For The Festival ' Ganesha Chaturthi '

 

Besan Katchoris for the festival
Ings
1 Cup Fine Flour [Maida] ,
1Tsp Oil,
Salt to taste.
Method
Make a dough of fine flour, oil and add salt to taste.

Make a Stuffing
1\4 Cup Bengal Gram Flour 

[ Besan ],
1-2 Tbsp Oil,
1 Tsp Red Chilly powder,
1\2 Tsp Dry Mango powder,

[ Amchur powder],
1\2 Tsp Coriander powder,
1\4 Tsp Turmeric powder,
1\4 Tsp Garam masala,
Few pinch Hing,
One pinch Soda bi carb.
Method
Mix all and use very little water
to make a dough.

Method to make Katchoris
Make small balls from the dough.
Roll a little, put one teaspoon filling.
Seal well, roll some more and fry in oil on medium heat, until golden brown.
Serve with green chutney and sweet
chutney.

MY THANK U NOTE 4 ALL CHECKING MY BLOG.

Thanks may refer to:  Gratitude, 

an attitude of expression of thankfulness.

I would like all to  “please accept my  sincerest thanks,” for always appreciating my work.

Words cannot convey my feeling of ' Thanks' 4 supporting my cookery blog.

Quick Mix Vegetable Subzi

 

Quick Mix Vegetable Subzi
INGS
1 Cup Boiled Vegetables,
[ like Potato, Carrot, Beans, Cauliflower,Bbabycorn ],
Few pieces Paneer,
1 Tbsp Oil,
Salt and Sugar to taste,
1 Tbsp Coriander leaves for garnish.

Make a paste
1 Onion cut into pieces,
1 Tomato cut into pieces,
1\4 Cup Curd,
1-2 Green Chilly,
A piece of Ginger,
1 Tbsp Ginger n Garlic paste,
1 Tbsp Grated Coconut,
3\4 Tsp Red chilly powder,
1\4 Tsp Turmeric powder,
1\2 Tsp Coriander powder,
1\4 Tsp Cumin seeds.
Method
Boil the vegetables in water with little salt added.
Drain the vegetables and keep aside.
In a mixer jar grind all ingredients and make a paste.
Put a pan to heat, add oil, then add the paste, stir.
Cook until oil appears, now add the boiled vegetables, salt, sugar to taste. If the gravy seems thick, add some water. Also add the paneer pieces. Cover and cook for few minutes. Serve hot with a garnish of coriander leaves.

Ganesha Chaturthi Festival

Ganesha Chaturthi in Devanagari is गणेश चतुर्थी, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is the Hindu festival. Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. Ganesha Chaturthi, the great Ganesha festival, also known as 'Vinayak Chaturthi' or 'Vinayaka Chavithi' is celebrated by Hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is the birthday of Ganesha who is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi, fourth day of the waxing moon period.
Two to three months prior to Ganesh Chaturthi, artistic clay models of Lord Ganesha are made for sale by specially skilled artisans. They are beautifully decorated & depict Lord Ganesh in various poses. For 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesha is worshipped.
The festival begins with the installation of huge crafted statutes of Ganesha in homes and podiums, which have been especially constructed and beautifully decorated. On the 11th day, the statue is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, and fanfare to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of his devotees, this is the ritual known as Ganesh Visarjan.
All devotees are shouting "Ganapati Bappa Morya, Pudhachya Varshi Laukar ya" (O lord Ganesha, come again early next year).
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesh (Ganesha), the god of wisdom and prosperity on the fourth day of the moons bright fortnight, or period from new moon in the lunar month of Bhadrapada. Ganesha is the god of wisdom and prosperity and is invoked before the beginning of any auspicious work by the Hindus.
Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated mostly in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. One of the best places to experience the festival is in the city of Mumbai.
The Lalbaugcha Raja, King of Lalbaug, is undoubtedly the most famous Ganesh statue in Mumbai. The mandal was founded in 1934, and has grown to be the most visited one in the city.

A MITHAI RECIPE FROM MY COLLECTION. CHEESY MITHAI

CHEESY MITHAI

Using the leftovers .....

Quick to make. Serves Three.

INGS:

5 Tbsp Condensed Milk ,

5 Tbsp Paneer (grated ),

3\4 Tbsp Cheese

( cut into small pieces),

1 Tbsp Chocolate chips,

Chocolate sauce for garnish.

METHOD: In a pan take the milk maid and the grated Paneer, put

to heat and stir until leaves the sides of the pan. Allow to cool. 

Take the chocolate chips and 

small cut pieces of cheese, mix gently in the above mixture and

set in bowls. Set in single serve bowls. Put in fridge and serve

with some chocolate sauce.   

WHAT IS ' WOOD APPLE '

Wood apple may refer to  Bael (Aegle marmelos), a tree native to India and to Bangladesh,  Pakistan,

Sri Lanka, and southeast Asia east to Java. Woodapple is an ancient fruit of India. The Woodapple is the only species of its genus, in the family Rutaceae. The `kapittha` which is said to be Limonia acidissima, is a favourite with elephants. Besides Wood apple, it may be called elephant apple, monkey fruit, curd fruit, `kath bel` and other dialectal names in India.

The wood apple, a tree that bears edible fruit, is native to India.

The Bael fruit has a smooth, woody shell with a green, gray, or yellow peel.

The fruit is eaten fresh or dried.

If fresh, the juice is strained and sweetened to make a drink

Bael occurs in dry forests on hills and plains of northern, central and southern India.

The rind of the wood apple must be cracked with a hammer. The pulp is a sticky matter. It is pulp lifted

out and is eaten raw.

The Bel fruit, in actuality, is a herb having the botanical name, Limonia acidissima. Bel fruit has other names like wood apple, elephant apple and monkey fruit.

In Hinduism the tree is sacred. It is used in the worship of Shiva, who is said to favor the leaves.

The trifoliate leaves symbolize the trident that Shiva holds in his right hand. The fruits were used in place of coconuts . The fruit is said to resemble a skull with a white, bone-like outer shell and a soft inner part, and is sometimes called seer phael (head-fruit).

USING THE LEFTOVERS . .

Leftovers are the uneaten edible remains of a meal after the meal is over, and everyone has finished eating. Try to avoid  food wastage and save money. If using any kind of leftovers then their  food preserving facilities in airtight containers and refrigeration is very important.

Leftovers can be easily, simply and quickly be turned into new dishes with few ideas to be be able to use the  left over foods. How about using leftover bread slices to make bread crumbs. 

Or using the bread slices to make a tasty bread pudding. For making this grease a baking dish, break the bread slices into pieces, put cut fruits of your choice, sprinkle some castor sugar, pour milk, a drop of vanilla essence. Put in preheated oven at 180 degrees centigrade for 15 to 20 minutes or until bread looks golden brown.

Collect Chicken and Turkey carcasses and make great stocks.

Use leftover Sponge or Chocolate Cake or Brownie  to make delicious milk shakes,trifles

or as crumble  for puddings. RECIPE FOR BROWNIE MILK SHAKE. In a mixer jar put crumbles of leftover brownie, chilled milk, pieces of leftover biscuit, sugar, ice cream 

and ice. Churn well and serve in a tall glass

with grated chocolate as garnish.

Use leftover cooked vegetables by mixing

with leftover rice. Try it this way...

Put a pan to heat add some oil, add sliced

onion, ginger garlic paste. Stir for few minutes, also sprinkle 1-2 pinch salt, now add the leftover vegetables and the rice. Sprinkle some water to refresh the rice. 

Serve with a garnish of  oriander leaves.

In all Indian home, leftover Idlis is very common. Try this simple recipe to create a 

new starter.

Cut the idlis in long pieces, put a pan to heat.

In it add some oil, cut garlic and sliced onions.

Stir for few minutes, add long cut capsicum and cabbage. Now add the cut idlis and szechuan

sauce, soy sauce and tomato sauce, also add salt, pepper powder to taste. Serve with a garnish of spring onions.

Mix leftover mashed potatoes with chopped onion and grated cheese, use as stuffing between two bread slices to make tasty grilled toasted sandwich.

A useful tip, when leftovers have been in the refrigerator too long or if they look or smell unusual, just throw them out!

Try to eat any refrigerated leftovers within four days to reduce the risk of food poisoning. Or else

contaminated food causes food poisoning with signs like abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

 

USING THE LEFTOVERS .. .
MITHAI FROM LEFTOVER SWEETS..
[The leftover miithai is on the right side of the picture...]
INGREDIENTS AND METHOD: PUT 1\4 CUP MILK TO BOIL, ADD 2 PIECES OF LEFTOVER MITHAI,[ MILK BASED,] STIR. CHECK IF ANY SUGAR IS NEEDED.
WHEN BEGINS TO THICKEN, ADD, 4-5 TBSP OF CUT ALMONDS AND 1 TBSP DRY ORANGE PEEL, CUT INTO SMALL PIECES. WHEN MIXTURE LEAVES THE SIDES OF THE PAN, POUR IN THE GREASED MOLDS,OR A PLATE.

WHAT IS LEFT OVER FOOD..? ? ?

IDLIS WITH LEFTOVERS ......

FOR TOPPING USE MASALA DOSAS  POTATO SUBZI AS TOPPING AND MAKE INSTANT IDLIS.

METHOD FOR POTATO SUBZI:

PUT A PAN TO HEAT, ADD 1 TSP OIL, SOME MUSTARD SEEDS, FEW CURRY LEAVES AND

1\4 TSP URAD DAL. NOW ADD SLICED ONION, STIR FOR FEW MINUTES, SPRINKLE LITTLE SALT ALSO ADD BOILED AND MASHED POTATOES, CHECK THE SALT AND ALSO  ADD LITTLE RED CHILLY POWDER AND TURMERIC POWDER.IN THE IDLI MOULD AT THE BASE SPREAD ONE TEA SPOON POTATO SUBZI AND ON IT THE IDLI BATTER. PUT IN STEAMER UNTIL DONE. SERVE WITH COCONUT CHUTNEY.

TIP: USE A COOKIE MOULD TO CUT AND GIVE SHAPE TO THE SIDES OF IDLIS..

WHAT IS LEFT OVER FOOD..

Leftover food waste is a serious problem because how to use it, not waste the food

but to bring to use in some way or the other. Why are people throwing away the left over food ? There are so many things you can do

with leftovers. Use them in soups, salads, 

main dishes and desserts.

Any leftover vegetables transform that into soups. Keep the leftover food safe in the freezer. Use the leftover vegetables as soup, add in gravies. Go ahead add leftover steak or chicken into a salad.

Use leftover chicken or ground beef on pizza as toppings. Leftover pasta can be used in a fresh sauce or add to a salad.  Leftover beans can be added to Tacos or Burritos, Spaghetti Sauce.

Use any left over breads as breadcrumbs or croutons and add to fruit chaat or salads.

Make tasty muffins using leftover vegetables by grinding them and mixing in flour, add salt and any other seasoning of your choice, also add little grated cheese and pour in greased molds and put in oven to bake. Leftover fruits that are not fresh enough, make a puree, put in a pan to heat, add little juice, sugar and let it thicken to become a sauce. Use it on ice creams.

 Use any leftover sponge or chocolate cake that has gone a little dry to make a tasty ‘trifle’ pudding..

Don't throw out leftover coffee. Freeze it into coffee ice cubes iced coffee..

BE HAPPY IN WHAT U ARE DOING . .

" ENJOY WHAT U ARE DOING "

Job satisfaction implies doing a job one enjoys, doing it well, and being suitably rewarded for one's efforts. Job satisfaction further implies enthusiasm and happiness with one's work.

Osho said: "Somebody who could have been a painter is a doctor. Somebody who could have been

a good doctor is a businessman. Everybody is displaced. Everybody is doing something he never wanted to do. Hence unhappiness. Happiness happens when you fit with your life. When you fit so harmoniously that whatever you 

are doing is your joy." In other words, one should choose the 

work according to what one is 

and not what one knows.

Mood and emotions form the affective element of job  satisfaction.

The happier  people are within their job, the more satisfied they are said to be.

Job satisfaction is a very important attribute for all.

When one is happy doing, what that person always wanted to do.

Then the  work has value and heightens the person's sense of achievement and self-worth.

Flat Noodles Chinese Style . .

 

Flat Noodles Chinese Style
INGS
1 Packet flat noodles,
1\4 cup Carrot,
1\4 Onion,
1\4 cup Spring Onion,
2 tbsp Oil,
1 tsp Garlic or garlic paste,
1 tbsp Peanut coarsely ground,
Salt to taste.
Mix all in a bowl . .
2 tbsp Peanut Butter,
2 tbsp Soy Sauce,
2 tbsp Chilly or Szechuan Sauce,
1 tsp Sugar,
1 tsp Tomato Sauce.
METHOD
Boil the noodles in lots of water in which little
oil and salt is added. Drain and keep aside.
Mix all the sauces in a bowl.
Cut carrot in long, thin pieces, slice the onion,
also cut the spring onion.
Put a pan to heat, add oil, garlic or it's paste.
Stir and add the onion and carrot, also add half
the quantity of spring onion.
Now add the sauces mixture and the noodles.
Add the salt and serve hot with a garnish of
spring onion and sprinkle the coarsely ground peanuts.

Szechuan Chinese Roll . . .

Chinese Szechuan Roll
INGS
4 Slices of Bread,
1 Boiled Potato,
1 Tbsp Cut Spring Onion,
1 Tbsp Onion Cut,
1 Tbsp Coarsely Ground Peanuts { Roasted },
Oil to fry,
1Tbsp Szechuan sauce,
Salt and Pepper powder to taste.
METHOD
Cut the sides of the bread slices.
Put a pan to heat, add few drops of oil,
also add onion, spring onion, fry for few
seconds.
In a bowl mash the boiled potato, add the

fried onion, szechuan sauce, ground peanut

and salt, pepper powder to taste.
Roll each slice of bread with the rolling pin.
Put the filling (1tsp ), in each, fold into half.
Apply some water to seal the edges.
Put oil to heat to fry. Fry until golden brown.
Serve hot.

tonnes of tips . . tips .... tips

TIP:  COOK PEAS AND CABBAGE WITH OUT
SALT, THEY WILL COOK BETTER.
TIP :  WHILE COOKING DAL IN PRESSURE COOKER ADD DROPS OF OIL OR BUTTER  IT WILL COOK FASTER. 
TIP :  NEVER BOIL OR PRESSURE COOK 
RAJMA WITH SALT IT WILL MORE TO COOK.
TIP :  COOK FENUGREEK (METHI LEAVES ) 
WITH LITTLE SUGAR TO OVERCOME BITTERNESS. 
TIP :  BOIL PASTA WITH SALT AND LITTLE OIL SO THAT THEY DO NOT STICK TO EACH OTHER AND TASTE  BETTER.
TIP :  ALWAYS BOIL| BLANCH THE VEGETABLES WITH A PINCH OF SUGAR TO RETAIN THEIR COLOR.
TIP:  BOIL POTATOES WITH LITTLE VINEGAR 
TO GET WHITE POTATOES AFTER BOILING.
TIP :  COOK THE GREEN LEAFY VEGGIES WITH 
A PINCH OF SUGAR TO RETAIN ITS COLOR.
TIP :  BOIL CORN ON COB WITH A PINCH 
OF SUGAR TO RETAIN ITS SWEETNESS. 
AVOID ADDING SALT AS THEY WILL TOUGHEN.
TIP :  COOK LADY'S FINGER WITH FEW DROPS OF LIME JUICE TO MAKE IT CRISP.
TIP :  COOK LADY'S FINGER WITH LITTLE CURD, SO THAT THEY DO NOT STICK TO THE PAN.
TIP :  COOK MUSHROOMS WITH DROPS OF LEMON JUICE TO RETAIN THE WHITE COLOR.
TIP :  COOK CAULIFLOWER WITH ONE OR TWO SPOONS OF MILK, THEY WILL REMAIN WHITE..

REMEMBER WHEN BUYING THE FRUITS . . .

REMEMBER WHEN BUYING THE FRUITS . . .

Grapes do not  ripen, once they have been picked. So buy grapes that are firmly attached, plump, bright and those looking fresh.
Do not buy the soft or wrinkled grapes. 


Select Pomegranates by weight and not 
by color. Check the outside of a ripe pomegranate, it should be from pink to a 
deep ruby red. Keep in mind that the heavier
the pomegranates the better it is. 


Slightly green Papayas will ripen quickly at 
room temperature, if wrapped in newspaper. 
So buy Papayas that are partly or completely yellow in color.


In Mango season never buy completely green mangoes, as they may never ripen, but choose firm plump mangoes.

COOKING IS FUN

COOKING IS FUN

Cooking is that all enjoy some time or the other. Cooking is just one of those things that people have to do. Try different menus and recipes 

for your family. All families have their favorite foods.

Cooking should be a chance to experience

new foods and bring people of the family 

closer together. 

Try making cooking fun.  Let everyone choose

a meal, so that all are involved in making the menu, and making their choices in what they would like to eat.

Start by choosing a  easy recipe, go and buy

all the ingredients. Get the whole family to 

help slice, dice, and cut the various vegetables. The main aim is to get everyone involved.

This can become a  great activity to learn together with your children, your spouse 

and other family members. Allow your kids

and  your husband to help you in the kitchen,  don’t fuss when they make a mess. When cooking becomes  fun for families then when  they get older, they would learn how to love

the kitchen. Also remember, we learn from 

our mistakes. They learn to help in  cleaning 

up.

Take lots of pictures to record your cooking experience together.

Home cooking brings memories and one 

would like to say, "just like mom used to make".

What's fun about '  home cooking '  is that the recipes and the ingredients are all that you 

grew up with. All ingredients are those that 

are  easily available at home.

Cooking the same dishes all the time can 

become boring and tiresome.  So everyone desires to save time. While cooking and wish to  have a  healthy life.  Then have  a healthy cooking style for healthy life. When cooking becomes a daily routine and boring, bring 

new easy recipes and see the smiles on your family members face enjoying the food. Don’t 

be afraid to try new things.

Food is just not our basic need for all to 

survive; it is also one of our greatest passions.

So food easily makes it’s way to  everybody’s heart.

There are so many cooking tips to make our work easy and this helps us to save time also.

There are so many  simple solutions to every 

day kitchen problems.

Cooking teaches many life skills including planning ahead, improvising and of course learning from our mistakes.

latest tips . . tips . .

MAKE CRISP SAMOSAS BY ADDING FEW DROPS OF LIME JUICE WHILE MAKING THE DOUGH..

Freeze the Cheese  for twenty five minutes before grating. It will shred | grate  easily.

Boil  corn for up to 3 minutes, adding it to
the boiling water without any salt.

Avoid the acidic taste of tomatoes when cooking, so add  a pinch of Soda Bicarbonate to it.

The first rule 4 baking is to ' Preheat the Oven ' .

Measure ingredients exact, whenever baking.


Always remember ' Baking powder is a combination of baking soda and an acid.'

 

THE CHINESE FLAVOR IN FOODS . . .

The history of Chinese cuisine may be traced back to Peking Man and his control of fire and the invention of some form of cooking, some 400,000 years ago. Some accounts of the history of Chinese cuisine takes the beginning to the Chinese stone age, where the cultivation of rice and the production of noodles were found.

Chinese food is extremely diverse. China covers a large territory and has many nationalities; hence there is a wide variety of Chinese foods, each with quite different but fantastic and mouthwatering flavors.  China's local dishes have their own typical characteristic taste.
The Chinese are particular about the color, smell, flavor and shape of food and the "harmony of five flavors".
The salty flavor is the simplest and most important one among the five flavors, the sour flavor is of vinegar in dishes in order to help digestion. Then the spicy flavor is the most pungent and complex one among the five flavors.
The bitter flavor comes from the bitter seasonings used in order to  remove the fishy smell and bring out the flavor of meat.
The sweet flavor can be a neutralizer among the  basic flavors, since excessive salty, sour, spicy or bitter flavor can be balanced.
The Chinese food must look   "fresh and delicious". Chinese cuisine is one of the greatest methods of cooking. The Chinese people enjoy eating good food at all levels of society so cooking has developed into a very sophisticated art.  "Eating is the utmost important part of life."
A delightful and delicious meal creates happiness, harmony, mental and physical well-being.
Prosperity is another element that has influenced Chinese cooking.
Most Chinese dishes are cooked with meat and vegetables together, so the foods contain lower calories and are less rich than Western style food. Vegetables stay bright and crisp by cooking them for a short time over high heat, either in their own juice or in a small amount of water. This Chinese  method retains most of the vitamins and minerals.

Recipe for Happiness

Recipe for Happiness 
1 cup of Confidence,
1 cup of Love,
In a pan of Happiness mix
the above add a touch of Tenderness and a tablespoon
of Trust stir well in the
"Sunshine"roll out a Loving
crust flour with Contentment
keep it free from strife
fill with Understanding &

bake well with your Life.

SERVE WITH A BIG SMILE . . .

REMEMBER WHEN BUYING THE FRUITS . . .

REMEMBER WHEN BUYING THE FRUITS . . .

Grapes do not  ripen, once they have been picked. So buy grapes that are firmly attached, plump, bright and those looking fresh. Do not buy the soft or wrinkled grapes. 


Select Pomegranates by weight and not by color.  Check the outside of a ripe pomegranate, it should be from pink to a deep ruby red. Keep in mind that the heavier the pomegranates the better it is. 


Slightly green Papayas will ripen quickly at room temperature, if wrapped in newspaper. So buy
Papayas that are partly or completely yellow in color.


In Mango season never buy completely green mangoes, as they may never ripen, but choose firm plump mangoes.

Rakhi Shaped Biscuits

 

Rakhi Shaped Biscuits
INGS :
3\4 Cup Fine flour ( maida ) ,
1\4 Cup White Butter,
1\4 Tsp Baking Powder,
3Tbsp Castor Sugar,
A pinch salt,
Few spoons Milk to make the dough.
For decoration . . .
Few Sugar coated Jelly cut into pieces,
1 Tsp Chocolate Chips,
Few Silver Balls.
METHOD :
Mix fine flour, rub white butter into it.
Also add the sugar, salt and baking powder.
Make a dough using milk.
Divide the dough into two balls, roll the first one
and using a bottle lid, cut rounds.
Place in a baking tray, preheat the oven.
Now roll the second one and cut stripes, cut each into half. Put each piece on the opposite sides of the circle.
Decorate each rakhi shaped biscuit with the jelly, chocolate chips and silver balls.
Put in the oven to bake at 160 degrees centigrade.
for 8- 10 minutes. Later the temperature to 110 degree centigrade for few more minutes.

WHAT DOES 'RAKSHA BANDHAN' MEAN ..

The name  'Raksha Bandhan'  suggests 'a bond of protection'. On this auspicious day, brothers make a promise to their sisters to protect them from all harms and troubles and the sisters prays to God to protect their brother from all evil. The festival falls on the Shravan Purnima which comes generally in the month of August. Sisters tie the silk thread called ' Rakhi ' on their brother's wrist .

Raksha Bandhan celebration is the festival to express the immaculate love between brothers and sisters. Raksha Bandhan is also a day to celebrate the sacred relation of a brother and

a sister.

Around mid-August, Hindus all over the world celebrate Raksha bandhan. The words "Raksha" means protection, and "bandhan" means bound or binding. It is so good to have a brother or sister, the ones  don't realize how lucky they are.  Sure,  brother and sister may  fight a lot, but to know that there's always somebody there, somebody that's family. Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet, is a 

cute quote.

There are historical evidences of Raksha Bandhan celebration from the Indian history. 

Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun, read on .

The story of Rani Karnavati and Emperor Humayun is the most significant evidence in the history. During the medieval era, Rajputs were fighting Muslim invasions. Rakhi at that time meant a spiritual binding and protection of sisters was foremost. When Rani Karnawati the widowed queen of the king of Chittor realised that she could in no way  defend the invasion of the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun. The Emperor touched by the gesture started off with his troops without wasting any time…

Lord Krishna killed the evil King Shishupal  to protect the good people.  Krishna was hurt during the war and left with bleeding finger. Seeing this, Draupati had torn a strip of cloth from her sari and tied around his wrist to stop the bleeding. Lord Krishna, realizing her affections and concern for him, declared himself bounded by her sisterly love. He promised her to repay this debt whenever she need in future. Many years later, when the pandavas lost Draupathi in the game of dice and Kauravas were removing her sari, Krishna helped her divinely elongating the sari,  so that they could not remove it…

The practice of tying the  thread was prevalent among the Rajputs and our history is full of instances related to the significance of this tradition

At the time of war when the brave Rajput soldiers prepared to go to the battlefield, the women folk followed this  ritual of tying a thread around their wrist .

The rich Indian mythology provides a religious reason to celebrate the day in a specific way.

Many epics are related to the day and the origin of Raksha Bandhan.

LOADS OF TIPS . .

TIP:  COOK PEAS AND CABBAGE WITH OUT 
SALT, THEY WILL COOK BETTER.
TIP :  WHILE COOKING DAL IN PRESSURE COOKER ADD DROPS OF OIL OR BUTTER  IT WILL COOK FASTER. 
TIP :  NEVER BOIL OR PRESSURE COOK RAJMA WITH SALT IT WILL MORE TO COOK.
TIP :  COOK FENUGREEK (METHI LEAVES ) WITH LITTLE SUGAR TO OVERCOME BITTERNESS. 
TIP :  BOIL PASTA WITH SALT AND LITTLE OIL SO THAT THEY DO NOT STICK TO EACH OTHER AND TASTE  BETTER.
TIP :  ALWAYS BOIL| BLANCH THE VEGETABLES WITH A PINCH OF SUGAR TO RETAIN THEIR COLOR.
TIP:  BOIL POTATOES WITH LITTLE VINEGAR
TO GET WHITE POTATOES AFTER BOILING.
TIP :  COOK THE GREEN LEAFY VEGGIES WITH
A PINCH OF SUGAR TO RETAIN ITS COLOR.
TIP :  BOIL CORN ON COB WITH A PINCH
OF SUGAR TO RETAIN ITS SWEETNESS. 
 AVOID ADDING SALT AS THEY WILL TOUGHEN.
TIP :  COOK LADY'S FINGER WITH FEW DROPS OF LIME JUICE TO MAKE IT CRISP.
TIP :  COOK LADY'S FINGER WITH LITTLE CURD, SO THAT THEY DO NOT STICK TO THE PAN.
TIP :  COOK MUSHROOMS WITH DROPS OF LEMON JUICE TO RETAIN THE WHITE COLOR.
TIP :  COOK CAULIFLOWER WITH ONE OR TWO SPOONS OF MILK, THEY WILL REMAIN WHITE..

A useful tip 4 making subzis . .

Make tasty rich gravy for subzi...
Take boiled onion, add few cashew nuts, ginger, garlic, green chilly, a cardamom, cinnamon and clove. Grind to a fine paste, using few spoons curd. Additional almonds will do the magic.

Canapes with various fillings : 4 fillings.

The left canape has corn as filling and the right pic, canapes have chola filling .

 

Canapes with various fillings : 4 fillings.
First Filling of Chola, right pic.
INGS
9 Canapes [ easily available in the market] ,
1 tsp Green chutney, 1 tsp Sweet chutney,
1 tsp Pomegranate, 2 tsp Sev.
Make chola for the filling..
INGS:
1 Cup Kabuli Channa ( Chickpeas),
1 Tsp Channa Dal,
2 Tbsp Oil,
Salt to taste.
Grind to a paste :
1 Onion chopped,
1 Tomato small size, chopped,
1\4 Tsp Turmeric powder,
1\2 Tsp Red Chilly powder,
1 Tbsp Choley masala powder,
Few cloves Garlic,
A Piece Ginger,
1-2 Green Chilly.
Pressure cook chola with the below :
A Pinch Soda-bi-carb powder,
4-5 Tbsp Little Black Tea.
METHOD: Soak the chickpeas and channa dal overnight. Next day pressure cook both together along with the soda and the black tea.
Grind in a mixer jar onion, tomato, chilly, garlic, ginger, choley masala, turmeric powder and red chilly powder to a fine paste.
Put a pan to heat add the oil, the paste and cook\ stir until oil appears. Now add the cooked choley and add salt, cover and allow to cook for 10 minutes.
Fry the ready made canapes to refresh them.
Fill the chola, dot with both the chutney, garnish with sev and pomegranate.

Second Filling for the left side canapes...
MAKE A FILLING OF WHITE SAUCE IN WHICH BOILED CORN AND BLANCHED SPINACH (CUT) HAS BEEN ADDED, TOPPED WITH CHEESE..

THIRD TYPE FILLING..
Make a filling of finely diced tomato, garlic and onion and mix together with a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper and chopped basil.

Fourth filling ... Last interesting filling for canapes could be made as follows..
Put a pan to heat add oil or butter, add finely cut onion, garlic, stir now add finely cut mushroom pieces. Also add salt, pepper powder, grated cheese and some cream. Cook until the mushrooms are soft, use this as a ' filling ' for the canapes. Top with cheese and put in oven until the cheese melts.

A leavening agent the Baking soda and Baking powder.

A leavening agent is any one of a number of substances used in doughs and batters that cause a foaming action which lightens and softens the finished product. The leavening agent incorporates gas bubbles into the dough.

Many names such as baking soda, bread soda, cooking soda, and bicarbonate of soda.

Sodium bicarbonate, referred to as "baking soda" is primarily used in cooking (baking), as

a leavening agent. It reacts with acidic components in batters, releasing carbon dioxide, which causes expansion of the batter. Acidic compounds that induce phosphates, cream of tartar, lemon juice, yogurt, buttermilk, cocoa, vinegar, etc. Sodium bicarbonate can be substituted for baking powder.

Sodium bicarbonate was sometimes used in cooking vegetables, to make them softer and retain their color.

Baking powder is a dry chemical leavening 

agent used to increase the volume and lighten the texture of baked goods such as muffins, cakes, scones and North American biscuits.

Baking powder works by releasing carbon dioxide gas into a batter or dough through 

an acid base reaction, causing bubbles in 

the wet mixture to expand and thus leavening the mixture. It is used instead of yeast.

Generally for one cup,  one teaspoon (5ml)

of baking powder is used to raise a mixture.

Baking powder is generally just baking soda mixed with an acid.

In recipes where a recipe already uses buttermilk, vinegar  or yogurt, then baking 

soda can be used without cream of tartar (or with less). Alternatively, lemon juice can be substituted for some of the liquid in the recipe, to provide the required acidity to activate the baking soda.

Few other use of baking soda,  try to clean vegetables and fruit with baking soda.

Clean your fridge and freezer with dry soda sprinkled on a damp cloth. The fridge will become odor free.

Keep  flowers fresh longer by adding a 

teaspoon of baking soda to the water in the vase.

DAHI , YOGURT, CURD AS IT IS KNOW ....

' Dahi ' the word comes from Dadhi which is a Sanskrit word. Dahi is had all over the world.

In India, the word curd  means only plain yogurt or dahi. Yogurt  is a dairy product produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. Fermentation of lactose produces lactic acid, which acts on milk protein to give yogurt its texture and its characteristic tang.

Dahi is made in few simple steps. First milk is boiled then allowed to cool. In the milk, a inoculated starter is added and then it is left to set. The ' inoculated starter'  dahi is previous day's dahi which is added and this contains micro organisms, which start to grow fast and also ferment. This process of fermentation stops when a level of acidity is reached. This acid level mixes with the calcium to form calcium lactate. Dahi to set depends on the weather, the starter added has to be satisfactory, so that the end product is of desirable taste.  Another important aspect is whether milk is too hot? . Then the set dahi will be sour and  leave water on top. If the milk is not properly hot, it will not set well. Most important Tip is do not shift, change the place  of the container in which dahi is set once it is kept.

Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, an Avatar of 

the Hindu deity Vishnu.

Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of the dark half or Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadrapada in the Hindu calendar.

On that  day at midnight, the idol of the infant Krishna is bathed, adorned in new clothes and

jewellery and  placed in a cradle and worshiped. The fast is completed after aarti, a special prayer that is  offered.

The next day  after  Janmaashtami,  is popularly known in Mumbai and Pune as Dahi Handi,.

the Dahi Handi  celebrate God's playful and mischievous side, where teams of young men form human pyramids to reach a high hanging pot of butter and break it called  Gokulashtami. 

Dahi in India,also known as  curd  is by used large population. People often add dahi  in several types of foods prepared by them.  Srikhand is also made from dahi, it is partially strained through a cloth to remove the whey. This process produces a solid mass in which a required amount of sugar is also added. Srikhand is a semi soft, sweetish sour milk product widely used in India.

There is a  introduction of wide variety of flavored dahi. Dahi used to be set in earthen pots also.

Dahi can be had as it will give our body calcium and phosphorous.

It will give good appetite and vitality.

The one's with ' lactose in tolerance' can have dahi as the process of making dahi converts the

lactose into lactic acid. Enjoy dahi in your daily diet.

PART TWO , RECIPES FROM MY COLLECTION ..

VARIOUS USES OF DAHI ....

MAKE TASTY DAHI VADAS
Make 4 Vadas as per recipe and
soak in water for few hours.
To make Dahi Vadas need :
3 Cups of Curd, Salt, Red Chilly Pd,
Cumin Pd, Pepper pd and sugar to taste.
METHOD :
Squeeze out the water from the soaked
vadas.
Churn the curd well and mix all masalas

as per taste.
Put the vadas into curd and put in fridge to chill.
Serve topped with green chutney and sweet chutney.
Sprinkle some red chilly pd and cumin pd.

RAITA FEAST
CURD\ YOUGURT BASE
( Top left is cucumber, top right
is mint raita, centre left is onion,
centre right is boondi raita and
bottom one is palak raita).

Method for Cucumber Raita is:
1 grated cucumber , also need 1 cup thick beaten curd, in that add the cucumber from which juice squeezed out.
Also add little sugar(1tsp), pepper pd, salt, cumin pd (1\2tsp).
Mix well, now make a tempering or a tadka 

of oil, mustard seeds and curry leaves.

Mint |Pudina Raita
Need 1 cup thick beaten curd, mint chutney| paste, 7-8 tbsps , Made from, mint leaves.
Mix well, add salt, pepper pd, Cumin pd and sugar to taste.
Onion Achari Raita, also take 1 cup thick,

beaten curd and one sliced onion. Mix both and add 1\4 tsp red chilly pd, cumin pd, salt to taste. But the most important is mango pickle’s masala
and some oil. (one teaspoon of each).

Boondi Raita : Need 1 cup thick, beaten curd

add 1\4 cup boondi to it. Also add 1\4 tsp red chilly pd, cumin pd and sugar, salt to taste.

Palak Raita : 1 cup thick & beaten curd. Wash & cut palak leaves finely cut, spread on a kitchen cloth. Sprinkle some corn flour on the cut palak leaves. Put oil to heat and fry the palak leaves then spread on a paper napkin.
Mix curd , palak leaves , pepper pd , sugar & salt.

RECIPES FROM MY COLLECTION PART ONE

USES OF DAHI....

 

PINK LASSIE
INGS:
1 Cup curd
1 Tbsp Castor Sugar
1 Tbsp Rose Syrup
3-4 Tbsp Crushed Ice
METHOD:
Churn the curd, rose syrup and the the sugar.
Also add the ice and serve chilled lassie with a drizzle of rose syrup on top…

TRY TO MAKE MOST TASTY FLAVORED YOGURT |DAHI AT HOME.
WHEN YOU SET THE CURD AT THAT MOMENT IN MILK ADD LITTLE CURD 2 SET IT, AND ALSO ADD FEW BANANA PIECES, SOME MASHED,
BANANA ALSO.
LEAVE IT 2 SET..
A FLAVORED YOGURT WILL BE READY.PUT IN FRIDGE TO CHILL.

MAKE STRAWBERRY FLAVORED DAHI WITH CRUSHED FRESH STRAWBERRY AND FEW CUT PIECES. ALSO ADD SOME STRAWBERRY
PUREE OR CRUSH.. A TASTY DAHI WILL BE READY.

MAKE TASTY CARDAMOM AND SAFFRON FLAVORED DAHI.
THIS IS FLAVORED CURD WITH SAFFRON +SEEDS OF ONE CARDAMOM CRUSHED + LITTLE SUGAR POWDERED, ADDED WHEN THE CURD IS SET. AFTER IT SETS PUT IN THE FRIDGE AND SERVE COLD…

food mood connection....

DO you know fresh fruit juices n vegetable salads are gr8 way to healthy eating.

Fresh juices boost energy levels n put back 

the sparkle in your eyes.

Eat sprouts as they are nutrition dense n 

most potent source of life.

The sprouting process increases, vitamins

n minerals content of the seeds

even higher than fiber. Daily exercise will 

help to put away fatigue n depression.

Happiness n Well being are determined by certain chemicals n hormones in the blood stream.

Do you feel that you had frequent spells of irritability, depression, temper tantrums ?

So did you directly relate it to stress, fatigue

or tension  ?

There is a world of psycho dietetics,  its a 

branch of study to understand the relationship of nutrition

to personality. Mood swings, bad temper, frequent upsets and emotional out burst 

are directly linked to the kind of food you 

eat.

How does food effect mood ?

There are rich foods as soft drinks, ice creams, toffees, pastries n so on.

The rich food directly assault on the Pancreas

n this triggers the Pancreas to increase insulin production, resulting in sharp decline of blood sugar levels.

When this happens (fall in blood sugar ) the adrenal glands come into high gear to bring 

back to normal.

So they send "Distress Signals " to the body which causes physical n mental exhaustion.

This is when one starts to become irritable n 

bad tempered n nothing but food that to the richer food will mellow your mood , the vicious cycle will go on n on.

The advice is to eat in "Moderation " , small helpings of such food stuf like sweets

and desserts.

WHAT IS ' AFTERNOON TEA TIME..' ...

