Masala Toast Sandwich

Masala Toast Sandwich in Marathi

Time: Preparation - 15 minutes | Cooking - 10 minutes
Yield: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients:
8 slices of bread
2 to 3 tbsp salted butter, softened
1/4 cup green chutney
Onion slices, thin and round
Masala:
2 big potatoes, boiled
3 tbsp green peas (Frozen)
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
2 tsp green chili paste
For tempering: 1 tsp oil, pinch of mustard seeds (optional), pinch of hing, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
4 to 5 curry leaves, finely chopped
1.5 tsp ginger-garlic paste
salt to taste

Method:
Masala:
1) Peel and mash the potato. Heat oil into a nonstick pan. Add mustad seeds , hing, turmeric powder and curry leaves. Saute for few seconds.
2) Add green chili paste and ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 15 seconds. Add chopped onion, cover and cook for 2 minutes. After two minutes, add peas and cook covered till onion becomes reddish and peas are done.
3) Add mashed potatoes and salt. Lower the heat and mix well. Cover and cook for couple of minutes.

4) Spread butter on one side of all 8 bread slice. After applying butter, take 4 slices and spread chutney on them.
5) Spread an even layer of masala over 4 bread slices on which we have applied chutney. Place an onion slice and finish it by putting buttered bread slice on top of it.
6) Then Spread little butter on the surface and toast in the toaster. If you don't have one, toast it on heated tawa (medium heat). Press gently and brown both the sides.

Serve hot with green chutney and tomato ketchup

Tips:
1) Use white sliced bread.
2) Masala toast sandwich tastes much better if it has sufficient amount chili paste. So add as much as you can tolerate.
3) Use as little oil as you can for making masala. If it becomes oily, it does not taste good.
4) To make the above recipe for kids, add very little or no green chili in chutney as well as in potato masala.
5) You may add mint leaves in green chutney

Baked Vegetables

Baked Vegetables in Marathi



Serves: 3 persons

Time: 30 minutes



Ingredients:

1 tbsp butter

1 tsp paste of - ginger + garlic + green chili

1 cup Cauliflower florets, small (I used 3/4 cup cauliflower + 1/4 cup broccoli)

1/2 cup carrot, small dices

1/2 cup sweet corns, (I used canned one)

1/4 cup french beans, 1 cm round slices

1/2 cup onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup green bell pepper, small dices

salt to taste

Spice mixture of - 3 pinches of Cinnamon pdr + 2 pinches crushed black pepper + 2 pinches cardamom powder

White sauce - Click here for the recipe

Other Ingredients:

1/2 cup Italian cheese blend

1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese

1/4 cup bread crumbs (optional)



Method:

1) Preheat the oven at 350 F.

2) Heat butter in a pan. Add ginger-garlic-chili paste. Saute for few seconds. Add onion and saute until translucent. Now add cauliflower, carrots, french beans, and bell peppers. Saute for a minute. Add sweet corns, salt and spice mixture. Mix well.

3) Put vegetables in baking glass pan. Pour in white sauce as much as needed. Mix in some cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bread crumbs, evenly on top.

4) Increase the temperature to 400 F. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or cheese on top melts and turn slightly brown.



Serve with brown bread.



Tips:

1) You may use other vegetables of your choice.

Paneer Lollypop

Paneer Lollypop in Marathi

Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients:
1 cup Paneer, grated
2 medium potatoes, boiled
1.5 tsp ginger, grated
1 tsp garlic paste
2 tsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp corn starch
1/4 cup cilantro,finely chopped
1/2 tsp white pepper
2 to 3 green chilies, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
3 tbsp Maida, for dusting
salt to taste
oil to deep fry

8 to 10 ice candy wooden sticks OR baby corns

Method:
1) Peel the potatoes and mash without any lumps.
2) Mix all the ingredients except Maida. Knead well and divide into 8 lemon size balls.
3) Take 1 mixture ball and pierce the candy stick into it. Press gently between your palms to secure it on the stick. This way, prepare all the lollypops.
4) Roll the lollypops in dry maida. Coat lollypops well and shake slightly to remove excess maida.
5) Heat oil to deep fry lollypops. Deep fry over medium heat. Turn occasionally to cook evenly.
Serve hot with Schezwan sauce or tomato ketchup.

Tips:
1) Do not use potatoes which become gooey after mashing. Russet potatoes work well.
2) Adjust the amount of chili to your preference.
3) Use WOODEN sticks.
4) If using baby-corn, pierce thicker side of the baby-corn in paneer ball.

Malai Kofta in white gravy

Malai Kofta in Marathi

Time: approx 1 and 1/2 hour
Serves: 3 persons

Ingredients:
For Kofta Cover:
3 medium potatoes
2 tbsp Corn Flour
Salt to taste
Oil to deep fry
Stuffing:
1/2 cup grated paneer
2 pinches salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1 green chili, finely chopped
25 Raisins
2 tsp finely chopped cilantro
Gravy:
1 big White onion, cut into two halves
2 tsp butter
2 green chilies
paste of 3 big garlic cloves,
paste of 1 small piece of ginger
Whole spices: 2 bay leaves, 2-3 cloves, 3 black pepper, 1 small stick of cinnamon, 2 cardamom buds
2 tbsp cashew paste
1/2 cup Half and half (Tip 5)
Salt to taste

Method:
Kofta:
1) Boil the potatoes. Peel and mash well (tip 2). Add 2 tbsp corn flour and salt to taste. Knead well and divide into 8 equal portions.
2) Mix all the ingredients given under stuffing label. Divide this stuffing in 8 equal portions.
3) Flatten the potato mixture and make a semi thick round disc (around 2.5 inches). Put the stuffing at the center and cover nicely by joining all the edges. Make the surface smooth. Finish making koftas.
4) Deep fry koftas over medium high heat. Keep aside until we make gravy.
Gravy:
5) Boil the onion (I pressure cooked the onion upto 2 whistles.). Make a fine paste.
6) Heat butter into a pan. Add whole spices (Tip 1), green chilies and ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 15 seconds. Now add onion paste and salt. Cook over high heat. Stir continuously until color changes slightly.
7) Add cashew paste. Stir in between as cashew paste tends to stick at bottom of the pan. Add very little water to adjust the consistency. Cover the pan and cook until raw smell of cashews disappear. (for 3 to 4 minutes) (Tip)
8) Turn the heat to low. Add half and half and stir vigorously as it may curdle due to salt and onion. Once its well blended put the flame over medium. Cook for few minutes. Add koftas and serve immediately with chapati or any Indian bread.

Tips:
1) In step 7, after cashew paste is well cooked, I removed the whole spices from the gravy. After that, I blended the gravy for couple of minutes to make it smooth and silky. Then I put the gravy in the same pan and followed the recipe as given.
2) Mash the potatoes very well. There shouldn't be any lumps.
3) If you add garam masala or any other spice powder, it will change the color of gravy. Therefore, add whole spices which will give flavor to the gravy without changing its color.
4) The stuffing can be variate or few additions like cashews, pistachios may be added to your preference.
5) Half and half is a mixture of 1 portion whole milk and 1 portion heavy cream.It is available at grocery stores in refrigerator section

Masoor Pulav

Masoor Pulao in Marathi

Time: 40 to 50 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4 persons

Ingredients:
:: To cook Rice ::
1 and 1/2 cup Basmati Rice
3 cups hot water
1 star anise, 2 bay leaves, 2 Cloves
1 tbsp Ghee
1/2 tsp salt
:: To make Masoor Gravy ::
1/2 cup Masoor
1 tbsp ghee
2 cardamoms, 2-3 black pepper
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp red chili powder (I used 1/2 tsp kashmiri red chilil powder for color and 1/2 tsp normal red chili powder for spiciness)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
1/2 cup yogurt
1 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp garam masala
2 tbsp golden raisins, few cashews
salt to taste

Method:
1) Soak Masoor overnight or 7 to 8 hours in sufficient water. Pressure cook Masoor up-to 1 whistle without adding water (For details see tip below). Add little salt when pressure cooking.
2) Heat ghee into a pan. Add cardamom and black pepper. Saute for 10 seconds. Add turmeric powder, chili powder, and ginger garlic paste. Saute for 15 seconds. Add onion and saute till it becomes translucent.
3) Now add cooked Masoor and 1/2 cup water. Add little salt (remember- salt added while pressure cooking). Simmer for few minutes. Add garam masala, cumin-coriander powder, raisins, cashews. Check the taste and adjust the spices. Remove from the heat. gravy should be thick in consistency as we are going to add yogurt once it cools down.
4) Let the gravy cool down a bit. Add yogurt and whisk well. Add little salt if needed.
5) Soak basmati rice for 10 minutes into cold water. Then discard the water and keep the rice aside for 20 minutes.
6) Heat a medium saucepan. Add ghee and wait till it melts. Add star anise, bay leaves and cloves. Saute for 10 seconds. Now add rice. Saute continuously until rice becomes completely dry. You will also notice the changes in texture of rice.
7) Once rice is nicely roasted, add hot water and salt. Give a nice stir and let it boil uncovered over high heat. Turn the heat to low, the moment water on the surface disappears. Cover the pan and let the rice cook in steam until grains are almost done.
Let the rice sit for a while, because if we add gravy in hot rice, the grains are likely to brake.
8) Fluff the rice with a fork and mix in the gravy little by little. Mix well but gently.
9) Add some ghee. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes over low heat.
Serve hot with Raita

Tips:
1) Roasting rice over high heat for 6 to 8 minutes results in fluffy rice after cooking.
2) If you don’t have enough time for soaking, immerse the masoor in hot water for couple of hours.
3) Pressure cooking without adding water means - Add a cup of water at the bottom of pressure cooker and DO NOT add water in the steel container inside the pressure cooker. In this steel container we are going to put only soaked masoor.
4) To lessen the amount of ghee, use oil for making Gravy and skip adding ghee at the end.

Musk Melon Juice

Cantaloupe Juice in Marathi

Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2 persons

Ingredients:
2 and ½ cup Cantaloupe, medium cubes (Tip)
½ cup Orange Juice
½ tsp lemon juice
½ tsp grated ginger
pinch of black salt
sugar to taste (optional)

Method:
1) Put all the ingredients except sugar in a blender and blend well.
2) Strain through a fine mesh strainer or strain using clean cotton cloth. Squeeze the remnant of cantaloupe.
3) Check the taste. To make the juice healthy, do not add sugar. However, add a tsp if you feel.
Chill the juice in the fridge and serve. To serve instantly, add couple of ice cubes.

Tips:
1) I had used readymade Orange juice, so i dint add any extra sugar. If you are using fresh oranges to make juice, use juicy sweet and sour oranges.
2) Use ripe and sweet cantaloupe. So that, you don’t have to add sugar. To make medium cubes, first cut the cantaloupe in two halves. Carve the core and remove seeds. Then divide each half into 6 to 8 wedges, peel and cut into cubes.
3) If you have juicer, making juice will be more easy.
4) Fresh herbs like mint, basil can be used to give nice flavor. Just crush 2-3 leaves and add while serving.

खरबूजाचा ज्युस - Cantaloupe Juice

Musk Melon (Kharbuja) Juice in English

A refreshing summer Drink - Musk Melon Juice

वेळ: १० मिनीटे
२ जणांसाठी
साहित्य:
२ ते अडीच कप खरबुजाच्या मध्यम फोडी (टीप)
१/२ कप संत्र्याचा ज्युस
१/२ टिस्पून लिंबाचा रस
१/२ टिस्पून किसलेले आले
किंचीत काळं मिठ
चवीपुरती साखर (ऐच्छिक)

कृती:
१) खरबुजाच्या फोडी, संत्र्याचा रस, लिंबू रस, आलं आणि थोडं काळं मिठ एकत्र करून मिक्सरमध्ये बारीक वाटून घ्यावे.
२) मोठ्या गाळण्याने किंवा स्वच्छ सुती कपड्याने व्यवस्थित गाळून घ्यावे. गाळण्यामध्ये जो चोथा उरला असेल तो दाब देऊन निट पिळून घ्यावा.
३) तयार ज्युसची चव पाहावी. शक्यतो साखर घालू नये, पण लागल्यास १ ते २ चमचे घालावी.
ज्युस फ्रिजमध्ये गार करावा किंवा लगेच प्यायचा असल्यास बर्फाचे २-३ तुकडे घालून सर्व्ह करावा.

टीपा:
१) मी रेडीमेड संत्र्याचा ज्युस वापरला होता, त्यामुळे साखर घालावी लागली नाही. पण जर तुम्ही घरीच संत्र्याचा रस काढणार असाल तर चांगली रसदार संत्री वापरावी तसेच थोडी साखर घालावी.
२) खरबुज व्यवस्थित पिकलेले व गोड असावे म्हणजे चव छान लागेल. खरबुज कापताना आधी दोन भाग करावे, बिया काढून टाकाव्यात, सालं काढावीत आणि गराच्या फोडी कराव्यात.
३) जर घरी ज्युसर असेल तर तो वापरून छान ज्युस होईल.
४) आवडत असल्यास फ्रेश हर्ब्स जसे पुदीना, बेसिल वगैरेची २-४ पाने चुरडून घालू शकतो.

Homemade Mango Icecream

Mango Icecream in Marathi

Time: 30 to 35 minutes
Serves: 8 people

Ingredients:
1 cup Heavy whipping Cream, chilled
2 cup Mango Pulp chilled (I used ready-made sweetened pulp)
1/2 cup powdered Sugar
Cardamom Powder (Optional)

Method:
1) Take a big glass bowl and refrigerate it for half an hour before whipping the cream.
2) Pour the cold heavy whipping cream into chilled glass bowl. Using hand mixer, whisk the cream.
3) When cream starts becoming fluffy, add sugar in 2-3 batches and keep whisking. Do not whisk once cream becomes nicely fluffy. Over-whipped cream will begin to separate and curdle, and then turn to butter.
4) Add chilled mango pulp to whipped cream and fold with spatula. Also add cardamom powder or any other flavor (vanilla, mango etc) at this point. Mix nicely.
5) If you have ice-cream machine, churn the mixture as per the instructions written in the manual.
6) If you don't have ice-cream machine:-
i) Pour the mixture into a freezer safe plastic or metal container (Metal pan used for baking work too). Freeze the ice-cream mixture for an couple of hours. Then Remove it from freezer. Wait till it loosens a bit. Grind in a grinder for couple of minutes. Again freeze the mixture. Repeat this process for atleast 3-4 times to get smooth consistency.

Tips:
1) Home squeezed Alfonso mango pulp can be used instead of ready-made pulp. Squeeze out the pulp and strain through a strainer to get smooth pulp. Also, you need to add some more sugar as homemade pulp is not as sweet as ready-made one.
2) Roasted Khoya tastes great and gives nice texture. So add around 1/2 to 3/4 cup of khoya to the ice-cream mixture.
3) Chopped pistachio, almonds give a nice crunch.
4) Add small mango pieces after final grinding.

Spinach Rice

Spinach Rice in Marathi

Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 2 persons

Ingredients:
3/4 cup basmati rice
1 cup finely chopped spinach
3/4 cup hot water
1 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp finely chopped ginger
1 tsp finely chopped garlic
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 small green chili
Whole spice: 2 bay leaves, 1 cardamom, 2 cloves
Salt to taste

Method:
1) Soak rice in water for 10 minutes. Drain the water after 10 minutes. Leave the rice for 10 minutes.
2) Add 1/2 cup of water to spinach and puree.
3) Heat 1 tbsp butter into a deep nonstick saucepan. Add cumin seeds, whole spices. Saute for 5 seconds. Add ginger garlic and green chili.
4) Add soaked rice. Roast for few minutes over high heat. Stir continuously to avoid burning the rice. You will notice that rice has become completely dry and rice grains are popping when touched directly to the pan's bottom. That means rice is roasted perfectly.
5) Add 3/4 cup hot water, salt and spinach puree. Keep the flame on high. Boil until you don't see water on the surface of rice. Then put the flame on medium low and cover the pan. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until rice is cooked completely.
Fluff with a fork. Serve hot with raita and fryums/ papad.

Tips:
1) To make this rice more healthy and colorful, add vegetables like peas, carrot, french beans, cauliflower etc
2) Roasting rice helps to keep the grains separate after cooking. Also, use hot water and follow step 5 for better results.
3) Kids would love to eat this green rice. Do not add green chili to make it kids friendly.

Mango Lassi

Mango Lassi in Marathi

Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Milk
1 cup Yogurt
3/4 cup Mango Pulp (I used readymade mango pulp)
4 tbsp Sugar
1/4 tsp Cardamom powder
Crushed Pistachios for garnishing

Method:
1) Add milk, yogurt, mango pulp, sugar and cardamom powder to a blender. Blend until mixed well.
Pour into 2 serving glasses. Garnish lassi with pistachios and serve chilled.

Tips:
1) Readymade mango pulp was already sweetened. Therefore I used only 4 tbsp of sugar. Mango pulp can be prepared at home. Use good quality Alfonso mangoes. Peel and remove stone. Puree into blender and then strain. Follow the same method given above. Add some more sugar, as homemade pulp is not that sweet.
2) Use full fat plain yogurt for better results. Yogurt made at home is preferable. Readymade lowfat or fat-free yogurt has gooey texture which ruins the taste and texture of lassi.
3) Adjust the consistency to your own preference by increasing or reducing amount of milk.

Amrakhand

Amrakhand in Marathi

Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 5 to 6 people



Ingredients:
32 OZ cup of "Chobani" plain Greek Yogurt OR 1/2 kg chakka
3/4 to 1 cup mango pulp (I had used sweetened mango pulp)
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp Cardamom powder
2 tbsp Charoli (Chironji)
2 tbsp Pistachio, finely chopped

Method:
1) Hang Greek yogurt into a muslin cloth for about 8 to 10 hours or until all the water content drips out.
2) Take the pressed yogurt (chakka) into a big mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup mango pulp and 1/2 cup sugar. Mix well. Leave it for 15 minutes until sugar dissolves. Check the taste. If you want more sweetness and mango flavor, add mango pulp. Add some sugar if needed. Churn it through Pooran Machine.
3) Add cardamom powder, charoli and pistachio. Chill in the refrigerator and serve with puri.

Tips:
1) Do not add entire amount of mango pulp and sugar. Once sugar dissolves in chakka, the consistency loosens. Therefore check the consistency and add sugar and mango pulp accordingly.
2) Fresh Alfonso mango pulp (homemade) can be used instead of canned mango pulp. In that case, you will have to add more sugar.
3) If you are using granulated sugar, you might not need to grind the chakka-sugar mixture through pooran machine.
4) Cardamom powder can be substituted by nutmeg powder.
5) Nuts other than pistachio like cashews, almonds can be added at your choice

Spinach Cheese Sandwich

Spinach corn Sandwich in Marathi

Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 5 Sandwiches

Ingredients:
2.5 cups finely chopped Spinach (important tip)
1/4 cup Sweet corns
2 Garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
1 Green chili, finely chopped
1 tsp Butter (will need some more for roasting)
1/2 cup shredded cheese (Tip 2)
Salt to taste
10 bread slices

Method:
1) Heat butter into a pan. Add green chili, and garlic. Saute for 10 seconds. Then add spinach and corns.
2) Add salt and cook uncovered until water content in spinach evaporates.
3) Divide the spinach stuffing in 5 equal portions. Spread 1 portion of stuffing evenly, over a bread slice. Sprinkle generous amount of cheese. Cover with another slice of bread.
4) Toast in Sandwich toaster. OR Roast it in a shallow pan or tawa. Apply some butter on the surface. Roast over medium flame.
Cut into half and serve with tomato ketchup.

Tips:
1) Chop spinach finely. Also, spinach tend to reduce in size after stir frying. So add very little salt, may be one or two pinches. Do not cover the pan to keep the green color of spinach.
2) Add generous amount of cheese. Spinach and cheese tastes amazing together.
3) When preparing sandwiches for kids, do not add chili or add very little.

Cake in Pressure Cooker

Pressure cooker Cake in Marathi

Time - Preparation: 25 minutes | Baking: 35 to 40 minutes.
Yield: 8 to 10 medium pieces

Ingredients:
3/4 cup All purpose flour
250 to 300 gram Condensed milk (1/2 to 3/4 cup)
1/4 cup Butter (unsalted)
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 cup carbonated water (soda water)

Method:
1) Take a big pressure cooker. Remove the ring and weight from the lid. Close the pressure cooker with lid. Heat it over high flame for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not add water.
2) Grease a baking pan with some butter. Sieve all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder together into a medium bowl
3) Take another deep and medium mixing bowl. Add softened butter and condensed milk. Beat using hand mixer or egg beater. Mix until well blended and smooth. Add vanilla essence and blend for a minute.
4) Now, add half of the all purpose flour to butter and condensed milk batter. Mix with the hand mixer. Then add half of the soda water and blend. Then again add flour, followed by soda water. Mix well until smooth consistency.
5) Pour the batter into greased cake tin. To remove excessive air bubbles, hit the pan very gently on the counter-top. Remove the cooker's lid. Turn the heat to medium. Put the cake tin inside with help of Pakkad (Indian Tong). Put the lid on and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Do not open the cooker for first 25 minutes.
6) After 25 minutes open the lid. You will notice cake has risen nicely, but its not cooked inside. You may check by poking with toothpick in the middle of the cake. If you find wet batter on the toothpick, that means cake needs 10 to 12 minutes more to bake. Put the lid on.
7) After 10 to 12 minutes again check with toothpick. If it comes out clean, that means cake is ready.
Turn off the heat and use Pakkad to remove cake tin out of pressure cooker.
Remove the cake out from the cake tin and put it on a wired rack to cool down. After 15-20 minutes, cut the cake and its ready to enjoy.

Tips:
1) To get the perfect sweetness, taste the batter before pouring into cake tin. If you feel that batter needs to be little more sweet, add some condensed milk.
2) Do not forget to remove Pressure cooker ring and weight. Also DO NOT add water in the cooker.
3) Use thick Aluminum Metal cake tin. Thin metal might crack due to high heat.
4) To make the cake in two colors. Divide the batter into two portions. Keep one portion as it is. Add 2 to 3 tbsp dark coco powder and some condensed milk. Mix well. First add white portion of batter and then pour chocolaty portion over the white one. Now bake as per above method.
5) First of all, check whether cake tin fits inside the pressure cooker.
6) Do not fill the cake tin completely. Batter level should be upto a little over half. Otherwise, cake will overflow out of the tin.

