dessert – Batter Up With Sujata

Eggless Fruit Cake With Blue pea And Chamomile Tea

Merry Christmas! May your Christmas filled with joy!

Eggless fruit cake with chai masala and blue pea and chamomile tea. Do you like masala chai/tea with lemon? If yes then you will surely love the scrumptious taste of this rich moist soft alcohol free fruit cake. Blue pea and chamomile and cinnamon soaked dried fruits and nuts made this cake absolutely delicious and aromatic.

A close up of the soft moist texture of the cake 👇

I have used blue pea and chamomile tea soaked dry fruits in this cake. But you can use alcohol, apple juice, orange juice or any fruit juice or green tea or any other tea. Soak the dried fruits 6-8 hours or overnight. Or if you want to make the cake without soaking boil the fruits with whatever you use for soaking for 2-3 minutes. I also used Ceylon cinnamon dip with tea because I love the strong aroma of cinnamon of these bags.

I used these in many other recipes. Earlier shared Tisane or caffeine free herbal tea. See the actual colour of blue pea tea in above picture 👆. If you don’t like the flavour of cinnamon, you can skip cinnamon bags. Or you can also use 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon powder if you don’t have this cinnamon dip. You can get some more Eggless fruit cake recipes here.

I have used almond, cashew nuts, raisins, cranberries, dates, candied cherry and dried fig. You can use prune, black or red currant, sultana, apricot, candied orange or lemon peel or any other dried fruits.

And used chai masala extract for flavour. Chai masala extract is a mixture of ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, nutmeg and cloves extract. If you don’t have this extract then you can use these spices in powdered form in the cake batter with flour. I have used brown sugar but if you don’t have brown sugar, use powdered sugar or confectioners’ sugar. I have used 1 cup whole wheat flour or atta and 1/2 cup all purpose flour or maida in this cake. You can also make this cake with only whole wheat flour or only all purpose flour. Or use any gluten free flour of your choice. You can get some gluten free cake recipes on this blog. Get the recipes here.

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Recipe

Almond- 1/4 cup

Cashew nuts- 1/4 cup

Walnut- 1/4 cup

Raisins- 1/4 cup

Cranberries- 1/4 cup

Dates- 1/4 cup

Candied cherry- 1/4 cup

Dried figs – 1/4 cup, chopped

Water- 1 cup

Ceylon cinnamon bag- 1 Blue pea and chamomile tea bag – 1

Whole wheat flour oratta – 1 cup

All purpose flour or maida – 1/2 cup

Milk powder- 1/2 cup

Baking powder- 1 teaspoon

Baking soda- 1/2 teaspoon

Brown sugar- 3/4 cup

Oil or butter- 1/2 cup

Chai masala extract – 1 teaspoon

Milk – 1/2 cup

Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon

Lemon zest- 1/2 teaspoon

Method

1. Chop all the dry fruits and pitted dates into small pieces. In a bowl place blue pea tea bag and Cylon cinnamon bag. You can omit Cylon cinnamon dip bag if you don’t like strong cinnamon flavour. I love the aroma of this cinnamon dip. Pour boiling hot water over the tea and cinnamon bags. Add all the chopped dry fruits, mix and let it soak for 6-7 hours or overnight. Blue colour of the tea changed because of cinnamon. Shared a actual picture of blue pea tea above with the recipe of Tisane or caffeine free herbal tea.

2. You can also use tutti frutti, prune, apricot, black or red currant, sultana, candied orange or lemon peel or any other dried fruits. Use whatever you have. If you forgot to soak the dry fruits you can also make it instantly. Boil all the chopped dry fruits with 1 cup water, tea bag and cinnamon bag for 2-3 minutes. Let it cool down before using.

3. If you don’t have blue pea tea bags then you can use green tea bag or any other tea bag. Even you can use apple, grape, orange or any fruit juice or alcohol for soaking the dry fruits. Here is the picture of overnight soaked dry fruits 👇

4. Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice with lukewarm or room temperature milk and keep aside. Its okay if milk starts to curdle.

