Saved by Cake by Marian Keyes - Book Review

I always have love for words, any and every good book and mag catch my attention and I get tempted. Food mags and cook book are no exception though lot are there online but I like to keep them as collectibles……sound crazy….can’t help life without a good dash of colorful deliciousness life seems to be so bland ….I get depressed in no time. So when I get the  book Save By Cake from international best selling author Marian Keyes, her chatty, witty style of writing with chock full of great baking advice, delicious recipes and drool worthy pictures (by Alistair Richardson), catch my attention.The book itself is a joy to behold. In Saved by Cake, Keyes provides and extremely candid account of her recent battle  with depression, and her discovery that learning to bake was exactly what she needed to get through each day. Marian find that baking helps to pass the time. In Marian words “ To be perfectly blunt about it, my choice sometimes is: I can kill myself or I can make a dozen of cup cakes.” With chapters on cupcakes, cheesecakes, meringues and macaroons, chocolate cakes and other classics, her recipes are aimed firmly at the beginners or like me who lack confidence when it comes to baking and create some kitchen disaster, but she in a refreshingly honest and wickedly funny style offer hints, tips  and suggestions that even a  first timer can’t resist to try a hand  on this beautiful easy recipes.



Each and every recipe from this book is a keeper  but  as you all know we all have our personal choices and when it comes to the nutrient rich red balls … I mean beetroot…..who can stop me…..so beet cake come as  first in my top fav list following cranberry macarons….but cranberry sauce is not always handy in my place so  I will  go with mango which I think will be great  in coming summer months  and then comes the No- bake ginger and Lime cheese cake...mouthwatering combo of spicy heat of the ginger snaps with a sharp tang of lime....simply irresistible. Marian is truly blessed by the food fairy to bring such awesome baking delight in this wonderful book.

Baking books comes out every now and then. Yet Marian Save by Cake stand out for it’s 
extremity. Cake or die.Hat’s off to  her clarity and courage. In a humorous style she share such amazing recipes which can lift the spirit and satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.

This book  can be a perfect gift  for the beginners and even the expert baker, it can be a keeper  for someone who don’t love baking but ardent fan of Marian, or for someone who need a cuddle in a book.

A very entertaining and inspiring book. ( Officially on sale March 26, 2013. ) 
 
Thanks to Penguin for my review copy of Saved by Cake.

Be Happy And Stay Healthy.

Spicy Cheesy Baby Potatoes

I am a little health freak but sometimes when it comes to eating baby potatoes I can’t stop my carving. Though known for long as devils food recently it is blessed with a study which says that new potatoes has only 26 calories and is packed with nutrients. This is a key to lasting weight loss as eating potato will keep you feel full for longer says Dr. Jacquie Lavin, an eminent doctor for Slimming World. As potato is complex carbohydrate it is good during hunger pangs and thus control eating binge.Potatoes are also rich source of Vitamin B, folate and minerals such as potassium  magnesium and iron. Potatoes are underground tuber, meaning they store all the vitamins and minerals needed for growing new potato in spring.Norwich Food Research Institute have found that potatoes have some blood pressure lowering molecules called kukoamines. The Agricultural Research Service in Navarre, America has identified 60 different kinds of phyto chemicals and vitamins in potato skins.Many of these are flavnoinds, which protect against cardiovascular disease by lowering the levels of bad cholesterol and keeping arteries fat free. When I get to know so much about this baby delights I can’t stop myself to make an awesome dish which is easy yet tasty. I keep the skin on to get the full benefit. Pair spicy cheesy baby potatoes with smoked salmon or chicken or have it just like a snacks. I hope that you all will like it.

Spicy Cheesy Baby Potatoes

Ingredients

• 10 to 12 baby potatoes ( boiled)
• 1 tsp  butter/ olive oil
• 1tsp grated garlic
• 3 tbsp grated cheese
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp paprika powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp chopped parsley

Cooking Directions

1. Heat butter or oil whatever you are using in a skillet. Add garlic and fry till you get the fried smell, then add the baby potatoes. Add salt and paprika ( if paprika is too hot then you can go with black pepper). Now stir fry the baby potatoes till the skin is crispy. Now add grated cheese. Mix well. Finish it off with a good dash of lemon juice and chopped parsley.

Be Happy And Stay Healthy.

Russian Borscht

Sending you wishes to say you blossom up the world around me! Happy Women’s Day! Today I am sharing with you a colorful soup Russian Borscht recipe.This recipe is specially to celebrate the vibrant colorful charm of womanhood. I am sure you all will love it as it is healthy,loaded with vegetables and yet simple to make and it taste awesome.

Russian Borscht

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped beet
• 1 cup chopped cabbage
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1 bay leaves
• 1 tsp chopped dill weed
• 1 tsp butter (optional)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp salt and pepper

Cooking Directions

1. In a pan take chopped beet, carrots, onion and chicken stock, bay leaves. Bring to boil. Simmer for 20 minutes. Now add chopped cabbage and tomatoes. Cover and cook in slow flame for another 15 to 20 minutes until the cabbage is tender. Stir in salt pepper, butter (if using) and dill weed. Top each serving with sour cream.

Be Happy And Stay Healthy.

Broccoli N Cauliflower Soup

Broccoli n cauliflower soup is a very simple delicious soup. You can enjoy it anytime but I love it for my cozy comfy dinner.Broccoli as we all know is called the miracle food which is nutrient-rich vegetable can enhance your diet and benefit your health. In this soup I try to infuse a little different flavor which give this soup it's exotic touch. I hope the blend of  flavor will surprise you too.Have it and love it...!

Broccoli N Cauliflower Soup

Ingredients

• 4 to 6 florets of cauliflower
• 4 to 6 florets of broccoli
• 5 to 6 cloves of garlic chopped
• 2 whole cardamom slightly crushed
• 10 to 12 whole black pepper
• 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp butter
• 1/2 tsp sugar ( optional)
• 2 cup water/ vegetable stock
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• to taste salt and pepper

Cooking Directions

1. Heat oil in sauce pan. Now add whole black pepper and crushed cardamom and chopped garlic. As who get the fried favor of garlic add the florets of cauliflower. Add little salt and toss well. Now add warm stock or water whatever using. Let it boil for 5 to 6 minutes. When the cauliflower is half cooked, add broccoli and let it cook for another 5 to 6 minutes. Now add butter, sugar if using and adjust seasoning. Finish it off with lemon juice. Serve pipping hot. Enjoy with your favorite bread rolls.

Be Happy And Stay Healthy.

Blue Curacao N Strawberry Mocktail

Today I am sharing an electrifying and colorful mocktail to pep up your weekend party.In this month of love this mocktail with exotic blend of elements is made to tantalize the sensual desires within...haha..just kidding buddies.Like it and fall in love again.It is completely non alcoholic and I am sure kids too will find it interesting.So have fun and enjoy!

Blue Curacao N Strawberry Mocktail

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz blue curacao
• 2 oz sour mix ( 1 oz each lime and lemon juice and 2oz simple syrup)
• 1 can sprite
• 4 to 5 drops strawberry essence or to taste
• 1 to 2 fresh strawberry ( for  garnishing each glass )

Cooking Directions

1. In a shaker take sour mix, blue curacao, strawberry essence and chilled sprite. Give one  good shake and then pour in your glass.Add ice cubes. Now let the fresh strawberry float on your drink.

Be Happy And Stay Healthy.

Potato Cheese Garlic Melba - Valentine's Day Special

Today I am sharing with you all a delicious spicy appetizer to make your Valentine's Day special -potato cheese garlic melba. Who said you can't taste love in small bites... a little less is always better. So a crispy yummy dose of snacks to rock your Valentine's day mocktail party.

Potato Cheese Garlic Melba 

Ingredients

• 15 garlic melba toast
• 15 thick slice of boiled baby potatoes
• 1tbsp onion juice
• 1tbsp ginger garlic juice
• 15 small cheese cubes
• 1 tsp roasted cumin powder
• 15 small traingles of tomatoes
• 1 tsp butter/ olive oil
• 1tsp lemon juice
• 1tsp chopped parsley
• 15 thin almond sticks
• to taste salt and pepper

Cooking Directions

1. Marinate the boiled potato slices with onion,ginger garlic juice, salt and pepper for 15 minutes. Heat butter in a skillet now toss with salt, pepper and lemon juice.Put off the flame and let it cool down. Now arrange the melba toast place a single slice of potato, small cheese cube on it then a tomato slice and place a almond stick on it. Sprinkle toasted cumin powder and chopped parley on each toast. Serve immediately with your favorite drink.
   
   
   
   
   Wish you all A Very Happy Valentine's Day.

Be Happy And Stay Healthy.

Beetroot and Walnut Salad

I told you in my earlier post that in this month of love we will mainly share the recipes which are heart healthy. So today I am sharing a delicious salad recipe with you all. A gorgeous red color salad can well match your Valentine day dinner spread, a guilt free delicious dish for you and your beloved. Beetroots are loaded with many health benefit.Beetroot naturally detoxifies and act as a blood purifier. Rich in various nutrients it boost the immune system to work efficiently and also help the body to fight against diseases and infection. Beetroot is also rich in iron and that is why it boost red blood with required iron and facilitates the supply of oxygen towards the cells making our body healthy and young.While egg white used in this dish is a top source of protein but low in calories and walnuts are rich source of energy and contain health benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. So stay young stay in shape and enjoy this awesome salad.

Beetroot and Walnut Salad

Ingredients

• 2 beet root cut into bite size chunks
• 1/2 cup walnut
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 2 hard boiled egg whites sliced and chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1tsp salt and pepper

Cooking Directions

1. Rinse the beetroot well. Place it in a pressure cooker or a pot , cover with water. Boil until it is tender. Drain the water and skin off while the beet is still warm. Now pat dry the beet with a kitchen paper or towel. Cut them into bite size chunks.Take a bowl mix balsamic vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Mix well. Now mix vinaigrette with the beet chunks. Cover tightly, and refrigerate at least an hour or two before serving. Toast the walnut and keep in a air tight container. While serving add the sliced hard boiled egg white pieces. Mix well. Adjust seasoning. Sprinkle chopped parsley and toasted walnut. A delicious healthy, crunchy, nutty salad is ready to serve.

Be Happy And Stay Healthy.