Melting Moments

Spinach bread / Poori

2009-11-11T09:27:00.006-06:00

Ingredients:

Whole wheat flour 2 cups

Rice flour 2 tbsp

Cumin seeds 1 tsp

Red chili powder 1/2 tsp

Salt to taste

1 Tomato (small) pureed

Cleaned ,Washed and boiled spinach(1 cup in puree form)almost half a bunch

1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

Half green chili

2 tbsp oil

Method:

1. Grind the boiled spinach ,tomato and green chili.

2. Mix all dry ingredients in flour

3. Mix ginger garlic paste to puree.

4. Add the puree mixture to flour.

5. Knead the dough with puree ,if required you can use water.

6. Grease your hands with oil and fold the dough in ball shape and keep aside for ten minutes.Cover with damp cloth.

7. Now make small balls and spread it in a circle with a rolling pin if required use oil to spread.

8. You can use a round cutter too if you can't make round poori's.

9. Heat oil in a pan to deep fry poori's.

10.Deep fry poori's till golden brown and puffed.

Mava rolls

2009-11-03T15:33:00.004-06:00

Ingredients:

2 cups Grated mava( To make this you need evaporated milk and 2 cups of full cream milk powder)

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Food color few drops

1 tsp cardamom powder

Method:

1.To make mava: Take 2 cups milk powder in a bowl and slowly add evaporated milk to it until it forms a smooth sticky dough.

2.Freeze for 30 mts and then grate.This grate is called Mava.

3.Combine the Mava and powdered sugar in a heavy bottomed thick pan and cook on a slow flame stirring continuously till the sugar has dissolved and the moisture evaporated (10-12 mts).

4.Remove the mixture from fire and divide into 2 equal parts.

5.Mix the cardamom powder in one part to make the mava mixture and allow it to cool completely.

6.Add the food color to the other part to make the colored mixture.

7.Mix well and allow it to cool completely .

8. Put the mava mixture between 2 plastic sheets and roll it to form a rectangle with rolling pin .Roll out the colored mava in the same way.

9.Place the Mava rectangle on a thin food wrap.Place the colored on top of the mava rectangle.

10.Carefully roll along with the food wrap taking care to see that no cracks are formed on the surface.Cover tightly and refrigerate till firm (30-40 mts) and then remove the plastic sheet .

12.Cover completely with silver paper(optional) and cut into slices.

Apple bread

2009-09-29T16:06:00.002-05:00

Ingredients:

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 cup sugar

2 eggs well beaten

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups peeled and shredded apples

A pinch of lemon or orange zest

2/3 cup chopped walnuts

Method:

1.Pre Heat oven at 350 degrees and grease the loaf pan.

2.Mix oil and sugar.Beat in eggs.Shift the dry ingredients together(flour,baking soda,baking powder,salt)

3.Slowly add these dry ingredients mixture to the egg.Note while you shred apples take out their excess water.

4.Now add the shredded apples to the mixture.Mix well.It may take time to mix apples with dry items.

5.Now add lemon or orange zest and again give it a mix.Add walnuts.Again mix.

6.Fill in the loaf pan with the mixture.

7.Bake till toothpick comes out clean.It may take almost 45 min-50 min

8.Once baked remove on cooling rack .Once cool slice it.

Apple Jam

2009-09-29T15:41:00.004-05:00

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded apple
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
Few drops yellow/red color (optional)

Method:

1.Mix sugar and shredded apples in a microwave safe bowl.Microwave it for high power for 5 min. or till they are softened.

2.Blend softened apple mixture.

3.Microwave again the blended mixture for 8-9 minutes till it gets thickened and translucent.Stir in between.

4.Mix lemon juice and food color.Let it cool.Refrigerate it for few hrs.

Serve with toasted breads.

Filbertines

2009-09-10T17:33:00.003-05:00

Ingredients:

Butter 1/2 cup

Sugar 1/2 cup

Egg 1

All purpose Flour 1 1/3 cup

Baking soda 1/2 tsp

Ground cardamom 1/8 tsp

Finally chopped Hazelnuts 1/2 cup

Method:

1.In a bowl ,cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

2.Beat in egg.Combine the flour,baking soda and cardamom.Ass to creamed mixture and mix well.

3.Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

4.Shape into golf size balls,roll in chopped nuts.Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheet bake at 350 degree for2 0 min or until lightly browned.

5.Remove to wire rack to cool.

6.Sprinkle little sugar on top.

Chocolate dipped strawberry

2009-08-27T16:01:00.004-05:00

Ingredients:

Strawberry 12 nos

2Hershey chocolate without nuts

1 tsp butter or ghee

Method:

1.Wash strawberry and dry it out on a towel.Do not keep it wet otherwise the chocolate won't stick.

2.In a pan boil water.Switch off the burner.Place a bowl that fits on the boiling water pan.Make pieces of chocolate and let it melt on its own with the heat under the bowl.Now add 1/2 tsp butter.

3.With a spoon mix chocolate mixture.Check there are no lumps in it.

4.Now take a toothpick in insert in the middle of the strawberry.Do the same for all.

5.Now dip it into the chocolate syrup we made covering just 3/4 part of strawberry.

6.On a parchment paper place the strawberries.Let it cool for 1/2 an hr. in freeze

Coconut burfi,Coconut fudge

2009-08-27T15:49:00.002-05:00

Ingredients:

Coconut powder 2 cups

16 oz condensed milk

cardamom powder 1/2 tsp

Crushed almonds for decoration

Method:

1.Roast dry coconut powder in a heavy bottom pan on medium heat till you get its aroma all over...do not brown it.

2.Now add condensed milk to it and stir continuously.Just enough to make a very thick paste.

3.Add cardamom powder to it....

4.Grease a plate and spread the mixture and flatten the mixture with a spatula.

5.Sprinkle crushed almonds for decoration.

Kalakand,Alwar Milk cake, Ricotta fudge

2009-08-27T15:32:00.006-05:00

Ingredients:

1/2 stick unsalted butter

Ricotta cheese (14oz)

Condensed milk(16 oz)

1 cup dry milk powder
4-5 Cardamom crushed into powder
For Garnishing: almond chopped finely, pistachios chopped finely
Silver or gold foil to decorate

Sugar if you want more sweet

Method:

1.Melt the butter for 1 min in microwave.

2.Mix the butter and ricotta cheese in a heavy bottom or microwave safe glass bowl till it gets dry and all the water evaporates.Do it in the batch off4- 4 min.

3.Once you have done this process for about 15-16 min add the condensed milk and mix everything well.It takes around 35-40 min total on medium heat till it gets dried up.

4.To this add powdered cardamom and milk powder 1/2 cup and stir till it becomes very thick.

(Check the sweetness.If you like more add some granulated sugar and cook for 1 more min and stir.)

5.Grease a plate and pour this. Garnish it with silver foil and chopped pistachios & almonds.

6.Refrigerate it for half an hr and then cut it into small cubes and have it.

Simple easy Home made Donuts

2009-07-29T22:36:00.004-05:00

Ingredients:

2 cups butter milk pan cake mix

1 tsp oil

2 tbsp whole milk

1 tsp oil

Water as required

Oil for deep fry

Method:

1.Mix water and milk.

2.Pour this liquid in pan cake flour .

3.Using hand try to mix it well,slowly add oil to it.

4.Now use as little water as you can to make a dough just like roti (not too hard nor too soft).

5.Roll it with a rolling pin on parchment paper so that it does not stick.You should maintain some thickness while rolling.

6.Now using any round cutter or use some glass,cap anything to cup round shapes.Once the round shape is cut,take a some cap from some bottle or cutter if u have and cut from the center of the circle.

7.Now deep fry it on medium heat till brown.

8.Drain the oil and put the donut in glaze for two three minutes.

9.Take out donut on cooling rack and decorate top with anything u like.

Glaze Recipe: (From food network)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup wholemilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar

Method:

1.Combine milk and vanilla in a medium saucepan and heat over low heat until warm.

2.Sift confectioners' sugar into milk mixture. Whisk slowly, until well combined.

3.Remove the glaze from the heat and set over a bowl of warm water. Dip doughnuts into the glaze, 1 at a time, and set on a draining rack placed in a half sheet pan for 5 minutes before serving.

Fried Green Beans

2009-07-29T22:18:00.004-05:00

Ingredients:

Oil for frying
1 cup beer /optional (I used water)
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt, plus more for seasoning
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
Chat Masala according to taste

1 pound green beans, ends trimmed

Method:

1.Heat oil in a deep pan.

2.Whisk the beer(or water),flour, salt,chat masala and pepper until smooth.

3.Dip green beans into batter to coat, letting excess drip off. Fry in oil in batches, until they are golden and crisp. Remove on beans on the paper towel .

Sprinkle salt and pepper before serving.Serve hot with any dipping or chutney.

Pistachios kulfi /ice cream

2009-07-14T10:13:00.004-05:00

Ingredients:

Pistachios -1 cup

Cardamom powder 1/4 tsp

1 1/2 cup cool whip topping

2 cups dry milk powder

2 cup whole milk(full fat)

Sugar to taste

Green food color

Kulfi moulds

Method:

1.Heat milk in a pan.

2.Soak pistachios in water for half an hr.

3.Mix milk powder and cool whip together, add this mixture in boiling milk.Cook till this mixture starts to thicken.

4.In the mean time coarsely chop pistachio and add to the boiling mixture.

5.Add a pinch of food color to it.

6.When the mixture gets thicked add sugar ,cardamom powder and cook for a min or two.

7. Cool it for some time and fill the mixture in moulds.Place it in freezer till it is set.

Before serving garnish with finely chopped pistachio.

Semolina / Suji laddu

2009-07-14T09:55:00.005-05:00

INGREDIENTS:

Suji(Rava/Semolina) 1 cup

Coconut powder or grated 3/4 cup

Sugar-1 and ½ cup or to taste

Ghee- less than 1/4 cup

Cardamom powder 1/4tsp.

Cashews cut into small bits (fried to golden brown in ghee)

Water

METHOD:

1.Fry suji in ghee over a low heat till it turns golden colour and spreads its aroma.

2.Add coconut with suji and remove after 2-3 mins.

3. Make a sugar syrup using double water to sugar with more than 1 string consistency. Add suji,coconut mixture to it. Also add kaju pieces and Cardamom powder.

4.Mix well and keep it aside for 10 mins. Mix well and shape into laddus.

Sprinkle grated coconut powder to garnish......

Suji(Samolina) upma

2009-07-14T08:57:00.004-05:00

Ingredients:

Sooji – 1 cup
Oil or ghee – -3 tablespoon
Hand full of Peanuts

Rai seeds(black mustard seeds) – 1 tsp

1/2 medium size onion chopped finely

1/2 tomato chopped finely
1 Green Chili – finely chopped
Green peas – 1/4 cup
Carrots grated 1/4 cup or chopped
Fresh chopped Coriander
Salt – as per taste

2-3 curry leaves

Red chili powder according to taste

Method:

1.Roast the peanuts and peel off their skin.Roast the sooji (semolina) in a little ghee till it turns light brown. Take it out in a plate.

2.Put oil in a frying pan and heat it.Add rai seeds,curry leaves in the frying pan. Add green chili and peanuts and roast for another minute.Add onions and cook till its translucent now add green peas and chopped carrots,chopped tomato's and roast for 2 to 3 minutes.Add salt and red chili according to taste. Cook for few min till all vegetables become soft.

3. Now put 2 cups of water in the frying pan, add sooji and stir. Keep stirring while the mixture boils. The mixture will keep getting thicker.

4.Take out the upma in a bowl when no water is left and its totally thickens and garnish with coriander and coconut(optional).

The all time favorite Upma is ready to serve with coriander chutney or yogurt.

Rasgullas

2009-07-11T16:46:00.003-05:00

INGREDIENTS:

Milk – 1/2 gallon
Lemon juice or vinegar – 1/4cup
Sugar – 1cup
Water – 3cups
Rose water 2 tsp
Saffron (optional)

METHOD:

1. Boil milk, add lemon juice or vinegar to it and boil for another 2-3 mins till two separate layers are seen.

2. Drain the water and collect the paneer in a muslin cloth.

3.Hang it for an hour and then press under weight for another hour or two to remove all excess water from paneer.

4.Remove Paneer and knead it 15-20 min with hands or use food processor to soften it.

5. In a vessel, add sugar to water and bring this water to boil till its take syrup consistency.

6. Add cardamom powder and rose water to the water.

7. Make round balls from the soft paneer and add it to the boiling sugar syrup

8.Let them cook for 10-15 mins in covered vessel till the balls enlarge to double.

9.Garnish with saffron.

10.The Rasgullas should be little spongy. Serve the Rasgulla when chilled .

Egg biryani

2009-06-25T16:30:00.005-05:00

Ingredients:

3 eggs boiled 2 eggs to fry

1 cup basmati rice

1 large onion sliced

1 tomato chopped

1 tbs ginger garlic paste

2 green chillis chopped

1/4 cup cilantro chopped

1/4 cup yogurt

4 tbs oil

2 tbs biryani masala

2 tbs butter (or) ghee

2 cardamom pods,2 cloves , 1 inch cinnamon stick,2 bay leaves,1 black cardamom,2 cloves,2 whole black pepper

salt to taste

Cummin seeds

A pinch of red Food color

Method:

1.Boil eggs , remove shell and keep aside .

2.Wash rice 2 to 3 times and soak them for 30 min ,

3.Heat oil in a pan add cardamom ,cloves and cinnamon,pepper,cumin seeds... then add sliced onions and little salt , fry for 5 min until onions become light brown .Now add green chillis , ginger garlic paste and sautee for 2 more min .

4.Then add chopped tomatoes ,cover and cook for 3 min then add one full packet of biryani masala or to taste if you like less masala.Mix everything sautee for 2 min .Now add yogurt, Mix everything ,

5.Now drain water from rice and either transfer everything to microwave cooker with rice and 1 1/2 cup of water ,salt till 20 min or you can add rice and water and cook on gas stove till rice is cooked.

6.In the meantime fry eggs and in another pan make an omlete of the remaining two eggs with little salt.

7. When rice is cooked add the omlete and mix.

8.Now in a serving bowl garnish with fried whole /sliced eggs.before serving sprinkle a little red color mixed in 2 tsp water .

SERVE hot with sliced onions and lemon. Remmember we added salt while cooking rice , and in onions and we also have salt in biryani masala too .

Moong Dal Halwa

2009-06-12T16:38:00.003-05:00

Ingredients

Moong - 150 gm
Ghee - 150 gm
Mawa (Khoya) - 50 gm (optional)
Sugar - 200 gm or according to taste
Chopped Cashew Nuts
Cardamom powder 1/4 tsp
Chopped Almonds

Method:

1.Wash the moong dal and soak it in water for 4 to 5 hours.

2.Drain the water and grind the dal. Don't grind it too fine.

3.Heat heavy bottom pan, put ghee and moong dal in the frying pan, then stir with the frying spoon, on medium flame.

4. Cook till 20-30 min. (The properly cooked moong dal doesn't stick to the frying pan and you can see the ghee getting separated from moong dal).

5.Finally you will notice a little change in dal color.

6.In the meantime put Mawa (khoya) in a separate frying pan and cook on low flame. Then mix it in the moong dal.

7.Put equal amount of sugar and water in a utensil and heat it. When the water starts boiling cook for another few minutes on low flame, and prepare one string like syrup.

8.Mix this syrup in the moong dal, along with half cashew nuts and almonds . Now stir this halwa on low flame.

9.In about 5 to 7 minutes halwa will be ready. Now turn off the stove. Mix the grinded cardamoms in the halwa. Your halwa is ready. Take out the halwa in a bowl and garnish it remaining cashew and almonds.

Dhai Vada / Lentil dumpling in sweet yogurt

2009-05-08T14:00:00.007-05:00

Ingredients:

3 Cups Fresh Curd

1 Cup Urad dal

1/4 Cup Moong dal

1/2 tsp black mustard seeds

Pinch of Asafoetida

1 Green Chili (finely chopped)

2 tsp Cumin Seed (roasted and grounded)

1 tsp red or black pepper powder

6 tsp Sweet Tamarind Chutney

Coriander leaves (chopped)

Salt to taste

Oil to fry

Method:

1.Wash and soak the two dals overnight in water.

2.Drain out excess water.

3.Add asafoetida, salt and green chili.

4.Grind to make a thick batter, beat till fluffy.Add mustard seeds .Now heat oil in a large frying pan.

5.Add spoonfuls of dal batter in oil and fry until turned golden brown. Remove excess oil by placing on paper towel.

6.Drop the hot vada in a cold water bowl and leave for about 3-4 minutes.

7.Take each vada out from water, squeeze and set aside. Now add chat masala,black pepper or red,roasted cumin powder and salt in beaten curd.

8.Pour curd mixture over vadas, placed on a deep bottomed dish.

9.Sprinkle with roasted cumin powder and chopped coriander leaves.(you can add red chili salt your taste while serving)

10.Dahi vada is ready to serve with sweet tamarind chutney.

Burrito

2009-04-20T11:18:00.007-05:00

(Guacamole)

2 Soft Avocados

1/2 of green pepper minced

1/4 of a red onion finely chopped

Cilantro finely chopped

1/4 of a lime juice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tbsp olive oil

Method:Combine all of the ingredients into a bowl, and mash together until smooth. Add additional lime juice or salt to taste. For extra spicy guacamole, you can leave in the seeds!Cut avocados in half, remove pit, scrape out the good stuff.Mash avocados in large mixing bowl. You don't have to get it to the final consistency yet, but it's easier if they're at least partially mashed at this point.Now for the other ingredients.

Note:When you go to store the guacamole, put a layer of plastic wrap directly on the guacamole and squeeze the air out, then put another layer of plastic over whatever container you're using. This keeps it from oxidizing and turning all brown. Depending on how long you keep it in the fridge, the top might turn brown anyway, so just skim off the top layer before serving.

(Rice)
1 teaspoon vegetable oil or butter

2 tsp. fresh cilantro

1/2 cup white basmati rice

1 cup water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tsp Minced Garlic

1 Lime juice

Method:

In a heavy saucepan, heat oil or butter over low heat, stirring occasionally until melted. Add rice and lime juice, stir for 1 minute. Add water and salt, bring to a full boil. At boiling, cover, turn down to simmer over low heat until rice is tender and the water is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Add cilantro.

(Beans)

1 cup kidney beans/pinto beans(Soaked overnight in water and boiled till soft and tender)

1/4cup tomato puree
1/4 chopped onions

Fresh cilantro

Salt to taste

Red chili powder to taste

1 tbsp Oil

Method:

In a heavy bottom pan Heat oil.Add onions,add a little salt.When onion is soft and little brown in color add tomato puree to it.Once the oil stars to separate Put dry ingredients like salt, chili.

Cook for two min.Now pour the boiled beans.Mix everything well.Add Cilantro.

Sour cream/Yogurt

Chopped onions,tomato's as you like

Whole wheat tortilla

Keep tortilla on a heated pan for a second and then drop1-2 tbsp of all the above items and rap tortilla.

Enjoy

Creamy egg curry

2009-04-15T11:32:00.006-05:00

Ingredients:

6 eggs, boiled and shelled

2 medium onions paste/puree

2 tbsp of oil/ghee

1 bay leaf

2-3 whole black pepper

1 whole red chili(optional)

1/2- tsp cumin seeds

1 inch stick of cinnamon

2 cloves

3-4 Garlic flakes

1 green chili without seed

2 cardamoms

1/2 tsp each of turmeric

1 1/2 tsp Coriander powder

1/2 tsp chili powder(more or less)

Tomato puree of fresh tomato's

2 cups milk or depending on liquid you wish in curry

1 tsp garam masala powder

Fresh cilantro, chopped

Salt to taste

Method:

1.Make slight vertical incisions on the egg and rub in a pinch of turmeric powder and 1/4 tsp of salt. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan and fry the eggs till nicely browned. (if you don't want to fry eggs its OK to use boiled also)

2.Remove from heat, slice into halves and keep aside.In the heated oil add the cumin seeds, bay leaf, whole red chili, cinnamon, cardamom .

3.When the seeds splutter, add the onion paste pureed with green chili and garlic.Cook it till onion becomes little brown in color.

4.Add tomato puree. Then add turmeric, cumin, chili,salt and coriander powder,stir continuously till oil starts to come up.

5.Add the milk along with the garam masala powder and simmer, stirring continuously, till the gravy thickens. Add eggs halves to gravy, chopped cilantro and simmer for few minutes.

6. Garnish with the rest of the chopped coriander.

Kesar Peda / Milk Fudge / Pala Kova

2009-04-09T19:20:00.005-05:00

Ingredients:

2 cups of Milk powder ( I used Carnation Non-fat Dry Milk )

1 can (14 oz) of sweetened Condensed Milk

1 stick ( 1/2 cup ) unsalted butter

1tsp cardamom powder

Few strands of saffron

Chopped pistachios for
decoration (optional)

Method:

1.In a microwave safe bowl, (Use a deep microwaveable bowl so it doesn't overflow )melt the butter for 30 seconds.

2.Add milk powder and condensed milk and mix well.

3. Microwave uncovered for 2 mins. Stir well, microwave again for another 2 mins.

4.Microwave in 1 min interval until you see the mixture getting thick

5.Add the cardamom powder and saffron powder(Keep saffron in your pam and rub with your thumb)

6.The batter should have a crumbled texture and should not brown at the bottom.

7.Now allow the mixture to cool . Grease hands with ghee/butter and make small balls, flatten it with the palm of your hand.

8.Garnish with chopped pistachios.

Note: After 4 mins, check every minute to make sure it doesn't burn.

Enjoy this quick easiest dessert.

Spicy Onion Dip/Chutney

2009-04-08T09:40:00.003-05:00

Ingredients :

2 tsp oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1/4 tsp fenugreek seed

2-3 curry leaves (optional)
2-3 red chillies according to taste
1 1/2 large yellow or white onion cut fine
2 large tomatoes cut fine
1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)

1/2-1 tsp Tamarind paste
Salt to taste

Method:

1.Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan add asafoetida , mustard seeds to it.

2.When the mustard seeds start spluttering, add fenugreek seeds ,when it starts getting a little browner, add curry leaves,red whole chili add onions to it .

3.Saute the onions until it is transparent then add tomatoes to it.Cook tomatoes until it is soft and tender and add salt.

4.Mix well and let it cool.

5.Once it is cool,blend the above cooked onions in a fine paste.There is no need to add water as tomatoes and onions have in it ....still in case if your puree is thick, add very little water to achieve your level of desired consistency of dipping.

Enjoy with dosa,roti or with corn chips.......

Rajgira Tikki

2009-04-01T22:11:00.004-05:00

Ingredients:

2 Cups Rajgira flour

2 medium size boiled potato's

Rock salt to taste

Green chili to taste(as we are using only green chili to make it spicy )

Fresh chopped coriander 1/ cup

Method:

1.Mash the boiled potato's.

2.In a large bowl mix salt and flour.

3.Now add all the other ingredients and mix all of them.It will take a dough shape.

4.With the hands, shape dough balls.Flatten using rolling pin if required.

5.Heat tawa/griddle.Cook the flatten tikki from both the sides using ghee till they are golden brown.

6.Serve hot with yogurt.

Guacamole /Avocado Dip /chutney

2009-04-01T21:55:00.008-05:00

INGREDIENTS :

2 soft avocados

1 Green chili finely chopped

2 flakes garlic minced
1/2 lemon juice
Salt to taste

1/2 medium size tomato finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro

Method:

1.Cut the avocados into halves. Remove the seeds, and scoop out the pulp into a small bowl.

2.Use a fork to mash the avocado. Stir in lemon juice, chili,salt, and olive oil garlic. Before serving add tomato's.

3.Cover the bowl, and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Serve with corn chips....................

NOTE: When you go to store the guac, put a layer of plastic wrap directly on the guac and squeeze the air out, then put another layer of plastic over whatever container you're using. This keeps the guac from oxidizing and turning all brown. Depending on how long you keep it in the fridge, the top might turn brown anyway, so just skim off the top layer before serving.

Cantaloupe shake

2009-04-01T18:07:00.005-05:00

Ingredients:

Chopped Cantaloupe 4 cups

Sugar to taste

Milk 1 1/2 cup

Cardamom powder 1tsp

Strawberry ice cream 2 cups (More if you like)

Crushed Almonds

Method:

1.Remove skin of the fruit and cut it into cubes.

2.In a blender ,blend fruit,sugar,milk,cardamom powder.

3.Now add ice cream and blend it to make it smooth.Cool it for about 1/2 hr.

4.Garnish it with almonds

Happy Navratri

2009-04-01T17:45:00.004-05:00

Navratri Festivals in India epitomise the religious, cultural and social aspirations of the people, and are occasions to reaffirm one's gratitude and allegiance to one's family. Most Hindu festivals are a soul-purifying experience for the believer. And festivals are instrumental in diluting the humdrum of everyday life by adding their special touch to it.Navratri, or 'The Festival of Nine Nights', is celebrated during the first nine days of the Hindu month of Ashvin (September-October) which coincides with the end of the rainy season. This season is considered to be an auspicious one as it is generally associated with the sowing of seeds, and watching new seeds sprout - a sign of prosperity and abundance. Most people consider it the best time of the year to undertake or start new ventures.

The Navratri festival is dedicated to the Mother Goddess. Known by other names such as Durga, Devi, she occupies a special place in the Hindu pantheon. She represents Shakti, the cosmic energy that animates all beings, and is also considered to be prakriti (nature), the counterpart of purusha. Together, they are responsible for the creation of the world according to the Puranas and Vedas (ancient Hindu Scriptures).This nine-day festival is celebrated in a unique manner. A different form of the Mother Goddess is worshipped on each different day. On the first three days, the Goddess Durga (Goddess of Valour) is venerated. The next three days are spent in the worship of the Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth). And the last three days are a celebration of the Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Learning and Arts). Together, the three goddesses are worshipped as the feminine equivalent of the Hindu Holy Trinity.This festival symbolises health and prosperity, and is celebrated in a very traditional way. People perform yagna (sacrifice offered in order to procure purification through fire) or havana (symbolic ceremony involving the purifying aspects of fire). During both the ceremonies, ghee (clarified butter), paayas or kheer (rice cooked in condensed milk) and sesame seeds are poured into the holy flames to the chanting of mantras (holy verses). Each cycle of oblation culminates with the priest summoning Swaha, the consort of Agni, or fire. Some believers fast (vrat) throughout the nine days, whilst others settle for a daylong fast. Fasting is considered to be one of the most popular means of self-discipline and spiritual development. On the fifth day, known as Lalitha Panchami, it is customary to gather the books in the house and place them before a sacred lamp in order to seek the Goddess Saraswati's blessings. Artisans also lay their tools at the feet of the Goddess for a more prosperous trade.Navratri is celebrated in different regions of the country with a lot of vim and brio