Nimi's Culinary Ventures

Gajar ka Halwa to pep up the festive spirit!

Sweets have always been an integral part of festivities in India. Today being Karthigai Deepam / Thrikarthigai -the festival of lamps which is celebrated in the states of Kerala and Tamilnadu, I thought of sharing a sweet recipe with you all. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol during this festival. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy. On the day, all the houses, streets and temples are well lit with traditional oil lamps. After the floods, it has taken up quite some time to get things back in order. So here’s starting off my posts on a sweet note!

Carrot Halwa or Gajar ka halwa is one sweet pudding that you can easily whip up with the ingredients. This batch was made with homegrown carrots…so it was super yum 🙂

5-6  medium sized carrots (peeled and grated )

6tbsp of sugar

1 cup of milk

4-5 strands of saffron

2-3 cardamoms crushed and skin off.

1/4 cup of halved almonds, cashews and raisins

1/8 cup of ghee

Heat ghee in a pan, fry and separate the almonds, cashews & raisins on to a plate. In the leftover ghee, fry the carrots till it shrinks in size and darkens in color. Pour in the milk, add in the cardamom seeds and sugar. Cover and cook the mix till it thickens. Make sure to keep stirring it so as to avoid it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Garnish with saffron, almonds, cashews & raisins. Carrot Halwa is ready to be served!

May this festival of lights bring us brightened and enlightened life like that of lamps …Wishing all a Happy Thrikarthika / Karthigai Deepam!!!

The Impeccable crave for Caramel Custard :)

Baking, Desserts, Sweets | March 27, 2016 | By

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A spin of the time wheel and back to being a child …..gosh wish that happened !!!When you are a child all you wish is to be a grown up and you get to do things that you want to do and when you are grown up you are more bounded with all the worldly expectations that you least expected …well that’s life !!!

The school has closed down for a ten day break and I am at my home (hehe..of course my parents’ home ).For the past few months it’s been a suffocating schedule that I have been hooked up to with my younger one being a bit sick .There’s loads of news that has yet to be shared..a few are waiting to be yet unfolded.

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Today’s post is one that I have always longed to post …Baked Caramel custard!

Caramel Custard
3924 calories
377 g
1737 g
239 g
81 g
142 g
1505 g
1156 g
363 g
0 g
84 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
1505g
Amount Per Serving
Calories 3924
Calories from Fat 2110
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 239g
368%
Saturated Fat 142g
711%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 13g
Monounsaturated Fat 71g
Cholesterol 1737mg
579%
Sodium 1156mg
48%
Total Carbohydrates 377g
126%
Dietary Fiber 0g
0%
Sugars 363g
Protein 81g
Vitamin A
197%
Vitamin C
23%
Calcium
187%
Iron
30%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 2/3 cup sugar
  2. 1 can condensed milk
  3. 2 cups of heavy cream
  4. 2 tsps of cornflour
  5. 1 tsp of vanilla extract
  6. 5 eggs
  7. 1 cup of milk
Instructions
  1. In a bowl using blender mix all the ingredients except sugar till creamy. Heat a non-stick pan and melt the sugar without stirring till the sugar is wholly caramelized. Pour the caramelized sugar on to the base of the baking dish to coat the base evenly. Pour the creamy mix over it .Preheat oven at 180 degree and bake the custard for about 60 minutes or longer till the custard is set in a water bath in the oven. Once baked remove it from the water bath and let it cool down .Run a knife on the edges of the pan and invert it on to a plate. Cut in desired shapes and serve .
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calories
3924
fat
239g
protein
81g
carbs
377g
more
Nimi's Culinary Ventures https://nimisrecipes.com/
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Fall in love…… with chocolate shots!!

Desserts, Sweets | March 16, 2015 | By

 

Strawberries , Mulberries …I can never get over them. My munchkins are now equally crazy about them. Living in Munnar ..the best part is to get the best fruits in the best seasons. I remember reading the recipe in a food magazine. This was a post that I was very keen on posting …as it was all set long back.

