_________________I am Mrs. Kalpana Mhaske, a Home-Maker, from the city of 52-Gates, one of the famous heritage- destination of the world- Ajanta - Ellora Caves, Bibi-Ka- Maqbara (The Taj of Deccan) and Deogiri Fort. i.e. AURANGABAD. I admire cooking - tryout and innovate different cuisines. Basically, both of my gorgeous daughters are foodie, they have always encouraged me in the kitchen and forced to carve a Food Blog, that’s why, I am happy to share the makings with you. I am an artist too. Painting – especially, Canvas-Painting is my one more hobby. In total - Ours is an ART-FAMILY, my husband is an Architect. In the end, I keep the same belief with Louise Fresco - “ Food, in the end, in our own tradition, is something holy. It's not about nutrients and calories. It's about sharing. It’s about honesty. it’s about identity ”

Saturday 24 February 2018

PAAN SHOTS

 Paan shots is something that I had always wanted to try at home, and today I made it and I am very happy with the refreshing flavours of it. I have to admit it was as comparable and a cool way to end a meal. Only one thing keep in mind, serve this as soon as it is prepared for the best taste. The consistency is thick and do not try to make it thin. Paan shots is s a refreshing mouth freshener drink that is inspired from meetha pan that we Indians usually consume after a heavy meal. An incredibly easy to make drink that is packed with tons of flavour. Make this for your next party or just just like that and serve to your family, I am sure they will absolutely love this. For this recipe you can use Kalkatta paan or Banarasi paan. As it is festive time and colours are all around so thought to present Paan Shots as Holi special. With this mouth refreshing colourful delicious paan shot wishing you all a Happy Holi….!!!! Don’t miss this Holi to sip yummy paan shot…!!!

INGREDIENTS:
4-5 Calcutta Paan / Beetal Leaves
4 tablespoon Gulkand
2 ½ tablespoon Paan Masala
1 teaspoon Fennel Seeds
2 ½ Cups Vanilla Icecream
10 Ice Cubes

METHOD:
STEP 1 – Combine all the ingredients in a mixer jar except vanilla icecream and ice cubes.

STEP 2 - Blend well until you get a smooth mixture.
STEP 3 – Then add vanilla ice cream and ice cubes in the mixer jar and again blend well until all ingredients get mixed well. You get a smooth mixture of paan, paan masala and ice cream.

STEP 4 - Transfer the mixture in to a bowl.

STEP 5 - Refrigerate this mixture for atleast 1 hour.
STEP 6 – Pour the paan mixture into shot glasses and serve.


Serve chilled garnishing with colourful pepper mint balls, chopped glazed cherry and saffron strands.
I am sure you all will love this yummy delicious Paan Shot. 

Friday 23 February 2018

BAKED SAMOSA PIE

My daughter is very excited about this recipe of pie as it is with our samosa filling which is very close to all of us. This is not a sweet pie, however, but something even better in my opinion, and that is a savory pie with a spicy  and hearty samosa filling. Here the pie crust is with like our traditional samosa cover. But you can make it with ready pastry sheet also. This baked samosa pie is not just crispy and savory and all of those other good things that make the taste buds scream. This is also comforting and soul-satisfying and kid and adult pleasing. In world, hardly anyone who does not know a samosa or love one. It’s the perfect snack, crunchy on the outside with a delicious filling on the inside. Love this baked variation as it is more healthy than the traditional fried samosa.  
Holi is one festival in which people celebrate without bringing the caste, colour or status in mind. It is a festival of colours celebrated all over India in different forms but with same intensity of joy. Holi is round the corner and here I am with the snack recipe you can try for holi. As it is festive time and colours are all around so thought to present this baked dish as Holi special. Instead of regular fried samosa do try this baked version and I bet everyone will love it.

INGREDIENTS:
For Pie Crust:
1 ¼ Cup + 1 tablespoon Refined Flour
¼ Cup Ghee/ Clarified Butter
½ teaspoon Carom Seeds/ Ajwain
Salt to taste
For Potato Mixture:
2-3 Medium Potatoes, boiled and peeled
¼ Cup Green Peas, blanched
1 teaspoon Green Paste [ginger+ garlic+ green chillies]
1 tablespoon Oil
1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds / Jeera
1 teaspoon Crushed Coriander Seeds / Dhaniya Powder
¼ teaspoon Turmeric Powder / Haldi Powder
¼ teaspoon Chaat Masala
¼ teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
Fresh Coriander for garnishing
Fried Green Chillies for serving
Mint Chutney for serving
Sweet Date-Tamarind Chutney for serving

METHOD:
For making Crust Dough:
STEP 1 – Take flour in a mixing bowl, add ghee in it
and mix well till the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

STEP 2 – Add carom seeds and salt in it and mix it again.

