Simple brownie

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

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

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

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

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

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

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