Bajra (Pearl Millet) Dates Burfi

           Want to surprise your family and friends with a really unique dessert? Then try this guilt free burfi made of Bajra (Pearl Millet) and dates. I have not added any sugar or artificial colour and I guess this type of burfi is generally not made or heard of. 

          So give it a try and surprise your loved ones with this healthy and exotic dessert. They are extremely easy and quick to prepare. Serve them as an offering to God or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to be enjoyed later.

• 1/2 cup bajra grains, dry roasted & ground to a fine powder
• 12-15 seedless dates, soaked in warm water for an hour
• 3 tbsp. ghee
• 2 tbsp. milk powder
• 2 tbsp. almond powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1 tbsp. mixed nuts
• 1 tsp. dry rose petals
• 1/2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

          Blend the dates into a fine paste and keep aside. Heat 2 tbsp. ghee in a pan and sauté the bajra powder for 1-2 minutes. 

          Add the dates puree, milk powder and almond powder. Mix well and add the milk followed by the cardamom powder.

           Combine everything well and continue to sauté on a low flame till everything comes together and leaves the sides of the pan. Add the remaining ghee and mix well.

           Switch off the flame and add the rose water. Transfer to a greased plate and garnish with the chopped nuts, rose petals and sesame seeds.

           Set aside to cool down before refrigerating for an hour. Cut as desired and relish this unique, healthy and exotic dessert.

          

         

Baked Date Pudding

           This is a simple and a yummy Date Pudding that can be relished as an after-meal dessert or as a tea-time snack. Any sauce of your choice like chocolate sauce, caramel sauce or maple syrup can be drizzled over it and enjoyed. In my case, I had with some homemade rabdi. So check out a quick step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1 & 1/2 cups pitted dates, chopped
• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 2-3 tbsp. sugar, powdered
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup plain flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• butter to grease
• sweet boondi & chopped pistachios to garnish
• rabdi to serve

          Soak the dates in milk for an hour. Mix well. In a bowl, mix together sugar and butter. Add the eggs and whisk till all the ingredients are well combined.

          Now add the date mix and again whisk well. Add the plain flour, baking powder and cardamom powder. Combine everything properly.

          Transfer to a greased & floured baking tin and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 35-40 minutes. Do the toothpick test to ensure it is well baked. 

          Set aside to cool down and then demould it on a serving plate. Garnish with some chopped pistachios and boondi. Enjoy as it is or with some rabdi drizzled over.

                                Mix sugar & butter. 

                                Add eggs & whisk till all ingredients are well combined.

                                Now add the date mix & again whisk well. 

                                Add plain flour, baking powder & cardamom powder. 

                                Mix everything properly.

                        Transfer to a greased & floured baking tin & bake at 180 degrees C. 
                        for 35-40 minutes. Do the toothpick test to ensure it is well baked. 

                   Demould it on a serving plate. Garnish with some chopped pistachios & 
                   boondi. Enjoy as it is or with some rabdi drizzled over.