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

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

Fresh Green Pea Soup

A hearty pea soup with simple Indian spices for a satisfying dinner. It is also a great way to include seasonal vegetables in our diet.

Ingredients Serves - 2

• Chopped onions - 1/2 cup
• Peas - 1 cup
• Grated ginger - 1 tblsp
• Bay leaf - 1 no
• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
• Vegetable stock or water - 2 cups
• Salt and pepper for taste
• Oil - 1 tblsp

Method

• Heat a pan with oil, add grated ginger and cumin seeds - saute for a minute
• Add onions, bay leaf and saute till translucent
• Add peas, required salt and stock
• Simmer it for 15 minutes with lid on
• Remove from the stove and allow it to cool (remove the bay leaf)
• Puree it in the blender
• Pour the puree in the pan and reheat it
• Add pepper and serve with hot bread sticks or croutons

Nutritional Information

• Green peas is loaded with Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory nutrients
• Green peas lowers the risk of most inflammatory diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and arthritis.
• Consumption of Green peas along with other legumes decreases the risk of stomach cancer
• Per serving = 70 calories approximately

Pori Urundai

Karthigai Deepam is an auspicious festival celebrated in south India. During this festival, oil lamps are lit in rows around our homes. Traditionally, Pori urundai (Puffed rice ball) is prepared during Karthigai Deepam. This Crunchy pori (puffed rice) in jaggery makes this occasion even more special!!

Ingredients - Yields 16 to18

• Pori / Puffed rice - 4 cups
• Jaggery - 1 cup
• Water - 1/2 cup
• Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
• Ginger powder - 1/4 tsp
• Rice flour for dusting

Method

• Heat a pan with 1/2 cup of water and add jaggery

• Melt jaggery and filter to remove impurities
• In the same pan add filtered jaggery water, cardamom powder and ginger powder
• Bring it to boil
• Take little water in a small bowl and add few drops of boiling jaggery to check for right consistency
• Jaggery should not dissolve in water, you must be able to make a hard ball out of it
• I used a candy thermometer - until it reaches hard ball stage

• At this stage remove the pan and mix the jaggery to the pori
• Dust your hands with rice flour and quickly make balls out of it

Notes - The consistency of the jaggery is very important. Make balls when it is warm otherwise the pori will stick to your hands.

Nutritional Information

• Pori / Puffed rice is less in calories
• Each pori urundai = 50 calories approximately

Avocado Chapati

Avocado is a very buttery and delicious fruit, which is rich in Vitamins, Minerals and Phytonutrients. I have tried Avocado sandwich, salad and dip but this soft Avocado chapati came out as the winner because of its natural butteriness.

Ingredients - Yields 8 to 10

• Wheat flour - 2 cup
• Avocado - 1 (peeled and pitted)
• Chillie powder - 1 tsp
• Lemon juice - 1 tblsp
• Ajwain - 1 tsp
• Salt to taste 
• Oil - 2 tblsp

Method

• In mixing bowl mash avocado with lemon juice
• Add flour, chillie powder, ajwain and salt
• Knead the dough well (add water if needed)
• Apply a spoon of oil over the dough to prevent it from drying
• Cover the dough and keep it aside for 15 minutes
•  Make medium size balls, place it on a floured surface and roll it out with the rolling pin
• Heat a tava and place the rolled chapati on it
• Cook in medium flame on both sides until nice brown spots appear
• Apply oil and serve with a suitable side dish

Nutritional Information

• Avocados are rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium - you need to eat two or three bananas to obtain the potassium content of one avocado
• Great source of potassium in avocado helps in controlling high blood pressure
• Avocado is rich in fibre , protein and also high in fat content, but it is mostly the monounsaturated fat which is a healthy fat variety
• The avocado has 200 calories for 100 grams. Due to the high amounts of calories, avocado is a best diet for people who want to gain weight
• Each Chapati = 155 calories approximately

Sponge Dosa

Sponge dosa is a very simple and tasty breakfast recipe (no need for fermenting). This softy is a hit with my kids!!

Ingredients - Yields 18 dosas

• Parboiled rice - 2 cups
• Poha - 1/4 cup
• Butter milk - 3 cups
• Baking soda - 1/4 tsp
• Methi seeds - 1 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil  - 3 to 4 tbsp

Method 

• Wash rice and poha / aval and soak in butter milk along with methi seeds for 8 to 10 hrs
• Grind into a smooth batter, add baking soda and required salt
• Heat dosa tawa with 1 tsp of oil and pour a ladle full of batter on the tawa
• Spread the batter evenly over the tawa using the ladle and add ½ tsp of oil
• Cover it with a lid and cook for few minutes in a medium flame
• No need to flip this softy over!!
• Serve with chutney or sambar

Nutritional Information

• Poha is low in sodium, fat and cholesterol. It is easily digestible
• Poha controls blood pressure and lowers the risk of heart diseases
• Per serving = 125 calories approximately

Peas Masala

My kids are not keen on peas so I wanted to make it little interesting for them with some healthy homemade spices. Green peas in a spicy tomato gravy goes well with chapathi, roti or even jeera rice. 

Ingredients - Serves 4

• Fresh or frozen peas - 1 cup
• Sliced onions - 1 cup
• Tomato puree - 2 tblsp
• Cashew nuts - 6 to 8
• Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
• Chilli powder - 1 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
• Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
• Jeera - 1/2 tsp
• Dry methi leaves - 2 tblsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil - 2 tblsp

Method

• Soak cashews in warm water for 10 minutes and grind it into a smooth paste
• Heat the pan with a tablespoon of oil and add sliced onions
• Saute for a minute and add ginger garlic paste
• Saute till raw smell leaves and allow it to cool down

• Grind saute onion and ginger garlic into smooth paste
• Heat pan with oil and add jeera - when it pops add grounded paste, peas, tomato puree, turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder and garam masala

• Cook till peas are tender and gravy thickens up
• Now add cashew paste, dry methi leaves and bring it to boil

• Serve hot with roti or jeera rice

Nutritional Information

• Green peas is loaded with Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory nutrients
• Green peas lowers the risk of most inflammatory diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and arthritis.
• Consumption of Green peas along with other legumes decreases the risk of stomach cancer
• Per serving = 185 calories approximately

Homemade Cinnamon Buns

Warm homemade cinnamon buns topped with crunchy walnuts and melting brown sugar, fresh from the oven... what a great way to treat your friends and family on a cool evening!

Ingredients - Serves 4

• All purpose flour - 2 cups
• Yeast - 2tsp
• Butter - 4 tblsp
• Sugar - 4 tblsp
• Salt - 1/2 tsp
• Warm milk - 3/4 cup
• Oil - 1 tblsp

For spread

• Brown sugar - 4 tblsp
• Cinnamon powder - 1 tblsp
• Walnuts - 3 tblsp ( chopped)

For glazing

• Powdered sugar - 1/2 cup
• Vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp
• Butter - 1 tsp
• Milk - 2 tblsp

 Method

• In a large bowl add sugar,salt,yeast and warm milk, let it sit for 10 minutes
• The yeast and milk mixture will become foamy 

• After 10 mins add flour and knead for approximately 5 min or until the dough becomes soft and smooth

• Keep the dough aside
• Coat the bowl with 1 tsp of oil and place the dough in it 
• Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it sit for an hour
• The dough will be double the size after an hour

• Now knead the dough again and spread it like a chapatti with a roller

• Sprinkle cinnamon, walnuts and brown sugar evenly

• Roll the dough from one end to another and cut into 1 inch thick swirls

• Let it rest for 20 minutes

• Preheat the oven at 180 C / 350 F

• In the meantime whisk butter, sugar and milk till it reaches a thick flow-able consistency
• Bake the cinnamon swirls for 30-40 min till golden brown
• Remove the baking tray and let it cool

• Drizzle the glaze over the rolls and serve warm 

Nutritional Information

• Cinnamon buns are rich in carbohydrates
• Walnuts decreases LDL cholesterol and increases omega 3 fatty acid in red blood cells
• Per serving = 200 Calories approximately

Chewy Energy Bars

Delicious chewy homemade energy bar is healthy and less expensive than store purchased ones. You can make this recipe using oven but I prefer stove top which is much easier and quicker.

Ingredients - Yields 8 Mini Bars

• Old fashioned oats - 1/2 cup
• Quick cooking oats - 1/2 cup
• Corn flakes - 1/2 cup
• Honey - 1/4 cup
• Brown sugar - 2 tblsp
• Water - 1/4 cup
• Butter - 2 tblsp
• Almond essence - 1/2 tsp
• Raisins & Chopped almonds - 1/2 cup (or any dry fruits and nuts)

Method

• Heat the pan and dry roast oats & cornflakes for 5 minutes or until a nice aroma comes - keep it aside
• Using the same pan, add butter heat till it melts
• Now add honey, brown sugar, almond essence and water, heat it until the mixture starts to boil
• Now add  roasted oats, cornflakes, raisins & almonds 
• Mix well and transfer it to a greased tray 
• Spread & press it using a spoon to 1/2 inch thickness
• Allow it to cool for 5mins and then cut into bars
• Store it in an airtight container 

Nutritional Information

 
• Oats is a good source of vitamins B & E, thiamine, riboflavin, B6 and folate
• Oats is low in sodium and can help reduce cholesterol
• Per serving =  150 calories approximately