Kalakand

Kalakand is a famous Indian milk sweet made with condensed milk and cheese. The traditional way of making Kalakand is a very very long process. I dont think I would have the patience of making it from the scratch though tried making it once.It took really a lot of time. But the recipe I have given here is an easy method. This took a maximum of half an hour. It was hassle free, takes less time and made in microwave.What else do we need...Come on friends join me in making this wonderful sweet.

Ingredients:
Ricotta Cheesse 15 oz
Sweetened Condensed milk 14 oz
1/2 tsp Elachi/Cardamom powder
2 tbsp chopped Pistachios,Almond and Cashews
Saffron (optional)
Ghee as required for greasing
Method:

1. Pour the ricotta cheese and condensed milk in a greased microwave safe bowl. Mix well. Add elachi powder and a pinch of saffron and give a nice mix. Place the mixture in microwave at power 10 or the highest power option available and microwave for 5 mins. Make sure to check the bowl every now and then as the cheese mixture might rise and overflow. If it is about to overflow take the bowl out ,give it a mix and continue microwaving.
2. After 5 mins take the bowl out and give it a mix. Microwave for another 6 mins. Don't forget to take the bowl out every two minutes and give a mix. By now it would have turned little thick in consistency.
3. Microwave for another 5 mins. At this stage, stir the mixture every 1 min. Kalakand will be done at this stage. If its done the cheese would have turned grainy (like a grated coconut) with moisture in it. It would have come to this consistency around the 16th or 17th minute. Be careful at this stage the Kalakand might turn brown if you overcook it.
4. Pour the mixture in a greased plate and spread it gently with a Chapathi roller. Press the chopped nuts in the mixture when its hot. Set aside for 1 hour.
5. Cut them into your desired shape after an hour.

Delicious Kalakand is ready!!!

Nendran / Banana Chips

Nendran chips the name makes me crave for it. This Chips is a famous snack of Kerala, mostly made in road side small shops. The aroma will automatically take us inside the shop to get some for home. I am very fond of this chips from my childhood. Its specially my mom's favorite snack. The bananas are deep fried in coconut oil which gives the special aroma and taste.

Ingredients:
2 Raw Bananas
1 tbsp Turmeric powder
Salt to taste
Oil for deep fry ( Preferable Coconut oil)

Method:
1.Peel the skin of the banana and soak it in water for 10 -15 mins.Then take it out and dry with a paper towel.
2.Slice the bananas into round shape. Take water in a bowl and add turmeric to it. Mix well. Drop the sliced bananas in turmeric water. Leave aside for few min for the bananas to absorb the yellow color and dry them with a damp cloth or paper towel.
3.Meanwhile heat oil in a pan. Once the oil is hot put the banana slices into it and fry it.
4. Dissolve salt in water in a separate bowl. When the bananas are half fried pour 1 spoon of salt water into the oil. Do not panic the oil will rise a little as soon as you add the salt water and start to bubble.
5. Once the bubbling stops take the fried bananas out and drain excess oil using a paper towel.
Yummy yummy fresh banana chips is ready to eat... Enjoy!!!!! :)

Kothamalli Thuvayal

Kothamalli thuvayal(Coriander Chutney) is the name for this chutney in TamilNadu. This is one of the favourite delicacies for many of us. There are many recipes for this and I have given here the recipe used by my paati and amma.In general like many spices coriander also contains antioxidants, especially the coriander leaves. Its good to have coriander in everyday meal. In my home we have this Kothamalli thuvayal almost every week. It tastes good with idli and dosa. You can also have it with rice adding little sesame oil. Vahhh the taste will be heavenly. Try it out my friends.

Ingredients:
1 Bunch of Coriander (washed and chopped)
3-4 Red Chillies
1/4 cup of Urad dhal (preferably black urad dhal)
1/4 inch Tamarind
1/2 tsp Hing
Salt to taste
Oil as needed

Method:
1. Heat oil in a pan and add the red chillies and urad dhal. Fry till the dhal turns golden color.
2. Now add hing and tamarind to it and saute for a min. Keep them aside in a plate and allow to cool.
3. In the same pan add a tsp of oil and fry the coriander leaves till the raw smell goes off. Allow it to cool.
4. Grind the dhal mixture coarsely first and add the coriander leaves. Grind into a coarse paste with reqd salt and little water.
Delicious Kothamalli thuvayal is ready......