Badam halwa

Today is the last day of the blogging marathon and also this is my 50 th post and so decided to post a dessert. Here is the badam halwa. When looking for recipes, saw a lot of pictures in which the halwa was yellow in color. In most of the recipes they suggested  to add the artificial food color to get that attractive color. But I did not want to add artificial color, so depended on saffron to give color to Halwa. Now color of the day is very much debatable. According to me it is CREAM in color. The original recipe is from RAKS KITCHEN. I followed the same recipe but shaped them into small discs so that it will be attractive to my kids.

What are the ingredients needed?

Almonds, 1/2 cup

Sugar, 1/2 cup

Milk, 1/4 cup

Condensed milk, 1/4 cup

Saffron, 1 pinch

Cardamom, 5-6 nos

Ghee, 1/4 cup

How it is made?

1. Soak a pinch of saffron in luke warm milk and  set aside.
2. Remove the seeds from the cardamom and powder them with 2 teaspoons of sugar and keep them ready.
3. Soak the almonds in enough water and microwave for 2 minutes and then let them cool for 10-15 minutes. Then drain the water and peel the skin of the almonds.Grind the almonds with 1/4 of milk adding them little by little till its a smooth paste.
4. Then in a heavy bottom pan add 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar and simmer it till the sugar dissolves and then add the almond paste. Keep stirring to avoid forming any lumps.
5. To this add condensed milk, soaked saffron and powdered cardamom and stir well. Continue to cook at medium to low flame for 5 minutes.
6. Keep stirring and add 1 teaspoon of ghee in regular intervals. When the mixture thickens and starts to leave the pan while stirring then remove from flame and transfer the mixture to a greased pan. 
7. Let it cool. Then roll into small balls and shape it as a disc and serve.

Check out what the other marathoners are doing here

Here is the quick recap of all the dishes I posted for this marathon under the theme COOKING WITH COLORS

Day	Color	Recipe
1	Pink	Strawberry Banana Smoothie
2	Green	Spinach Rice
3	Red	Tomato Chutney
4	Orange	Orange Iced Tea
5	Brown	Dates Cake
6	Purple	Blueberry Ice cream
7	Cream	Badam Halwa

Sending this to Celebrate- Diamond Jubilee    @ Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey

Blueberry ice cream

Its day 6 of the blogging marathon and color is purple. You may wonder purple? Really? Yes. It is Blueberry Ice cream. We love ice creams. There will always be ice cream in the freezer. Even in the middle of the night, me and hubby will have a scoop or two. Even being an ice cream lover have never tried making it so far. So this is my first attempt and considering that, the outcome is a huge success. Though blueberries are rich in so many health benefiting nutrients, still I don't like to eat just the fruit. So It will be either pancakes or muffins. So now ice cream too is in the list. 

What are the ingredients needed?

Heavy cream, 1 1/2 cup

Milk, 1/2 cup

Sugar, 1/2 cup

Vanilla extract, 1 tsp

Water, 2 Tbs

Blueberries, 1 cup

Mint leaves, to garnish (optional)

How it is made?

1. In a saucepan, stir in blueberries, 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tbs water and simmer them till the sugar is completely dissolved and blueberries have softened. Then turn off the stove and let it cool.
2. In another saucepan, combine together heavy cream, milk, rest of the sugar and vanilla extract and simmer it for 4-5 minutes.Remove from the heat and let this mixture cool down.
3. Once the blueberries mixture have cooled, puree them. And when the milk mixture is cooled mix both the mixtures together. 
4. Then leave this mixture in freezer for about 20 minutes. Take it out and whisk it well and keep it back in the freezer. Repeat this every 30 minutes till its frozen. It will be in the texture of soft serve ice cream.
5. Then cover the mixture and freeze it till its firm.(if you plan to store it or prefer it firm)  
6. Then let it sit in room temperature for 5 minutes, scoop it and serve.

Check out what the other marathoners are doing here

Dates Cake

The color I chose for the day is BROWN. When you think of brown, the first thing that comes to mind is chocolate. Initially I had decided to make a chocolate recipe too. But when we decided to go to beach with friends on Saturday on a little picnic and each one had to make something and I  selected this dates cake. It is brown and is perfect to match the theme of blogging marathon and also a dessert for the picnic. The original recipe is from Aayis Recipes. I have made this cake already and this time I made a little change and everyone just loved it. It is a butter less and egg-less cake. 

Recipe Source: Aayis Recipes

What are the ingredients needed?

Dates, 18 nos.
Milk, 3/4 cup
Brown Sugar, 1/2 cup

Honey, 1/4 cup
All purpose flour, 1 cup 
Oil, 1/2 cup
Baking soda, 1 teaspoon
Walnuts (chopped), 2 Tbs

How it is made?

