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,

Kaarchi Kai(Mini bitter gourd) Sabji

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

I do not know the English name of the vegetable in the photo, but in North Karnataka, we call it "Kaarchi kai"(Kannada). It tastes like bitter gourd. It is available only in the rainy season. It is having crunchy seeds. Its having tails on both the sides, need to be removed before we cook. One more thing to keep in mind is, if it is exposed to direct sun, it will open and split and the seeds will come out. Then you can not cook it.

"IF ANY ONE KNOWS ANY INFORMATION ABOUT IT, PLEASE SHARE WITH ME AND OTHERS, WHO WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS"

Now, here is the recipe,

Kaarchi kai - 250 gms

Onion - 1 big chopped

Curry leaves - few

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Jeera - 1 tsp

Chilly powder - 1 tbsp

Haldi - a pinch

Fresh coconut - 1/4 cup

Salt to taste

Lime juice - 1 tbsp

Sugar or jaggery - 1 tbsp

Oil - 2 tbsp to fry

and 1 tbsp to prepare the masala

Wash the kaarchi kai, cut the tails and keep in closed bag, if you are not cooling immidiately. Keep in mind to cook as early as possible and not to expose it to the sun.

Heat oil in the kadai, fry the vegetable till slightly brown. Keep it aside in a plate. In the same kadai, add 1 tbsp oil. Add mustard seeds, jeera, curry leaves and onion. Fry for some time. Add kaarchi kai, salt, chilly powder, haldi, fresh coconut. Mix it properly and Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Off the heat. Add lemon juice and mix properly again. The vegetable is ready to serve.

It tastes good with Jowar rotti.

Keep smiling,

Aloo Pattice

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

My father used to love this! He was a great cook, and always tried new recipes in the kitchen. This was one of his favourite, he used to prepare for guests. This is from my mother. It tastes more delicious when she prepares it. A good snack for kids. They will love to eat with sauce or ketchup.

Main ingredient for this is, a green leafy vegetable called Kiraksali in Kannada. It is very common in North Karnataka. We usually just stir fry it with lot of onion and garlic. It tastes great with Jowar rotti.

Please help me to get the English name for this. I did lot of searching, but I could not get the name for this in English.

In Harsha Bennur's blog (http://girmitt.wordpress.com/2008/07/25/roasted-kirkasaali-tandulsa/), he has given the name as Tandulsa, I do not know which language it is.

You can substitute with Rajgiri leaves or methi leaves, but I am not sure about the taste.

Here is the recipe,

Potato -4 big

Haldi - 1/2 tsp

Kiraksali - 3 bunch(Washed, cleaned and finely chopped)

Green Pea(fresh or frozen) - 1/2 cup

Green chilly - 3 small chopped

Curry leaves - few chopped

Raisins - 8 to 10

Cashew nuts - 8 to 10 cut into pieces (optional)

Khus khus(poppy seeds) - 2 tbsp

Oil - 1 tbsp

Dalda or Vanaspati - 1 tbsp

Salt to taste

Lime juice - 1 tsp

Rice flour to dust the pattice

Oil to fry the pattice

Boil the potatoes. When cool, mash it. Add little salt (1 tsp) and haldi, mix it properly and keep it aside.

Heat oil and vanaspati in kadai, add curry leaves, peas (if frozen, keep it out of the fridge for 10 minutes before using it), green chilly. Saute it for a minute, now add raisins, cashew nuts and poppy seeds. After a minute add kiraksali. Add salt and haldi. Mix it and let it cook till the green leaves are cooked. Now add lime juice and mix it and keep it aside.

Next step is to make pattice and fry them in oil.

Make equal size(Big lemon size) of mashed potato. Take one, and press it on your palm to make it flat. Stuff it with ready leafy vegetable. Take care to cover full vegetable with potato. Otherwise all the masala will come out while frying. Do for all the potato balls. Dust the ready balls with rice flour.

Now, heat the oil in kadai. When hot, fry the pattice one by one till golden color.

4 to 6 pattice can be prepared with this quantity.

Aloo Pattice is ready to serve with Ketchup or Sauce.
Linking it to
http://sindhirasoi.com/link/potato/

Keep smiling,

Beetroot Salad

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Beet root is very good for health. It is having many health benefits. When I was browsing about the beet root, I came through this web site, which gives detailed benefits (http://www.ayushveda.com/womens-magazine/benefits-of-beet-root/).

My elder daughter loves to eat it with every meal. So I keep on trying to make different recipes with this.

My daughter loves to eat only with salt also.

