Homemade Rasgullas- By my dear friend...

Rasgullas are one of the most popular Indian sweet, which we get in almost all the bakeries. My friend gave the rasgullas which she made from scratch. They were so soft, spongy and delicious which I wanted to share with all of you. I took the recipe from her and here it is today in my blog. She is an amazing cook and loves to try new dishes. These rasgullas were so heavenly that we finished off one after the other. But before finishing off, I managed to take pictures for my blog.

In this, the milk is curdled and then drained for some time. Knead the cheese well and drop into the sugar syrup and let it cook till done. Proper kneading is important, or else the rasgullas will break while cooking in the sugar syrup. The flavors are enhanced by the addition of rose essence.

As Holi festival is nearing, this is a perfect dessert to share with friends. With just minimal ingredients we can make an appetizing dessert. Try this a dessert and let me know.

Ingredients:

1. Whole Milk- 6 Cups
2. Lemon Juice- 2 tbsp
3. Sugar- 2 cups
4. Water- 4 cups
5. Rose Essence- 1 tbsp

Method:

1. Boil the milk on a medium flame, stir the milk in intervals. Reduce the flame to low and add the lemon juice. Mix and the milk start curdling.
2. As soon as the milk curdles, switch off the flame.you will notice the whey and the curdled milk separated.
3. Pour this cheese in a cheese/ muslin cloth strainer. Wash this cheese under running water to remove the acidic flavor from the lemon.
4. Gather the muslin cloth from the sides and squeeze it using hands so that excess water is drained. Place a heavy weight on top of the muslin cloth for about 30- 40 minutes so that all the moisture will be drained off.

For sugar syrup:

1. Add sugar and water to a wide pot, bring it to a boil.
2. Knead the cheese well using hands till it forms a smooth dough. Take small portions of this and roll into tiny balls. Make sure that they are tiny, not big and also that there shouldn't be any cracks in the balls.
3. When the sugar dissolves, add the tiny cheese balls one after the other gently into the syrup.
4. Add the rose essence and close with a lid. Let the cheese balls boil in the sugar syrup for about 10 minutes on a low to medium flame. In between stir them to ensure that they are cooking evenly. By this time they will double in size and sink when done.
5. Allow the rasgullas to rest for some time. When they are cool serve them and enjoy.

Delicious and Power packed Energy bites

A no-bake energy bites which are a perfect snack post workout. I found these energy bites recipe from Deliciously Ella's blog which has many healthy and unique recipes. I love her blog because they are so simple, easy and there are many different varieties of healthy dishes.
In these bites, I have added oats, which was not in the main recipe. These energy bites are super versatile.You can add your own choice of chocolate chips, peanut butter, desiccated coconut, dried cranberries and so on.

When I saw the recipe, I tried and made around 10- 12 bites, but after seeing the demand for these bites from my husband and daughter the next day I made a big batch. By this time I emptied a big pack of dates. I liked the addition of coconut oil.
My friend always makes different varieties of energy bites. I have tasted them before but never tried making them at home. But when I saw these cuties in Ella's blog, all the ingredients were handy and so here it is on my blog.

These energy bites are super easy to make and will take less time. These are loaded with proteins, fiber and will keep you full and active. Hope you all like this. Try this out and let me know.
Ingredients:

1. Dates- 2 Cups
2. Almonds, Pecans, and Pistachios- 1 Cup
3. Coconut Oil- 1 tbsp
4. Raw Cacao Powder- 1 tbsp
5. Oats- 1/2 Cup
6. Hemp Seeds- 1 tbsp
7. Chia Seeds- 1 tbsp
8. Flax Seeds- 1 tbsp

Method:

1. Powder the nuts in a blender till crumbled well. 
2. Blend the pitted dates along with hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, oats and raw cacao powder in a food processor till everything gets mixed and powdered.
3. Add the coconut oil and the powdered nuts along with blended dates mixture for about 1 minute till it forms a sticky dough.
4. Roll the mixture into little balls and store it in airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Enjoy when needed.

Home Made Easy Granola Recipe with Yogurt- Granola Bowls- A healthy Valentine's Day Gift

This granola recipe is so easy and a simple version, that you can make any time of the day. This is a perfect snack to munch on without thinking about calories. An ideal one to carry to work and to school. This will make an excellent healthy gift for someone special which is homemade and with lots of love and care.

