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Showing posts with label SWEETS RECIPES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SWEETS RECIPES. Show all posts

January 18, 2019

Kavuni Arisi Recipe – Chettinad Kavuni Arisi Sweet Recipe – Black Rice Recipes

 Kavuni arisi recipe
 Kavuni arisi is a popular sweet recipe in Chettinad region. It is served in all Chettinad wedding feast. Kavuni arisi is prepared with black rice / Karuppu arisi (Oryza Sativa). It can be prepared with red rice/ Sigappu arisi too. Kavuni rice sweet is an easy recipe. Just wash and soak black rice, pressure cook it. Mix with sugar and coconut. Enjoy, its that simple and easy to make. Black rice is also known as purple rice, sticky rice in India. 

Black rice is completely different from brown rice and white rice. Its a popular rice variety in Myanmar, Burma. They call it as Chak-hao. It tastes chewy and slightly hard. Black rice is considered as a super food. The bran hull (outermost layer) of black rice contains one of the highest levels of anthocyanins found in food. It has a deep black color and usually turns deep purple when cooked. Its dark purple color is primarily due to its anthocyanin content, which is higher by weight than that of other colored grains. 

Black rice is also a good source of iron, vitamin E, fiber and antioxidants. It is suitable for preparing dessert, porridge, pongal, idli, dosa and some traditional Chinese black rice cake, bread and noodles. During our recent trip to Karaikudi, people told Chettiars used to bring black rice, burma teakwood and much more by trading all over the world in olden days. 

Nowadays good quality black rice is cultivated in pudukkottai, karaikudi region and is supplied all over Tamil nadu. You can get it online or from any organic millet shops. I bought this black rice, hand pounded rice ( Kaikuthal arisi) and bamboo rice (moongil arisi) from a shop in front of Green park restaurant in Palani road, Kottapatti – Dindigul.

This is the first time I am using black rice. So I went through many websites and watched YouTube videos for cooking this rice perfectly. I also asked Viji akka from Chettinad for Kavuni arisi recipe mainly the rice water ratio and the quantity of sugar, coconut. Based on her traditional family recipe, I tried it twice and made a perfect kavuni arisi sweet. I noticed two things in this recipe. One, black rice is basically hard and wild. So it should be soaked for a minimum of 6 hours to cook well. I soaked overnight, nearly 12 hours. 

Secondly, it takes more water to cook no matter about cooking in an open pot or in a pressure cooker. It takes 1:4 rice water ratio. You should cook till the white part comes out from the red bran. So cooking time varies as per the rice. Old rice takes more water and more time to cook whereas new rice consumes less water. Based on the age of rice, water quantity and cooking time varies. 

Quantity of sugar can be varied as per your taste. Usually it is 1:1 ratio of rice and sugar but I felt its too sweet. So I used 1:3/4 ratio. There is no need to cook the rice after adding sugar and coconut as per Viji akka’s recipe. But I saw many versions with variations in the basic kavuni arisi recipe. However you make it, its a tasty indulgence ! If you are conscious about using sugar, you can always add Karupatti / Palm jaggery or jaggery. Just powder them and add it. 

Ok, lets see how to make Chettinad special Kavuni arisi recipe with step by step pictures.

Check out more Chettinad special recipes !

Kavuni arisi recipe

Kavuni arisi recipe


Kavuni arisi recipe Chettinad special sweet - Kavuni arisi using black rice, sugar and coconut.

Cuisine: Chettinad
Category: Sweet
Serves: 4
Prep time: 8 Hours
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 8 Hours 20 Minutes



INGREDIENTS
1 cup = 250ml
  • Black rice / Kavuni arisi - 1/2 cup
  • Water - 2 to 2.5 cups
  • Sugar - 1/2 cup (I used 1/3 cup)
  • Grated coconut - 1/2 cup
  • Ghee - 1 tbsp
  • Cashew nuts – Few
  • Cardamom powder – 1/2 tsp (optional)

How to make kavuni arisi - METHOD

  • Wash the black rice / Kavuni arisi twice or thrice to remove the dust. Soak overnight (12 hours) or minimum 6 hours. Use clean water to soak. 
  • In a pressure cooker base, take 2.5 cups of water. Add the soaked kavuni arisi along with remaining water. Pressure cook in very low flame for 5 to 6 whistles till the rice becomes mushy.  Switch off the flame. 
  • After cooking, you should be see the white part and red bran separately. It is cooked soft but it tastes mildly chewy and hard. Do not panic.  Quantity of water and number of whistles to pressure cook depends on the age of rice. (Old rice takes more water whereas new rice takes just 2.5 cups of water for 1 cup of rice. Similarly old rice takes more time to cook than new ones).
Kavuni arisi recipe
  • After the steam is released, open the cooker. You will find a layer of water. Just mash the rice with a ladle. Drain the excess water and reserve it. Add sugar, grated coconut and cardamom powder (optional) in fire OFF.  No need to keep the flame on while adding sugar. As soon as you add sugar, it will melt and mixture becomes watery. But it will thicken as it cools down.   
  • If you feel its too thick you can add the cooked, reserved water to adjust the consistency. Suppose if its too watery, you can boil till thick. But the traditional kavuni arisi recipe doesn't call for cooking after adding sugar and coconut. 
Kavuni arisi recipe
  • After mixing the rice, sugar and coconut, check for the taste. Add more sugar if needed. Lastly add cashew nuts roasted in a tbsp of ghee. Serve warm or cold. Enjoy !
Kavuni arisi recipe
Note
  • Cardamom powder is optional. You can skip it to enjoy the flavor of black rice.
  • Black rice takes more time to cook than white rice and brown rice. So cook in low flame for more whistles.
  • There is no need to cook the rice after adding sugar and coconut. Just mix them and serve immediately.

Try this yummy Chettinad special Kavuni arisi recipe. You will love it !
Chettinad Kavuni arisi recipe
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January 4, 2019

Paal Poli Recipe – Milk Poli – Paal Poori Recipe

Paal poli recipe
 Paal poli recipe also known as paal poori ( milk poli) is a traditional south Indian dessert recipe. This sweet is prepared with poori and sweetened milk. Poori can be prepared with maida / all purpose flour or chiroti rava. Similarly sweetened milk can be made by boiling and reducing the milk adding sugar or by adding condensed milk. 

Paal poli is usually served in Tamil brahmins wedding feast. They also make it for festivals like Tamil new year, avani avittam, bhogi and krishna jayanthi. I have tasted this in my friend’s house but she had dipped the maida poori in badam milk. I loved it very much and wanted to try at home. Finally I prepared it for this New year celebration and thought of starting my 2019 recipes with this delicious sweet. 

As this is my first attempt, I followed an authentic recipe from my cookbook collections. Sendhil loved it very much. I liked it too. Though the procedure seems to be lengthy, it can be prepared easily. Just make maida poori and dunk in sweetened, reduced milk. I served it by garnishing with lots of nuts and saffron for enhanced flavor and taste. 

Friends, do try this yummy paal poli recipe for festivals and occasions at home. I am sure your family members would love it. Lets see how to make paal poli recipe with step by step pictures.

Paal poli

Paal poli recipe / Paal poori / Milk poli recipe


Paal poli recipe / Paal poori / Milk poli recipe

Traditional South Indian dessert recipe - Paal poli prepared using maida poori and sweetened milk.



Cuisine: South Indian
Category: Sweet
Serves:
Prep time: 15 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Total time: 25 Minutes



INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
  • Maida / all purpose flour - 1/2 cup
  • Coarse Rava / Semolina / Sooji - 1/2 tbsp
  • Ghee - 1/2 tsp
  • Salt - a pinch
  • Water - as needed
For sweetened milk
  • Milk - 1/2 liter ( 2 cups)
  • Sugar - 1/4 cup
  • Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Edible camphor - a pinch (optional, I used it)
  • Chopped cashew nuts, badam, chironji - a handful
  • Saffron threads - few
HOW TO MAKE PAAL POLI
  1. To make paal poli, take maida, rava, ghee and salt in a bowl. Mix well.
  2. Add water gradually and make a smooth, non-sticky, stiff dough.
  3. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes. Cover and keep it aside.
  4. In the mean time boil milk. Boil till its reduced slightly.
  5. Add sugar, cardamom powder and chopped nuts. Mix well and switch off the flame.
  6. After 15 minutes, take the dough. Knead well. Roll thick, small poori by dusting in maida.
  7. Heat oil in a kadai. Deep fry poori both the sides. Do not over fry like papad.
  8. Remove the poori, drain the oil and add to milk.
PAAL POLI RECIPE - STEP BY STEP PICTURES

