Sunday, October 10, 2010

Celebrating Festival Moments With Malai Kulfi

Malai Kulfi ( Kulfi ) recipe | Kulfi Recipe | by Satya | Superyummyrecipes.com

Maa Durga . Source: Orissa Diary ( Click image for enlarged view )


Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu,
Shakti Rupena Sansthita,

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastsyai ,
Namo Namaha

Which means:
Prostrations unto Thee O Devi (Ma),
who resides in all beings as Shakti (Energy/Strength)

First of all I want to Wish You All A Very Happy Durga Puja...may Maa Durga bless you all with joy and prosperity.

Durga Puja symbolises the commemoration of good over evil and the divinity of god in a female form. Clay images of Goddess Durga are made and worshipped in gorgeously decorated pandals . On the day succeeding "Vijaya Dasami", the last day of Dussehra, the images are taken in a spectacular procession for immersion in the rivers. ( Read more on: Why do we celebrate Durga Puja ? )

Cuttack is the best place to witness the festival although almost all major cities of the state celebrate it with equal fervour. Cuttack is the the former capital and the commercial capital of the state of Orissa, India. Dusshera, the festival of goddess Durga, is very popular in Cuttack. Idols are worshipped in many streets and localities. In this city, Dussehra is famous for its Chandi Medhas, in which the idols are adorned with huge amounts of gold and silver.


Chandi Mandir Cuttack . Source: Sriradhakund . ( Click image for enlarged view)

The greater part of my childhood has been in Cuttack. The Durga Puja festivities is very prominent in Maa Katak Chandi Temple. Maa Cuttack Chandi is the presiding deity of Cuttack.In cuttack the goddess popularly called as Maa Katak Chandi, sits and rules on the heart of the ancient city. She is worshiped as Bhuvaneswari. Maa Chandi is worshipped in various incarnations of Durga during the puja. In Cuttack, people strongly believe Maa Katak Chandi as 'The Living Goddess '. ( read more about the appearance of Maa Chandi)



Prayer to Maa Durga

My early memories of this durga puja would be the drumming and chants from the pandal next to my house, to welcome her when the day would begin,I would be awakened by this wonderful atmosphere of festivity.

Even before the festivities the artisans would arrive at the pandals to create the diety. We school kids would watch the creative process taking shape day by day n fill us with wonder.

Artisan at work . Source: Picture By Nilanjan ( Article: Durga Puja on Washigtonbanglaradio.com)

Among the numerous pandal there were two very famous pandals near my house in cuttack at that time


Chandi Chowk Cuttack . Source: Orissa Diary ( Click image for enlarged view )

One of the famous medho near my house was the Chandi Chowk Medho, the complete background of the deity would be prepared with gold



Chowdhary Bazaar Cuttack . Source: Ayaskant ( Click image for enlarged view )

And the other one would be the Chowdhary Bazaar Medho where the whole decoration is with silver.

It would be heavily crowded with every lane filled with people to see the wonderful pandals. It would a five minute between each pandals and the nights are wonderfully flooded with lights.


Nightlife of Durga Puja in Cuttack

Some would walk it like me and my friends and some families would engage a rickshaw for the sightseeing. Within 2-3 mile there would be a about 30 pandals.Wow I can never forget those days.


Bisarjan of Maa Durga . Source: Flickr ( Click image for enlarged view )

The last three days asthami, navami and dasami the whole of cuttack would on the street.And on the last day bisarjan(immersion of deity) we would go to the mahanadi( huge river).

My mom would prepare some traditional stuff like bobattu(sweet channa dal stuffed roti), pulihara(tamarind rice),dahi wada(curd dumplings), besan ke laddu(chickpea flour sweet balls), kara posa(spicy fried snack), gulab jamun and so many other stuff for distribution to all neighbours, friends and relatives to celebrate this festival.


Street Food Cuttack . Source: Ayaskant on Picasaweb. ( Click image for enlarged view )

We kids would roam the streets eating some tasty street fare too.... we would also have spicy chaat like pani puri, or a combination of dahi wada, aloo dum and gugani (above image) topped with onions and some sev,aloo chaat, fresh crumbled paneer topped with rabri, kulfi... any many more

We would eat all the spicy stuff first and then search for the kulfi cart : )...We were was a real gang of friends !! On this auspicious occasion which brings back memorable moments, I want to share the most simple delicious indian street dessert "kulfi". The real authentic Kulfi is about three things milk,sugar and flavor. Along with my sweet memories I am sharing this indian street dessert.

Pista Malai Kulfi


( Click image for enlarged view )

Ingredients
  • 4 cups organic whole fat milk + 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup pista
  • 1/4 tsp crushed cardamom
  • 1 bread slice
  • 1 tbsp corn flour
Cooking Procedure

In a non stick pan boil the 4 cups milk, once it starts boiling reduce it to medium flame n stir occasionally until the milk reduces to 2 cups.

In the meantime finely chop the pista n keep aside. Take the bread slice n remove the sides n cut it into small pieces,soak it in the 1/3 cup milk, add the corn flour n blend it nicely to a smooth paste n keep aside.

When the milk which was kept for boiling has reduced to half, add the above bread mixture to it n stir for 2 min until it begins to thicken then add sugar,cardamom powder n chopped pista and stir it nicely for another 2 min.

Remove from flame n once it cools pour it into the kulfi moulds, if you do not have kulfi moulds you can popsicle moulds (like me) or just pour it into a freezer safe containers and cover it. Freeze it for 6 hrs.


( Click image for enlarged view )


Before serving take the mould from freezer n keep it under running water for a min and slowly remove the kulfi. Serve with a little of pista flakes n enjoy.

I am sending post to a wonderful event " Beyond Five Days of Durga Puja " hosted at Preoccupied

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Tags: Durga Puja, Cuttack, Dashara, Kulfi, Celebration, Street Food, Festival Moments

71 comments:

Suji said...

Can i have a serving plss satya..Looks heavenly...

Hamaree Rasoi said...

Happy Puja to You & your Family. Kulfis look mouthwatering.


Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi

Fathima said...

awesome kulfi!

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful post and yummy kulfi!Happy Durgostav to u n your family!

Harini said...

very well written post n yummy kulfi too...

Anonymous said...

Hey Satya,
Nice write up! and malai kulfi is awesome, kulfis are my favorite and in my childhood days, i used to always have these as a treat if I had my homework done promptly :)

Sangi said...

happy durga pooja to u... kulfi looks tempting..

Torviewtoronto said...

love the delicious kulfi

Uma said...

Happy Durga Puja!
yummy kulfi.. and easy too..

sonu said...

nice to know abt cuttack durga puja..the kulfi looks inviting..one of my fav kulfis...yum !

Satrupa said...

Satya,
Thanks for posting the Cuttack Durga Puja Medha photos. You took me back to memory lanes ..... I am missing home badly now.
Luv luv luv the post.

Cheers n Happy Cooking,
Satrupa

http://satrupa-foodforthought.blogspot.com

~Lisa~ said...

What a great festival indeed! I love ethnic festivals where I can experience the food and culture! And those Pista Malai Kulfi looks so refreshing and flavorful.

Santosh Bangar said...

happy durga puja to all family. kulfi is mouthwatering pic are very nice. thanks Satya for replying pl i feel sorry if anything hurt u.

kitchen flavours said...

Thank you for the great info on this festival. Interesting! We do have processions like this over here, but I'm not sure about this festival. Will ask my Indian friend about this. Thanks for sharing!

Padmajha said...

Nice to read your post and the kulfi is so very tempting..

Unknown said...

Nice read and a yummy treat!!...mouth watering!

Elaichii said...

Excellent write up and yummy kulfi!
Thanks for sharing the recipe and the brilliant write up!

Happy navratri to you!

Indrani said...

wow, what a nostalgic post, satya...never saw orissa puja photos..you gave us a beautiful tour, thanka a lot, satya..Happy durga puja to u and ur family..have loads of fun..kulfi looks yummy

aipi said...

Hi Satya... never seen durga pooja in cuttack but have heard a lot about it... the power of blogsphere I got to see that too... the pictures of Maa bring a sense of awe and humility and the mind bows to her. Thanks for sharing your memories through your post. It is a good feeling to be virtually connected when far away from home..Happy Durga Puja to you and your family!
Malai kulfi looks perfect for the festive occasion!

US Masala

Unknown said...

Hi Satya,

Lovely write up with pics and great kulfi...Can i grab it???I love it...Happy navrathri wishes to you and your family dear!!:)

Dr.Sameena@

www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Great post, Satya..Happy Durga pooja to you too!! Malai kulfi looks very yum!!

Jeyashris Kitchen said...

perfect way to celebrate the festival. kulfi looks too good and love the way u made it.

notyet100 said...

kulfi looks too yum..
happy navratri

Madhu said...

Very nice writeup. The kulfi looks yummy. This kulfi recipe is a little different with the addition of the bread.

Nandinis food said...

Wow! The kulfi is simply terrific! Heavenly post! Happy Durga Puja!

Adelina said...

what an interesting reading- I was in Chennai in 2008 during the NavaRathri and enjoyed every moments- am sure many parts of India celebrate it with even greater pomp (as you relate). Goddess Durga appeared in my dream when I was pregnant, she poured a pail :) of tumeric over my head.....as for Malai kulfi- this is the ULTIMATE desert of my hubby- nothing can get close to it! (wish I was in India now....you stirred my memories)

Sushma Mallya said...

Happy durga puja to you and your family...lovely post sathya....and kulfi looks yum

Raks said...

Nice informative post, pista kulfi looks very tempting,I would love to have one now :)

Sreelekha Sumesh said...

Mouthwatering pista kulfi!

Gayathri Kumar said...

Lovely and lipsmacking kulfi

chaitrali pathak said...

mouthwatering kulfi

chitra said...

Great post, very apt for the season.

Priya Suresh said...

Wow thats a droolworthy kulfi, very pleasing and tempting..

Treat and Trick said...

Looks great and truly delicious dear..

http://treatntrick.blogspot.com

My Kitchen Antics said...

kulfi looks delish

Sayantani Mahapatra Mudi said...

beautiful Puja memories Satya. loved the read and was almost transported to another region with you. the kulfis look yum yum yum.

Lena Jayadev said...

i was in search of a kulfi mould for last one month..didn get it n stopped searching..after seeing this i really wish to make one..again i have to start searching..looks super yummy... :)

PreeOccupied said...

Beautiful - the post and memories as well as the Malai Kulfi. Thanks for participating, Satya.

Sunitha said...

Happy Durga Pooja and the Kulfi looks great.

Sarah Naveen said...

Beautiful post...Kulfi looks divine!!

Ayush Kejriwal said...

how delicious...hmmm I am from Kolkata - those pics makes me want to be there :-(

Ayush.
www.ayushthecook.blogspot.com
www.doyouloveclothes.blogspot.com

Magic of Spice said...

What a grand treat...Happy Durga Puja to you and your family! The celebrations sound wonderful :)

Unknown said...

hooooooo delicious kulfi satya..wish grab that and enjoy..:-) Happy Durga pooja to u & ur family.

Sharmi said...

lovely pics! I too experienced this lovely moments while in Kolkata.
Kulfi looks yummy.
Wish you happy navratri.

M D said...

That Kulfi looks mouth watering!

Indian Cuisine Blogroll said...

nice post...malai kulfi looks yummy...

Pappu said...

Beautiful blog! thanks for stopping by mine. mouth watering yummy recipes in your blog. Wish to follow u. cheers:)

Unknown said...

Happy Navratri you and your family Satya, and kulfi looks just divine :)

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

Wishing you a very happy pooja dear...wonderful n informative post with rocking pics n videos...
Thanx for sharing this awesome kulfi recipe dear...bookmarked..

Tasty Appetite

Binys Recipes said...

happy navratri dear,,,,ur pics ring back memories from home and dandiya raas,,,loved it..kulfi is perfect and yummy

Nisha said...

Happy Durga Pooja

Nisha said...

Happy Durga Pooja

Love2cook Malaysia said...

Gorgeous Durga...Happy Durga Pooja to U too Satya. -^-

Kulfi...WOW! I want...:)

Unknown said...

Wonderful post dear..and the kulfi is so inviting...

I am very sorry not to give you the feedback about how the pav came out....It came out really nice...but mine didn't look like yours..:(..i meant t he soft look...mine one looked like the burger bun...I will post it soon.....

Niv said...

waw, the photos are awesome! you must be missing the pujas celebration in Chennai right?

Priya Sriram said...

Hi Satya,

Great blog! Thanks for visiting!
Happy Navratri!

Dhanya Ganesh said...

Happy Navaratri Satya.Kulfi looks yummy and easy to make:)

Lav said...

Beautiful write up on durga pooja satya, happy dasshera to y ou and yourfamily too :) Yummilicious Kulfi !!

Lavanya

www.lavsblog.com

Anu said...

Nice yummy recipe and wish you happy navaratri Satya...

Heather S-G said...

What a fabulous festival! I love the sound of it...and your descriptions! The popsicles are fabulous! They remind me of a phirni...which I'm so in love with right now! Gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing it with the hearth and soul hop this week :D

Simply Life said...

looks like a fun festival!

Arti said...

This is a wonderful post Satya and you have described it so beautifully... In Mumbai, though we celebrate Navratri, we dont get to see these wonderful Pandals and such colours...while reading through, I could feel the festive spirit of this lovely festival...Many Thanks for sharing this!
And I loved my malai kulfi too:)
My warm Navratri greetings to you:)

Joanne said...

Happy Durga Puja to you too! I loved learning about this festival and hearing about all of the delicious foods you eat! These pistachio pops look fantastic!

Christy said...

I loved learning about the festival - I have learned so much visiting your blog! thanks for sharing with us at the hearth and soul hop!

Namitha said...

Beautiful pics of the festival..love pista kulfi

Sharon said...

kulfi looks yummy :)

Lorraine said...

Great memories and a delicious treat! Thanks for sharing them. Thank you also for sharing for the interesting information about your celebration. Happy Durga Puja!

Couscous & Consciousness said...

Looks delicious, and very interesting to learn about the festival too.
Sue

Rajani Mani said...

loved your post on puja. superb kulfi..

a moderate life said...

Hi Satya! Many blessing to you for a wonderful Durga Puja festival season! Aipi also shared some wonderful childhood memories about this blessed holiday and since I sharing hers on the hearth and soul hop highlights at a moderate life this week, I thought I would also share yours to give more background and help folks to learn more about your wonderful culture and the things you hold to your heart! What a wonderful article and the ice cream treats look amazing! Enjoy yourself! Alex@amoderatelife

Anju Rathore said...

Hi Satya, I am already in a high festive mood and your pics sure adding lot of festiveness. Not to forget,Pista Malai Kulfi looks yummy .

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