Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Kesar Kheer







I am the only one who love Kheer like crazy in my home. No matter what but I was making kheer almost every week,but now not anymore.:(

I always make extra rice so I can make kheer, lol

Very traditional sweet which is popular all over the world. Very easy to make without any super cooking skill and very easy dessert which you can make so quickly. It is very flavourful and aromatic creamer sweet. And you know now my saffron love!!!!

I like to use saffron in all dishes. 


Ingredients:

1/2 cup long grain jasmine rice
1/2 cup sugar
a pinch of saffron (kesar)
3 cups milk
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 1/4 cup water
2 cardamoms
1/4 tablespoon almonds
1/4 tablespoon raisins
1/4 tablespoon cashew nuts

1/4 tablespoon pistachio nuts


Procedure:

  1. Wash the rice and drain.. 
  2. Soak the saffron in one tablespoon of warm milk and keep aside. 
  3. Blanch and slice the almonds, slice the pistachio and break the cashew nuts into small pieces. Clean the raisins if necessary.
  4.  Add the rice in wide medium pot on medium heat. 
  5. Add the milk, saffron soaked in warm milk and the water. Cook for a few minutes on moderate heat until the rice is done. Now add the sugar, whipping cream and cook further on low heat until the sugar has blended and the mixture thickens. 
  6. Remove from fire and allow to cool, if you wish to serve it chilled.
  7.  When about to serve, add half of the nuts and mix well. Pour the kheer into individual bowls. Garnish with the rest of the nuts and raisins. 
  8. Serve chilled or hot.



Mohanthal




Mohanthal my favourite  famous Rajasthani and Gujarati Sweet. Its's signature dish which you never say no once you see it.My mom makes the best mohanthal and i have  tried it so many times but  I never got the same taste and texture as she served.Now  I have started trying this and following my mom's instructions and  I got proper texture and taste but still her love and taste is missing.

Well it has lots of calories but once in a while you can enjoy the super delicious Mohanthal. I usually love to make it in festival, so I can eat without guilt ,lolll

Tricky thing is sugar syrup. so you should follow these steps:


  1. One-thread consistency is when a single thread is formed (and does not break) when your forefinger and your thumb are pulled apart gently. 
  2. Two-thread consistency is when two threads are formed (and do not break) when your forefinger and your thumb are pulled apart gently. This stage is also called the soft-ball stage - when a drop of syrup of this consistency is dropped into a bowl of cold water, it forms a soft ball. 
  3. Three-thread consistency is when three threads are formed (and do not break) when your forefinger and your thumb are pulled apart gently. This stage is also called the hard-ball stage - when a drop of syrup of this consistency is dropped into a bowl of cold water, it forms a hard ball 




Ingredients:

2 cups Besan (gram flour) 
1 1/2 cup clarified butter (ghee)
8 cardamom crushed into powder
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cup water 
1/3 cup full fat milk
4 tablespoon almonds chopped 
4 tablespoon pistachio chopped
2 tablespoon poppy seeds
saffron strands




Sugar syrup:

  1. Heat water and sugar in pot on medium heat
  2. Stir the liquid and let it boil
  3. Add few drops of milk in syrup ,so impurity of sugar will come out on top of the syrup. take it out from syrup. 
  4. stir the syrup and check the consistency of syrup. it should be 1 1/2 thread consistency .
  5. once you get the consistency switch off the stove and keep aside.





.


Procedure:

  1. Place the gram flour in a wide bowl.
  2. Heat ghee and pour half of it over the flour.
  3. Rub the ghee into the gram flour with the palms till it resembles bread crumbs.
  4. Heat the remaining ghee.
  5. Add the flour and stir continuously till golden brown.
  6. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  7. Add the golden browned gram flour to the sugar syrup and stir well.
  8. add saffron and cardamom powder and stir.
  9. Pour into a greased tray and spread evenly.Garnish with almonds,poppy seeds and pistachios and allow to cool for 4 to5 hours.
  10. Cut into squares.



Saturday, June 27, 2015

Cranberry Pistachio Eggless Cookies



You dont need to wait for christmas for cookies, right?!!!

 Love baking but don't like to clean up messy kitchen. :(

These cranberry pistachio cookies were made several time during year and on christmas but didn't get chance to post recipe. My so many friends are always asking for eggless recipe. not a big deal to replace eggs with substitute but you have to do trial and error (in my case lol) until it becomes perfect. 

I love pistachio because whenever you make any cookies, cake or sweets pistachio change them dramatically delicious by its garnishing and flavor . 

I never tried fresh cranberry but will soon. I used dried one and works awesome.

