Yummy Chocolate Cake, Chicken Pie And Masala Chicken by Zarnak Sidhwa

Ingredients For Yummy Chocolate Cake:

• Flour  200 gm
• Bicarbonate of soda  1/2 tsp
• Cocoa powder  50 gm
• Caster sugar  275 gm
• Unsalted butter 175 gm
• Eggs  2
• Vanilla essence  1 tbsp
• Cream  80 ml

For the Syrup:

• Cocoa powder 1 tsp
  
• Water  125 ml
  
• Caster sugar  100 gm
  
• Dark chocolate  25 gm

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 170 degree C and line a tin.
2. Put the flour, bicarb, cocoa, sugar, butter, eggs and sour cream into the processor and blitz till smooth.
3. Scrape down with a rubber spatula and process again while pouring the boiling water down the funnel switch if off then remove the lid and stir in the chocolate chips.
4. Pour this batter into the prepared tin and bake 1 hour.
5. Meanwhile put the syrup ingredients of cocoa, water and sugar into a small saucepan and boil for 5 minutes till the sugar caramelizes and the syrup has a really  dark n thick consistency.
6. Cool cake on a cooling rack and, till in its tin, pierce with a cake tester.
7. Then pour the syrup as evenly as possible, till all has been absorbed in.
8. Let the cake became completely cold and then remove from tin.
9. Sprinkle grated chocolate and serve.
   

Ingredients For Masala Chicken:

• Chicken 1 kg
  
• Oil  5 tbsp
  
• Bay leaf  1
  
• Cloves  8-10
  
• Cinnamon  1 inch stick
  
• Green cardamoms  8-10
  
• Black cardamoms  2
  
• Onions sliced  6 medium
• Ginger garlic paste  2 tbsp
  
• Red chili powder  1 tsp
  
• Turmeric powder  1/2 tsp
  
• Coriander powder  1 tbsp
  
• Tomato puree  1 cup
  
• Salt  to taste
  
• Garam masala powder 1 tsp
  
• Date tamarind chutney  2 tbsp

Method:

1. Heat oil, add bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon, green cardamoms and black cardamoms and saute till fragrant.
2. Add onion and saute till golden brown.
3. Add chicken pieces, mix well and saute for two minutes.
4. Add ginger garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder and coriander powder.
5. Mix well and saute for a few minutes.
6. Add tomato puree and cook for a few minutes.
7. Add water, salt, garam masala powder and tamarind-date chutney.
8. Mix well, cover and cook till the chicken is done.
9. Serve hot.
   

Ingredients For Chicken Pie:

• Chicken  1/2 kg
  
• Tomatoes 2
  
• Green olives  12
  
• Olive oil  4 tbsp
  
• Garlic cloves  8
  
• Onion 1
  
• Oregano  1 tsp
  
• Brinjal sliced  1
• Salt  to taste
  
• Butter  30 gm
  
• Cream 100 ml
  
• Potato  2 cups
  
• Black peppercorn  to taste

Method:

1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil.
2. Add garlic and onion and saute.
3. Add oregano and mix well. Add chicken mince, tomatoes, and salt and saute for 5 minutes.
4. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in another pan, add brinjal and shallow fry.
5. Heat butter in another pan.
6. Add salt and crushed black peppercorns.
7. Put half the olives and top this layer with creamy potato sauce.
8. Drizzle remaining olive oil.
9. Sprinkle remaining olives on top.
10. Bake in the preheated oven at 180 degree C for 10 minutes.
11. Serve hot.