Thumbprint cookies (Jam Cookies)

Thumbprint Cookies

As I promised in my previous post,I am here with one more cookie recipe which was the part of my son's birthday goodies bag along with Chocolate Kisses Cookies.These are very versatile cookies ,you can fill them with anything of your choice or flavor.These Cookies are egg less and nut free too as some of the kids were allergic to nuts.Same goes with egg also if you are looking for an egg less and nut free cookies recipes,this is the one for you.

Delicious Thumbprint Cookies

                                              Ingredients

1/2 cup  unsalted butter, room temperature

1/4 cup granulated white sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup  all purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

2-3 tablespoon milk(if needed)

1/4 - 1/2 cup  blueberry jam or any flavor  jam 

                                                                     Method

1.  beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).

2. Add  vanilla extract and beat until combined.

3.In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt 

4.Add the flour mixture to the batter (add 1-2 teaspoon of milk if its too dry)and beat just until combined. (If the batter is too soft to roll into balls, refrigerate for about 30 minutes.)

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Line a  baking sheet with parchment paper.

6. Roll the dough into 1 inch (2.5 cm) ball. Place on the baking sheet spacing about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Using your thumb or end of a wooden spoon, make a indentation into the center of each cookie.

7.Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until cookies are set .

8. Remove from oven and place on wire rack to cool. 

9. Let them cool down fro about 15 minutes and then fill each cookies with one teaspoon full of blueberry jam or preserve.Enjoy.

Festive Cookies (Chocolate kisses Cookies)

These are famous chocolate cookies,crowd pleasing easy and appealing to the eyes too.These are  called as Holidays cookies too,as they are mostly the part of Christmas Goodies bags and gift packs. They are kind of oldies but goodies.......And yum...yumm...yummy for sure.

  I baked these for my son's birthday goodies bag and the comments, I received from the kids(my son's friends)  that they like the box of cookies more than other gifts which we gave.I baked Thumbprint jam cookies as well which I will post soon after this.

                                           Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup butter
• 2/3 Cup sugar
• 2 Egg yolks
• 2 Tablespoon chocolate liquor (optional)
• 1 Cup flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• a pinch  of salt
• 18 -20 caramel kisses chocolate or any kind of chocolate kisses
• 2 tablespoon Vanilla essence 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 raw sugar for coating

                                 

Look at  these tempting little guys,in all their melty,chocolaty topped goodness  and try not to eat one,just try doing that..........

                                                      Method

1. Line  baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or hand mixer, combine the butter, sugar and egg yolks. Beat until fluffy about 5 minutes. Mix in the chocolate liquor.(if using) and Vanilla.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder,baking soda and salt.
4. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture.
5. Keep this mixture in refrigerator for half an hour or in freezer for 10-15 minutes.
6.  Using a tablespoon scoop, drop cookies about an inch from one another onto prepared baking sheet.  and form each cookie into a ball shape. 
7. Roll each ball in raw sugar ,press into the center with your thumb. Bake for 10-12 minutes. 
8. While the cookies are baking, unwrap your kisses and get them ready.
9. Remove cookies from oven onto a wire rack. Wait 2 minutes.
10.  Now  gently press a kiss into the center of each cookie. Don’t touch them after this point – they will totally melt. Let cool completely.Little cracks are fine.

  

Kisses Cookies

Baked Yogurt (Bhapa Doi)

This baked yogurt or Bhapa doi needs no introduction ,specially in Bengali households.You can call it Bengali cheesecake.It is same in texture like cheesecake.Very tasty and very easy to put together too. Traditionally this recipe is a cake which is made by steaming sweetened thick yogurt.But in our modern kitchen to simplify the process we bake the yogurt in water to give the same taste and texture to this delicious dessert.

For the traditionally  baked yogurt they use earthen pots to serve it .In our kitchen we can use any ovenproof dish or ramekins to make single serve portions.Since i did not have ramekins and wanted to make mine in single serve portions ,I made these single serve aluminium foil cups.We Indians are always good in 'JUGAAD'.Although I was very much skeptical before using my foil cups but they really worked well and solved my purpose.

