Kuch Mitha Ho Jaye ~ MW Mango-Pistachio Peda on Friendship Day to all my blogger buddies

Today's post is very special for me for many reasons..............
1. This is my 175th post on this blog.
2. This sweet post I'm dedicating to my all blogger buddies on Friendship day, as I found so many beautiful friends from around the world because of this blog. HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY to you all, dear Blogger Buddies.......................................
3. I made this sweet for my grandmother few weeks back who is recovering from a Cerebral attack which happened almost a year back. She has recovered a lot and pretty much normal now and can do her work by herself like bathing, dressing etc. But we still don't allow her in the kitchen. She is a very good cook and loves to cook. She was a very fit and healthy lady, had never suffered from any big disease, except this deadly attack. I have a very strong bonding with my grandmother and I feel very bad when I see her like this. After marriage, I have never got such opportunity to prepare something special for her. Few weeks back, when I visited her, I thought to prepare some sweet for her. It was my tribute to all the love and affection she had showered on us for so many years. She enjoyed the treat a lot and was quite surprised that her granddaughter has prepared so delicious sweet by herself. That way this sweet and this post is very special for me.

Now to the recipe, I have posted before a microwave Kaju or Cashew peda before. I generally make this easy Cashew Peda quite often for any occassion. This time, as it was summer and my fridge was full of mangoes, so thought to add mango in it and made this Mango Peda.

    Peda or Pera is a round 1/2 inch thick semi-soft milk fudge like sweet from Indian subcontinent. It originates in the state of Uttar Pradesh, North India. From there, it has spread to all over India because of its taste. But, the most famous and delicious peda is found only in Mathura city of Uttar Pradesh.
     The main ingredients are Khoya(thick milk solid), sugar and flavorings like cardamom, saffron and pistachio nuts. Its color varies from creamy white to caramel color. Different food color is also used to give it a colorful look. Pedas are also used as a prasad(offering to God) in Hindu temples or other religious occassions.

Ingredients :

Low fat Milk powder : 2 cups
Condensed Milk : 1 (14 oz./~350 gm. tin)
Unsalted Butter : 2-3 tbsp.
Mango pulp : 1 cup
Finely chopped pistachios : about 1/2 cup(leave a little for decoration)
Green Cardamom Powder : 1 tsp.(take the black seeds and ground them into powder)
Saffron stands : few(for decoration)

 Method :

• Take solid butter in a wide microwave safe bowl and cook for a minute or until totally melt.
• Take out the bowl and mix rest of the ingredients except saffron and mix well. the mixture should not be too liquidy. Should be a creamy texture.
• Put the bowl in microwave, set the power to high. Note: my microwave has 800W power. The cooking time depends on the power of your microwave. Take care not to overcook it. Microwave for 10 minutes. 
• Take out and stir the whole mixture once in between. After 10 minutes, take out the bowl. You will see the mixture will start to appear dry. Then put the bowl again and microwave for another 5 minutes.
• Take out and again stir well. To test it is done, take a little amount and try to make a ball between your palm. If you can make a ball and it doesnot stick to your hand, then it's done.
• If you can't make a ball with your mixture, then again put the bowl in the microwave and microwave for few minutes but always keep watching. 

 

 Making The Pedas :

• Take out the bowl and transfer the mixture to a wide dish or plate. Let it cool for few minutes, about 3-4 minutes. Do not let it cool for long time, then you won't be able to give them a shape. 
• Grease a plate and set aside. Grease your hands too, take a small amount of the mixture, and between your palms, roll it round and then gently press and make it flat and round. Quickly make other pedas. 
• Decorate with pistachios and saffron strands. I decorated with only pistachios. Put little amount of chopped pistachios in the middle of each peda and press a little.
• After you are done with whole mixture, cover the plate with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set.
• Pedas should be served in room temperature.

Enjoyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.............


Sending this recipe to Kolkata Food Blogger's Ongoing event "Microwave Expedition", where I am the featured blogger this week.