Sweet Upwas Pattice/ Potato-Coconut Sweet Pattice

Last week, "M' was away on a tour and like always... me and the kids were bored. I had invited a friend for lunch and keep us company. She had a upwas/ fast on that day.Now, I haven't  experimented much with Upwas food....as I hardly keep any Upwas.But I LOVE Upwas food..Sago Khichadi, Potato peanut bhaji, Sweet potato kees.....I love all that!! As a kid..I would wait impatiently for my mom to keep Upwas so that I could get to eat all of these!!
That day...I did try some different dishes...On the menu was.....Sweet Potato kees, Varyachya tandul dosa with peanut chutney,Kutchi beer (http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2012/10/sizzle-from-guest-kitchen-guest-pooja.html) and these Sweet tasting Potato pattice stuffed with coconut-cashews and raisin filling.It was a fulfilling, delicious and satisfying meal from start to finish!!

Ingredients:
3 medium potatoes boiled and mashed well
3tsp sugar
Ghee for shallow frying

Filling:
1 cup fresh grated coconut/frozen coconut
1/2 cup sugar( add more for sweeter taste)
1/4 cup jaggery
1tsp poppy seeds
1/2tsp cardamon powder
1/4tsp nutmeg powder
1/4 cup cashew and raisins
1tsp ghee

Method:
1) To the well mashed potatoes add 3tsp sugar and knead well.
2) Heat 1tsp ghee in a pan, add the coconut, jaggery and sugar and cook for 5-8 mins, till all the sugar melts and the mixture thickens.
3) Add the remaining ingredients to the filling.
4) Make lemon size balls of the potato. Flatten them and make a well in the center. Place a tsp of the sweet coconut. Cover from all sides with the potato filling.
5) Shallow fry on ghee till golden from both sides.

Quick and Super Easy Creamy Tomato- Basil soup

To celebrate the 'dancing' success of our little "Columbus Rockstars" (They rocked the stage... on tunes of "Auntyji Auntyji Get up and Dance" from Ekk mai aur Ekkk tu).....

We took "D' their dance instructor on a lunch treat.'Johnny Carinos' was the place by choice. Mostly everyone opted for the soup/salad and entree option. I ordered the Tomato Florentine soup and Spicy Chicken Flatbread.Yummm Yuummm Yummooo. The creamy tomato soup in the chilly fall weather...just PUUURRRFECCT!!!
Last night, for dinner at "A''s ....made a Super Easy version of Creamy Tomato Basil soup..and SLURPPP...everyone loved it to the last drop:)

Ingredients:
2 cans "Condensed tomato soup"
1.5 cups milk
3tbsp Cream cheese at room temperature
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1clove garlic minced
1 tsp dried basil leaves
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4tsp red chili powder
1tsp butter
1tsp sugar
Fresh Basil leaves for garnish
salt
Croutons

Method:
1) Saute the onion and garlic in 1tsp butter till translucent.
2) Add the canned tomato soup and milk.
3) Add the black pepper, chili powder, salt, sugar, basil leaves and simmer the soup on low for 3-4 mins.
4) Stir in cream cheese. Mix with a wisk for 5-8 mins, until all the cheese is nicely blended.Or you can use a hand blender
5) Garnish with fresh basil. Serve hot with crunchy croutons!!