Jada Mathiya/Math Poori

While growing up I had rarely seen my mom buying readymade snacks.  I got my first lesson of importance of homemade stuff from her. And I wish to continue the same with my kids. My little girl always wants to munch on something in between the meals. And I always have both healthy and fried snacks available.

These mathiya are quite popular among Gujaratis, at least in my household. they were must haves while traveling. Being thicker and smaller in size, they are quick and easy alternative of traditional Mathiya.

Makes approx. 60 pc
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
2 cup math flour + 1 tbsp for dusting
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp carom seeds
1 tsp sesame seeds
2 tsp oil
2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp soda
A big pinch of asafetida
Salt
Oil for frying

Procedure
1. Mix sugar and soda in 1/2 cup of water.  Heat it up till sugar dissolves. Let it cool down
2. Meanwhile, in a big mixing bowl sieve both the flours. Add all spices and knead a hard dough using sugar water. Add more water as needed
3. Divide dough in equal portion and roll thick poori
4. I prefer resting them at room temperature for couple of hours.  That way they consume less oil while frying. But you can also fry them immediately
5. Fry on both sides on medium-high flame until golden brown
6. Once they cool down store in air tight container. They stay good for couple of weeks

Tutti Fruity Cake

I am no expert at baking but once in a while I do try my hands at it. My little one now and then asks for cake and being a health conscious mommy,  I refrain myself from giving her sugar and cream loaded stuff.

I have very fond memories attached to this cake. When I was working,  we always had this available in our office kitchen from a local Indian bakery.  We would devour a slice of it in dessert. 

There are hundreds of recipes for a simple cake like this.  Here is my version which is eggless and butter less. Also, I have replaced half quantity of plain flour with whole wheat flour.  This guiltfree version stays good for 4-5 days without refrigerator and tastes heavenly when consumed warm.

Makes one small loaf
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30-45 minutes

Ingredients 
For the batter
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup confectionery sugar
1 cup fresh thick Curd
1/3 cup cooking oil
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla essence

For the fruit and nut mix
(As per your preference)
1/3 cup tutti fruity or fruit cake mix
1/3 cup coarsely chopped nuts (I used walnut and almond)
1 tsp plain flour

Procedure
1. Mix fruits and nut mix with flour. Keep it aside
2. In a large mixing bowl,  mix curd and sugar till sugar dissolves.  Add baking powder and baking soda to it. Keep it aside till it becomes frothy and bubbly
3. Meanwhile, sieve both flours and mix them well
4. Add oil and vanilla extract to curd mixture and mix gently so bubbles don't subside
5. Now gradually add flour to curd mixture
6.  Lastly, add fruits and nuts and mix well. Pour the batter into greased baking pan
7. Pre heat oven at 350 F and bake it for about 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean