CasualCook

  STRAWBERRY CUPCAKES Fresh strawberry cupcakes made from scratch! A fluffy vanilla cake loaded with fresh strawberries and a rich strawberry butter cream frosting. The flavour and texture of these cakes get even better if you let it rest overnight. So it is also great make ahead treat.  Strawberry cupcakes The cake itself is flavoured with vanilla essence, small pieces of fresh strawberries and strawberry puree. Since i'm using fresh strawberries to this recipe, these cakes does not naturally turn out as neon pink. Therefore , if you want a pink cake you will need to add some food coloring. How much to use is completely up to you. Reach for cake flour instead of all purpose flour. Cake flour is low in protein which result a softer and lighter texture. If you cant get your hands on cake flour . Use this cake flour substitute. 2 cups all purpose flour + 1/4 cup cornflour. Sieve twice until well combine. Egg yolk and egg whites are whipped seperatly. Egg whites are whipped until...

KERABU IKAN BILIS Kerabu ikan bilis or fried anchovie salad , is a crunchy zesty and delicious side dish . It pairs well with many dishes especially dhal curry. You can find sambar recipe in the link below:- http://casualcook2.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-to-make-sambardhal-currylentil-curry.html It's just the kind of dish you'd want to make when you don't have the appetite to eat anything or when you are craving for  something salty-sourish.  This kerabu is easy to make because the ingredients are readily available and the method is not complicated. This dish can be whipped up in no time at all! To make this kerabu, you only need 4 ingredients. Ikan bilis/anchovies, green chillies, onion and lime juice. : Ikan bilis / anchovies - Pick through the    ikan bilis to seperate the fish from the    residue. It is important to wash them    before frying. Fry ikan bilis at the correct   oil temperature and for the correct length   of time so that t...

VEGETARIAN CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE Craving for dessert now? Try this lava cake.  They look fancy on the plate and are really easy to make. From start to finish. It takes only 30 minutes to whip up this 9 ingredients batter. These romantic and decadent desserts are usually served in restaurants. But I'm telling you the home made version is so much better. When your folk breaks through the exterior of the cake, the divine luscious liquid oozes out. I'm sure you will fall in love with this recipe. To make this lava cake, I have used 70% bitter sweet compound chocolate which is meant for baking to get the lava effect. Avoid using chocolate chips or ready to eat chocolate. Use both good quality chocolate and cocoa powder. It makes a huge difference.  You can make this cake in ramekins, aluminum foil cups or muffin moulds. Here I'm using muffin moulds. To avoid the cake sticking to the mould,  I have greased the muffin pan with butter and dust with  cocoa powder. Then place cu...

EGGLESS LEMON COOKIES If you like lemon, you've going to loOve these cookies. There is something about lemon that's just so refreshing. Bursting with sweet and tangy flavours, these cookies pair well with a cuppa.  This recipe is ridiculously easy and fuss free. I want these cookies to actually taste lemony. So I used a combination of zest and fresh lemon juice for this recipe. I drizzle the cookies with a glaze, which adds a pop of  flavour to every bite. The glaze is optional but recommended, it really makes that lemon  shine. This recipe makes small batches. You may double this recipe if needed. These cookies are so addictive that you'll keep going back for  more and more . Let's get baking! INGREDIENTS   - 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour - 113 g butter ( room temperature) - 3/4 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 tsp baking powder  - 1 tsp vanilla essence / extract - 1/2 tbsp milk powder - lemon rinds from 1 lemon - 3 tbsp lemon juice Lemon glaze - 1/2 cup icing sug...

CHICKEN VARUVAL Chicken Varuval is a semi dry dish that is coated with masala. Topped with crispy dry red chillis and  fennel seeds. This dish is normally served as a side dish with rice, dosa, idli , rotis etc. Let's get cooking! INGREDIENTS - 1/2kg chicken cut into bite size pieces - 10 Shallots ( roughly slice) - 2 inch ginger ( pound into paste) - 3 cloves garlic ( pound into paste) - 5 stalks Curry leaves - 1 Pandan leaves ( cut into 2inch length) - 6 Dry red chillis ( cut into 2inch length)   - 1 stick cinnamon - 2 star anise - 4 cloves - 4 cardomons  - 2 tbsp fennel seeds - 2 tbsp red chilli powder + 2 tbsp water    Make into paste. (Heat level adjust to your    taste) - 1/4 cup water - Salt to taste MARINATION - 1 inch ginger ( pound into paste) - 2 clove garlic ( pound into paste) - 1 tbsp corriander seeds ( dry roasted and   pound into powder - 1 tsp black peppercorn ( dry roasted and   pound into powder) - 1 tbsp tumeric powder MET...

Chicken Curry Fried Rice Curry spices infused in cooked rice with tender chicken and crisp vegetables. Simple Ingredients, easy steps and  yet a fullfilling dish  Any kind of rice will do to make fried rice. You can also replace it with brown rice or quinoa for a healthier version. I always cook mine in the rice cooker and thoroughly chilled . Freshly cooked rice will never work as you will end up with a soggy final product. I added long beans, carrot , bell pepper and potatoes . Feel free to use any vegetables you prefer.  Let's get cooking! INGREDIENTS :  3 1/2 cup cooked rice : 2 potatoes ( diced and fried) : 500g chicken breast ( cut into small bite    sizes) : 5 cloves garlic ( pound) : 1 inch ginger ( pound) : 1 big onion    : 1 tbsp mustard seed : 2 tbsp chicken curry powder : 2 tbsp dry prawns (pound) : 2 green chillies : 3 ripe tomatoes (chopped) : 1/2 carrot ( diced) : 1/2 green pepper ( diced) : 3 long beans ( cut into 1 cm long) : 3 st...