Vanilla Muffins with Raisins

This is a guest post by Monu.

Meet me I am Monu Teena. Thank you so much my Haffa, darlingoO babes for inviting me for a guest post at your place. Feeling like such an honor given to me. As I have already mentioned in my last Post she is a very close and best friend of mine. Few days ago she did a guest post for me Shahi tukray. In Return today i am going to share a guest post for her. Thanks a bunch again for giving me space. Love you my dear ~ Well today guys, i am going to come up with a simple Muffin Recipe along with some Black raisins. You can have it with your tea, easily baked and ready to serve with in 20 to 30 minutes. If your guests are coming in a very short time. The only thing you have to do is to prepare these muffins, serve your tea with these simplest muffins. What I did I had these along with some Hot Coffee. It turned out too moist and delicious. I must say you should try the recipe. The different thing I have done with the muffins I used the both Oil + Butter. The recipe experiment turned out good. Leaving the softness & moist texture to my muffins. I don't know there may be many recipes with the use of both of Oil and Butter. But it was the new experiment for me at least. You can use any dried or fruit nuts, But I like the black raisins most. So that's why I went for this combo. So the recipe makes about 10 to 11 muffins. Enough for 6 to 8 members; With out wasting any of your time lets move to the recipe ingredients along with the steps and the procedure to be followed:

Egg/Omelette chapati (Paratha)

Nutritionists state that breakfast ought to be the healthiest snack of the day, giving u a boost up of calories at the very beginning of a day. “Paratha/Fried Chapati” is the greatest item to have in the morning.  Fried Chapatis or flat bread called Paratha in urdu, is an essential component of conventional South Asian breakfast. It can be made of wheat flour / white flour or combination of both. You can accompany it with any side dish u feel like, or with simple omelette, tea/ Pickle. So if u want any revolutionize from same boring routine try this!! :) Traditionally it is made from ghee, but oil can also be used. 

Bread dessert - Shahi Tukra - Royal Toast

My lovely Readers! Today I am sharing a delicious recipe of Royal Dessert/ Shahi Tukra.  Give your bread a nice delicious different taste, that is not at all hard to make :) Its great at times when u r in hurry.

Classic Lasagna

Typical lavish & tempting Lasagna,  is a traditional dish, filled with minced meat, white sauce & loads of cheese, that appeals to people of every age. It is simply outstanding & marvelous.

Lasagnae are a large, flat pasta like & perhaps one of the oldest types of pasta. They originated in Italy. The word also refers to a dish prepared with numerous layers of lasagnae sheets alternated with sauces & a variety of other ingredients.

Lasagna has been my cold weather favorite recipe! Ah! Home made lasagna. Can anything else be better than this? yumm... Its scrumptious layers of cheesy goodness always warm me up in cold rainy nights!! This dish is simple enough to impress ur family and of course friends in any party. Lasagna sheets piled huge, towering & layered full cheese to go along with the perfect mingle of meaty & zesty & ketchup/tomato pasta sauce. 

Perfect Beef Steaks

A beef steak is a flat cut of piece usually grilled, pan fried, baked or broiled. The tender cuts from the loin & ribs are comparatively cooked more rapidly, using dry heat & they are served as whole. Less tender cuts are cooked by moist heat & by marinating. They are typically served with fried chips, fried tomato & fried mushrooms or other vegetables. Special knives are provided to eat them. In France the steak n french fries combo is known as Steak-frites. 

One of my favorite meals is the beef steaks from the grill. But most of us simply don't have grills at home like me :( But there is no need to get sad! Yes! There is no need of grill and u can make a perfect steaks indoors without grill and simply on frying pan!! If u r craving for that exemplary taste of outdoor beef steaks, the flavor of the juicy & crispy steak, peppered crust, just get ready to have themmm!! Here is the perfect, easy & to make a steak indoors on a frying pan. Add a loaf of bread, salad, some fried vegetables, fries or baked potatoes & enjoy the yummacious meal!! No grill required! Here goes my favorite recipe (which is easier than grilling, honestlyyy!! :P) :

Home Made Bread Crumbs

Wondering how to use the leftover, or few days old bread? Its just soo simple n easy!! Make bread crumbs :) Bread crumbs are dry bread that has been grated and finely ground. It can be made with the crust or whole bread can also be used. They can although be made by fresh bread too :)

In ready made bread crumbs, they may use emulsifiers, colors or treatment agents (which I usually avoid as nothing beats home made). Bread crumbs can be used to coat snacks, like kebabs or coat chicken or fish while frying to give it a crispier taste. I usually make large amount of bread crumbs every several months. Half kg of bread will give almost 3 cups of bread crumbs.

