Paneer Kheer

Paneer kheer is one of the easiest and awesome recipes which I tried in the recent months. This kheer has high milk content so I recommend this one for all the kids. Of course it is irresistable for adults. One more positive point is it can be made quickly without much effort. Being a standard South Indian, I was used to all kinds of payasam .But I'm nowhere in the world of kheers. Once when she shared her rice kheer with me , it really tasted heavenly. And when I tried it on my own, it gave exact wonderful result. And then started making all sorts of kheers with different ingredients and slight changes each time. And yupp !!! this time it is paneer and got amazed by its' rich texture and taste. Here goes the recipe.

Ingredients :

1. Paneer - 1/2 cup
2. Milk - 2 cups(1 cup=210 ml)
3. Sugar - 3-4 Tbsp
4. Condensed/evaporated milk - 3 Tbsp
5. Cardamom powder - 1 tsp
6. Nuts(Badam, Pistachio ,Cashew) - 7-8 each
7. Saffron(Optional) - few strands

Method :

1. Take a pan and pour milk.Bring it to the rolling boil consistency.

2. Now simmer it to low flame. Soak the nuts in water for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, take a blender and add all the nuts specified above and add little milk.

4. Blend it to the consistency as shown in figure and keep it aside.

5. Crumble the paneer with hands / blender and keep it aside. 

6.Take 2 tbsps of condensed milk and mix it with little milk and keep it aside.

7. When the milk has thickened to the kheer consistency , add the nuts paste.

8. Then add the condensed milk  to it. Check for the sweetness and then add the sugar accordingly.

9. Finally add paneer and switch off the flame.

9. Serve it hot/cold.

Here is one more click of the recipe.

Donut

 Sparkling soft and spongy doughnuts coated with lightly powdered sugar could be a great treat on an awesome day. Though it looks heavy, it is so light to fly in the sky...(yup working on rhyming words with my kidoo) . Everyone deserve a break from a routine calorie conscious life and that sweet break could be a doughnut. These balls of cakes are so nice that they melt in the mouth very soon. Going to the recipe....

Ingredients :

1. All purpose flour        = 3  cups(1 cup= 210 ml)
2. Warm milk = 3/4 cup
3. Egg = 2
4. Dry yeast = 1 pack
5. Butter         = 1 Tbsp
6. Vanilla essence = 1/2 tsp
7. Salt = 1/8 tsp
8. oil = To deep fry

Method :

1. Take a mixing bowl. Add warm milk to it.
2. Then add sugar,salt and mix it well.
3.  Now add the dry yeast and leave it undisturbed for 5 -10 minutes.
4.   The added yeast should become frothy which indicates that the yeast is successfully activated.
5. Then add softened  butter and stir well so that the butter gets mixed well.
6. Eggs and vanilla essence can be added now.
7. Once the eggs are mixed well, add the all purpose flour gradually.
8. Gently make a dough out of it just like we do for jamun .

9. Cover the dough in a thin plastic cover and keep it refrigerated overnight .
10. The dough would have become doubled in size by now.
11. Now roll the dough in a flat surface with a rolling pin.

12. Dont roll it thin as the width of the dough will be the width of the donuts.
13. Take two circle/round cutters one big and one little.It could even a cup and a bottle lid.

14. Make two impressions as shown in pics.
15. Make more impressoins and remove them and place them in a separate plate.

16. Take a pan and pour oil for deep frying.
17. Meanwhile, take a large vessel and put powdered sugar on to it.
18. Now deep fry the donuts until they are brown and coat them in the powdered sugar.

Avocado sandwich

Avocado sandwich is an effortless and healthier appetizer. It has heart healthy mono-saturated fatty acids and reduces cholesterol. It is rich in anti- oxidants too and hence very popular among health conscious individuals.I read an  article from Readers digest stating that avocado is a wise alternative for hummus and mayonnaise.  You can add grated carrots or any other veggies along with peas and avocado. And you can use multigrain/whole wheat bread slices. It is so delicious that it got included at least twice in our weekly menu.

Ingredients :

1. Bread slices - 6
2. Avocado         - 1 
3. Peas         - 1/2 cup(1 cup = 210 ml)
4. Big onion(chopped)       - 1/2
5. Tomato(chopped) - 1/2
6. Green chilli(finely chopped) - 1
6. Salt and pepper - As required
7. Lemon juice - 1 tsp
8.  Butter                               - 1 tbsp

Method :

1. Take a pan . Pour 1 tsp of oil. Add chopped onion and green chilli.
2. When the onions turn translucent, add the chopped tomato.When the tomatoes turn mushy, switch off the stove.

3. Meanwhile microwave/cook peas separately.

4. Cut the avocado into two. Then scoop out the content onto a bowl.

5. Add the avocado , peas , salt ,pepper  and lemon juice to the pan.

6. Take the bread slices.Then apply the paste to one side. 

7. Place  another bread slice on to it.


8. Toast them on a pan /oven along with a little butter.

Banana pancakes

Lovely pancakes flavored with banana and vanilla & drenched in honey are great temptations in life and it is capable of making a great day if had at morning. I love all the Indian delights made out of bananas. Likewise I tried this recipe and it got included in my weekend breakfast menu. The best part of this recipe is the little time that it takes to make. Try and enjoy. 

Ingredients :

1.All-purpose flour - 1 cup 

2. Ripe bananas(mashed) - 2

3.White sugar - 1 tablespoon 

4. Baking powder - 2 teaspoons 

5.Salt - 1/4 teaspoon  

6.Egg - 1 beaten 

7.Milk - 1 cup 

8.Vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons  

Method :

1. Combine flour, white sugar, baking powder and salt. 

2. In a separate bowl, mix together egg, milk, vegetable oil and bananas.

3. Stir flour mixture into banana mixture.Batter will be slightly lumpy.

4. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. 

5. Scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. 

6. Cook until bubbles appear on one side.Then flip and cook the other side too.

7.Serve hot and enjoy with honey/ whipped cream/maple syrup.

Triple Berry Banana milkshake

Berries when combined with banana and honey give a divine taste .This drink is loaded with anti-oxidents just as in a green tea. This can be a power-packed drink after a nice walk or a soothing way of relaxing after a strict fitness routine or a quick fix for a sweet craving. Berries are completely upto your choice.You can even add strawberries. I have added banana to pacify the tanginess of raspberry. For a much healthier version for adults, you can use 2% or 1 % organic milk. 

Ingredients :

1.Frozen berries(all together)  - 10
(Raspberry,blueberry,blackberry)
2. Banana - 1/2 big banana
3.  Milk - 1 cup(210 ml)
4. Honey - 1 Tbsp
5.Sugar(optional) - 2 tsp

Method :

1. Thaw the berries by defrosting  for 1 minute in microwave oven.

2.  Take a blender / mixie and blend berries, banana along with  little milk, sugar and honey.

If preferred add 3-4 almonds too.
3. Blend for 30 secs.Once they are done, add the remaining milk and blend.

4. Serve after refrigerating for 30 minutes.