Popular Recipes

Thursday, March 3, 2011

"Sweet Treats"- 3 minute Pedhas/Condensed milk Pedas

Looking for a 'sweet treat' that is fast and easy??? This one is the right choice.These Pedhas are made with 3 ingredients(plus food coloring/ essences if you wish) and in the microwave oven in 3 minutes!!!! Yes, you read it right....3 MINUTES!

The other day, it was 'S's birthday and I wanted to make something sweet for her.I remembered the 'quick' pedhas 'V' and I had made together a year or too back.There are many recipes online on sites like 'Show me the Curry' and Vah-re-vah'.
Since making these 'pedhas' doesn't take much time, you can show your 'artistry' by decorating the pedhas in various ways and shapes.
(But if you have more time and want to make the 'real' thing....like the traditional malai pedhas......try these made with Ricotta Cheese-

http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2009/10/treats-for-diwali-ricotta-cheese.html )

For this time I had these really cute plastic/rubber trays that I use to mold the quick pedhas:
Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter+ little to butter the molds
2 cups milk powder (Use Nestle Nido if you can find)
1 14oz can Sweetened Condensed milk

Flavorings:
Heart shape pedhas:

Cardamom powder
Nutmeg powder
Saffron sticks

For the Flower shape:

Rose essence
Red food coloring
Sprinkles

Method:
1) Bring the butter to room temperature.
2) In a microwave safe dish, mix butter, milk powder, condensed milk and flavorings of your choice.
3) Microwave for 3 mins.At each 1 min interval, mix everything together.
4) Let it cool,then form into traditional round pedhas or mold into various shapes. Add food coloring if desired.Decorate with saffron, sprinkles or silver foil.



Tuesday, March 1, 2011

"Fusion Cuisine"- Tofu Tikka Panini

'Panino'/Panini' in Italian means 'small bread rolls'. They are filled with cheese, ham, salami etc and sometimes grilled.The bread is usually ciabatta or rosetta.
In the quest of 'What to make for dinner'...I put together this sandwich.I used what I had on hand thus creating a 'Indianized grilled Panini'.
Ingredients:
1 loaf Italian bread

For Tofu Tikka:
(This recipe will work great with Paneer too)
1 pkg 'extra firm' tofu drained and dried with paper towels
1 tsp yogurt
1tsp Kitchen king masala/Tikka masala
1/2tsp ginger garlic paste
1/2tsp chili powder(add more for spicy tikka)
1tsp Maggie hot and sweet sauce
1 tsp chopped cilantro
2tsp corn starch
salt
oil

For the toppings:
1/2 cup Sliced onions
1/2 cup Sliced green peppers
1/4 cup Broccoli florets
Black pepper
salt
Slices of Pepper jack/Jalapeno jack Cheese
Butter
Slices of tomatoes

Method:
1)Tofu Tikka: Mix together yogurt, kitchen king masala, chili powder, ginger-garlic paste, salt, hot and sweet sauce. Cut Tofu into bite size pieces.rub corn starch on the tofu.Marinate with the above sauce.
Keep aside for 1/2hr
2) Saute the marinated tofu in non stick pan till golden brown on all sides.Keep aside.

3) Saute onions,green pepper and broccoli with little oil, salt and pepper.Keep aside.
4) Cut the italian bread horizontally. Apply butter on the inside.
5) Lay slices of cheese, sauted onions,green pepper, broccoli and then tofu tikka and tomato slices.Add more cheese if you like.

6) Grill the sandwich on a hot grill pan with little oil. Press with heavy pan to get the 'pressed panini' or use a 'Panini Press'
Serve hot!

                              Enjoy the 'crusty' Panini with its Spicy Tofu tikka filling!