Apple Cake

The first time I had apple cake was at a friend's house,and it was delicious.I came home thought about the cake,talked about the cake and also dreamt about the cake,yes it was that good! This is a very simple recipe,with little prep time and the cake bakes in 30 minutes,I love the fact that its dairy free and I'm thinking of making this again over the thanksgiving holiday.

The cake batter is not like your typically batter,it is dense and you are going to need to really give it a good couple of stirs to incorporate all the ingredients.

Recipe Source :
Thanks to Nicole!
http://www.applerecipes.us/apple-cake.html

Ingredients:

• 2 cups diced apples
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (I used whole wheat pastry flour)
• 1 cup sugar (you can add 1/2 cup,adjust to desired sweetness level)
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt

Method :

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8-inch round cake pan.
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl; Mix all the ingredients till they are well incorporated.
3. Pour into prepared cake pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and cool 15 minutes; remove from cake pan and cool completely.
   

Mutton Biryani (Rice and meat cooked with fresh herbs)

 Biryani is a rice based dish, the rice and the meat are cooked with whole aromatic spices and a lot of herbs mainly fresh cilantro leaves and mint leaves.The end result is a dish layered with flavor and aroma that will fill every room in your house!

My mother-in-law is the iron chef when it comes to making perfect biryani,
whether it is cooking for 2 or 20,she makes the art of making the perfect biryani seem effortless and easy! I've learnt a lot of my briyani making techniques from her and hope to achieve her perfection someday!

Every Sunday my mother made biryani,sweet raisin chutney and raita.The combination of the three was delicious.I have such fond memories of Sunday lunches and remember how everyone (including my grandparents) would gather round the table and it would be a nice lunch followed by an Indian movie.I'm trying to re-create the magic for my family and nothing compares to a good biryani!

Ingredients :

• 2 cups Basamati Rice
• 1 lb Mutton ( I used goat's meat,you can also use chicken)
• 2 big Onions ( finely sliced)
• 2 medium sized Tomatoes (finely chopped)
• 1 and half cups Cilantro leaves (finely chopped)
• 1 cup of Mint leaves (finely chopped)
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of Ginger-Garlic paste
• 6 Cloves
• 4 Green Cardamom Pods
• 2 Black Cardamom Pods
• 2 Cinnamon sticks ( one inch each)
• 1 Star Anise (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon Chilly powder
• 2 teaspoon Corriander powder
• 2 teaspoon Cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Pepper powder
• 2 Green Chillies-Slit (add more if you want it spicier, adjust to taste)
• 3 tablespoons of Oil

Method :

1. Wash the rice with couple of changes of water and soak the rice and set it aside for 10-15 minutes.(Discard the water after 10-15 minutes)
2. Wash the meat,drain all the water and set it aside.
3. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a big pressure cooker.
4. When the oil is heated add all your whole spices (cinnamon,cardamom,
   cloves and star anise)Fry this for a minute.
5. Add the onions and saute them till they are translucent.
6. Add the garlic and ginger paste and saute till the raw smell of garlic and ginger is gone.
7. Add the mint leaves and the cilantro leaves and saute this mixture for another minute.
8. Add the green chillies ( adjust this to taste,I used two)
9. Add the tomatoes and salt and cook till the tomatoes become mushy.
10. Add the spice powers (chilly,turmeric,coriander,cumin and pepper to taste)
11. Saute this masala till its cooked well.
12. Add the meat and stir till the meat and the spices get incorporated.
13. Add enough water to cover the meat and pressure cook the meat for 4-5 whistles (my meat wasn't very tender so I needed to pressure cook it for 4-5 whistles,if you are using tender meat then you can pressure cook it for fewer whistles.If you are using chicken you need not pressure cook the meat)
14. Once the meat is pressure cooked,if there is excess gravy you can take out the excess gravy and leave only the meat pieces.
15. Add hot water to your gravy and make it 4 cups (this needs to be the consistency of water,so that your rice can cook evenly,by adding water to the gravy you are making a broth for the rice to cook in.This makes the rice flavorful)
16. Keep this broth aside,we will use it in a minute.
17. In a heavy based pan,or your biryani vessel add the meat and masala(I usually like to transfer my Meat and Masala to another heavy based pan,with a fitted glass lid,I like to peek and see how it is cooking,without having to actually lift the lid)
18. Add the rice and fry the rice for a minute with the meat and the masala.
19. Add the 4 cups of the  hot broth (that you made using the gravy)to the rice and meat and bring it to a boil (check for the salt by tasting the broth,the broth needs to taste a little salty)
20. Once it reaches a boil,lower the heat and cover the pan,with a fitted lid (do not pressure cook the rice)
21. Cook this till the water is evaporated and the rice is cooked ( will take approximately 20 minutes)
22. Stir in between once and cover and  cook (make sure the lid is fitted and does not let any steam out)
23. Serve it hot and Enjoy with a side of raita (cucumber salad)
24. Garnish with caramelized onions.
25. Garnish with fresh mint and cilantro leaves.(optional)
    
    Tip :
    
    • I also cook my biryani in my rice cooker (not a pressure cooker) and the time may vary depending on the brand and kind of rice cooker,If you are going to make it in the rice cooker,I usually stop cooking the biryani,when the rice cooker has 12 minutes left on it.(keep in mind,that my rice cooker and yours may not be the same)
    • If you want to make the biryani semi-homemade,instead of adding all the spice powders you can use half a packet or whole packet
      (depending on your spice level) of the mothers recipe biryani masala (or your favorite brand).
    • If you are using the packet,you still need to add the fresh herbs (cilantro & mint leaves),Onions,Tomatoes and the half the whole spices(cardamom,cloves,cinnamon)to give it that home-made,back home taste!
    • I know this is a really lengthy post,please feel free to message me if you have any questions!
      
