Homemade Condensed Milk

One of the simplest things I have made . Adapted from Paula Dean's recipe

Ingredients

1/3 cup boiling water

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup milk powder 

1/4 cup melted unsalted butter

1 tsp Vanilla extract ( optional )

Method-

Put all the above ingredients in a blender . Blend until smooth , scraping the sides of the blender jar once or twice. 

The mixture will be a little warm to touch. Cool down and then refrigerate until you need to use, This recipe makes about 14 oz ( 1 can )of condensed milk 

Sunnyside up Egg Masala

Ingredients
6 eggs
1 large onion finely chopped
4 tomatoes finely chopped / 1 can diced tomato
Whole Garam Masala ( 1 bay leaf , 1 star anise , 2 cardamons , 2 -3 cloves )
1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
2 tsp Kolhapuri Masala (http://chakali.blogspot.com/…/kolhapuri-masala-veg-kolhapur…)
If Kolhapuri Masala is not available then use 2 tsp Red Chilli powder , 1 tsp Coriander Powder , 1 Tsp Cumin POwder , 1 Tsp Garam masala powder )

 -

Method.
1. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a nonstick pan , add the whole garam masala and saute the onions and cook on low flame until they turn translucent
2. Add 1 tsp Ginger garlic paste
3. Now add the tomatoes and saute well > cook until the tomatoes are cooked well.
4. Now add the Kolhapuri masala powder and saute well.
5. Cook covered until the masala leaves oil. Add salt as per taste. Taste the masala for seasoning
6. Add some water if the masala is too dry. At this stage make sure that the masala is very well cooked and the salt and seasoning is as per your taste.
7. Now break open 6 eggs on the top of the masala.( sunnyside up)
8. Sprinkle some salt and some kolhapuri masala on the top of the eggs
9. Cover and cook on low flame for about 10 mins. Then place a tava under the pan and again cook for 10 mins. ( This is to avoid the masala from burning , since you will not be stirring the masala )
10. Garnish with some finely chopped coriander.

Oatmeal Banana Nut Bread

A banana bread with a kick of extra fiber from the oats and nuts. A perfect snack for the sweet tooth.
So here is what you need

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup ground oats ( Grind the oats in a mixer /food processor)
• 4 Ripe bananas
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp milk
• 3/4 cup brown sugar ( I use C&H Cane Sugar)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla essence
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1/2 cup raisins 
• 1/2 chopped nuts ( walnuts /pecans)
• 1/2 cup oats ( for sprinkling over the bread)

Method -

1. Pre heat oven to 325 deg F. Grease a loaf tin with butter. 
2. Cream the butter and sugar till the sugar completely dissolves. 
3. Then add one egg at a time and whisk well. 
4. Mash the bananas well with a fork and add to the egg mixture. 
5. Sift the all purpose flour and baking powder and baking soda . Add the oats flour and a pinch of salt. 
6. Mix in the flour with the egg mixture and whisk well. Add milk . 
7. Now add the vanilla essence, cinnamon and give a final whisk. 
8. Add the raisins and nuts and mix well with a spatula. 
9. Pour the batter in a 9 inch loaf pan and level with a spatula. 
10. Sprinkle the oats over the batter. 
11. Bake for about 1 hour 10 min

No Cream Of Broccoli Soup

A much healthier version of the cream of broccoli soup. A must try for the weight watchers.

Here is what you need 

• 1 lb broccoli florets
• 1 medium white onion cut in cubes
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tsp butter
• 3 cups water /vegetable stock
• 1 cup low fat milk 
• 1 tsp cornflour
• a pinch of nutmeg powder
• 1/4 cup walnuts chopped
• Salt and freshly ground pepper corns

Here is how you do it

1. In a pressure cooker , heat butter .Add garlic and saute the onions.
2. Add the sugar and saute on medium flame till the onions are caramelized . Take care not to burn the onions
3. Then add the broccoli florets. Saute well.
4. Add stock and and cook for 2 whistles.
5. Cool the mixture and blend till smooth.
6. Blend milk and cornflour and add to the soup. 
7. Now heat the soup in another vessel .
8. Add nutmeg , salt and pepper. Adjust as per taste
9. Add walnuts and  Serve hot. 

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Yes , a pound cake with cream cheese. This is one of the best pound cake recipes I have come across. The original recipe is from a cake book which I recently found at a free book store near my place.http://bayareafreebookcoop.com/default.aspx
Made a few changes to the original one to adapt to my taste buds and the ingredients that were readily available.
Here is what you need.

• 3 Cups All purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 6 large eggs ( room temp)
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla essence 
• 1 cup butter ( room temp)
• 1 package ( 8 oz) cream cheese ( room temp)

This is how you do it..

1. Pre heat oven to 325 deg F 
2. In a stand mixer or bowl( if using hand mixer) beat sugar , butter  till smooth and creamy. 
3. Then add cream cheese and beat again at medium speed for about a min .
4. Then slowly add eggs one at a time and cream well at medium speed
5. Add vanilla essence
6. Then add sifted flour and baking power slowly.
7. Mix well . Don't over beat. 
8. Pour the batter in a greased baking pan ( 9 to 10 ich) and bake for 50 mins -1 hour or till the cake is done . To check if the cake is done , insert a tooth pick and check if the pick comes out clean. If not then bake till done.
9. Cool the cake on a wire rack for 10 mins before removing from pan. 
10. Completely cook the cake before cutting.
11. You can also pour orange syrup over the cake to give it a slight tangy taste. 
12. For the orange syrup , heat 1/2 cup sugar in a pan . Add 1 tsp orange rind and juice of 1 orange to it. Let the syrup boil till the sugar dissolves completely and the syrup thickens a bit.
13. Pour this hot syrup over the cake ( cake should be warm so that it absorbs the syrup well)  before slicing it. Cool completely.
14. Dust some powdered sugar over the cake( optional). 

Very berry Bran muffins

These muffins are easy to make , they stay moist and yes they are extremely healthy. High in fiber and low in fat. This recipe is adapted from the one posted on the back of my regular cereal box.

Here is what you will need.

• 1 1/3 cups Bran flakes cereal.
• 1 cup low fat milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice.
• 1 egg beaten
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/3 packed cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup wheat bran / oat bran
• 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 cup fresh /frozen berries ( blueberries /cranberries / raspberries or simply raisins )

Here is how you do it

1. Preheat oven to 400 deg F . Grease or paper line muffin pan .
2. Mix egg , oil and milk well.
3. Add the bran flakes to it. Let it sit for 10 mins till the bran flakes have very soft.
4. Combine flour , bran , sugar , baking powder and Cinnamon powder in a separate bowl.
5. Now combine 3 and 4. Dnt whisk Just mix.
6. Fold in the berries. Dnt thaw if using frozen berries. Dust the berries with some flour if using fresh ones.
7. The mixture will be thick.
8. Divide equally among the muffin cups.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 mins or till done.
10. Makes 12 muffins.

Irish Cream Tiramisu

After trying my hand at the easy tiramisu . ( Recipe posted earlier ) I went through recipes online and came out with this one. Turns out very authentic. A must try.!!

Here is what you need.

• 2 packets of lady fingers. ( These are authentic tiramisu biscuits which you will find in any grocery stores. )
• 2 x 8 oz Mascarpone cheese. ( Trader Joe's carries the best and cheapest one. )
• 1 x 8 oz Cool whip
•  6 egg yolks.
• 6 egg whites
• 1 tsp instant coffee
• 1/2 cup Irish cream ( or any coffee liqueur like Kaluha )
• 1 cup brewed dark coffee ( You can use the instant coffee as well. Mix 2 tsp in 1 cup water)
• 2 to 3 tsp Irish cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Cocoa for dusting

Here is how you do it.

1. In a double boiler , add the egg yolks , Irish cream and sugar. Add the instant coffee powder. Keep stirring till the mixture becomes creamy and of custard consistency. Cool the mixture.
2. In another bowl , whisk egg whites till they form  stiff peaks. 
3. Mix mascarpone cheese , cool whip and the custard mixture.
4. Then fold in the egg whites.
5. Make a concoction of coffee and irish cream .
6. Dip the ladyfingers one by one till they are slightly damp and not soggy.
7. Arrange the biscuits in a glass bowl.
8. Add half of the tiramisu mixture on the layer of biscuits.
9. Repeat Step 7 -9
10. Now dust cocoa powder on the tiramisu using a strainer. ( Put cocoa powder in a tea strainer and slightly tap it as you dust the tiramisu
11. Refrigerate overnight
12. Serve chilled.
13. This recipe makes Tiramisu for a group of 10 or more.