Oats Kesari

                                                           Oats Kesari

                                                               

Oats Kesari?  Ya you read it right … "Kesari with Oats" ...  Kesari is a sweet dish which is very soft and delicate. We make Kesari with Semolina, but here I have tried making Kesari with oats. In recent times the usage of oats has hit a new high. Other than consuming it as normal cereal we make many new varieties like bread, muffin, payasam (pudding), pancakes (both sweet and savory), idli (rice cake) almost everything. I have tried this recipe from “Magic Oven” - a cookery show .  Oats as you all know is a cereal which is rich in fiber and other essential nutrients. Due to its cholesterol lowering qualities it is recommended by doctors these days, but in this recipe you have to add a little extra amount of ghee (clarified butter)  to make it little soft.  I have tried both ways like adding less and more ghee believe me 7-8 tbsp of ghee is a must to make to it soft. Those who are health conscious can avoid it. Ok then let’s get started.

Coconut Laddoo

                                                                  Coconut Laddoo

                                                                      

                                                     

Happy Diwali dear ones!!!!!!!! Yes it‘s deepawali, the festival of lights. It is celebrated every year in autumn.  It spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair. Diwali is one of the biggest festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, with the third day celebrated as the main Diwali festival or festival of lights.  Millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and all around are a wonder. On diwali day people dress up in new clothes, participate in family puja (prayer) to goddess Lakshmi – Godess of prosperity , followed by fireworks. Celebration of Diwali is never complete without the exchange of mithai(sweets). People make all kinds of sweets. Along with sweets savory snacks are also exchanged among friends and family. Here I have tried making coconut ladoo. It’s simple yet delicious. With just three ingredients you can wrap up the whole procedure in less than 5 min. If you are running out of time it is the perfect recipe to celebrate this diwali. Ok then let’s get started.

Aloo Gobi

                                                         
                                                       Potato - Cauliflower Fry
                                                             

Aloo Gobi / Potato Cauliflower fry is a North-Indian delicacy. It is made out of potatoes, cauliflower and other spices.  The added spices make it rich and flavorful.  Aloo Gobi is my favorite among all North Indian dishes. It’s a perfect combo for any bread, naan or chapathi (Indian flat bread).This is my second North Indian side dish. After Aloo methi I didn’t post any north Indian recipe. This is a very easy and simple recipe but care should be taken while cooking this. Cauliflower may not get cooked properly water can be added but adding more water might make the dish soggy and mushy. So please take care not to overcook or undercook cauliflower. Ok then let’s get started.

Egg Puffs

                                        Egg puffs

                                                                       

Egg puff is a very popular snack in India. After coming to US I was missing those a lot till I came to know that egg puffs are very easy to prepare using readymade pastry sheets.  These are crunchy and crispy, a perfect tea time snack. Egg puffs are a main attraction in all bakeries and canteens.  With readymade puff pastry sheets these are too easy to prepare. The boiled eggs are sautéed with onions and other flavorful ingredients and wrapped in pastry sheets are just yum. Egg can be replaced with chicken or any other meat/vegetables. I’m sure it will be a treat to all your loved ones. It can be served as a snack or as an appetizer. A perfect item for your parties. Give it a try and surprise your friends and family. Ok then let’s get started.

Broccoli Thoran

                                       Broccoli Fry
                                                               

Broccoli!!  Oh my god!!!! I am in real love with this vegetable. Back in India have seen this veggie many a times but never tasted. Once we went to a country diner  I ordered steamed broccoli as one of my sides. I didn’t like it as the steamed ones tasted raw but I was adamant to include those in our diet. Then I came across Indian broccoli recipe. A special Naadan touch to our own broccoli.  Every fortnight I try to include these in our diet. Initially I wondered if broccoli thoran would be good, this recipe is for all those who are having such silly doubts…   the recipe is very simple; a normal thoran ( fry) recipe. Broccoli as said is loaded with nutrients a rich source of calcium and phosphorus. Try to include this wonder vegetable in your diet. Here is a simple and tasty recipe. Ok then let’s get started.

Fruit Skewer

                                        Fruit Skewer
                                                             

Fruit skewers or fruit kabobs are nothing but fruit salad but here fruits are threaded on to a wooden or plastic skewer. It is a healthy side dish for kids and also a prank to make them eat fruits. Basically kids doesn’t like to eat fruits as such, this will be great option for those who are very choosy over eating fruits. Fruits are rich in all vital nutrients and it is a must to include them in our diet. You get to eat different varieties of fruits in a single serving. You can choose any fruits of your choice. It will be a great snack for all. It can also be served for parties. They are healthy, easy and extra ordinarily colorful. You can also serve along with any dip (like vanilla yogurt) . My little one likes to thread fruits on to skewers and this was done by her :-)

Egg Biriyani

                             Egg Biriyani
                                                             

There were no egg recipes in my rice varieties. So made egg biriyani last week. My little one just loves all kinds of biriyani even vegetable biriyani . I love cooking and if it’s her favorite dish oh my gosh!!! No words to express my feelings. Just like her, biriyani is also my favorite dish :-) Here I have tried to make egg biriyani with some minor variations. I have followed ‘Magic Oven’s recipe’. Believe me it is super yummy and super delicious. You will sit smacking your lips. I have tried many other egg biriyani recipes but those never tasted like this one. Give it a try. Ok then let’s get started…

Pomergranate Smoothie

                                           Pomegranate Smoothie

                                                

Pomegranates are among the healthiest fruits on earth 😃. They have many beneficial qualities which help our body to be fit and fine. Pomegranate have anti –tumor, anti-viral, anti-oxidant properties. These amazing fruits have many useful properties that help to treat many diseases. Not only can that it be used for cosmetic purpose. The antioxidant in them prevents aging 😊.  The amazing health benefits of pomegranate can be enjoyed by consuming them in several ways. It is mainly a winter fruit, but you can enjoy these in winter or summer. Here I have made a smoothie by blending them with banana and honey . It is loaded with nutrients so you don’t want to search for reasons to include these in your diet 😉. Okay then let’s get started…

Eggless Chocolate Cupcake

                                                         Eggless Chocolate Cupcake

                                                                      

Jingle jingle little bell ….. I can ring my little bell ……. Yes it is Christmas …. My little one has been singing this song for the past one month. It is been celebrated by all around the globe. Celebrations begin on Christmas Eve itself. Actually it’s a month old celebration …Come December and you see red, green and golden colors all around you.  The whole house is decorated with these colors along with wreaths, lights, candles, trees, stars, bows and bells. We too decorated one Christmas tree.  You can feel so much love in the air and the melodious music adds colors to the celebrations. Kids eagerly wait for Santa to receive their gifts. The grownups exchange gifts among their loved ones. It is also the season of eating and drinking. The aroma of cookies, cakes and candies follow everywhere you go. Here I have tried many eggless chocolate cupcakes. To give a Christmas touch transformed those in to Santa hat cupcakes. Ok then let’s get started.

Banana Pancake

                        Eggless Whole Wheat Banana Pancake
                                                               

Pancakes are my favorites. They are just yum. International house of pancakes (IHOP) is one of my favorite restaurants.  Back home we have rice pancake (dosa), laced rice pan cake (appam) but never tried pancake with all purpose flour or maida. They are too easy to prepare.  You don’t have to blend the ingredients to make batter or you don’t have to ferment it. Just you have to mix the ingredients in correct proportions. Being bit health conscious here I have used whole wheat over all purpose flour.  Have added jaggery (a kind of brown sugar) insead of sugar. Jaggery has many health benefits. It is rich in iron and potassium and many other phyto-nutrients. Whole wheat banana pancakes are guilt free breakfasts. As they are rich in fiber they are very filling and they keep you feeling full and satisfied throughout the day.  It is best way to use all those over ripened bananas. Ok then let’s get started…..