.

I always envy Rachel for her patience in baking long procedure recipe and inspired by her I very much wanted to participate in the BBD #20 hosted by her.But unlike Rachel tried a very simple one and the result was satisfactory.Though I've tried making breads it had never been perfect.This recipe is from my recipe collections

Ingredients
Ripe bananas-2 nos
Flour-100gms
Multi grain atta-150gms(Pillsbury)
Yeast-5gms
Sugar-25gms
White butter-20gms
Salt-a pinch
Lukewarm water-100ml
Milk-100ml
Nutmeg powder-1/4 pinch
Cinnamon powder-1/4tsp



Method
Sift the flours twice and keep aside
Slice and mash the bananas well
Dissolve yeast in 50ml water and little sugar and keep aside for about 5-10 min
Dissolve salt and sugar in the remaining water and add to the flour and mix well
Add the fermented yeast,milk and butter and knead to a soft dough
Add banana,nutmeg and cinnamon powder and mix well
Rest the dough under a thick cloth for 1 hour till it doubles
Punch down the dough,knead and transfer to the greased loaf tin,cover and leave it for another hour
Bake at 200 C for about 20 min/till done
Serve with butter/cheese/spreads

Rushing this to Rachel's BBD#20

It's 4 years since I celebrated my daughter's birthday,as being vacation time she used to be away from home for some reason.This year she is forcefully tied up here as she has stepped into her 12th standard and all tutions buzzing around her.
She was not particular on a cake as she had invited her friends for lunch.I decided to bake her favourite chocolate cake but never felt like decorating it as its too hot here and didn't have the patience.But my little niece wanted the decoration part as they planned to surprise my daughter by cutting the cake at midnight.Finally was happy with the result.

CHOCOLATE CAKE

Ingredients
Butter-225gms
Sugar-225gms
Flour-200gms
Cocoa-25gms
Eggs-4
Vanilla-1tsp
Baking powder-21/2tsp
Milk-1/2 to 3/4 cup



Method
Line and grease the required tin
Sieve flour,cocoa and baking powder
Cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy(measure and powder the sugar for better results)
Beat the egg white with a pinch of rock salt till stiff and keep aside
Add yolks one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture
Fold in the flour little at a time and mix in one direction
Add the stiffly beaten eggs and mix
Finally add enough milk
Pour in the tin and bake at 150 C to 170C for 45-1 hour or till done

As the name goes it truely melted in my mouth and an instant hit.Thanks Nags for the recipe.
We had a get together last weekend and I actually thought of making a Carrot Cake but this recipe was a long pending in my To Try list and I had a biscuit maker which was just dodging me for long and I would finally settle with the cutters.But it behaved well this time and the shapes and taste went hand in hand.We were supposed to leave out of town by 5.30am and I started to bake at 2pm the previous day which went on till 9pm as my dear H warned me that it should be sufficient for 60 plus heads or otherwise asked me to forget.But it was worth the time as every one liked it at teatime on a misty evening.The original recipe is from here



Ingredients
Butter-125 gms at room temperature
Icing sugar-60 gms
Maida-100 gms
Cornflour-25 gms
Cocoa powder-20 gms



Method
Beat butter and sugar on low speed
Sift flour,cornflour and cocoa
Add flour little at a time to the butter and mix
Make small balls and press lightly
Arrange in tray with space in between
Bake for 30 min at 180 C
I used a biscuit maker with different dyes for the shapes



This goes to Srilekha's EFM-Cookies Series and Poornima's For The Love Of Chocolate Events

Who doesn't like chocolates and especially in my house where no one likes to share a piece with others and its always chocolate based bakes which I try from other blogs.This recipe is from Rachel's Tangerine's Kitchen which was an instant hit.CHOCOLATE MUFFINS RECIPE

It's almost two years since I started blogging mainly due to compulsion,no regrets.I didn't have any basic knowledge of even the computer.Due to personal reason had to stay at home after being to work for 7 years.Initially I didn't take any pictures and started only after 6 months as I wanted to go step by step.I consider this picture the best as I least expected it to be so

APPLE PIE



This is my entry for Gayathri's event Magnificent Click Contest

It has become a habit for my children to eat only chocolate based bakes but I really would like to try other recipes too.This is from a foriegn baking book I possess and have hardly tried any recipes.I decided to try this recipe and the buns tasted too good.But I should definitely bake a chocolate before they are back from school.

