"This is a journey of my life since I was all of 12 yrs when I started my hand in cooking to now with displays of my learning and creations of recipes from around the world. My inspiration and role model has always been my Mum who has always created dishes from around the world and excellently well. I do not believe I would ever match to her culinary skills. I remember the times she could cook and bake almost 4-5 dishes in one go without ever letting one go under cooked or burnt! I was born and raised in Dubai, UAE and recently moved to India for family reasons. Kitchenette just means that over the decades, my kitchen has changed from that of my mum's to my uncle and aunt's, to my home in UAE and now in India. Pala't'te, describes both global cuisines ('Palatte'-diverse flavours) and pleasing diverse 'Palates'."
Showing posts with label Strawberry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Strawberry. Show all posts

Thursday, 23 May 2013

Roulade with Toasted Almonds and Strawberries - G'Gina's Kitchenette celebrates its First Blogiversary

Happy Blogiversary to G'Gina's Kitchenette and me:) I want to thank my friends and family who convinced me to do something about the acquired talent I gained over the years besides feeding them with my creations! Special thanks to my Mom and Hubby Anup whose recipes feature here now and then. Special thanks also goes out to my readers whose comments, likes, suggestions and more keeps me going!

G'Gina's Kitchenette's facebook page has also inspired many new readers. I have recently started G'Gina's Kitchenette's twitter page as well for those who prefer tweets than facebook.




Roulade is something I always wanted to try and wish I did when there were fresh strawberries. I had to go for the frozen variety which wasn't the best option and what I had to choose since this is Mango season:)

The roulade can also be topped with several berries including but not limited to cranberries, raspberries. pitted cherries and blueberries. Roulades can be made both sweet and savoury but since this is a Blogiversary celebration, I decided to go the sweet way!



You need:

  • 2 large egg whites
  • 110 ml cream-lightly whipped
  • 110g caster sugar
  • 55 g flaked almonds (you can also try this with Blanched Walnut flakes or flaked Macademian nuts)


For the garnish:

  • Strawberries or different berries (cranberries, cherries, raspberries, blackcurrant,etc)
  • Fresh Basil/Mint leaves to garnish



The Make:
Serves 3-4 adults| Preparation Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes

1. Line a medium cake tray (6 x 3 inches) with butter paper or parchment paper ensuring that both the base and the sides are covered.


2. This is the only critical part in the recipe.Next add the egg whites into a large glass or mixing bowl and whisky on medium-high until the mixture forms stiff peaks. You can use an electric hand whisk or a standing food mixer for this process. When the mixture has formed the peaks add in the sugar gradually, whisking thoroughly between each addition. The first time you make this if you are using an electric hand whisk, you may need some help here to add in the sugar.



3. To test if the correct consistency is achieved, i.e the mixture should be glossy and stiff, turn the mixing bowl upside down - if the mixture does not come out of the bowl you can proceed to the next step. If it falls, you need to restart the process.

4. Once the consistency is achieved, spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with the flaked almonds.

5. Heat the oven to 180°C and bake for 20 minutes or less (until light brown on surface).

6. Let the mixture cool in the tin.



Assembling the Roulade:



7. Invert the cooled baked mixture, facing down the side with the flaked almonds on a large sheet of butter paper/ parchment paper dusted with castor/icing sugar.

8. Touch and feel to ensure that the meringue is completely cooled and then spread lavishly with freshly whipped cream.

9. Randomly top with the chopped strawberries (or other berries chopped) and roll up quickly. You can use the edges of the butter paper to help you roll the roulade.

10. You can top the roulade with whipped cream or pipe the cream and top with some assorted berries or strawberries in halves. Place the mint/basil leaves creatively.

11. Carefully lift the roulade off the butter paper and serve on the serving plate of your choice. You can dust some castor/icing sugar on top.




Tips from errors: 

1. Use a flat bake tray not a cake tray. I used the latter and the spread was not in the best shape.
2. Use as much of fresh fruit as you can. The options mentioned in the ingredients section above is the best to choose from.
3. I did not have Walnuts or Macademian nuts and this recipe would go well with them. You can use a combination of these nuts as well.
4. Took the pictures in unnatural light as I had made this in the evening.

Bon Appetit!

Monday, 11 March 2013

Chocolate Pancakes with Homemade Strawberry Syrup

I had made a mention in one of my last posts of a weekend recipe creation of mine which was exquisitely created for my darling daughter Izzy. Well this was it! She is a fan of strawberries and I wanted to make her feel extra special on our weekend alone together!

Since strawberries are still largely available across the country before the supremely hot summer days kick in, and I had a good batch at hand, I decided to make this one for Saturday morning. So this was also kind of our Mother- Daughter Women's Day Celebration:)!

Chocolate Pancakes with Homemade Strawberry Syrup

You need:


  • 1 cup of plain flour or all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup of cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp of baking powder
  • 4 tbsp of sugar/honey
  • 1 egg or 1 cup of yoghurt (you can also use 1 mashed banana but I didn't as I wanted it to be all about the Chocolate and Strawberries although banana and chocolate is a good blend)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp butter or margarine, at room temperature
  • 2 tbsp of oil
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup milk or filtered water


The make
Makes 5 pancakes | Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes | Preparation Time: 5-10 minutes

1. Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside to rest for 5 minutes.

2. Whisk in the egg, oil and milk/water and set aside for another 5 minutes. Then whisk in the butter.
Whipped up pancake batter and chopped strawberries



3. Heat a iron skillet or non-stick skillet on high. Grease the pan with a dabbed kitchen paper towel in oil. Use the same greasing process in between making pancakes.




4. Using a ladle, pour in 1/4 cup quantity of pancake batter in the center of the skillet and spread to medium circle.



 5. Repeat till entire batter is used.  Serve hot!


Pancakes with Strawberry Syrup on the side

Homemade Strawberry Syrup

You need:

  • 10-12 strawberries
  • 4-6 tbsp of sugar
  • 110 ml of filtered water


The make:
Makes 100 ml of syrup | Preparation Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 mins


Top view of Strawberry Syrup
1. Chop the strawberries and set aside at least 2 strawberries (chopped).


2. Add the sugar to the water and stir on a medium high flame till sugar is dissolves and starts to thicken.


3. Add the chopped strawberries and stir in for 2-3 minutes.


4. Turn the strawberry syrup to the refrigerate for 10 minutes along with the chopped strawberries set aside earlier.


Homemade Strawberry syrup
5. Top the hot pancakes with the chopped strawberries and strawberry syrup!

You can also top with whip cream, nuts, fruits or choc chips!

I assure you that your little ones would love this make...treat your kids with these pancakes and syrup as a reward or just for being themselves:)

Bon Appetit!


Thursday, 27 December 2012

Trifle Pudding - Sweet New Year Special

Many of you may have leftovers of Christmas Pudding. What better way to make use of the Christmas Pudding than to make a Trifle Pudding for New Year. I would suggest that you add your own creative layers to this Pudding.



I made this one for Christmas as New Year would be spent in my parents' home. I would like to wish you all the very best for the New Year! There are many ways to make this Pudding. This pudding requires a layer of cake, so your Christmas cake could act for the layers of cake or you can get a store bought one. I used the one I made for my daughter's Christmas Class Party. You may need to moisten the cake and traditionally sweet sherry or wine is used. You can also just add sweet juices or non-alcoholic ginger ale. I made mine the non-alcoholic way as my guests of honour are expecting their first bundle of joy! Lots of various fruits can be used in the trifle.

You need:


  • 1/2 kg Christmas cake (or any cake)
  • Sweet juice or non-alcoholic ginger ale to moisten the cake layers (Sweet sherry or wine can also be used)
  • Fruits - Strawberry and Mulberries (you can also use seedless grapes, blackberries, clementines or oranges)
  • Whipped Cream - 1 packet  or you can try my Homemade Whipped Cream
  • Homemade Custard or leftover Christmas Pudding or Packet custard - 2 packs(follow the instructions on the pack)
  • Bar of chocolate - grated
  • Strawberry Jam (remember not to add much sugar in the whipped cream in case of using jam)


The make:

Preparation Time: 30 minutes | Assembling time: 20 minutes | Setting time: 4 hrs | Serves 6-8 adults

1. Start by making the custard (if no leftover Christmas Pudding) and the Whipped cream. Make sure to cover the custard bowl with some cling film to avoid thickening on top.

2. Take a large glass bowl. I like to use a glass bowl as it distinguishes between the various layers of the trifle. First place some of the cake and drizzle some of the sweet juice or ginger ale or sherry or wine. Next add some jam, top with custard, whip cream and top with fruits of your choice.

3. Repeat until the bowl is full and top with some whipped cream and grated chocolate.



If you want an extra chocolatty flavour, add some melted chocolate or sifted cocoa while making the custard.


4. Cover with cling film and set for 4 hours before serving.

Tip: You can use walnuts or almonds for some extra crunch! Also remember that since the custard may already be sweet, try to use a less sweeter variety of jam or do not add any additional sugar to the Trifle.



Hope you have a 'sweet' New Year celebration and enjoy with the trifle as a start to sweet beginnings! Good luck and God Bless your families and you for the New Year 2013!