Tiramisu Cake ( Italian dessert)

Tiramisu is an Italian dessert. It is made of ladyfingers (Italian: Savoiardi) dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of egg yolks and mascarpone cheese, and flavored with cocoa.

I made this tiramisu cake for my birthday , and it was definitely a hit. Its little different from the original one but pretty close.

Bombay Halwa

Diwali is festival of lights and sweets,for this Diwali i tried new sweet  Bombay Halwa.

Ingredients:
Cornflour/ Cornstarch--1 cup 
Sugar -- 2 cups
Water -- 3 cups 
Cardamom powder -- 1/2 tsp 
Ghee -- 3 tbsp
Pinch  of yellow food color
Cashew nuts -- 10-15

Procedure:

• Boil water and sugar together in a pan, until sugar dissolves and it becomes bubbly. Turn heat down to keep it bubbling gently.
• When the sugar syrup becomes sticky add 3-4 drops of lemon juice and keep it aside.
• Break the cashew nuts into small pieces and fry them in 1 tablespoon ghee. 
• In a bowl mix cornflour and water with out lumps.
• In a heavy bottomed pan,add  1 tbsp ghee and cornflour water mixture and switch on the stove.On very low flame cook the mixture keep stirring.
• To this mixture add sugar syrup spoon by spoon and mix properly. Ensure that there are no lumps. 
• On low flame keep on stirring the mixture continuously. After 5 minutes add the yellow food colour and cardamom powder and continue stirring.
• Now you will notice that the mixture has started thickening and looks transparent. At this point, lower the gas flame.
• Now add 1 tbsp ghee and keep stirring. Add the nuts and continue stirring till the mixture thickens and starts separating from the edges of the pan. 
• Grease a deep plate with ghee and pour the halwa on it. 
• Let it cool down completely for an hour and then cut into cubes .
• Serve and enjoy Bombay halwa .

Jangri

Ingredients:

Urad dal – 1 cup

Corn flour or rice flour – 3 tbsp

Sugar – 3 cups

Rose essence – 1/2 tsp 

Cardamom  powder– 1/2 tsp

Orange food color – 1/4 tsp
lemon juice - 1/2 tsp

Oil for frying

Preparation:

• Soak urad dal for 3-4 hours.
• Drain excess water and grind urad dal to a fine thick batter. Add  few drops of water slowly while grinding. 
• Dissolve the food color in 2 tbsp of water.
• Transfer the ground urad dal batter in to a bowl add corn flour or rice flour and mix them well to a smooth batter.Now add food color and mix well.

Sugar Syrup:

• In a wide pan boil 1/2 cup water and sugar , until sugar dissolves and it becomes bubbly. Turn heat down to keep it bubbling gently.
• When the sugar syrup becomes one string consistency sugar syrup add 1/2 tsp lemon juice and keep it aside.

Piping:

• Piping jangri is an important part.
• You can use ziplock bag or pastry bag,I used a pastry bag with long thin tip.
• Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. 
• Fill the pastry bag with batter and start piping. 
• Always try piping on a plastic sheet before piping in hot oil.
• Oil should not be too hot ,always maintain temperature .
• When oil is hot, pipe the jangri by starting off with a circle and pipe small rings around the circle.
• Turn both the sides and cook for a min.
• Sugar syrup must be ready and hot. Add powdered cardamom and rose essence and give it a stir.
• Remove the cooked jangri from oil and drain the oil completely and add it to the  sugar syrup immediately.
• Let the jangri stay in the sugar syrup for 1 or 2 minutes and then remove from syrup and keep it on a plate.
• Continue the same procedure with the rest of the batter and enjoy hot or cool jangris.

Note : 

• I used cupcake filling tip ( Wilton 240) to pipe jangri.
• If you are using a ziplock bag, make a small hole in the middle of the bag.
• If the pan is wide enough you can pipe more jangris in a batch.
• Do not rest the batter for long time since it will become sour.
• Syrup for janris should be little thicker.

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.

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.

Gulab Jamun

Ingredients:

Gulab jamun mix
Milk - 1/2 cup (approx)
water - 4 cups
Sugar - 1 1/2 cup
Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
Cashew nuts(optional) - 20

Oil/butter/Ghee -- for deep fry 

Preparation:

• Heat water add sugar and stir it continuously for 5-10 mins.Add cardamom powder to the syrup.
• Take a large bowl , for every 1 cup of jamun mix add 1/3 cup of water/milk.
• Mix gently and make dough with out lumps ,keep it aside for 5 mins.
• Apply 2-3 drops of oil to hands and start making small round balls out of the dough.
• Insert cashew nuts while making the round balls.
• Heat oil / butter, deep fry the jamuns on medium heat till they turn golden brown.Keep them on the paper towel for a min.
• Insert the jamun balls in the warm syrup.
• Allow syrup to be absorbed,then its ready to serve.

Kaddu Ki Kheer

 

Ingredients:

Grated Kaddu ( bottle gourd ) --- 2 cups

Milk --- 4 cups

Condensed Milk -- 1/2 cup

Sugar -- 1/2 cup

Powdered Cardamom –- 1/2 tsp

Dry fruits ( Almonds,Cashew nuts & raisins) - 1/2 cup

Green food color -- 2-3 drops (Optional)

Ghee or Butter --- 2 Tbsp

Preparation:

• Start heating the milk in a pan on low flame, keep stirring.
• Peal and remove the seeds from kaddu ( bottle gourd ) and grate it using a grater.
• Then squeeze the water from the kaddu ( bottle gourd ) and keep it aside.
• In a pan add ghee or butter then add dry fruits and fry for 2 mins.
• Then add the grated kaddu( bottle gourd ) and cook for 3-4 mins.
• When the kaddu( bottle gourd ) is cooked properly add hot milk after 2 mins add condensed milk and sugar.
• Cook for 10-15 mins then add green food color(optional) and mix it well.
• Refrigerate for 30 mins then Kaddu ki kheer is ready to serve.

Carrot Halwa

                                                      
Ingredients:
Carrots ( 1LB)
Milk ( 2 cups)
Sugar ( 1 cup )
Elachi powder (cardamom)
Cashew nuts (7-8)
Ghee ( 3-4 tbsps )

Preparation:

• Peel the skin of the carrots and grate them.
• Heat 3tbsp ghee in a frying pan and add carrot to it and fry for 3-5 mins,stir continuously so that bottom is not burnt.
• Add Milk to it and boil till thick, stir occasionally add elachi.
• Once it starts thickening, stir continuously.Add sugar and cook till it thickens.
• In a separate pan add 1tsp ghee and fry the cashew nuts till they are golden brown.
• Add cashews to the carrots mixture stir on low heat for 2-3 mins.
• Carrot Halwa is ready to serve.

Vanilla Cupcakes

Valentine's day is a very special day for all the people because this day brings out the feeling of love in everyone. We often take things for granted and forget expressing our love. This day will help everyone to remember the feelings for our true love.

So i thought of preparing something special for my husband and thought of making beautiful delicious cupcakes.This was my first attempt of making cupcakes and was very happy to see that they turned out real good.

 

Ingredients:

Unsalted Butter,softened (1 Stick)
Sugar (1/2 cup)

Eggs ( 2 )

Baking powder ( 1 tsp)
Salt ( A pinch )

All purpose flour ( 1/2 cup)
Milk (2 tbsp)

Vanilla Extract ( 1 tsp)

Preparation:

• Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F for 5 mins.
• In a large mixing bowl add butter,sugar and mix it well then add eggs,vanilla extract,milk and blend it with electric mixer for a min then add all purpose flour,salt,baking powder and blend it well for 2 mins.
• Take a Muffin/cupcake pan and line with paper liners,Now fill liners 1/2 to 2/3 full of batter.Do not overfill.
• Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Remove from the pan and let it cool for about 10-15 mins then frost and decorate your vanilla cupcakes as desired.

• Note:If you are using self-rising flour skip baking power an salt.

These Cupcakes are decorated with Mini marshmallows and coloured sugar crystals,as these cupcakes are in the shape of sunflower it is named as sunflower cupcakes.

Rava Kesari

Ingredients:
Upma Rava (1 cup)
Ghee( 3 tbs)
Sugar (1 cup)
Water (2 cups)
Cashew nuts (1 tbs)
Raisins (1 tbs)

Preparation:

• Heat the pan,add ghee,cashew nuts and Raisins fry until brown.Add upma rava fry until lightly brown.
• Add sugar into the rava and mix well for 1min.
• Now pour water into the pan slowly by continuously stirring the rava.In 5 mins rava kesari is ready to eat.

Vermicelli Kheer

Ingredients:
Vermicelli (1/2 Cup)
Milk (1 cup)
Sugar(2-3 tsp)
Cashew
Kismis
Ghee or Butter

Preparation :

• Roast the Vermicelli with ghee or butter in a pan until it is brown and keep it aside,then take one cup of milk in a container and boil them.
• Add Vermicelli ,sugar and cook until the Vermicelli becomes soft approx 5-8 mins.
• Roast Cashew and Kismis with ghee or butter in a separate pan ,add those nuts to milk then Its ready to serve.

Sweet Potato Halwa

Ingredients:

Sweet Potato ( 1 Big )
Milk ( 1 cup )
Sugar ( 1 cup )
Cashew nuts (7-8)
Ghee ( 2 tbsps )

Preparation:

• Peal and Grate the sweet potato and keep it aside.
• Heat 2tbsp ghee in a frying pan and add grated sweet potato to it and fry for 3-5 mins,stir continuously so that bottom is not burnt.
• Add Milk to it and boil till thick, stir occasionally.
• Once it starts thickening, stir continuously.Add sugar and cook till it thickens.
• In a separate pan add 1tsp ghee and fry the cashew nuts till they are golden brown.
• Add cashew nuts to the mixture stir on low heat for 2-3 mins.
• Let it cool down,Sweet potato Halwa is ready to serve.