Ingredients
Carrots grated-225gms
Butter/margarine-170gms
Dark brown sugar-100gms
Egg-1(substituted with 1tbsp of vinegar and 1tsp of soda bicarbonate)
Water-1tbsp
Plain flour-140gms
Baking powder-1tsp
Soda bicarbonate-1/2tsp
Ground cinnamon-1tsp
Grated nutmeg-1/4tsp
Salt-1/2tsp





Method
With an electric mixer,cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy
Beat in egg/vinegar-soda and water
Stir in carrots
Add the sifted flour,baking powder,soda bicarb,cinnamon,nutmeg and salt.Stir to blend
Spoon the mixture into the greased bun tray/paper cases,filling the cups almost to the top
Bake in a preheat oven at 180 C for 35 mins or till done
Let stand 10 mins before transferring to the rack

I thought it an apt entry for Madhuram's Egg Substitute Event and Harini's FCI Event hosted by Aparna as FCI-Orange this month

The name itself makes my mouth water and is one of my favourite bakes.Though I've tried several recipes I finally settled down with my dear friend Devi's recipe which whenever made just finishes off in a jiffy,so Iam compelled to bake twice that day

Ingredients
Melted butter-1cup
Sugar-2 cups
Eggs-4
Maida-1cup
Cocoa powder-3/4 cup
Broken walnuts-1/4 cup
Baking powder-1/2 tsp
Vanilla essense-1 1/2tsp
Salt-a pinch



Method
Sieve maida,baking powder,cocoa and salt 3 to four times
Add sugar with melted butter
Beat in eggs and essence
Fold in the flour
Add broken walnuts and mix well
Pour in a greased and bake at 180 C for 45 min to 1 hr or till done

Iam sending this to Aquadaze's Let's Go Nuts event

There are umpteen numbers of cakes right from the simple ones to complicated ones.When I started baking I used to make mainly chocolate based ones and this was my first cake other than chocolate,an easy one and of course children also liked it.Thanks to Vandana as it is long time since I made this

Ingredients
Maida/Flour-50gms
Powdered sugar-125 gms
Eggs-3 large
Baking powder-1/2 tsp
Carrot-125gms grated
Lime rind-2tsp grated
Cashew-125gms chopped finely(optional)
Vanilla essence-1tsp



Method
Sieve the flour and baking powder
Beat the white part of egg till stiff and fluffy
Add the powdered sugar,beat and add the yolk one at a time and beat as you add
Combine the lime rind to this
Fold in the flour and mix
Finally add the carrots and cashews and mix well
Grease the tin and pourthe batter and bake in pre-heated oven at 250 C for 20 mins or till done

My final entry for Vandana's BAKING FOR BEGINNERS EVENT



Actually I had planned a cake with icing for my 200th post,but coincidently this is my 200th post,but a cake without icing

Baking is an art by itself.As a beginner some years ago I too used to be scared to try anything new as many would be a flop,but never did I give up and used to try out many recipes.I learnt basic baking from my mom and after marriage developed on it.I can now try any recipe confidently,as I reached this level only through a lot of trial and error methods.Today baking is not just only cakes but many more dishes are being made.I would like to share in this post some basic things to be followed which I learnt with my experience and read in many cookbooks.

EQUIPMENTS NEEDED
These help in producing baked dishes of superb perfection

SCALE-A kitchen scale as accurate weighing is an important factor in baking

MEASURING SPOONS AND CUPS-Starting from 1/4 to 1

SIFTER-A fine meshed one removes lumps and unwanted particles in any dry ingredient

BOWL-A heat proof glass bowl is used for kneading,whipping and beating eggs.You can also use stainless steel bowls

SPATULA-Need a wooden spatula to fold in the ingredients.A plastic one to mix butter,flour or to scrape the inside of a bowl

EGG WHISK/ELECTRIC BEATER/SPRING BEATER

ROLLING PIN-A wooden one

PASTRY CUTTER-In different shapes and sizes

BAKING SHEET

CAKE TINS-In different shapes and size as you require,a basic round and square to start with

SKEWER-A thin long metal pin is necessary to test cakes.Usually it comes along the oven you buy

WIRE RACK-Though not an essential one but is a neat way to cool cakes

As you progess well with cakes you add on other baking equipments
Sandwich tin
Patty tins
Muffin trays
Pie dish
Paper bake cups
An icing set

HELPFUL HINTS

Adhere strictly to the measurements

Use quality raw materials

Assemble all the ingredients before starting

Check the expiry dates

Measure the ingredients accurately

Sieve the flour,the small air cells are incorporated into the flour and it will help to increase the cake volume and softness

Sieve the dry ingredients like cocoa powder,cornflour,baking powder,soda with flour as it would mix evenly

Grease the cake tin with little butter/fat and then dust with flour if you don't use a baking sheet

Dried fruit should always be cleaned.Mix a little flour with the fruits before adding to the batter.

Beat the eggs and then add

It is better to use powdered sugar instead of granulated one.Do not use icing sugar

To measure syrup,first dip a tbsp into boiling water and quickly use it and the syrup will fall off the spoon easily

Follow the recipe in the given steps

After adding the flour use only the spatula and mix and that to in one direction only

It is required to preheat the oven for 10-15 mins or as given in the instruction

Fill the tin 3/4 level to allow for rising,for larger cakes make a slight depression in the middle so that they rise flat and level the batter

If it is necessary to open the oven door while the cakes are being baked,open gently as an onrush of cold air may prevent the cakes from rising or cause a risen cake to sink

To test when the cake is cooked either press lightly with the finger in the centre of the cake,the impression should spring back immediately or insert a fine skewer,it should leave the cake clean

Always let the cake cool slightly before removing from tin

When arranging biscuits on the tray always leave 1 inch gap between as the biscuits spread while baking

COMMON TERMS IN RECIPES
Bake-cooking by dry heat usually in an oven

Batter-a combination of dry and liquid ingredients to form a pouring consistency

Beat-to use a stirring motion with a spoon or mixer to make the mixture smooth

Blend-to mix two or more ingredients till smooth

Brown-allowing the dish to turn golden

Caramelize-burning sugar until it obtains a dark brown colour

Cream-to beat with mixer or spoon until mixture is soft and fluffy

Dough-mixing together flour and liquid to form a roll

Dust- to coat lightly with flour or powdered sugar

Line-to cover the inside with paper

Pre-heat-to heat the oven to the temperature indicated in the concerned recipe before the dish goes in

Sift-to put one or more ingredients (dry) through a sifter

Whip-to beat rapidly to incorporate air and produce expansion

Whisk-to beat cream por eggs until stiff froth is obtained

Some of my bakes

BLACK FOREST CAKE




APPLE PIE


EGGLESS BUTTER COOKIES


ZEBRA CAKE




MUFFINS


CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKE


BIRTHDAY CAKE



KNOT BUNS






I hope the above little information will be useful for beginners.HAPPY BAKING and Iam rushing this to Vandana's BAKING FOR BEGINNERS EVENT

I just came across Vandana's BAKING FOR BEGINNERS EVENT and decided to send this recipe.This was my first cookie recipe which my mother used to make but I had never tried,though I've been baking cakes for many years.It is also my daughter's favourite and she pestered me to make them regularly.It is a very easy one without egg and that too apt for beginners.



Ingredients
Maida-11/2 cups
Butter-1/2 cup
Powdered sugar-3/4 cup
Cocoa powder-11/2 tbsp
Vanilla essence-1/4 tsp
Baking powder-1tsp
Salt-a pinch



Method
Sieve maida,cocoa powder and salt
Cream butter till light,add sugar and beat till light and fluffy
Add the essense and fold in the flour and make a dough
Roll/spread the dough on a flat surface to 1/2 inch thichness
Cut to desired shapes and arrange in a greased baking tray leaving space in between each piece
Bake in a preheated oven at 250 C and bake till done.Insert a skewer to check.

Tea time snack is a must for many of us.I came across a recipe sometime back but had misplaced it.I wanted to try it out very badly and finally discovered it from amoung my collections after an hour's search and was worth it.

Ingrediets
Maida-150 to 200gms
Sugar-100gms
Butter-100gms
Vanilla essense-1/2 tsp
Milk-1 or 2tbsp
Baking powder-1/2 tsp



Method
Sieve maida and baking powder twice
Cream butter with sugar
Add sieved maida gradually and fold lightly
Add essense,milk and make a soft dough
Refrigerate for 30 min
Divide into 15 to 20 lemon size balls and slightly press between palms
Grease the baking tray,lay the biscuits
Preheat oven at 180 C and bake for 15 to 20 mins or till done






My single post entry for

Sharmi's Cookie Baking Event



JZ's Santa's Holiday Challenge Event



Mythreyee's Baked Sweets Event

This recipe just attracted me instantly that I prepared it immediately,though very sceptical about the result but I was thrilled and of course it has become one of the most wanted recipe for my children.It is none other than Sowmya's Zebra Cake





This goes to Srivalli's Best of the year 2008 event

Yes,the pooja holidays are over and children are back to school and dear PC back to me.Iam really finding it difficult these days to stay away without blogging.These 10 days I was not alloted a time slot as done by four children (I live in a joint family)at home.I managed my previous post for the event by bribing them this awesome cake which they saw when I was blog hopping.It was an instant hit and Iam due to bake this week also.Thanks Sowmya for the recipe

THE ZEBRA CAKE

I usually bake a cake for my dear Hubby's birthday.Few years back we were invited for dinner to our friend's house.My friend Indu had baked a Rumanian Cake which my dear H liked very much.I got the recipe from her and had tried several times but never did it come out well.This year too I tried making but was a flop again.I quickly made the eggless chocolate(as all the eggs were used for the earlier one) with chocolate fudge frosting which I confidently made for the first time and the taste was excellent.I'll definetely bake the Rumanian Cake and share with you all the recipe and photo.

