delicious – Batter Up With Sujata

Maamoul Cookies / Date Filled Semolina cookies

Maamoul cookies or date filled semolina cookies. A famous Arab dessert which is usually made on festival time. Mouth melting, scented and lightly sweetened date stuffed cookies taste divine.

These cookies can be made with different fillings, like dates, pistachios, walnuts, almond or fig. Cookie dough shaped with a wooden mould. And most interesting is it’s shape depends on filling so that people can recognize the filling by it’s shape. Date filled maamoul cookies are flat topped and round shaped, pistachio filled are oval shaped and walnut filled are dome shaped. I don’t have maamoul mould so used my sandesh mould and fork. Place the date filled balls on baking tray and press with any mould or fork to give shape.

But now I have to order a maamoul mould. I will update the pictures when I can get it. You can get some more cookies recipe here.

Ma’amoul (Arabic: معمول‎ [mɑʕmuːl] also spelled m’aamoul, m’amul, m’aamul) is a filled semolina cookie found in Arab regions made with dates, nuts such as pistachios or walnuts and occasionally almonds, or figs. Ma’amoul are usually made a few days before Christmas, Easter, or Eid, then stored to be served with Arabic coffee and chocolate to guests who come during the holiday. It is popular throughout the Arab world, especially in the Arabian peninsula. They may be in the shape of balls, domed or flattened cookies. They can either be decorated by hand or be made in special wooden moulds. Ma’amoul with date fillings are often known as menenas, and are sometimes made in the form of date rolls rather than balls or cookies. Source – Wikipedia

When Kalyani Sri who blog at Sizzlingtastebuds suggested the theme Emirati Eats for this week’s 265 #Foodiemonday bloghop, I immediately decided to share this maamoul cookies recipe. Because it is one of my most favourite cookie. Kalyani has a wonderful blog with many mouthwatering recipes. Her Sweet and salty digestive biscuit and Bangalore bakery style Om biscuits are in my list. I will try these recipes soon. Do visit her space for many healthy and delicious recipes.

As I mentioned above these cookies are lightly sweetened and sprinkled with powdered sugar. But this step is optional. You can enjoy these delicious cookies without sprinkling sugar.

Traditionally these cookies are flavoured with orange blossom water and rose water. But if you don’t have orange blossom water or rose water, you can still make these cookies. I have used rose essence and cardamom powder in the dough and orange essence in date filling. You can use cinnamon powder too. Pistachios, walnuts or fig can be used for filling instead of dates. Traditionally coconut are not used in these cookies but I have used 1 tablespoon desiccated coconut in the filling for taste. You can skip coconut or replace with pistachios or walnuts. I have used homemade melted ghee or clarified butter, you can use butter. If you are using salted butter omit salt.

Recipe

Semolina or suji – 1 & 1/4 cup

All purpose flour or maida – 1/2 cup

Powdered sugar – 1/4 cup

Clarified butter/ghee or butter – 1/2 cup

Salt – a pinch

Milk – 1/4 cup

Rose essence – 1/2 teaspoon

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Baking powder – 1/2 teaspoon

For filling

Dates – 3/4 cup, pitted

Clarified butter/ghee or butter – 1 teaspoon

Orange essence – 1/2 teaspoon

Desiccated coconut – 1 tablespoon, optional

Almond – 1 tablespoon

Method

1. In a large bowl mix semolina or suji, all purpose flour or maida, baking powder, powdered sugar, cardamom powder and salt. Mix with your hand.

2. Now add milk and rose essence. Knead to make a smooth dough. Cover and keep aside for 30 minutes.

3. Grind the almond. You can dry roast the almonds before grinding.

4. Grind dates into smooth paste. In a bowl mix ground almonds, dates, desiccated coconut, ghee or clarified butter and orange essence. Make small balls and keep aside.

5. Grease or line a baking tray with parchment paper. Preheat the oven at 180°.

6. Make balls with semolina or suji dough. Balls should be double in size than date balls.

7. Flatten the ball with your palm. Place date ball in the middle. Close the edges and make ball again. Press gently with your palm.

8. Arrange the balls on greased or lined baking sheet. Press with a mould to make design or press with a fork.

9. Bake the cookies for 20 – 25 minutes or till the cookies becomes light golden brown. For crispy cookies bake for a few minutes more or let it cool down in oven.

10. Let the cookies cool down completely. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the cookies. Serve or store in airtight container for later use.

Notes

1. Walnut, pistachio or fig can be used for filling.

2. If you have orange blossom water use it instead of orange essence, rose essence and cardamom powder.

3. Butter can be used instead of ghee or clarified butter. If you are using salted butter skip salt.

4. Sprinkling of sugar is optional, you can skip this step.

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.

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Herbed Milk Bread With Honey

Herbed milk bread stuffed with sriracha sauce and Italian herbs. A super soft, flavorful and delicious bread with honey. For a change add grated cheese in the stuffing. You don’t need anything with it. Just slice and enjoy as a snack with your tea or coffee. Or make crisp toast and serve.

I have used warm milk to knead the dough because I love the soft texture of milk bread. But if you want to make it for vegan people use warm water instead of milk. I love this soft spicy bread as a snack. And for breakfast crisp toast.

You may like some more bread recipes on this blog. Click on the name below for recipes.

1. Focaccia with whole wheat and soybean flour

2. Cheesey bread

3. Whole wheat bread

4. Oats flaxseed whole wheat bread

5. Multigrain bread

6. Zimbabwe cornbread

7. Olive Jalapeno savoury cornbread

8. Gluten free vegan multigrain bread

This post is my contribution to Facebook group Healthy Wealthy Cuisine for Wheat Flour Savoury Baking theme suggested by Sasmita who blog at First Timer Cook. I always love her blog with beautiful pictures. Do visit her space for many healthy and delicious recipes. I am sure you will love her wonderful blog. I recently bookmarked her Eggless chocolate piped cookies and Vegan orange blueberry mini bundt cake to try. Check out the recipes of my fellow bloggers shared for this theme.

This bread is also made of whole wheat flour or atta but I also used 1 cup all purpose flour/maida for better texture. If you like you can skip all purpose flour/maida and use only whole wheat flour. Just increase the amount of whole wheat flour. I have used my most favourite sriracha sauce but you can use any chili garlic sauce or use green chutney or any chutney of your choice. For spreading chopped cilantro or coriander leaves, parsley, rosemary or any herbs can be used over sauce or chutney. Choice is your.

Recipe

Whole wheat flour or atta – 2 cup

All purpose flour or maida – 1 cup

Dry yeast – 1 & 1/2 teaspoon

Honey – 1 tablespoon

Salt – 1 & 3/4 teaspoon

Vinegar – 1 & 1/2 tablespoon

Milk powder – 2 tablespoon

Olive oil – 2 tablespoon + for greasing

Warm milk – 1 & 1/2 cup

Sriracha sauce – 2 tablespoon

Oregano – 2 teaspoon

Dried basil – 1 teaspoon

Method

1. Mix yeast in 1/4 cup warm milk. Milk should be warm not hot. Add honey and stir well. Cover and keep in a warm place for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes it will becomes foamy.

2. In a large bowl mix whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, milk powder, salt, vinegar and oil. Mix well. If you want to add cheese in the stuffing then use 1 teaspoon salt only.

3. Make a hole in the middle and pour the yeast mixture and 1 cup slightly warm milk. Mix well. Knead the dough using remaining 1/4 cup warm milk. Add water as require to make soft and smooth dough. Dough will be sticky.

4. Sprinkle little flour on your cleaned kitchen counter and place the dough on it. Knead the dough for 8 – 10 minutes. You can use your kneading machine to knead the dough in less time. It will take 5 minutes in kneading machine.

5. Knead the dough by pressing with your palm and heel of your palm by pushing and stretching. Gather the dough and stretch it again. After kneading well dough will becomes less sticky. Make a ball with the dough and drop few times on the kitchen counter. Don’t use too much flour. Add little oil for easy kneading and make the dough non sticky.

6. Grease a bowl generously. Smear the dough with oil and place in the greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and keep in a warm place for an hour or till the dough becomes double. Timing depends on the temperature of your place. Its summer time here so 1 hour is sufficient.

7. Grease baking pan and keep aside.

8. After 1 hour punch down the dough and knead again.

9. Flatten the dough with a rolling pin or your oil greased palm. Roll or press the dough into flat and rectangular.

10. Spread sriracha sauce all over it. Sprinkle oregano and basil. You can use any herbs of your choice. You can also spread some grated cheese. See notes for more options.

11. Start rolling it from shortest side. After rolling pinch the seam well.

12. Turn the roll upside down. Cut the roll lengthwise from the center. Rotate both the pieces to place cut sides facing upwards. Place both pieces side by side.

13. Now make a braid with both pieces by overlapping each other. Place one side piece on other side piece.

14. Repeat the process and pinch the both ends. I have cut the braid into half. You can make half before rolling the dough. Make two separate rolls. Place the rolls carefully in greased baking pan or loaf pan.

15. Cover and keep aside for 30 minutes or till it becomes double.

16. Preheat the oven at 190° for 10 minutes. Bake the braided bread in preheated oven for 40 – 50 minutes or bread becomes golden brown.

17. Take out the bread from oven and place on cooling rack.

18. Slice the bread after 1 – 2 hours or when the bread become completely cool.

Notes

1. You can use any grated cheese in stuffing.

2. You can use rosemary, parsley, chopped cilantro or coriander leaves, mint or any herbs of your choice.

3. Schezwan sauce, pizza sauce or any chili garlic sauce can be used instead of sriracha sauce. Even you can use green chutney or any chutney of your choice.

4. You can use water instead of milk.

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.

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Soya Nuggets Curry With Poppy Seeds, Coconut And Sweet Corn

Soya nuggets curry with poppy seeds, coconut and sweet corn. A delicious and flavorful curry with protein rich soya nuggets. Different aromatic spices, almonds and poppy seeds made this curry rich and absolutely delicious. A perfect accompany with naan, paratha, roti or any type of rice. You can also make this delectable curry with chicken, eggs or any non vegetarian dishes.

You may like some more recipes with soya nuggets, chunks or granules on this blog. Click on the name below for recipe.

1. Soya loaf

2. Soya nugget korma

3. Protein rich soya nuggets

4. Spinach curry with corn and soya chunks

5. Soya egg shami Kabab

6. Soya paneer lollipop

7. Soya kofta balls in gravy

8. Oats soya green gram toast

9. Veg calzone

To make this curry you will need onion, garlic, poppy seeds, almonds fresh coconut, sweet corn and some aromatic spice powder. I have used paste of poppy seeds, ginger, garlic, coconut and almond to make thick and rich gravy. Cubed tomatoes made the curry attractive. You can also make this gravy with eggs, chicken or any non vegetarian dishes.

Recipe

Soya nuggets – 1 & 1/2 cup

Fresh coconut – 1/3 cup, grated or finely chopped

Sweet corn – 1/2 cup

Tomato – 2, cubed

Onion – 1, chopped

Ginger paste – 1/2 tablespoon

Garlic paste – 1/2 tablespoon

Green chilli – 2 – 3 or to taste

Poppy seeds or khaskhas – 2 tablespoon

Almond – 2 tablespoon

Cinnamon powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Clove powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Cardamom powder – 1 teaspoon

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Kashmiri red chilli powder – 2 teaspoon

Black pepper powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Yogurt or curd – 1/4 cup

Salt to taste

Oil – 2 tablespoon

Cumin seeds – 1/2 teaspoon

Bay leaf – 1

Water – 1 & 1/2 cup

Method

1. Boil the soya nuggets with 3 cup water and 1 teaspoon salt. Let it cool down. When it cool down drain the water. Rinse 2 times with fresh water. Drain and squeeze well.

2. Cut the tomatoes in cubes.

3. Soak the almond in hot water. Peel the almonds when cool.

4. Grind the poppy seeds. When it becomes powder add soaked and peeled almonds, fresh coconut and 1 – 2 green chilli. Add 3 – 4 tablespoon water and make a smooth paste.

5. In a bowl mix yogurt, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, clove powder, cinnamon powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder. Whisk well.

6. Heat 2 tablespoon oil in a pan or wok. Add cumin seeds and bay leaf. When cumin seeds starts to splutter add chopped onion and fry till onion becomes translucent.

7. Add ginger garlic paste. Saute till raw smell goes out and onion becomes brown.

8. Reduce the heat to low and add spices mixed yogurt. Saute till oil leaves the sides. Stir continuously.

9. Now add poppy seeds, coconut, green chilli and almond paste. Saute till the mixture dried up.

10. Add cubed tomatoes. Saute for a minute. We don’t want the tomatoes mushy.

11. Add squeezed soya nuggets, sweet corn and salt. Mix well and saute till soya nuggets coated with spices.

12. Add water and 2 – 3 green chilli. When it starts to rolling boil reduce the heat. Cover and cook on simmer for 15 minutes. If you want thick gravy add 1 cup water only.

12. Remove the cover add remaining 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder, mix and switch off the heat. You can add 1-2 tablespoon fresh cream I didn’t.

13. Garnish with sliced tomato, almond and coconut pieces. You can also garnish with cilantro or coriander leaves. Serve hot with steamed rice, pulao, jeera rice, roti, paratha, puri naan or any bread.

Notes

1. Cashew nuts can be used instead of almond.

2. Add chilli according to your taste.

3. You can also make this gravy with eggs, chicken or fish instead of soya nuggets.

4. Fresh cream can be used at the end.

This post is my contribution to A to Z monthly challenge. Wherein a group of bloggers come together and we choose key ingredients alphabetically to cook and post a dish every month. This month’s alphabet is letter P. And my star ingredient is poppy seeds.

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.

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Crispy Bitter Gourd And Potato Or Aloo Karela / Less Oil Recipe

Crispy bitter gourd and potato or aloo karela. Crispy but cooked with only one teaspoon oil in halogen oven. You can also use your microwave or OTG to bake or grill the karela and potato in the same way. Or use your air fryer to fry with less oil. An easy to make yet delicious no onion garlic bitter gourd recipe.

Bitter gourd has numerous health benefits.

Bitter gourd is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. It contains iron, magnesium, potassium and vitamins like A and C. It contains twice the calcium of spinach and beta-carotene of broccoli. Various anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds are present in bitter gourd.
It also helps in lowering the bad cholesterol levels, thus reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. That’s not all. It strengthens the immune system, improves respiratory health, boosts skin health and contains anti-ageing properties. Source

You may like some more bitter gourd recipes on this blog.

1. Bitter gourd dopyaza

2. Gujarati bitter gourd stir fry

3. Bitter gourd with tomato

4. Sukto

And some more recipes using halogen oven.

1. Cauliflower corn butter masala

2. Olive Jalapeno savoury cornbread

3. Greek pizza

4. Beetroot dip

5. Moong dal bhaja pithe

6. Grilled potatoes

7. Piperade with Indian spices

8. Baked egg burger

9. Cooking in halogen oven

This week our 262 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Bitter But Good suggested by Sasmita who blog at First Timer Cook. You will definitely love her mouthwatering recipes. I would love to try her Dalgona muffins and also visit her YouTube channel for beautiful and heavenly Layered coffee panna cotta and many more.

Recipe is very easy to make. Slice the potato and bitter gourd and boil with salted water till fork tender. Drain the water completely and marinate with salt and spices. I have used coriander powder, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder and little garam masala with salt. You can use any spices of your choice. I don’t like bitter gourd dishes hot so used Kashmiri red chilli powder for colour. You can use hot variety red chilli powder or black pepper powder if you like. You can also add amchur or dry mango powder if you want. And use very little oil to spray over marinated potato and bitter gourd before baking. You can use olive oil or any other oil of your choice.

Recipe

Karela or bitter gourd – 1 large

Potato – 1

Salt to taste

Coriander or dhania powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Kashmiri red chilli powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Garam masala powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Oil – 1 teaspoon

Method

1. Peel and chop the potato into round slices.

2. Discard the both tips and chop the bitter gourd or karela into round slices.

3. Wash well and drain the water.

4. Boil the karela and potato slices with 1 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon salt for 4 minutes or till fork tender. Don’t make mushy. Check with a knife or fork.

5. Drain the water and let it cool down. Marinate karela and potato slices with little salt, coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder and Kashmiri red chilli powder.

6. Spread the slices on a baking sheet. Spray little oil all over it.

7. Press the speed up button. Set temperature at 200° and set the timer for 5 minutes. Keep an eye if the slices becomes golden brown switch off the oven.

8. Turn the slices upside down and cook again at 200° temperature for 4 minutes or till golden brown. If require cook for a few minutes more.

