Apple Sooji Halwa (Semolina Pudding)

          Sooji Halwa or Semolina pudding is a very common sweet prepared in many households on various occasions. It is one of the easiest desserts that can be dished out in a ziffy. So why not try it, but with a difference? Add some apple puree to it for an exotic twist. 

          Give an appealing and an appetizing look by spooning them into silicone moulds. Serve these beauties as an after-meal dessert or with pooris / parathas for a wholesome breakfast. So check out the step by step pictorial to prepare this amazing dessert.

• 1/2 cups sooji / semolina
• 2-3 tbsp. ghee
• 3-4 tbsp. sugar or to taste
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• pinch of salt
• 2-3 tbsp. chopped nuts
• 1 apple, chopped
• 1 tsp. rose water
• few drops of yellow food colour (opt)

          Boil the apples in 1/2 cup water till they turns soft. Set aside to cool and blend into a puree. Heat the ghee in a pan and stir fry the semolina on a medium flame till you get a nice aroma.

          Add the chopped nuts (save some to garnish), sugar and cardamom powder. Mix well and add 2 cups water, followed by the salt and food colour.

          Keep stirring on a low flame till it thickens. Switch off the flame and cool for 4-5 minutes. Now add the apple puree and rose water.

          Give it a stir to combine well and spoon them into silicone moulds. Refrigerate for an hour. 

          Garnish with chopped nuts and pinch of cardamom powder. Relish as an after-meal dessert or as and when desired.

                     Heat ghee & sauté semolina on a med. flame till you get a nice aroma.

                       Add chopped nuts (save some to garnish), sugar & cardamom powder. 

                                  Mix well and add 2 cups water, followed by the salt

                                 and food colour. Keep stirring on a low flame till it thickens.

                     Switch off flame & cool for 4-5 minutes. Add apple puree & rose water.

                                  Spoon them into silicone moulds. Refrigerate for an hour. 

                       Garnish with chopped nuts & pinch of cardamom powder. And enjoy.

Apple & Grapes Malpua - Fusion Dessert

          Malpua and the festival of Holi goes hand in hand. Moreover, a little bit of innovation goes a long way in creating a great fusion dish for this festive occasion. So here is my take in coming up with an amazing dessert with some fruits and juice sitting in my refrigerator. 

          I must say this fusion style dessert turned out very yummy. Serve them chilled as an after-meal dessert or relish as and when desired. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup semolina
• pinch of salt
• 2-3 tbsp. sugar or to taste
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds
• 1 tsp. kewra / rose water
• 2 cups apple juice or as required
• 2 tbsp. chopped grapes
• 1-2 tbsp. chopped nuts & raisins
• ghee for shallow frying

          In a bowl, mix together sooji, atta, sugar, salt, cardamom powder, fennel seeds and required quantity of apple juice. 

          Prepare a batter and leave aside for 25-30 minutes. Add the chopped grapes and add more juice / water if needed. The batter should be of pouring consistency. 

          Heat a non-stick pan and add 1 tsp. of ghee. Pour a small ladleful of the batter and cook on both sides till light golden in colour. 

          Soak them in the apple juice for 5 minutes. Make similar malpuas with the remaining batter.

          Drain and arrange the malpuas on a serving plate and drizzle the apple juice over it.  Garnish with the chopped nuts and raisins. 

          Serve, chilled and enjoy this yummy exotic dessert as an after-meal dessert or as and when desired. 

                Mix sooji, atta, sugar, salt, cardamom powder, fennel seeds & some apple juice. 
                Prepare a batter & keep aside for 25-30 min.

                               Add chopped grapes and add more juice / water if needed. 

                    Heat a non-stick pan & add 1 tsp. of ghee. Pour a small ladleful of the 
                    batter.

                    Cook on both sides till light golden in colour. Soak them in the apple juice 
                    for 5 minutes. Make similar malpuas with the remaining batter.

                    Drain and arrange the malpuas on a serving plate. Drizzle apple juice
                    over it.  Garnish with chopped nuts & raisins. Serve, chilled & enjoy 
                    as an after-meal dessert or as & when desired.