Tutti-Frutti Bites

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These little bites are perfect with a cup of tea, on-the-go and  for the kid’s parties….

Ingredients:

1 cup All purpose flour

100 gm butter

3 tbsp castor sugar

3 tbsp tutti frutti

1 tsp cold milk

1/4 tsp salt

Toothpicks (optional)

Method:

• Sieve the flour and salt together. Rub butter into the flour with fingertips till a crumbly mixture. Now add sugar and tutti-frutti and mix again.
• Add little milk at a time and make cookie dough.
• Shape dough onto a rectangular block. Now cut small cubes of equal size.
• Insert toothpick in each cube and keep in fridge for 10 min.
• Bake into a preheated oven at 170 deg. for 12-15 min.
• Cool and serve. 

Choco-Banana Bread

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Easy to bake, moist and yummy banana bread with chocolate chips….

Ingredients:

2 Ripe bananas

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup Soft butter

1/4 cup castor sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp Milk at room temp

1 tbsp chocolate chips

Mix together 1 tsp cocoa powder in 1 tbsp milk

Method:

• Sift together flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a bowl.
• In another bowl beat together sugar and butter till creamy.
• Mash bananas in a third bowl and add to the butter mix.
• Now, slowly add the dry ingredients to wet and beat well for 2-3 min by adding milk and
• Fold in chocolate chips.
• Pour the batter in a greased and lined loaf tin. Swirl gently the cocoa powder mixture.
• Bake in a pre-heated oven at 170 deg C. for 20 - 25 min or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool completely, cut into slices and serve.

Baked Cinnamon Doughnuts

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Soft and yummy baked doughnuts with cinnamon-sugar topping…

Ingredients:

1.5 cups flour + 1/3 cup for kneading

1/2 tbsp dry active yeast

1 tbsp milk powder

1/2 cup milk

60 gm butter, soft and cut in small cubes

1/4 tsp salt

5 tbsp sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

For Topping: mix together 1 tsp cinnamon powder + 1/2 castor sugar

Method:

• In a bowl, shift 1.5 cups flour, add milk powder, salt and mix.
• Use warm milk and mix in sugar and yeast and keep aside for 5 min.
• Add yeast mixture to flour and mix well. Mix in vanilla essence and butter.
• Using remaining1/3 cup flour little at a time, knead the sticky mixture until smooth.
• Place the dough into a greased bowl and cover and leave for 1 hour till it doubles in size.
• On floured surface, roll the dough into 1/2 inch round disc.
• Use doughnut cutter or any lid to cut out into the shape.
• Place doughnuts on greased baking tray with leaving space in between and leave for another 15 min.
• Bake in preheated oven at 200 deg.C for 10 min or till turn golden brown.
• Brush some melted butter on each of them and roll into castor sugar and cinnamon mixture till well coated from all sides.

Mini Black Grape Pie

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Tempting and pleasing pie filled with tangy-sweet grapes…. is a joy to make and serve.

Ingredients:

1 recipe pastry dough for 2 mini double crust pies

1 ¾  cups black grapes

2 tbsp melted butter

1 ½  tbsp all-purpose flour

1/4 cup + 2 tbsp castor sugar

Method: 

• Preheat oven to 200 deg C.
• For pie base, roll out dough to ¼ inch thick for bottom and bake pie bottoms for 10 min and keep aside.
• In microwave safe bowl, cook grapes at 100 % power for 3-4 min or until grapes turn soft. Stir in between.
• Sieve extra water from the grapes and add the flour and sugar to cooked grapes. (Preserve the water, it tastes great). Stir in the melted butter.
• Pour mixture into half baked pie shells. For top crust, roll dough to 1/8 inch.
• Cover pie with top crust and seal edges using little water. (You can design top crust with small cutters or make lattice pattern)
• Brush little milk on top crust of pie. Bake at 220 deg C for about 15-20 min. or till top crust turn golden.
• Sprinkle icing sugar and serve.

Veggies with Spring onion Crumble

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Delectable and healthy baked dish full of veggies with spring onion crumble….Bon Appétit  !!!

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups Mix veggies, chopped

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 tsp red chilli sauce

1 tsp dried herbs

1 tsp olive oil

Salt to taste

1/4 cup grated cheese

For the crumble:

4-5 spring onion stalks, chopped

1 bread slice

1 clove garlic

1 green chilli

Salt to taste

1/2 tbsp oil

Method:

• Wash and chop all the vegetables. Blanch few veggies like potatoes, carrots and cauliflower.
• In a bowl mix together mayo, chilli sauce, dried herbs, oil and salt.
• Add veggies to the bowl and mix till well coated with mayo dip.
• Grind all the ingredients together for the crumble.
• In a baking dish, spread layer of veggies at the bottom.
• Cover with spring onion crumble and add grated cheese over the top.
• Bake in preheated oven at 180 deg C for 15-20 min or till cheese melts.
• Serve hot.

