CHEWY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

I love to snack on peanut butter sandwich (without the jelly) anytime, especially if its chunky peanut butter. Its very filling and so nutritious that i sometimes replace my meal with a peanut butter and banana sandwich.It's really delicious.So absolutely no surprise that i made these cookies.These cookies are chewy with a perfect crunch to it.All you need is a glass of milk to dunk it in :).

INGREDIENTS

Chunky peanut  butter -- 1 cup( can also use smooth one too, add nuts in the end for the crunchiness)

Sugar - 1/3 cup
Brown sugar - 1/3 cup, tightly packed
Egg  - 1
Milk - 2 tbsp
Vanilla extract - 2 tsp
All purpose flour - 2 tbsp
Baking powder - 1 tsp
baking soda - 1/4 tsp

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 deg F.Mix together flour,baking powder and soda in a bowl.Keep aside.In another bowl,using a beater ,cream together peanut butter,sugar and brown sugar until well combined. Add the egg and beat again.Now add the milk and vanilla extract. Beat it until its all mixed together.Do not over beat.Stir in the flour mixture.Line a cookie sheet with aluminium foil.Grease your palm with some oil.Make lemon size balls of the dough and put it on the sheet.Press it  a little.Leave enough space between each balls for the cookies to spreaad. Bake for 10-12 mins until golden brown. Let it cool for 10-15 mins before eating.

ENJOY!!!

CRANBERRY CHOCOLATE COOKIES

It was a really nice long weekend for us.I made some delicious cranberry chocolate cookies for valentine's day.It may not be the appropriate sweet for the day but anything with chocolate in it sounds good to me.And if its combined with something like cranberries then there is no doubt.This heavenly combo is what attracted me to this in the first place.I saw these cookies on HC's My kitchen treasures blog and i knew it right away i have to make it.They were absolutely delicious.A little crunchy but i didnt mind that at all as long as i get a chocolate and cranberry in every bite.

The only small change i made is i added equal quantities of white and dark chocolate chips.Thank you HC for this wonderful recipe!!!

NANKHATAI - Arusuvai 2

The second surprise ingredient i received from Madhuram was her homemade toasted rice powder.The powder has such a nice aroma of the rice that can make any dish flavorful.When i smelled it i knew exactly what to make with it. Thank u so much for the powder Madhu.She has posted the powder recipe in her blog.Please refer her site.


I participated in the Open Sesame contest 2 .I chose box 4 and here is the riddle i received from Siri.These riddles were written by the very talented and spontaneous Dhivya of culinary Bazaar



I am a flower but adorn a bouquet,
I do notI have an inbuilt perfume in my being
So strong and so intense that my oil will make your insides 'hot'
My medical impact all over the world seen.



My 'Yorubas' infusion is the 'savior' of star wars
I have been used as a barter by the fellow 'sadiqi's' during trades
One does not have to fight tooth or 'nail' for me
I am usually pink but mostly available browned in shades



I may be dry , I may overpower your tongue
But add a little for that midas touch
Come now, start thinking of that spice
Whose bite make your 'teeth' say Ouch!



I thought at first the answer was saffron but i was wrong and siri sent me the 1st hint.Only after that i could guess the right answer as Cloves.Thank u so much siri , i had so much fun guessing it .

Here I have combined Arusuvai and OS 2 and prepared some delicious crunchy Nankhatai's. For my Arusuvai 1 post click on the hyperlink.

Nankhatai are Indian biscuits that are great to have during tea time.My mom used to make it for us and we used to have so much fun baking it.Miss those days of cooking with mom.


Usually nankhatai's are made with all purpose flour but here i have used a combination of madhu's rice flour and all purpose flour.I have also added some ground cloves in addition to cardamam powder which gives a distinct flavor.Its really delicious.One must really try it.

INGREDIENTS


Madhu's rice pdr - 1/2 cup

All purpose flour - 1/2 cup

Powdered sugar - 1/2 cup

baking soda - 1/2 tsp

cloves - 10 ,grounded

cardamam pdr - 1 tsp

ghee/butter - 3 1/2 tbsp , melted

milk - 1-2 tbsp

METHOD

Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl.Add the melted ghee/butter and mix it well until its evenly coated on the flour.Then add milk little by little,just enough to make a soft smooth dough.Keep it in a tight container for 1-2 hrs.

Preheat oven to 350 deg F..Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up.Make small balls and slightly flatten it to form a disc.Place it on the baking sheet.Bake it for 10-12 mins or until golden brown.Remove from oven and let it rest for some time b4 serving.