Ambyacha Sheera (Mango Sheera)

Sheera ...yum...something which being raised in Mumbai or Maharashtra can not overlook. 'Prasad' in many temples here seems incomplete without this delectable semolina dish, and versatile that it is can be made plain or with dry fruits or  uses up many fruits in combination like A Ripe Banana (For Prasad), Pineapple, Apple or Mango King-Alphonso too..the latter 3 being used for pure pleasure of having dessert! 

When I read at Anupama's Food-N-More blog, here, I was just smitten by the beauty of it depicted by her lens, her mould making it more scrumptious than ever, the directions so clear and was soon into the kitchen to fulfil that craving. This is the umpteenth time thereafter that I have made this using up mango pulp. (Previously had used the fresh pulp of Alphonso!)

Coming to this recipe, I have not used cup, but katori/vaati  as measure.

Ingredients :

1 vaati fine rava/semolina

2 vaati alphonso mango pulp (In this I used the thawed pulp of alphonso)

2 vaati milk (whole milk heated upto boiling temperature)

1 1/2 vaati fine sugar

1/4 vaati tup/ghee

2 tsp elaichi pud/ cardamom pwdr

1 big pinch / half tsp saffron (which I mixed in the hot milk)

Few sliced almonds for garnishing (optional) 

Method :

In a wide bottom kadhai,  melt ghee, add rava to it, roast on low flame constantly stirring till the rava changes color evenly and a beautiful aroma emanates. Alongside, heat the milk on low, once it boils put off the flame.  Once the rava is roasted, milk boiled, start pouring milk in the rava mixture while still stirring in circular motion so that the entire milk blends well with rava, see that no lumps are formed, also remember to take a tall spatula for safety of hands. Cover with lid and let it cook in its steam for around 5 minutes. Uncover and add sugar. Mix well. The sugar will dissolve, cover and let it cook for another few seconds. Put off the flame, add the mango pulp, cardamom powder in quick succession and combine well. Allow to cool. 

In my side of family,  a ghee-greased thaali is taken , the semi-cooled SHEERA is patted on the plate, with aid of flat spatula which again is greased with a bit of ghee so that sheera doesn't stick to it and scored with knife into diamond shape. It is served in this shape when its completely cooled. :D 

KINDLY COLLECT YOUR SHARE! 

(THIS is a special post for MEERA/ ENJOY INDIAN FOOD on COMPLETION OF 500+ YUMMY MEANINGFUL POSTS!! CHEERS MEERA! )

 

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HAPPY 2009!

WELCOME 2009

(Eggless Chocolate Cake,  Ganache filling, Whipped cream with Alphonso Puree Icing)

(Brownies with Vanilla Scoop) frm here

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

Some Cakes n Sweets to welcome the New Year!

Microwaved Besan Laddoos - Frm 

Tee/ Bhaatukli

HAVE A WONDERFUL YEAR AHEAD, MAY ALL YOUR LOVELY WISHES COME TRUE!

(PS : Does anyone have problem with blogger during loading pics or placing them near right text or deleting them?I seem to be having difficulty since past few months. Any solutions, kindly do comment, would be of great help!)

My Fave Gadget : Kitchen Treasure Hunt

                                             BATTERY OPERATED BEATER/WHISK

MILK FROTHER-ORIGINAL NAME

My Drink of  Hot Coffee-frothy as I like it!

For my kids-Foamy Chocy-drink

I am hurrying this post across to Dibs@Chitra Amma's Kitchen. 

For the event hosted by them, I can think of only this fave. gadget of mine which is used several times in a day! :D 

The gadget of my choice is a Kitchen Appliance - a small battery operated Beater/Whisk from IKEA, which can be inserted into the cup or bowl for whisking the coffee / chocolate drink with milk or beating eggs within a jiffy. 

The gadget is very economical (KWD 0.600 or approx 90INR)  considering the rough daily use, requires two rechargeable pencil batteries which last for a month to me. This gadget is two year old. 

Here  I  have taken pics of the gadget at work.... 

Original, unflavored  soy milk,  added a tsp of sugar, a tsp of chocolate powder, spoon kept in  the mug /cup so that when the beater is churning the milk, its spill force is controlled by spoon thus preventing a spill. Works and mixes best in 15 seconds. 

Similarly, I do not make coffee like majority do. I take a cup of milk,  mw it for 1 min add sugar, coffee pwdr and use this gadget to give me the perfect foam, perfect temperature and perfect taste that I crave for. 

I am not able to post the complete set of stepwise pics due to some problem. Would try to update more pics here as soon as possible. 

Am sure many of you would love this time saver gadget be it beating eggs or stirring sugar in your cuppa! Whatsay?? :D 

This post is off last minute to DIBS to join the carvan of  Kitchen Treasure Hunt. 

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A CENTURY -Barbie Doll Cake : Over-Studded with M&Ms (Eggless, Butterfree, Chocolate)

Hello dear friends n fellow foodies! Absolutely unplanned but just could not post anything.

My family's deep and heartfelt 'Shraddhanjali' to the brave and victims of 26th Nov '08 tragedy. (I am in no position to comment on what happened to our dear city hereafter! Just praying that this brutality ceases. )
Coming to the food post, this being my 100th post, would like to keep it short and simple.
Thanking all the lovely food bloggers whom I visit, the one's who know me, who have inspired me in cooking a variety and also made me bake, thankyou to all, for those lovely and encouraging words that makes me try for more and moreso thanks for trying out the recipes you found user-friendly :D

This is a birthday cake, I baked, constructed and decorated for my daughter Kriti, on her 4th Birthday (8th of Nov) in accordance to her instructions. Am glad that not only was she proud of the looks (which are visibly beginner's) but also relished it over a store bought one.

This post is being dedicated to my absolutely mindblowing daughter for all her support from this age to me!


This is an EGGLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE - from Hetal, Anuja @Show me the curry -ORIGINAL RECIPE here- have not made any changes.
Its not only eggless but moist and butter free too! **HAVE BAKED IT THRICE NOW**

Ingredients for Choco Cake:
1.5 Cups All purpose flour/Maida
3 tbspn Cocoa powder (dark)
1 tsp baking soda
1 Cup fine sugar
1/2 tsp salt

5 tbspn vegetable oil
1 tbspn white distilled vinegar
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 Cup cold water

Method of Baking it:
In a large bowl, sift together maida,cocoa and baking soda, mix the sugar and salt well.
In another bowl, mix the cold water, oil, vinegar, vanilla essence. Make a well in the center of the
dry ingredients, add the liquid mixture, whisk well or until uniform, should be free from bubbles. In a pre-heated oven, at 180 deg C - 9" by 9" square bake for 30 - 35 mins till inserted toothpick at center of the cake comes clean. Transfer onto a wire rack cool it completely.
*This was the basic Recipe*

Assembling :
I had baked double measure, One in a bowl shaped steel vessel and another in a pan.
Shaped them into three concentric circles. Video help from - here.
Made ganache to glue them -

Ganache -
200 ml whipped cream, bring to a boil. Chop and keep 200 gms bitter sweet bar.
Take the saucepan with simmering cream off heat source, add all of the chocolate and keep stirring in circular motion, till a dark chocolatey concoction of body lotion consistency is reached - add a tablespoon of honey. Mix well. Keep aside. Arrange the large circle of cake on a waxed paper pour ganache in center, spread with spoon leaving half cm along edges. Repeat with other parts.


Keep the abdomen above part of Barbie doll ready and insert it neatly into the top part. Remeber to say 'hands up Barbie' if you don't want her to spoil her would be dress! :D
Pour ganache over the body as in this pic to dress the upper part of her body. Use tooth pic for applying straps. Leave this to dry for few hours.

Icing - Swapna/Swapna's Cuisine was of great help for making this. Used her PERFECT icing.
100 gms butter, 200 gms powdered sugar, few drops vanilla essence, few drops red color.
Mixer with stand- In a bowl take room temperature butter, add sugar powder... speed medium ...time 2 mins beat, add the vanilla and coloring and beat well. Those who are good with piping can pipe designs with nozzles..should go for double measure of icing stated here.
I applied the icing to the doll's body as well as over studded it with two packets of M&M large.
Then moved the doll on a foiled cardboard, slowly with a sharp knife cut the excess of waxed paper below the BARBIE Doll's Gown.

Thats it..we are done. Many hours assorted, but a life time of contentment!!

Enjoy the cake as visual treat.


Thankyou!!

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Egg Substitute Event - Vinegar Round Up

Pav Bhaaji - Bombay Style, Rasmalai

Pav Bhaaji is one special dish which was devoured as a teenager on parties. Birthday parties, especially, were incomplete without the 'Shiv Sagar' Pav Bhaaji served in Borivili West. :D
Commenting behind a seated group, in a bid to procure seats for our group, was another recreation! :)

My mom and mil are thee thee best in making this yummy dish, recreating the magic at home!

This is the very first time I attempted making 'Pav' at home as well.
I yet have to bake Anjali's/Annaparabramha MUMBAI pav recipe.
(the links that I followed are Jugalbandi- here, A Whirl of Aromas -here ) .
From Vini, got a link to breadworld dot com, the recipe is here. Thats what I followed, the glaze I followed Vini's butter glaze tip.

So here is the recipe for Pao / Pav.

PAV/PAO

Ingredients :

2 1/2 cups maida /all-purpose flour 
2 tbspn sugar 
1 tsp salt 
1 sachet Instant Yeast (SAF-brand-11gms)
1/2 cup milk 
1/4 cup water 
2 tbsp soft butter 

soft butter for glazing

Method :
In the bowl with mixer attachment combine 1 cup flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Heat the butter, milk, water until warm -temp 120-130F. Attach the hooks for kneading, add the liquid little by little and beat for 2 mintues on a medium speed, keep scraping the sides. (Donot skip the 'beat-4-2-mins' step-I found dough more elastic due to this step. ) Add the remaining flour (1 1/2 C) and knead for 8-10 minutes into soft dough. Cover with a damp cloth, resting time - 10-15 mins.
This would rise after the specified time. Line a sheet with parchment paper, divide the dough into 10 round balls, arrange with little space on the lined sheet, cover again with the damp cloth and leave in a warm place for 30 minutes to rise. The dough balls should be double in size, if not leave for some more time, instant yeast works fast. I got mine ready in 40 minutes.
Pre-heat oven to 400F for 10-12 minutes or till it browns lightly on top. (My setting, 180C/10 mins- then removed and brushed each of these with soft butter.)
Remove from baking sheet and IMMEDIATELY transfer to wire rack for cooling. (Anjali's tip - If you leave it on the baking sheet, the bread will sweat.)




We have lovely Pav here, mine got more tanned! :D But a very good experience and tasted good!

Served it with PAV BHAAJI- my mil's recipe.

Ingredients :

Vegetable Oil
3 medium onions
3 large tomatoes
2 green chillies
1 inch ginger chopped finely
2 large cloves of garlic chopped finely
2 Cups frozen mixed veggies(or 1/2 C peas, 1 big carrot, 100 gms french beans -topped,trimmed and broken to one inch length)
100 gm cauliflower
1 medium capsicum
2 large potatoes
2 tsp soft butter
salt
haldi/turmeric powder
1 tbspn Everest Pav Bhaaji Masala
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garam masala powder (optional)
3 tbspn coriander leaves-garnishing
1 tsp butter per person (less or more for garnish/skip)

Method :
Wash and cook the potatoes, carrot, beans, peas,capsicum and cauliflower upto 3 whistles with quarter quantity of water, salt and haldi.
In a kadhai, heat oil, fry the sliced onions till transculent, cool, grind to paste, keep aside.
Add little oil, add chopped tomatoes, stir in between, till mushy and leaves the sides of pan. Cool, grind. Keep aside.
Take a heavy bottom kadhai, heat a tbspn of oil (or less) add the ginger garlic , saute till light brown, add green chilies, add the onion paste, saute for a minute or two, the tomato paste and mix in well. Add the pav bhaaji masala, red chili powder and garam masala and mix well. Allow to simmer. In the meanwhile, take the boiled veggies, drain excess water, they will be in shape, perfectly cooked. Mash them with the back of a spatula and add to the simmering paste, mix well. Let the entire mixture now simmer for around 4 -5 mins on a low flame. Add little soft Amul butter, salted version for that yum taste, garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot with Amul butter roasted Pav. (Apply butter to the sliced pav, roast for around two minutes till it is bit crisp- Indulge n Enjooyyyyyy)

Mitha Ho Jaaye --

I had made Rasmalai from Namratha's blog - recipe here-- just love it every time I make it!

RASMALAI

This sweet and as I mentioned above the 'Birthday Party' treat is a "Special Birthday Wish" Post for a very very dear Food Blogger and friend of mine, MEERA-Enjoy Indian Food!

HAPPPPPPYYYY BIRTTTTHHHHHHDAYYYYYY MEEEEEEEEEERAAAAAAAAA!

HUGS, LUV N GOOD WISHES TO YOU N YOUR LOVELY BLOGS (480+ posts already in EIF and EWF -all healthy and nutritious!) WHICH TURNED ONE!!



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Baby Corn Manchurian, Veg Rice Chinese, Potato Bhajiyas, Coconut Laddoos

Baby Corn Manchurian (click on it for recipe)

Having picked up a lovely tray of cute little baby corn, got this wonderful recipe -easy and super delicious!! To go with it, made this rice, full of veggies on hand...truly complimented the dish! Made it from an old hand written stir fry recipe, and altered it a bit.



Vegetable Rice - Indo-Chinese style

Ingredients :
4 Cups boiled and cooled rice (any long grained white rice would do)
10 white button mushrooms sliced
4 spring onions, whites -chopped (save greens for garnishing)
1 carrot (cut lengthwise, thin, 2" long - 1/2 cup)
1 capsicum (de-seeded , chopped lengthwise-I used red bell pepper)
4 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
1 tbspn olive oil (extra virgin)
pinch of pepper powder
2 tbspn tomato ketchup
1 tsp garlic chilli sauce (increase qty for more heat)
1 tbspn soy (mild sweet) sauce
1 tsp oyster sauce (optional)
Salt to taste


Method :
Heat olive oil in a wok/kadhai. Add the garlic, saute it for about a minute. Add the chopped whites (approx 1/4 cup) of spring onion, add carrot, capsicum saute each for a minute or two, brown the mushrooms, add little salt and pepper. (Till this stage its normal stir fried veggies, you can have it hot as it is ...or proceed further )
Add the cooled rice and mix well. Add the sauces and mix well with spatula. Garnish with the spring onion greens. Check salt..some sauces do have salt content in them.

Serve along with Baby Corn Manchurian! Its lipsmacking tasty!!



Snack time!!! The potato bhajias that I have often savoured as kid 'Batatya Bajjo' in Konkani is the way my mother prepares these. ( My only addition is the garam masala!)
We indulged in this after many months! :D

Ingredients :
2 potatoes, washed clean , wiped and sliced a bit thickly than wafers
1/2 Cup besan (gram flour)
salt
1 tsp red chili powder
pinch of haldi
big pinch garam masala powder
1 tsp ajwain
water
Oil to deep fry

Method :
Take besan in a wide-mouth bowl. Add chili powder, haldi, garam masala, ajwain, salt. Add water to it little by little make it lump free and of sauce consistency. DONOT add too much water. If the paste looks watery, add more beasan and make it sauce consistency.
Heat the oil on medium flame, leave a tiny drop of this batter into the oil, if it rises the oil is ready for pakoras/bhajias. Dip the slices one by one in batter, coat them evenly and slide them carefully in the hot oil. Do not over crowd the oil kadhai. Fry in batches. Serve hot with sauce.

Enjoyyyyy with a steaming hot beverage!

Ending without meetha...impossible. I used to love the milkmaid coconut laddoos ad as a kid, also used to finish off these in matter of minutes! Mom had to hide these or chide me for over-indulging! :) These below are made from freshly scraped coconut which I had to finish off.


Coconut Laddoos

Ingredients :
1 cup scraped coconut
5 tbspn sweetened condensed milk
Elaichi / cardamom powder -a big pinch
Saffron a tiny pinch
yellow color two drops
1/2 tsp ghee

Method :
Heat a heavy bottom kadhai, add the coconut and condensed milk and keep stirring on a medium flame for 10 minutes or till the mixture comes together. Add the saffron, elaichi powder and color and mix it enough to combine uniformly.
After it cools a bit, say in 5 minutes, apply ghee to fingers and palms, roll into balls.
Garnish with your choice of dry fruits. I didn't, but yet these were tasty and yes...nothing goes wrong with coconut and condensed milk ! :D

Heavenly Bites the taste lingering for a loooooooooong time ....

--Missed Crusts! ~Rajma, Kofta , Eggless Cookies and Jamuns

MOZ PUFFS

15 mins bake time@180C, rolled out the frozen n thawed pastry sheets , cut into squares filled with shred mozerella cheese, pepper and fresh coriander leaves and baked.

I 'Clicked' but I missed the date!!! Aaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! How C(rusty) my brains are!
Those are one of the puffs I tried with shred moz and pepper for filling for kids. They gobbled on it! Well with the amazing crisp taste and kid-friendly filling, its surprising if they wouldn't! :D
Sorry Bee -- on missing out !

RAJMA MASALA.

A yummy Rajma-masala made with simple recipe from Chef Sanjay Thumma - Vahrehvah.com.. which went on well with chapatis/rotis.


The next dish is also from the same Chef, MALAI KOFTA ...was very tasty indeed!

Step 1 : All boiled veggies to be rolled into balls - dipped in cornflour and deepfried.

Step 2 : Make gravy and add these to them.

Step 3 : HOOOGGGGGGGGG! :D
You truly can't stop, these are soooo tasteful!

** I used Moz shred cheese instead of paneer.




Thanks Mr. Sanjay Thumma, your techiques are surely bringing in better reviews from the better half n kids!









Few cookies which went wrong in shape but great to taste...if you can guess with a glance at them:


Eggless Walnut Cookies and Thumbprint (???) Jam Cookies with them!
I wish to rename mine as PAW print cookies! :D No one in the blog world must have goofed up on this lovely cookie, I let the butter go too soft and got this shape as a consequence!
Nevertheless, they tasted gooodddddddd!
The jam I used was from IKEA food, Blueberry extra jam. Recipe from our sweet Mansi - here.
Thanks Mansi@ Fun-n-Food!!

GULAB JAMUNS - WITH MILK POWDER

This one comes from Kamala @ Moms Recipes here, unique thing is I made GJ first time with milk powder instead of a mix! Thanks Kamala -these tasted too good, plus addition of rose water gives a lovely scent of 'GULAB' to jamuns!
The first time I made Gits GJ was way back in my 8th std, the insides being raw! :D This must be the only thing besides chapati making that I tried my hands at during my teenage.. I envy u Meera for trying out chicken! :D

HAPPY NAVARATRI TO ALL OF YOU --am missing my Mumbai Dandias!!!!!!!!