Plum Cake Christmas Special (Without Alcohol Without Egg)

This is utterly a delicious plum cake rich in dry fruits and is without alcohol and Egg. Merry Christmas to all my friends Celebrate the seasons :)

Ingredients :

For Soaking :

Orange Juice   2 Big Oranges

Tutty Frutty 3 Tbsp

Black Raisins 3 Tbsp

Candied glace cherries  3 Tbsp

Chopped Dates 3Tbsp

Chopped Cashew Nuts 3 Tbsp

Chopped Pistas 2 Tbsp

Chopped Badams (Almonds) 3 Tbsp

Sugar for caramelization 6 Tbsp

Water 4 Tbsp

For the Batter preparation :

 All purpose flour  2 Cups

Powdered Sugar 1\2 cup

Nutmeg powder 1 1/2 Tsp

Cinnamon Powder 1/2 Tsp

Cloves 2 or 3 ( Grind it along with the sugar)

Cocoa Powder 1 Tbsp

Baking powder 1Tsp

Baking Soda 1/2 Tsp

Curd 1 Tbsp

Milk 1 Cup room Temp

Butter 5 Tbsp Room Temp

Vanilla Essence 1 Tsp

Cashew nuts and raisins or pista for decoration on the top

Preparation : Soak all the listed dry fruits in orange juice for 2-3 hours. Let it rest.In the mean time, Caramalize sugar. keep the flame on low until sugar melts and becomes a brown colour syrup pour the warm water also gradually and carefully to the melting sugar. Switch off the flame. Mix it well and the consistency should be thin. pour the syrup in a bowl and allow it to cool down. (There is a tendency to solidify the sugar when you pour water sometimes, do not worry keep stirring on low flame till it melts fully )

In a large mixing bowl take one cup milk add melted butter and vanilla essence. Then add cinnamon , nutmeg powder. Mix it well. Sift together all dry ingredients like maida sugar cocoa powder baking powder baking soda to the bowl Gently mix it with a spatula. Add caramelized sugar as well. Gently give a nice mix. Add soaked dry fruits to the cake mixture. Just fold it nicely again with the spatula. Finally add Yoghurt and mix well . Transfer the mix into the mould and put some dry fruits of your choice on the top. Preheat oven at 170 degree C. and bake the cake for at least 55 minuets.  

Ginger Tea (Adrak Chai)

Hot Adrak Chai is what we all need for unwinding during winters or rainy season. It is our Grandmother's age old recipe for fighting with common cold \Flu since it offers the much needed warmth and is good to clear your throat too. It is Easy to prepare.

The humble ginger not only adds flavors but has immense health benefits. It is an instant immunity booster. It helps and  fights respiratory problems. Improves blood circulation and eases menstrual discomfort and relieves stress

For 2 cups :

Milk 1 1/2 cup

Water 1 1/2 cup 

Tea  2 or 2 and a half teaspoon 

Sugar as per your taste

2 inch Ginger piece

Boil water and add grated fresh ginger to it. Keep it in low flame. Add the tea powder and allow it to boil for sometime. When the water turns into deep brown and start releasing the ginger aroma, add milk to it. Mix well with a spoon. Allow it to boil for another five minutes in a low flame. which will make the tea strong and flavorsome. Add sugar as required. Strain it and sip it hot.