NAVARATHRI SNAPS 2022

This year Navarathri was very special as we planned to keep 'Gollu' 🙂. Its the display of all idols and dolls which is of clay based eco friendly golu, representing major deities. It's a belief that goddess is present in our home for 9 days. So here's my few snaps of Navaratri days😃

Day1 BHAAN BHARUP

Navadhaanya

My first attempt of keeping gollu at my home. In the top most step I have kept Kalash where I have placed a coconut tieing face of Goddess🌺 and Dashavatar (the 10 primary avatars of lord Vishnu).

In the second step, I have arranged Asthalakshmi (8 forms of Lakshmi) and Nava Durgas (9 avatars of durga).

In the third step, therez Vaikuntam or the Vishuloka and Kailasham.

In the fourth steps,therez Jyothirlingam and Goddess Parvathy with 6 faces Aarumugam (Karthikeyan)

Lastly is the display of Sreenivasa Kalyanam.(Lord Balaji and Padmavathi wedding).

Sidely I have kept small steps which is all lord Krishna's idols, Ganapathi idols and Sai baba idols with few more dolls.

 

Close up 

Herez my Veena instrument in the form of Ma Saraswati 🙏🌺🙏

Few of my mini cute instruments🥰 Its my love for Music🎶🎵🎼

This is the side view of my entire Puja room

Hare krishna Alankar

Maha Navami day

Front view

My Haldi Kumkum platter

Last but not the least a small video of my gollu along with Stotram🙏

Hope you all enjoyed.Thanks for spending your precious time here.:)

Celebration Pics 🌺🌺🌺2022

 KRISHNA JAYANTHI SNAPS👇👇👇

Krish's Yummy 'B' day Platter😋

 Entire view of my Mandir🤗

GANESH CHATHURTHI SNAPS👇👇👇

My Gannu with Yummy

Modak😋

Gannu's 'B'day Platter🤗

This is my Creativity 😍 Image of 2 Gannu's with dry Grape Seeds🍇😊 on a Coconut shell🐘🥥🌺.

Entire view of my Mandir

ONAM SNAPS👇👇👇

Flower Rangoli🏵🌺🌸🌼🏵

Lunch on a Banana leaf😋

Enjoy!!! Thanks for spending time 🙏🙏🙏

SHRAVAN CHUDI POOJA

Chudi puja is performed during the month of Shraavan masa every Friday and Sunday by all Konkani married woman , in coastal region of Karnataka, Goa and some part of Kerala. It is mainly about worshipping nature and sun god. The word 'Chudi' means a tied bundle of different types of flowers along with medicinal herb mainly the Darba grass and then it is offered along with betel leaf, betel nuts and one banana to Tulsi, god, and other married woman.Cochin GSB perform Chudi puja as 'Sirvan Aitharu' . That means Shravan month's Sunday.🙂 Below is the video uploaded how I made Chudi's👇😊

 Herez the final pic of all my beautiful colourful chudi 's😍👇

My Divine Mandir decor 🙂🌹🌸🌼🌸🌹

For more info, please click the link https://apskitchen.blogspot.com/2020/08/chudi-pooja-significance-in-whole.html

Shez one of my best blogger friend who have explained each and every thing in detail soo well🤝 Well done Apoo😘

This time I did not had my own tulsi plant at home😔 which made me a bit sad, but I performed all the rituals with my mini silver tulsi plant kept at my mandir so was happy with it🙂 Also I was lucky enough to participate our apartment ka 'Tulsi pooja' which was held last Sunday 🙂 with my dear friends and elderly ppl around.

Neivedyam was 'Goddu Appo' which was prepared by my hubby boy R❤. Though I was busy with other preparations, he took the responsibility of making Prashaad😍 and everyone just loved it. Recipe coming soon😍 

Last, but not the least 🙃 You all know what I do with Beautiphool remaining flowers🌸🌹🌸 Tadaa here it is👇

Enjoy!!

EGGPLANT SANDWICH

This is a quick, classic and simple Eggplant snack that really shines through. You can enjoy the flavour of cheese, tangy sauce, spice of black peppers, n at the same time a dash of Sweetness of eggplant. Most of the people hate this veggie (no idea Y ) 🙄 but me and my bro S just love them alot. Soo I prepared this dish specially for my brother on the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan❤️ Yezzz hez crazy of Brinjals🍆 (king of veggies). Though hez currently staying abroad, me and my little.one tharoughly njoyed this snack all by ourself 😈 But one thing for sure whatever I prepare thinking of my bro, I make sure I definitely prepare for him whenever he visit my place 😍.  That's the stronge bonding of Bro and Sis👫          

Now coming back with the recipe, there’s no specific measurement for this. You can add more or less according to your taste buds👇🏻                                        

                          

 Method :

 I sliced the eggplant 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick cuts. Sprinkle with salt on the both the side and let it sit for 10 min. Now heat butter in a pan and shallow fry them on the both the side until it’s fully cooked or till you get a roasted brown colour. Transfer them on a plate and immediately place one Cheese slice on one eggplant slice when it’s of moderate heat. Keep it aside. Take another piece of slice and apply a spoonful of Pasta sauce ( I added Salsa) 😋and upon that few baby spinach , sprinkle some black pepper on top and cover them with ready cheesy eggplant piece, which would exactly looks like Sandwich 🍞 That’s it. Serve hot with ur fav crunches. Tastes super yummm👌🏻Do try it out and let me know how it was🙂

 Enjoy!!!

KASHAY ( KUNAL KAPOOR'S STYLE)

I am a great fan of chef Kunal Kapoor😃. Have tried lots of his recipe which ended up all in positive results👍🏻 Currently Kashay recipe is the one I tried which was very effective for my family members. Hmm I can say this kashay helped a lot when Mr Corona virus entered our home🤪. You can all consume this during monsoon season to keep you safe from cold and other virus. Sharing the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35SEhNn0MH 

Roasted ingredients

Do try it out for sure🙂

Enjoy!!

CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

Yet another Mushroom recipe :) which is soo yummy and comforting. Yeszzz  its the "Cream of Mushroom soup". Its light and keep our body warm during Monsoon season. One of the most flavourful, healthy and quick soup prepared in no time :) Great treat for the Mushroom lovers :) Do try it.

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Thinly sized Button Mushroom.

2 tbsp Chopped Onions

2 tsp Chopped Garlic

1 1/2 tsp Cornflour

1 1/4 Cup Milk 

1 tbsp Melted Butter

Salt & Pepper to taste.

METHOD

Heat butter in a pan. Saute the chopped garlic and onions for about 1 to 2 min followed by mushrooms. Add in the salt and stir till its cooked. Now add the cornflour and mix well. At this stage, pour the milk stirring continuously inorder to avoid lumps. Adjust the consistency adding water inbetween. Now sprinkle pepper and let it boil for another couple of min. Transfer into the bowl and serve hot hot.  

NOTE :1) You can add any varities of Mushrooms or even combine them. Equally tastes good.

2) You can dilute milk with water as per your taste buds.

3) Dont skip adding Cornflour because that ingredient  thickens the soup.

ENJOY!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

JHATPAT SPICY MUSHROOM FRY

Being a Mushroom lover, I make this dish offen at home. You know when I have this dish, I actually  feel that I have enjoyed the REAL flavour & taste of mushrooms :) more than adding them into the gravy :) or with any other main ingredients. The best part is its done in jiffy :) So do try this Delicious & flavourful mushroom fry and let me know if you liked it :)

INGREDIENTS

200 to 250 grams Button Mushrooms

1 tsp Ginger Garlic paste

2 tsp Kashmiri red chilly pd (more or less)

1/2 tsp Turmeric pd

1 tsp Pepper pd

1 tsp Chaat masala or Amchur pd

1 tsp Garam Masala (optional)

2 tsp Oil (1 tsp for marination and 1 tsp for shallow fry)

Salt to taste.