Ingredients

500 gms  Yogurt (hung yogurt or Greek yogurt)

 1 can or 394gms Condensed Milk

4 Green Cardamons (powdered)

Few strands of Saffron

1 -2 tbsp milk 

few pistachios and chirongi nuts to garnish

Method

• Preheat the oven to 190 C or 350 degree F.
• Soak saffron strands in warm milk and keep aside.
• Meantime, mix yogurt and condensed milk in a bowl and mix well with a whisk until smooth.
• Add cardamon powder in yogurt mixture along with saffron infused milk.
• Pour this yogurt mixture into 6 ramekins or an oven safe dish.I used my foil cups.
• In a big baking tray, place these ramekins and fill it with hot water until 2/3 of the ramekins are inserted in the water.
• Carefully place the baking tray with the ramekins in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes in a preheated oven.
• Bake it until the toothpick or knife inserted comes out clean.  Mine took 18  minutes,   Once done remove them from the oven.
• Let the Bhapa doi cool for 10 – 15 minutes.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.  This dessert  should be chilled before serving.Garnish it with nuts when ready to serve.

Easy Corn Muffin without eggs

This is a very simple but delicious muffin recipe which can be made in no time. Usually everything is available at home which goes in this recipe.Easy to make and fun to eat.This good for them too who avoid eating cakes and muffins because they are made of all purpose flour,it has very less quantity of it. These muffins are yummy and less sweet which make them ask for more....And yes they are egg less too.

  There are two things corn  muffin and corn meal bread but people consider it to be one ,on the other hand they are totally different things.cornbread never has that much sugar in it and is savory in taste not sweet.(I will post the recipe of corn bread too later.)

You don't need to take out your mixer and all for this recipe just mix the ingredient in one bowl and you are ready to bake,its that easy ...

Ingredients

Maize flour(corn meal) - 1/2 cup

All purpose flour - 1/2 cup 

Powdered sugar - 1/2 cup 

Baking powder - 3/4 tsp

Baking soda -  1/4 tsp

 Curd or sour cream - 1/2 cup

Butter - 1/4 cup 

Vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp

Tutti fruity - 1/2 cup

Method

Preheat the oven at 350 degree f and place the oven rack in the middle of the oven.

Take maize flour, refined flour, powdered sugar, baking powder and baking soda in a big bowl and mix everything together.

Add curd or sour cream, butter (room temperature) and vanilla essence in another bowl and mix.

 Now add dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix  well. add tutti-fruity  and mix.

Batter for making muffin is ready. Take muffin molds  and grease it with butter or line with muffin liners .

 Pour the mixture into it and tap it over to get the batter  even.

Bake it for 15- 20 minutes or untill the top becomes light brown and the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Place them on wire rack to cool or can have it warm as well,tastes great when warm.

Variation

Any kind of dry fruits such as chopped cashew nut ,raisins,almonds and pistachios

 goes very well with it in place of tutti fruity.

Drizzle them with some honey or maple syrup when they are still warm and serve ,they are divine.

    

Healthy twist in classic Banana Bread

BANANA BREAD

 I just love banana bread .This is so delicious with the simple flavors of banana and toasted nuts.This is a staple in my house now a days.Whenever I have over ripe banana just whip them up into a banana bread ,even now I wait for banana to turn brown soon ,so that I can make my lovely yummy banana bread over and over again.

 Classic banana breads are  delicious with nuts and lots of butter and in those we use all purpose flour too.They are good undoubtedly,but nowadays everyone so health conscious that eating it regularly is not what recommended.

 This recipe of banana bread is healthier in terms of ingredients than the classic style of banana bread.And yes you will not feel any difference in taste or texture for sure .This is so moist and flavorful ,you might not want to try any other recipe after trying this one.

 Banana bread can be a dessert ,tea time cake,breakfast with coffee or can be eaten for lunch with a salad on side.One thing which I learnt is that banana bread should be cracked in the center while breaking it means baking soda is doing its job properly.Always use a very ripe banana to get intense banana flavor in bread.    

There are so many banana bread recipe throughout the internet,they are just the same or little here and there but I found this recipe which works great for me ,low calories and with the addition of wheat flour we can add more fiber to the bread too.

Ingredients

1 cup  mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas) 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt 1/4 cup  vegetable, or corn oil 3/4 cup  light brown sugar 1 large egg or 2 large  egg whites 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 cup  all-purpose flour 1/2 cup  whole wheat flour 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or cardamon powder  1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup any nut of your choice (chopped)(walnuts,almonds,pecans or chocolate chips) Method Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).  Place the rack in the center of the oven. Spray an 8 x 4 inch (20 x 10 cm) loaf pan with a nonstick  cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix the mashed bananas with the baking soda and yogurt.( Allow to sit while you prepare the rest of the batter.)  In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, egg or egg whites (I used egg whites to make it low cal. ), and vanilla. In another large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, ground cinnamon or cardamom (I used the later one)  and salt. Then combine the banana mixture with the oil mixture and then add to the dry flours mixture. Stir just until combined.  Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips and stir in. .  Pour into the prepared pan and smooth the top.Sprinkle some nuts on top to get that toasty nut flavor.  Bake for about 45 -55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.cut into slices and enjoy.

