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Tuesday, 14 August 2018

Godhi Tambittu / Thambittu Deepa / Godhi Hittina Tambittu Arathi Recipe


How the time flies. It seems just yesterday that I was doing my first Mangala Gowri pooja and here today both my daughter and daughter-in-law are doing the pooja together.


Recipe video :





And the most important part of the Mangala Gowri pooja is making godhi hittu - wheat flour - tambittu. When I was doing pooja my co-sisters would do the tambittu and I had never dwelled deep into the recipe as I was busy performing pooja and running to the office.
Today I sought help from my friend Padmaja, who is an expert in making soft holige - puran poli - bele obbattu, who gave me this quick and easy recipe. By the way you can check here the best recipe for making soft bele obbattu. Follow this recipe to the T and your obbattus would be a real treat.

And here is the recipe for godhi tambittu. Ooops... Did I mention that these tambittu are so so yummy and delicious that you would have great difficulty in controlling yourself to stop gobbling one after another. If you want to distribute them as prasada, make sure to prepare more else nothing would be left when the guests arrive. And when the first guest starts eating, nothing would be left for the last guest! Or else train yourself into a great lesson of self control.

Preparation time   10 minutes
Cooking Time       20 minutes

Ingredients :  


Pounded Unde Bella      4 cups
Wheat flour                  4 cups
Desi ghee                     1 cup
Water


Preparation :



  • In a thick bottomed kadai dry roast the atta till the raw smell goes and it starts giving a nice aroma. 
  • Then add ghee and fry for a minute or two. Shift the roasted flour to a plate. 
  • Now in the same kadai put bella - jaggery with 2 cups of water. 
  • Keep stirring till jaggery melts and it becomes antu paaka - sticky syrup - and switch off the gas. 
  • Don't leave for long else tambittu becomes hard. 
  • Then add the roasted flour and mix well. Within a few minutes it thickens into nice soft tambittu. 
  • Let it cool. 
  • Now prepare the tambittu deepas, gopura or unde.
This tambittu is generally prepared for pooja diyas during mangala gowri and other festivals in Shravana. If you want to eat tambittu during non-festival season, you can add fried dry fruits, fried grated dry coconut and elaichi powder to enhance the taste.

Thursday, 9 August 2018

Ellu Chigali & Hurigadale Tambittu | Ellu Unde & Puthani Tambittu | Sesame seeds Laddu and Fried gram Laddu recipe



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Ellu Chigali & Hurigadale Tambittu | Ellu Unde & Puthani Tambittu | Sesame seeds Laddu and Fried gram Laddu recipe



These are the most famous delicious sweets prepared in North Karnataka during Nagara Panchami festival. They are very very easy to prepare, taste extremely delicious and can be stored even without refrigeration for more than a fortnight.
So this time try these delicacies with this easy and quick recipe.



Recipe video :





Prep time      : 30 minutes
Cooking time : 30 minutes

Serves - It depends!!!
 

Ingredients :

  • Fried gram powder 4 cups
  • Ground Jaggery 3 cups - increase or decrease depending upon the sweetness you like
  • Ghee 2 cups
  • Grated dry coconut 1 tablespoon
  • Fried sesame seeds 1 tablespoon
  • Elaichi powder 3/4 tablespoon

Preparation :


  • In a thick bottomed kadai, heat a tablespoon of ghee and lightly fry the grated dry coconut to a light golden brown and keep it aside.
  • In the same kadai heat the remaining ghee and add the jaggery.
  • Once the jaggery melts, turn down the heat, add the roasted dry coconut, fried sesame seeds and the elaichi powder.
  • Switch off the gas and add the fried gram powder and mix well.
  • Prepare round balls - unde - when the mix is hot, because once it gets cold the mixture becomes hard.
  • Relish hot yummy laddus.
  • Once the undes become cold, store in an airtight jar.




Step by step images of the Recipe :

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Ellu Chigali



Preparation Time    30 minutes
Cooking Time         20 minutes

Serves - It Depends!!

Ingredients :


Nylon ellu ( Nylon sesame seeds ) 4 cups
Pounded Unde Bella ( Jaggery )    3 cups - It may vary depending upon how sweet you want your undes

Preparation :


  • In a thick bottomed kadai toast the sesame seeds till light golden.
  • Let them cool.
  • Once cool, coarsely grind the sesame seeds, transfer to a wide bowl.
  • Mix the pounded ground to this sesame powder.
  • Now transfer this mixture to mixie jar and grind into nice mix.
  • It becomes oily and sticky and soft.
  • Now roll into undes - laddus.
  • Keep in an airtight jar.
  • They can be savoured without refrigeration for up to 15-20 days, provided they last for so many days!!!

Saturday, 28 July 2018

Office Humour.... Humour in my workplace....

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It has been quite some time since I wrote in my blog other than sharing my recipes. I took VRS last year and so naturally got very busy! Today I want to share some funny anecdotes from my work life, the funny incidents that happened in my office in LIC. So sit back and enjoy...

Have you noticed? There is hardly any difference between the demeanour of a nursery child going to school and a forty plus lady going to office. Given a choice both would rather be left alone and would love to stay at home.And I fully endorse that feeling. Friday evening is the best time of the week and Sunday evening just flies off and I would give anything to Sun if he sleeps off for another week or 48 hours at least. But you know He is never accommodative!

But in spite of this procrastination, we have to go, because we have chosen to go and there are moments in the mundane office hours, some incidents, some innocent comments or wild and witty humour that lifts your mood and lingers like that taste of chocolate on your tongue, which you keep recalling and which gives a nostalgic smile to your lips.

Wednesday, 25 July 2018

white sauce pasta recipe | pasta recipe in white sauce | creamy white pasta sauce recipe



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Preparation time 20 minutes
Cooking time      20 minutes

Serves 4 

Ingredients :


Ready to cook whole wheat pasta            2
 cups 
Salt                                                      2 teaspoon
Water to cook pasta

Long and thinly cut vegetables : 

Carrots                                                1/4 cup
Green capsicum                                    1/4 cup
Red capsicum                                       1/4 cup
Baby corn                                            1/4 cup

Broccoli  florets                                    1/4 cup
Sweet corns                                        1 cup

Corn flour                                           2 tablespoon 
Milk                                                    2 cups 
Butter                                                3 tablespoon 
Finely chopped garlic                           1 teaspoon
Oregano                                             1/2 teaspoon


Dry basil leaves                                  1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper powder                          1/2 teaspoon
Red chilli flakes                                  1 teaspoon
Grated cheese                                    2 tablespoon
Groundnut oil                                     1 tablespoon
Salt to taste

Preparation

  • In a thick bottomed kadai or cooker boil 2 liters of water and add the raw pasta and salt to the boiling water. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes till the pasta turn firm yet soft.
  • Drain the excess water and set aside.
  • In a thick bottomed kadai add 1 tablespoon oil and add all the veggies and a little salt and saute for 4-5 minutes. See that they are lightly fried and retain their colour and crunchiness. Then transfer them to a bowl.
  • Heat 3 tablespoon butter in the kadai, add finely chopped garlic and saute for a minute.
  • Add the corn flour and continue to stir for 2 minutes.
  • Then add milk little by little stirring continuously so that no lumps are formed. Continue to stir till the sauce thickens. If you feel that it has become very thick, you can add more milk. Remember though that even though you are adding very little corn flour it thickens very fast so depending upon your requirement add or reduce the quantity of corn flour.
  • Now add oregano, pepper powder, basil leaves,chilli flakes and salt and mix well.
  • After checking the consistency of the sauce add sauteed veggies and cooked pasta and stir well.
  • Again check the consistency and add a little milk if you prefer.
  • Serve hot garnishing with grated cheese.

Saturday, 21 July 2018

how to make roti | how to make soft chapati | phulka recipe










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Art of Cooking Tip # 9



How to prepare soft,fluffy and light Chapatis?




Chapati, the regular healthy staple food is prepared by everyone everyday.
But do your chapatis have many soft layers?
Whether your chapatis looks like poori - round - fluffy and light?
Whether your chapatis can be broken in just three fingers?
Whether your chapatis are soft like Obbattu - puran poli?
Whether your chapatis remain as soft and light even after 10-12 hours after cooking?
If your answer is in the negative to any of the above questions, then here is the solution.


  • Prepare the soft dough at least one hour before you roll them.
  • Knead the dough well at least for 5-10 minutes.
  • Finally smear a little groundnut oil and keep the dough well covered for an hour.
  • Now make small balls, dust some atta and roll them round.
  • Put and spread a few drops of oil, sprinkle a little atta on it as shown in the picture.
  • Fold it and again smear a little oil and sprinkle some more atta and fold
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    into a triangle.
  • Do this for all the balls.

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  • Now while rolling the chapati, it should be remembered that chapatis are to be lightly ROLLED and NOT PRESSED with the rolling pin. This is very important.
  • Remember while cooking chapati the fire should be always high.
  • Put the chapati on the tawa, just when the color changes, turn it.
  • Again within a minute or two reverse it.
  • Put a little oil, turn it and smear a little oil on the other side also.
  • It will turn round like a poori. 
  • Take it with your hands, holding the edge lightly press on the kitchen slab so that the layers get separated because of the oil and the atta inside. 
  • Repeat this for all the chapatis.
  • Put them in a wide vessel and lightly apply ghee.
  • Every time a chapati is cooked, the hot chapati should invariably go below and the ones cooked earlier should come on top. This should continue till all chapatis are cooked. 
  • Serve hot with sabji.
For more such recipes here you go .....



Thursday, 19 July 2018

veg biryani in cooker | how to make vegetable biryani recipe in cooker | Veg biryani recipe in Kannada






Preparation time     30 minutes
Cooking time            30 minutes
Serves 4




Ingredients

Basmathi rice              4 cups
Ghee                              4 tablespoon
Groundnut oil              1 cup
Thick fresh curd          1 big cup
Pulav patta                   2-3
Cinnamon                     2-3 small pieces
Cardamom                    5
Black pepper                ½ teaspoon
Jeera                               1 teaspoon
Clove                              5
Saffron strands soaked in water .       a few


Vegetables


Fresh peas or dry pieces soaked overnight          1 small cup
Cubed potatoes                                                1/2 cup
Carrots cut into long pieces.                              ½ 
Beans cut into long pieces                                ½  cup
Cauliflower florets                                            ½   cup
Finely chopped onion                                       1    cup
Onions cut into long pieces                               2    cups
Finely chopped coriander                                  a few
Coarsely chopped mint leaves                           20-25

Spices





Garlic Ginger paste                                         1 tablespoon
Jeera powder                                                1 tablespoon
Red chilli power                                             1 tablespoon
Biriyani masala powder                                   1 tablespoon
Turmeric                                                      ½ tablespoon
Salt to taste


Recipe video :





Preparation  :



Caramelising the onions : 

  • Heat groundnut oil in a thick bottomed pan
  • Add the long pieces of onions and fry on a low flame
  • Keep stirring regularly
  • When the onions turn golden brown strain them out.
  • Let them cool by spreading them loosely on tissue paper.

Biryani preparation :


  • Veg Biriyani needs water in the ratio of 1:1.3 so that the grains are cooked separately.
  • Wash the basmati rice, strain water and keep for 30 minutes.
  • The veg biriyani has to be cooked directly in cooker on a very low heat.
  • Heat the cooker
  • Put 3 tablespoons of ghee
  • Put Bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper and jeera and saute for a few seconds
  • Add finely chopped onions and saute till onions become translucent
  • Add garlic Ginger paste and mix well
  • Put in all the vegetables including peas and saute for a few minutes
  • When the veggies become a little soft, add curds.



  • Then add red chilli powder, jeera power, turmeric powder, biriyani masala powder, salt and mix well and spread evenly.
  • Put in half of the caramelised onion, finely chopped coriander, coarsely chopped mint leaves.
  • Now spread the soaked basmati rice evenly covering the vegetables.
  • Sprinkle a teaspoon on biriyani masala, balance half of the caramelised onion, 1 tablespoon of ghee, few more coriander and mint leaves, pour water into the cooker on all sides, add soaked saffron and cover the lid and put the weight.
  • Cook for about 20 to 25 minutes on a very low heat. There is no need to wait for the whistles or cook on high heat as it will burn the biriyani in the bottom.
  • When steam clears, mix the biriyani well and serve hot with raita.

Saturday, 16 June 2018

My dog Pogo on Skype with my daughter

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Ever since he had entered our home on 11.11.11, Pogo my pug had been the darling of the family. Whenever we look at him, involuntarily a smile appears on our face. Whenever he sees us, be it even after a gap of just five minutes, he wags his tail happily, looking at us adoringly with his round brown eyes.
He is just our shadow. Never for a moment he prefers to stay, play or sleep alone. That feeling of companionship he gives to us is a great stress buster.
As dependant as he appears to be on us, he had never been a bother when we have to go out of the house for long spells and leave him alone. 

Of course he looks forlornly at us from the window pulling out heartstrings but he never complains. He is such a smart guy that from whichever part of the home he may be and at whatever time, the moment the door lock opens he will be there, either to receive or ready to come out with us.
Even if we go out for a minute on any small errands,he loves to accompany us. But when we have to leave him while going out, the trick is to tell him that we are going out for five minutes. The moment he hears the word five minutes, he understands that he is not invited and stops in his track.
The incident that I'm going to show now called for this brief introduction!


Rashmi had been the US on a month long trip in 2015. Closely as he is attached to her, he was missing her a lot. Whenever we uttered her name, his ears would straighten and he would look around expectantly. Of course, she also missed him a lot and one day decided to have a Skype call with him.
And here comes the video of their adorable interaction. Pogo was thrilled hearing her voice and started searching for her at every corner of the laptop as she spoke with him, finally scolding her for hiding!
Look at this beautiful interaction that touches your heart.
And don't forget to share this post if you have a smile on your face as you watch it!





Wednesday, 13 June 2018

Banana Mango Tango

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Mango, the king of fruits is everyone's favourite. There are as many recipes as the varieties of Mango. One can never refuse or say enough for eating a mango. We drink mango juice, eat the fruit. Now I am sharing here with you a delicious yummy recipe of mango tango which you will eat as well as drink! 

Preparation Time : 20 minutes

Ingredients :
1. Raspuri Mangoes               6
2. Badam Mangoes                2
Spotted banana                   1
Sugar                                 1 cup ( depends on the sweetness of the mangoes )
Roasted Cashew Nuts           1 teaspoon
Roasted Almonds                 1 teaspoon
Roasted Pistachio                 1 teaspoon
Dry grapes                          1 tablespoon
Milk                                    1 cup
Salt                                    1 pint
Preparation :




  • Squeeze the mango juice - aamras - from the Raspuri mangoes and set
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    aside.
  • Remove the skin and cut the Badam mangoes into fine cubes.
  • Peel the banana and cut into fine cubes.
  • In a vessel add the Mango juice, mango and banana cubes, all the dry fruits, sugar,salt and milk and mix well.
  • Adjust the quantity of sugar and milk according to your taste and liking.
  • Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to give an added taste and serve.
  • PS : You may put elaichi powder if you like but personally i don’t prefer as I want the mango flavour to dominate.




  • If you have other variety of mangoes, you can use them as well for mango cubes but for juice raspuri is the ideal variety.
  • Wednesday, 6 June 2018

    My sleeping Dog

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    Whenever my two children demanded for a pet dog, I had resisted. With both of us working, taking care of the children and managing the household work made us refuse to give in to the children's demand. But once the children grew up, with the son becoming a software engineer and the daughter also aspiring to get into the software field, our tensions and worries had reduced. And when the daughter assured me that she will take the full responsibility of the dog, I had no reason to refuse. For a few days there were discussions, arguments over the selection of the breed, selection of the name for the new arrival, about his food, bed, sleeping bag, with thrilled sounds of laughter and shrieks of disagreement. Ultimately it was decided that we will have a month year old pug.Thus POGO arrived at our home on 11.11.11. 

    Friday, 4 May 2018

    Avakaya - Avakai - Mango Pickles


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    Points to be taken care of while making Avakai - Mango pickles .....






    • Properly sterilise all the utensils in which you are going to mix and store the pickles including the knives and cutters you are going to use.
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    • Wash them thoroughly and see that they are dried without any hint of water. This is a major issue and preferably to be done on the previous day.




    • Avakai is prepared with mangoes retaining the inner part, just removing the innermost seed. In South Bangalore where I stay, the vendors in Gandhi Bazaar and Jayanagar cut them for us neatly according to our choice for a very small price.
    • While going to buy the mangoes, it is better to carry a cloth to clean the mangoes. We can buy the mangoes, clean them thoroughly with our cloth and then spread our cloth on the gunny bag on which the vendor would cut the mangoes.
    • After bringing them home we can again clean the pieces with a cloth to remove any residual seed part. 
    • Take care to never use water to clean the mangoes or pieces.
    If you don't have access to the vendors who cut them, its ok to cut the mangoes at home.


    Recipe video : 













    Ingredients :

    1. Cut mangoes                 6 bowls ( any bowl you use, take care to use the same bowl to measure all the ingredients.
    2. Red chilli powder - only Byadagi menasinakai powder 1 bowl
    3. Mustard (raw) powder  80% of the bowl.
    4. Salt                                75% of the bowl
    5. Mustard oil                   2 big cups - depends on your liking



    6. Methi seeds                  1 tablespoon

    Preparation  :
    • In a thick bottomed pan heat the oil to a medium heat, add methi seeds, switch off the heat and allow it to cool completely.
    • In a big bowl add the mango pieces, red chilli powder, mustard powder and salt and mix thoroughly.
    • Then add the fully cooled oil with methi and mix well. Keep it covered for 10 to 12 hours.
    Now mix the pickles again thoroughly and store in airtight containers, preferably glass or pickle jars.

    Enjoy the pickles all around the year :-)