Crochet

I was browsing creative blogs and Easy Craft's crochet made me buy crochet needles and start crocheting right away. Here is the result :
Now, Anupriya liked those pouches so much that she made a pouch for mobile phone using a felt cloth. visit her here

Khatta Dhokla and Bhinda ni kadhi for SWC-Gujarat

These are my entries for SWC-Gujarat hosted by Priyanka for SWC-club members and bloggers who are part of this community. I chose to cook kadhi and dhokla from coffe's blog. They turned out very well. Dhokla still remained hot favorite at home with maximum votes for 'making it again'. You can check out Coffe's blog for recipes of Bhinda ni Kadhi and Dhokla. I wanted to make Asoondi and many other dishes trupti's blog. Managing work and blog is not a easy job. I think I have satisfy myself with two entries. Here you go with the pics :

Khatta Dhokla



Bhinda ni Kadhi



Thanks Priyanka for hosting it.

ಕಡುಬು - ಸಿಹಿ ಮತ್ತು ಖಾರ /Indian Steamed Dumplings

Kadubu/Steamed Dumplings make a very healthy snack with with cup of coffee/tea. They are made on festive occasions; to be precise on Ganesh Chaturthi in my house. It is believed that, Kadubu is one of the favorite food of Lord Ganesha. It was not any festive occassion at home yesterday when I made them. I developed a craving for them while I read few of recipes for Kadubu making in SWC-club. I had to make them on Sunday for evening snack which never happened as I was busy doing some household chores. Kadubu was delicious probably because they are not made at home on regular basis ;) ..

If you think of making spicy kadubu, you have to soak kadale bele/chana dal for atleast 6-7hrs before you start preparing them. Next step is to make kadubu skin.

Making Kadubu Skin

you need the following :

Rice Flour 1 cup
Maida 1tsp
Water 1.5cups
Salt a pinch
Ghee for kneading the dough

1.Boil water in a vessel. Add a pinch of salt.
2Add rice flour and maida when water is boiling.
3.Allow the flour to boil with water for next 2-3mins. Switch off the stove.
4.Mix the flour with water using a wooden spatula. Cover the vessel and let it stand for few mins/or till it is manageable to knead. Knead the dough by adding a teaspoon of ghee.
5.No lumps should be seen. Divide the dough into equal portions. Each portion should be of medium sized lemon.
6. Roll them to make small thick chapathis of 5 cm diameter.
7.Cover them with semi-wet cloth.
8.Get ready to make filling.

Sihi Kadubu/Dumplings with coconut &jaggery filling


Sihi Kadubu/Sweet Kadubu filling:

you need the following to make sihi/sweet kadubu :

Fresh grated coconut -1cup
Jaggery/brown sugar - 1/2cup or according to your taste
cardamom powder

1.Fry all the above in a non stick pan till half of the moisture from the mixture evaporates.
2.Take a spoonfull and place it in the center of the kadubu skin and fold
3.Seal the edges and steam them in a idli plate for 5-6min
4.Serve hot with ghee.



Khara Kadubu/Savory Kadubu


You need the following to make savory kadubu:

Filling Type 1
Togaribele:1cup  (Toor dal or Tovar dal or Tuvar dal)
Hesarubele: 1/2 cup  (Moong dal or dhuli moong ki dal)
Coriander leaves
Green Chilies
Salt
Soda-bi-carbornate (cooking soda) - a pinch

Soak both Toovar dal(togaribele) and moong dal (hesarubele) for 1hr. Grind them with green chilies, and salt to a coarse to smooth paste. The consistency should be of idli batter consistency. This way, the filling inside remains soft when steamed.


Filling Type 2

Kadalebele/Chanadal - 1 cup (soaked previously for 5-6hrs)
Green Chillies - 4
Coriander leaves - 5 lines
Salt
Cooking Soda - a pinch

1. Grind all the above ingrediants without adding water to a coarse paste. Add cooking soda.
2. Fill a spoonfull of the above mixture in pre-made kadubu skin
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Steam them for 7-8 min in Idli plate.
5. Serve hot with chutney of your choice

Sakkare Chapathi/Sugar stuffed flat bread and giving away Awards

Sakkare Chapathi/Chini ke Paranthe/Sugar stuffed flat bread was something which we (me n sisters) as children craved for. We love it even now. This simply simple sweet chapathi goes to Srivalli for her roti mela.Asha of foodies hope and Sowmya of Creative Saga had awarded my blog as yummy blog. Now it is my turn to give it to few more yummy blogs. As per the rules I have to "list four of my favorite desserts that I have prepared or eaten and pass the award to four of my fellow bloggers".

Here are my 4 most favorite desserts : (it is really very difficult to name only 4 coz I love all desserts)

1. Holige/Puran Poli
2. Chiroti with Badam Milk
3. Jalebi
4. Badam Halwa
5. Gulab Jamun
6. Rasmalai ... :P I told you I cannot stop naming them..

Now I would like to give away yummy blog award(award pic in the side bar of my blog) to fellow bloggers. If you have already received them, enjoy it again.

Mansi Desai of Fun n Food
Divya of Divya's Cook Book
Sagari of Indian Cooking
Ruchi of Ruchii

Long back I received rocking girl blogger(award pic in the side bar of my blog) award which I did not give away. I would like to pass on the award to

Priyanka of Asan Khana
Nupur of Cinnamon Hut
Neha Agarwal of Tasty Recipes
Swati of Sugar Craft India
Trupti of Recipe Center

You all have yummy recipes on your blog and all of you rock girls. Enjoy Cooking and Blogging.

Finally coming to the recipe of Sakkare Chapathi, you need the following to make them:
Chapathi Dough
Sugar
Ghee


Method:

Roll chapathis of 7 cm diameter and apply sugar on the surface of chapathi.
Fold the chapathi to make triangle.
Roll them into 1/2 cm thick chapathi/parantha and roast it on hot tava. Use ghee to roast chapathi. Enjoyy!!

P.S. Children love this chapathi; at least me n my son Akash love it :)

I have been tagged by Trupti for 10 pictures MEME. I will come up with my ten fav pictures in my next post. Till then all of you enjoy sakkare chapathi.

Chakkuli, Damrot and an Award; WinterMelon Halwa & Chakkuli

My blog received 'yummy blog' award from Asha and Sowmya. Thanks to you both for taging my blog as 'yummy' and my blog is very happy and demanded for some celebration. I made Damrot (Wintermelon halwa) and Chakli (instant) for my blog. My blog is savoring them so even you guys out there pick few chaklis and have some halwa!

Dhidir Chakkuli/Instant Chakkuli



You need the following to make it :
Kadalehittu/Besan : 4 cups ***
Akkihittu/Rice Flour: 2 cups (increase the qty if you get softer chaklis) ***
Roasted Chanadal/Huridakadale/pottukadalai powder: 1 cups ***
Ompudi (Ajwain) , RedChilli Powder, Salt according to taste
Benne/Butter: 1/2 cup
Baking Soda: 1 big pinch
Chilled water for mixing dough
Oil for deep frying Chakkuli
*** Adding more riceflour makes chaklis hard. The type of rice flour we get in Singapore makes it hard..so I add less rice flour. If the rice flour to besan to roasted chanadal powder ratio of 2:1:1/4 works best use it! Don't panic if you get softer chaklis, you just have to play with rice flour qty and it will be ok.

Heat oil on a low flame in a thick bottomed pan. Mix all the ingrediants nicely and add little water at a time and mix the dough. Dough should be firm and should resemble chapathi dough. Fill the dough in a chakkuli maker and make rounds like chakkuli/chakli. Deep fry in oil till golden brown and remove on a paper towel. Let it cool down before you enjoy them with hot cuppa.

My 5yr old was very excited to make them. You can see 'little chef' at work with chakkuli maker. He made almost all chakkulis for me.



All excited making rounds after rounds....ehehhehee..



DAMROT
If you have attended a kannadiga wedding, you might not have forgotten Damrot, Idli, Chutney and Pongal you might have had for breakfast. Slurr..p..I was longing to make it for a long time! You can have a spoonful from here



Here is how you make Damrot/Wintermelon Halwa
You need:
BoodukumbalakayiWintermelon/Petha - 4 full cups grated (without removing water)
Ghee- 1/2 cup
Fullcream milk-1cup
Sugar - 1cup or according to your taste
Saffron food color : 1big pinch
Elaichi Powder:1 tsp
Dry Fruits for garnishing

Take grated winter melon in a nonstick kadahi/vessel. Cook it under medium flame till the water evaporates. By this time winter melon would have half cooked in it's own water. Add half the amount of ghee and sautéed for a while and continue to cook further. Stir in between. When melon juliennes are cooked add saffron color, milk and sugar. Continue to cook melon pieces in milk till milk gets condensed and ghee separates from the mixture. Garnish with dry fruits and serve.

