Bread recipe on my blog, this is one Bread that I always wanted to try as this is the Bread that we use buy from the Iyengar Bakery when I was young. We had a Bakery on our street corner, so we were aware of their Baking routine, so we will go and buy them as soon as they Bake them.

Ingredients

Maida or APF - 2.5 to 3.5 Cups (I used a little more than 3 Cups)
Warm Water - 1 Cup
Dry Instant Yeast - 1 Teaspoon
Salt - 1 Teaspoon
Sugar - 2-3 Tablespoon (I used 2 Tablespoon and it was mildly sweet, next time I will add 3 Tablespoon)
Butter or Olive Oil - 1 tablespoon (I used Butter, use Olive Oil for Vegan Version)

Tutti Frutti - 2-3 Tablespoons

Method

• In a mixing bowl, place the Warm Water and add Sugar to it and mix well. 
• To this add the yeast and mix well and keep this aside for 10 minutes or till the yeast is activated.
• To this add the butter, Flour, Salt and start kneading it.
• Then add Tutti Frutti and Knead it for 10  inutes till you get a soft, pliable dough.
• Depending on the quality of Maida, you may need anywhere between 2.5 Cups to 3 Cups.
• Now place this in a bowl and smear some oil if required and cover with a damp cloth and allow it to double in size.
• This may take 1-2 Hours depending on the climatic conditions.
• After it has doubled in size, remove it from the bowl and place it on the clean kitchen counter dusted with some flour.
• Punch the dough to get the air outside and start kneading the dough.
• Knead it for about 5-8 minutes.
• Now shape it into a loaf or bun or any desired shape.
• Place the loaf /Bun in the Greased loaf/Baking tin and allow it rise for 45-60 Minutes.
• This time also cover the Loaf with teh damp cloth.
• After 45-60 minutes, pre heat the oven at 180C for 10 minutes and brush the top of the Bread with milk or Egg or Oil.
• Bake the Bread at 180C for 30 minutes or till it is done.
• Cool it to room temperature before slicing.

Bread Cigar Rolls

I found this recipe in one of the Facebook groups that I am part of, my bad that I noted the recipe but forget the blog Name.  Sorry!!! I have used the Idea of Bread Cigar roll and modified it to my taste.

This is a quick snack that can be prepared in no time. As I bake my own Bread (Check some of my bread recipes Here), I always have stock of Bread and I made this with some leftover Bread and it tasted Yum.

Ingredients

Bread Slices - 5 Slices (I used my Vegan Whole Wheat Bread)
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1/2 Teaspoon
Green Chillies - Finely Chopped
Onion - 1(Small, finely Chopped, Optional)
Roasted Cumin Powder - A generous Pinch (Optional)
Chat Masala - A Generous Pinch (Optional)
Salt - To taste
Oil - For tava/Pan Fry

Method

• Grind the Bread Slices along with all ingredients except Onions, if adding and Oil.
• Transfer the mixture from Mixer to a bowl and mix it well together .
• It should look like a tough dough. 
• If you are unable to get it together then sprinkle some water to get it together.
• Shape it into thin cigars using this dough.Roll them tightly or else they will break. 
• In a Tava/pan, heat some Oil, once it is hot, arrange these cigars rolls on it.
• Cook on each side, till it slightly golden brown.
• Enjoy with Mayonnaise or Tomato ketchup. 

Sweet Potato Tikki/Cutlet (Sakkaravalli Kizhangu Cutlet)

I had some Sweet Potatoes in my Kitchen, so I was thinking of a recipe to use this vegetable. I did not want to make the usual curry or Fry with this. That's when my hubby told, in North India during the fasting time they make this and eat. So that minute I decided that I will make the Tikki. I made all preparations, shaped it and kept it in Fridge and used it only after 24 Hours. However, it is completely up to you. You can prepare it Fresh or make it well ahead, shape it and store them in fridge.

Please read the Notes for more information and Variations.

