1 -2 -3 Chikki [Peanut Candies]

I have sweet tooth and often get the urge to eat something sweet. Whenever, I do not have anything available, I resort to my culinary skills. This chikki recepie is an example.

Ingredients
1. Peanuts [coarsely crushed] 2 cups
2. Jaggery [crushed] - 3/4 cup
3. Ghee [clarified butter] - 4 tsp

Method
1. Dry roast the peanuts
2. Melt jaggery in a thick bottomed pan, till just about brittle. To test, pour a drop of jaggery on a bowl - it should be brittle when cold within few seconds.
3. When melted, turn off the heat and mix the peanuts
4. Immediately transfer the mix on a greased tray and make a 1/2 inch flat layer
5. While still hot, mark square shapes with a sharp knife
6. After about 5 minutes, break into square pieces.
7. Store in closed jar.
Enjoy :)

For Makar Sankranti - A bengali sweet (Pati Shapt)

Sankranti reminds me of two things - "patishapt" and "Til laddu". "Patishapt" is a sweet crepe filled with coconut stuffing. My initial take was that one had to be really a specialist to make good patishapt, something that I definitely was not. And then, I got married and then I came seven seas across and then, I yearned for this and many such traditional dish and then my mom stopped making them back at home, because none of us siblings were with her. And it was then that I decided, I need to try! And I tried.

To my utter dis-belief and my mom's immense pleasure, I can make very decent patishapt. Not like ma, but close :)

Below, I am listing the ingredients and the method. Remember, I usually eyeball the measures. So, keep caution.

Ingredients
For the crepe
1. All Purpose Flour - 4 cups
2. Semolina (Sooji) - 1 cup
3. Milk - 1 Cup
4. Sugar - 2 tsp

For the filling
1. Grated Coconut - 1 cup
2. Milk - 2 cups
3. Sugar - 1/2 cup
4. Crushed Cardamom - 1/4 tsp
5. Raisins
6. Can also use Khoya for richer taste (1/2 cup)

Method
1. Make the batter for the crepe by mixing all the ingredients together. You may like to let it sit for about an hour (i make instant)
2. Make the filling by heating on low heat all the ingredients. Keep stirring and it is done, when all the milk has been absorbed by the coconut and a thick consistency is formed.
3. In a flat pan, grease some oil (or ghee)
4. On low heat, with a deep ladle, pour a dollop of the mix and spread it into a medium circular shape
5. Flip upside down, when lightly brown.
6. Turn back once again and put the filling mixture in one straight line in the center of the crepe.
7. Slowly roll the crepe (like an omellette) and remove from the heat
8. Repeat this for the remaining - till the batter gets over or the filling :)
This is simply delicious ... it looks like a time consuming and a difficult process. But, I made it in less than 30 minutes.*

This one, for the traditions!
* My camera was not ready, so I borrowed this image from a website, which looked very much like the ones that I made.

Jelly Rolls

I had a family visiting with their kids. And I wanted to make something that would be sweet and fun for them. I browsed through the ingredients in my refrigerator and the idea to make this jelly rolls clicked instantly. This is how, I made it ...

Ingredients
1. Any Jam in the refrigerator (I used Stawberry Jam)
2. Shredded Coconut
3. Sugar
4. Spring roll Sheets

Method
1. In a bowl, mix well ingredients from 1 to 3
2. Spread the jelly mix on the spring roll sheets
3. Roll into tight cylinders
4. Arrange in a baking sheet and bake in a pre-heat oven for 10-15 minutes at 350 F
Store in a tight fitted jar. Kids will freak out on this home made jelly rolls.

Sweet Bread Sticks

This is a very interesting snack that you can be added to the party platter. Especially, kids can make this treat themselves ...

Ingredients
White Breads [8-10 slices]
Thickened (condensed) Milk [1 cup]
Sugar [1 tbs]
Grated Coconut [1 cup]

Method
1. Cut the dark sides of the breads
2. Cut the bread slices in long vertical strips
3. Dip each stick into the sweetened milk
4. Dress them with the grated coconut
5. Arrange them in a lightly greased baking pan
6. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 F for 10 minutes, or until the breads turn slightly brown
This is a sweet and crunchy finger food, extremely easy to make and can be enjoyed at any time.