May 24, 2017

Methi Paneer

 Methi Paneer / Fenugreek leaves Cottage Cheese Gravy
                                                                               
Iโ€™m here with another North Indian dish. Yes its Methi paneer.  A must try combo of fenugreek leaves and Indian cottage cheese is indeed a treat to your taste buds ๐Ÿ˜‹.  I like all paneer recipes and if it is cooked with fresh methi leaves its simply out of this world ๐Ÿ˜ƒโ€ฆ.. Yeah here I have used fresh methi leaves straight from my patio garden ๐Ÿ˜„.

May 21, 2017

Jalebi

 Jalebi/ Imarati
                                                                                        
           
Itโ€™s my 50th post ๐Ÿ˜ƒ!! Itโ€™s an occasion to celebrate. Kickstarting the celebration Iโ€™m posting jelabi / imarti . A perfect delicacy for any occasion ๐Ÿ‘Œ.  It is a popular Indian sweet. Though it is known by different names in different parts. Towards the south we call it as Jelabi or jangari; in North India we call it as Imarti. We make this with urad dal (lentil). This is a juicy-soft sweet that melts in our mouth. It is a deep fried snack. Back in India it is a must in all bakeries. This is my favorite sweet ๐Ÿ˜.  Since childhood this is my favorite among all sweets ๐Ÿ˜Š. We hardly get to eat this here. So tried making it.  After couple of failed attempts finally got the shapes correct. Always it tasted good but the shape was a flop. But this time the shapes came out perfect ๐Ÿ‘Œ. The recipe is pretty simple ๐Ÿ˜Š. First you have to prepare a batter, fry it and then immerse it in prepared sugar syrup.  Batter should be very thick. Water should be used in minimal quantity while grinding.   Do try it and share your feedback ๐Ÿ‘. Okay then letโ€™s get started.

May 14, 2017

Nannari Sarbath

  Nannari Sarbath
                                                                               
Summer is here ๐ŸŒž!!! Roll up your picnic blankets; itโ€™s time to party outside. A much awaited time of the year. The days are pretty longer, you get to spend a lot of time outside. Itโ€™s also time to make something cool and refreshing ๐Ÿน.  Quenching your thirst is the main task you do during summer ๐ŸŒž. So something fresh and cool energizes you. Here I have something special for you. โ€œNannari sarbath โ€œ. Since childhood these colorful syrup always fascinated me. Iโ€™m sure you all love it. It is a perfect summer drink. Me and my sisters were very fond of this ๐Ÿ˜. So is my hubby; last Jan when we went to Palakkad we didnโ€™t forget to have this ๐Ÿ˜‰.  Lucky me I got a full bottle of nannari syrup and I carried it to here. I was waiting for the mercury to rise a bit so that I can enjoy this after a tiring day outside in the hot sun. Last week I made this. Unlike other summer drinks, Nannari sarbath has medicinal value also . We use roots of Hemidesmus indicus ( Naruneendi /Nannari) to make this. The roots are washed, crushed and boiled along with water to get the syrup. Then this extract is used as refreshing syrup with sugar and lemon . Apart from that the extracts are also used for medicinal and other purposes like soap making. I got the syrup so I have directly used the syrup here ๐Ÿ˜ƒ. Beat the heat with this healthy and stimulating drink ๐Ÿ‘. Okay then letโ€™s get started.

Popsicle

Popsicle
                                                           

Popsicle is a perfect treat during these summer days ๐ŸŒž. Popsicle is also called ice pop, freezer pop or ice lolly . It is made by freezing flavored or fresh fruit juice. This brought back my childhood memories ...remember how we used to wait for the 'Icewala" for this Summer delicacy๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š All brightly colored pops were a treat to our sight ๐Ÿ˜.  Grape, orange, pineapple and milk were the common flavors available ๐Ÿ˜‹. Here I have tried making a healthy Popsicle ๐Ÿ’ช. A healthy orange Popsicle. Juice the oranges ๐ŸŠ๐ŸŠ and then mix it with sugar.  Pour the juice on to the moulds. Freeze it. Healthy popsicles are ready in no time.  Cool down this summer with a simple, healthy and frozen snack. Summer vacations are around the corner; surprise your kids with delectable โ€“ fun filled snack ๐Ÿ˜‰. A warm weather favorite of all. Okay then letโ€™s get started.

May 12, 2017

Spinach Vada

Spinach Vada/ Cheera Vada/ Spinach- Lentil Fritters

                                                                                                                                                                  


Parippu vada (lentil fritters) is everybodyโ€™s favorite ๐Ÿ˜.  Since childhood I love them a lot โ€ฆso ll you ๐Ÿ˜‹โ€ฆ it is a tasty snack, which is available in almost every place. Tea and parippu vada is a superb evening snack which canโ€™t be missed ๐Ÿ˜‹. It is made with chana dal/ kadala parippu (a type of lentil). Along with dal you add onion, ginger and chili.  Including spinach to  this combo adds  a healthy twist ๐Ÿ’ช and you have spinach vada!!! This healthy snack is worth trying ๐Ÿ‘. They are a guilt free snack.  Okay then letโ€™s get started.

May 4, 2017

White Forest Cake

White Forest Cake                                                    
Baking for someone you love is always special ๐Ÿ˜Š. Last week my little one celebrated her birthday and I baked a special white forest cake for her ๐Ÿ˜. She was too excited while cutting the cake ๐Ÿ˜˜, and of course I was thrilled too ๐Ÿ˜ƒ. Seeing her all excited made me super excited. She told she doesnโ€™t need a cake from outside, "Amma you bake me a cake". I was totally confused what to bake.  As she is fond of white chocolates I baked a white forest for her ๐Ÿ˜. The cake turned out exceptionally well. Unlike black forest here we donโ€™t use dark chocolates instead we use white chocolates. Whipped cream, white chocolate and sponge cake are the main ingredients for a white forest cake. Here first I have baked two sponge cakes (vanilla), and then this is layered one above the other. The layers are filled with melted chocolate and whipped cream. Finally it is frosted with whipped cream and decorated with white chocolate shavings and cherry. The cake literally melts in your mouth ๐Ÿ˜‹. I have used sugar syrup to make the cake super soft. Pls donโ€™t skip this step it makes the cake real moist .So get ready to surprise your loved ones with this super soft white forest cake ๐Ÿ˜. Okay then letโ€™s get started.

May 1, 2017

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka              

Itโ€™s been a while since we met and itโ€™s been a while since I posted a non vegetarian recipe ๐Ÿ˜‰. So here we go a perfect starter for any party; itโ€™s chicken tikka ๐Ÿ˜‹. Chicken tikka is a north Indian cuisine and is popular all over the world ๐Ÿ˜Š. Small pieces of boneless chicken are marinated and baked using skewers.  Just the marination and baking is the only thing you have to do . For best results overnight marination is preferred.This helps the chicken to absorb the spices and makes the chicken juicy and tender. Cooking the chicken in oven is easier than on stove top ๐Ÿ˜‰.  In oven you cook the chicken evenly ๐Ÿ—.  Last 5 minutes you can opt for broil to give that charred effect. It is served with chopped onions, lemon wedges or green chutney ๐Ÿ˜‹. Okay then letโ€™s get started.