In my passionate world.....:)

Another year has passed us........!

2009-12-31T01:57:00.000-08:00

Another year passed......!! 2009 has been a happening year for me.......One of the most memorable enjoyable moment was when me and mittu saw each other......she was a dream come true! She was born on June 19th Friday, it fortunately happened to be my appas bday......Isnt that a true blessing!? After that it has been a total enjoyable roller coaster ride for me .

Next is my blogs addi(c)tion........I started this blog in Feb 2009 and its not even a year still I am very close to it. Only after the birth of the kiddo I started taking this blog even more serious and worked on it inspite of all the sleepless nights and tight schedules...it was challenging actually ;) Now I am soo so addicted that I cant stay away from it even for a day. I thoroughlly enjoy clicking the colors of food......Here are some of my fav clicks:

Corn in Onion sauce

Masala Kuzhi Paniyaram

Bread Besan Toast

Nutty Marie Biscuit Dessert

Peanut Ladoos

Choco Cornflakes Pudding

Pottukadalai Poondu Podi

Paneer Butter Masala - I need to mention about this pic.....I have made PB masala several times and have changed the pic everytime( if you have noticed) becos I was not at all satisfied with any of my clicks. Finally this one kind of satisfied me :)

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous new year!!

Vazhaipoo/Plantain Flower Vadai

2009-12-28T05:25:00.000-08:00

My first attempt of making these vadais was successful!! :)

Roughly for 15 vadais

Ingredients - For Mixing :

Vazhaipoo/Plantain-Flower - 1 medium sized

Potukadalai powdered - 4 tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1tsp

Chilli powder - 2 tsp

Ginger garlic paste - 3 tsp

Finely chopped Onion - 1 big sized

Chopped coriander leaves - a handful

Rice flour - 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

Oil - for deep frying

For grinding:

Channa Dhal/Kadala paruppu - 1/2 cup [Soak it in water for 30mins before grinding]

Green chilli - 1

Kasa kasa - 2 tsp

Aniseed - 3 tsp

Method:

1.Clean vazhaipoo and pressure cook for 1 vessel with a cup of water and turmeric powder. Drain water and keep aside.

2.Add this to the grinding ingredients and grind it to a paste not too fine. Sprinkle water only if its too dry.

3.Now add the paste to the remaining ingredients under mixing and mix well.

4.Roll them into balls and flatten them into small vadais. Deep fry them in oil!

I wanted to cut down oil so tried toasting 2 of them in dosa tawa with minimum oil but let me be frank here.......it was not fully cooked inside so deep fried the rest....:(

NOTE:

You can use the same ingredients and method for senaikelangu/yam vadai(only difference is you dont need to pressure cook it, instead you have to saute it before grinding to a paste) to avoid itching.

Since this is my hubbys fav this would be apt to send it to SERVED WITH LOVE

Merry Christmas & Eggless Chocolate Rolls!

2009-12-24T05:05:00.000-08:00

Christmas is round the corner and the blogging world is full of lovely cakes and cookies . I dont have a proper oven to bake something.....so here I am with these eggless chocolate rolls which I tried from Mane Adige's sometime back. Before I go to the recipe, Wishing everyone a merry christmas!

Ingredients:
Marie Biscuit - 5 [I used Arrowroot which is quite similar to marie]
Cocoa powder - 2 tbsp
Butter - 1 tbsp
Milk - to knead the dough
Grated Coconut - 2 tbsp
Sugar - as per taste level

Method:
1.Powder the Marie biscuits, Add cocoa powder, milk and knead it to a smooth dough like chapathi dough. Keep aside.

2.Mix coconut , butter and sugar in a seperate bowl, the mixture should be sticky. Roll the coco dough to form small chapathis.

3.Now spread the coconut mixture over the chapathis and gently roll them to form cylinders and keep aside.

4.Refrigerate the rolls for about 30mins; Remove and cut them width wise . Serve it immediately as the rolls butter part tend to melt down.

And I am sending this to Mahimas event

Pasi Paruppu / Moong Dhal Kurma

2009-12-21T05:56:00.001-08:00

This easy moong dhal(paasi parupu)kurma recipe is from my aunt. There is no grinding part at all, its so easy and simple still its lemony flavour adds to the taste.

Ingredients:

Cinnamom - 1/2 inch piece

Cardomom - 1

Cloves - 2

Moong Dhal - 1 cup

Onion - 1 medium size

Tomato - 1

Green Chilli - 1

Turmeric powder - a pinch

Chilli powder - 2 tsp

Garlic - 3 to 4 chopped

Lemon - 1 medium size

Oil - 3 tsp

Method :

1. Dry roast moong dhal for few mins till nice aroma comes. Pressure cook it with 1/4 cup of water till mashy and keep aside.

