EGGLESS SPONGE CAKE

Of course you need to start with a perfect sponge cake as a base for a perfect cake.And yeah a major problem with most of vegetarian bakers like us is the "egg" (I mean baking a perfect cake without egg :P). So for all the baking lovers here is an easy and perfect egg-less sponge cake recipe.
Just go on with it.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup All purpose flour (Maida)
1 tsp Baking powder
1/4 cup Butter
3/4 cup Powdered sugar
1/3 cup Yogurt
1/4 cup Water
1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
1/8 tsp Salt (Just a pinch)

Make sure that ingredients like butter,yogurt and water are at room temperature.

METHOD:

1. Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder ,baking soda in a bowl and keep it  aside.

2. In a large bowl, add butter and powdered sugar. Mix well.
3. Add yogurt. Mix well.

4. In the meantime grease the cake mold with oil/butter and preheat the oven for 10 minutes.
5. Now add the flour mixture (half at a time) to the wet mixture. Mix well. Add the rest of the dry  mixture. Mix it. Now add water and salt to it. Mix it well.
6. Add vanilla essence. Mix the batter well and transfer it to the cake mold.

7. Tap the cake mold 2-3 times to remove any air bubbles for an even baking. Put it in the oven and bake at 180*C for about 25-30 minutes.
8. When done let it cool completely and then decorate it the way you like. Enjoy :)

NOTES:

1.You can add nuts to enrich its taste. But don"t forget to coat them in all purpose flour before adding them to the batter.
2.Baking time and temperature varies according to your oven type.So adjust them according to you oven.
3.Check the cake in-between and also turn the mold sideways for even baking at all sides.

COLD PASTA SALAD

This pasta salad made using beans(rajma) and veggies is very easy to prepare and tastes refreshing. I tried making a healthier version of this by using curd and very little mayonnaise. Try this healthy cold salad to beat off the heat.

INGREDIENTS:- 
2 cups boiled pasta

Pasta,kidney beans,tomatoes,potatoes and curd mixture.

1 cup boiled kidney beans(rajma)
1 cup potatoes, cut into cubes
1 cup tomatoes, cut in cubes
1/4 cup hung curd
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp powdered sugar  
1 tsp oregano (optional)          
1 tbsp chopped coriander  (for garnishing)


METHOD:-
1. In a bowl, add hung curd,mayonnaise,sugar and all the spices and mix well.
2.Take a large size bowl and add potatoes, tomatoes, kidney beans and curd mixture to it. Mix it well.
3.Add pasta and toss the salad well. Keep it in freezer for 15 mins.
4.Garnish it with coriander and oregano and serve cold.

NOTE:-
1.Use fresh curd to make this salad.
2.While boiling pasta, add some salt and oil to it.

HONEY CHILLI POTATOS

Here is a quick recipe for a delicious crispy snack.

Serves-4

INGREDIENTS:-

3-4 large size potatoes
2 tsp salt
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tbsp cornflour

For the sauce:-

1 tbsp Oil
2 tsp Garlic paste
1 tsp cornflour
2 tbsp Honey
1 tsp Soya sauce
1 tbsp Tomato sauce
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black pepper
1/2 tsp Garam masala

METHOD:-
1.Cut potatoes in finger shape and dip them in salty water for about 1/2 hour.

2. Now drain the water and empty the potato pieces on a dry cloth.

3. Place the potatoes in a bowl and spread cornflour, red chilli powder and salt over them and mix well.
4. Now fry the potato fingers till golden brown in color.
5. For the sauce, heat oil in a pan, add garlic paste and roast it well for 10-20 seconds.
6. Now add cornflour to 1/2 cup water and add this to the pan.
7. Add rest of the ingredients and stir it well and add fried potato fingers to it.
8. Mix it well and serve hot garnished with sesame seeds and coriander leaves.

CORN CHEESE BALLS

A Yummy snack prepared in very less time and thoroughly enjoyed by both adults and young ones.
Treat the cheese lover in you with this cheesy snack.

Preparation Time: 20 mins
Serves:16-20 pieces


INGREDIENTS:-
3 tbsp All purpose flour
1 cup Frozen corn
1/2 cup Cheese,grated
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Green chilly,chopped
1/2 tsp Red chilli powder
1/2 tsp Garam masala
1/4 cup Milk
Oil, for frying
Bread crumbs, for coating

METHOD:-
1.First soak frozen corn in warm water for 10 mins and then chop them finely.
2. In a bowl, add all purpose flour, cheese, corn, green chilli, salt, red chiili powder, garam masala and mix them well.
3.Make small balls of this mix. Heat oil in a wok. Dip the balls in milk and then roll them in bread crumbs evenly.
4.Deep fry them and serve hot with ketchup.

NOTE:-
1.You can use any cheese you like, either processed or mozzarella (i used mozzarella)

VEGGIE TORTILLA PIZZA

Pizzas are liked a lot by kids but making a pizza everytime they want to have is not possible and not even good for heath. So here is a different and healthier version of pizza with lots of vegetables and topped with my favorite- yummy mozzarella cheese.To make this yummy and healthy tortilla pizza, here is the recipe:-

INGREDIENTS:-
For tortillas:-
1/2 cup all purpose  flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 tbsp oil
1/2 tsp  salt
1/2 tsp ajwain

For the filling:-                   
1 and 1/2 cup coarsely chopped vegetables ( bell pepper,tomato, onion etc. )                            

1/2 cup paneer , diced in small cubes
1/2 cup frozen sweet corns
1 tsp each  of green chilli and garlic paste
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garam masala      
1 tbsp oil
1/2 cup grated mozzarella  cheese

METHOD-     
1.  Mix together  all the ingredients  for the tortillas in a bowl.
2.  Knead a dough of this mixture and let it rest for 10-15 minutes  
3.  For the filling,  heat oil in a pan and add green chilles and garlic paste to it. Mix well.
4.  Now add all the vegetables and corns to it. Roast these for 5-6 mins
5.  Add paneer to it and mix well. Let this mixture cool and then add the spices.

6.  Now make tortillas from the dough.Tortillas should be a little thicker than normal chappatis.
7.  To make pizza, spread a tortillas on a heated tawa and spread some  vegetable mixture over this. 

8.  Now cover this with another tortilla and then flip this side of tortilla to roast it on both sides.

9.  Spread some cheese over it and let it melt.

10. Serve hot and enjoy it along-with your kids.