Badam halwa

Badam halwa is the traditional Indian sweets served mostly for all occasions. Quite a rich dessert & easy to make at home. It involves more time in peeling the skin of the badam & I prefer to buy the peeled badam from the stores.

Ingredients :

1. Badam - 1 cup
2. Sugar - 1 cup
3. Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
4. Ghee - 4 tbsp
5. Milk - 1/4 cup
6. Saffron - a pinch
7. Yellow food color - a pinch

Cooking method :

• Soak the almonds in the water for atleast 2 hrs. And peel off the skin.
  
• Grind the peeled almonds with 1/4 cup of milk.
  
• Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in the non-stick pan, add the almond paste & stir continously.
  
• Add sugar & saffron. Keep stirring, till ghee starts seperating at the sides.
  
• At this stage add 2 more tbsp of ghee along with the food color. Keep stiring till u get the desired halwa consistency.
  
• Finally, add cardomom powder.
  
• Spread them in the greased bowl & allow them to cool.

Delicious badam halwa is ready to serve.

Penne arrabiata

Italian cuisine is famous for the spices & cheese. Pasta is the staple food & they r served with different sauces both veg & non-vegetarian. Penne arrabiata is most popular pasta with tomato & garlic as the main ingredients. This would be the best, simple & comfort dish for the weekend nights. We make this very often & it taste simply awesome !!!

Ingredients :

1. Penne pasta - 3 cups
2. Olive oil - 4 tbsp
3. 1 medium sized onion - diced
4. Minced garlic - 1/4 tsp
5. 1 oz canned tomatoes - drained & diced
6. Chilly sauce - 1/4 tsp (as per ur taste)
7. Italian spices - 1/2 tsp (Oregano, basil, parsley, theme)
8. Black pepper - 1/4 tsp
9. Lime juice - 1/4 tsp
10. Salt to taste
11. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Directions to cook :

• Cook the pasta in the salted water & according to the package instructions. Drain & set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in the pan, add onion & saute until it is softened.
• Add minced garlic & cook for a min stirring continously.
• Add tomatoes, chilly sauce, italian spices & all other ingredients. Stir & simmer the heat.
• Now toss the penne gently in the arrabiata sauce.

Serve them warm with grated parmesan cheese.