Chocolate Banana Cake/Easy Banana Chocolate Cake

In the mood for something not so sweet yet chocolaty for Tea time? Then this chocolate banana cake is the answer. Trust me the kids will love it. This cake is absolutely my favorite, because of the great taste of banana- chocolate combination. To bake this easy cake, we don’t require fancy ingredients. All we need is the easily available ingredients, mixing bowl and a cake tin. This flavorful cake is made with over ripe bananas, cocoa powder. I like a simple cake, so made it without toppings. Just enjoy the cake with Coffee/Tea

Preparation Time    15 Minutes

Baking Time         30 Minutes

Course              Desserts, Snacks

Cuisine             Eggless Baking

Ingredients

Whole Flour                1 1/2 Cups

Ripe Bananas               3 nos.

Coco Powder                2 Tablespoons

Organic Sugar             1/3 Cup

Chopped Nuts              ¼ Cups

Cooking Oil                  ½ Cup

Vanilla Extract            ½ Teaspoon

Vinegar                        1 Teaspoon

Baking Powder             1 Teaspoon

Baking Soda                ½ Teaspoon

Salt                             ¼ Teaspoon

 Method:

• Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly butter a Bundt Cake Pan. 

• Take a blender, add ripped bananas and sugar. Blend to smooth puree, without adding water. Transfer into the mixing bowl.
• In a large mixing bowl, add the Banana Puree, Sieved flour, Coco Powder, salt, Baking Powder, Oil, Baking Soda , Vanilla Extract and Vinegar.

•  Beat With a handheld electric mixer set on a medium speed, beat for 3 minutes or until completely mixed.
• Add the chopped nuts into it and mix gently.

• Pour into prepared Bundt cake tin and bake to 30-40 minutes. Bake till the toothpick inserted comes out clean.

• Cool completely in pan on wire rack, then invert onto a platter.
• Slice the cake as needed.
• Store it in the Air tight container.
• Serve with hot Tea /Coffee. 

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I hope you liked the recipe. Your valuable feedbacks are always, I would love to hear from you all. Happy cooking!

Green Peas Paruppu Vadai/ Green Peas Patties

Paruppu Vadai is a south Indian specialty snack that is prepared on every single occasion.

Now masala Vadai are quite commonly made at homes, hotels and tea stalls and they’re all tasty.

Its crispness makes us crazy .My mom does it very well, We will finish it off ,right from the pan. Wat a rainy day is ,without  a cup of coffee and hot Vadai?. My version Vadai, here you go

Cuisine                       South Indian

Recipe Category          Snacks

Soaking Time             6-8 Hours/ Overnight

Preparation Time       10 Minutes                                                           

Cooking Time            20 Minutes

Serves                     10 Medium sized Vadai

Ingredients

Dry Green Peas                       1 cup

Frozen  Baby corns                 2 Tablespoons

Chopped Ginger                      2 Tablespoons

Green Chillies                           3 Nos.

Chopped Coriander Leaves   2 Tablespoon

Chopped Mint Leaves            1 Tablespoon (Optional)

Curry Leaves                            1 stems

Fennel seeds                            1 Teaspoon (optional)

Roasted Rava                           1 Tablespoon

Rice Powder                              1 Tablespoon

Asafetida powder                   1 Teaspoon

Salt                                             To Taste

Oil                                              As Required

Method:

• Wash & soak Green Peas, overnight. Then wash again & drain water fully.
• In a food processor(Mixie), add Green Chillies, Chopped Ginger, Chopped Coriander , Chopped Mint Asafetida powder , and Grind for a second.
• Now add the Green Peas and  Rice powder, grind this in a blender and roughly blended. The dal should be partially ground. (i.e., half the dhal is should be just broken and the remaining dal remains whole.)
• Transfer this mixture to a Mixing Bowl.

• Add corns, curry leaves  and Rava to this mixture. Add salt and use your hands to combine everything together.
• Your Vadai mixture is ready. The consistency should be thick and you should be able to shape it into Vadai easily
• The thick batter should be formed into silver dollar sized patties, rounded on top and bottom, and should hold their shape in your palm.

• Heat a Kadai/Pan and pour in oil. When the oil is hot.
• Deep fry the Vadai, both sides until it turns golden brown.
• Repeat making more Vadai and fry in batches.
• Remove the fried Vadai to absorbent paper. Serve hot.
• Eat it with Green  chutney and anyone will be happy.