METHOD

Rinse the mushrooms couple of times in water and then drain well. Wipe it well. Cut them into halves. Add all the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Marinate for half an hour. Heat oil in pan, add the marinated mushrooms and stir fry on high flame. Close with a lid and Reduce the flame for 1 min. Now you can see the moisture is released. Thus again high the flame and keep stirring making sure all the spices are well coated and it becomes dry. Transfer them in a plate and serve hot :)

NOTE:

Make sure the mushrooms are not overcooked. It only needs max of 3 min to cook.

Use very less oil while frying or else therez a chance of marinated spices gets mixed up only with the oil. You wont get the mushrooms coated with spices. 

Use Nonstick pan only. Less oil and at the same time no worries of getting burnt or sticking to the bottom of the pan.

ENJOY!!

Chatpata Chicken Legs with crunchy Onions

Chicken leg chatpata is very simple to prepare with basic Indian spice. These can be deep fried or pan fried or even baked. The tastes remain equally good. This is an ideal and perfect snack for any occasions for chicken lovers. My little one loves chicken legs alot and she gets excited whenever she sees that I am preparing chicken drumsticks :)

1/2 kg Chicken drumsticks

1 Big Onions sliced.

INGREDIENTS FOR MARINATION

4 tbsp Thick Curd

2 tsp Ginger Garlic paste

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder

2 tsp Kashmiri powder

1 tsp Pepper powder

1 tsp Coriander powder

1/2 tsp Chat masala powder or Amchur powder

1 tsp Garam Masala Powder

2 tbsp Tomato Ketchup

1 tbsp Lime juice

2 tbsp Coriander leaves chopped

2 tsp Curry leaves chopped

Pinch of Cooking soda (it makes the meat tender)

Salt to taste

3 tbsp Oil (1 tbsp for the masala and remaining for shallow fry)

METHOD

Wash the chicken legs with turmeric powder 2 to 3 times. Pat them with a paper towel to dry. Make cuts and keep aside. Take a bowl and add all the ingredients for marination one by one. Mix well and pour the masala on the chicken legs. Let it marinate for an hour or 2. Now heat oil in a non stick pan and place the chicken carefully. You should get the sizzling sound as soon as you drop the chicken. Cook the drumsticks on the both the sides under low flame. Add the remaining masala and cook well. Once the drumsticks are fully cooked, increase the flame and cook for 2 min on both the sides till you see the roasted crust. Now remove the chicken from skillet.

Last but not the least. When you just look into the pan, there will be roasted masala sticking. Most of the people just avoid them but what I would say is - thaaaaaaaaat is the real flavour guys. So to enjoy thaaaaat intense flavour thoroughly, add the sliced onions and mix for about a min. Season with little salt if needed and lime juice if needed. Transfer them on a plate and serve hot hot :) Garnish with raw onions.

NOTE: Please dont skip the onion fryed mixture :) I bet you will thank me for the wonderful flavours when you have it  :)

ENJOY!!!

LASOONI DAL FRY WITH VAALI LEAVES

Dal with generous amount of yummy garlic and spices makes a very satisfying meal. All you need is only a cup of  hot steamed white rice. The most interesting ingredient in the curry is The Vaali leaves or the Malabar spinach which has a high amount of protein and good source of Potassium & Magnesium in it. It is said that decoction of  leaves helps to relieve constipation in children and pregnant woman. Also consuming raw leaves treats mouth ulcer as well and many more health benefits. Sharing the pic of my Home grown Vaali spinach:)

 Looks fresh ney? I know it is :) Now Lets check out the recipe

INGREDIENTS

7 to 8 Vaali leaves chopped

1/2 Cup Boiled Dal

1 tsp Jeera

2 tbsp Chopped Garlic

2 Green Chillies

Few Chopped Curry leaves

Pinch of Hing

Pinch of  Turmeric powder

2 tsp Ghee

Salt to taste

Water as per needed

METHOD

Heat ghee in a pan. Add jeera followed by garlic, green chilly and curry leaves. Fry the garlic till the pieces turned brown in colour. Now at this stage add turmeric powder, hing and boiled dal. Season with salt and hing. Saute for 2 min till the lentils turned toasty. Add adequate amount of water and bring them to boil. At the time of boiling, add in chopped Vaali leaves. Remove from flame. Add a spoon of ghee on top and serve hot with steamed rice.

NOTE: 

           1. Use ghee instead of oil. It really tastes delicious :)

           2. Instead of  Vaali you can also use Palak leaves.

           3. I have not added Onios, but if you prefer you can 

ENJOY!!

BROCOLLI MIXED FRY

I just love to have crunchy munchy veggies any time. You know that bite is just satisfying. So In today's post, I prepared mixed of Brocolli fry where I got them in bunch at lowest price :) Lucky me :) yeyyyy!!!  These are half fried in butter with addition of mixed spices. You can include any types of your fav veggies like carrots, beans, mushrooms, cooked prawns into it. Now letz dig into the ingredients 

INGREDIENTS

15 Brocolli Florets

5 Chicken Sausages 

1/2 Cup of Diced Cabbage (medium size) as shown in pic.

5 Garlic pods crushed

2 tsp Red chilly flakes

1 1/2 tsp Oregano

1 tsp Garlic powder

Butter

METHOD

Heat 1 tsp of butter in non stick pan  Put the chicken sausage and fry them until colour changes. Cut them into small pieces as shown in the pic and keep them aside. Same pan add 1 tbsp of butter. Add crushed garlic and fry till it turns brown and then the brocolli florets with salt and saute for about 5 to 7 min under low flame. Once you feel its half cooked cum crunchy add the diced cabbage and sausage followed by oregano and red chilly flakes. Fry them for about 5 min. Transfer them on plate.Serve hot.

ENJOY!!!

MOLAGU CHAMMANDI

The word Molagu means Chilly and Chammandi means Chutney in malayalam which is one of the most popular dish for Keralities. The best combi for this chutney is to have with Boiled Tapioca which is said to be Kappa in mallu lang. The chilly used here is dry red chilly which is fryed in coconut oil along with pearl onions or shallots or small onions. This chutney remains fresh for a week. No need to refrigerate. So do try out and let me the know the result how it turned out. Chalo lets dig into the ingredients.

NOTE: 1) Make sure the chutney is coarsely ground. Those chilly seeds look are the real beauty to admire at the final stage :) :) 

             2) Do not add Water at all. 

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Peeled Shallots

15 to 18 Red Chilly 

2 Sprig of Curry leaves

1 tsp Tamarind Extract

Pinch of Turmeric powder

Salt to taste

2 tsp Coconut oil

METHOD

Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a kadai. Add red chillies and fry for few sec or until the colour changes into dark brown. Transfer them into the plate. Add remaining oil and fry shallots with salt till golden brown. Add in the curry leaves and saute well. At the time of removing from flame,add turmeric powder and tamarind extract. Allow the mixture to cool. Now coarsely blend the onion mixture along with the fryed chillies. Transfer into the bowl. Drizzle some coconut oil and serve.

ENJOY!! 

MAHA SHIVARATHRI DAY

MAHA SHIVARATRI means the Great night of Lord Shiva. (Darkest day of the month). The 14th day of  every lunar month is Shivaratri, the one which falls in the month of Feb and March. It is believed that on this day,  Lord Shiva got married to the goddess Parvathi. The duo is the symbol of Love, Power and oneness. This festival is also the reminder of  overcoming darkness and ignorance in life. This celebration includes Poojas, Abhishekas, Jaagran (all night prayer) It is believed that in this night, lord shiva perform Heavenly dance (taandav) of creation, Preservation and Destruction. Some devotees perform all day Fasting where few people avoid the consumption of water as well with vedic workship of shiva. They even offer milk to Shivaling and pray for Moksha. 

