Diwali Recipe Collection 2016 Take 2

Earlier this week, I shared with you my Diwali Recipe Collection (take 1), but there were many recipes that still needed to be added. I wanted to avoid overcrowding one post and decided to do it in parts. 

To continue with Diwali frenzy and in my humble attempt to simplify things for everyone…I present to you my Diwali Recipe Collection (take 2). I will be putting up the entire step-by-step recipe here along with the direct link to each post at the end of each recipe. You can click that to see the step-by-step pictures in case you are interested 😊 Do read till the end and you will be deciding your menu right here!!

Let’s begin…

POORANPOLI

Yield: 15-16 Pooranpolis

Equipment: a pressure cooker, a wok, a mixing bowl, a potato masher, rolling pin, rolling board, measuring cups/ spoons, a non-stick pan, a spatula.

Ingredients:

For the Pooran:

1 cup chana dal (split gram)

2-3 cup water

a pinch of turmeric pwd

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup sugar (add more or less as per your preference)

1 + 1/2 tsp cardamom pwd

For the Poli:

1 1/2 cup Maida (APF)

a pinch of salt

1/4 cup refined oil

water as needed

Method:

For the Pooran:

Soak the dal for about 1 hour in 2-3 cups of water. Then pressure cook the dal with the same water that it was soaking in, turmeric & salt for 3-4 whistles. The water in the pressure cooker will evaporate considerably. Cool the cooker completely and the open the lid once the steam settles down on it’s own. Then mash the cooked dal using the masher.

Next, heat a wok. Add the mashed dal to the wok. Add the sugar now. Keep stirring it continuously, the sugar will start melting. Keep stirring to avoid the sugar from burning with the mashed dal. The consistency of the mixture will start to thicken and become very dense. Once it looks almost dry, turn off the flame. Add the cardamom pwd at this stage. Mix it well with the mixture. Taste the mixture and adjust the sugar if necessary (in case you add more sugar after tasting, then you will need to cook it again on medium heat and stir the mixture continuously until it dries up again).

The texture of the filling should look like the picture on the right.

For the Poli:

Take the maida in a mixing bowl, add salt. Add a little water at a time, start kneading a dough. It must be a soft dough. I used about 1/2 cup water approximately. Next, make indentations in the dough at drizzle the oil. Cover and set aside for 30 mins. After 30 mins, knead the dough again until it absorbs all the oil. The dough will be very soft and extremely pliable at this stage. Let it rest for another 15 mins before making the Pooranpoli.

For assembling the Pooranpoli:

Please follow the pictures for next few steps.

Divide the dough into equal parts, stuff them with the filling and cover them properly so that the filling doesn’t spill out while rolling them

Next, roll them out evenly. Heat a pan, cook them on both sides and smear some ghee or butter while cooking them. Ideally, they should puff up. But it’s ok if they don’t puff up.

Serve them piping hot with some more ghee or butter.

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Pooranpoli.

SPONGE RASGULLA (pressure cooker recipe)

️Yield: 7-8 Rasgullas

Equipment: a large plate, a pressure cooker, a ladle, extra bowls, measuring cups/ spoons.

Ingredients:

1 litre milk (I used Amul Toned milk)

1/2 tsp citric acid pwd

2 cup sugar

3-4 cup water

a few strands of saffron to garnish

pistachio to garnish

Method:

Please note that the milk had already split in my case. But to split the milk specially to make these…heat the milk in a large pan, once it comes to a boil, add the citric acid pwd and stir once. The milk will split. Just strain the milk solids in a muslin cloth and wash the solids within the cloth under running water to get rid of any traces of citric acid.

Keep the milk solids in the muslin cloth under some weight for 30 mins to remove all the whey. Then transfer the cottage cheese/ paneer on a plate. Mash the paneer with the your hands until it’s soft and a little greasy in texture. Next, divide the mashed paneer in equal parts…about 7-8 and make smooth, crack free balls. Set them aside.

Now, add water and sugar in the pressure cooker. Turn the flame on and let the sugar melt. Once the sugar has melted completely & the syrup starts boiling, add the balls one by one. Close the lid and place the weight too. Let it simmer for 10 mins on high flame. Then after the first whistle, lower the flame and let it simmer for another 5-8 mins. Turn off the flame after that. Let the pressure release on its own. Then take out the cooked rasgulla and the syrup and place them in a bowl to cool down completely. You can squeeze them and see how spongy they have turned out to be! They are ready…garnish & serve them chilled!!

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Pressure Cooker Sponge Rasgulla. 

WHITE CHOCOLATE TREATS (ideal for gifting)

Yield: 7-10 pieces

Equipment: a deep saucepan, a heat proof bowl (preferably borosil/ Pyrex), measuring cups/ spoons, silicon Chocolate moulds in any shape.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped Morde White Compound

sugar sprinkles or sugar balls as needed

Method:

Heat water in the saucepan until it starts to boil, then place the heatproof bowl over the saucepan in such a way that the base of the bowl does not touch the boiling water below in the pan. Next, keep the chopped compound chocolate in the bowl and maintain the flame on it’s lowest possible level. Let the compound melt slowly and do not stir it.

While the compound melts, place the sugar balls/ sprinkles in the chocolate moulds, just a thin layer covering the base only.

Next, check the compound chocolate that is melting, it should be almost melted by now. Remove the bowl from the top of the saucepan. Stir the melted compound chocolate just once. It must be smooth and lump free.

Next, add 1-2 tsp of the melted compound chocolate over the sprinkles placed in the moulds. Fill the moulds to the top. Do the same for all the moulds and place them on a tray. Place this tray in refrigerator or the freezer for about 10-12 mins. They will be completely set and hard by then. When you break the chocolate in half, you should hear a ‘snap’! That’s the sound of a perfect homemade chocolate.🤓🤓😬

Follow the same recipe for Dark chocolate compound or Milk chocolate compound too. 😊

They keep well for 3-4 days under refrigeration.

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Homemade White Chocolate Treats

MASALA SEV

Yield: 1 large bowl

Equipment: kitchen press, a wok, a slotted spatula, a mixing bowl, measuring cups/ spoons.

Ingredients:

1 cup Besan (chickpea flour)

2 tbsp refined oil

A pinch of hing (asafoetida)

1/2 tsp red chilli pwd

1/2 tsp black pepper pwd

1/2 tsp turmeric pwd

1/2 tsp roasted cumin pwd

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp citric acid pwd (optional)

Salt to taste

oil to fry

lukewarm water as needed

Method:

Take besan in a mixing bowl, add all the spices and season with salt as well. Give it a mix. Add the oil and use lukewarm water to make a loose dough. The dough should be softer than that of roti (the dough should feel slightly sticky when u touch it, I used about 1/2 cup water). Let the dough rest for 30 mins.

Heat sufficient oil in a wok for frying.

Then, after resting it for 30 mins, fill the kitchen press with the dough and fit the plate with larger holes for thick Sev (see the pic above for reference). And slowly drop the dough into the hot oil from the press.

