Palada Pradhaman | Palada Payasam Recipe | Onam Sadhya- Payasam Recipe

Palada Pradhaman

Rich and delicious dessert prepared using rice flakes,milk and sugar.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Serves: 4 to 5
Ingredients:

1. Homemade ada,cut into very small pieces- 1 to 1.5 Cups( see notes)
2. Ghee - 3 tsp
3. Water - 4 cups( 1 ltr)
4. Milk - 4 cups( 1 ltr)
5. Sugar - 1cup( 200 gms or to taste)
6. Sugar,for caramel - 1 tbsp( optional)
7. Salt - 1 pinch

Instructions:

Heat ghee in a pan,add water and bring it to a boil.

Once it starts to boil,add milk .

Add 1/4 cup sugar and cook over medium heat,stirring continuously until it comes to a boil.

Reduce the flame to medium low and cook till the volume is reduced to half( i.e 1 Ltr) and slightly thick ,for about 45 minutes.Stir well in between to avoid burning.Next add homemade ada and mix well.(If you are using store bought ada,cook it until soft and wash using cold water to remove the stickiness,drain and add it to the reduced/thickened milk).Cook for about 10 to 15  minutes over medium low flame or until you see ada-flakes on the surface of the payasam.

Now add the remaining 3/4 cup sugar and mix well.(Start with 1/2 cup sugar and add more according to your taste.).Cook for another 5 minutes or until the payasam turns slightly thick.Switch off the stove and transfer the payasam to a serving bowl after  about 10 minutes.

OPTIONAL STEPS-Traditionally ,while making palada pradhaman the quantity of water used is double the quantity of milk.i.e 2 Ltrs of water for 1 Ltr milk.The water ,milk( 2 Ltr water + 1Ltr milk) and 1/4 of the total sugar mixture is cooked until it is reduced to 30% of the  initial quantity .i.e approx 900ml.When the water evaporates completely the colour of the milk changes to a pale pink.This may take almost 3 to 4 hours.However here i have reduced the quantity of water to 1 Ltr in order to cut down the cooking time and hence ,i could get only a pale cream colour ,as you can see in the picture above.In order to obtain the desired pale pink colour, caramel syrup can be added to the payasam.However the following steps are completely optional.

In a pan,melt 1.5 to 2 tbsp sugar .Gently swirl the pan for even cooking.

Cook over medium low heat until it turns deep amber.( make sure you do not burn it,or else payasam will turn bitter)Next add 1/4 cup hot water and mix well until combined.Switch off the stove and allow it to cool completely.

Add this caramel syrup to the payasam,starting with 2 tablespoons and add more as required.Mix well until combined.

Here you can see the colour difference before and after adding the caramel sauce.

NOTES

• I used homemade ada for the pradhaman ,you can find the recipe here.
• If you are using store bought ada ,use about 100 gms.For best results, use rice ada. 
• Adjust the quantity of sugar according to your taste.
• I feel adding caramel syrup gives a nice flavor to the payasam i.e almost similar to the authentic sadhya palada pradhaman.
  
  

Soft and Fluffy Milk Bread | Eggless White Bread | TangZhong Method

Soft and fluffy milk bread

Soft and fluffy bakery style milk bread.
Prep Time: 45 minutes + 1 hr 40 minutes proving time.
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Makes: 1 loaf
Recipe source: Sara's Kitchen, You can find the original recipe here.
Ingredients:

1. Active dry yeast- 2.5 tsp ( see notes)
2. Luke warm milk - 2/3 cup( 150 ml)
3. All purpose flour - 2.5 cups
4. Milk powder - 1 tbsp
5. Caster sugar /Superfine sugar - 1/4 cup
6. Salt - 3/4 tsp( or to taste)
7. Butter- 2 tbsp (at room temperature)
8. Lukewarm water - as required( i used 1/4 cup /see notes)
9. Milk- 1 or 2 tbsp (to brush the loaf )

To prepare Water -Roux paste /TangZhong:

1. All purpose flour - 1.5 tbsp
2. Water- 100 ml(1/3 cup + 2 tbsp)

Instructions:

To Prepare Water-Roux paste/TangZhong-In a small pan combine together 1.5 tbsp all purpose flour and 100ml water.Mix well until lump-free.Cook over medium heat ,stirring continuously until it turns thick.You should be able to get soft peaks out of the roux.Allow this to cool completely.

In a bowl combine together active dry yeast and lukewarm milk.Keep aside for 5 minutes or until it turns frothy.In another large mixing bowl,combine together all purpose flour,milk powder,caster sugar and salt using a fork /whisk.

Add the water- roux paste( at room temperature),yeast mixture.Mix well until combined.Gradually add sufficient quantity of lukewarm water and mix well to form a soft and slightly sticky dough.Knead for atleast 15 minutes ,until the dough turns soft.

Now add the softened butter and continue to knead for about 5 to 10 minutes ,until the dough turns soft and elastic.(When it is done, you will be able to stretch the dough into a thin translucent film without breaking.)

Transfer it to a greased bowl.Cover and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in volume for about 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours.

To see if the bread has proofed enough,gently poke your finger into it.If the dough quickly bounces back,it isn't ready,if it comes back slowly ,then the dough is ready.  

Punch down the dough and transfer it onto a lightly floured surface.Divide the dough into 4 or 5 equal parts.

Roll each  into  balls and let them rest for 10 to 15 minutes.Roll each ball into a thin rectangle.

Take one end of the sheet and  fold into the middle.Then fold the other end to the middle to form a long rectangle.

Now fold the shorter end into the middle and then fold the other short end to the middle.

Roll the folded dough from one end to the other to form a roll.Place the roll in a loaf tin lined with parchment paper  ( or a greased loaf tin).

Place all the 4 ( or 5 ) rolls into the loaf tin.Cover with a clean kitchen towel and leave to rise( 2 nd round proofing) for about 40 minutes or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 180 Deg C.Brush the loaf with milk and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes .Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

NOTES

• If you are using instant dry yeast, add it directly to the flour along with the rest of the dry ingredients. (and add milk to the dry ingredients along with the water-roux paste.) 
• Different flour types require different amounts of liquid,so start with 1/8 cup lukewarm water and add more if required.
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Stuffed Bread | Chicken Stuffed Bread

Stuffed Bread

Bread stuffed with creamy chicken filling.
Prep Time: 60 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4 to 5
Recipe source: Fauzias Kitchen, You can find the original recipe here.
Ingredients:
To Prepare the Dough:

1. Yeast - 1 tbsp
2. Sugar - 1.5 tsp
3. Warm water - as required
4. Egg - 1
5. Milk Powder - 2 tbsp ( or use milk)
6. All purpose flour - 4 cups
7. Oil - 4 tbsp
8. Salt- to taste

To prepare the Filling:

1. Butter - 2 tbsp
2. Chicken,cooked and shredded -1.5 to 2 cups
3. Onion ,chopped- 1 medium
4. Black pepper powder - 1 tsp(or to taste)
5. Garam masala powder - 1 tsp
6. All purpose flour - 2 tbsp
7. Milk - 1 cup
8. Coriander leaves,chopped - 2 tbsp
9. Green chilies,chopped -4
10. Salt - to taste

Other Ingredients:

1. Egg - 1( for egg wash)
2. Water - 1 tbsp
3. Sesame seeds- as required

Instructions:

In a bowl combine together yeast,sugar and 1/4 cup warm water.Keep aside for 8 to 10  minutes or until frothy.

Beat the egg lightly,keep aside.

 

In a bowl,combine together milk powder, all purpose flour and salt.Add oil,yeast mixture and egg.

Add sufficient quantity of warm water and mix well to form a smooth dough,Knead well for about 5 to 10 minutes .Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Lightly brush the top of the dough with oil.Cover it with a clean kitchen towel and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in volume for about 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours.

To prepare the filling,heat butter in a pan.Add onion and saute until it turns soft.Now add salt,black pepper powder,garam masala powder and all purpose flour.Mix well until combined.

Now add milk and cook until the mixture turns thick,stirring continuously. 

Add cooked chicken,coriander leaves and green chilies.Add more salt and pepper powder if required.Allow it to cool completely.

Now punch down the risen dough with your fist.Divide the dough into 2 or 3 parts.Take one portion of the dough and place it on a lightly floured surface( or place the dough on a sheet of parchment paper or foil,so that you can transfer the bread to the baking tray easily.).Roll it to form a rectangle.

Place the filling in the center.Using a knife make  inclined cuts on both the sides to form 1" strips.

Fold the top most dough strip diagonally over the filling.Fold the strip from the opposite side to overlap the previous strip.Continue by alternately folding the left and right strips.Beat egg and 1 tbsp water together and brush this over the bread.

Sprinkle sesame seeds on top ,Transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper or foil. Preheat oven to 200 Deg C.Bake for about 25 minutes .After baking ,brush with butter and cover with a clean kitchen towel for  few minutes to keep the bread soft.

NOTES

• I scaled down the recipe to 1/2 as you can see in the pics.
• You can also use beef or mutton instead of chicken
• Adjust the quantity of black pepper according to your taste.
  

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Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie

Apple oatmeal breakfast smoothie.

Healthy oatmeal and Apple ,breakfast smoothie recipe.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1
Ingredients:

1. Rolled oats- 3 tbsp
2. Apple ,peeled and cubed- 1
3. Soy Milk /Almond milk -1 to 1.5 cups( use regular milk for non vegan version)
4. Vanilla extract - 1/4 tsp( or use a pinch of cinnamon)
5. Honey / sugar- to taste

Instructions:

Firstly add rolled oats into the blender and grind to form a fine powder.Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth.Serve immediately.

NOTES

• You can also add  two or three dates  instead of  honey or sugar.  
  

Carrot Halwa | Gajar Halwa | Indian Sweet Recipes

Carrot Halwa

Popular Indian sweet/pudding made using grated carrots and milk.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 5 to 6
Ingredients:

1. Ghee - 3 to 4 tbsp
2. Grated carrots - 4 cups( 4 to 5 large carrots)
3. Milk- 4 cups
4. Sugar - 3/4 cup( or to taste)
5. Cardamom powder- 1/4 tsp
6. Cashew nuts- 15 to 18
7. Ghee- to fry cashew nuts

Instructions:

Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed pan .

Add grated carrots and saute for 5 to 7 minutes.Next add milk and bring it to a boil.

Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes over low flame ,stirring well in between.Cook until the carrots are soft and the milk is evaporated.

Now add sugar and mix well.Cook until it turns thick for about 3 to 4 minutes,stirring well in between.Fry cashew nuts in ghee until it turns golden brown and add it to the halwa.Mix well and serve warm or chilled. and serve.

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of sugar according to your taste.
• You can also add one pinch saffron along with the milk for better flavor.
• I actually scaled down the recipe to 1/2,as you can see in the pics.