Peda

Ingredients

• 2¼ cups heavy cream
• 2 cups milk powder
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
• a pinch of saffron (optional)
• 1-2 tsp cocoa powder (optional)
• M&M's (optional)

Directions

1. Cook cream in a non-stick or thick-bottomed sauce pan or kadai over medium heat, stirring frequently until the mixture has thickened.
2. Add all other ingredients except M&M's and and continue stirring until the mixture thickens to the consistency of a thick pudding.  Transfer to a plate and allow to cool.
3. Shape as desired and decorate.

Makes approximately 32 pieces

Zuchini Gusham

Ingredients

• 4 cups zuchini, cut into 2" long strips
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ½-1 tsp red chili powder
• salt to taste
• 1 cup mung dal
• ½ cup grated coconut
• 1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• ½ tsp black mustard seeds
• 2-4 cayenne pepper to taste
• Curry leaves, to taste
• 1 tsp oil

Directions

1. Cook dal in 3 cups water.
2. Cook zuchini in 2 cups water with turmeric powder, chili powder and salt.
3. Finely grind coconut and cumin seeds in 1 cup water.
4. Mix cooked dal, zuchini and coconut mix.  Boil and then simmer for 10 min. Remove from heat.
5. Heat oil in a sauce pan, add mustard seeds and cover the pan.  When the seeds are done popping, add cayenne pepper and curry leaves, stir for 15 sec, and pour into the zuchini mixture.

Serves 6-8

Squash Halwa

Ingredients

• 3 cups grated squash (yellow, white, zuchini)
• ¾-1 cup heavy cream
• ⅓-½ cup sugar
• ¼ tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder
• ¼ tsp nutmeg (jaiphal) powder
• 1 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
• ¼ cup cashew (kaju) nuts

Directions

1. Cook squash and cream in a non-stick or thick-bottomed sauce pan or kadai over medium heat, stirring frequently until the mixture has thickened.
2. Add sugar and continue stirring until the mixture thickens to the consistency of a thick pudding. Remove from heat.
3. Add cardamom and nutmeg and stir well.
4. Heat ghee on medium heat, add cashew nuts, stir till lightly browned, and add to squash mixture.

Serves 6-8

Zuchini Olan

Ingredients

• 4 cups zuchini, sliced
• 3-5  fresh green chili
• ½ tbsp chopped ginger
• 1 cup water
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 2 sprigs of curry leaves
• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup coconut milk or 2 tbsp coconut cream powder mixed with 2 tbsp water

Directions

1. Cook zuchini in water with chili, ginger and salt.
2. Add coconut milk, stir, heat for a minute and turn off heat.
3. Add coconut oil, curry leaves and stir.

Serves 4

Vegetarian Pizza

Ingredients

• ⅔  cup milk
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp yeast
• 2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• Salt to taste
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper sliced
• 2-3 tomatoes, sliced
• ½ lb mushrooms, sliced
• ½-1 cup black olives, sliced
• ½ cup basil, chopped (optional)
• 1-2 tbsp ketchup
• 1-2 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
• 8-10 cheese slices or 2-3 cups shredded cheese (provolone, havarti, pepper jack, mozzarella or monterey jack)

Directions

1. Microwave milk for 1 min (110 deg F/45 deg C).
2. Stir in sugar to dissolve, gently stir in yeast, cover and let sit in a warm place for 30 min, until surface is frothy.
3. Sift flour and salt in a large bowl, add oil, yeast mix, and combine to get a dough.  On a floured surface, knead dough until smooth.  Knead for additional 5 min, transfer to a slightly oiled bowl, cover tightly and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled in volume.
4. Roll out the dough an a well floured surface to get a 10" circle. Transfer to a pizza stone or a greased and floured metal baking pan.
5. Spread ketchup & hot sauce and cover with vegetables & basil.  Top with cheese.
6. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 deg for 35-45 min.

Serves 4