Spicy Onion and Sesame Crackers Daring Bakers Part II

"You have bRaINS in your head .

You have FeET in your shoes.

YOu can steer yourself any direction you

chOOse."

Dr Seuss

I choose to go the sweet and savoury way!

I never read Dr Seuss while I was young...
Dr Seuss for me ...is me reading stories aloud to sweet child at bed time...
That was when I discovered the magic of Dr Seuss...
My favourite...
Yertle the turtle...
That was when I started the sing -song, read- along tone...and sweet child absolutely adored ...adored me for it...and Dr Seuss-courtesy Sweet Sister...who now has her hands full with a two year old and is trying her hand at baking too.
Happy Birthday Dr Seuss!
Thank you for spreading so much happiness!

If you havent gone the sing song way yet...
GO!
Any ways back to the crisp crisps...
This was the daring bakers challenge for february...
And a little thank you to you too Sarah..

This months inspiration is from Sarah...

Ta-da!!!!!

Blog checking lines: Sarah from All Our Fingers in the Pie was our February 

2013 Daring Bakers’ host and she challenges us to use our creativity in making 

our own Crisp Flatbreads and Crackers! 

OK so, this is part II,executed  in 15 minutes ,baked in 25 and gone in a day...
Super Yummy, Super Desi ,Super Slim and Super Onion-y...
Crisp like something that has just come out of a deep fat fryer...
And spicy...
Just like a little tadka -tempering has been given to them...
Yummy!
Truth be told...
I was contemplating...
To be sweet or not to be sweet...
That is...
The Crisps...
I was dicing onions and chillies for the tempering-I was doing Maa ki  DAL...that is black dal and red rajma...
Extra onions and chillies led the way...
As if they had brains of their own and my feet followed...
I got this from here when I was searching for onion crisps...

So simple!

for the

Spicy Onion and Sesame Crackers Daring Bakers Part II...

you need

2 cups plain flour
1/4 cup warm water
1 tsp salt
4 tsp toasted sesame seeds
4 tbsp melted butter
1/3 cup oil
2 medium onions finely diced
2-3 green chillies finely diced
hand full of chopped coriander-I had none and was none the worse for it
1 tsp bicarb of soda/baking soda
2 tsp sugar-which I totally forgot to add

Oven on at 170C/325F.
That's the finely diced onion...yes my chillies were so aged that they turned red!

And I toasted the sesame in my tadka pan...
I made half the recipe as I have little space to store and place my Tupperware...
Half the onions at one time along with all the ingredients into the bowl(except the water).
That is the melted butter in the tadka pan...

Lightly mixed together .

And then the remaining onion added.
The dough was a little soft and the recipe advised to roll the dough between the devil and the deep sea-actually between two sheets of film-but it is murder trying to get the cookies off...
So I made little balls...

And pressed them onto my prized cookie sheets with my pretty little hands...
Pricked them with a fork all over and...

And popped them in the oven...
Mid way I flipped them over...and in 25 minutes they were ready to harvest...er...eat...
So out on a wire rack to rest before they became our snack...

Pretty soon they were demolished...
Pretty and thin and crisp...

These are now history...
need to redo!
In the meanwhile sweet Child starts his grade VII exams...
So a beat of  luck wish for him and his class mates...Class party...
Coming up -Genoise au Chocolat with Fondant and Oreo Butter Cream Frosting...
Coming up...

Math exam next...

So what are you baking today????

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Daring Baker Again- Seedy Raincoast Crisps and more!

Crackles and Crunches...

A cup of hot java to dunk it into...

Loads of seeds...

Zero Fat!!

And Totally less Sweet!

The Daring Bakers Challenge after two months...

Totally difficult to do while you are shifting houses...

That was one thing I missed...every time I checked out the stuff to be made for that month...

At last , now,I'll be faithful to my cause celebre...

Bake Pretty Stuff and Eat Pretty Stuff...

I love crisp crackers...especially stuff you can dunk into coffee or tea...

And with this months challenge, I loved the fact that the only added fat was the fat /oil used to grease the baking pan...

All the fat in the nuts and seeds is great fat!

So that will do!

So beautifully crisp that thecrackers stood up like a house of cards...
Lace like and delicate...
I' m proud of my prowess!
And to beat the sadness of not being part of teh daring bakers , I made savoury Onion and sesame seed crackers.
How is that for a double whammy!
Rustic and simple and Spicy and Yummy ....Yummy...
OK that is the next post...

This months inspiration is from Sarah...

Ta-da!!!!!

Blog checking lines: Sarah from All Our Fingers in the Pie was our February 

2013 Daring Bakers’ host and she challenges us to use our creativity in making 

our own Crisp Flatbreads and Crackers! 

for the

Daring Baker Again- Seedy Raincoast Crisps and more...

you need

1 cup flour
1 tsp  baking soda-bicarb of soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter milk(I added 1 tsp vinegar to 1 cup milk)
1/8 cup packed brown sugar-I used gur ki shakker
1/8 cup honey
1/2 cup raisins
1/ 4cup chopped pecans-I didn't use any...walnuts were an option ,but I decided against
1/4 roasted pumpkin seeds-I used watermelon seeds
1/8 cup ground flax seeds
1/8 cup roasted sesame seeds
1 tbsp fresh rosemary-I used dried rosemary

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F...and grease a loaf pan lightly-8 inches by 4 inches...
I started just before dinner that day, as the crisps had to be baked as a loaf and then cooled and sliced and re baked...
So one day was not possible...
These are the watermelon seeds roasting-also called MAGAJ.
A little heat and they begin to pop and smell heavenly...
done!
Do the sesame seeds too...

Into a bowl all the seeds and stuff...

And the popped seeds...

And lastly the butter milk mixed in...

Mix and pour into the tin...

Done in about 40 minutes...needed no poking as the sides gave way...so I knew it was cooked.
10 minutes later, turned out of the pan...

I wrapped this in a kitchen towel and in the bread box and left it to cool overnight...
Next day...
Filigree thin slices-2mm maybe 3 mm thick...

On two cookie sheets...the best investment made for my Morphy Richards oven...

Baked at 150C or 300F for 15 minutes on each side...
I managed to burn a few..
So you need to be careful...
But the crunch and the aroma of the seeds and rosemary baking was awesome...

Along with a cup of coffee...

Caramelised Raisins...

Crisp seeds...

Yumm!

I'm crunching through these raincoast crackers (hmm why raincoast??) carefully...my root canal treatment has left the right side of my face a little numb...

After two lidocaine injections...just opening my mouth is a pain...thank god these crisps are slim!

Slim...

The prospects of them staying in the jar for too long...

Slim...

Dreams...

Back sooner than you think...

Take the chance and try out for 5 free Tandoor Chef coupons  ,wont you???

So what are you baking today???

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Pan Seared Fungi-Mushrooms David Rocco Style

Roald Dahl and Pan Seared Fungi...

Err...Mushrooms...

Got it off David Rocco again...

Hot Chef and Hot Fungi...

Great Combo!

Only he did not have button mushrooms...

And green walls...

New house and a wee bit of enthusiasm for painting walls...

Only this wall became too green...

Hubby dear literally shields his eyes when he passes from here to the bed room-I have to admit this wall does cast an eerie glow...but WTH...till I get the creative bug again this wall stays so green-its either that or hubby dear needs to pick up a paint brush-don't quite see that happening real soon...

So the Mushrooms were to please his palette.

Something Hot for the Hot (headed ) man!

An extra hot pan, a little bit of salt and pepper and these babies are done.

They taste of firmness and flambe'ed olive oil.

And Garlic...

Loads of it!

Super easy...will go well with bread and a bake or with dal and roti...or lie just as pleasantly on a pizza.

I also tried to clean them differently this time. Plain washing with water makes the mushrooms watery and limp...so I tried to wash them with flour/maida and found that they indeed absorbed less water.

Read on...

for the 

Pan Seared  Fungi-Mushrooms David Rocco Style...

you need

200 gms/1 pack button mushrooms-whatever is easily available

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp chopped garlic

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp butter

2 tbsp plain flour-to wash and clean the mushrooms-optional

My maid is back from her 6th day off this month-respite to my dish pan hands which were itching to do something extra, and my dentist just scheduled me for a root canal treatment...

Maybe he should have scheduled a psyche consult-Too much Grey's Anatomy???

I actually scrubbed each mushroom with a little flour to remove the dirt and fuzz...

