Doodh Paak/Rice Pudding

This is a very simple and tasty dessert that can be prepared in minutes.It can be used as offering during festivites.It tastes good if served warm or cold.Here i have not used any food colour.If desired can be added too.I have used basmathi rice here as it is aroamtic by itself.Even jeera rice is a good option and in case of unavailability in pantry any other variety of rice(white) may be used.
Ingredients:
Basmati rice                                  2-3 fistful
Milk                                                   3-4 cups
Water                                               1/2cup
Sugar                                               1/4-1/2cup
Elaichi
(cardamom) powder                  1/2tsp
Cashew nuts                                   1tbsp
Raisins                                             8-10
Ghee                                                  2tsp
Saffron strands a few(soaked in warm milk)

Method:

• Soak raisins with little water in a bowl.
• In a heavy bottom pan add a cup of milk and bring to boil
• Wash rice and add when the milk begins to boil.
• Cook till soft stirring at intervals adding additional water/milk if it becomes too dry.
• When rice becomes soft add sugar and saffron
• Cook for a further few minutes.
• Add elaichi and give a nice stir.
• In a small seasoning pan heat ghee and roast cashewnuts to golden and add the raisins(drain and dab with a paper towel or a washcloth)saute gently and switch off.
• Add this to the kheer,mix well and switch off.

Alternate method:

• The rice can be pressure cooked adding the said quantity of water and 2 cups of milk.
• Once the first whistle is about to start simmer the flame and cook for 5-8minutes and switch off.
• once the pressure releases add the remaining milk then add sugar and continue cooking using above method.
• Add more milk if the texture becomes solid.

Note:

A fistful of sago pearls can also be added along with rice.It tastes great.

Godu Appo

Godu Appo is a sweet dish which can be served as breakfast or an evening snack.Godu means sweet in konkani.This is prepared using a special pan having 7 tiny concave moulds ,either cast iron or teflon coated non-stick pans which are available in markets.
 It is also offered to Lord ganesha on several occasions such as ganesh chathurthi,Sankashti as naivedya. This is an instant version using familiar ingredients found in kitchen and using blender just to incorporate the contents resulting in a mouthwatering dish which can be prepared in no time.

Ingredients:
Medium rava/semolina                               1cup
Thin poha/beaten rice                                  1/2 cup
Fresh grated coconut                                    1/2cup
Jaggery/brown sugar                                  1//3 cup(or according to taste)
Salt                                                                       1/2tsp(to taste)
Ripe banana(yelakki variety)                  2 ,optional
Cardamom/Elaichi  powder                      1/4 tsp

Method:

• Peel the bananas and roughly chop.
• Put this into a blending jar.
• Add coconut,salt,jaggery and beaten rice and just pulse it several times till it becomes coarse.
• Add the rava/semolina in batches with little water and again pulse it first then blend to get a smooth thick batter consistency.
• Transfer into a vessel and it should be like idli batter,add water only if required.
• Heat the appe kaaili/appe pan adding little ghee.
• When it is smoking hot add ladleful of batter into the moulds till three fourth full.
• Cover with a lid and reduce the flame to medium low.
• With a spoon gently tilt the appos and adding little ghee flip to roast on the other side.
• It should be golden brown on both sides.
• Repeat the procedure for the remaining batter.
• Serve with butter and honey for an extra sweet taste.