A very easy recipe that will be a sure hit with guests at home or even with kids. These chocolate shots are best with fruits like raspberries and strawberries.

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Strawberry Chocolate shots
3730 calories
298 g
1532 g
264 g
55 g
155 g
1148 g
626 g
282 g
0 g
92 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
1148g
Amount Per Serving
Calories 3730
Calories from Fat 2326
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 264g
406%
Saturated Fat 155g
773%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 12g
Monounsaturated Fat 80g
Cholesterol 1532mg
511%
Sodium 626mg
26%
Total Carbohydrates 298g
99%
Dietary Fiber 4g
16%
Sugars 282g
Protein 55g
Vitamin A
96%
Vitamin C
154%
Calcium
144%
Iron
26%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 284ml fresh cream
  2. 150ml milk
  3. 450g chopped white chocolate
  4. 1 tsp of vanilla essence
  5. 6 egg yolks
  6. 150 g strawberries sliced into halves
Instructions
  1.  Heat cream and milk together.
  2.  Put the chocolate in a bowl and pour over the cream mixture.
  3.  Stir until all the chocolate pieces are melted and stir in the egg yolks.
  4.  Pour back into the saucepan with the vanilla essence and stir on low heat, stirring all
  5. the time until the mixture thickens enough to lightly coat the back of a wooden spoon.
  6.  Take care that you don’t boil or the eggs might scramble.
  7.  Then strain into a jug.
  8.  Divide the strawberries for around 8 small glasses.
  9.  Divide chocolate mix between and cover glasses with cling film and refrigerate till
  10. they are set.
  11.  They have to just set not go firm.
Adapted from Nimi's Culinary Ventures
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calories
3730
fat
264g
protein
55g
carbs
298g
more
Adapted from Nimi's Culinary Ventures
Nimi's Culinary Ventures https://nimisrecipes.com/
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Sago Gulu Melaka..the easy peasy pudding!!

Desserts, Sweets, veg | February 9, 2015 | By

 

Off with all the birthday celebrations of my munchkins..both happy to have their birthdays celebrated with their friends…the best part is making time for their wishes and never-ending menus…the twinkle of happiness that their eyes have is so very mystical. They can be the most naughtiest, the best friends worst enemies when stubborn..he he ..its all in the game ..I was the same 😉

Today’s recipes credit goes to Khairul from Malaysia who is a foodie and blogger. I remember the day he had whatsapped me on the availability of classes. It was when he had dropped in with his friends for the class that I knew that he had been for long a follower of my blog…an avid and very much talented foodie! The first time I read about the pudding was long back …it was one afternoon that it struck me that Khairul would have more info on this dessert…

“Sago Gulu Melaka” a local Malaysian dessert. This is a really quick and easy recipe for dessert with just 4 main ingredients. The pandan leaf is known as the vanilla of the east because of its unique aroma. These leaves are used in Indonesian, Singaporean, Filipino, Malaysian, Thai, Bangladeshi, Vietnamese, Chinese, Sri Lankan, Khmer, and Burmese foods, especially rice dishes, cakes, and desserts.

 

