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Hearty Quinoa Snack

July 6, 2017 by Mangal Deshmukh

Excellent as an after school snack or after a long day, this  basically Indian recipe, is mild, very gently spiced and can be enjoyed by people of all tastes. Great in nutrition and taste, this healthy snack is so easy to make.

Try!

 

 

hearty quinoa snack

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa grain

1/3 cup roasted and lightly salted sunflower kernels (seeds from which the husk or outer covering has been removed)

1medium potato, boiled and cubed.

2 level tablespoons liquid ghee (clarified butter) plus one extra teaspoon, to add to quinoa while cooking.

1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)

1/4 teaspoon finely cut green chili or to taste. (Use a mild variety or seranno peppers if you like it pungent)

1 teaspoon lime juice.

1 teaspoon sugar.

Salt to taste.

1/4 cup finely cut fresh cilantro leaves and 2 Tablespoons shredded fresh coconut for garnish. (optional)

Method

In a medium saucepan, heat two cups water.  Add  one teaspoon ghee and one teaspoon lime juice to water.

Add about 1/4 teaspoon of salt, or to taste.

Carefully add quinoa to hot water.

After some water has been absorbed, cover and cook quinoa on low heat.

Once the quinoa is soft cooked, remove from heat and fluff it with a fork so that it does not become lumpy.

In a wok or pan, heat the liquid ghee and add green chilly and cumin seeds.

Add cubed potato bits and saute to coat potato with ghee.

Add roasted sunflower kernels and quinoa.

Mix gently and thoroughly on low heat.

Add more salt if required and also 1 teaspoon of sugar. If you prefer more sugar, add a little more.

Cover wok/pan for 3 minutes or so, then turn off heat

Spoon into a serving bowl and garnish with fresh, finely cut cilantro leaves and shredded fresh coconut.

Really yummy and satisfying.

 

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Simply Delicious Chocolate Cake

April 4, 2017 by Mangal Deshmukh

Nobody ever tires of chocolate cake.  This one comes out especially light and fluffy….great for special occasions.

Just slather with a quick chocolate frosting or divide the batter into two pans, and put a generous layer of cream cheese frosting between two layers to make it extra special. Or do both!

You could even make it dairy free.

Every guest will just love this one, even those with zero allergies.

rich chocolate cake

Ingredients

2 cups Grandma’s Gluten free Flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup water

1/2 cup butter / margarine

1/2 cup oil   (Use 2 Tablespoons less oil if you are using the substitute mixture for Egg Replacer)

1/2 cup buttermilk (for dairy free use 1/2 cup soy milk with 1 teaspoon lemon/lime juice)

Egg Replacer equivalent to two eggs. (If egg replacer is not available, whisk together 3 Tablespoons water, 3 Tablespoons oil plus 2 level teaspoons baking powder)

4 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1-2 teaspoons vanilla

Method

Pre heat oven to 350F or 180C

Bring to a boil– water, cocoa, oil and butter/margarine.

Remove from heat

Add vanilla, buttermilk and pre mixed egg replacer / substitute mixture

Sift together flour, sugar and baking soda.

Gradually fold into the liquid mixture.

Use hand mixer to make a smooth batter, if necessary.

Spoon into 2 eight inch pans.

Bake 40-45 minutes or until knife comes out clean.

Frosting

3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar

3 Tablespoons milk

3 Tablespoons oil/butter

1/2 cup chocolate or vanilla chips

Bring to a rolling boil and continue to boil for one minute.

Remove from heat, add chocolate/vanilla chips and beat well

Add 1 teaspoon vanilla if required.

Using a broad spatula dab half the frosting onto one cake while still warm. Place the second cake on top.

Use remaining frosting to cover the top cake.

Simply delicious!

Cream Cheese Frosting ….a great option

Using a whisk or hand mixer, beat together—

1 cup cream cheese

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Absolutely yummy.

Posted in Cakes, Cookies and Desserts | Tagged , , | 2 Comments »

Happy Halloween! Yummy Apple Dessert

October 23, 2016 by Mangal Deshmukh

Apples, pumpkins and ghostly nights….Halloween is here. Serve this fantastically tasty and easy apple dessert after trick and treating is done, to top off a special meal. This one is truly quick, simple and nourishing. Actually it’s a great dessert for any occasion…. Divali included!

Ingredients

6 medium size cooking apples. (good to have a sour variety)

4 Tablespoons dates, pitted and chopped

3 Tablespoons seedless raisins

Juice of 1 orange

Juice of 1 lemons/limes. Use 2 limes if small in size.

