EGGLESS PINEAPPLE PASTRY CAKE

Ingredients for cake:

Sweetened condensed milk(Milkmaid) - 400 gms(1 can)

Butter - 1/2 cup

All purpose flour - 2 and 1/4 cups

Baking powder - 1 tsp

Baking soda - 1 tsp

Pineapple essence - 1 tsp

Aerated cola(sprite) - 200ml

Method:

Grease and line an 9’ square baking pan.

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees.

Melt butter and add condensed milk and beat well.

Sift together all purpose flour,baking powder and baking soda in a separate bowl.

Add condensed milk-butter mixture to the flour mixture alternating with cola till both are finished.

Stir in the pineapple essence.

Pour into the greased baking tin and bake for 30-40 minutes or till a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Ingredients for the sugar syrup:

Sugar - 1/2 cup

Water - 1/2cup

In a thick bottom pan,mix the sugar and water and boil till the sugar melts.Keep aside to cool.

Ingredients for frosting :

Fresh cream - 300 ml

Powdered sugar - 4-5 tbsp

Pineapple essence - 1 tsp

Keep cream and the beater blades in the freezer for about half an hour.

Add sugar and essence to the chilled cream.

Beat well till the cream is thick and forms soft peak. Keep refrigerated till use.

Ingredients for garnishing:

Pineapple pieces( finely cut) - 1 cup

Cherries(halved) - few (optional)

Assembling:

Cut the cake into 2 layers horizontally.

Keep one layer of the cake on the serving plate.

Sprinkle 5-6 tablespoons of sugar syrup on it.

Now spread 5-6 tablespoons of prepared cream frosting on it.

Top the layer with 1/2 cup pineapple pieces evenly.

Put other layer back on the first layer making it a full cake.

Again spread sugar syrup on it.

Cover the cake completely with cream frosting on all sides and the top.

Level the top and sides with a broad spatula dipped in chilled water.

Decorate the top with pineapple pieces and halved cherries on top.

Keep chilled in the fridge till use.

MALABAR PAROTTA

Ingredients:

All purpose flour - 2 cups

Luke warm water - required to make dough

Oil - 1 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Method:

Mix the flour, oil, and salt with little water.Knead well to make smooth dough.

Cover with wet muslin cloth and set aside for 2 hours.Then take the dough, add little more oil and knead well once again.

Now the dough would be like elastic while pulling it.

Divide the dough into 8 - 10 lemon sized balls.

Roll out each ball into very thin flat sheet using a rolling pin. No need to worry about shape and even if it breaks in between.

Then roll/fold from one end to the other to make a lengthy string.(just like saree pleates).

Now roll the pleated dough into a spiral and keep aside.

Repeat doing this with all the dough balls.

Roll out each spiral ball like roti to medium thickness.

Heat a tawa and sear the roti on both sides for 1-2 minutes.

Dot with little oil on both sides in between the process.

Repeat this with all the parathas.

When 3-4 parottas are ready, hold them between hands and beat the hands together(like clapping hands with parottas in between).

This helps to separate the layers in the parotta.

Serve hot with greenpeas potato masala or a dish of your choice.

Serve hot.

GREENPEAS POTATO MASALA

Ingredients:

Greenpeas - 1 1/2 cup

Potato - 1 small

Onion(chopped) - 1 large

Tomato(chopped) - 1 medium

Coconut(grated) - 1/2cup

Salt - To taste

Tumeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp

Dry red chilli - 3-4 no.s

Curry leaf - 1 sprig

Oil - 2 tbsp

Method:

1.Peel,cube and boil the potato.

2.Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet and add half of the chopped onions and saute till transparent.

3.Then add coriander seeds and red chilli and saute for 1-2 min.

4.Now add grated coconut and saute until coconut is browned(little darker than golden colour).

5.Cool the onion-coconut mixture and then grind into a smooth paste.

6.Heat 1 tbsp oil in pan and saute remaining onions till golden brown.

7.Add chopped tomato ,salt and tumeric powder. Saute till oil separates.

8.Now add the paste and again saute it until all moistures is gone and oil separates.

9.Add boiled potatoes and green peas and cook until peas is done.

10.Garnish with a sprig of curry leaf.

Serve with Aappam,Malabari Parotta,Phulkas/Rice.

BLACKPEPPER WINTERMELON KOOTU

Ingredients:

Wintermelon(cubed) - 1 cup

Yam(cubed) - 1/2 cup

Moongdal (roasted) - 1/4 cup

Salt - to taste

Black pepper powder - 1/2 tsp

Tumeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Curry leaves - a sprig

Method:

Pressure cook moongdal for 2 whistles.

Cook yam and wintermelon along with salt,black pepper powder and tumeric powder.

When vegetables are done, lightly mash them and add moongdal. Mix well and cook for 3-5 minutes.

Garnish with few curry leaves.

MOOLI CHAPATHI

Ingredients:

Radish - 1 medium
Salt - to taste
Greenchilli(finely chopped) - 1-2
Coriander leaves(chopped) - 2 tbsp
Wheat flour - 2 cups
Oil/Ghee - 1 tbsp

Method:
Peel and grate the radish.
In a bowl, mix flour,salt,green chilli,coriander leaves and grated radish.
Knead into a dough. Do not add water as the juice from grated radish would be sufficient for kneading.
Cover and keep aside for half an hr to one hour.
Just before making chappathis, once again knead the dough. If dough is sticky, add few tsps of flour and knead.
Divide the dough into 10 equal portions.
Roll out into chappathis and sear both sides on tawa.Smear the surfaces with oil or ghee.
Serve with tomato-carrot sabzi.

LENTIL RICE

Ingredients:

Rice, washed, soaked for 30 minutes) - 1 cup

Whole masoor(washed soaked for 30 minutes) - 1/4 cup

Whole moong (washed soaked for 30 minutes) - 1/4 cup

Ginger(grated) - 1 tsp

Green chilli(chopped) - 2

Lemon juice - 1 tsp

Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Coriander leaves(chopped) - 1 tbsp

Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp

Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp

Tumeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Garam masala powder - 1/4 tsp

Cinnamon-Clove powder -1/4 tsp

Salt - to taste

Oil - 1 tsp

Method:

Heat oil in pan, add cumin seeds and mustard seeds.

Allow to sizzle, add curry leaves.Add ginger, green chilli, and stir.

Add drained rice, moong, lentils.Stir for 2 minutes, add 4 cups hot water.

Add coriander powder,garam masala,cinnamon-clove powder,tumeric powder,salt and lemon juice, stir, bring to a boil.

Transfer the entire contents to a rice cooker or to a pressure cooker.

If using pressure cooker, allow for 3 whistles, remove from fire.Allow steam to settle, before opening cooker.

Transfer to serving dish, garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve hot with curds, raitha.

LIMA BEANS KURMA

Ingredients:

Lima Beans - 1 Cup

Onions(chopped) - 1

Tomatoes(chopped) - 1

Salt - to taste

Turmeric - 1/4 tbsp

Chilli powder - 1/4 tbsp

Bay leaf - 1 - 2

Cilantro leaves (chopped) - 2 tbsp

Cumin seeds - 1/2 tbsp

Garam Masala - 1/4 tbsp

Milk - 1 cup

Grated Coconut - 1 tbsp

Green Chillies - 2 - 3

Oil - 2 tbsp

Method:

Cook the lima beans in microwave for 5-6 mins.

Heat oil in a pan and saute onions ,green chillies ,tomatoes and grated coconut. Grind the ingredients with 1 cup milk. Keep aside.

In same pan, add 1 tsp of oil , add cumin seeds,bay leaf, ground paste and let it cook for few mins.

Now add salt, turmeric, chilli powder, garam masala. Mix well and finally add the Lima Beans.

Cook it well for few more minutes.

Garnish it with cilantro leaves and serve hot with roti or rice.

YAM WINTERMELON KOOTU

Ingredients:

Wintermelon(cubed) - 1/2 cup

Yam(cubed) - 1/2 cup

Carrot(cubed) - 1/4 cup

Channa dal - 1/4 cup

Salt - to taste

Tumeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Kootu powder - 1 tsp

Jaggery - 1/4 tsp

Coconut (grated) - 2 tbsp

Curry leaves - a sprig

Coconut oil - 1 tsp

Method:

Pressure cook channa dal for 2 whistles or until soft but not mushy.

Cook wintermelon,yam, carrot with salt,tumeric,kootu powder in a pan or pressure cook for 2 whistles.

Once vegetables and dal are cooked, roughly mash them and transfer to pan.

Add jaggery and continue cooking until water is almost evaporated and kootu turns into a thick gravy.

Garnish with coconut gratings and curry leaves.Also drizzle coconut oil on top.

ALMOND-PEAR BREAD

"Yummy breakfast"

"Cross-sectional view"

"Cooling on rack"

"Straight from oven"

Ingredients(for 1 loaf / 10-12 slices):

All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cup

Baking powder - 1/8 tsp

Baking soda - 1/2 tsp

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Cinnamon(ground) - 1 1/2 tsp

Vegetable Oil - 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp

Flaxseed - 1 1/2 tbsp

Water - 4 1/2 tbsp

White sugar - 1 cup

Pear(peeled & shredded) - 1 1/2 cup

Ripe banana(pureed) - 3/4

Almonds(chopped) - 1/2 cup

Vanilla extract - 1 tsp

Method:

In a large mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Make a well in the center of the bowl.

In a small bowl, mix flaxseed and water.Keep aside for 5 mins.(You can substitute it for 1 1/2 eggs)

In a separate bowl combine the oil, flaxseed-water mixture, sugar, shredded pears, pureed banana,chopped almonds, and vanilla. Blend well.

Add to well of dry ingredients. Stir until just moistened. Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 8x5x3 inch loaf pans.

Bake in a preheated 325 degree F (165 degrees C) oven for one hour and 15 minutes. Cool on wire rack before removing from the loaf pans.

Keep good on shelf for 1-2 days and stays fresh for a month in freezer. While storing in freezer, slice the loaf and pack in ziplock bags. On the day of usage, remove the required slices and thaw.

BABYCORN-PANEER JALFREZI

Ingredients:

Babycorn(cut into 4 lengthwise) - 10-12

Paneer (cut into 1" strips) - 1 cup

Green bell pepper(sliced) - 1/2

Spring onion(chopped) - 5

Ginger greenchilli paste - 1 tsp

Tomato(pureed) - 1 cup

Coriander(chopped) - 2 tbsp

Oil - 1 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Jeera - 1/2 tsp

Asafoetida - 1/8 tsp

Tumeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp

Method:

Heat oil in a pan and season cumin seeds.

Once they sizzle, add asafoetida and immediately add ginger-greenchilli paste,spring onions and bell peppers.

Saute until onions are translucent.

Add babycorn,tumeric, chilli powder,salt and tomato puree.Saute in slow flame until babycorns are cooked.

Add paneer and coriander leaves. Mix well and cook for 2 more mins.

Serve with roomali rotis.

PANEER PARATHA

Ingredients:

Paneer(crumbled) - 1 cup

Onion(finely chopped) - 1 small

Coriander leaves(finely chopped) - 2 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Green chilli(finely chopped) - 2-3

Ajwain - 1/2 tsp

Garam masala powder - 1 tsp

Oil - 1 tsp

Dough :

Wheat flour/atta - 1 1/2 cups

Maida/All purpose flour - 1/2 cup

Salt - 1 tsp

Oil - as required.

Method:

Heat oil in a pan, season ajwain. Add green chillies & onions. Saute till light golden brown.

Add salt,garam masala and coriander leaves. Saute for 1-2 secs.

In a bowl, mix crumbled paneer and onion mixture well.

Divide the filling into 10-12 portions.

Prepare the dough by mixing flour,salt,oil and water as for chapathis.

Set aside covered for 10 minutes. Make10-12 lemon sized balls of the dough and roll them out thin to approximately 3 inches in diameter. Note tossing the dough in dry flour while rolling will prevent it from getting sticky when rolling them out.

Add a portion of the stuffing in the center. Gather the sides and bring them together.Press the stuffed dough down. Toss it in some flour and roll it gently applying just even pressure to roll. Roll it to desired thickness.

Place the stuffed parathas on the hot griddle/skillet. Cook for about ½ a minute, flip over and add 1 teaspoon of oil/ ghee in and around the paratha. Keep pressing the parathas while on the skillet so the dough gets cooked and the stuffing also gets the heat and gets pressed down into the parathas. Flip and cook the other side for about 1 minute adding 1 more teaspoon of oil. Cook until light golden spots appear on the parathas.

Serve hot with tomato pickle or curd.

Note: Stuffed Parathas should be cooked on medium heat to get the best texture and the light crispiness

MAALADOO

Ingredients:

Split roast gram dal/pottukadalai - 1 cup

Sugar - 1 cup

Cashewnuts(broken) - 2 tbsp

Raisins - 2 tbsp

Ghee - 2 cups

Cardamom powder - 1-2 tsp

Method:

Roast the dal until nice aroma releases or for 3-4 mins. Donot brown the dals.

Powder the dal and sugar fine separately.

Roast the cashewnuts and raisins in ghee separately until golden brown.

Mix the dal powder,sugar powder,cashewnuts,raisins and cardamom powder well.

Melt 2 cup ghee and slowly add to the powder & mix. Add ghee as needed to make lime- sized balls from powder. Donot add too much ghee to make the balls oily and soggy.

Form lime-sized balls and when cooled store in air-tight container. Stays good for 7-10 days.

ONION TOMATO STIR-FRY

Ingredients:

Onion(finely chopped) - 1 medium

Tomatoes (chopped) - 4 medium

Salt - To taste

Tumeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp

Kootu powder - 1 tbsp

Sugar - 1/2 tsp

Oil - 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Green chilli - 1-2

Curry leaf - a sprig

Coriander leaf - 2-3 sprig

Method:

Heat oil in kadhai, season mustard seeds. Add onions and green chillies.

Saute until translucent. Add tomatoes and mix well.Cover and cook for 3-4 mins.

Add salt,tumeric,red chilli,sugar and kootu powder.

Mix well and continue cooking on med- low heat until tomatoes go mushy completely and oil start to separate slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to bottom of pan.

Garnish with curry leaf and coriander leaf.

Serve with any kind of parathas and curd.