Mango Lassi

My normal choice of lassi is just spiced sweet lassi, but I have a tub of frozen mango I am slowly working my way through... This takes seconds to throw together but really does add another dimension to an Indian banquet at home.

For 2 tall glasses of thick, luscious, cooling comfort you need:
1/2 tub value runny yogurt
handful ice cubes
handful frozen mango
1/2 yogurt tub of cold water (or more if you want a thinner lassi)

Lob everything in to a blender and blitz till smooth (about 1 minute or so). Serve.

Ricotta Rasmalai

I made packet rasmalai a few weeks ago and they were yumsome, but somehow a bit guilt inducing as they were a packet mix at the end of the day. This recipe for rasmalai is totally grow-your-own-lentils-homemade and if you really want to push the boat out I guess you could make your own ricotta. But I couldn't be arsed.

For about 30 squares you need:
750g ricotta (3 tubs)
1/2 cup vanilla sugar
1 litre milk
1/4 cup caster sugar
cardommon
cinammon
saffron

Begin by mixing the ricotta with 1/2 cup vanilla sugar. Tip into a greased swiss roll tin and bake at 150 degrees for about 45 mins (it's done when it's set and is starting to come away from the sides of the tin). Leave to cool and then cut into about 30 squares. Meanwhile heat the milk with the remaining sugar and spices. Bring to the boil and then switch off the heat and leave to cool. Place the ricotta squares into a serving dish/tub and pour over the milk. Leave to cool and infuse over night and then enjoy.

Gulab Jamens (v)

This is a cheat recipe really given that it's a packet of stuff you mix, but it's so totally amazing you need to rush out and buy a packet and then make them (and gain 6 stone but that's another story...)!

For 10-12 portions you need:
1 packet gulab jamen mix (I am going to try this another weekend with real ingredients)
About 1/4 cup milk to make the dough (use water or soya milk for a vegan version)
Vegetable oil for deep frying
600g caster sugar
6 cardamon pods, crushed
Good pinch saffron strands
1 tbsp rose water

Make the gulab dough by mixing the dry ingredients with enough milk to make a thick dough/paste. Oil your hands, and a plate to lay the balls on, and then take small pinches (think size of a gooseberry) and roll into balls. Place on the plate whilst you make the rest. You should get between 20-40.

Meanwhile heat the oil in a wok/deep pan. Fry batches of the balls in the oil till dark golden brown, taking care not to let them sit on the bottom or they will catch and turning them in the oil so they colour and cook evenly. Drain on kitchen paper.

Make the syrup by slowly heating the sugar with 600ml water. Once all the sugar has dissolved, boil for 5 mins. Take off the heat and add the cardamon, saffron and rose water. Place the fried balls into the syrup and weight down to keep them submerged. They will swell in size as they absorb the syrup. Leave to cool and scoff and scoff and scoff. Delicious.

Sweet Potato, Onion and Sweetcorn Bhajis

A variation on the basic onion bhaji really, and there are infinite ways you can create different versions. This recipe reflects the ingrediants we had lying around at home yesterday. And they are pretty delicious :)

For about 20 bhajis you need:
8oz sifted gram flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp tumeric
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp chilli flakes
1/2 cup chopped corriander
1 sweet potatoe, peeled and coarsley grated
1 tin sweetcorn, drained
3 large onions, shredded
salt and pepper
oil for deep frying

Begin by placing all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add enough warm water to make a thick-ish batter (think yougurt). Then add the veggies and mix well. Heat oil in a wok till hot and fry spoonfuls of the bhaji mix. Turn over half way and cook till golden brown. Serve with chutney and salad. Yummy hot and cold!

Rasmalai

We all *adore* this traditional Indian dessert, and with good reason! The perfumed milk is delicious, as are the spongy, slightly dense, dumplings floating in it. This version uses a packet from an Indian grocers but you can also make it with ricotta. Both taste good but are very different.

For 4-6 portions you need:
1 pack rasmalai mix
1.5 litres milk
250g vanilla sugar
1 tsp vanilla paste
3 tsp rose water

Make the rasmalai dumplings as per the instructions (basically mix the dry ingredients with 1 egg and 2 tbsp oil, form into small balls). Heat the milk, sugar, vanilla and rose water until boiling and the sugar has dissolved. Add the dumplings and poach lightly for 5 mins. Leave to cool (if you can) and then eat. And eat. And eat...!

Lemon Paneer Kebabs (v)

You can use quorn or paneer or tofu for this depending on what you fancy. If you use tofu, use soya yogurt tho to make it vegan (or else frankly what's the point as the paneer/quorn have a nicer texture imho!).

For 2 portions you need:
100g thin natural yogurt
1 lemon - cut in half and squeeze half, cut the other half into wedges
1/2 tsp each of ground coriander, cumin and chilli
1 block paneer cubed, 1 pack tofu cubed or 1 pack quorn fillets, defrosted and cut into chunks
lettuce, shredded
alfafa
handful mint and coriander, roughly chopped
flatbreads/roti to serve

In a bowl mix together the yogurt, lemon and spices. Season. Leave half in a bowl and use the other half to coat the protein of choice. Leave to marinade for about 30 mins.
Place the marinaded protein onto a shallow baking tray and grill for about 4 mins, turning to stop it from burning. You can also bake this in the oven at 180 degrees for about 20 mins.

Serve piled onto the breads, topped with lettuce, herbs and some more of the reserved marinade.