Thirattipaal / Theratipaal using Ricotta Cheese / Microwave Thirattipaal

One of my favorite sweets is enjoy is thirattipal, but it takes for ever to do them. But the taste and the end result is so worth the time, effort spent. Here I came across a simple recipe and got the thirattipal in 15 minutes... Now that is so delicious and also the time and effort is much less..

Akkaravadisal (அக்காரவடிசல்)

Akkaravadisal is a very simple sweet. This is also a festive food made during Pongal festival. It is very similar to sakkara pongal but this is made with sugar instead of jaggery and this is cooked on the stovetop. There are many versions of Akkaravadisal and this is how we make it at home..

 

Javvarisi Payasam / Sago Kheer

A delicious payasam made from javvarisi. It is quite easy to make.. There are so many varieties of Payasam and kheer we make.. Each is so unique in taste, texture and appearance. This payasam looks so beautiful with the transparent tiny balls floating in it.. I remember my child hood days where we used to play with the balls when this payasam was served. We press with the finger and the balls with move slipping under your fingers and it will be so much fun!!! We make this payasam for a lot of festivals. This can be served both warm and chilled!!

Paneer Tikka–A perfect Appetizer

Paneer Tikka is a very popular appetizer or starter. It has its unique taste and aroma. It is made from marinated paneer and veggies. The spices added in the marination is a personal  choice. When marinating is ready, then the dish can be done in 15 – 20 minutes. You could also serve this as a side with roti, naan, pulao or kulcha. Try them with etandoor. I have made them on the tawa here..

Honey Whole Wheat Pizza

Pizza is one of my daughter’s favorite… Actually I also like it, but the truth is I prefer home made. I have tried Pizza with regular all purpose flour, with multigrain flour (recipe coming soon), with whole wheat flour. In this recipe I have included 1/4th of all purpose flour also. You could try doing it completely with whole wheat flour, but you will need to proof for longer time.. I will try this next time with complete whole wheat flour. This will make 3 9 inch thin crust pizzas or 2 13 inch thin crust pizzas. Toppings are again a personal choice. I made 3 different group of toppings. One with Basil and mozzarella. Second with Basil, Olives and Mozzarella. Third with Cherry tomatoes, Mozzarella and Basil. Also please do not use Parchment paper on the baking tray, instead grease the baking tray well.

Lemon Grass Basil Pine Pesto Pasta

Pasta is an Italian dish made with a combination of cooked pasta and a sauce. There are many types of pasta like Penne, Fettuccine, Farfalle, Spaghetti etc. Pesto is a type of a paste made with specific ingredients.. Most of the time it is uncooked.. So it has bursting flavor of fresh ingredients.. This is not a traditional pesto, but a pesto made with the ingredients I had on hand and it was flavorful and everybody in my house loved it!!! Some more types of Pastas from my blog – Pesto Ala Trapenese, Spicy Indian Style Pasta, Basil Penne, Pesto Di Noci, 

Pan Pizza

Pizza is a very famous Italian dish which has become World famous. There are many types of Pizzas and the choices are plenty. You can make Thin Crust pizzas, thicker crust, stuffed crust, Chicago Style, New York Style etc. Again choice of toppings are also plenty and personal. Make sure to enjoy the pizza hot!! Pan Pizza is a thicker crust pizza. I got this recipe from here. The toppings are a personal choice. I have used tomato sauce, olives, capers, onions and coriander leaves. This will make 1 thick 9 inch pizza.

Paneer Butter Masala–w/o Onion and Garlic

One of the very common North Indian Side we order in the restaurant is Paneer Butter Masala. This was the first side dish I got introduced to when we tried North Indian food. It is also a very popular menu part of most menus serving North Indian food. Serve this with roti, naan or pulao and enjoy the meal. Normally I make them with onion and garlic, but today I have omitted them both.

Palak Tofu

Palak Paneer is a very popular North Indian dish. It tastes best when served hot with rice, Naan or Roti. It is very attractive from its great and rich green color. Today I have made 2 variations to my regular recipe - I have used tofu instead of paneer and have also not included onion and garlic.

Aloo Methi–Potato and Fenugreek Leaves Stir fry

There are lot of North Indian side dishes that starts with the preparation of working with Onion and garlic. However I make them without onion and garlic when I making for people who do not like them or when we eat on festival days where we avoid onion and garlic in our dishes. Now we will be enjoying 3 of such dishes that are normally made with Onion and Garlic, but we will be making them by omitting onion and garlic. Today we are looking at a very simple and flavorful side dish with pulao or roti. I served it with Varagu Peas Pulao

Chocolate Truffles

Truffles - the word makes me drool.. So delicious and so picture perfect.. When we look at them in the shops we are stunned by their beautiful appearance and also by their taste.. Mouth melting and sinfully delicious.. You cannot stop with one.. Making them at home seems intimidating, but it is so simple and effortless.. But definitely there are some points that needs to be kept in mind to ensure good quality ones!!. I got this recipe from here..

 

 

 

Eggless Strawberry Muffin - Without Egg, Without Butter

I love baking.. and yes if that comes with ease of work, then I am happy.. My daughter was super excited to see this pink color muffins and she was all praise for me!!! Was it a win win?? Yes and no.. The reason I say no is due to the amount of sugar in it and also I have added few drops of food color.. I am not a big fan of using food colors, but sometimes I do use it.. Try this muffin which is very light in texture and also makes a perfect one for the kid's lunch box, party food. Sharing this for this month's BM - Holiday food.

 

Eggless Stained Glass Cookies–Eggless Cookies

Look at them and just stare... That is my one liner for this very adorable looking cookie.. I bookmarked this cookie here immediately when I saw it.. The original recipe had 1 egg and I have used the egg replacer here. They have a good shelf life of around a week to 10 days if stored in the fridge. I also saw some YouTube videos for the method of making it... But again took everything and did my own!!! This one is a sinfully delicious one and you cannot stop with a few!!! very addictive!! With December close and the baking season has kick started with full swing.. Enjoy this delicious cookies - it is fun both making them and sharing them.. They also make great edible gifts!!! I am back to BM after a long time and feels good to join back...

Diwali Sweets and Snacks - 2014

Happy Deepavali to all.. Diwali / Deepavali is one of the biggest Indian festival which is celebrated with lights. Deepam means light.. We celebrate it with sweets, savories, new dresses, crackers, visiting relatives and friends, decorating the houses and also doing pooja.. It is so much fun and a festival that is thoroughly enjoyed by all age groups. Hope you all have started the Diwali preparations.. Here is a collection of festive recipes. Enjoy. Click on the image for the link to the recipe.

Diwali Sweets

 

 

Diwali Savories

Enjoy!!