Chocolate -Banana Cake

This Chocolate Cake is very special. I baked this cake for my son Ravikanth on his birthday. It came out yummy and just beautiful. I am Happy for that we had good time spent with Ravi during his lunch hours.

It is an eggless cake with minimum sugar, dates and dark chocolate. You can use more sugar if you love to have little more sweet. I have used curd, milk, cinnamon and cooking oil. 

Lets see the recipe now:

Things needed :

Maida /All purpose flour : 2 Cups

Sugar : 3/4 Cup

cooking Oil : (any) : 3/4 cup

Cinnamon : An inch

Chocolate : 2 to 3 Tablespoons ( any chocolate)

Dates : 8 to 10

Banana (ripe) : 2 

Salt : a pinch

Curd : 1/2 Cup

Milk : 1/4 Cup

Baking Powder : 1 Teaspoon (Heaped)

Cooking Soda : 1/4 Teaspoon

Method : 

1.Sieve maida , baking powder and cooking soda and keep it aside. 

2. Grind sugar, dates, cinnamon into powder.
3. Add oil and grind nicely till sugar is melted.

4. Add curd and grind. Add chocolate pieces and grind again. Add banana and grind till it mixes.

5. Add milk at the end and grind for a minute. Let the mixture be soft and fluffy. 

6. Add a pinch of salt and give a churn at the end.
7. Remove the ground mixture to a big bowl.

8. Mix maida baking powder, cooking soda mixture slowly. Let it mix well. 

9. Apply little oil on the tray. Pour the cake mixture to the tray.

10. Preheat the oven for 5 minutes.

11. Now keep cake try inside the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes on 180 dc. Take it out from the oven and allow the cake to cool down, 

12 Insert a knife or spoon edge to check the cake. If it sticks to the spoon end then bake for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Note : 

Using ghee or butter instead of oil is optional. Using fresh ghee is also optional. ( I have used 1 Tablespoon of ghee along with oil. It adds to the flavour). Adding any flavour is optional. Example , venila essence or cardamom or clove. Use of more sugar is also optional. Banana adds to the sweet and softens the cake. 

Time : Preparation : 5 minutes : Baking time 30 minutes : Total time : 35 Minutes.
Serving : According to the serving.

Bindi Pakoda (Lady's finger Pakoda)

Bindi Pakoda/Fritter is a fried dish and we can munch them any time of the day. I love fried dishes as one of the side dish during lunch time. It is good to munch some thing spicy along with rice and rasam or curd. It adds taste to the food that we eat. I know eating oily food is  not good for health. I feel it is ok once in a while. (Not always).

Bindi/Lady's finger/Bendekai fry goes well with curd rice, during lunch or as starter also I have tried this bindi fry with very little quantity. It was just enough for two.
It is easy, simple and yummy. You can try and enjoy the dish.

Things Needed :

Lady's Finger/bendekai/bindi : 5 to 6
Channa Flour/Besan : 2 Tablespoons
Red chilly Powder : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt : as required
Oil : 1 Small cup (to fry)

Method : 

1. Wash and remove the moisture from bindi. (Use a clean towel or kitchen tissue to wipe out the moisture).
2. Cut them in to small circle.
3. Take a plate or bowl. Add cut lady's finger and channa/besan flour, salt, chilly powder and jeera.
4. Mix it well by hand. Sprinkle little water and mix again.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and put oil. Heat it.
6. Just drop lady's finger mixture in hot oil. (little by little).
7. Fry them till they turn slightly golden brown.

8. Remove from oil and put it on a kitchen tissue.

9. Repeat the same with rest of the mixture.
10. Serve hot fried bendi as starter, as one of the side dish or with curd rice.

Note : 

Wipe out the moisture completely. You can cut them according to your wish. (Long or short).
Do not add much water while mixing. Adding garlic cuts is optional.(I have not added). Adding cooking soda is also optional. (I did not add). Better to eat immediately, when it is hot.
Adding more spice is also optional. You can use curry leaves and coriander leaves. (But it softens the fry).
Time : 15 minutes.
Serves :2