KUIH SAGU/ SAGO CAKE

Sago is a natural food which is in existence for centuries. During the period of East India trade, it was a product traded in the region and even considered to be superior substance when it was first imported to Britain in 18th century. It is used to be added to soups and made into puddings and desserts.

This yummy dessert of Malaysia and Singapore is really easy to prepare. Made of pearl sago, water and sugar, boil using medium heat and constantly stirring to avoid it sticks to the bottom of the pan, once the bubble appears you can safely remove from heat. Transfer this into rinsed pan or small cups to cool. To serve, roll them with grated coconut with salt added. Simply great for dessert or as a light snack. This is my mum's favorite dessert. She  used to serve  this after school  but  now I have to prepare myself to enjoy them..


INGREDIENTS

1 C pearl sago
1/2 C sugar
2 C water
red food coloring
1/2 of fresh coconut, grated
3/4 tsp salt

METHOD

* Soak sago pearl for 15 minutes, rinse and drain. Wet the 7 inches pan with water. Mix some salt to the grated coconut and keep aside.

* Place sugar and water in a deep pot and bring to boil.

* Add a drop of food coloring and stir.

* Now add the drained sago pearl and stir until the bubble appears on top.

* Transfer the sago into rinsed 7 inches pan and leave to cool.

* Slice and coat with grated coconut to serve.

Linking to  My Collection & Memories Contest

BANANA AND OATMEAL CAKE

Another great eggless recipe using banana and oatmeal. I used rolled oat then pulse them to get finer meal.  Banana and Oatmeal Cake  is  really nutritious and moist. Can be served as your breakfast or as afternoon snack along with a cup of hot tea.

Vegetable oil is being used but for richer taste, butter is recommended. Here is the list of ingredients in case you want to try out this yummy Banana and Oatmeal Cake. 

SAMBAR (LENTIL CURRY)

Essential dish of South India, made of toor dhal flavored with special blend of spices, tamarind, garnished with curry leaves, mustard seed and fenugreek. It usually serves with plain rice, vada, dosa or iddly. There are various types of sambar available in Indian meal.

I'm using ready made sambar powder for this recipe which is quite tasty and simple to prepare. Vegetables like drumstick, carrot, brinjal or potato could be added to the gravy. How runny the sambar is depending on the quantity of water added during the process but I liked mine to be not too thick nor too watery.

BREAD PANCAKE

Pancake is very simple and easy to prepare, there are so many varieties to choose from. It is just a perfect meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner, can be served with sauce or your favorite chutney.

This is quite different from the normal one since milk and egg are absent in this recipe. It uses cubed bread, onion, tomato and green chili for making the batter, pancake turns out superb and ate them as it is. Do adjust the chilli used according to your preference.

If the batter is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons more water or until you get the right consistency. For the recipe below you will get 7 pieces.


INGREDIENTS

6 slices bread cut into small cube
2 big onion chopped
2 medium tomato chopped
1 teaspoon ginger minced
4 green chilli sliced
handful of coriander leaves chopped
1 and 1/4 C all purpose flour
1 and 1/4 C water
salt to taste
cooking oil

METHOD

* Place the flour and salt in a mixing bowl, gradually add water, mix well.

* Add in the onion, ginger, green chili, tomato and coriander leaves to the flour, stir until well combined.

* Heat and grease the flat pan, pour few tablespoons of batter and spread into round, fry until both side turn golden brown, drizzle oil when needed.

* Serve hot with sauce or chutney.

This goes to Transformation Thursday, Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap
Hearth And Soul Hop 42
Lets Bake Bread Together
Tempt My Tummy
Slightly Indulgent Tuesday
Tutorial Tuesday
Anti Procrastination Tuesday
Show Me What Ya Got
Delectable Tuesday
Tasty Tuesday
Tasty Tuesdays
Tasty Tuesday
Tag Back Tuesday
Show Off Your Stuff
Making It With Allie

COCONUT MILK JELLY

As requested my by son, I have prepared this popular jelly using agar2 powder. Really refreshing and yummy. If you are unfamiliar with agar2 powder, do check out here. Agar is the best substitute of gelatin and as thickening agent for custards, sauces, puddings and candies.

This quick and delicious can be prepared in a jiffy.  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.

This handwritten recipe is my family favorite dessert. It was given by my aunt and I have made them on regular basis when we need a dessert in a jiffy.

