Whole Wheat Walnut Chocolate Cake (Eggless)

Hello guys,

Baking is a therapy. I have done a few posts earlier sharing my immense love for baking. Here are the links:

whole wheat biscuits (eggless)

whole-wheat-pista-almond-biscuits (eggless)

healthy-walnut-and-dates-whole-wheat (eggless)

Few points common to all my baking recipes:-

• All the recipes are eggless and made from whole wheat flour.  Since I bake for my kiddo, I don't bring in unhealthy ingredients into my recipe. 
• Recipes have been tried multiple times, noting exact ,measurements, temperature and other observations to arrive at sumptuous results.  
• Milk, curd, buttermilk, olive oil have been used as substitute to add volume to cakes and cookies in lieu of eggs.  
• Size of the cake- 1 kg approx, so use the container accordingly to avoid spill over

Yesterday I tried whole wheat walnut sprinkled chocolate cake, and yes, that too is eggless. I am quite happy with the result.
 

Eggless whole wheat walnut sprinkled chocolate cake

               


For the first time, I tried a theme cake. The idea was to attract the attention of my little one and serve him this delicacy with the cartoon character he loves.

Theme: Chota Bheem & Gummy Bears kingdom
Story: Chota Bheem was the ruler of a chocolate island and used to stay on a walnut cobbled chocolate surface. The island was well guarded by his colourful trusted gummy bears who in order to protect their king could use their magical ability to jump off from the chocolate imbued island onto enemies. Gummies protected both the king and his favourite chocolate from enemies.

My son bought the story ☺.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients-
 (Wet)

Olive oil                 1/3 cup
Milk                        3/4 cup 
Vanilla extract         1 tbsp

(Dry)
Whole Wheat flour  1 cup 
Sugar                        3/4 cup
Baking powder         1 tbsp
Baking soda             1/2 tbsp
Walnuts                   3 to 4, preferable tossed cut and tossed in butter for extra crunch
Garnish Jelly candies


OTG/OVEN/MICROWAVE for baking

I have an OTG. So, all my recipes are OTG baked. In case slight varariation is required in temperature and quantity as per your baking device, do it. That you would know after trying. Remember, baking is nothing but trying trying till you succeed. 

Method-
1. Sift the dry ingredients together thrice.
2. Mix all the wet ingredients. 
3. Gradually, fold wet mixture into the dry one. Then, blend with cut and fold method to incorporate air into the batter. (DO NOT OVERMIX.)
4. Sprinkle the walnuts on top. It can be added while mixing dry and wet ingredients step too.

Pre-heat the oven for ten minutes at 180 degree celcius and bake for 40 minutes.

After baking, cool the cake for about half an hour and coat with chocolate glaze. 

Method for preparing chocolate glaze- melt chocolate in double bolier, add cream/milk/butter and fold 4 tbsp of icing sugar into it. Get the glaze into running consistency. 

Your cake will look something like this-

                                

                                                                                                                                                             

Garnish with gummy bears and Chota Bheem jelly candy  

                               


You'll instantly feel high after baking a satisfying recipe.

Do try and leave a comment.

Happy baking!
Priyanka

Choose a place with pure energy

Among many other things, I really find spending time with nature is the most refreshing activity one can indulge in. It alleviates stress, gives perspective, pacifies inner senses, relaxes both body and mind.

Above all, upon continuation of this marvellous exercise one can feel a strong thread of communication between mind and nature. You offer problems, nature provide solutions. Try when you are in thick of any situation, take a walk in an open space filled with beautiful flowers and long standing trees, dew grass, shrubs, and experience the wave of instant relief sweeping away all apprehensions.   

I have been going here since I was a kid. I am thirty, this park must have been nearly three decades old. It is built within the premises of an old temple.

                    

The surroundings are ten times peaceful than other natural places in and around the place I stay. The reason is of the energy. When you go to a crowded place, negative energy of people block your sight from feeling the purity of nature. Since, it's a temple park (I call it), the energy is soaked in divinity.

Visitors are same-people with ten million worries plaguing them whose resolutions they expect from god. But the scent of sandalwood, agarbatti, arti, bhajana, hyms, chanting of mantras changes the whole aura of the place which envelops the air of the park too.

The conch shell blaring during morning arti and at twilight can be heard daily. It is known as 'Shanka' in Sanskrit. It is a symbol of purity, brillance and auspiciousness. In Hinduism, the sounf from the conch is associated with the sacred syllable 'Om' which is believed to be the first sound of creation. Besides, chirping of birds, lush greenery, trees which are more than hundred years old, boosts the atmospheric cleanliness.

The thought of tying swings under this old peepal tree and taking the gentle breeze on face makes me happy. The branches are thick, full of leaves, which are shooting up the sky, is one of the oldest trees in this park. It has mushroomed into a giant tree, revered by people every Saturday.

                        

Choose the right spot to be on a date with yourself. 

Good luck!

Priyanka ☺                    

Few words I wrote to describe my six-months old son

My Universe   

My bundle of joy

Apple of my eye

soft cotton ball

God’s send angel

Divine dove

A click in bliss

Wonderball

A spring of joy

Fountain of love

My little muse

Inspirational song

Ticking clock

Glint in my eye

thunder in my pan 

Tickle bone

Heart and soul

Endless babble

Imaginative friend

Life in motion

Artist in making

Forever friend

Unwavering companion

Love of my life

You’re my reason for being

What made me a writer

My muse, my son made me a writer. I was going through a rough patch when my son was born. Inner battles were fought due to difficult in-laws and insensitive husband. Swinging on the edge of depression, my son’s birth came like a wave riding on hope sweeping me away from darkness towards light which eluded me by far. Overwhelmed with emotions, I needed an outlet, thus, I was introduced to the wonder world of words.

Though I have been professionally trained in the capacity of a Journalist, I never really wrote much. The romance with words never really blossomed. In other words, there was no flush of motivation to meet the real me until my divine dove was born.
                         

It was a phenomenal event in my life. The act of creating a life empowered me. I looked at life with renewed interest. My son’s daily activities were the real definition of ‘life’. There was nothing as interesting as his theatrics. Something, I can’t trade for the world. Giving birth to him was an emotional journey. I experienced myriad emotions which cried for expression at a time when I had no one to express. The written world came to my rescue then. Words befriended, me, taking me to a world of wisdom.

Each expression of my child was a story in itself. I longed to record it the moment it happened. Creativity unfolded and flew through its boundless source nourishing the well of my inner world. The surge of feelings due to my son's birth brought me in touch with the writer in me. He made me realise the innate talent which I possessed but was shrouded by negative emotions. 

Therefore, I was born the day I gave birth to my son. My whole perspective about myself as an individual and the world around me changed for better.

A journey which began with few words now is a full-fledged story of future aspirations, a dream uncut, powerful panacea, a thought revisted, some baked slices of life. A fulfilment. A ride to the land of magical exotica where I am the creator of different world. Characters weep, feel jubiliant, grow pensive at my command. I govern what fate my characters are to meet: when will they live or die.

It is said one becomes a writer when one has felt immense pain or happiness. May be, the pain of labour was too much for me to handle. It pushed me closer to the written world. Writing was, is, will be highly therapeutic. I felt like a painter with a handbrush who observed- the beautiful art by Almighty- and painted with my inner sense. You inspired me. And inspiration is a requisite for creativity. Isn’t it? 

What inspired you in life? What was your breakthrough point? I would love to know.

Do leave a comment to share the unsaid.

Benefits of Tulsi for toddlers

                                     

I give 5 petals of tulsi leaves to my two-year-old son. It’s a natural immunity booster. Tulsi leaves has anti-oxidants which protects young and old alike from infections, common cold, fever, allergies etc. The method of giving Tulsi to children could vary. For instance, I cut the leaves like coriander and sprinkle over main course like dal, curry etc. I make sure that he eats those leaves within the first few spoons to ensure there is no wastage. 

I have seen significant improvement in his health. Common cold is the biggest enemy for toddlers which develops into chest congestion culminating in fever. 

Regular dosage of tulsi would ensure that one stays away from cold and cough for maximum number of times it hits your child.

Try it and let me know.

Priyanka.

Modi's magic sweeps General Elections'19

I have taken keen interest in the run up to the General Elections 2019 as I have been mostly at home watching my parents follow their favourite leader PM Narendera Modi.

The unpredented historical win with over 345 seats in the Lok Sabha elections speaks volume for the popularity NaMo enjoys among masses. No other leader, except Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has been revered by the people of India. The mandate is for a stronger nation.

Here, the people has shown to the world that a befitting reply to corruption, terrorism, poverty, unemployment and other major issues can be given by choosing a strong government. The united stand of Indians is against coalition form of government which weakens decision making at the centre.

It's is victory of democracy where people choose their own representatives to run country.

It's a victory of the faith people reposed in the previous BJP government for the progress and development of  our country.

It's a revolutionary cusp where India stands today from where a bright future beckons.

I spent the whole day watching various Television channels updating as the seats poured in! What a day and what a feeling it was that we are in safe hands now. Imagine if Mayawati, Akhilesh party would have been there at the center as supporting parasites, what state India would have fallen to! I shudder to even think.

Modi is supreme. His aura, his work is exemplary. I am a die hard fan of our PM Modi who is born to serve the nation. He is a leader with charisma to influence world leaders and policies and bring home what is due for long.

Hope for better India, stronger India.

Jai Bharat!
Proud Indian

Five quotes for improving life

These are the five lessons I am going to put out as quotes. Hope you can find it beneficial.


                                     
                                      
                                   
             

                                     
                     
                         

           
                       
                          

                       

       If you liked what you read, please leave a comment to say so!