Coffee Cream souffle

Self cooking photograph

large eggs	3, separated
brown sugar	1/2 cup
instant coffee	1 tbsp
gelatin powder	1-1/2 tsp
cream	1 cup
water	1/2 cup
chocolate	grated to decorate
Method:
In a bowl cream egg yolks with sugar.
Make gelatin through double boiling method and add coffee once gelatin is dissolved.
Or
Mix coffee and gelatin powder in boiling water until dissolved.
In a separate bowl whisk egg whites until stiff.
In another separate bowl whip the cream until thick.
Now fold egg whites into cream.
Add coffee mixture in egg yolks mixture and combine/ fold in egg whites mixture.
Pour into a dish and keep in the fridge until set.
Decorate with grated chocolate and serve.
It can also be served with a cake.
Serves 6.

Garlic Bread with Cheese

Self cooking photograph

baguette	1
garlic cloves	8
olive oil	1/2 cup
parsley/ coriander	2 tbsp - fresh
mozzarella	100 g - shredded
parmesan cheese	1 tbsp - shredded (optional)
Method:
Preheat oven on 180 degrees C.
Line a tray with foil.
Blend together garlic,oil and parsley (or coriander) to make a puree.
Slice the baguette into 2 (length wise) and spread the puree on both sides.
(Do not use the entire puree)
Now close the bread like a sandwich and wrap it in aluminium foil; bake for about 10 minutes.
Now open the bread again, sprinkle the mozzarella over the top of both slices.
Now dust with parmesan and bake it again for 10 to 15 minutes or until the top is light golden brown.
(Do not cover with foil this time)
Wait for atleast 10 minutes before slicing and serve.
Serves 4 to 6.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Self cooking photograph

Happy Birthday to Me :)
For Topping:
brown sugar	3/4 cup
butter	55g
pineapple can	500g (slices)
any berries (optional)
Note: Most people prefer cherries to decorate but I used pomegranate seeds ;)
For Cake:
all purpose flour	1-1/2 cup
white sugar	1 cup
eggs	2, separated
baking powder	2tsp
salt	1/4tsp
milk	1/2 cup
butter	115g - softened
vanilla extract	1tsp
pineapple juice	1tbsp
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 C, grease 9 or 10 inches cake pan.
For Topping:
In a small pan melt the butter and add sugar until dissolved.
Now remove from heat and pour evenly into your prepared cake pan.
Arrange the slices of pineapple on top of the sugar mixture and keep it aside.
For Cake:
Whisk the flour, add baking powder and salt; mix well.
In another bowl, cream butter with sugar until well combined.
Add in vanilla extract and egg yolks; beat well.
Now add in half of the flour and beat until combined; add quarter cup of the milk; mix again.
Add in the remaining flour, beat well and then rest of the milk, mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites with pineapple juice until the whites hold a firm peak.
Now gently fold the egg whites into the cake batter.
Pour this batter into the cake pan over pineapples and spread it evenly.
Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes.
Run a sharp knife around the edge of the pan before inverting the cake onto the plate.
Decorate it with pomegranate seeds like I did or with cherries.
Makes 1 large cake.

Steak with Grape Sauce

Self cooking photograph

steaks	2(any type) 1/2 inch thick
small onion	1, chopped
garlic cloves	3, chopped
beef stock	1/2 cup
butter	1 tbsp
grape juice	60 ml
cream	2 tbsp
salt	to taste
black pepper	1 tsp
veg oil	1 tbsp
Method:
Pat your steaks dry with paper towels and allow it to come to room temperature.
Note: Season your steak at least 40 minutes before you cook it for best results.
(If your steak becomes moist while resting, pat it dry again and re-season it)
Always let your steak rest at room temperature.
Rub salt and pepper on the dry steaks on both sides.
Heat a pan over medium high heat until hot and add 1 tbsp of oil.
Once oil is smoking hot, add in the steaks and cook for 3 minutes on each side for medium rare.
Note: Only flip the steak once.
Transfer the steaks to a plate and cover them with foil; set aside.
Note: After covering with foil, poke the foil with a fork.
Heat butter in the same pan, add onion and garlic; saute for 2 minutes.
Add in the grape juice and beef stock;mix and let it come to a boil.
Now add the cream; cook for another 5 minutes or until it thickens.
Pour the sauce over the steaks and serve immediately with some grilled veges on the side.
Note: A med rare steak - the middle: a hint of red, the center: pink, the sides: well browned, the top & bottom: dark brown.
This steak should have a firm surface but soft in the middle.
Serves 1 & 2.

