Rave Unde/Laddoo

This one doesn't need any introduction!!! Everyone would have some memories attached to it! Its such a delicious one which is prepared at home even without any occasions :) Till I gave a try for this I never knew it is simple and easy to prepare. Ok so now lets not waste time and look into the recipe :)

Ingredients:
Rave/Semolina - 1 cup
Sugar - 3/4 cup
Dry Coconut - 2 tblspn
Ghee - use generously (1/4 cup,melted)
Saffron - few soaked in warm milk
Raisins and cashew - few
Cloves - 7-8
Warm milk - 5-6 tblspn(just for binding)

Method:
1. In a vessel/pan, heat 1 tblspn of ghee and fry raisins and cashews until cashews are brown and raisins are plump and keep in a plate aside
2. Fry rave in same till it turns its color to golden brown. Keep in same plate
3. Warm the coconut in same pan and transfer it to same plate
4. Measure sugar and warm ghee and add to this plate and add saffron
5. Mix all ingredients and sprinkle warm milk and mix and make laddoos of desirable size

I got 15 yum yummy laddoos :) !!!

Note:
1. Use more ghee than milk so that it melts in your mouth
2. Use warm ghee to pour on rava
3. Try using dry coconut as it helps in preserving for longer time

Peanut Butter Cookies

Mouth watering and melting cookies ! I was desperate to try this one after i tasted it prepared by one of my friend in Hildesheim, Germany :) And believe me, its not difficult to prepare and you would love it :) So here is this weekend recipe :)

Ingredients:

Butter - 3/4 cup (unsalted)
Peanut Butter - 3/4 cup (crunchy/smooth)
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Brown Sugar - 1/2 cup
Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
All Purpose Flour/Maida - 2 cups
Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
Salt - little
Chopped peanuts - optional

Method:

1. Beat unsalted butter, and add sugar and brown sugar
2. Beat till light and fluffy (2-3 mins)
3. Add peanut butter and beat
4. Add vanilla extract and beat to combine and keep aside
5. To this, add Maida, baking soda and salt and whisk together
6. Can add choco chips/chopped peanuts, this is optional

7. Cover and chill for half an hour
8. Preheat oven to 180 degree C and line baking sheets at middle
9. Make balls out of dough and place on baking sheets
10. In a bowl, take sugar, dip fork and press down on balls done
11. Bake for 5-10 mins or till edges are brown

Note:

1. After 5 mins keep checking till edges are brown
2. Allow it to cool completely before serving

Enjoy!!!

Palak Paneer

One of the most popular Indian dish, basically punjabi dish with goodness of palak. Its basically paneer cubes cooked in spinach/palak curry. And no wonder highly nutritious!!!

Preparation time : 15 min
Cooking time: 30 min

Ingredients:

Palak - 3 cups
Green Chillli - 1-2
Paneer - 15 pieces
Onion - 3/4 cup very finely chopped
Garlic - 3-4 cloves
Ginger-Garlic paste - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Tomatoes - 1 cup
Salt to taste

Spice powders:

Cumin powder - 3/4 - 1tsp
Coriander powder - 2 tsp
Red  Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Garam Masala powder - 3/4 tsp

Seasoning:

Oil - 21/2 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1tsp
Cinnamon - 1 inch
Cloves - 2

Granish:

Butter - 2tbsp

Preparation:

1. Prepare paneer at home or can even buy. Can check my recipe to prepare Home Made Paneer
2. Fry paneer in very less oil and keep aside
3. Grind the palak to smooth paste with chilli and keep aside

Method:

1. Heat oil in a kadai and add items under 'Seasoning'
2. When cumin seeds sizzles, add onion, garlic and saute till onions are brown
3. Add little salt, continuous stir is required
4. Add Ginger-Garlic paste and saute
5. Add tomatoes and all spice powder and turmeric powder and salt needed
6. Cook till tomatoes are mushy. Do not add water till tomatoes are cooked
7. Add palak puree and cook in medium flame for 5-6 min
8. Once palak is cooked add paneer and cook for 2-3 mins
9. Add some water and simmer
10. Ig gravy is too thick add water and adjust consistency and also the taste accordingly
11. Garnish with butter and serve

Maddur Vada

One of the popular and tasty snack in Karnataka! Maddur vada gets its name from town Maddur, in Mandya district on the way to Mysore. I remember we stopping every time at this place when on the way to mysore just to have this snack. This also fills my craving for something hot and crispy and when I tried it was easy and tasty!!! So now even you can prepare this at anytime and enjoy!

Ingredients:

Onion - 1 cup, chopped thinly

Green chilli - 2-3(can adjust based on how much spicy you need)

Curry leaves - 5-8, chopped

Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp, chopped

Maida - 1/2 cup

Semolina - 1/2 cup

Rice Flour - 1 cup

Coconut - 1/2 cup

Cumin seeds - 1tsp

Sesame seeds - 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

Hot oil - 1/4 cup

Oil - for deep frying

Method:

1. Blend cumin seeds, chillies,coconut without adding water

2. Mix this along with all other ingredients using hot oil. Use spoon to mix since hot oil is used

3. Leave for 15 mins

4. Mix water when you want to deep fry 

5. Heat oil over low flame and make dough by sprinkling water like chapati dough

6. Make small lemon sized dough and pat on greased non stick paper

7. Transfer it to your fingers(on 4 fingers) and slide into hot oil carefully

8. Fry till red and crispy and drain on paper towel and enjoy hot hot crispy maddur vada best with tea!!!