Anshu's Food Odyssey

Besan ke Laddoo is one of the quintessential Diwali sweets or mithai recipes  definitely made at our home. Though, these laddoos are made in different styles, sometimes adding sooji and nuts to them, however, the way I like them the best is how the halwais make them - perfect daanedaar made with just three ingredients - besan, ghee and sugar. And trust me, they are an absolute delight, which instantly transport you to a food heaven. So, if you too are a lover of those perfect halwai style daanedaar besan ke laddoo , then this recipe is just for your sorts. Do try them out and I assure, you're gonna love them. Just a few tips before you jump on to the recipe, make sure you use the mota besan aka the coarsely ground gram flour. Essentially, the mota besan is the key to getting that daanedaar texture. Next, never go for the powdered sugar in these laddoos. Always use the boora shakkar/ sugar. And lastly, just when the besan is nicely roasted, sprinkle a few drops of water and stir...

Mathri , also called as Matthi , is bay far one of the most famous and delightful tea time snacks loved by people of all age groups, especially in northern parts of India. Super crisp and flaky or as well we call it khasta , it is one of the must-make recipes at our home during the festive season. While normally, it comes in a circular shape, I tried it to give it a little twist this time by shaping it into spirals and flavoring it with whole lots of dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) to lend it that extra zing. If you too are looking to make some interesting savory recipes this Diwali , do try it out. Though a little time consuming, in the end, it is well worth all the effort... Varki Methi Mathri | Spiral Mathri | Layered Crispy Fenugreek Crackers INGREDIENTS All purpose flour/ Maida - 2 cups Softened ghee - 4 tbsp Salt - as per taste Ajwain - 1 tsp Kasuri methi - 5 to 6 tbsp Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp Crushed black pepper - 1/2 to 1 tsp Chaat masala - 1/2 tsp Softe...

Flavored with cardamom, saffron and topped with whole lots of nuts, Mawa Cake is a beautiful take on the traditional Indian mithais. As its the time of festivities; with Raksha Bandhan, Teej and Janmashtmi just around the corner, I wanted to make a typical Indian sweet or a dessert however, my heart was stuck on baking a cake....this cake studded with classic desi flavors, therefore, came out to be my ultimate choice. A perfect combination of both the worlds, it is good to celebrate any traditional Indian occasion or even as an everyday bake. What more? it doesn't even require any kind of frosting and can be enjoyed as is with a cup of tea or coffee... YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... Rajasthani Ghevar Mathura ke Pede Gulab Jamun Kesar Kalakand Cardamom & Saffron Spiced Eggless Mawa Cake INGREDIENTS APF/ Maida - 1 and 1/2 cups Super fine granulated Sugar - 1 and 1/4 cups Crumbled Khoya/ Mawa/ Milk solids - 100 grams  Olive oil - 1/2 cup Whisked curd - 1/2 cup Milk - 1/4 cup...

The holy month of Shravan or Sawan is here; dedicated to Hindu God, Lord Shiva, the month is considered extremely auspicious and brings with it, lots of festivities and religious events to celebrate. Teej, Nag Panchami, Raksha Bandhan, Krishna Janmashtmi and Maha Shivratri are some of the popular festivals that are celebrated during this holy month.  Not to mention, for us Indians, festivals and celebrations stand synonymous to different kinds of traditional sweets and mithais...and amongst all, the Rajasthani Ghevar is something without which, sawan celebrations are incomplete. Resembling a honey comb texture, Ghevar is made using a thin batter of flour, milk and ghee. Having said that, making it is nothing less than an art and requires some sort of skill and practice at first. But, once you are there, it would just seem so easy. The beautiful mithai is enjoyed by dipping it in some sugar syrup first and then topping it with lots of khoya or milk solids, which makes it extrem...

Season of festivities is just around the corner. Raksha Bandhan , Krishna Janmashtami , Ganesh Chaturthi , Navratri and then Diwali ....need not say, the second half of the year is always so full of fun, frolic and excitement. Though the pandemic has been a show spoiler, but, we can always keep our spirits high and give a kick start to the celebrations by making some delicious, hygienic and preservative free mithais at home. So, here is my first mithai of the season - Kesar Sandesh Barfi - super yum and melt-in-mouth....if you too are looking to celebrate the festivals with some home made sweets, this is one easy recipe, super yummy and a must try.... YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... Bengali Sponge Rasgulla Chocolate Malai Peda Kesar Kalakand Gujarati Sweet Sata Kesar Ras Malai Gurudwara Kada Prashad Kesar Sandesh Barfi INGREDIENTS Full fat milk - 1 liter Juice of 1 lemon Super fine sugar - 3 to 4 tbsp Milk powder - 2 tbsp  Few strands of saffron soaked in 1 tbsp of warm milk ...

Loaded with a tantalizing dry moong dal filling, these mini samosas are a perfect addition to your festive menu, be it of Diwali, Holi, Eid, Raksha Bandhan or Ganesh Chaturthi. Mini Dry Moong Dal Samosa | Farsaan Samosa Samosas have always been one of my favorite snacks to munch on with a hot cup of chai (tea). While the spicy  aloo samosas  are absolutely delectable, these bite size samosas filled with a spicy and a bit tangy dry lentil filling are also to die for. Additionally, they have a much longer shelf life and stay crisp easily for 15 to 20 days if stored in an air-tight container. Planning any party, get-together or a special event, not to mention, these mini dry moong dal samosas make for a perfect snack to be served to the guests. Without waiting any further, let's begin with the recipe. INGREDIENTS Maida/All Purpose Flour - 1 and 1/2 cups Refined oil - 3 tbsp Salt - 1/2 tsp Ajwain - 1 tsp Water - as needed, aro...

Missing those khasta, crispy and flaky kachoris from your favorite halwai (sweet/snacks) shop during this pandemic crisis? Well, today I am going to share the same very recipe of those lipsmacking Halwai Style Moong Dal Kachoris with all the tips & tricks to make and relish them right in your homes. A popular breakfast recipe from North India , it is best enjoyed with a spicy and tantalizing aloo sabzi. On my blog are some delicious aloo sabzi recipes; two of the most viewed include the very famous " MATHURA KE DUBKI WALE ALOO " and the other " HALWAI STYLE HING JEERA ALOO KI SABZI ". Make any of these and have a lovely breakfast or brunch with your family. Halwai Style Khasta Moong Dal Kachori If you are someone who doesn't know what a kachori is, well, it is a deep fried Indian puffed pastry which is filled with a spicy and lipsmacking filling either of potatoes, onions, peas or lentils. The ones I have shared is the most com...

Diwali is fast approaching. Here's a list of most sought after Diwali recipes from my blog. Click on the image to redirect to the detailed post. CHAWAL KI KHEER CHIROTE BHAKARWADI KHOYA PANEER GULAB JAMUN BASUNDI PETHEY KA HALWA CHOCOLATE MALAI PEDA GUJARATI SATA NAMAK PAAREY ANGOORI GULAB JAMUN