Watermelon Cooler..Thanda Thanda Cool Cool...

Now a days we are experiencing very hot summer days here and temperature is becoming unbearable...All that we crave is for some cool drink which would cool down our bodies.

I am not a great fan of any kind of sodas and I also get bored of store bought juices very soon...So also today I didnt really felt like cooking during afternoon..I wanted to stay away from sandwiches and thought a smoothie or healthy drink would be filling enough to carry me through the afternoon....I had a large piece of watermelon sitting in the refrigerator and decided to use it as the base for a drink...so also would surprise my husband with this one by offering him after his tiresome work at office...for sure he will be delighted as he loves watermelon.

The fact that it is only in season for such a short time means we try to eat it as often as we can during the few summer months when it is at its most refreshing and sweet stage.

Watermelon is a incredibly healthy food for all of us. This delicious food is packed with some of the most powerful antioxidants in nature, including Vitamin C,  Vitamin A and Vitamin B7. These reduce the chance of colon cancer, relieve some symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, according to The World’s Healthiest Foods.

I have, in the past, found few watermelon recipes from internet that was just simple and perfect for what I was looking for. Also There are a lot of recipes floating in cyberspace that sound more like milk shakes than smoothies and I really was looking for something lighter and more healthy...I liked this recipe because It just took five minutes to assemble watermelon drink with less ingredients...so chosed this version.  It's a delicious drink when made with ripe watermelon.It tasted just amazing! Chilled Watermelon juice for a hot day, what else can anyone ask for?... I look forward to have it again and again. I think you might enjoy it as well.

So also This is one of the popular drinks during summer at my native.My mom used to prepare it always for my dad...So here is a summer recipe featuring watermelon flavor....almost loved and liked by kids also...Its really kid friendly recipe...

WATERMELON COOLER-THANDA THANDA COOL COOL

Ingredients:
4 cups cold watermelon chunks
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Chaat masala as per your taste
8 ice cubes
1 Tbsp lime juice(optional)
1 Tbsp honey or sugar(optional)

I didnt used sugar or honey and lime juice while preparing as my melon was very sweet and my hubby doesnt like lime juice..But still it tasted too good! yes my mom used to add as per her taste.

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into glasses.
Serve chilled.

Also Ginger used here not only adds to taste and flavour but is a classic tonic for the digestive tract. It stimulates digestion and keeps the intestinal muscles toned. It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and is useful with symptoms of arthritis. It also supports a healthy cardiovascular system.

Sending this to SHOWCASE- Fun in the Sun hosted by Divya...

also to CC-Splash in to summer...hosted by Sravs

and to Let’s Cook # 16 ~ Kids Special hosted by Radhika

Thanks all for wonderful themes.....

Crispy Vegan Spring Rolls...

Mumbai: the city that never sleeps one which runs on seconds.. The city I love and miss for so many reasons – it’s the city where I was born and brought up....

When I think of Mumbai, I miss my home, my parents, my school,my college,every lane that is close to home, the crowd, the trains, traveling in crowded buses and in rickshaws, the sights and smells of the city, the familiar places and shops, the haggling of prices with vegetable sellers,Bargaining on fashion street for western fashionable outfits,the festivals and sweets, the galli ka cricket and simple outdoor games with apartment people, and the Mumbai rains...and so on...

But if someone would ask me to name the thing that I miss most about Mumbai, it would be definitely the Mumbai street food.....

Now, I am aware that too much of street food is bad for health. But it’s not my fault that I was introduced and fell in love with the Mumbai junk food during my college days...

I was in Somaiya college till graduation. And for those who are familiar with the college and its surroundings, they would know that it’s a heaven for junk food lovers....There were amazing canteens in and around our college...

I remember those golden days when we used to enjoy vada pav,Dahi puri and misal pav at our KJ's canteen...Walk further for around 5 minutes from college there was medical college's canteen..I was so in love with the samosas, kachoris, and pattices sold in that canteen that I was hoping I would marry someone from their family. Thus began my eternal love affair with junk food....outside college there was Chinese joint where we used to enjoy schezwan dosa and pani puri wala he used to make chaat so very well that we used to enjoy at least once in week...also there was one sandwich wala who used to make awesome sandwiches...oh la la I just cant wait any longer...Yummy...I want to go to my homeland...I missing mumbai a lot...

