GB'S First Birthday Bakes

I baked my first birthday cake for my dear nephew on his 2nd birthday:):) This Butterscotch cake with whipped cream and butterscotch crush did come out decently well despite being my maiden attempt!!!! He loved every bite..!!! This is the first birthday cake from the house of Griha Bhojanam.

Baked an Egg less chocolate cake with whipped cream frosting and icing for my dearest buddy and it had turned out really well... Though am just a beginner in baking... I wanted to go few extra steps  to make something special for my dear friend!!!! For the first time tried icing and it turned out really well and liked by all:):) I know I still have a long way to go and this is the first addition to the list.The second birthday cake from the house of Griha Bhojanam.

Restaurant Series #1

How did the restaurant series come into existence???

Well,we have a dining table in our house which was used as a multi purpose table, for keeping pen stand,books etc.It was used for all other purposes except dining :P.I had received a dinner set as my wedding gift which was sleeping in the loft.My best buddy had gifted me dining mats from US as one of my wedding gifts. Only then an idea struck me,why not make use of these and host a dinner in restaurant style.This was the first restaurant style dinner launched by Griha Bhojanam. I had cooked soup,starter,main course and dessert in order to treat my sister-in-law and family at restaurant standards.The most special thing was I baked walnut brownie for dessert and it turned out so well!! I was very happy that I was able to accomplish this successfully with my husband helping me with setting up the table and lights.My mom in law lent her share of help in cleaning etc.Treating your family and friends with your cooking at your own home is indeed a great pleasure,happiness and great satisfaction. :) 

You can achieve this with simple utensils that are available at your home and yet bring about a great atmosphere and restaurant feel.Not necessary that you have to buy specially. 

Clean up your loft and you might find something interesting which has been sleeping for years. Make use of them to host your dinner or lunch at restaurant standards at your own home. :):)

Menu

1. Cream of French Onion 
2. Baby Corn 65
3. Phulka
4. Bhindi Do Pyaaz
5. Veg. Pulao
6. Walnut Brownie with Ice Cream

Restaurant Series #2

Hosted a dinner party specially for my brothers.Cooked for them for the very first time in my life:P  I wanted to make something special and different for the dessert.Then came the idea of Bovonto with Ice Cream.This menu is available at "Peaches" Restaurant in Velachery. I decided why not try this at home and serve as dessert.I am sure they were surprised.

Menu

1. Cream of almond and brocolli
2. Gobi65
3. Corn and Capsicum Penne Pasta in White Sauce
4. Veg.Pulao
5. Curd Rice
6. Bovonto wid Icecream

Bovonto with Ice Cream

How about combining your favorite aerated drink topped with a scoop of Ice Cream?? Indeed Interesting na?? I once saw this in the menu card of a restaurant called PEACHES at Velachery. Found it really intresting. Wanted to try this immediately. This is something definitely worth trying and sipping. 

serves: 2 Glasses

Ingredients

1. Bovonto-500 ml
2. Vanilla Ice Cream-1/4 Cup
3. Vanilla Extract-1 tsp
4. Ice Cream-1 scoop (Any flavor,preferably grape or vanilla)

Method

1. In a mixer,blend the Bovonto,Vanilla Ice cream and Vanilla Extract.

2. Top it with a scoop of ice cream and serve chilled.

Notes,Tips & Add-On's

1. Since Bovonto contains soda,the moment you add ice cream it may rise.Hence,fill half glass of bovonto and top it with an ice cream scoop.
2. You can add Ice cream topping just before serving.

Gobi 65

I am very sure there can't be a single person who would hate this dish. Everybody loves Gobi 65 and this is one of the most famous starters in any of the vegetarian restaurants.This is a very simple and easy to make dish,especially when you have large number of guests coming and you are just left with no time.I had prepared this when my friends had come over for Lunch. Here goes the recipe for this sizzling Gobi 65.

Serves: 2

Ingredients

1. Cauliflower (small/medium size) -1 (Cut into small florets)
2. All purpose flour /Maida-1/4 cup
3. Cornflour-1/4 cup
4. Kesari/saffron powder/any red food color-A pinch (Optional)
5. Pepper Powder - 2 tsp
6. Red Chili Powder - 2 tsp
7. Salt to taste
8. Water as needed

Method

1. Take a bowl of water,add 1/2 tsp of turmeric and 1 tsp of salt to it.

2. Chop the Cauliflower into small florets.Soak the chopped florets in above water for 15 mins.

3. After soaking for 15mins, strain the florets and once again wash the florets in running water.This is a mandatory cleaning process for cauliflower to remove germs and worms.