Now, this is just the brief info :) Coming back with my today's post, My celebration was entirely unique. hehe :) I celebrated Shivarathri in my own way. My motto is "Do what you believe in and believe in what you do" :) and I think most of you guys agree with me or may not :) Depends :) Hmm now sharing few homely clicks below

My divine Mandir ⚘

My tiny cute Shivaling Idol decored with flowers.

My Neiyvedyam was Broken Wheat Sheera.

Thus I ended my divine day so peacefully :) I always pray that lord Shiva protects us all from evil and give us strength to face the challenge of life and bless you all with only good things and grant peace and good health :) JAY BHOLENATH.

I taught of sharing Broken wheat Sheera recipe to you all. So here the it goes..

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Broken Wheat or Daliya

3/4 Cup Sugar

3 Cups of Milk

1 Cup Water

3 Tbsp Ghee

Pinch of Cardamom powder

Ghee Fried Dry fruits

METHOD

First combine the milk and water and bring them to boil. Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp of ghee and add washed broken wheat and saute atleast for 8 to 10 min under medium flame until you get a mild aroma. Once the milk is heated up add them into the fryed daliya and mix well. Allow the daliya to cook under low flame for half an hour. Makesure give it a stir in between to avoid burning at the bottom. When its almost cooked, add sugar and mix well. Cover and cook for another 2 to 3 min or till the liquid is fully absorbed. Now this is the time you add rest of the ghee and fry for another few min. Lastly add the cardamom powder and dry fruits and mix well. Keep few for decore. Serve the hot prashaad :)

THANK YOU & ENJOY!!

GAJAR KA HALWA (SPECIAL POST)

Gajar ka halwa is one of the finest Indian sweets prepared from fresh crunchy Carrots, khoya, milk, sugar and dry fruits. This halwa has the divine taste and aroma that it just takes you to the another world. This can be served either cold or hot. Do try it out having the warm hot halwa with cold Vanilla icecream. Aww  that tastes heavenly. 

I prepared this halwa, in the remembrance of one of my sweetest couple I admire the most. Thats none other than my Grandparents☺. Its been 3 years I lost my granny and last year I lost my grandpa :( My Grandpa (abu) being a food lover, he would have surly loved this delight :( prepared by his fav granddaughter Pakki (Butterfly). He calls me by that name :)

Therez a quote - ''Those we love and lose are always connected by heartstrings into infinity" - Terri Guillemets. How true is that. Though they are not with me, I always connect with them following their footsteps. They are my top most Inspirations who shaped my life and taught me the importance and value of Family, Friends, Love, Health, Patience, Forgiveness, Passion, Education and Stand up for what I believe in. I will be forever grateful to my grandparents who have taught me all the precious points which helped me to move my life even more smoother. Missing them alot :( but I know your watching me all the time and your divine blessings will always be there with our family Abu and Ammumma. 

Sharing a click of the function which was held yesterday along with Prashaad. Om shanthi.🙏

 

Now coming back with todays recipe, I followed one of my fav chef Kunal kapur's version. The only ingredient I skipped was the khoya which was not available. But I recommend you not to skip because that khoya just doubles the flavour of this halwa. So dont avoid that. 

INGREDIENTS

4 Cups Grated carrot

3/4 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup Milk

1 tbsp Ghee

1/2 Cardamom powder

1/2 Cup Grated khoya

Dry fruits.

METHOD

Heat a non stick pan, add grated carrots and saute for atleast 5 min. Now add sugar and mix well. This is the stage where carrots also release its own juice and along with sugar it gets cooked. Reduce the moisture all of it. Next add desi ghee and stir. Then add milk ,cardamom powder and mix well till the moisture disappears. Last is the stage where you add Khoya and dry fruits. Give it a nice smooth stir and serve hot.

Enjoy!!!