I used to frequent the junk food joints, eat chat near our college, hog on wada pav whenever I felt like. Of course, my parents saw to it that I did not overdo it. There were times when I used to eat shev puri on my way back from office and then declare that I would eat less for dinner. My mom used to ask me if I had eaten any junk food, and I used to say “No”. Then she used to probe me like a police officer and I used to sheepishly answer in the affirmative.

My chat love often took me to Ghatkopar where two of my best friends resided. We used to take a stroll down “Khau galli” and sample yummy snacks at cheap prices. The chief among them were dabeli and chat. spring rolls is one dish that I used to enjoy thoroughly here in Ghatkopar. I have tried to recreate this with my hubby's help and recollected my sweet old memories....after marriage I tried many new snacks here in USA but spring rolls  never featured anywhere...so I decided to make them at home...I became lazy and bought the spring roll sheets from the supermarket-Walmart. In fact, if you buy spring roll sheets, the whole process is very quick and simple...

Spring rolls are a quick, no cook meal and are surprisingly easy to make.Brimming with vegetables and lots of flavor, these spring rolls make a great appetizer or party food....

spring rolls are a refreshing change from the usual fried variety, and have become a family favorite. They are great as a cool summertime appetizer, and are delicious when dipped in variety of sauces.

Get some help from your husband with the rolling, and you'll be crunching on these delicious spring rolls in no time. As a bonus, this spring roll recipe is also fresher and healthier than the spring rolls you'll find in most restaurants. ENJOY!

Be sure to make a dipping sauce to serve along with your spring rolls! If you need some extra help, see my pictures showing how to roll spring rolls.

This quick recipe for spring rolls will show you how to make this authentic appetizer at home.

Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

So here's a step by step look.

CRISPY VEGAN SPRING ROLL

Ingredients for vegetable spring roll filling...

What I Used:
Mixed vegetables - 1 cup, chopped long and slim/shredded (carrot, beans, cabbage, peas, corn, capsicum, etc)
Onions - 1, sliced
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Soya sauce - 1 tbsp
Chopped green chillies - 1
Salt and pepper - to taste
Oil - 2 tsp

How I Made It:

1. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onions until transparent and pink.
2. Add the ginger garlic paste and fry for another minute.
3. Next add the vegetables and green chillies, sprinkle some water and cook closed until soft, yet crunchy.
4. Turn heat to high and add the soya sauce. Mix well for a minute on high.
5. Lower heat. Mix in salt and pepper. Remove from fire and cool.

This is how I made tasty vegan spring roll filling...You can also add crumbled paneer or tofu as per your taste..Baked vegan spring rolls are also an option but I haven't tried it yet...You can use any mix of vegetables you want. However, cabbage and capsicum really enhance the taste.

Now as your filling is ready

We will start filling our spring rolls

These are the spring roll sheets I got from market..

It consists of many sheets...I used only few of them...You have to defrost them in microwave or thaw them at room temperature before separating the sheets.

Lay out one sheet, add about 2-3 tbsp (depending on the size of your spring roll sheets) of the vegan filling in middle of sheet..place filling diagonally on wrap.All instructions about folding are thoroughly mentioned on sheets...I followed the same ones...

Fold bottom corner over filling and roll snugly half way to cover filling..

        

Fold in both sides snugly against filling,moisten edges of last flap.

Roll wrap up and seal top corner with water or any paste lay flapside down untill ready to cook.

Once these ends are firmly placed, start rolling towards the other end until fully done.

For the store-bought pastry sheets, the end was easy to just stick to the rest of the roll say just with water but ya...you can also use besan-water paste,or corn flour water paste or maida water paste...if it doesnt sticks properly with water...and see to it that it doesnt opens while frying otherwise will create mess...

Once you have made the required number of rolls, deep fry until golden brown.

Your roll is ready for frying....Watch frying demonstrated below in the picture

Spring Rolls are ready to Eat! hmmm....looks Yummy isnt it! Enjoy it with any chutney or sauce.

That's it! Cut them up and serve hot with some tomato sauce or green chutney. They make an excellent and quick starter.I just love them!

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This is my contribution for Bon Vivant #5 - Appetizers/ Starters.

 Thanks Sumee for hosting this interesting,fun filled and  lovely event.

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Maggi Burger...........

Everyone loves a hot juicy burger filled with all sorts of yummy toppings, especially in the summer months...Burgers are a classic staple of American cuisine, and have always been a family favorite.They are now standard all-American fare, served at fast food restaurants, sports arenas, amusement parks and schools and so on...To enjoy  feel of America every now and then we opt for Burger...

Luckily we have options to choose one that best fits our favourite flavour...You can easily increase or decrease the choice of toppings which will be favourably yours...In this recipe I have used Maggi and few veggies along with cheese...maggi being all time favourite of not only kids but of adults too.

You may have your own versions of “Maggi memories” like on those cycling trips with friends, or as your savior when friends drop in without warning or during those late night talks …

Maggi has been a true childhood buddy. It took care of our hunger pangs when we were away from our parents in a hostel or on a camp. Continuing the practice, now it is ‘the food’ kids eat without a fuss. It’s that food which our moms let us have as a substitute to other ‘outside’ food we would have otherwise eaten!

Maggi seems to be just that perfect quick-snack between meals and is so easy to make that kids sometime make it alone. What’s more it seems they now come enriched with calcium and proteins! Taste bhi! Health bhi! scream the smalls kids in the ad!

Wow, Maggi we love so much its just unavoidable...also healthy but only to some extent!

So, let your kid have Maggi but make sure he also appreciates the taste of traditional snacks like upma, poha, idlis which are nutritionally richer than Maggi and are easier to make too. Let Maggi treat be an occasional ritual than an everyday one! Don’t forget the other nutritional culprits like white bread, instant pasta which are eating away your child’s nutritional intake and make sure that you keep a tab on these too.

Did you know that MAGGI is named after its great inventor?

Over a century ago, back in 1884, a genius called Julius Maggi invented a powdered pea and bean soup, to provide nutritious, easy to prepare food for busy women who worked in factories and didn’t have time to prepare healthy meals. This new product really improved the nutrition of common people, and he followed this first MAGGI product two years later with the invention of ready-to-use soups and liquid seasoning.

But he didn’t stop there! Soon afterwards, Julius Maggi perfected bouillon concentrates, first in capsules, then in cubes.

More than 100 years later, MAGGI is still a byword for top quality products that combine healthy and varied nutrition, fast and easy preparation and affordable prices.

The credit of invention of this recipe goes to one of my friend "Swati" in louisville..she made it for all of us when she invited  for dinner and hence it holds a special meaning for me...we both are junkies and our love towards maggi is unimaginable...Thus after enjoying yummy maggi burger at her home ...I asked her for the recipe which was simple easy and quick...so also was very amazed to see the event...one perfect for uploading this different recipe...Thanks for the event...so also thanks swati for the recipe which I made immediately after 2 days when I learnt from her... I know junk food is bad for health but can enjoy it sometime..

This is my contribution to Akila's: Dish name starts with M..

MAGGI BURGER

Ingredients:
4 Burger Buns
1 packet of maggi along with masala in it.
1/2 onion chopped into round slices
few chopped round pieces of tomato and cucumber
1/2 cup shredded lettuce or cabbage
4 cheese slices
2 tbsp tomato ketch-up or tomato pudina sauce or any tomato sauce of your choice.
salt and pepper as per your taste.
2 tbsp of butter

Procedure:
1.On one side prepare maggi else you can prepare it in microwave.
2.Roast your pav or buns on tawa with butter.
3.Apply sauce on roasted bun..side which is inside one...
4.Place 2 spoons full of maggi on it...you can add more if u like more...Iam fond of it a lot so I added it maximum.
5.Now place chopped veggies like cucumber,onion,tomato cabbage,lettuce as per your liking on it.
6.Place cheese slice on it
7.Cover it by another bun. and enjoy....

Its really yummy....mouthwatering....You just cant sit quiet eating only one...you are bound to eat one more for sure...just try it!

Baked Pakoras...

Yesterday only got to know that it has started raining heavily in mumbai from mama...so also saw many status updates on facebook about monsoon...as all were very tired of scorching heat all were thoroughly welcoming rainyseason...Finally Monsoon marked beginning in India....Here in USA even though we are not able to enjoy rain like mumbai...I deceided I will dream that its raining heavily here and we are enjoying pakoras watching rain from patio along with garama garam chai.Indeed pakoras/bajes are really enjoyable in rainyseason...but this time I made baked pakodas....

I was first introduced to this dish when my hubby's friend in camden tried them and got us some for tasting.... We have a lot of bachelors staying nearby here at brookside, and I must say that some of them are really great cooks..good chefs...they all cook amazingly good. I have seen them baking cakes from scratch, trying different cuisines, desserts, vegetables after coming from office. In fact, all of us out here are learning to cook and when something turns out good, we send out a portion for sampling and feedback:-) Anyways, I was intrigued when our friend made these pakoras and was waiting to try them out. You can really make pakoras with anything – onion, potato, cabbage, apples, chilles...and so on.

This is my contribution to Resh's guest hosting-Bake Fest of vardhini...lovely event dear...Baking immediately reminds us about cakes and biscuits....but this time I thought that I have done lot many cakes and will try my hands on something else and hence tried baked pakoras and too its surprise they tasted very good and hence deceided to post for this event.

These Baked pakoras-new concept for me.. are extremely tasty and serve as a good evening snack or a wonderful starter in a full course meal.

Here’s the recipe:

BAKED PAKORAS

Ingredients:
Chopped onion-1/2
Chopped capsicum-1/2
garam masala as per your taste.
salt again as per your taste
oil -1 tsp
Maida-3 tbsp
Wheat flour-3 tbsp
Besan-3 tbsp.
Baking soda-1 tsp
Baking powder-1 tsp
Red chilli powder-1 tsp
yogurt-1/3 rd cup
milk-1/2 cup

Procedure:
1.Heat oil in a pan.
2.Add chopped onions,capsicum,garam masala and salt to it.
3.Cook for 4-5 mins.
4.Take maida,besan,wheat flour in another bowl.
5.To the above flours add baking soda,baking powder,red chilli powder and salt.
6.Mix everything together nicely.
7.Add yogurt and milk as required.
8.Knead dough nicely.
9.With spoon drop dough on cookie sheet...so consistency of dough should be same as you do while making cookies.
10.Spray cooking oil on it and place it in oven at 350 degrees.
11.Cook till golden brown
12.Serve hot with chutney or sauce of your choice.

My Baby's Favourite...Upma

"You are going to have a baby" seven words that changed my life.I and my hubby were excited thrilled to listen these words from nurse.Firstly I thought I was dreaming... my joy knew no bounds....

The feeling that..Now I was going to have a baby of my own, a little person that would be totally dependent on me was indeed amazing... Initially I was really scared a little... I thaught I need to be responsible now....

Finally in the month of August we were blessed with baby boy... He was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. He was my perfect little man. I love him with all my heart! 

How time flies nobody knows...Now that wonderful blessing-my prince is about to complete 2 years...since 1 and 1/2 year he loves upma like anything...till now he is fond of plain upma...It gives me immense pleasure to feed him with warm upma....It gives me feeling of special bond of silk thread that we both share..."bond of love" 

My Cutie Pie-Arnav

Linking this article to event-My baby's favourite food...

Thanks Roma for hosting this amazing event.I liked the theme as it gave me a golden chance for uploading my baby's favourite upma...which has really become his life...he loves it so very much that anytime I start preparing for it he smells it even from distance,comes near me and makes lovely sound from his mouth...yuuuuummmmmmm and also while eating does the action of chaannnn...chaaannnn.I feel satisfied and contented to prepare and give it to him So also Iam very excited to share it with you and to post it in this event.As per your request Iam linking this to..baby food recipes event... also submitting my entry by filling form from baby food recipes website.

PLAIN UPMA

Ingredients:
3 tbsp roasted semolina or rava.
2 pinches Cumin powder.
2 pinches salt.
1 glass full of water.
1 pinch of mustard seeds
1 tsp of ghee.
1 pinch of turmeric.
1/2 glass of milk.
1 pinch of hing.
1 pinch of sugar.

Procedure:
1.Heat ghee in a pan.
2.Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
3.Now add hing and turmeric powder.
4.Pour water.My baby prefers semi liquid foods only so I add more water.You can adjust it as you require.
5.Now add cumin powder,salt and sugar.
6.Allow the water to boil and then rava.
7.Stir it continously so that no lumps are formed.
8.Cook it for 2 mins.
7.Serve hot by pouring hot milk on it.

Your baby will also enjoy it eating.Surely you will be happy excited and contented to feed your baby with this yummy upma which can be made quickly and very easily with ingredients that are easily available at our home.

Saffron Flavoured Mango Mousse..

A comfort food.... Mangoes really can make us feel better! Beyond being delicious and rich in vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, mangoes contain an enzyme with stomach soothing properties similar to papain found in papayas. These comforting enzymes act as a digestive aid and can be held partially responsible for that feeling of contentment we experience during and after our daily mango ritual. Yes, it is quite natural to crave those mangoes!

Mango, both in its green and ripe form is a very good tenderizing agent due to these same enzymes, therefore ideal to include in any marinade. In India a sour mango powder containing ground up green mangos called Amchur, is used both as a seasoning and tenderizing aid.

We all know the importance of fiber in our diets. If we are eating mango-a-day, irregularity is not a problem for us. Research has shown that dietary fiber has a protective effect against degenerative diseases, especially with regards to the heart; may help prevent certain types of cancer, as well as lowering blood cholesterol levels. An average sized mango can contain up to 40% of your daily fiber requirement. For those among us who are physically active, whether working out or constantly on the go, mangos are also a great way to replenish that lost potassium. Deliciously rich in anti-oxidants, potassium and fiber - the mango is the perfect fruit! Truly 'the king of fruit'.

Saffron Flavoured Mango Mousse (Amrakhand) is a quick, easy and fabulously light and airy dessert. It has that “WOW” look that will look like you have put in hours of work in the kitchen. The beautiful color of the Mango, intensified with the color of Saffron, the creaminess of the Sour Cream and cream cheese and the lightness of the plain yogurt, topped with the nutty Pistachios and Almonds! hmmmm...Yummy!...
The combination is “melt in your mouth goodness”.Call it a “Saffron Flavoured Mango Mousse” or your version of “Kesar Mango Shrikhand” or "Amrakhand" – this one is a winner of hearts! for sure...It is unavoidable also for those who dont have sweet tooth...

SAFFRON FLAVOURED MANGO MOUSSE

Prep Time: 15 min
Chill Time: 1 hour
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:
Mango pulp – more than 1/2 cup (I used sweetened mango pulp)
Sugar – 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp or to taste (Reduce the amount of sugar as your mango pulp is already sweetened one)
Cream Cheese – 1 cup or 8 oz, at room temperature (optional)
Sour Cream – 2 cup (if using cream cheese then only 1 cup)
yogurt-2 tbsp
Saffron (Kesar) – pinch
Milk – 1 Tbsp
Cardamom Powder – 1 tsp
Chopped Pistachios and almonds – 2 Tbsp, chopped

Procedure:
1. Warm up Milk and soak the Saffron in it.
2. Set aside till ready to use.
3. Take measured amount of mango pulp in food processor.
4. Add Sugar and give it a couple of quick pulses.
5. Roughly cube the Cream Cheese and add to the Food Processor.
6. To this add in Sour Cream, yogurt ,Saffron soaked in Milk and Powdered Cardamom.
7. Close Food Processor and mix well.
8. Half way through you can do the taste test and make sure the Sugar is right on for you.
9. Add 3/4th of the chopped Pistachios and almonds to the food processor, save balance of the nuts for topping.
10. Give the mousse one more quick pulse.
11. Transfer into a serving dish.
12. Garnish with the balance of the Pistachios and almonds and a few stands of Saffron (optional).You can also add cashewnuts and pecans or walnuts or any other dryfruits of your choice.
13. Allow it to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
15. Serve Chilled.

Note:If food processor is not available you can mix it in grinder or blender else if nothing is available then also dont worry...you can simply mix all ingredients in perfectly measured quantity ...and mix it thoroughly with the help of spoon...It tastes amazingly fabulous!

This one goes straight to the event..Mango Mania 99 @ The Pumpkin Farm.

Mast event dear Pradnya...I loved it...Absolutely perfect for this season....

Ragivita....

Serve your Toddler healthy and nutritious foods!  You don't have to rely on cold cereals for a Toddler's Lunch; try this easy to prepare food Ragivita...with less ingredients that toddlers will love!

Ragi is a kind of millet.These tiny deep red pearls called finger millet are bundle of nutrients. A whole grain which I came to know about much later in life from my mother in law..It was only after marriage I became aware of these goldmine of nutrients and hence deceided that it should form major part of my baby's diet too...he should derive maximum nourishment since childhood only..I feel very sorry that I got to know its importance so very late in life..I request all of you to include ragi in your's and your childs meal very often.

From then on it has occupied a much coveted place on my dinning table.I see to it that all my family members consume it to maximum extent. I love the earthy and rustic aroma of this mighty grain.

Health Benefits of Ragi are as follows:
It is a good source of fiber in diet.
Ragi has low Glycemic Index which makes it digest very slowly thus keeping the blood sugar levels constant. Ragi is surely a boon for people suffering from diabetes.
Ragi is rich in many minerals such as thiamine, iron and calcium.
It serves as a good laxative for constipation.
Ragi is rich in carbohydrate and low in fat, which can help control obesity.
Ragi malt can be a good substitute for people suffering from milk allergies.


This one is my entry for the event "Healthy food for healthy kids"-Toddler Lunch" hosted by Priya...again thanks for the lovely theme dear...Good one dear Nithu..Unable to control my excitement for posting toddler recipes for this event ...

Ragivita/Nachani Chi Kheer

As the name itself suggests --Ragi ---full of vitamins

Ingredients:
Ragi flour-2 tsp (Ready made of can be prepared at home)
3 tsp of sugar
1 cup milk
2 tsp of Almond powder

Procedure:
1.Dissolve Ragi flour,sugar and Almond powder in milk.
2.Pour it in a pan..generally of copper bottom so that it does not stick to the bottom.
3.On the gas and keep it stirring continously.
4.Special care has to be taken so that it does not forms lumps else gives bad taste.
5.Stir it continously at least for 15 mins on low flame till it becomes thick.
6.Serve hot.

I prefer giving this everyday to my baby who is 20 months old as it is rich source of calcium.Also almonds-- known as the queen of the roses, the pink family and the genus Prunus, is one of the oldest sources of power in the world....add more to its nutritive value...This nut is one of the few sources of plant proteins containing arginine, an essential amino acid for children....Thus its helpful for memory in childhood..
Despite its apparent dryness and homogeneous, the almond has a remarkable amount of soluble fiber (10%). It is ideal for stimulating bowel movements and to give a feeling of fullness.
The almond is also rich in protein (19 g/100 g), an amount similar to that of meat. Thus in vegetarian diets almonds and nuts in general are of great importance. The iron content is one of the virtues of this delicious nut. 50 grams of almonds provide a dose of iron similar to that of spinach, of course they are 30 times less heat....
The magnesium, phosphorus and manganese are also other minerals that gives this nut in amounts not insignificant.
The almonds represent health nutrition and flavor. Almonds are cholesterol-free dried fruit that will please the most demanding consumers and health fanatics.Fat, a gift for the arteries

so also he hates milk ...In order that milk should enter his stomach in some way or the other I love preparing this and feeding him...he also enjoys and loves it a lot.