Halbai/Nampalaka/Sweet Rice-Coconut Fudge

Halbai- A sweet Rice Fudge

Halbai is a very simple and delicious sweet generally made in different parts of Karnataka. It is also known by the name 'Nampalaka'. This needs only 3 basic ingrediants and the results are amazing. It has a texture like a fudge and quite tooth friendly due to its soft texture. This sweet always reminds me of my beloved late grandfather who luved this sweet and often requested my grandmother to make it. I made this sweet in fond memory of him.

Here is what you need:

1 cup white rice( soaked for 3hrs)

1/2 cup fresh grated coconut

3/4 cup grated jaggery

1/2 tsp cardamom powder

Method: Grind all the 4 ingrediants with little water to a fine paste. Take a heavy bottom kadai and add the paste and keep stirring on a medium flame for 6-7minutes till the mixture caves in together and starts to harden. Pour this on a greased flat pan. When warm, cut into pieces and serve.. Since it has coconut, it can be refrigerated and stored up to 3days.

A peek at my garden...

My little Garden

Friends..here is a small peek at my garden. Roses graced my garden this year. This was the first year I planted roses. Have some everyday veggies including zuchini, cucumbers, serano peppers, jalapeno peppers, okra, mint, lavender and varieties of tomatoes.. I had pints of blueberries and apples growing this time..

Would love to hear from you about any gardening experiences or tips...

Bise Bele Bath / Spicy vegetable Rice

Bise Bele Bath is a authentic Karnataka speciality. It is a spicy flavourful rice dish with an array of vegetables and blend of aromatic spices cooked to perfection with rice.. Here is how you make:

Here is the recipe..Enjoy..
You need:
cups mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, peas, 1 potato, 1/2capsicum, cauliflower)
1 medium sized tomato chopped
1.5 cup toor dal washed
1tsp turmeric
1 tsp tamarind juice/lime juice
For seasoning:2tbsps ghee/oil-ghee mixture, a few cashews (optional), 2 dried red chillies,, 1tsp mustard seeds, ½ tsp hing (asafetida), 1tsp jeera, 1 sprig curry leaves
2-3tbsps Bise bele bath powder (MTR bise bele bath powder/paste is quite good if you can get access to that.)
Boiled white rice 1.5 -2cups

In case you do not have this powder, here is a trick that might help you. Grind Sāmbhar powder with some cinnamon (1/2” piece) and 2 cloves.

Method: Pressure cook vegetables and dal together with plenty water and turmeric till dal is well cooked. In a big pan, add the boiled dal-veggie mixture, to this add the boiled rice. Make sure the content of rice is less than the dal mixture and adjust the water accordingly. Let it be watery as the more it boils the more it thickens. Now add the chopped tomato and mix. The trick to knowing when this is complete is that the tomato should be boiled well. Add tamarind paste/lime juice; add salt per your taste. Now add the Bise bele bath powder and mix well. You can adjust the spice level based on your individual need. Close the lid and let it boil well in a medium flame for about 5-8 minutes till everything comes together. Finally in a separate pan, add ghee, when it is hot add mustard till it splutters. Now add the rest of the ingredients and switch off the heat. Add this to the bise bele bath and mix well and serve with raita…