Traditional sweets for any occassion

Be it any special or auspicious day, the first thing comes to mind on cooking is a Sweet. So here are a few recipes listing from my blog which can be prepared any day.

1) Besan Laddu - A simple sweet made from Besan.
http://meghustastebuds.blogspot.com/2012/06/besan-laddu.html


2)Moong Dal kheer - A different kheer with many health benefits.
http://meghustastebuds.blogspot.com/2013/10/moong-dal-kheer.html


3)Rava Laddu - Another traditional laddu from South India.
http://meghustastebuds.blogspot.com/2011/10/rava-laadu.html


4)Sandesh - A sweet Cottage cheese famous and available in Indian sweet meat stores.
http://meghustastebuds.blogspot.com/2013/10/sandesh.html


5)Beetroot or carrot halwa - A healthy version of sweet made with the goodness of beetroots or carrots. You can make it with half quantity of carrots and other half with beetroots.
http://meghustastebuds.blogspot.com/2012/05/beetroot-or-carrot-halwa.html


6)Apple halwa - Very different from the regular halwa's.
http://meghustastebuds.blogspot.com/2012/02/apple-halwa.html


7)Cream Burfi - A unique yet easy to make burfi.
http://meghustastebuds.blogspot.com/2011/01/cream-burfi.html

Royal falooda

This is a milk based cooling drink. This particular drink is famous on street food stalls. An easy peasy drink / dessert.

Recipe is mentioned in the picture below, so don't get lost!

Moong Dal Kheer

Moong dal kheer is a popular dessert which is prepared on any auspicious day, in South India.

This kheer has no oil or ghee. Its not only tasty but also benefits the health too. This kheer when consumed reduces the internal excess heat and calms the mind.  People suffering insomnia can try consuming this kheer for a better results. People on weight watch too can enjoy this kheer.

Serves about 6 to 8 Cups

Moong Dal, Split - 1Cup
Cashew nuts - 20
Poppy seeds - 2tsp
Fresh Coconut - 1/4 Cup
Shredded Jaggary - 1Cup or more, adjust to taste
Mixed Nuts such as raisins, cashew nuts - A Couple of tablespoons + Ghee (Optional) / Coconut oil
A tiny pinch of salt


In a bowl soak cashew nuts and poppy seeds in warm water for 1 hour. Later add the same to a blender along with coconut, grind to smooth paste by adding water.

In a thick bottom deep pan, add the moong dal and dry roast for couple of minutes. The moong dal should not change its colour. Now add some water and allow the moong dal to cook, it must cook completely. Once the dal is cooked add the ground paste, salt along with jaggery. Cook on low flame for about 25 mins. (Add 1 cup water in between to adjust the consistency.)

You can serve it either way, hot or cold. Can be served plain or those who like nuts can follow the below process.

In a wok heat 2tsp ghee once melted add in the raisins and cashews. Sauté it to light golden brown. Transfer to a bowl. Top it on kheer before you serve.


VARIATIONS -
1)You can add a little sweetened condensed milk and reduce the quantity of jaggary.
2)If you like elachi / Cardamon flavor then you can add a pinch of the same.
3)One can replace jaggary with light brown sugar.

NOTE - If any variations are followed, that may not be considered under weight watch except for elachi powder.

Sandesh

The sweet paneer is Sandesh. Its a simple sweet relish, famous in any sweet stalls in India. And now this simple recipe is here for you guys, enjoy!

Serves 6

Category - Dessert

Boil 500ml milk in a thick bottom pan and when it reaches its boiling point add 2tsp lemon juice, stir continuously till it thickens. Then add about 300 to 400g sugar and mix well, transfer the mixture to another deep dish thick bottom and put it on low flame. Cook till the mixture attains a smooth texture and paste like consistency. Grease a plate and pour the mixture.

All it to cool, cut to desired shapes and serve.


VARIATIONS -
1) You can add a few drops of rose essence.
2) You can add a little powdered cardamom powder.
3) You can also add your desired food color.    

Applesauce Cake

Shortening - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 1 1/2 cups
Egg - 2
All purpose flour - 2 cups (sifted)
Cocoa - 2tbsp
Salt - 3/4tsp
Cinnamon - 1 1/2tsp
Cloves - 1/4tsp
Baking powder - 1 1/2tsp
Nutmeg - 1/2tsp
All spice - 1/2tsp
Soda - 1/2tsp
Applesauce - 1 1/2 cup
Raisins - 1 cup
Nuts - 1/2 cup (Mixed and chopped)


Method -

Cream shortening, sugar and egg, beat well. Add dry ingredients, beat well again. Add applesauce, raisins and nuts and fold gently.

Transfer the mixture to a 9*13 inch pan, bake at 350F in an oven for 25 to 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and cool.  Frost with chocolate frosting or serve plain.

Besan Laddu

Serves 8 to 10

Besan - 1 Cup
Sugar - 3/4 Cup (Adjust accordingly)
Ghee - 7 tbsp
Nuts - As much as you like. You can add any like cashews, almonds or pine nuts.

Here for this version I blended about 50g almonds to a powder consistency.

Heat ghee in a thick bottom pan, add the besan and saute it for 3 to 4 minutes. Once the raw smell vanishes, add the sugar and almond powder. Now put off the flame. Mix through the hot mixture and let it cool for sometime. After a while take one hand full of the mixture and start making to a ball. Keep the ball aside on a plate to cool completely. Continue making the balls till the mixture finishes.

Instant Vanilla Cake (Eggless)

Superb desert to serve your unexpected guests / kids. The ingredients are so simple and hardly takes 4 minutes.

Serves 6 to 9 (1inch pieces)

All purpose flour / Maida - 2 1/2 tbsp
Cornflour / Cornstarch - 1/2 tbsp

Butter / Oil - 3 tbsp 

Baking Powder - 1/2 tsp

Sugar - 3 tbsp

Salt a pinch

Pure Vanilla extract - 1/4 tsp
Milk - 3 to 4 tbsp

Sieve & mix all the dry ingredients first, to this start combining the milk & butter(Melted). Transfer the mixture to a greased glass microwavable bowl.

Pop the bowl to the microwave and put it on high for 3 minutes or till the cake is done.

And your done a simple vanilla cake ready under 5 minutes. Enjoy with a scoop of ice cream :)

Also Check the instant chocolate-coffee-brownies.


Variation - To the same recipe you can add any one or two of the following -
1.Chocolate chips - 1tbsp (The one you like)
2.Banana - 2 inches fully ripe, mashed.
3.Nuts of your choice such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, pine nuts, etc. - 1tbsp make sure they are chopped.

Beetroot Or Carrot Halwa

A very simple delicious dessert. You can either use Beets or Carrots. However I love the Beets version.

Serves for 6 to 8

Beetroot OR Carrot - 2 Cups Shredded 

Ghee OR Butter - 2 tbsp

Milk - 2 1/2 Cups

Sugar - 1 Cup (Adjust)

Salt a pinch

Almonds - 5

Cashew - 10

In a blender pulse the almonds n cashew together and keep aside.

Heat the heavy bottom pan, add the Beets or Carrots and the ghee. Saute for 3 minutes. Next slowly add the milk and stir. Let this mixture simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes. Dont forget to stir in between.

Next add the sugar, salt and saute the mixture for 5 minutes. Lastly add the nuts, saute further for 3 minutes and serve warm with Vanilla ice cream.

Variation - You can add cardamom powder if you like. You could skip the nuts too if you dont like.
Add 4 cups milk instead of 2 1/2 cups, simmer for 15 mins. Kheer is ready.

Banana Coconut Salad

Very simple and healthy. This recipe is very very famous in India. Usually prepared during festival days or they give this as prasadam at temples.

