Til Ke Ladoo | Sesame Seed Balls

This is my ultimate favorite ladoos, if there is such a thing! I just love this delicacy, especially more so that this is a seasonal sweet & is not available in the market or made at home during hot summer month. Sesame seeds have property of being hot food as per Ayurveda & is usually eaten only in winter months. So this makes for a perfect sweet for Makarsankrant festival.

Til ke Ladoo

I actually made these in January only but life has been bit hectic with my little one giving me a tough time with day time sleep, so which hardly leaves me with any time to post & make during day. I’m using scheduling a lot. What to do life & blog has to go on! 🙂

Til ke Ladoo

Til ke Ladoo

Ingredients –

• 1 Cup – Sesame Seeds
• 1 Cup – Khoya/ Mawa
• 1 3/4 Cup – Castor Sugar (Bura)

Method –

1. Wash the sesame seeds using a fine mesh colander/ strainer very thoroughly. This step is important as sesame seeds contain lot of fine dirt.
2. Spread the washed seeds on a fine muslin cloth in thin layer. Allow it to dry for 2-3 days.
3. When the seeds are completely dry or just very barely moist, dry roast them in a thick bottom pan or wok. It should start emitting nice roasted aroma. Remove from pan and keep aside.
4. Using the same pan, dry roast the khoya, till it is nice golden in color. Switch off the flame. Allow the khoya to cool down.
5. Meanwhile, using a grinder, grind the sesame seeds into fine powder.
6. When it is just lukewarm quickly add in ground seeds & sugar. Mix well.
7. Roll small balls using hands. Serve with tea or coffee or as a dessert after dinner.

Sending this to What’s with my Cuppa currently hosted by Chef Mireille, orginally started by Nupur & Pinterest Power Party

Mathri | Short Crust Pastry

With holi round the corner, this must be made by kilos in most Indian households. Mine is no different. Mathri or a fried short crust pastry is a delight to eat with tea or coffee or simply with some home-made pickle. The thought only gives me goose bumps & crave some more.

Here’s to Holi & all Indian festivals.

Mathri/ Fried Shortcrust Pastry

Mathri

Ingredients –

• 1 Cup – APF
• 1 Tbsp – Semolina
• 1/2 tsp – Carom Seeds
• 2 Tbsps – Ghee/ Clarified Butter
• to taste – Salt
• Oil for frying

Method –

1. In a large bowl, mix flour, semolina, salt & carom seeds.
2. Add ghee & mix gently. Now hold the flour in your fist, if it forms a loose clump, then the amount of ghee is fine, if it doesn’t then add a bit more ghee.
3. Using water knead the dough. The dough should be slightly hard to touch. Wrap in a wet muslin cloth & keep it aside for 1/2 hour.
4. Form small balls with the dough. Roll these balls using a rolling pin. Use a knife or fork to make small holes/ slits in the rolled pastry.
5. Heat oil in a big wok, fry these pastry till golden brown.
6. Enjoy warm with tea or coffee or pickle. 🙂 It will store well in air-tight container at room temp for several days.

Sending this to What’s with my Cuppa currently hosted by Chef Mireille, orginally started by Nupur

Garlic Chilli Cheese Toast – Blog Hop 7

Another dish from V’s bday menu. Blog hopping schedule gives an advantage of planning as & when you require. I looked for recipe on Kalyani’s blog for a dish to accompany spinach pasta, pizza (base from outside) & what better then something similar to Garlic Bread.

Kalyani has very aptly named her blog as Sizzling Tastebuds & really all recipes sizzle on her blog. Extensive collection of world cuisine. I was waiting for a chance to create a recipe from her space so finally the Wednesday has come to share the same. I used garlic cheese spread in stead of grated cheese, rest I kept same.

Garlic Chilli Cheese Toast

Garlic Chilli Cheese Toast –

Recipe Source – Kalyani of Sizzling Tastebuds

Ingredients –

• 10 Slices – White Bread
• 3 Tbsp – Garlic Cheese Spread
• 1/2 tsp – Melted Ghee (Clarified Butter)
• 1/2 – Capsicum, finely diced
• 1 – Green Chilli, chopped & pitted
• 1 tsp – Dry Basil
• 1/2 tsp – Red Chilli Flakes
• a dash – Oregano
• 1/2 tsp – White Pepper Powder, I used freshly ground
• to taste – Salt (add little only as cheese spread is already salted)

Method –

1. Mix together capsicum, green chilli, basil, chilli flakes & white pepper powder. Add cheese spread & mix well.
2. Lightly grease the slices with ghee, using your finger tips.
3. Spread a spoonful or more of cheesy mixture on slices.
4. Pre-heat oven to 200 C. Very lightly grease the baking sheet.
5. Diagonally cut the bread slices into 2. Bake for 8- 10 mins.
6. Then grill them for 2-4 mins till cheese melts.
7. Serve hot.

I had some leftover spread left which was happily confiscated by the guests as they wanted to make these Garlic Chilli Cheese Toast at their place. It was a very simple & quick recipe. I loved it.

Catch other Blog-Hoppers here to see what they have done for their blog hops. If you wish to join contact Radhika of Tickling Palates. Happy Hopping!!