Soni's Food

Indian Inspiration!

Ricotta Cardamom Fudge #Diwali

10 | 11 | 2015
By Soni Sinha

Our biggest festival Diwali (festival of lights) is just a day away and I’m excited!Its the time when you decorate your home with Diyas (earthern lamps)and candles.I love selecting the diyas from our local Indian stores and they come in various shapes and colors.Diwali is the festival of lights and as such homes are lit up inside and out with colorful lights.Colorful rangoli patterns adorn the entrance of homes for good luck.It’s all such a pretty sight.Coincidentally schools are also closed tomorrow and I’m so happy that my kids get to celebrate Diwali and help me out with things.Our kitchen is going to be busy and I’m looking forward to some festive cooking!

Ricotta Cardamom Fudge

Festivals are also the perfect excuse to indulge in those sinfully delicious foods both sweet and savory and enjoy them to your heart’s content.I try and recreate recipes from Mom’s repertoire like this one and the one I have for you today. It’s an easy fudge (burfi in Hindi) made with Ricotta (Mom uses paneer) and flavored with Green Cardamom and Saffron. If you’re familiar with Indian desserts you’ll notice that green cardamom is used extensively and I personally love the flavor.Just use it sparingly since a little bit goes a long way.

Ricotta Cardamom Fudge (Ricotta Burfi)

It comes together in minutes and tastes phenomenal.The Ricotta is cooked in a pan along with some condensed milk, cardamom and saffron until all the moisture evaporates and then cooled off to set.Once set just cut it into desired shape and you’re good to go.You can store it in the fridge and it stays good for upto a week.The fudge is rich and creamy and flavors from the saffron and cardamom comes through.Its reminiscent of the treats back home from the sweet shops and is perfectly sweet just the way I like it.Enjoy!

“Wishing you all a very happy Diwali”

Ricotta Cardamom Fudge

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tub Ricotta Cheese- 425 gms
  • 1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk- 14 oz
  • 2 Green Cardamom crushed
  • Few Saffron strands
  • Sliced almonds for garnish
  • Ghee or unsalted butter-2 tbsp

Instructions
 

  • In a pot heat the ghee/butter.
  • Add the ricotta and condensed milk.
  • Mix well and keep stirring on low heat for about 15 minutes.
  • Add the saffron strands and cardamom.
  • Mix and continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes until all moisture evaporates.
  • Line a dish with parchment paper long enough to let the ends stick out.Pour the mixture onto the parchment paper and let it cool for a bit.
  • Lift the edges of the parchment paper and empty it upside down on to a tray.
  • Cut into desired shape.
  • Garnish with sliced almonds and some crushed cardamom.
  • Enjoy.

 

 

Semolina Balls (Suji Laddoo) for Mother’s Day #SundaySupper

12 | 05 | 2013
By Soni Sinha

Making these Laddoos was more than just a process.It brought back memories of fun filled times in the kitchen with Mom as she sautéed the semolina ever so gently making sure to not burn it.The sweet aroma of the semolina in the Ghee wafted through every corner of the house.I patiently watched her mix all the other ingredients and waited for her to ask me to help her roll them at the end.The laughter,the mess,the rolling of these balls,the taste testing all have their own little importance in this vastness of life.I’m thankful to my Mom for teaching me the importance of these little tiny moments that have stayed with me till today.I also believe that food plays such an important role in all this.Mom’s cooking has always been amazing and even though I try to recreate her recipes in my own kitchen, they always lack the same depth of flavor.Maybe its just her love that makes foods taste so good!

Semolina Balls 1

As a Mom to two kids myself, I can see my kids’ memories shaping up around food too.We spend a fair amount of time in the kitchen during the weekends where they like to step in and help me in whatever I do and I love to surprise them by making their favorite foods and see their happy faces light up!These Semolina Balls were quite the surprise since I don’t make Indian Desserts that often and I know they’re not going to last long!

Semolina Balls 5

The use of coconut oil is what’s unique about this recipe and I can’t seem to get enough of it lately!Traditionally you would use Ghee to make any Indian Dessert, but if you’re using Coconut the use of Coconut Oil makes sense.

Soft,moist and delicious these Laddoos are healthier and a perfect dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth!I love the crunch from the almonds and the toasted coconut along with the nutty semolina and I think this would make any Mom happy 🙂

Semolina Balls (Suji Laddoo)

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Ingredients
  

  • Fine Semolina-1 1/2 cups
  • Sliced Almonds-2 tbsp
  • Shredded Coconut-3 tbsp
  • Coconut Oil-3 tbsp
  • Crushed Cardamom-1 tsp
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk-1 cup
  • Water-1/2 cup or more if required

Instructions
 

  • In a pan heat the Coconut Oil and saute the almonds until slightly golden.Keep aside.
  • In the same pan add the shredded coconut and toast until slightly golden.Keep aside.
  • Add the semolina and saute on medium heat until slightly golden and a nice aroma develops.Keep stirring constantly to avoid burning at the bottom.
  • Mix the almonds and the coconut into the semolina.
  • Transfer into a mixing bowl and add the condensed milk.Mix together and check for sweetness.Add the water while still warm and start shaping the mixture into small balls.
  • Cool and store in airtight container.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful Moms out there!Our Mother’s Day event is organized by the lovely Heather from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks and you’ve got to see the wonderful menu we have!

