vidya's creations

Olive oil

2010-06-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

Hi all..bac after a real long time.

I wanna give an important information i got from my doctor & friends about olive oil.

Olive oil is said to have the greatest exponent of monounsaturated fat.It is a natural juice which preserves the taste,aroma,vitamins & properties of the olive fruit.Olive oil the only vegetable oil that is consumed as it is- fresh from the olive fruit.

Recently i can to know that using olive oil in Indian cooking needs more care,i.e, when u chose olive oil for cooking its better to see the label which says olive oil for frying.Olive oil which is meant for marinating should never be heated.When they are heated it releases toxins & becomes hazardous for health.So next time take care when u choose ur olive oil for cooking.

Milagu (pepper)thokku/Keti milagu kozhambu

2010-02-01T17:10:00.000-08:00

We all know that pepper spice is gud for health than the hot taste we get from chillies.Pepper is being used widely by use in our day to day cooking.This milagu kozhambu/thokku is my mother's speciality.I always ask my mom to make it at least once in 2 weeks.

This can be stored in refrigerator for at least a week.This can be mixed with rice & had with vadam as side dish .This is also a gud side dish for curd rice.

This is how my mother makes it
Pepper 1 tsp
Jeera 1 tsp
Toordhal 1tsp
Coriander seeds 3tsp
Red chillies 6-7
Mustard seeds 1/4tsp
Few curry leaves
Tamarind soaked in water i small lemon size
Gingely oil 1/2cup
Turmeric powder 1/4tsp
Salt to taste
Take 2-3 tsp of oil in a kadai & fry all except tamarind & turmeric powder.Cool & grind along with tamarind into fine paste.In a kadai add gingely oil & splutter mustard seeds.When they pop add curry leaves & the ground paste.Add turmeric powder & salt.Allow it to cook & thicken.Always keep it covered as it spills all over.Take of stove when it thickness.

More curry leaves gives it more taste.Have it with hot rice

Ghee kozhukatai

2010-01-31T13:56:00.000-08:00

Hi all....iam back after a very long time.Been busy with something or the other sometimes was too lazy to blog.

Thai and aadi(tamil months) are considered very auspicious for goddesses.All the fridays in these 2 months its a tradition followed in our family that we make some sweet or the other & offer to God. Mostly the first Friday of these months we make this ghee kozhukatai & start by praying lord Ganesha.This ghee kozhukatai is a hot favorite for all.So we make lot of this kozhukatai so that we ladies who make will get some haha.
This is how we make it..
Ingredients
Grated coconut 1 cup
Jaggery 1cup
Wheat flour 1/2cup
Turmeric powder a pinch
Oil & ghee to deep fry

Mix wheat flour & turmeric powder along with some water to make dough(like chappathi dough).Set aside.In a kadai add the grated coconut & jaggery & mix well until jaggery melts & mixes well with coconut to make the stuffing.Now make very small chappattis & stuff this coconut jaggery mixture in it & close it.

In a kadai heat oil.To this add 2tsp of ghee.When the oil is hot enough slide these kozukatais one by one & fry them until golden brown.

My gollu & awards

2009-10-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

Gollu is a very beautiful festival celebrated in southern part of India.During this period we invite all our relatives home & give them thambulam with a small gift. I really miss gollu in Chennai now.Still i kept a small gollu here in US. A simple one.I loved it & so did my friends who came for my gollu.I have posted my gollu pics here.

I received these lovely awards from my beautiful friends.Thanks a lot..
Jyothi of Food seasons awarded me with the following awards.Thanx a lot jyothi.It means a lot to me.

Sanghi of tasty bites awarded me this award.Thank u Sanghi that is so sweet of u & u made my day.

Thanx again for such lovely awards.

Mattar paneer

2009-08-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

People at all age love to have paneer.Especially when it tastes so authentic u cant stop eating it.I learnt to make this authentic mattar paneer from vahrevah.It came out so well...
This is how i made it
Ingredients
Paneer 1/2 cup
Green peas 1/2cup
Tomatoes 2
Onion 1
Cashew nuts 2tsps
Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp
Coriander powder 1tsp
Cumin powder 1/2tsp
Chilli powder 1 tsp
Green chilli 1
Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
Coriander leaves few
Katoori methi 1 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/4tsp
Oil 2-3 tsp
Salt to taste
Cream 2tsps
Whole garam masala which includes-
Cinnamon stick 1,
Bay leaf 1,
Clove 2,

In a kadai add some oil & fry cashew nuts till light brown.Add onion ,ginger garlic paste,turmeric & tomatoes.Cook til tomatoes are soft.Then cool & blend them together.In the same kadai add some oil.Now add whole garam masala & then cumin seeds.Saute for few secs then add the ground tomato onion paste.Add little water to this sauce.To this add finely chopped green chillies,cumin powder,coriander powder & chilli powder.After adding all these ingredients allow it to cook till the raw smell goes & thickness.When it thickness add kastoori methi to this gravy.Allow it to cook for 5 more mins.Then add peas & paneer to this gravy.Simmer after u add all these & garnish with coriander leaves & cream.

Serve hot with parathas or rice.

colorful tomato rasam

2009-08-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

Rasam is my all time favorite item which can be had with rice.U can find a lot of rasam varieties in my blog.I always wondered why we eat our meal in a particular way.Especially the south Indian thali.First comes sambar then rasam & finally curd rice.I always believe whatever v do there is a logical reason behind it.The way we eat this thali also has a reason.

Sambar that we prepare is full of spices & dhal which is rich in proteins.It also has vegetables in it so its quite filling.We eat rasam next which is very light & helps in digestion.It neutralizes all the heavy dhal we eat from sambar.Finally we finish with curd rice which is a natural coolant.It cools down our body & reduces the acidity level in our body.

Usually the rasam we prepare will have very less content in it & simple.But i learnt this rasam which has so many ingredients in it & so grand yet so light.After all parties & outing we wanted to have only rasam for dinner last night.This colorful tomato rasam which i prepared was so gud we finished it fully.
This is how i made it

Tomatoes 2
Green chillies 2
Garlic 1
chilli powder 1tsp
coriander powder 1tsp
cumin powder 1/2tsp
Pinch of hing
Jeera 1tsp
Feenu greek seeds 4-5 pieces
Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
Pepper 1/2tsp
Red chillies 2
Tamarind paste 1/4cup
Turmeric powder 1/4tsp
Toor dhal water 1/2cup(u can even use boiled mashed toor dhal)
Uradh dhal 1tsp
Salt to taste
Sugar 1/2 tsp
Ghee 2 tsp
Few coriander & curry leaves

In a bowl add some water & heat it.To this add chopped tomatoes & finely chopped green chillies.Then add sliced garlic,chilli powder,coriander powder & cumin powder.Now add salt & sugar.Then add the dhal water & coriander leaves to it.Then add the tamarind juice.Allow it to boil then simmer it & allow it to cook for 30 mins.When the rasam reduces to 80% of the content.

Now make thadka which is very essential to bring out the flavor in rasam.

Befor making thadka crush some garlic,cumin seeds & pepper.Pepper depends upon the spice level u want.Now in a sauce pan add ghee,when hot add redchillies,mustard seeds,feenugreek seeds,then add uradh dhal then hing.Now add some curry leaves & crushed garlic pepper & cumin.Now add little bit of turmeric.Now add this thadka to ur rasam & allow it tocook for another 10 mins.
Hing is the main flavoring agent in it.
For more flavor add some onions when u add green chilli.U can even add more garlic when u add onions.

Vegetable pulav

2009-07-29T09:02:00.000-07:00

I always wanted to learn to make authentic dishes.I keep learning new things every time i log into the different blogs & websites created by many.My latest favorite is Vahrevah.com. chef Sanjay thumma teaches u different ways to make authentic dishes in a easy way.He makes the most complicated dishes appear to be very simple.He truly inspires people to cook.Any one who sees his program will want to cook.

One such items i learnt from him is this vegetable pulav.I always wanted to know the difference between a pulav & biryani.Many will know it.For some of u like me who do not know the difference here it is. A pulav is one in which we cook all vegetables & rice together.When we prepare biryani we layer vegetables & rice one over the other & cook.Pulav is simple & easy than our rich biryani.

This is how i made it
Ingredients
Basmati rice 1 cup(i used raw rice since i didn't have basmati rice)
Onion 1
Potato 1
Mixed vegetables 1/2cup(i used carrots & peas)
Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp
Curd 1/2cup
Cinnamon stick 1
Cloves 2
Elaichi 1
Black cardamom 1
Kala jeera 1 tsp
Bay leaves 2
Mint & coriander leaves few
Chilli powder 1 tsp
Coriander powder 1 tsp
Cumin powder 1tsp
Pepper(crushed)1 tsp
Oil 3 tsp
Salt to taste

Wash & soak rice in enough water for 30 mins.I used 1:2 ratio for rice & water.In a kadai add oil & add the whole garam masala(Cinnamon stick, Cloves , Elaichi , Black cardamom , Bay leaves ) & kala jeera in it.Now add the chopped onions & saute.Add little salt to the onions which will help it to cook faster.Now add ginger garlic paste & mix well.Add potato & other vegetables to it.Mix well.Add all the powders one by one & saute well.To this add the coriander , mint leaves & pepper & mix them all together.Mix the masala & vegetables with rice along with required water.Add the necessary salt.Switch on the rice cooker & wait till the rice is done.The smell that comes out when the rice is cooking is enough for an appetizer.When the pulav is ready allow it to stand for 2-3 mins before serving it hot.

Idly sambar

2009-07-21T08:05:00.001-07:00

Hello all.....Blogging after a real long time.Right from the time i wanted to blog every day i could hardly sit with my laptop.Was very busy enjoying.Any ways back to blogging.I learnt quite a few items these which was very interesting.Will share all the items i learnt & made in future & all the tips i got.

Idly sambar is one favorite dish served in many south Indian restaurants.Saravana bhavan idly sambar is so famous i always wanted to make sambar like that for idly.Here it is sambar that has Saravana bhavan sambar taste.Simnce i dont have small idly mold with me i made regular idlies.

This is how i made the sambar

Ingredients
Toor dhal (cooked) 1cup
Pearl onions 1 cup
Tomato 1
onion 1
Tamarind juice 1 cup (diluted)
mustard seeds 1/4tsp
Channa dhal 2tsp
Coriander seeds(dhaniya) 4 tsp
Red chilli 10
Pottu kadalai 1 tsp
Oil 3tsp
curry leaves & coriander leaves few
Turmeric powder 1/4tsp
Salt to taste
Jaggery 1tsp

In a kadai add oil.Add channa dhal,coriander seeds & 8 red chillies.Roast them till little brown.Keep aside.Now add oil in the same kadai & add onions.saute a while & add half of a tomato & saute till tomato is soft.Allow it to cool & grind them all together to a fine paste along with pottu kadalai.Now in a kadai add oil.Splutter mustard seeds.When it pops add pearl onions & curry leaves.Now add red chillies and then the tamarind juice.Now add remaining tomato, turmeric powder & salt.Add the ground paste.Allow this mixture to boil till the raw smell of tamarind goes.Now add the cooked & mashed toor dhal to this & allow it to boil a little more.Now add jaggery & chopped coriander leaves & serve hot with idlies.

When serving with idlies first layer with idlies then pour some sambar on top.Add chopped onions & pour 1 tsp ghee on top.Garnish with coriander leaves.

Oats n fruity

2009-06-16T17:49:00.000-07:00

Oats is generally considered a health food.It is said to help in lowering cholesterol levels.It has soluble fiber in it than any other grain, resulting in slower digestion and an extended sensation of fullness.I happened to see this oats & fruits drink in a TV show.Made few alterations according to the items i had to make this health drink.

