Almond & date shake

Temperature is rising beyond comfortable level and the humidity can be oppressive,making it feel hotter than it actually is.If one does not take proper precautions during these sweltering condition the result could be serious even deadly.So check your water intake and try to cut down oily and spicy food.
    Today i went out to drop kids to their summer camp and on the me and my hubby went to market to do our weekly shopping for vegetable and fruits and by the time we reached home it was almost 12 o'clock and the heat was unbearable.Then i thought of making this almond and date drink which i soaked for my dessert.It was so yum and really very cooling,i never tried this combo before.To make it more interesting i have just added some banana which was lying in fridge...Here is the recipe for that  healthy milk shake to beat the heat.

  Ingredients:-

1. Dates-10
2. Almonds-10
3. Banana-1 big
4. Honey-1tbsp
5. Cardamom powder-1/4tsp
6. Milk (chilled)-3cups
7. Ice cubes-10

Method:-

• Soak almond and dates in warm milk for 30 mins.
• Now blend both together to fine paste then add all the other ingredients and blend nicely to get that foamy shake.
• Garnish with few crushed almonds and dates.

Fluffy Water melon surnali/dosa/pancake....

After so  many mocktails with water melon i thought of trying something else other than juices .Then i remembered this surnali my co-sister always used to tell me about this but  only once i tried this ,her mom used to make it with the white part of the rind ,so thought of making this. I wanted my surnali to get that nice baby pink colour  so i added littel melon pieces  and  it really got that  colour and taste is superb. 

             surnali or fluffy dosa is a indian version of pancake which need to be fermented overnight or at least 8-9 hours.This dosa /Pancake is  little bit sweet compare to  our other Indian pancake/dosa because this surnali are suppose to be sweet in taste so we add jaggery to get that sweet taste.But i wanted pink colour and if i add jaggery the colour will change so i  used sugar in the batter itself while grinding.This goes well with home make unsalted butter.

water melon surnali/Pancake

Ingredients:-

Raw rice-3cups
Beaten rice-1cup
water melon rind grated and water melon pieces-2 cup each
Fenugreek seeds-1/2tsp
Salt-1tsp
Sugar-1/2cup or to taste

Method:-

• Soak rice and fenugreek seeds for 2hours.
• Now grind all the ingredients to smooth batter and keep over night  or at least 8-9 hours for fermenting.
• Next day  the batter should be double in volume, beat the batter and mix it well  and  start making surnali/Pancake.Remember the batter should not be too thick or watery.
• Heat a griddle and apply some ghee,pour ladle full and slightly spread with the help of the ladle/spoon  
• Then cover it with lid and fry only on one side on medium flame.once the upper side is fully cooked and the lower side  is light brown colour then its ready to take out from the pan/griddle.Be careful while taking it out from the pan because sunali is very fluffy and too delicate to handle.
• Serve hot with Unsalted Butter.

  

Kurla alley piyava Gashi/konkani style crab curry

Yesterday was our kids open day and my 2nd daughter passed with highest percentage and my son was not bad got A grade.So thought of celebrating and we went to near by fish market and got these giant crabs after so many days and it was absolute delight..we really enjoyed the day with our kurlo/crab konkani style curry.

                       

Ingredients:-

Crab-4/1kg

Coconut -1/2(grated)

Red chillies-7-8(dry roasted)

Onion-2(finely chopped)

Ginger-1tsp(finely chopped)

How to clean the crab:-

• Place the crab on the flat surface ,belly side up.
• Now you will see triangular -shaped belly flap,just pull that off  by holding the belly part tightly with your left hand and with your right hand  thumb try to pull off the shell like how you open the tiffin box and shell comes out easily.
• Now with a creaser cut off the ends of the legs and separate the claws from the crab.
• Now pull off the spongy gills and small paddles which is over the belly of crab.
• Now wash it under the water and cut into half from the centre of the belly to two pieces and keep aside.

Method:- 

• Marinate the crabs with ginger,onion and salt and keep aside for 20 mins
• Now grind coconut and red chillies to fine paste.
• Put the ground masala in a sauce pan and add 2 cups of water and adjust the gravy and bring to boil.
• Now add the marinated crabs and boil further 10 mins or until crabs turns  to red color  and switch off the flame.let it cover for 10 mins before serving.

Note:- you can add some tamarind juice and green chillies and little coconut oil  while boiling to get that extra taste.

Scrambled eggs with fenugreek leaves

If you are looking for something healthy  and guilt free recipe then here is  one tasty scrambled egg recipe for you .This goes well with bread or our indian flat bread/roti and a very  healthy way to start your day.

scrambled egg with fenugreek leaves

Ingredients:-

Egg whites-6

Fenugreek leaves-1cup

Onion-3(chopped finely)

Green chilly-2(chopped finely)

Oil-2tsp

Salt to taste

separate egg yolks from egg white

Method:- 

• Chop fenugreek leaves finely and apply salt and keep aside for 10 mins.
• Now heat a pan and heat 2tsp of oil.
• Add chopped onions and fry for few seconds.
• Now add the green chillies and fenugreek ,saute till the mixture  becomes dry or until you get the nice aroma of fried fenugreek leaves.
• Now add the lightly beaten egg whites and mix it well.
• Serve hot with bread or roti/chapati

Four in one laddoo

Today  i prepared tasty mughlai chicken  and some chicken kababs for lunch.After heavy lunch kids wanted to have some dessert and there was nothing in the my fridge.So i asked them to wait for few mins and quickly prepared these laddoos which is super healthy ,tasty  and sugar free.It hardly takes 10-15 mins.

                      If you really looking for something for your kids  then here is  a tasty  instant laddoos which  has dates,walnuts,oats and coconut and i am sure kids will definitely going to love the taste and this is guilt-free recipe for those who looking something which goes well with their diet.

Ingredients:-
Dates-20(seedless)
Dessicated coconut/Dry coconut powder-3tbsp
Oats-2tbsp
Walnut-10
Cardamom-5-6

Method:-

• Dry roast oats on low flame till it changes to light brown
• Now make a coarse powder using roasted oats and cardamom.
• Now in that same mixer grinder add all the ingredients and blend all the ingredients to form a soft dough.Keep 1tbsp of coconut powder separately to roll the laddoos. 
• Now take out the dough from the mixer and prepare 10 -12 laddos and roll all the laddoos in coconut powder.
• Refrigerate before serving.

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Stuffed Capsicum delight!

This is my 2nd post of stuffed capsicum.My 1st post of  Stuffed Capsicumwas prepared in microwave but this was steamed in shallow frying pan and it is very healthy too because i have used only 2 tsp of oil and steamed which is very good for those who are looking for  less oil food.My earlier Stuffed Capsicum( Microwave) was less spicy but this is little spicy and with mixed vegetable and the taste is superb as my kids finished all at one go leaving only Two for us.Anyway next time i will prepare 4-5 extra so that we can have it for dinner as well.

Ingredients:-
Capsicum-10(small size)
Yellow Capsicum-1( chopped finely)
Potato-4( medium sized)
Beans-1/4cup(cut into small pieces)
Carrots-1/4cup(shredded)
Curry powder or Garam masala powder-2tsp
Green chilly-2
Ginger-1tsp
Cumin(jeera)-1/2tsp
Coriander leaves-1/2 cup(finely chopped)

Method:-

• First boil the potatoes till soft .Once it is cool down mash it well and keep aside.
• In a shallow pan heat a tsp of oil ,add Cumin and let it crackle then add finely chopped green chilly and ginger and fry for few seconds.
• Now add beans  and saute for few mins,then add carrot and capsicum ,saute further 2mins or it is almost cooked then add curry powder or garam masala powder and salt and stir it well.
• Now add mashed potato and coriander leaves  mix it well.Once done witch off the gas and let it cool.
• Now wash and cut capsicum from the top,remove all the seeds and preserve the caps.
• Now stuff capsicum with the vegetable stuffing and now its ready to steam.
• Take a deep kadai or frying pan and arrange the all the capsicum in one layer.
• Add a cup of water in the kadai very carefully you can add a tsp of oil in that water also to get nice glaze for your capsicum.
• Now cover the pan with a tight fitting lid and cook over the low flame till water evaporates or till capsicum cooks and becomes soft.It takes about 10 -12 mins to cook.Please check the water in between .You can add little water if necessary .
• Serve hot as a side dish.

Lucknowi Mutton curry

Lucknow city is famous for its monuments and delicious mughlai cuisine.Food is the soul of lucknow.People from all over the world come  here to enjoy the rich culture and historical monument along with delicious mughlai cuisine like kababs,biryani and dumphukth dishes which seal the aroma of the meat and the whole spices in which they are cooked.

                      Today i am here with famous lucknowi mutton curry which is my all time favourite mutton curry.You can add mutton leg/paya pieces also to this curry to get that thick gravy.

Ingredients:- 

Mutton-1kg

Tomatoes-2

Curd-1/2cup

Onions-5

Cashew nut-10

Poppy seeds-1/2tsp

Ginger-2(1"piece)

Cloves-6-7

Pepper corns-5-6

Red chilly-7-8

Garlic-2 pod

Cinnamon -3  pieces

Coriander leaves-1/2cup(chopped)

Oil-2tbsp

Salt to taste.

Method:-

• Marinate the mutton with curd and salt to taste.
• Roast  whole onion over the direct flame and keep aside.
• Dry roast poppy seeds,chillies,cinnamon,cloves and pepper corns.
• Now grind roasted onion,tomatoes , cashew nut and roasted masalas to a fine paste .
• Grind ginger and garlic to smooth paste and keep aside
•  Now heat the pressure cooker pan  and add oil.In that add ginger-garlic paste and fry for few seconds.
• Now add marinated mutton pieces and fry further 5mins.
• Now add the ground masala  and add 2 cups of water and cover the lid and cook for 20 mins or till done.
• Now open the and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
• Serve hot with hot pulka or naan.

Sol kadi/kokum kadi

Kokum/birinda/sol is a fruit widley available fruit in konkan region,Goa and some parts of Karnataka. This red coloured fruit is believed to be very useful in summer because of it cooling effect on the body. The drink prepared with this fruit is very refreshing it not only quenches your thirst,but also helps to prevents dehydration and sunstroke due to heat.

                           We konkani's use this for preparing juices,kadis and use it for curries instead of tamarind especially for fish curries.Today i am going to tell about this sol kadi which is one konkani speciality .Our lunch is incomplete without this sol kadi specially in summer.You can buy dried rind or readily available syrup for making this kadi.

Ingredients

Dried kokum rind-10

Coconut grated-2cups

Green chillies-4-5

Fresh coriander leaves-1tbsp

Asafoetida-1/2tsp

Garlic-4-5 pods

Salt to taste.

Method;- 

• Soak kokum in a cup of warm water for 30mins,to soften and to release the juice.After 30 mins when the water turns to dark pink color squeeze the kokum rinds and strain the juice and keep aside.
• Grind coconut along with all the ingredients except kokum to smooth paste adding 2cups of water.
• Now mix the kokum juice to cocunut paste,mix it well and then  strain the juice.
• Now you will get nice thick kadi .Add again 4 cups of water and salt to taste.
• For enhance the taste  of this kadi serve chilled.

Agua de pina

Agua de pina is nothing but simple pineapple water or juice as we call it in india.It is available all over mexican street stands and served in restaurants .Simply to make this juice more interesting for my kids i gave Mexican name to my juice.

Ingredients:-
Pineapple chunks-2cups
Sugar-1/4cup
Crushed ice-2cups full

Method:-

• Blend pineapple and sugar in a blender .
• Fill the glasses with crushed ice and pour the juice and serve with pineapple wedges .

Mixed Fruit Punch!

In most part of india the temperature is above 30 degree  and who does not want to sip some chilled drinks After my mixed fruit chat  and many more  chilled fruit drinks  here is one more drink to beat the heat....Mixed fruit punch..hope you all love this.

Ingredients

1. Pineapple chunks-2cups
2. Green grapes-1cup
3. Orange segments-1/2cup( remove the skin and cut into small pieces)
4. Pomegranate seeds -1/2cup 
5. Sugar-2tbsp
6. Chilled water-1/2cup
7. Crushed ice-4 cups
8. Salt-1/4tsp

Method:

• Put pineapple,grapes ,orange piece, sugar and salt  in a blender and make a nice pulp and strain it or use it like that.
• Now add pomegranate seeds and water and blend it for a second.You will get nice thick pulp.
• Now fill the glasses with crushed ice and pour the juice over the ice and serve.

Poha Kheer/pova kheeri/Beaten rice kheer

HAppy Ram NaVami to all my readers and friends.Ram navami is celebrated to mark the birth of lord Rama.We konkanies celebrate this along with some delicious food.

                                          Today  i have prepared a sweet dish called Pova(beaten rice ) kheer apart from other dishes like cucumber pachadi,Mooga dali usli,chana -potato sukkey,dalitoy,oodi(home made),papad(home made) kokum kadi,stuffed capsicum.

                     My mom used to prepare this dish specially for RAM NAVAMI .She got this recipe from her mom i e my grand mom .So i also prepare this  at least once a year on this day.We konkani's prepare different types of sweet/dessert on different festivals,every time i make it a point to follow my elders tradition by preparing some special dishes which they used  to prepare to save our GSB tradition so that after me my kids too follow the same.Because i have seen many people just do not celebrate festivals or prepare the dishes which they used to enjoy in thier childhood.Thanks to many blogs  who help people to know the tradition and culture by posting some amazing information and traditional dishes .This is my small contribution  towards our Konkani tradition and culture.

     

Ingredients:-

Poha/Beaten rice(thick)-1cup

Jaggery-2cups

Coconut-1(grated)

Cardamom powder-1/2tsp

Cashew nut,Raisin and almond for garnishing

Ghee 1tbsp for frying Poha

Method:- 

• Grind coconut to smooth paste by adding 2 cups of water.Then extract the milk from the paste. Now you will get thick coconut milk.Again grind the coconut residue adding 2 cups of water and extract thin coconut milk.Once it is done mix both the milk and keep aside.
• Now fry the beaten rice over the low flame along with some cashew nut in thick bottom pan adding a tbsp of ghee.Fry till it changes to light brown color.
• In a heavy bottom sauce pan add 4 cups of water and put the jaggery  and boil until it dissolves completely.Then add the fried poha and let it cook on slow flame.
• When the poha is almost cooked add coconut milk and bring to boil.
• The consistency should be little flowing  because the beaten rice will absorb all the milk and will become thick if you have keep this for an hour or so.You aslo can add little warm milk to adjust the consistency later.
• Garnish with dry fruits and serve hot or chilled.

Chilled Fruit chat

I just love summer when you really enjoy these fruits in different forms.After posting many shakes,juices and mocktails  here is one more to dish to tickle our taste buds it is called fruit chat..This fruit salad/chat i can be tried at any season and kids will love this because of spicy and tangy flavour.You can try this with other fruits too.

                     I normally prepare this just before the lunch as it takes only few mins and keep it in the fridge to chill.Here in India it is  served  in marriage functions  and you also get this in street corners .But i prefer home made chats because its fresh and clean.

Ingredients:

Mixed fruit of your choice-2 cups

Chat masala-1/2tsp

Pepper powder-1/4tsp

Lemon juice-1tsp

• Mix all the fruits,lemon juice and keep it in the refrigerator for at least 30 min.
• Just before serving add all the ingredients and serve.
• You can use tooth picks or fruit picks to make it more interesting

Herbal Punch!!

Today i have prepared some healthy herbal juice to cool you all down on hot summer days with some special easily available herbs.I am trying this combination for the 1st time and i really like the taste and so is my hubby.So i think i should drink more of these herbal juices then my tea.

Ingredients:-
Tomato -2(cut into pieces)
Lemon juice-1tbsp
Coriander leaves-1tbsp
Mint leaves-2tsp
Ginger-2tsp
Fennel powder-1/2tsp
Black salt-1/2tsp
Sugar-1/2cup
Ice cubes-10
Chilled water-31/2cups


Method:-

• Mix all the ingredients except ice cubes and blend  it to a smooth paste adding only 1/2 cup of water..Now strain the juice and  put it back the strained juice  into  a blender and blend it along with chilled water and ice cubes .
• Now fill the glasses with crushed ice and pour the juice and serve.

Note:-You can add honey to enhance the taste.

Mooga(Moong dal) dali usli..

Today is Ram navami so i have prepared this Mooga dali/moon dal usli a special konkani delicacy which is served in our temples on this day as prasadam. We also prepare this for breakfast or vrit/fasting day.

Ingredients:
Moong dal-1cup
Ginger-1tsp chopped
Green chilly-2 chopped
Mustard-1tsp
Red chilly-1(cut into pieces)
Curry leaves-2springs
Coconut grating-1tbsp
Salt to taste
Sugar(optional)-1tsp
Coconut oil/veg oil-1tbsp

Method:

• Soak moon dal for about 30 mins.
• Heat  a oil in a kadai/pan .In that add mustard let it crackle for a while followed by red chilly pieces and curry leaves.
• Now add 2cups of water ,add green chilly ,ginger, salt and sugar.
• When it comes to boil add washed and soaked moon dal and cook till done  on a low fire.
• Garnish with coconut grating.
• Serve hot

Eve's Temptation!!

'an apple  a day keeps the doctor away'. So here is one interesting recipe for you all especially for this summer to Beat The Heat.It is very easy and quick to make even you can ask your kids to join in to make it more interesting just to keep them busy in their summer vacation.My kids love to help me when i prepare something special for them.

                    

                               

Ingredients for the stewed apples
Apple-500g(quartered ,cored and peeled)
Cinnamon powder-1tsp
Cardamom powder-1/2tsp
Sugar-2tbsp
Lemon juice-1tsp

Ingredients for the custard sauce:-
Full cream milk-1litre
Corn flour-2tbsp
Vanilla essence-1tsp
Sugar-1/2cup
Walnut-1/2 cup
Raisins-1/4cup

Method:-

• Mix all the ingredients in sauce pan to make apple stew.Mix in a 1/2cup of water and cook the apple until 1/2 done.Apple pieces should be visible so don not over cook the apples.
• Now crush half the walnuts and mix in with apple stew along with 1/2 the raisins.Remaining keep for garnishing.
• In a non-stick pan start making custard sauce.Boil milk until it reduces to 3/4 .Now add the sugar and boil till sugar dissolves completely.The cooking should be done on medium flame
• Now  reduce the flame and add custard powder dissolved in a tbsp of milk.Slowly mix the cornflour to avoid the formation of lumps.Keep on stirring until the sauce thickens.
• Now switch off the fire and mix vanilla essence.
• Now you take the individual serving bowl and put some apple stews and top up with custard sauce and garnish it with walnuts,raisins and apple pieces as shown in the picture.
• Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. 

Coorgi koli(chicken) curry

Chicken-1kg(cut into medium size pieces)
Red chilly powder-2tsp
Turmeric powder-1/2tsp
Coriander seeds-2tsp
Tamarind-1 lemon sized ball
Cumin seeds-1tsp
Cinnamon-4 pieces
Cloves-10
Poppy seeds(Khus-khus)-2tsp
Coriander leaves-1/2bunch
Garlic-1pod
Ginger-2(1"pieces)
Green chillies-4-5
Onion-3(chopped)
Tomato-2(chopped)
Coconut-1/2 cup(grated)
Oil-2tbsp
Salt to taste

 Method:-

• Marinate chicken with turmeric,chilly powder and salt to taste for 30 mins.
• Dry roast coriander seeds,cumin seeds,cinnamon,cloves,poppy seeds together till dark brown and make a fine powder and keep aside.
• Dry roast grated coconut to dark brown and grind it along with green chillies,tamarind,ginger,garlic,and coriander leaves to fine paste.
• Now heat a oil in sauce pan add some chopped onion and fry until it is light brown.
• Then add chopped tomato and fry further 2mins.
• Now add the marinated chicken and the dry powder stir it well.
• Last add the ground coconut paste and mix it well.
• Now add 2cups of water,cover and cook until oil floats on top.
• Serve hot with naan roti or coorgi akki otti 

Potato Peel Pakoras!

Ingredients:-
Potato Peels-2cups
Poppy seeds-3tsp
Corn flour-1tbsp
Besan/Gram flour-1/2cup
Red chilly powder-2tsp
Kalonji/onion seeds-1tsp
Salt to taste

Method:-

• Remove the thick peels from potatoes.Cut these into long strips.Wash well,sprinkle salt and red chilli powder and keep aside.
• Mix cornflour,besan,poppy seeds,kalonji and  a few table spoon of water to make a thick paste.
• Add the potato peels and mix well.
• Heat the oil and fry the potato peels till they become crispy and golder brown.
• Serve hot with ketchup and a hot cup of tea in the evening.

kOnkani style crispy fried baby sardines

Sardines are always welcome.Whenever i go to buy fish i make sure to buy at least 1/2 kg.It is highly nutritious and very healthy compared to other fish.As it has a very good source of Omega- 3 fats and they are packed with vitamin D.

                            Baby sardines / saan pedvo in konkani /tharu butai in tulu is very tasty in any forms whether its canned or fried or curried the taste is awesome.Today i am going to  tell how to prepare this  tasty and crispy fried sardines in konkani style.We konkanies do not use many types of masala all we use is chilly paste and some asafoetida which makes this dish very tasty.

Ingredients

Baby sardines:-1/2kg

Red chilly paste-2tsp

Asafoetida-1/2tsp

Salt to taste

Rice flour-2tbsp

Maida-3tsp

Oil for deep frying 

Method:- Clean and scale the fish and apply chilly powder,asafoetida and salt.Mix it well and then add rice flour and maida and roll it again and deep fry till crisp. 

Serve hot with lemon wedges.

RAS Vodo.. a konkani delicacy

This is my grand mom's recipe which is traditionally  prepared on our new year/ugadi day.Today i got the time to post this as i was busy with my kids exams.In mangalore everybody prepare this dish on ugadi day .This is one of my favourite and i prepare this whenever i feel like.Normally my mom used to prepare the rice flour at home by soaking rice and then spread it on a clean cloth .After 1 hour its ready to make powder.Then that powder is mixed with coconut milk.It goes well with payasam or with some spicy curry.

                           

ras vodo and Mudganey(chanadal payasam)

Ingredients:-

1. Rice flour-2cups
2. Coconut -2cups(grated)
3. Salt to taste
4. Oil for frying

Method:-

• First grind the coconut to smooth paste using 2 cups of water, strain and collect the thick coconut milk.Then again add a cup of water to the coconut residue and grind it to smooth paste .Again strain and take out the thin milk and add this to the thick coconut milk.
• Now prepare soft dough using this coconut milk and rice flour
• Now take small pieces of banana leaf and apply some oil or you can use plastic sheets also..Now apply some oil and start making  lemon sized balls and with the help of your fingers try to make round shaped disk as shown in the above picture.
• Now heat oil in a deep frying pan and start frying all the voda's.
• Serve hot with curries or payasam/Mudganey.

Spicy American sweet corn

Ingredients:-

Frozen american sweet corn/ fresh  sweet corn-2 cups

Butter salted-1tbsp

Chat masala-1/2tsp

Chilly powder-1/2tsp

Maggie cube-1/4 or to taste

Method:-

• Mix all the ingredients and micro on high for 5 min(it depends on your Microwave).
• Serve hot as a snack in the evening.

Instead of frozen sweet corn here i have used fresh sweet corn