Kesar Chawal (Saffron Rice)

Kesar chawal or saffron rice is an elegant rice dish which you can prepare for some special occasions or to make dinner extra special. It's a fragrant rice dish with rich aroma and rich taste.
Recipe of kesar chawal/saffron rice
2 cups basmati chawal (rice)
3 3/4 cup boiling water
1 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
1/2 cup frozen green peas (matar)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup cashew nuts
1 tsp kesar (saffron threads) soaked in 1/4 cup water
1. Heat ghee in a pan and add cashews. Saute till golden brown.
2. Add rice, saffron infused water, salt and boiling water. Also add green peas and mix.
3. Cover the pan and simmer on a low heat for about 12 minutes till the water is absorbed and rice grains are fluffy.
4. Gently fluff with the forks and serve saffron rice hot.

Mohanthal (Gram Flour Fudge) Recipe

Since it's festive time in India, I thought why not share a sweet recipe. Try this mohanthal and you will be delighted by it's rich taste.
Recipe of mohanthal
2 cups besan (gram flour/chickpea flour)
4 tbsp milk
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp + 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)
1/4 tsp elaichi (cardamom) powder
8-9 almonds- sliced
How to make mohanthal
1. Pass the besan through a sieve and discard the residue.
2. Heat 2 tbsp ghee and 4 tbsp milk.
3. Pour this over the besan. Mix with your fingers so that it is lump free and resemble bread crumbs.
4. Pass this again through a sieve and keep aside.
5. Make a syrup with 1 cup sugar and 3/4th cup water. Cook the sugar syrup till it reaches slightly more than 1 string consistency. Turn off the heat and keep aside.
6. Grease a thali with few drops of ghee and keep it aside.
7. Heat 1/2 cup ghee in a kadhai and add the besan from step 4. Cook on a low heat, stirring constantly till it gives nice aroma and turns golden brown. Add cardamom powder. Turn off the heat.
8. While the besan is still hot, add the hot sugar syrup. Mix continuously and make sure no lumps are formed. Keep mixing till it reaches setting consistency.
9. Pour this besan mixture on the greased thali and rap it on a flat surface so as to flatten it. Garnish with almonds.
10. Let it cool. Cut it into squares or diamonds and your mohanthal is ready.