Potato Cheesy Bites Mccain style

These cheesy bites are really very delicious and simple to prepare.
                                                 

Ingredients                                                                                                      

Potatoes                                4 (boiled and mashed)
Bread Slice                           5 (dip the bread in water n squeeze)
Corn Flour                            1 Tbsp
Mozrella Cheese                   1/4 cup(grated)
Ginger garlic paste                1 tsp
Green chilly paste                 1 tsp
Red Chilly Powder                1/8 tsp
Salt                                        to taste                                                   
Oil                                          for deep frying                                                    

Method

Mix all the ingredients very well. Check the seasoning and give any shape whatever you like. Heat sufficient oil in a deep bottom pan. Fry the potato cheesy bites till golden brown in color. Serve with green chutney and tomato ketchup. Enjoy!!!                                      
     

Paneer Butter Masala

Another easier way of providing nutrition to your family. A bit of technique involved , but worth trying.






Ingredients


Paneer/Cottage Cheese                         250 gms
Onions                                                   2 to 3 (sliced)  
Tomatoes                                              4(cut into 4 pieces)  
Green chillies                                        2(chopped)
Garlic cloves                                         5 to 6    
Milk                                                       1 cup                                
Cloves                                                    3 to 4
Fresh cream                                          1 Tbsp
Coriander Powder                                 1 tsp
Degi Mirch                                            1/4 tsp
Red Chilly Powder                                1/4 tsp
Garam Masala                                        1 tsp
Kasoori Methi                                        1 tsp
Oil                                                          2 Tbsp
Butter                                                     1 Tbsp  
Green Cardamom                                    2
Bay Leaf                                                  1   
Crushed coriander seeds                        1 tsp
Salt                                                          to taste


Method

Take half of the oil and butter in a pan and heat. Add crushed coriander seeds. Saute for a minute. Add sliced onion and garlic. Saute till is slightly pink in color. Add chopped tomatoes, green chilly  and salt.  Stir. Cook till tomatoes soften. Add chilli powder and degi mirch and mix. Switch off the fire. Let this mixture cool down and then grind into a paste.

In the same pan add remaining butter and oil.  Switch on the fire.  Put cardamom , clove and bay leaf. Saute for a minute.  Add ground mixture. Cook on slow fire till the oil comes out. Add milk and half cup of water. Cook for five minutes. Add coriander powder and kasoori methi . Mix gently. Add fresh cream, garam masala and paneer cubes. Let  it cook for another two minutes. Serve hot with naan or tandoori roti.  

Online Shopping with Cashkaro.com-Cash Karo Aish Karo

I may not look traditional, but when it comes to shopping, I prefer doing it the traditional way. Click! Click! and purchase was never my choice. Now all this may sound very typical to many, but the incidence which I am about to share is 99.9% real and very recent.

now 'Leopard' print has two qualities 1) its always in trend and 2) ladies love leopard print in any size shape color and form. It's a fact accepted by all. On my last visit to Sarojni nagar market I saw a sling bag in leopard print, with the perfect color combination, having small metal bars to hold on to, if not using sling, nearly perfect shape and size. One look was enough for me to get hypnotized to buy that bag. Now for all those who don't know about Sarojni nagar market - it's a flea market where all the sellers use their expert marketing skills to sell as much as they could and the ladies use their god gifted super powers of bargaining, leading to fail all the marketing strategies. So the mantra is " the purchasing price is always less than half of selling price."

Getting back to the bag. The offering price by the seller was of Rs1050. Going by the mantra, I proposed Rs 500. to which he said 'namashkar' to me. That means he was not at all interested in selling the bag at that price. I further came to Rs600, to which he said ' my final offer is Rs1000.' My sane mind did not allowed me to buy anything of that price from sarojni. With a heavy heart I came home.

Now, one time I was on this third world called Facebook. The water on this world is called advertisement. It actually worked as a life saver to me when i saw exactly the same bag being flashed on one of the advertisement. And the Click Click began, which immediately redirected me to the details of the bag and most importantly Price of the bag. Which to my disbelief was of Rs750. Well it was more than what i offered but way less than the vendor was selling it for. No shipping charges no extra tax no hidden cost. The net value was 750 rupees. Since then Click Click has always been by choice. My online shopping experience now has a new catch. I not only shop but I also earn while I shop! Earning while spending seems impossible but Cashkaro.com has made it believe and has made spending money as likable as ever. Since I am a food blogger my first purchase from cashkaro.com was a "six in one slicer and grater"

Using cashkaro.com is no rocket science. It involves very few and easy steps to be followed. What is necessary is to have an account with cashkaro.com. Start doing window shopping and you may like something to buy. they have some amazing coupons too with some of their shops. Click on the link and you will be directed to the deal or coupons that you have found. Add the require item you desire to buy to the cart. You may or may not have to use coupons all the time, as their might be some discounts already taking rounds. Do not worry about your Cash Back as they will be tracked, added to your account in the earnings section of your account. You can get your earnings redeemed once they reach Rs250. What all is required is, go to the retailer site from cashkaro and shop, everything else would be done automatically. 

All this has made my online shopping worthy, easy, convenient and its filling my pockets at the same time. Cashkaro is genius online shopping website & my experience was superb.

Palak Kofta in Makhani Gravy

Ingredients

For Koftas

Paneer                              150 gms

Boiled Spinach                   25 to 30 leaves

Bread Crumbs                    3 bread slices

Cornflour                            1 Tbsp

Ajawain                              1/4 tsp

Red Chilli Powder               1/4 tsp

Oil                                      3 Cups

Garam Masala                    1/4 tsp

Salt                                     1/2 tsp

Method for Koftas

In  a mixing bowl combine boiled and chopped spinach leaves, paneer, bread crumbs, cornflour,salt, ajwain, red chilli powder and garam masala. Mix very well. Prepare koftas from the ready batter and keep aside.

Heat oil in a deep bottom pan. 

Deep fry the koftas till crisp and golden brown in color. Remove and drain on absorbent paper. Keep aside.

Ingredients
For Makhni Gravy
Butter                                 1 Tbsp
Cumin seeds                       1/4 tsp
Tomato Puree                     1 cup
Red chilli Powder                1/2 tsp
Cumin Powder                    1/4tsp
GG Paste                            1/2 Tbsp
Coriander Powder               1 tsp
Tomato Ketchup                  1 Tbsp
Cashew nut Paste                10 Cashew
Cold Milk                            half cup
Fresh Cream                        2 Tbsp
Kasoori Methi                      1 tsp
Garam Masala                      1/4 tsp
Salt                                      to taste


Method for Makhni Gravy

To prepare Makhni gravy heat butter in a pan along with cumin seeds, red chilly powder, coriander powder and ginger garlic paste. Simmer the fire.  Fry for a second. Add tomato puree. Cook for two to three minutes. Add salt and mix. Add Tomato ketchup and cashewnut paste. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add half cup of water. Stir. Add cold milk. Mix. Now add cream. Cook for another two minutes. Switch off the fire. Add garam masala and kasoori methi.

For serving place Palak Koftas in a serving dish and spread gravy. Garnsih with cream and serve hot with roti or nan.      

  

HAPPY HOLI

Til Mil Paneer

Ingredients

Cottage Cheese/Paneer                            250gms
APF/Maida                                              3 Tbsp
Bread Crumbs                                          4Tbsp
Salt                                                           to taste  
Sooji/Semolina                                          1Tbsp
Sesame seeds/Til                                       2Tbsp
Chaat Masala                                            1/4tsp
Garlic crushed                                            1tsp
Red Chilly Powder                                    1/4tsp                                  
Orange Red Color                                     a pinch                              
Oil                                                           for deep frying                      


Method

Cut the paneer in triangles. Apply Chaat masala on both sides and keep aside.
To prepare a thick  batter take a bowl and mix APF, red chilly powder, salt, crushed garlic and water. Keep aside. Mix bread crumbs, semolina, orange red color and sesame seeds in a large plate.
Heat sufficient oil in a deep bottom pan. Dip the paneer triangles in the batter and coat it in the dry mixture nicely. Deep fry each paneer triangle till crisp. Drain on absorbent paper to remove excess oil. Serve hot with green chutney. Enjoy.

                          

Leftover Idli Pakoda

Here is an interesting and tasty twist to the  leftover idlis. These crispy idli fritters make a quick n crunchy tea time snack. Serve piping hot with tomato ketchup and green chutney.

 Ingredients

Leftover idlis                              4 to 5
Besan/Chickpeas flour               one cup
Red chilli powder                        1/4 tsp 
Turmeric powder                       a pinch
Ajwain                                        1/4 tsp 
Oil                                            for deep frying
Salt                                          as per taste   

Method

Cut each idli into four equal pieces and keep aside.
Combine besan, salt, ajwain , turmeric powder and red chilli powder in a mixing bowl.
Add the water slowly to make a smooth thick  batter. Mix well. Heat sufficient oil in a deep bottom pan. 
Dip each piece of idli in batter till it is evently coated from all the sides, slide in hot oil and deep fry on a medium flame till they turn golden brown in colour and crisp from all sides. Drain on absorbent paper. Serve. Enjoy!!!


   

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

A Friend in Disguise - Dove Guessing Game With My Friend

I still remember those fresh lipstick marks from my childhood memory when me and my brother tried, not almost but all the lipsticks within the reach of our tiny little hands, all over our bodies. Our mother witnessed a moment of shock after returning from her shopping spree. Ignoring her painted kids, all she could concentrate was on a red bucket – which is still standing proudly in my bathroom – of which base was covered with her n number of lipsticks; open, broken, capless and in worst of condition. Soon after a relay took over between my mother and her two kids, my brother at his best speed running all across the house followed by me and I followed by my mother. Our mischief did not end there, it was just the beginning!!!

Another cherished memory of my childhood, which I cannot forget my whole life, is a shooting scene from a all time hit movie of “Karan Arjun”.

“MAA MEIN AA GYA” says my brother not to our mother but to me. Strange! Right? Not that he loves me that much, but I am playing the character of “MAA” (mother) and he plays “KARAN” from the movie “KARAN ARJUN” from the corner of our room I could hear him screaming “bhaag Arjun bhag” to me, as I also played the Arjun’s role and not just this I replicated the  “ThAKUR DURJAN SINGH”, the villain of the movie and used to get beaten up in real. While I thought we were just playing and he tried all his newly learned WWE moves on me, in our home production of “KARAN ARJUN” my job was not that easy. And so was keeping up to my brother.

I strieve to be his friend, while setting him as a bench mark for all my other friends. If you are not as cool as my bhai, you may not be my as real and reel life friend! Time passed by and he was getting younger 2 years prior to me. Meeting new people and making new friends while leaving his oldest friend on her own. Playing “KARAN ARJUN” was never fun without him.

Coming back to present, we both lead independent and different lives from each other. We may or may not talk for days. But he remains the benchmark of my BFF, so far attained by none!

HUSTLE BUSTLE ALL AROUND,

OVER THAT I ALWAYS FROWN!

WHERE ARE THOSE DAYS,

WHEN WE PLAYED WITH CLAYS?

THEY ALL ARE LYING DOWN THE MEMORY LANE!

FRIEND-O-FRIEND, YOU ARE WHERE?

BROTHER! MY SOUL FRIEND!

YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE.

 This is my entry for theDove Face Test contest             http://www.dove.in/en/Products/Bar-Body-Wash/Bar/Cream-Beauty-Bathing-Bar.aspx

Amritsari Tawa Paneer

Ingredients

Cottage Cheese           200 gms (in cubes)
Onions                          3  (chopped)
Honey                           one tsp
Butter                            one Tbsp
GG Paste                       one Tbsp
Ghee                              one Tbsp
Ajwain                           one tsp
Cream                           half cup
Tomato Puree                half cup
Green chilly                    one to two
garam masala                one tsp
Red chilly powder         1/4tsp
cloves                            two to three
cardamom powder        one tsp
Coriander leaves           one tbsp (chopped)


