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Tag: Homemade

Happy Valentine’s Day! Homemade Chocolate Truffles, Chocolate-Covered Strawberries and Other DIY Chocolate Recipes for a Sweet Gift to Your Special One

Chocolate Day, a sweet celebration that falls on February 9th during Valentine’s Week, is the perfect occasion to indulge your loved ones with the richest, most heartwarming treats. While store-bought chocolates are lovely, there’s something incredibly special about homemade goodies that come straight from the heart. Here are five delightful DIY chocolate recipes that are sure to wow your significant other: Happy Rose Day 2025: Cupcakes, Tea, Cookies and More, Delicious Rose-Themed Recipes That Are a Must-Try To Celebrate the First Day of Valentine Week (Watch Videos).

Homemade Chocolate Truffles

Chop the dark chocolate into small pieces and place it in a heatproof bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until it just begins to simmer, then pour it over the chocolate. Stir until smooth and shiny. Add butter and mix until fully incorporated. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 1-2 hours until firm. Roll the chocolate into small balls and coat them with your choice of cocoa powder, nuts, or coconut.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in the microwave. Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate, ensuring it is evenly coated. Place the dipped strawberries on a parchment-lined tray. Let them cool in the refrigerator for 30 minutes until the chocolate hardens.

Chocolate Bark

Melt the dark and milk chocolate separately until smooth. Pour the dark chocolate onto a lined baking sheet and spread it out evenly. Drizzle the melted milk chocolate over the dark chocolate and swirl with a knife for a marble effect. Top with your choice of dried fruits, nuts, or a sprinkle of sea salt. Refrigerate until set (about 1 hour), then break it into pieces.

Chocolate Fudge

In a saucepan, melt the butter and condensed milk over low heat. Add the dark chocolate and stir until fully melted and smooth. Stir in vanilla extract. Pour the fudge mixture into a greased dish or tray and spread evenly. Allow it to cool and set at room temperature (about 2 hours).

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

Melt your chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Dip each pretzel into the melted chocolate, making sure to coat it halfway. Place the dipped pretzels on a parchment-lined tray. Sprinkle with your choice of toppings like sprinkles, crushed nuts, or colourful candy. Let the pretzels cool and harden in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.

Happy Chocolate Day and Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 11, 2025
National Homemade Soup Day 2025 Recipes: From Classic Chicken to Spicy Tortilla, 5 Soups To Try and Celebrate the Day (Watch Videos)

National Homemade Soup Day, celebrated on February 4, honours the comforting and nourishing tradition of homemade soups. Soup has been a staple in cultures worldwide for centuries, offering warmth, nutrition, and endless variety. Whether it’s a hearty chicken noodle soup for a cold day or a rich creamy tomato soup paired with grilled cheese, homemade soups bring families together with their wholesome flavours and aromas. This day encourages people to embrace fresh ingredients, experiment with recipes, and enjoy the art of slow-cooked goodness. February 2025 Holidays and Festivals Calendar: Get Full List of Major Events in the Second Month of the Year.

Making homemade soup allows for complete customization, whether you prefer a vegetable-packed minestrone, a spicy tortilla soup, or a smooth butternut squash puree. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients not only enhances the taste but also provides health benefits. National Homemade Soup Day is the perfect opportunity to slow down, savour a warm bowl, and appreciate the simplicity and comfort of a well-made soup. As you celebrate National Homemade Soup Day 2025, we bring you different soup recipes that you can try at your home. Winter Soup Ideas: From Chicken Noodle Soup to Butternut Squash Soup, 5 Soup Recipes You Must Try.

1. Classic Chicken Noodle Soup – A comforting blend of shredded chicken, carrots, celery, and egg noodles in a flavourful broth. Perfect for cold days or when feeling under the weather.

Watch Recipe Video of Classic Chicken Noodle Soup:

2. Tomato Basil Soup – A creamy and tangy soup made with ripe tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil, often paired with a grilled cheese sandwich for a cosy meal.

Watch Recipe Video of Tomato Basil Soup:

3. Vegetable Minestrone Soup – A hearty Italian-style soup packed with seasonal vegetables, beans, and pasta in a savoury tomato broth.

Watch Recipe Video of Vegetable Minestrone Soup:

4. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup – A smooth and velvety soup made with roasted butternut squash, onions, and a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth.

Watch Recipe Video of Creamy Butternut Squash Soup:

5. Spicy Tortilla Soup – A bold and zesty soup with a tomato-based broth, shredded chicken, corn, and black beans, topped with crispy tortilla strips and avocado.

Watch Recipe Video of Spicy Tortilla Soup:

These soups are easy to make and packed with flavour, making them perfect for any occasion!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 04, 2025 07:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

February 4, 2025
7 Delicious Homemade Sweets to Savour in The Honour of Lord Bappa
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Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 Recipes: 7 Delicious Homemade Sweets to Savour in The Honour of Lord Bappa
Whether you’re making prasad or preparing treats for a joyful gathering, these 7 sweets are sure to enhance your Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 Recipes: 7 Delicious Homemade Sweets to Savour in The Honour of Lord Ganesha

Ganesh Chaturthi, a vibrant festival honouring Lord Ganesha, is renowned for delectable homemade sweets that honour Lord Ganesha. This vibrant festival, celebrated with great fervour, is renowned for its variety of traditional and innovative treats. From yummy modaks to new twists on classic recipes, these 7 mouthwatering recipes are made to both celebrate the occasion and satisfy your taste buds. Each recipe offers a unique way to show devotion while adding a delicious touch to your festive spread.

Photo Gallery: Popular Lord Ganesha temples in India

Whether you’re making prasad or preparing treats for your guests, these sweets are sure to enhance your celebrations. Have a look!

