Chocolate Chip & Fruit Rum Cake

A very happy Christmas &  prosperous new year !!!!
Christmas & Fruit cake always reminds me of my old neighbors cum friends, most of  them were Catholics & on Christmas they used to gift us varieties of Christmas goodies all homemade & i used to love their fruit cakes...Today i'm sharing a chocolate fruit rum cake it;s moist & pieces of fruit at each bite try it...

Few years i had Christmas rum cake at a friends party, since then i wanted to make a rum cake...In my house we don't have alcohol i used to make this same recipe with orange juice few months back when i had been to my brother's house i got a hold of  half a bottle of rum took it home  & tried this chocolate fruit rum cake a good combination & i was thrilled with result ...I hate the smell of alcohol but smell of the rum cake & the cinnamon  was gr8 👌👍 & i don't mind having a rum cake & i enjoy it 😁😋 Instead of rum you can add juice of 2 oranges.. 

Ingredients :

• 1&1/2 cup / 200 gm all purpose flour.
• 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp vegetable oil.
• 125 gm brown sugar ( powdered )
• 1 tsp baking powder.
• 4 eggs.
• 30 gm dried cranberries.
• 30 gm dried strawberries.
• 30 gm black currants.
• 30 gm sultanas.
• 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp rum.
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder.
• 1/8 cup warm water.
• 40 gm chocolate chips.

Pre note : Before you make the cake remember to soak the dry fruits in rum for 2 days or if using orange juice soak it for 9 to 10 hrs.

Method :

1. Soak  the dried cranberries,strawberries,black currants & sultanas in rum close with a lid & keep in cool place for 2 or 3 days.
2. You can see the dried fruits are blotted up.

Let's start mixing the cake:

• Drain the dry fruits in colander (reserve the leftover rum) & dust the fruits  with the flour & dust 30 gm of chocolate chips & keep aside.
• Grease the cake tin 8 inch diameter pan & line it with parchment paper.
• Sieve the flour, baking powder,cinnamon & mix it well.
• Pre heat the oven 200 C. gas oven.

• In a mixing bowl add the eggs,oil,powdered sugar & beat till its well blended.
• Add in flour & mix to combine fold in the dry fruits,the reserved rum & 1/8 cup warm water mix it gently.

• Add the 30 gm chocolate chips & fold till it's well combined pour into the greased cake tin.

• Garnish the remaining 10 gm chocolate chips on top & bake for 45 min or prick with a  knife if it comes out clean it's done..

• Happy Christmas once again & enjoy the rum cake 😋

Vegetable & Fruit Biryani

Those who love flavored rice in any form Eg: pulao,biryani etc & love the the combination of sweet & spicy i share a wonderful veg & fruit biryani .. 

Kaima/ jeersalai rice flavored with exotic spices, vegetables & fresh pineapple or mango papad  & dum cooked in a oven.😁😋

Pre-note :Use fresh pineapple if it's not in season can use mango papad.

Serves: 5

Ingredients :

• 2 cups / 420 gm Kerala kaima rice or basmati rice.
• 4 cup water.
• 250 gm mixed vegetable(  cauliflower, carrot, french beans, potatoes) or can add any vegetables 
• 150 gm fresh pineapple or 50 gm mango papad .
• 2 + 2 +1 large onions thinly sliced.
• 1 large tomato chopped.
• 1/2 cup thick cream milk
• 1/4 tsp saffron soaked in 1/8 cup hot water.
• 1/4 cup oil + 1/8 cup ghee.
• 9 green chilies or according to your taste
• 15 clove garlic.
• 2'' tsp  ginger.
• 1 tsp + 1/2 tsp garam masala powder.
• 1/4 cup of each chopped coriander leaves & mint leaves
• 1 tsp kasuri methi
• 15 cashew nuts,
• 1/4 cup raisins.

Whole garam masala: 1 black cardamom, 2 green cardamom, 2'' cinnamon, 4 cloves & 1 Pandan Leaves

Method:

• Wash & soak the cauliflower in hot salted water for 2 min drain & keep aside.
• Half boil the potatoes & keep aside.
• Wash the rice till the water is clear & keep aside in a colander to drain the water.
• Cut all  pineapple, carrot & potatoes in medium chunks, french beans cut into 2 inches & cauliflower into florets.
• Grind the ginger, garlic & green chilies to a paste.
• Mix the milk & the saffron keep aside.

Lets cook the rice first:

• Add 4 cups water in the electric rice cooker pan & switch on the cooker replace the lid & let the water heat. 
•  Meanwhile heat 1/8 cup ghee in another pan add the whole garam masala 1 large onion sliced & saute till the onions are translucent.
• Add the drained rice & saute them for 5 min. Off the flame & add the rice to the rice cooker pan add salt to taste & stir gently & replace the lid  let it cook..Once it's cooked the switch will automatically get off.Remove the pan gently fluff it gently with a fork remove the
   Pandan Leaves
   & keep aside.

Let's fry the onions for garnishing:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a pan add 2 large thinly sliced onions& fry them,when its's light brown color add the cashew nuts fry 2 min add the raisins when it bloats off the flame & remove all  the fried items to a kitchen tissue paper. Keep aside.  

Let's cook the  masala :

• In a same pan in which you fried the onions( if required add oil) add 2 large sliced onions fry them till brown add the half boiled potatoes & the crushed green chilies,ginger & garlic & saute them for 5 min.
• Next add all the veggies, pineapple,tomatoes,curd, coriander powder,turmeric powder, 1 tsp garam masala powder,1 tsp salt, coriander leaves, mint leaves,kasuri methi & 1 tsp red chilly powder ( according to your taste).

• Mix them all till well combined.add 1/2 cup water & cook on medium flame till you get a thick gravy. Keep aside.

Let's layer the biryani:

• In a thick bottomed pan layer 1 tomato slices ( so the rice won't get burnt)
• Then layer half of the cooked rice Sprinkle half of the fried onion & pour over half of the saffron milk & 1/4 tsp garam masala powder.
• Next layer the veg masala. 
• Last layer the rest of the cooked rice pour all the saffron milk sprinkle 1/4 tsp garam masala powder & coriander leaves 
• Now seal the pot with aluminium foil cover with a lid & place in preheated  oven @ 180c for 30-40 min.

Serve hot with Cucumber & Capsicum Raita & Grilled Paneer 😋

Pan Grilled Paneer & Vegetables

 Paneer with vegetables smothered in Kundapuri / taal masala powder & hung curd &  pan grilled  on skewers till  partially burned on both sides.. Serve as a starter or use as a filling for kathi rolls or as a side dish for veg biryani...Serve hot it's yum 😋

Serves :3
Ingredients :

• 300 gm paneer
• 1/2 cup hung curd 
• 50 gm onions
• 50  each of red,yellow, green capsicum .
• 2 tbsp  Kundapur / taal masala powder.
• 1 tbsp byadgi chilly powder 
• 1/2 tsp kasuri methi  
• 1/4 tsp sonth / dry ginger powder.
• 1 tsp salt 
• 1/2 tsp garam masala.
• 1 tbsp oil

Method :

Cut the paneer into large cubes & soak in hot water for 5 mins,drain the water & keep aside.

Wash the onion & capsicum & cut them  into chunks.

• In a bowl add the paneer,onion, capsicums, hung curd, Kundapur/ taal masala powder , byadgi chilly powder ,kasuri methi,salt,ginger powder & garam masala powder .

• Mix to coat well & let it marinate for 1 hr.

• Preheat the grill pan & add oil, Skewer the paneer, onion, capsicums alternatively.
• Place the skewers on it , turn them around every 3 min till they get the charred. 

