Cook Without Book

                                 Kala Jamun Black is beautiful as you will see when you fry regular gulab jamun till they turn a fierce black, but lose none of their sumptuous charm! Cooking Time:  30-40 minutes Servings:  4   Preparation Time:  20-30 minutes   Category:  Veg Ingredients • Hariyali khoya/mawa 3/4 cup • Paneer (cottage cheese) 1/2 cup • Refined flour (maida) 3 1/2 tablespoons • Cornflour/ corn starch 3 1/2 tablespoons • Sugar 1 1/2 cups • Milk 1 tablespoon • Green cardamom powder 1/4 teaspoon • Ghee to deep fry • Silver warq as required Method Grate the khoya and cottage cheese separately and mix. Add the refined flour and cornflour, and knead well till smooth. Divide into twenty-five equal portions. Take each portion in your palm, press and roll into a smooth ball. Ensure there are no crac...

Tinda Aur Saunf ki Subzi Eaten with rotis and curds, this easy-to-make and aesthetically seasoned subzi makes for a tasty and balanced meal. Preparation Time:  5 mins Cooking Time:  6 mins Makes 2 servings Ingredients 1 1/4 cups  peeled and sliced  round gourds (tinda) 1 tsp   fennel seeds (saunf) 1/2 tsp   cumin seeds (jeera) powder 1/2 tsp   coriander (dhania) powder a pinch of  turmeric powder (haldi) 1/2 tsp   nigella seeds (kalonji) 1/2 tsp   chilli powder 2 tsp   oil a pinch of  sugar 1/4 cup   mava (khoya) salt  to taste To Be Blended To A Tomato Purée 1/2 cup   blanched and chopped tomatoes 3/4 tsp   fennel seeds (saunf) 2   green chillies Method Combine the oil, fennel seeds, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, nigella seeds and chilli powder in a microwave-proof bowl. Mix well and microwave on high for 1 minute. Add the prepared tomato purée, salt and su...

Mava Cupcake Why think of cupcakes as a typically western format of cooking? here is a version that is steeped in indian tradition, made with readymade mava pedas. The hint of nutmeg adds to the desi character of this cupcake. For best results, use the freshest pedas, and serve with hot tea or coffee. Preparation Time:  5 mins Makes 6 cupcakes Ingredients 3/4 cup   plain flour (maida) 3/4 tsp   baking powder 1/4 tsp   baking soda 1/2 cup  (200 gms)  condensed milk 3 tbsp   melted butter   1/2 tsp   vanilla essence 3 tbsp  crumbled  mava peda  , readily available 2 tsp   nutmeg (jaiphal) powder For The Garnish icing sugar nutmeg (jaiphal) powder edible coloured stars Method Sieve the plain flour, baking powder and soda bi-carb together in a bowl and keep aside. Combine the condensed milk, melted butter, vanilla essence and 2 tbsp of water in another bowl and whisk well. Add the flour mixture, mava...

Apple Halwa ( Tiffin Treats for Kids ) Apple halwa, this unusual yet delicious halwa made of fibre-rich apples. Walnuts provide essential fatty acids whereas mava is loaded with milk proteins, truly making this dish an irresistible fruity delight! Preparation Time:  10 mins Cooking Time:  25 mins Makes 4 servings Ingredients 1 1/2 tbsp   ghee 2 1/4 cups   grated apples 1/4 cup   grated mava (khoya) 3/4 cup   milk 3 1/2 tbsp   sugar 1/4 cup  chopped  walnuts (akhrot) a few drops of  vanilla essence cashews Method Heat the ghee in a broad non-stick pan, add the apples and cook on a medium flame for 5 to 7 minutes, while stirring continuously. Add the mava, mix well and cook on a medium flame for another 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring continuously. Add the milk and simmer for 7 to 8 minutes, while stirring twice in between. Add the sugar and walnuts, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 7 to 8 minutes o...

Anjeer Basundi Traditional anjeer basundi makes use of dry anjeer, which is high in calories and fat i have used fresh anjeer (figs) to make this recipe low cal. Use of low fat milk and cornflour for thickening instead of high fat cream further cuts down in calories yet retaining its creamy texture and mouth feel. Preparation Time:  10 mins Cooking Time:  15 mins Makes 4 servings Ingredients 4 cups   low fat milk 1 1/2 cups  finely chopped fresh  figs (anjeer) 1 tsp   lemon  juice 1 tsp   cornflour  dissolved in 1 tbsp  low fat milk 1/2 cup   low fat mava (khoya) 2 tbsp   sugar substitute For The Garnish 4  fig slices Method Refrigerate the fig pieces to chill. Pour the milk into a broad non-stick pan and bring to a boil. Simmer over a medium flame stirring continuously. Add the lemon juice drop by drop to the milk stirring continuously. You will see tiny curdled ...