Dates, carrot and walnut cake with zero added sugar

October 6, 2022October 7, 2022 Leave a comment

Dates, carrot and walnut cake with zero added sugar

Delicious, moist and healthy cake with the goodness of dates, carrot and wallnut is a delightful guiltfree indulgence. My husband was diagnosed with diabetes almost a decade ago and as an ardent sweet lover it became an hulrricane task to beep keep him away from desserts.As a result I kept on trying innovative recipes in my kitchen with sugar substitute. Recently I came across a simple and easy healthy cake recipe with no added sugar and an amazing taste. This healthy cake recipe with the sweetness of dates is a must try as an alternative to classic cake recipe.

Ingredients
Dates – 16 to 18
milk -1 /4 cup
Flour– 1 cup
Grated carrot – 3/4
Egg-2
Butter– 100 grams
walnut – 7- to 10
Baking powder-1/4 tsp
baking soda –1/2 tsp
Vanilla essence – 1/4tsp

step 1

In a small pan add the deseeded dates and milk and let it boil and simmer for a couple of minutes.

Step 2

Let it cool and make a paste in a blender

step 3

Grate the carrot and squeeze the excess water.

step 4

Melt the butter and add the dates paste to it. Gradually add the grated carrot and egg to the butter and combine them all together with the help of a whisk.

step 5

Sieve the flour along with the baking powder and baking soda

Step 6

Now add the wet mix to the dry one. Add the Vanilla essence and chopped walnut. Fold the mix gradually until they all combine together.

Step 7

Preheat the oven at 160 degree Celcius. Pour the cake batter in a greased container

step 8

Bake for about 40 minutes at 160 degree celcius until done.

step 9

Cool and enjoy the cake.

Tip

soaked dates adds moisture and texture tothe cake.

To check the cake, insert a knife or toothpick in it and if it comes out clean then the cake is done.

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Mango stuffed kulfi

July 31, 2022 Leave a comment

Summer is all about mango and each time it brings back the loving memories of my dearest mother in law who was an intense mango lover. Mangoes literally ruled her heart and she believed that no other food can match the aroma and taste of this incredible fruit and here I dedicate this dish to the doting lady” Ma”. Although I keep on trying creative recipes with mango, believe me the mango stuffed kulfi is beyond compare. It is a simple dish where the milk is reduced by boiling and sweetened and then stuffed in the mango. A must try recipe, simple yet amazing.

Ingredients

Mangoes : 4

Full cream milk : 1 litre

Sugar : 4 tsp

Cardamom powder : a pinch

Kesar : 10 to 12 strings

Step 1

To scoop the seed from the mangoes, cut the crown and with the help of a sharp knife cut along the seed. Make sure not to cut the edges.

Step 2

Now with the help of a grip twist the seeds to loosen it. Gradually pull out the seed.

Step 3

Squeeze the excess pulp from the seed and keep it aside.

Step 4

Boil the full cream milk in a thick bottom pan. Lower the flame and reduce it until it comes down to ⅓ in volume, stirring occasionally. To this add sugar, cardamom powder and kesar, mix well and switch off the flame after a couple of minutes. Let it cool.

Step 5

Once cool add the mango pulp and mix it well.

Step 6

Pour the rabari in the mangoes and cover with the crown.

Step 7

Place the mangoes straight in the container, let it freeze for at least 8 to 10 hours or until set.

Step 8

Peal it with the help of a sharp knife.

Step 9

Cut into roundles.

Step 10

Garnish with saffron string and enjoy the incredible dessert.

Tip

Use firm mangoes for a perfect result.

Mango Delight

May 23, 2022 Leave a comment

Eat it, drink it or gulp it down — mango can never disappoint you. Mango delight is a comforting, luscious, sweet and creamy drink that would definitely make your summer even more delightful. The glass full of mango shake topped with diced mangoes, dollop of ice cream and chopped dry fruits makes it a flavour full drink with divinity in each sip. Make your summer even more exciting with the indulgent and refreshing drink.

Ingredients

Mango : 1

Milk : 1 cup

Sugar : 1 tsp

Vanilla ice cream : 2 scoop

Dry fruits : 2 tsp

Step 1

Mix mango pulp, sugar and a tsp of ice cream in a blender.

Step 2

Add milk and blend it again with the mango mix.

Step 3

Add a tsp full of diced mango in the glass.

Step 4

Over it, pour the mango shake .

Step 5

Add a dollop of ice cream on the top.

Step 6

Sprinkle sliced dry fruits of your choice and serve it chilled.

Tip

Use the best quality of mangoes as they have more flavours and less fibre.