Apple Halwa

Ingredients:

Apples ( 4 )
Milk ( 1 cup )
Sugar ( 1 cup )
Elachi powder (cardamom)
Almonds sliced (7-8)
Ghee ( 2 tbsps )

Preparation:

• Grate the apples and keep them aside.
• Heat 2tbsp ghee in a frying pan and add apples to it and fry for 3-5 mins,stir continuously so that bottom is not burnt.
• Add Milk to it and boil till thick, stir occasionally add elachi powder.
• Once it starts thickening, stir continuously.Add sugar and cook till it thickens. Mix a pinch of yellow color in water and add it (optional ).
• In a separate pan add 1tsp ghee and fry the sliced almonds till they are golden brown.
• Add almonds to the apple mixture stir on low heat for 2-3 mins.
• Apple Halwa is ready to serve.

Strawberry Napoleon

Ingredients:
Puff pastry Sheets ( 2 )
Whip Cream ( 1 cup )
Fresh Strawberries ( 8-10 )

Preparation:

• Thaw the Puff pastry sheets for about 20 mins , Then unfold the sheets and cut into 3 stripes along the fold marks and make 3 pieces in each.
• Place on baking sheets and bake them in the oven for 15 mins or until golden at 400 degree F.
• Wash and Slice the strawberries and keep them aside.
• When the baked sheets are cooled , apply a layer of whip cream,strawberry slices,another baked pastry sheet , repeat the process
• layer of whip cream ,strawberry slices and another baked pastry sheet.
• On the top layer you can decorate with strawberry or sugar powder or melted chocolate.
• Refrigerate for 30 mins and serve it.

Fruit Tart (100th Post)

This is our 100th post , as 100 is a special number we were planning to do something special.Then i thought of preparing Fruit tart, my favorite dessert. Its quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients :
1 Prepared graham pie crust, found on baking section in any grocery store
Vanilla or Lemon flavor instant pudding mix ( 1 Box)
Orange or lemon, zest ed ( 1 )
Oranges ( 1 can )
Peaches ( 1 can )
Blackberries ( 1 Pint )
Milk(1 1/2 cup)

Preparation:

• Bake the crust for 5 mins in the oven at 350 degrees and take it out and let it cool.
• Make the pudding as per the directions on the box , add the lemon or orange zest and let it stand for 5 mins.
• Fill the pudding in the graham pie crust and decorate with your favorite fruits and whip cream (optional) , i have used oranges,peaches ,black berries.
• Chill it and serve the fruit tart.

Bread Cream Puffs

Ingredients:
Bread Slices (4)
Ice Cream (2 tbsp)

Preparation:

• Toast the bread for 2 mins until its crunchy.
• Apply the ice cream on the bread and close it with the other bread slice.
• Cut it into small pieces and serve it immediately.

Kubani ka Meeta

Ingredients :

Dry Apricots 250 grm

Sugar 1/2 cup

Preparation:

• Soak apricots in warm water for 20 mins.
• Pressure cook the apricots for 5-8 mins.
• Separate fruit and nut. Keep the nuts aside.
• Add sugar to the cooked apricots and reduce the flame, and keep stirring.
• Cook for 10 more minutes till it thickens and switch off the flame.
• Crackle the nuts and carefully remove all the seeds.
• Soak them in hot water for a while and peel the skin.
• Split them and add these to the sweet.
• Serve scoops of it with vanilla ice-cream / plain custard.

Badam Halwa

Ingredients:

Badam (2 cups)

Sugar (2 cups)

Milk (1/2 cup)

Elachi powder (1/2 tsp)

Ghee (2 tbs)

Saffron (pinch)

Preparation:

• Soak badams for 2 hours in water and peel out the skin.
• Put them into blender with addition of milk and make into coarse paste.
• Heat the pan on low flame,put ghee and the badam paste and mix it well.
• Add sugar ,constantly stir the halwa for about 15 mins add ghee in btw to stop sticking to the pan.
• Add saffron in milk(2 tbs) and add it halwa mix.
• Add elachi powder to halwa,when the bottom of the pan looks clean and the halwa stops sticking and when ghee starts oozing out of halwa,turn off the stove.
• Place the halwa on plate greased with ghee.
• Before it cools down ,cut into small pieces.

Contributed by

Greeshma

Sabudana Kheer

Ingredients:
Sabudana (1/2 Cup)
Milk (1 cup)
Sugar(2-3 tsp)
Cashew
Kismis
Ghee or Butter
Preparation : Take one cup of milk in a container and boil them, then add sabudana and sugar cook until the sabudana becomes soft approx 5-8 mins.Roast Cashew and Kismis with ghee or butter in a separate pan ,add those nuts to milk then Its ready to serve.