Popular Recipes

Monday, September 4, 2017

"Rasmalai Cake" - An Indian version of the Mexican 'Tres Leches' cake


The newest trend in the world of cakes are the fusion cakes, where they combine best flavors from two or more cuisines to create one of a kind masterpiece. The one I tasted recently was the 'Gulab Jamun Cheese cake' at an popular Indian restaurant in Nashville,TN at the famous Chefs restaurant- Chauhan Ale and Masala house.Another beautiful cake was baked by a contestant at the cooking competition here for the Ganesh festival.The cake was called 'Gajar Halwa' cake- White moist cake with layers of gajar halwa and whipped cream made it delectable! She won the first prize:)


A friend had send a picture of the new popular cake in Pune- "The Rasmalai cake". Since then, I wanted to try my take on this cake and  we had the perfect occasion on this weekend that deserved a special cake! A 70th birthday party!

Here is my version of the Rasmalai Cake which is a spin on the Mexican 'Tres Leches' cake.


Ingredients:
Step 1: Plain Sponge Cake 
*You can prepare the base Sponge cake from scratch with this recipe. Instead of vanilla, add 1/2 tsp cardamom powder 

OR For Easy version- Use Cake Mix 
1 eggless cake baked in a glass tray (I used Pillsbury white cake mix to bake the cake. Prepared the cake as per instructions, but substituted eggs with ¼ cup Greek yogurt)


Step 2: For Malai/ basundi 3 milk soak
1.5 cups evaporated milk
0.5 cups condensed milk
0.5 cup whole milk
0.5 tsp cardamom powder
¼ tsp nutmeg powder
(For more sweeter taste add more sugar/condensed milk. But remember the cake itself will be sweet too!)

Step 3: Saffron whipped cream:
1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
4 tsp powdered sugar
1 tsp saffron

Garnishing
8 Rasagullas (I used store bought)
Few drops of yellow coloring (optional)
Chopped pistachios and almonds for garnish
Saffron for garnish

Method:
1) Prepare cake as per box instructions. Use Greek yogurt to substitute the eggs. Let the cake cool completely.
2) Prepare the malai/basundi by boiling the evaporated milk, condensed milk and whole milk along with cardamom and nutmeg powder. Let it cool completely.
3) Pour the Basundi over the cooled cake.Let it soak overnight in the refrigerator.



4) Whip the cold heavy whipping cream with a electric mixer with the powdered sugar and 4 tsp milk with saffron strands.If the color is not yellow enough, add few drops of yellow food color. Beat till stiff peaks appear

5) Pipe the saffron whipped cream on the milk soaked cake in desired patterns. Garnish with half sliced rasagullas, chopped nuts and saffron.

6) Chill in the refrigerator for few hours. Serve chilled.


Enjoy the delectable moist cake with luscious whipped cream and warm and delicate Indian flavors of cardamon, nutmeg and saffron!


Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Chili-Garlic Chicken

Image may contain: food


Nothing recharges you better after a hectic day, than homemade food especially when it is such super tasty and spicy...'Chili Garlic Chicken' 

Image may contain: food and indoor



Recipe:
Marinate boneless chicken with salt, black pepper, red chili powder and some garam masala powder. Keep for 30 mins. 
Sauté on some oil - thinly sliced onions, green peppers, green chilies, lots of finely chopped garlic and ginger. Add the marinated chicken. Stir fry till cooked. Add some soy sauce and chopped cilantro.Serve hot with white/ brown rice. Nomm nomm nommm  

Image may contain: food