Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Super Easy Banana Walnut Chocolate Cake!


Hello guys...

It's been more than two months of lockdown in India and things are slowly becoming normal expect the number of rising Covid19 cases. Like all others, I also wish if there was a reset button for 2020. It's kind of roller-coaster ride for us, human beings. The fun part of the lockdown is that we are mastering our cooking skills. I always thought I can't bake a cake for xyz reasons. But this time, I thought will give it a try (after watching so many videos and bugging my baker friends with silly questions). The result was goey, spongy, chocolatey goodness fresh from the oven. So here is the recipe, do try it and let me know the feedback.

Ingredients

Banana                              - 4 nos (small size)/ 2 big over riped
All purpose flour (Maida) - 1.5 cups
Walnut                              - 1/4 - 1/2 cup (roughly chopped)
Sugar                                - 3/4 cup
Cocoa powder                  - 2 tbsp
Baking powder                - 1 tsp
Baking Soda                    - 1/2 tsp
Salt                                  - 1 pinch
Milk                                - 1/4 cup (room temp)
Vinegar/Lemon juice      - 1 tbsp
Vegetable Oil                  - 1/2 cup
Water                              - 2 tbsp (add extra tbsp only if it is required)

Preparation

  1. Using a blender, grind Banana and sugar to a smooth paste.
  2. Grease the cake tin with oil and line the bottom with parchment paper. Keep it aside
  3. In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder
  4. To the dry ingredients add banana+ sugar mix, vegetable oil and mix well.
  5. Add milk, vinegar (or lemon juice) and water and combine well.
  6. Add chopped walnuts and mix again and transfer to the cake tin.
  7. Garnish with some walnuts.
  8. Gently tap the cake tin twice to avoid the air bubbles.
  9. Pre-heat the oven to 180 C and bake the cake for 25-35 mins.
  10. Insert a tooth pick or knife in the center of cake, if it comes out clean, leave it to rest for 5 mins in the cake mould before transferring to a wire rack.
  11. Once the cake cool down, slice it and enjoy this super delicious cake with a hot cup of tea/coffee.
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For any queries or feedback, call +91-9886771173 or send a mail to afoodiestrail@gmail.com

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Summer special dessert - Aam Bhapa Doi (Steamed Mango Yogurt)



I am enjoying this lockdown time by cooking something special almost on daily basis. This is the time to enjoy mangoes to the fullest and I got three variety mangoes from a Mango vendor from Kolar. The Himampasand, Alphonso and Banganapalli mangoes were too good. Using Alphonso mangoes, I created a simple Bengali dessert called Aam Bhapa Doi (Don't forget to read the note) :)

Serves: 4+ 
Cooking time: ~45 mins

Ingredients

Mango                              - 1 (I used puree of 1 Alphonso mango)
Condensed Milk               - 400 gm ( 1 tin)
Yogurt                               - 400 gm
Cardamom powder           - 1/4 - 1/2 tsp
Pistachios                         - chopped, for garnishing
Mango pieces                   - for garnishing 

Preparation


  • In a bowl, whisk hung/set yogurt. 
  • To the yogurt, add condensed milk, mango puree, and cardamom powder. Whisk well to ensure no lumps are there. 


  • Transfer the Aam Doi mix to a bowl/claypot in which you want to steam and cover it using aluminium foil.

  • Heat water in the steamer and once water is hot, place the bowl(s) and cover it with a lid. Steam the mango mix for 20-30 mins. 

  • Once Aam Bhapa Doi is ready, take out from the steamer and leave it to cool down. Bring it to room temperature.

  • Refrigerate Aam Bhapa Doi for 6-8 hours before consuming.

  • Before serving garnish the dessert with chopped pistachios and mango pieces.
Note: It's best to use hung yogurt for this recipe. I didn't have much patience and the yogurt I used directly from the pack was very thick. If you prefer the dessert to be less sweet, then reduce the condense milk quantity to 3/4th tin. Aam Bhapa Doi tastes better and creamier if you refrigerator it for 6-8 hours. For immediate usage refrigerate for 1-2 hours. 

Follow me on  -
Instagram- soumyagopi 
Facebook - You gotta try it 
Zomato- Yougottatryit
Twitter- Soumya_Gopi
For any queries or feedback, call +91-9886771173 or send a mail to afoodiestrail@gmail.com