Rosh Bora (Lentil Dumplings in Sugar Syrup - Bengali Sweet)

          This is a traditional Bengali homemade sweet not usually sold commercially. Rosh means syrup and bora means fritters / pakoras. So it is a simple recipe of deep fried pakoras made of  split urad dal (black gram lentil) and dunked in saffron infused sugar syrup. It is not so popular compared to other Bengali sweets, but nevertheless it is very yummy. For some variation, you can put few raisins inside the pakoras before frying them. Garnish with some chopped nuts and enjoy them chilled or at room temperature. 

• 1/4 cup urad dal (split black gram), soaked overnight
• 1/2 tsp. fennel seeds (saunf)
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 cups water
• pinch of saffron 
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• chopped dry fruits to garnish 
• oil to deep fry

          For the syrup, take water, cardamoms and sugar in a pan and bring it to a boil. Simmer for 8-10 minutes. Add the saffron and keep aside. 

          Grind the urad dal to a smooth paste by using very little water. Add the fennel seeds, salt, cardamom powder and baking soda. Mix everything well and beat for a while to make it fluffy.

          Heat oil. Make small round balls out of the dal mix and deep fry them in batches till golden brown in color. Drain and add them to the syrup. 

          Soak for a couple of hours. Garnish with the chopped nuts and serve at room temperature or chilled. 

Eggless Paneer Pudding

          I'm always on the lookout for anything simple and easy. So here is a yummy eggless pudding made of paneer / cottage cheese and is a must try. It has only two main ingredients in it. I have made use of store bought Amul Paneer but you can always go in for homemade ones. You can dish out this delicacy at a short notice. It is perfect for any party, festive occasion or after-meal dessert. Garnish it as per your preference and enjoy it chilled with your loved ones. 

• 200 gms. paneer, mashed till smooth 
• pinch of saffron 
• 2 drops of yellow food colour (opt)
• 90-100 gms. condensed milk
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp. chopped pista
• 1 tsp. rose water
• extra chopped pista, tutti frutti & cherries to garnish

          In a bowl, mix together all the above mentioned ingredients (except the garnishings). 

          Transfer to a greased steel container with a lid and steam for 12-15 minutes.

          Demould when it cools down and serve, garnish with chopped pista, tutti frutti and cherries.

          

Bhapa Sondesh Paturi (Steamed Sandesh in Banana Leaf - Bong style)

           These are sugar free and yummy sondesh made with homemade paneer and dates. So time to indulge in some desserts guilt free. What say? So go ahead and give it a try. It is a very simple and a healthy steamed delicacy that can be made to surprise your loved ones. It is perfect for weight watchers and is diabetic friendly too. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1 litre milk (made 6 parcels)
• pinch of saffron
• juice of 1 lime diluted with 1/4 cup water
• 12-15 dates, soaked in warm water for an hour
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• banana leaf as required

          Add the saffron to the milk and bring it to a boil. Switch off the flame and pour in the lime juice. Give it a stir and cover for a minute. The milk will start curdling. Drain on a muslin cloth and place it on a colander for 30 minutes. 
          
          Puree the soaked dates and mix with the paneer and cardamom powder. Cut the banana leaf into desired shapes and place them on the fire for a few seconds to make them pliable.

          Place a small portion of the mix in the centre and gently fold them into a parcel. Do the same with the rest of the paneer-date mix.

           Steam them for 10-12 minutes and set aside to cool. Serve these steamed delicacies at room temperature or chilled as an after meal dessert or when desired.

                                            Mix with the paneer and cardamom powder. 

                                      Place a small portion of the mix in the centre.

                       Fold them into a parcel. Do the same with rest of paneer-date mix.

                                     Steam them for 10-12 minutes and allow them to cool. 

                                            The steamed bhapa sondesh.

                             Serve these steamed delicacies at room temperature or chilled 
                             as an after meal dessert or when desired.

Sugar Free Patishapta Pitha (Bengali Sweet)

          All the weight watchers out there, no need to despair. Now you can indulge in some sugar free sweets guilt free. Let me share this healthy and yummy Bengali Sankranti special patishapta pithe - fusion style. I have not added any sugar or artificial colour. It only has the goodness of fruits and can be relished as and when desired.

          The pithe is made up of whole wheat flour, semolina and pureed apples, whereas the stuffing is that of homemade paneer and dates puree. How is that? It is a diabetic friendly sweet and can be made a day in advance. So do give it a try by following a step by step pictorial recipe. "Happy Indulgence."

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/3 cup semolina
• pinch of salt
• 2 apples, grated
• paneer made from 1&1/2 litres milk
• 20-25 dates, soaked in warm water for an hour and pureed
• 1 tbsp. mixed nuts, chopped
• 1 tsp. rose / kewra water
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 cup milk
• water as needed
• 1-2 dates, chopped to garnish (opt)
• few chopped apple to garnish (opt)
• oil to shallow fry

           In a pan cook the grated apple along with some water till it is soft. Set aside to cool and then blend into a puree.

           Make a batter with the apple puree, whole wheat flour, semolina, pinch of salt, half of the cardamom powder, rose water, milk and required quantity of water. Keep aside for 15-20 minutes. Adjust water accordingly as the batter should be of pouring consistency.

          Mix  the pureed dates, paneer and chopped nuts (save some to garnish). Keep aside. 

           Heat a non-stick pan and pour a ladleful of the batter. Spread it into a round circle. Cook on a low flame on both sides. Take some of the paneer mix and place them lengthwise. 

          Gently fold the pancake and transfer to a plate. Make similar patishapta pithe with the remaining batter and the stuffing.

          Garnish with the remaining nuts, chopped dates and chopped apples. Serve at room temperature or chilled. 

                     Make a batter with apple puree, whole wheat flour, semolina, pinch of 
                     salt, half of cardamom powder, rose water, milk & some water. Keep 
                     aside for 15-20 minutes. 

                                Mix the pureed dates, paneer and chopped nuts. Keep aside. 

  
                     Heat a non-stick pan & pour a ladleful of batter. Spread into a round
                     circle. Cook on low flame on both sides. Take some paneer mix &
                     place them lengthwise. 

                     Fold the pancake & transfer to a plate. Make similar patishapta 
                     pithe with the remaining batter and the stuffing.

                        Garnish with the remaining nuts, chopped dates & chopped apples. 
                        Serve at room temperature or chilled.