Here is the recipe, which when I make it vanishes from the plate just like that.

Beet root -2 boiled

Oil -1 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Hing- a pinch

Curry leaves - few

Urad dal - 1 tbsp

Chilly powder - 1 tsp(Optional)

Salt to taste

Amchur powder - 1/2 tsp

or

Lime juice - 1/2 tsp

Remove the skin on boiled beet root. Cut in to desired shapes. Thin round pieces will be good, as it is easy to spread other ingredients. Spread the pieces in a plate.

Heat oil in a kadai, add mustard seeds. When they are done, add urad dal. still it till it becomes slightly golden color. Now add all other ingredients. Put evenly on the beetroot plate.

Serve as a salad with your main meals. Or you can serve as a starter.
Sending it to

Priya's Healing Foods - Beetroot Event Guest Hosting
(Linking it to  Siri's Healing foods main page)

Keep smiling,

Wish you all a very HAPPY NAGA PANCHAMI

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi all,

Naga Panchami is a very big festival in North Karnataka specially for women. Main food for this festival is to make varieties of Laddoos (we call "oondi" in Kannada). We prepare laddoos of peanut, sev, til, besan, rava, dalia powder and Jaggery. Enjoy the laddoos in the photo. I am going to have it now!!!!

WISHING ALL OF YOU A VERY HAPPY NAGA PANCHAMI

ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ನಾಗ ಪಂಚಮಿಯ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು

Keep smiling,

Puffed Rice masala(ಚುರುಮರಿ ಸುಸಲಾ )

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

In North Karnataka, Puffed rice or kurmura is very common. One can find it in every one's house. Now also, people with big jute bag come home to sell it. Every week they come shouting "churumarieeeeee", and we will be waiting with the big tin.

It is prepared in many ways and served with evening tea. It is always ready snack in any season. It accompanies many side snacks and sweets. I call it Apathbandhava (as it saves me when I have unexpected guests in the evening). In North Karnataka, we make a dish called Girmitt from this, and it is very famous. You will get it on the road side tea stalls with hot fried Mirchi( Green chilly bhaji). But be careful, if you are eating on the road side, as it is not good for health.

Here is the recipe,

(In Kannada,we call it as Churumari susala(ಚುರುಮರಿ ಸುಸಲಾ )).

Puffed rice(Kurmura) - 1 big bowl

Onion - 1 big chopped

Curry leaves - 1 line

Green chilly - 2 to 3 chopped

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Jeera - 1tsp

Peanut - 10 to 15(optional)

Oil - 1/4 cup or less if you are health conscious

Lime juice - 1 tbsp

Sugar - 1 tsp

Haldi - a pinch

Dalia (coarse) powder(roasted split Channa) - 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

Fresh coriander chopped - handful

Soak the puffed rice in water for few minutes. Remove it by squeezing the water and transfer in to a plate.

Heat the oil in kadai, add mustard seeds, when they start popping, add jeera and peanuts. When peanuts are little brown add curry leaves, onion and green chilly. Cook it till onion is brown. Off the heat. Add Salt, haldi and sugar. Finally add dalia powder and mix it properly. Wait till it is warm and add soaked puffed rice. Garnish with fresh coriander.

Puffed rice masala is ready to serve with banana, onion pakora, murukku(Chakli), or any dry sweet.

A perfect evening snack with a hot cup of tea.

Keep smiling,

Instant coconut halwa

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all,

As I told before, I am always ready for sweet. After meals, I must have some sweet. So this one is the quickest sweet I can make and I love to sit and eat very slowly, enjoying each bite. Here is the recipe,
Fresh grated coconut - 1 cup
Jaggery crushed or powdered - 3/4 cup
Ghee - 2 tbsp
Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
nutmeg powder - 1/4 tsp(optional, but defintely gives unique taste)
Mix altogether nicely, and keep in microwave oven for 1 minute. Take it out, mix again and keep in oven again for two more minutes.
Coconut halwa is ready to eat.

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

This sweet is going to PJ's Let's Go Nuts! - Event Announcement (for the month of July 09) which is the brain child of Aqua.

Keep smiling,

Haryanvi Thali

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi all,

When I came to know about the event Tried and tasted hosted by Ahwini of (ashwini-spicycuisine.blogspot.com) and which is a brain child of Zlamuska's spicy kitchen, I was excited to know whom we have to follow this time.

And I entered Asha's Foodie's Hope blog. Asha is really talented, creative and deserves so many awards she got on her blog. I was confused what to cook as there are many dishes. Then I went through her RCI event. I was fascinated by all the yummy pictures. I was feeling as if I am in a place where thali's of all the states are available to eat now.

Planning to cook all the dishes very soon, I thought let me start with Haryanvi food. So here is the Thali ready for you all. And I was 100% true to her original recipe. I did not prepare Besan pinni, as I was short of pista.

Check her blog for the recipe to make the Haryanvi thali ready. Here is the link;

http://foodieshope.blogspot.com/2009/02/haryanvi-cuisine-pakodi-di-kadhi-jeera.html

I prepared, Mooli paratha, carrot-ginger pickle, Besan kadhi with pakodi, Aloo Raita and Jeera rice.

I hope you will like it! the way I prepared and arranged in a thali.

And this is going to

Ashwini's Announcing Tried and Tasted event!!!!

Keep smiling,

Green moong chutney

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi all,

Here is the recipe from my cousin Veena, who got married and settled in Sagar. Sagar comes in Shimoga district. The world famous Jog Falls is also in Sagar.

After she got married and went to inlaw's house, she learnt all the customs, the traditional food of Sagar.

It is almost 10 years we did not get time to sit with each other and chat for at least 10 minutes(We were always together before her marriage) and we met only twice in these 10 years!!

Now I do call her once a week and talk. She has promised me, that she will give me recipes of Sagar. So whenever she gives me the recipe I will make at home, and post it here.

Now is the time for this chutney, which is very easy and tasty.

Here is the recipe,

Whole green gram or split green gram - 1 cup

(she told me to use whole green gram, but I used the split one.)

You can use brown chana or kala chana also to make this chutney.

Fresh coconut - 1/4 cup or lesser

Green chilly - 3 to 4

Jaggery - 1 tbsp

Tamarind - 1 tbsp

Garlic - 1 bulb(Small)

Salt to taste

Water to make chutney

(Optional

Curds - as per requirement

Onion - as per taste)

Roast the moong till nice aroma comes, stirring all the time. Let it be cool.

Mix all the ingredients and grind it coarse paste or fine paste.

If you are using whole moong, then grind the roasted moong first 2 rounds, then add other ingredients to it and make it chutney.

The chutney is ready to serve with Akki roti(rice flour rotti),Thali peeth, chapati or dosa or rice.

If you like you can add little curds and chopped onion. It tastes good with akki roti and thali peeth.

I am sending this recipe to

Priya's Spill the beans - Sunday snacks

And my one more dish also is prepared with 14 pulses which is perfect for her event.(http://niveditaskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/06/14-mixed-pulses-gravy.html#links)

Hope you all enjoy the chutney!!

Keep smiling,

Fogotten Indian games!!!!!!!!

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi all,

I wanted to write about this last month only. But some how it went out of mind!! Now suddenly I remembered and thought let me share with you.

In the child hood, we used to stay in a chawl. (Many houses together in a big compound, or one big lane having houses built either side of the road.) I had many friends and there was no one to stop us playing the whole day during summer vacations. We used to play many games, which are totally disappeared now a days. Lagori, Halpi, Vattappa, sarbadgi, muttata, hide and seek(stop), kabaddi, gilli dandu, aali guli mani, kuntata, bali churu(broken banlgles), Chakka vacchi, playing house house game with kitchen set and dolls, kalla police(thief and police), dum sharara, goli, writing our own script and playing the dramas.(I do not know the English names for the games, sorry!! These all are Kannada names!) I still do not remember many games.

That included, stealing pickles from the kitchen and then sharing and eating.

Collecting the ingredients for making Chigali(made up of fresh tamarind, jaggery, chilly powder, lime leaves, salt and few more!!). Then making small balls of chigali, sharing and enjoying the spicy, tangy, lemony and salty taste.

Preparing mehandi at home and applying in the evenings.

And not to forget, educational games, like writing names of four things from same alphabet, memory game, Antakshari!!!

Just a thought came in my mind!! Why we can not post all old games one by one, trying to explain it with photo(if possible) !!!

Any one to join me????

I will try to post the games one by one or any one wants to host the event and name it "Forgotten games"

Let me know!!!

Keep smiling

5 flour dosa for kids

Tried and tasted by Nivedita





Hi All,
Toddlers are very particular about eating. We have to do so many tricks to feed them healthy food. I always try to mix and match alot of healthy ingredients to prepare a recipe to give my children.
This five flour dosa is very common recipe, but I am giving this to both my kids from the age of nine months. And they both eat without any problem and its the quickest and healthiest recipe to make as per me. I am giving qty in TBSP measurement, as I make only for them.
Here is the recipe:
Wheat flour - 5 tbsp
Soya flour - 3 tbsp
Maida(All purpose flour) - 2 tbsp
Rice Flour - 3 tbsp
Gram flour - 2 tbsp
Curds - 2tbsp
Salt as per taste
Jeera - 1 tsp
Hing - 1tsp
Onion - 1 small chopped(1 tbsp for each dosa)
Cucumber - 1 small grated(1 tbsp for each dosa)Carrot - 1 small grated(1 tbsp for each dosa)
Fresh coconut - 1 tbsp for each dosa
Fresh coriander to garnish
It looks like so many ingredients, but all are easily avialable at home.
Mix all the flours with curds,salt,jeera powder and hing. Bring it to dosa atta consistancy. Keep it for five minutes aside.
Heat tawa, spread a small puri size portion of atta on tawa. First spread coconut,then onion,cucumber,carrot and coriander.THIS SHOULD BE VERY FAST. Leave oil on the sides, afte a minute turn it and cook other side also.
Serve hot with ghee.
If you have a big kid, you can spread large size atta on tawa and spread all the grated vegetables and prepare large dosa.
My younger daughter gets attracted to small dosas as it looks colourful and she tries to eat herself.
I am sending this recipe to PJ's Tasty Bites For Toddlers.Thanks PJ for encouraging me to take out time and post the recipe.

This recipe is going into Padma's

Announcing my first event "DosaCorner".

Keep smiling,

Tomato Dosa

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All

Now a days, as I am at home, and getting chance to watch TV, I am watching some cookery shows. My mother watches all the cookery shows, and writes down the recipes. She tries most of the recipes also. Now I have joined her!!!

Yesterday, we were watching one show in Kannada channel, and she prepared tomato dosa, which was different from other normal dosa(I felt it!!) And in my mind, came the event hosted by Padma. So I am preparing the same for her event.

Here is the recipe:

Raw rice - 2 cup

Urad dal - 1 cup

Tomato - 2 big, chopped

Red dry chilly - 2

Coriander seeds - 2 tbsp

Jeera - 1tsp

Salt to taste

Oil to make dosas

(The guest garnished the dosa with few ingredients. But it is optional and according to your taste and time)

For garnishing,

Onion -1 chopped finely

Carrot - 1 grated

Coriander - chopped

Green chilly - 1 chopped

Soak the rice and urad dal for 4 to 6 hours. Before grinding, wash both and add other ingredients except oil. Keep it over night or 8 hours.

Heat tava, spread the batter to make thin dosa. Spread the garnishing ingredients if you like. Let it roast. Add little oil. Remove it and serve hot.

I am sending this to Padma's

Announcing my first event "DosaCorner".

Keep smiling

Karela fry salad(Bitter gourd salad)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Bitter gourd or karela or (ಹಾಗಲ ಕಾಯಿ) is a vegetable, I can eat any time, with anything.

I love to experiment with bitter gourd, as I like it. I have tried making chutneys, pickles, stir fries, simple gravies. I will try to post the recipes in the future.

Now, here is the salad, which I love to eat any time with anything or just like that.

Bitter gourd - 2 to 3

Onion - 1 medium

Tomato - 1 big

Lime juice - 2 to 3 tbsp

Chilly powder - 1 tbsp or as per taste

Salt to taste

Sugar 1/2 tsp

Oil - 3 tbsp

Fresh coriander or Parsley(or both) - 1 handful chopped

(General tip to wash the bitter gourd to remove its bitterness

Wash the bitter gourd. Without peeling the skin, cut in to half length wise. Remove the seeds and apply salt both sides and keep for half an hour. Clean with water 2 times. The bitter gourd is ready to cook.)

(If you do not have time to keep it with salt, you can just peel the skin and wash it with saltwater.)

Cut the bitter gourd in to thin slices. Heat oil in kadai, add the cut slices and fry till brown. Keep on stirring other wise it will get burn. Before serving mix all other ingredients in a bowl. Add the fried bitter gourd at the end, mix it well and serve as a side dish.

Keep smiling,

Bhindi Do Pyaza

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!!!

This time I followed Sailu's (Indian food, Andhra recipes and Global cuisine inspired cooking) blog and prepared "bhindi Do Pyaza(Okra-Onion stir fry).

It was really delicious!!!!!!, tasty and I never loved bhindi so much!!!!

Please check her blog for the recipe(http://www.sailusfood.com/2007/08/23/bhindi-do-pyaaza-okra-onion-stir-fry/).

Keep smiling,

• 
  
• 
  

Peanut chutney powder(Shenga Chutney)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi all



I am from North Karnataka, and there different types of chutneys are always at home, and served everyday with meals. These powders really make the food more tasty. I will try to post other types of chutney powder in future.
Here is the recipe:
Peanut - 1cup
Dalia ("Puthani" in Kannada) - 1/2 cup
Chilly powder - 1 to 2 tbsp as per your taste

Curry leaves - 2 lines
Tamarind - 2 tbsp
Garlic - 4 to 6 big one(we get in UAE) or full one bulb if it is Indian.
sugar - 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Turmeric a pinch
Roast peanuts and remove skin. Mix all the ingredients and put in a mixer and make it coarse powder.
Chutney(ಶೇಂಗ ಪುಡಿ)is ready. Eat with chapatis and curds or hot rice and ghee.
But I always liked it with crispy jowar rotti(katak Jolada rotti) and curds.

This chutney powder is going to participate in

Pavani's Announcing JFI - August ’09: Peanuts,

and the (JFI) WAS STARTED BY Indira (@ Mahanandi)

Keep smiling,

Nivedita's Kitchen: Peanut chutney powder(Shenga Chutney)

Nivedita's Kitchen: Peanut chutney powder(Shenga Chutney)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Cervical Rib Syndrome(Thoracic Outlet Syndrome) and me!!!

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi all,

Got confused with the Title of this post in my blog!! When you finish reading, then you will know the reason for the title.

First let me tell you what is Cervical Rib Syndrome. It is "compression of the neurovascular structures in the area just above the first rib and behind the clavicle. It represents a constellation of symptoms" (Ref. from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/760477-overview).

Why I am telling you about this is because, I am having this syndrome from past 11 years.

With this the bonus is: my 2 discs are also bulged in the back which gives unbearable 24x7 pain.

And I always controlled my pain by doing Pranayam, exercises and jogging. (It is easy for me and I enjoy doing all these as I was a State level Basket ball player.)

But this time, it was severe. So I went to Neuro surgeon. He suggested me to go for MRI.

MRI Experience:

Even though ten years back, I went through MRI, this time I was little scared. Before I went inside, I asked the person who was attending me, that how one feels inside. He told me that I will feel as if I am sitting in a traditional Mill Flour. And he told me not to get scared of the noise as it will be louder.. His strict instruction was not to move my body, head, and hands. Even coughing and sneezing was not allowed. He put me on the machine and told just keep my self calm and breathe slowly. He sent me inside, telling me he will be back in 10 minutes. I was really scared, but kept myself strong and lied down quietly. After a minute, the sound started. It was really scary!!! If he has not warned me before, I would have ran away from there. The sound went on for 30 seconds. Then silence surrounded me with only some data recording sound. I thought the sound will not come again. But!!! after few minutes, again the sound started "kharrrrrrrrr, khatt khatt khatt' Then I just assumed that I am in some Games zone and playing some video games and made my self strong. Again the sound went, but started again after few minutes. Mean while I was worried about sneezing, coughing and was really care full not to get them. But!!!! instead of cough and sneeze, I felt something is moving on my cheeks. I controlled some how, then my chin started scratching!!!! Then came the thought, If some insect or some moving creature is hiding here, and if it attacks me!!!!!!! Ohh, the ten minutes were horrible. At last after one more time the sound and data recording, the attender came and took me out!!!!

I got the report after 3 hours. I went to meet the doctor in the evening. He prescribed me 15 days steroids and advised me to put collar to my neck. I thought "wow such a big ornament for my neck" He told me to come after the treatment and go for surgery to cut the bulge as it is increased to a larger size in these 10 years.

Then the second stage, I thought (not only me!!, every one in the house) of going for second opinion. So next day my visit was to a Orthopedic Surgeon. Before checking the reports, he asked me to explain about my pain in detail and I did the same. Then he took the reports, put on the light.

He explained me in detail about my body parts on the report. He explained me that I have the Cervical Rib Syndrome(Thoracic Outlet Syndrome). This syndrome happens to one person among one lakh. I joked that I am unique in my own way!!! Plus my disc bulge is also giving me the pain. And both are different. He prescribed me 3 days steroids and one exercise which I have to do 30 times in the morning, after noon and night. It has to be followed for lifelong.

Now, I have started the same, hoping that I will get relief. Otherwise also it is ok! I am used to my pain so much that, may be I will feel that I don't have hand, if there is no pain!!!

Keep smiling,