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Kheeranand (Rich Rajasthani Dessert)

in on 9th August 2020 9th August 2020

Dessert always has a special place in Indian cuisine, especially in north India. In Rajasthan, we serve dessert or sweet with every single meal although in the snack. Even we also prefer to eat something sweet with chai. Today I am sharing a very special Marwari dessert recipe “kheeranand”. Just like its name suggests, something like kheer but way different than kheer but richer and creamier in flavour. The cooking method is a bit different than typical rice pudding.

In Indian home, we always celebrate festival, puja and get together with a ton of sweet dessert and sweets. This is one of my favourites and I also learn this classic special rich rice dessert recipe from my baba, who was a fantastic cook. Kheeranand is milk and ghee based rice pudding and a perfect way to finish your meal. The ingredients are usually available in your pantry but adding ghee takes this dessert next level.

This is so aromatic and delicious dessert that you can find in Marwari kitchen on special occasions. This dessert also brings back lots of memories from my home and childhood. Whenever I make and eat it, feels like home. It’s an ancestral dish – something that one can call it as traditional dessert from Rajasthan’s rich heritage and my home.

So ENJOY. Stay healthy, stay humble!

Vegan Spiced Walnut Banana Bread With Jaggery

in on 1st August 2020 1st August 2020

This vegan spiced walnut banana bread is simply delicious with a beautiful texture that makes banana bread irresistible. Actually, I love lots of walnut in my banana bread that gives not only the chunky texture but also beautiful colour. It’s so amazing… I am really in love with this vegan spiced walnut banana bread. I am not the person who grew up eating lots of cake and flavoured bread but after moved to Pune with my family then the first time I have tested banana bread from a little bakery near my house. It was the most amazing banana walnut bread I ever tasted.

That time I thought I will never be going to be able to make this kind of sweet bread at home. I was never able to stop myself from eating good banana bread. After trying so many recipes, this is exactly the same taste and textured walnut banana bread I was used to eating in Pune.

This is my version of easy one bowl spiced walnut banana bread. Moist, spiced and filled with nutty walnut, this banana bread is so amazing and melts in the mouth. I made this bread without dairy and eggs but you will not able to tell the difference. It is so easy to make, even you can make this beautiful bread without sugar by trying your favourite sweetener or if your banana is sweeter then you don’t need any sugar.

Always use overripe bananas for baking for texture and sweetness. You can skip jaggery also or replace walnut with chocolate chip or any other nuts of choice. It’s totally up to you guys but, trying healthy vegan spiced walnut bread is worthy. Plus you can have little dessert without any guilt and your little one also going to love this. Eat as a snack or enjoy a slice of this healthy banana bread as a breakfast with your favourite hot beverage or as a dessert after your meal. It’s so good to have a healthy dessert for your guest also.

Stay healthy, stay humble!

Garlic Knots

in on 24th July 2020 24th July 2020

I love to enjoy baking classic Italian pizzeria style aromatic garlic knots. Most of the pizzeria have this easy and dame delicious snack but nothing can beat homemade one. Amazingly flaky, buttery and umami flavour parmesan cheese with some herbs; your house smells like heaven. Homemade garlic knots made completely from scratch and melts in the mouth.

These appetizing garlicky knots are very easy if you want to make at home. Most of the people like garlic bread even my munchkin also but she goes crazy when she tasted these garlicky knots. Super soft, buttery, and aromatic garlic knots tastes like amazingly delicious. It can be served as snacks also in party snacks or Friday night appetizer. Just serve along with marinara sauce on the side.

When you want to make these savoury aromatic garlic knots then you can also use pre-made pizza dough. Or, if you have time to make your own yeast dough and you can freeze for a busy day but don’t forget to defrost the dough. Cut the dough equal parts and roll each piece into a 7 inch long rope. Take the ends of the knots and make a knot. Brush it with herb and garlic butter and cover them with parmesan cheese without hesitation.

Bake until golden brown then brush more butter and sprinkle parmesan cheese and your home will smell like your favourite pizzeria. These little bits of happiness are really delicious. Just dip your knots into marinara sauce and lekker. This is a perfect snack for any time. Something about garlic knots that is an irresistible aromatic buttery garlicky flavour you never going to forget.

Methi Thepla

in on 17th July 2020 17th July 2020

Methi thepla, a Gujrati style flatbread made with fresh fenugreek and whole wheat flour by adding few spices – a most lovable Gujrati dish. It is a soft paratha with different texture and aroma. These theplas are easy to store for a few days and amazing food for travel. Using methi or fresh fenugreek leaves into these parathas not just enhances the flavour but also loaded with nutrition.

