POTATO SABJI - THE MOST LOVED VEGGIE OF ALL

Well, is there anybody who says NO to potatoes? I don't think so...Its almost a well known fact that everybody especially kids luv potato curry wen compared to the rest of the veggies. So here it goes, an easy and quick way to do this recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 potatoes (russet potatoes work well for this recipe)
• 1 onion ( chopped)
• 2 to 3 garlic cloves ( chopped)
• 3 tbs oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds and musturd seeds
• 1/2 tsp turmuric powder
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• cilantro
• salt

Method:

Boil potatoes until fork tender with a pinch of salt , peel and squeeze with your hands ,so that half mashed and half chunkey

Heat oil in apan ,add cumin seeds , musturd seeds and chopped onions , sautee until onions are soft , then add garlic and cilantro , fry for 1 more min

Now add sqeezes potatoes ,Mix well and fry on low flame for 5min

Sprinkle salt , turmuric , redchilli powder and coriander powder ( mix gently so that potatoes are not mashed completely)

Fry on low flame until golden on one side ( make sure not to burn potatoes)

Serve hot , with chapathi , puri ,paratha

A GOLDEN GIFT :p

Well, hi people...Its been so long since i posted some good personal stuff here and i know, my blog's been slowly turning into a foodis blog. Yet i wont give up writing about some interesting stuffs happening :)

So, what's so special about this post is that my mom's got me a new necklace and a stone-studded ring for navratri :) and i'm happy with all smiles :):):)

But phew! watta crowd maan! I even

started wondering if i'd entered into some chennai silks or pothys coz thats the most crowded place specially during the festival season! I never knew that people flog into jewellery malls like that. But never the less, i was so busy choosing my ring till my mom got irritated and asked me to select one immediately and proceed to the necklace session! I din't take much time as we had already decided on what we were going to buy! So, my

weekend went really well, i must agree! THANKU AMMA :) for the golden gift :):)