sago gulu melaka2

Sago Gulu Melaka
1068 calories
186 g
0 g
36 g
3 g
32 g
363 g
25 g
181 g
0 g
2 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
363g
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1068
Calories from Fat 303
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 36g
56%
Saturated Fat 32g
160%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 25mg
1%
Total Carbohydrates 186g
62%
Dietary Fiber 0g
0%
Sugars 181g
Protein 3g
Vitamin A
0%
Vitamin C
3%
Calcium
3%
Iron
32%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 300 GMS of Sago (Sabudana)
  2. 100 GMS of Sugar
  3. 80 GMS of Palm Sugar (Gulu Melaka)
  4. 1 tbsp of Vanilla Essence / 1 pandan leaf
  5. 3/4 cup of Coconut Milk
Instructions
  1.  Boil 2 litre of water with sago until the sago cooks well.
  2.  Strain the sago in a sieve and lightly wash off the starch under cold running water.
  3.  Place the sago in small bowls, level the top and freeze for about 30 minutes.
  4.  In a saucepan heat the coconut milk till it starts boiling and keeps aside.
  5.  In another saucepan cook palm sugar with sugar and the ¾ cup of water till the sugar
  6. dissolves with the vanilla essence / pandan leaf and makes syrup.
  7.  While serving separate the sago shapes on to plates and pour coconut milk and
  8. sugar syrup over it.
Adapted from Nimi's Culinary Ventures
beta
calories
1068
fat
36g
protein
3g
carbs
186g
more
Adapted from Nimi's Culinary Ventures
Nimi's Culinary Ventures https://nimisrecipes.com/
 

sago gulu melaka

 

Basbousa -the Mediterranean delish!!

cakes, Desserts, Snacks, Sweets | January 28, 2015 | By

 

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Born and brought up in Abudhabi ..I have always had my flair for the Mediterranean cuisine .I still remember how I craved for my Dads parcel of special packed food during the month of Ramadan during his night shifts.This time round when I went  to a shopping mall in Cochin I pointed out to my husband the “Basbousa” telling him all stories of what it was.Back home and how could resist myself from baking it..these are some hardcore facts of being a foodie..

Basbousa is a very popular and tasty Mediterranean sweet cake. Cooked with semolina and soaked in simple sugar syrup this cake has different regional names ..in Arabic its Basbousa/Harisa , Turkey  its Revani/Ravani, Lebanon its Nammoura , Armenian its Shemali … the roots or the origin of this cake is told to be Turkey .

Basbousa -the Mediterranean delish!!
7599 calories
1254 g
576 g
252 g
102 g
53 g
2368 g
3269 g
832 g
1 g
185 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
2368g
Amount Per Serving
Calories 7599
Calories from Fat 2239
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 252g
387%
Saturated Fat 53g
263%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 51g
Monounsaturated Fat 134g
Cholesterol 576mg
192%
Sodium 3269mg
136%
Total Carbohydrates 1254g
418%
Dietary Fiber 22g
86%
Sugars 832g
Protein 102g
Vitamin A
25%
Vitamin C
5%
Calcium
174%
Iron
119%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. For the Syrup
  2. 1 ½ cup of sugar
  3. 1 ½ cup of water
  4. 1 tsp of rosewater
  5. Juice of ½ lemon
  6. For the cake batter
  7. 1 cup of semolina
  8. 1 cup of flour
  9. 1 cup of sugar
  10. 2 tsp of baking powder
  11. 2 tsp of vanilla essence
  12. 1 cup of yoghurt
  13. 3 eggs
  14. ½ cup of scraped coconut
  15. ½ cup of oil
  16. Almonds for garnish
Instructions
  1.  In a saucepan boil the water to make the syrup, add in the sugar and stir till it
  2. dissolves completely.
  3.  Mix in the lemon juice and rosewater and let it cool.
  4.  Preheat oven at 180 degree Celsius.
  5.  In a bowl, beat egg and sugar.
  6.  Add in the yoghurt, oil and sieve in the flour.
  7.  Mix in baking powder, vanilla essence and coconut.
  8.  Transfer to a greased baking dish and bake till the cake is done or for about 30
  9. minutes.
  10.  Garnish with almonds.
  11.  Pour the sugar syrup over the cake when the cake is still hot.
  12.  Serve when cold.
Adapted from Nimi's Culinary Ventures
beta
calories
7599
fat
252g
protein
102g
carbs
1254g
more
Adapted from Nimi's Culinary Ventures
Nimi's Culinary Ventures https://nimisrecipes.com/
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Celebrating with Badam Halwa!

