Finally...it`s here!!

The surprise on Prats Corner is finally out..!!

A new home, with more exciting recipes, events, food camps `et all!!

Prats Corner is now `Letzkit - Prathi Ruchi', 

launched on May 3rd, 2013.

Drop into our new virtual culinary destination for more information!

Letz keep in Touch!

'Like' us on Facebook and get regular updates on the latest on Prathi Ruchi!

Fortune Rice Bran Health Oil - Product Review

.....and bajra and onion pakoras

A visit to the supermarket leaves you confused, with so many choices available for different edible items. Products claiming so many benefits and all the while you wonder to what extent the products deliver them all. And with the increase in so many lifestyle and food related disorders, it is imperative to think and review products well before you buy them. Appropriate changes in kind of food we consume and the way we consume them need to be given top priority to ensure a healthy and better life for you and your family.

Cooking oil is one ingredient that is often changed in our cooking for two reasons. One is to get optimum benefits of the different oils that contain varied benefits, like, coconut oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, olive oil, sesame oil.  The second being sometimes some of the oils do not give the required taste and result as expected. Then I came across an advertisement for Rice bran oil. It was something I had not used in my cooking earlier but had heard of many positive reviews about it.

And then I received a sample of Fortune Rice Bran Health Oil for review. Thanks to Blogadda for sending a 2 litre pack of Fortune Rice Bran Health oil. I am reviewing healthy oil as a part of the BlogAdda`s Program Review Program for Indian Bloggers.

About Rice Bran Oil :

Rice bran oil is extracted from thin bran coating of brown rice. This oil offers many unique properties over other common cooking oils. Rice bran oil contains vitamins, antioxidants and nutrients. It can fight free radicals, enhance immune system, helps lower cholestrol and much more. From cooking point of view, the oil is delicate and flavorful, versatile and 100% vegetarian.

Bajra and Onion pakoras

Baby corn and Paneer Jalfrezi

Tip # 3 - Time

SHIFT FOCUS FROM MANAGING TIME TO CREATING TIME 

When you decide to create time rather then manage time, you`ll notice a dramatic effect on your stress and happiness levels.

Too chocolatey for comfort?

and some classic chocolate Brownies!

....By Anjali Rao

What is your idea of comfort food? Which is your go-to snack that puts the zing back in your mood? For me, a good, fudgy stack of brownies does the trick. It is happiness transformed onto a plate!

My friend has a rule - whenever someone`s feeling down in the dumps, you must serve them a cup of hot cocoa. That aphorism, without a doubt, is what we all must adhere to!

Chocolates release enough endorphins to turn our Pug-like antsy expression into a Golden Retriever`s jauntiness.

But all that`s good has to have its limits. I know, I hate that too. This is where my comfort food becomes a guilty pleasure. There are nights when I sneak into the kitchen and finish that last piece of chocolate cake, which my mother strictly told me to have the next day. But who can sleep peacefully knowing there`s a chocolate cake in the fridge, that`s taunting you to take a nibble.

With a destroyed will power and a craving tummy, I fulfill my chocolate desires. Now my mind is at ease and I can`t complain - even if the sugar`s going to keep me up all night! ;)


One of my all time favorite chocolate recipes is this Chocolate Walnut Brownies. I had so much fun eating it, as I did baking it..

Enjoy!
xoxo!

CHOCOLATE BROWNIES Recipe courtesy – Sanjeev Kapoor Makes 10 to 12 squares Ingredients ·         Dark cooking chocolate – 100 gms ·         Refined flour/ maida – 1 cup ·         Baking powder – 1 tsp ·         Butter  – 90 gms ·         Caster sugar – ¾ cup ·         Eggs – 2 nos ·         Vanilla essence – 1 tsp ·         Walnut , chopped – ½ cup Method Preheat an oven to 1800 C/ 3500 F/ Gas mark 4. Grease an 8” square baking tin. Sift together flour and baking powder, add chopped walnut, set aside. Measure the remaining ingredients and keep ready. Chop chocolate. Put the chopped chocolate and butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Melt together  in microwave , uncovered, on HIGH (100%) for one minute. You could melt the two together over a double boiler. Beat in the sugar, eggs and vanilla essence and blend well with a hand whisk. Add the sifted flour and walnuts. Mix/ fold well with a spatula. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 mins or till done i.e. toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. May even take upto 40 to 45 mins depending on the oven. Remove and cool for 5 mins, then unmould onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into squares and serve with  a scoop of vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce Notes 1. To melt chocolate in a microwave – Place chopped/ grated chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and melt according to their type – -          Dark chocolate to be melted on HIGH (100%)power for 1 minute. Then remove and stir once to check. When you take it out from the micro, you may see some chopped chocolate pieces still remaining but on stirring with a spatula, they melt. So careful not to over heat. So remove after 1 minute, stir, let stand few minutes and stir again if necessary. Return to microwave for another 30 seconds only if required. -          Milk and white chocolate to be melted on MEDIUM (50%) power for 40 seconds. Remove, stir and keep another 40 seconds. Remove and stir again. 2. Store the remaining brownies in refrigerator in airtight box for 2 to 3 days.

Write up, recipe testing, photography by Anjali Rao

Guest Post - A Start of Something New

Moist Choco Cake : No butter & eggs!


Hello everyone... This is Anjali Rao, an absolute food fanatic and sister of Prats :). For about a year and a half I have seen the constant increase in my sister's passion for cooking. Hence yesterday, I finally decided to try my hand at this delightful art of cooking.

Selection of a recipe was quite easy as my favourite part of a meal is dessert; and my favourite dessert includes cakes. I must say I had so much fun with all the 'pouring' , 'whisking' , 'sieving' and the likes. Although I looked a bit like Jackie Chan and his Kung Fu moves, while i was running around and gathering all the ingredients.

My sis said I did well, but the 30 mins bake time and waiting for the verdict was unnerving. But the anxiety was unnecessary. The cake did turn out to be Yummy, if i may say so myself ;)


I'm no longer just a 'hog-pot'. I can cook as well :). And it feels good to help my Mumma and sis :)
I enjoyed my guest appearance at Prats Corner. Hope to return soon :)

Buh bye.
Take Care.

MOIST CHOCO CAKE

Recipe Source : Raks Kitchen


Ingredients:
Plainflour/All purpose flour/Maida 1&1/2 cups
Cocoa powder  3 tbsp
Sugar  1 cup
Oil  1/4 cup
Baking soda  1 tsp
Lemon juice or Vinegar  1 tbsp (i used lemon juice)
Water  1 cup
Salt  1/4 tsp
Vanilla essence  1/2 tbsp

1) Pre heat the oven for 180 degree C
2) Mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and sieve them to ensure even mixing
3) In another bowl mix water, sugar, salt, and make sure the sugar gets dissolved completely. Then add lemon juice/vinegar , oil , vanilla essence. Mix them well.
4) Add sifted flour and mix well.
5) Grease and flour baking pan. Pour the batter into it. (The batter will be watery)
6) Bake 35 to 40 mins or till done. (Toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean) Mine took 30 mins.
7) Cool cake for 10 to 15 mins and then invert onto wire rack. Cool completely and cut into pieces.


Serve as is, or drizzled with chocolate sauce, or topped with chocolate or vanilla icing. :) :)