Let me be honest – I had almost lost track of the number of the blog posts till a casual conversation over dinner – with a good friend of mine & S -@ Delhi last fortnight asked me how my blog was going – and I said it was good , and that I might have crossed about 150 posts..he gently corrected me and said as he keenly followed my blog, I was on my 181st post–wow ! that was some news, I thought, and then got to work on celebrating what is my blog’s 200th post – a milestone that I had dreamt of, when I started this blog about 11 months ago ! Like Anna Pavlova said “To follow, without halt, one aim: There’s the secret of success.”
I briefly halt though to thank all my readers, well wishers, family and very importantly course my blogger friends , without whose constant encouragement,this would have remained a wish,a hope. Thanks also goes to husband, kiddo and mom for grinning and bearing me as I fussed over the snaps first before serving them food (ok, kidding!) . A special thanks is in order for hubby for, amongst other things, handling my tantrums while shopping out for that particular muffin mould, not to mention cartloads of books brought online and borrowed, and most importantly, gifting me a new laptop so I could work uninterrupted. Just seems like yesterday, when I was all hesitant to step out to the blogosphere : I wasn’t even sure I would post once a week, forget running events, contests or even participating in Blogging Marathons and Blog hops events !! And it seems like a breeze now… although , like Robert Frost says , ” …and miles to go before I sleep,…”! Thanks to all out there for your support and encouragement:-)
And for you, dear friends this is a small way of thanking you with a giveaway at the end of this post ๐
And while I celebrated my 100th post with these eggless carrot and raisin Muffins, the 200th post comes to you with this delicious home-made Rasmalai … For years, dad and me (both ardent foodies) used to sample restaurants every alternate Sunday in inflation-resistant Bangalore . I cherish with relish the memories of savouring Piping Hot Dosa at Vidyarthi Bhavan (Bangalore), or the “Double” (A plate of single Idli-vada as it was known in most Udupi eateries) across Visheshwarapuram where you could enjoy uber-soft idlis with piping hot vadas for what was a princely sum of Rs. 10/- (rs.1 for extra butter ;-)) or even having Churmuri (puffed rice with a whole lot of masala pastes, chaat masala, roasted peanuts,crushed nippattu ,crunchy onions,juicy tomatoes – all in one fiery medley) wrapped in paper cones lined with simple eco-friendly leaves at roadside vendors , or even sampling sweet Bengali delicacies like Cham Cham, Champakali or Rasmalai at Kamat restaurants across the city. We even had a monthly routine where 10th of the month, dad, sis, me and yours truly used to march to the erstwhile Sukh Sagar in Jayanagar, and without once looking at the menu card order mouth watering Ragda Patties, Pavbhaji, Special Bhel (with coconut toppings and slivered raw mangoes) and ending the meal with the speciality of the house – Fruit Salad with ice cream .. I am yet to see one single restaurant which can match the heavenly taste of these 4 delights ๐
Come to think of it, I think it was dad who introduced our family (ok, mostly me – the foodie) to some rare delights and simple food alike. I am stuck for words when I write this, for I know he is watching me from heaven above, blessing me as i take baby steps to record, recreate and relish good food in this journey of my blog. Love you. dad ! There can’t be a better tribute to your magnanimous heart and everlasting love than this post especially for you – home made Rasmalai – my first Bengali sweet creation, and toasting to many more celebrations to come.. Let’s get to the recipe now …
Recipe:
Prep time : 15 – 20 minutes. Cooking time : 35 – 40 minutes. Makes : about 18 pieces of Rasmalai
Ingredients:
- Full cream milk – 1 litre (910 g)
- Paneer / Cottage Cheese – 250 gm (I used store bought, but you can make it at home too)
- Pistachios – 25 gms
- Saffron – a few strands
- Maida / APF – 1 TBSP
- Sugar – 1/4 cup
- Condensed milk – 1/2 cup (adjust to taste)
Method:
1) Heat the milk on medium heat for about 15- 20 minutes till it reduces to about 1/2 the volume. Meanwhile soak the saffron in 2 tsp of warm milk and the pistachios in hot water for 20 mins
2) Once the milk has reduced, add the condensed milk, and keep stirring on low flame till you get a thickish rabdi kind of consistency.
3) Drain the water from the pistachios (once blanched) and chop into fine slivers. Add half of these slivers to the rabdi (from step above). Refrigerate for a couple of hours.
4) Crumble the paneer finely and add the APF and press with the palm to a fine dough like texture.
5) While you are working on the paneer, dissolve the sugar in water and boil on low flame to a one string consistency. Let it cool on its own.
6) Once the paneer comes together, make a log out of the dough and pinch out equal balls. Flatten out with your fingers and simmer for 4 – 9 mins in the sugar syrup on low flame.
7) Drain the sugar-soaked patties on a serving dish. Pour over this the chilled rabdi and refrigerate again.
8) Before serving, spoon two rasmalais together with some rabdi and enjoy a sinfully sweet gastronomical journey ๐
Check out other Indian sweets (Mithai) here
Now, to the giveaway !
And what better way to thank all my blogger friends for their super duper encouragement without a giveaway – almost akin to a return gift at a kid’s birthday party ๐ So, to check what this giveaway is all about, read on ! Its a super delightful book – Tarla Dalal’s “Desi Khaana“. I am sure your kitchen would be richer by its presence, and the winner of this giveaway (chosen by random selection) can receive it at any Indian address.
What do you have to do to enter this Giveaway ?
You could do one of these things (each counting as an entry):
1) Like my Facebook page. You can even click on the “like button” at the top right of this page under “Facebook Fans”
2) Subscribe to my posts through email – there is a small box on the right column, where you can enter your email address. Be sure to click on the verification link in your inbox to complete the subscription. Only complete subscriptions shall be valid.
3) Leave a note at the end of this post in one or two lines as two why do you think you should win this giveaway indicating alongside with whether you live in India or can provide an Indian Shipping address (if living outside India).
4) Follow me through Google Connect – link on the top left bar of this page
5) Follow me through Twitter (click on the link on the right bar of this page)
The contest shall end 7th Dec 2011 and I shall be announcing the winner by mid-December.The winner of this giveaway,chosen randomly, shall receive at his / her Indian mailing address a wonderful book by Tarla Dalal – Desi Khana. Its a treasure trove for foodies, and I am sure you would enjoy winning a copy of the same as a giveaway.
Thanks again, dearies for your wonderful support and am sure you are super excited to win the giveaway ! So, click on the links, dash me your entries and enjoy your day ๐
Cheers,
Kalyani
Congrats Kalyani on your milestone..Rasmalai is so tempting..a perfect way to celebrate the occasion:-)
Hi kalyani- hearty congrats and warm wishes for many more- lovely sweet to celebrate the occassion ! The giveaway sounds fun; would love to be its proud owner as Tarla Dalal is indeed a Master cook with yum recipes under her belt. This book would add to my increasing collection of her recipe books ; congrats again & wishes
I already like your FB page
I am connected through Google connect too
Yay- your recipes will now warm my inbox too- subscribed by email
We are Tweet Buddies Now – Cheers !
Liked your FB page:-)
sunscribed to your blog..
Already connected thru' GFC ๐
Congrats and wish you many more milestones ahead…rasmalai looks so soft and perfect ….nice pics ….
Following you through GFC and FB
Congrats on your milestone..the rasamalais sure look tempting. Lovely giveaway, I am a big fan of tarla dalal so always like to grab her books.
Liked your FB page ๐
Connected on twitterverse as well via vegtastebuds.
Already connected via google friend connect ๐ And if I win this book I can always provide my Indian address…too desperate ๐
Congrats Kalyani,Perfect rasmalai to celebrate a occasion…
I already like your FB page…
I am connected with Google connect too…
I subscribed ur recipes via email:)
Following in twitter…
I hope i win this giveway,n i do have India Address:)
Hi Kalyani,
Congrats on the 200th post. I wish you lots of more success.
Liked your FB page,following thru google connect and twitter and subscribed thru mail ๐
And yes I do have an Indian address.
And since I am a new blogger, I deserve this book as a win through the giveaway ๐
Regards,
Raksha
Congrats on ur milestone great going!!! Being a big fan of Trala dalal it wld be grt getting it..
Liked ur FB fan Page!!!
On Twitter as well!!!
Already with google friend connect !!! frm India!!
Congrats o ur 200th post…and ur rasmalai looks very tempting
Congrats Kalyani. Nice way to celebrate the 200th milestone. Wishing you to cross many more milestones like this.
Congrats Kalyani on ur 200th post, rasamalai looks extremely irresistible..
Congratulations and wishing u many more!!!!!
rasmalai looks yummy ๐
Glad to follow u in FB
Subscribed thru email and following in twitter ๐
Congrats dear! wish you many more milestones.
Hosting an event which I am calling Back to our Roots Also hosting for Novโ11 Veggie Food for the Month_Raw Banana. Please do send me your entries.
Congrats Kalyani!!
i LOVE rasmalai…and i am still to find a great place in sydney that makes one…so this recipe i must try!! ๐
Congrats dear for reaching 200th post and look forward to more yummy post by you! Great GA too…
http://treatntrick.blogspot.com
Dear Kalyani,
Hearty congrats dear. I am happy that your friend alerted u correctly. The rasamalai looks divine. As for why I deserve this book..I've a few books of TD and this one will surely be an addition to my collection.
FOODELICIOUS
EVENT FOR NOVEMBER & GIVEAWAY, โONLYโ- CURRIES
Congratulations Kalyani.. Keep going dear.. I am following u on FB.. would love to win ur contest as i am a food lover ..
http://shadruchulu.com/english
already following you in google connect…
Like you in FB
I would like to win this giveaway…as I feel that though we live in different countries…but feel happy to eat desi khaana whereever we go…..and that is when our mind and tummy feels good!! ๐
Herbs and Flowers – "Parsley" – Till Nov 15th
LGSS -"Tomato" – Nov 5th to Dec 5th
100 Friends/Followers & GIVEAWAY
Congrats to u on the milestone achieved and a fitting tribute to ur dad. Would love to have Tarla Dalal in my existing collection of cook books. Thanks for the giveaway.
