Red Dragon Fruit & Sago Pudding / Kheer / Payasam / Drink

 

          Red Dragon Fruit & Sago Pudding / Kheer / Payasam / Drink is an irresistible dessert that is so amazing. One needs to try out to confirm it. This refreshingly smooth pudding is so simple to prepare and the vibrant colour is just out of this world. Be sure to have it chilled as an after meal dessert or as and when desired. 

        

           It is an apt dessert during summer, for fasting days and as a festive dessert too. Make it healthy by skipping the sugar and opting for jaggery or brown sugar. Apart from Dragon fruit, you can make use of any fruit of your choice. 

          This combination gives an unique twist to the dessert. To make things easy, you can prepare it much ahead of time and refrigerate till it is ready to serve.

• 1 cup full fat milk
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup sago, soaked for 2-3 hours and drained
• 2-3 tbsp. sugar
• 1/4 cup milk powder
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp. chopped pistachios
• 1 tbsp. chopped almonds
• pinch of saffron 
• 2 tbsp. soaked sabja seeds
• 1 cup Red Dragon fruit, chopped
• 1 tsp. rose water
• few chopped dragon fruit, few strands of saffron, chopped pistachios & almonds to garnish

          Bring the milk to a boil with a pinch of salt. Add the drained sago, soaked sabja seeds, milk powder, sugar, cardamom powder, chopped almonds, chopped pistachios and saffron. 

          Simmer on a low flame for 4-5 minutes. Then switch off the flame and keep aside to come to room temperature. 

          Now add the chopped Red Dragon fruit and rose water. Give it a stir and refrigerate for 1n hour or till serving time. 

         Serve topped with all the garnishes and enjoy this chilled pudding / drink as and when desired. 

Sabudana Millet Vada (Deep Fried Sago Millet Patties)

 

          This is my version of the very popular and traditional Maharashtrian snack - Sabudana Vada, made out of sago, boiled potatoes and other aromatic ingredients. However, in this recipe, I replaced the potatoes with Foxtail millet for a healthier version. You can use any other millet of your choice. 

         The addition of peanuts gives a nice crunch to these yummy vadas and the roasted chickpea flour and rice flour a binding to the vadas. These crispy patties are generally had during fasts, where the onion can be omitted. Enjoy as an evening tea time snack or as an appetizer with some spicy green chutney. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare these amazing Sabudana Millet Vadas.

Dry Roast & Grind - 

• 2-3 dry red chilies
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds
• 1 tsp. coriander seeds
• 1/2 mace
• 2-3 green cardamom

Other Ingredients - 

• 1/3 cup sabudana (sago), soaked overnight
• 1/4 cup cooked foxtail millet
• 50 gms. paneer
• 2 tbsp. roasted peanuts, coarsely ground
• 1 tbsp. roasted chickpea flour
• 2 tbsp. rice flour
• 1 tbsp. roasted spice powder
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• 2 fresh red / green chilies, chopped
• 2-3 tbsp. coriander leaves & mint leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp. chaat masala
• 1/2 tsp. salt or to taste
• oil to deep fry

          Dry roast all the mentioned ingredients slightly till you get a nice aroma. After it cools down, grind into a powder and keep aside. Drain any excess water from the soaked sabudana. 

          In a bowl, take the cooked millet, drained sabudana, paneer and the ground peanuts. Mash well. 

          Then add rest of the ingredients, except oil. Combine everything well and then divide this mix into equal portions. 

          Take each portion and shape into a round flat patty. Do the same with the rest of the mix.

          Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the vadas, few at a time, till crisp and golden in colour on a low to medium flame. 

          Drain on a kitchen towel and serve hot as an appetizer with green chutney or sauce.

In a bowl, take the cooked millet, drained sabudana, paneer & the ground peanuts. Mash well. 

                       Then add rest of the ingredients, except oil. 

     Combine everything well & then divide this mix into equal portions. 

                 Take each portion & shape it into a round flat patty. 

Heat oil & deep fry the vadas, few at a time, till golden in colour on a low to medium flame. 

                            Drain on a kitchen towel.

                    Serve hot as an appetizer with green chutney or sauce.

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.

Sabudana Vada (Deep Fried Sago Patties - Maharashtrian Style)

 

           This is a deep fried traditional Maharashtrian snack made out of sago, boiled potatoes and other aromatic ingredients. It is best enjoyed as an evening tea time snack or as an appetizer with some spicy green chutney. It can also be shallow fried for all those health conscious people out there. 

         The addition of peanuts gives a bit of a crunch to the end product and the roasted chana dal powder and rice flour a binding to the vadas. These crispy patties are generally had during fasts, where the onion can be omitted. Check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy regional snack. 

• 1 cup sabudana (sago), soaked overnight
• 2-3 med. size potatoes, boiled & mashed
• 1/3 cup roasted peanuts, coarsely ground
• 2 tbsp. roasted & powdered chana dal (Bengal gram)
• 2 tbsp. rice flour
• 1 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1/2 cup coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp. chaat masala
• salt to taste
• oil to deep fry

          Drain any excess water from the soaked sabudana. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients, except oil. Divide this mix into equal portions. 

          Take each portion and shape into a round flat patty. Do the same with the rest of the mix.

          Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the vadas, few at a time, till crisp and golden in colour on a low to medium flame. 

          Drain on a kitchen towel and serve hot with green chutney or sauce.

               Drain any excess water from the soaked sabudana.

 

                 In a large bowl, take all the ingredients.

Mix all the ingredients, except oil. Divide this mix into equal portions. 

             Take each portion & shape into a round flat patty. 

      Heat oil & deep fry the vadas, till crisp & golden in colour on

        a low to medium flame. 

                  Drain on a kitchen towel.

                Serve hot with green chutney or sauce.

Sabudana (Sago) Millet Idli (Instant Version)

 

             Idlis are traditional steamed South Indian breakfast which is very popular in many Indian households and restaurants worldwide. They are anytime welcome with some coconut chutney and sambar for a wholesome meal. Nutritious, wholesome and a perfect meal in itself, it is typically prepared from fermented rice-lentil batter. 

               So check out this Instant Sabudana Millet Idli, where I substituted semolina with Foxtail Millet. So you can introduce something new to your family. You can also add grated veggies of your choice to the batter to make them more nutritious. Both ways they tastes just amazing. 

               Sabudana Idli is very popular in Karnataka where it is called Sabakki Idli, prepared with sabudana-semolina combo. So check out a quick step by step pictorial recipe to prepare my version of this healthy comforting meal. 

            Besides breakfast, you can serve these Sabudana Millet idlis for brunch, lunch, dinner or packed for a lunch box meal. This is an instant version where there is no  fermenting. Eno fruit salt does the magic. You can also substitute it with baking soda.

           Sago is not only rich in Vitamin D, it is gluten free and is beneficial for regulating high blood pressure. It also improves indigestion and is generally served during fasting in India. 

           Foxtail millet, on the other hand, is a great substitute to rice. It is diabetic friendly, healthy and nutritious. These grains are gluten free, has low G.I. index, reduces blood sugar and promotes weight loss. It is rich in iron and calcium. So add this new variety of idli to your list of daily breakfast menu.

• 1/2 cup sabudana (sago / sabbaki)
• 1/2 cup Foxtail Millet
• 1/2 cup yoghurt, whisked
• water as required
• 1 tsp. eno fruit salt 
• salt to taste
• oil to grease 

           Dry roast the Foxtail millet for 2 minutes. Set aside to cool. Then grind into a slightly coarse powder.

           Wash the sabudana twice and soak it in enough water overnight. Next morning, the sago will be double in size. Drain well. 

       

           In a large mixing bowl, add the soaked sabudana, ground millet, yoghurt, salt and water. 

           Mix well and keep aside for 30 minutes. The batter should not be too thick or too watery. Then add eno fruit salt. Sprinkle some water and mix the batter well. 

            Grease few tumblers / small containers and ladle the batter into it. Fill only 3/4 of the tumbler. 

            Cover with a lid and steam for 20 minutes or till a knife inserted into it comes out clean. Time may vary depending on the height of the tumblers. Keep aside to cool down before opening the lid.

             Then demould with the help of a knife dipped in water and transfer to a serving plate. Serve them hot with coconut chutney and sambar for a healthy, sumptuous breakfast.

 

                                Dry roast the Foxtail millet for 2 minutes. Set aside to cool. 

                                 Then grind into a slightly coarse powder. 

                              Wash the sabudana twice & soak it in enough water overnight. 

                                 Next morning, the sago will be double in size. Drain well. 

                               In a large mixing bowl, add the soaked sabudana,

                                  ground millet, 

                                   yoghurt, salt

                                 and water. 

                                  Mix well and keep aside for 30 minutes.

                                 Then add eno fruit salt. 

                                Sprinkle some water.

                                  Mix the batter well. 

                        Grease few tumblers / small containers & ladle the batter into it.

                        Fill only 3/4 of the tumbler. 

               Cover with a lid & steam for 20 minutes or till a knife inserted comes out clean. 

                            Keep aside to cool down before opening the lid.

                           Demould carefully & transfer to a serving plate.

                      Serve them hot with coconut chutney & sambar for a healthy, 

                      sumptuous breakfast.