Chicken Bhuna

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• This is a Bangladeshi Style Chicken Bhuna, which means Chicken stirred and cooked in Masala Curry. It is a semi dry dish. Since it is a Bangladeshi dish, Mustard oil is used which gives a pungent flavour to the dish. It is eaten with Paratha or Bread and Salad. 
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• Ingredients 
• 750 grams Chicken pieces 
• 1 tbsp fried Onion 
• 1 medium size Onion finely sliced 
• 1 medium size Tomato sliced 
• 1 tbsp Garlic - Ginger and Chilli paste 
• Few Coriander leaves chopped for garnishing 
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 
• 1/2 tsp Chilli powder 
• 1/2 tsp Cumin powder 
• 1/2 tsp Coriander powder 
• 1/2 tsp  Pepper powder 
• 1/2 tsp  Garam Masala powder 
• 1/2 tsp Sugar 
• Salt to taste
• 1 Bay leaf 
• 1 stick Cinnamon 
• 1 small stick Cardamom 
• 2 Cloves 
• 3 to 4 Pepper corn 
• 1/4 cup Curd 
• 1/4 cup Water 
• 3 tbsp Mustard oil 
• 1 tbsp Ghee 



Method
Heat oil in a wok till the smoking point. Lower the heat. Add bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and pepper corn. Sauté it till it crackles. Add the sliced onion, saute it till light brown in colour. Add the garlic - ginger and chilli paste. Sauté it for a minute. Add the chicken and stir fry it till light brown in colour. Add the curd, cumin powder , coriander powder, turmeric powder, chilli powder, garam masala powder and pepper powder. Stir, cover and cook till for 2 minutes or till the oil starts to separate from the chicken. Add the sliced tomato, salt and sugar. Stir and add water. Cover, cook till the chicken is cooked and the water dries up a bit. Drizzle ghee from top. Garnish it with fried onions and coriander leaves.  Serve it hot with bread or paratha and salad. 
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Fish Quenelles (Dumplings) with Spaghetti Baked in Marinara Sauce....

Quenelles are popular in France usually made with fish,meat and at times are vegetarian too. They are light and fluffy dumplings and are made by adding eggs,cream and herbs into fish or meat. The oval shape of the dumplings are formed using a spoon. It is then poached in salt water and then baked or cooked in various types of sauce. It can be served with pasta or spaghetti...

Here is my recreation of the dish with ingredients available in my kitchen...

Ingredients

8 medium cubes of Any white Boneless Fish

2 Egg Whites

2 Whole Eggs

1/2 cup Fresh Cream

2 cups of Marinara Sauce

1 cup of Mozeralla and Cheddar cheese mix

Few leaves of Fresh Thyme

2 tbsp Olive oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

1/2 packet of Spaghetti

Method

Take a big pot of water and let it boil. Once it starts to boil add salt and reduce the flame and let it simmer. Take a food processor or chopper. Cut the fish cubes into smaller pieces and add it into the processor or chopper. Give couple of pulses. Add the egg whites, salt and pepper corn and blend it. Add the whole eggs, cream and thyme. Blend it once more. It will be a creamy batter. Keep it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Take a spoon full of the batter and try to give it a oval shape. Drop it in the simmering water. Poach it for 4 minutes and once done will float in water. Once cooked drain it out on an absorbent paper and keep it aside. Don't discard the water,  boil the spaghetti in the same water and drain the spaghetti. Take a baking tray. Add olive oil, 1 cup of marinara sauce and boiled spaghetti and toss it. Arrange the Fish quenelles on the spaghetti. Pour the marinara sauce over it. Sprinkle the cheese and bake it in a preheated oven for 15 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius. Serve it hot.

Simple Marinara Sauce

Ingredients

1 kg ripe Tomatoes 

1 tetra pack Tomato purée 

2 Garlic cloves chopped 

Salt to taste 

1/4 tsp freshly ground Pepper powder

1 Bay leaf 

2 fresh finely chopped Basil leaves

2 Tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Give a slit on the tomatoes. Blanch them in boiling water and as the skin starts to peel, remove them from the water, cool it in cold water and peel the skin out. Lightly blend them in a blender. Add the oil into the pan, heat it. Add the garlic. Sauté it until translucent. Add the tomatoes,tomato purée,bay leaf and salt. Simmer it on medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the basil leaves and pepper powder, reduce the heat to low and simmer for another 10 minutes until the sauce becomes thick. Sauce is ready to use.

Pomfret Tikka Masala Fry....

This dish can be eaten as starter or side dish. I have made this dish with my easy peasy homemade tikka masala powder. It is spicy and mouthwatering. Sprinkle with chat masala. Serve it hot with salad and lime.

Marinate the Fish - Stage 1

Ingredients

2 Big or Medium Size whole Pomfrets clean and slited sideways.

1 Lime

Salt to taste

Method

Marinate the fish with lime juice and salt for an hour.

Marinate the Fish  - Stage 2

Ingredients

Pomfrets

3 tbsp  Tikki Masala powder

Method

Apply the masala powder on the fish properly and let it marinate for 4 hours or more. 

For Frying the Fish

Ingredients

Marinated Fish

1/4 cup Rice Flour

Oil to deep fry the fish

Salad and lime to garnish...

Sprinkle of Chat masala

Method

Coat the fish lightly in rice flour and deep fry it in hot oil till cooked and crispy. Sprinkle with chat masala. Serve it hot with salad and lime.

Quick Homemade Tikka Masala Powder 

Ingredients 

1/4 tsp Coriander powder 

1/4 tsp Cumin powder 

1/2 tsp Garlic powder 

1/4 tsp Ginger powder 

1/2 tsp Onion powder 

1/2 tsp Chilli powder 

1 tsp Kashmiri Chilli powder 

1/4 tsp White Pepper powder 

1/2 tsp Garam Masala powder 

1/4 tsp Salt 

1 tsp Corn flour 

Method 

Add all the above ingredients in a grinder and grind it together, so that all the above ingredients blend well together. 

Carrot and Beetroot Bread....

This bread is an experiment in my kitchen. I have used whole wheat flour, all purpose flour and semolina to make this bread. This bread is good for making sandwiches or you can just eat it with cheese spread. It has a mild flavour of garlic and rosemary. It is soft in texture. It Is good for children as it has veggies too.  Please do give it a try. 

Ingredients 

350 grams Whole Wheat Flour 

250 grams All Purpose Flour 

100 grams Semolina 

1 small Carrot grated 

1 small Beetroot grated 

Few Fresh Rose Mary leaves 

2 Garlic Clove grated 

2 1/4 tsp Dry Yeast 

2 tbsp Sugar 

1 tbsp Rock Salt 

1/2 tsp Chilli flakes 

150 Ml Lukewarm Water 

250 Ml Water 

2 1/2 tbsp Olive oil 

Method 

Take lukewarm water in a cup and add sugar and yeast. Stir and leave it to rise. Take whole wheat flour, all purpose flour and semolina in a mixing bowl. Add salt and chilli flakes. Mix all the ingredients together. Add the carrot, beetroot,  garlic and rosemary. Mix it together. Add the yeast water, water and 1 tbsp olive oil in the mixing bowl. Mix it and start kneading the dough. Knead it for 5 minutes. Add a tbsp of oil and continue kneading it for 10 minutes more. Take a portion of the dough and try stretching it. If it stretches, then the kneading is done. Transfer it into a greased bowl, cover and let it rise double in size. Punch the dough and knead it for a minute. Apply oil on your palms while handling the dough. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Take 2 greased medium size bread loaf tins. Take a protion and shape up the dough to fit it into one bread loaf tin. Repeat the same process for the other dough. Cover and let it rise double in size. Spray the dough with water. Bake it in a pre heated oven at 190 degrees celcius for 30 - 35 minutes. In between while baking, spray the bread with water.  Remove it from the oven, brush the top with butter. Let it cool a bit. Remove the bread from the mould. Cool it completely on a cooling rack before slicing.

Egg - Tuna and Veggie Sandwich....

My daughter is a very picky eater. She avoids most of the vegetables, not because she does not like them but she just forms an opinion about the taste in her mind, where as she does not even know the taste of it. When I had served her this sandwich, she ate not one but three slices of it. After she finished eating, I told her that she ate mushrooms, the vegetable she hates the most. This is the story in most houses with kids. 

This sandwich is a complete meal filled with eggs, fish and vegetables. I have used canned tuna, but even fresh boiled tuna can be used. I prefer making bread at home, but try to use fresh bread bought the same day from the store. 

This can be served for breakfast, with evening cup of tea or even for dinner with a bowl of soup. 

Ingredients

1 Loaf of Brown or White Bread slices 

4 Eggs

1/2 canned Tuna 

1 small size Onion chopped 

2 Green Chillies chopped

1/4 cup of Red and Yellow Capsicum chopped 

2 tbsp Sweet Corn

2 big Garlic cloves chopped

1 or 2 big size Mushroom chopped

Few Spinach leaves chopped 

2 tbsp Cheddar Cheese 

2 tbsp Butter 

Salt to taste 

1/4 tsp Pepper powder

P. S. Grated carrots and beetroot can also be added. 

Method

To make the filling for the sandwich, take a pan, add the butter and let it melt. Add garlic, chillies and onion. Sauté it till translucent. Add the capsicum. Stir and cook it for a minute. Add the corn and mushroom, stir it for another minute. Add the spinach and stir it for another minute. Break the eggs and add it in the pan, sprinkle salt and pepper powder. Stir the eggs until it is cooked. Add the cheese and the canned tuna. Stir it and remove it from the flame. Let it cool a bit. Take 2 slices of bread. Take 2 to 3 tbsp of the filling and spread it on one slice of the bread. Cover the filling with another slice of bread. Cut it into triangle. Repeat the process with the remaining bread. Serve it with hot cup of tea or a bowl of hot soup.

Raj Bhog....

This is one of the sweet delicacy of Bengal. It is another variety of rosogulla which is made from paneer or cottage cheese but it is little bigger in size, yellow in colour and has a mawa and milk masala stuffing inside. 

For the Paneer / Cottage Cheese 

Ingredients 

1 1/2 liters Cow Milk 

3/4 tsp Citric Acid 

3/4 cup Water 

Method 

Dissolve citric acid in water. Heat the milk and when it just starts to boil, reduce the flame. Take a ladle full of milk and add it in citric water, mix it and pour it back in the remaining milk and stir. Once the milk curdles and separates from the whey, then switch off the flame and let it stand for an hour and half. Strain the paneer through a muslin cloth till all the water drains out completely. 

For the Suffing 

1 tbsp Mawa

1 tbsp Milk Masala powder 

For the Sugar  Syrup 

3 cups Sugar 

7 1/2 cups Water 

For the Raj Bhog

Ingredients 

Paneer made from 1 1/2 liters Cow Milk 

1 tsp All Purpose Flour 

1 tsp Semolina 

2 pinches of Yellow food colour 

Method 

For the Stuffing, mix the mawa and milk masala together, make 8 or 12 equal small portions as many portions of the paneer balls and keep it aside. 

For the Rajbhog, take the paneer, semolina and all purpose flour together and knead it well till a smooth soft ball is form. Divide the dough into 8 or 12 equal portions as per the size desired. Take one portion,  flatten and create a hollow in the centre of the dough. Add a portion of the stuffing, seal the edges of the dough and roll it back into a ball. 

To make the Sugar syrup, mix sugar and water in a heavy bottomed pot. Heat it on full flame. As the syrup begins to boil add the balls one at a time into the sugar syrup to make the Rajbhogs. Lower it on medium heat and cover the lid for the first 5 minutes. Then half open for the next 15 minutes and for the last 10 minutes remove the lid. Serve it hot or room temperature. 

P. S. Instead of the milk masala powder you can ground 2 Almond, 3 Pistachios, Few Saffron Strands, 1 Cardamom seeds together. 

Tea time Pineapple Compote and Chia Cake...

This cake is an experiment in my kitchen. I have used Pineapple compote and Chia seeds. I had some pineapple compote left in the fridge. It's a soft and moist cake. There are pineapple pieces with every bite.  

Ingredients 

250 grams Self Raising Flour 

175 grams Caster Sugar 

1 tsp Roasted Chia seeds 

4 tbsp Pineapple Compote 

10 drops of Pineapple essence 

150 Ml Water 

3 Eggs 

100 grams Butter 

50 grams Olive oil 

Method 

Take 1 medium and small bread loaf tin. Grease it with butter and keep it aside. Take a small pot. Add the compote and water. Let it come to a boil and then simmer for 2 minutes. Add the butter and oil. Let the butter melt. Switch off the flame. Let the mixture cool down. Take a mixing bowl. Break the eggs. Beat it for a minute. Add the sugar, beat it till it becomes fluffy and the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the pineapple essence and pour the liquid mixture gradually while beating it. Add the flour in three parts and beat it well. Add the roasted chia and finally beat it for few seconds. Preheat the oven at 180 degrees celcius. Pour the batter into the greased moulds. The batter should be 1/2 the quantity of the mould. Bake it at 180 degrees celcius for 35 to 40 minutes. Check it with the toothpick. If it comes out clean then the cake is done. Remove it from the oven and cool it completely before slicing. 

