Strawberry

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi all,

Strawberry, the most beautiful fruit, in spite having black spot on it!!! I call it black spot beauty!!!!

I love this fruit in any form. More than eating, I love to sit and watch it for long time.

It makes me think that even we should be like Strawberry. Have beautiful mind, think good, be kind and look beautiful, in spite of having bad things, many drawbacks or weakness in us!!

(Am I too bad in Philosophy???)

I am posting it in my "Food in Photo", as it looks more pretty like this than in any form.

May be I will post one or two preparations with this in future.

Its diffucult to get good strawberry at my place. So when ever I get, I will try to post a recipe.

Keep smiling,

Sai bhaji(Green leafy veg curry)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi All,

This is the healthiest food for the whole family. Especially for children, all the green leafy vegetables will go in the stomach at a time.
It is a popular Sindhi dish, which I like to have at least one time in 15 days. It goes well with Hot rice, mainly with brown rice or yellow rice.
Here is the recipe,For bhaji:
Palak(Spinach) - 1 bunch
Methi leaves(Fenugreek leaves) - 1/2 bunchSabbasgi (Dill leaves) - 1/4 bunch(Optional)

(While making for this post, I did not had dill leaves and brinjal, so you can not see in the photo)
Brinjal - 1 medium (cut into cubes), its optional.
Potato - 1 medium(cut into cubes)
Tomato - 2 big(cut in to cubes)
Carrot - 1 medium(cut into cubes)
Channa dal - 1/2 cup (Soaked in water at least for an hour)
Salt to taste
Chilly powder - 1 tbsp
Haldi - 1/2 tsp
For tempering,
Oil - 1 tbsp(Ghee will taste better)
Mustard seeds - 1tsp
Ginger Crushed - 1tsp
Mix all the ingredients for bhaji in a cooker and make 4 whistles. When cooker is cool, remove the lid, churn it with churner or with blender. Adjust the taste for salt.Give bhagar with mustard seeds and crushed ginger in a oil.
Sai Bhaji is ready to serve with hot rice of your choice.

But, first thing what I do is I eat just like that in a bowl. Seeing me, my daughter also loves to eat like that!!

I am sending this to PJ's LET'S TURN SATTVIC THIS MONTH....

which is from Lakshmi’s blog

Hey, again one more chance for this recipe to participate in another event from Pavani's

Annoncing Cooking For Kids-Leafy Greens, which was originally started from

Sharmi's( Neivedyam.) original CKF announcement.

Keep Smiling,

Missing UAE

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi

So at last I reached and settled in India. I have so many good and bad experiences, which I will writer little later.

Now as I am missing many things from UAE, thought of writing about that first.

Even though I have already moved to India, my heart is still there in UAE. It takes time for me to come out.(one more reason is my husband is still staying there)

I am very happy that I came back to India,and waiting to do lot of things which I couldnot do back in UAE.

But, yes! I miss UAE for so many reasons, It has given me a chance to start the life in a new and totally different way..

I started to speak in English, which was not at all possible in India. When I went there first time, I missed many interviews, only because I could not speak English properly. Even though I am not perfect now also, but I can talk with confidence with less mistakes. I used to feel very insecured and inferior. I am thankful to UAE, it gave me self confidence. I learnt a lot of things here only.

I was explored to the new world of food. I tasted so many international cuisine and enjoyed every bite.. I could meet many people from every corner of the world. I got a chance to see the lifestyle of people from different countries.

Now after coming back and knowing that I will not go back again, I miss few things(food), which are not available here at my place. Mainly, Chicken showrma, Falafel sandwich. I always loved Hummus, Garlic paste and Tabouleh. These things I can make at home. But I miss the aroma coming from Pakistani roti shop, and showrma shop.

I miss non vegetarian food, as it is not possible for me to cook at my mother's place.

I miss the busy streets with traffic jam (used to scold the same when I was there), I miss the regular water and power supply!!

I think I will continue the saga of my stay in UAE in the future also.

Bye for now. Catch me with my "BACK TO INDIA" experiences soon.

(I am attaching a photo of Hummus, Garlic paste and Tabouleh, which I had just few days before I came.)

Keep smiling,

Life and Laugh

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi All,
Children are very innocent, but still they teach us lessons with their innocence in the life,and make us laugh with the same innocence.
This is one recent experience I had last week.
My elder daughter Rajul was chatting online with her father last week. While chatting, he was explaining her that she is big girl now(only 7 yrs!!), and need to take care of mother(That's me), her sister, Naani(My mother), mama and mami. He wanted say do not trouble any one!

Her immediate reaction: Papa, I am not octopus,I don't have 8 hands to take care of all at one time!!!!

keep Smiling,

Nivedita's Kitchen: Sai bhaji(Green leafy veg curry)

Nivedita's Kitchen: Sai bhaji(Green leafy veg curry)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Nivedita's Kitchen: Instant coconut halwa

Nivedita's Kitchen: Instant coconut halwa

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Nivedita's Kitchen: Sago(Sabudana) kheer

Nivedita's Kitchen: Sago(Sabudana) kheer

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Sago(Sabudana) kheer

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi All

Sago kheer is one of favourite sweet dish of my husband. He likes to have it with puris.