      
      
      I'm taking part in the cooking with seeds (CWS)-event,hosted by The Big Sweet Tooth here.

      
      

Cardamom Chai (Cardamom Tea)

Cardamom has a unique taste,with an intensely aromatic,resinous fragrance.In South Asia green cardamom is often used in traditional Indian sweets and in Spiced Teas (Masala Chai). {source Wikipedia}

 We saw our first snow of the season yesterday,its the start of the winter and the long cold nights have begun.There is nothing more comforting than a hot cup of tea, to warm your soul and enjoy the beauty of the winter from the comfort of a

nicely heated home!

Makes two cups of Cardamom Chai (Tea).

Ingredients :

• 6 Green Cardamom Pods
• 2 Heaping Teaspoons of Tea Leaves
• 2 Cups of Water
• 1/2 Cup of Whole Milk
• Sugar to taste

Method :

1. In a sauce pan,add two cups of water and the cardamom pods.
2. Cover the sauce pan and bring the water to a boil.
3. Turn off the heat,add the tea leaves and cover your sauce pan (let the tea leaves steep for a nice long minute or two)
4. In another sauce pan or microwave heat your milk.
5. Add the heated milk to the tea.
6. Strain the tea using a  tea-strainer.
7. Add sugar to taste.Enjoy!
   
   Tip :
   
   • To make this tea a ginger-cardamom chai (tea),add 1 tablespoon of crushed ginger to the water,along with the cardamom pods and bring it to a boil,add your tea leaves,warm milk and strain.
   • For a more intense cardamom flavor,you can crush your cardamom pods,when you crush your cardamom pods,the skin and seeds will separate,add both the skin and the seeds to the boiling water.

Sweet Pulav ( Rice with Rasins & Cashewnuts)

My grandmother used to make sweet pulav on special occassions like Christmas,
Easter,Birthdays or when we had people over for a meal.We called it ghee rice at home and I have such fond memories of this rice dish.I associate ghee rice with my grandmother and her fantastic cooking.She would make this rice dish and her meatball curry and the combination of the two would always leave us wanting for more!

Ingredients :

• 2 cups of Basamati Rice ( wash,soak in water for 10-15 minutes)
• 1/4 cup of Raw Cashew-nuts
• 1/4 cup of Small Raisins 
• 2 inch piece of Cinnamon (broken into two pieces)
• 4 Cloves
• 6 Cardamom Pods
• 4-5 Flakes of garlic (peeled and slit)
• 3 Medium sized Onions (Finely Sliced)
• Salt to taste
• 1 & 1/2 Teaspoons of Sugar ( adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons of Ghee ( clarified butter)
• 2 tablespoons of Oil
• 4 cups of hot water

Method :

1. Strain the rice and discard the water that the rice was soaking in.
2. In a heavy based pot,add the oil and ghee,when hot add the whole spices (cinnamon,cloves and cardamom).Give it a quick stir.
3. Add the sliced onions and garlic flakes,saute till the onions are translucent.
4. Add the cashew-nuts and raisins and saute till the raisins swell up.( saute on medium low heat)
5. Add the rice,salt,sugar and give this a quick stir and fry the rice for a quick minute.
6. In another pot bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
7. Add the boiled water to the rice and stir.(taste the water,it should taste a little sweet and a little salty,add more sugar if you like it sweeter.)
8. Cover and cook on low heat till the water has evaporated and the rice is cooked. (this will take about 15 to 20 mins)
9. Enjoy this with a side of meatball curry,pepper chicken,mutton curry or your favorite curry!

Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes

I've had two bananas that were on their way to the garbage and I really wanted to salvage them.I researched my trusty friend the internet and found the William Sonoma banana pancake recipe, I switched some of the ingredients to make it my own healthy version and the verdict was 50-50!

My 6 year old is not a fan of bananas,so I thought I would sneak these pancakes in,he took two bites and asked me if I had added bananas in it!!! My two year old ate them loving every bite of it,so if you love bananas this one is a keeper!

These subtle flavored banana pancakes go really well with maple syrup.

 

Ingredients :

• 1 & 1/2 cups whole wheat flour ( I used the stone ground whole wheat flour)
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar (or sugar or honey)
• 3 tablespoons of melted butter or coconut oil
• 2& 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 small, ripe banana, peeled
• 1 & 1/4 cups Vanilla Coconut  milk (or milk of your choice)
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Maple syrup for serving 
• Sliced banana for garnishing

Method :

1. Add the tablespoon of vinegar to your milk and set aside and let it "sour".
2. In a bowl add your dry ingredients whole wheat flour,coconut sugar,baking powder and salt and mix them with a fork till they are well incorporated.
3. In another bowl mash the bananas with a fork,add the soured milk,eggs and vanilla extract and stir till they are well blended.
4. Add your melted butter to this mixture and blend it.
5. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients until it forms a batter.(add more milk if you find your batter to be too thick)
6. Heat your pancake pan on medium heat and spoon in 1/4 cupful of the batter.
7. Lower the heat to medium low (these pancakes brown really fast,I burnt my first)
8. When the tiny holes start to form,carefully slide the spatula and turn them over and cook them till they are golden brown on both sides. 
9. Enjoy these pancakes with a dollop of butter and maple syrup or honey!

Tendli Sukka ( Ivy Gourd)

Tendli Sukka is a traditional Mangalorean dish,and much loved by our family.  These little gourds are also known as baby watermelon, little gourd, gentleman's toes, tindora or sometimes inaccurately identified as gherkins.(source Wikipedia)

Tendli is usually eaten as a side dish,and pairs really well with a cup of rice and fish curry!

Ingredients :

• I lb of Tendli ( Sliced)
• 1 Medium Sized Onion (Sliced)
• 4 flakes of garlic (Sliced)
• 1-2 Green Chillies (adjust to taste)
• 4-5 Curry Leaves
• 3-4 Tablespoons of Coconut ( fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup of Raw Cashew-nuts ( a handful)
• 1 Teaspoon of Sambhar powder or vegetable powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil

Method :

1. Wash the Tendalis.cut the ends off.Cut them lengthwise,into four parts.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil, when the oil is heated add the curry leaves and the green chillies.Give this a quick stir.
3. Add the Cashew-nuts and saute a quick minute (make sure they don't brown)-I had to skip the nuts,otherwise my kids would have eaten just the nuts and ignored the tendli!
4. Add the sliced onions and garlic,saute this till the onions turn translucent.
5. Add the sambhar powder and give this a quick stir.
6. Add the cut Tendlis and saute this for a quick minute.
7. Add salt to taste.
8. Add a 1/2 or 3/4 cup of water and cook these little gourds covered on medium heat (until cooked till your liking,I like to cook it until all the water evaporates,and the tendli are tender,not mushy)
   
   Tip :
   These little gourds do take a little while to cook,if your water evaporates and they are not cooked,add a little more water and cook till your liking.

Egg Curry

This is a simple Egg Curry recipe with a hint of coconut milk,its layered with mild spices, fresh cilantro leaves and the addition of coconut milk gives this curry a nice creamy texture.

Traditionally Egg curry is made with boiled eggs,I made this curry by gently cracking the eggs directly into the curry,the eggs boil in this aromatic curry,absorbing some of the flavor of the curry.

Ingredients :

• 4 Eggs
• 2 Small Potatoes
• 6  Tender Stalks of fresh Cilantro Leaves (finely chopped)
• 5-6 Curry Leaves (needed after grinding the masala,do not grind the curry leaves)
• 2 Medium Sized Onions (finely chopped)
• 1 Medium Sized Tomato (finely chopped)
• 5-6 Flakes of garlic (finely chopped)
• 1-2 Green Chillies ( adjust to taste)
• 1/2 Teaspoon Chilly Powder ( adjust to taste)
• 1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Cumin Powder
• 1 & 1/2 Teaspoons Coriander Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Baffat Powder
• 1/4 Cup thick Coconut Milk
• 1 & 1/2 cups of water
• 2 Tablespoons of Oil
• Salt to taste.

Method :

1. In a heavy based pan,add one tablespoon of oil and heat it on medium heat.
2. When the oil is heated,add the chopped onions and garlic and saute till the onions are golden in color.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes,cilantro leaves,including the tender stalks and saute this mixture till the tomatoes are mushy.
4. Add the salt and the powders (chilli,turmeric,cumin,coriander,garam masala and baffat ) and saute this till the masala is cooked.
5. Turn off the heat and transfer this masala into the blender or grinder.
6. Grind this cooked masala in a blender,until its a fine paste (do not add water,if needed add very little water).Set this aside.
7. Turn the stove back on and add one tablespoon of oil to the heavy based pan,add your curry leaves,give the leaves a quick stir.
8. Add the finely ground masala and give this masala a quick stir.
9. Add the chopped potatoes.
10. Add 1 and half cups of water and bring this curry to a boil.
11. Lower the heat and add 1/4 cup of thick coconut milk and let this reach a simmer.
12. Gently crack the eggs into the curry ( do not stir the curry)
13. Cover the pan with a fitted lid and let the eggs cook completely.
14. Once the eggs have cooked,sprinkle the eggs with a little pepper.
15. Garnish the curry with fresh cilantro leaves.
16. This curry pairs well with the Pulav rice or Indian Flat breads.
    
    Tip :
    
    • Make sure to use thick coconut milk,I used the organic can of full fat coconut milk.