Murgh Kofta – Rich chicken meat balls in a creamy tangy gravy

Hello my Dear wonderful readers!!

Its the weekend and this time I have made some thing rich and indulgent for you. This dish is inspired from the famous Malai Kofta, which is a croquette made with paneer / cottage cheese and potatoes. It all started with the fact that I had a little white basmati rice left and I wasn’t sure what kind of gravy to prepare along with it. Now it might come as a surprise to you, but we usually serve red rice at home. I mean the fat grainy kind. So white basmati is like having refined sugar in our coffee ( we usually add palm sugar).

After last week festivities I also had some khoya left in the fridge. So I decided to go all out and make a rich, creamy indulgent curry to pair well with rice and a salad. The recipe is divided into two steps. First making the Kofta and then the curry. Just to give it an “imperial” feel, I wrapped the koftas in silver warq. That is totally optional.

Ingredients for the Kofta :-

1. Chicken mince – 500 gms
2. Onions – 1 cup ( chopped fine)
3. Khoya – 200 gms
4. Green Chillies – 3 medium (sliced)
5. Ginger garlic Paste – 1 + 1/2 tbsp
6. Chilli Powder – 1 tsp
7. Garam Masala Powder – 1 tsp
8. Besan / Gram Flour – 2 tbsp ( only if required)
9. Oil – to deep fry + 2 tbsp
10. Silver warq (optional)

 

Instructions :-

1. In a heavy bottom pan, add the oil
2. When the oil is hot, add the onions and ginger garlic paste. Fry till golden brown
3. Then add the green chilies, chilli powder, garam masala powder and fry 1 min
4. Add the chicken mince to the onion mixture and cook till all the water has dried out completely. Make sure you have all the water evaporated. Add salt according to taste
5. Set aside to cook down
6. In another bowl, slowly kneed the khoya till its nice and smooth
7. Add to cooled chicken mixture into a blender jar and add the khoya
8. Blend together for a nice thick paste
9. Now grease your hand and make small lime size balls with the mixture. Add gram flour if you find that the mixture is not holding shape. But do not add too much as it will not taste that great
10. Finally heat oil in a deep pan on medium. When the oil is hot, add the prepared chicken balls and fry till golden brown or slightly dark brown (that’s how we like it)
11. Reserve on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Cover the balls with silver leaf at this stage ( optional)

 

Ingredients for the curry :-

1. Onions – 2 cups
2. Tomato – 1 cup
3. Cardamom – 5
4. Cinnamon – 1
5. Bay Leaf – 1
6. Oil – 2 tbsp
7. Fresh Cream – 1/2 cup
8. Turmeric – 1/2 tsp
9. Chilli Powder – 1 tsp

Instructions :-

1. Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan. When the oil is hot, add the cardamom, cinnamon and bay leaf
2. Once the spices release their aroma, add the onions and fry till translucent
3. Then add the tomato, turmeric and chilli powder. Season with salt according to taste
4. Fry till the tomatoes are cooked well
5. In a blender, puree the above mixture
6. Now again reheat the same pan with the blended mixture. Add fresh cream and mix well to combine.
7. When it begins to boil, add the chicken kofta and give it a mix without breaking the kofta
8. Your Chicken Koftas are ready.
9. This dish pairs well will simple hot rice , pappads and a salad or even chappati / naans

 

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Chettinad Milagu / Pepper Chicken

Hello My Dear Wonderful Readers ,

So the festivities are just around the corner and I have tons of festive food recipes to share with you. But before that I would like to share this recipe. If you are the kind of person who loves rotti and chicken or plain rice and chicken, then this is the dish for you. Pepper chicken has been adapted to suit every taste bud around India. Infact every region has its own version of a pepper chicken. This recipe is from the chettinad region of India. Now the chettiyars are a class of people that loved money and had a fine eye for architecture. But personally I think their greatest contribution is their cuisine!  Every single dish has a distinct taste and unique flavour that keeps you coming back to it ever so often. This is one such dish. Traditionally, you would require a “arakal” to make this spice mixture but a mortar and pestle or even a blender would do the job. Another important aspect of this style of cooking is the fact that whole spices are used in the recipe and not the powder, this helps to enhance the pungency of the spices. Ok I have said enough about the dish. Here is the recipe. Do try it out and I promise that you will not be dissapointed!

 

 Ingredients :-
1. Pepper Corns – 2 tbsp
2.Cumin Seeds -2 tsp
3. Fennel Seeds – 2 tsp
4. Dry Red Chillies – 6
5. Ginger – 1
6. Garlic – 1+ 1/2
7. Coriander Seeds – 2 tbsp
8. Turmeric Powder – 1 tsp

Instructions :–
 1. In a khadai, dry roast the above ingredients (except the turmeric powder, ginger and garlic). Take care not to burn the spices
2.Then in a mortar add the spice and the other ingredients and grind to a fine paste. Use 1 tbsp of water if required

Set Aside

 Ingredients :-
1. Chicken – 1 kg
2. Vegetable Oil – 1/2 cup
3. Cardamom – 5
4. Onions – 1 + 1/2 cup finelly chopped
5. Tomato Puree – 1 cup
6. Salt – to taste
7. Water – 2/3 cup

Instructions :-
1. In the same Kadai, heat oil. Once the oil is hot, add cinnamon, cardamom and onions. Mix well and let the onions fry till golden brown
2. Then add the tomato puree. Mix well to combine. Then add the ground up spices (above) and mix well. Cook on medium flame till the oil seperates from the mixture
3.  Then add the chicken into the masala mixture. Let it come to a boil. Then lower the heat, add 2/3 cup of water and cover and cook for 20 mins on low
4. After 20 mins, open the cover and crank up the heat and cook till all the water has evporated and the masala coats the chicken.
5. Your Chettinad pepper chicken is ready! Serve with hot rice or flaky malabar parathas!

Adapted from The Bangala Table

Healthy Flax Seed and Oat, Raisin Thins

 

Hello my Dear Wonderful Readers!!

How have you all been? Its been a long time since I got down to blogging and trust me when I say, the last week has been such a life changer! Have you ever looked down from a flight that is just about to land? That moment when you see tiny cars and thin trees and wormy roads? That’s the moment you realize how small you really are! We have been travelling a lot for the last few days and I have come to the firm belief that, no matter how hard you try, some things cannot be controlled. Its sad when people who drink and smoke their whole lives, live happy without a care are fit as a fiddle while people who are so cautious about their physical and mental health might have the worst medical condition. I guess what I am trying to say is that, what really matters, is that you live each minute of each day to its fullest and you do your part. There is no point living a vegetarian life when our mind is full of vengeful thoughts. There is no need for an argument with your spouse when life itself is full of challenges thrown at you every day. Every time I have fought or scolded some one its makes me feel like all I did was bring negativity into the room and nothing stands a chance to improve.

While such tumultuous thoughts run through my head, my cup of hot green tea was beckoning for a little some thing to go along with it. Much to my dismay, reaching for the cookie jar had only resulted in a depressing after thought of how many calories I have to burn the next day or why my greedy tongue has not been able to make its peace with 3 cookies undoubtedly made with much more sugar than flour or butter 😛 . So here was my answer!

A simple #NO GLUTEN! NO FLOUR, REFINED SUGAR FREE COOKIE- ( OH! did i mention no butter too)

These are so really simple to make all you need is a fork and two bowls. So lets get to it ….

 

Ingredients :-

1. Instant Oats – 2 cups
2. Raisins – 1/2 cup
3. Flax Seed – 3 tbsp
4. Virgin Coconut Oil – 1 cup
5. Egg – 1
6. Palm Sugar – 1 cup
7. Cinnamon Powder – 1.2 tsp
8. Vanilla Extract – 1.2 tsp

