HAPPY NEW YEAR with Malpoa!

Happy New Year everyone! This is just wishing everybody great health and wealth and sending loads of love to all who care to visit this blog of mine !:)

Malpoa is a traditional bengali sweet dish that is served in all festivals and even in weddings. The deep fried pan cakes (well sort of!) dripping in thick sugar syrup is a favorite among all ! It is simple to make and you can tweak it as you like: like you can add kheer to the batter, or condensed milk, or maybe some chopped dry fruits and some strands of saffron . But what I made for New year was the simplest version and served hot after lunch or dinner it is simply a mouth watering delight!

What you need:

flour--1 cup

Suji/ semolina--4 tbsp

milk --1 and 1/4 cup

sugar--1 tbsp

grated coconut--1/2 cup

oil-- for frying

Sugar syrup:

2 cups sugar

1 and 3/4 cup water

Over low heat , in a pan boil the sugar and water to a syrup .It should be hot but not boiling.

Meanwhile in a bowl mix all the ingredients and whisk so that there are no lumps.

Now heat oil in a pan and add a ladle full of batter. Fry until golden brown on both sides.

Directly add the malpoa to the sugar syrup and let it soak for a couple of minutes.

Serve hot!

Triple chocolate cheesecake !

Ah!!! The year end festivities and the gooey cakes! Lovely!

Wanted a decadent cake this time with the chocolate and cheese and that's what I got....

I mixed and matched a number of recipes and this is what I landed up with! And I am not complaining!

Dry Ingredients:

flour--1 and 2/3 cups

corn flour-- 1/3 cup

baking soda--1 tsp

baking powder--1 tsp

cocoa powder--4 tbsp

salt-a pinch

Wet Ingredients:

eggs--2 beaten lightly

brown sugar-1 and 3/4 cup

butter- 10 tbsp

chocolate chunks-1/2 cup

Ganache:

light cream-2 cup

chocolate chip-2cup

butter-5 tbsp melted

Filling:

light cream cheese--2 cup at room temperature

chopped hazelnuts-- to garnish

Mix the dry ingredients and keep aside.

Cream the butter and sugar and to it add the eggs.

Fold in the mixture into the dry ingredients. Add the chocolate chunks and fold lightly.Butter a round baking pan and preheat oven at 340 F.

Pour the batter in the baking pan.

Next lightly whisk the cream cheese and add it over the batter. With a flat knife slowly infuse the cream cheese into the batter. Do not whisk.

Bake for 40 -- 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

In a pan heat the cream and butter just under boiling point. Pour it over the chocolate chunks and mix into a smooth paste.

Now freeze the mixture for around 2 hours. and the frosting is ready.

When the cake has cooled with a sharp large knife cut the cake horizontally.

Slather the cooled chocolate frosting inside and also over the top.

Sprinkle a handful of nuts on top.

Now sink into the chocolaty velvetness!

Happy New Year! :)

Run-up to Christmas!!

Christmas is not the same without cakes. With our moving to the new apartment I wanted to test my new oven and what would be better than a lovely Chocolate Vanilla Nut cake! I peeked into my pantry and discovered a packet of chopped hazelnuts and thought it would be lovely to include the nuts....

It was a snowy winter afternoon and even with the heating on, it was quite chilly inside. The warmth of the oven was inviting and even more inviting was the aroma of chocolate and vanilla . So here it is.... make your Christmas a little more delicious...(you are free to add any other type of nut or fruits if you like)

What you need:

For the vanilla batter:

Flour: 1 cup

baking powder:1tsp

baking soda:1/2 tsp

white powdered sugar:1/2 cup

brown sugar:1/2 cup

chocolate chips:1/4 cup

vanilla:1 tbsp

egg:1 lightly beaten

butter:4 tbsp molten

salt:a pinch

For the chocolate batter:

Flour:1 cup

baking powder:1 tsp

baking soda:1/2 tsp

white powdered sugar:1/2 cup

brown sugar:1/2 cup

chocolate chips:1/2 cup melted over slow burner with 2 tbsp milk

hazelnuts:1/4 cup

egg:1 beaten

butter:5 tbsp

salt:a pinch

Vanilla batter:

Mix all the dry ingredients.

In a separate bowl cream the butter and sugar. Slowly add the egg . Whisk well.

Now mix the dry and wet ingredients together. Add the vanilla and salt.

Fold the mixture in slowly. Add the chocolate chips.

Chocolate batter:

Same as the vanilla batter.

Mix the chopped nuts and the molten chocolate last.

Take care that the chocolate is at room temperature.

Now line the baking tray with a tin foil .Lightly brush melted butter.

First add the chocolate batter and smoothen it out.

Next add the vanilla batter.

Preheat the oven at 350 F.

Bake for 40 -45 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.

Serve warm with a dollop of caramel vanilla ice cream....you will be in heaven!!!