P. S. If you are using All Purpose Flour then add a tsp of baking powder.

Paplet a Che Hirwe Kalwan.....

Pomfret cooked in Green Curry

It is a Konkani dish, cooked in green coriander paste. Green coriander leaves, green chillies, garlic, ginger, onion, coconut, tamarind and cumin seeds are use to make the wet paste. The pomfret is then cooked in the wet paste. This dish can be eaten with rice. 

I have adapted the recipe as per my convenience.

In this recipe I have not used Tamarind paste and have added a tomato in the gravy. 

For the Wet Paste 

Ingredients 

1 small bunch of Coriander leaves cleaned 

4 tbsp freshly grated Coconut or Desiccated Coconut 

1 small Onion chopped 

6 to 8 Garlic cloves 

1 small piece of Ginger 

4 or more Green chillies cut into pieces 

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

Method 

Add all the above ingredients in to a grinder, add 1/3 cup of water and grind it in to a thick paste. 

For making the Pomfret Curry 

Ingredients 

2 medium size Pomfret cut into 2 pieces or you can make more pieces as per your choice 

1 Onion chopped 

1 Tomato chopped 

2 Green chillies slit and cut into pieces 

Few Curry leaves 

Few Coriander leaves chopped for garnishing 

1/4 tsp Mustard seeds 

Salt to taste 

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder

Wet paste  

3 tbsp Oil 

Method 

 Marinate pomfret with salt and 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder. Take a wok or a chatti. Add oil and heat it. Add the mustard seeds and let it crackle. Add the curry leaves and green chillies. Saute it for a minute. Add the chopped onion. Sauté the onions till translucent.  Add the green paste. Stir and cook for 3 minutes. Add the chopped tomato, salt and remaining turmeric powder. Stir and cook it another 1 minute. Add a cup and a half of water. Let it simmer for 2 minutes. Add the pomfrets. Cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Garnish it with coriander leaves. Serve hot with hot steamed  rice.

Chingrir Chop / Prawn Chops....

These Prawn chops are one of the delicious snacks from the streets of Kolkatta. The Prawn chops are made with medium or small size prawns and  potatoes cooked with spices and then it is given an oval shape. It is then coated with egg and bread crumbs and deep fried. It is served hot with mustard sauce / kasundi and onions... But due to the cost of the prawns, the street vendors add less of prawns and more of potatoes in the chop. So if you really want to enjoy the prawns, make it for yourself.... 

For the Prawn Chops... 

Ingredients

500 grams Medium sized Prawns

 (Cleaned, sautéed with 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder and salt for 3 minutes and roughly mashed)

2 Potatoes boiled and mashed 

1 Onion chopped 

1 tbsp Ginger - Garlic - Green Chilli paste 

Few Coriander leaves chopped 

1/4 tsp Turmeric powder

1/2 tsp Garam Masala powder 

1/2 tsp Cumin seeds 

Salt to taste 

1/4 tsp Sugar 

1/2 tsp Cumin seeds

2 Bay Leaves 

2 tbsp Oil 

Method

Take a wok, heat oil. Add the cumin seeds and bay leaves. Let the cumin crackle. Add the garlic-  ginger - green chilli paste. Sauté it for a minute. Add the chopped onion. Sauté it for 2 minutes. Add the mashed potatoes and prawns. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add the salt, sugar, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, garam masala powder and coriander leaves. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes till all the ingredients combines well. Keep it aside to cool. Divide the mixture into equal lemon size portions. Give it an oval shape. 

For the Coating and Frying 

Ingredients 

2 Eggs beaten

4 tbsp Water 

Pinch of Salt 

2 cups or more Bread crumbs 

Oil for Frying 

Method 

Spread the bread crumbs on a plate. Add water and salt into the egg, mix it. Take a portion. Coat it with the bread crumbs. Dip it into the egg, coat it again with the bread crumbs. (If you want you can dip it into the egg again and coat it with bread crumbs - optional). Repeat the process with the other portions too. Keep it in the fridge for an hour - that will help to bind well. Take a wok, heat the oil on a medium low heat. Fry till golden brown in colour. Serve it hot with mustard sauce.

