Tzatziki (Greek Yoghurt-Cucumber Dip - Fusion style)

 

          Tzatziki is a very easy and a simple Greek style Yoghurt-Cucumber dip that has few basic ingredients. It is both creamy and luscious. Hung yoghurt and grated cucumber are the two main ingredients, beside chopped fresh dill, grated garlic, Extra Virgin olive oil, lemon juice and crushed peppercorns. 

         However, do check my version of Tzatziki dip, where I substituted fresh dill with chopped coriander leaves. I also added some soaked Sabja (Basil) seeds to make it more healthy and nutritious. Greek yoghurt is typically used in this recipe. But, if not available, hung yoghurt is the best choice. You can enjoy it with pita bread, veg. crudités, French fries, Chips, Kebabs, any non-veg. dishes or as spread. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this cool and creamy dip. 

• 1 cup yoghurt
• 1 medium size cucumber, grated
• 1/2 tsp. salt or to taste
• 2-3 garlic cloves, grated
• 2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. pepper, crushed
• 2 tbsp. soaked sabja / Basil seeds
• 1 tbsp. olive oil

   

          Pour the yoghurt in a cheese cloth and place on a strainer. Keep this on a bowl in the refrigerator overnight. The thick hung yoghurt is used for the recipe.  

          Transfer the hung yoghurt into a bowl and whisk till it is smooth and creamy in texture. 

          Meanwhile add 1/2 tsp. salt to the grated cucumber and set aside for 5-10 minutes. 

          Then squeeze out the water and add to the yoghurt, followed by grated garlic, pinch of salt if needed, chopped coriander leaves, crushed peppercorns and lemon juice. Then mix well.

          Finally add the soaked sabza seeds and olive oil. Give it a stir and serve it chilled or at room temperature with pita bread, veg. crudités, French fries, kebabs or any non-veg. dishes.

Pour the yoghurt in a cheese cloth & place on a strainer. Keep this on a bowl in the refrigerator overnight. The thick hung yoghurt is used for the recipe.  

Transfer the hung yoghurt into a bowl & whisk till it is smooth & creamy in texture.

Meanwhile add 1/2 tsp. salt to the grated cucumber & set aside for 5-10 minutes. 

Squeeze out the water & add to the yoghurt, followed by grated garlic, pinch of salt if needed, chopped coriander leaves, crushed peppercorns & lemon juice. Mix well.

             Finally add the soaked sabza seeds & olive oil. Give it a stir.

Serve it chilled or at room temperature with pita bread, veg. crudités, French fries, kebabs or any non-veg. dishes.

Mango Sago & Yoghurt Pudding

 

            Check out my version of this no-cook yummy Pudding prepared with mango puree, soaked sago, yoghurt and condensed milk. I garnished with few mango cubes, chopped nuts, few saffron strands and mint. It tastes simply awesome and mouth watering. 

            This amazing and healthy concoction can be relished as an after meal dessert or anytime you wish to enjoy this fusion treat. It is a perfect party recipe and can also be served during festive or any special occasions. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this awesome chilled summer treat.

• 1 mango, pureed
• 1/4 cup sago, soaked overnight
• pinch of saffron soaked in 2 tbsp. water for an hour
• 3 tbsp. yoghurt, whisked
• 3 tbsp. condensed milk
• 1 tsp. chopped pistachios and almonds
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. kewra water
• few mango cubes, chopped nuts, saffron strands and mint leaf to garnish

          In a mixing bowl, transfer the mango puree, followed by the drained sago, saffron water, yoghurt, condensed milk, chopped nuts, cardamom powder and kewra water one after the other. 

          Give it a gentle mix and refrigerate for an hour. Spoon into individual glasses and garnish with mango cubes, chopped nuts, few saffron strands and mint. 

           Enjoy this yummy pudding chilled as an after meal dessert or as and when desired.

          

                      In a mixing bowl, transfer the mango puree, 

                          followed by the drained sago, saffron water, 

                           yoghurt,  

                           condensed milk, 

                          chopped nuts, 

cardamom powder and kewra water one after the other.  Give it a gentle mix & refrigerate for an hour.

Spoon into individual glasses & garnish with mango cubes, chopped nuts, few saffron strands and mint. 

           

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

Mixed Fruit Shrikhand

 

           Shrikhand is a rich and creamy traditional Maharashtrian Dessert prepared with hung yoghurt. It is a very easy dessert that can be made in no time if the hung yoghurt is ready. It is usually flavored with saffron and cardamom powder for the original version. 

        

           However, I gave a healthy twist to this no-cook dessert by adding some chopped mixed fruits and it turned out simply yummy. This way you can make the best use of any leftover fruits by dishing out this easy to prepare dessert. 

