Feline Musings

I, however, have continued to experiment with baking and I decided that the best way to get back to blogging was share this approved recipe …

Baking is addictive. Having experimenting with various cakes over the weekends, I finally decided to move on to the next stage in sinful culinary mechanisms – decorating the cake. As always the first favorite is anything to do with chocolate and I experimented with chocolate glaze this weekend. I first baked the tried and tested Coffee-Cinnamon-Vanilla Cake and then followed this recipe for the glaze ….

I ensured that the eggs and milk were at room temperature. Instead of a hand-blender, I use the juicer can of my mixer to whisk together the ingredients. It was less messy and a time-saver, while also giving the required creamy texture to the cake batter. Another oft repeated baking tip that I kept in mind, was to first whisk the wet ingredients, and add the flour after the creamy mixture was ready. Pre-heating the oven is another important tip to remember.

I now saw half a broccoli, one capsicum and three beetroots on the verge of losing their freshness. Having washed and set them aside, I logged onto the internet to gather some ideas on what I can do with these and came up with two exciting recipes on www.samai.in. I selected Grilled Broccoli and Beetroot Halwa for my experiments. Though I replicated the recipes with ease, I had to tweak some of the measurements in the Halwa and instead of grilling; I baked the Broccoli and also noted the exact baking time. So, here are exclusive pictures of my culinary adventures and the tweaked recipes.

Alternatively, you can separately prepare steamed rice and then mix the vegetables, or can even use left-over rice. All in all- this dish is ready within 15 minutes. Experimental cooks can put in a variety of vegetables like finely chopped carrot, capsicum, cabbage, peas and can also use Manchurian or oyster sauce.

Having added a new microwave to our kitchen appliances on our anniversary, I have been experimenting with cooking using the microwave. One of the latest recipes that came out well was on December 31st and it was Spinach, Pea and Cheese Macaroni in White Sauce. Hubby found that it went delightful well with Red wine because of the softly melted cheese and garlicky flavor. Here’s the recipe for the same

Cut the aubergine into 16 wedges, and microwave on full power for 2 minutes with pinch of salt, half a teaspoon oil and one teaspoon water.

Its a weekend and the experimenting cook strikes again. This time the experiment is inspired by the continental breakfast at Raja Cafe in Khajuraho, an establishment owned and managed by two Swiss ladies. When hubby and friends enjoyed pancakes for breakfast, I knew it would be my next experiment at home, and this Sunday I served [...]

This recipe is half-brain wave and half-inspired by internet research.

This is a perfect accompaniment to White Wine. So, pop the cork and enjoy a mid-afternoon lazy Sunday with fried liver. I am doing the same at this moment, and reminiscing on the good old days of singledom and freaky friends.

Add the almond-milk mix to the sugar syrup and continue to cook on medium heat. While the almond-sugar mix cooks on medium heat, continue to stir and add the ghee one tablespoon at a time. Continue to stir and allow to cook at least for 45 minutes or till the halwa comes of the pan easily onto your spatula.

I am always on the lookout for healthy, quick and filling breakfast options and I found two great recipes using yellow Moong dal – Bedmi puri (puffed Indian bread) and Moong dal chilla (crepes). For both these options you have to soak the Moong dal for two hours and then grind with a little water to make a smooth paste.

Today, I tried making parathas with spicy gram flour fillings and it came out well. The stuffing can also be used to make Kachoris. Here’s the recipe:

I cribbed about cooking in the humidity and the heat. Hubby decided to make life easier for me and brought in a loaf of bread; a rarity in our home. I guiltily served bread and omelets for breakfast and stashed away the remaining loaf into the fridge. It was parathas again for breakfast the next [...]

To prepare both the recipes you first need to boil the colocasia- three whistles on high heat and one on low when using a pressure cooker. Allow the colocasia to cool and then peel off the skin.