MYSORE BONDA/ ULUNDHU BONDA

This is very similar to ulundhu vadai. Much simpler to make because you just dont have to worry about the perfect round shapes with the perfect holes!! Just simply scoop the batter in your fingers and roll them into a ball shape and then fry them.

One of the very few things my fussy daughter just loves!!........phew! Thank God for that!



INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup urad dal/ ulundhu, heaped
1 small onion, chopped finely
1/4 tsp asafoetida
1 tbsp corander leaves and  curryleaves , chopped (optional)
1 tbsp basmathi rice OR 1-2 tsps rice flour
1 tbsp peppercorn
2 tbsps coconut bits
a pinch of chopped ginger (optional)
salt to taste
oil for frying



PROCESS:
  • Soak the urad dal and basmathi rice (if u are using) together for about 3-4 hours.
  • Wash well and drain. In a food processor, blend the urad dal and rice with only necessary amount of water to form a paste. The more water you add the more oil it will absorb while frying.
  • Transfer the batter into a bowl and add the above ingredients and mix well

  • Heat oil for frying. To check if the oil is ready for frying, drop a tiny bit of batter into the oil. If it sinks to the bottom and them immediately rises to the surface its ready.
  • keep a bowl of water near you to dip your fingers each time you scoop some batter (so it doesnt stick to your hands) Shape the batter into balls of desired size and drop them into the oil. cook on low or medium flame.
  • when it starts browning flip them over .
  • drain on a kitchen towel.

MOIST EGGLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GANACHE



I baked this cake for my husbands birthday last month. Since the  joy of baking website has got lovely and trustworthy recipes I usually choose her recipes if Im not in the mood for 'experimenting'! The following recipe was an extremely easy 'mix and bake' recipe (and using no electric beater...yay!!)..........

I used a 23 cm cake tin. So ended up a bit thin. The 20 cms cake tin would have been perfect for this one.



tasted so moist and lovely...........but in my defense..... I did feel a bit guilty for choosing SUCH an easy recipe for his birthday!... :D


INGREDIENTS:
1.5 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted
1/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
75 grams unsalted butter (1/3 cup), melted
1 cup warm water(240 ml)
1 tbsp lime juice or vinegar .....(I used vinegar)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Chocolate frosting:
6 ounces (170 gms) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup (180 ml) heavy cream (35% butterfat)
1 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature



PROCESS:
  • Preheat oven to 350 deg F or 177 deg celcius. place rack in the centre of the oven
  • grease a 8 inch(20 cm) square baking pan. line the bottom with wax paper 
  • In a bowl mix together the flour, cocoa powder,baking soda, baking powder and salt. use a hand whisk so that the ingredients mix well.
  • Add the melted butter and vanilla. 
  • add vinegar to the warm water and pour into the flour bowl. mix well till incorporated.
  • pour the batter into the greased cake tin and bake for about 20 to 30 mins or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean
  • cool the cake on a wire rack.
for the ganache:
  • place the chopped chocolate, butter and cream in a heat proof bowl.
  • place over a saucepan of simmering water and stir so that it melts.

  • remove from heat and cool to room temp until its of running consistency.

  • remove cake from the cake tin and place on a plate.
  • pour frosting over the cooled cake. let stand till the frosting has thickened.

notes:
  • the cake tastes best when its slightly warm. So dont serve it right outta the refrigerator.

CREAMY BROCCOLI AND MUSHROOM PASTA / NO CREAM/ ONE POT

 This recipe was given to me by a dear cousin Neelu. She's a pro in cooking anything that crawls to walks to swims......LOL! This recipe was supposed to be posted ages ago.....but I wasnt able to take pictures, as my hungry husband could never wait till I took pictures...hmphh!

This recipe can be made using  almost any veggie of your choice. zucchini........sun dried tomatoes, black olives, baby spinach are lovely choices.
 This pasta recipe tastes soooo good and you can eat it without feeling guilty..... I even used low fat milk since it makes me feel better ........hahhaha............
you can serve with some chili sauce,,,,



 serves about 4 persons.
INGREDIENTS:

penne pasta - 200g
 1 onion, chopped
2 small tomato, chopped
ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
1 small broccoli, cut and washed -170g 
2 chicken sausage. chopped (optional)
11 white button mushrooms, sliced
1 and 1/2 tbsps maida/ all purpose flour
2 cups milk (approximately)
pasta seasoning- I used dried rosemary and oregano
chilli flakes. to taste
salt and pepper to taste
parmesan cheese - shredded for the topping(optional)



PROCESS:
  • Boil the pasta as per instructions on the pack . drain and keep aside. best if done before serving. if you wont have time after boiling just drizzle some extra virgin olive oil on top to prevent it from drying out.
  • in a wok, heat some oil. saute the sausages. once slightly browned, remove them from the oil and keep aside.
  • In the same wok, add the onions. add more oil if need be. 
  • once slightly browned add the ginger garlic paste. saute for a few seconds till nice and fragrant.
  • add the tomatoes. close the lid and cook till they are nice and mushy.
  • Add the broccoli, and saute well. add some salt.
  • after 2-3 minutes add the mushrooms. Stir fry for about a minute or two. Add the chili flakes.

  • Add the flour and give it a good stir.
  • Add the milk.
  •  simmer and the milk will start to thicken. Add the italian seasonings and the sausages.

  • When it starts to thicken switch off the flame.
  • When you are ready to serve add the required amount of pasta into the sauce and heat. If the sauce has thickened too much add more milk while heating.
  • serve hot. top with parmesan cheese.

notes:
  • Add the pasta only before you are ready to serve. It absorbs alot of milk.
  • The sauce thickens very quickly. So each time you want to serve just add milk and heat.

ONION OOTHAPAM

 This has become one of our regulars for dinner! With a generous amount of chopped onions and idli podi , this has enough flavours to be eaten without any chutneys or sambar.


INGREDIENTS:
Dosa Batter

chopped onions
green chillies, chopped
salt
idli podi
oil


PROCESS:
  • Pour a ladle full of batter on the dosa tawa. I dont like it too thick. 
  • Top with some onions and green chillies.
  • Sprinkle desired amount of idli podi on top
  • Drizzle some oil and let it cook

  • After the underneath has become slightly browned, flip the dosa to the other side.
  • cook on medium flame. cook til the onions have become nicely browned or ever slightly burnt like how I like it :)


notes:
  • This method will leave the onions nice and crisp
  • If you want the onions soft. cover the dosa after sprinkling the onions and idli podi.

DOSA BATTER

I used the rice cooker cup for this recipe.
1 cup = 160 ml
INGREDIENTS
idli rice = 3 cups
urad dal=1 cup
fenugreek seeds/ vendhayam = 2 to 3 tbsps

PROCESS:
  • Wash and soak all the ingredients together in water for a minimum of 5 hours. I usually soak it overnight.
  • Drain the water and grind it in a wet grinder or even your blender in batches, adding small amounts of water at regular intervals. 
  • The end batter will have a coarse texture.(slightly grainy to the touch)
  • Add enough water to blend to have a slightly thicker batter.
  • Pour it in a big container, mix well and leave it to ferment in a warm place. About 6 to 8 hours.
  • Once it has fermented (the batter would have risen) you can put it in the fridge
notes:
  • To make dosas, take required amount of batter in a bowl, add salt and water and mix. Batter should be of pouring consistency.
  •  For more keeping time in the refrigerator, do not mix salt to the entire batter. Mix only as and when you need.

SAUSAGE BUNS

 This is by far the best bread/ bun recipe Iv ever come across. Thanks to suhaina. I absolutely stunned my entire household with this recipe. Was extremely soft and delicious.. Il never buy this from the bakery again :)

The measurements were just perfect! :)



INGREDIENTS:
for the dough
3 cups bread flour
3/4 to 1 cup warm water (approx)
4 tbsps sugar
2 tbsps milk powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsps instant yeast
1 egg
3 tbsps melted unsalted butter

for the filling:
sausages- I used chicken
white sesame seeds
1 egg, for the egg wash




PROCESS:
  • In a large mixing bowl. mix together the flour, milk powder, yeast, sugar, salt.
  • Make a well in the centre and add the egg.
  • start kneading and slowly add the water. use required amount of water to form a dough.
  • knead for a few minutes and add the butter. knead and place in a bowl. leave it in a bowl to double in size. approx 1 hour.


  • Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
  • After the dough has doubled in size, roll it over a floured work surface.
  • Divide into equal balls . I got 10
  • Take each ball and roll it with your hand like shown in the below pic. 

  • wrap it around a sausage and place on the baking tray.
  • Repeat the same for the rest of the dough balls.
  • cover and place in a warm place for the 2nd rise. approx 45 min to 1 hour.

  • 10 mins before you start the baking process, preheat the oven at 180 deg celcius.
  • do an egg wash on top of your rolls and sprinkle some white sesame seeds.
  • bake for about 10 mins or till the tops become golden brown.


CHARRED CORN / SUTTE SOLAM

 I saw these lovelies at the market the other day. So just bought 2 to experiment! yum yum!! so the next day went and bought a few more.... :D

enough said huh??


INGREDIENTS:
corn on the cob - how many ever you need
chilli powder
lemon
butter

PROCESS:
  • Peel the corn from the outer husk
  • hold the corn with a pair of tongs the hold it over a low flame on the stove.

  • turn it around so it cooks evenly until you find black patches here and there. remove from fire.
  • while it is still hot, brush the corn with some melted butter
  • sprinkle some chilli powder evenly and generously.
  • take a lime wedge and rub it over the corn.
  • serve hot with a cup of coffee/tea

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