Sunday, March 11, 2012

Ricotta Cheese Peda


Peda is a staple for indian festivals, but it does take a while to go through the whole process of making it.  This is a super easy recipe that simplifies the process greatly and tastes DELICIOUS! Most of the ingredients are store-bought so it is already half done for you! So there really isn't any excuse not to make it for you and your family. :)

 Ingredients: 
  • Ricotta Cheese - 30 oz tub
  • Heavy Cream - 16 oz tub
  • Sugar - 1 cup
  • Cardamom Powder
  • Saffron (Optional)
  • Vanilla essence (Optional) 1/2 tsp 
  • Pistachios (Optional)
Procedure:
  1. Place a heavy bottom pan on the stove on medium heat, add the ricotta cheese and continuously stir it in the pan.
  2. After some of the moisture evaporates from the cheese, add in the heavy cream, cardamom powder, saffron, and vanilla.
  3. Continuously mix the contents of the pan on medium heat 
  4. When the mixture starts to thicken in the pan, add in the sugar as well. 
  5. Raise the temperature to high heat and keep stirring the contents of the pan continuously. (If the mixture starts to bubble and splatter out of the pan, don't panic, just place a lid halfway over the pan and keep stirring :) ) 
  6. Keep stirring, and stirring, and stirring, until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan and starts to form a ball. 
  7. When the mixture forms a ball, turn off the stove and let it cool for 5-6 minutes
  8. Make small balls of peda from the mixture the size of you choice, and garnish with some chopped pistachios. Share and Enjoy! 
~Suneetha

Linking this to the event Showcase-Desserts hosted by Divya

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Maida Biscuits Recipe


This is by far one of the easiest homemade snack recipes I have been taught. My mom always used to make these during festivals, marriages, birthdays, or whenever we wanted them! These never fail to remind me of my childhood. Whenever I make these in my home, they never seem to last more than 3 or 4 days, but they are easy enough to make so I can replenish the supply pretty quickly. I always turn to this recipe on those dark and dingy rainy days and it never fails to cheer up the whole family. I will give you fair warning that these are quite addictive and you may find yourself making these again in a couple of days. Here goes the recipe...



Ingredients: 
  • Whole Wheat Flour - 1 cup 
  • Semolina (Sooji) - 2 tbsp 
  • Cumin Powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Ajwain - 1/4 tsp
  • Chili Powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Salt - to taste
  • Melted Butter - 2 tbsp 
  • Vegetable Oil - for deep frying 
Procedure:
  1. Mix whole wheat flour, semolina, cumin powder, ajwain powder, chili powder, salt, and melted butter in a large bowl.
  2. Slowly add water to the mixture until it forms a ball of dough 
  3. Make small balls of dough the size of a lemon and roll out each ball on a floured surface like a chapathi
  4. Cut the rolled out dough into diamond shapes (cut diagonally in each way)
  5. Heat up the vegetable oil to a boil in a vessel.
  6. Slowly add the diamond cuts and wait until they rise to the surface.
  7. Remove the diamond chips from the oil and place in a paper towel lined bowl.
  8. Wait till the paper absorbs the excess oil and the chips cool.
  9. Store in an airtight jar and enjoy!
Linking this post to Mom's Recipe event hosted by Srav's