Chicken Francese/ Chicken Francaise

Self cooking photograph

Easy, tender, light and lemony…heavenly.
chicken breast	2 pieces, butterfly cut
egg	1
flour	1/2 cup
chicken stock	1/2 cup
lemon juice	1/2 cup
salt	to taste
black pepper	to taste
oil	2tbsp
butter	1tbsp
dried rosemary	1tsp
baby potatoes	2, wedges (optional)
Method:
Whisk egg along with salt and pepper; set aside.
Mix flour with salt and pepper; set aside
Dredge the chicken in the flour to coat both sides and then soak into the egg both sides.
Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat and add in chicken; cook for 4 minutes on each side (golden brown).
Note: Only flip the chicken once.
Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover them with foil; set aside.
Now fry potatoes in the same oil until well cooked and golden brown.
Transfer wedges into the serving plate.
Now again in the same pan add stock and lemon juice and let it cook until it thickens.(adjust the seasoning)
Add the butter, dried rosemary and continue to cook until the sauce is much thicker.
Add the chicken into the sauce and cook again for just 1 minute.
Transfer to the same serving dish along with potato wedges and serve.
Serves 2.
Note:
U can skip wedges cooking part. I like wedges that’s why made it that way. People also serve it with pasta & rice.

Steak with Garlic Sauce - Mother's Day Sp.

Self cooking photograph

steaks	2(any type) 1/2 inch thick
garlic cloves	5, sliced
beef stock	1 cup
butter	1tbsp
balsamic vinegar	2tbsp
OR
(apple cider	2tbsp + 1tsp sugar)
salt	to taste
black pepper	1/2 tsp
red chili flakes	1/2 tsp
paprika	1/2 tsp
cumin powder	1/2 tsp
oil	1tbsp + 1tsp
Method:
Pat your steaks dry with paper towels and allow it to come to room temperature.
Note: Season your steak at least 40 minutes before you cook it for best results.
(If your steak becomes moist while resting, pat it dry again and re-season it)
Mix together all the dry spices along with salt and rub on the dry steaks on both sides.
Heat a pan over medium high heat until hot and add 1 tbsp of oil.
Once oil is smoking hot, add in the steaks and cook for 3 minutes on each side for medium rare.
Note: Only flip the steak once.
Transfer the steaks to a plate and cover them with foil; set aside.
Note: After covering with foil, poke the foil with a fork.
Heat 1tsp of oil in the same pan, add garlic and saute for 1 minute.
Add in the beef stock and let it cook until it reduces by half.
Now add the balsamic vinegar (or apple cider with sugar) and butter; cook for another 1 minute.
Pour the sauce over the steaks and serve immediately with some veges on the side.
Note: A medium rare steak - the middle: a hint of red, the center: pink, the sides: well browned, the top & bottom: dark brown.
This steak should have a firm surface but soft in the middle.
Serves 1 & 2.

Cottage Cheese Clear Soup - My Family Style

Self cooking photograph

vege/ chicken stock	4 cups
corns	1/2 cup
spring onion	2, chopped
soy sauce	1 tsp
vinegar	1/2 tsp
coriander stems	1/2 cup, 1/2 inch chopped
green chili	1, chopped
salt	to taste
black/ white pepper	to taste
sugar	1tsp
cottage cheese	1-1/2 cup,cubes
Method:
Boil the vegetable or chicken stock and corns together for 4 to 5 minutes.
Now add green chillies, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, pepper powder and salt; simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add spring onions and coriander stems; simmer for another 5 minutes.
Now add cottage cheese, mix well and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and serve hot.
Serves 4.

Strawberry Jelly Poke Cake - Christmas Special

Self cooking photograph

Self cooking photograph

vanilla cake mix	1 box (super moist)
strawberry jelly	1 box (85g)
hot water	1 cup
lemon juice	2tbsp
red food color	1/2 tsp (optional)
whipping cream	250ml
sugar	1tbsp
Method:
Bake the cake as directed on the cake mix box.
Let it cool completely.
(detach the sides of the springform pan once it cools or leave as is in the baking dish to poke)
Poke the cake all around with a fork.
Separately, stir jelly powder into a boiling hot water and add red food color; mix till the powder is completely dissolved.
Take one tablespoon of jelly liquid and keep aside.
Now add lemon juice to the remaining jelly liquid and mix well.
Pour this jelly liquid over the cake evenly.
Now make frosting.
Beat the whipping cream and sugar together until soft peaks.
Spread the frosting on the cake evenly using a butter knife.
Now take that 1tbsp of jelly liquid and drizzle on top of the cake frosting.
(You can heat this liquid before pouring on top of the cake)
Take a butter knife and swirl around to make a design.
Garnish with strawberries if you like.
Serves 6 to 8.
Merry Christmas!