Chic Choc Brownies

Chic Choc Brownies
It derives its name from two of its ingredients - Chickpea flour and Chocolate Chips. It is a super healthy, gluten free brownie with teff flour (Teff is a supergrain) as the other important ingredient.

Ingredients

Chickpea flour (rough variety) – 1 cup

Teff flour – ½ cup

Cocoa powder  (dutch processed) – ¼ cup

Cinnamon powder – 1 tsp

Baking powder – 1 tsp

Baking soda – ½ tsp

Jaggery powder – 1 cup

Pumpkin puree – ¼ cup

Coconut oil – ¼ cup

Butter – 1 tbsp

Egg – 1

Chocolate chips – 2 tbsp

Method

Mix the two flours

Add the dry ingredients and mix well

Whisk an egg

Add butter and pumpkin puree and mix well

Add jiggery and whisk

Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix

Top with chocolate chips

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

Cool in the oven

Serve warm with a cup of coffee


Note: Unlike the usual brownie batter which is slightly thick unlike cake batter, this one has to be slightly flowing like cake batter. Reason, both the flours are fibre rich so soak up more moisture. If the brownie turns out slightly dry, turn it upside down on cooling. Make few holes throughout and pour jaggery sauce all over the top. Let it soak in the sauce before slicing carefully. 
Jaggery Sauce - Melt 2 tbsp butter. Add 1 tbsp butter and mix on slow heat. Add 2 tsp water and mix well for a few minutes to thicken it slightly. 

Health Benefits of Teff Flour

Gluten-free

Treats anemia 

Helps weight loss 

Boosts energy levels

Promotes digestion

Relieves PMS symptoms

Boosts immunity

Supports bone health

Promotes healthy heart

Helps in diabetes management

(Teff flour is derived from the seed or grain  - teff, and is a staple foodstuff in Ethiopia)

Health Benefits of Chickpea Flour

Gluten free

Great source of fiber

Helps Improve heart health

Antioxidant rich

Stabilizes blood sugar and may help prevent diabetes

Improves insulin resistance

Helps with weight loss

High protein food, which provides satiety and curbs food cravings

Lowers Inflammation and improves immune function

Balances the body’s pH level

Mangalore Cucumber and Prawns in Coconut Gravy

Mangalore Cucumber and Prawns in Coconut Gravy

Ingredients

Prawns (big sized) – 150 gm

Mangalore Cucumber – 600 gms

Masala paste

Fresh Coconut (grated) – ¾ cup

Red Chilies (byadgi variety) – 12 (adjust according to spice level)

 Coriander seeds – 1 tbsp

Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

Peppercorns – 12 to 14

Turmeric powder – ½ tsp

Ginger – 1 inch

Garlic – 5 to 6 flakes

Onions (medium sized) – 1

Tamarind – 1 small ball

Methi (fenugreek seeds) – ¼ tsp

Ajwain – pinch

Tempering

Coconut oil – 1 tbsp

Curry leaves – 10 to 12

Green chilies (slit) 3 to 4

Onions (medium sized) – 1

Method

Clean and devein the prawns

Deseed the cucumber and cut them into pieces with the skin

Masala paste

Roast the chilies and other spices

Cool and grind

Roast the ginger, garlic, onion and coconut

Cool and grind along with the spices

Wash the mixie and retain the water

Use it to cook the vegetable

Use a clay pot for cooking for a distinctive flavor

When it is more than half done; add the masala paste and adjust the water content for gravy

Cover and cook

When the veggie is done and the gravy starts bubbling, remove the lid and let it cook till you see oil released from the coconut on the surface

Add the prawns and let it cook

Tempering

Heat coconut oil

Add finely chopped onions and green chilies and fry

Add curry leaves and fry

Pour this into the gravy

Close the lid and keep it aside for at least 2 hours for the flavours to be well absorbed

Serve with steamed Mangalorean red rice  

  

Health Benefits of Mangalore Cucumber

Excellent source of fibre

Rich in Vitamins A, C, E and K

Rich in antioxidants

Delays ageing process 

Health Benefits of Prawns

Rich in protein, omega-3, vitamins A and E, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus

Has low fat content

High level of zinc - improves immunity

Contains copper, phosphorus, and magnesium – promotes bone health

Anti-oxidants - improves skin health

Anti-ageing - prevents formation of wrinkles, fine lines and crow’s feet

Protects skin against harmful UV rays

Boosts collagen 

Health Benefits Of Red Rice

Helps in weight management

Anti-diabetic
Anti-inflammatory properties
Gluten free
Promotes heart health
Energy booster

Health Benefits of Coconut 

According to a study, coconut oil increased levels of good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) without significant increase in levels of bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol

Contains lauric acid which is said to support the immune system

Contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). MCTs induce satiety, which eventually prevents overeating

MCTs increase insulin sensitivity.. this leads to better sugar control and promotes weight loss

Promotes health of prostate glands

Has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties

Anti-ageing

Skin glow

Restores dry, damaged hair

Caramel Popcorn Brownies

Caramel Popcorn Brownies

This one is certainly healthy except for 2 tbsp of butter in the caramel Sauce. So go on and enjoy it. Plus, it's super easy to prepare!

Ingredients

Brownie Batter

Whole wheat flour – 1 cup

Jaggery powder – ¾ cup

Coconut oil – ¼ cup

Cocoa powder – 2 tbsp

Baking powder – ½ tsp

Baking soda – ½ tsp

Salt – ¼ tsp

Egg – 2

Milk – ¾ cup (adjust consistency)

Topping

Salted popcorn – 1 cup

Roasted Peanuts – ½ cup

Chocolate chip cookies – ½ cup

Peanut butter drops – ¼ cup

Caramel Sauce

Jaggery – 2 tbsp

Butter – 1 ½ tbsp

Method 

Brownie
Mix all the dry ingredients
Beat the eggs
Add to the egg mix and mix well
Add oil
It should be thickish like a typical brownie batter
With the help of spatula, add it to the prepared baking pan

Topping
Spread a layer of popcorn
Press it into the batter
Spread peanuts and press it into the batter
Next goes chocolate chips. Press it down a it
Place the peanut butter drops in between the toppings

Caramel Topping 
Heat butter and add jaggery
Heat it on slow flame till it caramelises
Spread this sauce over the topping
Bake in an oven preheated to 180 degrees C for about 30 mins till done
Cool and cut into pieces

Winter Porridge

Winter Porridge

Ingredients

Broken Wholewheat (largest size) – ½ cup

Garden cress seeds – 4 tsp

Salt – a pinch

Milk – 4 cups

Water – 1 cup

Almonds – 12 pieces

Palm Jaggery – 4 tbsp (according to taste)

Edible gum (gondh) – 2 tbsp

Ghee – 1 tsp
Ginger powder - 1/4 tsp

Method

Soak the wheat flakes in water overnight

Drain off the water the next morning

Pressure cook it in 2 cups milk

Cool

Garden Cress seeds

Soak the seeds in water for 2 hours

It will form a jelly like mass

Cook for about 10 mins in 1 to 1.5 cups milk

Add to the cooked wheat flakes

Mix well and cook with constant stirring till it thickens slightly

Take off heat and add jaggery

Mix well

Edible Gum (Gondh)

Heat ghee in a non-stick pan

Add edible gum and sauté till it fluffs up

Add to the porridge
Add ginger powder and mix well

Top with sliced almonds

Serve warm on winter mornings

Health Benefits of Garden Cress Seeds

They are rich in calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, protein, iron, folic acid and dietary fibre

Low fat content..High protein content - Helps in weight loss and weight management

Helps in weight loss and weight management

Phytochemicals help to regulate menstrual cycle

Health Benefits of Gondh

Warming food

Great for boosting immunity, stamina and health

Rich in calcium and protein

Builds strong bones

Soya Crackers

Soya Crackers

I had been planning to make soya crackers for a while. I had even bought the flour a while ago and let it lie in the refrigerator. To be honest, baking crackers is a tedious process. One has to maintain a close watch while they are baking to avoid them from getting burnt. And of course rolling out the dough and cutting it only adds to my woes. In contrast, baking cakes and cookies is a breeze. But I had a lot of free time today and used itfor this. Try it out if you have the patience though. It's worth it! But monitor it well and turn it over to the other side when it's kind of done on onw side. S0 go ahead and reish it with a hot cup of tea or coffee!