• Serve as a starter or  as a side dish for veg biryani...Serve hot it's yum 😋

Mixed Fried Rice ( vegetables,Prawns,Chicken & Egg )

Fried rice loaded with veggies ,chicken, prawns & eggs a Indo Chinese delight all sauteed to make a flavorful blend of rice.You go to a restaurant be it lunch time ,tea time or dinner time  most of the customers love to have  fried rice It's the most popular dish...
  
I vividly remember trying this recipe after learning from my cooking class it must be 42 years back  those days i used to deep  fry all the veggies, chicken, prawns that was how i was taught & my family was impressed with me & i used to make it often those days & now i have improved on the recipes  making it with veg or non veg &  stir frying it with different sauces ( no deep frying)👍Mixed fried rice is the best 😊 &  My mom & dad used to love fried rice & enjoyed with Ginger Chicken 

Here i share  mixed ( prawn, chicken, veggie,egg ) fried rice made from scratch without using leftover rice.
For the rice i prefer to  use the rice cooker which is quick by the time it's cooked the rest of the of the additions is ready..

Serves : 4
Ingredients :

• 200 gm / 1 cup basmati rice.
• 100 gm prawns.
• 100 gm  boneless chicken.
• 60 gm carrot .
• 60 gm cabbage.
• 20 gm each of red, green, yellow capsicum.
• Few spring onion leaves.
• 15 cloves garlic cut into thin slices.
• 1 tbsp soy sauce.
• 1 egg. 
• 2 & 1/2 tbsp olive oil or any other oil.
• 4 green chilies.
• 1 & 1/2 tbsp soy sauce.
• 1 tsp schezwan sauce( optional )
• 1 tsp + 1/2 tsp salt or according to your taste.
• 1/2 tsp crushed peppercorns.

 Method :

• Wash the rice & cook in a 2 cups water add 1 star anise  1''cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt & 1 tsp olive oil or any other oil when done keep aside to cool gently fluff with the fork don't allow the rice to over cook.

• Cut the veggies in in julienne or you can dice it, cut the onions into thin slices & finely chop the springs onion leaves.
• Cook the prawns  & the chicken separately with a pinch of salt & crushed pepper.( I prefer to chop the prawns if they are larger in size) & shred the chicken .

• In a heavy bottomed wok or pan add the oil when hot slit the green chilies & add to it & fry well so that the oil gets infused 2 to 3 sec remove the green chilies & discard it.
• Add the garlic slices & saute for 1 min.

• Add the onions,carrot & saute on high flame for 1 min .
• Add the rest of the veggies, prawns & chicken & stir fry for 2 to 3 min .

• Add in the soy sauce, schezwan sauce( optional ),salt, pepper & mix well.
• Push all the mixture around the pan & make a space in the middle add in the egg & let it cook for a sec.

• Scramble the eggs..
• Stir in with the veggies,prawns & chicken together.

• Next add the cooked rice & mix well on high flame for 2 to 3 min add crushed pepper & salt if required 
• Add in the fresh  chopped spring onion leaves..Keep a few for  garnishing ..

• Mix all till combined & Garnish with Spring onion leaves & serve hot with tomato sauce or Ginger Chicken it's yummyy!!! 😋

Dry Fruits & Poha Chivda

Happy Diwali !!!
It's festive time & it's the time to make sweets & snacks...This year Diwali i share awesome healthy homemade snack Dry Fruits & Poha chivda can make it often & store it, gr8 for festivals or take it while travelling..

Regular chivda  are deep fried & some like to add roasted gram Dal & sev ... Here  the dry fruits are roasted in microwave separately with a drop of ghee & seasoned with olive oil with lots of dry fruits it's slightly sweetened, nutty,spicy & crispy,  it's best made in nonstick pan... Dry fruits poha chivda  will be loved by all age groups..

Ingredients:

• 2 cups poha thick variety. 
• few curry leaves.
• 5 tbsp ghee or olive oil.
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 2 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp jeera / cumin seeds.
• 8 green chilies.
• 1 tsp turmeric powder.
• 5 tbsp sugar.
• 1 tsp salt.
• A pinch of  asafoetida / hing. 
• 1/2 tsp crushed peppercorns.

Measure all the ingredients & keep it ready. 

• 1/8 cup pistachio.
• 1/4 cup groundnuts.
•  1/4 cup/ 40 gm almonds.
• 1/4 / 40 gm cashew nuts. 
• 1/8 cup each  dried cranberry & cherries.
• 40 gm copra or coconut slices.
• 60 gm raisins.

Method :

• Wash the curry leaves, green chilies & keep aside.

• Dry roast the poha in a nonstick wok or pan till the poha is crisp, keep stirring  till the pan it's cool .Keep aside the pan.

Let's roast the dry fruits in the microwave separately.. 

Pre note : Each microwave has different power so adjust the cooking time accordingly..My highest microwave power is 900 watt

• In a micro safe bowl add the pista & 1/4 tsp ghee & cook on  high power in a microwave  for 1 min keep checking in between till light brown..Add to the roasted poha.
• Next add the groundnuts in the same micro safe bowl add 1/2 tsp water & a pinch of salt mix & cook on high power for 2 min. Empty the groundnuts in the poha pan.
• Cashew nuts add 1/4 tsp ghee & microwave for 2 min.
•  Cranberry & cherries add 1/4 tsp ghee & microwave for 50 sec.
• Coconut slices for 50 sec.
• Raisins add 1/4 tsp ghee  & roast for 50 sec.
• Curry leaves microwave for 1 min.Click here how to roast & powder curry leaves 

• In another  nonstick pan add 5 tbsp olive oil when hot add the mustard seeds when it stops crackling add in the slit green chilies & saute them till well fried.

• Add in the jeera / cumin seeds,fennel seeds & turmeric powder & saute for a sec.

• Next add the sugar, salt,  asafoetida / hing & crushed peppercorns.saute for a sec off the flame & Add to the poha mixture.. 

• Place the pan on medium heat & mix the poha mixture well.  If required add few more sugar & peppercorns.

• Off the flame & keep stirring till it cools.

• Store in a airtight jar .. Enjoy the snack 😋😊

Egg White Chapati Sandwich

I share a amazing licious & healthy breakfast recipe egg white chapati sandwich😋 The way of making it's very unusual all you need is 2 chapati or phulkas,eggs & veggies( I prefer make the chapati the previous night so that i don't need to make chapati the next day) ...

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 2 egg whites.
• 1 tbsp milk.
• 2 chapatis or phulkas.
• 1/3 cup capsicum( mixed red,green,yellow)
• 1/8 cup mushroom.
• 2 green chilies.
• Salt to taste.
• 1 tsp oil. 
• 1/2 tsp crushed peppercorns.
• 1/4 tsp basil leaves (dried or fresh)chopped finely)

Method:

• Whisk the egg whites till frothy add a pinch of salt,pepper corns, milk & beat again & keep aside.
• Chop the capsicum's, mushroom & green chilies finely.

• Heat 1 tsp oil in pan add the minced green chilies & saute for a sec. 

• Add the capsicum's & mushroom & saute for 2-3 min..

• Place a mould  as you can see the 👆 image..& gather all the veggies inside the mould or you can use a smaller pan..

• Pour the frothy egg white inside the mould...

• Cover with a lid & cook on slow flame till it's done.

• Once  the omelette is set remove the mould slowly..

• Cover the omelette with a chapati or phulka.

• Here be careful it's tricky but easy place a plate upside down over the pan...

• & slowly  invert the pan ( omelette)upside down on to the plate 👆 Doesn't it look gr8 if you like can grate cheese over it..Now slide the omelette on to the pan slowly..

• & cover it with another chapati or pulkas apply ghee or butter & fry on both sides till crisp.

• Place the egg chapati sandwich on a plate..

• Cut into 4 pieces with a pizza cutter..

• Drizzle with tomato sauce & serve hot it's awesome 😋