marshmallow clouds and award

Cookies from heaven!Not just because they're divine but too many of them and the angels will be that much closer(clogging arteries for eg.).It is NOT a dieters cookie(do dieters even eat cookies?or even any food?...apparantly 5 almonds is considered a complete meal by the slim ones!)I was mindlessly scrolling through some recipes when  this one jumped at me and I just HAD to make it......I changed the recipe a bit(I do have some residue of my college education left...nutrition and all)...the orignal is here

INGRDS

150 gms butter(butter makes things better........trust me)

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 eggs

3/4 cup whole wheat flour(atta)

3/4 cup oats
3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup dark and white chocolate chips

1/4 cup cocoa pdr

1 cup frozen mini marshmallows(yes..frozen..put the marshmallows in the freezer)
METHOD

1.Beat the butter and sugar till light and fluffy,add the essence.......now add the eggs and beat again.Add the flour...s,oats,cocoa pdr,chips.Beat again.

2.Take a tablespoon of this chocolatey goodness in your hands and put 2-3 marshmallows in the centre,roll in put onto a greased baking tray,get all the cookies ready this way.

3.Put in a preheated oven for 15-20 mins........these will still be a little soft,like gooey little cakes...coz the marshmallows peek out and melt...........YUM!
I recieved the Liebster Blog Award from Ambreen at http://simplysweetnsavory.blogspot. Her blog is really nice ,filled with absolutely delicious ,mouthwatering dishes....Do hop across and check it out.And also check out PT 's blog (Indian+Kitchen),she was kind enough to think of me too....and finally sharan of http://vigsha.blogspot.in/(sharan's smarayalarai,thought of passing this award to me too..........their blogs are really nice,filled with wonderful recipes.

The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The Meaning; Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcoming.

The rules are :
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.
5. Go to their page and tell them.
6. Remember, no tag backs!

Some random things about me..please read from here
1.What was the inspiration behind your blog?
I wanted to put down my recipes for my kids,they show no interest in learning anything today but they are fond of eating!
2.Which aspect of blogging do you find more interesting?
The interaction with the other bloggers and ofcourse some nonbloggers......it was amazing to realize that there are so many like minded people around,what was really nice was complete strangers extending their hand in friendship....you guys rock.

3.How many hours do you spend on blogging in a week?
I really can't answer that,if the net connection is there,I might be on my laptop for a long..long time...however I live in the hills,where even a slight breeze ensures that we loose the connection,maybe for days together....so thereby my time gets rationed(and I get to do other work!)
4.What is the craziest thing you've ever done?
Can't tell ....my kids will read this one day!
5. What quality do you most like in yourself and why?
 OK seriously I'm not answering this one....let someone else answer this.:)
6. If you were given a chance to undo one thing from your life what would it be and why??
Hmmmm...........nothing really.
7.Whats your memorable moment/favorite memory since you became a blogger?
Actually everytime I get a new follower or a new like on fb.....I feel thrilled.
8.What is your idea of a perfect breakfast?
Eggs and bread..and a big pot of tea.
9.What is your favorite pastime?
Reading.
10.Who is your favorite blogger?
There are too many to name out here.
11.If you had to describe yourself in 3 words ... what would they be?
I would love to say fun ,fearless ,female(heh..heh)but i'll go for the tags that apply.....mom,wife and me!
I would like to pass this on to
1.snehal at http://snehalscreations.blogspot.in/
2.cathleen at http://atasteofmadness.blogspot.in
3.punitha at http://southindiafoodrecipes.blogspot.in/
4.alida at http://myitaliankitchen.blogspot.in/
5.http://treatntrick.blogspot.in/
6.hema at http://www.hemasfood.com/
7.jehanne at  http://www.thecookingdoctor.co.uk/
8.http://www.spiceupthecurry.com/
9.PT at  http://jopreet.blogspot.in/
10.http://suchi-kitchenkarma.blogspot.in/
Please friends, accept the award and pass on to other bloggers :)
1.What was the inspiration behind your blog?
2.Which aspect of blogging do you find more interesting?
3.How many hours do you spend on blogging in a week?
4.What is the craziest thing you've ever done?
5. What quality do you most like in yourself and why?
6. If you were given a chance to undo one thing from your life what would it be and why??
7.Whats your memorable moment/favorite memory since you became a blogger?
8.What is your idea of a perfect breakfast?
9.What is your favorite pastime?
10.Who is your favorite blogger?
11.If you had to describe yourself in 3 words ... what would they be?

