ANGLO-INDIAN GINGER WINE

100 grams fresh ginger root
2 kgs sugar
6 limes / lemons (extract the juice)
3 pieces cinnamon
6 litres water

Peel and wash the ginger root and cut into thin strips. Put the ginger pieces, sugar and cinnamon together and bring to boil on high heat. Lower the heat, then simmer for atleast 2 hours on low heat till the water reduces and the mixture becomes slightly thick and coloured. Remove from heat then add the lime /lemon juice and mix well. When cold, strain through a thin cloth. Bottle and use as a digestive after all the heavy Christmas fare. This wine lasts for 3 months in a refrigerator.

GRAPE WINE

1 kg black sweet grapes

1 kg sugar

2 litres water

1/4 teaspoon baker's yeast

Wash the grapes we.. crush them well with the sugar. Add water and yeast and leave aside in a jar or a suitable vessel for 21 days. Open and stir the mixture every alternate day. After 21 days strain the mixture and leave aside for the sediments to settle. Strain once again then transfer to bottles.

To add more colour to the wine. Burn some sugar with a little rum / brandy/ wine in a saucepan. When the sugar gets caramelised add to the wine and mix well. It will then have a lovely rich colour.

Note: For making larger quantities of wine, increase the ingredients accordingly

COCONUT SWEETS (BARFI)

2 cups coconut scrapings

2 cups white sugar

1/2 cup milk

1 tablespoon butter or ghee

1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

1/2 teaspoon pink or green food colouring

Take a thick bottomed vessel and heat the sugar and 1/4 cup water on high heat. When the sugar melts, add the coconut, vanilla essence, ghee / butter and the milk. Cook on medium heat stirring all the time till the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the vessel. Drop a teaspoon of the mixture in a cup of water and if it forms a ball when rolled between the thumb and fingers, the right consistency is reached. Grease a flat plate and pour the mixture on it. Spread well and flatten with the back of a spoon dipped in water. Cut into squares when slightly cool.