In this granola, we can add chocolate chips, dried berries, a variety of nuts or anything of your choice or eat it plain. it's tasty any of the ways. These are so addictive and delicious that I made 3 batches in the last week. I make this and store them in airtight jars, but we don't know when it gets over as they are so scrumptious and yummy that we simply munch on. Kids will love them for breakfast or as a healthy snack.

I have added these granolas in the Greek yogurt along with blueberry compote and they were heavenly.

Nowadays I am so obsessed with the beautiful, cute pink flowers that have bloomed all over the town. In this valentines season, these flowers are a perfect feast for the eyes. As soon as the winter is over, there won't be any leaves and these cute little flowers will take over the trees. Such a wonderful sight it is, that they fill your hearts and you forget about all your worries. For my food photography, I have used these flowers as a prop along with my favorite granola and they both well blended together. Hope you all like this. try this out and let me know.

Ingredients:

1. Oats- 4 Cups
2. Dried Raspberries- 1 cup
3. Almond - a handful
4. Cinnamon powder- 1 Tsp
5. Honey- 1/3 Cup
6. Coconut Oil- 1/4 Cup
7. Vanilla Essence- 1 tsp

Method:

1. Take the oats, dried raspberries, almonds, cinnamon powder in a mixing bowl. Add the honey, coconut oil and vanilla essence in this and mix well using the hand, so that everything gets well blended with each other.
2. meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the above mixture on a baking tray evenly and bake for about 10- 15 minutes. Using a wooden spatula, stir the mixture in between the baking time.
3. Take it out of the oven and when cool, enjoy along with your favorite yogurt or have it just like that.

Mummy's Kerala Prawns Pickle

Making a finger licking, mouth watering pickle is an art. Over the years, I think I have excelled in this. Before I used store bought pickle masala for making the pickles. This is my mother-in-law's recipe which she used to make often when we were in India. Now when she was here, we were lucky to get small shrimp from Costco. This pickle tastes better with small shrimp. She made this and stored in an airtight glass jar. I hid it from my husband and daughter and give them once in a while or else they would finish off within a day. This tastes amazingly delicious along with hot steaming rice. This will be loved by all the seafood lovers.

Pickling is a process of preserving food. Indian pickles can be made with almost every vegetable and also with fish, chicken, prawns and so on. I will make sure that one rack in my refrigerator is always filled with different varieties of pickle bottles. If you want more pickle recipes then you can check here.

In this, the prawns are marinated with the required amount of spices and fried in oil till done. Prepare the pickle by adding garlic, ginger and all the spices and mix along with fried prawns. The flavors of the spices and the slight tanginess from kokum are well incorporated in the pickle and a finger-licking deliciousness will be ready which can be enjoyed anytime with anything.

Ingredients:
Marination:

1. Shrimp- 2 lbs
2. Red Chilli Powder- 2 tbsp
3. Salt- as required
4. Turmeric Powder- 2 Tsp
5. Sesame Oil- 1/4 Cup

For the pickle:

1. Ginger (grated)- 2 tbsp
2. Garlic Cloves- 10- 15nos
3. Red Chilies- 5 nos
4. Salt- as required
5. Mustard Seeds- 1 tbsp
6. Curry Leaves- few
7. Red Chili Powder- 1 tbsp
8. Fenugreek powder- 1/2 Tsp
9. Turmeric Powder- 1 Tsp
10. Kokum- 2- 3 pieces (optional)

Method:

1. Mix everything for marination except oil, keep this aside for about 3- 4 hours or overnight, so that everything will get blended well.
2. Heat oil in a pan,  fry the marinated prawns till the water gets evaporated this will take about 10- 15 minutes. Once the prawns are fried well, keep them aside.
3. Meanwhile, in the same oil, splutter mustard seeds. Add the grated ginger, garlic cloves, red chilies and curry leaves. When the raw smell disappears, lower the flame, add the red chili powder, turmeric powder and fenugreek powder. 
4. Stir for a minute, add the kokum along with marinated prawns, Mix well and switch off the flame.
5. Tasty and yummy prawn pickle is ready to store in airtight jars and enjoy.

P.S: Instead of kokum you can also add 2 tbsp of vinegar.