Myriad Tastes

Vermicilli kheer with a Royal touch.......:))

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:40:00 +0000

Ingredients :

Vermicilli - 1 cup
Milk - 4 cups
Sugar - 1/2 cup
khova- 1/4 cup
Ghee - 2-3 Tbsp
Few Almonds - chopped
Few cashewnuts chopped
cardommom powder - 1 tsp
Raisins - 1/4 cup
Silver foil for decoration

Method
Fry vermicilli in 2 Tbsp of ghee,till light gold in colour.Skin the Almonds and chop them into small pieces.,fry these in 1 tbsp ghee,till toasted along with cashewnuts and raisins.Boil the milk,add the vermicilli and keep on stirring over low heat till the vermicilli is done and the kheer is thickened..Reduce heat and add the khova, sugar stirring all the time till the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat, and mix in the almonds, cashewnuts ,cardomom powder and raisins .Serve chilled with a little silver foil on top for decoration.

A Fruity Way To Go........

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:46:00 +0000

I haven’t written for quite some time ,just back to Blogging ,after a very long time...since I've had some time to blog. I think the bug has bitten me once again and I plan on hitting a few more Blogs whenever I can this year.

unlike my last year,where in the end result was that I didn't have the necessary time or the inclination to blog . Hopefully that should change this year...:))

here goes the exotic Kiwi,all sliced up and ready to grab anyday, anytime for all the lovely Bloggers who still take time to check on my blog.

A fruity way to jumpstart my blogging :)

Season's Greetings!!!!! 2008!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 04:20:00 +0000

To All the lovely Bloggers who have been an Inspiration to me here's wishing you all Season's greetings and Happy Sankranthi ! ( Pongal) . Have a wonderful Pongal! :)

With all Best Wishes for a Joyous Season and a very Happy New Year 2008!

Happy Vinayaka Chathurthi To You All

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 02:07:00 +0000

Shubh Ganesh chathurthi to all of you!

ALOO POHA!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 11:17:00 +0000

Aloo Poha

Ingredients:

Poha 2 Cups washed and drained
Onions 2 small chopped
Potato 2 Boiled and cubed
Oil 2 tbsp
Green chillies 3 chopped
Cumin seeds 1 Tbsp
Mustard 1 Tsp
Coriander leaves & coconut scrapings for garnishing
Curry leaves 1 sprig
Peanuts 1 Tbsp
Turmeric powder 1/2 Tsp

Method:
Heat the pan with oil, add mustard ,cumin seeds , green chillies,curry leaves and chopped onions and saute till the onions turn translucent .Now add the peanuts,cubed potatoes,salt,Turmeric and stir for few mts, finally add in the Poha and keep stirring till the grains are done .Garnish with cilantro(coriander leaves) and coconut scrapings and serve.

Savour The Exotic Flavours !!!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:57:00 +0000

Hi Folks! I am back after a long hiatus, It's taking me some time to catch up with all the upbeat events around the Blogosphere.For some time to come, its gonna be only weekends for me...Missing out on all your lovely posts! for all those of you who are looking forward to my posting , here's a new post with an appetizing Sea food platter and a mango kheer that's lipsmackingly delicious....will catch up soon, till then , see you guys around....

Get set and ready for a couple of easy and interesting dishes,which takes less time to make and quick to finish off the plate..;) just thinking of this yummy dishes stretches my memory and transports it to a time which reverbrates with energizing gastronomical treats with high calories ,surely, that was lot of fun we had as teens ,trying to prepare this kheer on our mini stove replicating grandma's recipe... which ,indeed gave me a Taste for Cooking...:)

Note: Sorry No Pic, as I was too busy devouring to take a picture of it..:)

Come March and all through May and June,Mango frenzy is in full swing with Mango minifestivals.It's Mangoes, Mangoes all the way, they are all over the place with the harvest time in it's peak . Here's a pic of Mangoes we bought at a Mango Mela,last month.

Mango Kheer:

Ingredients:

Ripe Mango puree 1 Big Bowl
Milk 5-6 cups
Sugar3/4 - 1 cup ( as mangoes are added )
Saffron few strands in milk,
Cardamom powder
Almonds ,Cashewnuts ,Raisins,pistachio (Roasted in ghee ,1 cup)

Method: Heat milk and cook over low flame, till it thickens. Now add sugar and continue to stir ,add the saffron and cardamom powder to the kheer mixture and cool it. Finally add in the mango puree and decorate with Almonds, Cashewnuts & pistachio. Serve chilled.

