Soni's Food

Indian Inspiration!

Pumpkin Pie Truffles

22 | 11 | 2016
By Soni Sinha

Truffles are one of my all time favorite desserts.Bite-sized perfect little decadent bites in a myriad of luscious flavors.They’re also great as home-made gifts for the holiday season.I love bite-sized desserts because they’re just enough-to tantalize your taste buds,to be passed around with ease, to make a mark.pumpkin-pie-truffles-5And, you can never get enough of them, so make a big batch!ALWAYS!
This Thanksgiving make these dainty little Pumpkin Pie Truffles that capture the flavors of the season and are a breeze to put together. I absolutely love them and they’ve been a big hit with the crowd, young and old.If you’re a pumpkin dessert lover then this dessert will blow you away.The flavor, the aroma, the rich filling, the decadent chocolate coating, its truly a dessert for special occasions.

pumpkin-pie-truffles

All it requires,is mixing all the ingredients and some chill time in the fridge for it to set.The filling is super easy and it’s a great make ahead dessert that actually tastes better a couple of days later since the flavors get a chance to amalgamate.You can garnish these beauties with some cinnamon sugar or a drizzle of melted semi-sweet or dark chocolate.I’ve kept it simple here (tried to get the swirl effect with my fingers). A sinfully delicious Fall Dessert.Enjoy!

pumpkin-pie-truffles

Pumpkin Pie Truffles-makes around 35 truffles

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Ingredients
  

  • 2 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened to room temperature.
  • 2 Tablespoons confectioners' sugar.
  • ⅓ cup pumpkin puree.
  • 1 and 3/4 cups digestive biscuits Goya or McVites or graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 4 ounces white chocolate coarsely chopped and melted

Coating

  • 12 ounces White Chocolate coarsely chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl beat cream cheese and confectioners sugar using the paddle attachment of your stand mixer or hand mixer until smooth.
  • Add the pumpkin and mix well.Follow with the biscuits,pumpkin pie spice,cinnamon,and vanilla.
  • Melt 4 ounces of white chocolate in a double boiler on the stove top and add into the mixture and mix until all combined.
  • Place the mixture in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.
  • After 2 hours grease your hands with a little melted butter and start rolling the mixture into even sized balls.Once done place it back in the fridge for an hour.
  • Melt 12 ounces of white chocolate in a double boiler until smooth.Let it cool for about 5 minutes.
  • Place a large parchment paper on a baking tray.Roll the balls into the melted chocolate and arrange on the parchment paper.
  • Carefully lift the tray and place in the fridge to set for a few hours for the truffles to completely set.

Recipe Adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction.

Deiss® ART 5-piece Nylon Utensil Set #Review and #Giveaway

16 | 11 | 2016
By Soni Sinha


My old wooden utensils have seen better days and as I was thinking of replacing them with new ones, Deiss Kitchenware sent me this gorgeous Nylon Utensil set that’s brightened up my kitchen and makes cooking even more fun! I love their products such as this Citrus Zester/Cheese grater that I use everyday! Their products are high quality with a vibrant color and modern design. They’ve become my new favorite these days. What can I say, there are some definite perks to blogging. 🙂 Thankyou Deiss!

Deiss® ART 5-piece Nylon Utensil Set contains:

*Soup Ladle

*Slotted Turner

*Spaghetti Server

*Serving Spoon

*Slotted Serving Spoon

deiss-art-5-piece-nylon-utensil-set-

The beauty of this product is that it’s:

*Made from BPA-free nylon that contains no toxins and is safe for cooking.

*NON-STICK and ODOR-RESISTANT- Deiss nylon utensils withstand up to 480° F and are non-stick, so they won’t scratch your non-stick cookware. They’re easily cleaned (only hand wash), and don’t stain or accumulate odors unlike old plastic or bamboo kitchen accessories.

*ERGONOMIC DESIGN – Their specially designed non-slip rubber handle provides a comfortable grip even, when it’s wet. Long handles and oversized heads won’t let you get dirty while mixing, flipping, scraping and baking. Love it!

*LIFETIME WARRANTY- Deiss Kitchenware provides a lifetime warranty on all their products.

I can finally replace my old utensils and enjoy these beauties!They’re great as holiday gifts and your family/friends will love using them in their kitchen!

Deiss is also offering my readers a 30% discount on Amazon using code 05020ERS that expires on Jan 1st..

For more information on their amazing products visit their website.

Disclaimer- I received a Deiss® ART 5-piece Nylon Utensil Set from Deiss Kitchenware and all opinions are my own.

 

 

Easy Coconut Cardamom Balls (Coconut Laddoo) for #Diwali

27 | 10 | 2016
By Soni Sinha

This Diwali is going to be special since I’ll be spending it with my Mom in India and I’m so looking forward to my trip! This will be my first Diwali in India in sixteen years and I cannot wait to see my family back home. Festivals are indeed the best times to visit India when you can witness the celebrations first hand and taste all the wonderful foods (sweet and savory) that you can only dream of when you’re abroad 🙂 .

coconut balls (laddoo)

Diwali is one of the biggest festivals of the year and we celebrate by lighting up our entire home inside and out with beautiful lights, diyas (earthen lamps) and decorate the entrance to our homes with Rangoli ( colorful artwork on the floor using materials such as colored rice, dry flour, colored sand or flower petals) to welcome Goddess Lakshmi (god of wealth and fortune). Elaborate menu consisting of mouth-watering appetizers, entrée and desserts are planned weeks in advance for Diwali and there’s no end to shopping (clothes,jewelry,gfts etc!). People exchange gifts and sweets. It’s a time for joyous celebrations throughout the community.

coconut-laddoo-2

If you’re lost for ideas for a good Diwali dessert, then I might have just the recipe for you that takes 15 mins to prepare! Its an easy 4 ingredient coconut laddoo (balls) recipe that I’m sure you must have had countless times growing-up. My recipe uses condensed milk that saves time and effort and is absolutely delicious. I’ve used frozen shredded coconut (available at Indian grocers) but unsweetened desiccated coconut will also work just fine. All you have to do is cook the coconut along with the condensed milk until all the moisture dries up and the mixture starts collecting together into a mass. Just add some crushed cardamom and shape them into round balls (laddoos). Roll them in desiccated coconut and serve them. They last for a couple of days in the fridge.Each bite of these balls is a sublime amalgamation of sweet and nutty flavors, perfect for Diwali.Enjoy!

happy diwali

 

coconut balls (laddoo)

Easy Coconut Cardamom Balls (Coconut Laddoo) for #Diwali

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Ingredients
  

  • Makes about 25-30 laddoos
  • Frozen shredded coconut or unsweetened desiccated coconut -4 cups
  • Condensed Milk-14 oz
  • Crushed Cardamom-2 tsp
  • Ghee or unsalted butter -1 tbsp
  • Desiccated coconut for rolling

Instructions
 

  • In a skillet pour the condensed milk and coconut and cook on medium heat for about 8-10 minutes stirring constantly.Non stick pan works best since you don't want the mixture to stick to the pan and change color.
  • Cook until the moisture dries up and the mixture starts collecting together.
  • Add the cardamom and mix well.
  • Turn off the heat.
  • Grease your palm with a little ghee/unsalted butter.
  • Take small portions of the mixture and roll them into balls.
  • Roll the ready balls over unsweetend desiccated coconut in a tray.
  • Serve chilled or at room temperature

Hara Bhara Kebab (Indian Spiced Potato Cakes with Spinach and Peas)

23 | 03 | 2016
By Soni Sinha

Its Holi (Hindu festival of colors) and millions of Indians are celebrating it with food and festivities.India becomes a kaleidoscope of colors on Holi, where people and even the streets are painted with myriad of colors.Everywhere you see, colorful powders in red,pink,greens and yellows are strewn through the air or mixed with water ready to be used on your loved ones and people have so much fun. It’s one of the biggest festivals in India and is known for the one time when ‘bhang’ (cannabis) is consumed openly.It’s used in various delicacies being prepared during Holi and everyone wants a taste!Not to forget all the multifarious foods that’s also a huge part of Holi celebrations, preparations for which starts way before-hand.Elaborate menus are planned for Holi with varieties of appetizers,entrée and desserts serving to every palate.

Hara Bhara Kebab

And while I do not have a bhang recipe to share with you today, these gorgeous Hara Bhara Kebabs are quite the perfect Holi appetizer with their vibrant color derived from the spinach and green peas.The kebabs are then mixed with a combination of aromatic spices and fresh herbs to give a distinctive color and flavor that’s synonymous with a traditional Hara Bhara Kebab.Its one of the most popular Vegetarian appetizers in Indian Restaurants and with this easy recipe you can enjoy them in the confines of your own home!The kebabs can be assembled in advance and can be frozen or chilled until you’re ready to pan fry them for your guests.They come together in no time and couldn’t be any easier.The flavors consist of nutty cumin,coriander and garam masala along with some ginger and fresh herbs like cilantro and mint.

What would I do without mint!I use it in almost anything I cook 🙂
And believe me it works beautifully in these kebabs too!They’re insanely delicious and highly addictive even without the ‘bhang’!Enjoy and HAPPY HOLI!!

Hara Bhara Kebab 2

Hara Bhara Kebab

Hara Bhara Kebab (Indian Spiced Potato Cakes with Spinach and Peas)

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Ingredients
  

  • 3 medium size boiled potatoes
  • 2 tsp chopped ginger
  • 1 tbsp chopped green chillies
  • 1 cup blanched spinach
  • 2 cups boiled green peas microwaved for 2 minutes on high
  • ¾ cup fresh coriander & mint leaves
  • Cornflour-2 tbsp
  • Salt
  • Oil to pan fry

Spice Mix

  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 dry red chili
  • 1 tbs coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp chat masala
  • 1 tsp garam masala

Instructions
 

  • Boil the potatoes, allow them to cool and then peel and mash.
  • Blanch spinach leaves in boiling water, then put immediately in cold water (to retain fresh green color) and squeeze out excess water.
  • Dry roast the spice mix ingredients in a pan for a few mins until fragrant.Once done allow to cool and grind to a powder.
  • In the same pan add 2 tbsp of oil and ginger. Saute for a minute and add the green peas.
  • Cook for a couple of minutes.
  • Transfer the peas and spinach into a food processor and make a paste along with cilantro and mint.
  • Add this to the mashed potato along with the spice mix and cornflour.Check the seasonings.
  • Divide the mixture into equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball and then press it between your palms to give it a flat shape.
  • Heat a pan and drizzle some oil. Cook the kababs on both sides to golden and crisp outside on medium heat.
  • Repeat the same with the remaining mixture.Serve with your favorite chutney or sauce.

 

Individual Strawberry Trifle

18 | 12 | 2015
By Soni Sinha

Holidays are the time to indulge in delectable desserts like the one I have for you today.

If you’re looking for an easy dessert that would undoubtedly be the star of the evening, then this one is for you.

If you’re looking for last minute dessert ideas, then this for is for you.

If you’re looking for a dessert that can be made a day ahead so as to save you time and effort on the day itself, then this one is for you.

If you love cake and custard and cream, then this one is for you.

If you’re looking for a kid pleasing dessert, then this one is for you.

Individual Strawberry Trifle

Trifle is my all time favorite dessert and I love making it during the holidays.The layers of cake,custard and cream is magical and the rave reviews you get for a dessert as easy as this makes it all the more worthwhile.I love strawberries in my trifle but you could use any fruit that works for you.I’ve made these in individual portions but you could use a big trifle dish too.I just find the individual portions cute during the holidays.

Individual Strawberry Trifle 3

You could make the cake from scratch but I’ve used a regular store-bought pound cake and pudding mix.Makes the process even quicker.The beauty of layered desserts is that you can involve your kids and its a fun way to get them into the kitchen during the holidays!My kids layered this one for me 🙂 This is one dessert that’s going to disappear quickly so be sure to make some extra servings.

Happy Holidays!Enjoy.

Individual Strawberry Trifle

Individual Strawberry Trifle

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Ingredients
  

  • 1 package vanilla instant pudding
  • 1 package pound cake cut into cubes
  • 1 package fresh strawberries halved
  • 1 container frozen whipped topping thawed

Instructions
 

  • Prepare pudding according to directions on package.
  • Let pudding stand a few minutes to set.
  • In your mini dishes, layer some of the cake pieces,top with some strawberries,then some the pudding,more strawberries,some of the whipped topping and repeat.
  • Repeat layers with the remaining ingredients.
  • Cover and store in the the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.