CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR TREAT

Year 2008 passed soo soon and also its the year I started my own food blog through which I got lots and lots of lovely sweet blogger friends. I appreciate your visits to my blog , your comments , ideas and that made me inspired to prepare varieties of recipes. I am really honoured to have you all. Hey guys, one more good news is in these forecoming days its gonna be long weekend, also my younger brother is visiting my place from Boston. So very excited to see him after long and also we are planning to enjoy these holidays going for a short trip. So this would be most probably my last post in this year and I would like to present you all with some delicious treat :)

CHOCO BREAD

I was carving for chocolatly dish when I got an idea of making this choco bread using hershely's

chocolate syrup. I know my previous post was also based on chocolate syrup. But the only difference is that was drink and this is sweet bread . Just wanted to give it a try for the first time. It worked up well and my little gal too loved it.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 Cup Maida.

2 Egg.

1 tsp Baking soda.

2 tsp Vanilla Essence.

1 Cup Sugar.

1 Stick of butter.

1/4 Cup Hershey's chocolate syrup.

Chocolate chips. (optional)

METHOD

Preheat the oven for 350 degree.

Combine maida and baking soda together. Keep aside.

In an bowl beat the eggs well till its becomes fluffy. Then add sugar, vanilla essence, oil and chocolate syrup. Mix well.

To this add maida baking soda mixture slowly. Stir and make sure no lumps are formed.

Pour the batter in the greased vessel nd bake them for 45 min or until it turns brown all over and well cooked.

UPSIDE DOWN APPLE CAKE

Heard of pineapple upside down cake, but never with apples until I browsed net. There were few leftover  apples and apple juice in my fridge so thaught of jumping into making an apple cake. With a touch of cinnamon powder , I loved the flavour of caramalised sugar with apples. That was great. 

INGREDIENTS

1 Apple.

2 Eggs.

1 3/4 Cup All purpose flour.

1/4 Cup Oil or butter.

3/4 Cup Sugar.

1 tsp Vanilla extract.

2 tsp Baking powder.

1/4 Cup Apple juice.

Few chunks of apples.

FOR CARAMALISATION.

5 tsp Sugar.

1 tsp Cinnaman powder.

Drop of water.

METHOD

Preheat oven to 325.

Peel the apple skin and cut into semicircle slices and arrange them on a baking bowl.

Heat a pan and add sugar,cinnamon powder and drop of water on medium heat till sugar starts to melt. Make sure not to stir. Its enough to shake the pan to spread the heat. Later when the sugar starts melting into brown colour, immediately pout it on the arranged sliced apples evenly. Take care not to let the syrup boil or burnt else it will taste bitter.

Meanwhile whisk the eggs in a bowl. Add sugar and baking powder and give a cont stir till its light and fluffy. Add oil and apple juice and the chunks of apples followed by adding the flour little by little making sure not to form any lumps. Gently pour the mixture evently on the caramalised apple slices. Bake them for 1 hour or until the cake is done. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for half an hour. Now the fun part comes. Carefully turn them over on a platter and lift up the bowl. Serve just as it is.

Sending this to ''CHRISTMAS FEAST EVENT HOSTED BY PURVA''.

Also sending this to ''BAKING FOR BEGINNERS HOSTED BY VANDANA RAJESH''.

A short note for the baking beginners.

Baking is just a simple easy process that everyone would prefer to bake food thesedays rather than standing infront of stove. Just mix all the ingredients , set time and the oven makes the rest of all. Makes life easier and the taste is just healthy and perfect.

MAIDA HALWA

This is the recipe which I adopted from 'Roopa' but basically she tryed from 'Easy craft'. This the such an easy recipe with less ingredients that I thaught it would be perfect to post them at the end of this year. Watch out for the ingredients here. Thank u Easycraft for this wonderful recipe and thanks to 'Roopa' because I would have missed this awesome recipe if you would have not posted it in your blog.

''WISHING U ALL A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS , HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A VERY HAPPY PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.''

