Pasta Kheer

Pasta is known as Italian food. Different shapes of Pasta available in the market. Pastas are cooked with different ways with  different vegetables and cheese. Here I have tried Kheer out of Pasta. We Indians try to adopt and cook things using our own ingredients and to set it according to our life style and our taste. Preparing Kheer, using Pasta is not new. I have heard and even read recipes about it. But most of them had sugar in it.

We South Canara people prepare Paradi Payasa. (Kheer is called as Paayasa in Kannada language). But this is done with rice flour or Maida flour. Even in Kerala Adai Payasam or Adha Prathamam is famous. Adah is nothing but rice flakes. I have prepared Adha Payasa many times. We do prepare Payasa with Semiya also. Semiya is also a thin variety of Pasta. Seeing Pasta pack invited me to try this Payasa. Definitely the taste was really yemmy and finger licking. I used fresh coconut milk, jaggery and a cup of fresh milk.   

Here is a recipe of "Pasta Kheer"(Pasta Payasa) and it will surely liked by all  I am sure. 

Things Needed : 

Pasta : 1 Bowl (Small)
Coconut milk  : 1 Cup
Jaggery : 1/2 Cup
Dates : 6 to 8
Cardamom : 8 to 10 pods

Method :

1. Grate coconut and grind with little water and squeeze out milk. (Thick milk) Keep it aside separately.
2. Again put some more water and grind the same coconut and remove milk from it. Keep it aside. Keep it separately.

3. Powder cardamom and keep it aside.

4. Remove the seeds from dates and cut into small and keep it aside.

5. Now keep 3 to 4 cups of water for boiling and  put Pasta and cook.

6. When the pasta turn soft drain the extra water and keep pasta aside.

7. Now keep a big bowl and put the thinner coconut milk, boiled pasta and jaggery and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

8. Let jaggery melt and start boiling. Now mix thick coconut milk. Let it boil for 2 minutes. (Do not boil for a long time).

9. Add cardamom and pour the Kheer to a serving bowl.

  10. Add fresh boiled milk just before serving.

Notes : 

You can use sugar instead of jaggery. You can use tinned coconut milk instead of fresh coconut milk. You can add ghee fried nuts to the Kheer.
Adding more or less jaggery is optional. Use of any type of Pasta is optional.
Time : 30 minutes
Serves : 6  (Small Servings) 
 

Moong Dal Bulgar Kheer

Moong Dal Bulgar (broken wheat) kheer or Paayasa is a sweet dish. Fresh coconut milk, jaggery, cardamom and cashew nuts are also added and prepared this tasty Payasa.Moong Dal Bulgar Payasa is prepared during the festivals and the feasts. Its healthy since moong dal and bugar with jaggery is used. Cardamom is used to add the flavour and it helps to digest the heavy food easily.

Moong Dal is good source of protein and dietary fiber. It is low in fat and rich in potassium, calcium and B complex vitamins. It is easy to digest and the fiber in Moong dal helps to drecrease high cholesterol.
Bulgar or the broken wheat is a good source of fiber. It contains protein, iron and vitamins. It is low in fat and calories. It also helps to prevent constipation.
Jaggery acts as a digestive agent. It has a ability to cleanse our body. Jaggery provide good amount of mineralss.
Fresh coconut milk is Antioxidants and contain vitamins and minerals.
As I said before this yemmy payasa is a 100 % healthy food. Sweet tooth people can njoy this payasa at any time of the day.

Things needed :
Bulgar : 1/2 Cup
Moong Dal 1/2 cup
Jaggery : 1/2 cup
Cashew Nuts : 6 to 8
Cardamom : 4 to 6 pods
Coconut : 1 Cup
Ghee : 1 Tea spoon
Milk : 1 Cup

Method :

1. Wash and cook Bulgar and Moong dal separately in a pressure cooker.

2. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
3. Powder the caradamom.

4. Now grind coconut with little water and squeeze out the milk. Put the same remaining squeezed coconut and grind again with little water and remove the milk (second time).  Keep it separately.
5. Now put cooked bulgar and moong dal in a big pan. Add jaggery. Keep it on the fire.
6. Mix it nicely. Let it boil for 2 minutes. See that it does not burn at the bottom.
7. Now add the coconut milk which is collected at the second time. ( Little watery).
8. Mix it nicely and let this mixture boil for 2 more minutes. Add water if required.
9. Now add the thick coconut milk (the first time you have collected).
10. Let this mixture boil for a minute. Put off the gas and put the Payasa in serving bowl.

