A Chef's Melody

 What do you need 3 leftover chapatis/rotis 1 tbsp smooth peanut butter 1 tsp ghee 1  tbsp powdered sugar What you need to do Tear the chapatis into small pieces and pulse it through the blender couple of times till they form a coarse powder. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix everything well. Make small balls as per your preference and let it sit aside for 30 mins before serving. Notes: The chapatis must be cooked at least 7-8 hours before preparing this recipe. This recipe does not work well for fresh chapatis. For peanut allergy: You can skip the peanut butter and increase the ghee by 1 tsp. Add 1/8 tsp cardamom powder to enhance the taste. Can be stored for a couple of days refrigerated.

  What do you need 300 gm bourbon biscuit 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/4 cup milk, at room temperature 1 tsp baking powder What you need to do Break each biscuit into 2 pieces and place it into a blender jar and make a fine powder.Add sugar and grind it for another 30 secs. Take a microwave safe glass baking pan and grease it well with oil.Add a parchment paper at the bottom. In a bowl,add the ground biscuit and add baking powder to it.Mix well. Slowly add milk and mix well to make a lump free batter.If the batter is thick add a couple of tablespoons of milk. Transfer the batter to a baking pan and tap the pan a couple of times on the counter to release any air bubbles. Microwave for 5 mins.Let it stand in the microwave for a minute. Remove from the microwave and cool completely for about an hour. Run a knife along the edge of the cake and transfer the cake onto a plate. For Chocolate Ganache In a microwave safe bowl,add 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips and 3 tbsp heavy whipping cream.Microwave f...

What you will need 1 cup cold homemade curd/dahi 10 strands saffron 2 tbsp milk 2 tbsp sugar 1/8 tsp cardamom powder 1 tsp crushed pistachios and almonds What you have to do Warm the milk for 10 secs in the microwave and add the saffron strands to it.Set aside for 10 mins. In a mixer/blender jar,add all the ingredients except nuts and whip for 30 secs. Pour in a glass and garnish with nuts

What you will need: 1 cup fine sooji 1/2 cup fresh grated coconut 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 1 tsp cardamom powder 1/4 cup nuts/raisins to garnish,lightly toasted in 1/2 tsp ghee 2 tbsp ghee What you need to do: Add ghee in a heavy bottomed kadhai and roast sooji on low flame for 10 mins. Add coconut and continue to roast for another 2-3 mins. In another pot,add sugar and one cup water and boil till u get one string consistency syrup.This is the most crucial step of this recipe. Add the syrup ,cardamom powder,and nuts to the sooji-coconut mixture.Mix and set aside covered for 30 mins. Grease your palms with ghee and take a golf ball sized mixture and shape it into small balls.You can garnish it with raisins.

Ingredients 2% Fage plain yogurt 500 gm 1 cup powdered sugar 1 tsp cardamom powder 1 tbsp warm milk a pinch of nutmeg 2 generous pinch saffron chopped nuts of your choice What you need to do Add the saffron to the warm milk and keep aside for 15 mins. Mix together all the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Add in the saffron milk and give a gentle mix. Store in refrigerator until served.

Ingredients 1 cup flour (225 grams) 1/3 cup cocoa (76 grams) ¼ cup butter (57 grams) ¾ cup sugar (170 grams) 1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips 2 Tbsp oil 3 Tbsp water ¼ tsp salt ½ tsp baking soda What you need to do 1.Cream together butter, oil, sugar, and 1 Tbsp water. 2.Mix in remaining water. 3.Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl. 4.Slowly add dry ingredients to butter mixture until fully incorporated. 5.Add 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and mix well. 6.Preheat oven to 400°F 7.Grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper 8.Bake for 10 minutes—should be puffy. 9.Let cool about 5 minutes.