Chitrakoot

This is a very famous sweet from Bengal. Chitrakoot is made from cottage cheese,  flour, semolina, khoya, sugar and baking powder. It is first deep fried in ghee or oil and then submerged in the sugar syrup and after that rolled with milk powder and caster sugar. 

Ingredients

For Chitrakoot.....

100 grams Home made Cottage cheese (water completely squeezed out )

25 grams Khoya 

10 grams All Purpose Flour 

OR

5 grams of each All Purpose Flour and Semolina 

5 grams Sugar 

2 Pinches of Baking powder 

Ghee or Oil for frying 

For the Sugar Syrup....

100 grams Sugar 

100 ml Water 

1/4 tsp Milk Powder to sprinkle

Little Caster Sugar  to sprinkle 

Method 

Take the cottage cheese, khoya, 5 grams sugar, all purpose flour and baking powder in a plate. Knead all the ingredients together until a soft dough is form. Divide the dough into 6 lemon size equal balls. Flatten the balls and shape it into square or diamond shape. Heat the oil in a pan. Fry the chitrakoots until brown in colour. Mean while take a pot and add sugar and water to make a one string sugar syrup. After the chitrakoots are fried dip it into the sugar syrup for an hour. Remove it from the syrup, arrange the Chitrakoots in a plate. Sprinkle milk powder and caster sugar on top. 

Rosogollar Payesh

Today I have prepared Rosogollar Payesh, which is a sweet delicacy from Bengal. The Rosogollas are boiled in the flavoured milk. 

The syrup is squeezed out from the rosogolla and it is re boiled  in water again so that it swells up and when the water is squeezed out again and then added to the milk, it will soak the milk well in the rosogollas. 

Ingredients 

12 Mini Rosogollas 

750 Ml full fat Milk 

3 to 4 tbsp Sugar

1/4 tsp Cardomom powder

2 tbsp Almond Flakes 

2 tbsp Pistachio Coarsley ground 

Some Almond flakes and ground Pistachios for garnishing 

Method 

Take a deep bottom pot. Add the milk. On a low flame let the milk simmer for 10 minutes. Add the sugar, cardamom powder, almond flakes and ground pistachio. Stir and let it simmer till the milk has reduced 1/2 it's quantity.  Meanwhile take the Rosogollas, squeeze out the syrup, take a small pan and add 1 cup of water. Boil the water and add the squeezed Rosogullars in the water. Boil it for a minute. Squeeze the excess water out from the Rosogollas. Add the Rosogollas into the milk, continue to cook the milk till the milk has thickened up. Remove it from the flame, garnish it with remaining almond and pistacho. Serve it chilled.

Green Herbs and Chia Seed Bread Roll...

Green Herbs and Chia Seed Bread Roll...

  I love the nutty flavor and the crunchiness of the Chia. I have made these bread rolls with mint, coriander and green chillies chopped with a tbsp of Chia in it. You can add any fresh herbs of your choice. 

Ingredients

300 grams Whole Wheat Flour

200 grams All Purpose Flour

Salt to taste

1 tbsp Sugar

1 tbsp Chia seeds

11 grams Dry Yeast

150 ml Lukewarm Water

250 ml Water

2 1/2 tbsp Olive Oil

2 tbsp Coriander leaves chopped

1 tbsp Mint leaves chopped

2 Green Chillies finely chopped

Method

Take lukewarm water, sugar and yeast in a  cup. Whisk is well till the sugar dissolves. Keep it aside for it to rise. Take both the flour in a mixing bowl. Mix it together. Add coriander leaves, mint leaves, salt and chia seeds. Mix it once more. Make a well in the centre of the flour, pour in 1 tbsp oil, yeast water and 250 ml of water. With  a wooden spoon combine the flour together. Remove the wooden spoon and start kneading the dough. Knead for 2 minutes. Add 1/2 tbsp oil. Knead for 5 minutes. Keep the dough on a flat surface. Stretch the dough and knead it. If the dough is sticking to your skin, just spray oil on your palms. Knead for 5 minutes more. Apply oil on the dough, cover the dough and let it rise. 

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and knead it for a minute. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions (approximately 152 grams). Grease a baking tray. Take a portion.  You can either sprinkle little dough or apply little oil on your palms so that the dough does not stick. Flatten the dough on a flat surface, fold in 1/2 inch of the dough vertically from each sides. Press the folded edge properly. Now roll in the dough from the top till the centre and similarly roll in the rest of the dough from the bottom to the centre. The 2 edges of the dough will come together. Press and seal the edges. Give a light roll to the dough to get the shape of the bread roll bun. Gently pick the roll up and place it on a greased baking tray. Place the seal edges downwards. Repeat the process with other remaining dough. Cover and let it rise. Once risen, spray water on the bread rolls. Sprinkle chia seeds on top. Bake it for 25 minutes at 190 degrees celcius in a preheated oven. To get uniform colour, after 15 minutes, rotate the tray). Once baked, remove the tray and cool the bread roll down before using it. Best is to bake it in the night for the morning breakfast.    

Chia Besan aur Sattu Ki Barfi...

Chia Besan aur Sattu Ki Barfi....

When festivals are around and sweets are in demand let's make some home made sweets with Lyva Organic Chia seeds..
Chia is an edible seed that comes from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, which is grown in Mexico. "Chia" means strength, and it used used as energy boosters. It contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and calcium. Chia seeds are an unprocessed, whole-grain food that can be absorbed by the body as seeds. About 2 tablespoons of Chia contains 139 calories, 4 grams of protein, 9 grams fat, 12 grams carbohydrates and 11 grams of fiber, plus vitamins and minerals.The mild, nutty flavor of chia seeds makes them easy to add to foods and beverages. They are most often sprinkled on cereal, sauces, vegetables, rice dishes, or yogurt or mixed into drinks and baked goods. They can also be mixed with water and made into a gel.
I have roasted the chia seeds.. hence it gives crunchiness to the barfi along with almond flakes.
This is a recipe and review for Plattershare and Go Organic India for Belly Nirvana Program....

Ingredients
1/3 cup Sattu
1/3 cup Besan/Gram flour
1/2 cup Organic Coconut Sugar or Organic Jaggary powder
Pinch of Salt
1/4 tsp Cardomom powder
2 tbsp Almond flakes
1 tbsp Pistachio coarsely ground
2 tbsp Organic Chia Seeds roasted

3/4 cup Milk 

1/4 cup Ghee

Method
Grease a square tray and keep it aside.
Take a wok and add ghee. Let it melt. Add the besan and sattu. Stir it continuously and saute it on low heat till light golden brown in colour. Add the coconut sugar or jaggary, stirring it continuously, cook it for a minute. Gradually pour the milk and keep stirring till continuously till all the ingredients combines together. Add the chia seeds, salt and cardomom powder. Stir and cook till it starts to leave the sides of the wok. Spread the mixture on the square tray. Sprinkle with pistachios and almond on top and gently press the mixture. Let it cool completely before cutting and serving.   

Whole Wheat Banana Muffins With Organic Coconut Sugar

Whole Wheat - Banana Muffins With Organic Coconut Sugar...

Coconut sugar (also known as coco sugar, coconut palm sugar or coco sap sugar) is a sugar produced from the sap of cut flower buds of the coconut palm. It is very popular in the south and south east Asian Countries. Coconut sugar is different both in taste, texture and manufacture methods from palm sugar. Coconut sugar comes in crystal or granule form, block or liquid. Coconut sugar is subtly sweet almost like brown sugar but with a slight hint of caramel. Since coconut sugar is not highly processed, the color, sweetness and flavor can vary depending on the coconut species used, season when it was harvested, where it was harvested and/or the way the "sap" or "toddy" was reduced.

Coconut sugar provides 16 calories per teaspoon and contains relatively low content of essential nutrients, with the exception of potassium at about 25% of the Daily Value per serving of 100 grams.

I have used Lyva Organic Coconut Sugar for the muffins... It taste less sweeter than the normal sugar and is more healthier than the sugar. The product is good for people suffering with diabetes. It taste good too.
 Here is my review and recipe for Plattershare and Go India Organic Belly Nirvana Program

Ingredients

1 cup Whole wheat flour

1/2 cup Semolina

3/4 tsp Baking powder

1/2 tsp Soda bicarbonate

3/4 cup Organic Coconut sugar

2 tbsp Desiccated Coconut

2 Pinch of Nutmeg powder

1 tbsp Walnut chopped

1 Banana chopped

200 ml Coconut Milk

1/4 cup Water

2 tbsp Curd

1/4 cup Oil

Method

In a blender, add sugar, oil and coconut milk. Blend it well. Add the desiccated coconut, nutmeg and semolina. Blend it once more. Add the flour, baking powder and soda bicarbonate little at a time and blend it. Add water and curd. Blend it. Remove the batter from the blender into a bowl. Add the chopped banana and walnuts. Mix it. Take a muffin tray. Place the muffin liners. Fill in 3/4 of the liners with the batter. Bake it at 180 degrees celcius for 25 to 30 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. Cool it before eating...

