Dussehra and Diwali Treats!

Wish You all an advance happy Diwali and belated Dussehra.

I know I am a little late for navratri recipes. I wanted to share this beautiful Goddess Durga's picture with all of you.

Laddu Parade

Rava Laddu /Semolina Laddu




Ingredients :

1 cup Rava (sooji)/ semolina (makes 5-6 laddus)
1/2 cup sugar (you can add more if desired)
1/4 cup Ghee (clarified butter)
1/4 cup cashew nuts
1/4 cup Raisins
3 tbsp milk



Preparation :

Fry the cashew nuts and raisins in 2tbsp of ghee until golden color and keep separately.
Roast the semolina in a heavy bottomed pan on medium heat until slight golden color.
To this add ghee and sugar. Fold them together. Also add the fried cashew nuts and raisins.
Combine the 3 tbsp milk, fold together and remove the mixture from the pan in to a plate.
If you feel the heat is bearable by your hands, make small balls (laddus) out of the mixture.
The traditional way for making rava laddus is different and is a little difficult.
It requires thick sugar syrup in which the Semolina is poured and then made into balls.

The following are some of my previous recipes which I would like to combine in this Diwali treat. Click on the name to go to the recipe.

Besan Laddu

Coconut Laddu

Dryfruit Laddu

Snacks

Murukku/Jantikalu

The following recipes are famous for Durga pooja in Kolkata, West Bengal. Without Sandesh and Malpua there is no Navratri festival in Kolkata.

Sandesh

Pineapple Malpua

Carrot Halwa / Gajar ka Halwa

Gunjiyas/ Kajjikayalu/ Somasi / coconut pie



This is my contribution to JFI- Festival treats hosted by Srivalli and Yummy Festival Feast - Diwali by Pallavi

My Kitchen Garden this 'Summer' was fun!!

I had loads of fun this summer which I thought of sharing with you pals. Parents were here from India, and Chicago is a great place to hang around. We went to lot of sightseeing before Diya was born.

I had created a beautiful kitchen garden in my patio with tomato, jalapeno and mint. All were a great success. I enjoyed a yield of almost more than 10lbs of tomatoes and 4 lbs of Jalapenos. Here are some pictures.

My Mom enjoying the first harvest of cherry tomatoes.








Apple Mint flowers






My Patio

This is little Diya's hands holding Rakhi when she was 12 days old and It was her first Raksha Bandhan celebration with her little brother Jai.

Breaking the silence!

Thankyou so much to all of you, for all your love, concerned enquries and patience. It is high time that I reveal the reason for being so quite for so long.
The good news is, we are blessed with a Beautiful Princess.
My little lamb's name is "Diya".
She started twinkling in our life from August 4th on.
I may not post very frequently but will be saying hi to you all once in a while:)