Vegan Banana and Gingerbread Slices

I love reading books. I read a variety of them, from novels to short stories and most recently cookbooks! Ever since I have developed an interest for cooking, I always browse the cookery section of the library on my frequent visits. It just happened that I came across a low fat baking book and I brought it home. It is a nice book with a huge collection and has pictures for all the baking recipes. I have tried this particular cake from the book- 'The Ultimate Low Fat Baking Cookbook' edited by Linda Fraser. I have made a lot of variation to make it eggless. I made this cake for our 'Girl's Get Together' which was at one of my friend's place. While baking it I kept it in oven for about 42 mins and the top of the cake turned slightly more brown and hard. I should have taken it out 5 minutes early. Still, the taste was great. The flavour of this cake develops as it keeps, so if you can store it for 2-3 days before eating.

Fatafat Mixture

A very easy and crunchy snack which can be made in just a few minutes. I could not think of any other name for this snack than the same. Go through the recipe you will know why..
Another reason to call it 'Fatafat Mixture' is its finishes off so soon. You can stop one you have started munching it!!
Here is what you will need for 'Fatafat Mixture':

Tomato Black Eyed Beans Soup

A bowl full of protien and nutrients!
Here is the recipe for 'Tomato Black Eyed Beans Soup' mentioned in my last post.
This recipe serves 2 people.

Toasted Paneer Sandwich

Paneer is an all time favourite for most vegetarians. I have some preparation of paneer in some form or other every week. This 'Paneer Sandwich' are mostly made for breakfast but recently, I made them for our dinner. We had it with a bowl full of 'Tomato Black Eyed Beans Soup' (recipe in next post!). It was a hearty meal.

Poha

'Poha' is one of the most frequently made breakfast in my house because its quick and easy. It is recieved  without any frowns (read with delight) and there is never any left over when this is served as the breakfast.
Without much introduction as to what is 'Poha', I come straight to the recipe.

Dahi Vada

Whenever I make 'Dahi Vada', my hubby will always want the ones filled with raisans and nuts. I had posted its recipe in one of my earlier post here. But, this time things were different. I had my friend coming for lunch and she is kind of - not too keen on nuts. She is one who will pick up the nuts from pulao and even from cereal and set aside before eating. So, this time I decided to make this version of 'Dahi Vada' instead of my hubby's favourite Gujia Vada.

Chocolate Rum Truffles

Who doesnot love chocolate? I haven't met many people who will say no chocolate. And, even if one doesnot like I don't mind, I will have more to eat ;-). Here is something, I tasted first on a trip to USA.

When we went to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop in San Fransisco, we fell in love with it. You roll your eyes and all you can see is a variety of chocolates. We bought an assortment of chocolates and one of them were truffles. I have tried to make it at home and I would say it was preety worth the effort coz there is not much effort and the taste is great.

Check Out here for interesting recipes from Ghirardelli.
However this recipe is adapted from 'Joy of Baking'. Have a look at this site. It's pictures will make you drool.

Eggless Chocolate Banana Cake

I had bookmarked a recipe for Vegan Chocolate Banana Cake from Madhuram's site. I did some variation from the recipe given on her site, so it is not vegan anymore. First time, I had prepared this cake for our girl's get together. I was very apprehensive about using banana then. My hubby didnot like the idea much, so I told him that this cake was not for him and he gave me a nasty look. Still, I baked the cake and my house was filled with the smell of baked bananas. I thought it was a flop and didnot even dare to taste it. Next day, I tasted it and believe me, it was delicious!! After, cooling down, the smell of banana had vanished. It was a great hit with my friends too but sadly I couldnot save a peice for my hubby!
My hubby had not been a chocolate cake fan, but after I had baked one for Valentine's Day,  he had been asking me for another. So, I baked this Chocolate Banana Cake yesterday and we had this with vanilla iceream. He ate it with delight and guess what? Till now I havenot told him that it has bananas in it.

Aaloo Matar ki Subji (Potato Peas Curry)

My hubby is a great green peas fan. Be it in pulao, curry or a parathas, this super nutritious legume always delights him. Benefits of peas are numerous. To cite a few - Peas are rich in water soluble fibres which helps in promoting intestinal health and by binding with cholesterol they help excrete it. They are the richest vegetable in thiamin (vitamin B1). It provides nutrients that is important for mantaining bone health. The benefits of green peas are well documented here.

The recipe which I am sharing today is a very frequently made subji in my house. Here I have used concentrated tomato paste as it gives a nice, stark red colour to the gravy. However, you can omit it. Here is the recipe for this curry.

Strawberry Shake

Strawberries are one of the most delicious and nutritious berries. These cute, heart shaped fruits are a very good source of Vitamin C, antioxidants, folic acid and phytonutrients. It prevents us from dangerous diseases like cancer, high blood pressure etc. It is very good for skin as well.
 I recently read a very interesting use of strawberries - the strawberries, when cut in half and rubbed on the teeth and gums, removes tartar from the teeth and strengthens and heals the gums. The juice should be allowed to remain on the teeth as long as possible in order to dissolve the tartar. The mouth may then be rinsed with warm water.
Strawberries are very perishable, so when buying them we must be very particular in choosing fresh berries.
Strawberries has a permanent place in my refrigerator. as 'strawberry shake' is a big favorite with me and my hubby.
The process of making this delicious shake is very simple. You can omit adding icecream if you wish to.

Palak Aaloo Paratha

Spinach is a nutrition superstar, even a fairly good source of iron. It's loaded with vitamins and minerals, some of which are hard to find in other foods. It is an excellent source of beta-carotene, a powerful disease-fighting antioxidant that's been shown, among other things, to reduce the risk of developing cataracts. It fights heart disease and cancer as well. Well these facts are just a few drops in an ocean. Check out a well documented article on the benefits of Spinach here.

Here is a recipe of parathas- 'Palak Aaloo Paratha' which has a fair amount of spinach. I am sending this to Healing Food- Event- Spinach: hosted by Divya started by Siri.
Also send it to EFM-Also sending it to EFM-Parathas and Gravies / Curries Series hosted by Srilekha of Me and my Kitchen.

This recipe makes 4 parathas.

Chola Tikki Chaat

Another preparation of chickpeas which my hubby eats with delight. It is a chaat and one plate of it quite filling. Whenever, I prepare chole ki subji, i purposely make it for 2 meals. Later I serve it 'Chola Tikki Chat'.
Without, elaborating my speech let me come to the recipe. Well. half of it is already posted. For the recipe of Chola subji please visit  my previous post on Chola Bhatura.
This is my last entry to 'The Combo Event' at Foodelicious

 and Shama's 'Family Favourite Event'
                   'Chole ki subji'

Green Mango Chutney

I love green mangoes. We had a mango tree in our house and I remember, how we used to rush to collect the fallen mangoes after a night of heavy rains. We had quite many night of heavy rains in Assam. I loved eating them raw with a mixture of salt and red chilli powder. The tangy and spicy taste soothed my tastebuds like nothing else. Even now the very thought sets my mouth watering!:-)!
Today, I am sharing a chutney made from this lovely fruit. I use black onion seeds( kalonji) and fennel seeds which gives a very nice flavour. Here is the recipe for 'Green Mango Chutney'.

Pav Bhaaji

Just after the weekend, I tend to become lazy and I wish there were no 'mondays'. On top of that this weekend was extra special for Holi. I hope everybody had a nice and colourful holi. After two days of masti, my house needed a serious cleaning. How much I wish I were in India! I could order the maid servant to do all the chores. Well, here you have to do it all. After a busy day, when I turned on my laptop, I could see some round up of events I had participated in. I was glad to be a part of them but then I realised I had some posts in my drafts which needed to be published soon. I scanned if there is any event whose deadline is not over. Finally, yes! This post goes to 'The Combo Event' at Foodelicious and at Shama's Family Favourite Event.

Well, coming to the recipe today, its another famous street food in India - 'Pav Bhaaji'. I loved the Pav Bhaaji served by the roadside cart in Fancy Bazar in Guwahati. None other has surpassed that taste and flavour.

Well, coming back to the recipe, for the bhaaji you will need:

4 large potatoes.
1 carrot shredded.
1 onion.
½ capsicum.
½ cup of green peas.
3 tomatoes c.hopped
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp garam masala
2-3 tsp pav bhaaji masala
2 green chilies chopped finely.
½ cup chopped spinach.
½ cup chopped cabbage.
Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing.
½ tsp grated ginger.
Salt to taste.
Water as required
1 lemon
2-3 tbsp oil
2 tbsp butter.
This recipe will serve 4 people
Procedure:

Boil the potatoes. Peel it off and mash them into a smooth mixture.
Chop the onions finely and keep aside. Boil chopped cabbage, spinach and shredded carrot and mash them well into a mixture. Heat a frying pan. Add oil. When heated add the chopped chilies and grated ginger. Stir for 2 mins. Then add onions and capsicum. Sautee for 3-5 mins till the onion is slightly golden. Now add the chopped tomatoes and heat till it melts into a liquidy form. Then add the spices, salt and pav bhaaji masala and heat well for 5-7 mins. Keep stirring continuously to prevent it from over burning. The spices on being roasted will give out a nice aroma. Add the spinach, cabbage and carrot mixture and mix well. Heat for 2 minutes. Add mashed potato paste and mix thoroughly. Add water to give it the desired consistency. Heat for 5 mins. Squeeze out juice of one lemon and add to the bhaaji. Mix it nicely. Heat for 2 mins. Transfer in a serving bowl. Garnish it with chopped coriander leaves and butter generously.

Pav:

12 buns.
Butter.

Procedure:

Heat a tava. Spread butter on the plain side of buns and heat them on the heated tava.
Serve the bhaaji hot with warm pav along with finely chopped onions and tomatoes and a wedge of lemon.

Enjoy!