Corn flour Halwa|Karachi Halwa|Easy Diwali Sweets

I love halwas and only recently I started trying to make them at home.I used to think they are really tough to make.This was my second attempt and my first was with maida/all purpose flour alone.That turned out well too but it was one stage earlier so the pieces were softer than this one.

My laptop fell down two days ago and the screen is all fuzzy, I have all the pictures on it.I really regretted transferring pictures from the camera to it for the first time.These I had saved in the draft and hence forth till my laptop comes I have to bank on the mobile phone camera I guess.

Paneer/Cottage Cheese Fried Rice

I'm becoming a big fan of one pot meals these days.Why?My LM has long hours at school and she HAS to eat her lunch there, hubby dear who loves his elaborate curry-kootu south indian platter lunch has to carry his lunch and by making one pot meals in the morning i can escape all the cutting and chopping.Call it laziness but if i don't sleep with the menu decided for next day I'd be lost!

I made this paneer fried with a wee bit of doubt if my DH will like it because he isn't a big fan of paneer/cottage cheese.But he liked it so I decided it can make its presence once in a while.But alas LM never finished her lunch box :( sad but I just have to bear with her and her choosy habits.

This rice was really nice i loved the mild flavours which i wanted to be so because i thought someone little would enjoy it ( I was wrong) but i liked the mild spices which went perfectly well with the soft paneer.

To make this you need

Paneer 1 cup cubed 

Basmati rice - 2 cups soaked for half hour

Onion 1 large

Tomato 1 large

Ginger 1/2 inch piece, Garlic 4-5 pods both chopped finely or crushed

Garam masala powder 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Yogurt/curd 2 tablespoons

Warm Water 2 cups

Ghee/Butter/Oil or a mix of both in any ratio you want 1 tablespoon

Whole spices  - cinnamon 1 inch piece

• Soak the basmati rice for half hour and drain and keep aside.Heat some water to cook this rice keep this ready.
• Heat oil in a deep vessel, add the butter/ghee and add the cinnamon stick.Add paneer to this and brown the pieces.Remove the paneer and set aside.
• Add onions fry well then add the crushed ginger garlic and saute well.
• Add tomato and fry well until mashed.Now add the Yogurt/curd and saute well for 2-3 minutes.
• Add garam masala powder and fry well.
• Add the drained basmati rice and fry well until it goes translucent.
• Add the warm water now and check for salt.Add the fried paneer now.
• Once this water starts boiling mildly reduce the flame to medium and cover this and cook for 12-15 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed by the rice.
• Fluff the rice up with a fork in between do not stir once the rice is added.

• Mild paneer fried rice is ready to be served with any raita of your choice, pickle and papads or by itself too.Have a good meal :) 

Sending this to Indus Ladies Kids Lunch box recipes

Potato Biryani

Anyone there doesn't like potatoes?Not me even though I am careful in adding them because they are highly starchy.Hubby was out of town last week for a few days so it was just us around, instead of skipping the real cooking I thought I'll try to make some quick biryani and made this which was done in about 15 minutes.Me and Aj loved it my LM who is still in serious hatred with onions and tomatoes ofcourse hated it even though she loves potatoes.

Saturday Snapshot # 4 Spice

I chose Pepper for the next task of Saturday Snapshots which was Spice.

I picked a slab of granite from my building first time for a prop, how do you like it.I have tried experimenting with ISO in this pic.Just getting to learn the basics of photography using my point and shoot I never bothered about these terms and when i saw them in other pictures I used to wonder what they are.I am not happy with the clarity of this picture I wanted more.I used ISO 200 in this one.

Sending this to SS4

Hot chocolate with cocoa powder

Its finally getting cooler and rainy in our hot Chennai.The only time when I feel "Is it Chennai, doesn't feel like??" :) I'm not complaining.But along with the change in weather we are all falling ill and sick and something hot and welcoming like this hot cup of goodness is welcome.

Saturday Snapshots #1 Yellow fruit/vegetable

I am glad to get on with this new learning experience.I've had my slr which daddy dearest gave me months ago and I still haven't got my perfect first shot until yesterday thanks to SS!Glad to be part of SS and get going with new tricks and perfect clicks.

My first shot with my SLR an Olympus E420.

I chose the Indian Lime before i made south indian lemon rice with the mustard and curry leaves which make the rice tangy and spicy.

Sending this to Saturday Snapshots Series #1 hosted by  Merry Tummy and Siris Food.

Egg fried Rice - Indo Chinese way

Everyone knows how versatile eggs are!I needn't say anymore. This is my instant quick fix lunch on days I don't pack lunch for the DH. Its so quick, simple and yummy too.Also whenever we need a to sneak in vegetables to the little ones this has to be the best option.This one has been in my drafts for a while now and I will be making this for lunch so I dug it out to post it.

Dal boli|Paruppu Boli|Puran Poli

I used to love this sweet stuffed flat bread tasted it in college when my friends used to bring it.I actually have never tasted it till then I must confess.My daughter loves it now.We buy it for her from the local sweet vendor and have been wanting to try it for a long time, but somehow i felt it was too complex, until I tried it.Loved to make it and it tasted really good.I also gave it a make-over after something I saw on tv.

Nendran pazham pradhaman/payasam/Ripe plantain payasam

I love Onam because it reminds me a lot of my childhood days when my then lovely neighbours used to pass on lovely food.Back then it was really exciting to get food from friends' or even eat from out.Small kiddy wishes we used to have.

Wishing all my friends from Gods own country(Kerala) a prosperous Onam.

Rawa ladoo - Sweetened semolina balls

Ladoos are someones favorite now after watching her favourite cartoon character on TV,after i made besan ladoos these were didn't go too well with her but DH loved them instead.