Baingan Ki Kadhi (Eggplant in Yoghurt Sauce)

 

           Kadhi is a very common dish in the menu platter of any North Indian homes. It is a sort of a comfort food and is best relished with steamed rice or any flavored rice. Some people enjoy them with chapattis or any Indian bread too. 
         
           They are sometimes served plain or with pakoras (fried fritters) / veggies added to it. Today I decided to add in some fried baby eggplants to the yoghurt sauce. The end result was simply yummy and I enjoyed it with steamed rice. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 6-7 baby eggplants, rinsed & drained
• 1/2 cup yoghurt
• 2-3 tbsp. gram flour (besan)
• 3 cups water
• 2-3 tbsp. oil 
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tsp. roasted coriander powder
• 1 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 1 tsp. kasuri methi
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves to garnish 

           In a mixing bowl, whisk together the yoghurt, gram flour and water and keep aside. 

           Make 2 slits on the eggplants, keeping the stalk intact. Keep aside.

           Heat oil in a pan and fry them till light brown on all sides. Drain and keep aside. 

           Temper the same oil with cumin seeds and asafoetida. Sauté for a few seconds.

           Add the ginger-garlic paste and all the dry spices mixed with 1/4 cup water. Sauté till the oil separates. 

           Add the yoghurt mix and kasuri methi. Bring it to boil and simmer on a low to medium flame for 8-10 minutes or till the gravy turns slightly thick. Stir at intervals.

           Now add the fried eggplants and continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes more or till you get the right consistency. 

          When done, switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves. Enjoy with steamed rice, jeera rice, pulao, chapatti or any Indian bread.

      Make 2 slits on the eggplants, keeping the stalk intact. Keep aside.

         Heat oil & fry them till light brown on all sides. Drain & keep aside. 

 Temper the same oil with cumin seeds & asafoetida. Sauté for a few seconds.

Add the ginger-garlic paste & all the dry spices mixed with 1/4 cup water. Sauté till the oil separates. 

Add the yoghurt mix  kasuri methi. Bring it to boil & simmer on a low to medium flame for 8-10 minutes or till the gravy turns slightly thick. Stir at intervals.

Add the fried eggplants & continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes more or till you get the right consistency. 

 
       When done, switch off the flame & garnish with coriander leaves. 

     Enjoy with steamed rice, jeera rice, pulao, chapatti or any Indian bread.

     

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.

Mango Shrikhand / Aamrakhand (Maharashtrian Dessert)

 

           Mango Shrikhand is a traditional Maharashtrian dessert prepared with hung yoghurt and mango puree for an awesome after meal dessert. It is a favorite mango dessert during the mango season. This dessert is also called Aamrakhand and is apt for special occasions and festivals like Diwali, Gudi Padwa, Ganesh Festival, etc. It simply tastes heavenly if served chilled. 

            It is a very easy dessert and can be made in no time if you have the hung yoghurt ready sitting in your refrigerator. Rose water or Kewra water may be added if preferred.

            You can also enjoy this Shrikhand with poori for a comforting meal. So go ahead and treat yourself to this delicacy by checking out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this popular no-cook dessert.

• 1 cup mango puree 
• 400 gms. yoghurt 
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• a pinch of saffron soaked in 1 tbsp. milk
• few mango cubes to garnish
• 1 tsp. chopped pistachios to garnish
• 1 tsp. dry rose petals to garnish
• few strands of saffron to garnish

           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 mango puree and sugar.  Mix together and pass it through a sieve to avoid any lumps.

           Add cardamom powder and saffron milk. Give it a mix.

           Serve chilled, garnished with mango cubes, chopped pistachio, saffron and dry rose petals.  

                     Transfer the hung yoghurt to a mixing bowl.

                     Add the mango puree and sugar. 

                         Mix together.

                   Pass it through a sieve to avoid any lumps.

               Add cardamom powder & saffron milk. Give it a mix.

Serve chilled, garnished with mango cubes, chopped pistachio, saffron & dry rose petals.  

Thandai Lassi

 

         Thandai is a refreshing Indian drink which is also known as Sardai. It is basically an array of nuts and various spices, ground together, mixed with milk and served. It goes hand in hand with the festival of Holi and Mahashivratri in the Northern parts of India. 

          However, I tried it with buttermilk and some store bought pedas for a thick consistency. So whip up my version of this amazing chilled Thandai Lassi. It tastes equally yummy when served chilled. So go ahead and give it a try and I am sure you will love it.

          This refreshing Lassi is just perfect during summer to beat the scorching heat. I flavored it with cardamom powder, saffron and dry rose petals along with a combination of dry fruits and few spices. 

         

• 2 glasses buttermilk 
• 2 milk pedas / 2-3 tbsp. khoya 
• 1 tsp. rose water
• powdered sugar to taste
• 2 tbsp. almonds
• 2 tbsp. cashew nuts
• 2 tbsp. pistachios
• 2 tbsp. poppy seeds / sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp. melon seeds
• 1/4 tsp. saffron
• 1 tbsp. fennel seeds
• 1/2 tsp. whole peppercorns
• 6-7 cardamoms
• 3 tbsp. dry rose petals
• chopped nuts & rose petals to garnish 

           Blend buttermilk, pedas, rose water and sugar. Keep aside. Grind the remaining ingredients into a powder in a mixer-grinder.

           While serving, add 2-3 tbsp. of the thandai powder to a glass of buttermilk and mix well. You may strain it if you wish and garnish with some nuts and rose petals. 

          Serve chilled for a refreshing drink during the festival of Holi or whenever desired.  

Note: 

1.  I used sesame seeds in place of poppy seeds as it is not available at my place of residence. However, it really tasted yum and there was absolutely no change in the flavor. 

2.  You can make this Thandai powder mix and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to make varieties of desserts.  

Mango Bhapa Doi (Steamed Mango Yoghurt)

 

           Mango Bhapa is a most irresistible Bengali dessert that is very easy and quick to dish out. It can be set overnight the traditional way, steamed or baked. Today I would like to share the steamed version. Absolutely a hassle-free dessert, it is a pure bliss and a total hit at any in-house party or any special festive occasions.

         

           This Bong dessert is super easy to prepare as you just need to combine all the ingredients and steam to perfection. It is that simple. So this totally yummy and melt in the mouth delicacy is simply to die for. 

           A few variations can be made by adding your favorite fruit to make it more flavorful. Garnish as desired and enjoy it chilled. So check out an easy step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this chilled delicacy. 

• 400 gms. full fat yoghurt
• 1 cup mango puree
• 1/2 cup condensed milk
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• pinch of saffron
• few chopped mangoes, strands of saffron, chopped pistachios & dry rose petals to garnish

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

            Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the mango puree, condensed milk, cardamom powder, rose water and saffron. Combine everything well. 

             Pour into small containers or ramekins and cover with aluminum foil. 

             Pour some water into a pan and place a steamer over it. Bring the water to a boil. Then carefully arrange all the ramekins over the steamer.

           Cover with a lid and then steam on a low flame for 12-15 minutes. Keep aside to cool down before refrigerating it.

           Serve this chilled delicacy, garnished with chopped pistachios, few chopped mangoes, dry rose petals and saffron. 

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

                      Add the mango puree, 

                   condensed milk, cardamom powder, rose water 

                    and saffron. Combine everything well. 

                       Pour into small containers or ramekins.

Cover with aluminum foil. Pour some water into a pan & place a steamer over it. Bring the water to a boil. Then carefully arrange all the ramekins over the steamer.  

Cover with a lid & steam on a low flame for 12-15 minutes. Keep aside to cool down before refrigerating it.

Serve this chilled delicacy, garnished with chopped pistachios, few chopped mangoes, dry rose petals & saffron.