Amla Chunda

Amla Chunda
The Indian gooseberry known (locally) as amla is a nutritious fruit.Its a potent source of vitamin c and also contains iron and calcium.Amla is a treasured fruit as its good in purifying blood,boosts immunity level,prevents formation of gall bladder stones and it really works as a magical fruit in keeping your skin clear and prevents hair fall and whitening of hair at an early age.
Amla is little bitter and sour in taste and some people specially children don't like its taste,so i have added sweetness in it as the sweetness will reduce the bitter taste of amla and your children would love to have this on their breads or with parantha also.

 This amla chunda is my dad's recipe as he use to make this for me when there is an amla season.Personally i have never liked eating amla whether its amla murrabba or amla juice,but this amla chunda is very delicious and tastes sweet and it is flavored with some spices also which tempted me to have amlas.

 You can enjoy this  amla chunda on breads,paranthas or with daal rice also as a pickle.A must try recipe specially for those people who love their food with health and taste.
So here goes the yummy and easy recipe of Amla Chunda-

 Ingredients -

1. 200 grams - Amla
2. 400 grams - Sugar
3. 1 1/2 cup of water
4. Salt as per taste
5. Black pepper powder - 1 1/2 tsp
6. Rock salt as per taste
7. Roasted cumin powder - 1 1/2 tsp

Method -

1. Wash the amlas and wipe them with a kitchen towel and grate it.
2. Now take a pan add water and sugar in it.
3. Make a sugar syrup from this using 1 string consistency.
4. Now add your grated amla in to the sugar syrup.
5. Boil it on the slow flame for 15 to 20 minutes,till the amla and sugar syrup get mixed up completely.
6. Add salt,rock salt,cumin powder and black pepper powder  in the grated amla.
7. Mix it up till the amla gets soft and contains no water syrup.
8. Let it cool down completely.
9. Take a jar and fill this amla chunda in the jar and keep it in fridge.
10. You can store this in fridge for at least 3 to 4 month.
11. Enjoy your healthy Amla Chunda.

Mango Semolina cake

Mango semolina Cake
Mango is everyone's treasured fruit in summers.I have made this cake with semolina /suji  as its very light and moist cake.Semolina is a healthy option as compared to maida cake.This cake is little spongy but the flavor of fresh mango pulp is too yum.
Mango semolina cake is a salubrious version in desserts as its congenial to digest and nutritious too.

I have drizzled some chocolate sauce on the top to give it a little chocolaty taste,but its optional as you can also sprinkle some pistachios or some nuts of your own choice.
One of my friend had already tried this cake and she was very happy with the result.
So what you people are waiting for?Try this mango semolina cake and enjoy it with your family and friends.

Ingredients-

1. Baking powder - 1 tsp
2. Butter - 1 stick
3. Sugar - 1/2 cup
4. Semolina -1 cup
5. Mango pulp - 1 cup
6. Chocolate sauce (optional)

 

Method -

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix semolina with sugar and baking powder.
3. Then add melted butter and mix it well.
4. Add mango pulp and mix again and keep it aside for 10 minutes.
5. Put this mixture into a cake pan by greasing some oil or butter and bake it for 30 -35 minutes on 180 degree.
6. After 35 minutes allow it cool down completely.
7. Cut it into pieces.
8. You can sprinkle pistachios on the top or drizzle some chocolate sauce on the top.

HomeMade Buns

Homemade Buns
I love buns to have with tea in the evening or in my quick breakfast with butter.Buns are convenient option for breakfast or a quick solution for hunger.
Bun comes in various forms like sweet bun,bun with cherries or a simple one.This is usually made from flour,yeast,sugar and butter.
Some buns are made up of eggs and some are egg less too.It comes in various sizes and shapes also.

I always used to buy buns and breads from stores but this time i have tried these buns at home only and believe me its really soft and spongy.
You can store these buns for 2 to 3 days and you can enjoy it various varieties like you can have it with allo tikkis,bhaji or with soups also,but i like to have this with my salted butter.
So here goes the yummy recipe of Homemade Buns-

 

Ingredients-

1. 1 1/2 cups of plain flour ( maida)
2. 1 1/2 tsp of soft butter
3. 2 tsp instant dry yeast
4. 2 tsp sugar
5. 1 tsp salt
6. milk for brushing
7. butter for brushing

  

Method -

1. Combine the yeast,sugar with 2 tbsp of warm water in a small bowl and cover it with a lid for 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Combine the plain flour,1 tbsp butter,salt yeast and sugar mixture in a deep bowl and knead it into soft dough by using approximate 1/2 cup of warm water.
3. knead knead knead for around 10 to 15 minutes.(initially the dough is sticky but when you knead it again again it will start leaving your hand)
4. Cover the dough with a damp muslin cloth and keep it aside for 1 hour.
5. After 1 hour take the dough out from the bowl and again knead it with 1/2 tbsp butter.
6. Knead again for 10 minutes.
7. Now divide the dough in equal portions.
8. Take a baking tray and grease it with oil or butter to avoid stickiness.
9. Now take your portions and give your dough portions a round shape and place it on the baking tray.
10. Cover the balls with damp muslin cloth.
11. Keep it for 45 minutes again.
12. Now preheat the oven at 180 degrees for 10 minutes.
13. Apply milk evenly on the balls and bake it 200 degrees for 20 minutes.
14. After 20 minutes take the tray out and brush it with butter.
15. Again bake it for more 5 minutes.
16. Serve it hot or you can store it in an air tight container.

Black carrot drink/kaanji

Black Carrot Drink/Kaanji
Kaanji is a fermented drink made for the festivals specially on Holi.It is made up with water,black carrots,mustard seeds and beetroot.Its a flavorful drink which is very good for digestion.
Normally my mom makes kaanji for me,but this time i have learned  from her and its really easy to make.Kanji takes around 3 days to be made properly,we have to keep the kanji jar in proper sunlight to make it ready to drink.Kaanji made up of carrots is a nutritional hero of this drink.It also keeps you away from heat strokes and gives you instant relief from the scorching heat.

 

kaanji acts as a appetizer drink which helps you to keep your stomach light specially in summers.Kanji is a tasty drink which you can serve when some relative or friends come to your house.
An easy drink which is not at all harmful for your children as they can enjoy this after coming back from school in scorching heat.It helps you to keep hydrated and energized also.Having chilled kaanji is a total bliss in summers.So here goes the pungent recipe of Black Carrot Drink -

 
Ingredients -

1. Black Carrot - 5 to 6  large
2. Salt - 4 tbsp(you can increase or decrease according to your taste buds)
3. Red chili powder coarse - 1 1/2 tbsp
4. Mustard powder coarse - 4 tbsp

 

Method -

1. Scrub the carrots and wash them with running water.Peel and cut into batons .
2. Take carrot batons in a bowl or jar.Add salt,coarse red chili powder,mustard powder and mix.
3. Add around 20 cups of water and stir.
4. Cover the jar with the muslin cloth and tie it around the rim and let it stand in the sun for 3 to 4 days.
5. After 3 days stir the kanji again and keep it in refrigerator and enjoy every sip of it.