And Today is my husband's birthday. Missing him on his great day and this sweet is for him. Waiting for him to join us as soon as possible.

It is must on Hanuman jayanthi in our home.(No particular reason for that!!) Its easy to make and as I am not soaking the sabudana, its done whenever we feel like having.

Even though its very common sweet, its taste is different.

Here is the recipe.

Sago - 1 cup

(Smaller size will be fine, as we are directly cooking without soaking it)

Sugar - 3/4 cup

Ghee - 2 tbsp

Cardamom powder - 1 tsp

Milk - 1 cup

Water as per required.

Take the pan with thick bottom, keep it on fire. when its hot, add ghee and add sabudana. Fry till they are almost double in size. If they don't turn into double size, its fine, fry till nice aroma comes. Remove and keep aside. Add milk in the same pan. When it starts boiling, add the fried sabudana. Let it cook for 5 minutes or till its cooked 3/4Th. Now add sugar and 1/4 cup water. Let it boil till sabudana is cooked full. It may take 10 minutes approx. Now add cardamom and boil it for a minute.

Sago kheer is ready to serve hot. Or keep in the fridge and have cold kheer.

I am sending this to Srivalli's Announcing Mithai Mela ~ Celebrating 2 years!

Hope all will like it.

Keep smiling,

Nivedita's Kitchen: Gram flour vadi(ಜ್ಹುನಕದ ವಡಿ)

Nivedita's Kitchen: Gram flour vadi(ಜ್ಹುನಕದ ವಡಿ)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Gram flour vadi(ಜ್ಹುನಕದ ವಡಿ)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi All

When I read about preparing food in 15 minutes, I told to my sis in law, her immediate response was to make jhunakada vadi(ಜ್ಹುನಕದ ವಡಿ )! so without second thought, I planned to prepare the same.
I kept the clock in front of me, and it took 13 minutes to finish it!! Of course, need little planning,
One more good thing of this is, one can store it for 2 days. Good while travelling.

Here is the recipe,
Gram flour - 1 cup
Jeera - 1 tsp
Onion - 1 medium(chopped finely)
Tamarind paste -1 tbsp
(soak tamarind in a bowl, and turn it in microwave oven for 30 seconds.
Chilli powder - 1tbsp
Haldi - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Grated coconut(dry) - 2 tbsp
Poppy seeds - 1 tbsp(optional)
Coriander chopped to garnish
Oil-2 tbsp
Ghee - 1 tsp
As we have to prepare it in thick bottomed pan, I kept the pan on heat, and then started cutting onions(that saves time)
Once oil is hot, add jeera, and onion. Saute for 2 minutes or till slightly brown. Add curry leaves. Now add gram flour. keep on stirring,as there is chance of getting burnt till nice aroma comes. It hardly takes 5 minutes. Then add,tamarind paste, salt, chilli powder and haldi.
Mix properly and add 1 tsp ghee. Let it cook for 2 more minutes. till that time, apply little ghee on a plate and remove the ready mix to the same. Press it evenly and garnish immediately with coconut, poppy seeds and coriander.
Have it with chapati or hot rice as side dish.

I am sending this one to Mahima's(http://spicesetc.blogspot.com/) event ,

http://spicesetc.blogspot.com/2009/04/15-minute-cooking-spieces-etc.html

Keep smiling,

Carrot burfi

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all,

Today I thought of posting the recipe for Carrot burfi.My hubby and me got sweet tooth. Especially for me, after food, I must eat something at least one spoon.So sometimes what I do is, can you guess!!! I go to kitchen take Boost and eat one spoon. He he!!! or if I have condensed milk in the fridge I eat one spoon. One spoon is also enough for me but I must have sweet after food. So sinful for weight watchers!! So I am labelling it in "A sinful D(W)ish".
This is one sweet you can make anytime, and its quick also.
Here is the recipe
Carrot- 2cups grated
Sugar - 1 1/2 cup(If you are using condensed milk, add 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup condensed milk) Milk - 1 cup
Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
Almonds - 8 to 10 crushed
Ghee 2 tbsp
Churn the grated carrot in the grinder just one round.
Heat 1 tbsp ghee in thick bottomed pan. Add carrot and fry it for sometime, till the raw smell goes.
Take it in a plate, and in the same pan add milk and let it boil. When it starts boiling add sugar and carrot.
Let it cook for sometime. Now add Cardamom powder. When It starts becoming little solid add condensed milk and crushed almonds.
Keep on stirring or it will get burnt.
When the carrot starts leaving the pan, add one more tbsp ghee and transfer it to greased plate.
Spread it evenly on the plate. Cut with the knife in desired shape.
Once it is cold you can cut and serve.
Or enjoy it hot.

As I have just come back to India, still not reached to my place. But I am in Pune, at my brother's place, enjoying my vacation. Even though, not getting much time to sit in front of computer, I always make it sure to visit all my favourite blogs.

Today I had time, as my both daughters went down to park with my sister in law, I thought I will re post this sweet and send it to Srivalli's event,(I had kept in my mind, as soon as I get time, I will do this!!).

So here goes the recipe to Srivalli's Announcing Mithai Mela ~ Celebrating 2 years!

Keep smiling

Nivedita's Kitchen: Carrot burfi

Nivedita's Kitchen: Carrot burfi

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Taking short break!!

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all,
I am so happy that I entered the blog world to share my views, experience, knowledge, ideas and so lot. Thanks for the support. (PJ,Sudeshna and Aparna for now)
Now I am going to take a break for a month or so as I am moving back to India to settle down. I am not sure how many days its going to take, but sure to be in touch, whenever it is possible, till I settle down full. (hopefully, till June 15th).
Bye for now,
Keep smiling,

Nivedita's Kitchen: Cabbage poriyal

Nivedita's Kitchen: Cabbage poriyal

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Cabbage poriyal

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all,

It is so easy to cook when you have the guide in front of you!! When I checked the event Tried and Tasted by "My Diverse Kitchen", I visited Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen and was explored to so many vegetarian dishes, so many, which I never heard before. I wanted to start form easier one, as I have less time to experiment this month but I wanted to participate also.
So I tried her cabbage poriyal and liked it so much that I had it without anything.
Here is the link for the same,
http://foodandspice.blogspot.com/2009/02/cabbage-poriyal.html
I stayed 100% true to the recipe.

I am sending this recipe to Announcing Tried and Tasted, April 2009 – Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen from My Diverse Kitchen, which originally started by Zlamushka's original event announcement.

Keep smiling,

Nivedita's Kitchen: Nutty Egg Omelet

Nivedita's Kitchen: Nutty Egg Omelet

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Nivedita's Kitchen: Eggs and rice noodles

Nivedita's Kitchen: Eggs and rice noodles

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Eggs and rice noodles

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all,

When it comes to eating eggs, I am always hungry. I love to eat egg in any form, except half fried egg. Rice noodles and scrambled egg is a great combination and a very healthy breakfast for everyone. It is easy and quick recipe to fix.
Here is the recipe
Rice noodles (Sevia) – 150 gms (ready made, Indian)
(I have tried with Thai rice noodles, it wont taste good as with Indian rice noodles)
Eggs – 3
Onion – 1 big
Green chilly – 4 to 5(Put less if making only for kids)
Curry leaves – 8 to 10
Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
Jeera (cumin seeds) – 1 tsp
Cinnamon stick – 1 inch
Lemon Juice – 2 tbsp
Salt to taste
Haldi – ½ tsp
Oil – 2 tbsp
Fresh coriander chopped to garnish
Boil the rice noodles in the hot water and drain and keep aside. (Follow the instructions on the packet)
Heat oil in a thick bottomed shallow pan. Add mustard seeds, jeera, and cinnamon stick then curry leaves. Saute it. Now add green chilly and onion and fry till transparent. Beat the eggs in a bowl and add it to the pan. Stir continuously till it is mixed properly with onion.Sprinkle little water, cover and cook for two minutes, so that egg is cooked full. Add salt and haldi. Mix once again. Now add boiled noodles and lime juice. Mix properly. Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot.

Sevres 3. Good for kid’s lunch box.

I am sending this recipe to Sudeshna's Announcing: Event for Eggs.

Keep smiling,

Onion and Tomato Sabji

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi All

This is one recipe, with which one can prepare so many dishes. It alone goes well with Dosa, chapati. And you can use it as sandwich filler, use with boiled eggs, use for omelet!!!

Here is the recipe,
Onion – 1 big (Chopped lengthwise)
Tomato – 1big (Chopped finely)
Curry leaves – 4 to 6
Chilly powder – 1 tbsp
Crushed peanut and almonds – ¼ cup(crushed to big pieces)
(If you like add cashew nuts also)
Mustard seed – ½ tsp
Jeera – ½ tsp
Salt to taste
Haldi -1/2 tsp
Oil - 1 tbsp
Hing – a pinch
Sugar – 1 tsp
Fresh coriander – 1 tbsp
Add mustard seeds and jeera in hot oil. Now add curry leaves, hing and onions with crushed nuts. Cook till brown, add tomato. Let it cook till oil separates. Add Chilly powder, salt, sugar and haldi. Add little water and boil it for five minutes. Mix with chopped fresh coriander.

Onion and tomato sabji is ready. Serves two.

Keep smiling,

Sweet Tomato

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi all,

No cooking food and most of the kids will love it. My granny used to give us as starter. But you should have large grain sugar, what we get in India,then it tastes better and crunchy.
Tomato – 1 or 2, big
Sugar – to sprinkle
Cut Tomato in to thin circles.
Arrange on the plate.
Just before serving, sprinkle sugar on tomato slices. It tastes better if tomatoes are kept in the fridge before adding sugar.

Sending this to 

PJ'S ONGOING EVENT

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

Keep smiling,