Eggless MnM Muffins

It's a Rose Day and without sweets there is no celebration! So, celebrate the pretty gloom and say what you feel with lovely roses and of course with sweets...... for today's occasion here comes the Mn M's Muffins!! Rose day - the first day of valentine week. All you beautiful people enjoy your day with full joy.

My day also started great with a surprise :)) Now when I am writing, I am still smiling for the moment that I had in the morning. 

Today when I got up, I found a pretty note lying next to my pillow "My Beautiful Rose!" I opened it and there was more..... "Roses are beautiful, but none as you....Happy Rose Day :))!" I was totally surprised because I haven't had it anywhere close to my mind. Then when my husband was leaving for office, he told that today we'll go out for dinner. I thought now its my turn to surprise him. Therefore, I decided to cook something delicious. The menu I planned for the day is "Onion Kulcha, Kashmiri Dum Aloo, Masala Papad Salad and Muffins". Everything is done other than Kulcha. I am planning to prepare it fresh around dinner. And going to post this draft in the late evening hours after dinner surprise. I don't want to take a chance what if my husband ll open my blog on his phone...who knows ;)) 

This muffin recipe I prepared first time for our friend (Vishal')s birthday. I saved few muffins for my husband to try. When I tasted, I realized muffins were having little bitterness and also less sweet in taste. However, my husband loved it other than cinnamon sugar pecans that I added. He doesn't like nuts in brownies or muffins. Although he is a big fan of chocolate Mn M's the way I am of ferrerorocher. Therefore, I added baking Mn M's in the muffins. Today I prepared the same recipe with a tweak. 

Here's the recipe for the simple, tasty and with less ingredients muffins.

Ingredients:

1. All-purpose flour - 1 cup
2. Sugar - 1/2 cup
3. Baking powder - 1 tsp
4. Mn M's - 1/2 cup
5. Flax meal -  1 tsp
6. Olive oil - 1/4 cup
7. Orange juice (freshly squeezed) - 1/2 cup
8. Orange zest - 1/4 tsp
9. Water - 1/4 cup

Method:

1. Mix flour, sugar, and baking powder in a bowl.
2. Separately dissolve flax meal and water. 
3. Now whisk it with oil and juice. 
4. Prepare batter with mixing the dry & wet ingredients.
5. Now add Mn M's & orange zest in the batter.
6. Grease the muffin liner and pour the batter into it.
7. Shift the muffin tray in the preheated oven at 375 degrees temp for 18-22 mins.
8. Insert a toothpick, it should come out clean.
9. Take out the tray and let it cool for few minutes and then transfer the muffins on the cooling rack.
10. You can enjoy it warm or put it in an air-tight container once it comes to a room temp and have it for a week with a cool whip or home-made frosting

Tips:

1. Last time I used the store-bought Tropicana orange juice and today I used freshly squeezed one and you can feel the difference in the taste. But you can use it if that's handy.
2. I baked with granulated sugar instead of brown sugar because it's over in my pantry. But I prefer brown sugar.
3. You can add fruits or nuts. When I tried last time I used cinnamon sugar candied pecans (I will add my recipe soon) because I love nuts. Unfortunately, my husband is not a big fan of nuts. And today I prepared especially for him..so NO NUTS ;)

Dal Baati & Churma - Rajasthani Delicacy!

Dal Baati Churma is a very popular Rajasthani food. This is one of my most loving dish. I don't really remember that I always have the liking or it developed with time. As I stayed in Jaipur, Rajasthan for ten years. For every special occasion this is counted as a special menu. Chokhi Dhani is the best place to enjoy rajasthani delicacies.

Dal Baati Churma is considered as one whole meal. Dal (Lentils) Baati (Whole wheat stuffed dumplings) Churma(Baked crushed whole wheat).

The below recipe is just like my mom makes it. The only difference is, she uses tandoor for Baati and I use Oven.

