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💝

Spicy Potato and Wholewheat Wrap (no onion no garlic)

Most of us have been avoiding the consumption of onion and garlic during Navratris and stick to eating home cooked and light meals. I feel that doesn’t need to be restricted to Aloo Tamatar ka Rassa (potato tomato curry) or Sabudana Wada (sago fritters) for every other meal.. this perception has to change! We can easily incorporate so many flavours to make a whole new and exciting meal even as we abstain from some key ingredients ☺️ 

Some people do not consume whole grains like wheat, they can easily make Buckwheat (kuttu ki Roti) flatbreads for this recipe. I have used a spicy version of potatoes for the filling and some veggies like carrots and cucumber for the salad. The dressing or the sauce is very exciting….read until the end to know more!! 😀

Lets begin spicing up the festivities!..

Yield: 2-3 wraps

Equipments: measuring cups/ spoons, a pan, a wok, a large mixing bowl.

Ingredients for the the ww wrap:

1 cup wholewheat flour (I used Aashirwad Select)

salt to taste (regular or vrat ka namak)

2 tsp oil

water a needed to knead a dough

Method:

Take flour, salt and oil in a large mixing bowl. Add water little by little as you go on kneading a soft dough. Once the dough comes together, cover it with a kitchen towel and set aside for 30 mins.

Then take a Orange sized portion of the dough and make a thick Roti and cook it on the pan until crisp on both sides. Click here to see pictures.  Make 3-4 ww wraps and set them aside in a hot case/ casserole.

Ingredients for the potato filling:

250 gms baby potatoes (boiled) or use regular cubed potatoes

salt to taste (regular or Vrat ka namak)

2 tsp oil

1/2 tsp red chilli pwd

1 tsp ginger paste

1/4 tsp cumin powder

1/4 tsp lemon juice

Method:

Heat oil in a wok, add the boiled potatoes. Sauté well until slightly crisp and golden brown on all sides. Season with salt, red chilli pwd. Sauté for another 2 mins. Add ginger paste along with cumin pwd. Mix well, cover and cook for about 5-7 mins. Turn off the flame and set aside to cool the filling. Add the lemon juice once it cools down and mix it well.

Ingredients for Salad:

a few juliennes of carrot and cucumber and beetroot (optional)

Ingredients for the sauce:

1/2 cup chilled hung curd

1/4 tsp roasted cumin pwd

salt to taste (regular or Vrat ka namak)

Method:

Mix these ingredients together and set it aside.

Assemble the wrap:

Place a ww wrap, smash some potatoes and place them on the wrap. Top them with some salad and sauce! What more!?? Some chopped coriander too 👌👌

Exciting…tempting…you crave these!? Go, make some 😋➡️

Also try my Phalhari Kadhai Paneer (click here for recipe) as the filling for these wraps.

Love,

Shreya💗

Chatpate Saunfia Aloo (no onion no garlic recipe)

I love potatoes! I can have them in any form except sweet 😱😱 Potatoes got to be spicy and delicious….can’t be bland and sad…! That’s what I am sharing today…awesome, spicy and so easy to make too!

Besides, it’s without any onion and garlic too…so perfect for the upcoming Indian festivals like Navratri when most of us eat food sans the onion and garlic element for 10 whole days. I won’t get into giving you the background of the festivals and the why’s and the how’s!

This recipe can be made in many ways and enjoyed in many more too! My Mom usually makes another kind of Aloo without onion and garlic, this is inspired from her basic recipe..which by the way has way too many fans out there 😍

I have mentioned the spices that I have used, but you can always change them slightly to your preference. These potatoes can be served as starters, along with dal and some steamed rice or you can add them to any curry/ gravy and enjoy it with Phulkas (Indian flatbread).

Yield: serves 2

Equipment: a heavy bottom skillet or pan, a large pot, measuring cups/ spoons.

Ingredients:

300 gms baby potatoes (I have used the smallest kind, you can also use regular potatoes and cut them into cubes for this recipe)

salt to taste

3 cups water

1 tbsp refined oil

a pinch of asafoetida (hing)

1 tsp fennel seeds (saunf)

2-3 nos. green cardamom (choti Elaichi)

1 tsp roasted cumin pwd (bhuna jeera pwd)

1/4 tsp turmeric pwd

1/2 tsp red chilly pwd (I used degi mirch)

1/2 tsp crushed anardaana seeds

1/4 tsp chaat masala (optional)

a pinch of Garam masala 

chopped coriander to garnish

Method:

Wash the baby potatoes well, do not peel them.

In a large pot, boil water with salt. Add these potatoes in boil until 80 percent cooked. They must not be mushy in texture. Drain the water and let the potatoes cool (skip the boiling bit if using large potatoes cut into cubes).

Now, heat oil in the skillet. Add hing and saunf along with cardamom. Let them crackle. Next, add the dry spicies mentioned above except anardana pwd and chaat masala. Sauté them together for 2 mins. Next, tip in the potatoes and check the seasoning, add more salt if needed. Mix well and cook for about 5-8 mins (I let the skin crisp up a bit). Finally, add the anardaana pwd and/ or chaat masala (I always add a bit, tastes so good!). Turn off the heat and garnish with some chopped coriander leaves. Serve them piping hot!

Also, try my dahi aloo (no onion garlic), phalhari Kadhai paneer (no onion garlic), Phalhari chutney (no onion garlic) or see my collection of Navratri Recipes here.

Happy Cooking folks!

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💖

Roasted Masala Makhane | Roasted Foxnuts

You’d love to chomp on something healthy for a change, wouldn’t you! I know I would…..and I do☺️ These peppery, spicy, very crunchy & absolutely addictive Roasted Masala Makhane (Foxnuts)are our go to snack on most days!  

I can’t seem to get enough of these, I remember grabbing them by the handful when my Mom would make these on the days she’d be fasting..(vrat)….she’d use sendha namak and ever since then I have been a huge fan 😉 Obviously, when you are not fasting, use regular salt or sea salt.

They are also supposed be very healthy and filling too…besides being yummy and so easy to make!

Yield: depends on how much you wish to make! I suggest, make a large batch because they taste better than your favourite ‘butter popcorn’ 😜

Equipment: a wok, a spatula, measuring cups/ spoons

Ingredients:

2 cups makhane

salt to taste

black pepper to taste

3-4 tsp ghee (clarified butter)

any other masalas (spices) you wish to add.

Method:

Cut the makhane into halves and see if they are clean and dry within (see pics below).

Heat ghee in a wok, add the makhane. If you need to, then add more ghee. I did add about 1 tsp more. The more ghee you add, the crisper they get. The makhane absorb a lot of ghee anyway, so you’d literally not see the ghee in the pan.

Season with salt & pepper. Add any more spices as per your taste. Let the makhane crisp up on medium flame for another 4-5 mins but keep tossing them around constantly so that they don’t colour up too much.

That’s about it, have it piping hot! They stay crunchy for almost an hour, but that depends on how much ghee you have added while roasting them.

You got to try these to know how good it actually tastes!

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.

Rassedaar Aloo Tamatar | Indian Potato & Tomato Curry

Considering how much I love Potatoes, I have a very few recipes about them on the blog! Dubkimaar Aloo or Rassedaar Aloo Tamatar is very common in my home…specially for Sunday brunch with some crispy, flaky, layered Parathas😋 NomNom!!

 

Rassedaar Aloo Tamatar is very famous all over Uttar Praadesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odissa, Madhya Pradesh and other neighbouring States, but is made differently everywhere you go. The taste changes from from one city to the next!

I am sharing my version of it which I’ve learnt from my Mom. No one makes Rassedaar Aloo Tamatar like she does, it’s irresistible, finger licking good!
The best part is that these are made without onions, garlic or any ginger even! Just some basic spices and you have yourself a yummy curry in a hurry! 😉
Pair it with some Masala Pooris or even Tehri, and you don’t need anything else!
Let’s see how….
Yield: serves 2
Equipment: a heavy bottom wok, measuring cups/ spoons, a ladle, a lid.
Ingredients:
2-3 nos. peeled, washed & cubed potatoes
1 nos. large washed & cubed tomato
2 tbsp mustard oil (you can use refined oil)
1 nos. slit green chilli
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/4 tsp Garam masala
1/4 tsp amchoor powder (raw mango pwd)
Salt to taste
Water as needed
Coriander leaves to garnish
Method:
Heat oil in the wok. Once it’s hot, add the green chilli, cumin seeds & hing. Let these splatter for a minute. Then add the potatoes, turmeric pwd, cumin powder & red chilli powder. Stir well and sauté for 5 mins. Season with salt. Then, add some water and cover with a lids to cook for 10 mins or until the potatoes are done.
Open the lid, add the garam masala & tomatoes, mix well. Cover again to cook the tomatoes until they are mushy and form a curry. Adjust the consistency of the curry (rassa). Add amchoor powder and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve piping hot!

That’s ‘comfort’ in a bowl.

Love,

Shreya❤️

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.

Navratri Recipes 1

Happy Navratri everyone! May Maa Durga bless each of you and your loved ones. Many of us are fasting for the next 9 days and I bring to you a collection of easy and delicious recipes to enjoy! 

Chikki – With the goodness of sesame, peanuts & jaggery. Best source of instant energy and keeps you full for a longer time. 😊 

Phalhari Kadhai Paneer – contains no onion, no garlic and gets ready in a jiffy to go with some Sama ke Chawal or Kuttu Pooris!

Ashtami Bhog ki Thali – Mata ka Prashad for Kanya Pooja. Puffed Pooris, delicious Sookhe Kale chane aur Sooji Ka Halwa.

Rasgulla – soft, spongy & absolutely perfect!

Anjeer ki Burfi – very easy to put together and full of nutrients that are much needed during fasting.

Rajgira ka Halwa – almost like our Sooji Halwa but the taste is very different! This too is a quick recipe.

Rajgira ki Nankhatai – make your tea times fun!

Sabudane ka Wada – it’s tastes just fantastic and happens to be my absolute favourite accompanied by Phalhari Vrat Ki Chutney.

Sabudane ki Khichadi – a must for every fast!

Kaju Katli – everyone’s favorite sweet, just takes 20-25 mins to put together.

To get the recipes, please  click on the blue hyperlink under every picture.

Do try out these yummy and easy recipes, you will enjoy them☺️

Love,

Shreya💗