Easy trifle pudding

This has been in my draft for almost a year now. It is a trifle pudding recipe. I made this when my cousins came over for a meal. Actually, I had made a plain vanilla cake at home then.( Click here for plain cake recipe) But, I did not want to serve the same boring thing. So, I thought a trifle pudding would be more fun for a change.

The layers in the pudding were vanilla cake topped with a banana custard. Then came a layer of cranberry jelly. Then some slightly sweetened whipped vanilla cream and then some chocolate-cream-cookie crumbs. These layers were repeated.

 

Ingredients:

• Bourbon cookies - 6-8 (optional)
• Plain vanilla cake - 1/2 kg ( click here for recipe )
• Cranberry jelly - 4 cups ( recipe below)
  
• Custard - 4 cups ( made according to box directions)
  
• Chiquita banana -1
• Heavy whipping cream-  1/2 cup 
• Powdered sugar - 3 tspns

 Method for making cranberry jelly:

• In a pan heat 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup cranberry juice.
• Add 3-1/2 tspns of gelatin. When the gelatin has dissolved completely, turn off the heat. Add the remaining cranberry juice and stir. 
• Cool and let set in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours.

Making banana custard and whipping cream:

• Make custard according to package directions
• When it is cool, add slices of Chiquita banana to the custard stir gently. 
• Refrigerate.
• In a clean bowl, whip cream to stiff peaks with powdered sugar. Let cook in the refrigerator.

Assembling: 

• In the serving dish layer some slices of cake.
• Pour 2 cups of banana custard on the cake layer.
• Then spoon some jelly as the next layer.
• Then add dollops of the sweetened whipped cream.
• Crush some bourbon cookies and make this the next layer.
• Repeat these layers again.
• Serve cool

Coffee Pannacotta with Chocolate glaze

The scent of hot, freshly brewed coffee is heaven. Have been wanting to try a coffee flavored version of Pannacotta for a long time. Love coffee for its aroma and the slightly bitter aftertaste. Coffee flavored Pannacotta has this fancy taste without much hard work.
The recipe is simple. Similar to Vanilla pannacotta.(Recipe here). But, leave the vanilla out and add 2 tspns (or more, according to taste) of instant coffee granules when the cream has boiled. For those who love chocolate with coffee, the recipe for the chocolate glaze follows.

For chocolate glaze melt 1/4 cup of chocolate chips over a water bath and add 3-4 tbspns of milk to it and stir When cool, use as glaze.
As usual, I added mint leaves for a pop of color while photographing.

Luv 'n' luc'
Smitha

Pistachio Kesar Kulfi Popsicles

Dessert again. Kulfi is a popular, frozen, dairy dessert from India, very similar to ice cream. I have a weak spot for good ice cream. I'm sure there are many like me. I like the "real thing" which is made of REAL DAIRY cream as opposed to the non dairy cream which does not render that genuine creaminess . Very many ice creams found in the market, especially in India, contain non dairy cream, artificial flavors and artificial colors.
Two brands that I know off which use top quality and natural ingredients are Haagen Daz and Ben and Jerry's. Thank God for globalization, these are available here today.
I've used all natural ingredients in my kulfi. Most Kulfi recipes call for corn starch to thicken the mixture. I've replaced corn starch with arrowroot powder. Flavor comes from using saffron, cardamom and pistachios. Creaminess from rich milk and whipping cream. These ingredients are a bit on the expensive side, but, I feel it is money well spent.
Another advantage is that it is a no bake dessert. Easy to make. You could avoid cardamom and add any fruit pulp to make fruit kulfis. My suggestion would be Mango and Chiku, as these fruits have a very Indian flavor which will go well with this Indian dessert.

