Simple Chocolate cake

       

          Oh man.... how did I end up being so busy??? I don't work full time, I have some help at home and yet I hardly find any time for activities other than routine. This cake was my second baking experiment and 1st chocolate cake ( I made it in November 2013 and I am posting it now at the end of Feb 2014). Although I am a beginner at baking, this turned out very good. I am casual with my measurements. By that I mean that I usually go by unmeasured ingredients while cooking, and also while baking I tend to divert a little from exact measurements. Hence if my cake turns out well, I believe anyone can bake :-)

Recipe:
Ingredients:

All-purpose flour/ Maida: 1 3/4 cups

Cocoa powder(I used Cadbury's): 3/4 cup

Sugar (granulated): 1 1/2 cups

Baking powder: 1 1/2 tsp

Baking soda: 1 1/2 tsp

Salt: a pinch

Eggs: 2  

Black coffee:1 cup 

Milk: 1 cup 

Vegetable oil:1/2 cup 

Vanilla Extract: 1 1/2 teaspoons 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Apply butter and dust flour on the cake pan. 

2. In a bowl whisk together  all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar,cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt).

3. In another bowl, whisk together wet ingredients(eggs, black coffee, milk, oil, and vanilla extract). 
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk, until combined. Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. 

5.Remove from oven and let cool before serving.

Veg Hakka Noodles

   
     I believe that "Hakka noodles" is a popular and a common recipe in most homes. However I had not made it...ever. It was loved and devoured as expected. We use very less oil while cooking.But for this recipe I think using more oil adds to taste.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Noodles: 1 pack/200gmas cooked as per instructions on the pack
Onion: 1 large, sliced
Cabbage: 1 cup, shredded
Green capsicum: 1 sliced
Carrot: 1 thinly sliced
Beans: 6-8 sliced
Spring onion: 1 bunch chopped
Green chili: 1 sliced
Crushed Black pepper: as per taste
Soy sauce: 1 tbsp
Vinegar(White): 1 tbsp
Oil: 1 tbsp(2-3 tbsp GREAT!)
Salt: as per taste

Method:
1. In a large pan heat oil. Add onion, beans, carrot and capsicum. On high heat cook while stirring for a few mins. Add cabbage and green chili and continue cooking on high heat. Stir continuously to avoid burning and aid cooking.
2. After the vegetables are soft add Soy sauce. Add noodles and toss. Add salt, crushed pepper, vinegar and spring onion and toss. Serve hot.

Dill & Soy Granules Curry

      

        When I tell people that we are not picky eaters, I emphasize that we love dill :-).  This curry was in our lunch boxes and it was loved at our respective offices.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Dill: 2 bunches, washed and chopped
Garlic cloves: 3-4 crushed
Soy granules: Soaked in hot water with salt for 15 mins: 1/2 cup
Corn Kernels: 1/2 cup boiled
Red chili powder: 1 tsp
Turmeric: a pinch
Mustard seeds: 1/2 tsp
Oil: 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method:
1. Heat oil in a deep pan. Add mustard seeds. Once they begin to splutter add garlic. Saute till it is well cooked.
2. Add turmeric, chopped dill, a splash of water and mix well. Let it cook for 3-5 mins.
3. Add corn kernels, salt and red chili powder. Mix well and cook while stirring.
4. Squeeze out water from soy granules and add them to the curry. Mix and cook until dill is cooked.
Serve hot