An Indian inspired Fusion of Kheer blended in a Dates Puree, paired up with a Tropical Mango Mousse…!!
I have known Beena aunty for a while as my friend’s mom, but lately did I get to know her well as an amazing cook, a hidden talent with a strong passion for cooking. Since I’ve opened my blog, she has been an active follower, critic, a silent mentor, and has given me a lot of valuable feedbacks, suggesting wonderful ideas to cook (White Chocolate Mango Mousse), helping me with my baking doubts (Christmas Fruit Cake), and taking me through a valuable learning phase. With her amazing experience in cooking, interest in experimenting, talent in combining modern and traditional styles to create unique fusion recipes, and the influence and inspiration she has been, I cannot think of anybody else best suited to be my first guest writer.
So go give it a try and let us know how it turns out in the comment section below.
Photo Credits: Pepper Delight
I am so excited to have Beena Aunty here, off to You!
I grew up in Calicut, in the Malabar region of Kerala, known for sumptuous food and great recipes. I enjoy the food from this region and love cooking them too. At cooking, I’ve been inspired the most by my mother; an excellent cook who uses swift and perfect cooking techniques. Her effortless way of cooking and methods continue to amaze me.
As a young wife, my husband’s interest in food encouraged me to experiment with new recipes and gave me the confidence to repeat them at dinner parties for friends and family. My husband, with a heart that is full of love for good food, is another person who has influenced my cooking. He enjoys eating out at restaurants, and this also gives me ideas on new recipes. We love entertaining too and having friends and family over at our place; which give me opportunities to try different recipes.
As for bad experiences and failures, I’ve encountered too many…Some of them have been very disappointing and my husband and kids called them “Beena’s flops”, but it’s these “flops” that helped me improve my skills at cooking and made me a better cook.
Enjoy, Happy Cooking !!!
- 3 mangoes
- 1 package of unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup mango juice/water
- 3 tbsp ghee/butter
- 1 1/2 cup vermicelli
- 1/4 cup cashews
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 5 dates (seedless)
- 4+1/4 cup full cream milk
- 1/2 cup condensed milk
- 3 tbsp sugar
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Puree mangoes in a blender until smooth.
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Add the gelatin powder to a microwave safe cup of mango juice or water. Allow it to sit for 10 mins. Stir well.
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Place the cup in a microwave and heat for one minute. Mix and stir the gelatin liquid into the mango puree.
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To create the angled presentation, place the serving glasses in a muffin tray at your preferred angle. You may want to line the tray first with paper napkins so that the glasses stay firm.
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Carefully pour the mango mixture into the serving glasses.
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Place the tray in a refrigerator and chill for 2hrs to let the mango mousse set.
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Soak the dates in ¼ cup milk for 15-20 mins to allow it to soften.
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Heat butter/ghee in a pan and roast the vermicelli until it turns golden brown. Transfer to a bowl and keep aside.
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In the same pan, roast cashews and almonds, transfer, and chop into bite sized pieces.
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Pour the remaining milk to a separate pan and bring to boil on a high flame. Then lower the flame and heat it till it is reduced to half.
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In the meantime, blend dates along with 2-3 tbsp of its soaking milk to make a paste. Keep aside.
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Add the roasted vermicelli to the reduced milk pan, followed by adding condensed milk.
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Add the dates puree and sugar, stir well. You can add more sugar if needed.
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Simmer for 10- 12 mins, it will turn slightly thick. Take the pan off from the flame and allow it to cool down completely. Your Kheer is ready.
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Pour the Kheer to the prepared mango mousse filled serving glasses, and chill for 20 mins. Top with chopped nuts.
- The sweetness of this recipe is well balanced with dates and mango. If you prefer your dessert to be sweeter, add more sugar during the kheer preparation.
- For the perfect angled effect, arrange glasses in a cupcake pan first and then pour the mousse, this helps to make it clean and neat without any spills or stains.