Dates and Nuts roll

A Healthy No-Sugar Treat!

Looking for a quick and nutritious snack that’s naturally sweet and packed with energy? This Dates and Nuts Roll is the perfect choice! Made with just a few wholesome ingredients, it requires no added sugar and is ready in minutes. 

This no-bake Dates and Nuts Roll is perfect as a healthy snack, a festive treat, or even a homemade gift. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week

Ingredients

250g dates, roughly chopped

200g mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios), roughly chopped

1 tsp ghee or coconut oil

¼ cup shredded coconut

Process -

Step 1: Prepare the Mixture

Heat ghee or coconut oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the chopped dates and sauté for a few minutes until they soften and become a sticky mixture. Stir in the chopped nuts and half of the shredded coconut. Mix well until everything is well combined.

Step 2: Shape the Roll

Transfer the warm mixture onto a butter paper or a greased plate. While it's still pliable, shape it into a tight log or roll.

Step 3: Coat and Chill

Roll the log in the remaining shredded coconut, ensuring an even coating. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours until firm.

Step 4: Slice and Serve

Once set, slice the roll into bite-sized pieces and enjoy!

Tips :

- Replace some of the dates with raisins, dried figs, or dried cranberries for a different flavor.

- Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom for warmth and depth.

- Nut-Free Option: Use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead of nuts.

Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer Butter Masala is a rich, creamy, and mildly spiced North Indian curry that pairs perfectly with naan, roti, or rice. This quick version brings restaurant-style flavors with a homemade touch, using aromatic spices, cashews for creaminess, and a hint of ghee for indulgence.

Ingredients:

For the Masala Paste:

1 medium onion, roughly chopped

6–7 garlic cloves

1 dried red chili (optional)

2 medium tomatoes

½ cup cashews (optional, for creaminess)

(Optional whole spices for enhanced aroma- Small piece of cinnamon stick,2 cloves,4–5 peppercorns,1 cardamom,1 tsp coriander seeds)

1 tbsp curd (plain yogurt)

For the Curry:

2 tbsp ghee

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 bay leaf (optional)

⅓ tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp red chili powder (Kashmiri chili for mild heat)

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

½ tsp garam masala

½ tbsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)

¼ tsp amchoor (dried mango powder if tomatoes aren’t sour enough)

¼ cup chopped capsicum (optional)

200g paneer, cubed

Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Process:

Step 1: Prepare the Onion Masala

Grind onion, garlic, and dried red chili into a coarse paste without or with very little water. Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a pan (try to use non stick pan). Add cumin seeds and let them splutter, then add the bay leaf if using. Add the onion-garlic paste and cook on low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook until it dries out and turns golden brown. Add turmeric and red chili powder, mix well, and sauté for 2–3 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Tomato Masala

While the onion masala is cooking, grind tomatoes, cashews, curd, and whole spices (if using) into a paste. (Use minimal water!). Once the onion masala is ready, add the tomato-cashew paste and mix well. Cover and cook on low to medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. (The cashews make it thick, so check that it doesn’t stick!)

Step 3: Add Seasoning & Paneer

Once ghee or oil starts separating from the masala, add sugar, salt, garam masala, kasuri methi, and amchoor powder. Mix well. Add chopped capsicum (if using) and add paneer cubes, mix gently, and cook covered for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Final Touches & Serving

Optionally, add a small cube of butter for extra richness. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Serve hot with naan, roti, or jeera rice.

Tips:

For a richer color, blend ½-inch beetroot with tomatoes.

For extra creaminess, add 1 tbsp fresh cream before serving.

To balance sourness, use amchoor powder or a pinch of sugar.

Golden Custard Toast – Eggless French Toast Recipe 💝

A soft, sweet, melt-in-the-mouth eggless French toast made with custard powder! Perfect for kids, brunch, or a quick dessert.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

- 1 cup milk

- 1 tsp vanilla custard powder Buy here↗

- 3 tsp sugar

- ½ tsp cinnamon powder

- ½ tsp vanilla essence (optional) Buy here↗

- 1 pinch cardamom powder (optional)

- 4 bread slices (white or brioche works best)

- 1–2 tbsp butter for roasting

- Maple syrup or honey, for serving

Optional add-ins:

- 1 tsp cocoa powder for chocolate flavour Buy here↗

- Chocolate chips for topping

Process -

Make the custard mixture:
In a cup, mix milk, custard powder, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla essence. Add cardamom if you like a spiced flavour. Microwave for 20–25 seconds — just enough to warm and dissolve the custard powder, not to thicken it.

Prepare dipping dish:
Pour this mixture into a shallow, wide dish so bread slices can be dipped easily.

Dip the bread:

Place each bread slice in the mixture and let it soak 2–3 seconds per side. (Don’t soak too long or the bread may break.)

Cook the toast:
Heat a nonstick pan on low–medium. Add a little butter, then roast each slice until golden on both sides.

Serving Tips:
Drizzle honey or maple syrup. Serve with your favourite fruits on top—berries, sliced bananas, mango, or peaches work beautifully.

For a dessert version, add a scoop of ice cream.

For chocolate toast, mix cocoa powder in the batter and top warm toast with chocolate chips so they melt slightly.

Food-Science Check: Does Custard Powder Work Like Eggs?

Custard powder is mostly cornflour + flavourings, so it helps create a light coating around the bread once heated.

While eggs give traditional French toast its structure, custard powder thickens gently and forms a soft, creamy layer when cooked in butter. Heating the milk mixture for 20–25 seconds pre-activates the starch, which makes the coating stick better.

The result: creamy, golden, eggless French toast that browns beautifully 😋

⭐ Recommended Tools: 

Nonstick Frying Pan: Helps achieve even, golden browning without burning.

Silicone Turner Spatula: Prevents bread from breaking while flipping.

Shallow Dipping Dish: Perfect for soaking bread evenly.

Cheesy Stuffed Bread Sticks

These Cheesy Stuffed Bread Sticks are the perfect crispy, golden-brown snack with a soft, flavorful interior. Packed with cheese, veggies, and seasonings, they’re easy to make and incredibly delicious. Serve them as a side, snack, or appetizer!

Ingredients:

For the Dough-

1 tsp (5g) dry activated yeast

¼ cup warm milk

200–250g all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp oregano seasoning

½ tsp chili flakes (optional)

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp olive oil (for coating the dough before proofing)

For the Stuffing-

½ cup grated cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or your choice)

¼ cup corn kernels

2–3 tbsp chopped olives

¼ cup chopped onion

¼ cup chopped capsicum

¼ cup cottage cheese cubes (optional)

Additional vegetables (mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers)

1 tsp pizza seasoning

Salt to taste

For Brushing:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp milk

Process:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a small bowl, mix warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.

In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, oregano, and chili flakes.

Add 2 tbsp olive oil and the yeast mixture. Knead into a soft dough, adding more water or flour if needed.

Coat the dough with 1 tbsp olive oil, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Stuffing

In a bowl, mix grated cheese, corn, olives, onion, capsicum, and cottage cheese.

Add pizza seasoning and salt. Mix well.

Step 3: Shape the Bread Sticks

Divide the risen dough into 4–5 equal balls.

Roll each ball into a 1 cm thick circle.

Place the stuffing on one half of the circle. Fold the other half over to create a half-moon shape.

Make light cuts on the top (like breadsticks) without slicing through.

Step 4: Final Proofing

Place the stuffed bread sticks on a lined baking tray.

Let them proof at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before baking.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Brush the stuffed bread with a mixture of olive oil and milk.

Preheat the oven to 160–180°C (fan-assisted).

Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Check the bottom—if it’s golden, they’re done!

Let the bread sticks cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them with marinara sauce or garlic dip for extra flavor!

Tools I Used and I Recommend 💖

- Mixing Bowls Set – perfect for combining dough and mixing your cheesy stuffing evenly.

- Silicone Spatula Set – ideal for scraping every bit of filling and dough from the bowl.

- Measuring Cups & Spoons Set – ensures precise measurements for perfect dough consistency.

- Baking Tray / Cookie Sheet – non-stick tray ensures even baking and golden crust.

- Rolling Pin – helps roll dough evenly for perfectly shaped bread sticks.

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