Beetroot pickle

Ingredients:

Beetroot - 2 medium
Green chilly -  12- 14
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
White Vinegar - 1/4 cup
Oil - 2 tbsp
Curry leaves - 2 sprig
Salt to taste


Method:

1. Wash and peel the beetroots. Thinly slice the beetroot and cut the green chilly into 2-3 pieces.

2. Heat oil in a pan. Fry the green chilly for 3-4 minutes. Then add curry leaves and fry for a minute.
3. Add the sliced beetroot pieces and fry for 2 minutes. Then add turmeric powder and salt and saute for a minute.
4. Finally add vinegar and boil for a minute. Switch of the stove.
5. Keep aside for 5-10 minutes.

Serve with rice!!

Rice vermicelli upma

Ingredients:

1. Rice vermicelli - 200 gm
2. Onion - 1 medium
3. Tomato - 1
4. Carrot - 1
5. Cabbage - 1/4 cup, chopped
6. Green chilly - 1-2
7. Ginger garlic paste - 1.5 tsp
8. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
9. Garam masala - 2 tsp + 1/2 tsp
10. Oil - 1tsp + 2 tbsp
11. Jeera - 1 tsp
12. Salt to taste
13. Coriander leaves - to garnish

Method:

1. Boil water . Add salt and a tsp of oil to it,
2. Then add the rice vermicelli to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes. Turn of the heat and loosen the vermicelli with a fork.
3. Drain and rinse under cold water. Keep aside.
4. Meanwhile chop all the vegetables.
5. Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a pan. Add jeera followed by chopped onion and carrots. Saute till the onions are are translucent.
6. Add the ginger garlic paste and fry for another minute.
7. Now add the chopped tomatoes and cabbage and fry till the tomatoes are soft and mushy.
8. Add the turmeric powder , garam masala and salt and fry it for another 1-2 minutes.
9. Now add the cooked vermicelli to the above mixture and mix well.
10. Garnish it with coriander leaves.


Notes:

1. Add oil to the boiling water and rinsing under cold water helps to remove the stickyness of the vermicelli.
2. You can add any vegetable of your choice like beans or capsicum.

Chocolate butter cake with chocolate frosting

It was my daughter's 5th birthday on October 10. She wanted chocolate cake with chocolate frosting with flowers on it :)

Source : Joyofbaking

Ingredients:

For chocolate cake

1.  All purpose flour - 2 and 1/4 cups
2. Sugar - 2 cups
3. Eggs - 3, at room temperature
4. Unsweetened cocoa powder - 3 tbsp
5. Semi sweet chocolate pieces - 1 cup , chopped
6. Baking soda - 1 tsp
7. Baking powder - 2 tsp
8. Salt - 1/2 tsp
9. Hot coffee - 1 cup
10. Butter - 1 cup ,at room temperature
11. Milk - 1 cup, at room temperature
12. Pure Vanilla extract - 2 tsp

For Chocolate frosting

1. Butter - 1 cup, at room temperature
2. Powdered sugar - 2 cups
3. Semisweet chocolate chips - 1.5 cups
4. Pure vanilla extract - 1.5 tsp

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Butter the bottom of a 9 x 13" cake pans (or you can use two 9" pans).Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and grease it with butter.
2. In a bowl, add the chopped chocolate pieces, chocolate powder and hot coffee and mix till the chocolate pieces are fully melted. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
3. In a large mixing bowl , combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
4. In another bowl, beat the butter until soft . It will take around 1- 2 minutes.
4. Gradually add sugar and beat for another 5- 6 minutes till it is very light and fluffy.
5. Add eggs one at a time , beating after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat for another 1-2 minutes.
6. Add vanilla extract and melted chocolate and beat until combined for about 2-3 minutes.
7. Alternatively add the flour and milk and beat on low speed, like add 1/3rd flour, then half the milk, then 1/3rd flour, half the milk and the remaining 1/3rd flour. Beat till the mixture is well combined.
8. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 30 - 35 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Chocolate frosting

1. Place the chocolate chips in a bowl on top of simmering water. Melt the chocolate chips and allow it to cool to room temperature.
2. In a large mixing bowl, place the butter and beat till the butter turns soft, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat on high till the mixture turns very soft, light and fluffy, for about 4-5 minutes.
4. Then add the melted chocolate to it and beat on low for about 1-2 minutes and then beat on high speed for another 2-3 minutes till the mixture is very smooth.

Decorate the cake with frosting and enjoy!!