Ingredients 1 cup + 1/4 cup whole milk 1 tub original cool whip, thawed 1 can sweetened condensed milk 4 tbsp gulkand 1/4 cup nut( pistachio and almond) powder 1 tsp cardamom powder (optional) What you need to do In a heavy bottom pot, boil  1 cup milk and simmer till it reduces to 3/4 cup. Let it cool down completely. Grind gulkand with 1/4 cup milk to make a smooth paste. In a glass bowl, add the condensed milk, thickened milk, gulkand paste and combine well. Fold in the cool whip gently and add in nuts and cardamom powder. Pour in a container with lid (or kulfi molds) and freeze for 8-10 hours. Notes: If kulfi molds are not available, you can use small disposable paper cups. Just wrap the top with aluminum foil. Freeze for 2 hrs. Insert a popsicle stick in the middle of the cup and freeze again for 6-8 hrs. While serving -Just roll the cup gently between your palms and unmold the kulfi.

Ingredients 3/4 cup ghee (at room temp.) 1 cup besan 1/4 cup sooji 3/4 cup sugar 3 tbsp milk 1 tsp elaichi powder  1 silvered almonds and pistachio (for garnishing) What we need to do In a glass bowl,add 1/2 cup ghee and microwave for 1 minute. Add the besan and sooji and microwave for 2 minutes. Remove from the microwave,stir and microwave again for 4 minutes, stirring every minute. Add the sugar and milk and microwave for 1 minute. Stir well and add the remaining ghee and elaichi powder.Mix. Grease a square plate with ghee and pour the mixture in the plate. Garnish with almonds and pistachios. Gently pat the top layer with a spatula. Let it set for 1 hour. Cut into squares and serve. Makes:15 barfis

Ingredients 2 cup ragi flour 1/2 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut 3/4 cup ghee,melted 3/4 cup sugar 1/8 cup chopped dry fruits of your choice What you need to do In a glass bowl,add the ragi flour and ghee and microwave for 8 mins,stirring every minute. Add the sugar,coconut and dry fruits,mix well and microwave for 4 more minutes,stirring every minute. Let the mixture cool down for 30 mins.Make balls of  desired size and store in a airtight container.If the mixture does not form into a ball,add a tbsp of ghee. Serve at room temperature. Makes 15 ladoos 

Ingredients 2 cup Besan 1 cup ghee,melted 1/2 cup milk 11/2 cup sugar 1 cup water 1 tsp cardamom powder 3 tbsp silvered almonds and pistachios for garnishing 1/4 tsp oil What you need to do In a wide bowl,take besan,1/2 cup ghee and milk.Mix well.Set aside for 45 mins. In a saucepan,take sugar and water and cook till you get 1 string consistency. While the sugar syrup get ready,heat the remaining ghee in a kadhai,add the besan mixture and roast till besan changes color. Add the hot sugar syrup and cardamom powder to this roasted besan and cook the mixture for 3-4 mins till it is little thick and leaves the sides of the pan. Grease a 10 inch plate with oil,pour in the prepared mixture and garnish with almonds and pistachios.Set aside for 2 hours. Cut the mohanthal in desired shapes and serve. Makes - 30 small squares.

Ingredients 1 cup +1 tbsp Unbleached All purpose flour 1/2 cup quick oats 1/3 cup light brown sugar 1 stick of salted butter 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chip What you need to do In a bowl,cream the butter and sugar. Add vanilla extract and mix. In another bowl,mix in 1 cup flour,oat and baking soda. Add 1 tbsp of flour to the chocolate chip and toss. Add the flour mix and chocolate chips to the butter-sugar mixture and form a soft dough. Roll the dough to form a log and wrap in with a plastic wrap and refrigerate  for 2 hours. Preheat the oven to 350 deg F.Cut 1 inch thick disc out of the cookie log and line them on the baking sheet 1.5 inches apart. Bake for 18 mins. Once cooled to room temperature store in airtight container. Makes 18 cookies

