Kesari Peda | Creamy Saffron Milk Fudge

It was Basant Panchami on the 4th of February this year!! Hard to believe with spring nowhere on the horizon this year. It seems that we are in a never ending cold spell. And this was confirmed by the local groundhog who announced bright and early on Sunday morning that we are to expect two more weeks of the chilly winter. Yet despite the frigid temperatures, I heard the sweet sound of a bird on the tree outside the bedroom window on the very same morning!! Yes, the cardinal is back. Every year we are treated to its sweet music around this time of the year. And this year is no different, there she was sitting on the frozen branch of a frozen tree, announcing her arrival. Oh, joy!!

Delicious Apple Pecan Crumble

Its apple season here, and we getting a wonderful variety of local apples at the many orchards that dot the countryside. While some orchards have a pick your own policy, some do all the hard work for you and you can just walk into the barn and get a 5lb bag of you favourite fruit or even a bushel if you fancy!! 

Very Orangey Orange Cake (Eggless)

I love citrus in cakes and bakes!! While I bake lemon pound cake and my olive oil lime cake every so often, I have not baked an orange cake in quite some time. Several years ago, I would bake an orange cake that required a syrupy drizzle icing, one that would soak into the sponge of the cake making the crumb juicy and moist. Mmmmm

Daring Bakers June 2011: Walnut & Honey Baklava

Not an easy but an eminently rewarding challenge is how I'd describe the Challenge set us by Erica for June 2011. I have made Baklava before but this was my first time with making the Phyllo at home. Mine turned out really well except the top layer became flaky from staying in the oven a little too long!! Tastes superb!! Loved this recipe - a definite keeper!!

Cannoli for Thanksgiving!!

The Daring Bakers November Challenge was Cannoli. my nearest connection to to Cannoli has been the crazy and ever popular TV show: Everybody Loves Raymond!! Who can for get the episodes when his mother 'pops in' with fresh home made cannoli for her darling boy next door :)

Kheer for Krishna Janmashtami | Kheer Recipes

Milk and milk products rule on Krishna Janmashtami. After considering some options I decided to go for the traditional Kheer - rice pudding with Saffron and Cardamom!!

Til Gur | Crunchy Sweet Black Sesame Diamonds

The change in seasons has always been a cause for celebration amongst peoples across the world. For Indians, one of the most auspicious days on the monthly calendar is marked by Sankranti - the day on which the sun moves from one sign of the zodiac to the other. Of all such days, it it the day of Makar Sankranti that is believed to be the most holy. This is because it is on this day that the sun returns to the Northern Hemisphere thereby marking the end of a long cold winter and the return of spring.