VANILLA CAKE

A moist, simple vanilla flavored cake topped with roasted almond flakes is   this easy to make and taste so good. It is the perfect gluten free dessert for a picnic.

INGREDIENTS

Flour 1 and ½ cup

Sugar 1 cup

Eggs 2

Vanilla essence 1 tsp

Baking powder 1 ¾ tsp

Milk ½ cup

Almond flakes 2 tbl spn

Honey 1 tbl sp

METHOD

Step1: Preheat oven to 180 degree c. Greece some butter on your baking pan. Set aside.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla essence. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the sugar and butter mixture and mix well. Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

Step 3: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven. (Take a toothpick insert it in the center, if it comes out clean your cake is ready)

Step 4: Spread some honey even on the cake and sprinkle roasted almond flakes your vanilla flavored cake is ready to serve.

DATES ROLL

Date rolls with almond and pistachio is a nice healthy sweet treat to have around the house, which is why I decided to make my own. They are so easy to make and can last a while in the fridge.

Preparation time 10min

Cooking time  15 mins

INGREDIENTS

Dates chopped 1 cup

Almond flakes 1 tbl sp

Pistachio 1 tbl sp

Raisins 1 tsp

Berries 1 tsp

Shredded coconut or dry coconut flakes 2 tbl sp

METHOD

Place almonds and pistachio in to a food processor, grind them into a rough powder set aside. You will still see some crumbs or pieces of almond - this is Ok

Empty dates and all other ingredients into a food processor and run until they are finely chopped and well combined
4. Form chopped dates mixture into a ball and roll them in shredded coconut. Serve chilled.

BLACK CHICK PEAS SALAD (kala chana chaat)

Black chick peas (kalachana) salad is super healthy with no oil, no sugar, no fat, high protein, low carbs and very tasty. Black chickpeas salad is spicy, tangy and can be hot if you add some more chilies to it.

INGREDIENTS

Black chick peas 1 cup (soak the dry chickpeas overnight or for 8-9 hours)

Chopped onions 1 tbl sp

Chopped tomato1 tbl sp

Chopped coriander leaves 1 tbl sp

Pomegranates 1 tbl sp

Green chili 1-2 chopped

Cucumber 1 tbl sp chopped

Red chili powder ½ tsp

Lemon juice1 tbl sp

Chaat masala 1 tsp

Salt to taste 

METHOD

STEP 1: In a pressure cooker add the soaked chickpeas with enough water. Pressure cook for 6-7 minutes or till the chickpeas are cooked well.

STEP 2: In a large bowl, add all the ingredients including the chickpeas. Mix well. Taste and if required add more of the chaat powders or salt. Garnish with some chopped coriander leaves.

GAJAR KA HALWA

One of the most popular Indian desserts, here's for you the 'Gajar ka Halwa' recipe.

Preparation time 30 mins

Serves -3- 4

INGREDIENTS

Carrots 2 (finely grated)

Ghee 2 tbl sp

Milk 1 ½ cup

Sugar ½ cup

Condensed milk 2 tbl sp

Cardamoms 2-3

Cashew nuts 1tbl sp

a pinch of saffron strands/kesar

Almond flakes 1 tbl sp

METHOD

STEP 1: Peal and grate carrot, keep aside.

STEP 2: Take pan pour milk, bring it to boil and add all the grated carrot. Stir the grated carrots and milk. Cook this mixture on a low to medium flame until the milk completely observed by the carrots. Set aside.

STEP 3: Take another pan, add ghee, cardamoms and cashew nuts, sauté for few seconds. Add 1 cup of water and saffron strings, bring it to boil then add sugar. Keep on stirring until the sugar is well caramelized and syrup should reduce by 50%. 

STEP 4: Then u add the cooked grated carrots to this syrup, mix well and finally add condensed milk.

STEP 5: continue to stir and simmer till the whole mixture becomes dry. The condensed milk should evaporate completely. Don’t make it too dry, some moisture is also fine in the halwa. 

STEP 6: Garnish it with some almond flakes, serve warm.