6 level Tablespoons brown sugar

Cream for serving.

Method

Pre heat oven to 350 F or 175 C

Wash apples, peel and core each one. If you are not using a corer, gently core with a knife to form and hollow and remove center.

Place in an ovenproof dish.

Sprinkle with lemon/lime juice.

Mix orange juice with the chopped dates and raisins.

Spoon the mixture into each apple hollow. Stuff it in as tightly as possible to get as much of it inside as possible. Add a few more dates and raisins if required.

Sprinkle liberally with brown sugar. Use a little more if required.

Bake for 40 minutes or until soft.

Serve hot with cream or ice cream.

Simply delicious!!!

 

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Teatime Orange Cake

August 22, 2015 by Mangal Deshmukh

This is a great variation of the wheat and egg free basic chocolate cake.  Orange gives a zesty, tangy, delightful flavor….very enjoyable at tea time, after school or even as a dessert or snack addition to school lunch.

 

Tea time orange cake

 

Ingredients

2 cups Grandma’s Gluten Free Flour Mix

3/4 can condensed milk (a little over 10 ounces)

1 stick (4 ounces) butter

2-3 Tablespoons grated orange zest (gently grate orange zest without including the white portion beneath)

3/4 cup fizzy orange drink (Fanta, for example)

2 level teaspoons baking powder

1 level teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

A few drops of yellow food color.

 

Method

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees F (approx 180 C)

In a medium bowl, sift all dry ingredients together (flour, baking powder and baking soda)

In a large bowl pour condensed milk.

Add melted butter and whisk together.

Add orange zest and vanilla extract, and mix well.

Pour in the fizzy orange drink slowly, mixing with a spoon as you pour.

Fold in dry ingredients, a few tablespoons at a time, ensuring that there are no lumps. If batter feels too thick,add a couple of tablespoons more or orange drink.

Mix well using a hand mixer for a couple of minutes.

Transfer into a 9” bundt pan or use two medium loaf pans, (8”x4”)

Bake for 45 minutes or until cake is a rich golden color, and knife comes out clean.

Simply delicious!

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Moong Dal Vadas

August 22, 2015 by Mangal Deshmukh

Many people I know are allergic to chana dal (chick pea flour). One really doesn’t lose out that much.  Try these yummy moong dal vadas…they are as tasty, crunchier and lighter than the chana dal ones.  Once you have made these, you will want to make them again and again, whether allergic to chana dal or not.

 

moong dal vada

 

Ingredients

1 cup moong dal

1 cup lightly packed grated zucchini or finely chopped cabbage

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

2 Tablespoons or more chopped fresh cilantro (coriander)

Finely chopped green chillies to taste

1 teaspoon whole cumin seed

1 level teaspoon cumin seed (jeera) powder

1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)

Pinch turmeric powder

Salt to taste 1/3 teaspoon baking soda.

Oil for frying

 

Method

Wash and soak Moong dal for 3-4 hours, then drain the water.

Take care to drain all the water and keep dal as dry as possible.

Grind coarsely, so that dal particles and small pieces remain.

Mix all other ingredients into it.

In case dal is too moist, add a couple of teaspoons of rice or oat flour.  The mixture should be firm, not runny.

Heat oil.  Put in a small ball of dal mixture to ensure readiness. 

Shape mixture into balls, slightly flatten each ball and gently put into the oil.

Fry on medium-high heat till golden brown, turning each ball over so that both sides are a deep golden colour.

Remove vadas onto a platter or thali.

Serve hot with tomato ketchup or chutney.

These vadas taste good even when cooled and are ideal for carrying on a journey.

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Hearty Ham and Cheese Bake

October 7, 2014 by Mangal Deshmukh

This is a fantastic breakfast/ brunch dish…good comfort food and very satisfying. Its amazing how you can achieve great taste without wheat or eggs.  If dairy is a no-no, use a combination of soy milk and soft, mashed tofu.  If gluten free bread is not available where you live, use thinly sliced potatoes.  I use SCHAR gluten free baguettes, as they do not contain wheat or eggs and are totally allergen free.  There are other options in the market, but a lot of gluten free products do contain egg and nut ingredients. I  have used cilantro and a tad bit of jalapeno, with sauted onion, but you can alter seasonings……try chives, green onions, basil, thyme, parsley, all equally delicious, in combinations of your choice.

 

hearty ham and cheese bake

 

Serves 2

Ingredients

6 slices of SCHAR gluten free bread (baguette), cut diagonally into longish shapes— or any other gluten free bread

4-6 slices cooked deli ham (Use cooked shredded chicken, cooked sliced turkey breast as ham alternatives) Chop ham slices into small bits

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup cream

2/3 cup grated cheddar

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 Tablespoons finely cut fresh cilantro leaves

1/2 teaspoon chopped jalapeno, or to taste

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh garlic (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Method

Preheat oven to 375 F

In a small saucepan heat olive oil, add garlic if using it, saute for 10-15 seconds.

Add chopped onion, saute till soft and transparent, then remove from heat and set aside.

Lightly grease a medium baking dish.

In a bowl, whisk milk and cream

Add sauted onion, 1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro and jalapeno.  Reserve 1 tablespoon cilantro for garnish.

Add salt and pepper

Pour half of the liquid mixture over the bread slices

Top with ham bits and half the grated cheese

Repeat layering of bread, milk-cream mixture and grated cheddar cheese

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden.  Edges should be slightly browned

Garnish with chopped cilantro.

 

Enjoy!

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Yummy Quinoa Salad

September 22, 2014 by Mangal Deshmukh

You can’t go wrong with a combination of quinoa, pineapple, red peppers and raisins.  Its delicious and colorful, makes a great table centerpiece….you can’t beat it for nutrition and taste!

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa

1 15 ounce can of diced pineapple, drained, juice reserved

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 cup raisins

2 Tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Salt to taste

 

To cook quinoa

Place quinoa in a fine sieve.  Wash under gently running water, rubbing the grain slightly as you wash.  When water has drained, repeat the process a couple of times.

Hear two cups water in a medium saucepan.  Add 1/4 teaspoon salt.  Gently pour in the washed and drained quinoa into the water.

Lower heat and simmer uncovered till most of the water has been absorbed and the grain is tender.

Cover and cook for a couple of minutes more till all the water is absorbed and the grain is well cooked.

Remove from heat. Uncover and fluff the quinoa grain with a fork to release steam and prevent grain from sticking.  Spread on a platter and allow it to cool.

 

To assemble

In a salad bowl, whisk together. 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice with olive oil, lemon juice, sugar and salt.

Add pineapple bits, chopped red bell pepper and raisins.

Gently mix cooked and cooled quinoa.

Easy, filling and so healthy!

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Cream of Rice Wonder Cake

April 22, 2014 by Mangal Deshmukh

Nothing can be more allergy free than this cake, a real “wonder”—no gluten / wheat, no eggs, no dairy when you use oil instead of butter—and it is simply delicious!  Serve it as a dessert with fresh berries, or pack it in for snack time in school, this cake is healthier than you think, and a great filler for those in between ‘I am hungry’ times.

 

Rice pound cake

 

 

Ingredients

2 level cups Cream of Rice* (you can get the fortified one, with thiamin, niacin and riboflavin added)

1/4 cup oat flour (slightly heaped)

5 Tablespoons melted butter or oil

1 1/2 cups yogurt

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon plus one pinch (1/8th teaspoon) baking soda mixed in 2 Tablespoons milk

A few drops of yellow food color

*Cream of Rice, for my Indian readers is rice’ rava’, or semolina

 

Method

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except for the baking soda, using a large, heavy spoon.  Mix thoroughly.  Add 1-2 Tablesppons water if mixture appears too thick.  (Consistency of batter will depend on the thickness of yogurt used).  Basically you need to achieve cake batter consistency.

Add the baking soda mixed in milk, and whip it into the batter, whisking it with firm movements, so that it is fully incorporated.

Pour into a lightly greased 8”x4” loaf pan

Set aside for an hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place in oven and bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean and cake has browned a little.

Let cool, then slice and serve……just great!

Posted in Cakes, Cookies and Desserts | Tagged , , | 8 Comments »

The Perfect Pumpkin Pie

November 23, 2013 by Mangal Deshmukh

Its Thanksgiving time—time for vacations, family get togethers, the aroma of turkey in the oven and yummy pumpkin pies.

Here is a quick and easy recipe—no wheat, no eggs, and you can even use a substitute for dairy

The same filling can be used by the whole family.  I make a small allergy free crust, but  make a much larger quantity of pie filling to use in wheat pie crusts for the rest of the gang as well.

 

Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

Crust

for a 6” pie base

1 cup Grandma’s Gluten Free Flour Mix  (click here for recipe) 

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 Tablespoon sugar

1 Tablespoon ice cold water

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Method

Place flour and sugar in a large bowl.  My flour mix has salt added into it, so generally recipes with my flour don’t require more salt.  You can just add a pinch if you like.

Cut butter into small pieces and work it into the flour with your hands, so that the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.  Use just enough water to be able to form a ball of dough.  Add vanilla while kneading.

Alternately, combine ingredients in food processor, and pulse till pea size clumps form  Add water through the feed tube and pulse, stopping just before dough comes together completely.  Line rolling surface with plastic wrap. Transfer dough to rolling surface.

Press and flatten dough and place another sheet of plastic wrap over it.  Roll dough into an 8” round, to create enough crust for the sides of the small pie dish.  Remove the plastic wrap from top of rolled dough, then trim uneven edges with a knife or cut off with a pair of scissors.

Gently lift rolled out dough, place it on the palm of your hand and transfer it onto the pie dish.  It is easy to patch up any small tears.

Crimp edges with a fork to create a pattern, and prick the base with a fork to prevent a rise while baking.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

Place prepared crust in oven and bake ‘blind’ (without filling for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare filling–

Filling

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup condensed milk*

3 teaspoons egg replacer or 1 teaspoon baking powder and pinch baking soda

1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg powders

pinch of salt.

* Use 1/4 cup rice milk and 1/3 cup (or to taste) brown sugar in place of condensed milk, if dairy is not permissible

Method

Whisk all ingredients together till mixed thoroughly.

Remove crust from oven after it has baked for 10 minutes.  Prebaking prevents the crust from getting soggy later.

Pour filling mixture into lightly baked crust.  Return to oven and bake for a further 20-25 minutes till filling has cooked and looks set.

Let the pie cool.  Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Donuts for “Dunkin’”

November 21, 2013 by Mangal Deshmukh

Yes, you can actually make donuts with my gluten free flour (See Basics or scroll to the first entry on this blog)  You cannot imagine how easy it is to make kids happy that they can carry donuts to school for snack time as very special treats.  Donuts are fried which does not make them very healthy, but they are great as occasion food.  Moreover, my gluten free flour is very nutritious—much better to have than processed white flour.  So get ready to make this easy treat!

Makes about 16- 18 2” donuts

 

Donuts

 

Ingredients

2 cups Grandma’s Gluten Free Flour Mix  (click here for recipe)

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup milk

3 teaspoons Egg Replacer*

2 Tablespoons melted butter / oil

2 level teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg powder

Pinch of salt

Granulated sugar for dusting

* If you do not have Egg Replacer, use buttermilk instead of milk and add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda,  Add soda while combining dry ingredients.

You will also need a 2” round cookie cutter or a clean lid, and a smaller lid about 3/4” in diameter,  a sheet of parchment or plastic foil to line your cutting board. The number of donuts you will have depends on the size of your cookie cutter/lid.

Oil for frying

Method

In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg powders and salt.

In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk / buttermilk, sugar and vanilla.  Gradually fold in dry ingredients.

Using a food processor, or your hands, knead this mixture to form a soft dough, which can be manipulated with your hands.

Divide the dough into lemon size balls

Gently roll each ball and flatten with your palm on a parchment or plastic foil lined cutting board. This will prevent the donut rounds from sticking to the surface.

  Flatten or roll out sufficiently to press the cookie cutter on it to get a good round shape. Remove excess dough.  Then press the small lid onto the center of the ball and gently remove the small round which you cut off from the center.

Keep all the small rounds together to form into additional larger balls. Use extra small balls to fry as donut ‘ holes’. Or fry all small balls to make donut holes.

Heat oil in a medium size wok.  Oil should be sufficient for donuts to submerge.

Test oil for doneness by adding a small ball of dough.  It should sizzle slightly and slowly rise to the surface.

Remove the ball put in for testing the readiness of the oil.  Then carefully lift a cut and shaped donut and gently place it in the oil.  You may be able to place 3-4 donuts at a time depending on the size of your wok.  Do not crowd the wok.  There should be enough room for each donut to fluff and rise to the surface

After donuts rise to the surface and start to brown a little on the underside, gently flip them over with a fork.

The oil should not be over heated and must remain on medium heat for the donuts to cook through

When donuts are a rich golden brown color on both sides, remove each donut carefully with metal tongs or with a slotted spoon, and place on a paper towel lined plate.

After the oil has drained, roll each donut in granulated sugar and enjoy!

Donuts can be cooled and frozen.  I wrap each donut in wax paper and place the quantity to be frozen in an airtight container.  When ready to eat, thaw in the microwave before serving.

Posted in Cakes, Cookies and Desserts, This and That | Tagged , | 2 Comments »

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