May 31, 2013

Friday Chat With Bloggers - Shama From Easy2cookrecipes

My journey of Friday chats with bloggers started this January and happy to receive lots of love and response from everyone. It’s been really pleasure to have my blogger friend’s chat and recipe in my space. I love and respect each and everyone comments which they share about my blog and really working on it to improve mine by adding few more recipes…

And coming to my today’s guest…

Shama , a very energetic blogger and lovely mother of 2 beautiful kids from easy2cookrecipes. She entered into this beautiful blogging world at 2008 and her journey still continues with yummy, innovative and delicious recipes. I really wonder the time she spends with blogging along with her kids and of course that shows her passion in cooking. While surfing her space, I was really amazed with the loads of recipes hidden and felt like home with all traditional recipes. Her space looks very perfect with clear explanation and measurements.  I personally loved all her recipes and as usual listing my few most favorite recipes of her….



Don’t miss her other recipes…..really very tempting…innovative…traditional and delicious….
Click HERE to enter into her beautiful foodie world.


Now over to shama….


Priya : Love to hear few words about you n your blog and who is your greatest support?
Shama : I am a happy homemaker with two adorable kids . My passion for cooking different flavours of food made me to write a food blog .My hubby is my greatest support .

Priya : Who is your favorite chef and what would you cook for them when you get a chance?
Shama : My Mother i my favourite chef and she loves masala dosai and Chicken biriyani .

Priya : Any 3 ingredients which you never miss in your cooking and your favorite gadget in kitchen.
Shama : Turmeric powder , Home made sambar/currry powder , Coriander leaves . My mixer grinder is my favourite gadget.

Priya : What’s your family’s most favorite recipe which you cook. Pls share with the link if you had posted in blog.
Shama : Chicken biriyani : http://easy2cookrecipes.blogspot.in/2010/04/hyderabadi-chicken-biriyani.html

Priya : Can you share us about your first cooking experience and the recipe which you tried first?
Shama : Mixed Vegetable kurma : http://easy2cookrecipes.blogspot.in/2009/10/my-first-cooked-food-mixed-vegetable.html

I experimented this kurma exactly the next day , when my hubby and myself first met and our engagement date was fixed . My mom was busy with our engagement works including shopping , inviting relatives . My brother and myself was left alone , so that was my first day in kitchen . My brother had this with chapathi , he said good but less salt .

 Priya : Please share some kitchen tips or secrets of yours…
 Shama : Cook with love and passion...nothing goes wrong in cooking.

Priya : What do you like in my blog and please share your suggestions to improve mine.
Shama : Lovely space with yummy recipes.        

Guest Post Recipe – Sprouted Ragi Cookies


INGREDIENTS :

Plain flour -  1/2 cup
Ragi sprouts - 1/4 cup
Almonds - 20
Boiled milk - 1/4 cup
Cocoa powder - 1 tsp
Powdered sugar - 1 cup
Hudon Canola Oil - 3 tbsps
Baking powder - 1 tsp

METHOD OF PREPARATION :

1) Finely grind dried ragi sprouts and almonds in a blender.
2) Add this to maida and knead to a smooth dough with baking powder,cocoa powder,sugar and oil.
3) Once done , roll small balls of it...flatten it and place in a greased baking pan.
4) Bake at 180 deg.c for 20 minutes.
5) Allow it cool down for 5 minutes. 

Serve with a cup of hot tea / milk .

  


Thank you so much Shama for spending your valuable time for sharing your favorites along with healthy and tasty cookies. Very healthy and perfect snack for kids and elders… Sounds very delicious too.

Friends…. Hope you all had a great time by knowing more about our friend Shama along with her visual treat.


Stay tuned to meet another interesting blogger….next week!!!

If you are interested to participate in my Friday chat with bloggers event….Just mail me at priyasmenu@gmail.com

May 30, 2013

Dhokar Dalna - SNC Challenge

Being a south Team member in our SNC Challenge ( created by Divya Pramil ) got a lovely opportunity to try this delicious and traditional Bengali recipe. Have to thank Pinky from Esho Bosho Aahare for introducing such an excellent recipe. Very tasty and perfect with hot rice.
Check out our North Team Challenge recipe Qubhani kameetha hosted by Roha from Hyderabadi Cuisine.



