Why would someone name the first post with such a weird name, you might be wondering. Listen to my story and you would second me for sure.
I don’t know if its the Indian IT industry or the global warming that is aiding my “Memory Loss” so well, but its proceeding at a slow but steady pace.One of the worst impact, I could not get a few recipes taste the same way as they did the last time.
Vicky, My dear husband suggested I start a blog or rather keep a record of my experiments in the kitchen (of course just the successful ones) and other favourite recipes which my family enjoys. I warned him that this meant the CAMERA shoot will be the first ritual in every meal before he can grab his plate..he nodded with a smile. The biggest supporter of this dream; smart guy knows how to get good food for the next meal time. We decided we will get the blog up and running on some important/auspicious day ( so that I don’t have another date to remember with my memory problems).
WE had a great obstacle- LACK of TIME. Our hectic schedule with a lil toddler to run behind meant completely drained batteries at EOD. So many auspicious days came by and went by; with no time for us to blog . This continued for 6 months and then I resolved I am going to start the blog even if it meant burning midnight oil today, did not want to miss my favourite Deepavali… So here I am typing this story to you …
I am going to dedicate this first post to none other than my Hubby dear. I decided it has to be his favourite one. The auspicious day I selected was Deepavali, so I made him a batch of KAJU KATLI … Here is the recipe
KAJU KATLI
What’s needed :-
- 1 Cup of broken Cashews
- 1/2 Cup of Sugar ( U can increase it if you want)
- 1/4 Cup of Water
GLOSSY BEAUTIES
How to & How Not to
- Grind the cashews into a fine powder in a Mixer grinder. I guess a coffee grinder should do the job well too. Keep shaking the jar in between to prevent the powder from sticking to the blades like butter
- Do Not add water while grinding the cashews
- Add the sugar and water to a big saucepan and bring to a rolling boil
- Now slowly add the cashew powder and keep stirring to avoid lumps
- I would recommend cooking on a medium flame with constant stirring for a few minutes and you should notice the mixture getting a little thicker.
- Put a little drop on a chilled plate and test to see if it hardens slightly. You should be able to roll it into a loose ball.
- If it does, switch off the heat and move the pan away from the heat immediately.
- Let it cool slightly and dump out the contents onto a board or a clean countertop.
- Knead well with your hands till its smooth and gets a lovely gloss
- Generally I have seen it being rolled out into a thin sheet and cut into diamond shaped pieces. My crazy mind wanted to just break the rules so I ended up doing clay modeling with my glossy dough ending up in spheres, cylinders, tubes and what not.
- Avoid any glares and weird reactions on the onlookers face especially your husband.Let the kaju katli cool/dry and pack in tins between sheets of waxed paper.
- Store at room temperature for a week or in the fridge for longer.
Lessons Learnt -
I did make a few mistakes and successfully managed to come out with great tasting kaju katlis
- I was talking to my husband, trying to get my toddler out of the kitchen while stirring… Too many tasks spoil the katli… Yes I ended up overheating the mixture. Result, I ended up with powdery effect when i tried to knead.
- I added a little milk and tried kneading, but it was bit extra so the dough was a little watery.
- I just heated it in the microwave for a minute and it was in the right consistency … my Glossy beauties
- Adding milk might just reduce the shelf life a bit but I did not have to worry about that with a Kaju Katli lover just ogling them and asking me if I really thought that batch would exist till Diwali. ( I made them 2 days before Diwali )
Anyway we enjoyed every bite of these little katlis… Whoever said that the best way to enter a man’s heart is through his stomach is absolutely right 
Cheers,
Koki
Hi Koki,
You’ve illustrated each of the steps very clearly. Never knew Kaju Katlis are so easy to make. Will try this out and let you know if this was as easy as you have suggested. I noticed that there is no ghee in the recipe. One Indian sweet without ghee!
Expecting many more recipes with “How to” and “How not to” soon. Keep it going!! All the best!
-geetha
Thanks Geeths Next to Vicky it was you and krithika who always encouraged me to start a food blog. Happy to get the first comment from you
Hi Koki,
Too bad, this post is a little late – meaning post Diwali, otherwise I could’ve swept ppl off their feet with this recipie, esp. my mom 
well, to let u in on a little secret – I made “Ompodi” this Diwali for the first time ever (my swooning has to be with “karam” as he is not much of a “sweet” lover) and usually these first time recipies come out way better than u imagine – probably because the expectations are lower and outcomes are appreciated better 
wow, sounds delicious
Anyway, I love ur effort in getting this blog up and running…will keep checking for more recipies…post some of ur parathas, crazy side dishes…another suggestion is you need to keep working moms cook up amazing dishes in minutes (well, not exactly minutes..max half an hour)..I think that would be a super hit with everyone..you will be popular in no time
Kool Koki!!
I appreciate that you have overcome the inertia and started the blog. Way to go!! I know how much time you will get for such things with a toddler
We will try out these recipes at our home and will share our findings with you
Ramie dear will sure consider your request for express recipes… I do have a few which are my current life savers
Glad your ompodi was a success..
Vjr
Will surely wait for your findings…Comments from senior bloggers like you would help me for sure
Hello sis the Blog is amazing.I loved it. But missing the murukku and you
This is not fair…you moved to chicago and tempt me with these:)
pls..atleast send the treats to Houston….looks great…
So u are into the task of providing recipes to all of us here.. Ur narration on the recipe was splendid.. Of course i will have to learn this from u.. I am not sure about the taste of the kaju katli but ur description definitely gives me a feeling that it would taste great..
Anyways one of us will try this and give u the feedback on the taste too…
Also our expectations are increasing .. So take care of that..
Regards
Priya
thanks menaka I miss all of u too. Keep checking the blog i will soon be posting recipes that u n archana can cook easily.
thanks sangeetha.. Welcum to Chicago come n grab ur share
Priya do keep your expectations low .. I am no chef I am just learning to cook
U think so… But u did enter your man’s heart even before that!!! Did u not? I did Kaju Kathli too for Diwali… Unfortunately, here all of us are moderate eaters of sweet even if both of us like it… So though I made very little… (probably 15-20 pieces), I still have about 10 pieces left.
hahaha Aarthi U r right I got into my man’s heart even before i made him Kaju Katli the first time.
I eat sweets rarely. Vicky has a special sweet tooth when it comes to Kaju Katli, but he is under control so we still have a few pieces left
looks yummy…good narration..will try these recipes..I should have known about your cooking skills when we were in Houston..I missed your yummy food
thnx sowmya
vicky and I always thought of inviting u and kk for a dinner but that never materialised hmm
welcome to chicago..anyway you guys seem to be in a touring mood so come soon
we too thought of inviting u and Vicky…we will visit Chicago…u r also welcome to Connecticut