sweet – Batter Up With Sujata

Date Almond Sandesh/Gulkand Stuffed Sandesh

Gulkand stuffed date almond sandesh. Soft mouth melting and delicious sandesh sweetened with date powder and topped with white chocolate. Gulkand stuffing taste heavenly with the outer layer of sandesh.

One more fusion recipe for my readers. Sharing a sandesh recipe after a long time. Taste flavour and look is completely different from other traditional sandesh. You can call it kids friendly sweet. Because not only adults but kids will also enjoy the taste and look. You don’t need sugar or jaggery to make these sandesh. Little date powder gives enough sweetness to these sandesh. My last post Apple coconut kheer was also made with date powder.

Sandesh is a delicious sweet from Bengali cuisine. These sweets are very easy to make. You need some cottage cheese/chhena or paneer with any flavoring to make this sandesh. Homemade paneer or cottage is best for sandesh. You can also use different types of fruits with cottage cheese to make sandesh. Here are some different flavoured sandesh recipes from this blog.

1. Hazelnut chocolate sandesh

2. Carrot sandesh

3. Sugar free date sandesh

4. Sugar free pineapple sandesh

5. Coconut sandesh

6. Chocolate sandesh

7. Coconut pomegranate sandesh

8. Paan or betel leaf sandesh

9. Sandesh

10. Watermelon sandesh

11. Cake sandesh

12. Chocolate coconut sandesh

13. Kesar pista sandesh

14. Mango sandesh

15. Chocolate stuffed chocolate sandesh

16. Steamed sandesh

17. Steamed sandesh with date palm jaggery

18. Saffron pistachio sandesh panna cotta

19. Mango steamed sandesh

As I mentioned above making sandesh is very easy. You need to mash the paneer or cottage cheese mixture well and then add date powder, almond powder and milk powder. Mash again to make smooth. Cook on low heat for 3-4 minutes. Stir continuously while cooking and don’t cook more than 3-4 minutes to get soft sandesh mixture. Over cooking will make your sandesh crumbly and chewy. So to get soft mouth melting sandesh always cook on low heat till mixture starts to leave the sides, immediately remove from heat. Mash the mixture again when still slightly warm to make smooth.

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Recipe

Paneer or cottage cheese – 3/4 cup

Date powder – 1/4 cup

Milk powder – 3 tablespoon

Almond – 1/4 cup

Caramel essence – 1/4 teaspoon, optional

White chocolate – 1/4 cup, grated

Gulkand for stuffing

Method

1. Make the paneer with curd instead of lemon juice or vinegar to get soft paneer for sweets. Get the method of making paneer here. After draining the whey from paneer or cottage cheese transfer the paneer on a plate.

2. Grind the almond to make fine powder.

3. Mash the paneer with your finger tips and heel of your palm to make the paneer smooth. Add date powder, milk powder and almond powder and mash again.

4. Grease a silicon chocolate mould with ghee or oil. I used little ghee or clarified butter.

5. Melt white chocolate in microwave or double boiler. I have used microwave. In a microwavable glass bowl melt the white chocolate on full power for 1 minute. Stir with a spoon. If your chocolate not melted completely then microwave for a few seconds more. Spread a layer of melted white chocolate in every mould and keep aside to set.

6. Heat a nonstick or heavy bottom pan. Add the paneer mixture. Cook on low heat and stir continuously. Cook till moisture almost evaporate and mixture becomes like a soft smooth dough. Don’t overcook because overcooked paneer mixture becomes grainy and chewy. And remember don’t increase the heat, cook on simmer.

7. When the mixture starts to leaving the sides immediately remove from heat. Add caramel essence if using and mix well. Let the mixture cool down.

8. Mash the mixture again when slightly warm. Mash to make smooth. Make small equal size balls. Flatten the balls with your palm and place half teaspoon Gulkand in the middle. Seal the edges and make a ball again. Press the balls over white chocolate layer in every mould. Press gently.

9. Keep the silicon chocolate mould in refrigerator for an hour. After one hour demould the sandesh and arrange on a plate. Serve chilled. Leftover can be stored in refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Notes

1. Mash the paneer really well to make smooth. You can use your food processor to mash the paneer or cottage cheese.

2. Any essence can be used instead of caramel essence.

3. Don’t cook the paneer or cottage cheese mixture more than 3-4 minutes. And don’t increase the heat. Cook on simmer and stir continuously.

4. You can use sugar or any sweetener instead of date powder.

5. If you don’t want to use milk powder then you can use same amount of mawa or evaporated milk and add little more date powder.

This recipe is going to be feathered in Facebook gourmet group Shhhhh Cooking Secretly Challenge. In this monthly group members are paired with different partners every month and two secret ingredients are given to each other. We have to use these ingredients in our recipe.

This month theme is Diwali Dhamaka suggested by the admins Mayuri Patel and Renu Agrawal Dongre. You can get numerous delicious recipes on Mayuri’s blog. Mayuri shared Kalakand with cottage cheese for this Diwali theme.

Renu gave me milk powder and white chocolate as secret ingredients and I made this soft mouth melting and delicious sandesh with these ingredients. Renu has a wonderful blog and she shared Easy milk powder chocolate laddu modak for this theme. Do visit her space for many more amazing recipes.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

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Moong Dal Halwa

Moong dal halwa. Enjoy delectable warm dessert without much effort. You don’t need to grind the dal and fry for a long time. Process is very easy so make anytime and serve warm or cold. You can also make laddu or barfi following same method if you want. So here is the recipe as I remember how maa usually made it. And yes my most favourite dessert in winter.

You may like some more halwa recipes on this blog. Click on the name below to get recipes.

1. Buckwheat Waterchestnut banana halwa

2. Paneer gajar halwa

3. Sugar free gajar halwa

4. Chana dal halwa

5. Cherry pineapple kesari

6. Singhara atta or Waterchestnut laddu

And some more dessert which you can enjoy warm

1. Kheer or rice pudding

2. Nolen gurer paesh

3. Pantua

4. Baked rasgulla

5. Sugar free sheer khurma

6. Gulabjamun

7. Shakkarai pongal

8. Rasaballi

9. Paruppu payasam

As I mentioned above that recipe is very easy to make and you don’t need to grind the dal or yellow lentil and fry for a long time. I remember my mother cook the lentil and milk on simmer after lunch to serve warm in evening. And maa used to add lots of cashew nuts and raisins but my kids don’t like so I skipped. You can use any dry fruits of your choice. If you have a large vessel to cook then you don’t need to sit and stir continuously. Just stir in regular interval to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Recipe

Moong dal – 1/2 cup

Milk – 3 cup

Sugar – 1/3 cup

Ghee or clarified butter – 1/4 cup

Cardamom powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Method

1. Rinse the moong dal till water runs clear. Soak dal or yellow lentil in enough water for 2 hours.

2. Heat milk in a wok or pan. Drain the water and add the moong dal in milk. When milk starts to rolling boil reduce the heat. You can add a small pinch of saffron in the milk. I don’t have while making it so I skipped. Saffron will give a lovely colour and flavour.

3. Cook on simmer till milk absorbed. Don’t forget to stir in regular interval. It will take about 1 hour to cook the dal completely on simmer.

4. When milk and dal about to dried up and dal become soft or fully cooked add sugar.

5. Sugar will release water so cook for 8 – 10 minutes more on low heat. Keep stirring. Now add ghee or clarified butter and mix well.

6. Stir continuously. Better to use nonstick pan but if you are using any other pan be careful to avoid sticking to the bottom and burning. When halwa dried up and you will get a nice aroma of fried moong dal add cardamom powder, mix and remove from heat. Garnish with shredded almond and pistachio.

7. Serve warm or room temperature. You can also make laddu or barfi with this mixture.

Notes

1. You can use any dry fruits of your choice.

2. You can increase the amount of ghee and milk if you want.

Participating in Shhhhh Cooking Secretly group after a long time. In this monthly group members are paired with different partners every month and two secret ingredients are given to each other. We have to use these ingredients in our recipe. This month Warm Dessert theme is suggested by Rafeeda AR who blog at Big Sweet Tooth. Rafeeda has a vast collection of wonderful recipes. I specially love her dessert recipes. I have bookmarked her Cookie cheesecake brownie bar to try soon. And this month my partner is my dear friend Preethi Prasad of Preethicuisine. I always love her authentic, healthy and innovative recipes. Among many other recipes I have to try her recently published Eggless orange cake soon. Preethi gave me ghee and moong dal and I gave her almond and cardamom to use in the recipe. I am sharing this delicious dal halwa using these ingredients.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

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Ranga Aloor Pithe/Sweet Potato Dumplings

Ranga aloor pithe or sweet potato dumplings. A sankranti special delicacy from Bengali cuisine. Sugar syrup soaked and stuffud with mawa/dried or thickened milk, coconut and khajur gur or date palm jaggery dumplings taste heavenly.

As I mentioned in my last year Sankranti post that in Bengal different types of pithe, puli, paesh or rice kheer/pudding are usually made to celebrate Poush Parbon or Makar Sankranti. On sankranti our lunch is Bhuni khichuri or khichdi with different types of vegetable fry or bhaja, Dum aloo , beguni, papad, tomato chutney or Khejur aamsotto or date mango bar chutney and for dinner different types of pithe puli, paesh or kheer, malpua, green peas stuffed kachodi, aloor nonta or savoury pithe. A day to enjoy all the traditional dishes. Here are some recipes that you can try to celebrate Poush Parbon or Makar Sankranti. Click on the name below for recipe.

1. Til badam laddu

2. Moong dal fried and baked pithe

3. Baked dudh puli

4. Malpua

5. Nolen gur paesh or date palm jaggery kheer

6. Gokul pithe

7. Date palm jaggery and coconut barfi

8. Rice kheer

9. Narkol naru or coconut laddu

And not traditional as above recipes but absolutely delicious two innovative baked recipes with all the sankranti special ingredients.

1. Semolina or rawa cake

2. Date palm jaggery oats dry fruits cookies

Monday again and our this week’s 280 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Sankranti Special.

To make these ranga aloor pithe or sweet potato dumplings you need rice flour and maida or refined flour for binding with mashed sweet potatoes. You have to mash the sweet potatoes really well. Dough should be completely lump free. Some sweet potatoes have fiber. Discard the fiber if any. And we don’t need thick sugar syrup for this pithe. Make a stuffing with khoya or mawa/dried whole milk, khajur gur or date palm jaggery, dry fruits and coconut. Cook the mixture on low heat until dried up. Keep stirring to avoid sticking to the bottom. Add little cardamom powder and remove from heat. Let it cool down completely before stuffing.

I always use homemade mawa. Get the method to make mawa here.

Recipe

Sweet potato- 4

Rice flour- 3 tablespoon

Refined flour or maida- 1 tablespoon

Sugar- 1 cup

Water- 2 cup

Cardamom powder- 1 teaspoon

For Stuffing click here

Refined oil or ghee for deep frying

Method

1. First make the stuffing as we made for Moong dal bhaja pithe and keep aside.

2. For sugar syrup boil 2 cup water with 1 cup sugar till sugar completely dissolved. Let it boil on low heat for 5 – 6 minutes more. Add 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder, mix and remove from heat. You can use half cup khajur gur or date palm jaggery and half cup sugar to make jaggery flavoured syrup.

3. Boil the sweet potatoes. Don’t make the potatoes mushy, boil till potatoes becomes tender. If you are using pressure cooker, cook for 2 whistle.

4. Peel the sweet potatoes when cool. Mash the potatoes well. Break all the lumps and make lump free dough. Discard the fiber if any.

5. Add rice flour, refined flour or maida and 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder. Mix well and make a smooth dough.

6. Make equal size balls. I have made 13 – 14 balls. You can make small sized pithe if you want. Flatten the balls with your palm. Place one teaspoon stuffing in the middle.

7. You can use little more stuffing but be careful while sealing, stuffing should be remain inside. Seal the edges and give cylindrical shape.

8. You can also make round pithe just like gulab jamun if you want.

9. Heat sufficient oil in a pan or wok. Slide the stuffed pithe into the hot oil. Slide 3 – 4 pithe one by one. But don’t overcroud. Fry on low medium heat till pithe becomes golden brown.

10. Dip the fried pithe in warm sugar syrup. Let it soak in syrup for 30 – 40 minutes or until all the pithe soaked well and swelled.

11. Use a large vessel to soak the stuffed and fried pithe. Don’t place the pithe over each other. Serve warm or at room temperature.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

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Oats Date Dry Fruits Modak / Sugar Free Modak

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi. May God bless you all 🙏 Celebrating 5th year blog anniversary. Thanks to all my readers for your love support and encouragement. 5 years with 500 posts, its possible because of you. Thanks a lot to everyone.

Oats date dry fruits modak. Not authentic but a super healthy sweet for health conscious people. Sugar free and low calorie delicious modak made with reduced skimmed milk, oats, dates and dry fruits. Sweetened with natural sweetener dates and raisins only. A healthy treat for kids and adults both.

You can make modak by using modak mould or shape with your hand or make barfi or fudge. I have made modak using modak mould. You can easily shape them into modak with your hands. And used my sandesh mould to shape remaining mixture.

Earlier shared three more modak recipes.

Stuffed chocolate modak

Quick dry fruit coconut modak

Gulkand stuffed chocolate modak

I have used gluten free oats to make these modak. Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. Many studies have shown that the beta-glucan fiber in oats is effective at Oats are an incredibly nutritious food packed with important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. In addition, they’re high in fiber and protein compared to other grains. Oats contain some unique components — in particular, the soluble fiber beta-glucan and antioxidants called avenanthramides. Benefits include lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, protection against skin irritation and reduced constipation. In addition, they are very filling and have many properties that should make them a weight loss friendly food. At the end of the day, oats are among the healthiest foods you can eat. To read more benefits of oats click here.

Earlier shared some oats recipes on this blog. Get the recipes here.

Modak sweetened with dates.

Dates boast an impressive nutrient profile but are quite sweet. Yet, they’re packed with fiber, which helps your body absorb its sugars more slowly. When eaten in moderation, they’re a safe and healthy choice for people with diabetes. Source

According to experts, diabetics can also benefit from the high fiber content of dates. It is okay to eat 2-3 dates a day for diabetics so long as they exercise caution and maintain healthy eating habits overall. Source

So diabetic people can also enjoy these modak but in moderation. You may like some more recipes with dates on this blog. Click on the name below for recipe.

1. Sugar free carrot cake

2. Sugar free carrot bottle gourd fudge or barfi

3. Sugar free mawa nariyal peda

4. Sugar free sheer khurma or vermicelli pudding

5. Sugar free date sandesh

6. Sugar free mango coconut laddu

7. Date walnut fudge or barfi

8. Sugar free low calorie gajar halwa

9. Date walnut muffins

10. Vegan smoothie bowl

11. Date oats cookies

12. Watermelon date tulsi almond smoothie

Sending this post to 261 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Milky Way suggested by Swaty Malik who blog at Food Trails. Swaty suggested to share recipes with any form of milk. I am sharing a recipe with khoya/mawa or reduced milk. Swaty has a wonderful blog with many mouthwatering and healthy recipes. You will definitely love her Ganesh Chaturthi special recipes. And I also bookmarked her super healthy Oats jaggery laddu to try. Do visit her space for many more recipes.

I have used almond, cashew nuts and raisins but you can use any dry fruits of your choice. You can also stuff the modak with chopped dry fruits. If you want your modak more sweet add 5-6 dates and 2 tablespoon more raisins. We like mild sweetness so its perfectly sweet for me. Soak the dates and raisins in hot milk or boil with milk and you have to dry roast the oats and dry fruits only. Blend or grind everything and saute the mixture for few minutes. Let it cool down and shape them into modak, laddu or use any mould of your choice. Or you can spread the mixture on a greased plate when hot, level with a spatula, let it cool down and cut into your desired shape to make barfi or fudge. I have made some modak using modak mould and used my sandesh mould to shape remaining mixture.

Video recipe of this healthy and delicious modak 👇

Recipe

Rolled Oats – 1 cup

Almond – 1/4 cup

Cashew nuts – 2 tablespoon

Dates – 3/4 cup, pitted and chopped

Raisins – 2 tablespoon

Milk – 1/4 cup

Khoya/mawa or reduced milk – 3/4 cup

Desiccated coconut – 1/2 cup

Green cardamom – 3 – 4

Rose essence – 1/4 teaspoon

Method

1. In a pan heat 1/4 cup milk with pitted and chopped dates and raisins. When milk starts to boil switch off the heat and keep aside to cool down.

