Rava Laddoo ~ The Indian Cooking Challenge


As a prelude to Srivalli's Indian Cooking Challenge, which is all set to begin on the 1st of July, it was decided to conduct a trial round and rava laddoo was chosen as the inaugural dish. Rava Laddoo is one of the easiest sweets you could make. Its totally hassle free, uses simple ingredients and could be made in no time. I have only helped mom to shape the laddoos before, this is the first time I made it all by myself and I'm so pleased with the results. This is a perfect recipe and I totally enjoyed the challenge.

It's my dad's birthday today and this one is for him. He loves sweets and I so wish I could stuff one into his mouth as I wish him.


T & T : Baingan ka Bharta


Meena's Hooked on Heat is in the spotlight this month for Tried and Tasted. She has got so many amazing dishes out there, no one could go back disappointed. For a change, I decided to go for a vegetarian dish this time. Baingan ka Bharta is something I've wanted to make for a long time and Meena's recipe was so simple and looked so delicious, I just jumped at the chance.

Here is a picture of my oven roasted eggplant....


Find the recipe here. I did not make any changes except adding the garam masala along with the other spices instead of sprinkling it at the end. I had this with dal rice and used the rest as a sandwich filling the next morning. Totally forgot to take a pic.
Great recipe, one I would be making very often.


My entry to T&T: Hooked on Heat, hosted by KC of Kits Chow, event started by Zlamushka.

Also sending this to FIL - Brinjal hosted by Sanghi of Sanghi's Food Delights.


Pancakes with Chocolate Sauce


I make pancakes quite often especially on weekends when I want to indulge or am in the mood for something sweet that I could whip up in a jiffy. I try a different recipe each time and I always love the result. You couldn't ever go wrong with this. I have always wondered why people buy the packaged mixes, yet I know a number of people who swear by 'Bisquick'. So when I saw the recipe for Homemade Bisquick at Natalie's Blog Perry's Plate, I had to make it. I'll never if Bisquick is the same but i totally loved it. The pancake were light, fluffy and soft, I didn't mind having them cold. This recipe is a keeper for sure.


I followed Natalie's recipe and just added 2 tbs extra sugar and 1 tsp of vanilla essence.
I made my favorite topping, chocolate sauce of course, to go with the pancakes. Just melted about 1/3 cup chocolate chips with 1 tbs of butter. Had 5 pancakes by myself, all the talk about dieting! But I'll save the guilt for another time:)....this was just irresistible.


My entry for Taste n Create.

For my Century : Strawberry Chocolate Trifle

I'm not sure when I started collecting recipes, sometime when I was in school coz I remember teachers lecturing me as I always had something written on the last pages of my notebooks. I just had to see a cookery show on TV and I would just grab the nearest book or paper without even checking what it was. Very often it would be my brothers book, as he always had them scattered all over the house and you can imagine his reaction:)...such fun! Now I have so many books and files full of recipes, all back in India of course, it's impossible to find anything. When I was packing before coming to the US, I was so sad to leave my collection behind and was all set to start another one here when Manoj suggested that I start blogging. I couldn't be more grateful coz I've enjoyed every moment of it. I've met some wonderful talented people and thanks to all of you who visit my blog regularly and leave such lovely comments. This is my 100th post and I hope to enjoy your support as I aim for a double century....


Chana Masala

I'm posting a dish after such a long time, and yet my mind is totally blocked and I can't think of anything to write about. Am just really glad that the weekend is here and since we have no plans whatsoever I'm gonna spend all my time watching movies and reading a steaming romantic novel :)...yup, right now that's my idea of a relaxed weekend. Onto the recipe now.....


Ingredients:
1.5 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1tbs oil
2 medium onions (200 gms), sliced
4 green chillies, fc
1 heaping tbs fc ginger
2 big garlic cloves, fc
2 big tomatoes (300 gms)
1 tsp red chilli powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp amchur (dry mango powder)
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
salt to taste


Method:
Cook the chickpeas in sufficient water, some turmeric and salt until   well done, you must be able to mash it with the back of your spoon.
Saute the onion in the oil until it begins to turn golden. Add the ginger and garlic and green chilies and fry for a minute. Add the tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes turn soft.
Cool slightly and grind to a smooth paste.
Return to the pan, on medium heat and add all the spice powders and salt. Mix well and cook on low heat for about 2-3 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and cook, mashing them as you stir, until the oil separates.
Add the spice powders and fry for a minute.
Now add the chickpeas, and enough water as per desired gravy consistency.
Bring to a boil, cover and cook for 5 mins on medium low heat.
Stir in the cilantro and seve hot along with puris, rotis or any other bread.

