Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Vegit Halwa Mix with a Twist!

Christmas and New Year is just around the corner, twinkling stars and jingle bells everywhere, Christmas trees are surrounded with presents and the stockings ! No celebration is complete without sweets, gifting goodies, decorating trees and cakes. Keeping with the spirit of festival, Vegit a leading player in ready-to-cook mixes brings healthy and delightful Vegit Halwa. Satiate your sweet tooth craving in just 2 minutes with Vegit Halwa, the first ever dessert by Vegit. 

I too received some goodies from Vegit!


When I first heard of the name halwa mix with potato flakes, I was a little skeptical, but when I looked into the ingredients and preparation time I was very happy.
After trying it out, the taste was good and very handy if you need to make some dessert for sudden guests!

I had to make  a twist recipe out of the halwa so i thought of making sweet pancakes or Paniyarams (Tamil).


 Ingredients:
2 cups idly batter
1 cup halwa mix
1 tbsp grated coconut
2-3 tbsp sugar
oil or ghee for frying

Preparation
Add the halwa mix to the idly batter and add required amount of water for a smooth batter. Add the rest of the ingredients and leave it for 10 minutes. If the batter gets thick some more water can be added. Heat the Pancake mold. Add ghee to the mold and make pancakes. Lovely golden brown crispy pancakes are ready! Kids will love this.


But I liked the original halwa :) better than the twist!

Here’s Vegit Christmas Halwa cake recipe for you by Brand Chef Arun Kumar, Zambar. 

Ingredients
Vegit Halwa mix :500g

Grated Coconut : 200 g
Cardamom Powder :  a dash
Cashew Nuts: 12 - 15
Raisins/Sultana: 12 – 15
Candied Fruit : 100g
Icing Sugar: 250g
Water:Enough to mix Halwa and Icing Sugar

Method

1. Take 500g Halwa mixture. Add 200 g Grated Coconut, 2 teaspoons cardamom powder and prepare Halwa by either of the 2 methods mentioned on packet. 

2. Mix in the Cashew Nuts, Raisins/Sultanas, Candied Fruits (save some for garnishing)
3. Press the above mixture into an appropriate cake mould and overturn
4. Mix icing sugar with water gently, stirring to avoid lumps, to get a thick pouring consistency
5. Pour over the un-moulded ‘cake’, sprinkle some candied fruit and allow to set
Celebrate this Christmas and
New Year in Vegit – “Hamara Mix, Aapka Twist style.”


More Vegit recipes are on their way.....

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Cup cake Workshop at Paparazzi!

On the festive season of Diwali Royal Orchid Central had invited me along with family for a fun cup cake making session. What more can kids ask for!! These cup cakes were very different from the regular ones. The frosting was all desi tasting ingredients and was very innovative. For example, Gulkand, kesar (saffron), Masala chai and many more..

CUP CAKE WITH DESI TWIST in TOPPINGS:
  • Peanut Butter cream
  • Kesar Khoya Cream
  • Gulkand Frosting
  • Jamoon Pistachio Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Masala Chai Frosting
  • Kahlua Oreo Frosting
  • Dark Chocolate Ganache chili Frosting




Chocolate Ganache

Other toppings like Gulab Jamun, Oreo cookies, Pistachios, chilli flakes and many colorful kid friendly toppings!


CUP CAKE
History
The cup cake evolved in earlier 19th century in the United States. According to food historians have yet to point, exactly where the name of Cup cake originated. There are two Theories coming up… 1) the cake were originally cooked in cups 2) The ingredients used to make the cup cakes were measured by the cup.
Earlier times cup cakes were not that popular around. The cake made of regular ingredients like Normal cake. But, today cup cakes have expanded to a worldwide. In modern trend cup cakes were uniquely topped with various frosting.
Cup cakes were convenient because, they get cooked much quicker than larger cakes.


Chef  Hafizullah Baig
Chef Baig was a very friendly and creative person. He showed us the step wise procedure of making a good cupcake and also gave me alternatives of eggless cup cakes!

Mix and match of different colors!

Mixing chocolate!



PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING
INGREDIANTS
UNIT
QTY
Unsalted Butter
gm
50
Icing sugar
gm
100
Peanut Butter
gm
100
Whip Cream
ml
50
Rainbow Sugar Balls
Garnish


METHOD
  • Keep Butter at room temperature. Should be soft in texture not be Melted.
  • Mix Butter, icing sugar, peanut Butter with electric beater until smooth and creamy on Medium speed.
  • Finally add the whip cream on high speed until the Mixture is light and Fluffy.


