Some dishes are classics. They stand the test of time, are loved by thousands, and add immeasurable value to a culture.
But if you have a love for food and an undying inclination to try something new, fusion foods are a great way to enjoy your favourite dishes with a new perspective.
Here are some South Indian sweets created with a twist. If you have made either of these at home, let us know what you thought of it.
Carrot Halwa Tarts
You know how some recipe inventions are just meant to be? We think that carrot halwa tarts couldn’t be a more wholesome combination.
The rich, decadent flavours of the halwa are balanced by the crisp, buttery-thin tart crusts. While it’s not the easiest dessert to make, it is bound to get a lot of compliments.
The ingredients you’ll need are grated carrots, ghee, sugar, milk, ground cardamom, and tart shells. You can either buy ready-made tart shells or make a healthier version at home.
The fun part about this recipe is that it can be a group activity with your family with one person handling the halwa, one making the tart shells, and another person assembling them together.
Guess what else pairs really well with these carrot halwa tarts? If you thought of the MD Traditional kaapi blend, you’re right! The strong, crisp kaapi flavours will make every bite of the carrot halwa tarts a delight.
Rava & Coconut Cheesecake
Who’d ever think of making a rava laddu and cheesecake mashup? Don’t just take our word for it. Make it yourself and you’ll discover a new favourite dessert that can very well compete with other flavours of cheesecake.
For this fusion recipe, one small tweak you should make is to switch out the biscuit in the base of the cheesecake with crushed rava laddu. The laddu has a crumbly, light texture so it will add a nice crunch to every bite.
As a garnish, sprinkle some grated coconut and let the cheesecake set for several hours. Since the cheesecake filling is heavy, you’ll appreciate the mild, nutty flavours that the rava laddu and coconut bring to this dish.
Berry Sweet Poli
Puran poli is a dish prepared in Maharashtra and several South Indian states, where it is referred to by a different name. Either way, it is a tad bit thicker than a crepe and is usually made with a filling of lentils and jaggery.
Drawing inspiration from the accompaniments served alongside pancakes and waffles, layer the poli (or the flatbread) with a spoonful of Nutella and berry compote.
Since the dough is made with whole wheat, it has a nuttiness that goes well with chocolate and berries.
Banana Payasam Parfait
Payasam is a traditional South Indian sweet that is often served during religious festivals. It has a custard-like consistency, making it the ideal component for a parfait.
All it takes is a few simple steps to make this dish. Set aside coconut milk, jaggery, rice, ripe bananas, and your choice of nuts/ spices for garnishing.
Once you have made the payasam, layer it in glass cups like a parfait using nuts and fruits. This has a more modern dessert-like presentation and the flavours are also not overwhelming. It is a creamy, adequately sweet and fragrant fusion South Indian dish.
Kesari Cupcakes
This recipe brings together the nutty-sweet rava kesari and fluffy, soft cupcakes. Before you know it, you’ll have devoured several of these.
To prepare this fusion dessert, you’ll need to have rava (semolina), flour, baking powder, ghee, sugar, cardamom, cashews, and raisins. It’s not a complicated dish to make. You can easily have a batch ready in less than an hour.
Once you have the kesari and cupcakes ready, it’s only a matter of layering a spoonful of kesari on top of each cupcake so that it sits well (like cupcake icing). This dish is perfect for when you’re hosting a party or have friends over at your house.
Those who enjoy baked goods should definitely try making rava kesari cupcakes at home.
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