Sending this to MLLA - Twelfth Helping hosted by Apu of Annarasa,event by Susan of The Well Seasoned Cook.

Happy Weekend!!

My Favorite Things Round-up Part 2

Once again thank you for your participation and for your support. I'm a little late but here is the final round-up of 'My Favorite Things : Cheese'. I hope I have not missed out any entries, please drop me a line if I have. Enjoy the feast...

To begin with my entries...



'Pasta alla Genovese'



'Oven Baked Pasta' by Vicky of Viki's Kitchen.



'Mini Cheese Pasta Rolls' by Ria of Ria's Collection.



'Spicy Nacho Cheese' by Ashwini of Ashwini's Spicy Cuisine.



'Cheddar Cheese Muffins' by Nags of Edible Garden.



'Easy Potato Gratin' by The Koshy Mostafas of The Food We Cook.




'Cheese Biscuits' by SuperChef of Mirch Masala.



'Chilli Cheese Toast' by Laavanya of Cookery Corner.



'Eggless Raspberry Tiramisu Cake' by Parita of Parita's World.



'Palak Paneer' by Yasmeen of HealthNut.



'Margarita Pizza' by Supriya of Celebrating Little Things in Life.



'Lasagna' by Cristie of Edible Antics - Having Fun With Food.



'Cheese Idli' by Usha of Usha Nandini's Recipes.



'Quick Cheese Corn Cutlet' by EC of Simple Indian Food.



'Three Cheese and Beer Bread' by Johanna of Green Gourmet Giraffe.



Entries by Padma of Padma's Recipes.












Entries by Srilakshmi of Annapurna









'Cilantro Stuffed Paneer Pakodas' by Jyoti of Food Seasons.



'Veggie Lasagna' by Sumi of Sumi's Kitchen.



'Cheese Omelette' by Valarmathi of Simple and Yummy Recipes.


Have a great week ahead....

Portobello Pizzas


You know how I'm always talking about losing weight and I have this long list of foods I try to avoid or at least reduce in my diet. How strictly I follow that list, is another story altogether, one I just avoid thinking of. I added pizzas to my list as part of my new year resolution, and I'm really proud that I've stuck to it (you'd be too if you knew how crazy I'm about pizzas), except for a couple of slices I had to eat at a friends b'day party, well I just didn't want to upset her on her big day...Isn't that a perfect excuse:)...
Anyways I had been to the farmers market last weekend and there were these amazing portobellos on sale and I immediately thought of a recipe I'd seen on Food Network a while back. I bought four of them and made these pizzas for lunch. I must say I no longer feel sad seeing Pizza on my list, the mushroom base is such a wonderful alternative, adds so much flavor and I don't have to worry about making bread anymore.....

My Favorite Things Round-up Part1

Here is the first part of the round-up of 'My Favorite Things : Cheese'. A big thanks to all the participants for their mouthwatering contributions. I came across a lot of new blogs and had great fun hosting. Check out the yummy entries below...

Cheesy Recipes by Priya of Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes..














'Kadai Paneer' by Usha of Usha Nandini's Reccipes.



'Homemade Mascarpone Cheesecake' by Bindiya of In Love with Food.



'Paneer Bhurji' by Prathibha of The Chef and Her Kitchen.



'Potatoes with Cheese and Chinese Vegetables (Choy Sum)' by Tigerfish of Teczcape-An escape to food.



'Savoury Bread Pudding' by Sudha of Malaysian Delicacies.






'Mutter Paneer Masala' by Lubna of Yummy Food.







'1-2-3 Instant Veggie Pizza' & 'Cheddar Paratha' by Rani of Vegetarian Recipes.




'Veggie Pizza - Totally Homemade' by Sowmya of Visit my Kitchen.



'Oreo Chocolate Balls' by Prasu of Prasukitchen.



'Kadai Paneer' & 'Pepronata' by Sushma of Savi-Ruchi.




'Gouda Cheese Crackers' by TBC of The Budding Cook.



'Paneer Tikka' by Sowmya of Creative Saga.



'Ricotta Blueberry Pancakes' by Varsha of Will O' the Wisp.



'Chilli Cheese Starters' by Renuka of Fusion.



'Spanakopita' & 'Cheese Omelette' by Pooja of My Experience with Cooking.




'Hariyali Paneer Tikka' & 'Besan Chillah' by Malini of Khana Khazana with Malini.





Hope you guys are enjoying your weekend.....Do come back for the next part in a couple of days.