dessert – Batter Up With Sujata

Oats Date Dry Fruits Modak / Sugar Free Modak

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi. May God bless you all 🙏 Celebrating 5th year blog anniversary. Thanks to all my readers for your love support and encouragement. 5 years with 500 posts, its possible because of you. Thanks a lot to everyone.

Oats date dry fruits modak. Not authentic but a super healthy sweet for health conscious people. Sugar free and low calorie delicious modak made with reduced skimmed milk, oats, dates and dry fruits. Sweetened with natural sweetener dates and raisins only. A healthy treat for kids and adults both.

You can make modak by using modak mould or shape with your hand or make barfi or fudge. I have made modak using modak mould. You can easily shape them into modak with your hands. And used my sandesh mould to shape remaining mixture.

Earlier shared three more modak recipes.

Stuffed chocolate modak

Quick dry fruit coconut modak

Gulkand stuffed chocolate modak

I have used gluten free oats to make these modak. Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. Many studies have shown that the beta-glucan fiber in oats is effective at Oats are an incredibly nutritious food packed with important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. In addition, they’re high in fiber and protein compared to other grains. Oats contain some unique components — in particular, the soluble fiber beta-glucan and antioxidants called avenanthramides. Benefits include lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, protection against skin irritation and reduced constipation. In addition, they are very filling and have many properties that should make them a weight loss friendly food. At the end of the day, oats are among the healthiest foods you can eat. To read more benefits of oats click here.

Earlier shared some oats recipes on this blog. Get the recipes here.

Modak sweetened with dates.

Dates boast an impressive nutrient profile but are quite sweet. Yet, they’re packed with fiber, which helps your body absorb its sugars more slowly. When eaten in moderation, they’re a safe and healthy choice for people with diabetes. Source

According to experts, diabetics can also benefit from the high fiber content of dates. It is okay to eat 2-3 dates a day for diabetics so long as they exercise caution and maintain healthy eating habits overall. Source

So diabetic people can also enjoy these modak but in moderation. You may like some more recipes with dates on this blog. Click on the name below for recipe.

1. Sugar free carrot cake

2. Sugar free carrot bottle gourd fudge or barfi

3. Sugar free mawa nariyal peda

4. Sugar free sheer khurma or vermicelli pudding

5. Sugar free date sandesh

6. Sugar free mango coconut laddu

7. Date walnut fudge or barfi

8. Sugar free low calorie gajar halwa

9. Date walnut muffins

10. Vegan smoothie bowl

11. Date oats cookies

12. Watermelon date tulsi almond smoothie

Sending this post to 261 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Milky Way suggested by Swaty Malik who blog at Food Trails. Swaty suggested to share recipes with any form of milk. I am sharing a recipe with khoya/mawa or reduced milk. Swaty has a wonderful blog with many mouthwatering and healthy recipes. You will definitely love her Ganesh Chaturthi special recipes. And I also bookmarked her super healthy Oats jaggery laddu to try. Do visit her space for many more recipes.

I have used almond, cashew nuts and raisins but you can use any dry fruits of your choice. You can also stuff the modak with chopped dry fruits. If you want your modak more sweet add 5-6 dates and 2 tablespoon more raisins. We like mild sweetness so its perfectly sweet for me. Soak the dates and raisins in hot milk or boil with milk and you have to dry roast the oats and dry fruits only. Blend or grind everything and saute the mixture for few minutes. Let it cool down and shape them into modak, laddu or use any mould of your choice. Or you can spread the mixture on a greased plate when hot, level with a spatula, let it cool down and cut into your desired shape to make barfi or fudge. I have made some modak using modak mould and used my sandesh mould to shape remaining mixture.

Recipe

Rolled Oats – 1 cup

Almond – 1/4 cup

Cashew nuts – 2 tablespoon

Dates – 3/4 cup, pitted and chopped

Raisins – 2 tablespoon

Milk – 1/4 cup

Khoya/mawa or reduced milk – 3/4 cup

Desiccated coconut – 1/2 cup

Green cardamom – 3 – 4

Rose essence – 1/4 teaspoon

Method

1. In a pan heat 1/4 cup milk with pitted and chopped dates and raisins. When milk starts to boil switch off the heat and keep aside to cool down.

2. Dry roast the almond and cashew nuts for 2 – 3 minutes. Nuts shouldn’t be burned.

3. In a pan dry roast the oats till light brown. Transfer the roasted oats on a plate and let it cool down.

4. Take out the seeds of the cardamom. I have small sized cardamom so used 4. Add the seeds in boiled milk date raisin mixture. Don’t discard the peel. You can add these in tea for lovely flavour.

5. Grind roasted almonds and cashew nuts into a fine powder.

6. Grind roasted oats and keep aside.

7. Now blend milk soaked dates and raisins with cardamom seeds in your mixer grinder or food processor. Add khoya/mawa or reduced milk. I have used homemade khoya or mawa. Get the recipe here. Add 2-3 tablespoon milk for easy blending. Blend everything well till smooth.

8. Heat a heavy bottom or nonstick pan. Add blended milk mixed date, raisins, cardamom seeds and desiccated coconut. Saute for 2 minutes. You can also grind or blend the desiccated coconut with dates, I didn’t.

9. Add ground oats, almonds and cashew nuts. Mix well. Keep stirring. Cook till mixture comes together and becomes like a dough. Remove from heat and let it cool down.

10. Mash the mixture well to make smooth. Make balls and shape them using modak moulds or shape with your hands. Or you can make laddu or use any moulds. Or spread the mixture on a greased plate when hot. Level with a spatula or spoon and cut into your desired shape when cool to make barfi or fudge. I have made some modak and shaped remaining dough with my sandesh mould.

11. Sprinkle desiccated coconut over the modak. This step is optional. Your delicious nutritious and aromatic modak is ready to serve.

Stay happy stay healthy stay safe!

Notes

1. If you want your modak more sweet use 5-6 dates and 2 tablespoon more raisins.

2. You can stuff the modak with chopped dry fruits.

3. Pistachio or any dry fruits can be used with almond, raisins and cashew nuts.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update

Facebook page

Follow on

Twitter

Instagram

Caramel Custard

Eggless caramel custard.

Today sharing one of my favourite dessert. Its my 500 post on the blog. Thanks to all my readers for your love, support and encouragement.

You don’t need gelatin or agar agar, eggs or bread to make this caramel pudding. Even you don’t need oven because it is steamed pudding. Very easy to make yet taste is heavenly.

This chilled caramel custard pudding can be also served as a party dessert. Have you made custard with paneer or cottage cheese yet? If no try it I am sure you will love the taste. You can make it in a cake pan or in small ramekins for individual serving. Make caramel in a cake tin or pan. Make a thick custard and pour over the caramel. Steam for 30 – 40 minutes and let it cool down. Place in refrigerator to chill. Slice and enjoy. You can get many more dessert recipes on this blog.

This caramel custard is my contribution to 260 #Foodiemonday bloghop. This week’s theme is Meethe Pal suggested by me. This pandemic time dramatically changes our lives. Switched to only homemade healthy foods. No outings or restaurant hopping. Our only motto is to stay safe. So I thought if we can share some heavenly desserts to fill some sweetness in life. Dessert or sweets improve our mood. We can enjoy sweet in moderation or in small amount once or twice in a week. And we have to make some sweets for our kids. And I am sure kids will love this mouth melting and yummy pudding. Let’s see what my fellow bloggers share for this theme. Check out all the recipes below.

Kesar pista shrikhand by Priya Vijaykrishnan

Badam halwa by Kalyani Sri

Khubani ka meetha by Archana

Sweet sundal by Priya Iyer

Paneer kheer by Preethi Prasad

Bellam undrallu by Aruna

Churma laddu by Poonam

Oats jaggery laddu by Swaty Malik

Chocolate modak by Mayuri Patel

Now coming to the recipe. Not only kids as I mentioned caramel pudding is my favourite. When I started cooking after marriage I usually make caramel pudding with eggs, milk, vanilla essence and bread. But this custard caramel is different but taste is equally good. So it is perfect for vegetarian people. I didn’t use gelatin in it so we have to make slightly thick custard. I have used 2 teaspoon cornflour to make the custard thick. If you don’t have cornflour use 2 teaspoon more custard powder. I love strong caramel flavour so made caramel with 3 tablespoon sugar. If you want your custard with light caramel use 2 tablespoon sugar only.

Recipe

Milk – 2 & 1/2 cup

Custard powder – 3 tablespoon

Cornflour – 2 teaspoon

Sugar – 1/3 cup + 3 tablespoon

Paneer or cottage cheese – 1/4 cup

Vanilla essence – 1/2 teaspoon

Water – 1 tablespoon

Method

1. In a metal cake tin or pan heat 3 tablespoon sugar and 1 tablespoon water. Keep the flame low to avoid burning. I have used 3 tablespoon sugar for strong caramel flavour. If you want light caramel flavour use 2 tablespoon sugar to make caramel.

2. When sugar melts and starts to change it’s colour switch off the heat. Caramel shouldn’t be burned. With the help of a tong tilt the pan to spread the caramel evenly in all over the pan. Keep it aside.

3. In a bowl mix 1/4 cup cold milk, custard powder and cornflour. You can also add 2 tablespoon milk powder if you like.

4. Boil remaining milk in a pan. Add 1/3 cup sugar. When sugar dissolved and milk starts to boil reduce the heat.

5. Stir the cornflour and custard powder mixed milk well and add in the milk. Stir continuously to avoid lumps.

6. Cook till milk becomes thick. Keep stirring. Remove from heat. Add vanilla essence and mix. You can also add chopped dry fruits in custard.

7. Mash the paneer or cottage cheese well to make smooth. Best to use fresh paneer. Get the paneer recipe here.

8. With a hand blender or whisker blend the paneer and custard well. Mixture should be lump free and smooth.

9. Pour the mixture on caramel. I have used my rice cooker to steam the custard.

10. You can steam in pressure cooker or any pan. Pour water in the pan. Place a stand in the middle. When water starts to boil place the caramel custard pan on the stand. Cover and steam on low medium heat for 30 minutes.

11. Let it cool down completely. Keep in refrigerator for 4 – 5 hours or overnight. Run a knife gently through the sides. Place the pan upside down on plate. Demould the custard. Slice and serve chilled. Enjoy……

Stay safe stay healthy and happy!

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update

Facebook page

Follow on

Twitter

Instagram

Lauki Kheer Or Bottle Gourd Pudding

Lauki/dudhi or bottle gourd kheer. Simple and easy recipe but taste is divine. You don’t need much time to make this delicious kheer or pudding if you have grated and boiled bottle gourd ready. Condensed milk gives enough sweetness so you don’t need to add sugar. Don’t skip saffron. It will give a lovely colour and flavour.

You may like some more kheer or pudding recipes on this blog.

1. Kheer komola or orange kheer

2. Rasgulla kheer/paesh or pudding

3. Khajur or nolen gur kheer

4. Chhena kheer or chhanar payesh

5. Rice kheer or pudding

6. Chakhao kheer or black rice pudding

This week 237 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Holi on my platter.

Recipe is very easy. Boil the milk with saffron on simmer until becomes half. Add condensed milk, boiled and squeezed grated bottle gourd, dry fruits and cardamom powder Cook till kheer becomes semi thick. Kheer will become thick when cool. You can add any dry fruits of your choice.

Recipe

Milk – 4 cup

Saffron – a pinch

Bottle gourd or lauki – 1/4 cup, grated, boiled and squeezed

Condensed milk – 1/4 cup

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Raisin – 2 tablespoon

Cashew nuts – 2 tablespoon

Method

1. Soak the raisins in water.

2. Chop the cashew nuts into 4 pieces.

3. Drain and squeeze the boiled bottle gourd well. I have measured after squeezing. It should be tightly packed 1/4 cup.

4. Heat milk in a heavy bottom pan. Add saffron. When it starts to rolling boil reduce the heat. Cook on simmer until milk becomes half. Stir in regular interval and scrape the sides of the pan.

5. Add boiled and squeezed bottle gourd and condensed milk. Mix well.

6. Add soaked raisins and chopped cashew nuts. Cook on simmer till kheer becomes thick. Don’t make too dry. Kheer will be more thick when cool.

7. Remove from heat and let it cool down.

8. Garnish with shredded almond and pistachio. Serve warm, chilled or room temperature. Enjoy the heavenly taste.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update Facebook page

Follow on

Twitter

Instagram

Buckwheat Waterchestnut And Banana Halwa

Buckwheat or kuttu atta,Waterchestnut or singhara atta/flour and banana halwa.
Gluten free, delicious and healthy dessert. This hot halwa is perfect for this cold weather. And its also a tasty and filling fasting recipe.
Nutritious buckwheat flour, low calorie Waterchestnut flour, banana, jaggery and little ghee or clarified butter made this halwa super yummy. You can add 1-2 tablespoon ghee or clarified butter more if you wish. I have used 1 ripe banana but you can use 2 bananas if you want.

Buckwheat is gluten-free, a good source of fiber, and rich in minerals and various plant compounds, especially rutin.
As a result, buckwheat consumption is linked to several health benefits, including improved blood sugar control and heart health.

Water chestnuts are aquatic vegetables that are nutritious and delicious.
They are a great source of antioxidants and other compounds that may help prevent diseases linked with age, such as heart disease and cancer.
Water chestnuts are also highly versatile and can be added to a variety of dishes.
Try adding water chestnuts to your diet today to reap their health benefits.

Bananas are a popular fruit that happens to provide numerous health benefits.
Among other things, they may boost digestive and heart health due to their fiber and antioxidant content.
They may even aid weight loss, as they’re relatively low-calorie and nutrient-dense.
Ripe bananas are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth. What’s more, both yellow and green bananas can keep you healthy and feeling full.
Source

Jaggery or gur has immense health benefits.
Here are 15 jaggery benefits everyone should know –

1. Prevents constipation: Jaggery activates the digestive enzymes in the body, stimulates bowel movements and thus helps prevent and relieve constipation.

2. Detoxes the liver: Jaggery is a natural body cleanser, further reducing the workload of the liver.

3. Treats flu-like symptoms: Fight symptoms of a cold and cough with the help of gur. All you need to do is mix it with warm water and drink up, or even add it in your tea instead of sugar to reap the benefits.

4. Blood purifier: One of the most well-known benefits of jaggery is its ability to purify the blood.

5. Boosts immunity: Jaggery is loaded with antioxidants and minerals such as zinc and selenium, which in turn help prevent free-radical damage and also boost resistance against infections. Jaggery also helps increase the total count of haemoglobin in the blood.

6. Cleanses the body: Jaggery is one of the best natural cleansing agents for the body, hence it is advised to eat jaggery to remove unwanted particles from the body.

7. Eases menstrual pain: Jaggery, due to its richness in many essential nutrients, is an effective natural treatment for menstrual problems, especially providing relief from cramps.

8. Prevents anaemia: Jaggery is rich in iron and folate which help prevent anaemia by ensuring that a normal level of red blood cells is maintained.

9. Boosts intestinal health: Jaggery also boosts intestinal strength due to its high magnesium content.

10. Cools the stomach: Jaggery helps in maintaining normal body temperature which helps in keeping your stomach cool.

11. Controls blood pressure: Jaggery contains potassium and sodium, which play an important role in the maintenance of acid levels in the body.

13. Relieves joint pain: “If you suffer from aches and pains in your joints, eating jaggery can provide you with much-needed relief”, says Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja, Sukhda Hospital.

14. Weight loss: “Jaggery is surprisingly effective as an aid for weight loss. This is because jaggery is a rich source of potassium, which is a mineral that helps in the balance of electrolytes as well as building muscles and boosting metabolism.

15. Good source of energy: While sugar is a simple carbohydrate that gets absorbed in the bloodstream instantly and gives instant energy, jaggery is a complex carbohydrate that gives energy to the body gradually and for a longer time.
To read more about health benefits of jaggery click here.

Ghee contains good amount of healthy fats, vitamin A, E and D. Although, many of us think that the high content of fat in ghee is bad for health but, if you don’t know this, fat is something which is one of the major nutrients that is required by our body to function properly. Ghee is full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are good fats and are essential for improving the brain and heart health. It also provides a lot of energy to the body. So, overall, we can say that ghee is quite nutritious and healthy.
Source

Monday again and this week’s 226 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Grandma’s remedies suggested by Narmadha who blog at Nams Corner.
Do visit her space for many wonderful recipes. I have already bookmarked her No bake biscuit nuts cake recipe. I will try it soon.

As a remedy earlier I have shared Turmeric shot with tulsi or holy basil
And Golden smoothie with turmeric and aloe vera.
There are so many other remedies like tulsi and honey. My mom used to make it daily for my daughter. Juice of tulsi or holy basil and honey protect the kids from cold.

Eating a small piece of raw turmeric with jaggery in the morning boost immune system and prevent from seasonal diseases.

Half teaspoon juice of small leaves of harsingar or night jasmine mixed with honey is a very good remedy for kid’s stomach worms. Honey will reduce the bitterness of leaves.
Harsingar leaves also have anti-arthritic properties. Boil the leaves of harsingar or night jasmine in water and strain. This water will reduce the pain and inflammation.

List is so long. This time not like remedy but sharing a nutritious dessert. Weather is too cold and this hot halwa will give some comfort and also soothe a sore throat.

Recipe

Buckwheat flour or kuttu atta – 1/4 cup

Waterchestnut flour or singhara atta – 1/4 cup

Jaggery – 1/3 cup, grated or powdered

Ripe banana – 1

Ghee or clarified butter – 2 tablespoon

Water – 1 cup

Cashew nuts – 1 tablespoon, sliced

Almond – 1 tablespoon sliced

Raisins – 1 tablespoon

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Pistachios to sprinkle

Method

1. Peel and mash the banana and keep aside. You can use 1 more banana if you like.

2. Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed pan or nonstick pan.

3. Add buckwheat and Waterchestnut flour. Fry on low heat until flour starts to change it’s colour. It becomes light brown and you will get a lovely aroma.

4. Add sliced cashews, almonds and raisins. Fry for a minute.

5. Add mashed banana and mixed well. Saute for a minute. Keep the heat low. Flour shouldn’t be burn.

6. Now add jaggery and water. Mix well. Break the lumps with spatula. Increase the heat and keep stirring. Cook until the mixture dried up and comes together.

7. Add cardamom powder, mix and remove from heat. You can drizzle little ghee at the end. I didn’t.

8. If you want to keep it little runny add 1/4 cup water and little more jaggery powder.

9. Garnish with sliced cashews, almonds and pistachios.
Serve hot.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.
Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update
Facebook page
Follow on
Twitter

Instagram

Gol Papdi Or Gur Papdi/Sukhdi

Gol papdi or gur papdi or sukhdi.
A delicious, flavorful and very easy to make barfi from Gujarati cuisine. You need only 3 main ingredients. Whole wheat flour, ghee and jaggery. A perfect winter delicacy.

You have to fry the flour with ghee carefully. Flame should be low and fry till the flour becomes golden brown. It will take 12 – 15 minutes. After removing from heat mix everything and set on a greased plate to set. Easy isn’t it ☺️

Garnishing is optional, it will also taste great without garnish. But I like to sprinkle some sliced almonds for extra crunch. You can also add sliced almonds, cashews or pistachios in flour.
You may like some more barfi recipes on this blog.

1. Chocolate cardamom fudge

2. Moong dal barfi

3. Mango litchi fudge or barfi

4. Chocolate barfi or fudge

5. Coconut barfi or fudge

6. Date palm jaggery and coconut barfi

7. Date walnut fudge or barfi

8. Sugar free carrot bottle gourd fudge or barfi

9. Apple coconut fudge or barfi

Sending this post to Facebook group recipe swap challenge initiated by Jolly and Vidya.
We have to recreate a recipe from a fellow blogger’s blog. This month my partner is Sandhya Ramakrishnan who blog at My cooking journey.
Do visit her space for many tempting recipes she shared.

This month we have to choose a dessert recipe from our partner’s blog. While searching for a dessert on Sandhya’s blog loved this Gol papdi recipe. Immediately decided to make this easy and delicious looking wheat barfi or gol papdi.

Recipe

Whole wheat flour or atta – 1/2 cup

Powdered or grated jaggery – 1/3 cup

Ghee / clarified butter – 4 tablespoon

Cardamom powder – 1/4 tsp

Nutmeg or jaefal powder – a pinch, optional

Almond and pistachio slices to garnish

Method

1. Grease a plate with ghee and keep aside.

2. Heat ghee or clarified butter in a pan. Add whole wheat flour or atta. Fry on low heat till flour becomes golden brown. Stir constantly. It will take 12-15 minutes.

3. When the flour becomes golden brown remove from heat. Add cardamom powder and nutmeg powder. You can also add sliced almonds, cashews or pistachios in the flour. I didn’t. Mix well.

4. Now add the jaggery. Use grated jaggery or fine powder.

5. Mix and immediatly pour the mixture into the greased plate. Press with a spatula and spread the mixture evenly.

6. Sprinkle almond and pistachio slices.
Cut into square or diamond shape when still warm.

7. Let it cool down. Serve immediately or store in a airtight container for later use.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

Instagram

Coconut Barfi Or Fudge

Happy Diwali everyone . May happiness and prosperity fill your life. Have a joyous and bright Diwali.

I am back after a short break. Sharing a delicious and easy to make sweet to brighten your festival. Make it to serve your guests and enjoy the heavenly taste.

Barfi made with fresh coconut, thickened milk, milk powder, little sugar, milk and cardamom. You can also use rose essence or rose water if you like the flavour.

You can use khoya or mawa but this time I didn’t dried up the milk completely. Boiled the milk on simmer till milk becomes thickened but pouring consistency, just like rabdi.

Fresh coconut is best for this barfi. Grate the coconut or simply cut the peeled coconut in small pieces and grind.

You may like some more festive dessert recipes on this blog.

Collection of sweets

Recipe

Coconut – 1

Thickened milk- 3/4 cup

Milk powder- 1/2 cup

Sugar- 3 tablespoon

Milk- 1/4 cup

Cardamom powder- 1 teaspoon

Pistachios to sprinkle

Ghee or clarified butter for greasing the plate.

Method

1. Peel and grate the coconut or cut into small pieces.

2. Grind the coconut with thickened milk and sugar. Add 1/4 cup milk for easy grinding. Make a smooth paste.

3. Grease a plate with ghee or clarified butter and keep aside.

4. Heat a pan or wok. Add the ground mixture.

5. Cook on low heat. Stir constantly to avoid sticking to the bottom.

6. When the mixture about to dried up add milk powder and mix well.

7. When the mixture leaves the sides remove from heat.

8. Add cardamom powder and mix well. You can also add 1/4 teaspoon rose essence or rose water if you like the flavour .

9. Pour the mixture on greased plate. Press with a spatula and sprinkle chopped pistachios.

10. Cut with a knife into your desired shape when still warm.

11. Keep in cool place for an hour to set.
Your barfi is ready. Enjoy the divine taste.
Have a safe and prosperous Diwali.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

Instagram

Paruppu Payasam.

Paruppu Payasam.
A vegan pudding or kheer with moong dal or yellow lentil. Coconut milk, roasted moong dal, fried cashew nuts and raisins, jaggery and cardamom made this payasam or kheer divine. This payasam is an Onam special recipe. Usually made for prasad or offering to deities in the temples of South India. It also made for special occasions.
And this pudding is sweetend with jaggery so its a healthy option to satisfy your sweet craving.

According to Wikipedia Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian subcontinent and is bordered by the union territory of Puducherry and the South Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Its capital and largest city is Chennai (formerly known as Madras).

The cuisine of Tamil Nadu deserves special mention because of the rich taste of the culinary items. Many items of Tamil Nadu cuisine are accredited internationally and are unique in their own ways.
A typical Tamil Nadu meal consists of steamed rice, lentils, grains and vegetables. This food is taken almost by every household member. But in special occasions there are special menu that are prepared with great care and concern.
To read more about Tamil Nadu cuisine click here.

If you are a regular reader of my blog then you know that I am a member of Facebook group Shhhhh cooking secretly challenge. And every month we share a recipe from different Indian States. This month sharing this recipe from Tamil Nadu cuisine.
Shhhhh Cooking Secretly a group started by Priya of Priya’s Versatile Recipes, is where every month food bloggers are paired up and give each other 2 secret ingredients to cook with according to the theme chosen. If you’re interested in joining this exciting group then please leave a message in the comment section. Thank you.

This month my partner is very talented blogger Archana Gunjikar Potdar who blog at The Mad Scientist Kitchen.
Visit her space for different types of healthy and delicious recipes. Recently she posted a very interesting and mouthwatering recipe of Caramel apple and plum mini pizza.
Archana gave me ghee and cardamom as secret ingredients and I gave her pepper and cumin. Archana made a delicious rice dish with these ingredients. Check out the recipe here.

This moong dal payasam or paruppu payasam is very easy to make and taste heavenly. You can keep it in refrigerator and enjoy chilled. No sugar used so you can say it is a healthy option for dessert.

Recipe

Moong dal or yellow lentil – 1/2 cup

Jaggery – 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoon

Ghee – 1&1/2 tablespoon

Cashew nuts – 2 tablespoon

Raisins – 2 tablespoon

Grated fresh coconut – 1/4 cup, optional

Cardamom powder – 1 teaspoon

Coconut milk – 1 cup

Water – 2 cup + 1/4 cup

Method

1. Dry roast the moong dal or yellow lentil till aromatic.

2. Wash well and pressure cook with 1 cup water for 4 – 5 whistle or after 1 whistle reduce the heat and cook on simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Let the pressure settle down on it’s own.
Open the pressure cooker and mash the dal with a spoon or spatula. Add 1/2 cup water and mix well.

4. In a pan boil 1/4 cup water and jaggery till the jaggery dissolved completely. Strain the mixture if any impurity and keep aside.

5. Heat ghee or clarified butter in a pan. Fry the cashew nuts in it till light brown. Remove from ghee.

6. In the same ghee add raisins. When the raisins fluff up immediately remove from ghee.

7. In the same pan add the boiled dal, jaggery syrup and 1/2 cup water. Mix well and let it boil. Keep stirring.
When the mixture becomes thick, reduce the heat.

8. Add coconut milk and cook on simmer for 4 – 5 minutes. Don’t increase the heat. Cook on low heat to avoid curdling coconut milk.

9. Keep stirring to avoid sticking at the bottom.

10. Now add cardamom powder and fried cashews and raisins. Mix well and remove from heat.

11. Garnish with fried cashews and raisins.
Serve warm or room temperature or keep in the refrigerator and serve chilled.

Notes

1.You can use any milk instead of coconut milk.
2. Dried sliced and fried coconut can be used instead of grated fresh coconut. Or you can use both.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using the hashtag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

Instagram

Chilli Rasgulla Or Green Chilli Infused Rasgulla

Green chilli infused or green chilli flavoured rasgulla or chilli rasgulla.
Yes, sweet spongy delicious rasgulla in a new flavour. Slightly hotness of green chilli made these rasgulla more yummy.

Rasgulla is an Indian syrupy dessert popular in the Indian subcontinent and regions with South Asian diaspora. It is made from ball-shaped dumplings of chhena and semolina dough, cooked in light syrup made of sugar.

Source – Wikipedia

Earlier I have made some more different fruity flavoured rasgulla. But this green chilli infused rasgulla is totally different. These slightly hot and sweet rasgulla or jhal misti rosogolla are really heavenly.
You can also make these rasgulla with more green chilli flavoured and with little hotness. See notes for option.

Sending this post to 210 #Foodiemonday blog hop #UltaPulta theme suggested by Kalyani Sri who blog at Sizzling Taste Buds.
Do visit her space for many delicious and authentic recipes. I have already bookmarked some of her recipes to try. I am sure you will love her wonderful blog.

Kalayani suggested to make something sweet with savoury ingredients or something savoury with sweet ingredients.
At first I have planned to make a cake with some savoury ingredients. But I have already made few cakes recently. And one of my friend Vinita is in town this time. I have planned to surprise her with a completely new dessert. She just loved it. She also want to learn about the method. So I have to make it again to show her the method to make this chilli rasgulla. And this time used only chilli and didn’t open the cover in-between. And result is better so updating the recipe. These are more spongy and bigger in size. Here is a picture for you.

You may like some more different flavoured rasgulla recipes on this blog.
1. Komola bhog or orange rasgulla

2. Mango or aam rasgulla

3. Watermelon rasgulla

4. Sugar and jaggery rasgulla with tips and tricks

Heavenly desserts made with rasgulla

1. Baked rasgulla

2. Rasgulla kheer or pudding

3. Egg less rasgulla cupcake

And a savoury dish with rasgulla

Savoury rasgulla korma

Before making this rasgulla please read all the tips and tricks of making rasgulla here.
Follow all the tips to make perfect spongy rasgulla. Just mash the cottage cheese well till smooth and your palm becomes greasy. And always make rasgulla in a large and broad pan.

Recipe

Cow milk – 1 litre

Lemon juice or vinegar – 3-4 tablespoon or as required

Sugar – 1 heaped cup

Water – 5 cup

Green chilli – 1

Green food colour – 2-4 drop

Method

1. Rinse the green chilli. Cut and discard the tips.

2. Heat milk in a heavy bottom pan. Break green chilli into half and add one piece in the milk.

3. When milk starts to rolling boil reduce the heat. Add lemon juice or vinegar.
Add 1 tablespoon at a time. Stir and add 1 tablespoon more or as require to curdle the milk completely.

4. When greenish whey and cottage cheese separates immediately pour into the strainer. If you boil further after curdling your cottage cheese and rasgulla will be hard.

5. Discard the green chilli from the cottage cheese or paneer.

6. Place a cheesecloth on a strained and pour the cottage cheese over it.

7. Wash the paneer under running water or dip the cheesecloth in a bowl filled with cold water. Wash the cottage cheese well to remove the smell of vinegar or lemon.

8. Squeeze the cloth well to drain all the water from cottage cheese.

9. Remove the cottage cheese on a large dry cloth. Wrap well and put a heavyweight on it for 1 – 2 hours.

10. . Take out the cottage cheese or paneer on a large plate.

11. Mash with your fingertips and heel of your palm. Mash till your palm becomes greasy.

12. Make small balls. These will become double. I have made 8 small rasgulla out of this cottage cheese.

13. There shouldn’t be any crack on the balls.
Press the balls between your fingers and palm tightly to make crack free balls.

