( grind it to a semi fine paste, add 1 tbsp of ghee and fry till raw smell has disappeared completely or fry the carrot paste it ghee add some water and pressure cook till soft .)
Boiling water - 1 & 1/2 cups
Sugar - 1 cup
( add more or less according to the sweetness of the carrot)
Ghee - 1/4 cup
( add more or less)
Chopped cashew nuts - 1 tsp
Raisins -1tsp
Cardamom powder -1/4 tsp
Saffron strings few for garnish
Method
Fry nuts & raisins in 1/2 tsp of ghee till light brown & keep it aside.
In the same pan add the ghee & rava , fry it in medium low flame till colour changes & nice aroma comes. Add the fried carrot paste and give a nice mix. Switch off the flame & keep it aside.
Boil water and pour this into the rava carrot mixture. Mix well to make sure there are no lumps.
Switch on the stove ,cover & in very low flame cook till water has evaporated & rava is cooked.
Now add the sugar and ghee mix it well till everything is well combined and kesari leaves the sides of the pan.
Switch off the stove add nuts , saffron strings & cardamom powder, mix & serve them hot or warm.
Note:
a) Fry rava well otherwise your kesari will be sticky.
( I wanted it to be little sweet so added - 2 tbsp of sugar)
Sour cream - 1 tbsp (optional)
Saffron - a generous pinch
Chopped almonds and pistachio - as needed to sprinkle on top
Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
Bhapa Doi
Method
Add greek yogurt, sugar, condensed milk, cardamom powder, a tiny pinch of saffron and sour cream into a bowl. Gently whisk all the ingredients using a hand blender till smooth and creamy.
Pour the mixture into a tray or oven safe individual small containers.
Preheat the oven to 400 deg.F once its well heated switch to 200 deg. F and bake for 45 to 1 hour.
Each oven is different so cooking time may vary,
Insert a tooth pick in the middle if it comes out clean then the mixture is cooked.
Remove from oven and cool completely, sprinkle nuts and saffron on top, refrigerate the Bhapa doi before serving.
Note:
You can also steam instead of baking. When steaming cover the mixture with an aluminum foil.
Boil 1 cup of milk and sugar together reduce flame and add the diluted corn flour and in low flame cook till thick , creamy and raw smell has disappeared.
Switch off the flame and add the rose essence and cinnamon powder, mix till well combined.
Pour it into a glass or bowl and sprinkle desiccated coconut and pistachio on top and serve hot, warm or cold.
An easy and quick winter drink/ pudding.
Note:
Do not add too much rose essence and cinnamon powder they will overpower the taste of the drink.
Nestle everyday milk powder - 4 cups
Sugar - 1 cup
( you can powder the sugar and then add too)
Milk - 1 cup
Ghee - 1/2 cup
Cardamom powder - a generous pinch
Chopped nuts of your choice - 4 tsp
( i used pistachio, melon seeds and chironji )
Rose essence - a drop ( optional)
Milk Burfi
Method
Grease a tray with ghee and keep it aside.
Take a non stick pan add ghee, milk and sugar mix it for a minute.
Add the milk powder and mix in low flame till there are no lumps.
Keep the flame in medium high flame and continue mixing till the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan ( approximately 8 minute).Do not cook in high flame.
Once the mixtures has formed a soft dough switch off the stove. Add rose essence if using and mix.
Transfer it to the grease tray and spread it evenly.
Sprinkle the nuts and cardamom powder on top and gently pat it.
Cool the burfi completely ( i kept it in fridge for 10 minutes) and then cut into desired shape and enjoy!
Add ghee and wheat flour in a pan in low flame roast till nice aroma comes out and has changed its colour to light brown. Make sure the raw smell has completely disappeared . Switch off the stove and place it on a counter top.
Let this mixture cool for few seconds and add the cardamom powder and jaggery , mix well till combined.
Pour the mixture immediately into a greased tray , even the top using a spatula , sprinkle the almonds on top and press gently.
While still warm cut into desired shape and enjoy!
( add more or less according to the consistency needed)
Sugar - 2 tbsp
( add more or less according to your taste)
Cumin - little to sprinkle on top
Salt a pinch
Kinnathappam
Method
Drain the water from the rice add it into a blender pour coconut milk and grind to a smooth batter. Do not add water for grinding use only coconut milk.
Pour more coconut milk if needed to get a semi thick pouring batter consistency.
Add salt , sugar and mix till dissolved , grease a pan with coconut oil and pour the batter.
Sprinkle some cumin seeds on top , cover with a lid or cover with a foil and make few slits on top , steam till cooked. When inserted a knife in the middle must come out clean.
Cool slightly loosen the edges using a knife , cut into desired shape and enjoy!
( wash the rice and soak it in water for at least 4 hours. Drain out the water and spread the rice on a clean towel for 15 to 20 minutes. Dry grind the wet rice to a semi coarse consistency ( sand texture).
Jaggery - 1 & 1/2 tbsp
( add more or less according to your taste, you can add sugar instead)
Salt a pinch
Grated coconut - 1/4 cup
Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
Fried cashew nuts in ghee - 1 tbsp
Ghee - 3 tsp
Method
Take the ground flour into a boil add a pinch of salt, sprinkle warm water little by little using your finger tips mix well.
When you hold the mixture with your fist they should hold the shape this is the right consistency.
Put the flour in a cloth fold and steam for 15 minutes or till cooked.
Transfer the puttu into a bowl and add the cardamom powder, ghee, fried nuts and coconut, mix and enjoy hot or warm.
Grease the baking sheet and cookie cutter with oil and keep it ready.
Add sugar into a round deep ladle using a wooden chopstick keep mixing till they melt and changes to light honey colour syrup. Do not caramelize till dark they will turn bitter. Switch off the stove.
This syrup will be too hot so handle careful and avoid touching with your fingers.
Add the baking soda and mix quickly till they form foamy.
Pour it immediately on the greased baking sheet and insert a candy stick and gently press with a plate on top for a second and remove.
Press the cookie cutter in the middle to give a print , I used a metal bottle cap.
Do not cut it till the end. I used a small toothpick pricked and removed the edges to hold the shape (this step is optional)
Powdered almond/badam - 1/4 cup
Desiccated coconut powder1 tbsp heaped
Crushed cardamom -5
Mixed fruit jam - 3 tbsp
( use any jam flavor you like )
Dry milk powder - 1 cup
Milk - 3 tbsp
Ghee - 1 tsp
Method
Take a non stick pan add the jam, milk and milk powder in low flame keep cooking till it has thickened.
Now add the desiccated coconut and almond powder mix till everything is combined.
Add the cardamom powder and ghee mix it well till it leaves the sides of the pan.
Switch off the stove and cool the mixture.
Take a wonton wrap place 1/2 tsp of the filling in the middle, apply water to the sides of the wrap.
Bring the edges together and seal them well by pressing with your fingers or a fork.
Heat oil in a pan in medium high flame deep fry these wontons till crisp and brown on both sides.
Serve them warm.
Note;
a) Using these wonton wrap any kind of filling can be made ( sweet or spicy).
b) Sweetness was perfect for our family if you want it more sweet then add 1 or 2 tsps extra jam. Thanks for visiting !
( Cook according to the instruction given in the packet)
Milk - 3 cups
Brown sugar, white sugar or jaggery - 3 tbsp
( add more or less according to your taste)
Nuts fried in ghee - 2 tbsp
( I used cashew nuts , raisins and sara paruppu )
Desiccated coconut or fresh coconut fried till brown in ghee - 1 tbsp
Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
Method
Boil milk till it is reduced to 2 cups now add the brown sugar, cooked ragi semiya , cardamom powder , nuts and coconut. Give a boil till combined and switch off the stove.
If you want a thin payasam then increase the milk quantity.
Serve hot.
Notes:
1. Once jaggery is added do not boil too much there are chances to curdle. Make sure there are no impurities in the jaggery.
2. Do not over cook the ragi otherwise they will turn sticky.
(grind beetroot with 1/2 cup of water and filter , boil the filtered juice) Salt a pinch Sesame oil-1/2 tsp
Method
Take a wide bowl put the flour,salt & oil. Slowly pour the boiling juice mix it with a spatula till it forms to a soft dough. Do not use hand it will be very hot. Cover & rest it for 5 minutes.
Now knead the dough well, divide the dough into equal size balls.
Grease your fingers shape like a small cup with the outer dough, Place a teaspoon of the filling , close it into half and gently press the edges to seal. Make sure there are no cracks.
You can also use a banana leaf to flatten the dough then place the filling and fold the leaf into half and press the edges to seal. Steam the kolukattai with the leaf.
Steam these modakam in a greased idli plates for 5 to 7 minutes or till done.
Cool the modakam & serve them.
Different kinds of fillings
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Ellu Pooranam
Ingredients for the filling
Sesame seeds / Ellu - 1/2 cup Grated jaggery-1/2 cup Coconut-1/4 cup Cardamom-3 crushed (I used dessicated coconut ) Water -1 tbsp
Method
Dry roast sesame seeds till its light brown, cool & dry grind to a coarse powder. Take a pan add the grated jaggery, cardamom powder, grated coconut, water & sesame powder, keep mixing in low flame till the mixture thickens & leaves the sides of the pan.
Switch off the flame cool the mixture,while still warm divide it into equal size balls.
Panchakajjaya
Ingredients
Yellow moongh dal - 1/4 cup
( dry roasted till light golden brown and ground to a fine powder)
Grated jaggery - 1/4 cup
Grated coconut - 1/4 cup
( dry roast till moisture has evaporated, do not fry till brown)
Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
Cashew nuts and Raisins - together 2 tsp
( roasted in 1 tsp ghee till light brown)
Black sesame seeds - 1/2 tbsp
(dry roasted till they splutter, do not over fry and burn them)
Method
Take a bowl add all the above ingredients and mix till combined.
Offer this easy neivedyam to lord Ganesha.
Note:
a) You can use store bought rice flour to make this modakam. b) Seal them well to make sure the filling doesn't come out while steaming. c) Keep any filling of your choice. d) Water ration depends upon the quality of rice,so add little by little to form a dough. e) Always keep the dough covered to avoid drying. f) Knead the dough well before making the modakam. g) If your jaggery is not clean then dissolve it in water, filter & then use to make the poornam.
( add more or less according to the quality of the poha)
Ghee - 1 & 1/2 tbsp
Sugar - 1/4 cup
( add more or less according to your taste )
Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
Saffron soaked in 1 tbsp of warm milk - a generous pinch
Chopped cashew nuts - 6
Poha Kesari
Method
Add 1 tsp of ghee fry the cashew nuts and keep aside. In the same pan add the poha and roast till colour changes and crisp. Cool completely and grind to a coarse mixture.
Boil water in a pan lower the flame and add the poha mix well, cover and cook till done.
Add sugar, saffron soaked in milk , cardamom , remaining ghee and nuts mix till well combined , thickened and mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
( add more or less according to the rice flour quality)
Ghee - 1/2 tsp
Salt - a pinch
( Add the rice flour and salt into a bowl pour the boiling water little by little and mix it with a wooden spoon. Mix till it forms to a soft non sticky dough, once warm grease your palm with ghee and knead once. Divide the portion into medium size balls , cover and keep it aside.
Filling Ingredients
Clean powdered jaggery - 3/4 cup
Grated coconut - 1 cup
Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
( mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and keep it aside)
Other ingredients
Ghee as needed to grease the banana leaf
Banana leaves as needed
Elai Adai
Method
Grease a banana leaf with ghee place a ball of dough wet your finger and flatten to a semi thick disc.
Place some filling at one corner and cover the banana leaf and press to seal ( see picture).
Steam these for 2 to 3 minutes or till cooked.
Serve hot or warm.
Note:
a) Instead of cardamom powder you can add crushed cumin seeds.
b) Add water accordingly as each rice flour quality is different.
Rice flour - 1/2 cup
Boiling water - 1/2 cup
Ghee - 1 tsp
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Salt a pinch
Ingredients for the milk
Sugar - 1/4 cup heaped
( sweetness was perfect for our family ,if needed add 1 tbsp more )
Milk - 4 cups
Water - 1 & 1/2 cup
Coconut grated - 1 tbsp heaped
Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
Method
Take ghee,1/2 tsp sugar, rice flour & a pinch of salt in a bowl add boiling water slowly & form a soft dough. Grease your palm with ghee or oil take very small balls of dough.
Roll it out into thin noodles , if you don't have time or patience just fill it into a murukku press.
Boil water & milk in a pan ,when starts to boil reduce the flame & add the rice flour noodles.
If using murukku press then press out the dough directly into the boil milk , in low flame cook for 5 to 10 minutes for the strings to cook.
Once cooked add the sugar & cardamom powder, give a boil & switch off the flame.
Add the grated coconut ,mix & serve hot or warm.
Note:
a) Once warm this sweet may become thick,to dilute add some warm milk to loosen it up.
b) After adding coconut do not boil otherwise your milk will curdle.
Dry roast urad dal , rice and moongh dal separately till light brown, cool and dry grind to a fine powder. Sieve the flour and store it in a clean jar, your flour is ready to use.
Kummayam Flour
Other ingredients
Kummayam flour - 1/2 cup
Palm sugar - 1/4 cup
Jaggery - 1/4 cup
Water - 1 & 1/2 cup
Ghee - 8 tsp
Aadi Kummayam
Method
Add 3 tsps of ghee and fry the kummayam flour till nice aroma comes out, switch off the flame and cool completely.
Dissolve palm sugar and jaggery in water and filter to remove impurities. Let it cool completely.
Once the roasted flour and jaggery syrup is cooled mix till no lumps. Now switch on the flame and keep stirring in low flame till mixture starts to thicken.
The mixture will thicken fast so keep stirring continuously otherwise there are chances of burning at the bottom.
Slowly add the remaining ghee in intervals till the mixture comes to a ball and ghee started to leave the mixture.
When you touch the mixture they should not stick to your fingers then that's the right consistency to switch off the stove.
Serve hot or warm!
Note:
a) Color of the dish depends upon the quality of the jaggery.
b) Sweetness can be adjusted according to your taste.
c) No need to add any flavoring to this dish.
d) Make sure when mixture the syrup and roasted flour they are cooled completely.
e) When serving you can mix a teaspoon of sesame oil for extra taste ( optional).
f) Mixture will thicken fast so keep stirring continuously in low flame.