Orange cake with olive oil and vanilla butter glaze

Its time for another blog hop Wednesday....Its a very nice event started by Radhika of http://ticklingpalates.blogspot.com/ in which you have to cook a recipe from a assigned blogger's blog.........For this week, I was paired with Shafa of http://schmetterlingwords.blogspot.com....She is a blogger from Germany and blogs about food and her travel experiences....She has some awesome recipes in her blog.....I chose to make this orange cake from her collection....There were two reasons to choose this cake....Firstly it looked very tempting to me, but then a lot of her recipes looked tempting...The second reason was that one of our friends got us a big bag of these lovely oranges which I wanted to use asap.... So orange cake won over the others...She's made this wonderful cake from one of the other fellow blogger pooja's recipe who blog's at http://usmasala.blogspot.com/.....Make sure to visit her blog as well for some awesome recipes...

The cake came out very nice....It had a subtle flavor of the citrus and was very light due to the addition of olive oil instead of butter....

While the cake was in the oven, my entire house was filled with the beautiful aromas.....It was difficult to wait for the cake to get completely baked....

And do you know why is it a orange cake and not a orange and walnut cake as in Shafas blog....Welllllllll.....I chopped the walnuts and kept them on the side and was supposed to mix them in the batter before pouring the batter in to the pan....But silly me, forgot them on the slab.......Hmm.....I am sure walnuts must have added a nice crunch to the cake .....Anyways there is always a next time  and this cake surely deserves a next time..

All you need for this cake is

All purpose flour-1 cup
Walnuts-1\2 cup(chopped, I forgot to add walnuts , but strongly suggest the addition:)
Cornstarch-1\4 cup
Olive oil-4 tbsp
Baking soda-1\2 tsp
Baking powder-2 tsp
Orange juice-3\4 cup
Egg-1
Salt-1\4 tsp
Sugar-1\2 cup
Yogurt-1\4 cup
Orange zest-1 tbsp

Method of preparation

Pre heat the oven to 375 degrees
Grease and dust a loaf pan
Mix all the dry ingredients together
In a pan, add butter and sugar and beat till a smooth batter is formed
Add oil, yogurt and beat for one more minute
Add orange juice and zest
Add the dry ingredients into the mixture
Pour the batter in the pan and bake for 30-35minutes
Let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then transfer to the cooling rack

I also made a glaze for my cake...It is really easy to make and added to the taste of the cake....

All you need is

Butter-1 tbsp
Confectioner's sugar-4 tbsp
Milk- 1tbsp
Vanilla extract-1\2 tsp

Method of preparation

Melt the butter and mix all the ingredients to form a smooth mixture
Pour over the cooled cake

Creamy pasta with white sauce

Another wonderful day coming to an end....Although summers are over and fall is here, the weather in California is almost the same through out the year....To make the most of the wonderful Saturday, we headed towards Universal studios , once again....

We had a three day pass to universal studios and this was our second visit.........The park was all geared up for the Halloween...There were zombie dummies all around and they were even hosting a horror night show.....We ,not being a very big fan of the horrifying stuff opted out of the show....

Bhavye was happy to revisit King Kong and Simpsons.....He had a blast at the Curious Goerge and came out of the water only after they announced that they were closing  the park....He was very disappointed last time as he could not go to the water park because we were not carrying a cloth change for him....So this time we made sure to do that....

Yesterday I made this Pasta for lunch and both Mohit and Bhavye liked it a lot.........It's very creamy and flavorful and the addition of a lot of veggies makes it a healthy option for a meal......

All you need is

Pasta- 2cups{any pasta of your choice...I used Fusilli}

Butter-2 tbsp

All purpose flour-11\2 tbsp

Milk-11\2 cup

Oregano-1\2 tsp

Chili flakes-1 tsp

Veggies of your choice- 1 cup{ I used broccoli, cauliflower, peas, corn and carrots }

Garlic-4-5 cloves{finely chopped }

Salt

Mozzarella cheese-1 cup{grated}

Method of preparation

For white sauce

In a pan, add 11\2 tbsp butter

Add flour

Fry for a minute

Remove from heat and add the milk

Add salt

Heat again for 3-4 minutes till a thick sauce is formed

For veggies

In a pan, add 1\2 tbsp butter

When the butter is hot, add garlic

Fry till garlic is golden brown

Add the veggies and salt and cover and cook for 5 minutes

For pasta

heat water in a pan
Add 1 tbsp salt to water
When the water starts boiling ,add pasta
Cook till pasta is done
Strain and cool under running water
keep aside

