I would describe myself as a writer at heart, a cook by passion, and a mother for life.
I am a blogger who loves to share stories from her kitchen and motherhood journey. Food is one thing that evokes deep memories in your heart and I love to create food that brings all your childhood flavors alive, it feeds your soul as much as your body and mind.
Inspirations
One of the most amazing memories from celebrating Diwali as a child was to gorge on the delicious sweets. There was a tradition to visit families and close friends dressed up in all your finery Me, having a crazy big sweet tooth, would always be excited to try all the new varieties of desserts, chocolates, nuts, snacks served. It was a pleasure to the next level for an innocent child to indulge in all of those without any guilt or self-consciousness. All the eating would be followed by family rituals like working on the rangoli, diyas, and doing the puja. Of course, not to forget the bursting of firecrackers that lit up the whole sky with lights and pollution :).
Coming to Diwali in my home, I try to prepare a limited amount of sweets because, unlike when I grew up in India, not many people visit your home here, even during the festival. It is mostly us, consuming all that we make, so I like being mindful of making only what we will all enjoy.
This year I made a fusion of two very popular delicacies – chocolates and barfis/pendas. I was not a fan of barfis/pedas or, in fact, any milk-based sweet growing up, but I am crazy – crazy! – about chocolates. Thus came the inspiration to combine the two and see if I like the results. I am pleased to say that I absolutely love them. They are softer in the middle – like biting into a delicious chocolate peda – but the chocolate covering gives it a truffle-like feel. The toppings have a crunchy texture and definitely satisfy your sweet tooth.
INGREDIENTS
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup milk
1.5 cups of milk powder
1-2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (I used the Ghirardelli brand)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon ghee
4 oz bar of dark chocolate/milk chocolate/white chocolate
TOPPINGS
Crushed cashews
Coconut flakes
Crushed peanuts
Sprinklers
METHOD
- In a heavy-bottomed pan, add 4 tablespoons of butter. Once it melts, add the milk.
- Once heated, add the milk powder. Keep mixing it gently on low-medium heat until it forms a mixture that looks like mawa (reduced dry milk). Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the cocoa powder (see notes) and powdered sugar. As the sugar dissolves, continue to cook it on low heat until it starts coming together into a ball. The mixture should start leaving the sides of the pan. Remember to keep the heat low for five more minutes.
- Add the last teaspoon of ghee once the mixture leaves sides and the dish is done (it should look shiny but make sure not to overcook it. It will dry and harden iton into the final barfi. Turn off the heat.
Keep it aside to cool off for 7-10 minutes.
- Meanwhile keep the toppings ready – crushed cashews, peanuts or pistachios; coconut flakes, ; sprinkles; or whatever you desire.
- Start making balls, something like laddoos, from this mixture, the size being based on your preference. If you want a chocolate barfi instead, see notes.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add roughly chopped chocolate pieces (I used a mix of dark and milk but you can take yor pick), and you could also put a bit of white chocolate in a separate bowl. Heat in 30-second increments and keep stirring until the chocolate has melted.
- Keep a cookie sheet ready, topped with parchment paper or foil. Start rolling the barfi balls in the melted chocolate and put them to set. Do this for all of them, and put your chosen toppings on them. You can also first spread the toppings on a plate and roll the chocolate-covered barfi balls in them.
Notes: If you want just the barfi, line a shallow box with parchment paper and transfer the mix to this, patting it down to spread evenly. Let it set for an hour or two, and cut 1-inch pieces. Alternatively, like in step 7 and 8, add the melted chocolate on the set barfi and let it cool for another hour or two, to make a delicious layered sweet: chocolate barfi with a chocolate top.
If you like it more chocolatey, you can add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder; if you don’t want the chocolate flavor to overpower the barfi center, add just 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder.
For more details, visit Pankti on Instagram @laviextraordinaire
Check out another delicious barfi recipe here!
