BADAM HALWA

Beetroot Halwa

Halwa is a delicious sweet dessert from India. I love halwas from my childhood, My uncle will always buy halwas for me when he visits my home. The taste and its  flavour is mouthwatering. 

Beetroot is a sweet and earthy vegetable  and its low in calories and contains vitamins, minerals and also packed with antioxidants. It gives you stamina, blood flood and increase white blood cells also  controls low blood pressure. It reduces the possibility of heart attack ans stroke. Beetroot greens also has an excellent source of folic acid and a very good source of fibre, manganese and pottasium. 

I just joined in #blogging marathon and this is my first post in that series. I feel so happy to share my favourite Halwa recipe for desserts theme in BM#57 week 2 day 1 post..............

prep time: 10 mins 

 cooking time: 20-25 mins 

 serves- 2-3

Beetroot Halwa

Ingredients:

Grated beetroot- 1 cup 

 sugar- 3/4 cup  

cardamom powder- a pinch 

milk- 1/2 cup 

 condensed milk/ khoya - 1 tbsp  

crushed nuts- 2 tbsp

 ghee- 3/4 cup

Method:

Peel and grate beetroot.

In a heavy bottomed pan add 2 tbsp of ghee and grated beetroot saute well till the beets gets glossy look and cooks well.

Add in milk stir well and cook in slow flame till the milk absorbs completely and the beets become softer. 

Add condensed milk/khoya and sugar stir continuously by adding ghee till the ghee seperate,  rolls like a ball and doesnot stick on the sides. Now add in crushed nuts and cardamom powder. Transfer them into a serving dish and serve hot..........

Notes:

you can use carrots, pumpkin or any other root vegetable to make this halwa. It can be consumed hot or cold and it will last for 3 days. 

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 57

OATS AND WHOLE WHEAT SANDWICH BREAD#BREADBAKERS

Oats and wholewheat sandwich bread

I bought only breads from outside. When I started baking the amazing moment I got when I baked bread for the first time its speechless......Onwards I never bought bread in stores regularly I bake them once in a week. This sandwich bread is with oats and whole wheat flour which is totally healthy and soft.........This post is for bread bakers hosted by Rocio who has given an amazing event with Oats this month..........................

makes-2 loaves

 prep time-11/2 hrs  

baking time-35 mins

Ingredients:

Whole wheat flour- 51/2 cup 

Yeast-2 tsp  

Warm water- 1 cup 

 unsalted butter- 2 tbsp

  milk- 1 cup

  Sugar- 1/4 cup 

 salt - 1 tbsp  

 Oats- 1/2 cup 

Method:

In a bowl add warm water sprinkle some sugar and a pinch of  salt from the measured and sprinkle yeast over them. Leave aside for 10 mins till it proves. Add melted butter,1 cup flour, milk and oats to the yeast mixture mix well and set aside for 5 mins. 

Insert hook attachment with a beater add the yeast mixture mix well add remaining flour slowly and knead the dough till smooth and pliable atleast for 10 mins. Place them in a warm place covered for an hour to rise. When the dough rises roll them gently and put them in a greased sandwich tin. Keep aside for 20 mins till it rises again . Coat them with milk and sprinkle some oats over them.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. 

Reduce the heat to 180 degree and bake the bread for 30-35 mins. immedietly brush butter over the bread to gain its colour.Cool completely and slice them to serve.................

#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. Follow our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated each month on this home page.

We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient.

If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send Stacy an email with your blog URL to foodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com.

Oatmeal Bread themed #BreadBakers:

• Agave Oatmeal Sour Dough Bread from My Catholic Kitchen
• Applesauce Oatmeal Bread from Hostess at Heart
• Banana Oatmeal Loaf from Basic N Delicious
• Blueberry Currant Oatmeal Bread from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal Bread from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Honey Oatmeal Bread from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Honey-Oatmeal Muffins from A Baker's House
• Honey Oats Bread Loaf from Gayathri's Cook Spot
• Honey Nut Oatmeal Waffles from Magnolia Days
• Honey Wheat Oat Bread from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Irish Oat and Whole Wheat Bread from Cali's Cuisine
• Lemon Blueberry Oat Bread from Kids & Chic
• Multigrain Twist Bread from What Smells So Good?
• Oat Breadsticks from Passion Kneaded
• Oatmeal and Whole Wheat Rolls from Sneha's Recipe
• Oatmeal Buttermilk Bread from Ruchik Randhap
• Oatmeal Porridge Sandwich Loaf from Bakers and Best
• Oatmeal Stout Loaf from Food Lust People Love
• Oat & Honey Bread from La Cocina de Aisha
• Oats and Millet Idli from Spice Roots
• Oats Garlic Kulcha from SimplyVeggies
• Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips Oatmeal Scones from G'Gina's Kitchenette
• Rolled Oat Sourdough Boule from A Shaggy Dough Story
• Savory Oats Scones from Sara's Tasty Buds
• Triple Seeded Oat Bread from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Whole Wheat Honey Oatmeal Bread from Spill the Spices

EGGLESS JOAN"SCAKE/ RAINBOW CAKE

Joan's cake/ Rainbow cake

Every time I make the cakes my heart will jump like a small girl with excitement........ I enjoy a lot when the cake rises up.This cake is a very special cake for me becoz it was on my wishlist for over a year.But I haven't tried it as it needs lots of ingredients.........When swathi from zesty kitchen and julie suggested this recipe for baking partners I decided to try it out.

No Idea which cake I'm taking about  It is a rainbow cake but not a regular one.We have to use fresh fruits and nuts to attain its colour.It is nothing but JOAN"S RAINBOW CAKE....Yummy delicious cake with lots of flavours inside.........You can make it as 2 days plan.First day prepare the cakes and do icing on the next day............

Joan's cake/Rainbow cake

Strawberry cake:

Fresh Strawberry- 1 cup+ sugar-2 tbsp+ water-1/4 cup  

 Heat them well and mash the pulp measure 3/4 cup of strawberry pulp for the cake

flour-1 cup

  baking powder-1 tsp

  powdered sugar-1/2 cup

  flaxseed powder-1 tbsp+3 tbsp water mix well and set aside for 10 mins.when you mix it will be in jelly form.

  butter- 3 1 1/2 tbsp 

   Pink food colour-few drops(I haven't used colour)

Sift the flour and baking powder and set aside.

In a bowl add butter and powdered sugar beat well till foamy add in flaxseed mixture mix well.Now stir in strawberry pulp to mix completely and get a pinkish colour.If you want you can add colour.

Sift the flour and baking powder thrice.

Preheat oven to 180°c

Now fold in the flour to the mixture and mix well till combined without any lumps.Grease a baking tin and pour the mixture into and bake for 35-40 mins according to your oven temp.Cool completely and store in fridge covered with cling flim.

Pista cake

Ingredients:

Pistachios- 3/4 cup 

 milk- 1/4 cups + 2 tbsp   

baking powder-1 tsp 

powdered  sugar-1/2 + 2 tbsp 

 flaxseeds mixture- 3 tbsp(method mentioned above)  

  butter-30 gms 

 pista essence- 1 tsp 

 green food colour- few drops(I din't used)

Method:

Preheat oven to 180°c.

In a bowl beat butter and powdered sugar together till foamy.Add in pista essence,milk,flaxseed mixture,green colour if needed and beat well.Now sift in flour and baking powder into the wet mixture and mix well till combined.Now pour the batter into the greased baking pan and bake at 180°c for 25-30 mins and cool completely. Keep in fridge covering with cling film till use.

Orange cake

Ingredients:

All purpose flour- 11/4 cup 

 Baking powder- 1 tsp 

 Sugar-3/4 cup

  Butter-1/2 cup

  Orange juice-1/2 cup 

 Orange zest-1 tsp 

 Flax seed mixture- 1 tbsp

 Orange essence & colour- 1/2 tsp (optional)

Method:

Cream together butter and sugar add in flaxseed mixture, orange juice,zest, essence & colour combine well. Fold in sifted flour and baking powder mix well. Pour in a greased tray and bake at 180°c for 30 mins. Cool completely.

Fresh cream Icing:

Whipping cream-2 cups  

Icing sugar- 2 tbsp(optional)

Beat chilled cream till stiff peaks form add in icing sugar beat well. refrigerate till use. Put them in a pipping bag with prefered nozzle.

Soaking syrup:

Sugar- 1/4 cup

 water-1/4 cup 

lemon juice-few drops

Make syrup with sugar,water and lemon juice strain and cool them.