14. Make round ball using your both palm. Make all the balls. To read all the tips and tricks to make rasgulla click here.

15. In a large and broad pan heat 1 cup sugar and 5 cup water. Add remaining half piece of chilli in the sugar syrup. In the picture below I have added two pieces but removed one later. If you like the syrup with more chilli taste and hotness then you can use two pieces.

16. When sugar dissolved and it starts to rolling boil add the cottage cheese balls one by one. Let it boil on full flame from 2 – 3 minutes.

17. Cover and cook on medium-high heat for 20 minutes.

18. Don’t remove the cover in-between.

19. Now switch off the heat. Keep it covered for 1 – 2 hours or until completely cool down.

20. You can keep these in the refrigerator for 5 – 6 days.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

1. If you want your rasgulla little more hot add one full broken green chilli in the sugar syrup.

2. If you want your rasgulla sweeter. Take out some syrup from rasgulla. Add some more sugar and boil for few minutes or till sugar dissolved completely. Add all the rasgulla with syrup in it and cover. When it starts to boil remove from heat. Cool again to serve.

3. Always use full cream cow milk to make rasgulla.

4. For spongy rasgulla mash the cottage cheese well with your fingertips and heel of your palm.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.
Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update
Facebook page
Follow on

Twitter

Instagram

Hazelnut Chocolate Sandesh

Hazelnut chocolate Sandesh or sondesh.
Sandesh with the flavour and taste of hazelnut, chocolate, vanilla and coffee. Stuffed with grated chocolate and dipped in melted chocolate with coffee. Taste is super yummy.

Sandesh is a sweet of Bengal made of chhena/paneer or cottage cheese. Homemade fresh paneer or cottage cheese is best to make sandesh. You can make paneer with vinegar, lemon juice or curd. If you want to make paneer with lemon juice or vinegar for sweet dish then you have to rinse the paneer well under running water to remove the smell of lemon or vinegar. So I always make paneer for sweet dish with curd. And for savoury dishes you can make with lemon juice or vinegar.

For sandesh paneer should be mashed well with sugar to make smooth. Then cooked on low heat for 3 to 5 minutes. It shouldn’t be overcooked. If overcooked mixture will become crumbly. You can add any flavour of your choice.

Earlier shared some sandesh recipes with different flavours.

1. Carrot sandesh

2. Sugar free date sandesh

3. Sugar free pineapple sandesh

4. Coconut and date palm jaggery sandesh

5. Chocolate sandesh

6. Coconut pomegranate sandesh

7. Paan sandesh

8. Sandesh

9. Mango steamed sandesh

10. Saffron pistachio sandesh panna cotta

11. Watermelon sandesh

12. Cake sandesh

13. Chocolate coconut sandesh

14. Kesar pista sandesh

15. Mango sandesh

16. Steamed sandesh with date palm jaggery

17. Orange steamed sandesh

18. Chocolate stuffed chocolate sandesh

This time made the sandesh with a completely different flavour. Yes its a fusion recipe. Because Monday again and we bloghop members sharing some Indian dessert with continental ingredients. At first I have decided to skip this week because I am not at home now. So planning to participate again after reaching home. But my daughter said you have hazelnut so why not try hazelnut sandesh. Loved the idea. I have used hazelnut and chocolate in smoothie. And loved the taste so here is a sandesh with hazelnut and chocolate.

205 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is #MithaiMeTwist suggestd by Sasmita Sahoo Samanta who blog at First Timer Cook. Visit her space for different types of authentic and innovative recipes. I always love her Odia dessert recipes . Tried one and bookmarked some to try.

Hazelnut chocolate sandesh is stuffed with grated dark chocolate and dipped in melted chocolate with coffee. Sounds delicious isn’t it 😊
So try this hazelnut, chocolate, vanilla and coffee flavoured sandesh and enjoy the heavenly taste. Picture courtesy my daughter Suchismita.

Recipe

Milk – 3 & 1/2 cup

Curd – 4 – 6 tablespoon

Hazelnut – 1/4 cup

Powdered sugar – 4 tablespoon

Vanilla essence 1/4 teaspoon

Grated dark chocolate – 3 tablespoon, heaped

Instant coffee powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Almond – 4 – 5, dry roasted and slivered

Method

1. Place a cheesecloth on a strainer.

2. Heat milk in a heavy bottom pan. When it starts to rolling boil reduce the heat.

3. Add 4 tablespoon whisked curd and stir. Add 1 – 2 tablespoon curd more or as require to curdle the milk completely. Its depends on the sourness of the curd. I have used fresh curd which is not sour at all so I had to add 6 tablespoon. First add 4 tablespoon, stir and add more if require.

4. You can make the paneer with vinegar or lemon juice but then you have to rinse the paneer well under running water to remove the smell of vinegar or lemon. I always use curd to make paneer for sweet dishes and vinegar and lemon juice for savoury dishes.

5. When greenish whey and cottage cheese separates immediately pour into the strainer.

6. Squeeze the cloth well to drain all the water from cottage cheese. Hang the cheesecloth for 1 – 2 hours to drain out all the water.
Get the detailed method to make paneer or cottage cheese here.

7. Dry roast the hazelnut till fragrant. Don’t make brown. When it starts to change it’s colour remove from heat and place on a plate.

