Basic Vanilla Cake with lemon glaze

Method:

For cake:

1. Beat unsalted butter (4 oz) at room temperature, sugar (2/3 cups or to taste), vanilla essence (1 tsp), preferably in a dough mixer.
2. Sift 1 cup flour with a pinch of salt and 1 tsp baking powder. Add in batches. Continue beating. 
3. When the dough is sticky and smooth, use a spatula to spread it evenly on a cake pan that has been buttered and dusted with flour.
4. Bake for 30 mins at 350 F. Insert a skewer/toothpick/knife and when it comes out clean, the cake it done.

For glaze:
Beat 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 4 tsp butter. Spread it on the cake.

Lemon Rice

1. Parboil rice. Drain.
2. In a wok heat oil, add minced onion, ginger, green chilis, chana dal, curry leaves, mustard seeds. Mix the rice with a pinch of turmeric and salt to taste. Add freshly squeezed juice of a lemon. 

3. Add the rice in installments, stir well. Break any big chunks to ensure the flavor is even. Stir and cook further in low flame. Sprinkle salt. Add a few dry roasted peanuts or cashews.

I had it with mixed vegetables- Bengali style panchmisali. Pure bliss.

Baked rainbow trout with lemon and dill

Ingredients:
2 whole rainbow trout, dressed and cleaned
Olive oil/Butter 1 tsp for each fish
Garlic powder/salt
Chili flakes/pepper
Lemons cut in round shapes and some wedges for squeezing
Spice rub of your choice (optional)
Al foil
Dill or Herbs of your choice

Method

1. Wipe the fish thoroughly with paper towels. Score the fish on the outside so that the spices get through to the bone.
2. Season the insides and outsides well with garlic salt, chili flakes/pepper, spice rub, dill, lemon juice and lemon rounds. Drizzle olive oil or  use cooking spray. You may also add melted butter.
3. Wrap in foil and seal any openings to keep the fish juicy.
4. Preheat oven to 450 F, bake for 20 mins (or 25 mins at 375 F ) or until fish turns flaky when scraped with a fork.
5. You may also add herbs of your choice and  a wine sauce.
   

Tip:  Use fragnant lemons for a delightful smell, and fresh trout. Lemon caper in butter is also a good option for baking fish and chicken.