ENJOY AND LETS ALL WELCOME 2009.

HOT CHOCOLATE

Hot chocolate is something that makes me feel warm and comfortable on a cold weather. I drink adding extra rich ingredient nothing but whipped cream with tiny spread of coco powder on top. This tastes awesome when the cool cream is mixed with hot one. Now thats the one you all have to dive on it. Check out my simple version of hot chocolate.

INGREDIENTS.

1 Cup Milk.

1/2 tsp Sugar

.

1 tsp Hersheys chocolate syrup.

FOR TOPPING.

Whipped cream.

Coco powder.

METHOD.

In a cup add milk and mix sugar and chocolate syrup and micro high for 2 min.

Top them with whipped cream and coco powder.

Serve hot.

I am sending this post to ''WINTER TREAT EVENT HOSTED  BY TRUPTI''

DIFFERENT NOTE.

I would like to share my daughter SMERA'S creative work that was taught at her school last week. I really enjoyed this movement. Its nothing but a candle stand that is kept on the dough and is decorated with some dried and  colourful things. The plant that is seen is ROSEMARY. It smells really gud. Hope you too loved it :)

Enjoy!!

MIXED VEGETABLE FRY

Mixed vegetable fry are the combination of veggies of their choice thats perfect as a sidedish with any non veg starters or can be takn as it is. Its healthy because its half fried and its much more colourful that would invites kids to have some. I make them whenever we buy brocolli when my little one insist me to buy that veggie.


INGREDIENTS.

1 Cup Brocolli florets.

1 Cup Bell peppers (I used yellow, red and orange)

1/2 Cup Sliced Mushroom.

1 tbsp Italian seasoning.

3 Cloves of Garlic.

1 tbsp Onion powder.

Small cube of Butter.

Cheese for garnish.

1 tsp Lime juice.

Salt and pepper to taste.

METHOD.

In a pan heat butter and add all the ingredients. Cover for 2 min.


Drop them in plate and garnish with pepper and grated cheese. Squeeze lime juice at the time of having.

Sending this recipe to ''EAT HEALTHY - DURING PREGNANCY'' HOSTED BY SANGEETH'' . Logo pic is sooo adorable sangeeth. I loved it.

Its an event based on pregancy. So would love to share one point that I have browsed in net mentioning cooked enriched spaghetti is an excellent source of protein and folic acid , and a good source of iron, vitamin B and fiber. So I think this mixed veggie fry can be topped on the cooked spaghetti to make much more healthier. Hope this would be helpful.

Enjoy!!

BITTER GOURD CURRY

Most of the people are not very fond of bittergourd. Me too not very much. I buy it very rarely because my hubby likes it. This time I brought few extra thinking I can try somthing different so that I too can also be much more comfortable with it. So started my recipe hunt when I came across CHAM'S BLOG. Shez soo sweet, excellent blogger and I really really admire all her wonderful yummy recipes and also her profile pic with different styles :). U rock cham.

I have been waiting for long to prepare one of her recipe and finally got the one which I was searching for. I followed her tips for removing the bitterness of the veggie by sprinkling salt on the cut piece of bittergourd , marinated and squeezed out the excess water. It really works. And the curry was very delicious and authentic tasting that we truly enjoyed having with rice. Thank you so much Cham for this fabulous recipe. Click here for the recipe.

Changes I made is instead of coriander seeds, I added corinder- cumin powder. And for seasoning I added one more extra ingredient ie 2 tsp urad dal.

Enjoy!!

UZHUNNU VADA

Uzhunnu vada is also called as ''Medhu vada''. Its the most popular snack or breakfast item in South Indian recipes which is taken along with idli and sambhar. We have them as an evening snack with a cup of hot coffee. The combination of chopped onions and curry leaves makes the taste unique. It goes well with coconut chutney. But we love them to have with pickles specially mango thokku.

INGREDIENTS.

1 1/2 cup Urad dal.

1 Onion.

2 Green chillies.

1 tbs Jeera.

2 Sprigs Curry leaves.

1 tbsp Peppercorns.

2 tbsp Coriander leaves.

Salt to taste.

Oil for deep fry.

METHOD.

Soak urad dal for 6 hours. Grind the dal smoothly using very less water. The consistency must be very thick. Only then its possible to make a perfect shape. In case if the batter is less thick then its better to add urad flour to make the batter more thicker. Transfer the mixture into the bowl.

In a plate add chopped curry leaves, jeera, green chillies and peppercorns. Rub them with salt using fingers.

Then transfer this to urad dal mixture long with chopped onions and corinander leaves.

Heat oil in a pan. Meanwhile wet the palm of your hand with water and place the batter on it. Press it down slightly with the fingers of your other hand. Now using one finger make a hole in the middle of it. Drop it carefully into the hot oil. Fry them under medium heat till it becomes brown.

Drain them on tissue and serve hot with coconut chutney.

Enjoy!!

KHASHAY

Khashay is the medicinal and traditional drink, which is prepared at the time when one suffers from cold or fever. Its the best home remedy to get a quick relief. Its good to have 3 to 4 times a day. I prepare khashay thesedays as all we 3 are suffering from bad cold and cough:(. One thing I would like to share and also very interesting is my motheinlaw will add a new ingredient and that is a piece of coconut shell. It is said that the coconut shell too contains some medicinal effects. If anyone adding new extra ingredients, then please let me know so that it will be useful for all of us.

INGREDIENTS.

4 Cubes Jaggery.

1 Cup Water.

5 to 6 Crushed Peppercons.

3 1 inch pieces Crushed fresh ginger.

2 Cloves.

1 tsp Jeera.

1/4 cup Coriander seeds.

Pinch of Turmeric.

Small piece of Coconut shell.

Few Basil leaves (Optional).

METHOD.

In a pan dissolve the jaggery with water. Add all the ingredients and bring to boil.(Instead of jaggery, honey can also be used.)

Simmer for 5 min. Using the filter, pour the drink into the glass and serve warm.

Enjoy!!

APPLE FRITTERS

Yesterday as usual I was watching my favourite channel ''Food Network'', when I was really impressed with ''PAULA'S'' one of the warm apple dessert. I Could not wait for long to prepare it and finally made it . It can also be taken as a snack and its quick , simple and tastes delicious when its served along with whipped cream. I was preparing the same procedure of adding sliced Bread instead of apples before. It too tasted awesome. With apples it was the first time I prepared and it was superb hit. Kids who dont like to have apples as it is , I suggest all to try this recipe. They would surly love this recipe :)

INGREDIENTS

2 Apples.

1 Cup All purpose flour.

1 Egg.

1/2 Cup Milk.

1/2 Cup Sour cream. (optional)

Pinch of Baking powder.

1 tsp Vanilla essence.

1 tbsp Sugar.(acoording to ur sweetness)

Oil for shallow fry.

METHOD.

In a bowl, combine egg , sugar , vanilla essence and baking powder. Beat well till sugar dissolves. Add milk and flour. The consistency should be thick. Keep aside for a min.

Meanwhile peel out the skin of an apple and cut into 1 1/4 inch thick in the shape of semi circle.

Heat oil in a pan under medium flame. Dip apples into the batter and shallow fry both the sides till its brown. Drain on papper towel.

Serve with whipped cream.

I would like to contribute this to ''EFM NOVENMBER WITH THE THEME - SWEETS''

Also sending to ''CHILDREN'S DAY EVENT''


Also sending to ''SUNDAY SNACKS - FIX IT''



Enjoy!!

WISH U ALL A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Happy shopping and have fun :)

SURPRISE BREAKFAST

I know this sounds somthing different. But what can I mention if its a surprise one? Most of them really feel lazy to prepare breakfast and I am one among them. It was a sunday morning and I was on my bed thinking what to make for breakfast. As I was about to ask my hubby some idea asusual about the items, he told me ''SURPRISE BREAFAST'' is ready to go. Hearing this I was soo surprised and glad. That was indeed a great sunday. Have a look.

