Eggless Strawberry Banana Muffins

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Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Yield: 12 muffins

Recipe adapted and modified from: Melaniemakes.com

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Ingredients:
All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
Sugar - 2/3 cup
Butter - 6 tbsp, melted
Flax seed powder - 1 tbsp
Cold water - 3 tbsp
Plain yogurt - 1/3 cup
Baking soda - 3/4 tsp
Cinnamon - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
Bananas - 2
Strawberries - 1 cup, diced

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line muffin tray with liners.
2. In a small bowl, mix flax powder with 3 tbsp water and set it aside for 5 minutes.
3. Combine sugar and flax mixture in a large bowl. Mix well using a hand mixer.  Mix butter, yogurt and vanilla.
4. Mash the bananas with fork and add it to the sugar mixture.  Combine well.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.  Add strawberries to flour mixture and toss to coat.
6. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture and mix until just combined.
7. Using an ice cream scoop, fill muffin cups 2/3 full.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
9. Cool 2 minutes in the tray before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Bread Upma

I made this bread upma using the left over Pan Siciliano bread (refer to my previous post) that I baked for the baking group. You can use any bread that you have in hand.  Slightly stale bread works better.  It is simple, yet very comforting dish and super easy to make.  Try using different spices that suit your palate.
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Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes

Serves: 2-3

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Ingredients:
Any kind of Bread Slices - 10, cut into cubes with the crust
Onion - 1, medium, finely chopped
Tomato - 2, chopped
Green chilies - 2, chopped
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Urad dal - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Sambar powder - 1 tbsp
Black pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Fennel powder - 1/2 tsp (optional)
Lemon Juice - 1 tbsp or to taste
Salt - to taste
Oil - 2 tbsp
Ghee / Clarified butter - 2 tbsp
Curry leaves - few
Fresh coriander / Cilantro - for garnishing

Method:

1. Heat ghee in a skillet and toss the bread slices.  Roast until golden brown.  Alternatively you can also use the oven to toast the bread.  Toss the bread cubes with ghee and place it in a baking sheet and bake in a 350F. oven until golden brown.
2. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds.  Add urad dal and cumin seeds.  Fry until golden brown.
3. Add the chopped onion, green chilies and curry leaves.  Saute until translucent.  Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for a minute.
4. Add Sambar powder, black pepper, red chili powder, turmeric powder and fennel powder(if using).
5. Saute for 30 seconds.
6. Add the roasted bread slices and salt.  Mix thoroughly.  Sprinkle about 2 tbsp water and cover.
7. Let it cook for a minutes on a low flame.  Remove from heat and add the lemon juice and cilantro. Mix gently and serve hot.