Deviled eggs with guacamole

Whats not to love in this. Eggs-yummm..., guacamole- double yummm...Combine the two together and you have a winner. A great dish for a party starter, or for those evenings when you don't want to spend eternity in the kitchen.

Ingredients: (generously serves a crowd)
15 eggs
2 large ripe avocados
1/2 tsp grated garlic
1-2 green chilies chopped fine
2-3 tbsp lime juice
salt and pepper to taste
4-5 sprigs of fresh coriander, chopped fine
Cayenne pepper for garnish

1. Place eggs in a pan of water such that eggs are fully immersed in water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 minute. Remove pan from heat and let the eggs sit for 10 minutes. 
2. Once they are cool to touch, peel the eggs carefully and keep aside. 
3. Meanwhile make the guacamole. Peel and de-seed the avocados, mash them well and add all other ingredients as per your taste. 
4. Slice the eggs in half and remove the cooked yolk in a mixing bowl. Mash the yolks and add the prepared guacamole to this. Do not over mix as the appearance becomes too mushy. Gently fold the two together. 
5. Adjust the seasoning and then place heaping scoops of the yolk-guacamole mixture in the egg while hollows. Sprinkle with red and black pepper. Serve cool. 
6. This can be made several hours in advance and refrigerated.

'Adapted from Cooking stoned'

Shakarkandi halwa

Shakarkandi ka halwa or yam fudge makes for a delicious prasad and dessert for the day of fasting. I must say it tasted better than suji halwa...almost like dal ka halwa. A must try.
Maha Shivratri, the night to offer special prayers to Lord Shiva, the destroyer; the night when Shiv and Parvati were married.
Every year we keep a fast (phalahaar) on this day. This means avoiding any cereal and only eating fruits and root vegetables. Only one meal is consumed in the evening.

Ingredients:
2 large yams (shakarkandi)
3 tbsp clarified butter (ghee)
1/3 - 1/2 cup sugar (depending on your desired sweet level.)
1/5 cup water
3 green cardamoms (crushed fine)
Chopped almonds and pistachios for garnish

1. Boil and peel the potatoes till soft. Cool and mash very well. 
2. In a heavy bottomed pan heat ghee and roast the boiled potato on medium heat till well roasted and till oil separates from the corners. Stir constantly to avoid burning and potato acquiring a dark color. 
3. Meanwhile in a separate pan bring to boil sugar and water. 
4. When potato is roasted add the sugar syrup and stir quickly. The water will evaporate fast and stirring avoids any lump formation. Cook stirring for 1-2 minutes and remove from heat. 
5. Add crushed cardamom and chopped nuts. Serve hot.

Quick Apple Cake

Apple Cake

This one is a lot of fruit and a little bit of cake batter. Makes for a very light dish. Its a quick recipe and can be made anytime. A perfect dish for when apples are in abundance.

Ingredients:
6 granny smith apples peeled cored and sliced
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup oil
5 Tbs apple juice
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 tbs ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350F 
2. Arrange apples in a greased baking dish. 
3. Sprinkle over them evenly half the spice mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon. 
4. Meanwhile in a mixing bowl beat till thick and fluffy eggs and sugar. 
5. Add oil, apple juice and vanilla extract and mix. 
6. To this batter add in batches mixture of flour, baking powder and salt to make a smooth batter. 
7. Pour this batter eveny over the apples and sprinkle with remaining spice mixture. 
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes till done , ie. when the cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. 
9. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Apple Crisp

Apple crisp

Cinnamon spiced tart Granny smith apples baked with buttery crunchy oats topping makes for a simply fabulous dessert. Pair it with maple walnut ice cream and you are in heaven. Very easy to make and is a great crowd pleaser. A must try specially in apple season.

Ingredients:
4-6 apples (I prefer tart granny smith)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup instant oatmeal
¾ cups flour (or whole wheat flour)
½ cup butter
2 tsp cinnamon

1. Core peel and slice the apples. 
2. Arrange them on a greased pie dish. 
3. Preheat oven to 350 F. 
4. Mix all other ingredients together in a separate bowl and cut in butter until the mixture resembles soft bread crumbs. 
5. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apples to cover completely. 
6. Bake in the center rack for 35-40 minutes. 
7. Serve hot with whipped cream or your favorite ice cream. 
8. Can be served cold.