Smiley Faced Fried

Never mind if some of them look scary...these are fun things to try for your little one...and ofcourse you can enjoy them too.
It really does not need you to be very skill ful with your carvings. 

Masala Corn Cobs (Roasted)

A very common sight during monsoons in Mumbai is the bhutta cart...Bhutta is corn. You may find the vendor lugging around a charcoal stove ,roasting the corn, applying masalas, sprinkling lime juice and some happy eaters enjoying the warmth under the rains.

Unfortunately rains are scanty at the moment so there are really no rainy moments as yet. Hopefully that should change in couple of weeks time. However, I got my stock of fresh corn cobs and wasted no time in roasting them.

Showing my little one how to enjoy corns on the pod was a fun event. I even offered him to make his on toppings...where he could spoil his hands (and the house) adding a bit of salt, lime, pepper etc...rubbing with some butter whatever he liked...he rubbed in some powdered sugar too...I did not taste that bit but I am sure it was good.

Cheesy Macaroni (Mac Cheese)

Some dishes that are intended to please the little devil at home often end up being consumed by The Husband. Now, I was not remotely aware that he would be fascinated by a cheesy sauce that was mildly flavored to suit the kids palate.  The point to drive is that it is a lovely treat to enjoy when you are craving some thing to comfort you instantaneously.

Home made garam masala (maharashtrian style)

This summer I ended up making quite few plans for my pantry stockings. I barely could achieve the plans but whatever little I could do made me very happy. Especially now during the rains when I end up using some of the good old work.
One such thing on my to-do list has been the popular kanda lasun masala (also known as Kolhapuri masala) which is stocked round the year by Mom and also provided to me . I want to make it at home..some day..

Yes I could not fulfill that wish yet I am happy as I have made part of it...the garam masala that is prepared and added to the onion , garlic coconut roasted powders....
So this year, I ended up making a large bottle which dear mother feels would last me couple of years..I dont know whether she is unhappy about me not going to borrow her masala this year....it may be difficult to see the wings and watch your little worm turn into a butterfly, maybe....just want to tell her though that I owe you so much and I am yet so to learn so many things that this worm will keep crawling back into your cocoon

Clarified Butter/ Desi Ghee

The most therapeutic work by far in my kitchen each fortnight is the process of churning the cream curds into butter and then watch it melting away separating from its scum to form something so divinely aromatic.

Surprisingly a lot of my friends think it is a mammoth task to do. I know of some who even do not hesitate discarding the milk cream that floats to the top while using the milk. This has to be a ritual and pretty easy to follow provided you use desi ghee often. If you intend to make Indian food often it is well worth it to have a pot of desi ghee with you.

The overall process may take days together of efforts (if you call it an effort).

Moong dal and greens Pachadi

I had first made this for my cousin sister-in-law when she was expecting her second baby. She was struggling to keep food in her tummy while her baby was busy flushing it out every now and then. To top it her hormones kept her giving the lows making her feel less pampered second time around.
With all the constraints, I decided to try one side dish without using green chillies as per her instructions. She still praises me for that dish and says that she remembers it as the most fulfilling meal throughout her pregnancy.
Now you dont have to be pregnant to eat this beautiful combination...

Kids Delight - Warm foods to beat the rain

Monsoon and snacking go hand in hand. I say that for winter and summer too....but actually to put things in context the monsoon is the time to pamper kids with good food. Most evenings kids have to stay back at home watching the rains. It is perfect time to feed them with some delectable warm foods.
If you are thinking on the same line as mine, then use this event to link up all your fantastic ideas and thus share with all us mommies looking for new recipes..

Steamed Spring Rolls/Stuffed Rice Pancakes

Growing up in the age when hakka noodles and manchurian were catching up as the next big street food, spring rolls was always known as a deep fried delicacy that you can have when your pocket money can afford things better than a vada pav or frankie.
I still relish this whenever we happen to pass by the chinese counter turned into fancy restaurant now near my school.
At home, though it has been a rarely made dish mostly because I avoid the deep fried stuff.  Last month I laid my hands on rice pan cake sheets at the super market. I picked up not knowing how it would taste.
We thoroughly enjoyed it for dinner which was suppose to light yet filling as per the original plan.
If you keep no prejudice about this dish then I promise you will love it too..

Papdi/ Puri / flat whole wheat crispies

I am on a mission to find a healthy recipe for pani puri. I am addicted to pani puri but often have to let go of my temptations because some fool reminded me of the calories it contains during the last stab.
Since then I launched the mission...so replaced the potatoes with only sprouted moong. Reduced the amount of sweet sauce.  You got the point right by now...looking for recipe that will let me make puris without deep frying it.
In my quest for pani puri - Puris , I have often ended up making the papdis or flat puris used for other chat items. This is also a good snack to munch on.
I use whole wheat flour and broken wheat(lapsi) rava to make these.
Spot the tiny bump I got this time around....

