If Lent means going vegetarian, why not go back to basics and try an old favorite. This one is SINFUL, but then there’s sin and there’s sin, right?
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MACARONI & CHEESE Serves 6
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INGREDIENTS
2 lbs/1 kg dry macaroni noodles
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup butter
6 large eggs
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
Salt and Pepper to taste

PREPARATION
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.

Boil the macaroni to al dente with a teaspoon of salt. Drain under cold water and set aside.

Beat the eggs with the milk and set aside.

Return the noodles to a large pot over low heat and stir in the butter.

Stirring continuously, add in cream cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper and milk and eggs mixture.

Once the cream cheese has melted, add the shredded cheese and stir until the cheese is combined throughout.

Spread the macaroni mix into a baking dish.

Top with bread crumbs and sprinkle with Parmesan.

Bake for 30 minutes or until top is lightly browned.

Enjoy!!!

Kheer is made in all sorts of ways, usually cooking a dal, rice or vermicelli, or even a combination, in milk. This is a really simple recipe, a favourite. It can be eaten hot with Puris; – part of the main course, or cold as dessert.
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VERMICELLI KHEER Serves 6
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INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp ghee ( butter can be substituted)
1 litre whole milk
7 tbsp vermicelli
2 tbsp broken cashews
2 tbsp raisins
8 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp ground cardamom
2 pinches saffron

PREPARATION
Heat the ghee and fry the vermicelli, cashews and raisins till golden brown (watch out, the color changes quite suddenly).

Add milk, sugar, cardamom and saffron and bring to boil. Simmer till it reduces a bit, about 15 minutes. The vermicelli will thicken it further.

Serve sprinkled with some saffron , cardamom powder and more nuts if you like.

Happy New Year Maharashtra!
Today is Gudi Padwa, homes will be resplendent in flowers, rangoli and celebration. And what’s a fesival without food and sweets. What’s a Maharashtrian fesival without Puran Poli or Kheer?

Happy New Year Maharashtra!
Today is Gudi Padwa, homes will be resplendent in flowers, rangoli and celebration. And what’s a fesival without food and sweets. What’s a Maharashtrian fesival without Puran Poli or Kheer?
Incidently Gudi Padva, or rather the New Year in Andra Pradesh is called Ugadi. And they have their own foodie celebration!
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PURAN POLLI Makes about 10
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INGREDIENTS
For the Pran
2 cups chana dal
1 cup jaggery
1 cup sugar
Nutmeg as per taste
4-5 saffron strands
A pinch of cardamom ( elaichi ) powder
2 tbsp ghee
1/2 tsp salt
A pinch of turmeric
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