The Basic English Pound Cake

The Basic English Pound Cake, it is the king of all cakes. This is the cake which women of all generations have tried of bake, once in their lifetime. It is a wonderfully moist, buttery and rich cake, with a lovely golden crust.

Pound cake was the first cake that I baked, solely because it is extremely easy to make, and the result is - sheer delight.

There are two things one must remember , ONE; all ingredients used in this cake should be at room temperature; TWO; you have to exactly follow my instructions of mixing, as that will give you the CAKE you always dreamt of baking.

The Basic English Pound Cake Recipe

Prep time: 15-20 mins, Cooking Time: 40 mins
Makes : 1 loaf of pound Cake, enough to feed 6-8 people

INGREDIENTS

1. 2 large Bowls
2. 3 Eggs at Room temperature
3. 3 Tablespoons of Milk, at Room Temperature
4. 1 and 1/2 Cup Sifted cake flour ( Sift means you pass the flour through a sieve)
5. 1 Cup Normal Sugar ( Don't use powdered sugar)
6. 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
7. 13 Tablespoons of butter at room temperature OR  white oil. ( You can use butter or oil, butter gives the cake a more buttery flavour, but many times if I don't have so much butter at home I use oil, you will hardly see any difference)
8. Electric or normal whisk.

METHOD

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degree centrigade.
2. Butter or oil a Cake pan. (whichever shape you like)
3. Mix the dry ingredients ( flour, baking powder, sugar) in Bowl no 1. Mix well.
4. Mix wet ingredients ( beaten egg, milk, vanilla essence) in Bowl no 2. Mix well
5. Now mix the butter OR oil in Bowl no 1. Mix well
6. Now pour half of the egg mixture in Bowl no 2, to Bowl no 1. 
7. Mix on low speed, till the dry ingredients moistened.
8. Beat the ingredients in Bowl no 1. for 1 min more to develop the cake's structure.
9. Scrape down the sides of Bowl no.1
10. Now pour half to the egg mixture in Bowl no 2. to Bowl no 1.
11. Beat for 30 seconds.
12. Scrape down the sides and the bottom of Bowl no 1.
13. Pour the remaining egg mixture to bowl no 1.
14. Beat for 30 seconds.
15. You should get a smooth batter, like a Dosa Batter.
16. Pour the batter into your cake pan.
17. Place the cake pan in the microwave or OTG and set a temperature of 200 degrees in the convection mode.(Remember to use only CONVECTION mode, and not combination cooking, the convection mode will help the cakes to be perfect)
18. Bake it for 35-40 mins.(If you are a new user, set your oven time to 35 mins first and take out the cake to check its doneness after 35 mins. If you poke a toothpick in its center, it should coume out with a few crumbles, which means you need to bake it further for 3-5 mins. If the toothpick comes out clean stop baking. baking more will make your cake dry. Try and test the timing in your own oven. If the cake is undercooked even after 40 mins, bake it further for 2-3 mins depending on how raw it is)
19. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool.

This cake tastes super good with a cup of hot steaming tea, or coffee. 

Enjoy!!

Did you love/like this super easy recipe? If so, kindly leave a comment below. Give me suggestions if you want to, or let me know how your English Pound Cake turned out.

Happy Baking!!!

Read More

Super Easy Sweet Nothings

This is one of the easiest recipes one can make. The credits of this recipe goes to Vidya Tatepalli, my next-door neighbour and friend. She taught me how to make this, super easy, yet awesomely tasty sweet dish.

This dish can be made for guests, for kids or elders. It is nutritious and tasty.

Prep time: 30 mins  Cooking  Time: 0 mins
Makes : Dessert for 6 people


INGREDIENTS:

1. 6 Bread Slices , with edges removed ( You can use lightly toasted bread if you want)
2. 6 teaspoons of Chopped nuts( your choice)
3. 6 Teaspoons of Jam
4. 3 cups of boiled and cooled milk
5. 2 tablespoons of Custard powder
6. Sugar to taste
7. Tooti frooti, to garnish.

