Biscuit cake

After the success of Oreo cake,my friend suggested Glucose biscuit cake.She had lots of Parle G biscuits, which were leftovers from biscuit packets.Her kid eats some biscuits & leaves some.Next he opens another fresh packet another day & so on.Because,biscuits go soft in humid weather.I googled & got this recipe .

Ingredients : 10-12 Parle G biscuits,5-6 Hide & Seek biscuits ( optional ) , 1/2 tsp baking powder,1 cup milk,3 tbsp brown sugar,1 tsp cocoa powder or Bournvita ( optional ).

Method : Take Parle G biscuits & powder them in mixer.Keep aside.Similarly powder Hide & Seek biscuits.If Hide & Seek biscuits are unavailable ,Parle G biscuits can be substituted .Instead of Hide & Seek ,any available chocolate biscuits can be added in powder form.Keep aside.

Mix both the powdered biscuits in a bowl.Add baking powder.Mix.Add sugar.If white sugar is being used ,please use less as brown sugar is less sweeter.Mix sugar with the biscuit flour.Now add milk slowly & whisk the mixture to get cake batter.Add water if necessary.Batter must have drop down consistency .

Take a microwaveable vessel.Line it with butter paper.Pour the cake batter on to the butter paper in the microwaveable vessel.Microwave on high for 5- 7 minutes.After that ,check by fork if cake is done.If the fork comes out clean.Otherwise bake for another minute.Cool inside microwave for 10 minutes..Then cool outside for 10 minutes.Then put the microwaveable vessel upside down on a plate.The cake will drop down on plate.Peel off the butter paper from the cake.Cut into desired shapes & serve.

The cake was soft.Yet it did not taste like chocolate had been put into it.So ,better to put more chocolate.Maybe a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon.

This is a good make over of leftover biscuits !

Croutons

I love soups.They are light on the stomach & taste great ! My kid will eat a tomato soup in a restaurant as it has croutons.I decided to make croutons as there was some bread at home.I wanted to tempt my kid to drink soup with the croutons thrown in it.

I googled & got the recipe@http://www.food.com/recipe/microwave-croutons-110930

Ingredients : 2-3 slices of brown bread,2-3 tsps butter.

Method : Take 1 tsp of butter in a small microwaveable bowl .Microwave butter for 25-30 seconds or till it melts.Put off microwave.

Cut the bread slice into sixteen square pieces .The pieces may look small & yet when they are soaked in soup ,they appear quite big.


Now toss the bread pieces into the bowl with the melted butter.Place bowl with buttered bread pieces in microwave.Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Put off microwave.Remove it from microwave.Toss the bread pieces again in bowl.Microwave again for 30 seconds.Repeat two -three times by microwaving the pieces again & again.When they are crisp,they are ready.Always microwave just for 30 seconds.Not more.Total time of microwave will be less than 4-5 minutes.
Just dunk the bread pieces or croutons into the tomato soup made & serve.

My kid did end up drinking one bowl of tomato carrot soup.With one bowlful of croutons !

One can remove the sides of the bread slices while cutting the bread slices.Otherwise ,the sides can remain.I tried both & my kid was unable to point this out.

I used brown bread.White or multigrain bread can be used instead.I used Amul butter,which is a salted butter.

Vegan apple banana bread

I had some apples & ripe bananas.I wanted to bake cake or bread using the ripe bananas & the apples.And I wanted to try a vegan version.I searched & got this vegan apple banana chunk bread recipe .

I added flax seed meal to the recipe & made my own version of this bread.I added flax seed meal as it gives a nutty flavour & the nutty flavour goes well with the bread.

Ingredients : I cup multigrain atta ( I used Aashirvaad ),2 apples ( peeled & desseeded,1 ripe banana ( peeled & pureed in mixer or blender ) ,1 tbsp flax seed powder soaked in 3 tbsp water for 15 minutes & more ,1/3 cup brown mineral  sugar + 1 tbsp brown mineral sugar, 1 tsp baking soda,1/4 tsp cinnamon,a pinch of salt.

Method : Take one peeled & desseded apple & pressure in cooker for 1 whistle.Let it cool.Then blend that apple into puree.This is the applesauce.Mix this applesauce with pureed banana.Add flax seed meal soaked in water to this fruit puree mix.Mix nicely to blend the fruit puree with flax seed water mix.Keep aside.

Take another peeled & deseeded apple.Cut into small chunks.Keep aside.

Mix all dry ingredients that is mutligrain atta,sugar,baking soda,salt ,cinnamon powder nicely with a whisk or fork.Mix many times over so that all dry ingredients blend into each other.

Add the apple chunks into the dry mix.Now fold the apple chunks such athat each apple chunk is coated with the dry mix.

Slowly add the apple banana puree into the dry apple chunk mixture.Mix so, that no lumps remain.This is the bread mix.

Line a microwaveable vessel with butter paper.Pour bread mix or  batter .Bake in microwave for 8-9 minutes.Switch off microwave.Let it cool for 5 minutes.Remove & check with knife if cake is done.If knife comes out clean ,cake is done.Otherwise microwave for 1 more minute.Check again.Let it cool for 15 minutes.Put the bread vessel upside down on a plate.The bread  will drop down on plate.Else ,it can be gently removed from sides of vessel so that it drops down on plate.Cut into desired shapes & serve.

Marble cake :1st attempt.

I have been baking a cake for my kid & her classmates since I learnt baking some time ago.Every Valentine day ,I bake a chocolate cake for them as chocolate is a flavour which is a hit with kids & teens.

I searched & got this marble cake recipe here.I omitted bananas & made this cake.

Ingredients :1 cup multigrain atta ( I used Pillsbury ) ,3/4 cup brown mineral sugar, 1/2 tsp baking soda,1/2 tsp baking powder, 2-3 tbsp cocoa powder or Bournvita powder ( I used 1 tbsp milk chocolate powder which I had at home & 1.5 tbsp Bournvita powder ) ,1tsp vanilla essence, 1 cup yoghurt,2tbsp oil,salt a pinch.

Method : Mix atta, baking soda,baking powder,salt  & sugar with a fork or whisk many times so that all dry ingredients are finely mixed with each other.Keep aside.

Mix liquid ingredients :oil,vanilla essence & yoghurt with whisk.Now make a well in dry ingredient mix & pour the wet ingredient mix.Mix nicely.Add water if needed.It must have drop down consistency.Divide this batter into 2 equal parts.In one part add the chocolate.I added chocolate just like that.I should have boiled  a little water & dissolved  chocolate in that hot water & then added to batter.I was afraid that batter may get runny.Hence some Bournvita chunks can be seen in cake pieces as dark blobs.

Line a microwaveable vessel with butter paper.Pour a layer of plain batter ( without chocolate ) into it.Put some spoons of chocolate batter next.Repeat with plain & chocolate batter till both batters get over.With a  fork or knife ,make a swirl pattern in the batter.

Bake in microwave for 8-10 minutes.Let it cool.Take out from microwave.Test with knife.If it comes out clean ,cake is done.Otherwise bake for 1-2 minutes more Repeat knife test.

Let it cool inside microwave for 10 minutes.After 10 minutes,let it cool for 20 minutes outside microwave.Then put the vessel upside down on plate.The cake will drop down on plate or can be gently loosened from sides.Let it cool for 10-15 more minutes.Cut into desired pieces & serve.

The cake had a crumbly texture.It just melts in the mouth ! My teen's friends gobbled up all pieces which she packed to school.

It is so healthy - multigrain atta ( wholegrains ) ,yoghurt,brown sugar,low fat ! What more is needed ? !

Apple banana carrot cake

I follow Lite Bites, a recipe blog on facebook.I came across this mixed fruit cake there.Hence ,I thought why not make it ?

I made some changes & here is my recipe.

Ingredients : Assorted fruit chunks of choice ( I used banana,apple & carrot finely chopped )3/4 cup,1 cup multigrain atta,1/3 cup brown sugar 1/2 tsp baking powder,1/2 tsp baking soda,1 ts[p vanilla essence,1/4 cup oil,1/4 cup yoghurt,a pinch of salt,water to get batter consistency right.

Method : Mix all dry ingredients -multigrain atta,baking soda,baking powder ,sugar & salt.No lumps should remain.Use whisk or fork to mix again & again.Keep aside.

Mix all wet ingredients -oil,yoghurt,vanilla,mixed fruits in bowl nicely.

Make a  well in the dry ingredient mix & pour the wet ingrent mix into it.Mix nicely with a whisk.Take care that no lumps remain in the batter.Keep aside.

