Sweet Potato Sago Payasam

This dessert, I thought, is innovative and good as a gluten free recipe. If one wants to make it casein free which means without milk, either rice milk, almond milk or more of coconut milk can be used. Sweet potato and sago, as you all know, is good for health. In India we make a variety of porridges(kheer or payasam) for any auspicious or happy occasion. The sweet potato makes the payasam thick, it lends consistency. This dish is especially nutritious as jaggery (unrefined whole cane sugar) is used instead of white sugar, and it is rich in iron. You can try it.

This recipe serves six to eight people.

Ingredients	Quantity
Mashed Sweet Potato	½ cup
Cooked Sago	¼ cup
Powdered Jaggery	¾ cup
Coconut Milk	½ cup
Crushed Cardamom	1 tsp
Saffron soaked in Milk	1 tbsp
Fried cashewnuts and Raisins	2 tbsps

Method

1. Take a big pan and add the milk.Boil it till it thickens.


2. Add the cooked sago and cook it.Then add the mashed sweet potato,coconut milk and mix well and boil it together.


3. Cut off the heat and add the jaggery so that the milk does not curdle and melt it by stirring.


4. Then slowly reheat the mixture and once it is boiled well, add the saffron and cardamom powder.


5. Remove from heat and serve it hot or cold in a serving bowl garnished with fried cashew nuts and raisin on the top.

Read more »

Apple Bread Pudding

This dessert is quick and tasty. It is the season for apples in India, so they have been used in this dessert. Other seasonal fruits can also be used like strawberries, pears, bananas, pineapple or a combination of fruits. Also, this dessert is made with ingredients available at home.

This recipe serve four to five people.

Ingredients	Quantity
White Bread Slices	10
Butter	2 tbsps
Condensed Milk	3 tbsps
Milk	2 tbsps
Apples	4 medium
White Sugar (Optional)	1 tsp
Brown Sugar	2 tbsps
Bread Crumbs	2 tbsps
Water	½ cup
Cinnamon Powder	½ tsp
Lime Juice	1 tbsp
Chopped Mixed Nuts	1 tbsp
Cherries	a few
Whipped Cream (Oprional)	3 tbsps

Method for the Filling

1. Chop the washed apples into small pieces.Skin can be retained if desired.


2. Place these apple pieces in a pan and add water and heat it.


3. Cook the apple pieces till soft and add the brown sugar and cook.


4. Add the bread crumbs and cinnamon powder and cook till the extra water has evaporated.Add the nuts and lime juice.

Method for the Pudding

1. Take a baking tin or an oven proof baking dish and grease it with little butter on all the sides.This will be the serving dish too!


2. Remove the crusts of the bread and cut each slice lengthwise.


3. Butter one side of the bread slice and line the tin with butter side down on the dish. Only the required number of slices can be used.


4. After the bread slices ar set in the baking dish, bake it for two or three minutes till slightly brown.


5. Then add the apple bread crumb filling and place the remaining bread slices butter side up on the filling.


6. Mix condensed milk,milk and sugar well.


7. Pour this on top of the bread slices and bake it for nearly one hour at 200°C or till the top of the bread turns nice golden brown.


8. Remove it from the oven when done and cool it before serving.It can be served hot too.


9. Serve it decorated with sliced cherry pieces and chopped nuts and whipped cream.

Read more »