Kaju Badam laddu

Kaju Badam laddu is one of the popular aromatic and delicious laddu. These are sweet balls made from Kaju  Badam, Sugar, Ghee and Nuts.

Ingredients:

•          2 cups Cashew nuts

•          3tbsp Milk

•          ¼ tsp Saffron

•          1¼ cups Sugar

•          1 teaspoon Cardamom Powder

•          ½ cup Ghee

•          Chopped Pistachio for garnishing

Method:

•          Soak cashews for 15 to 20 then drain.

•          Soak saffron in warm milk for 5 to 10 min.

•          Grind soaked Cashews (Kaju) into smooth paste.  Keep this kaju badam paste aside.

•          
Now mix Milk and Cashew paste.

•           Heat Ghee in a kadai (pan) and Add Kaju badam paste and roast on low heat till a nice aroma is comes out (It will take about 10 min.) Keep stirring.

•          And then add green Cardamom powder and Sugar and stir it on low heat. Keep stirring till kaju paste become thick and the mixture starts leaving the sides of the kadai.it will take about 7-10 min.

•          Now turn off the flame and allow the mixture to cool slightly.

•          Now roll them into even sized laddus.

•          Now roll the laddus into chopped Pistachio.

•          Cool and store.

Recipe Credit:  From my Ma’s Rasoi

Cook Tip:

Lemonade

A drink made from lemon juice and water sweetened with sugar.

Ingredients:

•          1 cup white sugar

•          1 cups lemon juice

•          5 cups water

•          ¼ tsp salt

•          Mint leaves for garnishing

Method:

•          In a jar add all the ingredient and stir well. Then refrigerate until chilled.

•          Serve.

Recipe Credit

Cook Tip: * Another method: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Allow it to cool. Then stir together lemon juice, sugar syrup and 4cups of water and cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Spinach/Palak vada

Palak vada is another lip-smacking recipe of Palak (Spinach). It tastes super and is very easy to make as well. Palak  vada can be served with any chutney as an evening snack. 

Ingredients:

•          1 ½ cups Chickpea flour/Besan

•          3 cups Palak (Spinach) leaves , thoroughly washed and chopped

•          1tsp Olive oil

•          1 tsp Turmeric powder

•          2 tsp Cumin seeds

•          1tsp chopped Garlic (optional)

•          3 green Chillies (chopped)

•          Oil for deep frying

•          Salt as per taste

Method:

•          In a bowl add all the ingredient and mix well to form a dough. Roll the dough into a roll about 5-7cm in diameter. (Add 1tbsp water  as needed to help kneed the dough)

•          Next steam the dough roll for about 15 – 20 mins. or until done. (Insert a knife and if comes out clean, it means vada is cooked well)

•          Remove from the steamer, let it cool and slice about 1.5 cm thick portions

•          
Heat oil over a medium heat in a pan and deep fry steamed vada until crisp and light golden brown in color. Drain on absorbent paper to take out extra oil

•          Serve it hot with any chutney.

Recipe Credit

Cook Tip: * Instead of steam you can microwave the dough for 3min (same way, insert a knife and if comes out clean, its mean vada is cooked well)

Banana Paratha

Banana Paratha is an easy recipe. Even fussy kids can enjoy it.

Ingredients:

•          1 ½ cups Wheat flour

•          1tbsp oil for dough

•          2 ripe Bananas (well mashed or puree)

•          2 tbsp Milk

•          ¼ tsp salt

•          Oil or ghee for frying

Method:

•           In a large mixing bowl, add wheat flour, salt, and oil. Combine them well. After combining you will get crumble pieces.

•          Now knead them to soft dough by adding banana puree. Cover the dough and keep it aside for15 min or half an hour.

•          After half hour, make small balls from the dough. Dust each ball in the flour and roll out to form a round shape.

•          Now place the rolled round paratha on the pan. Cook for about half a minute. You will see small bubbles appear, then using a spatula, flip the paratha to cook the other side then brush the top with oil .after 15 to 20 sec flip it again and brush with oil. Cook the both side for about 2to 3 min. Repeat the cooking for the remaining paratha.

•          Banana chapathi is ready. 

Recipe Credit:  From my Ma’s Rasoi

Cook Tip:  for this recipe you will need overripe banana.