Happy's Cook

Wednesday, December 03, 2014

Oats Raisins Walnut Cookies Recipe | Oats Cookies | Christmas special Recipes

December is one of my favourite months. I am preparing myself to post more cakes and cookies during Christmas time. Recently, I attended a baking session with chef Joe Francis of Gateway International Hotel and he taught me a few cakes and cookie recipes. This is the first one I tried from that list and it came out really well. He also taught me the Chocolate Sponge Cake and Chocolate Walnut Brownie. If you are looking for more cookie recipes, then please try the below cookies:

Final pictures updated on 01/June/2020

Ingredients:(Got around 40 cookies)

Oats - 1 and 1/2 Cup

Flour - 3/4 Cup

Butter - 200 gms

Brown Sugar - 1/2 Cup

White Sugar - 1/2 Cup

Eggs - 2

Baking Powder - 1/2 tsp

Cinnamon Powder - 1 tsp

Raisin - 100 gms

Broken Walnut - 100 gms

Salt - a pinch

Method:

1. Bring all the ingredients to room temperature. In a large wide bowl, cream the butter, sugar and eggs together.

2. In another bowl mix the flour, raisin, oats, cinnamon, walnut and salt. Now mix the dry ingredients with the butter, sugar, egg mixture. Refrigerate it for 30 mins.

3. In a baking tray line the butter paper and place the cookie dough roughly. I used a tablespoon to get the equal-sized cookies. Preheat the oven at 170 deg celsius and bake it for 18 - 20 mins or bake until the cookies turn light brown.

The cookies will be very soft as soon as it is out of the oven. But after it cools completely it turns crispy. The Yummy crispy and crunchy cookies are ready to be served with evening coffee.

Points to remember:

The cookies will expand while baking. So leave enough space between the cookies. Also, it is not required to flatten the cookies and it flattens while baking by itself.
The cookies will be very soft as soon as it is out of the oven. But after it cools completely it turns crispy
The temperature and baking time varies between ovens. So bake until the bottom of the cookies turns light brown.
The sugar should be completely dissolved before adding the dry ingredients(flour, maida etc), so whisk it accordingly.
The dough has to be refrigerated before baking.
You can make the cookies a little big but you have to bake it longer.

Warm Regards,
Happy's Cook - Divya

Quail Gravy | Kaadai Gravy

Kaadai(Quail) has many health benefits when compared to chicken. Appa doesn't prefer broiler chicken for us, so when he is in chennai he frequently buys fish, mutton and kaadai. Kaadai is similar to chicken and can be cooked on the same way. We get this in the regular chicken shops. Let's see the step by step preparation:

Pink Velvet Roulade | Pink Roll Cake

I wanted to make roll cakes for a long time now. Finally, when I came across this recipe here, I decided to give it a try. My initial few attempts had dominating eggy smell. Tips of Joe, helped me get the perfect roulade. They are very simple and looks really amazing. Kids will enjoy it to the core, like Happy did. If you prefer not to add color, you can continue it as a basic roll cake after skipping pink color. The perfect measurement needs to be followed for perfect roulade. Here we go to the preparation steps:

Squid Roast | Kerala Kanava Roast | (Calamari / Koonthal Roast)

One of the dishes that is quite famous in kerala is squid roast. It is one of the seafood delicacies, which I haven't tasted or tried before. Jany likes to explore all kinds of seafood, hence I tried this. It tasted awesome and now I am planning to try different recipes with Squid. Here we go for the recipe:

Ribbon Pakkoda / Ribbon Murukku / Ola Pakkoda / Nada Thenkuzhal | Diwali Special Recipe

Finally I am posting in the Day one of new month with many resolutions in mind :). This post was composed last week during diwali because of internet issues I couldn't post it. Jany prefers to have crispy savoury snacks than sweets or desserts. Whenever I make sweets he tastes it, but asks for something spicy and crispy. So, I made this ribbon pakkoda in a jiffy without much preparation. It came out really well and he enjoyed for the evening coffee. Here, we go for the recipe:

Diwali Special Recipes | Diwali Sweets, Payasams & Savoury Snacks Recipes

Rasmalai Recipe | Diwali Special Recipes

Rasmalai is one of the desserts, which I often have in my office cafeteria. Rasagullas soaked in the saffron flavoured milk tastes divine. When I tried Rasagulla, I reserved some for trying rasmalai. The rasmalai was very soft and creamy, we all enjoyed it a lot. This is a perfect dessert for parties and potlucks. You can prepare it a day before and keep it in the refrigerator.

Pictures Updated on 18/5/2018

Thirattipal Recipe|Easy Palkova using Condensed milk| Diwali Special Recipe

Thirattipal or Palkova is my favourite dessert right from childhood. I had one unused condensed milk tin in my fridge for a long time and thought of making thirattipal using it. The preparation is very simple when compared to the traditional palkova with milk. I have prepared this in the stovetop, however, you can prepare this in the microwave oven too (check the notes section). Kids will love this yummy palkova.

Rasgulla Recipe/ Bengali Rasgulla | Diwali Special Recipes

I am back to the blog with diwali special recipes. Today I am presenting the yummy Rasgulla. My first two attempts in making rasagulla was a disaster. It was very hard and flat. So last year I skipped posting this. This is the first diwali recipe I clicked this year after learning some tricks and it came out very well. It was spongy and juicy. I am satisfied with the texture and shape as well.

Dried Tapioca Chips | Homemade Kappa Chips | Maravalli Kizangu Chips | Marichini Chips

Yet another Kerala delicacy and it is one of the most famous chips in Kerala after Banana chips. We can slice it into thin round wafers and deep fry it directly. But this time I have tried the dried version. The last time when my mom-inlaw came, she gave us two big tapioca. I made kappa masala with that(I will be posting it soon) and reserved one for trying this tapioca chips. Jany and I love this, and we finished it as soon as the photo shoot is over. This can be had as an evening snack along with tea or coffee. Off to the recipe:

Varutharacha Sambhar Recipe | Onam Sadya Recipe

Varutharacha sambar is one of the Onam Sadya recipes. I already have my version of Sambar here. The dry roasted and ground masala gives a nice flavour to this sambar. Here we go for the step by step preparations:

Kootu curry | Onam Sadya Recipe

I continue to post the Onam recipes which I clicked before onam. This is one of my favourite onam sadya recipe I have tried. It came out very well. As soon as I started to click, Happy was waiting to eat. She thought I have prepared some snacks. I gave her a spoon of this kootu curry, so that she will allow me to click and run away. She likes it very much, and she was asking for more. This is the best compliment I received for a recipe. Here we go for the recipe:

Final Pictures Updated on 8th August 2016

Chakka Varatti(Jam) Recipe| Jackfruit Jam| Palapazha Jam

I am back with another Jackfruit recipe. Already I have posted Chakka Pradhaman here. I had this jam once in my college days, when Appa brought it from his friend's home. It tastes awesome and I never bothered about its preparation until I started blogging. When the last time I had this jack fruit in bulk, I reserved some to prepare this. I called that Aunty and checked her version of this chakka varatti and it came out well. She asked me to chop the jackfruit into small pieces and saute it in ghee until everything mashes. It needs time and patience. You can also steam cook and grind it before mixing Jaggery. Here we go for the detailed recipe:

Ada Pradhaman| Rice Ada Jaggery Payasam| Onam Sadya Recipes

Happy Onam to all my friends and their families. Hope everyone is enjoying the Onam!!! I wanted to post the complete sadya today, but some or the other I missed it. Maybe next year I would love to post that. To celebrate this special occasion, I am posting Ada Pradhaman which I tried yesterday. I have had this pradhaman at my hometown in wedding feasts. This is one of my favorite pradhaman. I asked dad to bring this ada from hometown and this occupies a place in appa's large bundle during the last visit:) I tried it and it came out very well, even Jany who doesn't like payasam had it. Happy and I finished the rest of the payasam:) Let's go for the recipe:

Vendakka Kichadi Recipe| Okra Kichadi| Onam Sadya Special

This year when I was searching for Pachadi/Kichadi recipe, this Okra pachadi caught my attention. Already I have posted beetroot pachadi here and cucumber pachadi here. This is the first time I am trying this kichadi, it tastes awesome when served immediately. I have explained both the traditional and baking method. Let's go to the detailed preparation steps:

Sarkara Varatti| Sweet Upperi| Banana chips with Jaggery| Onam Sadya Special

I am rushing to post Onam recipes. I have clicked so many recipes last weekend, but I am not getting time to post it :( I try to get ready with my posts after coming from office, but Happy needs full attention if I touch my laptop. So started to wake up as early as possible to edit images and compose the post. Today's post is about the preparation of Sarkara Varatti. Sarkarai Varatti is prepared by chopping banana into thick pieces, deep fried it and then mixed with melted jaggery. Off to the recipe:

Chakka Pradhaman Recipe| Jackfruit Payasam| Jackfruit pudding | Onam Sadya Recipe

Yet another traditional and popular delicacy from 'God's Own Country'. I tried this pradhaman long back, when dad brought a very big Jackfruit from my hometown :). I reserved some jackfruit pieces for this Pradhaman and some for jackfruit jam which I will be posting soon. Being from nagercoil, I grew eating chakka from my childhood days. This is one of my favourite fruits. This is the first time I am trying a recipe with this. I got this recipe from my dad's friend's wife. She is very lovable and explains both the pradhaman and Jam very cleary. Here we go for the recipe:

Cheru Payaru Thoran Recipe|Pachai Payaru Thoran Recipe|Green gram stir fry| Onam sadya recipe

The thoran which I am posting today gives me some nostalgic feeling about my maternal grandmother and my mom. In my opinion, they both are the best cooks I have ever met. In my childhood, I love to have this thoran whenever my grandmother prepares this. I got this recipe from the handwritten note shared by my mom. It is very simple and we can make it in a jiffy. Whenever I ran short of veggies, I prepare it in home. Let us go for this thoran preparation:

Kadachakka Thoran Recipe| Cheema Chakka (Breadfuit Thoran)| Onam Sadya Recipe

I am posting some of the Onam sadya recipes this week. Last time when my mom in law came home, she brought kadachakka from our native. Though I have kadachakka theeyal recipe in hand, I like the way my mom in law makes this thoran. This is one of her staple recipes and I got the recipe from her. It turned out really yum and here we go for the recipe:

Thengai Poorna Kozhukattai Recipe | Mothagam | Modak | Ganesh Chathurthi Recipes

Already I have posted a poorna kozhukattai (with Channa Dal filling) here. This morning I made kozhukattai with coconut and cashew filling. The cruchy cashew and chewy coconut gives nice flavour to the poornam. This time I wanted to make the kozhukattai with mould to get nice shape. For the past one week, I was searching for this mould in different shops. I ordered that mould and got it last night. I woke up very early with curiousity to try this kozhukattai in a mould. It came out very well, though Happy collapsed a few before clicking :) . If you wish to prepare it without mould, check the steps to make kozhukattai here.

Sweet Pidi Kozhukattai Recipe | Ganesh Chathurthi Recipes

Happy Vinayagar Chathurthi to all my readers!! I am with a sweet kozhukattai to celebrate this occasion. My blogging mind made me to prepare this kozhukattai after coming from office. Jany doesn't show any interest in Kozhukattai, but I make it once in a while for me. Now Happy is interested in anything that is sweet. I make this kozhukattai for her and she loves it to the core. This is a very simple recipe, which I tried with a store brought flour. It was very soft and everyone liked this. I will post the traditional sweet kozhukattai as soon as possible.

Aval Pidi Kozhukattai | Ganesh Chathurthi Recipes

Last year I posted few kozhukattai recipes which you can refer here. To add on this list I am posting few more kozhukattai recipes. This is a simple and easy recipe which can be made it in a jiffy. I made this for breakfast yesterday. I got this recipe from my friend's mom. To my surprise it came out very well. Off to the recipe:

Fish curry with Raw Mango | Meen Kuzhambu with Mango | Manchatti Meen Kuzhambu

After a long time, I am back with a fish recipe. I don't try different fish recipes since Jany always wanted mom's fish kuzhambu which I posted here. Last week we went to a nearby beach to get fish. The fishes were very fresh and we got it in bulk. This time I wanted to try fish curry without coconut. I called my chithi and got this recipe from her. I made this fish curry in manchatti(Claypot). It tasted awesome and here we go for chithi's meen kuzhambu recipe:

Mango Panna Cotta Recipe | Mango Recipes

Everyone enjoyed the Mango Icecream recipe, which I posted few weeks back. During the mango season, I tried one other recipe with mango and it was a huge hit in my home. Yes, it is the Panna Cotta. Jany loved it to the core. This is very simple and it is a no fail recipe. Even the beginners will get it perfectly. Let's go to the preparation steps:

Egg Puffs with Homemade Puff Pastry Recipe

I am ready with a post for Baking Partners after a long gap. When I saw puff pastry as this month's challenge, I wanted to give it a try. Because it was in to-do list for a long time now. Finally, I made it last week and it came out really well. Though it doesn't have many layers, it tasted awesome. Thanks Swathi and Sangeetha for the wonderful challenge. Here, we go for the detailed preparation:

Tricolour fruit custard Recipe | Independence Day Special Recipe

Happy Independence day dear friends and readers. Hope every one of you started to enjoy the long weekend. I was planning for tricolour recipes from last week. Because of lack of time, I made this simple and yet interesting custard recipe. I made this with Kiwi, Banana and orange to bring the tricolour of the Indian flag. You can prepare this custard with any fruits of your choice. Check out the Mixed Fruits Custard too.Here, we go for the recipe:

Chicken Kola Urundai Recipe | Chicken Vadai | Chicken Kheema Balls | Minced Chicken Balls

I had a great weekend, I tried some yummy recipes with Jack Fruit which Appa got it from hometown. I will be posting this as a part of Onam Sadya recipes. Also, I attended baking class by Chef Joe Francis in Gateway International Hotel. It was a nice experience, I enjoyed and learned some techniques in baking. Coming to today's recipe, this chicken balls is one of the recent chicken recipes, which is a huge hit in my home. Everyone including Happy enjoys it to the core. This is the recipe from my team mate Shobana. Once she prepared and brought it to office, it was yummy. I got the recipe from her and tried it the next weekend. Nowadays I make it often. Here, we go for the preparation steps:

Tomato Chutney - With Coriander leaves and Small Onion(Mom's Special Chutney)

This tomato chutney is one of my mom's signature dishes. Dad has diabetes, so mom used to make this chutney quite often since it does not require coconut. When I was a kid, I never liked chutney and haven't tasted this. But later at one point in time when I tasted it, it was so awesome and from that day onwards I am a huge fan of this chutney. I had this recipe, in the handwritten note of my mom and nowadays I make it often since Jany and Happy love it to the core. This goes very well with Idli and Dosa. In this space I already have a tomato chutney with coconut here.

Paruppu Bonda & Getti Chutney| Dal Fritters with Coconut Chutney/ South Vs North Challenge(SNC)

After a long time I am posting a recipe for SNC and unfortunately this would be my last post since SNC is coming to an end. When Manju gave a chance to swap to Northern team, I am excited to try my own south indian recipes. I tried this paruppu bonda and getti chutney hosted by Viji. It came out really well and we enjoyed it for our evening coffee.

Mutton Biryani Recipe | Mutton Biryani in Pressure Cooker

Eid Mubarak to all my friends and their families. Over the last few weekends, I was clicking some Non-Veg recipes to post on the blog as Ramzan special recipes. I have edited most of the photos and I will try to post them as soon as possible. To celebrate this great day, I wanted to share the Mutton Biryani recipe. Do check out my Chicken Biryani recipe here and the thalapakattai style mutton biryani here. This is a very simple recipe, even beginners can attempt this.

Pictures updated on 3/3/2021

Chicken Manchurian Recipe

I am down with cold and fever, hence couldn't try any new recipes yesterday and today. For the last few weeks, I am experimenting new chicken recipes. I got this Chicken Manchurian recipe from my colleague Ridhi and I have tuned it to suit our taste buds. We really liked it and it was very tender and juicy. Let's go to the recipe.

Chicken Sandwich Recipe | Chicken Kheema Sandwich

Yet another weekend, and with so many to-do items in hand I am composing this post. Hopefully I should experiment few new recipes. Whenever I show my new clicks to my team mates, they give me a weird looks and say: "We don't want images and instead we need to taste it". At least this Monday, I should take something to my team :)

Even though we cook non veg items more often in our home, my blog has very limited items, hence I am planning to post more non veg items in the future. Last Friday, I made this chicken sandwich for our breakfast, it really turned out well. Though it was a working day, I managed to click for posting it here. Here we go for the recipe.

Sakkarai Pongal Recipe| Sweet Pongal | Sweet Pongal without milk

Everyone at home is enjoying the Sunday nap while I am writing this post. We are having a great weekend and as always I tried some new dishes which I will be posting in the blog soon😊. I love the sweet Pongal that is served in Saravana Bhavan and Murugan Idli shop. I already have a version of sweet Pongal here with milk. l always wanted to replicate the taste of hotel-style sweet Pongal. I got this recipe from my neighbour and it tastes divine. Let's go to the recipe:

Images updated on:13/01/2021

Mango Icecream Recipe| Summer Special

The weekend is here! Hurray! As soon as I left office today, I decided to do a post tonight. Also, I wanted to post at least one mango recipe before the mango season ends. Word's can't describe my love for Mangoes, even Happy loves it. Last weekend I made this ice cream and we enjoyed this for the whole week. Homemade mango ice cream is very simple with very few ingredients and also, it does not require an ice cream maker. It is a no fail recipe. Let's go for the recipe:

RoseMilk Popsicle Recipe/ Paal Ice/ Kuchi Ice | Summer Special

I wanted to post many summer special drinks, icecreams, popsicles for this summer. But one after the other we were sick and couldn't have anything chilled. Finally, I tried this popsicle yesterday and it is a quick recipe which can be made with only three ingredients. We really enjoyed the popsicle this weekend. My mom makes so many flavours of popsicles when I was a kid. My neighbour supplied us with the sticks from the nearby ice factory. Those memories of my childhood were really precious. I am planning to post few more summer special recipes soon.

Basic Fondant Icing Cake Recipe

I wanted to try fondant icing for a very long time now, after I saw Happy's first birthday cake from French Loaf. It really attracted our guests who came to the party. From then I was trying to learn this fondant decorations using tutorials. I even tried to attend classes, but I couldn't make it because of my full-time Job. Finally, I tried my hands-on this, decorating a very basic vanilla cake. You can check the recipe for vanilla sponge cake here. I have used rolled fondant, which I got it from Passionate Baking. I have tried very basic shapes and it came out really well. Even though it was not very perfect, I am happy being this my first trial. Let's go for the preparation steps: (I have missed to click few steps in my excitement)

Chicken 65 Recipe- Restaurant Style(Boneless)

I am back after a long time to my blogging world. Even though I was completely cooking these days, I couldn't find time to click and post it in this space. I usually don't like boneless chicken, but this chicken 65 is an exceptional one. I always wonder how restaurants give us soft and tender chicken. I got this recipe from my friend and it came out really well. I have tried it many times now. We really enjoy this. I have already posted a chicken fry here.Let's go for the recipe.

Eggless Banana Walnut Muffin Recipe(Butterless) | Banana Walnut Muffin | Eggless Butterless Muffin

I wished to try cupcakes from the time I started baking. Whenever I plan, one or two items will be missing in my pantry and it kept delayed. Two weeks back I had everything and I tried it. To my surprise, it turns out really well. It looks very cute and Happy enjoys it to the core. She was roaming by my side during the whole process of baking and she was waiting to grab it from me:) Before clicking, I never share any of my goodies for tasting. This time, Happy breaks that and finished one or two before clicking.

I felt really proud when I send these cupcakes to Happy's daycare as her next day evening snack. I reserved few cupcakes to my teammates in office. They really enjoyed and came to know about my baking and blogging interest. They started appreciating and motivating me for more recipes. Checkout my Chocolate Cupcake and Banana Bread recipe too.

Final pictures updated on 28th Sep 2016

Malai Kofta Recipe

Malai Kofta was in my to-do list for such a long time now. I tasted it twice or thrice in restaurants. I was hunting for the recipe of this mughlai delicacy. When Nupur from UK Rasoi announced this as the challenge for Divya's SNC challenge, I decided to make it. But being busy with an active toddler and full- time job, I couldn't make it on time. Yet, I gave it a try last weekend and it came out really well. I served it with spinach paratha and I reserved some Koftas for Happy without soaking in gravy. Thanks Nupur for the lovely recipe and we really loved it. Let's go for the recipe:

Tomato Rasam Recipe | South Indian Rasam

This is a very simple and easy rasam recipe, which we can make it in a jiffy. Mom makes it this way and I am following it. It is really flavourful with the cumin, garlic, pepper and coriander leaves. Heavy meals can be ended up with some steamed rice and this flavourful rasam. Let's go for the recipe:

Final Pictures Updated on 5th August 2016

Homemade Lemon Pickle Recipe| Lime Pickle

Hope you all are enjoying the weekend!! After I start going to office, I am really waiting for the weekends to try some new cooking and blogging. But even on weekends we are really busy with our weekly shopping, taking Happy to play area and spending some valuable time with her. So blogging takes second priority and I am here in this space less often. I will try my level best to focus on this in the near future.

And coming to today's post, it is homemade pickle which was lying in my drafts for such a long time now. I always wanted to try pickles at home. I soaked the lemon and salt, 15 days before my mom's last visit to Chennai. When she came here, the lemons where ready and mom tempered it while I was clicking. It was really hard to digest that while preparation Mom was here and while posting she was no more. Maybe we cannot have her physical appearance, but she is living with us in almost everything we have in our home.

Chilli Cheese Toast Recipe

Chilli Cheese Toast is one of my all time favorite toasts that can be made in a jiffy. When I was in hostel, I usually have my morning breakfast at office and most of the days I order chilli cheese toast. I got this recipe from the shop guy, who was preparing it for me. It was very simple and easy to make. After I got a sandwich maker, I tried it in my home and it tastes good. Jany's cousins really loved this chilli cheese toast which I offered them during their last visit. I have presented the recipe with sandwich maker and I have included stove top method in the notes section as well.

Final pictures updated on 3 October 2021

Varutharacha Chicken Curry Recipe | Kerala style Chicken Curry| My 100th Post (Mom's Special Recipe)

Yet another milestone for Happy's Cook, it's 100th post. When my mom was there, we planned something special for this occasion. But somehow my mom's signature recipe came as my 100th post. I am really happy and blessed to present you all this simple and yummy chicken curry which my mom makes. I usually make Chicken curry differently (I will try to post that too). But Jany likes this chicken curry which they make it in my home. So two weeks back, he was asking for this chicken curry and I tried it on that Sunday. It came out really well. Here we go for the recipe:

Prawn Masala Recipe

I really love Prawns from my childhood. I taste the variety of prawn dishes when I visit restaurants since my mom doesn't make it often at home. She was not interested in prawns because of its mild sweet taste. After I start cooking, I make it myself whenever I wish to have. Once I forced mom to taste it and she said this was my best recipe so far and it tasted awesome. We usually prefer small Prawns when compared to the big ones. Keeping the cleaning and de-veining process in mind, I ordered it in Supreme seafood. This time Happy had it for the first time and she really loved it, even though it is a bit spicy. Off to the recipe:

Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe | Cauliflower Manchurian

After a week of work in the office, I am in a mood to enjoy the weekend by cooking and blogging. Planning to try some new bakes and sweets after a long time. And coming to today's post, its Gobi Manchurian. The word Gobi Manchurian reminds me of my golden hostel days. Almost every Saturday we friends, get starters either Veg or Non-Veg from a nearby small hotel. My friend Angavai always goes for Gobi and the way she describes the taste of that Gobi makes me smile now. It is also one of my favorite veg recipes.

Final Pictures Updated on 8th August 2016

Ven Pongal Recipe | Khara Pongal | Ghee Pongal | Pongal Special Recipes

I started to work again after my maternity break and it is really hard for me to manage the blog now. Yet, I am trying my level best to share some recipes. This Ven Pongal recipe was there in my drafts for such a long time now and thought of posting it before this year’s Pongal. Pongal is not my favourite breakfast while Jany loves to have it with Sambhar. So, I make it once in a while.

Paneer Butter Masala Recipe - Restaurant Style

Happy New year to all my readers and friends. With my mom's blessing, I am here to blog again in this lovely space which holds my mom's memories. Coming to today's post, it is everyone's favorite Paneer Butter Masala. Whenever we go to restaurants and if I planned to have a veg dish then, PB masala or Gobi is my choice. I make it often in my home for dinner. If I don't have fresh cream readily in my pantry, I use milk instead. Homemade or store brought paneer can be used. I will share homemade paneer recipe in the near future.