Thenkuzhal

THENKUZHAL

Ingredients: 
Raw rice powder - 2 cup
Roasted urad powder - 1 cup
Butter - 1 � tbsp
Salt - to taste
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp, lightly crushed

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients together. Add enough water to make soft but not sticky dough.
2. Press through chakli mould, fitted with a disc with three holes on to a plastic sheet shaping small thengulals.
3. Deep fry in moderately hot oil till crisp. Cool and store.

Atte Ki Pinni

ATTE KI PINNI

Ingredients: 

• 250 g - atta (wheat flour)
• 150 g - ghee (clarified butter) 
• 250 g - sugar
• 1/2 cup - milk
• 25 g - dry fruit mixture - kaju (cashew nuts), halved, badam (almonds) and kishmish (golden raisins) 
• 1/4 tsp - elaichi powder (green cardamom)

Method

• Heat ghee and add the wheat flour.
• Fry on a low flame stirring continuously till it is pink.
• Remove from heat and transfer onto a plate
• Allow to cool.
• Add sugar and cardamom powder.
• Sprinkle milk and prepare a dough
• Divide the mixture into equal portions and shape them into small balls.
• Garnish each ball with the dry fruit mixture.

Kalakand

KALAKAND

Ingredients: 
Milk powder - 2 1/4 cups
Sugar - 1 to 1 1/2 cups (depending on taste)
Thickened cream - 1/2 cup
Cardamom powder - 1 tsp
Almond/Pista slivers for decoration

Method

• Place milk powder, sugar and cardamom powder in a microwavable bowl and mix well.
• Add the cream and combine thoroughly, the mixture should be neither lumpy nor runny, but of a smooth very thick batter consistency.
• Microwave on high for 4 minutes (1000 watt microwave).
• Stir once, and microwave for a further 2 minutes.
• Allow to rest for 5 minutes and sprinkle the almond or pista slivers on top.
• Serve warm or cool.

PURAN POLI

PURAN POLI

Ingredients: 

• 300 gms - chana dal
• 300 gms - jaggery
• 250 gms - wheat flour
• 2 tbsp - ghee
• 2 tsp - cardamom powderv enough water to cook the dal

Method

• Soak the dal for about 30-40 minutes.
• Cook the dal in a heavy bottomed vessel with sufficient water (the level of water should be such that it should cover the dal) on a slow flame till done.
• It should be slightly firm. Switch off the gas.
• Add jaggery and cardamom powder and mix well.
• Return this mixture on to the gas and cook on a slow flame, stirring continuously till the mixture leaves the sides of the vessel.
• Keep aside to cool.
• Mix ghee with wheat flour in a thali, add enough water to make soft dough.
• Divide the dough and dal into equal portions.
• Roll each portion of the dough into a 4” round-shaped chappati.
• Place a portion of the dal in the centre and gather the edges to cover the dal completely.
• Flatten and roll out as thinly as possible.
• Roast on a preheated girdle on a medium flame till golden brown on both sides (keep tossing from one side to the other at regular intervals).
• Apply the ghee while roasting the poli.
• Serve with a spicy vegetable.

Lavang Lata

LAVANG LATA

 Ingredients: 

• 2 cups - white flour
• 1 cup - sugar
• 4 tbsp - ghee
• 2 cups - water
• nutmeg powder
• elaichi powder
• cloves
• dry coconut, grated
• almonds or cashews or pistas, chopped
• raisins
• oil for frying

Method

• In a saucepan, boil sugar with water till you have a two-string sugar syrup.
• Keep warm on the stove.
• Make a hard dough with ghee and water.
• Roll the dough in circles.
• Fold the three edges in to make a pocket and fill with a random mix of coconut, raisins and nuts and tiny pinches of nutmeg and elaichi.
• Close the fourth flap and anchor with a clove.
• Deep fry in oil on low flame.
• Dip in chasni. And drain.

KUSLI

KUSLI

Ingredients: 
For the Covering:
1 cup - white flour
2 tbsp - ghee
For the Stuffing:
1 cup - sooji (semolina)
1 cup - badam (almonds), ground
1 cup - powdered sugar
1 cup - khismish (raisins)
3 tbsp - dried ecoconut, grated
1 tsp - cardamom powder
3 to 4 tbsp - ghee


Method
Make a stiff-ish dough from the flour, ghee and water.
Roll out small circles.
Separately fry the sooji in the ghee.
Add the raisins, badam and cardamom powder. Allow it to cool.
Place a small quantity of the stuffing -- about 3 tsp. -- in the centre of each circle.
Fold in half and edge with a fork.
Deep fry on medium heat till pink not red.

THAMBUTTU

THAMBUTTU

Ingredients: 
6 - ripe bananas
6 tsp - thambuttu powder
6 tsp - sugar
2 tsp - roasted seasame seeds
3 to 4 tsp - honey (optional)
4 tbsp - coconut grated 
pure ghee

For the Thambuttu Powder:
1 kg - boiled rice
a few - cardamoms
1 tsp - fenugreek
salt to taste

Method
For the powder:

1. Sprinkle some water on the rice.
2. Roast on a tava till it is dark brown and crisp
3. Roast fenugreek and cardamoms.
4. Powder into very fine powder along with salt.
5. Store in an air tight container.

For Thambuttu:

1. Peel and mash bananas.
2. Add sugar, honey and thambuttu powder.
3. Knead into fairly thick but soft dough.
4. Make a depression in the centre.
5. Pour ghee and serve individually.

MALPURI

MALPURI

Ingredients: 

• maida-1 cup
• sooji(rava)-1/4 cup
• cardamoms(powdered)-3 
• sour curd-1 tbsp
• baking soda-a pinch
• oil for frying
• sugar-1 cup
• water-1 cup

Method

• Mix maida and sooji with curd and baking soda. Keep aside.
• Make a syrup of the sugar by boiling till consistency is thick and sticky.
• Allow syrup to cool and mix it with the rest of the ingredients.
• Beat it well till the mix is uniformily blended.
• On a hot frying pan, heat a tsp of oil and pour the mix to the size of small dosa.
• Wait for a while and turn it over.
• When brown take it of the heat.

HOLIGE

HOLIGE

Ingredients: 
For Stuffing:(Hoorana):

• Channa dhal-- 1 cup
• Toordhal--1 cup
• Jaagery--1\2 kg
• Cardamom--3 pods
• Dry Ginger (optional)
• Fresh Coconut grated--1 cup

For Covering:(Kanaka):

• Wheat Flour --1 cup
• Maida -- 1 cup
• Turmeric --1 tsp 
• oil --3 tbsp
• Salt--1\2 tsp
• Water

Method

• Wash and soak the channa dhal for 2 hrs
• Sift maida and wheat flour, turmeric, salt together. Knead a very soft dough using enough water. Add enough oil and knead properly, cover it with a wet muslin cloth, keep aside for 2 hrs.
• Wash the toor dhal; cook channa dhal and toor dhal in a pressure cooker until soft.
• When the cooked dhals are cool enough, grind them along with coconut, cardamom, and dry ginger (in a mixie), to a nice paste, without adding much water. 5.Melt the jaggery with a little water, in a big kadai. Mix the dhal paste to it, boil them on a medium heat. You have to keep on stirring it or it will burn. This process takes almost 10-15 mts and your patience too! Take out from the heat when it is thick enough to make round balls out of it.
• When it cools down, make small lemon sized balls . These are the stuffings. We call it "Hoorana".
• Similarly, make small round balls out of wheat and maida dough for covering. We call it "Kanaka". It should be half the size of the Hoorana balls.
• Now, take a ball of Kanaka, press it on your palm with enough oil, Put one hoorana in it, cover it properly, like you make for Allo parata. Then roll it like chapathi, using maida flour or oil. I prefer using flour.
• Cook that on the heated greased Tawa on both the sides. If you want the Holige soft, take out quickly. Like wise, make all the Holiges. Keep the Holiges on dry muslin cloth till they cool down, and store them in a box. They will be fresh for one week in room temperature or you can store them in fridge for one more week.

Lehiyam

LEHIYAM

Ingredients: 

200 g - aniseed 

200 g - jaggery 

100 g - dry ginger 

1 tsp - cumin seed 

1 tbsp - black pepper 

small piece - ginger 

2 tbsp - ghee 

Method

• Wash aniseed to remove dirt
• Soak all ingredients except jaggery and ghee in water.
• Drain water and grind the spices into a paste.
• Dissolve jaggery in a pan and strain to remove dirt.
• Place the strained jaggery in a pan and add the ground paste.
• Add ghee and stir well till the lehiyam leaves the sides of the vessel.
• Remove it from the pan, and allow to cool
• Store in a dry container.

Boondi Laddoo

BOONDI LADOO

Ingredients: 

1 cup Channa Besan (make sure it should not have clumps.)
1 Tsp Rice Flour
Salt 1 pinch
8-10 Cashews
8-10 Rasins
4-5 Cloves
Orange colour
4 tbsp Ghee.
8-10 Elaichi (powdered)
Oil for frying

For making sugar syrup:

Sugar - 1 3/4 cup
Water - 3/4 cup

Method

1. Mix channa besan, rice flour, pinch of orange colour and salt with water. (the consistency should be like dosa mix so that it should be easy to make bhoondhi)
2. Heat oil in a frying pan.
3. In the mean time in a pan heat 3/4 cup of water. Bring it to boil. Then add 1 3/4 of sugar. Put it in medium heat to make the sugar syrup. (care should be taken that the sugar syrup is not over done. Using a spoon take few drops of sugar syrup, when you pour it from the spoon the last drop of the syrup should form a thin continuous line. If it doesn't keep it for boiling for another 2 minutes.)
4. When the oil is heated up, using a cup pour the mix little by little on a perforated spoon to make bhoondhi. Fry it for 3 minutes. Continue with the remaining mix.
5. In a heated pan add 1 tbsp of ghee and fry cloves and cashews. Keep it aside.
6. Once the bhoondhies are done put it in a vessel and smash 1/4 of bhoondhi with a spoon then add the sugar syrup, rasins, fried cashews , cloves, powdered elaichi and the remaining ghee. Make it into a ball (even when it is hot.)

BADAM MYSORE PAK

BADAM MYSORE PAK

Ingredients: 

• besan - ½ cup
• badam powder - ½ cup
• melted ghee - 2 1/2 cup
• sugar - 2 1/4 cup
• water - ½ cup

Method

1. Grease a tray with ghee, keep aside.
2. Take 1 cup of ghee in a frying pan over low heat.
3. Mix the besan and keep it separately.
4. Mix sugar and water in a pan over low heat.
5. When the sugar dissolves, add besan and badam powder.
6. Stir the mixture by adding the remaining ghee little by little.
7. Keep stirring until bubbles start forming.
8. Spread the mixture in the greased tray.
9. Mark out desired shape with a sharp knife, while warm.
10. Allow to cool completely, before storing in airtight containers.

Petha

PETHA

Ingredients: 

• 1 kg. Firm white pumpkin
• 800 gms. sugar
• 2 tsp. calcium hydroxide (kitchen lime)
• 1/2 tsp. alum powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 3-4 drops kewra essence
• 2 cups water

Method

• Dissolve alum in 1/2 cup water. Keep aside.
• Dissolve lime in 1 litre water, strain with a clean cloth, twice if required.
• Peel pumpkin, dicard seeds, mushy centre.
• Cut into 1"x2"x1" rectangular blocks or as desired.
• Prick all over with a metal skewer or fork.
• Put pieces in lime water. Soak for 30-35 minutes.
• Drain, wash under clean running water for 2-3 minutes.
• Put in a bowl, sprinkle alum water, shake to coat all pieces evenly.
• Drain, boil pieces in a large heavy pan, till a little soft and exuding water.
• Make a syrup of sugar and water, till 2 1/2 thread consistency (refer syrup method)
• Put drained pumpkin pieces in syrup, boil till syrup becomes thick again.
• Keep covered with a mesh, overnight.
• Drain, boil syrup again till thick, add pieces, reboil for 3-4 minutes.
• Drain out excess syrup, sprinkle essence and rose water.
• Cool completely, refrigerate.

Almond Sheera

ALMOND SHEERA

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup coarse wheat flour
• 1-1/2 cups blanched almonds (refer note)
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 cups water
• 1 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1/4 tsp. saffron strands crushed
• 1 tbsp. warm milk
• 1-1/4 cup ghee
• 8-10 blanched almonds chopped into slivers or halved

Method

• Rub and dissolve saffron in milk, keep aside.
• Dry and powder blanched almonds, saving 10 for garnishing.
• Melt ghee in a large heavy pan.
• Add flour, stirfry for 2-3 mintes.
• Add almond powder, stirfry till golden and aroma exudes.
• Take care to stir continuously.
• Add water, stir and cook.
• Add sugar, and cook further, stirring gently.
• When ghee starts to exude, add cardamom and saffron.
• Stir, and take into serving dish.
• Garnish with chopped almonds.
• One may put it in hotcase to keep hot, reheat in microwave, or in a pan.

Chickoo Halwa

CHICKOO HALWA

•  Ingredients: 
• 6 chickoos
• 1/2 tea cup milk
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup sugar
• 150 gms khoya or milk powder made paste.
• 2 - 3 drops cochineal (essence)
• 1 tbsp ghee

Method

• Peel and mash chickoos or blend. Add milk and boil in heavy saucepan.
• When slightly thick add khoya and cook, stirring continuously.
• Add sugar and ghee. Cook on low turning continuously till ghee oozes.
• Garnish with almond or walnut in centre of the halwa.

Anarsa

ANARSA

Ingredients: 

• 4 cups rice
• 3 1/2 cups sugar powder
• 3 1/2 cups ghee
• 1 tbsp. poppy seeds
• 1/3 cup milk (approx.)

Method

• Wash and soak rice in plenty of water.
• Change water everyday, repeating process for 3 days.
• Now, drain all water, and spread on a clean cloth for 3-4 hours.
• Grind to powder and sieve.
• Mix in sugar, press and keep aside for 2 hours.
• Sprinkle milk little by little, kneading mixture into a soft pliable dough.
• On a clean plastic sheet, sprinkle a few poppy seeds.
• Take a pingpong sized ball of dough, press onto sprinkled seeds.
• Rotate and thin out dough with the hand, forming a 4" sized round.
• Heat 3-4 tbsp. ghee in a frying pan.
• Let in one round, seeds side up.
• Shallow fry on low flame, till golden brown.
• Drain and keep aside.
• Repeat for remaining dough, add more ghee as required.
• Cool very well for 5-6 hours before storing in airtight containers.

RASGULAA

RASGULA

• 1 tsp refined flour
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp rose essence

Method

• Boil the milk and let it cool to room temperature. Skim the milk of the cream.
• Boil the milk again and when it begins to boil add the lime juice and continue boiling until the whey separates out.
• Cover the vessel for 15 mins.  
• Take a muslin cloth and strain the curdled milk. Lightly press to strain the water.
• Hang this for 1/2 hour and then place a heavy weight of about 5 kgs on it for about 1 hour.
• The end product is the cheena.
• Take the cheena on a dry surface and knead with hand for about 3 mins.
• Then add refined flour and continue to knead for about 5 mins.
• Meanwhile, in a pressure cooker boil sugar, essence and water to form a thin syrup.
• Make small balls of the cheena mixture and place them in the cooker.
• Cover and cook for 7 mins or until 2 whistles on a medium flame.

Banana Chocolate Chunk

                                                          
                                                 Banana Chocolate Chunk

Ingredients:

Cake Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 squares semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup mashed, very ripe bananas

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups confectioners sugar
• 3 squares semi-sweet chocolate, melted

Directions:
Cake Directions:

•  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch square pan.
•  At medium speed of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
•  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and sour cream.
• Combine the flour, baking soda and chocolate. Add to butter mixture alternately with the mashed banana, stirring just until dry ingredients are incorporated.
• Pour into prepared pan, and bake for about 30 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool in pan on rack.

Frosting Directions:

•  Beat the softened butter until fluffy.
•  Gradually add the confectioners sugar and melted chocolate, beating until smooth.
•  Spread evenly over cooled cake.

Banana Cake

                                                                    
                                                             Banana Cake

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 cups flour, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda (add to pureed bananas)
• 3 pureed bananas, very ripe

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1/2 stick butter, softened
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 box powdered sugar (1 lb.)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

•  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9x13" baking pan or two 9" layer cake pans.
• Cream butter, sugar and eggs. Sift flour several times, then add the salt and baking powder to the flour.
• To the creamed butter mixture, add the milk and flour (alternating, beginning and ending with flour).
• Add vanilla and mashed bananas (with the baking soda added to the bananas) to this mixture.
• Bake layer cakes (9") for 25-30 minutes, oblong (9x13") for 35-40 minutes.

Frosting Directions:

• Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth, add sugar and vanilla and blend well. Spread on cooled cake.

Apple Gingerbread Cake

                     Apple Gingerbread Cake

                                          

                                            

Ingredients:

Apple Layer:

• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large apples, peeled and sliced

Gingerbread Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup hot water

Directions:

•  Pour butter into a 9-in. square baking pan; sprinkle with brown sugar.
•  Arrange apples cut side up in a single layer over sugar; set aside.
•  For gingerbread, in a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Beat in molasses.
•  Combine dry ingredients; add to sugar mixture alternately with hot water, beating well after each.
•  Pour over apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
•  Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.

Apple Pie

                                   
                                   Apple Pie 

                                  
Ingredients:

• Pastry for 2 crusts (recipe below)
• 8 cups sliced, peeled assorted baking apples - about 3 lbs.  (Granny Smith, Cortland, Jonathan)
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 Tablespoon milk

Directions:

•  In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice.
•  Combine sugars, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg; add to apples and toss well to coat.
•  Fill pastry lined 9 inch pie pan with apple mixture. Dot with butter.
•  Place second crust on top of pie filling, cut slits in top of crust to vent. Seal the edges of the   crust with a fork or by hand.
• In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk and milk. Brush mixture over top crust.
• Bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 350 degrees F and bake 40-45 minutes more or until crust is golden and filling is bubbly.

Birthday Sweet

Apple Cake  

 Ingredients:

6 apples (chopped, peeled and cored)
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
5 Tablespoons sugar
2 3/4 cups flour, sifted
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs

Directions:

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a tube pan.

 Combine apples with cinnamon and sugar, coating well. Set aside.

 Stir together flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

 In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, orange juice, sugar and vanilla. 

 Combine this mixture with the dry ingredients, then add eggs, one at a time.                                                                                                    Mix well.

 Pour half of batter into prepared pan. Spread half of apples over it. Pour the remaining batter over the apples and arrange the remaining apples on top.

 Bake for about 1 1/2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Lapsi

LAPSI

Ingredients

• 1 cup Broken wheat
• 2 1/2 cups Hot water
• 2 tablespoon Almonds
• 3/4 cup Sugar
• 15 nos. Raisins
• 1 teaspoon Cardamom powder
• 3/4 cup Ghee

Method

• Soak the raisins in 1/2 cup water and keep aside.
• Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed pan, add the broken wheat. Saute on a high flame till it turns pinkish brown. Add hot water, partly cover and cook on a medium flame till most of the water has evaporated. Add more water if the wheat is not tender enough.
• Once all the water has evaporated add the sugar, ghee and 1/2 cup water. Stir. Place a griddle or tava below the pan and cook on a low flame for 8-10 minutes. The lapsi is ready when the ghee starts oozing out from the sides of the pan.
• Serve hot garnished with blanched almonds and pistachios.

Gajar Ka Halwa

Gajar Ka Halwa

Ingredients

• 1 kg Carrots
• 1 litre Milk
• 1 teaspoon Cardamom seeds
• 3/4 cup Water
• 3 tablespoons Ghee
• 2 tablespoons Raisins
• 2 tablespoons Almonds
• 2 tablespoons Pistachios
• 450 grams Sugar

Method

• Wash and grate the carrots. Soak the raisins in water for 30 minutes. Blanch and shred the nuts.
• Put the water to boil, when it starts boiling add the grated carrots. Cook for 5-7 minutes.
• Add the milk. Cook on a low flame for 1 hour stirring occasionally.
• Add sugar, mix well and cook till the sugar has dissolved and all the milk has been absorbed.
• Add ghee and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add the slightly crushed cardamoms and the raisins.
• Mix well. Remove from heat and arrange in a serving dish. Garnish with almonds and pistachios. Serve cold, hot or at room temperature.

Kesar Kaju

KESAR KAJU

Ingredients

• 500 gm Kaju (cashew nuts)
• 300 gm Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Kesar (saffron)
• 1/4 tsp Orange Color
• 2 Chandi Warak

Method

• Soak the cashew nuts in water for 3 hours.
• Drain the water from cashew nuts and grind them finely.
• In a pan, mix sugar and cashew nuts, and roast on low heat, stirring constantly.
• Add saffron and orange color to the pan and roast them, till the mixture gets cooked properly.
• Remove the pan from flame.
• On the rolling board, place butter paper and pour the mixture on it.
• Now place another butter paper on top, sandwiching the mixture in-between the two papers.
• Flatten the mixture with the help of a rolling pin, moved over the butter paper.
• Remove the butter paper from top and place silver warak on top of the barfi.
• Cut the burfi pieces in diamond shape and serve.

Rawa Ladoo

Rawa Ladoo

Ingredients

• 2 cups Semolina (rawa)
• 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
• 1 cup Ghee
• 1 tbsp broken Cashew Nuts
• 1 tbsp Raisins, fried
• 1 tsp Cardamom Powder, fried

Method

• Heat 1 tsp. ghee in a pan and dry roast the rawa (semolina) till golden color.
• Grind the fried rawa and powdered sugar in a mixer, to make a fine powder.
• Heat the remaining ghee and add the powdered rawa, cashew nuts, raisins and cardamom powder. Mix thoroughly.
• While still warm, make the mixture into small lemon-sized balls.
• Cool the rawa ladoos and store them in an airtight container.

RASMALAI

RASMALAI

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Cows Milk or Ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 32 oz half & half milk
• A pinch of saffron
• 1/4 tsp crushed cardamom seeds
• 1/2 cup blanched almonds
• 2 tbsp crushed green pistachios

Method

• Mix the cheese with sugar and little cardamom powder and spread out on a baking tray.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or wait till it sets. It should not get brown.
• Remove from oven, cool at room temperature and cut into 2" squares. Place them in a dessert bowl.
• Mix the other ingredients, except the pistachios well in a separate dish and pour over the squares.
• Decorate with pistachios, chill for 2-3 hours and then serve.

Besan Ke Ladoo

Besan Ke Ladoo

 

Ingredients

• 4 cups Gram Flour
• 1 cup Pure Ghee
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp Powdered Cardamom
• 1/2 cup chopped Almonds and Raisins

Method

• Heat the ghee in a pan.
• Add the gram flour and fry it on a low flame stirring continuously till brown.
• Once it is browned, let it cool.
• Add powdered cardamom and sugar. Mix well.
• Add chopped almonds and raisins.
• Shape into ladoos and serve.

 

Karanji

KARANJI

Ingredients

For Stuffing:

• 1 cup grated dry coconut
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 pinch nutmeg powder
• 1 pinch dry ginger powder
• 4 elaichi
• 2 tsp maida
• 2 tsp poppy seeds
• 2 tbsp mixed dry fruit pieces
• For Dough:
• 1 cup maida
• 1 tsp ghee (butter)
• salt (pinch)
• warm milk (for doughing)

Method

• In order to prepare Karanji, you will have to first prepare dough and then prepare the stuffing. Once you are done with both of them, you simply need to fill the stuffing and deep fry the Karanji.

Dough Preparation:

• Mix 1 cup maida, 1 tbsp ghee, a pinch of salt and warm milk to prepare the dough, try to keep the dough a little hard.

Stuffing Preparation: 

•  Roast dry coconut.
•  Roast maida in ghee.
•  Roast poppy seeds.
•  Mix all the above ingredients and mill them finely.

Karanji Preparation:

• Roll small oval shaped puris from the hard dough.
• Now place the prepared stuffing in the middle of it.
• Stick both the corners of the puri by applying some water or milk so that it will seal properly. Remember not to apply too much of water as it will not seal properly.
• Deep fry it till it becomes brownish color.
• Serve it hot or cold as you wish.

Kheer

KHEER

Ingredients

• 1/4th cup Long grain Rice (washed and drained)
• 4-5 cups Milk
• 2-3 Cardamom Seeds (crushed)
• 2 tbsp. Almonds (blanched silvered)
• A pinch of Saffron Threads, soaked in a little hot milk
• 1 tbsp Pistachio Nuts (skinned & chopped)
• 1 tbsp Raisins (optional)
• 2-3tbsp Sugar

Method

• Put the rice, milk and cardamom in a pan, bring to boil and simmer gently until the rice is soft and the grains are starting to break up.
• Add almonds, pistachio, saffron and raisins and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
• Add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
• Remove from heat and serve either warm or chilled.

Gulab Jamun

GULAB JAMUN

Ingredients

• 1 cup Carnation Milk Powder
• 1/2 cup Bisquick - Pancake mix (Instead of Bisquick Pancake mix, use 1/2 cup all purpose flour and 1/2 tsp baking soda)
• 2 tablespoons butter -melted
• Whole milk just enough to make the dough
• 2 cups Sugar
• 1 cup water
• Oil for frying

Method

• Make the dough by combining the milk powder, Bisquick, butter. Add just enough whole milk to make a medium-hard dough.
• Divide the dough into 18-20 portions.
• Make balls by gently rolling each portion between your palms into a smooth ball. Place the balls on a plate. Cover with a damp yet dry kitchen towel.
• Heat the oil on high and then lower the heat to medium.
• Slip in the balls into the hot oil from the side of the pan, one by one. They will sink to the bottom of the pan, but do not try to move them. Instead, gently shake the pan to keep the balls from browning on just one side.
• After about 5 mins, the balls will rise to the surface. The Gulab Jamuns should rise slowly to the top if the temperature is just right. Now they must be gently and constantly agitated to ensure even browning on all sides.
• If the temperature of the oil is too high then the gulab jamuns will tend to break. So, adjust the temperature to ensure that the gulab jamuns do not break or cook too quickly.
• The balls must be fried very slowly under medium temperatures. This will ensure complete cooking from inside and even browning.
• The syrup should be made earlier and kept warm. To make the hot sugar syrup add mix the 2 cups of sugar to 1 cup of water. Add 4-5 cardamom pods, slightly crushed and a few strands of "Kesar". Mix with a spoon and then heat at medium heat for 5-10 minutes until sugar is all dissolved in water. Do not overheat, that will caramelize the sugar.
• Transfer this hot syrup into a Corning serving dish. Keep warm on stove. Add the fried gulab jamuns directly into the warm syrup.
• Leave gulab jamuns in syrup overnight for best results. They can be served warm or at room temperature.

Sooji Halwa

SOOJI HALWA

Ingredients:

• 3.5 cups whole almonds
• 1.5 cup milk
• 5 tbsps ghee
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp saffron strands (optional but recommended)
• A few drops of yellow food coloring (optional)
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder

Preparation:

• Put the almonds in a deep bowl and add enough hot water to them to cover them. Leave them to soak for 3-4 hours. Once the almonds have soaked, remove their skins. To do this press each almond between a thumb and forefinger and slide your thumb forward. This will make the almond slip out of its skin. Do this for all the almonds. Discard the skins.
• Put the skinless almonds into a blender and add the milk to them. Blend the mixture to form a coarse paste (the same consistency as sooji/ rawa).
• Set up a deep, heavy-bottomed pan on medium heat. When it is hot, add 3 tbsps of ghee to it. When the ghee melts, add the almond-milk mixture to it. Stir well.
• Now add the sugar to the mixture and stir to mix well.
• Now add the saffron strands and mix well.
• Cook the mixture on medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from scorching or burning. This can happen very easily, so be extra careful. Stir constantly!
• At one stage, as the liquid in the mixture begins to dry up, it will bubble and splash, so be very careful while stirring the mixture as droplets can burn you badly. It might actually help to wear an oven glove/ mitt to protect your hand from the splatters during this stage.
• Once the splattering stops (a sign that the Halwa is almost done), add the remaining ghee and the food coloring and stir well.
• Keep cooking the mixture until most of the moisture in it dries up. It will start to come away from the sides of the pan now and you will also see a small amount of the ghee beginning to separate from it.
• You will know the Halwa is ready when it no longer sticks to the pan at all. In fact when you look at the bottom of the pan, it will be clean!
• Take the Halwa off the heat and spoon it onto a flat platter or plate to cool.
• Serve warm or at room temperature in bowls, garnished with a pinch of thin almond slivers! Enjoy!

Badam Barfi

BADAM BARFI

Ingredients:

• 500gms unsalted, whole almonds
• 5 tbsps ghee
• 600ml thick cream
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder

Preparation:

• Put the almonds into a blender and grind them to form a coarse powder (the same consistency as sooji/ rawa).
• Set up a deep, heavy-bottomed pan on medium heat. When it is hot, add 3 tbsps of ghee to it. When the ghee melts, add the almond powder to it. Stir well.
• Roast the almond powder in the ghee until it starts to turn very, very slightly darker.
• Now add the cream, sugar and cardamom powder to it and stir to mix well.
• Cook the mixture on medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from scorching or burning. This can happen very easily, so be extra careful. Stir constantly!
• At one stage, as the 'liquid' in the mixture begins to dry up, it could bubble and splash, so be very careful while stirring the mixture as droplets can burn you badly. It might actually help to wear an oven glove/ mitt to protect your hand from the splatters during this stage.
• Once the splattering stops (a sign that the Halwa is almost done), add the remaining ghee and stir well.
• Keep cooking the mixture until most of the moisture in it dries up. It will start to thicken and become less pliable and come away from the sides of the pan now. You may also see a small amount of the ghee beginning to separate from it.
• You will know your Badam Fudge/ Badam Barfi is ready when it no longer sticks to the pan at all. In fact when you look at the bottom of the pan, it will be clean!
• Take the Fudge/ Barfi off the heat and spoon it onto a flat platter or plate to cool. Flatten it, with the back of a spoon, to smoothen the surface. You could, if you wish, garnish the Fudge/ Barfi with almond slivers! A lot of Indians garnish their almond fudge with edible silver foil also known as Varq (pronounced as 'Vurrk').
• While the Fudge/ Barfi is still warm, cut it into square or diamond shapes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Kadai Paneer

Kadai Paneer

Ingredients:

• 500 grams Paneer (cut into 1 inch triangle)
• 2 tsp Garlic Paste
• 2 tsp Ginger Paste
• 2 tsp Red Chili Powder
• 5 Medium Tomatoes (Chopped)
• ½ bunch Fresh Coriander Leaves
• 2 Medium Onion (Chopped)
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 2 inch Cinnamon Stick
• 2 Red Chilies
• 2 tbsp Coriander Seeds (crushed)
• 2 Cloves
• Oil
• Salt (to taste)   

How to make Kadai Paneer: 

• Heat up the oil in a pan  
• Add red chilies, coriander seeds, cloves and onion, fry for 2 min. 
• Add cinnamon, bay leaves, Ginger garlic paste, red chili powder, mix it well and cook. 
• Continue cooking for 2 more min. 
• Add tomatoes, salt and cook until tomatoes become soft. 
• Add paneer and stir gently. 
• Cook on low heat till paneer is done. 
• Garnish with coriander leaves.  

Apple Mango Salad

Apple Mango Salad

Ingredients: • 1 Mango (peeled & cubed)
• 1 Apple (peeled, cored and diced)
• 3/4 cup Cashews (toasted)
• 1 tbsp Vinegar
• 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Ginger
• 1 pinch Salt
 


How to make Apple Mango Salad: • Take a medium bowl, add all the ingredients. 
• Refrigerate it for 2 hours. 
• Enjoy it chilled. 
 

Jeera Aloo

 

Jeera Aloo

 

Ingredients: 

• 3 Potatotes (boiled, peeled and chopped) 
• 2 Green Chillies (finely chopped ) 
• 1 tbsp Coriander Leaves (finely chopped) 
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon 
• 1 tsp Cumin seeds 
• Salt to taste 
• 2 tbsp Oil  

 

How to make Jeera Aloo: 

• Heat oil and saute cumin seeds.  
• Now add chopped potatoes and chillies to it.  
• Stir and fry for about 5 minutes.  
• Add lemon juice, salt and coriander. Mix well.  
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.  
• Crispy Jeera Aloo is ready to serve.

Apple Salad

APPLE SALAD

Ingredients:

•  ½ cup Raisin
•  1 cup Sugar
•  ¾ cup Mayonnaise
•  1 cup Sour Cream
•  3 Bananas (sliced)
•  1 cup Pecan (chopped)
•  5 Red Apples (chunks)
•  2 cups Mini Marshmallows
•  1 cup Sweet Pineapple (chunks) 

How to make Apple Salad:

• Put all the ingredients in a large bowl and stir well to blend. 
•  Refrigerate the salad. 
•  Apple Salad is ready to serve.