Feed Your Soul by Ruchika

Simple recipe yet an amazing Banana cake recipe! Time Taken: 50 - 55 minutes Ingredients: 4 ripe bananas 1.5 cup / 150 grams - atta (flour) 1/2 cup - vegetable oil 1/2 cup or less - brown sugar 1/2 tsp - vanilla essence 1/4 tsp - cinnamon powder 1/4 tsp - ginger powder 1/2 cup - walnuts 1.5 tsp - baking powder 1/2 tsp - baking soda 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder A pinch of salt Method: Pre heat oven at 180 degree Celsius. - Mash banana slices along with sugar and make puree. - Now add oil, vanilla essence and cinnamon to the banana purée and mix well. - Sieve the flour with baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt directly to the mashed bananas. - Fold the flour really well, mix evenly but don’t over-mix. - Add walnuts and chocolate chips on the top. - Bake at 180 degree for 30-40 minutes. Let it cool down for sometime and then enjoy the cake!

This yummy treat is very famous and widely made in India especially during the winter season as it helps to keep you warm, thanks to its star ingredients - ghee, wheat flour, semolina and lots of nuts! It is also one of the things given to lactating mothers after childbirth and it also helps in relieving minor pains and aches. Time Taken: 30-35 minutes Ingredients: 2 cup wheat flour 1 cup cashews 1 cup almonds 1 cup raisins 1 cup powdered sugar 1/4 cup gondh (Tragacanth gum) 1/2 cup makhana(fox seeds) 1/4 cup dried coconut slices 1/4 cup melon seeds 150 ml ghee Method: 1. Keep a pan on low flame and dry roast cashews and almonds for 2-3 minutes, and transfer to a bowl when done. 2. Now in the same pan, add one spoon ghee and gond crystals. 3. Gondh will puff up in ghee. 4. Let this cook on low flame. Allow it to puff completely. When the spluttering stops it means that it is cooked. 5. Next, put a kadhai or a thick-bottomed pan on low flame and dry roast wh...

This easy to make and refreshing drink is perfect to keep you cool and hydrated during the summers! Time Taken: Mojito preparation time - 10-15 minutes To make the sugar syrup - 5-7 minutes (+ 30 minutes cooling time) Ingredients: Make sugar Syrup with - 1 cup sugar 1 cup water Cucumber Cilantro Mojito - 4 slices seedles cucumber 2 to 3 sprigs fresh cilantro 3/4 oz sugar Syrup 1 1/2 oz blanco tequila (I used Sprite) 1/4 cup fresh lime juice Additional cucumber slices, if desired Method: 1. To make Simple Syrup, mix sugar and water in 1 a saucepan. 2. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. 3. Let it stand for 30 minutes. 4. Transfer to a jar or any container. Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Makes 1 1/4 cups syrup To make the mojito - 1. Take 4 cucumber slices and sprigs of cilantro to a blender. Add 3/4 cup of the simple syrup, the tequila or sprite and lime juice. 2. Add crushed ice; cover and blend Strain i...

Paneer tikka is hands down one of the best options for vegetarian starters n appetizers. Preparation Time : 20 mins Cooking Time : 20 Mins Ingredients: 300 gms Paneer cubes      1 cup clean Coriander leaves    1/2 cup clean Mint leaves    2 tbsp roasted gram flour (besan) 1 big Onion    1 Green chili 2 tbsp Thick yogurt    2 -3 pods Garlic  1 big tomato deseeded 2 tbsp Oil (For tawa frying) 1 tbsp mustard oil for marination 1/2 tsp Chaat masala  Salt to taste Method: For marination - 1. Take coriander leaves, mint leaves and green chili, garlic pods in a blender and make chutney adding little salt. 2. Now in this chutney add thick curd and roasted besan. 3. Mix 1 tbsp of mustard oil and chaat masala. Marination for the paneer cubes is ready. 4. Now, add paneer cubes, onions & tomato outer shells - to this marination and keep for an hour in the refrigerator For cooking - 1. Heat a n...

I had cut small pieces of boneless marinated in a mix of yogurt and spices and later baked them in my oven on a baking tray. Time Taken: Marination - 2 hours Cooking time - 25 minutes Ingredients: → 1 tsp Ginger garlic paste → 1 Onion → lemon juice 1 tablespoon. → Salt 1 to taste. → Boneless chicken cubes 750 grams. → Hung curd 3 tablespoons. → kastori methi powder 1/4 tea spoon. → tandoori masala 1 1/2 tsp → A few mint leaves for garnishing → Chili powder 1/2 tea spoon. → Cardamom powder 1/2 tea spoon. → mustard Oil 1 tea spoon. Method: 1. Cut chicken into small cubes, wash nicely. 2. Then apply marination prepared with lemon juice, salt, and spices (chili powder, cardamom powder, kasuri methi, tandoori masala, coriander powder, ginger garlic paste), hung curd, mix well. 3. Next,  add the chicken pieces mix it and marinade for about 2 hours in the refrigerator. 4. After 2 hours, put the chicken pieces on to skewers and cook in the oven or moderately ho...

