Desserts

Chocolate Brownie

This holiday season, let the charm of ๐†๐ฅ๐ž๐ง๐›๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง ๐“๐ž๐š ๐„๐ฌ๐ญ๐š๐ญ๐ž inspire your dessert table with this irresistible ๐‚๐ก๐จ๐œ๐จ๐ฅ๐š๐ญ๐ž ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐ข๐ž!

Rich, fudgy, and loaded with dark chocolate and walnuts, these brownie are the perfect blend of indulgence and comfort. Inspired by the tranquil hills of Glenburn, theyโ€™re best enjoyed with a warm cup of tea or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.

Bake a batch for your festive celebrations and let the flavours of Glenburn add a touch of magic to your holidays.

Sweet, cozy, and unforgettableโ€”just like the season itself!

Course Dessert
Servings 6 โ€“ 8 persons (makes one 8โ€ square tin)
Preparation Time 15 โ€“ 20 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes

Ingredients for the Chocolate Brownies
(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)

Dark Chocolate ย 165 gms
Butter Salted 150 gms
Caster sugar 180 gms
Eggs 3 nos.
Vanilla essence ยฝ tsp
Flour (Maida) 120 gms
Chopped Walnut 75 gms
Cocoa powder 55 gm

Instructions for the Chocolate Brownie

1 Preheat the oven to 150โ„ƒ
2

In a double boiler, melt the butter separately. Now mix the melted chocolate, butter and sugar until well blended.

3

Let it cool and add the eggs and vanilla essence. Mix well.

4

Add the remaining ingredients and bake at 150โ„ƒ for 25-28 minutes.

5

Cool completely and serve with vanilla ice cream

Mains

Lasooni Palak

Craving a taste of the hills? Episode 2 of my Restaurant Special Series is here, inspired by the flavours of Mashobra and the beautiful ๐–๐ข๐ฅ๐๐Ÿ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ๐ž๐ซ ๐‡๐จ๐ญ๐ž๐ฅ. This ๐‹๐š๐ฌ๐จ๐จ๐ง๐ข ๐๐š๐ฅ๐š๐ค is a perfect blend of earthy spinach and bold garlic, cooked into a rich, comforting curry thatโ€™ll make you feel like youโ€™re sitting by a mountain fireplace.

With its vibrant flavours and smooth texture, this dish embodies the essence of mountain cuisineโ€”simple, hearty, and full of soul. The garlic-infused spinach brings a warmth thatโ€™s both earthy and creamy, creating a balanced harmony of flavours thatโ€™s perfect for any cozy meal. Whether you enjoy it with freshly baked naan or fluffy jeera rice, every bite takes you closer to the peaceful, serene vibes of Mashobra. Itโ€™s more than just foodโ€”itโ€™s a taste of the hills in every spoonful!

Course Main
Servings 2 โ€“ 3 persons
Preparation Time 20 minutes
Cook time 20 โ€“ 30 minutes

Ingredients for the Palak Puree
(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)

200 to 250 grams fresh spinach
1 or 2 green chilies, chopped
1 or 2 small to medium garlic cloves, roughly chopped
ยฝ inch ginger, roughly chopped
3 cups water for blanching spinach
3 cups water for ice bath

Ingredients for the Palak Curry
(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)

1 small to medium sized Onion, finely chopped, about 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 small to medium sized Tomato, chopped, about 1/3 cup finely chopped tomatoes
4 to 5 Small to medium garlic clove / lahsun, finely chopped. water
ยฝ tsp Cumin seeds/jeera
ยผ tsp Turmeric powder/haldi
ยฝ tsp Red chili powder
a pinch of Asafoetida/hing
ยผ or ยฝ tsp Garam masala powder
1 small to medium Tej patta/Indian bay leaf
1/3 to ยฝ cup Water or add as required
1 or 2 tbsp Cream
2 tbsp Oil or ghee
1 tsp Kasuri methi leaves/dry fenugreek leaves. Kasuri methi is crushed and added right towards the end, just before adding cream.
Salt As required

Instructions for Making the spinach puree

1

Rinse the palak or spinach leaves very well in running water. Tender stem are fine. If the stems are stringy, then discard the stems.

2

Boil 3 cups water in a pan or microwave or electric heater. Add ยผ tsp salt to the hot water and stir. Then add the palak leaves in the hot water. Close with a lid and let the palak leaves sit in the water for 2-3 minutes.

3

Strain the palak leaves.

4 Immediately add the palak or spinach leaves in a pan or bowl containing ice cold water. This method helps in preserving the green color of the spinach. Just add 8 to 10 ice cubes to 3 cups water to get cold water. Allow the spinach leaves to be in the cold water for a minute or two.
5

Then drain the ice cold water. Add the spinach in a blender or grinder jar with chopped ginger, garlic and green chilies.

6

Make a smooth palak puree. No need to add water while making the puree. Keep the spinach puree aside.

Instructions for Making the palak curry

1

Heat oil or ghee or butter in a pan or Kadhi. If using butter, melt it at low flame making sure that the butter does not brown.

2

Add the cumin and let them splutter.

3

Then add the Tej Patta or bay leaf.

4 Add the finely chopped onions. Sautรฉ till the onions become golden.
5

Then add the finely chopped garlic. Sautรฉ till the raw aroma of garlic goes away. No need to brown the garlic.

6

Add the chopped tomatoes. Stir and sautรฉ the tomatoes till they soften.

7

Once the tomatoes are softened and you see fat releasing from the sides of the mixture, then add the turmeric powder, red chili powder and asafoetida / hing

8

Stir very well.

9

Then add the palak puree.

10

Stir well.

11

Add about 1/3 to ยฝ cup water or as required. Stir again.

12

Simmer for 6-7 minutes or more till the palak or spinach is cooked. Season with salt. The gravy or sauce will also thicken by now.

13

Stir and add garam masala powder.

14

Stir gently and simmer on a low flame

15

Lastly add cream. Stir gently again so that the cream gets incorporated in the palak gravy uniformly. Switch off the flame.

16

Stir and serve the palak hot with some rotis, naan or jeera rice. You can top the palak with some butter or cream also while serving. Also drizzle a few drops of lime or lemon juice on top along with ginger julienne.

Appetizers

Panki

In my Restaurant Special Series, Iโ€™m bringing you the flavours of some of the most iconic restaurants, recreating their signature dishes right in your own kitchen. Today, weโ€™re diving into a beloved classic from ๐’๐ฐ๐š๐ญ๐ข ๐’๐ง๐š๐œ๐ค๐ฌ, the legendary Mumbai eatery known for its authentic Gujarati cuisine and vibrant culinary creations.

One dish that never fails to capture hearts at ๐’๐ฐ๐š๐ญ๐ข ๐’๐ง๐š๐œ๐ค๐ฌ is their ๐๐š๐ง๐ค๐ข โ€”a delicate, flavourful snack made from rice flour and steamed between fragrant banana leaves. The light yet satisfying texture, combined with the perfect blend of spices, makes it an irresistible appetizer. The dish is served with tangy chutney and crispy fried green chilies that add the perfect zing to every bite.

This is more than just a recipe, itโ€™s a way to bring the magic of ๐’๐ฐ๐š๐ญ๐ข ๐’๐ง๐š๐œ๐ค๐ฌ right into your own home, so letโ€™s dive into this delightful creation and experience the taste of Mumbai with every bite!

