Chocolate Cake

This is a simple chocolate cake recipe which is made with buttermilk. My kids are chocoholics and I keep trying new dishes to satisfy their tastebuds. I made this cake for my daughters birthday and not just my kids, their friends and my friends enjoyed it. So, here is the recipe....
Preparation Time : 10 minutes
Baking Time : 35 minutes
Makes : one 9x13 (or) one 10" round cake and 6 cup cakes

Ingredients:
Sugar : 2 cups
All purpose flour : 1 3/4 cups
Unsweetened cocoa powder: 3/4 cup
Baking Powder : 1 1/2 teaspoons
Baking Soda : 1 1/2 teaspoons
Salt : 1 teaspoon
Eggs : 2
Buttermilk : 1 cup
Oil (Vegetable or Canola) : 1/2 cup
Vanilla extract : 1 teaspoon
Boiling water: 1 cup
For Chocolate Frosting :
Salted Butter : 1/2 cup
Milk : 1/3 cup
Unsweetened cocoa powder : 2/3 cup
Powdered Sugar : 3 cups
Vanilla extract : 1 teaspoon
Method:
Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter the baking pan and dust a little flour.
Sift and Stir together all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla and beat with a electric mixer for 2 minutes. Add boiled water and mix well with a spatula.
Pour the batter into the baking pan and bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
If frosting the cake, let the cake cool off completely.
Mix all ingredients listed under for frosting with a spatula and use it.

Kids Delight - Summer Coolers Announcement

hi friends !

Happy to announce I would be hosting my blogger friend Valli's event : Kids Delight from 15th May -14th June 2017. The theme would be Summer Coolers. 

I'm hosting this Kids Delight with Summer Coolers which is a famous category for both moms and kids.

This event is also accompanied by a giveaway that is self-sponsored. Do read on for more details...  

All bloggers and non-bloggers are welcome to participate.
The Coolers must be kid friendly, tasted and approved by kids.

Focaccia Bread

Focaccia is a popular bread from Italy. This flat bread is very similar in style and texture to the pizza dough.
The bread is usually seasoned with olive oil, herbs, onion, cheese and veggies.
Summer holidays started so giving some cooking classes for kids in our county. Thought them Focaccia and kids loved it.
I served it with some pesto/ extra virgin olive oil with black pepper.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Proofing time : 40 minutes + 20 minutes
Makes : 2 - 13x9 inch breads.

Ingredients:

To make the dough:

All purpose flour: 4 cups or 500 grams
Sugar : 2 teaspoons
Active dry yeast: 25 grams (I used blue bird)
Salt : 1 teaspoon
Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon
Dried basil : 1 teaspoon
Italian seasoning: 1 teaspoon
Red chili flakes : 1 teaspoon (optional)
Olive oil: 3 tablespoons
Water : 1 1/4 cups + 1/2 cup

Toppings:
Olive oil : 1/2 cup
Onion : 2 small sliced thinly
Tomatoes: 2 medium diced
Basil leaves : 1/2 cup
Olives : 3 tablespoons
Shredded mozzarella cheese : 4 tablespoons

Method:

Warm 1/2 cup water in the microwave for 15-20. Add sugar and yeast. Mix well and cover for 7-10 minutes or until it's proofed and double the size.
Take all the dry ingredients listed under dough making, make a well and add proofed yeast, water, olive oil and knead into a soft dough. Cover with a wet cloth and keep aside for 40 minutes.
The dough should double the size, gently punch out the air.
Add 1/4 cup of oil in each pan, divide the dough in half and slowly spread the dough to all corners of the pan by turning the dough couple of times so the oil is coated evenly.
Make deep impressions with your knuckles, cover with wet cloth and proof for another 15 minutes.
Pre heat the oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit.
Take out the dough, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil in each one and add all the toppings.
Bake it for 15 minutes.
Let it cool off for 5-8 minutes and slice into small pieces.
Serve warm with basil pesto or extra virgin olive oil mixed with black pepper.

Paan Shots/Betel leaves drink

Paan/Betel leaves aids in digestion, helps with headaches and constipation. When paan leaves and gulkand (rose petal purée) are mixed with cold milk, the drink is super refreshing. These shots help beat the summer heat.
The shots are super easy to make and are loved by one and all. No sugar is added too.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Serves : 6

Ingredients:

Paan/Betel leaves: 20
Cold milk : 4 cups
Chilled water : 1.5 cups
Rose Syrup : 1 tablespoon (optional)
Rose water : 1 tablespoon (optional)
Gulkand : 6 tablespoons
Chopped nuts : 2-3 tablespoons
Dried rose petals : 1 tablespoon

Method:

Rinse the betel leaves in water.
In a blender, add the roughly chopped leaves with 3 tablespoons of water and purée.
Add Gulkand, rose water, rose syrup and blend for 1 minute.
Pour this mixture into a large bowl, add milk and water. Stir well.
Pour into glasses and Garnish with nuts and rose petals before serving.
Serve immediately or chill the leftover drink. 

Minestrone Soup

Minestrone soup is a healthy one pot meal with pasta, beans and veggies. It's a flavorful yet simple to make soup. I make this soup often because it being nutritious for all ages.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves : 6-8

Ingredients:

Onion : 1 large diced
Garlic : 4 cloves minced
Carrot : 1 large diced
Celery : 1 stalk diced (I didn't add)
Green Beans : 12 cut into 1/2 inch pieces
Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon
Fresh Basil : 7-8 leaves
Tomatoes: 4 large diced
Tomatoes : 2 large crushed
Red kidney beans : 1 cup dried ( soaked and pressure cooked for 2 whistles) / 1 15-ounce can
Pasta : elbow or small macaroni 2 cups
Parmesan cheese : 1/2 cup finely grated
Extra virgin olive oil: 2 tablespoons
Fresh ground Black pepper: 2 teaspoons
Fresh basil : To garnish
Veg or Chicken broth : 7 cups

Method:

Heat oil in a large pot and add onions. Sauté till they turn translucent.
Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
Add celery, carrots and cook until they are a little soft. For about 5 minutes.
Add green beans, dried oregano, Basil, salt and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes.
Add the diced, crushed tomatoes and broth. Bring it to a boil.
Simmer for 10 minutes. Add beans and pasta. Cook until the pasta is done for about 10-13 minutes.
Add cheese and fresh basil, stir in.
Serve immediately.


Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM#73

Phirni

Phirni is a traditional Punjabi dessert that's made with milk and rice. It's a soft and chilled dessert that's served in summer. It's a famous dish for Holi.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Soaking Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves : 6

Ingredients:

Milk : 1 liter
Basmati Rice: 3/4 cup
Sugar : 1 1/2 cups
Saffron : 7-8 strands

To garnish :
Almonds : 5 chopped
Pistachios: 5 chopped
Saffron : 3-4 strands
Dry rose petals : 1 teaspoon (optional)

Method:

Wash and soak rice for at least 2 hours.
Drain and pat dry on an absorbent kitchen towel or paper towel.
Soak saffron in 2 tablespoons of warm milk.
Take the rice and blend in a mixer to a coarse powder.
Mix 1 cup of cold milk to the rice powder and mix well.
Boil rest of the milk and slowly stir the rice mixture.
Cook for about 15 minutes on a slow flame. Stir continuously.
Add sugar and saffron mixture and simmer for 5 minutes.
Pour into smaller containers and let it cool off.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Serve chilled garnished with the listed ingredients.


Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM#73

Mango Mastani

Mango Mastani is a drink that is originated from Pune but it soon started spreading and being served in other cities. This is another drink that is famous for the Holi festival.
It's a thick milkshake topped with ice cream, nuts, rose petals and cherry. When the drink is made with fresh mangoes, it's delicious compared to the frozen ones.(Atleast that's my experience)

Preparation Time: 2 minutes
Serves : 3

Ingredients:

Fresh Mango pieces : 2 cups
Milk : 2 cups
Ice cubes : 6
Sugar : 2 tablespoons
Ice cream: 2 scoops + 3 as topping
Almonds : 4 chopped for garnishing
Pistachios: 6 chopped for garnishing
Cherries : 3

Method :

Take the mango pieces, milk, ice cubes, sugar and 2 scoops of ice cream in a blender and blend for 1 minute or until the mixture is smooth and frothy.
Pour it into glasses, top them off with ice cream, almonds, pistachios, cherries and fresh mango pieces.
Serve immediately.

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM#74