I will be passing on the award to other bloggers in my next post. I am on a look for 'yummy blog' now. Till then, all of you enjoy Chakkuli and Damrot!

RCI to SWC-Gujarati Cuisine

Dear All bloggers and LakshmiK of Veggie Cuisine, it was not plagiarism rather a inspiration for us to host such event for Singapore Women's Club. I do not intend to steal any one's work or take credits for their work. I believe that "Regional Cuisine of India" is a name and there is nothing wrong in using it anywhere. I have neither stealed any contents or logo which was original work. I apologise if you all have thought it as plagiarism. RCI started by LakshmiK of Veggie Cuisine inspired me to start a similar event in our club.

To end the confusion we will change the name to SWC-Gujarati Cuisine. SWC stands for Singapore Women's Club. It will be/is carried out for Singapore Women's club members and Singapore bloggers who are members of SWC. International bloggers are welcome to send in their entries if they wish. This time SWC-Gujarati Cuisine is hosted by Priyanka of Asan Khana.

Many thanks to all international bloggers who participated in previous events.

Tomato Masala and Chat Party

Pani Poori, Ragda Patties, Khatte Chane, Samosa, Bhelpuri, Tomato Masala, Cucumber Masala, Raw Mango Masala...slurrrpp....these were on the menu in our chat party. I was so full after eating all chat that dinner and next day's breakfast was skipped without any problem. Tomato Masala was liked by all and the raw mango chutney spread on cucumber masala made their eyes and nose tear!! Raw Mango went into everyone's stomuch without any invitation to eat!!!

Stomach asked for another Samosa. Pani poori and bhel puri brought back mumbaii days. Khatte Chane made a good accompaniment to Ragda Patties and Bhelpuri. We finished off the party with Rosogulla and Ice Cream while Coke went in batches in-between chat. It was a pot- luck party so all participating ladies made/contributed one dish. My contribution was Tomato Masala, Cucumber Masala, Raw Mango Masala. Here is the recipe of Tomato Masala.

Ingrediants:
Tomatoes, grated carrots, chopped onions & coriander. Roasted peanuts, khara sev, and deep fried and salted moongdal. A mix of salt, redchilli powder and roasted cumin powder

How to Assemble:
Place sliced tomatoes on a plate. Sprinkle salt, redchilli powder and roasted cumin powder mixture over the tomatoes. Top it with grated carrot, chopped onion, peanuts, moongal, sev and finally finish it off by garnishing with coriander leaves. Tomato Masala is ready to eat.

A closer look,

RCI-Punjab Round Up

I would like to thank all Singapore Women's Club Members (SWC) and International food bloggers for participating in this event.

Below write-up is contributed by Roop Parmar :

Punjab- "the land of five rivers". being the most fertile land agriculture is the backbone of this state. Needless to say that best produce results is rich and yummy food. Punjab is also known as the "granary of india" or the bread basket of india. It produces approx 70% of d food grains for India. Punjabis are big hearted people, they like to live life king size...they are very brave, lively, full of enthusiasm(balle balle kinds) and high spirited.Punjab is home for mouth watering `curries, tandoori tikkas, kababs, roshan goshts, machili (fish) dishes and much more. Curries can be made as dry or gravy preparation. Dry curries like kababs, tikkas etc. may be served as starters or main dish.

For die-hard vegetarians Punjab is a heaven. India can boast for its innumerable varieties of tasty and nutritious vegetarian dishes. Punjabi dishes like Sarso ka Saag, Makki di Roti, Rajma, Aloo Mattar etc.

Some of the popular Punjabi starters include:
Samosas
Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori Fish
Paneer tikka
Paneer Pakora
Vegetable Pakoras

Lassi is a traditional Punjabi beverage made out of churned yogurt. It can be made sweet or salty as per your taste.

Hallmarks of Punjabi food

Saron (sarson) da saag te makki di roti
Dal makhani (Mah di dal)
Butter chicken
Paneer Makhani
Lobiya (Black eyed bean)
Rajma (Red kidney bean)
Choley (eaten with bhatoora or naan).(Whole Bengal gram e.g Bengal chickpeas)
Punj ratani dal (mixtures of 5 lentils) etc...

Bread preparations
The Punjabi breads are generally flat breads; only a few varieties are raised breads. The breads may be made of different types of flour and can be made in various ways:

Baked in the tandoor like naan, tandoori roti, kulcha, lachha paratha
(The tandoor also allows for tasty chicken and meat preparations including seekh kebab, tandoori chicken, reshmi tikka and malai tikka.)

Dry baked on the tava (Indian griddle) like phulka or chapati, jowar ki roti, baajre ki roti and the very famous makke ki roti (these are also smeared with ghee or white butter)
Shallow fried like paratha, aloo or mooli paratha
Deep fried like puri and bhatoora (a fermented dough)

These breads can be made by just about everyone, however it is often said that it is only made the best with Punjabi hands.Dollops of cream and butter provide for the rich finishing touch. Garnishing is usually with shredded coriander leaves and juliennes of ginger.

Yummy Punjabi desserts include:
hot gulab jamuns
gajar halwa loaded wid dry fruits
garma garam juicy jalebi

It is time to showcase our entries :

Priyanka has contributed a wide array of recipes which includes Vegetarian Punjabi Dishes and Non-Vegetarian Punjabi Dishes. Do visit her at AsanKhana to know asan(easy) ways to make a lovely lunch and dinner :

Her Entries : Pindi Chole :

2. Dhabawale Kaleji Fry

3. Dahi Wada

4. Dhaba style besan ki roti and Chicken burji

5. Lahsuni Murg and Jla bhuna egg masala

6. Malaiwala Palak Paneer

7. Rabri

Jasneet has fondly made Lobia (black eyed bean) Parantha:

Jasneet Oberoi's Recipe for Lobia(raungi) Parantha :

Lobhia Paratha has a spiced lobhia stuffing. I personally prefer it to aloo or potato stuffed parathas. Freshly cooked and crisp parathas are served straight off the griddle. They should be served with pickles of your choice, natural yogurt and/or Sweet Lassi or Salted Lassi. In our family we make them on the occasion of Diwali and everyone likes to eat them with sweet Mango Chutney as well. These parathas freeze well; a large batch can be made and kept in freezer.

Ingredients

For Stuffing
200 gms black-eyed beans
1 onion (finely chopped)
½ tsp. ajwain or carom seeds
A large pinch of heeng
2-3 green chillies (to taste)
1 tsp. chilli powder (to taste)
3 tsp. coriander powder
1 tsp. garam masala
1 tsp. jeera or cumin powder
4 tsp. salt
3 tsp. amchoor or dry mango powder
Remember that the stuffing is for filling between two layers of unsalted dough. Therefore, the stuffing at this stage will taste quite salty and over spiced.
For Dough
400 gms whole wheat chapatti flour
2 tsp ghee or butter or oil (this helps to make Paratha crisp but is not essential)
Enough water to make dough

Instructions
1. For stuffing
2. Boil the Lobhia in pressure cooker with less water eg. if the lobhia is 1 cup just add 2 cups of water. It should be over-boiled and sticky. Drain the water after boling.
3. Take a bowl and add the boiled lobhia and mash them. Add finely chopped onion. Add all the spices and mix well.
4. For dough
5. Save 1-2 tablespoon (or use extra) dry flour for dusting during rolling out of parathas
6. Mix the remaining flour, oil or ghee and enough water to make a firm-ish dough. If you are new at making parathas, it is better to have a firm dough because it is easier to control while rolling out. Experienced Indian cooks prefer a little softer dough, which make softer parathas.
7. Knead well for 5-6 minutes. This process can be done quickly in a food processor.
8. Leave to stand for 10 minutes or so. Knead briefly again.
9. Making parathas
10. Break dough into approximately golf ball size portions and roll into balls, using a little dry flour for dusting. I make only two balls at a time and make the next 2 while the previous paratha is cooking. If you are new at this, you may need an assistant to fry parathas while you are rolling them out.
11. Heat a griddle or tawa.
12. Dip one ball at a time into the dry flour and roll it out to approximately 6 inches or 15 cm.
13. Place 2 heaped tbs. or so of the stuffing in the centre of the 1st circle, and place the second circle to cover it.
14. Seal by pressing all around the edges. You end up with a small, stuffed circle.
15. Roll the stuffed circle gently into a pancake like bigger circle, approximately 20-22 cm diameter. You will need to dip it in dry flour, on both sides, a couple of time during rolling out. This will stop it from sticking to the rolling board. If a little stuffing escapes, don't worry, just remove it. If the paratha sticks a little to the board, gently ease it off using a flat spatula or palette knife.
16. Place the paratha on the hot griddle. Turn it over when it changes colour slightly, you can see a few blisters on the under surface.
17. Turn over again and cook the other side same way.
18. Brush oil on both surfaces, one by one.
19. Continue pressing it gently, all over, using a flat spatula. If you see any steam escaping, seal it by pressing it with the spatula. This helps it to fluff up into a ball.
20. Cook until crisp and nicely browned on both sides.
21. Serve hot.