Ingredients 8 slices of white sandwich bread 1/4 cup+3 tbsp of sugar 1/8 tsp cinnamon powder 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1.5 cups milk What you need to do Pulse the bread slices in a food processor to form course bread crumbs.Alternately,make small bit size pieces. Warm the milk for a minute in microwave. In a bowl,add the bread crumbs,milk,cinnamon powder,1/4 cup sugar and vanilla.Mix well and set aside. Set the idli cooker/pressure cooker(without whistle) for steaming.Add 1 cup of water in the cooker ,cover with its lid and place in on medium heat.I place a small inverted thali inside the cooker so that the food to be cooker does not come in direct contact with the heat. Heat a deep saucepan,add a tablespoon of water and 3 tbsp of sugar.Stir continuously on low heat till it turns golden.Switch off the heat. Pour this mixture in the container you intend to prepare the caramel.Tilt the container so that the mixture spreads well. Pour the bread mixture in this container....

 Ingredients 1 cup All purpose flour 1 tbsp corn starch 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 cup sunflower oil 1/8 tsp salt 3/4 cup orange juice,preferably fresh 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp orange zest What you need to do Preheat the oven to 350 deg F.Grease a loaf tin. In a bowl,sift the flour,baking soda,baking powder,corn starch and salt.Set aside. In another bowl,cream the oil and sugar until smooth. To this sugar mixture add the orange and lemon juice and mix well. Now add the flour mixture and orange zest.Fold gently.Make sure there are no lumps in the batter. Pour this batter in the prepared loaf tin.Pat the tin couple of times on the counter to release air bubbles,if any. Bake in the preheat oven for 35-40 mins or until the toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the cake. When warm,unmold and let it cool on a wire rack until cooled complete.Store in airtight container. Note: You can use any store bought orang...

                                                Happy Makar Sankranti! Ingredients For dough 1 cup whole wheat flour/atta 1 cup all purpose flour/maida 2 tbsp besan 2 tbsp oil 1/4 cup milk 1/2 cup water 1 tsp salt For stuffing/filling 1/4 cup white sesame seeds 3 tbsp khuskhus/poppy seeds 3 tbsp roasted peanuts 1 cup powdered jaggery 1/4 cup besan 1/8 cup coconut powder/dessicated coconut 3-4 tbsp ghee 1/4 tsp elaichi powder 1/4 tsp nutmeg powder What you need to do  for dough In a bowl,combine the 3 flours and salt. Mix the milk,water and oil in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for a minute. Add this warm mixture to the flour-mixture and make a smooth dough.Knead for atleast 5 mins. Cover the dough and let it sit aside for an hour. for stuffing/filling Dry roast the sesame seeds,poppy seeds and coconut powder till light go...

Ingredients 1 1/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour/Atta 1/2 cup+1 tbsp sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 2 medium carrots,grated 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1/4 tsp cinnamon(optional) 1/4 cup oil 3/4 cup plain yogurt 1/4 cup milk 1/8 tsp salt 2 tbsp chopped walnuts,coated lightly with 1/2 tsp of plain flour/maida What you need to do Preheat the oven to 350 deg F and line the muffin pan with cupcake liners. Dry mix -Sift the wheat flour,baking powder,baking soda,salt and cinnamon. In a large bowl,add yogurt,milk,sugar,vanilla and oil and mix until smooth. Slowly incorporate the dry mix to form a lump-free batter. Gently fold in the carrots. Spoon the batter in the liners until 3/4th full. Garnish each muffin with some walnuts. Pat the muffin tray couple of times to release air bubbles,if any. Bake for 20 mins. Switch off the oven and let it stand for another 2 mins. Remove and cool on the wire rack. Stays good in a air tight container at room temperature for ...

Ingredients 1 cup creamy peanut butter 1 cup white sugar 1 large egg,lightly beaten What you need to do Mix all the 3 ingredients until they combine to form a dough.Set aside for 10 mins. Preheat the oven at 350 deg F. Make 24 small ball and place them on 2 greased cookie sheets 2 inches apart. Use a fork to make the criss-crossed pattern on the dough balls. Bake them for 10 mins. Cool and store in airtight container. Variation Add a tsp of vanilla or almond extract. Add chocolate chip to the dough.

