Mango Cheesecake for birthday celebration

Mangoes are the hot favorites now and from so long I was thinking of making this mango cheesecake and this occasion was right and special to me, as my little one loves mangoes and it was her birthday. This is a cake which can be made easily and is so creamy and melts in mouth.

The smooth, silky and texture of the cheesecake will be loved by all. In this recipe, instead of gelatin we can also use agar agar / China grass. In this hot weather, this chilled cheesecake is so refreshing to have.

You can make this two days prior to the day you want to serve the cake. It should set well. I made this on the previous day of my little one’s birthday and had to cut the cake without completely setting. Though it turned out to be amazing on the second day.

Ingredients:

1. Mango pieces- 1 cup
2. Cream cheese- 250gms
3. Amul cream- 150ml
4. Sugar- ½ Cup
5. Gelatin- 1 tsp

For base:

1. Marie biscuits- 1 packet
2. Butter (melted)- ¼ cup

Method:

1. Add gelatin to hot water and stir till it completely dissolves.
2. Crush the marie biscuits in a food processor and add the melted butter. Mix well with hands, until the mixture comes together. Press this into the bottom of a springform pan. Refrigerate this. Meanwhile mix the cream cheese, cream and sugar well. Puree the mango pieces and add the dissolved gelatine to the puree.
3. Add half of the puree to the above cream mixture and mix gently till everything is combined well.
4. Pour this on top of the biscuit crust and level it. Keep this in the refrigerator to set for about 3- 4 hrs.
5. Pour the remaining mango puree as the third layer. Pour this gently or else the layers will combine.
6. Refrigerate overnight and yummy cheesecake is ready the next day.

Chocolate Chip Blondies

I know I was absent for so long as I was enjoying my vacations with my parents and inlaws. During this time, I ate whatever I wanted without any restrictions (from my husband who was in Bangalore). Whatever food we make, it wont come up to the mark when compared with Mom’s food, something we always be craving for.

Today I am going to introduce a new recipe (new to me) called blondies. I accidently came across this recipe, when I was searching for something else in “Laura in the kitchen” blog. In that recipe, the blondies are made with white chocolate chips, as I didn’t have them I tried with dark chocolate chips and the result was too good. We can make this in advance and pack this as gifts or for any parties, or as a snack for kids.

These are hard to resist when they are made perfectly. This chewy, flavor rich blondies makes a perfect dessert. This is so quick and easy dish, that I made this so many times. Mixing all the ingredients and throwing in the oven and at last an aromatic dessert is ready to eat. So I am sure that this will be everyone's must have dessert, after you try this once.

Adapted from Laura in the kitchen
Ingredients:

1. All purpose flour / Maida- 1 cup + 2 tbsp
2. Baking Powder- 1 tsp
3. Salt- a Pinch
4. Egg- 1 no
5. Sugar-¾ cup
6. Butter- ⅓ cup
7. Vanilla extract- 1 tsp
8. Sour Cream- 2 tbsp
9. Chocolate chips- 1 cup

Method:

1. Coat the chocolate chips with 2 tbsp of flour and keep this aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
3. Mix flour, baking powder and salt and keep this aside.
4. Cream together butter, sugar along with egg, sour cream and vanilla essence. Mix till it looks smooth.
5. Add the flour mixture and combine well.Add the chocolate chips and blend weel. Pour this mixture into greased pan and bake for about 30 minutes.
6. When it is cool cut the bars.

Strawberry Phirni

Sorry all for my absence from blogging for 2 weeks as I was busy with some personal work.

I am back now with a very popular North Indian dessert called Phirni. Phirni is also known as rice pudding. Phirni can be made according to one’s taste.

I have made so many dishes out of strawberries, so when my friend bought some, I thought of making phirni out of it.I usually make phirni, as it is easy to make. I thought of adding some strawberries for a unique taste. The red luscious pieces of strawberries is a feast to the eyes.

My mom used to make this, refrigerated and used to serve this when we came back from school. So when I am here for vacations I thought of making this by adding some strawberries and my mom loved this new twist.

Adapted from Sanjeev Kapoor
Ingredients:

1. Strawberries- 8 nos
2. Rice- 4 tbsp
3. Milk- 2 cups
4. Sugar- ½ cup (As required)
5. Cardamom Powder- 1 tsp
6. Pistachios (blanched)- 9-10 nos

Method:

1. Cut the strawberries and keep it aside.
2. Soak rice for an hour and grind it to a fine paste by adding little water.
3. In a bowl heat milk and sugar. When it starts boiling add the rice paste and let it cook on low flame stirring in between.
4. Add the cardamom powder and cook till the phirni thickens.
5. Adjust the sugar as required. Switch off the flame and add the chopped strawberries and mix well.
6. Garnish with blanched pistachios. When it is cool, chill it in refrigerator and serve.