…ons change drastically before you actually get to see the ripened aromatic fruits. The mango is a delicate fruit and if there is a storm or heavy rain when the mango flowers have just appeared or when the fruit has just started developing then there can be a major loss of precious fruit. The raw mangoes are then collected and put to good use depending on the size of the raw fruit. There are so many varieties of mangoes. Some are valued for their s…
…baking pan; roughly arrange alternate layers of bread pieces with jam, dry fruit, nuts and milk mixture. Sprinkle the aromatic sweet spice powder in between layers. After each layer, use the back of a spoon to gently press down to compress and help the bread to absorb the milk mixture. Allow the mixture to soak and settle down for about 5 minutes. Cover with aluminium foil and bake in a pre-heated oven at 200C for 45 minutes. Insert a wooden skewe…
…use canned or ready pulp sold in the market if you are unable to get fresh fruit but fresh seasonal fruits are the best. Using juicy mangoes may turn your ice cream crystalline. To enjoy smooth and creamy ice cream always use creamy milk and thick cream. It also helps the ice cream to be firm and solid. Remember ripe mangoes are very sweet so adjust and add sugar accordingly. Serve ice cream in chilled cups and bowls to ensure that it does not mel…
…ins, sultanas, ground almonds and cherries are mainly used to prepare this fruit loaded cake. The true beauty of this cake is the decoration of blanched and peeled whole almonds arranged beautifully in tight concentric circles. This pattern of studded almonds looks elegantly pretty. When you slice the cake, it looks gorgeous within. The lovely red glace cherries and the dark fruit look like jewels. The sweet glaze brushed on top of the cake makes…
…h is basically the dried peels (skins) of the Kokum fruit. The fresh Kokum fruit juice is very popular as a refreshing summer drink but can be enjoyed & relished throughout the year. The dried peels or Kokum/ Amsol/Solan are stocked with salt as a preservative & few peels are used as & when required throughout the year in all major cuisine of Goa. They are dark pink in color, tangy with sour taste but very rich in Vitamin C. They lend…
…g and preservation. It is the pectin in ripe guavas which helps the cooked fruit to set into jam, jelly and cheese. Guava cheese has the firmness of regular cheese and when cut resembles a wedge or slice of cheese hence the name Guava Cheese. I have fond memories of Guavas and Guava Cheese and I’m sure many of you may share the similar sentiment. We had quite a few guava trees in my maternal home which bore red guavas. Do you remember when you enj…
…hem in milkshakes, smoothies, muffins, cakes, breads, fritters, ice cream, trifle pudding, custard, etc. Today’s post is Banana Tarts which is so simple, quick & easy. You can enjoy these at breakfast or at tea time. These are good as a non messy mid morning snack at school and work. These tarts are so pretty & elegant that you can serve them at children’s parties as well as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream/ your favorite ice cr…
…bis, assorted barfis /burfis, neuris, karanjis, murukkus, chakli, assorted fruits and above all the favorite sweet of Ganapati Bappa… Ukadiche Modak. You won’t believe this! Each household would bring modaks to distribute as prasad on the day assigned for it. We had many neighbors who celebrated and I was so lucky to get to enjoy and relish this beautiful sweet modak prepared with their special touch. Well, today all this community event celebrati…
…th a swirl of your favorite syrup, a dollop of fruit puree, a dribbling of fruity sauce, layered with jelly or with freshly chopped fruit. It is simple but looks elegant and beautiful when served. My personal preference is the Vanilla Pannacotta. The added advantage is that we can enjoy this dainty dessert with various toppings and it also looks very pretty. This time we enjoyed the panna cotta with a fresh cherry sauce. My neighbour was kind to s…
…hew nuts. Almond Paste is mostly used as a base coat for a Madeira or Rich Fruit Cake. Marzipan is a pliable mixture of ground almonds or ground cashew nuts, confectioner’s sugar, egg white and lemon juice. It is referred to as almond paste. Marzipan can be a cooked or an uncooked paste. It can be colored with food colors and moulded into different shapes for decoration. For a sweet aromatic taste; essences, extracts or rose water is used in the m…