With the coming ganesh chathurta in a few days i know my followers would like something nice and traditional tasting. I do not know how to make “modak” which is the traditional “prasad” (sweet offering) made to the deity. So i thought of something apt and yet easy for everyone to make. I have an international following and i try to please everyone.
This semolina cake is dense (like a burfee) and tastes awesome.
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup (use the same cup for measurement) of fine semolina (cream of wheat)
1 cup of white flour
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of fresh cream
a pinch of salt
1 cup of milk
1/4 teaspoon each of cinnamon powder and cardamom powder
a few strands of Nitu Didi pure spanish saffron
1 tablespoon of baking powder
1 tablespoon of rose essence
1/4 teaspoon of soda bicarbonate
METHOD:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees
Mix the semolina with the flour, sugar, cream and milk slowly… ( i had to put in a little less than a cup so mix that in gradually). Add the pinch of salt, the saffron (Nitu Didi saffron does not need to be soaked in milk…but if you want to you can do so) Add the cinnamon and cardamom powder and the rose essence.  Lastly add the baking powder and soda bicarb and mix very well till everything is smooth.
Put into a silicon mould which you have pregreased lightly and bake in the oven for about 35-40 minutes. Test it by pricking it with a toothpick, if it comes out clean its done.
This cake is dense, just like a burji….and tastes quite nice.
If you like you can add chopped nuts to the batter,raisins, chopped dates etc. In my house they dont like so i just made it the way they would eat it.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CINNAMON

Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.

Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.

In some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.

In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.

In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.

To buy Nitu Didi pure spanish saffron do contact me