My Holidays in Pune - Part I, A book and many movies(Review)!!!!

Tried and tasted by Nivedita,

Hi All,

Summer holidays!!!

I will not write a long post to make you all bore! but I really want to share with you my holiday experience. So giving you the details in short with photos(where ever possible)

It is always compulsory that I must read at least one book when I am there in Pune! This time it was an Autobiography :

                     Iacocca: An Autobiograph...                                                                

Very inspiring and interesting story. Its a must read for everyone. This time I took more time to finish this book,as I was busy in watching movies!! It gives you good knowledge about cars, Auto Industry and about Ford and Chrysler companies!!! and about a powerful man behind all these!!!                                                                                             (image link here)

Next thing I did was, watched many movies which were in my list for many years, I would love to give you the list and very short detail about the movies. I know I may not a right person to criticize such a big projects or people. Even though, my language is not so good,still I want to share my views with you all.

Please feel free to leave any comment if you want to:

1. Mamma Mia : A romantic and musical story, where Meryl Streep looks beautiful as usual!! ( I just love to keep on watching her whenever she comes on screen). I loved the music and everything. It is a story of a girl who is going to marry soon, but she wishes her father should come and giveaway, and she is not sure who is her father, she invites 3 men, whom she is sure that one among them is her father. Very emotional story! The suspense at the end makes you also sing  "Mamma Mia". Melodious song.   (image link here)

2. The bucket list : What will you do, when you know that you are going to die within few months???? This is where the story lies. 2 men will decide to make a list to the things before they die, including fighting the fears that they lived with all their life. Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson has played their character very well. I always liked Morgan Freeman and I enjoyed Jack Nicholson's character in this movie.                                                           (image link here)

3. Kramer vs. Kramer : The original movie of Hindi movie " Akele hum Akele tum" Wonderful drama, and again Meryl streep in this movie too. She looks so different in this movie. 

                                                                                                                      (image link here)

4. One fine day : Again a romantic and a comedy movie. The fights between Michellle Pfeiffer  and George Clooney keeps you smiling!! till the end!      (image link here)    

5. My Fair Lady : What a classic movie!! A 1964 movie, which won 8 Academy awards!!!

I was in trans for 2 days after watching it. Audrey Hepburn looks so gorgeous and beautiful. The way she sings "enry iggins, just you wait" is so funny, the way speaks English,  you will fall in love with her!! and I loved Rex Harrison and his arrogant acting. He looks so handsome. I watched it twice in three days of time!!                             (imgae link here)

6. Gone with the wind : Great movie on American Civil war which grabbed 10 academy awards. It is a romantic movie, a story mainly concentrated on a lady(Scarlett O'hara played by Vivien Leigh)  and her struggle for her love(First love: Ashley Wilkes played by Leslie Howard and the last love : Rhett Butler, played by Clark Gable ( A very handsome hero of that time))and her country and her life! It takes you in to a different world. It is almost 230 minutes long but you will not feel bore at any time!!A must watch movie! image link here                                    

7. Good Will Hunting : A story about a boy who has some special gift for maths. Matt Damon looks good in the movie and even Robin Willams is very good, as usual.  

                                                                                                                                          ( image link here)            




Coming to the kids movie, which I enjoyed with my daughter :
( I did not watched few other movies) 
1. The Princess dairies - Part II, 
2. The Ice Princess , lovely movie on ice skating
3. Shrek

4. Wizard of oz : a 1939 movie, but I promise you that it is for all ages and in any age!!

Think of those years, where the technology was still a baby!  and you can see the beautiful sets and magical cinematography and everything. Please allow your child to watch it once at least. It will take you and your child into a different world and you will feel so fresh after seeing the movie. (no comments about today's kids movies  )                                                                                               (image link here)

I hope you got the time to go through the reviews. and I did not make you sleepy!!! 

I will be back with part II with foodie photos which I had in Pune!!! 

Keep Smiling,

Sausage and onion masala fry

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

If  I ask my daughter that what she misses from Sharjah, first thing it comes in her mind is Sausage!! She loved to eat sausage, plain boiled, barbecued or sausage stuffed pizza and this one.  I learnt this Sausage and onion masala fry from my co-sister Archana.  And when I had it first time, I just fell in love with it, even though Sausage is not my so favorite food.

This photo is actually taken in Sharjah, when I prepared it there!! But somehow, I went on postponing the posting! Now here is the recipe for those who likes sausage and get in your place. We do not get sausages in our place  

Ingredients I have used here,

Chicken sausage - 1 pack (I used to get frozen one from the store)

De freeze the sausages or bring into room temperature.  Boil in a water  for few minute. Drain the water and cut into round slices and keep aside.

Onion - 1 big, sliced

Green Chilly - 1 slit

Curry leaves - 10 to 12

Salt to taste, (use less as there will be salt in the sausages)

Oil - 1 tbsp

Haldi - 1tsp

Red chilly powder - 1 tsp

Coriander powder - 1 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp(optional)

Lime juice - 1 tsp

Procedure to make : 

Add oil in a thick bottomed kadai. Add cumin seeds and onion. Fry till onions change the color. Add curry leaves, green chilly and fry till the onions turn brown. Add sausages and other dry powders. Mix well and cook for few minutes to make sure the masala mixes well with sausages. Remove from fire and add lime juice. Mix well.

Indianized sausage is ready to serve hot with chapati or rice or just as a starter!!

Served for 2 to 3 persons

Keep smiling,

Green chilly fries(ಬಾಳಕದ ಮೆಣಸಿನಕಾಯಿ)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

I think I delayed posting this recipe as this is prepared in summer and kept for a year. This is also a very common summer preparation with paapad and other fryums. We call it 'baalakad menasina kai" and have it in our regular meals. But as all of you know that I was in Pune for than a month. Actually I had kept few recipes in my draft thinking that I will post them regularly. But my brother's house computer was under repair and I did not get much time to use his personal laptop when he was at home in the evenings.( talking, going out!!!) This time was a real holiday for me. Soon, I will come with details about my holidays in Pune.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING WITH ME WHEN I WAS NOT POSTING REGULARLY.

Coming to this recipe,  these type of green chillies are available only during February and March month. So it is perfect to prepare these in Summer as these chillies need sundry. 

Fresh long green chilly - 1 kilo

Fresh yogurt or curds - 1/2 kilo, adjust less or more as per required

Salt to taste

Hing - 1 tbsp or a pea nut size(crushed) if using hard hing

Long thick needle to slit the chillies

Wash the green chillies and dry with soft towel or cloth to remove any water. Slit all the chillies on one side so that the curd gets mixed.

Transfer the curd in a big plastic or glass bowl. 

Add salt and hing. Mix it well.

Add slit green chillies in to it and with a wooden spatula or bare hands(if you can bear the pain later :-)  ) mix the chillies with curds.

This should be prepared in the morning so that you can keep it to dry. 

Spread a thick cleaned plastic sheet in a place where there is lot of sun rays. Take only the chillies(leave the curds in a bowl itself and keep it covered)and spread these on the plastic sheet. Allow to dry till evening. In the evening, again put the chillies back into curds. Mix it properly and keep it till next morning. Again take only chillies and put to dry like previous day. Repeat it for 3 days. From 4th day, dry the chillies till they are totally dry. This may take 2 days depending on the weather. Once the chillies are dry, the color will also change to brown. 

Store in air tight container (good plastic or glass will be fine ). You can store it for a year also.

When ever required, take the chillies out and fry in hot oil. Use it with rice, chapati as a side dish.

Soon I will post a recipe using these chillies.

Keep Smiling,

Surprise for me!! I feel great!!

Tried and Tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

I never expected this one!! When Jagruti left a message "please visit my blog" I visited her blog thinking that may be its about some event announcement. But when I went through her second round up((second round of joyful eathing while travelling of  Joy of cooking her event and I had a surprise for me!! She has dedicated the whole event to me! I could not believe it!! So sweet of her! I am really honoured! I am glad to recieve this token of love from her.  First time,I have commented in her blog "Lets grow together" and happy to grow with her and all the bloggers.

I wish her all the best and good luck in the future.

Once again "THANK YOU SO MUCH JAGRUTI" I am really touched.

Visit her blog for wonderful recipes.

Keep smiling,

Baingan ka Bharta(brinjal chutney)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Brinjal is the main vegetable used in North Karnataka. Brinjal and Onion sabji is a must in every marriage in few communities in Hubli and Dharawad.

Brijnal is known as zero life vegetable also. Many people do not like the taste of brinjal! But, as usual I love this vegetable also. And I love the most in brinjal preparation is this Baingan bharta.

I know two methods to make this one. This time I am giving you the method that is used in North Karnataka. One more is Punjabi style which has its own flavor and method.

Coming to the recipe,

Ingredients used are,

Brinjal - 1 big

Green chilly - 1 or 2

Onion - 1 medium, chopped in to fine cubes

Garlic - 2 flakes(optional)

Fresh coriander - handful

Salt to taste

Lime juice - 1 tbsp

Wash and wipe the brinjal. Prick to make holes all the over. Brush it with oil and roast it on a flame or in a microwave. When cold, keep in water for few minutes. Peel the skin and take the flesh out carefully, Avoid the skin as it tastes bitter.

Roast the green chilly and garlic(if using) Grind  it to make a coarse paste. or you can use  pestle, it gives better taste,

Now, add the roasted brinjal and other ingredients. Again use pestle and mortar to mix all the masalas properly. Check and adjust the taste.

Baingan ka bharta is ready to eat with Jowar rotti or chapati. My dauguter loves it, if I spread it on chapati with curds and make the roll.

Bharta tastes great with Jowar rotti and curds.

Please bear with me and give me some time to post the recipes regularly.

Keep Smiling,

  

Capsicum & Paneer Stir fry(Food Remake)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

(It is so easy to prepare food, when some one is guiding you!! That's why I enjoy very much when ever I follow other blog and cook any dish. And I post it in 'Food Remake' label, as, it is very common in Indian film industry to remake the movies from one language to the other. So even my food here is the remake one!!!)

If you are a regular follower of my blog, you know that I love Paneer in any form. I keep on trying paneer dishes, from many blogs and from the world of recipes.

This time, when I saw  Sushma Mallya's (http://authenticfooddelights.blogspot.com/) this recipe, (Authentic Food Delights: Capsicum & Paneer Stir Fry), Visit her blog for the details.(I am not able to copy the link of her blog and the recipe also, thats why  I have typed only the blog name and the recipe name!!)

I could not wait to try it. I tried it the very next day she posted it in her blog, but I took so much time to post it. Sorry!!

I liked it very much, that I have already repeated it 2 to3 times. And, I am sure, you all also will like it.

Keep Smiling,

Thin poha(avalakki) masala(ಹಚ್ಚಿದ ಅವಲಕ್ಕಿ)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

I am in Pune for my and my kid's vacation. They both are enjoying their summer camp. I am also enjoying my getting up late in the morning chatting with my sis-in-law, shopping and other things.

I am very sorry I am not able to post regularly. The main reason for this is, my brother's computer is  under repair and I have to wait for him to come home to use is personal laptop. But I will try maximum to use it and post the recipes when ever I get chance.

Coming to the recipe,

Poha, beaten rice, flattened rice, avalakki, call by any name!! A great help for unexpected guests or for quick food for a hungry stomach. Can make many dishes with this!! There is thick poha also which is used either soaked in water or fried in oil.

Even the thin poha is used in many ways. Today, I am giving you one recipe, and hopefully will try to give other recipes also.

This was my father's favorite. He was the first to come home from office. And he loved to keep this ready for us!!!

And, this is a common evening snack in North Karnataka. In Dharawad, there is a canteen from many years named "L.E.A. CANTEEN" which is mainly famous for this poha which we call in Kannada "Hacchida Avalakki". The way he prepares this is really so good, and difficult to get the same taste in the house!!!

What we need for this is,'

Flattened rice or thin poha - 200gm

Onion - 1 big, cubed

Green chilly - 2 to 3, cleaned and finely chopped

Curry leaves -few

Oil - 2 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Pea nuts - 2 tbsp(Optional)

Salt to taste

Turmeric powder - pinch

Sugar - 1tsp

Lime juice - 1 tbsp

Fresh coconut - 3 tbsp, grated

Fresh coriander - handfull, chopped                                

Heat oil in a kadai, Add mustard seeds. When these splutter, add cumin seeds and pea nuts. Let the nuts fry for 30 seconds. Go on adding, curry leaves, green chilly, onion. Fry till the onion changes its color. Add salt and turmeric. Off the heat. Now add lime juice and sugar. Allow it to cool.

Take the cleaned poha and mix it with the ready onion masala. Add fresh grated coconut and fresh coriander.

Enjoy it in the evening with hot cup of tea.

Keep Smiling,

Sago sandige

Hi All,

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Its summer time!! The best time to make sandige(fryuma, is it a right word??), happala(paapad). During our childhood, helping our mother, aunts and neightbours to make these things was like a festival for us.Yeh, one can oraganize an event on making these, as it will help many of us to prepare variety and store it for a year.

                                       

Sago sandige is again a favorite side dish of my husband. When he came this time, my mom prepared for him and packed it in his luggage.

There are two ways to make it. Giving you the one method, will try to give another soon. 

Sago(big size) - 1 kg

Salt to taste

Hing - to taste

Wash the sago and soak it with very little water for full night or 8 hours.

Its better to prepare early in the morning.

Remove all the water from soaked sago. Add water and hing. Mix it properly and put in idly mould and steam it for 15 minutes. Steam all the sago in batches. Or to make it fast you can use Tatte idly stand or in big steel plates if you have big vessel to steam these.

When one batch is steamed, remove it slowly from the mould and spread these neatly on a plastic paper kept under sun. Let these dry for full day. Remove in the evening and again repeat drying for two more days. Sandiges are ready to fry and eat.

This is going to the event conducted by iloufer of Kitchen Samraj! "Cooking with Seeds- Sago Event Announcement"  which is started by  Priya of Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes.








Keep Smiling,

Dosa dosa which dosa who can guess this!!!

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Some times, over confidence puts us in embarrassing situation. This is what happened with me! Last week I planned to make Mix flour, semolina and curds dosa. Usually it comes out very nice. But that day was not mine!!

I don't know what went wrong with the mix!!!

All the 10 dosas came out like this!! Do I need to say, we jumped for quick upma for breakfast!!

Keep Smiling,

Vermicelli Kheer( (ಶ್ಯಾವಿಗೆ ಪಾಯಸ)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Vermicelli, used in Payasam, Idly, upma, halwa or burfi!! tastes great!! Vermicelli  payasam is my husband's favorite. He loves it hot and with lot of milk!!

A very easy and quickest sweet dish, for any unexpected happy occasion!! All  ingredients are easily available at home, no need to buy specially for this!

Ingredients for this,

Thin vermicelli - 1 cup, roasted with little ghee 

(Or we get roasted ready packet also in the market)

Water - 1 cup

Sugar - 3/4 cup

Milk - 1 cup

Ghee - 1 to 2 tbsp

Cardamom powder - 1/8th tsp

Dry fruits (Cashew nuts, almonds, Pista and raisins) - 1/4 cup

Milk powder or condensed milk - 1 tbsp

Roast the vermicelli in very slow heat with little ghee. Or if you have the roasted one keep it aside.

Heat ghee in a thick bottom kadai. Fry the dry fruits and remove it into a bowl. Add water in the same kadai and bring it to boil. Add vermicelli and boil it for a minute. Now add sugar and milk. Let it boil for 2 minutes. Check whether the vermicelli is cooked! If not, add some more water or milk. Add milk powder or condensed milk. After boiling it for half a minute add dry fruits and remove from the heat. 

Vermicelli kheer is ready to serve.

Sending this to Shama's  "Kheer Event"

                             

Keep Smiling,

My first event roundup (flopped)!!!

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

These 2 days, I am very sad!!! Now I can empathize the film team, whose movie is a flop!!! Yes, I am feeling so bad that I did not get entries for my event! I do not know, where I went wrong, or did I make any mistake in organizing the event.!!! I got only entry from Nithu!! I am not understanding whether to try my luck again in organizing another event or just go on blogging my recipes without any expectation!!! I am feeling like crying for this!!! Each day I got up with the hope that my inbox will be full of event entries!! I extended the last date for my event hoping that at least I will get last minute entries!!! But till today I received only two entries and that too only from  Nithu. I know it is not compulsory for any one to participate! Anyways, I will not pull my complaint list.

Thank you so much Nithu for your participation.  Here are your and mine entries for my great first event!!!!

Nithu's first entry, here she explains the games:  Raja, Rani, Thirudan & Police; kola kola ya mundrika; oru kudam thanni oothi.

Nithu's second entry, in this she has given the details of the games: Action, Freeze and Ease" and another game is "Passing the Secret".

Now, 3 entries from my blog,

 Chakka Vachhi for Forgotten Indian Games!

Second entry is Broken Bangles game(ಬಳೆಚೂರು ಆಟ) for Forgotten Ind...

and the last entry is  Chigali (Tamarind lolly pop) for Forgotten Indian ...

I got these entries after I posted the above ones.
I am adding Shama's entry :
CHOTANGKALLU (GAME WITH STONES) here she explains this beautiful game, we call it "Aane Kallu aata". Elders believe that if we play this game before rainy season starts, it will not rain that year. I do not believe in it. But enjoy it till today!
One more entry from Shama, 
Palangguli : we call it as "Aali guli mane" and we also play with tamarind seeds but with 5 seeds in each house. She got the beautiful piece. The one I got in the house is simple one!

I am hurt!!! 

Keep Smiling,

Aamras!!

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Mango Season!! Is there anyone who does not fall for mango!!! We can prepare many dishes with mango. Already many of my blogging friends have posted the recipes with mango. I am also here with Aamras or shikarni ( ಶಿಕರ್ಣಿ), which is famous in summer season. You can have it with Rice poli, Puran poli, Puri or chapati. Tastes great with anything.

This time, Mangoes are very less seen in the market. My husband got it from a village. He got the Aapus variety. Actually, Kalmi variety is used to make the Aamras, but as he did not get it, I managed to prepare it with Aapus only. We have to cut and eat Aapus variety mangoes.

He likes Puri with aamras. so, It is for him!! Puri Aamras is a great combination!!

I am giving the recipe for Aamras. 

Juicy mangoes - 3 to 4

Jaggery - 1 cup, crushed(adjust the quantity according the the sweetness of mango and jaggery)

Cardamom powder - 1/4tsp

Ripe banana - 1, sliced into small cubes

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Wash the mangoes and keep in water for some time. Remove from the water and peel the skin. Squeeze the mangoes and take a pulp in a big bowl. Keep the mangoes in another bowl. When all the mangoes are over and kept in a bowl, add little warm drinking water. Squeeze these mangoes again in a first bowl to take out all the pulp! 

Add all other ingredients and blend it with a blender only for few seconds. Keep it in the fridge, till you prepare the puris. Click here for puri recipe.

Keep smiling,