Ingredients:

Baati:

1. Wheat flour - 2 cups
2. Semolina - 1/2 cup
3. Gram flour - 1/4 cup
4. Ghee (clarified butter) - 1/2 cup
5. Yogurt - 1/2 cup
6. Baking Powder - 1/2 tsp (optional)
7. Salt as per taste
8. Water (lukewarm) as per requirement

Stuffing:

1. Boiled Potato (Mashed) - 4 medium 
2. Green Chilli - 2 chopped
3. Red Chilli - as per taste
4. Mango Powder - 1/4 tsp
5. Pomegranate seeds - 1 tsp
6. Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
7. Salt - as per taste
8. Cilantro - chopped (optional)

Dal:

1. Bengal Gram (Chana) - 1/2 cup
2. Green Gram (Moong) - 1/4 cup
3. Split Black Gram (Urad) - 1/4 cup
4. Yellow Pigeon Peas (Arhar) - 1/2 cup
5. Ghee - 2 tbsp
6. Asofetida - pinch
7. Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
8. Dried Red Chilli - 3
9. Tomato - 3 medium chopped
10. Green Chilli - 2 chopped
11. Ginger - 1/2 inch minced
12. Garlic - 3 cloves minced
13. Red Chilli - 1/2 tsp
14. Turmeric - 1tsp
15. Coriander powder - 1tsp
16. Mango Powder - 1/2 tsp
17. Garam Masala - 1 tsp
18. Cilantro - chopped
19. Salt - as per taste
20. Water
21. Lemon juice - freshly squeezed

Churma:

1. Wheat flour - 2 cups
2. Semolina - 1/4 cup
3. Ghee (melted clarified butter) - 1 cup
4. Baking Powder - 1/4 tsp (optional)
5. Water (lukewarm) as per requirement
6. Sugar - 2 cups
7. Dry Fruits (Cashews, Almonds, Raisins, Cardamon powder)

Method:

Stuffed Baati:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients.
2. Now add yogurt & ghee and kneed it.
3. Slowly add lukewarm water to make it a dough (stiff).
4. Kneed it for 5 mins. Cover it and let it sit for 30 mins.
5. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.
6. Mix well all the filling ingredients and keep aside the mixture.
7. Rub oil on your palms and make small balls.
8. Do the stuffing and close it.
9. Shift it into the oven and bake it for 40 mins.
10. Take it out brush it with ghee and serve it hot.

Dal:

1. Wash and soak the lentils for an hour with double amount of water.
2. Pressure cook lentils with salt for 1 whistle and let it sim for few minutes.
3. Heat the ghee in a pan. Add asofetida, cumin, dried red chillis.
4. Once it crackles, add green chilli, ginger, garlic and fry it until it becomes light brown.
5. Now add tomatoes and mix little salt in it. 
6. Let it cook for few minutes. Then add chilli powder, turmeric, coriander.
7. Fry it until it leavens some oil in the sides. That means tomatoes are cooked.
8. Add the cooked dal, mango powder and garam masala. 
9. Bring it to boil and add water for the right consistency. Switch off the stove
10. Add lemon juice and garnish the dal with freshly chopped cilantro and cover it for few mins.
11. Your dal is ready to be served with baati, rice, chapati, or parantha.

Churma:

1. Kneed the dough with the (1-4) items just like baatis.
2. Divide the dough into small balls and press it between your palms.
3. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees and bake it for 40 mins.
4. Let it cool and then coarsely grind the pressed balls. 
5. Then add coarsely chopped dry fruits and sugar.
6. Now mix them all together and add some melted ghee which is optional just for taste.
7. Store it in an air tight container and refrigerate. You can enjoy it for 3-4 weeks.
8. Serve it with Dal Baati or have it just like a dessert.

Substitutions:

1. You can make churma laddoo instead of Churma by adding extra melted ghee.
2. Jaggery can be substituted for sugar.
3. Coconut can be added if you like.
4. Olive Oil can be used instead of ghee. There will be little taste difference but it will be healthy.