Course Appetizer
Servings 3 – 4 persons
Preparation Time 10 minutes + 1 hour resting
Cook time 10 minutes

Ingredients for the Panki

1ยฝ cups Rice flour
ยฝ tbsp. Ginger paste
ยฝ tbsp Garlic paste
ยฝ tbsp. Green chili paste
ยฝ tsp Turmeric powder
ยพ cup Sour curd (khatta dahi)
1 tbsp Roasted jeera (cumin seeds)
A Pinch of Hing (asafoetida)
Salt to taste
1 tbsp Eno fruit salt
Oil for cooking
Banana leaves for cooking
Fried green chilies

To serve

Green chutney
Fried green chilies

Instructions for the Panki

1 In a bowl combine the flour, turmeric, curd, green chili paste, ginger paste, garlic paste, cumin seeds, hing and salt. Mix well and add water to make a smooth batter. Let batter rest covered for 1 hour.
2

Mix the batter again and add eno fruit salt.

3

Cut the banana leaves into rectangle or square pieces and apply a little oil to one side of each leaf.

4 Heat the tawa on low flame.
5 Place a piece of banana leaf with the oiled side facing up on the tawa
6 Spread a ladleful of batter evenly over the leave and place another oiled leaf on top of it.
7 Cook panki on low flame, flipping it carefully. (check once it should be a bit set before flipping it over). Cook on both sides, until brown spots appear on the leaves.
8 Serve hot with chutney and green chilies.
Mains

Stuffed Tindas

After the festive indulgence, why not dive into something light yet totally satisfying? ๐’๐ญ๐ฎ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐ž๐ ๐“๐ข๐ง๐๐š๐ฌ are here to rescue your taste buds!

Each bite offers a comforting warmth and gentle spice, giving you that home-cooked love we all crave after a season of treats. These tender stuffed tindas are more than just a mealโ€”theyโ€™re a reset, bringing wholesome comfort with every bite.

Give your palate the love it deserves with this simple yet flavourful treatโ€”light, flavourful, and just the right amount of spice!

Course Main
Servings 2 โ€“ 3 persons
Preparation Time 10 minutes
Cook time 25 โ€“ 30 minutes

Ingredients for the Stuffed Tindas
(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)

ยฝ cup Yellow moong dal
8 โ€“ 10 Tindas
2 tbsp Ghee
1 tbsp Jeera
A pinch Hing
2 Nos Green chilies, finely chopped
1 tbsp Adrak (ginger), minced.
Salt to taste
1 tbsp Mustard seeds
ยฝ tsp Turmeric powder
Curry leaves
1 No. Lemon juice
Coriander leaves, finely chopped for garnish

Instructions for the Stuffed Tindas

1 Wash and soak the moong dal for 1 โ€“ 2 hours. Drain and keep aside.
2

Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a pan. Sautรฉ the hing, jeera, green chilies, ginger and turmeric. Add in the soaked moong dal. Season with salt. Add in a little water and cover and cook the dal until its done. (Do not make it mushy). Add in half of the lemon juice and keep aside.

3

Peel the tindas and scoop out the tindas. Boil the scooped tindas and keep aside to cool.

4 Now, add the yellow dal mixture, 1 tbsp, in each scooped tinda.
5 Now, take remaining 1 tbsp ghee in a pan. Sautรฉ the mustard seeds and curry leaves. Put the tindas in the pan. Drizzle a little water. Cover and cook until soft. Once done, garnish with fresh coriander leaves, season with salt and lemon juice and serve.
Drinks

Liver Detox Tea

After the indulgence of Diwali, your body might need a little help to reset. ๐‹๐ข๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ ๐ƒ๐ž๐ญ๐จ๐ฑ ๐“๐ž๐š is the perfect way to support your liver and cleanse your system. Drink it first thing on an empty stomach for the next 15 days to kickstart your day with a sense of balance and well-being.

Remember, donโ€™t be harsh on yourself after the festivities. This simple step can help you feel lighter and more energized, giving you the gentle boost you need to ease back into your routine.

Course Appetizer
Servings 1 Person
Preparation Time 10 minutes

Ingredients for the Liver Detox Tea
(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)

1 inch Ginger, grated
ยผ tsp Cinnamon powder
ยผ tsp Turmeric powder
Aย  Pinch Of black pepper
1 cup Hot water
1 tsp Apple cider vinegar (mother brand)

Instructions for the Liver Detox Tea

1 Steep the ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and black pepper in hot water for 10 minutes. Strain.
2

Add in 1 tsp apple cider vinegar and stir.

3

Sip this on an empty stomach each morning for 15 days.

Desserts

Baklava Sticks

Get ready to sweeten your Diwali celebrations!

Presenting the delicious ๐๐š๐ค๐ฅ๐š๐ฏ๐š ๐’๐ญ๐ข๐œ๐ค๐ฌ in today’s ๐ƒ๐ข๐ฐ๐š๐ฅ๐ข ๐’๐จ๐ข๐ซรฉ๐ž seriesโ€” the final treat! This beloved dessert, with roots in Turkish cuisine, symbolizes the richness of tradition and togetherness. Layered with flaky phyllo pastry and a blend of nuts, each bite is infused with fragrant rosewater syrupโ€”a perfect harmony of flavours that mirrors the joy of festive gatherings.

As families come together to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, these baklava sticks add a touch of elegance to the festive table. Garnished with dried rose petals and a hint of edible gold, they are not just a treat for the palate but also a feast for the eyes.

I had so much fun creating this Diwali Soirรฉe series, and I hope these exquisite treats inspire you to gather your loved ones and embody the spirit of Diwaliโ€”warmth, love, and the celebration of shared moments. Wishing everyone a very happy Diwali ๐Ÿช”

Course Dessert
Servings 4 persons (6 โ€œ sticks)
Preparation Time 20 minutes
Cook time 40 โ€“ 50 minutes

Ingredients for the Baklava Sticks
(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)

6 sheets Phyllo dough
ยฝ cup Butter melted
1/2 cup Almonds (unsalted)
ยฝ cup Walnuts or pecan nuts
ยฝ cup Shelled pistachios (unsalted)
ยฝ cup Powdered sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon powder

Ingredients for the Syrup
(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)

1 cup Sugar
1 cup Water
2 tbsp Rose water
2 โ€“ 3 Cinnamon sticks
1 No Lemon juice
Dried rose petals to garnish
Edible gold varak for garnish

Instructions for the Baklava Sticks

1

Crush all the 3 nuts into fine pieces using a nut crusher, or blitz them in a food processor for 1 minute. Add in the cinnamon powder and sugar, and mix well. Keep aside.

2

Melt the butter. Now take one phyllo sheet. Brush with melted butter. Sprinkle the nut mixture all over. Now using your fingers, you have to push and slide the dough scrunching it up looking like a Chinese fan shape. Cut them in the middle into two. Finish remaining baklava sticks in the same way. Keep them covered with a muslin cloth as it dries up fast. Brush all over the sticks and on the sides with remaining melted butter.

3

Preheat your oven to 175โ„ƒ. Bake the sticks in a pre-heated oven for 40 minutes. Take it out and let the sticks cool completely.

4 Now prepare the syrup using water, sugar, rose water cinnamon sticks and lemon juice. Let it boil for about 12 minutes. It should not be too tick nor too thin.
5

Now pour the hot syrup over the cooled baklava sticks. This part is very crucial for a crunchy baklava. It is important the sticks are cooled completely. Garnish with dried rose petals and gold varak and serve. This can be kept covered for upto a week.

Desserts

Kaju Katli Truffles

With Diwali just around the corner, the joy of celebration fills the air! This festival of lights brings families together to create cherished memories, illuminate homes with diyas, and indulge in delicious flavours that evoke warmth and happiness.

In this episode of the ๐ƒ๐ข๐ฐ๐š๐ฅ๐ข ๐’๐จ๐ข๐ซรฉ๐ž, classic Kaju Katli gets a delicious twist with ๐Š๐š๐ฃ๐ฎ ๐Š๐š๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข ๐“๐ซ๐ฎ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐ฅ๐ž๐ฌ! Imagine the rich, nutty heart of kaju katli, enveloped in a creamy blend of luscious cream cheese and fragrant elaichi, all cloaked in a velvety layer of dark chocolate. This delightful fusion elevates traditional Indian sweets to a whole new level of indulgence, making it the perfect treat to share with loved ones and enhance your Diwali celebrations.