Take a microwaveable vessel & line it with butter paper.Pour thev cake batter into the vessel on the butter paper.Microwave for 8-9 minutes.After 10 minutes,take it out from microwave & check with fork or knife if cake is done.If still wet ,microwave for 1-2 minutes more.Let it cool.

Take out the  vessel .Let it cool outside microwave for 10 minutes.Now put it upside down on a plate.The cake will drop down on plate after some time.If not ,just nudge it from the edges to let it drop down.Cut into desired shapes & serve.

In the snap ,some soft grey coloured lumps can be seen in cake...those are banana pieces.If you would rather have no chopped fruit pieces ,then puree all fruits in blender & use that instead of chopped fruits.

Beetroot carrot cake

When I was new to baking ,I had come across a  beetroot carrot cake.I tried it & I had messed it up.Now,that  I have  some what honed up my baking skills,I wanted to give it another try.I failed to get hold of that earlier recipe on the net.I saw & read some.I decided to do it myself as some had one fruit too many & others had very huge measurements.

Ingredients : 1.5 Cups multigrain atta ( I used Pillsburry ) ,1/2 + 1/3 cup brown grainy sugar( I get 1 under brand name Sunehra.... it is just like refined white sugar...except that colour is brown  in Sahakari Bhandar at BARC colony ,Mumbai) ,1/4 cup oil,1/4 cup dahi,1/4 cup apple sauce,1.5 cups grated beetroot & carrot mix,3/4 tsp baking soda,3/4 tsp baking powder,a pinch of salt.

Method : Chop an apple into two & pressure cook it for 1 whistle.After the cooker has cooled,puree the apple after removing the skin & seeds.Keep aside.

Take a vessel & put all dry ingredients .....multi grain atta,baking soda,baking powder & salt .Mix nicely.Keep aside.

In another vessel,mix all liquid ingredients ...oil,grated beetroot carrot mix,apple puree,dahi,oil .Add sugar.Mix nicely.

Make a well in the dry ingredient mix & pour the liquid mix into it.Whisk with a spoon so that no lumps remain.The cake batter thus ready must have drop down consistency.Add water if the batter is very thick. Keep aside.

Line the bottom of a a   microwaveable vessel with butter paper .Pour the cake batter into it.Microwave for 10 minutes.Put off the microwave.Let it cool for 10 minutes..Insert a knife in the middle of the cake.If knife comes out clean ,it is done.If not,microwave for 1-2 minutes more.Cool & check again.

Keep the cake out side for 10-15 minutes.Put it upside down on to a plate.Remove the butter paper .Cut the cake into desired shapes & serve.

Eggless carrot orange cake

I wanted to try a cake recipe with carrots & oranges as ingredients as the winter season is going to end soon.I googled & came across this cake recipe @http://vegweb.com/recipes/orange-carrot-cake.I made some changes & got a superbly textured cake -of orange colour.

Ingredients : 1 cup multigrain atta ( I used Pillsburry ),1/2 tsp baking soda,1/2 tsp baking powder, a pinch of salt,1 tbsp orange zest,1/4-1/3 cup orange juice,1/2 cup dahi,3/4 cup carrot,1/4 cup oil,1/3 cup brown sugar.

Method : Grate carrot .Squeeze orange juice in a blender after removing seeds.This si the most tedious step.Next time around,I am going to just clean orange by removing seeds & all skin & cut up & put the orange strands into the cake batter.Better still would be adding Minute maid orange drink in place of orange juice as it contains orange pulp.

Mix oil,dahi,orange zest ( grate  orange peel or finely chop orange peel & use it ) ,grated carrot & orange juice.Add brown  sugar to this liquid mixture.Mix nicely.Keep aside.If regaulr sugar is being used,it can be added to liquid mix or to dry mix of atta, baking soda etc.

Mix all dry ingredients - atta,baking soda,baking powder & salt.Make a well.Into this well pour ,the liquid mix & nicely make a batter so that no lumps remain.Batter  must have drop down consistency.Keep aside.

Take a microwaveable vessel.Line it with butter paper.Pour the cake batter into it.Microwave for 8-10 minutes.Let it cool.Poke a knife to check if cake is done.If knife is clean,cake is done.If not ,bake for 1-2 minutes more.Cool.

Remove cake vessel from microwave .Let it cool for 10 more minutes.Take a plate & put the cake vessel upside down on the plate.After a few minutes,the cake will drop down on plate.

Cut the cake into desired shapes & serve.The cake was moderately sweet -so apt.This is the best cake by me so far- it had a texture which is found in cakes sold in markets !

More sugar can be added if so desired.

Banana bread :eggless

There were over ripe bananas & I thought of trying banana bread recipe .I had come across this recipe @ http://www.jeyashriskitchen.com/2012/03/eggless-banana-bread-no-egg-no-butter.html.

I made my own changes & the bread turned out great !

Ingredients :1 cup multigrain atta ( I used Pillsbury- any other multigrain atta or wheat flour or maida can be used ), 3/4 cup brown sugar( white sugar can be used as well ), 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder,a pinch of salt,3 tbsp olive oil ( any other oil can be used ),1/4 cup yoghurt,1/4 cup milk,1tsp vanilla essence,2 over ripe bananas.

Method : Mix all dry ingredients - atta,sugar,baking powder & soda nicely.I do not sieve -hence I use fork or even whisk can be used to mix dry ingredients thoroughly.Keep aside.

Mash bananas into a puree.Add vanilla essence.Mix.Add yoghurt & milk.Add olive oil .Mix nicely.Keep aside.

Make a hole in the dry ingredient mix.Pour the liquid mix of banana,milk ,yoghurt,oil  into the dry mix.Whisk nicely till all ingredients are nicely mixed.The mixture must have drop down consistency.If the mixture has thicker consistency ,little water or buttermilk can be added to get drop down consistency.

Take a glass vessel or a microwaveable vessel.Line it with butter paper.Pour the mixture into the vessel.Bake in microwave for 10 minutes.After 10 minutes,switch off.Let the bread  be in the microwave for 5 minutes.Check if bread  is done by inserting a knife into the cake.If knife comes out clean ,it is done.Otherwise bake for another minute.Check again.

Cool bread  outside the microwave for another 10- 15 minutes.Now turn the vessel upside down on a plate.The bread will drop down after 10-15  minutes on to the plate.Cut into desired shapes & serve.

I felt that my bread had a nice brown colour as I had used multigrian atta as also brown sugar.The  banana taste was not prominent. So maybe 1 more banana & perhaps no milk in the next attempt.I felt that I should have baked for 9 minutes.The bread was on drier side.The sugar was just apt.So for those, who want a sweeter version, more sugar can be added.Instead of 3/4 cup sugar , 1 cup sugar can be used.

Apple crumb cake : Eggless

I had apples which I wanted to use in a cake recipe.I came across this cake recipe @ http://mykitchenaroma.blogspot.in/2009/09/eggless-apple-vanilla-cake-with-apple.html.I made some changes & got a nicely textured cake.I feel this is the best cake ,I have baked so far !

Ingredients : 3/4 cup multigrain atta,1/4 cup quick cooking oats,1tbsp butter ( I used Amul butter ),1tsp baking powder,1/4 tsp baking soda,1/2 cup apple puree, 1/2 cup dahi,1 cup sugar,1 apple peeled & chopped,1 /2-1tsp cinnamon powder.

Method : Chop an apple & cook it in pressure cooker for 1 whistle.After the cooker has cooled,remove the apple .The peel easily comes off .Make a paste of the apple pieces.Keep aside.

Mix  atta,oats & butter nicely.A crumb type mixture is obtained.Add baking soda & powder.Mix nicely.Add 3/4 cup sugar & mix again.Keep aside.

Mix apple paste & dahi & slowly add to the atta mixture.The cake dough this formed, must be of drop down consistency.If it is not,add some water & make it of drop down consistency.Keep aside.

Line the cake vessel with butter paper.Now arrange the chopped apple pieces at the bottom on the butter paper.The whole bottom must be  lined with apple pieces.Sprinkle cinnomon powder & 1/4 cup sugar on to the chopped apple pieces.Pour the cake dough on to the apple pieces covered with cinnamon sugar mix.

Microwave for 10 minutes.Allow for 10 minutes for microwave to cool.Remove the cake vessel & let it cool outside for 10-15 minutes.Turn the cake vessel upside down on to a plate.

The cake will drop down on to the plate after some 10  minutes.Carefully remove the butter paper sticking to the cake bottom.Allow the cake to cool for some more time.Cut into desired pieces & serve.

I found the cake texture superb ! Only the cinnamon -sugar mixture was too ,sticky ,sweet & strong.Next time,I am going to sprinkle just 1 tbsp of sugar on the chopped apple pieces along with maybe 1/2 to 3/4 tsp cinnamon. The sugar in cake will be 1 cup less 1 tbsp.

Eggless Pear Upside down cake

I wanted to make this cake from the day I glanced at  gluten free version of pear cake on  "My diverse kitchen" .I finally brought one single pear & made this cake a week ago.It turned out too good to my surprise !

I was inspired by http://priyaeasyntastyrecipes.blogspot.in/2011/01/eggless-pear-oats-upside-down-cake.html

I changed the recipe a bit.

Ingredients : 1/4 cup jowar atta,1/4 cup raagi atta,1/4 cup oats,a little less than 1/4 cup maida & another little less than 1/4 cup corn flour,1/2 tsp baking soda,1/2 tsp baking powder,a pinch of salt,1/2-3/4 cup jaggery sugar ( I have given this amount as little more than 1/2 cup was enough for my taste),1/2 cup dahi or curds,1/2 cup boiled water,1/4 cup oil,2tsp vinegar ( I used simple colouless vinegar as I don't have apple cider vinegar).

Method : Mix all the dry flours together in a bowl.Add baking soda ,baking powder & salt to the flour mix & mix nicely with spoon or fork many times.Keep aside.

Mix curds,oil,vinegar & sugar in another bowl..Dissolve sugar so that no lumps of sugar remain.Make aeell in the flour mix & pour the liquid mix of oil,vinegar & curds.Mix nicely.Now add boiled water till no lumps remain & a drop down consistency batter is obtained.Keep aside.

Take a microwaveable vessel & line it with butter paper.Place thinly cut slices of pear on the butter paper in any pattern that you like.Pour the batter over the pear slices.Bake in microwave for 8-9 minutes.My cake came out perfect in 8.5 minutes.

Let it cool in microwave for 10 minutes.Then take out the cake & let it cool for 15 minutes.Then put the microwaveable vessel with cake upside down on to a plate.The cake will drop down on plate.Check if the cake has cooled. Then cut into desired pieces &  serve.

My cake was little crumbly -so next time around ,I will put only 1 tbsp of corn atta.

Eggless Bournvita banana cake

I read about this cake @http://www.egglesscooking.com/2011/05/03/chocolate-banana-bread/.I made some changes & the cake turned out quite well.

Ingredients : 1/2 cup  whole wheat flour,1/2 cup ragi flour, 1/4 tsp baking soda,3/4 tsp baking powder,1/2 tbsp Bournvita powder ( I did not have cocoa & so I used Bournvita ),salt to taste.

3 medium sized ripe bananas-all mashed  & pureed,1/2 cup jaggery sugar( this is almost chocolate colour - ordinary white sugar can be used),1/4 cup yoghurt,2 tbsp oil,1 tbsp vinegar.

Method :In a bowl,mix  banana puree,oil,sugar & yoghurt nicely till sugar dissolves.Add vinegar & mix nicely.Keep aside.

In another bowl, mix all dry ingredients by sifting the flours ,Bournvita powder baking powder & baking soda.Make a well in the dry ingredient mix & slowly pour the banana puree oil-vinegar-sugar mix .Mix nicely into a batter so that no lumps remain.Add water, if batter is too thick.It must have drop down consistency.Keep aside.

Take a  microwaveavble vessel & line the bottom with butter paper.Pour  the cake batter into this vessel.Microwave for 7-8 minutes till a toothpik inserted comes out clean.

Let the vessel be in microwave for 10 minutes.Then take it out from microwave.Cool outside the microwave for another 10 minutes.Put the vessel upside down on to a plate.It will take some time before the cake drops down on to the plate.Then cut it into desired shapes & serve.

My cake turned out very moist & the wonderful aroma of bananas.Sugar content was just right.Jaggery sugar is very sweet -hence I used only 1/2 cup.It can be increased if more sweetness is needed.

Eggless mango cake.

I have been wanting to bake a mango cake this mango season.I did try it & it did not come up that well.I tried it again today & it has turned out okay.So ,I am posting this now.The original recipe is from http://www.sharmispassions.com/2011/06/eggless-mango-cake-mango-loaf-bread.html

I have made some changes.

Ingredients : 1 cup whole wheat flour,1/2 tsp baking powder,1/2 tsp baking soda ,a pinch of salt,1/4 tsp cardamom powder.
3/4 cup mango puree ( I used Dussehari mango ),1/4 cup curd malai,1/4 cup oil,1/2 cup jaggery sugar ( this is dark brownish black sugar from jaggery -it is unrefined & available at Rajkamal Tea centre,Chembur).I use this sugar as it is healthy . Ordinary sugar can be used.My cake has got a dark colour due to this jaggery sugar.

Method : Mix all dry ingredients together - the flour,baking powder,soda & cardamom.

Mix mnago puree,curd malai ( or curd ),oil & sugar.Jaggery sugar is lumpy & if mixed in dry mix does not mix properly.Hence ,I mix jaggery sugar in liquid ingredients.

Make a well in the dry mix & pour the liquid mix.Mix nicely till no lumps remain.One can add water or curds or chaas to get drop down consistency batter.Curd,chaas should not be sour to avoid sour taste.

Line a baking dish with butter paper.Pour the batter onto the butter paper in the dish.Bake in microwave for 7-8 minutes.Leave for 5-10 minutes.Remove from microwave & insert a knife to check if it comes out clean.If knife is clean ,cake is done.Otherwise,bake for 1-2 minutes more.Leave it for 5-10 minutes.

Then cool it outside the microwave for 15-20 minutes.Then put it upside down on a plate.Cool it for 5-10 minutes.Cut into desired shapes & serve.

Ukrainian coffee cake

I came across this exotic cake in the magazine i Diva.I have made some changes.Please refer to the  original recipe here.

I made some changes.

Ingredients :
For cake :
1 cup whole wheat flour,1/2 tsp baking soda,1/2 tsp baking powder,1/4 tsp cinnamon,a pinch of salt,1/3 cup jaggery sugar,1/4 cup honey,1/3 cup coffee ( 2 tsp Bru  instant  coffee powder dissolved in hot water ),2 tbsp oil,1/3 to 1/2  cup yoghurt.

For icing : 1/4 cup powdered sugar,1tbsp lemon juice,1tbsp honey.

Method : Sift the atta,baking powder,soda cinnamon & salt together in a bowl .Keep aside.

In another bowl ,mix the jaggery sugar with yoghurt,hot coffee & oil.Initially,add only 1/3 cup yoghurt to this mixture.The jaggery sugar cakes out ( in humid climate,it forms lumps ) & hence, it is advisable to mix in liquids before adding to cake batter.Otherwise,if it is added just like that without mixing in liquid,it may not mix properly in cake.

Pour the liquid into the dry mix bowl & mix till no lumps remain.The batter must have drop down consistency.More yoghurt can abe added to get drop down consistency.

Take a microwaveable vessel & line the bottom with butter paper.Pour the cake batter into it.Microwave for 7-8 minutes.After 5 minutes.Check with toothpik.If toothpik comes out clean,cake is ready.

Take it out from microwave & cool for 15-20 minutes.Put it on to a plate.

Mix the powdered sugar ,honey & lemon juice nicely.Take a spoon & spread this icing  mixture on the surface of the cake evenly.It can also be spread on sides & bottom as well.

Cut into desired shapes & serve.One can cut the cake & then apply icing individually to cake pieces & serve.

Eggless apple cake in Microwave

I wanted to bake another cake to see if my carrot cake texture was a fluke .As I had apples,I googled for an apple cake recipe & decided to follow the recipe @ http://seduceyourtastebuds.blogspot.in/2010/12/microwave-eggless-apple-cake.html

I made some changes like substituted maida with wheat flour etc.

Ingredients : 1/2 cup whole wheat flour ( used Pillsbury brand ),1/4 cup powdered oats ( 1/4 cup oats which was powdered in mixer ) ,1/4 cup corn meal & powdered dry fruits ( 6 pistas,6 almonds & 6 hazelnuts- actually one can substitute other dry fruits ),heaped 1/2 cup jaggery sugar( Ishan brand available in Rajkamal tea Chembur ,Mumbai ) ,1/4 tsp cinnamon powder,1/2 tsp baking soda,1 tsp baking powder,1 /4 tsp salt,1/4 cup dahi or yoghurt,1/4 cup oil,1 apple grated.