METHOD:

1. Soak the chopped nuts with 1-2 tablespoon of milk.
2. Take 1 cup of milk and add sugar to your taste.
3. Apply jam on each bread slices.
4. Lightly soak the bread in the sugared milk. Take care not to soak too much or it may break.
5. Place each bread slices on your palm, squeeze out the excess milk, put some chopped nuts in the middle and pull in the edges to make a small ball of bread.
6. Now you have 6 bread balls.
7. Put these balls in the fridge and let it cool.
8. Meanwhile, mix 2 tablespoon of milk to the custard powder and make it into a paste.
9. Boil the remaining milk in a pan  and add sugar to it.
10. Now slowly add the  custard mix and mix well so that no lumps are formed.
11. Let this cool.
12. Now place 1 bread ball in a bowl and pour the cooled custard over it.
13. Garnish with Tooti Frooti, or any toppings of your choice, nuts, fruits, chocolate pieces or syrup,honey, cherries and ice-cream.
14. Keep it in the fridge and serve it chilled to the guests.
15. Enjoy!!!

Read More

Easy and Classic Banana Bread

Have you ever given a thought of baking your own bread? What is the first thing that comes to your mind? You think, Bread needs yeast, I don't even know how yeast looks.

Here comes the amazing fact, this banana bread, doesn't need yeast, moreover, baking bread at home not only gives you the opportunity to bite into the freshest bread piece but fills your house into such yummy scent...it is just a moment worth drooling over. On top of that, this banana bread is so tasty, you will bake another loaf within a month.

I think I have given you enough reasons to put on your baking gloves, but here is one more reason for loving this classic recipe all the more.

We all, at some point of our life, face OVER-RIPE BANANAS. The best thing we do is, throw it away. However this recipe is based solely on over-ripe bananas, ones which no one wants to have, and they get turned into such yummy pieces of delight, everyone pours onto it.

You can bake this in any steel or aluminium pan, I have a loaf pan so I used it to get the professional  look...

This banana bread falls in the category of QUICK BREADS, as it is very easy to whip. All you need are two bowls...one for wet and the other for the dry ingredients.
Once you combine the two...it gives you the most easy Banana Bread Mix which can easily impress anyone.

When the Banana Bread is baked, the golden brown crust is amazingly crisp, but if you store it, the crust turns soft, however the delicious moist texture of the bread and the mouthwatering sweet flavour remains intact.

Easy and Classic Banana Bread

NOTE: This bread requires 55-60 mins to bake, when you can sit and relax. The preparation times is around 15-20 mins, this is the time you work, so I decided to add this into my blog as the effort you give is for 15-20 mins.

 Prep time: 15-20 mins  Cooking Time : 55-60 mins
Makes: 1 Loaf of Banana Bread enough for 6-8 people


INGREDIENTS

1. 1 (9x5x4 inch) loaf pan ( you can take any pan)
2. 2 large bowls
3. 1 and 3/4 cup normal flour
4. 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
5. 1 cup normal sugar ( Don't use powdered sugar)
6. 2 eggs
7. 3 ripe bananas, mashed well
8. 1 cup roasted walnuts or cashews ( Must)
9. 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
10. 1 teaspoon baking powder
11. 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
12. 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder ( Dalchini)

METHOD

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degree centigrade.
2. Oil and flour a Loaf pan ( any size)
3.  In Bowl no. 1 combine, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon powder and nuts.
4. In Bowl no. 2 combine, mashed bananas, butter, eggs and vanilla essence.
5. Mix Bowl no. 2 ingredients to Bowl no. 1.
6. Lightly fold with a rubber spatula.
7. Don't over mix, it doesn't have to be smooth, just the dry ingredients and wet ones should mix together.
8. Pour the batter into the loaf pan.
9. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, ideally for about 55 to 60 mins.
10. Let it cool.

Makes yummylicious slices of sweet banana bread, which can be eaten with steaming cup of tea or coffee. Give it to your family and friends and children and see faces lighten up.
Happy Cooking!

Did you love/like this super easy recipe? If so, kindly leave a comment below. Give me suggestions if you want to, or let me know how your Easy and Classic Banana Bread turned out.

Happy Baking!!!

Read More

Super Easy and Sinfully Tasty Chocolate Croissant Recipe

On Lazy weekends, when the heart craves for something GOOD, but hands revolt against taking up mammoth food assignments, this super easy and SINFULLY tasty CHOCOLATE CROISSANT comes to your rescue.

Absolutely a crowd winner, this Croissant is something that will delight everyone's taste buds. Making Pastry Dough is fun but very time consuming, so I prefer store bought Puff pastry Sheets, which makes my life easy.

This Recipe requires 3 ingredients , yah!!! Yes, only 3.

I used Store bought UNROLL Puff Pastry Sheets, which , I got at a store close to my house, it is from a brand called UNROLL, you can visit their page on https://www.facebook.com/Unroll.in .These puff pastry rolls are cheap, and makes yummy puffs, so I like them.

However you can use any puff pastry sheets you get.

Coming back to the Star of Today, The Chocolate filled Croissants are mini in size but they finish in a jiffy. However super easy to make and sinfully tasty...you will be wowed once you finish making a batch.

Super Easy and Sinfully Tasty Chocolate Croissant Recipe


Prep time: 15-20 mins  Cooking time: 15-20 mins

Makes: 16- 18 Chocolate Filled Croissants

INGREDIENTS

1. 1 Puff Pastry Sheet, Thawed.
2.  1/2 Cup Choco chips or chopped chocolate
3. 1 egg

METHOD

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees centrigade
2. Beat the egg and keep it aside
3. Lightly flour your work surface and unroll the puff pastry sheet.
4. Cut it first into rectangles, then each rectangle into 2 triangles

1. Now place 1-2 teaspoons of choco chips on your triangles
2. Then start rolling the triangle from the wider end.
3. Once done, taper the end and curve a little making it into a crescent shape.
4. Prepare a baking pan with a baking sheet on top of it.
5. Place each croissant seam side down on the baking sheet.
6. Remember to keep some gap between two, as it may stick.

1. Brush the Croissants with some beaten egg, called egg wash ( Must)
2. Refrigerate it for 2-3 mins
3. Pop it in the oven
4. Set the temperature to 200 degrees centrigade, for 16 mins ( for 7 mini croissants)
5. Bake till Golden

Your Chocolate Filled Croissant is ready to be eaten with a steaming cup of coffee.

Make them any day, anytime and watch faces smile, and hearts melt. You can serve this at parties, or potlucks, or enjoy it alone on moody days.

Did you love/like this super easy recipe? If so, kindly leave a comment below. Give me suggestions if you want to, or let me know how your Super Easy and sinfully Tasty Chocolate Croissants turned out.

Happy Baking!!!

Read More

Easy Eggless Chocolate cake with Chocolate Ganache Frosting

Our lives are full of small eventful days which are filled with happiness and laughter. We all want to celebrate each of these "SPECIAL" days of our lives with our own special touch.

So here is your own special touch.

A delightfully moist and delicious Chocolate Cake which is not only YUMMY but equally easy. Whip up this cake and make birthdays, anniversaries, home parties and other small celebrations turn into a massive successful event. The BEST part of this cake is it is egg-less, so now there is yet another reason to celebrate!

The unbelievable part is this cake is that it is super easy to make and requires only 1 bowl...Surprised? You will be even more surprised when you bite into this wonder and wonder...Is it Homemade or Store-bought!!

Easy Egg-less Chocolate cake with Chocolate Ganache Frosting

Prep time: 10-15mins  Cooking Time : 25-30 mins
Makes: 1 Cake enough to serve 8-10 people.

 INGREDIENTS

 For the Cake

1.  1 large bowl
2.  1 1/2 cups normal flour ( Don't use cake flour)
3.  1 cup normal white sugar (Don't use powdered sugar)
4.  1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder ,sifted
5.  1 teaspoon baking powder
6.  3/4 teaspoon baking soda
7.  1/3 cup butter, melted
8.  1 cup warm water
9.  1 tablespoon lemon juice (or vinegar)
10.  1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

 For the Chocolate Ganache Frosting  

1. 1 Cup chocolate cubes, chopped (Any chocolate flavour your like, bitter, semi-sweet, Dairymilk etc)
2. 3/4th Cup Fresh Cream ( I used Amul Fresh Cream)
3.  1 tablespoon butter