Strawberry jam

April 15, 2022 Leave a comment

Made with just three ingredients, the strawberry jam recipe is easy to make that requires no skill. Spread it on toast or roll it with Paratha, the homemade jam is to die for. I have made it in small batches since this yumlicious soft and spreadable jam just requires simple ingredients and is done with not much frills.

Ingredients

Strawberry : 500 gms

Sugar : 300 gms

Lemon juice : 2 tsp

Baking soda : a pinch

Vinegar : 1 tsp

Step 1

Rinse the strawberry and remove the stem. Soak in water with a pinch of soda and a tsp of vinegar. Drain the water and rinse again in freshwater.

Step 2

Pat them dry.

Step 3

In a thick bottom pan boil the strawberry along with 2 tsp of water.

Step 4

Once boiling, reduce the heat and cover and cook for about ten to twelve minutes stirring frequently.

Step 5

Check the consistency of strawberry. Once it becomes pulpy add the lemon juice.

Step 6

Cook on high flame for a couple of minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.

Step 7

Let the jam cool and come down to room temperature. Carefully pour into a sterilized jar and store in the refrigerator.

Tip

To check the setting point, spoon a bit of jam over a cold plate. Tilt the plate vertically, if the jam runs slow and not messy and runny, it’s set .

Strawberry Smoothie

February 15, 2022 Leave a comment

One of the easiest ways to include seasonal fruits and nuts to my children’s diet in their growing up years was to make them drink smoothies and shakes. And to my surprise although they did not relish fruits and nuts on a daily basis, these nutritious drinks became their all time favourite. Come January and the market gets flooded with the bright red coloured sweet and tart flavoured strawberry. Since it’s Loaded with health benefits I try my level best to feed my boys with the fresh seasonal strawberry and this is the easiest way to do so.

Ingredients

Strawberry : 8

Milk : 2 cups

Curd : ½ cup

Almonds : 10 soaked overnight

Powdered sugar : 4 tsp

Step 1

Rinse the fresh strawberries and discard the leaves.

Step 2

Put it in a blender jar along with sugar and soaked almonds and blend and puree them.

Step 3

Next add milk and curd to the pureed strawberry and blend them together until it has a smooth texture.

Step 4

Pour it into a serving glass and enjoy the nutritious creamy drink.

Tip

Use honey for a healthier version.

Add ice cubes for a slushy smoothie.

Khubani ka meetha with rabri (apricot delight)

September 22, 2021 Leave a comment

Khubani or apricot sweet is a classic Hyderabadi dessert that tastes amazing when topped with lusciously creamy rabri making it a purely delightful sweet. I had recently bought a packet of Apricot and used it just a couple of times while the rest lay unnoticed in my fridge. Yesterday while organizing it , the packet caught my attention and therefore came up With this awesome recipe. I served it along with rabri and chopped nuts and this sweet and tangy dessert was an instant hit. Simple and easy to prepare, this Indian traditional sweet recipe is a must try where the apricot is slow cooked to jam -like consistency.

Ingredients

Apricot : 8 to 10

Sugar : 4 tsp

Kesar : 7 to 8 strand

Rose water : 1 tsp

For rabri

Full cream milk : 1 litre

Sugar : 2 tsp

Dry fruits : 1 tsp

Step 1

Soak the apricot overnight with enough water.

Step 2

After soaking it overnight,the apricot will become soft and double in size.

Step 3

In a thick bottom pan cook the apricot in the same soaked water on medium flame for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 4

Once soft, mash the apricot with the help of a masher but also keep a few pulpy ones. Next add the sugar.

Step 5

Cook it for another fifteen minutes with the saffron. Finally add the rose water and give it all a good mix.

Step 6

Make rabri by reducing milk and sugar to the desired consistency.

Step 7

Serve the khubani ka meetha with rabri and garnish with dry fruits.

Tip

Use the same soaked water to cook the apricot.

Adjust the sweetness as per your taste.

Kesari Makhana Kheer

August 12, 2020 Leave a comment

On the auspicious day of shri Krishna janmashtami ,I wish you all love, happiness and good health. It has almost been two decades since I brought home ladoo Gopal, the childhood form of Krishna and since then it has been a ritual to celebrate this day with utmost love and devotion. Since lord krishna’s love for sweets is known to all, I decided to cook creamy and rich kesari makhana kheer as an offering on this special occasion. Fox nut or phool makhana is often associated with religious occasions and looked upon as pious and fasting food. Loaded with goodness of essential nutrients and medicinal value too, makhana is indeed our very own Desi super food. The delicious and rich kesari makhana kheer would definitely leave you spell bound with its tantalizing taste and alluring flavor.

Ingredients

Milk : 1 kg

Makhana : 1 cup

Ghee : 2 tsp

Sugar : 4 tsp

Saffron : 10 to 12 string

Cinnamon powder : a pinch

Step 1

Roast the phool makhana in ghee until they are crunchy.