11. Add cashew nuts and powdered cardamom. Mix it well.

12. Add milk and a spoon of fresh ghee on the top. ( 1 Tea spoon will do). Mix it nicely and serve

Note : If you want more quantity you can increase the quantity of moong dal and bulgar and jaggery. You can also use dried grapes (raisins). You can even fry raisins and cashew nuts in the ghee and then pour this mixture to the Payasa. Adding more fresh milk will taste good. Do not boil the coconut milk for a long time. It may smell different. You can also use 1 or 2 cloves along with cardamom.
Serves : 4 to 6
Time : 40 minutes.

Doodhi Sorekai Carrots VEGGY HALVA

VEGGY HALVA  is a sweet dish.  Veggy Halva is a combination of Bottle gourd (Sorekai), Local Carrots and White Pumpkin. These vegetables are grated and mixed with sugar, milk, ghee and cardamom.

White Pumkin or  Doodhi or boodu kumbala kai (Kannada language) is highly nutritious and it is low in calories and high in vitamins A, C and E. It contains minerals like magnesium, phosphorus and iron. It also lowers the cholesterol, Antidepressant and good for eyes too.
Carrots are notably rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and dietary fiber. Carrots contain Beta carotene which is powerful and natural anti oxidant and it helps to protect body from any harmful injury.
Bottle gourd or Lauki (Hindi) or Sorekai (in Kannada) has many good qualities. It is good for weight loss. (especially the juice). It helps to reduce the high blood pressure and keeps the heart healthy. The fiber and the minerals in the bottle gourd supports healthy digestion and helps to overcome constipation problems.
Veggy Halva can be prepared for parties, festivals or to celebrate some thing special. It can be eaten at any time of the day too.

Things Needed :
Bottle Gourd : 1/2 Portion.
Carrots : 2 to 3
White pumpkin 1/4 potion of the medim size
Ghee : 1/2 Cup
Sugar : 1 to 1 1/2 cup
Cardamom :  6 to 8 Pods.
Milk Powder : 2 Tablespoons
Cashew Nuts : 2 Tablespoons

Method : 
1. Wash and remove the outer skin of the vegetable and grate it. Keep it aside.

2. Powder the cardamom with a spoon of sugar and keep it aside.

3. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put 1 Teaspoon of ghee and fry cashew nuts and remove the nuts when it turn reddish.

4. Now squeeze out the extra water from pumpkin. Keep the juice aside.
5. Put grated carrots, bottle gourd and pumpkin. Keep the flame medium.

6. Fry them for 2 to 3 minutes. Add sugar and stir niely.
7. Put a tablespoon of ghee while stirrring. Stir the mixture till it leaves the sides. Add ghee in between while stirring. (Littlt by little). Continue stirring.
8. Add milk powder and mix it well. When the halwa starts to leave the pan stir for another 2 to 3 minutes and put off the gas. Add the remaining ghee and the fried cashew nuts and mix again.

 9. Shift this sweet Veggy Halwa to the serving bowl.

10. Serve Halwa after dinner or along with breakfast.

Note : You must be very careful while stirring. Do not allow the Halva to get it burnt. Even Bottle gourd also will leave out the its water. You can use this for curry or juice. You can also try this halva in the micro wave oven. Every 2 minutes you need to mix the mixture until its done. You can also use more sugar and ghee if you like. Use of milk powder helps to absorb the moisture. Use of jaggery is optional. Taste may differ. This halva is good for kids.
Time :

Preparation : 20 minutes
Cooking : 25 to 30 minutes
Serves : 6 to 8.

Snake Gourd Kheer

Ready to serve Padavalakai/Snake Gourd Kheer/Payasa 

    

 

Snake Gourd is a vegetable and it is known as padavala kai in Kannada, Chinchinda or Padaval in Hindi, Padavalanga in Malayalam, Pudalnkai in Tamil. Snake gourd is used here in this recipe for Kheer.(Payasam). This Kheer contain Padavala kai, jaggery, coconut, milk and cardamom. This kheer helps you to cool down the body.  Since the jaggery is used all age group can enjoy this kheer.
Snake gourd is very high in water content and has a cooling effect on the  body. It is low in calories and fat free. Snake gourd contain lots of fiber which is helpful for the digestive system. The fiber is also helpful for those with diabetes. It is a good resource of minerals.

Things Needed :
Snake gourd : 2 (small size)
Jaggery : 1/2 Cup
Coconut : 1 Cup
Milk : 1 Cup
Beaten Rice (Awalakki) : 3 to 4 Table spoon
Cardamom : 5 to 6 Pods
Ghee : 1 Table spoon
Cashew nuts : 2 Table spoons

 Method :
1. Wash and cut Snake gourd into small pieces and pressure cook for 5 to 6 minutes.

2. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
3. Powder cardamom and keep it aside.
4. Grind coconut with little water and squeeze out the milk. Grind the coconut again with little more water and squeeze out the milk again from the ground coconut mixture and keep them separately.

5. Now keep a pan on the fire and put cooked snake gourd pieces and jaggery. Cook them together for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the thinner (coconut milk which got in the second time).
6. Add beaten rice and mix it nicely and let it cook for 2 minutes.

7. Now add the thicker coconut milk and just boil for 1 minute. Put off the gas and pour the ready kheer to a serving bowl. Add cardamom powder.
8. Now keep a small pan and heat. Add ghee and fry cashew nuts for 10 seconds. Pour cashew ghee mixture to the ready kheer.
9. Add milk when you are ready to serve the kheer and serve hot or cold kheer.

Note :

 You can also grind coconut into paste and add it to the kheer instead of coconut milk. Use 5 to 6 almonds  with coconut if you are grinding the coconut into paste. It will help the coconut to be paste consistency and helps the kheer to thickens. You can also clean the jaggery by boiling jaggery with little water and when it dissolve sieve the jaggery in a siever. It helps to take away the dirt from the jaggery.

Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 6

Almond + Besan Wheat Holige

Almond  ( Badami in Kannada ) + Besan (Kadale Hittu in Kannada language)  Wheat Holige is a sweet dish and you can enjoy these holiges  (pooran Poli) at any time of the day and all age group will surely like it.
Normally Holige is done with Maida. Here I have used wheat flour.

Eating Almonds yield many benifits like they reduce heart attack risk. They lower the bad cholesterol. They protect artery walls from damage. Almonds help build strong bones and teeth. They provide healthy  fats. They nourish the nervous system. They help provide good brain function. Using almonds have many more benifits.
Besan is naturally higher in protein, Contain good amount of vitamins and minerals and it is gluten free.
Wheat flour contains vitamins, protein and fiber.
Almond Besan Wheat Holige  stuffing is prepared using milk, sugar, almonds,besan and cardamom.
Outer layer dough is prepared with wheat flour instead of maida.
Almond + besan Holige can be had for lunch during festivals and also you can have them for evening snack. You can also pack them for your kid's lunch-box as snack for the school going kids.

Things Needed : 

For the stuffing  
Milk :1 cups
Sugar : 1 1/2 cups
Almonds : 1 Cup
Besan :  2 Table spoons
Coconut : 1/2 cup
Cardamom : 6 to 8 pods

For the outer layer
Things Needed :
Wheat flour : 2 Cups
Water : required
Salt : a pinch
Oil : 1 Cup

Method : 
For stuffing : Sweet mixture: (Hoorana)
1. Powder cardamom and Almonds, dry grind coconut and keep it aside.
2. Boil Milk and add sugar to it.
3. Add Almond powder to the milk and mix it well.
4. Keep stirring. Add dry ground coconut and besan to the mixture.
5. Stir continuously till it stars to leave the pan. Add a spoon of ghee.
6. Now remove the mixture and put it in a bowl. Let it cool.
7. Mix the mixture nicely when it cools and keep it aside.

Chapati dough ( The outer layer ) :
1. Take a bowl and put wheat flour and salt. Put required water and prepare chapati dough.

Now Almond + Besan wheat Holige.
1. Knead the chapati dough and divide them into small portion. (little bigger than lemon size).
2. Keep a small portion of  dry wheat flour in a small bowl.
3. Take a small ball and roll out to small papad size.

4. Keep a tablespoon of sweet mixture and cover the chapati from all side and bring it ball shape.
  ( like aloo stuffing).

5 Now take that sweet mixture ball and roll a little on dry wheat flour and roll like a chapati.

6 Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Sprinkle little oil on the pan.
7 Now put the sweet chapati on the pan and cook on both sides. Use little oil on both sides.

8 Repeat the same with remaining dough.
9. Serve Hot Amond + Besan Wheat Holige with a teaspoon of ghee on the top.

Note : Do the whole process of sweet mixture on low flame. If you feel the mixture is still liquidy use little more besan and mix it nicely. No need to add more ghee or oil to it. Once the mixture is cooled it thickens. You can reduce or add the amount of the sugar as your wish.
Serves :  3 to 4
Time : 40 min.

Badam Halva ( Almond Halva).

Almond Halva  is a sweet dish and you can have them after meal or at any time of the day.
Almond is rich in minerals and vitamins. It is said you need  to have one or two almonds daily in the morning to get benefits of almonds/badam.
Almond halva is very delicious and it can be served in the breakfast as one of the sweet dish. Very healthy for kids. You can also prepare this halva for festivals and feast, lady's kitty party or kids party.

Things Needed : 

Almonds : 1 Cup.
Milk : 1/2 Cup.
Sugar : 11/2 Cup
Cardamom : 4 to 6 Seeds.
Ghee : 1/2 Cup.

Method : 

1. Soak Almonds in hot water for 10 minutes and remove the skin.
2. Powder the cardamom and  grind almonds in milk  till paste and  put it in a big pan.
3.Now add sugar to the ground mixture and mix nicely.
4. Keep the pan on the fire and and stir nicely till it thickens.
5. Add powdered cardamom to it. Add  2 table spoons ghee and mix it nicely.
6. Put off the gas and add remaining ghee and mix it again and pour it in a tray.
7.Serve Almond Halva when it is cold or warm.  ( Better use a tablespoon to take out Almond Halva).

Note : 

The whole process should be done on low flame to get the perfect halva. High or medium flame might burn the bottom and halva gets burnt taste. Use of more ghee is optional. Use of little less sugar is optional. It is simple and delicious. Adding saffron adds colour and taste and makes halva rich.
(Optional).
Time : 30 Minutes 
Serves : According to your servings. ( At least 25 to 30 tablespoons).

COCONUT HOLIGE ( Obaattu )...POORAN POLI

Holige/Obbattu/Pooran Poli/ Boli is a sweet dish which is normally done during the festival/feast time. Here is Coconut Holige.

Holige is known as Obbattu, Pooran Poli, Poli or Boli.  Holige is normally prepared using maida/all purpose flour for outer layer and to different ingredients are used for stuffing. Example like Toor dal holige, channa dal holige, rava holige, dry fruits holige, almond holige, sweet potato holige etc. Jaggery or sugar is added to above ingredients for stuffing.
I have used wheat flour and maida for the outer layer and coconut jaggery, poppy seeds and avalakki for sweet stuffing.
Let us see some benefits of eating jaggery in our diet. 
Jaggery is a good digestive agent and it helps to cleanse our body. It sweetens our food in healthy way. It is loaded with minerals. It helps to get relief from constipation problems. It boost energy.
Lets see the recipe Now :

Things Needed :

For outer layer :
Wheat flour : 2 Cups
Maida /All purpose flour  : 1/2 Cup
Oil : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : A pinch
For stuffing :
Coconut : 1

Jaggery : 1 Cup
Cardamom : 5 to 6 seeds ( Powdered )
Thin Avalakki /Poha : 1 Cup
Poppy Seeds : 1 Tablespoon
Cooking Oil : 2 Tablespoons (Optional)

Method :

1. Put wheat flour and  maida in a bowl. Mix it well.
2. Add required water and prepare chapati dough. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and mix it well.
3. Now add another tablespoon of oil on the top of the dough and let it rest for 2 to 3 hours.

4. Grate coconut and dry grind it with cardamom seeds.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and add jaggery. Let it melt. Add dry ground coconut. Mix it well.

6. Add avalakki and stir. Add a tablespoon of poppy seeds/gasagase.

7. When it gets slightly thick remove it from the pan. ( The mixture should be thick not watery).
8. Let it get cooled.

9. Now take the dough you have already prepared. Kneed the dough nicely and divide into small portions.
10. Divide the sweet stuff also into small portions.

11. Take a small portion of chapati dough. Spread it on your palm.

12. Place 1 tablespoon of sweet stuff in the middle and close it from all sides.

13. Dip in dry wheat flour and roll as chapati.

14. Keep a tava/pan on the fire and heat.

15. Put already rolled holige and cook on both sides. Sprinkle oil on the top while cooking.                     

16. Repeat the same with remaining dough and prepare Yummy Holige.

17. Serve  Coconut Holige with a teaspoon of ghee

18. We had a chance to distribute " Coconut Holige " to our relatives.

Note..

While  preparing Hoorana ( coconut and jaggery mix ) do it on low flame. and it should not be too thick or too thin.. Let the water disappear from that mixture. Let once it is slightly thick put off the fire. Allow it to cool completely. Adding maida to wheat flour is optional. Let it the dough be smoother than chapati. Use of more/less oil is optional. You can use chiroti rava instead of maida/all purpose flour. I have used organic jaggery. If you are using normal jaggery, powder jaggery and add little water to it. Let it melt completely. Then sieve it with a strainer and then use it. (taking away the dirt part from jaggery).
Time : 40 Minutes to prepare holige + sweet hoorana (sweet stuff) 5 minutes + dough preparing and resting - 2 to 3 hours. 
20 Holiges can be prepared. (According to size and shape).