Bourbon Biscuits

 

Children's favorite home-made bourbon biscuits !!

Ingredients :

For biscuits :

All purpose flour  ( maida ): 1 cup

Butter : 3 tbsp
Desi ghee : 2 tbsp

Cocoa powder : 2 tbsp
Powdered Sugar : 1/4 cup
Milk : 3 tsp ( use milk at room temperature )

Baking powder : 1/2 tsp

Vanilla essence : 1/2 tsp
Salt : A small pinch ( If you are using salted butter do not add salt )

Granulated sugar to sprinkle.

For cream :

Ingredients :

Butter : 2 tbsp

Cocoa powder : 3 tbsp

powdered sugar or castor sugar : 3 tbsp

Milk : 1 tsp

Mix all the ingredients together except milk. Add milk as required.

Do not make cream loose - it will come out from biscuits.

Recipe for biscuits :

1. Add butter & ghee in a bowl. Add sugar & beat till the mixture becomes light.

2. Sieve all purpose flour, cocoa powder & baking powder in the same bowl.
3. Add vanilla essence. Add 2 tsp milk.

4. Mix everything together to make a smooth dough. If required add a little milk.

5. Keep the dough in the fridge for an hour.

6. Take out the dough out from fridge. Roll it with a pin using butter paper. 

7. Cut the biscuits in long rectangular shape. Make holes above them with toothpick.

8. Sprinkle some granulated sugar on the biscuits.

9. Bake in preheated oven  at 170 C for 12 minutes.

10. Cool the biscuits completely.

11. Apply cream in between 2 biscuits & press gently. 

      

Your bourbon biscuits are ready!

Above measurement yields about 12 biscuits.
    

Enjoy with hot ginger tea or coffee. 

 

Ragi Halwa ( sheera )

In this winter try this healthy Ragi & suji  sheera !!

Ingredients :
Ragi flour : 1 cup

Suji : 1/2  Cup

Jaggery : 1 Cup 

Milk   : 1 Cup
Water : 1 1/2 cups
Sliced Banana : 1/2 cup ( optional )
Elaichi (Green Cardamom) powder : 1/2 tsp
Jaiphal ( nutmeg ) powder : 1/2 tsp
Golden raisins : 4 tsp
Desi Ghee : 4 tbsp
Coarse almond powder : 2 tsp
Cashews : For decotation.

Small pinch of Salt.

Recipe :

1. In a heavy bottom pan or kadhai add 3 tbsp of desi ghee.
2. When ghee melts add ragi flour &  suji in it & roast properly till it turns brownish red. You will come to know with its heavenly aroma. Add sliced banana & mix it . Save some slices for decoration.

3. On another gas stove boil milk,water with jaggery, jaiphal powder & elaichi powder.

4. Milk will curdle but doesn't matter. Add this mixture to ragi n suji mixture.

6. Mix it properly & cover the pan. Keep it on low flame till all milk &  water mixture evaporates. 

7. At this stage add remaining 1 tbsp ghee mix again properly & turn off the flame. Add                       almond powder.

8. Let it be covered for 5 minutes.
9. Garnish it with cashews & banana slices & enjoy!!

Ukdiche modak

                          Favourite maharashtrian desert & Bappa special !! Ukdiche modak !

Ingredients :

For saran ( filling)

Grated fresh Coconut : 1 Cup 

Jaggery : 1/2 Cup .

Elaychi powder  : 1/2 tsp

Jayphal powder ( nutmeg ) : 1/2 tsp

chopped cashews : 1 tsp ( Any dry fruits of your choice )

Golden raisins : 1 tsp
Saffron strand : 5-6 ( optional )

Recipe :

1. Mix fresh coconut & jaggery in a thick bottom pan or preferably non stick.

2. Start the flame. Keep on medium flame.

3. Stir the mixture continuously. Jaggery starts melting & coconut becomes soft. It will take 7-10 min. only. Turn off the flame.Do not let it become hard.