Ingredients

Sweet Potato - 4 or 5
Garam masala - 1/2 Teaspoon (read Notes)
Red Chilly Powder - 1 Teaspoon (read Notes)
Dry Mango powder or Amchur Powder - 1/4 Teaspoon (read Notes)
Roasted Cumin powder - 1/2 Teaspoon (read Notes)
Chat Masala - A generous Pinch (read Notes)
Black Salt - To Taste (read Notes)
Oil - 1 Teaspoon + For tava Frying

Method

• Wash the sweet potatoes and cook them in pressure cooker with enough water for 3-4 whistles.
• Allow the Pressure cooker to come down to room temperature on its own.
• Then remove the skin and mashed the sweet potatoes well. I used a grater and grated them to ensure that they were homogeneously mashed.
• To this add all ingredients except Oil and mix well.
• For me the moisture and texture everything was fine, so I did not add any other Flour. However, if you are unable to get the mixture together than you can add 1-2 Tablespoon of Besan/Kuttu/Madia/Cornflour depending on the availability and taste.
• Once the mixture is kneaded well, coat it with a spoon of oil and rest it for 10 minutes.
• This is completely optional, however I have found if you rest it for 10-15 minutes, the flavour gets enhanced.
• Cover the Mixture to avoid it from getting dry.
• After 10 minutes, shape into Tikki or any desired shape.
• Heat a Tawa with 1 Tablespoon of oil and arrange the shaped tikki on Medium flame and cook they are done on both Sides.

Notes

• You can prepare, shape and store in fridge for later use. So it is a good Make Ahead Snack.
• If you cook the sweet potato with little amount of water, then you may not need any flour to be added.
• You can add any Flour based on your taste and diet style.
• When it comes to Masala Powder, add or Omit any dried masala Powder based on your taste and Availability. I have added the Dry masala based on what was available to me in my Kitchen.
• You can add Regular Salt, I added it as I have Black Salt at my home.
• I have added a little more Red Chilly powder than usual as my sweet potato was too sweet, so adjust it to your Taste.

Rice Flour Kozhukattai/ Arisi Maavu Kozhukattai 

I love Kozhukattai and I have a variety of Kozhukattai Recipes in my Blog. This one is a easy to make Kozhukattai , if you have ready made Processed Rice Flour.

Do check other Kozhukattai recipes Here.

Ingredients

Processed Rice Flour - 1 Cup
Mustard Seeds - 1/2 Teaspoon
Dry Red Chillies - 4 or 5.
Broken Gram Dal - 1/2 teaspoon
Broken Urad Dal - 1/2 teaspoon
Hing or Asafoetida - A generous Pinch
Water - 2.5 Cups
Coconut - 1/4 Cup (Grated, Optional)
Oil - 1 teaspoon (Preferably Coconut Oil)

Method

• Take a Kadhai/Large Vessel and heat a teaspoon of oil and once the Oil is hot add the Mustard seeds and allow them to splutter.
• Then add the gram Dal, Urad Dal and Dry Red Chillies and saute. 
• Add Hing/asafoetida, to this and add the water and Salt to taste. 
• Allow the water to boil and then add the Processed Rice Flour while stirring it.
• Also add the grated Coconut to this. 
• Cover and cook for 5 minutes or till all the water is absorbed.
• Now switch off the flame and keep the prepared dish aside.
• Now take a Steamer or Idly pot and add water to the steamer and allow it to Boil.
• Meanwhile, Grease the Idly plates/plates in which you are planning to steam the Kozhukattais.
• By now, the prepared mixture would have come to bearable heat.
• Now wet your hands and take a good amount of the prepared mixture and shape into a ball or any desired shape.
• Arrange the prepared balls in the greased plates.
• Now place this in the steamer and steam for 10 -12 minutes.
• Allow it to cool for 5 minutes and serve.

Notes

• Start making them into balls only when it the prepared mixture is of bearable heat to your hands or else allow it to cool for some more time.
• Adding Coconut is optional, however it takes this recipe up by few notches.
• While adding the Mustard seeds, Dal and Hing keep the stove on low flame.
• Using coconut Oil brings a nice flavour to this recipe.
• You can grease your hand with coconut Oil while shaping these Kozhukattais. 

Lunch Menu 20 - Brunch Ideas - Rava Idly, Masala Dosa, Coconut Chutney, Onion Chutney, Aval Kesari and Sweet Pongal 

On a Lazy Sunday, we usually tend to get up late. So it is late for Breakfast and early for Lunch, so I prefer heavy brunch on weekends.

Click on the below links for the recipe:

• Rava Idly
• Masala Dosa
• Coconut Chutney (Recipe coming soon)
• Aval Kesari
• Onion Chutney (Recipe coming soon)
• Sweet Pongal (Recipe Coming soon)

Whole Wheat Olive Crackers 

I found this great recipe in one of the groups I am part of and I tried it immediately as it is simple, Healthy and super tasty.

I did this in the food Processor, so the dough was ready like in a minute.