This is how i made it
Oats 50 gms
Apple 1
Badam 8
Dates 4 or dry grapes 1 tsp
Sugar little
Milk 1 cup

In a heavy bottom pan add little water & milk.To this add oats,cook & cool it.Soak badam over night in water.Soak dates or dry grapes for 10 mins.Grind badam and dates/dry grapes to a fine paste.Use the water u used to soak badam to grind them as it has lot of nutrients.To this add the sliced apple & grind to a paste.To this paste add the cooked oats &sugar & grind to a thick shake.Serve chilled.

NOTE:You can avoid sugar if u don't want it sweet.
Can use any seasonal fruits like strawberry,papaya or pear.

Meethi keerai

2009-06-14T15:11:00.000-07:00

I always loved spinach & all green leafy vegetables.Any form of keerai i would eat with out hesitation.I always wanted to make meethi keeri in South Indian style.So made this keerai kai this weekend.We just loved it.This meethi keerai is very gud for people with diabetics.

Here is the recipe

Meethi keerai 1cup(finely chopped)
Onion 1
Red chilli powder 1 tsp
Dhaniya powder 1/2tsp
Coconut 1/4cup (grated)
Sugar 1 tsp
salt to taste
oil 1 tsp
Mustard seeds 1/4tsp
Moong dhal 2 tsps

Soak moong dhal in water for 10 mins.Squeeze out water & set aside.Wash methi leaves completely & chop them finely.In a kadai add oil & splutter mustard seeds.Now add the cut onions & saute.Then add the cut meethi leaves,moong dhal,chilli powder, dhaniya powder & salt.Mix well cover & cook.When the leaves have cooked add sugar & grated coconut.Mix well.

Avoid sugar when you prepare for people with diabetics.

Dates cake

2009-06-09T14:45:00.000-07:00

Month of May has been a month full of fun & enjoyment.I was going out almost all weekends and whole week busy with planing stuff.We bought a big box full of dates last week.I made this dates cake last Friday.It came out so well it was over the same day.

This is how i made it
Dates 1cup(seedless)
All purpose flour 1 cup
Milk 3/4cup
Sugar 3/4cup
Oil1/2cup
Baking soda 1 tsp
Chopped almonds 2 tspGrind dates with little milk to fine paste.To this ground paste add oil & beat well.Now add flour & baking soda.Add the remaining milk to this mixture & beat them together.Add the chopped almonds to this mixture.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Grease a baking tray with oil.Now pour this mixture in the tray & bake for 30-40 mins.Yummy dates cake is ready to be served.Cut it into desired shape when cooled.

Godhumai adai

2009-06-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hello all....iam blogging after almost 3 weeks.I have been quite busy going out & having fun.We went to NY & celebrated our wedding anniversary in Atlantic city with friends & cousins.Happie shopping too.Only today i got bac the energy to sit in front of my laptop.

After all the food we had out side i decided to make something healthy.So i made these godumai adai this week.It was easy to make & quite filling too.

Suitable for diabetic people.Here is the recipe...
Ingredients
Wheat flour 1cup
Rice flour 1/2cup
chilli powder 1/2tsp
Green chilli paste 1/2tsp
vegetables 1cup(beans,cabbage,peas)
onion 1cup
coriander leaves few
salt to taste
oil few tsps

Mix all ingredients & make batter.Batter should not be too watery nor too thick.It should be in in thick pouring consistency.Make small adais.It will take a little long to cook.If u add oil to the batter u don't have to use oil when cooking adai.

Try it u will love it.U can have it with raita or pickle.

Vegetable rasam

2009-05-19T09:07:00.000-07:00

I had this rasam full of vegetables in a restaurant here.It tasted so gud that i wanted to try it at home.It came out so well.We loved it

This is how i made it

cooked toor dhal 1 cup
tamarind juice 1cup (diluted)
turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
salt to taste
pinch of hing
garlic 5 pods
red chillies 3
jeera 1 tsp
oil 3 tsp
Mustard seeds 1/4tsp
vegetables 1cup(i used carrots,beans,peas & cauliflower)
Tomato 1 chopped

Grind garlic,jeera & red chillies.In a bowl mix cooked dhal,tamarind juice,turmeric powder,hing & salt.Cut vegetables into small cubes & cook separately. In a kadai add oil & pop mustard seeds.Then add the ground garlic paste & saute.Now add the tamarind mix,tomato & vegetables.Allow them to cook till the raw smell of the tamarind goes.Vegetable rasam is ready.

Event entry

2009-05-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

Its been quite some time since i sent something for an event .So these are my entries to Mahi's 15 minutes cooking....

Channa chat..a must have healthy food..
Bell pepper baji..an easy yummy fried tiffin item
Pidi kozhakatai..steamed rice balls
Ravai idly...ready in 10mins
Cup of corn...favorite healthy snack for people of all ages.

Avakai pickle

2009-05-14T18:37:00.000-07:00

Avakai pickle is the hot favorite of all pickle lovers.Who will not love this pickle!!!
Especially home made ones yummy.I was so lucky to get these tangy mangoes when i went to the Indian stores here.I made this pickle last week.Now they are ready to be finished.This is how i made it
Ingredients
Raw mangoes(cut)1 cup
Red chilli powder
Mustard powder
Fenugreek seeds
salt
Gingely oil

Measurement
This is the proposition i used to make the full bottle.For every hand full of cut mangoes i added 2 full spoons of red chilli powder,1spoon full of mustard seeds powder,2 & 1/2 tsp full of salt 1/4th spoon of fenugreek seeds.

First wash mangoes & cut them into big pieces(in India they cut it with seeds).Dry these cut pieces on paper so that moisture is absorbed from all pieces.All pieces should be dry.Now using the above mentioned measurement add all the ingredients.Then add gingely oil so that entire pickle is soaked in oil.Oil should float above.Mix well.Let it marinate nicely for 4-5 days.Daily mix the ingredients atleast 2 times.Mangoes will get tender & raw smell of chilli powder will go.This is when ur pickle is ready to use.

Ur yummy avakai pickle is ready.

Sandwich

2009-05-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

Sandwiches are one way to give vegetables to kids.Not only kids any one will love to have these sandwiches any time.I made this sandwich for breakfast and we loved it a lot.

This is how i made it
Bread slices 2
Cucumber1
Tomato 1
Capsicum 1
onion 1
Mild cheddar cheese 1cup(shredded)
Butter 2-3 tsps

To grind
coriander leaves 1 bunch
green chillies 2
Salt to taste

Grind coriander & green chillies to a fine paste & add salt to it.In one bread slice spread this green chutney.In another bread slice spread butter.Place thinly sliced 4 cucumber pieces,then thinly sliced 4 tomato pieces.Now spread some onion rings and capsicum pieces on top of this.Now spread shredded cheddar cheese.If u have lettuce can spread that too.Now place the slice in which green chutney is spread & spread more butter on top & bottom of this sandwich.Grill it & serve hot with tomato ketchup.

Cup of corn

2009-05-06T06:25:00.000-07:00

Sweet corn is one of my favorite snack.When toasted in fire & lightly salted it tastes yummy.Corn is very gud for health as it contains dietary fibres.It has low sodium content in it.

A cup of corn is a perfect evening snack in chill weather.

Ingredients
Corn kernels 1 cup
Butter 1/2 tsp
Salt & pepper to taste

Microwave corn kernels in a bowl for 2 mins or until they are soft.Now mix butter,salt & pepper.Adjust according to taste & serve hot.

Vanilla sponge cake

2009-05-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

I always njoyed baking.I bought vanilla cake mix last week.I made vanilla sponge cake & with the remaining mix i made few muffins.

Ingredients
Vanilla cake mix 1 pack
Vegetable oil 1/2 cup
Milk 3/4cupIn a mixing bowl mix all the ingredients Until required consistency is reached.Preheat oven at 400 degree.Pour mix in greased cake tray.Bake for 40-50 mins.Muffins take only 20-25 mins to bake.It turned out very soft & fluffy.

Rose sharbath

2009-04-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Sharbath is one cool drink served in hot summer in India.Its easy to make & refreshing too.I made this sharbath when it was really hot for past 2 days.I bought rose syrup last week when i went to Indian store.This sharbath was very refreshing when i had it.

This is how i made it
Water 1tumbler
Rose syrup 2 tsps
Sugar 2 tsp

Mix all the ingredients together & serve chilled.

Iam sending this Anu Sriram's RD for summer.

Iced Green tea

2009-04-30T06:30:00.001-07:00

Green tea is a gud source of anti oxidants.The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression.Drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent.Green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

Both my hubby & my self have green tea regularly.I made chilled green tea yesterday which tasted even better than the hot tea i always have.Items required
Green tea bags 2
Water 1 tumbler
Honey 1-2 tsps

Boil water and take off stove.Put green tea bags & take it out in a minute or 2.Chill this green tea & add honey.Chill & serve.Is n't it a refreshing healthy drink for this summer?!?

This goes to Anu sriram's RD for summer.

Vegetable pizza

2009-04-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

Everybody loves pizza.Kids love to eat pizza whenever they possibly can.How gud it will be to have pizza thatz made of only vegetables.Yes i happened to c this in a TV show & made few changes according to the available items.

Here i go with only vegetable pizza recipe
Big egg plant 1
Pizza sauce 4-5 tsps
Bell pepper(red,green,yellow & orange) 1 cup
onion 1
Black pepper 1tsp
Rice flour 1tsp
Mild cheddar cheese(original recipe had mozzarella cheese)1-2tsps
White pepper 1 tsp
Olive oil 1 tsp
Olives few
Jalapenos few
mixed vegetables 2-3 tsps
salt to taste

Cut eggplant into thin round pieces.Sprinkle some crushed black pepper & rice flour on these pieces & toast them in dosai thava till they cook on both sides (like how v make dosai).I used little olive oil when tossing eggplant.Set aside.In a kadai add olive oil to this add chopped onions & saute till raw smell goes.Then add bell peppers & mix well.Now add mixed vegetables to this & saute till they cook.I used frozen vegetables.Add white pepper powder & salt.Take off stove.

Arrange cooked eggplant pieces in a microwave safe plate.Using these eggplant pieces as base top it with pizza sauce,sauteed vegetables,jalapenos,cheese,olives.Microwave in high for 30-50 secs or until cheese melts.

Healthy only vegetable pizza is ready.Isn't it healthy???

This is my entry to Mahi's 15 minutes cooking

Mambazha pachadi

2009-04-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

Manga pachadi is prepared on tamil new year day to depict the different phases of life.I couldn't get hold of raw mangoes but could get less sweet ripe mangoes.So i made mambazha pachudi.This is also my dad's favorite & my mom prepares this with raw mango & sweetex.He still njoys eating this.

This is how i made it
Ripe mango 1cup(only pulp cut into pieces)
Jaggery 1/2cup(it depends upon the sweetness of the mangoes)
Elachi powder a generous pinch

Peel mango skin & cut the pulp into small pieces.In a kadai add the cut mangoes pieces and add little water.Mix well,cover & cook.When the mangoes are cooked add jaggery to this cooked mangoes.Mix well & cook till jaggery melts & mixes with the mangoes.Ur simple mambazha pachadi is ready.

Iam sending this to Methai mela hosted by cooking 4 all seasons.

Pal payasam-my 100th post & an award

2009-04-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Words*]

Iam so happie to make my 100th post.Blogging has been so much fun that i didnt realize i reached a milestone.I thank all my blogger friends for their support.A special thanx to Vidhas of Appetizing recipes who have been full of support right from the day i started blogging.

Here goes my 100TH Post pal payasam.This is a all time favorite of my family.My dad loves this payasam.Since he has diabetics i prepare it separately for him with sweetex.I love to c the joy in his face when he has these occasional sweets as he loves sweets.He is very strict about his diet,so we all take immense care to prepare his favorite items.Pal Payasam
Ingredients
Milk 1 litre
Sugar 1 tumbler
Rice 1 hand full

Wash rice & add to milk.Pressure cook this milk for 5 whistles & then turn the flame to as low as possible.Now leave this payasam to cook for 1 hour from the time u kept the stove in low flame.After an hour take off stove allow it to cool.Now add one tumbler sugar to this.This payasam tastes great when serve cold.So cool & chill this payasam before serving.

Iam sending this to Anu sriram's RD for summer event & mithai mela hosted by cooking 4 all seasons.

Vidhas of appetizing recipes have been showering with awards right from the beginning..She has passed n i love ur blog award.Thanx a lot Vidhas for all ur love & affection.Iam so honoured.

carrot rice

2009-04-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

Carrots-favorite food of Bugs Bunny hardly needs a description for they are well known and loved by even the youngest children in many countries. Carrots benefits are legendary. Bet your mother told you that eating carrots would keep your eyesight bright.

My hubby always love to have lots of vegetables.So i always make vegetable rice for his lunch.One such rice i made was this carrot rice.Ingredients
Cooked rice 1 cup
carrots 1cup(cut into small cubes)
onion 1
chilli powder 1tsp
salt to taste
oil 2 tsps
mustard seeds 1/4tsp

pressure cook rice & set aside.In a kadai add oil & splutter mustard seeds.When they pop add onions & saute.Then add carrot pieces,Chilli powder & salt.Add little water mix,cover & cook till carrots cook fully.To this carrot mixture add cooked rice & mix well.Adjust for salt.

For added falvor i added 1 tsp dhal powder(paruppu podi) to this rice & mixed.

This goes to FIL-Carrots hosted by Sanghi.

My other entries to this event are

Carrot kheer

Carrot juice

Chocolate drink

2009-04-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

Chocolates are hot favorites of every one no matter what is their age.I am a regular chocolate drinker.I always loved anything in chocolate.Although iam weight consious i never stop eating chocolates.That too chocolate milk served chill can drink no stop.Ingredients
Chilled milk 1 cup
chocolate powder 11/2 tsp
Sugar 1-2 tsp

Blend all ingredients in a blender & serve chilled.

This goes to Anusriram's RD for summer.

Pepper rice

2009-04-28T12:11:00.000-07:00

I always liked to eat mixed rice-chitrannam.Since its only 2 of us its easy to prepare mixed rice for lunch.Pepper rice is one that used to be served as prasadham in Shiva temple.After the late evening harathi they distribute pepper rice as prasadham.From then on i used to prepare this rice often at home.Its easy to digest & the pepper in this rice gives a unique taste.
Ingredients
Cooked rice 1 cup
Pepper 2tsp(crushed)
Coconut 1/4cup
Oil 2 tsp
Ghee 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds 1/4tsp
Cashew nuts few
Uradh dhal 1/2tsp
Salt to taste
curry leaves few

Pressure cook rice & spread it in a plate & set aside.In a kadai add ghee & fry cashew nuts to golden brown set aside.In the same kadai add oil mustard seeds.When they pop add uradh dhal & curry leaves.Then add grated coconut & saute till it becomes a bit dry.Now add pepper powder & mix well.Take off stove.Mix this coconut mixture,fried cashew nuts & salt to cooked rice.Adjust salt.

Rose milk

2009-04-28T07:58:00.000-07:00

Rose milk is a famous drink in South India. Most south Indian restaurants or hotels in the pre-cola era (which is less than a decade ago) served this and some still do. In the summer months (which is always!), it is a cool treat. The dark pink hued drink is almost as popular as 'filter coffee'.

When ever we go to restaurant i always end up having rose milk.This is my all time favorite.When i went for weekly grocery purchase i happened to get rose syrup from there.This is how i made my rose milk
Ingredients
Chilled milk 1cup
Rose syrup 2 tsp
Sugar 1 tsp

Blend all the ingredients in a blender & serve chilled.

Kids love this milk all the time for its color itself.

This goes to AnuSriram's RD for summer .

Pathiya kozhambu/Herbal kozhambu

2009-04-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

After all the heavy lunch & dinner we had last week both my husband & myself decided to have a light food for this weekend.So i made this pathiya kozhambu for lunch this Sunday.This does not have tamarind or tomatoes or onion.This kozhambu is suitable for people having homeopathy medicines where in they have to follow certain restrictions.This kozhambu is served for nursing mothers too.

This is how i made it
Ingredients
Mustard seeds 1 tsp
Jeera 1 tsp
Garlic 4 pods
Gingely oil 2-3 tsp
Brinjal 1/2cup

Grind to a fine paste
Parboiled rice 1cup
Jeera 1tsp
turmeric powder 1/2tsp
Garlic 10 pods
Redchillies 3
Curry leaves 1cup
Pepper 1 tsp
salt to taste

Cut brinjal into small pieces & cook them separately.Grind all the items given under"to grind" to a fine paste adding some water.Then dilute it.In a kadai add gingely oil.Splutter mustard seeds & jeera.When they pop add garlic pods & saute.Now add the cooked brinjal & saute.Then add the ground paste & mix well.Allow it to cook & thicken.When it reaches almost chutney consistency take off stove & serve with rice.

This goes to comfort food for illness hosted by recipe centre for all.

Indian burrito

2009-04-26T12:27:00.000-07:00

I had my first Mexican food last week.I loved the burrito served there.I wanted to make it at home.Then i decided to make the Indian version of burrito.It tasted so gud my hubby & myself ended up eating lots.Well we had to have a soda pop for digestion lol

Here is how I made it
Ingredients
Channa masala 1cup
Mixed vegetables 1cup
Cooked rice1cup
olive oil 2-3tsps
ghee 2 tsps
salt to taste
coriander leaves few
spring onions few

U can find channa masala recipe here.

For sauted vegetables i used frozen vegetables which contained carrots,beans,corn and peas.In a kadai i added these vegetables.To these vegetables i added few drops of olive oil & some salt & sauted till the vegetables are cooked & tender.

I pressure cooked rice separately.In a bowl i mixed cooked rice with ghee & little salt.

This is how i layered my burrito

First i spread a layer of ghee rice,topped with channa masala,sauted vegetables,another layer of rice,some more sauted vegetables & garnished with spring onions.

Channa masala

2009-04-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Channa masala is my all time favorite.This is one thing i can eat almost anytime.I made this for lunch & had it with bread for dinner.

This is how i made it
Ingredients
Channa 1cup(soaked over night & pressure cooked)
Onion 1 big
Garlic 3pods
Ginger small piece
tomatoes 4
Red chilli powder2 tsp
Garam masala powder 1 ts
coriander powder 1 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/4tsp
jeera powder 1tsp
oil 2 -3tsps
salt to tasteSoak channa over night & pressure cook it & set aside.In a kadai add oil.Add cut onions & garlic pod & saute a while.Cool & grind onion,garlic & ginger & set aside.Puree tomatoes separately.In the same kadai add oil.To this add the ground onion paste.Saute till oil separates.Now add the tomato puree & mix well.To this puree add all the powders,required salt.Allow this gravy to cook & thicken.When it thickness a bit add the cooked channa.Allow it to cook well & becomes a thick gravy.Serve hot with chapati,rice or bread.

Brussel sprouts

2009-04-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

Until recently i was of the opinion that brussel sprouts are hard to cook & doesn't taste gud.My hubby always wanted me to try this brussel sprout as it was rich in nutrients.So one day i bought frozen brussel sprouts & made a sabji.WOW it was gr8.I loved it.Ingredients
Brussel sprouts 1 cup
Tomato 1
onion 1
Red chilli powder 1 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/4tsp
Salt to taste
Oil 1 tsp
Mustard seeds 1/4 tsp

Cut sprouts to 2 halves.Chop onions & tomato into long slices.In a kadai add oil & splutter mustared seeds.Add onions & saute.Then add cut tomatoes & mix well.Add red chilli powder,turmeric powder & required salt.Mix well.Now add sprouts.Sprinkle some water,cover & cook for few minutes.Yummy brussel sprout sabji is ready.

cabbage subji

2009-04-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

Cabbage subji is one instant side dish u can make when u have less of everything at home.It was a super hit when i made it as side dish for chappathi.
Ingredients
Cabbage 1 cup
Mixed vegetables 1cup(i used frozen mixed vegetables which had carrots,beans,corn & peas in it)
Onion 1
Chilli powder 1 tsp
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
ginger garlic paste 1 tsp
Oil 1 tsp
Mustard seeds 1/4tsp
Jeera 1/4tsp
salt to taste

Heat oil in a kadai & add mustard seeds & jeera.Now add chopped onions,then ginger garlic paste & saute.Then add cabbage & all other vegetables.Add chilli,turmeric powders & required salt to the vegetables. Add the required salt,mix well,add little water mix,cover & cook till all vegetables cook & water evaporates.

Red chutney

2009-04-24T18:48:00.000-07:00

I love to have idly with this spicy look but not so spicy chutney.This can be prepared in no time but tastes heavenly.All ingredients in this chutney are easily available most of the times at home.
This is how i made itIngredients
Onion 1 big
Tomatoes 4
Grated coconut 3 tsp
Red chilli powder 1-2 tsp
salt to taste
oil 1-2 tsp

In a kadai add oil & saute chopped onions till it becomes a bit transparent. Then add the cut tomatoes,mix & add chilli powder & salt.Add little water & allow it to cook.When all the water evaporates add the grated coconut & mix well.Take off stove.cool & grind to coarse paste.Ur yummy chutney is ready.

Milagu jeera kozhambu

2009-04-23T16:34:00.000-07:00

This is one tasty kozhambu i have ever prepared.It was a bit spicy still loved it.All ingredients are best for digestion.Pepper jeera kozhambu is an inspiration from Priya's easy n tasty recipes.U can find the original version here

Ingredients
Tamarind juice 1 cup
Tomato 1
Pearl onions 1 cup
Garlic 5 pods
Chilli powder 1 tsp
Pepper powder 1 tsp
Jeera powder 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder 1 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
Pinch of hing
Gingely oil 1/4 cup
Mustard seeds,Uradh dhal & fenugreek seeds 1 tsp
currry leaves few
salt to taste

Puree tomato & keep aside.In a kadai add oil & splutter mustard seeds,fenugreek seeds & uradhdhal.When it pops add curry leaves, pearl onions & garlic pods & saute till onions become translucent.Now add the tamarind juice.To this add tomato puree,chilli powder,pepper powder,jeera powder,coriander powder,salt,turmeric powder & hing.Mix well & allow it to cook.When the gravy thickness & oil separates & floats on top take off stove.Serve hot with rice.

spring onion soup

2009-04-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

Spring onion soup are best suited for those who don't eat spicy food.It tastes so creamy & delicious kids will love this soup.It gave a beautiful color to the soup.It tasted great with vegetable chips.Easy to make soup.Ingredients
Spring onions 1cup(chopped)
butter 1 tsp
milk 1 cup
salt & pepper to taste

Chop spring onions into small pieces.I used both white & green portion of the onion.In a kadai add butter.When it melts toss in the cut onion & saute.Cool & grin it to paste.In the same kadai add one cup milk.When it is about to boil turn the stove to low heat & add the ground onions.Mix well & keep steering until it boils.Take of stove add salt & pepper according to taste & serve hot with vegetable chips.

carrot juice

2009-04-23T14:20:00.000-07:00

Carrots are an excellent source of antioxidant compounds, and the richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes. Carrots' antioxidant compounds help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer and also promote good vision, especially night vision. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A. In addition, they are a very good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, dietary fiber and potassium.

We got lots of carrots yesterday.Both my hubby & myself love carrot juice.I made carrot juice for today's breakfast.

Ingredients
carrots 3
sugar 2-3 tsp
lime juice 1tsp

Wash & peel skin of carrots & cut them into small pieces or grate them.Now blend this cut or grated carrots with sugar & 2 tumblers of water.Strain this & mix lime juice to this juice.

This goes to Anu Sriram's refreshing drink for summer event.

Mango lassi

2009-04-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

Lassi is a famous Punjabi dessert.A glass full of Punjabi lassi is so filling u will end up having only lassi.It will be very thick & tasty.I got some mangoes last week when i went to buy some vegetables.They were not as sweet as i expected.So made mango lassi with those mangoes as, i also had fresh home made yogurt at home.

Ingredients
Mango 1
Thick yogurt 2cups
condensed milk 2-3 tsps(depending upon the sweetness of mangoes)Peel the skin of mangoes , remove the pulp & puree it in a blender.Now add the mango pulp & condensed milk to the thick yogurt & beat it together with egg beater.Using egg beater helps to retain the thickness of the lassi.Taste & adjust the pulp & condensed milk in lassi.It was so yummy v finished it as soon as i made it.

This goes to Anu Sriram's refreshing drink for summer event.

Full meals

2009-04-22T10:27:00.000-07:00

Weekend i always make full meals.It will mostly be a grand lunch most of the weekends.This week end i made 2 side dishes,sambar & rasam.

Here is the menu
Vengaya sambar
Vegetable rasam
Pavakai(Bitter gourd) sweet kai
Beans Usuli
Rice apalam
Curd
Rice

In India majority of the family have this for breakfast.Elders at home mostly will have only this for their meals.

Now to the recipe
Vengaya sambar
Ingredients
Pearl onions 1 cup
tamarind juice 1big cup
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
sambar powder 2-3 tsp
pinch of hing
salt to taste
oil 2-3 tsp
jeera 1/4 tsp
mustard seeds 1/4tsp
Red chilli 1
coconut shredded 1/4cup
cooked toor dhal 1cup

In a kadai add oil & splutter mustard seeds & jeera.When they start to pop add red chilli &onions & saute.Add the tamarind juice.Now add turmeric powder,sambar powder,salt & hing.Allow it to cook untill the raw smell of the tamarind juice goes.When done add the cooked toor dhal.Grind coconut & add to the sambar.Boil & take off stove.

vegetable rasam
Ingredients
cooked toor dhal 1 cup
tamarind juice 1cup (diluted)
turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
salt to taste
pinch of hing
garlic 5 pods
red chillies 3
jeera 1 tsp
oil 3 tsp
Mustard seeds 1/4tsp
vegetables 1cup(i used carrots,beans,peas & cauliflower)
Tomato 1 chopped

Grind garlic,jeera & red chillies.In a bowl mix cooked dhal,tamarind juice,turmeric powder,hing & salt.Cut vegetables into small cubes & cook separately. In a kadai add oil & pop mustard seeds.Then add the ground garlic paste & saute.Now add the tamarind mix,tomato & vegetables.Allow them to cook till the raw smell of the tamarind goes.Vegetable rasam is ready.

Pavakai sweet kai
Pavakai 1cup(chopped)
Onion 1
red chilli powder 1 tsp
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
jaggery 2 tsp
tamarind juice 1/2cup
salt to taste
oil 2 tsp
mustard seeds 1/4tsp

In a kadai add oil & splutter mustard seeds.Now add chopped onions & saute. Add cut pavakai & mix well.Now add tamarind juice,chilli powder,turmeric powder & salt.Mix well,cover & cook.When pavakai cooks add jaggery & mix well.Sweet,sour & tangy pavakai is ready.

U can find beans paruppu usuli here.
Our meals is complete with rice applam finishing with curd rice.Our dessert was store bought ice cream.

Iam sending this to Deesha for her to try if she wishes as a part of her "South Indies" , a fun concept to try south Indian dishes and post.

GAP mocktail

2009-04-22T08:04:00.000-07:00

I made this a mock tail this morning for breakfast.I made it with grapes,apples & pomegranate.It was yummy & i loved it.Little bit about the nutritive value of the ingredients in this mock tail.

Grapes contain beneficial compounds called flavonoids, which are phytonutrients that give the vibrant purple color to grapes, grape juice and red wine; the stronger the color, the higher the concentration of flavonoids.

These flavonoid compounds include quercitin, as well as a second flavonoid-type compound (falling into the chemical category of stilbenes)called resveratrol. Both compounds appear to decrease the risk of heart diseasephenolic compounds in grape skins inhibit protein tyrosine kinases, a group of enzymes that play a key role in cell regulation.

Pomegranates contain a variety of medicinally active components. One of these components is polyphenol, which has antioxidant activity. In fact, pomegranate juice contains more polyphenols than red wine.In ancient times, the pomegranate was used as a contraceptive

The proverb "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," addressing the health effects of the fruit, dates from 19th century Wales. Research suggests that apples may reduce the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer. Compared to many other fruits and vegetables, apples contain relatively low amounts of Vitamin C as well as several other antioxidant compounds. The fiber content, while less than in most other fruits, helps regulate bowel movements and may thus reduce the risk of colon cancer. They may also help with heart disease, weight loss, and controlling cholesterol, as they do not have any cholesterol, have fiber, which reduces cholesterol by preventing reabsorption, and are bulky for their caloric content like most fruits and vegetables.

With these informations on the ingredients lets got to the recipe

Ingredients
Apple juice 1 cup
Grape juice 1/2cup
Pomegranate juice 1/2cupMix all the juices & make this refreshing healthy mock tail.

This goes to Anu sriram's refreshing drink for summer event.

Tomato dosai

2009-04-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

Dosai is a all time favorite for many people.Iam one among those dosai lovers.My friend gave me this recipe last week.I made this & it was so yummy.

This is how i made it.
Ingredients
Rice 1cup
Toor dhal 1hand full
Ginger 1 small piece
Green chilli 2-3
Tomatoes 4
salt to taste
Oil to make dosaiSoak rice & toor dhal together for 3 hrs.Grind all ingredients except oil.In a tawa Sprinkle some oil & pour one full cup of this batter & make dosas.This dosai is a tangy with tomato in it.Kids will love this dosai.U can add grated coconut,carrots,chopped coriander to the batter & make colorful dosais.Serve hot with coconut chutney.

Tomato kurma

2009-04-17T08:30:00.001-07:00

Any thing made out of tomato makes an excellent combination .I love tomato kurma with idlies.It can be made in no time. So made it for breakfast.

Here we go for the recipe

Ingredients
Tomatoes 4
Onion 1
Jeera 1/4 tsp
ginger garlic paste 1tsp
chilli powder 1-2 tsp
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
salt to taste
coriander leaves few
oil 2-3 tsp

To grind
Coconut shredded 1/2cup
cashew nuts 10-15
poppy seeds 1/4tspGrind coconut,poppy seeds & cashewnuts to a fine paste & set aside.In a kadai add oil & splutter jeera.Add chopped onions & saute a while.Then add ginger garlic paste & mix well.Now add the chopped tomatoes,red chilli powder,turmeric powder & salt.Add enough water & mix well & allow the tomatoes to cook.When it is done add the ground coconut paste & allow the kurma to boil.Take off stove.Serve them with hot idlies.

This is my entry to WYF-side dishes hosted by EC of simple Indian food.

Watermelon cooler

2009-04-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

No other fruit says summer like the subtly crunchy, thirst quenching watermelon. Although watermelons can now be found in the markets throughout the year, the season for watermelon is in the summer when they are sweet and of the best quality. Watermelon is not only great on a hot summer day, this delectable thirst-quencher may also help quench the inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis. watermelon is a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin B1, magnesium, and potassium.

I love water melon & eat it when ever i can....I got 2 mini melons last week.They taste so sweet that i added very little sugar to the juice i prepared.

Here is how i made it
Ingredients
Water melon cut 1 cup
sugar 1-2 tsp
water melon balls fewCut water melon & scoop out the flesh.Using round tsp(I used 1/4tsp measuring spoon)scoop out melon balls from the flesh.Now beat the remaining water melon with required sugar in a blender.Strain & add watermelon balls in the juice.Chill & serve.Kids loved it when i served them with these small balls.

This goes to Anu sriram's refreshing drink for summer event.

Grape juice

2009-04-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

Grapes are very rich source of antioxidants.They grow in bunches or clusters on grape vines. They are classified as a type of berry because they grow on vines. Grape clusters can be green, red, pink or purple.The very mention of grapes brings wine to our mind.The process of preparing wine is quite interesting.

I made grape juice last week.This is how i made it...
Ingredients
Grapes 1 cup
sugar 1/4cup(according to the taste)
Lime juice 1 tspBlend grapes & sugar in a blender & strain.Add lime juice ,chill & serve.
This goes to Anu Sriram's event Refreshing drink for summer.

Dhal makhani

2009-04-09T06:11:00.000-07:00

Dhal makhani is a Gujarati speciality.All Gujarati food tastes a little sweet.It tastes great when served with chapati.It is a very healthy side dish prepared with green gram.Its a rich source of protein.

This is how i made it
Ingredients
Green gram 1 cup
onion 1
tomatoes 2
jeera 1/4tsp
ginger a small piece
garlic 2
garam masala 1/2 tsp
chilli powder 1-2 tsp
coriander powder 1 tsp
jaggery 3tsp(shredded)
salt to taste
oil 2-3 tspIn a kadai add oil & add jeera.Then add chopped onion & saute.Now add ginger & garlic which are finely chopped as well.Now add cut tomatoes & saute.Now add the green gram & mix well.Now add all the powders & mix well.Now add enough water to submerge all the ingredients added.Pressure cook this mixture for 10-12 whistles.Check if green gram is cooked fully & mashy.If its not fully cooked pressure cook it for 2-3 whistles more.When ready now add salt & jaggery.Taste & adjust salt.Allow to boil & take off stove & serve hot with chappathi.

Iam sending this to WYF-side dishes hosted by EC of simple Indian food.

Carrot kheer

2009-04-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

Carrot kheer is a classic Indian dessert prepared..Its a creamy rich pudding .It needs no excuse to make this kheer.I made this last week & my hubby loved it.

This is how i made it
Ingredients
Carrot (shredded) 1 cup
condensed milk 1/2 cup (according to taste)
sugar 2-3 tsp(add it if needed)
Milk 1/2 cupIn a kadai add the grated carrots & add little water.cover & cook.When the carrots are half cooked add milk & cook.keep stirring.When carrots have cooked add the condensed milk & mix well.Taste & add more condensed milk or u can add sugar.I didn't add sugar coz i had added enough condensed milk.Take of stove when it reaches a thick consistency.Cool & chill it & serve.If u want u can roast cashew nuts & raisins in ghee & add to the kheer.

Muffins

2009-03-31T14:01:00.000-07:00

I made my first muffins yesterday.My friend anupama inspired me to make muffins the movement i spoke to her y'day.I made a very simple muffin y'day in no time.Tasted so gud with a cup of coffee is my hubby's verdict.

Here is how i made it.....

