Strawberry Pudding

          Yet another dessert option - this simple and yummy homemade strawberry pudding makes for a perfect summer treat. Made with fresh strawberries, evaporated milk and jelly crystals, they are extremely light and divine. Be sure to have them chilled. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 10-12 fresh strawberry, chopped
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 2 tbsp. sugar or to taste
• few drops of vanilla essence (opt)
• 1 & 1/2 tsp. gelatin
• 1 & 1/2 cups water
• 2 tbsp. strawberry jelly crystals + 1 tsp. sugar
• melted butter to grease
• sliced strawberries & mint sprig to garnish (opt)

          In a small bowl, mix together 3/4 cup hot water, sugar and the jelly crystals till it dissolves.  

         Transfer to a greased mould and freeze for just 15-20 minutes as I want it to blend slightly with the strawberry pudding .

         Meanwhile, blend the chopped strawberries into a puree. Then add in sugar and blend again. Transfer into a bowl and add the milk and vanilla essence. 

         Mix everything well and keep aside. Mix the gelatin in the remaining water and heat it on a medium flame till it dissolves. Keep aside to cool down.

         Mix the gelatin to the strawberry mix and pour this over the jelly that was sitting in the freezer. Chill for 4-5 hours or till it is set.

          While serving, run a knife along the edges of the mould and gently flip it over a serving dish. Garnish with sliced strawberry and a sprig of mint and serve.

                  Mix together 3/4 cup hot water, sugar & jelly crystals till it dissolves.  

                    Transfer to a greased mould & freeze for 15-20 minutes as I want it 
                    to blend slightly with the strawberry pudding .

                                 Meanwhile, blend chopped strawberries into a puree. 

                                 Then add in sugar & blend again. 

                                 Transfer into a bowl.

                                  Add milk & vanilla essence. Mix well

                      Mix gelatin in the remaining water & heat on a medium flame till it 
                      dissolves. Keep aside to cool down.

Mix gelatin liquid to strawberry mix & pour this over the jelly

                               that was sitting in the freezer. Chill for 4-5 hours or till it is set.

While serving, run a knife along the edges of the mould & gently flip it over

                  a serving dish. Garnish with sliced strawberry & a sprig of mint and serve.

Mango Pudding

          If you are a mango lover like me, then do try this extremely easy recipe of Mango Pudding. You will simply love it. Make full use of the mango season and make in large batches to be devoured as and when you feel like. They are a perfect summer dessert. Serve them chilled with all the toppings. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 3 mangoes, chopped
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 2-3 tbsp. sugar or to taste
• 1 tbsp. gelatin
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• few mango cubes, saffron strands, cardamom powder, mint sprig & chopped pistachios to garnish (opt)

          Blend together mangoes, sugar, milk, cardamom powder and rose water into a smooth puree. 

          In a small bowl, combine together gelatin and water and keep aside for 10 minutes.

          Bring the gelatin mix to a boil on a low flame and keep stirring till it dissolves. Keep aside to cool down.

          Then mix it with the mango puree. Give it a stir and pour it in a mould or spoon it in individual bowls. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or till it sets.

          While serving, demold them and garnish with chopped mangoes, saffron strands, mint sprigs, cardamom powder and chopped pistachios

                               Take 3 Alphonso mangoes.

                               Blend mangoes, 

                                 sugar,

                               milk,

                                cardamom powder & rose water....

                                ...into a smooth puree.

                                 In a bowl take 1 tbsp. gelatin...

                                 ....& water. Mix well.

                               Gently boil on a low flame till gelatin is dissolved.

                                After it cools down add to the mango puree & mix well.

                                Pour into molds & set in the refrigerator.

                    Garnish with chopped mangoes, saffron, mint sprig, chopped pistachios &                                          cardamom powder. Serve chilled.

Tea Panna Cotta (Dessert - Italian Style)

   
          This is an amazing Italian dessert where I gave a tea flavor to it. I used Agar Agar powder for the thickening. Traditionally it is prepared with milk and / or cream. But in this recipe, I made use of some full fat milk with two other flavoring agents - cardamom and cinnamon powder besides tea bags. It is a light after-meal dessert. You can experiment with the tea flavors by adding Earl Grey Tea, Green Tea, etc. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 2-3 tea bags
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• 2-3 cardamoms, bruised
• 500 ml. full fat milk
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 & 1/2  tbsp. agar agar powder
• 1/2 cup powdered brown sugar or to taste
• 1/4 tsp. of cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla essence
• chopped dry fruits to garnish

          Place the tea bags along with ginger and cardamoms in a bowl and add 1/2 cup hot water to it. Cover and keep aside for 30 minutes to brew. Then strain it and keep the liquid aside. 

          Meanwhile bring the milk to a boil. Add sugar and cinnamon powder. Stir to dissolve. Simmer for 5 minutes on low flame by stirring continuously. Add the vanilla essence, mix well and keep aside to cool.

          Add the agar agar in remaining hot water and mix well so that there are no lumps. When the milk has cooled down, add the agar agar mix and the tea liquid. 

          Stir well and pour into individual glasses. Refrigerate for 4-5 hours for it to set properly. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve as an after meal dessert.

                      Pour hot water over tea bags, ginger & cardamoms. Set aside for 30 
                      minutes to brew.

                                 Strain & keep the liquid aside.

                     Bring milk to a boil. Add sugar & cinnamon powder. Stir continuously. 
                     Add vanilla essence & set aside to cool. 

                Mix agar agar in remaining hot water. Add to the cooled down milk, mix 
                well & pour into individual glasses. Refrigerate to set.

Garnish with chopped nuts & serve.