Apple - Dates - Banana Milk Shake

The weather is turning hot and dry and you need to keep your body cool and calm. Having some fresh cool drinks will surely help in keeping us cool and take care of us. I have prepared Carrot Lassi in my last blog. Here we go with one more cool drink Apple - Banana - Dates Milk Shake. 

It is easy, simple and healthy drink and definitely will help all age group people. 
I have used ripe banana , soft dates and an apple. Boiled and cooled milk is added.
It is NO SUGAR NO JAGGERY RECIPE. Dates are used for sweetening the milk shake that too in a milk taste. You can use more dates and make it more sweeten milk shake.
Let us see the recipe now ;

Ingredients :

Apple : 1
Dates : 6 to 8
Ripe Banana : 1
Boiled and cooled milk : 2 glasses.

Method :

1. Wash and keep the apple in warm water for 5 minutes. Clean it with a clean towel. ( Rub well and remove the wax if any).

2. Wash it nicely and cut into small pieces and discard the seeds and hard part.
3. Take out the seeds from dates and cut it into small pieces.
4. Peel off banana skin and cut into small.
5. Place all the above ingredients / cut banana, small pieces of dates and apple pieces in a mixi jar.
6. Add a cup of milk and grind it nicely till all the ingredients turn as soft and smooth.
7. Add some more milk /a glass and churn for 1 minute.

8. Put this milk shake to a serving bowl. Mix it again and serve

9, Add some ice cubes just before serving.

Note :

Adding more dates is optional. No need to add any sugar, jaggery or honey. You can add a pinch of cinnamon powder. I have not added because it gives out strong aroma.
Time : 10 Minutes
Serves : 2.

Watch :::::

Dates and poppy seeds Burfi

Dates and Poppy seeds burfi is a healthy burfi, that I have tried during this Deepavali. No sugar or jaggery is added to this bar and is nice to chew the healthy, yummy and easy  Dates and poppy seeds.

I have used Dates, almonds, cashews, raisins, figs and poppy seeds.
It is an easy and healthy burfi that all age group can enjoy and more of it it is diabetic friendly. Sweet teeth people can munch this burfi at any time of the day. Good to carry for travelling and good snack for the kids snack box. It is energetic and loaded with good minerals and vitamins.
I prepared this Dates burfi during Deepavali and packed it as one of the sweet to our relations.
Dates and Poppy Seeds Burfi Has NO Sugar, NO Ghee or any fat and No Coconut.
Preferably use ripe and soft Dates to prepare this burfi.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients 

Dates : 400 Grams
Raisins : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Almonds : 20 to 25
Cashews : 10 to 15
Figs : 5 to 6
Poppy Seeds : 3 to 4 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Remove the seeds from Dates and put it in a big bowl.
2. Cut cashew nuts and figs into small pieces.

3. Dry grind almonds into powder consistency.
4. Put all the dry fruits into a big bowl. Kneed them well and let it mix well. ( Dates, raisins, cut cashews, figs and powdered almonds).
5. Spread a tablespoon of poppy seeds in a tray or plate.
6. Put dry fruits dough in the tray and press it evenly. Use chapati roller to even it in equal level.

7. Spread remaining poppy seeds on the top of the burfi and just press it slightly.

8. Leave it for a while. Cut it according to your desired shape.

9. Remove from the tray and store in a box.

10.  Serve or munch at any time of the day.

Note :

The dates you use should be soft. You need to kneed the mixture nicely so that it mixes well and sets well as burfi. Dates proportion should be more, so that it adds to the sweet taste. The sweet taste is natural and good for all age group and the diabetic people.
Time : 30 Minutes. 
Serves : 20 Pieces. ( According to size and shape ).

Dates - Nendra Bale Halva

Dates - Nendra Bale Halva is a sweet dish. It is prepared using Nendra bale and dates with some dry fruits. It is soft and delicious sweet which you really relish it with your calm mind.

I have used Dates, Nendra bale and elakki banana with raisins, a few cashews and jaggery. I have also used poppy seeds on the top and it gives a yummy taste and you really enjoy having them.
Let us see some benefits of eating Poppy Seeds in our diet.
Poppy seeds are good content of calcium and magnesium. Calcium helps our bones and teeth to be strong and it helps the nerve and muscle function well. Magnesium helps in providing energy to the body. Poppy seeds have good source of anti -inflammatory properties. It helps to treat sleep disorder/insomnia. It is a good source of dietary fiber, minerals like calcium, magnesium andiron, vitamins and omega 6 fatty acids. Poppy seeds are used in Ayurvedic medicines. It is said to be a great pain reliever. It improves immunity in our body. It helps to improve digestion and prevent kidney stones. It is also used in cosmetics.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Things Needed : 

Nendra banana /Nendra balehannu : 2
Yalakki Banana : 2
Corn flakes : 1 Bowl ( Medium sized bowl)
Jaggery : 1 Cup
Almonds : 10 to 12
Raisins : 1 Handful
Ghee : 3 to 4 Tablespoons. / Little more than 1/2 cup
Dates :  250 Grams
Chiroti Rava /Thin variety of rava : 3 Tablespoons
Poppy Seeds/ Gasagase : 2 Tablespoons

Method : 

1. Remove the seeds from dates and remove the outer layer of bananas.

2. Dry grind almonds /cut almonds into thin slices.
3. Grind dates and bananas together and remove it from the mixi jar.

4. Dry grind cornflakes and keep it aside.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and add jaggery. Add an half cup of water and let it melt completely.
6. Remove it from the pan and sieve it with a siever and keep the clean jaggery aside.
7. Keep a big pan on the fire and put cleaned jaggery and ground banana -dates mixture. Add powdered corn flakes. Mix all the ingredients well.

 8. Stir nicely and let it cook on low flame. Add ghee in between and keep stirring the mixture.

 9. Slowly the mixture starts to thicken and it starts to leave the pan. Add ghee and stir nicely.
 10.  Add small size rava/semolina and stir for 3 to 4 minutes. See that rava mixes well with halva.

11. Let the flame be slow and medium. It changes its colour and starts to leave the ghee.
12. Apply little ghee on a plate /tray and keep it ready. Add raisins and powdered almonds.
 13. Put the ready Dates - Nendra Banana to the ghee greased plate and spread it evenly with a help of spoon.

 14. Let it cool completely. Add poppy seeds on the top. Press a little on the top.

 15. Cut Dates - Nendra Bale halva , according to your wish. ( Small / Big/diamond shape or a round shape.

16. Serve them once it is cooled completely.  

 Note.

Halva is soft and delicious. Adding more nuts is optional. Adding more jaggery is optional. Do not add much semolina though it helps to thicken fast, it taste differ. Adding more ghee is optional.
Time : 30 to 35 Minutes.
Serves : 25 to 30 Small sizes. 

Chiku - Nendra Banana- Dates Milk Shake

The summer is usually hot and we need to take care of our body and mind from screeching hot. One should drink sufficient water to escape from dehydration. We can also have some fruit juice, milkshake, fresh cool drinks like tender coconut, jeera water or butte milk, eat mild food. etc.

Here is a Chiku/Sapota, Nendra Banana and a few soft dates and  fresh milk.

I have used above said ingredients and very little honey to add sweet.

Let us see some benefits of having Chiku/Sapota fruit in our diet.

Chiku / Sapota is rich in Vitamin A and C. Vitamin A is helps to take care of eye health and Vitamin C helps to keep us strong, take care of our skin in good condition and prevents heart disorders etc. Chiku/ Sapota helps as energy booster. It is rich in tannin. A good natural anti-inflammation curer. It is rich in fiber and good for easy digestion and good for people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrom. It helps to ease constipation problems. The fruit is good for pregnant women and good and helps to build strong bones. Sapota is good for our skin and hair also.

Instead of sugar I have added dates and honey.

Things Needed :

Chikku/Sapota : 2 to 3 (Medium sized)
Nendra Banana /Nendra bale : 1
Fresh boiled and cooled milk : 2 cups/Glasses
Cashew nuts : 2 to 3
Dates : 6 to 8
Honey : 1 Tablespoon

Method :

1. Remove pods from dates and cut into small pieces.
2. Remove banana skin and cut the fruit into small pieces.
3. Remove the outer layer of chiku fruits and remove the pods.

4. Now put all the ingredients to a mixi jar. Add a cup of milk and grind it into nice paste consistency.

5. Add another cup of milk and churn for a minute.
6. Put the ready milk shake to a bowl.

7. Add a tablespoon of honey and mix it well.

8. Put to the serving glass and serve.

9. Adding ice cubes just before serving is purely optional. (I have not added).

Note : 

Adding more water /milk to dilute the milk shake is optional. If you do add little more honey. Adding jaggery /sugar instead of honey and dates is optional. Adding more chiku fruits is optional.
Time : 10 Minutes 
Serves : 2 to 3 .

Wheat - Millet flour Cake

This cake was prepared for my son Ravi' s birthday. Just tried this wheat -millet cake and it came out very well and superb outcome. It is easy, simple and healthy cake. 

It is always nice to bake a cake for the family members. I do prepare most of the time. We had a get together at Son Ravi's house.
I have used wheat flour, millet flour/jolada hittu/ sorghum flour, curd, vanilla essence, coco powder, and other ingredients.
Now a days I started using millet flours instead of maida. This recipe has no oil and without much of hassle.

No egg, No White Sugar, No Maida = Wheat - Millet Flour Recipe

Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Wheat flour : 1 Cup
Millet Flour : 1 /2 Cup

Coco Powder : 3 Tablespoons

Jaggery : 3/4 Cup (I used Joni bella /Organic jaggery)
Baking powder : 1 Teaspoon
Baking soda : A pinch
Salt : A pinch
Curd : 1 Cup
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon (Optional)
Almond flakes : 2 Teaspoons (Optional)
Lemon : 1 Teaspoon ( 1/2 of one lemon)
Vanilla Essence : A few drops. ( 2 to 3 ).
Dates : 15 to 20 (Optional)

Method :

1. Sieve wheat flour, millet flour, coco powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt together. (Sieve twice so that it mixes well).

2. Take a big bowl and add curd, jaggery and ghee. Mix it well using a tablespoon or eggbeater.

3. Add lemon and stir nicely. Add vanilla essence and stir for another 2 to 3 minutes.

4. Add sieved flour and mix it slowly. Let it mix well.

5. Take a baking tray and apply oil /ghee and pour the ready cake mix.

Just tap it slowly so that it spreads around and evens the cake mix. Spread some almond flakes on the top.

 6. Preheat the oven for 5 minutes and place the cake tray in the oven. Bake it for 30 to 35 minutes.

7. Check the cake is done with a edge of knife or spoon. Prick it slowly and the cake should not stick to the knife edge. So cake is done.
8. Remove it from the oven and place it on the top to cool down.

9. Remove the seeds from the dates and smash it nicely. Make a ball shape.
10. Roll the date mixture on the butter paper /banan leaf to get it spread.

11. Place this flattened dates mixture on the top of the cake and  rap it around the cake.Press a little.

12. This rapping of dates mixture adds to the taste. Cut and serve with a cup of coffee or tea or whenever you want to.

Note :

Use of dates is optional. It is just an creative work and adds to the taste. You must use soft dates.
You can add little milk if you feel the cake dough is thick.
While mixing the flour to wet ingredients let it be bit slow and it should be done on one direction.
If you are using normal jaggery powder, soak it in curd and it melts. You need to mix it well.
Adding ghee is purely optional. I have added.
Time : 40 Minutes
Serve : According to your wish.