All posts filed under: Cakes and Bakes

Best Ever Chocolate Chip & Walnut Cookies

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  It’s been baking mayhem in my kitchen these past few weeks.I’ve been testing out scores of recipes from breads, pastries,tarts and cookies of course.While  most of this has been work related,I decided that I would treat myself to  a nice,warm and gooey cookie.And the reason I say for myself is ,when I bake up stuff for the test kitchen,I barely ever land up eating the baked goods.Most often they are packed off to family and friends and a small sampler kept aside for the dear hubs who is ever willing to sample and indulge in my baking. I had actually started off on another post which is related to a recent getaway to a vineyard located a couple of hours from  Mumbai.This post was written up in the middle of the baking mania as was just too excited to share one of my favourite cookie recipe’s with you. Oh  I do have a soft spot for Cookies of course and especially these gorgeous one’s which are loaded with chocolate chips and some walnuts that add …

Sundae Funday at Lakeview Cafe: Renaissance Mumbai

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Hello Friends! I was overjoyed to be invited into the kitchen’s of the Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre, yet once again.This time it was for the Valentine’s Day event at the Lake View Cafe.In keeping with the theme,I was asked to provide some of my favourite recipes for Sundae’s.The idea being,getting  diner’s at the restaurant to go ahead and make up their own creations for either themselves, their spouse or their friends. What a wonderful way of saying “Happy Valentines’s. Rhomesecrets is an initiative by the  Renaissance in collaboration with SecretIndianrecipe to bring traditional Indian home flavours to life in a five-star hotel kitchen.It was indeed a great experience to have participated in the home chefs event and I certainly look forward to many such opportunities. Here is an image of the decadent Brownie A la Mode that I  whipped up..The event took place at the Hokey Pokey Ice-cream cart at the restaurant.The diner’s had a choice of making up Sundaes of their choice,pairing it with Brownie’s, assorted garnishes such as Blueberry Compote,Sour Cherries,Chocolate chips,Nuts and Fresh …

Merry Christmas From My Kitchen to Yours…Boozy Christmas Cake

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Deck the halls  with boughs of holly Fa La La La La, La La La La Tis the season to be Jolly Fa La La La La, La La La La Oh yes,it’s that time of the year again! It’s Christmas time.Lets get this festive season started with some baking. Christmas baking over the years meant lots of sugar cookies,gingerbread men,puddings,mince pies and Christmas cake of of course. The key to a good Christmas cake starts perhaps days,months or even a year in advance.It’s all about pre soaking the mixture of Raisins,Sultanas,Cranberries and the mixed Peel in some alcohol which lends a wonderful and delicious moistness to this fruit cake.Now if you are pressed for time like I was whilst baking this cake,ensure that the mixture is soaked at least 24 hours before baking the cake. A good Dark rum works great or perhaps even some Brandy,Sherry or some Orange liqueuer.I landed up using some Cuban spiced rum in my pre soak and gosh the house smells boozy! Well here it is my recipe for …

When Life Gives You Oranges….Make an Orange Cake

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    Well as the popular saying goes “When Life gives you lemons make Lemonade”.And  if it gives you Oranges then go ahead and bake up this delicious Orange cake and add in some marmalade for that extra citrusy Zing. Now I’ve been contemplating baking an Orange for a while now.There have been days when all the ingredients were all out,yet the cake just didn’t get baked.Just one of those phases you go through when you’ve been baking a lot. This afternoon I had three lone Oranges giving me a nod of approval.Almost to say C’mon and bake that cake will you! The dear son vouched that he will not even have a bit…too much sugar he said and went about doing his thing.I was quite excited to bake this afternoon and so out came all the ingredients again. Now I had been browsing some recipes that called for the oranges being stewed and then placed top of the cake when done. Where as I came across a Jamie Oliver Orange Cake recipe that I …

Brandy Snap Baskets for Mothers Day & a Contest

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Mother’s hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their heart’s forever… Mother’s Day is being celebrated on May 10th  and that’s coming up soon.This year I plan to bake up a little surprise for my mum. It’s great that I’ve now moved to Mumbai,where she lives as well and what’s more really quite close to her. Well then nothing is more special than baking up a little something  to say “I love you Mom and thank you for being a wonderful Mother”. I’m planning to make  up these delightful and cute Brandy Snap Baskets for her. These are quite dainty and delicate and may need a bit of practice before you get them quite right. But oh so worth trying them out. I will be filling these up with some fresh strawberries and whipped cream and dusting them with some Cocoa. You could just about try anything else as an alternative. Perhaps some fruits and custard or even whipped Mascarpone cheese and fruits. Happy Mother’s day Mom and wishing all my readers a wonderful one …