Apple Rabdi/Rabri

Rabdi is a perfectly proportioned combination of milk and sugar,thickened in a broad-bottomed vessel.Adding Apples to rabdi makes it more tasty and healthy.

Recently we had a party at our home and I tried this recipe and I ended with good praise from my friends and family. 

This is simply mind-blowing recipe ,thanks to my friend Bhargavi Chitta, 
who is happy to share it with us.
Apple swan credit goes to my husband Praveen.

Ingredients :

Heavy whipping cream --24 oz 

Milk powder -- 2tsp (Optional)

Cold Milk -- 1/4 cup (Optional)

Sugar -- 1/2 cup

Chopped dry nuts ( Almonds & Cashews) -- 1/4 cup

Sweet Apples (Peeled and grated ) -- 2 medium

Preparation:

• Heat heavy whipping in a broad-bottomed vessel on a medium flame till it comes to boil.
• Simmer and cook for approx. 10 to 15 minutes or till the milk reduces to 1/4 its quantity, while stirring and scrapping the sides of the pan continuously.
• In a small bowl take 1/4 cup of cold milk and mix the milk powder without lumps .
• Add  sugar , milk with milk powder and simmer for another 5-8 minutes or till the milk thickens,stir continuously.
• Add chopped dry nuts and cook for 5 mins .
• Now add grated apples and cook for 5 more mins ,switch off the stove and  let it stay for 5-10 mins with lid closed .
• Yummy Apple rabdi  is ready to serve hot or cold .

Note: 

• When making rabdi, it is very important to keep scraping the sides of the pan at all times, otherwise the sides will burn. 
• You can use whole milk instead of heavy whipping cream .Use 6 cups of whole milk ,it takes 40-45 mins to thicken.
• Apples must be sweet if not milk will curdle.

Apple swan

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi (2012)

 Ganesh Chaturthi (Vinayaka Chavithi) is a festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha,This festival is celebrated by hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesh.

This year we decided to celebrate Ganesh chaturthi (Vinayaka Chavithi) splendidly , that happens with a good gathering of friends and family and celebrating the festival classically. So we decided to have a get-together.

We created a mandap for lord Ganesha  and placed him in his throne and decorated with fruits flowers and diyas.

This year i thought of making something special for Ganesh chaturthi so i made Ganesha with fondant and painted with food coloring.

In the morning we did puja to lord Ganesha and offered Lemon Rice , Kudumulu and Vermicelli Kheer as naivedyam.

In the evening we had get-together we performed aarthi to lord Ganesha. This time we planned for potluck and the menu was traditional Ganesh chaturthi items like Lemon rice,Kudumulu, Undrallu, Purnalu, Daddojanam , Chana usal, vada and kheer. 

We were very happy to celebrate Ganesh chaturthi with friends & family felt like we were in India .
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi !!!

Final day has arrived so with heavy heart we do ganesh Nimajjanam/visarjan. Experiencing the greatest truth of the life that good times don't last forever, but we never say good bye we say "we will wait with faith to welcome you next year with same love & affection ".
Our Ganesha is ready for Nimajjanam/Visarjan.

As we don't have  a pond or lake nearby we did nimajjanam /visarjan in a tub of water.Felt very sad during Ganesh visarjan eagerly waiting for next years Ganesh chaturthi.

Undrallu

Ingredients :
Rice Rawa -- 2 Cups
Channa dal -- 1/2 Cup
Oil -- 1 tbsp
Water -- 3 1/2 cups
Salt to taste 

Preparation :

• In a pan add little water and cook channa dal until its 70% done.
• Wash Rice rawa properly and transfer to a pressure cooker and add water.
• Add cooked channa dal, oil and salt to taste & cook on low flame for 10-12 mins.
• Transfer cooked rawa in to a bowl,apply ghee or oil to hands take small portion of rawa and make round ball,repeat the process and make all the undrallu.

Contributed by Bhargavi Chitta

Mango Halwa / Mango Kesari

Ingredients:
Clarified Butter/ Ghee : 2 tbsp
Upma Rava (Sooji) : 1 Cup
Mango Pulp : 1 cup
Sugar : 1/2 Cup
Cardamon Powder : 1/4 tsp
Mixed dry nuts (Cashews,almonds and golden raisins) : 2 tbsp 
Water : 2 1/2 Cups
Freshly Grated Coconut : 2-3 tbsp

Preparation: 

• Heat a pan with Ghee/butter , fry mixed nuts until golden brown and transfer them to a bowl.
• Add the Sooji/Ravva in to the same pan and roast the Sooji /ravva until it gives  good aroma and light golden brown color.
• Add Water ,sugar , mango pulp to the roasted  Sooji /ravva  and mix well.
• Add freshly grated coconut ,make sure there are no lumps by mixing it regularly.
• Cover the pan with lid and cook until the Sooji /ravva is well done.
• Add  fried nuts and Mango Halwa or Mango Kesari is ready to serve.

Eco-friendly Ganesh idol made with fondant

Home made eco-friendly ganesh made with fondant.
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi !

Art of Cakes

Art of Cakes is the sweet world of designed cake & cupcake creations, hand sculptured into delicious works of edible artistry.

Art of cakes is my new blog of cakes, here is the link to visit the blog

http://artofcakes.blogspot.com/

Heart Shape Cake with Roses and Calla lily

This special heart shape cake is for my husband's birthday. Inside its a pineapple cake  covered with butter cream icing and fondant decorated with roses and calla lily.