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 -4 lbs
Red onions medium -3 sliced thin
Ginger & Garlic Paste-2-3  tsp (depending on your spice level)

Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Pepper Powder- 1  heaped tbs
Garam masala-1 tsp
Cumin Powder-1 tsp
Fennel Powder-1 tsp

Chili powder -1 tsp

Coriander 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

Juice of 1 Lime
Salt to taste
Turmeric Powder-1/2tsp
Chili powder-1 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 Olive 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 -25 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!