Ingredients:

For Lentil Cakes :

  • 1 Cup Channa Dal
  • ½ Cup Split yellow peas
  • ½ Cup Coconut, grated
  • 1 Tsp Ginger paste
  • ½ Tsp Hing
  • 1 Tsp Onion seeds / Kalonji
  • 2 Green chillies
  • ¼ Tsp Baking soda
  • Salt to taste
  • ½ Tsp Turmeric powder
  • 2 Tbsp Oil
  • Oil for Frying

For Curry :

  • 4 Potatoes, cubed
  • 1 Tomato, finely chopped
  • 3 Green chillies, slitted
  • 1 Tsp Red chilli powder
  • 1 Tbsp Garam masala powder
  • 1 Tsp Jeera Powder
  • ½ Tsp Turmeric powder
  • ¼ Cup Cashew and Raisin paste
  • 2 Cup Coconut Milk
  • 1/2Cup Coconut, Grated
  • 1 Tbsp Ginger paste
  • ¼ Tsp Hing
  • 2 Tsp Jeera / Cumin seeds
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • Salt to taste
  • Oil

Method :

For Lentil cakes:

  • Soak channa dal and yellow split peas for 4-5 hours.
  • Drain, wash and grind coarsely along with green chillies.
  • Add grated coconut, turmeric powder, salt, onion seeds, ginger paste and baking soda to the ground batter.
  • Heat oil in a pan and add hing followed by the dal batter.
  • Simmer and stir continuously till the batter becomes thick and get off from the pan.
  • Now transfer the cooked batter to the greased plate and cool it completely.
  • Cut into desired shape and deep fry till it turns golden brown color.
  • Remove and keep aside.

For Curry :

  • Soak Raisins and cashews for half an hour and grind to a fine paste.
  • Heat oil in a pan and add turmeric powder followed by cubed potatoes.
  • Fry till they turn crispy.
  • Remove and keep aside.
  • Now add remaining oil in the same pan and add Hing followed by jeera and bay leaf.
  • Add green chillies and ginger paste.
  • Fry them till the raw smell goes off and add the chopped tomatoes.
  • Cook until the tomatoes turns mushy or soft.
  • Now add turmeric powder, garam masala powder, chilli powder,jeera powder and salt.
  • Cook for 3-4 minutes or until oil separates from the pan.
  • Add grated coconut and coconut milk at this stage and mix well.
  • Now add cashew- raisin paste and fried potatoes to the gravy and cook for few more minutes by adding water until the curry turns thick.
  • Now add the fried lentil cakes and sprinkle garam masala on top of it.
  • Remove from the flame and serve hot with rice.


Notes:

  • Add fried lentil cakes to the gravy / curry before serving or else it would turn very thick.
  • Be careful while frying cooked cubed lentils because while frying few may break.

Are you interested in participating in our SNC Challenge every month… just click HERE




May 28, 2013

Bottle Gourd & Sprouts Curry



Ingredients:
  • 1 Cup Bottle gourd, grated
  • ½ Cup Mixed Bean Sprouts
  • 1 Onion, Finely Chopped
  • 2 Tomatoes, Finely Chopped
  • 1 Tsp Chilli powder
  • 1 Tsp Coriander powder
  • ½ Tsp Jeera Powder
  • ¼ Tsp Turmeric powder
  • ½ Tsp Garam Masala powder
  • 1 Tbsp Oil
  • Salt to taste


Method:
  • Heat oil in a pan and add the chopped onion.
  • Sauté for couple of minutes and add the chopped tomatoes.
  • Fry them together for 3-4 minutes or till tomatoes turns mushy or soft.
  • Add Turmeric powder, chilli powder, garam masala powder, coriander powder and Jeera powder.
  • Mix well and cook till the raw smell goes off.
  • Now add the grated bottle gourd and mixed beans sprouts.
  • Mix well and add water along with the salt.
  • Cook for 5 minutes in a medium flame or till the gravy consistency occurs.
  • Garnish with coriander leaves or curry leaves and remove from the flame.



Serving Options :

Serve hot with Rice or any Indian breads.



Linking this recipe with 
Viji's Show your style to the world series 4


May 17, 2013

Friday Chat With Bloggers - Linsy Patel From Home Cook Food


Hi all….

Sorry for the delayed Friday Chat Post.... Am travelling to my native and finding very difficult to connect internet so taking break for a week... Gonna miss u all and blogging :)

OK let us meet our today’s guest…. Linsy Patel from Home Cook Food in our blogging world!!!

Lovely blogger and known as kitchen queen in our blogging world has lots of unique and interesting recipes in her blog...  And also her blog filled with lots of awards... Congrats dear :) Simple, neat and perfect blog with clear explanation..

