PLUM CAKE RECIPE (पल्म केक)

Christmas time is here…what’s better than a plum cake…honestly…celebrations of Christmas is incomplete without the yummy alcoholic plum cake…

INGREDIENTS

Tooty Fruity = 1/2 cup.

Assorted chopped dry fruits (Almonds, cashew nuts and walnuts) = 1/4 cup.

Black current = 2 tablespoons.

Raisins= 2 tablespoons.

Chopped candied peels = 1/4 cup.

Chopped ginger peel = 2 tablespoon.

Dark rum= 180 mL.

Eggs = 5.

Unsalted butter = 250 grams.

Brown sugar = 250 grams.

Vanilla essence = 2 teaspoons.

Cinnamon powder = 1 pinch.

Nutmeg powder = 1 pinch.

Baking powder = 8 grams.

Flour = 225 grams.

Milk -=50 mL.

METHOD

·        In a glass bowl, take all the dry fruits, tooty fruity, candid peels, raisins, and mix all together.  Now pour 180 mL of rum and cover it with cling wrap and keep the mixture for at least two weeks at room temperature.

·        Sieve twice all the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg powder) all together.

·        In a mixing bowl, crack five eggs and start beating with electric beater till it forms ribbon consistency and keep aside.

·        In a large mixing bowl, take butter at room temperature and add brown sugar and start beating it till it becomes fluffy and soft.

·        Add vanilla essence and soaked dry fruits mixture and give it a light mix.

·        Now, add the flour mixture and fold it gently.

·        Now add the beaten egg and start gently folding it with cut and fold method. 

·        Add milk, mix it gently.

·        Now pour the mixture in a silicon bread mold and keep it in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature at 160, bake it for one and a half hours, check it with a knife, if it comes out clean, take the cake out from the oven, if not bake it for some more time, till is bakes completely.

·        Take the cake out and cool it for sometime then unmold it, keep it on a wire rack overnight and then cut into slices and serve.

NOTE:

·        Do not over mix the mixture.

·        The size of the cake mold should be according to the quantity of cake mix.  It should be filled only three-fourth.

PALAK PANEER RECIPE (पालक पनीर)

With winter arrived…a healthy vegetable delight to pounce on…go ahead and try the most simplified recipe of Palak Paneer....

Ingredients

·        Spinach = 2 bunches.

·        Onion= 1 medium.

·        Tomato = 2 medium.

·        Ginger = 1/2 inch.

·        Garlic = 6 cloves.

·        Cumin seeds = 1/2 teaspoon.

·        Refined oil = 2 tablespoon.

·        Turmeric powder = 1/2 teaspoon.

·        Coriander powder = 1 teaspoon.

·        Red chilli powder = 1 teaspoon.

·        Cumin powder = 1/2 teaspoon.

·        Nutmeg powder = 1 pinch.

·        Bay leaf = 2.

·        Fresh yoghurt =1/2 cup.

·        Sugar= 1 teaspoon.

·        Salt = To taste.

·        Paneer = 250 grams.

·        Fresh cream = 2 tablespoon.

METHOD

·        In a heavy bottom or nonstick pan, put refined oil and after heating add cumin seeds, bay leaf, chopped ginger and garlic, sauté it for 30 seconds.

·        Now add roughly chopped onion, cook till it becomes translucent.

·        Add roughly chopped tomatoes, salt, and cook for 1-2 minutes on high flame.

·        Add all dry spices (turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder and nutmeg powder).  Cook for 30 seconds and switch off the flame.

·        Now, add smoothen fresh yoghurt and mix everything together.

·        Now, switch on the flame and add roughly chopped spinach and sugar and cook for 1-2 minutes.  Now, switch off the flame and let the mixture cool completely.

·        Now, in a blender jar blend the mixture and make it a smooth puree.

·        Heat the pan, add the blended mixture and let it boil, add salt to taste and paneer cubes.  Cook for 1-2 minutes and switch off the flame.

·        Now, add fresh cream and mix it well.

·        Serve hot with naan, roti or parathas.

NOTE:

·        Do not put yoghurt when the flame is on.

·        Do not overcook the spinach (it will not take more than 1-2 minutes to cook the spinach).

·        When the dish is completely ready, switch off the flame, then only add the fresh cream.