Thoda Meetha Aur Thoda Namkeen To Enjoy The Festivities

With the festivities afoot what’s cooking in your kitchens? If you don’t know what to make you need to read this. We have recipes, tips and a meal plan. All you need to do is just click on it!
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It’s started raining festivals. From Rakhi onto Janmashtami this month it’s time to celebrate. Yes, ’tis that time of the year!

As with every celebration in India, thoda meetha is essential for the day to feel like a celebration. Rakhi is a special time for brothers and sisters. While you run around trying to find the perfect rakhi, the perfect outfit and a special gift for your brother/sister, you will also want to find something special to sweeten it all. 

My sister and I don’t have a brother but Rakhi was always celebrated in a big way in the house. We would divide it up and send Rakhis and letters to our cousin brothers scattered around the globe. Even now we do that – might be the only time in the year where I actually put pen to paper now.

I have a son and a daughter and while they fight like mad, I know they have each other’s back. My son loves all the rakhis that adorn his hand – yes he has a lot of cousins and is the only boy on both sides of the family. So you can imagine the excitement in the house. 

Now when it comes to traditional festive food, I know kids nowadays would prefer a chocolate cupcake to a traditional sweet but  I think this is the perfect opportunity to get them to try different Indian sweets. Last week we celebrated Teej and ghewar was the Indian sweet they tried and to their surprise enjoyed it! Their taste buds keep developing so let them keep trying new things and old things and you never know what they may start liking.

So my picks for this festive week are below. I hope you enjoy making them for your kids or your sibling!

Also, if are wondering how to explain all the questions your kids have about Janmashtami and Krishna, then you should listen to the story of Ladoo Gopal with them on our podcast. There are also some really well-written books on Janmashtami, so if your kids are old enough to read, then buy them these stories of Krishna books. Otherwise, you can read it to them.

Festive Recipe Spotlight

Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye– Kheer With Pears & Pecans

Ingredients

For the rice pudding:

  • 1 Cup cooked Mashed White Rice
  • 1 Cup Hot Water
  • 1 Cup Coconut Milk (Or Any Milk Of Your Choice)
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/4 Tsp Ground Cardamom
  • 1/4 Cup Raisins (optional)
  • 1/4 Cup Blanched & Slivered Almonds
  •  Palm Jaggery Syrup To Taste
  • 1 Tsp Coconut Oil/Butter/Ghee
  • Pinch Of Salt

For the syrup:

  • 1/4 Cup Water Along With 1/2 Cup Grated Palm Jaggery
  • 1 Tsp Freshly Grated Ginger
  • 1/4 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

Method

  • In a heavy-bottomed pan, combine all the rice pudding ingredients
  • Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until the rice is soft and creamy (add more milk if required). This can be served hot/cold. I love it chilled.
  • In a separate pan, boil all the syrup ingredients together
  • Let it simmer till it reaches the consistency of honey, then remove from heat and strain.

For the pecans:

  • Heat 2 tbsp of palm jaggery syrup with a dash of vanilla and spices (ground cinnamon, cardamom and ginger) until it bubbles.
  • Add 1/3 cup pecans and stir for a few minutes until they are well glazed.
  • Remove from heat, spread on a greased plate to dry. 

To assemble:

  • Spoon a little palm jaggery syrup into your dessert bowl, add the rice pudding, garnish with pear slices, candied pecans, toasted almonds and enjoy! 

An All-time Favourite – Kaju Katli

Ingredients

  • 500 gms Cashewnuts
  • 80 gms Milk powder
  • 1 tsp Elaichi / Cardamom powder
  • 300 gms Sugar
  • 100 ml Water
  • Silver leaf / Vark optional

Method

  • Grind the cashew nuts in your food processor or coffee grinder to a fine powder.
  • Sift them once to make sure there are no big pieces.
  • Mix in the milk powder and elaichi/cardamom powder. Make sure there are no lumps.
  • Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a kadhai or wide pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the mixture reaches one string consistency.
  • One string consistency is when the sugar syrup forms a single thread between your thumb and forefinger.
  • At this point, turn the heat off and add the dry ingredients. Mix well till a dough is formed.
  • Let it cool for a few minutes. As soon as it’s cool enough for you to handle, knead briefly to get a smooth pliable dough.
  • Transfer your dough to a greased plate or thali or parchment paper.
  • Place parchment or butter paper on top. Roll the mixture out to a circle, about 1/4″ in thickness. Cover with silver leaf or vark if using.
  • Let this set for 30 minutes or so. Cut into a diamond shape and enjoy!

Balance The Meetha Out With A Little Nammkeen

Dhokla Made 2 Ways

Bedmi Aloo. Serve it with kachori or puri

Ingredients

  • 500 Gms Potatoes boiled
  • 4-5 Tomatoes blanched and pureed
  • 1 1/2 Tsp Ginger paste
  • 1/2 Tsp Hing (Asafoetida)
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Kasuri Methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
  • 2 Green Chillis
  • ½ Tsp Haldi (turmeric)
  • 1 1/2 Tsp Dhania Powder (coriander powder)
  • 1 Tbsp Amchur Powder (dry mango powder)
  • 1Tsp Red Chilli Powder
  • 1 Tsp Jeera Seeds (cumin)
  • 1 Tsp Jeera Powder (cumin powder)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Ghee
  • 1 Tbsp Aam Ka Achaar Masala (mango pickle masala)
  • Handful of chopped Dhania to garnish
  • Water

Method

  • Crush the potatoes roughly with your hand and set aside.
  • Heat oil in a pan and add jeera, kasuri methi and hing. Wait till they start spluttering.
  • Add the green chillies. (This only add flavour)
  • Pour in the tomato puree and saute till it thickens.
  • Now add haldi, dhania powder, red chilli powder, jeera powder and salt and saute for a minute.
  • Add the crushed potatoes and saute for a few minutes.
  • Now pour in about 2 cups of water and let it simmer covered for 10 minutes.
  • Adjust the thickness of the gravy by adding more water if required and cook.
  • Mix the aam ka achaar masala with the potatoes and finish it off with a spoon of ghee.
  • Serve garnished with coriander leaves.

Bharwa Style Onion & Potatoes Sabzi

If you want to know what’s cooking in our kitchen this week, scroll down

We hope you enjoy the meal plan as much as we do. Tag @kidsstoppress when you try out these recipes. We would love to know how much the family enjoyed it!

 

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