The onion fry with eggs tastes fabulous. You can also see the edges of the eggs has been beautifully craved.

INGREDIENTS.

Bread Toast.

2 Hard Boiled Eggs.

2 Shallots.

1 tsp Chilli Powder.

1/2 tsp Pepper Powder.

Salt to taste.

METHOD.

Toast bread and keep a side. I applied extra butter :)

Add oil in pan. Fry chopped shallots with chilli pd, pepper pd and salt.

Cut half the eggs and scoops out the yolks. Keep aside on the plate. Fill in the onion mixture and serve.

Have it along with your favourite fruits.

Enjoy!!

SPICY MINI PRAWNS FRY

This is the fabulous dish thats just perfect as an appetizers or a snack. I adopted this recipe from one of my hubbies friend 'ANIL'. Hez expert in cooking specially preparing non veg items. We offen have a gettogether on weekends at our home or their home. So his recipe will be there for sure :). He prepares the recipe with raw medium prawns or shrimps. But I taught of giving a try on mini cooked prawns which also tasted delicious. The real flavour comes when its cooked and fryed in Coconut oil.

INGREDIENTS.

1 LB Cooked mini prawns.

1 1/2 Cup Chopped Shallots.

2 tbsp Chilli Powder.

1 tsp Turmeric Powder.

1 tsp Hing.

2 tbsp Lemon juice.

1 tsp Grounded Pepper.

Few Curry leaves.

3 tbs Coconut oil.

Salt to taste.

METHOD.

Marinate prawns with chilli pd, turmeric pd, hing, lemon juice, pepper and salt. Let it sit for half an hour.

In a kadai, add 3 tbs of oil and fry the shallots. Once its half cooked add the curry leaf and marinated prawns. Mix well under low flame to uniformly incorporate everything.

Fry nearly for 15 to 20 min till they are slighty crispy. At the time of removing from flame, drizzle extra coconut oil on the top.

Serve hot.

AWARDS.

MALAR has given me ''360 FOODIE AWARD''. Thanks again for this award malar.

SUDESHANA has given me ''PERFECT BLEND OF FRIENDSHIP AWARD'' , ''KREATIV BLOGGER'' , ''GREAT BUDDY AWARD'' , ''I'M A CHOCOHOLIC'' , ''BUTTERFLY AWARD'' , ''GOOD JOB''. Thanks so much dear. Its indeed a huge award for me. Thanks again.

VIDHAS has given me ''360 FOODIE AWARD'' , ''KREATIV BLOGGER''. Thanks vidhas.

Enjoy!!

TONS OF AWARDS.

Past 2 days I have been showering with awards. I m really honoured and glad to receive new awards from u all. Thanks friends for considering me for this glorious treat.

MALAR GANDHI , PRIYA , YASMEEN , UMA , JAISHREE , N33MA , has passed me ''KREATIVE BLOG AWARD''. Thank u soo much for sharing this lovely award.

7 things I say more often

1. I call my daughter's pet name 'Dumma' everytime.

2. Nooo smera.

3. Oh.

4. Awesome.

5. yy?

6. Good girl.

7.Onnu podo ( malayalam word). hehehe ..me and my hubby offen use this just for fun.

