Chocolate Semolina Cake

My sister inspired me make this cake. I did not even think it is possible to substitute all purpose flour for semolina. So it was fun and challenging to make this Chocolate Semolina Cake.

Ingredients:

1. Semolina - 7 oz
2. Sugar - 3.5 oz 
3. Cocoa Powder - 1 oz Unsweetened 
4. Yogurt - 2.5 oz
5. Vegetable Oil - 2.5 oz
6. Milk - 3.5 oz
7. Baking Powder - 1/2 tsp 
8. Baking Soda - 1/2 tsp 
9. Salt - 1/2 tsp 

Method:

1. Roast semolina to dark color and let it cool down completely. If you have time, roast it a day ahead.

      2. Mix in all dry ingredients in cake mixer bowl or large bowl if used hand mixer or whisk.

  3. Except milk add all wet ingredients. Whisk it well or mix it at setting 2 for 2 min twice with a gap          of 2-3 min in between. Start adding milk but add it a little bit at a time. The batter should be easy to        pour but not runny at all. Let the batter sit for 10-15 min. 

   4. Preheat the oven at 350 degree Fahrenheit. Pour the batter in greased 9 inch round pan. Bake it for        25 min. Use the toothpick and insert it in the center to check if its cooked thoroughly. It should               come clean but if not, let the cake bake for 2 min. It is spongiest cake I have baked and of course           devour. 

Pav Bhaji

 Pav Bhaji is a street food popular in most of the states in India. Star of the recipe is yellow potato. It seems long process to make this Bhaji but trust me it is rewarding. 

Ingredients:

1. Yellow Potato - 4-5 Large Size

2. Onion - 1 Medium

3. Tomato - 4-5 Medium 

4. Green Bell Pepper - 1/2 Medium 

5. Peas - 1/2 Cup

6. Garlic - 5-6 Cloves 

7. Ginger - 3/4 Inches 

8. Lemon - 1

9. Cilantro - 1 Cup chopped 

10. Mumbai Pav Bhaji Masala - 3-4 TBSP

11. Turmeric Powder - 1 TSP 

12. Red Chili Powder - 2 TBSP

13. Butter - 1 TBSP

14. Cumin Seeds - 1 TBSP 

15. Salt - As per taste

16. While Red Chili - 1

17 Green Chili - 2

Method:

1. Boil potato with a pinch of salt and turmeric powder. And mash those.

2. Heat the thick bottom pan. Add Butter, let me melt then add red chili, green chili and cumin seeds. Gently stir until cumin seeds splutter.

3. Add chopped onion and mix well. Let those cook to an translucent color. It will take about 5 min.

4. Add chopped garlic and ginger. Mix well and cook for a min.

5. Now add chopped green bell pepper and let those cook for 3-4 min until soften.

6. Add green peas. If you are using frozen peas, boil those in a microwave for 2 min and then add to  the mix. Gentle stir all veggies until peas are cooked. As veggies cook, mash those. 

7. Add chopped tomato and half cup of water.

8. Let the mixture cook for 5-7 min then add all spices and lemon juice.

9. Now add all mashed potato while mashing other veggies as all mixture cooks for another 3-4 min.

10. While all veggies are being cooked, chop condiments - red onion, tomato, cilantro and lemon.

11. Once Bhaji is ready, toast the bun with butter and a pinch of red chili powder. Serve hot with condiments. If concerned of white bun, use whole wheat hamburger bun or hot dog bun.

Spicy Jalapeño and Cilantro Hummus

Hummus is Middle Eastern delicious dip for chips, pita, falafel and veggies like celery, bell peppers. Recently we got this flavor of spicy Jalapeño and Cilantro hummus from market and absolutely loved it. I tried to make it at home as all ingredients are handy and being in shelter-in-place it is making sense to eat as much homemade as possible.  And there is an optional ingredients I added that is nothing but healthy. So it’s not only tasty but health too. Here is a simple recipe to be ready in less than 10 min.

Ingredients:
1. Garbanzo Beans - 2 Cans, 15 oz and liquid reserve from 1 Can or 1.5 Cups of dry beans
2. Sesame Seeds - 1/4 Cup
3. Garlic - 1 Cloves
4. Cumin Seeds - 1 TSP
5. Lemon Juice - almost 1/4 Cup, Juice from one lemon
6. Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 1 TBSP

7. Jalapeño - 1

8. Cilantro - Handful

9. Spinach - Handful
10.Salt - 1 TSP or as per taste

Method:

1. If you are using dry garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas, soak them overnight. Pressure cook them in pressure cooker for 3 whistles. You can use instant pot; pressure cooker setting for 13 min. If you haven’t soaked the beans overnight, on instant pot, use pressure cooker setting for 17 min. Or use can. 

Or

2. For spicy hummus, use 1 jalapeño but depending on your likings for hot snack, you can use half of it. Using spinach is optional, I prefer adding it as it’s healthy. Jalapeño and cilantro flavors takes over to easy to hide in to reap health benefits. Place all the ingredients in a blender. Blend it until you get a smooth textured hummus. Store it in a  air tight container. It will stay good for a week or so.

3. Enjoy with chips.