Baked Double Decker Cheese Rings | 500th Post | Easy Starter Recipe | Step Wise

Hi all!

Can’t believe that I finally reached the milestone of 500th post. It has taken me five long years to reach here. Yeah, slow and steady wins the race . I know, I could have been  faster than this but there were months when blogging took a back seat.

I wanted this post to be special, so I cooked and tried so many dishes keeping the 500th post in mind and it took me a month long to decide, which one would make it to the 500th mark. After baking these beauties, all my doubts vanished immediately, as I knew for sure that no one could deny a piece of it.

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Kid's Lunch Box Ideas| Stuffed Cream and Fenugreek Flatbread | भरवाँ मेथी मलाई पराठा | Step Wise

Hi all!!

Fenugreek greens is a family favourite but unfortunately I get to see these greens rarely here. Last week when I visited my vegetable mart, I saw that fresh greens had just arrived and I was tempted to buy all the varieties. But knowing that the greens perish very fast, I controlled my temptations and narrowed my purchase to the fenugreek greens, coriander and mint.

When I returned home and asked S what he wants me to cook with the fenugreek, he gave me his favourite options of Methi Bhaath and Maatvadi Palya. Both I and the kid were in no mood to eat South Indian food, so I asked S to suggest more options, to which he replied conveniently ‘then you decide’. I was a bit annoyed initially that again I had to sit, then I thought of making mushroom methi matar but I didn’t want to go elaborate and make rice, daal, roti  too. I was about to give up and make a simple methi daal but then the grey cells decided to work …

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Persian Bread Komaj | We Knead To Bake #18 | Stepwise

 

 

Hi All!

This bread is a part of We Knead To Bake challenge thrown every month by Aparna. Though I baked this bread more than a week back but amidst son’s assessments I could not get enough time to write the detailed post.

Komaj is a sweet and savoury Persian bread with a filling of chopped dates and served with tea. The bread is spiced with turmeric and cumin and it’s the turmeric that gives the yellow colour to the bread. I was looking forward to see how turmeric, cumin and dates work together.

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अक्का पणजीची गुळाची साटोरी | Akka Panaji’s Gulaachi Saatori | Happy 5th Anniversary Foodelicious | Step Wise Method

Hi all!

Let me first begin by thanking all my readers for their constant support through my five years of blogging.

While I type this post my mind is wandering through the webbed memories of my childhood. Webbed, as their are many memories which are beautifully entwined with each other and unfolding one opens up so many, for which I would take time, but I would keep doing that through my posts especially when the fond memories are about food and the food I learnt from my Great grandmother whom we fondly called Akka Panaji.

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मिश्र दालों की स्टफ़्ड खाण्डवी | Reena’s Stuffed-Mixed Lentils Khandvi & PaperBoat Drinks At a Glance | Step Wise

Hi all!!

Unfortunately for me, I’ve turned quite a loner after moving into this city, which happened ages back, but the huge language constraint,  and the cultural difference has definitely prevented me from finding like minded friends here!

Though now I do have a small group of friends from the locality with whom I got connected through FB, but then that’s all of my social life here. 

A few months back, longing for some social connect, and also driven by the inner urge to connect with school friends, I created a group on the WhatsApp. Gradually, many more friends from my batch joined there, where we have been able to walk down the school’s memory lane together!

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Stuffed Bitter Gourd With A Bengal Gram Filling | चना दाल वाले भरवां करेले | Step Wise | No Onion-Ginger-Garlic Preparation

Hello!

I’m back again with a vegetable which is not liked by many people and this time again I’m posting a stuffed version and that too using chana besan (Chickpea Flour) but used in an unprocessed form i.e, I’m using the lentils. In my previous version posted here years back, I had used the chickpea flour as well as the Bengal gram and Split black gram. Other than the Bengal Gram, the ingredients used in making both the fillings are quite different.

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Pesto-Cottage Cheese Sandwich | Quick Bite

 

Hi All!!!

I’m here with yet another easy to make, quick fix sandwich which I personally love a lot. There’s a tea bar named kettle close to my home, apart from the various flavours of tea they also serve sandwiches, muffins and a few desserts. I love this place and whenever possible, me and the kid hang out there.

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Chickpeas in Pickled Spices & Pickled Chickpeas Sandwich Too | अचारी चना | Step Wise Cooking | Vegan | Gluten Free

Hi All!!

I’ve been away from blogging for about two weeks, but it feels like ages. People might guess that I was mopey and I didn’t have anything to post but that was not the case friends (pun intended). In the last fortnight on and off  I could see the fluctuations in the temperature here which I could also compare with my health, which was also going up and down but was largely down with the virus having fun in my body. Also, the younger kid was writing his first term papers and the house had become quiet to let him study. Being the mother I could feel the pressure of his studies hitting me as well. He needed me to be around all the time and help him with his difficulties and doubts. Fortunately he has his last exam today and I’m already elated that I can relax now…what a sense of relief!!!