2. In a kadai, heat oil, add cinnamom, cloves and cardomom and saute well.Add chilli, garlic and onion and keep sauting till onions are fried well.

3.Now add tomato and fry for 2mins, add turmeric and chilli powder.

4.Add mashed moong dhal and 1/2 cup water. Leave it to boil for 5mins.

5.Switch off and squeeze lemon while serving!

It goes well with dosas, idlis and even chapathis. This is going to be my keeper hereafter when there is lil time in hand to cook a side dish!

Entry for Events!

2009-12-19T23:10:00.000-08:00

I m sending these low fat tea time snacks to WYF : Teatime snack event

Poha(Aval) Upma
Bread Besan Toast
Ragi Kolukattai
And my rasamalai experiment to Kitchen Mishapes event

Rasamalai

Nutty Marie Biscuit Dessert- The quickest one!

2009-12-14T05:35:00.000-08:00

I tried Nags Mom's delight yesterday with my so called oven and to my surprise it came out perfect, who cares about the look when it tastes yum yum :)

Ingredients:

Powdered Marie Biscuits - from 5 biscuits

Sweetened Condensed Milk / I used thickened milk- 4 tbsp

Coco powder - 2 tbsp

Chopped Cashewnuts - 5

Butter - 1 tsp just to grease

Method:

1. Grease the container with butter.

2. Layer the powdered marie biscuits into the container and press it till it is even. It will be 1 inch in thickness if you are using 5 biscuits.

3.Pour the condensed milk covering the powdered biscuits. I didnt have condensed milk and that didnt stop me from trying it....so what I did was I thickened the milk with 1tsp of sugar added and used it, no compromise in taste.

4.Next layer is the coco powder. Sprinkle it until the condensed milk layer is totally covered. Then lay the chopped cashewnuts on the top of the coco powder layer.

5.Bake it for 10mins. It came out just fine in my oven itself...so am sure it would come out well in any oven ;) Cool it and serve.

I refrigerated it for 10mins as I like it chilled. Now what are you waiting for, just scoop out and enjoy......Isnt that a quick dessert?!

And I am sending this to In love with Delectable Desserts Pastries and Ice Creams and Sudeshna’s Cook like a bong

Simple Beans Poriyal

2009-12-10T04:38:00.001-08:00

To load this in reader I'm struggling from morning, friends let me know if you are facing the same issue with blogger, ie...when you give a new post and it doesnt update in reader? Any solution for this? please let me know!

Ingredients:

Beans - 15 apprx [Sliced thin]

Grated coconut - 3 tbso

Chopped Onions - 1

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp

Oil - 1/2 tbsp

Urad Dal/Ulutham paruppu -1/2 tsp

Hing / perungayam - a pinch (optional)

Curry leaves - 2 to 3

Salt - to taste

Method:

1.Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, let it splutter.... now add urad dhal, curry leaves and hing.

2.Add the sliced beans, coconut and saute for 5mins. Now sprinkle water and allow it to cook Keep closed on medium flame until beans becomes soft, now add salt to taste.

3. Keep in low flame to avoid burning, mix well until the water leaves the beans. Leave it for 5mins and switch off!

Its Burger Time!!

2009-12-04T21:14:00.000-08:00

Everytime when I order for burger I usually had to dig in the burger to pull out those lettuce and cabbages...I just hate them in my burger(But I added cabbages here as hubby likes it).So sat out to think why not try burger at home?! And here is my first try and it came out pretty decent. When I served it for hubby there was a big smile in his face and said its soo yummy and very much like in MB - thats the highest form of appreciation I've ever got I wud say!

This yields 2 burgers:

Ingredients:

Bun - 2

Chopped cabbage - 3 tsp

Tomato sliced - 2

Onions sliced - 3 to 3

Tomato sauce - 2 tbsp

Cheese - 2 slices or shredded cheese

For the patty:

Veggies - 1.5 cups (I used 2 big sized carrots,5-6 beans and 2 potatoes)

Aniseed powdered - 2 tsp

Finely chopped onion - 1/2 small sized

Ginger garlic paste - 3 tsp

Chilli powder - 3tsp

Method:

1.Boil the veggies till mashy. Drizzle oil in a wide bottomed pan, add aniseed powder,immediately add chopped onion. Then add boiled carrots and beans, saute them for 3mins.

2.Add ginger garlic paste,fry well.Add chilli powder and salt.

3.Now add this to mashed potatoes and bind them well.

4.Flatten them into patties and toast it in dosa pan. You can deep fry them if you arent guilty :)

This is before assembling the burger , just to show you how my pattie looked!

5.Assemble the burger in the following order / any order of your choice:

Keep one half of the bun first, then the pattie, cheese slice, chopped cabbage, a slice of onion, tomato sauce then tomato slice and the other half of the bun. Your veg burger is ready! Isnt that quick n easy?!

