Tutti Frutti Cake

With cold temperature throughout winter baking just became inevitable for me. To top it up, praises from family members made it impossible for me to stay away from the oven. It’s really nice, It’s really nice…these were the words from my hubby….what more does one need to hear. I need no excuses to make this……nibbling it away and finishing it completely the day it is made and presented. This cake recipe is really simple to make or bake.

Ingredients Required:

Ingredients	Quantity
All purpose flour/Maida	1 cup
Sugar ( Powdered)	3/4th Cup
Oil	½ Cup
Baking Powder	1 tsp
Egg	1
Salt	A pinch
Broken Cashews and Raisins	1 tbsp. each
Tutti frutti	1/4th cup
Vanilla Essence	1 tsp
Milk	½ cup

Method of Preparation:

• Pre heat oven and place the greased bread pan/baking pan inside the oven
• Place all the above ingredients in a mixing bowl and blend with well with a hand blender
• Remove the pan from the oven let it slightly cool and pour the above mixture into it
• Set the temperature at 350 Degree F and place the pan inside it for about 20 minutes
• Do check by inserting a toothpick in the centre of the cake; if it comes out clean cake is done else it can be placed in the oven for about 5 to 10 minutes more till its done ( Pls note: each oven has different temperature settings; hence the baking time may vary slightly)

Here you go with the cake either serve with a cup of tea or coffee or have it your way!!!!!

Fish Cutlets

Fish cutlets to me are one of the best starters to be served as this particular recipe does not require much oil. It is light yet yummy. Fish being a lean meat and good for health one can have this guilt free. Presenting these cutlets done my way hope you all like it!!!!

Ingredients required:

Ingredients	Quantity
Tilapia Fish Fillets	2
Potato Baked	1
Ginger grated	1 tbsp
Garlic grated	1 tbsp
Green chillies chopped fine	2
Onions chopped fine	1
Cilantro chopped	2 tbsp
Mint Leaves chopped	2 tbsp
Garam Masala Powder	1 tsp
Eggs	2
Bread crumb	1 cup
Salt	To taste
Oil	As per requirement

Method Of Preparation:

• Wash the fish fillets thoroughly and pat dry
• Preheat the oven for about 5 minutes. In the meantime place the fish on an aluminium foil and cover it with the same. Place both the fish and medium sized potato on a baking tray and let it bake at 350 degree F for about 25 minutes.
• Once done remove the fish and potato and let it cool down.
• Remove the potato skin and mash it with the fish. Now add ginger, garlic, onions, green chillies, cilantro, mint, garam masala and salt to taste. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and set aside.
• In a separate bowl beat the eggs.
• Place the wok on the burner and add 1 tbsp oil, let it become warm. In the meantime make small patty like shape of the mashed ingredients (flat and round in shape), dip the same in the beaten eggs and then roll it on the breadcrumbs both sides. Once 5 to 6 of them are ready. Place the same on the wok.
• Once you see the colour changing to brown you may now flip it and let it cook. Once both the sides are brown the cutlets are ready. These cutlets should be cooked on low to medium heat only.
• Place the same on paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
• The fish cutlets are now ready to be served. Enjoy the same with ketchup or sauce of your choice.

Pechi Bhaja/Bara - Shredded Coconut and Chickpea Flour Cutlets

PECHI Bhaja - This recipe was passed on to my mother by her mother- in- law. It is mostly made in Berhampur; southern part of Odisha. It is usually served as a side dish along with Rice and lentil curry. Sharing this easy dish with all of you. I have been wanting to do this for a long time ....today I finally get to share it. I have not used any measurement for this hence will try to be as precise as possible with respect to the quantity of the ingredients used.

Ingredients required:

Ingredients Required	Quantity
Shredded Coconut	1 Cup
Chickpea Flour (Besan)	Just enough to bind
Onion Small (1)	Chopped fine
Green chillies (2)	Chopped fine
Turmeric Powder	½ teaspoon
Salt	To taste
Water	Just enough to bind

Method Of Preparation:

• In a bowl add all the above ingredients except water
• Add water little at a time until it binds and is good enough to make patty like shape. 
• Now take a frying pan , just grease the pan and place the patty. Cook the same on low flame

• Cook both sides until you get the desired color as given below.
  
• These cutlets are now ready to be served.

Enjoy cooking!!!!!

Finger Millet Flour (Ragi) and Whole Wheat Flour (Atta) Cake!!!!!! Eggless; Butterless and Sugarless.......

Having tried my hands on different types of cake; I can proudly say that this one was one of the best experiment I have done so far. Needless to say it is definitely healthy. Indulgence in something sweet not really an issue any more.

Let's begin with the ingredients first:

Ingredients	Quantity
Whole Wheat Flour	1 cup
Ragi Flour/Finger Millet*	½ cup
Yogurt	¾ cup
Vegetable oil	½ cup
Jaggery (grated/Powdered)	½ cup
Milk	¼ cup
Honey	½ cup
Baking Soda	1 +1/4 tsp
Chocolate Syrup	3 tbsp
Vanilla Essence	1 tsp

*Tips

1) If you dry roast the finger millet flour for 2 to 4 minutes, the texture of the cake comes out even better

2) In the end if the batter for some reason is thick then chilled water can be added to make it smooth. Pls do not add hot water as it will make the batter sticky.

3) Since the jaggery I had was too hard, I boil  the required quantity of milk (mentioned in the ingredients) and then added the jaggery to it. It melts in the milk and once it comes to room temperature it can be used for making the batter

Method Of Preparation:

• Preheat Oven at 350 Degree F
• In a bowl add all the dry ingredients and then add all the liquid ingredients to it one by one; in the end add milk and vanilla to it until the batter becomes smooth
• The batter consistency should be little thin
• Pour the batter in the cake pan and let it bake for 25-30 minutes
• Insert a toothpick to see if it comes out clean. If it does the cake is ready to be served

Enjoy Baking!!!!!

Eggless Cocoa Banana Cake!!!!

Banana's are part of my every grocery shopping. There are times when my family is unable to consume this fruit as it is. Banana is a nutritious fruit hence tried making cake when it is more ripe. This is an extremely easy and quick recipe. It needs to be consumed in 2 days as it will not last long like other cakes. Let's get started with the ingredients:

 Ingredients Required:

Ingredients	Quantity
Maida/All Purpose Flour	1 cup
Rava/ Semolina fine	½ cup
Ripe Banana	1
Cocoa Powder	2 tbsp
Milk	1 cup
Brown Sugar	¾ cup
Baking Powder	1 tsp
Butter	½ Stick  or 4 tablespoon
Dryfruits	For garnishing
Salt	A pinch

Method of Preparation:

• First in a deep bowl add all the dry ingredients and mix it well.
• Now add all the wet ingredients milk, butter ( bring it to room temperature before mixing) and in the end add mashed banana. The batter is slightly thin in consistency.
• Grease the pan with 1/2 tsp oil and place it in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes 
• Take the baking pan out and pour the above batter in it
• Bake the same at 350 degree F for about 25 to 30 minutes
• Insert a toothpick to see if it comes out clean, when it does the cake is ready to be consumed
• Allow it to cool down and then it is ready to be served
• Have it with evening tea /coffee or have it as it is.

Enjoy Cooking!!!!