Method

In a mixing bowl add cloves, cardamom powder, chopped green chilly, ginger garlic paste, cream and honey. Mix well. Now add tomato puree and red chilly powder. Mix well and keep aside.
Heat up a pan. Add butter and ready paste. Stir. Add one tbsp of water. Give it a boil. Switch off the fire.
Now heat tawa. Add ghee and chopped onion. Sprinkle little salt. Cook till they turn into pink in color. Add ajwain. Stir. Add paneer cubes and ready gravy. Simmer the fire. Add garam masala powder. Mix nicely. Cook till the gravy gets thick and coat all the masala. Add some more salt. Sprinkle fresh coriander leaves and serve with Tandoori Parantha or Naan. Enjoy.

Deepawali Greetings

Wishing all my readers and blogger friends very very happy and prosperous Diwali. May the Divine light of diwali spread into your life peace, prosperity, happiness and good health. 

A Redolent Home Indeed

Every evening, I reach my front door and let out a sigh of relief at the sight of my beautiful home. On a day just like any other, I stand in my front yard shuffling through my purse for my house keys, when a few things tumble out. As I bend down to pick up my lip-balm that has rolled to the edge of a potted plant placed at my doorstep, I smell the sweet fragrance of the roses that elegantly droop on its side. I am transported far back in time- to the times when I was a carefree and chirpy little girl who couldn't help but play in her grandmother’s garden all day long. That was the first time when I smelled the ambrosial pink roses, and when I finally bought this house, I decided to plant them right on my doorstep.  

I finally get a hold of my keys and open the front door. My big beautiful German shepherd, Simba, rushes over and enthusiastically greets me with a juicy lick across my cheek. I hug the big animal and smell his brown and white fur. He sure does smell pleasant after the big bath we gave him on the weekend! I immediately think of the pungent odor that had set in my home because of his damp and muddy paws. It took nearly 2 days to get rid of the strong and outdoorsy stink!

In my reminiscence I realize the huge number of scents that I associate with my home. The smell of onions being fried for a delicious tadka for my dal is one of my most favorite and savory smells.

When we first bought this house, it smelled of freshly polished wood and paint and every time we re-paint the walls, it brings me back to that moment when I first took a whiff of my new home in 2003. Every morning, my husband lights an incense stick and does his customary pooja in our small mandir next to the kitchen. The sweet smell spreads pleasantly in my home and gives it a refreshing and heart-warming scent.

This entry is a part of contest  by Ambi Pur    " www.facebook.com/AmbiPurIndia "  in association with indiBlogger

Masala Kathal (Jackfruit Masala Curry)

Ingredients






Jack fruit                   350 gms (in pieces)
Curd                         Half cup
Lime Juice                 Half tsp
Haldi Powder            1/4 tsp
Red Chilly Powder     1/4tsp
Bay leaf                       1
Nutmeg Powder        a pinch
Greem chilly               1-2
Onion Chopped          1
Tomato Puree          half bowl
Cinnamon               1 small piece
Green Coriander       1 tsp
Garam Masala         1/4 tsp
Oil                         for deep frying + one tbsp

Method

 Heat a pan with sufficient oil and put the pieces of jackfruit into it. Fry them until they turn brown and then take them out in a plate.
In a mixing bowl combine curd, salt, lime juice, turmeric powder, green coriander mix very well. Put the pieces of fried jackfruit into this mixture. Mix well and leave it for half an hour.
Now heat one Tbsp oil in a pan and put bayleaf, cinnamon, clove, and a pinch of nutmeg powder. Add chopped onion to it. Cook till they change into golden brown in color. Add tomato puree into it. Fry the masala until the oil is not released from the masala. Now add red chilly powder and chopped green chilly. Cook for one minute. Add some water. Cook again for two minutes. Add one tbsp of water. Add marinade jackfruit pieces into it and stir. Cook for two minutes. Add garam masala. Masala Kathal is ready now.
Take it out in a bowl and garnish with coriander leaves and serve with hot chapatti or parantha. Enjoy!!!

        

MW Kurkuri Moongfali

Happy Mothers Day to all lovely Moms. Today I am sharing my favorite snack which is very crispy to eat and low in calories, ready in minutes.

Ingredients

Raw Peanuts                             One Bowl
Besan/Chickpeas Flour             Three to Four Spoons
Baking Soda                              1/4 tsp
Dry mint powder                       1/2 tsp
Red Chilly powder                    1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder                      1/4 tsp
Chaat masala                            1/2 tsp
Salt                                            1/2 tsp
Oil                                             1 Tbsp


Method

In a mixing bowl combine peanuts and all other ingredients. Mix nicely. Add one tbsp of water. Mix with your finger tips. Now grease a mw safe bowl. Spread ready peanut mixture. MW for three minutes. Remove  and stir. Again MW for two minutes. Let it cool. MW Kurkuri Moongfali is ready.

TRESemme Gave Me A Reason To Party With my RAMP READY HAIR

" Wake up in the morning feel like P'Diddy; grab my glasses i'm out the door,

 i'm gonna hit the city"

( Checking the mirror ) what i see is dull and frizzy hair and even then i give no notice to them. And

"Before i leave, brush my teeth with a bottle of jack;

 cuz when i leave for the night i ain't coming back"

I stepped outside and met my friend two blocks away from home. Her hair tied up in a fancy bun with an attractive bow supporting it. While a black rubber band was holding back my hair in a pony tail. Excited for the party, we discussed the guest list and waited for the other girls, so we could all leave for our destination. The moment they arrived their hairdo amazed me. Was I the only one looking so dull and lifeless or they were just dressed too much. Well, considering the occasion former was the case.

The smartest of all gave me a lookfull of disgust and pitty, immediately she questioned me, " are we going to party or to a flea market..?"

We immediately drove to her place, where i conditioned my tresses with Tresemme products. "Wow half of the work is done", this is what my mind was saying to me. no friz and so shiny hair! Now what's next? Youtube!

We checked various hairstyles on YouTube and picked the "Athena Braid" which could be easily made and yet trendy and chick.

All dressed up as divas we sang out loud on our way to the party

" Don't stop make it pop DJ, blow my speakers up Tonight, 

I'mma fright Til we see the sunlight, Tick Tock on the clock..."

Contest byTRESemme  at     Indiblogger

TRESemme Gave Me A Reason To Party!!

" Wake up in the morning feel like P'Diddy; grab my glasses i'm out the door,

 i'm gonna hit the city"

( Checking the mirror ) what i see is dull and frizzy hair and even then i give no notice to them. And

"Before i leave, brush my teeth with a bottle of jack;

 cuz when i leave for the night i ain't coming back"

I stepped outside and met my friend two blocks away from home. Her hair tied up in a fancy bun with an attractive bow supporting it. While a black rubber band was holding back my hair in a pony tail. Excited for the party, we discussed the guest list and waited for the other girls, so we could all leave for our destination. The moment they arrived their hairdo amazed me. Was I the only one looking so dull and lifeless or they were just dressed too much. Well, considering the occasion former was the case.

The smartest of all gave me a lookfull of disgust and pitty, immediately she questioned me, " are we going to party or to a flea market..?"

We immediately drove to her place, where i conditioned my tresses with Tresemme products. "Wow half of the work is done", this is what my mind was saying to me. no friz and so shiny hair! Now what's next? Youtube!

We checked various hairstyles on YouTube and picked the "Athena Braid" which could be easily made and yet trendy and chick.

All dressed up as divas we sang out loud on our way to the party

" Don't stop make it pop DJ, blow my speakers up Tonight, 

I'mma fright Til we see the sunlight, Tick Tock on the clock..."

Contest byTRESemme  at     Indiblogger

Sandy Candy Mocktail

Here's an easy to make refreshing  mocktail, can be served as party drink.

Ingredients

Vanilla Ice Cream         One Scoop
Frooti drink
Sprite
Drinking Soda


Method

Put crushed ice in a mocktail glass. Fill 1/4th part of glass with Frooti drink. Now, add one scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Slowly pour over the sprite till half from the side of the glass. Top up the glass with drinking soda. Garnish with strawberry crush and serve chilled.