It is a good way to feed leafy greens to your little one and perfect for lunch box also. Also adding a little bit of sour yogurt or curd and chickpea flour into the dough make these parathas soft yet mildly crispy. Or if you want them soft and melt in the mouth skip adding chickpea flour into the dough.

Methi thepla is cooked every day in Gujrati cuisine. My mum also used to make these theplas a lot for us. So, it’s kind of a memory of home for me but here it’s not possible to find these little leaves of happiness. So I have grown fenugreek in my kitchen garden.

Methi thepla it is not just paratha, it’s a feeling, delicious, healthy and power-packed snacks, easy to carry. Thin and soft healthy theplas are very light also. You and your loved one can enjoy any time with pickle or boondi raita. These are aromatic fenugreek flatbread is the staple food and you can enjoy with your hot cup of tea as well.

Spicy Vegan Baked Masala Peanuts

in on 11th July 2020 11th July 2020

Masala peanut is a spicy and crunchy fried peanut coated with gluten-free chickpea flour and spices. That is usually served with a hot cup of tea or enjoy with your favourite drink during drink parties. I have savoury snacking additions but I prefer something healthy and non-fried with my tea. Well, tea is an important part of Indian evening and for me as well. My day starts with my masala tea and any spicy dry snacks. So, this is my baked version of this classic Haldiram style masala peanuts.

It is healthy, very less oil, gluten-free and super easy to make at home and you can be store for a long time in your kitchen counter in an airtight container. Your kids can also enjoy this guilt-free healthy version of masala peanut. This baked masala peanut is a perfect party starter also and the best part is, it can be prepared in advanced and stored easily.

Making favourite snacks at home is my habit and outcome is so delicious better than store brought. At least I have control over the quality of ingredients and spices without the use of preservatives. The best thing about this non-fried version of masala peanut you can make at home with basic pantry staple ingredients. So, enjoy… one of my most favourite all-time snack but healthy version 🙂

Stay healthy, stay humble!

Vegan Chilli Lime Granola

in on 5th July 2020 5th July 2020

This chilli lime granola is a little bit different than the regular granolas. The perfect zesty flavour and mild sweetness in the healthy power-packed breakfast. You can eat this savoury and sweet granola as a snack or top-up in your favourite salad as well. I love the zesty lime flavoured granola that I can add into my salad as a crunch or sometimes to-go snacks. Well, you can make this chilli lime granola easily with very few pantry staple ingredients that easily available in your kitchen and voila, breakfast is ready… This power breakfast is much better than the store-bought and the taste is heavenly delicious.

I just love being creative with my granola flavours and this is my new obsessions of power breakfast granola. Not overloaded sugar and a perfect combination of chilli and zesty lime with a mild hint of sweetness. A perfect summer flavoured chilli lime granola. Grey summer morning calling for low carb, vegan chilli lime flavoured healthy breakfast granola you can enjoy at any time of the day.

Chilli lime granolas are vegan friendly, mildly sweet, savoury and bursting with the flavour of chilli lime, the perfect snack to go. Just be patient and let this granola little bit cool so it will be more flavourful and crunchy to enjoy. This zesty chilli lime granola is amazing snack to-go snack or eat it just like this or sprinkle over yogurt, salad, soups for extra zesty heat-y crunch.

So ENJOY! Stay healthy, stay humble!

Nolen Gurer Payesh With Cherry Bourbon Compote

in on 2nd July 2020 2nd July 2020

Nolen Gurer Payesh is one of most delicious Bengali style rice pudding made by milk, Gobindo Bhog rice, jaggery and bay leaves flavoured. It’s a warm comfort and tempting dessert that has a rich creamy taste and texture. This dessert made during wintertime in Bengali families. It’s kind of tradition but I used to put jaggery in my rice pudding every time. It is healthy and I can enjoy my favourite dessert at any time.

Especially right now Dutch weather is like cold rainy all day and what is better than something warm dessert? Rice pudding is actually my hubby’s one of the most favourite dessert. But, my version is a little bit of Danish (Risalamande) because Danish people add cherry compote to creamy rice pudding. Although, rice pudding with cherry compote is a Christmas dessert. The weather is cold and its cherry season; so, why not try some fusion.

It is not exactly Danish rice pudding but this is my version to try out. Traditional Risalamande (Danish Rice Pudding) is made with a cherry sauce, that is creamy and delicious rice pudding laced with sherry and almonds. It is served with a sweet, warm cherry sauce.

But, here I am sharing traditional authentic Indian Nolen Gurer Payesh with boozy cherry compote. Right now, it is cherry season and when you add little bourbon in it; becomes so elegant, nothing better than jaggery rice pudding with bourbon cherry compote. If you can’t find cherries, use strawberries or apples but nothing can beat cherries.