Lolz .. a nice coincidence indeed .. and you know what. I made rasamalai too over the weekend :). Congrats on the 200th post. Completed all the steps outlined. I love cookbooks .. so this book would definitely add to my collection. I can provide an Indian address.
Vardhini
Event: Bake Fest
Event: Dish it Out – Soy and Tomatoes
Following thru' twitter
Great going Vardhini, you are on a roll. Love all ur recipes and basically the zest of your cooking spirit, Keep rocking
Sorry Kalyani, said Vardhini in the earlier comment as was reading her comment while typing.
Congratulations Kalynai on your journey. Nice Rasmalai recipe
congrats dear..yummy one..
congrats! wonderful rasmalai! love the pics you have clicked!
–
Kavi | Edible Entertainment
Ongoing event: Healthy Lunch Challenge
congrats on your 200th post…Rasmalai a apt recipe to celeb the great occasion…wish you many more milestones and keep rocking…clicks are fantastic
liked your FB page ๐
Already connected via google …and now following thru twitter also
i wish to win this book as i love cook books a lot and wanna keep some collections, that too a cook book by Tarla Dala a master chef!!
hope i am in and i do have a Indian address ๐
congrats kalyani, your rasmalai looks so delicious, beautiful clicks.., best of luck.., lets see more recipes from your blog…
Congratulations on reaching ur 200th post!! nice way to celebrate…
Congrats on reaching your 200th posts. Rasmalai looks awesome.
Congrats on your milestone.Your tribute was lovely and touching.And Rasmalai looks super awesome.
I would like to win the book because I love her recipes and Would love to be the proud owner of one of the master chefs cookbook…and ofcourse, will try the recipes and post it in my blog..
I would like to win the book because I love her recipes and Would love to be the proud owner of one of the master chefs cookbook…and ofcourse, will try the recipes and post it in my blog..
Btw, I moved to India recently..so, definetly I can provide you my India address..
hi kalyani…this is an achievement and needs to be celebrated. Rasmalai is perfect treat for this occassion. Happy to be following you on fb and gc.
Cheers
Aarthi
http://munchmunchcrunchcrunch.blogspot.com
Congratulations on your 200th post.
Rasmalai looks so perfect n delicious.
Glad to follow you.
Congrats on your 200th post.Rasmalai is yummy and mouth watering.I am a resident of India and count me in for the giveaway~~~I have tried many dishes from your blog which turned out delicious!!!!
Just liked you Fb page. Already subscribed i guess. And why i should win??? The answer is so obvious. To spend more time cooking delicious food and posting it on my blog apart from gobbling it ๐
And now, you ve rekindled fond memories of eating at bglre. And i guess all dads spoil daughters when it comes to food completely ๐
Hi Congrats for your 200th post!!Keep on rocking ๐
Liked your Page in Face Book!!
Subscribed your page..
"Why do i think i should win this giveway" Am a foodie.Collecting Cook books is one of my favorite one,off course will get a chance to try new new recipes!!I wish i win this cook book ๐
This comment has been removed by the author.
Already following you dear!!Currently am in USA,but i can share my india address.
congrats dear..already folllowing you..love your recipes and writeups
Why I should win this giveaway is because I own NO cookbook at present, like, ZERO … NIL!
I'm always borrowing from others & scanning pages of the complete book before returning it! ๐
I would also love to build up a collection of cookbooks like all you experienced food-bloggers!
I've liked you on Facebook, following you on Twitter, have subscribed by e-mail & of course have been following you on Blogger since some time ๐
And oh, I live in US but can provide an address in India…
Congratulations on the 200th post; now I'm awaiting the next giveaway for the 300th! ๐
Best wishes,
Nisha
spusht.blogspot.com
Congrats dear for a Sachin-esque double century ๐ very impressive – wish you luck and more accolades with each recipe – TD is always a good addition to any kitchen library ๐ – hugs, priya
PS -Have an indian address, should I win
Congrats and would love to win the cookbook.
Love Ash.
Wow, great achievement within a year. Congrats and keep up the good work. You've a nice blog on veggie recipes. Am in India.
would love to have Your give away as it would be the starter to my hard copy collection of cook books.
Best wishes, Lakshmi..
Hi Kalyani!
Congrats on your 200th post & wish you many more centuries ๐
Visiting your space for the first time. Liked you on FB.
I am an ardent fan of Tarla Dalal & would be very happy to own one more cookbook from her.
I live in India & would love to get the book.
congrats on 100th post
i like to win this giveaway bec i like trala dlal's recipes
Do participate in the Desserts with Coconuts event and giveaway on my blog.
http://rakshaskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/12/announcing-my-first-event-and-giveaway.html
Hi Kalyani, first time here…..and i liked ur facebook ๐ Wishing u all the very best and waiting for ur 2000th post ๐
Tarla Dalal's cookbook is something which every foodi should have in her collection…and yes, if i get to win this giveaway, you could ship it to my parents address in India….
Congrats on u r 200th post…
I would love to receive " Tara Dalal"'s book.
thanks