Tips:

1. My baati and churma dumplings took 40 mins to bake. But it all depends on the oven temp.

Cheese & Garlic Naan

Naan is a yummy oven-baked flat bread. Traditionally, naan bread is baked in a tandoori (clay oven). The dough is pushed on to the sides of the clay oven and bakes in a minute. Naan bread is made from grains which are ground into flour, combined with salt, water, sugar, yeast, and oil.

Naan, a very popular Indian dish for any occasion. Either someone is coming home for a formal dinner or you want to celebrate something, this is a must item in the menu. It is served with a variety of lentils & vegetables. My husband's favorites are Dum Aloo (Stuffed Potato Curry), Malai Kofta (Cheese Dumplings) Curry, Paneer Pasanda (Stuffed Cheese Curry), Dal Makhani (Whole Black Gram Lentil with Kidney Beans). It can be served plain or stuffed with cheese, potato, garlic, onion, etc. I made it plain and did topping with Indian cheese, garlic, and Cilantro.

Baking a great tasting naan at home is not hard and perfect for any gathering. Ghee, a clarified butter is my secret ingredient to make it moist and soft. You can use the leftover in the form of baked pizza or grilled sandwich.

Ingredients:

1. All purpose flour - 5 cups
2. Water - 1 cup
3. Yogurt - 10 tbsp
4. Sugar - 4 tsp
5. Salt - 2 tsp
6. Ghee melted - 5 tbsp
7. Dry active yeast - 2 tsp

Topping:

1. Minced or chopped Garlic - 3 cloves
2. Fresh chopped Cilantro - 5 tsp
3. Shredded Cheese - 5 tsp
4. Ghee / Butter - as per taste

Method:

Dough

1. In a lukewarm water add sugar and yeast and let it sit for few minutes to be frothy.
2. Mix flour and salt. 
3. Make a well in the center the add ghee, yogurt and yeast liquid. Kneed it to form a dough.
4. Kneed the dough for 5 mins until it is smooth and uniform.
5. Cover it and let it rest for few hours until it becomes double in its size.
6. Kneed it again and mix in the topping or you can fill it before rolling. (I filled it in)

Rolling Naan

1. Turn on the oven and set the temperature on broil.
2. Divide the dough into 5 equal parts.
3. Stretch it and fill in the toppings and close it.
4. Using the flour roll the dough flat into your preferable shape. I like triangle Naan.
5. Place the Naan in a lightly greased baking sheet (I used Pizza pan).
6. Brush it with some Ghee and shift it in the oven for 2 mins. 
7. Keep an eye on it. The oven temp may vary. 
8. It puffs right away and you can see the color change.
9. Take it out. Brush it with butter and it is ready to serve.
10. Enjoy it with your favorite curry.

Substitutions:

1. Sugar can be substituted by Honey.
2. You can hand-stretch the dough instead of rolling.
3. Topping Ghee can be substituted with butter.
4. You can use Pizza stone if you have and preheat it for the better char.
5. You can fold the almonds, coconut, raisins in the dough to enjoy Peshawari Naan.
6. Fold some chopped cooked soy nuggets to enjoy vegetarian Keema Naam.
7. Add onions, potato, any thing you family loves.

Tips:

1. Increase more sugar if you like sweet.
2. Put the dough somewhere warm. (I put it in the oven and switch-on the oven light)

Sweet Saffron Rice

This is a special offering to Goddess Saraswati on the very auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami. It is believed that on this day goddess Saraswati was born who showers the wealth of knowledge.  

"When winter comes, can spring be far behind?" asked P B Shelley. 

Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of spring and falls on the fifth day of Maagh (Hindi Month) each year. The word 'Vasant' means spring and 'Panchmi' denotes the fifth day on which the festival falls. Spring means pleasant weather, free from the scorching heat, the cold bites or dodgy rains. It is therefore crowned as the king of all seasons. 