  • In a wide bowl, take maida, rava, salt and ghee. Mix well to spread ghee in the flour.

  • Add water gradually and make a smooth, non-sticky, tight dough. Knead for few minutes. Cover and rest for 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

  • In the mean time boil milk in a pan. When its quantity is reduced slightly, add sugar, chopped nuts and saffron. Boil till sugar melts and switch off the flame. Add a pinch of powdered edible camphor for nice flavor. Its optional though.
  •  

    • Take the dough and knead for a minute. Make lemon sized balls. Dust it with maida if needed. Roll into thick, small poori.

    • Heat oil to deep fry. Check oil temperature by dropping a pinch of dough. If it rises to the top immediately, its heated. Drop one poori and pat it gently. It will puff up and comes to top. Flip and cook the other side. Remove and drain the oil. You can fold into half moon shape if you wish.

      • Dunk the poori in milk and set aside to soak for 30 minutes. Serve warm or cold. Garnish with more nuts and saffron if you like. 

      Enjoy !

      Note

      • Adjust the quantity of sugar as per your taste.
      • Do not add more rava. It makes the poori hard.
      • Do not over fry the poori. It will become a papad.

      Try this yummy, delicious paal poori and enjoy.
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      October 31, 2018

      Soft Mysore Pak Recipe Step By Step - Ghee Mysore pak Recipe

       Soft mysore pak recipe

      Making Soft mysore pak at home like Krishna sweets ghee mysorepak (Nei mysore pak) has become a dream for every foodie. Even though the ingredients are same, this soft mysore pak recipe is in no way related to our traditional, olden days South Indian mysore pak in taste, texture or looks. Nowadays people especially kids love this soft, melt in mouth, ghee dripping mysore pak from sweet shops more than the traditional ones served in Tamil nadu weddings. 

      Basically I am not a big fan of mysore pak but after becoming a food blogger, I started developing my taste towards all the sweets and snacks which I hated in my childhood days. Just like everyone I too wanted to try Krishna sweets style soft mysore pak at home. 

      Long back I have shared 3 minutes microwave mysore pak recipe which is one of the super hit recipes in my blog. Following that I wanted to try the stove top version as well based on my readers request. So I watched few You tube videos, surfed few websites and tried few times during last year Diwali. It became crumbly, sometimes hard and it was not up to the mark. I wasted so much of ghee, oil and sugar and got nicely from Sendhil too. 

       Recently I watched Gowri’s Samayal Arai mysore pak recipe video shown by a caterer in Salem. I got inspired, became confident and tried it again as my first sweet for Diwali. It came out very well with a melt in mouth texture as I expected. But I felt raw besan smell in the end product slightly, also I couldn’t get the golden brown center part formed due to the latent heat. But it was very soft and tasted yummy. So I tried the same recipe again with few modifications of my own.  

      In some sweet shops, milk powder is used I feel. So I roasted the besan in little ghee, added milk powder to get brown caramalized color. Even though I couldn't achieve the perfect brown center, its taste was exactly like sweet shop ones. It was a great success at home and everybody loved it. I passed few pieces to my neighbors in a sweet box as shown in the picture above. They too loved it and appreciated me. 

      Anyone can make this mysore pak perfectly if you follow the instructions carefully. I have also shared a tip for trouble shooting in the Notes section. Hope the step by step pictures will be helpful too. There is very less chances of going wrong in this recipe. Even beginners can dare to try it. So friends do try this soft, melt in mouth mysore pak for this Diwali and have a great celebration.

      mysore pak recipe


      Soft Mysore Pak Recipe


      Soft Mysore Pak Recipe

      How to make soft mysore pak like sweet shops at home.



      Cuisine: Indian
      Category: Sweet
      Serves: 12 small pieces.
      Prep time: 10 Minutes
      Cook time: 20 Minutes
      Total time: 30 Minutes



      INGREDIENTS
      1 cup - 240ml
      • Besan flour / Kadalai maavu - 1/2 cup
      • Milk Powder - 1/4 cup
      • Sugar - 1 cup
      • Melted Ghee - 1 cup ( at room temperature)
      • Cooking oil - 1/2 cup (Use refined oil)
      • Water - 1/3 cup ( for sugar syrup)
      HOW TO MAKE SOFT MYSORE PAK
      1. To make soft mysore pak, roast besan flour in 1 tbsp of ghee. 
      2. Mix melted ghee + cooking oil in a bowl and heat till warm to touch.
      3. Mix the besan flour, milk powder in 1/3 cup of melted ghee+oil mixture without lumps. Set aside.
      4. In a kadai, make sugar syrup of one string consistency.
      5. Add the besan mixture to sugar syrup and mix in medium flame.
      6. After the syrup is absorbed, add 2 tbsp ghee. Mix till its absorbed by besan mixture.
      7. Repeat adding ghee till the besan starts to leave the sides of kadai. It gives a nice smell. 
      8. If you touch with your finger, it will be non sticky.
      9. Switch off the flame, remove the kadai from the stove. Lastly add 2 tbsp of ghee, mix quickly and transfer the mysore pak mixture to a greased bowl or plate. Let it cool down completely.
      10. Make pieces and serve. Enjoy melt in mouth, soft mysore pak at home.
      MAKING MYSORE PAK - STEP BY STEP PICTURES
      • Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a non-stick kadai. Add 1/2 cup of besan flour and roast in medium flame for 5 minutes. Besan gives a nice smell once its roasted. Transfer to a bowl. 
      • soft mysore pak recipe
      • In a bowl, mix melted ghee + refined oil ( use any flavorless oil) and set aside. Heat it till warm. Add milk powder to the roasted besan flour. Mix well and add 1/3 cup of melted ghee + Oil mixture. Use a whisk and mix without lumps. Set aside. Take an aluminum plate or pan ( I used loaf cake pan) and grease it with ghee or oil. Choose a bowl or pan that holds heat for long time. You can line it with an aluminium foil for easy removal. Keep it ready.
      • soft mysore pak recipe
      • In a good non-stick kadai, take 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of water. Keep the flame medium and melt the sugar. Boil the syrup till one string consistency. To check this, slide a drop of syrup from the back of ladle using your fore finger and touch it with your thumb finger. When you release it, it will form one string as shown in the picture below. .
      • soft mysore pak recipe
      • Lower the flame completely and add the diluted besan. Mix till all the sugar syrup is absorbed by the besan. It becomes slightly thick.
      • soft mysore pak recipe
      • At this point start adding 2 tbsp of ghee +oil mixture.  No need to use hot ghee. It should be in room temperature. Mix well. Bubbles will form in the middle. Ghee would be absorbed by the besan as you mix. Mixture starts to thicken.
      • soft mysore pak recipe
      • Again add 2 tbsp ghee and mix well till its absorbed. Keep the flame medium throughout the process. Repeat the same at regular intervals till the mixture becomes slightly thick, pale in color, slightly frothy in the corners and starts to leave the sides of kadai. It gives a nice smell too. Smell indicates the doneness. If you touch the mixture, it will be non sticky. You don’t have to add all the remaining ghee. 2 tbsp to 1/4 cup of it may leftover. You can use it in your regular cooking. Do not over cook the mixture.
      • soft mysore pak recipe
      • Once the mysore pak starts to leave the sides of kadai with a nice smell, switch off the flame immediately and remove the kadai from the stove. Lastly add 2 tbsp ghee and mix quickly. You will find the ghee float in the sides of the kadai. No need to stir till the ghee is absorbed.
      • soft mysore pak recipe
      • Immediately transfer the mysore pak mixture to the greased pan. It will fall like a ribbon. Pat the pan gently. Just level the top with a flat spoon or using a bottom of small bowl immediately. Do not press it too much. Do it gently. Mixture will be too hot. Handle carefully. Let it rest for 6 hours or over night to cool down completely. If you try to make pieces when its hot or warm, pieces won't come properly. There may be crumbles. So wait until it cools down. 
      • soft mysore pak recipe
      • After cooling down, run a knife in the sides and invert the pan in a plate. It will fall easily. Now make big or small pieces as you like. Serve and enjoy. Stays good for a week if you store in an air tight box. Do not let it dry in air.
      • soft mysore pak recipe
        Enjoy yummy, melt in mouth, sweet shop style mysore pak at home for this Diwali.

