Savory Butter Crackers with Lemon
Apr02

Savory Butter Crackers with Lemon

In Bengal, there are two types of gaja: salty and sweet. Within these two types, several shapes and flavors are possible: poppy seed cubes, sesame seed oblongs, kalonji curls and this variation: lemon zest diamonds. These crackers are somewhat crumbly, with a faintly sour taste. They are a much-loved delicacy throughout Orissa and Bengal, popular at late afternoon tiffin with contrasting sweet gaja and tropical fresh fruits....

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Strawberry Lotus Cake
Apr01

Strawberry Lotus Cake

Ingredients • All purpose flour- 1 1/2 cup • Sugar- 3/4 cup+ 1Tbsp • Salt-1/2 tsp • Baking powder- 1 1/2 tsp • Eno- 1/2 tsp • Vegetable oil-1/3 cup • Yoghurt- 1/4 cup • Milk- 1/3 cup (full fat milk will taste better than low fat) • Strawberries, finely chopped – 1/2-1 cup • Orange-red colour- 1/4 tsp/3-4 drops • Strawberry/vanilla essence- 1/2  tsp For Butter Cream Icing • Vegetable Shortening – 1cup • Confectioners sugar-...

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Sponge Cake
Feb28

Sponge Cake

Ingredients • Self rising flour( It has baking soda and little salt already in it. Or else- 2 cups maida with 1 tsp baking soda and a pinch of salt) – 2 cups • Sugar – 3/4 cup + 1tbsp • Eno – 1/2 tsp • Oil – 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp • Sprite/Mirinda/orange juice/pineapple juice/milk – 3/4cup + 1tbsp • Vanilla essence – 1 tsp • Fruits like orange/pineapple/strawberry/blueberry/carrob chips/nuts roasted and...

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Eggless Christmas Cupcakes
Feb26

Eggless Christmas Cupcakes

Ingredients • Self raising flour – 450g + Plain flour – 50g • Mixed dried fruits (I used a mixture of dates, apricots, prunes, cranberries, raisins, sultanas and cherries) – 350g • Dark brown sugar (such as muscavado) – 320g • Sparkling water – 250ml • Chopped pecans – 80g • Ground almonds – 100g • Baking soda – 1 tsp • Baking powder – 2 tsp • Ground mixed spice (cloves, nutmeg,...

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Fruit and Nut Cookie Bars
Feb26

Fruit and Nut Cookie Bars

Ingredients •1 ½ cup flour (I use 1 cup regular flour and ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour) •½ cup butter, 1 stick •2 cups sugar •1 tsp baking powder •1 tsp vanilla •1 tbsp flaxseed meal, optional •1 ½ tsp egg replacer, mixed with 2 tbsp warm water •½ cup butterscotch pieces •1 cup chopped mixed nuts •½ cup mixed dried fruit bits, coarsely chopped •½ cup coconut Preparation 1.Lightly grease a 8x8x2-inch baking pan. 2.In a medium bowl,...

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Cardamom-Orange Butter
Feb23

Cardamom-Orange Butter

This butter can be made with either orange juice concentrate or orange marmalade, both yielding vibrant results. Equally delicious is a variation made with rose petal jam. Both orange and rose are compatible with cardamom. Best served on morning breads, muffins or crackers. Preparation time (after ingredients are assembled): a few minutes Ingredients • Unsalted butter, preferably Homemade (page 104), at room temperature – 1-1½...

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