PREP TADKA MAARKE!!!!!

Hello!!!! I am very much alive...... It was my comp which ditched me & kept me away from catching up with the happenings around, for sometime..... I had to (oops! sorry, My hubby! No credits taken).... My hubby had to get few things changed in it, to get it back fixed & working.... He feels really bad & hurt, to see me without my Computer..... as I start drooping around, not knowing what to do..... ;-)

Now that it is back & since I had no challenges I was desperate to attempt, for my Craft blog, I thought it was time I posted here to save my nose..... ;-) Seriously, I felt ashamed looking at the archive, which showed just one post each for the months of April & May.... I really felt... "Chullu bhar paani mein dhoob maroon"..... I am sorry.... I know I am being unfaithful to this blog & all my supporters, who have made me grow till date... with my preps for consumption & postings too..... I thought at least to face myself, I had to post today......

So here I am with preps I thought would make an entry (last minute again! Shame! Shame!) to the Dal Event @ Veggie Platter....... I was looking forward to post since many days for this event, but it kinda got piled up... So here I am with Three Dal preps....... TODAY!!!!!


DAL TADKA!

This is a popular prep at my in-laws...... Very simple yet divine...... Goes well with both rice as well as rotis......

Ingredients :

Toor dal + Masoor dal - 1/2 cup ( I keep a mix of both)
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Red Chilli Powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt to Taste

For Tempering -

Green Chilli - 2, finely chopped
Onion - 1/2, finely chopped
Tomato - 1 medium, finely chopped
Oil/Ghee - 2 tsp
Cumin Seeds - 1/4 tsp
Asafoetida - a pinch

Method :

Cook the dal with the above ingredients as usual/ pressure cook..... Whip it lightly & keep aside...
Heat oil in a wok & add the cumin seeds...Allow it to splutter & add the green chilli, onion & tomato.... Stir fry till the onion turns pink..... Add asafoetida & stir for half a minute... Now add the whipped dal into the tadka..... Mix well & allow it to cook further for 5 minutes, covered.... Depending on the required consistency, add water...... Usually dal fry has a thicker consistency..... Now serve it hot with your rice or roti accompanied by any other dry sabzi......

Well I served it with Bhindi Bhoonjiya for the dry sabzi that day...... prepared similar to the Aloo Bhindi Bhoonjiya minus the Aloo (Potato). Savor!!!!!

Mango Dal!

I just wanted to try something different from the usual, hence added few pieces of raw totapuri mango, with the dal.......

Ingredients :

Toor dal + Masoor dal - 1/2 cup
Raw mango - 10 chunks (optionally peeled)
Onion - 1 medium (finely sliced)
Green Chilli - 2 small (slit lengthwise)
Garlic - 3 cloves (minced)
Tomato - 1/2 chopped
Methi Seeds - 4 to5
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Red Chilli Powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt to Taste

For tempering -

Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry Leaves - 1 twig
Asafoetida - a pinch
Oil - 1 tsp
Cumin Powder - 1/4 tsp
Coriander Powder - 1/4 tsp
Dry Red Chilli - 2 broken

Method :

Pressure cook dal with all the above ingredients & once done, lightly whip the prep with a whisk & keep aside...... Now heat oil for tempering in a wok & add all the ingredients in the order from mustard seeds, curry leaves, dry red chilli, asafoetida, & the masala powders..... Stir fry for a minute & add in the whipped dal mixture....... Let it boil for 2 minutes & then savor it hot with rice..........

Few months back, my gardener did the garden.... Changing the soil, adding manure & sprayed pesticide..... And just recently I saw, few tomato plants in few of my pots along with the flowers in them, which were the original inhabitants of the pot........... I was like WOW!!!! There were quite a handful, which were raw.... I called Kuku & we both marked them together...... But later, we forgot......

One morning as my maid left, I went behind her to close the door & saw her leaving with two tomatoes...... I asked her "from where?" & she replied "from your garden" & I was like "What???" My tomatoes I forgot about & my maid was happily savoring them... I asked her to spare them for a minute at least, to let them pose for few captures as a memory of my garden tomatoes..... And willingly she did & left one for me too..... So here are the captures.....

Are they not cute & glossy..... I felt so proud to see them grow in my pots.......

And after that day, whenever she found one in the garden, she plucked them for me..... I felt good.... One tomato, I sliced into rounds for a simple salad & the other I used in my regular dal....

U can see the bits & pieces of my garden tomato in this simple regular dal, which I prepare for my daily lunch.......

Hmmm.... So that's a lot of Dal stuff...... These are my last minute entry to the Dal Event @ Veggie Platter.......

That is it for now...... I would be back soon, & I see to it that I keep up to my schedule this time.....

UNTIL NEXT, KEEP THE FAITH!!!!

MATAR BHARKE!!!!!!! POORI & PARATA.....(Pea Stuffed Indian Bread)

Hello Everyone!!!!! Kindly forgive my long absence from this space...... Yup! I know I am being mean on my maiden space.... but I promise to make up for it..... I will sincerely try to post at regular intervals & to visit all those amazing people who have supported me so far & who post such amazing stuffs & info..... I am sorry again........

Going on with my regular punching..... I have nothing more to share other than my CARDS! CARDS! & CARDS!!!!!!

And Yes! One important thing I observed & changed is the COMMENT VERIFICATION on this blog.....

Many a times, may be due to the bad internet or the bad comp...days..... Due to the increased traffic & usage..... it gets me pissed... to the core.... When I visit some space to check out their lovely postings & desperately wanna leave a comment letting them know that I had been there & relished their yummy posts..... Phew!!!!! It just freezes on me .... All I want is to punch in those feelings & leave...but these verifications get on my nerves..many a times..... And when I thought I realized many others may have also been facing this at my space too..... So I thought & decided to get rid of it...... I discarded that pathetic comment verification thing.....

Now, just punch in your feelings & it gets published or saved, to be published later...That looks fine & easy..than having to punch in all those extra letters which makes less sense to me...... I am not sure of what I did was right YA wrong...but my instincts asked me to get rid of it for good.... & I did.....

Peeps!!!! I would love to hear, what u have to say regarding this..... Since that would help me analyze better..than just follow my instincts....... ;-) So please feel free to share your takes on this...... THANK YOU!!!!!

And now getting on with the main मुद्दा (Mudda, matter).... of today..... MY PREP 4 TODAY!!!!!!

As I had mentioned in my earlier posts, the North Indians have a variety to binge on..... Most of their cuisine is all stuffed...... which is very very pleasing on palates........ which many love & adopt too.... though not a part of their staple diet.....

Hmmm.... I am here to post one such stuffed (भरके) delicacy of The North.....
My Delicacy in-law!!!!!

And that is मटर भरके पूरी और पराता..... Pea stuffed Indian Bread....... This is how it goes........ :-)

Ingredients:

For Stuffing

Fresh Peas - 200 gm
Green Chilli - 3
Onions - 1 medium (finely chopped)
Coriander Leaves - 2 tbsp (finely chopped)
Oil - 3tbsp
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp

Masala Powders

Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
Cumin Powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala - 1tsp
Kitchen King Powder - 1 tsp
Chaat Masala - 1/4 tsp
Red Chilli Powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt to Taste


For the DOUGH:

Wheat Flour - 1/2 kg
Salt to Taste
Ajwain + Mangrela (Carom Seeds or Oma + Black Sesame Seeds) - 1 tsp ( I keep a mix of both)
Oil - 1 tbsp
Water as required

OIL FOR DEEP FRYING

Method :

Knead all the above ingredients together & keep aside.....

Ps: For paratas the dough is kneaded a bit more harder than your regular rotis (chapatis)...... And for the pooris, the dough is kneaded hard...... Leave it aside covered for a minimum of 30 minutes to let it settle into a soft & fluffy dough......

Now boil the fresh peas, mash & keep aside.....

Heat oil in a wok & add the cumin seeds.... Allow it to splutter.... Then add green chilli & onion together & fry till translucent..... Add all the above mentioned masala powders & stir fry, on a low flame..... for a minimum of 4-5 minutes..... Now add the pea mash & mix to combine well...... Keep stirring at regular intervals for a further 5 minutes..... Now sprinkle the chopped coriander leaves & mix well.... Remove from fire & keep aside to cool........


FOR PARATAS:

{Make lemon sized balls & shape these balls into nice small katoris or bowls..... Fill in a small amount of the pea mixture in & seal it very carefully..... TIGHT! Believe me the texture of the dough plays a very important role in this.... If it is not kneaded well, the stuffing would make its way through the dough.... every now & then..... Now roll these stuffed balls with a rolling pin, flat & round...... }

This picture of getting the stuffed balls, posted above goes for both the stuffing ... that of poori & parata.....

Heat a pan or a skillet (tawa) & place this flattened bread on it.... When one side is done, flip it over to let the other side cook..... Meanwhile smear a teaspoon of oil over it & flip it over again & repeat the oiling process..... When both the sides are well cooked, transfer the parata onto a plate.... Repeat the process with the rest of the dough & stuffing.....

When done serve it hot with sauce, bowl of curd or yogurt or an accompaniment of your choice like a gravy...veg or not veg...... Just RELISH!!!!!!!


FOR POORIS:

You begin the process the same way as mentioned above in {flower brackets}

Since it is a poori the size of the flattened dough would be considerably small as compared to the above parata....... Heat oil in a deep bottomed vessel or a wok.... When done, drop the flattened bread carefully into the wok or kadai...... & allow it to puff on a side....when done flip it over to let the other side cook as well.... When it turns golden, remove it from the oil & transfer onto an absorbent paper or a tissue..... Repeat the process to consume the entire stuffing & the dough or as required to please your tummy... ;-)

Now serve them hot & puffed with any favorite accompaniments..... May be a gravy (veg or non veg) or simply sauce or chutney...... Well my picture shows the Avarekaalu & potato gravy...... YUMMY YUMMY CRIES MY TUMMY!!!!!!! Savor it ALL!!!

