Chocolate, Hazelnut & Coffee Crackle Cookies

These are awesome by my very talented friend Suchit Save! Can you please send me over a batch? Thank you!….

Delectable Inc.

To cookie or not to cookie… 😀

For a while now I’ve been having some serious cravings for cookies ever since my dear friend Saloni posted her oh-so decadent creation on Facebook a few days ago. Ah, ’em beauties! I had to bake a batch and pronto… I always have this urge to cook/bake when I see something that divine looking. Well, it sure did the trick I guess. Cause there I was, back at the drawing board trying to design the perfect cookie that would not only be visually appealing but also have a nice flavor combination. The latter was a no-brainer really. There had to be chocolate. Why would someone bake cookies without chocolate?
A crime, if there wasn’t any chocolate! 😛 A quintessential ingredient for all cookies awesome! 😀
For that crunch, I knew for a fact that none other than Hazelnuts would make the cut. And to bring…

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Wordless Wednesday

From my best friend ♡

Have a blooming day!.Much love D x

Corn & Mozzarella Poppers With Italian Herbs

Since starting my foodie group on Facebook, SHARING FOOD WITH SHIVAAY DELIGHTS. I have met sooo many lovely people. We have all formed a foodie friend community and today I present you with a guest recipe from a very talented and innovative cook and friend Suchit Save

Yesterday he put these poppers up online and had us all drooling!!! So I thought it wasn’t fair, if I didn’t share this superb creativity with all WordPress friends.
Suchit is always coming up with funky food recipes and thinks about flavours and components that go so well together. I feel he is always thinking about food as are we, so he is in great company. I’m trying to convince him to come and join us on the food blogging scene. I know he will have a lot to offer and everyone will take to his genuine down to earth personality and gorgeous food recipes!

I will be hosting guest recipes here more often to encourage those awesome cooks out there, that don’t blog, to blog! and post their recipes! As we are missing out on all this delicious food at the moment…I’m working on it 😉

A very BIG Thank you to Suchit for allowing me to showcase his food and here’s to much more! Have a wonderful day, full of food, love and laughter. Much love, D x

INGREDIENTS

1 cup boiled corn (Add salt, pepper a little butter and a stock cube for that added flavor)
1 cup boiled and mashed potatoes
Mozzarella Cheese (cubed as per your wish! I kept them a tad bit bigger as I want more cheese to filling ratio)
2 tsp Mixed Italian Herbs (Only Oregano and Chili flakes work best as well)
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh coriander
1 tsp garlic powder+ 1 tsp olive oil/1 tsp finely chopped garlic slowly cooked with a tsp of olive oil
Salt & Pepper to taste

METHOD

Combine all the above ingredients (except the mozzarella) and set aside. Now, take a tablespoon of the mixture and insert a mozzarella cube in the centre so that it is completely encased with the potato and corn mixture. Repeat till the filling is all used up.

Now here’s the fun part: Take 3 bowls…

Bowl 1: Maida + Salt + Paprika
Bowl 2: Egg (lightly beaten) with a little salt OR buttermilk (for vegetarians)
Bowl 3: Breadcrumbs

Dip the poppers in bowl 1 (shake off excess flour)
Then in bowl 2 (let the excess egg drip away) and finally into bowl 3 the breadcrumbs
Repeat for all poppers

Store poppers in the freezer for at least 15 mins before deep frying them to a golden brown!

Enjoy piping hot with any dip of your choice!

Sharing Food On Shivaay Delights

This week I will be selecting and sharing wonderful fellow food blogger friends’ recipes.  There are so many talented cooks out there and I am inspired every time I go online.  I hardly own a lot of recipe books especially as I have always relied on fantastic food blogging recipes, from when I started to explore my passion for cooking and baking. 

Keep an eye out here all this week!  You may be featured on Shivaay Delights!  Enjoy your day!  Much love, D x

Monday’s recipe comes from

I came across Ainsley’s food blog at the weekend. It was her whole wheat chocolate chip cookies that lured me in to have a look

Golden, chunky chocolate chip cookies, I can’t wait to bake these recipe here!

Thoughts For Thursday

A chocolate torte or a chocolate sponge?

I’m so excited as I await my closest friend’s baby to enter this world.  My friend for a whole decade now who I feel I’ve known all my life. One where the friendship is such that you do not have to see each other but we know we are always there for one other.

I had promised to bake her something, so I baked this chocolate cake for her and took it round to her home. We had some lunch and together had a few slices of this chocolatey concoction of a cake. 

When I put it into the tin I didn’t realise how heavy it was as it has a lot of substance. The cake is not spongy but closer to a torte with a cakey appearance and consistency. Really satisfying  when you are craving chocolate. The ganache adds a little more creamy moisture to the cake but I would make it extra special by serving it with a scoop of soft vanilla ice cream or a pouring of luscious single cream

I’m sure I will be making it again to celebrate the birth of my niece or nephew! Thanks J for always being there for me, lots of love D xxxx

INGREDIENTS

200g butter softened
180/200g plain flour
50g plain chocolate melted
200g soft light brown sugar
30g caster sugar
3 free range eggs
90g cocoa
2 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
250ml milk

For the chocolate ganache
150g plain chocolate
150ml single cream
1 tsp butter

METHOD

• Grease and line two sandwich tins and preheat oven to 180°c (160°c fan)/350°f/gas mark 4

• Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy with the pinch of salt
add the eggs one at a time and mix well until combined

• Fold in the dry ingredients ~ the cocoa, flour and baking powder followed by the melted chocolate

• Pour out the milk to get a drop like consistency from the batter. Divide the batter between the two sandwich tins and place in the oven for 25-35 minutes

• Meanwhile whilst the cake is baking, prepare the ganache. Heat the milk, chocolate and butter on a low heat and stir continuously. Once the chocolate has melted and the ganache has become thick and glossy, take off the heat and rest aside

• Check the cake is done by inserting a skewer into the middle, it should come out clean. Leave them in the tins to cool

• Once cool, spread some ganache on one of the cakes and place the other on top.Pour over the ganache and cover the whole cake using a palette knife

• Place in the fridge to chill and set the chocolate ganache. Cake will be ready after an hour, you can bring it back to room temperature or have it cold. Best served with some fresh single cream.

Shivaay Delights Sharing Super Blogs

This week I have gone Egg crazy! I love to eat eggs and what better way than to showcase them off in a variety of dishes and include them in my Fab Four blogs of the week!

I start off with the super talented Karinna from “Cheesy Biscuit”, her wonderful array of recipes and dishes will have you mesmerized! Especially her love for Rhubarb! which I am yet to try in my recipes and I’m always inspired when I see many of Karinna’s gorgeous and vibrant pink coloured treats. Thank you for all your support honey! I’m putting rhubarb on my shopping list now!

Such an elegant dish, as is everything Karinna makes… http://cheesybiscuit.wordpress.com/2014/04/05/safffron-smoked-garlic-risotto-with-wilted-spinach-and-poached-egg/

One dish I have to try this weekend for Sunday Brunch is “Italian baked eggs”. Seriously Italian my favourite cuisine and you know about my love of eggs! This recipe is to die for! By “Happiness and Hominy”. A bright, clear and perfect blog with mouthwatering recipes, go by have a look, stay a while and spread the word! Enjoy!

http://happinessandhominy.wordpress.com/2014/05/10/italian-baked-eggs/

Here comes Amber @ “Om nom nom, eats and treats” don’t you just love that title! A funky foodie blog, one that cheers me up, everytime I visit. In her own words, “I am one of the horrific people still left in this world who cooks based on “ooo, that sounds tasty!” and not on calorie counts.  I think you will find that my diet is horrible, but delicious.”

Lets eat tasty food and you’ll be sure to find that at Amber’s blog! http://omnomnomtreats.wordpress.com/2014/05/10/eggchiladas/

Natalie over @ F yea, I’m a chef is a skilled baker and I totally loved the simplicity of her quick rice bowl recipe, of course with a glowing egg seated on top!
Simple, concise and lovely food and drink. Her simple caramel syrup for cold coffee is just too gooood! I can’t wait to make a whole pitcher full!

http://fyeaimachef.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/easiest-rice-bowl-updated-college-classic/

I hope you all enjoy these brilliant blogs…as I do! But for now have a gorgeous weekend and I’ll see you soon @ Shivaay Delights with more food, food ,food! Much love D x

The Sunshine Award & My Lunch Yesterday!

