MAKKI KA SHEERA - HALWA / CORNMEAL SHEERA - HALWA

 Cornmeal sheera or halwa is a very popular one in North India. It is made specially in winters and is a lovely variation to usual ate ka halwa. The procedure is quite simple and you can easily make it in a jiffy. Serve it as an accompaniment with your meals or as a dessert. 
In this recipe I am using organic jaggery powder which is a healthy option. You may even add some dry fruits to it. I have only used them for garnishing. 

In our group, Shhhh Cooking Secretly the theme of this month was warm desserts and I thought this could be a nice and apt one for the theme and also relish in the lovely weather we have now.

Ingredients:

Cornmeal  ...... 1/2 cup

Organic jaggery ... 1/2 cup

Green cardamoms .... 3-4 (lightly crushed)

Saffron .............. few threads (optional)

Salt .................... 1 pinch

Almonds & Pistachios ...... few (sliced)

Ghee ............. 3-4 tbsps tbsp

Method:

1. In a pan melt the ghee and add crushed cardamoms.

2. When they give out a nice aroma add the corn meal.

3. Saute on medium flame until it changes the colour and leaves an aroma.

4. Add one and half cups water and stir quickly until it thickens.

5. Now add the salt, saffron and the organic jaggery powder. 

6. Continue to stir until it melts and you get the desired consistency.

7. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve hot.

Note:

If you are using the normal jaggery you have to melt in water and boil to remove the impurities. So add the water accordingly.

You can also  make it with sugar if you like.

You may use half oil and half ghee.

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About the group:

Shhhhh Cooking Secretly is a monthly challenge in a facebook group where we are paired with a different partner every month. Two secret ingredients are  chosen by each partner for the other one and we prepare any dish with those ingredients based on the selected theme of the month which was Warm Desserts suggested by Rafeeda who blogs at Big Sweet Tooth. The name says it all. She has an amazing collection of sweets and my favourite one is Vermicelli with Custard

 I am so happy to be paired with Mayuri as I am a great fan of her recipes and have tried out many. she comes up with innovative dishes like Vegetarian Moussaka which is next on my list. I really love her way of explaining everything in detail about each recipe she makes.

 I was given Ghee and Cardamoms for my dish and I made the Cornmeal Halwa / Sheera.

I have given her Cinnamon Powder and Walnuts. She made a delicious dessert, Baked Apples  stuffed with nuts and raisins

You may also like:

Sweet Potato Sheera

Oatmeal Sheera 

Karele Ka Halwa

TIL PATTI / TIL AUR GUD KI CHIKKI / SESAME SEED BRITTLE / SANKRANTI SPECIAL

 

During Makara Sankranti it is supposed to be auspicious to eat sesame seeds. Sesame seeds combined with jaggery taste very good. Many sweets are made with this combination for the festival. 
Here is an easy recipe of Til Patti or til ki chikki. It requires only 4 ingredients and takes less than 15 minutes to make. 

Ingredients:

Sesame seeds - 1 cup

Organic Jaggery .. 1 cup 

Sliced pistachios  ..... 2 - 3 tbsps

Ghee / clarified butter .. 1 + 1 tsps 

Method:

1. Dry roast the sesame seeds. Do this on medium flame taking care that they do not become black.

Remove them and set aside.

2. Now transfer the jaggery powder into the pan.

3. Keep stirring until it starts to melt.

4. Add 1 tsp of ghee and continue stirring on medium flame until it melts and starts bubbling.

5. Tip in the sesame seeds and half of the pistachios.

6. When it starts to form a lump remove the contents on a greased surface.

7. Flatten with the spatula first as it will be very hot. 

8. Sprinkle the remaining pistachios

9. Smoothen it with back of a flat katori / bowl.

10. Now roll it out with a greased rolling pin as thin as you prefer.

11. Mark the divisions with a pizza cutter or a knife.

12. Allow it to cool and become firm.

13. Remove the brittle pieces in a container.

14. Close the lid only after it has cooled well.

Watch the Video

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You may also like:

Tilgul / Sesame Seed Laddoos

Til Wale Aloo

TUNA MELT

 

This is such a delicious cheesy tuna sandwich, so flavourful and filling. Perfect for a quick lunch. All you need is few ingredients like canned Tuna, mayonnaise, cheese, some herbs for flavouring and in a jiffy itis done. You can serve with some French fries or wafers.(chips)

Ingredients:

Burger Buns .... 2 (or as required) 
Canned Tuna  ...... 4 tbsps
Mayonnaise ......... 1 tbsp
Cheese ................. 4 tbsps (grated)
Tomato ketchup ..... 1 tbsp
Celery seeds .......... 1/4 tsp
Onion ..................... 2 tbsps (finely chopped)
Chilli flakes ........... 1 tsp (or as per your liking)

Butter ..................... as needed

Method:

1. Mix all the ingredients except butter in a bowl.
2. Slice the burger buns. Spread some butter on them.
3. Spoon the mixture on the bottom slice of the burger. Spread some butter on the other slice as well.
4. Grill them until done. Towards the end you can add some more grated cheese on top if you like them more cheesy.

5. Serve them immediately.

Note:

1. You also replace the buns with bread slices.

2. I have used celery seeds. You may also used finely chopped fresh celery if available.

3. Spice level can be adjusted to your liking and you may add finely chopped green chillies also.

4. Pizza seasoning also tastes very good for variation.

See the recipe video

This recipe is part of the "A-Z Recipe Challenge" in a facebook group wherein we bloggers come together and choose  key ingredients alphabetically to make and post a dish every month. The alphabet of the month is T and I chose to make Tuna Melt which I had been planning since a long time.

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Mini Fish Burgers

Veg Burgers

Sardine Burgers