Nutella Banana Bread

Recipe taken from ouichef

Nutella + Banana = heavenly combo !!!!!

I halved the recipe to make 1 loaf.This recipe is featured in foodgawker and man!!!foodgawker makes me hungry all the time and I end up trying at least 1 recipe every time I browse that site.

Ingredients:

All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups + 2tbsp

Baking soda - 1 tsp

Cinnamon - 1/4 tsp

Eggs - 2 at room temperature

Sugar - 1 cup

Vegetable oil - 1/2 cup

Mashed bananas - 2 large

Nutella - 1/3 cup

Vanilla-1 tsp

Salt -a pinch

Sour cream or yogurt -2tbsp

Hazelnuts toasted and chopped - 1/2 cup


Method:

Heat oven to 350 deg F.

Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.

Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into a bowl.

 Beat together eggs and sugar in bowl until pale.

Add oil and then mix banana,yogurt,nutella and vanilla.

Fold in flour mixture and hazelnuts.

Pour it into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 1 hr.

Cool loaf in pan for 10 minutes and then turn loaf into a rack.Cool completely and then slice it.

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Chinese Five Spice Noodles

I had this recipe bookmarked long time ago.But I never got a chance to make this.So last week on my usual errand to 99 ranch store,I picked up a packet of this Chinese five spice powder. Its a mixture of ground star anise,cinnamon,cloves and fennel and sichuan pepper corn.The Chinese believed that number 5 has healing properties and that it why it contains five distinctive spices.Its widely used in meat preparation.

But the noodles turned out to be tasty and aromatic and was different than the usual noodle recipes.

Recipe adapted from serious eats.com

Ingredients:

Imitation egg noodles - 1 pound(original recipe calls for cellophane noodles)

Soy sauce - 3 Tablespoon

Chili paste -3 tsp

Five spice powder - 2 tsp

Garlic minced - 4 (2 for saute and 2 for the sauce)

Ginger minced - 2 tbsp

Vegetable broth - 1/2 cup

Broccoli - 1 large stems and stalk removed

Carrot - 1 julienned

Cabbage - 1 cup shredded

Onion - 1/2 chopped(didn't use)

Scallion - 2 chopped

Sesame oil -2 tbsp(for the sauce)

Vegetable oil  - 3 tablespoon

Pepper powder - according to spice level

Method:

Heat water in a pot and when it starts boiling,switch off the stove , drop the noodles and soak for 5 minutes. Drain and keep them ready.

Mix together the soy sauce, sesame oil, chili paste, ginger, garlic and five-spice powder in small bowl.The sauce is ready.

Place a large wok or saute pan over high heat. Pour in the oil, and then add the onion(I used white part of scallion). Cook, stirring often until translucent, about 3 minutes. Toss in the garlic and cook for another minute. Then add the broccoli, carrots, cabbage, broth, and finally the soy sauce mixture. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is very tender.



Toss in the scallions and egg noodles. Stir well, and cook until the noodles are coated in the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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Microwave Potato chips

I couldn't believe that Microwave potato chips would be crunchy and crispy like those made in deep fryer till I tried making this at home.I followed the recipe featured in eating well.com.It was super easy and quick to make and healthier too.

Ingredients:

Yukon potatoes - 2 washed and scrubbed.
Cut them into thin slices.

Olive oil - 3tbsp

Salt to taste

Method:

In a bowl add some olive oil and salt and mix well.Toss the slices and mix well.Arrange the sliced potatoes on a greased  microwave safe dinner plate without overlapping.

Microwave on high power for 2 to 3 minutes.When the edges start to brown flip them and microwave again for 2 minutes or till they become crispy and slightly brown.

Take care not to scorch them.

Transfer them into another plate and allow to cool them completely.

Serve with any dip of your choice

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Cauliflower Fusili Puttanesca

I can have pasta for any meal.This simple pasta dish was made by my DH.It was adapted from the recipe featured in Real Simple Magazine.

Ingredients:

Penne pasta - 3/4 pound We used tricolor fusili pasta

Chili flakes - 2tsp

Pepper powder - 2tsp

Garlic - 2tbsp minced

Capers - 2 tbsp

Kalamata olives(pitted) - 1/4 cup

Cauliflower - 1 medium separate into small florets

Tomato - 2 chopped

Parsley - 2 tbsp

Grated Parmesan - for sprinkling on the top(optional)

Kosher salt - as required

olive oil - 5tbsp

Method:

Boil pasta in sufficient amount of water till Al dente.

Heat oil in a pan.When hot,add the garlic and saute for 2 minutes.

Now add the cauliflower florets and saute till it gets cooked but still crunchy.

Then add the olives,capers and tomato and saute till tomato becomes mushy.

Now add the chili flakes,required amount of salt.

Finally add the pasta and cook for about 2 minutes.

Then add the parsley and grated Parmesan on the top.

Serve hot.

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Omapodi

Omapodi is one savory which I don't make often at home because murukku/chakli is our favorite.

It was rainy outside and I so i wanted to make this simple omapodi to be served with coffee.Its so simple to make and it takes less time than any other savory item.

Ingredients:

Besan/Chick pea flour - 2 cups

Rice flour - 1cup

Omam/Ajwain/Carom seeds - 1 Tbsp

Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp

Chili powder - 2 tsp

Salt to taste

Hot oil - 2 tsp

Oil for deep frying

Thenkuzhal press with the disc which has tiny holes.

Method:

Heat oil in a deep pan.

Grind the ajwain seeds with 1/2 cup of water and filter it and reserve the water.

In a bowl mix the besan,rice flour,salt,chili powder,asafoetida,2tsp of hot oil,reserved water.

Add more water to make it into a pliable dough.In the thenkuzhal press add the dough.

When oil is hot,squeeze the handle of the press over the oil in concentric circle about 6 inches in diameter.When slightly cooked turn over to the other side ad let it cook till there is no more hissing sound of oil.

Note:Omapodi cooks fastly than murukku and it can get burnt easily.

Drain on an absorbent paper and store in airtight container.

Serve with hot tea/coffee

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