EID MUBARAK

Eid is the combination of 3 meaningful words:-----

E - Embrace with open heart

I - Inspire with impressive attitude

D - Distribute pleasure to all

~~~Eid Mubarak~~~

GINGER FRUIT PUNCH RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 oz 8-inch piece of fresh peeled and chopped Ginger (Adrak)
• 1 cup Sugar (Cheeni)
• 1 cup fresh Lemon Juice (Nimbu Ka Raas)
• 11/2 cup fresh Orange Juice (Santra Ka Raas)
• 3 cup Cold Water or Club Soda
• Ice-cubes

METHOD:

Combine ginger, sugar and 1 cup of water in a heavy deep-pan and bring to boil.
Lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes.
Strain the mixture into another pan and allow to cool.
Now add lemon juice and orange juice and refrigerate until needed.
Just before serving, add cold water or club soda and ice-cubes.

TIFFIN READY :)

Well, we have something tasty and easy-to-make recipe in today's menu :

CORN PAKODAS

Corn Pakodas are the great appetizers that can have at tea time. Its easy, crispy and delicious to have. With very simple flavours, they are great and can be also have along with ketchup or salsa. Do try this snack delight and enjoy ur evening.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup sweet corn
• 2 chopped onions
• 1 egg
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp ginger finely chopped
• 1 tsp chopped green chilli
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Oil to fry
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 cup makai ka atta
• Chopped dhania patta

METHOD:

To sweet corn, add onions, ginger, green chilli, red chilli powder, salt & pepper.

Mix these ingredients along with baking powder & egg. Add the flour & makai ka atta to the mixture.

Mix well & add dhania patta for taste. Wet your palms & shape the dough into balls.

Fry pakodas in hot oil on low flame till red. Serve hot with sauce or chutney.

THE ULTIMATE GIFT (book review)

Red Stevens was a self-made man who gave his family everything -- and ruined them in the process. Now, as his estate of oil companies and cattle ranches is divided among greedy and self-serving relatives, one member is singled out for something special: Red's great-nephew, Jason.

In a darkened room, isolated from the rest of his family, Jason is confronted by the image of his deceased great uncle on a video monitor... and so begins a 12 month quest for purpose and meaning in an empty life, as Jason attempts to complete the tasks required to receive Red Stevens' greatest bequest....The Ultimate Gift.

Well people, once again i come up with a review on Jim Stovall's novel "the ultimate gift" which i happened to read a few weeks back. This book is really really inspiring and i recommend all you guys to read it once :)

I do not know what in these kind of books make the readers get inspired but somehow, it just happens. The powerful meaningful words which when read, really changes the way we look at things...The story is not so great but the philosophies stated by the author does need a one time reading :)

Tit-Bits:

About Jim Stovall

Jim Stovall is blind. He began losing his eyesight to a degenerative eye disease when he was seventeen. He lost the remainder of his sight at the age of thirty and all the hopes and dreams he had as a sighted person were dashed. However, Stovall says, "I may have lost my sight, but in the aftermath, I gained a greater vision than I had ever had before." That greater vision enabled him to graduate from college with honors, become a successful stock broker, and start Narrative Television Network, an Emmy Award-winning network that was the first to bring television to the more than 13 million blind and visually impaired people in the United States.

WHAT'S ON TODAY's MENU # 2

It is delicious! I used just one chilli pepper, and found it gently spicy. I also added some lime juice for a little extra flavor. This is a 5-minute recipe, especially if you use frozen corn.

Slicing the kernels off the cob can get a little messy, though. I managed to do it :)

Spicy Corn with Mustard Seeds

makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 to 8 ears corn (or use 4 cups thawed frozen corn)
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
• 1 or 2 serrano chiles, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• Salt
• 1 tablespoon minced cilantro
• 1 -2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, to taste

METHOD:

1. Slice kernels off corn, if using fresh.

2. Heat vegetable oil in a wok or sauté pan over medium-high heat, add mustard seeds, and cover. When seeds stop popping, lower heat to medium and add chiles; stir 30 seconds.

3. Stir in turmeric. Add corn and salt to taste. Toss, turn heat to low, cover, and cook until corn is tender, about 5 minutes (cook frozen corn about 1 minute). Stir in cilantro and lime juice. Serve warm.

THIS IS HOW WE MISS OUT SOMETHING CALLED "LIFE"

A boy was born to a couple after eleven years of marriage. They were a loving couple and the boy was the gem of their eyes. When the boy was around two years old, one morning the husband saw a medicine bottle open. He was late for office so he asked his wife to cap the bottle and keep it in the cupboard. His wife, preoccupied in the kitchen totally forgot the matter. The boy saw the bottle and playfully went to the bottle fascinated by its color and drank it all. It happened to be a poisonous medicine meant for adults in small dosages. When the child collapsed the mother hurried him to the hospital, where he died. The mother was stunned. She was terrified how to face her husband. When the distraught father came to the hospital and saw the dead child, he looked at his wife and uttered just five words.

QUESTIONS :
1. What were the five words ?
2. What is the implication of this story?

ANSWER :
The husband just said "I am with you Darling"

The husband's totally unexpected reaction is a proactive behavior. The child is dead. He can never be brought back to life. There is no point in finding fault with the mother.
Besides, if only he had taken time to keep the bottle away, this would not have happened. No one is to be blamed. She had also lost her only child. What she needed at that moment was consolation and sympathy from the husband. That is what he gave her.

If everyone can look at life with this kind of perspective, there would be much fewer problems in the world. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears. And you will find things are actually not as difficult as you think.

MORAL OF THE STORY:

This story is really worth reading. ..... Sometimes we spend time in asking who is responsible or whom to blame, whether in a relationship, in a job or with the people we know.

By this way we miss out something called L.I.F.E.

WHAT'S ON TODAY's MENU # 1

RECIPE : VEGETABLE CHILLI

From “The New Basics Cookbook” by Julee Rosso and Sheila LukinsHave a pot of chili ready when everyone comes over to watch the Super Bowl. This vegetable chili is just as gutsy as any made with meat. Everyone will love it!

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup olive oil2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch dice2 onions, cut into 1/2-inch dice4 cloves garlic, finely chopped2 large red bell peppers, cored and cut into 1/4-inch dice1 can (35 ounces) Italian plum tomatoes, with their juice1 1/2 pounds ripe plum tomatoes, cut into 1-inch dice2 tablespoons good-quality chili powder1 tablespoon ground cumin1 tablespoon dried basil1 tablespoon dried oregano2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon fennel seeds1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley1 cup canned dark red kidney beans, drained1 cup canned chick-peas (garbanzos), drained1/2 cup chopped fresh dill2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice1 cup sour cream2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese4 scallions (green onions), white bulb and 3 inches green, sliced on the diagonal

METHOD:

1.Heat 1/2 cup of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini, and sauté until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the zucchini to a large flameproof casserole or dutch oven.

2.Heat the remaining 1/4 cup oil in the skillet over low heat. Add the onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Sauté until just wilted, about 10 minutes. Transfer the mixture to the casserole, along with the oil remaining in the skillet.

3.Place the casserole over low heat. Add the canned tomatoes and their juice, the fresh tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, basil, oregano, pepper, salt, fennel seeds, and parsley. Cook, uncovered, stirring often, for 30 minutes.

4.Stir in the kidney beans, chick-peas, dill and lemon juice; cook for another 15 minutes. Stir well, and adjust the seasonings to taste. Serve with bowls of sour cream, grated cheese, and sliced scallions alongside.

Here's a cool take on the ubiquitous soup...check it out

Like all whole grains, whole wheat is a very good source of fibre as well as manganese and the amino acids. If you have a wheat allergy, substitute barley, which provides celenium, copper and phosphorous. And the below mentioned recipe serves six!

INGREDIENTS:

• Barley : 1/3 cup
• water : 2 cups
• salt : to tase
• finely diced cucumber : 1 cup
• plain low fat yogurt or butter milk : 5 cups
• ripe but firm tomatoes : 2
• celery stalk (small) : 1
• garlic pod finely minced or pureed with a little salt in a mortar : 1
• lemon juice : 2 tbsp
• cumin seeds toasted and ground : 2 tsp
• ground pepper : to taste
• fresh mint leaves : 2 tbsp

METHOD:

Heat a heavy medium sized saucepan over medium-high heat, and add the barley. Stir or shake in the pan unitil it smells toasty, about five minutes. Add the water and salt (to taste) and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer until tender, about 45 mins. Remove from the heat, drain and set aside.

While the barley is cooking, place the cucumber in a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Toss and place in a strainer set over the bowl. Allow to drain for 30 mins. Rinse well and drain on paper towels.

Combine all the ingredients except the mint. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill for an hour or longer. Serve, garnishing each bowl with the mint leaves.

BLOOD DONOR AT YOUR SERVICE.....!

Dear All,

Now it has become easier to get the blood we need.

All you have to do is just type "BLOOD and send SMS to 96000 97000"

EX: BLOOD B+

BLOOD DONOR WILL CALL YOU!!

So please pass this message to all...

It may save many lives.

Must to Know & Must to Forward....

Share with your friends .....

Plz pass on this important info

NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO :(

I really have been thinking about this since quite some time...I am talking about my music classes that i havent been attending regularly...If i rightly remember, the last time i attended my music class was sometime around july...and my god! its almost two months now and i really regret for doing this!

My parents used to trouble me to make sure that i never missed even a single class even if i had my semester exam the following day and now, they have left it to my decision and i'm sorry about my own behaviour. I must have given it the due respect and should have attended the classes regularly...but never late than ever, i have understood its importance in my life, and realised my mistake...so i'm going to take up my classes seriously from this weekend.

Hope my teacher isn't too upset with my neglecting the classes and would surely welcome me as she always did! I convey my sincere apologies to her through my post here.

MAY MY CLASSES BEGIN asusual!

A SMALL STORY...

A boy and a girl were playing together. The boy had a collection of marbles. The girl had some sweets with her. The boy told the girl that he will give her all his marbles in exchange for her sweets. The girl agreed.
The boy kept the biggest and the most beautiful marble aside and gave the rest to the girl. The girl gave him all her sweets as she had promised.
That night, the girl slept peacefully. But the boy couldn't sleep as he kept wondering if the girl had hidden some sweets from him the way he had hidden his best marble.

Moral of the story: If you don't give your hundred percent in a relationship, you'll always keep doubting if the other person has given his/her hundred percent.. This is applicable for any relationship like love, employer-employee relationship etc., Give your hundred percent to everything you do and sleep peacefully

A REASON TO CELEBRATE ...

Hey people... Its been so long since i'd posted something on my blog...But then you must understand that i had been busy concentrating on something more important. So here comes this week's post and i must say, i am very happy to post about something that made my week an eventful one.

Yess...I for the first time in my four years of college life, attempted to do a paper presentation which had been keeping me away from all my routein work of blogging, orkutting, tweeting chatting...etc! But ofcourse, as they always say, Hard work always pays and my hardwork in this new venture turned out to be fruitful! I and my friend Krithika won 2nd place in the TECH TALK event conducted by the MCA department of SRM university which was held on the 3rd and 4th of september. And today, i'm happily writing this post as a start to another week full of daily blogging :P

A special thanks to Dhruv And Shalini who had been kind enough to come and encourage us thru out the day and yeah, for all the fun we had, to celebrate that evening! I hope we do a lot more presentations before our college life cums to an end!

CHEERS!