Black Forest Cake - Eggless

Black Forest Cake is a Swiss-German traditional specialty dessert and is one of the most popular sponge delicacy that is hard to resist!! 

Ingredients

• All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
• Baking powder - 1 1/2 tsp
• Baking soda - 3/4 tsp
• Cocoa powder - 3 tblsp
• Condensed milk - 1 cup
• Melted butter - 3/4 cup
• Vanilla frosting - 32 oz / 900 gms container
• Hershey mildly sweet Chocolate bar - 6.8 oz /192 gms
• Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
• Water - 1 cup
• Canned cherries for decoration

Method

• Preheat the oven at 350 degree F / 180 degree C
• Grease an 8 inch round cake pan with butter and keep it aside
• In a large mixing bowl sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cocoa powder
• In another bowl mix melted butter, vanilla essence, water and condensed milk using a whisker
• Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well with out any lumps
• Pour the cake batter to the greased pan
• Bake it for 40 minutes or until an inserted tooth pick comes out clean
• Remove the cake from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack completely before frosting
• Now cut the cake into 2 layers using a big knife
• Transfer one layer onto a plate or turn table and spread some frosting
• Place another layer over the frosting
• Spread a thick layer of frosting evenly using a flat spatula or big knife over the cake
• I decorated the cake with rosette border using tip 18, you can just leave it plain 
• Peel the chocolate bar using a peeler to make the gratings 
• Sprinkle it on top and onto the sides of the cake
• Decorate with cherries on the top

Nutritional Information

• Per slice = 340 calories approximately

Sprouted Brown Chickpea Curry

Sprouted brown chickpea curry is highly nutritious, tasty and easily digestible dish. Sprouting reduces the cooking time and also it helps lower blood sugar levels. Sprouted chickpea curry with rice / roti  makes a robust and filling meal.

Ingredients Serves - 4 

• Sprouted brown chickpea - 1 cup
• Chopped onion - 1 cup
• Chopped tomatoes - 1 cup
• Ginger - 1/2 inch
• Garlic - 2 cloves
• Roasted gram - 1 tblsp
• Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
• Chili powder - 1 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1 tsp
• Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
• Yogurt - 2 tblsp
• Oil - 1 tblsp
• salt to taste

Method 

• Soak chickpea in water for 10 to 12 hours
• Remove the water and put in a muslin cloth - tie and hang it for 1-2 days in a warm place
• If using soup strainer, just cover the chickpea in the strainer with a damp cloth and keep it in a warm place
• Spray or sprinkle water to keep the sprout moist

• Grind tomato, ginger, garlic and roasted gram into a smooth paste and keep it aside

• Heat the pressure cooker pan with oil add fennel seeds when it pops add chopped onion

• Saute till translucent, add grounded paste and mix well
• Add dry spices - chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, yogurt and salt

• Mix everything well and add sprouted brown chickpea
• Add enough water and pressure cook for 3 whistles

• Serve hot with jeera rice or roti

Nutritional Information

• Sprouted brown chickpeas are low in calorie and high in dietry fibre
• Sprouted chickpeas are also high in Protien and low in fat
• Sprouted brown chickpeas are also rich in vitamin and minerals
• Per serving = 120 calories approximately

Ragi Adai / Finger Millet Savoury Pancake

Ragi / Nachni (finger millet) is gluten free and a great source of energy, which is also a traditional food in India. Recently I tried Ragi Adai, which was so filling and has ever since become a favorite 'Brunch' with my folks!

Ingredients Yields - 12

• Ragi flour / finger millet flour - 2 cups
• Finley chopped onions - 1/2 cup
• Coarsely grounded peanuts - 1/4 cup
• Chopped green chillies - 2 tblsp
• Curry Leaves - few
• Salt to taste
• Oil - 2 tblsp

Method

• In a mixing bowl add ragi flour, chopped onions, green chillies, peanuts,curry leaves and salt

• Add warm water and make a dough
• Take lemon size dough on a greased banana leaf or a zip lock bag and flatten the dough with your fingers
• Heat the tawa or griddle with 1 tsp oil and transfer the flattened dough to the tawa
• If you are using zip lock bag, transfer the dough first to your hands and then to the tawa
• You can also flatten the dough directly on the tawa make sure the flame is on low
• Drizzle oil around the adai and cook both sides on medium heat
• Serve hot with chutney or sambar 

Nutritional Information

• Ragi is rich in Calcium, Iron, Protein, Fiber and other minerals. 
• Ragi has low fat content and contains mainly unsaturated fat.
• It is also easy to digest and does not contain gluten
• Each Ragi adai = 80 calories approximately

Patra

Patra is one of the most popular savory snack in North India. Patra is made from Arbi / colocasia leaves. It is steamed cooked and seasoned with Indian spices. Yummy tea time low calorie snack!