Instructions :-

1. Pre-heat your oven to 150 C and line a baking tray with parchment paper
2. In a bowl, mix oats, flax see, raisins, palm sugar, cinnamon powder and give it a good mix with a fork ( make sure you do not have any lumps of sugar)
3. In another bowl, crack open the egg. Add the coconut oil and vanilla extract. Give it a good whisk with the fork
4. Slowly pour the egg mixture over the oat mixture and set aside to soak for 10 mins
5. Then using the same fork give it a good mix once again to coat the oats well with the egg mixture
6. Now using a small ice cream spoon or a normal spoon scoop out even portions of the oats and egg mixture and place on the baking tray
7. Then with the back of the fork press down to flatten
8. I like these nice and thin, so they snap when I bite into them
9. Bake in the pre heated oven for 10 – 15 mins (till they turn light brown )
10. Once they are done leave to cool completely – remember they will be soft when they come out of the oven but leave to cool completely and they will crisp up soon!!
11. Store in an air tight container once cooled

Easy Oregano and Chili Baked chicken, with Chili oil and a mint yogurt dip

Hello my Dear Wonderful Readers!

How have you all been? Its getting chilly here in Bengaluru because of the rains and the morning weather is so inviting – just to have a cup of tea and blog while the baby sleeps. So this time I am back with a “de-clutter” sort of recipe. So you know how you buy pizzas from well known pizza chains and they give you a bunch of those small oregano and chili flake pouches? So we had friends over last weekend and since I was in no mood to cook anything, we ordered in pizza and with it came 10 to 20 sachets of spice mix and seasoning. So when all the cleaning was done with, I did not wanna throw them out. Instead I decided to use it in a quick week day dinner recipe. Its really simple and it does not take much time to put together. This recipe is for the perfect warm, week day dinner that doesn’t involve any prep and tastes great with some multi grain bread or hummus and pita.

Ingredients for the chicken :-

1. Chicken Breast – 1 kg
2. Dry Oregano – 4 tbsp
3. Chili Flakes – 2 tbsp (more if you like it spicy)
4. Cinnamon Powder – 1 tsp
5. Apple Cider Vinegar – 2 tbsp
6. Honey – 1 tsp
7. Salt – 1 tsp

 

Instructions :-

1. In a large bowl combine oregano + chili flakes + cinnamon powder + apple cider vinegar + honey and salt
2. Mix well to form a nice wet mixture
3. Then add the cubed chicken pieces. Coat the chicken well with the spice mix and pop into the fridge for an hour
4. When you are ready to make the chicken, pre-heat your oven to 200 C
5. Skewer the chicken evenly and brush lightly with some chili oil
6. Grill for 45 min or till evenly charred on all sides of the chicken
7. Serve right away with some lemon wedges and hot pita bread!

 

Mint Yogurt Dip – Ingredients :-

1. Yogurt – 1 cup
2. Fresh Mint leaves – 1/2 cup chopped fine
3. Pepper powder – 1/2 tsp
4. Salt  – a pinch
5. Garlic – 2 cloves (chopped fine and mashed with the back of the knife)

Instructions :-

1. In a bowl add all the ingredients
2. Give it a good mix and garnish with some extra mint leaves

 

• To make home made chill oil, just heat up some oil and when its nice and hot pour into a bowl full of chili flakes ( 4 tbsp)
• Give it a good mix and set aside to rest
• Slowly the chili will infuse with the oil and give you a wonderfully red and spicy flavored oil!

 

White Chocolate Cinnamon Mango Cake with fresh Mango and Cream – Happy Mothers Day!!

 

Hello my wonderful readers!!

Today is Mothers Day!! Happy Mums days to all the wonderful mums out there!

This time I wanted to make it extra special so I baked a cake for my mum. In all honesty I am always looking for a reason to bake a cake and when something this wonderful comes my way, why wouldn’t I bake!! My mum loves simple subtle flavours. She like soft textures and warm colours. Everything I am today is because she taught me the right way. Often I stop in my tracks just to rethink and I ask my self, what would “Amma” / mum do right now? This usually happens when I am dealing with my son 🙂 You know many people say they won’t wanna have kids and for the longest time even I dint think I would ever be ready, but then today I look back and I ask myself, how could I have been so stupid to see the obvious. Yes I would have been able to travel more and meet more people and learn more languages and read more, but you know what? some day my little one will also fly away from my nest and then I will have all the time in the world for that. This journey that I am on is the most fulfilling journey ever! No it cannot be compared to anything and I will not undermine it by saying that it can 🙂 The reason I say all this is cause, today as a mother I realise how and why my parents said what they said. Today I realise how wrong I was and how miserable I would have been if I decided otherwise. There are exceptions to the rule, but the bottom line is, the only reason “Home” is “home” is cause home is where nothing can go wrong. My son will turn two in a few months and today we were learning how to eat mangoes with our hands. It was so funny! I had to give him a bath after the whole episode, but these baby steps are so precious. So heart warming!! These are the moment I thank my mum for having helped me decide what was right. When I see my child do well that is when I see how my mum made the right choices for me! Its funny how mums have it all under control no matter how things are on the outside!!

Ok this recipe is actually a very simple white chocolate cake with fresh mangoes, mango cream and a hint of cinnamon. Super simple to make and it is both decadent and yet so simple and fresh!! You should totally try it. Its the best Mothers Day cake ever!!

Ingredients for the White Chocolate Cake :-

1. White Chocolate – 400 gms
2. Butter – 400 gms
3. Cake flour – 4 cups
4. Cinnamon Powder – 1/4th tsp
5. Powdered Sugar – 2 cups
6. Vanilla Extract – 1 tbsp
7. Whole Milk – 1 + 1/2 cup
8. Vinegar – 1 tsp
9. Baking Powder -3 tsp
10. Eggs – 5

Instructions :-

1. Pre heat your oven to 180 C and grease and dust two cake tins with butter and flour. Set aside
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, powdered sugar and cinnamon powder
3. Sieve the mixture into another bowl and set aside
4. Now heat a large pot of water. In another bowl, add the butter and white chocolate. Now place the butter and chocolate bowl over the mouth of the boiling hot water (without touching the  water) Let the chocolate and butter melt completely. Once the mixture has melted set it aside to cool down
5. In another bowl add the milk and the vinegar. Stir with a fork and set aside. It will curdle ( thats what you want)
6. In the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, add the eggs. Beat till well combined
7. Then add the butter and white chocolate mixture and mix for one minute on medium
8. Next add the milk and vinegar mixture and finally the vanilla extract
9. Mix well on low speed till it combines well
10. Next add the flour and cinnamon mixture into the wet mixture, in 3 batches. Give the mixture a good mix (make sure to stop in the middle to scrape down the sides of the bowl)
11. Weigh the enter wet mixture and then pour equally into the two tins
12. Bake at 180C for 45 – 50 min or until a tooth pick inserted comes out clean without any batter stuck to it
13. Once the cake is ready, take it out of the oven and set to cool down to room temperature for 15 mins
14. Then run a knife around the sides of the cake and demold the cake and let it rest till completely cool.

Ingredients for the Filling and the cream :-

1. Mangoes – 3 cups of finely cubed
2. Whipping Cream – 3 – 4 cups
3. Vanilla Extract – 1 tsp
4. Fine Powdered Sugar – 1 cup
5. Sprinkles – as much as you like ( optional)

Instructions :-

1. Take one cup of the chopped mangoes and blend to a fine paste. Set aside
2. In the bowl of your stand mixer add the whipping cream and whip on medium speed. Once the cream reaches a soft peak consistency, add the vanilla extract and mango puree. Now with the speed on medium, slowly add the sugar and whip to stiff peaks. Set aside ( you could make some without the mango puree just for colour contrast)
3. To assemble the cake, cut the cake into two equal halves, pipe the mango whipped cream, add chopped mangoes and top with the next level of cake
4. Once you reach the top, pipe a little mango cream anyway you like and top it off with sprinkles!!

The Infinity Burger – Chinese 5 Spice Chicken Burger with Caramelised Pineapples and Home made Chilli Mayo

Hello my Dear Wonderful Readers!!

How are you all doing today? This the weekend and I have so much lined up to do. Starting with cleaning the fridge! lol. But before I get to the “Work” we have scheduled a little fun time with the baby boy too. I had decided to sleep in today but as usual, my son wakes up early only on the weekend! I think babies have a way of sensing when it is the weekend and how to make sure our day circles around their needs and desires. So Cute.

Have you tried the Chinese 5 spices mix?? Its insane!!! Its just everything I love about spices. Its got heat, aroma, sweetness! its got everything. Its like the Chinese Garam Masala 😛 I love this spice mix and its so so easy to make. The ingredients are always readily available in any Indian Kitchen and its super easy to make. Dry roasting the spices first makes sure to bring out the maximum flavour from them. You could always buy the spice mix at any local market but why would you when it is soo easy to make at home and tastes 100 times better! The 5 spices are – cinnamon, clove, star anise, fennel seeds and pepper corns. Make sure to dry roast them till you get this wonderful aroma of the spices (take care not to burn them). Also when you powder them make sure your blender is absolutely dry!! I mean no moisture at all. This way they spices can be stored in an air tight container and used for later too.

This burger is absolutely the best thing to have on a Friday night with a glass of any alcohol you like. It pairs really well with Vodka (:p). Like most burgers I haven’t used cheese or any type of sauce in the burger but I did make a creamy chilli mayo to go along with the burger. I do not like sloppy burgers so I did not add the mayo to the burger but we dipped the potato wedges into the mayo and had it along with the burgers. Oh it was heaven!!!  I have used chicken breasts and marinated them overnight, but even 3 hours should also work. To make the best burgers you have to use the freshest ingredients (be it the meat, the bread and the veggies). So make sure you take a trip to your local market and get fresh produce for the burger. I make sure I don’t store meat, I find it tastes different and it absorbs less of the marinade if it’s old meat( by old i mean – left in the freezer for a few days).

PS: – My husband named it the Infinity Burger. Lol.

Ingredients for the 5 spice powder – 

1. Cinnamon  – 3 large sticks   or 1 tbsp cinnamon powder
2. Cloves – 1 tbsp
3. Star Anise – 5 large
4. Fenne Seeds – 1 tbsp
5. Pepper Corns  – 1 tbsp

Instructions :-

1. Heat a large heavy bottom pan
2. When the pan is hot add all the spices and dry fry till they start to emit a wonderful aroma
3. Make sure to stir constantly and fry on low flame
4. Now transfer the spices into a grinder and grind to fine dust
5. Store in a dry air tight container

Ingredients for the Chicken :-

1. Chinese 5 spice powder – 2 tbsp
2. Chicken Breast – 6 ( large)
3. Soya Sauce – 3 tbsp
4. Apple Cider Vinegar – 3 tbsp
5. Ginger – 1 tbsp
6. Garlic – 1 tbsp
7. Chilli Powder – 1 tsp ( or according to taste)
8. Brown Sugar – 1 tbsp
9. Oil – 2 tbsp
10. Lime Juice – juice of one lime
11. Oil – 3 – tbsp –  for frying the chicken
12. Pineapple Slices – 12

Instructions :-

1. Firstly using a mortar and pestle grind the ginger and garlic to from a nice paste
2. In a large bowl mix all the ingredients for the marinade (expect the chicken pieces)
3. It should form a nice thick paste. Add 1 tbsp of water if required to bring it to a nice thick saucy consistency
4. Then add the chicken breast and coat the breast properly with the marinade
5. Cover and set in the fridge for 3 hours or overnight
6. When you are ready to fry the chicken, heat oil in a frying pan
7. Then add the chicken pieces two at a time. Cook with the cover on for the first 10 mins on medium flame
8. Then take off the cover and crank up the heat – this will give you that charred dark brown caramelisation on the chicken
9. Set aside on kitchen paper to soak up any excess oil
10. In the same pan when the pan is hot, add the pineapple slices and fry on high. This gives the pineapple a nice caramelised exterior and it gets coated with the spices left in the pan ( Yuuummmmm!!!)

To Assemble the burger – 

Ingredients :-

1. Burger Bread  – 3
2. Lettuce leaves – 12
3. Red Onions Slices – 2 large onions sliced
4. Pineapple slices – 2 for each burger (more if you like)
5. Chilli Mayo – as required

Instructions :-

1. Cut the burger bun into two halves
2. Then place lettuce on the bottom half
3. Then add 3 onions slices
4. Then add two of the fried chicken breasts
5. Add another layer of lettuce
6. Then the caramelised pineapple
7. And finally the top half of the burger bun
8. Serve right away with a side of chilli mayo and some potatoes wedge!!

 

Enjoy!!!!!!

 

Cranberry and Apple Oats Smoothie – A sour but healthy smoothie

 

Hello my Dear Wonderful Readers!!

How are you all doing today? So I am back with another smoothie recipe. This time its a sour smoothie but as most other smoothies I post, this one is packed with healthy goodness.  By the way, have you guys watched the new Kung Fu Panda? I haven’t yet, but I plan to this week 🙂 Do suggest any new movies that you think are worth watching. We try watching movies that are “kid” friendly when my son is awake. We reserve the ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes and other action packed movies for when he is fast asleep. But half of the episodes/action movies are seen on mute (read subtitles), cause there is this constant fear of waking him up. Like they say, everything is a balance. Like when we go out, we take turns to eat, the same way at home also we take turns with who gets to change the diapers and who feeds him! Its all a balance.

Ok so back to the smoothie.

Cranberries are a huge source of Vitamin C and Manganese. It help fight cancer and urinary infections. Apples help fight Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. So on the whole this recipe is one that helps keep you fit and healthy. You can add more sugar / honey as you like. I used greek yogurt and milk. But you could use almond milk or any kind of milk as desired.

Ingredients :-

1. Cranberries – 200 gms
2. Apples – 2 ( cored and cut )
3. Cinnamon – 1/2 tsp
4. Greek Yogurt – 1 cup
5. Milk – 1 cup
6. Oats – 1/2 cup
7. Honey – 3 tbsp ( add more if required)

Instructions :-

1. In the bowl of your blender, add the cranberries, apples, cinnamon powder, yogurt and oats
2. Turn the blender on medium speed and add milk. Adjust the consistency as you like
3. Finally add honey into the blender bowl and taste
4. Serve right away
5. The smoothie might be a little sour so add as much honey as you like

 

 

Oats and Banana Breakfast Bowl

 

Its been drizzling all night and morning and the cold wind seems to some how find its way through shut doors and windows. I can hear a bird call out and my neighbour sneeze every now and then. Yes winter is very close. The light in my dining room is a shade of blue and grey and my white marble floor seems to look like two men blowing plumes of smoke at each other. The only thing moving is yellow toy tortoise that my son refuses to let go of. Yes my morning looks like a bottle of grey paint was splashed on a big ball of cotton!

So while I am deciding what to bake and make for this week I felt an urge to make banana bread. But it would be nicer if I could transform the same flavours into a bowl of healthy oats right? So that is how this bowl came about. This is my healthy yet flavourful bowl of breakfast banana and oats.

Ingredients :-

1. Oats – 3 tbsp
2. Milk – 1 cup
3. Coconut Sugar – 1/2 tsp
4. Walnuts – as much as you like
5. Banana – 1 sliced
6. Cinnamon Powder – 1/4 tsp

Instructions :-

1. Bowl milk in a bowl on low flame and add oats
2. Once the milk comes to a bowl, reduce the heat and cook till the milk reduces and the oats is nice and thick
3. Now pour the cooked oats into a bowl
4. Start from one end and add walnuts, bananas, sprinkle coconut sugar and cinnamon powder at the end
5. Serve right away!

 

Whole wheat waffles with caramel poached apples and nuts

 

When I go to bed every night I think about what I can make the next day for my husbands lunch, my babies three meals and may be some thing sweet. So last night I decided I would make whole wheat waffles  and use a fruit of the season. So apples were the way to go. This recipe is so easy and it will keep you full all the way till lunch time.

