Strawberry Lemonade

It's a sizzling summer here in California. It's time to make lemonade to cool off on hot summer days. Strawberries are in bounty and it pairs well with lemon. Adding bit of salt gives this drink a distinctive taste. This is one of our favorite tangy sweet summer drinks made with fresh organic strawberry, lemon juice and raw sugar, just pure and simple. I love to serve this fantastic drink in a salty sugar rimmed glass. 

Black Forest Cake

Black Forest gateau/Black Forest cake, layers of chocolate cake with whipped cream and cherry filling in between and topped with again whipped cream is a luscious dessert to celebrate any occasion. Traditionally cherry flavor bandy "Kirsch" is used. But it can be simply left out because kids would eat that cake. I have been planning to make this cake for a while. But it was not just happening due to my everyday busy schedule. Now we are having wonderful summer break. My little one is very excited to cook and bake with me. Finally we just made it for Father's Day! 

Rashogolla/Sweet Cheese Ball

Rashogolla(the way most Bong would pronounce) is prepared by kneading soft cheese with little flour or semolina and cooked in the light sugar syrup. If you taste one its divine taste would  surely leave you craving for more. It is believed a confectioner from Phulia district of Nadia named Haradhan Maira first introduced Rashogolla. He passed the recipe to Nabin Ch.Das, a Kolkata based confectioner who perfected the recipe for its longer self  life. He also earned the sobriquet "Raoshogolla’s Columbus". His son, Krishna Chandra Das first introduced vacuum-sealed canned Rashogolla. Gradually Rashogolla popularized by Bengalis all over India and abroad.

Mandarin Orange Cupcake

Soft n moist cupcakes flavored with freshly squeezed Mandarin orange juice will surely satisfy everyone's sweet tooth. They are made with very simple ingredients and taste way better than store bought cake mix. This was one of my Spring break activity with kids. I tried my best to decorate these cupcakes with citrusy cream cheese frosting. 

Italian Sweet Easter Bread

Happy Easter!! I have made these delicious three strand breads just a while ago. They smell good, look good and taste fantastic. Traditionally Italian Easter braided breads are very rich and fluffy and flavored with orange zest. Boiled dyed eggs are nestled in the braided bread that symbolizes Easter. These mildly sweet breads are great for Easter brunch/dinner or any time of the year. 

Loquat Chutney

It's loquat season here in Bay Area. Loquats, native to China  growing in clusters are oval shaped with a yellow or orange skin. Their succulent flesh is tangy sweet. Each fruit contains three to five brown seeds. Loquat tree blooms in early winter and fruits in early spring. They make excellent chutneys, jams and preserves. Don't know why this fruit is so unpopular here. I haven't notice  any super market carrying this fruit. 

Kaju Burfi/Cashew fudge

                                                                 

Holi celabration, an ancient Indian festival of colors also known as "Phagwa" falls on full moon day in Phalgun month(February or March). Holi celebration starts on Holi eve with a public holika bonfire in an open space where people gather, sing and dance which signifies "good over evil". Next day it is a  riot of colors where people spray colored powder and water at each other. In west Bengal it is called "Boshonto utshov or Doljatra".  Holi also welcomes spring.