Chicken Bharata...

Chicken Bharata

This is a Punjabi dish. This recipe is prepared in Kolkatta Punjabi dhaba style. It is served with Roti or Naan or Paratha. This recipe is from Honey da Dhaba. 
I almost followed the same process, except I did not add Kasuri methi and add cream for garnishing too. It almost tasted like Butter Chicken... 

Ingredients

250 grams boneless Chicken breast piece cut into thin strips.

1 Onion chopped 

1 Tomato chopped 

1 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste 

Salt to taste 

1/2 tsp Chilli powder

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 

1/2 tsp Cumin powder

1/2 tsp Coriander powder

1/2 tsp Garam masala powder 

Whole Garam Masala crushed ( 2 Cloves, 2 Cardomom, 1 stick Cinnamon, 4 to 6 Pepper Corn) 

1/4 cup Curd beaten 

1/4 cup Amul Cream 

2 tbsp Cashew nut paste 

2 tbsp Oil

1/2 tbsp Butter 

Few Coriander leaves chopped 

Method 

Take a wok, add oil. Let it heat. Add the whole garam masala and onions. Stir fry it till light brown in colour. Add ginger garlic paste. Stir and sauté it for a minute. Add the tomato, turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder and cumin powder and salt. Sauté it for 2 minutes. Add the chicken pieces and stir, cover the wok and cook it for 5 minutes on low flame. Add cashew paste and curd. Stir it. Add 1/4 cup water, cover the wok and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Add the garam masala powder, cream and butter. Stir it for a minute. Garnish it with coriander leaves and cream.

Fresh Cream Pineapple Birthday Cake (Eggless ).....

Ordered by a wife for her beloved husband on his birthday... 

This is a fresh cream cake with pineapple compote in the centre and pineapple juice infused in the cake. The roses and other decorations are made with fresh cream...(Eggless)....

Pineapple Sponge Cake...

Ingredients 

100 grams All Purpose Flour 

50 grams Milk Powder 

1/2 tsp Soda bicarbonate 

1 tsp Baking powder 

75 grams Caster Sugar 

1/2 tbsp Pineapple essence 

150 grams Butter Milk  (Milk and 3 tbsp Curd mix )

50 grams Butter 

Method 

Take a mixing bowl , add sugar and butter. Beat it till fluffy. Add 4 tbsp butter milk. Beat it. Add the pineapple essence. Beat it. Add milk powder. Beat it. Add the half the butter milk and flour. Beat it. Add the remaining butter milk, soda bicarbonate and baking powder. Beat it well. Take a baking pan. Grease it. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celcius. Pour the batter into the greased baking pan. Tap the baking pan. Bake it at 180 degrees celcius for 30 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. Cool it completely before frosting. 

Pineapple Compote...

Ingredients 

1 small size or 2 cups  Pineapple chopped 

1 cup Sugar 

1/2 cup Water

2 Pinch of Salt 

Method 

Take a pan, add sugar, water and salt. Boil it and then let it simmer for 5 minutes. Add the pineapple pieces and let it simmer for 5 minutes or till the pineapple are tender. Remove the pineapple pieces from the juice and keep it aside. Let the juice simmer on low flame till it recuces to 1/4 it's quantity. Pour the juice on the pineapple. Cool it down before using.

Aloo Morich ar Chirebhaja....

It’s a favourite breakfast at our place. It’s a very simple dish made in all Bengali household for snacks. 

 
For Aloo Morich
Ingredients
1 big potatoes boiled and cut into cubes.
1 green chilli slit
1 tbsp ghee
Salt to test
1/2 tsp pepper pd.
Method
Take a wok, add ghee and heat it up. Add green chilli. Stir it for few seconds. Add the potato, salt and pepper. Stir fry it for 2 minutes.

For Chirebhaja
Ingredients
1 bowl Thin Flatten Rice
3 tbsp Peanuts (optional)
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp Pepper powder
2 tbsp Mustard oil

Method
Take a wok. Add oil, let it heat. Add the peanuts. Fry it till brown. Fry for for few seconds. Add the thin flatten rice. Add salt and pepper. Stir fry till crispy.