Smoked Macaroni Pie

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Treat yourself with macaroni in pie form with smoky flavor…

Ingredients:

2 baked pie case

1 cup boiled macaroni

1 cup white sauce

½ cup cheese

Salt & pepper to taste

1/4 cup chopped onions & capsicum

2 inch charcoal piece

2 tsp melted butter

1 clove garlic, crushed

Method:

• In a pan, heat 1 tsp butter and add garlic, saute till light brown.
• Mix in boiled macaroni and white sauce with salt & pepper.
• Hold charcoal with tongs and heat directly over flames from all sides. It will turn red hot.
• Place it in a small bowl and keep the bowl in center of cooked macaroni.
• Drop butter over hot coal and cover with lid for 2-3 min.
• Spoon the smoked macaroni in pie cases and add chopped capsicum and onions.
• Sprinkle grated cheese and some tomato ketchup.
• Bake till cheese melts and serve hot with any soup.

Linking to “New U – 2014” 
     

Cottage Cheese and Spring onion Tarts

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Cottage cheese and Spring onions filled tarts, topped with cheese is simply delicious.

Ingredients:

For the tarts (make 8-10)

1 cup flour

1/2 cup butter

2-3 tbsp ice-cold water or just enough to combine

For the filling:

1 cup spring onion, chopped

100 gm cottage cheese, cut into small cubes

4-5 garlic cloves, chopped

1 cup white sauce

1/2 cup grated cheese

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt & pepper to taste

Method:

For the tarts:

• Preheat oven to 200 deg C.
• Sieve the flour and a pinch salt together. Rub butter into the flour with finger tips till a crumbly mixture.
• Knead lightly with cold water to form dough. Wrap in a cling film and refrigerate for 15-20 min.
• Roll out tart dough into 1/4" thick. Cut into small tarts with cutter or any lid.
• Press into small tart shells and prick them with fork all over. Bake for 10-12 min.
• Once the shells are ready, keep aside to cool.

For the filling:

• Heat oil in a pan, add garlic and saute for a min. Add the spring onions and cook till translucent.
• Add cottage cheese and stir, add white sauce and mix well.
• Add salt and pepper and mix well. Turn off the flame.
• Spoon the filling into the tarts, sprinkle the cheese and bake for 5-7 min. and serve hot.

Buttermilk Scones

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Simple and easy-to-make Scones… can be enjoyed with a dash of butter or any dip.

Makes 6-7

Ingredients:

100 gm plain flour

2 tbsp cold butter

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dried herbs

1/2 cup minus 2 tbsp buttermilk

Method:

• For buttermilk mix equal amount of water and curd and keep aside.
• Shift all the dry ingredients in the bowl.
• Rub in the butter with fingertips to get mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
• Gradually pour buttermilk and mix well to form a soft dough (use buttermilk as required)
• Roll out the dough about 1/2 inches thick and cut out rounds of 2 inch with a cutter.
• Bake at 200 deg C for 10-12 min or until golden.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

Spicy Raisin Rock Buns

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Aromatic buns made with raisins, mix spices to be enjoyed with tea or coffee…..

Ingredients:

115 gm plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

45 gm brown sugar

1/4 cup raisins

1/8 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp mixed spice (grounded cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon)

25 ml sunflower oil

2-3 tbsp milk

Method:

• Shift flour and baking powder, and then stir in the sugar, raisins and mixed spices.
• Mix in oil and milk, stir into the mixture to make dough which just binds together.
• Preheat oven to 200 deg C, lightly grease baking tray.
• Make small rounds with light hands or just spoon the mixture on baking tray.
• Bake for 15-20 min until golden. Cool on wire rack.