Afternoon tea time
Tea can refer to any of several different meals 
or mealtimes, depending on a country's customsand its history of drinking tea.
As a custom the  tea time is usually scheduled from mid to late afternoon.
Afternoon tea traditionally known as low tea,
is a light meal snack typically eaten between 2pm and 5pm. The custom of drinking tea originated in England. Traditionally, loose tea
is brewed in a teapot and served in teacups 
with milk and sugar. High tea  is an early evening meal, typically eaten between 5pm 
and 7pm.  It is now largely followed by a later lighter evening meal.
The actual time of tea time varies significantly depending upon your location in the world.
We often think of taking tea, especially with a light to heavy snack, as uniquely British.
The “high tea” was  a way to distinguish it 
from “low tea” or afternoon tea.
The words 'low' and 'high' refer to the tables from which either tea meal was eaten.
Low tea was served in a sitting room where 
low tables (like a coffee table) were placed 
near sofas or chairs generally.
The word high referred to a table, this one 
on a dining room table, and it would be loaded with substantial dinner dishes like meats, cheese, breads, perhaps the classic shepherd's pie or steak and kidney pie.
Occasionally, tea time refers to morning breaks or coffee breaks that would occur at about 10:00 AM.
Elevenses is a snack that is similar to afternoon tea, but eaten in the morning.
It consist of some cake or biscuits with a cup of coffee or tea.
A tea party is a formal, ritualized gathering for afternoon tea.
A coffee break is a routine social gathering for 
a snack and short downtime practiced by employees in business and industry, corresponding with the Commonwealth terms "elevenses", "morning tea", "tea break", or even just "tea". An afternoon coffee break, or afternoon tea, sometimes occurs as well.
A tea ceremony is a ritual  form of making tea.
It refers to either  Chinese tea ceremony, Japanese tea ceremony or the Korean tea ceremony.
A coffee ceremony is a ritual  form of making and drinking coffee. The coffee ceremony is one of the most recognizable parts of Arab, Eritrean and Ethiopian culture.
Traditionally, high tea was a working class meal served on a high table at the end of the workday, shortly after five PM.
"Afternoon" Tea has developed over time, it has become an elegant affair. You're wrong because "High" Tea was often enjoyed by the British working class as their evening supper, with heartier fare than the tea sandwiches and scones that are now associated with tea parties.
 Tea Etiquette.
Do not stir your tea, with your tea spoon, in sweeping circular motions. Place your tea spoon at the six o'clock position and softly fold the liquid towards the twelve o'clock position two or three times. Never leave your tea spoon in your tea cup. When not in use, place your tea spoon on the right side of the tea saucer.
Nowadays, a formal afternoon tea is usually taken as a treat in a hotel, cafe or tea shop.
In India, having tea around 5:30 in the evening along with a couple of samosas and biscuits is considered to be "high tea".
Just think of all the fun it will be to gather your closest friends  to have a tea party ?
The joy of a ladies tea party, is that you can sit down with your guests and enjoy the party.
Any occasion is a great reason to have a tea party,

lots of information 2 share...

    TIP 4 THE DAY..
Cooking with less oil, no butter or low fat butter substitutes can make a huge difference.

Have a healthy life by having fresh fruits cut  and added to yogurt, instead of the wonderful dessert .

Few most important herbs are Basil, Clove, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger, Mint, Oregano,Parsley, Turmeric, these are few to mention..

Greek cuisine uses some flavorings more often like oregano, mint, garlic, onion, dill and bay laurel leaves. Other common herbs and spices include basil, thyme and fennel seed.

Vegetarian Substitutes to meat, try eating 'Tofu ' is another great choice for protein rich food. Cook any sauce, and add tofu, if cooked well it could pass off as a meat dish.

Nothing can be as great a protein substitute as Soya bean products.

People wanting to replace eggs in their diet, tofu is a very good replacement .

RAKSHA BANDHAN SPECIAL RECIPES FROM MY COLLECTION.

Raksha Bandhan In Sravan the festive of ' Raksha Bandhan ' is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of [Shravan] in August . When  brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of affection. Sisters tie a special band on their brothers' wrist on the day of Rakhi as a mark of affection, it is called 'Rakhi ' .

 

CHEESE POPS

MAKES 6 PIECES

INGS:

2 Boiled and Grated Potatoes,

6 Small, Cut pieces of Cheese, 1 Tbsp Butter,

2 Tbsp Grated Cheese, 4 Slices of bread made

into Crums, 4 Tbsp Fine Flour ( Maida ), Salt

and Pepper pd to taste, Oil to fry..

METHOD:

Grate together the potatoes and cheese.

Mix into this half the bread crumbs and also

the butter.

Now add salt and pepper pd to taste and make

6 balls, in the center put a small piece of cheese and seal well.

Make a paste of fine flour using water and dip each ball then coat in the remaining bread crumbs. Fry in hot oil,

serve hot with tomato sauce.

IDLY BHEL

(Recipe for left over Idlis ) 

Ing :-

Steamed cut idlis ( mini idlis can be ideal )

2 tbsp cut onions, capsicum ,

2 tbsp cut carrot ( thinly cut )

Butter to fry ,  little mustard seeds ,

Little Turmeric pd,  1\2 tsp red chilly pd,

Sweet chutney , coriander & mint chutney ,

Sev to sprinkle , 2 tbsp Anaar dana 

( pomegranate),

Salt to taste.

Method :-

Put a pan to heat , add little butter , mustard seeds, then add the cut Idlis.

Saute , add salt , turmeric pd and red chilly pd. Take it off the heat , keep aside.

Put another pan to heat, add little butter , onions, carrots, capsicum.

Stir add red chilly pd and salt to taste. 

Take it off  the heat.

On a plate first arrange all the idlis, top it the vegetable layer, pour the sweeet chutney

and  coriander & mint chutney. Sprinkle the sev and use  anaar dana as garnish.