Notes:

• Adding Fennel seeds gives wonderful aroma, Flavor  for the Vadai. You can omit the fennel seeds.
• If not making Vadai immediately, refrigerate the Vadai mixture. You can store the mixture up to 2 days. Store it on airtight glass container.
• Instead of corns you can add soaked Chenna dhal to the mixture.

Shankarpali

Shankarpali is famous Maharashtrian sweet made during Diwali festival. It is rich in carbohydrates, making it an instant source of energy. It has simple recipe and results in scrummy munch sweet snacks that can be prepared in advance and stored for approx 3 weeks.

Ingredients

All Purpose Flour (Maida)         3 cups

Powdered sugar                      1- 1¼ cup

Rava (Semolina)                      1 cup

Oil/Ghee/ Vegetable fat            1/2 cup

Cooking oil                              for deep frying

Cardamom powder                    ½ Tsp.

Salt                                          a pinch.

 Method:

• Take a big bowl and add all-purpose flour, rava , powdered sugar,cardamom powder and salt .
• Now add the melted ghee or oil .Mix into a crumbling mixture with hands.
• Now knead this crumbling mixture into smooth dough adding water little by little as required.    Keep kneading the dough for about 15 minutes with pressure.
• Keep this dough covered with damp cloth for 10 min.
• Divide this dough in 3 large balls. Take one ball, round it smooth, flatten and roll out into large thin (not very thin but thin) circle.
• Cut rolled out dough into strips vertically, and then again horizontally, making about an inch sized strips. Separate those cuts on a plate.
• Heat oil in a kadai once the oil is hot add the shankarpali to it ensuring gas is on low flame. Once the shankarpali are nice golden brown remove them. Repeat the same procedure with the remaining of the dough.
• Once its fried allow them to come to room temperature.
• Store them into an airtight container. This should last for about 3 weeks,that is if you resist them that long!
• Enjoy crunchy munchy-soft sweet bites with hot coffee/tea.

505: Sukku Malli Coffee| Sonti Kaapi/ சுக்கு காபி / Dry ginger Coffee

Sukku Malli Coffee is an excellent home remedy for indigestion. If you give young children Sukku coffee, they will not suffer from anemia as it is made with palm jaggery which is rich in iron and they will also develop a taste for traditional drinks instead of drinking harmful cola drinks. Sukku  Coffee is very good For Cold: This coffee is very comforting to drink when we have cold and it also helps if we suffer from chest congestion. It is an amazing health drink with the goodness of Dry ginger, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cardamom, whole black peppercorns with jaggery/palm sugar/palm jaggery for sweetness.

Prep Time:          5 Mins

Cook Time:         5 Mins  

Category:            Herbal Juices , Beverages

Ingredients for Sukku Malli Coffee Powder(Makes 4 tbsp):

Dry Ginger Powder/ 2’’ in Sukku             2 Tablespoon

Coriander Seeds                                    1 Tablespoon

Whole Black Peppercorns                       ¾ Teaspoon

Cardamom                                            1 no.

Cloves                                                  2 no

       

Ingredients for Black  Sukku Coffee

Palm Sugar/ Karuppatti                           2-3 Tablespoons

Water                                                    2 Cups

Sukku Malli Coffee Powder                      2 Tablespoon

With Milk Sukku Coffee

Warm Milk          ¼ cup

 Method:

Dry roast the coriander seeds, black pepper in pan.

To Make Sukku Malli Coffee powder

• Take the roasted pepper and coriander seeds in a mortar and pestle with Dry Ginger Powder, Cloves and Cardamom and make a Crushed powder. This is called as Sukku Malli Coffee powder. 
• You can store it in an air tight container for long term storage.

To make Black Sukku Malli Coffee

• Take the palm jaggery powder /Broken Palm Jaggery ,Water and pounded 1 tablespoon of  Sukku Coffee powder into a bowl.
• Boil everything together till the raw smell of coriander seeds leaves and the water reduces.
• Filter the Sukku Malli Coffee and serve it hot. No other drink can comfort you so much when you have sore throat.

Sukku Malli Coffee With Milk

•  Add ¼ of warm milk with ¾ cup of Black Sukku Malli Coffee.

Notes:

• If you don't get palm jaggery, substitute with regular jaggery.
• Don't pound the spices too finely.
• For Fever and Heavy cough, when you boil the  coffee add few leaves of Tulsi and Oma Valli Thayai.