In a bowl, add pasta and cover with veggies and white sauce
Sprinkle cheese on top and microwave for 5 minutes
Sprinkle oregano and chili flakes on top

Mohit got some fresh baguette from a near by store and we had an awesome Italian lunch.....Bhavye also enjoyed his pasta and has made me promise to make it again soon...:)

Apple and cinnamon cake with whole wheat flour and oats

Officially summers are over now...leaves has started to change color and entire scenery will be changed in a matter of few days....This is the time of harvest and storing to prepare for the coming winters...To welcome the season I have a apple and cinnamon cake....I have baked this cake N number of times and every time it had  left me happy....It is moist and light and guilt free as I always use whole wheat flour and oats to bake this cake....

All you need is

Oats-1 cup(powdered)
Whole wheat flour- 3\4 cups
Cinnamon powder- 1tsp
Baking powder- 2tsp
Baking soda- 1 tsp
Butter- 5 tbsp
Sugar- 1 cup
Egg whites- 4
Milk-1\4 cups
Vanilla extract- 1\2 tsp
Apples- 2{peeled and chopped}

Method of preparation

Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees
Grease the baking dish with oil and dust with flour
Mix flour, cinnamon powder, baking powder and baking soda together
Beat butter and sugar in a bowl till soft and creamy
Add egg white and mix well
Add flour in this mixture spoon by spoon
Add milk
Add oats powder, vanilla extract and apples
Transfer the batter in the baking dish {I divided the batter in to two dishes}
Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 mins {If you have the batter in to two dishes , then bake for 30-35 minutes}
Remove from oven and let it be in the pan for 7-8 minutes
Take out from the pan and cool on a cooling rack

The entire house was filled with the warm cinnamon smell and it smelled heavenly....I have filled cinnamon flavored whipped cream between the two cakes and it tasted awesome....You can eat the cake without the filling as well....It will taste as good....OMG...I can't wait till it gets cooled...:(..

I am honored to receive these award from my lovely blogging friends  Kaveri and Reshmi Mahesh....Thnx dear for liking my blog....

I am linking this post to ABC Series. hosted by http://ramyasrecipe.blogspot.com

Any One Can Cook : Series 34 hosted by 

http://tasteofpearlcity.blogspot.com/

  Tutorial tuesday event at Hope studios

Broccoli and potato filled Indian flat bread { broccoli paratha }

Broccoli has slowly immigrated into my house hold and I have no clue how....Its just few years back that I was introduced to this veggie and was always tempted to buy it knowing all the goodness it has....But Initially I had no idea , what to do with it...So a lot of time , it ended in the trash because by the time I thought of a recipe to please mine and my hubbys spoil  palates , it had crossed the expiry date....I am still tempted to buy it every time I go to a grocery store , but now have learned a few recipes that both of us like and so we try to eat a lot of this lovely veggie....

All you need is

Whole wheat flour-11\2 cups
Salt-1 tsp
Broccoli-2 cups{grated}
Potato-1{boiled and grated}
Salt
Chaat masala- 1tsp
Garam masala- 1 tsp
Oil for frying

Method of preparation

Mix flour and salt in a bowl and knead with water to make soft dough

In another bowl, mix broccoli, potato, salt , chaat masala and garam masala

Mix well

Make 6 equal balls from the dough and divide the broccoli mix into 6 equal parts

Dust and roll the dough a little and fill it with the broccoli mix

Again dust and roll to make a 10 inch disc

Heat a griddle and cook the paratha from both the sides till brown spots appear

Smear with oil or ghee and cook from both the sides

Serve hot with any raita or aachar

It also makes a very good lunch pack for bhavye...I smear it with a layer of butter and make a roll for him.....

I am linking this recipe to

hosted by http://yummyfoodintummy.blogspot.com

Calzones with mushroom , onion and broccoli {The perfect evening time snack}

Time flies so fast, It is just the matter of a wink...It was just yesterday that we were small kids going to school, chatting and chirping with so much energy that came from mysterious sources!....We had so much to talk to and so much to share....I was born and brought up in a small town of UP.....I have so many fond memories of that place....I think the place you have shared your childhood with, is the best place on earth for everyone....My grandparents also used to live in the same town and so every now and then we were visiting them.....There were a lot of cousins to play with...We used to arrange doll marriages and my grand mother happily arranged for the food for the dolls wedding...My aunts used to stich new cloths for our dolls....

And see now my kid is of that same age...Full of energy....Always ready to jump and always nagging to eat....