Ingredients
All purpose flour 11/2cup
Brown sugar 3/4cup
baking powder 11/2tsp
salt 1/2 tsp
apple sauce 1 cup
milk as required
vegetable oil 3/4 cup
Raisins 1/2 cupIn a bowl mix apple sauce & vegetable oil.Measure the mixture.Now add milk to this mixture so that the total liquid ingredient comes to one cup.Now in a mixing bowl mix flour,brown sugar,baking powder and salt.Now add in the liquid ingredient mix & beat.Now the mixture should fall in layers when dropped with a spoon.Add the raisins to this mixture.

Now pre heat oven to 400 degrees.Grease the muffin trays with vegetable oil.Now fill the muffin mold with the mix & bake for 20-25 mins.

My friend used blueberries.Since i didn't have them i used raisins.

channa chaat

2009-03-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

Channa has always been a all time favorite item for people of all ages.When it comes to chaat this channa chaat tastes yummy.Usually chaat items are not very rich in nutrients.But this channa chaat is rich in protein.Check out the recipe.

Ingredients
Channa 1 cup
tomato 1
onion 1
cucumber 1
beaten rice 1/2 cup
salt to taste
chaat masala 1/4tsp
coriander leaves fewSoak channa over night & pressure cook.Drain excess water in cooked channa.Now allow channa to cool & refrigerate it for some time.Now mix all other ingredients with the chilled channa & serve the cool channa chaat.Kids will love it.

Indian style broccoli

2009-03-27T06:32:00.000-07:00

Broccoli is a part of cabbage family.Lesser u cook it better it tastes & gud for health.It is mainly used in salads.It is said that eating broccoli reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.A compound found in broccoli appears to have more effect than modern antibiotics against the creation of peptic ulcer causing bacteria.Broccoli is high in Vitamin C and also soluble fiber.

It takes very less time to cook this vegetable.So i tried this Indian way of preparing broccoli.This is how i made it.

Ingredients
Broccoli florets 1 cup
onion 1
chilli powder 1/4tsp
salt to taste
Pinch of hing
Jeera 1/4tsp
oil 1-2 tspIn a kadai add oil.Then add jeera.Now add chopped onions & saute.Now add the broccoli florets & saute.Add chilli powder,hing & salt & sprinkle 2-3 tsp water.Cover & cook for a min.Ur broccoli kai is ready.It tastes best when it's a little crunchy.

Carrot cucumber tomato salad

2009-03-27T06:18:00.000-07:00

This salad is high in nutrients & simple to make.Little bit about all the ingredients in this salad.
Carrots are highly rich in vitamin A,sodium, sulphur, chlorine and contain traces of iodine.Chewing a carrot immediately after food kills all the harmful germs in the mouth. It cleans the teeth, removes the food particles lodged in the crevices and prevents bleeding of the gums and tooth decay. Raw carrots are good for fertility. Sterility is sometimes overcome by its use.

Cucumber are a valuable source of potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulphur, silicon, chlorine and fluorine.Those who suffer from constipation can greatly benefit by taking two cucumbers a day.Grated cucumber applied over face, eyes and neck for 15 - 20 minutes has been found effective as a beauty aid and a best tonic for the skin of the face. Its regular use prevents pimples, blackheads, wrinkles and dryness of the face. Cucumber juice promotes hair growth due to its high silicon and sulphur content, particularly when mixed with carrot, lettuce and spinach juice.

Tomato is considered to have unsurpassable nutritional and health-giving qualities. Tomato is rich in calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C and carbohydrate.

The carbohydrate in tomato is chiefly in the form of invert sugar which is the predigested form. It contains very small quantity of starch which is converted into sugar, chiefly dextrose during the process of ripening.Tomatoes are highly beneficial in the treatment of obesity. One or two ripe tomatoes taken early morning, without breakfast, for a couple of months is considered a safe method of reduction in weight and at the same time, it also supplies the essential food elements to preserve the health.

With all these nutritive information lets c how to prepare this salad.

Ingredients

carrot 2

cucumber 1

tomatoes 1

coriander leaves few

salt & pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients & adjust salt & pepper according to taste.

Iam sending this to AFAM-cucumber hosted by Neha of easyntastyrecipes started by Maheshwari

Iam sending this to FIL-Carrots hosted by Sanghi.

Bell pepper bhaji

2009-03-27T06:01:00.000-07:00

Bell peppers like chillies belong to the capsicum family.They come in different colors like red,yellow & orange.They have a sweet taste in their flesh unlike the green ones.I bought these bell peppers in different colors & size of a big chilli.These bell peppers were sweet in taste was not as spices as i thought it would be.So i decided to stuff them & make bajji for that extra spice.

This is how i made it.
Ingredients
Bell peppers 1 cup(slit in one side to stuff)
onions (finely chopped) 1 cup
coriander 2 tsp(finely chopped)
garlic rasam powder 1 tsp

For batter
Besan flour 1/2cup
Rice flour 1cup
chilli powder 1/2 tsp
salt to tasteIn a vessel mix all ingredients to prepare the batter with water.Consistency of the batter should not be very thick or thin it should be thick enough to coat the bell peppers.In another bowl mix onions,coriander & rasam powder & some salt.Now slit the bell peppers in one side & stuff them with onion mix.Now coat this stuffed bell pepper with the batter.Heat oil in kadai & deep fry these coated stuffed bell peppers.They taste yummy.They are not spicy so can be served to kids too.Can grate carrot & add with the onions.

Quick garlic rasam

2009-03-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

This garlic rasam is a very handy rasam & quite tasty.We loved this rasam so much i make is very regularly.Thanx to lakshmi for posting this tasty rasam.

Ingredients
Cooked dhal 1cup
tamarind juice 1/2 cup(diluted)
rasam powder 1-2 tsp
turmeric powder /4tsp
salt to taste
oil 1tsp
mustard seeds 1/4tsp
coriander leaves for garnishing
Mix all the ingredients and boil.Do not cook it for long.season with mustard seeds.

Garlic rasam powder

2009-03-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

Garlic has long been considered a herbal "wonder drug", with a reputation in folklore for preventing everything from the common cold and flu to the Plague! Raw garlic is used by some to treat the symptoms of acne and there is some evidence that it can assist in managing high level of cholosetrol. It can even be effective as a natural mosquito replent.

This garlic powder can be stored & comes handy when u have to prepare lunch or dinner in a hurry.This rasam powder i got from lakshmi's taste of mysore. this is the powder recipe.

Garlic pods : 6 If they are new and thin, take more qty
Red Chillies : 10 appr.
Jeera : 1/2tbsp
Oil : 2 tspPeel garlic and remove the skin. Blend garlic+chillies+jeera. Now heat oil in a thick bottomed pan, add garlic chilli jeera mix and fry till there is no moisture left.

Bittergourd puli kozhambu

2009-03-19T08:03:00.000-07:00

A little write up about bitter gourd will tell us how less bitter is this bitter gourd to our health.

The bitter gourd has excellent medicinal virtues. It is antidotal, antipyretic tonic, appetizing, stomachic, antibilious and laxative. The bitter gourd is also used in native medicines of Asia and Africa. The bitter gourd is specifically used as a folk medicine for diabetes. Recent researches have established that it contains a hypoglycaemic or insulin-like principle, designated as 'plant-insulin', which has been found highly beneficial in lowering the blood and urine sugar levels. It should, therefore, be included liberally in the diet of the diabetic. Bitter gourd being rich in all the essential vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin A, B1, B2, C and Iron, its regular use prevents many complications such as hypertension, eye complications, neuritis and defective metabolism of carbohydrates. It increases body's resistance against infection.

With all these informations i decided to include bitter gourd regularly in our diet.
This puli kozhambu is so tasty that any on who says they don't like to eat bitter gourd will end up finishing it.There was no bitterness in this kozhambu.This is a Thirunelveli speciality.

This is how i made it.
Ingrdients
Bitter gourd 1(cut into cubes)
onion 1(chopped)
Tomato 1(chopped)
Tamrind juice 1cup(diluted)
oil 2 tsp
mustard seeds 1/4 tsp
chilli powder 2-3 tsp
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
dhaniya powder 1/2 tsp
coconut shredded 3-4 tspIn a kadai add oil & mustard seeds & allow it to pop.Then add onions & saute(pearl onions tastes very gud).Now add chopped tomatoes & bitter gourd & saute till the gourd gets a bit tender.Now add tamarind juice & all the powders.Add salt to taste.Allow the kozhambu to cook & reach a particular consistency.Now grind coconut to fine paste & add to the kozhambu.Allow to boil.Take of stove.It tastes yummy.

Pav Bhaji

2009-03-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

Indian food has variety of chaat items.Pav bhaji being my hubby's favorite one.When ever we got ot a chaat shop he ends up ordering pav bhaji.Its fun watching the way this pav bhaji is being prepared.He prepares it so fast & makes it looks so simple.Mixes the ready vegetables with enormous dollops of butter.Not to mention they are my favorite too.

With the bhaji masala readily available it can be made in minutes at home.
This is how i made my homemade pav bhaji

Ingredients

1 small head of cauliflower, cut into florets (about 3-4 cups)
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
2 tbsp oil
1 green bell pepper, minced
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp chili powder or red chili paste
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
salt to taste
2-3 cups tomato puree
1/2 cup peas (fresh or frozen)...optional
1 tbsp Everest pav-bhaji masala (or more to taste)
1 tbsp butter
Boil the cauliflower and potatoes till tender and set aside. Heat oil in a deep saucepan and saute the pepper. Add ginger-garlic paste and saute some more. Add turmeric powder, chili powder and salt to taste. Saute for a few seconds. Add tomato puree, peas, boiled potatoes and cauliflower, pav-bhaji masala and butter. Keep sauteing and mashing it together till it is a smooth mixture, adding water as required (you can use a potato masher to help you along). Be aware that the mixture can spurt up as it boils, so keep a lid on it while you are not actively stirring it. Simmer for 20-25 minutes to really get the flavors to meld together. Adjust for salt.

Serve with:
1. More pats of butter (as much as you can dare,be generous now),
2. Finely sliced/ chopped onions, minced cilantro and wedges of lemon.

Green Kabab

2009-03-19T06:57:00.000-07:00

Spinach is a gud source of iron & calcium.According to a study, a 180 gram serving of boiled spinach contains 6.43 mg of iron.Spinach is said to contain a relatively high level of iron, compared to other vegetable and meat sources.Popeye the sailor man comes to our mind when we think of spinach.

Coming to the green kababs they are a very gud supply of nutrients.All the ingredients used are rich in vitamins & minerals.This is fully made in oven without a pinch of oil.It is a little chewy & kids will love it.Gr8 way to make kids eat spinach.

Ingredients
Spinach 1 cup
channa dhal 50 gms
Green gram dhal(pachai payaru) 75 gms
Green chillies 1-2
besan flour to bind
garlic paste 1 tsp
salt to tasteCook spinach in microwave with little water.It takes 5 mins maximum.set aside to cool.Now grind channa dhal & green gram.Now add the cooked spinach & grind to a fine paste.To this spinach paste add besan flour,salt & garlic paste.Mix only enough besan flour to bind to make small vadais.Make small vadai out of this mix & microwave it for 2-3 mins.Serve hot with ketchup.

Variation:u can add onions, corn kernels or shredded carrots for more color.

Iam sending this post to microwave cooking savoury snacks hosted by Priya and Srivalli's MEC Announcement.

Strawberry cake

2009-03-15T19:39:00.001-07:00

Iam so happie to announce that my blog is 50 days old today.Blogging made me realize how much i can cook.All the blogs helped me a lot in learning new dishes everyday.Everybody are so creative & inspiring it motivates me to try out new one almost everyday.

