Christmas.... Here I Come

The coming of Christmas, means joy, happiness, and smiles, and not to forget the main reason this happens to me is ... THE FOOD ! Its time for Sangria, Roasts, Loads of strawberries, Eggnog, and last but not the least the Cake .

I know that Christmas is still over a month away and I might be looking stupid to be dancing already. I am doing so because guess what I was smelling like last Sunday... I was smelling of Figs, Dates, Rum, Brandy, Wine, Cinnamon, Allspice, Mace, vanilla, Honey ... and lots more. Still guessing? It was my cake mixing. Christmas cake mixing usually a ceremony I love to celebrate. So I called some friends over at the Cafe and we got an amazing mix. The aroma in the air just made everyone high and the the whole process was Brought to life thanks to Plugged In who covered the vent and gave us some priceless pictures.

A dear friend and the first lady of Kolkata's Food blogging scene Poorna was there too and it was really sweet of her to write about us on the Blog. Believe me ... She has a brilliant blog. I am sharing some awesome pictures that we clicked ... I am sure you will see the joy coming through .

14 kgs of dry fruits
12 lts of booze
2 kgs of spices
and a million bubbles of happiness

Whats the recipe of a good cake mix? That is !!

HIC HIC !

Wishing everyone a beautiful Christmas !! Cheers !!

Banoffee - The Diet Killer

There are few things that are good for health, and few that are not... and some that should not be classified. Just cheat on your diet for heavens sake. Banoffee for a layman is BANANA + TOFFEE. and to make it more sinful i put these in my Rich Chocolate Cake and Guess what .... the entire thing takes only twenty-five minutes to make.

Eggless cake ( microwave )

Condensed milk ½ tin

Milk ½ cup

½ cup oil

4 tbsp powdered sugar

100g maida

25 g Cocoa Powder 

½ tsp soda bi card

1 tsp baking powder

Vanilla essence few drops

• Sift dry ingredients together
• Blend sugar , condensed milk and oil together till thick
• Blend in the milk and vanilla essence
• Slowly mix in the dry ingredients
• Bake in a microwave proof dish  for 5 -6 min that has been lined with butter and dusted with flour 
• Let is rest for 5 min 

FOR LAYERING 

4 bananas sliced 

Butter 1 tbs

honey 2 tbsp 

chocolate sauce 1/2 cup

butterscotch sauce 1/2 cup

cinnamon powder 1 tsp 

Whipped cream 100 g 

• cut the sponge cake into two 
• leave to cool under a fan 
• heat butter in a pan and add honey and saute for 1 min till it begins to caramelize
• add bananas and saute for a few seconds and add cinnamon powder
• cool for a few mins and start layering as follows  

1. bottom half of the chocolate cake

2. half the whipped cream 

3. bananas 

4. half the chocolate sauce 

5. half the butter scotch sauce 

6. second half of the cake 

7. remaining cream 

8. remaining chocolate sauce and butterscotch sauce 

Chill the cake for a few hours before serving 

P.s. Layering can be done in a Pie crust and be called a banoffee pie 

Bliss Cravings .... Dark Chocolate Tea Cake !

There are a very few things that can make one as happy as a dark... Bitter-sweet.... Rich .... Chocolate cake...

Sharing a  recipe that have won many hearts and is the gift I give to most people ... Eat it as it is.... Or with some Whipped Cream and Chocolate sauce.... Tastes Brilliant all the time .

Chocolate cake

100g salted butter

2 tbsp hung curd 

120g sugar

80g Flour

40 g cocoa

½ tsp baking powder

¼ cup choc sauce

3 eggs

1 cup Chocolate Chips 

• Beat the butter and sugar till light and fluffy and till it turns really pale 
• beat in the hung curd 
• Beat in eggs one by one
• Beat in chocolate sauce
• Sift all dry ingredients together
• Gently fold dry ingredients into the mixture
• Pour the mixture into a lined cake tin and bake like a loaf at 180 degrees  Celsius for 30 minutes
• Serve Warm or microwave for a few seconds before serving 

Goin' Grapes .....

I simply love what fruits do to desserts .... and if one gets nice round chunky grapes.... the sky is the limit....
was wondering what fruit i should use on a red velvet cake, as strawberries are not in season and i didn't want to use plums ... Went to the market and saw huge red grapes and got a brain wave ... Whipped some cream and iced mt red velvet into a yummy-licious grape gateaux....

used the trimmings and made Grape Trifle Puddings as well

P.S. I AM ON A DIET ! so i cook to satiate my taste buds... cooking satisfies me way more than eating

See you soon ...