Tomato Soup

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Preparing homemade soup with fresh ripe tomatoes, makes the taste of this soup subtle and complex.Especially in winter tomato soup makes us feel warm.To get the best flavor, this soup needs to be made with ripe tomatoes.



Ingredients
!!!!!!!!!!!

! Tomatoes                 6
! Garlic Pods              2
! Onion                    1 medium
! Carrot                   1
! Olive Oil                1 tbsp.
! Water                    3 cups
! Light Cream              3 tbsps. + to garnish
! Salt                     to taste
! Black Pepper Powder      to taste

Method
!!!!!!!

• First peel the skin of tomatoes and cut them in half. Scrape the seeds into a sieve and set over a bowl to extract juice. Reserve the juice and discard the seeds. Now chop the tomatoes into large chunks.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan and add onion, carrot and cook on medium to low heat for 3 mins. Stir occasionally.
• Add tomatoes and garlic and cook for another 2 mins. When the tomatoes are tender, pour the tomato juice which was sieved through the seeds and give a good stir. Now add water and let it simmer for 30 - 35 mins. untill all the vegetables are well cooked.
• Cover with lid and cook on low heat. After half hour turn off the heat and let cool. Once slightly cooled, puree the liquid in a blender.
• Return the pureed liquid to the saucepan and cook on medium heat. ( Do not allow it to boil, just let it heat through. )
• Add light cream, sprinkle in salt and pepper powder and mix well. Turn off the heat and ladle the soup into a bowl.
• Swirl light cream on top and serve hot Tomato Soup immediately.

To watch the video please click on the following clip
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheese Toast

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Snacking around appetizers is fun in parties.Savoring nutritious appetizers feels good.The recipe I'm going to show you is kid friendly with vegetables in it and the same you can make variation with added spice for grown ups.Instead of thinking and making kids appetizer and adult appetizer individually,cheese toast by itself satisfies everyone in the party.



Ingredients
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

! Bread Slices, halved                       6
! Carrot, grated                                 1
! Cucumber, grated                           1/2
! Coriander Leaves, finely chopped     2 tbsps.
! Salt                                               as per taste
! Pepper Powder                               as per taste
! Green Chillies, finely chopped          4
! Onion, finely chopped                      1 medium
! Cheese Slices, halved                     8

Method
!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First let's see the kids variation of cheese toast.

• Place the cheese slices over the bread slice.Spread grated carrot,grated cucumber on top as layers.
• Sprinkle salt and pepper powder as per your taste.Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.Keep aside.
• Now preheat a skillet on medium heat.
• When it's warm, place the bread slices and toast on low heat for a few minutes or till the cheese melts. ( donot let it burn, so keep checking the bottom of the bread slice.Donot turn upside down,it has to toast with the cheese layer on top)
• Once toasted take out in a serving plate.

Now let's see the grown up variation of cheese toast

•  Place the cheese slices over the bread slice.Sprinkle finely chopped onion,finely chopped green chillies on top as layers.
• Sprinkle salt and pepper powder as per your taste.Garnish with coriander leaves.Keep aside.
• Now preheat a skillet on medium heat.
• When it's warm, place the bread slices and toast on low heat for a few minutes or till the cheese melts. ( donot let it burn, so keep checking the bottom of the bread slice.Donot turn upside down,it has to toast with the cheese layer on top)
• Once toasted take out in a serving plate.

Cheese Toast is ready to be served

• Serve hot kids cheese toast with tomato sauce.
• Serve hot spicy cheese toast with tomato or chilli sauce.                 

To watch the video please click on the following clip
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pineapple Mango Mousse

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Typically mousse is made from cream and egg . It's a light and creamy dessert . Mousse is derived from French which means "foam" . Mousse is usually a combination of different flavors from pureed fruits to chocolates . It's texture is light and fluffy to creamy and thick . In this recipe I didn't use egg...it's a veggie version of mousse.



Ingredients
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

! Mango Puree                 30 oz.
! Sugar                              1/2 cup
! Light Cream                   2 cups
! Water                              1 cup
! Pineapple Gelatin          3 oz.

Method
!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Pour cream in a bowl and whisk well . Add sugar and let it fluff till creamy texture . Once creaminess is attained keep it aside . ( Instead of light cream you can as well use heavy whipping cream to get thicker cream and also instead of whisk you can even blend in a blender till creamy texture is attained . )
• Now in a skillet pour mango puree and water . Let it warm on low flame . Keep stirring in between . Once it comes to a boiling point , turn off the heat .
• Add pineapple gelatin and mix well . Leave it to cool down to room temperature.
• Once the mixture comes to room temperature , add the beaten cream and mix . Fold the cream and the puree well .
• Now in a serving tray sprinkle tuti fruity and pour the creamy puree and level it.Sprinkle few more of the tuti fruity and set it in the fridge for 4 hours.
• After 4 hours Pineapple Mango Mousse is ready to be served . Take out in a serving bowl .
• Serve Chilled Pineapple Mango Mousse topped with few tuti fruity as a dessert.