These delicacies make for an awesome break fast, lunch box or a good dinner.......

I would like to send this as my entry to the two events that I have longed to participate in..... which are.....

Jihva Breakfast announced by Indira of Mahanandi, hosted this month by Suma of Veggie Platter..... Kudos!!!!! to You both......

AND

Srilekha of Me & My Kitchen for her EFM Series - Paratas & Gravies recipes...... Kudos!!!!! to you too.....

The gravies as an accompaniment would be Meat Rassa in non veg or Mushroom Gassi in Veg....

That is it for now..... Before I wind up I wanted you to remind me of my new CARD SPACE.... DO take a peek into those creations to either bless or curse me..... ;-) Do not forget......

And Yes do not forget to share your thoughts & observations on comment verification, as mentioned at the very beginning,which now is history in my space....... :-)

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT..... TO THE FULLEST!!!!

UNTIL NEXT, KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!

CHAAR YAAR AUR PYAAR!!!!!! ;-) Four Friends & Love........

Hmmm.... I am here again.... But questioning myself, if I am losing focus, or rather if I am getting diverted totally........... because of my card making spree at its HEIGHTS!!!!! I have been enjoying myself preparing lovely card recipes, kinda trying to satiate myself by taking up all those ideas thrown by many professionals, challenging my imagination...... I have been able to cook a few recipes, out of those.... which I have posted on my "Hastkala"...Ashaon Ka....... Do not forget to PEEK-A-BOO!!!!!




I have had several drafts to be posted..... But it was kinda difficult to choose, which one of them, now....... And I found this yummy & one of my favorites, Kichdi....... It is a very common preparation in every household of North India....... The way they prepare differs though..... Mainly, they are prepared plain & simple or sometimes prepared rich & a bit more of a task..... Rich in the sense, of the ingredients used in the process....... Depends on what peeps prefer to & when!!!!!

The simple version is assumed to be a sick patients food...... simply because of the ingredients being limited & cooked so well that it turns out to be a porridge......so as to ease the digestion in favor of the SICK...... My Maa in-law says that it is a must prep, every Saturdays for lunch, because of their belief that it rids off the evils or the Negative Cosmic Effect of the Shani Gruha of that day... which is Saturday.....

As I mentioned in my earlier posts, when I get sick of the usual & regular food, it tempts me to savor something rich & yummy!!! And I turn towards an awesome rice prep for it..... (If I do not order for a home delivery ;-) And when I am tired of fried rice & Pulaos..... I look for a change, in that too..... And that is when, I plan of this rich, juicy & yummy Kichdi...... And this prep becomes rich simply because of all the special ingredients added.... Like the Ghee, the whole Garam Masala & the Vegetables......

And when it is this Rich Kichdi, then it has to be accompanied by the similar match..... By which I mean the additional accompaniments as a side dish...... And it is then I remember the four friends of the Kichdi...... As is said in HINDI - "Kichdi Ke  Chaar Yaar - Dahi, Chokha, Papad aur Achaar" Meaning ....."The four friends of Kichdi are  - Yoghurt or set curd, a potato mash, a cracker and Pickle"...... Once you have them by your side, your Lunch seems to be the last thing u eat...... for that day...... Very filling....  I know it looks & seems ELABORATE..... But it gets digested very easily & by evening you are hungry again..... I remember this song at this moment & changing it a bit to suit myself...here......

Jahan Chaar Yaar....
Miljaaye wahan
Khana ho gulzar....
Jahan Chaar Yaar!!!!






Okay....... Do not curse me for my ongoing story of its being.... Let's get down to the prep & its ingredients.....

VEGGIES KICHDI

Ingredients:

Rice - 3/4 cup
Tuar Dal + Masoor Dal} - 1/2 cup 
(***I store a mix of both the dals - can be prepared with just Tuar too***)
Cardamom - 4 pieces
Clove - 6 pieces
Cinnamon - 1 piece
Bay Leaf - 2
Fresh Peas - 1/4 cup
Carrot - 1 medium, finely chopped or cubed
Round Beans - 8 pieces, finely cut
Refined Oil - 4tbsp
Ghee - 1tbsp
Coriander Leaves - 5 twigs (washed & finely chopped)
Cashew Nut - 8 pieces
Turmeric Powder - 3/4 tsp
Green Chilli - 2 to 3, slit lengthwise
Onion - 1 medium, finely chopped
Tomato - 1 medium, finley Chopped
Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp
Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp
Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
Salt to Taste
Water - 5 cups

Method:

Wash the rice & the dal togehter or separate & keep aside......

Heat oil + ghee in a pressure cooker..... Add the whole garam masala..... like the cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon & cardamom.... Saute for a minute & then add the green chilli & saute further for a minute..... Now add the chopped onions & fry till translucent...... Once done, add the chopped tomatoes & stir fry further & cook lightly covered, for 2 minutes, on medium flame...... Then add all the masala powders & stir fry till all the masala combines well & releases a fine aroma...... Now add the cashew, the washed & cubed veggies & mix well.... Stir fry for a  minimum of 5 minutes...... When done add the washed rice & dal & stir fry for 2 minutes..... Now add the water & stir once to combine all the ingredients.... Now lock the lid of the cooker & let it whistle for minimum 6 whistles.... Then turn off  the flame...... Once all the steam is released, open the lid, add in the chopped coriander leaves & mix once......






