Walnut Coffee Cake lightened with Agave Nectar

Coffee Cake lightened with Agave Nectar

I enjoyed baking this evening tried some low sugar coffee cake made with agave nectar.You can bake using a mixture of all purpose flour and  wheat flour...good combination to get some extra fiber!

Ingredients
2 Cups Flour(1 Wheat & 1 All purpose)3 Eggs1 stick Butter or use 1/2 cup oil and 2 tbs apple sauce1/2 cup Sugar1/4 cup Agave Nectar1/2 cup Milk or a little more2 tsp Baking powderPinch of Salt1 tsp Vanilla essencePinch of Nutmeg 1/2 cup WalnutsOil to spray the pan

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees ,spray the  pan liberally dust with some flour.

• Separate the eggs in 2 Bowls

• Take a bowl cream the butter,egg yolks,agave nectar and sugar till nice and fluffy stir in milk and vanilla essence

• Combine the flour ,baking powder and a pinch of salt and nutmeg  fold in the fluffy butter mixture 

• Add the egg whites ,gently stir and pour into the greased pan

• Add chopped walnuts dusted with some flour liberally on the cake and bake approximately for 35- 45 minutes...or until a tooth pick comes out clean.

Coconut Milk Pilaf

Ingredients

Basmati Rice- 5 microwave cups 
Onions-1 sliced

Green Chili 6 
Ginger & Garlic paste -2 tsp
Coconut Milk -1can 
Turmeric powder-2 pinch
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves and mint leaves handful

Juice of 1 lemon or add 1 tomato diced fine 

Whole spice 

2 Cinnamon sticks
2 Cloves
1 Star Anise
2 Bay Leaves

Kalpasi a few 
Olive or Coconut oil


Method

• Soak the rice for 30 minutes drain keep aside .
• In a pan pour 2 tbs oil add the whole spices wait for it to splutter.
• Add sliced onions,wait till it gets translucent then add ginger and garlic paste,turmeric powder fry till the raw smell to goes. Then add the green chili followed by the greens (cilantro and or mint )
•  add the coconut milk diluted with some water approx 8 cups in total.
• Wait for the liquid to come to a boil add rice and check for salt.
• Close lid and  when the steam starts to escapes lower the heat,cook for 10 minutes .
• Delicious coconut rice pilaf is ready !!Garnish with fried nuts and drizzle some ghee if required!
• (To spice it a little add some green chilies to the rice along with the onions)     

Fennel and Chili Chicken Curry

Ingredients
Chicken- 3 lbs cut into pieces
Onions-3 minced
Ginger -2 inch minced
Garlic -8 cloves minced
Curry leaves- few sprigs

Fennel seed-1 tsp
Whole Red chilie -5( de - seeded)
Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Fennel powder-1 tsp
Gram masala powder-1/2 tsp

Other Ingredients
Coconut milk -1 can
water -1.5 cups
Salt to taste
Oil to fry
Cilantro leaves to garnish

Method
This is a quick and easy chicken curry .Take a chopper add onions,ginger,garlic and mince fine.
In a wok add 3 tbs olive oil or canola oil add the fennel seeds and whole red chili fry a minute or so add the minced onion,ginger,garlic followed by the turmeric and fennel powders and curry leaves.Fry for a few minutes.

Wash and rinse the chicken with some extra turmeric and salt drain and add to the masala pour approx 2 cups water let it cook for 20 minutes.Now add the coconut milk check for salt and add the garam masala for taste.Slow cook for another 10 minutes and garnish with some cilantro leaves.This curry goes well with   steaming hot white rice.

Poached Egg curry

Ingredients
Eggs-10
Onions-2
Curry leaves-few sprigs
Green Chili-2
Ginger-1 inch
Garlic -6 cloves

Curry powder-1-2 tsp
Pepper powder-1 tsp
Turmeric -1/4 tsp
Fennel powder-1 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil to fry
Coconut Milk-1/2 can diluted with some water


Whole Spices
Cinnamon stick-2
Cloves-2
Cardamom-1
Star anise-1
Bay leaf -2

Method

Take a round non stick frying pan add olive oil approx 2 tbs to the hot oil add the whole spices, wait to sputter and then add the sliced onions,chopped ginger and garlic and fry for a few minutes.Now add the curry powder,turmeric pepper powder,fennel powder,green chilie and curry leaves add 2 tbs of water fry till the raw smell goes .Add the coconut milk  diluted with more water add salt and bring to boil,reduce the flame now break the eggs one at a time and add to the coconut gravy simmer the curry for another 10 minutes till the eggs get cooked.Garnish with some more curry leaves and a handful of chopped Cilantro leaves.Check seasoning and adjust salt .