So with my blog turning 50days today i wanted to post something special today.So i decided to make yummy simple strawberry cake & post it.

Here is how i made it....
Ingredients
Strawberry cake mix 1pack
Vegetable oil 4 tsp
Milk 1/2 cup

For frosting
Pillsbury creamy supreme -Vanilla
Spring Nonpareils sprinkles-1tspMix cake mix,vegetable oil & milk together.Beat it well.The mix should fall in layers when dropped with spoon.Pre heat oven to 360 degrees.Grease the baking tray with little vegetable oil & pour the batter in it.Bake for 40 mins.Check with toothpick.When dipped in cake the tooth pick should come out clean.

Allow the cake to cool a bit.Spread the Pillsbury creamy supreme -Vanilla flavor frosting cream on top of the cake & sprinkle some Spring Nonpareils & cut the cake in desired shapes.It was sooo yummy.Try it.

Iam sending this to FIC-Pink hosted by Priya of Priya's easy n tasty recipes and Harini's announcement.

godhumai ravai pongal

2009-03-13T06:43:00.000-07:00

Godhumai ravai(broken wheat) is said to be gud for people with diabetics.I usually prepare uppma with this ravai.This time jus tried preparing pongal with it.It tasted too gud.Low calorie pongal with yummy chutneys.Totally oil free.No ghee.

Iam sending this post to JFI-Wheat hosted by Roma's space.

This is the recipe..
Ingredients
Godhumai ravai 3/4 cup
Moong dhal 1/4 cup
Pepper 1/4 tsp
jeera 1/4tsp
Ginger 1 small piece
Few curry leaves
A pinch of hing
salt to taste
cashew nuts few
Mix all ingredients with 3:1 ratio of water & ravai-moong dhal together,i.e, 3 cups of water for 1 cup of ravai & moongdhal together.Pressure cook for 4-5 whistles.Ur godhumai ravai pongal is ready.Serve hot with chutneys.

My treasures-awards

2009-03-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

This morning when i came online my blogger buddy Vidhya of Appetizing recipes came online too.She showered me with loads of awards.Ohhhhh man what a way to start a day.Vidhas u made my day.Thanx a lot for all ur awards.It means so much to me.These are the awards she passed to me.

Pidi kozhukatai

2009-03-12T05:53:00.000-07:00

Pidi kozhukatai is one traditional tiffin item prepared in south India.It is made out of rice flour.Its one simple easy recipe which is healthy too.It is easy to digest & use less oil as it is steamed.

This is how i made it.
Ingredients
Rice flour 1 cup
green chilies 1-2
oil 2 tsp
mustard seeds 1/4 tsp
jeera 1/4tsp
curry leaves few
salt to taste

In a kadai take 2 tsp oil & add mustard seeds & jeera.Now add finely chopped green chillies & curry leaves.Now add water to this.Add salt to the water itself,it becomes easy to mix salt to the flour.When u add water do it fast otherwise oil starts spilling around.For one cup rice flour use 2 cups of water.When water starts to boil add rice flour mixing it at the same time.Now when it becomes like a dough take of stove.When it is little warm make it to small balls or flat ones whichever shape u want.Steam it in idly mold for 15mins.Serve it hot with chutney.

Kara kozhambu

2009-03-12T05:35:00.000-07:00

Yet another chettinad variety.As i have mentioned in my earlier post i always fancy chettinad food.This i tried this weekend.It came out so well we finished it the same day.

Here is the recipe.
Pearl onions 1 cup
Garlic 5-6 pods
tamarind juice 1 cup (diluted)
oil 3 tsp
Mustard seeds 1/4tsp
chilli powder 1-2tsp
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
coriander powder 1/2tsp
salt to taste
coconut milk 1/2 cup(diluted)
curry leaves fewIn a kadai add oil & splutter mustard.Add pearl onions & saute.Now add the garlic pods & saute some more.Now add the tamarind juice.Add chilli,tumeric & coriander powders.Add salt.Allow it to cook.When it reaches the required consistency lower ur flame & add coconut milk( i used store bought ready made coconut milk).When it starts to boil take off stove.Serve hot with hot hot rice.I loved it.Try for urself iam sure u will njoy as much as i did.

Bun sandwich

2009-03-11T14:18:00.001-07:00

When u think of a healthy and easy breakfast sandwiches come to our mind.When it is grilled it tastes even more better.We did not have bread the other day.Since i love buns we bought buns for this week.So my hubby made this lovely bun sandwiches.It tastes so gud "nobody can stop eating one."I ended up eating 2 & had by lunch very late.I followed what ever he did tasted almost yummy like the ones he made.Here is how he or we made it hehehe.

Ingredients
Bun 1
lettuce hand full
tomato 2-3slices
onion 1slice
butter 1 tsp(i used i can't believe its not butter which is made up of olives)Cut the bun into 2 halves.Cut tomato & onion into thin round slices.Spread butter one both sides of the bun.Both sides i mean inside & out side all the 4 sides.Now arrange tomato & onion slices & lettuce.Now grill the bun filled with vegges.When done serve with chips & sauce.

Ravai idly

2009-03-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

I always love idlies.These ravai idlies are my nex favorite.I love to eat with tomato chutney & coconut chutney.Here is how i made it.

Ingredients
Ravai (sooji) - 1 cup
Oil - 2tsp
Green chillies - 2, minced
Sour curd - 1 cup
Coriander and curry leaves - 2 tbsp, finely chopped
Salt to taste
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
Chana dal - 1 tsp
Cashew nuts - 1 tbsp, roughly brokenIn a kadai saute ravai slightly.then mix ravai with curd. Make sure there are no lumps
In a kadai add 2 tsp of oil, then add mustard seeds. Once they pop, add urad and chana dals and cashews. Saute until they turn golden. Remove from heat and pour into curd mixture Add salt, coriander and curry leaves,and finely chopped green chillies to curd mixture. Mix well. Grease an idli plate and pour mixture into it. Steam in a pressure cooker without whistle for 7 minutes. Serve hot.

Vegetable kurma

2009-03-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

Kurma is an excellent combo with chappatis.Its a hot favorite of all.It is a nice blend of all vegetables.I wanted to make this kurma in white color which is the usual one.Since i didnt have green chilli i used chilli powder to it.So i got this.

Here u go vegetable kurma recipe

Ingredients
Mixed vegetables - 1 cup
1 Onion - sliced into thin strips
Ginger - Garlic paste
Tomato -1 - chopped
chilli powder 1tsp
Turmeric powder 1/4tsp
Coriander powder 1/4 tsp
Coriander leaves
oil 2 tsp
salt to taste

To grind
Coconut - 1/4 cup
Yogurt - 1/2 cup
Cashews - 2 tbsp

Grind the above ingredients and keep it aside.In a kadai, heat a little oil and add the onions and fry till translucent.Now add the ginger garlic paste.Then, add the mixed vegetables, coriander powder, turmeric powder,chilli powder and salt and cook for a little while.Add some water and close and let the veggies cook until soft. (about 5-10 mins).Now add the ground paste . Check for salt and add more if necessary.

Let this boil on a very low flame for ONLY 5-7 mins. Do not over cook at this time.Remove from heat and add chopped coriander leaves.I made this with chappathis and some onion raita. Tasted really really great !!!

Sevai

2009-03-04T13:38:00.000-08:00

Sevai or rice noodles in English is one of the favorite tiffin item my mom makes.We have this sevai nazhi at home.She makes lovely soft sevai's.It will be fun to do it.But it gets really hard after 3-4 rounds of pressing it when the dough cools down.

Since i don't have it here i bought ready made rice sevai & made variety sevais with it.Nothing like the home made sevai's though.

Vegetable sevai

Sevai 1cup(cook as per instruction in the packet)
vegetables 1cup(i used carrots,beans,peas & corn kernels)
onion 1
tomato 1
oil 3 tsp
mustard seeds 1/4tsp
ginger garlic paste 1/2tsp
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
chilli powder 1/2tsp
salt to tasteIn a kadai add oil.Add mustard seeds & allow it to pop.Now add the cut onions & ginger garlic paste & saute.Then add the cut vegetables(cut the vegetables length wise)saute.Add turmeric & chilli powder.Add water & allow it to cook.When done mix it with the sevai u prepare.Vegetable sevai is ready.

Tomato sevai
sevai 1 cup(cook as per instructions in packet)
tomatoes 2
peas 2-3 tsp
mustard seeds 1/4tsp
salt to taste
oil 3 tsp
chilli powder 1 tsp
onion 1In a kadai add oil & splutter mustard seeds.Now add cut onions & saute.Now add tomatoes & peas & chilli powder & salt.Add little water & allow tomatoes to cook.When done add to the sevai.

Sweet sevai
Sevai 1 cup
coconut (shredded)1/4cup
sugar as per taste

Mix coconut & sugar to the sevai.Adjust sugar according to the taste.

Masala dosai

2009-03-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

Any south Indian restaurant u go masala dosai will be in the menu.Its a hot favorite of all dosai lovers.Its one of the easiest breakfast that can be prepared & tasty one too.I made them for dinner.This is how i made them
For batter
1cup rice
1handful uradh dhal
salt to taste

soak them together for 2-3 hours.Grind them to a paste.Make it to the dosai batter consistency & allow them to ferment over nite.Next day i made masala & had it with dosai.

For masala u need
Potatoes (cooked & mashed) 1 cup
green chillies 3-4
onion 1
peas 3-4 tsp
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
salt to taste
mustard seeds 1/2tsp
oil 2-3 tsp

In a kadai add oil & pop mustard seeds.Add the onions sliced length wise.Saute.Now add the green chillies finely chopped.Now add potatoes & green peas.Now add turmeric powder & salt.Ad little water & mix well.

To make masala dosaiMake dosai & keep the masala in centre & roll them.Serve them hot with chutneys.I spread little ghee on top of the dosai.It tastes really gud.

Carrot salad

2009-03-03T11:46:00.000-08:00

Carrots are tempting that i don't feel like cooking them.They are so juicy & fresh so i planned to have them fresh.So i made this simple carrot salad when i made sambar rice instead of making the usual raita.

All u need are
carrots 2
tomato 1
onion 1-3 tsp(chopped)
coriander leaves few
salt to tasteCut carrots,tomato & onion into small pieces & mix together.Add salt to taste & garnish with coriander leaves.I added very less onions else salad will taste more of onions.I didn't even season it since i want only raw items in my salad.

Simple brownie

2009-02-26T15:46:00.000-08:00

How nice it is to get in touch with ur childhood buddy..yes i got in touch with my childhood friend 2 days bac.I was so busy talking to her & had no time to make any postings.I feel so happie to talk to her.Jus waiting to meet her.

In this happie occasion i present my brownie recipe.Simple, easy & tasty one.
Here i go...
Ingredients
Cake mix 1 pack(i used chocolate cake mix)
oil5 tsp
milk 1/2cup(substitute for egg)
almonds,raisins 2-3 tspIn a vessel add the cake mix oil & milk & bet nicely to make a smooth paste.Add the almonds & raisins & mix well.Pre heat oven to 360degrees.Grease a baking tray with oil & pour the mix.Bake for 40 mins & check if its fully done.To check use a knife & insert it in the cake.If it comes out clean brownie is done.Adjust time accordingly.Allow it to cool & cut it into ur desired shape.