Serves 4

Category - Sides / Dessert

Ripe Bananas - 4
Freshly shredded Coconut - 4 to 5 tbsp
Sugar - 6 to 8 tsp or to taste
Ghee or clarified Butter - 2 tsp (Optional)                
Raisins - 10 to 12

Thinly slice the bananas in circles. Add the bananas, coconut, sugar, ghee & raisins. Mix through nicely & serve immediately.

You can eat this fruity salad for breakfast / lunch / dinner or even for the munching time.

You can even replace sugar with honey / maple syrup.

Variation - You can add fresh ripe Jackfruit and Cashews too :)

Lemon Pie :)

The zesty tangy flavor makes me so happy to enjoy this pie. For a moment feels like eating a piece of heaven :D lol!!!!!!!

Serves 8 pieces

Category - dessert

Ready gram cracker pie - 1 (9 inch pie) 

Lemons - 4

Lemon Zest - Zest from 3 lemons

Sweet Condensed milk - 2 (14oz. each)

Egg yolks - 3

Pre heat the oven to 375F. Squeeze the juice from all the lemons & keep aside.

Beat the yolks nicely in a medium mixing bowl, then add the condensed milk & mix throughly. Next add in the lemon juice & zest combine well.

Pour the mixture to the pie and pop it in the oven & bake for 15 minutes. 

Let the pie come to room temperature then allow it to sit in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight.

Enjoy with a dollop of whip cream :)

Hmmmmmmm..................mmmmm........... :D

Apple halwa

I found this recipe through some source, its easy and delicious so thought I will share it with you all.
I further made a few changes to the original recipe for my convenience. This can be made for unexpected guests with less time.

Serves 4

Premium quality Red Apples - 3Nos. (Grated)
Sugar - 12 to 15tsp (As per your taste)
Almonds - 10Nos. (Chopped)
Cashew nuts - 25Nos.(Chopped)
Ghee - 4tbsp
Milk - 4tbsp
Salt - a pinch

In a wok heat the ghee, saute the chopped almonds n cashew for few mins, set aside leaving behind the ghee in the wok. Next add in the apples saute for 5 mins. Next add the milk n saute further for 10 mins.
Next add the sugar n a pinch of salt, saute till the mixture is set, lastly add the nuts.

Serve warm or cold :)


Variation - Add 3 to 4 cups milk instead of 4 tbsp, this way its apple kheer / pudding recipe.

Trifle Pudding

Anybody will like this pudding. Can be prepared with just a few mins however you got to wait a while to eat it....... I know its tempting and cant wait ;)

Serves for a small group.

Plain/ Pound cake - A few Slices (Can use any flavor of your choice)
Vanilla Custard - 2 cups (Prepare according to the directions on the pack)
Mixed Jam / Any jam of your choice - A few Tbsp
                     OR
Any flavor Jelly - 1 Pack (Prepare according to the directions on the pack and cut into cubes after set)
Mixed Fruits plus add a little dry fruits if you like - 2 small Cups (Chopped to bite size - Can use bananas, apples, pears, grapes, mango,etc.)
Whipped Cream / cherry - As required (Optional)
Sugar - 1tbsp
Serving Glass bowls / shot glasses - 6 to 8No. (Depends on the serving size)

Put the cleaned and dry serving Glasses in the fridge, then start preparing the Custard.
I prefer to make jelly a day before your make the pudding.
Mix the chopped fruits with sugar and set aside.
If using Jam, Double boil the jam and take off, when it reaches liquid stage. Prepare this just before assembling.
Once the custard is at room temperature, mix the fruits to it and set aside.

Arranging the layers-
Now, take the serving glasses off the fridge, arrange the cake as the first layer. You can lay cake slices if using cups, for shot glasses crumble the cake.
Next,  lay the jelly / jam mixture.
Over it spoon the custard fruit mixture.
Wrap the plastic wrap over the bowls / glasses. Pop it in the fridge for about 30 to 45mins to set.
For serving, top it with Whipped cream & a cherry.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!! 

Rava Laadu

For all the sweet tooth, you are gonna love this..... This is a Traditional South Indian Sweet and is dead easy to make and more simple to eat :D lol!!!!!! yeah its super yummy :) :) :)

Rava Laadu

Serves - Almost 2 Dozens

You will need the following -

Small Suji / Rava - 2Cups
Ghee - 6Tbsp
Sugar - 1 3/4 to 2Cups (Adjust according to your preference)
Fresh Coconut scrapping - 2 hands full
Cashews / Raisins - 2Tbsp (Can add both together also, but i used only cashews)
Milk - 1 to 3tsp

In a thick bottom pan, heat the ghee and add the Rava and saute for about 5 mins. (You should saute till you start smelling the aroma of ghee & Rava).

Next add in the sugar and cashews mix quickly coz the sugar starts to melt, continue mixing for 1 min. Then at this point add the coconut and put off the flame after 1 min. Sprinkle the milk, and start forming balls.
(The size can be as you wish.)

The mixture will be hot so make sure your comfortable. Or else wait for 3 to 5 mins and start.

Serve super yummy Rava Laadu / Suji Laadu after 1 hour.

Note - While adding milk make sure you are adding a little only, we add milk just to boost the mixture a little moist.

Chocolate Coffee Brownies :) - Just in under 10 mins!!!!!!!!!!

These chocolate brownies are so awesome, you can make it just under 10 mins.... I made these on a microwave and they are flour less :)

Serves 10 to 12 pieces (roughly)

Category - Dessert

Coco Powder - 5 to 6tsp
Unsalted Butter - 3tbsp
Instant Coffee Powder - 1tsp OR Decaffeinated Coffee - 20ml
Caster Sugar - 7 to 8tsp
Egg - 1No. (You can omit too, add a little more baking powder.)
Oil - 2tsp
Baking powder - 1tsp
Baking soda - Just a Pinch

You will also need - 1 small microwaveable cup and a microwaveable glass bowl for this recipe. (I used a square bowl, can see it in the picture)
Also a medium size mixing bowl and a small bowl. And a spatula off course :)

Put the butter in a microwaveable cup, heat it for 20 seconds and keep it aside.

In a small bowl break open an egg and beat it well and keep it aside.

Grease the glass bowl n dust a little flour and keep it aside.

Now pick up your mixing bowl add in the coco powder, sugar, baking powder and baking soda mix well. Then add in the coffee powder / caffeine, mix. Now add in the butter and oil, fold..... then add the egg and fold the whole mixture gently.... Make sure there are no lumps anywhere......

Now the mixture should be like Dosa batter consistency.

Transfer the mixture to the greased glass bowl and place it in the microwave. Keep it exactly in the middle of the microwave.

Put on the microwave for about 2 minutes and 20 sec......... Check the ends, if the color has changed then it is ready. If you feel difficult on checking the ends, you could also use a knife, dip it in the middle and check, i mean eat a little of it. If you feel its still not done then further put it on for 20 or 30 seconds.....

The time here depends coz of the voltage. So to play safe, microwave at intervals where you can have a check in between....


Now how to serve them - Heat the brownies for about 20 to 30 seconds on the microwave just before you serve. Then you could enjoy them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or just with whipped cream or you could also eat it plain with a dash of chocolate syrup over it.....

Cream Burfi

Cream burfi is a sweet which is similar to the famous Mysore Paak. The first thing which comes to mind about sweets is calories........... But this sweet is with only little calories and everyone can enjoy....

Serves about 10 to 15 pieces.

Cream of fresh milk - 2 cups (cream extracted from fresh milk)
Sugar - 1/2 cup

In a sauce pan mix the cream and sugar together and put on the heat. Stir continuously. Remove when it becomes non sticky (it takes a lot of time to get here) and spread the mixture evenly onto a greased plate. Cut into desired shape. Cool to room temperature and then it is ready to serve.