Coconut, Chocolate and Saffron Squares !

"Let our New Year's resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word." --Goran Persson, former Prime Minister of Sweden

Diwali and Christmas done ! Bidding adieu to 2014 with only few hours to go now for 2015 !

I feel like I write same post every year that another year is knocking on our door and it's already upon us! But seriously now, how quickly has this year gone by!? I swear the older I get, the time flies faster and faster..!

This past year saw a surge of selfies and brought us the ice bucket challenge perhaps making some of the best and worst memories of 2014! Whether your 2014 had its fair share of laughs, mishaps or regrets, now is the time to set the reset button and start 2015 afresh.

Counting my blessings, wishing you more. Hope you enjoy the New Year in store. Have a joyous New Year ! Thank you for all your support and best wishes.

This past year that went by was such a mixed bag. Since 2013 December I've been suffering from frozen shoulder, my shoulders became very stiff and painful, and that is making me very uncomfortable. Because of limitation in moving my shoulders I almost became bedbound, I had to leave cooking and blogging for a long time and I stayed away from social media too. With various treatment I am a little better, but still waiting for more treatment in coming months in the new year. Keeping my fingers cross for a total recovery and hoping for a new me! Thanks everyone who kept checking on me, for your love and best wishes, I missed being here!

My family were here for me, they looked after me and fed me day and night, whatever I asked, I got it, either cooked by them or bought by them :) If one good thing came from this, they at least perfected their cooking! I have many funny memories of my husband and daughter arguing in the kitchen over how much masala should go into the food!! The end product was always yummy though :)

After I felt a little better, I decided to thank them by making these lovely Chocolate and Coconut Squares. They are also for everyone who have been my well wishers this year!!

A soft and chewy filling of coconut coated with silky chocolate ends this year on a sweet note and welcomes the new one the same way! Be cautious, these little squares are dangerous, it's very difficult to resist. They would be great presented at parties or even given as a thoughtful gift :) .. or just eat them all yourself ;)

You will need :-

• 400 g desiccated coconut
• 1 can condense milk
• 8-10 strands of saffron
• 2-3 tbsp. icing sugar
• 50 g dark chocolate
• 50 g white chocolate
• 20 g butter
• two tbsp. finely chopped pistachio  

Method :-

Line 20cm square tin with baking parchment paper.
Dry toast desiccated coconut in a heavy bottom pan without burning or browning  on a very low heat.
Take out one tablespoons of  toasted coconut and leave it aside for decoration.
Add condense milk, icing sugar and saffron, mix well and switch of the heat.
Spoon the mixture  in the base of the tin and spread out evenly with the back of a spoon.
Leave it to set for at least 8-10 hours or overnight in a cool place before cutting into squares or your desired shape.
To make the chocolate coating put the both chocolate in a different bowl, add 10 g butter in each bowl and gently heat until melted.
Allow to cool slightly, then dip the squares into melted chocolate then roll into toasted coconut or pistachios or decorate how you like.
Allow to set on cooling rack.
Enjoy !!
Thank you for stopping by and see you all in 2015 :)