How to make Mushroom Briyani

                       Mushroom, one of my favorite ingredient to cook with. Whenever I go shopping, a pack of mushroom will definitely have place on my cart. Since I am die hard Briyani fan I combine these both to make Delicious, aromatic & mouthwatering  Mushroom Briyani.

                         

     Ingredients:

1.      Basmati Rice                              -  2 cups

2.      Mushroom                                    -  250 g

3.      Onion                                            -  2 large size

4.      Tomato                                         -   2 large size

5.      Green Chili                                   -  3-4

6.      Ginger-Garlic paste                     -  2 tbsp

7.      Coriander powder                        -  2 tsp

8.      Pepper powder                            -  1/2 tsp

9.      Red Chili powder                         -  1 tsp

10.  Turmeric Powder                          -   1/2 tsp

11.  Garam Masala Powder              -  1/2 tsp

12.  Briyani Masala Powder              -  1 tsp (Optional)

13.  Ghee                                             -  2 tbsp

14.  Oil                                                  -  2 tbsp

15.  Coriander & Mint Leaves           -  2 cups

   Whole Spices:
                            
                                     1.     Cinnamon stick                          -  1 medium

                               2.     Cloves                                         -  4-5

                               3.     Cardamom                                 -  3

                               4.     Bay leaves                                  -  2

                               5.     Star Anise                                  -  1 small

Method:

• Take Pressure cooker pan on stove and add the ghee, oil and heat it for a min. 

• Put all the whole spices and fry till fragrance fills the kitchen. Then add sliced green chili and saute for some minute.

• When the onion became transparent, add tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, all spice powders and half of the mint and coriander leaves.

• Add little amount of water to mix all spice mixture and fry untill all become together into a paste consistency.

• While the mix is cooking, take the rice and rinse it thoroughly & then soak it for 5-10 min. [Note: Don't soak & rinse the rice. Basmati rice tend to break if its soaked for too long ] 

• Now add the mushroom into the mix and saute for 5 min. If you wish you can add finely chopped carrot with mushroom.

• Once the mushroom is half cooked, add the rice and stir for 1-2 min carefully. So that rice is coated with masala. 

• Add 4 cups of water (1 cup rice = 2 cup water) and remaining coriander and mint leaves. Once its started to boil cover the lid and let it cook in the pressure up to one whistle. 

• Take it off from the stove and release the gas in the cooker. 

• If you let to cook under remaining pressure the rice will be overcooked. 

• Well done...!!! Mushroom Briyani is ready to eat.. Serve hot with Onion Raitha.

How to make Sweet Chocolate Pongal

Why we are always  doing regular Chakra Pongal, Ven Pongal in home...???

For this Pongal Festival, try this Choco Pongal and Surprise everyone :-)

Ingredients:

1. Raw rice              -   1 cup
2. Moong dal           -   1/2 cup
3. Jaggery                -   3/4 cup
4. Coco powder       -   2 tbsp
5. Milk                     -  1 cup
6. Ghee                   -   5 tbsp ( can add more if u wish)
7. Cardamom          -   3
8. Cashews             -   10 Nos
9. Raisins                -   10 Nos
10. Almonds              -  10 Nos

Preparation:

• Cook the rice and moong dal together with 3 cups of water in pressure cooker or in open vessel till its soft and keep it aside to cool.
• Heat and melt the jaggery in a pan with little amount of water and let it dissolve completely.
• Roast all the nuts and raisins using 1 tbsp ghee.

Method :

• Take a big vessel on stove. Pour the rice-dal mixture, milk and let it boil. 
• Filter the jaggery water in the vessel and stir constantly. Filtering is must because jaggery has some sand particles in it. 
• Stir the mixture continuously and add cardamom, coco powder and ghee. 
• When you get the right consistency, finish it off by topping roasted nuts and give it a last mix.
• Put some ghee on top of the pongal and leave it to rest. 
• If you need more sweet add some honey. 

