Baking in my Oven - Orange Cake

Baking is one of the oldest cooking methods. Generally we use to buy Bakery products such as Breads,Cakes,Cookies,Bun,Pastries etc.... I got a chance for using the conventional Oven when I came to USA. So thought of giving a try in baking field. After browsing so many baking techniques, recipes, I started trying stuffs in my Kitchen. Really its a great experience for me. We used to buy cakes from bakery, now I become a home baker and baking my home needs to a little extent.

The main things in baking are Measurements and time. If we follow these correctly, we will get nice output.

I gave a try to Orange cake twice and it really came out well. Let me share my experience of baking this cake.

Ingredients : 

1. All Purpose Flour/Maida     - 1 1/2 Cups.
2. Butter                                   - 1/2 Lbs or 1/2 Cup.
3. Egg                                       - 2 Nos.
4. Granulated Sugar                 - 1+1/4 Cups.
5. Buttermilk/Moree                -  2 1/2 Tbsp.
6. Orange Zest                          - From 2 oranges.
7. Orange Juice                         - 1/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp.
8. Vannila essence/extract        - 1 Tsp.
9. Baking Powder                     - 1/4 Tsp.
10. Baking Soda                         - 1/4 Tsp.
11. Salt                                       - 1/2 Tsp.
12. Walnuts chopped(Optional)  -1/4 Cup.

Orange Zest :

The colored portion of the skin is called Zest. It can be taken from any citrus fruits such as Lemon,Lime or Orange. The outermost skin is called Zest (not the inner white part). We can collect this Zest using a grater or peeler. Just grate the outer skin of the orange using a grater and keep it aside. This will be added in cake for flavor.

Steps : 

Preheat the oven to 350 deg F

1. Take a mixing bowl, add butter and sugar and cream it using a mixer (hand mixer/electric mixer).

2.Add Eggs and Orange zest together to the above, and beat till it mixes well. Keep the batter aside.

3. In another bowl,Sieve the flour and add Baking powder,Baking salt and Salt .

4. In a small bowl add all wet ingredients, Buttermilk, 2 Tbsp of Orange juice and Vanilla essence.

5. Add Flour mixtures and wet ingredients to the batter alternatively

,beginning and ending with the flour. Add walnuts and gently give a mix.

6. Grease a baking tray with butter or spray some cooking spray.

7. Tranfer the cake mixture to the Tray.

8. Bake for 45 min to 1 hour or Bake till a tooth pick inserted came out clean.

9. In the meantime prepare the Orange syrup as shown below.

10. After removing from the Oven, Let it cool for 5 min.

11.Transfer the cake from the tray to the Cooling Rack.

12. Cooling Rack will cool the cake evenly.

13. After 10 min, pour the Orange syrup on the cake and allow it to cool completely.

14. Make desired pieces  and enjoy your cake.

How to make Orange Syrup : 

Orange juice - 1/4 cup.

Sugar            - 1/4 cup.

    

1. Add Remaining Orange juice and sugar to sauce pan .

2. Cook in low heat, until Sugar dissolves.

Notes : 

Raw Cane Sugar can also be used instead of Granulated Sugar.

Happy Baking....

Reference : FoodNetwork.com

Comments are welcome....

Lunch Box Menu - Asparagus Rice Recipe

Asparagus is rich in so many nutrients such as folate, Fiber, Vitamin C,K,A,E and available during Spring season. Also it is packed with Antioxidants and it contains anti ageing properties. I came to know about this veggie once after I started my life in USA. Then started to make some recipes like Asparagus curry, Asparagus Rice, etc... using this vegetable. The cooking time is very less and it  makes a perfect lunch box Recipe with nutrition packed.

Ingredients :

1. Cooked Rice - 4 Cups.
2. Asparagus - 1 Bunch.
3. Onion      - 1 Medium or Shallots( Small Onion) - 10 Nos.
4. Ginger/Inchi-  Small Piece.
5. Garlic/Poondu -  3 - 4 Cloves.
6. Carrot - 1 No.
7. Bell Peppers/Capsicum - 1 No.
8. Pepper Powder/Milagu podi - 1 Tsp 
9. Green chilli/Pacha milagai - 1 or 2.
10. Oil- 1 Tbsp

How to clean and chop Asparagus : 

• While buying, make sure that the Asparagus is with tender stems. Hard stems, won't taste good.
• Wash the Asparagus and discard the thick part of Asparagus as shown in the picture.
• Chop into lengthwise small pieces.

Steps : 

1. Cook the rice, apply some sesame oil in a plate and spread the rice on it.

Click here for How to cook Rice.

2. Heat a pan/Kadai and add oil.

3. Once it is hot, add green chilies followed by ginger and garlic.

4. Let it cook for a minute.

5. Add chopped onions and cook till it is translucent.

6. Add carrot and let it cook for 5 minutes.

7. During all these process, keep the flame medium to low.

8. Add capsicum and Asparagus.

9. Cook for 7 to 8 min, make sure they wont turn mushy.

10. Add Pepper and Salt .

11. Switch off the flame and mix the Rice gently.

Notes : 

1. Paneer ButterMasala/Peas Paneer Curry will be a perfect combination for side dish.

2. Any Potato based gravy will also taste good.

Lunch Box Menu - Coriander Rice

Coriander Rice:

 It is a very easy lunch box recipe. My Mom used to give different types of variety rice during my college and school days. Also my grandpa takes variety rice for his breakfast, if there are no idly or dosas. So, Mom prepares different varieties each day. Now I would like to post one of  them.

Coriander Rice

Ingredients:

Cooked rice                        - 4 Cups.

Oil                                      - 1.5 Tbsp.

Cashews                             - 8 Nos.

Onion                                 - 1 Medium.

Gingely Oil / Sesame Oil  - 1 Tsp.

Mustard Seeds                   - 1/4 Tsp.

Cumin Seeds                     - 1/4 Tsp

For Grinding:

Coriander leaves              - 1 1/2 Cups

Ginger                              - 1 Tsp.

Garlic                               - 3 to 4 Cloves

Water                               - 1/3 Cup.

Green chilli                      - 4 Nos.

Steps:

1. Cook the rice in a fluffy manner, dont make it sticky.

• Check here for How to cook rice.

2. Apply 1 tsp of gingely oil in a plate and spread the cooked rice.











3.Let it cool for sometime. Chop the onion in long-slits.

4. Now wash the coriander leaves and discard its stems.

5. Add the ingredients in the grinding list and put in the mixer/blender.

6. Blend it to a smooth paste.

7.Heat a kadai/pan.

8. Add oil and once it is hot add the mustard and cumin seeds.

9.Once it splutters, add cashewnuts fry it for 30 Seconds.

10. Add the Onion and cook till it is translucent.

11. Add the coriander paste.

12. Keep the flame in lower to simmer and cook till the water evaporates.

13.Switch off the flame.

14. Add the rice and salt.

15. Gently stir and mix .



Notes :

• Potato dry curry will be a great combination for this.
• Goes well with Onion Raita as well.
• If you don't want onions in the rice, you can skip it.  

How to cook Rice.

Basics Of Cooking : How to cook Rice


I would like to share how to cook different varieties of rice. This will be helpful for bachelors and who don't know abc of cooking. I tried this so many times with different proportions of water with some varieties of rice so giving my suggestions here.





Ponni Boiled White Rice/Ponni pulungal arisi/Raja Bhogam Rice

Rice    - 1 Cup.
Water -  2 1/2 Cups.

Steps:

• Wash the rice with water.
• Soak it in water for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Transfer the rice to a pressure cooker/Electric cooker.
• Allow 3 whistles.
• Switch off the flame.
• Once the pressure releases, you can open it and use.

Sona Masoori White Rice

Rice    - 1 Cup

Water - 2 Cups

Steps:

• Wash the rice with water.
• No soaking required for this rice.
• Put it in a pressure cooker/Electric cooker.
• Allow for 3 whistles and off the flame
• Once the pressure sets down, open and use.

Sona Masoori Brown rice/ Kaikuthal arisi

Rice - 1 Cup

Water - 2 1/2 Cups

Steps: 

• Wash the rice with water.
• Let it soak for 10 to 15 min.
• Cook in the pressure cooker for 4 whistles.
• Can also use electric cooker.

Jeera Rice

Rice    - 1 Cup.

Water  - 1 1/2 Cups.

Ghee   - 1 to 2 Tbsp.

Steps:

• Wash the rice very gently in water.
• Spread the rice in kitchen towel.
• After a minute, the water will be absorbed.
• Then roast it with ghee for 3 to 4 min.
• Now you can it for your briyani recipes.

Notes:

• Quality of rice plays a major role in all rice varieties.

