Almond /Badam Halva

Almond Halva /Badam Halva is one of the delicious sweet treat and I love to have it at any time of the  day. I am not a big fan of sweets but I always prefer to have this Badam Halva.

It is very easy and quick to prepare it. The taste is amazing when you do prepare at home.
The ingredients I used are almonds, sugar, boiled milk, ghee and Kesar/Saffron.
Posting this sweet dish for to note our son Rishikanth Got married to Kavitha Last week and We wish the newly wedded couple to all the best and lead Happy Life.
I also request all my friends to Wish  Rishi - Kavitha for their bright future.

Lets see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

Almonds : 1 Cup
Sugar : 1 Cup or little less
Milk : 1/2 Cup
Ghee : 2 to 3 Tbs
Milk Powder : 2 Tbs

Method :

1. Soak almonds in hot water and remove its husk.
2. Grind almonds with milk to paste consistency.

3. Add 1/2 cup of sugar to a big pan and keep the pan on the fire.

4.Put ground almond - milk mixture and milk powder.

5. Add a tbs of ghee and stir it slowly.

6. Let the flame be on slow flame.

7. Stir continuously it it starts to leave the pan.

8. Add a tbs of ghee and put off the fire.

9. Mix it nicely and put it in a serving dish.

10. Serve as You Wish.

Time : 15 to 20 minutes.
Serves : As you like it.

Note :

Adding more sugar to halva is optional. Adding more ghee is optional. Take out the halva once it starts to leave the pan. Then add a tbs of ghee. Grind it till paste to get good taste. Adding milk powder is optional.

Ragi /Finger Millet - Jack Fruit Halva

Ragi/Finger Millet - Jack fruit Halva/Haalubai is a delicious sweet.
Jack fruits season is still there and we did get some Jack fruits from our relation. We did eat some and I used the fruits to prepare Ragi Haalu bai.

Haalu bai is one of the signature dish of Udupi region. Most of the festivals will complete only having Haalubai.
ಹಾಲುಬಾಯಿ / haalu bai is normally done with raw rice. Rice is soaked and grind with fresh coconut and jaggery. Then stir the batter till it gets thick.
Ghee and cardamom is added at the end and done Haalu bai is shifted to a plate and spread it on the plate or tray. Once its get cold. then cut them according to your wish.
Here I have used Ragi flour instead of Raw rice. Dry roasted the ragi flour and then added ground coconut. I have added Joni/liquid form of jaggery which is very fresh and healthy. Added a cup of ghee and then stirred the batter till is done. Poured the done haalubai to a greased plate.
Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

Ragi flour / Finger Millet : 2 Cups
Jaggery : 1 1/2 Cups (Normal Jaggery : 1 Cup Full will be enough).
Coconut : 1 Cup Grated
Jack fruits : 5 to 10
Ghee : 1 Small Cup /4 to 5 Tablespoons
Salt : A pinch

Method :

1. Separate the seeds of jack fruit and keep the fruits aside.

2. Grate coconut and grind it with jack fruits. Do not use water while grinding. Put the mixture to a bowl and keep it aside.

3. Dry roast Ragi flour nicely till the raw aroma disappear.

4. Now mix jaggery, ground jack coconut mixture, salt. Add a spoon of ghee and mix it well.
Add 1/2 cup of water if you using powdered jaggery.
5. Keep this mixture pan on the fire and stir on low and medium flame.

5. Add ghee in between in small quantity.

6. Stir till the mixture gets thick and starts to leave the edges of pan. Add the remaining ghee if it is still there.

7. Stir for some more time (at least 5 to 6 minutes on medium flame).
8. Shift the ready Ragi - Jackfruit Haalubayi to a greased tray/plate and leave it till it is cooled.

9. Cut the cooled haalubai according to your wish and enjoy. Store in a glass or /steel box.

10. Serve or Eat whenever you feel like.

Note :

Do not any water while grinding. You can melt the jaggery and then use it. (If shop bought jaggery).
Adding more jaggery is optional. Adding more ghee is optional.
Time : 35 to 40 Minutes.
Serves : 25 to 30 Small pieces.

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. 

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.