Seriously??

Yes, seriously!

Each one-Ok there were only maybe 20 small ones...

That I then rinsed with water, drained and cut..

Fortunately this time the fungi was no worse for wear...

The mushrooms absorbed less water!

I placed the long handled pan on high heat while I chopped the garlic and mushrooms...

Just basically let the pan smoke.

I wanted the sear...

Collected all the stuff and got ready to cook.Need to work super fast now...

The oil in...

The garlic sizzling with all its might...

The mushrooms in..a third at a time- did not want to reduce the temperature of the pan too soon..

Toss ...

Spices in..

Toss 

A little bit of flambe here...that the camera did not catch...

Not one mushroom on the counter top..I toss well...Thank you!

Sprinkle the salt just before the flame is turned off...

And ready to serve...

With the minimal of gravy...

And Roald Dahl was keeping me company..

I like!

Sanity is the most treasured thing when sweet child is preparing for his end of term exams...

He has taught himself to twist a pencil -and fast-in two fingers in the last two weeks a la Boris Grishenko
 from Golden eye...

Ahh!!!!!!!!

Coming up...

The promise of Nuts and Zero Fat and absolutely low sugar...

What a crackling deal!!!

In the mean while ...comment for the 5 free  Tandoor Chef  coupons- Free Frozen Food!!

Come on...

So what are you baking today???

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Carrot Halwa -Gajar Halwa/Gajerela in a Jiffy and a Tried and tested Short Cut

Carrots are devine... You get a dozen for a dime, It's maaaa-gic! -Bugs Bunny

So what's up, Doc?

Yes ,I know I am dithering...

I have something and more coming up...

That seems to be the promise in every post...

But then in the words of my fave...Bugs Bunny-"Don't take life too seriously ,You'll never get out alive."

Obvious ,isn't it?

Only Bugs Bunny could put it so eloquently!

Carrots...

Any which ways!

I prefer Gajar ka Halwa/Gajerela.

Carrot Halwa...

A mushy ,sweet carrot pudding made with tons of love and milk and milk fats...

The best thing that you can eat on a cold winter day...

Hot or cold, with or without the mandatory tea or coffee...

Along with almonds and cashews and raisins or just plain...

The sweetness of the carrots drenched in cooked and coagulated milk ...

Awesome!

A single spoonful is never enough.

The only problem is that this is a labour and time intensive pudding or halwa.

Me?

I am certainly not a labour intensive person.

I love my food processor to bits ,and absolutely adore my maid.Her absence gives me dish pan hands that no amount of moisturiser or Moo Udder Cream seems to restore.

So this had to be quick!

And it was, what generally takes 5-6 hours of  patient stirring took me less than one...and the result...WOW!

for the 

Carrot Halwa -Gajar Halwa/Gajerela in a Jiffy and a Tried and tested Short Cut...

you need

2 1/2 kg carrots

1 tin -400 mils condensed milk-sweetened

3 tbsp Desi ghee-clarified butter

6 tbsp milk powder

handful of raisins, blanched sliced almonds-optional

Peeled,topped and tailed, I passed the carrots through the food processor grater...done in five minutes...

Cooker  full of carrots.

How is that for quick?

Two whistles on full,steam let out through the vent before the pressure was released later...
I told you this was quick!
A lot of liquid to dry out...cook this on high heat if you are standing there itself.
If you have the time and the patience, you can simmer gently to reduce the carrot juices slowly...

About 15 minutes later, one tin of milkmaid poured lovingly in....
Truth be told...we had had quite a few spoons full of the condensed milk ...yum yum yum!
It was only 3/4 full...actually...

Cooked on a medium flame now...
Cooked till the water is almost dried out...when you tilt the pan , the liquid should not be too ready to leave the safety of  the carrots...

Time for the short cut!
Khoya!
Something only north Indians understand.
Well,what with adulteration and all...
Home made Khoya is needed.
Ghee/Clarified butter or BUERRE NOISETTE(berr no -i-set)!
Yes, that is a fancy,cordon blue name for ghee...
Ghee and milk powder make Khoya-secret sweet mum divulged a long time ago...

Mix well-like so and add...

Add in and cook maybe five to ten more minutes on slow...
Done...see no liquid seeping out.
The Halwa is coked.
Ready to taste.