      Note

      • Do not reduce the quantity of sugar, ghee.
      • If you don’t want to add cooking oil, you can use ghee alone but mysore pak becomes hard the next day as the ghee becomes thick after cooling down. Refined Oil helps to maintain the soft texture of mysore pak. Don't worry oil smell won't be there.
      • If you want to make traditional, porous mysore pak you should add hot oil + ghee to the besan instead of using it warm.
      • Just cook the mixture till it starts to leave the sides of pan. Over cooking make the mysore pak crumbly.
      • Instead of adding milk powder completely, add 1/2  to 1 tbsp maida and reamining milk powder just like sweet shops. 
      • TROUBLE SHOOTING TIPS : Suppose if your mysore pak becomes crumbly or hard, do not worry. Grind it adding little milk to a smooth paste. Stir again in low flame till the mixture starts to leave the kadai, add 2 tbsp ghee+ oil and transfer to a plate. Cool down and make pieces.
      • You can also add a pinch of turmeric powder for nice color. 

      Try this yummy Mysore pak at home for this diwali and enjoy !
      soft mysore pak recipe step by step

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      October 28, 2018

      18 Halwa Recipes - Indian Halwa Varieties

      INDIAN HALWA VARIETIES

      Here is the collection of 18 different types of halwa recipes / Halwa varieties in my blog. In this list, you can find the links of 18 halwa recipes under one page. Most of them are popular, easy to make, must try Top South Indian and North Indian halwa recipes for Diwali and other festivals. As you all know Halwa (Halva/ Halawa/ Sheera in Hindi) is one of the most popular Indian dessert recipes. The word halwa means sweetness. It is prepared using flour or nuts as the base ingredient. 

      In this collection, you can find the Indian halva recipes starting from easy carrot halwa using pressure cooker, suji halwa, beginners special corn flour halwa to the most time consuming Tirunelveli halwa / wheat halwa. Among these halwa varieties, my favorite is badam halwa, easy atta halwa and suji halwa. You too choose your favorite, try and share your feedback. I am yet to try Kerala halwa and some more popular halwa recipes. I will update this list whenever I share them. Lets see the collection of 18 halwa varieties below. Please click on the images to see the particular halwa recipe.

      CARROT HALWA WITH KHOYA USING PRESSURE COOKER


      This is an easy and quick carrot halwa (Gajar halwa in Hindi) that is prepared using grated carrot, khoya, sugar, ghee and nuts. This recipe is without milk and condensed milk. Please click the image below to know how to make carrot halwa easily using a pressure cooker.


      Carrot halwa with khoya

      BEETROOT HALWA USING PRESSURE COOKER


      Beetroot halwa very similar to carrot halwa in cooking procedure . It is a healthy, yummy, quick halwa recipe. This recipe is without khoya/ mawa. Check how to prepare it.


      Beetroot halwa

      BADAM HALWA


      Badam halwa / Almond halwa like sweet shop style. It is one of the popular halwa recipes in South India. This rich and costly halwa can be made easily at home too. check out the recipe link by clicking the image below.


      Badam halwa

      CORN FLOUR HALWA/ KARACHI HALWA


      Bombay Karachi halwa, the most popular halwa recipe in North India. But its a very simple recipe prepared using corn flour, sugar and ghee. According to me this halwa is a beginners recipe. Anyone can make it easily and perfectly by following the steps. Do check it out.



      Corn flour halwa

      TIRUNELVELI HALWA USING WHEAT FLOUR


      This is a simplified version of Tirunelveli halwa using wheat flour. It tastes close to original Tirunelveli halwa. Do give a try.



      Tirunelveli halwa with wheat flour

      MOONG DAL HALWA / MOONG DAL SHEERA


      This is a popular North Indian style sheera recipe. It tastes so good. I have shared an interesting method to reduce the cooking time of this halwa. Do check out the recipe.



      Moong dal halwa

      SOOJI HALWA / SUJI KA SHEERA


      Suji halwa is a very simple and quick halwa recipe prepared for most of the festivals. This halwa is served along with Poori, Chole for breakfast. Halwa puri chole is one of the most popular breakfast combo in North India and Pakistan.



      Sooji halwa

      MILK HALWA / DOODH HALWA/ PAAL HALWA


      Milk halwa / Paal halwa in Tamil / Doodh is the first sweet which got me a good name from my relatives. This halwa is very easy to make and tastes very rich. It is different from milk kesari in ratio, method of preparation as well as taste. It tastes similar to paal khova.



      Milk halwa


      KASI HALWA/ ASH GOURD HALWA


      Kasi Halwa (Vellai Poosanikai Halwa in Tamil,Ash Gourd Halwa /Winter Melon Halwa in English, Boodida Gummaikaya Halwa in Telugu, Kumbalanga Halwa in Malayalam, Kushmandha halwa, காசி அல்வா /  பூசணிக்காய் அல்வா / Kalyana Poosani Halwa ) is one of the most popular sweet recipes which is served in Brahmin weddings.



      Kasi halwa

      ASHOKA HALWA / PASI PARUPPU HALWA


      Ashoka halwa is one of the most popular South Indian sweet which is popular in Thiruvaiyaru. Thiruvaiyaru Asoka halwa (Pasi paruppu halwa) made with yellow moong dal, sugar and ghee. This paasi paruppu halwa is completely different from North Indian moong dal halwa.



      Ashoka halwa

      CARROT HALWA WITHOUT KHOYA USING PRESSURE COOKER


      Carrot halwa | Gajar ka halwa is the easiest and delicious sweet recipe that can be made in jiffy.The best thing about this sweet is it takes very less ghee unlike other halwa recipes. It tastes the best when served warm with ice cream.



      Carrot halwa in pressure cooker

      ATTA HALWA / KADAH PRASAD


      Atta halwa also known as Atta ka sheera is one of the most popular sweet/ dessert recipe in North India. This is an Instant halwa made with whole wheat flour( atta in Hindi). This atte ka halwa is served as Kadah prasad ( Karah prashad) to all the visitors of Gurudwara ( A place of worship for Sikhs ) in Punjab.



      Atta halwa

      CHEWY CORN FLOUR HALWA


      This chewy Bombay Karachi Halwa also known as Jelly halwa  is prepared using the same ingredients of corn flour halwa but slightly different in procedure. The basic difference between soft halwa and chewy halwa (rubbery halwa) lies in the cooking time. Do click the image to see the recipe with video.



      Bombay Karachi halwa

      MAIDA HALWA


      This is yet again a beginners recipe. It never goes wrong. You can make it soft or chewy as per your taste by changing the cooking time.



      Maida halwa

      BREAD HALWA RECIPE


      One of the best ways to use the leftover bread slices. It can be prepared so quickly with just milk, sugar and ghee.



      Bread halwa

      MICROWAVE SOOJI HALWA


      Sooji halwa / Rava kesari in Tamil can be easily prepared in a microwave oven too. Check it out.



      Microwave sooji halwa

      TIRUNELVELI HALWA


      If you are looking forward to try authentic Tirunelveli halwa recipe with whole wheat (samba godhumai), here is the link for you.


      Tirunelveli halwa

      CARROT HALWA WITHOUT KHOYA IN KADAI


      Traditionally carrot halwa is prepared in a wide kadai by boiling the carrots in milk. I have shared the same here without using khoya or condensed milk.


      Traditional Carrot halwa
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