"From her blood sprouted .......'chocolate' !!" (Double Chocolate Brownie-Cookies)

Once upon a time a prince went to battle to defend the borders of his father's kingdom against a hostile tribe. His wife, the princess was left to guard the kingdom's vast treasures.
The invaders were fierce--they defeated the princes' army and advanced on the capital city. Alarmed the princess hid the treasure. The barbarians took the city, captured the princess and ransacked the royal keep, seeking treasure.
Not finding it, they tortured the princess. Despite her prolonged suffering she did not reveal the hiding place of the treasure. Enraged they killed her.
But from her blood sprouted the cocoa plant and eversince that time people have known there is treasure hidden in its seeds, as rich and strong as love itself , but bitter as love torn/lost.

Hello dear friends, I'm back with everything that you love about this blog-- the history, the fables, the food, ....and yours' truly; thus making this humble place dearer and special.

Thank you so much for the overwhelming comments on the last post and all those wonderful wishes/comments. I know that they were truly heartfelt because I could feel the warmth when I read them.

All the love I get from my readers, followers, admirers, fills me up with immense joy and pride--thanks for being there...for sticking by me, my friends!

All's well at my end and I am dying to know whats abuzz at blogosphere.

Couldn't wait till 1st April to post this (wink wink). Can't stay away from you guys for long!

Will be off making courtesy calls to all of you now! :)

But not before I divulge the creative recipe of these indulgent Brownie-Cookies, I made for the birthday of a dear kid, of a friend.

Cookies and brownies in one! Could life get any better?!!

Note: This dough requires chilling the dough overnight, keep this in mind while planning your cookie baking.

Double Chocolate Brownie-Cookies

Ingredients-

3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup cocoa powder (not sweet chocolate powder)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup ground almonds/walnuts(if not using nuts, substitute with ap flour)
2 tsps baking powder
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Method-

In a mixing bowl combine flour, ground walnuts/almonds and baking powder.
Beat oil, sugar, and cocoa together in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs to oil and cocoa mixture one egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Mix in flour mixture. Fold in chocolate chips. Knead the dough slightly, if required dust with a little flour for ease in kneading.

Wrap the dough in cling foil and chill overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheet.
Take the dough out 2 minutes before you intend to bake it.

In between two parchment paper/sheets, place the dough and roll out to about 1/2 inch thickness. Dust your cookie cutter with flour and cut out desired shapes.
Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes.

My Vegan Ginger-Snap Cookies ...& a months' break !!

“Phoebe: Observe the art of seduction. Watch, learn, and don't eat my cookie.”

-Friends

FYI--I am an ardent blogger and get extremely excited each time I see a comment or an increase in the "followers' list" of my blog. However a couple of days back I discovered that my blog followers' list was short by a couple of followers/readers. I was so dishevelled and saddedned that a few of my readers actually stopped following my posts/blog, even after all the time and effort I put into making my posts interesting & informative, with easy and healthy recipes(food for the body) together with cultural and food history(food for the mind).

But thanks to Natasha (5 star foodie) I got to know that it wasn't my posts but a technical glitch that made a few of my followers 'anonymous' instead of the usual 'public' followers. And that my followers have to change their status to 'public' once again to make up for the lost numbers in the followers' list of my blog.

Please read here for all the details and share your experiences.

--0--

If ever I was to sit and make a list of my favourite cookies Ginger snap cookies would sure feature on that list (ofcourse my version with choco-chips). This is a highly addictive, chewy cookie that you will not stop at one, especially if I tell you its all healthy too! The subtle hint of cardamom and the warmth of the ginger is sure to please your palette during this last lap of winter.

Generally I do add eggs to my cookie dough, but these were made especially for a vegetarian friend of mine, sometime early in January '09, so I skipped the eggs. However,the taste was even better I guess 'cause my hub asked for seconds and thirds (which isn't the case normally as he is not very enthusiastic about spiced cookies).




My Vegan Ginger-Snap Cookies
Ingredients-
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 cup molasses/brown sugar
2-3 tbsp golden syrup (you can use corn syrup too)
2 tsp root ginger powder
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
a pinch of cardamom
1/3 cup canola oil/cooking oil
1/2 tsp baking soda
a small pinch of salt



Method-
Spray cookie sheet with nonstick spray; set aside.
In a large mixing bowl beat the oil with the brown sugar, baking
soda, ginger, cardamom, salt and golden syrup; beat until combined.
Stir in the whole-wheat and all purpose flours with a
wooden spoon. Add the chocolate chips.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.


Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet. Flatten a little with your palm.
Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 10 to 11 minutes or until set and tops are cracked.
Remove from cookie sheet. Cool on a wire rack.


Note: The longer the cookies bake, the more crisp they will be.









A note:

I will be taking a months' leave from blogging due to personal reasons(shifting homes).
Its just for a short while and is much needed. (Trust me on this one!)
Will look forward to seeing all you guys once I am back. Do keep stopping by though....and please keep my (virtual) home abuzz. Its a request!


hugs,
Navita

Cooking with Alicia & Annie--Fudge Sandwhich Cookies

"...city sidewalks...busy sidewalks...dressed in holiday style...in the air there is a feeling of christmas....soon it will be christmas day...."

As a child I used to wait for two dates most in the entire year--one was Sep.4th (my birthday) and the other was Dec.25th (Christmas day).

I clearly recall one such Chrishtmas eve. I was in std 7th then. I loved putting up stockings at my bed post, and then strictly instructing my parents not to put anything in it ( I had a hunch!) so that I can check for sure whether or not Santa actually visits us. Much to my dismay, I didn't find anything...but I wasn't really upset. My point proven, I went ahead and enjoyed the cheer. Thats' the beauty of this festival, you are bound to be HAPPY! And as for gifts my dad in any case spoiled me often (have been a papa's girl always) and Christmas was no different. lol....

It was pointed out to me quite recently that I have been on a sugar spree lately. I am shamefully aware of that. But c'mon I think I can be excused for posting so many sweet goodies/recipes. Cheer up guys...it happens just once in a year..so indulge! :-p

This is a another of the many fudge recipes from Annie's Recipes.

Fudge Sandwhich Cookies

Ingredients-

1 1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cups cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt

( I halved the quantity of the ingredients as I was making/testing with a small batch)

Method-

Cream butter or margarine and sugar in large mixing bowl.
Add eggs and vanilla, blend well.
Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt (no need to seive).Blend into creamed mixture.
Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes.

Note: My fudge cookies were a little less like fudge and a little more like cookies, nevertheless delicious. :P

I served them with my favourite ice-cream dollop in between. They were yum...!

This goes out to Cooking with Alicia & Annie's Dec. blog event.

Double Chocolate Chip (Oatmeal) Cookies

Chorus 1:

I sure do like those Christmas cookies sugar

I sure do like those Christmas cookies babe

The ones that look like Santa Claus,Christmas trees and bells and stars

I sure do like those Christmas cookies babe

Verse 1 :

Now Christmas cookies are a special treat

The more she bakes the more I eat

And sometimes I can't get myself to stop

Sometimes she'll wait til I'm asleep

And she'll take the ones that I didn't eat

And put those little sprinkley things on top

(Repeat Chorus 1)

Verse 2:

Now those sprinkley things just make things worse

Cause it makes em taste better than they did at first

And they're absolutely impossible to resist

Some disappear to who knows where

But I make sure I get my share

And those kids just stand there waiting for the ones I miss

Chorus 2:

I sure do like those Christmas cookies sugar

I sure do like those Christmas cookies babe

She gets mad if they're all gone

Before she gets the icing put on

I sure do like those Christmas cookies babe

Verse 3:

Now there's a benefit to all of this

That you might have overlooked or missed

So now let me tell you the best part of it all

Every time she sticks another batch in the oven

There's fifteen minutes for some kissin' and huggin'

That's why I eat Christmas cookies all year long.

This was a song (by George Straits) my hubby shared with me while I was baking his favourite Chocolate chip (oatmeal) cookies one time.Must be wondering why the 'oatmeal' is in brackets...thats' because I had sneaked them in just to make the cookies a little healthier.(wink wink) The song now comes to my head each time I bake them..lol. Its kind of a funny song.

Its my favourite season...the warm winter sun plays peek-a-boo at my window. The earthy scent that floats across makes me heady and simply alleviates my spirit. It works its magic every single day....and I want to sing and dance. ( I actually do that in my room, all by myself..lol).

My world revolves around my man...quite literally..I simply love being married to him ! (blush blush) He has been away from home for quite a few years (while studying and working initially)...so now that we are together I make sure that he gets all the comforts of a home-cooked meal and goodies. I decided to make his favourite choco-chip cookies. He simply adores them and so do I...more so because it brings him joy.

Double Chocolate Chip (Oatmeal) Cookies

Ingredients-

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 cup cocoa powder ( I used light cocoa powder)

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter

1 cup soft brown sugar

1 large egg, slightly whisked with a fork

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup rolled oats/quick oats

Method-

Preheat oven to 350 F / 180 C. Line cookie pan with baking paper.

Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.

Cream the butter, sugar and egg together.

Add the vanilla essence. Add the quick oats.

Add the chocolate chips. Mix well.
Drop the batter on the cookie pan, about half a tablespoon size each.

(leaving space in between the cookies, for expansion)

Bake the cookies for about 10-15 minutes.

Cool on wire rack. Serve warm with chilled milk.

Note: Instead of egg, any egg substitute can be used. Infact I've made them using applesauce, but the cookies would be almost cake like in texture.

This goes out to Harini (sunshinemom) of Tounge Ticklers Juke-box event. Sing-a-long! :-)

Also this goes out to Susan of Food Blogga, for her annual Eat Christmas Cookies event. This event was a smash hit the first time and is back on popular demand as Season II. You can view the yummiest cookies ever from across the globe here.