Method : Take a bowl & mix atta,corn meal-dry fruit mix & powdered oats nicely.This flour mix can be sieved to get a good mix.I used jaggery sugar as I got it locally here.It is healthier than sugar.Ordinary sugar can be used.Mix sugar with the flour mix.Add baking soda,baking powder,cinnamon powder & salt to the flour -sugar mix.Mix all dry powders nicely.Keep aside.

Mix oil & yoghurt nicely in another bowl.Grate the apple & keep in a plate.

Make a well into the dry mixture & pour the yoghurt oil mix into it.Mix nicely.Now add grated apple to this mixture.Mix so that no lumps remain.If it does not have drop down consistency, add water to the dry-wet -apple mix to get drop down consistency.Wait for 5 minutes so that all dry mix is saturated.

Line a microwaveable vessel with butter paper.Pour the cake mix into the vessel, on  to, the butter paper lining.Microwave for 7-8 minutes.After microwave is witched off test with toothpick.If it comes clean ,cake is ready.If not ,microwave  for another minute.Let it remain in microwave for 5-7 minute after switching off.Then take out the cake container & cool outside the microwave for 15-20 minutes.After it is cooled to room temperature,turn the vessel upside down on to a plate.Let it cool for 5-10 minutes.Then cut the cake into desired shapes.

Cake texture was same as carrot cake texture.This only happened as cake batter  was left aside for five minutes after mixing .Only after 5 minutes,cake batter was poured into cake vessel & baked.

The cake colour is dark as jaggery sugar is brown powder.The black specks seen in the cake is the garted apple peel.The apple used was quite small.Next time ,I will use a bigger apple.

Eggless Carrot cake in Microwave .

I tried this cake 2 times earlier .They came out fine.This time, though ,it turned out superbly !

I have tried this carrot cake recipe from http://www.foodtale.com/2010/02/01/eggless-cinnamon-carrot-cake/
I made a few changes & my recipe is as under.

Ingredients : 1/2  cup whole wheat flour ( I used Pillsbury brand ),1/4 cup quick oats,2 tbsp corn flour,5 pistachios,5 almonds,5 hazelnuts,1/2 cup sugar,1/2 tsp baking powder,1/4 tsp baking soda,1/2 cup grated carrots,a pinch of salt,1/2 tsp vanilla essence,1/4 cup oil,1/4 cup curds or dahi ,water to adjust consistency of batter.The dry fruits are optional.

Method : My small jar of mixer is quite big & so I took the oats & the dry fruits ( pistas,hazelnuts & almonds ) & powdered them at one go.I used dry fruits as my daughter does not eat them otherwise.Even adding them whole or big pieces to the cake batter will make her avoid the cake.One can add them whole if it is fine to consume cake pieces with whole dry fruits.I forgot to add a piece of cinnamon while powdering this oats -dry fruit mixture & hence my cake is without cinnamon.

Sieve the whole wheat flour ,corn flour,oat flour ,dry fruit mix along with sugar,baking soda & baking powder.Keep aside.

In another vessel ,take oil ,add vanilla essence & dahi .Mix.Pour this mix, into a well, made in the dry ingredient mix.Mix till no lumps remain.Now add carrot & mix again. .Add water to adjust the cake batter consistency.The consistency has to be just a little more than drop down consistency as I bake in microwave.

Take a microwaveable vessel & line the bottom with butter paper.Now pour the cake batter into the vessel -on to  the butter paper lining the bottom of the vessel.Tap the vessel sides ,after the batter has been poured to release any air bubbles.

Bake in microwave for 8 minutes.Let the vessel be standing in the microwave for 5 minutes after it is switched off as the cooking continues.Take out the vessel using cotton padded gloves .Use a toothpick or knife to check .If the toothpick or knife comes out clean after poking it into the cake ,then cake is ready.Allow the cake to cool.After 15-20 minutes,put the vessel upside down on a plate. The cake will drop down on the plate.Allow it to cool further.Then remove the butter paper sticking to the cake bottom.Cut into desired shapes & serve.

My neighbour complimented, "This is the best cake, made by you, so far ."