Fry the sev on medium flame until it turns golden brown. Remove from the oil and drain it on kitchen tissues. Repeat for the remains dough too. That’s it….it’s ready 😬 I usually serve these with some mango pickle! Tastes really yummy👌

These keep well for 10-15 days in an airtight container. Enjoy!

CLick here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Masala Sev. 

DAHI WADAS ON A SKEWER

Yield: 21 small or 12-14 large Wadas

Equipment: Appe pan / Aebelskiver pan, skewer sticks, a blender, a large mixing bowl, 2-3 bowls, spice mixer, 2-3 spoons, measuring cups/ spoons, a small saucepan, 2 glass jars

Ingredients for the Wadas:

1 cup skinless white urad dal (black lentil) soaked for 6-7 hrs
10-12 nos black peppercorns

2″ pc ginger

3 nos green chilly

1/2 tsp red chilly pwd

1 pinch hing (asafoetida)

salt to taste

oil as required (optional)

Method for the Wadas:

Grind together all the ingredients mentioned above to make a smooth paste using little water. The paste should not be runny. It’s supposed to be thick and sticky. Let this batter / paste sit for 30mins. Whisk the batter vigorously using a spoon for at least 4-5 mins. This will make the batter very light and airy and will ensure that the Wadas are soft.

Now heat the appe pan, add a drop of oil if needed in every section. Now drop about a 1.5 – 2 tbs of the batter in every section and cook for 2 mins on the first side, then using another spoon flip them over to the other side and cook for another 1-2 mins. Repeat this for the entire batch of the batter. And set aside the Wadas to cool a bit. Then dip them in some warm for 10 mins then drain the water. Squeeze out the extra water. This is done to just soften the wada a little more. Set them aside.

Ingredients for the tamarind chutney:

1 cup tamarind pulp

3 tbsp pwd jaggery (use more if you like)

1/2 tsp each of red chilly pwd & roasted cumin pwd

1/2 tsp crushed saunf Dana (fennel seeds)

1/4 tsp salt

Method for the tamarind chutney:

Heat the saucepan, add the pulp along with the jaggery pwd and stir till the jaggery dissolves completely and the concoction simmers slightly..then season with the above mentioned ingredients. Cook for another 5-7mins. The concoction will thicken slightly. Turn off the gas and let the chutney cool down completely before you store it in a clean, dry glass jar. Set that aside for now.

Ingredients for the green chutney:

1/2 cup coriander leaves washed, dried & roughly chopped

1 no raw mango peeled & cubed

salt to taste

1 tbsp tamarind chutney

1-2 nos green chillies

6-7 nos cloves of garlic

Method for the green chutney:

Put all in the ingredients mentioned above in a blender with a little water and pulse for a couple of mins. The chutney will have a smooth texture. Store the chutney in a clean & dry glass jar.

Ingredients for the saffron infused curd dip:

1 cup thick curd

2 tbsp warm water

15-20 strands of saffron

Himalayan pink salt to taste

Method for the curd dip:

Dilute the saffron with the warm water for 20 mins or until it releases a rich yellow /ocher colour. Mix this yellow saffron water with the curd & the salt. Beat everything well and set aside I refrigerator to cool for 15-20 mins before using it.

For the plating & garnish you will need:

1 tsp roasted cumin pwd

1tsp red chilli pwd

Few pomegranate airels

2 tsp coriander leaves chopped finely

Plating:

Put 2-4 Wadas on a single skewer stick, drizzle some of the curd dip, tamarind chutney, green chutney. Sprinkle some roasted cumin and red chilli pwd. Add a few pomegranate seeds /jewels. And a final flourish of coriander leaves! Voilà! Do the rest in a similar way & serve right away.

Or just serve in platters like we usually do! ☺️

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Dahi Wadas.

BANARASI SAMOSA 

️Yield: 12 medium samosas

Equipment: a wok, a pan, rolling pin, measuring cups/ spoons, a slotted ladle, extra spoons & plates as needed, a pressure cooker.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

2 cup Maida (APF)

2 tbsp warm ghee

1 tsp ajwain (carrom seeds)

salt to taste

water as needed

Method:

Mix all the ingredients except the water in a bowl. Rub the ghee with the Maida for at least 10 mins as this gives very good, flaky samosa. The texture will resemble breadcrumbs. Then add little water at a time and make a semi-stiff dough. Let it sit let for a minimum of 30 mins.

For the stuffing:

3 nos. boiled and chopped potatoes

1 cup green peas

1/2 tsp hing

1 tbsp oil

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

2 tsp chopped coriander leaves

1 tsp each of coriander pwd, cumin pwd (Jeera pwd), red chilly pwd, Garam masala.

1/2 tsp amchur pwd (dry mango pwd)

A pinch of turmeric pwd

salt to taste

Method:

Heat oil in a pan, add hing & cumin seeds. Once they splatter, then add the potatoes and green peas. Sauté for 5 mins. Then add the dry masalas and season with salt. Cook for 5 mins. Turn off the flame. Add coriander leaves & mix well. Let the stuffing cool completely before proceeding ahead.

Assembling the samosa:

Make a lemon sized ball of the dough…divide the dough similarly. Now roll each ball to a thickness of about 3mm. Not more. Cut the the rolled dough into two half circles. Make a cone of each half. Seal it carefully. Add the stuffing into the cone…about 1 tbsp in each cone or little more.

Then close the third side of the cone well. Use some water to seal the dough well. Repeat for all the dough. Keep aside for 20 mins before frying them.

Next, heat enough oil in a wok to fry the samosas. Once the oil is hot enough, reduce the flame and drop 2-3 samosas into the oil. Deep fry them at low flame to get crispy & well cooked samosas.

Once done, remove from the oil & drain on some tissues. Serve them piping hot with dips/ chutney of your choice☺️

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of SAMOSA and also BANARASI SAMOSA CHAAT 

KAJU KATLI 

Yield: 15-17 katlis

Equipment: a non stick pan, a wooden spoon, measuring cups/ spoons, a knife, a plate, a rolling pin.

Ingredients:

1 cup cashew nuts

1/2 cup sugar

4 tbsp water

1 tsp ghee (for greasing)

Method:

Use a blender and dry grind the cashews to a fine texture. Make sure the cashews were at room temperature before grinding.

Heat the non stick pan, add the sugar & water. Melt the sugar into the water on a low flame. Keep stirring. Once the sugar has melted, cook for another 2-3 mins on low flame. To check if the sugar syrup is ready, take some water in a bowl and add a drop of the syrup. The drop should not mix in the water. This is one thread consistency (ek taar ki chashni). My syrup was ready in 5 mins approximately.

Once the syrup is ready, add the cashew powder & keep stirring constantly & cook on low flame for 5 mins, until you achieve a dough like consistency. To check the consistency of the Katli dough, take some mixture in your hands and make a ball, if the shape holds, it’s ready. Remove this dough like mixture on a greased plate and let it cool for 5 min. Grease your palms and knead this mixture carefully until it’s smooth.

Now, roll this dough with a rolling on the back of a greased plate. The thickness should be about 6mm or a bit more. Don’t roll it too thin. Set this plate in the refrigerator for 8-10 mins. They will set really quickly, once set, you can cut them in any shape as you prefer, however I prefer the traditional diamond shape for these katlis … That’s it! They are ready 😄 you can store them in an airtight container for 2-3 day in the refrigerator.

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Kaju Katli 

KARACHI BISCUITS/ TUTTY FRUTTI COOKIES 

Yield: 24 medium cookies

Equipment: a large mixing bowl, a whisk (electric or manual), some cling wrap, a sharp knife, measuring cups/ spoons, baking tray, cooking rack.

Ingredients:

1 cup Maida/ APF

1/2 cup powdered sugar

7-8 tbsp softened butter (I used unsalted, if you are using salted butter then, increase the quantity of sugar by 1-2 tbsp)

1 tsp vanilla extract/ essence

1/2 cup of mixed tutti frutti

5 tbsp roughly chopped cashew nuts (optional)

1 tsp milk (optional, to be used only to make a smooth dough if you are unable to roll the dough)

Method:

Take butter and sugar in a mixing bowl, cream them together until they are fluffy and light. Then add the tutti frutti, cashews & vanilla extract. Mix it these well then add the flour. Mix them well with a light hand and bring them together to make a ball. Use 1 tsp of milk only if you are unable to make a round ball. The dough doesn’t need to be kneaded, just bring it together. The mixture is very soft and pliable.

Now, take the dough on some cling wrap and roll it well to give it the shape of a thick log. Wrap the log well and refrigerate for a minimum of 30-40 mins.

In the meantime, preheat your oven @180’C for about 10 mins. Line your baking tray with some parchment/ butter paper. Remove the chilled log of dough from the refrigerator and cut it in about 1/2″ slices. Place them slightly apart on the lined baking tray. Bake them for 15 mins @180’C using the upper and lower rods for the first 10 mins, then just the lower rod for the last 5 mins. Remove the tray from the oven & let it cool on the rack for about 15 mins. The cookies are soft when you remove them from the oven but crisp up as they cool down. You can store these in airtight containers for almost 1 week.

*Please note that baking time may vary as every oven is different, so time the oven accordingly. The cookies turn slightly golden around the edges as they are ready, so remove them from the oven as per the colour.

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Karachi Cookies 

FUDGE BARS

Yield: 10 bars or 20 squares (depending on how your cut them)
Equipment: a heavy bottom wok, measuring cups & spoons, a wired whisk, baking/ parchment, paper or aluminium foil sheet, a sharp knife.

Ingredients :
200 ml condensed milk
3+1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
5 tbsp castor sugar
1-2 drops vanilla extract/ essence
50 gms butter
1 tbsp APF (Maida)
1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts (replace the walnuts with pecans, cashews, hazelnuts, dried cranberries or prunes, etc.)

Method:
Line the any container or a plate with the baking paper/ parchment paper/ aluminium foil.

In a wok, add all the ingredients except the vanilla extract & chopped walnuts.

Heat them on low flame and keep whisking simultaneously so that the mixture doesn’t burn or has any lumps.

Keep cooking and stirring until the mixture comes together and form a thick mass that moves with the whisk. Add the vanilla extract & walnuts at this stage and mix well.
Immediately pour the mixture on the prepared container or plate. Spread it with the help of a spatula.

Keep it in the refrigerator to set for a minimum of 2 hours. Once set, slice it into bars or squares & serve.
They last for 3-4 days under refrigeration.

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of FUDGE BARS 

Do try these recipes…they are easy and absolutely delicious ☺️

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and prosperous Diwali!! 🎉✨🎉🎊🎉✨🎉✨🎉🎊💥💥🎁

Love,

Shreya💗

Click here for Diwali Recipe Collection (take 1). 

Diwali Recipe Collection 2016

So Diwali is upon us…barely a week away and I know everyone has a lot of to-do lists…shopping, gifts to pack…goodies to send out to friends and family..the list is almost endless 😀 among all the tiny things to do, we often tend to miss out on the actual fun of preparing homemade sweets and savouries for our loved ones and choose to buy them instead…and therefore I bring to you a collection of my most easy, delicious and tempting sweets and savouries that can be made at home with basic ingredients and very little effort😘 I present to you Diwali Recipe Collection 2016!!!!! ✨💥🎉🎊🎁

I won’t be placing direct links here for you to keep clicking, that can get a little tedious. I will be putting the link to each recipe with its step-by-step pictures at the end but not before I give you a detailed recipe right here on this post. That way, it’s up to you if you wish to check the pictures or not. I think that’s fair enough as you won’t have to navigate your way into my archives and spend to much time when you should actually be grabbing a recipe and heading to the kitchen 🤗😂 So, do read till end because each of you is going to end up making something from here…!!!!!

So here we go…

Let’s start with something sweet😊

MYSORE PAK

Yield: 10-12 pieces (depends on how large/ small you slice them. I cut fairly large pieces)

Equipment: a heavy bottom pan, a wooden spatula, a tray, a knife, a seive, a mixing bowl, measuring cups/ spoons.

Ingredients:

1 cup besan (chickpea flour)

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup ghee + extra to grease the tray

4-5 tbsp water

1/4 tsp cardamom powder

Method:

Add a tsp of ghee in the pan and roast the besan for 3-4 mins, just until the rawness goes away and the besan releases a nutty aroma. Turn off the flame.

Seive the roasted besan into the mixing bowl. Add the ghee into it and mix it with the besan to make a smooth paste. Keep that aside.

Take water and sugar in the pan, set it on low flame and let the sugar melt completely. Keep stirring while the sugar melts.

Alongside, grease the tray well with ghee. Set it aside. By this time the sugar syrup will be boiling away. The syrup will be very thick.

Now add the besan and ghee paste into the melted sugar. Keep stirring continuously now onwards, keep the flame at the lowest setting. Also, add cardamom pwd & a couple of tsps of ghee into the boiling mixture.

When the mixture begins to froth on the sides and becomes thick, turn off the flame and quickly pour the mixture into the prepped tray. (No pic of that step, the mixture very hot and setting too fast)

Once the mixture begins setting (it will set within 10 mins), cut the Mysore Pak in desired shapes and serve. Keeps well without refrigeration in an airtight box for upto 2 weeks as it contains good amount of ghee.

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Mysore Pak.

MOONG DAL KA HALWA

Yield: serves 3-4

Equipment: a heavy bottomed non-stick pan (I use non-stick, it’s easier to work with it), measuring cups/ spoons, a small pan.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup split yellow lentils (dhuli moong dal)

8-9 tbsp ghee

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup water

1/4 tsp cardamom pwd (elaichi pwd)

Slivered pistachio to garnish as needed

Method:

Rinse and soak the lentils (dal) in lukewarm water for 2-3 hours (I always use lukewarm water here as it ensured that the lentils are soaked well in less time).

Once the lentils have soaked well, strain them. Blend them in a mixer without adding any water until smooth (I leave them a bit grainy as I mentioned above too). Set it aside.

Heat ghee in the pan, once it melted, add the blended lentil paste and keep stirring on low flame for 15-20 mins. Do not cease stirring as the lentil paste will burn or colour unevenly. After 15-20 mins, the ghee will seperate from the lentils and the lentil paste will be a bit crumbly and golden in colour. Turn off the flame and set this aside.

Now, heat water and sugar in a small pan. Melt the sugar in the water, add cardamom powder and stir well. Turn off the flame. (We are not making a sugar syrup with a thread consistency, we are just melting the sugar here, that should take 3-5 mins)

Now, add the sugar syrup to the cooked lentils and turn on the flame, keep it on low. Keep stirring it and let it come to a gentle boil. Cover with a lid and let the sugar syrup reduce and cook for 5-7 mins with the lentils. Open the lid, check the consistency and cook further if it’s still watery, else, add 1 tbsp of ghee and turn off the flame.

Garnish with nuts of your choice or just pistachios like I have done here, best served warm. Or create a fusion by add a scoop of ice cream to the bowl!

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Moong Dal Ka Halwa

MATHURA KE PEDE

 

Yield: 10-12 medium sized Pedas

Equipment: a heavy bottomed wok, measuring cups/ spoons, a couple of plates, a spatula.

Ingredients:

200 gms Khoya (I used store bought)

1 cup castor sugar + extra to coat the Pedas (adjust the sugar as per your taste)

1/4 tsp cardamom pwd (optional)

milk & ghee as needed

Method:

Take grated Khoya in the wok and cook on low flame. Keep stirring it continuously until the khoya begins to melt.

Add 1 teaspoon of ghee at this stage and some milk, about 2 teaspoons. Keep stirring continuously so that the Khoya gets an even colour and doesn’t burn at the bottom.

It took me almost 25-30 mins to reach this stage. I added another two teaspoons of milk because the Khoya looked dry. Add milk as per the texture. Always cook on low flame else the Khoya will colour unevenly.

Turn off the flame (I didn’t cook it any further to make it a little more brown, my arms were hurting too much after stirring constantly). Add cardamom pwd and mix well. Let this mixture cool down for just 5-6 mins and add the castor sugar. And mix with your hands to incorporate the sugar.

(TIP: Don’t let the mixture cool off too much before adding the sugar as the sugar won’t melt properly. But in case the khoya has become too cold and the sugar isn’t melting properly, you can cook the khoya & sugar mixture for 3-4 mins on low flame and immediately take it out of the pan and mix well).

Once the mixture is ready, grease your palms with some ghee and make Pedas of any shape (I kept them rustic) and roll them in some castor sugar. And set them aside. These can be stored for more than a week even without refrigeration as they have been cooked so well. That’s it!

Click here for a direct to detailed recipe of Mathura Ke Pede.

KHASTI MATHRI

Yield: 12-13 medium sized mathris

Equipment: a large wok, rolling pin, rolling board, a knife, a mixing bowl, a slotted spatula, measuring cups/ spoons.

Ingredients:

250 gms APF (Maida)

salt to taste

8 tbsp warm ghee

1 tbsp nigella seeds (kalonji, you can use any other spices or masala as per your choice)

water as needed (I used about 1/4 cup)

oil to fry

Method:

Take all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, add warm ghee. Now rub these ingredients together for 10-15 mins, they should resemble breadcrumb like texture. This will make the mathris Khasti. Once that’s done, add water little by little to make stiff dough. Knead the dough for a few mins, cover it & set it aside for 15 mins (since I was in a rush today, I did not follow this step but still managed to get Khasti Mathri).

After 15 mins, knead the dough again for 2 mins. Then divide the dough to make equal sized balls. Using a rolling pin, roll them to a thickness of 1/2″ and prick them all over with a knife on both sides. Repeat this step for the entire batch of dough. Next, heat sufficient oil a wok to fry.

Once the oil is hot enough, reduce the flame to low and start frying 2-3 mathris at a time. Do not fry on high flame, the mathris won’t crisp up & will be raw from inside as well. Once they turn golden brown on both sides, remove from the oil & drain on kitchen tissues. Repeat for the entire batch of the rolled mathris. Cool them completely before storing in air tight containers. They keep well for 8-10 days.

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Khasti Mathri. 

CHAWAL KE NAMAK PAARE 

Yield: serves 2-3

Equipment: measurging cups/ spoons, a large wok, a slotted ladle, a chakli press/ kitchen press, some kitchen tissues.

Ingredients:

1 cup rice flour (Chawal ka atta)

salt to taste

a pinch of baking soda (soda bicarb)

1/2 tsp black pepper powder

5 tbsp ghee

water as needed

oil to fry

Method:

Seive rice flour in a large mixing bowl, add salt black pepper, soda bicarb and ghee.

Keep rubbing these together until the flour resembles a bread crumb like texture and it holds it’s shape when held in a fist (I do it for about 20 mins to get a crisp texture later).

Then using little water make a hard dough. Cover the dough and let it rest for 15 mins.

Next, fill the dough in the kitchen and use the plate shown in the second picture above to make the shapes of the namak paare (as the dough is glutenfree, I wasn’t comfortable rolling it and cutting it into small diamonds, you can do so if you are able to manage to roll the dough).

Heat sufficient oil in a wok, once it’s hot, turn the flame to low. Now drop the pressed pieces of dough into the oil and fry on both sides. Remember to fry on low flame so that they cook evenly and turn crisp.

Once done, remove from the oil and place on kitchen tissue to absorb excess oil. Let them cool off completely before storing them in airtight containers.

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Chawal ke Namak Paare. 

KHOYA PEDA 

Yield: 7-8 Pedas

Equipment: non-stick pan, a wooden spatula, measuring cups/ spoons.

Ingredients:

200 gms unsweetened khoya

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp elaichi pwd

a few chironjee or pistachio flakes to garnish

some ghee to grease your palms

Method:

Grate the khoya in a bowl. Add the powdered sugar to the grated khoya. Mix the two well. Then heat a pan, add the khoya-sugar mixture to the pan. Cook it on low flame and stir continuously. The khoya and the sugar will first melt and then slowly start to thicken in about 15-20 mins.

Add the cardamom pwd and mix again. Turn off the flame. Let the mixture cool down completely. (I let the mixture in the refrigerator for about 45 mins as the climate is very hot and humid and making the Pedas would be difficult.)

Once the mixture has cooled down and solidified a bit, pinch lemon sized balls of the dough and roll them between greased palms and make smooth Pedas. You can even decorate them with some chironjee or pistachio flakes. That’s it! These keep well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days easily.

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of KHOYA Peda.

INSTANT KESAR PEDA

Yield: 8-10 Pedas

Equipment: measuring cups/ spoons, a heavy bottom non-stick pan, a wired whisk, a plate.

Ingredients:

200 gms condensed milk

1 cup milk powder

2 tsp warm milk

9-10 strands of saffron and some extra to use for the garnish

2 tsp ghee + extra to grease your palms while shaping them

Method:

Mix warm milk with the saffron strands and let it stand for 5-8 mins until the milk is coloured beautifully.

Next, add milk powder and condensed milk to the pan. Add the saffron infused milk too. Whisk it well until it’s lump free. Place the pan with the mixture on medium flame and cook while you stir it constantly. Add 2 tsp ghee and keep stirring, I cooked it for about 10 mins to achieve a dough like consistency which leaves the sides of the pans once cooked.

Take the mixture from the pan onto a greased plate. Knead the mixture like a dough for 2 mins. Let it now cool for the next 8-10 mins. Then, grease your palms with some ghee and take a small portion of the dough and shape it into a Peda. Do the same for the rest of the dough. You can use any stamps to make some pretty designs or simply decorate them with a few strands of saffron.

Cool them in the refrigerator before you serve. They stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days.

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Instant Kesar Peda.

CHAKLI | RAWA MURUKKU 

Yield: 20-22 medium Chaklis

Equipment: a kitchen press (chakli maker), a mixing bowl, a saucepan, a slotted spatula, a large wok, measuring cups/ spoons.

Ingredients:

1 cup rice flour

1/2 cup fine rava (semolina)

1/4 cup Besan (chickpea flour)

1 cup water + 3 tbsp

1 tbsp hot oil

salt to taste

1/4 tsp rock salt (kala namak)

1/2 tsp red chilli pwd

a pinch of asafoetida (Hing)

1/2 tbsp roasted cumin pwd

1/2 tsp cumin seeds (Jeera)

oil to fry

Method:

Boil 1 cup of water in the saucepan, then add rava and cook it, make sure it is without any lumps. Now, add rice flour, besan , salt to taste, kala namak, red chilli pwd, roasted cumin pwd, cumin seeds, hing and 1 tbsp hot oil to the cooked rava. Give them a mix. Add a little water and make a soft dough. Let the dough rest for 15 mins.

Then, make the Chaklis using the chakli maker on a plate or aluminium sheet. Heat sufficient oil in the wok. Once it’s hot enough, lower the flame and start frying the chaklis on medium flame. Don’t fry on very high flame, else they will remain raw from inside. Fry 3-4 chaklis at a time, don’t overcrowd the wok. Let them turn golden- brown in colour on both sides & drain them on kitchen tissues.

Store them in airtight containers, they stay fresh for 8-10 days.

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Chakli | Rawa Murukku.

KARACHI HALWA | CUSTARD POWDER HALWA 

Yield: 17-18 pieces

Equipment: a non stick pan, a wire whisk, measuring cups/ spoons, a tray, a sharp knife, a mixing bowl, a wooden spoon.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cornflour OR vanilla flavoured custard powder

1+1/2 cups water

a few drops of food colour (I used Orange Kesari)

1+1/2 cups sugar

1 cup water

2 tbsp ghee

1/4 tsp elaichi pwd

3 tbsp chopped cashew nuts

a few slivers of pistachio to garnish

Method:

Grease a tray with some ghee and keep it ready to set the Karachi Halwa

In a mixing bowl, add the cornflour/ custard powder + 1+1/2 cups of water. Also add the colour and whisk these well. Ensure there are no lumps in the mixture. Set it aside.

Next, in the non stick pan, add the sugar & 1 cup of water. Turn on the heat and these melt together. Stir it with a wooden spoon a couple of times. This needs to be done on medium flame. There is no need to get any thread consistency here. Just that the sugar must melt completely and the mixture should be bubbly and frothy. It must thicken slightly and be sticky. Once such a texture is achieved, stir in the cornflour/ custard powder and water mixture in the sugar syrup while stirring all the time so that there are no lumps. In 3-4 mins, you will see that the mixture has started to thicken and has turned glossy in certain parts. Keep stirring continuously.

Now, add the elaichi pwd and the ghee too. Keep stirring and mixing everything together. The texture will thicken more at this stage and become gluey. It will take another 5-6 mins for this. You will see the mixture slowly leaving the sides of the pan. Keep stirring without stopping as this stage is crucial and if you don’t stir, you will end up with lumps all over. Now add the chopped cashews (you can fry and add these, I didn’t fry it). Mix in the cashews quickly. Now you will see that the mixture is beginning to set if you stop stirring it.

Immediately pour the mixture on the greased tray and flatten it out a little bit. Garnish it with some slivers of pistachio. And let it set for at least an hour, at room temperature for the first 20 mins and then in the refrigerator. Once it’s set, use a sharp knife and cut it in any desired shapes. That’s it, it is ready😀 it keeps well in fridge for about 5-6 days.

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of KARACHI HALWA.

SHAKARPARA| KHURMA 

Yield: approximately 3 cups

Equipment: a rolling board, rolling pin, a knife, measuring cups/ spoons, 2 heavy bottomed wok, a slotted spatula, kitchen tissues, mixing bowl.

Ingredients:

2 cups Maida (APF)

2 tsp Bombay Rawa (semolina)

a pinch of salt

a pinch of baking soda

5 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)

Water as needed

oil to fry

For the syrup:

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup water

Method:

In a mixing bowl, seive maida (APF). Add salt, rawa, baking soda and ghee. Rub these together until the texture of the flour resembles to that of bread crumbs. This step is crucial as it ensures the crispness of the shakarpara. I rub these ingredients together for almost 20-25 mins.

Next, take very little water to knead a stiff dough. Cover the dough with a napkin and let it rest for 15 mins.

Divide the dough into 4 equal parts and roll them on a board to a thickeness of 6mm or so. Using a knife cut into small diamond shape pieces. Set them on a plate.

Heat oil in a wok, once it’s hot, lower the flame to minimum and fry the pieces until golden. Keep moving the pieces around in the oil so that they get a golden colour and cook evenly. Cooking on low flame ensures that they are crisp.

Fry the entire batch and keep it on kitchen tissues to absorb any extra oil. Let them cool down completely. They will crisp up as they cool down.

Syrup:

In a wok, take water and sugar. Heat these on medium flame while stirring continuously. The sugar will start melting and also will become very thick. Keep stirring and once the sugar starts settling like a white powder around the wok, add the fried pieces of Maida (APF).

Mix everything together quickly to coat the fried pieces with the sugar. Be quick as the sugar will dry and set within 5 mins.

Let them cool completely before storing in airtight boxes.

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Shakarpara.

INSTANT RAWA LADDOO

Yield: 12 medium laddoos

Equipment: a non-stick wok/pan, measuring cups/ spoons, a spatula.

Ingredients:

1+1/2 cup Rava (sooji/ semolina…I used the fine variety)

1/2 cup desiccated coconut

1 cup condensed milk

2 tbsp ghee

a pinch of cardamom pwd (Elaichi pwd…optional)

garnish as per your choice…I used some strands of saffron

Method:

Heat ghee in a nonstick wok, add the Rava and roast it until it becomes slightly golden, it takes about 5-6 mins on medium flame. Then add the desiccated coconut into the roasted rava, further roast them together for 5 mins. Then add cardamom pwd (optional) & the condensed milk.

Mix everything well on low flame and cook for about 5 mins, you will then see the mixture coming together like a thick dough. Turn off the flame.

Let the dough cool down for 10 mins. Grease your palms with some ghee and make laddoos with the dough. Keep the laddoos in the fridge for 15 mins. Then remove them from the fridge and re-shape them so that they are nice and round. That’s it! Done😉 they keep well for 4-5 days even without refrigeration. Enjoy!

If you wish, you can fried raisins and nuts too in the dough and make laddoos…but I like them plain! 😋

Click here for a direct link to detailed recipe of Instant Rawa Laddoo.

I am sure you’ll these recipes and try them too😊 My blog has many more recipes for sweets and savouries too, you can check them out in the search bar or in the archives column on the right hand side.

Here’s wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy, Safe and A Prosperous Diwali! May the Festival of Lights bless you! 🎉🎊✨🎉🎊✨

Love,

Shreya💖

Shakarpara | Khurma

I can’t imagine a Diwali without any Khurma (as we call it up North) or Shakarpara (little chunks of pastry dough flash fried and turned crisp, then cooled and dunked into a thick sugar syrup…to make these melt in the mouth sweet bites!)….I am sure your are salivating as you read the description 😜😁 each of these little bite sized yummies are super crisp and taste out of the world….pop one into your mouth and your in food heaven! 

Don’t they look so pretty…every single one of them looks like a gold nugget to me 😍!! Lol! The flavour is amazing too….it’s very hard to resist them. I remember eating them by the bowls as a kid when my Mom used to make these during Diwali or even during summer vacations as a quick snack. They’d disappear within days…hardly leaving any to be gifted to friends and family.

As these beauties are dry in texture and stay fresh for almost a week in an airtight container, they make for an ideal gifting idea. Pack them in pretty jars…add a personalised message or not…cover with a delicate doily or an overturned cupcake liner….tie a little festive raksha around them and they are ready! I suggest you add them to your Diwali Goodie Bag list for your loved ones😊

This was also a part of my Karwa Chauth Sargi….although made by me! I guess my hubby had more of them than I 😂

Anyways…I will share some tips and tricks here with you how to make perfect, crispy and delicious Shakarpara/ Khurma.

Yield: approximately 3 cups

Equipment: a rolling board, rolling pin, a knife, measuring cups/ spoons, 2 heavy bottomed wok, a slotted spatula, kitchen tissues, mixing bowl.

Ingredients:

2 cups Maida (APF)

2 tsp Bombay Rawa  (semolina)

a pinch of salt

a pinch of baking soda

5 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)

Water as needed

oil to fry

For the syrup:

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup water

Method:

In a mixing bowl, seive maida (APF). Add salt, rawa, baking soda and ghee. Rub these together until the texture of the flour resembles to that of bread crumbs. This step is crucial as it ensures the crispness of the shakarpara. I rub these ingredients together for almost 20-25 mins.

Next, take very little water to knead a stiff dough. Cover the dough with a napkin and let it rest for 15 mins.

Divide the dough into 4 equal parts and roll them on a board to a thickeness of 6mm or so. Using a knife cut into small diamond shape pieces. Set them on a plate.

Heat oil in a wok, once it’s hot, lower  the flame to minimum and fry the pieces until golden. Keep moving the pieces around in the oil so that they get a golden colour and cook evenly. Cooking on low flame ensures that they are crisp.

Fry the entire batch and keep it on kitchen tissues to absorb any extra oil. Let them cool down completely. They will crisp up as they cool down.

Syrup:

In a wok, take water and sugar. Heat these on medium flame while stirring continuously. The sugar will start melting and also will become very thick. Keep stirring and once the sugar starts settling like a white powder around the wok, add the fried pieces of Maida (APF).

Mix everything together quickly to coat the fried pieces with the sugar. Be quick as the sugar will dry and set within 5 mins.

Let them cool completely before storing in airtight boxes.

Hope you try them soon. Also, check out Khasti Mathri recipe here. 

Love

Shreya💖

 

Chawal ke Namak Paare

Diwali is just around the corner….and I am sure everyone’s planning what to make for our families and friends, to gift and to enjoy! Delicious, obviously everything must be delicious…and I think they ought to be healthy too….I mean as far as possible😄

So today, I am sharing a glutenfree recipe of our very famous North Indian ‘namak paare‘ (savory crisps). I don’t really think there is anyone out there who’d not like the taste and the texture of some ‘namak paare’…😋

These ‘Chawal ke namak paare’ are very crisp and light, I was almost surprised with the flavours. To be honest, these are the result of small blunder in my kitchen from this weekend 😂..yeah!! I had to make something else with APF (Maida) and I accidentally measured out the rice flour and only when I’d started kneading the dough did I realise my mistake…well..it was quick thinking from there and I just made these crisp treats in the next half an hour! My Mom loved them…and I know so did my hubby. These taste just yum with some hot ginger tea or even as a munchy while you watch your favourite show on the television….😉

Although, these are fried…rice flour on its own absorbs very little to almost no oil and stays crisp for at least 3-4 days. I am hooked!

Let’s make them…they’re fast, easy and absolutely mess free!! So barely any cleaning up after you are done👌🏼

Yield: serves 2-3

Equipment: measurging cups/ spoons, a large wok, a slotted ladle, a chakli press/ kitchen press, some kitchen tissues.

Ingredients:

1 cup rice flour (Chawal ka atta)

salt to taste

a pinch of baking soda (soda bicarb)

1/2 tsp black pepper powder

5 tbsp ghee

water as needed

oil to fry

Method:

Seive rice flour in a large mixing bowl, add salt black pepper, soda bicarb and ghee.

Keep rubbing these together until the flour resembles a bread crumb like texture and it holds it’s shape when held in a fist (I do it for about 20 mins to get a crisp texture later).

Then using little water make a hard dough. Cover the dough and let it rest for 15 mins.

Next, fill the dough in the kitchen and use the plate shown in the second picture above to make the shapes of the namak paare (as the dough is glutenfree, I wasn’t comfortable rolling it and cutting it into small diamonds, you can do so if you are able to manage to roll the dough).

Heat sufficient oil in a wok, once it’s hot, turn the flame to low. Now drop the pressed pieces of dough into the oil and fry on both sides. Remember to fry on low flame so that they cook evenly and turn crisp.

This is what it looks like after frying ⬆️

Once done, remove from the oil and place on kitchen tissue to absorb excess oil. Let them cool off completely before storing them in airtight containers.

If you are looking for more ideas for savory treats this Diwali, click here for crispy Rawa Chakli recipe, click here for Masala Sev recipe, click here for Khasti Mathri recipe.

Love,

Shreya💝

Instant Kesar Peda

Yes, everyone knows I love Pedas 😉 I like them all…well almost! What’s not to like, they are sweet, slightly fudgy and so delicious! Much like these golden beauties…my Instant Kesar Pedas (saffron fudge). A 15 min wonder..more like. 

My blog has many recipes for Pedas, some very quick and some slightly lengthy…but each hold their own…..they are yummy and so tempting.

I made these Pedas on the first day of Navratri last weekend…I could think of my Kaju Katli…but I will make that for Diwali 😁along with some Karachi Halwa! I am salivating just thinking about the feast in store for the days to come 😍

Anyways, coming to these Pedas….you may or may not have them during Navratri fasts depending on what rituals you follow…

Yield: 8-10 Pedas

Equipment: measuring cups/ spoons, a heavy bottom non-stick pan, a wired whisk, a plate.

