18.11.14

Koncha Kodoli Boda (Plantain Cakes Odiya style)


In Odiya, plantains are called Koncha Kodoli, which literally means raw banana. Probably they are so called because of the semblance in their shape and color. Whatever it be, this vegetable is widely grown in Odisha and plantain cakes or Koncha Kodoli Bodas are quite popular with the people here.

14.11.14

Kheer Komla (Milk Pudding with Orange)

Happy Friday and a very happy Children's day !!


After procrastinating for days I am finally here....

A lot has happened in the last few months... the toddler has started school, I joined work and...... aah.. yup. and thats about it. Actually, though a lot hasn't really happened, life suddenly seems to have picked up pace and toddler and I are gradually settling down to our new routine. Naturally the time spent on doing things that are not of mutual interest has minimized... but I guess that is alright. after all they stay little for only so long and I should know better than to spend this time doing things that can wait.....  

...thus dinner these days is usually quick and simple.. wrapped up almost always with a helping of yogurt for dessert. Weekends are however different. We are all relaxed and while the boys hang out doing boy-stuff... I take my time and prepare something special for them. 


Last weekend I cooked Kheer Komla, one of my favorite desserts from childhood...

Literally, Kheer Komla means milk pudding with orange. In winter when the local markets flood with oranges almost every Bengali I know picks up a bunch and prepares bowls of Kheer Komla. Of course those who have the luxury of time, patiently watch over a kadai of whole milk while it simmers and reduces to kheer, then sweeten the reduced milk, flavor it with elaichi(green cardamom) and sometimes saffron, chill the kheer, then dot it with segments of oranges... While others like me take the short route and prepare the kheer with a mix of whole milk and condensed milk and then flavor it and adorn it the usual way. 


However if you are like me and find condensed milk a little too sweet for your taste, you might want to consider the way I prepare kheer these days. The recipe is a medley of  Cajeta and traditional Kheer. It is relatively quick, gives you a handle on how sweet you want your dessert to be and works like a charm every time....  


Kheer Komla (Milk Pudding with Orange)
Oranges in milk pudding flavored with green cardamom and saffron

Recipe by Tanusree
Cook time: 45 minutes                                                               Total time: 45 minutes + chilling time
Yield: 2-3 servings
Ingredients
  • 2 + ½ cup milk
  • 3 tbsps sugar
  • ¼tsp baking soda
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 green cardamom
  • 5-6 strands of saffron
  • 1 orange
Cooking Directions
  1. In a large saucepan or kadai, combine 2 cups of milk with the sugar and salt and bring to a boil over medium heat.
  2. Dissolve the baking soda in 2 tablespoons of the milk mixture and stirring vigorously pour it into the saucepan of milk mixture. (The milk swells at this point so keep a close watch and stir continuously. )
  3. Reduce the heat to medium-low,split open the green cardamom, add it to the milk and stirring occasionally simmer the milk for 10 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile stir the saffron into the remaining milk and keep it aside.
  5. Once the milk in the saucepan thickens and becomes a light shade of orange , add the remaining milk to it and stir occasionally simmer over medium-low heat for another 15-20 minutes until the flavored milk  thickens enough to coat the back of your spoon.
  6. Now switching off the heat, pour the flavored milk into 2 or 3 serving bowls and chill for 1 hour.
  7. Add the orange segments to the bowl and chill the dessert for another hour or until you are ready to serve.
Serve and enjoy !!

Until next time,
Tanusree

I shall be sharing this dessert at the following parties..



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