While the kid studied, I would read a lot of books; fiction, romance and obviously cookbooks. The other day I had run out of the veggies and I had no mood to go out and shop. The lazy me soaked some chickpeas with no clarity or vision in my mind,  of how I would cook it. I wanted to cook something different but had no idea how..

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Paav Bhaaji…No, No Bhaaji In The Paav | Quick Bite | Step Wise Method

 

Hi All!!

I’m sure many would relate to me when I say that the kid’s exam is your own exam..though my kid is grown up and quite independent in many ways but during his assessments he needs me the most. I do not indulge myself in teaching him word to word but I’m always there to solve his difficulties and also to boost up his morale, so I get tied up at home..last few days saw me doing that only..After finishing morning chores, I would sit and make a test paper for him to solve once he is back from school and then stay with him till he finishes studies. Amongst all this I was also helping a friend to look out for a house. Today is the day when I’m breathing in a relaxed manner, now that the tests are over and the friend also has has got an extension in her lease, phew!!

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SOS Pancakes, Stuffed Paneer N Spinach Paratha for The Review Of Fortune Rice Bran Health Oil

 
Hi All!

Last few days have been chaotic and messy, too many things happening and loads to finish with deadlines, the biggest of all the deadlines was finishing revision for the Final exams. The kid appears for his grade 7 exam and had a humongous syllabi to finish and every now and then was seeking my help. I’m taken for granted to clear his doubts and be around when he is studying as he hates being alone.

Besides this I had a carpenter and a plumber along with a mason working fulltime in my house past 4 days. My ears were deafened with all the knock knock and I was tired cleaning the house every now and then. And since all this was not enough my laptop started troubling and I was some how managing with the internet on my cell phone. I’ve a tough time when I’ve to do elaborate things using the cell phone.. Amongst all this mess the good thing that happened was that I received a 2litre can of Fortune Rice Bran Health Oil from BlogAdda with a smiley card along with it, that made my day. I am reviewing healthy heart oil as a part of the BlogAdda's Product Review Program for Indian Bloggers.

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Jain Style, Stuffed Eggplant-Version IV, Step Wise

Hi All!!

I’m so glad that I announced ‘Only’ Microwave Cooking as the theme of this month, as it is giving me a platform to explore my culinary skills using the Microwave, which otherwise I would have conveniently avoided or postponed since I’m so much comfortable cooking on the gas stove.

I used to cook very frequently in the Microwave while I was working, as I found that the cooking was fast and I could keep the vegetables to cook in the Microwave and finish other chores at the same time. There was no fear that I might burn the veggies in that rush hour due to my negligence..

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Stuffed Dahi Vada

Hi all!

With the onset of summer my need for cooling foods has definitely increased and one important ingredient whose value has increased in my daily requirements is curds. I’m trying to eat curds in different ways, the most commonly made item definitely is the butter milk or Chhaas. 

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Whole Wheat Buns Stuffed With Spicy Minced Cauliflower (Keema)

Hi!

I have always said that baking is a great stress reliever and have always used it for the same. I mentioned in my previous posts that the temperatures are soaring high here and kitchen does grill you most of the times and I try to conveniently escape the heat by cooking quick meals.

In my attempt to do so I experimented with Cauliflower Keema and after I relished it’s awesome taste, I realised that it has multi purpose use, will be a great stuffing for a bun and  make a great snack/ breakfast item.

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Smoked–Cottage Cheese Stuffed Okra

Hi Friends!
How are you all doing?

Days here are becoming hot and dull. Kitchen is steaming and working in the kitchen at times is a nightmare with temperature hitting 43C. I did envy Sanjeev Kapoor while watching Khana Khazana when he mentioned that his kitchen is air conditioned and I so desperately want to have an AC in my kitchen. I must confess my all rooms are air conditioned which I feel is not a luxury and more a necessity,  but to have an AC in the kitchen is still a luxury for me and hopefully I will have that too sometime….

Workload is gradually becoming less and hopefully in a few days I will be chirping in all the blogs leaving my comments making everyone feel that I’m alive again till then bear with me…

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Smoked Plantain Kebab with Cream Cheese Stuffing…Awadh meets West

Hi All!

I am mighty surprised with myself, I had thought after I start working it would be very difficult to write a post, as a matter of fact even to cook regularly but as I said I surprised myself, though the days are extremely hectic and tiring I cook more regularly than before and I plan my dinner and morning breakfast in advance. Blog hopping has improved but definitely reduced as compared to earlier due to time constraint and at the end of the day I retire early and sleep like a log.

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Stuffed Broccoli and Cottage Cheese Indian Bread

Hi.

In my attempt to provide the family a wholesome breakfast I tried this combination at home and this turned out to be a super hit with the family, something that they cherished and asked for more and more. This is the second preparation with broccoli (remember the stuffed broccoli tikkis) in the last few days that we have thoroughly enjoyed.

I found this as an excellent way to provide  an iron and protein rich meal. I was especially delighted as the younger one who is the fussy eater was more than eager to eat it and carried it in his lunch box too.

