Kovakka Peera/ Ivy Gourd in Coconut

I love ivy gourd in any form. Whenever my mom prepares this vegetable, I am the one who will be finishing the whole dish. After my marriage, I rarely prepare this vegetable, as my husband is not a big fan of this vegetable.

I usually make stir fry out of this, I never knew that something delicious can be made using coconut. We make meen peera (fish in coconut) the same way. This tastes better the next day. Just try this dish and you will really love this ...

Ingredients:

1. Kovakka/ Ivy Gourd( cut lengthwise)- 250 gms
2. Grated Coconut- ½ Cup
3. Green Chillies- 3 nos
4. Shallots- 3 nos
5. Cumin Seeds- 1 tsp
6. Ginger- ½ inch
7. Turmeric Powder- ½ tsp
8. Curry leaves- few
9. Oil- 1 tbsp
10. Salt- as required
11. Mustard Seeds- 1 tsp
12. Kokum- 2 pieces

Method:

1. Grind coconut, green chillies, onions, ginger, cumin seeds to a coarse paste.
2. Heat oil, splutter mustard seeds and then add  curry leaves, ivy gourd, kokum, coarsely ground paste. Add a little water and cover and cook on low flame for about 5-7 min. Mix in between.
3. Enjoy with hot rice.

Starbucks Style Lemon Loaf

The Starbucks lemon loaf is full of lemon flavor, moist and dense. When I first tasted this amazing delicacy from Starbucks, it was like “Love at first bite”. So rich in flavors, nice creamy yellow colour and lovely texture. Then itself I have decided that I have to try this out and my search for Starbucks lemon loaf ended here.

So many different versions were there to make this delicious loaf, but I liked this version as it required all the ingredients which are easily available. This lemon loaf has a nice tangy flavor, which is by adding the lemon juice and the zest of lemon. To increase the lemony goodness, just add a lemon glaze when the cake gets cooled.

I have made lemon cup cakes before and now this lemon loaf. Just try this out and I am sure that you will finish it off within no time… :)

Ingredients:

1. All Purpose Flour/ Maida- 1 ½ Cups
2. Sugar- ¾ Cups
3. Butter- ½ Cup
4. Eggs- 2 nos
5. Baking Powder- ½ tsp
6. Baking Powder- ½ tsp
7. Freshly Squeezed Lemon- ¼ Cup
8. Lemon Zest- 2 large lemons
9. Vanilla Extract- ½ tsp
10. Butter Milk- ¼ Cup

For Glaze:

1. Granulated Sugar- ¾ Cup
2. Lemon Juice- 3- 4 tbsp

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cream the sugar and butter till fluffy and light. Beat the eggs, lemon juice and lemon zest well till everything is well blended in another bowl.
3. Add the egg mixture to the butter mixture and beat well. Add buttermilk and vanilla essence.
4. Sift together the all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder well.
5. Fold the egg and butter mixture into the flour little by little and pour into a greased pan, bake for about 40-45 minutes or till a skewer inserted comes out clean.

For the glaze:

• Whisk the sugar and lemon juice well, drizzle this over the cake and let it cool. Cut into desired and serve.

Umm Ali/ Egyptian Bread Pudding

This umm ali is an Egyptian sweet, that has a layer of puff pastry sheets, nuts and milk. This dessert is totally delicious, easy, simple and made with very less ingredients.

This looks similar to bread pudding. You can even add raisins, desiccated coconut, chocolate chips of your choice.

I first heard about this dessert long back, but couldn't try because of the non availability of puff pastry sheets. I completely forgot about this dish and one day my brother, when he visited Kuwait, he ate this at a friend’s place and told me about this awesome dessert. Then itself I have decided that this one I am going to try and within minutes a wonderful dessert is made.I was really surprised that this lovely dessert can be made easily. Just a mouthful and you will be mesmerized with the flavors and I am sure that you won't stop with a little.

This is a warm, comforting, gooey and very delicious dessert. Now I am thinking, I should have tried this dessert long back...

Adapted from All Recipes:

Ingredients:

1. Puff Pastry Sheets- 1 Packet (thawed)
2. Milk- 3 Cups
3. Sugar- ¾ Cup (as required)
4. Almonds- ½ Cup
5. Pistachios- ½ Cup
6. Vanilla Essence- 1 tsp
7. Cream- ½ Cup

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a bread pan with butter and arrange the puff pastry sheets one over the other and bake for about 15 minutes. The puff pastry should be golden and puffed.
2. In a sauce pan heat milk along with sugar and vanilla essence. Stir well and let it boil for about 15- 20 minutes till the milk is reduced little. Switch off the flame.
3. Break the puff pastry sheets into pieces and place it in the bread pan, sprinkle some powdered almonds and pistachios.
4. Over this pour the boiled, reduced milk and cream  and remaining nuts on top. Bake for 20- 25 minutes and serve warm.