Kaali Dal (Punjabi Style)

Kaali Dal (Punjabi Style) This dal has lots of verities and everybody cooks in their own style though the ingredients are same. Usually kaali dal is made using black gram (kaali urad dal) but I have made using whole masoor dal and whole urad dal and the result was not bad at all. I served it with hot phulkas and jeera rice and my dinner was sorted..

Ingredient's.

1/2 cup whole masoor dal

1/2 cup whole urad dal

1 large onion, 1 large tomato and 2 green chilles (finely chopped)

1/2tsp cumin

1tsp red chilli powder

1/2tsp turmeric

1tsp coriander powder

1/2tsp garam masala

1tsp ginger garlic paste

1tbsp ghee

2tbsp fresh cream or 3tbsp milk

Salt to taste.

Cooking Method.

Soak both the dals for 4 hours.

Pressure cook the soaked dals, ginger garlic paste and salt for about 4 to 5 whistles.

In a mean time, In a deep kadai, add ghee and cumin when they splutter, add the chopped onion and green chillies, fry till the onion get a golden brown color. then add red chilli powder, turmeric and coriander powder, fry for a minute, add the chopped tomato's and cook till the oil separates from the masala. that will take about 5 to 6 minutes. Now add the pressure cooked dal and garam masala and mix them well. adjust the seasoning. Then allow the dal to cook for another 10 to 15 minutes on a low flame. finely garnish with fresh cream and coriander leaves. 

Serve hot with Roti's and Jeera Rice.

Besan Ke Laddoo!! (Gram Flour Laddoo)

Besan Ke Laddoo (Gram Flour Laddoo) is made mostly in Maharashtra.. There are many version are there to these laddoo, but this recipe is very basic and easy to make. Me and my hubby happen to be a big fan of laddoo's, They are very useful when you are hungry and you need something soon and you don't have to juggle in the kitchen.. That's why I make very few of them so that it get over soon. Making a less quantity gives me a chance to try different laddoo's too... You can make in a big batches and store them in a airtight container and keep serving for a 2 to 3 weeks.. Do try this recipe and let me know.

Ingredient's.

2 cup besan (gram flour)

1 cup ghee (clarified butter)

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp green cardamom powder

1/2 cup chopped dry fruits (almonds, cashew, raisin and pistachio).

Cooking Method.

In a deep non-stick kadai. dry roast all the dry fruits and set it aside. In a same kadai add ghee, besan and cardamom powder and roast on a low flame till it gives a nice aroma and become golden brown. by stiring continuously.

Then take the besan out in a large plate and allow it to cool a bit. Now add the powdered sugar and dry fruits and make a even size laddoo's while the mixture is still warm. If you feel the mixture is little dry, feel free to add a little milk to make a smooth laddoo's.

Store them in a airtight container and Serve when ever you want.

NaanKhatai!! (Indian Eggless Shortbread)

NaanKhatai!! (Indian Shortbread) is the very famous cookies in India. This is the easiest and best cookies to be made in no time and with minimum ingredients. These cookies can be made with gram flour and rawa or even only with maida. Even this naankhatai can be made on cook-top  for that recipe may be you have to wait for my next post.. This is a beginner recipe with only few basic ingredients which I believe every house will have it. This cookies can be stored in a airtight container for a week and you enjoy with hot cup tea... Naankhatai can be a great idea for gifting during Diwali or Holi..Do try this recipe and let me know.

Ingredients.

3/4 cup maida(all purpose flour)

1/4 cup gram flour(besan)

1/2 ghee (clarified butter)

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cardamom powder.

Baking Method.

Pre-heat oven at 180c for 10 minutes.

In a mixing bowl add maida, besan, sugar, baking powder and cardamom powder and mixing them well. Then by adding little by little ghee, knead a cookie dough. Then divide a dough into 18 equal sized portion. Take a each ball and press in between your palm to give a cookie shape.

Now place the cookies on to greased baking tray and bake them for 12 to 15 minutes at 180c.

Then cool them on to a wire rack and once completely cooled. Store them into a airtight container.

Serve with hot cup tea or warm milk..

Cinnamon Rolls.

Cinnamon Rolls is sweet bread rolls, which is usually served for breakfast and even dessert. This makes a quick breakfast if made one night before and served with hot cup a coffee. This is a very easy recipe because every house has this basic ingredients at home. When all the basic ingredients are added together they make a very spongy and delicious rolls. Do try this recipe and let me know!!!

Ingredient's.

1+1/4tsp yeast

1/4cup Sugar

1/4cup warm water (115 degrees)

3/4cup whole milk

1/4tsp vanilla extract

1 Egg

1/4cup butter (melted)

4 cups of All Purpose Flour

1/4cup of Melted Butter, to brush over the top before baking.

For the Filling.

1/3cup butter, at room temperature

3/4cup brown sugar

1/4cup sugar

1+ 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon.

For the Glaze,

1+ 1/4 cups powdered sugar

1/2tsp vanilla extract

3 to 4 tbsp warm milk.

Baking Method.

In a small bowl, combine the warm water and 1tsp sugar, sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5 minutes.

In the bowl mix the egg, milk, sugar and melted butter. Add 2 cups of the flour and the water and mix. then add vanilla and yeast mixture, mix until its all incorporated and slowly add about 2 more cups of flour. Knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes or until you have a smooth dough. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot to rise for about 2 hours.

In a mean time. Take a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, white sugar and cinnamon for the filling, set aside.

When the dough is doubled in size, punch the dough down and roll it out onto a floured surface into a 15x9” rectangle. Spread the soft butter over the top and sprinkle evenly over the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Staring from one of the long ends, tightly roll the dough into a jelly roll form. Cut into 10 to 12 slices and place them cut side down in a well buttered square baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and put them back into a warm spot to rise for another 1 hours.

Meanwhile preheat oven to 350 degrees. Once risen, brush them with some melted butter and bake them for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

While the cinnamon rolls cool for a few minutes make the glaze. Mix all the ingredients of the glaze, and make a runny glaze consistency. Immediately pour the glaze over the cinnamon rolls and enjoy!

Choco Walnut Brownie!!

Choco Walnut Brownie. This is a awesome fuggy and chocolatey brownie which can be made in just 25 to 30 minutes. I have baked brownie many times but this was the best brownie so far and I have taken this recipe from JoyofBaking. With a little changes I think I have mastered this recipe.

Ingredient's.

3/4 cup chocolate

1/2 cup butter

3 tbsp cocoa powder

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 eggs

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup chopped walnuts.

Baking Method.

Preheat oven to 180c and place the rack in the center of the oven. Butter a 8 inch square pan, and line the bottom of the pan with parchment or wax paper.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a large stainless steel bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from heat and stir in the cocoa powder and sugar . Next, whisk in the vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Finally, stir in the flour.

Then pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a little batter and a few moist clumps clinging to it. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. Serve at room temperature or Chilled with Ice Cream.