Last Updated on October 17, 2024 by Chef Mireille
This week my BM theme is to re-visit old posts and update with new and improved photos. Since it was Diwali, the equivalent of the Indian New Year, just a few days ago, it’s only appropriate that I revisit an Indian sweet that is sometimes served at Diwali. There is both a Rajasthani & a Gujarati version of this treat. The Rajasthani version is made with much more ghee and little to no milk. I prefer the healthier Gujarati version, which is nicer to the waistline.
I did not change any of the recipe, so you can just jump over to the previous post to visit the recipe and see the step by step photos here. This is a traditional porridge made with cracked wheat/bulgur. Although I generally use cracked wheat and bulgur interchangeably, there is a difference. Bulgur is parboiled and dried before it is processed into broken pieces of whole wheat. Cracked wheat is broken as is without the parboiling. The bulgur will cook slightly faster than the cracked wheat. Really, the difference is very small and you can make this delicious treat with whichever is easiest for you to get your hand on.
It’s a creamy and thick, sweet porridge. Another delicious way to enjoy this porridge although is a departure from the traditional version, is to reduce the quantity of sugar to 1/2-2/3 cup and add an extra cup of milk. This is how me and my friends had it for breakfast when I had guests spend the night. This loosens the porridge a little, but it is still thick and not as sweet so more appropriate for breakfast.
I really prefer these improved photos. In addition to now using a DSL camera instead of my previous P&S on Manual Mode where I can control aperture and other features, I now also have some great backgrounds.
That background you see in the photo that looks like red satin sheets are a few standard size pieces of paper taped to some foam board. Look in the scrapbooking section of your local arts supply store and you can find lots of beautiful print papers to create wonderful background for your food photos.
It’s a long learning curve and I am constantly a work in progress, but I am very proud of the progress I have made in the last two years and think these photos are much improved from the original post. I hope you agree!!!
Indian Lapsi Recipe with Cracked Wheat
Ingredients
- 1 cup bulghur wheat aka cracked wheat
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons ghee
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the ghee and add the bulghur.
- Toast for a few minutes on medium flame until it becomes golden and fragrant, about 4 minutes.
- Add milk and water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to a simmer and cook until the wheat is tender, about 15 minutes.
- Add the sugar, cardamom, remaining ghee, raisins and almonds and cook for another 5 minutes.
- To serve, spoon into a bowl and then invert onto a plate. Garnish with more almonds.
Nutrition
TRADITIONAL INDIAN RECIPES
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The new pictures look really good. Definitely an improvement over the older ones.
Great dish.. Great pictures
Those bowls of lapsi looks absolutely stunning.. Lovely presentation.
Mir, I love your satin background, it looks so rich and makes the dish stand out as well..great job!..and yes such a creamy texture you got there!
The new pics look very sharp and clear and the first click is awesome..I can feel the laapsi absolutely live..beautiful.
The satin background looks stunning, Mir.
I would never had guessed that the red background is actually scrapbook paper — it looks like wavy satin fabric. Another difference in the old & new pics is the angle you used.
Mireille I am really wondering why you thought of changing the old pictures. I loved the old pictures too. You caught the texture of the dish so beautifully in your old post while the background and the bowls you used here are appealing.
Guju version of lapsi is so tempting we even make lapsi but with no milk 🙂 wonderful new click dear !!
I love lapsi and make it on festive days. Added the post to the diwali round up.
The new pics are really good. I especially like the second one for its sharpness and clarity.