Welcome aboard!

Indian cuisine is a riot of colours, flavours, and spices. Every state has its own unique culture- ingrained taste bud. And, to many of us staying within familiar tastes is a sacrosanct act. Of course an occasional trip to a speciality restaurant that serves another fare is ok. But, as a matter of routine ...at home...NO!

One of the benefits of being born to parents who dared an interstate marriage (am talking about India of the 70's) was being able to widen a regional taste bud to accept, experiment and, relish eclectic cuisines :-)

I love food! Be it traditional or fusion, cooking is all about turning out fare that is tasty and healthy.I welcome all lovers of good food to come on aboard and share your kitchen adventures.

If you like what you see, do leave a comment. If you don't, please leave a suggestion to help me make this better.

You can also request for any recipe you want. Just leave a note in a comment box.

Happy cooking!

Dershana

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Chocolate, beets, and carrot muffins and a very happy 2011 to you!

Happy New Year 2011 to all my readers and friends! My New year fruit cake is still half done, so, for now ,here is a quick and healthy muffin I baked over X'mas for my little girl. My husband, who initially winced at the sight of veggies going into a chocolate muffin, later commented , " It's just not possible to figure out this one has beets and carrots in it. Really nice!". Little Abhi, as usual, enjoyed her mother's rare baking attempt.


All purpose flour (Maida) - 1 cup
Whole wheat flour - 1 cup
Baking powder - 1 teaspoon (5gms)
Egg - 1 large
Olive oil - 1/2 cup
Jaggery syrup - 1/2 cup
Pure Date syrup - 1/2 cup
(If you do not have jaggery or date syrup at hand then use packed brown sugar or even plain white sugar instead)
Beetroot - 1 small (grated very fine)
Carrot - 1 small (grated very fine)
Dates - a few (deseeded and chopped)
Dark unsweetened or semi sweetened chocolate chips - a liberal handful
Vanilla essence or powder - a few drops or pinches ( I used powder because I could not find propylene free essence)


Whisk the egg till it froths ( I use a braun electric handheld blender with whisking attachement). Add the olive oil and syrups, blend well. Sieve the flours and baking powder to ensure even blending. Add all ingredients, except chocolate chips, together and mix well. If you find the batter dry add a little buttermilk or milk at room temperature. Finally mix in teh choco chips.

Preheat oven at 200. Line the muffin tray with cases and pour in to fill 3/4th. Baking time might vary with the oven. I have a very basic OTG and baked my muffins at 150 for 25 minutes. Insert a toothpick and if it comes out clean your muffins are done.



Here's a picture of how this looks inside.

14 comments:

Jaisy James said...

healthy and delicious

Priya Suresh said...

Happy and prosperous 2011 to u and ur family dear, muffins looks gorgeous and beautiful..

Jaishree Iyer said...

Muffins looks soft & moist.yum dershana:) Happy new year to you& your family!

Rachana said...

Delicious and healthy muffins... Wishing you a lovely 2011 :-)

Unknown said...

happy 2011 cake looks yumm..

notyet100 said...

wish ya happy new year,..this one looks delicious,..

Sushma Mallya said...

Wish you and your family a very happy new year , cake looks yum dershana...

Usha said...

Looks delicious ! Wish you and your family a very Happy and Healthy 2011:-)

Aparna Vijay said...

Looks Yummy..First time to ur blog..u have a lovely space..Do have a look at my blog whenever time permits..

Regards
Aparna Vijay
http://vegetarian-dishes.blogspot.com

Raks said...

Happy New year,love the combo and the recipe,they look super yumm!

Unknown said...

Definitely a great and healthy muffins dersh..Supeb!!

Namitha said...

Lovely combo there..Looks fabulous. Happy New year to you too :-)

veena said...

looks so inviting. Delicious too:-)

Unknown said...

This looks delicious!!!! Happy New year to you too :)Never to late, I say!

 
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