Cinnamon | Aapplemint

Apple Cake

Aug 212012

If you’re the kind who is thinking about dessert at the last bite of your meal, then you’re reading the right post. Buying desserts n cakes from outside is not very common in my house. I usually prefer making all things my sweet tooth desires. Baking is so simple and so rewarding and the cakes made at home are so much better than store bought ones. You have full control over the quality of ingredients and you probably can make a whole cake (small if not big) for the price of one slice outside. The entire house smells delicious and will make the neighbours pop their heads in to ask whats baking, plus everyone at home will be looking forward to eat that gorgeous cake you made. I’m all about using simple recipes to create that magic in my kitchen. And this Apple Cake is no exception, its everything you’d expect from a home baked cake. One thing I do recommend is investing in an good oven. Once you have one, you’ll want to bake at the drop of a hat. Trust me. I’ve been planning to move into my new house, for a while now, but its taken a bit longer, but the bright side is, I’ve had the time to look out for the best of things for my new kitchen. My heart lies in the kitchen, so I know I’m going to spend the most there. I’ve looked up everything from cookware, kitchen appliances to countertops, sinks, cupboard fittings, light fittings …. all of it. Its too much of a headache to do everything myself where these days there are such beautiful options of ready fitted kitchens. One of my prize finds was this place which gives free appliances with fitted kitchens. I couldnt possibly do a better job myself, in the time and money. Which leaves me with more time to do the one I think I adore most – Bake. I made this cake for a little get together we were having at home. Apple and cinnamon is a match made in heaven and I decided to make this as I was craving a good apple pie but didn’t want to eat the heavy pastry. This cake is light, not to sweet and delivers.

Ingredients

5 apples (chopped, peeled and cored)

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

5 Tablespoons sugar

2 3/4 cups flour, sifted

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups sugar

Juice of one lime

2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

4 eggs

1/2 cup milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9″ non stick loose bottom cake tin. Combine apples with cinnamon and sugar, coating well and set aside. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, lime juice, sugar and vanilla. Combine this mixture with the dry ingredients, then add eggs, one at a time. The batter will be quite thick. This is when you add the milk. Mix well. Pour half of batter into prepared pan. Spread half of apples over it. Pour the remaining batter over the apples and arrange the remaining apples on top. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Carrot n Coconut Cupcakes

All, Baking, Featured 3 Responses »

Dec 132011

December for most of us is always the craziest part of the year. With Christmas around the corner, New Years Eve, the Big Indian wedding season, insane number of parties and events to go to and not to mention the lovely weather, which makes you want to eat much more than just the usual. There’s no way you can stick to eating healthy and maintain your Diet plans. Specially if you’re the kind, who leans a little more towards the sweeter side. Cupcakes are always the easiest to go for, as you don’t have to polish off the whole thing yourself. Keep a couple to satisfy that craving and pass on the rest ! I chose to make these cupcakes over the whole cake, smaller potions are always better and prettier too. And its always good to share the love and sweetness. And thats just what I did with these. They make the perfect thing to carry to a Christmas party too.

Preheat oven at 180C

Line the cupcake molds with the baking parchment squares. Set aside.

Self Raising Flour - 300 gms

Cinnamon Powder - 3 teaspoons

Bicarbonate of Soda – 2 teaspoons

Sift all these together and keep in a bowl.

Eggs – 4 large

Oil – 300 ml

Powder or superfine Raw Cane Sugar - 350 grams

Mix all these together in a bowl and beat with electric beater. Beat for 3- 4 minutes till light and fluffy. Mix the flour slowly in the egg and again beat with electric beater for 2-3 minutes.

Carrots ( Grated )- 400 grams

Fresh Coconut ( Grated) – 100 grams

Walnuts ( Chopped) – 100 grams

Orange Zest – 1 orange

Put all these in the cake batter and mix well. Pour in tin and bake for 15 -20 mins or till done.

When baked, remove from oven and make holes on backside of cake. ( optional)

Juice of orange – 1

Powder Sugar – 100 grams

Mix together and pour over cake and leave in tin till all is absorbed. Remove after few hours and dust with icing sugar.

Cream Cheese – 200 gms

Sugar powder enough to sweeten – 3 tbsps

Frost cupcakes with it.