484: Ribbon Pakoda- Version 2

Ribbon Pakoda is a very popular South Indian tea time snack made from gram flour and rice flour. Ribbon Pakoda are an inclusion to all festivals and occasions. I already posted a ribbon Pakoda recipe in my blog. I slightly modify and tried this recipe and made it for this Diwali. It came out very well.

Preparation Time  :   5 Minutes
Cooking Time       : 25 Minutes
Recipe Category  :    Snacks
Serves                   : 3-4 People
Recipe Cuisine      : South Indian

Ingredients:

Rice flour                        2 cups

Gram Flour                      1 cup 

Red Chili Powder              2 Tsp.

Asafetida powder             1 Tsp.

Salt                                To Taste

Water                             As required

Butter                             2 Tbsp.

Oil                                  for Deep Frying       

  

Tools:

Sev Press

Slotted Spoon

Paper Towel

Kadai

Method:

• In a bowl sieve rice flour and Gram flour together.
• Add red chili powder, asafetida, salt, and melted butter, mix everything well.
• Gradually add water to make it a stiff dough. The dough should not be too tight or too loose.
• Meanwhile heat the oil in a kadai. The stove heat should be in medium flame.
• Grease the Sev Press with oil. Fill in the dough into the press.
• Only press in enough to cover the oil.
• Fry it till becomes golden brown, strain the excess oil in a paper towel, let it cool.
• Cool the entire ribbon Pakoda and store in an air tight containers.
• Serve with Tea or coffee.

Note:

• If making in large quantities, mix all dry ingredients in a big bowl and take small portions and mix water to make dough.
• You can use 1/2 cup of Bengal gram flour and 1/2 cup of Fried gram(Pottukadalai-Chutney dhal) powder.

See my Other Ribbon Pakoda Recipe here

Ribbon Pakoda

480: Channa Masala Powder

 Chenna masala is a traditional and very popular Punjabi recipe. Channa Masala is a great recipe for vegetarians, because chick peas are rich in protein, fiber and iron. This is  a traditional Indian seasoning for Chenna masala. This spicy powder takes the dish to an extra high level. This masala is very handy and useful in making subzis and dals.  

Ingredients to DRY ROAST

Cumin Seed/ (Jeera)                       1 Tsp.

Coriander seeds/ (Dhania)               1 Tbsp.

Black Pepper corns                          1 Tsp.

Whole Cloves /(Laung)                     ½ Tsp.

Dry Red chilies                                5 No.

Cinnamon /(Dal chini)                      4 sticks -1/2” long

Caraway Seeds/ Shah-Jeera             1 Tbsp.

Star Anise/Chakri Phool                   1 No.

Big Black cardamom/elaichi              2 pods

White Sesame Seeds/Safed Til          1 Tbsp.

Annar dana                                     1 Tsp.

  Ingredients NOT to roast:

Hing/Asofoetida                               1/4 Tsp.

Nutmeg powder                               1/4 Tsp.

Lace/Javetri powder                         1/4 Tsp.

Dry ginger powder                           1/2 tea spoon

Small green cardamom/elaichi          1/2 tea spoon

Rock Salt/Kala Namak                      1/2 Tbsp.

Method:

• Dry roast all ingredients one at a time on Medium heat till you can smell their aroma. Stir constantly.  Cool all the ingredients. 
• Grind all roasted spices along with all other not to roast ingredients ,grind into smooth powder using mixer/coffee/spice grinder. 
• Sieve powder masala, cool and store in air tight container..
• You can use this powder  for  chick peas, Channa Masala is also great on: Vegetables, bread, curry, potatoes and stew.  

433: Kesari Seviyan /Sweet Vermicelli

Sweet vermicelli cooked to perfection with raisins and almonds, a great and quick dessert to be enjoyed with a cup of coffee or chai.  It is so simple to make and it tastes awesome. It tastes even better when topped with khoa.  I made this dish in less fat and less sugar, if you want more taste, you can add more sugar and ghee.

Ingredients:

Vermicelli ( Thin ones)            1 cup

Water                                   1 cup

Sugar                                    ½ cup

Crushed Green Cardamoms       4 no.

Ghee                                     1 tbsp+1 tsp.

Fried Raisins & Cashews           for Garnishing

Kesar color                             a pinch

Method:

• In a pan put one teaspoon ghee and fry the vermicelli till light brown.  Constantly stir it to ensure even browning. Keep aside.

