Tawa Pulao (Food Remake)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Last week was tried and tasted recipes by others! I tried few dishes from other blogs. All came out good!! no! delicious! Me and my daughter enjoyed the feast very much.

As the schools are open, I need to pack the lunch box for my elder one, and she prefers rice as it is easy to finish fast. Thats why I am again in search of different ways of rice preparations.

This time, I tried this Tawa Pulao(Tawa Pulao) from Chef In You.

It came out very tasty. I almost finished the rice before it went into my daughter's lunch box!!! I could not resist eating it!  And as I have commented in her blog :

"Hi,It is just awesome!! it is the best instant spicy tasty rice!!!!! 

I omitted peas and added carrot instead. Skipped capsicum as I was  preparing it for my daughter. But the taste was very very good. My daughter took it for lunch to the school and came back crying!! WHY??? Her friends took her lunch box and finished everything, but she was happy too as they told her that her mother is the best cook!!!!  Thanks for the recipe."

Just giving the details about how I made this one, as I omitted few veggies from her list and added other.

So here goes my ingredients:

Rice - 2 cups

butter - 1 tbsp

Oil - 1 tbsp

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp

Garlic and ginger crushed - 1 tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Pav bhaji masala -1 tbsp (I used MTR Pav bhaji masala)

Carrot - 1 medium, washed and diced

Onion - 1 small, sliced

Tomato - 1 big, diced

Green chilly - 1 slit

Salt to taste (very little as I felt there is less salt in ready masala)

Fresh coriander to garnish

I omitted capsicum, as I thought it will be spicy for my daughter. And I did not had peas at home, so used carrot.

I cooked fresh rice, as it was to be packed for lunch box. But keep the rice to cool in a big plate at least 15 to 20 minutes before you make pulao.

Keep the kadai on heat. Put butter when it melts add oil. Add the seeds, onion, chilly and carrot. Fry it for few minutes. Add tomato, fry till it is soft. Now add salt  and pav bhaji masala and little water. Let it cook for some time. Now is the time for the rice to go in. Mix it properly. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve it hot. We had it just like that without any side dish!!

Keep Smiling,

Hair Oil

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Hair fall is the major problem in everyone's life. There are many reasons for hairfall. Poor diet, lack of sleep, weather, improper care, diseases, pregnancy..... The list goes on. We tend to try all the market products but we do not get proper result. (if I talk about me! then its right)

Till last year, my elder daughter loved her long hair! She looked like a princess with her open hair!(now she is gone for very short blunt!!) It was very difficult for me to manage her hair to keep it healthy. Instead of trying the market products  I always tried homemade oil which was very helpful.

When we were in UAE, I did not had much choice to get few ingredients to make oil at home. So I always ended up with  a mixture of PURE COCONUT OIL; OLIVE OIL, ALMOND OIL, CURRY LEAVES, METHI SEEDS.

But, this time when I came to India for good, I was happy that I can get the proper things to make oil. My parlor lady helped me to add few more things to get good result. 

Here are the things you can add to make good oil for your hair. It has worked for me and my daughters at least. You can try in a little quantity and check it.

Here are the ingredients I used,

Pure coconut oil - 1 KG

Almond oil - 1/4 cup

Methi seeds - 50 gm

Cumin seeds -1 tbsp

Amla powder - 2 tbsp

Curry leaves - one big bunch

Lime - 2 big,  prick all over

Hibiscus flowers (white) - 15 ( remove the stem and wash)

Hibiscus flowers (red) - 5 (remove the stem and wash)

Aloe vera  - 1 big stick. wash and cut in to small pieces

Pour coconut oil in a thick bottomed vessel and keep it on heat. Once its hot, add all the ingredients except  Olive oil. Let it boil till it is dark brown in color. Keep on stirring in between and stay away as the aloe vera pops out.(is this the right word?)

It should look like below in photo. It may take 45 minutes to one hour.

Allow it to cool. Add olive oil. Strain in a bottle and use it the next day. You can store this oil for months. Warm it before applying it to the hair.

This is the residual after the oil is stored in a bottle. Even this also can be used to apply to the hair. 

Keep oil in the hair at least for 3 hours before taking bath. Use this once a week for good result.
Sing "OIL IZZZ WELL"!!!

Keep Smiling,

My Holidays in Pune - Part II, Food I tasted!!

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

As I promised, I am here with part II, where I am going to share about the food we had in Pune.

First coming to the food, there was absolutely no cooking for full 45 days. Everyday there was a maid to cook the regular food. But sometimes I enjoyed the food prepared by my Sister in law. She prepares very tasty no oil, thin Thali peeth. She prepared Sambhar, juices and butter milk. Her Varan (plain dal) is too good. This time, we missed Pao bhaji!! I did not take any photos!

The best thing happened was, getting fresh juices  that too early in the morning. There is a company which supplies variety of fresh juices. They have door to door services. Every day I enjoyed it very much. They had a long list of juices in which I tried were,

First few days I tried all the juices Beet, Wheat grass, Amla, carrot, ginger lime and fresh fruit juices like papaya, mango, chikkoo, pineapple and apple. Then I settled down for fresh juice. It was different everyday.

 I could take the photo only on first day!! There is apple milk shake, wheat grass juice and Ash gourd juice in the photo.

Next is exactly the opposite of above. I loved the jalebis I had in Pune. I think I never tasted so crispy and so tasty jalebis. There is one  Jalebi junction in Baner, opposite food Bazar. You get many other chats also with jalebi. His main sweets are Coin jalebis, Rabdi jalebi, Jalebi malpua..... and chaat!!! The list was Sev puri, Chole Bathure, Samosa, Ragda Pattice, Chaat basket ......,

I think I had the jalebis  more than 10 times in a month!!! 

                                      

     

Whenever I go to Pune, it is always a must to visit few restaurants. Among these are : Koyla, where you get the tastiest Biryani. Especially the one "Diwani Handi" , This is the mixture of Chicken, Mutton and Vegetable biryani with egg too!! Sorry, I did not take the photo. My younger one was troubling me a lot, so I had to pack my plate to home and have!!Visit this place if you go to Pune.The other food is also very tasty. But I felt it is little costlier than other restaurants

Afterwards, we thought not to go out to eat as Phalguni won't allow us to eat, we got the food to home only. This time it was from Tiranga! The main food here is Maharashtrian non veg food. The mutton dishes are very good.

One more place we visit is, Magnolia which is  Chinese. But this time,  we went for take away again. I wanted  to  try Mainland China, but becoz of my daughter I had to drop the idea. May be next time.
And we again took a risk of taking Phalguni to Pizza Hut. Again I had to stand and eat as she was not allowing me to sit on a chair!!! 

Next was the a big glass of chilled mint flavored AAM KA PANNA. My brother's neighbor Ashwini, brought it for us. It was the yummiest panna!! (recipe will follow soon)

And the Bhel, I prepared at home, (recipe will be posted soon)

                                       

and the cakes I baked in the class,(recipes only after I buy an over and bake the cakes)

I think my post is becoming lengthy!!!
Hey, and do you all think that I put on more weight after all these!!! NO!! Actually I lost my weight!!! now I can wear my old jeans!
I am stopping this here only. I will be back with Part III with reviews on few more movies I watched in Pune.

Keep Smiling

Life is Easy With these!!!!

Tried and tasted by Nivedita 

Hi All,

When you are hungry and do not have strength to prepare more dishes!! These come as a Saviour! It is like a boon to prepare these and store for a year. And not to forget, children love to eat these! Problem with your child's food habit? Give hot rice, ghee and these. They will have it within no time.

Are you thinking that what I am talking about?

Check out the photo! You will agree with me!

These are readymade, which I got from market.

                                                                   click for the recipe

click for the recipe.

Keep Smiling,

Evergreen combination!!(Remixed and Reposted for the event)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita,

Hi All,

Only yesterday, I came to know about Sara's ongoing event! I wanted to participate but do not have much time to prepare something new and post it. So remixing and reposting my  2 favorite dishes where Jeera or Cumin seeds play the major role to make that recipe a big hit. And  I will eat these at any time! I had a recipe for Sambhar masala where Cumin seeds is the main ingredient. I will post it soon, but not for the event! Sorry.

Without much introduction, I am reposting the details.

First one is, Burnt Jeera Dal : (I am reposting it for 2nd time. I hope it is ok to send it to the event!)

Here the jeera must be burnt and the flavour of burnt jeera with flavour of dal is toooooo good to resist!!!

Toor dal or yellow moong dal - 1 cup(Boiled and mashed)

Tomato - 1/2 chopped length wise

Long dry red chillies - 4 to 5Jeera - 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

Haldi - 1/4 tsp

Oil - 1 tbsp

Ghee - 1 tbsp(you can skip this and add 2 tbsp oil)

Coriander - 2 tbsp to garnish

 Heat the kadai, add jeera and let them become black or almost burnt.

Immediately put oil and ghee. After few seconds, and red chillies, haldi, salt and then red chillies.

now add tomato and let it cook for 2 minutes.

Add toor dal or moong dal. Add little water and let it boil for a minute.

Check the salt and adjust according to your taste.

If you like, you can add 1 tsp lemon juice after you off the gas.

Garnish with chopped coriander and serve with hot rice.

Second one is Plain Jeera Rice :

Long grain basmati or any other type rice - 200 gm

Cumin seeds - 2 tbsp

Ghee - 1 tsp

Oil - 1 tbsp

Tej Patta - 1

Salt to taste

Water to cook the rice

Wash the rice and drain it and keep aside for 15 minutes.

Heat oil and ghee in a cooker.

Add Jeera and fry for 10 seconds. Add Tej patta(bay leaf) and immediately add rice. Fry it for a minute. Add salt and water till the rice is covered. Cover the lid and give just one whistle. Allow the cooker to cool.

Enjoy this great combination with paapad and pickle.

Sending this to   sara(of Sara's Corner)'s event CWS - Cumin Seeds Event, which was given by  Priya of (Priya's Easy and Tasty Recipes). So linking this to  Priya's Event link.

Keep Smiling,

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,