Mupotohayi a-k-a Chimodho/Zimbabwe Cornmeal Bread#EatTheWorld

Mupotohayi also known as Chimodho which is basically a form of cornmeal bread which is common in Zimbabwe. It can be enjoyed plain or buttered, jam or marmalade, or a drizzle of honey. Cornbread is the perfect side dish recipe next to mains like chili or fried chicken. But honestly, top a slice of warm cornbread with a pat of butter and drizzle of honey and you don’t need much else.
Serves 8 to 10 servings
Ingredients
180 Grams Yellow Cornmeal
170 Grams All Purpose Flour
1/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Teaspoon Baking powder
½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
½ Teaspoon Pink Himalayan Salt
360 ML Full Fat Butter Milk
75 Ml Olive Oil
25 Grams Butter - melted
1 Large Egg
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil - for the skillet
Method
Preheat the oven to 190°C. Lightly grease a 9-inch round cake pan or cast-iron skillet.
In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk together butter milk, oil, melted butter, sugar
 and egg.
When the oven is preheated, add the oil to the pan and place the pan in the oven to heat for 5 minutes( this will give a crispy bottom).
As the pan is being heated in the oven for 5 minutes, make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour the butter milk mixture into the flour mixture and whisk together just until combined. Remove the hot pan from the oven and immediately pour in the batter. (The batter should sizzle!)
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. For a crispy crust, remove the cornbread after 5 minutes and let cool on a wire rack.
Enjoy with butter.
My hubby enjoyed this with honey.

Check here for the other Yeasted Corn Bread

Labels: Cornmeal, Skillet, Zimbabwe, Breads, International Cuisine, Eat the World


Check out all the wonderful Zimbabwean dishes prepared by fellow Eat the World members and share with #eattheworld. Find out how to join Eat the World here and have fun exploring a country a month in the kitchen with us! 
Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Beef Hifiridzi (Beef Short Ribs with Greens) 
A Day in the Life on the Farm: BBQ Goat Stew ( Nyama yeMbudz) 

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Flan Entremets & Peach Jelly Dessert - Vegetarian#SundayFunday

A fresh, homemade creamy dessert that is easy to prepare! This flan entremets mix gives a fantastic texture for a gourmet dessert and a perfect party dessert. 
Agar-agar, vanilla custard mix and peach juice. Refreshing, summery and easy-to-make. This delicious recipe makes the perfect party dish. I have added a pinch of orange color to the peach juice. Have two layers of jelly and for each layer of jelly I used the same ingredients
Serves 10 - 12
Ingredients
For The Layers Of Jelly

2 Cups Homemade Peach Juice 
10 Grams Veg Gelatin/Agar Agar powder
For The Flan Entremets Layer
500 Ml Milk - I used Full Fat Milk
1 Packet Flan Entremets Mix
Method
For First Jelly Layer
Take ½ cup peach juice and mix in veg gelatin well.
In a large pan take 1½ cup peach juice , bring this to boil when it boils add the gelatin mix and give it a good stir and let is cook on low flame till the gelatin melts well.
Pour this in a lightly greased pyrex dish and let is set at room temperature.
For The Flan Entremets Layer
In ½ cup milk mix in the flan entremets mix to make a smooth mix. In a large pan add the remaining milk and slow add the flan entremets mix stirring as you are pouring it so that it does not clump. When well mixed, place the pan on medium low flame and let it cook till it thickens.
Pour this mix over the jelly layer evenly and cover this with a lid and refrigerate till it sets. 
Now make the next layer of peach jelly, just when this flan entremets sets. Pour this jelly layer over it. Let is cool and set then refrigerate. Since I was in a hurry I did not wait for flan layer to set completely, hence you can see the flan part on top.
Nevertheless it tasted just superb and yummy. My guest couldn't stop eating this dessert.
Labels: Creamy Vanilla Custard, Agar Agar powder, Peach, Jelly, Dessert, Sunday Funday, Eggless

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Puneri Batata Vada#Alphabet Challenge

Puneri Batata Vada is different from what you get in Mumbai.  When I, first ate them, was, surprised to to have a entirely different version of vadas. These are not spicy and no tempering is given to the potato filling and they are like patties. Check the  Vada Pav (Mumbai Style)  recipe.
Ingredients  
4 Medium Potatoes- boiled and mashed
2 Green chilies - minced
1/2 Inch Piece Ginger - minced
3 Cloves Garlic - minced
1 Small Onion - minced
1 Tablespoon Coriander Leaves - finely chopped
1 Tablespoon Mint Leaves - finely chopped
1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
1 Teaspoon Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Salt or to taste
For the Batter
1 Cup Besan / Chickpea flour
A pinch of Chilly Powder
A Pinch of Turmeric Powder
For Serving
Fried Green Chillies / Mirchis - as required
Dry Lasun Chutney 
Mint  Chutney

Method
Batter for the coating
In a bowl add besan, salt to taste ,turmeric and red chilly powder and water. Mix well. Make sure there are no lumps. If required you may add more water very little at a time and keep mixing. The batter should not be very thick and not watery. The consistency should be such that it forms a thick coating on the potato vada.

To make the Vada 

In another bowl / plate take the mashed potatoes. Add the green chilies, garlic, ginger, coriander, mint, onions, salt to taste and lime juice, mix well. Divide them into equal portions. Oil your hands lightly and make patties. Keep aside
In the meantime heat oil in a deep frying pan / kadai. The heat should be on a medium low.

To fry the batata vada

Once the oil is hot enough to fry the vadas, dip the flattened patties with the batter. Leave them very gently and carefully in the oil one by one.

Fry the vadas turning the sides only after one side is cooked and golden. Repeat the process for the rest of the vadas.

Transfer them to a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Now that  frying the vadas,  is done, in the same oil deep fry some green chilies.  Sprinkle some salt on them. Green Chillies / Mirchis will be ready to eat with the vada.

Serve hot ... 

These vadas are fried to perfection, crisp and served on its own or with Dry Lasun Chutney , or Mint  Chutney or Kethcup and fried green chilies. They taste awesome. 

Labels :  Starters,  Street food, Savory Snacks, Pune, Kids delight, Snacks, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten free, Alphabet Challenge 

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Jamun/Indian Blackberry Chia Jam#SundayFunday

Jamun/Indian Blackberry is summer fruit and love eating it. Wanted to make a jam so made this with chia seeds. A delicious jam. 

Jamun, or Indian blackberry, is highly regarded for its benefits to diabetics, stomach pain, arthritis, certain digestive issues, and diabetes. Improvement in the hemoglobin level of the blood. It contains compounds like jamboline and jambosine that help regulate blood sugar levels.
Ingredients2 Tablespoons Chia seeds
4 Tablespoons Water
1 Cup Water
1 Cup De Seeded Jamun
½ Cup Sugar

Method
Soak chia seeds in 4 tablespoons water and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the chia seeds have swollen up.
In a large sauce pan, add the jamun pulp & water. Turn on the flame and let the pulp simmer until it thickens.
Add sugar and mix while it simmers. Use the stick blender and blend. Place it back on the low flame Then add the chia seeds and cook till it thickens. Let this cool.
It will thicken further as it cools. Once it reaches room temperature, pop it in the fridge and serve chilled on slices of bread. Enjoy!!
Labels: Jamun, Indian Blackberry, Java Plum, Jam, Chia seeds, Sugar, Preservatives free, Homemade, Sunday Funday

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Semolina Cucumber Cake#SundayFunday

I have already posted a cucumber cake recipe, that is eggless and made with idly rava, this one is totally different and unique. This cucumber that I got is directly from the framers field again that is the big yellow cucumber if you see the early recipe you'll get the information about that cucumber.
This cucumber had hardly any seeds, was so cool and had a sweet taste. I grated 3/4 of the cucumber and the remaining we sliced and enjoyed.

Ingredients
3 Cups Packed Cucumber - see notes
2 Cups Jaggery
2 Cups Fine Semolina/Rawa
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 Cup Freshly Grated Coconut
3 Eggs
100 Grams Butter
3 Tablespoons heaped Ghee
1 Teaspoon Baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon Baking soda
A few drops of Vanilla essence
Method
Wash and peel the cucumbers and cut them vertically, scoop out the pith (seeds). Grate the cucumber and then lightly squeeze out the juice.
In a big vessel add the semolina, jaggery, cucumber, coconut, and stir well till there are no lumps. Finally add the ghee and butter stir again till well incorporated and keep it for soaking minimum for an hour. 
Grease cake tin with ghee or butter.
Preheat oven at 180°C for about 15 minutes.
Sieve the flour, baking powder and baking soda and mix it properly. 
Beat the eggs and pour it into the batter and whisk it well then add the flour and and fold it into the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared tin bake it for an hour.
Perfectly baked Semolina Cucumber Cake. 
My Notes
Taste the cucumber before you grate it, if it's bitter do not use it.
Do not squeeze the cucumber of all the juice then the semolina/rawa will not get enough moisture to soften.

Depending on the size of the tin, moisture in the cake batter and oven used the baking time may vary between 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes.
You can't unmold this cake, so cut the desired pieces in the pan itself and gently lift it.
If you want a brown surface you can change the oven settings to the 'Broil/Grill' mode for the last 3 minutes (I did it), brown crust adds to the taste.
Adjust the jaggery to your taste.
Labels: Cake, Cucumber, Healthy, Semolina, Coconut, Jaggery, Sunday Funday,

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