7 things I did Before

1. Learning Carnatic Music.

2. Learning Veena.

3. Enjoying having food prepared by my mom,granny,aunty and uncle.

4. Enjoying with my school friends.

5. Travelling by local trains in mumbai.

6. Wasted my time watching hindi serials.

7. Fighting with my brother.

7 things I do now

1. Blogging.

2. Make my home look beautiful.

3. Chatting with my parents, inlaws, my brother and friends.

4. Spending time in Smera's preschool.

5. Browsing net.

6. Keeps songs or rhymes in youtube.

7. Lots of shopping also online shopping. :)

7 things I want to do

1. Getting early in the morning.

2. Start my exercise and yoga.

3. Like to continue my Music or Veena and mainly also my blog.

4. Going to a All India World Tour.

5. Reunion with my school friends.

6. Built my dreamhouse and to keep small fountain outside.

7. Lastly I want my little gal 'Smera' to become a good person with all good qualities.

7 things that attract me about the opposite sex

1. Reliable.

2. Intelligent.

3. Caring.

4. Straight forward.

5. Jolly type.

6. Lovable.

7. Adjust with me which I like the most :).

7 favorite food

1. Patravodo ( konkani food)

2. Banana Halwa.

3. Dairy milk chocolate with nuts.

4. Chicken Wings.

5. Anything prepared with Prawns.

6. Malaysian and Thai cuisine.

7. Last but not the least, food prepared by my mom and my motherinlaw.(perfect)

PRIYA , YASMEEN , UMA , N33MA , PURVA passed me ''GREAT BUDDY AWARD''.



I would like to share these 2 awards to-

HAPPY COOK.

SUJATHA.

ASHA.

JZ.

ANDHRA FLAVOURS.

LAVANYA.

MADHAVI.

UMA , JAISHREE , N33MA has passed me ''PERFECT BLEND OF FRIENDSHIP''.

UMA , JAISHREE , N33MA has passed me ''HARDWORKING BLOGGER AWARD''.

UMA , PURVA , KITCHEN FLAVOUR has passed me ''360 FOODIE AWARD ''. This award has been created by RAMYA.

JAISHREE has passed me ''GOOD JOB AWARD'' AND ''GOOD JOB AWARD '' ''BUTTERFLY AWARD.''

JAISHREE , N33MA has passed me ''INSPIRATIONAL AWARD''

Special thanks to each and everyone of u who bestowed me with wonderful awards!

Enjoy!!

BASIL TOMATO ROLLS

This is the recipe that I adopted from my best, charming and creative person ''RANJI''. It was something which I never could think of doing it. But when I saw ranji's blog I was very much inspired to try this recipe. Finally I made it. Those rolls were too tasty when I had my first bite hot hot. Thanks for sharing such a delicious rolls ranji.

INGREDIENTS

2 tsp-Active dry yeast.

3 1/2 cups- All purpose flour.

1 1/2 cups- Warm water.

1 tsp- Sugar.

1/2 tsp- Salt.

2 tbsp- Oil.

FOR FILLING

Basil tomato Pasta sauce.

Cheddar cheese to sprinkle on top.

METHOD

In a small glass bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let it rest for 10 mins. In a large bowl, sift flour,sugar and salt. Make a well in the center and pour the yeast water and oil in it.Using a wooden spoon mix in enough flour to make a smooth paste and then use the rest to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface,knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 mins. Place in a greased bowl ,turning onesto grease top. Cover and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hr.

Then punch the dough down,turn onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 9-12 pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place them 3inch apart on a greased baking sheet.

Make an indentation in the center of each ball.

Add the filling in the middle.

Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Cover and let it rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 mins.

Preheat oven to 375 deg F and bake for 25-30 mins or until golden brown. Let it cool on a wire rack. Serve warm.

Enjoy!!

A BIG HAI TO ALL AND SOME AWARDS

Hey friends. Hope all are doing gud. Finally am back to the wonderful blogging world. My new home is set now. Also nice spending time at smera's new school. Now all would have wondering how I spend my time there? Its a unique school which I have experienced. Its mainly the parents participation preschool. Nothing but being along with them, we can observe our kids learning style and can develop useful strategies working along with them. I really enjoy being with other kids and also with new parents so as Smera too.

Now back to my blog, I am also grateful to my wonderful friends for having considered me, to present with newly awards even during my short break periods. I thank each and everyone for all your love and support. I truly appreciate.

Here are the awards I received from my pals-

YASMEEN AND SUDESHANA has given me ''CHOCOHOLIC AWARD''

RAMYA VIJAYKUMAR AND ARUNDHUTI has given me ''HARD WORKING FOOD BLOGGER AWARD''

SUDESHNA has given me'' BUTTERFLY AWARD'' AND ''GOOD JOB''


SHAMA NAGARAJAN has given me ''INSPIRATION AWARD''


Thanks a lot for this tonne of love.

