Heerekai (Ridge Gourd) Dosa

Though Heerekai Or Ridge gourd isn't liked by many, this dosa with the spices makes it super yummy. It takes a lot of time to make this dosa as it should cook really well, otherwise it will taste bitter. Here is what you will need,

• 1 Cup White Rice (soaked overnight)
• 6-8 Red Chili's
• 1 spoon Coriander Seeds
• 1/2 spoon Cumin Seeds
• Small piece of Tamarind
• Jaggery (double the amount of tamarind )
• 1/4 Cup Coconut, grated
• Salt to taste
• Ridge gourd, sliced thin

Grind the rice with the spices and coconut until smooth. Add jaggery and grind gently. The batter is ready. Now dip the slices of Ridge gourd into the batter and place it on the thava. Repeat it until the thava is full. Cover it and let it cook on low to medium heat for about 2 minutes. Now flip the dosa and let it cook for a minute. Heerekai dosa is ready. Serve with butter or coconut oil. 

Fruit Salad

Fruit salad is a dessert loved by everyone. In our family, no celebration is perfect without fruit salad. You can add any fruits of your choice, it tastes delicious. Here is the recipe of the salad I made recently,

• 1/2 Cup Apple (Red delicious)
• 1/2 Cup Grapes 
• 1 Banana (Large)
• 1/2 Cup Honey dew
• 1/4 Cup Blueberry
• 1/4 Cup Pomegranate Seeds
• 2 Tbsp Honey or To taste
• 2 and 1/2Cups Ice Cream (I used, Chickoo or Sapota Flavor)

Add the honey to the fruits and mix gently. Stir in the ice cream and garnish with fruits. Serve chilled.

Rasam ( Saru )

Mangalurian's meal starts with rasam. It's the main part of their food system. My mom-in-law makes the best Rasam in the world. She taught me the recipe. It's very easy with a few steps to follow.

• 1/2 Cup Toor Dal ( soak for 10 minutes )
• 4-6 Tomatoes, Cut into Large pieces
• Green Chili's, slit, to taste
• 1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder
• A piece of Jaggery
• Salt to taste
• 3 Cups Water
• 2 Tbsp Rasam Powder
• Coconut milk 1/4 Cup ( Optional )
• Coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 Tbsp of Ghee
• Few Curry Leaves

Pressure cook the toor dal with little turmeric powder.  In a separate pan, add the tomatoes, green chili's, turmeric powder, jaggery and salt. Now add about 3 Cups of water and let it cook. Cooking process may take about 20 to 30 minutes. Now add the cooked dal and rasam powder to this and let it come to a boil. Add the coconut milk and coriander leaves, now turn off the stove. Add a simple tadka with ghee and just curry leaves. Serve hot with Rice.

Rasam Powder ( Saru Hudi )

I got this recipe from my mom. It's very easy to make.  You can store this one for up to a month or so.

• 1 Tbsp of Oil
• Handful of Red Chili's
• 10 spoons of Coriander Seeds 
• 2 Spoons of Fenugreek Seeds
• 3 Spoons of Cumin Seeds
• 1/4th Spoon of Asafoetida 

Fry the above listed ingredients in the order,adding one by one. Let it cool completely before grinding to make the powder. Store in an air tight container (no need to refrigerate).

Rose cake

I made this a long back when my best friend left for India. I made 60 ribbon blue roses as border and at the center. This cake decor was really easy to make when compared many others.

McQueen Lightning Car Cake!

This car cake I made for my baby and he loved it. It's somewhat easy to make and like any other decors, this also takes a lot time.

Pink Fondant Cake!

I made this cake for my final project in the wilton's decorating class(3rd course). This is a very easy to make, but time consuming!

I baked 8*2 (2 layered eggless chocolate cake ) cake and covered it with buttercream icing followed by rolled pink fondant. Those strips are made of light green fondants.

Carnations take a lot of time to make but it's worth the effort. I used 25 carnations to decorate this cake. 

Poori Recipe

Poori's are south Indian favorites of all time. Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner it goes well with all!  Poori bhaji is the famous food combination in most of the parts, but believe me poori chole is also delicious. Here is the ingredients you will need for poori,

• 1 and 1/2 Cups of Wheat Flour
• 1 Tbsp of Oil
• Salt to taste
• lukewarm Water for kneading
• Oil for deep frying

In a mixing bowl add the flour, oil, salt and give it a mix. Add water to this to make a dough ( dough should be a little drier than chapati ). Keep it aside for 10 to 25 minutes. Make balls and roll it to make a small circle ( not as big as chapati ).  Fry this in oil on medium flame for a minute or so until it turns golden brown. Remove the poori and place it on the paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve hot with bhaji, chole or any other curry.

Long bean seeds' Curry Recipe!

Long beans are everyday part of mangalorians diet. This curry is made of it's seed and coconut with the mixture of spices. This goes really well with chapati and rice. Here is the recipe,

• 1 Cup of Long bean seeds, soaked in 2 Cups of water for 8 hrs
• 2 Onions, sliced
• 1/4 Cup Coconut, Grated
• 1 Tsp Tamarind Juice
• A small piece of Jaggery
• Curry Leaves
• Salt to taste

For Curry Powder-

• 2 Tsp Oil
• 5 Red Chili, Slit
• 1 Spoon Coriander Powder
• 1 Spoon Urad Dal
• 1/2 Spoon Fenugreek/Methi Seeds
• 1/4 Spoon Cumin Seeds

Pressure cook the seeds in the water it has been soaked in. Now to this add the onion and let it boil. Meanwhile prepare the curry powder. In a pan, add the oil and once it gets heated add the red chili, and fry for a minute. Now add the coriander powder and fry for a minute. Add Urad dal, fry until it turns golden brown. Add the fenugreek seeds and saute for 30 seconds. Now add cumin seeds and turn off the stove. Let it cool completely before grinding.

Blend the coconut, tamarind juice and curry powder until the mixture is smooth. Add this to the boiling mixture of seeds and onions. Mix really well. Now add the salt, jaggery and curry leaves. Let the mixture come to a boil. Turn off the stove and serve hot with Chapati or Rice.

Thambli Recipe

Thambli is a famous mangalore side dish usually served with rice. It's the blend of coconut and onions that gives the taste. Thambli is a very simple to follow recipe,

• 3/4 Cup Coconut, Grated
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 3 Tsp Yogurt
• 1 Onion, chopped finely
• 2 Green chili, or to taste
• Salt to taste
• Tadka or Oggarane of your choice

Grind the coconut in water until smooth. Pour this into a mixing bowl and add the onions, green chili, yogurt & salt. Mix well. Now give a tadka of your choice with curry leaves and the thambli is ready to serve :)

Banana Muffins!

Banana muffins tastes exactly like the mangalore buns'. These are easy to make yet sweet to eat. Here is the recipe,

• 1 and 1/2 Cups of Maida
• 1 Tsp Baking Soda
• 1 Tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• 3 Bananas
• 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
• 5 Tbsp Butter, Melted
• 1 Tbsp of Flax seed Powder dissolved in 3tbsp of Water
• 3/4 Cup White Sugar 

For Crumbling-

• 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1 Tbsp Butter
• 2 Tbsp Maida
• A pinch of Cinnamon Powder

In a mixing bowl, add the maida, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix well. In another bowl, add in the flax seed powder mixed well in water, butter, vanilla extract, sugar and the bananas, mashed. Mix really well. Stir the maida mixture into the banana mixture until its well mixed. Pour the batter into prepared muffin pan.

In a bowl, mix the maida, butter, brown sugar and cinnamon powder and sprinkle this over the muffins.

Bake in preheated oven at 350 degree F for about 20 to 25 mins, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Spicy Dosa

Dosa, a south Indian special, is usually a breakfast food but can be served for lunch or dinner as a side dish. This spicy dosa contains the batter with additional spices. It's our all time favorite. Here is the recipe,

• 1 and 1/2 Cups of Rice soaked in water for about 2 to 3 hours
• 1 Tbsp of Coriander Seeds
• 1 Tsp of Jeera Seeds ( Cumin Seeds )
• 5 to 8 Red Chilies
• Tamarind ( about a size of cashew )
• 1/4 Cup grated Coconut
• 1 piece of Jaggery

Grind rice with all the above ingredients except the jaggery. Blend it until the rice is smooth. Now add the jaggery and give it a quick pulse. The batter is ready. Pour it on to a thawa and make the yummy dosas. Serve hot with butter or any chutney.

Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have found a new method to bake many recipes which requires egg. Yes, it's the flax seed. I can now bake any egg needed recipes without actually using egg. Before I couldn't try any of these recipes as they required egg. I substitute one egg with one tablespoon flax seed powder in three tablespoon water.  Here is the recipe,

• 1 Cup Butter
• 1 Cup White Sugar
• 1 Cup Brown Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Flax Seed dissolved in 6 Tbsp of Water
• 2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 Tsp Baking Soda
• 2 Tsp Hot Water
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• 3 Cups All Purpose Flour
• 2 Cups Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 Cup Chopped Walnuts

Mix the white sugar and brown sugar in butter until smooth. Add in the flax seed in water and mix well. Now add in the vanilla, baking soda dissolved in hot water and salt. Give it a nice mix. Add the flour and mix really well. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Drop into ungreased cookie pans. Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes in preheated oven at 350degree F.  This recipe yields 3o to 40 cookies. 

Basket-weave Flower Cake Picture

Dabeli

I was unknown about this delicious chat until last month. One of my friends bought Dabeli for a potluck which I loved. I tried to make the same at home and the taste was really good. Thanks to the girls for letting me know about this yum chat. Dabeli name is very unique, though not sure how the name came! here is the recipe i used,

Ingredients for the stuff-

• 2 Tbsp of Butter
• 1 large onion 
• 2 to 4 Tomatoes
• 2 Tbsp of Dabeli masala
• 3 boiled & mashed Potatoes
• 1 Tbsp of Lemon Juice
• Salt to Taste
• 1 Tsp of sugar
• Hamburger Bun or Pav Bun

For Garnishing-

• 1/2 Cup Pomogranate
• 1/2 Cup Spicy Peanuts
• 1/4 Cup Shredded Coconut
• 1/4 Cup Sev
• 1/4 Cup Onions
• A few Cilantro leaves

In a pan melt the butter and fry the onions. Now add the tomatoes, dabeli masala, salt and cook until they are soft. Add in the mashed potatoes and give it a nice mix. To this, add the sugar, dabeli masala (more, if required) lemon juice and mix it. Switch off the stove and pour this to a plate. On top of this, add the pomogranate, peanuts, coconut, onions, sev & cilantro leaves. 

Lightly toast a pav bun or hamburger bun and spread date chutney on sides. Fill a big spoon of above stuffs inside the bun and serve immediately.

Baby shower Cake

I made this cake for my friend's baby shower. It's a egg-less chocolate cake with buttercream icing on it. Love the booties on the cake :-)

Sprouted Moong Dal Tadka!

Sprouted Moongdal is very healthy to our body. It's healthy practice to include sprouts in our regular diet. This is a simple recipe which I learnt watching my mom.

• 2 Cups of Sprouted Green Moongdal
• 1 tsp Oil
• 1/2 tsp Jeera/Cumin Seeds
• 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1 Red Chili Whole
• 1 tsp Urad dal
• A few Curry Leaves
• Green Chili's to taste
• salt to taste
• Grated Coconut for Garnishing (optional)

In a pan add oil and once it is heated add in the jeera. Then add mustard seeds and red chili. Add the urad dal. Once it becomes light brown in color add in the curry leaves n green chili. Now add the sprouts, salt and give it a nice mix. Add a little water and cook for few minutes.Once it is cooked nicely garnish with grated coconut for additional flavor. Serve hot.

Chocolate Chips Cup Cake!

This cup cake is one of my favorites.  My 19 months old baby loves this. This is a very easy to make but still delicious in taste. Here is the recipe,

• 1 and 1/2 cups Maida
• 1 cup of Sugar
• 3 Tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa powder
• 1 tsp Baking Soda 
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 5 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
• 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 Tbsp Vinegar
• 1 cup Cold Water
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

In a mixing bowl, sift maida, cocoa powder and add sugar, baking soda and salt. Mix well and add oil, vanilla extract & vinegar. Now add cold water and beat well until there are no lumps. Add the chocolate chips and pour the batter into cupcake pan. Bake in 350degree F (make sure oven is preheated) for 33 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean! Let it cool completely before serving. 

Wilton's Buttercream Icing Recipe!

Cake decoration is my new passion. I'm taking the Wilton's cake decor classes, which makes these things pretty easier. So thanks to them. Here is the recipe of Wilton's buttercream icing,

• 1cup solid vegetable shortening (Crisco)
• 1 Tsp Wilton's Vanilla flavor
• 7-8 Tsp of Water
• 1 lb. pure confectioner's sugar (Domino)
• 1 Tbsp Meringue Powder (optional)
• Pinch of salt (optional)

Add the ingredients and mix on medium speed using a hand blender until all the ingredients have been thoroughly mixed together. Makes 2 and 1/2 cups of Icing. For a chocolate buttercream add 3/4 cup of cocoa powder and an additional 1 to 2 tsp of water. Mix until well blended.

1. Stiff Consistency buttercream icing-This is the stiff consistency of buttercream icing. These are mainly used for decorating flowers.
2. Medium Consistency buttercream icing-Add 1 tsp of water for each cup of stiff consistency icing. Mix well. This will make the medium consistency of buttercream icing. This is used to create stars, decorating borders, etc
3. Thin Consistency buttercream icing-Add 2 tsp of water for each cup of stiff consistency icing. Mix well until blended. Thin consistency used for writing, leaves, icing a cake.

Mango Cake

Mango cake is fabulous in taste and easy to make. I got this recipe from Showmethecurry website, they are wonderful ladies who make our lives much easier. I'm a really big fan of them as I have learnt a lot from them. Here is what you will need for making this recipe,

• 1 and 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
• 1 Tsp Baking Soda
• 1 Cup Sugar
• A pinch of Salt
• 10 Tbsp of Mango Pulp
• 1 Tbsp of White Vinegar
• 5 Tbsp of Oil
• 1 Cup Cold Water

Preheat the oven to 350degrees F.  Add flour, baking soda, sugar and salt into a mixing bowl. Mix it nicely. Now add mango pulp, vinegar, oil and water. Using a hand blender mix all the ingredients until there are no lumps. Pour the batter into greased 8X8 inch- 2 inch deep pan. Bake this in preheated oven for 40mins ( 35-40mins depending on your oven ). Check with a toothpick if the cake is baked correctly. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely before icing and decorating.

Thukudi OR Spicy Bites!

Thukudi is usually a diamond shaped spicy bites which is perfect for tea/coffee time. Once you taste it, you will be addicted to this for sure. You can adjust the spice level if you are planning to give them to the kids'.

• 1 and 1/2 Cups Maida ( All Purpose Flour )
• 3 Tbsp of Sooji
• 1 Tbsp of Oil 
• 1 Tsp of Red Chili Powder ( or to taste )
• Salt to taste
• Water to make the dough

Oil for deep frying.

Take all the ingredients (except water) in a bowl and mix it. Now add water and make the dough like you do for poori's (dough should be on the dry side, a little). Cover and keep it aside for 10 minutes. Meanwhile keep oil in a pan for deep frying on medium to low heat. Now take a lemon sized ball from the dough and roll it like a chapati, using a rolling pin. Using a knife cut it into diagonal shaped bites and deep fry them. Remove them once they turn golden brown and place it on a paper towel to remove excess oil. Let it cool completely before  storing them. It really has a long shelf life. So you can make ahead of time and keep it for upto one month in any air tight container.

Starbucks Coconut Mocha Frappuccino Recipe

Coconut Mocha Frappuccino is a delicious coffee with coconuts and chocolates as additional flavors. This is my husbands top favorite as he likes coconut a lot! Here is the recipe,

• 1/2 Cup Coconut
• 1/2 Cup double strength Coffee
• 1 Cup Milk
• 3 to 4 Tbsp of Sugar 
• 3 to 4 Tbsp of Chocolate Syrup
• 2 and 1/2 Cups of Ice
• Whipped Cream

Fry the coconut using a pan ( or oven ) till they are brown ( make sure you don't burn them ). Let it cool completely. Keep a spoon of powder for garnishing. Now in a blender take the coconut powder, coffee, sugar, syrup and give it a nice mix. Add milk, whipped cream & ice and mix until the ice is crushed. Pour into 2 large glasses and garnish it with whipped cream, chocolate syrup and coconut powder. Serve immediately.

Moon Shaped Cookies Recipe!

These moon shaped cookies are easy to make and tasty. They are kids' favorite but will be loved by adults too. My friend Preetika used to make these yummy cookies and give it to me every time. Never bothered to learn until she left to India. I had to learn it as we are really fond of it. Here is the recipe,

• 1 Cup Maida ( All Purpose Flour )
• 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Ghee
• 1/4th Tsp Cardamom Powder
• Rose Essence, few drops ( Optional )

Take all the above ingredients and mix it to make a dough. Using hands, make small balls and give it moon shape using a glass ( you can also use cookie shaper if you have one ). Place these moon shaped cookies on the baking tray. Preheat the oven to 350degree F and bake the cookies for 15 minutes approximately. Remove and let it cool completely. Store in an air tight container.