Baigan Bharta

Baigan Bharta is a popular North Indian dish.It is similar to our South Indian Kathirikai kosthu.The Brinjal with the smoky flavour mixed with spices makes the dish tastier.

Ingredients:
1)Baigan/ Large Brinjal - 1
2)Boiled/Frozen peas - 1/2 cup
3)Onions - 1 (Chopped)
4)Tomato - 1 (Chopped)
5)Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
6)Cumin seeds -  1 tsp
7)Green chillies - 2 (Chopped)
8)Garam Masala -  1/2 tsp
9)Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
10)Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
11)Amchur/Dry Mango powder - 1/4 tsp
12)Coriander for garnish
13)Oil - 2 tbps
14)Salt to taste

Method:
1)Brush little oil on the brinjal and prick it with fork roughly.
2)Place the brinjal directly over flame and rotate frequently till the skin is charred all over.
3)Microwave for 3 mins so that its cooked fully (Optional).Remove the burnt skin and mash the brinjal,keep aside.
4)Heat oil in a wide pan,splutter cumin seeds and add chopped Onions and saute till they turn golden brown.
5)Add Ginger garlic paste,chopped green chillies and saute well.
6)Add chopped tomatoes and simmer for few mins till oil seperates out.
7)Now add in Turmeric powder,Red chilli powder,Garam masala and Amchur powder.
8)Saute for few mins and then add the mashed brinjal ,peas and salt to taste.
9)Stir for 2-3 mins and add little water for a thick consistency.
10)Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve with hot rotis.

Egg Kurma

Egg kurma is a popular Chettinad cuisine and goes well with hot rotis or rice.Its quite easy to prepare and tastes very authentic.

Ingredients:

Boiled Eggs - 3 nos

Onion - 1 (chopped)

Shallots - 10

Tomato - 1 (chopped)

Dry Red Chillies - 4

Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp

Garlic pods - 5 nos (chopped)

Coconut grated - 1/2 cup

Fennel seeds - 1 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp

Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp

Coriander powder - 1 tsp

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Curry leaves - One strand

Coriander for garnish

Oil - 1 tbsp

Salt -  To taste

Method:

1)Heat oil in a pan and saute Fennel seeds,Red chilli,Shallots in order.

2)Grind together the above items along with the grated coconut to a smooth paste.

3)In a wide pan,heat oil and add mustard seeds and after they splutter add chopped onions,chopped garlic and curry leaves.

4)Saute onions till golden brown and add ginger garlic paste.Add chopped tomatoes and cook till soft.

5)Add in turmeric powder,chilli powder and coriander powder and saute till they combine well adding little water.

6)Add the coconut paste and saute for few mins.Add enough water,salt for the gravy and bring to boil.

7)Add the boiled eggs slit into halves and simmer for few more mins.

8)Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

                                      



Moist Chocolate Cake

Chocolate cakes are everyone's favourite.I like them to be little dense and moist.Of course rich with cocoa flavour.I learnt my first Chocolate cake recipe during school days cooking classes...I should definitely thank Mrs.Shanthi Poonoose for teaching us how to bake to perfection.

Ingredients:
Maida - 2 Cups
Baking Powder - 3 Tsp
Unsalted Butter - 1 Cup
Sugar - 2 Cups(Powder after measurement)
Cocoa Powder - 3 Tbsp
Milk - 1 Cup
Vanilla Essence - 1 Tsp
Eggs - 3(Separate Egg yolks and Egg whites)
Salt - A pinch

Method:
1.Sift Flour and Baking powder together and keep aside.
2.Mix cocoa powder in 1 cup milk without any lumps.
3.Add milk batter into the flour and gently fold
4.Add Butter,1 cup of Sugar and a pinch of Salt to the batter and fold in.
5.Combine Egg yolks,vanilla essence and blend.
6.Whisk Egg whites and remaining sugar together and add it to the batter.
7.Fold batter until completely combined.
8.Grease the cake maker with butter and dust with flour.
9.Pour out the batter into the mould.
10.Bake for 6 to 8 mins in microwave.After cooling for 15 mins ,invert on to the serving plate.

Few of my friends are celebrating their birthdays this month and this cake is for these guys who have been amazing all the time.Happy Birthday Buddies!!!