2. Dry roast the almond and cashew nuts for 2 – 3 minutes. Nuts shouldn’t be burned.

3. In a pan dry roast the oats till light brown. Transfer the roasted oats on a plate and let it cool down.

4. Take out the seeds of the cardamom. I have small sized cardamom so used 4. Add the seeds in boiled milk date raisin mixture. Don’t discard the peel. You can add these in tea for lovely flavour.

5. Grind roasted almonds and cashew nuts into a fine powder.

6. Grind roasted oats and keep aside.

7. Now blend milk soaked dates and raisins with cardamom seeds in your mixer grinder or food processor. Add khoya/mawa or reduced milk. I have used homemade khoya or mawa. Get the recipe here. Add 2-3 tablespoon milk for easy blending. Blend everything well till smooth.

8. Heat a heavy bottom or nonstick pan. Add blended milk mixed date, raisins, cardamom seeds and desiccated coconut. Saute for 2 minutes. You can also grind or blend the desiccated coconut with dates, I didn’t.

9. Add ground oats, almonds and cashew nuts. Mix well. Keep stirring. Cook till mixture comes together and becomes like a dough. Remove from heat and let it cool down.

10. Mash the mixture well to make smooth. Make balls and shape them using modak moulds or shape with your hands. Or you can make laddu or use any moulds. Or spread the mixture on a greased plate when hot. Level with a spatula or spoon and cut into your desired shape when cool to make barfi or fudge. I have made some modak and shaped remaining dough with my sandesh mould.

11. Sprinkle desiccated coconut over the modak. This step is optional. Your delicious nutritious and aromatic modak is ready to serve.

Stay happy stay healthy stay safe!

Notes

1. If you want your modak more sweet use 5-6 dates and 2 tablespoon more raisins.

2. You can stuff the modak with chopped dry fruits.

3. Pistachio or any dry fruits can be used with almond, raisins and cashew nuts.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

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Til Badam Laddu Or Sesame Almond Laddu

Happy makar sankranti in advance.
Sesame seeds almond laddu or til badam laddu/nadu with khajur/nolen gur or date palm jaggery and khoya/mawa or dried milk. Try this winter delicacy and enjoy the delectable taste.
Til or sesame seeds, jaggery and almond everything have some nutritious benefits and perfect for winter.

I have used homemade soft khoya/mawa or dried milk. Get the recipe here.
But you can also use store bought mawa. Grate the mawa before using.
Normal cane jaggery can also be used to make this laddu. I have used date palm jaggery and we love the flavour of this jaggery so I didn’t use cardamom powder. But if you are using cane jaggery, don’t forget to add cardamom powder at the end.

You may like some more recipes with khajur or nolan gur or date palm jaggery and some sankranti special recipes on this blog. Click on the name below for recipe.

1. Date palm jaggery oats dry fruits cookies

2. Payesh or rice pudding with date palm jaggery

3. Coconut jaggery barfi

4. Moong dal fried and baked pithe

5. Semolina or rawa cake

6. Coconut sandesh with date palm jaggery

7. Baked dudh puli

8. Gokul pithe

9. Malpua

I have used sesame seeds, almonds and date palm jaggery to make these laddu.
Sesame seeds are a good source of healthy fats, protein, B vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and other beneficial plant compounds.

Almonds contain lots of healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium and vitamin E.
The health benefits of almonds include lower blood sugar levels, reduced blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels. They can also reduce hunger and promote weight loss.

Jaggery contains more nutrients than refined sugar because of its molasses content.
Molasses is a nutritious by-product of the sugar making process, which is usually removed when making refined sugar.
Jaggery may also contain small amounts of B vitamins and minerals, including calcium, zinc, phosphorus and copper.
One commercially available product, SugaVida, is a granulated palm jaggery that is claimed to be a good source of naturally occurring B vitamins.
Source

This week our 229 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is sankranti special recipes. And my humble contribution is this til badam laddu with khajur or nolen gur.
You don’t need much ingredients to make this delicious sweet. Only four ingredients are used to make these laddu. Til or sesame seeds, jaggery, almond and khoya or mawa. Make this quick, healthy, easy and heavenly laddu to serve on makar sankranti or enjoy anytime as a sweet. You can also double the recipe.

Recipe

Sesame seeds or til – 1/4 cup

Almond – 1/4 cup

Khoya or dried milk – 1/4 cup, tightly packed

Khejur gur or date palm jaggery – 1/2 cup, grated or finely chopped

Cane jaggery – 1/2 cup

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon, optional

Method

1. Dry roast the almonds in a pan till crisp. Grind the roasted almonds when cool.

2. In a pan dry roast the sesame seeds or til on low heat. Stir constantly, sesame seeds should not be burn. When seeds becomes light brown and fragrant remove from heat. Transfer the seeds on a plate.

3. Heat khoya/mawa or dried milk in a heavy bottom or nonstick pan. Cook on low heat for 1 – 2 minutes. Stir constantly to avoid sticking to the bottom.

4. Add jaggery and mix well. Cook again and keep stirring.

5. When the mixture about to dried up add roasted sesame seeds and ground almonds and mix.

6. If you are using cane jaggery add 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder and mix. I have used khaju/nolen gur or date palm jaggery so I didn’t.

7. Cook till everything combine well and dried up.

8. Grease your palm with little ghee or clarified butter and make small balls.

9. Roll the balls into laddu when still warm. You will feel difficulty to give shape if the mixture cool down.

10. Make balls small or little larger or your desired size. I like small bite size balls.
Serve immediately or store in airtight container when the Laddu completely cool down.

Enjoy as a sankranti delicacy or to satisfy your everyday sweet cravings.

Notes
1. Normal cane jaggery can be used instead of date palm jaggery.
2. You can also use any dry fruits of your choice.

3. Double the ingredients if you want to make a large batch.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.
Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update
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Buckwheat Waterchestnut And Banana Halwa

Buckwheat or kuttu atta,Waterchestnut or singhara atta/flour and banana halwa.
Gluten free, delicious and healthy dessert. This hot halwa is perfect for this cold weather. And its also a tasty and filling fasting recipe.
Nutritious buckwheat flour, low calorie Waterchestnut flour, banana, jaggery and little ghee or clarified butter made this halwa super yummy. You can add 1-2 tablespoon ghee or clarified butter more if you wish. I have used 1 ripe banana but you can use 2 bananas if you want.

Buckwheat is gluten-free, a good source of fiber, and rich in minerals and various plant compounds, especially rutin.
As a result, buckwheat consumption is linked to several health benefits, including improved blood sugar control and heart health.

Water chestnuts are aquatic vegetables that are nutritious and delicious.
They are a great source of antioxidants and other compounds that may help prevent diseases linked with age, such as heart disease and cancer.
Water chestnuts are also highly versatile and can be added to a variety of dishes.
Try adding water chestnuts to your diet today to reap their health benefits.

Bananas are a popular fruit that happens to provide numerous health benefits.
Among other things, they may boost digestive and heart health due to their fiber and antioxidant content.
They may even aid weight loss, as they’re relatively low-calorie and nutrient-dense.
Ripe bananas are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth. What’s more, both yellow and green bananas can keep you healthy and feeling full.
Source

Jaggery or gur has immense health benefits.
Here are 15 jaggery benefits everyone should know –

1. Prevents constipation: Jaggery activates the digestive enzymes in the body, stimulates bowel movements and thus helps prevent and relieve constipation.

2. Detoxes the liver: Jaggery is a natural body cleanser, further reducing the workload of the liver.

3. Treats flu-like symptoms: Fight symptoms of a cold and cough with the help of gur. All you need to do is mix it with warm water and drink up, or even add it in your tea instead of sugar to reap the benefits.

4. Blood purifier: One of the most well-known benefits of jaggery is its ability to purify the blood.

5. Boosts immunity: Jaggery is loaded with antioxidants and minerals such as zinc and selenium, which in turn help prevent free-radical damage and also boost resistance against infections. Jaggery also helps increase the total count of haemoglobin in the blood.

6. Cleanses the body: Jaggery is one of the best natural cleansing agents for the body, hence it is advised to eat jaggery to remove unwanted particles from the body.

7. Eases menstrual pain: Jaggery, due to its richness in many essential nutrients, is an effective natural treatment for menstrual problems, especially providing relief from cramps.

8. Prevents anaemia: Jaggery is rich in iron and folate which help prevent anaemia by ensuring that a normal level of red blood cells is maintained.

9. Boosts intestinal health: Jaggery also boosts intestinal strength due to its high magnesium content.

10. Cools the stomach: Jaggery helps in maintaining normal body temperature which helps in keeping your stomach cool.

11. Controls blood pressure: Jaggery contains potassium and sodium, which play an important role in the maintenance of acid levels in the body.

13. Relieves joint pain: “If you suffer from aches and pains in your joints, eating jaggery can provide you with much-needed relief”, says Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja, Sukhda Hospital.

14. Weight loss: “Jaggery is surprisingly effective as an aid for weight loss. This is because jaggery is a rich source of potassium, which is a mineral that helps in the balance of electrolytes as well as building muscles and boosting metabolism.

15. Good source of energy: While sugar is a simple carbohydrate that gets absorbed in the bloodstream instantly and gives instant energy, jaggery is a complex carbohydrate that gives energy to the body gradually and for a longer time.
To read more about health benefits of jaggery click here.

Ghee contains good amount of healthy fats, vitamin A, E and D. Although, many of us think that the high content of fat in ghee is bad for health but, if you don’t know this, fat is something which is one of the major nutrients that is required by our body to function properly. Ghee is full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are good fats and are essential for improving the brain and heart health. It also provides a lot of energy to the body. So, overall, we can say that ghee is quite nutritious and healthy.
Source

Monday again and this week’s 226 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Grandma’s remedies suggested by Narmadha who blog at Nams Corner.
Do visit her space for many wonderful recipes. I have already bookmarked her No bake biscuit nuts cake recipe. I will try it soon.

As a remedy earlier I have shared Turmeric shot with tulsi or holy basil
And Golden smoothie with turmeric and aloe vera.
There are so many other remedies like tulsi and honey. My mom used to make it daily for my daughter. Juice of tulsi or holy basil and honey protect the kids from cold.

Eating a small piece of raw turmeric with jaggery in the morning boost immune system and prevent from seasonal diseases.

Half teaspoon juice of small leaves of harsingar or night jasmine mixed with honey is a very good remedy for kid’s stomach worms. Honey will reduce the bitterness of leaves.
Harsingar leaves also have anti-arthritic properties. Boil the leaves of harsingar or night jasmine in water and strain. This water will reduce the pain and inflammation.

List is so long. This time not like remedy but sharing a nutritious dessert. Weather is too cold and this hot halwa will give some comfort and also soothe a sore throat.

Recipe

Buckwheat flour or kuttu atta – 1/4 cup

Waterchestnut flour or singhara atta – 1/4 cup

Jaggery – 1/3 cup, grated or powdered

Ripe banana – 1

Ghee or clarified butter – 2 tablespoon

Water – 1 cup

Cashew nuts – 1 tablespoon, sliced

Almond – 1 tablespoon sliced

Raisins – 1 tablespoon

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Pistachios to sprinkle

Method

1. Peel and mash the banana and keep aside. You can use 1 more banana if you like.

2. Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed pan or nonstick pan.

3. Add buckwheat and Waterchestnut flour. Fry on low heat until flour starts to change it’s colour. It becomes light brown and you will get a lovely aroma.

4. Add sliced cashews, almonds and raisins. Fry for a minute.

5. Add mashed banana and mixed well. Saute for a minute. Keep the heat low. Flour shouldn’t be burn.

6. Now add jaggery and water. Mix well. Break the lumps with spatula. Increase the heat and keep stirring. Cook until the mixture dried up and comes together.

7. Add cardamom powder, mix and remove from heat. You can drizzle little ghee at the end. I didn’t.

8. If you want to keep it little runny add 1/4 cup water and little more jaggery powder.

9. Garnish with sliced cashews, almonds and pistachios.
Serve hot.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

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Gol Papdi Or Gur Papdi/Sukhdi

Gol papdi or gur papdi or sukhdi.
A delicious, flavorful and very easy to make barfi from Gujarati cuisine. You need only 3 main ingredients. Whole wheat flour, ghee and jaggery. A perfect winter delicacy.

You have to fry the flour with ghee carefully. Flame should be low and fry till the flour becomes golden brown. It will take 12 – 15 minutes. After removing from heat mix everything and set on a greased plate to set. Easy isn’t it ☺️

Garnishing is optional, it will also taste great without garnish. But I like to sprinkle some sliced almonds for extra crunch. You can also add sliced almonds, cashews or pistachios in flour.
You may like some more barfi recipes on this blog.

1. Chocolate cardamom fudge

2. Moong dal barfi

3. Mango litchi fudge or barfi

4. Chocolate barfi or fudge

5. Coconut barfi or fudge

6. Date palm jaggery and coconut barfi

7. Date walnut fudge or barfi

8. Sugar free carrot bottle gourd fudge or barfi

9. Apple coconut fudge or barfi

Sending this post to Facebook group recipe swap challenge initiated by Jolly and Vidya.
We have to recreate a recipe from a fellow blogger’s blog. This month my partner is Sandhya Ramakrishnan who blog at My cooking journey.
Do visit her space for many tempting recipes she shared.

This month we have to choose a dessert recipe from our partner’s blog. While searching for a dessert on Sandhya’s blog loved this Gol papdi recipe. Immediately decided to make this easy and delicious looking wheat barfi or gol papdi.

Recipe

Whole wheat flour or atta – 1/2 cup

Powdered or grated jaggery – 1/3 cup

Ghee / clarified butter – 4 tablespoon

Cardamom powder – 1/4 tsp

Nutmeg or jaefal powder – a pinch, optional

Almond and pistachio slices to garnish

Method

1. Grease a plate with ghee and keep aside.

2. Heat ghee or clarified butter in a pan. Add whole wheat flour or atta. Fry on low heat till flour becomes golden brown. Stir constantly. It will take 12-15 minutes.

3. When the flour becomes golden brown remove from heat. Add cardamom powder and nutmeg powder. You can also add sliced almonds, cashews or pistachios in the flour. I didn’t. Mix well.

4. Now add the jaggery. Use grated jaggery or fine powder.

5. Mix and immediatly pour the mixture into the greased plate. Press with a spatula and spread the mixture evenly.

6. Sprinkle almond and pistachio slices.
Cut into square or diamond shape when still warm.

7. Let it cool down. Serve immediately or store in a airtight container for later use.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

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Stuffed Chocolate Modak

Happy Maha Nabami.
May Goddess Durga bless you with lots of prosperity, happiness, health, wealth and good fortune. Today is the last day of Durga Puja. Pray, eat, laugh and enjoy the day 😊

Get some details of Durga Puja here.

Peach spread stuffed chocolate modak.
A very easy to make and delicious chocolate flavoured modak made with khoya/mawa or dried milk and stuffed with yummy peach spread. You can feel the divine taste.

Got this super yummy peach spread from Pushpita Aheibam of Pushpitas Chakhum. Thanks Pushpita.

You may like two more modak recipes on this blog. Click on the name below to get recipe.

1. Quick dry fruit coconut modak

2. Gulkand stuffed chocolate modak

This week’s 216 #Foodiemonday blog hop theme is Vijayadashami treat or Dussehara special recipe. My contribution is this stuffed chocolate modak.

Everytime on Vijayadashami or Dassehara we usually make different kinds of sandesh, rasgulla, gulab jamun, or pantua, kheer kadam, malpua etc.
But this time sharing Ganapati Bappa special modak. Look at the idol above, Ganapati bappa is also there.
So why not modak. Try out this modak at home and enjoy the heavenly taste.
You can use dark chocolate or cocoa powder, use whatever you have. Both will be equally delicious.

Recipe

Khoya/mawa or dried milk – 4 cup

Sugar – 1 cup

Dark Chocolate – 1/2 cup, grated or finely chopped

Cocoa powder – 2 tablespoon

Vanilla essence – 1 teaspoon

Peach spread – as required

Method

1. Mash the khoya/mawa or dried milk with sugar. You can use your food processor or blender to make the mixture smooth.
I have use homemade khoya or mawa. Get the method of making mawa here.

2. Heat a pan and add the khoya and sugar mixture.

3. Cook on low heat and stir continuously to avoid sticking at the bottom.

4. When the mixture about to dried up add grated dark chocolate or 2 tablespoon cocoa powder and mix well.

5. When the mixture starts to leave the sides add vanilla essence and remove from heat. Don’t over cook. Over cooking will make the mixture hard.

6. Mash the mixture again when it still warm. Mash to make it smooth.

7. If you have modak mould, fill 3/4 of mould with khoya mixture. Make hole in the middle with your finger. Fill the hole with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon peach spread. Amount of filling depends on the size of your modak mould. See note for more option.

8. Fill the remaining space of the mould. Fill the mould tightly to get perfect shape.

9. Open the mould and take out the modak.

10. If you don’t have modal mould make small balls with the mixture.
Flatten the ball with your palm. Place peach spread in the middle. Close the edges and make laddu or give shape of a modak.

11. Serve immediately or keep in the refrigerator for later. You can keep it in the refrigerator for 6-7 days.

Note

Any jam, preserve or spread can be used instead of peach spread. Use your favourite spread for filling.

you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.
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Chilli Rasgulla Or Green Chilli Infused Rasgulla

Green chilli infused or green chilli flavoured rasgulla or chilli rasgulla.
Yes, sweet spongy delicious rasgulla in a new flavour. Slightly hotness of green chilli made these rasgulla more yummy.

Rasgulla is an Indian syrupy dessert popular in the Indian subcontinent and regions with South Asian diaspora. It is made from ball-shaped dumplings of chhena and semolina dough, cooked in light syrup made of sugar.

Source – Wikipedia

Earlier I have made some more different fruity flavoured rasgulla. But this green chilli infused rasgulla is totally different. These slightly hot and sweet rasgulla or jhal misti rosogolla are really heavenly.
You can also make these rasgulla with more green chilli flavoured and with little hotness. See notes for option.

Sending this post to 210 #Foodiemonday blog hop #UltaPulta theme suggested by Kalyani Sri who blog at Sizzling Taste Buds.
Do visit her space for many delicious and authentic recipes. I have already bookmarked some of her recipes to try. I am sure you will love her wonderful blog.

Kalayani suggested to make something sweet with savoury ingredients or something savoury with sweet ingredients.
At first I have planned to make a cake with some savoury ingredients. But I have already made few cakes recently. And one of my friend Vinita is in town this time. I have planned to surprise her with a completely new dessert. She just loved it. She also want to learn about the method. So I have to make it again to show her the method to make this chilli rasgulla. And this time used only chilli and didn’t open the cover in-between. And result is better so updating the recipe. These are more spongy and bigger in size. Here is a picture for you.

You may like some more different flavoured rasgulla recipes on this blog.
1. Komola bhog or orange rasgulla

2. Mango or aam rasgulla

3. Watermelon rasgulla

4. Sugar and jaggery rasgulla with tips and tricks

Heavenly desserts made with rasgulla

1. Baked rasgulla

2. Rasgulla kheer or pudding

3. Egg less rasgulla cupcake

And a savoury dish with rasgulla

Savoury rasgulla korma

Before making this rasgulla please read all the tips and tricks of making rasgulla here.
Follow all the tips to make perfect spongy rasgulla. Just mash the cottage cheese well till smooth and your palm becomes greasy. And always make rasgulla in a large and broad pan.

Recipe

Cow milk – 1 litre

Lemon juice or vinegar – 3-4 tablespoon or as required

Sugar – 1 heaped cup

Water – 5 cup

Green chilli – 1

Green food colour – 2-4 drop

Method

1. Rinse the green chilli. Cut and discard the tips.

2. Heat milk in a heavy bottom pan. Break green chilli into half and add one piece in the milk.

3. When milk starts to rolling boil reduce the heat. Add lemon juice or vinegar.
Add 1 tablespoon at a time. Stir and add 1 tablespoon more or as require to curdle the milk completely.

4. When greenish whey and cottage cheese separates immediately pour into the strainer. If you boil further after curdling your cottage cheese and rasgulla will be hard.

5. Discard the green chilli from the cottage cheese or paneer.

6. Place a cheesecloth on a strained and pour the cottage cheese over it.

7. Wash the paneer under running water or dip the cheesecloth in a bowl filled with cold water. Wash the cottage cheese well to remove the smell of vinegar or lemon.

8. Squeeze the cloth well to drain all the water from cottage cheese.

9. Remove the cottage cheese on a large dry cloth. Wrap well and put a heavyweight on it for 1 – 2 hours.

10. . Take out the cottage cheese or paneer on a large plate.

11. Mash with your fingertips and heel of your palm. Mash till your palm becomes greasy.

12. Make small balls. These will become double. I have made 8 small rasgulla out of this cottage cheese.

13. There shouldn’t be any crack on the balls.
Press the balls between your fingers and palm tightly to make crack free balls.

14. Make round ball using your both palm. Make all the balls. To read all the tips and tricks to make rasgulla click here.

15. In a large and broad pan heat 1 cup sugar and 5 cup water. Add remaining half piece of chilli in the sugar syrup. In the picture below I have added two pieces but removed one later. If you like the syrup with more chilli taste and hotness then you can use two pieces.

16. When sugar dissolved and it starts to rolling boil add the cottage cheese balls one by one. Let it boil on full flame from 2 – 3 minutes.

17. Cover and cook on medium-high heat for 20 minutes.

18. Don’t remove the cover in-between.

19. Now switch off the heat. Keep it covered for 1 – 2 hours or until completely cool down.

20. You can keep these in the refrigerator for 5 – 6 days.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

1. If you want your rasgulla little more hot add one full broken green chilli in the sugar syrup.

2. If you want your rasgulla sweeter. Take out some syrup from rasgulla. Add some more sugar and boil for few minutes or till sugar dissolved completely. Add all the rasgulla with syrup in it and cover. When it starts to boil remove from heat. Cool again to serve.

3. Always use full cream cow milk to make rasgulla.

4. For spongy rasgulla mash the cottage cheese well with your fingertips and heel of your palm.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.
Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update
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Hazelnut Chocolate Sandesh

Hazelnut chocolate Sandesh or sondesh.
Sandesh with the flavour and taste of hazelnut, chocolate, vanilla and coffee. Stuffed with grated chocolate and dipped in melted chocolate with coffee. Taste is super yummy.

Sandesh is a sweet of Bengal made of chhena/paneer or cottage cheese. Homemade fresh paneer or cottage cheese is best to make sandesh. You can make paneer with vinegar, lemon juice or curd. If you want to make paneer with lemon juice or vinegar for sweet dish then you have to rinse the paneer well under running water to remove the smell of lemon or vinegar. So I always make paneer for sweet dish with curd. And for savoury dishes you can make with lemon juice or vinegar.

For sandesh paneer should be mashed well with sugar to make smooth. Then cooked on low heat for 3 to 5 minutes. It shouldn’t be overcooked. If overcooked mixture will become crumbly. You can add any flavour of your choice.

Earlier shared some sandesh recipes with different flavours.

1. Carrot sandesh

2. Sugar free date sandesh

3. Sugar free pineapple sandesh

4. Coconut and date palm jaggery sandesh

5. Chocolate sandesh

6. Coconut pomegranate sandesh

7. Paan sandesh

8. Sandesh

9. Mango steamed sandesh

10. Saffron pistachio sandesh panna cotta

11. Watermelon sandesh

12. Cake sandesh

13. Chocolate coconut sandesh

14. Kesar pista sandesh

15. Mango sandesh

16. Steamed sandesh with date palm jaggery

17. Orange steamed sandesh

18. Chocolate stuffed chocolate sandesh

This time made the sandesh with a completely different flavour. Yes its a fusion recipe. Because Monday again and we bloghop members sharing some Indian dessert with continental ingredients. At first I have decided to skip this week because I am not at home now. So planning to participate again after reaching home. But my daughter said you have hazelnut so why not try hazelnut sandesh. Loved the idea. I have used hazelnut and chocolate in smoothie. And loved the taste so here is a sandesh with hazelnut and chocolate.

205 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is #MithaiMeTwist suggestd by Sasmita Sahoo Samanta who blog at First Timer Cook. Visit her space for different types of authentic and innovative recipes. I always love her Odia dessert recipes . Tried one and bookmarked some to try.

Hazelnut chocolate sandesh is stuffed with grated dark chocolate and dipped in melted chocolate with coffee. Sounds delicious isn’t it 😊
So try this hazelnut, chocolate, vanilla and coffee flavoured sandesh and enjoy the heavenly taste. Picture courtesy my daughter Suchismita.

Recipe

Milk – 3 & 1/2 cup

Curd – 4 – 6 tablespoon

Hazelnut – 1/4 cup

Powdered sugar – 4 tablespoon

Vanilla essence 1/4 teaspoon

Grated dark chocolate – 3 tablespoon, heaped

Instant coffee powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Almond – 4 – 5, dry roasted and slivered

Method

1. Place a cheesecloth on a strainer.

2. Heat milk in a heavy bottom pan. When it starts to rolling boil reduce the heat.

3. Add 4 tablespoon whisked curd and stir. Add 1 – 2 tablespoon curd more or as require to curdle the milk completely. Its depends on the sourness of the curd. I have used fresh curd which is not sour at all so I had to add 6 tablespoon. First add 4 tablespoon, stir and add more if require.

4. You can make the paneer with vinegar or lemon juice but then you have to rinse the paneer well under running water to remove the smell of vinegar or lemon. I always use curd to make paneer for sweet dishes and vinegar and lemon juice for savoury dishes.

5. When greenish whey and cottage cheese separates immediately pour into the strainer.

6. Squeeze the cloth well to drain all the water from cottage cheese. Hang the cheesecloth for 1 – 2 hours to drain out all the water.
Get the detailed method to make paneer or cottage cheese here.

7. Dry roast the hazelnut till fragrant. Don’t make brown. When it starts to change it’s colour remove from heat and place on a plate.

8. When roasted hazelnut cool down grind it into a fine powder.

9. Take out the paneer or cottage cheese on a plate. Mash the paneer with your fingers and heel of your palm to make smooth. You can use your food processor to make the paneer smooth.

10. Add powder sugar and mixed.
Knead the paneer well to make smooth.

11. Heat a nonstick pan or heavy bottom pan. Add powdered sugar mixed smooth paneer and ground roasted hazelnut.

12. Cook on low heat and stir continuously. Add vanilla essence and mix.

13. Don’t increase the heat cook on low flame.
Cook till the paneer leaves the sides and becomes like a dough. Don’t overcook. Mixture may be grainy if overcook.

14. Remove from heat and mash with your palm or back of a spoon when warm.

15. Knead the paneer mixture again to make smooth.

16. Make small balls. I have made 6 balls.

17. Flatten the ball and place 1/4 teaspoon grated chocolate in the middle.

18. Bring together all the edges, close and make a ball again.

19. Press the ball gently with your palm. Don’t make flat just press gently to give shape.

20. Make a small dent in the middle with your finger. Make all the balls or sandesh this way.

21. Keep the sandesh in refrigerator.

22. Melt remaining grated chocolate in double boiler or microwave. Microwave on high power for 30 seconds, stir and microwave again for 30 seconds.

23. Add coffee powder and give a good stir.

24. Dip half of the sandesh in melted chocolate or coat half portion of the sandesh with a spoon.

25. Place some dry roasted and slivered almond in the middle. You can garnish the sandesh with slivered pistachio. I don’t have pistachio so place a green colour sunflower seed to add some colour.

26. Chill the sandesh in refrigerator for 30 minutes or more before serving.
Enjoy the heavenly taste.
Sandesh can be stored in refrigerator for 6 – 7 days.

Note
You can use any nut of your choice instead of hazelnut.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

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