Birthday Celebration

Its a special day for us; our kid turned five today. We hosted a small party at home to celebrate his birthday. We invited around 20 of our friends and their kids. Really felt happy to cook for my beloved friends. Today's post is all about the party menu and the best part is all the recipes are already in blog.. Check it out!!

White Forest Cake  - I had given recipe for 1 cup of flour whereas i prepared with 4 cups of flour.

Pulkha Roti        - Want to know how to prepare soft chapathi?? Click the link.. These rotis stayed very soft throughout the party

Navarathna Kuruma       -  Very healthy and best  vegetarian side dish for chapathi/ Roti

Mee Goreng        - This is Malaysian style  noodles.  It literally means fried noodles. One of the easiest and tastiest noodles.

Vegetable Dum Briyani   -  Vegetables are cooked with spices and masala. Rice is cooked separately. Then both are put 'Dum' together. I served it with Onion Raita

Malligai Poo Idli          - This Idli was the Show stopper. Everyone appreciated the softness of this Idli.. It was really soft.. Most of them asked for the recipe and tried it too.

Varuthu Aracha Sambar     - Very much flavorful sambar which is prepared with freshly roasted and ground spices.

Coconut Chutney       - Chutney prepared with coconut and fried gram

Curd Rice            - A trick for preparing curd rice. Add lot of milk and just few drops of curd.

Ice cream with Fruit Salad  - I added cut fruits like apple, banana, grapes and pineapple to homemade Icecream

P.S : Write back to me for party menu ideas!!

Rice Flour For Kozhukattai / Idiyappam

Vinayagar Chathurthi is around the corner.. Hws preparations going on??? Have you prepared Rice flour for kozhukattai?? Yes!! Kozhukattai rice flour is different from that of Muruku, seedai rice flour. This post gives an insight on two types of rice flour. You can easily prepare both rice flours at home, where ever you are and what ever your weather is!!

For preparing rice flour for Idiyappam/Kozhukattai, etc:

• Soak Raw Rice (Pacharisi) in enough water for 10 minutes. 
• Drain excess water and hang it in a Muslin cloth for 1 to 2 hours. This is done to absorb excess water from rice.
• Grind it to a powder. You can use even Mixer-Grinder to grind the rice. 
• Sieve the flour well.
• Place the flour in a cloth,close it and steam it in a Idli -plate for 10 minutes.
• Let the flour cool in shades and use accordingly.

Foods taste ultimate, when all the ingredients are homemade.. Start preparing Rice flour for  preparing authentic, hygienic and tasty Kozhukattai..

Malvani Masala Powder

Malvani Masala Powder

Here is the Malvani Masala powder which can be used with all the Malvani dishes. You can also prepare the powder and store them in  an air tight box and use when ever required.

Ingredients: (Masala enough for preparing gravy for 2 persons)

Red Chilli                     - 1

Coriander Seeds           -1/2 tsp

Cumin Seeds                - 1/2 tsp

Fennel Seeds                - 1/2 tsp

Whole Pepper               - 1 tsp

Cinnamon Sticks          - 1

Aniseeds                       - 1

Cloves                           - 2

Green Cardamom          - 2

Mustard Seeds               - 1/2 tsp

Asafoetida                      - a pinch.

Procedure:

• Dry roast everything, and grind to a very fine powder.
• Your Malvani masala powder is ready. Use in the dish as required

Basic Chettinadu Puli kulambu Masala

Basic Chettinadu Puli Kuzhambu Masala

This is the basic Chettinadu Puli kuzhambu masala. You can prepare puli kuzhambu atmost with anything. You can prepare using vegetables like potato, ladies finger, tomato, brinjal, or with any of the pulses. If you are using a vegetable, wash and chop it into little bigger pieces. if you are using pulses, puli kboil it in cooker and keep it ready.. prepare this chettinadu masala. Extract juice from tamarind. cook everything together, do the seasoning and add it to kuzhambu and serve it hot with rice.

According to me,  Chettinadu masala is very best for preparing puzhi kulambu. The spices which we are using for this masala gives a very nice flavour and aroma to the kuzhambu.  Here is that aromatic Masala recipe..

Ingredients: (Enough to make Kuzhambu for 2)

Chopped Coconut          - 2 tbsp

Tomato                           - 1 

To Dry Roast:

Coriander Seeds             - 1 tsp

Red Chilli                       - 2

Cumin Seeds                  - 1/2 tsp

Fennel Seeds                  - 1/2 tsp

Pepper                            - 1/2 tsp

Fenugreek Seeds            - 1 tsp

Toor Dal                         - 1 tsp 

Procedure:

• Dry roast everything under 'To Dry Roast'.
• Grind the roasted spices along with chopped coconut in  a blender.
• After everything has powdered, add chopped tomato.
• Grind them well.. Use as needed.

Basic Tofu Fry

Basic Tofu Fry

Tofu is nothing but Soya milk Paneer.. It has very low calories and high protein when compared to paneer... You can replace paneer in any recipe, with that of tofu.. Best alternative for those who are in diet. Here i am showing a basic tofu fry which you can use in fried rice, noodles or in any other gravy of your choice.

Ingredients:

Tofu                               - 100 gm

Ginger -Garlic Paste      - 1 tbsp

salt                                  - As Required

Turmeric Powder           - a pinch

Chilli Powder                 - 1 tsp

Oil                                  - 2 tbsp

Procedure:

• Drain excess water from tofu.. Cover it tightly with paper towels and kitchen cloth  for fifteen minutes. This is done to remove excess water from tofu.
• After fifteen minutes, cut tofu into big chunks.. Mix Ginger-Garlic paste, salt, turmeric powder and chilli powder in  a bowl.. add tofu to it.. Mix well carefully.. Tofu will get broken easily, Marinate tofu for about 15 minutes.
• Heat oil in a pan. Add 2 tbsp of oil to it. Add marinated tofu to it.. Cook well on both sides. Remove from pan and use accordingly..

How to prepare puris for pani poori at home?? (With Step-Wise pictures)

How to prepare puris for pani puri at home?? 

Worried about hygiene of puris, which we are purchasing outside for preparing pani puri?? It can be easily prepared at home.. Lets see how to prepare those puris!!!

Ingredients:

Rava  (Sooji)                        - 1 cup

Maida (All Purpose Flour)   - 3 tbsp

Baking Soda                         - 1/4 tsp

Salt                                       - As required

Water                                   - As required

Oil                                        - As required

Procedure:

Take a bowl.. Add all the ingredients except oil.. Add water in  small instances and start kneading. . Rava will absorb more water.. Add water when ever required.. knead well.. The dough should be semi elastic.. Cover the dough with a wet cloth  and keep it aside for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, take a ball out of the dough.. Roll it  with the help of a rolling pin.. It will be little difficult to roll out the dough.. Add oil and roll it.

With the help of a lid, cut the dough.. You can also use a cookie cutter.. Take a lid which will be appropriate..

 

  Remove the excess dough.. Take out the cut puris and deep fry in oil.. Use as required..

You can even dry remaining cut puris under shade and store it for later use.. 

So.. Whenever you need puris, Just take and fry those dried ones.. 

Green Chutney for chat

Green Chutney For Chat

This versatile chutney is used with sandwiches, chat items etc.. Its easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

Coriander Leaves              - 1 cup

Mint Leaves                      - 1/2 cup

Green Chillies                   - 2

Ginger                               - A Small Piece

Sugar                                 - 1/4 tsp

Salt                                    - 1 tsp

Lemon Juice                      - from half lemon

Procedure:

Blend everything in  a blender

lemon juice is used to retain the colour.. Store and use as required.

Sweet Chutney For Chat Items ( Tamarind Dates Chutney With Step-Wise Pictures)

Sweet Chutney For Chat Items ( Tamarind Dates Chutney With Step-Wise Pictures)

Its the sweet chutney which is usually served with chat items.. Its sour as well as sweet.. Just soak tamarind ahead of time.. the recipe follows..

Ingredients:

Tamarind                   - 1/4 cup

Jaggery                      - 1/4 cup (vellam)

Dates                          - 10

Chilli Powder             - 1 tsp

Cumin Powder           - 1/2 tsp

Dry Ginger Powder    - 1/2 tsp

Procedure:

Soak tamarind in hot water.. Take out seeds from dates..

Add water to jaggery in a sauce pan and let it boil.

Boil till jaggery dissolves and filter it.. This is done to avoid impurities.

Take a pan.. Add tamarind extract, jaggery water, dates and all the powders. Let it boil. Add salt and sugar.

Boil the mix till it reaches thick consistency.

smash the dates well and filter it.. 

your sweet chutney is ready!!!

How to prepare Red Chilli Paste at home?

How to prepare Red Chilli Paste at home?

It will be very much useful for us, when we prepare red chilli paste ahead of time. Can use it for Fried rice, Noodles and other gravies which need nice red color..Pick up some nice colored shiny red chillies..just you need the following..

Red chillies              - 10

Vinegar                    - 1 tbsp

Water                       - As needed

Take red chillies in a sauce pan.. Add enough water to soak red chillies.. Add vinegar to it.. Vinegar is added to retain the color.

 

Let it boil for 15 minutes.. Once its done switch off the flame.. let it cool for some time and blend it..

How to Transfer round cake to heart shaped cake? ( step wise pictures)

How to Transfer round cake to heart shaped cake?

Want to prepare a heart shaped cake without mould , no problem... Any Round or Rectangular pan will help. I used Round pan. These are the steps.

• Trace the bottom of the cake pan in a paper and cut it.

• Fold it in Half and draw a heart

• Cut in the line and your heart shape is ready

• Keep this on a cooked cake and cut according to the paper cut-out.
• Remove the left out pieces. your heart shaped cake is ready.

How to prepare Coconut Milk at home?

How to prepare Coconut Milk at home?

I won't  buy canned coconut milk. It has added preservatives and it cost bucks too.. Why to go for it, if you can prepare easily at home. When you buy a new coconut , break it , chop into pieces and store it in a 'Freezer bag' or in a 'storage bag' in freezer. Take it out from freezer, an hour ahead of using it. By this, coconut will stay fresh for more than 2 weeks.

1. Take a blender jar.
2. If its chopped coconut, grind it for a while and add water.
3. If its grated coconut add water and grind it.
4. Filter the ground paste using a strainer. This is First Grade very thick coconut milk.
5. Add water to the coconut paste again and grind.
6. Filter it again. Its second grade coconut milk.
7. Repeat the above process and get thinner coconut milk.

How to prepare whipping cream from Amul Fresh cream

How to prepare whipping cream from Amul Fresh cream

Amul Fresh cream                      - 600 ml

Place fresh cream in upright position in fridge for 4 - 6 hours. Also keep the vessel in which you are going to whip and beater  hook in fridge for 4 - 6 hours. Don't freeze fresh cream. Just keep in Fridge. For the cream to whip everything should be cool. After 6 hrs open fresh cream pack. You can see solid part of fresh cream floating in the top. Just remove it without disturbing the liquid part. Keep the vessel in which you are going to whip the cream in a pot of ice and start whisking the cream. Add 4-5 tbsp of sugar in middle. Keep on whisking till the whipping cream reaches its consistency. Whipping cream shouldn't fall down from the spoon in which you are taking it out. That is the consistency.

How to prepare sweetened cherries from fresh cherries

How to prepare sweetened cherries from fresh cherries

For Canned Cherries:

Use Fresh cherries. You can get  those in markets.

Fresh cherries                                 - 2.5 cups

Powdered sugar                              - 1/2 cup

Corn flour                                       - 1/8 cup

Vannila Extract                               - 1/2 tsp

Water                                               - just to dissolve sugar

Take a non stick pan, add water to sugar. heat for some time. After sugar gets dissolved add corn flour and vannila extract. Add cherries atlast. Switch off the flame. Let it cool

For Syrup from Cherry tin:

For this case one can use sugar syrup itself. Take 4 tbsp sugar. Add enough water. Wait till it dissolves.

Hard Boiled Eggs

Hard Boiled Eggs

Boiling eggs is a very easy task. Some times how long you boil it, you won't be getting the eggs fully boiled. If the eggs are boiled , the white yolk will be sticking to the outer shell, that we can't even use. I had this same problem when we were at Ireland. Heard if the eggs are fresh, this problem will arise. Found an excellent tip on net. Thought it will be very much useful . so sharing it..

1. crack the egg slightly in its flatter end using a spoon. Be careful not to break the egg.
2. Bring the water to boil in  a saucepan. When the water bubbles, reduce the flame.
3. Lay the eggs to the bottom of the saucepan with a spoon.
4. Close the lid of the sauce pan and leave the eggs undisturbed for 12 minutes.
5. Temperature is very important for this. keep in the temperature where the water is not bubbling, but there its still heating.
6. After 12 minutes, transfer the eggs to the bowl of cold water. Even tap water would be fine.
7. Peel it and use as required.

Home made Paneer

Home Made Paneer

Paneer can be easily prepared at home. Its tastier and healthier when made at home.

Ingredients:

Milk                    - 500 ml
Lemon Juice       - 1- 1.5 tbsp

Procedure:

1. Boil milk in a heavy bottomed pan.
2. After it boils add lemon juice. Add lemon juice when the milk is hot.
3. Milk will start curdling. Wait for 10 minutes. By this time whole milk would have get curdled.
4. The lemon juice specified would be enough for making the milk curdle. But if the milk dint curdle yet add some more lemon juice.
5. When the curdling is done, filter it using a strainer.
6. Transfer the curd to a cloth which can absorb water.. here in my case i have used a cotton cloth.
7. Squeeze out water, Tie the knot and hang on to a high place. leave it for 2 - 3 hours.
8. After that open the cloth. Kneed it well and cut into cubes.
9. Use as required.