Eggless Black Forest Cake

Back to baking after a long break. I know just a handful of cake recipes. And I am not very confident either. But this time I was very firm to make this cake. Two important people in my life - my brother and husband's birthdates are just two days apart. So it is kind of a tradition to celebrate it on the day in between. Both of them are avid lover of cakes and desserts, so what could be better option?

This happened to be our favorite cake back in India. Even after coming here we go to Indian Bakery quite often to have it.

Makes 9" cake

Preparation Time: 20 Minute

Cooking Time: 45 Minute

Decoration/Cooling Time: 1-2 Hr

Ingredients

1 and 3/4 cup all purpose flour

3 tbsp cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

250 ml coke/pepsi

1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips (optional)

For Filling/Decoration

1.5 to 2 cup cool whip

3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate shavings

1 cup cherries

1/2 cup sugar

M & Ms (Optional)

Procedure
1. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and cocoa powder and sieve them
2. Whisk condensed milk and butter together until soft and fluffy and then add vanilla extract
3.  Now gradually add coke and dry ingredients to wet ingredients and whisk thoroughly
4. Add chocolate chips
5. Pour mixture in a greased baking pan and bake at 350 F until toothpick comes out clean, about 30 to 40 minute

Decoration
1. Heat 3/4 cup water in a pan and add sugar into it. Stir it till sugar gets dissolved. Turn off the heat when it starts getting thickened 
2. Once cake cools down completely, cut it from middle and divide it into two parts
3. Moisturize both parts from inside with sugar syrup
4. Apply of cool whip, 1/2 cup cherries and spread 1/2 cup of chocolate shavings. Again spread cool whip and place other half of the layer
5. Apply sugar syrup on top and cover both top and sides with remaining cream
6. Decorate with remaining cherries, chocolate shavings and M&Ms

Palak Paneer Sandwich

When you grow up in a food-loving family it so happens that some of the dishes become more than just the food. They are like family’s signature dishes. And then when you start your own family, you also try to continue the same legacy. Though both K and I share the same passion for food, we always do not see eye to eye. But when it comes down to ‘Family-Favorite’ Dishes, we are on the same page. We both would die for this sandwich anytime. No matter how full we are, we would not be able to resist a bite of this delicacy. It is executed with same taste and consistency and consumed with same passion, ALWAYS.

Knowing my love for sandwich, my mom shared this recipe after I moved to US. Initially I was bit hesitant to try as I was not sure about the taste of raw spinach in a sandwich. But still it was worth giving a try as mom had successfully tried it and she does not top the list of adventurous cooks :). I made a few changes as per my taste. And being simple, healthy and yummylicious at the same time makes it even more special.

Makes 8 Sandwiches

Preparation Time: 30 Minute

Cooking Time: 30 Minute

Ingredients
16 slices of bread (Whole wheat is healthy, but white tastes better :) )

5 cup spinach, chopped

1 cup paneer, crumbled

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I prefer Amul)

2 tbsp green pepper, finely chopped

1 tsp green chili, finely chopped

Salt and pepper

Lemon juice

To prepare/serve sandwich,
Butter
Coriander chutney/ketchcup

Procedure
1. Mix spinach, pepper, chili, paneer and cheese in a large bowl
2. Add salt, pepper and lemon juice when ready to make sandwich 
3. Now take a slice of bread, spread butter, put the filling and cover with another slice
4. Serve hot with ketchup/chutney