8. When roasted hazelnut cool down grind it into a fine powder.

9. Take out the paneer or cottage cheese on a plate. Mash the paneer with your fingers and heel of your palm to make smooth. You can use your food processor to make the paneer smooth.

10. Add powder sugar and mixed.
Knead the paneer well to make smooth.

11. Heat a nonstick pan or heavy bottom pan. Add powdered sugar mixed smooth paneer and ground roasted hazelnut.

12. Cook on low heat and stir continuously. Add vanilla essence and mix.

13. Don’t increase the heat cook on low flame.
Cook till the paneer leaves the sides and becomes like a dough. Don’t overcook. Mixture may be grainy if overcook.

14. Remove from heat and mash with your palm or back of a spoon when warm.

15. Knead the paneer mixture again to make smooth.

16. Make small balls. I have made 6 balls.

17. Flatten the ball and place 1/4 teaspoon grated chocolate in the middle.

18. Bring together all the edges, close and make a ball again.

19. Press the ball gently with your palm. Don’t make flat just press gently to give shape.

20. Make a small dent in the middle with your finger. Make all the balls or sandesh this way.

21. Keep the sandesh in refrigerator.

22. Melt remaining grated chocolate in double boiler or microwave. Microwave on high power for 30 seconds, stir and microwave again for 30 seconds.

23. Add coffee powder and give a good stir.

24. Dip half of the sandesh in melted chocolate or coat half portion of the sandesh with a spoon.

25. Place some dry roasted and slivered almond in the middle. You can garnish the sandesh with slivered pistachio. I don’t have pistachio so place a green colour sunflower seed to add some colour.

26. Chill the sandesh in refrigerator for 30 minutes or more before serving.
Enjoy the heavenly taste.
Sandesh can be stored in refrigerator for 6 – 7 days.

Note
You can use any nut of your choice instead of hazelnut.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

Instagram

Sakkarai Pongal

Sakkarai pongal.
A delicious dessert from Tamil cuisine.
Pongal is a popular rice dish, originating from Tamil Nadu. In Tamil “pongal” ” means to ” boil over ” or “spill over”.
Sakkarai pongal (literally sweet pongal) is generally prepared in temples as a prasadam, (an offering made to a deity). This type of pongal is also made during Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu.
Ingredients can include rice, coconut and mung bean. Sakarai pongal is traditionally sweetened with jaggery, which gives the pongal a brown colour, though it can be sweetened with white sugar instead.
Source – Wikipedia

This post is going to be a part of a Facebook group Recipe swap challenge initiated by Jolly and Vidya.
We have to recreate a recipe from a fellow blogger’s blog. This month my partner is very talented blogger Priya Iyer who blog at My word through my eyes.
Check out her space for delicious and authentic recipes. I have selected this recipe Classic shakkari pongal from her space.

I love the aroma of ghee fried moong dal. So I have fried the dal. This dessert is not only delicious but aromatic. I am sure you will love the taste and flavour. Jaggery, ghee fried moong dal, cardamom and nutmeg made this dessert super yummy and aromatic. Nutmeg is optional if you don’t like, then you can skip it. If you want to make it vegan then skip milk and use water instead.

Recipe

Rice – 1/4 cup

Moong dal or yellow lentil – 1/4 cup

Jaggery powder – 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoon

Ghee or clarified butter – 1 – 2 tablespoon

Coconut – 1/4 cup, grated

Water – 2 cup

Cashew – 2 tablespoon, broken

Raisins – 2 tablespoon

Milk – 1 & 1/2 cup

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Nutmeg powder – 1/4 teaspoon, optional

Method

1. Rinse and drain the rice and dal separately.

2. Heat ghee in a pan add the cashew nuts. Fry till the cashews becomes light brown. Remove from ghee.

3. Now fry the raisins. When the raisins fluff up immediately remove from ghee.

4. In the same pan add drained moong dal. Fry till the dal starts to change it’s colour.

5. Add the rice and fry with dal for a few seconds.

6. Transfer the fried rice and dal in a pressure cooker. You can also fry the dry fruits, rice and dal in pressure cooker.

7. Add 2 cup water in pressure cooker. Close the lid and cook for 4 whistle or till rice and dal becomes soft.
Let the pressure settle down on it’s own.

8. Open the pressure cooker. Mash the rice and dal with a spatula or ladle.

9. Add milk and let it boil. When it starts to boil, add grated fresh coconut and reduce the heat.

10. Cook on simmer for 10 minutes or till you get your desired consistency. Keep stirring.

11. Don’t make it dry. It will dry up when cool. Keep the consistency like kheer or rice pudding.

12. Add jaggery powder and mix. I like less sweat but if you like your shakkari pongal more sweet then taste and add 1 tablespoon more jaggery powder if require.

13. Add fried cashews, raisins, cardamom powder and nutmeg powder. Mix well and remove from heat. Nutmeg is optional if you don’t like the flavour, then you can skip it.

14. If it’s become too dry add little more milk or water.
Your shakkari pongal is ready. Serve warm or cold. It will be delicious in both ways.

Notes

1. If you want to make it dairy free, then omit milk and use only water.

2. Colour of this dessert depends on the colour of the jaggery you are using.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.