Happy Deepavali

This festival of lights is celebrated through out India and overseas. I remember growing up,  my Mom would start the preparation days ahead with cleaning home, shopping new dresses for us, making delicious sweets and savory items. Sweets are the best part I would look forward to J. Here in US, if the festival falls on a busy schedule weekday it's difficult to make all arrangements. In such case my go to items are these easy, breezy Peda and Kalakand made using microwave. I totally forgot where I picked up these recipes couple of years ago, but you can find many variations on internet.

I place these peda and kalakand pieces in muffin paper cups for easy pick up and neat look. Arrange them on a tray, wrap it with plastic sheet and they are ready for gifting.

Peda-
What you need:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

14 oz condensed milk

2 cups dry non-fat milk powder

Pinch of cardamom (elaichi) powder 

Steps to Follow:

1. Add butter in a microwaveable bowl and heat for a minute or so to completely melt it.
2. Add condensed milk to melted butter, stir and microwave it for one and half minute. Then add milk powder, mix everything and keep microwaving it for 2 minutes intervals (keep stirring every time you take it out) until it comes together like a dough. The color of the mixture changes to ivory white.
3. Add cardamom powder, stir and let it cool until you can handle.
4. Scoop small amount of dough and make it in flat disks or any desired shape.

Kalakand-
What you need:

2 tbsp (1/4 stick) unsalted butter

14 oz condensed milk
15 oz ricotta cheese

Pinch of cardamom (elaichi) powder 
Chopped almonds and Pistachios to garnish
Additional butter to grease a plate

Steps to Follow:

1. Add butter in a microwaveable bowl and heat for a 30 seconds to completely melt it.
2. Add condensed milk to melted butter, stir and microwave it for one and half minute
3. Then add ricotta cheese, mix everything and keep microwaving it for 2 minutes intervals (keep stirring every time you take it out).
5. This will take little longer than peda (approximately 8 intervals). The mixture should turn a very light brown color and not watery (you will know when it’s ready 
6. J)
7. Add cardamom powder and stir.
8. Grease a plate with butter, pour the mixture on it and spread with a spatula to make an even layer of probably half inch thickness.
9.  Top it will almonds and pistachio pieces. Let it cool and cut it to any desired shape.

Handmade Jewelry

Recently I went to a jewelry show hosted by my friend Mandakini. She makes these amazing handmade jewelry with precious, semi-precious stones and beads, pearls..etc. It was difficult to decide what to pick, as all her collection was beautiful. Don't mean to sound like a testimonial but her work is very neat and professional . There was this one piece made with mother of pearl, I really liked the colors and natural cut. If you are interested, please feel free to contact her. Here are some pictures -.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I guess there aren't many people who don't like chocolate chip cookies. Even my husband who isn’t a big fan of chocolate likes chocolate chip cookies J . I am a chocoholic and love anything with chocolate.

First time when I made these cookies, I sent them as part of a care package to my Sis. She mentioned that as soon she received it, she and her roomies finished the whole tin. From then on it became a tradition to send these to my Sis and also to my cute 4 year old cousin Jay.

I customized my recipe from a cook book and also from original Nestle toll house recipe. This book I have is all about Chocolate. Whenever I flip through the pages, I feel like making everything in there. They are all very delicious and sinfully rich in chocolate. With the holidays coming up may be I will blog a series about these goodies that make perfect gifts.

I like my cookies on the sweeter side, so I use milk chocolate chips, but they can be swapped with semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips based on your taste. Also, these are softer and chewier cookies.

What you need:

(makes around 20 medium sized cookies)

1 ½ cups all purpose flour

½ cup (1 stick) butter softened

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup regular granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp baking soda

1 pinch of salt

1 cup milk chocolate chips

Steps to follow:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. Beat butter, sugar and vanilla extract together. Add egg to this mixture and beat it until the batter is fluffy.
3. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients – flour, salt, baking soda.
4. Combine dry ingredients to batter and mix until everything comes together.
5. Fold chocolate chips into the batter.
6. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil (grease it with butter).
7. Drop spoonfuls on the sheet allowing room to expand.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye, they will brown easy.
9. Once edges are brown take them out and let them cool on the cookie sheet for 5 min.
10. Then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. They will stay good in the fridge for 1 week.

Pumpkin Swan

While we were shopping at our local grocery store, my husband found this small pumpkin that looks likes a swan. Isn’t it cute J .We were amazed at the similarities in shape. I got it immediately and here is the picture -

Kurti Collection

I don’t mean to brag but my Sis is real multi-talented. Just as a hobby she made many kurtis over the summer break and sold all of them. She designed and made them with 100% cotton bought here in US. Of course the accent fabric is from India. The pictures don’t do much justice as they were not taken in good light but all of her collection was beautiful.

Here are few pictures and you can find more here.