Chocolate & vanilla shake is always a hit among the kids. I remember when I was a kid, we used to make a mustache with the froth on the glass and relish this shake! Here I have used low fat milk for this but it’s absolutely your own choice to include full cream one. Ingredients: 1 cup milk 2 tspn drinking chocolate powder 1/2 tsp granulated sugar powder 2 scoops or more vanilla ice cream Chocolate syrup for garnish Method: Take all the ingredients in a blender and give it a mix on high speed until you get a nice froth. I kept a chocolate Swiss roll on the top before serving 😊 PS: You can even include brownies or oreo biscuits too into the shake as per your liking!

A traditional Indian sweet made from chickpea flour and sugar syrup along with dry fruits giving you a rich aroma and flavor that you just can't resist! This is one of the most commonly made and much loved sweet during the festive season in India. The recipe is as follows -  Besan Barfi Time Taken: 25-30 minutes Ingredients: Gram Flour/ Besan - 2 cups Powdered Sugar - 1 cup Desi Ghee - 1 cup Melon seeds - 2 tsp Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp Method: 1. Melt desi ghee in a non stick pan, roast gram flour in ghee on lowest flame till it becomes brown and fragrant. and mixture starts to leave oil. 2. Keep on moving the mixture to avoid sticking at base. Once roasted add cardamom powder and cook for another 2-3 min. 3. Cool down the mixture and then add sugar. Mix well and transfer the contents onto a greased plate. Flatten the mixture using spatula and sprinkle melon seeds on top. Allow the mixture to set for 1 hour at room temperature or half hour in re...

Delicious fruit salad in a creamy custard sauce with coconut flavor! Time Taken: Approx. 30 minutes (including cooling time) Ingredients: 2 cups of milk. 2 tbsp of custard powder (vanilla flavor) 1 orange, deseeded & cubed 1 cup of sliced banana 6-7 chopped or sliced dates. ½ cup of sliced and cubed mangoes. 1 kiwi, slices 1/2 cup pomegranate kernels 1/2 cup coconut milk 1/4 cup thick cream 1/2 cup or more sugar as per the taste 2 tbsp of unsalted butter 8-10 digestive biscuits (crushed) Method: Melt butter in a pan, add crushed biscuits and keep this mixture aside. For creamy custard sauce - 1. Mix dry custard powder in cold milk and whisk nicely. 2. Now take it in a pan and keep for heating on low flame. 3. Keep stirring to avoid lump formation. 4. When the mixture starts getting thick add coconut milk and stir nicely. 5. Now add sugar to it, keep stirring till sugar dissolves. 6. Lastly, add cream to get the thick creamy coconut flavor custard s...

Tacos need no introduction. This famous Mexican dish consists of a folded or rolled tortilla which can be filled with any fillings as per your choice such as chicken, steak, veggies or beans, usually served with the tangy and spicy salsa. Time Taken: 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup chopped Tomatoes 1/2 capsicum 1/2 can of baked beans (kidney bean) 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels, defrosted 1 cucumber, diced Juice of 1 lime 4 taco shells, warmed 3 spring onions, finely sliced 3 tablespoon salsa sauce 1 tablespoon olive oil 4 tablespoons shredded cheese 1/2 cup chopped parsley Method: 1. Take a pan and add olive oil, tomato, capsicum and kidney bean braise and corn. 2. Cook until heated over medium heat. 3. Add salsa sauce and give it a stir. 4. Take cucumber and lime juice in a small bowl. 5. Put kidney bean and corn mixture in the tacos. 6. Top it with cucumbers and little more salsa. Sprinkle spring onion, cheese and parsley on the tacos and serve immediately! ...

Time Taken: 10 minutes Ingredients: 2 tbsp instant coffee powder 1 cup cold water 1 cup whole milk Method: 1. Combine coffee and water to make a lump free concentrate. 2. Freeze it overnight in an ice cube tray. 3. When you desire to make, take milk in a blender add 1 tsp or more sugar (as per liking) and give a nice blend. 4. Nicely blend till you get a nice froth on the top. 5. Now take out the coffee cubes and put them in the glass you wish to serve in. 6. Pour the chilled milk over the coffee cubes in the glass. 7. Fill 3/4th of the glass and then place froth carefully with the help of a spoon. Enjoy chilled cold coffee! Notes: 1. The coffee should be very strong. 2. You can add creamer to the milk, to make it thick & rich, though I used low fat milk. 3. This drink can be made with hot milk too. 4. Sugar can be adjusted as per your taste.

Time Taken: 25-30 minutes Ingredients: 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion 1 cup cubes white  mushrooms 1 1/2 olive Oil 1/2 tbsp minced garlic 2 crushed tomatoes 1/4 tsp ground thyme Salt and pepper to taste 1 tbsp minced fresh parsley 250 grams spaghetti Method: 1.Take a pan and add olive oil. 2. Add the chopped onions and mushrooms in the oil and cook. Stir occasionally. 3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. 4. Stir in crushed tomatoes and thyme. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 5. Season with salt and pepper. 6. Put spaghetti in salted water and let it boil. Don’t over cook. 7. Stir parsley into the prepared sauce. Serve over pasta. Sprinkle with cheese if desired. Enjoy hot!

Jal Jeera is a spicy Indian drink which is very tasty as well as good for digestion. It is often served as an appetizer before meals. I gave it a twist of aam panna (raw mango concentrate). I added little raw mango panna that I had with me. Jal Jeera  Preparation Time: around 20 minutes Ingredients: ½ cup Aam Panna 4-5 Mint Leaves 1/2 cup cleaned n washed coriander leaves 1 tsp Black Salt 1 tsp salt ½ tsp chaat Masala ½ tsp Dry Mango Powder/Amchoor Powder 4-5 cup Chilled Water 1 Lemon Juice 1 tsp Sugar ½ tsp Ginger Powder 2 tsp Roasted Cumin Seeds Powder Pinch of Asafetida Namkeen Boondi for Garnishing Method: 1. Take Aam Panna in a blender and blend it with mint leaves, coriander leaves, ginger powder, cumin powder, pinch of asafetida, black salt, salt, ½ tsp chaat masala, dry mango powder and lemon juice. 2. Make it into a smooth paste like consistency and add 4 cups of chilled water. 3. Blend it once again. 4. Strain the mixture. Your Aam Pann...

South Indian style curd rice.. Easy to make and super delicious! Time Taken: approx 50 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup rice 2 cups thick curd (adjust as needed) ¼ cup milk (optional) 1-1/2 tsp salt or as needed 2 tbsp. grated/chopped cucumber 1 tsp. finely chopped coriander leaves 2tsp pomegranate seeds For tempering 1 sprig curry leaves ½ tsp cumin or jeera ½ tsp mustard ¾ to 1 tsp urad dal Pinch of hing or asafoetida ½ tsp crushed ginger 1 slit green or red chili Method: 1. Wash and soak rice for 30 minutes. 2. Add 2 & ½ cups water, and salt to the rice and soft cook it in a cooker. 3. Fluff up the rice or mash lightly to suit your liking. Cool it completely. 4. Add beaten curd to cooled rice. Mix well until combined. 5. Add milk as well and stir. 6. Heat oil in a pan for tempering. 7. Add cumin and mustard. 8. When they begin to splutter, add dal and fry until golden. 9. Add ginger, chili and curry leaves. 10.When the curry leaves turn cri...

This is one my favorite summer drinks as I have a sweet tooth since my childhood. Time Taken: 5-7 minutes Recipe is very simple! Ingredients: Take chilled yogurt 1 glass 1 tsp rolled oats (toast lightly) Put both it in a blender Add sugar as per your taste, one can add honey for a healthier option Add water optional (not too much as sweet lassi is enjoyed thick) Method: Just give all the above ingredients a nice churn in the blender till smooth. You can also add a few nuts like pistachio (unsalted), almonds or walnuts while churning. Green cardamom as per your liking I garnished with slivered nuts n saffron Enjoy 👍

Medu vada is crispy south indian fritter prepared from urad dal. It is served with chutney and sambar as a popular breakfast. It is shaped like a doughnut. RECIPE FOR MEDU VADA - Ingredients: 1 cups of urad dal (Split Black Gram lentils) ¼ cup of channa dal (Garbanzo/ Split chickpeas) 2 tsp of rice flour 2 green chillies 3 tbsp of dry chopped coconut few curry leaves 1 tbsp coriander leaves chopped 1 inch ginger finely chopped) Pinch of heeng (asafoetida) Salt to taste Oil to fry Method: 1. Wash and soak dal in about 3 cups of water for about 2-3 hours. 2. Drain all the water from soaked dal. grind urad dal and channa dal together to smooth paste using very little water. 3. The batter should be thick and use very little water. the right consistency is very important or otherwise, you will not be able to get the vada shape. 4. Add coriander, green chilli, ginger and chopped dry coconut to the batter. mix it very well. 5. Add 2-3 tsp of rice flour. rice flo...