The scintillating yellow colour holds great importance on this day. The color of Basant (Spring) is yellow, also known as the 'Basanti' colour. It symbolizes prosperity, light, energy and optimism. This is the reason why people wear yellow clothes and make traditional delicacies in yellow hues. 

On the day of Basant Panchami a log with a figure of Holika is placed in a public place. During the next 40 days, devotees add twigs and other flammable material to form a pyre which is lit on Holi. Kite flying, the popular sport of India, is associated with the festival of Basant Panchami. Especially in north India, the kite flying tradition has been given great importance. 

Indian festivals are incomplete without traditional sweets. On this day we offer sweet saffron rice also called "pile meethe chawal" in Hindi. This traditional sweet dish made with rice, sugar, milk, saffron and dryfruits.

Ingredients:

1. Basmati Rice - 1cup
2. Ghee - 1 tbsp
3. Water - 2 cup
4. Milk - 1 tbsp
5. Sugar - 1/2 cup
6. Saffron - 1 tsp
7. Cardamon - 1/2 tsp
8. Dry Fruits (Almond sliced, Cashews, Chironji, Raisins) - 1 cup

Method:

1. Wash and soak  rice for 20- 30 mins.
2. In a ghee, roast the dry fruits of your choice.Then add rice and fry it for few minutes.
3. Add 1 cup of water to the rice and let it cook for 7 mins. Keep an eye on it as it is cooking in half of the water.
4. Add 1 cup of water, sugar, cardamon and make it boiled syrup. 
5. Soak saffron in warm milk. Then mix it in the syrup.
6. When rice is half cooked add the syrup to it and let it cook for 8-9 mins.
7. Sweet Saffron Rice is ready to serve.

Substitutions:

1. Sugar can be substituted by jaggery.
2. You can try mixing sugar directly instead of making syrup.

Tips:

1. Increase more sugar if you like really sweet.
2. Do not hesitate to try the dry fruits of your choice.  Try sliced coconuts if you like coconut.

Mango Thin Sliced Bread

This is home baked bread and a very basic mango flavored bread recipe. I love making fresh breads for my family. Its hygienic, nutritious. Moreover, I know whats going in there. You can save it in a refrigerator for a week or freeze it for months and eat it whenever you feel like. Just take it out and microwave it for 2 minutes and your sweet tooth will say Thank you :) to you. You can try your own flavor and enjoy it. The texture is so good that I feel like sending it to my parents. My mom-in-law is a huge fan of my baking. Just try it this is very simple and delicious recipe.

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Ingredients:

1. Bread flour - 3 cups
2. Mango Puree - 3 cups
3. Baking Soda - 1 tsp
4. Baking Powder - 4 tsp
5. Sugar - 1 1/2 cups 
6. Olive Oil - 3/4 cup
7. Vanilla extract - 2 tsp
8. Salt - 1/2 tsp
9. Cinnamon or nutmeg (optional) - 1/2 tsp

Method:

1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Put parchment paper in the loaf pan or spray it with oil.
3. Mix the flour with baking soda, cinnamon, salt and sugar.
4. Whisk mango puree, olive oil, vanilla extract together.
5. Now mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients.
6. Just mix it do not beat it. 
7. Shift the batter in the loaf pan.
8. Bake for 50-60 mins. Time may vary according to oven.
9. Insert tooth pic and if it comes out clean. It means you bread is ready.
10. Let it cool for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to the wire rack.
11. Cut it into slices and enjoy it with tea or eat it as a dessert.

Substitutions:.

1. Bread flour can be replaced by all-purpose flour.
2. Olive oil can be replaced by any oil or Butter. However I prefer olive oil in cooking. Its healthy & tasty.
3. Mango puree can be substituted with water or milk.
4. If you like, you can add mango chunks 1 1/2 cups.
5. Adding nuts (3/4 cup) will be a option if you are not allergic.
6. Dry yeast (1/4 tbsp) can be used instead of baking soda. But you need to dissolve it in warm water and let it sit for 10 mins to be frothy.

Tips:

1. Reduce Sugar if you like less sweet. I ll do 1 cup next time.

Lettuce Wrapped Salad

Lettuce wrapped salad is a healthy alternative meal or you can make this as a simple side. These are easy, light and super tasty dish with full of colorful vegetables. This also has a antioxidant-rich dried cranberries. This is a great and healthy substitute for Tacos with a fresh and crispy lettuce leaves. I love to serve this because it has a great source of protein and we are vegetarians with no eggs. My husband and I were never been a huge fan of salads, but when we started trying with variety of combinations, we started liking it. And now my husband can live on my homemade salads.  

We can do it with whatever vegetables we like. Add tofu or cheese (indian cheese) for extra flavor and it will make you full for longer. Make dressing according to your taste. If you like tangy flavor go for ranch dressing, creamy flavor go for caesar dressing, vinegratte, honey mustard, french, italian and make it in a way you like.

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Ingredients:

1. Edamame shelled frozen - 2 cups
2. Cranberries dried - 1/4 cup
3. Corn kennels frozen -2 tbsp
4. Carrots diced - 1 cup
5. Onion diced - 1/2 cup (optional)
6. Red pepper - 1/2 cup (optional)
7. Basil fresh - 1/4 cup (optional)
8. Olive Oil - 2 tbsp
9. Sugar - 1/2 tsp
10. Basil dried - 1 tbsp
11. White vinegar - 2 tbsp
12. Salt and black pepper

Method:

1. Cook edamame and corn for 5 mins in a boiling water and then drain and rinse it under a cold water.
2. Toss all the vegetables in a salad bowl from step (1 - 7).
3. Pour an olive oil in a cup and slowly add white vinegar and sugar and then whisk it.
4. Keep the dressing for 15 mins in the refrigerator.
5. Before serving toss the vegetables with the dressing add basil salt & pepper.
6. You are ready to serve it over fresh lettuce leaves.

Substitutions:

1. Olive oil can be replaced by any oil or Butter. However I prefer olive oil in cooking. Its healthy & tasty.
2. Microwave edamame and corn separately for 3 minutes.

Tips:

1. Add tofu or crumbled feta cheese on top.
2. For different dressing recipe please check my other post.

Eggless Apple Carrot Cake

 

A simple, rich and moist spice cake. It has a great flavor, texture & color and taste delicious with cream cheese frosting. Hit on the LIKE button if you like it.

Ingredients:

1. Whole Wheat Flour (King Arthur) - 2 cups
2. Baking Soda - 1 tbsp
3. Baking Powder -1 tbsp
4. Cinnamon - 1 tbsp
5. Pinch of salt
6. Yogurt - 1 1/2 cup
7. Olive Oil- 1/2 cup
8. Sugar - 1 cup
9. Pureed Carrot - 1 cup
10. 1 1/2 Apple chopped
11.  Fresh Orange Juice- 5 tbsp
12. Vanilla - 2 tbsp
13. Choclate Chips- 1/2 cup

Method:

1.  Sift together the flour, baking soda and powder and salt & cinnamon; set aside.
2. Whisk together yogurt, oil, vanilla, juice, pureed carrot and sugar well.
3. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients which we set aside earlier until the flour is combined.
4. Gently fold in the chopped apples and choclate chips.
5. Pour the batter in the cake pan and bake it on 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
6. Cool the cake in the pan for at least 5 minutes then shift to the cooling rack.
7. Enjoy it warm with cream cheese frosting if you like.

Substitutions:

1.  Olive oil can be replaced by canola oil or Butter
2.  Orange Juice or water or cow milk  anything is fine
3.  Choclate chips can be substitued by butterfinger chips, walnuts , or pecans
4. Pureed carrot can be switched with heap of shredded carrots
5. Cinnamon powder can be replaced by all spice powder or pumpin pie spice

Tips:

1. Add a tablespoon of cinnamon if you like
2.  Cooking time may vary it depends on the oven
3.  Liquid quantity can be varied according to your cup size