SIMMY'S SPICES & FLAVOURS

Those that enjoy coffee will love the delicious flavor of mocha cake. This is a very moist and rich cake that gets a lot of its flavor from cocoa powder and instant coffee. If you want to up the coffee flavor you can add more than 1 tablespoon of instant coffee powder. You could try 2 or 3 tablespoons. After the cake is baked, it is then topped with a mocha frosting. The mocha frosting adds even more coffee flavor to this amazing cake. If you are looking for a very moist and delicious cake, give this one a try. Enjoy. INGREDIENTS:- All-purpose flour-2 cups Sugar-2 cups Unsweetened cocoa powder-2/3 cup Vegetable oil-1/2 cup Eggs-3 Yogurt-1/2 cup Baking powder-1 tsp Baking soda-2 tsp Instant coffee powder- Hot water-1 cup Salt-1/2 tsp MOCHA FROSTING:- Heavy Cream-500 ml Sugar-1/4 cup Vanilla-1 tsp Cocoa powder-1/2 cup Very finely ground coffee beans-1 tbsp (or instant coffee granules) METHOD:- 1-Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees and grease 2 (9 inch) ...

INGREDIENTS:- Pineapple pieces-2 cups Milk-1/2 cup Sugar-2 tbsp(as per ur taste) Ice cream-1 scoop(optional) Vanilla extract-1/2 tsp(optional) Ice cubes Handful cherries and pineapple pcs for garnish METHOD:- 1-In a blender place all ingredients and blend all until smooth. 2-Pour the smoothie in a glass and you can put pineapple pcs on the edge of the glass. 3-Garnish ice cubes and cherries.Serve immediately.

Gajar Halwa[Gajar Ka Halwa] is a sweet dessert pudding associated mainly with the state of Punjab in India & Pakistan.It is made by placing grated carrot in a jar containing a specific amount of water, milk and sugar and then cooked, stirring regularly. It is often served with a garnish of almonds and pistachios.The nuts and other items used are first sauteed in ghee, a South Asian clarified butter. INGREDIENTS:- Carrots-2 cups Milk-2 cups Sugar-1.4 cup Cardamom powder-1/2 tsp Ghee-2 tbsp Handful of cashew nuts and raisins METHOD:- 1-Clean, peel and grate the carrots.Keep them aside. 2-In sauce-pan boil the milk until it is reduce to half.Keep it aside. 3-In a pan heat 2 tsp ghee,add cashew nuts and raisins,fry for 30 seconds and keep aside. 4-In the same pan heat remaining ghee,add grated carrots and saute for 5 minutes. 5-Then add sugar and fry until all the water evaporates. 6-Then add milk and cook until the milk dries.It takes 8-10 minutes 7-Then add ...

INGREDIENTS:- Pineapple-2 cups(cut into chunks) Jaggery or sugar-1/4 cup Turmeric powder-a pinch Punch-phutana seeds-1 tsp Handful of raisins Red chilies-2 Curry leaves-5-6 Oil-1 tsp Salt to taste METHOD:- 1-Heat oil in a pan,add panch phutan,when they splutter,add the curry leaves,raisins and the red chilies.Fry for few seconds and add the pineapple pieces and salt. 2-Cover and cook until the pineapples are soft.Add the sugar and mix well.Let it caramelize and then add about 1/2 cup water. 3-Let the pineapples mix well with the sugar.Taste and see if you need to add any sugar.Add extra water if you like a thinner consistency. 4-Pineapple  khata is now ready.Serve hot or cold as your wish.You can store in fridge also.

INGREDIENTS:- Chicken-750 gms Chopped Onion-2 Ginger-Garlic Paste-1 tbsp Whole garam masala-1/2 tbsp Cumin seeds-2 tsp Dry Red chili-2 Garam masala Powder-1/2 tsp Cumin Powder-1/2 tsp Red Chili Powder-1 tsp Coriander Powder-2 tsp Turmeric Powder-1/4 tsp Dry fenugreek leaves-2 tsp Cashew Paste-1/4 Cup Green chili-2(cut vertically) Oil-5 tbsp Salt to taste Cilantro-3 tbsp chopped [For garnishing] FOR MARINATE: Red Chili Powder-1 tbsp Coriander powder-1 tsp Ginger-Garlic Paste-1 tbsp Garam masala powder-1/2 tsp Yogurt-4 tbsp Lemon Juice-2 tbsp Oil-1 tsp Salt-2 tsp METHOD:- 1-Clean,wash chicken pieces and add all the marination ingredients and let it marinate for 2 hours in the refrigerator. 2-In a pan,heat 4 tsp oil,add onion and saute over medium heat until brown.Remove onions and cool.Transfer to a blender,Make a fine paste. 3-Heat remaining oil,add all whole garam masala,red chilies,fried onion paste and ginger-garlic paste.Saute till oil separ...

INGREDIENTS:- FOR RASGULLAS: Whole milk-2 cups Lemon juice-3 tbsp Water-2 cups Sugar-1/2 cup FOR RABDI: Whole milk-6 cups Sugar-6 tbsp(as per ur taste) Cardamom Powder-1 tsp Saffron-few strands for garnishing(optional) Chopped Pistachios-10(optional) Sliced Almonds-5(optional) METHOD:- 1-Pour the milk into heavy bottomed pan and bring it boil on medium flame.Stir continuously to avoid the burning of the milk at the bottom. 2-When the milk comes to boil,lower the flame and slowly add the lemon juice into the milk.Stir gently.When the milk starting curdling,turn off the flame. 3-Drain the cheese from the whey using the cheese cloth(muslin cloth).Rinse the cheese that is collected into the cloth using the cold water,to take out the taste of lemon from the cheese. 4-Now squeeze out all the water from the cheese and press it under any heavy weight to remove any remaining water from the cheese at least for 1 hour. 5-Then take out all the chee...

 This is a famous,delicious and lip smacking Pitha made in Odisha.Poda means burnt and Pitha is one type of cake.Mostly made during the festival called Rajo which is celebrated for girls.So let's start.... INGREDIENTS:- FOR DOUGH: Rice-2 cup Milk-4 cups Sugar-2 tbsp(as per taste) Ghee-4 tbsp Sliced coconut-2 tbsp Cashew nuts-2 tbsp Raisins-2 tbsp Cardamom powder-1/4 tsp Black pepper powder-1/4 tsp Salt to taste FOR COCONUT STUFFING: Grated coconut-1&1/2 cups Sugar-4 tbsp(as per ur taste) Cardamom powder-1/4 tsp METHOD:- 1-Soak the rice for 1 hours,then wash and drain all the water completely and then spread the raw rice in a soft towel and allow it to dry completely. 2-Then heat a pan and dry roast the dried rice(this is to ensure that the moisture is completely gone).Grind it to a fine powder in a mixer and keep it aside. 3-In a pan heat 1 tbsp ghee,fry sliced coconut,cashew nuts and raisins till the nuts turns little golden brown.Remove fro...

INGREDIENTS:- Mangoes-2(cut into big cubes) Jaggery or sugar-4 tbsp Turmeric powder-a pinch Punch-phutana seeds-1 tsp Red chilies-2 Curry leaves-5-6 Oil-1 tsp Salt to taste METHOD:- 1-Heat oil in a pan,add panch phutan,when they splutter,add the curry leaves and the red chilies.Fry for few seconds and add the mango pieces and salt. 2-Cover and cook until the mangoes are soft.Add the sugar and mix well.Let it caramelize and then add about 1/2 cup water. 3-Let the mangoes mix well with the sugar.Taste and see if you need to add any sugar.Add extra water if you like a thinner consistency. 4-Mango chutney(amba khata)is now ready.Serve hot or cold as your wish.You can store in fridge also.

INGREDIENTS:- Basmati Rice-2 cups Water-4 cups Bay Leaf-1 small Cinnamon Stick-1 inch Green cardamom-2 Cumin Seeds-1 tbsp Curry leaves-4(optional) Ghee/butter-1 tbsp Salt as per taste METHOD:- 1-Wash and soak the rice for 10-15 min. (Remove water before cooking) 2-Heat ghee in a pressure coker on medium heat.Add cinnamon stick,cardamom and bay leaf,stir for a min. 3-Add cumin seeds and curry leaves,stir till they crackle.Add rice,mix well and fry for a min.stiring continuously. 4-Add Water and salt.Close the lid and pressure cook the rice till 2 whistles on medium heat. 5-Open the lid when cooker get cool down.Mix the rice slowly.Your Jeera Rice is ready to serve.Enjoy it with curry or dal.

Aloo tikki is a North Indian snack made of boiled potatoes and various spices. "Aloo" means potato, and the word "tikki" means a small cutlet or croquette. It is found in almost every chaat shop or stall in Delhi as well as in other parts of India. It is served hot along with tamarind and coriander-mint chutney, known as Hari chutney, and sometimes yogurt or chick peas INGREDIENTS:- FOR TIKKI: Boiled Potatoes–3 large(peeled) Boiled Green peas-1/2 cup(optional) Chopped cilantro-1 tbsp Chili powder-1/2 tsp Roasted cumin powder-1 tsp Ginger-garlic paste-1 tsp Chopped Green chili-2 Bread crumbs-3 tbsp Cornflour-1 tbsp Salt as per taste Hot cooking oil-2 tbsp Oil for shallow frying or cooking spray FOR ASSEMBLY: Tamarind chutney-1/2 cup (see ingredients and recipe here) Green chutney-1/2 cup (see ingredients and recipe here) Tomato ketchup-2 tbsp(optional) Sweet yogurt-1/2 cup(mix 2 tsp sugar,a pinch of salt and 2-3 tbsp of water in a thic...

CHUM CHUM is a traditional Bengali  sweets which is popular in India,Pakistan and Bangladesh.It comes in a variety of colours ,mainly light pink, light yellow and white.It is also coated with malai or cream.I made 2 types of chum-chums.First one is with stuffing and second one is without stuffing. INGREDIENTS:- Full fat milk-1 liter Lemon juice-2-3 tbsp All purpose flour or semolina-1 tbsp Sugar-2 cups Water-5 cups FOR STUFFING :- Heavy cream-1/2 cup Grated Mawa(Khoya) or mawa powder or milk powder -1/4 cup Condensed milk-2 tbsp Kewra essence-2-3 drops Cardamom powder-2 tsp Sugar-2 tsp Cherry for garnishing(you can also use saffron stand,grated khoya,grated coconut or nuts) METHOD:- 1-Boil milk in a heavy bottomed pan over medium flame.Once it come to boil,add lemon juice and mix slowly. 2-When paneer will start separating from whey(paneer water),Line a colander with cheese or muslin cloth. Pour the cheese in it 3-Wash this under r...

INGREDIENTS:- Cream of celery soup -1 can(10.75 ounce) Cream of Potato Soup -1 can(10.75 ounce) White Crab meat -1 can(6 ounce) Heavy Whipped cream-1 cup(8 ounce) Chopped garlic-4 Crushed oregano leaves -2 pinch Crushed parsley leaves -2 pinch Black pepper-1/4 tsp Butter-2 tbsp Grated Cheese-2 tbsp Salt to taste METHOD:- 1-Heat butter in a saucepan,add chopped garlic and saute for 20-30 secs. 2-Then add cream of salary soup,cream of potato soup,white crab meat,heavy whipped cream and salt. 3-Mix properly,close it with a lid and cook in slow heat about 2 hour. 4-Then at last add crushed oregano leaves,crushed parsley leaves and black pepper powder. 5-Mix well and cook for 3-4 mins.Now your cream of crab soup is ready. 6-Garnish with some grated cheese and serve hot.

Tomato rice is that dish which you can make it if you have leftover plain rice handy and simply want to cook something different and quickly. You can make this rice in less than 10 minutes INGREDIENTS:- Leftover steamed/cooked rice-2 cups Chopped onion-1 medium Chopped tomato-2 medium Chopped green chili-2 Chopped garlic-1/2 tbsp Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp Red chili powder-1/2 tsp(or to taste) Coriander powder-1/2 tsp Cumin powder-1/2 tsp Garam masala powder-1/2 tsp Dry red chili-2 Cumin seeds-1 tsp Curry leaves-5-6 Oil-4 tsp Sugar-2 pinch Salt to taste METHOD:- 1-In a pan heat oil,sputter cumin seeds,dry red chili and curry leaves. 2-Add chopped ginger and chopped onion and saute for 25 secs. 3-Then add green chili and tomato and fry till tomatoes gets mashed up. 4-Add salt,turmeric,coriander,red chili and garam masala powders and mix well. 5-Then add steamed/cooked rice and toss well.Add slight sugar on top and Stir constantly. 6-Cook for 2-3 mins,then ...