Narkol er nadu (coconut laddu)

Yet again my exams are knocking at my door. My evil heart wants to sit and write long blogs but my rational mind stops it and makes me sit and study. There are thoughts and stories coming into shape which I want to pen down but time restricts me. Why is it always when I have exams or loads of assignments or Thesis work, do these line of thoughts crop into my mind? And when I am completely free (idling like a crocodile basking in the sun) I dont feel like writing.
Those who know me , know how I love to devour sweets. Ah , this is one thing of which I never get bored. As a kid , I used to sneak a chocolate or a bit of jaggery (the typical bengali patali or khejur aka gur from date). And so smart of me, I use to neatly smear the tiny teeth marks on the jaggery or choco. On being interrogated by Ma, the poor household ant was blamed. Of-course Ma knew who was the ant of the house. My craving for sweets is insatiable. During my trip to home my Ma prepares the best of desserts. My Baba gets all possible bengali sweets. With marriage there's a double bonus from my Ma-in law as well. Back at US I keep bullying the poor husband for sweets, and he keeps getting chocos and icecreams and cakes for me. But as age is creeping , I try resisting myself from these very very fatty desserts.

Narkol er nadu or coconut laddu is one typical dessert which every bengali loves. Once upon a time, when there ware no microwaves, and no grated coconut readily available , preparing this delicacy was a big project. But thankfully with micro, this is the easiest dessert I have ever made. Very little time and effort consuming , the net outcome is superb. My hubby loves to creep and finish the laddus and I simply love it when he does that.
The recipe goes like this:
All you need: A packet of frozen grated cocunut. A tin of milkmaid. Sugar to taste
Take the grated coconut in a microwave-able bowl. Microwave on high for 3 mins. Stir . Microwave again for 2-3 minutes. Now add condensed milk. For a packet of coconut I add half tin condensed milk. Stir well. Now microwave for 8 minutes stirring after every 2 minutes. You can add a little milk as well. Now add litlle sugar as per taste. Again microwave for 4 minutes stirring every minute. The color should change a little to brown. Also the mixture would now start releasing oil. Keep it for a few minutes but do not let it cool completely. Make laddus and enjoy.

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Caramel Pudding

What do you call a person who hates milk? Well whatever it is called , my dear hubby is one such person. I have to trick him constantly with milk recipes. Someday I prepare a shake the other day I end up making kheer (although I do not know how healthy it is). So now a days I very frequently make the dessert of Caramel Pudding which seems to be a healthy alternative.
All you need is:
2 eggs, 2 cups milk, a slice or two of white bread, 1-2 drops of Vanilla essence , 2 - 3 tablespoon sugar for pudding , 2 tablespoon sugar for caramel
For pudding:
Bring the milk to boil. Add sugar.Keep it on low flame for sometime stirring frequently so that the milk reduces in volume, the denser the milk the tastier is the pudding (but if are on diet just boil the milk , do not reduce). Allow the milk to cool. Once cool, beat the eggs , add the bread slices (diet freaks please use wheat bread) , a drop of vanilla essence and churn in the mixture twice. The bread gives a wonderful texture to the pudding.
For the caramel:
Melt sugar on low heat, I usually add some drops of water to make it manageable. Once the sugar turns deep brown remove from heat and pour in a mould or container (the one in which you will make the pudding)
Now pour the pudding mixture in this caramel coated container. Steam for 30-45 minutes on low flame. Insert a fork and check if pudding is set. Cool the pudding. Once cool place a plate on the mouth of the container and turn over and low you have the delicious pudding ready.

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Bhapa doi.. (Yogurt pudding)

This recipe is again from my Ma's kitchen. She says she had read it on the can of a condensed milk. A very quick and simple recipe for people like me who have a sweet tooth.

You need to have:

A can of condensed milk, A container (around 500 gms) of plain yogurt. 1-2 cardamom pods

Desired:

pistachios (pista) , almonds , raisins

To do:

Hung the curd in muslin cloth for 10-15 mins. Now add condensed milk , a pinch of cardamom powder and whisk till completely blended. Add cut almonds pista. Ma adds a little of rose water and a drop of pink food coloring. This gives a beautiful look and fragrance. Steam it in a steamer or cooker for 15-20 mins( like we steam dhoklas). This can be baked in an oven as well at 350 degree F for 30 mins(but I have never tried it really). Check it by inserting a fork. Once done, cool it in fridge for 2-3 hrs. And your bhapa doi aka Yogurt pudding is ready.

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