Ingredients:

• Milk - 2 cups
• Sugar- 1/2 cup
• Arrowroot powder - 2 tspns
• Cardamom powder - 1/2 tspn
• Pistachios - 1/4 cup (chopped)
• Saffron - 4-5 strands
• Whipping cream-1/2 cup

Directions:

• Dissolve arrowroot in 1/4 cup of cold milk.
• Whip up the whipping cream to peaks and set aside in the refrigerator
• Take 1/4 cup of hot milk and to this add saffron strands and set aside.
• Heat the remaining milk with sugar and let dissolve. Once the milk begins to boil, reduce heat and add the arrowroot dissolved milk. Stir well
• Next add the saffron milk and stir.
• Stir for about 2-3 mins till the arrowroot slightly thinkens the mixture and it comes to a custard consistency.
• Turn off heat and add pistachios and cardamom powder.
• Let cool. Once cooled, add whipped cream and fold gently till it's incorporated well.
• Pour mixture into popsicle molds or any mold of your choice.
• Freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight.
• To unmold the popsicles, dip the mold in warm water for 10 secs. The popsicles will slide out easily.
• Enjoy.

Luv 'n' luc'
Smitha

EVER TASTED SILK ? - VANILLA PANNA COTTA WITH STRAWBERRY COULIS (REPOST)

Today, I am reposting my pannacotta recipe.

This is easily the simplest recipe for a pudding.You can totally astonish anyone with it. PANNA COTTA means cooked cream and COULIS is just a fruit puree. Panna cotta is an Italian cold dessert and as always........anything Italian never fails to make me go gaga... :) To me, panna cotta is a very versatile dessert.It can be made in various flavors and can be paired with any sweet sauce.With that said, today I am making one with pure vanilla extract which I think is a universally appealing flavor. Anyone who does not like vanilla(which I think is rare) can substitute it with a pinch of cardamom powder. For those of you who are not strawberry fans , you can try chocolate sauce, or any other fruit as per your taste(like mango, rasberry,mixed berry, orange etc) .Or even better.........you can have the panna cotta just the way it is.

WARNING : Once you see the beauty you have created, you may not have the heart to serve it to your family or guests. Just console yourself with the thought that this is such and easy recipe that you can make it, any time, in a jiffy. So go ahead and dive right in :)

INGREDIENTS :(serves 3-4)
FOR PANNA COTTA:

• Unflavored gelatin 1 (o.25 ounce) envelope -which equals to about 1 tbspn
• 1/3 cup warm milk
• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup white sugar
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

INGREDIENTS( FOR STRAWBERRY SAUCE)

• Fresh strawberries - 2 cups (substitute with strawberry jam or preserve)
• Sugar - 1/2 cup
• Lemon juice - 1 tbspn
• Pudhina( mint) leaves - to garnish
  

DIRECTIONS(for panna cotta)

• Pour warm milk into a small bowl and stir in the gelatin powder. Stir and set aside.
• In a saucepan, pour heavy cream and stir in the sugar and set over medium heat. Bring to a full boil, watching carefully, as the cream will quickly rise and overflow.
• Pour the gelatin and milk into the cream, stirring until completely dissolved. Cook for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and pour into six individual ramekins( small cups) or tea cups or one big bowl.( I have used a ramekin).
• Cool the ramekins or the bowl uncovered at room temperature. When cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate(do not freeze) for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. To serve, see directions below.

DIRECTIONS (for the strawberry coulis)

• Cut the strawberrys in halves and place them in a saucepan.Add sugar and stir on medium heat till the strawberry starts letting out its juices.If you are using fresh strawberries , you may have to add 3-4 tbspns of water to get the process started.
• Stir gently, because you do not want he strawberry peices to break up and get mushy.We need a chunky sauce.Cook for a total of 5-6 mins till all the sugar has dissolved.
• Remove from heat and cool well.Once it is cooled add the lemon juice.
  

DIRECTIONS TO SERVE :
There are 2 ways to serve panna cotta.

1) you can serve the pudding in the individual ramekins itself topped with the strawberry coulis. No need to unmould.

OR

2) Unmould and serve.

