Easy Tiramisu

It was Shaunak's birthday on 17th nov. We had the usual mid night cake cutting. ( Black forest cake from albertons was really good )

Since it was his first budday after marriage , I wanted to make it special. Got him gifts. For dinner he wanted to eat Idli Sambhar Chutney.

As for the dessert , I was in a mood to experiment something new. This time I thought of Tiramisu. After much surfing on the net, I came across a few recipes which looked easy. The final product turned out pretty well.

Here is what you need.

• Sponge cake (plain or vanilla)
• 8 oz Tiramisu Mascarpone Cheese ( This is easily available in any grocery store.)
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 3 to 4 tbsp confectioners sugar or fine sugar
• 1 tsp coffee powder.
• Cocoa powder for dusting

Method.

1. In a bowl, mix the whipped cream , sugar and cheese till properly blended.
2. In another bowl add 2 to 4 tsp of water to the instant coffee powder.
3. Slice the sponge cake into thin squares
4. Now place one slice on a plate and pour some of the coffee mixture on it.
5. The spread one layer of the cheese and cream mixture on it.
6. Now place another layer of the cake slice and repeat steps 4 and 5.
7. Make at least 3 layers of the cake.
8. Spread the cheese and cream mixture on the top layer.
9. Finally dust some cocoa powder on the top
10. Alternatively you can also set the tiramisu in single serve bowls.
11. Chill the tiramisu for at least 4 hours before serving.
12. 
    
13. 
    
14. Then place another layer of the

Chocolate mousse

Ah !now here I am with this totally mouth watering, finger licking dessert. 'Sirf naam hi kafi hai' isn't it. This one is by my mom-in-law who herself is an amazing cook.

So here is what you need.

• 3 large eggs
• 300 ml (1 1/4 cup )milk.
• 6 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 cup beaten fresh cream
• 1 packet (11 gms) strong gelatin
• 2 tbsp drinking chocolate( chocolate powder)
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder ( you can add more for a more chocolaty taste )
• Walnuts and Fresh cream for decoration

Method:-

1. Separate the eggs and mix the egg yolk , milk, sugar , chocolate powder , cocoa and cook on low flame. Keep stirring continuously till the mixture turns into custard like consistency. This would approximately take about 15 mins. Remove from flame and cool it.
2. In another bowl whisk egg white till fluffy
3. In a small cup dissolve the gelatin in hot water .
4. Add the gelatin to the egg yolk mixture.
5. Now keep the above vessel ( egg yolk and gelatin mixture) on a vessel filled with ice cubes and keep stirring
6. When this mixture becomes thick add the whipped cream slowly and mix again
7. Add the vanilla essence
8. Then add the egg whites to it and mix till it becomes thick.
9. Now add chopped walnuts to it.
10. Keep the mixture in the freezer for 5 to 10 mins and then in the fridge for at least 3 hours.
11. Garnish with walnuts and cream.

Spring Paneer Parathas.

Here is what you need.

For the filling :-

• 1 cup crumbled paneer.
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1 cup chopped spring onions ( the more of the greens)
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 1 tsp finely chopped ginger
• 6 to 7 green chillies finely chopped
• Salt to taste.

For the cover:-

• 1 cup whole wheat flour(atta)
• 1/4 cup maida
• Oil
• Water
• Salt to taste

Method:-

1. In a bowl mix the flour , maida ,salt and oil and enough water so as to make a chapati like dough.
2. Keep this aside cover with a plastic .
3. In another bowl mix the ingredients of the filling and microwave it for 5 mins on high. This will make all the flavours blend well. Cool this mixture.
4. Now make medium sized balls of the dough.
5. Roll them into puri sized circle and then add 1 to 2 tbsp of the filling.
6. Seal it well and then dust them with flour and roll them into parathas.
7. On a tava or griddle, heat some oil and cook the parathas well on both sides. Add some oil
8. Serve hot with dahi and mango pickle.

Tips

1. I use the home made paneer, since fresh paneer is not available here.
2. For making panner at home., boil 2 litres of milk.
3. In a bowl, take 1/2 cup of yogurt and add juice of 1 small lime and 1 tbsp of vinegar.
4. Add this mixture to the boiling milk and switch off the gas. The milk will curdle.
5. Do not stir. Cover the milk for 10 mins.
6. Remove this in a muslin cloth and drain all the water.

Amrakhanda

Staying in a place like Goleta where there is hardly an Indian store, Indian desserts is what I miss the most here. Shrikhanda and especially Amrakhanda. I have tried making Shrikhanda here a couple of times and it has turned out quite like the ones you get in a store. I by the yogurt from Trader Joe's. This one is called French Village Cream Line yogurt. This has a layer of cream on it , its thick and soo creamy that you can eat it as it is.

The recipe I am posting is of Amrakhnada , for those who relish the great taste of mangoes.

An Indian dessert . A mouthwatering combination of yoghurt and mangoes

INGREDIENTS

1 lb creamy whole milk yogurt

1 cup Mango pulp

a pinch nutmeg powder

1/2 tsp cardamon Powder

1/2 cup sugar

Dry Fruits for Granishing

DIRECTIONS

1. In a cheese cloth or a muslin cloth ( I generally use a gents cotton handkerchief) remove the yogurt. Tie this handkerchief to the sink tap to drain all the water. You can also hang it in the fridge to avoid the yoghurt from turning sour,. Keep this overnight or upto 12 hours.

2. After all the water has dripped, what you get is thivk hung curd.

Remove it in a bowl .

3. To this add the mango pulp, sugar , cardamon and nutmeg and mix well.

4. Refridgerate this for atleast 3 hours before serving

Tips:

1. The more you let the yogurt drain , the thicker it wil be.

2. You also get a variety of yogurt called Greek yogurt. This one is already thick and drained and thus making the recipe takes less time.

3. You can make a variety of Shrikhands by following the basic step . If you want to make plain one then you will have to add more sugar .

.Add fresh fruits to make Fruit shrikhand.

Add strawberry crsuh and some fresh strwberreies to make Strawberry Shrikhand.

Add lots of dry fruits to make Dry fruit shrikhand.

Corn Capsicum Salad.

This one is my and Shaunak's personal favourite. Its really quick and eay to make.

A mild ,crunchy and healthy salad

INGREDIENTS

1 cup Corn Kernels

1 cup diced green, red and yellow pepper(capsicum)

1/2 cup diced onions

1/2 cup chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp white vinegar

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp red chilli powder

2 tsp Oregano

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Freshly chopped Coriander

Salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Boil the corn with some turmeric for 5 mins or until done. You can also cook the corn kernels in microwave

2. In a bowl mix the kernels, peppers, onions and tomatoes.

3. In another bowl prepare a dressing by mixing vinegar, lime juice, oregano, red chiili powder, pepper powder and salt.

4. Add this dressing to the salad and mix well.

5. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander and serve chilled