Peanut Butter And Chocolate Cake

Peanut Butter And Chocolate Cake 

I had always wanted to try out this combination in a cake. And the result is mind blowing, This combo is my new obsession. It's a very simple and quick-to-make and bake kind of cake. And of course, it is quick to eat also. 

Ingredients

Wholewheat flour – 2 cups

Custard powder (vanilla) – 3 tbsp

Egg – 2

Jaggery powder – 2 cup

Baking powder - 2 tsp

Baking soda – 1 tsp

Cooking Chocolate (melted) - 3/4 cup
Peanut butter (homemade) - 3/4 cup

Cinnamon powder – 1/2 tsp
Coffee powder - 1 tbsp
Milk – ¼ cup (add accordingly to adjust consistency of batter)
Apple cider vinegar - 1 tbsp

Method

Add the dry ingredients on a sieve and sieve it twice

Add apple cider vinegar to eggs and beat them till fluffy
Add the dry mix to it gradually using cut and fold method
Mix melted chocolate and peanut butter well
Add to the cake mix 
Put few pieces of dark chocolate pieces on the batter

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C

Bake for about 25 to 35 minutes

Homemade Peanut Butter
Roasted n salted peanuts - 3/4 cup
Put in a mixie and pulse for a few times to powder it
Then run the mixie stopping in between to scrape the sides of the jar and mix it
Do this till you get a smooth mxture
Add a few nuts and pulse a couple of times to add some crunch to the butter


Enjoy this cake as a healthy snack with your cup of tea or coffee or just any time with the goodness of peanuts, chocolate and jaggery.

Note: Refrigerate leftovers. It may go bad after a couple of days 

Health Benefits of Peanuts

Heart health

Healthy fats
Lowers cholesterol
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-obesity
Skin health
Rich in vitamins and minerals

Black Rice Pancake

Black Rice Pancake

Move over brown rice and red rice. Black Rice is the new superfood. I had first heard of black rice two years ago. I was fascinated and ordered a small quantity. But I just let it stay in a corner in my refrigerator. I planned to make Black Rice Pudding but never got down to doing it for lack of time. 

Next, the same online site advertised their Black Rice Pasta. I swung into action and ordered it. But this time I used it instantly. It's there in one of my previous blogs. Suddenly I was determined to use the black rice that was lying around in my frig. Also, I had got lots of rave reviews for the black rice pasta dish. Suddenly black rice has become my new obsession. 

Finally I've gotten into my experimental mode. The reason black rice scores over brown and red rice is the presence of the purple pigment anthocyanin (an antioxidant) in its outer hull.  It's the same reason I am attracted to deep purple coloured brinjals, blackberries, black grapes and other red and black coloured fruits or veggies. Always try to get as much of this coloured stuff on your plate. 

The pudding is still there at the back of my mind but suddenly I came across this pancake recipe and was hooked. So here we are. Very simple to make and an amazingly healthy and taste pancake for breakfast. Now there are 2 ways of making it. One is where you spread the batter carefully on the pan with your hand. The other where you make a soft dough with the rice and roll it out carefully like a bhakri. Both are simple. 

 

Ingredients

Black Rice - 1 cup

Chickpea flour - 1 tsp

Jaggery (powder) - 2 tbsp

Fennel seeds (crushed) - 1 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Method 1

Wash and soak the rice overnight

 Grind using little of the water to form a thick batter

Add the rest of the ingredients

Heat a non-stick pan

Spread little ghee on it

Drop the batter on the pan and spread it carefully with your hand to form a panckae

Cover with a lid and cook on slow flame

Spread little ghee and flip it over carefully

Cook the other side

Method 2

Grind the rice

Add the rest of the  ingredients to make a soft dough

Divide it in to three equal parts and roll it carefully between two plastic sheets

Heat a non-stick pan

Spread little ghee on it

Carefully place it and cook on a slow flame using a cover

Spread little ghee and flip it over carefully

Cook the other side

Health Benefits of Black Rice

Antioxidant rich

Protects heart health

Helps detoxify

High fibre content improves digestive health

Helps slow down absorption of sugar in the blood.. prevents diabetes

Helps in weight loss and management

Gluten-free

Prevents atherosclerosis

Note: Anthocyanins are responsible for the red, purple and blue colors in fruits and vegetables. Red to purplish blue-colored leafy vegetables, fruits, grains, roots and tubers contain a high level of anthocyanins. They are found in high concentrations in blackcurrants, blackberries and blueberries, brinjal (in the skin), red cabbage, cranberries and cherries. Anthocyanins are linked to a range of health benefits.

Jackfruit for Breakfast

Jackfruit for Breakfast

I enjoy this time of the year for the variety of fruits it brings which I can add to my breakfast to up its nutritional value. One of them is Jackfruit. I love it best when it's bright yellow, juicy and fully ripe. This calls for less jaggery. Jackfruit is a staple of the Mangalorean cuisine during the season. Here are some of my favourites with jackfruits in exactly this order.  

