Cinnamon rolls

Preparation time:2 hours

Baking time:35-40 minutes(depends on the oven)

Level easy

 Cinnamon rolls are easy, an all-time favourite in our home. The aroma, while it's baking in the oven, is so divine. I like the freshly baked straight out of the oven.

The traditional way of making these rolls is a long process, the yeast dough takes about two proofings.

I am using baking powder and baking soda to make them soft, gooey and fluffy.

What you require:

• 2 cups of flour
• 100 gms butter (I use salted butter)
• 3 tbs freshly ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda 
•  1 cup warm milk to knead 

Directions 

• In a large bowl sift flour
• 
  
• Fold in 1/4 butter rubbing with your hands( the best tools)
• 
  
• Add baking powder and soda

• nead till the dough is firm but pliable.

• Rest the dough for 20 minutes
• 
  
• Work the dough with your hands and make two balls.
• 
  
• Dust the work surface with dry flour
• 
  
• Roll out into a square of 1/4 inch thickness
•  
• Brush the surface with a generous amount of butter
• 
  
• Sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar and roll out to make a log.
• 
  
• Divide and cut the log into pinwheels of 1-inch thickness
• 
  
• Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking tray

• Bake in a preheated oven on 180 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or till done.
• 
  
• Do the same with the other ball of dough

• Remove and sprinkle cinnamon and powdered mix while they are hot. The sugar will melt and form a crusty layer.

Carrot cake

  Soft, low-calorie cake, with the goodness of fresh garden picked carrots. Make very good tea-time delicious and healthy bakery delights.

This winter I baked carrot cake  several times,each time I tried it with a different ingredient. I even tried baking it on a gas stove and also steaming it in a large pan half filled with boiling water. It was a very moist cake to be eaten as a dessert.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups finely grated carrots
• 2 cups refined flour
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups cooking oil
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts 
• 1 cup finely chopped dates(natural sweetner)
• 1tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon (powdered)
• 1 tsp vanilla essence

Method

• In a mixing bowl add flour
•  add the baking powder,salt, baking soda and cinnamon Powder
• Slowly fold in , pouring the oil to form a batter,  and simultaneously slowly adding grated carrots.
• Now add the sugar,dates and half of the walnuts 
• pour into a greased mould and bake in a preheated oven at 180degrees for 40 minutes or till an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

To Steam.

Pour the batter into a greased mould and place it in a steamer , let it steam for two hours of till done.

For the  cream cheese frosting::

1 cup cream cheese

2-3 tsp powder sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

3 tsp  butter

Mix every thing in a bowl,lightly whipping it till it forms peaks. Spread evenly with a spatula and sprinkle walnuts.

Decorate it with sprigs from your garden.

Chocolate cinnamon brownie with chocolate ganache

 I have a sweet tooth, and when my grandkids

visit it's indulgence for me. I console myself afterall it's not everyday that I give into temptation. I am usually very health conscious

.

I love the kids helping me in the kitchen, it's good that they are learning young.

Sharing my daughter's recipe of brownie which are quick and simple to bake.

Ingredients:

•  2 cups cake flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
•  200gms butter
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder ( not drinking chocolate)
• 3 large eggs ( can skip eggs)
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 slab dark chocolate (grated)
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon Powder
•  1 cup whipping cream for ganache.
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda.
• 1/2 tsp salt

Method:

• In a large bowl cream butter and sugar, 
• When fluffy Start adding one egg at a time, continue creaming with a laddle or hand blender
• Add vanilla essence.
• In a sieve add flour,baking powder and soda and 1/2 tsp salt , cinnamon Powder and sift , slowly using the cut and fold method ( this is to ensure that the brownie batter remains fluffy and light

• Pour into greased mould and bake in a preheated oven at 180deg for 30minutes or till your testing knife comes out clean.
• Cool and remove on a wire rack. 

For the ganache glazed chocolate frosting:

• Grate a slab of dark chocolate or chop very fine
• Pour whipping cream in a saucepan and bring it to simmer.
• Now pour the simmering cream over finely chopped or grated chocolate and let it melt and pour over your brownie.

• Do not boil cream
• Chop or grate chocolate
• Avoid stirring
• Pour over brownie when all chocolate is melted into the cream.

I will update very soon with some pictures of step by step baking.

Meanwhile give it a try ,you will like it and the kids will feel proud they helped make it.

Beetroot salad and beetroot ladoo

 

Beetroots were cultivated in the early Roman Era. 

It was discovered as a medicinal plant and it  was used to cure digestive disorders and promote cardiovascular health. 

Finally in the 19th century it was known to be used in salads. Over the years the humble beetroot has seen a metamorphosis as a super healthy food. 

Goodness of beets:

• Low in fats and calories 
• Very rich in antioxidants 
• High in fiber 
• High content of Nitrates which converts to nitric oxide, which helps the blood vessels to dilate and promote cardiovascular health and lowers your blood pressure. 
• Rich source of vitamin B group 

Tangy beet and fruit salad 

What you need :

• Parboiled beets neatly diced
• apple diced
• Orange diced
• Grapes 
• Strawberries
• lemon juice 
• Orange juice 
• Mint and parsley 
• Honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

• Salad dressing 

• in a bowl squeeze lemon juice and orange juice 
• add honey, salt and pepper 
• Olive oil
• Add mint and parsley 
• Give it a good whisk
• now add diced beets and fruit 
• Chill before serving.

Nutritional value :

Calories approx 75kcal

Carbohydrates 8gms

Protein 8gms

Sodium 26mg

Potassium 153 mg

Fibre 2gms

Vitamin C  8mg

Calcium 12mg

Iron 1mg

Vitamin A 1439 I. U

• 

Beetroot ladoos :

What you need :

• 2 cups boiled and grated beetroot 
• 2 cups powdered sugar 
•  50 gms butter or ghee
•  2 cups desiccated coconut 
•  1 cup mawa (Milk solids) 
•  1 tsp cardamom powder 

How it's done :

• In a pan put 2 spoonfuls of butter and fry the grated beetroot.
• To this add the mawa(milk solids) 
• Add powdered sugar and half of the coconut 
• keep frying 
• When it's thick and leaves sides of the pan 
• Remove and put it in a large bowl. 
• Cool (should be warm but  not burn your skin.) 
• Grease your hands take a spoon full  of mixture and make balls and roll them over dry coconut. 
• cool
• store for 3-4 days.

        I wish you the pink of health.