Cherry Halwa

 Cherry Halwa is a vibrant, ruby-colored Indian dessert that balances the natural tartness of fresh cherries with rich, buttery textures. It is Infused with warm cardamom, ghee, and toasted nuts. Served warm or chilled, it offers a luxurious texture, subtle sweetness, and a stunning colour that makes it as visually appealing as it is comforting with its smooth, melt-in-your-mouth. A dessert fit for any celebration or as a special treat!

Ingredients

 Cherries Pitted- 2 Cups

 Corn flour-2 tsp

 Water- 4 tsp

Ghee- 1 tbsp

 Nuts-Handful( I added Cashews)

 Sugar-1 Cup

Cardamom powder-1/4 tsp

 

METHOD:

 1. First pit(Remove Seeds) the cherries, cut them into half and keep aside.

2. Mix the corn starch and water nicely in a small bowl and keep aside.

3.Add the ghee to a nonstick pan. Once it is hot, add the nuts and fry until slightly golden. Remove the nuts from the ghee and keep aside.

 

4.To the remaining ghee in the pan, add the pitted cherries. Saute and cook the cherries in medium flame  for about 3 mins until the point when the cherries start to soften.

5.Now add the sugar to the pan. Continue to cook by stirring occasionally. While stirring crush the cherries with the ladle. The cherries will leave out water, bubble up and cook in their own juices. Continue this process for until the cherries are almost soften.

 

6.Now, add the corn starch paste to the pan. Mix well. The cherries will now start looking glossy. Continue to cook, by stirring constantly, until the mixture just starts to thicken.

 

7.Add the remaining ghee Mix and keep cooking the halwa till it thickens, turns glossy, and doesn't stick to the pan. Add cardamom powder and  nuts mix well. Turn off the flame

Serve hot or cold in small bowls.

 

Cherry Fruit Rasam

 Cherry Fruit Rasam

 Cherries are a nutrient-dense fruit packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Rich in vitamin C and potassium, they help boost the immune system. Regular consumption offers several key health advantages. Yesterday in market I bought cherries along with fruits but it was bit sour. Inspired by Vidhya’s blog I thought of making cherry Rasam/ Soup Made by adding fresh cherry fruit puree and tomatoes to traditional rasam spices. It provides a unique citrus twist and is high in Vitamin. Already I made PineAppleRasam, Lemon Rasam, Jeera Rasam , (Amla Rasam-I didn’t post in blog)

Cherry Rasam is a unique, sweet, spicy, and tangy South Indian soup. It blends tomato with the natural sweetness of fresh cherries, rounded out with classic aromatic spices. It can be served as a hot appetizer or poured over steamed rice The natural sweetness from the fruits intensifies the flavor of the food.

 

Ingredients:

Fresh Cherry–-15chopped (5chopped pieces and 10 pieces for puree)

Tomato –Chopped  1 cup

Toor dal - 1 cup cooked

Turmeric-1/4tsp

Rasam powder – 2 tsp (roast 3 red chilies, 1 tsp peppercorns, 2 tbspn coriander seeds, 2 tsp cumin seeds and make a fine powder)

Green chilli-1

Salt – as per taste

Seasoning (Ghee 1 tsp, Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp, Jeera 1/2 tsp, Curry leaves few, Asafoetida 1/2 tsp)

Chopped coriander leaves for Garnishing

 

Method:

1.Wash the cherries and discard the stems. Pat them dry .

2.Cut five cherries into small pieces and grind the remaining ten cherries coarsely without adding any water.

3.Meanwhile pressure cook toor dal and puree the dal.

 

4.In a saucepan add the ground cherries, cut cherries, tomato , Ginger,Rasam powder, turmeric powder, salt, ground pepper, salt.

5.Add two cups of water and mix thoroughly.

 

6.Now bring this mix to a boil over medium heat. Now add the  dal,curry leaves, cilantro and remaining one cup of water. Mix well.

 

7.Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the rasam until it becomes frothy on top. Then turn off the heat.

8.In a separate tempering pan, melt the ghee. When the ghee is hot, add Mustard seeds  &the cumin seeds and fry for few seconds.

9.Transfer this seasoning to the Rassam, and add chopped coriander leaves and cover with a lid and remove from flame. 

10.Finally, add two to three pitted cherries to garnish and serve hot

Quick, tasty sweet , sour &spicy Cherry rasam is ready!