Steamed Wonton Soup

Like most, I prefer wontons as my preferred starter for a dinner party. The fillings and the dips change most of the times. I have baked wontons to save my conscious of added guilt. 
I wanted to try steamed wonton since the longest time but never got around making it.
Last night for dinner when I decided to make few batches of wontons, I split them in equal quantities , 1 batch for frying and other for steaming. 
Luckily we enjoyed the steamed version as much and decided to go for all steamed soup. 

Event Round up - Mango mania 99 days

The king of fruit stayed over at The Pumpkin Farm for 99 days in various forms. What a fantastic collection we have managed to put up together! 
If you were happy eating the fruit in its natural form...you ought to take a look of how it has been used to create one great dish after the other.
I got a whopping 130 +  dishes in the collection using all forms of mango...Raw mango, ripe mango, dry mango powder . Mango was used to create salad, juices, gravies,paranthas,  chutneys, pickles, puddings, cakes, icecream, kulfis, sweets, pastas, salsas...you name it and it is found here...


Dont believe me...take a ride!


Beverages

Mango Panha (panna, aam panna, raw mango panna) is the usually the first thing to be made the moment mangoes launch themselves in the market


Try the variations 
Panha - @ Rajani's My Kitchen Trials
Aam Panna - @ Swheta in the Kitchen
Aam Panna - @ Srividhya's blog
Mango Panna - @ a home makers diary
Aam Panna - @ Riappyayan's blog

Mango Lassi is another popular way of having mango as a beverage
Try the variations 
Follow Foodie's Mango Lassi
Food Mazaa's - Mango Lassi
Sara's Corner - Mango Lassi
Vardhini's - Mango Lassi
Nalini's - Mango Lassi
Kalyani's - Mango Lassi

Other beverages to watch out are ...

Amy's - Mango Milkshake 

Amy's- Mango Juice

Hema's - Mango Smoothie

Hema's -  Triflavored Fruit Punch

Srividhya's - Mango Milkshake with a twist

Vijaia's  - Mango Colada

Anusha's - Mango Milkshake

Food Mazaa's - Mango Submarine

Spicy Kitchen's - Raw Mango Sarbath
Srividhya's - Home made slice
Prabhamani's - Mango Lemonade
Mireille's - Mango Mint Mocktail
Rekha's - Mango Oats smoothie
Raksha's - Mango Milkshake
Mirielle's - Tropical Breakfast Smoothie
Rekha's - Mango badam Milk

I was expecting Cakes to be made using mangoes, and luckily not disappointed....I have failed miserably in my cake attempts using mango...but take a look at the one's made below...

Sobha’s  - Eggless Mango Cake
Sravs – Eggless Mango Cake
Vaishali’s-  Mango Cake with truffle
Pal’s - Mango Cheesecake
Archana’s – Mango cupcake with double realfruits

Curries using mangoes, I am sure you are aware of, but look at the varieties, below using both raw and ripe mangoes alike

Amy’s - Raw Mango Curry

Mirielle’s - Seitan And Mango Stir Fry
Mom’s Corner- Mango Thokku
Kaveri’s - Mango Dal
Spicy Kitchen’s - Sweet Raw Mango Curry
Spicy Food’s - Green mango curry
Renu’s - Ripe Mango Kadhi
A homemaker’s diary’s -  Mango Lentil Soup & Chinger Macher Aam Kasundi

Rice or Roti or Side dishes to go along with the curries using mango? There are options for that as well...

Jayanthi’s - Mavinakayi Chitranna
Preeti’s - Aam Parantha Roll
Spicy Kitchen’s - Mango Rice
Rajani’s - Beach Style Chundal And  Mango rice
Ez Cookbook’s - Hearty  Mango Munchies  - Ez Cookbook

Pickles, Instant Pickles and Chutney's are also popularly made with the mangoes...

