easy dessert recipes

Indian desserts could range from rice puddings and barfis to rasgullas and kulfis. What is common about many Indian desserts is the fact that immaterial of the region where they are made, milk acts as a base. Khoya which is actually moisture free milk, can be converted into many sweets by adding butter, sugar and other flavors.
 

Kulfi is the Indian version of Ice cream and is made from sweetened condensed milk and sugar. Strained yogurt to which is added cardamom, saffron and pista is a simple and healthy dessert famous in western India. It is called Shrikhand.

Since fruits are in abundance, many a time fresh fruit is served as a dessert. Slice bananas, add slivers of orange, some peices of chickoo, slices of apple and top with grated coconut. Add sugar and a spoon of honey just before serving. Top the whole thing with ice cream and relish the goodness of a natural fruit salad. This is often made in south India during festivals or when guests show up.

Jaggery is used in many desserts in south India. During Sankranth, a dish called Chakra pongal is made. Rice is mixed with moong dal and cooked in a pressure cooker. Milk and jaggery are added to this and when it the mixture thickens, fried bits of cashew and raisins find their way into this mixture. A generous dollop of ghee adds the final touch. Sheer heaven to taste.

Jaggery also has a place in the ubiquitous Modak which is made during Ganesh Chaturthi festival. A mixture of grated coconut and jaggery is fried till it thickens. Dough balls are made from rice flour, sugar and water. The cooled mixture of grated coconut and jaggery are stuffed into the dough ball. The ball is closed and shaped into a modak. The modaks are steamed for about 10 minutes and a good healthy dessert is ready.

Whether it is food or whether it is sweets, the Indians surpass everyone with their variety. It is no wonder then that Indian cuisine and Indian desserts are so popular. ~ Author Mini Swami.

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