lazy cooks mango cupcakes

Hi guys.....we're drowning in mangoes..which is a good thing....I think it would be a very rare,thin person who doesn't like the king(why not queen?)of fruits.The mango is going in everything,salads,pasta(yes!..recipe soon),desserts,drinks and cake .I made cupcakes...but you can bake this like a regular cake(I just happen to LOVE cupcakes)
INGRDS
1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking pdr
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup mango puree
1/2 cup oil
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM
whipping cream-1 cup
mango puree-1/2 cup
METHOD
1.Sieve the flour with the baking soda,baking pdr and salt.
2.Beat the oil,sugar ,eggs,vanilla essence and mango puree together(I used my handy blender)........pour this onto the dry ingrds...mix...then either pour into a prepared pan(buttered first,then dusted with flour)...or put the cupcake wrappers in the muffin pan...and fill each cupcake wrapper till 3/4th full.
3.Bake at 180 deg ,for 20-25 mins(cupcake time...........a cake will take longer)..till a skewer comes out clean(stick a skewer into the cupcake,and if it comes out clean ..the cake is done)
4.Take them out of the oven...and let them cool.
FROSTING
Whip the cream till soft peaks form(about 7 mins with an electric beater),now mix in the mango puree.Put into an icing bag fitted with a star nozzle and ice the mango beauties.
IMPORTANT

Keep refrigerated.........unless you're somewhere..where the temp is around 7 degrees...then you can leave it outside....if you are in a place thats so cool can I visit you?..huh...can I?...I'm kinda roasting in this place!   

lazy cooks neiman marcus cookies and award

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!!!!!
Hi all........please get the background of these cookies from here neiman-marcus-cookies....so, I tried them out and they are awesome!!!!!!!!the only thing I would do the next time is def. reduce the sugar...the kids thoroughly enjoyed the sweetness..I personally felt it needs to go down....I made 1/4th of the orignal recipe and I got about 38 cookies.(I think !..because while I was busy clicking pictures..some cookies from the other tray vanished into thin air!!!!!so my count could be a cookie or two out)

INGRDS

1/2 cup butter

170 gms chocolate chip(i used dark and white)

1 cup flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/4 cup oats

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup chopped nuts(I used walnuts)

125 gms dark chocolate ..........grated

METHOD

1.In a bowl,beat the butter,essence and both the sugars with an electric beater..add the egg..beat again.

2.Add the rest of the ingrds.......butter the baking trays,then  spoon the mixture at equal intervals(it will spread on baking)......put into a pre heated oven(180 deg C)for 10 mins...let it cool down..then taste...DIVINE!!!!!!!!!!!!
3.Guys do try them out...Those in New York...do tell if the taste is the same as the famous(infamous????)Neiman Marcus cookies.:)

I have to thank Ambreen of simply sweet n savory.and Reena of achus amma s kitchen for passing on the award.....do check their blogs out..their recipes are simply great.......Thank you guys for thinking of me:) I have to pass it on.....I would love to name all my wonderful blogger friends...but I'm supposed to name 5...and two people have passed it on ..that makes10...so here goes 1) maayeka

2)http://konkanikitchen.blogspot.in/
3)priya easy n tasty recipes
4)aromatic-cooking.
5)noe lcollections
6)my italian kitchen
7)

Spice up the Curry

8)thoughts of paps

9)erivum puliyumm.
10)treat n trick
10)mahas lovely home.

lazy cooks fried okra/karari bhindi

Hi...........deep fried okra,karari bhindi,jaipuri bhindi..so many names....in my house its known as crispy bhindi......also the only way my family has this veg!....yup..pretty unhealthy tastes these fellas have!Infact a couple of months back I baked this(put olive oil on a baking tray.and shoved it in the oven for  20-25 mins) ......anyway..at the end of the baking time,the veg was very wierd..it was dry....... and we were sitting around like a bunch of cows chewing cud..it was that chewy.The conclusion we arrived at was that we really like the deep fried version, the  baked version was not for us.

INGRDS

1/2 kg okra(washed,patted dry,topped n tailed)

1 tblsp ginger garlic paste

1 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp red chilli pdr

1 tsp ajwain(bishop seeds,carom )

salt to taste

1 tsp dhania (corriander seeds)pwdr
1/2 tsp garam masala pdr
1heaped tblsp of chickpea flour(besan)
1 tsp rice flour
veg oil for deep frying
METHOD
1.Cut the okra into thin 1 inch pcs.....take a topped n tailed okra..cut into half lenghtways,now cut each half into 3 pcs..then cut them into 1 inch pcs.
2.Sprinkle all the spices,mix in the ginger garlic paste the lemon juice ,salt..then toss in the chickpea and rice flour....toss till nicely mixed...then deep fry till golden brown....this does take time..so I would advice you to excercise patience and hang around..not go of to check your mail..because if you do that then the chances are that it might fry a little too much..I'm just saying....not that I would ever do something like this..but you know!..OK I did that and had to throw away one lot!..So people just hang around on a medium high flame just deep fry these....drain on absorbent paper...and we're done.
3.This is an excellent side dish.........have this with rice and dal......or with chichen curry roti..it tastes great.

 

On a completely different note......my son turned 14 on the 27th.He refused to have a party..and then didn't want to go out for dinner(!)...I asked him what cake he wanted..he mumbled icing cake.....so this is what I did ,when he saw the cake he mumbled  .."but mama I said ice cream cake"I must confess my first reaction was to ask him to take diction classes somewhere....but being the birthay boy and all..(and I figured another 5 years of driving me crazy)I told him that would get done later..right now cut the damn chocolate cake with truffle icing..covered with buttercream.......your "icing cake"........either he learns to speak more clearly or I need to get a hearing aid!

lazy cooks jelly custard

Hi there.............this is a really easy dessert to do.and it goes down really well with the kids.actually the hubby too!On those days that I feel like a real kaamchor(lazy?..I  don't think lazy captures the essence of the word..but its somewhere there). I forgot to take the pictures of the ingrds....I did mention the k word!

INGRDS

1 packet red coloured jelly(strawberry,cherry,rasberry).I used strawberry

1 banana

1 1/2 cups milk

2 tablespoons sugar

1 heaped tablespoon custard pdr

METHOD

1.Prepare the jelly with 400 mls of water(instead of 500mls).....divide into 4 glasses.

2.Preapare the custard.Heat 1 cup of milk with the sugar.let it come to a boil..........dissolve the custard pdr in 1/2 cup of cold milk........then add to the boiled milk..and stir away.it will become nice n thick.

3.Chop up the banana and add to the custard....now divide equally in the 4 glasses....leave to set..in the refrigerator......serve cold.

There's one more thing...in one brain dead moment in december....I signed up for further studies(shudder...shudder)..I'm doing a post graduate course in psychology and another in guidance and counselling.........why?.I did mention brain dead!Now the thing is....that these fellows are not just handing out the degrees I have to actually study(boo hoo) and submit assignments!..which means that I am going to be missing for a bit now,I'm going to "not" access the net till I submit those horrid little assignments....only because I have absolutely no will power....I kind'o log on in the morning...and before you know it ....its lunch time.....time flies when you're having fun!.so guys I'll see you in a few days...take care.

lazy cooks chocolate salami

Hi guys...........howz you doing?Vegetarians.. .  ..stick around,there's no meat in this recipe..only lots and lots of calories....but we don't care..right?Whats a few calories between friends?I had done this for a friends daughter's birthday party...along with the birthday cake(pictured below)....long story short..my kids were shocked to see the entire roll of chocolate salami leaving the house..without them getting some..if not all!!!

doggy on a diet!not a happy fella:(

So here I am .....or rather here it is...I made it again.....there's another reason that I decided to do this today...my dog(casper)has been put on a diet by the vet.I told my hubby that the vet is an army officer used to army dogs..their levels of fitness differ.....but  NO..hubby doesn't agree and my poor dear is on a diet...no snacks for him,no biscuits...no baked goodies..just his food!How sad is that?.look at his sad ..sad face!.............
Onto the recipe...I normally would've used cashew biscuits...but since I can't give casper anymore digestive biscuits(he loves them)I decided to use these in the chocolate salami..that way I am not tempted to give him a tiny little bite ......chocolate is supposed to be like poison for dogs.
INGRDS
1 tin of condensed milk
200 gms of any rich biscuit
100 gms of butter
walnuts/cashewnuts(1/2 cup each)
 2 1/2 cups.dessicated coconut plus 1/2 cup more for dusting and rolling the chocolate salami
 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
METHOD
1.Put every thing in a heavy bottomed pan.....after roughly pounding the biscuits with a rolling pin....you can guess who i thought was at the other end of the rolling pin..........NO...not my hubby....the vet!

the butter has still not melted

the mixture 's come together

2.Heat it till the butter melts and everything sticks together....you keep adding the dessicated coconut..till the mix comes together.Now break off portions ,I normally go with half the mixture at a time.At this stage you need to knead(heh...heh)the mixture...spread some dessicated coconut on the slab and knead away..then roll it into a log shape.

after the kneading.

.On some clingfilm...spread dessicated coconut again,put one log in..and roll tightly...put in ther refrigerator to cool down.........at least for 2 hours.

going into the refrigerator

the cake.

for a very sweet little girl.

4. Thereafter take it out of the fridge,remove the clingfilm..and cut into thin slices.. that's all.All those who asked for the recipe yesterday...here it is..do tell me when you try it out:-).

lazy cooks strawberry and white chocolate gateaux

Hello all.Its strawberry time.....when I thought of baking this cake I had two boxes of strawberries in the house....by the time I got back from my walk..I had none!......it magically dissapeared into stomach's unknown ....now I HAD to make this cake...it happens sometimes,when i just HAVE to make something.so I decided the next best thing would be to use the strawberry crush....and then add white chocolate chips to the cake and finish it off with a white chocolate icing.....I was pretty pleased with the whole thing!
INGRDS
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking pdr
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 eggs
1/2 cup strawberry crush
100 gms melted butter
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
METHOD
1.Sieve the flour with the salt,baking soda,baking pdr and toss the white chocolate chips in.
2.Beat the eggs,sugar,butter,essence and the strawberry crush...(i used my blender)....add this to the dry ingrds......and bake in a pre-heated oven for 35-40 mins(at 180 deg  C).bake till a skewer comes out clean.
3. Let the cake cool.in the meanwhile prepare the icing
4. I used the "best frosting in the world"...and added melted white chocolate to it.

INGRDS FOR THE FROSTING
2 1/2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
100 gms white chocolate
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
METHOD
1.Heat the flour and milk together..till thick...let it cool then add the vanilla essence.
2.Side by side melt the white chocolate in a double boiler(fill a bowl with water...let it come to a boil..put another smaller bowl in this with the chocolate)
3.Beat the sugar and butter till nice and fluffy,add the cooled flour mixture..beat again..then add the melted white chocolate...........
4.To half the frosting add the white choc. chips.
5.Split the cake in half.....spread the white choc. chip frosting,put the other cake half back on and spread the rest of the frosting.
6.Sprinkle some coloured sugar on top.

mixing the white chocolate in

spread half the mix here

7.Really nice.......except that maybe it was too much of a good thing.......the next time i'm going to reduce the frosting to half!my kids really freaked out.......but my cavities were crying!So guys...try half out first.
sending this tohttp://anjali-cooklog.blogspot.in/2012/02/announcing-my-first-event-cakes-cookies.html
and tohttp://ramyasrecipe.blogspot.in/2012/03/abc-series-fruit-fiesta.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/oKQkr+(Ramya's+Recipe...)