Fresh Coriander tokku(chutney) and Award!!!

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi all,

One more award from PJ of seduce your Tastebuds!!! Thanks PJ. I am really honoured!!

A gift for myself for getting the award!!! how do you like this necklace made of red chilly and fresh coriander and a pendent made of jaggery!!(Forgot to keep methi seeds as pearls in between the leaves!! ) Hahaha, any one like to order the ornament!!! you can do it yourself!!! Honestly, the inspiration came from Nithya of 4th Sense Samayal!!! Thanks a lot Nithya.

Coming to the recipe for Fresh Coriander tokku, which is again the trial of TV show. It takes very less time to make but tastes good with chapati and hot rice. Still I have to try with bread or dosa!!

Fresh Coriander - 2 bunch, washed and cleaned

Dry red chilly - 4 to 6 (according the taste and the variety)

Methi seeds - 1 tsp

Jaggery - 2 tbsp

Tamarind paste - 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

For tempering,

Oil - 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Hing - a pinch

Dry roast the red chilly and methi seeds. When cold, add other ingredients and put in a mixie or blender to make fine paste. Adjust the seasoning.

Heat oil in small kadai, add mustard seeds. Off the stove and add hing. Add this to the ready paste.

The Fresh coriander tokku is ready to serve.

This award comes with a meme and I have to say 10 honest things about me.

Check me out :

1. I love reading, reading and reading.(Reading anything that is handwritten or printed, anytime I mean it, I read while cooking also!!!!, )But prefer to read autobiography, philosophical and self development books.

2. I love Maths.

3. I got sweet tooth!!!

4. I am a quite person, with very few friends.

5. I love animals but do not like pets(Sorry!!)(same pinch, PJ)

6. I explain unnecessarily and repeat the sentences while talking about something.

7. I get adjusted in any condition, under any circumstances.

8. I appreciate honesty.

9.I love to do Yoga, Meditation and exercise(which I am doing past many years!!)

10. I think 9 things are enough to know me!!!

As always, this award too comes with the certain rules and here they are

1. I must list 10 honest things about myself

2. I must put a copy of The Honest Scrap Logo on my blog.I must select at least 7 other worthy bloggers & list their links

3. I must notify the bloggers of the award and hopefully they will follow the above three requirements also.

I would love to pass it on to-

Nithya

Padma

Parita

Maria

*sangi*

notyet100  and priya

Keep smiling,

Crispy rice balls

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!!!

One more food remake from Suma of Veggie Platter She calls it as "paalakaayalu". I have named it as "Crispy rice balls", as they really turned crispy and very tasty!!! Thanks Suma.

We had cooking competition in our area for Ganesha Chaturthi activities. And the theme was to prepare food from rice. When I was browsing the blogs for a recipe, I came through this one, and here is the result. And the competition result was I got second prize!!!

And my second daughter who is not even 2 years, went on stage for fancy dress competition with her sister. They were dressed up as Chinese girls( last month, my mother bought dresses from China,)in the evening!!! She was not ready to come down from the stage!! She wanted mike in her hand and wanted to sing and dance. Posting the photo of them on the stage!

Keep smiling,

Veg. Juice Pulao

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

My last minute entry to Chaitra's event! The reason is, as I stay little far from the city, it is difficult to get all the vegetables when I need. We depend on weekly markets, which are small and will have very little options to buy varieties. Even though I wanted to make this rice before only, I did not get spinach all these days. But today when I went to market I saw fresh Spinach and thought of making the rice and send this entry to Chaitra's event.

As I told before, I am trying new rice preparations, this is one of them. One month before, I watched this recipe in the TV, but could not write down. So depending on my memory, I tried the pulao, it came out good. But for sure, it is very healthy for kids, as they do not eat palak and beetroot directly.

Here is the recipe,

Long grain rice - 2 cups

Beet root - 1 small

Palak(Spinach) - 1 bunch small

Carrot - 1 big

Onion - 1 small, chopped into long pieces

Cauliflower - cut in to 12 to 15 pieces

Paneer - 8 to 10 cubes(optional, but tastes good)

Soya nuggets - 8 to 10(Soaked in the water for sometime)

Tomato -1 medium

Tej patta - 1

Cinnamon stick - 1/2 inch

Clove - 3

Cardamom - 1

Oil - 1 tbsp

Butter - 1 tbsp(optional)

Salt to taste

Chilly powder - 2 tbsp

Soak the rice in water for 2 minutes. Drain the water and keep aside.

Clean and wash palak leaves. Boil for few minutes. Peel the beet root, carrot. Cut into pieces. Boil and keep it to cool.

Prepare palak, carrot and beetroot juice separately.(you can mix all together and make the paste at a time also.)

Wash, cut the tomato and prepare the paste.

Squeeze the water from nuggets.

Heat oil and butter in a cooker. When hot, add all dry masalas(crush it once or they will pop out). Add onion. saute for a minute. Add soya nuggets, paneer. Saute for 2 minutes, keep on stirring.

Now goes palak,carrot and beetroot juice and tomato paste. Let it boil for 3 minutes. Now add rice, salt, chilly powder and cauliflower. Mix properly. Add hot water till the rice is covered. Give 2 whistles. Wait till the cooker is cool.

The pulao is ready to serve.

Sending this recipe to

Rice Feast @ Aathidhyamfrom Chaitra

Keep smiling,

Green Corn Rice

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

I am not so good, when it comes to rice preparations. But, now after coming to India, I am trying to do new experiments with rice.

One more reason is, I need to send lunch box to my daughter to the school, as she stays in the school for 6 hours. So rice is the best food to eat faster than chapati. And fast food or junk food is not allowed in her school. Even bread, noodles is not allowed. So in these two months I have

tried almost more than 10 rice varieties and surprised that even I can do it!!!!

Here is the recipe for Green corn rice,

Long grain rice(or normal rice) - 1 cup

Onion - 1 big chopped lengthwise

Ginger & garlic paste - 1 tbsp

Green chilly - 2 or 3 finely chopped

Methi leaves - 1/4 bunch cleaned and washed(optional)

Tomato - 1 big chopped

Fresh coriander - 1/2 bunch, cleaned and washed

Pudina - 1/4 bunch, cleaned and washed

Fresh, frozen or canned corn - 1 cup

Salt to taste

Oil - 2 tbsp

Wash and soak the rice for 2 minutes. Remove the water and keep it aside.

Heat oil in a cooker. Add onion and fry till golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste, green chilly and tomato. Saute for 2 minutes. Now add chopped green leaves mix properly. Now goes the corn and rice. Fry it for two minutes. Add salt and hot water till the rice is covered. Do not add more water.

Close the lid of the cooker and wait for one whistle. Open the lid, when cooker is ready(When it allows to open!!)

Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot with raita or papad.

Sending this recipe to

Rice Feast @ Aathidhyam from Chaitra

Keep smiling,

Bhindi(okra) in green masala

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

A very easy and tasty Sindhi vegetable preparation, which goes will both with chapati and rice. My husband loves to eat it any time. But, however I try hard to make it tasty, I can never compete with his sister's taste. He always says, my sister makes it better!!!

Coming to the recipe,

Lady finger or bhindi - 12 to 15

Potato -2 cleaned peeled and cut into thick round pieces.

Tomato - 2 big

Green chilly - 3 to 4

Fresh coriander - 1/2 bunch washed and cleaned

Ginger - 1/2 inch cleaned

Coriander powder - 1 tbsp

Salt to taste

Oil - 2 tbsp and 1 tsp

Wash, clean and pat dry the bhindi. Cut the ends, fry them in 1 tsp oil. Keep it aside.

Grind tomato, green chilly, fresh coriander and ginger into smooth paste.

Heat oil. Add potato and for for 2 minutes. Now add ready paste and let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Now add bhindi, salt, haldi and coriander powder. Cover it with lid till the bhindi is cooked.

Serve hot with chapati or brown rice.

This traditional recipe of North Karnataka is going to

Shanti's

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: STATE SPECIALS

Keep smiling

Mix Veg Poha

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

A very easy, simple and healthy breakfast for a family. I will not go into the detail about this recipe, as it is very common all over India. Only difference is the way we prepare it and using ingredients according to our taste.

But I would like to say about poha or beaten rice or flattened rice. It is very healthy food and can be prepared in many ways. It is used in many other food preparations also. It is famous for Lord Krishna and Sudama's friendship also. It turned Sudama from beggar to the richest person, with Lord Krishna's blessings.(In Bhagvat Purana).

Poha is available in 3 sizes usually. One is Thin poha which is used to make chewda or ghee poha or curd poha. Other is Medium Poha,which is used to make soaked poha like the one I have given or again one can make with curds or cucumber. And the last one is very Thick Poha, which is deep fried in oil to make chewda.

Here is the recipe for Mix veg poha,

Poha (medium) - 2 big cups or 200 gms

Oil - 3 to 5 tbsp

Onion- 1 big, chopped

Green chilly - 4 to 6 according to the taste and how strong the chillies are.

Curry leaves - few

Jeera - 1 tbsp

Urad dal - 1 tbsp

Chana dal - 1 tbsp

Peanut - 2 tbsp

Ginger - 1 tbsp chopped finely

Potato - 1 big (peeled and cubed)

Tomato - 1 medium chopped

Capsicum - 1 small chopped

Carrot - 1 medium chopped

Green peas - 1/4 cup(boiled or frozen)

(I did not put as I did not had when I prepared this)

Lime juice - 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

Haldi -1/2 tsp

Sugar - 1 tbsp

Fresh coriander to garnish

Soak poha in water only for 30 seconds. Be careful to remove it immediately from water, or else the poha will turn into paste. Keep it aside till all the water goes.

Heat oil in kadai, add jeera, curry leaves, urad dal, chana dal and peanut. Let the dals turn into little golden colour. Go on adding, ginger, green chilly, onion, potato and carrot. Saute for 2 minutes. Now add green peas, capsicum. Again saute for 2 minutes. Now goes, tomato and salt.

Mix the masala properly and cook it till the potato is cooked properly. Keep on low flame. Add lime juice, haldi and sugar. Off the heat. Mix the soaked poha in the masala and garnish with fresh coriander. The mix veg poha is ready to serve with papad.

OR

another way is, after you take the soaked poha from water, mix it with salt, sugar and lime juice. Keep it aside for some time. And while preparing masala, drop these ingredients. Then while mixing the poha garnish it with fresh coriander and mix the masala. This is the way I like to do. The taste also is little different.

Try either way!!!

Keep smiling,

Pasta masala, Indian style

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Sometimes, we forget many important tasks to do!!! It shows the poor memory, which I feel I always suffer from. And some times, it is just out of mind. You might be thinking, what I am trying to say about!!! Yes, today when I was checking my blog after one month, I realised that after I posted "Breakfast in Photo"(http://niveditaskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/07/breakfast-in-photo.html#links) for Divya's event, I totally forgot to post the recipes for the same.
I am very sorry and in future, I will make it sure, not to repeat the mistake!

My next three postings will be the recipe for the photos.

Now coming to this one, till I was in India, I never heard of Pasta or Macaroni or even Italian food. As I am from small town, and 12 years back, it was not grown up city, we were restricted to local foods and to the maximum, we used to get North Indian food in hotels. And my mom never liked going out to have food, as she always tried most of the foods at home only. So 12 years back, when I went to UAE(Abu Dhabi), first time I saw the pasta packets. I used to wonder, how they can eat these, as they looked like worms to me. (So ignorant I was!!!! ) (Even though I used to eat noodles, and I had seen the pasta recipe photos in the magazines, but when I saw it physically, these looked different,).

Then one day I bought a packet, and thought of trying it. But as I did not know the Italian way, I thought of trying it Indian way, as how we prepare poha!!! And came out this recipe. As the time went, I started trying in different ways to make pasta and I loved it every time. But as this was my first try, I want to share the same recipe here.

And when I checked for pasta recipes in many blogs(After the blogging is born), I came to know that many, prepare it this way only!! I was little disappointed, as I used to think it is my invention!!! How funny!!!

Coming to the recipe,

Pasta - 100 gms(Take any shape, but smaller the size, easy to cook !!)

Onion - 1 big chopped

Tomato - 1 big chopped or

ready tomato paste - 1/4 cup (Available in supermarket)

curry leaves - few

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Jeera - 1 tsp

Ginger - 1 inch, chopped

Red chilly powder - 2 tbsp

Green chilly - 1 chopped

Haldi - 1/2 tsp

Curry powder - 1 tsp

Dhania Powder - 1 tsp

Oil - 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

Lime juice - 1 tsp

Sugar - 1 tsp

Fresh coriander to garnish

Boil the pasta as per given instructions on the packet. Always add 1 tsp oil when boiling. Drain it and pour cold water. Keep it aside.

Add oil in thick bottomed kadai. When hot, add mustard seeds, jeera, curry leaves and ginger. Saute for a while. Now add green chilly and onion. Let it cook till transparent. Then goes tomato, and all other dry powders except salt. Let it cook till the raw smell of tomato goes. It takes at least 5 minutes. Keep on stirring. Now add salt and boiled pasta. Sprinkle lime juice and add sugar. Mix it properly. Garnish with fresh coriander. Close with the lid and cook for few minutes.

Pasta masala is ready to serve for breakfast or anytime!!!

Wait for my next post for Mix veg poha!

Keep smiling,

My first award !!!

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All

Today I am so happy, becoz, I received my first award(s) that too three at a time!!! Thank you so much PJ of (seduceyourtastebuds.blogspot.com). So sweet of you!!

PJ is my first friend in this blog world, with whom I communicated and she has taught me many things. And now she has passed the award to me! Thanks once again PJ.

The rules are: Respond and rework – answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, and add one more question of your own. Then tag eight or ten other people.

Now coming to the tag and following the rules,

I am answering the following questions, with full honesty!!!

1. What is your current obsession?

Drawing different plans of my house, as I am renovating the whole house. Thinking 24x7 about the same.
2. What are you wearing today?
As usual blue colour sports pant and brown colour top.
3. What’s for dinner?
I am going to prepare Chinese Fried Rice.
4. What’s the last thing you bought?
Fevicol, chart paper, Acrylic colors for my daughter's project work at school.
5. What are you listening to right now?
Now, nothing, as my lil one is sleeping.
6. What do you think about the person who tagged you?
Ohh, she is a wonderful friend, very helping, and a guide. I think she has lot of patience.
7. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?

Of course in India, provided it should be surrounded by nature, and I should have lot of time for myself and access to easy availability of books.
8. What are your must-have pieces for summer?

Water, Water melon, any comfortable clothes, and power to run the AC or fan!.

9. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
I would love to go to Switzerland, as it is my dream place.
10. Which language do you want to learn?
I would love to learn French, German and language of a baby!!!
11. Who do you want to meet right now?
No one special, want to be alone.
12. What is your favourite colour?
Green, Green and Green.
13. What is your favourite piece of clothing in your own closet?

Sarees and blouses designed by me!!!
14. What is your dream job?

To be a Counsellor.
15. What’s your favourite quote?
It is simple to be happy, difficult to be simple.
16. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
Books!!!!
17. Describe your personal style?
Simple
18. What are you going to do after this?
Help my elder daughter in her studies.
19. What are your favourite movies?
Akheela and the bee, Pursuit of Happyness, Ratatouille. Wednsday, Dil to pagal hai, Tarein zameen par, Chak de .....
20. What inspires you?
Books and water
21. Give us three styling tips that always work for you:
a. Don't use more than three colours in your dressing and accessories.
b. Be simple with less make up
c. Carry yourself with grace and be yourself.
22. Coffee or Tea?
Morning coffee by mom, evening I love to have tea.
23. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed

I will cry if I am alone or Listen to music or dance with my elder daughter.

24. What is the meaning of your name?
One dedicated to service or (God)
25. Which other blogs you love visiting?

According to the information I want, I visit the blogs. But my regular visit is to all my co bloggers on cooking and Kannada blogs.

26. Favorite Dessert/Sweet?
Any sweet!!!

27. Favourite Food???
Anything in the plate!!! really!!!

28. What do you consider to be unethical in blogging?

Copying and sharing the information from other blog Without giving reference of the original link. am I right?

Now, question from me is

If you are given a chance to restart your life, what you want to change in your life?

Now, I am going to tag following wonderful bloggers.
If you have already recieved the awards, take it as a bonus and congratulations.

Divya Vikram from Dil se..

Shama Nagarajan from EASY2COOK RECIPES

Swetha from Swetha's Fusion

shanthi from shanthi krishnakumar's cook book

LG of Taste of Mysore

Padma from Padma's Recipes

EC from easycrafts

Shilpa from Aayi's Recipes

Mangala Bhat from Welcome to Recipes 24x7

Last but not least(As I am not sure, whether I can pass the award to the person

who has given me the award)

PJ from Seduce Your Tastebuds

Keep smiling,

Jowar flour ball(ಜೋಳದ ಮುದ್ದೆ)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Another typical and traditional food of North Karnataka. My grand mother (Father's mother) used to prepare it often. And there was a typical style of her to prepare this. I always loved her food. My grand mother's house had only two rooms. Her bed was in a corner of the kitchen as the kitchen was big. First she used on the stove and keep the vessel and come back and sit on her bed. Again she will go and put oil and come back. Like this till the water starts boiling she used to walk from her bed to the stove.(At least distance of 9 steps was there :-)) And when it was ready, the whole chawl used to fill with the aroma of the food.(Any food prepared by her! had the same effect)

I used to go for tuition's when I was in the school. And while returning, from the road side only I always came to know, what she had prepared today.

I was reading the recipe from Laxmi of 'Taste of Mysore", on Jowar dosa(Jolada Dose / Sorghum Flour Crepes ~ Gluten Free Recipe) and about the mother who has to prepare gluten free food. I immediately recalled this one and thought of sharing with you all.

Now coming to her recipe,

Jowar Flour - 1 cup

Onion - 1 big chopped

Green chilly - 3 to 4 chopped finely or Chilly paste

Curry leaves - few

Salt to taste

Tamarind paste - 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Jeera - 1 tsp

Oil - 3 tbsp

Warm water - 2 cups

Heat Oil in a thick kadai. Add mustard seeds, jeera and curry leaves. Add onion and saute it till it is transparent. Now add green chilly, tamarind paste, salt. Mix it and let it cook for 2 minutes. Now add warm water and allow it to boil. When it starts boiling, slowly add jowar flour, stirring continuously all the time. Take care not to turn it in to lumps. Check the taste and adjust the salt. Once it is mixed properly, cook it till it becomes thick. Keep on stirring, otherwise it will stick to the bottom.

Eat it hot with sliced onion and pickle. or wait for 5 minutes to make it in to balls(ಮುದ್ದೆ).

I could not wait, as I wanted to eat it hot hot with a green chilly byte.

This traditional recipe of North Karnataka is going to

Shanti's

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: STATE SPECIALS

Keep smiling,

My experiences in India and poll

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Its three months now, I came back to India. I experienced both, good and bad things in these months. I want to share the same with everyone. I was thinking how to write, whether to write good and bad things separate or together. Then I decided, I will write as the things took place.

First, we reached Pune and were there for 40 days. And without doubt, we had very good time with my brother and bhabhi. We went to water park, where I enjoyed swimming for 3 hours. This was first time after almost 15 years I entered swimming pool. We used to go to beach in UAE for swimming, but to swim in the pool is different. Even my both kids enjoyed a lot. The little one was not ready to come out of the water at all!!! And I did lot of shopping for both the girls. I got very cute dresses for them. I enjoyed the food in many restaurants.

Then came the day to move to my place Hubli, and the problem started here. First thing was about servants. Back in UAE, I used to think that its so nice to be in India as we get many servants!!! But they are more in demand than software techies in US Before starting the work, they keep their demands. And the very second day they will start asking for old things. Still I am in search of good maid, who can do the work neat and clean!

The next but very important thing was to get my Internet broad band connection. I don't want to name it as they say it is India's biggest network, I tried calling them for 10 days continuously!!! but no response from them. They went on giving some other new number when ever I called and registered my name for the connection. So I left that and went for another network, and its really good.

And from the same network, I had my Sim card for my cell which I took last year. Now they have blocked my outgoing call. So I paid extra money to get it done, but till now no action from them. Now also I cannot make any call from that number. I think they don't need any more costumers now!!!! Then I took Sim card from other network, its working fine.

In between, we had two marriages in the house, which we all enjoyed to the maximum. I met many relatives after 10 or 12 years! It was really fun. Hey and I took new bike also.

My daughter got adjusted with the school and new friends. And the little one is enjoying to the maximum getting all the attention and pampering. She is totally spoiled now.

I am little bit freed from the kitchen, as we have one old lady from past 7 years with mom, who helps in the kitchen. She is really caring, loving and helpful.

Now coming to the problems, once in 6 days we get drinking water from corporation. No need to say, even that is not clean water!!!

Then the problem is about the power cut. For three months, there was load shedding for 8 to 10 hours. We could not sleep during the nights. So the round mosquito net were fixed on the beds. Now it is fine, and as it is raining, the power cut is also less.

Finally, we are getting adjusted with the circumstances and started enjoying the life with all the bad things accepting as they are and trying to improvise things where ever we can.

But, with all the negatives, the main thing is I feel secured and so peaceful in India. I feel so happy when I see around. I feel so happy, when I hear the bus and auto rickshaw sound. I feel so happy, when I see my kids playing with other kids in the ground opposite to our house. I feel independent. I feel so happy when I see my mother playing with my daughters and enjoying the fun.

I have many plans in my mind, which I always thought about, when I was in UAE. Hope I will start bringing them in to action.

Now, my question for the poll of this month is for all NRI's (Non Resident Indians) or for those who are away from their native place(I was also for 11 years!):

With all the good and bad things, with less comforts, will you be happy to come back and settle down in India???

I know, this question is not easy to answer, but please think and vote with full honesty.

Go to Poll and vote!!!

Waiting for more responses, as, many of you are living out of India.

Keep smiling,

WaterMelon Watermelon!!!!!!!

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

In summer, when you come home after long sunny day, if you see a glass of red color juice topped with ice cubes!!! How will you feel???

That is the wonder of Watermelon. A crunchy and tasty fruit, you will enjoy in any season, either as a bite or a sip.

From the sources(Watermelon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), it is said that, watermelons were being cultivated in China, which is today the world's single largest watermelon producer.

Water Melon is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of vitamin A (http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31).

It is also in debate that whether watermelon is a fruit or vegetable?? For me it is both, that too after checking the recipe(Taste of NorthIndia) by Sangi of simplydelicious. It is really very innovative recipe.

I love to have it in any form, crunchy bites removed from the fridge, a whole big glass of juice topped with ice cubes and seasoned with salt and pepper, in salad or dosa prepared with its skin. Yes!! dosas prepared using the skin of the watermelon tastes very good. Give it a try. Just add the peeled skin with soaked rice which you make for normal dosas.

Keep smiling,