Onion Mint Sandwich

2009-11-29T06:14:00.000-08:00

I was happily napping one fine afternoon (which is rare these days with a 5.5months old hyperactive baby :)), my tummy started kicking me. Opened the fridge no veggies except for 1 not so fresh beetroot and half a packet of bread. I remembered the left over puthina chutney which I had for idly that morning, so made this quick sandwich.

So what are u waiting for.....no veggies in stock try this sandwich with the ingredients that are sure to be in your pantry!

Ingredients:

Bread - 4 slices (I usually use wheat bread)

Urad dhal - 2tsp

Mint(puthina) leaves - 3 tbsp

Finely chopped onion -1

Salt to taste

Turmeric powder

Chilli powder - a pinch

Sambar powder - 2tsp (optional)

Ghee - to toast

Method:

1.In 1 tsp of oil, add urad dhal, let it temper then add mint leaves and saute well till the leaves are crushed, add few drops of water and grind it to a fine paste. Keep it aside.

[Though this is not the orginal recipe for puthina chutney this goes well for sandwiches]

2.Drizzle oil, add onion, turmeric powder, chilli powder, sambar powder and saute till onions turn light brown.

3.Take 2 bread slices and apply the mint paste on both the slices.

4.Add the onion filling in between the 2 slices and press it.

5.Toast it with ghee in a toaster/dosa pan.

You can substitute mint leaves with coriander leaves.....It tastes gud too!'Just not any other dish'

Masala Kuzhi Paniyaram

2009-11-17T00:27:00.000-08:00

I've been eyeing this masala kuzhipaniyarams since I saw it in Nags space, made it for breakfast last weekend and it turned out very tasty. I didnt know that the paniyarams with dosa batter wud taste soo gud!

I replaced coconut with carrot and sauted all the ingredients before I added them to the batter.

Ingredients:

Dosa/Idly batter - 2 cups

Mustard seeds - 2tsp

Turmeric powder - 1tsp

Finely chopped Onion - 1

Finely chopped Green chillies - 1

Red chilli powder - 1 pinch

Hing - a pinch

Grated Carrot - 1 big size

Curry leaves - few

Salt - to taste

Oil

Method:

1.Drizzle oil, allow mustard seeds to splutter.

2.Add onions, chillies, carrot and curry leaves and saute for 5mins till onions turn light brown.

3.Add turmeric powder, hing, chilli powder and salt. Now add above to the dosa batter and mix well.

4.Heat the paniyaram pan add a drop of oil in each hole, fill in each hole with the batter, but not more than 3/4th full as the paniyarams will raise a little . Let it cook on the other side until its crisp.

5.Turn over and cook the other side. Serve hot with chutney!

The spices were well blended that it needed no sidedish but we had it with leftover coriander chutney...:)

Creamy Curd Semiya

2009-11-14T01:13:00.000-08:00

Curd Semiya is best suited for ending guest dinners and parties, a different alternative to curd rice!

Ingredients:

Vermicelli Semiya - 1.cup

Onion -1 medium sized

Oil -1 tbsp

Chilled curd - 1/2 cup

Salt to taste

Grated Carrot - 1 small size

To temper :

Mustard seeds - 1tsp

Urad Dal - 1 tsp

Finely chopped green chillies - 1

Ginger - 1/2 inch piece

Method:

1.Roast vermicelli in 1/2 tsp oil for 2mins and keep seperately. [NOTE : Roasting vermicelli in oil keeps the semiya seperated]

2.Drizzle oil, temper mustard, urad dhal, green chillies and ginger.Add onions, saute till it becomes transparent.

3.Now add 1.5 cups of water and bring it it to boil, add salt to taste. Add roasted vermicelli semiya to boiling water and keep closed for 3mins.

4.Open and turn to other side, check if its cooked else sprinkle lil more water.

5.Leave it to cool then add curd, carrot and mix well. It tastes gud when it is served chilled!

Poha(Aval) Upma - A quick evening snack!

2009-11-09T20:55:00.000-08:00

This is one of the easiest yet filling snack which can be done in a jiffy!

Ingredients :
Poha/Aval (thick or thin) - 1cup
Onion - 1
Curry leaves - 3 to 4
Finely chopped Green chillies - 1
Mustard seeds - 2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 2 tsp
Grated Coconut - 1 tbsp

Method:
1. Soak poha in water for 5mins (I used thin if its thick it will take some more time). Then sqeeze water and keep the poha aside for 5mins.

2. In a kadai : Drizzle oil, add mustard seeds then add onions, curry leaves, green chillies and turmeric powder.

3. Saute till onions are fried well. Add grated coconut which is purely optional, but it adds to the taste.

4. Add the poha to the above and mix well. Add salt to taste.

5. Poha upma is ready to be served!

Dates Cornflakes Smoothie

2009-11-03T04:41:00.000-08:00

I often find myself getting confused with a smoothie and a milk shake so tried googling today. Some facts about smoothie from wikipedia :

A smoothie is a blended, chilled, sweet beverage made from fresh fruit or vegetables.In addition to fruit, many smoothies include crushed ice, frozen/.dry fruit, honey or frozen yogurt. They have a milkshake-like consistency but much more thicker. Unlike milkshakes, they usually don't contain ice cream, but contain milk.

A smoothie is very refreshing for a morning breakfast. This dates smoothie is not only filling its healthy too! The flavour when cornflakes,dates and honey are blended tastes so gud!

Ingredients:

Milk - 1 cup

Yogurt - 1tbsp (optional)

Dates - 5 to 6

Cornflakes - 1tbsp

Honey - 2tsp

Crushed ice- from a cube

Method:

1.Blend everything together to form a smooth mixture

[No sugar needed]

2.Serve chilled

I am planning to post here every tues/wed so watch out this space every week!

Ragi Kozhukattai/Steamed Fingermillet Dumplings

2009-10-29T23:30:00.000-07:00

Heya am back from my inlaws place just today morning.....Cudnt say how much I missed home n this blogging world. So the first thing I did when I entered was to check my mails and dashboard :) Have loads of work before I join back work on Monday...Its a kind of mixed feelings I wud say. I really am wondering how quick this 5 months flew away.....I should definitely say this blogging has been a part of my daily routine and all ur encouragements has made me find the cook in me and learn so much about food photography. But I had loads of fun, spent quality time with mittu ,that I am really feeling it hard to leave her and go back to work now, Wish I get used to the routine sooner.

This is one from my drafts....I tried Ragi kozhukattai from Madhuram's blog. It turned out to be a very simple and healthy evening snack, Do try this out! The addition of mung daal gave a nice twist to this kozhukattai.

Ingredients:

Finger Millet Flour (Ragi flour) – 1 cup

Mung Daal – a handful

Grated coconut – 1/4 cup

Powdered Jaggery – 3/4 cup

Cardamom powder – 1 tsp

Method:

1.Dry roast mung daal for 3 mins and pressure cook for 3 whistles witha cup of water. Drain ater and keep seperately,the daal shoudnt be mashy.

2.Dry roast ragi for 2mins and keep aside. Add 1/2 cup water to jaggery, heat it till the jaggery dissolves and filter the impurities.

3.Now combine roasted ragi flour,mung daal,coconut, jaggery water, cardamom powder and knead it to a dough, sprinkle water if needed.

4.Roll them into balls/cylinders and press it with ur palm. Steam in idli plates for 10-13mins and Serve hot!

I received the kreative award from Renu , Thanks a lot Renu!

Peanut Ladoos & a short break!

2009-10-12T22:07:00.000-07:00

How many of you like peanuts? Count me in first, but I dont prefer roasted instead like the boiled ones. I have seen these ladoos in many blogs n finally here I am with it. As its diwali time thought of posting a quick and easy ladoo....!

Now coming to the break : I m leaving to my inlaws place this weekend and will be on a break from blogging for 15 days.......Dont knw how I m going to manage as these days I m kind of addicted to my blog.....Meanwhile dont forget me and I am assuming that u will keep visiting my space even in my absence :) Once I return....have to join back work so am sure its gona be pretty hectic. Ok now to the recipe :

Ingredients:

Raw Peanuts - 1 cup

Jaggery - eyeballed so add it according to taste

What I did is kept adding while blending and checked for the sweetness.

Method:

1. Dry roast peanuts in a tawa until they turn light brown. There will be nice aroma and the skin will start splitting up thats the stage you should remove from flame.

2. Remove the skin. Blend the peanuts for few seconds to form a coarse powder then add jaggery and grind it again for 5seconds till both peanuts and jaggery are well blended.

3. Set it in a plate and make small sized balls. You need no ghee for it as the oil the peanut leaves is just enough to roll them into balls.

4. Store it in a air tight container.

Happy and Safe Diwali wishes to all my fellow blogger friends! Seeya sometime sooner..!!

Kadai Bhindi

2009-10-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

I tried Kadai Bhindi from RaksKitchen with some minor modifications to suit my taste. By the time I post this recipe I've made it 2-3 times, this one is from my drafts :) Trust me, the procedure looks like a lengthy process but its quite simple and easy once u try it out!

