Category Archives: Desserts

An eXtra special cuppa – Masala milk

In my mind, masalyache doodh or masala milk is permanently associated with the Ganpati festival. This used to be part of the ‘naivedya’* on the tenth and last day of the festival. Everything was extra special on that day. Emotions … Continue reading

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W for Walnut chikki (Walnut brittle)

Traditionally, chikkis or brittles are made to celebrate Sankranti, the harvest festival. The usual way is to make them with jaggery and include peanuts or sesame seeds – warming ingredients for early January when it’s not quite spring. My grandmother (Aji) … Continue reading

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R for Roath (Spiced semolina cake)

Roath rhymes with coat, announced our 4 year old as he munched on a piece over the weekend. If you are not familiar with this semolina cake, now may be a good time to give it a try. It is the … Continue reading

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O for Orange dessert cups

I have previously written about my mum’s fondness for whipping up desserts. This one bears testimony to one such occasion. This goes back to when we were in school and mum was having the kitchen refurbished. Because the house was a bit … Continue reading

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N for Nankhatais

No Christmas at home would be complete without these little powdery sugar pillows that melt in the mouth. It’s Nana’s recipe that mum modified. I’ve changed it slightly too. After all, every generation has to do its bit to claim ownership! … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z 2016, Desserts, Festive food, Goan cuisine | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

M for Malai Kulfi

Malai kulfi made the good old fashioned way always takes me back to Wednesdays in my childhood. I’ll tell you why. Our school didn’t have the weekend off but we had holidays on Thursday and Sundays. Looking back, it was a … Continue reading

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H is for Kelyacha Halwa (Banana Halwa)

Kelyacha halwa or halwa made from very ripe plantains is my Aji’s specialty. She made it a few times during the Indian monsoons, when the long red plantains (known as rajeli keli) are in season. We ate it as fudge, and Aji sometimes stuffed … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z 2016, Desserts, Festive food, Seasonal food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

A for Appe

The Befores and Afters theme kicks off with a slightly unusual and not very frequently made recipe. This dish also has the ability to switch forms from a ‘Before’ to an ‘After’: depending on whether you choose to make the … Continue reading

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Let’s go fly a kite..and celebrate Sankranti

I’m sure you’ve hummed that along as you watched Mary Poppins, but have you ever flown a  proper Indian kite? Sankranti, which is celebrated mid January, heralds the arrival of Spring in the Indian subcontinent and is a harvest celebration. You … Continue reading

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Besan ladoo

Despite the many variations of besan ladoos I have tasted, nothing brings back Diwali for me as these do. The aromas of besan roasting in ghee till it was brown and fragrant, the ping of the mortar and pestle as it pounded cardamom pods and … Continue reading

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Kheer – a creamy rice pudding

Today we celebrate Kojagari poornima – the full moon day when the Indian subcontinent says goodbye to the monsoon rains and October heat and looks forward to welcoming the cooler months. Kojagari, apparently, comes from the phrase ‘ Ko jagari’ … Continue reading

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U is for Umber (Banana fritters)

Unusual? Perhaps. Addictive? Without a doubt! Umber (pronounced oom-burr) or banana fritters were part of the Shravani shanivar menu. The month of Shravan is one of the holy months in the Hindu calendar and coincides with the Indian monsoon. It is … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015, Desserts, Festive food, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

R is for ambe Rava ( Mango infused semolina)

Sweet shira or semolina is a popular sweet in Maharashtra. This particular variation is usually made at the height of the mango season using the pulp of the Alphonso mangoes. (As if we needed any more excuses to have any more … Continue reading

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Q is for a Quick dessert: Mango Fool

Mango fool is at the very top of my ‘dessert island’ list. It needs no effort at all – the only requirement is a love for mangoes, alphonso in particular. As kids we would wait all year for the summer months just to … Continue reading

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N is for Narali Pak (Coconut Barfi)

There is no dearth of recipes for coconut barfi, each using ingredients richer than the last. This one, however, ignores all the milk, cream, khoya etc., focusing instead on the main ingredients – coconut and sugar, with some cardamom and … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015, Desserts, Festive food | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments