Banana Walnut Bread

I posted Banana Walnut Cake. That is a cake, more sweet. The one I am listing below is a Bread which is mild and can be eaten with jelly or the way my kids liked it - with Strawberry Cream.

Ingredients :
Milk - 1/2 Cup
Mashed ripe banana - 1/3 Cup
Egg - 1
Butter - 1 Tbsp
Bread Flour - 2 Cups
Sugar - 2 Tbsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Ground Cinnamon - 1/9 Tsp
Active Dry Yeast - 1 tsp
Chopped Walnuts or Pecans - 1/2 Cup

Procedure :
1) Add all the ingredients to your Bread machine according to your Manufacturer's instructions
2) Add the dry Ingredients first
3) Add banana with the milk
4) Use light setting if available.

Cheddar Cheese Bars

My kids wanted to try something savory and I decided to try these out.

Ingredients :

Milk - 2/3 Cup
Egg - 1
Bread Flour - 2 Cups
Shredded Cheddar, Swiss or Monterey Jack Cheese - 1 Cup
Sugar - 1 Tbsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Active Dry Yeast - 1 tsp
Milk - as needed
Finely Shredded Parmesan Cheese - 1/4 Cup

Procedure :
1) Add the first 7 ingredients to Bread Machine according to your manufacturer's instructions
2) Select Dough Cycle
3) When Cycle is complete (about 2.5 hours in my machine), remove dough. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
4) On a lightly floured surface, divide dough into half. Roll each half into a 12x8 inch rectangle.
5) cut into strips.
6) On lightly greased baking sheets, shape each strip into a bar
7) Cover and let rise in a warm place till nearly double in size (20 to 30 minutes)
8) Brush them with additional milk and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese.
9) Bake in a 375 degree oven for 12 minutes or till golden.
10) Cool on wire racks and store.

Marble Cake

Took a long break, had a good summer and am back with a bang! This recipe came out exceptionally well and looks and tastes delicious!

Ingredients:

All purpose Flour : 2 cups
White Sugar : 1 cup
Butter, softened : 1/2 cup
Baking powder : 2 Tsp
Salt : 1/2 Tsp
Vanilla Extract : 1 Tsp
Milk : 1 Cup
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder : 2 Tbsp

Method :
1) Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
2) Grease and flour the cake tin
3) Place flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, butter or margarine, eggs, vanilla, and milk into mixing bowl. Beat slowly to moisten, then beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth.
4) Reserve 3/4 cup batter; pour the remainder into pan.
5) Stir cocoa into the 3/4 cup reserved batter. Drop by spoonfuls over top of white batter. Using a knife, swirl the cocoa batter into the white batter to incorporate it in a marble effect
6) Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until an inserted wooden pick comes out clean.

Lemon Bars

Am in a mood to bake today! I got this recipe from a dear friend and tried at home with a little variation. It is yummy.

Ingredients :

4 ounces butter

2 cups flour

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

4 beaten eggs

2 cups sugar

4 tablespoons flour

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel

sifted confectioners sugar

Procedure :

1) Heat oven to 325 F.
2) Blend butter, flour and 1/2 cup confectioners sugar.
3) Pat into non greased 13x9x2 inch pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes.
4) For filling, blend together eggs, sugar, 4 tbsp. flour, lemon juice and lemon peel.
5) Pour over first layer.
6) Return to oven and bake at 325 F for about 35-40 minutes or till a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7) Loosen around edges and sift confectioners sugar over top while warm.
8) Cut when cooled.

Carrot Kheer

As a part of the Alphabet game, when it came to C, I made Carrot Kheer. Oh yeah, I know my alphabets...there is a "B" in between. But, I made Bhel puri with B which is not a dessert in any sense. Carrot kheer is simple, yummy and nutritious. The bunny idea is my kids'.

Ingredients:

Grated Carrots - 3 cups
Sugar - 1 Cup (or less)
Condensed Milk - 1 tin
Milk - 2 Cups
Cashew nuts - garnishing

Procedure
1) Grated carrots can be boiled in milk either in a pressure pan or microwave. I prefer pressure pan as it is healthier.
2) Add the condensed milk and Sugar and bring to a boil in a sauce pan.
3) Decorate with cashew nuts.
4) Chill and serve.

Almond Cookies

We started a family Alphabet game. Once a week, we pick an alphabet and do things that correspond with that. Last friday, we did "A". We ate Almond Cookies, watched "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and read "Aladdin". You would be seeing more posts in my blog now. So, here's the Almond Cookies that I made which became an instant hit. (I wouldn't be surprised if my kids want to repeat an "A" twice a month...

Ingredients:

Butter - 1 cup
Almond extract - 1/2 tsp
Powdered sugar - 3/4 Cup
Flour - 2 Cups
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Oats, uncooked - 1 Cup
Almonds, finely chopped - 1/2 Cup

Procedure

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Beat butter and almond extract until fluffy; gradually beat in sugar.

3. Add combined flour and salt; mix well.

4. Stir in oats and almonds.

5. Shape to form round balls and press them firmly till they are flat.

6. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

7. Bake 15-18 minutes or until light golden brown.

Carrot and Pineapple Muffins

These are yummy, nutritious and serve as breakfast too. I love them with my coffee.

Ingredients
All Purpose Flour - 2 cups
Sugar - 1 1/2 cups
Baking Powder - 2 tsp
Ground Cinnamon - 2 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Baking soda - 1/4 tsp
Slightly beaten Eggs - 3
Cooking Oil - 2/3 Cup
Milk - 1/3 Cup
Vanilla - 2 tsp
Finely shredded carrot - 1 1/2 cups
Crushed, drained pineapple - 1 8oz can
Raisins - 1/2 cup
Chopped walnuts or pecans - 1/2 cup

Procedure
1) Pre heat the oven to 35o degrees
2) Line a muffin pan of 24 cups capacity with paper bake cups or grease them.
3) In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and soda.
4) In another bowl, combine eggs, oil, milk and vanilla
5) Stir in carrot, pineapple, raisins and nuts.
6) Add the egg and carrot mixture to the flour mixture. Stir well until moistened.
7) Spoon the batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
8) Bake for 18-20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
9) Cool the muffin pan for 5 minutes and remove the cups
10) Makes 24 muffins.

Mango Ice cream

This is utterly delicious. In fact, my kids love it so much that we have reduced the buying of ice creams from outside.

Ingredients :
Mango Pulp - 1 tin
Condensed Milk - 1 tin
Evaporated Milk - 1 tin

Method
1) Combine all the above
2) Freeze
3) While serving, add some cut fruits (mango, pine apple, cherries etc) to the bowl, scoop the ice cream and top with honey and cashews
4) Enjoy!!!!

Chocolate Cake

This is heavenly and very easy to make. At my home, the time for baking is longer than for the cake to vanish.

Ingredients
All Purpose Flour - 1 1/3 Cup
Unsweetened cocoa powder - 2 Tbsp
Baking Powder - 2 Tsp
Salt - 1 pinch
Sugar - 1 Cup
Vanilla Essence - 1 Tbsp
Milk - 1/2 Cup
Oil - 1/2 Cup
Eggs - 2

Ingredients for frosting
Heavy Cream - 2/3 Cup
Semi sweet chocolate - 9oz

Method
1) Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
2) Grease two 9 inch cake tins
3) Mix Flour, cocoa powder, sugar, salt and vanilla essence in a bowl
4) Add milk, oil and well beaten eggs
5) Mix everything together with an electric mixer on low for about 2-3 minutes until everything is well blended
6) Transfer the mixture to the cake tins and bake for about 35-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7) If using 1 cake tin, slice thru' the middle of the cake to make it two layers.

Method of Frosting
1) Heat the heavy cream in a sauce pan.
2) Remove from heat, add finely chopped semi sweet chocolate and stir until it melts and the mixture becomes thick. Let it cool
3) Use 1/3 of the frosting between the cake layers, 1/3 on top and the rest around the cake.
4) I decorated with Hersheys to give it an extra zing!!!

Sugar Buns

Mmmmmm....they are crunchy, sugary and taste like Heaven.

Ingredients :
All purpose Flour - 3 Cups
Powdered Sugar - 2 Cups
Yogurt - 3/4 Cup
Egg, well beaten - 1
Baking powder - 1 Tsp
Baking Soda - 1/2 Tsp


Procedure:
1) Mix all the above ingredients to make a dough.
2) Let rest for 1/2 hour.
3) Make the dough into small balls.
4) On a floured surface, roll the balls with a rolling pin to make them flat but make sure they are thick.
5) They can be made into desired shapes with a cookie cutter, I kept them round.
6) Deep fry them in oil, and spread them on a kitchen towel for the oil to be absorbed.
7) Roll them in sugar powder while they are still hot and enjoy.

French Bread

Not a dessert in any sense but I wouldn't be doing myself a justice if I don't post my favorite bread here (its a big hit with my kids too).

Ingredients : (For 1 pound bread machine)
Water - 3/4 cup
Bread flour - 2 Cups
Salt - 1/2 Tsp
Active dry yeast - 1 Tsp
Flour to sprinkle
Slightly beaten egg white - 1
Water - 1 Tbsp

Procedure :
1) Add the first 4 ingredients according to Manufacturer's directions. Select dough setting
2) When Cycle is complete, remove dough from machine. Let rest 10 minutes
3) On a lightly floured surface, roll dough in 15x10-inch rectangle.
4) Roll up jelly style, starting from 1 end of the long sides; seal well. Pinch and pull ends to taper.
5) Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet sprinkled with flour.
6) Combine egg white and water; brush some of it over top of loaf.
7) Cover and let rise nearly double (35-45 minutes). With a very sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across the top of loaf
8) Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20 minutes
9) Brush again with the remaining egg white and water mixture. Continue baking for 12-15 minutes till bread sounds holloew when tapped with your fingers
10) Remove from baking sheet and cool.

I use this for garlic bread. I slit the bread in half, brush with some olive oil or butter. I sprinkle grated garlic and dried oregano. I put it back in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Goes superb with Pasta. This is the picture of how we love to eat this.

Swirled Cinnamon Apple Bread

The title itself is mouth watering. I love to stay in my kitchen and feel the fragrance from my oven enveloping me.

Ingredients: (For 1 pound Bread Machine)
Milk - 1/3 Cup
Egg - 1
Butter - 2 Tbsp
Bread Flour - 2 Cups
Sugar - 2 Tbsp
Salt - 1 Tsp
Active Dry yeast - 1 tsp
Shredded peeled Apple - 1/2 Cup
Finely chopped, peeled Apple - 3/4 Cup
Toasted chopped walnuts or pecans -1/4 Cup
Packed Brown Sugar - 1/4 Cup
Ground Cinnamon - 1 Tsp
Butter - 1 Tbsp
Powdered Sugar

Procedure :
1) Add the first 8 ingredients to your machine according to the Manufacturer's directions. Select Dough Cycle.
2) When cycle is complete, remove dough from machine. Cover and let rest 10 minutes.
3) Meanwhile, for filling, in a medium mixing bowl, stir together the chopped apple, walnuts or pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
4) On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 14 x 9-inch rectangle. Spread with 1 tbsp butter and filling.
5) Beginning at both short ends, roll each end up, jelly roll style, to center.
6) Place loaf, rolled side up, in a greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise almost double (30 minutes).
7) Bake in a 350 degrees oven for 30 minutes or till bread sounds hollow when top is tapped with fingers (If necessary, loosely cover with foil for the last 10 minutes to prevent browning).
8) Remove from pan; cool on a wire rack.
9) Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

Bread Pudding

This warm pudding will sure lift your spirits up on a cold winter night!

Ingredients:

Milk - 2 Cups
Butter - 1/4 Cup
Sugar (white or brown, depending on taste preference) - 1/2 Cup
Eggs - 3
Cinnamon - 2 Tsp
Ground nutmeg - 1/4 Tsp
Vanilla extract - 1 Tsp
Bread, torn into small pieces (french bread works best) - 3 Cups
Raisins (optional) - 1/2 Cup

Directions:

1. In medium saucepan, over medium heat, heat milk just until film forms over top. Combine butter and milk, stirring until butter is melted. Cool to lukewarm.

2. Combine sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for 1 minute. Slowly add milk mixture.

3. Place bread in a lightly greased 1 1/2 quart casserole.

4. Sprinkle with raisins if desired. Pour batter on top of bread.

5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes or until set.

Bread Pudding Sauce

Ingredients:

Whole milk - 1 Cup
Butter - 1 Tbsp
Granulated white sugar - 1/2 Cup
Vanilla - 1 Tsp
Flour - 1 Tbsp
dash of salt

Directions:

Mix everything together and bring to a boil for 3 - 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Set aside for 5 minutes, then pour on warm bread pudding.

White cake and milk Pudding

I made this for the New Year Eve Party. It is pretty simple but very very yummy.

Ingredients:
White Cake Mix - 1
Condensed Milk - 2
Evaporated Milk - 2

Procedure:
1) Make White Cake according to the directions.
2) Mix the 2 tins of Condensed Milk and 2 tins of Evaporated Milk.
3) Once the cake is cool, prick with a fork.
4) Pour the milk mixture over and around the cake.
5) Keep in the refrigerator. Check after some time to see if the milk has been absorbed, add more.
6) Enjoy!!!

Strawberry Meringue Torte

A yummy two layer torte with Strawberry jelly between the layers and a meringue frosting.

Ingredients:
Yellow, white or lemon flavored cake mix - 1 package (about 1lb. 3oz.)
Strawberry jelly - about 3/4 cup
Egg Whites - 4
Salt - 1/8 Tsp
Brown Sugar - 3/4 cup


Procedure :
1) Make a two-layer cake from cake mix as directed. Bake and cool.
2) Spread the strawberry jelly on one layer and carefully place the second layer on top. set aside
3) Beat egg whites with salt until foamy.
4) Gradually add brown sugar; beat until stiff.
5) Frost sides and top of the cake with this meringue.
6) Bake in a hot oven (400 degrees) for 5 minutes or until lightly browned.

Alteration to this recipe can be made using Orange marmalade or Pineapple jelly instead of strawberry jelly for filling in between the layers.

Milk Chocolate Pie

This Pie is creamy and smooth and for a chocoholic like me.....it's heaven.

Ingredients:
Single crust for a 9-inch pie:
Sifted Flour - 1 1/3 cups
Sugar - 5 tsp
Salt : 1/4 tsp
Shortening (I prefer butter) : 1/3 cup
Water - 2 1/2 -3 Tbsp

Ingredients for filling:
Bar (14 oz) of milk chocolate - 1
Milk - 2 1/4 cups
Cornstarch - 2 Tbsp
Flour - 2 Tbsp
Salt - Dash
Egg Yolks, well beaten - 2
Butter - 1 Tbsp
Whipped cream, sweetened and flavored - as desired

Procedure
Pie Crust :
1) Sift flour and salt into a bowl
2) Add half the shortening
3) Cut into flour until mixture resembles corn meal, use pastry blender or two knives.
4) Add the remaining shortening and cut into flour until the largest pieces are the size of small peas.
5) Sprinkle the smallest measure of water over the flour tossing lightly with a fork.
6) Stir vigorously as you add more water making the dough into a ball. Add a little more water if the mixture does not hold together.
7) On a floured board pat the ball with the hand into a round cake and smooth edges. Use a rolling pin to roll out from center of dough to the edge.
8) Transfer this into the pie pan.
9) Trim the edge evenly or use a fork to cut edge decoratively and take out the extra pieces.
10) Bake at 425 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown.

For filling:
1) Using a vegetable peeler, pare down the long side of the chocolate bar to make a few long curls for garnish. Keep aside
2) Scald 2 cups of milk in a thick boiler.
3) Chop the chocolate bar and stir this into the scalded milk until melted.
4) Blend the remaining 1/4 cup milk with corn starch, flour and salt until smooth. Add this to the chocolate mixture slowly and stir until thickened.
5) Add some of the hot mixture to the egg yolks, then slowly blend this back into the chocolate mixture.
6) Stir and cook on low until thickened, remove from heat, add butter and cool.
7) Pour into the prepared pie shell; chill.
8) Top with whipped cream, garnish with chocolate curls.

Carrot Cake

For a while I wondered, how can a vegetable like carrot be used in a cake? But after making this once, I became a die hard fan. It is a sweet way to get your little ones to eat carrots under the mask of a dessert.

Ingredients :
Grated carrot - 2 cups
Sugar - 1 1/2 cups
Flour - 1 1/2 cups
Oil - 1 1/3 cup
Cinnamon Powder - 1 1/2 tsp
Baking Powder - 1 1/2 tsp
Baking Soda - 1 tsp
Eggs - 3
Chopped walnuts and raisins - 1/2 cup each
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Vanilla essence - 1 tsp

Icing :
Cream Cheese, softened - 1/4 cup
Melted butter - 1 tbsp
Milk - 2 Tbsps
Vanilla - 1/2 tsp

Procedure :
1) Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
2) Sift all the dry ingredients together
3) Add grated carrots, and beat 1 egg at a time into this mixture.
4) Mix well with an electric blender on medium for 3 minutes.
5) Add the walnut pieces and raisins and mix well again.
6) Pour this mixture into a greased cake pan and bake for about 35-40 minutes till a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Icing procedure:
1) Mix together cream cheese and butter
2) Stir in the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Once the cake is cooled, drizzle this mixture over the top.

Almond Muffins

These nutty muffins are yummy, high in protein and make a good snack too.

Ingredients:
Flour - 2 cups
Milk - 3/4 cup
Almonds - 1/2 cup, chopped
Sugar - 1 cup
Oil - 1/2 cup
Egg - 1, well beaten
Baking powder - 3 tsp
Almond Extract - 1/2 tsp
Cinnamon - 1/4 tsp
Nut meg - 1/4 tsp
Salt - 1/8 tsp

Procedure:
1) Pre-heat the oven at 390 degrees
2) Mix together the egg, milk, oil and almond extract
3) In another bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and chopped almonds.
4) Mix the two
5) Lightly grease the muffin pan or use paper cups in the muffin pan
6) Pour the mixture up to 2/3 level of the cup
5) Bake for about 15 minutes.

Apple Pie

We hear that 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away'! Not sure if the same holds true for an apple pie too but this warm pie drives my winter blues away!

Ingredients:
Single crust for a 9-inch pie:
Sifted Flour - 1 1/3 cups
Sugar - 5 tsp
Salt : 1/4 tsp
Shortening (I prefer butter) : 1/3 cup
Water - 2 1/2 -3 Tbsp

For the Filling :
Shredded cooking apples - 4 cups (about 6 medium sized apples)
Flour - 1 1/2 Tbsp
Sugar - 1 1/2 cups
Cinnamon Powder - 1 tsp
Egg - 1, well beaten
Whipped Cream - Optional

Procedure
Pie Crust :
1) Sift flour and salt into a bowl
2) Add half the shortening
3) Cut into flour until mixture resembles corn meal, use pastry blender or two knives.
4) Add the remaining shortening and cut into flour until the largest pieces are the size of small peas.
5) Sprinkle the smallest measure of water over the flour tossing lightly with a fork.
6) Stir vigorously as you add more water making the dough into a ball. Add a little more water if the mixture does not hold together.
7) On a floured board pat the ball with the hand into a round cake and smooth edges. Use a rolling pin to roll out from center of dough to the edge.
8) Transfer this into the pie pan.
9) Trim the edge evenly or use a fork to cut edge decoratively and take out the extra pieces.
10) Bake at 425 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown.

Filling :
1) Combine the grated apples, flour, sugar and the beaten egg.
2) Pour this mixture gently over the prepared pie crust.
3) Using the extra pieces from the crust, arrange them as a lattice over this mixture.
4) Bake in a hot oven (450 degrees) for about 15 minutes and in a moderate temp (350 degrees) for about 30 minutes more.
5) Relish warm or cold, topping each piece with Whipped cream if desired.

Banana Walnut Cake

It's said that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. This is 200% true for this delicious recipe. This was given by my wonderful friend Rachana and has been an instant hit since then. After I left the US, my friends miss my banana cake more than they do me!

Ingredients:
Ripe Bananas - 3
Sugar - 1 1/2 cups
Flour 1 1/3 cups
Walnut pieces - 1/2 cup
Oil - 1/2 cup
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
Eggs - 2

Procedure
1) Pre heat the oven to 375 degrees for a white uncoated pan and 350 degrees for a dark, coated pan.
2) Grease the cake pan.
3) Mash the bananas so that there are no lumps
4) Sift the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Add the mashed bananas, beaten eggs, oil and mix well. With an electric mixer, mix on high for about 3 minutes.
5) Add the walnut pieces and mix well with a fork
6) Pour this mixture into the greased pan and bake for about 35 minutes or till the tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean.