Eggless, Whole Wheat Orange Cake

Ingredients:

Cake:

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp baking soda

1 Tbsp chia seeds

1 cup plain yogurt( I used homemade)

1/2 cup oil ( I used vegetable oil, you may use any consented oil)

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

3/4 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla essence

3 Tbsp orange zest( from 3 oranges)

1 orange, thinly sliced(optional)

Orange Glaze:

1/4 cup orange juice

1 3/4 cup icing sugar

2 Tbsp orange zest

1 tsp melted butter

How to proceed:

Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Sieve together whole wheat flour, baking powder and baking soda. Myself being a shortcut queen, I put all these ingredients in my vitamix blender jar and ran it for 5 seconds.

3. Take it in a deep, wide bowl. 

4. Add chia seeds and mix them well. Keep aside.

5. In the same blender jar, I added oil, milk and mixed it for 5 seconds. Alternately, you can just whisk it all together till well combined.

6.Add sugar and blend for 5 more seconds.

7. Add yogurt and blend well.

8. Add orange zest and vanilla essence and run the blender just for 1 second. We don't want to crush the orange zest.

9. Gently mix the wet ingredients in dry ingredients and fold to mix until well combined.

10. Add fresh orange juice to adjust the consistency of the batter.

11.Grease a loaf pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

12. arrange the orange slices on the bottom of the pan as per your liking. This is completely optional.

13.Add a cup of water in another baking pan( I used cookie sheet) and place it on the bottom rack of the oven.

14. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick/ knife stuck in the center comes out clean.

15.Let cool in the loaf pan for 5 mins before taking the cake out.

Orange glaze:

Whisk together all the ingredients together until well blended.

Pour the glaze over the cake. Slice and serve.

Enjoy the cake with tea/ coffee, at breakfast or as a dessert.

Undercover shortbread cookies

                                      This is MasterChef India inspired dish . This dish has five elements in it .Sounds difficult and time consuming ,right ? But not really . Are we women not good at multitasking ? The dish was presented to the guests of our restaurant ( that we're going to open in just 20 years ...lol) aka boys of the house in under 1 hour .

What we need :-

Strawberry - Red Chili Jam -

1 cup strawberry puree
1/2 cup sugar
1tsp lemon juice
1 tsp chili powder / fresh red chili finely chopped 
a pinch of cinnamon powder 

Pineapple - Mint Jam -

1 cup pineapple puree
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
4-5 fresh mint leaves finely chopped


Shortbread Cookies -

1/2 cup butter , cubed and chilled
1/2 cup sugar
1 vanilla bean pods / 1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/2 cup instant oats
2-3 Tbsps thinly sliced almonds and Pistachios 

Whipped Cream -

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp confectioner's sugar/ icing sugar
a pinch of saffron 
a generous pinch of cardamom powder

Jala Roti - ( this is optional )**

1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp powdered sugar
1 cup milk 
2 Tbsp butter , melted 


Garnish -

Few sliced strawberries
Few mint leaves

To Make :-

Strawberry - Chili Jam :- 

1) Mix strawberry puree and sugar in heavy bottom pan and cook till the mixture is thick .
2) When it starts sticking to the back of the spoon , add lemon juice , cinnamon powder and chopped red chilies / chili powder .
3) Simmer for 2 more minutes and let it cool .
4) Chill in the refrigerator .


Pineapple - Mint Jam :-

1)Mix pineapple puree and sugar in heavy bottom pan and cook till the mixture is thick .
2) When it starts sticking to the back of the spoon , add  cinnamon powder and chopped mint leaves .
3) Simmer for 2 more minutes and let it cool .
4) Chill in the refrigerator .


Whipped Cream :-

1) Heavy whipping cream and confectioner's sugar and mix till soft peaks start to form .
2) Add saffron and cardamom and mix for a minute more .
3) Chill .

Shortbread Cookies :-

1) Preheat the oven to 350 F / 180 C.
2) Mix butter and sugar and vanila in a large bowl .
3) Add sifted flour and mix.
4) Add oats and form into a ball .
5) Roll about 1/2 inch thick on a silicone mat .
6) Sprinkle chopped nuts and roll to press them on the cookies .
7) Cut the cookies in desired shapes .( I used round cutter )
8) Bake in preheated oven for 12-14 minutes .
9) Cool them completely before serving .

Jala Roti :-

1) Mix all the ingredients for jala roti and pour it in Jalebi bottle or clean empty mustard bottle .
2) Make pancakes on a hot skillet to make a lacy pancake .
3) Cook till golden brown  on both sides .
4) Set the hot pancake on a mason jar to form a rounded cone .


To assemble :

1) Add little jam on the base of the cookie .
2) Spoon little pineapple- mint jam on a cookie , topped with whipped cream .
3) Place another cookie on the whipped cream and top it with strawberry- chili jam .
4) Garnish with sliced strawberries and mint leaves .
5) Cover with the jala roti and serve .

Enjoy !!!


** You can use store bought pancake mix and melted butter to it to make the jala roti .**

Instant bread Gulabjamun

 

 

 

Ingreadients :

 

For Jamuns :-

 

8 Bread slices

2 Tbsp milk powder

1/4 cup milk

1/2 tsp rose essence

oil to fry the jamuns

 

For sugar syrup :-

 

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1/4 tsp rose essence

 

 

To Proceed :-

 

The Jamuns :-

 

1) Heat oil on medium low heat .

2) Remove the sides from the bread slices and and pulse them in the blender or food processor till there are fine crumbs .

3) Add milk powder and mix well .

4) Add rose essence and enough milk to make a soft dough .

5) Divide the dough in 20 balls .

6) Fry the balls till golden brown .

 

The syrup :-

 

Bring the sugar and water mixture to boil in a small saucepan . Lower the flame and simmer for 10 minutes .Add rose essence . Keep warm .

 

To  assemble :-

 

Add the fried balls in the sugar syrup and let them soak the syrup .It does not take more than 10-15 minutes .

 

serve warm or cold as per your liking .

 

Enjoy !!!

 

 

 

 



Yogurt , Cream Cheese strawberry tortilla rolls

Ingredients Needed -

8 tortillas
6 oz cream cheese ( softened)
1/4 cup Greek yogurt ( plain / vanilla / strawberry- I used plain )
1 tbsp sugar ( not needed if using flavored yogurt )
1 tsp vanilla ( not needed if using flavored yogurt )
1 cup sliced/chopped strawberries
1/8 cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon powder ( optional )
Oil to shallow fry
8 Toothpicks


To proceed -

1) mix cream cheese and yogurt along with sugar and vanilla till smooth and creamy .
2) fold in the strawberries .
3) heat oil in a shallow pan on medium heat .
4) mix sugar and cinnamon in a plate .
5) spread the mixture on a tortilla and roll it up like a burrito.
6) secure the roll with the toothpick .
7) shallow fry the roll while turning to get all the sides golden brown . It takes less than 15 seconds .
8) drain on a paper towel and roll it in the cinnamon sugar mix .

Serve and enjoy !!!!

Paushtik Kheer

       You most probably won't believe me if I tell you my kids LOVE rice and lentils . They can ( read they do )eat it for each and every meal and today when I asked them what they would like for snack , all they said was Varan- Bhat / Dal- Chawal / Steamed rice with plain lentils. I sometimes get sooo tired of just the sight of this, I decided to give it a different look . And yes, the kids loved it . Its a protein packed drink and very yummy too .

     What we need :

1/2 cup cooked Rice ( leftover can be used )
1 cup cooked Toor Dal
2 cups of Milk
1 cup grated jiggery
2 Tbsp Almond powder
1/2 tsp Cardamom powder
a pinch of Nutmeg powder
a pinch of Saffron
2 Tbsp MTR Badam milk powder ( optional )*
1 Tbsp Everest milk masala ( optional)*

To Proceed :

1) Grind rice and dal along with some milk to make a smooth paste .
2) Use remaining milk to clean the jar .
3) Heat on medium low heat till thoroughly heated .
4) Add grated jiggery and let it dissolve .
5) Add almond powder , cardamom -nutmeg powder and saffron .
6) Bring to a low boil .
7) Turn the stove off.

Enjoy warm or cold . You can add chopped cashews,almonds or any other dry fruit of your choice .

* I did not use any of them though .*

2 minute eggless moist chocolate mug cake in microwave

What we need :

4 Tbsp All purpose flour / Maida
3 Tbsp Sugar
2 Tbsp Cocoa powder
3 Tbsp Oil / Melted butter /Melted Ghee
3 Tbsp Milk
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1/4 tsp Vanilla Essence
1 tsp Chocolate chips ( optional )

To Proceed :

Mix all the ingredients in the given order in a coffee mug till well blended and smooth . Make sure the cup is only half full so that it has enough space to rise . Microwave on high for two minutes . Serve warm . You can even serve it with a scoop of ice cream .

Enjoy !!!

Besan Halwa / Chick pea Flour dessert

What we need :

1 cup besan / chick pea floue
1/2 cup ghee / clarified butter
3/4 cup sugar
a pinch of saffron
1 cup warm milk
1/2 cup warm water
2 tbsp. chopped cashews and almonds
1 tbsp. raisins
1/2 tsp cardamom powder


To Proceed :

1) Heat ghee or clarified butter in a deep , heavy bottom pan .
2) Add besan to it and roast till it turns golden brown and the divine , magical aroma fills the house .
3) Dissolve saffron in a tbsp. of warm milk .
4) Add saffron milk along with warm milk and water .
5) Mix well , cover and let it cook for 5 minutes .
6) Remove the cover and mix well .
7) Add sugar and nuts ,raisins and cardamom powder . Mix well .
8) Cover and let it cook for 5 more minutes .
9) Serve warm .

Enjoy !!!

Ninav...Traditional Indian cake

               Living abroad means kids don't get to taste grandma's , great grandma's food . I want to bring those recipes in my kitchen . I try to tell them how my grandma or their dad's grandma used to make some of these for us .
     
               Ninav literally means ' with no name ...anonymous ..' . I really don't know how this dish got it's name . It's a traditional Maharashtrian dessert which is packed with goodness of whole wheat flour , besan or chick pea flour , coconut milk and jiggery . Since I got the Nutrimill , I can grind the grains of desired coarseness . This recipe is made with coarser flour but tastes equally good with the regular flours . 

Ingredients :

2 cups Besan/chick pea flour
1/2 cup Whole wheat flour
1/4 cup Ghee/ clarified butter
2 cups coconut milk
1 cup grated jaggery
1 tsp cardamom powder
1/4 tsp nutmeg powder
2 tbsp. nuts to garnish

To Proceed :

This recipe can be made both in the oven or microwave .

1) Heat ghee in a heavy bottom pan .
2) Roast besan and wheat flour together till a nice aroma fills the entire house and the flour changes it's color to golden brown . Turn the heat off .
3) Meanwhile dissolve the jaggery in the coconut milk and season with cardamom and nutmeg powder .
4) Add the roasted flour to the coconut milk and stir to make sure there are no lumps .

** *Oven :
1) Preheat the oven to 400 F .
2) Grease a baking tray and pour the mixture in it .
3) Bake in a pre heated oven for 30-35 minutes .

*** Microwave :
1) Grease a microwave safe deep dish .
2) Pour the mixture .
3) Microwave on high for 12 minutes .

5) Let the cake cool for 5 minutes .
6) Garnish with nuts and serve.

Enjoy!!!!

Eggless , sugarfree Nachani/Ragi cake

 
                   The kiddos are growing up fast and I am still holding on to the recipes I used to prepare when Jr. was young . A new mom always wants to feed her new baby the healthiest stuff on this planet and that leads her in search of  recipes that fulfill her requirement . This is one of such recipes that is packed with good stuff required not only for kids but for a person of any age also . This cake does not contain white flour and sugar is replaced by iron packed dates .


Ingredients :

Dry :
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup Nachani / Ragi / Finger Millet flour
2 tbsp. chopped nuts ( optional )
1 tbsp. cocoa powder ( optional )
1 tsp cardamom powder
1 pinch nutmeg powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda

Wet :
3/4  cups chopped dates
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup yogurt , thick , not strained
1/4 cup water - to grind the dates

To Proceed :

1) Grind the dates with enough water to make thick date puree .
2) Preheat the oven to 350 F .
3) Grease the cake pan .
4) Sift all the dry ingredients and keep aside .
5) Mix the date puree with rest of the wet ingredients for about 2-3 minutes .
6) Mix the wet and dry ingredients together gently .
7) Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or till the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean .
8) Cool for 5 minutes .
9) Serve warm or cold as per your liking .
10) Cool it completely if you wish to frost it .

Enjoy !!

Beautiful doll cake for even more beautiful girl

No fuss pineapple mousse

                When Princess Pea and Junior decided to have their friends over for a play date , the main thing I have to worry about is what to feed their them . This dessert is an instant hit with kids as well as their parents . It's smooth , velvety texture is complimented with pineapple bites .This is a super easy dessert which is ready in no time at all .

Ingredients :

1 can crushed Pineapple
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup heavy cream , whipped
2 Tbsp instant Gelatin
1/2 cup whipped cream for topping


To Proceed :

1) Drain the crushed pineapple and reserve the juice .
2) Dissolve the gelatin in 1/2 cup boiling water .
3) Beat the condensed milk on medium speed for 2 minutes .3) Add 1/2 cup of reserved juice and mix again for a minute .
4) Add crushed pineapple and mix well .
5) Add the dissolved gelatin and mix again .
7) Fold the whipped cream . It can be mixed at low speed also for a minute .
8) Pour in dessert cups and let the mousse set in the refrigerator for 10 minutes .
9) Top with some more whipped cream .


Enjoy !!!!

*** Cool whip can be used in place of  whipped heavy cream .***
*** Unflavored / flavored ( lemon / Pineapple ) gelatin can be used .***
*** If you like sweet whipped cream as topping , you can add 1 Tbsp sugar to 1/2 cup heavy cream while whipping it .***
*** If you like chunkier texture , you can replace crushed pineapple with canned pineapple chunks.***

Spiced Chocolate Rice

Ingredients :

Rice - 1 cup
Water - 1 cup
Milk - 3/4 cup
Grated ginger - 1/8 tsp
Green cardamom - 2
Cloves - 2
Ghee - 1tsp + 1tsp
Salt to taste
Chocolate chips - 1/2 cup
Milk , warm - 1/4 cup
Sugar - 2 tsp

For Garnish :

few grapes
strawberries

How to :

1) Wash and drain the rice . Keep aside for 10 minutes .
2) Heat ghee in pan andadd green cardamom and cloves to it .
3) Add grated ginger and washed rice and fry for 2 minutes.
4) Boil milk and water together and add to the rice.
5) Cook the rice completely .
6) Cool the cooked rice .
7) Melt the chocolate chips in microwavr for 1 minute or in double boiler .
8) Add warm milk to it .
9) Add sugar and mix well .
10) Heat 1 tsp ghee in a pan .
11) Add cooled rice and the chocolate in the milk to it .
12) Cook till all the chocolate milk is absorbed in the rice .
13) Cover and steam for 2 minutes.
14) Garnish with sliced grapes and strawbrries .
15 ) Serve warm .

** This dish can be made with leftover plain rice too . In that case , heat ghee ,add cardamom and cloves , grated ginger and then cooked rice to it .
** You can use any favorite chocolate bar for this recipe .
** You can add fruits directly to the rice before serving .

Dry fruit truffles

                      The kiddos will eat anything with chocolate . So will their friends . That made me decide this year I was going to gift chocolates to my kiddo's friends . Jr always says ," everything comes with a catch ". The catch here is these are healthy chocolates . Luckily none of the kiddo's  friends are allergic to anything . I had to make these when kiddos were at school as it gives me the best opportunity to sneak in many things . The truffles have dates ,almonds ,pistachios , raisins , walnuts ,peanuts ,cranbeeries and spices like cardamom ,nutmeg and saffron . The options are endless . Only thing to remember is dates and raisins help to bind all the dry fruit and add natural sweetness .

Ingredients :

1cup dates
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup cranberries
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup almonds
1/4 cup peanuts
1/4 cup pistachios
1/4 tsp cardamom powder
1/8 tsp nutmeg powder
a few strands of saffron
3 cups wilton candy melt wafers


To proceed :

1) Line a cookie sheet with wax paper .
2) Grind all the dry fruits in fruit processor till the mixture comes together .
3) Add the cardamom and nutmeg powder and saffropn and pulse for couple of times.
4) Shape the dry fruit mixture in desired sized balls .
5) Melt the candy melts according to the package direction .
6) Dip the dry fruit balls in melted chocolate and keep them on the wax paper to harden .
7) The chocolate hardens in less than 10 minutes .
8) Wrap them individually in candy wrapper or keep in an airtight container .

         

                   Jr's friends liked it so much they have requested the same gift on the friendship day ..Yay...

Dessert Pasta in white chocolate sauce

                    Which kid does not like pasta and chocolate . One sunday morning when Princess Pea and I were enjoying our quiet time together in the wee hours , somehow the talks drifted to food . She started talking about how she had always dreamt about pasta in chocolate sauce . A thought flashed in my mind and I decided to make the recipe exactly the same way she was telling me . Belive me , I was not sure of the outcome but still decided to go ahead only to please Princess Pea . When we tasted this dish , it was absolutely divine . Let me not waste my time and tell you how this dish was created .

Ingredients :-

1 cup pasta of your choice ( we used penne)
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup freshly sqeezed orange juice
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp butter
1/8 tsp vanilla
strawberries ,banana sliced
oranges wedges

To proceed :

1) Cook the pasta according to the pakage directions and drain the water . Refresh in cold water , drain and keep aside .
2) Melt heavy cream and white chocolate chips in a double boiler till the chocolate is melted and thickened to coat the back of the spoon .
3) Melt butter in a heavy bottom pan . Add orange juice and honey and cook till the sauce is thickened .
4) Melt the semi sweet chocolate chips .
5) Toss the pasta in white chocolate sauce .
6) Add sliced bananas ,strawberries and orange wedges.
7) Garnish with melted semi sweet chocolate .

             

Santra Bhat / Orange flavored sweet rice

                             Yesterday Mr AJ came home from work with a ginormous box of Florida oranges . And the oranges are huge . Though happy , my first thought was how are we going to finish so many oranges before they go bad ? Without realizing both of us were going down the memory lane . Winter ,the month of December , the winter assembly session and market full of oranges . We come from the Orange city ,Nagpur . It's the time when you feel refreshed with the sweet and citrusy scent of oranges in the air . I remember my childhood days when dad would come home with 'shekda ' meaning 100 oranges and we never worried about finishing them . A guest was welcomed with a basket full of oranges and family and formal gatherings were incomplete without them . The sweets shops were always busy with the santra burfi as the ministers ,their staff and people from mantralaya would place large orders of santra burfi and oranges  to distribute and take home . On home front mom would make Santra Bhaat which is a variation of Sakharbhaat . The memories of home made me make this dish today .

                              Traditionally this is a part of main course and made on special occasions . It's made when oranges are in season as they are super sweet and not tangy . The rice is easy to make and is done in no time . This can be eaten warm as a main course or chilled or at room temperature as a dessert . The oranges I have are so big , I decided to serve the bhaat in orange peel rather than in a dish . That enhances the flavor of the bhaat and give it a nice aroma . Let's roll our sleeves and head to the kitchen ...

Ingredients :

1 cup rice
2 Tbsp Ghee
4 cloves
1 cup chopped orange segments
1 cup water
1 cup freshly sqeezed orange juice
1 Tbsp orange zest
1/4 cup sugar
pinch of salt
6 pods of cardamom
2 Tbsp almond and pistachio slivers

Garnish :

1 Tbsp pistachio slivers
a few orange segments
remaing orange halves left after juicing

To proceed :

1) Wash and soak the rice for half  hour .
2) Drain the water from rice .
3) Heat ghee in a heavy bottom pan and add cloves to it .
4) Add the rice and roast till the grains look shiny .
5) Boil 1 cup of water and add it to the rice .
6) Add a pinch of salt .
7) Cook the rice halfway .
8) Add chopped orange segments and continue cooking .
9) Powder the cardamoms along with sugar .
10 ) When the rice is 80% done add freshly squeezed orange juice and sugar cardamom powder and the orange zest .
11) Cover and cook till the rice is done .
12 ) Add almond and pistachio slivers and cover and let it steam for 2 mins .

To serve :
 Serve in orange halves and garnish with slivered pistachios and orange segments .

**Orange zest actually gives that orangy aroma to the rice .
** If the orange half is not sitting well , you can cut a thin slice to make it flat .
** If you don't want the rice to touch the orange half , you can line it with a paper cupcake liner and fill it with the rice .

Enjoy !!!

Avocado Basundi

                                  Yes...I am not confused nor is this typo.. We at the Kane's Coop love avocadoes . We can have it at every meal and eat them as they are as a snack also . I have already tried avocado in many Indian recipes but not in any dessert . After many days I was having the urge to try something new . I wanted to make something totally new ,dramatic and something that you can not find after google search . All of us have a very sweet tooth .  Mr AJ  surprised me with my favorite roses and I decided to surprise him with Avocado basundi .
                                 
                                   Basundi is a milk derived sweet like most of the Indian sweets .It is a speciality from Maharashtra . Milk is reduced to half of the quantity and flavored with sugar and Indian spices as cardamom and nutmeg . Avocado being creamy and slightly on a sweeter ( some even call it bland ) side worked well for this recipe . Addition of avocado makes this dish healthier than the original recipe ; as I did not have to reduce the milk and it still turned out to be as creamy as the original recipe . I reduced the amount of sugar in it as avocado added it's own sweetness to it . It gave a very nice light green color to the dish . And most importantly Jr and Princess Pea approved it .

We need :

1 Avocado ,mashed
2 cups Milk
6 Tbsp sugar
2 cardamoms powdered
a pinch of nutmeg powder
4 Pistachios blanched and sliced to garnish

To proceed  :

1) Boil 2 cups of milk in a heavy bottomed pan and simmer for 5 minutes .
2) Add sugar ,cardamom -nutmeg powder .
3) Add mashed avocado and simmer it for another 2-3 mins. After adding the avocado the milk will be creamy .
3) Garnish with pistachio slices .

This can be served warm or chilled with puri , chapati like the way Maharashtrians eat or in a bowl as a dessert .

Oats dry fruit laddu

            My dad has a very sweet tooth . He can actually have dessert from breakfast to dinner . I remember my childhood days when my dad would eat laddu with chapati also . I know , it's hard to believe . Someone eating laddu as a side...yes...that's my dad . So when the doctor told him to control his sugar intake as the sugar levels are on borderline and need to be monitored , guys you would guess right ..There is a BIG PROBLEM .. A meal without sweets..No way ; my dad would say . Doctor asked him to eat oats also which he does not like . He does not like the texture of the cooked oats . That was a challange for my mom . She asked me to make something that is without added sugar but still sweet . So the solution to this problem is here . Oats dry fruit laddu...Packed with nutrients ,fibers and lots of love.. And they taste like the "Dink laddu or edible gum laddu" .

We need :

1 cup Oats
20 Seedleess dates
5 dried apricots
fistful dried cranberries
10 almonds
10 walnuts
10-15 pistachio nuts
2 Tbsp Flax seeds
1 tsp white Seasame seeds
1/2 tsp Khaskhas (poppy seeds)
1/2 tsp methi seeds ( Fenugreek seeds)
1 tsp Everest milk masala
2 tsp Ghee ( clarified butter)
2 Tbsp coconut powder

To proceed :

1) Roast oats in microwave for 2 minutes till you can smeel the toasty ,nutty  oats.
2) Roast almonds,pistachios ,walnuts,flax seeds ,seasame seeds,khaskhas,methi seeds seperately for 2 minutes each .
3) Coarsly powder the oats and the rest of the roasted ingredients .
4) Grind dates,apricots and cranberries together in a food processor .
5) Mix the powdered oats and dry fruits with date-apricot mixture .
6) Add milk masala .
7) Add ghee and form small laddu .
8) Roll the laddu in coconut powder .


The laddus are ready to eat . You can change the dry fruits and their quantity as per your liking . You can adjust the sweetness by adding or reducing the dates .

I can not say how long the laddus will last as they were gone in less than 2 hours in my home . :)

Enjoy them in this cold weather friends ..

Microwave Modak

                           Ganesh Chartuthi brings with it excitement , peace,happiness and positivity . We miss the festive atmosphere here but still the heart is bouncing with joy . Every year I make modak and every passing year the kids enjoy it more . This year I planned to make modak in the microwave . What is the use of all these appliances if you don't use them . so here comes microwave modak..

Dough :

1 cup rice flour
1 cup water
1 tsp oil
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp sabudana powder (optional : if you are not sure how old the rice flour is ..)

To make dough :

1) Add salt and oil to water in a microwave safe bowl . Microwave on high for 2  mins .
2) Add rice flour and using sabudana flour . Mix well , cover and microwave on high for 2 -3 mins till the mixture looks shiny .
3) Knead the dough in the food processor .


Filling :
1 cup grated coconut
1 cup jaggery
1/2 tsp cardamom powder


To make filling :

1) In a microwave safe bowl mix grated coconut and jaggery .
2) Microwave on high for 4 mins till the mixture looks dry and sticky .
3) Add cardamom powder and mix well .
4) Keep aside and let it cool .

To mold :

1) Take a small ball of the dough .
2) Roll it with your palms to about 3"diameter .
3) Add 1 tbsp of filling in it .
4) Make 8-10 folds in the dough .( Traditionally we make 21 folds in the dough )
5) Shape and close the modak as it looks in the picture .

To steam :

In microwave :
1) Add water in a microwave safe bowl . Keep one small bowl filled with water in the bowl and cover with a plate that will fit in that pot .
2) Wet the paper towel on the plate .
3) Dip the modak in water and place on the wet towel .
4) Cover and steam for 4 mins .

In rice cooker :
1) Boil water in the rice cooker .
2) Lay the wet paper towel on the steamer or a sieve .
3) Place the modak on the towel and steam for 10 mins .

To serve :
Place the modak on a plate .Add a tsp of ghee and serve warm .


Enjoy....Ganapati Bappa Morya !!!!
              

Dasara Special : Jalebi with Rabdi

                                       I wish everyone a very Happy Dasara .. I was missing my home terribly on the day of Dasara . Being in Bangalore for almost 8 years made Dasara very special . The markets get ready for the festive season and people start planning for the 10 days school break . Dasara in Maharashtra is totally different from that in Karnataka .But the spirit is the same .Now living abroad makes it all different . You have normal everyday routine on the festivals too. Kids have school , activities and homework . I was listening to my family planning the Dasara sweets . And I miss all of that.. My MIL always talks about this particular dessert and I decided to surprise my family with their favorite dessert ..Jalebi( we call it Jilabi in marathi ) with Rabdi .This is an instant version though the traditional method is always the best .

Jalebi :

1cup all purpose flour
1 tbsp corn flour / besan
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp dry yeast
1/2 cup lukewarm water
2 tsp yogurt
1 tsp ghee/oil
pinch of saffron powder / turmeric powder /orange food color
oil for frying

Sugar Syrup :

1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
a pinch of saffron
juice of 1 lemon
1/4 -1/2 tsp rose essence(optional )

To make the Jalebi :

1) Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm water .Let it sit for 5 mins .
2) In a bowl mix all purpose flour,ghee,sugar,and saffron powder together .
3) Add yogurt to it .
4) Add the yeast mixture in the dry ingredients and make a smooth ,lump free ,ribbon consistency batter .You may need to add some water to it .
5) cover the bowl and let sit for 1/2 hour .
6) The batter looks spongy when fermented .
7) Fill the Jalebi batter in jalebi making bottle /empty clean ketchup bottle/icing bag .
8) Heat oil in a pan .
9) Pipe the Jalebi in circular motion to desired size .
10) Fry till golden brown on both sides .
11) Put in the warm sugar syrup just for a few second .
12) Drain and Keep on a plate .

To make Sugar Syrup :

1) Dissolve sugar in water in a heavy bottom pan and let it boil .
2) Reduce the heat and simmer till it reaches one string consistency .
3) Add cardamom powder ,lemon juice ,rose water and saffron to it .
4) Turn off the stove .

Instant Rabdi :
1can evaporated milk
1 can condense4d milk
2 tbsp cashew powder
2 tbsp corn flour
1/4 tsp cardamom powder

To make Rabdi :
 
1) Mix evaporated milk and condensed milk in a microwave safe bowl .
2) Microwave on high for 8 mins stirring every 2 mins .
3) Add cashew powder and MW on high for 2 mins .
4) Add cornflour and MW on high for 2 mins stirring every 30 seconds .
5) Add cardamom powder .
6) Rabdi will further become thick after cooling down .

To Garnish :
 
     Sliced pistachios ,almonds and saffron strands .

Assemble the Dessert :

1) Spoon some Rabdi on a plate .
2) Place Jalebies over it .
3) Spoon some more rabdi .
4) Garnish with chooped almond,pistacios and saffron .