So gather around, savor the sweetness, and let the festivities shine bright! โœจ

Course Dessert
Servings 6 persons
Preparation Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour

Ingredients for the ๐Š๐š๐ฃ๐ฎ ๐Š๐š๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข ๐“๐ซ๐ฎ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐ฅ๐ž๐ฌ
(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)

250 gms Fresh kaju katli
25 gms Cream cheese (at room temperature)
ยฝ tsp Elaichi powder
100 gms Dark chocolate

Instructions for the ๐Š๐š๐ฃ๐ฎ ๐Š๐š๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข ๐“๐ซ๐ฎ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐ฅ๐ž๐ฌ

1 Mash the kaju katlis using a fork or blitz them in a food processor for 1 minute.
2

Mix the kaju katli crumbs along with the cream cheese and elaichi powder. Shape into small round balls (15 โ€“ 20 grms each) and chill in fridge for 20 โ€“ 30 minutes.

3

Now melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler. Dip the kaju katli balls in the dark chocolate and shake off the excess.

4 Refrigerate again for 15-20 minutes.
5

Kaju katli truffles are now ready to eat. They can be stored in refrigerator for 2 โ€“ 3 days.

Desserts

Coffee Rasgulla Tiramisu

A perfect Diwali dessert does exist!

In todayโ€™s ๐ƒ๐ข๐ฐ๐š๐ฅ๐ข ๐’๐จ๐ข๐ซรฉ๐ž, weโ€™re featuring ๐‚๐จ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐ž๐ž ๐‘๐š๐ฌ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐š ๐“๐ข๐ซ๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฎ, a delightful twist on your favourites.
This fusion brings together the richness of tiramisu and the charm of coffee-soaked rasgullas. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a dash of finesse to make it happen!

Treat your guests to a dessert thatโ€™s as unique as it is deliciousโ€”a perfect way to end the night on a sweet note.
Stay tuned for more one-of-a-kind, delightful recipes to make your Diwali extra special!

Servings 4 persons
Course Dessert
Preparation Time 10 – 15 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour

Ingredients for the Coffee Rasgulla Tiramisu
(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)

12 nos. Rasgullas, store bought
1 cup Mascarpone cheese
1 cup Whipped cream
To taste Powdered sugar
1 – 2 tbsp Kahlua
2 tsp Vanilla essence
2 tbsp Instant coffee powder
1 cup Warm water
Cocoa powder to dust

Instructions for the Coffee Rasgulla Tiramisu
(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)

1. Squeeze out the syrup of the rasgullas.ย  Keep aside.
2. Make a strong coffee concoction with instant coffee powder and hot water.ย  Dip the squeezed rasgullas in this mixture and keep aside.
3. Meanwhile, mix the mascarpone cheese, whipped cream, kahlua and vanilla essence.ย  Taste and add powdered sugar (adjust the sweetness as per your liking).
4. Now pipe the mixture a little in a glass or bowl. Put the coffee dipped Rasgulla 3 pcs on it (squeeze off excess coffee liquid). Top with some mascarpone mixture.
5. Dust cocoa powder on top.ย  Repeat with remaining 3 glasses (in all makes 4 martini glasses).
6. Chill in the fridge for 1 โ€“ 2 hours and serve.
Appetizers

Tawa Paneer Pizza Bites

As we light up the festive season, letโ€™s celebrate with a delicious twist! Diwali is all about creating cherished moments with family and indulging in flavours that connect us.