Potato & Spring Onion Galette

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An elegant potato dish with cheese and spring onions, baked for an irresistible treat…

Ingredients:

4 medium potatoes

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt & Pepper

1/2 cup spring onion, finely chopped

2-3 garlic cloves, crushed

1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese         

2 tsp dried herbs

Method:

• Peel the potatoes and slice them into wafer thin slices using a knife or a mandolin.
• In a small pan, add 1 tsp oil and onions, garlic and cook over medium heat until tender Remove from heat and cool completely.
• Place potato slices into a large bowl with olive oil, dried herbs, salt and pepper. Toss with your hands to coat well.
• Mix cooked onions and cheese in bowl.
• Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a muffin tin with squares of foil greased with oil.
• Place a layer of potato slices in the bottom of each muffin shell. Sprinkle 1 tsp of cheese mixture into each shell.
• Repeat with potato slices then cheese mix (gently pressing potatoes to pack down) until all ingredients are used up and muffin shells are filled.
• Bake for 30-35 min or until tops are lightly golden and potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
• Remove gently using a fork and spoon and serve hot with any soup or juice.

Corn Tortizza

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An easy-to-make, yummy recipe prepared using Corn Tortillas with pizza toppings.

Ingredients:

For Corn Tortillas:

1/2 cup maize flour

1/3 cup plain flour (maida)

2 tsp oil

1/2 tsp salt

Lukewarm water

For Pizza Toppings:

1/2 cup corn, boiled

1/2 cup sliced onion

1/2 cup chopped green capsicum

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

Pizza sauce

Dried herbs and chilli flakes

Method:

• Shift both the flours and add oil and salt. Mix well.
• Make smooth dough using enough warm water, keep aside for 20 min.
• Roll out the dough into thin rounds with the help of a little flour. (or roll between two cling films)
• Cook lightly on a tava (griddle) and keep aside.
• Preheat oven at 200 deg C.
• On each tortilla, spread 1 tbsp pizza sauce, add all the vegetables and finally top
  grated cheese.
• Bake for 5-7 min or till cheese melts.
• Sprinkle dried herbs and chilli flakes and serve hot.

Cottage Cheese Stuffed Aubergines

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Soft and cheesy aubergines stuffed with Cottage cheese, capsicum and garlic is best to compliment with salad and soup….

  

Ingredients:

8 small  Aubergines / Brinjals

100 gm Cottage Cheese (paneer), crumbed

1 tsp garlic, finely chopped

1 tsp parsley, chopped

2 tbsp capsicum, finely chopped

½ tsp black pepper powder

50 gm mozzarella cheese, grated

1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

1 tbsp lemon Juice

Salt to taste

50 gm bread crumbs

Method:

• Cut into half length-ways and scoop out the insides with a knife. Keep aside.
• Preheat the oven to 190° C.
• Sprinkle the 1 tsp lemon juice over the aubergines to prevent discoloration.
• Brush aubergines with little oil, season with salt and place in a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 10 min.
• In a pan heat oil and cook the scooped out aubergine insides for 2-3 min.
• Cool and add in the cottage cheese, parsley, garlic, capsicum, cheese, lemon juice, salt & pepper.
• When the aubergine shells are tender, remove and fill with the cheese mixture.
• Cover with bread crumbs and drizzle some oil over, and return to the oven.
• Bake for 5 minutes. Switch the oven function to Grill and cook for 5 min more or till the top is lightly browned.
• Serve hot with salad and soup.

Spinach and Corn Quiche

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Enjoy weekend brunch with yummy and sizzling hot  “Spinach-Corn Quiche”…

Ingredients:

For Short Crust Pastry or the base:

1 ¼   plain flour

60 gm cold butter (cut in small cubes)

A pinch of salt

1-2 tbsp ice cold water

For Spinach-Corn Filling:

2 cups shredded spinach

3/4 cup boiled sweet corn kernels

2 tbsp butter

Half of onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp plain flour

1 cup milk

1/4 cup grated processed cheese

Salt and black pepper powder to taste

1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Method:

For Short Crust Pastry or the base:

• Sieve the flour and salt together. Rub butter into the flour with finger tips till you get crumbly mixture.
• Knead lightly with cold water to form a dough. (Don’t over work)
• Wrap in a damp cloth or cling film and refrigerate for 15-20 min.
• Roll out dough into ¼ inch thick disc and larger than the size of the pie dish.
• Spread rolled dough into a greased loose-bottomed tin. Pinch sides.
• Prick lightly with a fork. Bake at 200 °C in a preheated oven for 20 min.

For the Spinach and Corn Filling:

• Heat the 1 tbsp butter in a pan; add the spinach and saute till it wilts.
• Add the corn and sauté for 1 minute. Keep aside.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat; stir in flour. Stir and cook for about 2 min.
• Do not brown. Gradually stir in milk and continue cooking over low heat, stirring constantly, until sauce begins to thicken. Remove from flame.
• Now add cheese, salt and pepper and mix well. Turn off the flame.
• Add spinach-corn to the sauce and mix well.

For the quiche:

• Spread the mixture over the short crust pastry.
• Sprinkle cheese on top and bake in a pre-heated oven at 180°C for 8-10 min or till the cheese melts.
• Cut into wedges and serve hot with any soup….

Almond Oats Biscotti

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Crispify your tea-time with almond-oats biscotti ...

Make: 10 biscotti

Ingredients:

1/2 cup All purpose flour   

1/4 cup oats    

1/2 tsp baking powder           

1/2 tsp baking soda    

1 tsp vanilla essence           

1/4 cup Sugar

1/4 cup almonds, crushed           

1 tbsp oil         

1/8 cup milk    

Method:

• Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add oats, sugar and crushed almonds and mix well.
• Add oil, vanilla essence and combine well to a crumbly mixture.
• Now by adding milk, knead into soft dough.
• Roll dough into a log on floured surface. Place it on greased baking dish or baking sheet.
• Bake at 170 degree in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
• Remove and cool for 10 min.
• Slice diagonally with sharp knife into equal size pieces.
• Arrange them on baking sheet, cut side down and bake again for 10 min at 150 deg C.
• Flip them and bake again for 5 min.
• Cool and keep in air -tight container. Serve with tea or coffee.

Veg Shepherd's Pie

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Enjoy this hearty dish made from kidney beans and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes….

Ingredients:

2 large potatoes, chopped

1 tsp dried herb powder

1 tbsp butter

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp black pepper powder

2-3 tbsp milk

1 cup mix vegetables, parboiled

1 small onion, chopped

1 cup kidney beans, cooked

2 large tomatoes

1/2 cup tomato puree              

1/4 tsp soya sauce

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 tsp chilli flakes

1 tsp olive oil

Salt to taste

Method:

•  Cook potatoes or microwave for3-4 min in water until tender. Drain and mash well.
• Microwave butter for 10 seconds and add dried herbs. Add in mashed potatoes with salt and pepper.
• Now beat potato mixture with enough milk to make them light and fluffy and keep aside.
• Heat oil in a saucepan, cook onion until translucent.
• Stir in kidney beans, tomatoes, and tomato sauce, soya sauce and vegetable mixture.
• Mix in salt and chilli flakes and cook for 5-7 min.
• Preheat oven to 175 degrees C (375 deg F).
• Transfer vegetable mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle cheese and a pinch dried herbs.
• Cover it with potato mixture over the top using piping bag or with ladle.
• Bake for 20-25 min. and broil for 1 min to get brown on top.

Baked Falafel with Tahini Sauce

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Popular Middle East fast food recipe served with tahini sauce and pita bread.

Ingredients:

1 cup Chickpeas, soaked overnight      

1 onion, chopped

2-3 garlic cloves, chopped       

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped  

1/4 cup bread crumbs  

1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder  

1/4 tsp black pepper powder   

1/2 tsp chilli flakes       

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt to taste

For Tahini paste

1/3 cup sesame seeds (til)

1/8 cup olive oil

• Roast the sesame seeds on a tava (griddle) for a few seconds, cool and blend with oil to a smooth paste. (Do not brown)

 For Tahini sauce:

1/2 cup tahini paste

1/4 cup water

2 tbsp olive oil

1 lemon, zest and juice

1 tbsp minced garlic

Salt to taste

1 tsp dried parsley

•  Blend all the above ingredients until smooth and take out in a small bowl.

Method:

• Drain and put the chickpeas in a mixer jar. Add garlic and onions and grind without adding any water. Transfer into a bowl.
• Add other ingredients and mix well.
• Shape the mixture into small balls and flatten slightly.
• Brush with olive oil on both the sides. Refrigerate them for 1/2 hour to firm the ingredients.
• Pre-heat the oven to 200 ºC. Grease the baking tray. Cook the falafel for 10 minutes on the first side.
• Carefully flip them with a spatula and the cook on the second side for 15 more minutes. A light golden crust will appear on the outside.
• When the falafel is done, serve with tahini sauce and pita bread. 

Cauliflower -Au-Gratin

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Enjoy nicely baked cauliflower in rich and creamy white sauce topped with colorful bellpeppers and cheese…

Ingredients:

1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets

1/4 cup green & red bellpepper, diced

1 cup white sauce

2 garlic cloves, crushed

Salt to taste

1 tsp butter

1/2 cup cheese, grated

Method:

• Blanch cauliflower florets in salted water until tender, drain and keep aside.
• Grease baking dish and preheat oven to 200° C.
• In a pan, heat butter, add garlic cloves, bellpeppers with little salt and saute for a min.
• Mash cauliflower slightly and spread evenly in baking dish.
• Pour white sauce over cauliflower and add sautéed bellpeppers over.
• Topped with an even layer of grated cheese.
• Bake for 15 -20 min and grill for last 5 minutes of baking.
• Take out carefully and serve hot with garlic bread.