Parangikai(pumpkin) sweet kuttu

2009-02-24T16:06:00.000-08:00

The word pumpkin originates from the word pepon, which is Greek for “large melon". The French adapted this word to pompon, which the British changed to pumpion and later American colonists changed that to the word we use today, “pumpkin". The origin of pumpkins is not known, although pumpkins are thought to have originated in North America. The oldest evidence, pumpkin-related seeds dating between 7000 and 5500 B.C., were found in Mexico. Pumpkins are a squash-like fruit that range in size (less than 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) to over 1,000 pounds (453.59 kilograms), shape, color, and appearance (smooth or ribbed). In Tamil it is known as "parankikkaai" (பரங்கிக்காய்)or "sarkkarai poosani" (சர்க்கரைப் பூசணி).

Pumpkin itself is sweet in nature.When combined with jaggery it tastes awesome.

Now to my recipe.
Pumpkin 1 cup (cut)
jagery 4-5 tsp(depends upon the taste of pumpkin)
In a kadai add pumpkin & add little water.cover & cook.When done add required jaggery & mix well.

Isnt it simple.Very tasty.

Kotsu

2009-02-24T15:51:00.000-08:00

Kotsu & venpongal are a classic combination.I love venpongal.When teamed with brinjal gotsu no one jus stop eating.I got this kotsu recipe from Married to a desi by kanchana.I Should say this is the blog that introduced me to the world of blogging.

Here is the recipe....
Ingredients
Brinjal 1 cup(cut)
Onion 1
garlic 2 pods
ginger small piece
chilli powder 1 tsp
pinch of hing
oil 2 tsp
mustard seeds 1/4tsp
curry leaves few
tamarind juice 2-3 tsp

In a kadai add oil & splutter mustard seeds.When it pops add onions & chopped garlic pods & saute.Now add the chopped brinjal & ginger piece.Now add chili powder hing & salt.Mix well & add the tamarind juice.Add more water if u want.Allow it to cook.Garnish with curry leaves

Moore kozhambu

2009-02-24T15:35:00.000-08:00

Moore kozhambu is a favorite south Indian recipe.It can be prepared in minutes.It is one stop gap kozhambu i used to prepare whenever i run short of time.This is again my hubbies favorite.

Ingredients
Thick buttermilk 1 cup
Turmeric powder 1/4tsp(optional)
salt to taste
Vegetable 1/4cup(brinjal,okra,pushanikai)
mustard seeds 1/4tsp

To grind
coconut 2-3 tsp
jeera 1/4tsp
green chilli 2-3
Grind all the items given for grinding to a fine paste.Add this paste to the butter milk.Add required salt.In a kadai add oil.Splutter mustard seeds.Now add the cut vegetables & saute till it cooks fine.Set aside.Now cook the buttermilk till it starts boiling.Take off stove when it starts to boil.Now add the vegetable to this.Moore kozhambu is ready.When u mix all items with buttermilk if u feel its not thick enough add a tsp of rice flour to it before boiling.

Never reheat moore kozhambu.Heat it jus before serving with hot rice.

Okra kai

2009-02-24T15:17:00.000-08:00

Okra reminds me of my grandma who prepares it so tasty.Its almost 15 years but i still remember the taste.Okra has always been my favorite.I used to be very chose when it comes to eating vegetables.But my hubby has every thing vegetarian.So now i eat almost everything thatz vegetarian.

Many dont like okra becoz it gets sticky.I learnt how to make it with out becoming sticky from my chitti.

Here goes my okra recipe
Ingredients
Okra cup 1 cup
onion 1
chilli powder 1tsp
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
salt to taste
oil 2-3 tsp
mustard seeds 1/4tsp

Wash & cut okra to small pieces as u cannot wash it when u cut it.In a kadai add oil & splutter mustard seeds.When they pop add onions & saute.Now add okra.Add chilli powder,turmeric powder & salt.Mix well.Cover & cook in slow flame.Remove the lid & check if okra is cooked.

When preparing okra never add even a tsp of water.It is not necessary.Also if u want to retain the color of any green vegetables u cook donot cover it again once u open to check if the veggie is cooked.This way u can retain the color.So when u decide to open the lid make u own judgement when to open it & check.

Strawberry preserve

2009-02-23T15:05:00.000-08:00

Hurrah 3 Oscars for India.A.R.R bagged 2 & Resul pookutty bagged one.Lovely news to start the day.Although i missed the live show saw the news over & over again to watch the oscars.Many congrats to the SDM team for winning the best movie award.It was nice to c the kids acted in that movie in LA.They have a future now.If u all have not seen the movie watch it.Simply superb.Truth is bitter but still watch it.As rightly said by Mr.pookutty they are bringing history bac to India.

Also happie to the little Pinky from UP walk through the red carpet.Her movie won the best documentary award.Hats off to all these people.

With this wonderful news I post my most favorite Strawberry preserve dish.As u all can know from my blog how much i love these berries.We bought lots of strawberries from costco.I Couldn't finish them.So decided to make preserves.We always buy strawberry preserves not jam.So i thought why not try making it myself.We love the strawberry chunks we get in between.

Here i go my strawberry preserve
A big bowl of strawberries
5-6 tsp sugar(it depends upon the taste of strawberries)
lime juice 1/2tsp
Remove the top part of strawberry where it will be a little white & hard.In a wide mouthed vessel put all berries & cook in slow flame.These berries contain water so don't have to add water.When they become soft & cooked completely add sugar.Add little by little tasting it in between.Beware it will be hot!!!!When the sugar dissolves completely & u reach the desired consistency add lime juice & take off stove immediately.Allow it to cool.It will set nicely like jam.Strawberry chunks in between was soo gud.

Njoy it with bread.Or can have it jus like that they are so yummy

2009-02-21T08:12:00.000-08:00

Hi vidhas I pass on this award to u..thanx a lot for ur support & timely help...will never forget it..

2009-02-21T06:40:00.000-08:00

vidhas passed on this award to me....
thanx a lot vidya

Spaghetti in tomato sauce

2009-02-19T07:05:00.000-08:00

This is the first time i tried spaghetti with tomato sauce.I got a tomato sauce from walmart.It didn't have salt or anything in it.It tasted jus like a tomato puree.So i tried to use it in spaghetti.This is how i made it

Ingredients
Spaghetti 1 box
Hot water 1 ltr
tomato sauce 1 small tin
chilli powder 1 tsp
salt to taste
oil 2 tsp
onion 1
carrot cut into thin slices 1/4cup
peas 1/4cup
coriander leaves few
In a wide mouth vessel boil water.When water starts to boil add little salt & spaghetti to it.Add a tsp oil to this to avoid spaghetti from becoming sticky. Allow spaghetti to cook to required tenderness.Drain water & run cold water on cooked spaghetti & set aside.In a kadai add oil & then onions to it.Saute for a while.

Now add carrots & peas to it.Add Tomato sauce to it.Now add chilli powder & salt to it.Allow the sauce to cook for a while.When it starts add the cooked spaghetti & mix well.Garnish with coriander leaves.

This was more like how we prepare tomato sevai in India.So i called it Indian spaghetti.sounded gud to me how abt u?

Tomato rice

2009-02-18T15:04:00.000-08:00

When we have to prepare some thing for lunch box one thing that comes to mind are the mixed rice.In specific tomato rice.Tomato will be available almost always in every bodies house.So here goes one more rice variety with less masala.

Ingredients
Tomatoes 4
onion 1
green chilli 1
coriander & curry leaves few
oil 2 tsp
Mustard seeds1/4tsp
Jeera 1/4tsp
tumeric powder 1/4tsp
chillipowder 1-2 tsp
salt to taste
Cooked rice 1 cup
Green peas 2-3 tsp

In a kadai add oil.Splutter mustard seeds & jeera.Add onion & saute.Now add the tomatoes & saute.Add little water.Then add peas,turmeric powder,chilli powder & salt.let the tomatoes cook fully.Now add curry & coriander leaves.Add the cooked rice & mix well.Adjust salt accordingly.

Paruppu rasam

2009-02-18T14:52:00.001-08:00

Rasam has become one of my favorite.Only when i started blogging i realized i know a lot of rasam varieties.This rasam takes maximum 10 mins to prepare & easy to prepare.

Here we go
All u need are
Tamarind 1 small lemon size
toordhal1/2cup(cooked)
tomato 1
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
pinch of hing
salt to taste
mustard seeds 1/4 tsp
oil 1 tsp
Rasam powder2 tsp
Coriander leaves to garnish

Squeeze tamarind & extract juice.Dilute this by adding more water.Pressure cook toor dhal & mash.To the tamarind extract add turmeric powder,salt & hing.Let it boil till raw smell of the tamarind juice goes.Now mash the toor dhal & add some water to dilute it & add to the tamarind juice.Cut tomato & add to this.Now add the rasam powder.When it starts to boil take off stove.Garnish with coriander leaves.

Apple custard

2009-02-18T07:44:00.000-08:00

"An apple a day keeps the doctor's away" is a saying.So i try to include at least one apple a day in our diet.When we had invited our friends for lunch last weekend i wanted to prepare something simple,tasty at the same time healthy dessert.So i decided to prepare custard which will save a lot of time for me.

Here is what u need to prepare this dessert
Apples 2
Milk 1 litre
Sugar 1/2 cup(approximately)
Custard powder 3-4 tsp
Cashew nuts & raisins few(optional)From one litre of milk take half cup of milk & boil the rest.Mix the custard powder in this half cup milk & set aside.When the milk has started to boil simmer the stove & add the milk in which u dissolve custard powder.Stir constantly after adding this custard paste to avoid milk from sticking to the vessel.In a min or 2 this custard will start thickening.Remove from stove.Now peel of the skin of the apples & cut into small pieces & add to the custard.Garnish with cashew nuts & raisins.Allow the custard to cool & refrigerate.Serve chilled.

Full preparation time is less than 10 mins(excluding the time to chill it).U can even make this custard with mangoes,pineapples,grapes &bananas.This custard powder is available in different flavors.I used vanilla flavor.

Iam sending this recipe to Varsha's Recipes for the rest of us event & one page cookbooks by Ramki.This is the first time iam sending an entry to an event.

Poha uppma

2009-02-17T13:00:00.000-08:00

Poha is very gud for health.It has no fat & can be had even by those on diet too.Poha uppma is one thing that can be prepared very easily for breakfast when we run short of time almost always.

All u need to prepare this uppma are
Poha 1cup
vegetables(cut) 1cup-i use carrots,beans,peas,corn kernels,capsicum
tomato 1
onion 1
green chilli 1
jeera 1/2tsp
mustard 1/2tsp
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
chilli powder 1-2tsp
salt to taste
pinch of hing
oil for tampering
cilantro & coriander leaves to garnish

In a vessel soak poha in water mixing chilli powder,turmeric powder,salt & hing.Allow it to absorb water completely so that poha becomes soft.Water should only to poha level.Jus to soak poha fully.Poha takes 10-15mins to become soft.In a kadai add oil & temper mustard seeds & jeera.Then add green chilli & all the vegetables.Add little water to the vegetables for them to cook.Add little salt to the vegetables.When water drains & vegetables cook add the soaked poha & mix .Do not mix too much becoz poha will break & stick to each other.Take of stove.When uppma has cooled slightly mix them.

If u still find water when poha is soft & ready to use sqeeze out water from poha.If u add the poha with that extra water uppma will become sticky.

Puliyodharai

2009-02-17T12:30:00.000-08:00

Pulikachal is one which can be prepared & stored in fridge for few days.When we mix this to rice it is called puliyodhari.The one served in temples tastes so gud.It is quite easy to prepare it. Lets c how to do it.Ingredients

Tamarind 1lemon size
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
salt to taste
pinch of hing
ground nuts a handful

To temper
Mustard seeds 1/2tsp
curry leaves few
red chillies 3

To roast & grind
Channa dhal 2 tsp
dhaniya 2 tsp
red chillies 7-8
fenugreek seeds 3-4
gingely oil 1/2cup

Squeeze tamarind & extract thick juice & set aside.In a kadai add2-3 tsp oil & roast all the items given under roast & grind.Allow them to cool & grind to fine powder.set aside.Add remaining oil in the kadai & temper mustard seeds,red chillies & curry leaves.Now add ground nuts.Pour the tamarind juice.Add turmeric powder,hing & salt to tamarind juice & mix well.
Let it boil till the raw smell of tamarind goes & thickens.Now add the ground powder & mix well.Let cook till the consistency is achieved.To make puliyodharai mix this pulikaichal to cooked rice.Add little gingely oil to this rice to taste best.This pulikachal can also be used as side dish for adai,pesaratu,dosai& idly.

Idly batter bonda

2009-02-17T11:51:00.000-08:00

I had jus half cup idly batter left.That is not enough to prepare idly.I was getting bored to do dosai.So i decided to prepare bonda as tiffing that evening.

I add handful of rice flour to the idly batter.To this i added little salt,pepper powder & curry leaves.Batter should be a bit thick so that u can take it in hands & make small pieces & drop it in oil.Heat oil in a kadai.When oil is hot enough drop small pieces of this batter like v do for pakodas.Deep fry them & serve hot with ketchup or coconut chutney.U can add onion & add chili powder instead of pepper powder.It was an instant bonda i prepared the other day when i had nothing much to prepare any tiffin item.It tasted like mysore bonda.

Jeera rasam

2009-02-17T11:40:00.000-08:00

Jeera is a gud for digestion.There are various ways to prepare this rasam. But one easy way to prepare jeera rasam is this

Ingredients
Tamarind 1 small lemon size
Turmeric powder 1/4tsp
A pinch of hing
salt to taste
Tomato 1

To grind
toor dhal 2 tsp
red chilli 2-3
pepper 1/4tsp
jeera 1/4 tspSoak tamarind in water & extract juice.Dilute it by adding more water.To this juice add turmeric powder,hing & salt.Cook till raw smell of the tamarind juice goes.Grind all the items given under to grind to a fine paste adding little water.Add to the tamarind juice.Add tomato & coriander leaves.When it starts boiling take off stove.In a kadai add oil & splutter mustard seeds & jeera & add to rasam.

Mysore rasam

2009-02-13T17:28:00.002-08:00

There are couple of ways mysore rasam is prepared.This is one of the ways it is prepared.It tastes jus like the rasam served in weddings.It takes less time to cook.

All u need are
A hand full of toor dhal
1 tsp jeera
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp dhaniya
2-3 red chillies
tamarind juice 3-4 tsp
tomato 1
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
salt to taste
apinch of hing
coriander leaves few

To season
oil 1 tsp
mustard seeds & jeera 1/4tsp
red chilli 1

Pressure cook toor dhal,pepper,jeera,dhaniya & red chillies to only one whistle.U dont have to pressure cook dhal fully.Allow this mixture to cool & grind it to fine paste.To this add tamarind juice,salt,hing & tomatoes & dilute it.Cook in slow flame.When the raw smell of the tamarind goes take of stove which will only take few mins.Garnish with coriander leaves.Splutter mustard seeds,jeera & red chillies in oil & add to rasam.This is one of my favorite rasam.

U can even add garlic pods when u pressure cook dhal.

Garlic rasam

2009-02-13T17:05:00.000-08:00

Rasam prepared in iya sombu(alloy made up of tin) tastes great.But we should be very careful when preparing rasam in it coz if we cook it high flame it melts.So we got to cook in slow flame.Never want to take a chance cook in ordinary vessel & transfer it to iya sombu.That way too we get the same taste.

Garlic has so many medicinal values.When take raw in the morning it acts as a blood purifier.I love this garlic rasam.Again my mom prepares it differently.I never got the same taste so i adopted the method my mother in law prepares.It is a super hit again. Here u go.

Ingredients
Tamarind 1 small lemon size
Turmeric powder 1/4tsp
A pinch of hing
salt to taste
Tomato 1

To grind
toor dhal 2 tsp
red chilli 2-3
garlic pods 5
pepper 1/4tsp
jeera 1/4 tsp

To season
oil 1 tsp
mustard seeds 1/4 tsp
jeera 1/4 tsp
coriander leaves to garnish

Soak toor dhal in little water when u start preparing rasam.This will help in grinding dhal to a fine paste.Soak tamarind in water & extract juice.Dilute it by adding more water.To this juice add turmeric powder,hing & salt.Cook till raw smell of the tamarind juice goes.Grind all the items given under to grind to a fine paste adding little water.Add to the tamarind juice.Add tomato & coriander leaves.When it starts boiling take off stove.In a kadai add oil & splutter mustard seeds & jeera & add to rasam.

For variation u can even use ghee to season & add red & green chilies to season to give extra flavor to rasam.U can also pressure cook toor dhal & add it to rasam which tastes extremely gud.

Beans kai

2009-02-13T16:47:00.000-08:00

Beans is used in many forms.This beans kai is the simplest side dish that can be prepared with coconut.But cutting beans takes a long time.So i always prefer preparing beans along with other vegetables.But the other day i had lots of beans at home.So no choice i made sabji jus with beans.Its tasty & easy to make when some one cuts it for us.Any ways here is the recipe

Ingredients
Beans 1 cup(cut)
coconut1/4cup(shredded)
oil 1 tsp
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
salt to taste
mustard seeds 1/4tsp
red chilli 1
sugar 1 tsp

In a kadai add 1 tsp oil & splutter mustard seeds.When it pops add red chilli & then the beans.Add salt & turmeric powder , sprinkle water & allow it to cook.When done add shredded coconut & sugar.Mix well.serve with sambar or rasam rice.

Tomato chutney

2009-02-13T13:47:00.000-08:00

Tomato chutney is one i often prepare.It is easy to make & tasty too.When we have very less time to prepare stuff especially for breakfast this is one easy chutney we can prepare to accompany idly dosa or even can be used as spread with bread.This delicious chutney can be prepared with less items.

To prepare this u will need
2-3 tomatoes
garlic 2 pods
ginger small piece
coriander & curry leaves few
oil 2 tsp
red chillies 2
salt to taste

In a kadai add oil. To this add red chillies & garlic.Then add the cut tomatoes & mix well.Allow the tomatoes to cook till it becomes pulpy.Add the coriander & curry leaves & take of the stove.Allow it to cool.Grind this with ginger & salt.Serve with hot idlies & dosas.This along with coconut chutney is the best combo with venpongal.Try it u will know it.

Potato peas sabji

2009-02-13T13:31:00.000-08:00

Who will not like to have potatoes??Its a hot favorite of all irrespective if their age.It goes so well with almost everything.Potato is one sabji that comes handy & rescues me in eleventh hour.No fancy ingredients are needed to make a yummy potato peas sabji.Every item will be available in ur pantry all the time.Lets c how i made this sabji.

All u need are
4 potatoes
1/2cup peas
onion 1
chilli powder 1-2 tsp
turmeric powder 1/4tsp
salt to taste
oil 2 tsp
mustard seeds 1/4tsp

Chop onions set aside.Peel skin of potatoes & cut potatoes into cubes.In a kadai add oil.To this add mustard seeds,then add chopped onions.Saute for awhile.Now add the cut potatoes & peas.Add chilli & turmeric powders & salt.Add required water & allow it to cook.When the potatoes are fully cooked mash them nicely.Take of the stove.Serve hot with chapatis,puris or rice.

Coriander rice

2009-02-13T13:22:00.000-08:00

This is one of those recipes i learnt from my brother's wife.I love the color & taste of this.Coriander gives such a lovely taste to this dish.

To make this cook rice separately.Grind coriander leaves & green chillies.set aside.Cut onions & tomatoes.I use a hand full of frozen vegetables we get which includes carrots,beans,corn kernels & peas.In a kadai add 2-3 tsp of oil.Add 1/4 tsp of jeera,then add chopped onions & ginger garlic paste & saute.Now add the vegetables & tomato & saute.Now add the coriander & chilli paste to this.Add turmeric powder & salt to this.Allow it to cook.

When done add cooked rice to this paste & mix well.Adjust salt accordingly.

Yummy coriander rice is ready.U can even use basmati rice to make this rice.

Instant bhel puri

2009-02-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite snack items.U can add as many items as possible.When u want to give a different snack to ur guests this is a best choice.U can get creative & add any item of ur bhel recipe is a simple one which u can prepare in no time & can have lots of time with ur guests.Kids will love this.

To prepare this bhel puri for one person u will need

A cup of puffed rice
1/2 onion
1 tomato
1 green chilli
coriander leaves few
tomato ketchup 2-3 tsp
chat masala1/4tsp
Oma podi 2-3 tsp to garnish

Grind green chilli & some coriander leaves set aside.cut onions & tomatoes to fine pieces.Mix onion,Tomato & chilli coriander paste.Add ketchup to this mixture.Transfer it to a plate & garnish with Omapodi & coriander leaves.Sprinkle some chat masala on top.Adjust chili & ketchup according to ur taste.Increase ketchup if u want it sweet & vis-verse.

Isn't it simple.Go get creative making bhel puri.U can add mashed potato boiled channa or ground nuts.Any thing of ur choice.

choice.But this

Onion chutney

2009-02-12T08:37:00.000-08:00

Onion chutney goes well with almost every singe dish. U can even have it with rice.

Ingredients
Onions 2
Tomatoes 1
Red chillies 3-4
Salt to taste
oil 2 tsp

In a kadai add oil.Add red chillies saute & add onions.Saute for a while & add tomatoes.Saute till tomatoes soften.Allow it to cool.Grind it to paste adding required salt.Can be had with idly, dosa,pongal,paniyaram etc

Dhal

2009-02-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

This is one of jatpat recipe that can be prepared as side dish to chappathi's or pongal or can even be had with rice.

Ingredients
Moong dhal 1 cup(cooked)
peas 1/4cup
onion 1(chopped)
tomato 1
oil 2 tsp
mustard seeds 1/4tsp
green chilli 1
turmeric powder1/4 tsp
chilli powder 1-2 tsp
sat totaste
coriander leaves few to garnish

Pressure cook dhal & set aside.Or u can cook mong dhal in microwave oven with out lid for 20mins.In a kadai add oil &then mustard seeds.When it pops add split chilli , onion & tomato & saute.Now add the cooked dhal.To this add chilli powder, turmeric powder & salt.Allow it to boil.Sprinkle coriander leaves & mix.Serve hot with chappathi,rice or pongal.

for variation u Can even add ginger garlic paste to this dhal.U can even avoid chilli powder.Instead add more green chillies & after taking of the stove add some lime juice to it.Reduce tomatoes if u r gonna add lime juice to dhal.

Ravai kesari

2009-02-11T17:55:00.000-08:00

Kesari is a stop gap sweet we can prepare when we have guests at home.It can be made in no time.Since both my husband & myself love sweets i prepare something or the other quite often.

Here is the recipe
Ingredients
Ravai 1cup
Sugar 1-2cups(depends upon the ur taste)
ghee 2-3 tsp
cashew nuts 10-12
raisins 10
range color powder a pinch

In a kadai add ghee.Fry cashew nuts & raisins set aside.In the same kadai add little more ghee & fry the ravai.Now add water & mix to avoid lump being formed.Allow the ravai to cook.Mean while add orange color powder in a tsp of water & mix & set aside.When ravai is done add sugar & the color.Mix them all until sugar dissolves.Garnish with the fried cashew nuts & raisins.

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