Wish you All Happy Sweet Pongal :-) 

How to make 30 minutes Chocolate Cake

Any Party??? Sudden Guests?? or Bored??

Don't worry.

Just spent 30 minutes to bake a gorgeous chocolate cake, just like that..

I am sure, that no piece will be left for u to eat, if u give it to your friends/guests. ENJOY !!!

Ingredients:

1. Coco powder                      - 75 g 
2. Plain flour                           - 150 g
3. Powdered Sugar                 - 150 g
4. Butter (at room temp)        - 100 g
5. Eggs (Medium)                   - 3
6. Vanilla essence                  - 1 tsp
7. Baking Powder                   - 1 tsp
8. Bicarbonate of Soda           - 1/2 tsp

Method :

• Keep every ingredients ready to start baking. 
• Preheat the oven before 15 min. 
• Put all the liquid items in a food processor/mixer and beat it together.
• Then add all the dry ingredients and give a quick mix.
• Grease the cake tin with butter and dust with flour.
• Pour the cake mix into the tray and place inside the oven.
• Bake the cake for 15 to 20 min in high power.
• Please check the cake when 5 min left by inserting a knife/skewer and check if it comes out clean.
• If it is cooked, turn off the oven and allow the cake tin to rest in oven for 5 to 10 min.
• Then take outside and allow it to cool. 
• Decorate with cherry, cashews,,, whatever you like...

Mesmerize everyone with this Delicious chocolate Cake :-)

How to make Pineapple- Cherry Upside-Down Cake

I’m dedicating this first post to my Mom who inspired me with her cooking.

I started with a sweet dessert ‘Pineapple-Cherry Upside-down Cake’

Ingredients:

Pineapple                                   - 5 or 6 slices 

Cherries                                     - 100g 
Butter(At room temperature)       - 100g 
Sugar-Powdered                         - 100g 
Eggs                                          - 2 
Plain flour (Maida)                      - 100g 
Baking powder                           - 1tsp 

Bicarbonate of soda                    - ¼ tsp 

Vanilla essence                           - 1 tsp 

Pineapple essence                      - 1 tsp (optional) 

For greasing:

Butter                                      - 1 tbsp

Sugar-powdered                       - 2 tbsp

Let’s start baking…

1. Preheat the oven for at least 5 or 10 minutes before baking the cake mixture. Preheating the oven is necessary in all type of baking.

2. Grease the cake tray with generous amount of butter in all sides. It will prevent the cake sticking with the tray.

3. Spray the sugar on the greased tray and keep it aside.

4. Cut the pineapple’s center part. You don’t want the hard portion in cake. Line this pineapple slices inside the greased tray in any shape you like.

5. Place the cherries in the middle of pineapple slices and the gap between them. Chop the remaining cherries into pieces and use later.

6. Take a food processor/Mixer and put sugar, butter, flour, eggs, baking powder, bicarbonate soda, vanilla essence and pineapple essence (optional). If you have leftover pineapple pieces, take juice from it and add it to the mix.

7. Run the mixer until the batter the fluffy and smooth. Add the chopped cherries and mix with a spatula.

8. Carefully pour the batter over the pineapple-cherry slices and spread evenly. Don’t tap it on the ground; it will reduce the airiness inside the batter results in hard cake.

9. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 20 min. To check whether the cake is cooked or not, insert a skewer or knife in three different parts of the cake. If the skewer/knife comes out clean then the cake is ready, if not give another 5 min in the oven. It is wise to check the cake during the half of the cooking time once.

10.Give resting time in the oven for 10 to 15 min after cooking. The take it out and allow it cool.

11.Flip the baking tray carefully on a plate and gently shake so that the cake transfers to plate.

Ta...Da…   Delicious Pineapple-Cherry Upside Down cake is ready to dig in…

[Note: Those who don’t have oven in Home can try with pressure cooker. Put some sand in pressure cooker and place the cake mixture in it. Cook it in low flame. Don’t put weight on top of the lid.

I recommend to try with little amount of cake mixture first in oven or in pressure cooker to understand the baking.]