#Homemade #Chocolate ... Perfect For any occasion :)

 It is said that Diamonds are a girl’s best friend but not for me… for me its #Chocolates… If you think of it, they are with you throughout your life…Be it Happiness, #celebration or #festivals nothing is complete without this best friend of mine.. It comes to my rescue when I’m In fix with #gifting #ideas.. It’s my companion when I’m depressed and a #booster when I’m trying to shed those extra kilos.(yes, you read it right because according research , Dark chocolate helps in curbing  fat )

So With #Valentine’s Day approaching what could be a more #romantic gift than #homemade chocolates with the essence of your love in it.

So why wait.. Dirty your hands...oops sorry!! Chocolate your hands and Join me to surprise the love of your life with these sweet, desirable sins ;) ;)

I’ll be making three kinds of chocolates. 1. Dark chocolate, 2.milk chocolate, 3.fruit and nut chocolate.Believe me when I say, these are too easy to make.

Ingredients:

1. Dark chocolate compound 250 grams

2. Milk chocolate compound 250 grams

3. Cocoa butter 40 grams

4. Cashew nuts- 8-10 (slightly roasted) (you can use walnuts, almonds etc too)

5. Raisins – 20

Method:

1)    Cut the dark and milk compound into very small pieces

2)    Make two separate double boilers and put the dark and milk compound in separate boilers. Keep it on medium to low flame throughout.

Note: do not let the chocolate come in contact with moisture. Use dry utensils and be extra cautious with the double boiler.

3)    Keep stirring at regular intervals add the cocoa butter to each and let it melt completely so that no lumps are formed.

4)    Once done take it out in a wide plate and let it cool.

Note: This process of heating and cooling is called tempering and this is the most vital step while we make chocolates.

5)    Fill the molds till the mark and pat a few times.

6)    Pat it a little so that the air bubbles escape and the keep it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set.

7)    Take them out on a plate and wrap them up with aluminum sheets so that no moisture enters it

Repeat the same process for Milk chocolates

For Fruit and nut chocolate.

A) Step 1 to 3 are same.

B) While tempering mix ¼ of the milk compound with the dark compound.

(Milk compound is sweeter and will add sweetness to the chocolate)

C) Fill the molds half way with the chocolate.

D) Put some fruit and nut mixture and again fill it up with chocolate.

E) Repeat steps 6 and 7.

Your assorted bunch of chocolates is ready to sweeten up your valentine’s day....Enjoy!!!

                  

Happy Cooking!

Madhumita

P.S - If you have any queries please write to me.I'll be happy to help you.

#Lal #Aloo #Payesh (#Shakarkand Kheer)(Sweet Potato #Pudding)

A sumptuous meal is relished by one and all but the cherry on top is when a #delicious #dessert accompanies it .Bring in some gossip ,some laughter and the experience becomes pure bliss. :) Isn’t it?I think most of us will agree to it that there have been times when our stomach is so full that we don’t even feel like talking about food let alone smelling or looking at it but one look at the dessert and your stomach has room to store them all… gorge! Gorge!  ;) 

Today’s recipe is for all those sweet lovers with a promise that this dessert will not add in to your calories. Sweet potato #pudding is a blessing for those who wanna be fit but cannot part away with their sweet cravings.They are said to be very rich in fiber and one serving contains less than 100 #calories plus it also balances #blood #sugar #levels. It is a very versatile vegetable and it can be had in any way you wish to so don't fear experimenting.I have also shared a different variation of it and you can try this out too.

http://spoonandtheneedle.blogspot.in/2014/10/easy-gulab-jamun-recipe-in-half-hour.html

So why wait…dig into this super delicious pudding :)

INGREDIENTS:

1. Sweet Potato – 2 (around 200 gms)

2. Powdered sugar –  4 table spoon or Jaggery – 50 gm (jaggery is a more healthier option and tastes equally good)

3. Cardamom powder – 1 tea spoon

4. Cloves- 3

5. Cinnamon Powder – 1 tea spoon

6. Oil -1 table spoon
7.Milk - 500 ml

8. Walnut and cashews – 8 pieces each or as desired.

PROCESS

1.      Prick the# sweet #potatoes and make small holes it it.(I find it easy with a fork so you can try it too)

2.      Put on the stove on medium flame and roast the potatoes by keeping them directly on fire.

Keep turning then from time to time so that the potatoes roast evenly (Please be extra careful with the flame and don’t burn yourself)

During this the sugar in the potatoes starts #caramelizing and your kitchen will smell heavenly.

3.      Cover the roasted potatoes with a lid for five minutes (This makes peeling the potatoes easier)

4.      Mash them and form a paste.

5.      Take some oil (you can use clarified butter as well  but I tried to keep it as healthy as possible and used rice bran oil)

6.      Put the cloves and fry them.

7.      Put the potato paste and cook it for 7-8 minutes. Keep stirring continuously .After a few minutes put the powdered sugar and let it melt .Keep stirring. When it turns brown in colour add the milk and cook it for a few more minutes. Add the cardamom and cinnamon powder.

8.      Put the #cashews and #walnuts and serve it.

Happy cooking!!

Madhumita :)