Raw mango chutney

This is a mouth watering chutney, that all should make every year, atleast once. Its very simple and a favourite of all in the family. Takes 45 mins to an hour to make, depending on the quantity you are making. And, as an added bonus for the health freaks, there is no oil in it.

Take
1 kg of raw mangoes, that are firm. Grate them finely, after peeling them.
Once grated take sugar equivalent to the amount of grated mangoes.
Dry fruits like finely sliced almonds, raisins and and fine slices of dried coconut are optional.
1 tsp of deghi mirch ( red chilli )
1 tsp salt
Garam masalas- 1 stick of cinnamon, 2-3 elaichi
1/2 tsp garam masala powder

In a broad and thick based wok put the mangoes and sugar. Keep stirring on high flame. Now add the cinnamon and elaichi. Once the sugar starts bubbling, lower the heat and cover it. Keep stirring at regular intervals.

Soon the sugar will melt and become transparent. Add the dry fruits, chilli, garam masala and salt. Cook for some more time.  Now do the -

Chutney Test- Take tea spoon of chutney on a plate and hold it at a slant. If the chutney rushes down, then it needs to be cooked more. If it sticks to the plate and comes down slowly, then it is ready.

Once ready, now squeeze the juice of a full lemon in the wok and cook for a few minutes more on slow flame. Now, switch off the gas and store in a dry, glass bottle, once its cool. Enjoy ! 

Easy Cake Recipe

I can certify with full conviction that my mother is fantastic at baking cakes. She has been making them since i was a kid and continues to enjoy doing it, even today. Her walnut and date cake is to die for and marble cake a feast for the eyes. Hence, when i share this basic recipe of hers with you, be sure to follow it blindly. Its the basic structure of the cake, which can be further modified. I have tried making cakes in the microwave, but the taste and colour you get from baking in a basic convection oven, cannot be matched. Also, for those who love to eat and not break in a sweat when you cook. There are no shortcuts to making a good cake, have loads of patience and do it on a day when you want to indulge and are relaxed. This basic recipe can be altered by adding tuti-fruti to the batter or wlanuts or cinnamon powder , the list is endless. But, first master the basic cake.

Ingredients-

Maida or flour - 1 and half cup
Oil - 1 cup
Sugar - 1 cup
Salt - 1 pinch
Baking powder - I heaped teaspoon
Vanilla essence - 3 to4 drops
Eggs - 3

In a dish break the eggs and start beating them. Now add sugar and keep beating. Add the essence.
Remember when you beat a cake, you only do it in one direction, changing directions will help the air to escape.

Add the oil and keep beating. Now separately, add the salt and baking powder to the maida. Sift it two to three times. Now, keep adding the maida in spoonfuls and keep beating.

Test for cake- When your batter is ready, lift your spoon and let it slide down, in a count of three. 
If it falls swiftly its a little loose. If it take more time, then add some milk.  


Once the batter is ready, oil your tin with some oil and sprinkle some flour all over and on the sides, to prevent the cake from sticking to the tin. At this stage, if you intend to add any nuts or other confetti to the cake, remember to roll it in some dry flour and mix it lightly after you add it to the batter. Or else all of it will settle at the bottom.

Tuti - Fruti cake with chocolate butter cream icing

Always remember to preheat your oven. Now cook this cake at 180 degrees for 1 hour and 15 mins. Remember to check with a needle or a knife, after an hour if its baking properly. Once the cake starts rising and the top starts cracking, be assured that you have a winner at hand. I made a birthday cake for my elder daughter last Friday. Sharing the pictures with you. Enjoy !

Glass noodles cold salad

I got this packet of glass noodles ( the way Sanjeev Kapoor puts it ) or rice noodles, all the way from Chandigarh. Then for months i didn't know what to do with them. Finally, i found this very easy and refreshing recipe for a salad. Surprisingly, i'm becoming a salad person. It looks extremely fancy and no it does not look like our local " sevian ", like my last guests insisted it did. All you need -

Packet of glass / rice noodles
Finely cut juliennes of carrot and cucumber ( deseeded and not peeled )
A small bowl of your choice of sprouts
Finely cut mint and dhania ( cilantro ) leaves
A tablespoon of roasted sesame seeds
About 2 tablespoons of chilly sauce and a tablespoon of lime juice
1 teaspoon of sesame oil
Shredded boiled chicken or cubes of cottage cheese or paneer optional
Small cup of sauteed mushrooms optional

Take the glass noodles and put them in a bowl. Cover them with boiling water for 15 min. Strain and run under cold water. Keep aside. Do the cutting and shredding and keep all ingredients separately in the fridge. An hour before serving, put the noodles in a bowl, add the veggies and the proteins. Now mix the sauce and the lime juice, oil and pour over it. Toss gently. Before serving sprinkle the sesame seeds over it. Its a good dish to carry for an outdoor picnic, also works nicely for a calorie conscious one. Enjoy !