Whole Wheat Banana Eggless Cake

Baked something after a really long time and was super happy with the soft cake that came out. Plus, I used Jaggery in this instead of sugar. Totally amazing and a must try..

WHEAT BANANA JAGGERY CAKE

Ingredients:
3/4th cup + 1 tsp Whole wheat flour
1/3 cup Cocoa powder
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
A pinch of salt
2 ripe Bananas
A pinch Clove powder (Or ginger powder)
A pinch Cinnamon powder
1/4 cup Light cooking oil
1/3 cup Jaggery (run it in the mixer once to remove lumps)
2 tbsps yogurt
Assorted dry fruits and nuts

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180 deg C. Microwave the bananas with the skin for about 3 mins on high. The skin will brown and the pulp will soften. De-skin and mash the bananas well.

2. Sieve together the wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and a pinch of salt. As we are using whole wheat flour, sieve at least twice or thrice to loosen up the flour.

3. In another bowl, whisk together oil and jaggery till well blended. Add the mashed bananas and whisk again. Now add 1 tbsp yogurt and mix.

4. Gradually add the dry flour mix in batches, cut and fold gently, repeat till all the flour is added in. Gently mix till no loose flour is visible and leave no lumps. If the batter is thick add the the remaining 1 tbsp yogurt as well.

5. Quickly toss 3/4th of the dry fruits and nuts in the 1 tsp loose flour till well-coated. Add to the batter and mix in. Coating the nuts in flour will prevent them from sinking in the batter.

6. Transfer to a greased loaf/cake tin. Sprinkle remaining dry nuts (non-flour coated) on top.

7. Bake at 180 deg C for about 30 mins. I used the microwave, and mine doesnt have 180 deg C. So I baked at 170 C for 6 mins. (Or till toothpick comes out clean)

8. Remove and let cool for about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to the serving dish. Serve warm or cold.

Karunai Kizhangu Masiyal

We call this Karunai Kizhangu (tuber) or Pidi Karunai. Karunai Kizhangu Masiyal (or literally, Yam Mash) is the most common and one of our favourite recipes that we prepare with this tuber. It takes very basic spices.

KARUNAI KIZHANGU MASIYAL (YAM MASH)

Ingredients :
Mini Yam/Karunai Kizhangu - 4 to 5
Green chili - 1, slit
Ginger - 1 inch piece, chopped
Tamarind - half lemon size, juice extracted
Lemon - 1 medium
Salt to taste

For tempering:
Sesame Oil - 1 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Split Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
Hing pwd - 1/ 4 tsp
Curry leaves, a few

Method:
1. Peel, wash and leave the yam (halved) in some rice water to remove the itchiness.
2. Wash again, cut into thick slices and pressure cook upto 3 whistles. Remove and mash while still hot.
3. Transfer to a thick bottom saucepan along with the tamarind juice.
4. Add the slit green chili, ginger and salt and let simmer on low for 4-5 minutes. Keep stirring occasionally.
5. Remove from flame. Prepare tempering by heating oil, adding the rai, urad dal, hing and curry leaves. Pour over the Masiyal/mash and serve hot with rice.

Gajar Strawberry halwa

Here we go...Gajar-Strawberry Halwa :) Perfect for a winter evening and pressure-cooked.

GAJAR STRAWBERRY HALWA

Ingredients:
2 cups grated carrots (Dark Red ones better)
1 cup chopped strawberries
1 cup Full fat milk (yes,full fat, trust me on this one )
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsps Ghee (clarified butter)
1/4 tsp cardamom powder
A few dry nuts roasted in ghee

Method:
1. Add carrot, milk, sugar and ghee to a 2-3 litre pressure cooker.
2. Cook upto 1 whistle, remove from flame and let the pressure subside naturally.
3. Place back on medium flame , add strawberries and keep stirring till it starts to thicken.
4. Once it becomes sticky, add the roasted nuts, give it a stir, remove off flame and let cool a bit.
Serve hot and try pairing with vanilla ice cream.