Ingredients
For Cake
Condensed milk-1tin 400gms
Butter-100gms
Maida-2cups
Sugar-1cup
Milk-1cup
Baking powder-2tsp
Cooking soda-1tsp
Vanilla essence-1tsp

For Frosting
Chocolate-75gms
Butter-75gms
Icing sugar-250-350 gms
Milk-30ml
Vanilla essense-1/2tsp



Method
For Cake
Preheat oven at 190 C
Sieve flour,baking powder,cooking soda
Beat condensed milk till light and fluffy
Add butter and beat again
Fold in the flour gradually,alternating with milk and sugar a little at a time
Add the essense mix and pour in greased tin and bake for 40 min or till the skewer comes out clean
Cool and cut the cake to two or three layers horizontally

For Frosting
Melt chocolate over hot water and cool
Beat butter till light and fluffy
Gradually add half of icing sugar
Beat in chocolate,milk and essense and rest of icing sugar
Beat till the frosting reaches spreading consistency
Sandwich the frosting between the layers and on the top and sides of the cake
Decorate with fresh cream/nuts/chocolate gratings
Serve cooled

Iam not a perfect baker but always like to take a chance to bake new recipes,if it comes out well it would go into my regular menu list.I had this urge to bake bread at home for long,I tried it too.Though the aroma was just superb the result was a flop.I wanted to try again the very next day and collected a few recipes from the blogospere,by then came across the Bread Baking Day and naturally my interest shifted here.I was really doubtful when I started but finally satisfied with the result.

Ingredients
Milk-300ml
Castor sugar-2tbsp
Butter-55gms at room temperature
Active dry yeast-2tsp
Egg-1
Salt-2tsp
Plain flour-500-575gms
Melted butter-for glazing

Method
Heat milk until lukewarm
Pour into a large bowl and stir in sugar,butter,yeast and leave for 15 min to dissolve
Stir in the egg and salt into the yeast mixture
Gradually add 500gms of flour,mix and add just enough extra flour to obtain a rough dough
Transfer to floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic
Place in a greased bowl,cover and leave in a warm place until doubled in volume ,about 11/2 hours
Grease the baking tray.
Punch down the dough with your fist and make small balls
Roll each piece to a rope,twist to form a knot and place 1" apart on the tray
Cover loosely and leave to rise for 1 hr
Preheat oven at 180 C
Brush the knots with butter and bake till light brown,about 20-25 min
Cool and serve with butter,soup



This goes to Aparna's BREAD BAKING DAY

Tea time snack is a must for many of us.I came across a recipe sometime back but had misplaced it.I wanted to try it out very badly and finally discovered it from amoung my collections after an hour's search and was worth it.

Ingrediets
Maida-150 to 200gms
Sugar-100gms
Butter-100gms
Vanilla essense-1/2 tsp
Milk-1 or 2tbsp
Baking powder-1/2 tsp



Method
Sieve maida and baking powder twice
Cream butter with sugar
Add sieved maida gradually and fold lightly
Add essense,milk and make a soft dough
Refrigerate for 30 min
Divide into 15 to 20 lemon size balls and slightly press between palms
Grease the baking tray,lay the biscuits
Preheat oven at 180 C and bake for 15 to 20 mins or till done

We had a bloggers meet at Chennai during the month of May,though I don't live there the Chennai bloggers asked me to join them as I was there and we had a Potluck lunch.Before the meet,when finalising the menu this dish caught the attention of all so I was very eager to taste it too.It was excellent in taste and I decided to try it out one day after getting back.I found this baked dish with very few ingredients apt for this month's MBP EVENT started by Coffee and hosted by Nupur

I visited many blogs and finally settled with Rachel's LADENIA..It was very simple to make baked dish and the taste, out of the world.

Ingredients
For the dough
All purpose flour-23/4 to 31/4 cups
Dried yeast-21/4 tsp
Olive oil-1/4 cup
Warm water-1 cup
Salt-1 tsp

Topping
Diced tomatoes-11/2 cup 3/4"
Sliced onions-11/2 cups
Olive oil-1/3 cup
Salt-1tsp
Freshly ground pepper-as required
Mixed herbs-2-3 tsp

Method
Work yeast for 10 min in warm water in a large bowl
Mix olive oil and salt
Stir in the flour and knead to a sticky dough
Spread some olive oil in a deep roasting pan andf spread the dough
Cover and let it rise atleast for an hour
When risen make indentations using your finger all over the surface
Mix all the remaining oil,tomatoes,onions and pepper and spread them over the dough
Follow with seasoning and bake till the edges turn brown

Thanks Rachel and now this is a regular menu in my house