Caramalized Semolina (Suji) Halwa

After testing lots of recipes with my lovely ammi jaan, we finally reached a consensus that this is the most sondha (fragrant) and mouth-watering halwa recipe ever! Sharing the secret with you all... its also a hit with my 20 month old... Enjoy...

Ingredients:

1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup butter
1 cup semolina
1 cup sugar
6-7 cardamom pods
1 cup boiling water
1 cup milk
dry fruits of your choice
pinch of zarda powder (color)

Directions:

1. Melt butter in 1/2 cup oil and add the cardamoms. Without heating the oil too much, add semolina (suji) and on low heat cook it till it changes color to light pink and is fragrant.
2. Add sugar and on medium heat keep cooking till it further changes color to light golden brown. You will be able to smell a signature caramel fragrance.
3. Add cup of boiling water (do not use cold water or the sugar will crystallize and become crunchy) and whisk quickly till the mixture is smooth.
4. Add milk and color and keep whisking. The mixture will now start thickening and will become super sticky. Without losing heart keep stirring for a few more minutes.
5. After some good exercise the mixture will finally give up and start loosening up. Keep cooking and stirring till oil separates and the back of the spoon is clean.
6. Spread in a shallow dish and garnish with dry fruits. Serve with tea or with puris.

Chocolate Chunk Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cup self raising flour
1/2 cup + 3 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 eggs
100 gm butter+ 30 to 40 ml vegetable oil
few drops of vanilla extract
chocolate bits of your choice
pinch of salt

Directions:

mix all dry ing together.
add butter and oil and mix well.
add eggs and vanilla essence
mix till a dough is formed.
lastly add chopped chocolate or choc chips.
make balls of your preferred sizes and flatten and shape as cookies.
grease and sprinkle cocoa pwd instead of flour on a baking tray non stick. bake on gas mark 4 for 40 mins.
cool on wire rack nd serve with a glass of milk. or store in an air tight jar :)

JUST MIX EVERYTHING WITH A SPOON OR HAND... No need for any whiskers or beaters

Crispy Crunchy Ginger Snaps

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Cream together butter and sugar, add egg and beat until fluffy. Stir in honey and mix well.
Sift all dry ingredients-twice, then add to honey mixture and mix well
Using a cookie scoop or spoon scoop out spoonfuls of dough and form into round balls. Roll tops of balls in sugar.
Place the round balls on a cookie sheet, these cookies flatten as they bake.
Bake for exactly 9 minutes in a preheated 350 degree (175 degree C) oven. Remove from baking sheet and cool. Store in an airtight jar