4. In a large bowl,mix all the ingredients listed under ingredients(except cauliflower) to form a thick batter. Adjust the batter consistency by adding little water. It should be of thick pouring consistency.

5. Pat dry the florets.Dip the florets into the batter.Make sure the florets are completely covered with the batter. 

6. Marinade the contents in refrigerator for 1 hour.

7. Deep fry them in hot oil till it becomes golden brown. 

8. Garnish with spring onions and server hot :)

Notes,Tips & Add-On's

1. While deep frying the florets, ensure the oil is at the right temperature and perfectly hot.If the oil is not hot, the florets will draw in more oil and it will become soggy.At the same time, too much heat can cause the florets to burn.
2. After marinating the cauliflower with batter nicely, refrigerate it for half to 1 hour.This makes the cauliflower much crispier while deep frying.
3. I have used kesari/Saffron powder as food color to give a nice orange red shade.However,you can omit this if you don't have one.
4. Marinating in fridge helps the flavors to be absorbed well by the gobi, and also results in crisp Gobi.

Cream of almond and Broccoli

I once had this cream of broccoli and almond soup in one of the Veg Fine Dining restaurants in Chennai. I simply loved it!!! However, this is not a very frequent menu which you can find in most of the restaurants.I was craving to have this soup and hence made it at home one day.Trust me, It came out really well :)!!!. This is one soup which is not only delicious and creamy,but also combines the goodness of broccoli and almonds.Here goes the recipe for the delicious,creamy and nutritious soup :)

serves:4-5 bowls

Ingredients

1. Onion-2 medium sized(cut lengthwise) 
2. Broccoli-1 medium size (cut into florets) 
3. Almonds- 7-8 (Blanched)
4. Butter -1 tbsp 
5. Garlic - 4 pods
6. Salt to taste 
7. Fresh Cream - 2 tbsp (Optional)
8. Water - 2 cups

Seasoning

• Black Pepper Powder to taste
• Almonds-3-4 crushed into small pieces

Method

1. Heat butter in a pressure pan. On a low flame,saute onions ,garlic and broccoli until onions become transparent.

2. Next,add water to the pan and pressure cook for 3 whistles and switch off the flame.

3. After the contents are cooled, grind the cooked broccoli+onion,almonds together in a mixer at a high speed.

4. Heat the above ground mixture in a pan on a low flame. Adjust adding water depending on the consistency required. Do not add too much water that it starts to become watery and thin.

5. Add some fresh cream to give rich and creamy texture to the soup.

6. Add salt and pepper and continuously stir.

7. Serve this healthy soup hot seasoned with crushed almond pieces :).

Notes,Tips & Add-On's

1. You can saute in Olive oil if in case you want to avoid butter to make it a more healthier and vegan option by avoiding fresh cream.

Chole/Channa Masala

Chole or Channa Masala is a dish which I liked since childhood.I am sure everyone gets reminded of the moment we talk about Chole or Channa Masala.This can also be used as a side dish for chappathi and poori.This is one of Kid's most favorite recipe.Let's see how this can be made in a more simple and healthy way.

serves:2

Ingredients

1. Channa/Chickpeas - 1 cup 
2. Garam Masala/Chole Masala powder - 3 tsp
3. Onion - 2 Medium sized(chopped) 
4. Tomatoes - 2(chopped) 
5. Cumin seeds/jeera - 2 tsp 
6. Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp 
7. Green Chilies - 2 (slit lengthwise) 
8. Turmeric - 1 tsp 
9. Coriander Powder - 2 tsp 
10. Red Chili Powder-2 tsp
11. Coriander leaves - handful 
12. Oil - 3 tbsp 
13. Salt to taste

                                  

Method

 1. Soak channa /chole in water overnight on the previous day of cooking.

2. Pressure cook chole with water for 4 whistles. 

3. Strain the chole and keep it aside.

4. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds.Once cumin seeds crackle,add onions and green chilies.

5. Saute onions till they become transparent.

6. Now add tomatoes ,ginger garlic paste and saute well.Allow the tomatoes to be cooked well.

7. Now,add the boiled chole, masala powder,salt,turmeric and red chili powder.

8. Mix the channa gently without smashing it. Ensure the channa is fully covered and mixed with the masala gravy.

9. Add water depending on the consistency required.

10. Cook on low flame for 7 mins.

11. Serve the channa/chole hot seasoned with coriander leaves.

Notes,Tips & Add-On's

1. You can grind the tomatoes and green chili to a puree and use it as well.
2. Adding 1/4 tsp cooking soda to chole while pressure cooking will soften the chole easily.
3. Make sure you don't add too much water that the masala taste goes off.
4. You can squeeze a tsp of lemon juice to the chole masala while serving.