Directions to unmould:

• Dip the ramekins in hot water for 3 secs.
• Run a knife gently around the sides of the pannacotta.
• Take a large dessert serving plate and hold the plate with the palm of one hand and the bowl with the other and with a swift motion turn the pudding bowl upside down. Now, remove the bowl and u will see this beautiful, appealing, creamy-white panna cotta on your plate.

Wait , wait..........Don't pounce on it just as yet. One more step to go .Take your strawberry coulis and spoon it on top of the panna cotta. Garnish with some pudhina( mint) leaves.

It's ready now .

Luv 'n' luc

Smitha

Blog warming - Spongy Rasgulla

My excitement is high, as this is my first recipe post and that too on my own blog. I feel like a new mom. Just want to celebrate. In India, every special occasion serves sweets. So, on this special day of my BLOG-WARMING(I think I coined this word) I am offering you a delicious, mouthwatering and spongy mithai......................a recipe , ofcourse, mercilessly tempting you to make your own.

Rasgullas, they say, were born in Orissa and then gradually made it's way into west Bengal. The Bengalis may want to hurl something at me right now, because they believe otherwise. Let us not be a part of that arguement...............I maintain a neutral stand and right now, let's just celebrate and enjoy this delightful treat.

By the way...........this recipe is not as hard as it looks. This took me hardly 25 minutes. Trust me. If I can, you can too.

This snap is participating in the click contest for feb 2009

Ingredients:(makes 12-14)

• 4 cups whole milk
• 2 tbspns of lemon juice
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 4-1/2 cups water
• 1/2 tspn cardamom powder

Directions: (for paneer)

• Boil the milk in a heavy bottomed pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, making sure not to burn milk.
• As the milk comes to a boil, add the lemon juice gradually and stir.
• When the milk solids separate from the whey, turn off the heat and drain using a strainer lined with cheesecloth.The milk solids left on the cloth is called paneer.
• Rinse the paneer under cold water, and squeeze well.(This process takes out the lemon flavor from the paneer)
• Squeeze out all the water from the paneer. (To check if the paneer has reached the right consistency, take a little piece of paneer on your palm and rub with your thumb for 30-40 secs. After rubbing the paneer , you should be able to make a firm but smooth ball off it. If you cannot form balls, it means you will have to squeeze out more water from the paneer)
• Once the paneer is drained, put it in the food processor and run it for about 15-20 secs. ( you will notice the paneer will first crumble and break into small pieces in the processor and then it slowly forms one big lump just like chapathi dough)
• As an alternative to using the food processor, you can knead the paneer with your hands. Place paneer on a dry, clean surface and knead it for 9-10 minutes until it comes to a smooth and pliable dough consistency. This takes a longer time. That's why I use the mixie. Knead the paneer well as you would do with chappati dough ( if the paneer is too crumbly, add a 1/8 teaspoon of water.)

Directions: (for rasgullas)

• Divide the dough into 12-14 equal parts and roll them into round balls or pat them into flat discs(like I have done) with the palms of your hands. ( the balls/discs should be smooth and they should not have cracks, otherwise they will break when they are cooked.)
• Combine sugar, water and cardamom in a pressure cooker on medium high heat and bring to a boil.
• When the sugar dissolves, add the paneer balls and close the pressure cooker.(Make sure the pressure cooker is large enough to accommodate the finished Rasgullas, as they will double in size while cooking and soaking in the syrup)
• Turn the stove heat to high.
• If you have made paneer balls then after one whistle, reduce heat to low and cook for about 2 additional minutes. Then turn off heat. If you have made paneer discs, then after one whistle, turn off heat (wait atleast 7-8 mins. and let the pressure be released completely before you open the pressure cooker.)
• When the rasgullas are done they will be spongy. (There will be alot of dilute syrup left in the pan) Don't worry. Transfer only the rasgullas, carefully, to another dish. Then put the syrup, left in the pan, on low-heat and simmer it for 10-15 mins till you get a thicker syrup. Then return the rasgullas to this syrup and refrigerate it.
• Serve Rasgullas chilled.

ENJOY!

Luv 'n' Luc'

Smitha