Red Velvet Cake

This recipe is shared to me by my cousin Shiney Jacob, who is an awesome cook and baker. I drool over her cakes ... I have been attending her cooking classes and thanks to her I started enjoying the art of baking and to cook as well. I am so fortunate that I have a husband who is always there to be my official “taster”. Thanks Neil and Shiney!

This recipe is actually for muffins but I ended up baking a small cake instead. If you like you can top your cake with chocolate icing instead of cream cheese frosting. (sorry chocolate lovers!)

Ingredients:

Butter – 100gm
Sugar - 100gm
Eggs – 2
Cocoa Powder – 1 tsp
Baking Powder – 1 tsp
Vanilla Essence – 1 tsp
Red food colour – 2 tsp
Plain flour – 70gm
Custard Powder – 30gm
Warm water – 2 ½ tblsp


Cream Cheese Frosting:

Cream Cheese - 100gm
Heavy Whipping Cream - 1cup
Sugar - 1/2cup
Vanilla Essence – ½ tsp


Serves 4 to 6 / 10 to 12 muffins


Method:

Beat butter and sugar till light and fluffy and add one egg at a time. Sieve all dry ingredients and fold it to the egg mixture. Add essence and colour and mix well. Then add warm water and mix it well using metal spoon. Grease your baking tin and pour the cake batter and bake in preheated oven at 160 C for 40-50min or till skewer comes out clean.

Icing
Beat whipping cream till its stiff. Add cream cheese and sugar and beat it till it’s smooth and spread it on the cake. If you don’t want the icing to be too sweet reduce the quantity of sugar.

(Tip: all ingredients must be in room temperature except for heavy whipping cream)


Images clicked by me

Boutique Muscat

Boutique Muscat is all about exclusivity. It’s inspired by local and worldwide talent. Their vision is to sell brands that are not available in Oman and most of their brands are from the United States. Each product is unique in their own way and they have limited stock of each design. They sell a wide variety ranging of shoes, tops to accessories.

Their boutique is so tastefully done up. If you get a chance to visit them, i guarantee you will walk out with a Boutique Muscat product. Meanwhile enjoy their Online Store and their Facebook page .


Images via Boutique Muscat

Easter Morning

Hi Everyone... Wishing you all a Happy and Blessed Easter! Sharing with you a few pictures that i clicked this morning.

Images clicked by me

Ideas to set your Dinning Table...

I came across this colourful article on table setting while browsing myhomeideas and it had me planning for my next party! Please click here to read all the tips. You will definitely come up with your own idea to set your table.

Picture by Monica Buck and Karen J. Downs

Picture by Dan Duchars

Picture by Polly Wreford

Picture by Erica George Dines


Images via myhomeideas

Moroccan Inspiration

Moroccan style décor is all about vibrant and exotic colours. It brings life and yet elegant feel to your home. I handpicked a few pictures via Houzz which gives a true Moroccan essence.

Moroccan Lanterns

eclectic dining room design by san francisco interior designer Valerie Wills Interiors

Moroccan Leather Bean Bag

mediterranean ottomans and cubes design by Graham and Green

Moroccan Tiles

mediterranean staircase design by san diego photographer Ambience Photography

Moroccan dinning

mediterranean dining room design by san francisco interior designer Laura Martin Bovard

Moroccan Tea Glasses

mediterranean glassware design by Neiman Marcus

Images via Houzz

Calm and Serene....

A light filled home with neutral colours always gives room for warmth and simplicity. I handpicked a few pictures from “House & Home” that’s fresh and inspiring. There is soothing whites, greys and blues….

A simple, casual and sophisticated living room. The built-in bookcase and the soft throw pillows elevate the earthy tone. I’d love to curl up on this sofa with a book!

This is an open concept style kitchen with country style dinning. The stainless steel cabinets and the dark floor give a shine to this vintage kitchen. And the reupholstered bench definitely gives a touch of elegance.

The soft whites and blues give a soothing atmosphere to the bedroom. The French door that faces the garden fills the room with light, the woodenchest gives a traditional feel and the high ceiling gives a spectacular and airy feel to this room.

Image Credits via House & Home

A Simple Salad to start with....

This is a simple salad where you can have several variations. Since i am observing Lent now I thought I will stick to the basic version today. If you wish you can add to the salad shredded chicken, bacon or red kidney beans or use rocket leaves instead of lettuce... Let your imagination take over...

Ingredients:
Lettuce - 1/2 bunch
Cherry Tomatoes - 10 (cut in half)
Pear - 1 (cut into cubes)
Feta Cheese - 100gm (small cubes)

For Dressing:
Crushed Chili - 1/2 tsp
Mayonnaise - 2 tbsp
Mustard Paste - 1/2 tsp
Water - 2 tbsp
Ketchup - 1 tbsp
Vinegar - 1/2 tsp
Honey - 1/2 tsp
Sesame seeds (toasted) - 2 tsp

Serves 4 to 6

Method:
Tear the lettuce in large pieces and put it in a bowl and add cherry tomatoes and pear. For the dressing whisk mayonnaise with crushed chili, mustard, ketchup, vinegar, honey and a little water and keep aside. In a flat plate spread the lettuce, cherry tomatoes and pear and sprinkle feta cheese cubes all over. Drizzle the dressing and sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds on top and serve.

Image : Taken by me