Here is how to make bread crumbs at home. Its so simple, that I feel odd explaining it to u, but still :P

Ingredients:

Leftover Bread slices/Crust

Salt - Pinch

Procedure:

-First of all cut the crusts of the bread if u wish to use the crusts only. Or cut the bread slices into small cubes if u r using whole bread, because it will give a more even result. I have used the leftover crusts of the sandwiches.

Next place them in a bowl/plate and dry them in microwave oven for 2-3 minutes. 

All the moisture will be finished. Allow the crusts to cool completely. Next add the dried crusts & salt into the food processor & pulse until the crumbs are finely processed. Bread crumbs are readddyy!!

Note: Make sure the crumbs are dry before storing them.

-Store the crumbs in an air tight container & refrigerate.

Linking to Dish it out by Beulah, 

Thanku for stopping by! Hope u enjoy this recipe :)

Gobi Gosht (Meaty Cauliflower)

I'm back with another variant of cauliflower. I have earlier discussed with u the simplest form of cooking Cauliflower - here. It is one of the vegetables my hubby loves the most. Anything with cauliflower, he would never ever say no lol.. wonder what? I never liked to eat it. But hubby has at last made me habitual of eating n even cooking it :P n now I kinda love ittttt! oh myy! This vegetable is easy to cook n healthy for u! Today I am going to mix it with mutton for a new yummacious taste. (Ofcourse it kills my cravings too :P) here is the recipe:

Chocolate Brownies

Chocolate brownie is a flat, baked, rich, moist and incredibly delicious, bar/square shaped dessert which I love to bake. Brownies come in different varieties. It is a cross between a cake and a cookie. Depending on their density, they are either fudgy or cakey. They can be topped with nuts, cream, chocolate, chocolate chips, ice cream etc. This was one of the best chocolate brownies I’ve ever made, with accurate quantity of sweetness and had a powerful flavor of chocolate. The timing is really tricky while u r planning to bake a chocolate brownie. Always remember to use contents at room temperature and not to over-bake it. This might result in a dry & messy brownie. Follow the following instructions word to word and you will end baking a perfect brownie.It is best for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and festivals like christmas etc.

To bake a brownie at home is not a difficult task! Here is an easy recipe. Don't hesitate to try :)

Sweet Paratha/Chapati (Meetha Paratha)

Basically, breakfast has to be the heaviest meal of the day, because it gives u lots of energy at the very start of ur tough routine. “Paratha” is the best yet delicious meal to have in the morning esp. for lean people. Excuse meee weight watchers :P  Fried Chapatis or flat bread called Paratha in Urdu, is an important part of traditional South Asian breakfast. It can be made of wheat flour / white flour or mixture of both, whichever way u to prefer best. You can have it with any dish u want, or with simple omelette ;) , tea/ Pickle. Before I have discussed with u plain parathas, its different shapes & varieties! Today m gonna discuss with u a very new variety of it that is sweettt chapatiiiii... you know what the best part of it which I love is that it turns out veryyyy crispy! So if u want any change from normal routine try this!! :) Traditionally parathas are made from ghee, but oil can also be used. It makes eating more pleasurable, when you are not serving the same old chapatis like everyday lol :d The recipe is soo easy, u wud never regret making it. Here is the how u create the Sweet Parathas:

Triangle Paratha

Breakfast should be the heaviest meal of the day, giving u a bulk of energy at the very start of ur tough day. If u want to follow the nutritionists “Paratha” is the best yet delicious meal to have in the morning.  Fried Chapatis or flat bread called Paratha in Urdu, is an important part of traditional South Asian breakfast. It can be made of wheat flour / white flour or mixture of both, whichever u prefer. You can have it with any dish u want, or with simple or of course cheese omelette ;) , tea/ Pickle. So if u want any change from normal routine try this!! :) Traditionally it is made from ghee, but oil can also be used. They are mostly round in shape. But for a change you can make them Triangle shaped :) kids and even adults will enjoy it :) It makes eating more pleasurable, when you are not serving the same old round chapatis like everyday lol :d The recipe is soo easy, u wud never regret making it. Here is the how u create the triangle shaped chapos.

Meat balls in Spicy Gravy/ Koftas

My lovely Readers! Today I am sharing my recipe with my friend Aara of Sweet & Spices; across the border lol :P I recently came to know Aara and now she is a good friend of mine :) This was a new & great experience for me to write a guest post for Aara's blog :)

Semolina Dessert (Sooji ka halwa)

Halwas are the special kind of desserts made traditionally with ghee (Clarified butter). The word Halwa has come from the Arab culture. There are variety of halwas in Pakistan, like Carrots halwa, Gram flour halwa,etc. 

Semolina Pudding (Sooji ka halwa) is especially famous in Pakistan & India at sundays with pooris for breakfast :) or on festivals/special occasions like Eid. It can also be used as a dessert! It tastes yumm :) It is called "Kesari" in Hindi. Its traditional recipe. Its so tasty n healthy when consumed in moderation. Its one of the best sweet dishes which u can offer to guests, in emergency. Cox the main ingredients required are semolina (Sooji) and water lol :D you can even give them to little babies in weaning age, but make sure to keep it bit liquid in consistency :)

It's really easy to cook, here is my mother in laws yummiest recipe :)

Square Paratha/ Chapati

They say breakfast should be the heaviest meal of the day, giving u a boost of energy at the very start of a day. If u wanna follow these nutritionists “Paratha” is the best thing to have in the morning.  Fried Chapatis or flat bread called Paratha in urdu, is an important part of traditional South Asian breakfast. It can be made of wheat flour / white flour or mixture of both. You can have it with any side dish u want, or with simple omelette, tea/ Pickle. So if u want any change from normal routine try this!! :) Traditionally it is made from ghee, but oil can also be used. They are mostly round in shape. But for a change you can make them square shaped :) kids & even adults will enjoy it :) It makes eating more pleasurable, when you are not serving the same old round chapatis like everyday lol.  Here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

For dough:

Whole flour                                            3 cups

Water (Luke warm)                                As required
Salt                                                        Pinch 
Oil/ Butter/ Ghee

Hot Frothy Coffee - Step by step

Winters have come. And what I really love to have in winters is to have a delicious coffee. I can't live without coffee, esp. when its made my me, n took some effort :P Coffee is made from roasted seeds of several species of a shrub of the genus Coffea. Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world!!!! Woww! It can be made & presented in a variety of ways! Its cultivation first took place in Southern Arabia!! As a beverage, it has a strong flavor & a tempting & inviting aroma. Coffee has a content caffeine which is mostly used to vanish drowsiness & stay active.

Pina Colada - Pineapple Drink

The various vitamins and minerals that we acquire from the fresh pineapple is a great relief from heat and energizes us. Pineapple is an extraordinary multiple fruit that can be consumed fresh, canned, in cocktails, juices, shakes, drinks or even they are usually used for marinating, salads, desserts and even in different meat dishes. Fresh pineapple slices are also used in baking cakes, souffle etc. 

Pina Colada is a "Spanish" word & means "Strained Pineapple". It is a sweet classic cocktail drink which is made of coconut milk & Pineapple, usually served either blended or with ice. It may be garnished with a pineapple wedge or a cherry. The pina colada has been the official beverage of Puerto Rico since 1978. The Pina Colada was introduced in 1954 in San Juan. I was hearing the weird name of this recipe since months, so atlast I ended up in trying it! Trust me its soo yumm! Everyone must give it a try! The fibers of pineapple are just soo scrumptious. Here goes the recipe :

Chapli Kabab (Raw Minced Meat Kebabs)

Kebabs are of many types. Before I have told u the recipes of Shami kebabs, Potato Kebabs & Beef Kebabs. Now I will introduce u to its new variety! Chapli kebabs. Mostly popular in Asian countries. They are made of raw minced meat mixed with spices, instead of cooked and fried directly. Different spices & pomegranate seeds gives an awesome taste. These delicious kebabs serve perfect as a snack, starters, appetizers or main course. It can be served with mint chutney or raita or ketchup. They can also be used to make sandwiches & burgers. It gives an aromatic flavour & smells that is for sure mouth drooling :P It is also one of the ffavoritedishes made during Eid ul azha days for Muslims :) Here goes its recipe! Enjoy :)

Mustard Filled Chapati (Saag k parathay)

They say breakfast should be the heaviest meal of the day, giving u a boost of energy at the very start of a day. If u wanna follow these nutritionists “Paratha” is the best thing to have in the morning.  Fried Chapatis or flat bread called Paratha in urdu, is an important part of traditional South Asian breakfast. It can be made of wheat flour / white flour or mixture of both. You can have it with any side dish u want, or with simple omelette, tea/ Pickle. So if u want any change from normal routine try this!! :) Traditionally it is made from ghee, but oil can also be used. 

Mostly fried flat breads/parathas are eaten simple, but I have introduced u to different varieties of it like Radish filled Chapati & Potatoes filled chapati :) Let me introduce to u another variety of it "Basella/ Mustard filled Chapati" or Saag k parathay in urdu/hindi :) When u cook Basella/ Saag, u can make chapatis of the leftovers next morning :) Just yumm!! Do try! They r really easy to make. Here goes the recipe:

Boiled Rice with Gram Lentil

I love to have boiled rice with Gram lentil (Chanay ki daal), Kebabs (Shami kebab) & Ice berg Salad <3 Do try frnds!! It tastes extremely delicious!! A perfect meal!! Love..Click on the links above to see the detailed recipes of every ingredient shown in pic :) Enjoy! :)

Linking this entry to Rice Up with Sweet or Spices,Cooking with Seeds (Rice) Event n Priya’s Versatile Recipes:

Thanku for stopping by! Hope u enjoy this recipe :)

Iceberg Salad

Salad is a most popular, ready to eat side dish made of several ingredients. It is mostly served chilled or at room temperature. It has so many nutrients essential for our body like iron, proteins, minerals, vitamins, fibers. Most raw vegetables are really good for health. Because cooking destroys the real vitamins in them. It is one of the favorite dish for weight watchers!! Guess what?? A simple 1 cup green salad has ONLY 16 calories.. Oh my myyyy!!! Dieting is sooo easy with salads!! Yuppie ;) I love to have this refreshing salad, when I get weight conscious : ( Eating raw vegetables makes me feel very energetic. Mostly salads are made of raw vegetables but fruits & cooked things can also be used. Some salads are served with dressing & sauce. They can be served at any point during meal. Salad are of many types. Here is a easy to make, healthy, nutritious green salad. Iceberg Salad... This nutritious salad will not stay long in ur bowl :P Best served with rice!! Olives give them an unforgettable flavor!! Here is its simple quick recipe :)

Chick peas 2 (Chana Chaat)

Before I have discussed a recipe of simple chick pea chaat.. without the use of any oil. Here is a bit different recipe :) Chick peas are high in protein and fiber. This chaat is mostly cooked in Ramadan in Pak and mostly I love to have it with Daahi Baray.. In this recipe, masala has been made first and then the chick peas are mixed.. slurrrppp :P Lets move on to the recipe:

Ingredients: 

Chickpeas (sufaid chanay)             1 cup boiled

Boiled potatoes                                2

Oil                                                    1 wooden spoon (doi)

Onions                                              1 big (sliced)

Tomato                                             1 (chopped)

Green Chili                                        2 (chopped)

Red Chili powder                              1 tsp.           

Turmeric Powder                              1/4 tsp.

Black Pepper                                    ½ tsp.

Garam Masala                                  1/2 tsp.

Chaat masala                                   1 tsp

Red Chili Flakes                               1/2 tsp

Garlic Paste                                      1/2 tsp.

Ginger Paste                                     1/2 tsp.

Salt                                                    1 tsp.

Cumin Powder (Zeera)                     1 tsp.

Coriander Powder                             1 tsp.

Coriander Leaves (dhanyia)              Few

Maythi (Fenugreek) Seeds                Few        
Lemon Juice                                     1 tsp.
Vinegar                                              Few drops (optional)

Procedure:

Heat oil, and add the fenugreek seeds, followed by the chopped onions. Fry until onions are golden brown. Then add garlic and ginger paste, green chilies and the chopped tomatoes, followed by all other spices and chickpeas. Mix cubed boiled potatoes in it. Fry this for few minutes.

Then add  vinegar. Keep the lid covered for 10-15 minutes on medium heat. Add lemon juice. Garnish with garam masala and chopped coriander leaves. And chana chaat is ready! I mostly Serve them with gram flour fritters -  dahi baray :)

Thanku for stopping by! Hope u enjoy this recipe :)

How to make a Perfect Pizza

Pizza is an oven baked, flat. mostly round bread typically topped with tomato or chili sauce, cheese and various other toppings. Originating from Italy pizza has become extremely popular in almost all corners of the world. Many varieties of pizza exist worldwide, along with several variants based upon pizza.

Chicken bread

While visiting a bakery, I used to wonder looking at the chicken bread, that how could these braided, beautiful, shiny & fluffy chicken breads have been made. Chicken bread is a bakery item and it can be baked at home easily :) No need to run to an expensive bakery for it. Guess what even first try was PERFECT!! =) I made it with my sis in law :) Most of the baking items on my blog are my adventures which I have done with her lol :P

Chicken bread is basically a chicken braided & stuffed bread. Best to be served as a snack for evening tea. It basically has two steps. Making the dough for the bread & its filling. Best to be filled with chicken. But filling can be varied acc to ur taste. Brushing egg white on the braided chicken bread loaf gives it a shinny inviting look & can be topped with sesame seeds. (I didn't have it lol ). Recipe adapted from Nim's Kitchen.

Here is its easy recipe :)

Vegetable Fritters (Sabzi k pakoray)

Gram flour recipes are very popular in Asian countries. Origin is althu Utar pardesh. I have noticed people from some countries don't know about gram flour. It is a flour which is made from ground chick peas :) 

Pakora is basically a mixture of some vegetables mixed in gram flour (Baysin in urdu) and deeply fried. Mostly I love to have it on a rainy day ofcourse with tea <3

Before I have introduced u to simple Pakoras and simple Onion Fritters. In this variety I have added some veggies for more taste :) <3 Hope u will enjoy!!

Lets move on to the recipe:

Ingredients:

Onion                                                 3-4 sliced finely
Potatoes                                             3-4 (peeled, chopped into cubes)
Cauliflower                                         6-7 florets chopped
Spinach leaves                                    Few Chopped
Black pepper                                      1/2 tsp.
Salt                                                     1 tsp.
Red chili powder                                2 tsp.
Green Chili                                         1 chopped finely
Garlic Paste                                         1/2 tsp.
Coriander Leaves                                A bunch, Chopped
Cumin powder                                    2 tsp.

Coriander seeds (dhanyia)                   2 tsp.
Tomato                                               Optional, chopped
Fenugreek Leaves (Maythi leaves)       Few
Spinach Leaves                                   Few
Pomegranate seeds (Anaar Dana)        1 tsp.
Red chili flakes                                    1/2 tsp.
Gram flour (Baysan)                             8-9 tbsp.
Water                                                  1/2 cup

Oil                                                       For frying 

Procedure:

First of all, Cut slices of onion & potatoes. Chop florets of cauliflower. Chop spinach leaves.

Mix all of the above ingredients and add water gradually to make a semi thick paste. Maker sure it shud not be too thin or too thick.

Heat oil on medium heat and pour a small scoop of mixture into the oil with hand or a tablespoon. Make 5-8 balls in the pan and let them turn into golden brown.

Stir & turn them around gradually and take them out when they turn golden brown.

Make sure oil is not too hot, otherwise potatoes will remain raw.

Drain on tissue or a paper and serve hot with any chutney/ ketchup <3 :)

Thanku for stopping by! Hope u enjoy this recipe :)

Radish Filled Chapati (Mooli ka paratha)

Nutritionists say breakfast should be the heaviest meal of the day, giving u a boost of energy at the very start of a day. If u wanna follow these nutritionists “Paratha” is the best thing to have in the morning.  Fried Chapatis or flat bread called Paratha in urdu, is an important part of traditional South Asian breakfast. It can be made of wheat flour / white flour or mixture of both. You can have it with any side dish u want, or with simple omelette, tea/ Pickle. So if u want any change from normal routine try this!! :) Traditionally it is made from ghee, but oil can also be used. 

I have introduced u to different varieties of it like Mustard Curry/Saag filled Chapati, Egg Paratha, Sweet Paratha & Potatoes filled chapati . Here is another variation to the delicious breakfast delicacy. "Radish flat-bread" or mooli k parathay in urdu/hindi :) they are really easy to make. Radish is a white colored vegetable, similar in shape to carrot & is really healthy & nutritious! Here goes the recipe:

Spaghetti

Spaghetti is a long, cylindrical pasta of Italian & Sicilian origin. It is made of semolina or flour & water. A variety of Pasta dishes are based on it. Every one has its own way of preparation. They are used in variety of dishes. It is also used in milk pudding. Everyone has its own way of cooking pasta and so is mine... This recipe is just soo perfect and delicious. It has been cooked with traditional spices. The boiled spaghetti is tossed with chicken, some veggies and yummy spices. And most ingredient is ketchup... woo... A true fusion of Italian pasta tossed with traditional Paki spices..  Hope u will like it this way too!! :) Here is the recipe :)

Ingredients:

Boneless Chicken                             5-6 pc. (boiled, shred)

Carrot                                                1 (chopped finely)

Spaghetti                                           1/2 packet (boiled in little salty water)

Peas                                                  1/2 cup (boiled)

Cabbage                                            1 small sized (chopped)

Tomato                                               1 medium sized (Diced)
Potatoes                                             1 medium sized (boiled,peeled
                                                           and chopped)
Capsicum                                           1 small (chopped)
Corns                                                 1/2 cup boiled (optional)            

Black Pepper                                     1/2 tsp.

Salt                                                     2 Pinches

Ketchup                                              5-6 tbsp. or to ur taste

Onion                                                  1 big (sliced)

Green chili                                           2

Garlic Ginger paste                             1 tsp.

Soya and Chili sauce                          Optional

Oil                                                        2-3 tbsp.

Procedure:

First of all boil spaghetti, chicken, peas, corns, carrot and potatoes and set aside.

Next heat the oil and fry the sliced onions until they loose their strength. DON'T turn them golden brown. Then add garlic and ginger paste, chopped cabbage, capsicum, green chili and fry for few more minutes or until they start losing their strength. Then add boiled chicken, peas, carrot and corns and fry. Add salt and black pepper. Then add ketchup, sauces, boiled potatoes and spaghetti and toss them and then cover the pan's lid on low heat for 10-15 minutes. And u r doneee!! They taste extremely yummacious!! Enjoy! :)

P.S. u can add chicken mince instead of boneless one. It also tastes great!

Thanku for stopping by! Hope u enjoy this recipe :)

Spicy Beef / Mutton Pilau (Palao)

Rice is one of the most well-liked foods eaten by the majority of us. It is also a noteworthy staple dish that is widely consumed in Asia. It is extremely nourishing food and an essential healthy diet that contains more than 15 vitamins & minerals. It has been likely that world's half population live entirely or partly on rice, where 90% of the world's yield is developed & used in Asia. It can be used to cook both as Savory & Sweet.