Friday 22 September 2023

Malpua


How many of you have eaten this sweet snack during your childhood? Generally made at my place during Holi or Diwali, this finds a special place in my heart always. My Nani (grandmother) introduced me to this when I was a kid. My daughter likes this too. I made this recently for her and she liked it. This snack is sweet and she has a sweet tooth. You want her to like any food, the trick is to add sugar 😜.

Ingredients:
1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon khoya
- 1 teaspoon powdered green cardamom
- 2 tablespoon chopped pistachios
- saffron as required (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon semolina
- Sugar (1 tbsp)
water as required
1 1/2 cup refined oil
- 10 gm readymade rabri (Optional)
- 1 1/2 cup sugar syrup (Optional)

Method:
Take a bowl and mix together khoya, all purpose flour, sugar and sooji or semolina. 
- Next, add cardamom powder and mix well once again. Gradually add water to prepare the Malpua batter. Ensure that the mixture has a pourable consistency and is not too thick. 
- Once the batter is ready, keep it aside for few minutes. 
- Take a small bowl and soak saffron in water to make saffron water.
- Now, heat oil in a pan over a low flame. 
- When the oil is hot enough, pour a ladleful of the mixture and spread evenly. Keep the flame low and cook until the malpua is golden from both sides.
- Remove the cooked malpua and drain the excess oil. 
- Drop the malpua in sugar syrup and allow it to soak for 10 minutes. 
- Repeat the same with the remaining batter. Drain the malpuas from the syrup, garnish with pistachios, saffron water and rabri. Serve immediately.

Tuesday 5 September 2023

Pudina/Mint Chutney


My daughter does not like mint chutney, as per her this tastes like tooth paste. If you are in the same category or hate mint then better stay away from this. On the other hand, if you are like me and you like mint then read on....

This chutney / dip is very healthy and good for the tummy. Can be used as a dip for kebabs, can be used for making mint rice, can also be mixed with curd to make mint raita.

Ingredients:
- Mint leaves - 2 cups
- Coriander leaves - 2 cups
- Tamarind pulp - 3 tsp
- Salt as per taste
- Sugar as per taste
- Green chilli - 2

Method:
- Put all the ingredients in mixer grinder and mix till smooth. 
- Done! This is ready to be served with kebabs or yummy parathas or dosa.

Note:
- Can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1.5 weeks.

Saturday 2 September 2023

Roasted Salmon and Tomatoes


My daughter's love affair with salmon started after she came to Australia. She absolutely loves the taste! Its her favourite fish and hence finds place in my menu plans at least once a week.
Salmon is a healthy fish, is a very good source of Vit B and is also known to reduce bad cholesterol and blood pressure.

Without further ado, lets jump into the ingredients of this quick recipe.


Ingredients:

- Salmon - 4 pieces

- Mustard sauce - 6 tbsp

- Ginger paste - 2 tsp

- Olive Oil - 4 tbsp

- Salt and Pepper - According to taste

- Tomatoes - 4 cubed


Method:

- Marinate the fish with all ingredients.

- Heat oven to 170 degrees Celsius.

- Sprinkle tomatoes with olive oil, pepper, salt. You can add chilli flakes as well if you like based on your spice tolerance level.

- Bake salmon and tomatoes for 15 - 20 mins.

- Serve hot with the sauce/gravy of your choice and salad.