Banana Chocolate Cake (Butterless Easy recipe)

        
           This delicious cake combines the sweetness of ripe mashed bananas with cocoa powder which made it chocolatey... This cake is soft even when refrigerated....Bananas become much sweeter and more deliciously scented as they mature...adding chocolate to such bananas would make it a classic family dessert providing a depth of flavor...& as its bananas & these is no usage of butter it's healthy too...lovely to attract kids...
           I was inspired by this recipe from a famous blog i follow..."The joy of baking"...Made slight changes to it..specially the addition of chopped almonds...which my husband felt is the specialty of this cake...the small crunchy bites in between the spongy soft & moist cake really changes the entire feel....I couldn't resist myself from licking my fingers when the cake was done & a slice reached my hands..You can garnish the cake with a chocolatey buttery icing as you wish...

Ingredients

1.Banana (Chiquita) -3(ripe)
2.Cocoa powder- a little less than 3/4 cup
3.All Purpose Flour (Maida)- 1 3/4 cup
4.Sugar- 1 3/4 cup
5.Baking powder-1 1/2 tsp
6.Baking soda-1 1/2 tsp
7.Salt-1/2 tsp
8.Eggs-2
9.Warm water-1 cup
10.Milk-1/2 cup
11.Olive oil-1/2 cup (or any other oil)
12.Cinnamon powder-1/4 tsp
13.Almond (Badam)/Cashew nuts/Pistachios- 4 to 5 tbsp (chopped)

Preparation (of batter)

~Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl with a spoon. (cocoa powder, maida, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon powder & sugar)

~Peel the bananas & cut them into thick pieces & add them to a blender.

~Puree the bananas along with milk.

~Now add the rest of the wet ingredients to this banana puree & blend till smooth. (eggs, olive oil, warm water)

~Combine this pureed wet mix with the dry mix.

~Combine well with a spoon avoiding lumps.

~Add the chopped almonds & mix well.

Preparation (of cake)

~Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven.
~Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick/tip of a knife inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.  
~You can also prepare this cake in a pressure cooker.
~Take a deep bottomed vessel which can be placed inside  the pressure cooker.
~Spread aluminium foil inside this vessel..which makes it easier to remove the cake when done.

~Just grease little of ghee/butter/olive oil inside the aluminium foil (for the cake to come out clean)
~Pour the batter inside the vessel & keep this vessel inside the pressure cooker.(can place a tin lid inside first..so this vessel is not in direct contact with the cooker)
~Close it without the weight.
~Cook in medium to low flame till 35 to 45 mins until a toothpick/tip of a knife inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. 
~Once the cake is done, remove the vessel along with the cake outside the pressure cooker & allow it cool..
~When its cold enough to touch, refrigerate it.
~Once when the cake is hardened, detatch it from the foil & slice it...

Couldn't just explain the feeling of having such a wonderfully moist chocolatey cake....
It was just melting in my mouth...  
Once you have it, will definitely lick your fingers too....!!! 

Linking to : Champa's Bake Off

Banana Oats Smoothie

               Something perfectly quick for a healthy breakfast...This is quite a filling for your tummy, delicious and also great for weight loss....Can have it chilled or as it is...since the milk & yoghurt would be cold enough...Just have this before your regular morning routine and you’ll have the energy you need instead of skipping breakfasts..which is quite common if on a busy schedule...The chopped almonds or any nuts you add give the actual taste of this smoothie..something healthy & tasty to chew in between... 

               I was not so interested in oats recipes till having this easy smoothie.....The addition of oats makes the smoothie rich in fibre and it tastes great too.... This is a good way to incorporate oats into your diet.... Actually found this recipe from one of the blogs i follow when really hungry for breakfast....& came out to be a succeess..Now having a second thought...in search of more new oats recipes...

Ingredients

1.Oats (quick cooking) - 2 tbsp
2.Water-1/2 cup
3.Milk - 3/4 cup or less
4.Plain Yoghurt - 1/4 cup
5.Banana (Chiquita) - 1 (peel and cut into 3-4 pieces)
6.Honey - 2 to 3 tsp
7.Sugar-1 tbsp  or more (according to your sweetness)
8.Almond(Badam)/Walnuts/Cashew nuts/Pistachios- chopped - 1 or 2 tbsp

Preparation

~Cook oats with  water for 2-3 mins in medium flame & allow it to cool. 

~Can be prepared even a night before and refrigerated, so that it will be more easier..(if soo busy) 

~Blend  cooked oats, yoghurt, chopped banana, honey & 1/4 cup of  milk and puree it until smooth.
~Then add the rest of the milk and blend again.
~Add chopped badam and serve chilled.
~You will love the  bites of chopped badams in this smoothie (Don't avoid that part)

Easy & healthy smoothie readyy!!
Try out this instant energizer.........

Bread Pudding / Bread Kinnathappam

          
          Kinnathappam  is a very popular traditional dessert of Kerala & TamilNadu..."Kinnam" means plate & "appam" here means the pudding....so its a type of steamed sweet pudding prepared in plate or vessel...It's mostly enjoyed by the Muslim population & its ingredients just keep varying..

          Here, i have bread as the main ingredient & it takes much less effort & time to prepare than the original kinnathappam (really tedious..but worth the effort...)....This recipe of mine results in a  really delicate, soft, slightly wiggly, mouthwatering delicacy which tastes so good just melting your taste buds...Its a dessert  made from a few common kitchen ingredients....& designed with nuts & raisins which are drizzled with honey....!!

Ingredients

1.Bread slices-8
2.Egg-1
3.Coconut milk/Milk-3/4 cup
4.Sugar-4 to 5 tbsp (if its sweet bread you will need only less)
5.Vanilla essence-1/2 tsp
6.Rice powder- 1 tbsp (optional)
7.Cashew nuts-6-7(slit them into 2 halves)
8.Raisins-1 tbsp
9.Honey-1 tsp

Preparation (of batter)

~Slice the crusts (brown sides) off the bread pieces.

~Crack an egg into the blender.
~Shred the bread pieces into the blender.
~Now pour the milk on top of the bread pieces to the blender along with sugar,rice powder & vanilla essence.
~Can use coconut milk or normal milk or a mixture of both..but not more than 3/4 cup..the pudding will become loose if more..
~Now blend them into a smooth paste & keep aside.

Preparation (of pudding)

~Can cook this pudding in pressure cooker or an idli cooker.(similar results)
~In pressure cooker..you have to use a vessel & if in an idli cooker use a thali(a steel plate with sides looking like a tray)

~Pour water in the idli cooker or pressure cooker.(steam cooking)

~Place a steel plate/ lid / small steel vessel inside the cooker.(any one)
~Pour 1 tsp ghee into the steel plate or vessel in which your going to cook the pudding.
~Heat this plate for 1min & swirl the ghee to all sides of the plate.

~Place this plate/vessel which is already heated carefully into the cooker.
~Now the pour the batter into the vessel.

~Water should not reach more than half of the vessel containing the mix...
~Make sure while boiling, the water wont get inside the mixture ...
~Also water should not get dried up..

~If using a pressure cooker,close it & no need to put the weight. 

~If using idli cooker you can cover it.
~It takes 20- 25 mins....for the pudding to get cooked....after 10 mins of cooking, just decorate the pudding if wish..

Preparation (of decoration) 

~Heat 1/2 tsp of ghee/oil in a saucepan.
~Roast nuts & raisins for 2 mins in medium flame.
~Pour honey to this nuts combination & mix well & off the flame.

~Cook the pudding for 10 mins in high flame..
~Reduce the flame till you decorate it..
~Now open the cooker (whichever it is) & place each nuts & raisins with a gentle press with your spoon in a decorative way(your taste) on the pudding .

~Close the lid & increase the flame.
~Cook for 10-15 mins more..Open & check in between whether its cooked.
~Once cooked, off the flame, open the lid & let it cool. 
~When cooled, remove the vessel & slice it (needs little care)& serve..

Easy, yummy & a perfect mouth-melting pudding is readyy  !!! 

Every bite would be satisfying...My guarantee...!! 

Linking to : Sameena's Milk Sweet Recipes

Linking to : Nayana's Celebrate Navratri/Diwali & Jagruthi's Page

Linking to : Preethi's Let's Party- Fest Celebrations- Diwali & Surabhi's My Cookbook. 

 

Linked to : Rasya's Kid's Delight ~ Healthy Makeover & Valli's Kid's Delight

Szechuan Chicken Curry (Quick & Easy)

          This dish just makes a great lunch/dinner idea who is craving for something Chinese.....It's a very simple, quick recipe for Szechuan-style chicken with basic ingredients.... This is usually served over white rice, fried rice, vegetable pulao (my favorite)...also goes with any type of bread, rotis, chappathis, parathas & dosas too..
    
           Szechuan cooking is usually pretty spicy, but this recipe is surprisingly mild (can add adjust the spice according to your taste).....chicken pieces are tossed in a spicy and flavorful sauce giving in an amazing moist flavor...the main spiciness of this dish comes from dried red chilies.... I know authentically you would be using Szechuan peppercorns but these can be a little hard to find in some places.....a light coating of cornstarch is preferred as i love my chicken bits to be a little crispy....

Ingredients

1.Chicken-1 kg
2.Cornflour/Cornstarch-3 1/4 tbsp
3.Soya sauce- 5 1/2 tbsp
4.Tomato ketchup-1 tbsp
5.Onion-3  (large)
6.White Vinegar-1 1/2 tbsp
7.Sugar-1/2 tbsp
8.Dry red chilly(vattal mulaku)-5 long ones
9.Water-1/2 cup
10.Oil-3 tbsp
11.Garlic-5 pods (thickly chopped)
12.Capsicum (Ball Pepper)-1 (chopped) (optional)

Preparation

~Soak dry red chillies in warm water for 10 mins.
~Drain the water & grind the red chillies & keep aside.