Prawn Masala:

Recipe link: Masala Prawns

Chicken Treats And a Summer Delight !!!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 04:22:00 +0000

Chicken Kebabs:

Ingredients for Marinade:

1 cup Yogurt
2 Tbsp Cilantro fresh; chopped
2Tbsp Lemon juice
1 Tbsp grated Ginger
1Tsp minced Garlic
2 Tsp Kashmiri Chilli powder
1 Tsp Curry powder
1/2 Tsp Cumin powder
1 Chicken meat trimmed & cut in to cubes

Take the marinade ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine them and add in
the chicken cubes and marinate for 1 hour.

Thread the marinatedchicken pieces onto a skewer along with onion wedges .(optional).Place the skewers on a baking dish and Grill the skewers, brushing with the marinade often till done.

Tandoori Chicken:

Ingredients:

Chicken Tandoori masala 3 Tbsp
Chopped onion 2 Tbsp
Chilli powder2 Tbsp
Garlic,1 Tbsp
Ginger 1 Tbsp
Tandoori colour

Blend the above ingredients to a fine paste. Make sure whole of the chicken which is rubbed with salt and lemon juice is covered with marinade and let it marinate in the refrigerator for atleast 4 hours or overnight for best results......

Grill or Roast until done......

Pista Badam Kulfi:

Condensed Milk with Kulfi Mix

Blogging Hiatus

I know its been a while since my last blog,I am taking a break for some Time. Time for Summer Vacation :) Will be putting my Blog to rest for a while, have been here for quite some time and I have gained many friends and will surely be missing out on all your Lovely posts,will be De lurking once in a while to catch up with all the wonderful fellow Bloggers in Blogosphere...

Would like to Thank each and every one of you all for all the praises & encouragements you have constantly been showering on me.

I will hopefully be able to get back to the blogging scene soon ! In the meantime, have a great Time, with Lot's of Blogging, everybody!! :)

Lemony Rice And Yummy Treats !!!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:37:00 +0000

Lemon Rice With Black Channa:

Ingredients:

Rice 1 Bowl

Boiled Black channa(1 cup)
Lemon 2 medium sized (juice to be extracted)
1 onion chopped
Salt as required
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

Seasoning:

Oil 2 Tbsp
Ginger grated 1 tsp
Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
Black gram 1 tsp
Bengal gram 1 tsp,
Red /green chilles 2-3
Broken cashew nuts as required
Asafoetida a pinch
curry leaves 1 sprig

Method:

Cook the Rice and allow it to cool . Add the turmeric powder and mix well when it is still hot. Heat oil and add the seasoning along with Chillies ,Ginger ,Asafoetida, Curry leaves and onions and fry for a few mts till the onions turn translucent. Pour this over the cooled rice with enough salt. Finally add in the lemon juice and boiled Black channa and mix well .

Hot tortilla to go with spicy stuffing of Tomato ,garlic, chillies and onion medley ...

Finally to beat the Sizzling Summer, here's A Cool jello...

Mediterranean Style Baked Fish !

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 16:47:00 +0000

Mediterranean Style Baked Fish :

Fish is baked and flavoured with a Mediterranean style sauce (A blend of Tomatoes, onions flavoured with garlic and herbs)

Ingredients:

2-3 Fish fillets of your choice
2Tbsp oil (veg oil)
1/2 Tsp black pepper( crushed)
1 large onion, sliced
2 tomatoes sliced,
1 bay leaf
1Tbsp garlic, minced
1 Tbsp white wine
1 Tomato pureed
1Tsp lemon juice
oregano& thyme( crushed)
1/2 tsp dried basil( crushed )
Salt as required

Heat oil in large Pan,add onion and Tomato puree and saute over medium flame and let it simmer for 20 mts.later blend it in a blender to make a sauce. Rub in the remaining ingredients including white wine over the fish and keep aside for 30 mts.Now cover the Fish with the sauce and arrange for Tomato slices at the base and bake till done.

Happy Easter to all those who celebrate !

Chole Masala And Carrot Foogath!!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 15:51:00 +0000

Chole Masala (punjabi dhaba style)!

Source:indianchild.com

Chole Masala

CARROT FOOGATH:(Source: My Archives(Similar To Beans Foogath))

Chicken Platter And A Cool Summer Delight !!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 10:36:00 +0000

It's a Baked chicken with marinade of Lemon, garlic Rosemary!!!

Summer Delight: (Curd Rice with Black channa ,onion & cucumber pieces )

Ugadi Greetings !! Ushering In A Season Of Hope And Cheer !!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 05:11:00 +0000

A Weekend Spread with Mexican Tortilla And Yummy Treats From Fellow Bloggers Recipes !

Source:Mexican Food.
Tortilla

Recipe For VEG Medley!(Cauliflower-Potatoes-And-Peas)

Ingredients:

2 onions, Finely chopped
4 potatoes, diced
1 bowl cauliflower florets
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp cumin
2 Tbsp oil
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 bowl peas cooked
water as required
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp sugar
salt as required

Method:

Heat the oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the onions and fry for few minutes until light brown. Add the potatoes and cauliflower and stir fry. Add the turmeric, chilli, cumin ,salt and sugar & tomatoes . Stirfry for few more minutes. Add the peas, water as required , cover and cook for about 10 minutes,keep stirring the vegetables to prevent burning until the potatoes and cauliflower are done.finally add in the garam masala and freshly chopped coriander leaves before serving.

Rava Idli:

Source: From The Passionate cook, who blogs about Life n spices with abandon and with an equally matching humility and passion to learn .Her pictures speak for themselves.
It's Sia's Rava Idli

Appam with chutney!Source:From Indianadoc 's potpourri
Appams

Enjoy Good Food with lot's of Festive cheer !!

Red Hot Kofta Curry N Lamb Chops !!!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 10:59:00 +0000

Kofta Curry!

For Making koftas :

Mince meat 500 grams(Lamb/Chicken Mince)
Ginger & Garlic paste 1Tbsp
Roasted Gram flour 1 Tbsp
Garam masala powder 1 Tsp
Green chillies 1-2 chopped
Curry powder 1 Tsp
Salt to taste

For Curry :

whole Green cardamoms3
Bay leaves 2
Cloves 2
Cinnamon 1 "
Cumin Powder 1Tsp
Ginger and Garlic paste 1 Tbsp
1 Onion chopped finely
Kashmiri Red chilli powder 2 Tsp
Turmeric powder 1/2 Tsp
Coriander powder 1Tsp
Tomato puree 1 cup
chicken stock 1 cup
salt as required
Fresh cream 1- 2 Tbsp
Finely chopped coriander leaves for garnishing(optional).

Mix all the ingredients well for kofta and divide them into small portions to make koftas . Keep aside.

Heat the ghee or oil in a pan and fry the whole spices till you get their aroma . Add the ginger & garlic paste and then the onions, saute for a while till the onions are brown . Add all the powders and saute for few mts .later add the pureed tomatoes and simmer for few more minutes. Now add the chicken stock, salt and add the chicken kofta balls one by one and cook over low flame for nearly 30 mts till the balls are cooked well and the curry is thickened. Finally stir in some fresh cream & garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves & It's ready to serve.

Lamb chops!

Lamb Chops - 500 gms
Curds 1 .5 cup
Tomatoes 2
Garam masala 1 Tsp
Ginger 2"chopped
Garlic paste 1 Tbsp
Green chillies 2-3
Freshly Ground Black Pepper 1 Tsp
Nutmeg a pinch
1 onion sliced
Coriander powder 2 Tsp
Curry leaves 1-2 sprigs
oil 2 Tbsp
Lemon juice 1 Tbsp
Salt as reqd

Method :

Marinate The meat with curds , salt ,nutmeg,Coriander powder, Ginger and Garlic paste.Pressure cook the Meat Marinade along with chopped Green chillies and chopped Tomatoes.Once cooked, add this to the saute'd sliced onion , pepper and curry leaves & allow this to simmer for few more minutes before adding a dash of Lemon juice to serve.

RiceHalwa And A Style Tag !!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 15:18:00 +0000

RiceHalwa:

Ingredients:

Rice 500 gms
1 cup freshly grated coconut
Jaggery as per taste
Cardamom powder
Cashew nuts chopped
Ghee ( for greasing the plate.)

Method:

Soak Rice in water overnight. Rice and coconut is ground into a very fine paste with water. Mix ground paste and ,jaggery along with cardamom powder & keep stirring continuously to avoid any formation of lumps. Keep stirring till the mixture leaves the side. Now, spread this mixture onto a greased plate with ghee . Once its cooled cut into desired shapes. enjoy!