Healthy Honey Roasted Almonds

           

                              Honey Roasted Almonds

         I am Nuts about the 'nuts',ya I like them in each and every thing whatever way  I can think of cooking and having them.I usually add nuts in almost everything as curries,snacks,desserts of course,sweets,muesli,granola,cakes,salads or even in breads and there are so many other things which I could not remember right now for sure....

         These Honey roasted almonds should come with a Warning !They are very addicting.....If they are there in your house ,you can't just have enough of them.And ya who does not like roasted nuts.These almonds are perfect for anytime snacking and healthy too.Basically you can honey roast any nuts and they tastes yummy ,be it walnut,cashew nut,pecans or even peanuts.only the roasting time will varies depending on the nuts which you are going to make.They smell amazing and tastes so good as they smell.


         These are perfect for those office hunger pangs which comes between before lunch or before leaving the office in the evening ,just munch on it.These are also a good option for children snacks box who does not like to eat plain nut ,they will surely munch on these sweeties....and yes they are healthy too,much better from what  we get from the stores.

Honey Roasted Almonds

Ingredients

2 cups Almonds
1/3 cup  honey
1 tsp sea salt

Method

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 

Place the almonds in a bowl. 

Warm the honey just so it liquid and pour it over the almonds. 

Mix well so that all the almonds are covered well. 

Spread the almond/honey mixture onto a parchment lined baking pan. 

Sprinkle sea salt over the top. 

Bake for around 15-25 minutes shaking the almonds every few minutes to prevent burning one side.  That is it.  

Let them cool in baking pan and then munch on these.

             

Variation

Almonds can be roast before adding in the honey as well for 5 minutes or untill fragrant.
For spicy nut you can add cayenne pepper,black pepper,cloves power or little bit of nutmeg powder.for more variation can add cinnamon or even cardamon powder in the honey. 

A New beginning with something Sweet....... Swiss Roll (Jam Roll)

           

                                SWISS ROLL (Jam Roll/Roulade/Jelly Roll) 

 This is my first post,ya you read it right .First post after four years, but it does not mean that I was totally out of this blogging world ,I was always there checking my fellow bloggers blog and experimenting with food but was not able to update my blog for some reasons.

 Actually in order to revive my blog again I was looking for some sweet recipes ,sweet but not unhealthy like people consider sweets to be, specially when it comes to cakes and pastries ,they are loaded with butter and cream.But this recipe is totally different as there is not even a drop of oil in it,still it is very soft ,spongy and oh! so tasty.....yum...

  There are so many recipes of Swiss roll available in cook books as well as internet,some says to use lots of fats,some says use of corn flour or some says to use sugar syrup while rolling but personally after so many trial and errors ,I came on this recipe which neither has lots of fats nor sugar syrup which makes it soggy rather then soft what I feel.

Swiss rolls are so versatile ,one can use whatever filling you like  .Some suggestions are any kind of  jam,chocolate Ganache,lemon curd,whipped cream(which i used in my recipe below),cream cheese,nutella,any dry fruits and so many other filling the possibilities are endless........the idea is to just get your sponge sheets (cake) right.

Add caption

 Ingredients

4 large eggs

1 large  egg yolk

1/3 cup  sifted All purpose flour+ 3 tbsp (if not using cornflour)

3 tablespoons  cornstarch(corn flour)(optional,i did not use)

1/2 cup  + 1 tablespoon  granulated white sugar(divided)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla  extract

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar or salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

For Filling

1 cup  heavy Whipping cream

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup  granulated white sugar

3 tablespoon grated coconut flakes (optional)

1-2 tablespoon tutti fruity(optional)

Method

For Sponge Cake:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) and place oven rack in  the center of the oven.
 Butter, or spray with a nonstick vegetable spray, a 17x12 inch (43x30 cm) baking pan, line it with parchment paper, and then butter and flour the paper (or spray with a nonstick vegetable/flour spray).

While the eggs are still cold separate two of the eggs, placing the yolks in one bowl and the whites in another bowl. To the yolks, add the additional yolk, and the two remaining eggs.  Allow the eggs to come to room temperature.

 Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk the flour with the cornstarch (If using) and baking powder.

Beat the egg yolks and whole eggs, along with 1/2 cup  of the sugar on high speed for five minutes, or until thick, pale yellow, and fluffy.