Lemon Rice is one of the well known dishes from South India and easy to make. It can be made with leftover rice or freshly cooked. Lemon brings a nice aroma and tangy taste to it while the spicy peanuts mixture gives it a nice crunch! Time Taken: 20-25 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup Basmati rice 1 tbsp cooking oil 1 tsp Mustard seeds 1/4 tsp Asafoetida 1 tsp Split black gram 1 tsp Chana dal 1 Red Chili 1 green chili split 1 tablespoon Peanuts 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 2 tablespoons Lemon juice 7-8 Curry leaves Salt to taste Method: 1.Take basmati rice in a pan. Add 4 times water, salt to taste and turmeric powder. 2. Let it boil. Once done drain out the excess water by taking out rice in a strainer. Alternatively one can also use left over rice for this recipe. 3. In a pan heat oil add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and let it temper. Then add asfoetodia, chana dal, urad dal, peanut, green chili, curry leaves salt and stir it for 2 minutes. 4. Add the lemon juice and ...

A healthy breakfast option and a twist to regular moong daal cheela (pancake) with some greens. Time Taken: 20 minutes Ingredients: 2 cups Yellow split daal (moong daal) - soak it overnight 1 cup clean , washed & shredded spinach 1 onion chopped thinly Salt n red chilli powder according to taste 1 tablespoon whole zeera 1 Finely chopped green chili (optional) Bread slices (white or brown as per taste) Method: 1. Grind the moong daal soaked at night. 2. Add rest of the ingredients. 3. Make a nice batter of medium consistency so that bread gets soaked in it. 4. Now place a non stick pan (tawa) on the flame and add just 1 tsp oil. 5. When the tawa gets heated enough, dip a bread slice in the ready batter and immediately put on the hot tawa. 6. Let it cook on the medium flame. 7. Turn the bread when one side is done (golden brown) and let the other side get cooked too. When both the sides of bread get a nice brown crust, remove from the flame and serve ho...

Watermelon sorbet is a yummy and quick recipe to make for the summers! A delicious way to beat the heat! 😉 Ingredients: 2 cups seedless, cubed watermelon 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 1 tablespoon lemon juice Method: 1. Take a saucepan, add sugar and water to a boil. 2. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. 3. Once sugar is dissolved keep it aside. 4. Now in a blender, churn watermelon to make puree. 5. Next, in this watermelon purée stir in the sugar syrup and lemon juice. 6. Pour this mix in a tray and freeze. I used silicon moulds for freezing Serve chilled!

Recipe by chef Ajay Chopra It has the goodness of orange which as a super food helps increase metabolism along with the flavors of herbs like mint and Basil. Time Taken: 10-15 minutes Ingredients: 2 glasses Orange juice A bunch of mint leaves Basil leaves 7-8 Crushed Ice Method: Simple.. Just one easy step! Take all the ingredients in a blender and give a nice blend. Take it out in a glass and relish chilled! 😊

Mango masatani is a popular mango milkshake drink from pune named after the Queen Mastani, wife of Peshwa Ruler Baji Rao. The thick mango milkshake is prepared with thick milk with mango slices and then topped with dry fruits and ice cream. Mango Mastani Time Taken: 15 minutes Ingredients for mango shake: 1 cup ripped mango roughly chopped ½ cup thick milk cold (I took low fat) 2 scoops vanilla ice creams 1 scoop mango ice cream 2 tsp sugar (I didn’t use) Ingredients for assembling Mastani: 20 mango pieces roughly chopped 4 scoops vanilla ice creams 2 tsp almonds chopped 2 tsp cashews chopped 2 tsp pistachios chopped 2 tsp tutti frutti Method: 1. Make mango milk shake first by blending mango slices with ½ cup thick cold milk adding 2 scoops of vanilla ice creams and 1 scoop of mango ice cream. 2. You can add 2 tsp sugar but I didn’t as mango itself is very sweet. 3. Blend smooth to form a thick milk shake. For mango mastani: 1. In a tall glass or a de...

A simple, quick and easy to make drink for the summers! Time Taken: roughly around 10 minutes Ingredients: 4 cups pineapple, peeled, cored and diced 4 cups water 2 Tbsp lime juice 1 tablespoon sugar powder (or more) 8-10 cleaned mint leaves Method: 1. Place the pineapple cubes in a blender with 2 cups of water and blend well. 2. Add mint leaves and churn once again. 3. Strain into a large bowl or pitcher and add the rest of the water. Stir in the lime juice. 4. Add more water if a thinner consistency is desired. 5. At this stage you can taste and adjust the sweetness. Chill completely before serving!

This unique combination of carrots and dates in a cake turned out to be very yummy and was loved by everyone in my house! The recipe is as follows.. Total time taken: 50-60 minutes Ingredients: 2 cups grated carrots 1 cup All Purpose Flour (Maida) 1 cup wheat flour 1 cups powdered sugar 1 cup chopped walnuts 1 cup chopped dates 1 cup oil 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp vanilla essence 1.5 tsp cinnamon powder 2 eggs Method: 1. Mix maida, powdered sugar, baking powder, soda and cinnamon powder. 2. Once nicely mixed, add oil, grated carrots and eggs and beat for around 2 minutes with an electric mixer or a ladel. Do not over mix! 3. Next, add chopped dates, crushed walnuts and vanilla essence into the mix. 4. Now, oil a tin pan and sprinkle some flour over it. Make sure to dust off the excess. 5. Bake at 170 degree Celsius for 40 minutes or till the skewer comes out clean 6. Place the cake on a cooling rack till it cools down. Carrot & D...

This can be served as an attractive welcome drink at your parties. It has the lovely shades of watermelon and sweet rock melon floating in the lemonade. The lemonade can be replaced by any soda of your choice too. Preparation time: 10-15 minutes For this recipe I took: 8-10 scooped out roundels of watermelon & rock melon (You can even scoop them out using a spoon) 2-3 lemon slices per glass 2-3 mint leaves per glass 1 lemon A bottle of seven up Black salt as per the taste Ice cubes as per the requirements Method: 1. Keep the fruit roundels ready. 2. Slice a lemon for garnish. 3. Squeeze the juice of one lemon to be mixed in the soda drink. 4. Now place the number of glasses you want. 5. Pour 1 tsp lemon juice in each glass. 6. Add black salt to it (in each). 7. Pour the roundals of melons and the lemon slices too. 8. Mint leaves can be crushed or used full in each glass. 9. Add crushed ice (I used cubes). 10. Lastly add the soda drink, in used seven up ...

Meethi Mirchi or sweet chili is a pickle which not only goes well with your meals but is also ready in just 10 minutes. This condiment can be made with regular green chillies or any other chili as per your liking. Ingredients: 7-8 green chillies chopped 4 tsp sugar 1 /2 tsp red chilli powder 1 tsp coriander powder 1/4 tsp turmeric 1 1/2 tsp salt or as per taste 1/4 tsp saunf (Fennel seeds) 1/2 tsp cumin 2 tbsp mustard oil 1/3 cup water 2 tsps Amchoor powder 1 tablespoon readymade achari masala (Pickle masala) 1/8 tsp heeng (asafoetida) Method: 1. Take a pan and heat the oil. 2. Add cumin seeds and fennel seeds. 3. Sauté for 5-10 seconds. 4. Add heeng (asafoetida) when the cumin starts cracking. 5. Add chopped green chillies sauté for 1 minute and then add the rest of the masalas. 6. Sauté for 3-4 mins when the turmeric gets cooked add the sugar. 7. Mix everything well and add water with spoons. 8. Now you can cook on high flame till the water dries up a...

Preparation Time: 20-25 mins Ingredients: 200 gms hakka noodles 3 to 4 medium spring onions, finely chopped, reserve a few greens for garnish 1 small to medium carrot, finely chopped or julienned 8 to 10 french beans, finely chopped 4 to 5 button mushrooms, sliced finely 1 small to medium bell pepper - red, green or yellow, finely chopped or julienned 1.5 tsp finely chopped garlic 1 deseeded green chili 1 tsp finely chopped celery ¼ tsp white vinegar 1 tablespoon soy sauce or add as required ½ tbsp oil for coating the noodles 2 tbsp oil for stir frying Salt and pepper as required Enough water to cook the noodles Method: 1. Heat enough water in a pan with salt and a few drops of oil, till it comes to a boil. 2. Add the hakka noodles and let them cook. 3. When the noodles are cooking, rinse and chop all the veggies. 4. Drain and rinse the noodles in running water, so that the noodles don't stick. 5. Next, add oil and gently mix, so that the oil gets even...