Arjun is TWO!

It really feels surreal to post this birthday update of Arjun as I'm still reeling over the fact that he did,indeed turn two years old!I mean,how is that even possible?Time is flying at an alarming rate as I'm struggling to soak it all up.The cuddles,bear hugs and kisses with which I begin my day to the non-stop activity throughout the day and some more cuddles and kisses with which the day ends,I couldn't ask for more!

We decided to have a low-key birthday party this year,with just a very few close friends.A cake cutting,a beach outing and a dinner at our favorite restaurant.

The cake was a simple one too.Being home alone with a playful and hyper active toddler,I couldn't dare to think something out of the box.He's fascinated with Elephants these days and the design I took is from his favorite pillow.His reaction after seeing the cake was priceless,a big elephant roar :)

Cake flavor - Eggless Marble and Chocolate cake filled with Dark chocolate ganache and frosted with whipped buttercream.

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Spicy Green Vegetable Pulao | Easy Rice Recipes

There's something about a mixed rice recipe,be it Pulao,Biryani or BBB,that makes me look forward to meal times anxiously.The whole concept of rice with vegetables served in a single meal is exciting on its own,so imagine the fun with so many different recipes for the same!I make the simple vegetable pulao,with minimal spices almost every week.Ajay loves it and so does Arjun.But I want some spice :) A spicy pulao with cool cucumber raita and papad on the side ticks every box for me.

Few days back,my SIL posted a recipe for this pulao on FB and I immediately wrote it down.It sounded very interesting with the green chutney being the main ingredient.I decided to try it and reduce the spicy-ness a bit so as to make it interesting for Ajay and Arjun.

I have to admit,the whole process of chopping the vegetables,preparing the masala and the cooking part(along with taking pictures)excites me to no end.The resulting dish was,without doubt delicious and toddler approved as well.I paired it with a cooling cucumber-pomegranate raita,pappad and a tall glass of Mango milkshake.

Spicy Green Vegetable Pulao
Recipe courtesy - Sarita Bhat

Ingredients

Mixed vegetables - about 1 1/2 cups { I used carrots,cauliflower,beans,green peas,paneer and capsicum }
Ghee - 3 tbsp
Tej patta - 1
Onion - 1,chopped
Tomato - 1,chopped
Basmati Rice - 1 cup
Water - 2 cups
Salt to taste

For the masala paste

Mint leaves - 1/4 cup
Coriander leaves - 1/4 cup
Green chilly - 2-3 {original recipe uses 5}
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Grated coconut - 2 tbsp
Cashewnuts - 4 {original recipe uses poppy seeds}
Saunf - 1/4 tsp
Cloves - 5
Cardamom - 3
Cinnamon-1' piece

Method

Wash the rice well under running water and soak in enough water for about 15 minutes.
Prepare the masala paste by blending the ingredients mentioned to a smooth paste.
In a rice cooker,add ghee and tej patta.Mix in the onions and saute till the onions turn golden brown.
Add the masala paste and saute until the raw smell leaves and the paste becomes dry.
Add in the mixed vegetables along with the tomato and stir well to coat the masala.
Add the drained rice and give a good mix.Add water and salt to taste.
Close the cooker and cook till done.
Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.Serve hot.

Step by step procedure

Wash the rice well under running water and soak in enough water for about 15 minutes.

Prepare the masala paste by blending the ingredients mentioned to a smooth paste.

 

In a rice cooker,add ghee and tej patta.Mix in the onions and saute till the onions turn golden brown.

Add the masala paste and saute until the raw smell leaves and the paste becomes dry.

Add in the mixed vegetables along with the tomato and stir well to coat the masala.Add the drained rice and give a good mix.

Add water and salt to taste.Close the cooker and cook till done.

Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.Serve hot.

You can try the same recipe in a pressure cooker as well.Follow the same method and pressure cook for exactly one whistle.Let the pressure settle down and then open the lid and fluff up the rice.

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Banana Walnut Bread

I have a few Banana bread recipes up here on the blog,but when it comes to such a simple bake,I am always looking for new recipes to try.I love Banana bread,the deep taste of ripe banana,the melt in the mouth texture and the crunch of walnuts,oh I wish I had a slice now while writing this!It tastes great warm and even better if toasted lightly with butter.

I usually make a batch and cut into slices and refrigerate in 2-3 ziploc bags.Just microwave the slices for 10 seconds or you can even toast them on a tava.Arjun loves this bread with a mug of milk.I was apprehensive to feed him nuts initially and used to make this bread without nuts.But he loves the crunch and eats it without any problem so now it is always made with walnuts,which I think is a perfect pairing with this.

Whenever someone suggests JoB recipes to me,I try it without any fear or doubt.JoB recipes are truly a boon for beginner bakers as well as experts because they just turn classic recipes into recipes which anyone can try.This one is no different.No complicated ingredients or difficult steps involved.Just get all the ingredients ready and bake away!

Banana Walnut Bread
Recipe source - JoB

Ingredients

Flour - 1 3/4 cups
Sugar - 3/4 cup
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Baking soda - 1/4 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Cinnamon powder - 1 tsp
Walnuts - 1/2 cup,chopped
Ripe Banana - 2 large
Eggs - 2 large,slightly beaten
Vanilla - 1 tsp
Butter - 1/2 cup,melted and cooled

Method

Preheat oven to 180C.Grease and line a loaf tin.

In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nuts. Set aside.
In another bowl,mash the bananas well with a fork.Mix in the eggs,vanilla and melted butter.
With a rubber spatula slightly fold the dry ingredients into the banana mix until combined and the batter is thick and chunky.DO NOT keep beating till you get a smooth batter-over mixing would yield a rubbery bread.
Scrape the batter into the prepared tin and bake for about 55-60 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
Place on a wire rack to cool and slice when completely cool.
Step by step pictures

Preheat oven to 180C.Grease and line a loaf tin.

In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nuts. Set aside.

In another bowl,mash the bananas well with a fork.Mix in the eggs,vanilla and melted butter.

With a rubber spatula slightly fold the dry ingredients into the banana mix until combined and the batter is thick and chunky.DO NOT keep beating till you get a smooth batter-over mixing would yield a rubbery bread.

Scrape the batter into the prepared tin and bake for about 55-60 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.

Place on a wire rack to cool and slice when completely cool.

 
On another note,Easycooking has been selected as one of the Top 100 Baking blogs on the web by Feedspot.To say I'm elated to be featured among my idols would be an understatement.Thanks once again for all your support,encouragement and appreciation:)

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