.....From My Palate

Festival

Kesar Layered Burfi

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Festival season is in full swing and so is the mood to enjoy and celebrate our culture and traditions. Karwachauth is tomorrow and Diwali in just two weeks. In our culture no matter how health conscious we are, but no festivity is complete with out sweets. Sweet is the integral part of our hospitality and festivals. But in the times when the outside sweets are laden with synthetic khoya and unhealthy additives its hard to maintain this tradition. Thanks to the technology, with the little work and google:-), easy to make, simple and elegant sweets are possible freshly made at home.
Today i am sharing recipe for elegant 2 layered burfi. With little patience its easy to make and has all the deliciousness to make the day special.

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Kesar Layered Burfi
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • Plain Burfi
  • 2 cups Khoya, grated at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup Boora or Powdered Sugar (adjust accordingly)
  • 1/2 tsp. Cardamom powder
  • Few drops Gulab or Kewra essence (optional)
  • Kesar Burfi
  • 1 1/2 cup Khoya, grated at room temperature
  • 5 tbsp. Boora or Powdered Sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp of Saffron crushed and soak in tbsp of warm milk
  • Silvered Pistachios and Almond for garnishing
  • Few drops Gulab or Kewra essence (optional)
Instructions
  1. Grease the tray to set the burfi.
  2. Heat non-stick pan and roast khoya, boora or sugar, cardamom powder and essence.
  3. Roast until the mixture is light pink in color, thickens and start to leave the sides of the pan.
  4. The mixture should be consistency of soft lump.
  5. Spread it evenly on greased tray and let it cool.
  6. For the kesar burfi again heat non-stick pan and roast khoya, boora or sugar, saffron and essence.
  7. Cook it until the desired consistency as above.
  8. Spread the kesar mixture on top of the plain burfi.
  9. Spread it evenly with the help of greased parchment paper.
  10. Garnished with nuts and set aside to cool.
  11. Cut in to desired shape and serve.

Pumpkin Halwa- Celebrating Fall with Indian Twist

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October month is all dedicated to fall produce and Pumpkin is the star of the month. It is a versatile hero of the season used in decorations, cooking and the pumpkin patches are the fun and a must place to visit for the kids. The blog-sphere  are loaded with  pumpkin recipes even i have few in my mind and draft. Navratris festival or nine days to celebrate and worship Goddess Durga  was on this month of October.  In the spirit of the season,  I decided to make sweet that goes well with Indian ethnicity and blend well with the fall season. Pumpkin Halwa  is the recipe I chose to kick start our festive season . For all health-freaks its a great recipe for toning the arms,  believe me it is….!!

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Pumpkin Halwa
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • 4 cups Pumpkin, grated
  • 1 cup Sugar, adjust according to taste
  • 2 cups Milk
  • 1-2 tbsp. Ghee
  • 1/2 tsp. Cardamom Powder
  • few threads of Saffron
  • 1 cup grated Khoya
  • 2 tbsp. Raisins
  • Almond Cashews or Pistachios, chopped
Instructions
  1. Soak saffron in a tbsp of warm milk. stir and crushed it with the back of spoon for color.
  2. Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or Kadai, add the pumpkin and sauté on a medium flame for few minutes while stirring continuously until the pumpkin is slightly cooked.
  3. Add the milk, mix it well and give it a boil while stirring in between.
  4. Now turn down the heat on low and simmer the halwa until the milk evaporates and the pumpkin is all mushy and cooked.
  5. At this point add sugar, saffron milk, cardamom powder and raisins.
  6. Mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring continuously.
  7. Add the khoya, mix well and cook another 1 to 2 minutes stirring continuously until the halwa starts to leave the sides of the pan.
  8. Garnish with almonds cashews or pistachios.

Roasted Acorn Squash Soup – Celebrating Fall

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Summer said goodbye and officially it’s fall. Cool misty mornings, little less sunlight and small days are really depressing. But thank God Halloween is almost there, it’s time to take out decorations from the basement and get busy in welcoming festivities that brings happiness. Last week I went out with a friend for a quick visit to a small cute farmer’s market in the downtown. From stalls of seasonal flowers, baked goods, vegetables and fruits, a cute round green and orange acorn squash caught my eye and instantly warm creamy soup was in my mind.

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Next day seasonal flu puts me down and this cute small thing keeps on waiting for me in the refrigerator. I am still fighting with the cold and bad throat but cannot fight with the craving for warm bowl of creamy soup.

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Roasted Acorn Squash Soup
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • 2 Acorn Squash, halved and seeded
  • I Shallot, diced
  • 1 carrot, cubed
  • I green Apple, cubed
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • Few fresh Sage
  • 1/2 tsp. Cumin Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
  • 2 pinch of Cinnamon Powder
  • Pinch of Nutmeg Powder
  • 2 cups Vegetable Stock
  • 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
  • 2 tbsp Coconut Milk
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven at 400 degrees F.
  2. Season squash with salt and peeper.
  3. Put garlic (in a foil pouch) and squash into a baking dish with the cut side down.
  4. Bake until the flesh of the squash is soft, about 30-40 minutes.
  5. Let it cool until squash can be handled. Scoop flesh into a bowl and set aside.
  6. Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Cook garlic, shallot, carrot, and apple until soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
  7. Add squash, cumin powder, cayenne powder, cinnamon and nutmeg powder. Mix it well.
  8. Now pour vegetable stock into the pot.
  9. Add fresh sage leaves and simmer it for 20 minutes.
  10. Puree the mixture with a stick blender.
  11. Stir coconut milk and season with salt and pepper.
  12. Cook more for 2 minutes. Serve with garnish of your choice.

Corn On The Cob In Coconut Curry

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Grilled corn is by far the most favorite recipe for everybody, who likes to barbecue in summer. It is simple and must recipe for all get-togethers around pool or in backyard to enjoy sunshine. Somehow, with all due regards to our classic grilled corn… its not one of my favorite!. But it doesn’t mean i don’t like corn. With little twist and tweaks corn can amaze people with its versatility. Corn roundels cooked in aromatic coconut curry gives them juicy bite and tastes delicious with rice.

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Corn On The Cob In Coconut Curry
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • 2 Whole Corns, boiled and cut in to thick roundels
  • 2 medium Onions, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp. Tomato Puree
  • 2 Green Chilies, finely Chopped
  • 2 tsp. Ginger-Garlic Paste
  • 1/2 cup Coconut Milk
  • 2 tbsp. Oil
  • 1/2 tsp. Cumin Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Red Chili Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Garam Masla Powder
  • 1/4 tsp. Fennel Seeds Powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Crushed Pepper and shredded Coconut for garnishing
Instructions
  1. Marinate corn roundels in 2 tsp oil, Crushed peppers, salt and black pepper powder.
  2. Heat oil in a pan. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies.
  3. Add onions and saute until soft and light brown in color.
  4. At this point add tomato puree and all spices.
  5. Mix it well and cook until oil comes up around the edges.
  6. Mix coconut milk and give it a boil while stirring well.
  7. Add salt and corn roundels.
  8. Add water according to the consistency needed.
  9. Mix it well and cook for few minutes.
  10. Serve hot garnished with shredded coconut with rice.

Rajma Masala

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I never thought of sharing this recipe until my son mentioned me, “You didn’t take pictures of my favorite dish?” Taking pictures of food means “something special has cooked today” for him. That made me realized, he is right! Rajma Chawal is the most popular recipe in north India. Both children and adults likes it with same intensity, even the most picky eater is happy to see it served for lunch or dinner. It is the most easily cooked dish for parties or potlucks. Serve it with Jeera Rice, Chapatis or Naan, it goes well with everything and for everybody.
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Rajma Masala
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • 2 cups Rajma (Kidney beans) soaked overnight, boiled
  • 2 medium Onions, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp. Ginger-Garlic paste
  • 4 tbsp. Tomato puree
  • few Green chilies, slited
  • 2 nos Tejpatta (Bay Leaf)
  • 2 tsp. Coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Turmeric Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Cumin Seeds
  • 1/4 tsp. Asafietida
  • Red Chili Powder To taste
  • 3/4 tsp. Garam Masala
  • Fried Green Chilies and Coriander Leaves for garnishing
  • Salt to taste
  • 3 tbsp. oil
Instructions
  1. Heat oil in a heavy-bottom pan.
  2. Add bay leaves, cumin seeds and asatefida powder.
  3. When seeds start to splutter, add onions and saute till light brown.
  4. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
  5. Add tomato puree and turmeric powder mix it well and cook for 3-4 minutes till oil separates on the side of the pan.
  6. Add coriander powder, red chili powder and salt. Mix it well.
  7. Add boiled rajma along with water according to consistency needed.
  8. Cook for 10-15 minutes on low heat.
  9. Mash the beans with the back of the ladle, add garam masala powder and mix it well.
  10. Add more water and salt if required.
  11. Garnish with fried green chilies and coriander leaves.
  12. Serve hot with rice or chapatis.
  13. Add 1/4 cup cream for more richer and creamy taste.
  14. tsp of desi ghee enhance its taste.

Khajoor Mewa Roll

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Gifts, new clothes, mithais and lot of happiness and exuberance around….yes! that’s what festivals gives us while breaking the monotony of work and busy life. If festivals are not there our lives will be like robots with no emotions and feelings to share with family and friends. Festivals are regular days, just an excuse to rejoice and spend special time with loved ones. These are the days to break rules, diets and enmity whereas strengthens the bonds of love and responsibilities for each other. One such day to celebrate the emotional bonding between brothers and sisters is around the corner. A very very Happy Raksha Bandhan to all of you in advance.
I wanted to dedicate this post to my brother. Happy Raksha Bandhan Bhai!

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Any festival is incomplete without sweet. And in the time of healthy, sugar-less sweets, this sweet will be a perfect treat for a health conscious, exercise freak, brother. This roll is like an energy bar with dates and nuts. Khajoor rolls are not new to me, my friend in UK introduced this recipe to me almost 8 years back. This is a quick recipe with hardly any work and looks delicious.
What will be a more healthier way to celebrate “bond of love” ? Be ready with an extra box to pack this yummy treat for your brother.

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Khajoor Mewa Roll
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • 2 cups Khajoor (Dates), pitted & chopped
  • 1 cup mixed Dry Fruits, toasted & chopped
  • 1 tsp. Desi Ghee
  • 1/2 tsp. Cardamom Powder
  • Few drops Rose Essence (optional)
  • Shredded coconut for garnishing
Instructions
  1. Heat ghee in a nonstick pan. Add khajoor.
  2. Cook khajoor while mixing it well.
  3. Cook until they are soft.
  4. Mix dry fruits, cardamom powder and rose essence.
  5. Mix it well and let it cool for sometime.
  6. Roll the mixture into a thick log.
  7. Roll it on shredded coconut and wrap it tightly in cling film.
  8. Refrigerate it until firm.
  9. Cut it in to slices and serve.

Mishti Doi

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There are few things that seems to be so easy to do but the results are not always that good. Today we are talking about the dessert, that not only tastes delicious but the name also sounds really sweet. Mishti Doi means Meetha Dahi. It is the most popular dessert in Bengali cuisine other than Rasgulla. Mishti doi is a sweet yogurt that tastes so heavenly good and its probiotic nature is good for digestion too. The recipe sounds really simple like, setting a yogurt but my mind is always anxious for the result. I already experienced the disaster one time and that gives me nightmares even now ….. Yep! Sometimes simple things makes you realize the art of cooking. But this time I came out of this nightmare with flying colors. It not only looks authentically delicious but also tastes divinely blissful.

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Traditional way of serving Mishti Doi are in earthen pots, that soak up all the water and gives the thick rich taste to yogurt. After eating rich festival food, a small pot of Mishti doi is refreshing for the palate and the tummy too.

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There are many recipes to make Mishti Doi. This is the most basic recipe. Now,  in the time of fusion food, one can add different flavors and served with fruits and different toppings.

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Mishti Doi
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • 1 liter Milk
  • 1 can Condensed Milk
  • 1 tbsp. Unsweetened Yogurt
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla Essence
  • Saffron threads
  • Silvered Pistachios for garnishing
Instructions
  1. Boil the milk in a heavy bottomed pan and reduce it to half.
  2. Let the milk cool down for some time.
  3. When its cool enough that one can put finger in the milk add condensed milk and vanilla essence.
  4. Mix it well.
  5. Now mix in the yogurt and pour it into an earthen pot.
  6. Garnish it with saffron and pistachios and leave it overnight.
  7. Once set, refrigerate it for a couple of hours and serve chilled.

Bharli Vangi/Eggplant In Peanut Coconut Gravy

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Bharli Vangi is one of the traditional and classic dish in Maharashtra. Though I never attended any Maharashtrian wedding but heard that this dish is must in menu for any wedding or festive occasion, Personally i like this dish better next day,  when eggplants are all marinated in the masala and tastes awesome  with coconut y-peanut  flavor melting in mouth. The ingredients for Bharli vangi recipe are almost same for stuffed eggplant or bagare baigan but the magic wand in this recipe is Goda Masala.

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Bharli Vangi/Eggplant In Peanut Coconut Gravy
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • 8-9 Baby Eggplant
  • 2-3 tbsp. Oil
  • For Stuffing-
  • 1 cup chopped Onion
  • 2 tsp. Ginger Garlic paste
  • 1/2 Cup Dessicated Coconut
  • 1/2 Cup roasted Peanuts
  • 2 tbsp. roasted Sesame Seeds (Til)
  • 2 tsp. Red Chili Powder
  • 2 tbsp. Coriander Seeds Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Turmeric Powder
  • 1 tsp. Cumin Seeds
  • 1 tsp. Goda Masala
  • 1 tbsp. grated Jaggery
  • 1 tbsp. Tamarind Plup
  • Salt to taste
Instructions
  1. Slit the eggplants into four, lengthways keeping the stems intact.
  2. Heat little oil in a pan and saute dessicated coconut over medium heat for two minutes, stirring continuously, till the coconut turns a light golden brown.
  3. Mix peanuts, sesame seeds in the coconut mixture.
  4. Cool and grind the mixture with a little water to a coarse paste.
  5. Mix and add goda masala, coriander powder, salt, turmeric powder, chilli powder, jaggery and tamarind pulp.
  6. Stuff the mixture into the eggplants.
  7. Heat the remaining oil in a deep wide pan, add cumin seeds and when they begin to splutter, add onion and ginger garlic paste.
  8. Saute onion until light brown in color.
  9. Now place the stuffed eggplants in the pan and cook for two or three minutes.
  10. Add water as needed to cook the eggplants evenly from all sides.
  11. Gently turn the eggplants once or twice in between while cooking.
  12. Cover the pan and cook over medium heat until eggplants are soft and evenly cooked.

Puran Poli

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Maharashtrian cuisine!! What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you read it? May be, spicy Vada Paav, steaming hot Paav Bhaji, Misal Paav, Ragda Patties or chatpati Bhel Puri. But the real food of this filmy state is much more than these easily available street food. Today we are talking about the most popular Puran Poli. Puran Poli is a sweet, soft and flaky flat bread that melts in the mouth with burst of sweet nutty flavors and makes every occasion sweet and auspicious with its presence.

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Puran Poli
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • For Puran-
  • 1 cup Chana Dal
  • 1 cup Jaggery (Gudh)
  • Pinch of Nutmeg powder
  • 1/4 tsp Cardamom powder
  • Few strands of Saffron
  • 1 cup Water
  • For Dough-
  • 1 cup Whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup All Purpose Flour (Maida)
  • 1 tbsp Oil
  • Salt to taste
  • (I used only whole wheat flour but adding all purpose flour makes it softer and tastier)
Instructions
Puran
  1. Wash and soak chana dal for overnite.
  2. Boil chana dal with one cup of water and saffron for 3-4 whistles.
  3. Drain and coarsely grind it.
  4. Mix chana dal, jaggery, nutmeg and cardamom powder.
  5. Cook the mixture in a nonstick pan until it thickens (spatula can stand upright in the mixture just to check it.)
  6. Keep it aside and make small balls of the mixture.
Puran Poli Dough
  1. Take maida, whole wheat flour, salt and oil. Mix it well.
  2. Add water as needed and knead it in to a soft sticky dough.
  3. Cover and leave it to rest for an hour.
Puran Poli
  1. Make a soft dough with tsp of oil.
  2. Take small ball from dough and roll like a puri.
  3. Stuff puran in to rolled puri and seal the edges nicely.
  4. Roll it evenly like stuffed paratha.
  5. Heat non stick tawa and cook puranpoli from both the sides with little ghee or oil till it gets nice golden color.
  6. Serve hot with a dollop of ghee over it.

Citrus Strawberry Salad

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Cold weather, chilly winds, gray skies and snow all around…..the whole canvas is pure white. Yes! Dear Winter…we are talking about you. No doubt, Fresh snow looks blissful and pure…. indubitably, the best scenic view for the eyes to capture! But not for long….lack of colors in life always makes me grumpy and dull. I crave for colors in life so much, that colors can boost up my energy instantly and gives smile on my face.

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A small bunch of bright red color flowers are good enough to add good energy in the life and home. Same goes for food too. I believe  in a saying…….”You eat first with your eyes, then your nose, then your mouth…..”.
This bright and sunny winter salad is the perfect remedy to erase the gray side of winter. It is fresh, healthy and very versatile. One can add blood orange, grapefruit, tangerine any citrus fruit of your choice. Adding silvered nuts or roasted coconut flakes will give bite and enhance the flavor.

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Citrus Strawberry Salad
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • Strawberries hulled, sliced
  • Navel Oranges
  • Fresh Pomegranate Seeds
  • Few springs of fresh Mint
  • Lemon Juice
  • Brown Sugar/Honey
Instructions
  1. Cut peel and white pith from oranges.
  2. Cut between membranes to release segments.
  3. Combine fruit in large shallow bowl.
  4. Squeeze all the juice from the oranges into a separate bowl, then stir in the lemon juice and brown sugar.
  5. Pour the syrup over the fruit and sprinkle with fresh mint.
  6. Refrigerate the salad for some time and serve chilled.