Ingredients - Serves 4

• Colocasia / Arbi leaves - 5 to 6 nos
• Besan - 1/2 cup
• Tamarind pulp - 2 tblsp
• Jaggery - 2 tsp
• Sesame seeds - 1tblsp
• Baking soda - pinch
• Asafoetida - pinch
• Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Chilli powder - 1 tsp
• Turmeric power - 1/2 tsp
• Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
• Oil - 1 tblsp
• Salt to taste

Method

• Soak tamarind in 1/4 cup of warm water for 15 minutes and strain to get thick pulp
• Take the colocasia leaves and remove the thick stems without damaging the leaves
• In a small bowl mix besan flour, jaggery, 1/2 tblsp sesame seeds, asafoetida, baking soda, ginger garlic paste, chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt and garam masala powder
• Add tamarind pulp and oil to make a thick paste

• Take a leaf, place the vein side up and apply the paste 
• Place another leaf over it and apply the paste

• Repeat it with all the leaves and roll one end to another

• Arrange the rolled up leaves in a plate and steam it for about 15 mins
• Allow it to cool and then slice the Patra in half inch thickness
• Heat the pan with oil and add mustard seeds and remaining sesame seeds
• When it pops add the slices, give a nice mix
• Garnish with the chopped coriander leaves and is ready to be served

Nutritional Information

• Colocasia leaves are rich in Vitamin A & C which is good for vision and for healthy skin
• The Iron content in Colocasia leaves helps improve the quality of blood and acts as a boost to liver health
• This is also rich in Potassium, which helps to lower blood pressure
• Besan / Chickpea flour has good source of fiber; getting more fiber in your diet may reduce the risk of heart diseases and Diabetes
• Per serving =  25 calories approximately

Tutti Frutti Christmas Cookies - Eggless

Celebration time with eggless tutti frutti cookies!!! These colorful and yummy cookies are a perfect treat for this holiday season. My family loves the candied orange peel twist.

   

Ingredients - Yields 40 Cookies

• All purpose flour (Maida) - 1 cup
• Powdered sugar - 1/2 cup
• Melted butter - 6 tblsp
• Tutti Frutti / Candied fruits - 1/2 cup
• Milk - 2 to 3 tblsp

Method

• In a mixing bowl, beat sugar and butter until nice and fluffy using a whisk or hand beater

• Add flour, tutti frutti and mix well

• Sprinkle milk little by little to make into a dough

• Place the dough on butter paper and roll the dough like a log

• Wrap the log in the butter paper and freeze for 45 minutes

• Take the dough from the freezer and slice it with a sharp knife
• Pre heat the oven at 350 F for 10 minutes
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges turn slightly brown
• Store in a airtight container

Note - Check the cookies in the oven after 10 minutes as these cookies tend to burn quickly

Nutritional Information

• Each Tutti frutti cookie = 40 calories approximately

Quinoa Dosa / Crepe

Quinoa is a healthy and nutritious grain which is gluten-free and rich in Protein, Fiber and Minerals. Quinoa is crunchy, nutty and fluffy which makes it easy to use with several recipes. I tried few recipes with Quinoa that came out well - porridge, salad and pulao to name a few.

Ingredients

• Quinoa - 1 cup ( I used pre-washed )
• Brown rice - 1/2 cup
• Cracked wheat - 3/4 cup
• Urad dhal - 1/4 cup
• Salt to taste
• Oil for dosa

Method

• Wash brown rice and urad dhal well
• Soak it along with Quinoa and cracked wheat for about 3 to 4 hours
• Grind into a smooth batter along with required salt in a mixer or wet grinder
• Ferment over night; the batter will rise in 8 to 10 hours
• If you live in a colder place, you can pre-heat the conventional oven for 10 minutes and keep the batter inside the oven
• Heat tawa/ griddle with 1 tsp of oil and pour a laddle full of batter on the tawa
• Spread the batter evenly over the tawa using the laddle and add 1/2 tsp of oil 
• Allow it to cook in medium flame for few minutes, flip it to the other side and cook well
• Serve hot with chutney or sambar

Nutritional Information

• Quinoa is rich in Protein, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Iron, Vitamin E and dietary Fiber
• Quinoa is high in Anti-inflammatory pytonutrients which is essential for prevention and treatment of diseases
• Quinoa has a low glycemic index which keep your blood sugar levels steady
• Brown rice is high in fiber which protects against cardiovascular diseases
• Brown rice is also rich in soluble fiber which helps to lower bad LDL cholesterol in blood
• Each Quinoa dosa = 145 calories approximately

Oats Peanut Ladoo

Oats Peanut ladoos (sweet balls) are made with just 4 healthy ingredients, yes only 4. No baking or cooking is required, which makes it even better! Peanut balls are rich in protein, healthy and portable. Perfect for road trips, kid's school lunch boxes or for tea time snacking, but it has worked as one of the best desserts at my place!

Ingredients - Yields 15

• Roasted peanuts - 1 cup
• Quick cooking oats - 1/2 cup
• Brown sugar - 1/2 cup
• Honey - 2 tblspn 

Method

• Dry roast oats in a pan until it becomes light brown in color
• In a mixer or food processor, grind peanuts into a smooth powder
• Then add oats, brown sugar and honey
• Grind all the ingredients well until they come together
• Transfer the dough into a plate and mix well 
• Make small ladoos / balls out of the dough
• Store it in a airtight box

Note - If you have difficulty in making ladoos / balls just add honey to bring it together.

Nutritional information 

• Peanuts are rich in Protein, Vitamin and Minerals
• Peanuts are also rich in Monounsaturated fat which is good for heart
• Oats are low in Sodium and can help reduce Cholesterol
• Oats are rich in soluble fibre and can reduce Hypertension
• Each Oats Peanut ladoo = 95 calories approximately