To watch the video please click on the following clip
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Qubani Ka Meetha

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Qubani Ka Meetha is a very popular dessert of Hyderabad.This dessert is made from dried apricots.Apricot means "Qubani" in Urdu.So as the name says Qubani Ka Meetha means Apricot Sweet Dessert.A Hyderabadi grouping is never complete without this glorious sweet dish.It's rich and creamy texture makes a sweet indulgence to this dessert.This dessert helps in easy digestion after savoring splendid spicy rich Hyderabadi Biryani.Savour the delicacy of the rich dessert Qubani Ka Meetha.I love this dessert to the wholesome.No more words to explain..........Classic Rich Creamy Dessert.We had a neighbourhood gathering on Valentine's Day.... It was pot luck, and I had a choice of making this awesome dessert.As it's Valentine's Day, I sprinkled in a pinch of red food color with nuts decorated as heart shape and vola!....here it is Hyderabadi Classic Rich Dessert "Qubani Ka Meetha".

Ingredients

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

! Dry Apricots                     7 oz.

! Sugar                                2 cups/as per your taste

Method

!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Wash the apricots and soak them overnight in a deep bowl. Next day the apricots will be swelled up.Take the apricots out of water and slit them to remove the seeds.Once all the seeds have been removed keep the slitted apricots in one bowl and the seeds in another.
• Now wash and clean the seeds.Crack open the seeds to find apricot nuts in them.Place all the nuts in a bowl and keep aside.Take half of the nuts and crush them and store the remaining nuts and use them later.
• Take half of the slitted apricots and blend till pureed.Keep the remaining as it is.
• Once pureed,pour the pureed mixture and the remaining slitted apricots into a large saucepan and boil for 10 mins.Now add in sugar and cook on medium flame for 20 mins.Once it gets to thick consistency, taste and if needed add more sugar.The more sugar added the more sweeter.Once it turns to thick and paste consistency sprinkle the crushed nuts and turn off the heat.
• Garnish nuts as desired and serve this incredible dessert with fresh cream or a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

To listen in English please click on the following video
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pav Bhaji

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pav Bhaji is native to Maharashtra.It is a fast food dish which is now most popular in almost all parts of India.Pav means "Bread" and Bhaji means "Vegetable Curry".It's one of the favorite food which is available on any eat street or fast food restaurants or vendor hand carts.It's a light dish which is appetizing if taken as a snack.I usually make this dish for family dinner.

Ingredients
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
! Cauliflower florets         1 medium
! Tomatoes  chopped       2
! Potatoes  diced               4 medium
! Mixed Vegetables           2 cups(beans,carrots,green peas)
! Onion chopped               1
! Onion finely chopped    to garnish
! Coriander Leaves            to garnish
! Lemon thinly sliced       1 to garnish
! Pav Bread                          6 whole slices
! Butter                                1 tbsp. + to spread on slices
! Red Chilli Powder            4 tsps.
! Turmeric Powder             2 tsps.
! Salt                                      to taste
! Pav Bhaji Masala              2 tbsps.
! Garam Masala                   1 tsp.
! Coriander Powder            1 tsp.
! sev                                       to sprinkle on top of bhaji


Method
!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Wash and rinse cauliflower florets,potatoes,mixed vegetables,1 chopped tomato and  place them in the pressure cooker.Add ample amount of water. Add turmeric powder and red chilli powder.Pressure cook till 4 whistles.
• Once cooled open the lid and mash well till all the vegetables become soft.Once mashed, keep it aside.
• Now heat a non-stick pot,add 1 tbsp. butter and when the butter melts add chopped onions.
• Once onions turn transparent, toss in the chopped tomatoes and give a good mix.When the tomatoes are tender add the boiled mashed vegetables.Stir once and cook on low to medium flame.
• When the bubbles start to rise add salt as per your taste,turmeric powder,red chilli powder and mix well.Now add coriander powder,garam masala powder and stir.
• At this point add pav bhaji masala and let all the spices get blended well with the vegetables.In the end garnish with coriander leaves and turn off the heat.
• Take out the bhaji in a serving bowl and keep aside.
• Now let's toast the pav.... Cut the pav into halves and spread butter on all the pav slices.
• Now heat a skillet and place the pav slices and let toast on both sides.Once done take out in a serving plate and keep aside.
• Pav and Bhaji are ready to be served along with finely chopped onions,lemon slices and sev.
• Serve hot Pav Bhaji topped with sev,finely chopped onions and squeeze lemon extract.
• Very nice combo.Enjoy the platter full of mouth-watering dish.

