Kids in the kitchen at Gaura Purnima
Festivals are always exciting for kids. Gaura Purnima is one of the most exciting festivals as we gather to rememeber and celebrate the appearance of Lord Sri Kishna Caitanya who chanted and danced the sankirtan movement into the world.
Kids always want to be a part of the festivities. Allowing them to prepare some of the prasadam, to offer it to Krishna, and to distrubute it to devotees, well wishers, visitors, and friends, is a great way to include them.
Keep in mind that little hands are not so expert at using knives, and hot things can be very dangerous without proper supervision. Make sure that you are in the kitchen with the kids during the entire period that they are helping out.
stuffed potato
Potato is always a great favourite, and stuffed potato is something small hands can make with a little help from you. Making stuffed potato is easy and the results are delicious. You can change the ingredients for your favorite stuffing if you like.
Click here to see our stuffed potato recipe
Bengal Spinach (Sak)
Spinach goes very well with potato. Bengali Spinach, known as Sak, needs some heat and a little ghee or vegetable oil, but with your supervision kids will love adding this preperation to the main meal. (and you will too).
Click here to see our Bengali Spinach recipe
Caramelized Pineapple Rings
We all like to have something sweet at a festival, especially the kids. Caramelized Pineapple Rings will satisfy anyones sweet tooth. It's quick and easy to make, and it looks and tastes great. Make sure you closely supervise the cooking.
Click here to see our Caramelized Pineapple Rings recipe
Walnut and Chickpea-Flour Fudge balls (Laddu)
Laddu is a well known Indian sweet, and these walnut and chickpea-flour fudge balls (Laddu)
are great for celebrations. Only a little cooking is required and everyone will have fun rolling the balls out. Look out, the kids will want to eat them before they are set in the refridgerator. This is a fun recipe for the kids to prepare. You need to make extra because after they have been offered to krishna the kids will want to share them with their friends.
Click here to see our Walnut and Chickpea-Flour Fudge balls (Laddu) recipe
Thanks to Kurma dasa and ISKCON News for the Laddu and Sak recipes.
There are currently no posts in this category.
Subscribe:
Spinach squares
Category : vegetables baked kids GauraPurnima
Ingredients:
1 cup self-raising flour (if not available use regular all-purpose flour)
1 t baking soda - only needed if using regular flour
1/2 cup chick-pea flour (besan)
1/2 cup melted butter OR canola or vegetable oil
4 t sugar 1 1/2 t salt - or as per taste
1 1/2 t corriander-cumin powder (dhania-jeera)
1 t turmeric powder
1/2 t asafoetida - commonly called hing
1 1/2 cup spinach - washed and torn to small pieces
1/2 cup water
Method:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Wash and tear the spinach into small pieces to fill 1 1/2 cups.
3. In a large bowl, use a spatula to mix all ingredients except for the water.
4. Gradually and very carefully add water little by little to make a thick dough-like mixture - as you would for a loaf.
4. Grease a pan or casserole (about 8" X 8")
5. Add the mixture to the pan and spread evenly with a light hand.
6. Ask an adult to bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool.
7. Cut into squares.
8. Offer to Krishna along with LOTS of yogurt.
Ravaa Laddoos (Semolina)
RAVAA LADDOOS
Category : sweets kids all-festivals
One of the easiest form of laddoos made from semolina (ravaa). You get two kinds of wheat semolina - coarse and fine. I use a combination of the two to make these laddoos. Some may prefer just one kind.
Ingredients
1 cup semolina (a combination of coarse and fine 1:1)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter (or ghee if you prefer)
1 1/2 t freshly ground cardamom
1/2 t saffron 4 T or a dash of milk
OPTIONAL
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup slivered almonds
METHOD
**(Not for very young kids or without supervision)**
In a high pot or saucepan on medium heat, melt the butter/ghee.
Add ground cardamom and semolina(s).
Roast until pinkish brown and till you start getting the roasted smell.
Add the sugar, saffron and the optional garnishers (raisins,almonds).
Toss for a minute and turn OFF the heat.
Add a "dash" or a "flash" of milk - just enough to make a soft mix easy enough to roll into laddoos. (I would think not more than 4 T)
Turn out the mix into a large dish.
Let the mix cool for 5 minutes - not longer or else it may turn hard.
Pick a handful of the cooled mix and press it with fingers.
Once the mix is stuck together , roll into balls with both palms.
The laddoos should be 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter
You may make tinier ones if you like.
Offer to Krishna
Makes a dozen.
**For fudgier laddoos , add 1/4 cup whole milk powder or use condensed milk instead of regular milk.**