SPICED CHEESE CRÊPE WITH ORANGE SAUCE

All, Dessert, Featured 20 Responses »

Jun 212011

In the City of Lights, where the Eifel Tower stands tall, numerous crêperies bustle with life … at side walk cafes, sit- down restaurants and takeaway windows, everyone is enjoying but one famous dish. Crêpes. Sweet or savoury, eaten hot and off the iron cast pan, this dish is exquisite. Made from a batter of flour, eggs, milk, butter, salt, sugar, water and oil, crepes are thin and transparent like muslin, they have a golden brown hue and their edges resemble a fine lace. Made either soft or crispy, these French pancakes look a lot like our South Indian Dosa’s. Crepes are very versatile and malleable. Their fillings can be complex and sophisticated or as simple as a dollop of herb butter, a dice of chilies, or crumbled sheep or goat cheese. You can make a meal entirely of crepes – vegetables, cheeses, and meats for dinner Or, for sweet bite-fulls, tuck in some grated bittersweet chocolate or white or dark chocolate chips, spread with jam and sprinkle with powdered sugar, or sprinkle with sugar and splash with lemon juice. And what’s more, their roll-up portability makes them the perfect fast food.

Traditionally crepes are eaten to celebrate renewal, family life, and hope for good fortune and happiness ahead. It is customary to touch the handle of the frying pan and make a wish while the pancake is turned, holding a coin in the hand.

Most cuisines all over the world make crêpes in one form or another. There is the Italian crespella, the French crêpe, the Chinese mandarin pancake, the Mexican tortilla, the Indian dosa and the Russian blinchki, Scandinavian plattars, Jewish blintzes, Hungarian palacsintas, Greek kreps and Ethiopian anjara. Even the English have created their own twiston the crepe. They are a bit thicker and sweeter in the UK. A bit like the pancake but thinner, and a bit like the crepe but thicker … The English always seem to have their own personal opinions and versions on food globally.

Turning out a batch of the aromatic butter-browned pancakes is a rewarding endeavor. Assembling them is swift and can often be done ahead. With a stack of these tender discs on hand, you will have myriad serving possibilities for a happy repast any time of day. Crêpes are ideal to make in advance and refrigerate or freeze, to fill later for a party or informal gathering. They are easy, dramatic, and fun to serve.

Extremely popular you can see these popping up on many menus at hip and chick restaurants all over India and a favourite with the younger generation.

Ingredients for Crepe Batter

225 gm plain flour

2 eggs, lightly beaten

500 ml whole fat milk

2 tbsp caster sugar

50 gm unsalted butter, melted, plus extra melted butter to grease

For the Orange Sauce

250 ml strained fresh orange juice

110 gm caster sugar

Icing sugar to dust

Segments of orange to serve

Spiced Cheese filling

400 gm fresh soft cottage cheese/paneer crumbled

100 gms softened cream cheese

35 gm currants

3 tbsps pure icing sugar, sifted

2 tsp finely grated orange zest

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

Place the flour in a large bowl. Add the egg, milk, melted butter, sugar and a pinch of salt and whisk until smooth. Crêpe batter should be about as thick as heavy cream. If it is too thick, thin it with a little water. If it is too thin, additional flour can be added. Cover the batter with cling film and leave in the fridge to rest for 1 hour.

Meanwhile for the cheese filling, stir all the ingredients together in a large bowl until well combined.

For the sauce, place the orange juice and caster sugar in a small saucepan and stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Now increase the heat to high and simmer rapidly, stirring occasional for about 10 mins or the mixture is a light syrupy consistency.

Heat a crepe pan (ideally a dosa tawa would be just perfect) or a medium sized non-stick frying pan, over medium fire. Then brush the base with the melted butter. For each crepe add a large ladle of batter to the pan and swirl quickly to cover the base. Spread it out evenly like you spread a dosa. Cook for 1 minute, then lift the outer edge of the crepe with a flat spatula and flip it over. Cook for a further 30 seconds or until golden Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining batter and stack up the crepes.

Now to finish, spread a heaped tablespoon of the cheese filling over a quarter of each crepe and fold into quarters. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium fire and brush with melted butter. Working in batches, add the filled and folded crepes to the frying pan and cook for about 30 seconds each side. To serve, place 2 crepes on each plate. Dust with icing sugar and drizzle with warm orange sauce and top it up with the orange segments.