Ingredients:

Bhindi/Ladies finger - 12

Onion - 1 medium sized,finely chopped

Tomato - 1 big sized, finely chopped

Capsicum - 1 big sized,cubed

Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp

Turmeric - 2 pinches

Dhaniya powder - 2 tsp

Red chili powder - 1 tsp ( according to taste)

Green chilies - 1

Cashewnut- 4 ground to fine paste [I added 2 tsp of milk with cashews for grinding]

Salt as needed

To Tamper:

Jeera - 2 tsp

Oil

Method:

1.Cut bhindis into medium size pieces as in the pic. Saute them well in oil till the stickiness goes off [I didnt deep fry them, you can do that if you wish]

2.Temper jeera in a wide pan with oil. Immediately add the onions and fry till its transparent. Add ginger garlic paste and fry till raw smell goes.

3.Add the tomatoes,with little salt and mix well till it becomes soft and mashy.

4.Add turmeric, red chili, coriander powders and mix well.

5.After the masalas are well blended with tomatos add cashew nut paste and fry for a min till oil separates.

6.Add the capsicum and fry in medium flame for a minute. Now add the sauted bhindis, Adjust spice levels and salt at this stage. Sprinkle water for bhindis to get cooked well. Keep covered for 2mins and switch off!

[If you want more gravy add more water at this stage - I wanted it semi dry so added lil water].

7.Serve hot with rotis/pulav!

Masala Paal/Milk

2009-10-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

I have had this masala paal/milk in many hotels and the one served in Vasantha bhavan is my fav! Hubby likes it so wanted to give a try at home and shud I mention abt the taste?!, simple n flavourful!

Before I go to the recipe want to thank Ambika for passing me this award :

Ingredients:

Milk - 1.5 cups

Sugar - as per taste

Turmeric powder - a pinch

Cloves -2

Cinnamon - 1/2 inch stick

Cardamom - powdered from 2

Almonds - powdered not too fine

Saffron - 2 to 3 strands

Method:

1.Bring milk to boil, add turmeric powder, cinnamon and cloves. Stir and leave it for 2mins till the aroma of spices are well mixed with the mik.

2.Filter the milk and add powdered almonds, cardamom and saffron strands.Serve hot!

Corn in Onion Sauce

2009-09-29T10:45:00.001-07:00

Either its sweet corn or normal corn, amma likes it soo much and that was the main reason for me to try Nags recipe soo soon. Another reason being coincidentally 2 corn cobs were lying on the table that caught my sight soon after reading her recipe.

It was 4PM and here goes the conversation between amma & me:

Amma - [Just got up from a small nap] You said u'l make something with corn and give me, you even showed me the pic yest?!

Me - Yes ofcourse!

Amma - So when are u planning to make it?

Me - Its already done!

Amma - What?! So why didnt you give me, I m waiting for it....

Me - Wait ma, I am waiting for the sun to shine bright meanwhile am arranging things for clicking the pics. I've to do it before mittu wakes up no?

Amma - Hayoo u'l do all gymnastics, jump here and there to click the pics and that will take another 30mins or even more...?

Me - Dont worry I'l finish it up fast for ur sake.

Amma - Hmm lets see.....

At 4:45PM : Me - Here you have the corn onion sauce , handing over the plate to her.

Amma - Worth the wait......supera iruku but the quantity is very less.

Me - **Beaming with pride and smile** Next time I'll make in a large quantity ok?

Amma - Okay :)

I've impressed amma with many dishes but am very happy to have cooked her most fav corn today & having got her appreciation for it!!

I have tried so many times to blur the background using the camera itself but it was not upto the mark, so end up in blurring using photoshop. Finally 2day the blur came out so well(hope so....) guess now I learnt the technique of blurring using camera itself though not intentional ;)

Now coming to the recipe:

Ingredients:

Corn cobs - 1

Onion - 1 medium sized

Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp

Curry leaves - 3 to 4

Jaggery Syrup - 2 tsp or as per taste[Dissolve jaggery in water to form a thick syrup]

Turmeric powder - a pinch

Chilli powder - 2 tsp

Jeera - 1/2 tsp

Yogurt/Curd - 3 tbsp

Oil - 3tsp

Salt to taste

Method:

1.Boil the corn for 5 vessles in cooker - I did this as I didnt want to deep fry them. I usually feel very guilty to pour more oil for frying.......exception for vadais and few other items :)

2.Slice the corn into 1 inch pieces. I used normal corn, not sweet corn so it was a very tough time to cut them so I cut only 1 slice for pic sake others I shaved them into pieces like below:

3. Grind onions to a fine paste. Now add ginger garlic paste, turmeric, chilli powder, jeera, curry leaves and jaggery syrup to the onion paste. Mix well and keep aside.

4.Saute the corn in 1.5 tsp oil for 5mins and keep aside.

5.Now add the remaining oil and fry onion paste mixture till oil seperates, it may take some 10 mins.

6.Lower heat and add curd/yogurt. Simmer only for 2-3 mins to avoid curd from curdling. Add salt and remove from fire.

The hot and sweet juicy corns were soo tasty and different! Even we had it as such :)

I usually click so many pics when I make a dish but end up picking up only 1 or 2 to post it here. But this time I liked many of my clicks than usual but restricted myself & posted only 4 of them .... So that means I've finally started liking my clicks! :)

And I'm linking this to :

Kaima Idli - Saravana Bhavan special!

2009-09-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

I havent even heard about this kaima idli till I saw it in Lavis blog. So wanted to give a try, I followed the recipe with no major change, hmm I just omitted deep frying.

Ingredients:

Left Over Idli's: 3

Onion - 1

Tomato - 1/2

Garlic - 3 pods

Green Chilies - 1

Green Capsicum - 1/2

Curry Leaves - 5 to 6

CorrianderLeaves - 2tsp

[Dont search in mine, my stock got over so didnt use it ;)]

Oil - 2 tbsp

Chilly Powder - 1/2 tsp [Adjust according to your spice level]

Salt to taste

Lemon juice - 1 tbsp

Finely chop onion, tomato, garlic, capsicum, greenchillies and coriander leaves.

Method:

1.Cut the idli's into small cubes and saute them in oil till it becomes light brown and keep it aside. You can also deep fry the idlies which is what the orginal recipe says.

2.Drizzle oil in a pan, add mustard and allow it to splutter. Add onions,then garlic, curry leaves and saute well.

3.Add tomatoes and saute it well, so that its mashy with onions, add salt, turmeric powder and mix well.Now add capsicum, saute them well and add chilli powder. Keep stirring continuosly till its combined well.

4.Add the idlies, mix well till it combines well with all masalas.Garnish with corriander leaves, sprinkle lemon juice over the kaima idli's.

5.Serve these spicy kaima idlis with onion patchadi.

I did reserve only 3 idlis this time and the kaima idlis finished off in no time!

Raw Banana/Vazhakai Podimas

2009-09-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

Vazhakai can be made in several ways....this podimas/puttu is a simple yet flavourful sidedish! I like this more than the usual fry. Dont mind on the spelling mistake in the pic, so lazy to work around again ;)

Ingredients:

Raw Banana -1

Onion - 1

Grated coconut - 3tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1tsp

Urad dal - 1tsp

Green chilli -1

Oil - 2tsp

Garlic cloves- 2

Turmeric powder - a pinch

Salt to taste

Method:

1. Boil the banana for 2 vessels, spread it out and keep aside

2. Drizzle oil, add mustard seends allow it to tamper. Add urad dal, green chili,garlic then onions, saute well , sprinkle turmeric powder.

3. Add coconut and saute till it turns light brown.

4. Now add the shredded vazhakai and saute well. Add salt to taste.

Bread Besan Toast

2009-09-17T23:00:00.000-07:00

Bored of normal bread toast? then this is for you! I tried Mahimas Bread besan toast which turned out to be a great evening snack!

Ingredients:

Bread - 3

For the batter:

Besan flour - 1/2 cup

Finley chopped onions - 1/2

Chopped coriander leaves - 1/2 tbsp

Chopped green chilli - 1

Salt to taste

Water

Oil/Ghee to toast

I just ignored tomatoes and adjusted the quantity.

Method:

1. Mix all the above ingredients except bread to form a thin batter.

2. Dip each bread piece in the batter.

3. Heat the tawa, drizzle oil and toast both sides till light brown.

4. Cut each bread pieces into half.

5. Serve hot with tomato sauce!

Have I told you before?! I just like bread soo much...You give me bread anytime or even daily be it toast, upma or with omlette or even just like that....I can have it :) This besan toast takes hardly 10-15mins, hope you all try this toast too!!

And I am sending this to : Priyas Sunday Snacks Event - Snacks with Bread

Methi Gajar Matar / Methi Carrot Peas Milk gravy

2009-09-15T07:39:00.000-07:00

I had been waiting to try this for long from Nags blog.

Ingredients:
Carrots - 4 big ones, chopped lengthwise.
Peas - 1/2 cup
Onion - 1 big sized finely chopped
Milk - 1/2 cup
Jeera- 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 2 tsp
Chilli powder - 3 tsp
Garam Masala - 2 tsp (optional)
Oil
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves - to garnish

Methi leaves - few

Method:
1.Half boil the carrots and peas in cooker, which is what I did. Omit this if u want to cook the veggies in milk gravy itself (it will take time but will surely taste even more better)

2. Heat oil, add the jeera, let them splutter, add the onions, fry a bit.

3. Add the peas to the onion mixture and fry them for 5 mins. Add the cooked carrots and stir.
NOTE: If you are using uncooked carrots , make sure to cook them in a little water and add milk after the carrots are semi cooked.

4. Add garam masala, turmeric powder,chilli powder then add milk
NOTE: [Add chilli powder generously as carrot + peas + milk gravy gives a sweet taste so check and add it.]

5. Close and let it cook for 5-7 mins. Keep stirring once in a while to avoid burning of milk and the carrots. Once the curry looks creamy add coriander, methi leaves and mix well!

Once u add milk the gravy gets thickened very soon so dont over cook after milk is added.

Switch off and garnish. This goes well with chapathis!

Pretty in Pink - Rosemilk & a time to celebrate!

2009-09-10T23:32:00.000-07:00

The first time I tasted Rosemilk was in Sree Annapoorna - Coimbatore. From the day I was a great fan of rosemilks. I wonder how the rosemilk they serve alone had the rose essence at the bottom and I used to stir it with the straw. As a kid I was very excited to see the pink color getting beautifully mixed with milk.

Its been so long since I drank rosemilk, should say I totally forgot it when I started drinking my fav chocolate milkshake. Last week when I went for monthly grocery shopping saw this rose essence in Foodworld. With no hestitation I took it and by now I have made it so many times :)

Should I have to give you the recipe for this?! ;)

Chilled Milk + Sugar + Rose Essence = Yummy Rosemilk!

My bday month seems to be too much fun and lucky even before my day has approached. Awards, tags and what not ! It added on when........Couple of days back, opened my inbox to see a new message from Nags with the subject "You won the book". I first cudnt believe it, as luck is very far from me :)

Anyways luck has breezed my way this time...... I m happy to tell you that I won the book in this giveaway. I have just started reading the book and I am really thankful to Nags for such a nice book. It surely has changed my perception about diets and you knw the lazy me has started exercising already!

Coming to the award, I feel very much excited and honoured in receiving the honest scrap award. Thank you so much Renu!

Requirements:

I must thank the person who gave me the award and list their blog and link it.

I must list 10 honest things about myself.

I must put a copy of The Honest Scrap Logo on my blog.

I must select at least 7 other worthy bloggers & list their links.

I must notify the bloggers of the award and hopefully they will follow the above three requirements also.

Here are my 10 honest confessions:

1.I feel each day is a little life n I luv it :)

2.I completely enjoy being a mother

3.I go crazy after mobiles and bags

4.If I like a movie, I prefer watching it many times instead of a new one

5.I love watching the rain

6.I am addicted to my system

7.I am a planned person and struggle to take things at the last minute

8.I adore friendship

9.I cook to click :)

10.I love longdrives in car with music turned on

And I am passing this to my honest scrappers:

Smitha , Nags , Lavi , Varsha , SJ , Mahima , Lubna

Only 7?! Hmm have to stop here then.....You all deserve the award too, Do pick it up! I am tired of writing a long post so let me have my rosemilk :)

Kuska Biriyani & ABC Tag

2009-09-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

This kuska rice comes of great help when u dont have any veggies in stock or no time for chopping. This is a very simple and comforting dish.

Ingredients:

Rice - 1cup (I used seraga samba rice, basmati rice can also be used but the timing to boil should be adjusted accordingly)

Onion -1/2

Tomato -1/2

Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp

Cardomom - 1

Brinji leaf - 1

Cloves - 2

Cinnamom - 1 inch piece

Coconut milk - 2 tbsp

To grind to a smooth paste:

Green chillies -1

Coriander leaves - 3 tsp

Mint leaves - 1 tbsp

Ghee - 2 tbsp

Method:

1.Wash and soak rice for 10mins.

2. In a kadai add 1 tbsp ghee add brinji leaf, cloves, cinamom, cardomom, onions, tomato and saute well. Now add ginger garlic paste and fry for 3mins

3. Add the grinded paste and fry for another 2mins.

4. Add rice to the above in a pressure cooker. Add 1.5 cups of water and coconut milk to it.

5. Allow for 1vessel and sim it, Leave for 6-7 mins to cook. Add the remaining ghee on top.

6. Serve with onion raitha. I had it with gobi manchurian, you can find manchurian recipe here

I have been tagged by Bharathy, Thank you bharathy I completely enjoyed it

The rules :

1. Link the person who tagged you.

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Share the ABCs of you.

4. Tag 4 people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.

5. Let the 4 tagged people know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

6. Do not tag the same person repeatedly but try to tag different people, so that there is a big network of bloggers doing this tag.

The Tag:

1. A – Available/Single - None

2. B – Best friend? Hubby

3. C – Cake or Pie? Cake

4. D – Drink of choice? Choc Milkshake

5. E – Essential item you use every day? Obviously its my mobileS

6. F – Favorite color? Brown

7.G–Gummy Bears Or Worms? Gummy Bears

8. H – Hometown? Coimbatore

9. I – Indulgence? Shopping

10. J – January or February? February

11. K – Kids & their names? Daughter - Dhiksha

12. L – Life is incomplete without? My family and friends

13. M – Marriage date? 02-02

14. N – Number of siblings? One

15. O – Oranges or Apples? Oranges

16.P – Phobias/Fears? Phobia with Insects

17. Q – Quote for today? Live the moment as if you are going to die the next minute!

18. R – Reason to smile? There are many actually : Music, Charity, Long drives, Watch the rain hmm... but now the one that tops everything is mittu's smile :)

19. S – Season? Spring

20. T – Tag 3 People? See below

21. U – Unknown fact about me? Very sensitive

22. V – Vegetable you don't like? Greens

23. W – Worst habit? Nail biting

24. X – X-rays you've had? For toothache

25. Y – Your favorite food? Sambar sadam, Rotis with any side dish

26. Z – Zodiac sign? Libra

And I am tagging Sri Valli , Sakshi , Arundhuti and Mahima

Choco Cornflakes Pudding, Award and MEME tag!

2009-09-01T23:10:00.000-07:00

Lavanya passed on the yummy blog award to me....thanks Lavi it means a lot to me!

So another moment to celebrate with a dessert. Adapted from SpicyKhazana's cornflakes kheer, I tried it with lil variations and made it thick as I wanted it that way so here comes the choco cornflakes pudding!

Ingredients

Plain Cornflakes - 1/2 cup

Whole milk - 1.5 cups

Sugar - 1 tbsp

Cardamom pods - 2

Cashews - few

Ghee - 1 tsp (to fry)

Coco powder - 2 pinches

Method:

1.Roast the cornflakes in ghee and set it aside. Leave it to cool for 5mins then grind it to a coarse powder. Roast cashews and keep it seperate.

2.Add sugar to milk and bring it to boil. Add cornflakes powder, crushed cardamoms, coco powder and stir well till it becomes thick like pudding consistency.

3.Add the cashews and mix well. Refrigerate for 15mins and serve chilled!

And I am sending this to Sanghis FIL - Milk

Lavanya also sent me a taggie and I am excited in taking it up as its my first tag :) Onto the tag now:

1. What is your current obsession?

Looking after mittu(my baby) and blogging

2. What are you wearing today?

Night pants

3. What’s for dinner?

Dosai and sambar

4. What’s the last thing you bought?

Baby accessories

5. What are you listening to right now?

Abhiyum Nanum songs

6. What do you think about the person who tagged you?

A gud cook, friendly blogger and a talented food photographer!

7. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?

With no doubt in Coimbatore!

8. What are your must-have pieces for summer?

Cotton clothes and lots of water

9. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

Swizzzzzz :)

10. Which language do you want to learn?

Malayalam and Japanese

11. What’s your favourite quote?

Be the change you want to see in this world - Mahatma Gandhi

12. Who do you want to meet right now?

Hmm my close friends Sathya and Sowmya. Though we've telephonic conversation daily want those chit chat moments in person

13. What is your favourite colour?

My all time fav - Brown

14. What is your favourite piece of clothing in your own closet?

My Pink striped kurtha

15. What is your dream job?

The one I am currently in and a job which revolves around mobiles and photography

16. What’s your favourite magazine?

I am not a regular reader of magazines just comics

17. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?

50$ for charity for sure and remaining will give it to hubby

18. What do you consider a fashion faux pas? (Iam changing this question)

What are your latest passions?

Mittu :) and food photography

19. Who are your style icons?

None in specific

20. Describe your personal style.?

Simple and Casual

21. What are you going to do after this?

By the time I finish up this, my lil one will be awake so she will keep me entertained :)

22. What are your favourite movies?

Tamil - En Bommukutty Ammavuku & Mozhi

English - Mitr my friend

I can watch these movies any no of times.........

24. What are three cosmetic/makeup/perfume products that you can't live without?

Deo, Bindi and J&J powder :)

23. What inspires you?

Friendship

24. Give us three styling tips that always work for you:

No make up, matching small earings and a tiny bindi

25. What do you do when you have nothing to wear (even though your closet’s packed)?

Hmm will go for shopping - another reason to shop ;)

26. Coffee or tea?

Coffee

27. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed?

Cry

28. What is the meaning of your name?

Sharmilee - Happiness

29. Which other blogs you love visiting?

All those lovely blogs in my reader

30. Favorite Dessert/Sweet?

You name it I can have it - Yes I m true sweet lover!

If you ask me one then its badusha

31. Favourite Food.

Sambar sadam, Rotis with any side dish

**The rules of the tag are : Respond and rework – answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, and add one more question of your own. Then tag eight or ten other people.

So I am passing on both the award and tag to:

NOTE : If you have already taken up this tag pls ignore it!