Black Grapes & Gooseberry Rasam

           Experimented with a new combination of black grapes and gooseberry to make this amazing rasam. It turned out real lip smacking with a slight hint of sweetness and tanginess mixed together. You can go easy in the use of pepper to make it equally spicy too. Well, you can relish it with plain steamed rice for a great comfort meal or can enjoy as a piping hot soup, especially during a cold winter night.  

• 8-10 black grapes, pureed
• 2-3 tbsp. gooseberry puree
• 1 tbsp. ghee / oil 
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds 
• 1 sprig curry leaves 
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• salt to taste 
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds 
• 1/2 tsp. whole peppercorns 
• 2-3 garlic
• 2 cups water
• 1-2 green chilies, slit (opt)
• 1 tsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Grind the cumin seeds, peppercorns, garlic and some water into a smooth paste. 

          Heat ghee / oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds. After it stops spluttering, add the curry leaves and asafoetida. Sauté for a few seconds. 

          Add the ground paste and sauté till the oil separates. Add water, pureed grapes, pureed gooseberries, salt and green chilies. Bring it to a boil. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. 

          Switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves. Enjoy with plain steamed rice or as a soup. 

Fruity Malpua Pizza - Fusion Style

          PIZZA is an universally favourite fast food. So now how about having it as a dessert? Here is my version of a 'FRUIT PIZZA' that can be served as an after-meal dessert. There are two other sweets hidden in it -  The pizza base is that of MALPUA, which is generously spread with SHRIKHAND (hung yoghurt) and finally topped with some colourful fruits. 

          I tried to keep this amazing pizza, simple, healthy and appealing. Any other variety of fruits can be used. So go ahead and create your own fruit pizza by checking out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this visual treat.

Ingredients for Malpua - 

• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour (atta)
• 1/4 cup semolina (sooji)
• 1 -2 tsp. sugar or to taste
• pinch of cardamom powder
• 1/2 tsp. fennel seeds (saunf)
• milk as required
• oil to shallow fry

Ingredients for pizza sauce - 

• 400 gms. yoghurt
• powdered sugar to taste

Toppings - 

• black grapes
• plums
• watermelon
• kiwi
• any other fruits too, can be added

          To prepare the sweet pizza sauce - Pour the yoghurt in a cheesecloth and place it on a strainer. Keep a bowl under it and refrigerate overnight. 

         The thick hung yogurt is used in this recipe. Add powdered sugar to taste and mix well. Keep aside.

         To prepare malpua / pizza base - In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients (except milk and oil). Add milk little at a time and prepare a batter. Keep aside for 15-20 minutes. 

         Adjust the consistency. Add more milk / water if required as the batter should be of pouring consistency.

          Heat 1-2 tsp. oil and pour 2-3 ladleful of the batter (makes 2 malpuas). Cook on both sides on a medium flame till light golden in color. Drain on a kitchen towel. Prepare the other malpua too.

          To assemble the final Pizza - On the malpua, spread the hung yoghurt generously and top it up with your favorite fruits in a nice, attractive pattern.

          Refrigerate for an hour. Cut into slices and serve as an after-meal dessert.

                 Pour yoghurt in a cheese cloth & place on a strainer. Keep a bowl under it
                 & refrigerate overnight. The thick hung yoghurt is used in this recipe. 

                                  Add powdered sugar & mix well. Keep aside.

                     Mix all ingredients (except milk & oil). Add milk & prepare a batter.
                     Keep aside for 15-20 minutes. 

                                 Heat 1-2 tsp. oil & pour 2-3 ladleful of the batter.

                   Cook both sides on med. flame till light golden. Drain on a kitchen towel.

                                 Slice / chop fruits as desired.

                                Take one malpua.....

Spread hung yoghurt over it.

Place fruits as desired in an attractive pattern. Refrigerate for an hour.

                       Cut into slices & serve as an after-meal dessert.