So ready to know more about her favorites....    
wait!! 
Before that let me share my favorite recipes of her...

Offlate I started craving vada pav and started eating almost every week with icecream.. . Hot and cold…yummy right :) And guess what.... the very first recipe I viewed in her space was vada pav.. What a timing :) Her recipe method is also very interesting..not like the regular one… Excited to know?? Click Vada pav…  

And her blog has few nutella recipes too like Nutella Baklava
 shellsNutella coke brownies and Nutella Coffee Frappe… 
Sounds yummy and tempting right :)

My other favorites are…..






My list never ends… So click HERE to check all her yummy 

mouthwatering recipes.

Now let’s see what Linsy shares with us….



Priya : Love to hear few words about you n your blog and who is your greatest support?

Linsy : Hi, My Name is Linsy Patel and I go by Kitchen Queen because That is what I am.  I started my blog Home Cook Food, last year in July. Before that also I used to go to various blogs to see recipes and my sister also have a blog so I know about it but I had a very bad incident with one of the senior blogger so thanks to her I started my blog too. My family and all of you my virtual friends are my support and strength without you guys I wouldn’t survive, so from bottom of my heart Thank you all.

Priya : Your Favorite chef, favorite cookery show and favorite cookbook.

Linsy : From the beginning I watch SanjeevKapoor’s show here and in India too. After coming to USA , Food Network become my favorite channel and in that I love Chopped, Mexican Made Easy by Marcela. Frankly I don’t follow any rules so no favorite cook book. I just cook with my heart.

Priya : Can you share us about your first cooking experience and the recipe which you tried first?

Linsy :  Being a younger one in my family I never enter in to the kitchen before marriage but after marriage when I landed here, I have to make everything , that time by practice , some errors and above all with my dear husband’s help I reach here today. My first dish was Egg Masala. It is easy; just grind onion, tomato, khaskhas, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin coriander powder, ginger, green chili paste. Cook till raw smell go and add boiled eggs and potatoes in it, add enough water to make gravy and salt and you are done.

Priya : When your house filled with sudden guests...What would be your quick menu?

Linsy : My pantry and freezer is always full so to cook something for guests its always easy.

,http://realhomecookedfood.blogspot.com/2012/08/hariyali-paneer-tikka.html for Main Paneer and vegetable korma, MethiMatarMalai, Hyderbadi Soya Biryani and Whole Massor Dal with parathas , for sweet Chickoo and Almond Kheer and Mango mousse

Priya : What’s your family’s most favorite recipe which you cook?

Linsy : Pls share with the link if you had posted in blog. They like everything I make but mine vegetable pizza is all time favorite.


Priya : Please share some kitchen tipsor secrets of yours…

Linsy : Don’t throw away leftovers, you can make something out of it and everyone love it, if you have dals or any gravy dish or rice, add them in flour and make parathas for breakfast or tea. If you have thick gravy add boiled potatoes in it and make cutlets out of it. Use your time and freezer wisely. Don’t overcook vegetables, that way you are losing all the nutrients from it, Stir fry them so its stay crunchy.

Priya : What do you like in my blog and please share your suggestions to improve mine.

Linsy : You are the goddess of blog world. All your recipes are so unique and easy I told you before also you should publish your book. Just one word keep up the good work.

Ma Po Tofu






A famous Szechuan recipe - the name Ma Po Tofu is roughly translated as "pockmarked grandmother bean curd " named for the old woman who supposedly invented the dish. Today this dish, known as Mapo Tofu, can be found in almost any Chinese restaurant around the world with hundreds of variations adapting the piquant original to suit local tastes. And do I need to tell you, its spicy so its my favorite too. When we go to out favorite Chinese restaurant  We ordered two dishes always. Hot n Sour soup and Ma Po Tofu.

And its been a while we had this and I was craving for this for so long so when I went to Chinese store, my aim was to pick up ingredients for this dish only and I made it and we enjoyed it. It has to make it on high flame and fast. so prepare everything and keep it near so it will be done in no time.

Ingredients :
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 medium garlic cloves grated on a micro plane grater (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and grated on a micro plane grater
  • 1 tbsp plus 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, finely ground in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle
  • 1 tbsp fermented chili bean paste
  • 1 tbsp garlic red chili sauce (sambal oelek)
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch combined with 3 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 block of silken tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 cup frozen green peas


Method:
  • Heat vegetable oil in a large wok over medium heat until shimmering.
  • Add garlic, ginger, and 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly sizzling, about 1 minute.
  • Add chili bean paste and red chili sauce and cook, stirring constantly, until incorporated, about 15 seconds.
  • Add vinegar, soy sauce, and vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
  • Add starch mixture and bring to a boil.
  • Cook for until liquid has thickened, about 30 seconds.
  • Add tofu and fold in, being careful not to break it up.
  • Stir in peas and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes.
  • Transfer to a serving bowl and Serve with white rice or Fried rice.

Thank you so much Linsy... It's my pleasure to have your recipe n
interesting chat in my space. Thank you so much for spending your valuable time to participate in my event. Am sure that all our friends will also enjoy this interesting chat with delicious recipe....

And thank you so much for your valuable f


                                 Thank You Linsy !!!

Happy Weekend Friends :) 

Will meet you all next week..after a short break !!!

May 14, 2013

Mango Raita - Try My Recipes


Perfect way to beat the heat is with curd…well, that’s common but adding summer special fruit or can also be called King of fruit in curd makes more delicious and flavorful…right? Yeah… Mango Raita is really very very tasty and refreshing which can be served with Spicy briyani or Pulao. Personally I loved the flavor so completed the bowl as such J . Have to thank Meenu for posting such a refreshing raita and hosting an interesting event “ TRY MY RECIPES “ through which Am getting a chance of trying her recipes…

Click HERE to her original recipe...

Wanna join her event and try her recipes??  Just Click HERE…. You will be redirected...Hurry!!! Only few more days left..



Ingredients:
  • 1 Mango Ripe
  • 1 Cup Curd
  • Sugar to taste


Method:
  • Take one cup of curd in a bowl and blend well using fork or hand blender.
  • Peel the skin of mango and remove the flesh part.
  • Finely chop them and add to the beaten curd.
  • Add sugar and mix well.
  • Serve chill.


Serving Options:

Serve chill with Spicy briyani or Pulao.


 Linking this with Meenu's TRY MY RECIPES



May 13, 2013

Moti Channa - Try My Recipes




Simple and delicious snack from Meena’s blog. Perfect evening snacks which can be served with hot tea or coffee.. Click HERE for the original recipe.

Just one week left for the event in meena's space...Hurry!! Try her recipes and get a chance to win an exciting prize... Click HERE for more details.

Ingredients:
  • 2 Cups Gram Flour / Kadalai Maavu
  • 2 Tbsp Chilli powder
  • A pinch of hing
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 Tsp Ajwain
  • 1 ½ Cups Water
  • 2 Tsp Oil for kneading
  • Oil for frying


Method:
  • Add flour followed by chilli powder, hing, ajwain, salt and oil in a bowl.
  • Add water little by little and prepare sticky tight dough.
  • Heat oil in a pan and use big perforated spoon/ ladle called Jarani in tamil to prepare moti channa.
  • Now place the ladle in top of kadai and spread the dough using hand.
  • Press it so that the moti channas falls into the hot oil. (Be careful at this stage).
  • Fry it in a medium flame until they turn into golden brown and crisp.
  • Repeat the process for the remaining dough.
  • Remove and drain the excess oil using kitchen towel.
  • Serve hot or store it in an air tight container. 

Serving Options:

Serve with hot coffee or Tea.


Linking this with Meenu's TRY MY RECIPES


May 10, 2013

Friday Chat With Bloggers - Priya Anandakumar from Priyas Virundhu


Happy Friday Friends :)

My today’s guest is Priya Anandakumar from priyasvirundhu who started her blogging life few months back but in short time her blog filled with lots n lots of delicious recipes ( Real Virundhu like her blog title )… Very energetic blogger who posts nearly 50yummy recipes in a month... Amazing right :) Her blog looks very perfect, neat with step by step presentation and lovely tempting pics. Don’t miss her blog!! Happy to share my few favorites from her blog….

Here it is…



Eral Thokku     




This is not all…. Click HERE to enter into her lovely foodie blog to view all her delicious recipes…

Now over to Priya A….

First of all I would like to thank Mrs. Priya Satheesh for inviting me for the Friday chat. I did not even imagine she will invite me for the chat. Thank you very much Priya Satheesh , I am so overwhelmed with joy because this is my first guest post and a great encouragement for new bloggers like me.

Priya S : Love to hear few words about you n your blog and who is your greatest support?

Priya A : Hello everybody, happy to meet you all through Priya’s menu. I am Priya Anandakumar native of Chennai but currently residing in UK. I come from a big family of two brothers and a sister. I have a caring husband, two lovely and cute daughters 10 years and 4 years old.

I am forgetful by natureJ, so I always write down all my recipes in paper. Instead I thought I will have a digital copy ( blog) so I can refer it whenever needed and also share it with my friends. I have the step by step pictures to help viewers visualize the ingredients portion size and the texture of the food etc. When I saw the encouragement and acknowledgement from the visitors, I am now really motivated and working really hard to make it better every day.

My greatest support - First and foremost I would say is my loving husband and all my family members and friends.

Priya S : Your Favorite chef, favorite cookery show and favorite cookbook.

Priya A: My favorite chefs are Chef Dhamu, Mallika Badrinath. I don’t get to watch any cookery show, but used to watch Rachel Ray’s 30 min cooking, Master Chef when I was in USA. My favorite cook book is Chef Dhamu’s Asaiva samayal .

Priya S: Can you share us about your first cooking experience and the recipe which you tried first?

Priya A: My first cooking experience was very funny. My sister and I tried to make coconut burfi when I was in Class 7. We asked our mom how to do it and told her not to come into the kitchen. We both were really not sure about the recipe. The burfi was a total disaster; it turned out like a paper weight. We all just laughed it out…

Priya S: What comes to your mind when you hear the word “Sweet “.

Priya A: Sweet for me means – Ladoo, Jangiri, Gulab jamun, Kesari, Adyar Ananda Bhavan….
I love sweets more than anything in this world…

Priya S: What’s your family’s most favorite recipe which you cook? Pls share with the link if you had posted in blog.

Priya A: Chicken & mutton biryani, pepper chicken, tiramisu ,Kesari and many more.


Priya S: Please share some kitchen tips or secrets of yours…

Priya A: To bake potatoes quickly, place them in salt water for 15 min before baking.

Don’t store potatoes and onions together. Potatoes will rot quickly if stored with onions.

Wrap fruits and vegetables in newspaper before refrigerating to keep them fresh for long.

Before cleaning the banana flower (vaazhaipoo) apply generous amount of oil so your fingers won’t turn black. Similarly, when chopping Yam apply oil in your hand so that it won’t get itchy.

Priya S: What do you like in my blog and please share your suggestions to improve mine.

Priya A: The very first thing I like about your blog is the cute little cake that appears in the header. Your blog is very simple, nice and very well organized.
Most of all I love the way you try different combinations in your recipes, which is mind blowing. I love your chicken recipes a lot like the mint chicken curry, fried chicken and avocado dip etc.

You are great inspiration to new bloggers like me. Happy blogging and keep doing the great job.

Now coming to the guest post recipe….

I made Prawn 65, easy and simple starter or a side dish….

Prawn 65

I am so happy to share my first guest post with Priya’s Menu and I am very thank ful for that…

Here’s how to make prawn 65….





Ingredients

Prawns
500 gm
Corn flour
1 tbsp
All purpose flour
1 tbsp
Chilli powder
1 tsp
Turmeric powder
¾ tsp
Pepper powder
½ tsp
Ginger & garlic paste
1 tsp
Garam masala
½ tsp
Lemon juice
2 tsp
Yogurt/curd
1 tsp
Egg
1 beaten
Salt
As needed
Oil
For frying
Food color (optional)
One pinch

For garnishing

Curry leaves
10 – 15
Green chillies
2 finely chopped

Method:
  • De-shell and de-vein the prawns. Wash them really good.
  • Now add about ½ tsp of turmeric powder, some water and wash it thoroughly. This step is very important to get rid of the smell. Drain all the water completely.
  • Now add all the ingredients mentioned above except the oil to the prawns and mix them well. Keep it in the refrigerator for about 2 – 3 hours.
  • Heat the oil in the kadai, deep fry the prawns in medium flame and transfer it to a plate and keep it aside.
  • In the same kadai, add 1 tbsp of oil (the same oil in which the prawns were fried) sauté the curry leaves and green chillies until they are crispy. 
  • Garnish it over the fried prawns and serve them hot.

Very simple and delicious, Isn’t it??? Just give it a try and also give me your feedback.


Thank you so much Priya for spending your valuable time and its my pleasure to have your chat in my blog along with your lipsmacking recipe.



Happy weekend Friends… Stay tuned to meet another interesting blogger next week J