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How should I start off? I am head over heels in happiness that my hard work is paying out as fruits..Ok so I am back in Munnar after a week’s spree tour and happenings in Beijing. The best news that I have to share is that my book has bagged the third place as for the “Best Local Cuisine book in the world.”Gourmand World Cookbook Awards also known as the Oscars of Gastronomy was founded by Edouard Cointreau .To be a part of it was really an awesome experience. Getting to meet the top personalities in person, learning and sharing insights on each other’s books….. It was an experience that I could have not even dreamt of.

SCREEN-SHOTS

I had travelled with my family to Shanghai on the 16th of May and then on the 19th of May to Beijing and our stay was at the Daxing Hotel where the Beijing International Cookbook fair was held. I was very much impressed by the hospitality of the Gourmand staff and the hard work that they had put into the arrangements. As it calls for celebration I thought of sharing a sweet recipe to with my sweet news..so heres the recipe for Badam Halwa…ba3

Badam Halwa
2554 calories
235 g
272 g
176 g
33 g
71 g
681 g
70 g
213 g
0 g
97 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
681g
Amount Per Serving
Calories 2554
Calories from Fat 1519
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 176g
271%
Saturated Fat 71g
353%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 22g
Monounsaturated Fat 75g
Cholesterol 272mg
91%
Sodium 70mg
3%
Total Carbohydrates 235g
78%
Dietary Fiber 15g
60%
Sugars 213g
Protein 33g
Vitamin A
68%
Vitamin C
0%
Calcium
52%
Iron
30%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 1cup of Almonds (soaked in water and blanched)
  2. ½ cup of milk
  3. 1cup of sugar
  4. ½ cup of ghee
  5. 1/2 cup of water
  6. 8-10 strands of saffron soaked in 1 tsp of milk
Instructions
  1. Grind the almonds with milk to a smooth paste.
  2.  In a saucepan boil water and mix in the sugar till it dissolves and keep aside.
  3.  Heat ghee till it melts and add in the sugar syrup on low flame and mix in the almond
  4. paste without any lumps.
  5.  Add in the saffron and keep stirring on low flame till the almond paste becomes thick
  6. and flaky.
  7.  Turn off the flame and mix in a teaspoon of ghee.
  8.  Devour on your badam halwa!
Adapted from Nimi's Culinar Ventures
beta
calories
2554
fat
176g
protein
33g
carbs
235g
more
Adapted from Nimi's Culinar Ventures
Nimi's Culinary Ventures https://nimisrecipes.com/
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Sweeten your taste buds with Milk Peda!

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Monsoons in Munnar have been quite hectic this time.Its been about two years since we had such heavy rainfalls.The river was half way to being flooded.Its time to laze out a bit from my hectic schedule as school has closed for the monsoon vacation for a month for us.Yesterday  its my bro’s bday  …as he’s in Moscow ..here’s mouth melting sweeties wishing u a wonderful birthday!

Malai Peda or Milk peda is a fav with my little one and me.I really love making them at home .These mouthwatering beauties are a fav among my culinary science students at school. Shazia and Shwetha…here’s the long awaited recipe…a treat for holidays!

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Milk Peda

2 cups of milk powder

1 tin of condensed milk

3 tbsps of ghee

1/4 tsp of cardamom powder

 

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Heat  ghee in a heavy bottomed pan on medium flame,pour in the condensed milk.Stir in the milk powder and cardamom powder with a wooden spatula mixing  without lumps.Keep the flame very low as milk burns very fast and stir till it thickens.Let it cool down and shape  them into desired shapes.It is also optional to decorate these milk delicacies with pistachios/cashews/almonds.

 

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Cashew Ladoos -memoir of Diwali!

Indian recipes, Sweets, veg | November 19, 2012 | By

Diwali -the festival of lights was a last week.Celebration of Diwali is all about firecrackers and sweets..this diwali I wanted to type in one of my most  cherished sweets…Cashew Ladoos/Kaju ladoos.This  is a very rich sweet made out of cashews.

CASHEW LADOOS

1/4 cup of water

1 1/4 cups sugar

3tbsp milk

1/2 kg cashew nuts

4 tsps of ghee

5-6 strands of saffron

Slightly roast the cashews in a pan and finely powder them in a mixer.Boil water and sugar in a saucepan  stirring continuously till the sugar dissolves on low flame.When the syrup starts becoming thick, remove from flame and add in the ghee along with the milk and saffron.Stir it and add in the powdered cashew slowly mixing well.Once the powder is well combined with the syrup ,cook the mix on medium flame stirring till the ghee comes out.Let the mix cool down  a little and make small  balls out of the mix.

My little ones were gobbling up these ladoos as I made them.Guess after all cashew is an all time fav for all 😉

“Ram! The light of lights, the self-luminous inner light of the Self is ever shining steadily in the chamber of your heart. Sit quietly. Close your eyes. Withdraw the senses. Fix the mind on this supreme light and enjoy the real Deepavali, by attaining illumination of the soul.”

Kozhukkatai Payasam/Steamed rice dumpling Kheer to sweeten any day!

Hi Foodies..how have u all been?Its been long since I have been planning to put up this post.For every auspicious day after a wholesome meal  payasam is a total must.Payasam /Kheer is a traditional dish in the Indian subcontinent and the list of variations simply go on.Kozhukattai means steamed rice dumplings.Here’s an easy peasy Payasam for all..

Kozhukattai Payasam


For making Kozhukattais
2 cups rice flour
3 cups of water
1 tsp of coconut oil
1/2 tsp salt

Boil water in heavy bottomed vessel and add in the coconut oil and salt.Keeping it on medium flame stir in the rice flour to make a dough consistency  with a wooden spoon.Turn off the flame and let it cool.When the mix is medium hot..softly knead it in to a dough and then roll out lemon sized balls out of it.Steam these balls in  a steamer for abot 10-15 minutes.
NB: Please seperate 4 lemon sized balls without steaming.You will need these for the payasam

For making the payasam
Steamed kozhukattais
3 cups of water
3 cups of boiled milk(make sure to seperate the thin film of cream that comes when the milk cools)
1and 1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp ghee
1/8 cup of small coconut pieces roasted in ghee
1/8 cup of nuts and raisins roasted in ghee

In a  deep bottomed vessel boil  3 cups of water and then pour in the 3 cups of milk.Keep stirring while you add in the sugar.When this starts simmering keep it on medium flame.Mix the earlier sepearted 4 unsteamed rice balls with  1/2 cup of water in a small bowl with your fingers(make sure you have no rice lumps).Pour this rice syrup in to the milk and pop in the steamed kozhukattais.When it starts thickening a lit bit pour in the ghee and add the roasted coconut pieces,nuts and raisins and turn off the flame.Kozhukattai payasam is ready to be devoured 😉

CHAKKA VARATTIYATHU / JACK FRUIT JAM

 

This one was my grandma’s masterpiece. I must say the thought of this dessert made from ripe jack fruit makes me drool. This jackfruit jam can be used to make Elaappams/Idanaappams. Although the dish consumes time, I must say it’s worth trying…
 
Chakka Varattiyathu 
 
1kg of the ripe jackfruit’s flesh pieces
500g jaggery
5tbsp ghee
5 cardamoms crushed
1/2 tsp dry ginger powder

 

 
  • Deseed the flesh pieces of the jackfruit and cut them into small pieces.
  • Melt the jaggery pieces to get a syrup
  • Pressure cook them with 1/2 cup of water so that they are well cooked.
  • In a heavy bottomed pan on flame pour ghee
  • Add the cooked jackfruit to the pan and mash them
  • When the water gets evaporated, add the jaggery syrup and continue stirring
  • Stir well till the jaggery jack fruit mix starts getting sticky
  • Take care to stir the mix well avoiding from sticking to the vessel
  • Add the crushed cardamoms and dry ginger powder, stirring well
  • When it thickens well remove from flame
  • Let it cool and then store them in airtight containers

 

 
 

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