I was nominated by sweet Steph @ Steph and Penny and joyful Jhuls @ The not so creative cook earlier this month.  It was for the Sunshine award, which is so special to me! As to bring some warmth and light into someones life, I feel is one of my blogging purposes!

My heartfelt thanks to both Steph and Jhuls, they very much bring a ray of sunshine to my day! You both have such amazing blogs and I absolutely adore being in touch with you both.  Much love and thanks once again x

The questions set for me to answer ~

1. Why did you start blogging?
I was cooking for along time before I started blogging and I would post my pictures up on my Facebook account.  I had many friends and family requesting recipes and with the encouragement of my husband, Shivaay Delights came about last year

2. Sweet or Savoury?
Can please say both? Please? 😉 Savoury more when I was little and now I have very much of a sweet tooth!

If you were to go on any reality TV programme, what would it be and why?
Britain’s got Talent, but I don’t know what I would do?

4. What was the last thing you Googled? 
Asparagus quiche

5. Night In or Night Out?
Night in! Snuggled up on the sofa with my boys!

6. What has been your favourite blog post to write?
My swirly fruit and nut chocolate bark recipe

7. What’s the one thing you never leave home without?
My phone

8. Where would you most like to travel to?
Thailand

9. If you could have any super power, what would it be?
Power to spread love everywhere, bit like cupid but not just in the romantic sense.  More to heal all sorts of relationships and thus giving them peace

10. What can we expect to find from your blog in the future?
More inventive vegetarian recipes and hosting guest posts from all of you my wonderful foodie friend!

THE RULES

1. Include the Sunshine Award icon in your post and/or on your blog
2. Link to the blogger who nominated you
3. Answer 10 questions about yourself
4. Nominate 10 other bloggers to receive the award
5. Link to your nominees and let them know you nominated them
6. Create 10 questions for your nominees to answer

I am setting the same questions as above and are to be answered (if they wish to participate) Congratulations to the following nominees:

Apsara @ Eating well diary
Aruna @ aahaaram
julianna @ Chef Julianna
Lauzan @ The veggie side of me
Edge of veg @ The edge of veg
Mara @ All the small stuff and things
Micaela @ Easy Italian Cuisine
Patty @ Patty Nguyen
Sam @ Tea and sesame
The seated cook @ The seated cook

All of the above nominees are amazing bloggers and gorgeous people. Please have a look at their blogs and show them some love!

So I can’t do a post and not put up any food! So here is my yummy lunch of curried kidney beans on a soft fleshed yet crispy skin jacket potato with lashings of butter and cheese! Don’t worry both the cheese and butter was low fat 😉

My Red Kidney Bean Curry Recipe

Dragon’s Loyalty, Sunshine & WordPress Family Awards

Dragon’s Loyalty Award

I absolutely love reading and learning from all of my fellow beautiful bloggers and like commenting on their posts. Maybe thats why I have been honoured with the lovely Dragon’s Loyalty Award by five fellow foodie bloggers.
I would like to thank with a sincere heart

Shalzzz of Tale of two tomatoes
Ada of more food please
Mrs Schoux of box of recipes
Jhuls of The not so creative cook
Matchamochimoo @ Matchamochimoo

With this award I am to present 7 random facts about me…so here goes ~

• I don’t do honey

• I love keeping my feet warm in cute slippers especially around Christmas time!

• My husband and I have 1 foot height difference between us

• I love Avatar

• I am addicted to watching Grey’s Anatomy, still got a couple of seasons to go!

• I suffered from hayfever from the age of 8 and then it got better at 28?!!!

• I wrote a journal in my teenage years, when I had a lot of time lol!

I am nominating 5 fellow bloggers for this award they are ~

Jacqui from Good Food Seeking
Elaine from Foodbod
Shruti from Cooking with SJ
Anita fromslice of my life
Kim from Eat sleep bake repeat

The rules for Dragon’s Loyalty Award are:

1. Display the award certificate on your blog
2. Link back to the person who nominated you
3. Present up to 15 awards to 15 deserving bloggers
4. Inform your nominees that you have nominated them
5. Write 7 random facts about yourself

The Sunshine Award

This award really cheers me up and makes me feel all glowing and warm inside! To be told that I’m bringing sunshine into someones life really does serve my purpose of blogging and I am extremely and warmly grateful to

Elaine from Foodbod
Upasna from Life on my plate

The rules are to answer 10 questions set by the awarding blogger, so here goes ~

1. Who would play you if your life was made into a movie? Madhuri Dixit an Indian actress

2. Where in the world would you most like to travel? Thailand

3. What is the best thing about blogging? connecting with everyone around the world

4. What is your secret indulgence? Ferrero Rochers

5. If someone handed you £1000 tomorrow what would you spend it on? My two boys and husband

6. What do you never leave home without? my mobile phone

7. What’s your favourite meal of the day? Definitely Dinner

8. What makes you laugh? My husband.

9. Who would be your ideal dinner party guests? A selection of all my fellow lovely bloggers in rotation, so everyone could come for dinner!

10. What was the last thing you Googled? Baking.com website

I will ask the same questions to the fellow nominees

Laura from The Seasoned Traveler
Beerfoodie @ beerfoodie.wordpress.com
Baldeep from Inspiringevolution.wordpress.com
Neetu from Anita Kushwaha
Lidia from Oh Lidia!
Julie from Julie’s family kitchen
Yvette from Yvette’s Gourmet Kitchen

The WordPress Family Award

I have to admit all awards are precious but the family one is very close to my heart as I feel all of you are part of my family as we are so connected through our blogs and our lives entwined!
I want to thank deeply 3 fellow bloggers who I too consider to be part of my wordpress family

Sylvia from Superfoodista
Upasna from Life on my plate
Jhuls from The not so creative cook

The family award is my second round of nominations as I have posted about this award a few months back.

My nominations are ~

Kera from Om Blog
Elaine from Foodbod
Amanda from What’s Cooking
Shruti from Cooking with SJ
Karinna from Cheesy Biscuit
Bandhna from Sparkle Bubble
Anne from Tales along the way
Sun from Farbenfroh
Dinnerbank @ Dinner bank
Transplated cook @ Transplanted Cook

All of you I have nominated are such amazing people and I feel blessed to have gotten to know you! You are all part of my WordPress family xxxx

If you wish to participate then please link back to the original awarding person
Nominate up to 10 people
And inform them that you are nominating them

I want to thank everyone again!
Much love D x

Okra Masala ~ A special guest post!

This is an amazing recipe from my one and only. Yes I am biased! Lol! But no, seriously my husband has always and will always be an inspiration to me and my cooking.

He has never been afraid of throwing spices together and his food always reflects this. I would normally ask him what he put into his individual dishes and he’ll say a little bit of this and a little bit of that, meaning lots of special flavours combined. The dishes come out superb and are very much a tantalising taste sensation!

If you like spiced curries not just hot but spiced you are very much in for a treat. I finally persuaded him to do a guest post for me, so I won’t keep you waiting much longer! I’m sure this recipe is one of many that will come from him!

INGREDIENTS

For the dry masala combine
1 tsp garam masala
3 tsp tava fry masala
2 broken pieces of cinnamon stick
4 cardamom pods
4 cloves
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic granules
1 tsp dried coriander leaves
2 tsp coriander & cumin powder
⅓ tsp turmeric powder
2 pieces of weetabix (wholegrain cereal below) crushed

For the curry
30 whole okra/bhinda
2 cloves of garlic crushed
1 medium onion finely chopped
1 medium to hot green chilli finely sliced
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
250g tomato passata
1cup water
salt to taste
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp sunflower oil
Large handful of fresh chopped coriander including stalks

METHOD

• Heat up the oil and mustard seeds in a large saucepan, sauté the onion until translucent, add the dry masala without the weetabix on a low heat for 5 minutes mixing occasionally. Throw in the garlic, ginger and chilli

• Meanwhile chop off the okra tops, pan fry them in a little oil so that they are tender and ready for the absorption of the base

• Add the sugar and then stir in the passata and a cup of water, stir well. Add half the chopped coriander, cover and simmer on a low heat for 5 minutes

• Gently place the whole pre-cooked okra into the masala gravy, dunk all of them completely and cover again to simmer for 15-20 on a very low heat

• Serve with naan bread or some rice, garnish with the rest of the fresh coriander