Every person has their own version of rice pudding. I like something different that is not too sweet and also drunken cherry provides sweet and boozy contrast to this creamy Nolen Gurer Payesh aka date palm jaggery rice pudding.

If you want to try something new and heavenly delicious drunken dessert, try this boozy yet creamy, melt in mouth Danish style Nolen Gurer Payesh with bourbon cherry compote that is topped with grated white chocolate and almonds. This beautiful and scrumptious dessert will make your summer table more desirable.

So ENJOY! Stay healthy, stay humble!

Vegan Scallion Pancakes

in on 27th June 2020 27th June 2020

This restaurant-style classic savoury vegan scallion pancakes you can make it home easily. These thin, round savoury pancakes are crispy outside and chewy inside. Scallion or green onion pancakes are famous Chinese street food that usually eaten in breakfast or as a snack. Green onion pancakes are a savoury Chinese flatbread simply made with flour, water, salt, and chopped scallions.

My version is crispy & flaky outside and chewy inside. Somewhat a messy thing to make, but totally irresistible to eat. The unleavened dough is shallow fried to a golden crisp and served hot with vinegar-based dipping sauce. Scallion pancakes are quite similar to the Indian paratha or Indian flaky flatbread but totally different filling and crispiness. These three-ingredient vegan scallion pancakes are incredibly delicious and easy to make at home. These chewy, flaky, and savoury vegan scallion pancakes are one of my favourite Chinese restaurant-style vegan treats.

Enjoy! Stay healthy, stay humble!

Cherry Almond Crumble Tart

in on 23rd June 2020 23rd June 2020

This beautiful vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free cherry chia crumble is my lovely summer treat, a combination of cherry and almond is absolutely amazing. I made this sugar-free tart for my cherry lover munchkin and hubby on the father’s day. Absolutely delicious crust is made with almond flour, coconut oil, gluten-free flour with a touch of almond extract and slightly sweetened with pure maple syrup. An impressively crusty tart filled with beautiful fruity cherry and chia filling, delicious yet beautiful dessert for any occasion.

Utterly delicious, fruity filling, beautiful almond crumble on top, gluten-free and the best part it is vegan with refined sugar-free. So, you can have a slice of this elegant and delicious almond cherry tart without hesitation in your brunch.

I simply love the flavours of summer, not heat waves. Fresh berries, lots of peaches, mangoes, going to the farmers market and buying all these my favourite fruits and veggies… This is how I want to spend my summer.

It feels like heaven when your kitchen smells with the fruity aroma. Well, when the tart comes out of the oven, lets it cool down for a bit then slice it up. Serve it warm with a big scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.

These flavours are amazing together, and almond pastry filled with slightly sweet cherries and sweet crunchy almond crumble topping gives it a great texture. When you serve this with creamy ice cream voila… A beautiful plate full of summer freshness, enjoy your summer fullest.

Stay healthy, stay humble!

Besan Laddoo

in on 20th June 2020 20th June 2020

Sweets and desserts are an integral part of Indian cuisines and besan laddoos are one of them. These delicious finger-licking laddoos are so simple and easy to make, can be made in just 30 mins, very few ingredients required for this famous besan laddoo.

Apart from Gulab jamun and other sweets, besan laddoo has its very own special place in Indian plate. Melts in mouth texture with the richness of gram flour, crumbly-nutty laddoo with the aroma of fresh homemade ghee and a hint of cardamom and nutmeg, the perfect dessert for festivals or you can eat any day.

What is besan laddoos:
Besan laddoos are delicious Indian sweet ball made from gram flour (chickpea flour or besan), ghee (clarified butter), sugar, nuts and sweet aroma of cardamom. After cooking the ingredients, shaped into small balls. Its texture is crumbly and grainy but when you bite it melts in the mouth having a nutty and earthy flavour. Basically these laddoos are had rustic finish not too shiny and will not stick in your throat although having grainy texture. Sweets and desserts always play an essential role in Indian culture. It marks the essence of joy and cordiality in the form of greetings, celebrations, party, wedding ceremony and festivals.

These laddoos are:
✓ High in protein – from the gram flour and nuts
✓ Beautiful golden colour
✓ Perfect for festivals and dessert of any time
✓ A perfectly crumbly and nutty flavour
✓ Not too sweet

Tips for the best besan laddoos
• Raw besan has a bitter taste, to get the perfect flavour you must roast the flour slowly until besan becomes aromatic
• This flour burns easily, so stir continuously
• Add sugar at the end so it doesn’t melt
• Don’t forget to sprinkle one or two spoons water, for the grainy texture
• While roasting add cardamom or nutmeg for flavour
• Saffron is optional, but yes, the addition of saffron enhances the richness and flavour of laddoo.