1. Healthy Granola Modak- by Chef Rajesh Paramashivan, Head Pastry Chef, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach

Ingredients
- Flax seed – 100gms
- Sesame seed – 100gms
- Rolled oats – 100gms
- Green pumpkin seed – 100gms
- Melon seed – 100gms
- Chopped almonds – 80gms
- Cranberry – 80gms
- Apricot puree – 100gms
- Maple syrup – 50ml
Method
- On a baking tray roast all the seeds and nuts
- Boil apricot till soft and puree it
- Add the dry ingredients in a bowl add the apricot puree and maple syrup
- Mix it well use a modak mold and press the mixture to form a modak shape
- Place the modak on the baking tray place in the oven for 30 minn at 80◦c
2. Coconut Jaggery Baked Yogurt- by Chef Rajesh Paramashivan, Head Pastry Chef, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach

Coconut baked yogurt
- Hung curd – 250gms
- Icing sugar – 60gms
- Jaggery – 100gms
- Milkmaid – 60gms
- Fresh cream – 125gms
- Cardamom powder – 5 gm
Method
- Melt Jaggery and add the milkmaid to it
- Mix all the ingredients together in mixing bowl
- Whisk the mixture till you get smooth consistency
- Pour the above mixture in an earthen pot or kulad
- Bake at 150◦c for 16minn on double bath
- refrigerate for 2 hours serve chill
Ingredients
- sweet pearls (Bondi)
- gram flour (besan) – 250gms
- baking soda – pinch
- water – 90ml
- saffron strand – 1 gms
- oil for frying
- sugar syrup
- sugar – 200gms
- water – 100ml
- cardamom – 2 nos
- saffron – 1gms
- rose water – 50ml
Method
- Add the sugar water saffron and cardamom in sauce pan
- Make a thick syrup add rose water for flavoring
- Add water to gram flour to form smooth batter
- Add the saffron to the mixture
- Lastly add baking soda to the mixture and whisk well
- To make Bondi pass the mixture through the perforated ladle on the hot oil kadai
- Remove Bondi strain all the oil completely
- Dip the Bondi in warm sugar syrup rest it for an hour
- Remove the excess syrup through strainer
- Finally, Sweet Bondi is ready to serve
Assembly
Serve the coconut-baked yogurt in a kulad with sweet Bondi and chopped nuts as garnish

3. Almond And Makhana Kheer

Ingredients
- Full cream milk 2 cups
- sugar/sugar substitute 4 tbsp
- Saffron strands a pinch
- Green cardamom powder ½ tsp
- Almond slivers ½ cup
- Makhana (fox nuts) 1 cup
- Ghee 2 tbsp
Method
- Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan and roast the makhana and almond slivers until they turn golden brown.
- In a separate heavy-bottomed pan, bring the milk and saffron strands to a boil, stirring continuously to prevent sticking.
- Add sugar or a sugar substitute to the milk and stir until it dissolves completely.
- Incorporate the roasted makhana and almond slivers into the milk.
- Continue cooking until the makhana becomes soft and the milk thickens slightly.
- Serve the kheer hot or chilled, garnished with additional roasted almond slivers and chopped roasted makhana.
4. Almond and Custard Apple Rabri

Ingredients
- Custard apple pulp 2 gm
- Double cream (fat) 1 gm
- Sugar/ Sugar Substitute 30 gm
- Almonds 30 gm
Method
- Toast the almonds in the oven at 100°C for 1 minute.
- Grind the toasted almonds into a coarse powder and chop the remaining almonds.
- Combine custard apple pulp, double cream, and sugar in a bowl. Stir in the ground almonds and mix well.
- Chill the mixture in the refrigerator and garnish with the chopped almonds before serving.
5. Almond & Sesame Pinni

Ingredients
- Wheat flour 2 cup
- Semolina 2½ tbsp.
- Roasted Almond slivers¼ cup
- Roasted White Sesame powder¼ cup
- Pure ghee ¾ cup
- Gram flour (besan) 1½ tbsp
- sugar/sugar substitute 1 cup
- Water½ cup
- Green cardamom powder ½ tsp
- Roasted white sesame1 tbsp
- Roasted whole almonds3 tbsp
Method
- Heat ghee in a pan, then add semolina and wheat flour. Roast the mixture until it achieves a golden brown color.
- In a separate pan, heat sugar or a sugar substitute with water over a low flame until a single-thread sugar syrup forms.
- Combine the syrup with the roasted wheat flour mixture, then stir in the green cardamom powder.
- Continue cooking until the mixture becomes slightly dry. Mix in the roasted almond flakes and ground white sesame seeds until well combined.
- Allow the mixture to cool. Divide it into equal portions and shape each into round balls.
- Place a half of a roasted almond on each pinni and gently roll them in the roasted white sesame seeds.
6. Almond and Amaranth Ladoos

Ingredients
- Popped amaranth seeds – 50 g
- Jaggery melted – 50 ml
- Almond slivers (unpeeled) – 30 g
- Method:
  Place popped amaranth seeds, almond slivers, and melted jaggery into a bowl.
- Stir the ingredients together until well combined.
- Form the mixture into small, firm balls.
7. SMOOR’s Pista Cranberry Barfi Recipe

Indulge in the luxurious fusion of pistachios and cranberries wrapped in rich white chocolate with this festive Pista Cranberry Barfi.

Ingredients
- Pistachios: 100g
- White Chocolate: 400g
- Cranberry Slices: 50g
- Silver Leaf: For garnish
Process
- Blend pistachios into a paste.
- Mix with tempered white chocolate.
- Layer cranberry slices in a barfi mold, pour pistachio chocolate mixture, and top with more chopped cranberry.
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes until set.
- Demould, garnish with silver leaf, and serve at room temperature.
December 31, 2024