Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Corn in Onion Sauce

Either its sweet corn or normal corn, amma likes it soo much and that was the main reason for me to try Nags recipe soo soon. Another reason being coincidentally 2 corn cobs were lying on the table that caught my sight soon after reading her recipe.

Corn in Onion Sauce
It was 4PM and here goes the conversation between amma & me:

Amma - [Just got up from a small nap] You said u'l make something with corn and give me, you even showed me the pic yest?!

Me - Yes ofcourse!

Amma - So when are u planning to make it?

Me - Its already done!

Amma - What?! So why didnt you give me, I m waiting for it....

Me - Wait ma, I am waiting for the sun to shine bright meanwhile am arranging things for clicking the pics. I've to do it before mittu wakes up no?

Amma - Hayoo u'l do all gymnastics, jump here and there to click the pics and that will take another 30mins or even more...?

Me - Dont worry I'l finish it up fast for ur sake.

Amma - Hmm lets see.....

At 4:45PM : Me - Here you have the corn onion sauce , handing over the plate to her.

Amma - Worth the wait......supera iruku but the quantity is very less.

Me - **Beaming with pride and smile** Next time I'll make in a large quantity ok?

Amma - Okay :)

I've impressed amma with many dishes but am very happy to have cooked her most fav corn today & having got her appreciation for it!!

Corn in Onion Sauce
I have tried so many times to blur the background using the camera itself but it was not upto the mark, so end up in blurring using photoshop. Finally 2day the blur came out so well(hope so....) guess now I learnt the technique of blurring using camera itself though not intentional ;)

Now coming to the recipe:

Ingredients:
Corn cobs - 1
Onion - 1 medium sized
Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp
Curry leaves - 3 to 4
Jaggery Syrup - 2 tsp or as per taste[Dissolve jaggery in water to form a thick syrup]
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Chilli powder - 2 tsp
Jeera - 1/2 tsp
Yogurt/Curd - 3 tbsp
Oil - 3tsp
Salt to taste

Method:
1.Boil the corn for 5 vessles in cooker - I did this as I didnt want to deep fry them. I usually feel very guilty to pour more oil for frying.......exception for vadais and few other items :)

2.Slice the corn into 1 inch pieces. I used normal corn, not sweet corn so it was a very tough time to cut them so I cut only 1 slice for pic sake others I shaved them into pieces like below:
Corn in Onion Sauce
3. Grind onions to a fine paste. Now add ginger garlic paste, turmeric, chilli powder, jeera, curry leaves and jaggery syrup to the onion paste. Mix well and keep aside.

4.Saute the corn in 1.5 tsp oil for 5mins and keep aside.

5.Now add the remaining oil and fry onion paste mixture till oil seperates, it may take some 10 mins.

6.Lower heat and add curd/yogurt. Simmer only for 2-3 mins to avoid curd from curdling. Add salt and remove from fire.

The hot and sweet juicy corns were soo tasty and different! Even we had it as such :)

Corn in Onion Sauce
I usually click so many pics when I make a dish but end up picking up only 1 or 2 to post it here. But this time I liked many of my clicks than usual but restricted myself & posted only 4 of them .... So that means I've finally started liking my clicks! :)

And I'm linking this to : Corn on Foodista

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Kaima Idli - Saravana Bhavan special!

I havent even heard about this kaima idli till I saw it in Lavis blog. So wanted to give a try, I followed the recipe with no major change, hmm I just omitted deep frying.

Kaima Idli

Ingredients:
Left Over Idli's: 3
Onion - 1
Tomato - 1/2
Garlic - 3 pods
Green Chilies - 1
Green Capsicum - 1/2
Curry Leaves - 5 to 6
CorrianderLeaves - 2tsp
[Dont search in mine, my stock got over so didnt use it ;)]
Oil - 2 tbsp
Chilly Powder - 1/2 tsp [Adjust according to your spice level]
Salt to taste
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp

Finely chop onion, tomato, garlic, capsicum, greenchillies and coriander leaves.

Method:
1.Cut the idli's into small cubes and saute them in oil till it becomes light brown and keep it aside. You can also deep fry the idlies which is what the orginal recipe says.

2.Drizzle oil in a pan, add mustard and allow it to splutter. Add onions,then garlic, curry leaves and saute well.

3.Add tomatoes and saute it well, so that its mashy with onions, add salt, turmeric powder and mix well.Now add capsicum, saute them well and add chilli powder. Keep stirring continuosly till its combined well.

4.Add the idlies, mix well till it combines well with all masalas.Garnish with corriander leaves, sprinkle lemon juice over the kaima idli's.

5.Serve these spicy kaima idlis with onion patchadi.

I did reserve only 3 idlis this time and the kaima idlis finished off in no time!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Valakkai Podimas

Vazhakai can be made in several ways....this podimas/puttu is a simple yet flavourful sidedish! I like this more than the usual fry. Dont mind on the spelling mistake in the pic, so lazy to work around again ;)

Raw Banana/Vazhakai Podimas

Ingredients:
Raw Banana -1
Onion - 1
Grated coconut - 3tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1tsp
Urad dal - 1tsp
Green chilli -1
Oil - 2tsp
Garlic cloves- 2
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Salt to taste

Method:
1. Boil the banana for 2 vessels, spread it out and keep aside
2. Drizzle oil, add mustard seends allow it to tamper. Add urad dal, green chili,garlic then onions, saute well , sprinkle turmeric powder.
3. Add coconut and saute till it turns light brown.
4. Now add the shredded vazhakai and saute well. Add salt to taste.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Bread Besan Toast

Bored of normal bread toast? then this is for you! I tried Mahimas Bread besan toast which turned out to be a great evening snack!


Bread Besan Toast


Ingredients:
Bread - 3


For the batter:
Besan flour - 1/2 cup
Finley chopped onions - 1/2
Chopped coriander leaves - 1/2 tbsp
Chopped green chilli - 1
Salt to taste
Water
Oil/Ghee to toast



I just ignored tomatoes and adjusted the quantity.


Method:
1. Mix all the above ingredients except bread to form a thin batter.
2. Dip each bread piece in the batter.
3. Heat the tawa, drizzle oil and toast both sides till light brown.While toasting press the bread slices so that all sides are cooked properly.
4. Cut each bread pieces into half diagonally.
5. Serve hot with tomato sauce!


Bread Besan Toast
Have I told you before?! I just like bread soo much...You give me bread anytime or even daily be it toast, upma or with omlette or even just like that....I can have it :) This besan toast takes hardly 10-15mins, hope you all try this toast too!!


Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Methi Gajar Matar / Methi Carrot Peas Milk gravy

I had been waiting to try this for long from Nags blog.

Methi Gajar Matar

Ingredients:
Carrots - 4 big ones, chopped lengthwise.
Peas - 1/2 cup
Onion - 1 big sized finely chopped
Milk - 1/2 cup
Jeera- 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 2 tsp
Chilli powder - 3 tsp
Garam Masala - 2 tsp (optional)
Oil
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves - to garnish
Methi leaves - few

Method:
1.Half boil the carrots and peas in cooker, which is what I did. Omit this if u want to cook the veggies in milk gravy itself (it will take time but will surely taste even more better)

2. Heat oil, add the jeera, let them splutter, add the onions, fry a bit.

3. Add the peas to the onion mixture and fry them for 5 mins. Add the cooked carrots and stir.
NOTE: If you are using uncooked carrots , make sure to cook them in a little water and add milk after the carrots are semi cooked.

4. Add garam masala, turmeric powder,chilli powder then add milk
NOTE: [Add chilli powder generously as carrot + peas + milk gravy gives a sweet taste so check and add it.]

5. Close and let it cook for 5-7 mins. Keep stirring once in a while to avoid burning of milk and the carrots. Once the curry looks creamy add coriander, methi leaves and mix well!

Once u add milk the gravy gets thickened very soon so dont over cook after milk is added.
Switch off and garnish. This goes well with chapathis!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Rosemilk - Pretty in Pink!

The first time I tasted Rosemilk was in Sree Annapoorna - Coimbatore. From the day I was a great fan of rosemilks. I wonder how the rosemilk they serve alone had the rose essence at the bottom and I used to stir it with the straw. As a kid I was very excited to see the pink color getting beautifully mixed with milk.
Rosemilk
Its been so long since I drank rosemilk, should say I totally forgot it when I started drinking my fav chocolate milkshake. Last week when I went for monthly grocery shopping saw this rose essence in Foodworld. With no hestitation I took it and by now I have made it so many times :)


Should I have to give you the recipe for this?! ;)
Chilled Milk + Sugar + Rose Essence = Yummy Rosemilk!


My bday month seems to be too much fun and lucky even before my day has approached. Awards, tags and what not ! It added on when........Couple of days back, opened my inbox to see a new message from Nags with the subject "You won the book". I first cudnt believe it, as luck is very far from me :)
Anyways luck has breezed my way this time...... I m happy to tell you that I won the book in this giveaway. I have just started reading the book and I am really thankful to Nags for such a nice book. It surely has changed my perception about diets and you knw the lazy me has started exercising already!


Coming to the award, I feel very much excited and honoured in receiving the honest scrap award. Thank you so much Renu!


Requirements:
I must thank the person who gave me the award and list their blog and link it.
I must list 10 honest things about myself.
I must put a copy of The Honest Scrap Logo on my blog.
I must select at least 7 other worthy bloggers & list their links.
I must notify the bloggers of the award and hopefully they will follow the above three requirements also.


Here are my 10 honest confessions:
1.I feel each day is a little life n I luv it :)
2.I completely enjoy being a mother
3.I go crazy after mobiles and bags
4.If I like a movie, I prefer watching it many times instead of a new one
5.I love watching the rain
6.I am addicted to my system
7.I am a planned person and struggle to take things at the last minute
8.I adore friendship
9.I cook to click :)
10.I love longdrives in car with music turned on


And I am passing this to my honest scrappers:


Only 7?! Hmm have to stop here then.....You all deserve the award too, Do pick it up! I am tired of writing a long post so let me have my rosemilk :)
Rosemilk

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Kuska Biriyani

This kuska rice comes of great help when u dont have any veggies in stock or no time for chopping. This is a very simple and comforting dish.
Kuska Biriyani
Ingredients:
  • Rice - 1cup (I used seraga samba rice, basmati rice can also be used but the timing to boil should be adjusted accordingly)
  • Onion -1/2
  • Tomato -1/2
  • Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp
  • Cardomom - 1
  • Brinji leaf - 1
  • Cloves - 2
  • Cinnamom - 1 inch piece
  • Coconut milk - 2 tbsp
  • Ghee - 2 tbsp

To grind to a smooth paste:
  • Green chillies -1
  • Coriander leaves - 3 tbsp
  • Mint leaves - 3 tbsp
Method:
  1. Wash and soak rice for 10mins.In a kadai add 1 tbsp ghee add brinji leaf, cloves, cinamom, cardomom, onions, tomato and saute well. Now add ginger garlic paste and fry for 3mins

  2. Add the grinded paste and fry for another 2mins.Add rice to the above in a pressure cooker. Add 1.5 cups of water and coconut milk to it.

  3. Leave for 1whistle and sim it, Leave for 6-7 mins to cook. Add the remaining ghee on top.

  4. Serve with onion raitha. I had it with gobi manchurian, you can find manchurian recipe here

I have been tagged by Bharathy, Thank you bharathy I completely enjoyed it
The rules :
1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share the ABCs of you.
4. Tag 4 people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let the 4 tagged people know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
6. Do not tag the same person repeatedly but try to tag different people, so that there is a big network of bloggers doing this tag.

The Tag:
1. A – Available/Single - None
2. B – Best friend? Hubby
3. C – Cake or Pie? Cake
4. D – Drink of choice? Choc Milkshake
5. E – Essential item you use every day? Obviously its my mobileS
6. F – Favorite color? Brown
7.G–Gummy Bears Or Worms? Gummy Bears
8. H – Hometown? Coimbatore
9. I – Indulgence? Shopping
10. J – January or February? February
11. K – Kids & their names? Daughter - Dhiksha
12. L – Life is incomplete without? My family and friends
13. M – Marriage date? 02-02
14. N – Number of siblings? One
15. O – Oranges or Apples? Oranges
16.P – Phobias/Fears? Phobia with Insects
17. Q – Quote for today? Live the moment as if you are going to die the next minute!
18. R – Reason to smile? There are many actually : Music, Charity, Long drives, Watch the rain hmm... but now the one that tops everything is mittu's smile :)
19. S – Season? Spring
20. T – Tag 3 People? See below
21. U – Unknown fact about me? Very sensitive
22. V – Vegetable you don't like? Greens
23. W – Worst habit? Nail biting
24. X – X-rays you've had? For toothache
25. Y – Your favorite food? Sambar sadam, Rotis with any side dish
26. Z – Zodiac sign? Libra

And I am tagging Sri Valli , Sakshi , Arundhuti and Mahima

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Choco Cornflakes Pudding, Award and MEME tag!

So another moment to celebrate with a dessert for award. Adapted from SpicyKhazana's cornflakes kheer, I tried it with lil variations and made it thick as I wanted it that way so here comes the choco cornflakes pudding!
Choco Cornflakes Pudding
Ingredients
Plain Cornflakes - 1/2 cup
Whole milk - 1.5 cups
Sugar - 1 tbsp
Cardamom pods - 2
Cashews - few
Ghee - 1 tsp (to fry)
Coco powder - 2 pinches

Method:
1.Roast the cornflakes in ghee and set it aside. Leave it to cool for 5mins then grind it to a coarse powder. Roast cashews and keep it seperate.

2.Add sugar to milk and bring it to boil. Add cornflakes powder, crushed cardamoms, coco powder and stir well till it becomes thick like pudding consistency.

3.Add the cashews and mix well. Refrigerate for 15mins and serve chilled!

And I am sending this to Sanghis FIL - Milk

Lavanya also sent me a taggie and I am excited in taking it up as its my first tag :) Onto the tag now:

1. What is your current obsession?
Looking after mittu(my baby) and blogging

2. What are you wearing today?
Night pants

3. What’s for dinner?
Dosai and sambar

4. What’s the last thing you bought?
Baby accessories

5. What are you listening to right now?
Abhiyum Nanum songs

6. What do you think about the person who tagged you?
A gud cook, friendly blogger and a talented food photographer!

7. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
With no doubt in Coimbatore!

8. What are your must-have pieces for summer?
Cotton clothes and lots of water

9. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
Swizzzzzz :)

10. Which language do you want to learn?
Malayalam and Japanese

11. What’s your favourite quote?
Be the change you want to see in this world - Mahatma Gandhi

12. Who do you want to meet right now?
Hmm my close friends Sathya and Sowmya. Though we've telephonic conversation daily want those chit chat moments in person

13. What is your favourite colour?
My all time fav - Brown

14. What is your favourite piece of clothing in your own closet?
My Pink striped kurtha

15. What is your dream job?
The one I am currently in and a job which revolves around mobiles and photography

16. What’s your favourite magazine?
I am not a regular reader of magazines just comics

17. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
50$ for charity for sure and remaining will give it to hubby

18. What do you consider a fashion faux pas? (Iam changing this question)
What are your latest passions?
Mittu :) and food photography

19. Who are your style icons?
None in specific

20. Describe your personal style.?
Simple and Casual

21. What are you going to do after this?
By the time I finish up this, my lil one will be awake so she will keep me entertained :)

22. What are your favourite movies?
Tamil - En Bommukutty Ammavuku & Mozhi
English - Mitr my friend
I can watch these movies any no of times.........

24. What are three cosmetic/makeup/perfume products that you can't live without?
Deo, Bindi and J&J powder :)

23. What inspires you?
Friendship

24. Give us three styling tips that always work for you:
No make up, matching small earings and a tiny bindi

25. What do you do when you have nothing to wear (even though your closet’s packed)?
Hmm will go for shopping - another reason to shop ;)

26. Coffee or tea?
Coffee

27. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed?
Cry

28. What is the meaning of your name?
Sharmilee - Happiness

29. Which other blogs you love visiting?
All those lovely blogs in my reader

30. Favorite Dessert/Sweet?
You name it I can have it - Yes I m true sweet lover!
If you ask me one then its badusha

31. Favourite Food.
Sambar sadam, Rotis with any side dish

**The rules of the tag are : Respond and rework – answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, and add one more question of your own. Then tag eight or ten other people.

So I am passing on both the award and tag to:
NOTE : If you have already taken up this tag pls ignore it!