To listen in English please click on the following video
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cherry Ice On Sticks

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ice Creams ......wow !!!!Who doesn't like them?Grown-ups and kids compete for the appetizing and fun food.Not only is it easy to prepare,but you'll find they satisy everyone's needs and most importantly they're delicious!Take help of your kids in making them and see beautiful smiles on their face.If you are busy with making other party arrangements and don't have much time on hand then just the night before make this snack and toss in the freezer and take out just before serving...and wow..kids rock with ice on sticks.
My elder daughter likes to help me in almost everything...but I don't let her do most of the times....but these kind of simple and tasty ones ...I make sure she helps me as I can see a glow on her face.My kids enjoyed having them the next day as an afternoon snack.

Ingredients
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
! Cherries                                    1 1/2 cups
! Icing Sugar                              3 tbsps.
! Lemon Juice                            1 tbsp.
! Cup Cake Holders                   4
! Wooden Ice Cream Sticks     4


Method
!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Wash and clean the cherries and take out the pits.Keep the cherries in another bowl.
• In a blender add cherries,icing sugar,lemon juice and blend till the mixture is pureed well and foam appears on top.
• Once the mixture is ready pour in the cup cake holders and place a wooden stick in each holder.
• Leave to freeze overnight.Just before serving take out from the freezer.
• Briefly dip the holders into hot water,make sure not to immerse the holders completely into the water.Only the bottom edges should touch the water,so that the holders loosen and only the ice on sticks comes out.
• Ice on sticks are ready to be served.Place those ice sticks back in the cup cake holders .
• Arrange Cherry Ice On Sticks and serve immediately to kids.
• Cherry Ice On Sticks makes a pleasing party snack for kids.

To listen In English Please Click On The Following Video
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Egg Porutu/Egg Bhurji

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Egg Porutu .aka. Egg Bhurji is a quick dish anyone can make in an instance.If you don't have time or if you are feeling tired then the quickest dish which you can ever make is an egg dish.My mom used to make Egg Porutu often and now I make the same dish with a little variation to it by adding extra veggies to it making more healthier.

Ingredients
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
! Eggs                                             4
! Onion(medium)                            1

! Capsicum                                     1
! Tomato                                         1
! Chopped Coriander Leaves      1 tbsp.
! Spring Onion                               1 stem
! Curry Leaves                               few
! Dry Red Chilli                              1
! Chana Dal                                   1 tbsp.
! Urad Dal                                     1 tbsp.
! Cumin Seeds                               1 tsp.
! Mustard Seeds                            1 tsp.
! Salt                                              to taste
! Turmeric Powder                         1 tsp.
! Red Chilli Powder                        2 tsps.
! Coriander Powder                       1 tsp.
! Garam Masala                             1 tsp.
! Oil                                               2 tbsps.


Method
!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Break eggs into a bowl and beat it well.
• Chop onions,capsicum,tomato and spring onion into small pieces and keep aside.
• Heat a non stick skillet and add oil to it.Once the oil is hot add chana dal and urad dal.Once they turn light golden then add cumin seeds,mustard seeds,red chilli,curry leaves.Let the mustard seeds splatter.
• Now add in chopped onions and let them turn transparent.Once they turn transparent add chopped capsicum and sautee well.Place the lid and cook on low flame till the capsicum pieces are soft.
• Now add in tomato and spring onion and stir well.Add coriander leaves and mix well.
• Add turmeric powder,red chilli powder,coriander powder,garam masala and salt accordingly and sautee well till all the spices are well blended with the vegetables.
• Now pour in beaten egg batter and stir continously till the egg  is well cooked.Cook till it's done.
• Once the egg leaves the side of the pan it becomes nice chunks.Turn off the heat.
• Egg Porutu is ready to be served with Chapati.

To listen in English please click on the following video
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Liver Masala (Dry)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today I prepared sambhar and wanted to have something good as an accompaniment with it.So I thought of liver dish.I cooked liver masala and enjoyed with sambhar.Liver is a good source of Iron and Vitamin A.Liver should be cooked on low to preserve it's tenderness and moisture.