A Christmas Cake n Seasons Greetings to All

All, Baking 53 Responses »

Dec 252008

This Christmas, the spirits in Mumbai have been particularly low. Due to the terrorist attacks exactly a month ago on Mumbai the celebrations have been subdued and are low key. Such is the nature of this festive season in Mumbai which have been fueled by global recession and the recent carnage by terrorists, that we have lost ourselves in revenge, forgiveness, fear, politics, ministers, war, death and hatred instead of finding ourselves in the solace of Love, peace, carols, decorations, joy, friends, festivities and celebrations. As a show of solidarity during these testing times we have kept our Christmas a relatively simple affair, with just a simple traditional Christmas fruit cake, and even foregoing the turkey.

Christmas cakes are made in many different ways, but generally they are variations on the classic fruitcake. They can be light, dark, moist, dry, heavy, spongy, leavened, or unleavened. Sticky mounds of chopped raisins, candied peel, almonds, nuts, and cherries have to be doused with brandy, rum and other assorted spirits and mixed thoroughly. Baking a Christmas cake, a few days before Christmas is fine, but ‘feeding’ it with alcohol, will ensure the cake is full of rich flavours and aromas. You can serve it as a pudding after a meal with custard or brandy butter; or as a Christmas cake with a layer of traditional marzipan icing on top made from ground almonds. I woke up quite late to make my Christmas cake, as i figured i will need atleast something festive this Christmas. So i got only a weeks time to drouse my pile of dry fruits n nuts and baked my cake just at the nick of time. Chose to omit the marzipan, and just went for a simple dusting of icing sugar and served it with some chilled custard.

150 gms sultanas
150 gms raisins
150 gms currants
75 gms glace cherries
50 gms candied oranges or mixed peel
50 gms chopped almonds
50 gms chopped walnuts
4 shot glasses of VSOP Champagne Cognac

Mix everything together, and store it in an airtight container for as long as you can. I kept ir for 7 days.

225 gms self raising flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4th tsp grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon pd.
1/2 tsp mixed spice
225 gms unsalted butter
225 gms demerera sugar
4 large eggs
some more VSOP Champagne cognac – depends on how boozy you want to make your cake

Start with lining your baking tins with silicon paper and pre heating the oven to 140 C. I used two 6″ cake tins to get 2 small cakes, you could just go for one big one instead. In a bowl sift together the dry ingradients. In another bowl cream the sugar and butter till light and creamy. Add the eggs one by one and while beating them in be carefull not to curdle the mixture. Now with your hand , gently fold in the dry mix spoon by sppon, untils its all incorporated. Now fold in the spirit soaked fruits n nuts and give it one good stir. Divide equally between the tins and cut a silicon paper round to cover the top of the cake to prevent it from burning in the slow baking process. Put them in the lowest shelf of the oven and let it bake for an hour n a half. Once the time is up, get them out and let them cool in the tins for 30 mins, but if you are impatient like me, 15 will do Now turn the cake cake upside down in a big box with a cover, and prick hole with a skewer on it. Drizzle some of the cognac on the cakes and cover tightly so as the cake does not dry out and it soaks all the booze. Keep doing this ‘ feeding’ at regular intervals , until you are satisfied that the cake has had enough. When ready to eat, dust with icing sugar and serve with some traditonal English custard .

Wish you all Happy Holidays ! Cheers !

XOXO

Majik of Honey & Cinnamon

All, Baking 78 Responses »

Jul 252008

BE PREPARED TO READ … THIS MAY CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER

I got a fwd. almost 5 yrs ago, ‘The benefits of Honey n Cinnamon’ … was quite excited when I read all about it … made it a part of my daily routine and have experienced the benefits first hand. Today I want to share this with you … most of this info is easily available on the net, but I’ve simplified it so you can pick what’s best for you.
Lets start with the benefits of HONEY …

The benefits of honey don’t just stop at satisfying the palate; honey offers incredible antiseptic, antioxidant and cleansing properties for our body and health, hot beauty and skin care tips for ladies, and amazing healing properties as a head-to-toe remedy, from eye conjunctivitis to athlete foot. Its powerful healing attributes have long been used thousands of years ago and known to promote healing for cuts, cure ailments and diseases, and correct health disorders for generations after generations. Prophet MOHAMMED (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has mentioned the numerous benefits of Honey more than 1400 years ago. And it even dates back in Ayurveda and ancient Egyptian history.

And now Cinnamon … Did you know that a teaspoon of cinnamon has 5 times the calcium as a teaspoon of milk? And that’s just the beginning. Scientists are uncovering a lot of potential in this common spice, including the ability to help stabilize blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance. Who would have thought that plain ole cinnamon could be so good for you? In traditional medicine, cinnamon has been used for digestive ailments such as indigestion, gas and bloating, stomach upset, and diarrhea. It has a mild anti-inflammatory effect. It also slows the spoiling of food (which is probably related to why it was used as an embalming agent in ancient Egypt), and has anti-fungal properties as well. Researchers even found that sniffing cinnamon resulted in improved brain function -– subjects did better on memory and attention tasks when taking whiffs of cinnamon as opposed to other odors or no odor. However, the potential health benefits of cinnamon that have received the most attention have to do with its effects on blood glucose and cholesterol.

Put them both together …. n you have magic ! Experts across the world have researched the effects of honey and cinnamon on the human body. They have discovered several uses and applications that help to cure common discomforts and diseases.

WEIGHT LOSS :
The recipe for this miraculous weight loss aid is very simple. Combine 1 teaspoon honey with one-half teaspoon cinnamon powder and boil in one cup of water. After the mixture has boiled, filter it into another cup. Divide the mixture into two half-cup quantities to be consumed one-half hour before breakfast and one-half hour before going to sleep at night.

ARTHRITIS:
Take one part honey to two parts of Luke warm water and add a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder, make a paste and massage it on the itching part of the body. It is noticed that the pain recedes within a minute or two. Or for arthritis patients daily morning and night take one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If drunk regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.
In a recent research done at the Coppen Hagen University. It was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week out of the 200 people so treated practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

HAIR LOSS:
Those suffering from hair loss or baldness may apply a paste of hot olive oil, one tablespoon or honey, one teaspoon cinnamon powder before bath and keep it for approx. 15 min. and then wash the hair. It was found very effective even if kept for 5 min. also.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of Luke warm water and drink it. It destroys the germs of the bladder.

TOOTHACHE:
Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be done 3 times a day daily till such time that the tooth has stopped aching.

CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of cinnamon powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water if given to a cholesterol patient,it reduces the level of cholesterol in the body by 10% within2 hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day any chronic cholesterol cured. As per the information received in the said journal,pure honey taken with food daily relieves complains of cholesterol.

COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon Luke warm honey with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomachache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root. GAS: According to the studies done in India & Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread or chappati instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast.It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, are kept miles away from the next attack, Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat.In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that due to the increasing age the arteries and veins, which lose their flexibility and get clogged, are revitalized.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks.Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constants use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food, relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA:
A Scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ingredient, which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly arrests the ravages of old age. Take 4 spoons of honey 1 spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup. 3 to 4 times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increases and even if a person is 100 years old. Starts performing the chores of a 20 years old.

PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste.Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks. It removes pimples from the roots.

SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures Eczema, Ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning 1/2 hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup water. If taken regularly it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also drinking of this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has reveled that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month 3 times a day

FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful than detrimental to the body strength. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Research says that half tablespoon honey taken in one glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts decreasing. Increases the vitality of the body within a week.

BAD BREATH:
People of South America, first thing in the morning gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water. So their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder taken in equal parts restores hearing.

And what did I do to take all this goodness a step further … make Madeleines ! Yes , Honey and Cinnamon Madeleines , DR. Kate says, every time you feel low, or you feel your sugar levels have dropped, your day just isn’t getting by and all you are thinking about is sweets … then have a Madeleine or two, and instantly feel better :p … trust me it works !!!! I’ve been doing it all of yesterday and today !!!

Ingredients

250 gms self raising flour
3 eggs
2 tsp cinnamon ( feel generous … )
140 gms butter
85 gms muscavado sugar
170 gms honey ( the best you can lay your hand on )
1 tbsp water
Icing sugar to dust

The recipe as usual is fairly simple. Preheat oven to 180 C, grease your Madeline tin and dust it with flour. This recipe makes about 24. In a pot melt together the water, butter and honey, till it just about melts. Mix well, and add the rest of the ingredients and beat for 3-4 mins, till it all comes together. Pour into tins and bale for 15- 20 mins depending from oven to oven. Check with the skewer poked right in the center to see if its done. Cool in the tin for a few mins before you remove the, Dust them with icing sugar and enjoy.