I would like to pass all these awards to

AMMUMMA (KHAYALS) , RANJI , CHAM , UMA , VANDANA , JAISHREE , CURRY LEAF , BHARATHY , SIREESHA , PRITI.

Sidely dont forget to check my GRANDMA'S [KHAYALS] new article.

Enjoy.

PURAN POLI AND A SHORT BREAK

Marathi sweet ''Puran poli'' is one of our families favourite sweet. This is perfect for all the occasion. Believe me friends it has got lots of work but tastes heavenlly when its done with patience. My way of making puran poli is entirly different from others. I prepare them adding moong dal with sugar instead of channa dal and jaggery and for the extra taste I fry the stuffing in ghee. I really cannot prepare this all by myself. My hubby is expert in filling the stuff and roll them perfectly into equal same size. So what I do is before rajesh returns from office, I prepare the stuffing and the dough. Later filling and rolling is his job. Thus we prepare together and have a nice time at the final stage.

I am so happy to post this recipe and glad that I participate in ''DIWALI EVENT'' before taking a short break.

INGREDIENTS FOR MAKING STUFFING.

1 cup moong dal.

1 or 3/4 cup Sugar.

1 tbs Cardamom powder.

1/2 Cup Ghee.

INGRIDENTS FOR MAKING DOUGH.

1 1/2 cup Maida.

2 tbs Ghee.

Water as per required.

Salt to taste.

METHOD.

Cook moong dal in cooker till its well cooked. I add less water to cook so that theres no excess water to be drained. The dal should be dry enough and mashed well. Keep aside.

Heat pan and add ghee. Add mashed dal and fry it in ghee for few sec. Then add sugar and mix well. Keep on stirring occasionly till its becomes in the form of dough. At the time of removing from stove add cardomom powder. Let it cool for while. Later divide them equally into small balls.

Meanwhile mix all the ingredients for making dough. Make it very soft adding few ghee at the end. Divide the dough into equally small balls.

With greased palms, take one portion of dough and flatten it into a disc of the size of the palm. Place a ball of moong dal stuffing in the centre and fold the disc from all sides to cover the paste completely.

Carefully reroll the dough into full sized thin chappathi. Make sure the stuffing does not come out.

Preheat a frying pan on a medium heat. Add 1 tsp ghee and place the puran poli. When its slight brown apply little more ghee and continue flipping the poli frequently. Cook until both the sides are slight brown.

Serve with a touch of ghee on its side.

I am sending this recipe to ''FESTIVE FOOD: DIWALI CELEBRATION'' HOSTED BY PRITI

Also sending to ''EVENT OF THE MONTH: SATISFY YOUT SWEET TOOTH'' HOSTED BY SUDESHNA




Also sending this to ''JFI - FESTIVAL TREATS ''HOSTED BY SRIVALLI.



Also sending to ''YUMMY FESTIVAL FEAST - DIWALI'' HOSTED BY PALLAVI.



AWARDS TIME.

My friend ''SUDESHNA'' has pleasured me giving ''BUTTERFLY AWARD'' AND ''GOOD JOB AWARD''. Thanks a lot for remembering me sudeshna. I will cherish it forever.

TAKING SHORT BREAK.

Friends , We are shifting our apartment to new place in 2 weeks. So will not be blogging for few days. Will truly miss all ur wonderful recipe :( .The main thing that struck my mind is cleaning the current resident , packing all the stuff's bla bla bla. One happy news is my daughter 'SMERA' will start going to preschool this oct end. Yeah at the time of shifting.

So will return to the lovly blogging world once I am settled. Till then miss you all a lot and also the events. If possible do miss me too guys :)

I WISH U ALL ''ADVANCED HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS DIWALI'' AND ''HAPPY HALLOWEEN''.

ENJOY !!