Fruit n Nut Cake

This is my second time baking these cakes.Last year got this recipe from Taste of Home magazine and just gave a try,and it came out really delicious.I took them to the Christmas potluck and it was a hit.I already have shared this recipe with many of my friends.Was not able to post,as I didn't have a picture of the cake.Again baked these cakes today, especially for the blog ;)

Wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Ingredients
3 cups all purpose flour divided
1 to 1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup dates(chopped)
1 small bottle marschino cherries(drain n chop the cherries)-we hate these cherries,so what I do is after removing from the sauce,I wash throughouly in running water.
1/2 cup cashews(broken)
1/4 cup almonds(sliced)
1/4 cup walnuts
4 large eggs
1 cup butter(melted)
1/4 cup orange juice.
1 tsp clove,cinnamon powder combined

Method
1.In 1/4 cup flour,toss the nuts and fruits and keep it aside.
2.In another large bowl,cream the butter and brown sugar together until creamy.
3.Add the eggs,one at a time and beat well.
4.Now add the baking soda,cinnamon,clove powder and mix well.
5.Now add the remaining flour and beat at medium scraping sides and bottom once,alternately adding the orange juice.
6.Now add the nut,fruit mixture and mix well.
6.Pour the batter into greased cake/loaf pan and bake at 325 degress for 45 mins.until when the fork/skewer inserted comes out clean.

For the glaze(optional)
1 cup confectioners sugar(powdered sugar-sifted)
2 tbsp milk
In a small bowl,combine glaze ingredients until smooth.With a pastry brush glaze over warm loves/cake.Cool completely.

Read the entire recipe here

Thenga Kozhi Varuval - A Dry Chicken Curry

I am( We both actually,Myself n DH) quite busy nowadays,but didnt want to neglect my blog totally :) and here it is a recipe for a sweet friend Priya ;).Hope you enjoy this one Priya ;).This recipe has become my DH's most favorite.Add more and more pepper,make it spicy and ENJOY ;)....

The blur effect - I did n't create it ;) The rice and curry was so hot and it was the steam ;) and I cudnt wait to take a better picture ;) Everything in the picture was all mine that day :)))))

Ingredients
1 big onion finely chopped
2 medium size fleshy tomatoes finely chopped.
4 crushed green chillies.
3 tbsp coconut( ground roughly or finely).
1 tbsp fresh ginger-garlic paste.
3 tsp dry roasted saunf powdered.
2 tsp coriander powder.
2 tsp garam masala powder.
1 tbsp meat masala(I prefer aachi mutton masala).
1/4 cup finely chopped coriander leaves.
ground black pepper(as per taste).
few curry leaves.
Salt
Oil.

For the marinade
1 lb bone-in chicken(cut into small pieces)
1 1/4 tsp ground turmeric.
Red Chilli powder(as per taste)
Some salt.

Method
1.Wash and clean the chicken thoroughly in water.Marinde the chicken with the ingredients given under marinade for half an hour.
2.In a heavy bottomed wok,add oil and once its hot add the bay leaves.
3.Then add the onion,green chillies,ginger garlic paste,turmeric powder,curry leaves and saute continuously at low medium heat until the onions turn translucent.
4.Next to go is the tomatoes.Saute the tomatoes, until it turns mushy.
5.Now add the marinated chicken,salt,ground saunf,garam masala,coriander powder,meat masala.Saute until the chicken oozes out extra moisture in it.
6.Add the coconut,turn to high flame and saute contunously scrapping the bottom and sides ;).(I juz luv the left over gravy which sticks at the bottom ;) )
7.Never add water,when the mixture becomes dry, add the pepper and chopped coriander and mix well.
8.Serve it with Hot rice and rasam...YUMMY !!!

Notes
1.I dont prefer using a non stick pan for this recipe.I use stainless steel vessel.
2.You can add/ reduce the pepper..It depends on your tastebuds..

Read the entire recipe here