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.

Nolen Gurer Oats Payesh (Jaggery Oats Pudding)

 

          Enjoy this yummy Bong dessert with the goodness of oats and Nolen Gur (date palm jaggery. This type of jaggery is available only during winter and you can dish out a wide range of sweets with it. 

         

          So this is my take on the traditional Bengali Rice Kheer that is typically prepared with a special variety of aromatic small grain rice called Gobindo Bhog and date palm jaggery. I only replaced the rice with oats, thus giving a healthy touch to this classic dish.

          Relish it at room temperature or chilled. It can also be enjoyed as an after meal dessert or as a side dish with poori / paratha. It is simply wholesome and very satisfying. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this sweet delicacy.

• 1/3 cup oats
• 1 tsp. ghee
• 3 cups full fat milk
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup Nolen gur (date palm jaggery)
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 2 tbsp. milk powder
• 1 tbsp. chopped pistachios & almonds to garnish

          Dry roast the oats in ghee till light brown in colour or till you get a nice aroma. Keep aside.

          In a pan, bring the milk to a boil along with a pinch of salt. Add all the ingredients and combine everything well.

          Simmer on a low flame and keep stirring at intervals till the payesh turns thick to a desired consistency. (keep it slightly runny as it will turn thick once it cools down).

          Garnish with chopped pistachios & almonds or as desired. Enjoy at room temperature or chilled.

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. I added jaggery instead of sugar / condensed milk to give a healthy twist. They are a perfect summer dessert. Serve them chilled with all the toppings. 

              This is a super easy and a yummy fuss-free dessert, where very few ingredients goes into dishing out this amazing pudding. I flavored it with cardamom powder and saffron. So check out my version of this yummy Pudding prepared with mango, jaggery and corn flour. It tastes simply awesome and mouth watering. Do check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this healthy summer treat.

          

            This amazing and healthy concoction can be relished as an after meal dessert or anytime you wish to enjoy this comforting dessert. 

             It is a perfect party recipe and can also be served during festive or any special occasions. 

             I simply love to dig into this light and melt-in-the-mouth chilled summer treat. . Make full use of the mango season and prepare in large batches to be devoured as and when you feel like. 

• 1 mango, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup jaggery powder
• 1/4 cup cornflour
• 1/2 cup water
• pinch of saffron soaked in 1 tbsp. water
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 2-3 tbsp. ghee
• 1 tsp. chopped pistachios
• few mango cubes, chopped pistachios & dry rose petals to garnish

          Blend the mango, jaggery, corn flour and water into a smooth batter like consistency. Transfer the contents to a pan. 

          Add the saffron water, cardamom powder and the chopped pistachios. Simmer on a low flame by stirring continuously. 

          Add a tsp. of ghee at intervals and cook till the pudding leaves the sides of the pan. 

          Transfer to silicone molds and set aside to cool down. Then refrigerate for an hour. 

          Garnish with mango cubes, pistachios and dry rose petals. Enjoy this amazing chilled pudding as an after-meal dessert or as and when desired. 

Blend the mango, jaggery, corn flour & water into a smooth puree. Transfer the contents to a pan. 

Add the saffron water, cardamom powder & chopped pistachios. Simmer on a low flame by stirring continuously. 

                          Add a tsp. of ghee at intervals.

                       Cook till the pudding leaves the sides of the pan. 

Transfer to silicone moulds & set aside to cool down. Then refrigerate for an hour. 

                    Garnish with mango cubes, pistachios and dry rose petals. 

Enjoy this amazing chilled pudding as an after-meal dessert or as & when desired. 

Carrot Burfi

 

           Burfi is one of the most common and popular Indian sweets. It is a must in all Indian festivals, ceremonies or any auspicious occasions. There are varieties of Burfi that can be dished out. So want to surprise your family and friends with a really unique dessert? 

         

          Do check out an easy and instant Burfi prepared of carrots. They come out real yummy and takes very little time to make. I bet no one will be able to guess the core ingredient. 

          Adjust the ghee and sweetness according to your preference and surprise your loved ones with this sweet treat. I have made use of jaggery instead of sugar to make  them healthy. 

          Carrot Burfi is a great party recipe, apt for special occasions or as a festive dessert. Enjoy these amazing Burfis at room temperature or chilled. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy dessert.  

• 2-3 medium size carrots, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup jaggery or to taste
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tbsp. ghee
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• pinch of saffron
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup corn flour
• 1 tsp. kewra / rose water 
• 1 tbsp. chopped nuts & dry rose petals 

           In a bowl, mix together the milk, kewra water and corn flour. Keep aside. 

          Blend the carrots and some water into a puree. Keep aside. 

          In a pan, melt the jaggery and water till everything is well dissolved. 

          Add the cardamom powder and ghee and give it a stir. Then add the saffron and keep aside.

          Transfer the carrot puree to a pan. To it add the milk-corn flour-kewra water mix. Mix well and simmer on a low flame by continuously stirring till it thickens slightly.

          Now add the melted jaggery and continue to simmer till it thickens and leaves the sides of the pan. 

          Transfer to a greased plate and garnish with chopped nuts and dry rose petals. Keep aside to cool down. Then cut into desired shapes and enjoy.

               Blend the carrots & some water into a puree. Keep aside. 

 In a pan, melt the jaggery & water till everything is well dissolved. Add the cardamom powder & ghee & give it a stir.

                     Then add the saffron and keep aside.

                    Transfer the carrot puree to a pan. 

To it add the milk-corn flour-kewra water slurry. Mix well & simmer on a low flame by continuously stirring till it thickens slightly.

Now add the melted jaggery & continue to simmer till it thickens & leaves the sides of the pan. 

Transfer to a greased plate & garnish with chopped nuts & dry rose petals. Keep aside to cool down. 

                      Then cut into desired shapes and enjoy.

Jaggery Mawa Kulfi

 

           Kulfi is an equivalent to Indian ice-cream. They are basically frozen dessert prepared with milk and other flavoring agents. They are just perfect during hot summer days or as an after-meal dessert. This is a great party recipe too apt for special occasions. 

           Today I would like to share a healthy, rich and a creamy kulfi with jaggery. So just substitute white sugar with jaggery. I have added some store bought mawa for a creamy texture. To prepare this absolutely easy and delicious chilled dessert, check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this ever popular Indian ice cream. 

• 1/4 cup jaggery
• 2 tbsp. water
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1 cup grated mawa / khoya / milk solids
• powdered jaggery, chopped nuts, saffron and dry rose petals to garnish

         In a pan, add the jaggery and water. Simmer till it melts completely.

         Add the milk, cardamom powder and rose water. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes. 

        Add the grated mawa and the powdered nuts. Mix everything well and simmer further till it thickens to a pouring consistency. Keep aside to cool slightly.

          Pour into kulfi moulds or paper cups, covered with an aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight. 

          While serving, dip the moulds in water for a minute to loosen. Serve chilled, garnished with powdered jaggery, chopped nuts, saffron and dry rose petals. 

                             In a pan, add the jaggery.....

                 and water. Simmer till it melts completely.

Add the milk, cardamom powder & rose water. Bring it to a boil & simmer for 2-3 minutes. 

                      Add the grated mawa.....

                       & the powdered nuts. Mix everything well.

Simmer further till it thickens to a pouring consistency. Keep aside to cool slightly.

Pour into kulfi moulds or paper cups, covered with an aluminum foil.

                     Refrigerate overnight and demold them. 

Serve chilled, garnished with powdered jaggery, chopped nuts, saffron & dry rose petals.