Mother’s Day Brunch:

Mother’s Day Entrees:

Mother’s Day Sides:

Mother’s Day Desserts and Drinks:

Don’t forget to join the #SundaySupper chat on Twitter today to celebrate Mother’s Day! We’ll tweet throughout the day and share our delicious recipes. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more delicious recipes and food photos.

Do you have your ticket to the Food and Wine Conference yet? If not, there will be a special $100 discount available tonight only on the full conference pass if you participate in the #SundaySupper twitter chat from 7 to 8pm Eastern Time, and purchase your ticket during the chat. The discount code is: SundaySupper.  We hope to see you there!

 

Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)

23 | 03 | 2013
By Soni Sinha

Today’s recipe is a traditional Indian Dessert often served during special occasions and festivals and talking of festivals the Indian Festival of Colors called ‘Holi’ is round the corner and is celebrated in India with lot of warmth,love and happiness.People visit each other’s houses to play Holi and enjoy the sweet treats. Its quite messy but quite fun and I have fond memories of fun filled Holi with my family and friends where we smeared colors all over each other and enjoyed all the delicious foods!

kheer

In my family food always took center-stage and the menu was planned weeks in advance.The preparation started a day early with the sweets first and every course had to have different varieties.So the appetizers typically would be Tikkis or Chaat, Dahi-wada,Shami Kebabs followed by the main course consisting of Pulao,Mutton,Stuffed Poori (fried fluffed breads),Aloo Gobhi and Aloo Baingan Saag (Potato,eggplant and spinach) followed by the Dessert round that consisted of Malpua, Gujia and this Kheer (Rice Pudding)!

kheer2

Festivals are one occasion when I indulge without holding back!We’re all allowed to indulge once in a while, aren’t we? :)This creamy, rich, decadent rice pudding uses only five ingredients but tastes absolutely amazing!!Its the perfect dessert to enjoy warm or chilled depending on the weather!Indian Rice Puddings do not have eggs or vanilla in them instead Cardamom and nuts are used to add flavor and texture.I’ve used slivered almonds but you could use cashews or pistachios or any other combination of nuts that you prefer.Its perfectly sweet, smooth and luscious!

Wishing you all a Happy Holi or as they in India HOLI HAI 🙂

kheer1

Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • Raw Basmati Rice or any-1 cup
  • Whole Milk-3 cups
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk-1/3 cup
  • Cardamom crushed-1 tsp
  • Slivered Almonds-2-3 tbsp

Instructions
 

  • Wash the rice.Heat milk and rice together and bring to a boil.Lower the heat, cover and cook until rice is fully cooked (about 15 mins) stirring every now and then.
  • Lower the heat and add the condensed milk and mix evenly until all creamy.Adjust according to your taste.Add more if required.
  • Add the cardamom.Turn off the heat.Garnish with slivered almonds.
  • Seve warm or chilled!

 

 

Easy Chocolate Chilli Fudge~5 Ingredients or Less #SundaySupper

30 | 09 | 2012
By Soni Sinha

You look to create complex dishes all the time, but sometimes its the simplest of things that surprise you!Simple pleasures that require no extra effort and yet bring you this immense joy.Joy in the form of a chocolatey delight that only takes 5 ingredients to make!Its soft, moist, chewy and decadent!This week our #SundaySupper group is contributing recipes featuring Dishes with 5 Ingredients or Less hosted by the lovely Amber Poole!
fudge1

For somebody who’s not much of a baker, this is my ideal kind of dessert, since it requires no baking and tastes delicious!This fudge is the easiest treat you could ask for with no effort and it comes out perfect every single time.Its a perfect treat for those night time cravings that creep-up after you had your dinner and the kids are tucked in bed!A perfect little bite of soft indulgence that melts in your mouth.

fudge

Once the mixture is in the baking pan, you should leave it for at least 2 hours, but my kids were not patient enough and forced me to take it out earlier.As a result they don’t look perfect, but believe me if you leave it for the stipulated time, it will set properly and come out better looking 🙂 The chilli in this fudge gives just the right amount of heat in the background without disturbing the balance of flavors.Easy, rich, foolproof chocolatey treat for your sweet cravings~

Easy Chocolate Chilli Fudge

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Ingredients
  

  • Semi Sweet Chocolate chips-12 oz packet
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk-14 oz can
  • Chilli Powder-1 tsp
  • Vanilla Extract-1 tsp
  • Butter-2 tbsp

Instructions
 

  • Line an 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.In a saucepan on low heat mix all the ingredients and cook until well combined and smooth.
  • Pour into the prepared baking pan. Refrigerate for about 2 hours or until firm.Turn it upside down on a plate and peel off the parchment paper. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Here’s a sneak peak at what everyone is bringing to our #SundaySupper table. Be sure to stay after dinner at 7pm EST as we share our recipes during our #SundaySupper live chat!

Breakfast, Starters, Butters and Jams:
Main Dishes:
Desserts:
Beverages: