Wish all my friends a very Happy New Year 2013. Just few hours left to enter a whole new year and here I am to share with you a delicious herbed chicken recipe as promised in my earlier post broccoli rice. I am sure you all will like this yummy and healthy chicken with this lovely salad. Enjoy !
Herbed Chicken With Radish Pepper Salad
Ingredients
4 boneless chicken breast peices
1tsp chopped ginger
2tspchopped garlic
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro and mint leaves
1/2 tsp thyme
1tbsplemon juice
2tspolive oil For Radish Pepper Salad
1/2 cup radish strips
1/2 cupred and yellow bell pepper
1/4 cupcarrots strips
1 onion rings
2tspmustard sauce
1tsp red whine vinegar
1/2 tspsugar (optional)
1 tspolive oil
to tastesalt and pepper
Cooking Directions
Make smooth paste of cilantro, mint, ginger, garlic.
Marinate the breast piece with this herbed mixture for 4 to 5 hours.
Grill on a medium flame about 6 to 8 minutes on each side.
For radish pepper salad. Blanched radish and carrot.
Take a oil, mustard sauce, sugar if using, salt, pepper, red whine vinegar in a bowl and mix well. Now in a bowl take pepper , radish and carrot add the vinaigrette. Mix well and serve with herbed chicken.You can also serve broccoli rice with this and have a delicious complete meal.
Wish all my friends and loved ones world over A Very Happy And Prosperous New Year 2013!
Just four days left when we will be in a totally fresh New year 2013.In this New Year rush if you want something to cook that is really quick and easy then Broccoli rice can be a good choice.It is healthy, quick to cook and even you can use your leftover rice and it taste awesome. You can please your guest and your loved ones within minutes. So what are you looking for give broccoli rice a try and make your New Year delicious, special and stress free.
Broccoli Rice
Ingredients
2 to 3 cupscooked rice (basmati)
1 cup small florets of broccoli
1/2 cupchopped red bell pepper
1/2 cupfinely shredded beetroot
2 tbsp butter/ olive oil
1chicken seasoning cube
1/2 tbspchopped ginger
1/2 tspchopped garlic
1/2 tsp sugar
to tastesalt and pepper
Cooking Directions
Heat butter or oil . Add chopped ginger fry till red then add chopped garlic. Stir for few seconds. Add broccoli, beet root and red bell pepper. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add the cooked rice. Add chicken seasoning cube, sugar, salt and pepper. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve hot with delicious herbed chicken .....coming up next.
First of all I want to apologies to all my lovely friend because for last few days I can’t make it to your blog. A little renovation was going on in my house and then it need some painting so you know when such thing happens, it all messy stuff all around and lots of dusty hazards, but the best part of it is that in all those lost stuff suddenly you get a letter long written from a friend or a greetings card of a very dear one and you feel that vibration of pure innocent love…. lost long……….huh! Am I getting little emotional ……maybe ……sometime we get something and lose and sometime we lose something and get……. who knows the real meaning of life! So this year when you celebrate Easter love like a child and hold all your dear ones tight to your heart don’t let them go. A very delicious recipe I am sharing with you so that you can bring smile to all those beautiful faces. Enjoy cilantro lime roasted chicken!
Ingredients:
Leg pieces 2 Fresh cilantro 1 bunch chopped (leaves and stem) Fresh ginger ½ tsp of chopped Fresh garlic 1 tsp of chopped Green onion 1 chopped Lemon zest ¼ tsp Olive oil/ sunflower oil 2 to 3 tbsp Lemon juice 1 tbsp Fresh black pepper to taste Salt to taste For garnish Butter 1/8 tsp Red bell pepper 2 tbsp chopped
Last Sunday as you all know was my Happy Birthday and this year we arranged party at our home with some of my close friends and few relatives. My aunt bring a delicious pineapple cake for me and it was just awesome. For lunch there was few fancy Indian foods which my Maa (Mom)prepared like kebabs, prawn korma, mutton curry, mango chutney and black current ice cream( this was store brought). But the show stopper was Chicken Tomato Rice Pilaf, a very delicious colorful rice preparation . This is heart healthy and very good substitute for all those greasy version of pulao and biryani which are loaded with clarified butter and butter.I am sharing chicken tomato rice pilaf recipe with you today and hope you all will like this quick and simple recipe. Ingredients:
Long grain Basmati rice 3 cups Chicken breast 300 gram (boneless)cut into cubes Ginger 1" Garlic 10 to 12 cloves Green chilly 5 to 6( you can use more and less to taste) Cloves 2 Green cardamom 3 Cinnamon 1” Tomato puree 1/2 cup Chicken stock 6 cups Chicken seasoning cube 1 Vegetable oil 1/4 cup (you can use less if you want) Salt to taste For Yogurt spread Plain yogurt 1/2 cup Salt , pepper, sugar to taste Roasted cumin powder 2 pinch
Procedure: First soak the rice in water for half an hour . In your blender take ginger, garlic,cardamom, clove, cinnamon, green chilly (for those who think green chilly is too hot you can try out with black pepper, and let me know how you like it) and two table spoon of oil and make a smooth paste. Now marinate the chicken pieces with this spice mixture and salt for 30 minutes. Now in a thick bottomed vessel heat remaining oil then add the marinated chicken pieces. Now stir it for 5 minutes then add the tomato puree and 1/2 cup of stock cook for another 10 minutes till the chicken pieces become tender . Now strain the water and add the soaked Basmati rice , add the chicken seasoning to it. Mix well and then stir for another 2 minutes. Add the remaining chicken stock then adjust seasoning, again stir well. Cover and cook until the rice is done on slow flame. Once you put off the flame give five minutes standing time. Then serve hot chicken tomato rice pilaf with chilled yogurt spread (mix salt sugar and pepper with yogurt and then sprinkle roasted cumin powder above it). Garnish with onion rings and tomato.This hot and spicy chicken tomato rice pilaf goes very well with chilled sweet and sour yogurt spread. A healthy hearty whole meal is ready to savor.
Thanks for all your Birthday Wishes. Love you as always. Be Happy And Stay Healthy.
This weekend is very special for me as I will be celebrating my Happy Birthday on 5th.I am sure a rocking celebration waiting after all this is the day when God choose me to be me and send me to this planet. Whatever be the celebration but first I will offer my gratitude to my God and my Spiritual Master for all their love and blessings , for giving me a loving family … world best parents and caring loving Big Bro and for all my dear friends like you who are from all over the world. I will pray for life full of love and happiness for all of us so that we can all live in a world that is bright with sunshine and that’s for me is the glory of being God beautiful creation. A good delicious heartwarming dish to start the celebration with and I hope you will all found it awesome too ! Ingredients:
Chicken 500 gram boneless cut into bite size cubes cooked Red bell pepper 1 diced Yellow bell pepper 1 diced Green bell pepper 1 diced Onion 1 big diced Garlic 6 to 8 chopped Red chilly flakes 1/2 tea spoon Tomato ketchup 11/2 tablespoon Rosemary 1/4 tea spoon Thyme 1/4 teaspoon Oregano 1/2 tea spoon Basil 1/2 teaspoon Chopped fresh cilantro and mint leaves handful Sugar a pinch (optional) Salt and pepper to taste Olive oil/ vegetable oil 3 table spoon Lemon juice 1tablespoon
Procedure: Its true that the list of ingredients is bit long but believe me this dish take hardly ten minutes to prepare. Heat oil in a pan and then add chopped garlic and chili flakes stir and then to it add diced opinion and bell peppers toss and stir for a minute and then add the chicken stir for another five minutes then add tomato ketchup and all the herbs and salt pepper with pinch of sugar if using. Now toss well add the chopped cilantro and mint mix well then add the lemon juice. Put off the flame. Cover the lid of the pan and give 10 minutes standing time so that all the flavors get well blended. Now serve this with your favorite bread. This is a very delicious quick recipe and I hope you will like it.
Wish You all A Very Happy Mother’s Day. The first thing that come to mind when I talk about Mother’s is- “A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” Yes that’s Maa (Mother) for me and my big brother. After spending happy childhood years & early youth when suddenly my father passed away we have to face every odds of life but it is she who always provide us the strength, hope and love silently so that we both can move forward and came out as winners. A day is not sufficient to say that- “Maa we love you, but if we dedicate this life and few more life in your service then also we cannot repay a single moment of unconditional love and care that you have shower upon us.In our daily worry and hurry may be we forget to tell that how precious you are for us, so this special day is tell you -Maa, I love you so much, I thank God for you. Happy Mother's Day each day of the whole year through and may everyone have someone to love as warm and kind as you.” Simple little things please her so my Bro and I thought to prepare a quick delicious and healthy breakfast for her today . We prepare Western omelette the most delectable breakfast of all time and it turned out great and the most pleasing part is Maa loved it a lot. So today let me share with you the delicious recipe of western omelette. Ingredients:
Egg 3 large Minced chicken/ham ¼ cup Milk 2 tea spoon Green bell pepper 2 table spoon chopped Tomato 2 table spoon chopped Fresh Ginger 1/4 tea spoon chopped(optional) Onion 1 chopped Grated cheese 4 table spoon Salt and pepper to taste Butter / diet butter 11/2 table spoon Dill leaves few for garnish
Friends I know all of you are busy in last minute preparation for the most happening springtime festival Easter. This celebration is a magical time for children, what with chocolate bunnies, hot cross buns, marshmallow chicks, jellybean-filled Easter eggs and candles forming the main attractions on this day and I think aduts also love to remember their childhood days while they prepare some special treats for the children.To add more color to this celebration I thought to share with you an awesome drink recipe which both kids and the grown ups will cherish. Strawberry float punch is a colorful drink to celebrate the occasion.