Ingredients

Soya Flour – 1 cup

Wholewheat flour – 1cup

Rice flour – ½ cup

Red chili powder – 1 tsp

Turmeric powder (haldi) – ½ tsp

Asafetida (Hing) – ¼ tsp

Salt – to taste

Oil – 3 tsp

Water – for kneading the dough

Method

Mix all the dry ingredients

Add oil and mix

Add water and knead a tight dough

Divide into equal sized balls

Roll out into thin rotis

Cut into desired shapes

Bake in a preheated oven at 170 degrees C for about 10 to 15 mins

Stuffed n Roast Chicken...Cassava Chocolate Pudding

 Stuffed and Roast Chicken

A slightly indulgent meal with white rice, more than my usual dose of oil. But it's my New Year lunch. So well accounted for

Ingredients
Raw Chicken - 1.5 kg
Salt - 1 tbsp
Pepper powder - 1 tbsp
Ginger-Garlic paste - 3 tbsp
Chicken Tandoori masala - 3 tbsp
Lemon - 1
Garam masala - 1 tbsp
Red Chili Powder - 1 tbsp 
Coriander powder - 1 tbsp
Boiled egg - 2

Method
Wash the chicken and dry it well
Rub salt and pepper all over, inside also
Leave it overnight
Let the excess water drain off
Pat dry and apply ginger-garlic paste all over, inside also
Keep aside for 2 to 3 hours 
Next, rub a mix of tandoori masala, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala and more salt (according to taste) all over, inside also
About 30 mins before baking, apply the juice of one lemon all over
Stuff it with garic-vegetable rice, boiled eggs and potato wedges 
Bake in an oven preheated to 170 degrees C for about 30 mins
Turn the chicken over and let it cook again on the other side
It should be done. Pierce and check
Just before serving, preheat the oven to 180 degrees C and cook for 10 mins to crisp it
Serve in a bed of the vegetable-garlic rice

Potato Wedges
Ingredients

Potatoes - 4

Method

Wash the potatoes thoroughly

Slice them and immerse in salt water for about 20 mins

Drain off the water and dry it

Add salt and oil to the slices and mix well

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

Let it cool in the oven

Vegetable and Garlic Rice

Ingredients 

Rice - 800 gms

Green peas - 50 gms

French Beans - 250 gms

Capsicum - 250 gms

Carrot - 100 gms

Fresh Green Garlic - 10

Full garam masala (mix of peppercorns, star anise, cloves, bay leaves, big elaichi, small elaichi, cinnamon sticks) - 3 or 4 of each 
Shahi jeera - 2 tsp
Oil - 3 tbsp
Butter - 3 tbsp
Salt - to taste
Method
Wash and soak the rice for about 20 to 30 mins
Cook it til it is just done
Drain and keep aside
Cook the peas and french beans till they are just done. Do not overcook
Heat oil and butter
Add the spices and shahi jeera
Saute capsicum and carrots
Add garlic and saute again for 2 mins
Add the peas and french beans
Stir fry for 5 to 10 mins
Cover and cook for 5 mins
Stir fry again
Add salt, cooked rice, potato wedges and mix carefully
Switch off the gas

Cassava Pudding

And here's the sweet ending to the meal! A gluten-free pudding. Very simple and easy recipe

Ingredients

Cassava Flour – 3 tbsp

Milk – 1.5 cups

Milk Powder – 3 tbsp

Egg yolks – 2

Cooking chocolate – 200 gms

Butter – 1 tbsp

Method

Blend egg yolks and flour together using little milk

Heat buter, milk and chocolate

Mix well

Cool and add the flour mix

Combine well

Bake in an oven preheated to 170 degrees C for about 10 minutes till firm

Serve hot with vanilla ice cream

Cassava is popularly called Kappa in Kerala. It is a hot favourite there and is boiled and peeled like sweet potato, and eaten with fish or chicken curry. It is also made into chips. It is a source of tapioca pearls (sabudhana) but is a highly processed form. Cassava flour is a healthy substitute for white refined flours to make brownies, cakes, puddings, pancakes etc; especially for those on a gluten-free diet.

Health Benefits of Cassava

Gluten free

Cassava is very low in fats and protein than in cereals and pulses

some of the valuable B-complex group of vitamins such as folates, thiamin, pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin, and pantothenic acid

Itis one of the chief sources of some essential minerals like zinc, magnesium, copper, iron, and manganese

it has adequate amounts of potassium (271 mg per 100g or 6% of RDA)