Ingredients

Whole Wheat Flour - 1 Cup
Olive Oil - 5 Tablespoon
Salt - To Taste
Curry Leaves - 5 (Chopped)
Coriander Leaves - 2 Twigs (Chopped)
Dried Italian Herbs - 1/2 Teaspoon (Optional, add your choice of Herbs)
Garlic Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon (Or else 2 Cloves of Garlic)
Baking Powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Black Pepper - 1/2 Teaspoon
Water - As required

Method:

• Add all the ingredients except water in a bowl and mix well.
• Add water little by Little and knead into a smooth pliable Dough.
• I did this step in a food processor.
• Let it rest for 15 minutes.
• Pre heat the oven at 180C and line a Baking tray with aluminium foil and grease the foil with Olive Oil.
• Dust the kitchen counter with some flour, place the rested dough and roll into a big disc using a rolling Pin.
• Keep the thickness as 1 mm while rolling it.
• Using a Knife or Pizza cutter, cut them into desired shape and place them on the greased aluminium foil.
• Brush the top of the Crackers with Some Olive Oil.
• Bake this at 180C for 20 minutes, flip the crackers after 10 minutes so it is cooked on both sides.
• Every Oven is different so keep a close eyes on the baking time. 
• The Baking time will also vary based on the thickness of these crackers. 
• Once it is done, it may be soft, once it cools done it becomes crispy.
• Once cooled down, store it in a air tight container.
• If you store it for some time and if it becomes soft, just heat for a minute in Oven. 

Spinach Bread/ Green Bread with Whole Wheat Flour 

 To do colored bread was in my wish list for a long time. However, I am wanting to get the color using natural ingredients. So I was wanting to experiment with Spinach, Beet and Carrot to get natural colors. The first one I tried was Spinach Bread and it was a super duper success. I used Whole Wheat flour, you can use APF too for making this.

Ingredients

Whole Wheat Flour - 3 Cups
Spinach/Palak Puree - 1 Cup (For the recipe click here or you can use Blanched Spinach Too)
Olive Oil or Butter - 1 Tablespoon
Sugar - 1 Teaspoon
Salt - 1 Teaspoon
Garlic - 3 (Peeled and finely Chopped, Optional)
Dry Instant yeast - 1 Teaspoon
Warm Water - 3/4 Cup - 1 Cup

Method

• In a bowl, place 1/2 Cup of warm water (Not too warm and not too cold too), add sugar to this and add the Yeast and mix it.
• Cover the bowl with a lid and leave it aside for 5 minutes for the yeast to activate.
• Once it is activated, add the finely chopped Garlic and Salt and the Spinach Puree and mix
  
  well.
• To this add the Whole Wheat flour and start kneading.
• Add warm water little by little as required, depending on the moisture content in your spinach puree and the quality of flour the water amount may vary.
• Knead till you get a soft and slightly sticky dough.
• Place this dough in a bowl and grease the dough with Olive Oil.
• Cover with a wet kitchen towel and allow it to double, it may take upto 60-90 minutes.
• Once the dough as doubled, bring it to your kitchen counter.
• Dust the kitchen counter with Flour and place the doubled dough.
• Punch it down and knead it for 5 minutes.
• Shape it into loaf and place it in a greased loaf tin.
• Cover it with a wet Kitchen towel and allow it to raise for 30 -45 minutes.
• Using a sharp knife , make some incisions on the top (This step is optional)
• Pre heat the oven at 180 C for 10 minutes.
• Bake the Bread at 180c for 45 minutes or till it is done.
• Cool completely before slicing this. 

Whole Wheat Bread Sticks

Ingredients

Whole Wheat Flour - 2 Cup +1/2 cup (Based on your wheat flour quality you may or may not need the extra 1/2 Cup of Wheat Flour)
Oats - 1/2 Cup (I used Quaker Cooking Oats)
Maida or APF - 1/2 Cup
Warm Water - 1.5 Cups
Salt - 1 Tablespoon
Sugar - 1 Teaspoon
Dry Instant Yeast - 1 Teaspoon
Honey - 1.5 Teaspoon
Oregano or Italian Herb Mix - 1 Tablespoon
Olive Oil - 1 Tablespoon
Garlic Powder - 1/4 Teaspoon (Adjust to taste or add freshly grated Garlic Pods)



Method

• Take warm water in a mixing bowl and add sugar and add the yeast and mix.
• Allow it to rest for 5 minutes so the yeast gets frothy.
• Then add Oats, Maida and Whole Wheat Flour and mix.
• Add Honey, salt to this and knead into smooth and pliable dough.
• Depending on the quality of the wheat flour you may need some extra wheat flour.
• Now grease a Bowl with Olive Oil and coat the dough with Oil.
• Cover the bowl with kitchen cloth and allow it to rest for 60 - 90 minutes or until it is doubled.
• Once it is doubled, bring it down to a counter and punch it down.
• Add Garlic powder, Oregano or Herb Mix and knead it for 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, Grease a baking tray or dish with oil or place an aluminum foil
• Place the prepare dough on greased tray and spread the dough to a 1/2 Inch Thickness.
• Using a knife or Pizza cutter, cut them into bread sticks.
• Pre heat the oven at 200c for 10 minutes and bake the Bread sticks for 15 - 20 minutes or till it is cooked.
• Mine had a beautiful crust on top and spongy inside.
• Depending on how crisp or soft you want your bread sticks, you can spread it thinly and bake it longer.

Apple Whole Wheat Cake 

I love Apple based Desserts, and I do have couple of them in my blog. When you find time, do try them. I have made it with whole wheat flour, you can substitute it with 1:1 of Maida or APF and Wheat flour or make it 100% Maida or APF.

Ingredients

Apple - 1 (Medium sized, Peeled cored and Chopped)
Baking Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Whole Wheat Flour - 2 Cups
Cinnamon Powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Brown Sugar or Regular Sugar - 3/4 Cup (I added 1 Cup as my Apple was not sweet enough, adjust to your taste)
Refined Oil - 1/4 Cup
Apple Juice - 1 Cup (Can use water , if not available)
Lemon Juice - 1 teaspoon
Vanilla Essence - Few Drops

Method

• Pre heat the oven at 180C and grease the baking tin.
• In a mixing bowl add the Wheat flour, Baking powder, Cinnamon Powder and mix well.
• In another bowl, mix Sugar and Oil and whisk well.
• Now add this to the mixed dry ingredients.
• Then add the Lemon Juice, A pinch of salt, chopped Apples, Vanilla essence and mix well.
• Add water or Apple Juice and mix well, till you get a nice cake batter.
• Pour this into the prepared Baking tin and bake for 45-60 minutes at 180C  
• Cool it completely before slicing it.

Beetroot Cutlet/Beet Tikki 

I have lot of tikki recipes in my blog but officially this is the best Tikki that I have ever tasted. This recipe I got from a local Cookery show that I got to see by chance. Honestly I was very skeptical about making Beet Tikkis and to my surprise it tasted Fabulous.

Click Here to check the other Tikki recipes on my blog.

Ingredients

Beet Root - 300 Grams (I de-skinned, Boiled and Grated it)
Potato - 1 (Large, De-skinned, Boiled and Grated)
Whole Wheat Bread Slices - 2  (Pulse it in the Mixer)
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1/2 Teaspoon
Onion - 1 (Medium, finely Chopped)
Chilly Powder - 1 Tablespoon
Coriander Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Garam Masala - 1/2 Teaspoon
Roasted Peanuts - 4-5 Tablespoon (Add more or less depending on your taste, you can skip it too, these add a nice crunch to the cutlet)
Salt - To Taste
Rawa/Sooji/Bread Crumbs - 4 Tablespoon (To coat the Cutlet)
Maida/Cornflour - 2-3 Tablespoon
Oil - To Tawa Fry the cutlets

Method

• In a kadai,  heat a tablespoon of Oil and add the onions and saute for 2 minutes and add the the following masala on the low flame: Chilly powder, Coriander powder, garam Masala and Ginger Garlic paste and saute for 45 seconds.
• Now place this in a mixing bowl and to this add the grated Beet and Grated Potato and Pulsed Bread Slices and Knead.
• To me the bread slices absorbed all the mositure, however depending on the vegetable and your cooking process you can add some cornflour or Maida to remove the mosituire from thsi mixture.
• Now add salt and knead this mixture.
  
• Add bread slices or Maida or Cornflour or a mixture of all these ingredients till you are able to shape the mixture into tikkis.
• After shaping them into tikkis, coat them with bread crumbs as I did not have it I used Sooji/ Rava for this.
• Arrange the tikki coated with sooji on a plate and cover it with a cling film and leave it in fridge for 1 Hour.
• The cook who demonstrated this in the TV said that it will be more flavoursome this way and I tend to agree.
• Keepingit in fridge also ensured that the Tikki got some Volume and it was easy to handle it.
• After 1 hour, heat few tablespoons of Oil in a tawa and place these Tikkis and allow them to cook, this may take 2-3 minutes.
• Once it is done on one side, flip it to the other side and cook till it is cooked.
• Serve this best Amazing Tikki ever.

