Custard with Gulab Jamun (A Fusion Dessert)

 

          Check out this simple and an easy Indian fusion dessert made of custard and topped with mini gulab jamuns. This combination of two desserts is just amazing and a quick fix when you run out of ideas. You can replace the gulab jamuns with mini rasagullas too. This is a great party recipe and can also be served during any festive occasions. It will be a real hit with young and old alike. One can also enjoy as an after meal dessert too. Garnish as desired and enjoy it chilled.  

• 500 ml. full cream milk
• 2 & 1/2 tbsp. custard powder of any flavour
• sugar to taste 
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• few mini gulab jamuns
• 1 tsp. chopped pistachios
• any other garnishes of your choice

          For the custard - In a small bowl, mix the custard powder with 1/4 cup milk and keep aside.

          In a saucepan, bring the remaining milk, cardamom powder and sugar to a boil. 

          Pour the custard mix slowly. Keep whisking till the milk thickens to a desired consistency. 

          Add the rose water and keep aside to cool down. Refrigerate for a few hours.

          To serve, spoon the custard into individual bowls and place 2-3 small gulab jamuns on the top. Garnish with chopped pista and enjoy !!!

Chili Garlic Prawns

 

          If you are looking for a super quick side dish that is very easy to prepare and yummy at the same time, then you need to try my version of this Chili Garlic Prawns. This stir fry dish goes very well with Chinese fried rice or noodles. 

         You can adjust the seasonings and the sauces according to individual preference. I have added some homemade chili garlic paste instead of tomato ketchup. However, you can go ahead and add the latter if preferred. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this restaurant style dish.

• 350 gms. prawns, shelled & deveined
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 2 tbsp. garlic cloves, chopped
• 1-2 dry red chilies, broken
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp. chili garlic sauce
• 1 tbsp. green chili sauce
• 1 tbsp. soy sauce
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper powder
• 1/4 tsp. red chili flakes
• 1 tbsp. spring onion (green part), chopped

          Heat oil in a wok / kadai and sauté the red chilies, green chilies and garlic for a minute. Add the onion and continue to sauté for a minute more. 

         Now add the prawns and stir fry for a minute. Add all the sauces and a pinch of salt. Sauté for a minute more. Add the red chili flakes and pepper powder and give it a stir. 

          When done, switch off the flame and garnish with chopped spring onion. Serve with Chinese fried rice or noodles for a restaurant style meal at home.

                        Heat oil & sauté the red chilies, green chilies and garlic for a minute. 

                                  Add the onion & continue to sauté for a minute more. 

                                  Now add the prawns and stir fry for a minute. 

                              Add all the sauces & a pinch of salt. Sauté for a minute more.

                                Add the red chili flakes and pepper powder and give it a stir. 

                     When done, switch off the flame & garnish with chopped spring onion.

                   Serve with Chinese fried rice or noodles for a restaurant style meal at home.

No Fry Fried Ice Cream

 

        This non-fried ice cream is a Mexican inspired dessert but minus any oil. It has a crispy coating but without deep frying. It is crunchy on the outside and soft from within. This is a great party recipe and is apt for a kids party or a kitty party. It is a 'must try' recipe . You can enjoy simply on its own with just a sprinkle of chopped pistachios, like I did or with a garnish of some whipped cream, chocolate sauce or a cherry on the top. Enjoy !!!!

          

             So impress your guests with this easy to make frozen dessert. However, I replaced the cornflakes and cinnamon powder that is typically used. 

            I tried with oats, grated Lindt dark chocolate, brown sugar and cardamom powder and it turned out super yummy.

           You can try with any flavored ice cream of your choice. Make them ahead of time and freeze until serving.

• 4-5 scoops of ice cream
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 cup oats
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 2-3 tbsp. grated chocolate
• 2-3 tbsp. brown sugar or as needed
• 1 tbsp. chopped pistachio & dry rose petals to garnish

          Scoop the ice cream and arrange them on a butter paper or a muffin tray lined with cling film for easy removal. Freeze for 1-2 hours. 

          Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pan. Add the oats and sauté till it is slightly browned. 

          Add the grated chocolate, brown sugar and cardamom powder. Mix everything well and sauté for 4-5 minutes. Set aside to cool completely. 

          When the ice cream scoops are hard enough, roll them in the crunchy oats mixture and press them gently till well coated from all over.

          Garnish with chopped pistachios and dry rose petals and enjoy, If preferred, you can garnish with whipped cream, chocolate sauce or a cherry.

Khaman Dhokla Upma

          A perfect fusion style breakfast or evening snack can be dished out quickly with some leftover Gujarati special Khaman Dhokla. It tastes simply awesome and will disappear in no time. Enjoy it with some spicy chili garlic sauce instead of coconut chutney and see the difference. It tastes so yummy. So check the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

          Leftover dhokla is a great headache and not knowing what to do, we end up reheating the same and having it again the same boring way. So try making a South Indian style upma and relish it as and when desired. It is not only simple but an easy recipe to make. 

          With the addition of just a few tempering, you end up with a fusion recipe to enjoy. You can also pack for a lunch box meal or serve as an after school snack. It is both healthy and wholesome.

• 2 cups crumbled dhokla
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1-2 whole dry chilies, broken
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 tsp. urad dal (split black gram)
• 1 tsp. rice
• 1-2 green chilies, slit
• 2 tbsp. roasted peanuts
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. sambar powder
• 1-2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

           Heat oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds. After it stops spluttering, add the cumin seeds, dry chilies, green chilies, curry leaves, peanuts, urad dal and rice.

          Sauté for a few seconds and add the crumbled dhokla, salt and sambar powder. Stir fry on a medium flame for 2-3 minutes. 

          Switch off the flame and add the coriander leaves and fried onion. Toss well and serve just as it is or along with coconut chutney for a simple and sumptuous breakfast.

                    Heat oil & temper with mustard seeds. Then add cumin seeds, dry chilies, 
                    green chilies, curry leaves, peanuts, urad dal & rice.

                   Add crumbled dhokla, sambar powder & salt. Sauté on a medium flame
                   for 2-3 minutes. 

                                 Switch off the flame & add coriander leaves & fried onion. 

                 Serve as it is or along with coconut chutney for a simple & sumptuous breakfast.

Mushroom Pizza

          Pizza is obviously the most loved and the best comfort food of all. It is enjoyed by all generations alike. So let me share an easy and a yummy homemade mushroom pizza which has no yeast and is made of whole wheat flour. 

          It is prepared in two ways - in a pan and oven baked. So get going and dish out this amazing snack and enjoy with your loved ones. With one bite of it there will be many expressions. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

Pizza Dough - (Makes 2)

• 1 cup whole wheat flour (atta)
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. yoghurt
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• pinch of red chili flakes 
• pinch of oregano

Instant Pizza Sauce - 

• 1/2 cup bottled tomato sauce
• 1/4 tsp. red chili flakes
• 1/4 tsp. oregano
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 1 tbsp. fried onion

Garnishing - 

• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese or as needed
• 2 pinches of oregano
• 2 pinches of red chili flakes
• 2 tbsp. fresh rosemary herbs
• 5-6 mushrooms, sliced

          Pizza Dough - In a bowl mix together all the ingredients and knead into a dough with required quantity of water. Cover and keep aside for 15-20 minutes.

          Instant Pizza Sauce - In a small bowl mix together all the mentioned ingredients and keep aside.

           Pan Pizza - Divide the dough into 2 portions. Roll out one portion into a round disc and pierce with a fork all over.

          Heat a pan and brush with some oil. Gently place the rolled out dough and cook, covered on a very low flame for 2-3 minutes.

          Take the pan off the flame and flip it over. Now spread the pizza sauce and top it up with cheese, sliced mushroom, rosemary, chili flakes, oregano and a drizzle of 1 tsp. oil.

          Cover and cook on a low flame for 3-4 minutes or till the cheese melts. Switch off the flame and transfer to a serving plate. Cut as desired and enjoy.

          Baked Pizza -  Roll out the other portion into a round disc and pierce with a fork all over.  Spread the pizza sauce, followed by cheese, sliced mushroom, rosemary, chili flakes, oregano and a drizzle of 1 tsp. oil.

          Bake in a preheated oven at 200 degrees C. for 15 minutes or till the cheese melts. Transfer to a serving plate, cut as desired and enjoy.

                     Pizza Dough - Mix all ingredients & knead a dough with some water. 
                     Cover & keep aside for 15-20 min.

                       Instant Pizza Sauce - In a small bowl mix together all the ingredients.

                        Roll out one portion into a round disc & pierce with a fork all over.

                       Heat pan & brush with some oil. Place rolled out dough & cook, covered 
                       on a very low flame for 2-3 minutes.

                       Take the pan off the flame & flip it over. Now spread the pizza sauce and

                       top it up with cheese, sliced mushroom, rosemary, chili flakes, oregano &

                       a drizzle of 1 tsp. oil.

                        Cover & cook on a low flame for 3-4 minutes or till the cheese melts. 

                        Switch off flame & transfer to a serving plate. Cut as desired & enjoy.

                        Alternatively, bake in preheated oven at 200 degrees C. for 15 minutes
                        or till cheese melts. 

                               Transfer to a serving plate, cut as desired and enjoy.