Brazilian Coffee Cookies

I am not a regular coffee-drinker, but would not say no to a cup of joe on busy and cranky days. It is my pick me up. But I love coffee flavored bakes very much. The wonderful aroma of coffee which fills the whole kitchen when baking reminds me of the smell of the filter coffee brewed at home. I baked these Brazilian Coffee Cookies from Sailu's space before a couple of weeks for my friends. 

VIJAYADASHAMI PRASAADAM - Kesaribaath - Saffron Semolina Pudding

KESARI BAATH

                                                  


VIJAYADASHAMI - It is the day to celebrate the victory of virtue over vice, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness. It is the day when Goddess Chaamundeswari annihilated the buffalo headed demon Mahishaasura - the dark lord who symbolised evil might and ignorance. By slaying him after waging a war against him for nine days Mother Goddess Chamundeswri restored peace and happiness among  the terrorised mortals.
Vijayadashami - the victorious tenth day of Navaraatri / Dasara is an auspicious day to begin new endeavours and to start Vidyaabhyaasam ( initiation ceremony for learning ) for children.
Though sweet shops are abuzz with roaring business on this day,  preparing a special sweet at home as an offering to the Goddess is a most fulfilling experience.
Kesari baath is a traditional sweet dish of Karnataka which is very quick and easy to make. It is served with the morning breakfast or with the evening tea and snack. As far as the children are concerned it is an all time sweet. Kesari baath the all time favourite is an appropriate prasaadam for Vijayadashami as well.



                                                 
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     THANKS TO AKKI AND D2 FOR THE BEAUTIFUL KOLU AND THE LOVELY CLICKS


                                                  

OTHER THAN CLAY, DASARA GOMBES ( DOLLS ) ARE MADE OUT OF VARIOUS OTHER MATERIALS LIKE METAL,WOOD, PLASTER OF PARIS, PORCELAIN AND PAPIER MACHE. THE DOLLS ABOVE ARE MADE OF PAPIER MACHE.

INGREDIENTS

Semolina - 1 cup
Sugar - 1 cup
Ghee - 6 tbsps
Cashew nuts - 2 tbsps
Raisins - 2 tbsps
Saffron strands - 1 pinch
Edible saffron colour - 1 /2 pinch
Powdered Cardamom and edible camphor - 1 pinch

METHOD

1.Soak saffron strands in little warm water and keep aside.
2. Heat two tbsps of ghee and fry the cashew nuts and raisins and remove with a slotted spoon and keep aside.
3.Decrease flame and fry the semolina in the same ghee till it emanates a pleasant aroma.
4.At the same time boil three cups of water in a saucepan on the second burner of the stove.
5. Dissolve the saffron colour in the boiling water and pour it gently into the semolina.
6. Stir well until the semolina is cooked well on low flame.
7. Add sugar, blend well and keep cooking till the kesari baath thickens.
8. Add the soaked saffron strands and the remaining 4 tbsps of ghee and cook till the sweet comes together and leaves the sides of the pan. Adding more ghee gives it a great texture.
9. Mix in the cardamom powder and garnish with the fried raisins and cashew nuts.



                                                 

Offer the flavoursome Kesari Baath to Mother Goddess to celebrate Her victory, and share it with the near and dear ones.

WISH YOU ALL SUCCESS ON THE HAPPY VIJAYADASHAMI DAY.

Spinach and Cheese Muffins

If you have noticed it properly, only two or three recipes can be found in my blogs baking category. Though I like to experiment a lot in baking, I afraid to do and always worry about final outcome. Sometimes I blindly follow the recipes from my fellow blogger, cook books and TV shows. Like wise, I tried this Spinach and Cheese Muffins from the hamming bird bakery cookbook. These are savory muffins and the the cookbook recommends to use hard cheese to enjoy more muffins.



Did you know? Consuming cheese will reduce the plaque around the teeth and strengthen the tooth enamel. Overall, consume cheese with proper interval and avoid tooth decay!



Basic Information:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes
Makes: 12 muffins

Ingredients:



Butter - 30 grams

Red Onion - 1/2 small one, finely chopped

Plain Flour - 360 grams

Baking Powder - 2.5 teaspoons

Cayenne Pepper - 1 teaspoon

Cheddar cheese - 250grams, grated

Whole Milk - 220 ml

Egg - 1 no

Baby Spinach Leaves - 130 grams (I added 150g)

Salt - 1/4 teaspoon (optional)



Method:



1) Preheat the oven to 170C(325F). Line the muffin tray with muffin cases.

2) Take a pan and heat butter. When it starts to melt, add onion and fry well. Keep it aside once done.

3) In a small bowl, mix milk and egg together and keep it aside.

4) In a separate large mixing bowl, mix flour, baking powder, cayenne, salt and cheese.

5) Now give a quick stir to egg milk mixture(as said in step 3) and pour slowly into the flour mixture and mix till all the ingredients are mixed well.

 

6) Add fried onions(as said in step 2) and baby spinach. Continue mixing until everything evenly mixed.

7) Take approximately one big lemon sized quantity from the bowl transfer to the muffin cases.

8) Bake them for 30-35 minutes or until the muffins became golden brown. At final stage, a skewer inserted into the muffin should come out clean.

9) Cool slightly and transfer to the wiring rack to cool completely.

Note:

1) As the batter was tight like our chapati dough, I couldn't use the electric whisk to mix it. Instead I used my hands to finish the job.

Sending this recipe to Healthy Cooking Challenge-Healthy Bakes guest hosted by Priya of Priya's Easy n Tasty Recipes and originally from Smitha of My Tasty Curry.



Also to sizzling tastebuds's Global Food Festival.