EGG-LESS CUPCAKES

Brazil was mercilessly beating Spain's ass in the first half of the Confederations Cup Finals. I was ecstatic and torn at the same time! Valdez on one side and BRAZIL on the other. It was a tough choice to make but I had decided that Brazil needed my support more! Half time was approaching and I just knew without a doubt, that Brazil was gonna win! Something had to be done to celebrate the glorious-ness of it all and it hit me! cupcakes!!! only one problem though, I was out of eggs. With one eye on the TV screen and the other one on google, I discovered the most brilliant recipe!!! I decided to change it a bit and see what I would come up with.

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 Cups of Flour

3/4 Cup of Cocoa Powder

1 Cup of Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon of salt

1/2 Teaspoon of Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

1 Teaspoon of Vinegar 

1 Cup of cold water

1/2 Cup of Melted Butter

FROSTING:

1/2 Cup of Butter

2 1/2 Cups of Icing Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon of Almond Extract / Vanilla Extract

METHOD:

• Whisk all the ingredients [except the items listed under frosting] together in a bowl.
  
  
  
• Line a muffin tray with cupcake liners and add 1 1/2 to 2 Tablespoons of the dough to each one.

• Bake in the oven till the cakes are done [Around 175° for 10 - 15 minutes.] Let it cool once it's done.

• While the cakes are baking, combine icing sugar, butter and the extract of your choosing to form a smooth frosting for the cupcakes. Make sure to eliminate any lumps that may form. Once the cakes cool down, spread the frosting on top and it's time to really celebrate!!! ;-) 

  

  Egg-less Cupcake with Almond Frosting

TUNA PIE

Too many fish in the sea if you ask me! :-P But Tuna has got to be the best, out of them all! Home alone one night, I decided to experiment! I was not disappointed 'cause I discovered a true "keeper"!!! ;-)

INGREDIENTS:

1 Apple
1 Carrot
1 Small leeks
3 Tomatoes
3 Cloves of Garlic
A Handful of beans
1 Can of Tuna, oil drained
2 Tablespoons of Extra virgin olive oil
4 Tablespoons of Breadcrumbs
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon of Butter
3 Boiled Potatoes
1/3 Cup of milk
1/2 Cup of Cheese [grated or cut into cubes]
2 Tablespoons of Red pepper flakes
Some dried herbs [coriander, mixed herbs or oregano]
Salt and Pepper to taste


METHOD:

• Add the butter and milk to the potatoes and make some mashed potatoes. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a pot and first add the garlic and let it cook for a bit. It doesn't need to brown.
• Add the leeks next, followed by the rest of the vegetables and the tuna. Add apple last and mix it around.
• Add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and the herbs and after mixing it, turn off the stove 'cause it doesnt need to cook much.
• Right after that, add the breadcrumbs and mix well.
• Transfer the mix into a baking dish and spread evenly.
• In a separate bowl, combine the eggs and a pinch of salt and pepper and pour it over the mix in the baking dish.
• Spread the mashed potatoes over the mix and sprinkle the cheese over it followed by some herbs.
• Bake in the oven till the top browns a bit.

Tuna Pie 

APPLE CRUMBLE

So this Ramadan,  I am sorta in charge of desserts at my moms place. I arrived late at her place and dint have much time to prepare something that would require a whole lot of effort! plus the shops were about to close and I dint have time to go shopping. After considering the available ingredients and the little time left, I decided to whip up an apple crumble in the microwave! And crumble it did, in my mouth, in heavenly goodness! :-P

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 Cups of flour
A pinch of salt
3/4 Cup of Butter
1 Cup of sugar

Four Apples peeled and chopped
A drizzle of lime juice
2 1/2 Tablespoons of Cinnamon

OPTIONAL:

Raisins
Cashews or any other nuts
vanilla ice cream

METHOD:

•  Sift the flour into a bowl and add in the pinch of salt. 
•  Add the butter and rub it into the flour so that a crumb like mixture is formed. 
•  Add half of the sugar to it and mix it slightly making sure not to press the dough too much.
•  In a microwavable tray,  mix the apples (and raisins if you're using it) with the rest of the sugar, the cinnamon and add the Lime juice  and mix things up and spread it evenly on the tray. 
•  Microwave it for four minutes.
• Sprinkle the dough on top of the Apple mix and press it down. Finish off by sprinkling the cinnamon (and nuts) and microwave for another 6 to 8 mins and it's done.
•  While it tastes good just as it, It's flavors really shine with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Apple Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream