Mom's Recipies

Carrot  Bottle Gourd  Halwa is an authentic dish which is perfect to serve on all occasions and festivals.
Pressure cooker carrot bottle gourd halwa  is the quickest and easiest method  as it doesn’t involve much of standing and stirring as in the traditional method.This recipe can be made just in 30 mins.So if you have sudden guests or the sudden sweet cravings you can try this method of making carrot bottle gourd halwa in pressure cooker.

Type - Dessert
Cuisine - Indian
Serves - 3

Ingredients

    carrot :- 1 cup  (grated or crushed in grinder)
    bottle gourd:- 1 cup ( half piece ) grated or crushed in grinder
    ghee:- 2 tbsp
    sugar:- 1/2 cup
    Milk :- 1 1/2 Cups
    cardamom Podwer:- 1/2 tsp
    For Garnishing:- 1 tbsp of roasted sunflower seeds , raisins ,chopped almonds
    Pinch of saffron soaked in  1 tablespoon lukewarm milk

Method:-

1) Wash the carrots thoroughly under water. Then peel the carrots and bottle gourd with peeler.


2)  Grate the  carrots and bottle gourd with a grater.
3)  Heat the ghee in pressure cooker on medium heat.


4) Add the grated or crushed carrot and bottle gourd in the pressure cooker and saute for 2 minutes.


5) Now add the milk and mix well. Close the  lid of the pressure cooker and cook till 3 whistles on medium heat.Or you can simmer and leave it for 10 mins.
6) Then let the pressure go down itself then open the lid.


7) When you open this is how it looks.Slightly goey with little milk.Now add the sugar.
8) Stir the mixture and keep the cooker on medium flame.


9) Cook in medium flame until it shrinks. Keep on stirring in between.The moment halwa thickens,add cardamom powder ,saffron with milk and add Ghee and give a continuous stir until halwa slightly changes color and it looks little glossy. Switch off the flame.


10)Garnish with fried raisins ,chopped almonds and sunflower seeds.
    Serve hot ,warm or cold.



Serving Suggestions :-

Serve carrot bottle gourd halwa as dessert after dinner or lunch.
To impress guests ,serve warm halwa with scoop of vanilla ice cream on top .

 Tips:

Ghee can be added to this recipe as per your choice.
Sugar can be added as per your choice.

Less or more dry fruits can be added as per your choice.

Rakshabandhan / Rakhi is the festival of bonding between brothers and sisters.Sisters tie Rakhies around brother’s wrists and brothers make promise to take care of their sisters in difficult times and protect them. Raksha Bandhan  is celebrated with enthusiasm and with mouth watering and  basket full of yummies.

So Celebrate this Raksha Bandhan along with some delicious ,easy, lip-smacking, tried-and-tested recipes .. 



Rasgulla - This is an all-time favorite during celebrations and festivals  . This Raksha Bandhan make your brother happy with soft spongy and juicy Rasgullas .  Click here for the recipe.



Matar Ki Kheer -  This unusual Kheer made with Matar / Green Peas is a delicious twist on the regular Kheer. Make it this raksha bandhan and impress your family with your culinary skills.
Click here for the recipe.



Besan Ki Barfi – Quick and super easy to make, this Besan  ki Barfi is not be missed.Click here for the recipe.



Dates and Nuts Kheer -This Yummy Dates and Nuts Kheer is a safe option for your gym-oholic and health conscious brother as it is sugar free. Click here for the recipe.



 Phirni – This traditional sweet need no introduction. Make it this Rakshabandhan and celebrate the pure decadence. Click here for the recipe.


Kaju Khoya Besan Ladoos - A Khoya and Kaju twist on the regular besan ladoos  will win you lots of praises from everyone.Click here for the recipe.

Moong Dal Dhokla --Not only this soft and steamed snack is nutritious and healthy but also very easy to make.Click here for the recipe.

Holi is just around the corner and  is the time of celebration and relishing tasty food. This year the festival of colours would be celebrated on 2nd March 2018 and Holika Dahan on 1st March, 2018.Its best time for Get together,party and  family time .Celebrate this colorful Holi with  tasty and simple Holi special recipes .Here We compilled some easy-to-pick and eat items that you'd want to prepare during Holi.

Collection of 15 Holi Special Recipes

So Celebrate this Holi along with some delicious ,easy, lip-smacking, tried-and-tested recipes . 


Click on the Names of recipes to take you to the recipe page. 
  
1) Dahi Bhalla / Dahi Vada



Dahi vada or dahi bhalle are fondly enjoyed by many on Holi. So prepare  your favourite street snack at home and  serve dahi vada or dahi bhalla chilled as snack or starter. Slurp!!!Here's a recipe of  guilt free dahi vada with zero oil to treat your palates.Try this dahi bhalle recipe also .


2) Chaat



There's no chance you can miss on adding chaat to your table; from gol gappas to Ragada Pattis, Aloo Tikki , Bhel puri ,Samosa Chaat , Aloo Tikki Chola Chaat and sev puri .These are must for celebrating any festivals .


3) Palak / Spinach  Pakoda

 
These fired fritters made using palak ,chilies, ginger and oil is your perfect Holi food and is definitely easy to make . 
Try Out these Pakoda Recipes also Gobi Pakoda ,Mixed Vegetable Pakoda , Potato Fritters / Aloo Pakoda, Onion Pakodas ,Mirchi Pakoda
 
4) Thandai 


Holi without festive favourite thandai is not Possible. Thandai offers instant energy and cools the body.

5)Matar Ki Kheer / Grean Peas Kheer


Matar ki Kheer is unique but delicious, rich ,creamy kheer recipe made from fresh green peas / Matar.It is healthy kheer to satisfy your sweet buds.

6) Puran Poli 


Puran Poli is a traditional sweet served on auspicious occasions in Gujarati, Maharashtra and South Indian houses

7) Kaju Khoya Besan Ladoo


Khoya Besan ladoo is a very easy sweet to make and is popular throughout India, especially at festivals and celebrations.

8) Almond Milk ( Badam Milk)


It is Delicately flavored with cardamom, and nuts .This chilled, cooling drink don't just make it tasty, but also nutritious too.

9) Poori Bhaji /Aloo Puri


Poori Bhaji is a very famous dish that can be found on almost all festive occasions.It is the popular Indian meal served with spicy potato vegetable.

10) Gujiya


 
Gujiya and Holi are synonymous to each other.This is one of the famous dishes that are the deep fried  stuffed with dairy products and dry fruits.There are many Varations in making Gujiyas.

11)Phirni


The sweet rice pudding is a common yet a very tasty dish which is cooked on the occasion of festivals or any special occasions.

12) Coconut Burfis


There are various ways you can make coconut Burfi. It can be made by adding condensed milk, jaggery ,sugar or khoya to grated coconut.Try out  this recipe this holi.

13) Palak Puri /Spinach Puri


This Puris are made with fresh Spinach leaves and whole wheat flour and served with potato masala or pickle and any Chutney.It can be eaten at breakfast, lunch or dinner or can be made specially for guests or for any festivals.

14) Semiya Kesari


Semiya Kesari is a very easy kesari recipe made with vermicelli .It is quick  and  easy to make  and tastes delicious.Its perfect to make on festive occasions.

15)Namak paras

 
Namak Paras are such a crispy and crunchy snacks suits incredibly for any festive occasion. These delicious snacks make Holi celebrations more special.
 



 

Here goes yet another famous Indian dessert Fruit Kesari . It is prepared with rava ( sooji or semolina), ghee, sugar ,fruits and dry fruits. It is the easiest sweet recipe that can be prepared in few minutes. Also this sweet makes a quick fix dessert when you have surprise guests at home. Try this fail proof recipe and enjoy its lip smacking taste.

Recipe Cuisine: Indian  |  Recipe Category: Sweets and Deserts
Prep Time: 30 mins    |  Cook time: 25 mins    |  Serves: 6


Ingredients :-

    Rava / sooji / semolina - 1 cup
    Sugar - 1 1/2 cups (adjust according to your taste)
    Ghee - 6 tbsps or 2 tbsps of ghee + 2 tbsps oil
    Apple, chopped finely - 1/2 cup
    Banana chopped - 1/2 cup
    Cashewnuts / Kaju - 8 to 10
    Raisins / Kishmish - 8 (Optional)
    Cardamom powder / Elaichi powder - a pinch
    Orange food color - a pinch
    Saffron strands  (Kesar)  to garnish (optional)
    Water - 3 cups

Method :-
  1)  First rinse ,peel and chop apple , banana etc. You can use your choice of fruits. (Mango ,chikoo,pears ,grapes ,pineapple).
2) Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in pan or kadai.


3) Add Rava or sooji and roast it.
4) Roast the rava well stirring oftenly on a low flame so that rava dosen't burn.
5)  Roast rava for 5-7 minutes till it becomes crisp on low flame. Switch off the flame.
6) Remove rava in a plate and keep it aside.
7) Heat 4 tbsps of ghee in same pan .
8) Add cashews and fry till golden then remove with slotted spoon drain and Keep it aside.


9) Then add Chopped mixed fruits. Stir Well.
10) Saute the fruits on a low flame  for 4-5 minutes.
11) Add cardamom powder and stir well.


12) Now add sugar .You can add sugar as per your taste. Mix well.


13) Add 2.5 cups of water. Stir well. Add few drops or a pinch of orange colour .

14) Bring this mixture to boil on medium flame stirring in between.
15)  Add fried cashews and raisins. Keep some for garnish.

 16) Lower the flame and now add ghee roasted rava stirring continuously.
17) Quickly stir and mix well so that the lumps should not be formed in the kesari.
18) Mix well until it gets thick in consistency.
19) Cook covered  till all the moisture is absorbed.


20) Do stir at intervals. The rava will soften up.Keep mixing until the kesari starts leaving its sides and transfer to the serving bowl.
21) Once the kesari thickens , turn off the flame, cover and set aside for a while. ( Take care the kesari thickens on cooling).


21) Garnish with saffron strands ,cashews, raisins .

Fruit Kesari is ready to be served.Tastes really great with the fruits and nuts giving it a great lip smacking taste! Enjoy warm or hot.

Note :-

1) You can use various fruits like pear,grapes ,papaya ,chikoo ,mango ,orange etc any desired/available fruits of your choice.
2) For one cup rava, one to one and half cups of fruit pieces can be used.

 

Ganesh Chaturthi is the time to make  varieties of Modak like Mawa Modak , Chocolate Modak , ,Motichoor ladoo  modak ,Ukadihe Modak ,Dry Fruits Modak ,Malai modak etc.....
Khoya Modak / Pedha Modak is one of the easy modak recipes that you can try for this Ganesh Chaturthi 2016.This is a quick modak recipe and comes handy if you don’t have much time. These mawa modaks can also be served as  offering to Lord Ganesha. Your family and mainly kids  will love these Pedha modaks as they are rich and delicious.




Ingredients :-

2 cups crumbled Khoya (mawa)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup peeled and finely chopped pistachios
1/4 tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder
a few strands of saffron (kesar) strands
1 tbsp milk
1 tsp ghee/butter for greasing modak moulds



  Method:-

1) Combine the mava /Khoya and sugar in a broad non-stick pan.
2) Switch on the flame and cook the mava mixture on medium flame for 2 minutes, while stirring continuously.
3) Then cook on low heat, stirring continuously, till the sugar dissolves completely and the khoya starts to melt.
4) Soon the mawa / Khoya  mixture will start releasing fat.
5) Once the mixture starts bubbling, then sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of cardamom (elaichi) powder.
6) The mixture will start thickening, continuously keep stirring.
7) Keep stirring on low flame until the mixture starts leaving the edges of the pan.
8) Immediately transfer the mixture in thali or plate
9) Do not overcook as then the modaks will turn out dense.
10) Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature.
11) Combine the saffron and milk in a small bowl, mix well and keep aside.
12) Crumble the mava with your finger tips, add the chopped  pistachios,  and saffron-milk mixture, mix well.
13) Grease the modak moulds with a bit of butter or ghee . Place aside.
14) Make small balls from the mixture.
15) Take a small ball of mava mixture, place it in modak mould and press the mawa ball with your fingers so that it gets the shape of mould.
16) Gently unmould and remove the excess modak mixture from the edges of the modak.
17) Place the modaks over a greased plate/ thali.
18) Repeat the same with the rest of mixture


 Mawa Modaks / Pedha Modaks are ready to offer lord ganesha as prasad.


Tips

    These modaks stay fresh for 3 to 4 days at room temperature.
    Do not overcook  mawa mixture as the modaks will turn out dense