• If u want to feed it for small kids, can add extra 1/2 cup water to all varieties. 

Brown Rice Veggie Pasta

Brown Rice Veggie Pasta:

This is a nutrition packed recipe. Broccoli and brown rice are rich in fiber, Kale is rich in vitamin A, beans contain vitamins and minerals. So it will be a tasty yummy food which is good for our health. This is my hubby’s recipe. He used to do something with all vegetables in our Fridge. I liked this recipe, so you can also give a try...

Veggies:

Ingredients:

• Brown rice pasta        - 2 Cups.
• Broccoli                     - 2 to 3 Florets.
• Cauliflower                - 2 to 3 Florets.
• Beans                        - 10 Nos.
• Kale                           - 2 Leave Sticks.
• Tomato                      - 2 Medium.
• Olive Oil                    -1 Tbsp.
• Red Chili Powder      -1 Tsp

Steps:

   1. Cook pasta as per instructions provided in pasta pack.

   2. Once it’s done drain in strainer and run cold water on it. Keep it aside.

   3. Add oil in a Pan, once it is hot; add chopped tomatoes, let it cook for 2 minutes.

   4. Add chopped beans, followed by chopped kale with its stem.

   5. Then add chopped Cauliflower, Broccoli and 1/2 cup of water.

   6. Add  Chili powder and salt.(I used Homemade chili powder).

   7. Once it comes to boil, keep in simmer to medium flame.

   8. After 10 to 12 min, check whether the veggies are cooked, if not let them cook for few more minutes.

   9. Once done, add the cooked pastas and give a stir and switch off the flame.

 This is very simple, healthy and easy make recipe. My hubby often makes

            this kind of breakfasts without my help. :)

ABC Juice / Cleansing Juice

ABC - (Apple + Beet Root + Carrot ) Juice:

ABC juice is filled with awesome vitamins. It is very simple to make.This Juice is suitable for all age groups. It acts as a cleanser for liver and kidneys. I just wanted to give a try when I saw this in net. It really came out well. So I would like to share this in my blog.

 Health benefits :

• Good for brain development.
• Lowers Blood Pressure.
• Cure for Heart related illness.
• Fights anemia.
• Boosts energy.
• Packed with Antioxidents
• Cancer fighter.
• It has anti-aging properties.
• Good for digestive system.
• Regulates bowel movements.
• Sharpen the vision.
• Boosts Immune system.
• Glowing skin.
• Cleanser for liver and kidneys.

Ingredients :

• Red apple    -1 Medium.
• Carrot          -1 Medium.
• Beetroot      -1 Small.

Steps  :

      1. Wash the apple and chop it finely ( Make sure there is no wax ).

      2. Wash the carrot and peel it and grate it using a grater.

      3. Wash the beets and peel its skin and grate with a grater.

      4. Put everything together or in batches in a juicer.

      5. Grind it by adding enough water.

      6. Using a strainer, filter it and serve.

Note :

• No need to add sugar, as carrot and beetroot already have sugars in it.
• You can add lime juice or mint leaves for flavour.
• Have it in the morning in empty stomach and have breakfast after an hour.
• Have this for 3 months regularly to feel the changes.

Spinach Curry/Palak Curry

SPINACH CURRY/PALAK CURRY  
                  
I would like to share one of my favorite recipes here. This is very famous in Coimbatore. My Granma and Mom  make it often. Actually when I was kid they used to get palak in our garden during rainy season. They call it as rakiri . Now we are not that getting particular variety, so we use to do it with palak. The main thing in this is coconut oil, its flavor adds taste to this curry. This recipe will take only 10 to 15 minutes to prepare. So for a busy lunch we can prepare this healthy recipe with in minutes. My kid loves this curry with ghee.. Let us see the steps for preparation.  

Palak Curry

Ingredients :

Small onions/Shallots         - 15 Nos. or Big Onion - 1 Medium
Green chilly                        - 4 (Small)
Spinach                               - 3 Cups (Tightly packed)
Coconut Oil                        - 1- 1.5 Tbsp
Salt                                     - As required


Steps :

1. Cook the spinach with 1/4 cup of water and keep aside.






2. Heat oil in a pan and when it is hot add green chilies and onion.



3. Saute till onion are translucent.


4. Blend the spinach and onion with salt once it cools down.




This will be a perfect combination to Brown/White Rice.. You can have any Poriyal for side dish. It also tastes good without any side dish.