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 F and prepare the cake pan by greasing and flouring it. Set them aside.
2. Soaked the dates in 3/4 cup of milk for few hours and microwave for 2 minutes and puree them. 
3. Then blend them well with brown sugar and honey. Mix oil with this mixture. 
4. Sieve together flour and baking soda. 
5. Mix this flour mixture to the honey mixture, adding flour little by little till they are incorporated well into a homogeneous mixture.  
6. Add this mixture to the prepared pan, sprinkle chopped nuts on top and bake them for 30-35 minutes till its done and the knife inserted comes out clean.
7. Let the cake cool down then slice them and serve. 

Check out what the other marathoners are doing here.

Orange iced Tea

Its day 4 of the blogging marathon and color of the day is ORANGE. Of late I have realised that am very much attracted to the color orange. Most of the things around the house is orange in color. Today the climate was so hot and could not have hot tea. Also had to incorporate the color for the marathon, so prepared this iced tea. So its Orange iced Tea.

What are the ingredients needed??

Orange juice, 1/2 cup

Water, 3 cups

Tea bags, 3 nos.(prefferably black tea)

Mint leaves, to garnish

For syrup

Water, 1/2 cup

Sugar, 3 Tbs

Mint leaves, 5- 6 nos.

How it is made?

1. Boil 3 cup water and steep tea bags and set them aside. Let them cool.
2. To prepare the syrup, in a sauce pan, add water, sugar and mint leaves and bring them to boil and switch them off. Let the syrup cool and strain it. 
3. Then once both the mixture have cooled down mix them with orange juice. Chill them and serve them cold garnished with mint leaves. 

Tomato Chutney

For the day 3 of the blogging marathon, color chosen is RED. So I thought will make this yummy tomato chutney. My mom used to make this at home. When she says for dinner it is chappathi and tomato chutney, thats all, chappathis will disappear very fast. This is the first ever chutney I learnt to make when I started my cooking. Mom was working. So sometimes  when she is so tired after coming back from work, she would ask me to make chutney and the rest she would take care. So always my first choice was this chutney and second preference to coconut chutney.  :) I think this pairs well with  chappathi but hubby prefers it with dosa. For me this combo, is nostalgic.

What are the ingredients needed?

Large Tomato, 4 nos.

Onion, 1 no.

Green chillies, 2 -3 nos.

Turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon

Mustard seeds, 1/4 teaspoon

Curry leaves, 1 sprig

Cilantro, to garnish

Oil, 2 tsp

Salt, to taste

How it is made?

1. Puree the tomatoes in a blender.
2. In a sauce pan, heat oil add mustard seeds, and when they crack add onions, slit green chillies and curry leaves. Saute them till onions turn translucent.
3. Then add turmeric powder and pureed tomatoes to this, mix well and add salt to taste and simmer it for 10-12 minutes. The mixture will turn colour from pale red to bright red when it is cooked and ready.
4. Turn off the stove and serve it with chappathis, dosas or even idli's.

Check out what the other marathoners are doing here

Sending this to Gayathri's Walk Through Memory Lane  @ Sizzling Veggies

Spinach Rice

It is day 2 of the blogging marathon and color of the day is Green. If I say GREEN, what comes to your mind first?? Spinach right?? So made Spinach rice for lunch. Nothing fancy. A simple rice with spinach flavored with cumin and pepper. 

What are the ingredients required?

Cooked Rice, 4 cups

Spinach, cleaned and chopped, 2 cups

Onion, 1 no

Mustard seeds, 1/4 tsp

Cumin seeds, 1/2 tsp

Chana dhall, 1 tbs

Peanuts, 1/4 cup

Red Chillies, 2- 3 nos

Ginger garlic paste, 1 1/2 tsp

Turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp

Cumin powder, 1 tsp

Pepper powder, 1 tsp

Salt to taste

oil, 2 tsp

Grated coconut, 3- 4 Tbs(optional)

How it is made?

1. Heat the oil in a wok. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and once they sputter add channa dhal, peanuts, onions and red chillies and saute till the onions turn translucent. 
2. Then add ginger  garlic paste, cumin powder, pepper powder,  turmeric powder and then add chopped spinach and cook till the spinach is done. Spinach has to be tender and all water from the spinach has to be evaporated. Add the grated coconut to this and mix well.
3. Then add salt to taste and the cooked rice and mix well. 
4. Serve it warm.

I loved to eat it with appalam.. Can serve it with raitha too.

Round up of the event- Lets Party -Breakfast

Lets Party is the event started by Surabhi Nayak. Thanks to her for giving me an opportunity to host the event. This month's theme is Breakfast. Very glad to see that we received 66 entries for the same. Please find below the round up of the event.