Ingredients:

200 gms condensed milk

1 cup milk powder

2 tsp warm milk

9-10 strands of saffron and some extra to use for the garnish

2 tsp ghee + extra to grease your palms while shaping them

Method:

Mix warm milk with the saffron strands and let it stand for 5-8 mins until the milk is coloured beautifully.

Next, add milk powder and condensed milk to the pan. Add the saffron infused milk too. Whisk it well until it’s lump free. Place the pan with the mixture on medium flame and cook while you stir it constantly. Add 2 tsp ghee and keep stirring, I cooked it for about 10 mins to achieve a dough like consistency which leaves the sides of the pans once cooked.

Take the mixture from the pan onto a greased plate. Knead the mixture like a dough for 2 mins. Let it now cool for the next 8-10 mins. Then, grease your palms with some ghee and take a small portion of the dough and shape it into a Peda. Do the same for the rest of the dough. You can use any stamps to make some pretty designs or simply decorate them with a few strands of saffron.

Cool them in the refrigerator before you serve. They stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days.

You can also try my instant Dhoodh Peda, Mathura ke Pede, Khoya Peda, Mawa Burfi among many others this Diwali 😊

Love,

Shreya💝

Moong Dal ka Halwa

I welcomed Ganpati Bappa with a simple and delicious Moong Dal ka Halwa. Yes, no Modaks at my place because I am not good at shaping them. So, I offer him goodies which I am good at making myself😊 ….maybe next year I will get a cute little Modak mould/ maker and then use that to shape them well! So much to learn 😀  

We do not actually bring a Ganesh Idol home every year but we do decorate our home with garlands of fresh marigolds and lots of roses…bright ‘diyas‘ adorn our Pooja Ghar and I do cook a special meal for my favourite Lord!

This year the menu consisted of Phalhari Kadhai Paneer, Masala Puris, Vrat ki Chutney for Dahi Wade as we don’t include onion and garlic in our meals on auspicious days…and of course, the moong dal ka halwa..:)

My hubby likes the halwa to be slightly grainy and moist..hence the quantity of ghee is obviously more…one can adjust that while making it. Also, I only prefer pistachios with this halwa, feel free to add almonds or walnuts…anything you like! As always, this is easy and turns delicious👌 Simply mouthwatering…I had to really resist hard until we had offered the bhog to the Lord before we could gorge on some😂

Let’s make some…

Yield: serves 3-4

Equipment: a heavy bottomed non-stick pan (I use non-stick, it’s easier to work with it), measuring cups/ spoons, a small pan.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup split yellow lentils (dhuli moong dal)

8-9 tbsp ghee

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup water

1/4 tsp cardamom pwd (elaichi pwd)

Slivered pistachio to garnish as needed

Method:

Rinse and soak the lentils (dal) in lukewarm water for 2-3 hours (I always use lukewarm water here as it ensured that the lentils are soaked well in less time).

Once the lentils have soaked well, strain them. Blend them in a mixer without adding any water until smooth (I leave them a bit grainy as I mentioned above too). Set it aside.

Heat ghee in the pan, once it melted, add the blended lentil paste and keep stirring on low flame for 15-20 mins. Do not cease stirring as the lentil paste will burn or colour unevenly. After 15-20 mins, the ghee will seperate from the lentils and the lentil paste will be a bit crumbly and golden in colour. Turn off the flame and set this aside.

Now, heat water and sugar in a small pan. Melt the sugar in the water, add cardamom powder and stir well. Turn off the flame. (We are not making a sugar syrup with a thread consistency, we are just melting the sugar here, that should take 3-5 mins)

Now, add the sugar syrup to the cooked lentils and turn on the flame, keep it on low. Keep stirring it and let it come to a gentle boil. Cover with a lid and let the sugar syrup reduce and cook for 5-7 mins with the lentils. Open the lid, check the consistency and cook further if it’s still watery, else, add 1 tbsp of ghee and turn off the flame.

Garnish with nuts of your choice or just pistachios like I have done here, best served warm. Or create a fusion by add a scoop of ice cream to the bowl!

Happiness doesn’t come without calories 😉

Love,

Shreya💖

Ghee Mysore Pak

I am a huge fan of Shri Krishna Sweet’s Mysore Pak, are you one too? Then I can assure you that this is the only recipe you need to nail it. It’s super moist and the aroma transports you to another time…🤗 

I took one bite and it melted in my mouth...just like the ones from Shri Krishna Sweets!.. ..Yay! I nailed it in my first attempt 💃🏻💃🏻 My hubby’s reaction was also on the same lines…he almost didn’t want me to have any more, yeah, right! Like I’d listen to that!!

I was wanting to try this for a long time and I finally did it the other day. If you like Indian sweets, then try anjeer burfi, mava burfi, dhoodh Peda, khoya peda, besan ke laddoo, kaju katli, mathura ke Pede, Karachi halwa.

Although making Mysore Pak takes some skill, but it’s pretty easy if you ask me….I will say that you need to be a little cautious while cooking the besan (chickpea flour) with the sugar, because if you leave it unattended even for a second, it will burn very easily. That is pretty much it, get that right and you are going to get a perfect Mysore Pak, I did refer to this before finalising how to go about it…

Let’s learn how,

Yield: 10-12 pieces (depends on how large/ small you slice them. I cut fairly large pieces)

Equipment: a heavy bottom pan, a wooden spatula, a tray, a knife, a seive, a mixing bowl, measuring cups/ spoons.

Ingredients:

1 cup besan (chickpea flour)

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup ghee + extra to grease the tray

4-5 tbsp water

1/4 tsp cardamom powder

Method:

Add a tsp of ghee in the pan and roast the besan for 3-4 mins, just until the rawness goes away and the besan relevates a nutty aroma. Turn off the flame.

Seive the roasted besan into the mixing bowl. Add the ghee into it and mix it with the besan to make a smooth paste. Keep that aside.

Take water and sugar in the pan, set it on low flame and let the sugar melt completely. Keep stirring while the sugar melts.

Alongside, grease the tray well with ghee. Set it aside. By this time the sugar syrup will be boiling away. The syrup will be very thick.

Now add the besan and ghee paste into the melted sugar. Keep stirring continuously now onwards, keep the flame at the lowest setting. Also, add cardamom pwd & a couple of tsps of ghee into the boiling mixture.

When the mixture begins to froth on the sides and becomes thick, turn off the flame and quickly pour the mixture into the prepped tray. (No pic of that step, the mixture very hot and setting too fast)

Once the mixture begins setting (it will set within 10 mins), cut the Mysore Pak in desired shapes and serve. Keeps well without refrigeration in an airtight box for upto 2 weeks as it contains good amount of ghee.

Try these for the upcoming festive season!

Love,

Shreya💖

Mathura ke Pede

The famous Mathura ke Pede recreated in my kitchen! They are much easier to make than it looks😁 Just a little bit of elbow grease and you’re almost there…almost!! 😜

I say almost, because I was tired and then stopped the ‘bhunoing‘ process (sautéing the ingredients) as my arm hurt so bad after stirring the Khova/ Mawa (milk solids) for almost 30 mins! Yes ….that doesn’t sound like much but you got to do it to know how much I wanted to throw the spatula and run out of the kitchen!! 😂😂 Who ever said I was known for my patience!?! Haven’t you seen my recipes….I usually share ridiculously easy ones!

As always, my hubby wanted something sweet but Indian! I said ok…let me make some Khoya Pedas, and he said no! Something else…I ventured….instant Doodh Pedas!!? LOL! He was like…”lady, something different…Pedas will do but a different variety!!”  😳🤔🤔🤔🤔 then I thought of Mathura Ke Pede…sounds exotic and makes it look a whole lot different from any other Peda that I usually make at home!

The hubby doesn’t need to know that it’s basically the same thing, just the cooking process differs! 🤗😜😜 And obviously, the flavour is more intense and really delicious! A little patience in ensuring how well the Khoya cooks out is very important…my Mom was worried that I’d either burn the Khoya or under cook it and ruin her recipe…..but I managed to get the colour almost right!!! Yay!

Yield: 10-12 medium sized Pedas

Equipment: a heavy bottomed wok, measuring cups/ spoons, a couple of plates, a spatula.

Ingredients:

200 gms Khoya (I used store bought)

1 cup castor sugar + extra to coat the Pedas (adjust the sugar as per your taste)

1/4 tsp cardamom pwd (optional)

milk & ghee as needed

Method:

Take grated Khoya in the wok and cook on low flame. Keep stirring it continuously until the khoya begins to melt.

Add 1 teaspoon of ghee at this stage and some milk, about 2 teaspoons. Keep stirring continuously so that the Khoya gets an even colour and doesn’t burn at the bottom.

It took me almost 25-30 mins to reach this stage (pic below). I added another two teaspoons of milk because the Khoya looked dry. Add milk as per the texture. Always cook on low flame else the Khoya will colour unevenly.

Turn off the flame (I didn’t cook it any further to make it a little more brown, my arms were hurting too much after stirring constantly). Add cardamom pwd and mix well. Let this mixture cool down for just 5-6 mins and add the castor sugar. And mix with your hands to incorporate the sugar.

(TIP: Don’t let the mixture cool off too much before adding the sugar as the sugar won’t melt properly. But in case the khoya has become too cold and the sugar isn’t melting properly, you can cook the khoya & sugar mixture for 3-4 mins on low flame and immediately take it out of the pan and mix well).

Once the mixture is ready, grease your palms with some ghee and make Pedas of any shape (I kept them rustic) and roll them in some castor sugar. And set them aside. These can be stored for more than a week even without refrigeration as they have been cooked so well. That’s it!

Don’t they look yum! I insist….you must make these, too easy and super delish!

Love,

Shreya💖

Slightly adapted from here.

Khoya Peda

I have always loved Peda. They are soft, slightly fudge and absolutely melt in the mouth! 😋 

Ever since I was a kid, I would wait for a trip to Mahalaxmi Temple in Mumbai to lay my hands on some of the small, yellow Pedas that we would offer as ‘Prashad‘ to the Goddess. Those were the yummiest Pedas I have ever eaten!

Khoya Peda or Mawa Peda is really easy to make and one of the most common homemade sweets during festivals like Diwali or Dushhera.

In the past I have shared the recipe for Khoya Burfi. Today I am sharing the recipe for this easy Peda…

Yield: 7-8 Pedas

Equipment: non-stick pan, a wooden spatula, measuring cups/ spoons.

Ingredients:

200 gms unsweetened khoya

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp elaichi pwd

a few chironjee or pistachio flakes to garnish

some ghee to grease your palms

Method:

Grate the khoya in a bowl. Add the powdered sugar to the grated khoya. Mix the two well. Then heat a pan, add the khoya-sugar mixture to the pan. Cook it on low flame and stir continuously. The khoya and the sugar will first melt and then slowly start to thicken in about 15-20 mins.

Add the cardamom pwd and mix again. Turn off the flame. Let the mixture cool down completely. (I let the mixture in the refrigerator for about 45 mins as the climate is very hot and humid and making the Pedas would be difficult.)

Once the mixture has cooled down and solidified a bit, pinch lemon sized balls of the dough and roll them between greased palms and make smooth Pedas. You can even decorate them with some chironjee or pistachio flakes. That’s it! These keep well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days easily.

Enjoy these Pedas…you won’t be able stop at one.

Love,

Shreya ❤️

Adapted from here.

White Chocolate Treats

Ok…so this sounds mushy at the very best..but I did make some Chocolates for my hubby this Valentine’s 💓😍 lol! And he found them cute too 💃🏻

Well…to be honest…I wouldn’t really call it ‘making’ them…unless that’s what we are calling using ‘leftovers’ these days 😁😜

Why leftovers you may ask….well. I had some odd, broken pieces of Morde’s white Compound in my refrigerator post icing my Eggless Red Velvet Cupcakes. Also had some coloured sugar sprinkles lying around…so thought of using these along with my silicon chocolate moulds to make something quick! 😬😬…hence these Treats😊 Let’s get started….these take approx 30 mins to get ready …actually ready to eat!! Cool..ain’t it!?

A few pointers to keep in mind…

Do not try to melt the Compound Chocolate in the microwave…it could burn it as the chocolate is very delicate. Use a double boiler as far as possible.

Do not stir the the chunks of Compound Chocolate while it melts…that can make the melted chocolate very grainy.

Yield: 7-10 pieces

Equipment: a deep saucepan, a heat proof bowl (preferably borosil/ Pyrex), measuring cups/ spoons, silicon Chocolate moulds in any shape.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped Morde White Compound

sugar sprinkles or sugar balls as needed

Method:

Heat water in the saucepan until it starts to boil, then place the heatproof bowl over the saucepan in such a way that the base of the bowl does not touch the boiling water below in the pan. Next, keep the chopped compound chocolate in the bowl and maintain the flame on it’s lowest possible level. Let the compound melt slowly and do not stir it.

While the compound melts, place the sugar balls/ sprinkles in the chocolate moulds, just a thin layer covering the base only.

Next, check the compound chocolate that is melting, it should be almost melted by now. Remove the bowl from the top of the saucepan. Stir the melted compound chocolate just once. It must be smooth and lump free.

Next, add 1-2 tsp of the melted compound chocolate over the sprinkles placed in the moulds. Fill the moulds to the top. Do the same for all the moulds and place them on a tray. Place this tray in refrigerator or the freezer for about 10-12 mins. They will be completely set and hard by then. When you break the chocolate in half, you should hear a ‘snap’! That’s the sound of a perfect homemade chocolate.🤓🤓😬

Follow the same recipe for Dark chocolate compound or Milk chocolate compound too. 😊

They keep well for 3-4 days under refrigeration.

I made a small batch of 7-8 pieces! Do try these out…

Love,

Shreya❤️