One of MY favorite fruits!! :)

Semiya Paayasam/ Vermicelli Dessert

I rarely make desserts at home.., Raj doesn't prefer sweets.., neither do I.. But I do make the occasional chocolate.., or bake a cake once in a while.., But yes!! I do make the paal paayasam (milk porridge) or gajar ka halwa during festival season.., We offer it to Gods as "Naivedyam" and it is a must on every auspicious occasion.. The recipe which I am sharing today is of the "Semiya Paayasam".. It is a very simple recipe.., with very simple ingredients. Happy reading!!

Semiya Payasam

Serves: 2

Preparation time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 litres of Milk
• Half a cup Sugar
• Half a tin of Condensed milk
• 1 cup Roasted Vermicelli
• 1/2 cup Ghee
• Fistful of Almonds, Cashews and Raisins
• 5-6 Cardamom pods

Method:

Boil the milk in a thick bottomed pan over low flame.., Keep stirring once in a while to avoid burning. Add the sugar and gently keep stirring. Now, add in the condensed milk stirring gently. Boil for about 30 minutes till the milk reduces to about 3/4th litres. In another pan heat half the ghee and roast the roasted Vermicelli.. :) yes!! It definitely brings out more flavor. Roast for 2 minutes and transfer the contents slowly into the milk. People say that the milk curdles if added vice versa..,Hmm well!! I've tried both ways and believe me.., the milk does not Curdle... After adding the Vermicelli keep stirring so that the vermicelli doesn't settle at the bottom of the pan and burn. Simultaneously.., wash the almonds, cashews and raisins.., Chop the almonds and cashews into small pieces. Peel the Cardamom pods and powder the seeds. Do not discard the pods. In a pan, add heat the remaining ghee. Add the chopped almonds, cashews and raisins and fry till golden brown. Add the ghee-nuts mixture to the milk mixture and keep stirring. Add the cardamom powder and the cardamom pods.., Stir for another 5 minutes and turn off the heat. This payasam can be served hot or chilled.., It is ideally served with hot Vada.. :)

The Pineapple Upside Down Cake...

Firstly people.., please do not go by the photograph.., I admit that the cake got a bit burnt.., but it was the first time I tried out this recipe.., and actually.., it tasted heavenly..., Mmmmm..,

I read this recipe in Betty Crocker's book ( I love her recipes..), and modified it a bit to suit the Indian taste buds.. :D.. I loved the cake.., and I hope you would too.., So here goes..,

Pineapple Upside Down Cake:

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

For The Cake:

• 2 and a 1/2 cup all purpose flour (maida)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup of unsalted and softened butter
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp Pineapple essence

For the Glaze:

• 1 can of Pineapple slices
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp of butter

Method:

Firstly, pre heat the oven to 175° C.Then, in a bowl, combine flour, sugar and baking powder.

Add in the butter, and the essence. Slowly fold in the milk as to avoid lumps and air bubbles. Beat with a hand mixer using low speed until combined. Set aside.

Melt 2 tsps butter in a baking pan. Stir in the brown sugar. Add a drizzle of water ( say about two tsps).., Stir properly. Cut the canned pineapple pieces into chunks. Set these pieces in the caramelized sugar mixture.Spoon in the cake batter into the pan. Bake at 175°C for 30-35 minutes.., or until a tooth pick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes. Later, loosen he sides and invert into a serving dish. Garnish with pineapple pieces and mint leaves. Serve warm.

Variations: One can use fresh Pineapple pieces instead of canned ones (just make sure they are not sour). You can also use vanilla essence.., or vanilla extract instead of Pineapple essence. You can assemble whole pieces of Pineapple, rather than chunks into the sugar mixture. I was advised to use Maraschino cherries., but couldn't find them.., so went ahead without them.. :) :) :)

I find that making desserts gives me an immense feeling of happiness.., Desserts, definitely are comfort foods.. People generally avoid desserts as they are high in sugar contents.., But hey.., once in a while.., Chalta hai.. :) :) :)

For now..,

Byeeeees.