Semolina Coconut Laddu

Rava coconut Laddu in Marathi

Yield: 22 to 24 medium laddus
Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
2 cup Rava (Fine)
1 cup scraped fresh coconut
1 and 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
3 to 4 tbsp pure ghee
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
25 Golden raisins

Method:
1) Dry roast rava over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Stir continuously to prevent rava from burning. [Note - Do not roast too much until color changes as we are going to roast it again]
2) Transfer roasted rava to a big thali (plate). Add fresh coconut and mix. Let rava soak the moisture from coconut for 10 minutes.
3) Heat a pan. Add ghee and wait until it melts. Add rava-coconut mixture and roast for 8 to 10 minutes over medium-high heat. Stir continuously. After few minutes you will sense nice aroma of ghee and roasted rava. Roast until color changes very slightly.Transfer roasted rava to a big thali.
4) Now, prepare one string consistency sugar syrup. For that, mix sugar and water to a medium saucepan. Bring it to a boil. Stir occasionally. To check one string consistency, dip a spoon in syrup, touch carefully with your index finger. Press your index finger against your thumb.When finger and thumb pull apart, a thin string should form between them [the string will be for fraction of a second]. OR the easy way is, once syrup starts boiling, boil for 3 to 4 minutes and turn off the heat.
5) Immediately, pour the syrup on roasted rava. Mix nicely. Consistency of the mixture will be very loose. However it will thicken after sometime. Add cardamom powder. Mix this mixture occasionally.
Once mixture is thick enough to form a ball, make laddus. Stick one golden raisin on each laddu.

Tips:
1) The shelf life of laddus are no more than 7-8 days due to fresh coconut. If the weather is hot and humid it might be 3 to 4 days.
2) Usually, Rava gets in 3 qualities, Coarse, fine and superfine. For above recipe, use fine quality rava. Coarse rava will give grainy texture. Superfine rava almost looks like white flour, so it is not suitable for this recipe.
3) If the laddu mixture becomes dry, that means sugar syrup has got two or three string consistency. In that case, boil 1/2 cup water plus 3 tbsp sugar. Boil for 3 to 4 minutes and pour it on the mixture. Mix and make laddus after couple of hours.
4) Sliced dry fruits can be added according to your preference.
5) Use only white part of coconut and avoid black particles from shell.

Chinese Noodles Frankie

Noodles Franki in Marathi

Make the following Recipe kids friendly - See tip below

Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 to 8 medium Frankie

Ingredients:
For Stuffing
1 medium noodles cake (50 to 70 grams)
1 cup cabbage, thinly sliced
1/2 cup carrot, thinly sliced (make very thin strings)
1 small bunch of spring onions
1/2 cup capsicum, thinly sliced
1 tsp oil
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
2 green chilies, finely chopped
1 tsp red chili sauce
1 tsp green chili sauce
1/2 tsp soy sauce
salt to taste
For frankie Wrap
3/4 cup Maida
2 tbsp oil
salt to taste

Method:
1) Boil around 4 cups of water and cook noodles as per instructions given on the packet. Once noodles are done. drain the hot water and immediately add cold water.
2) Heat oil into a pan. Add ginger-garlic paste, green chilies. Saute for 5 seconds. Then add capsicum, carrot and cabbage. Also add red chili sauce, green chili sauce, soy sauce and salt to taste. Mix well. Do not cook for longer. We need vegetables crispy. Add noodles and toss well. Transfer the mixture into another bowl. Do not keep it in the hot pan, noodles will become sticky.
3) Add 2 tbsp oil and 1/2 tsp salt into maida. Knead the dough by adding water. Make very soft dough. Also use some more oil to make it soft and pliable.
4) Divide the dough and the stuffing into 6 equal portions. Dust the dough ball with some dry maida flour. Roll it to a nice thin circle. Roast both sides over heated tawa.
5) Spread 1 portion of the stuffing at the middle line of the circle. Wrap the stuffing by pulling two sides. Press with spatula. Serve hot with Tomato ketchup.

Tips:
1) To make the above recipe Kids friendly, do not add chili sauces and green chili. Instead, use tomato ketchup.

Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad in Marathi

Time: 20 to 25 minutes
Serves: 4 to 5 persons

Ingredients:
1 medium banana
1 medium apple
1 medium orange
1/2 cup grapes
1/2 cup papaya, small cubes
Dry Fruits: - 2 tbsp sliced almonds, 1 tbsp sliced pistachio, 2 tbsp golden raisins, 1 tbsp cashews
1/2 cup condensed milk
1/2 cup milk

Method:
1) Preparation
Grapes: Use whole grapes. If the size is big, cut them into two halves. Also, use seedless grapes.
Orange: Peel the orange. Separate the wedges. Now remove skin and take out the fleshy part.
Papaya: Peel the papaya. remove seeds. Chop the papaya into medium cubes.
Banana: Peel the banana and make medium cubes.
Apple: Always cut the apple when you are ready to mix all the ingredients. Cut the apple, deseed and make small cubes.

Mix all the fruits. Add condensed milk and plain milk. [Amount of milk may vary. So first, add 1/4 cup of milk and 1/4 cup of condensed milk. Taste the fruit salad. If it is sweet enough then only add plain milk, if required.]
Add dry fruits, save some for garnishing.
Chill the fruit salad and serve as a dessert.

Tips:
1) You may add your choice of fruits like Chickoo, Pomegranate kernels, strawberries, Alfonso mango etc. [use any sweet or sweet and sour tasted fruits]

Eggless Vanilla Cake

Happy Valentine's Day

Eggless Vanilla Cake in Marathi

Time: Prep time - 25 to 30 minutes | Baking Time - 35 to 40 minutes
Yield: 10 small pieces

Ingredients:
3/4 cup All purpose flour
200 gram Condensed milk (1/2 cup + couple more tablespoons) (Tip 5)
1/4 cup Butter (unsalted)
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 cup carbonated water (soda water) (Tip 4)

Method:
1) Preheat oven at 350 F (180 C).
2) Sieve all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder together into a medium bowl
3) Take another deep and medium mixing bowl. Add softened butter and condensed milk. Beat using hand mixer or egg beater. Mix until well blended and smooth. Add vanilla essence and blend for a minute.
4) Now, add half of the all purpose flour to butter and condensed milk batter. Mix with the hand mixer. Then add half of the soda water and blend. Then again add flour, followed by soda water. Mix well until smooth consistency.
5) Pour the batter into greased baking tin. To remove excessive air bubbles, hit the pan very gently on the counter-top. The pan goes into the oven for 35-40 minutes.
6) After 35-37 minutes poke at the center of cake with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, that means cake is ready. If you find wet batter on the toothpick, then bake for another 10 minutes.
Once cake is baked, remove it out from the cake tin and put it on a wired rack to cool down. After 15-20 minutes, cut the cake and its ready to enjoy.




Tips:
1) There are variety of cake tin shapes available in the market. You can make the above cake in heart, oval, round, square shape.
2) The above quantity is good for 2 to 3 people. So, double the amount of ingredients to make little larger cake.
3) For the above given ingredients, you will need little smaller cake tin. The cake tin which I used is approx 8 X 3". After pouring the batter into cake tin, the level should be around 1.5 to 2 inches from the bottom.
4) Do not use other sodas like coke, pepsi, ginger ale, lemon soda etc. Use plain soda water. Soda water makes the cake fluffier.
5) After mixing all the ingredients, taste the batter a little. If you want it little more sweet, add few tablespoon condensed milk. Mix well after adding it.

Stuffed Paneer Paratha

Stuffed Paneer paratha in Marathi

Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 to 8 medium parathas

Ingredients:
Stuffing
2 cup grated paneer
3-4 green chilies, finely chopped
1/4 cup Cilantro, finely chopped
1/2 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp amchoor powder, 1/2 to 1 tsp grated ginger
Salt to taste
Cover
3/4 cup Maida
1 cup wheat flour
1/4 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp red chili powder
1/4 cup yogurt
Water as needed
2 tbsp oil
2 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
1/2 tsp salt
Other ingredients
Butter or oil to roast paratha
Dry flour for dusting

Method:
1) Take grated paneer into a bowl. Add green chili, cilantro, coriander-cumin powder, dry mango powder, ginger and salt and mix gently.
2) To make the dough, mix maida, wheat flour, cumin, turmeric, red chili powder, yogurt, oil and salt. Pour required amount of water and make a soft dough. Cover it and let it rest for 15 minutes.
3) Divide the dough into 6 to 8 equal portions. Divide the stuffing into same amount of equal portions.
4) Roll the dough ball into 2 to 3 inch diameter circle. Then put 1 portion of stuffing. Gather all the edges and seal. Roll it with a rolling pin by sprinkling little flour.
5) Heat a tawa. Place rolled paratha at the center. Drizzle little oil or melted butter. Roast both sides until brown spots appear.
Serve this paratha with green chutney or mint chutney.

Tips:
1) Add chopped mint leaves along with cilantro for more flavor.
2) Carom seeds can be replaced by cumin seeds.

