Stuffed Coconut Ladoos

As peeps.........hope you all are doing good and geared up for the festive season. We Kolkatans are ready to welcome the most-awaited and biggest festival of the year......The Durga Pujo. As the monsoon bids adieu, the days become shorter, the morning air feels cooler and the sky is full of wooly clouds. This marks the beginning of Pujo-Pujo feeling. But definitely, this year festivals will be quite different from the other years. 

Nariyal Ladoo or Coconut Ladoo don't need any introduction in Indian households. We as Bengalis have great significance for Narkel er Nadu (Nariyal/Coconut Ladoos). These small coconut balls are made are usually made during the festivals, especially during the Ganesh Puja/Durga Puja/ Diwali/ Lokkhi Pujo/ Lakhmi Puja. 

As the name suggests it is made up of Coconut, Milk, Sugar, and Cardamom to add some flavor to the Ladoo. The Ladoos are of two kinds one made with Jaggery or Gur and are deep brown in color and the other made with Sugar and are pristine white in color. My personal liking is the later one (the one made with Sugar). I have already shared the recipe of Traditional Coconut Ladoos during my early phase of blogging (I think that was my first post). 

This recipe of Coconut Ladoos is a bit different from the traditional ones as I have stuffed them with Khowa/ Mawa. This tastes a bit different from the traditional ones but really tastes awesome. Moreover, I have added condensed milk to the Coconut mixture which uplifts the flavor of these Ladoos. So, this festive season make these Stuffed Coconut Ladoos and enjoy them with your friends and family.

So, let's begin with the recipe:

Veg Biryani

Hello Friends.............today in this post we will see how to make Veg Biryani. If there is one recipe that can make anybody drool is none other than Biryani................we all love it. Biryani has many variations it can be made from chicken, mutton, chicken mince, mutton mince, prawn, beef, egg, vegetables, paneer, soya nuggets, kabuli chana, and the list goes on and on.

The process of making Biryani varies from region to region. Hyderabadi Biryani is hot and spicy which is its specialty whereas the Awadhi Biryani is more aromatic and has subtle flavors. Malabar Biryani differs in the kind of rice used in making the Biryani. Last but not least Kolkata style Biryani where a lot of spices are used yet it's moist, subtle, and fragrant. 

Making Biryani takes a lot of effort, patience, time, and exact spices. While making this Royal dish you can't skip any step nor you can replace any spice with the other. But at the end when you serve it on your plate its a pleasure seeing the beautiful Biryani cooked with the aromatic spices and condiments. Your home even your neighborhood gets filled with its fragrance.

I have already shared the recipes of Chicken Biryani, Egg Biryani, and Maggi Biryani on my blog. Today in this blog I'll be sharing one more Biryani recipe and this it's Veg Biryani. Veg Biryani doesn't take that much of time as Chicken or Mutton Biryani does because you don't have to cook the veggies too long as the Chicken or Mutton. Just marinate the veggies with spices and condiments for some time and it's ready to be cooked. So, without doing any further ado let's begin with the recipe:

Perfect Potato Patties

Hello, my foodie friends..........I hope you all are doing great. Today in this blog post we will talk about a very healthy and scrumptious recipe which is an excellent snack item for all the members of the family. As the monsoon is in full swing our heart and mind always want to munch on something with the evening tea but amid the current situation, we are avoiding eating outside and even buying food items from outside. Sometimes we get bored with the regular snack items and we need something that is yummy and healthy too. 

Today's recipe is Potato Patties. This can serve as a great companion with your evening cup of tea. It is very easy to make and taste just awesome. There are two steps in making this recipe:

• Preparing the filling for the patties
• Making the wrapper

You can make these wrappers beforehand and freeze them too. So, when you want to have some snacks just take out the wrappers, stuff the filling and fry them. The most important and crucial step in this recipe is to seal the wrappers. If you don't seal the patties properly the filling will ooze out and everything will become a mess. So, be very careful while sealing the patties. Do try this recipe this monsoon season and let us know how do you like it.

So, let's begin with the recipe:

Idli Burger

Hello Fellas................ I hope everyone is doing fine and staying healthy. In my earlier posts, I have mentioned a series where I'll be sharing some Kids Friendly recipes which are very easy to prepare, and at the same time, kids will love them too. If you have missed those posts then click the recipes name below to get redirected to the recipes:

• Chocolate Truffles
• Fruit Custard
• Veg Pizza
• Veg Spring Rolls
• Chicken Nuggets
• Egg Tawa Burger
• Potato Lollipops

Today's recipe is Idli Burger: one of my son's favorite. Idli is a very common breakfast in most of the Indian households. It's a very healthy and hassle-free breakfast item if you do the prep work beforehand. On the other hand, we all (especially our kids) love Burger, isn't it? Then how about combining both the items? As you all know I'm a huge fan of fusion dishes and love to do experimental cooking. Sometimes the outcome is a huge disaster and sometimes it's a huge success; basically, it is two sides of the same coin. 

So, in this recipe, I have tried to replace the buns in the burger with Rava Idlis. If you want you can go for traditional idlis too. Rava Idlis come handy if you are in a hurry. Just combine the ingredients of Rava Idli, steam them and you're done. If you want the recipe for Rava Idli you can click here (here). So, without any further ado let's begin with the recipe:

Pineapple Custard

Hello my Foodie Friends, I hope you all are doing great. As of now, you all must be knowing my love for desserts. Yes, I have a sweet tooth and I love to relax and cherish my bowl of dessert after lunch (especially). I think that's the best moment of my day and I forget all my worries and tensions with that single spoon of love.

This is the reason you can find a number of dessert recipes on my blog. If you're a dessert lover like me that you must check these recipes (click here). Whether is a traditional Indian dessert or a dessert with International flavors, you can find them all. Some of my favorites are Rasgulla, Gulab Jamun, Phirni, Shahi Tukda, Cheesecake, Mousse, Pannacotta, Pudding, Custard and the list goes on and on..........

Today's recipe is one of my favorites when Pineapples are available in full swing. Pineapple is such a versatile fruit like Mango which can be paired easily with any kind of sweet dish. You can have it as chutney, cake, ice-cream, custard, jam, etc etc etc......I love to make Pineapple Custard (during this season) to relish the rich flavors of this multifaceted fruit.

Pineapple Custard is very easy to prepare but needs a little bit of effort and time but the end result is so satisfying that each and every step is worth it. There are two steps in making this delectable dessert firstly preparing the custard and the other one is to make the jelly. So, without any further ado, let's begin with the recipe:

Maggi Biryani

Hello Fellas............ I hope this post finds you in your best state. These days I'm loving to do some experimental cooking in my kitchen and as you all know the outcome of any experiment can be a hit or a miss. But, the zeal of knowing the end result always keeps me motivated to try something new each day.

I'm very fond of fusion dishes and I always find myself experimental with this type of cuisine. Fusion Cuisine doesn't fall under any particular cuisine style and has played a part in the innovations of many contemporary restaurant cuisines since the 1970's. 

It's really very innovative and at the same time challenging to fuse elements of different culinary traditions into one style of cooking. I usually try to experiment with some traditional dishes and give them a new look and feel. I have shared many Fusion Dishes in my blog, if you're someone who loves to try this type of cuisine then I would highly encourage you check them out (click here).

This time I have tried to fuse two of the most lovable dishes of every Indian citizen and i.e. Maggi and Biryani. We all love them, isn't it? then how about combining both of them and trust me the end result is lip-smackingly good. If you're a lover of both of these dishes then you have to try this out.

So, without any further ado, let's begin with the recipe:

Oats Idli

Hello Fellas.........hope you all are doing good and enjoying the monsoons at your respective places. These days my 3-year-old is keeping me on my toes.............always running behind him for this or that. Moreover their online classes......... that's another story, will write about it in some other post.

As it is said that "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar". In order to stay healthy and energetic throughout the day, it's very important to have a fulfilling breakfast. It is the first meal of the day, and it is the meal that the body uses to top up its glucose levels after 8-12 hours of fasting. If you skip your breakfast, you will have a shorter attention span, be less alert, take longer to react, have low blood sugar, and decreased productivity. So, never ever skip your breakfast.

Coming on to today's post it's all about a breakfast recipe which is not only healthy but fulfilling too. It is packed with nutrients and it requires very little time to prepare. Today's recipe is Oats Idli. Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. They are gluten-free and a great source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. There are many health benefits of oats including weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease.

