Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Sooji Halwa and "Nice Matters" Award :)

Sooji Halwa is one of the easiest desserts to make. Anytime I am lazy to make an elaborate dessert for the two of us, I think I will go with this -- Lazy Pragyan's dessert. :) This is another sweet dish that I have learned from Maa during her stay with me. Back in India, we used to have this aplenty in the dorm cafeteria during dinner. This is also served as prasad in temples of Chennai, India.





Ingredients (makes 15 pieces)

Sooji/Semolina - 1 cup
Ghee - 2 tbsp
Salt - 1/8 tsp
Cardamom Powder - 1/2 tsp
Sugar - 6 tbsp
Milk - 1 cup

Heat ghee. Add sooji and salt. Once the sooji is cooked, add sugar. Once the sooji looks mildly roasted, add milk (cold milk is ok). Add cardamom powder. Keep stirring till the halwa leaves the side of the container.

Spread it out flatly on a thin plate. Let it cool for 10-15 mins and then cut them into diamond shapes.

Note - You can add a few strands of saffron to the milk to get a lovely orange color.

I received my second blogging award yesterday. A sweet little "Nice Matters" award from our dear Saswati that just made my day. Her kind words were very endearing making me end up feeling very nostalgic. Thank you, Saswati. Not to show off, but just to remind myself to live up to the thoughtful words and expectation of a fellow blogger, let me quote Saswati here "Pragyan@ Pragyan's Cooking has amazing oriya recipes which take me back to my motherland and her humble approach towards life in her writings makes me a great fan of hers.". Keep rocking, Saswati! :)

Nice Matters Award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world.

I would like to pass this on to the following fellow bloggers who have always inspired me with their kind and inspiring words. Please ignore if you have already received this.

  • Sandeepa from Bong Mom's Cookbook - She has an absolutely enrapturing style of writing. The sweet little comments left by her has always inspired me to strive to try new recipes and keep experimenting. Thanks, Sandeepa and we hope to read lots more from you.
  • Asha of Foodie's Hope - She is a dear friend who has always got a nice little word for you. No one can deny that and we all love her for that spirit which has rubbed off on quite a few of us. Always love hearing from you, Asha! I can never forget how enthusiastic and helpful you were when hosting RCI-Karnataka.
  • Sunita of Sunita's World - She is one of those bloggers who can make you drool over her food pics. I feel like wailing like a kid when I can't reach out and actually grab a bite! :) Her homely style of writing is very comforting to read.
  • Kribha of En Samayal Pakkam - She has a very lively style of writing. One who has always got a kind word for every post. Whenever she can, she provides her input which improves the recipe in the tastier direction.
  • Cynthia of Tastes Like Home - She has the knack of leaving comments that enthrall you. Always look forward to hear more from her. Her posts are very unique and make interesting read!

21 comments:

FH said...

Saswati is second Odiya girl I met thru' blogging! YAY!:)
Enjoy the award P. Dessert looks delicious. Lazy girls can't make this yummy, so you are not that lazy!;D

FH said...

Oh, thank you so much for your words and the award P, I will gladly accept it!:))
I will never forget to say "Odiya" because of you and I will always forever remember you with that word and the state. Hugs to you girl.

Lakshmi said...

Hi Pragyan,
Congratulations! for your award. And those halwa pieces look yummy.

Sia said...

congrats pragyan for much deserving award and i second saswati:)

sunita said...

Thanks Pragyan for thinking of me...I gladly accept :-D...keep up the good work :-)

Unknown said...

hey hi pragyan!! finally a post from you...i kept on waiting .enjoy your award sweetheart.lots of love:)suji haluaa( that's how it's pronounced in oriya...isn't it)well devyani is a school frnd and not a blogger..so you can't access:(

Finla said...

Halwa looks delicious. And congrats with your award

Kribha said...

That's so sweet of you to pass me on that award. It might be repititive but I'm so thrilled that you had me on your mind among so many bloggers. Thankyou so much dear. I really feel so honoured. Will wear it in my blog soon.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the award! Sooji halwa looks delish!

Dhivya said...

Congrats on ur award girl

Unknown said...

Hala looks appealing Pragyan..And congrats on the award..BTW I have tagged you for a meme..Please check out my blog..

Sagari said...

congrats for your award Pragyan yummy halwa

Cynthia said...

Darling! I heart you! Thank you so much for the award and the kind things you've said. I am touched.

Uma said...

Congrats on the award! the halwa looks so yummy! Nice shapes. Looks easy to prepare too.

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

So nice to discover your blog -- I'm looking forward to learning more about your cooking.

Unknown said...

Hi Pragyan, couldnt find a way to email you, hence this clumsy way to communicate - a comment attached to your halwa piece! Thanks for enjoying my blog. In another of your blogs you use the word Bhatukli...which prompted me to upload something i had written - do see on my blog under 'Food on my table' - post-Diwali. I saw your egg curry recipe and am just dying to eat some; i can live on it - cholestrol-wolestrol be damned!
gouri

Unknown said...

hey Pragyan where are you..no news??:(

Pragyan said...

Hi Asha: Thanks, dear! Ha ha, you do remember "Odiya" :)

Hi LG: Thanks so much! Yes, the halwa is indeed very yummy!

Hi Sia: Thanks a lot! Really appreciate the kind words.

Hi Sunita: Thank you for accepting it and the sweet little words.

Hi Saswati: Thanks for bestowing the award on me, dear! Your comments make my day. Suji haluaa is indeed right! Thanks for the info about Devyani. I promise to be more regular in my posts from now on! Work and school just drove me crazy the last few days!!

Hi Happy Cook: Thanks again! It is delicious..do try sometime..it is very simple!

Hi Kribha: You are an unforgettable blogger friend. Keep up the good work! I need to start blog-hopping..been so busy the last few days!!

Hi MasalaMagic: Thanks, dear! Look forward to try more delicious dishes from your site!

Hi Dhivya: Thanks, dear! Keep coming by!

Pragyan said...

Hi Divya Vikram: Thanks a bunch! A meme..first time for me..will post about it soon.

Hi Sagari: Thanks for visiting..hope to see you here more often!

Hi Cynthia: Thanks, dear! It is always a pleasure hearing from you!

Hi Uma: Thanks, dear! It is very easy to prepare in so less time!

Hi Jeena: Would love to join. Let me check it out!

Hi Lydia: Welcome to my world! Hope to see you here more often!

Hi Gouri: You rock! Keep visiting :)

Hi Saswati: I am back..just got busy with work and all..getting back to the blogosphere! :)

Anonymous said...

Had to add my congrats on the award. Marvelous looking dish!

Pragyan said...

Thanks, JJ! Nice to hear from you.