Assembling :

On a cake board pipe some cream and place orange cake sprinkle soaking syrup and  pipe cream to spread over the cake. Place pista cake,sprinkle the syrup and spread some icing on it. Then place strawberry cake sprinkle the syrup. spread the cream to cover all the cakes evenly spread with palette knife. This is the crumb coat and keep in fridge till it sets. Now add needed colours to the icing mixture. Pipe them on the cake with your creativity and serve this yummy cake................

RICE CREME BRULEE EGGLESS

RICE CREME BRULEE

Recipe by vimala lakshmi

We can make many rice dishes like pulao, briyani, kheer,pudding and lot more. I decided to prepare a different dish when Rafeeda suggested me Rice and nutmeg for shhhhhh.......secret challenge. We make creme brulee with milk and other ingredients infact I have eggless apple creme brulee recipe in my blog http://cookingclub17.blogspot.in/2014/01/apple-cream-brulee-eggless.html

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 35 mins

Total time: 50 mins

Yield: 5 bowls

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Brown rice

• 1 cup Coconut milk

• 2 tbsp Milk powder

• 1/2 cup Milk/Cream

• 11/2 cup Water

• 3/4 tsp+1 tbsp Sugar

• 1/2 tsp Salt

• a pinch Nutmeg powder

• 1/4 cup,chopped Strawberries

• 1/4 cup Brown sugar

• 1/2 tsp Vanilla essence

Cooking Directions

1. In a bowl mix chopped strawberries and 1tbsp sugar mix well and set aside. In a bowl add brownrice,coconut milk,milk powder mix well and soak for 15mins.In a saucepan add the rice mixture,salt,nutmeg powder,sugar 3/4cup and water boil till the rice cooks well and Can cook in cooker for 5-6whistles,open lid and add milk boil till the mixture becomes creamy and thick .Remove from fire and cool completely mix in vanilla essence and fill 1/4 th in ramekins then layer strawberry mixture then fill them with rice mixture till neck.Sprinkle strawberry mixture then place them in freezer for 2-3 hrs.On the time of serving cover the mixture completely with brown sugar. Caramelise them with blow torch and serve.

1. You can use laddle to caramelise the sugar.just heat the laddle on fire and place over the sugar.............

EGGLESS MULTIGRAIN BREAD #BREADBAKERS

Eggless multigrain bread #breadbakers

Bread baking is an art and once we start baking our own bread we won't go for a store bought one......I love baking especially bread my heart will jumpout of happiness when my yeast gets froth.Diabetic patients,heart patients anybody can have rhis bread becoz it is multigrained it contains wholewheat flour,maize flour,ragi flour,millet flour etc...it also contains flaxseeds which has amino acids and helps to increase immunity.........

Makes- 1 loaf (9*8 inch tin)

  preparation time-21/2 hrs 

\baking time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Whole wheat flour- 1 cup 

 maize flour- 1 cup

  Oats- 1/2 cup 

 Ragi flour- 1/2 cup  

foxtail millet flour- 1/2 cup

  Rice flour- 1/2 cup 

maida flour-1/2 If you want to avoid maida use extra 1/2 of wheat flour

 flaxseed powder-2 tbsp 

 Milk-1 cup  

Dry yeast-21/2 tsp

 Warm water-1 cup 

 sugar- 2 tbsp

  salt-1/2 tsp 

Olive oil-3 tbsp (you can use any flavourless oil or butter)

Method:

In a bowl  add warm water,sugar and salt give it a stir now sprinkle yeast over them and set aside for 10mins till frothy.

In a beater add  hook attachment and add milk and flaxseed powder run the beater for 1mins and keep aside for 5 mins till the flaxseeds gets a sticky textur add in the yeast mixture and beat till combined.

Mix all the flours in a bowl and sift them,run the beater and add the flours with a laddle slowly beat till the dough combines well for about 10 mins.Now transfer the dough into an oil coated bowl and cover with cling film.Set them aside for 1-11/2 hrs till it doubles.

Sprinkle flour on the surface and knead the dough till rolls a ball and put into the greased loaf pan spread evenly and keep covered for 45 mins for second rise.

Preheat the oven in 180°c

Coat milk over the risen loaf and Place the loaf tin into the oven and bake at 180°c for 35 mins.Now enjoy your mulitigrain bread as sandwich,toast etc..............!!!!!!!!

I bake this wonderful bread for stacy from foodlustpeoplelove for seed event hosted by Karen's Kitchen Stories

#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. This month's theme is Seeds, and his hosted by Karen of Karen's Kitchen Stories. Follow our Pinterest board Bread Bakers Pinterest Board. Links are also updated each month on this  Bread Bakers home page.. We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send Stacy an email with your blog URL to foodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com Don't forget to check out the rest of the delicious breads with seeds:

• Amaranth Banana Nut Quick Bread from Magnolia Days
• Anadama Bread from Baking in Pyjamas
• Bird Seed Bread from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Crunchy Seed Braid from A Shaggy Dough Story
• Everything Dutch Oven Bread from Chef Mireille's East West Realm
• Hearty Seed Dinner Rolls from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Khobz Mzaweq - Moroccan Decorated Bread from Food Lust People Love
• Lemon Chia Quick Bread from Basic N Delicious
• Lemon Curd Poppy Seed Bread from A Baker's House
• Lemon Poppy Seed Bread from The PinterTest Kitchen
• Makowiec - Polish Poppy Seed Bread from Sweet Cinnamon & Honey
• Multigrain and Seed Bread Extraordinaire from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Multigrain Bread with Flaxseeds from Cooking Club
• Pain Petri (Moroccan Challah) from Passion Kneaded
• Seeded Club Soda Bread from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Sesame Studded Grissini from Ruchik Randhap
• Simit - Turkish Ring Bread from Spice Roots
• Six Seed Soda Bread from Bakers and Best
• Sunflower Seed Bread from My Catholic Kitchen
• Sunflower Seed Bread from Kids and Chic

Here’s the HTML for the logo:

GNOCCHI WITH TOMATOES/PASTA

Gnocchi with tomatoes/pasta

Italian cusine is well-known to everyone and nobody can omit eating italian dishes.It is very delicious and simple to prepare.I love Ialian cusine a lot and I've tried almost all the recipes................

It has a range of sweets,savory and desserts.A very simple and easy to make from available items in our kitchen.I've started an event about world cusine and have a group and page named "WORLD FOOD GUIDE" in facebook and google plus.This page is to introduce people about world cusine and its recipes.Anybody can join and share or enjoy world food with the alphabet given for that month.This february is a month of valentine so I've decided to start from letter "I" for Italy,a place where first valentines day was celebrated.https://www.facebook.com/pages/World-food-guide/1409234019372928 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1532007913728797/

Come join hands with us and get ready to travel around the world with licking hands!!!!!

Cusine: Italian

Ingredients:

Gnocchi:

Potato-3,boiled and mashed  

 Maida flour-3`-4 tbsp

 salt to taste  

Method:

In a large bowl add boiled potatoes and mash well without any lumps or grate them.Add salt and maida to knead it into a dough consistency.Potato has more moisture so add some more flour to make the dough stiff but not too much.The dough should be soft and pliable.Then cover them with clingfilm or kitchen towel and set aside for 5 mins.

Now split the dough into small balls,take one small ball and slightly press with thumb over a fork or on the floor even with the wooden stick available in stores to make  stroke mark on them.

Heat water with salt and boil the gnocchis for just two mins or till it floats and set aside.

Tomato sauce:

Onion-1,chopped 

 Garlic-few pods,peeled and chopped

  Tomatoes-2,blanched in hotwater peeled and chopped  

 Dry thyme-a pinch

 Dry basil- a pinch 

salt to taste

 Red chilly flakes-1/2 tsp

  Olive oil/butter-1 tbsp coriender/parsley- few,chopped  

Cheddar Cheese-2 tbsp

Method:

In a pan add Olive oil/butter add garlic saute a while then add in onion fry well till translucent.Add in chopped tomatoes,dry herbs,chilly flakes and salt saute a little then add boiled gnocchi's stir well and serve with cheese,parsley or coriender on top.

Enjoy the taste of Italian dish GNOCCHI with ingredients from our kitchen.........!!!!!!! 

mash boiled potatoes

Knead with flour

Make a smooth and pliable dough

                                                                              Make small balls 

                                                                          

                                                            Make impression with your thumb

                                                           Or with this store bought stick

                                                                Boil in water for 1-2 mins

                                        Saute with these spices,onion,garlic and tomato puree

                                                                  Enjoy your gnocchi!!!!!!

sending this post to Remya's kitchen  First blog anniversary celebration and giveaway

BASBOUSA(SEMOLINA CAKE)

Semolina cake(Basbousa)

Semolina is a coarse form of wheat and used in pastas,puddings,couscous,south Indian Rava dosa and in many desserts too.....This semolina cake is made in middle-east countries.It tastes like our kesari but in a baked version.A yummy and sugary treat to all my viewers........... 

BASBOUSA(SEMOLINA CAKE)

Ingredients:For Syrup:

  sugar-625 gms

       water-200 m

lemon few drops

  orange blossom water-1 tsp I used orange essence      

   rosewater-1 tsp I used orange juice

For the cake:

semolina-400 gms

sugar-200 gms

desiccated coconut- 40 gms(optional)

 baking powder-1/2 tsp

 milk -200 ml(this is the minimum you will need, but you may need more, according to your semolina)

vanilla essence-1 tsp

melted butter-30 gms 

 tahini (sesame paste)(I haven't used) 

 blanched almonds to decorate

Method:

To make the syrup:

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to heat and cook, stirring until it boils. Add drops of lemon and boil for 3 minutes. Let cool and mix the  orange essence and juice.

To make the batter:

Grease a baking dish with butter and set aside.In a large bowl, mix semolina, sugar, coconut and baking powder. Make a hole in the middle of the dry ingredients and add the butter, vanilla, syrup and milk gradually. Mix with your hands. The semolina will absorb the milk ,so add milk little by little, until the batter looks like a porridge. Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish then cover and  rest aside  for about 12 hours or over night.

Preheat oven to  200°C 

 Mark the cake into  squares with a knife and place a blanced almond in each square.Bake for  about 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and cut the squares into pieces.Bake somemore time till browned on top.Heat the syrup. Soak the hot cake with the syrup,cool them and remove from tin.Serve the glazing cake with some more syrup on top and enjoy............!!!!!!!!!!!!

Note:

I've avoided coconut you can use it if you want.

EGG AND MUSHROOM BAKE

Egg and mushroom bake

We usually prepare omelette with eggs and can be accompanied with any kind of toppings.It will be good combo for meals or variety rices as a side dish.Can we make it as a main course meal with garlic bread.I got inspired by a friend and made this Egg and mushroom bake for Rafeeda AR from http://www.thebigsweettooth.com/ for Shhh secretly challenge.......She gave me Egg and cinnamon.I got confused what to prepare with these ing.an eggnog?a cake?.No I have to prepare a different recipe.I made this recipe and it was a big hit.My kids loved it a lot for their breakfast.Try this recipe and have fun with kids........!!!!!!!!!!!

Egg and mushroom bake:

Preperation time:10 mins

Baking time:25 mins

serves-4

Ingredients:

Eggs-4  

 mushroom-1/2 cup,chopped  

fresh peas- 1/4 cup if using dry soak them for 4-5 hrs and boil well  

 Onion-1,chopped 

tomatoes-1 small size,chopped  

redchilly powder-1/2 tsp

  cinnamon powder-1/4 tsp cardamom powder-a pinch 

salt to taste

 pepper powder-1/4 tsp  

any cheese- 1/2 cup grated   

oil-1 tsp  

coriender leaves-few,chopped

Method:

In a pan add oil and onion saute well till it becomes soft.Add in mushrooms and peas saute till done,add tomatoes fry till soft add in redchilly powder,cinnamon powder,cardamom powder and salt saute till combine well and set aside.

Preheat oven to 190°c or heat the steamer/Idly pot.

Grease the baking dish/ramekins and place a spoon of mushroom mixture into it just to fill 1/4 of the dish.Break egg into it and sprinkle salt and pepper powder.Cover the top with cheeseand sprinkle coriender leaves.

Place into the oven and bake for about 25 mins.If you want the eggs bake completely keep for some more mins,I baked it till cook well or In a hot steamer/Idly pot  place a plate and arrange these ramekins and steam for about 20 mins and enjoy with garlic bread......!!!!!!

To make Garlic bread:

Bread cut into shapes-5-6 pieces

  butter-1 tbsp,softened

crushed garlic-1 tsp 

coriender leaves-1 tsp,finely chopped 

 salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl mix butter,crushed garlic,coriender leaves,salt and pepper powder.Heat griddle and coat butter mixture over the bread and toast them.

Sending this to Remya's kitchen First blog anniversary celebration and giveaway