Oh My! Oh My! Oh How Does Time Fly?!

Getting back into the swing of things... something or the other is always happening (right?) to all of us... and somehow time escapes me.  A new year comes about and suddenly everything that got away comes back into your brain... and you think, "I will do better this year." So... here I am... hoping to get out of my old self and into a new... :)

Last year during the Thanksgiving Sales madness, I ordered myself a present.  I'd seen it at a friends' house before but... never really paid attention to it.  They usually have 5+ people at their home for each meal so, I thought my little family of 3 could never really use this "toy."  Boy! Was I wrong! I'm sure you may have an idea what new (to me) kitchen gadget I'm referring to... The Instant Pot, of course. :)

It is the latest craze in kitchen gadgets... it's an Electric Pressure Cooker and can it do more than steam veggies!  I am experimenting on my dear family... trying various "concoctions" each day. Some are tasting better than others. :P  But, nevertheless... if you are Indian and just make "Dal, Pappu, Parupu, Lentils" of any kind... this will be a great addition to your kitchen too.

The number of recipes out there are unimaginable... folks are trying all sorts of variations on all kinds of food items you can think of.  In my humble beginnings...  I am thus far happy with a Rajma, a Veggie Pasta, Toor Dal, Moong Dal and our favorite! Soft Idlis...  as I peruse recipes all day it seems, I am truly amazed at the kinds of things people are trying with this device. Cheesecake???  Can't wait to try that out!

I will start sharing my tips and recipes soon... gotta re-try out some recipes and make sure you can recreate them too. ;)

In the meantime, here's a recipe for a Semi-Homemade Coffee Cake I threw together to give to my neighbor and some friends recently.  It's easy peasy so give it a try if you're ever in need of a quick dessert. It's not overly sweet so it pairs nicely with Tea, Chai and of course, Coffee... staple in my household. :)

I serve it with some cut strawberries... your choice of course. If you warm your piece up a little, that would be nice too.  And if you don't want to use the nuts, then you don't have to. It still tastes yummy.

-  1 Box Trader Joe's Vanilla Cake Mix - follow box instructions, bake in an 8"x8" pan
-  1/2 Cup Chopped Pecans (Walnuts would be fine too)
-  Reserve 1/4 cup of the cake mix

Before you set out to follow the box instructions, reserve a 1/4 cup of the mix in a little bowl.  Pour in the Pecans and toss. Make the batter with the rest of the mix according to the box. After everything comes together, add in the coated pecans/mix.  This step is supposed to help them not all fall to bottom of the pan while baking.  Works most of the time. ;)

Good luck! Hope you enjoy!

Here are my Idlis  :)

Pecan Caramel Espresso Cheesecake Bites

Made this for a party and everyone loved it.  :)  You definitely need to like coffee as the fresh Espresso has wonderful kick to it.  It's definitely a blend of 2 passions from my house... For those who don't know, my hubby loves coffee.. more like LOVES Coffee. I came across a recipe and then he came to mind.  The original recipe called for "Instant Coffee" and at that "instant' I thought, I could have the coffee instantly made for me instead. And of course, the fact that no Instant Coffee can be found at my house helps. ;) So, I chose a time that was good for both of us to make my Pecan Caramel Espresso Cheesecake Bites. 

 

Realized later that I forgot to mention to my guests that I made it with Low Fat Cream Cheese... apparently that made no difference at all.  ;-)

 

Here's my version of the recipe... I tweaked it to our liking and believe the use of fresh Espresso made a huge difference!  It should be used within minutes of making else will bring on a bitter taste to your dessert. Making my own crust with freshly ground Oreos added to the taste as well.  :)  I made 24 Mini Cheesecake bites using a mini-muffin pan lined with paper liners (very important).

For Cheesecake

2 pkg.  (8 oz. each) Trader Joes Low Fat Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup  sugar

2 tsp.  vanilla

2  eggs

2 Tbsp.  milk

1 Double Shot of Espresso - freshly made (use within minutes)

For Crust

Mini-cupcake pan with liners

OREO Cookies - crushed into a fine powder (I used my Magic Bullet)

1-2 Tbsp. melted butter - to hold the Oreo mixture together

Topping

1/2 cup Toasted Pecans - roughly chopped

Smucker's Caramel Sundae Topping

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. 

Make Crust: grind up Oreos into fine powder.  Mix in butter as needed just enough to hold the powder together. Put a teaspoon (or so) into each of the cupcake liners in the pan and press down with the end of a spoon so it's flat.

Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs; mix just until blended.

MICROWAVE milk in small microwaveable bowl 15 seconds. Add Espresso shot to milk. Then add that mixture to the batter; mix well. Pour into individual crusts.
BAKE 20 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. 
While oven is still hot put pecans in and toast for 5-8 minutes. Keep an eye on them as they burn easily. Once cooled, roughly chop.

Few minutes before serving take the mini-cheesecakes out of the fridge. Remove liners from each and set out on a platter to serve.  Top each piece with the crushed pecans and top with a little bit of the caramel syrup.  Serve and Enjoy!! 

Store any leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

 

 

Garlic Mozzarella Pinwheels....

Here's a simple appetizer recipe to keep handy for those days when you need something quick.  I tried these out recently to take to my Book Club's Holiday Party.  My tasters/testers at home, oops I mean, my family :) liked them and my friends enjoyed them at the party.  Here's what I did with a few ingredients I had on hand. I'm sure that once you stop to think about it you will be able to think up combinations to make your own sweet or savory Pinwheels.  Enjoy and Happy Cr-eating!


I used:
1 sheet of Puff Pastry (make sure it's cold but, you're able to unroll it)
Pre-made Garlic Butter Spread (If you don't have this, make a spread of your own... try Butter with Garlic Powder or a bit of minced garlic.  Add a spoon of Oregano or Italian Seasoning and a pinch of salt.)
3 TBSP Mozzarella cheese
1/2 TBSP Dried Basil (crushed)

I laid the puff pastry flat and brushed on a thin layer of the Garlic Butter Spread. On the end from which I was going to start rolling,  I spread the Mozzarella cheese from end to end - preferably the short side.  I left a little bit of an edge that would help me get the rolling started easier. I gently lifted the puff pastry and started rolling to the other end.  Once I had a tight rolled log, I put it in the freezer for about 10 minutes so that it would all set together, making it easier to cut.

I cut the log into slices and laid them on a baking sheet. I baked them for about 12 minutes.  Since all oven cooking times vary and the thickness of your slices will also have an effect on how much time they need to cook.  Just keep an eye on them the first time.

Take them out when they are a bubbly golden brown.  Sprinkle the Dried Basil over each one while they are still hot.  Enjoy!

The possibilities are endless.  :)  Here are just a few other options to fill your Pinwheels with:

Nutella
Sugar (makes the well known treat, Palmier)
Mexican Cheese and Jalapenos
Indian Curry Filling (Mashed Potato & Veggies)

Spending time with my folks = getting new recipes...

So, here I am...playing catch up once again. :( 

My household has been a little topsy turvy lately but, we are slowly settling back into life and trying to move on (ha! no pun intended).  I haven't tried many new things... cooking has become a chore and baking has found it's place only in words from recipe books and online pages....

Hoping that 2013 doesn't pass me up as fast as 2012 seems to be...

So, here's a couple of recipes my mom shared with me that she got from her friends... we tried them out as well and liked them.  The first one is an "Indianized" Carrot Cake... and it's Eggless too. Those who know me well, know that my attempts at making eggless items haven't turned out well... actually, they are less than edible! ;-)  So, with my skeptical self, I tried it out.  I hope you will give it a try too. :)

The second recipe below is a rice dish, sort of like a pulao. It was great with yogurt or a simple cucumber raita. :) It was new to us and we enjoyed it...good luck!

Eggless Carrot Cake

1 1/2 cups Flour 

(A.P. flour, Chapathi flour or Whole Wheat flour are ok)

3/4 - 1 cup Sugar

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Baking Powder

Cardamom powder - 1/2 - 1 tsp OR to taste

2/3 cup Oil

1 1/2 cups Grated Carrot

1/2 cup Chopped Walnuts

1/2 cup Yogurt - OR Buttermilk

(if you use buttermilk, leave out salt)

1/4 tsp Salt

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir the dry ingredients together first and then add in the wet.  The batter will be quite stiff, so it's best to just use your hand.  :)  

Bake in a 9" X 13" Greased Cake Pan at 350 degrees.  Check first at around 25 minutes.  It may need more time depending on your oven.  

Do the toothpick test and once it comes out clean, the cake is done.  

Wait until it cools (if you can...) ;)

 

Mint and Cilantro Rice

1 tsp. cinnamon (dalchini)^
1 tsp. cloves (lavang)^
2 Cardamom pods (eliache)^
1 tsp. fennel seeds (somph)^
^saute the above in a little oil

a few curry leaves
1 bunch cilantro leaves
1 1/2" piece of ginger, chopped
6 green chilies (to taste or less if you want it milder)

2 onions*
2 cloves of garlic*
1 bunch mint leaves*
*saute the above in oil

Transfer all the above ingredients into blender jar, add 1/3 cup coconut and some water and grind into a paste.

In a separate bowl have boiled 1/2 cup carrots, 1/2 cup peas, and 1/2 cup green beans ready.  Add those to the paste.

In a separate pan take a little bit of clarified butter (ghee) and a handful of cashews (more if you'd like) :)  Fry them until golden brown. 
Then add all ingredients into one pan and saute them well.  When everything comes together add 1 1/2 cups cooked rice. Add salt to taste.  Mix together well.
Enjoy! :)
 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hi,

Here's a super easy trick to add a little something fun for your next treat. :) 

Cookie cutters!!  They're so very easy to use, come in every possible shape and size these days and the kids just love them. At least mine still does. ;) 

Here's hoping you have a fabulous day spending time with you and yours! :)

Happy New Year!

Hi!
I hope the start of 2012 has been fabulous for you and yours!  :o)  With all the holiday parties you attended did you taste some thing that you'd just like to have a little more of?  Have you asked a friend for a recipe? :)  Well, of course the saying goes, "Imitation is the greatest form of flattery."

This post is thanks to a friend of mine who ate a dessert I made recently.  It was something I'd seen before but, made in different forms.  For this particular get together I made them bite-sized and entirely from scratch.

I didn't think too much of it prior to her asking for the recipe but, after typing it up, all I have to say is don't be scared by the length.  ;)  Once you make it you'll be able to use the techniques in other recipes. I've also included options to cut down the effort. So, give it a try. :)

Without further ado, here are my

Pecan Caramel Cheesecake Bites...

 Ingredients

• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• dash salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup chopped, roasted pecans -  while the oven is already on & preheated if you put the pecans in for about 15 minutes - stirring in between, they will roast nicely.

Directions - Preheat oven to 325 degrees

• 1. In large mixing bowl beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar on medium speed of electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and salt. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until just combined after each addition.

Easiest Method:  If you'd like to make it into just one large cheesecake you can purchase 1 Keebler® Ready Crust® Graham Pie Crust at the store. Place crust on baking sheet. Pour in cream cheese mixture. Bake at 325°F about 25 minutes or until knife inserted into filling 1 inch from edge comes out clean.

If you'd like to make your own crust :)  Which is what I did, you can. Then you can decide what size you want to make.  Which is how I came up with just the bites.

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup butter , melted
1/3 cup light brown sugar or 1/3 cup white sugar , for less sweet crust (this is what I used)

I added some of the roasted pecans to the graham cracker crust and saved the rest for presentation. :)

Directions:

Mix ingredients together. 

Press onto bottom and up sides of pan until desired size.

Bake silver pan at 350F for 8-10 minutes, or dark pan at 300F for 8-10 minutes

Fill!  Then bake according to the original recipe. 

I used my 24 cup mini cupcake pan for the bites. I baked the crusts first and then I added the filling, baked again and then I put it in the fridge.

After they set for a few hours, I took them out and put them in an air tight container for storing.  

Before serving I took them out about 10 minutes prior. Placed them on the serving try.  

I topped them with Caramel Syrup (I like the Smucker's brand Caramel Sundae Syrup) and the remaining roasted pecans.

Here they are:

Catching Up...

So, Baker Mom went on break for awhile (a long...while it seems) she suddenly realized... she wrote some and never posted and then lost track of time and didn't write...wasn't home...didn't bake... time to get back to it all she thinks. ;-) 

After a hectic summer which included 3 weeks in SoCal (thanks to my daughter) and a quick trip to visit my folks in LA (read: Louisiana heat :)) I'm finding myself needing to play catch up.

So, here goes... you may wonder why my family moved itself to beautiful SoCal for a stint, well... the kiddo applied and got into the summer program through John's Hopkins University, Center for Talented Youth.  She chose to go to a camp called "Be A Scientist." Hence we decided to head out to LA, the closest place offered near home for her age and grade level. Road Trip!!!

Here's some tidbits that I'd written while there...enjoy!    :)   

Being here in LA has been awesome! We are thoroughly enjoying the summer, the beaches, the food and of course the myriad of outings possible.

My daughter is enjoying her classes, the projects and activities at camp during the day and the outings in the evening are fun for her too. :)

So, here's my little guide to LA; the places we've been to and the things we've done. Maybe you or someone you know will find it helpful in some way. :)

Places:

Santa Monica - Pacific Park & Pier, Farmer's Market (a must to check out!), Santa Monica Place, 3rd Street Promenade
Hollywood - Walk of Fame, Kodak Theater, Disney Soda Fountain and Shoppe
Manhattan Beach - We stayed close enough for several evening outings, enjoyed the beach atmosphere a lot
El Segundo - has all your usual stores and restaurants, of course a Costco with gas too...
Thousand Oaks - nice residential area... just stayed with family so didn't go out.  But, I did hear that there is a Charming Charlie there, but didn't check it out...

Restaurants: 

Corner Bakery - Manhattan Beach
LA Food Show - Manhattan Beach
Cozymel's - El Segundo
The Farm - The Grove
Islands - Manhattan Beach
Panchanga - Manhattan Beach
Healthy Hummus - Manhattan Beach
Cafe Crepe - City Walk
Louie's Pizza - Universal Studios
Pizza Anitca - Santa Monica Place
Disney Soda Fountain & Shoppe - Hollywood
La Monica's Pizza -  Westwood
Diddy Reese - Cookies!!!   - Westwood
The Natural Cafe - San Luis Obispo

Coffee Shops:

Peet's - San Luis Obispo
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf - (2 locations: Manhattan Beach (nice) & The Grove (not so nice))
Intelligentsia - Awesome coffee!!  -  Venice, CA
Groundworks - Hollywood

Farmer's Markets: 

Thousand Oaks - kid & hubby went with my cousin... so don't know first hand... but, they came back with delicious strawberries so thumbs up for it 

Santa Monica - went twice - on my own and then made the hubby take some time off from work to go again  :)  -  Amazing place!  Heard that I'll see chefs stop by to pick their produce but, didn't believe it until I actually saw them there.  Great place to hang out, people watch, oh ya and of course shop.  Since we had a kitchen, I was able to cook meals with my fresh produce - could really taste the difference  :)

Shopping:

The Grove - American Girl Place - My daughter couldn't wait to go here!  Ok, that is an understatement to say the least! As her father will tell you.... 3+ hours and a Personal Shopper later!!!  The American Girl Place is not for the faint of heart!!  ;-)  In more ways than one....  she enjoyed every minute of it though... and so we came home with a new friend....Kanani.  :) 

Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive
Westfield Culver City
Santa Monica Place
The Market @ Santa Monica Place
Third Street Promenade
Manhattan Village

Frozen Yogurt / Treats:

Yogurt Creations - San Luis Obispo - we stopped both ways  :)
Popcornopolis - really never knew one could have popcorn in THAT many flavors!!

Activities/Amusement Parks:

Universal Studios:  Had a blast! It was my 8 year olds first time and I think it was the perfect age to take her... she knew enough about movies, etc... and was game to go on all the rides... helped that she had her older college-aged cousins spend the day with us too - so Jurassic Park ended up being her most favorite ride!!

Sea World:  Lotsa fun!  Enjoyed the shows.  Shamika and I rode Atlantis!! Awesome! We soo would have gone again had the lines not been 1.5 hours+!! long.
Disneyland & CA Adventure:  Our SoCal trip concluded with a 3 Day Park Hopper to the "Happiest Place on Earth!!"  Enjoyed every minute of it because it's one of my favorite places to go to  :P  Also helped that the 405 freeway was closed on Day 1 and Day 2 of said 3-Day Park Hopper. ;)

Beaches:

Manhattan Beach - spent lotsa time here - great place :)
Redondo Beach - caught a mini-concert here on our last night - was great way to end our SoCal stay!