Introducing the delightful ๐“๐š๐ฐ๐š ๐๐š๐ง๐ž๐ž๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ณ๐š ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ž๐ฌ in Episode 6 of our Diwali Soirรฉe series! These crispy paneer slices are smothered in rich homemade pizza sauce and topped with gooey cheese, bringing together the best of Indian and Italian flavours.

So, gather your loved ones and indulge in these scrumptious bites that are sure to spark the festive spirit! Stay tuned for more delectable recipes to make your Diwali celebrations even more special!

Course Appetizer
Servings 4 persons
Preparation Time 5 minutes
Cook time 10 minutes

Ingredients for theย  Tawa Paneer Pizza Bites
(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)

1/2 cup Cottage cheese (Paneer)
Oil for cooking
Salt to taste
Grated cheese
2 โ€“ 3 tbsp Basil for garnish

Ingredients for the Pizza Sauce
(1 cup =200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)

2 tbsp Olive oil
3 โ€“ 4 cloves Garlic, minced
6 โ€“ 8 Tomatoes (use red ones)
2 โ€“ 3 tbsp Tomato paste
1 tsp Sugar
1 tsp Dried oregano
3 โ€“ 4 Basil leaves
Chili flakes to taste
Salt to taste
Tabasco as per taste

Instruction for the Tawa Paneer Pizza Bites

1 Cut the paneer into rectangular slices as shown in the recipe.
2

Saute on a tawa on three sides with a little oil. Season with salt and keep aside.

3

Now add the pizza sauce (1 tbsp) on each cooked paneer slice. Top with grated cheese and chili flakes. Cover and cook once again on the tawa until the cheese melts.

4

Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve at once.

Instruction for the Pizza Sauce

1

Boil the tomatoes in water until the skin peels off. Drain the liquid, remove the skin and chop the tomatoes.

2

Now, heat the olive oil . Sautรฉ the garlic. Add in chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt and herbs. Cook until the water dries up and the sauce thickness to your desired consistency.

3

Add in the chili flakes, tabasco and adjust the other seasonings as per your taste.

4

Let the sauce cool completely before using it on the pizza. You can store the left over sauce in fridge for upto a week.

Appetizers

Asian Sticky Baby Potatoes

As we get closer to Diwali, letโ€™s sprinkle some extra magic into the festivities! In this episode of ‘Diwali Soirรฉe,’ I’m whipping up a dish thatโ€™s bound to steal the spotlight ๐€๐ฌ๐ข๐š๐ง ๐’๐ญ๐ข๐œ๐ค๐ฒ ๐๐š๐›๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐š๐ญ๐จ๐ž๐ฌ!

These tender, flavour-packed bites bring a dash of Indo-Chinese to your festive table. Theyโ€™re not just delicious; theyโ€™re also super easy to prepare, making them a hassle-free option for your celebrations.

Whether youโ€™re looking to impress your guests or simply want a treat thatโ€™s a little different, these potatoes are ready to be the star of your spread.

Celebrate with unique flavours and stay tuned for more in this delicious series! ๐Ÿฅณ

Course Appetizer
Servings 4 persons
Preparation Time 20 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes

Ingredients for the Asian sticky baby potatoes
(1 cup = 200 ml; 1 tbsp = 15 ml)

2 cups Fried baby potatoes
2- 3 tbsp Butter
8-10 cloves Garlic minced
2 tbsp Green chilies minced
2 tbsp Red chili flake
2 tbsp Light soya sauce
1 tbsp Oyster sauce
1-2 tbsp Vinegar
Salt (taste and add)
1 tsp Sugar (optional)
3 tbsp Coriander leaves chopped
2 tbsp Fresh parsley chopped

Instructions for the Asian sticky baby potatoes

1

In a pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, green chilies, and red chili flakes, and sautรฉ until fragrant.

2

Add the fried baby potatoes to the pan. Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce and vinegar , tossing until each potato is well-coated.

3

Sprinkle the chopped coriander and parsley over the potatoes, giving them a final toss to combine.

4 Serve warm and enjoy.