Tuesday, July 31, 2012

My First Blogger Award :)

Hi friends!!!!

Unbelievable as I got an award from Punitha Madam our dearest blogger friend.She is very kind hearted and sweet women.I have received a Sunshine Award from her and my joy know no bounds!!She has given an award to all blogger friends.:) Her blog is full of delicious recipes and always cook in an traditional way. Way to go her blog Punitha's South India Food Recipes. She is alike my mom and cooks in her traditional way of life in South India.:) Am very lucky to have her as my kind hearted and affectionate friend :) Thank u once again dear and I wish all the blogger friends to have her as the wonderful women in life!



Heartfelt Thanking you Punitha madam dear for your blessings and best wishes and Thank you  for my dearest blogger friends :)
 


Awaiting to hear your comments :)




Microwave Cooking : Chocolate Coffee Mug Cake!

Hi friends!


This post is gifted to my brother who is in the ship as I miss him lots.He loves chocolate flavors and most of the times is his favorite drink Coffee :) This gift is for him on the day of Raksha Bandhan.He will make it hopefully :) It is very easy recipe to follow for everyone and even kids can do it  with the help of you.:) Yummyyyyyyy It is very chocolatey gooey in the middle and bottom with coffee flavor :)
 Here the recipe goes on below.

Ingredients:

Serves 2 Mug cakes.

  • 8 Tablespoons All purpose Flour or Self raising flour
  • 8 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Coffee powder
  • 1/2 Tsp Baking powder
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt.
  • 6 Tablespoons Milk or skim milk
  • 6 Tablespoons Vegetable oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Warm Water for dissolving coffee.
  • Few drops of Vanilla extract
  • 2 Eggs
  • 4 Tablespoons Semi sweet Chocolate chips or Chocolate squares(Dairy milk)
  • Few walnuts or cashew nuts broken into pieces(Optional)
Notes: You can make the recipe into 1 mug cake by reducing the measurements into halves.

Method:

             

  •  Take a small bowl, add coffee powder and pour the warm water into the coffee bowl and let it dissolve.
  • In a separate bowl, Add the dry ingredients such as flour,cocoa powder,baking powder.Sift it by using sieve. Add sugar,salt.Set aside
  • In an another bowl, Beat the eggs lightly,Add milk,oil,dissolved coffee mixture and vanilla extract.whisk well until it is well combined.
  • Add the wet mixture into the dry mixture.Whisk well until it is combined.
  • Pour  about 1/2 cup measured chocolate mixture into your favorite mug
  • Add chocolate chips or few chocolate squares or your favorite chocolate bars broken into pieces
  • Add broken cashew nuts or chopped walnuts to it.
  • Don't allow it to stir.
  • Set it to the Microwave oven on high  for about 1 min and 30 seconds.
  •  If the cake is still gooey or still wet on the top,microwave it on an additional 30 seconds.
  • It will risen up while baking inside the oven.
  • Once it comes out then it will deflates.Its interesting to watch it while baking :)
  • Sprinkle with powdered sugar and add whipped cream if you want.
  • It is best to serve immediately once it is warm or cold.

Happy Baking  !!!


Awaiting to hear your comments and your experience after trying it at home.

Linking this post to 
Srivalli's and Smitha's Hosting MEC





Monday, July 30, 2012

Announcing Know your Natural Sweetness Event


Announcing  Know your Natural Sweetness - JAGGERY :)
I am excited to post very new and first event called Know Your Natural Sweetness for an August month :)
 This event is owned by Jagruti of Jagruti’s Cooking Odyssey. August is going to be a celebration month in India because it has Raksha Bandhan, Independence Day, Krishna Jayanthi, Onam, Ramadan, Eid. Am very happy for choosing the right event  on the theme Jaggery
I knew everyone know the most dishes made with Jaggery because it’s consumed in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. It’s purely made up of sugar cane juice traditionally unrefined whole cane sugar. It varies in color from golden brown to dark brown and also in different sizes :) It’s healthy traditional sweetener.
Thanks a tons to Jagruti Madam for letting me to host this event and I am very lucky for this.

Coming to the theme of this event, you can cook very purely traditional
Jaggery for both sweet and savory for offering it to the God and your family and friends. I prefer this recipe posted by you should be very traditional known by you who learns from your mother, grandmother, mother in law and so on. It will be very traditional followed by an older generation.:) :). It will be very helpful for everyone and non blogger friends to remain traditional as always.
We shall give you an online award for the Best Innovative Award, Best Traditional Award, Best New Dish Award and a Participation Award.



Here are the participation details:

1. Cook Any Dish to Desserts for the event. It must be 50% ingredient
Jaggery. Post vegetarian recipes only for the event.

2. Entries posted from 1st - 31st August 2012 is acceptable.

3. Please link your entries using the linky tools here.

4. Your entry post should contain the link to this event announcement and Jagruti's
Event Announcement.Its mandatory. Please put our event logo on your blog and everyone will read it that will be very helpful. IT'S MANDATORY OTHERWISE THE ENTRY WILL BE DELETED.

5. Multiple entries are welcome. No archived and older posts please.

6. Non-bloggers are invited to participate in the event. You can mail me your recipe and a photograph of the dish to the mail id tangymindsachu@gmail.com.

  
:) Looking forward to see your creative and delicious entries.




Sunday, July 29, 2012

Strawberry Blueberry Focaccia Bread :)

Hi friends :) 


 I want to try out something different which will taste alike bread or sweet bread :) Finally got a name called Focaccia!!! Never heard of, but want to try it:) Then i had googled about Focaccia in the website.Its similar alike pizza but it is not considered to be the same.Its very flat oven- baked bread originated from Italy. It is very popular in Italy.You can make this bread of 2 types mainly Sweet and Savory.
If you want to make sweet bread,you can add fruits and other preserves. 
If you want to make savory bread,you can add garlic,herbs and other spices.


I had made both breads and I am posting a sweet Focaccia bread :) Here is the recipe as below.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:
  • 1 Package (1/4 ounces) Active Dry Yeast
  • 6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter or Olive Oil or Veg oil.
  • 2 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 1/4 Cup warm water plus 1/4 cup warm water for yeast.
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 4 cups All purpose Flour
For Spreading it on the dough.
  • 1 cup strawberries and blue berries or any fruit of your choice.
  •  1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon .
  • 1/2 cup Light brown sugar
  • Vegetable oil or live oil  for greasing.
Method:

Lets work out for making the dough :)

  • In a small bowl, Combine the yeast by adding sugar and water.Stir it gently.
  • Let it stand for about 5 minutes and dissolves till it gets foam 
  • Take a wide bowl add flour,salt,cinnamon,brown sugar and mix well.
  •  Add the yeast mixture to the dry mixture.
  • Add water gradually while kneading to form a right consistency,relatively wet,smooth and pliable.
  • Take another bowl,grease it with veg oil,
  • Put the kneaded dough into the oiled bowl,cover it with plastic wrap and let it rise at the warm place for about 1 hour or until it is double in size.
  • Grease the baking sheet by oil.Place the dough on the baking sheet.Stretch out  the dough by using your hands gently to form a 1/2  inch rectangular dough as same as exactly the baking sheet.
  • Cover the flattened dough pan with plastic wrap and allow it to rest for about 20 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 F or 180 C
  • Once rested,with your greased hands, spread sliced strawberries or chopped strawberries and blueberries,sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly  on the flattened dough baking sheet.
  • Let it cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest for about 25 minutes
  • Remove the plastic wrap once rested.
  • Bake it for about 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Slice it and Serve warm along with your favorite jam or dip into any favorite preserves.

Happy Baking!!!

Enjoy it :)

Awaiting to hear your comments and your experience at home :)


Sending this post to the event :)


Thursday, July 26, 2012

Baking Partners: A new Baking Group Announcement


Baking a homemade bread, cake or cookies will give the best outcome. However in order to achieve the best results, a  perfect recipe and  right techniques are required.

We are a small group of home baker friends, who love and want to learn more about the nook and corners of baking.  We are planning to try out recipes from books/magazines and cooking shows.  Every member gets a chance to present their choice of recipe and share important points with the rest of the group.

Main purpose of this group is to learn the techniques, critic the procedure if there are ways to improve, and to eat a delicious food.

Rules are simple, we will choose one recipe  and send it out to the group by 16th of every month and  the reveal date will be 15th of the next month . On that day we will  blog about it. A linky tool will be open during that time and each member can link their post.

First month we are going to do a recipe, 2nd and 3rd month will be a theme and the 4th month we will be back at  a recipe. By doing in between recipes, we will able to learn more.

All enthusiastic bloggers interested in baking are welcome, please email me   at favoriterecipes12@gmail.com.

We will appreciate the use of logo or worded link that will help to spread the word.  A bunch of thanks to Tina for designing this beautiful logo
If you   want to make it a gluten or vegan free diet, you can do those modifications also.

Baking Partners are











Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Heavenly Coconut Macaroons :)

Hi friends :)

Well I baked Coconut macaroons It tasted so good along with a cup of tea or as your favorite snack :)

A macaroon is very lightly baked confection which can either be as small sweet cake or meringue like cookies :) Here the recipe goes on :)

Crunchy coconut macaroons

Ingredients :

  • 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups Dessicated coconut or Sweetened shredded coconut or Fresh grated Coconut
  • 2 Egg whites 
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 cup powdered almonds or crushed almonds

Method:

  •  Preheat the oven to 325 F or 170 C. Line a parchment paper on the cookie sheet.
  • On medium heat,roast the shredded coconut or fresh grated coconut for about 10 minutes or it ll be very light brown color 
  • Turn off the heat.
  • Combine the cooled coconut,condensed milk,powdered/crushed almonds and vanilla extract together into the bowl.
  • Using a hand mixer or Stand mixer with a whisk attachment, Beat the egg whites and salt together on high speed to form a medium peak consistency.
  • Fold the egg whites mixture into the coconut mixture gently.
  • Take an ice cream scoop,  take a spoonful of batter into the  baking sheet
  • Alternatively you can use a piping bag, pour the batter to it and make a peak formed on the baking sheet.
  • Bake it for about 15 to 20 minutes or until its top brown.
  • Allow it to cool on the cooling rack.
  • Serve it along with a cup of tea.
  • If you want the macaroons to dip into the chocolate It will be delightful for your kids :)
  • Melt the chocolate pieces along with 1 Tablespoon of butter into the oven proof bowl and Microwave it for about 30 seconds.
  • Dip the coconut macaroons into the chocolate and allow it to keep on the parchment paper until it is firm and set.

Happy Baking!!
Enjoy!!
Awaiting to hear your comments and try it at home :)
Srivalli's Cooking4allseasons

Vardhini's Cooksjoy & PumpkinFarm


Sunday, July 22, 2012

Fantastique Creme Brulee :)

Hi Friends :)

What  A day!!!! I made an exotic French Dessert CREME BRULEE.It is also known as Burnt cream or Trinity Cream which is mainly a rich traditional dessert consisting of custard such as vanilla topped with hard crunchy caramelized layer :) Its served cold.

I did it and you can do it :) Here the french recipe go on below as I love French cuisines:)

Ingredients :
  • 1 cup  Heavy whipped cream
  • 2 Egg yolks 
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 4 Tsp Brown Sugar or White Sugar
Note : You can increase the quantity of the above ingredients as double.
Method:

  • Separate the egg yolks from egg whites.
  • Put egg yolks into the heat proof bowl,Add 1/4 cup sugar to it and mix well until smooth by using whisker. Set aside
  • Take a sauce pan ,pour the cream over to it and heat it on the medium low flame until it is steaming and you may see bubbles on the edges and don't allow it to boil.
  • Turn off the heat.Allow it to cool for few minutes
  • Add 1 tablespoon of heated cream at a time
  • Whisk the egg and sugar mixture constantly as you are adding the cream mixture slowly to avoid curdling.
  • Once you added about few tablespoons of cream into the egg and sugar mixture,proceed further to pour the remaining cream mixture to it and make sure while you are whisking it gently until smooth.
  • Once it is well incorporated and pour the custard mixture through a fine mesh sieve into another bowl or measuring cup.It helps to avoid any lumps formed.
  • Add vanilla extract to it.
  • Mix well until it is set.
  • Take a boiling water and pour on to the deep rectangular baking tray
  • Pour the custard mixture into the ramekins evenly..
  • Place the ramekins onto the water bath of the baking tray.The water level should  rise so that it has reached the half way to the sides of the ramekins.
  • If the water level does not rise,then pour a boiling water carefully until it is risen up the halfway of the sides
  • Also be careful not to splash the water to the ramekins
  • Place the evenly custard ramekins into the pre heated oven for about 300 C for about 30 to 40 minutes or until it is set around the edges and the middle is somewhat little movement and it is similar when you jiggle Jelly O.
  • Remove  it from the oven and allow it to cool on the cooling rack.
  • Once it is cooled completely, cover each and every ramekin with plastic wrap and set it into the refrigerator for about 4 to 8 hours or overnight.
How to do: It has 2 methods one is using Blow torch technique or using Broil it in the Oven method.

Broil Method.
  • Before ready to broil allow the ramekins to cool slightly.Preheat the oven as " BROIL" not BAKE
  • Place each and every teaspoon of brown sugar or white sugar evenly to the ramekins.
  • Place the sugar coated custard ramekins into the baking sheet and put into the oven for about 10 minutes  at least 4 or 6 inches away from the top surface of the oven inside.
  • Broil it until it is slightly brown on the top of the custard mixture ramekin
  • Do not or over cook nor over heat
  • Once brown then take out from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
  • Serve Cold or warm with a dollop of whipped cream and a whole strawberry on the top.
Blow Torch Method.
  • Place each and every teaspoon of brown sugar or white sugar evenly to the ramekins.
  • Place the sugar coated custard ramekins into the baking sheet.
  • Heat the coated sugar  with the flame until it bubbles and turns golden brown  by using blow torch or kitchen butane torch.
  • Allow to cool slightly.or you can refrigerate it before serving.
  • Serve Cold or warm with a dollop of whipped cream and/or  a whole strawberry on the top.

 Fantastique Creme Brulee :)
 

Happy Baking :) Awaiting to hear your comments and your experience :)

profitez de votre journée :)(Enjoy your day)


Submitting the even on Pradnya's Pumpkin Farm and Vardhini's Cooksjoy
 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

An Indian Dessert KULFI :)

Hi friends

Am really happy on this month July because my blog has got an Award from my dearest friends.I am posting favorite dessert Kulfi as my heartfelt thanks to everyone and blogger friends Prathibha and Julie who has given an award  :) 

Since long time We missed Indian dessert that is mainly Kulfi .Very rare to get kulfi from a kulfi seller on the door steps.Mostly my hubby and me used to have it when he returned from his office when in India Its my sweet memory to have kulfi along with my parents and my hubby..I want to make it at home and finally did it :) It came out an awesome and tasty in 1st attempt :) My daughter loves kulfi as it is first time for her to have it :)

A kulfi or Qulfi is very popular Indian frozen dessert and its usually prepared traditionally by adding an evaporated milk,sweetened condensed milk,double cream,and nuts

Here the recipe goes on below.Try it at home.

Ingredients: I am writing 2 ingredients for use in India and Abroad.

****** If you are in India you can try this recipe as below.
  • 2 1/2 cups milk plus 1 Tablespoon Milk.
  • 1 cup or 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/4 cup Milk powder
  • 1/2  cup Amul Double Cream
  • 2 Tablespoons Sugar or to taste.
  • 2 Tsp Cardamom powder
  • 1/2 cup whipped cream
  • A pinch of saffron threads
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped cashew nuts,pistachios and almonds.
Method:

  •  Take 1 Tablespoon milk make it warm by using an oven for 30 Seconds. or boil the milk on the stove,take out 1 Tablespoon milk once its warm.Pour it into the bowl.
  • Add Saffron into the warm milk and let it sit for about 1 minute or until the color changes.
  • Take a nonstick saucepan,add milk,milk powder,condensed milk,sugar to taste.Let it boil till the mixture gets thickened by simmering on medium heat for about 10 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat, add cardamom powder,whipped cream and saffron milk. Mix well until its well combined.
  • Add the nuts to it.
  • Mix well..
  • Pour it into the kulfi mold.
  • If you are not having kulfi mold then its an alternative method you can use plastic cup or glass, pour it into the plastic glass or cup.
  • Cover it with aluminium foil and make it hole to allow to insert an ice-cream stick or bamboo stick into it.
  • Set it in the Freezer for about 30 minutes
  • Again stir well until all nuts are well incorporated.
  • Set again in the freezer for about 3 to 6 hours or until it is set.
  • Unmould the kulfi. You can do it by placing the kulfi molds or plastic glass or cup under the running water for about few seconds.
  • Pull the stick gently and it will come out.
  • Its ready to serve :)

****** If you are in Abroad you can try this recipe as below.
  • 12 ounces or 1 can Evaporated Milk
  • 14 ounces or 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 1 Tablespoon Sugar.
  • 1 Tablespoon Warm milk
  • 2 Tsp Cardamom powder
  • 1/2 cup whipped cream
  • A pinch of saffron threads
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped cashew nuts,pistachios and almonds.
Method:

  •  Take 1 Tablespoon milk make it warm by using an oven for 30 Seconds. or boil the milk on the stove,take out 1 Tablespoon milk once its warm.Pour it into the bowl.
  • Add Saffron into the warm milk and let it sit for about 1 minute or until the color changes.
  • Take a big deep bowl,add evaporated milk,sweetened condensed milk heavy whipping cream,cardamom powder,whipped cream and saffron milk. Mix well until its well combined.
  • Add the nuts to it.
  • Mix well..
  • Pour it into the kulfi mold.
  • If you are not having kulfi mold then its an alternative method you can use plastic cup or glass, pour it into the plastic glass or cup.
  • Cover it with aluminum foil and make it hole to allow to insert an ice-cream stick or bamboo stick into it.
  • Set it in the Freezer for about 30 minutes
  • Again stir well until all nuts are well incorporated.
  • Set again in the freezer for about 3 to 6 hours or until it is set.
  • Un-mould the kulfi. You can do it by placing the kulfi molds or plastic glass or cup under the running water for about few seconds.
  • Pull the stick gently and it will come out.
  • Its ready to serve :)

  Yummy Kulfiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii :)
Try it at home and enjoy it with your family and friends :)
Awaiting to hear your comments and your experience at home.
Happy Baking :)


Submitting it to the event hosted by Divya's Culinary Journey



Linking this entry to Pari's Foodelicious Event






Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!! ?Got an award :)

Wow unbelievable !!!! got the Best Innovative recipe award from our dearest friends Prathibha and Julie. Here is my award from dearest friends:)
 
Thanks a tons both of you and your lovely words on your event for my recipe.Am really happy and my joy knew no bounds :) 

Apple cupcake with cardamom apple frosting by Achu of Tangy Minds. Have you ever used cardamom powder in a butter cream frosting. Thats what Archana did for her mini apple cupcakes, I'm sure it added a great flavor and taste Achu