Red Dragon Fruit Sandesh

 

               Sandesh is a very popular Bengali sweet that is made of homemade chenna (cottage cheese). However, I made these yummy Sandesh with store bought Paneer which turned out great. They are either baked, steamed or gently cooked in a non-stick pan till thick. This is the latter version. It is then formed into desired shapes. 

              

           These days Sandesh can be found in various flavors. So try out this vibrant and appealing Dragon Fruit Sandesh, where the paneer is combined with the fruit puree to make this delicious and appealing Sandesh. Molds can be used for shaping it or made into round or oblong balls. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this regional dessert.

• 1 Red Dragon Fruit, pureed
• 1 tsp. ghee
• 200 gms. paneer, mashed
• 1/3 cup milk powder
• 1-2 tbsp. castor sugar
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder

          Blend the paneer in the mixer grinder or knead it well with your hands till smooth and soft. Transfer to a non-stick pan and add rest of the ingredients. 

          Mix everything well and keep stirring continuously on a low flame till the moisture dries up and it becomes thick. Transfer to a plate and let it cool down slightly. Then mash again.

          Take a small portion and form into equal size balls. Make a dent in the center and garnish with chopped pistachios and almonds. 

          You can give any shape of your choice. You can also use a mold here. Make similar Sandesh following the same method. 

          Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy as an after-meal dessert or as a festive dessert.

Blend the paneer or knead it well with your hands till smooth & soft. Transfer to a non-stick pan & add rest of the ingredients. 

Mix everything well & keep stirring continuously on a low flame till the moisture dries up & it becomes thick.

  Transfer to a plate & let it cool down slightly. Then mash again.

Take a small portion & form into equal size balls. Make a dent in the center and garnish with chopped pistachios and almonds. 

Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy as an after-meal dessert or as a festive dessert.

Nolen Gurer Sandesh (Bengali Sweet)

 

          Nolen Gurer Sandesh is a very popular Bengali sweet that is made of homemade chenna (cottage cheese). However, I made these yummy sandesh with store bought Paneer which turned out great. They are either baked, steamed or gently cooked in a non-stick pan till thick. This is the latter version. It is then formed into desired shapes. 

          These days Sandesh can be found in various flavors. But this particular recipe is a traditional one where the chenna is combined with date palm jaggery to make this delicious and aromatic Sandesh. Molds can be used for shaping it or made into round or oblong balls.

          Nolen Gur (Date Palm Jaggery) is not easily found everywhere. It is a seasonal delicacy, available only in Kolkata and in West Bengal in particular. 

          We make it a point to procure it from any family friend / relative coming from Kolkata and treasure it to last for a long time. 

          A number of sweets like - Sandesh, Rasgulla, Kheer, Ice Cream, misti doi, etc. can be made from this jaggery. As a substitute you can try this recipe with any normal jaggery. So good luck!!!!

• 200 gms. Amul Paneer
• 1/2 cup nolen gur (Date Palm Jaggery), grated
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• pinch of saffron
• 1 tsp. ghee to grease the molds

           Blend the paneer in the mixer grinder or knead it well with your hands till smooth and soft. 

           Transfer to a non-stick pan and add the grated jaggery, saffron and cardamom powder. 

          Mix everything well and keep stirring continuously on a low flame till it becomes thick. Transfer to a plate and keep aside to cool down slightly. 

          Grease the molds with some ghee. Take a small portion of the paneer-jaggery mix and place on a mold by gently pressing it. 

          Slowly demold it and place them on a serving plate. (In this recipe, I used a maamoul mold as I did not have a traditional Sandesh mold). 

         Make similar Sandesh following the same method. Serve as an after-meal dessert or as an festive dessert.

Transfer the paneer to a non-stick pan & add grated jaggery, saffron & cardamom powder. 

Mix everything well & keep stirring continuously on a low flame till it becomes thick.

                      Transfer to a plate & keep aside to cool down slightly. 

Grease the molds with some ghee. Take a small portion of the paneer-jaggery mix & place on a mold by gently pressing it. In this recipe, I used a maamoul mold as I did not have a traditional Sandesh mold. 

                  Gently demold it & place them on a serving plate. 

              Serve as an after-meal dessert or as a festive sweet.

Karak Tea / Chai (UAE style)

 

          Karak Tea is very popular in UAE and other Middle Eastern countries. This delectable fragrant milky tea is spiced with cardamom and saffron, the two secret ingredients that goes into making it. Evaporated milk, which is thick and creamy is also used in this recipe. 

          You can enjoy this Karak Chai along with cookies, biscuits, dates, donuts or any savory snacks as accompaniments. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this most favored and comforting drink.

           Karak Tea is found in every street corner cafeterias and is usually served in paper cups. Any time and every time of the day you will find people enjoying it. 

          Instead of the normal evaporated milk, you can also go in for cardamom flavored evaporated milk. In that case, use less of cardamom.

          This tea is almost similar to Indian Masala Chai, minus cinnamon and cloves. So it is slightly on the milder side. It can also be made sugar free as per your preference. 

• 2 cups water 
• 2-3 green cardamom, crushed 
• 2 tbsp. black tea leaves / dust 
• 2 tbsp. sugar or to taste 
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk 
• pinch of saffron

          Heat water in a saucepan along with crushed cardamom and let it come to a boil. 

          Add sugar and keep stirring till it dissolves. 

          Now add the tea and bring it to a boil. 

          Add the milk and simmer on a low flame for 4-5 minutes. 

          Switch off the flame and strain in a tea pot or in individual tea cups. 

          Garnish with few strands of saffron and enjoy !!!!!1

                            Heat water along with crushed cardamom & let it come to a boil. 

                                  Add sugar and keep stirring till it dissolves. 

                                  Now add the tea and bring it to a boil. 

                                  Add the milk and simmer on a low flame for 4-5 minutes. 

                           Switch off the flame & strain in a tea pot or in individual tea cups. 

                                 Garnish with few strands of saffron and enjoy !!!!!1

Rosemary Kadha / Immunity Booster Drink

 

              This immune booster drink is the need of the time. It's refreshing as it will surely soothe your nerves and keep you going throughout the day. I skipped the mandatory basil / mint and instead, added some rosemary herb, as apart from adding a flavour to the drink, it has many health benefits. I also included some fresh turmeric. 

             You can enjoy this drink hot or chilled, along with some ice cubes, according to your preference, anytime of the day. The brown sugar (or any sweetener) can be omitted if you wish. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this traditional Indian medicine. 

          Ginger and lime contains vitamin C and other anti oxidants. The intake of ginger wards off nausea, stomach ailments and strengthens our immunity. Lime improves digestion, is good for the tummy, removes toxins from our body and relieves constipation.

           Fresh turmeric root has its own health benefits. It has anti inflammatory properties, lowers cholesterol and prevents cancer. 

          Rosemary is a fragrant herb that improves blood circulation, boosts the immune system and aids in digestion.

          Lastly, the whole spices are high in antioxidants as they lower blood sugar level / blood pressure, reduces inflammation, digestive problems and improves cholesterol, relieves indigestion and constipation.

          So a cupful of this healthy drink has a lot of healing properties. It relieves any cold during winter and boosts our energy. So it is beneficial to include kadha in our everyday life. 

• 3 cups water
• pinch of salt (opt)
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 3 green cardamoms 
• 6 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds
• 1/2 tsp. carom seeds
• 10-12 whole peppercorns
• 1" ginger
• 1" fresh turmeric
• 2 tbsp. rosemary
• lime juice to taste
• brown sugar / jaggery / honey to taste

          Crush all the ingredients (except lime & sweetener) in a mortal & pestle.

          Add water in a pan along with a pinch of salt and bring it to a boil. Then add all the crushed ingredients. 

          Simmer for 10 minutes on a low flame till it is slightly reduced. When done, switch off the flame and keep it covered for 5 minutes. 

          Then strain and serve with lime juice and brown sugar / jaggery / honey to taste.

                                 The ingredients to be crushed. 

                          Crush all the ingredients (except lime & sweetener) in a mortal & pestle.

                            Add water in a pan along with a pinch of salt & bring it to a boil. 

                                  Then add all the crushed ingredients. 

                       Simmer for 10 minutes on a low flame till it is slightly reduced. When done, 

                       switch off the flame and keep it covered for 5 minutes. 

 Strain. 

Serve with lime juice & honey / brown sugar / jaggery.

Masala Ginger Lime Tea

          This immune booster drink is the need of the time. It's refreshing, spicy and a tangy concoction that will surely soothe your nerves and keep you going throughout the day. You can enjoy it hot or chilled, along with some ice cubes, according to your preference, anytime of the day. The tea and the honey (or any sweeteners) can be omitted if you wish.

       
          Ginger and lime contains vitamin C and other anti oxidants. The intake of ginger wards off nausea, stomach ailments and of course strengthens our immunity. 

          Lime on the other hand, improves digestion, is good for the tummy, removes toxins from our body and relieves constipation.

          Lastly, the whole spices are high in antioxidants as they lower blood sugar level / blood pressure, reduces inflammation, digestive problems and improves cholesterol, relieves indigestion and constipation.

          So a cupful of this healthy drink (with all the above mentioned ingredients) has a lot of healing properties. It relieves any cold during winter and boosts our energy with or without the spices, tea or honey.

• 1 litre water
• 1" ginger, sliced 
• 2" cinnamon stick 
• 3 green cardamoms 
• 5 cloves 
• 1 tsp. carom seeds 
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds 
• pinch of salt
• 1-2 tsp. tea leaves / 2 tea bags
• lime juice to taste
• honey / brown sugar / jaggery to taste

          Bring the water to a boil in a pan. Then add all the ingredients (except tea, lime juice and honey). Simmer for 8-10 minutes on a low flame till it is slightly reduced.

          When done, switch off the flame and add the tea leaves. Keep it covered for 5 minutes. Then strain and serve with lime juice and honey / brown sugar / jaggery to taste.