METHOD:

The Basic single layer chocolate cake

1. Preheat your Oven to 180 degree centrigade
2.  Butter or oil a cake pan. ( which ever shape you like)
3. Mix flour, sugar, sifted cocoa powder , baking powder and baking soda in the large bowl.
4. Add melted butter, water, lemon juice and vanilla extract to it.
5. Fold in the ingredients with a rubber spatula, till all mix evenly, till nothing is dry.
6. Pour it in the cake pan.
7. Place the cake pan in the Microwave or OTG and set a temperature of 180 degress in the convection mode.(remember to use only convection mode and not combination cooking, the convection mode will help the cakes to be perfect)
8. Bake it for 28-30 mins depending on your oven ( If you are a new user set your oven time to 25 mins first and take out the cake to check its doneness. If you poke a  toothpick in its center it should come out with a few crumbles which means you need to bake it further for 3-5 mins. If it goes in smoothly stop baking. You don't want your cake to be too dry.Try and test the timing in your own oven. If the cake is undercooked even after 30 mins, bake it further for 2-3 mins depending on how raw it is.)
9. Remove from the oven and let it cool.

The Chocolate Ganache frosting

1. Place the chopped chocolate, cream and butter in a heatproof bowl.
2. Place the bowl in a pan of simmering water.
3. Stir the Chocolate till all of it has mixed and turned into a nice thick chocolate sauce.
4. Remove from heat and let it cool at room temperature to get it to the desired consistency required for pouring.

The Final Result

1. Serve the cake on a serving dish
2. Pour the ganache on top, let it slide.
3. Decorate it with sprinklers, choco-chips, fresh fruits or dry fruits. ( I used white choco-chips)

ENJOY!!!

 

Read More

Restaurant Style Tandoori Chicken

What goes into making the best and the most mouthwatering tandoor? Love for food and the right amount of spice. Yes, you don't need a traditional grill or tandoor to make this utterly delightful magic,which mesmerises all.

Tandoori Chicken originated in Delhi, but its super taste has led it to be a very popular dish throughout the world.

Now what if you can make it at home and delight everyone...the satisfaction is the reward!

Now before I give you the ingredients, there are a few points to remember. If you want restaurant style tandoori, no normal piece if chicken will do, you will have to go to the butcher and ask him to give you traditional skinless tandoori cut chicken pieces. They normally come from the thigh+leg pieces of the chicken. You can make tandoori pieces from the breast portions too. In that case include the wing+ribs.They will look like this ( this is not raw chicken, this is the chicken after marination.)

NOTE: The day you bring the chicken,take the pieces and make deep gashes on it, it should be deep enough to reach till the bones, on both sides of all the pieces.
Apply salt on the pieces and let it rest for that day or marinate it for 15 mins.

Restaurant Style Tandoori Chicken

Prep time: 8-10 mins   Cooking Time : 25-35 mins (for 4 pieces)

Makes: 1 kg tandoori chicken, Ideally around 6-8 pieces

INGREDIENTS

1.  1 kg Chicken cut into tandoori style ( ideally yields 6-8 pieces)
2.  Salt
3.  Juice of 2 lemon
4.  3 Tablespoon ginger + garlic paste ( fresh or store bought)
5.  3  Tablespoon Homemade Tandoori Masala Spice Mix
6.  1-3 Teaspoon Red chilli powder ( amount varies upon amount of spice you want in the chicken)
7.  6 Tablespoon Yogurt
8.  1 Tablespoon refined oil or melted butter ( for basting)
9.  1 Tablespoon Chat masala ( for garnishing, purely optional)
10.  Onion Rings ( for garnishing, purely optional)

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degree centrigade
2. Apply lemon juice on the pre-salted chicken pieces and leave it for 15 mins.
3. Mix the ginger garlic paste, tandoori masala ,red chilli powder, yogurt and a little salt in a bowl.
4. Apply the marinade on the chicken pieces( take care not to apply too much marinade, marinade is just for the flavour, not to over power the chicken, refer to the picture given above on the amount of marinade that should be used.)
5. Let it rest for 1 hr to 8 hrs (Marinating time is completely up to you. If you have more time marinate the chicken in the morning and come back at night and roast it or just marinate it for 1 hour  minutes if you do not have any time. The only thing to remember, the longer it marinates the better it absorbs the flavour of the vibrant spices of the marinade)
6. Take the 4 pieces of chicken, shake out the excess marinade ( if any), and mount it on the high rack of your Microwave. If it is a OTG normal rack will do the trick. Remember to keep the largest pieces in the middle, i.e. the thigh side of the chicken.
7. Now put your rack in the OTG or Microwave and set a temperature of 200 degrees centrigade in the convection mode. (remember to use only convection mode and not combination cooking, the convection mode will help the chicken to be crisp from outside and tender within)
8. Bake it for 25-35 mins depending upon your oven. ( If you are a new user set your oven time to 20 mins first and take out the chicken to check its doneness. If you poke a fork it should go in smoothly and if you check inside, it should not be pink. If it is pink then give it some more time to bake. You have to try and test the time in your own oven)
9. Once the chicken is done let it rest in the oven for 5-10 mins.
10. Now comes the fun part, once you see the chicken is done, insert it on skewers, and burn it on your stove, gas or meethi angeethi...you will be delighted at the tandoor smell that fills your house...
11. That's it...your yummy Tandoori chicken is all ready...

Sprinkle some chat masala, chilli powder (optional) and serve it will onion rings, lemon wedges and chatpata green chutney...Enjoy yummilicious Restaurant Style homemade Tandoori Chicken!!!

Read More

Homemade Tandoori Masala Spice mix

This is a traditional Tandoori Masala Spice mix. You can make it beforehand and store it in an airtight container. it can be used with paneer, mushrooms, potato, shrimps, prawns, chicken...any tandoori dish you want under the sun...

Homemade Tandoori Masala Spice Mix
Prep time: 3 mins  Cooking Time: 0 mins

INGREDIENTS

1. 1 teaspoon ground cloves (Lavang)
2. 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg (Jaiphal)
3. 1 teaspoon mace (Javitri)
4. 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin (Jeera)
5. 2 tablespoons ground coriander (Dhania)
6. 1 teaspoon ground fenugreek (Methi)
7. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ( Dalchini)
8. 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (Kalimirchi)
9. 1 teaspoon ground brown cardamom (Elaichi) 
10. 2 teaspoon Chilli Powder ( purely optional) 
11. 1 teaspoon red food coloring 

METHOD:

1. Mix all together. (DO NOT ROAST)
2. Pass the mixture through a sieve.
3. Store in an airtight container.

Your Tandoori Mix is ready and waiting to be used.

 

Read More

Easy Choco chip Muffins

There is nothing more comforting in life than biting onto a piece of freshly baked muffin...better still if you make it on your own...
They are called "Quick breads" mostly because they are very easy to whip... all you need are two bowls...one for wet and the other for the dry ingredients.
Once you combine the two...it gives you the most easy muffin batter...the MOST IMPORTANT part of this recipe is NO OVER-MIXING, as it can make the cake dry...
Here goes the recipe to surprise your friends and foes...hahahaha!!!

Choco Chip Muffins Recipe

Prep time: 10-15mins  Cooking Time : 18-20 mins
Makes: 12 Muffins

INGREDIENTS

1. 2 large Bowls
2. 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled.
3. 2 eggs at room temperature.
4. 2/3rd cup Milk.
5. 1 &1/2 teaspoons vanilla essence.
6. 2 cups normal flour ( Don't use cake flour)
7. 1 cup normal sugar ( Don't use powdered sugar) 
8. 2 &1/2 teaspoon baking powder
9. 3/4th cup choco chips, any variant,(semi sweet, bittersweet, milk, or white chocolate chips)

METHOD

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degree centrigade.
2. Butter or Line with paper liners a 12 cup muffin tray. (I personally prefer muffin liners , as it makes clean up very easy)
3. In bowl no.1 whisk eggs, milk and vanilla essence.
4. In bowl no.2 whisk flour, sugar and baking powder.
5. Mix Choco chips in bowl no.2.
6. Add Melted butter to bowl no. 2.
7. Add bowl no.1 ingredients to bowl no. 2.
8. Fold in with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. (DO NOT OVER MIX. MIX ONLY TILL ALL DRY INGREDIENTS ARE WET OR YOU WILL GET TOUGH MUFFINS)
9. Fill the muffin cups with a spoon or ice-cream scoop. (Take care that all the muffin cups have same amount of batter, otherwise each will cook at different times.)
10. Place in the OTG or Microwave and set a temperature of 180 degrees centrigade in the convection mode. (remember to use only convection mode and not combination cooking, the convection mode will help the cakes to be perfect, moreover place your muffin tray on HIGH RACK, for better browning and baking)
11.  Bake it for 18-20 mins depending upon your oven. ( If you are a new user set your oven time to 15 mins first and take out the cake to check its doneness. If you poke a  toothpick in its center it should come out with a few crumbles which means you need to bake it further for 3-5 mins. If it goes in smoothly stop baking. You don't want your muffins to be too dry.Try and test the timing in your own oven)
12. Take out the muffin pan and let the muffins cool for 10-12 mins before you pop it into your mouth.

Makes 12 delicious moist muffins.They can be covered and stored for a few days...Enjoy with a cup of steaming coffee, tea or milk. Give it to your friends and family. Give it to children in their tiffin boxes...No mess pieces of delight!

Read More

Herb Butter Chicken Roast

This is the most easiest yet most satisfying dish one can make at home...all you need is a little butter, some herbs , salt, pepper and chicken..yes that is it..

You can use any part of the chicken that you have at home, but the best roast can be made( in my experience)with the leg piece or the leg+thigh piece.

This is an excellent dish if you are busy, tired, and not wanting to cook, but want to eat something GOOD!

Herb Butter Chicken Roast Recipe
 
Prep time: 10-15mins  Cooking Time : 30-40 mins

The best roast is cooked when the chicken has its skin...if you don't get it, your roast will not be very juicy but will be tasty...that's for sure.

INGREDIENTS

1. 1 kg Chicken, (2 breasts, 2 thighs, 2 wings, 2 legs)
2. Butter (4 Tablespoon)
3. Mixed Herbs (1 Tablespoon) ( I used dried mixed herbs)
4. Salt
5. Pepper
6. Garlic paste (1 teaspoon) 
7. Mixed Veggies like carrots, onions, tomatoes (this is purely optional)

METHOD

1. Preheat your oven to 200 degree centigrade.
2. Rub the chicken with salt and pepper and let it rest for 15-20 minutes
3. Mix the herbs with butter and add the garlic to it.
4. Marinate the seasoned chicken with the butter mixture and leave for 15 minutes to 8 hrs (Marinating time is completely up to you. If you have more time marinate the chicken in the morning and come back at night and roast it or just marinate it for 15 minutes if you did not do any prep. The only thing to remember, the longer it marinates the better it absorbs the butter and herbs flavour)
5.  If you have veggies, make a bed of it in your roasting pan which has been oiled. Your roasting pan can be either of aluminium or of steel.
6. Arrange the chicken pieces in such a way that the pieces are skin side up, and the largest pieces (breast pieces) in the middle. Keep some space in between the pieces, don't crowd them.
7. Now put your roasting pan in the OTG or Microwave and set a temperature of 200 degrees centrigade in the convection mode. (remember to use only convection mode and not combination cooking, the convection mode will help the chicken to be crisp from outside and tender within)
8. Bake it for 20-30 mins depending upon your oven. ( If you are a new user set your oven time to 20 mins first and take out the chicken to check its doneness. If you poke a fork it should go in smoothly and if you check inside, it should not be pink. If it is then give it some more time to bake. You have to try and test and see in your own oven)
9. Once the chicken is done let it rest in the oven for 5-10 mins before serving.

You will see the chicken leaves out a lot of juice. Baste the chicken with its juice to give the shine .If you want to have a gravy, take the juice, mix some cornflour, and give it a good boil on your gastop. Now drizzle the gravy on the chicken and enjoy with some Fried Rice, Parathas or French Fries...Enjoy!!!

Read More