9. If you are using microwave convection mode or OTG follow the same method. Sprinkle little chaat masala powder before serving if you like. Serve with rice or roti as a side dish.

Notes

1. You can use any spices of your choice.

2. Red chilli powder or black pepper powder can be used instead of Kashmiri red chilli powder.

3. You can use any oven to make this crispy bitter gourd.

4. You can use chaat masala or amchur/ dry mango powder if you like your karela little tangy.

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.

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Doi Potol Or Pointed Gourd / Parwal In Yogurt Gravy

Doi potol or pointed guard/parwal in yogurt gravy. A no onion garlic delicious and flavorful parwal curry from Bengali cuisine made with a blend of aromatic spices and yogurt.

Soft whole parwal or pointed gourd in spices infused rich aromatic gravy is best accompany with steamed rice, pulao, jeera rice, roti, paratha, puri or any bread. All the spices, yogurt or curd, poppy seeds, melon seeds and cashew nuts will make your parwal curry rich and mouthwatering. You may like some more parwal or pointed gourd recipes on this blog. Click on the name below for recipe.

1. Stuffed pointed gourd or potol dolma

2. Pointed gourd with poppy seeds and coconut

3. Paneer stuffed parwal mithai

4. Pointed gourd with poppy seeds

Sending this post to Facebook group Healthy Wealthy Cuisine for Satwik Treat theme suggested by Ruchi Shah who blog at Ruchis Veg kitchen. I love her vast collection of recipes. I recently bookmarked her Pinwheel samosa and Pressure cooker khandvi recipe to try. Do visit her space for many more wonderful recipes.

Check out the recipes of my fellow bloggers on this theme.

Bhindi kadhi by Preethi

Creamy pine nuts pasta by Shalu

Coconut rice by Jayashree

Satvik paneer butter masala by Poonam

Moong dal dosa by Ruchi

I have used cashew nuts in the recipe. But you can use almonds if you want. Any unsweetened thick yogurt can be used to make this parwal or pointed gourd curry. I have used homemade curd. To grind poppy seeds easily first dry grind the poppy seeds and then add other ingredients to grind. Or soak the poppy seeds in hot water for 15 minutes or microwave for 1 minutes to make smooth paste.

Recipe

Parwal or pointed gourd – 10 – 12

Ginger – 1/2 inch piece

Green chilli – 2 – 3 or to taste

Curd or yogurt – 4 tablespoon

Poppy seeds or khaskhas – 2 tablespoon

Cashew nuts – 1 tablespoon

Melon seeds – 1 tablespoon

Cumin or jeera powder – 1 teaspoon

Coriander or dhania powder – 1 tablespoon

Kashmiri red chilli powder – 2 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon + 1/4 teaspoon

Green cardamom – 3

Cloves – 3

Cinnamon – 1/2 inch piece

Bay leaf – 1

Salt to taste

Sugar – 1/2 to 1 teaspoon or to taste

Mustard oil – 3 tablespoon

Ghee or clarified butter – 2 teaspoon

Method

1. Wash the pointed gourd or parwal well. Cut off both the ends. Peel in strips. Make slits on both sides. Parwal should be intact.

2. Rinse again and drain the water. Marinate the parwal with 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder and little salt. Keep aside.

3. Soak the melon seeds and cashew nuts in hot water. Grind the poppy seeds to make powder or you can also soak the poppy seeds in hot water or microwave for 1 minute.

4. Now grind ginger, green chilli, soaked cashew nuts and melon seeds with poppy seeds. Add little water to make smooth paste. You can also grind ginger and 1 – 2 green chilli separately.

5. In a bowl mix cumin powder, coriander powder, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder and Kashmiri red chilli powder with 3 tablespoon water.

6. Crush the green cardamom, cloves and cinnamon in a mortar pestle.

7. Heat mustard oil in a pan or wok. Fry the marinated parwal from all the sides till light brown. Remove from oil.

8. In the same oil add bay leaf and crushed green cardamom, cinnamon and cloves.

9. Stir and add mixture of cumin, coriander, turmeric and Kashmiri red chilli powder. Fry the spices on low heat for 2 – 3 minutes or till oil leaves the sides.

10. Now add all the ground mixture and saute for 2 -3 minutes again. Add fried parwal, salt and sugar. Mix well. Saute till parwal coated with spices. Add 1 cup water and cover the pan. I have made thick gravy but you can add more water to make thin gravy. I sometime do so. You can add 2 – 3 slit green chilli if you want.

11. Cover and cook on low medium heat for 5 – 6 minutes or till the parwal becomes soft. But be careful parwal should be intact.

12. Whisk the curd well. Add well beaten curd in the curry. Remember to keep the flame low while adding curd. Mix well. Cook on low heat for 3 – 4 minutes. You can add little more water if required to make thick gravy. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

13. Add ghee or clarified butter and switch off the heat.

14. Serve with steamed rice, pulao, jeera rice, roti, paratha, puri or any bread.

Notes

1. Add green chilli according to your taste.

2. Almond can be used instead of cashews.

3. Ghee or clarified butter is optional. If you don’t like skip it.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Mango Raisin Overnight Oats With Chai Masala Extract And Mixed Seeds

Mango raisin overnight oats with chai masala and mixed seeds. A completely no cook, healthy, filling, aromatic, creamy and absolutely delicious recipe for breakfast. Overnight oat is a great breakfast option specially in summer. Enjoy the creamy delicious oats as a dessert with any flavour, fruits, dry fruits and seeds of your choice. Just mix everything in a mason jar, bowl or glass and place in refrigerator at night. Top with some more chopped fruits, dry fruits and seeds and serve chilled. Your delightful breakfast in the morning is ready.

I have used roasted mixed seeds including sunflower, pumpkin, flax, watermelon, chia and gojiberries seeds. You can use chopped apple, strawberry, banana or any fruits of your choice but now mango season is about to end in India so I am using it in my overnight oats and other dishes. And I got chai masala extract as a gift hamper from Spice Drop. I loved the aroma so added 2 drops in the oats while soaking.

You can get two more overnight oats recipes on this blog.

1. Mango pomegranate overnight oats parfait

2. Vegan coconut dry fruits overnight oats

And some recipes with my most favourite fruit mango.

1. Mango salsa with pickled Jalapeno

2. Hazelnut honey chocolate mango smoothie

3. Black rice pudding and mango parfait

4. Mango walnut chocochip muffins

5. Vegan mango pineapple smoothie

6. Sugar free mango coconut laddu

7. Mango rasgulla

8. Mango steamed sandesh

9. Vegan mango peach pear smoothie

10. Mango pomegranate and tender coconut salsa

11. Mango litchi fudge or barfi

12. Eggless no bake mango cheesecake

13. Mango cottage cheese smoothie

14. Mango kalakand

15. Mango sandesh

16. Mango banana smoothie

17. Eggless mango mug cake

18. Mango coconut flaxseed smoothie

Sending this post to A to Z challenge, a challenge initiated on Facebook Group, created by Jolly and Vidya. Wherein a group of bloggers come together and we choose key ingredients alphabetically to cook and post a dish every alternate month. This month’s Alphabet is letter O and my star ingredient is super food oats.

And today is Monday and this week’s 259 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Fruity Bites suggested by Archana who blog at Mad Scientist Kitchen. You can get variety of mouthwatering Goan recipes and many traditional, healthy and innovative recipes on her blog. I am planning to try her Japanese milk bread to try. Loved the pillow soft texture and different shapes. Looks really amazing. And also want to try Icecream loaf cake and many more. List is too long. Do visit her space for the recipes.

Now coming to this overnight oats recipe. I have used rolled oats and skimmed milk. You can use full fat milk. Or to make vegan use any plant based milk like almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk etc. Chai masala extract will give a lovely aroma but if you don’t have it then you can use vanilla essence, cinnamon powder, cardamom powder, chocolate or any flavour of your choice. You can also use any dry fruits, choco chips or anything according to your taste and availability. Instead of honey you can use maple syrup, stevia or any sweetener. Or skip any sweetener and add finely chopped dates. If you don’t have mango, use strawberry, banana, apple or any fruit of your choice. You can also use any roasted seeds, chia seeds etc. Use whatever you have or you like. Raisins and mango will give enough sweetness so you don’t need to add much sweetener in your overnight oats.

