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June 29, 2016

Homemade Dried Mint Powder | Pudina Powder | Instant Mint Powder


In my kitchen, Pudina powder is very mandatory and used in most of my dishes for garnishing.  This powder will enhance the flavour of various savoury dishes and this can be made instantly in just 10 mins.  Occasionally, I use this powder for face pack too.  Mint powder can be used in teas, beverages, jellies, syrups, candies, ice creams as it got warm, fresh, aromatic and sweet flavour.   

Ingredients :

  1. Fresh mint leaves 
Method :

1.  Pluck the mint leaves from the stem and wash well.  

2.   Spread the mint leaves over paper towel for 15 mins.


3.   In a microwave safe plate, spread the mint leaves and microwave till dry and crispy.  Stir it in middle.



4.  Grind them to a fine powder and store them in air tight container.

Note :

1.   It took 6 mins for me and the timings will vary depending upon the microwave.

2.  Alternatively, dry the mint leaves in sunlight for 2 to 3 days and grind them to fine powder.


Store it in air-tight container.

June 27, 2016

Avocado on Toast !!!


Avocado toast has become a breakfast staple and with good reason : It's healthy and the recipe is simple - toast topped with seasoned avocado.  With so much focus on consuming too much sugar, I thought I'd share with you the perfect sugar free breakfast. 


Ingredients :

  1. Multigrain bread slices ( or whatever bread you prefer)
  2. Ripe Avocado - 1 no, peeled & chopped
  3. Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
  4. Salt to taste
  5. Black pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
  6. Red chilly flakes - 1/2 tsp, optional
  7. Garlic powder - 1/4 tsp
  8. Fresh parsley or dry parsley
  9. Olive oil - 1 tsp

Method :

1.   Roughly chop the avocado and mix it together with salt, pepper powder, lemon juice, red chilly flakes, garlic powder, olive oil and parsley.

2.   Toast the bread slices ( I use garlic powder while toasting).

3.   Spread the avocado salad on each piece of toast and sprinkle some parsley (optional).




Serve immediately.

June 24, 2016

Strawberry Panna Cotta


Panna cotta is a popular Italian dessert, cooked using cream and served with fruits, chocolate, caramel & so on.  It is light and creamy texture and also it is an easy to make dessert.  This dessert is so versatile and best appealing easy dessert which suits all kind of celebrations, get together and festivals. 


Ingredients :

  1. Strawberries, trimmed and quartered - 1 pound
  2. Unflavoured gelatin - 1 1/2 tsp
  3. Sugar - 1/2 cup
  4. Heavy cream - 11/2 cups
  5. Lemon juice - 1 tsp

Method :

1.  Fill a bowl with 2 tbsp of cold water and sprinkle the gelatine over top and let stand for 5 mins.  

2.   In a saucepan, combine the strawberries and sugar and cook over medium heat, pressing the fruit and stirring frequently, for 10 mins.  Blend the fruit until smooth and bring the berry puree back to a low simmer.


3.    Add the gelatin mixture, and stir until completely dissolved.  Remove from heat.  Add the cream and lemon juice and stir to combine.  Divide mixture evenly among six ramekins and cover with plastic wrap.  Chill until firm, atleast 5 hours or overnight.  


Serve with fresh berries.  

June 22, 2016

Cut Calories in Rice with this method !!!!


White rice is a great source of carbohydrate.  With so many delicious additions you might find it easy to overindulge on rice, and too much rice too often is no good. Your body converts white rice to glucose quickly, which is why too much of it, like too much of any carbohydrate, can trigger insulin resistance, fatigue, weight gain, and a host of other issues.

But what if you could hack your white rice to avoid this problem? What if you could decrease its glycemic index, increase its health benefits, and make it more Bulletproof, all with a simple change to the way you cook it?

Ingredients :
  1. Rice - 1 cup
  2. Water
Method :

1.  Pour in enough water to reach about three-quarters up the sides of a pot and add the rice.  Bring to a boil.

2,   Turn the heat down until the water simmers sprightly but isn't boiling over and cook uncovered.  Stir occasionally.

3.   Start testing the rice at around 15 mins.  When the rice is cooked to your liking, turn off the heat and strain the excess water.  


Serve immediately. 

June 20, 2016

Rock Raisin Cookies !!!


These Rock Raisin Cookies are the best version of the classic.  Soft, chewy, easy and incredibly delicious!!  I love the sweet chewiness from the raisins along with the vanilla flavour.  After much experimenting, this is my perfect recipe for soft, chewy, not greasy, full of flavour and so easy !!!  