INGREDIENTS

1 pack of 12 g agar2 powder
1 liter water
230 g sugar
200 ml coconut milk
food coloring
jelly mould

METHOD

* Dissolve the agar2 powder with one liter of water in a deep pot.

* Add sugar and bring to boil, stirring constantly, add a drop of food coloring, mixed well.

* Now add the coconut milk and bring to boil again.

* Pour into rinsed jelly mould and let them come to room temperature.

* Place the jelly in a refrigerator to cool.

* Serve cool.

This goes to  Give Me The Recipe  

Connect with me:

FACEBOOK /     YOU TUBE /     YOU TUBE   /      RSS    /     EMAIL  /  GOOGLE+  /  TWITTER 

CHOCOLATE PASTA PUDDING

I have created this recipe out of the leftover spaghetti rather than dump them into a freezer. It is so easy to prepare, I used whatever ingredients available in my pantry.

Simply serve this pudding as dessert after you main meal or as a midnight snack or for breakfast. At the time of serving, you can add fresh fruit if you like.

For your information, the pasta unlike the bread does not absorb so much liquid thus I have added extra flour to make it thicker and obtain the right consistency.

Here is the recipe in case you want to try, do let me know how it turns out. I just love this yummy pudding, definitely will prepare it again.


INGREDIENTS

270g boiled pasta cut into shorter strand
1 C water
1 C evaporated milk
1 T heaped unsweetened cocoa powder
8 T sugar
2 T corn flour
2 T all purpose flour
2 slices bread cut into small
1/2 C raisin
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1/2 teaspoon salt

METHOD

* Preheat oven @ 180 C and grease 7 inches pan.

* In a mixing bowl, combine water, milk, cocoa, sugar, both flour, vanilla essence and salt. Whisk until well mixed.

* Add in pasta and bread, leave for 15 minutes.

* Pour into prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

* Serve hot or cold.

MY TRICK

* If the top turns brown quickly, cover with aluminium foil and continue baking until fully done.

* Make sure the raisin is not seen on top otherwise it gets burnt and dried out.

SNS 82
Show And Tell
Foodie Friday
Inspiration Friday
GCC Recipe Swap
Friday Potluck
Sunday Showcase
Sundae Scoop

BANANA YEAST BREAD

 

I have baked various types of bread but not this one, it's a typical yeast bread but mashed banana is added to the dough. This recipe truly is great, have no problems getting this bread to rise. It is one of the simplest recipes I've found and the end result was not disappointing at all, the texture was perfect, remains soft even the next day.

Banana Yeast Bread  is actually healthy for good breakfast or just as dessert or snack, you can serve it with butter, cheese or anything you like. It is the best bread I ever baked!

KUIH BOM/SESAME SEED BALL

 Normally this fried snack is made of mashed sweet potato and glutinous rice flour. I used  rice flour and plain flour instead since the glutinous rice flour is not available. After mixing they are stuffed with red bean paste or sweetened coconut then coated with white sesame seed.

Since sometime it explodes when you fry them that how it got his name. Anyway I have fried mine safely and turns out perfect despite the change of its shape.

When frying, use medium heat and constantly turns the kuih so it cooks evenly. Really pleased with the result of my experiment, it  turns delicious..

INGREDIENTS

250g potato boiled and mashed
6 T rice flour
6 T plain flour
4-5 T water
salt to taste
oil for frying
1/2 C sesame seed
red bean paste

METHOD

* Roll the red bean paste into small ball, slightly smaller than ping pong ball.

* In a mixing bowl, combine mashed potato, rice flour, plain flour and salt.

* Gradually add the water until pliable dough is formed, knead well.

* Divide the dough into 10 balls. Stuff each ball with red bean paste, shape into ball and coat them with sesame seed.

* Heat the oil, when the oil is hot, slide the balls and fry the golden brown, do not crowd the pan.

* Remove and drain on paper towel. Serve hot.

Show And Tell Friday
Friday Flair
FFA Friday

BLACK PEPPER CHICKEN

One of the easiest dish you can prepare and tastes great too. As you know, black pepper is known for its health benefits, improve digestion, promote intestinal health,antioxidant and antibacterial effects. It contains vitamin K, iron, dietary fiber and manganese.

This is not the typical Black Pepper Chicken that uses soy and oyster sauce, the addition of freshly ground black pepper really enhances the taste of this chicken.

Best taken with bread, roti or even rice.

PEANUT COOKIES

I'm in the mood for baking, this time another easy way to bake peanut cookies. The only tedious process is preparing the ground peanut, have done it from scratch but you can also purchase ready made ground peanut from bakery or supermarket.

The dough is easy to handle and shaping can be done in no time. For decoration purpose, egg glaze can be applied and dot with half peanut or cherry.

After baking, let it sits for a few minutes since the cookies is still soft, gently removed onto wire rack to cool.

INGREDIENTS

1 C al purpose flour
2 C cornflour
3/4 C fine sugar
1 C softened butter
1 C ground roasted peanut
1 tsp vanilla essence
egg yolk for glazing (optional)
peanut halves/cherries for topping

METHOD

* Cream butter and sugar until well blended, add vanilla essence.

* Gradually add flour and peanut to form a pliable dough.

* Preheat oven @ 170 C. Shape the dough into small ball then flatten or use cookie cutter to shape. Place on a baking tray and top with peanut/cherries.

* Bake 15-20 minutes @ 170 C.

* Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes then only transfer onto wire rack.

* When completely cool, store in an airtight container.

Linking to Cornflour Recipes

ROTI MARIAM

This flat bread is once on demand in early 80's during holy month of Ramadan, it was on sale during this particular month only but now it's no longer available.

Since the fasting month is just around the corner, I tried this and it turns out excellent. This bread now becomes our new favorite on our dinner table.

Care should be taken, when adding water, do not pour all but little at a time until a soft pliable dough is obtained. Another tip is, the dough requires at least 10 minutes of kneading than only the bread will be soft. I did without egg too.

MY 200TH POST W/RAISIN AND OAT BREAD & AWARD

It's my 200th post, would like to thank all blogger pals, followers, visitors and silent readers for regular visit and encouraging comments. YOU MAKE THIS  HAPPEN, hope to receive your continued support.

Through this challenging journey, I have found wonderful friends like you and once again thanks to all.

For this special occasion, would like to share this simple and healthy bread.



RAISIN AND OAT BREAD

One of my favorite tea time dessert is quick bread. It is so simple and easy to prepare.

Used earl grey tea but other flavored tea like green tea, oolong tea works fine too. This is very healthy and you need not spend long hours to bake this wonderful bread. Let's see how to prepare them.

SAGO PATTIES

Most popular snack ever tried on the net. After seen most of my friends posted this vada on their site so I'm tempted to try.

It is quite simple to prepare, the only time taken is soaking of the sago pearl between 2-5 hours before you can proceed to make this delicious treat. Soaked mine for 5 hours, do adjust the spice level according to your taste.

To have perfect patties, make sure you squeeze out the water if not the dough becomes too soft and very wet. Best eaten hot with your favorite chutney or as it is.


INGREDIENTS

1 and 1/2 c sago pearl
3 medium potato mashed
1 C ground peanut
4 T coriander leaves
2 Big onion chopped
3 green chili chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
1 in ginger chopped
1 tsp cumin seed
vegetable oil for frying

METHOD

* Soak sago for 2 to 5 hours then drain and squeeze out the water.

* In a mixing bowl, combine together all the ingredients.

* Shape into small ball, flatten slightly and shallow fry them.

* Remove and drain on absorbent paper. Serve hot with your favorite sauce.

82nd Penny Pinching Party
Real Food Wednesday
We Did It
Make It Yours
Whats Cooking Wednesday
Whatever Goes Wednesday
Creative Share
Sugar & Spice
Show And Tell
Wow Us Wednesdays
Made It On Monday
Link Up
Pennywise Platter
Simple Lives Thursday

COCONUT COOKIES

One of my favorite cookies, what I love most about this Coconut Cookies recipe is the dough, it has right consistency that makes shaping and cutting them such an easy task.

If you are using freshly grated coconut, dry roast for a few minutes until the moisture evaporates. At the time of baking, the entire kitchen is filled with nice aroma came from the coconut. Really delicious, you can't stop eating them.

Make sure to check them just before 10 minutes since it is easily browned, this Coconut Cookies  recipe yields 20 cookies.

RED BEAN MUFFIN

Wanted to bake muffin, checked my pantry and found a pack of red bean paste. So far never tried baking muffin with red bean.

Without further delay, mix up everything and substituted the milk with grape juice for a change. I'm very happy with this experiment, Red Bean Muffin  turns beautifully and quite tasty too.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Fudge is a sweet confectionary, extremely rich and frequently flavored with cocoa. It is made by mixing sugar, butter and milk, heating it to the soft ball stage at 240 F (116 C) then leave to cool and later is cut into cube to serve.

This recipe is easy to make and delicious. Make this fudge as your ultimate fudge indulgence.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 C butter
1 C sugar
2 C rolled oat
2 T unsweetened cocoa
1/2 C milk
1/2 C chopped nuts

METHOD

* Melt the butter, add sugar, cocoa and milk, stir until thicken about 5 minutes.

* Now add oat and nut, stir well.

* Pour into 8 sq in greased pan and let cool.

* Cut into squares and enjoy!

Foodie Friday
Show And Tell
GCC Recipe Swap
Friday Favorites
Feature Yourself Friday
Friday Potluck
Frugalicious Friday
Inspiration Friday
Its Hodgepodge Friday
Crafty Friday
Foodie Friday 2
SAS Day
FFA
Fantabulous Friday-
Sweet Tooth Friday
Sweets For Saturday

SAYUR LODEH (VEGETABLE W/COCONUT MILK)

This gravy is a must to accompany lontong (compressed rice cake), most popular breakfast dish of  Malaysia/Singapore. It is mainly vegetables cooked in coconut milk, other vegetables such as long bean, brinjal and young jackfruit could be added to the gravy.

To serve, put few pieces of lontong together with sambal, serunding (spiced grated coconut) then topped with sayur lodeh. It is easily available on mornings at most hawker centers. You can also take this gravy with hot steaming rice as a side dish.

INGREDIENTS

1 small cabbage
250g yam bean (sengkuang)
1 carrot
3 pieces firm beancurd
3 pieces tempeh (fermented soya bean cake)
2 lemon grass bruised
1 in lengkuas (galangal) sliced
1 piece turmeric leaf
3 cups coconut milk
3 cups water
3 TB cooking oil
salt and sugar to taste

GRIND
10 dry chill (soak to soften)
10 shallots
4 cloves garlic
3 TB dried sliver fish (soak and rinse)
2 ins fresh turmeric root
1 in ginger

METHOD

* Cut each tempeh and tofu into 4, shallow fry until light brown, drain.

* Cut the vegetables, for carrot and yam bean, cut into sticks.

* Heat the oil, fry the blended ingredients until fragrant add the the lemon grass and lengkuas.

* Add the carrot, salt, water and yam bean, bring to boil. When boiling add the tofu, coconut milk, turmeric leaf and tempeh, cook until vegetables turns soft, stirring frequently.

* Now add salt and sugar to taste, ready to serve with lontong (rice cake) or white rice.

ABUK ABUK SAGU

Simple and easy to make kuih of South East Asia. Traditionally it is wrapped with banana leaves and comes in a shape of a cone. Combining pearl sago, coconut (remove the brown skin) and palm sugar in a single recipe.

Anyway I have used muffin pan instead of banana leaves, do use them if available at your place.
For the quantity below you could get 10 pieces, enough for a small family to enjoy this yummy dessert of yesteryear.


INGREDIENTS

1 and 1/2 cups pearl sago
1 and 1/2 cups grated coconut
10 heaped tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

METHOD

* Boil 2 in depth water in a steamer. Grease and heat the muffin pan in the steamer.

* Wash sago with running water then drain.

* Combine together sago, coconut and salt in a mixing bowl, mix well. Sprinkle little water if it is too dry.

* Place 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of sago mixture onto the muffin pan, spread evenly.

* Now pour a heaped tablespoon brown sugar on top of sago mixture.

* Cover the brown sugar with another 1 and 1/2 tablespoon of sago mixture and level top.

* Steam for 15 minutes or until the sago turns translucent with medium heat.

* When completely cool, remove from the muffin pan to serve.

MARBLE CAKE

I intended to bake the Marble Cake for quite some time but always reluctant to try, simply because it calls for high content of fat, sugar and egg.

Created my own that is not very rich, simple to make and delicious. Replaced milk with water and milk powder since the milk is out of stock.

