Oatmeal Raisin Cookies | Step by Step Recipe

It was love at first sight or I must say taste. I became rather addicted to these wonderful health loaded cookies ever since I had them. I had baked these so many times but it never lasted for me to manage a few clicks. I usually make just a single batch, as I hate baking in batches. This time I made a huge batch as the kids requested or rather demanded. So I added what all I could to make it more healthy and nutritious. They turned out to be just the way I liked, sort of crisp around the corners and soft & chewy in the center which tasted perfect with a glass of milk, in short wholesome goodness.

 

Eggless Dates Cake Recipe (No Eggs,Butter,Milk) | Step by Step

Can a cake be baked moist with just water ? If you are doubtful then I must say that this is the best moist cake that I had baked so far considering the fact that this cake has no butter, eggs or milk not to mention that almost half the process is done over the stove top before baking.  This way of baking a cake is definitely new to me and if I had any second thoughts about the result of the cake when I read through the recipe which my friend gave me,everything was cleared once I saw the rising cake and the texture of it and this one is definitely a keeper of an eggless cake recipe.

 

Carrot Cake ~ Moist & Soft | Step by Step Recipe

My search for the perfectly moist and soft carrot cake recipe ends here. I made this previously twice and I was not at all happy with the result as the texture was a bit too dense and the cake was also sticky. So this time I made some changes to the quantities and tweaked it a little bit to make it low fat and was successful in achieving a moist and soft cake which also happened to taste like yummy carrot halwa as I was craving for some. In fact this cake stayed moist throughout the 3 days when I kept it at room temperature. As this cake is milk free it is suitable for lactose tolerant people.

Paruppu Podi / Paruppu Podi Recipe For Rice

For me apart from Rasam, paruppu podi and sutta appalam is the ultimate comfort food. This spice powder is a life and time saver and always comes to the rescue when you do not happen to have enough vegetables to cook and when you are hard pressed for time. Earlier, my mom used to make this for me but in the recent years I have started to make it by myself but still whenever she visits me this will be first thing she would pack.

 

Cinnamon Honey Rolls | Step by Step Recipe

 

I love working with yeast. Period. These honey rolls are adapted from the Dinner rolls that I baked earlier. Since then I had wanted to try a sweet version of the rolls and finally found time. Also as the previous one was an eggless one, I wanted to see the difference it would make when eggs are added. Want to know what the difference is....

 

I Love Baking #1

Are you all ready to share and spread the love of baking? This monthly venture, I Love Baking is started to do just that. Bake away and present your recipes to the linkies below. This is open to everyone and anyone who happens to have one thing in common. “Baking”. Your bake can be a sweet one or savory one. Just make a note not to link any meat bakes here as this is a vegetarian blog with the exception to eggs. Oh, and the linkies will be open from 20 to 27 of this month.

I would be happy if you could also  link your entries and discuss your experience in the Facebook Page or rather a community that has been specifically created, as it would be of help to many enthusiastic bakers, newbie or experienced and would also have a greater reach.

Oatmeal Banana Breakfast Smoothie | Easy Oats Recipe

This smoothie has become my favorite breakfast for now. This has all the goodness of oats, fruits and the necessary calcium and protein that keeps me filled without making me feel heavy. Usually when I make oatmeal for breakfast, no matter what some gets left over and when I get back home after dropping the kids in school, I’m not sure about you all but the look of the oatmeal is a sticky gooey mass which in short looks “Yuck” to me. This smoothie just happened when I was pondering over how to put that leftover super cold oatmeal to good use, as I did not have the heart to dump it right away into the sink.

 

Mushroom & Peas Makhani ~ Rich & Creamy

Mmmm... and I forgot to add deliciously mouthwatering in the heading. I’m enjoying the new found freedom of having mushrooms any time I want without the fear of allergy hanging over my head.  I just adapted this recipe from the Paneer Makhani  and the result was a yummy dish that was much appreciated by the guests who dropped in to say Hi to my In-Laws. Also as the fresh peas season is about to get over I decided to make the most of it by adding them in all the possible things I cook.

 

Avarakkai Poriyal ~ Simple & Quick

Have you ever had a chance to smell the wonderful purple and pink blooms of the broad beans / Avarakkai climbers? They smell just heavenly. My Grandma had a patch in her garden where she had erected some poles (Pandhal) to grow this climber. During the season time the climber would be abuzz with the bees about them and it would be a delight to watch those blooms swaying in the gentle wind. When my MIL brought with her some freshly plucked avarakkai from her garden those were the memories I had.

 

Chettinad Thakkali Kulambu

During one of the regular pondering with my MIL over what to make for lunch, this almost forgotten authentic kulambu recipe cropped up. I have not made this one in ages and glad that I finally found an oppurtunity. Though the ingredients used are common, the method of making this gravy is very unique. My MIL learned this recipe from her neighbor who is of Chettinad Origin and I from her. Though this kulambu is served along with rice in general you can also serve this as a side dish for idli or dosas. The tangy taste of the tomatoes and the heat from the spices will be a treat to your senses.

 

Potato Roast / Urulai Roast

I’m very nervous and you know why, I got brain washed by my MIL to participate in a cookery competition that is going to be held today and I already regret having given in to her coercive words. I had always been a happy spectator when it comes to cookery competitions and this is the first time I’m taking the plunge. On top of that my kids are going to sit for their Hindi exams tomorrow. So got a busy and packed weekend and we need your wishes to succeed. Coming to today’s recipe, I’m sure you must have read my review of the book “Southern Flavors” by Chandra Padmanabhan.

 

Paal Payasam ~ Milk Pudding | For Blog Hop Wednesdays

Paal Payasam ~ The very word brings me so many lovely memories of childhood. A signature dish of my Grandma. A dessert compulsorily made when she invites a newly weds for “Virundhu”. She makes this payasam only with freshly milked Buffalo’s milk as it is so rich, thick and creamy than when compared to cow’s milk. I have made it so many times but it never ever comes anywhere near to her taste. Hands down, My Grandma’s is the best. I guess it must the “Kai Pakkuvam”. While going through Roshni’s space, my partner for Blog Hop Wednesdays, looking at this recipe made me so nostalgic that I decided to go ahead with it in spite of choosing to cook this one.

 

Blog Hop Wednesdays ~ Week 14

It may be yet another Wednesday of the month but nothing boring as you get to see some lip smacking goodies whipped by the Blog Hoppers for the Blog Hop Wednesdays. Let us travel together in this culinary journey in search of tried and tested recipes by our blogger friends by raiding their virtual kitchen.

Please note that this linkies is only for the Blog Hoppers and any other entries will be deleted promptly.  If you are new and want to know more on this then register by submitting your blog here to participate from next month onwards.

Spiced-up Carrot Sago Kheer ~ Guest Post for Kavi @ Edible Entertainment

I am an admirer of her lovely locks and her cute chubby smile. A blogger who interacts to the world around her with her funky narrative and never misses to put a smile on my face while reading through her write ups.  I’m sure you all would have guessed her by now, She is none other than Kavitha aka as Kavi... When she asked me to do a guest post in her space, I was so delighted, as the name she had given to this series was “Cooking with Kin”. It is always nice to do something special for your friends. I feel so honored that she chose me to feature first in her guest post series. Thank you dear for having me over.

Roundup of Let’s Cook #11 ~ Rice

A heartfelt thanks to all you wonderful bloggers who made yet another event to become successful by sending in over 144 entries hosted in this space. I was totally stumped over by the varied rice entries that got linked to the event and I’m totally impressed by all you innovative cooks. Shall we move on the roundup now.....

Chocolate Tutti Frutti Banana Loaf

 

I’m so happy to be writing my 300th post today. This may sound so clichéd but still I would like to thank each and every one of you, my dear friends for being there, supportive and encouraging all the while and for dropping in and taking the time to leave your thoughts. A heartfelt thanks to all the silent readers too. This would not have been possible at all without you all. I’m in love with my new bread pan. There I said it. It is hard not to, if the final outcome looks as wonderful as this.

 

I Love Baking, Care to join me?

Idea & Write up - Check. This was 2 months ago. Logo - Check. This was a month ago. But still I hesitated to come out with it because I was doubtful if I would be able to keep up with all the things at hand and not to mention that I already happen to have too much on my plate. But its baking.... Yes, I love baking and I’m sure many of you out there do too. I’m not the same baker I was 2 years ago now. I have learned so much in these years and I can comfortably say that I’m not plagued by anxiety about the outcome of my bakes as I used to in the past.

I do know that many of you like me, bake at home routinely either by choice or out of love. But either way it’s hard not to fall in love with the science called baking. In fact I’m so hooked to it. I’m sure you will agree with me in this regard. So instead of baking away alone in my own kitchen in my quest for perfection, I thought why not join hands with my friends who are equally interested to make it even more interesting and fun.

I plan to dedicate One week  two week for baking alone. Would you like to join me?

What will we get out of this? This is more like a platform or like a virtual get together where we can all discuss the success and failures of our bakes. The doubts that plague us. This will also help us to become more aware of various techniques in baking itself, substitutes etc., etc.,  If you care to join this party just drop a comment to this post with your email id.

Those days will be between 11 – 25 of every month. What shall we do during the fortnight ? Post and link only baked goodies. Yup. You can post baked goodies on all the 15 days or an alternate days or at least 1 post in all those 15 days. Anyone can participate. Just post and link it to the linkies open in this space between 11 and 25. After a considerable number of bloggers come together who are interested we shall start planning on selecting themes for every month or baking from a particular, accomplished and a celebrity baker. The choices are just endless.

So what about the discussions? All the discussions happens here, the Facebook Page or rather a community that I had created particularly for baking related issues. After linking we shall discuss in this page if we encountered any problems in the bakes that we linked for the month. This is to help any enthusiastic baker to understand and learn. I, like all of you would like to master the art of baking.

So are you ready to fall in love with baking all over again......

Announcing Let’s Cook #12 ~ Sweet Somethings

Let’s Cook Series is completing its first year with this month and I’m so grateful to all you dear friends for sending in your entries and constantly supporting to keep this series kicking and alive during all these months. Many a heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. Being the Valentine Day to look forward to in this month and also to celebrate the First Anniversary I thought we shall celebrate with sweets. So for this month

Let’s Cook ~ Sweet Somethings

Now to some rules to participate in this event:

1. Cook and post a recipe that is “Sweet” in your blog linking it to this announcement.
2. You can use sugar / brown sugar / palm sugar, jaggery / molasses, chocolate, artificial sweetener etc., to sweeten your dish.
3. You can use any method of cooking.
4. Your recipe can belong to any course varying from starters/snacks to dessert.
5. Only Vegetarian recipes please. Eggs are allowed though.
6. We are looking for fresh entries and learn new recipes in the process. So, No archived or reposed entries please. The post has to be between February 1 and February 29, 2012.
7. Multiple entries are welcome. Linking back to this announcement is a must.
8. Usage of logo is optional but I would be happy if you could use it, as it helps to spread word.
9. After posting your recipe just submit your entry to the linkies you will find at the bottom of this post.
10. In case you have a problem linking, then send a mail to ticklingpalates@gmail.com with your name, recipe name and recipe url with the subject line as Let's Cook: Sweet Somethings.
11. Non bloggers can also participate. Just send me the recipe with a click of the recipe if possible to the above mentioned email.

Devil’s Food Cake ~ Step by Step | For The Gourmet Seven

 

The First day of the month February, and as a prelude to the Valentine’s Day, here I’m to tempt the devil in all of you with this luscious Devil’s Food Cake which I baked for The Gourmet Seven.This is the first time I went for a frosting on a cake and my kids were very much impressed. In fact they were the ones to do the frosting on this cake. So do forgive if it looks imperfect. TH asked me twice “Did you make it”? to ensure, I’m not sure of what though. This month we, The Gourmet Seven raided the much searched food space BBC : Food and I chose this recipe as it was a  Nigella’s recipe and I like all her recipes as they are fail proof and has always come out well for me.

 

Devil’s Food Cake ~ Step by Step | For The Gourmet Seven

 

The First day of the month February, and as a prelude to the Valentine’s Day, here I’m to tempt the devil in all of you with this luscious Devil’s Food Cake which I baked for The Gourmet Seven.This is the first time I went for a frosting on a cake and my kids were very much impressed. In fact they were the ones to do the frosting on this cake. So do forgive if it looks imperfect. TH asked me twice “Did you make it”? to ensure, I’m not sure of what though. This month we, The Gourmet Seven raided the much searched food space BBC : Food and I chose this recipe as it was a  Nigella’s recipe and I like all her recipes as they are fail proof and has always come out well for me.