P.S -A friend suggested break the eggs in a laddle and slowly immerse into the curry wait a couple of minutes and then drop into the curry that way it stays intact!!:)

Magic Squares

Ingredients

2 cups graham wafer crumbs
1 cup condensed milk
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup un sweetened coconut flakes
1 cup walnuts crushed
1/2 cup Butter

Simple Method

Melt butter in the microwave for about 8 seconds.

In a square pan, mix graham wafer crumbs and melted butter to make a base.

Then pour condensed milk evenly over the base, add the chocolate chips, coconut, and walnuts on top.

Preheat oven to 350 F and than put in oven for about 15 minutes.

Take pan out and let it cool on counter for about 45 minutes, cut into squares and refrigerate.

Strawberry Yogurt Parfait

Ingredients

 3 (6 oz)container Lemon yogurt 
1 Tub Cool whip
1 can Mandarin oranges  
8 -10 Strawberries 
8 pecan shortbread cookies 

Prep work

• Crumble the shortbread cookies
• Slice the strawberries,drain oranges

Put the yogurt and cool whip in a bowl beat with an electric beater for approx 5 min until well blended and peaks form.

In a glass bowl or in individual parfait glasses put a layer of cookies,followed by the yogurt mixture top with fruits.

Continue to build the parfait,repeating the layers till all the ingredients are used.

Serve chilled this is a really yummy low calorie dessert!!Enjoy!

• Alter this recipe to add your favorite fresh fruits to get a different taste each time. 

Channa Masala or Chole Masala

Ingredients

2 cans Garbanzo bean drained(channa)

2 tomatoes crushed

1 onion minced fine

1/2 " Ginger chopped fine

6 cloves Garlic minced

Spices

chaat  masala 1/2 tsp(Indian store)

1 tsp cumin powder(Indian store)

1/4 tsp garam masala powder

1/4 tsp turmeric powder 

1 tsp Chili powder

1 tsp coriander powder 

salt to taste 

 2 tsp lemon juice

oil to fry 

 Cilantro to garnish

Method

In a non stick pan pour 3 tbs oil add the chopped garlic wait till it browns a little add the onion to the garlic infused oil and wait till translucent.

Add the curry powder and the tomatoes to it fry till the raw smell disappears.

Now add the drained channa and the minced ginger to it add a little water cook for 15 minutes till the channa is cooked and soft.

To get a lot of gravy I take a ladle full of the cooked channa masala run it in the blender till smooth and add it to the simmering channa it gives a good consistency.

Drizzle the lemon juice. 

Garnish with Cilantro leaves, sometimes adding a tsp of Methi gives it a great taste.

Coffee Cake

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
•  1/2 cup apple sauce

• handful semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cups nuts/walnuts/cashews/almonds 
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. 

Method

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and soda. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and 1 cup of sugar. Add eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Mix well.
3. Add the flour mixture and combine. Batter will be thick.
4. In a separate bowl, combine chocolate chips, 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
5. Spread half of the cake batter in prepared 9x13 inch pan. Sprinkle half of the chocolate chip mixture over the batter. Repeat with the remaining batter, and then the remaining chocolate chip mixture.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
7. Dust with some powdered sugar.

Homemade Vanilla Cake

Ingredients

All purpose Flour -3 cups(I sometimes add 1/2 wheat flour and 1/2 all purpose)
Sugar -2 cups
Eggs-5(separate the yolk)
Butter -2 sticks

Baking Powder-3 flat tsp
Salt-1 pinch
Vanilla Essence-1 tsp
Milk-1/3 cup or a little more

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees ,spray a 9/13 inch pan liberally dust with some flour.

Separate the eggs in 2 Bowls.

In a large bowl cream the butter,egg yolks and sugar till nice and fluffy.

