At the beginning of this month, when there were 25 good days between me and Christmas I contrived elaborate plans for holiday baking, now I do not even remember what those plans were. Most of it is edited beyond recognition and some are even deleted from a non-existent list I so meticulously maintain! But there are some sparkles of accomplishment in a sense, it is true that fruitcake loaves are ready, and I did make my mother’s favorite festival treat which goes by the name “diamond cuts” in our family.
Many of you might know the snack I am talking about, most probably under a different name. The amount of simplicity involved in the making of this snack is well hidden under a glittering name and an equally appealing taste. The dough is an elementary mixture of flour, salt, and crushed cardamom, rolled out, cut into diamond shaped pieces and deep fried. A light tossing with sugar syrup is all you need to dress up this fried dough for any occasion. When I was thinking through and through to see if there was a Xmas cookie recipe which came rolling down my family tree (No there isn’t any, but I am not worried!)), somehow good old diamond cuts marched right into my head. Just to make it crunchier and puffier I added some baking powder and an egg to the basic recipe, made bigger dough cutouts, deep fried, and dusted it with confectionery sugar.
For the dough
For the dough
All purpose flour – 2 cups
Baking powder – ½ tsp
Egg –1
Cardamom powder – Seeds from 4 pods powdered or ¼ tsp
Salt- 3 pinches
For dusting
Confectioners sugar – ½ cup
Cardamom powder – 2 pinches
Mix all ingradients together forming a tight dough; use just enough water to bring the dough together. Divide the dough into 6 portions. Roll out each piece very thin, and cut diamond shapes out of the dough by diagonally and vertically running a sharp knife over it. Deep fry the pieces in vegetable oil, and drain on paper towels. Mix cardamom powder with confectionary sugar and dust over the fried cookies. Store in an airtight container.
29 comments:
Hi Archana,
Have been waiting for your next speciality item. Shoma and I are looking forward to your visit to Seattle.
I certianly know what you are talking about in the recipe. My mom used to make this (and the spicy version also) all the time.
Hi archana,
beautiful recipe..we too make this.My mom used to al ot..but were dark in color.Thanks for sharing. Happy Christmas to u and ur family Dear.Enjoy Holidays!!
Nice one Archana :) These simple dishes have so much festive thing around them :) Nice write up. :) THanks.
www.mykhazanaofrecipes.wordpress.com
your recipe always shines Archana! I'd like to switch from cinnamon to cardamom powder in my other treats now.
Blue and white is my very favorite color combination! I told my husband, if one day we have our own house, the kitchen, plates and cup, table and chair... all have to be blue and white, ha!
Have a joyful and happy holiday my dearest friend!
Archana, diamonds cuts look delicious, add your touch they look amazing as well.
It was called diamond cuts in our house too. It is also called "gala gala" guess because of the sound they make when you drop them into a bowl.
Merry Christamas and Happy Holidays!
What can I say ??? They look stunning. We make this too.
You are exceptional and unique. Congratulations, your blog is a treat.
Very appropriate for this weather!Very snowy and delicious.Thanks Archana:)
Have fun.
Looks great...I'm glad they aren't in the break room here at work...I'd so grab like 12 of those ;)
Archana :
you dont know how much i wait for your post buddy. Just to have a look at the beautiful picture( i must say yours is one of the best food blogs i have come across ) and a very interesting recipe and here it comes.Loved your presentation as always and my mama used to make this too. Reminded me all those old days.
Thanks for sharing Archana
Cheers
Seema
Those diamond cuts are gorgeous like real diamonds! Even such a simple recipe turned into a beautiful creation with the touches you have added. Awesome picture too!
Merry christmas to you and your family Archana!
wow archana
what a wonderfull and easy recipe..looking great..
Nice and easy recipe. They look great. Wish you a very Merry Christmas Archana! Enjoy the holidays!
Hugs
Nah you dont need to worry about deleting some items from the list if you have made these cuts and the fruit cake. Plenty of joy let me tell ya :-D
Merry Christmas to you and your family Archana
Why don't you post all these spectacular photos in flickr?
yeah!!! I know this one. My mom used to make this all the time. Thank you.
Wish u and ur family a very hapy holiday!HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I also made something similar to this. But rolled into different shape. I tried your xmas cake. It came out well. Thank you very much.
Wish u merry christmas
&
Happy Holidays!!
-JJ
oh yeah, we make this too..and we call it khajooris :)
How I long for these. You have this very naughty habit of posting stuff I happen to think about blogging. It is getting to me now:) Just kidding. I was thinking of calling my mother and ask her about the diamond cuts. So funny!!! Glad you posted this 'cause
you sure did a very good job. Really proud of you!
We call this diamond cut too... We dont eggs though. Must try your recipe.
Merry Christmas and Happy New year !
Oh my God! so much I have missed!...wsnt in this blogosphere for quite some time...at times did take a quick look into some of my hot favourites...which of course included u...bt ws always lazy to leave a comment...or often i have been speechless to comment...So wish you dear sweet little baking fairy, a world of warmth and lots of happiness...on this christmas and new year and always....!
Hi Archana,
We call this diamond "biscuits". Looks very festive on the blue background.
Btw, the fruits for the fruit-cake have nicely plumped up (read somewhere long ago that fruitcakes are called plum-cakes because they are made to "plump-up" by soaking in rum/brandy - I digress) and I can't wait to bake it.
Merry X'mas!
At the beginning of December I always think I have lots of time before christmas and I never end up finishing any of my great ideas, this is is no exception, I feel like the only thing I've done is bake, but that's not so bad, is it?
I love the look of your 'diamond cuts'.
Oh, the name brings back memories of hostel - the girls from Kerala would bring these from home! It was the first time I heard about 'diamond cuts.'
Oh, the name brings back memories of hostel - the girls from Kerala would bring these from home! It was the first time I heard about 'diamond cuts.' Happy Christmas and New Year!
Yeah I remember them we use to have them whenever we visit kerala.Your cut diamond looks lovely.
Wish you a Merry Christmas.
Hi Archana,
Sweet looks so nice.
Great Pic..
Wish u and ur family Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Vidhu and Shoma
Same here too, ho ho ho. My mother also makes it savory; I have not tried it yet though.
Meena Kandlakuti
Thank you Meena, this looks lighter just because I rolled it out very thin. I love those crunchy ones made in the good old way too.
Rooma said...
Thank you. Simple recipes are always very charming. Happy holidays to you. Is this beta causing you any troubles in signing in?
Gattina
I learn a lot from great guys like you, thank you. I always feel that blue has such an invigorating presence. Wow, that would be fantastic. A very merry Christmas to you friend, enjoy the happy times with friends and family
Indosungod
Wow, Gala Gala is such a magical name, I should tell my mother. Happy holidays to you friend, have fun.
Krithika
Thank you dear, yes; this is such an omnipresent snack.
Anonymous
Thanks a bunch.
Asha
You got it, thank you.
Wheresmymind
Thank you, Why 12, take 14 ! Happy holidays.
Seema
Thank you for these thoughtful and encouraging words Seema, I am touched. Happy holidays.
KrishnaArjuna
Thank you, thank you. Happy holidays to you.
Swapna
Thanks a bunch
Meeta
Thank you. Merry Christmas to you Meeta, enjoy the season.
Ashwini
I always knew that you are sweet girl ! Thank you, happy holidays to you.
Anonymous
I will, soon. Thank you for suggesting it.
Shaheen
Thank you, happy holidays, have fun.
Just for fun
That’s a fun shape, will make it next time I am doing DC. I am glad that you liked the Fruitcake recipe, thank you for letting me know. Happy holidays to you.
Nabeela
Good, one more name! Thank you dear.
Gini
Next time you see one; write me a threatening mail, will you? Thank you dear, you made me go head over heels today, have a blessed Christmas. .
Priya S&S
Yep, I am going to tell my mother that she is going to get into trouble if she wishes to patent this name! Just kidding. She makes it without eggs , I added it since I was adding baking powder and rolling out the dough extra thin.
Shynee
Look who is here! Where are you lady, we miss you very much. I check your blog very often to see if you have decided to come out of blogging hibernation. Thank you so much for your good wishes, may the New Year bring you everything that you wish for. Run back to blogging !
Faffer
Good luck with the fruitcake. I have heard the same too, but most sources support the Oxford dictionary definition based theory( In 19th century English the word plum was defined as raisins or even as a collective term for certain dried fruits). But we may never know. Happy holidays.
Brilynn
Don’t we all!! Time flies in supersonic pace during December. But you did your baking, that is one jolly good thing. Thank you for your nice words. Merry Christmas, enjoy the season.
Sra
I know what you are talking about, my mother used to pack tons of this for me, in Horlicks bottles of course!
Sri
Thank you Sri, happy holidays.
Menu Today
Thank you so much. Happy holidays to you and your family.
Archana, this looks delicious, I was looking up diamond cuts to see if I could get an image somewhere and landed on your site, you have a wonderful space going here... thank you.
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