Ingredients :-

1. Wheat Flour – 1 + 1/2 cups
2. Salt – 1/ tsp
3. Baking Powder – 2 tsp
4. Oil – 1/2 cup
5. Egg – 1
6. Milk – 1 cup + 1 tbsp
7. Palm Jaggery – 1tbsp + 2 tbsp ( use sugar, brown sugar alternatively )
8. Butter – 1 tbsp
9. Vanilla Extract – 1 tsp + 1 tsp ( for the caramel)
10. Apples – 2 ( cleaned, cored and sliced)
11. Cream – 1 tsp ( Or 2 tbsp of curd)
12. Cinnamon Powder – 1/4 tsp
13. Nutmeg Powder – 1/4 tsp
14. Star Anise – 1
15. Walnuts – 5 – 6

Instructions :-

1. Pre Heat your waffle iron
2. In a bowl mix flour + 1 tbsp palm jaggery + salt + baking powder + cinnamon powder + nutmeg powder and set aside
3. In another bowl, mix oil + milk + 1 tsp vanilla extract. Whisk egg into the milk mixture and whisk well
4. Now slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Do not over mix! If there are lumps its ok. Add 1tbsp of milk if too thick
5. Pour batter into the hot waffle iron and let them cook till nice a golden
6. Mean while, in a pan add the rest of the jaggery and butter. Let it come to the simmer and add the cream. Then switch off the flame and add the start anise and vanilla extract
7. Now add the cut apples into the caramel and let it cook in the hot caramel ( when the gas is off) This makes the apples soft on the out and nice and crunchy on the inside
8. Once the waffles are ready pour the caramel apples on the waffles and top it off with walnuts! Enjoy!!

Tips:-

1. All ingredients should be at room temperature
2. Use good quality flour ( fresh )
3. Use apples that are hard and not too sweet
4. You can substitute jaggery with sugar, honey, agave etc

Cinnamon Rolls – With a Cream Cheese drizzle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another breakfast opinion is the good old cinnamon roll. Cinnamon is one of my favourite spices and I love it cause it reminds me of sweet and wonderful apple pie my mother makes. My mom knows exactly how to take a recipe and breathe life into every element to make it the best dish ever!

Here is my recipe for a quick cinnamon roll.

Ingredients:- 

1. Flour – 3 cups
2. Salt – 1/2 tsp
3. Butter – 2 tbsp ( melted)
4. Sugar – 1/2 cup (powered)
5. Yeast – 2 + 1/2 tsp
6. Milk – 1/2 cup
7. Egg – 1
8. Cinnamon Powder – 3 tbsp
9. Vanilla Essence – 1 tsp
10. Butter – 1/4 cup
11. Brown Sugar – 1/2 cup
12. Cream Cheese – 225 gms
13. Cream/ Milk – 1/2 cup
14. Sugar – 1/2 cup

Instructions:-

1. Firstly heat the milk till lukewarm. then add sugar and mix well. Then add yeast into the milk + sugar mixture and set aside till nice and foamy
2. In the bowl of your food processor, add 2 + 1/2 cups of flour , salt and run the mixer just once
3. Once the yeast mixture has foamed well, while the processor is running on low, slowly add the milk yeast mixture to the flour
4. Then add the butter and egg
5. Process the dough till it forms a nice ball. Sticky when pinched but holds together. Empty the contents of the bowl onto a lightly floured surface and knead for another 3 – 4 mins
6. Now drop this dough into a lightly greased glass bowl for it to rise. Give it an hour or 2
7. Now for the filling combine the vanilla, brown sugar and cinnamon powder and set aside
8. Preheat your oven to 180 C
9. Once the dough is ready roll to out on your lightly floured counter top. Try rolling it out into a big square
10. Now lightly butter the surface of the rolled out dough
11. Evenly spread the cinnamon powder mixture al over the butter surface of the dough
12. Now gently roll the dough in wards to form a long roll
13. Slowly cut the dough into equal circles ( I used a thread)
14. Finally line the inside of your baking dish with baking paper and arrange the cut cinnamon rolls and lightly butter the tops of the rolls for that golden crust
15. Let the rolls sit for another half hour for them to rise again. Once they have increased in size pop them into the oven
16. Bake for 25 – 30 mins
17. While the rolls are baking, cream together the cream cheese , sugar and milk. Set aside.
18. Once the rolls have baked, let them cool off on a cooling rack
19. Once cooled, grizzled the cream cheese over the rolls
20. Enjoy