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I believe that salt is to food, what food is to life. In right proportions, it can heighten the taste of what you eat..and in the wrong - destroy! Even the most delicious sweets come added with some salt...to taste!

As for me, I've never enjoyed cooking. And as contrary to my owning a food-blog as it may sound, I always think about daily, routine cooking as a chore. But my tryst with the pots and pans began when I got a kitchen all to myself...I began experimenting and exploring new worlds in my own home. Some outcomes were excellent and some plain disasters. Then sprouted the need to keep track of all those good ones...and hence this blog!

Here, I share those experiments that pleased more than one palate!




May 21, 2010

Madhuri's Microwave Chocolate Cake And A Li'l Gift For Her!

I have been having this on my mind for a long time now. I just did not find a good chunk of time to sit down and do this post at one go. So, I split it up in bits and saved pictures and drafts along the way.. and today, finally I hit 'Publish Post'! Yes, Madhuri, this one is (again) for you. Those of you who don't already know , Madhuri and I were school mates and have now connected through online networking and most recently through food blogging. If you have'nt already taken a peek into her space, do so @ Cook-curry Nook.

Although my blog happens to be couple months older (half a year I guess!)than hers, I must admit her repertoire of recipes is way more exhaustive and delicious than what I have stocked up. Her pictures speak for themselves and make you want to immediately get your hands on the ingredients and try out what she has put up. So, one such recipe that had me at the first look was her uber-decadent Eggless,butterless 5-minute Microwave Chocolate Cake. I simply HAD to try it. And, that I sure did.

But before we dive into the tried and tested recipe, I have a little something to share. These days if there is anyone's blog that I look up for recipes, it is Madhuri's. I love how she explains things out, making cooking seem like a very enjoyable task...especially for a person like me, who would run out of the kitchen given a chance! So, I designed this ...um, let's call it a badge, shall we? Yeah, I designed this JnJ Inspirational Blogger Badge for her, to let her know she does so in every way. JnJ?? No, that's not a typo! Read on - Yes Madhuri, you inspire me with your cooking pretty much the way Julie Powell was by Julia Child to try out all of her recipes. So here you go..this one is for you - The Julie & Julia Inspirational Blogger Badge!!


Madhuri, you could share this with anyone you think inspires you in a similar way - or better yet, just keep it!! :D

Now, for the ultimate, super-quick, super-yummmmmmy cake recipe. I downsized it a bit and made some adjustments, which I've written down to guide you through the recipe. The major change of course was that I added Chocolate syrup instead of Cocoa powder which made my cake very gooey and fudge-like in the end. I like cakes that way so it was fine. But, if you like your cakes a wee bit dry then go for the cocoa powder (Psst...I tried that version too. Just goes to prove how much I love chocolate cake, does'nt it?)


Ingredients
1 1/4 Cups All purpose flour/Maida
4-5tbsp Hersheys Cocoa Syrup (OR 1/3 Cup Cocoa powder)
1 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed
3/4th tsp Baking Powder
1/3rd tsp Baking Soda
1.5 tsp Vanilla essence
3 tsp Flax seed powder mixed in 3/4 cup warm water (substituting 3 eggs)
1/3 Cup Milk(I used whole milk)
1/3 Cup Oil (I used Corn Oil)
A pinch of salt

Method
- Sift the flour into a large preparation bowl
- Add the brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix
- Stir in the milk, oil and vanilla essence to make a smooth batter making sure there are no lumps
- Add the chocolate syrup and blend with your spatula
- Pour the flax seed powder mixed in warm water and mix well to make a silky textured cake batter
- Taste the batter to see if it is 'chocolatey' enough. If not add more syrup/cocoa powder
- Pour the batter into a microwave safe glass bowl. Madhuri suggests using a wide bowl, which is what I did
- Cover with cling wrap and make slits in the wrap to allow steam to escape
- Cook on high for about 8 minutes. Check and add more time if you feel the cake needs more cooking
- Once done, remove the cling wrap and allow it to rest up a tad bit - around 10 minutes.
- Insert a toothpick in the center of the cake to check if it is done. You could opt to check in another couple of spots too, since unlike the traditional/conventional oven, microwave heat (I think) does not spread very evenly.
- Let cool a few more minutes. Cut up into slices and decorate with your choice of toppings. I have used confectioner's sugar, clementine slices and dried blueberries.
- Serve warm (That's how I had mine)

This Makes about 12-15 thick, delicious slices of chocolate cake!



One helluva recipe I tell ya. I can see myself make it so very often! Danke, Madhuri...so so much! I just might try experimenting with it too, so watch out for this space.

Oh and yes, for those of you who loved the badge, go ahead - pick it up and share it with those who you think deserve it. Spread the inspiration!

23 comments:

  1. I love Madhuri's blog too :-) I'm sure she'll so proud to see this post. You are such a sweet friend :-)

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  2. Hey Gulmohar! I knowww... I cannot wait for her to get her eyes on this! And thank you for your kind words, too. :)

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  3. Wow wow Deepti! I loved the movie(cud relate to it a little bit) and love the badge too. grreat friends I must say :)).
    and yes I do visit Madhuri's blog often...its lovely with interesting recipes!

    Keep up the good work!

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  4. tht so sweet of u to try madhuris recipe..ths really simple and quick and delcious....she wil b very happy to see this post and love to have her cute gift...cake looks osft and spongy

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  5. @ Neha - Yup I liked the movie too. I loved it for Meryl Streep and then the food, in that order! I think she is a total Goddess in the acting kingdom!

    @ Sanyukta - Yup I love to try her recipes. I cannot wait for it to be morning in India and for her to get online.

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  6. ...Dear deepti ...just eager to knw by any chance ur a rajput.ab m garnishings...no never learned food art..no classes/courses.just love creativity...playing with pen/paper,brushes,veggies,fruits ..haha..and darling thanks so very much for ur suggestion...yes i knw the lights r nt good enough when taking up the pics...but i just could spend very less time in presenting and taking pics..as i hv to cope up with my 18 mnth old baby..as he grows up..can spend more time on the photography too...thts a promise...thanks again darling..hv a happy weekend..happy to follow u

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  7. Omg! Omg!! Ohhhh my Goddddddddddddddddddddd!
    Im overwhelmed beyond what you can ever imagine, and whatever I said now, it still wouldn't do justice to what I'm feeling. Girl, the last time you gave me an award, I had a lump in my throat, but this time, a little tear showed up, as I read through your post! Thank you sooooooooooo very much. (Add another million o's after the already long sooooo).

    Julia Child is a big name, and if you're associating me with her, then gosh, I think I'm gonna faint :) Im honoured beyond imagination, and Im blushing a deep red as I write this. Thank you! Again, and again, and again! :)

    I would definitely love to flaunt the uber cool badge on my space! I know you designed it yourself, and it means a lot to me. The trouble you took shows! It is simply beautiful! Great work!

    A big bear hug to you :) And Cheers to us! :) :)

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  8. You bet Madhuri has an awesome blog!! The cake looks super yumm!! I have to try it out too!!

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  9. @All: Thanks so very much for the votes of confidence! I had no idea that CCN had sooo many fans...I'm tickled pink =))

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  10. Madhuri - You're worth it. I cannot wait to see you back in full form on CCN! Bask in the glory of the badge!

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  11. Cake looks super prefect, Madhuri have an awesome blog, i love her blog much..

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  12. Hey Deepti, your cake looks so splendid! What a fabulous job! True that Madhuri has an inspiring blog! Now, I think its gonna be vice versa, I would love to be ur adopted child with no doubts ;)

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  13. Thank you Priya and Padhu!

    MD, we really need to get the adoption papers straight...even if it means confusing the hell outta the manager of the adoption organization :P

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  14. Hi
    Came through Madhuri's blog. You got a lovely space here.
    Going to try this cake now!
    I am following you!

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  15. Hi Deepti, I guess this is my first visit here. The cake looks awesome and I loved the way with such sincerity you have appreciated Madhuri's work, it touched me. Glad to follow u.
    Visit me whenever time permits dear, would love to hear from you.

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  16. Deepti, great blog and lovely recipe. It's so sweet of you to gift her :)

    I am following you, please do visit my blog if you get some time :)

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  17. @ Nivedita, Pari and Priya - Thank you so much for dropping by and for your kind words too. Will hop by your blogs as soon as I get a couple free minutes off my toddler!

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  18. just came in through madhuri's blog..the cake has just come out so perfect and looks awesome..

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  19. Cake looks so yummy, mosit..Love to have some.
    I completely agree with you..Mahduri's Blog is a real inspriation.

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  20. microwave cake that's something I yet have to try my hands on...your's looks good....now going to check Mahduri's blog, looks I'm missing on a great blog...thanks...

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