Recipe

Oats – 1/3 cup

Milk – 1/3 cup

Chai masala extract – 1 – 2 drop

Honey – 2 teaspoon or to taste

Mango – 1, peeled and chopped

Raisins – 3 teaspoon

Dry roasted mixed seeds – 1 tablespoon ( mixture of sunflower, pumpkin, flax, watermelon, chia and gojiberries seeds)

Pistachios to garnish, optional

Method

1. In a mason jar or bowl mix oats, honey, raisins, roasted mixed seeds and chai masala extract. First add 1 drop extract taste and add 1 drop more if require. I have used 2 drops.

2. You can also add chopped mango. I have added as topping in the morning. Keep the mixture in refrigerator for overnight or 3 – 4 hours. Best to soak overnight. See notes for more options.

3. Next day take out the soaked oats. Top with chopped mango, some roasted seeds, raisins and pistachios if using. Serve chilled.

4. Or take a jar or glass. Make layer of soaked oats, place some chopped mango over it. Pour remaining soaked oats and top with chopped mango, mixed seeds, raisins and pistachios. Serve delicious overnight oats parfait as a breakfast or dessert.

5. Enjoy your creamy, aromatic, healthy and delicious breakfast.

Notes

1. You can use vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon or any flavour of your choice instead of chai masala.

2. Strawberry banana, apple or any fruit can be used instead of mango.

3. Any dry fruits and chia seeds or any seeds can be used with raisins and mixed seeds.

4. You can also add 1-2 tablespoon chopped fresh coconut while soaking the oats.

4. You can also use almond milk, coconut milk or any plant based milk instead of dairy milk.

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.

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Chhanar Paturi Or Steamed Cottage Cheese/Paneer

Chhanar paturi or steamed cottage cheese. An easy to make paneer or cottage cheese dish from Bengali cuisine. You can make paturi with fish, eggs or any vegetable following this recipe. Just marinate the mashed paneer wrap with banana leaf and steam and your delicious paneer is ready. Serve this no onion garlic side dish steamed paneer or chhanar paturi with hot steamed rice and lemon wedges.

Now you can ask what is paturi. Literally meaning of paturi is wrapped in leaves. And leaves should be edible. You can use banana leaf or pumpkin leaf etc. Paturi can be made with fishes like hilsa or ilish, bhetki etc, eggs or make niramish paturi with chhana or paneer/cottage cheese, cauliflower, broad beans or any other vegetable following this recipe. You can also shallow fry these paturi instead of steaming. After wrapping with banana leaves shallow fry with mustard oil till leaves becomes brown. Earlier shared broad beans paturi in a different way. I have stuffed the broad beans before steaming. Click on the name for recipe. Stuffed steamed broad beans

And if you want the similar taste without steaming or wrapping with leaves check out my Cauliflower paturi

Sending this post to Facebook group Shhhhh Cooking Secretly challenge. 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. Theme of this month is steamed food suggested by Anu Kollon. Do check out her recipe of Kerala style steamed rice for this theme. This month my partner is Priya Vijaykrishnan. Priya gave me poppy seeds and curd and I gave her hing or asafoetida and ginger. And she made delicious Amiri khaman with these ingredients.

This chhanar paturi or steamed cottage cheese/paneer is very easy to make. Just marinate the mashed paneer, wrap with banana leaves and steam in steamer or pressure cooker. I have used my rice cooker to steam. If you don’t have steamer then you can use pressure cooker or pour sufficient water in a pot place a stand on the middle. Arrange paturi on a plate and place on the stand. Cover and steam till done. Or shallow fry the paturi on a pan with mustard oil. You can double the ingredients if require.

Recipe

Paneer or cottage cheese – 1 cup

Mustard powder – 1 tablespoon

Poppy seeds or khaskhas – 2 tablespoon

Green chilli – 3 – 4 or to taste

Coconut – 1/4 cup, grated or finely chopped

Mustard oil – 1 tablespoon

Salt to taste

Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Thick curd or yogurt – 1 tablespoon

Cashew nuts to garnish, optional

Banana leaf – 1

Cotton thread as required

Method

1. Wash the banana leaf from both sides. Wipe with a kitchen towel. Heat a pan and place the banana leaf over it. Heat the leaf from both sides. Leaf shouldn’t be burned. Just heat to make the leaf little soft.

2. Mash the paneer or cottage cheese well to make smooth.

3. Grind the poppy seeds. Add coconut and 1 – 2 green chilli. Use very little water if require to make smooth paste.

4. Mix the paste in mashed paneer. Add salt, mustard oil, curd or yogurt, turmeric powder and mustard powder. Mix well. Mash again to make smooth.