So, without any further ado let's begin with the recipe:

Carrot Delight

Hello, my Foodie Friends.......I hope you all are keeping well and enjoying the festivities. Yes, the festival season has already started in India but this time it's very different but that's what the new normal is. We have to accept it and behave accordingly.

Today is Ganesh Chaturthi......according to mythological stories Lord Ganesha is worshiped before everyone and it was on this day that Lord Shiva had pronounced his son superior to all the gods and goddesses except Lord Shiva himself, Goddess Parvati, Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Lakshmi.  

India will celebrate Ganeshutsav for the next 10 days starting today. Well, Lord Ganesha is worshiped equally in each and every region but if you want to feel the real essence of Ganeshutsav then you must visit Maharashtra where it's celebrated most of the households and every nooks and corner.

Ganesh Puja is incomplete without Modaks as this is the most loved dessert of Lord Ganesha. Modaks can be prepared in a variety of forms and nowadays it is available in the sweet shops too. I have already shared the recipe of Modak in my blog. You can check it out here.

Today's recipe is a bit different it's about Carrot Delight or Carrot Jelly Burfi. Nowadays since Carrots are available throughout the year and we can enjoy them at any time of the year. There are a lot of dessert delicacies made with carrots. One of them is Carrot Burfi, this burfi is a little bit different from the usual burfi recipe as I have given jelly texture to it.

So, let's begin with the recipe:

Cabbage Muthia

Hello, my foodie friends.......as the monsoon is in full swing we always crave some Pakodas and Bhajiyas with our evening cup of tea. I like to sit in my balcony having a cup of chai with some fried stuff and yes playing my favorite monsoon songs in the background. That's my way to enjoy monsoons and relax. 

We all love Pakodas and Bhajiyas whether it's Aalu Pakoda, Pyaz Pakoda, Paneer Pakoda, Fish Pakoda, Chicken Pakoda, and the list goes on and on...........especially if you ask me I can't control myself whenever I see them and forget everything about calories-diet, that much I love Pakodas. 

If you're health-conscious or you regularly monitor your diet then having Pakodas and Bhajiyas is not a good idea. But, kya kare......Dil hain ke manta nahi !! If you want to relish those Bhajiyas with the khatti-meethi chutney without the guilt then needless to worry I have a very good option available for you.

Today's recipe is Cabbage Muthiya which is a very healthy alternative to the regular fried kind of stuffs and you can enjoy them even freeze them for you 8-10 days. So, whenever you want to enjoy your evening tea with a snack take them out of the freezer, pop them in the microwave and give them a nice tadka. Ta Da......your healthy and delicious alternative to Pakodas is ready.

Cabbage Muthias are very easy to prepare but require little bit of prep work but you can do it beforehand and serve them as and when required. So, without any further ado let's begin with the recipe:

Chocolate Truffles

As you must be knowing I have started a new series where I'm sharing some kid-friendly recipes for our little ones who are at home since the starting of the lockdown. Since our son is just 3 yrs old so we're not taking him out of the home. In order to make him happy I try to make his favorite food items but that too with a twist so that he can feel something new with each and every dish.

I strongly believe one thing that can keep them us happy in this situation is good food. Treat them with their favorite dishes every now and then to keep them happy and motivated. Today's recipe is Chocolate Balls or Chocolate Biscuit Truffles and which doesn't need any fancy ingredients. This can serve as a great dessert and make your kid happy whenever they're a little demotivated. 

These Chocolate Truffles are very easy to make and requires very few ingredients which are easily available at our home. In this recipe, I have shared 4 different ways of decorating the truffles but you can decorate them as you like or as per your kids liking. So, let's begin with the recipe:

Veg Spring Rolls

Hello, my Foodie friends........I hope you all are doing fine. As you know last month I started a new series where I'm sharing some fast food recipes which are available at our favorite food joints or restaurants like McDonald's, KFC, Domino's, etc. I have already shared some recipes like:

• Chicken Nuggets
• Egg Tawa Burger
• Pizza McPuff
• Veg Pizza

Slowly and gradually I'll be sharing some more recipes under this section. Today's recipe is Veg Spring Rolls. These are very popular Asian snack items which are often served as an appetizer in a restaurant and even on the street-side Asian food stalls.

Spring Tolls are crisp deep-fried snacks where spring roll wrappers are filled with spicy and crunchy stuffing made with veggies or mixed with any kind of protein. They are then deep-fried and served with a salad and a dipping sauce. There are two variations of Spring Rolls: Veg and Non-Veg. Today I'll be sharing the veg version.