Anjana’s - Aam ki laungi
Goddess of Spices’ - Millagai Mangai
Pal’s - Raw Mango Chunda And Raw Mango Chutney
Rajani’s - Instant Mango Pickle - Mangakkari And Mango Chutney
Anisha’s - Raw Mango Pickle (Kerala Style)
My own - Baby Mango pickle
Srividhya’s - Tender Mango Pickle / Mavadu
Chandrani’s - Mango Chutney With Grated Coconut
Valar’s - Mango Pickle
Tiffin Carriers Antique’s - UppuManga: Mango Pickle in Brine
A home makers diary’s - Sweet and Sour pickle

Also found some interesting recipes for Salads, Soups, Salsas, Sauces, Relishes and  more Chutneys

 My own- Raw Mango Onion Relish
Mirielle’s - Sweet Potato Fries And Mango Ketchup
Kaveri’s Maankgi Pachadi
Srav’s Kobbari Mamidikaya Pachadi
Sobha’s - Mango Avocado Salsa
Kaveri’s Fruit Salad in Mango Sauce
Amarendra’s - Mango Pasta Salad

Anjali’s - Chatpata Mango Salsa
Mythreyi’s - Mango Salsa
Deepika’s - Mint and Mango Chutney
Torviewtoronto’s - Mango chutney
Mirielle’s - Tortilla Chips & Mango Salsa
Lubna’s Chickpea Salad with Raw Mangoe
MyspicyKtichen’s - Mango And Corn Salad
Supriya’s - Mango Chutney
Jagruti’s - Mango and Garlic Chutney

Uma Shankar ‘s – Mango Salsa
Deepa’s Mango Pachadi
Kaveri’s Mambazha Pulissery
Anshu’s - Mango Salsa


And if you are in a mood to Preserve the goodness of mangoes round the year, you ought to check the next batch.

Mirielle - Mango-Papaya Jam
Julie’s - Raw Mango Chutney
Akila’s - Mango Jam
A homemakers diary’s -  Raw mango Preserve and  Aamchur


Like me I am sure you are now expecting to see some Sweet or Dessert options

Vijaia’s - Mango Payasam (Pudding)
Srividhya’s - Mango Halwa
Hema’s Mango Sekarni
Hema’s Mango Bread Laddoos
Rinku’s Mambazha Payasam/ Mango Kheer
Mirielle’s Carrot Waffles And Mango Applesauce
Riappyayan’s - Bengali Aam Kheer(mango kheer)
Julie’s - Mango Shrikhand /Amrakhand

Rajani’s Aamras
Priya’s Mango Wheat Halwa
Rajani’s Amrakhand
Chandrani’s Mango Juice Aamras
Julie’s Mango Coconut Laddu
Sara’s Mango Kesari
Sara’s Mango Burfee
A homemakers diary’s - Sandesh

While we are on it, you make also like to see the options for Chilled Desserts which works as Mangoes arrive in summer season.

Amy's - Mango And Milk Pudding, Rainbow jelly with Mango Pudding,
Mango Mousse , Mango Sorbet, Mango Sago Dessert
Anajali's - Tango with Mango

Mirielle's - Mexican Mango Pudding , Broiled Mango Parfait  And  Mango Coconut Flan 
Amy's Mango Parfait
Veena's - Vanilla Pannacotta with Mango Puree
Food Mazaa's - Mango Lychee Delight
Vijaia's - Eggless Mango Mousse
Supriya's - Saffron Flavoured Mango Mousse
Lubna's - Mango Mousse
A homemakers diary's - Mango Sorbet


And if you thought chilled desserts did not give you an array of kulfis or icecreams, I have categorized them separately here as Frozen foods. 

Sadaf's- 1-2-3 Mango Ice Cream
Preeti's  - Nutty Mango Shake with ice-cream
Food Mazaa's  - Mango Kulfi
Sobha's  - Eggless Mango Ice cream

Anamika's - Mango Fool
Tastebud's  - Mango Icecream And Milkshake
Rajani's  - Mango Kulfi
Nalini's - Strawberry Mango Popsicle
Julie's - Mango Basil Sorbet
Nithu's Mango Popsicle
Chandrani's Mango Kulfi ~ Hot Summer Treat
A homemakers diary's - Kulfi And  Icecream

Put mangoes to good use....:)

Fried Maggi/ Stir fried instant noodles

No innovation out here but simple changes to the process  making the age old Meri Maggi can give beautiful results. It turns from a basic predictable tasting dish into something magical...

I do not make this variation often but at times when the response to my "Maggi for snacks?: comes across as a lazily answered well ok....(in marathi - chaalel) which really means..if you have nothing else to feed then I will manage with maggi.

You can make umpteen number of changes to this dish , like adding, eggs, veggies, cheese, soya sauce, peanuts, mixed nuts, paneer etc. 

Kande Pohe / Beaten Rice

There are a million stories to be told in maharashtrian household at the very mention of the word Kande Pohe. It is actually a synonym for the process of bridegroom hunting. The simple reason being that most families serve the visiting team (groom's side commonly) with Kande Pohe first and then call out the daughter crediting her for the dish. So when the bride hunting begins for eligible bachelors it is addressed as Kande Pohe phase :) And for people interested to know...I was saved of this phase personally :)..so sorry no anecdotes from my end. A few cousins had kept the code words to express their interest on the prospects secretly to the families like- Spicy Kande Pohe - (thumbs down) , Tasty Kande Pohe (thumbs Up).
Although there is no context for that here yet I often make this instant snack at home many times. 
Or rather I used to make until it was told to me by The Husband that he is not interested in  eating Kande Pohe for breakfast. No worries I said...I will make them for my little one during the evening snack time , he cannot be deprived of what his genes ask for.
A typical maharashtrian style recipe for Kande Pohe...feel free to add more vegetables of your choice. For samplers' green peas, potato, raisins are usual suspects. I have also tasted cauliflower and carrots in one of the versions and loved it too...

Paneer Bhurji Paratha

While I am yet to go through the phase of what do I feed little one for snacks, I can completely understand the challenge it poses. I am little fortunate as my little one is very adventurous for his age. He loves to eat variety. Although I do not have the luxury on weekdays, I try to make new food items for snack time on weekends. Lunch is usually early thus leaving enough room for an appetizing snack.
Last sunday I made these instant parathas stuffed with paneer bhurji and served with ketchup...was polished off in no time...For some reason, I feel safer to feed paneer over cheese for the sheer fact that I make paneer at home....so much for adulteration...only worry that I do not milk the buffalo - umm...maybe some day.

WTML Round up and winner for the giveaway

Another round up...and what fun I had walking down the memory lanes with you all....a whopping  52 entries for the event.

And before you ask , we have the lucky winner picked by Gayathri ...none other than Jemini from My style of recipes. 
Congratulations :). Claim your prize by dropping a note to Gayathri , visit her blog - here


Now have a treat looking at the amazing recipes...


1) Vegetarian tastebuds'  Methi Pulao

2) Food Mazaa's - Coriander Rice
 
3) Raksha's - Cashew Subzi

4) Nithu's - Mango Popsicle
 
5) Shweta's - Palak Paneer Paratha

6) Sara's - Palak Paneer Rice

7) Sara's - Tomato Gravy

8) Shweta's - Pav Bhaji Pulav

9) Shweta's - Marinated Paneer Tandoori Tikka

10) Shweta's - Paneer Pudhina Tikki

11) Shweta's - Chocolate Sandesh

12) Shweta's - Malai Palak Paneer

13) Shweta's - Achari Baingan

14) Shweta's - Mutter Paratha

15) PJ's - Avalakki Sondegay

16) Spicy Kitchen's - Paal Kozhukkatta

17) Spicy Kitchen's - Pathiri and Chicken Curry

18) Spicy Kitchen's - Stuffed Bananas

19) Shweta's - Baingan Ki Chutney

20) Turmeric Kitchen's - Rice pudding

21) Priya Vaasu's - Onion pakoda

22) My own -Bakharwadi

23) Sara's - Mango Kesari

24) Sara's - Mango Burfee

25) Sara's- Pinwheel Paratha

26) Sara's - Homemade Pizza

27) Swasth freak's - Shahi Tukda with Almond

28) Swasth freak's - Andhra Pesarattu

29) Priya Vaasu's - Thengai Payasam
30) Swasth freak's - Basil Soya Cutlet

31) Swasth freak's - Carrot Kaju Halwa

32) Swasth freak's - Pudina Tindora Chutney

33) Sara's - Carrot Pongal

34) Sara's - Mushroom Capsicum Pulav

35) Sara's - Beetroot Sambar

36) Sara's - kara kulambu

37) Sara's - Baby Potato n  Garlic in Tamarind Sauce

38) Sara's - Bengal gram vadai curry gravy

39) Sara's - Beetroot Chops

40) Sara's - Ven pongal

41) Olive and Basil's - Mukundwadi

42) Jeya Jemini's -Sweet Rice

43) Jeya Jemini's - Spicy Mashed Tapioca

44) Vaishali Sabnani - Lankan Salad

45) Namrata's - Ridge gourd Semi dry curry

46) Archana's - Susla

47) Gayathri's - Maddur Vada

48) Gayathri's - Keppa Pakoda / Ragi Flour Pakoras

49) Gayathri's - Kaara Boondhi

50) Gayathri's -  Bisibele Bath

51) Gayathri's - Idli Upma

52) Gayathri's-  Porikadalai Murukku

Aren't you impressed with the collection? It is indeed one great repertoire for me.....

Thanks Gayathri, for giving this wonderful opportunity to me.....truly enjoyed