Christmas cake

Glazed mixed fruit                 1 cup  + or -
cashew nuts                             1/4 cu
Rum                                       1/2 cup

Sugar                             1/4 cup
Water                            1/4 cup

Sugar                                            2 cup
Butter                                             454 g (1 lb)
Eggs                                               9
Nutmeg                                          1/4 tsp
Vanilla essence                         1 tsp
Self rising cake and pastry flour              4 cup

If you are using all purpose flour instead of cake and pastry flour:

 All purpose flour(Maida) lb

 Baking soda 1 tsp

 Baking powder 1 tsp)

 (Swift all these ingredients together)

Soak your fruit and nuts in the Rum about a month in advance. ( you can also make this cake without the rum) 

Caramelize 1/4 cup sugar . ( Heat the sugar in heavy bottom pan  over medium heat. It should starts liquefy the edges first. once the sugar starts to turn brown stir occasionally towards the center to prevent burning. pay attention not to burn it. When sugar  turns dark brown. turn the stove off and remove the pan. when the sugar stops bubbling add water and turn the heat back on for about 2 min. let it cool down.

Mix cake and pastry flour and nutmeg.Set it aside. 
 Separate egg yolk and white in to 2 different bowls.
Cream butter and sugar  with an electric mixer until fluffy Beat in egg yolk two at a time. 
Add flour slowly fold with a spoon Do not mix too much once the flour is in.Stir in soaked candid fruits. 
whip the egg whites until thick forms. It is best to start with low speed then move up to high when whipping egg whites. Fold the form in to the cake mix 
add caramelized sugar and vanilla If the cake mix is not loose enough, add enough milk.
 Preheat the oven to 350 c. Pour the batter in to a well-oiled baking pan bake until done about 35-40 minute.Do not open the oven at least until after 30 min.( turn the light on and look through the glass door) insert a tooth pick to the center to see if the cake is done.

Mango Mousse

Mango pulp                    1 can 850 g (30 oz)
orange or mango jell-o   1 pack
Ice cream                         1/2 can of the mango pulp

Boil 1 cup of water and add jell-o mix well until all the crystals dissolve. Add the mango pulp and ice-cream. mix well.  pour the mixture to any desired mold. keep in the refrigerator until sets.

Pineapple China grass pudding

Milk                     500 ml
Water                   250 ml
china grass           10 g
Sugar                    4 tbsp
Condensed milk    1 tin
Vanilla essence     1 tsp
Pineapple crushed 1 can
Sugar                     1 tbsp

Cut china grass in to small pieces and soak them in a cup of water for about 15 minutes.
Boil the milk stirring continuously. Add sugar and condensed milk . Continue to stir until every thing is mixed well. keep it aside
Melt the china grass under low flame. you will see the mixture becomes clear. Add the mixture to the milk and mix well. Cook the pineapple and 1 tbsp sugar until it thickens.Add vanilla and crushed pineapple  to the milk and mix well. Pour the mixture to your favorite dish ( I used my corning ware pan and cut in to diamond shapes)
.Individual dessert cups are also good.

Funnel Cake

Funnel Cake

All purpose flour         3 cup

Baking powder           1 tsp

Cimamon                    1/4 tsp

egg                              3 

Sugar                          1/4 cup

Milk                            2 cup.

Oil                              For frying

Mix all the dry ingredients together. Beat egg and sugar well for about 2 minutes using an electric  mixer.

Add milk and blend again. Pour the liquid in to the dry ingredients and fold  using a spoon. Batter should a at the cake consistency. let it sit for 10 minutes. Heat the oil in a heavy bottom skillet.Pour the batter in to a funnel. move the funnel in to circular motion couple times  over the oil starting from the centre to make the design. Make sure the oil is very hot before pouring the batter in. Fry both sides until golden brown. Remove from oil and drain in a paper towel. sprinkle some confectioners sugar on top and serve warm. you can also top with vanila ice-cream, whip cream and strawberry. you can also use a freezer bag and cut one of the corner off, if you dont have a funnel.

Mysore pavu

Mysore Pave

Roasted Gram flour        2 cup
Sugar                             3 cup
Water                             1/2 cup
Butter                             2 cup
Baking soda                     pinch

Roast Gram flour in a thick pan until you get a nice smell. It will take about 2-3 minutes.
In a large skillet mix sugar with 1/2 cup water. Boil it to make syrup. add a cup of butter and stir constantly.
Add the roasted Gram flour slowly continue to stir constantly.Make sure there is no lumps.Once it starts bubbling add one more cup of butter and continue to stir. when the butter starts to separate from the flour sprinkle baking powder continue to stir.When the mixture starts coming together transfer to a well oiled pan (before the bubbles stop). Be sure to cut in to desired shape while it is warm.

Halwa

Halwa

1. Rice flour                              3/4 cup
2. Brown sugar (Jaggery)         3 cup
3. Coconut milk                       1 container
4. Water                                     4 cup
5. Butter                                    1/2 cup
6. Cardamom                            5
7. Cashew nut                           1/4 cup

• Mix rice lower with coconut milk and  2 cup of water. Be sure to have no lumps in it.
• Mix brown sugar and 2cup of water.
• Boil the Brown sugar mixture In a large frying pan. when it stars boiling add rice flower mixture. Continue to stir while adding the mixture. Ask for help at this point if you need to. Be sure not to have any lumps. 
• Add Butter. Continue to stir, when it starts to thicken add Cardamom and Cashews. 
• Continue to stir until the mixture separates from the pans and  forms a shape. 
• You can test if it is done by adding a bit of mixture in to a cold cup of water. If it forms  shape Halwa is ready.   It took me about an hour once the mixture is on the stove.
• Transfer the mixture to a pan and let it cool for 2-3 hours.

Traditional Halwa will take 2-3 hours to make. This Halwa will come  close to the once we get in Kerala. Be sure to have at least 1 hour without  any interruption and have all the ingredients beside you when you start making Halwa.