Coming to the today's  recipe....These Calzones are easy to make and you can make the stuffing of your choice....You can make the dough in advance and freeze it....Just thaw it to room  temperature before making and you are good to go....

All you need is

Dough

All purpose flour-3 cups
Active dry yeast-2 tsp
Warm water-1cup
Sugar- 1 tbsp
Salt- 1tsp
Oil-2 tbsp

Filling {you can make filling of your choice...This is what I did....}

Oil- 1tsp
Onion-4 tbsp {chopped}
Mushroom-4 tbsp{chopped}
Broccoli-4 tbsp{chopped}
Salt
Cream cheese-3 tbsp {you can use hung yogurt in case cream cheese is not available}
Mozzarella cheese-2 tbsp{grated}

Egg- 1{for egg wash}

Method of preparation

Dissolve yeast in warm water
Add sugar, oil, salt and mix
Add half the flour and mix
Add the remaining flour and knead the dough for 5-6 mins on a floured surface
The dough should be smooth and elastic
Cover and keep aside for an hour

In a pan , add oil
Add onion, broccoli and mushroom
Add salt
Cook covered for 5 mins on medium heat
Remove from heat and add cream cheese and  mozzarella
Mix

Pre heat the oven to375 degrees
Divide the dough in 8-9 equal balls
Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface
Put one tbsp of filling on the half of the rolled dough and fold the dough over the filling
Pinch to seal the edges
I used forks tines to seal the edges
With a sharp knife, make small cuts on the surface of the calzones
Place the calzones on a baking dish
Brush with egg wash
Bake for 20-25 mins till golden brown
Serve hot with ketchup

These tastes best straight out of the oven....You can make the filling and dough in advance and then the only job left is to roll and bake these goodies....You can also try whole wheat flour instead of maida which will make them healthier...BTW how is my blog looking with this new font?????????????

Langues de chat or cat's tongues

While Langues de chats or “Cats’ Tongues,” gets their name from their long, flat shape, their flavor is melt in your mouth delicious...I got this recipe from one of my aunts who used to live near by when we were small kids...She used to make these cookies and would give us a box full every time she made these little treats.....We were tempted to eat these cookies because of their name and taste of course....

When I grew up and started to cook by myself, I asked her for the recipe and she very happily gave it to me... This is a french delicacy which is traditionally served with jam in the middle but I like mine plain....They make an elegant finish to any meal when dipped in chocolate....

All you need is


Unsalted butter-1\2 cup
Powdered sugar-1 cup
Vanilla extract-1tsp
Egg whites-4
All purpose flour-1 cup

Method of preparation


Place butter and sugar in a bowl and beat till soft and creamy
Add vanilla extract and beat till mixed well
Add half of the egg whites and mix till combined
Add half of the flour and mix
Add the remaining and mix again
Add the remaining flour and mix till combined
Do not over mix
Place the dough in a pastry bag with a 1\4 inch plain tip
Let it rest at room temperature for about an hour
Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
Pipe 21\2 inch long lines on the paper keeping a distance of 1 inch between each line
Bake for 9-10 minutes

You can keep the cookies plain or spread jam between two of them and sandwich.....You can also dip half of the cookie in melted chocolate and keep in the fridge for chocolate to set....


I am linking this recipe to

 hosted by http://tasteofpearlcity.blogspot.com/ 

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Bhavye has started going to school here in the US, So I am getting a lot more time to do my things...Plus he is also engaged for some time and is making new friends , So he is also happy....After having a kid, your life revolves around him...

Everything I do is done by keeping Bhavye in mind.... I made these cookies for him to eat after he comes back home from school...He just loved the cute treats....These are very easy to make and can be kept for 2-3 weeks in a air tight box.....

All you need is

Cocoa powder-1\2 cup
Sugar-1 cup
Vegetable oil-1\4 cup
Eggs-2
Vanilla extract-1 tsp
All purpose flour-1 cup
Baking powder-1 tsp
Salt-1\4 tsp
Confectioners sugar-1\2 cup

Method of preparation

In a bowl, mix cocoa powder, sugar and vegetable oil
Beat in eggs one at a time
Add vanilla extract and mix
Combine the flour, baking powder and salt
Add in the cocoa powder mix
Mix well
Cover and refrigerate the dough for 3-4 hours
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees F
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper
Make 1 inch balls from the dough and roll over confectioners sugar
Place the balls 1 inch from each other on the cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes
The cookies were crunchy from the outside and were soft and chewy inside...So go ahead and try out these cookies...If these can please my fussy little eaters taste buds , they can please yours too...

I am linking this recipe to

hosted by http://tasteofpearlcity.blogspot.com/