Vanocka - Using Oats and Wheat flour

As always this was our Christmas challenge and the most exciting one to do. I loved doing this bread and was really a big challenge. I never tried baking this type of bread earlier. I tried this recipe twice , since for the first time , it didn't turn out well. This time i tried this recipe " Vanocka " with a creative idea of baking it healthier. My hubby is very keen about his health , so had to take care of each ingredient to be used. Find the below ingredients to have a delicious and healthier bread.

Ingredients :

Wheat flour - 2 cups + 1/4 cup

Oil - 1/4 cup

Egg yolks - 2

Oats - 1 cup

Vanilla - 1 tsp

Yeast - 21/2 tbsp

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Lukewarm Milk - 3/4 cup

Lukewarm water - 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp

Sugar - 1/4 cup

Egg - 1 ( beaten )

Preparation :

• In 1/4 cup lukewarm water , add 1 tbsp of sugar and yeast and stir together and let it rest for 5 mins or until the yeast is dissolved.
• In a bowl , put flour , oats , sugar , salt , vanilla , egg yolks , oil , yeast mixture , milk.
• Combine well and knead by hand for 2 to 3 mins

• Make the braids and make sure to prick in the bread using toothpick. you can follow the Braid making using the following link ( adapted from youtube ) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpJiECBCgCc

• Brush the top with egg wash ( egg ( beaten ) + 2 tbsp water ).
• Bake for 35 mins @ 180'C , for the last 20 mins cover the top of the bread with aluminium foil in order to avoid the bread to get burnt.

Kaara Chutney for Paniyaram & Dosa

I prepared this chutney recipe for Kaara Paniyaram , to compensate with the spicyness and for the best combination. It goes well with Soft Idly's , Paniyaram and Dosa's.

Ingredients :
Onion - 1
Tomatoes - 2
Coriander leaves - 1/4 cup
Garlic - 5
Dry Red chilies - 5
Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp
Chana dal - 1 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Salt - as required
Oil - 1 tbsp

For Tempering:
Sesame oil - 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Urad dal - 1/2 tsp

Preparation :

• Heat oil in a pan , saute dry red chilies , garlic , coriander seeds , chana dal , cumin seeds for a minute.
• Then add onion , tomatoes , coriander leaves and saute them until onion and tomatoes are well cooked.
• Take them off from flame and cool down the mixture.
• Heat oil in a pan , add the tempering ingredients and pour in  the ground paste.
• Allow them to cook for 3 to 4 mins or until the mixture leaves oil in all the sides.
• Serve with Spicy paniyaram , any Dosa varieties, Idly.

Beans Paruppu Poriyal

Always we used to prepare simple Beans poriyal , this time I wanna try with a twist adding Paruppu to it and give it a try. This goes well with any Puzhi Kozhumbu or Sambar.

Ingredients :
Beans - 1 cup ( chopped and boiled )
Grated coconut - 2 to 3 tbsp ( Optional )
Salt - as required
Chana dal - 1/4 cup ( Soaked for 1/2 hour )
Garlic - 3 to 4 ( Smashed )
Onion - 1
Curry leaves - few
Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp

For tempering :
Oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
Dry red chili - 2
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Preparation :

• Heat oil in a pan , add all the tempering ingredients and saute them.
• Add curry leaves , onion and saute for a minute and then add the smashed garlic and give it a stir.
• Drain the chana dal , grind coarsely and add it to the pan.
• This will take some time to cook ( about 2 to 3 mins ). When the mixture becomes dry , add the cooked beans and season with salt , grated coconut , pepper powder and cook for another minute.
• Serve them with any type of Puzhi Kuzhambu or Sambar.

Banana Muffins - Using Wheat flour

I have already shown many baking dish using Banana's , this being my favorite and delicious. Usually the muffins are made using all purpose flour , I have tried this recipe using whole wheat flour and without sugar , since I wanna the sweetness from the Banana's alone. Check for the below simple ingredients and have a delicious Muffins.

Ingredients :
Bananas - 3 ( smashed )
Wheat flour - 1 1/2 cup
Butter - For applying the Muffin tray
Baking soda - 1 tsp
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Honey - 1 tbsp or you can substitute with 1/4 cup brown sugar
Eggs - 2 ( Beaten )
Vanilla essence - 1 tsp

Note :
Apply some butter into each Muffin hole.

Preparation :

• Combine beaten eggs , smashed banana , honey together in a bowl and keep them aside.
• Mix all the dry ingredients together.
• Add vanilla essence into the Banana mixture.
• Pour the batter into the muffin tray and bake for 18 to 20 mins @ 375'c
• Insert the toothpick to check if it is cooked well.
• Cool them for 10 mins and then remove them from the tray.