Stuffed brinjal masala(ಬದನೆಕಾಯಿ ಏಣ್ಣಗಾಯಿ)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all

Very tasty and spicy vegetable masala which is perfect with Jowar rotti. This is a very common food in North Karnataka. And it is compulsory in menu in the marriages. Here is the regular recipe, what my mother makes, and even I follow the same.
Brinjal – 4 to 6 (small)
Onion – 1 big (finely chopped)
Curry leaves – 1 line, chopped
Tamarind paste – 2 tbsp (soak the tamarind in warm water for half an hour then squeeze the juice)
Fresh coriander – 2 tbsp
Gurellu chutney powder – 2 tbsp (recipe will follow soon)
Red chilly powder – 1tbsp
Jaggery powdered – 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Oil – 1 tsp
For stuffed brinjal
Oil – 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
Jeera – 1 tsp
Slit the brinjal in the middle and keep in the water.
Fry chopped onion in a pan till slightly brown. Remove in a plate, add all other ingredients except oil and mix it nicely.
This masala is so tasty, that we used to finish it with chapatti or rotti, before it was stuffed in the brinjal.
Now remove the brinjal from water and stuff the ready masala.
Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds. After they start crackle, add jeera, and stuffed brinjal. Fry for one minute. Now add remaining masala and little water. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
Stuffed brinjal masala(ಬದನೆಕಾಯಿ ಏಣ್ಣಗಾಯಿ) is ready to serve with hot rottis or chapattis.

Keep smiling,

Jowar rotti ball(ಜೋಳದ ರೊಟ್ಟಿ ಉಂಡಿ)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all,

Jowar Rotti ball(ಜೋಳದ ರೊಟ್ಟಿ ಉಂಡಿ) was one of my favourite food, my granny (ajji) used to make. Her food was always very tasty and the aroma of her food would reach the last house of chawl which was almost half kilometer long. I miss her food very much.
She used to make these rotti balls during night when we all used to sit around her and eat. As this has to be prepared only with hot rottis and should eat immidiately, night was the best time.
Here is the recipe,
The ingredients for one ball, as we can make only one ball at a time.
Hot rotti -1(Big and thick) for one ball (There is recipe for rotti also in my blog)
Garlic 1 clove
Fresh coriander - 1 tbsp(chopped)
Green chilli - 1 or 1/2 (as per your taste)
Curry leaves -2 to3
salt to taste
Ghee - 1 tbsp
Take all ingredients except rotti, crush it in the crusher or blender. keep it ready. Once the rotti is ready remove it, tear it into pieces and put with the ready paste. Crush again with the paste. Add ghee and make ball with both the hands and serve hotttttttt.

You will not count how many you had!!!!!!

Keep smiling,

Jowar rotti(Jolada rotti)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all,

Jowar (Millet) rotti (ಜೋಳದ ರೊಟ್ಟಿ)is very common in North Karnataka.(They call Bhakkari also for this rotti.)
It is a healthy food. Back in India, in my house we eat both the times. And there is always full one box of crispy and thin rottis(In Hubli - Dharwad we call it "kataka rotti"(ಕಟಕ ರೊಟ್ಟಿ) or "birasa rotti"(ಬಿರಸ ರೊಟ್ಟಿ), which we can have with different types of chutney powder and curds.
But to make this rotti is little tricky and comes only by practice. I always remember a lady “Mallavva” who used to come to make rottis in my house and I am thankful to her that she taught me to make rottis. She always used to say, Man is born before all these things, so nothing is impossible.
Here is the recipe:
Jowar flour - 1 cup
Salt -1 tsp
Water – 1 cup (to make dough)
A square piece of cloth
Keep water in a vessel to boil. Add salt to it. Take Jowar flour in a big plate or wide vessel. Add little boiling water slowly to the flour and add little cold water and make the dough ready. It is not sticky like chapatti atta. It will be little softer. When you take it in hand and press it will spread easily. Keep little warm water in a vessel with cloth piece ready.
Now take a big lemon size and press it slowly to make it round. Spread little Jowar atta on the platform where you want to make rottis. Keep the flattened ball and slowly start patting. This is the tricky thing. You should be moving it circular while patting.(I don’t know whether “patting” is right word or not?). Again the tricky thing comes, to take it in hand and put it on hot tawa. Be very careful while doing this, otherwise rotti will be into pieces. After putting rotti in tawa, immediately spread little water with soaked cloth piece on the upper part. After few minutes, turn the rotti and just cook other side. You can press it with spatula to be sure that it’s cooked properly.
Remove and serve hot.
But I like to eat one day old rotti.

Keep smiling,

Nine things for Guests

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all,
We, Indians believe “Athithi Devo Bhav” (Guests are like God). In this busy world, expecting and entertaining guests is little difficult, until you put an extra effort.
It is not possible for everyone to have guest room. I remember, in our child hood, we all cousins (10 to 12 children) used to share one bedroom during summer holidays. And we used to enjoy it so much.
My mother’s house, we always enjoyed people coming and staying in the house. Our house was always full of people. And summer vacation was like a mini fair.
Here, I am listing nine things, which I try to keep at home for the guests (for those who are going to stay one or more days with us), which is comfortable for both.
Nine things (in a pair) for guests:
1.Towels.
2.Tooth brush
3.Night dresses
4.Soap
5.House ware slippers
6.Hair brush
7.Blankets
8.Diet(If you know any health issues about the guest lik diabetes,BP etc)
9.Last but not the least, lots of love, time and hospitality.

Do you have any other ideas! Let me know.

Keep smiling,

My Daughter turned sweet 7

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all,

Yesterday was my elder daughter’s birthday. She turned seven. So fast! She is very understanding, caring and matured for her age.
This year, one more reason to be happy is she got “Outstanding performance certificate” in her final exams. She is only in grade 1, but the girl who knew nothing other than writing A to Z and numbers only from 1 to 20, when she returned back from India after a year gap, to get this certificate, is really appreciable. In her first term, she could not answer any questions, as she did not know to read sentences. And it was a challenge for me too. After screaming, shouting,crying and beating (very bad mother!) and her continuous effort have given her the sweet fruit. And! my husband's cooperation to take care of younger one, when we are studying! Her teacher was very happy and she told it’s really a brilliant effort!! What else parents can expect other than this for their children. We both thank God to bless us this child.
We both are proud of her.
Wishing her a very happy birthday and bless many more to come.

Yesterday, she wanted to have Idli. So I thought of making Idli cake and give her. She was happy to have it.

And she was so happy, when one of her friends, brought her a box of chocolate ice cream than so many big gifts. This is what I call "Sweet Seven"

Keep smiling,

Nivedita's Kitchen: Tomato and Garlic Rasam(Tili saaru)

Nivedita's Kitchen: Tomato and Garlic Rasam(Tili saaru)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Tomato and Garlic Rasam(Tili saaru)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi all,

Tomato is my all time favourite. I love its color. It is so essential in almost every recipe, I always keep tomatoes in my fridge. Any type of soup or rasam with tomato is always welcomed by my taste buds. This is one recipe, usually my mom makes. It tastes great when she prepares it.

Here is the recipe,

Tomato – 2 medium

Garlic – ½ bulbs peeled and freshly crushed (if it is big. We get big one in UAE, if taking Indian, 1 full bulb)

Curry leaves – few

Mustard seeds – 1 tsp

Jeera – 1 tsp

Methi seeds – 1/2 tsp

Sugar – 1 tbsp

Salt to taste

Chilly powder – 1 to 2 tbsp or as per taste

Lemon juice – ½ tbsp

Oil 1 tbsp

Fresh coriander to garnish.

Heat oil in a vessel. Add Mustard seeds, and then add methi seeds and jeera.

Now add crushed garlic and curry leaves. Fry till garlic becomes slightly brown.

Then add chopped tomato, chilly powder, salt and sugar. Let it cook till tomato starts leaving oil. Now add 2 cups water and let it boil for 10 min.

Add lemon juice, just before switching off the stove. Garnish with coriander.

Servers for 3.

Sending this to 

PJ'S ONGOING EVENT

Healing Foods -Event Announcement which is started by Siri  (Healing foods)

Keep smiling,

Wishing a very happy Ugadi

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi All,

ಯುಗ ಯುಗಾದಿ ಕಳೆದರೂ
ಯುಗಾದಿ ಮರಳಿ ಬರುತಿದೆ
ಹೊಸ ವರುಷಕೆ, ಹೊಸ ಹರುಷವ
ಹೊಸತು ಹೊಸತು ತರುತಿದೆ....
Written by Shri. D R BENDRE, it is a beautiful song.

This was the song we learnt in the school on Ugadi. I dont remember the full song now, so writing only what I remember.

WISHING EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY UGADI

ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಉಗಾದಿ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು

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Meals with mutton

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All

Non vegetarian food is not much common in our house. I do not prepare often.So whenever I plan to make, I will try to make at least 3 varieties at a time.
Here is the photo. Recipe will follow soon.

In the photo, you can see Green Mutton chops,Mutton curry and Mutton Biryani with salted and sliced onions.
It is a feast, if you have with Jowar rotti(Jolada rotti) and onion raita.

Keep smiling,

Meals veg sambhar banana fry

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all
One more "Food in photo".
Recipe for banana fry is posted, but please wait for veg. sambhar.
Keep smiling,

Meals dal and white kidney beans

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi All,
This is only "Food in Photo"
Recipe will follow for WhiteKidney beans.I have already posted recipes for chapatis and dal.
In the photo, you can see,
Chapatis, Salted curds,alasandi(White Kidney beans) pallya,Jeera dal and hot rice and chilli pickle.
Anything else to wish when one is hungry?????

Keep smiling,

Happy birthday to me

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
HI
Today is my birthday and I want to wish myself.
Should I feel happy to celebrate my ** years birthday? Is there anything special to celebrate? What have I achieved in these years to celebrate?
A few questions to myself and with honest answers I may be able to say YES, I can celebrate my birthday.

Q.1 Have I kept my family happy?
A: Yes! According to my Hubby. He says I am his strength. He really loves me very much and he thanks God to have me as life partner.(I feel the same for him).
My elder daughter who is 7 yrs old, she says "I am the best mother in this world"
(Hehe, all children are like that!!!) But I feel proud when I hear that from her.
Waiting for second daughter who is 18months old, to say the same for me!! Too greedy no?

Q2.My parents?
A: I cannot say 100% yes, as I always went against my mother. But sure I made them feel proud at least few times. And it is not possible for me to achieve my mother's dreams. She is so full of life, enthusiastic and always positive minded and ever ready for anything to face in the life. Hats off to her. After being a mother of two kids, I know her value!

Q3.My brother and sister in law?
A: We too are always close and discuss anything under the sun. Till today, without asking my brother I have not taken any decision(even though my decision is final, sometimes!!)He is younger than me, but he is my guide and my critic.
Now my sister in law, she has brought us more close together. So happy to have her in our life.When their marriage was fixed, my brother told her alot about me, how I was so responsible and always took care of him and other cousins. That makes me happy!! So there is a reason to celebrate.

Q4.My relatives and my cousins?
A: Hey, definitely yes!!!! I am really lucky to have so wonderful family, everyone loves me and care for me. Thank you so much.

Q5. My friends?
A: I have very few friends and they are always supportive, caring and guiding. And we feel so happy whenever we talk over the phone.

Q6. Towards society?
A: Yes, I try not to waste water.I try to save energy. I try to water plants, when I am back in India. I am always ready to help needy. May be its not possible here, but once I settle down back in India, definitely will do something.

Hurray, YES!!! So many reasons to celebrate my birthday!!!!!!

Before I finish, I want to share few memories about my birthdays. I always celebrated my birthday in a big way. Thanks to mom!! She always kept surprise for me on my each birthday.

It was always a fun in my birthday party. I always got great gifts from my parents, especially mom.

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep smiling,

Burnt Jeera dal

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all

A simple dal recipe, it goes well with rice and even chapati. I like it both the ways. Here the jeera must be burnt and the flavour of burnt jeera with flavour of dal is toooooo good to resist!!!
Here is the recipe:
Toor dal or yellow moong dal - 1 cup(Boiled and mashed)
Tomato - 1/2 chopped length wise
Long dry red chillies - 4 to 5
Jeera - 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 and pickle with papad.

Keep smiling,

Nine things in the fridge

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

In "Nine and Mine" I am trying to share my 9 ideas or my 9 views on particular subject on many interesting things.
Why nine? Just like that! Because I like number "9". (It rhymes also!).
Sometimes, may be I will not be able to say all 9 things, or I may have more than 9 things to share, but I will try to take only 9 things.
As the name of this blog is connected with kitchen, lets start with the subject kitchen itself.
Today, I am sharing my ideas on,
"Which 9 things I do always have in my fridge"
1. Tomatoes
2. Paneer
3. Pudhina chutney(Mint and Coriander chutney)
4. Butter
5. Ginger
6. Eggs
7. Grated fresh coconut(Frozen)
8. Peas
9. Ice cubes(Must and should when you have babies and kids at home)

I hope, you all liked the idea!! Anyone wants to share more ideas, Please do it.

Next time, "9 things for ????" Guess!
Keep smiling,

Simple, tasty Chapati Rolls with guessing game

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi all,

(The chapati I have decorated here is only for photo purpose as I wanted to show the spreads altogether)
A very simple, tasty and easy rolls for kids. I like too. These rolls were, our (my brother Avinash and mine) favourites during school time. It was easy for my mother also.

Now I give to my daughter, but with little guessing game, and she loves to play it.



Chapatis - 6

sugar - 3 tbsp

Jaggery powdered - 3 tbsp

Peanut and dalia chutney powder -3 tbsp(Recipe in my chutney label)(If you don't have, no problem. You can use MTR READY CHUTNEY POWDER).

Ghee to apply for above.

Any jam - 3 tbsp

Butter - 1 tbsp

Chocolate spread - 3 tbsp(I use Nutella)

Cheese spread - 3 tbsp(I use Knorr cheese spread)

Take 3 chapatis on the plate.

Apply 2 tbsp ghee on each chapati.

Spread sugar on one chapati, jaggery powdered on another and chutney powder on the third.

Roll and keep ready.

These 3 rolls we used to have in childhood.

Next rolls I have added according to today's kids world.

Take 3 more chapatis on plate.

Apply butter on one chapati, and then spread jam. Spread Chocolate spread on other and cheese spread on the third one.

Roll and keep ready.

Now keep all the rolls on a big plate.

Here the guessing game starts. If you have more than one kid, its more interesting. Even your kid's friends can join.

Call the children and ask them to guess in which roll what is there. Whoever guesses correct, they will get reward.

What I do with my daughter is,
I take any three rolls, keeping in mind to make one chocolate roll in that.

I tell her to take two rolls, and if the chocolate roll is not there in that, as she loves to eat chocolate roll, all the three chapatis will disapear in to her stomach in no time. My purpose to give her chapatis without fuss is served.

I AM SENDING THIS RECIPE TO PJ'S Tasty Bites For Toddlers.

Keep smiling,

Soft Chapatis my way

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all
Even though I am making chapatis since long time, my chapatis were always hard or torn into pieces after few hours. Now after trying umpteen times, I learnt making chapatis, which remains soft even the next day.
Usually (not always)soya flour to wheat flour as soya is good for health and as there is no change in taste, no need to force the children to get soya in other form.
Here is the recipe:
For Chapati
Wheat flour - 2 cups
Soya flour - 3/4 cup
Salt- 1 tsp
Oil- 1 tbsp

For spread
Wheat flour -5 tbsp
Oil to make paste.

Mix wheat flour and oil to make paste to spread on the chapatis.

Add both the flours, salt and oil in a vessel and knead it with water to make dough. Keep it aside at least for half an hour.
While making chapatis, divide dough in to large lime size balls.
Take one ball, roll it puri size. Spread the paste. Sprinkle little flour. fold it to half. Again spread the paste and sprinkle flour and fold it to triangle.
Now roll chapati into desired shape (mine usually comes triangle shape, if I don't give attention while rolling).
Heat tawa in high flame, when frying chapatis, do on medium flame. Never fry chapatis on low flame, as it makes chapatis hard.
Repeat with other chapatis.
No need to put oil while frying.
Serve chapatis with subji, or make rolls or eat just like that.

Keep smiling,

Corn flakes chewda

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi All,

Here is the recipe for Cornflakes chewda. Very easy and fast to make. Children will love it. If they don't like to eat cornflakes with milk, this is the best way to give them.

Normal cornflakes - 1 cup

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Jeera - 1 tsp

Dalia (Puthani) - 2 tbsp

roasted peanut-2 tbsp

curry leaves few

chilli powder - 1 tsp

salt to taste

sugar - 1tsp

Oil - 2 tbsp

salted cashew nuts -10 to 12

Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, jeera. Then add curry leaves, Dalia. Fry for one minute and off the gas.

After a minute, add roasted peanuts, cashew nuts, salt, sugar and chilly powder. Keep it aside. Once its cold add cornflakes. mix properly.

Good filler for kids and elders can enjoy with a hot cup of tea.

I AM SENDING THIS RECIPE TO PJ'S Tasty Bites For Toddlers



Keep smiling,

A Hindi Poem "TREE" by me

Hi All
I was so happy the day I wrote a poem in Hindi for my daughter who is in grade I. She had Hindi poem competition and she wanted to participate in that.(She always wants to take part in everything!!). First 15 days I did not take it seriously. Then when she started crying that I am not teaching her any poem, I searched for an easy poem with good message, I could not get one. I mean, either they were very big or they had difficult words which I was sure she will not be able to pronounce. And from that time, something was singing in my head, I wanted to give a try and write down and only thing coming in my mind was about tree. And I was thinking about easy words which she should be able to learn fast.
And one day, after Mahesh(My Hubby) went to drop my daughter to school bus stop, instead of making breakfast for him, I took pencil and paper and went on writing. And I was getting words without much thinking. I stopped writing after 12 lines. I was so happy and read it in front of Mahesh, not even realizing he is getting late to the office. Here is the poem:

                                           पेड़

पेड़ है मेरा नाम

मैं हूँ पक्षियों का धाम

मेरा फल सबको भाया

मैं देता हूँ सबको छाया

मैं बदलता हूँ रंग हर रुतु के संग

मुझसे बनता भी है घर

कर कर वार मुझ पर

अगर बचाना है यह संसार

मुझसे करलो प्यार

मत करो मुझ पर वार

मेरी सबसे बिनती है

लगाओ हर घर में एक पौधा

आगे होगा सबको सुविधा

(PEDH- TREE)

PEDH HAI MERA NAAM

MAIN HOON PAKSHIYON KA DHAM

MERA PHAL SABKO BHAAYA

MAIN DETA HOON SABKO CHAAYA

MAIN BADALTA HOON RANG

HAR RUTU KE SANG

MUJHSE BANATA BHI HAI GHAR

KAR KAR WAAR MUJH PAR

AGAR BACHANA HAI

YEAH SANSAR

MUJHSE KARLO PYAR

MAT KARO MUJH PAR WAAR

MERI SABSE BINATI HAI

LAGAO HAR GHAR MEIN EK POUDHA

AAGE HOGA SABKO SUVIDHA

My daughter got selected for the final competition and participate. But she was scared to say it louder on the stage and did not get any prize. But I was happy she learnt it so fast and participated in the competition.

Keep smiling,

At last I am here!!!!!

Hi All
Its almost more than a year I thought of entering the blog world. But!!!!!!!! this "but" is the mother of laziness!!!
Having 2 kids, managing alone everything, it was impossible for me to sit and share my world with others.
From past one month I am regularly following few blogs and surprised and really amazed about the knowledge, these girls have. Keep up the work. Jai Ho Blogging.
Learning words from blogworld also.
Started to learn now, just laugh and forget at my mistakes. Mistakes makes man not perfect but takes him to perfection. (No one is perfect in this world!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I will try to share my recipes in next few days and will try to share my views also.

Bye for now.

Keep smiling!!!