5. Grease a baking dish with oil or butter generously. I have used two cake moulds. One loaf pan and one small round pan. You can use any cake pan or mould of your choice.

6. Preheat the microwave convection or hot blast function at 170° or for OTG preheat at 180° for 10 minutes.

7. In a bowl sieve whole wheat flour or atta, all purpose flour or maida, baking powder and soda. If you want your cake flat top and without crack use half teaspoon baking powder instead of 1 teaspoon.

8. Squeeze out the soaked dry fruits and mix well with the sieved flour. Don’t discard the remaining aromatic water, we will use it in the cake batter.

9. Now add the milk powder and keep aside. In a large bowl whisk brown sugar, oil and lemon juice mixed milk. Whisk well and add lemon zest and chai masala extract. Whisk again. Chai masala extract is a mixture of ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, nutmeg and cloves extract. If you don’t have this extract then you can use these spices separately in powdered form.

10. Add remaining water of soaked fruits and mix. I have 1/3 cup of remaining water and used it. Add all the dry ingredients gradually and mix with a spatula till everything combined well. You can add little more milk if required to make a thick and flowing batter. I didn’t. 1/3 cup remaining water of soaked dry fruits was sufficient for me to make smooth batter.

11. Tap the cake pan on your kitchen counter to remove the air bubbles. Bake in preheated oven for 30- 40 minutes or till toothpick comes out clean and top of the cake becomes nicely browned.

12. This cake takes a little longer time than other cakes but every oven takes different time so keep an eye after 25- 30 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean then your cake is ready.

Let the cake cool down completely before slicing. This fruit cake taste best next day. You can keep the cake in room temperature for 2-3 days. After that store the cake in refrigerator. But I am sure you don’t have any remaining slices to store. Mine finished in a day 😊

Happy baking! Stay safe healthy and blessed! Enjoy your holiday.

Notes

1. Any flour can be used in this fruit cake.

2. You can also soak the dry fruits in alcohol, apple juice, orange juice or any fruit juice or green tea or any other tea.

3. Butter or any flavorless oil can be used to make this cake.

4. You can use any dried fruits or peel in the cake batter.

5. Powdered sugar can be used instead of brown sugar.

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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Apple Coconut Date Kheer Or Pudding

Apple coconut kheer or pudding sweetened with date powder. Thickened milk, cashew nuts, almond, date powder, apple and coconut made this kheer heavenly. Taste is much better than the kheer usually made with sugar or jaggery. And best part is you need only 3 spoon of date powder to make this delicious kheer.

This kheer is made with apple coconut and dry fruits. So its perfect for your fasting days. My recent visit to local supermarket Kipps I got this date powder and very happy with the taste. Very fine powder so easy to use in any dishes. Stay tuned for one more scrumptious recipe with date powder.

Here are some more kheer recipes on this blog.

1. Chakhao kheer or black rice kheer

2. Chhanar paesh or paneer kheer

3. Rice kheer

4. Khajur gur or date palm jaggery kheer

5. Rasgulla kheer

6. Kheer komola or orange Kheer

7. Lauki or bottle gourd kheer

And you may also like to try Dry fruits and foxnut or makhana kheer from my blogger friend Swaty Malik.

Recipe is very simple and easy. Only thing to remember that never add apple in hot thickened milk. Milk may curdle if added in hot milk. And please don’t skip the stir frying grated apple with little ghee. But you can use olive oil or any flavorless oil instead of ghee if you want. Coconut is optional, you can omit coconut if you want. Or you can stir fry the grated coconut with one teaspoon ghee before adding in the thickened milk. You can also use any dry fruits of your choice.

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Recipe

Milk – 4 cup

Apple – 1 large

Grated Coconut – 1/4 cup, tightly packed

Ghee or clarified butter – 2 teaspoon

Date powder – 3 tablespoon

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Almond – 20, sliced

Cashew nuts – 20, sliced

Pistachio to garnish

Method

1. Peel and grate the apple. Discard the seeds. Heat a pan and add ghee or clarified butter. Add grated apple and cook till all the moisture evaporate. Keep stirring to avoid sticking to the bottom. When dried up completely remove from heat and keep aside. Cook grated apple immediately after grating.

2. Boil milk in a heavy bottom pan or vessel. Cook the milk for 15 minutes. Stir continuously and scrap the sides. I have used toned milk but you can use full cream milk if you want.

3. After 15 minutes add grated coconut and mix well. See notes for more options. If you don’t like coconut, then you can skip this step.

4. When milk starts to rolling boil reduce the heat. Cook on simmer for 30 minutes or till milk becomes thick. Keep stirring in regular interval. Also scrap the sides.

5. After 15 minutes add date powder. Break all the lumps of date powder and mix well with a ladle or spoon. Add sliced almond and cashew nuts and cook for 5 minutes more. Reserve some nuts for garnishing.

6. Add cardamom powder,mix and remove from heat. Let it cool down completely. Add apple and mix.

7. Garnish with shredded almond, cashew nuts and pistachio.

8. Keep the kheer in refrigerator and serve chilled. Or you can also serve it in room temperature. Enjoy the heavenly taste.

Notes

1. You can use raisins or any dry fruits of your choice.

2. You can also stir fry the grated coconut with 1 teaspoon ghee before adding in milk.

3. Sugar or any sweetener can be used instead of date powder.

4. Add apple when thickened milk becomes completely cool down.

5. You can use olive oil or any flavorless oil instead of ghee.

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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Kheerer Malpua Or Mawa Malpua

Kheerer malpua or mawa malpua. Soft fluffy delicious fried pancake from Bengali cuisine. Malpua is soft but edges are crisp and taste heavenly. Saffron and cardamom flavored kheerer malpua or mawa malpua is a perfect festive treat.

You can also make this malpua to offer Goddess Durga or Bhog prasad.

Earlier shared delicious Malpua. Method of making this malpua is same but khoya/mawa or dried milk used in this malpua. You have to make a smooth lump free batter to make perfect malpua. Khoya or mawa and milk should be blend really well. You can add any shredded dry fruits in the batter. You may like some more fried and sugar syrup soaked sweets on this blog like Gulab jamun, Chhanar jilipi, Pantua, Gokul pithe and Ranga aloor pithe or sweet potato dumplings. And you may also like to try Pahala rasgulla from Sasmita’s blog.

This malpua is very easy to make and taste is delectable. Remember that batter should not be very thick. Make a lump free smooth flowing batter for perfect malpua. Fennel seeds or sounf is optional, you can skip it. But lightly crushed fennel seeds will give a lovely flavour. Sugar syrup is flavored with cardamom and saffron. If you don’t like cardamom then use only half teaspoon. I have used peanut oil mixed with 2 tablespoon ghee or clarified butter for frying. You can use only oil or only ghee/clarified butter if you want. You can use any flavorless oil for frying.

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Recipe

Khoya or mawa – 1 cup

Maida or all purpose flour – 1 cup

Suji or semolina – 4 tablespoon

Saunf or fennel seeds – 1 teaspoon, optional

Baking soda – 1/4 teaspoon

Warm milk – 1&3/4 cup

Oil or ghee/clarified butter for frying

Sugar – 1&1/2 cup

Water – 1 cup

Saffron or keshar – a pinch

Cardamom powder – 1 teaspoon

Method

1. Blend khoya or mawa and warm milk with a hand whisker or you can use your blender to mix really well. Homemade khoya will be soft and easy to blend. Get the method of making khoya here. But if you are using store bought khoya or mawa, grate the khoya before using.

2. Lightly crush the fennel seeds or sounf in a mortar pestle.

3. In a large bowl whisk maida or all purpose flour gradually with khoya and milk mixture. Don’t add all the maida in one go to avoid forming lump.

4. Add lighly crushed fennel seeds, semolina or suji and baking soda. Whisk well to make a lump free batter. Cover and keep aside for 30-40 minutes. Batter shouldn’t be thick. Make a flowing batter.

5. In a pan boil water and sugar with a pinch of saffron. Let it boil for 4 minutes. Add cardamom powder, mix and switch off the heat. If you don’t like the flavour of cardamom then add only half teaspoon cardamom powder.

6. Heat oil or ghee/clarified butter in a wok or pan. I used oil with two tablespoon ghee for flavour.

7..When oil becomes hot reduce the heat. Give a good stir to the batter. Pour a ladle full of batter in the middle of the ghee or oil. Fry on low medium heat till light golden brown from both sides and transfer on a plate. Fry all the malpua.

8. Dip the malpua in warm sugar syrup for 2-3 minutes. Press gently with a spoon to soak from both sides. Take out from the sugar syrup and arrange on a plate. Dip all the malpua this way.

9. Dip 2-3 malpua at a time and arrange on a large plate. Don’t dip in syrup for more than 2-3 minutes to soak each malpua. And remember sugar syrup should be warm.

10. Garnish with pistachios. You can also use shredded almond or grated khoya or mawa for garnishing. Serve warm or at room temperature. You can also serve malpua with rabri.

Notes

1. You can use shredded almond,cashew nuts or any dry fruits in the batter.

2. Batter should be lump free, smooth and flowing.

3. You can use only oil or ghee for frying. Or use a mixture of oil and ghee.

4. Any flavorless oil can be used for frying.

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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Sweet Potato Halwa With Date Palm Jaggery Or Khajur Gur

Sweet potato or shakarkand halwa with date palm jaggery or khajur gur. Try this easy to make dessert and enjoy the delectable taste. Sweet potato and date palm jaggery or khajur gur/Patali gur mixed taste is heavenly.

If you don’t have date palm jaggery then you can use cane jaggery, sugar or brown sugar. But date palm jaggery will taste divine. Earlier shared Sweet potato dumplings or pithe now here is one more sweet potato recipe for you. Sweet potatoes are nutrient-dense root vegetables that come in a variety of colors. They’re high in fiber and antioxidants, which protect your body from free radical damage and promote a healthy gut and brain. They’re also incredibly rich in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A to support good vision and your immune system. Source

As I mentioned above you can use any sweetener instead of date palm jaggery but flavour and taste may be different. Here are some health benefits of date palm jaggery.

• Benefits of having date palm jaggery in winters.

• Relieves common ailments like cold and cough.

• Rich in nutrients.

• Helps in weight loss.

• Boosts energy.

• Treats menstrual pain.

• Restores healthy digestion.

• Eases joint pain.

To read more about date palm jaggery click here.

Try this delectable halwa and serve warm as a dessert. Normally halwa needs lots of ghee or clarified butter but to make this halwa you need only one teaspoon ghee. So you can call it a healthy treat. Don’t skip the milk to get the exact taste. You can use any dry fruits of your choice.

Recipe

Sweet potato – 2, boiled

Oil – 2 tablespoon

Cashew nuts – 8

Raisins – 1 tablespoon

Date palm jaggery or khajur gur – 3 tablespoon, grated or finely chopped

Milk – 1 cup

Cardamom powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Ghee or clarified butter – 1 teaspoon

Method

1. Peel and mash the sweet potatoes and keep aside.

2. Heat oil in a pan. Fry the cashew nuts till golden brown. Remove from oil and fry raisins in the same oil. When raisins starts to fluff up immediately remove from oil. You can also use almond or any dry fruits of your choice.

3. Add peeled and mashed sweet potatoes and saute till sweet potatoes leaves the sides. It will take about 2-3 minutes.

4. Add milk and stir continuously. When milk about to dried up add gur or jaggery, fried cashew nuts, raisins and mix well. Cook till moisture evaporate. Stir continuously.

5. Add cardamom powder and 1 teaspoon ghee. Mix well and switch off the heat.

6. Garnish with grated jaggery and fried cashew nuts. Serve warm.

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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Moong Dal Halwa

Moong dal halwa. Enjoy delectable warm dessert without much effort. You don’t need to grind the dal and fry for a long time. Process is very easy so make anytime and serve warm or cold. You can also make laddu or barfi following same method if you want. So here is the recipe as I remember how maa usually made it. And yes my most favourite dessert in winter.

You may like some more halwa recipes on this blog. Click on the name below to get recipes.

1. Buckwheat Waterchestnut banana halwa

2. Paneer gajar halwa

3. Sugar free gajar halwa

4. Chana dal halwa

5. Cherry pineapple kesari

6. Singhara atta or Waterchestnut laddu

And some more dessert which you can enjoy warm

1. Kheer or rice pudding

2. Nolen gurer paesh

3. Pantua

4. Baked rasgulla

5. Sugar free sheer khurma

6. Gulabjamun

7. Shakkarai pongal

8. Rasaballi

9. Paruppu payasam

As I mentioned above that recipe is very easy to make and you don’t need to grind the dal or yellow lentil and fry for a long time. I remember my mother cook the lentil and milk on simmer after lunch to serve warm in evening. And maa used to add lots of cashew nuts and raisins but my kids don’t like so I skipped. You can use any dry fruits of your choice. If you have a large vessel to cook then you don’t need to sit and stir continuously. Just stir in regular interval to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Recipe

Moong dal – 1/2 cup

Milk – 3 cup

Sugar – 1/3 cup

Ghee or clarified butter – 1/4 cup

Cardamom powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Method

1. Rinse the moong dal till water runs clear. Soak dal or yellow lentil in enough water for 2 hours.

2. Heat milk in a wok or pan. Drain the water and add the moong dal in milk. When milk starts to rolling boil reduce the heat. You can add a small pinch of saffron in the milk. I don’t have while making it so I skipped. Saffron will give a lovely colour and flavour.

3. Cook on simmer till milk absorbed. Don’t forget to stir in regular interval. It will take about 1 hour to cook the dal completely on simmer.

4. When milk and dal about to dried up and dal become soft or fully cooked add sugar.

5. Sugar will release water so cook for 8 – 10 minutes more on low heat. Keep stirring. Now add ghee or clarified butter and mix well.

6. Stir continuously. Better to use nonstick pan but if you are using any other pan be careful to avoid sticking to the bottom and burning. When halwa dried up and you will get a nice aroma of fried moong dal add cardamom powder, mix and remove from heat. Garnish with shredded almond and pistachio.

7. Serve warm or room temperature. You can also make laddu or barfi with this mixture.

Notes

1. You can use any dry fruits of your choice.

2. You can increase the amount of ghee and milk if you want.

Participating in Shhhhh Cooking Secretly group after a long time. In this monthly group members are paired with different partners every month and two secret ingredients are given to each other. We have to use these ingredients in our recipe. This month Warm Dessert theme is suggested by Rafeeda AR who blog at Big Sweet Tooth. Rafeeda has a vast collection of wonderful recipes. I specially love her dessert recipes. I have bookmarked her Cookie cheesecake brownie bar to try soon. And this month my partner is my dear friend Preethi Prasad of Preethicuisine. I always love her authentic, healthy and innovative recipes. Among many other recipes I have to try her recently published Eggless orange cake soon. Preethi gave me ghee and moong dal and I gave her almond and cardamom to use in the recipe. I am sharing this delicious dal halwa using these ingredients.

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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Ranga Aloor Pithe/Sweet Potato Dumplings

Ranga aloor pithe or sweet potato dumplings. A sankranti special delicacy from Bengali cuisine. Sugar syrup soaked and stuffud with mawa/dried or thickened milk, coconut and khajur gur or date palm jaggery dumplings taste heavenly.

As I mentioned in my last year Sankranti post that in Bengal different types of pithe, puli, paesh or rice kheer/pudding are usually made to celebrate Poush Parbon or Makar Sankranti. On sankranti our lunch is Bhuni khichuri or khichdi with different types of vegetable fry or bhaja, Dum aloo , beguni, papad, tomato chutney or Khejur aamsotto or date mango bar chutney and for dinner different types of pithe puli, paesh or kheer, malpua, green peas stuffed kachodi, aloor nonta or savoury pithe. A day to enjoy all the traditional dishes. Here are some recipes that you can try to celebrate Poush Parbon or Makar Sankranti. Click on the name below for recipe.

1. Til badam laddu

2. Moong dal fried and baked pithe

3. Baked dudh puli

4. Malpua

5. Nolen gur paesh or date palm jaggery kheer

6. Gokul pithe

7. Date palm jaggery and coconut barfi

8. Rice kheer

9. Narkol naru or coconut laddu

And not traditional as above recipes but absolutely delicious two innovative baked recipes with all the sankranti special ingredients.

1. Semolina or rawa cake

2. Date palm jaggery oats dry fruits cookies

Monday again and our this week’s 280 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Sankranti Special.

To make these ranga aloor pithe or sweet potato dumplings you need rice flour and maida or refined flour for binding with mashed sweet potatoes. You have to mash the sweet potatoes really well. Dough should be completely lump free. Some sweet potatoes have fiber. Discard the fiber if any. And we don’t need thick sugar syrup for this pithe. Make a stuffing with khoya or mawa/dried whole milk, khajur gur or date palm jaggery, dry fruits and coconut. Cook the mixture on low heat until dried up. Keep stirring to avoid sticking to the bottom. Add little cardamom powder and remove from heat. Let it cool down completely before stuffing.

I always use homemade mawa. Get the method to make mawa here.

Recipe

Sweet potato- 4

Rice flour- 3 tablespoon

Refined flour or maida- 1 tablespoon

Sugar- 1 cup

Water- 2 cup

Cardamom powder- 1 teaspoon

For Stuffing click here

Refined oil or ghee for deep frying

Method

1. First make the stuffing as we made for Moong dal bhaja pithe and keep aside.

2. For sugar syrup boil 2 cup water with 1 cup sugar till sugar completely dissolved. Let it boil on low heat for 5 – 6 minutes more. Add 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder, mix and remove from heat. You can use half cup khajur gur or date palm jaggery and half cup sugar to make jaggery flavoured syrup.

3. Boil the sweet potatoes. Don’t make the potatoes mushy, boil till potatoes becomes tender. If you are using pressure cooker, cook for 2 whistle.

4. Peel the sweet potatoes when cool. Mash the potatoes well. Break all the lumps and make lump free dough. Discard the fiber if any.

5. Add rice flour, refined flour or maida and 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder. Mix well and make a smooth dough.

6. Make equal size balls. I have made 13 – 14 balls. You can make small sized pithe if you want. Flatten the balls with your palm. Place one teaspoon stuffing in the middle.

7. You can use little more stuffing but be careful while sealing, stuffing should be remain inside. Seal the edges and give cylindrical shape.

8. You can also make round pithe just like gulab jamun if you want.

9. Heat sufficient oil in a pan or wok. Slide the stuffed pithe into the hot oil. Slide 3 – 4 pithe one by one. But don’t overcroud. Fry on low medium heat till pithe becomes golden brown.

10. Dip the fried pithe in warm sugar syrup. Let it soak in syrup for 30 – 40 minutes or until all the pithe soaked well and swelled.

11. Use a large vessel to soak the stuffed and fried pithe. Don’t place the pithe over each other. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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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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.

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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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Oats Whole Wheat Bournvita Cake/ No Butter Cake/ Jaggery Cake/ Eggless Cake

Oats whole wheat Bournvita cake with jaggery. No sugar no butter no APF yet super soft moist healthy and delicious cake. You don’t need any exotic ingredient to make this cake. All the ingredients are easily available in every home. Only 1/4 cup Bournvita has some sugar. A very healthy treat for kids.

Super food oats, whole wheat flour, jaggery and Bournvita made this cake absolutely delicious. To make this cake gluten free you can use any gluten free flour instead of whole wheat flour. And to make vegan coconut milk, soy milk, almond milk or any plant based milk can be used instead of dairy milk. I have used very little baking powder and soda in the cake. Only half teaspoon each. And used a 18 CM cake tin. Its little larger for the batter. For well rise cake use smaller cake tin or make the ingredients double.

You can get some more jaggery and sugar free cakes and muffins recipe on this blog. Click on the name below for recipe.

1. Gluten free apple jaggery cake

2. Gluten free vegan fruit cake

3. Semolina or rawa cake

4. Ginger cake

5. Date walnut muffins

6. Sugar free carrot cake

Made a cake after a long time. Its my contribution to our #250 Foodiemonday bloghop theme. We are celebrating 250th bloghop so theme for this week is Celebrate With Cake.

Wanted to make a simple but healthy and sugar free cake. I don’t have dates or stevia in my pantry so used jaggery powder. And I had little Bournvita so finished it and enjoyed the taste. Cake was super soft moist and yummy. You can make it with only all purpose flour or maida or any flour of your choice. You can also use dry fruits or choco chips in the batter or sprinkle above the cake. I have used 1/2 cup oil for a moist cake but if you want to use less oil add 1/3 cup oil and increase the milk. Add 2 tablespoon more milk for a smooth pouring batter.

Recipe

Whole wheat flour or atta – 1 cup

Oats – 1/2 cup

Baking powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Baking soda – 1/2 teaspoon

Bournvita – 1/4 cup

Warm milk – 1 cup

Vinegar – 1 tablespoon

Jaggery powder – 1 cup

Oil – 1/2 cup

Vanilla essence – 1 teaspoon

Method

1. Preheat the oven at 180°. Grease a baking tin and dust with little flour or line with parchment paper.

2. Grind the oats into fine powder.

3. Mix vinegar in lukewarm milk.

4. In a bowl mix whole wheat flour, ground oats, baking powder and soda.

5. In a large bowl whisk vinegar mix milk, jaggery powder and Bournvita. Add oil and whisk well till everything combine well. Add vanilla and whisk again.

6. Now add all the dry ingredients. Mix everything well to make a smooth lump free batter. Don’t over beat. For more option see notes.

7. Pour the batter in greased and flour dusted or lined baking pan.

8. Bake in preheated oven at 180° for 30 to 40 minutes. Every oven takes different time so check after 30 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the middle of the cake. If its comes out clean your cake is ready. And if not, bake for a few minutes more. Mine took 45 minutes.

9. Let the cake cool down completely on a cooling rack before slicing. Serve with milk to the kids or enjoy the healthy and delicious cake to satisfy your sweet cravings.

Notes

1. Any gluten free flour can be used instead of whole wheat flour or atta.

2. You can also make this cake with only all purpose flour/maida if you want.

3. Almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk or any plant based milk can be used instead of milk.

4. You can use butter instead of oil.

5. If you want to use less oil use 1/3 cup oil and increase the amount of milk. Add 2 tablespoon milk more to make smooth and pouring batter.

6. You can add dry fruits or choco chips in the batter or sprinkle choco chips over the cake.

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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Mint Rasgulla

Mint rasgulla or mint ( pudina) flavoured rasgulla. A very refreshing spongy soft mint flavored rasgulla. Serve chilled or room temperature, taste is absolutely divine.

You don’t need to buy rasgulla from sweet shop. You can make it easily at home. To make perfect rasgulla read all the tips and tricks here.

Just remember milk should be cow milk. And while making paneer be careful. Drain the water and wash the paneer immediately to stop further cooking to get soft paneer. And next step is kneading the paneer. Mash the paneer with your finger tips and heel of your palm till paneer becomes smooth and your palm become greasy. For mint flavoured rasgulla I have added some mint leaves in the sugar syrup. And I love these mint rasgulla so made many times. Sometimes used dried mint leaves powder in the paneer while mashing. And sometimes added some fresh mint leaves in milk while making paneer. You can make the rasgulla following any of these method.

You can get some more different flavoured rasgulla on this blog. Click on the name below for recipe.

1. Rasgulla

2. Watermelon rasgulla

3. Mango rasgulla

4. Orange rasgulla

5. Chilli rasgulla

And some more recipes you can make with rasgulla.

1. Baked rasgulla

2. Savoury rasgulla korma

3. Rasgulla kheer or pudding

4. Rasgulla cupcakes

Sending this post to Facebook group Healthy Wealthy Cuisine. This time theme is Cool Dessert suggested by Vanitha Bhat who blog at Curry And Vanilla. Do visit her space for many wonderful recipes.

Here are some more cool dessert recipes from my blogger friends.

Mango panna cotta by Jayashree

Carrot kheer by Preethi

Mango phirni with almond by Vanitha

Basundi by Narmadha

Mango pineapple sorbet by Sasmita

Recipe is very simple. Make the rasgulla like you make normal rasgulla just add some mint leaves in the sugar syrup and also add some mint leaves in the milk while making. Or add 1 teaspoon dried and powdered mint leaves. Taste will be great in both ways.

Recipe

Cow milk – 1 liter

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

Mint leaves – 2 – 3 tablespoon

Dried mint powder – 1 teaspoon

For syrup

Sugar – 1 cup

Water – 4 cup

Mint leaves – 1/4 cup

Method

For making perfect rasgulla please read all the tips and tricks here.

1. Place a cheesecloth on a strainer.

2. Heat milk in a heavy bottom pan with some mint leaves if using.

If you want to use dried mint leaves powder skip this step. When it starts to rolling boil remove from 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. You can make cottage cheese with curd in same method. First add 1/4 cup curd then add as require. It will depends on the milk. You need 1/4 to 1/2 cup curd to make cottage cheese.

6. Squeeze the cloth well to drain all the water from cottage cheese. Remove the cottage cheese on a large dry cloth. Wrap well and put a heavy weight on it for 2 hours.

7. Take out the cottage cheese or paneer on a large plate. Discard the mint leaves if used. Or if you are using mint leaves powder and 1 teaspoon in the paneer. To make mint leaves powder clean and rinse the mint leaves. Drain the water well. Let the leaves dry in shade on a paper towel for 2 – 3 days or until leaves dried up completely. Crush the dried leaves with your palm or grind in mixer grinder. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

8. Mash the paneer with your finger tips and heel of your palm. Mash till your palm becomes greasy and paneer becomes smooth.

9. Make small balls. These will become double. You can make 7 to 9 rasgulla out of this cottage cheese depends on the size.

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

11. Make round ball using your both palm. Make all the balls.

12. In a large and broad pan heat 1 cup sugar, 4 cup water and 1/4 cup mint leaves.

13. 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.

14. Cover and cook on medium high heat for 20 minutes.

15. After 20 minutes switch off the heat. Keep it covered for 3 – 4 hours or until completely cool down. Don’t open the lid before 2 – 3 hours, your rasgulla may shrink.

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

Notes

1. Always use cow milk to make rasgulla.

2. Don’t remove the lid when hot let it cool down completely before removing the lid.

3. Read the tips and tricks carefully before making rasgulla first time. You will get perfect spongy rasgulla.

4. Drain the paneer well to avoid breaking the rasgulla in syrup.

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

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