I added raisins when I added the milk maid, you can fry them in ghee and also add fried almonds and fried cashew...your call...
My cavities do not allow for too many nuts so I avoid.
I love the carrots soft and mushy without any nutty interference!

A spoon full of magic...
A spoon full of yumminess!
A spoon full of Desi carrot halwa or gajerela or gajar ka halwa...
Super Fast!

The short cut to khoya works any way you need it to...Cooked or uncooked.
So next time make khoya at home instead of buying it from dubious sources.
Bunny will be proud to see what I did to his magic carrots...

You will so be in carrot heaven after this...

So What are you baking today???

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The Easiest Brownies Ever and a Comeback

Chocolate: luscious, lumpy. loads of love...... 

Bad Photography and and a happy day!
A birthday and chocolate!
Happiness!

Somethings are better left to the nose and the olfactory senses...

Butter and chocolate and vanilla ...

The first time in the new house...

Should that be like a  a ritual ???

The first time is always special...

Any which ways...

Is special!

This day the chocolate was as a way to satisfy some cravings...

And we had no chocolate!

So cocoa!

Get rid of the smell of turpentine...

I've just painted one wall green...

I love the hues of that colour...Hubby dear is more the white and bright kinds, he professes his deep and passionate love for white walls , all my lamps will be lit, casting beautiful shadows on ever body who is trying to hide something or the other-but hubby dear will still switch on the over head tube and strobe lights...

I've tried in vain to explain to him many, many times that less light hides imperfections...

But he says-" Life is like the brownies that you keep baking...

Tastier if cracked and brown on top!!!
And you need to see it like  that!"

(But WTH! He has to go to work some time...so we paint-green and gold!)

In the words of Sanskriti Sawhney-The cracked top and brown brownies were Yummilicious!

In honour of Sanskriti Sawhney...on her second birthday!

May god bless you and may your many shenanigans bring smiles to every body's faces!!!

for the 

The Easiest Brownies Ever and a Comeback...

you need

3/4 cup butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 tsp vanilla essence

3/4 cup plain flour 

1/2 cup cocoa powder

4 eggs

1 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1/2 cup of chopped walnuts-optional-I obviously skipped.

Once you decide to let the lackadaisical attitude and its lazy bum rest in the quilt...turn on the oven to 175C/350F.Once the oven is heating...there is no way you'll want to stay away from it.

The best way to start...

Sieve the dry stuff on a sheet of paper- saves the cleaning up!

Twice...

That's the butter, a wee bit melted and a wee bit of vanilla essence into it added erroneously -before its time...

Add in the sugar and try to whip it with all the force possible ...
Yes the electric beater was still in the cartons...packed!

One egg at a time, all 4 in...one by one whipped in well, and now the remaining vanilla essence...

And now, the flour and cocoa and baking powder and salt mix...
Lightly folded in...

A square tin, lined with parchment paper..My brownies have a history of not coming out totally from the dish...I love them gooey, you see...
Its almost as if the still gooey ,partially uncooked batter is a bit afraid of debuting ...coming of age!
Coming of age is such a problem with all- no body wants to let go of youth!
Neither do I.
I know the batter still looks a little grainy, the sugar isn't all dissolved in...I don't bother with that , the heat of the oven brings the sugar to its knees...always!

The batter on the spoon and some more was licked off raw...the rest we spread and popped into the oven...
Waiting for the magic smells for about 50 minutes.

50 minutes and many pokes in the  tummy- the brownie had been poked atleast 5 times to see if it was done-sweet child could not wait..

Sliced and snowed upon with icing sugar...
A toast to the little angel who does not want to go to "Kool" (school)and who is scared of Baby Sitting and likes her new teacher "Miss Sharon"...
Happy To you -Birthday!
Live a long , happy and stress free, chocolate and cup cake filled life!

Bad lights yet...

And bad photographs...

But that does not take away from these EASY brownies...

Brownies never taste so good without semi sweet chocolate...but we hardly missed the silkiness and the moistness in these decadent bites out of chocolate heaven!

So easy , my little baker girls and boys can make them...
Try them out ...you'll love theses!!
A promise to be more regular with blogging and baking...now that the spring is in the air...and the fumes of paint are in my house!

So what are you baking today???

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