Apple Raita/ Apple Salad

Tweet

   I never imagined I would eat a cooked apple  until my time in Germany proved me wrong.  It started with Apple pie, and thereafter nothing could stop me.  Next thing I know, I was experimenting with baking apples, as well as other fruits.  But then again, I never thought I would be making savory dishes with apples, until recently.  Oh Yeah! I made this simple raita for lunch and everyone, including my toddler loved it.

 It's tangy and delicious.   Very simple to make - refreshing and tasty!

Two kinds of Green apples, for comparison,the Golden delicious is so sweet and the Granny Smith is tart and perfect for baking.





Garnish with mint or coriander leaves





Ingredients:

Granny Smith/Any tart Apple- 1/2, peeled and cored
Yogurt- 1 cup scant
Green Chillies- 1
Onion, finely chopped- 2 tsp
Ginger, finely grated- 1/2 tsp
Salt- to taste
Dash of lime juice (optional)

Method:

1.Finely chop the apple into small pieces.
2.Finely chop the green chillies too.
3.Whisk the yogurt in a mixing bowl.
4.Add the salt and other ingredients except lemon juice and mix well.
5.Chill,mix in the lime juice, garnish and serve.

Egg n' Cauliflower

Tweet

     I have been cooking, but not updating the blog (obviouslyJ).  No particular reasons – that’s just how it is some times!  Then I made some cauliflower and egg and thought, "now here is something to share!"  If you are like me,  on a rainy day like today, when husband decides to work from home, then this one is for you.  Quickly stirred up and yet satisfying.  It's double good becuase it goes well with both rotis and rice!

    A little crunchy onions here, the piquant thai chilies there, and ofcourse, eggs and cauliflower everywhere.  It's a simple, tasty dish and nobody needs to have any special culinary skills to put it together.

  If you stayed with me so far, go on and take a peek at the recipe.  You won't be disappointed.  It's too easy to pass.

Ingredients:
Cauliflower      - 1/4
Eggs                - 1
Green Chillies  - 2 (thai chillies)
Onions            - 1/2
Garlic              - 1 pod
Ginger             - a pinch grated or chopped fine
Salt                 - to taste
Oil                  - 1/2 tbspn

Method:

1. Heat a non stick pan (I prefer non-stick for this dish) with the oil
2. Add the onions and saute till translucent and add the ginger, garlic and green chilies sauteing well and chilies are cooked too
3. Add the cauliflower, lower the heat to a bare minimum and cook the cauliflower it will just take a couple of minutes to cook the cauliflower and yet keep it crunchy
4. Once done salt the cauliflower taste to make sure its enough
5. Beat the egg and pour over and mix in rapidly getting it scrambled



Serve with roits or rice.

Contributor: Sunitha

Chocolate Swiss Roll

Tweet

Do you remember jam rolls? I remember them from my childhood – they were a lovely yellow with a bright, red filling inside! The color and its effect on you are so strong that you could never leave the bakery without at least half-dozen tucked away in those infamous brown, bakery bags. Writing this much brings a plethora of other baked goods to mind. I used to especially love the horn pastry with snow-white cream filling embellished with a ruby-colored cherry! They resemble an ice-cream cone. Yumm! Just day dreaming about these sweets gives me a sugar high.

Moving on to what we are going to share with you today, although different from the jam rolls that are making my mouth water right now, these sweet rolls are delectable nonetheless! I have been practicing these rolls, and after a couple of mishaps, I feel confident enough to share with you now.

Sneak peek into the process.



This was the second time I made this and the roll disappeared in no time.(at the first time I couldn't even take a picture ! )



Ingredients:

Eggs- 3 large, separated
Granulated Sugar- 1/2 cup
Cake flour- 1/2 cup
Baking powder- 1/2 tsp
Salt- a pinch
Cocoa Powder- 1 1/2 Tbsp
Hot water- 2 Tbsp
Pure Vanilla extract- 1/2 tsp

For the filling:

Heavy whipping cream- 1 cup
Confectioner's sugar- 1 to 2 Tbsp
Pure vanilla extract- a few drops

Method:

1.Preheat the oven at 350 degree F. Grease and dust a jelly roll pan. (this recipe is for 10 1/2 by 15 1/2 inch pan). It's better to line with a parchment paper and grease it well.You could see that I didn't do it, so it was bit difficult for me to take out the cake.
2.Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.
3.Beat the yolks with sugar. Add the hot water and beat again.
4.Add the cocoa and mix well.
5.Beat the egg whites till stiff peaks are formed.Make sure that your blades and the bowl you take is free from water and fat before you start beating egg whites.
6.Mix in the flour mixture into the yolk mixture.
7.Gently fold in the egg whites till it is completely incorporated.
8.Spoon into the prepared pan and spread the batter evenly as possible, using a spatula.
9.Bake for 8-10 minutes or the cake springs back on touch.
10. Cool in the pan for 3-4 minutes.
11.Invert the cake onto a parchment paper dusted with confectioner's sugar.
12.Roll the cake with the short side facing you, along with the paper.
13.Let the cake cool completely before you roll it with the filling.
14.Meanwhile you could make the filling by whipping the cream till peaks are formed.Add the sugar and vanilla and beat till everything is mixed well.
15.Unroll the cake and spread the cream on it, evenly.Leave about 1/2 an inch space at one end.(I messed up this part. I left some space , but I was talking to my son and started rolling it from the other side !)
16.Now roll it without the parchment paper, but use the paper to make the roll by lifting it from the side slowly as you can see in the picture.
17.Refrigerate the roll for at least 3-4 hours before you cut it.
18.Use a sharp serrated knife or kitchen thread to cut the rolls.(I wasn't patient enough to wait,read my kids weren't, that's why it has broken in some points !)

Notes:

1.You may not get it all right at the first attempt, or even at second :-) But I can guarantee you about the taste and texture.
2.The main point you have to remember while making rolls is that you must roll it while it is still hot. This helps to avoid any breaking.
3.As you all know, chocolate is notoriously sticky. So if you use a parchment paper to line the pan it is lot more easy.
4.Please wait at least for a few hours so that the cake is chiled well before you attempt to cut it.

Contributor: Namitha
Recipe adapted from here