STEP 3 – Add sufficient water and mix and

 knead into a stiff dough.
STEP 4 – Cover it with a cling wrap and refrigerate until used.

 For making Potato Mixture:
STEP 1 – Heat a pan with oil and add cumin seeds and let them crackle.

STEP 2 – Then add coriander seeds and green paste in it and sauté for few seconds.

STEP 3 – Add turmeric powder
mix well .Season it with salt, chaat masala and garam masala


STEP 4 – Add chopped potatoes in it and t oss the mixture well.

STEP 5 - Now add blanched green peas and toss the mixture again for few minutes.

STEP 6 – Now mash the mixture with the back of spoon
and add salt in it.
Here you have to add lemon juice in the mixture and give a nice stir.
Switch off the gas flame.

STEP 7 – Transfer the mixture in a wide plate to cool down completely.

How to proceed:
STEP 1 – Pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees C.
STEP 2 – Take out the dough from refrigerator and make it smooth.

STEP 3 - Divide the dough into 2 portions. Dust the kitchen counter with some flour, place one portion on the counter
and roll out into a large disc.

STEP 4 – Grease the pie tin with butter or oil.
Line a pie mould with the disc.
.

STEP 5 – Likewise, roll out the other half portion of dough into another large disc.

STEP 6 – Fill the lined mould with cooked potato mixture. [here I forgot to take the picture]
STEP 7 – Apply some water on the edges and cover with the second disc.

STEP 8 – Seal the edges and discard the excess dough keeping some of it.


STEP 9 – Brush it with some oil / butter from outside.

STEP 10 – Fold in the remaining dough to create a pattern and create a small cross in the centre.
This cross slit helps to release the steam inside.

STEP 11 - Put the mould in the pre-heated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes.

STEP 12 – Remove from oven, cool it for few minutes and demould.
STEP 13 – Cut into wedges, garnish with some chopped coriander leaves and serve.

Serve hot with fried chillies and mint chutney and date tamarind sweet chutney.



Thursday 22 February 2018

MASOOR DAL KHICHADI

Khichdi has always been a comfort food for me, especially so in winters. I have number of khichdi in my mind but my family is not very fond of khichdi. But I love khichdi any time, so made this nutritious and tasty Khichdi with masoor Dal and rice. This khichdi is lightly spiced one and served with buttermilk, spicy fried chillies and roasted papad. There are many variations of khichdi, even every state has its own version of khichdi and most are a combination of grain and a lentil [most popularly rice and moong/ green gram/ masoor dal]. In Western Indian States like Rajasthan, Bajra or Pearl Millet is used as a substitute for rice. This Masoor Dal Khichdi is with some onions and mild spices. The result was a creamy consistency, fragrant, mellow khichdi which has quite unique flavours. You can serve it with any raita of your choice / kadhi or simply with curds and your completely balanced meal is ready.

INGREDIENTS:
1 Cup Masoor dal [pink lentil]
2 Cups Rice
½ Cup Green Peas
1 Tomato, chopped
1 Onion, chopped
1 teaspoon Ginger-Garlic Paste
1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
4-5 Cloves
½ teaspoon Black Pepper
2 -3 Green Cardamom
1 Black Cardamom
2 Bay Leaf
1 Inch Cinnamon Stick
4 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
3-4 Green Chillies
Salt as needed
½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
½ -1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
Chopped Coriander

METHOD:
STEP 1 – Clean and wash the rice
and dal under water separately
and soak the rice and dal for 1 hour.

STEP 2- Heat oil in a pressure cooker, add the whole spices in it when the cumin seeds starts crackling.

STEP 3 –  Add ginger-garlic paste and mix and cook it for 1-2 minute or until raw smell vanish.
STEP 4 - Add chopped onions and sauté well till they are light golden in colour.
.

STEP 5 - Add chopped tomato and green chillies in it and cook on medium flame till tomato is mushy.


STEP 6 - Add green peas, turmeric powder, red chilli powder and salt in it and give a nice mix.

STEP 7 - Add soaked rice and dal in it and mix well.

STEP 8 - Add 2 ½ cup water and mix and close the lid of pressure cooker
and pressure cook it on medium flame for 2 whistles or till the khichadi cooked properly.

STEP 9 - Open the pressure cooker after pressure released from cooker, garnish with chopped coriander and serve.

Serve hot khichadi with a dollop of pure ghee and fried mirchi and enjoy.