Cook Without Book

Prep: 10 minutes; Bake: 25 minutes. Yield:  Makes 24 servings (serving size: 1 square)                Ingredients 1/4 cup   maple syrup 1/4 cup   coarsely chopped walnuts 1 cup   chopped pitted dates 1/2 cup   brown sugar 1/4 cup   granulated sugar 1  egg 3 tablespoons   butter, softened 1/2 cup   applesauce 1/2 cup   vanilla low-fat yogurt 1 1/2 teaspoons   vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups   all-purpose flour 3 cups   quick-cooking oats (not instant) 1/2 teaspoon   baking soda 1 teaspoon   salt 1 1/2 teaspoons   ground cinnamon Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 350°. 2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, stirring slowly with a wooden spoon until well combined. 3. Spray a 9- x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Pour batter into pan, and spread evenly. 4. Bake 25 minutes or until just golden brown around edges. Cool and cut into squar...

Oats And Nuts Lollypops Preparing finger foods for kids can always be a daunting experience, especially when you are trying to make the snack healthy, tasty and visually appealing for your child. Try this tasty, healthy simple lollipop recipe . Ingredients: • 1/2 cup dates chopped • 1/4 cup roasted rolled oats • 1/4 cup lightly roasted and finely chopped mixed nuts (almond,walnuts,pistachios) • 1 tbsp roasted sesame seeds (til) • 1 tbsp flax seeds Method 1. Heat a non-stick pan, add the dates and cook on a slow flame until the dates melt, while stirring continuously. 2. Remove from flame, add all the remaining ingredients and mix well. Keep aside to cool slightly. 3. Grease your hands with ghee and divide into equal portions, shape into a round balls and insert a small stick in the centre. 4. Cool completely and store in an air-tight container.

Sweet Chutney This is an indispensable part of chaat platters! if you are serving snacks, you ought to have sweet chutney to go with it – to complete the picture. While it is an accompaniment in its own right. Preparation Time:  10 mins Cooking Time:  25 mins Makes 2.5 cup Ingredients 1 cup  deseeded  dates (khajur) 1/2 cup   jaggery (gur) 1/4 cup   tamarind (imli) 1 tsp   chilli powder 2 tsp   coriander (dhania) powder 1/2 tsp   cumin seeds (jeera) powder salt  to taste Method Combine the dates, jaggery, tamarind and 1½ cups of water in a pressure cooker, mix well and pressure cook for 3 whistles. Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid. Blend the mixture along with ½ cup of water and strain it using a strainer. Add the chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin seeds powder and salt and mix well. Store refrigerated in an air-tight container and use as required.

Pear, Apple and Date Salad with Orange Dressing Pregnancy Recipe This salad is a good source of iron, vitamin c, calcium and carbohydrate which is the source of instant energy. It will perk you up almost instantly. It makes a great snack that can be assembled quickly at any time using all your favourite fruits. Preparation Time:  10 mins Makes 4 servings Ingredients 1 cup   pear cubes 1 cup   apple cubes  (unpeeled) 1/4 cup   chopped dates (khajur) 1/2 cup   banana cubes 1/2 cup   orange segments to be mixed into an  orange  dressing 5 tbsp  thick fresh  curds (dahi) 4 tsp   orange juice 1/2 tsp   mustard (rai / sarson) powder 1 tsp   powdered sugar salt  and  freshly ground black pepper (kalimirch) powder  to taste Method Combine all the ingredients in the bowl and mix well. Just before serving, add the orange dressing and toss well.

Bulgur Wheat Porridge ( Baby and Toddler Recipe) This wholesome and satisfactory porridge is good for your baby now that she is growing rapidly and her appetite is also increasing. It will keep her satisfied for a couple of hours. It is a very good source of important nutrients like energy, carbohydrates, calcium, vitamin a and iron. Dates are used to sweeten this porridge as they provide iron and fibre in substantial quantities. Preparation Time:  5 mins Cooking Time:  15 mins Makes 1 cup Ingredients 1 tbsp   broken wheat (dalia) 2   dates (khajur)  , deseeded 1/2 cup   milk Method Pressure cook the bulgur wheat and dates with ½ cup of water for 3 whistles. Cool. Liquidise the cooked bulgur wheat and dates with ½ cup of milk in a blender till it is smooth in texture. Transfer this into a pan and bring to boil, stirring continuously so that no lumps remain. Serve lukewarm. Tips VARIATIONS: BAJRA PORRIDGE Occasionally, you use 1 ...

Ramadan's Date-Lamb Curry Serves 4 4 Tablespoons vegetable oil 1 2-inch Cinnamon stick 6 whole cloves 1 Tablespoon cardamom seeds 1 large onion chopped 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 1/2 inch fresh ginger, peeled and chopped 1 1/2 lb lean HALAL lamb, cubed 1 1/4 cup yogurt (plain) 1 tsp saffron threads, soaked in 2 T ablespoon boiling water 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 cup pitted dried dates, coarsely chopped Salt to taste 1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut milk Heat oil in a heavy saucepan. Add cinnamon, cloves and cardamom and fry for 1 minute. Add onion, sauté until soft, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and ginger and fry for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add lamb cubes and fry until brown, about 5 minutes. Whisk yogurt, saffron mixture, salt and chili powder together and add to lamb cubes. Cook for 5 minutes. Add the dates and mix wel...