The first time I saw this comment as
Runner Girl in the Kitchen I was curious. What a curious way to describe oneself I thought! Immediately I had visions of someone who is a control
freak. Control oil, calories, measure what goes in your mouth.
Runner Girl in the Kitchen I was curious. What a curious way to describe oneself I thought! Immediately I had visions of someone who is a control
freak. Control oil, calories, measure what goes in your mouth.
I
never give it a thought of what enters my maw, should I not do so especially when my body is
constantly protesting these days I thought. So I decided that I need to follow
this lady, for the healthy recipes that she will be making. I expected
salads, soups and all the stuff that I knew I should be eating but cannot get
myself to. Boring but needed!
never give it a thought of what enters my maw, should I not do so especially when my body is
constantly protesting these days I thought. So I decided that I need to follow
this lady, for the healthy recipes that she will be making. I expected
salads, soups and all the stuff that I knew I should be eating but cannot get
myself to. Boring but needed!
Can you imagine my surprise when I saw
delicious food, mostly Indian everyday food no compromise on flavours but
cooked in a healthy way. She also uses sugar!!! I need to learn quite a few things from her.
delicious food, mostly Indian everyday food no compromise on flavours but
cooked in a healthy way. She also uses sugar!!! I need to learn quite a few things from her.
Who is this she? None other than Gauri Shirke who
introduces herself as Runnergirlinthekitchen!
introduces herself as Runnergirlinthekitchen!
Gauri has moved to Bangalore 2
years ago. In her own words “joblessness was getting to me; giving me
ample of time to cook and experiment in the kitchen. At the same time the
sportsperson in me was nudging me to do something about the piling up kilos,
which is when I started training for a half marathon. I thought I could combine
both my experiences and share it with people with similar interests – with a
blog!”
years ago. In her own words “joblessness was getting to me; giving me
ample of time to cook and experiment in the kitchen. At the same time the
sportsperson in me was nudging me to do something about the piling up kilos,
which is when I started training for a half marathon. I thought I could combine
both my experiences and share it with people with similar interests – with a
blog!”
Gauri has started blogging fairly
recently in fact since March 2012. She basically blogs about her two
loves about food and running. She very candidly admits “since I mostly run to eat!” Well that
is really commendable Gauri! I live
to eat! And sit to increase my woes atleast you are burning it
all off!! Way to go dear!!
recently in fact since March 2012. She basically blogs about her two
loves about food and running. She very candidly admits “since I mostly run to eat!” Well that
is really commendable Gauri! I live
to eat! And sit to increase my woes atleast you are burning it
all off!! Way to go dear!!
The most popular post on her blog is Masala Bread Recipe which quite a few friends and a fellow blogger tried it out
and loved it.
and loved it.
Gauri’s personal favourite is about
her other love, you guessed right the first time she conquered the distance you
and I get tired of journeying in a car in the blazing sun and she says “this is
just the beginning!”Hats off to you lady!
her other love, you guessed right the first time she conquered the distance you
and I get tired of journeying in a car in the blazing sun and she says “this is
just the beginning!”Hats off to you lady!
It’s not unusual to dislike some foods so do you overcome some
dislikes as you blog? Well according to Gauri “Not
really, I really have a difficult time ‘not liking’ something .. hehe now
you know why I ‘have’ to run. This post on Soya Stir fry comes close – Was not
a big fan of Soya granules, especially due to the smell.. but this
stir fry was really tasty!”
dislikes as you blog? Well according to Gauri “Not
really, I really have a difficult time ‘not liking’ something .. hehe now
you know why I ‘have’ to run. This post on Soya Stir fry comes close – Was not
a big fan of Soya granules, especially due to the smell.. but this
stir fry was really tasty!”
We do have memories and some of them are
attached to our food. What takes you back to childhood Ahh!! Those happy happy
days! Visit Gauri’s childhood with this
Plum chutney!!
attached to our food. What takes you back to childhood Ahh!! Those happy happy
days! Visit Gauri’s childhood with this
Plum chutney!!
When you blog it’s a addiction a high
that you get from meeting new people
that you get from meeting new people
Very few will be able to kick this
blogging habit! So also Gauri she plans for blog for a Long Long time…! Cheers to that!!
blogging habit! So also Gauri she plans for blog for a Long Long time…! Cheers to that!!
In her closing note Gauri, I think I
should call her the Runnergirl she will be happier and I think of her many
times as such says, “I have met (virtually) so many talented cooks with whom I
connect on the same level that’s it’s difficult to choose one… I feel lucky to
have steeped into this world and have an opportunity to get to know so many
wonderful people!”
should call her the Runnergirl she will be happier and I think of her many
times as such says, “I have met (virtually) so many talented cooks with whom I
connect on the same level that’s it’s difficult to choose one… I feel lucky to
have steeped into this world and have an opportunity to get to know so many
wonderful people!”
Our sentiments exactly Runnergirl!! Our sentiments!!
My personal favourites at her place are Besan Ladoo, Sugar Hurdle, Spicy Colocasia..... the list is endless!!
So what is Gauri sharing with us today for she is My Attithi today. In fact I asked her to be my guest a long time ago but as I could not type she was very patient and caring!! She let me take my own sweet time to write this post.
Thanks a lot Gauri! Some how this is inadequate but Thanks!
So enough of my bak bak and let us all go to see what yummy treat Gauri has in store for us here today!
Chocolate
n Coconut Cake
n Coconut Cake
I
always go for tried n tested recipes when I am asked to make something sweet
for my friends and family. My experimentation be it with new flavours, food combinations
is limited to my family member’s who are more than happy to ‘critique’ my food.
always go for tried n tested recipes when I am asked to make something sweet
for my friends and family. My experimentation be it with new flavours, food combinations
is limited to my family member’s who are more than happy to ‘critique’ my food.
So
trying a cake with dry coconut was not what I was thinking about when my dear friend
/ neighbour / sometimes guinea pig asked me to bake a cake for her office gang!
trying a cake with dry coconut was not what I was thinking about when my dear friend
/ neighbour / sometimes guinea pig asked me to bake a cake for her office gang!
She
wanted something different which was not available in stores; the cake had to
have something ‘hatke’/‘different’.
wanted something different which was not available in stores; the cake had to
have something ‘hatke’/‘different’.
With
only one entire day to try out a new recipe I was a bit worried to whip up
something to her liking; without further delay I removed all my cook books,
flipped through pages, dug out old recipes and after hours of thinking; discussing
with her various pairing, her dear hubby came to our rescue and finalized a Coconut
n Chocolate Cake from the book Chocolate and Baking By Gina Steer.
only one entire day to try out a new recipe I was a bit worried to whip up
something to her liking; without further delay I removed all my cook books,
flipped through pages, dug out old recipes and after hours of thinking; discussing
with her various pairing, her dear hubby came to our rescue and finalized a Coconut
n Chocolate Cake from the book Chocolate and Baking By Gina Steer.
I
was a bit wary of this… I mean why not oranges, pears, apples, almonds, walnuts
or lots of rum, vodka (hic hic), why coconut??
was a bit wary of this… I mean why not oranges, pears, apples, almonds, walnuts
or lots of rum, vodka (hic hic), why coconut??
With
some doubts, crossed fingers and a great opportunity to try something new I
started baking. As soon as the rich, moist, dark, coconut cake came out of the
oven all my doubts were put to rest, it was completely sinful!!
some doubts, crossed fingers and a great opportunity to try something new I
started baking. As soon as the rich, moist, dark, coconut cake came out of the
oven all my doubts were put to rest, it was completely sinful!!
As
soon as the cake was cut in office the next day, my friend tells me it was
polished off in minutes and the combination was SUPER HIT.
soon as the cake was cut in office the next day, my friend tells me it was
polished off in minutes and the combination was SUPER HIT.
Well
after such rave reviews I could not think of a better recipe to share with Archana
at her Mad Scientist Kitchen.
after such rave reviews I could not think of a better recipe to share with Archana
at her Mad Scientist Kitchen.
|
Ingredients
|
Quantity
|
|
All
Purpose Flour (Maida) |
160
grams |
|
Plain
Dark Chocolate |
120
grams |
|
Castor
Sugar |
175
grams |
|
Unsalted
Butter (room temperature) |
175
grams |
|
Desiccated
Coconut |
50
grams |
|
Cocoa
Powder |
2
tbsp |
|
Eggs
|
3
nos |
|
Baking
Powder |
1
tsp |
|
Salt
|
A pinch
|
For
the Icing:
the Icing:
|
Ingredients
|
Quantity
|
|
Unsalted
Butter (room temperature) |
125
grams |
|
Icing
Sugar |
125
grams |
|
Thick
Coconut milk |
2
tbsp |
|
Toasted
desiccated coconut |
2
tbsp |
Makes:
8-10 slices
8-10 slices
Preparation
Time: 25 minutes
Time: 25 minutes
Baking
time: 45 minutes @180 degrees celsius
time: 45 minutes @180 degrees celsius
Method
for the cake:
for the cake:
- Chop the
chocolate into small pieces and melt in the microwave or in a small bowl
placed over a saucepan of simmering water. The base of the bowl (in which
the chocolate is placed) should not touch the water. - Once the
chocolate is melted, stir until smooth and set aside to cool. - In a
large bowl, beat together unsalted butter and castor sugar till light and
creamy. - In
another small bowl break the 3 eggs and beat them with a fork, add these
beaten eggs to the butter and sugar mixture. - Then add
the melted chocolate, beat this mixture on low speed with the hand beater
/ stand mixer till well incorporated. - Sift
flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder together, add desiccated coconut
and mix all the dry ingredients. - Add the
wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mix till well incorporated with a
wooden spoon or rubber spatula. - Grease a
10 inch tin and pour the mixture into the tin, bake for 45 minutes at 180
degrees celsius or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the
center of the cake. - Once
baked; allow the cake to cool completely, before icing it.
For
the icing:
the icing:
- Beat the
unsalted butter and icing sugar till light and creamy. - Add the
thick coconut milk and beat again.
Icing
the cake:
the cake:
- After the
cake is completely cooled, gently scrape the top layer of the cake. - Now
evenly spread the icing on top and garnish with toasted desiccated
coconut, or pipe the butter cream icing and decorate with different
designs. - Sprinkle
with toasted desiccated coconut, its ready to serve! - You can
also cut the cake horizontally into 2 parts and use a portion of the icing
in between the halves to make it softer and creamier.
Tips:
I
used plain dark chocolate; you can use plain milk chocolate as well.
used plain dark chocolate; you can use plain milk chocolate as well.
If
you do not like butter cream, use whipped cream to decorate the cake.
you do not like butter cream, use whipped cream to decorate the cake.
Kaveri Venkatesh says
Nice post..loved your introduction of Gauri
Sangeetha Priya says
nice post n yummy cake loved it...
Today's Special - Baked Egg Bonda | Spicy Egg Muffns
Sangeetha Nambi says
Love this...
http://recipe-excavator.blogspot.com
Arthy Suman says
Delicious cake...love the clicks...
cookingvarieties says
hi archana, yes i agree with you the list is endless-- where was i???
o ya, your new icon-
you are a beautiful lady with beautiful eyes.
heh heh wonder why a beauty like you called your blog 'the mad scientist' 🙂 i dare say this cos you have a great sense of humor. have a nice day
Priya says
Such an exotic cake, chocolate and coconut am loving this combo.
Glad to know more about Gauri.Beautiful guest post.
divya says
Wow! Delicious..
Swasthi Blank says
Thanks for sharing this Archana and Gauri. I always love Gauri's recipes since they are unique and different
Sarojini says
Nice post! I also follow Gauri's blog. I have taken up running in the last 3 months although 5k is the furthest I have run to date, unlike Gauri's 1/2 marathon. It seems somehow running and cooking go together; something to do with needing more fuel for running, I think!
Julie says
Very delicious cake,great guest post Archana & Gauri!
Join EP event-Garlic OR Turmeric @ Spice n Flavors
runnergirlinthekitchen.blogspot.com says
Thank you , Thank you.. u have written this so well..am humbled!
Loved reading every word of this!
Cheers
Gauri