It’s a fact that I love baking but at the same time I can’t eat every single bit of it. We are taught sharing is caring since we were in kindergarten. So obviously I share all my preparations with friends and family. Another universal fact is, we all have that one friend in our group who keeps counting calories and fats in everything. So, this recipe is dedicated to that friend of mine who always asks the quantity of butter and sugar first before tasting the delicious food offered, because this recipe does not have any sugar and butter. Yes, you read that right! These delicious banana muffins which are topped with dark chocolate chips are a treat for your diet freak friend. Read More
Shrikhanda
The modified and upgraded transformation of curd is Shrikhanda. The famous dessert in every Maharashtrian and Gujarathi household. Be it any festival, any auspicious day or celebration, this dessert is a must. I remember all Gudhi Padwas, Dassehras and Akshayya Tritiyas of my childhood. These auspicious days never went by without the taste of Shrikhanda Poori. I have a sweet tooth and everyone in my family knows it, so my Mama always made it sure he would bring a kilogram of shrikhanda container on every festive day.
After coming to the U.S., I always searched for the best kind of Shrikhanda I used to get at Mahalakshmi Dairy, Virar or Bharucha Dairy, Dahisar but not a single brand or store had it. So finally I decided to make my own since making shrikhanda is no rocket science but nailing it is. I successfully made my Shrikhanda which was much better than any store bought one. But I definitely have not nailed it the way I was looking for. But still I am happy with the result and will keep trying to make it better so that one day I can modify this post that gives best results.
Mango Barfi
I have a super duper sweet tooth since childhood. I remember eating a whole box of sweets in a day and then getting a scolding from parents for that. And this has remained the same to this day. I knew that this would remain the same even after my marriage and the only difference will be the person giving me a scolding will be my husband. But after coming to the US, I found that not a single brand of sweets passed my expectation. I so miss those sweets we used to get at a ‘halwai’ in India. But then I decided, instead of crying for not getting those sweets, I would attempt to make those at home. Who knows, while giving my best shot and trying out these recipes, my cravings will be fulfilled too. Two birds in one stone kind of thing! Read More
Gajar Halwa
Winter season in India brings variety of fresh vegetables in the market, along with fresh red carrots. During my childhood, I remember, when I could see those pyramids of carrots at vegetable market on my way home from school, I used to tell my friends that the season of gajar ka halwa has arrived. Being a favorite dessert of all, this dish is quiet a regular at my home in winter. Cooked in homemade clarified butter and garnished with dollop of extra malai (cream) from my Uncle’s dairy farm added royal richness to the dish.
Far from my home, where I cannot get those things, I still have tried to give my best shot at adding that extra richness to this dessert.
Though this dish has those extra calories, don’t we need those in this crazy winter 😉 Read More
Orange Cardamom Cake
As I announced in my last blog post, it’s my day today to open the virtual door of advent calendar. I hope you have enjoyed all 15 recipes already, if not then do check here . I have chosen to make a wonderful dessert with the use of cardamom, one of the most expensive spices in the world. Being an Indian, we have a variety of dishes for three meal course that have cardamom in it. We even add it to our tea and coffee. It’s strong aroma will make you crave for more, and it also has many health benefits. While making this dessert, I have used two strong flavors, orange and cardamom. If balanced well, the output will make a wonderful aromatic delicacy. Considering the big fussy and heavy holiday meals, I have kept this dessert a bit light weight. That is instead of decorating it with heavy whipping cream or cheese cream frosting, I have simply soaked it in few spoonfuls of saffron milk. Read More
Strawberry Cupcakes
By this time, reading my all previous baking related blogs, one must have got how much I love combining fruits in baking. Here is a new recipe of strawberry cupcakes, which is definitely unique since it does not involve jell-o but actual strawberry puree. Read More
Choco Jaggery Cake
Avoiding something doesn’t always mean that you hate it; it could also mean that you want it but you know it just isn’t right. This absolutely suits my relationship with sugar. The more I eat it, the more acne my face gets. Trying to go sugar free with the help of honey since last few months. Somehow I have succeeded in it, but this sudden craving for chocolate cake was killing me. I was absolutely not ready to break my diet for this small craving. My husband decided to get a small piece of cake from the bakery, but how can the bakery know what and how I want! So, I decide to do an experiment. I simply replaced sugar with powdered jaggery (concentrated cane sugar). It is not as processed as sugar, hence it works perfect for my skin. I had my taste buds satisfied without failing my diet. Kinda win-win situation, isn’t it! Read More
