Kuttu Atta Modak (Buckwheat Flour Modak)

 

          Modak is a sweet dumpling that is offered to Lord Ganesha. Without it, celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi is incomplete. There are many types of modak available in the market. They are traditionally prepared with rice flour and with a coconut-jaggery stuffing. 

            However, let me share a healthy modak recipe made of Buckwheat flour and jaggery. I flavored it with cardamom powder and saffron. Very easy to prepare, they can be made in a very short time. The end result are these yummy and healthy Modak that can be offered to Lord Ganesha on this festive occasion. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this divine festive treat.

• 1 tsp. ghee
• 1 cup kuttu Atta
• 1/2 cup jaggery powder
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• a pinch of saffron
• 2-3 tbsp. water / milk or as required
• few chopped pistachios

          Heat ghee in a pan and add the kuttu atta. Roast on a low flame for 2-3 minutes or till light golden in color. 

          Switch off the flame and add the cardamom powder, pinch of saffron and jaggery powder. 

          Transfer the mix to a bowl and mix everything well.

          Add water, little at a time, to make it moist. It should come together when you hold it in a fist. 

          Grease a modak mold with some ghee and add few chopped pistachios. Then fill it with a small portion of the prepared dough. Press it with your fingers to make the modak. 

          Now gently demold and arrange it on a serving plate. Make similar modak with the remaining mix. 

          Wow!!! tasty and healthy modak is ready to be offered to Lord Ganesha. 

                       Heat ghee in a pan.

Add the kuttu atta & roast on a low flame for 2-3 minutes or till light golden in color. 

   Switch off the flame & add the cardamom powder, pinch of saffron 

                     and jaggery. 

                  Transfer the mix to a bowl & mix everything well.

Add water, little at a time, to make it moist. It should come together when you hold it in a fist. 

Grease a modak mold with some ghee & add few chopped pistachios. 

Then fill it with a small portion of the prepared dough. Press it with your fingers to make the modak. 

Now gently demold & arrange it on a serving plate. Make similar modaks with the remaining mix. 

Wow!!! tasty and healthy modak is ready to be offered to Lord Ganesha. 

Muskmelon Kalakand

 

           Kalakand is a traditional and a very popular Indian dessert that is generally served during festivals and special occasions. It is prepared of crumbled paneer and is slightly grainy in texture. 

          So let me share this Muskmelon kalakand, which is a healthy version with the goodness of paneer and the fruit. Garnish as desired with chopped nuts and enjoy them chilled or at room temperature. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy and an unique dessert and surprise your loved ones.

           Muskmelon, on the other hand, is a hydrating fruit that is composed of 90% water content. It has many nutritional benefits as it is low in calories, keeps our body hydrated, improves digestion, is good for the heart and helps in weight control. 

          This is a very simple recipe with very few ingredients and takes very little time to dish out. You can set the kalakand in molds or on a greased plate and cut into desired shapes and sizes. Adjust the ghee and sweetness according to your preference. You can add jaggery or brown sugar instead, for a healthier version.  

• 200 gms. paneer, crumbled 
• 1 tbsp. ghee
• 1 cup muskmelon, pureed
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar or to taste 
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder 
• 1 tbsp. pistachios, chopped
• few saffron strands

      

          In a pan, add the muskmelon puree and simmer on a low flame till all the moisture has evaporated. 

          Add the crumbled paneer, sugar, ghee and cardamom powder. Mix everything well. 

         Now add the milk and keep stirring continuously on a low flame till the mixture starts to come together in a dough form & leaves the sides of the pan. 

          Transfer to any mold. Allow it to cool down and refrigerate for some time till it sets.  

          Enjoy as and when desired. Great for any festive occasion or as an after meal dessert. 

                       In a pan, add the muskmelon puree.

        Simmer on a low flame till all the moisture has evaporated. 

Add the crumbled paneer, sugar, ghee & cardamom powder. Mix well.

         

                       Now add the milk.

                   Keep stirring continuously on a low flame......

......till the mixture starts to come together in a dough form & leaves the sides of the pan. 

Transfer to any mold. Allow it to cool down & refrigerate for some time till it sets.  

Enjoy as & when desired. Great for any festive occasion or as an after meal dessert. 

Lauki Ki Kheer (Bottle Gourd Pudding / Payasam)

 

            Kheer / Payasam needs no intro. It is a very popular dessert during Indian festivals or any auspicious occasions. As Bottle Gourd has a cooling effect, this pudding is an absolutely healthy dessert. So do try this exotic Lauki Ki kheer and enjoy with your loved ones. It simply tastes yummy with its rich and creamy texture. It is a great festive and a party dessert, perfect for special occasions. This Lauki kheer can also be had on fasting days.  

        

          This recipe calls for very few ingredients and is prepared just like any other homemade kheer, except for the fact that the grated bottle gourd needs to be squeezed well before sautéing in ghee. 

          Garnish with chopped pistachios, almonds, dry rose petals and few saffron strands and serve it hot, warm or chilled. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy dessert. 

• 1 cup grated tender bottle gourd
• 2 tbsp. ghee
• 1/4 cup khoya
• 1/4 cup milk powder
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 & 1/2 cups full fat milk
• 1 tbsp. slivered almonds
• 1 tbsp. slivered pistachios
• 2 tbsp. raisins
• 1/4 cup jaggery powder
• pinch of saffron
• 1 tsp. kewra water
• 1 tsp. chopped nuts, saffron strands & few dry rose petals to garnish

          Squeeze out the water from the grated bottle gourd and keep aside. 

          Heat ghee in a pan and sauté the bottle gourd for 4-5 minutes or till the ghee separates from the sides of the pan. 

          Now add the khoya, milk powder and cardamom powder. Mix everything well so that there are no lumps. 

