Coconut Rose Ladoo

Coconut Rose Ladoo 

With September around the corner, we all are excited for the upcoming festivals of Ganesh Chaturti, Diwali and Navratri. Hoping that the colours and positive spirit of this time would help with the overwhelming year that 2020 has been. The preparations however come with some drawbacks, including the fear of buying sweets from stores and being exposed to the pandemic. I was quite skeptical and reluctant about compromising the safety of my family but I also didn't want to lose out on the grandeur that festivals usually bring. So, I used this recipe that isn't a task to make and also manages to bring out the elegance and positivity of festivals.

For me, the best part about this recipe was its lack of complexity. It gave an opportunity to my family to bond over while cooking this and not worrying about the outcome. Its taste and look captures the elegance, while its preparation brought out the essence and spirit of festivals. I hope it does the same for you and makes you feel more at home than usual.

Preparation Time : 20 Min

Cooking Time : 5 - 7 Min.

Video :  

Ingredients : 

• Desiccated Coconut 2 Cup +2 Tablespoon for garnishing
• Condensed Milk 200 gm
• Green cardamom powder 1 Teaspoon
• Rose syrup 1 Tablespoon
• Pistachio nut sliced 2 Tablespoon
• Ghee 1/2 Tablespoon just to apply on palm while making ladoo 

Procedure : 

• Blanch pistachio nuts and sliced them and keep side
• In a non sticky pan add desiccated coconut and dry roast for 2 to 3 minutes. Add cardamom powder, after you get a nice aroma.

• Add Condensed milk and cook for a minute or two you will get a dough kind of texture, switch off the gas 

• Divide the dough in the ratio of 1:4. Add pistachio nuts to this portion and keep a side

• Take the bigger portion and add rose syrup to this and mix well. 

• Divide the smaller portion further into 12 small balls as shown in picture

• Now take the small portion of rose coconut dough spread it on your palm place a small ball of pistachio flavour cover it with rose dough and make a ladoo. 

• Repeat the step with rest of the dough 

• Now roll the ladoo on Desiccated coconut and serve it 

Tips : 

• If you not using non stick pan add a teaspoon of ghee
• If the Rose syrup colour is light you can add a drop of red colour along with the rose syrup 

Mithe Chawal (Zarda Pulao)

Mithe Chawal (Zarda Pulao)

August brings the opportunity of growing closer and letting go off all inhibitions. With Eid and Rakhi around the corner, the feeling of brotherhood is more prevalent. One such metaphor is the dish Mithe Chawal (Zarda Pulao) . While it is used in The Hindu culture to celebrate Rakshabandhan, the Muslims have it as a traditional dish to celebrate Eid. Even though the name and people differ, the recipe and the sentiment remains constant.

This recipe is also really close to my heart. Being from a Punjabi family, Mithe Chawal and happiness have always had a direct relationship for me. From declaration of great results to commencing a religious event, Mithe Chawal have always been there for me. I hope this recipe brings out the same sentiment for you and the sweetness in this dish brings out the sweetness in your relationships.

Preparation Time : 30 Min

CookingTime : 30 Min

Recipe Video :  

Ingredients : 

• Basmati rice 1 Cup soaked in water for 30 min
• Desi Ghee 2 Tablespoon
• Some whole spices (2 bay leaves, 3 Blakeys cardamom, 4 to 5 green cardamom, Cinnamon stick 1 inch, 3 cloves) 
• Sugar 3/4 up
• Almonds soaked and sliced 2 Tablespoon 
• Rasins 15 -20
• Cashew nut 15 - 20
• Pistachio nut sliced 2 tablespoon for garnishing
• Saffron 10 -15 strands soaked in 1 tablespoon water
• Pinch of salt

Procedure :

• In a pan boil 4 - 5 cups of water, add 2 green cardamom and cloves and a pinch of salt

• Once water starts boiling add rice to this. Cook rice till it is 80 to 85 present cooked

• With the help of strainer remove the excess water. Now keep this rice aside for 20 to 30 min
• Now in a pan add desi ghee, once it is hot add all whole spices

• Now add Almonds to this and roast it for a minute or two. Add cashew nut or raisins 
• Let's add cooked rice to this. Toast it. Now add Saffron to it. Again toast it slowly so that the rice is not broken
• Now add sugar to this and cover it with lid. Leave the rice covered for 2 to 3 minutes

• Open the lid, just slowly toss the rice. You can the see that the rice is nicely cooked. Again cover the rice and cook it for 2 minutes. Now close the gas and leave the rice in pan for 10 minutes with lid
• Serve it hot. Before serving garnish it with Pistachio .. enjoy 

Tips ;  

• To give it a more rich look you can add khoya along with sugar
• You can change the quantity of sugar according to your taste