 

Whole Wheat Cheese garlic Rolls 

I am part of some face book groups on Baking and cooking. Suddenly there was many pictures on Sweet and Savoury Rolls. So I decided to make a Whole Wheat Roll with Cheese and Garlic.

The Cheese and Garlic combination was yum, but I missed the Green chillies. So when I make it the next time, I plan to go ahead and add some Green chillies.

The stuffing you can do in this roll are endless, some options that come to my head - Nutella, Green Mint Chutney, Mixture of Dry Fruits and Nuts, Apple Sauce, Potato Masala and the list goes on...

As usual, I have made it Whole Wheat , you can make it 50:50 (Wheat Flour and APF) or 100% APF.

Depending on what proportions of Flour you use, you can change the water/ Milk Proportion.

Ingredients

Whole Wheat Flour - 3 Cups ( Remove 4 tablespoons of Flour)
Warm Milk - 1 Cup (Warm Water can also be used)
Salt - 1 Teaspoon
Sugar - 1 Tablespoon
Yeast - 1 Teaspoon
Milk Powder - 4 tablespoon
Melted Butter or Olive Oil - 1 tablespoon
Grated Cheese - 1/2 Cup (You can increase or decrease as per your taste)
Garlic - 12 Cloves ( Increase or Decrease as per you taste)
Pepper Powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Salt - To taste
Green Chilly - 1 (Finely Chopped, I did not use it But would have loved it)
Red Chilly Flakes - To taste.

Method

• In a mixing bowl, place some luke warm water/ Milk and mix some sugar in it.
• Then add the Yeast and mix it.
• Cover it with a lid and keep it aside for 10 minutes till the yeast becomes frothy.
• To this add the Whole Wheat flour, Milk powder and Knead.
• Add Water or Milk, little by little till you get a smooth, elastic dough.
• Once you have Kneaded the dough into a soft, pliable dough, place it in another mixing bowl and Coat it with Butter or Olive oil.
• Cover the bowl loosely with a damp Kitchen cloth and keep it aside till the dough doubles in size.
• Meanwhile, for the stuffing Grate the Garlic and mix it with the Grated Cheese and Add salt if required.
• To this also add Pepper powder,salt and Red Chilly Flakes.
• I had some Italian Seasoning at home, so added them too.
• This may take somewhere between 45-60 minutes depending on the climatic conditions.
• Once it is doubled, bring it down to the kitchen top and knead it well.
• Then using a rolling pin, roll into a square with 1/2 inch of thickness.
• Now on this square roll, spread the prepared Garlic - Cheese filling.
• Now using a knife or pizza cutter , cut them into ribbons of 2 inches breadth.
• Now starting from the top roll each ribbon into a roll.
• Take a baking dish, I used my Bread Loaf tin.
• Greease it with some Olive oil and arrange these rolls in them
• Allow them to second rise for 15-20 minutes.
• Then slightly brush them on top with some diluted milk.
• Bake them in a pre heated oven at 180C for 20- 30 Minutes.
• Serve it warm and it tends to be dense when it is at room temperature.
• So slightly warm them just before serving them.

White Bread 

I have made Whole Wheat Bread, Oats Bread etc, but I was looking at my blog and was surprised to find that it did not have the Basic White bread recipe, So decided to make one and have it on my blog.

It was so soft and fluffy. I also some dried Italian herbs to add a lots of flavor. OMG the aroma while Bread was baking was amazing.

Ingredients
Maida or APF - 3 Cups
Warm Water - 1 Cup (Not too hot , not too cold)
Sugar - 1 Tablespoon
Salt - 1 Teaspoon
Dried herbs - 1/2 teaspoon (Optional)
Yeast - 1.5 Teaspoon (1 Teaspoon Instant yeast, 1.5 teaspoon Active Dry or 3 teaspoon Fresh Yeast)
Olive Oil - 1 tablespoon

Method

• In a bowl, take a cup of warm water to this add the sugar and mix it well
• To this add the yeast and mix.
• Cover the bowl with a plate and keep it aside for 5 minutes or till the yeast becomes frothy.
• Once the yeast is frothy add the Maida or APF and Salt and knead well for 10 minutes.
• Add the dry herbs if you are using them.
• Smear the olive oil all over the dough and let it raise for 1 or 1.2 Hours or till it has doubled.
• Cover with a damp cloth during this process. 
• Once it has doubled , bring it to your kitchen counter and punch it down and knead for 5 minutes
• Then shape as per your wish and place it in a greased loaf tin.
• Cover with a damp cloth and allow it to rise for 30-45 minutes.
• After 30-45 minutes, Bake it in a Preheated oven for 30-40 Minutes at 160C.
• I did Milk Wash before I baked my bread for the shiny texture.
• Once done allow it to cool completely before slicing it

Note:

 Milk Wash - Take a Tablespoon of Milk and using a pastry brush slightly brush on the loaf before baking. 