Ingredients: 1 cup non-fat milk powder 4 tbsp condensed milk 1 tbsp unsalted butter 1 tbsp milk few strands of saffron 1/4 tsp cardamom powder What you need to do: Drop the saffron in warm milk and set aside for 5 mins. In a large glass bowl,add the butter and melt it in microwave for 30 sec. Add the milk powder and condensed milk,mix it well so that no lumps and formed. Microwave for 45 secs. Remove from the microwave,add the saffron milk,give it a mix and again microwave for 45 secs.Add cardamom powder and mix. Let it cool for a minute, grease your palms with butter and when the mixture is still warm, take a small ball of mixture flatten it between your palms and shape it into a pedha.If desired,garnish it with nuts of your choice. Similarly make all the pedhas.Note:If the mixture cools it will be difficult to shape the pedhas. Let it sit atleast for an hour before serving. Note: The color of the pedha depends on the color of butter and saffron.For yellow col...

The first Holy festival which marks the beginning of the New Year, new month and new day for the Hindus falls on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. It is known as Gudi Padwa (in Maharashtra), Ugadi (in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh). Baisakhi (Punjab), & Cheti Chand (Sindhi). On this very day Lord Brahma created the Universe. Therefore for Hindus, this day carries special importance. In Maharashtra,the day is celebrated with an auspicious bath, followed by decorating the doorway with a 'toran', performing ritualistic worship and hoisting the Gudi.A neivedyam of shrikhand ,poori,boiled potato sabzi and dal rice is offered to God. So today on this occasion I am preparing amrakhand. Amrakhand as the name suggest  is a mango flavored shrikhand. Ingredients: 8 oz Greek yogurt  (low fat or full fat) 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar 1 ripe medium size mango,cubed 1/4 tsp cardamom powder/elaichi 1 tbsp each sliced almonds and sliced pistachios What you need to do: Puree the ch...

Ingredients 2 cups fresh strawberry puree 3 tbsp +2 tbsp  sugar 14 oz can of condensed milk 8 oz tub of Any brand whipped topping such as CoolWhip 3 strawberries, finely chopped What you need to do In a glass bowl mix together strawberry puree,3tbsp sugar,condensed milk with a hand mixer for 3 mins on medium speed till well combined. Fold in the whipped topping and beat with a hand mixer for 2 mins on low speed. Don't overmix or else the whipped topping will fall flat. Pour in a airtight container,place the lid and freeze it for atleat 5-6 hours. In a small bowl, mix the chopped strawberries and 2 tbsp sugar and refrigerate for 2 hrs. Remove the ice cream from the freezer 5 mins before it needs to be served. For serving,scoop the icecream in a small glass bowl and drizzle the sugar strawberry mixture on the top. Have a wonderful dessert. Variation: You can add few chopped strawberry pieces in the ice cream itself. I have tried mango ice cream with the ...

Ingredients: Dry ingredients 2 cups All purpose flour 1 cup milk powder 1 tsp baking soda 2 tsp baking powder 1 cup sugar 1/8 tsp salt Wet ingredients 1/2 cup oil 1/2 cup yogurt 1 cup water 1 tsp vanilla What you need to do: Preheat the oven to 350 deg F.Grease the cake pan with oil and dust it lightly with flour. Mix and sieve the dry ingredients thrice. Cream the oil and sugar till smooth.Add rest of the wet ingredients and combine. Gentle fold in the flour a tbsp at a time into smooth batter. Pour out a cup of this batter in a bowl add 2 tbsp of cocoa powder and mix. In the cake pan add a tbsp of white batter then a tbsp of cocoa batter and continue in similar manner until both batters are finished.With a knife make random zig-zag patters a couple of times. Bake in a preheated oven for 40 mins or until the toothpick comes out clean. Variation Tricolor cake :  Just equally divide the batter in 3 bowls. Add 1 1/2 tbsp of cocoa powder to one and 1...