Panaka/panakam..

Panak /nimbe panaka/panakam is a Sanskrit word.It  means juice or diluted sweet water.This drink  is basically served in our hindu temples. The name itself  is so divine . This drink  contains pepper and ginger along with jaggery and lemon .when you gulp this drink you can feel the sharp taste of these  two spices and  it also rich in vitamin C and iron ,that's the reason its healthy and  a very good home remedy for the common cold. For me this drink is an absolute delight !   
                I really used to miss this drink a lot. At last i got this recipe from my friend.In summer i make 2-3 bottles of  this and refrigerate for couple of days.       

Ingredients:-
Jaggery- 2cups
Water- 1litre 
Lemon-2
Pepper corns-1tsp
Ginger-1"piece
         or
Dry ginger powder -1tsp
Cardamom-1
Crushed ice-1cup

Method:-

• Pound pepper,ginger and cardamom well.
• Now blend water, jaggery,lemon juice,pound pepper-ginger mixture ( if you are using ginger powder then mix instead of fresh) and crushed ice in a blender.
• Strain the juice and serve chilled.

variation:- you can use dry ginger powder/saunt powder as well

Stuffed Capsicum( Microwave)

This capsicum dish is very simple and easy to make.As it is a microwave dish it takes only few minutes to cook.  In this dish i  hav used a drop of oil , which makes a perfect diet food and for those who doesn't like  spicy food. 

           Come summer and i start hunting for simple and quick  recipes,so that i don't waste too much time in the kitchen.

Stuffed capsicum

Ingredients:-

Capsicum- 8(medium)

Potato- 4(grated)

Carrot- 1(grated)

Paneer(cottage cheese)-1/2cup(grated)

Chilly powder-1/2tsp

Sambar powder-1/2tsp

Asafoetida-1/2tsp(optional)

Garam masala-1 tsp

Salt to taste

stuffed capsicum before cooking

Method:- 

• Micro the grated potatoes for 3mins using 1tbsp of water in a micro safe bowl covered with a lid
• In the mean time clean and cut the capsicum from the top. Remove all the seeds and preserve the caps of the capsicum  for later use.
• Now take out the potatoes  from the micro and mix some grated carrots,chilly powder,sambar powder, garam masala powder,asafoetida,grated paneer and salt to taste.Mix all the ingredients well and  keep aside.
• Now stuff all the capsicum with this stuffing and cover it with cap
• Arrange  stuffed capsicum in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for about  7- 8 mins or till done.
• serve hot with rice or roti.

Note:- Same dish can be steamed in a steamer for about 15 mins or till done.