4. Add elaichy & jaiphal powder. Add raisins & cashews. Mix well.

5. Let the mixture cool.

Ingredients for outer cover ( Ukad ):

1. Flavoured rice( basmati) flour : 1 cup

2. Salt : 1/4 tsp

3. Desi ghee : 4 tsp 

4.Water : 1 1/2 cup
5. Saffron strand : 5-6 ( optional )

Recipe :

1. Add water in a heavy bottom pan. Turn on the flame.

2. Add salt & 2 tsp ghee in the water. Let the water boil.

3. Add rice flour & stir well. Mixture becomes thick.

4. Cover the pan & keep for 10 minutes.

5. After 10 minutes transfer the mixture ( ukad ) in a plate or parat.

6. Apply remaining ghee little by little & knead to a soft smooth dough. Add saffron strands if you         like. I prepared 1/2 of the ukad adding saffron water.

7. Divide into 10 lemon size balls. This measurement yields 10-12 modaks.

    Prepare modaks with the delicious filling of coconut & jaggery.  

8. Steam the modaks for 10 mins. in a greased thali or on banana leaf.

Enjoy the heavenly tasting modaks with dollops of desi ghee.

Strawberry coconut desert

Delicious & light mild flavoured cool desert !!

Ingredients :
For strawberry layer :

Crushed strawberry smooth pulp : 2 cups ( 250 ml cup )
Orange juice : 1/4 cup
 Powdered sugar  : 4 tbsp ( or more if strawberries are not very sweet )
Water : 1 1/4 cup
Agar Agar powder : 2 tsp

For Coconut layer : 
Coconut milk : 1 cup
Sugar : 2 tbsp
Water : 1 cup
Agar Agar powder : 1 tsp
Salt : 1/8th tsp

Recipe :
Strawberry layer :
1. Add water in a sauce pan.
2. Add Agar agar powder in the water. Mix properly till it completely dissolved in water.

3 Keep the pan on gas stove & start heat.

4. Continuously stir the mixture. There should not be lumps. Mixture should be clear. 

5. Bring the mixture to boil. 

6. Add strawberry pulp & orange juice. Add sugar. 

7. Whisk the mixture continuously till sugar dissolves completely.

8. When the mixture starts boiling turn off the gas.

9. Pour the mixture in a square dish or any shape you like.

10. Add some strawberry pieces. 

11. Keep the dish in refrigerator till the mixture sets. It takes 10 minutes.

Coconut Layer : 

1. Add water in a sauce pan.
2. Add Agar agar powder in the water. Mix properly till it completely dissolved in water.

3 Keep the pan on gas stove & start heat.

4. Continuously stir the mixture. There should not be lumps. Mixture should be clear. 

5. Bring the mixture to boil. 

6. Add coconut milk, sugar & salt. Follow the same procedure as above.

7. Take the dish out from refrigerator.Strawberry layer surface should not move .

8. Pour the coconut mixture slowly from the corners when it is hot.

9. Add some strawberry pieces on the surface.

Keep in refrigerator for 8-10 hours or till both the layers set completely.

Cut into cubes & enjoy this delicious cool desert in this hot season. 

Khaskhashichya ( Poppy seeds ) vadya

Khaskhas is very nutritious as it is with high levels of calcium, iron, magnesium , phosphorus etc. It is recommended for new mothers also ( Ref: Wikipedia ).

Ingredients :

Khaskhas ( poppy seeds ) : 2  Cups

Almonds : 1 Cup 

Fresh cream : 1 Cup
Milk : 1 Cup ( For soaking Khaskhas )
Water : 1/2 approx ( for soaking almonds )
Sugar : 1 Cup
Powdered sugar : 2 tsp
Elaychi powder  : 1 tsp
Pistasio :  For garnishing
Desi Ghee : 3 tsp + for greasing tray

Recipe :

1. Soak Khaskhas in warm milk for 4-5 hours in a bowl. Do not add too much of milk. It should be above the level of khaskhas.
2. In another bowl soak almonds in warm water for 4-5 hours. Peel of the skin.
3. Grind soaked khaskhas & peeled almonds to a fine paste.

3. Take 2 tsp of ghee in a heavy bottom pan preferably non stick pan or kadhai. Turn on the gas. Add the mixture of khaskhas & almonds when ghee melts. 

4. Add cream & sugar. Mix properly. 

5. The mixture is liquefied as sugar melts.
6.Stir continuously adjusting the flame of gas stove. It should not burn.

7.When mixture starts solidifying add elaychi powder, remaining 1 tsp ghee & powdered sugar.

8. Transfer the mixture in a greased tray when it becomes thick . Spread evenly & garnish with sliced pistachios. Let it cool.
9. Keep in the refrigerator for an hour & cut into pieces as you like.