Almond Chocolate cake

For the Cake:

4 ounces chocolate melted with 2 Tb coffee
1/4 lb. or 1 stick softened butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 egg yolks
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 Tb granulated sugar
2/3 cup almonds
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup cake flour turned into a sifter

For the Icing:

2 ounces  semisweet baking chocolate
2 Tb coffee
5 to 6 Tb unsalted butter


Instructions:

For the Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Butter and flour the cake pan. Set the chocolate and coffee in a small pan, cover, and place in a larger pan of almost simmering water; let melt while you proceed with the recipe. Measure out the rest of the ingredients. Cream the butter and sugar together for several minutes until they form a pale yellow, fluffy mixture.

3. Beat in the egg yolks until they are well blended.

4. Beat the egg whites and salt in a separate bowl until soft peaks are formed; sprinkle on the sugar and beat for 15 mins.

5. With a rubber spatula, blend the melted chocolate into the butter and sugar mixture, then stir in chopped almonds, and almond extract. Immediately mix one fourth of the beaten egg whites. Delicately fold in a third of the remaining whites and when partially blended, sift on one third of the flour and continue folding untill all the eggwhites are added.

6. Pour the batter into the cake pan. Bake in middle level of preheated oven for about 25 minutes.  Sprinkle chopped almonds on top of the batter when its almost half done. Cake is done when it has puffed, and when a needle is plunged into that area comes out clean; the center should move slightly if the pan is shaken, and a needle comes out oily.

Allow cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes and serve.


Yield: For an 8-inch cake serving 6 to 8 people

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Bruschetta

Thanks to the Italians who gave us this 'Ready in 10 mins' appetizer which is as easy as a pie and has flavors that are simple yet delightful. Also thanks to people who added so many kinds of variations to the toppings. Ideally Italian bread should be grilled over hot coal to get real Italian flavor, but in regular homes bread is toasted or broiled to make it. I am gonna write my recipe here:


Ingredients:

1  can Italian Diced Tomatoes
6 cloves Garlic
4 TB Olive Oil
3/4 cup basil
1 long french bread

Method:

1. Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix right before serving.

For easy bread pieces to go with the bruschetta, here is what to do:

2.. Buy french bread loaf. Cut in slices and place on a cookie sheet.

3. Butter slices and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Broil on HIGH for 2-5 minutes (dependent on how fast and hot your oven is).

4. Serve the bread pieces with your bruschetta.

It is a family favorite that can be made so easily and tastes so good!

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Ice cream Sundae

Summers are not easy without Ice creams and Sundaes, especially in Texas :).  I usually make this real simple dessert to sooth the sweet tooth after dinner.  This is the right season to share it with you :)

Ingredients: 

1 cup fruits like cherries, grapes, berries. Some more for garnishing.

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

4 scoops nonfat vanilla Ice cream (you can use yogurt as healthy option)

strawberry syrup or chocolate syrup

Method:

Puree fruits with sugar and lemon juice in a blender. Serve over frozen Ice cream and top with fruits and syrup of your choice. Well I was serious when I said that its easy!!!!

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Bhatura Panjabi style

 Bhatoora is a fluffy deep-fried bread from North India. It is often eaten with chickpea curry, chole or channe, making the traditional dish chole bhature.  This is a combination of may recipes I researched over the internet. The best part is that it uses more of whole wheat flour than all purpose flour. My family liked it, so thought of sharing with you :)

Ingredients:

21/2 cups atta or whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt or as required
1 tbsp oil or ghee or butter
½ or ⅓ cup warm water
vegetable oil for deep frying
¾ cup yoghurt
½ tbsp sugar
½ tsp baking powder
¾ cup all purpose flour/maida


Method:

1. In a bowl take the yoghurt, sugar, baking powder and all purpose flour.
Mix well for overnight fermentation.

2. If the yogurt is thick, then to thin the batter, add ¼ cup water.
Cover the bowl with a cloth and set it aside in a warm place overnight or for 8 hours to allow natural fermentation to take place.

3. The next day you will see tiny bubbles on the surface of the mixture. The mixture is ready for the next step when tiny bubbles appear on the surface.

4. Take another bowl, mix together the wheat flour with salt and rub the ghee or butter into it with your fingertips. Into this bowl, add the fermenting mixture and the warm water. Form a dough with these two mixtures.

5. Knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes or until it is silky smooth. Add a little flour if it is too wet. Gather the dough into a compact ball and cover it with a damp cloth. Again set it aside in a warm place for 2 hrs.

6. Knead the dough again.

7. Form it in to 15 balls and roll them into 5-6 inch discs. Heat oil or ghee and deep fry the bhaturas. 

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Black Bean Salad ...... best dinner to reduce waist and tone tummy

Black beans has most fiber among beans, it helps tummy remain full for long, fight constipation, prevents bloating and also tones tummy. To top it all its sooooo yummy that you will not go for anything else at dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup minced onion
• 1tbs ginger garlic, pressed
• 2 cup black beans or 1 15 oz can (without BPA), drained and rinsed
• 1 tomatoes, chopped 
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbs fresh lemon juice
• green thai pepper or chilli chopped
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 
  

Method:

1. Mince onions and press garlic and let sit for at least 5 minutes to bring out the flavour.
2. Mix all ingredients together and serve. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for awhile.

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MASALA LEMONADE

Indian style 'Masala Lemonade' is in vogue this summer, if you have to quench your thirst.

Ingredients:

Juice of 4 lemons

Sugar or Honey to taste

2 tbsps Chat Masala or Jaljira powde

2 Soda bottles (250ml)

1 Cup Chilled water

Crushed ice

Lemon slices to garnish

Method

1. Squeeze all lemons to extract juice and remove seeds

2. Pour water into a large jug. Add sugar and stir well to the get desired sweetness

3. Add chat masala, lemon juice and crushed ice. Again stir well

4. When ready to serve, add soda

4. Serve in chilled glasses garnished with lemon slices

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Yummy Colorful veg Salad

Yummy Colorful Veg Summer Salad:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup white vinegar

1 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon celery seeds

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 medium cabbage, chopped

1/2 large red onion, chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

1 medium cucumber, seeds removed, chopped

1 tomato, seeds removed, chopped

4 green onions, chopped

1 tomato chopped

1 teaspoon olive oil

Method:

1.Combine the coleslaw mix and onion in a large bowl.

2. Whisk together the salad dressing, olive oil, salt, vinegar, salt in a medium bowl; blend thoroughly. Pour dressing mixture over salad mix and toss to coat. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

3. Coleslaw mix can be used too instead above chopped vegetables.

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