 

Aromatic cooking	Puffed rice upma
My Cook Book	Bread dipped in egg
Cusine delights	Palak paratha
	Onion Uttapam
Delectable Delicious	Cheese & Crackers
	Cheese chilli
	Rava dhokla
	Cracked broken wheat sheera
Divya Prakash	Cinnamon swirl raisin bread
Erivum Pulivum	I hop spinach
	Black berry pancake
	Fruits & Nuts bar
	Ottada/ Roasted rice  cakes
Follow foodie	Bonda
	Cheese omlette
	Vermicelli upma
Food mazaa	Dal Pakwan Seero
	Uggani
	Seyala Bread slices
	Mitho Chilo
	Cottage cheese/ Paneer sandwich
	Paneer Capsicum Paratha
	Pepper Jeera Puri
	Instant rava dosa
	Quinoa flakes upma
	Radhala maani
	Sindhi Koki
	Mixed dhal and flax seeds cheela/ pancake
	Pongal
	Batata suica
	Seyun Patata
	Masala bread
Chef Mireille's Global creations	Buttermilk biscuit
	Cassava Porridge
	Banana cherry oat scones
Jiyas delicacy	Bread omlette
	Tomato dosa
Maayeka	Italian eggplant sandwich
Noel creations	Vegetable Sandwich
Easy and Homely Cook Book	Crispy wheat dosa
	Eggbread combo
A Pinch of Salt	Kiwi Strawberry smoothie
	Cinnamon infused hot chocolate
Chef Al dente	Rava idlis
My Saffron experience	Oatmeal chocolate chip muffins
	Classic banana muffins
Spicy Treats	Southern biscuits with spinach potato patty
Sara's Tasty Buds	Rava dosa
	Mixed  dhal dosa
Shabbu's Tasty kitchen	Puttu
Sorisha- Cooking at Pragyan's	Cha Cha Chakuli
I'm a foodie	Corn and bean  sandwich
Sumee's Culinary Bites	Crispy onion uthappa Strawberry banana protein smoothie
	Jackfruit pancakes
Supriya's Rasoi	Chole puri
	Batata  vada
	Cheese and vegetable omlet
Cook- Eat- Burrrp	Noodle bun
	Spring onion and cheese rolls
	Idly stir fry #1
	Idly stir fry #2
Bonteka Speaks	Mango orange lassi
Cooking space	Sweet Pumpkin poori
Savi- Ruchi	Broccoli paratha
Kande pohe	Mattar potli samosa

Top contributor award goes to Shobha of Food Mazaa

Best Recipe goes to Julie's I HOP Spinach Omlette

Everyone receives the Participation award.

Thanks all for linking your wonderful recipes.

Strawberry banana smoothie

Very happy to take part in another edition of blogging marathon. A whole week of non stop blogging. The theme I have chosen for the week is cooking with colors. Its going to be a colorful week. For the first day, its my daughter's favorite color pink with her favorite fruit - Strawberry banana smoothie. A delicious smoothie perfect to start the day. 

What are the ingredients required?

Washed and hulled Strawberries, 1 cup

Ripe banana, 1 no.

Yogurt, 1/2 cup

Milk, 1/2 cup

Honey, 2 Tbs

How it is made?

1. Place all the ingredients in the blender and blend well till they are smooth.
2. Pour into the glass and serve it chilled.

Check out what the other marathoners are doing here.

Chocolate Shortbread

When Resh of Daily cuppa came up with the idea of Bake a along couple of months back, I was so glad to be part of this group.(Can I ever say no to baking?? Mmmm.. no..)  Every month the host of the event will pick a recipe to bake and all the members of the team would bake the same and post it. Last month I was caught up in so many things that though I baked the cake, I couldnt post it. So this time didnt want to miss it.

This month the event is hosted by Surabhi of My Cook Book. The recipe is chocolate shortbread from Joy of baking. The shortbread was absolutely delicious with buttery rich taste and the chocolate glaze with nuts sprinkled on top.

You can find the original recipe here.

What are the ingredients required?

For short bread

All purpose flour, 1 cup

Cocoa powder, 1/4 cup

Butter, 1/2 cup (at room temperature)

Sugar, 1/2 cup

Salt, 1/4 tsp

Egg yolk- 1 no.

Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon


For Chocolate glaze


Semi sweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup
Butter, 2 tbs
Coarsely chopped nuts, 1/4 cup

How it is made?

 Short bread.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Prepare the tart pan with removable bottom by applying butter. Set it aside.
2. In a bowl sift and whisk together all purpose flour, cocoa powder and salt.
3. In a bowl cream together butter and sugar then beat in egg yolk and vanilla extract. Add flour mixture to this mixture and mix till the dough is formed.
4. Press the dough evenly in the bottom of the prepared tart pan. Bake for 20- 25 minutes until its done. Remove and let it cool.

Chocolate glaze

1. In a microwave safe bowl mix chocolate chips and butter and microwave in defrost mode for 30 seconds. Stir well and microwave for another 30 seconds. Continue till the chocolate is fully melted.

Final assembly

1. Prepare this glaze while the shortbread is still baking. Then while it is still hot pour the glaze on top of it  and evenly spread them on the shortbread. Then  sprinkle the chopped nuts on the glaze.
2. Let the shortbread cool completely. Now remove from the tart pan and slice  and serve them.
   
   
   This goes to the Bake along# 2 @ My Cook book,  I love baking # 4, Lets party- Desserts, Showcase- Desserts, Only Chocolate event @ Foodelicious