Strawberry Mirror Cheesecake

On Valentine's Day, I went out to get a gift for my hubby. I went to two or three shops to get something like Coffee Mug, Perfumes and Wallets etc. but actually picked none as I wanted to gift him something nice and creative. While coming back, fresh Strawberry Packets caught my eyes. And there I made up my mind to make this “Strawberry Mirror Cheesecake”. I decided to add Jelly on top as he loves jelly. At the tick of clock at 12, when I presented it before him he whispered something in my ears….Guess??? Guess…????

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“Thank you so much" :-)
                   

Ingredients:

Britannia cream cheese-250gms

Fresh Cream-250gms

Powdered Sugar-85gms

Strawberries-12-15Nos

Vanilla Essence-1 Tsp

Digestive Biscuits-125gms

Melted Butter-50gms
Gelatin-2 1/2 Tsp
Hot water-3 Tbsp

Weikfield Jelly (Strawberry Flavor)-1 Packet
20 cm spring cake tin


Method:
1.Put the biscuits in a zip lock pouch/bag and crushed with a rolling pin.The best way is to roll it the way we do to make a Chappati.

2.Melt the butter and pour it over the crushed biscuits.Mix it well.

Should look like this after mixing the butter.

3.Now add this mixture to the base of a Base open cheesecake tin.Use the back of a spoon to smoothen the surface.Chill it in the fridge for an hour.

Note:Do not press too hard otherwise the crust of the cake will be hard and will be difficult to slice the cake.

4.Soften gelatin with said amount of hot water and keep it warm by keeping this bowl over another boil filled with hot water and now stir continuously till the water look transparent.

5.Now beat well the fresh cream,strawberries,cream cheese,sugar and vanilla essence to make a smooth pink puree.Add the gelatin mixed water to this puree and beat again.

6.Pour the puree on biscuit layer and keep it refrigerate for an hour.

7.After an hour take out the tin and arrange the sliced strawberries on top and again refrigerate for an hour.

8.Prepare a packet of jelly as per the instruction given on the packet.Let it cool at room temperature for around 2-3 mins.Do not let it stand for too long otherwise it will solidify.

9.Pour the jelly mixture on top of the decorated sliced strawberries and let it chill in the fridge for another one hour or so.

10.Before unmoulding let it stand in room temp for 5-10mins.

  

Note:

* I used 1 1/2 packet of Britannia Nutri Choice.

* The entire jelly was not used in this recipe.I used the left over jelly to make a yummy pudding.Will post the recipe.

* Another way of making the middle cream cheese filling is below:

Puree strawberries and keep aside.Now beat the cream cheese till soften,then gradually add the sugar and beat till smooth.then gently add the soften gelatin,vanilla and strawberry puree.Then finally fold in the whipped cream.

* Preferably chill the cheese cake overnite.

*Always use a sharp knife and always make sure to clean the knife with a paper tissue before the next cut.

* You can either use a spring form cake tin or a bottom open cake tin.

Farmer's Pie

Since past couple of days I wanted to bake a Pie. I made up my mind to go with Apple Pie but suddenly realize that my husband would love it if I make something savoury. He doesn’t have craze for sweets like me!!While surfing the TV channels I came across this easy Farmer’s Pie recipe. And immediately I hit my kitchen. When I searched about this recipe in Google, this is what I found. Sometimes called shepherd’s pie, it is a dish made with meat or poultry stew covered with mashed potatoes then baked until the top of the layer of mashed potatoes is lightly browned. It is always interesting to mix different meats and try them with different sauces. Farmer’s pie is also a nice alternative for serving mashed potatoes instead of as the usual side dish for fried or grilled meat or chicken.

           

Adapted from Vicky Ratnani's show "Vicky Goes Veg"

Ingredients:

Chicken Mince-200gms

Chopped Beans-1/4 Cup

Chopped Carrot-1/4 Cup

Canned Corns-1/4 Cup

Chopped Mushrooms-1/4 cup

Chopped Capsicums-1/4 Cup

Chopped Onion-1 Medium size

Ginger-Garlic Paste-1/2 tsp

Pepper powder-1/2 tsp+a pinch

Soya Sauce-1/2 Tsp

Oyster sauce-1/2 Tsp (Optional)

Olive Oil-1 Tbsp

Boiled Potatoes-3 medium size

Mozzarella Cheese-1/4 Cup

Salt as per taste

           

Method:

 1.Add oil to a heated kadhai. Add the chopped onions and ginger garlic paste and fry till its translucent.Then add the chicken mince to it.

           

2.When the mince is cooked properly and the remaining chopped veggies and fry till its done.

         

3.Now at this stage add the sauces,pepper powder and salt.And stir fry for a minute or two.

         

4.Remove from a kadhai and arrange it on a baking dish.

         

5.Now take mashed potatoes in a bowl and add salt,a pinch of pepper and grated mozzarella cheese to it.Mix well and fill it in a piping bag or plastic icing tube.

         

6.Let your imagination flows and make any design you like on top of the above mixture :-)

       
7.Bake it in a preheated oven at 180C for around 15mins or until the upper crust turns brown.
       
 Have a delicious piece of it or simply attack on the baking dish.

Baked Mackerel with Potato Wedges

Today I thought of steaming fish wrapped in banana leaves. I went in search of banana leaves but fail to get it.Since I made up my mind to cook fish, how about baking some Mackerel!! So here is the recipe of baked mackerel with fried potato wedges.

                       

Ingredients:

For Baked Mackerel

Mackerel-450 gms (3 Nos)

Chili Powder-1/2 Tsp

Turmeric Powder-1/2 Tsp

Ginger-Garlic Paste-1 tsp

Olive Oil-1 ½ Tsp

Salt-As per taste

Lemon-1/2

For Garnish:

Tomato-1 medium Size

Onion-1 Medium size

Coriander-1/4 of a bunch

Green Chillies-1 or 2

Lemon slices-2-3

Method:

Clean the fish and marinate with ½ lemon and salt. Let it sit for minimum 15-30mins.

                       

Now add the dry powders, ginger garlic paste to the fish and mix well on both sides.

                              

Now grease a baking dish with few drops of oil and lay the fishes on it. Garnish with coriander, chopped green chilies, tomato and onion slices and drizzle the rest of the oil on top.

                       

Bake it in a preheated oven at 180C for 15-20mins till golden brown.

                      

For Fried potato Wedges:

Potatoes-3 Medium Size

Olive oil-1 tsp

Butter-1/2 Tsp

Chili Flakes-1/2 Tsp

Pepper-1/2 Tsp

Salt-As per taste

Method:

Boil water in a deep pan. Add little salt to it.(say ½ tsp. It entirely depends on the amount of water being used).

Add the cut potato wedges to the boiling water and let it cook for some. They should be 80 percent cooked.

                     

Strain the wedges and let it cool down. Do not pour cold water on it.

Heat a kadhai on medium heat and add olive oil to it.

Now add the wedges and fry for a minute.

                       

Next add the flakes, pepper and salt .Fry for another couple of mins till they are golden brown on all sides.

                     

Just before removing from the pan add the butter and remove from pan.