 
CHOKHA

Ingredients:

Potato - 1 medium
Dry Red Chilli - 1
Onion - 1/2, chopped finely
Salt to taste
Mustard Oil - 1/4 tsp
Garlic Cloves - 2 , finely chopped

Method:

Boil the potato & peel the skin off..... Now mash it well...... Now heat the oil in a small fry pan & fry the broken chilli & chopped garlic, till golden brown....... Now add this along with the oil, onto the mashed potato..... Add salt & chopped onions & mix well by hand....... The Chokha or the potato mash is ready......




SERVING:

Serve the veggies Kichdi, along with the chokha & a dash of pickle, yoghurt & fried crackers or papads..... Add a dab of ghee onto the rice & savor the divinity of this prep, which would reach your soul.... finally....... ALL YUMMY YUMMY!!!!!




 
Since this a Perfect COMBO preparation..... This prep makes its way to the COMBO EVENT, hosted by Pari, marking her milestone...... This is her very first... Challenge hosting..... I'm glad I could finally be a part of it...... CHEERS!!!



BLOGFARES:

There are a couple of TOFAS, that I need to mention about........

Simply Food shared her love through this cute & yummy TOFA..... The Loyalty Award..... It is really beautiful.... And it was her happiness that made her spread the cheers further...... I am so thankful to her for that cutie......



And I would also like to thank Jagruti of Joy OF Cooking, for sharing her TOFAS...... But just like the AD of Bournville, which uses the tagline.... "U DON'T JUST BUY A BOURNVILLE.... U EARN IT" , Jagruti's TOFA comes with a similar tagline too..... U don't just get them... U get them with a tag......

First, Brag about it.......

Second, flaunt it on your blog & link the one who tagged you......

Third, Share 10 things about yourself..... Which I have done already.... HERE!
And Fourth, Pass the Cheers to peeps, letting them know about it......

Hmmm... Today with all the pleasure & happiness, I request everyone to GRAB IT from here...... PLEASE DO!!!!! I would be happy if u did so..... along with my TOFA........ from my previous post....... (Peeps who forgot to pick it)    ;-) 

And this month Jagruti is hosting her first event.... Joyful Eating Whilst Travelling....... So my dear peeps, do send in your entries to this awesome event..... Let us all get hold of those moments of travelling & picture them together..... being a part of your experience...... HURRY!!!!!!

I also thank Daisy Blue of Spicy Lounge for sharing this honest scrap, with me.... Thank You Deary!!!! It means a lot to know that I was thought...... :-) 


And the last but never the least, I am thankful to Fimere of The Delights Of Gourmets for remembering me during her small distribution of TOFA....... She shared this unique cubical piece of TOFA with me.... Thank You!!!!!!




Hmmmm...... Well I thought of continuing & ending my EK CHOTISI LOVE STORY...... today.....

HERE is the First Part of my story...... After that lovely, interesting & a private & secret proposal, which was rather a FIRST TIMER....... & after that realisation of our love for each other..... We met everyday.....  He would always wait for me around, & I would drop in, mount the bike & zoom away....... We went on several dates ...... of course.... Our destination was the Sankey Tank...... We shared our thoughts, we shared our opinions, our likes & dislikes, we shared chocolates, we would have our lunch out...... It went on..... We were very soon the TALK OF THE TOWN...... U know!!! how people, especially aunties GOSSIP!!!!! He moved away from my neighbourhood...but not far off.... so that I could visit him conveniently..... Neighbours around thought THAT WAS THE END OF OUR STORY!!!!!!! How Funny & Foolish of them all!!!!!!! to think that I was like them...... Hmm.... who would just give up!!!! like a loser....... I knew what I wanted, FOR & IN MY LIFE........ I wanted to have the LAST LAUGH!!!!!!! I had decided...... He had decided that it was me for him....... Why should anything else bother us???????

After his studies, he went back home, to Giridih, a place in Bihar...... And I pursued my Post Graduation..... We were connected through letters, cards & through out over the phone...... He would call me any time possible..... Early morning, afternoon, evening, late evening, night & late nights too..... We were so stuck to our telephones that, the instrument became a part of us.... It had become the 'TESTIMONY - PERSONIFIED'...... Any moment that I got to get out of home.... I would run to a telephone booth..... And that moment may be the silliest of all.... Like my mom would ask me to get some ingredient she fell short off..... And in the process, I would also make a call & let him know that I was out & for what reason.... And my bills ran up... I needed quite a sum to pay them off..... My pocket money did not have the potential to satisfy it..... I lied for more at home.... But sometimes got caught too...in the process..... After some days Kuku started depositing some money into my account.... That helped me to cope up with my telephone bills & few of my other small expenditures too...... Hmmm.... That was my side of the story....

Kuku called me every now & then..... His father once received a telephone bill of Rs. 25,000 for a month.... after which they locked the STD..... Then Kuku started calling me from the booths around.... He made many BOOTH FRIENDS ;-) ..... He called me up at my computer class.... where I had made friends with all the people around..... One particular guy who I would like to mention is Mr. Palecanda Nanjunda..... Who was young & dashing.... who hailed from Coorg...... He was very understanding & helped me receive calls from Kuku, at his office..... I would never ever forget his support, then......

Kuku came down to Bangalore to see me every Valentine's Day & on My Birthdays..... Never missed on his visits, Either he resided with some of his friends who were here or would take a room at a hotel for his stay... Those days were really such beautiful days, when we were just worried about each other & nothing else under the sun...... Since my DAD was against this alliance....all we thought was how would everything fall into its place.....

At Kuku's place.... He had a big family of 4 sisters & an elder brother & his family...... He was the apple of their eyes..... They loved him so much..... All they wanted was his happiness..... He had kept his family in loop..... He got his sisters to talk to me & got me to speak to his mom, in between too..... They received my communications for him, when he was not around..... I got my mom to talk to his mom too..... Everything was fine, except for my dad.....

Days passed, Months passed, Years passed too...... And with them our love & feelings for each other increased..... We both knew what we wanted..... We were both bent upon making this happen..... And one fine day I wrote to his dad, asking him to fix it all & that only he would be able to convince my dad..... Kuku's papa spoke to him, about what he wanted & when Kuku confided in him, they decided to visit my place & talk to my parents...... I was happy to see some kind of advancement happening.....

It was that day they had to visit my place.... My dad was not at all happy..... He never wanted them to reach home.... He was all cursing me & Kuku...... The most important thing that bothered my dad was the 'BIHARI STIGMA'....

They dropped in by evening..... Kuku, his mom, dad & his little sister..... I was very happy to see that positive response to my letter, from his Papa.... They sat, they spoke their heart out, his mom was a good orator... She had the gift of the gab..... His dad was a gentleman, with a large amount of politeness, generosity, understanding, positivity & words very polished...... My mom became his greatest fan...... She was so impressed by him..... & still is..... His sister was very sweet too.... She clicked a few pictures to register the moment..... & they left......

After they all left.... I over heard my dad tell mom, that the guy was good & so was his family..... That was THE MOMENT...... of relief....... The moment I knew, that  REST WOULD BE FINE..... And so was it..... My parents were invited to his place, they came back very happy & impressed...... The dates were out for all the HAPPY happenings.... by which I mean ceremonies..... And it was decided that the 6th of March would be the official engagement & the 7 th of March would be the WEDDING...... I invited all those nosey neighbours & those gossiping aunties to my wedding, who were all stunned to hear that I was getting married to THAT same guy..... Few of those aunties, did not turn up..... to see me laugh...... Few of them asked me Oh! that guy..... Do show me a snap to remind me of him, to which I humbly replied, do see him at the Wedding Reception...... Ha! Ha! Ha! I deemed with pride, with my head held HIGH, up in the air......

Kuku & his family along with the baraati, (The procession accompanied by friends & family in a Hindu Wedding) came down to my hometown PUTTUR at Mangalore...... Which was surely a journey they would all remember for their entire life..... FOR BOTH THE FAMILIES..... IT WAS A TIME THEY WOULD NEVER FORGET......All those things that they never thought they would ever do or those places they never thought would ever visit..... THEY HAD DONE IT ALL...... 

We got engaged on the 6th, got married on the 7th & left to Bangalore that same night for a reception at Bangalore the next day...which was the 8th of March...... On the 9th, we left to Nagpur, where they resided then...... We reached the next day, which was the 10th.... I was warmly welcomed by my new family....... Their traditional way..... In a BASKET....... That was very funny & interesting.... I still laugh remembering those moments..... The next day that was on the 11th of March was the reception there from the Groom's side..... Thus ended the 12 days of my wedding affair.....

That was the snippet of my HAPPILY MARRIED Love Story...... IN SHORT.... Because if I went into details, I would not have been able to complete my Story even by 8-10 posts........as it involves many many things like people, situations, seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks,months & years of love & longing for each other...... ;-)

By the grace of ALMIGHTY! & the blessings of our friends, teachers & families, we tied our sacred nuptial knot on the 7th of March 2002...... Hence we complete 8 YEARS of our MARRIED LIFE TOGETHER, TODAY...... & Look Forward to many more.....  which I am sure of...... even after we are gone......

Hmmm.... but this year, celebration was not like we expected it to be unlike our previous years..... First - my health, Second - we are held up with so many things in hand..... 

 Oh! BTW......people from my home sent me these...... That card was made by my brother........ good one as ever..... We are both kinda stuck up to cards now...... May be it is in our blood... Now I realize..... ;-)  The only difference is that he is a Graphics Designer, who would make cards that way... And I am passionate paper cards maker..... Anyways, Thanks a ton........ for all the efforts he put in to make that for US......





Me & Kuku prepared a small, yet nice lunch for ourselves...... I made the Rice & the Kebabs & he prepared his special delicacy... The Chicken Rassa....... And we had a quite lunch together..... It was just the two of us & our LOVE.......... I pray to God, to keep this happiness with me forever....... be it whatever that he takes in return........ from me......



So this is Ash...... signing off..... for now.... to celebrate the rest fo the DAY, Oops! night with KUKU.........

UNTIL NEXT, KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!!

DILL SE DIL TAK!!!!!!

Many things 'happening' in BLOGGYWOOD...... All are happy (at least many I know & I wish the same for others too) ...... on their milestones achieved....

Like Simply Food is all happy on their reach out to the masses..... & few others like Renuka from Love of Cooking & Sushma of Savi-Ruchi ....... are happy with their additions to their pricey possessions.... the bloggieroll contests they won.... the nice tote bag that Sushma won & the party cooking book of THE Sanjeev Kapoor, that Renuka won..... Same Pinch Renuka!!!! ;-)

I am so happy for all their achievements & additions to their happiness...... KUDOS TO YOU ALL & I wish u & all, many more such happiness & celebrations.... GOD BLESS!!!!

As for me, I did nothing more than just..... Oh! forget it..... better not start..... Yes!!!! I did something nice too.... On January 30, late evening, I watched the news flash on TV, which said the moon happened to be at closest distance from earth & thus appeared bigger & brighter.... at
its fullest.... I wanted to check it out too.... I went out to look.... YUP! I saw it more soothing than what most others did.... They saw it RED!!!! People did even mention that they could see the craters with their naked eyes.... But I just saw this...calm & quiet!!!!! It looked bigger & cuter...... I loved it & wanted to capture that moment..... & so I did.... After I clicked that pic, I kept laughing for half an hour.... Kuku wondered why!!!! & if I had lost some of my screws out near the gate..... while I gaped at the moon!!!!! When asked, I told him, that people would mistake it to be my roti.... with a reflection of light on it.... And I don't know why the thought tickled me for half an hour & I sat there laughing like crazy.....!!!!! May be those were the adverse effects of the moon, on me......!!!!! LOL ;-)

This is what I saw..... Isn't it cute??????

Now before I could write this post, I stumbled over an article or something, here, which said this......
{The full moon on January 30th will fall in the sign of Leo. The next couple weeks will bring a time for you to focus on leadership, amibtion, appearance, children, hard work, determination, sports, music and special hobbies.}

So I guess this was happening..... I don't know about the rest of the things that was mentioned, but this, YES!!! I was totally into card making..... I wanted to make better ones than I did earlier..... Ones, that looked kinda professional..... at least somewhere near it..... I will post them in my future ....... SO may be the moon had its affects on me to let me seriously think of card making.....

Card making was kinda haunting me & I was madly in need of equipments to give my skills a shine.... I was totally impressed by Stampin up! But in vain.... Due to the laws & restrictions, they were not into business here in India...... I was sad again..... but still did not stop hunting for my supplies..... I finally heard of finding my stuffs at Staples..... I keep my fingers crossed & wish I would!!!!! I have not been there as yet.... I would & once I do, I would post about it too......

So now regarding my prep for today's posting.....

I love saag or soppu or just leaves, edible ones, of course ;-) ...... And among them my first & best favorites are the DILL LEAVES..... Sabsige Soppu in Kannada & simply hara saag or in particular Sowa or Soya in Hindi.....

You can certainly learn more about DILL LEAVES here, below.......

1) Dill as in WIKI
2) Dill & its Names
3) Dill & its Values
4) Dill & a Side Effect

There are so many things different to these leaves..... which keeps it above the rest of the edible leaves..... The aroma is certainly one of them... Very DIVINE!!!!! I get carried away easily by that aroma..... I do not mind associating it with KUKU...... Because that is the kind of impact it has on me..... I simply love it!!!!!! DIL SE!!!! The look, the feel, the taste & the aroma................. DILL SE...... DIL TAK (डिल से...... दिल तक)!!!!!!

So here goes the recipe for it.... Very simple, easy & user friendly........

Ingredients:

Dil Leaves (ಸಬ್ಸಿಗೆ ಸೊಪ್ಪು, सोवा साग) - 1/4 kg
Onion - 1 big (finely sliced)
Mustard Oil - 2 tbsp
Dry Red Chilli - 3, broken
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Red Chilli Powder - Less than a quarter
Salt to Taste

Clean & wash the leaves, thoroughly to get rid of dirt & grime..... Now chop them finely & keep aside.... Heat a wok or kadai, with oil. Once the oil is hot, add the dry broken chilli & sliced onions.... Fry till translucent..... Then add the chopped leaves & stir fry.... Add salt, turmeric & red chilli powder & stir to mix well..... Now cook it covered for minimum 3 minutes...... Then uncover & stir fry the contents for 2 to 3 minutes or till all the water evaporates & the leaves are well cooked......

Now serve this with piping hot dal & white rice..... Or simply serve it combined with rice...... AWESOME COMBO....... Just the rice & the dil leaves prep, tastes like heaven.....
(JANNAT!!!!!) ...... The taste is such that, it reaches your soul through your mouth..... as said in hindi, "woh zaika jo zubaan se utharkar seede aathma tak pahunche....." (वह ज़ायका जो जुबां से उतरकर सीदे आत्मा तक पहुंचे)

And this Ash...... made combo , makes its way to the COMBO EVENT, hosted for the first time by Pari of FOODELICIOUS...... Congrats & Wish u all the success Pari...... which I'm sure of...... :-)

WISHING ONE & ALL, HAPPY MOMENTS!!!!!

UNTIL NEXT, KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!

AASAAN-E-PARATA & ME!!!!! With all the HAPPENINGS & MOMENTS....In & Of MY LIFE!!!!!

I received the 'Sanjeev Kapoor's Party Cooking' I won, yesterday..... I was so happy.... to have received it.... Wanted to try out something from it.... But I will & post them, for all.... The courier guy who delivered it was funny.... He dropped by, early morning say about 8:30 am.... Usually not the time for couriers.... so we were kinda surprised..... He talked with a funny tone.... And as soon as my hubby was out to collect it..... he asked Kuku "Sir, naayi unta???" (Is a dog there???) ... My hubby was like "hmm???" He repeated himself asking the same.... & Kuku 'pounced' on him, literally, with his not so perfect Kannada "Yaake??? " (Why???) That lean, almost vulnerable guy, freaked out by this, answered "summane kelide sir.." (I just asked!)

This encounter with him (the courier guy) was funny, firstly because of his voice & tone & secondly because he was totally unexpected both in person & his unusual questions.......
SO I WOULD REMEMBER THIS BOOK FOR ALL THE UNEXPECTED FEEL & LAUGHS involved..... Thank You again, FOODIE BLOGROLL!!!!!!!!! for letting my shelf adorn another pricey possession....... :-p

And yes! regarding the prep I'm posting, this is one easy, yummy, healthy, enjoyable & 'at any circumstances' food, which takes no much time & effort...... CONVENIENT!!!!! I say this because, this is one prep that Kuku had been enjoying during his school days.... (without me of course!!!!!...MEANIE :-0) Maa in-law prepared this instantly for his tiffin or break fast, with LOVE & CARE .... This Parata, is delightful with or without any accompaniment...

Since Kuku & his siblings were totally 5, who went to school together, sometimes when in hurry, maa in-law packed bread omlette or bread & jam, for tiffin.... But with the kind of food the kids were used to, it got their hunger pangs to strike them hard, very soon after lunch.... And they would be lured by these road side stalls, with their not so healthy, unhygienic foodies....... Hence maa in-law thought of this prep as an instant one to be packed for tiffins, during those busy mornings that she had to be ready for...... And was healthy & yummy enough to keep the kids at bay from those luring road side foodies...... 2-3 paratas with a little pickle..... was a day minus the tension, for both the kids & the mother.....
Oh!!!! I wish I was with Kuku & his toli to share a bite too..... to feed a bite & to be fed too.... Hmmmmmm.......... Those days I miss being with KUKU...... :-(

As he told me about this, I thought so what if I wasn't around him those days.... Now that I am... I wanna make use of this time.... to satiate myself..... with all those quickies that I can LOVE & LIVE..... with him.... Hence thought of preparing this for him, with lots of LOVE, with his guidance of course...... :-)

So here I am posting about that "FAST FOOD" in its true sense..... A healthy one though..... for all the mothers & the hungry kids.....

Presenting to you is "The Aasaan-e-Parata" ........Dhan Tana!!!!!!!

Ingredients:

Wheat Flour (ಗೋಧಿ ಹಿಟ್ಟು, आट्टा) - 250 gm
Oil - 2 tsp
Onion - 1 medium, (finely chopped)
Green Chilli - 3 (finely chopped)
Ajwain + Mangrela (Carom Seeds or Oma + Black Sesame Seeds) - 1 tsp ( I keep a mix of both)
Salt to Taste
Water as required

Method:

Mix all the above ingredients well & add enough water to knead into a smooth & soft dough. Keep it aside for 30 minutes, covered...

Then make lemon sized balls & with the help of a rolling pin, roll it into flat rounds.

Heat a non stick tawa or a flat iron skillet, & transfer the rolled bread onto it to let it cook. Once a side is done, turn it over to cook the other side... meanwhile spread a little oil or butter on the cooked side & then turn it over again to see it evenly cooked on both the sides... Repeat with the number u wanna have for breakfast, lunch or dinner....

Serve it hot with any accompaniments... u like.... pickle (अचार), sauce, chutney or gravy....... RELISH WITH PLEASING SOUNDS........ Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............... & Taste to comment ....;-)

And this prep finds its way to FF7SL's event HEALTHY FAST FOOD hosted by RV & Cook like a Bong by Sudeshna

and also makes its way to Gourmet Affair's maiden event SERVED WITH LOVE hosted by Arundhuti..... I send this prep with love & wishes to you, Aru.............

BLOGFARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY TOFA's (Token Of Appreciation)

I was conferred with love & appreciations, by the blog fraternity.... So I would love to take this moment to thank them for their kindness & encouragement......

I would like to thank Dolly for she remembered & thought me deserving..... This Beautiful, Blogger Award....

And Renuka for sharing this Kreativ Blogger Award......

To my gladness, I was tagged too by my friendly bloggers....... for the first time, of course!!!! And I was happy to exercise this practice ..... And would like to express my gratitude to Faiza Ali, Vineetha & The Cool Lass, for tagging me with the KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD!!!!!!

So it goes as follows.......

1. Thank the person who tagged u with this TOFA
2. Flaunt the TOFA, on your blog
3. Do Not Forget To Link Them with gratitude
   
4. Share 7 truths about you, for peeps to know YOU
5. Pay it Forward to 7 other Bloggers
6. Link them too, for convenience
7. Let Them Know Of This TOFA, through comment
   

And here I exercise my tag, as below......


SEVEN TRUTHS ABOUT ME:


PERFECTIONIST - No man is perfect, but one can always try to be ... I'm in my work... I prefer things to be so..... I don't do things just for the heck of it..... I'm a perfectionist in everything I do..... Sometimes irritating others, but I do what I believe is right....

HATE - I hate double faced diplomacy.... When u know u r right , why should one hide under the sheets of diplomacy???? Why should one be a Hypocrite???? Show the real u... be it good or bad.... Take it or leave it..... Let the world decide..... But don't cream the bitter gourds.... World still loves bitter gourd, for its bitterness.... At least the other person knows what to expect from you...

EMOTIONAL - I'm basically very emotional.... I cry as much as I laugh..... I am very empathetic. I can feel the pain the opposite is undergoing.... be it physical or mental.... I am emotional about my family.... Very much about Kuku... I always reminisce my past, I feel for my present & expect my future to be emotional too as far as my Kuku is concerned.... I am proud of MY ACHIEVEMENT.....

KARMA - I strongly believe in KARMA. Good deeds always comes back to you with good..... But situations do surprise me, when they differ, from my belief..... But still believe my belief.....

SHOPAHOLIC - I have a very gr8 fascination for all good things.... be it unique things of decor or just mere possessions.... I find pride in those.... I fascinate all good clothes, shoes & hand bags..with perfection of course.... I love to adorn my collections with all that is tagged good & unique.... be it books, mugs, jewelery, clothes, handbags, shoes, artifacts, glam decor, ideas, almost everything existing..... from small to big.... Kuku says, he takes me to a hardware store, I would still find something there to suite myself & buy, of course..... LOL!!!!

TALENT - Very much into arts & crafts (U know)..... And arts..... I sing well & did dance well too... of course during college days.... I was always into extra curricular activities.... I love to perform...but again with perfection..... Kuku always says..... "Baabu mein to talent koot kootke bhara hua hain"..... which makes me feel so happy that I fly.... ;-)

LOVE - There are many other things I love too ..... I have a fascination for languages; I loved English a lot, right from childhood, was always interested in Hindi (which is now my husband tongue) & knew Kannada too, as it is my mother tongue....
Hmmm.... I love to flirt too.... I do not miss a chance to lock my eyes, with guys who seem interesting..... I simply love that.... & I love sharing those experiences with KUKU..... Life's not complete without some fun in it.... Just like our food is not complete, without pickle in it.....!!!!! GOTCHA????

Should have been seven, but I could not strike this off my list, however hard I tried...... as I talk about my health very often & I should let peeps know that I'm not suffering from CANCER, but something that has eaten me enough...... I am......

'MENSTRUALLY CHALLENGED' - The last but not the least is that I am 'M' lly Challenged.... DO NOT READ IT WRONG!!!! Not mentally but may be I would end up being so....Yes! U heard & got it right... I coined that word myself & my doctor appreciated me for doing it.... & few other 'learned' people too....

So I'm PROUD of ALL MY SKILLS & MY WORTH!!!!

Time for PAY IT FORWARD!!!!!!!!

Anybody who blogs, has that thought, it takes to blog.... & the required skills too.... Some of them are extraordinary, some are not so particular about it, some others like me, are trying to catch up everyday..... So it becomes difficult for me to pass it to a limited seven.... but since this TAG demands it..... I here by get these people tagged with it.... (Believe me it has taken a lot of research & fights with myself...to get into this conclusion........)

1. Krishnaveni from Ruchi Ruchi Adige
   
2. Elizabeth from Elizabeth's Craft Room
3. Nitya from Nits Arts & Crafts
4. Coconut Recipes from Coconut Recipes
5. Prasu from My Culinary World
6. Arundhuti S Rama from Gourmet Affair
7. Sushma from Savi Ruchi
   

Kindly accept this TOFA............ & help me & all, Know YOU............

WISHES & JOY TO ALL!!!!!

UNTIL NEXT, KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!