Ingredients :
  1. Self-raising flour - 225 gms
  2. A pinch of salt
  3. Butter - 125 gms
  4. Sugar - 80 gms
  5. Raisins - 60 gms
  6. Vanilla essence - 2 tsp
  7. Egg - 1 no
  8. Little milk, if necessary

Method :

1.   Preheat the oven at 200 C and grease & line up the cookie pan with parchment paper.   

2.   Sieve the flour and salt together in a large mixing bowl.  Cut the butter into small pieces and drop them into the flour.  Using the tips of your fingers, pick up a little of the flour and a couple of pieces of butter and rub them together to make the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.



3.    Add the sugar & raisins to the flour mixture.  Add the beaten egg and vanilla essence to the flour and mix well.  This mixture should be fairly firm but add a little milk if too dry.

4.   Spoon the mixture into small heaps on the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 mins. Cool them completely.


Happy baking :)

June 18, 2016

Restaurant Style Karaikudi Kozhi Curry !!!


Karaikudi is the biggest city in Chettinad region which is famous for its cuisine.  Some of my favourite food in the chettinad cuisine is paal kozhukattai, adhirasam, chicken curry and paniyaram.  I used gingely oil for making this authentic karaikudi kozhi curry.  Very flavourful and spicy, taste great with rice, chapatis or rotis.


Ingredients :

For Marination :
  1. Chicken - 1 kg
  2. Oil - 4 tbsp
  3. Salt
  4. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Mix and marinate the chicken for 10 mins.

For Spice Paste :
  1. Coconut, grated - 1/4 cup
  2. Cinnamon - 1 stick
  3. Red chillies - 3 nos
  4. Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp
  5. Ginger - 1 inch
  6. Garlic - 4 pods
  7. Cardamom - 2 nos
  8. Curry leaves - 2 tbsp
  9. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
  10. Star anise - 1 no
  11. Kalpasi 
  12. Cloves - 2 nos
  13. Black peppercorns - 1 tsp
  14. Oil - 1 tsp
Roast the ingredients and grind them to smooth paste using little water.

Others :
  1. Gingely Oil - 3 tbsp
  2. Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
  3. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
  4. Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
  5. Onion - 1 cup, finely chopped
  6. Tomato - 1 cup, finely chopped
  7. Curry leaves - 2 tbsp
  8. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
  9. Coriander powder - 1 tbsp
  10. Chilly powder - 1 tsp
  11. Salt to taste
  12. Water
  13. Coriander leaves for garnishing
  14. Tomato slices for garnishing (without seeds)

Method :

1.   Heat oil in the heavy bottomed pan, add 3 tbsp of oil, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds and finely chopped onion.  Saute till tender.

2.   Add finely chopped tomatoes, 1 tbsp curry leaves, turmeric powder, coriander powder, chilly powder and marinated chicken.  Cover and cook for 5 mins.

3.   Add spice paste and enough water.  Cover and cook till done.  Meanwhile roast 1 tbsp of curry leaves and keep aside.

4.  Garnish them with roasted curry leaves, coriander leaves and tomato slices.


Serve with rice or rotis.

June 16, 2016

Homemade Self- Rising Flour !!!!




There are some recipes requiring self-rising flour.  But it’s not an everyday ingredient, so you might not have it in your pantry. But don’t worry, you can make it at home easily with a few basic ingredients.  Here goes the substitute recipe for pancakes, cupcakes, scones, etc.
Ingredients :

  1. All purpose flour - 1 cup 
  2. Baking powder - 1 1/2 tsp
  3. Salt - 1/4 tsp

Whisk all the ingredients together until blended.


June 14, 2016

Oats Bread using Naan dough - Very soft !!!


 Beyond Naan ! Best way to use Naan dough.

If you have a ball of fresh naan dough in the refrigerator, it's ridiculously easy and you can make soft bread out of it.  Here's my recipe for enough naan dough to last several days........ 


Ingredients :

For making naan :

  1. All purpose flour / Maida - 3 cups
  2. Warm milk - 3/4 cup
  3. Yogurt - 1/2 cup
  4. Sugar - 1 tsp
  5. Rapid rise yeast - 2 tsp
  6. Salt - 1 tsp
  7. Baking powder - 1/2 tsp 
  8. Oil for greasing
For Bread  :
  1. Rolled Oats - 2 tbsp
  2. Butter for greasing
  3. Milk - 1 tbsp
  4. Naan dough - 1 cup

Method :

For preparing naan :

1.   Sieve together flour, salt, yeast, baking powder and sugar.  Add yogurt and mix well.

2.   Add warm milk and start kneading the dough till soft.  Grease the dough with oil and cover them with damp cloth and allow it to rise for atleast 1 1/2 hrs.

3.   After the dough has risen well,  knead the dough again and divide them into equal sized balls to make naan.



For Bread :

 4.   Preheat the oven at 200 C and grease & line up the baking pan with parchment paper.  

5.   Spread the naan dough in the greased pan and grease the top with butter,  

6.   Spread the rolled oats over the bread and gently press them.  Allow the dough to rise again in the baking pan for another 1 hr.  Brush the milk over the bread.

7.   Bake them for around 30 mins or  until done.  Once out from the oven, immediately brush the melted butter over the bread and serve.



Enjoy !!!

June 10, 2016

Palmiers | Elephant Ear Cookies | Little heart !!!


Puff pastry and sugar is all you'll need for some of the best treats ever !!!


Ingredients :
  1. Puff pastry, thawed - 2 sheets
  2. Granulated sugar - 1 cup
  3. Brown sugar / Demerara sugar - 1/4 cup
  4. Salt - 1/4 tsp
  5. Egg wash, one egg beaten with a bit of water

Method :

1.   Preheat the oven to 200 C and line up the baking sheets with parchment paper.

2.   In a bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and raw sugar.  Lightly sprinkle the sugar mixture on your work surface.  Roll out the puff pastry, and brush the surface with the egg wash.

3.   Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the top of the pastry and pat it in with your hands.  Roll each half of the pastry like a jelly roll and meet in the centre.


4.   Cut each roll about 1" thick and place the cookies cut side down on your baking sheet.  If the pastry is too soft, freeze them for 15 mins.

5.   Bake the cookies for about 15 - 20 mins or until golden brown on both sides.  Allow them to cool completely.


Happy baking :)
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June 8, 2016

Best way to store coconut !!!!


I like using coconut in most of my South Indian curries and gravies.   Coconut has the tendency to spoil, once opened.  Try this simple trick to store your coconut for longer time and that too really fresh !!!!


Ingredients :

  1. Coconut 
  2. Green chillies - 2 nos

Method :

1.   Break & cut the coconuts into small pieces.

2.   Grind or grate them with skin on (You can also peel the skin off).

3.   Store it in freezer ziplock bags in the freezer.  Stack a couple of green chillies on either sides.

Tips :

Green chillies keeps the coconut fresh for long time.
Thaw the grated coconut just before you use it.



June 6, 2016

CLUSTER BEANS KURKURI / CRISPY CLUSTER BEANS / CLUSTER BEANS FRY


Today, I have for you all a delicious snack made from cluster beans. These crispy cluster beans are so yummy that everyone would love it plus its so easy and simple to make.  Enjoy them hot and crisp as a snack or as a side dish with your meal. 


Ingredients :

  1. Cluster beans - 500 gms
  2. Chilly powder - 1 tsp + 1 tsp
  3. Salt to taste
  4. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
  5. Gram flour 
  6. Rice flour 
  7. Garam masala (optional)
  8. Dry mango powder 
  9. Oil

Method :

1.   Mix together cluster beans, 1 tsp of chilly powder, turmeric powder and salt to taste.  Pressure cook them half done.

2.   Mix together gram flour, rice flour, salt, dry mango powder and garam masala.  



3.   Toss the cooked cluster beans with flour mix.

4.   Heat oil in the deep frying pan and fry them till crispy.


Happy munching :)

June 2, 2016

Multigrain Porridge for babies - Very nutritious !!!


It's really very important to introduce healthy food for babies.  This porridge is made using different grains along with the nuts and flavoured with cardamom.  I introduced this porridge to my son from 11th month.  I used jaggery for sweetness and he just loved it :)


Ingredients :

  1. Whole green moong dal - 2 tbsp
  2. Rajma - 2 tbsp
  3. Red gram dal - 2 tbsp
  4. Toor dal - 2 tbsp
  5. Bulgur (Cracked wheat) - 2 tbsp
  6. Roasted gram dal - 2 tbsp
  7. Barley - 1 tbsp
  8. Oats - 2 tbsp
  9. Ragi-Millet flour - 2 tbsp
  10. Puffed rice - 2 tbsp
  11. Cashew nuts - 1 tbsp
  12. Almonds - 1 tbsp
  13. Cardamom - 1 tsp
For porridge preparation :
  1. Water
  2. Milk / Formula milk / Breast milk
  3. Jaggery (optional)

Method :

1.   Wash, drain and dry the green moong dal, rajma, red gram dal & toor dal.

2.   Dry roast all the ingredients separately and grind them together to fine powder.  Sieve the porridge mix and  store.

For porridge :

3.   Dissolve the jaggery in the water and filter them.  

4.   Take a tablespoon of porridge mix and dissolve them in little water or regular milk, filtered jaggery water and cook them till done.  

5.   Add formula or breast milk finally before serving.

Tips :

If you are using regular milk, skip the step 5.

Store it in air-tight container.
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