Palak Paneer Recipe | Indian Cheese and Spinach Curry

Palak Paneer

Healthy and delicious Indian cheese and spinach curry.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3
Ingredients:

1. Spinach /Palak - 1 bunch
2. Paneer - 200 to 250 gms
3. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
4. Onion,finely chopped - 1 medium( approx 3/4 cup)
5. Ginger and garlic,crushed - 1.5 tsp
6. Green chilies,finely chopped - 1
7. Asafoetida - 1 pinch
8. Kashmiri chili powder - 1/2 to 3/4 tsp( according to taste)
9. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
10. Coriander powder - 1 tsp
11. Tomato,finely chopped - 1 small( 1/4 cup)
12. Kasuri Methi - 1 tsp
13. Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
14. Fresh cream - 1 or 2 tbsp
15. Water - as required
16. Salt - to taste

Instructions:

Soak paneer in hot water until required.

Boil water in a pan and add washed spinach,cook for about 2 to 3 minutes. 

Transfer the cooked spinach to a bowl containing ice cold water.(This is done to stop the cooking and also to preserve the green color.)Drain and puree the spinach in a blender,keep aside. 

 

Heat oil in a pan,add cumin seeds and let it splutter.Add onion,ginger,garlic and green chilies.

Saute until it turns golden brown.Next add asafoetida,kashmiri chili powder,turmeric powder and coriander powder.Saute for few seconds.

Now add finely chopped tomato and mix well.Cook until tomato turns mushy and oil starts to separate .

Next add the pureed spinach , crushed kasuri methi, required amount of water and salt to taste.Mix well and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes.

Now add drained paneer cubes, and cook for 1 or 2 minutes.Add garam masala and fresh cream,mix well and switch off the stove.

 NOTES

• You can  substitute fresh  cream with yogurt,if desired.
• Adjust the quantity of water according the consistency required.
• You can also shallow fry the paneer cubes,if desired.

Oreo Cookies and Cream No-Bake Cheesecake

Oreo cookies and cream No-Bake cheesecake

Quick and easy No- bake cookies and cream cheesecake.
Recipe source: countrycleaver.com, you can find the original recipe here.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook time: - minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
For cookie base:

1. Oreo cookies- 10 to 12
2. Melted butter - 2 tbsp

For crust:

1. Heavy cream- 3/4 cup
2. Cream cheese - 1 cup
3. Lemon juice- 1 tsp
4. Vanilla extract- 3/4 tsp
5. Sugar- 3 to 4 tbsp( or according to taste)
6. Crushed Oreos-1/4 cup

Instructions:

To prepare cookie base: Crush  Oreo cookies in a blender to form fine crumbs.Add melted butter and mix well.Divide the crumbs between 4 or 5 serving cups and gently press the crumbs into the bottom of  each serving cup.Refrigerate until required.

To prepare filling:In a bowl,beat heavy cream until medium peaks form.Keep aside.

In another bowl,mix together cream cheese,lemon juice,vanilla extract and sugar until smooth.Now fold in the whipped cream.

Gently fold in the crushed Oreo cookies.

Spoon or pipe this cheesecake mixture into each serving cup.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.Top with crushed Oreos ,if desired.

NOTES

• Check the recipe for homemade cream cheese here.

Rabdi | Rabri | Milk-based Indian dessert

Rabdi

Classic Indian dessert made using thickened milk,cardamom and nuts.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:

1. Full fat milk- 1 ltr
2. Sugar-1.5 to 2 tbsp( or according to taste)
3. Cardamom powder- 1/4 tsp
4. Almonds,sliced- 2 to 3 tsp
5. Saffron strands -to garnish( optional)

Instructions:

In a heavy bottomed pan /non stick pan,bring milk to a boil over medium flame.

Reduce the flame to low.When a layer of cream/malai appears on the surface,gently move it to the sides of the pan using a spoon.Stir the milk gently every 3 to 4 minutes to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Keep collecting the cream/malai until milk is reduced to almost 1/3 rd of its original quantity.

Now add sugar,boil for about 10 minutes.

Add cardamom powder and almonds,mix well until combined.Garnish with saffron strands and serve chilled.

NOTES

• Rabdi can be also served with Jalebi, Shahi tukda or can be used to make Banarasi Lassi.
• Adjust the quantity of sugar according to your taste.
  

Pineapple Layer Cake | Recipe with step by step pictures

Pineapple Layer cake

Recipe Source ( Sponge cake) : Anitha Issac
Pineapple sponge cake with whipped cream - pineapple filling.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Makes: one 6" layer cake
Ingredients:
For Sponge Cake:

1. Powdered Sugar- 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp(80 gms)
2. Eggs,separated - 2 medium( at room temperature)
3. Pineapple essence- 1/4 tsp( or use 1/2 tsp vanilla extract)
4. Water- 1/2 tbsp
5. All purpose flour- 1/3 cup(45 gms)
6. Cornflour- 1/2 tbsp
7. Baking powder- 3/4 tsp

Other ingredients :

1. Whipping cream-3/4 to 1 cup
2. Powdered sugar-1 to 2 tbsp
3. Canned pineapple- 3/4 to 1 cup( 225 gms can)
4. Praline-1/2 to 3/4 cup ( optional)( recipe below)

Instructions:

Line a 6 " cake tin with parchment paper and grease the parchment paper generously.Preheat oven to 180 Deg C.