Last but not the least this cookie also goes to Sharmi (of Neivedyam).

Cooking with Alicia & Annie--Chocolate-chip Cookies

" A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand".

Its been a busy day for me...but very gratifying as I was able to finish quite a few chores-laundry, picking up groceries, finishing my umpteenth Sydney Sheldon and returning to the library, etc....phew!

As I mentioned earlier ...I am addicted to blogging and cooking...(I can see you nodding your head in agreement my friend!)...blogging was the one thing I had to do , even if it meant 2 a.m. in the night or should I say morning.

Now before I sat at my laptop for hours doing my fav thing, I had to bribe my husband. It was just last night that I was blogging and he waited for me till I was done , so that we could go to bed. He isn't exactly pleased with my new found favourite. And again today I was to repeat history.. ;-) (can't help it!!)...so I baked him his favourite choco-chip cookies.

I followed the recipe from Annie's recipe that I had found on the net/blogosphere; with a few adaptations.

Needless to say hubby loved it and couldn't wait for the cookies to cool or for me to take the pictures. lol...

I had done it again. His mouth was filled with the cookies and I was blabbering away that it was because of blogging that I could find the recipe etc etc....after all blogging ain't so bad at all. (wink wink).

Choco-Chip Cookies

Ingredients-
4 cups Bisquick

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

2/3 cup cold milk
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 packet chocolate chips (feel free to use more if you want..chocolate never hurts!)

Tip:Use eggs straight from the freezer. A tip I read somewhere.Cookies bake great.

Method-
In a bowl mix all the ingredients (except the chocolate chips) and mix well.
Add the choco-chips at the end.
Drop cookie dough with the help of an ice-cream scoop (as its easier) on the baking sheet.
Take care to keep them 2 inch apart.
Bake at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes.
Cool on rack.

EAT! :-)

I have never really baked cookies before.

Cakes,muffins,bread,..yes...but no cookies.

This was my first time and it came out pretty decent.

I made them in the microwave, as thats all I have here.

When using microwave for baking these cookies--
1. do not put any cookie on the center of the turn-table, keep them on the sides of the baking plate.

2. freeze the cookie dough for a few minutes before putting them in the microwave

3. bake for just 4-5 minutes on medium-high setting.
4. use brown sugar in the recipe,as microwave doesn't browns like a conventional oven, the brown sugar does the trick

Do let me know for more tips on microwave baking/use.

I had stumbled upon this blog while searching for the perfect choco-chip cookie recipe. Its got loads of other wonderful recipes that I intend to try sometime.
I am sending this as an entry to the November 2008 Blog event at Alicia-Annie blogspot.

I send this to Vandana (Cooking Up Something Nice)'s Baking for Beginners' event.
Also, this goes out to Susan (of Food Blogga) for her Eat Christmas Cookies event. You can see a variety of other christmas goodies here.

N.B. The picture on which the cookies are placed are another of my creative streaks at work...my doodling with colours. :-)

Proof in the pudding.....

"A wise woman puts a grain of sugar into everything she says to a man,and takes a grain of salt with everything he says to her."

----Helen Rowland.

I don't know whether others (like me) have suffered what I like to call the "sugar-magnet" craving.
As a child I sometimes craved for sweets all of a sudden...anything..even plain sugar would do. Unfortunately this has stuck with me over the years. The only thing that has changed is that now plain sugar wouldn't do! A few days back this craving struck, without any warning ....and yours truly had to make 'some' (read 'lots' of) dessert.

I made Fruit Custard (another of my husband's eternal favourites) , to try and keep my dessert a little on the healthier side. ;-) Also, because its so quick!
My earliest memories of custard are when returning after school,we (my bro and me) sneaked into the refrigerator to see if there is something sweet that mom had made...bread pudding, choco-biscuit cake, shahi tukde, sandesh or custard. We secretly smiled at each-other like partners-in-crime,when we saw our sweet-treasures. And even before mom could serve it up for us...we would have attacked the fridge and left only morsels..lol. Mom obviously knew about our sneaking...so she religiously kept some dessert. Well dessert for us kids was not confined to the after meal pleasure, it could be had at anytime during the day-breakfast, lunch, dinner or even in tiffin. lol.

I will do the same for my kids eventually, but for now I'm making my hubby happy..and not to forget myself too! :-)

Vanilla Mixed Fruit Custard--
Ingredients-
2 tbsp custard powder ( I used Brown & Polson, you can use your favourite brand)
3 tbsp packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
3 cup skimmed milk
favorite fruits, chopped (banana,mango,strawberry,orange,grapes,gooseberry,pear,apple)

Method-
Heat the milk (leaving 1/2 cup aside) on medium flame, with the brown sugar.
To the half cup milk add the custard powder and mix till lump free.
Now, add this mix to the boiling milk. Remove from heat. Add vanilla essence.
Pour in a separate bowl and refrigerate till cool.

Serve chilled with freshly chopped fruits ( in my case I added the Ritters' Sport Dunkle Voll-Nuss chocolate too !!).