In this blog post, I'll share a step-by-step process of HOW TO MAKE SPRING ROLLS? Starting from:

• MAKING SPRING ROLL WRAPPERS
• MAKING THE STUFFING
• FOLDING THE SPRING ROLLS
• FRYING THE SPRING ROLLS

Here, I'll make SPRING ROLL WRAPPERS from scratch but you can use store-bought ones too which would make the job much easier. But you can always make these spring roll wrappers and freeze them for 2-3 months and use them as and when required. One of the most important things to keep in mind while making the spring roll wrappers is HOW TO FOLD THE SPRING ROLLS? If you make a mistake in this step then the stuffing will ooze out from the spring rolls and they will become oily and soggy. 

So, let's make Veg Spring Rolls:

Potato Tornado

Hello, my Foodie Fellas.......hope you all are doing fine and not getting frustrated due to the COVID situation. We all need to stay positive and enthusiastic to overcome the current situation. I know it's very easy for somebody to sermonize things but very difficult to follow. But believe me, if you get yourself involve in something then you'll be much more relaxed. It can be anything starting from doodling, painting, cooking, reading, singing, dancing and the list goes on......These are the things which we have kept aside and became busy in our day-to-day activities. So, take out some time and rejuvenate yourself.

We as adults are not only the ones you are going through all this but our kids are also under the same umbrella. They too are at home all the time. It's a very usual thing that they can get frustrated reason being staying at home for the last 3-4 months. 

One thing that can keep them happy in this situation is good food. Treat them with their favorite dishes every now and then to keep them happy and motivated. Today's recipe is Potato Tornado or Spiral Potato French Fries and we will be making them without a machine. This can serve as a great tea-time snack and will make your kid happy whenever they're a little demotivated. So, let's begin with the recipe:

Khandvi

Khandvi.....is a very popular Gujarati snack item and can be very easily found in the breakfast menu in every Gujarati household. This farsan or snack is very commonly found in Gujarati restaurants and street-side snack shops but slowly and steadily this snack item is getting popular in the rest of the part of the country.

Khandvi is made with Besan, curd, water and seasoned with few spices like salt and turmeric powder. Once the batter is cooked to desired consistency it is spread on a plate. If you like stuffed Khandvi then you can sprinkle finely chopped coriander leaves and grated coconut before cutting the strips and rolling them. These Khandvi rolls are then tempered with asafoetida, mustard seeds, sesame seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies. 

I must admit this recipe is not that easy to prepare and has seen many failures in my kitchen. In order to make perfect Khandvi, batter plays a significant role. It's not rocket science to make the batter but the right quantity of the ingredients is a crucial thing to note. The next thing to keep in mind is as soon as the batter is cooked spread it evenly on a plate if you delay then the batter thickens and will become lumpy while spreading.

Here I have stuffed the Khandvi rolls with finely chopped coriander leaves and grated coconut but if you like you can garnish the Khandvi rolls with them (leaving the stuffing part). So without any further ado let's begin with the recipe:

Rava Idli

Hello, my foodie friends......I hope this post finds you in the best of your health. Today I'm going to share a very healthy and quick breakfast recipe which is very easy to prepare and requires just 15-20 mins of your time. I can understand how busy mornings are in every household so I always stress on having quick, easy but healthy breakfast recipes that can be prepared in a jiffy.

Rava Idli or Semolina Idlis is a very popular breakfast/tiffin item originated in Bengaluru (then Bangalore) Karnataka. It is a variation of the traditional Rice Idli and is made with Semolina (Rava), curd, and few spices. Rava Idli requires no fermentation so they can be prepared instantly.

Traditional Idlis (recipe here) are made by soaking rice and lentil, grinding, and then fermenting the mixture. Rava Idli is an excellent alternative to this traditional Idli. They are served with Coconut Chutney and Sambhar. If you want you can temper the Rava Idli batter otherwise they can be prepared as it is.

As this Idli recipe doesn't require the hassle of soaking, grinding, and fermenting the batter this Rava Idli is a very consistent breakfast item at my home. Nowadays you can get packaged Rava Idli mix in the stores but nothing can beat the taste and hygiene of homemade food.

So, without any further ado let's begin with the recipe:

Potato Balls/ Potato Lollipops

As we have started a new series where I'm posting the replicas of our favorite food items which we get in our favorite restaurants like McDonald's, Dominos, Pizza Hut etc. I have already shared some recipes like:

• Chicken Nuggets
• Egg Tawa Burger
• Pizza McPuff
• Veg Pizza

You can click the links to read more about the recipes. Today's recipe is a variation of Chicken Balls. I have tried to make it vegetarian by using Potatoes. Therefore today's recipe is Potato Balls. This is a very healthy recipe as you can add or subtract any veggies as per your or your kid's liking. You can also add cheese to make it more appealing to your naughty toddlers.

So, without any further ado, let's begin with the recipe:

No Cheese, No Yeast, No Oven Veg Pizza

Hello, my Foodie friends........As you know I have started a new series where I'm sharing some fast food recipes which are available at our favorite food joints or restaurants like McDonald's, KFC, Domino's, etc. I have already shared some recipes like:

• Chicken Nuggets
• Egg Tawa Burger
• Pizza McPuff

Today in this blog post, I'm sharing the recipe for Pizza. I have made this Pizza during the lockdown period in India when we were having very limited resources available with us moreover, most of the items weren’t even available be it online or offline. I wanted to document this recipe because it is one of those exotic dishes which needs so many things like cheese, yeast, and oven which are not necessarily available in every household always.

I have made this Pizza without cheese, without yeast, on the gas stove, and using veggies that were available with me. I should say my 3-year-old son inspired me to make this recipe. Actually, he was missing Domino's too much and was craving for Pizza since long. I made this one especially for him and that smile on his face was so satisfying.

Do give this recipe a try and trust me you won't regret eating this one. This Pizza tastes as amazing as the one made with all the ingredients. So, without any further ado let's begin with the recipe:

Pizza McPuff.......McDonald's Style

We all love to eat outside at restaurants, food joints, food court, etc but amid the current situation, it is not possible to do so. Especially the kids at our home they just love to eat at KFC, Domino's, McDonald's and Subway. You might be thinking I always favor eating clean and at home but there should be some cheat days when we can relish our favorite food at our favorite restaurants with our loved ones. This not only gives us immense happiness but it's a way to spend some quality time with our family.

As we all are aware of the current situation eating outside is not possible and I think delivering the food at doorstep has its own risk too. Now, the question is what to do to satisfy the cravings of our kiddos who demand fast foods like Pizza, Burger, and all those food items available at their favorite restaurants.

I would suggest you do some research and please them with your creativity. Try to replicate their favorite food available at their favorite restaurants and I'm sure they will love your efforts and relish the food prepared by you. So, to ease your problem I'm starting a series where I'll post some fast food recipes. I have already shared some recipes like:

• Chicken Nuggets
• Egg Tawa Burger

Today's recipe is McDonald's style Pizza McPuff. This is one of their best-selling food items which is equally enjoyed by both kiddos and adults. My 3 yr old loves to have to when we eat at McDonald's. I have tried to recreate this recipe and trust me it tastes awesome. So, without any further ado let's begin with the recipe:

Aam Panna.....How to preserve for 2-3 months

Hello, my foodie friends......Summers are going on in a full swing in many parts of the country and we always find ourselves opening the refrigerator and searching for some cold and refreshing drinks. Until now you might be knowing that I always prefer homemade food and of course, drinks are no different too.

Anything homemade is always healthier and more hygienic than the store-bought one. I would suggest you to keep 2-3 different varieties of homemade fruit juices in your refrigerator. They will not only refresh you but have great health benefits too. I have already posted few summer cooler recipes on my blog:

• Mango Lassi
• Mango Kulfi
• Mango Icecream
• Pinacolada
• Cucumber Lime Mojito
• Virgin Watermelon Sangria

Aam-Panna is a very popular summer drink that rejuvenates you immediately. It is prepared from raw green mangoes and it's sweet and tangy flavor is enjoyed by all. It not only helps in fighting the summer heat but also helps in digestion. A glass full of this chilled cooler makes you feel relaxed and gives you instant energy. Try this nourishing cooler this summer and believe me your family will thank you for this refreshing drink. Moreover, I have also shared some tips to store the Aam Panna concentrate for 2-3 months.

So, without any further ado let's begin with the recipe: