Nutella star bread

When i first saw this , i thought of making it but then me and my husband are not that fans of chocolate and its too big for two of us to eat even, so i waited and finally i made it for a get together ... They all loved it , its so simple and easy to make and you can impress your friends and family too... here goes the recipe.

Preparation time : 15 mins + 90 mins
Serves : 16

Ingredients :

All purpose flour : 3 1/2 cups
Sugar : 1/3 cup
Salt : pinch
Butter : 2 Tbsp
Milk : 3/4 cup
Egg yolks : 2 cups (Reserve the egg whites)
Nutella : 1 cup (i used little less)
Yeast : 1 1/2 tsp

Method :

First , pour milk into a sauce pan or into a microwave bowl and heat it up until warm.
Take it out add yeast to the warm milk, one tbsp of sugar and pinch of salt.
Let it sit for 10 mins.
Mean while melt the butter.
Take a large bowl, add in flour, sugar, egg yolks, cooled melted butter, and the milk.
Mix everything very well.
(See the consistency , it will depend on your yolk size and all , for me i added some more milk )
Knead the dough for 7 minutes.
If your dough is smooth and just a bit sticky, put it into a bowl, apply little oil all over, cover with a lid, and set it in a warm place.
Let it raise for around 40 minutes ( It should double in size)

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface.
Punch it and take out the air.
Knead it for a minute.
Divide the dough into four equal parts .
(Take one and keep remaining dough in bowl covered with lid, other wise it will dry up)
Roll the dough into a circle of 2 to 3 mm thickness.
Place the dough circle on a baking paper or on an aluminium foil.
(This is important step bcoz as you move on ... at final step you can not lift it up)
Take a plate and mark it off on the first layer .
(i.e we are marking the circle, we may roll it un even right )
Put your chocolate spread into a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds.
Apply this spread on marked circle.
Repeat same for next two.
(melt nutella just before applying)
Now roll the next circle , mark it with plate , put it on the first one, apply chocolate spread.
Now roll the next circle , mark it with plate , put it on the second one, apply chocolate spread.
Now roll the final circle, mark it with plate, put it on top of all the layers.
Using a pizza cutter cut all un even edges.
By now what you got is layers of chocolate spread dough in a circle shape.

Pre heat the oven to 350 F.

Now take a small cup or glass and put it in center.
Divide the dough to quarters - start cutting from the marked circle ( remember to leave the center intact !) then , divide every quarter into four equal parts. At the end you should have 16 equal parts.
Take two parts of the cake in both hands and delicately twist them in opposite directions.
Attach both the ends.
Repeat with all pairs to from eight-armed star.
Yippie !!! your braided nutella star bread is almost all ready !

Brush surface of the bread with egg white before putting it into the oven.
(This will give nice golden brown color to your bread)
Bake it for around 15 to 20 minutes.

Super looking, and tasty nutella star bread is ready to serve !!
Enjoy your dish :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!

Hazelnut - nutella mug cake

Nutella, which is made from ground hazelnuts, cocoa and milk was first developed in Italy during World War II as  a way to extend rationed chocolate. The combination of milk chocolate and hazelnuts can also be found in gianduja, a delicious alternative to milk chocolate, available for baking and in candy bars.

Preparation time : 10 mins
Makes : 2 Mug Cakes

Ingredients :

Unsalted butter : 2 Tbsp
Nutella : 1/4 cup
Egg : 1 large
Milk : 2 Tbsp
Vanilla extract : 1 tsp
Granulated Sugar : 3 Tbsp
All purpose flour : 6 Tbsp (1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp)
Baking soda : pinch
Kosher salt : pinch
Chopped hazelnuts preferably toasted : 1/4 cup

Method :

In a large mug, combine the butter and Nutella.
Microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until melted.
Whisk in the egg with a fork,
Stir in the milk, vanilla and sugar.
Add the flour and salt.
Beat the batter until smooth.
Fold in the hazelnuts.
Divide the batter between two mugs.
Microwave  separately for 11/2 to 2 1/2 minutes each until risen and firm.

Yummy mug cake is ready to serve.

Topping ideas : whipped cream, Nutella , Marshmallow Fluff, milk chocolate ganache, caramel sauce, confectioners' sugar, chopped hazelnuts or fresh raspberries.

Serve your cake hot with your choice of topping.
Enjoy your dish :)

Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Yellow Mug Cake

Yellow cake is the classic birthday cake, and a perfect blank canvas on which to paint a sweet celebratory picture. Eat it as is, or fold in anything you like - chocolate chips, candies, nuts, fruits - to create a personalized mug cake statement.

Preparation time : 10 mins
Makes : 2 Mug Cakes

Ingredients :

Egg : 1 large
Unsalted butter : 2 Tbsp
Milk : 2 Tbsp
Vanilla extract : 1 tsp
Granulated Sugar : 1/4 cup
All purpose flour : 6 Tbsp ( or 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp)
Baking soda : pinch
Kosher salt : pinch

Method :

Place the butter in a large bowl and microwave it for 20 to 30 seconds until melted.
Add the egg and whisk it in with a fork.
Stir in the milk, vanilla, and sugar.
Add the flour,baking soda and salt.
Beat the batter until smooth.
Divide the batter between two mugs.
Microwave  separately for 11/2 to 2 1/2 minutes each until risen and firm.

Yummy mug cake is ready to serve.

Topping ideas : whipped cream, chocolate frosting, vanilla frosting, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate jimmies, or colored sugar crystals.

Serve your cake hot with your choice of topping.
Enjoy your dish :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Red velvet mug cake

Overripe bananas are the best choice for baking. Their starch has completely converted to sugar and their soft, mushy texture makes them easy to incorporate into a batter. When your bananas get too ripe to eat out of hand, peel and freeze them in zip lock bags for future mug cakes.

Preparation time : 10 mins
Makes : 2 Mug Cakes

This uber-trendy cake is actually a vintage recipe from the deep south. It is as red as scarlet O'Hara's dress thanks to the combination of cocoa powder and cheap liquid red food coloring. Be sure to use the cheap stuff! Fancy food coloring pastes and gels don't work nearly as well. The vinegar was traditionally added to the baking soda as a leavener. With self-raising flour, it's not necessary, but it's added here for its classic zippy flavor.

Ingredients :

Egg : 1 large
Vegetable oil : 3 Tbsp
Butter Milk : 3 Tbsp
Vanilla extract : 2 tsp
Liquid red food coloring : 1 tsp
Granulated Sugar : 1/4 cup
Unsweetened cocoa powder : 2 Tbsp
All purpose flour : 1/4 cup
Baking soda : pinch
Kosher salt : pinch
Cider, white wine, or rice vinegar : 1/4 tsp

Method :

In a large mug, whisk together the egg and oil with a fork.
Stir in the food coloring, butter milk, vanilla, and sugar.
Add the cocoa, flour, salt, and vinegar.
Beat the batter until smooth.
Divide the batter between two mugs.
Microwave  separately for 11/2 to 2 1/2 minutes each until risen and firm.

Yummy mug cake is ready to serve.

Topping ideas : Cream cheese frosting, Marshmallow Fluff, whipped cream, fresh berries, red sugar sprinkles, candied pecans, or chocolate shavings.

Variations :
Blue Velvet : You never know when you may need to make a blue cake. It's really done by replacing cheap red liquid food coloring with cheap blue liquid food coloring. For any other cake color, you'll want to omit the cocoa powder, as it will give all other food colors a tinge of brown. If you make another color, replace the cocoa powder with an equal amount of flour.

Serve your cake hot with your choice of topping.
Enjoy your dish :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Butter milk mug cake

The tang of buttermilk cuts through the sweetness and gives this batter a distinct flavor that's terrific as is, but also perfectly supports sweet, fruity add-ins like berries and stone fruits.

Preparation time : 10 mins
Makes : 2 Mug Cakes

Ingredients :

Unsalted butter : 2 Tbsp
Egg : 1 large
Butter Milk : 3 Tbsp
Vanilla extract : 1/2 tsp
Granulated Sugar : 1/4 cup
All purpose flour : 6 Tbsp ( 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp)
Baking soda : pinch
Kosher salt : pinch

Method :

Place the butter in a large mug and microwave it for 20 to 30 seconds until melted.
Add the egg and whisk it in with a fork.
Stir in the butter milk, vanilla, and sugar.
Add the flour and salt.
Beat the batter until smooth.
Divide the batter between two mugs.
Microwave  separately for 11/2 to 2 1/2 minutes each until risen and firm.

Yummy mug cake is ready to serve.

Topping ideas : Sour cream glaze, whipped cream, chocolate ganache , fresh berries, sliced peaches, or chopped pecans.

Variations : The tang of butter milk can also be achieved using the same amount of sour cream, plain yogurt, or milk with 1/2 tsp of lemon juice or vinegar added.

Serve your cake hot with your choice of topping.
Enjoy your dish :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Ivy gourd pulusu

Preparation time : 30 mins
Serves : 2 or 3

Ingredients :

Ivy gourd : 1 cup
Onion : 1 medium sized
Tomato : 1 medium sized
Tamarind pulp : 2 Tbsp
Jaggery : 1/2 tsp
Rice flour : 1 Tbsp
Green chili : 1
Mustard seeds : 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds : 1/4 tsp
Turmeric powder : 1/4 tsp
Fenugreek seeds : pinch
Hing : pinch
Garlic cloves : 5
Red chili powder : to taste
Salt : to taste
Curry leaves : One spring
Oil : 2 tsp

Methods :

Take a pan, add oil, when hot, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds and saute them a bit.
Add hing, turmeric, curry leaves, garlic cloves, cubed onions, and slit green chili to it and fry until they are translucent.
Add slit ivy gourd and fry for a couple of minutes.
Now add little water, cover and cook until tamarind is 3/4 cooked.
Add chopped tomatoes and let it cook completely.
Add little more water if needed.
When ivy gourd is almost done, add tamarind paste, salt, jaggary, red chili powder and water.
Adjust the stew to the desired consistency.
Dilute the rice flour in little water and add it to the ivy gourd stew.
Mix and let it boil for about 5 to 8 minutes.
Turn off the flame.
Serve it hot with rice.
Enjoy your dish :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Drumstick curry - 2

This recipe is a Kerala style drumstick curry and it is a very easy delicious curry that goes perfect with rice.

Preparation time : 30 mins
Serves : 3 to 4

Ingredients :

Drumsticks : 10 to 12 pieces
Onion : 1 medium sized sliced
Tomato : 2 chopped
Green chilis : 3-4 slit vertically
Turmeric powder : 1/4 tsp
Salt : to taste
To grind :
Coconut : 1 cup grated
Shallots : 3 to 4
Fennel powder : 1/4 tsp
Cumin powder : 1/4 tsp
Turmeric powder : 1/4 tsp
Garlic cloves : 2
To tamper :
Mustard seeds : 1/2 tsp
Red chilies : 2 to 3
Curry leaves : one spring

Method :

Take a pan add Tbsp of oil, when hot add mustard seeds, curry leaves, red chilies.
Add sliced onions and saute till translucent and lightly brown in color.
Add in the chopped tomatoes and cook till its done.
Add the peeled drumstick, green chilies, salt and turmeric powder.
Add 1 1/2 cups of water and cook covered for 15 minutes or until the drumsticks are cooked and tender.
In the mean time, grind the coconut , cumin seeds, fennel seeds, turmeric powder, shallots and garlic cloves.
Make a smooth paste.
Add this to the curry and cook for some time on low flame.
Take it off the flame.
Yummy drumstick curry is ready to serve.
Enjoy your dish :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Spinach muffins or The Popeye muffins

Spinach muffins - This recipe is tailored specifically for using fresh spinach. With the help of the mashed banana and the cinnamon you can't even get the spinach taste. For kids it will simply be a Green Muffin . Do you remember the Popeye show.... whenever he needs energy, he eats a can of spinach. So these muffins are also called as The Popeye muffins.
These muffins are so simple and easy to prepare.

Preparation time : 40 mins
Makes : 12

Ingredients :

All purpose flour : 1/2 cup heaped
Whole wheat flour : 1/2 cup heaped
Sugar : 3/4 cup
Baking powder : 1 tsp
Baking soda : 1/4 tsp
Ground cinnamon : 1 1/2 tsp
Salt : 1/2 tsp
Oil : 1/4 cup
Milk : 1/2 cup
Fresh spinach : 1 1/2 cups
Banana : 1 (or) Mashed banana : 1/4 cup
Vanilla extract : 2tsp

Method :

Take a large bowl and add  all dry ingredients - flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon powder, and salt, Mix them. Keep this aside.
In a blender, add oil, milk, spinach and blend on high for 30 sec or until completely pureed.
Add banana and vanilla and blend it once again.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a 12 cup muffin pan with paper liner.

Add this to the dry ingredients mixture and fold together with a spatula until completely combined.

Fill muffin cups about 2/3 (or) 3/4 full and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Let it cool for some time.
Your yummy and delicious muffins are ready to serve.

Enjoy your dish :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Creamy Mushroom Florentine Pasta

This Creamy Mushrooms Florentine Pasta Recipe may seem like a fancy dish, but it's so quick and easy to make. We love white sauce pasta and you can never go wrong with this recipe. This pasta recipe is so worth it.
This rich pasta dish is full of flavor and cheesy goodness and is perfect for a special occasion meal or if you are craving comfort food. This delicious pasta is so easy to prepare and will be ready in no time.

Preparation time : 30 mins
Serves : 3 to 4

Ingredients :

Pasta : 7 ounces or 200 grams packet
All purpose flour : 3 Tbsp
Pasta cooked water : 1 cup
Milk : 1 cup
Salt : 1/2 tsp
Black pepper : 1/2 tsp
Oil : 3 Tbsp
Mushrooms : 200 grams
Garlic cloves : 2
Shredded cheese : 1/3 cup
Baby spinach (or) chopped spinach : 2 cups packed

Method :

Cook pasta according to package instructions.
Drain water and keep a cup of pasta cooked water.(Even if you threw that its OK, just carry on with one cup of water or vegetable stock)

Take a bowl add milk, pasta cooked water, flour, salt and pepper.
Mix it good and keep it aside.

Take a bowl add oil, when hot, add sliced mushrooms, saute for 6 mins.
Add minced garlic, saute for 2 more minutes until garlic just begins to brown.
Stir in the milk mixture that we prepared earlier.
Cook it in low flame, stirring occasionally until thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Add shredded cheese, stir until cheese has melted.
Mix in spinach , allow to wilt.
Add drained pasta to skillet , toss to coat.
When you got your desired consistency, Serve your pasta.
I sprinkle some Parmesan and red chili flakes on top.
Enjoy your dish :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Jello roll ups or Jello pin wheels

Jelly pin wheels - kids will love these ... You can do them in any colour for any theme.
you can call these even as Gelatin pin wheels.
This is super easy recipe, can be made in no time.
You can use any flavor of jell-o to make these.

Preparation time : 10 mins + 45 mins
Makes : 15 to 20

Ingredients :

Jell-O gelatin :one 3Oz package
Water : 1/2 cup
Mini Marshmallows : 1 cup

Method :

Spray an 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan or tray with non stick spray, Spread oil around and leave just a thin film of oil on the pan. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine Jell-O and water.
Microwave on high for one minute.
Using a whisk, Stir to combine until all gelatin is dissolved.
(If necessary , return to microwave for 10 to 20 sec or so to make sure jello is dissolved completely)
Add in mini marshmallows and microwave on high for 20 to 30 seconds, or just until marshmallows begin to puff.
You don't want them to melt.
(This is the key to a successful marshmallow layer ! If you over cook the marshmallows, they just dissolve and your roll up will not have two distinct layers.)
Whisk until marshmallows are dissolved into the Jell-O.

Quickly pour into prepared baking pan and refrigerate for 45 minutes to one hour or until well set.
(Creamy layer will float to the top)
When thoroughly chilled, remove the pan from fridge.
At this point, the jello should be very firm and easy to handle.
Gently pull one side away from the pan and lift entire sheet onto counter.
Starting at one end, roll up tightly.
With seam side down, cut into 10 to 15 half inch slices.
(You can cut them using mono filament or unflavoured dental floss or simply a thread or even a serrated knife. Just put the string around roll - up, cross and pull).
Place on to a place and keep refrigerated until served.
Serve and enjoy your dish :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!!