Note

1. Another easier way of stuffing the paratha is to roll out only one 6 inch circle, place stuffing in the centre and fold it over like a pastry or gunjia. Now gently roll it out. The shape will not be round, but elliptical.
2. Frozen or chilled parathas can be re-heated before serving, either individually on a griddle or in a microwave - place 4-5 parathas spread out on a plate and heat for 2-3 minutes on maximum power.
3. They also freeze quite well but should be defrosted properly before re-heating.
4. If there is any left over dough, you can make plain parathas and eat them later.

Vanisri of Illatharasi has contributed Jeera Rice and Shahi Paneer :

You can read the recipe for mouth water shahi paneer and jeera rice on her blog.

Swati Acharya has contributed yummy Gajar Ka Halwa.

Her recipe for making Gajar ka Halwa :

Gajjar ka halwa remains dear to me and loyal. It’s dear to me becaz it was prepared on the occasion of my engagement ceremony and my hubby’s family loved it very much so it was a sweet beginning for two families and loyal becaz it has never disappointed me whenever I attempted it even in a hurry.

Now I think I should start with the recipe preparation method:

Ingredients:

Grated carrot: 5-7

Milk: 2 cups

Sugar: 2-2.5 tbsp

Ghee: 1cup

Powdered elaichi /cardamom: 1tsp

Almonds/cashew/raisins: as much as u wish

Method:

1. Cook grated carrot by adding 2cups of milk in a heavy bottomed pan; u can also pressure cook it but I prefer cooking it in open pan; cook this with medium flame until the excess milk evaporates or absorbed which takes about approx.15-20mins.
2. Add sugar to the grated carrot cooked in milk and mix well till sugar melts or is dissolved completely.
3. Then add ghee to the mixture and mix well and cook until ghee separates from the pan.
4. Heat 1tsp of ghee and roast the cashews and raisins. Add elaichi powder and the roasted raisins and cashews to the halwa and mix well.
5. Now u can remove the halwa from the stove and transfer it to a bowl and garnish with chopped nuts and I prefer it to be served slightly warm and not hot.

Note:

Sauté halwa regularly once the ghee and sugar is added to avoid burning of halwa.

U can add saffron soaked in milk which will give extra flavor to the halwa.

Prajusha from icookipost has sent us Palak Paneer :

She also has sent me Mutter Paneer and Butter Paneer Masala :

Mutter Paneer :

Butter Paneer Masala:

Nupur of Cinnamon Hut has sent Mooli Parantha.

My Entry : Punjabi Style Moong Dal and Parantha :

Moong Dal :

Ingrediants:

Whole Moong dal soaked for atleast 7-8 hrs (I have added a handful of chana dal too)

Onion : 1 big (chopped)

Oil, Jeera/Cumin, Hing, Red Chilli Powder, Garam Masala Powder, haldi/turmeric

1.Pressure cook moongdal, redchilli powder, salt(1tsp) for 2 whistles.

2.Heat oil in a pan. Add hing & jeera when oil is hot. Add chopped onion and sautee till they are soft. Add 1tsp of garam masala powder and sautee for 1 second.

3. Add pressure cooked dal, salt and water. Cook it on low flame till dal is cooked.

4. Garnish with corinader and serve hot with Parantha.

International Bloggers :

Jai and Bee from Jugalbandi

Check out their blog for Sag Gonglu

Cham Saravana of Spice Club
Delicious Aloo Parantha and Mutter Paneer's recipe is blogged at Spice Club. Have a look.



Thank you all for sending your entries. Next month RCI theme would be Gujarat. Priyanka of Asan Khana will be hosting RCI-Gujarat.

1. Blog a Gujarati dish or if you have one in your blog you can send the link and the picture
2. Size of the photo :320x240
3. Send in your entries by 31st May.
4. Mail in your entries to pranks25@gmail.com
5. Non bloggers please send your recipe and photo.


I would like to request our Singapore bloggers to host this event if they are interested. Please write to me with your interests to vasurag1993@yahoo.com.sg