Rich Rum Fruit Cake

I wanted to try a different fruit cake this Christmas and hence was looking for the perfect recipe. Finally, while browsing through various interesting blogs on the internet, I came across this particular recipe which really caught my attention. I wanted to give it a try. I must say that I have found the perfect Christmas fruit cake which is so moist and delicious.

Here is the link to this recipe http://www.ecurry.com/blog/desserts/rich-rum-fruit-cake-for-a-very-merry-christmas/

I am sure you all are going to enjoy this Rich Rum Fruit Cake as much as I do.

Rose Cookies

The holiday season is on and soon it is going to be Christmas. Love this season, especially here in Canada. It is so beautiful to see the houses and malls decorated and also the experience of a white Christmas. Simply amazing!!! This year I decided to start my Christmas sweets by making rose cookies first. This is something that I have tried for the first time. I remember my mom making this for us every Christmas and they were so delicious and crispy that most of it was over the minute she made it :)

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Makes: Approx. 50-60 rose cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 kg all purpose flour (sieve and keep it aside)

1 tin of coconut milk

3 eggs (beaten well)

350 gms of finely powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

1/2 tsp cardamom powder

1/2 tsp nutmeg powder

a pinch of salt

oil for deep frying

Method:

• Mix the coconut milk and the sugar together in a bowl. Make sure that the sugar has dissolved well in the coconut milk.
• To this add the beaten eggs and mix well.
• Then, add the salt, vanilla essence, cardamom powder and nutmeg powder
• Finally, add the all purpose flour little by little, thereby mixing the batter well with the spoon in order to ensure that no lumps are formed
• The consistency of the batter should be neither too thick or too thin. If you find it too thick, you can adjust the batter by adding a little water to it.
• Heat oil in a deep bottomed pan and while doing that, insert the rose cookie form (easily available in the specialty stores) in the oil and let it heat simultaneously.
• When the oil and the form is hot enough, take the form out from the oil and dip 3/4th of the form in the batter and quickly dip it in the hot oil moving it slightly. You will see the batter leaving the form.
• Repeat the procedure again quickly and fry them for 3-4 seconds on either side and take them out and drain the oil from the rose cookies.
• Always make sure that the form is hot enough before dipping it into the batter, else it won't hold the batter.
• Crispy rose cookies are ready to eat.
• Store them in an airtight container.

Spirit of Christmas

I simply love the Christmas season. It is so much fun. I wait all year long for this day. It brings back so many good memories. Midnight mass, dressing up, decorating our houses, having some kuswar and wine after mass.

I used to love watching my mom make the traditional kuswar or christmas sweets. She used to start making these sweets every year from the 15th dec. Me alongwith my sisters used to help her make these sweets. They were so yummy and delicous that half the sweets were over while they were being made :)

Although I loved eating them, I always wanted to make something different than the traditonal kuswar. I didn't want to spend a lot of time making them but at the same time I didn't want to compromise on the taste.

This year being in Canada, I got to experience a white Christmas and in order to enjoy the season better I tried making some sweets of my own. My little daughter Emily is 2 years old and loves eating sweets. So for her sake I made some yummy sweets this year.

Also one of our family friends invited us to her place for Christmas and I took some of these home made sweets for her party and she was so happy because she never makes sweets for Christmas. Everyone at the party just relished them.

So I thought of sharing these easy to make Christmas sweets recipes with all of you so that everyone of you can try making them and enjoying them as a family.

Milk Cream

Milk Cream is a typical East-Indian delicacy prepared from powdered cashewnuts which simply melts in the mouth

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 litre milk

450 gms sugar

100 gms ground cashew nuts

1 tbsp butter

Method:

• Boil the milk until its half the quantity on a slow fire
• Add sugar and stir continuously till the mixture thickens
• Once all the sugar has dissolved and the consistency is thick, add the ground cashew nut powder.
• When you see the bubbles at the edge of the vessel, its nearly ready, you will need to take it out.
• You can then cool the mixture for about 10 minutes
• You will need to butter the mould and mould it.
• Once all the milk cream is moulded, you will need to keep it for drying overnight.
• The next day store them in an airtight container.
• Milk cream is very yummy and it will melt in your mouth.

Almond Marzipans

Marzipans is a delicacy made of sweet almond paste, eggs and sugar and look amazing when moulded into various decorative shapes.

Preparation : 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

250 gms almonds soaked overnight

2 egg whites

1 pinch of red food colour

5 drops of rose essence or rose water

450 gms of powdered sugar

Method:

• Remove the skins of the soaked almonds and then mince and grind the almonds with a little rose water.
• Beat the egg whites stiff.
• Put the ground almonds, sugar and egg whites into a steel or copper vessel
• Add a little rose water and cook over slow fire till the mixture leaves the side of the vessel.
• Remove from fire and cool for about 10 minutes
• Divide the mixture into different portions and convert them into any shape as desired as per the moulds
• Beat the moulds on the reverse side, and the pieces will fall out.

Mini Walnut Cups

Being in Canada, I took the opportunity to visit my sister in the US. While my daughter enjoyed playing with her cousins, I enjoyed learning new recipes from my brother-in-law who loves to bake. He taught me to make these walnut cupcakes and after a lot of trial and error, I have finally managed to make these cute cups. So, this recipe is a re-creation and is dedicated to my loving brother-in-law.

These walnut cups look so cute and taste equally divine. An all time favorite with kids.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

1-3 oz cream cheese softened

1 stick butter softened

1 cup flour

For the filling:

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 egg

1 cup walnuts chopped roughly.

Method:

• Mix all the ingredients for the crust mixture into a soft ball and divide them into 24 small balls.
• With the help of fingers, press each ball down o the bottom and around the edges of the mini muffin tray and keep aside
• Cream brown sugar, vanilla essence and eggs and keep aside.
• To it add, walnuts and mix thoroughly with the help of a spoon.
• Drop about a tsp of the filling in each of the mini muffin cups.
• Bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degree F.
• Wait till it is cooled and then store in zip log bags or airtight containers.

Biscottis

This is an Italian pastry which serves as a perfect tea time snack as well as a christmas delicacy.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time : 1 hour.

Ingredients:

1/4 stick unsalted butter

1 cup almonds toasted @ 350 degree F for 8-10 minutes

1 tsp lemon zest

11/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 cups all purpose flour

3/4th cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 tsp anise extract or anise seeds

Parchment paper and baking sheets

Method:

• Beat the eggs and the extract and set aside
• Combine flour, baking powder and sugar for 30 seconds
• Gradually add the egg mixture and beat until a dough forms.
• Add almonds about halfway through on a lightly floured surface.
• Roll 1/2 of the dough into a log about 10" * 2".
• Place it on a baking sheet about 3" apart.
• Bake for about 40 minutes @ 300 degrees F.
• Remove and cool for about 10 minutes
• Cut into 1/2" slices on a diagnol
• Bake for 10 minutes on each side
• Cool and store in an airtight container.

Coconut Cake

Coconut Cake is so creamy and delicious that everyone has to try it atleast once.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time : 50 minutes

Ingredients:

100 gms dessicated coconut

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1 cup semolina or rawa

3 eggs

100 gms butter

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla essence

Method :

• Dissolve 1 cup sugar in 1 cup water on a medium flame.
• When the sugar is totally dissolved, add the dessicated coconut.
• Keep it on a low flame and let it cook a little (till you see it bubbling).
• Then add the semolina and butter and mix well.
• Again cook for about 5 minutes and then let the mixture cool completely.
• Beat 3 eggs and add them to the mixture. Also add baking powder and vanilla essence.
• Grease a baking dish and the pour the mixture into it.
• Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degree F.

Christmas Fruit Cake

This rich fruity cake is so moist and delicous that you will taste brandy or rum in every single bite.

Preparation Time: 15-20 minutes

Cooking Time : 1 hour

Ingredients:

500 gms maida

300 gms powdered brown sugar

1/4th bottle of rum or brandy

600 gms mixed dry fruits chopped finely (Raisins, Dates, Nuts - Cashew nuts, almonds, walnuts, ginger peel, orange peel and tutti fruiti)

6 eggs

Pinch of all spice pwder

250 gms butter

1 tsp caraway seeds

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 tsp soda bicarb

1 tsp vinegar

Method:

• Soak the ginger and orange peel and tutti fruiti in rum or brandy for atleast one month.
• Before making the cake, remove the soaked fruits from the alcohol and roll them in some flour and keep aside alongwith the remaining dry fruits which were not soaked.
• Sieve flour, baking powder, caraway seeds, soda bicarb and all spice together.
• Cream butter and castor sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add vanilla essence, vinegar and beaten eggs gradually and mix well.
• Add the flour and the dry fruits into the creamed mixture and fold carefully.
• Pour into a greased dish and bake.

Diamond Cuts ( Sweet)

A typical mangalorean delicacy made of all purpose flour and ghee.

Preparation Time: 40 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 kg maida

1 cup dalda vanaspati / ghee

1 1/2 cup sugar

Method :

• Sieve the maida and keep aside.
• Heat the ghee and cool it till lukewarm.
• Knead the maida with some lukewarm water and a small pinch of salt. Add ghee midway and knead till firm.
• Then roll out into chappatis as much thin as possible. Then dry these chappatis under the fan on both sides.
• When dry cut into diamond shapes.
• Heat oil well and deep fry till golden brown.

For the syrup :

• Heat 1 1/2 cup of sugar & 1/4 cup of water till the mixture becomes wiry i.e. when you turn the spoon, it shouldn't fall off.
• Add the sugar syrup to the diamond cuts and mix with a flat ladle.

Diamond Cuts (Spicy or Tikka)

A typical mangalorean savoury delicacy with a tinge of spice in every bite

Preparation Time: 40 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients :

1 kg maida or all purpose flour

100 gms green chillies

1 tbsp coarse salt

1 tsp hing or asafoetida

1 cup of dalda vanaspati / ghee

Method:

• Grind the green chillies along with the salt and hing to a paste.
• Sieve the maida.
• Heat the ghee and cool it till lukewarm.
• Knead maida with the green chilli paste and some lukewarm water. Then midway add the ghee.
• Knead till the dough is very firm.
• Then roll out into chappatis as much thin as possible.
• Then allow them to dry under the fan on both sides
• When dry cut into diamond shapes.
• Heat oil in a deep bottomed vessel, and deep fry till golden brown.
• Spicy diamond cuts are ready to eat.

Jujebs

This gelatin based delicacy is an all time favorite with kids. These simply juggle in the mouth and are fun to eat.

Preparation Time: 1 hour

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients :

Gelatin (50 gms) - 1 packet

Sour limes - 4 (1 sour lime = 1 1/2 tbsp juice)

Sugar - 500 gms

Water - 1/2 cup + 1/2 cup cold water

Method :

• Soak the gelatine in 1/2 cup of cold water for 1 hour.
• Extract the juice from the sour limes
• Put the other 1/2 cup of water in a vessel and add the sugar to it. Put it on fire and allow it to boil.
• As soon as the sugar melts, add the soaked gelatine and juice of sour limes to it.
• Cook for 5 minutes (till the gelatine becomes colourless)
• Remove from fire and add colour (Divide it into portion to add different colours)
• Pour in a buttered dish and leave overnight.
• When set turn out, cut into cubes and roll in castor sugar.