Recipe: 2min Eggless Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake / Instant Mug Cake

There are days when you want nothing but a cake. I also had one such similar day when after checking my Instagram and seeing so many drooling cake pics I started craving for a cake like anything. But, since it was a busy day so didn't had time to bake an elaborate cake. Suddenly, I remembered this Mug Cake recipe which I had used once or twice. It can be made quickly and it's exactly what I needed to suffice my cake desires. So, you can also follow the recipe and give it a try and yes don't forget to share your feedback.

2 Minutes Eggless Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake:

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes
Cooking Time: 2 Minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

4 Tablespoon Maida/All Purpose Flour
1.5 Tablespoon Coco Powder(unsweetened)
3 Tablespoon powdered Sugar ( You can use granulated sugar also)
1/8 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1 Pinch Baking Soda
2 Tablespoon Cooking oil 
Milk - to adjust consistency
1/4 Tablespoon Vanilla Essence

Method:

1. Add maida, sugar, baking powder and choco powder in the mug, mix all ingredients well. Add milk, oil and vanilla essence to the powder mixture. Mix everything nicely so that no lumps are left.
2. The batter should be of flowing consistency( adjust it by adding milk).
3. Microwave it for 2 minutes. 
4. Let it set for 1 minute then serve and enjoy.

Tips:

You can add chocolate sauce as toppings or serve with vanilla ice-cream.
Or dust it with sugar powder and top it up with cherries or strawberries.

Product Review: Moving Meals - Heat2Eat

  Recently, I was approached by Moving Meals- Heat 2 Eat to review their product i.e ready to eat meal kits. The ready to cook meal kits offered by different brands are easily available in the market and were not new to me. So, I presumed that this one will be no different. But, the Moving Meals - Heat2Eat have an extensive menu to choose from and comes in  a very decent packaging, pricing and the best part is that you can get your own kitchen cooked food dehydrated and carry it along with you when you travel abroad and cannot have the restaurant food every day. They use "dehydration" technique to extract all moisture from the cooked food simply to increase the shelf life without adding any preservative or additives.

You can get food from your favourite restaurant also dehydrated and packed and carry it hassle free while you travel. It is very easy to cook and convenient to take along with you.

I made Moong Daal Sheera , Pav Bhaji and Poha from the meal kit which was sent to me and they all tasted good as fresh. Read more to find out how simple it is to use these meal kits.

Moong Daal Sheera:

 The portion of water to be used is mentioned on the packet. Follow the three simple steps:

 1.) Boil water in a Pan.

 2.) Add the content of the packet of the boiling water.

 3.) Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes.

 4.) Moong Daal Sheera is ready to eat.

 Similarly, I made Pav Bhaji and Poha using Moving Meals-Heat to Eat.

The taste was as good as fresh. So, next time when travelling you will not miss the home cooked food or your favourite cuisine from your favourite restaurant.

For more information visit their FB page: Moving Meals- Heat2Eat

Recipe: Spicy Pasta Arrabiata/ Penne Arrabiata/Pasta in Red Sauce

A pasta lover like me starts craving for it if I don't have it for long. I relish red sauce pasta more than white sauce. No offence to the white sauce pasta lovers but I like the tangy tomato flavour of the red sauce pasta more. I had made the "Desi Macroni" countless times but never tried this Pasta Arrabiata at home. So, this desire arose when I recently had an amazing Pasta Arrabiata in a restaurant and decided to try it at home soon. Some search on google to understand how it is made and mixing few of the recipes decided to make of my own. And bingo ! it turned out to be perfect and everyone at home enjoyed it. So, read more to find the recipe :

Pasta Arrabiata:

Serves 2
Takes 40 minutes

Ingredients:

250 gms Penne
1 Medium sized Onion chopped
1 Tomato chopped
4 Tomato Puree
8 Garlic cloves roughly chopped
1 Green Chilly
1 Tablespoon chilli flakes
1/2 Tablespoon Black Pepper
1 1/2 Tablespoon Oregano
1 Tablespoon Chilli Sauce
1 Tablespoon Tomato Sauce
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
1/2 Tablespoon Vinegar
2 Tablespoon Cheese Spread
Salt to Taste



Method:

Boil the pasta in a  deep pan, drain the excess water and keep it aside.
In another pan, add oil and garlic and green chilli. Saute it for 2 minutes.
Add chopped onions, saute for 3 minutes.
Add chopped Tomatoes and cook till they are done.
Add chopped chicken pieces (This step is optional,you can skip it if you don't want to add chicken)
Cover the pan and cook till the chicken is done.
Now add tomato puree, tomato sauce, chilli sauce, vinegar, soy sauce,chilli flakes, black pepper,oregano, salt
Cook all together for 5 Minutes.
Add Pasta and keep mixing till the sauce thickens and pasta is well coated.
Add cheese spread (you can also use grated processed cheese, I used it because it was available with me.)
Cook it for 2 Minutes.
Serve immediately and Enjoy.

*Top is up with some extra cheese if you want.

Recipe: Oats Yogurt Parfait with Fruits

The word "parfait" is a French word meaning 'frozen dessert'. Parfait has become one of the most popular breakfast or dessert option which is made with yogurt. Let me tell you, there are no fixed rules to make a parfait. I was looking for parfait recipe on net and found so many variations in the recipe as a result ended up getting confused which one to try. So, I am sharing my recipe of oats yogurt parfait with fruits. It is light and fulfilling which is just perfect for the summers or the weight watchers can enjoy them as dessert to curb the sweet cravings.

Oats Yogurt Prafait with Fruits

Serves 1
Takes 10 minutes

Ingredients:


4 tablespoon Greek Yogurt (or thick curd)
2 tablespoon Saffola Instant Oats
1/2 tablespoon vanilla essence
1 tablespoon Honey (or as per taste)
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoon wheat flakes
Fresh fruits (grapes, strawberries or any as per choice)


Method:

Add oats and water in a pan and cook it.
Add vanilla essence and honey.
Cook till oats are done, allow it to cool.
Place the cooked oats in a glass, add yogurt.
Top it up with wheat flakes which will give it a crunch.
Repeat the layering step till you fill the glass or as per your portion size.
Add fruits like grapes, strawberries (or any fruit of your liking)
Serve immediately and Enjoy.

As I told earlier you can make any number of changes in the recipe depending on the availability of the ingredients like oats can be replaced by granola or the strawberries can be replaced by mango.
Try it out and let me know how was it :)








 

Staycation Experience: Manasi Bungalow, Lonavala

Mumbai is blessed to have so many weekend getaways around it. Lonavala is one such popular destination which is not untouched by most of the Mumbaikars. I also have been to Lonavala twice or thrice before. But, the charm of these places is such that it attracts you to revisit and  they are just  the perfect choice for a long drive. Sudden plans are the best plans...agree? My this visit to Lonavala was not at all planned. I was invited by Manasavi who manages Manasi Bungalow, Lonavala to stay and review this beautiful villa and I said Yes, Why not!
Let me introduce Manasi Bungalow, it is a  property that has a plantation area with of nearly 28,000 sq ft, having spacious outdoors suitable for kids to play. It is named as "House of Bliss" and is perfect for a family get together or to relax and enjoy a weekend.

The villa houses 2 suites The Red Suite and the Green Suite that can accommodate 5 adults each and another 5-6 people with the provision of extra beddings.

The living room can be used for corporate outings, or it turns into your personal movie theatre for the family.

Manasi Bungalow is a pet- friendly holiday home. The pets can have a good time too without limiting themselves to a room.

We reached there on Saturday afternoon. The villa is located next to TCS guest house and is surrounded with a lot of greenery and looked absolutely tranquil. 

The caretaker gave us a warm welcome and offered us coconut water which was from their own farm while the rooms were getting ready. We then checked in the rooms which were really spacious and had beautiful walls. The lighting and interiors were elegant and impressive. The room was spacious and can easily accommodate more people comfortably.

The villa has ample space with a lot of greenery where you can play games in the evening, plan a fun barbeque  with friends and family or they provide music speaker which can add spark to your party. At night, the place looks more beautiful with lots of sparkling lights all over the property.

They have in-house chef so that  you can  relish  home cooked fresh food. They also have tie-ups with nearby hotels, dhabbas from where you can availing an exclusive discount being a Manasi Bungalow guest. 

The caretaker himself is an expert in traditional Gujarati cuisine so just let him know what you wish to have and enjoy the delicious Gujarati cuisine. We asked him to prepare the Khaman Dhokla and Poha for breakfast. The dhoklas and poha were outstanding in terms of taste and quantity. It was after a long that I enjoyed my morning tea listening to the lyrical chirpings of birds n a wonderful sight of colourful blooming flowers which made me ask for one more cup of tea :)

This place has a different charm in itself and it was a different experience altogether  as the feeling was like staying in a home away from home. We left from the bungalow on Sunday afternoon with lots of pleasant memories. I also was really impressed with their caretaking staff who are available 24*7 at the property. They are very friendly and courteous and they ensure to provide best of services so that you have a pleasant stay. So, if your idea to spend the weekend is to relax in peaceful, quiet place and spend some quality time with friends and family this is just the right place for you.

You can contact them on +91 9820068611/ +91 9323182638 and manasibungalow12@gmail.com for inquiries regarding bookings.

Also, check out their Facebook page: Manasi Bungalow, Lonavala.

My opinion and words are not biased and the review is totally based on my experience. But everyone has own liking so kindly exercise your own discretion, with the understanding that this is reviewer’s personal opinion.