Ingredients:
Ginger ale 4 cup Strawberry fruit syrup 8 cups Strawberry ice cream 2 scoop for each small punch bowl Fresh Strawberry 1 for each bowl
Procedure: In a big punch bowl mix the syrup and ginger ale . Now in individual small punch bowl pour the drink the place 2 scoop of ice cream in each bowl. Let the ice cream melts to form a strawberry foam. Your strawberry float punch is ready. I think this bowl of pure love.... strawberry float punch is a surefire way to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters in such a special day like Easter. Wish You Very Very Happy Easter!
Be Happy And Stay Healthy. myeweb.com-image source
India today is celebrating the festival of color-HOLI. This is one of my favorite festival, because irrespective of race, religion, cast and creed every body today is playing and painting each other with colors. WE may not be always aware that colors play a very important role in our life .We are drawn to colors- needed to bring balance in our lives, which is the main goal of every healing. The use of color as a therapy is a truly holistic and powerful for thousands of years. In our world color dominates our live from reading sign in the roads to seeing a fruit whether ripe or not or the vegetables are in good condition or not color play a vital role. It affects our mood blue is claming while red can make us tense. We are living in a colorful world but some time we forget to appreciate this gift of life. But today in India and all over the world where there are good number of Indians (like US,UK, South Africa, Trinidad and many more) along with the citizens, will celebrate color with great passion. HOLI in India signifies light , life and surge of energy. Earth cast off her darkness and is ready to entrenched in the bright color of life. This is also an important religious festival in India because it also signifies the love of Lord Krishna and Sree Radha. The mischievous cute Krishna took different colors and colored Radha and the Gopis . He also used to play with pichkaris ( big syringes tusked to sprinkle colorful water). This instance thus become an occasion of merry making every year. It is this mischievous spirit of courtship that enters this festival. Holi thus honors the Divine love of Lord Krishna and Sree Radha. Shed the black from your life and take the red, yellow and greens . Discard pessimism and take a view on the brighter side. It is the time to sing ,dance ,laugh ,love, color all, color yourself , color your life – says Holi. Wishing you all A Very Very Happy Holi! A favourite drink of ours during Holi which a neighbour hood aunt used to make for us. It is really tasty and healthy and refreshing during the summer months.
INGREDIENTS:
Yoghurt 3 cups plain Cold water 1 cups Lemon juice 2 tbsp Black salt ½ tsp Pepper according to taste Sugar 1tsp Coarsely grind roasted cumin seed ½ tsp Cilantro and mint leaves to decorate Crushed ice to serve
PROCEDURE: Pour the yogurt and water into blender for 1 min. Add in the cumin, season to taste with salt and pepper and bled together. Serve over crushed ice Garnish with a sprinkle of cumin powder and finely chopped cilantro and mint. So enjoy, and those who are far from India and want to drench in real color then India is welcoming you with open arms to visit during Holi festival and return with a lifetime experience of love and color.
WISHINGYOUAGAIN AVERYVERYHAPPYHOLI!
Enjoy this favorite holi song from the Indian film you will get the idea of the festival and surely enjoy.
BE IN COLOR, HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
*Help Japan-In midst of all this happiness how can we forget that our brothers and sister in Japan is going through enormous trouble due to the gigantic earthquake and Tsunami. I have created a squidoo page, from there you can send your donation to the legit organisation who are working for their relief.Please make some time to visit Help Japan. Every single money earned from this page will go to Save the children . So please visit and share this pagewith your friends in whatever way you can. Thanks for all your help and support .
A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within and I am praying to God- As the dawn breaks on a new year, let us give thanks for all we hold dear: our health, our family and our friends.
Let us release our grudges, our anger and our pains, for these are nothing but binding chains. Let us live each day in the most loving ways, the God-conscious way. Let us serve all who are in need, regardless of race, color or creed.
Let us keep God of our own understanding in our hearts and to chant God's name each day. Let us lead the world from darkness to light, from falsehood to truth and from wrong to right.
Let us remember that we are all one, embracing all, discriminating against none.
May our year be filled with peace, prosperity and love. May God's blessings shower upon us and bestow upon each of us a bright, healthy and peaceful new year. -Reverend Marcy "Melchezedek Order" Wish you all A Very Happy Delicious New Year 2011. May all your dream come true this year.
To celebrate the coming year I thought why not share with you a delectable dessert recipe. Of course dessert is my favorite and I thought to start 2011 on a sweet note . So this utterly butterly delicious hot brownies, pistachio ice cream with hot fudge sauce. I think this is the “show stopper” of my new year eve dinner party. I have made lots of delicious dessert but this time I want to serve something a little more……… exciting . Something that would impress and entertain my friends.
Today I will share only the hot fudge recipe with you because due to lack of time I asked my aunt to prepare the brownie for me and the pistachio ice cream was store brought. If you have time you can surely make it for yourself but friend in the last minute hurry I can make it . So for now the divinely delightful hot fudge recipe.
Ingredients:
Unsweetened chocolate 1/4 th cup coarsely chopped Semisweet chocolate 2 cup coarsely chopped Light cream 1 cup Sugar 1 cup or to taste Vanilla essence few drops
Procedure: In a sauce pan combine the chocolates, light cream and sugar. Bringing to boiling, reduce heat then simmer the mixture uncovered over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes until it is a creamy, stirring frequently. Remove from heat then add the vanilla essence. And you silky smooth hot fudge is ready. In a single plate I make a base of this dreamy fudge sauce and put a thin slice of brownie over it a scoop of pistachio ice cream and then again drizzle the sauce over it and a delicious comfy dessert is ready to serve. I am going to entertain my friends and family with this delectable dessert when we all welcome 2011. Give it a try in your coming parties and let me know how it turns out for you!
I know everyone of you are busy with your last minute Christmas preparation and I am also waiting for a rocking day but this year I plan a non –hassle Christmas dinner. A very delicious, eye appealing dish and a total meal and easy to cook so that you have lot of time to spend with your friends and family. I hope you will like crispy fish with spinach butter rice and orange sauce a simple yet elegant festive dinner plan. Ingredients:
For Crispy Fish Fish fillets 4 pieces Black pepper to taste Salt to taste Mustard sauce 1 tea spoon Lemon juice 1 table spoon Ginger garlic paste 1/2 teaspoon Oil to deep fry For Batter: All purpose flour 2 teaspoon Corn flour 2 teaspoon Salt to taste For Spinach Spinach 1/2 bowl blanched and roughly chopped Garlic 2 clove chopped Butter or diet butter 1/2 teaspoon Mozzarella cheese 1 cube Salt and pepper to taste For Butter Rice Cooked long grain rice 2 small bowl Butter or diet butter 1 heaping spoon Red green and yellow bell pepper 1/4 cup finely diced Salt and pepper to taste For Orange Sauce Butter 1/2 teaspoon All purpose flour 1 teaspoon Orange juice 1/2 to 1 cup Sugar a pinch Salt and pepper to taste
Procedure: Don’t get panic seeing the long list of ingredients but truly speaking friend if you go through the procedure then it is just some prior preparation and then a delicious dish can be presented within half an hour and your guest book will be filled with overwhelming appreciations. Now I will start with Orange sauce Place a fry pan on medium flame and then let the butter melt in it, add one teaspoon of flour stir for half a minute then add the orange juice. Stir for few minutes adjust seasoning. Let it thicken and then put off the flame. For Spinach Put a pan on flame let the butter melt in it then add the chopped garlic stir and then add the balanced spinach in it. Stir for 2minutes adjust the seasoning. Then add the grated mozzarella cheese in it let the cheese melt it will give a chewy texture to the spinach. Put off the flame your spinach is ready. For Butter Rice Put another pan on flame let butter melt in it add the bell pepper in it. Stir for a minute then add the cooked rice (I use the good quality of basmati rice) then add salt and pepper. Mix well and you are done with the butter rice. These steps you can prepare in the day time if you are making dish for dinner, just you should have to on your microwave to warm them up when you dish out. For Crispy Fish Marinate the fish fillets with salt, pepper, mustard sauce, ginger garlic paste and lemon juice for half an hour. Now take a bowl take flour and corn flour in it and now pour soda water in it (this will make your fried fish really crisp), I am not giving any measurement of it just make sure that the consistency of the batter should not be too thick or thin but the medium consistency to coat well then deep fry those fish fillets. Drain out the excess oil. Your whole dish is complete now come the presentation part that’s up to you, you can use your creative to make it appealing but if you ask me I take small bowl place a layer of butter rice and then spread the spinach above it then another layer of rice and then press well. Now in the serving plate I just turn the bowl upside down and pour the orange in the base of the plate and place the crispy fried fish above the rice tomb. Serve with some green salad and a delectable dessert. A rocking hit Christmas dish, I hope you will like it.
Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, May your world be filled with warmth and good cheer this Holy season, and throughout the year! Wish your Christmas be filled with peace and love. Merry Xmas!
Be Happy And Stay Healthy. lennycpizzeria.com-image source corbisimages.com-image source
Last week was a too hectic so I thought to rest and relax in weekends but when you have some crazy friends around then who will let you be lazy and sleep in your couch. Leela asked me to join for dinner this Saturday night. I thought it will be some close friends gathering in her house but to my surprise she throw a wild card party for us. I am talking about wild in the spirit of intense, unsuppressed emotion-excitement, delight, surprise, joy, happiness and fun. On this Saturday night, all friends poured life into this party coupled with the spooky atmosphere; it was like a post Halloween themed night. The whole evening was delicious and wonderfully entertaining. Leela and Suman her husband are wonderful host, superb cook and know how to throw a party. All those glamorous and delicious foods are telling us go ahead, salivate. In my last post I wrote a lot about restricting in our dessert intake and truly telling you when it comes to the dessert section of the table I thought yes I can show courage to skip this section, I was ignoring all those snowy peaked ice creams and dessert but when I saw those small Rocky roads bars the wild child within me just jump out and I literally fall weak at the knees and I can’t resist to take a piece and when I have it…….ummmm… delicious! Back home next day I called her for the recipe and she told me about it which I am sharing with you today. In this festive season such recipe is a keeper and is simple and easy to make. I hope you will love it. Ingredients:
Unsalted Butter 125g Chocolate 300g Mini marshmallows 100g Desiccated coconut 4 table spoon Chopped peanut 1/4 cup Chopped walnut 1/4 cup Glazed cherries 1/4 cup Fresh orange zest 1 teaspoon Golden syrup 2 to 3 table spoon Icing sugar 2 tsp to dust
Procedure: First of all heat the chocolate butter and golden syrup in a heavy based saucepan over gentle heat. Remove from heat. Now fold the marshmallows, desiccated coconut, peanut, walnut, cherries and orange zest in this melted chocolate mixture. Mix well. Pour the mixture into line sliced tin smooth the top with a spatula. Refrigerate it until set or overnight. Use a warm knife to cut into equal size squares then dust it with icing sugar. This can be a great dessert choice for your Christmas parties and both kids and grown up can’t resist to fall for your Rocky Road Bars. If you have any wild party idea for Christmas and New Year do share with me I would love to know about them and I hope we all will have a rocking festive season. Be Happy And Stay Healthy. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejohnson/3099366672/ -image source
Christmas countdown has already begun and I know Christmas is that time of the year when we allow ourselves to indulge in caloric foods yet also except to look awesome in slinky outfits. So today I thought to discuss the recipe how to stay in shape during Christmas and winter holidays. If you find them happening then you can go for some I hope you will feel better.
Christmas is here and it’s a great time to taste all those Christmas cookies and but our body still needs some vital nutrients and vitamins to stay strong. So eat plenty of veggies and fruits and just give few minutes time to listen to your body. Drink plenty of water, in summer we drink plenty of water but in winter we skip this, hydration is another key element to winterizing your body.
Don’t go to holiday meal empty stomach because this can be a surest way of falling sick. So eat light healthy high fiber snack such as fruits or few wheat crackers before you go, it will curb your appetite and prevent over eating. Holiday brunch with irresistible food and dessert is hard... hard too hard to say no but try to fill up with fruit juices , salad and veggies before those eye catching dessert call you to have more and more. Rather than taking every dessert on the table try to pick your favorite or take a small portion of some of them.
Eat slowly. The brain takes 20 minute to register fullness. So enjoy your meals by savoring the beauty flavor and taste of each bite.
Focus on quality of food and not on the quantity. This will help you to enjoy your favorite food and you don’t need to deprive yourself. Eat small amount of it and don’t go for second or you can use small serving dishes to eat so that food look abundant on your plate. Cut short your alcohol intake or sweetened beverage as this are reasons for weight gain. Go for plain water or mineral water, unsweetened tea or sugar free soft drink. If you are among those where no firm reason to avoid hard drinks works, then hold in style a tall glass of cocktail and roam from one corner of the party to the other without sipping just once and by the time you take 3 to 4 rounds inspiring other to drink those who love to drink have already finished their 5 to 6 glasses and then you know ….. (hahaha) you can slip easily.
These are few tips that I am sharing with you so that we can all stay happy and healthy in this blessed season which engage the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
Double cream 1/2 cup Raspberry puree 1/4 cup Toasted oatmeal 2 table spoon Scottish whisky 1 teaspoon Fresh raspberries 6 Scottish honey 1 table spoon or to taste Leaf gelatin 1g
Procedure: Oats can easily burn so with little care, scatter them on to a baking tray and toast under grill or in a low oven until golden brown.Your toasted oatmeal is ready. Soak gelatin leaf in cold water for 10 minutes. Whip double cream to soft peak. Now gently fold in the raspberry puree, honey( if you can get the Scottish one go for the regular honey), whisky(any good malt whisky will do) and the toasted oatmeal with your spatula. Drain and melt the gelatin make sure not to boil it. Then fold it in to the cream mix. Keep it in refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. Serve it in individual serving glass or dishes garnish with honey glazed raspberry (toss fresh raspberry in warm honey) and then drizzle this warm honey with whisky over it. This whisky not only add a Scottish taste but give awesome kick to the flavor. Your delicious, creamy traditional Scottish dessert is ready.
*To make it more healthy instead of double cream use equal quantity whipping cream and fromage frais, instead of whisky you can use brandy or apple juice. Yes taste will definitely differ but in festive parties healthy you is more important to your family and friends.
So enjoy! Be Happy And Stay Healthy. http://www.flickr.com-image source
I am back and thanks to all of you for all your love and best wishes. Durga Puja is a traditional festival and a part of our culture , though it is a religious festival but the good part of this festival is that it has broken all the religious boundaries and enjoyed by everybody irrespective of their caste, creed, religion and economic status. This festival is the perfect example of unity in diversity. Now days it has taken a from of carnival and the creative effort that is added to this festival is making it world famous and a major tourist attraction. So any of you want to visit India this part of the year don’t miss Kolkata and it’s Durga puja, I am sure you will take back home bundle of colorful memories. The colage above will give you a short synopsis of the festival and rest is written in words below. The festival which is to declare the win of Goodness and Godness over the power of evil, last for five days starting in the sixth day( sashti) of the lunar calendar and end on the tenth day(Dasahami).In this five days Mother God is worshipped with perfect traditional rituals. Some of the important feature of this festival are the beats of dhak , Durga Puja is incomplete without the maddening beats of dhak , a large drum that is played by two thin stick which the dhaki (drumer) hang around their neck and play those enchanting beats that are enough to conjure up the sights and smells of Durga Puja. Sandhi Puja is an important ritual performed during evening at the juncture of Ashtami (eighth day) and Navami(ninthday). The goddess is worshipped with 108 lotus flowers, red hibiscus flowers, wood apple leaves and vermilion. A 108 earthen lamps are lighted to mark the end of the puja.After that Dhunuchi nritya' or ‘the dance with effervescent smoke' which is a traditional dance form Bengal, is performed in front of the idol of the Goddess Durga to the sound of dhak both young men and women participate in this and some places participant are awarded with lots of prizes according to the excellence of their performance. On the ninethday (Navami) various delicious vegeterian dishes is prepared for the Ma Durga called bhoga and then this is distributed among the people as Prasad. This include shahi Khichuri ( a delicious rice preparation) with fried eggplant and potato with spicy mixed vegetable(labra tardkari) and mango chatni and payas (sweet dessert made with rice and milk). On the tenthday (Dashami) Bengali married women go to worship the Goddess and pray for happiness all the year through and share vermilion (sindoor),among themselves as well as with Ma Durga this ritual is called Sindoor Khela. And on the evening of the tenth day is Visarjan (immersion ceremony), Goddess Durga’s idol is mmersed in the holy river Ganges , Durga Visarjan is the most eye-catching event where the celebrations conclude with a bang.After that happy free hug ( Kolakuli) is exchanged between each other and everyone have rosogolla( melt in mouth tofu balls dipped in simple syrup) to wait for another year with this sweet memory and blessing of Goddess Ma Durga. It’s hard to describe such festival in such few words but I try my best to give you a brief essence of the whole festival I hope you will enjoy reading.
Today I want to share with you a very delicious, easy and healthy dish that is served during this festival . This is shahi khichuri a fragrant subtle preparation pepped up by a number of side dishes. The finished khichuri smells awesome and taste incredible. Ingredients:
Basmati Rice 150 gram Whole mung bean dal (without skin) 100 gram Bengal gram dal 50 gram Whole red chilly 2 Cardamom 2 whole Cinnamon 1 inch stick Clove 2 Tomato 1 big chunks Carrot 1 big chunks Potato 1 big chunks Peas 1/2 cup Cauliflower 6 big florets Cumin seed 1/4 tea spoon Turmeric powder 1/4 teaspoon Chilly powder 1/4 teaspoon Cumin powder 1/4 tea spoon Coriander powder 1/4 tea spoon Salt to taste Sugar 1 tea spoon Fresh coriander leaves 1/2 cup coarsely chopped Mix raisin , cashew , almond, coconut finely sliced 1/2 cup lightly fried Graram masala 1/2 tea spoon ( whole -black pepper 2, clove 1, cardamom 1,cinnamon 1/4 inch dry roast them together then gind into fine powder) Clarified butter 1 table spoon Soya or vegetable oil 3 table spoon Water 2 glass
Procedure: Cut and wash all the vegetable. Mix all the dal and rice and wash it. Heat oil in a pan and then break the whole red chilly little bit add it with whole cardamom, cinnamon and cumin seeds. When they start to crack add all the spices and tomatoes , vegetables , rice, daal , salt mix well and then pour two glass of water. Mix well. Put the lid and let it cook for 10 to 12 minutes or till the rice and dal are well cooked. Then add sugar ,chopped coriander, gram masala powder , fried coconut, cashew and raisin and at last a sprinkle a spoon full of clarified butter. (Instead of red chilly powder you can use black pepper and for clarified butter you can use butter but that will not give you the exact flavor and taste that I want to share with you.) Mix well. Your delicious pure vegetarian delicious khichuri is ready. This is a whole meal you can have it for lunch and dinner with fried eggplant or potato or simply relish this Indian delicacy. Though the list of ingredient is bit long but once your prepared it is just few minutes job. I hope you will love it.
Cherish the music of Dhak , if you like just leave a comment may be your best wish vibes reach and inspire a a drummer far away whom you will never meet-
Be Happy And Stay Healthy. indiafoodandtravelguide.com –image source kchidri
Today we all Indians are celebrating another year of freedom.. On this special occasion I want to wish all Indians everywhere in the world A Very Happy Independence Day 2010. Few friends of mine are coming to my place today to celebrate this day in our own special way, I know they are happy go lucky type and will love a cup of delicious tea or coffee with something crispy and peppy. So today for a while I keep aside my health freak soul and indulging in to something that is a once in a while treat but too tasty and I hope you all will love it. This are deep fried Vegetable Chicken Fritters.
Ingredients:
Egg 3 Chicken small cube 1/2 cup Carrot small cube 1 cup Fresh beans sliced 1 cup Onion slice 1/2 cup Capsicum small cube 1/4 cup Green chilly 2 chopped (optional) Ginger garlic paste 1 teaspoon Fruit salt / baking soda 2 to 3 pinch Flour 1 1/2 cup Sugar 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne powder 1/2 teaspoon (optional) Salt and pepper according to taste Chicken stock 1 cup Soya bean oil as needed for deep fry
Procedure: First beat 3 egg in a bowl whisk well. Then scrambled this eggs. Keep aside. Now boil the chicken cube with a peiceof onion, ginger and two cloves of garlic. Keep aside the chicken cube and the chicken stock separately. Now take a teaspoon of oil in pan and slightly fry the chicken cube with salt and pepper. Take a big bowl put flour in it then all the vegetables listed in the ingredients one by one, then add sliced onion and ginger garlic paste ,chopped green chili, cayenne powder, fruit salt( this is mainly used as rising agent) if you don’t have it use baking soda, sugar , salt and pepper. Mix well then add the scrambled egg and the fried chicken cube , then slowly add the chicken stock the consistency of the batter should be thick. Now in a frying pan heat oil sufficient to deep fry this fritters. Take a big spoon and drop spoon full of batter into the oil. Fry till golden brown. Now drain the excess oil on a paper towel and serve hot with your favorite dip or hot and sour tomato ketchup and simple salad. Your delicious Vegetable chicken fritters are ready to cherish with friends and family.
* This vegetable chicken fritters are bit heavy so it is suitable for those who are completely healthy . Keep it in mind before having it.
Be Happy And Stay Healthy. farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3982273307_df269.. image source
I love this very sophisticated apple drink Designated Appletini perfect to celebrate any auspicious occasion. Yes a day is coming to tell a very special person in our life in a very special way that we “love you Dad.” You guessed it right once again Father’s day is knocking our door. Buy Dad a gift don’t wait for the last minute and cook some delicious food and serve them with love, fill the glass with Appletini and raise the toast , make this Father’s Day a day he will love to remember. Now don’t waste a single moment to note how to prepare this simple yet elegant appletini.
INGREDIENTS:
Freshly pressed apple juice (green or gold apples) 2 oz Simple syrup 1/2 oz Lemon juice 1/4 oz Granulated sugar for rimming Apple slices for garnish For simple syrup Sugar 2 parts Water 1 parts
PROCEDURE: First let me tell you how to make simple syrup. The name only tells that is the most simple things that one can do.Bring the water to a boil. Dissolve the sugar into the boiling water, stirring constantly. Once the sugar is dissolved completely, remove the pan from the heat.(Do not allow the syrup to boil for too long or the syrup will be too thick.)Allow to cool completely and thicken, then bottle. Now for the real appletini , add apple juice, simple syrup and lemon juice to a ice filled cocktail shaker. Give some good shake. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass rimmed with granulated sugar. Garnish with an apple slice. Your Appletini is ready to serve.
Now its time to declare the winner of the Giveaway! First, a hearty thank you to everyone who entered to win these awesome Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker from CSN stores. I wish I could give prizes to all of you, but alas, there can only be one winner today. The WINNER IS-susitravl( you will soon be informed by email) Congratulation!!
I think a single day of the year is not sufficient to express gratitude for the unconditional love and care that a Mother gives to her child. I think every Mother is the most beautiful lady in this whole world and looking at my Ma (Mother) I have always felt the truth -A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving. For such a true loving friend my Ma I prepared a delicious classic French dessert Chocolate Marquise. Yes it take little bit time and a lot of patience but it tasted fantastic and it’s well worth the effort for such a special day and for such a special person. I am sure you will like it. INGREDIENTS:
Eggs 5 separated Sugar 1/2 cup+2 table spoon Water 1/2 cup Dark chocolate 300 gram finely chopped Unsalted Butter 100 gram at room temperature Heavy cream 1 cup chilled Loose bottom cake tins Or small tart pan 12 For Garnish Strawberries 12 halved Thickened cream 1 teaspoon for each slice
PROCEDURE: Whisk egg yolks and 1/4 cup of sugar in a double boiler for about 4 to 5 minutes, until the mixture turn pale yellow and thick and sugar begins to dissolve. Stir in 1/4 cup of water. Continue to whisk vigorously for about 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is quite thick and foamy. Remove and add chopped chocolate. Stir until the melted. Continue stirring until cool to touch. Stir in softened butter. Set aside. Now in a separate bowl whisk the cream until soft peaks form. Chill in the refrigerator. In a heavy saucepan combine the remaining sugar ( 1/4 cup +2 table spoon) with the remaining ¼ cup of water. Cook over a medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is clear. Increase the heat to high and boil without stirring, until it thickens and large bubbles form.Now in a speperate bowl whip egg whites until soft, glossy peak form. With a mixer running, add boiling sugar syrup in a steady stream. Continue whipping till peaks are stiff, but not dry and the mixture feel luke warm to touch. Quickly fold a quarter of beaten whites into the chocolate mixture. Gently fold in the remaining whites in three parts. Don’t over mix. Now gently fold the whipped cream in three parts, until you can no longer see any streaks of white. Transfer the mixture in the cake tin or tart pan. Cover with aluminum foil and free it for 4 to 5 hours. When you serve just garnish it with halved strawberries and thicken cream with a touch of pure love. I think your Mom will love it though not an easy recipe but worth the effort for special occasion like Mother’s Day.
Wish you all A Very Happy Mother’s Day.
BE HAPPY AND STAY HEALTHY. http://www.taste.com.au/images/recipes/del/2006/11/14391.jpg image source
Peach melba a great summery dessert . A friend of mine prepared this delicious peach melba in her Easter Sunday dinner party last year. From then onward she prepared it number of times on our request of course. So I thought that today is the right day to share this lovely mouthwatering dessert with you all. Peach melba invented in 1892 by a French chef Auguste Escoffier at the Savoy Hotel, this dessert once invented to honor Nellie Melba one of the most famous Australian singers still have its delicious effect. My family drool at its taste whenever I make it. INGREDIENTS:
PROCEDURE: Take a serving plate arrange the halved peaches on one side and spread the raspberries sauce on it. Now place two scoop of vanilla icecream in front of it. Above it spread whipped cream then sprinkle roasted almond. Place wafer biscuit on one side and garnish with mint leaves. You can make this whole arrangement on a icecream glasses also. Presentation is upto you but I bet you will love the taste. Wish you all a very Happy Easter! BE HAPPY AND STAY HEALTHY.
