PANCAKES

Ingredients:-

•           2 large bowls of flour
•     3 eggs
•           ½  bowl of powdered sugar
•           50gms melted butter
•          1 teaspoon baking soda
•     Milk
•     Cinnamon
•     Salt
•       Maple syrup
•     Whipped cream

Preparation:-

·        Beat the sugar into the eggs with a pinch of salt.

·        Sift over the flour and add melted butter.

·        Add ½ cup milk and stir into a smooth batter. If the batter feels thick add more milk until the batter is of right consistency. It should be a little runny.

·        Add a teaspoon each of baking soda and powdered cinnamon.

·        On a heated skillet, melt a little butter and ladle out the batter in circle. Cook on low flame till it darkens or turns brown on each side.

·        Serve with a dollop of butter or whipped cream and maple syrup.

KAIRICHE PANHE/AAM PANNA

Ingredients:-

·        2-3 large green/raw mangoes

·        150-200gms sugar

·        2-3 pods of green cardamom/ elaichi

Preparation:-

·        Boil the mangoes until soft. Peel them and remove the seed. Use the rest.

·        Add sugar as per your preference.

·        Add freshly ground cardamom.

·        Blend this mixture once to make it smooth.

·        For serving, take 2 to 3 tablespoons of panha per glass; add cold water and ice cubes. Serve chilled.

FETTUCCINE IN CREAMY MUSHROOM AND BASIL SAUCE

I love pasta!!! And there are so many good places in Pune that serve good Italian food. This was my first attempt at cooking Italian so the ingredients maybe unorthodox and the method too. But the result was fabulous and my friends loved it.

Ingredients:-

·        Store-bought fettuccine

·        Fresh cream

·        Mozzarella cheese

·        Sour cream

·        Milk

·        Garlic

·        Butter

·        Basil leaves

·        Button mushrooms

·        Parsley

·        Salt

·        pepper

                                     Preparation:-

·        Melt some butter in a pan.

·        Add chopped garlic and sauté for a minute.

·        Add chopped mushrooms and sauté till they’re cooked completely.

·        Add one tablespoon of sour cream and equal amount of mozzarella cheese.

·        Add about 2-3 crushed basil leaves, finely chopped parsley and stir.

·        Add about half a cup of slightly warm milk. (the amount of milk may differ according to your preference of sauce)

·        Add salt and pepper.

·        Cook the fettuccine in salted boiling water. It should be cooked but firm to bite.

·        Add the cooked fettuccine to the pan and coat it with the sauce.

·        Garnish with basil leaves or parsley and serve hot with a slice of bread. 

POHE / BEATEN RICE

Ingredients:-

·        1 large bowl of beaten rice/pohe

·        1 onion diced

·        2 green chillies cut into small pieces

·        3-4 curry leaves

·        Coriander finely chopped

·        Groundnuts about 20gms

·        Mustard seeds

·        Cumin seeds

·        Turmeric powder

·        Salt

·        Oil

Preparation:-       

·        Wash the beaten rice/pohe in water and leave aside to soften.

·        Heat about 3 tablespoons of oil in a wok. Fry the groundnuts in the oil till they darken a bit. Remove and keep aside.

·        Add mustard and cumin seeds to the oil. Let them crackle. Add curry leaves, chillies and onions. Sauté till the onions change their colour.

·        Add a pinch of turmeric powder and the groundnuts.

·        Add the beaten rice and salt and stir properly till all of it is yellow in colour. Add the finely chopped coriander and mix.

·        Serve hot with a dash of lemon juice.

Note: - Pohe can be made in many ways. Instead of onions you can add sliced potatoes. In this same recipe you can add tomatoes or green peas. Serve with grated fresh coconut spread over it.