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Minty Stuffed Eggplant Curry, Version III

Hi!

I’m running out of time these days and there’s so much to finish before I start working. I plan and plan to finish maximum every day and still reach no where close to completion.  I have two event round ups to complete before my MIL  joins us for a long stay and I must tell you she is a sweet heart, always ready to help me in every possible way. Along with her I’m also going to welcome my cousin FIL and MIL and S’s aunt. Amongst all this my parents are visiting us for medical reasons. My Mom has to undergo a major neuro-surgery, so you can see I have extremely tight days coming up and of which I am only worried about my Mom’s surgery, I just hope that goes well. So please bear with me, as much as I want to visit your space I am not able to do so. Things do not end here, immediately after I join work, I have to face a major interview so have to study a lot before that and God only knows when I will be able to do that….

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Stuffed Broccoli Tikkis

Hi All!

First of all a hearty thanks for writing such elaborate and open hearted comments here in my previous post. I have always loved an open and healthy discussion happening here and somehow I was missing it the past few months but the last two days I was overjoyed. I hope we will continue doing that.

I am here to share yet again another snack item which I had made as an evening snack for my kids. Yes, moms have a never ending challenge of providing a new, interesting, healthy and tasty snack everyday. To satisfy their burgeoning demands can become  burdening at times. I do try that I am able to provide them the best, but at times I do fail when health or time does not permit.

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Bharleli Vaangi,(Stuffed Eggplant) Version II

At my moms place, the traditional Maharashtrian food was cooked only on occasions. She would cook veggies in different styles, as we grew up in a very multi regional atmosphere. We had neighbors from all parts of the country, so my mom would make Andhra style pickles as well as North Indian style food with equal ease. Getting an exposure to food from different regions at such an early age of my life pampered my palette but at the same time it also encouraged me to experiment with the spices.

When Ashwini’s Spicy Cuisine announced the FIC- Zodiac, the first thought that came to my mind for cooking was the Brinjal as they are Purple and that’s the colour I have to cook for my Zodiac sign. I decided making a stuffed eggplant as my elder one loves eating them in any version. Food in colour is an event started by Sunshine mom of Tongue ticklers

I make stuffed eggplant in various versions ( the other recipe that I posted earlier can be checked here). As a matter of fact, eggplant is one vegetable which can be really experimented with various flavors. This particular version is a Maharashtrian version. Maharashtrians largely use coconut, sesame, poppy and Goda Masala in their cooking. The blend of all these with the normal onion, garlic and ginger makes an amazing finger licking gravy. My Mavshi V has been kind enough to lend me some Goda masala. This masala was made in all marathi homes earlier but it’s readily available in the market now.

I was glad that my parents and my grand mom were there to taste it and they all loved it. My grand mom kept asking me.. what’s the secret ingredient that you have added ? It’s too delicious! I kept repeating that I have made the usual way, but she refused to believe ….So, try it out and let me know what’s the secret ingredient! LOL.

Ingredients

300 gms small eggplants

2 large onions/3 medium

6-7 garlic pods

1 1/2 inch ginger

1 tsp cumin seeds

1/2 cup tomato puree

3-4 tbsp grated coconut (dry)

1 tsp each of poppy & sesame seeds

oil for cooking

1 tsp each mustard and fenugreek seeds

1 –2 tsp Goda masala

1 tsp jaggery (optional)

a pinch of asafoetida

2 tbsp coriander pwd

1-2 tsp cumin pwd

2-3 tsp red chili pwd

1 tsp turmeric pwd

2-3 kokam (aamsul)

salt to taste

Method

Grind together onion, garlic, ginger, cumin and coconut together. Heat oil and let the mustard splutter then add fenugreek, poppy and sesame followed by the ground onion paste. Saute on low flame till it’s cooked and the oil leaves the edges.

Add the tomato puree and mix properly.

Add coriander, turmeric, chili, cumin pwds. Also add salt, jaggery, Goda masala and 2-3 dry Kokam pieces, these impart a very different flavor of tanginess.

Once the masala is nicely roasted and you can smell the aroma of the spices, add the eggplants with a + cut at the base.

This + cut helps the masala to get nicely absorbed in the vegetable. Alternately, let the masala cool and then fill it in the cut eggplants and then cook them. I avoid doing that as it consumes a lot of time but I love to do it when I have leisure hours in hand.

Add about a cup and a half of water and bring the curry to a boil, then cover, simmer and cook till the eggplants are nicely cooked and the gravy thickened.

Garnish with coriander. Serve it hot with Rice or Roti.

I am also sending this as my entry to the event Side dish for Chapthi hosted by Vicky Xavier at Viki’s Kitchen

A Very Deceptive- Stuffed Bittergourd | भरवां करेला | Gluten Free | Dairy Free

You can see people making faces the minute they hear the name Bittergourd. It is not a very popular vegetable amongst kids and even elders. In my family S loves eating it but for all the three of us, it’s a bit painful. If it tastes slightly bitter also we do not like to eat it. I try all the means to remove the bitterness to make it edible.

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