 Then add the vanilla extract.Sift half the flour mixture over the beaten egg mixture and fold in gently with a rubber spatula, just until the flour is incorporated. Sift the remaining flour mixture into the batter and fold in.

(do it in 2-3 batches,slowly folding and adding flour)

In a clean bowl, , beat the remaining egg whites until foamy. Add the cream of tartar or salt and continue beating until soft peaks form. Sprinkle in the remaining one tablespoon sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

 Gently fold a little of the whites into the above flour batter to lighten it, and then add the rest of the whites. Pour the batter into prepared sheet pan, spreading evenly with  spatula or spoon

. Bake for about 6-8 minutes or until golden brown and when lightly pressed, springs back

.Immediately upon removing the cake from the oven sprinkle with powdered sugar and then invert the cake onto a clean dish towel. Remove the parchment paper, sprinkle with confectioners sugar, and roll up the sponge, with it.Place on a wire rack to cool for at least half an hour.

Filling

 Place your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for at least 15 minutes. Then place the whipping cream, vanilla extract, and sugar into the bowl and beat until stiff peaks form.(sugar according to your taste if want more sweet add some more ,i like mine less sweet) add in little food color if desired.

Assembling

Unroll the sponge sheet, spread with the whipped cream,sprinkle coconut flakes , tutti fruity and re roll without the towel this time.

 Cover and chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or at least an hour.

Just before serving sprinkle with confectioners sugar and cut into round pieces.

  

Moong dal Halwa

Moong dal halwa is a well known sweet specially from the state of Rajasthan.Its rich and creamy in
taste and people use to enjoy it as dessert in winters after dinner.Its full of energy also as it contains moong dal and lots of pure ghee ,so recommended for weak people too.

Ingredients-

Split Moong dal - 1/2 cup
Pure Ghee or Unsalted butter- 1/2 cup
Sugar - little less than 1 cup or according to taste
Cardamom powder- 1/4 tsp
Saffron a pinch
Water - 2 cups
Few almonds silvers fore garnishing

Method

1- Wash and soak dal in water for about 3-4 hours.
2-Drain dal and grind it into smooth paste just adding little water.
3-In a heavy kadai or non stick pan add ghee and dal paste and mix well,turn on the gas at medium heat.
4-Stir continuously as dal tends to stick at the bottom of the pan,press it gently with spatula and keep stirring the paste for about 15-20 minutes or untill a sweet aroma comes out of it.
5-In another pan mix sugar and water and boil for 4-5 minutes.Add saffron and cardamom powder and keep it aside.
6-After sweet aroma comes out of the dal paste add this sugar syrup to it slowly .keep string well and cover for 2-3 minutes.
7-Remove the lid and stir it if more water is there untill the desired consistency .
8-Switch off the gas and serve it warm ,garnished with silvered almonds.

One more click to tempt you more...............Enjoy.

Microwave quick Mango Burfi

Here I am with one more mango recipe,this is quick ,easy and delicious . This is also a perfect recipe for fast (vrat)days .


Ingredients --

Mango Puree - 1/2 cup (sweetened)
Milk powder- 1/4 cup
Coconut Shreds -1/2 cup (I used frozen)
Sugar  - 4 tbsp (according to taste)
Cardamom Powder- 1/2 tbsp
Almond - 6-7 (halves for garnishing)


Method--

1-Mix Mango Puree and milk powder in a big microwave safe bowl and microwave it for 2 minutes.
2-Stir and microwave it for 1-2 more minutes.
3-Now add thawed coconut shreds in it and microwave it till thick (about 6-8 minutes) ,keep stirring after every 2 minutes.
4-Now add sugar mix and microwave it for 2 more minutes.
5- Add cardamom powder and microwave it for 1 minute .
6-Grease a plate with little butter or ghee .
7-Pour the mix in greased plate to set for about 1 hour at least.
8-Cut it in square or diamond shape and garnish with almonds halves for each piece.

Naan Khatai

I think we all are aware of Naan khatai ,these sweet biscuits with butter and cardamom are divine.First of all these are eggless biscuits and tasty too.I was looking for traditional naan khatai recipe since so long and I found it in Manjulas kitchen .com .I followed her recipe as it is and it turned out awesome ,my whole kitchen filled with sweet aroma of butter and cardamom .I am giving written recipe here but if you want you can check out the video at Manjulas kitchen.com.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup fine  semolina
• 1/2 cup gram flour
• Pinch of baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon green cardamom seeds 
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp almond silvers

Method-

1-Mix all purpose flour,gram flour,semolina ,baking powder and cardamom seeds (reserve some ) and set aside.

2-Beat sugar and butter in a bowl till creamy and light.

3-Preheat the oven at 375 degrees F.

4-Add flour mixer and sugar  mixer together and knead it gently to form a dough.

5-Grease the baking tray with little butter.

6-Divide the dough into equal size and garnish them with cardamom seeds and almond silvers.(press garnishing  a little bit so that it will stick)

7-Bake them in preheated oven for about 15-16 minutes (check every minute after 10 minutes) till lightly golden brown.

8-Let them cool down and enjoy...............

Blackberry & Raspberry Muffins

Yesterday some friends were coming over at my house so i was thinking of  making something special .I had two boxes of raspberry and blackberry lying in my refrigerator so decided  to bake some muffins.It was my first attempt but believe me ,they came out so well that they (my friends) were thinking that these are store brought.I also added less egg as i don't like the prominent  taste of  eggs which use to come from store brought muffins.


Ingredients

1/4 cup butter
 1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups all purpose  flour, divided
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 pinch of baking soda
11/2 cup milk
1 cup blackberries and raspberries mixed




Method-


1-In a large bowl cream butter with sugar and egg.

2-Reserve 2 tbsp flour and combine remaining with baking soda,salt and baking powder add milk and vanilla and mix.

3-Preheat the oven at 400 degree f.

4-Now add the milk and flour mixture into creamy butter and sugar mixute,mix it well.

5-Sprinkle remaining flour (2 tbsp) on berries and mix them lightly.

6-Fold berries into muffin mixture gently.

7-Grease muffin pan or use liners .(i used liners)

8-Fill each muffin cup 3/4 and sprikle some nuts (cashew nut,almond,raisins,pistachio etc)  as garnish (i used raisins).

 

 9-Bake 20-25 minutes until done ,keep checking every 5 minutes.

10-Remove from oven and let them cool on cooling rack and enjoy.

Microwave Sweet Saffron rice (Zarda)

Sweet Rice is a traditional dish of festivals in our house.My grandmother use to make it on 'Basant Panchmi' festival mainly.she use to make it in her own traditional way(on stove top),but i tried it in my Microwave and it came out perfectly well.Microwave sweet rice is a easy,quick one pot meal ,a perfect dessert after any meal .  

The look and smell of saffron rice is delicious and tempting. It can be serve  cold or warm. (we like it warm)

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup basmati  rice
2 tbsp ghee or butter
1  cup water
2 tbsp milk
1/4cup sugar or more
Few  saffron threads
1/2 teaspoon coarsely crushed cardamom seeds
3 tbsp  pistachios,Melon seeds,and cashews and almonds (few for garnishing)
10-14 raisins 
 1/2 tsp turmeric

Method-

1-Soak rice in water for at least 1/2 hour.

2-soak saffron threads and turmeric in milk and keep aside.

3-Cook rice in microwave with water for 10 minutes,stir occasionally after every 2-3 minutes.

4-Strain access water (if any)  and leave rice for 10 minutes.

5-Add saffron-turmeric  milk and microwave for 2 minutes.

6-Now add sugar and cardamon and microwave for 2-3 more minutes.

7-Add ghee or butter along with all dry fruits and microwave it for one more minute.

8-Sweet Saffron rice is ready,serve it warm or cold by garnishing it with few more dry fruits on top.  

                                                                                                                   

                                                         

Mango pie

Its Summer.......and along with all fun ,Mango season is also around the corner.The king of fruit,juicy and tasty Mango......we love it....in all forms either mango milk shake,mango burfi or mango ice cream or anything else.


Here I am going to give you the recipe of Mango Pie which is very quick and tasty.

Ingredients

Mango pulp 2 cups (sweetened) 


Unflavored Gelatin 1 envelope

Cream Cheese 2 tbsp


Pie crust (store brought,desired size)


water  1/2 cup

Method

1-Dissolve unflavored gelatin in water and whisk it vigorously ,until foamy .

2-Then add cream cheese and whisk till dissolve.

3-Add Mango pulp to it and mix it well and pour it into pie crust evenly.(pour some more mango pulp over if needed)

4-Keep it in the refrigerator to set for at least 3 hours.

5- Cut it and drizzle some mango pulp over it and serve  .


NOTE- 1-Unflavored Gelatin is available in almost all grocery stores.

            2-You can also serve it with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.  

I am sending it to Torview's Cold Desserts Event.