           I flavored it with rose water, cardamom powder and saffron. This healthy dessert is an ideal party recipe or can be prepared for any festive occasion. It can also be enjoyed as an after meal dessert. Choice is yours. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this healthy summer treat. 

• 400 gms. yoghurt
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• pinch of saffron soaked in 1 tsp. rose water for 2-3 hours
• 1 cup mixed fruits, finely chopped (Mango, Dragon Fruit, Musk Melon, Nectarine, Guava, Pear)
• 1/3 cup puree of all the mixed fruits
• chopped nuts, dry rose petals & saffron to garnish
• small scoops of fruits to garnish
• Few sprigs of mint 

           Pour the yoghurt in a cheese cloth and place it on a strainer. Keep a bowl underneath and refrigerate it overnight. The thick hung yoghurt is used for this recipe. 

           Transfer the hung yoghurt to a mixing bowl. Add the sugar, cardamom powder, fruits puree. Give it a mix.

           Add the finely chopped fruits and saffron-rose water. Gently fold them in.

          Garnish with small scoops of fruits, chopped nuts, dry rose petals, mint and saffron.

           Chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours. Then enjoy this tempting, healthy and refreshing chilled dessert.

Pour the yoghurt in a cheese cloth & place it on a strainer. Keep a bowl underneath & refrigerate it overnight. The thick hung yoghurt is used for this recipe. 

                      Transfer the hung yoghurt to a mixing bowl. 

 Add the sugar, cardamom powder & fruits puree. Give it a mix.

      Add the finely chopped fruits & saffron-rose water. Gently fold them in.

Garnish with small scoops of fruits, chopped nuts, dry rose petals, mint & saffron.

          Chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours. Then enjoy this tempting, healthy & 

          refreshing chilled dessert.

Oats & Date Balls

             Oats & Date Balls are very easy to make. They are healthy energy balls with the goodness of oats, dates and some fresh grated coconut. I also added some chopped pistachios, but you may add any other nuts if you like. It can be enjoyed as a quick breakfast on the go. It is also a perfect snack for weight watchers and ideal for youngsters.

        

                It is completely sugar free as it has only the natural sweetness of the dates. It can be made much in advance and stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days. So check out a quick step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup fresh grated coconut
• 2 tbsp. chopped pistachios
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup date puree or as required

          Dry roast the oats and set aside to cool. Then grind into a powder form. 

          In a bowl, first mix together all the ingredients (except date puree). Then add the puree, little at a time and knead into a dough. 

          Cover and keep aside for 15 minutes. Divide into equal portions and shape them into balls. 

          Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and enjoy as a snack or for a quick breakfast on the go.

                                 First mix all the ingredients (except date puree).

                                 Then add puree, a little at a time & knead into a dough. 

                                  Cover & keep aside for 15 minutes.

                                  Divide into equal portions & shape them into balls. 

                 Store in air-tight container & enjoy as a snack or a quick breakfast on the go. 

Oats, Chia & Date Energy Bars

          These are easy to make and healthy energy bars with the goodness of oats, chia seeds and dates, the three main ingredients in this recipe. I also added a little bit of flax seeds and sesame seeds for some crunch. It is a no cook recipe and perfect as a quick breakfast on the go, for weight watchers and  ideal for youngsters. 

          It is soft, chewy and also yummy at the same time. They can be made and stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. It is sugar free too, as it has the natural sweetness of dates. So do give it a try and enjoy this delectable treat any time of the day.

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 15-18 dates, soaked overnight & pitted
• 1 tbsp. flax seed
• 1 tbsp. sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon powder
• pinch of salt

          Dry roast oats, chia seeds, flax seeds and sesame seeds separately and set aside to cool. Blend the oats and chia seeds into a fine powder. 

           Blend the dates along with some water into a fine paste. Mix with all the other ingredients. 

          Transfer to a plate lined with butter paper. Press it down evenly with your hands or a spatula. 

          Refrigerate for 2-3 hours. Cut into desired shapes and store in an air tight container or Ziploc bag in the refrigerator. 

Chia Date Bars

          These are easy to make and healthy energy bars with the goodness of chia seeds and dates, the two main ingredients in this recipe. It is a no cook recipe and perfect for weight watchers and  ideal for youngsters. 

          It is soft, chewy and also yummy at the same time. They can be made and stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. It is sugar free too, as it has the natural sweetness of dates. So do give it a try and enjoy this crunchy treat.

• 1/4 cup chia seeds 
• 7-8 dates, soaked overnight & pitted
• 1 tbsp. fresh grated coconut
• 2 tbsp. milk powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp. flax seed
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 tsp. chopped pistachios 
• 1 tbsp. raisins

          Blend the dates coarsely in the food processor. Mix with all the other ingredients. 

         Transfer to a plate lined with cling film. Press it down evenly with your hands or a spatula. 

          Refrigerate for 3-4 hours. Cut into desired shapes and store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.