Fig-almond-rose cake|How to make fig-almond-rose cake from scratch

Its been a long time since the last cake post on the blog .So today its time for a cake.Today on the  blog is rustic fig and almond cake. Figs provide the fruity element to this awesome,moist,buttery  nutty cake. Figs are one of my favourite foods and I can have them in any form at any time.More over its a fruit of great health benefits and sunnah of our prophet. Rose water is a typical middle eastern  speciality that lifts this cake to a higher notch .I have just blitzed the almonds with skin in a grinder and used for this recipe but you can go with ready made almond flour too.

Pista badam kulfi|Almond pistachio kulfi

Summer is synonymous to kulfi in India.Unlike now chocolate was alien to Indian taste buds.Though it was available but not much preferred like now. To me summer was and is just an excuse to indulge in frozen treats, coolers,squash and what not.My sweet memories of kulfi dates back to the summer holidays that we used to enjoy as a family in Madras (Chennai).Madras was the epicentre of our family business.With nothing much to do after lunch while ammi(mother) and dadi(grandmother) have a nap we siblings would eagerly wait for the kulfi wala.

Broccoli smoothie bowl

Starting the day with a healthy breakfast is the best favour you can do to your body.Breakfast literally means breaking the fast after a long  gap of 6- 8 hours.Obviously our body needs some energetic food to carry on the tasks for the whole day. A healthy whole some start refreshes your body and well as your mind .Milk, yogurt ,dry fruits ,fresh fruits are the best to start with.As I have already mentioned  earlier smoothies are my favourite on the go breakfast for my kids. I am a south Indian and love my traditional breakfasts too ,but due to time constraints and my kids choice to have it hot from kitchen to table I restrict idli and dosa for weekends.

Egg rasmalai - My second guest post for Yummy food | Joy From Fasting To Feasting - VIII ,Global Ramadaan event

   

Ramadan Mubarak .....Alhamdulillah today is 8 day of fasting.
Today's post is a guest post for Lubna Karim of Yummy food .I was on cloud nine when Lubna had invited me for her global Ramadan event  - Joy From Fasting to Feasting VIII , where food  bloggers from around the world share the importance of Ramadan in their lives ,recipes that are close to their heart or family recipes .In terms of blogging you can call it a virtual potluck .

Gajar ka halwa /carrot halwa

I think gajar ka halwa / carrot halwa needs no introduction for us (Indians ). But still for my friends(other than Indians) who don't know about this ,This is a dessert made with grated carrots and khoya(milk reduction) and tempered with generous amount of ghee !!!(yes you read it right )and dry fruits . 

It is the most sought after dessert after kheer .You can find this dessert adorning the dining tables especially during winters when the red carrot which is an Indian variety of carrot is found in abundance .It(red carrot) is believed to be more nutritious and provides warmth to the body than the regular carrot .

When I was on my grocery shopping found these red carrots and grasped it with the intention of making halwa and Alhamdulillah it came into effect (thanks to the pestering of my kids )other wise these days I have been so lethargic to whip up even simple things !!!!may be its the weather that's making me feel drowsy ....):  .This time I have tried it with instant mawa (khoya).....do check it out .

Lets start cooking ...................

Choco-paneer truffles

As soon as you as you read the name of the recipe you might be thinking Paneer(cottage cheese) and truffles!!!!.We all have tasted various savoury variations of paneer ,but this time I wanted to have some thing different may be this is the effect of watching master chef .....:)

My kids love truffles ,I think every one loves truffles ,the smooth melt in the mouth truffles are hard to resist with one .S was saying "Mom you haven't made truffles since long time ,please mom, make some this weekend."If a pickey eater demands some thing ,then  the demand must be met immediately right!!  ....right .

Since last week they had been on sweets in some or the other way .As they are in the exam mode I wanted some thing healthy and nourishing and they should never miss the taste of truffles ..:).After thinking of so many variations  ,finally jumped to the conclusion that this time I am going to try with paneer .This idea was inspired by the show band -baaja-buffet on food food channel.Paneer with nuts was served with chocolate fondue to the baaratis on the menu .

For this recipe home made paneer(cottage cheese) works better in fact I must say best ,As we have to incorporate the nuts in it ,store bought paneer is highly not recommended  in it .It stayed well in the fridge for 5 days may be it would stay more.... but it was clean bowled .I did not reveal the contents of the truffle  ,and kept them guessing ....Every one mistook it to chocolate .....!!!!

So go ahead and make the truffle with a Desi twist .............

Badami murg /Almond chicken

Badami murg / almond chicken  is -chicken cooked together with a smooth fine paste of onions and almonds with spices.First time I had this at khazana .Which khazana ?The famous Sanjeev kapoors khazana restaurant here in Qatar .

It is apt to call him the father of Indian cuisine .Each and every dish  we ordered had a unique taste of its own ,unlike the ones we generally have (loaded with colour ,onions and tomatoes).Its for sure a food connoisseurs paradise  .

Of  all the dishes ordered this was the show stopper ,a smooth, luscious ,creamy gravy with a hint of saffron  and the tang of yogurt ,slightly sweetened to balance the flavours .I have come up with the recipe with all the flavours my tongue could feel .I definitely cant say that this is exactly the recipe ,but for sure nearer to it .

So what are you waiting for ...go ahead and make one for you to pamper your taste buds .I am sure you will not regret it .

Lets start cooking...........................