Pepper, Chilli and Vanilla

Batter Fried Squids /calamari are our fav starter.We always order batter fried squids whenever we visit a restaurant my hubby loves it a lot..i normally make this when he is around..its easy and taste so crisp and yumm
Batter Fried Squids /Calamari goes well with any dip or even taste good with ketchup.

Ingredients
12 -15 squids
1 tsp garlic paste
1/2 tsp lime juice
1/2 tsp black pepper/as needed
salt

for the batter
1 cup maida/flour
1 tbsp cornflour
pepper powder as needed
1/4 tsp chilli powder
salt
1/2 - 3/4 cup soda water chilled
oil to deep fry

Method:

Clean the calamari /squids well ,rinse and remove all excess water .
Cut them into rings
The squids needs to be dry without any water .
Apply salt lime black pepper and keep aside for 30 minutes you can marinade and keep it in the refrigerator.
When you are ready to fry , mix cornflour ,maida in a bowl add salt pepper and the soda water .
Mix with a whisk to a lump free batter .
Heat oil to deep fry
In a plate add some flour ,dip squids in the flour and then coat it with the batter .
Fry in hot oil until golden brown .
Drain on a kitchen towel /tissue
Serve with Mayo/tartar sauce or any dip..

We love pastas but now wanted to try something different than the on ewe usually do .Wanted to keep it simple without adding any cheese or cream so then just mixed in few sauces and this yummy pasta was ready in no time.The mustard sauce gave a very nice flavour to this pasta .And the tomato sauce added a nice tang as well as little sweetness to the pasta .The sauces really blended very well.And it was light compared to the cheesy creamy pastas.Do try this you will enjoy it.

Ingredients
2 cups pasta(i used elbow)
250 gms boneless chicken
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp pepper/as needed
3 tsp tomato ketchup
1 tbsp mustard sauce
1 small capsicum
1/2 cup spring onion chopped
oil 1 tbsp
salt as needed

Method

Boil pasta in sufficient water with salt till Al dente
Chop the spring onions ,the bulb and the green .
Chop garlic and capsicum and keep aside
Boil chicken with soy sauce pepper and water till done and shred to pieces
Heat oil in a pan add chopped garlic and saute
Then add the spring onion bulb and the capsicum and saute on high flame
Add the chicken and the mustard paste ,chilli sauce and the tomato sauce
Give it a nice stir , add the spring onion and the pasta
Add crushed pepper and mix ,add salt only if required
Toss it well and serve hot .

Posting this cake after almost 6 months after making it hehe..This super delish Chocolate cake was made my birthday way back in Feb its been lying in the draft folder since then .

One of the most yummy chocolate Birthday cake I have baked .This choice cake was super moist and irresistible ..Kept it simple by frosting with chocolate ganache my favourite frosting.

It was well received by all .It's always a pleasure to bake cakes for my friends and family in their birthday or anniversary any joyous occasion .But as much as I enjoy baking for others I also enjoy baking it for my self .. Along with this cake I also made a tres leche cake which again in the folders and will be seen on the blog hopefully very soon..there are some more cakes coming up too
Coming back to this chocolate Birthday cake it was really the best. It pairs well with ganache but also taste good with chocolate butter cream..
If you are not a chocolate person try whipped cream frosting for this cake but definitely chocolate ganache taste awesome with this ..
The recipe is very simple .Do try and enjoy a moist rich and chocolate-y treat

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour/maida
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup coffee
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla essence
for the ganache
200 ml fresh cream
200gms dark chocolate chopped

Method

Heat oven at 180 degree and preheat for 10 minutes
Grease a 6 inch pan and line with parchment
Combine all dry ingredients and set aside
In a bowl take eggs buttermilk coffee and oil and vanilla beat on medium speed for 2 minutes
Mix in the dry ingredients and beat for a minute on low speed
Pour the batter in the prepared tin
Bake for 30- 35 minutes or till toothpick inserted comes out clean
Allow the cake to cool completely.
Meanwhile prepare the ganache
In a pan pour the cream and heat it in low flame till bubble start appearing in the sides , switch the flame off
Add chopped chocolate and let it sit
After few minutes mix it with a whisk or spatula until all the Chocolate is mixed with the cream and the ganache is ready.
Cut the cake into half
Apply ganache to Sandwich the cake
And coat the cake fully with ganache
Pipe out some rosette and garnish with maltesers/dairy milk shots
And at the sides stick some almond flakes
Let it set in the refrigerator for an hour

Notes
Making your own buttermilk is very easy just add 1/2 tsp lime juice or vinegar to 1/2 cup milk ,stir and let it sit for 5 minute.
You can omit the egg and add more 1/4 cup buttermilk.
For piping the Rosette I have mixed whipping cream to the melted chocolate.
Adding coffee is purely optional you make just add water instead
If using coffee just mix 1/ 2 tsp coffee in the water.you can add boiling coffee too