CAULIFLOWER & PUMPKIN CURRY

To all my Muslim readers, HAVE A BLESSED EID!

Get bored with your stir fry vegetables?  You might just change your mind, when you discover this simple and healthy  Cauliflower & Pumpkin Curry.

This is an easy recipe but make sure you have all the spices on hand before you try this Cauliflower & Pumpkin Curry.  A combination of Indian spices transforms this simple vegetarian dish into a delight for the senses.

Here is my tips for perfect Cauliflower & Pumpkin Curry

1.  If possible cut the vegetables almost the same size and thickness. This to ensure uniform cooking time

2.  Do not add water, the veggies will ooze out water while cooking.  This is sufficient to cook the vegetables

3.  After you cover the pan, stir in between and check for tenderness. Don't overcook, the pumpkin will lose the shape and becomes mushy

EGG FREE FRUIT CAKE

This holiday season why not give this fruit cake a try by whipping one that is egg free and alcohol free. Just follow the simple directions and you'll have the best Egg Free Fruit Cake.

If you're looking for Egg Free Fruit Cake, this recipe is ideal for people who  prefer a lighter version. It's quicker and does not involve soaking of the mixed fruit for days or months but tasted as delicious as the traditional fruit cake.

For those who are allergic to dairy, replace yogurt with  soy milk, unsweetened apple sauce or pureed tofu.

EGG FREE FRUIT CAKE
Serves   :    6-7

1 1/4  cup plain flour
1/4  cup corn flour
1/2 cup melted butter or oil
3/4 cup  fine sugar/powdered sugar
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup yogurt
1/2 cup mixed fruit
2 tablespoon raisin
4  red/green glace cherries  sliced
1 tsp vanilla extract

METHOD

Preheat oven @ 180 C and lightly grease your baking pan.

Beat melted butter with sugar until well mixed.

Whisk together yogurt  and baking soda. You will some bubbles appear on top.  Leave for 5 minutes.

Sift together both flour with baking powder and salt into mixing bowl.

Combine mixed fruit and glace cherries with 2 tsp flour, keep aside.

Now mix together flour mixture with wet ingredients, add the vanilla extract.

Fold  in mixed fruit and glace cherries. Stir to mix.

Pour mixture into prepared pan, bake for 40-50  minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean @ 180 C.

Leave in pan for 10 minutes before inverting the cake onto rack to cool.

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CRUNCH DROPS

Do you have friends or family coming to visit? Treat them to some delicious and relatively healthy Crunch Drops  Cookies for dessert. These cookies are made with rolled oat and breakfast cereal (cornflakes). This recipe is very simple and not time consuming to whip up.

These are healthy, fiber packed, indulgent and delicious! Another tip, you must let them sit about 3 minutes in a pan after baking since they tend to break and still very soft before transferring them onto rack to cool. They are crunchy outside but chewy inside, great for morning tea or afternoon snack too.

COCONUT CREAM AGAR / AGAR2 SANTAN

With the temperature rising, it's time for a refreshing dessert. made of agar agar.   This  low calorie agar2 is derived from  natural water soluble fiber with no fat or starch.

Coconut Cream Agar  is simple to prepare and much healthier than the egg and cream type. What you need is to stir the mixture of agar2 powder, sugar and coconut milk until boiling and thicken, pour into your favorite mould and once it comes to room temperature place them in a refrigerator to chill.

Beside coconut milk, you can add canned fruit, corn, cocoa or even fruit juice to the jelly, the choice is endless, just use your imagination to explore this versatile dessert.

ALMOND CHOCOLATE COOKIES

These Almond Chocolate Cookies are deliciously simple to make yet are elegant and tasty dessert.

The dough of these cookies can be prepared in advance, keep refrigerated for use the next day. Substitute your choice of nuts for the almonds if needed.

As we grow older, we tend to be more health conscious and avoid taking overly sweet desserts. This is the reason why I resort to make my own rather than buying the ready made cookies that are way too sweet.