DIY - Sprouted Moong

Most of us use sprouts for our salad, or breakfast. We know that sprouts have more nutrition than the Non sprouted Dal. 

In the supermarkets, they sell these in packets that is ready to use , however I am little comfortable with picking them. I prefer to make them at home as it is easy and No great work is involved.

Ingredients

Green Gram Dal - 1 Cup (You can use any Beans, Black Channa or Kabul Channa)

Method

• Wash the Moong nicely and soak it in fresh water for at least 5 hours or overnight. 
• After soaking, drain all the water and place it clean kitchen cloth.
• Tie the kitchen cloth and leave it undisturbed aside for at least 6-8 hours
• Another trick I picked up from mom is after tying the kitchen cloth place it in a Casserole and leave it undisturbed for 8 Hour. 
• Depending on the beans you are using you have to leave them undisturbed for 1-3 Days.

Rice Tikki (With Leftover Rice)

I a not a huge fan of leftovers. I usually cook food fresh each time and eat. However, this recipe is an exception. When I feel like making this recipe I put some extra rice, leave it overnight and make Tikkis the next day. It is crispy and quite easy to make.

Ingredients
Cooked Rice - 1 Cup
Besan or Rice Flour or Maida - 2-3 Tablespoon
Green Chillies - 2-3 (Finely Chopped)
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander Leaves - 2 tablespoon (Finely Chopped)
Garam masala - A generous Pinch (Optional)
Amchur Powder - a generous pinch (Optional)
Peanuts/ Groundnuts - 2 Tablespoon (Optional, coarsely broken)
Salt and Oil.

Method

• In a mixer, pulse the rice slightly for few seconds.
• Remove this in a mixing bowl and add ingredients except Oil and mix well. 
• Adjust Besan/Maida/Rice Flour little by little till you get a Tikki Dough consistency.
• Grease your hand with some oil and shape the mixture into Tikkis of your desired shape.
• Heat a pan with 2 Tablespoon of oil and arrange these prepared tikkis on them.
• Allow it to get cooked on one side which will take about a minute or 2.
• Then flip it into the other side and cook well.
• Serve with Mint Chutney.

Note:

• This recipe is so versatile that you can add or leave any ingredient. You can add finely chopped vegetable like carrot, Beans , Peas etc. 
• You can also deep fry them if you want.
• As they are made of Rice they will be quite crispy.
• As far as binding agent, I personally prepare Besan. 

Semolina Bread 

There was so much of posts around this semolina bread in a baking group I am part of, So I decided to try it. I was little skeptical on whether it will rise and taste good. After baking all my doubts were cleared.

Ingredients

• Warm Water -1.5 Cup (Not too Hot not too cold)
• Yeast - 1 Teaspoon
• Semolina (Rawa)- 3.1/4 Cup
• Sugar - 1 Tablespoon 
• Salt - 1.5 Tablespoon
• Olive Oil - 1/4 Cup 

Method

• In a mixing bowl, add the water and sugar and mix well. To this add Yeast and mix.
• Cover the bowl with a plate and keep it aside for 10 minutes till the yeast becomes frothy.
• To this add Semolina, salt and knead it well for 10-15 minutes, add Oil in between the kneading
• In the beginning it may be sticky as you knead it will form a dough.
• Take another bowl and slightly coat it with Oil and place the Dough and cover it with a kitchen towel and keep it aside for 1 Hour or till it doubles in size.
• Once the dough has doubled, bring it to a dusted kitchentop. Dust it with Maida or wheat flour.
• Now punch down the dough and knead it well for 5 minutes.
• Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased Loaf Pan.
• Cover the loaf pan with a kitchen towel and allow it to double.
• This would take about 30-45 minutes depending of the climate, the quality of yeast etc.
• Once the loaf has doubled, Bake it at 200C for 30 - 45 Minutes. 
• Cool it completely before slicing.