Dates Nut Roll

I buy these jumbo dates at Costco, which are plump, moist and absolutely divine. It is super sweet even for a sweet tooth like me. Most of the time i just stare at the box and thinking how to eat'em all. Now this recipe comes handy which makes a guilt-free goodness in every bite, making it a great dessert or even a go-to snack. The nuts adds a great deal of good fats and satisfying crunch. Feel free to fancy any your favorite nuts and dried fruits. Next time i am planning to add pistachios and dried figs to make it a richer roll. And here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Dates (finely chopped)

1/4 cup raw Walnuts (finely chopped)

1/4 cup raw Almonds (finely chopped)

1/4 cup raw Cashews (finely chopped)

1 tbsp Ghee (clarified butter)

 How to:

• Dry roast the chopped nuts together and keep aside. (You can roast the nuts whole and then chop'em.)

• In a skillet, heat ghee and add the dates. Cook until it comes together for 3-5 mins at medium-low heat.

• Now add the lightly roasted nuts and mix well. Continue cooking the nut-date mixture for a couple more mins. (The nuts may look a lot, but the dates can take it all so don't be alarmed.)

• Transfer the mixture on to a greased plate and let cool for 10 mins.

• Now gently press'em to form a cylindrical roll and tightly wrap it with plastic.

• Refrigerate the roll for 3 hrs. Cut into 1/4 inch rounds and serve.

• Store in an airtight container and refrigerate it.

Badam Kulfi (Almond Ice cream)

Kulfi is a frozen dessert which is not whipped like the regular ice cream. It is more richer, more denser and hence it takes more time to melt. I found this recipe at Manjula's Kitchen and was very excited to try it. Thanks Manjula for this scrumptious dessert. 

A cold treat to end the summer! This lusciously smooth kulfi takes you to your dreamier world. It is infused with cardamom and added almonds for a nice crunch. The kulfi dissolves in your mouth and you just can't keep your spoon down. Do enjoy this Indian ice cream at your home. And here goes the recipe,
Ingredients:

4 cups Whole Milk
1/4 cup Sugar
1 White Bread Slice
1tsp Cornstarch
1/2tsp Cardamom (Coarsely ground)
10 Almonds (chopped)
 
How to:

• Remove the crust off of the bread and slice'em into squares. 

• Blend together 1/2 cup milk, bread pieces and cornstarch to a smooth paste.

• In a wide pan, boil the remaining milk at medium-high heat by stirring the pan continuously.

• Once it comes to boil, let the milk cook for another 12 mins until it is reduced. 
• Now reduce the heat to medium and pour the bread-cornstarch mixture and cook for 4 mins, until it thickens.

• Then add the sugar and chopped almonds, mix well and cook for another couple of mins.

• Finally switch off and add the cardamom powder.

• Let it cool completely and pour the mixture in to a bowl. Wrap the bowl with a plastic wrap, making sure it touches the top of the milk mixture.

• Freeze it overnight and serve cold garnished with more almonds.

Spiced Candied Nut Clusters

If you love snacking on nuts and bored of store-bought spiced nuts, you will be amazed how easy and tasty they are to make at home. These sweet, slightly spicy and salty nuts are perfect to munch anytime of the day. These nuts will turn out to be the one of those things that you don't want to put it down. With your own combination of spice mix, you will go nuts over these spiced nuts. Also, nuts are a great way to add good fats to your diet, but make sure you snack'em mindfully. And here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

1 cup raw Almonds

1 cup raw Walnuts

1/2cup raw Cashews

1/4 cup raw Pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup raw Sunflower seeds

1/4cup + 2tbs White Sugar 

3/4tsp Cumin powder

1/2tsp Red Chilli powder

1/2tsp Cardamom powder

1 1/4tsp Salt

1 large Egg white

How to:

Place the oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and keep it aside.

In a big bowl beat the egg white until foamy. 

Add the nuts and seeds into the bowl, and stir until coated.

In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, cumin powder, chilli powder, cardamom powder and salt.

Sprinkle the sugar-spice mix over the nuts and mix to coat well.

Now spread the coated nuts on the baking sheet in a single layer.

Bake for 35 mins and let cool on the sheet for an hour.

Once cooled, the sugar hardens and you can break'em into bite sized pieces. 

Serve as a party snack or on the-go munchies.

Spiced Roasted Nuts

'A handful of nuts a day keeps your bad cholesterol away'. If you are not into raw nuts, try spicing it up and eat'em to compliment your naturally healthy diet. This is such a simple recipe and makes a great on-the-go snack with a spice kick. You can experiment with the spices and play with the recipe. Also try mixing some sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds along with the nuts. I always eat'em raw with my morning oatmeal bowl. Go healthy! Go Nuts!

Ingredients:

1 cup Whole Raw Almonds

1 cup Whole Raw Walnuts

1tsp Chilli powder

1/2tsp Coriander powder

1/2tsp Cumin powder

1/4tsp ground Cinnamon

1/4tsp Black Pepper powder

1/2tsp Salt 

1tbsp Olive oil

How to:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a bowl, mix together the chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, cinnamon, black pepper powder and salt(i used a little less than 1/2 tsp), followed by the oil.

• Now add the nuts and mix well to coat the spicy masala.

• Spread the coated nuts on a baking sheet and roast'em for 10 mins by stirring twice in the middle.

• Let completely cool and store'em in an airtight container.