          Add the milk, slivered pistachios, almonds and raisins. Simmer on a low flame till it turns slightly thick.

          Add the jaggery and saffron. Continue to simmer by stirring at intervals till the kheer comes to a desired consistency. 

          Switch off the flame and add the kewra water. Set aside to bring it to room temperature. 

          Refrigerate for 1-2 hours if you want to have it chilled. However, it can also be served hot or at room temperature.

          Serve, garnished with chopped nuts, saffron strands & few dry rose petals.

                      Heat ghee in a pan.

Sauté the bottle gourd for 4-5 minutes or till the ghee separates from the sides of the pan. 

Add the khoya, milk powder & cardamom powder. Mix everything well so that there are no lumps. 

Add the milk, slivered pistachios, almonds & raisins. Simmer on a low flame till it turns slightly thick.

Add the jaggery & saffron. Continue to simmer by stirring at intervals till the kheer comes to a desired consistency. 

                   Switch off the flame & add the kewra water. 

Garnish with chopped nuts, saffron strands & few dry rose petals. Enjoy it hot, at room temperature or chilled.

Makhana Phirni (Fox Nut / Lotus Seeds Pudding / Kheer / Payasam)

 

               Phirni is a traditional rice pudding has its origins in the Northern regions of India. Very common and a popular Indian dessert, it is abundantly found in many sweet shops and prepared in many households. It is a must in all festivals, ceremonies, fasting days or any auspicious occasions. Typically, it is prepared with ground rice in a milk based creamy dessert. 

              

               So let me share a yummy version of phirni prepared with makhana / fox nuts. I sweetened it with jaggery to give a healthy touch and flavored it with saffron. Alternately, you may add brown sugar or date syrup instead. 

               It takes very little time to dish out and turns out just amazing with just a few ingredients. Serve it chilled in small earthen bowls for an authentic touch. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this creamy delight.

• 500 ml. full fat milk
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup makhana, dry roasted & powdered
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1/2 cup jaggery powder or to taste
• 1 tbsp. ghee
• 1 pinch of saffron soaked in 2 tbsp. rose water
• 1-2 tbsp. slivered almonds and pistachios
• few dry rose petals
• few mint sprigs

                 Bring the milk to a boil along with a pinch of salt. Add the powdered makhana and cardamom powder. Simmer on a low flame by stirring continuously till it turns slightly thick.  

                 Add the jaggery powder, ghee and saffron water (reserve some to garnish). Mix well and simmer further for 4-5 minutes or till you get the desired consistency. 

                 Switch off the flame and bring it to room temperature. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours. 

                 Serve chilled, garnished with slivered almonds and pistachios, saffron water, dry rose petals and a sprig of mint leaf.

 

                    Bring the milk to a boil along with a pinch of salt. 

Add the powdered makhana & cardamom powder. Simmer on a low flame by stirring continuously till it turns slightly thick.  

  

                     Add the jaggery powder, ghee 

                      and saffron water (reserve some to garnish). 

Mix well & simmer further for 4-5 minutes or till you get the desired consistency.

Serve chilled, garnished with slivered almonds, pistachios, saffron water, dry rose petals and a sprig of mint leaf.

Horse Gram Pudding / Kollu Payasam / Kulthi Kheer

                   Check out this yummy and a healthy dessert recipe prepared with Horse Gram lentil. It is a great festive dessert and a party recipe too, apt for special occasions. Adjust the ghee and sweetness according to your preference. 

                   In this recipe, I have added jaggery powder. However, you may use brown sugar if preferred. Enjoy this amazing Pudding / Payasam at room temperature or chilled. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy guilt free dessert.  

            Horse Gram Lentil (Kulthi / Kollu / Ulavalu) is not too familiar and the name itself may not sound appealing to the ears. But this humble lentil contains an amazing number of nutritional benefits. 

             It is a rich source of protein, calcium, iron, fibre and is also low in fat, relieves constipation, is diabetic and heart friendly too. One can prepare a number of dishes with Horse gram, like idli, dosa, dal fry, uttapam, biryani, rasam to name a few. It can also be sprouted and made into salads and soups.

• 1/4 cup Horse gram, dry roasted and washed well 
• 500 ml. milk
• 1/3 cup jaggery powder
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
• pinch of saffron
• 2 tbsp. chopped pistachios
• 2 tbsp. chopped almonds
• 1 tsp. ghee
• 1 tsp. chopped nuts & few saffron strands to garnish

         Soak the Horse gram in sufficient water overnight. Rinse well and drain. Pressure cook in 1 cup water for 1 whistle on high flame and 8-10 minutes on a low flame. 

         Mash well with a potato masher or with the back of a ladle. You can also pulse it for a few seconds in a mixer jar. 

         In a saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Add the mashed Horse gram, jaggery powder, cardamom powder and saffron. 

         Simmer on a low flame for 10-15 minutes by stirring at intervals. Now add the chopped nuts and ghee. 

         Continue to simmer till it turns thick or to a desired consistency. Garnish with the chopped nuts and saffron strands and serve at room temperature or chilled. 

Soak the Horse gram in sufficient water overnight. Rinse well & drain. 

Pressure cook in 1 cup water for 1 whistle on high flame and then 8-10 minutes on a low flame. 

Mash well with a potato masher or with the back of a ladle. You can also pulse it for a few seconds in a mixer jar. 

In a saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Add the mashed Horse gram, jaggery powder, cardamom powder & saffron. Simmer on a low flame for 10-15 minutes by stirring at intervals.

                  Now add the chopped nuts .....

and ghee. Continue to simmer till it turns thick or to a desired consistency.

                 Garnish with the chopped nuts & saffron strands.

            Serve at room temperature or chilled.