Coconut and coconut products are my favourite. Not only that, I also stock up good quantities of them for my culinary use. No wonder I belong to gods own country. This time Chennai had a little harsh summer that my stock of fresh coconuts got dried up little faster. I used some of them to make coconut milk and the rest to make this delicious dessert.
Ingredients;
Dried coconuts -2
Sugar -1cup
Dried milk/milk powder -2blbs
Cardamom powder -1tsps (optional)
Method:
Cut open the coconut and discard the shells. Scrape off the brown outer covering. Grate them manually or in a blender. It must measure about two cups. Powder the sugar and combine it with the grated coconut. Heat the mixture over a low flame, stirring continuously. Initially, the sugar will melt. Then it will begin to solidify. At this stage add the dried milk and cook for few more seconds. Remove from the flame and add the cardamom powder. Divide it into equal parts and roll it out into small balls while it is still warm.
I had returned home after a short visit to my friends place. I was hungry and had to cook up some good meal. I didn't have the time to run to the market to buy more vegetables. So, I decided to cook with the little stocks stored in my fridge. I had some blanched vegetables, few pieces of bread and a chunk of blended cheese. I used all of them to make this delicious vegetable bake, which was a meal in itself. Go ahead try it.
Ingredients:
Blanched carrot -1/2cup
Blanched beans -1/4cup
Blanched potatoes -1cup
Tomato sauce -3tblsps
Chilli sauce -3tblsps
Chopped onions -2cups
Pizza seasoning -1tsp
Bread pieces -1cup
Grated cheese blend -1cup
Salt and oil -as required
Method:
In a frying pan fry the onions in little oil. When it turns translucent, add the blanched vegetables, salt and the pizza seasoning. Switch of the flame and add the two sauces. Allow it cool for few minutes. Transfer the prepared vegetables to a greased baking tray. Press it lightly to level it. Top it with bread pieces and grated cheese. Bake it in a pre-heated oven at 200°C for 10 to 15 minutes.
Note:
Cheese blend is blend of mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese. Mozzarella cheese can also be used instead of cheese blend.
