Cashew Cocoa Barfi/Cocoa Kaju Katli

Prep Time:less than 10 m    Cook Time:20 m

Makes:20

Ingredients

Cashew           - 1 cup

Sugar               - 1/2 cup+1 tblsp

Cocoa Powder - 2 tblsp

Water               - 1/4 cup

Method

• Powder the cashew  into a sandy texture in a mixer grinder.Set this aside.
                                
  
• Take sugar in a vessel and add water to it.Check the sugar syrup for one string.Touch the sugar syrup between your thumb finger and forefinger and it will form a string between two fingers.Now add all the cashew powder and mix well.Then add sifted cocoa powder and keep stirring.When it leaves the sides transfer this into a plate or into a work surface.Let it cool slightly and then knead.Spread into desired thickness with a rolling pin.Then cut into pieces and store in an airtight container.
                                    
                         
                               
                           
                            
  

Little Words

• The texture of the cashew powder should be sandy.
• While powdering cashew do in batches to get the sandy texture.
• The cashewnuts should be dry and the mixer grinder should be dry as well.
• It would be safe to powder in the pulse mode.
• After transferring to plate,sprinkle little milk if needed to help kneading.
• Grease the plate and the rolling pin with little ghee if needed.
• A delicious kaju katli with the aroma of chocolate...

Tomato Rice

Prep Time:10 m          Cook Time:20 m

Serves:3

Ingredients

Basmati Rice       - 1 cup(soak for 20 m)

Onion                  - 1

Tomato                - 4(medium sized)

Green Chilli         - 3

Ginger                 - 1"piece

Garlic                  - 4

Cinnamom           - 1"piece

Clove                  - 3

Cardamom           - 3

Bay Leaf              - 2

Mint Leaves         - few

Aniseed               - 1/2 tsp

Khus Khus            - 1/4 tsp

Turmeric Powder  - 1/4 tsp

Chilli Powder        - 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala       - 1/4 tsp

Water                   - 1& 1/2 cup

Salt                      - as required

Oil                        - 2 tsp

Ghee                    - 1 tsp

Method

• Heat oil and ghee in a pressure cooker.Add aniseed,khus khus,followed by whole spices and green chilli.Then add sliced onions,little salt,saute for a while.
     
• Add crushed garlic and grated ginger and fry for a while.Then add chopped tomatoes,mint leaves,turmeric powdeer,chilli powder,garam masala,required salt and water.
                                 
                                    
  
• When it starts boiling,add rice,give it a mix and close the lid and put on the weight.Simmer for five to eight minutes.Wait for two minutes and then remove from stove and set aside.Open the lid once pressure is released,fluff it up with a fork and serve with raita.
                                         
                             
  

Little Words

• A comforting food that satisfies the taste buds.
• Add two tablespoons of grated coconut after adding rice if desired.

Kachayam/Banana Fritters

 

Prep Time:10 m     Cook Time:15 m

Makes:20 - 25

Ingredients

Banana             - 1

Semolina/Rava - 1/2 cup

Sugar               - 1/2 cup

Plain  Flour      - 1/2 cup

Bi carb of soda - a pinch

Method

• Take the banana in a bowl and mash it.Add semolina and mix them together.Then add plain flour and bicarb of soda and mix well.
                     
     
• Add sugar to this and mix well.Let this rest for ten minutes.Meanwhile heat oil in a kadai to deep fry.
                            
  
• Once the oil is hot take small portions and drop in the oil.Reduce the flame and cook on medium heat.Remove from oil once golden brown.
                              
     

Little Words

• A quick delicious snack.
• Broken cashewnuts and cardamom powder can be added if desired.
• The quantity of plain flour can be increeased if needed and it can also be substituted with wheat flour.
• This can be added as such or with mashed banana and ghee!!