By Dietitian Manoli Mehta
Founder of Tattvum – Discover Wellness
1. Phirni with fresh berries – Sweet rice pudding garnished with seasonal berries, this recipe is the perfect treat for a special occasion.
INGREDIENTS: (one serving)
- Rice- ¼ cup (20g)
- Milk-1 cup (200ml)
- Almonds- 4-5
- Pistachios-4-5
- Saffron- Few strands
- Cardamom powder – 1 tsp.
- Strawberries- 3-4
- Sugar – 1 tsp.
METHOD:
- Wash and soak the rice for 30 minutes and crush in a grinder into small pieces.
- In a deep pan, heat milk and add sugar on a low flame.
- Add cardamom powder followed by rice and continue cooking slowly with occasionally stirring.
- When the milk thickens and the rice is cooked, add saffron and mix well.
- Pour the phirni in a serving bowl and add almonds, pistachios and strawberries.
- Serve cold.
2. Nachani/ Ragi Barfi– This festive season make this Ragi barfi for all your guests at home!
INGREDIENTS: (one serving)
- Nachani /Ragi flour- ½ cup
- Jaggery- 1 tbsp.
- Ghee- 2 tsp.
- Assorted nuts- 2 tbsp.
- Natural Peanut butter- 3 tbsp.
- Almonds- to garnish
METHOD-
- Heat ghee in a kadai, add chopped nuts and saute for one minute.
- Add the ragi flour and roast it until cook for 8-10 minutes.
- Now add jaggery and stir until the jaggery is completely melted.
- Add peanut butter and keep stirring.
- Remove the mixture on a plate and evenly spread it and refrigerate it.
- Remove from refrigerator and garnish with almonds.
- Cut into desired shape and serve.
3. Apple Rabri– Unique recipe yet mouth watering.
INGREDIENTS: (one serving)
- Milk- 2 cups
- Grated apples with skin – 2
- Cardamom powder- ¼ tsp.
- Nutmeg powder- a pinch
- Honey- 1 tsp.
METHOD-
- Bring the milk to a boil in a deep non stick pan and simmer it for 10-12 minutes, while stirring in between and scraping the sides of the pan.
- Add the grated apple, mix well and simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Add the cardamom powder and nutmeg powder. Mix well and keep aside to cool.
- Once the rabri has been cooled add the honey and mix well. Refrigerate it for at least 1 hour.
- Serve chilled.
4. Strawberry Shrikhand- A simple recipe but a total hit among the guests.
INGREDIENTS: (one serving)
- Hung curd- 1 cup
- Mashed strawberries- ½ cup
- Raw honey- ¼ tsp.
- Strawberry slices- 3-4 to garnish
METHOD-
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- Keep refrigerated for at least 2-3 hours.
- Serve chilled and garnish with strawberries.
5. Anjeer and Cardamom Delight- This festive season make this chocolaty barfi for all your guests at home!
INGREDIENTS: (one serving)
- Anjeer/Dried figs-2 pieces
- Cardamom powder-1 tsp.
- Chopped China grass (agar-agar)- less than ¼ cup
- Milk-1/2 cup
METHOD-
- Soak the fried figs in ½ cup water in a bowl for 1 hour.
- Blend the figs in a mixer with water to make a puree. Keep aside.
- Combine /34 cup water and agar agar in a deep non stick pan and mix well. Cook on slow flame until it melts.
- Add the milk, cardamom powder and fig puree and cook on a slow flame for 5 minutes. Keep aside to cool slightly.
- Serve chilled and garnish with saffron strands.