 The classic pairing is chocolate and vanilla, but you can  use other combination too, there are so many more possibilities. In case you want to try, here is the recipe:

STIR FRY CABBAGE W/CHANA

This is simple and healthy dish and not spicy at all. It is popular in South Indian meal. I'm not adding coconut but used chana dhal instead.

We should include cabbage in our diet, it contains least fat and calories, good source of fiber, vitamin C, potassium and other nutrients, reduces risk of heart disease and stroke.

INGREDIENTS

1 medium size cabbage sliced
1/2 C chana dal (soaked and boiled)
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon mustard seed
1 teaspoon urad dal
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
2 green chilli sliced
2 dry red chili
1 T cooking oil
salt to taste
curry leaves

DIRECTION

* Boil the chana dal until soft but still retain the shape, drain.

* Heat the oil, splutter the mustard seed, add urad dal fry until fragrant.

* Add green chili, dry chili, curry leaves, and ginger , stir for few minutes, add the cabbage, turmeric and salt. Stir and cover the pan for 10 minutes, stir occasionally .

* Once the cabbage is cooked, add chana dal, stir for few minutes, remove from heat.

Pennywise Platter Thursdays
Ultimate Recipe Swap
Simple Lives Thursday
Making It With Allie
Show Off Your Stuff
Thrilling Thursday
Look What I Made
Its A Keeper Thursday
Ttransformation Thursday
Just Another Meatless Monday
Midnight Maniac Meatless Monday
Monday Mania
Market Yourself Monday
Making World Cuter Monday

CHOCOLATE BISCUIT CAKE

Chocolate Biscuit Cake  is a most popular cake ever tried by my fellow bloggers. I came across various methods for preparing this cake.

Due to health reasons, I modified the recipe using slightly less butter and omitted the eggs.  Chocolate Biscuit Cake turns out perfect, you can't really tell the difference.

Using 5.5 sq inches container but if you are serving a big family do double up the quantity. Besides marie you can use semi sweet biscuit like digestive, morning coffee or nice biscuit for making this delicious treat.

INSTANT PARATHA

If you are hungry and need something quick to eat, I suggest you try this instant paratha. It's so convenient you can serve them anytime of the day.



Just remove few pieces from the freezer, remove the plastic sheet, place it on the pan without oil, this dough has oil, cook one side and flip over, fry until golden brown.



It is now ready to serve. Enjoy with your favorite curry or just spread with condensed milk and roll up, now it becomes instant dessert.

This is better brand I have tried so far, fairly thick and perfect size. They are many ways to enjoy this, will let you know soon.

If you want to try real paratha, do check out this link:
http://treatntrick.blogspot.com/2009/11/homemade-roti-prata.html




Until next post, have a great weekend everyone!

VERMICELLI PAKODA

After having sweet snack most of the time, I decided to prepare this easy and delicious fritter made of vermicelli (semiya) for a change.

Boil the vermicelli for a few minutes until soft then drain. Be careful when adding water, batter should be thick and easily drop off from the spoon when you put them onto hot oil.You can either shallow or deep fry them. Either way it turns out great.


INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup boiled vermicelli
1 big onion chopped
2 green chili chopped
2 teaspoons chopped ginger
2 T chopped coriander leaves
4 T wheat flour
4 T corn flour
2 T rice flour
1 T oil
pinch of cooking soda
salt to taste
oil for frying
water

METHOD

* Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl, gradually add water. Consistency of batter is thick but easily scoop out using spoon.

* Heat the oil, drop a tablespoonful of batter onto hot oil.

* Fry until it turns golden brown. Remove and drain on absorbent paper.

* Enjoy your delicious snack hot.

Pennywise Platter Thursday
Simple Lives Thursday
Ultimate Recipe Swap
Look What I Made
Transformation Thursday
Its A Keeper Thursday
Buzz On By Thursday

BRINJAL CURRY

My sons are not keen to eat any dish containing brinjal so I seldom cook them. Normally will add  Brinjal Curry when cooking fish curry or sambar, that also I'm the only one to complete this veggie.After much persuasion, they agreed to take a bite.

To my surprise they completed the whole plate of my Brinjal Curry, this means they really liked my preparation and wish to share with you how to cook them. Do adjust the red chili used as per your requirement.

PUMPKIN BREAD

My son  requested to make a  Pumpkin Bread  since I have baked it quite a long time ago. For this recipe you need not use any coloring, the color of the pumpkin is just right, beautiful bright yellow.

Either use canned pumpkin puree or make your own, just steamed mine for a few minutes and mashed. It is difficult to remove the skin, just steam with the skin then scoop out the flesh.

BANANA BREAD, EGGLESS

It's a pity to see the ripened banana sitting in my fridge for few days. Upon seeing this, decided to make use all of them using my newly created recipe.

I would say, this is really healthy using just minimum amount of oil combined with chopped nut and banana. It has mild sweet taste and perfect for breakfast or tea time snack. Really amazed to see that without egg, this bread turns out so moist.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all purpose flour
4 medium size banana mashed
1/4 cup chopped nut
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla essence

METHOD

* Preheat oven @ 160 C. Grease the loaf pan.

* Sift flour, salt and baking soda.

* In a separate bowl, combine together banana, nut, oil, sugar and milk until well blended.

* Now add banana mixture to the dry ingredients, mix until just combined, add vanilla essence.

* Pour onto greased loaf pan, bake for 30 minutes @ 160 C then lower to 150 C and bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

* Cool in the pan 10 minutes, transfer onto wire rack.

* When completely cool, slice to serve.

Have a great weekend!

Take-A-Look Tuesday
Handmade Proje
Tutorial Tuesday
Show Me What Ya Got
Made From Scratch Tuesday 
Tip Junkie cts
Dr Laura's Tasty Tuesday
Anything RelatedTasty Tuesday
Tuesday Night Supper ClubFoodie Friday

Friday Favorites Week 30

Slightly Indulgent Tuesday
Topsy Turvy Tuesdays
Delectable Tuesday
Anti Procrastination
Show And Tell  

NAGASARI (STEAMED DESSERT) AND AN AWARD

Nagasari (Steamed Dessert)  is my favorite traditional kuih of South East Asia. Normally it is wrapped in banana leaves but now I am using plastic sheet to cover them.

The mixture of rice flour, corn starch, coconut milk, sugar and salt is pre-cooked until thickened on stove top then complete the process by steaming them.  Nagasari (Steamed Dessert)  can also be served cold if you want. The recipe below yields 9 pieces. Let's cook this easy dessert.

BOTTLE GOURD W/DAL

This is also called lauki/sorakaya. Had tasted this when we went to Indian vegetarian restaurant, since then I felt in love with this dish. It is healthy but not so spicy and has slightly tangy taste.

It goes well with capati or hot steaming rice. The spices used are according to my taste but adjustable to your requirement and this is my way of cooking the bottle gourd. What you need are:


INGREDIENTS

2 cups bottle gourd cubed
1/2 cup toor dhal boiled
5 shallots sliced
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
5 cloves garlic
1/4 teaspoon cumin seed
1/4 teaspoon mustard seed
2 T cooking oil
curry leaves
pinch of asafoetida
2 T tamarind paste
water
salt

METHOD

* Cook bottle gourd with water, turmeric and salt until soft.

* Heat the oil, fry cumin, mustard seed, asafoetida and curry leaves until it crackles.

* Add onion, garlic and chili powder, stir for few minutes. Add tamarind juice, bring to boil.

* Now add the dhal, bottle gourd and salt if required, simmer for few minutes.

* Serve hot.

Simple Lives Thursday
SYS Blog Link Party
Show Off Your Stuff
Making It With Allie
Hookin Up With HoH
Thrilling Thursday
Look What I Made
Its A Keeper Thursday
Full Plate Thursday
Pennywise Platter Thursday
Tempt My Tummy
Slightly Indulgent Tuesday
Take Look Tuesday
Homemade Projects

MIXED FLOUR PANCAKE

My son is a great fan of pancake especially when taken with curry or sambar (lentil with vegetable). Have tried pancake with oat, savoury as well as sweet variety, now using wheat flour, rice flour and whole wheat flour together with chopped onion. Pretty quick to prepare and tasted great. We enjoyed eating them with sambar and tomato chutney.

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup wheat flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour (atta)
1/4 cup rice flour
2 tablespoons coriander leaves chopped
1 teaspoon cumin seed
1 big onion chopped (optional)
salt to taste
water
cooking oil

METHOD

* Combine together wheat flour, rice flour, whole wheat flour, coriander leaves. onion, cumin and salt.

* Gradually add water to obtain thin batter, mix well. The consistency is slightly thinner than evaporated milk.

* Pour a teaspoon of oil, then pour a ladleful of butter. Once the top looks dry, flip and cook the other side. Remove and stack on a plate.

* Continue with the rest of the batter.

* Serve hot.

Motivate Me Monday
Made With Love
Mad Skills Link Party
Making World Cuter Monday
Mel In Your Mouth
Amaze Me Monday
Mingle Monday
Market Yourself Monday
This Weeks Cravings
Homemaker Monday
Midnight Maniac Meatless Mondays
Just Another Meatless Monday
Monday Mania
Whassup Wednesday

LEPAT PISANG

For very long time I have eaten this  Lepat Pisang a traditional kuih of Malaysia/Singapore, made of bananas and wheat flour. If you have over ripe bananas you should try this, simple and healthy. Normally they are wrapped in banana leaf but I'm using small cups instead.

If you want more healthier version use 2 tablespoons milk powder instead of coconut milk, the rest just follow the recipe below  and steam for 25 minutes.  Adjust the sugar according to your taste.

EGGLESS FRUIT CAKE

My sons are having late nights watching World Cup 2010 so they need tidbit while watching their favorite game.

After searching the net, stumbled upon this Eggless Fruit Cake , it's very easy to prepare and what you need is a pan or pot to boil the ingredients. The cake came out perfect and not very sweet, the way I love it. If you want to try, here is the recipe:

TOMATO CHICKEN II

This is the gravy I have cooked to go along with the tomato rice posted earlier. It's semi dry dish, a bit spicy and tasted wonderful with the rice. Kindly adjust the spice level to your liking.

If you are using the concentrated tomato puree, do adjust the quantity since it is more tangy than the liquid tomato puree I have used here.

CHAPATI (INDIAN FLAT BREAD)

My friend Nina has requested a recipe for chapati. She used to go all the way to Little India once in a week just to enjoy it.

Hope she will try to make her own successfully. Just be cautious with water, add gradually to form a soft and pliable dough. This flat bread is best eaten hot with keema (spicy minced meat with vegetable), spicy thick curry or lentil gravy. Don't worry if you couldn't get the perfect round shape, for good results use heavy cast iron pan, it distributes heat evenly and produces beautiful color. Happy cooking.


INGREDIENTS

2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 - 1 cup warm water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon oil
extra flour for dusting
ghee to apply on top (optional)

METHOD

* Place the flour, salt and oil in a mixing bowl.

* Gradually add the water, need not to use all, knead well to form into pliable dough, keep for one hour.

* Divide dough into 4 ball. Using rolling pin form into circle about 1/8 inch thick.

* Heat the cast iron pan, fry until brown spot appears then flip and cook the other side. Flip again, press the edges with clean towel, the chapati will begin to puff up. Repeat the same with the rest of the dough.

* Remove and apply ghee if required.





If you want to try Keema follow this link:
http://treatntrick.blogspot.com/2009/11/keema.html

79th Penny Pinching Party
WFMW
Whatever Goes Wednesday
Creative Share
Sugar & Spice
Whats Cooking Wednesday
Linky Party
Real Food Wednesday
Made It On Monday 

BINGKA TEPUNG BERAS

This is another traditional kuih of Malaysia/Singapore, made of rice flour, coconut milk and sugar.  Bingka Tepung Beras  is normally served either for breakfast or after completing your meal as dessert.

In the olden days, fresh coconut is used for making this dessert but now ready made coconut milk is being used.

Almost forgotten, this  Bingka Tepung Beras is hardly on sale unlike kuih bakar (similar preparation) which is made of wheat flour is easily obtainable from food stalls around the country.

For more information about pandan leaves, do check out this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandanus_amaryllifolius

FISH VINDALOO

After searching through the net about  Fish Vindaloo , I came across few versions of making this dish, one with tamarind and another one without.

Tried this  Fish Vindaloo with tamarind and it turns out slightly darker tone compared with the other style. Overall it has tangy and spicy taste and not so overpowering with vinegar, my family loved them so much.

This is what I have used, you could adjust the quantity of chili and vinegar according to your taste. After all cooking is about experimenting and getting the taste right to our taste bud. If you want to try, here is the recipe :