In a mixing bowl,combine together egg yolks,powdered sugar,pineapple essence and water.Beat for about 5 minutes or until it turns thick and pale.Keep aside.

In another clean bowl,beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.Keep aside.( Make sure the bowl and the beater is clean and dry.)

Sift together all purpose flour,cornflour and baking powder.

Gently fold in the flour mixture and egg whites to the egg yolk mixture in 3 or 4 batches.( For a light and airy sponge fold the flour and egg whites into the yolk mixture with a gentle cutting,lifting and folding action.)

Immediately transfer the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for about 18 to 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

In a bowl,beat whipping cream and icing sugar until soft peaks form.Keep aside.

Drain the syrup from canned pineapple tin.(This syrup can be used to moisten the sponge layers.)Cut the pineapple slices to small pieces.Keep aside.

Carefully split the cake into two layers.Place one layer of cake on a serving plate,moisten the cake with pineapple syrup.

Spread the whipped cream and top with chopped pineapple.

Place other layer of the sponge and drizzle pineapple syrup on top.Spread the remaining whipped cream over the sides and top of the cake.

Decorate the sides of the cake with praline.

Garnish with pineapple pieces and praline.Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.Serve chilled.

NOTES

• To prepare praline ,heat 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tbsp water in a heavy bottomed pan.When sugar starts to  caramelize add 1/2 cup chopped cashew nuts and mix well until combined.Cook until the color changes to deep amber.Transfer the praline to a greased tray .Allow it to cool completely and crush it using a rolling pin.
  

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Eggless Chocolate Self- Saucing Pudding | Recipe with step by step pictures

Eggless Chocolate Self- Saucing Pudding

Chocolate self saucing pudding - a light chocolate sponge with rich fudge like sauce,served with ice cream /cream.
Recipe source-Taste.com, you can find the original recipe here.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Serves: 6 people
Ingredients:

1. Caster sugar-3/4 cup
2. Self raising flour,sifted-1 cup(see notes)
3. Cocoa powder,sifted- 2 tbsp
4. Butter,melted-50 gms( 3.5 tbsp)use vegan butter,if desired
5. Milk-1/2 cup( use non-dairy milk for vegan option)
6. Vanilla extract-1/4 tsp
7. Brown sugar-1/3 cup
8. Cocoa powder-2 tsp
9. Boiling powder- 1 cup
10. Ice cream/ cream-to serve
11. Butter-to grease the ramekins

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 180 deg C.Brush the ramekins/ovenproof dish with butter.

In a mixing bowl,combine together caster sugar,self raising flour and 2 tbsp cocoa powder.

Add melted butter, milk and vanilla extract.Mix well,just until combined.

In another bowl combine together brown sugar and 2 tsp cocoa powder.Keep aside.

Transfer the batter to 4 or 6 greased ramekins ( or a large ovenproof dish).Sprinkle the brown sugar-cocoa mixture evenly over the batter.

Gently pour boiling water over this .Do not stir.Bake for about 25 minutes.Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

NOTES

•  To prepare 1 cup self raising flour mix together 1 cup all purpose flour with 1.5 tsp baking powder and 1/ 4 tsp salt until combined.

Chocolate Biscuit Pudding

Chocolate biscuit pudding

Recipe source-Ria's collection ,you can find the original recipe here.
Easy Chocolate and biscuit layer pudding.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes
Serves: 5 to 6 people
Ingredients:

1. Marie biscuits,crushed- 200 gms( about 40 biscuits)
2. Butter-100 gms( about 1/2 cup)
3. Milk-1.5 Cups
4. Sugar- 1 Cup
5. Cocoa powder- 3 tbsp
6. Cornflour-2 tbsp
7. Vanilla extract-1 tsp
8. Whipped cream-1 Cup( or as required)

Instructions:

In a mixing bowl,combine together crushed biscuits and butter.Blend with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.Keep aside.

In a sauce pan,combine together milk,sugar,cocoa powder and cornflour.Mix well until combined.Cook this milk mixture until it turns really thick,stirring continuously.Allow it to cool completely,add vanilla and mix well.

Place a layer of the biscuit crumbs in a large serving dish,or small individual bowls.Add a layer of the prepared chocolate pudding ,repeat layers finishing off with biscuit crumbs.

Top it with whipped cream,if desired.Refrigerated for about 3 to 4 hours.Serve cold.

Chocolate fudge frosting

Chocolate Fudge Frosting


Recipe source : You can find the original recipe here
Easy and delicious ,chocolate fudge frosting.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
Makes: 1.5 cups ( approx)
Ingredients:

1. Cocoa powder- 1 cup
2. Sugar-2 cups
3. All purpose flour-1/2 cups
4. Milk- 3 cups
5. Butter,softened- 1/2 cup
6. Vanilla extract- 1 tsp

Instructions:

In a bowl,combine together cocoa,sugar and all purpose flour using a whisk.

Add milk and butter,mix well until combined.

Cook,stirring continuously on a double boiler until it is thick enough to spread.( adjust the consistency according to your requirement ,as frosting turn slightly thick when it cools down)

Add vanilla extract and mix well.(I also added 1 tsp instant coffee powder)

Allow it to cool a bit before using. 

NOTES

• For best results use good quality cocoa powder.
• You can find the recipe for Eggless chocolate cupcakes here