Zucchini Stir Fry

Ingredients :

1. Zucchini (Chopped) - 2 cups
2. Oil - 1 tbsp
3. Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
4. Urad dal - 1 tap
5. Curry leaves - 1 tbsp
6. Red chillies - 3 nos
7. Onion - 1 no
8. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
9. Chilly powder - 1 tsp
10. Salt to taste
11. Grated coconut - 1 tbsp

Method :

1.   Heat oil in the pan, add mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves & red chillies.  Add finely chopped onions & saute till tender.

2.   Add the zucchini, turmeric powder, chilly powder & salt to taste.  Sprinkle some water & cook till done.

3.   Once cooked, add grated coconut & serve.

Serve with rice.

Strawberry whipped cream flower basket cake

This whipped cream cake is perfect for a summertime party, a birthday or just as a way to use berries in their prime.

Ingredients :

For the cake :

1. Cake flour - 2 cups
2. Baking powder - 2 tsp
3. Salt - 1/4 tsp
4. Vegetable oil - 1/2 cup
5. Water - 1/4 cup
6. Grated lemon zest - 1 tsp
7. Vanilla extract - 2 tsp
8. Large eggs, separated - 6 nos
9. Granulated sugar - 1 1/2 cups

For the filling :

1. Mascarpone cheese - 1/2 cup
2. Heavy whipping cream - 1/2 cup

For the berries :

1. Strawberries - 4 cups
2. Granulated sugar - 2 tbsp
3. Freshly squeezed lemon juice - 1 tbsp
4. Vanilla extract -  1/12 tsp

For the frosting :

1. Vanilla extract - 1 tbsp
2. Granulated sugar = 6 tbsp
3. Heavy cream - 3 cups

Method : 

For the cake :

1.   Preheat the oven to 350 F & grease the baking pan with the parchment paper.  Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together.

2.   In a another bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, water, lemon zest, vanilla extract, egg yolks and 11/4 cups of sugar until mixture is airy and light.  

3.   Add the dry ingredients to the above mixture and whip until smooth.

4.   In a clean bowl, whip egg whites to medium peaks.  Add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and continue whipping until stiff peaks.  Fold the egg whites into the cake batter until just combined.

5.   Bake the cake for 35 mins and let cool completely.

For the filling :

6.   Combine the mascarpone cheese and heavy cream & whip until stiff peaks form. 

For the berries :

7.   Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss to thoroughly coat strawberries.

For the frosting :

8.   Combine vanilla extract, sugar, heavy cream and whip until medium peaks.  Refrigerate until chilled.

To assemble :

9.   Evenly spread the mascarpone filling between the cake layers & arrange strawberries over them.

10.   Spread the frosting all over the top and sides of the cake & decorate accordingly.

Notes :

I used fondant for making this flowers & leaves.

Happy baking :)