One of MY favorite fruits!! :)

Pic Of The Day

The Pineapple Upside Down Cake...

Firstly people.., please do not go by the photograph.., I admit that the cake got a bit burnt.., but it was the first time I tried out this recipe.., and actually.., it tasted heavenly..., Mmmmm..,

I read this recipe in Betty Crocker's book ( I love her recipes..), and modified it a bit to suit the Indian taste buds.. :D.. I loved the cake.., and I hope you would too.., So here goes..,

Pineapple Upside Down Cake:

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

For The Cake:

• 2 and a 1/2 cup all purpose flour (maida)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup of unsalted and softened butter
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp Pineapple essence

For the Glaze:

• 1 can of Pineapple slices
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp of butter

Method:

Firstly, pre heat the oven to 175° C.Then, in a bowl, combine flour, sugar and baking powder.

Add in the butter, and the essence. Slowly fold in the milk as to avoid lumps and air bubbles. Beat with a hand mixer using low speed until combined. Set aside.

Melt 2 tsps butter in a baking pan. Stir in the brown sugar. Add a drizzle of water ( say about two tsps).., Stir properly. Cut the canned pineapple pieces into chunks. Set these pieces in the caramelized sugar mixture.Spoon in the cake batter into the pan. Bake at 175°C for 30-35 minutes.., or until a tooth pick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes. Later, loosen he sides and invert into a serving dish. Garnish with pineapple pieces and mint leaves. Serve warm.

Variations: One can use fresh Pineapple pieces instead of canned ones (just make sure they are not sour). You can also use vanilla essence.., or vanilla extract instead of Pineapple essence. You can assemble whole pieces of Pineapple, rather than chunks into the sugar mixture. I was advised to use Maraschino cherries., but couldn't find them.., so went ahead without them.. :) :) :)

I find that making desserts gives me an immense feeling of happiness.., Desserts, definitely are comfort foods.. People generally avoid desserts as they are high in sugar contents.., But hey.., once in a while.., Chalta hai.. :) :) :)

For now..,

Byeeeees.

The Fruit Chat..

I choose to start off with the tried and tested recipe of the fruit chaat.., Hmm yeah I love fruits.., but that is not the only reason why i chose to publish this as my first post.., :) This particular fruit chat which you see.., is very close to my heart for a few personal reasons :).., A very healthy and a very nutritious recipe.., I hope people try it out.. :))

Recipe Name: Fruit Chaat
Speciality of this recipe (Optional): Done within minutes and very nutritious
Recipe: (To serve 2 people)

Ingredients:A Pineapple (cut into two halves length wise, and scooped
out, and the pulp cut into small bite-size pieces),
An Apple/Pear (cut into small bite-size pieces),
2-3 Chikoos/Sapota/Sapodilla (cut into small bite-size pieces),
6-7 Fresh Strawberries (cut into small bite-size pieces),
A few seedless Grapes (halved),
Watermelon Half (cut into small bite-size pieces),
Kiwi (optional and cut into small bite-size pieces), and,
Half a Cucumber (cut into small bite-size pieces).

For the Dressing: 2 tsp Olive Oil,
1/2 a cup Lime juice,
2 tsp Chaat powder,
1 tsp roasted Jeera/Cumin pwd,
1/2 a tsp freshly ground Pepper and
A pinch of salt (optional)

For Garnishing: An orange cut into two halves, some strawberries and grapes.

Method: Take all the cut fruits in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix all
the ingredients of the dressing. Add this mixture to the fruits and
toss lightly.. Serve in the scooped out pineapple. Garnish with this
orange halves. Best when served chilled. :)