Badam Burfi

Burfi is a famous sweet from Indian subcontinent.There are many famous burfis include besan burfi( made with chickpea flour) ,cashew burfi,( made with cashews)almond burfi.(made with almonds).Today I'm posting famous festival sweet dish Badam or almond  burfi which is quiet healthy and tasty.I have lots of almonds in my kitchen pantry, thought to do something with them  in a way kids will like it.Finally I made this burfi for Diwali to my family.My kids tasted it first and they loved it.Actually they are not much sweet lovers.But,they absolutely enjoyed eating this burfis..Ancient Indian beliefs that almonds increase brain capacity and intellectual ability.Cholesterol reduction is the most extraordinary benefit of almonds.

Ingredients:

• Almonds or badam 2 cups ( soaked over night preferebly)
• sugar 4 and 1/4cups( 4 cups + 1/4 cup),I used cane sugar shown in the pic)
• Ghee 3 tbspn
• Grated almonds 3 to 4
• cardamom powder 1/2 tspn
• water 3/4 cup
• milk 1 cup ( to mix while grinding)
• Rose water 1 tspn

Procedure:

• Soak almonds over night and blanch almonds in the morning( just putting in the boiling water for 2 mins and drain it ,soon rinse in the cold water.)Grind almonds into smooth paste using 1cup of milk
• Boil sugar and water in a pan for sugar syrup until 1 string consistency.(  this takes around 20mins)
• check one string consistency by just touching one drop between your fingers and pulling apart.It it extends as a string then it is ready.
• Soon the syrup is ready add the prepared badam paste to the syrup.Stir it continuously around 45 to 50 mins until the syrup is thickened.Stirring continuously is the important step or else bottom will be burnt.
• when the paste is little thick enough and is almost ready transfer the mixture into a greased plate or bowl.
• cool it few mins then shape into desired shapes and enjoy Badam burfi.
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Falafel

Falafel is a patty made with ground chick pea flour.It is a middle eastern food,usually served with Pita bread.Falafel become a pretty common form of street-food in Middle east. Falafel plays an important role in Israeli cuisine and considered as national dish of the country.Now a days it is pretty common in most of the restaurants in North America.This dish is very healthy dish as it is made with chickpeas,which has a high protein and essential nutrients.Falafel replaces meat for Vegetarians and has become popular among vegeterians. I tasted Falafel first time in Middle East restaurant,and I loved it.Tried falafel first time at home and it came out very well.It tastes similar to our chana dal vada..Here you go posting my version of Falafel.

Ingredients:

• chickpeas or chole 2cup( 160 ml cup)
• spinach 1 cup
• onion 1/2( smaller one)
• coriander leaves 1/2 cup
• jeera or cumin seeds 1 tspn
• garlic 3(large) cloves
• green chilli 3
• Maida 2 tbspns
• salt to taste.

Procedure:

• Soak chick peas overnight for 6 to 7 hrs.Drain the extra water and keep aside.
• Cook spinach in boiling water for 2 mins.Drain water and keep spinach aside..
• Grind chickpeas,chopped onion,garlic,spinach,jeera,coriander leaves,salt, green chilli, into coarse  batter using very little water.( hardly 2 tbpns of water)
• Add Maida to the batter.Make round balls(each lemon size) and flatten  the ball slightly pressing it on top.
• Heat oil in a pan for deep fry,once it is hot slowly drop flatten balls into the oil.Fry both sides until brown.
• Yummy Falafel is ready.You can have it with hummus or eaten just like that .

NOTE: I ADDED MORE SPINACH SO THE COLOR IS LITTLE DARK.YOU MAY REDUCE THE QUANTITY OF SPINACH.