Halloween Treats

It's the time of the year for Pumpkin Goodies

Pumpkin Cheesecake

To Make Cream Cheese

Ingredients

Cottage cheese (low fat paneer) – 200 gm

Curd (hung) – 2 tbsp

Milkmaid – 2 tbsp

Method

Blend all of it together

Cheesecake Base

Ingredients

Marie biscuits – 90 gm

Butter – 2 tbsp

Jaggery powder – 2 tbsp

Method

Crush the biscuits

Add jaggery and butter. Mix well

It should hold together

Grease a springform pan well

Spread this mixture well on the base of the pan

Refrigerate for about 30 mins

Cheesecake

Ingredients

Cream cheese (lowfat, homemade) – 2 cups

Pumpkin puree – ½ cup

Egg - 1

Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves powder – ½ tsp each

Vanilla essence – 1 tsp

Method

Mix all the ingredients except the puree

Divide the cream cheese into two parts

Spread one part over the base

Mix puree with the second part and spread it over the first part

Bake in a preheated oven at 170 degrees C for about 12 to 15 mins

Let cool

Cut and serve

Pumpkin Donuts

Ingredients

Wholewheat flour – 2 cups

Baking powder – 2 tsp

Egg – 1

Oil – 2 tbsp

Jaggery powder – ½ cup

Cinnamon, clove and nutmeg powder – ½ tsp each

Milk – ½ cup

Pumpkin puree – ¾ cup

Salt – ½ tsp

Method

Sieve baking powder and flour once

Beat egg

Add milk, essence, oil and beat well

Add pumpkin puree, salt, jaggery powder and beat

Add the flour mix and mix

Grease a doughnut pan

Fill the mixture and bake at 170 degree C for about 20 minutes

Cool slightly

Topping

Ingredients

Butter – for dipping

Cinnamon powder – 2 tbsp

Jaggery powder or sugar – 2 tbsp

Method

Dip the doughnuts in butter and then roll in the cinnamon mixture

Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Rich in vitamin A

Antioxidant rich
Immunity booster
Has nutrients helpful in strong eyesight
Rich in fibre..helps in weight loss
Promotes heart health
Healthy skin

Butterscotch Pumpkin Spiced Cupcakes

Butterscotch Pumpkin Spiced Cupcakes

Ingredients

Whole wheat flour – 1 cup

Jaggery (powdered) – 1

Eggs – 2

Pumpkin puree – ½ cup

Baking powder – 1 tsp

Baking soda – ½ tsp

Salt – 1 tsp

Coconut oil – ¼ cup

Sour cream or strained curd  – ½ cup

Milk – ¾ or 1 cup (to adjust consistency of batter)

Apple cider vinegar – 1 tbsp

Cinnamon, clove, ginger and nutmeg powders – ½ tsp each

Butterscotch chips - 1/4 cup

Method

Beat eggs with salt, vinegar and curd

Sieve flour twice with baking powder and soda

Add slowly to the beaten egg

Add oil and milk

Beat well again

Add pumpkin puree and mix well

Add jaggery, butterscotch and the spice mix

Bake in an oven preheated to 170 degrees C for about 15 mins

Let cool

Enjoy warm with tea or coffee

Drizzle hot chocolate sauce on top or spread chocolate ganache if you want to eat it as dessert 

Decorate it if you desire

Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Potassium in pumpkins can have a positive effect on blood pressure

Antioxidants in pumpkin could help prevent degenerative damage to the eyes

Pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin can be used as a replacement for butter or oil in baking recipes

Thai Red Curry With Prawns

Thai Red Curry With Prawns

Ingredients

Fresh prawns (big sized)  - 6

Ginger (grated) - 1 inch piece

Onions (medium) -  2 or 3

Tomatoes (big) - 1

Thai Red Curry Paste - 3 or 4 tbsp (heaped)

Red chilly powder (if more spicy desired) – 1 to 2 tbsp (heaped)

Basil leaves - 1 big handful (more if desired)

Coconut oil - 1 tbsp

Coconut milk (medium consistency) - 1/4 cup

Method

Heat oil in a non-stick pan

Add ginger and fry it

Add onions and pinch of salt

Saute on slow fire to soften it

Add tomatoes and mix well

Saute for a minute till it softens

 Add the Thai curry paste and mix well

Add chili powder if you like it more spicy

Add basil leaves and mix well

Add water and cook on slow fire for 10 mins till it becomes a nicely blended mixture

Add prawns, salt, mix, cover and cookfor 5 mins

Add coconut milk, mix well and cook for 5 mins

Eat with steamed brown rice  

Health Benefits of Basil

Anti-inflammatory

Antioxidant

Cancer-fighter

Pain-reducer (analgesic)

Fever-reducer (antipyretic)

Diabetes-preventer

Liver-protector (hepato-protective)

Blood vessel-protector

Anti-stress solution

Immune-booster

Health Benefits of Prawns

Good source of selenium, an important antioxidant

Has omega-3

Protein rich

Good source of vitamin B12, iron and phosphorus

Beer Cake

Beer Cake

Ingredients

Whole wheat flour – 2 cups

Jaggery (powdered) – 2 (can increase if you want it sweeter)

Cocoa – ¾ cup

Baking soda – 2 tsp

Baking powder – 1 tsp

Salt – 1 tsp

Coconut oil – ¼ cup

Sour cream or strained curd  – ½ or ¾ cup

Eggs – 2

Beer – 1 cup

Apple cider vinegar – 1 tsp

Mix of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg powders – 1 tsp 

 

Method

Beat eggs with salt, vinegar and curd

Add oil and beat well again

Sieve flour twice with baking powder and soda

Add jaggery and the rest of the dry ingredients

Add dry ingredients little by little to the egg mixture         

Bake in an oven preheated to 180 degrees C for about 20 to 25 mins

Let cool

Enjoy warm with tea or coffee

Drizzle hot chocolate sauce on top or spread chocolate ganache if you want to eat it as dessert  

Banana Chocolate Cake

Banana Chocolate Cake 

Ingredients

Wholewheat flour -  1 cup

Baking powder – 1

Baking soda - 1/2 tsp

Salt – 1/2 tsp

Jaggery  (powder) -  1 cup

Cocoa powder -  1/2  cup

Coffee powder  (instant) – 1 tsp

Vanilla essence – 1 tsp

Eggs – 2

Coconut oil -  1/2  cup

Curd – ½:cup

Apple cider vinegar-  1 tsp

Banana (overripe) – 4 (medium)

Walnut pieces – ½ cup

Topping

Walnut pieces – 2 tbsp

Chocolate chips or sprinkles -  1 tbsp

Method

Add salt and vinegar to the eggs and beat till fluffy

Mash the bananas

Add oil, curds, cocoa and coffee powder and mix well

Add jaggery and mix thoroughly

Add soda and baking powder to the flour and sieve twice

Add little at a time to the egg mix using cut  and fold method

Bake for about 15 mins in an oven preheated to 180 degrees C