Defining Style

I am Tagged to List 10 things that define my style by srijith unni ,who takes you on a journey through his Inspiring & Thought provoking Blog "Yatra" Thanks for the Tag :)

I believe, each one of us have our own unique sense of Style, A special way to present oneself to the world. In other words representing "Who we Really Are " It's the reflection of our inner spirit that defines our style.

Defining my Style :

1. With my Love for Travel, some would say I am a wanderlust and a glimpse of beautiful Scenic Locales inspires the wanderlust in me.

2. My favorite passtime is writing & My Blogging style defines me. Here's an analogy that can be used, writing is like dressing style, we convey a single message with a single sentence structure in several different literary styles , that establish my mood with my choice of images and ideas through the Text that very much add a personal touch to it.

3. My Dressing style: I am more into soft,feminine fun & subtle patterns ,which are more on the lines of being simple, informal ,but at the same time eclectic, that defines my style.

4. Colours that define me, Black and white and whatever colours that matches my mood and the fashion scene .

5 The Decor : My choice of Decor would be simple uncluttered style that's distinct and cozy with rich tones and textures that enlivens my spirit.

6. Accessories :Personal style is about choosing the accessories you love . wouldn't let anybody talk me into using something I don't like. for me ,It's just the way you mix things,traditional with the contemporary which spells the style.

7. The lettering font: I usually prefer is calligraphy that adds a personal flair to the text.

8. Creative Expression & Communication, Through electronic media and Music are more of my style, I love buying accessories for my electronic devices.

9.Cooking and experimenting with food from different cuisines is indeed a pleasuarble pursuit that Influences & defines my own creative style with food .

10. Desk style, would always go in for a feel with functionality, but would not miss out on decorative writing pads and Table top calendars that have beautiful quotes.

Getting to List 10 of these were quite a task ,not that I'm being modest, just that, I don’t usually talk about myself much .

Ultimately,The Bottom Line : A true style is defined by our dynamic self expression of our Inner beauty giving wings to our urges , because at the end of the day, the most important thing is to be comfortable with who you are. I would like to tag anyone reading this & wants to do it :)

Happy Blogging To You All :)

Breakfast with Chole & Brunch with Baked Potato!!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 17:08:00 +0000

Chole with Bread!

Recipe source:My Archives

Chole

Baked potato with herbs:

Thinking of comfort food and a simple menu for Brunch or lunch, can anyone forget the potato ? Be it Mashed or baked or fried or roasted it is simply a whole some & richly nutritious Meal initself .

If you fancy a Baked potato for brunch/lunch ,here we go, by just rubbing the skin with a bit of garlic butter and rolling the potato in the salt& herb mixture of your choice (I've used dill oregano, thyme) & then bake in an oven for 30 mts.Ready to serve with any sauce of your choice.

A Dream Tag and Uddina Vada!!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 11:09:00 +0000

Recipe source:Indian food Kitchen Blog
Uddina vada

"Dreams"

Rumination of My Dream..

I have been Tagged by the humourous and witty KK of Kays Brainwave who has a very lively Blog up there ! KK, It's an Interesting Tag & Thanks for the same :)

Since Time immemorial ,People have always been fascinated by their Dreams and these night time journeys into our subconsciousness are still enigmas with lot's of research still going on as to why we dream and what dreams really mean...I believe Dreams usually have an emotional component & it's all about discovering ourselves, subconsciously communicating with the conscious self.sometimes we get a sudden flash of insight into the hidden meaning of our dreams.( Interpreting in our own fun ways)

I don't get dreams often and when I do, I usually don't remember them after a while, In my growing days as a kid, I used to get pretty scary nightmares ,wouldn't want to scare you guys by jotting down in my Tag..;)

So, here it goes..A dream I had a long Time back, I usually have wonderful adventurous dreams and sometimes ,the following day I wonder what dreams are in store for me in the early hours of the day to follow.

I had a dream about searching for my friend who had set out with me to a hill station and we had ventured out biking into a nearby dense forest reserve on our own without thinking twice about all the pros and cons.It's out of nowhere suddenly when we get to face a herd of elephants rush in our direction ,we end up taking our own separate routes,riding the bikes in full speed without looking back, finally landing in an unknown territory and missing out on each other.For some strange reason, I was the only one around with no one in sight and was panicking as it was getting darker and the fear of elephants coming behind us still looming ,it was like a nightmare in a way but was more determined not to give up my search & was calling out for her louder and louder......till I got a louder ringing near my ears ;) that woke me up! that was the end of the dream;) It was "My alarm clock,which started beeping" and I was back to awareness and that was the day , I've really never been so glad to wake up in all my life!! safe and sound back at my place ;)) .

here's my little poem for this post...

Dreams can make you smile or make you cry,
when you wake up they still make you sigh !
Dreamship goes sailing every day in the moonlit night.
Making it a Joyful orTearful ride till the morning light!
Dreams can take you high and low , far and wide
Sometimes so beautiful like a wave turning into a powerful tide!
before it breaks onto the sand and slides away.
With a sink in blue or a float in cloud making it's way!

Happy Dreams to all of you :)

Fish, Greens and Beans!!!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 04:42:00 +0000

Tandoori Fish!

Fish Fillets or steaks marinated overnight in herbs & spices. The Traditional way of cooking Tandoori,is in a clay oven called a tandoor,however ,one can get to savour an authentic flavourful tandoori fish using your own barbecue grill or oven.

Ingredients:

Fish fillets or steaks (of your choice)

For the Marinade :

2 Tbsp lemon juice/vinegar
1 Tbsp Garlic and Ginger paste
1 Tbsp yoghurt
1 Tbsp Mustard oil/butter
salt as required
2 Tsp paprika /chilli powder
1/2 Tsp coriander powder
1/2 cumin Powder
a pinch of Asafoetida
Food colour (optional)

Add the above ingredients in a blender, except oil and blend the mixture to a smooth paste . Place fish in a large plate and pour marinade over, rubbing it well into the cuts and both the sides . Cover and leave to marinate overnight . Place the fish on a baking tray and broil for about 10-12 minutes. Turn the fish and keep brushing with oil to prevent burning until well browned on both the sides.

Spinach Greens with Dhal!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Moong dhal cooked& mashed
1Bowl - Spinach, chopped
1Big Onion,chopped finely
1/2 tsp garlic chopped
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
Pinch of Asafoetida
1/4 tsp Turmeric
3 Red chillies
2-3 Tbsp oil

method:

Heat oil in a pan & add the mustard seeds, cumin and asafoetida. Later,add onions and red chillies & saute till the onions are translucent.Now add garlic , turmeric & salt. saute for few more mts & add the palak (chopped) saute till it's tender before adding the dhal and simmer for 5 mts till done. Serve hot with parathas.

Beans Foogath!

Foogath is a simple recipe with very few ingredients & the term is used for any vegetable side dish made with coconut and curry leaves.

Ingredients:

Bowl of french beans chopped as desired.
1 Tbsp oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
2 green chillies slit or chopped
curry leaves 2 sprigs
1 onion chopped fine
3 Tbsp of freshly grated coconut
Salt to taste
cilantro for garnishing
Method:

Heat the oil in a pan and add mustard seeds ,when they start crackling add the curry leaves and green chillies and saute them for a while before adding the onions and fry till they are translucent.Now add the green beans, salt to taste and cook till they are done. Add the grated coconut and mix well. Cook for a couple of minutes before switching off the fire. Serve hot with rice .
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Paradox Of Our Age:

We have bigger houses but smaller families;

more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense;

more knowledge but less judgment;

more experts, but more problems;

more medicines but less healthiness.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back,

but have trouble in crossing the street to meet our new neighbour.

We built more computers to hold more copies than ever,

But have less real communication;

We have become long on quantity,

but short on quality.

These are times of fast foods but slow digestion;

Tall mean but short characters;

Steep profits but shallow relationships.

It’s a time when there is much in the window

But nothing in the room.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Happy weekend to you all !!

Chayote with Channa dhal & Methi Bhurji!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 15:30:00 +0000

Source: enveetusamayal.blogspot.com

Chayote with Channa dhal

METHI-EGG Bhurji!

Source:Bawarchi.com

MethiEggBhurji

Always Have A Dream!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 05:41:00 +0000

A sublime expression of wisdom!

Forget about the days
when its been cloudy, but
don't forget your hours in the sun

Forget about mistakes
that you can't change now, but
don't forget the lessons
that you've learned

Forget about the times
you've been defeated, but
don't forget the victories you've won

Forget about misfortunes
you encounter, but
don't forget the times
your luck has turned

Forget about the days
when you've been lonely, but
don't forget the friendly smiles you've seen

Forget about the plans
that didn't seem
to work out right, but...

Don't forget to Always Have A Dream!

Planet Earth ! Spectacular Pictures!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 05:41:00 +0000

Here are some spectacular pictures!!

Sharing some satellite pictures of our earth in all it's glory.....

Swiss Alps:

Iceland:

wishing you all "A Happy Weekend " ! :)

WEEKEND BRUNCH , LUNCH AND DINNER !!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 05:20:00 +0000

WEEKEND TREATS!!

A Picture Taken at Lalbagh:

Steamed brussel sprouts saute'd in butter , salt , pepper& white wine .

Dinner Rolls:

Poori Platter:

Source:Indianchild.com
Poori

Fish Fry with semolina covering:

Here's the Recipe..

Marinate the fish with ginger and garlic paste, chilli paste,lime juice, & dip in egg and corn flour mixture coat the marinated fish with semolina and deep fry till done..

Take A Guess !!!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:11:00 +0000

My Driving Inspiration was to make something different that Taste's different for our Dinner. The end result is here to view..

Here’s the really exciting part..Take a guess !!

Recipe to follow ,to make you'll spread your wings to be a little adventurous & try this dish, If you've never made this one before..:)

Lotus Seed Gravy!

Ingredients:

1 Bowl of Lotus seeds( deep fried&kept aside)
2 Tomatoes(big)Cubed
1 Onion chopped finely
1Tbsp Cashew paste
1/4 Cup Yoghurt(thick)
1 Tbsp Cilantro leaves for garnishing
oil/butter
salt as required
1/2Tsp Turmeric
1/2 TspCumin seed powder
1 Tsp Chilli Powder
1/4 Tsp Garam Masala powder

Method:
Saute onions with little oil/butter and keep aside, In the same pan saute the tomato pieces & put it in a blender along with garlic . Put this mixture into the pan and add saute'd onions, turmeric , thick yoghurt to the above and stir continuously till the oil separates .Now,add salt and chilli powder, cumin powder ,garam masala ,fried Lotus seeds, cashew nuts paste & saute till done.Sprinkle some Cilantro & Toasted cashews (optional) .

M & M ! (Masala Vadas and a MeMe! )

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 04:48:00 +0000

Masala Vada:

Ingredients

1/4 cup Red Gram
1 cup Bengal Gram
1tsp Black Gram
2" ginger
3 red chillies
1tsp fennel
1" cinammon
2 cloves
2 green chillies chopped
2 onions, finely chopped
cashewnuts(optional)
2 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
2 tbsp finely chopped curry leaves
1 /2 cup dill leaves finely chopped
Salt to taste

Method:

1. Soak the lentils in water for 2 hrs and then drain the water & Coarsely grind along with ginger, red chillies, saunf and salt. (Just add little (2 tbsp) water to get a coarse consistency )

2. Mix in the chopped onions, green chillies, coriander, curry leaves, cashewnuts, and chopped dill leaves & Make small balls, flatten into vadas, and deep fry them till reddish brown in colour. Serve hot, with chutney.

Another MeMe from the Lovely Blogger "SRA",Of whenmysoupcamealive
who hasTagged me to do this Awesome MeMe!

So,here we go:

Three people/things that make me laugh:

My Mom
Watching Goodness Gracious
Candid Camera

Three things that scare me :

Nightmares.
Door Bell ringing after midnight.
Ghosts

Three things I love:

Music that sets in the mood for the day
A Foot Massage after a tiring day
Reading & watching Travelouges

Three things I hate :

Hypocrites & Snobs
whining ! ;)
Gossiping .

Three things I don’t understand:

The Human Psychology , still find it very complex to understand.

Terrorism and hatredism .

On Convincing Through Confusion :)

Three things on my desk:

A Book I am reading right on Top of a pile of Books
A Pen holder , pins & clips
A Pad to scribble my "To do list" ;)

Three things I’m doing right now:

Thinking of all the Bloggers who are writing a Meme this very minute :)
Thinking of what to post in my next Blog :)
Drinking Hot Badam Milk .

Three things I want to do before I die:

Publish a Book of mine .
Travel around the world
perhaps, Be on Mount Everest someday ;)

Three things I can do:

Give my undivided Attention
Play scrabble and badminton
Review Books & Movies

Three things you should listen to:

Listening to a sweet, delightful & pleasant morning Instrumental Music !
Listening to the silence.( Silence is deep as Eternity; speech is shallow as Time. Thomas Carlyle)
Listening to The Temple bells wafting through the hill tops from afar :)

Three things you should never listen to:

An Explosion .
People screaming at each other & strange noises ;)
A owl hooting in the day
.

Three things I’d like to learn

Playing Sitar
Learning Foreign Languages
Sign language

Three favourite foods:

Fruit & veg salads,
Bengali sweets including misti doi.
Biryanis.

Three beverages I drink regularly:

Tender coconut water.
Lemonade.
Coffee.

Three TV shows/Books I read as a kid :

Malgudi days! A TV serial based on R K Narayan's works.
Amar Chitra Katha!
Sleeping Beauty .

Three blogger friends that I am going to tag:
Hmmm..can't think of just one ;)would love to tag everyone who has not yet been tagged to do this Meme ,please feel free to take on this Meme. Have a great week :)

Season's Greetings!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 05:37:00 +0000

Happy Pongal To All The Viewers!!

COCONUT -POLI:

Coconut Poli:

Ingredients:

3 cups of Grated Coconut(fresh)
2 cups of Jaggery
1-2 tbsp Roasted fine semolina
1 tsp of cardamom powder
2 tsps of Roasted poppy seeds Powder
2 cups of maida
1/4 cup water
oil/Ghee 4 tbsp.

Method:

Prepare a dough with maida (All purpose flour) and 1 tbsp oil. Add water and make a soft dough which is a bit oily. keep aside for 1-2 hours.Take a non stick Tava and place it on a medium flame.

For the stuffing:

Mix the Jaggery and coconut in a pan ,to this add cardamom and poppy seeds powder and roasted fine semolina 1 - 2 Tbsp and mix it thoroughly. Keep stirring to get the consistency thick enough to make balls for stuffing
Take a small ball sized dough and roll it into a chapathi and stuff the coconut ball and roll it over again into round shaped polis. Flip this over the hot Tava on both the sides till done with a dab of ghee & it's ready to savour ! Enjoy!!

Sending warm greetings on the auspicious occasion of Pongal ,which brings good luck and prosperity and hoping that it is joyous, and fills your days ahead with happiness. Have a wonderful Pongal! :)

Akshardham!! A Monument of Modern India !!

noreply@blogger.com (LERA) — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 17:40:00 +0000

I hope you all had a Lovely Time this holiday season & I 'm sure The first couple of weeks of January would be lots of fun with hectic social activities ..:) If you are ready for a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season,you could check out on this Beautiful Monument of India , Akshardham!!

I just got this as a forward mail in my inbox...and thought of sharing these Lovely Monument pictures in my blog as my first post for 2007!!!

Monument of Akshardham

The Akshardham monument, built without steel, is entirely composed of sandstone and marble. It consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, 20 quadrangle shikhars, a spectacular Gajendra Pith (plinth of stone elephants) and 20,000 murtis and statues of India's great sadhus, devotees, acharyas and divine personalities.

The monument is a fusion of several architectural styles of pink stone and pure white marble. Pink stone symbolizes bhakti (devotion) in eternal bloom and white marble of absolute purity and eternal peace. The monument was built after over 300 million man hours of services rendered by 11,000 volunteers, sadhus and artisans.

It is the one of the wonders of the modern world, and the wonders of modern India.

After 5 years of non-stop, round-the-clock construction, the massive and awesome Akshardham Temple Monument to World Peace was inaugurated today. The Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, India, constructed by the BAPS foundation -- the builders of the various Swaminaryan Temples across the world, is truly a modern day Wonder of the World.

It is one of the biggest and most intricate religious places of worship ever constructed. Combining several completely different and contrasting architectural styles of Hindu temple architecture of northern India -- Rajasthani, Orrisan, Gujarati, Mughal and Jain -- the Akshardham Monument is entirely constructed of marble and the red-sandstone that Delhi is famous for, and that so many of her monuments are constructed of. It was completed in only 5 years - a world record of sorts

So after years of waiting, the Temple was yesterday opened to the public -- and to photographers. Below is the New Delhi Akshardham Complex as seen through the eyes of a BAPS photographer. At its inauguration, it is widely being heralded as one of the greatest monuments India has ever produced.