Jackfruit Pancake

Ingredients

Broken Wheat Rawa (fine variety) - 1 cup

Curd - 3/4 to 1 cup

Jackfruit (very sweet variety) - 1 cup

Jaggery - 2 tbsp

Fresh Coconut (grated) - 1 tbsp

Green Chili (optional) - 1

Curry leaves (optional) - 2 sprigs

Salt - 1/4 tsp

Method

Soak the broken wheat rawa and salt in curd for about 15 mins

Blend the jackfruit, coconut and jaggery to form a coarse mixture

Add the chili and curry leaves and pulse till they are just broken into pieces

Add to the rawa mixture

Add water to form a batter of thick consistency

Spread oil on a non-stick dosa pan

Heat it on a medium flame

You can spread the batter directly on the pan with your hands

Cover with a lid and cook the pancake on both sides

OR

Spread oil on the pan

Place a piece of banana leaf on it

Spread the batter on the leaf

Cover with another piece of banana leaf

Cover the pan with a lid

Flip it over carefully when the pancake is cooked on one side

The leaf will look a little dry and burnt

Let the other side cook and serve warm

Note: I prefer the banana leaf method for the following reasons:

• It is rich in natural antioxidants which get absorbed into food during cooking
• It also protects food from getting burnt 
• It holds the heat inside and cooks food in its own juice
• It lends an aromatic and sweetish flavour to the dish

Jackfruit Steamed Cake

Ingredients

Brown rice powder - 1 cup

Udad dal powder - 1 tbsp

Jackfruit pieces (very sweet variety) - 3/4 cup

Fresh coconut (grated) - 1/4 cup

Jaggery powder - 1/2 cup

Cardamom powder - 1 tsp

Curd - 1/4 cup

Water - 3/4 to 1  cup

Salt - to taste

Method

Mix the flours and salt

Add water and let it soak for 15 mins

Add curd and mix well

Blend jackfruit pieces with coconut and jaggery powder to form a rough paste

Add to the flour mixture

Mix well 

Add water to make a thickish batter  

Grease an aluminium cake mould and place a banana leaf in it so that it lines the pan completely

Pour the cake batter into it

Steam for about 20 mins till a knife inserted in it comes out clean

Cool and cut into pieces while still warm

Enjoy with a cup of hot tea or filter coffee

Jackfruit Idli

Ingredients

Broken Wheat Rawa (fine variety) - 1 cup

Curd - 3/4 to 1 cup

Jackfruit pieces (very sweet variety) - 1 cup

Jaggery - 2 tbsp

Fresh Coconut (grated) - 1 tbsp

Method

Soak the rawa in curd for 10 to 20 mins

Fresh Coconut (grated) - 1 tbsp

Blend jackfruit pieces with coconut and jaggery powder to form a rough paste

Add to the rawa mixture

Mix well 

Pour into the cavities of a steamer

Steam for about 10 to 15 mins till a knife inserted in it comes out clean

Enjoy  warm idlis for breakfast with a cup of hot tea or filter coffee 

Health Benefits of Jackfruit

Jackfruit has various benefits on your health

It is an instant energizer

It has potassium which maintains blood pressure. (Here you can find potassium rich foods)

The rich source of fiber improves digestion and prevents constipation

Jackfruit is loaded with antioxidants. This slows down your aging process

It has vitamin A, a vital nutrient for your eye health

It has calcium to strengthen and promote healthy bones

It is rich in vitamins A, C, E, K, Niacin, Vitamin B6, folate, pantothenic acid and minerals like copper, zinc, manganese and magnesium. These nutrients help you to prevent and cure anemia

The Vitamin C contents of jackfruit strengthen your immune system

Manganese regulates blood sugar levels in the body

Copper presents in the jackfruit keep the thyroid glands healthy

Vitamin B6 keeps the heart healthy

It can cure ulcers and other digestive system disorders

It maintains your blood pressure and improves digestion

Bamboo Shoot Stir fry With Udon Noodles...Lobsters in Pepper Garlic Sauce

Bamboo Shoot Stir fry With Udon Noodles... Lobsters in Pepper Garlic Sauce

Lobsters in Pepper Garlic Sauce

Ingredients

Lobsters - 4 medium (steamed)

Spring Onions - 2 stalks

Ginger (grated) - 2 inch

Garlic (sliced finely) - 10 flakes

Soy sauce - 1 tsp

Pepper sauce - 2 tbsp

Peppercorn (crushed) - 1 tsp

Oil - 1 tbsp

Method

Microwave the lobsters for 10 seconds

Heat the oil

Add ginger and saute

Add garlic and saute

Add onion whites and stirfy

Add the onion greens, sauces and peppercorn 

Saute for 1 minute

Add the lobsters and mix slowly

Bamboo Shoot Stir fry With Udon Noodles 

Ingredients

Udon Noodles - 2 cups (cooked)

Tender Bamboo Shoot (small slices) - 1 cup

Spring Onions - 2 stalks

Ginger (grated) - 2 inch

Garlic (sliced finely) - 8 flakes

Soy sauce - 1 tsp

Pepper sauce - 1/2 tsp

Peppercorn (crushed) - 1/2 tsp

Oil - 1 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Method

Cook the noodles according to instructions on the pack

Heat the oil

Add ginger and saute

Add garlic and saute

Add bamboo shoots

Add onion whites and stirfy

Add the onion greens, peppercorn and pepper sauce and saute for 1 minute

Add the noodles and mix slowly

Serve hot with lobsters in garlic pepper sauce

Health Benefits of Lobsters

Rich source of copper and selenium

Contains zinc, phosphorus, vitamin B12, magnesium, vitamin E, and a small amount of omega-3 fatty acids

Increase brain function and efficiency

High protein content

Reduces inflammation

Health Benefits of Bamboo shoots

Contains vitamins A, B6, E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate and pantothenic acid

Contains minerals - calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium and iron

Protects heart health

Decreases LDL cholesterol levels

Lowers and maintains blood pressure

Improves body’s immune system

Has anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-killing) properties

High in dietary fibre

Low sugar content

Negligible amount of fat

High in protein

Good appetizer

Improves digestion