Rawa Laddu

When it comes to microwave cooking, I am *scared*.. A friend packing up to go back to India left his microwave(without the book of instructions) at our place 2 months back.. It took us one month to take time to check if it was in good condition.. We then started using it for re-heating veggies and at times cooking rice.. When Srivalli announced the "microwave easy cooking" event, I discovered that I was the only one in this blog world who was afraid to load the microwave with any tough tasks! Looking at some other real tough entries for making desserts in microwave, I decided to try making something on the easier side... Also since Srivalli had extended the deadline for accepting entries, I had to make something! Finally I tried my hubby's favourite sweet, Rawa Laddus, last weekend.. This is a very common sweet at my place, and I need to make it twice a month, at times investing 2-3 hours.. The laddus in microwave turned equally good, and saved me a lot of time n efforts.. With my college starting next week I was worried how I gonna cater to my husband's wish for a continuous supply of these and besan laddus, but now am totally relaxed about this :) Thanks Srivalli for this event and other bloggers , I am no more afraid of experimenting with the microwave now :D Am sharing both ways the normal one and the microwave one...

Rawa/Semolina/Suji Laddu

*Total* Preparation Time:

1.5-2 hrs normally
Less than 1 hr in microwave

Makes:

10-12 big Laddus

What you need:

2 cups Fine Semolina/Rawa/Suji
1.5 cups Powdered Sugar
3/4 cup Ghee
1 tsp Powdered Cardamom
8-10 Cashews cut into pieces (Optional)
12-15 Raisins (Optional)

How to proceed:

1) Place rawa in a microwave safe bowl and add ghee to it.. Mix well and place in microwave on high for 6 mins
2) Keep stiring in between at interval of every one minute.. (6 mins)
[In case not using microwave:
*1) Heat ghee in a pan and add semolina to it
*2) Roast on low medium stiring constantly till u smell aroma of rawa.. (30-40 mins)
This procedure usually takes 30 mins or so and your hands tend to retire before the rolling of laddus starts!
Follow rest of the steps as below]
3) When done, remove and set aside to cool in a wide plate (30 mins)
4) Once cool, add powdered sugar cardamom and nuts and mix well to remove lumps. I prefer not adding any nuts to rawa laddus.
5) Roll laddus with hand.
6) If they break easily and are hard to roll, add 2-3 tbsp hot melted ghee and then try rolling in circular shape..
7) Store in air tight container and enjoy for next few days!

The above snap is of microwave rawa laddus..Have a look at the ones I made 2-3 weeks back.. Dont both look equally mouth watering???? :)


* From now on, the microwave will be used to the fullest ;)

Upma

Upma is the second best and favourite breakfast item for Maharashtrians after the lovely Kanda Pohe! A quick and nutritious breakfast prepared from coarse semolina, it is also called as “Tikhat Sheera”. Here's Upma for RCI Maharashtrian Cuisine and Nupur's "U of Indian Vegetables"

Upma

What you need:

1 cup Coarse Semolina (Rawa)
1 Onion (chopped)
1 Tomato (chopped)
3 tsp Urad Dal
5-6 Curry Leaves
3-4 Green Chillies
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
Pinch of Asafoetida (Hing)
½ tsp Turmeric Powder
2 cups Warm Water
2 tsp Shev (optional)
2 tsp Grated Coconut (optional)
Few strands of Corriander
½ Lemon
Salt to taste
Oil

How to Proceed:

1) Roast Semolina for 5 mins
2) Wash and soak Urad Dal in water for 10 mins
3) Heat oil in a pan, add curry leaves, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida and chopped chillies
4) Add Urad Dal and chopped onion and fry till onion turns slight brown
5) Add turmeric and chopped tomato and cook for 2 mins
6) Add Semolina and mix well for 5 mins
7) Add Salt as required
8) Now add warm water and stir continuously to avoid lump formation.
9) Keep stiring at intervals on medium heat for 5-7 mins
10) Serve hot garnished with shev, grated coconut, chopped coriander and a dash of lemon.

Sheera

This dish is for my bhai Vish. HAPPY BIRTHDAY VISH! It was his birthday on 5th May and he just loves anything sweet. So what could be a better present from a naive chef?? :P The initial plan was to make Rawa Laddus but they didn’t turn out so well. So the last minute preparation was the most easy Maharashtrian dessert, Sheera! Now don’t get sad bhai.. will make Rawa Laddus soon and post it for u!! :) Filhaal you have to manage with just the snap and recipe until I get back to India :)

Bhai holds a very special place in my life.. In the 2-3 years that I have known him, he never got a chance to visit my place and eat something prepared by me.. But when he met my hubby before my marriage (this was even before I met my hubby.. now that’s a long story :D), he confidently told my hubby, “You are very lucky. Aarti is a very good cook.” I don’t know whether to call it "bharosa" or "fattebaaji" :P Because that was the time when all I knew of cooking was chapatti, bhakri and pithla bhaat. :) My hubby still remembers this and says that he wasn’t so wrong! Thanks Bhai for the confidence you showed in me.. Miss ya so much!

A sincere promise from my side: Next time we meet, you can demand any dish :) I’ll prepare it for you! I owe you this as a birthday present.. Btw, my bday is just 2-3 months away.. I know you dont cook anything.. and you know my address.. so………. ;)

Sheera

What you need:

1 Cup Semolina/Rawa
1 Cup Sugar
3-4 tbsp Ghee
1¾ Cups Water
1 tsp Cardamom powder
8-10 Golden Raisins
4-5 Cashews chopped
2-3 Almonds sliced

How to proceed:

1) Heat the water. Keep aside covered
2) Add ghee to frying pan. Fry cashews and raisins and keep aside
3) Now add Semolina to the ghee and roast well until you get the nice aroma of roasted semolina (Takes approx 5-6 mins).
4) At this stage, add sugar and ground cardamom.
5) Mix well for a minute and then add hot water slowly. Take care while adding water as it might bubble out.
6) Keep stirring continuously to avoid forming lumps.
7) Add the fried raisins and cashews and mix well
8) Cook covered on medium heat for 2-3 mins
9) Serve hot garnished with sliced almonds