Vegan cookies!
http://www.happycow.net/north_america/canada/alberta/edmonton/





Ingredients : (makes 60 cookies)

1 cup Unsalted butter at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon pure Vanilla extract
1/4 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup apple sauce
2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup sweetened dried chopped cranberry 
1/2 cup chopped pistachio

Procedure:

  1. Using an electric stand mixer or hand mixer , cream together butter, sugar, vanilla extracts and salt until smooth, for about 2 to 3 min. 
  2. Scrape down sides of bowl so no lumps resides in dough
  3. Add applesauce and mix well. 
  4. Slowly add flour, cranberries and pistachios along with the dry ingredients. 
  5. Divide dough in half and, using a piece of parchment paper, roll dough into shape like logs about 1 1/2'' thick and 12 or 14 ''long. 
  6. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about half an hour.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). 
  8. Use parchment paper to line baking sheet so cookies wont stick on baking sheet and easily come out.
  9. Remove dough from fridge and unwrap .
  10. Slice dough into approximately 1/2'' thick rounds or your choice of shape and place on  baking sheet, 
  11. Keep spaced about 1'' apart. 
  12. Bake on middle rack of oven until light golden on rim and firm for 10 to 12 minutes depends on the oven.
  13.  Remove and  transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  14. Store in airtight container.
  15. Enjoy with tea or coffee!!!




  

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Organic Tofu Sandwich


Everybody loves sandwiches. Easy to make and for perfect lunch as well. My kids are not fussy about food, sometimes yes but on and average never complain because I daily make different lunch for them. 

Breakfast and lunch is the main meal for all of us to be pumped up for energetic day. And if you choose healthy option then would be icing on cake. 

Generally kids doesn't like to eat green leafy and raw vegetables. So, if you mixed them with some tasty options then they would love it.

Tofu, paneer, beans, fruits and vegetables are best combination for vegetarian sandwiches. I am surprised now that even my husband is returning to veg. options, Great move!!!

I have used Sunrise brand tofu.
http://www.sunrise-soya.com/

No more wait to start writing recipe and excited to share with you all

Ingredients: (serves 4)

200 grams Organic firm tofu
1 cup Zucchini shredded
1/2 cup celery finely chopped
1/2 cup  red pepper chopped
1/2 cup green spring onion chopped
4 Italian Ciabatta bun
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon chiliflakes
1/4 cup marble cheese(optional) 
cooking oil spray
Green leaf lettuce
tomato slices
Low fat light Mayonnaise 
salt and pepper



Procedure:






  1. Heat medium frying pan on medium flame and spray cooking oil.
  2. Add onion,celery,zucchini,peppers and saute for 3-4 minutes
  3. Add slices of firm tofu. Add salt. pepper and chili flakes and saute for 3 minutes.
  4. add honey and mix it.
  5. Add cheese if you want. its optional
  6. Keep aside this mixture and toast ciabatta buns in frying pan  to make it bit softer.
  7. Apply mayonnaise on buns and put lettuce on it.
  8. place mixture on top of lettuce and then topping with slice of tomato.
Enjoy!!!




Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Coconut Barfi










Life is so busy  with so many activities. Management is the skill which we all have to learn, lol I am trying too but slow learner. 

After long awaited season of summer is here. Fully packed with so many events and one is my soon coming even KB Trunk Show By Shankar Couture for Designer sarees, Dresses, stoles, organic cotton scarfs, tops and more on 14th June to 17th June.

Visit my Facebook page and join me if you are living in Edmonton and if not then you can buy it online too soon.
https://www.facebook.com/kbtrunkshow.byshankarcouture?ref=hl



I Love coconut. do you?

I love everything about coconut, so many ways to use it in food and health. healthiest option for cooking.
You know what it really scary to break fresh coconut and i had bad experience . so be careful!. 
I made coconut barfi from fresh coconut. but you can buy ready made dry coconut flakes too.






Ingredients:

  • Fresh grated coconut – 2 cups
  • Powdered Sugar – 1 ½ cups
  • Milk – 1 tablespoon or whipping cream 1 tablespoon
  • Ghee – 2 teaspoons
  • Saffron Strands (Kesar) – ¼ teaspoon
  • Cardamom Powder – ¼ teaspoon
  • Pistachios sliced – for garnishing 
  • Water – 1 ¼ cup
  • 1/2 cup khoya (mava)

Method:
  • Grease 8"x 8 " pan with ghee and keep it aside.
  • Take saffron and 1 tablespoon milk in a small bowl. Heat it in microwave for few seconds and then mix. So it gives nice natural yellow color. Keep it aside 
  •  Take coconut, sugar and milk in a pan.
  • Mix well and turn on the heat on medium.
  •  Cook it for 15-17 minutes while stirring continuously.
  • Cook it till all liquid evaporates and mixture leaves the sides.
  • Then add saffron-milk mixture, cardamom powder and khoya.
  •  Mix well and cook it for 10 minutes while stirring continuously. 
  • Transfer to greased pan and spread it evenly.
  • Top it up with sliced almonds or pistachios. 
  •  Let it cool completely. Then divide it into equal pieces.
  •  Serve and store leftover in air tight container. Enjoy!!!!