~Chop onions in the Chinese method.(usually seen only for Chinese dishes)
~Cut them into two pieces..take each piece & slice it diagonally & then into squares..

 
 

















~Clean the chicken pieces, pat dry them & take them in a bowl.
~Add 3 tbsp cornflour to this & coat the chickens well with your hands (or toss them properly)

~Heat oil in a non-stick kadai (Indian wok),reduce the flame & add the prepared chicken & garlic to this.
~Stir-fy this chicken for 3-4 mins in medium heat & off the flame.
~Transfer this half-fried chicken & garlic to a pressure cooker along with water, 1 tbsp vinegar, 5 tbsp soya sauce, chopped onions, chopped capsicum & 1 tbsp of grinded red chilly paste & cook till 2-3 whistles (till the chicken becomes tender)

~After release of steam open it & transfer the cooked chicken mix back to the kadai & heat in low flame.
~Add tomato ketchup & sugar & mix well & cook for 2 mins.

~Adjust rest of chilly paste(increase if you want it more spicy), 1/2 tbsp vinegar,1/2 tbsp soya sauce(low sodium content would be perfect) accordingly. 
~Mix 1/2 tsp cornflour in 1 tbsp water & pour it into the curry & mix well.
~The sauce will turn slightly thickened and glossy within 2 mins.
~Remove from flame & just give it a taste..

A deliciously moist & tasty way to have chicken !!!

Carrot Paneer Tikki/Toast (Heart Toasts)

       Tikki is a North Indian spicy Snack made of  boiled potatoes(Aloo Tikki...quite common one) or along with various other vegetables...which looks like a cutlet.... It is found in almost every chaat shop or stall all over Delhi majorly and even other parts of India..... It is usually served hot along with tamarind and coriander-mint chutney known as hari(green) chutney, tomato ketchup and sometimes yoghurt or chickpeas...

        Preparing different snacks every week is really challenging.... So lets change the normal taste of tikkis with extra veggies...Potato ,Carrot & Paneer(Cottage cheese) together are yummy with its spicy, sweet and sour taste... Kids prefer fried items a lot....  So to avoid that we can try this tikki, which seems to be like a fried snack, but not actually....its just toasted in a fry pan.... It consumes very little oil/ghee and gives a great taste...

     You can prepare tikkis in any flattened shape...usually it has the cutlet shape...i tried the heart shapes...came out well..i suppose..Hubby just loved the romantic shape...So lets see how its prepared.....

Ingredients

1.Carrot (grated)-3/4cup
2.Potato-2 (medium)
3.Paneer-1/4 or 1/2 cup (scrambled)
4.Onion- 1 (small..finely chopped)
5.Cumin seeds (cheriya jeerakam)-3/4 tsp
6.Chilly powder-1 tsp
7.Pepper-1/2 tsp
8.Cornflour-4-5 tbsp
9.Sugar-1/2 tbsp
10.Coriander leaves (chopped)-1 tbsp
11.Tomato ketchup-2 tsp
12.Soya sauce-1 tsp
13.Garam masala-1/4 tsp
14.Oil-1 tbsp
15.Ghee-1 tsp

Preparation (of vegetables)

~Cut the potatoes into 2 halves.
~Pressure the potatoes along with its skin with enough water & little salt. (4 whistles)(don't over boil)
~After the steam releases, open the cooker & cool the potatoes pouring tap water on top.
~Peel its skin & mash it properly.

~I used frozen paneer...so just soaked in water for 5 mins.
~Scramble the paneer with your finger tips & grate carrots & keep aside.

 

Preparation ( of tikki masala)

~Heat oil in a kadai & add cumin seeds.

~When they splutter add chopped onion with little salt & stir saute for 2 mins in medium flame.

~Now reduce the flame & add carrots, paneer & coriander leaves & cook for 2 mins in low flame.
~Add chilly powder, pepper, sugar, salt, tomato ketchup & soya sauce, garam masala  & mix well.
~Check its taste & adjust salt & chilly powder accordingly.
~Add the mashed potatoes & increase the flame little & mix well & cook for 1 min & off the flame.

~Transfer this mix to a bowl & add cornflour & mix well & prepare a soft dough-like mix.

Preparation (of tikki)

~Prepare small balls out of this dough.
~With the help of your palm give them a cutlet shape by pressing them gently.
~I then converted it into a heart shape..(can make any flattened shape according to your taste..)
~Heat 1/2 tsp ghee in a fry pan & place these prepared tikkis into the pan.

~Wait till their color changes to golden brown.
~Then flip it & gently press on top & cook the other side.. 

So how does these healthy veggie tikkis look??
Wait.. let me  have some chutney or tomato sauce along..
Now its ready for my tummyy....
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....yummyyy...!!! 

 

Linking to : Roha's  Romantic Candle light dinner

 

Won the Best Presentation Award from Roha..& here it is..

Linking to : Sowmya's Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids - Combo Meal  & Nithu's Event Announcement

Linking to : Srivalli's  Kid's Delight ~ Potluck Party 

Linking to : Lakshmi's Hubby's Delight