• In the same pan add one tsp of ghee and fry the cashew nuts and raisins. Keep aside.
• Take a frying pan, add water and bring into boil.
• Now add the fried vermicelli and cook till soft.

• Now add sugar,crushed cardamons and color in it. Mix it well.
• Cook till it thickens in low flame.
• Add remaining ghee and stir thoroughly and make sure and water is completely absorbed.
• Garnish with fried cashew nuts, and raisins.
• Transfer it to a glass bowl.
• Serve hot chilled with tea or as snacks.

Note: 

• For Health reasons, I made this dish in less fat and less sugar.  You can add khoya  or milkmaid for more creamy tasty. If you want more taste, you can add more sugar and ghee.
• Instead of water, you can add whole milk also.

415: Indian Style Slaw

Indian Style Slaw

Makes 6 cups

Ingredients

Green cabbage -                                            ½ pound

 Shredded Red cabbage                                  Handful (optional)

 Fresh Serrano chilies                                      3 no.

Capsicum                                                        ¼  (cut into strips)
Shredded Carrot                                              1/4 cup

Dry roasted peanuts /Almond Slices                ¼ cup

 Unsweetened Coconut   shreds/Dry coconut     ¼ cups

Chopped fresh cilantro                                     ¼ cup

Sea Salt                                                           1 ½ tsp.

Lime juice                                                        1 Tbsp.

For Seasonings

Olive oil                                                          2  tbsp.

Mustard seeds                                                1 Tsp.

Turmeric powder                                            ¼ tsp.

Method:

• Cut the cabbage half in half lengthwise and slice both halves into shreds, as thin as you can. Keep aside.
• Slice the Bell pepper, lengthwise and then cut them into thin slices. Cut the chilies into half moon slices.
• Take a big mixing bowl; add both cabbage shreds , chilies, and bell pepper in it.
• Grind the peanuts coarsely in a coffee grinder.
• Add the coconut, cilantro,salt and lime juice into the cabbage mixture.
• Sprinkle the ground peanuts over  the cabbage mixture.
• Take the oil in a small skillet over medium high heat. Once the oil appears to shimmers, add the mustard   and wait for popping , switch off the stove and sprinkle the turmeric powder.
• Pour the seasonings over the cabbge , using tongs  helps, combing the slaw  and ensure every shred of cabbage is evenly coated and well mixed.
• Serve the slaw either at room temperature or chilled. 

Note:

Peanut allergy suffers , you can use other nuts as an alternative to the peanuts.

Indian
Style Slaw

407: ALOO BONDA

Take a pause to savor the crunchy Aloo Bonda: An easy recipe for deep fried balls made of potato and chickpea flour. This Aloo Bonda is a south Indian version.  ..

Ingredients

For Potato Masala

Big Potatoes                                    4 no.

Finely chopped Green Chilies             3 no.

Grated Ginger                                  1 Tbsp.

Crushed fennel seeds                        1 Tsp.

Finely chopped curry leaves              1 Tbsp.

Finely chopped coriander leaves        1 Tbsp.

Turmeric powder                             1/8 Tsp.  

Salt                                                 to Taste

For Batter

Gram flour (Besan)                            1 Cup

Rice Flour                                        ¼ cup

Water                                              ¼ - ½ cup

Red chili powder                               1 Tsp.

Asafetida powder                              ¼ Tsp.

Turmeric powder                              ¼ Tsp.

Salt                                                 1/8 Tsp.

Baking soda                                      a pinch (Optional)

Other Ingredients

Cooking Oil                                    for Deep Frying

Method:

Preparing Potato Masala

• Boil the potatoes, then peel and mash them when they are still warm.
• Add salt, Turmeric powder, Fennel seeds, coriander& curry leaves and green chilies to the mashed potatoes and mix well.
• Make small to Medium sized balls from this mixture. Keep aside.

For Batter

• In a big bowl, add all the Batter ingredients. Add little water bit by bit and mixing with hand make a batter. Neither too thick nor too loose.

For Making Bonda:

• Heat oil in a kadai. Drop a drop of batter into the oil, if it raises from the surface immediately, then the oil is ready to fry the bondas. Now reduce the flame to medium
• Dip each potato ball in the batter and coat it well with the batter.
• Carefully drop the balls into the hot oil and fry the bondas until they turn golden color.
• Drain aloo Bonda on paper towels to remove excess oil.
• Serve hot with Coconut chutney and hot chai or coffee.

If you like this recipe, you might  like my other Bonda Recipes

MysoreBonda

BatataVada

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