Mango Kulfi

Summer is a lot of things for a lot of people..one of the best things for us is Mangoes!! Lots of lots of them :) So, with Mangoes here there and everywhere, it only makes sense to use them to create some lip smacking dishes.

Mango Kulfi is a very popular dessert and even those who don't know much about Indian desserts will have tried or seen Mango Kulfi on restaurant menus. While you can easily buy Mango ice creams, it's not the same with Kulfi, which is a more dense and solid. Also making your own Kulfi means you can add all the extras like nuts. We made it without nuts this time and they were gone in a hurry!

Here it is, my version of MANGO KULFI:

Ingredients: 1 cup full cream milk, 3 tablespoons milk powder, 2-3 tablespoons raw sugar, pulp of 1 fresh ripe Mango, 1 spoon cornflour, few saffron strands, 1 teaspoon cardamon powder.

Make: In a thick bottom pan, heat up the milk, milk powder and sugar. Don't let it boil, keep stirring for about 10 minutes until it all thickens slightly. To help thicken, add in the cornflour mixed with a spoon of the milk. Add saffron and cardamon powder (if adding nuts add now too). Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool completely. Once cooled, add in the mango pulp (I grinded pulp to ensure a smooth puree) and mix well. Pour into moulds, cover with foil or clingwrap and poke in sticks if desired. Freeze for about 8 hours.

Sankranti Ellu Bella - Healthy Trail Mix

It's the Indian festival of Harvest - the celebration of food! Makara Sankranti/Lohri/Pongal, whatever it might be for you, it's sure to be a food filled day! One of the best memories as a child is collecting and sharing "Sankranti Ellu Bella" with friends on festival day, visiting family and friends. 

Sharing my version of the healthy and delicious festive snack, SANKRANTI ELLU BELLA:

Ingredients: 1 cup roasted peanuts (skin peeled after roasting), 1 cup roasted gram, 1 cup chopped roasted coconut flakes, 1/4 cup roasted sesame seeds (ellu), 1/2 cup small chopped jaggery (bella), sugar cubes if desired.

Make: Roast each of the above (except jaggery) separately. Cool down completely. In a bowl, mix all of together. Share and enjoy snacking!

Mutter Paneer - Peas & Paneer Curry

Sometimes nothing beats the classic dishes that simply are amazing just being their authentic self! While a lot of curries and Indian dishes can be altered or modernized, I think a good hearty Paneer curry just needs to be itself.

Always a favourite at our place..here it is my version of the humble MUTTER PANEER:

Ingredients: About 250 grams of Paneer (cottage cheese) chopped into small cubes, 1 cup of green peas, 2-3 ripe tomatoes chopped, 1 onion chopped, 1 tablespoon giner-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1 tablespoon oil (use butter/ghee if preferred), chopped coriander, chilli as desired, salt to taste.

Make: In a heavy bottom pan, saute in oil, the onion, chilli, cumin seeds, garam masala and ginger-garlic paste then add the tomatoes. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes. Cool slightly and grind in a mixer to form a paste. In another pan, put in a small amount oil and pan-fry the paneer cubes and peas slightly then add in the tomato paste made as above. Add salt and cook covered for about 8 minutes. If consistency is too thick, add a bit of water or if it is too runny, add some almond or cashew powder. Once ready, sprinkle chopped coriander and serve hot with roti or rice. Enjoy!

Masala Buttermilk

Happy New Year! Happy New Decade! Here's to a healthy, happy and peaceful year ahead.

It's been a hot hot Summer down under so the less time spent in the kitchen the better...and that doesn't mean sneaking in takeaway or short cut foods. We have been enjoying easy simple dishes made with fresh seasonal fruits and lots of cool ingredients.

One of our favourties has been a healthy, cool drink that is famed in the Indian subcontinent not only for it's nutritional benefits but also the delicious blended flavours of fresh herbs.

Here it is, my version of MASALA BUTTERMILK (Spiced buttermilk/Masala Majjige):

Ingredients: 1 cup natural yogurt, 3/4 cup water, small amount of ginger, fresh chilli if desired, handful corriander, few curry leaves, cumin seeds, 1 spoon cumin powder, salt to taste.

Make: In a juicer/blender, put in all of the ingredients above and give it a quick whiz just to blend together (do not blend for long, the ingredients do not need grinding). Ready! Cool in the fridge or add ice cubes and serve.