Step 2

Once done let them cool down.separate half the makhana whole and crush the remaining with the help of your hand.

Step 3

Boil the milk in a thick bottom pan.Add the sugar and simmer it for about five minutes.

Step 4

Next add the makhana in the milk and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes stirring occasionally on a medium flame. Also add the saffron string and cook the kheer until the makhana softens and milk reaches the desired consistency.

Step 5

Lastly sprinkle the cinnamon powder and enjoy it hot or chilled.

Tip

The crushed makhana will help in thickening of the kheer.

Strawberry flavored Yogurt (स्ट्रॉबेरी श्रीखंड)

February 16, 2020 Leave a comment

Shrikhand literally means sweet from milk. It is a traditional dessert made from Hung curd and is very popular in western region of India including states like Gujarat and Maharashtra. This dish was not known to me until I came to Gujarat after my marriage and such was it’s taste that I instantly fell in love with it. Although there are various variations to it but the most in demand flavour is with cinnamon and saffron. With strawberry in season, markets in Mumbai is flooded with this delicious red fruit. And what better than incorporating strawberry with the Hung curd to experience the magical flavour with the sweetness of strawberry and sourness of curd. Red stands for love and this is the best way to enjoy with your loved ones on this valentine day.

Ingredients

Curd : 1 kg

Hung curd : 250 gms

Powdered sugar : 4 tsp

Cinnamon powder: ½ tsp

For puree

Strawberry : 8 pieces

Sugar : 3 tsp

Step 1

Set the curd.

Step 2
Tie the set curd in a clean cloth and leave it for 7 to 8 hours so that the liquid is drained out.

Step 3
Add sugar powder and give it a good mix or pass through a sieve for a smooth mixture .

Step 4
Make a smooth puree of strawberry and sugar.

Step 6

Mix the puree with the Hung curd mixture.

Step 7
Let it set in the fridge for at least an hour. Serve it chill with chopped nuts.

Tip

One can incorporate seasonal fruits like mango, orange, pineapple for a fruity twist.

Custard and Jelly

November 2, 2019November 8, 2025 Leave a comment

Custard and jelly is a colourful and classic dessert that is both elegant and comforting at the same time. Anubhav, my first born loves home made sweets. Such was his love for it during his growing up years ,that my fridge would always be loaded with custard and it’s different variations. But now all grown up and off to hostel, I indeed miss those sweet custard days. Since, custard and jelly was a regular affair at my place, I thought of sharing the same with my readers. Because it is made using readymade jelly and custard packets, it is quick and easy to make. It is a double layered dessert recipe with custard at the bottom and jelly on top. Serve it in general or personal portion along with fruits of your choice and enjoy it’s zestful flavour.

Ingredients

Milk : ½ litre

Sugar : 4 tsp

Custard powder : 6 tsp

For jelly

Prepare jelly according to the packet instructions.

Step 1

Mix the custard powder in ½ cup of cold milk.

Step 2

Boil the rest of the milk along with sugar and let the sugar dissolve completely.

Step 3

Once done reduce the flame and add the custard mixture whisking it continuously so that no lump is found. Once it reaches its desired consistency, switch off the flame.

Step 4

Evenly spread the custard in the serving dish and let it cool down and set .

Step 5

In a bowl open the jelly packet and mix both the granules together.

Step 6

Pour 250 ml of hot water into the jelly granules and stir it until it dissolves.

Step 7

Pour the jelly over the set custard and let it cool and leave it until it sets over the top of the custard.

Step 8

Once done place it back in the fridge. Serve it chill along with fruits of your choice.

Tip

Let the custard be a little thicker than the normal one.

Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake

July 27, 2019 Leave a comment

Siddharth is my thirteen years old multi-talented nephew who is more like a son to me.on my visit to his house,this young cooking enthusiast surprised me with a mouth watering chocolate mug cake that was served within ten minutes. Impressed with his cooking skill, I decided to post the same recipe for my blog. It is a perfect dessert recipe that is ready in almost short span of five minutes including the preparation time. The chocolate makes the recipe even more delicious. The chocolate mug cake is indeed one of the easiest dessert recipe and a sweetest treat by a young teenager for his aunt. Indeed a perfect end to any day.

Ingredients

Refined flour or atta : 4 tsp

Powdered sugar : 2 tsp

Cocoa powder : 2 tsp

Baking powder : ¼ tsp

Vegetable oil : 2 tsp

Milk : 4 to 5 tsp

Kit kat : one small strip

Salt : a pinch

Step 1

In a microwaveable mug take all the dry ingredients and mix it well with the help of a fork.