Stir in Milk and Vanilla essence .

Beat the egg whites separate.

Combine the flour ,baking powder and a pinch of salt  fold in the fluffy butter mixture 

Add the egg whites ,gently stir and pour into the greased pan, smoothen the surface and bake approximately for 35- 45 minutes...or until a tooth pick comes out clean.

You can add some zucchini to it and it becomes a zucchini bread.
Add some walnuts to it and make a nutty cake!

CREAMY LINGUINE IN A SPICY SHRIMP AND SPINACH SAUCE

Ingredients

1 Package Linguine (16 oz)
1.5 Pound Shrimp(cleaned and deveined)
1 cup Fresh Spinach


Spices

•   1/2 tsp Red Chili Flakes(optional)
• 1 tsp Mrs.Dash Original spice
• Salt to taste 
• 2 tsp Pepper Powder

• 3 tsp fresh chopped Parsley
• 1 Red Onion diced
• 4 pods of Garlic minced

Other Ingredients

• 2 tbs Butter
• 1 tbs Olive oil (optional)
• 3/4th cup Milk
• 3 tbs Cream
• 1/4 cup Parmesan 
• 1 cup Mozzarella or Cheddar Cheese  (optional)  

Method

Cook the Linguine according to the directions on the box ,drain keep aside.Add 1 tbs Olive oil to keep it moist.(optional)

In a frying pan add 2 tbs butter add the onions and the garlic fry for a couple minutes all the spices add the shrimp and saute for 8-10 minutes for some extra spice I add some red chili flakes.

Add the 3/4 cup of milk and cream bring to boil,add the cooked pasta, fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese and toss it, let it simmer for a few minutes add the extra cheese if u want more ...or just garnish with the chopped Parsley.

I like adding either zucchini,corn sometime broccoli to my linguine to get the kids to eat some vegetable!:))

Chicken Pepper Fry

Chicken Pepper Fry

Ingredients

Boneless or Bone in Chicken pieces-3 lbs
Red onions medium -3 diced
Ginger & Garlic Paste-2-3  tbs(depending on your spice level)
Pepper Powder- 1  heaped tbs
Garam masala-1 tsp
Cumin Powder-1 tsp
Fennel Powder-1 tsp


Green chilies-4 slit(optional)
Curry leaves-3 sprigs
Salt to taste
Cilantro for Garnish

OIL- for  frying
Salt to taste

Marinade for the chicken

2 tbs Yogurt or Juice of 1 Lime
Salt to taste
Turmeric Powder-1/4 tsp
Chili powder-1/2 tsp
Coriander powder-1 tsp

Method

•  Clean the chicken,cut it into bite size pieces.
• Marinate the cut up Chicken for 3-4 hours in the refrigerator with the above ingredients for marinade.

• In a wok add  approximately 3 tbs Oil add the onions fry it till it browns followed with the ginger and garlic paste, fry till the raw smell goes.

• Add the pepper powder, garam masala,cumin and fennel powders, green chilies,curry leaves fry for a minute or so adding 2-3 tbs water ,you will see the oil separate on top now add the marinated chicken, salt to taste cover and  cook on medium flame for 20 minutes.                        

• Then open the lid check for salt  and open cook till all the water evaporates and each piece of chicken is coated with the spice and dry.

• Garnish with Cilantro leaves and serve hot with Roti or Rice!

Sauteed Yellow and Green squash

Ingredients

Yellow squash-3 diced
Green Squash -2 diced

Red Onions-1 minced fine
Green Chili-1 slit
Mustard Seeds-1 pinch
Cumin seeds-1/4 tsp
Crushed garlic-2 cloves
Turmeric powder-1 pinch
Cilantro leaves- chopped fine

Coconut oil-2 tsp
Shredded Coconut-2 tsp
Salt to taste
Method
In a frying pan add 2 teaspoons of coconut oil I like the flavor the oil brings out in the vegetable.Add a pinch of mustard seeds wait for it to sputter  then add the cumin seeds and minced onion and garlic.Fry till the onions are translucent, add the turmeric powder,green chili and the diced squash and salt cook covered for 7 minutes.Just before you remove from flame add the shredded coconut and chopped cilantro for garnish and serve as a side dish.