 Notes:

• Adding bell peppers is optional, I added for nice color and crunchiness.
• While making white sauce add a pinch nutmeg or cinnamon powder for nice aroma.

Lamingtons

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Australian treat “Lamingtons”, are little sponge cakes coated in chocolate icing and grated coconut that appeals to most.

Ingredients:

2 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut

For Cake:

1 ½ cup flour (maida)

1 cup plain thick curd

3/4 cup sugar

1 ¼ baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla essence

1/2 cup oil (I used sunflower oil)

                  

For Chocolate Icing:

170 g semisweet chocolate, chopped

40 g unsalted butter

3/4 cup milk

1 ½ cups powdered sugar

3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Method:

• Preheat oven at 180 ^oC and grease cake tin. Shift flour in a bowl.
• In another bowl beat curd well to remove all lumps and add sugar to it.
• Beat well with sugar; add baking powder and baking soda one by one. Beat again.
• Leave curd mixture for 5 min till small bubbles appear on the surface of the mixture.
• Now add vanilla essence and oil to it and mix well.
• Now add flour to the curd mixture slowly in 2 -3 batches.
• Gently fold the mixture using a whisk and pour batter to greased pan.
• Bake in the pre-heated oven for 30-35 min until the top turns golden brown and a tooth pick inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
• Cool the cake and then invert it onto a wire rack to cool.
• Once the cake has cooled cut it into squares of a desired size and place them in an airtight container. Keep the container in the fridge for at least 2 hours or even overnight.

For Icing: 

• Melt chocolate on a double boiler and add butter, milk and whisk.
• Remove from heat and add cocoa powder and powdered sugar and whisk until smooth.

To assemble: 

• Spread coconut in a dish. Using a fork, dip a piece of cake in icing.
• Shake off excess. Toss in coconut.
• Place on a wire rack over a baking tray. Repeat with remaining cake.
• Keep aside for 1-2 hours to set. These lamingtons will keep for 2-3 days in air tight container. 

Sending to sweet luv 2013
 

Chilli and Cheese Bites

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Try out amazing combination of smoky and cheesy flavour in every bite.

Ingredients:

10 -15 Bhavnagri green chillies 

3/4 cup processed cheese, grated        

4-5 Garlic cloves

4 tbsp Chilled butter    

1 cup refined flour

1/4 tsp Crushed black peppercorns

Salt to taste

Method:

• Preheat oven to 160° C.
• Slit and roast chillies on open flame till charred. Soak in a bowl of water and peel. Discard heads and remove seeds.
• Roughly chop them and blend with garlic. Crush and transfer in a bowl.
• Take butter in another bowl. Add refined flour, salt and crushed peppercorns and mix well. (Do not over work)
• Add crushed chilli-garlic and cheese and mix.
• Knead into dough and cover with cling film and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.
• Place butter paper on a baking tray. Divide dough into equal portions, make small balls and flatten them.
• Place them on the baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 15 min.
• Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack. Serve.

Veggie Cheese Muffins

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Tempting veggie cheese muffins best served with hot soup or coffee.

Made recently by adding broccoli and olives to the recipe...

Ingredients:

1 Cup Flour

1/2 tsp baking Powder

1/4 tsp baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

3/4 tsp White Pepper

1/2 tbsp Oregano

1/2 tsp red chilli flakes

1/4 Red bell- pepper dices

1/4 onion, diced

1/4 cup Mozzarella cheese, grated

1/4 cup Cheddar cheese, grated

4-5 Jalapeno pepper slices (Optional)

1/2 Cup Milk

1/3 cup Olive oil

Method:

• Mix oil and milk in bowl with a whisk, add the red pepper, onions, jalapenos and cheese.
• Shift flour, baking powder and baking soda in another bowl; add other dry ingredient to it.
• Now add flour mixture to milk mixture, whisk until combined, don’t over whisk. 
• Pour in cupcake liners upto 3/4 full
• Bake at 180 deg. in preheated oven for 15-17 min. or until the skewer comes out clean.
• Serve with hot coffee or soup.

Linking to nivedhanam and jagruti's event