FIG AND PEAR LOAF

When I went to buy figs for my KHAJOOR ROLL,  I fell prey of today's marketing skills and ended up buying four packets of dried figs instead of just one. And even before putting the bag on my kitchen counter my mind was  looking for the ways to use it as knowing the fact that no one in the family is a big fan of dry fruits.  After an unsuccessful attempt of using it in halwa I found this loaf recipe on taste.com  and since then I have made it many times because it's new favourite in the house.

This fruity loaf is quite simple  to make and great for breakfast or as after school snack with a glass of milk.  You can have it toasted with butter or as it is,  it's  delicious any way. 

Ingredients :-

Self raising flour - 1 1/2 cup
Brown sugar - 2/3 cup
Cinnamon (powder)- 1/4 tsp
Soda bicarbonate - 1/2 tsp
Eggs (lightly beaten) - 2
Milk - 1/2 cup
Vegetable oil - 1/3 cup
Dried figs(chopped) - 1 cup
Pear (peeled, cut into small cubes) - 1 cup

Method :-

Preheat oven  to 170 C. Sift flour into a large bowl  and add brown sugar,  cinnamon and soda bicarbonate.  Mix and make a well in the middle. 

In a separate bowl add eggs, milk and oil and whisk until well blended. Pour the egg mixture into flour mixture,  mix gently until just combined. Fold in the fig and pear. 

Pour the mixture into a lightly greased loaf pan. Bake for 40- 45 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Let it cool for 5 minutes then turn on a wire rack. 

Slice and serve.

Note: In original recipe canola oil was used but you can use any flavour less oil.

MILD CHICKEN CURRY WITH VEGETABLES

One friend invited another friend over dinner and asked "is there something specific, children like to eat?" the friend said "don't worry  my older one eats everything and younger one does not eat anything, problem solved"..... 

If you have kids at home you know this is not a joke. feeding kids a healthy diet is one of the biggest challenge in a mother's life and I am not exception ...like any other women I too always look for ideas and recipes that are healthy for kids. In my attempt to include more vegetables in their plates and palates I discovered this curry which is fortunately approved by my kids.  You can also give it a try and see how it goes.

what are your favourite recipes for kids?

Ingredients:- 

Boneless Chicken  - 400 gms (cut into small pieces)
Yoghurt- 2 tbs
Turmeric- 1 tsp
Salt- 1tsp
Oil - 2 tbs
Cumin seeds - 1tsp
Onion - 2
Ginger-garlic paste- 1 tb
Tomato(pureed) - 1 cup
French beans(diagonally cut) - 3/4 cup
Green peas- 1/2 cup
Red bell pepper(cut into stripes) - 1/2
Garam masala - 1 tsp

Method :-

Mix first four ingredients cover and keep aside.
Chop onions and keep aside.
Heat oil in a deep pan, put in cumin seeds and when it starts to make crackling sound add chopped onion and fry till it becomes translucent.
Then add ginger garlic paste and fry for another 2-3 minutes.  
Add marinated chicken to the pan and fry on high heat  for 4-5 minutes then lower the heat and  cover and cook chicken for 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the chicken pieces, stirring occasionally.

When chicken is almost cooked add french beans and tomato puree to it , mix well, cover and let it simmer for 4-5 minutes.
Remove the cover, add peas, bell pepper and garam masala, cook for another 2-3 minutes and turn off the heat. Serve with roti / paratha or rice.

Note:  I have not used any chili in this recipe but you may add as per taste and requirement.