Quick Rasmalai

RASMALAI...! The word itself gives a high to your tastebuds. Oh! it definitely brings to me too. I have a sweet tooth and can eat any sweet dish at least once..! 

But yes.. Was never into making one until I discovered the quick and easy way to make this one :) 

Yes, I have made rasgullas at home in the past for my toddler but not Rasmalai. So this time I tried to cheat a little and make Rasmalai at home in just 15-20 mins...! So here it goes.. my first dessert post on this blog. And since its homemade I did not mind even when my son ate 3-4 at a time. 

 Ingredients : 

1 litre Milk

3/4 cup sugar

Cardamom powder 

Saffron

Yellow food colour ( optional ) 

One pack of store bought rasgullas

Finely chopped almonds n pista

Method : 

Heat the 1 litre milk by adding 3/4 cup sugar and keep stirring it continuously till its half its original quantity. This might take around 15 mins. And while its boiling, remove approx 2 tbsp of warm milk in a small bowl and add 5-6 saffron strands in it. Now squeeze the sugar syrup from all the rasgullas. Again remove some more milk in another vessel to soak all these rasgullas. You will notice that once soaked, the squeezed rasgullas will return to their original size n shape.

Now add the cardamom powder in the boiling milk. Once the milk becomes half the quantity, add the saffron soaked milk in it to get the colour. At this point u can also add the food colour to get the store bought look. I avoided since wanted to keep it healthy for my kiddo. 

Pour this milk onto the soaked rasgullas mix. Garnish with almonds, pistachios and saffron. 

Allow it to cool a little and then refrigerate it for at least an hour. 

Tada... It's ready...! Below is the one I made last week which vanished away in a day..!

Try this out n let me know how did it turn out. I'm gonna make another batch this weekend :) 

Awaiting for your sweet feedback.

Cheesy risotto

Hello girls...! Trust me it's not easy being a mommy. From the wee hours of morning that your kiddo gets up till the late night that you struggle to put him to bed.. It's definitely a full time job.

But that one smile or hug that ur cutie pie gives you... Sums up for all the effort you put in for him.

Now you must be wondering why I'm stressing so much on the time put in for the child. Well, that's the reason I have been so tied up again to come back to blogging. 

However, that dosent stop me from trying new recipes to share with you gals. 

This time around I tried a quick, delicious and not so healthy dinner recipe ;)

I actually made this for my toddler but was loved by everyone else in the house...! And me too ;)

Cheesy Risotto

Ingredients :

3 tbsp butter or olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
1 tsp finely chopped garlic (lehsun)
2 tbsp finely chopped carrots
2 tbsp finely chopped zucchini
1/4 cup boiled green peas
2 tbsp finely chopped french beans
salt to taste
2 cups cooked rice
2 tbsp fresh cream
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup grated processed cheese
freshly ground black pepper powder to taste

Method

1. Heat the butter in a deep pan, add the onions and sauté till they turn translucent.
2. Add the garlic and sauté for a few more seconds.
3. Add all the vegetables and salt and mix well and cook for 4 to 5 minutes.
4. When the vegetables have softened a little, add the rice, cream, milk, ½ cup of water and salt if required and mix well.
5. Bring to boil and simmer for a few minutes, adding more water if required.
6. Add the cheese and pepper, mix well and serve immediately.

Other quick recipe ideas using rice (specially for mommies with toddlers)

Rice kheer

1. Combine a little cooked rice, condensed milk and milk and microwave for a minute.

Date rice

1. Combine a little cooked rice, a little purée (made by blending dates and water in a mixer),
2. Almond powder and milk and cook till the rice gets mashed a little.

Rice rotis

1. Make a dough of mashed cooked rice, grated mixed vegetables, whole wheat flour and salt and then make small rotis. They taste yummy with jam.

1. Combine a little cooked rice, condensed milk and milk and microwave for a minute.

Date rice

1. Combine a little cooked rice, a little purée (made by blending dates and water in a mixer),
2. Almond powder and milk and cook till the rice gets mashed a little.

Rice rotis

1. Make a dough of mashed cooked rice, grated mixed vegetables, whole wheat flour and salt and then make small rotis. They taste yummy with jam.

Make this cheesy creamy delicacy with "rice' in a wink and watch your loved ones dwell into this dish. And don't forget to write me the special feedback that you get :)

Steam Green Peas Dhokla

Rain rain go away... Come again another day....!!! 

You must be wondering what's with this nursery rhyme that I'm singing along...! 

Well I guess.. It's motherhood that makes you do all the funny things... At some point it makes you a baby too..Lols...!

But seriously.. The rains in Mumbai just won't stop. I don't remember last when we had an entire sunny day.

However, monsoon has its own perks too.. One of that being the joy of eating hot n piping Pakodas...! But pakodas are like buying any Hyundai car.. which looks amazing, is great to drive on.. but the maintenance that you might have to pay later is Heavy...;) and I'm sure hitting the gym in the monsoons is another big put off.

So I thought how about something healthy but equally tantalising to the taste buds.

And could not think of anything better than our gujju fav. Dhoklas...! ( oh yes.. It's rhyming to pakodas too...! )

Try these quick n easy recipe of Steam Green Peas Dhokla and let me know how much better you felt after having this.. :)

To prepare the batter :

Take 1 cup rava. Add 1cup rice flour and 2tbsp chana/besan flour. To this add salt, ginger-green chilli paste, pinch of asafoetida, half cup crushed green peas, 3tbsp sour buttermilk and water as required to make a Dhokla consistency batter. Add 3 tbsp oil and half tsp fruit salt.

Method : 

Pour the batter in a microwaveble dish or a greased dish to prepare on the stove. Pour a thin layer. Sprinkle red chilli powder and finely chopped coriander on top. Cover the dish. 

If doing it in microwave, then microwave it for 3mins. Check wether its done in the centre by poking a knife. If done, remove and sprinkle a mix of oil & water. Let it cool for a minute and then cut it into pieces and serve immediately with any green chutney.

What are you waiting for...?? Make these quick n easy Dhoklas for your evening snack or a light dinner and stay fit ;)

Will wait for your special feedback on this ;) 

Quick Sprouted Chilli Rice

Sprouts speak for themselves...as the most healthy and high in protein. But many of us do not make use of these nutritious bits. So why not make something interesting with them so that it suits our taste pallets and we also get the required nutrition.
And yes not to forget, our motto... Its QUICK...! :)

You will need :
. Boiled Sprouts ( use any 2 to 3 combination of sprouts like moong, vatana, chana, math,etc)
. Green chilli paste
. Ginger paste
. Long chopped capsicum
. Red chilli paste ( made from soaking whole Kashmiri mirch in water for few mins and then grind them into a paste)
. Tomato sauce
. Par boiled Basmati rice
. Black Pepper powder
. Salt as per taste

Method :
Heat oil in a pan. Add 1tsp green chilli paste, ginger paste and red chilli paste. Mix and sauted for a minute. Then add chopped capsicum and sprouts. Add salt. Mix well and saute for few mins. After this, add 1tbsp tomato sauce and 1/4 tsp pepper powder. To this add the par boiled basmati rice. Mix well and let it cook for 2to3 mins.
Garnish with coriander and serve with dahi raita.

Finally a comeback....!!

A big HELLO to all....

I'm sure you all must be wondering as to where did I suddenly disappear for so long...!
Well.. To share some good news with all of you.. I recently had an addition to my family.. My dearest baby boy.... Medhansh. Now you will know what kept me busy all this while. Yes, time just flew by with him. :)

Also for a short while I was off cooking up new stuff.. So blogging took a backseat as well.. :)
However, now it has started all over again... Thanks to Medhansh.. Coz now again to give him time I'm always on the look out for some quick recipes..
So gurls.. Be ready for some mouthwatering recipes which you will be done making just in a wink..;)

Hot N Cheesy...!

Hello ppls...! after a long time.. I'm back into writing my blog. Actually thanks to the weather outside. Here, In Mumbai, its raining like crazy since last one week..!

Such a weather changes your tastes buds too... You feel like having hot soup n spicy starters to go with. My favorite though is having a combination of both hot n spicy Vada Pav..! And let me tell you.. it is best had at the roadside stalls.. Nothing beats their taste.

Well, but right now while sitting at home I can think of my favorite pastas.. Hot & Cheesy..!

And here is the hot n cheesy pasta recipe tht I made myself while blogging.

Easy Cheesy Pasta :

Ingredients: 
3/4 cup - pasta of your choice
1 tbsp - butter 2-3 tbsp - cheese spread
1 tsp - oregano

1 tsp - paprika

1 tsp - olive oil/cooking oil
Salt as needed 

Method :

1. Cook pasta with salt and cooking oil till soft, as per the packing instructions.
2. If you want the pasta to get cooked sooner, soak in water for 1 hr and then cook.
3. Drain the water and keep aside.
4. Heat a broad pan and add the butter and just melt it on a low flame.
5. Add the cooked pasta and stir in the cheese spread, oregano and paprika.
6. Toss well till the cheese melts and blends well with the pasta.
7. If you want it to be a little juicy, you can add a tblsp of milk and mix. (I prefer adding milk)
8. Serve hot!!

Variation : You can add 1 tbsp tomato ketchup if u want a lil tangy taste.

                 Can also add some black olives if u like.

Isn't it hot, cheesy & most important done in  Quick as a Wink..! ;)

Mother of all Nutrition.. the KIWIFRUIT...!

Some call them Chinese Gooseberries. To others they are zespri But to millions of people those fuzzy little balls of fruit are and always will be kiwifruit. Named so because physically they resemble New Zealand’s national bird, the kiwifruit is actually a berry that grows on a vine.

Eating kiwifruit is clearly a healthy choice, and it is particularly useful in these cases:

• Prevents Asthma
• Prevents wheezing and coughing, especially in children
• Protects our DNA from mutations
• Provides a healthy amount of antioxidants and vitamins
• Helps prevent colon cancer thanks to a high fiber content

Well, recently I was enlightened... (thanks to google) that Zespri Green & Gold Kiwifruit has launched in India..! wow..! and its available with all the leading retail stores like Hyperciti, Godrej Natures' Basket, Reliance Retail, etc. 

Here's one mocktail that I tried after getting the Zespri Gold Kiwifruit.

Kiwi Sprizer :

Ingredients :

Zespri Gold Kiwifruit

Orange Juice (can take any citrus fruit)

sugar

edible silver foil (optional)

Ice cubes

soda (can take any Dukes ,etc.)

Method : 

In a Mixie, grind Zespri Gold Kiwifruit with 1/2 cup orange juice, sugar & edible silver foil.

Remember to grind in the whipper mode i.e. in the indian mixie.. turn the knob on the opposite direction to the grinding. This is necessary, as in the grinding the seeds would be grinned as well, which will give a bitter taste.

Pour this mix in a glass of your choice. Fill half the glass. Add 5 to 6 ice cubes. Thereafter, fill the remaining of the glass with Soda. Garnish with fresh kiwifruit & mint leaves. Served chilled tastes the best!

This is a super instant mock-tail when you have guests coming unannounced...!

aah...I'm already tempted...! let me go, get one for myself too.

More Quick Kiwifruit recipes coming up. :)