5. Cut the banana leaf into two pieces. I have made two paturi. You can make small sized 4 paturi. Cut the banana leaf accordingly.

6. Grease the banana leaf pieces with mustard oil if you want. I didn’t. Gently shape the paneer mixture into square or rectangular. Place on banana leaf pieces. Place 1 slit green chilli and cashew nuts over it.

7. Wrap the leaf and make like an envelop.Tie with a cotton thread.

8. Boil the water in steamer. Place the envelopes on steamer. Cover and steam for 15 to 20 minutes.

9. Open the envelopes and serve delicious paturi with steamed rice and lemon wedges.

Notes

1. Use green chilli according to your spice tolerance.

2. Instead of steaming you can also shallow fry these paturi in a pan. Fry till the banana leaf becomes brown.

3. Lemon juice can be used instead of curd or yogurt.

4. You can also use 1-2 teaspoon lemon juice in the marination with curd.

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.

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Oats Dosa / Instant Dosa

Oats dosa. A healthy and delicious breakfast made with superfood oats. These gluten free crispy and tasty dosa can be also serve as a snack with tea or coffee. Even if you don’t like oats I am sure you will love the taste of this dosa. And you can’t recognize oats in it. To get more oats recipes click here .

To make this dosa lacy and crisp make a thin and flowing batter like rawa dosa. And for crisp texture remember to cook on low heat. You can use any spices of your choice in the batter. I have made it without onion but you can add 1 finely chopped onion in the batter.

Posting after a long time. And feeling happy to participate again in our weekly bloghop group after a short break. This Monday 257 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is dosa den suggested by Priya Iyer who blog at The World Through My Eyes. Priya is a very good friend and a talented blogger. I love her healthy and authentic recipes. I have bookmarked her Mysore masala dosa and Broccoli masala dosa to try. Do visit her space for different types of delicious recipes.

To make this dosa you don’t need to fermentat the batter just mix everything and your batter is ready to cook. This nutritious dosa is a perfect breakfast option for diet conscious people, kids and everyone. If you like add 1 finely chopped onion and any spices of your choice. Use green chilli and black pepper powder according to your spice tolerance. Skip chilli if you are making for small kids. Serve oats dosa immediately after cooking. It may be soft when cool. But still it will be tasty.

Recipe

Oats – 1/2 cup

Rice flour – 1/2 cup

Curd or yogurt – 1/2 cup

Salt to taste

Cumin powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Chaat masala powder – 1 teaspoon

Black pepper powder – 1/2 teaspoon, optional

Cilantro or coriander leaves – handful, chopped

Green chilli – 1 – 2 finely chopped

Ginger – 1/2 inch piece, grated

Water – 1 & 1/2 cup

Oil for shallow fry

Method

1. Grind the oats into fine powder.

2. In a large bowl mix oats powder, rice flour, salt, cumin powder, black pepper powder and chaat masala powder. See notes for more options.

3. Add beaten curd and 1 cup water. Whisk well to make a smooth lump free batter.

4. Add remaining water and whisk well. Batter should be flowing like rawa dosa.

5. Now add grated ginger, chopped green chilli and chopped cilantro or coriander leaves. Mix well. If your batter is thick add little more water or if the batter is too runny add 1-2 tablespoon more rice flour.

6. Heat a pan or skillet. Brush with little oil and reduce the heat. Pour batter on the pan. Fill the gaps. Drizzle little oil on the sides and over the dosa. Don’t spread the dosa with ladle or spatula, just pour the batter on the pan.

7. Cook on low heat till edges starts to leave the pan. For crisp dosa remember to cook on low heat. It will take 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the dosa and cook other side too on low heat.

8. Flip again and when dosa becomes brown and crisp fold into half.

9. Serve hot with coconut chutney or any chutney of your choice.

Notes

1. You can use 1 finely chopped onion in the batter. Few chopped curry leaves can be used in the batter.

2. Always serve hot for crisp dosa. Dosa may become soft when cool.

3. Use chilli and black pepper according to your taste.

4. Batter should be flowing like rawa dosa and don’t try to spread with back of the ladle like normal dosa, just pour the batter on the pan.

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.

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