Ingredients
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
! Onion                                           1 big
! Lemon Juice                               4 tsps.
! Coriander Leaves                      to garnish
! Liver                                            1 lb.
! Red Chilli Powder                      4 tsps.
! Turmeric Powder                      2 tsps.
! Salt                                               to taste
! Coriander Powder                     2 tsps.
! Garam Masala                           2 tsps.
! Pepper Powder                         1 tsp.
! Cinnamom                                 1
! Cloves                                        2
! Bay Leaf                                    1
! Black Cardamom                     1
! Green Cardamoms                 4
! Mace                                        pinch
! Ginger/Garlic Paste              1tbsp.


Method
!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Thinly slice onions lengthwise.Chop coriander leaves finely.Wash and clean liver pieces and place in a bowl.
• Add ginger/garlic paste,salt,turmeric powder,red chilli powder,oil,squeeze lemon juice and mix well.Let the liver pieces get well coated and let marinated for 30 mins. in room temperature.
• Heat oil in a pan and add marinated liver pieces to it.Sautee well for 5 mins.Place a lid and cook till the liver is tender.Once the color changes turn off and take aside in a bowl.
• Heat oil in the same pan and add whole garam masala....cloves,cinnamon,green cardamoms,black cardamom,bay leaf,mace.
• Now add sliced onions and give a good stir.Once onions are transparent add turmeric powder,red chilli powder,black pepper powder,coriander powder,garam masala and give a stir.Add little water and let the masala cook well uncovered.
• Once onion masala is well cooked drop in sauteed liver and mix well.Place the lid and cook for 4 mins. on low flame.(not beyond 4 mins.)
• After 4 mins. squeeze lemon juice and sprinkle coriander leaves and give a good mix.
• Liver Masala is ready.Take out in a serving bowl.
• Serve Liver Masala as a side dish with rice.

To listen in English please click on the following video
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Majjiga Pulusu

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Majjiga Pulusu is considered to be one of Andhra special stew.It's the same way as North Indians make kadi,in Andhra we make pulusu with slight variation.Majjiga Pulusu is little different from Kadi.Majjiga means "Buttermilk" and Pulusu is like a stew.It's very healthy especially in summer.It makes us feel light and cool in summer.With all the vegetables and curd it tastes really delicious.When my mom would prepare this dish we couldn't wait to eat.It was awesome.

Ingredients
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
! Coriander Seeds                 2 tsps.
! Fenugreek Seeds               1/4 tsp.
! Dry Coconut Chips             1 tbsp.
! Dalia/Putnalapappu          2 tbsps.
! Cumin Seeds                       1 tsp.
! Green Chillies                     4
! Ginger                                 small piece
! Carrots                               4
! Bottlegourd chopped        2cups
! Onion medium                  1
! Turmeric Powder             1 tsp.
! Salt                                      to taste
! Red Chilli Powder             pinch
! Curry Leaves                    1 sprig
! Asofoetida                         1/4 tsp.
! Mustard Seeds                 1 tsp.
! Dry Red Chillies               4
! Coriander Leaves            to garnish


Preparation
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Beat the curds till smooth and add water to it and churn well to make buttermilk.
• Chop bottle gourd to small cubes and chop onions.Dice carrots to small rounds.
• Now in a blender add coriander seeds,dry coconut chips,dalia,fenugreek seeds,cumin seeds,ginger,green chillies and grind coursely.Once coursely ground add little water and grind to a smooth paste.Keep the ground paste aside.
• Now in a pot add carrots,bottle gourd pieces,onions with little water and boil for 5 mins. on medium flame.When the bubbles start to rise reduce the flame to low and cover with the lid.Once boiled keep them aside.
• Now mix the ground paste to the buttermilk and mix well.The paste has to be really smooth to blend in with the buttermilk.
• Now add in turmeric powder,salt,pinch of red chilli powder.Mix till all the spices incorporate well with the buttermilk.

Method
!!!!!!!!!!!

• Take a deep pot and pour the buttermilk mixture and let it heat for 5 mins. over medium flame.
• Then add boiled carrots,bottlegourd and onions to it and add enough water to make it loosen.
• Let the buttermilk boil for 15 mins. uncovered.When it starts to boil,it's volume too reduces.
• Once the volume reduces lower the flame.
• Heat a seasoning pan and add oil.
• Once the oil is heated add fenugreek seeds,mustard seeds,cumin seeds,dry red chillies,asofoetida and curry leaves.
• Add this seasoning to the buttermilk mixture.Give a good stir.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.Take out in a serving pot.
• Serve hot majjiga Pulusu with rice and papad or finger chips of your choice.

To listen in English please click on the following video
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!