KESAR KHOYA FROSTING

INGREDIANTS
UNIT
QTY
Whip Cream
ml
50
Sweet Khova
gm
100
Kesar(Saffron)
gm
0.5
Silver Sugar Balls
few
Garnish
Saffron Threads
few
Garnish
METHOD
  • Beat Whip cream with electric beater until smooth, light and Fluffy.
  • Blend Sweet Khova in whip cream without lumps.
  • Dissolve Saffron in hot cooking cream add along with mixture.


GULAB JAMOON & PISTACHIO CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

INGREDIANTS
UNIT
QTY
Unsalted Butter
gm
20
Icing sugar
gm
20
Philadelphia cream cheese
gm
100
Lemon zest
No
1
Whip Cream
ml
50
Gulab Jamoon

Garnish
Pistachio
Slices
Garnish
METHOD
  • Keep Butter at room temperature. Should be soft in texture not be Melted.
  • Mix Butter, icing sugar, Philadelphia cream cheese, Lemon Zest with electric beater until smooth and creamy on Medium speed.
  • Finally add the whip cream on high speed until the Mixture is light and Fluffy.


MASALA CHAI FROSTING
INGREDIANTS
UNIT
QTY
Whip Cream
ml
50
Masala Chai Extract
ml
100
Icing Sugar
gm
50
Cadbury Gems
few
Garnish



MASALA CHAI EXTRACT
INGREDIANTS
UNIT
QTY
Water
ml
300
Tea Leaf
gm
50
Cinnamon
gm
2
Cardamom
gm
5
Cloves
gm
1
Fresh Ginger
gm
5
Combine all above ingredients and keep it on Simmer for 30mins, Bring down masala Extraction to 1/3, Strain it and Cool it down in refrigerator.

METHOD
  • Beat Whip cream with icing sugar in electric beater at medium speed.
  • In co-operate Masala chai extraction slowly into it.
  • Garnish it with Gems.




KAHLUA OREO FROSTING

INGREDIANTS
UNIT
QTY
Unsalted Butter
gm
50
Icing sugar
gm
100
Espresso Coffee
ml
50
Sunrise Coffee Powder
Gm
2
Kahlua Liquor
ml
50
Whip cream
Ml
50
Oreo Cookies
Few
Garnish

METHOD
  • Keep Butter at room temperature. Should be soft in texture not be Melted.
  • Mix Butter, icing sugar, Espresso Coffee, Coffee Powder with electric beater until smooth and creamy on Medium speed.
  • Finally add the whip cream and Kahlua Liquor on high speed until the Mixture is light and Fluffy.
  • Garnish it with Oreo Cookies


GULKAND FROSTING

INGREDIANTS
UNIT
QTY
Whip Cream
ml
50
Gulkand
gm
100
Rose Petals
few
Garnish
Chocolate Vermicelli
few
Garnish



METHOD
  • Beat Whip cream with electric beater until smooth, light and Fluffy.
  • Blend Gulkand Compote (Available in Market) in cream.

DARK CHOCOLATE GANACHE CHILLI FROSTING

INGREDIANTS
UNIT
QTY
Dark Chocolate
gm
200
Heavy Cream
ml
100
Unsalted Butter
gm
75
Dried Red Chilies
gm
1




METHOD
  • Combine all the above ingredients in a Bowl except Chilies. Use Microwave or Double Boiler to melt the chocolate.
  • Add chilli flakes (without seed) into the mixture, stir gently with wire whisk to get silky and smooth texture.
  • Allow it cool in Refrigerator till the time it becomes thick and firm.

Gulkand with some sprinkles!

colorful creativity of goodness!

It was indeed great fun workshop for me and kids! We also got a goodie bag filled with these cupcakes!

Royal orchid central
47/1, Manipal center,
Dickenson road, 
Bangalore- 42

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Apple Salad - Go healthy with Washington apples!


Apples are Really Good For You! Eating fresh apples is always good for you, but to get the full nutritional benefits associated with eating apples you should eat at least one fresh apple every day.

I was sent some fresh Granny Smith apples by the SCS Group and Washington Apple Commission for me to taste and make something. What can be more refreshing than a salad. This is how I like my everyday salad.

Ingredients

Fresh Granny Smith Apples-2
handful of walnuts (slightly toasted)
Romaine Lettuce- 1 cup
handful of Mint leaves
Italian seasoning-1/2 tsp
lemon juice- 1/2 tsp
olive oil- 1tsp
any cheese (optional) - 1 tbsp for sour taste

Preparation

Wash and dry the apples, lettuce and mint leaves. chop them roughly into bite size and toss them in a bowl. Add toasted walnuts, Italian seasoning, olive oil, lemon juice and mix. I do not add salt.

Granny Smith apples are green, extremely tart, crisp, juicy and versatile. They are popular for making Pies.
Apples have lots of health benefits like cancer prevention, healthy lungs, heart disease and stroke prevention and weight loss!
For more information visit bestapples.com