Rasmalai with Ricotta Cheese

I wanted to try this recipe from the time I came to US, because most of the time when I hear my neighbor having guests at home, she makes this recipe as most of her friends like it and her husband too, but she used to tell me that she used to get the ricotta cheese from a particular store which is 1 1/2hr from our place. So I never tried it, or give it a try buying the ricotta cheese from a local grocery store.

Once before a year or so, I did try it, but didn't come out well and after making it I forgot to keep it in the fridge and left it over the counter and by morning, it got spoiled, so didn't have the guts to try it again. 

But this time I wanted to make it easy for me, It turned out very good and I almost ate all of the rasmalai. :-)

Ingredients:

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1 (16oz) Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese

1 + 1/4 cup Sugar

1 pint Light Whipping Cream or Half and Half

1 pinch Saffron

3 tbsp sliced Almonds

3 tbsp Pistachios Chopped 

1/4 tsp Cardamom powder

Method:

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1. In a heavy bottom sauce pan simmer the whipping cream or half and half, 1 cup sugar, cardamom powder and saffron for about 10 mins.

2. Preheat the oven to 350F. 

3. Meanwhile in a microwave safe bowl ( choose a square glass bowl), mix together 1/4 cup sugar and ricotta cheese and bake it in oven for about 35-40 mins.

4. Allow it to come to room temperature, cut to the desired shape and add the whipping cream or half and half mixture over the top until all the ricotta is well drenched. 

5. Sprinkle the nuts over the top or while serving into individual bowls.

Doodhi Muthia ~ Steamed Savoury Snack

Today is the third day of the blogging marathon. Today it is a snack made using bottle gourd. Muthia is a savory snack which is steam cooked with ingredients that are healthy. I have adapted the recipe from Tarla Dalal. I halved the recipe and  have made few changes since I did not have them in my pantry. The healthy savoury snack makes a perfect accompaniment with hot tea especially on rainy day.

You need

• Grated bottle gourd - 1 cup
• Onion - 1, grated ( A small one will do)
• Whole wheat flour - 1/2 cup
• Semolina - 1/2 cup (I used rice rava)
• Besan - 1/4 cup
• Green chilly, ginger paste - 1 tblspn
• Turmeric powder, Garam masala, cumin seeds, fennel seeds - 1/4 tspn, each
• Juice of  1 1/2  lemon (I used amchoor powder)
• Chopped coriander - 2 tblspn
• Baking soda - 1/4 tspn
• Hing - 1/4 tspn

To temper

• Oil - 2 tblspn
• Mustard seeds - 1 tspn
• Sesame seeds - 1 tspn
• Hing - 1/4 tspn

Method.

Grate bottle gourd and onion into a bowl. Squeeze and extract the juice from the grated bottle gourd. Add the rest of the ingredients to the grated bottle gourd and onion.  Knead it into a soft dough and use the squeezed water if required. I did not use it.  

Oil your hands and divide the dough into two. Shape the dough into two logs and place in a greased bowl. Steam cook in the pressure cooker for 20 minutes or till a tooth pick inserted comes out clean.  

The logs slightly expand on steaming. when cool, slice it into 1/2 inch slices. 

Heat a shallow kadai with oil. Add mustard seeds, sesame seeds and hing. When the seeds crackle, add the sliced muthias and toss well and cook for 2-3 minutes. 

Serve with a chutney of your choice of tomato ketchup. 

Check out what my fellow marathoners are cooking.

Spinach Dhal - Simple and hearty quickie | Indian Curry Recipes

Who says Fast foods are not healthy? Ok, here I do not mean the fast foods we get in a restaurant chains with empty carbs or deep fried foods. I mean a simple and quick dhal which can also be very healthy. This spinach dhal is rich in protein, calcium and iron. So here is a tasty and wholesome meal ready in under 30 minutes. 


Ingredients:
Serves: 3-4
Moong dhal - 1/2 cup
Baby Spinach - 2