स्टफ पनीर पराठा - Stuffed Paneer Paratha

Stuffed Paneer Paratha in English

वेळ: ४० मिनीटे
नग: ६ ते ८ मध्यम पराठे

साहित्य:
स्टफिंग
२ कप किसलेले पनीर
३-४ हिरव्या मिरच्या, एकदम बारीक चिरून किंवा पेस्ट करून
१/४ कप कोथिंबीर, बारीक चिरून
१/२ टिस्पून जिरेपूड, १ टिस्पून धणेपूड, १/२ टिस्पून आमचूर पावडर, १/२ ते १ टिस्पून किसलेले आले
चवीपुरते मिठ
आवरणासाठी
३/४ कप मैदा
१ कप गव्हाचे पिठ
१/४ टिस्पून जिरे, १/४ टिस्पून हळद, १/४ टिस्पून लाल तिखट
१/४ कप दही
गरजेनुसार पाणी
२ टेस्पून तेल
२ टेस्पून कोथिंबीर, बारीक चिरलेली
१/२ टिस्पून मिठ
इतर साहित्य
बटर किंवा तेल पराठे भाजण्यासाठी
पराठे लाटायला थोडे कोरडे पिठ

कृती:
१) किसलेले पनीर एका बोलमध्ये घ्यावे. त्यात मिरची, कोथिंबीर, धणे-जिरेपूड, आमचूर, आलं आणि मिठ घालून हलक्या हाताने मिक्स करावे.
२) बाहेरील कव्हरसाठी मैदा, कणिक, जिरे, हळद, लाल तिखट, दही, कोथिंबीर, तेल आणि मिठ घालून मिक्स करावे. गरजेनुसार पाणी घालून मध्यमसर मळून घ्यावे. १५ मिनीटे झाकून ठेवावे.
३) कणकेचे ६ किंवा ८ समान गोळे करावेत. मिश्रणाचेसुद्धा तितकेच समान भाग करावेत.
४) कणकेचा १ गोळा ३ ते साडेतीन इंचाचा लाटून घ्यावा. त्याच्या मध्यभागी १ भाग मिश्रणाचा ठेवावा. सर्व बाजू एकत्र वरती आणाव्यात आणि गोळा बंद करावा. थोड्या पिठावर लाटून तेलावर किंवा बटरवर दोन्ही बाजूंनी भाजून घ्यावा.
गरमागरम पराठे चटणीबरोबर सर्व्ह करावे.

टीपा:
१) कोथिंबीरीबरोबर आवडत असल्यास पुदीन्याची पाने बारीक चिरून घातली तरी छान स्वाद लागतो.
२) जिरे घालण्याऐवजी ओवा घातला तरी चांगली चव येते.

Rava Idli

Rava Idli in Marathi

Yield: around 15 to 18 medium Idlis
Time: 35 to 40 minutes (Prep time - 15 mins + steaming time - 20 to 25 mins)

Ingredients:
1 cup Rava /Semolina (Coarse quality)
1 tsp Oil, pinch of mustard seeds, pinch of asafoetida (hing), 1/2 tsp urad dal, 1/2 to 1 tsp chana dal, 4 to 5 curry leaves
1/2 tsp grated ginger
1/2 cup sour plain yogurt, well beaten
1/2 cup water
salt to taste
1 tsp Eno fruit salt (Eno Soda) - original flavor (do not use flavors like cherry, lemon)

Method:
1) Heat oil in the pan. Add mustard seeds and hing. Immediately add chana dal. Let the chana dal turn pink. Then add urad dal and saute for few seconds. Add curry leaves and ginger. Now add Rava and roast for couple of minutes over medium heat.
2) Transfer roasted rava into a deep bowl. In other bowl mix beaten yogurt and water well. when rava becomes warm, add yogurt+water mixture to it and blend well (tip 2). Add salt and mix. Let it stand for 10 minutes. Consistency should be like usual Idli batter, not too thick or thin.
3) Pour about 2 to 2.5 cups of water into the Idli cooker. Put it on the stove over high heat. Light grease the Idli stand (molds) with little oil (tip 3). Add Eno salt to the batter and mix in one direction. Spoon the batter into Idli molds.
4) Once water starts boiling, put the Idli stand inside the cooker (important tip 4). Close cooker with the lid. Steam the idlis for 12 to 15 minutes. After 12-15 minutes, turn off the heat and wait for 7-8 minutes before opening the cooker.
Remove idlis with sharp edged spoon (Do not use knife, it will break the idlis)

Tips:
1) Some variations can be done in the above recipe. Vegetables like carrot, peas, cabbage can be added to the idli batter. Just put small quantity of grated carrot and 2-3 peas into idli molds and then spoon the batter over it. Another idea is you may add the vegetables to idli batter.Though, it changes the color of Idlis.
2) If you have roasted the rava a little longer, it will soak more water. So, you may need to add little more water to adjust the consistency.
3) If you have small Idli stand (8 to 12 medium molds), Do not add Eno soda into whole batter. Divide it into 2 equal portions. Add 1/2 tsp of soda into one portion. Make idlis as per above instructions. Now add remaining 1/2 tsp soda into second prortion of batter and make idlis with the same directions.
4) If using normal pressure cooker, remove the weight (Pressure whistle) and then before steaming idlis.