Vegan Chikoo / Sapota cake

I had been trying to search for  a chikoo cake recipe on the net .I did get some & they needed 
ingredients like gelatin ,etc  which I did not have.Hence, ,based on my  limited baking experience & having learnt from other  bakers who had blogged various cake recipes,I baked 
this cake.It turned out great ! 


Dry ingredients : 1/2 cup maida,1/4 cup sugar,1/2 tsp baking soda.

Wet ingredients : 1/2 cup chikoo puree ( peel the chikoos & remove seeds -make puree in 
mixer),3 tsp oil,2.5 tsp white vinegar,1/4 tsp vanilla essence,water to adjust consistency. 

Mix dry ingredients nicely.Mix wet ingredients separately.Make a well in the dry mix.Pour 
the wet mix into the well.Mix dry & wet ingredients.Add water till it gets   drop down
 consistency.


Grease a microwaveable vessel with oil or line it with butter paper.Pour the mix into this
vessel.Microwave on medium for 5 min.Wait for 10 min.Pierce cake with toothpik.If it 
comes out clean,cake is ready.

Take out cake from microwave.Let it cool outside for 30 minutes.Cut into desired shapes &
serve.

Eggless Multigrain Coffee cake

I had this urge to bake & felt that coffee cake would be a great cake.The recipe is similar to chocolate cake @ http://www.egglesscooking.com/

 Ingredients : 

Dry :1 cup multi grain atta ( I used Aashirwad ),1/2 cup sugar,1tsp cocoa powder (I used bournvita),1tsp baking soda,1/2 tsp baking powder.

Wet :1/2 cup dahi, 1/4 cup milk,1/4 cup coffee decoction,1/2 tsp vanilla essence,1/4 cup oil.

tsp is teaspoon 

Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl..Now mix all wet ingredients in another bowl.Milk amount may be increased or decreased depending on batter consistency.

Now make a well in the mixture of dry ingredients.Pour the wet mixture into this well.Mix slowly.The batter must have a consistency which is more than drop down consistency.Accordingly, add more milk.Grease a microwaveable dish with oil  or ghee .Pour the batter into the dish.Microwave for 7-8 minutes.Put off the microwave.Check with a toothpick.If it comes out clean,cake is ready.If not ,microwave for 1-2 minutes more.Let it stand for 5-8 minutes.Now take out the dish from microwave.Let it cool outside for 15-20 minutes.Then put the dish upside down on to a plate.Cut into desired shapes & serve.

I made a coffee decoction  as I had run out of instant  coffeee powder.One can use instant coffee powder like Nescafe or Bru- about 2 tablespoons.I used only half cup sugar as I did not want a  very sweet cake.One can increase sugar content to about 3/4 of cup.

I am sending this to Linking to Dish it out hosted by Foodomania as well as 

Corn bread tikkis

This was tried by my mother today morning.

Ingredients : Corn cobs from one & another half corn ( corn kernels removed from 1 1/2 corns).Two bread slices ( the topmost & bottom ones in a loaf of bread ),the bread crusts from all sides of the bread slices in a loaf of bread,a few sprigs of kadipattas,2 hari mirchi,1" inch adrak (ginger),1/2 tsp red chilli powder( optional ) ,2 tbsp oil,salt to taste.

Method : Boil the American sweet corn in cooker.Grind the corn into a coarse mixture by adding the finely cut hari mirchi,adrak,kadipatta leaves & red chilli powder.Keep aside.

Take the bread slices & crusts & cut them. Now soak this in water & squeeze out the water.Now crush this wet bread mixture.

Mix the corn & bread mixture nicely after adding salt.Apply a little oil on the palms & take a small part of the corn bread mixture & shape them into flat round tikkis.Take a tawa & shallow fry the tikkis on the tawa .Reverse the tikkis & shallow fry them again.Now both the sides of tikkis have become golden brown.
Alternatively,the tikkis can be baked in microwave oven for 4 minutes on each side of a tikki  to brown the tikki.So ,this will take a total of 8 minutes.

The tikkis can be eaten plain and or accompanied by tomato ketchup or dhania ki chutney.

Tips : One can add 1 tsp lemon juice to add tanginess.Even grated carrot can be  mixed in the bread corn mixture.The bread used in this recipe was brown bread.Even white bread can be used.