tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60678652027311492192024-03-14T20:33:41.969-07:00Indian SpicesA blog on the spices of my life...
food,children,memories etc.syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-18790204201441843962012-10-02T14:47:00.001-07:002012-10-02T14:47:41.052-07:00Hey there...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi guys,<br />
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just checking-in to say that I am still alive..lol, sorry for my absence from the blog for such a long long time, a lot was going on in my life so did not blog at all, we moved across the globe and it took forever to pack and unpack and settle down in a new home.So looking forward to share some nice recipes.<br />
See you soon:)<br />
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syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-66940399720614622732010-07-02T08:47:00.000-07:002010-08-24T07:44:14.737-07:00Shaami Kabab<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/TC5o4RI9oAI/AAAAAAAABFU/Kf2ekP0WULY/s1600/P1000420.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/TC5o4RI9oAI/AAAAAAAABFU/Kf2ekP0WULY/s400/P1000420.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489440311694172162" /></a><br /><br />Ramzan Mubarak to all my readers,I owe an apology to you all for my absence from the blogging scene for so long,the only explanation that I can come forth is my laziness more than being busy. <br /> Anyways, the latest update on the kids is that my younger daughter Huda has become the most talkative person in our house, and speaks non-stop and asks questions non-stop, she is the naughty bacha of our house! Sameeha has now become our 'samajhdar' bacha, who remains calm and composed most of the time(mind you,note that it is MOSTLY, NOT always), her latest passion is READING, she LOVES to read, not to mention the innumerous story books she loads in the shopping cart on each visit to Carrefour.She loves to hangout at BORDERS:)<br /><br /> Coming to the main topic FOOD, Shaami is our desi version of burger.<br />Some interesting facts about shaami kabab from wikipedia..<br />'Apparently Shami Kabab literally means Syrian Kabab (Sham) in Arabic. Some are of the opinion that these kebabs were introduced to South Asia during the Mughal era by Muslim emigrants from the Middle East. They had employed cooks from all over the Muslim world to serve in the royal kitchens. Some of the cooks were from Syria as well. The Sham refers to either Syria specifically or the Levant in general, and these kebabs literally means Syrian kebabs or Levantine kebabs in Arabic.'<br /><br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Ingredients:<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />1) boneless mutton or veal 1 Kg<br />2) chana dal 2 handfull<br />3) 5-8 cardamom, 1 stick Cinnamon ,1 tsp of shahzeera.,1 tsp peppercorns. together ground to fine powder(garam masala powder)<br />4) ginger garlic paste 2 Tbsp<br />5) red chilly powder 1 tsp(accd to your taste) <br />6) salt<br />7) turmeric powder 1/2 tsp<br />8) cilantro 1/2 cup finely chopped<br />9) green chilies 4-5<br />10) phoole chane ki daal 1 Tbsp<br />11) mint leaves or pudina handful<br />12) lemon 1<br />13) badam(almonds) 1/2 cup grounded<br />14) desiccated coconut 1/4 cup <br />15) oil for frying<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/TC5lMaeoUoI/AAAAAAAABE8/SiU5Un3arqQ/s1600/P1000416.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/TC5lMaeoUoI/AAAAAAAABE8/SiU5Un3arqQ/s400/P1000416.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489436259751842434" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Method:<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br />--Wash and soak the chana daal for about half an hour to an hour.<br />--set aside 3-5 pieces of meat .<br />--In a cooker or a saucepan put the rest of the meat,daal,ginger garlic paste,salt,red chilly powder,turmeric powder, green chillies,cilantro,mint leaves,a tbsp of oil and a cup of water.<br />--Set it on the stove until the meat and the daal are tender,check weather both are cooked well, then cook till all the water is evaporated and the mixture is nice and dry.<br />-- let it cool<br />--After cooling,grind the meat and daal mixture in a mixie without adding water,also add the raw pieces of meat which you kept aside,adding this will ensure that the shaami will not disintegrate while frying.<br />--powder the phoole chane ki daal and mix it with the grounded meat,this will make the shaami crispier.<br />--now to the grounded mixture add the freshly grounded garam masala powder(#3), dessicated coconut,almond powder and juice of 1 lemon<br />--Check for the salt and cilly at this point,adjust salt or lemon at this point.<br />--Now shape these into hmmmm the shape of an eye or you can can make it plain circuar disc,but traditionally it is made like the shape of an eye,by taking the mixture ,the size of a tennis ball, roll it between both the palms and then pinch at both the corners and then press at the center to make it flat, remember to grease your palms with cooking oil ,so that the mixture does not stick to your palms.<br />--Shape them all and the shallow fry until golden brown.<br />--If you plan to store it for the next day(can be stored for upto a week,very good food for travel,),you roast the shaamis on a non-stick tawa without oil and,store it in fridge or freezer, and then shallow fry just before serving.<br />--Enjoy it with Khatti daal and white rice...and if going on travel ,this would be ideal packed home food along with rotis and dry tamatar ki chutney:)<br /><br />Lemme know how it turns out..<br /><br />This recipe of mine goes out to <a href="http://zaiqa.net/?p=4972">The hyderabadi ramadan food festival</a> hosted by <a href="www.zaiqa.net">Mona of Zaiqa<br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/THPaY5eQt-I/AAAAAAAABFk/WYJZadxm99E/s1600/zaiqa.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/THPaY5eQt-I/AAAAAAAABFk/WYJZadxm99E/s400/zaiqa.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508986890483709922" /></a><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-90906436850898496602009-12-16T12:24:00.000-08:002009-12-17T14:49:14.284-08:00Chugar Gosht<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SylGpoZGvUI/AAAAAAAABCg/8W2Zm4RoYeo/s1600-h/P5120315.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SylGpoZGvUI/AAAAAAAABCg/8W2Zm4RoYeo/s400/P5120315.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415937707921030466"></a><br /> 'CHUGAR' are the tender tamarind leaves which hits the market only once a year for about 2-3 months during summer, and that is the time,we make the most of this wonderful,tangy ingredient.<br /> Tender tamarind leaves find their place in a number of recipes,including chutneys,chugar rice,chugar dal,etc. But my personal favourite is Chugar gosht.I think chugar is more popular in the state of Andhra Pradesh than anywhere else,it is also called <span style="font-style:italic;">Chinta Chiguru Pappu in telugu.</span><br /><br /> During my last visit to Hyderabad,I had chugar to my heart's content. And then my MOM made for me the chugar cakes(blanched the leaves and formed patties and sun-dried,till the moisture is evaporated)which can be eaten during the non-seasonal months.Though the dried leaves look gross,but the end result will make up for it:),so thanks to mom,I am enjoying this after months of my visit to India.<br /><br /> Chugar Gosht is made in a typical Hyderabadi way ,that is, most vegetables are cooked by making a basic 'Handi' which consists of meat(usually mutton),onions,g/g paste,salt,haldi,mirchi,oil. The Handi is the base preparation,the above ingredients are cooked till meat is tender and then,it is bhoonofied and the required vegetables are added along with little water and simmered on low flame till the vegetables are infused with flavours of the spices.<br /> For the best tasting chugar gosht,use the meat from the ribs area,what we call in urdu <span style="font-style:italic;">seene ka gosh or sar seena</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SylG5AviMRI/AAAAAAAABCo/bMDhqq2In8o/s1600-h/P5120319.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 245px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SylG5AviMRI/AAAAAAAABCo/bMDhqq2In8o/s400/P5120319.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415937972155592978"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Ingredients:<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br />1)onion 3 medium<br />2)chugar 500 gms<br />3)mutton with bones 250 gms<br />4)red chilli powder 1 tsp<br />5)salt<br />6)ginger garlic paste 1 tbsp<br />7)turmeric 1/4 tsp<br />8)oil 2 tbsp<br />9)cilantro 1 sprig chopped<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SylIgJ7SfdI/AAAAAAAABDI/dP5Y0yBknHk/s1600-h/P5120322.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SylIgJ7SfdI/AAAAAAAABDI/dP5Y0yBknHk/s400/P5120322.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415939744147340754"></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Method:<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />--Peel and cut the onion.<br />--In a pressure cooker put together sliced onion,ginger garlic paste,turmeric,red chilli powder,salt,mutton and oil(this is called handi).<br />--Let it cook for 3 whistles,or if not using the pressure cooker,cook till the meat is tender.<br />--At medium flame, bhoonofy the above ingredients till the strings of onions are no longer seen,that is the strings of onion should have turn to paste.<br />--Now put the chugar leaves in the above mixture along with chopped cilantro,mix well.<br />--Put about half cup water and again mix well,cook on low flame till all the water is evaporated.<br />--Enjoy this tangy dish with steamed rice and mithi dal<br /> Steamed rice,chugar gosht and mithi dal is the classic hyderabadi combo,I bet after reading this,every Hyderabadi will crave for this dish:)<br /><br />This is also an entry to“The Hyderabadi Bakr-Eid Food Festival-’09″hosted by <a href="zaiqa.net">Mona of Zaiqa.net</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://zaiqa.net/wp-content/uploads/bakri-eid%20food%20festival/logo..png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 271px;" src="http://zaiqa.net/wp-content/uploads/bakri-eid%20food%20festival/logo..png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0"></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0"><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-65286998749695079552009-12-11T05:13:00.000-08:002009-12-17T12:06:53.386-08:00Tala hua Gosht or Dhajji kabab<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sry-k7sk6HI/AAAAAAAABBk/fyAtzlleRps/s1600-h/DSC07084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sry-k7sk6HI/AAAAAAAABBk/fyAtzlleRps/s400/DSC07084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385388796137498738" /></a> <br />This one was, is and will be my favourite! My mom just called it tala hua gosht,but the fancy term to it is 'dhajji kabab', because the meat is cooked till tender and then the meat is shredded like thread with fingers and then fried till crisp brown or soft brown,whichever way you prefer.You can enjoy it with warm parathas or khatti daal and steamed rice,I prefer the latter.<br /><br /> This was a frequent dish enjoyed by all of us after Eid-ul-Adha,to use up the meat lying in the freezer<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sry9_fN0b5I/AAAAAAAABBc/L__csnNUyyo/s1600-h/DSC07080.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sry9_fN0b5I/AAAAAAAABBc/L__csnNUyyo/s400/DSC07080.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385388152837140370" /></a><br /><br />Ingredients:<br />1)mutton(with or without bones) 1 Kg<br />2)ginger garlic paste 2tbsp<br />3)red chilli powder 1 tsp(accd to ur taste)<br />4)turmeric 1/2 tsp<br />5)lemon 2<br />6)onion 1/2 small for garnishing<br />7)cilantro chopped 2 sprigs for garnishing<br />8)oil 1/2 cup<br />9)salt<br /><br />Method:<br />--In a pressure cooker,put the mutton,1 tbsp of the ginger garlic paste,chilli powder,turmeric,salt,half a cup of water and a tablespooon of oil.<br />--Let it cook for 3-4 whistles(if not using pressure cooker cook till the meat is really tender that it breaks by pressing between two fingers)<br />--Wash your hands clean,and shred the tenderized meat,like threads, if using meat with bones separate the meat from bones and discard the bones.<br />--Taste the tenderized meat,you can add the seasoning while frying if you find something missing(like less salt or less chilli).<br />--Heat oil in a wok,when the oil is hot,out the remaining ginger/garlic paste, fry till fragrant,then add the shredded meat,if required salt and chilli powder, mix well.<br />--squeeze out the juice of one lemon.<br />--If you like soft meat,turn off the heat when the meat changes color to brown and if you like crispy mutton fry for some more time.<br />--Before turning the fire off, sprinkle the squeezed lemon juice all over the meat and mix well.<br />--After turning off you can drain the oil from the meat by spreading the fried mutton on a paper towel.so that the excess oil is absorbed.<br />--cut the other lemon into wedges for garnishing.<br />--garnish with sliced onion or onion rings and cilantro.<br /><br />This recipe of mine goes to the event “The Hyderabadi Bakr-Eid Food Festival-’09″ hosted by <a href="http://zaiqa.net/">Mona of Zaiqa</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://zaiqa.net/wp-content/uploads/bakri-eid%20food%20festival/logo..png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 271px;" src="http://zaiqa.net/wp-content/uploads/bakri-eid%20food%20festival/logo..png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-76351012337306791832009-09-15T14:18:00.000-07:002009-09-15T14:27:59.123-07:00Back to pavilion! Chicken samosa!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sq1eGTgsUHI/AAAAAAAAA_k/TfBxNIj-yZU/s1600-h/DSC08474.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sq1eGTgsUHI/AAAAAAAAA_k/TfBxNIj-yZU/s400/DSC08474.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381060592187232370" /></a><br /><br />Hi guys, I am back after a long long break! I was on a nearly two month long vacation in India, first it was Hyderabad and then Tamil Nadu, during the Tamil Nadu stay we also had a magnificent trip to Ooty, loved the scenic beauty as our car started the ascent on the mountain, beautiful mist enveloped the lush green mountains, it was heavenly!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sq1Z28HvTTI/AAAAAAAAA_c/2S2APfb6KZI/s1600-h/DSC07591.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sq1Z28HvTTI/AAAAAAAAA_c/2S2APfb6KZI/s400/DSC07591.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381055930164006194" /></a><br /><br /> A foodie is a foodie, and I binged everywhere,in Hyderabad I caught up with all the stuff that I craved and missed all these years,nothing in this world can beat 'mummy ke haath ka paka khaana' ! Nearly after 5-6 years I ate 'chugar gosht',a dish made with the tender tamarind leaves with mithi daal and chawal combo,hmmmmmm just loved it ,still the taste lingers on my taste buds...sigh<br /> And in Tamil Nadu I had crispy dosas,idlies,paniyaaram...yum!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sq1ggPzFnVI/AAAAAAAAA_s/-nNppqOTKqc/s1600-h/DSC07473.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sq1ggPzFnVI/AAAAAAAAA_s/-nNppqOTKqc/s400/DSC07473.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381063236890500434" /></a><br /><br /> So now I am back to pavilion, back in Dubai, sorry for the absence from the blogging scene for quite some time,as was busy with stuff,I wanted to blog about many things during ramzan but the drafts remained drafts and since ramzan is about to end in a week,there is no point in posting it, but heres wishing you all ramadan mubarak,<br />may Allah bless us all during the holy month and especially during the last ten days of ramzan.<br /> recipe courtesy my friend Fareena,who makes very nice samosas!<br /> Before ramzan started I made a batch of chicken samosas and froze it so that I can just take it out and just fry during ramzan, as it is my husband's favourite.<br />Half or quarter the ingredients as this recipe yields around 100-125 samosas!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ingredients:<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />1)Chicken boneless 2kg<br />2)Cheddar cheese 100gms grated<br />3)salt<br />4)Ginger Garlic paste 2 Tbsp<br />5)Garam Masala 1 Tsp<br />6)mirch masala(this masala is made by grinding a cup of whole red chillies along with half cup coriander seeds and 1/4th cup roasted zeera i.e, 1c whole red chillies+1/2ccoriander seeds+ 1/4c zeera)-5-6 Tbsp<br />7)samosa strips 100 nos<br />8)cilantro 1 cup finely chopped<br /><br />Note: since you aare adding cheddar cheese, you add very little salt,less than normal as cheddar cheese is salty therefore to normalize the effect better add very little salt first and then adjust after adding and mixing the cheese, in my samosas the filling was a bit salty as I added normal salt ,but the cheddar made it salty..*sigh*!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sq1hGdAfvGI/AAAAAAAAA_0/_OMIN0dG-pI/s1600-h/DSC08478.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sq1hGdAfvGI/AAAAAAAAA_0/_OMIN0dG-pI/s400/DSC08478.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381063893271428194" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Method:<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />--First prepare the filling by boiling the chicken in a saucepan along with salt,ginger garlic paste,mirch masala,garam masala and a cup of water.<br />--When all the water has dried out,bhoonofy it till it is completely dry.<br />--Let it cool down for sometime,then grind it in a grinder to a kheema like consistency.<br />-- now take the grounded chicken in a bowl and add the grated cheese and chopped cilantro(you can also add chopped green chillies..optional!)and mix well.<br />--Now in a cup add a tbsp of flour and some water to make a thick paste.<br />--Take the samosa strip.and from one side twist it into a cone shape,halfway through,then fill in the cone the chicken filling, now press the cone down and cover the remaining samosa strip with the flour paste(for binding)and fold the strip such that the open side of the come is covered and forms a triangle.<br />--Repeat until you use up the entire filling,or your strips.<br />--you can deep fry it immediately or,you can freeze the samosas and fry whenever you feel like.<br />--First lay the samosas on plate and freeze,when it has solidified,take it out and stack it in a box or a ziploc bag!<br />Enjoy!<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sq1hnzGYZ1I/AAAAAAAAA_8/H0t5_UbVFnU/s1600-h/DSC08511.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 168px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sq1hnzGYZ1I/AAAAAAAAA_8/H0t5_UbVFnU/s400/DSC08511.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381064466137376594" /></a><br /><br />The chocolate cake here was made for iftar, and the icing is made of whipped cream with a chocolate flavour ,it was made made half by me and the rest by my better half, this is the first time that my whipped cream has formed peaks, and so my husband got excited and decided to carry on further so he completed the whipped cream icing,I halved the cake horizontally and my husband did the frosting and then I grated chocolate over the cake, it looked awesome and tasted delicious!<br />I just have to disagree with the saying'too many cooks spoil the broth!':)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sq1kEZGaDLI/AAAAAAAABAE/Z91KE3h5iNM/s1600-h/DSC08595.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sq1kEZGaDLI/AAAAAAAABAE/Z91KE3h5iNM/s400/DSC08595.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381067156397624498" /></a><br /><br />And this picture is of the iftar spread in a pakistani restaurant called Ibrahimi in AbuDhabi, where we decided to break our fast on a friday!<br />Notice the huuuuge tawa on which the iftar is arranged,food was also great,but I did not get a chance to take a picture!<br />The food was awesome,and not to mention the desserts, They had a huge variety of dessert,I loved the chocolate mousse, and I am gonna make some myself soon!<br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-90435967375350158442009-05-16T12:30:00.000-07:002009-05-20T11:28:05.554-07:00Chocolate Pudding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sg9Oo2lJH-I/AAAAAAAAA84/YxE1fqAJKA8/s1600-h/DSC07004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sg9Oo2lJH-I/AAAAAAAAA84/YxE1fqAJKA8/s400/DSC07004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336570547210362850" /></a><br /><br />Chocolate pudding is a rich velvety dessert which, I bet,any chocolate lover can't let go off so easily. For those people who have tasted the 'Danette' chocolate pudding(it's a ready made one found in stores in Dubai)this recipe would let you make exactly the same,I promise.I was really skeptical about it initially,but then, one fine evening I gave in to my strong cravings for a chocolaty treat, the best part of this dessert is that,most of its ingredients are readily available in most households,so no pre-planning required!<br /><br /> I found it's recipe in <a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/">GoodHousekeeping magazine</a>, further searches gave me few other recipes, some used dutch cocoa powder,and some other recipe required unsweetened cocoa powder. I decided to go with Cadbury cocoa powder,you may increase the amount of sugar in this recipe if dominant sweet taste satisfies your taste buds else go with chocolate for a cocoa-dominated pudding.<br />Also Check out the Goodhousekeeping site,for really good housekeeping tricks,I mean a beautiful site for any woman trying to master her domestic management skills,after all, which woman does not want to become a domestic diva,like Monica of F.R.I.E.N.D.S, but sadly enough,it will take a lot of time for me to become a diva!<br /><br /> Seriously,the only thing that most aunts(domestic divas) say, is that "Don't clutter,clean as you go,I mean wash and put away the plates or dishes as soon as the work is over, don't put it into the sink !! thinking you would wash it later, you would end up piling up the dishes,you will have to extend another half an hour to complete the washing !!!", but then you know sometimes I do sometimes I dont,hmmmmmmmm long way to go !:-)<br /><br /> So here is the recipe.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Ingredients:</span><br /><br />1)cocoa powder-1/3 cup<br />2)egg yolk-4 large<br />3)corn flour-1/4 cup<br />4)sugar-2/3 cup<br />5)vanilla extract-1 tsp<br />6)unsalted butter-2 tbsp<br />7)milk-2.5 cup<br />8)salt-1/4 tsp<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Method:<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br /><br />--In a thick bottomed saucepan put sugar,cornflour,cocoa powder,egg yolks,warm milk and salt,mix well using a whisk,such that all the powdered ingredients are well dissolved in it,without any lumps.<br />--Put a sieve on a bowl and keep aside.<br />--After mixing,put the saucepan on heat and keep stirring with a whisk,when it starts bubbling,lower the flame, and whisk scraping the sides and the bottom,it takes seconds for it to to turn from liquid to a thick consistancy, so just see that,when the mixture starts getting thick,turn off the flame and,put the mixture in the sieve,pass it through the sieve,and collect it in the bowl below it,to ensure no lumps are formed.<br />--Finally,add the vanilla essence and the unsalted butter(@ room temperature)to the sieved mixture and mix well, till butter is melted and mixed well in the pudding.<br />--Cover the bowl with a cling wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least two hours,it tastes best when it is chilled!<br />--You can also add chopped toasted cashews or almonds,or any nuts of your choice!<br />--So enjoy the chocolate pudding,lick your spoon clean!lol(I cleaned my bowl:))<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/ShMdH9GhJYI/AAAAAAAAA9A/14wm-9T-aX8/s1600-h/DSC06939.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 365px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/ShMdH9GhJYI/AAAAAAAAA9A/14wm-9T-aX8/s400/DSC06939.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337642005862360450" /></a><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-48937273962000213262009-05-16T11:36:00.000-07:002009-05-16T05:06:30.651-07:00Maaheqaliya and Khadi daal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SgCHSl5ZqBI/AAAAAAAAA8g/EgGcHmAnX7o/s1600-h/DSC05872.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SgCHSl5ZqBI/AAAAAAAAA8g/EgGcHmAnX7o/s400/DSC05872.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332410712286930962" /></a><br /><br />Maaheqaliya is a typical Hyderabadi dish,but not a very common one,when I got married and did not know cooking,I missed this a lot, and searched for the recipe on net,books...but without any luck, finally I got this recipe from my Mom,and a bunch of other recipes too, during her visit.<br />Sameeha liked this a lot and had it for lunch,then for dinner and then again next day,she asked if she can eat that again:-).<br />Recently Sameeha got infected by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjunctivitis">conjunctivitis</a>, she suffered with it for almost a week,from high temperature and 'Lalita Pawar' type of eye, and vomiting. <br />Then Alhamdulillah she got better,but now her infection has passed on to Huda,and now mypoor baby is sick,Sameeha was co-operative in the matter of medicines and eye drops,but a little bit fussy with suppositives, but Huda is impossible with medicines,drops,suppositives....everything! Today MashAllah I can see little improvement in her condition,her temperature has subsided,but still she is little cranky.<br />So here goes the recipe,<br />The basic recipe of Maheeqaliya is similar to that of Bagaare baingan<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Ingredients for Maaheqaliya<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br />1)Mutton 300 gms<br />2)peanuts 3 Tbsp<br />3)sesame(thil) 3Tbsp<br />4)dessicated coconut 1/2 cup(usage of kacha naaryal makes it all the more tasty)<br />5)dhanya powder 1 Tsp<br />6)zeera pdr 1 Tsp<br />7)onion 3 medium<br />8)ginger garlic paste 2 tbsp<br />9)salt<br />10)red chilli powder 1.5 tsp<br />11)turmeric 1/2 tsp<br />12)curry leaves 2 sprig<br />13)green chillies 2-3<br />14)cilantro<br />15)tamarind pulp 1 cup<br />16)oil<br />17)methi,zeera and mustard seeds for tempering<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Method:</span><br /><br />--In a frying pan,heat oil and fry the sliced onions,till it starts getting golden brown,chill,you don't need to worry about it getting crispy,as anyhow you have to grind it.<br />--Dry roast peanuts,sesame and coconut.Grind all this together,I grind sesame first ,when it is grounded to fine powder I add the rest(peanuts,coconut,onion).<br />--Take this grounded masala and to it add red chilli powder,turmeric,salt,dhanya powder,zeera powder and keep it aside.<br />--Soak the tamarind in warm water.<br />--After some time squeeze out the pulp and strain,reserve the tamarind pulp.<br />--In a saucepan,heat oil add methi,zeera and mustard seeds,when it starts spluttering,slip in the mutton,fry for some time and then add ginger garlic paste,fry till you get the pleasant aroma of fried g/g,then add the grounded masala, and bhoonofy(fry)really well,till the color of the mixture is golden,stirring constantly,this masala has the tendency to stick to the bottom of the pan,so keep scraping the bottom and the sides,while you stir,you need to fry(bhoono) it good,otherwise you will be able to find the presence of peanuts VERY prominent.<br />--After frying,slowly add the tamarind pulp into the mixture and then add curry leaves ,cilantro and slitted green chillies ,wait till the mixture starts bubbling,add water if necessary.<br />--Lower the flame,and cover the saucepan and let it cook on low flame till the mutton is tender, stir it constantly,scraping the bottom, at this point you can taste and check if salt,dhanya powder or zeera powder is ok, if not u can add now.<br />--After the mutton is tender,check the consistency of the curry,and if necessary add water and let simmer for additional five minuites turn off the stove,but let it stand for a while.<br />--Serve hot with Khadi daal and chawal. great with roti as well!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Khadi dal:<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br />Masoor dal 1 cup<br />Onion 1<br />g/g paste 1 tsp<br />turmeric 1/4 tsp<br />red chilli powder 1 tsp<br />salt<br />cilantro<br />green chillies 3 slitted<br />oil<br />water<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Method:</span><br /><br />--Heat oil in a saucepan,add onion and fry till onion is translucent,then add g/g paste,red chilli powder,turmeric,salt ,fry and then put 1 cup water(some people like it whole and some cooked mushy,I like itwhole so less water,you can alter your way:)) into it.<br />--to the water add chopped cilantro and slitted green chillies, taste a drop of the water,if it tastes like tear then the salt is right(yeah wierd this tip was shown to me by my sis)!<br />--Now when this water starts boiling,put the washed masoor dal in the boiling water,wait till it starts boiling again, and then lower the flame cover the saucepan and let it cook,keep checking,it is cooked really fast.<br />--After it is done garnish it with chopped cilantro.syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-75401670595075075862009-05-03T13:38:00.000-07:002009-05-03T13:53:12.368-07:00JokesHi,I just recieved these jokes in a forward, couldn't stop laughing,I thought of sharing it with you guys<br />hope you like it:-)<br /><br /><br />1. Lecturer : Write a note on Gandhi Jayanthi. <br />Sardar : Gandhi was a great man but maa kasam, I<br />don ' t know who is Jayanthi. <br /><br />2. Sardar : You cheated me. <br />Shopkeeper: How ? <br />Sardar : You said this is American made radio. But<br />when I put it ON, it says All IndiaRadio. <br /><br />3. Sardar got into a bus on 1st April when conductor<br />asked for ticket. He gave Rs.10/- and took the<br />ticket and said April fool.. I have a pass. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sf4DY-U5oNI/AAAAAAAAA8I/43FZj8UMFik/s1600-h/baby.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 116px; height: 170px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sf4DY-U5oNI/AAAAAAAAA8I/43FZj8UMFik/s400/baby.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331702736435650770" /></a><br /><br />4. Sardar joined new job. 1st day he worked till<br />late evening on the computer. Boss was happy and<br />asked what you did till evening. <br />Sardar : Keyboard alphabets were not in order, so I<br />made it alright.. <br /><br />5. On a romantic day sardar's girlfriend asks him.<br />Darling on our engagement day will you give me a<br />ring. <br />Sardar : Ya sure, from landline or mobile. <br /><br />6. Doctor to patient : You will die within 2 hours. <br />Do you want to see any one before you die? <br />Patient : Yes. A good doctor. <br /><br />7. 2 sardar s were fixing a bomb in a car. <br />Sardar 1 : What would you do if the bomb explodes<br />while fixing. <br />sardar 2 : Dont worry, I have one more. <br /><br />8. Interviewer : When is your birthday. <br />Sardar : 13th Oct. <br />Interviewer : which year ? <br />sardar : Oye Ullu ke patte : Every year. <br /><br />9. Sardar was busy removing a wheel from his auto. <br />A man asks sardar why are you removing a wheel from <br />your auto. <br />sardar : Cant you read the board. Parking is only<br />for 2 wheeler. <br /><br />10. Sardar : What is the name of your car ? <br />Lady : I forgot the name, but is starts with "T". <br />Sardar : Oye Kamaal ki gaadi hai, Tea se start hoti <br />hai. Hamaara gaadi petrol se start hoti hai. <br /><br />11. Boss : Where were you born ? <br />sardar : Punjab . <br />Boss : which part ? <br />sardar : Kya which part ? Whole body born in punjab.<br /><br /><br /><br />12. American told sardar : Hamare desh me 90% shaadi <br />e-mail se hoti hai. <br />Sardar : Kya bath hai. Hamari desh me 100% female se<br />hoti hai. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sf4D9fFp5pI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/o88NVUDjiCc/s1600-h/baby.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 361px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sf4D9fFp5pI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/o88NVUDjiCc/s400/baby.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331703363705366162" /></a><br /><br />13. How will you destroy a submarine full of<br />sardars ? <br />Simple. Just knock at the door and they will open it. <br /> <br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-43743588361028020712009-04-28T12:01:00.000-07:002009-05-01T13:26:55.659-07:00Palak Paneer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sfd-mbrJ8RI/AAAAAAAAA7w/NF0ym0DZVEY/s1600-h/palak.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sfd-mbrJ8RI/AAAAAAAAA7w/NF0ym0DZVEY/s400/palak.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329867882745164050" /></a><br /><br />Palak or spinach is a leafy vegetable packed with iron and calcium.And it is also the favorite vegetable of our own 'Popeye':-)<br />Paneer is most common cheese in India ,also called as farmer's cheese or cottage cheese,is made by curdling heated milk with lemon juice and then strained to collect the whey.Readymade paneer is also available in the market,I most commonly use the Amul paneer,but you can make it at home with the following method <br /><a href="http://zaiqa.net/?p=297">paneer--by Mona</a><br /><a href="http://www.nandyala.org/mahanandi/archives/2005/06/06/delightful-paneer/">Paneer--by Mahanandi<br /></a><br />Palak Paneer is usually the star dish in a vegetarian party. Tastes great both with rice and bread.<br />A tip that might come in handy is that,after a meal your palak paneer will run out of paneer and you will be left with only palak:-),so what you can do is spread it on a pita bread and grill it,or else you can use it as a dip.....it is up to you,whichever way you like!<br />I had it with meethi Daal and chawal,the other recipe of palak is Palak gosht which is out of the world if it is teamed with khatti daal and chawal(drooooooool), hey guys can you name few such combinations in your comments, like tala hua gosht, khatti daal, chawal,..tomato gosht, meethi daal, chawal...and the likes..<br />Ok the recipe goes like this...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SfeHf9Y9xsI/AAAAAAAAA8A/8H4cw77XS5o/s1600-h/DSC06856.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SfeHf9Y9xsI/AAAAAAAAA8A/8H4cw77XS5o/s400/DSC06856.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329877667141240514" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Ingredients</span><br /><br />1 Spinach 3 bunch<br />2 green chillies 10(accd to ur taste)<br />3 garlic 6-7 flakes<br />4 ginger half an inch<br />5 salt<br />6 cumin 1 tsp<br />7 aniseed powder(saunf pdr) 1tsp<br />8 ghee 3 tbsp<br />9 bay leaf 1<br />10 Cilantro half cup chopped<br />11 tomato paste 3 tbsp<br />12 onion 2 medium finely chopped(you can also blend it)<br />13 Paneer 2 cups<br />14 oil 3 tbsp<br />15 black pepper half tsp<br />16 garam masala 1 tsp<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Method:</span><br /><br />--Wash the spinach,cut the leaves from the stems,discard the stem and put the leaves of spinach in a pot along with green chillies ,ginger and garlic along with a cup of water and boil till the leaves are wilted,say ,for about 10 minutes .Let it cool.<br />--Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the paneer cubes,till they turn golden.<br />--Blend the boiled spinach along with cilantro in a blender.<br />--Now heat ghee in a pot,throw in the bay leaf and cumin seeds,when it starts spluttering ,slip in the finely chopped onion,fry till it gets translucent,now add pepper,garam masala,saunf powder,tomato paste and salt,fry for some time and then add the blended spinach mixture,when it starts bubbling slip in the paneer cubes.<br />--Cover and simmer for about five minutes.<br />--Your Palak Paneer is Ready..serve hot with rice or chapatis!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SfeDlB5KMFI/AAAAAAAAA74/OkVP8HY8V_c/s1600-h/DSC06861.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SfeDlB5KMFI/AAAAAAAAA74/OkVP8HY8V_c/s400/DSC06861.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329873356202848338" /></a><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-46550603227701594672009-04-27T14:02:00.001-07:002009-04-28T01:56:29.538-07:00Hi......long time no see:)Summer has started,and I hate the scorching heat outside,I love the comfort of curling up on my couch with a good book or laptop!<br />But the summer mornings here are not the same,I felt this when I called back home, on one such morning,Mom was in the kitchen preparing breakfast along with my cousin,sent me back to that time when I did that with mom,It was great staying home during the vacations ,going for morning walks,koooooooooooo,kooooooooooo of koyal was typical during those mornings,and since these were holidays our cousins would come over to our house and I loved the endless chit-chatting!<br /> So back to present,I am on vacation throughout the year.lol:-)<br /><br /> So life was really busy all these days,many things happened,Sameeha turned 4 Alhamdulillah!<br /> This is the picture of her,on her birthday before going to school,she did not wear her uniform that day...she was Uber excited!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SfYeTbyxRyI/AAAAAAAAA7o/1Qvvb5l5FEg/s1600-h/DSC06111.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SfYeTbyxRyI/AAAAAAAAA7o/1Qvvb5l5FEg/s400/DSC06111.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329480528266610466" /></a><br /><br />My Mom visited us,my mother-in-law visited,it was really fun,to have so many people around.<br />Huda is now a super duper badmaash,and since she has learnt to speak and understand,it is really fun to be around her,she proficiently calls our names.Mummy,Baba,Miyyaaa(sameeha)or sometimes Thaaji(Baji),<br />remember last year same time she started walking:)<br /> Well my cooking has taken a total backseat now,I had made some really cool hyderabadi Food and have the recipes of those in drafts,but somehow lost the pictures,so whenever I make those things again,I am gonna post that!<br /> During my Mom's visit here we visited the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque">Sheikh Zayed Masjid</a>,located in Abu Dhabi,Mashallah it is really beautiful! But the sad part is, people coming here tend to loose the spirituality of this place..I am saying this including me,I mean when we go to masjid we pray,but we go there and look at Chandeliers that are world's biggest and then, the carpets are supposed to be the world's biggest,woven in Iran!<br /> But Mashallah it is Very beautiful Masjid!<br /><br />Here are some of the pictures,<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SekBollkHwI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/h6Pid8cUMaw/s1600-h/P1110242.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SekBollkHwI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/h6Pid8cUMaw/s400/P1110242.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325789831138385666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SekBoDhUpzI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/neg63DklRRM/s1600-h/P1110220.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SekBoDhUpzI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/neg63DklRRM/s400/P1110220.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325789821993789234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SekBoEFxRUI/AAAAAAAAA7I/FTz3i2-Ww5o/s1600-h/P1110230.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SekBoEFxRUI/AAAAAAAAA7I/FTz3i2-Ww5o/s400/P1110230.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325789822146659650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SekAJaWzcuI/AAAAAAAAA7A/nHcO0gibXsE/s1600-h/DSC05534.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SekAJaWzcuI/AAAAAAAAA7A/nHcO0gibXsE/s400/DSC05534.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325788196036113122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sej_ykGeCmI/AAAAAAAAA64/TMUL8EAK0FU/s1600-h/DSC05527.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/Sej_ykGeCmI/AAAAAAAAA64/TMUL8EAK0FU/s400/DSC05527.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325787803514964578" /></a><br /><br />So I am ending this post with a promise that my next post definitely will be with a recipe........till then adieus<br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-53839567544931366952009-01-09T11:04:00.000-08:002009-01-13T13:55:51.172-08:00Kadhaai Murgh<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SWehrWIWVKI/AAAAAAAAA28/hrq8LIlLV5I/s1600-h/sony+1090.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SWehrWIWVKI/AAAAAAAAA28/hrq8LIlLV5I/s400/sony+1090.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289374053416981666" /></a><br />Its been a really long time since I posted a recipe or any other thing,just because I was a bit busy,and under a writer's block, had many things to write about,but still could not find words to frame my thoughts, and very lazy to take pictures and write about it,I swear I was and still am feeling very lethargic,.Anyways, I saw some nice movies during these days, two of which are Ghajini and RNBDJ(rab ne bana di jodi),rnbdj is a timepass, I slept halfway through it,though I am a SRK fan,still these days his movies are becoming boring, no offense to anybody,on the other hand this movie Ghajini is bindaas,I loved it and also it's songs.Previously OSO disappointed me on the other hand Taare zamen par was really good, You know I was once a big SRK fan and hater of Amir Khan, but these days SRK is disappointing with same old type of movies..... I saw Ghajini in Tamil 2 years back,couldnt understand anything though,but that tamil actor was better than Amir.<br /><br />Coming to the recipe part, the kadhaai chicken is a pakistani speciality,tastes much better than the Shan's kadhai gosh masala,and the only hard work in making this is according to me cutting and frying onions,thats it, other than that you will be done in about 15-25 mins.This recipe was given to me by Shehnaz aunty,who cooks really great pakistani food,I am bugging her to teach me some really nice things that she makes, will definitely post it,if I learn anything.This tastes exactly like the karhaai chicken of karachi darbar(pakistani restaurant chain in dubai),aaah I recently heard a very good news,that this karachi darbar is going to open right below our apartments,I am excited mainly because I can have fresh out of the tandoor, tandoor ki roti........yummmy!<br />A word of caution is that it uses up a lot of oil for bhoonofying, so a little tough choice for calorie conscious people,but I suppose pakistani food has lot of oil,what I did is,I drained the excess oil before serving, but for boonofying it should be there!<br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Ingredients:</em></strong><br />1)Onion 4 medium,thinly sliced.<br />2)tomato 2 large,roughly chopped<br />3)salt<br />4)chilli powder-1tsp<br />5)turmeric-1/4 tsp<br />6)cilantro-a bunch<br />7)yoghurt-1/2 cup<br />8)garam masala-2 tsp<br />9)ginger garlic paste-2 tbsp <br />10)oil-for deep frying onions<br />11)chicken-1 whole<br />12)green chillies-4-5 <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SWehrGB0wbI/AAAAAAAAA20/ZADwpsJmkfo/s1600-h/sony+1095.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SWehrGB0wbI/AAAAAAAAA20/ZADwpsJmkfo/s400/sony+1095.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289374049094648242" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Method:</em></strong><br /><br />--Heat oil in kadhaai,deep fry the sliced onions until golden brown colour,take out the onions from kadhaai and drain oil on a paper towel.<br />--In a blender,put fried onions,tomatoes,green chillies,cilantro,yoghurt ,blend it until a paste is formed.<br />--Heat oil in a large saucepan or large kadhaai, when it is warm,pt the ginger garlic paste and fry for sometime,then add the blended paste,fry for sometime ,then add red chilli powder,trmeric,salt and garam masala,mix and bhoonofy really well until the oil separates from the gravy.<br />--drop in the chicken peices into the gravy and add about half a cup of water,mix well and cover the vessel with a lid,and lower the flame,and let chicken cook on low flame for about half an hour or ntill the chicken is tender.<br />turn off the flame,and let it stand for about 15 mins before serving, serve warm with tandoor ki roti!<br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-46145397168418286382008-12-11T01:53:00.000-08:002008-12-11T13:54:45.254-08:00Zaafrani Kheer<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SUDxw31P4wI/AAAAAAAAAys/9iz2QXVWD20/s1600-h/26082008568.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SUDxw31P4wI/AAAAAAAAAys/9iz2QXVWD20/s400/26082008568.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278484585201525506" /></a><br /> <br />Eid ul Adha Mubarak to all my readers!<br />I know I am almost a week late, but better late than never,right?<br />It was a really busy eid!I could not write a post even to wish eid mubarak..I am sooo sorry!<br /> CHAOTIC is the only word that best describes how my eid was!<br /><br />The dessert of the day was zaafraani kheer,a kheer with the flavour of saffron.Saffron just changes the flavour and the aroma of the normal kheer...a pinch of it is more than enough!<br />Aromatic Basmati rice is cooked in milk and saffron till soft and mushy and then mixed with sugar,fried in ghee along with nuts...<br />You can either pulse the rice before hand,to reduce the cooking time, or you can directly cook the rice in milk.. <br /><br /><em>Ingredients:</em><br />1) Rice 100gms<br />2) Milk 1 litre<br />3) Sugar 1/2 cup<br />4) Condensed milk 3 tbsp<br />5) Saffron 1 pinch<br />6) Nuts a handful chopped<br />7) Ghee 3 tbsp<br /> <br /><br /><em>Method:</em><br />--Was and soak the rice,drain water!<br />--In a saucepan,put ric and milk,when it starts boiling put saffron and let it cook till rice is soft and mushy,keep stirring in between,scraping from the bottom!<br />--When the rice turns mushy using the back of the spoon,press the rice grains to the walls of the saucepan and mash.<br />--Add Sugar and condensed milk and mix well,turn off the flame!<br />--In another saucepan heat ghee,when it is warm add the chopped nuts,when it turns brown,put the cooked rice, mix well,if the consistancy(it gets thick when it turns cold) is too thick add some milk to it,simmer for 5 minutes,turn off the flame.<br />Enjoy!!!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SUDzUqnBhcI/AAAAAAAAAy0/Vj3NA7SuzFE/s1600-h/26082008567.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SUDzUqnBhcI/AAAAAAAAAy0/Vj3NA7SuzFE/s400/26082008567.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278486299639121346" /></a><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-51875719226076888642008-11-30T12:13:00.000-08:002008-11-30T12:17:49.336-08:00Chocolate-Coffee Frappe<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSzy6Z1sBbI/AAAAAAAAAuo/LeysR2SJW48/s1600-h/P1000120.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272856348926412210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 251px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSzy6Z1sBbI/AAAAAAAAAuo/LeysR2SJW48/s400/P1000120.JPG" border="0" /></a> The weather here has changed,days are pleasant and cloudy,nights are cold and breezy! This beautiful weather is best enjoyed with a cup of coffee, So each evening called for a cup of coffee,in the pleasant evening breeze,but one day my taste buds yearned for something different,So I set about experimenting in my kitchen with the ingredients available in my fridge...and voila,I am so glad that I tried this,because this is a really yummy beverage,being a coffee lover,I have fallen deeper in love with coffee.....<br /><em>Ingredients:</em><br />1)Vanilla ice cream-6 scoops<br />2)Instant coffee powder 1 tsp<br />3)Nesquik chocolate -1 tsp<br />4)Milk 1 Cup<br />5)Sugar 2 Tbsp(adjust to your taste)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSzy6zyyq5I/AAAAAAAAAuw/QZxv1Dlkrs8/s1600-h/P1000121.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272856355893586834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSzy6zyyq5I/AAAAAAAAAuw/QZxv1Dlkrs8/s400/P1000121.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Method:</em><br />--Heat milk in a saucepan,put coffee powder and sugar,mix untikl dissolved,turn off the flame and let it come to room temperature.<br />--In a blender put the coffee,milk ,sugar mixture and 4 scoops of Vanilla icecream and nesquik chocolate powder(or any cocoa powder),blend at high speed,till the mixture becomes frothy.<br />--Transfer in tall glasses(this recipe makes 2 tall glasses),add a scoop of ice cream on the frappe and sprinkle some cocoa powder.<br />Enjoy!!<br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-61784485983240131002008-11-19T12:50:00.001-08:002008-11-25T20:50:24.206-08:00Rambling about Sameeha...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSzVaB-6MFI/AAAAAAAAAug/0cvI51fSJ6E/s1600-h/sameeha.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSzVaB-6MFI/AAAAAAAAAug/0cvI51fSJ6E/s400/sameeha.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272823906929619026" /></a><br />I love the small conversations that take place between me and Sameeha,she has started speaking logical, like elders,but still with the innocence of a child.<br />Everyday I go down to send her off the school bus, and everyday she says,<br />'Mumma aapki yaad aayegi na school mein' so I say,<br />'aap jaao,mein peeche se taxi mein aaungi'.<br />Then one day when we were waiting for the school bus,a helicopter flew over us, Sameeha was very excited, and said<br />'mumma hum us mein baithenge na,kaise hamara pair utni oopar jaayega?'<br />I said'hamara pair oopar nahin jaayega,wo helicopter neeche aata hai tho usme log baith the hain'.<br />So this topic ended there,and we started talking about something else,then her bus came and again as always she said<br />'mumma school mein aapki yaad aayi tho?'<br />I said as always'mein aaungi peeche se taxi mein baith kar'<br /><br />so she said'mumma taxi mein math aao,helicopter mein aao:)'<br />I said'Oh OK!'<br />27th Nov is her sports day, she is supposed to be doing march past and drill:-)<br />Its really amazing to see how enthusiastic she is about her homework, because as far as I have seen, and even I HATED home work, but when I say 'come Sameeha lets do home work'...and she is like 'Yahoooooooooo', by home work I mean she has to trace alphabets and numbers on dots!<br /> She assists me in her own small and special way,by bringing or putting away things,cleaning the dastarqaan,or just co-operating with me during her younger sister's tantrum session:-)(these days,its fun to watch the Tom and Jerry LIVE,Sameeha is suppposed to be Tom and Huda is supposed to be jerry).<br /> But Love and soft talk is the only way by which she listens,sometimes when I am bugged by something ,and then ask Sameeha to do something with an angry tone, she sulks and becomes her stubborn best,but again if I change my tone and say'Beta..plz kardo na...plz bebu'...and BAM its done!<br /> She will be four in March,it seems as if,it was just yesterday, we brought her home from hospital...time just flies... with the same speed ,time will fly and she will be a Big girl!Inshallah!<br /><br />May Allah give her a happy and successful life and a rewarding Hereafter...Aameen<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a><strong></strong>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-28797563850191843732008-11-17T12:20:00.000-08:002008-11-20T12:13:26.167-08:00Ras Malaai....from milk powder<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSHakMrgYOI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/m6aCl4gnq8g/s1600-h/P1000105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSHakMrgYOI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/m6aCl4gnq8g/s400/P1000105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269733354414039266" /></a><br /><br />Remember,I made <a href="http://syeda-indianspices.blogspot.com/2008/08/gulab-jamun.html">Gulab Jamun</a> sometime back? And I said Ras Malai is just similar to that,well here I am with the recipe of Ras Malai,a MUST TRY for all those with a sweet tooth!<br /><br />This is my Husband's favourite,I learnt this recently from my MIL, but whenever we go out to Karachi Darbar,my husband always finishes his meal with Ras Malai.<br />Now this tastes so good that,it was over within a single day,eceybody helped themselves with double servings,before learning this method I followed the <a href="http://indianfoodrocks.blogspot.com/2006/04/new-connections-and-no-fuss-ras-malai.html">shortcut method from IFR</a>,but this one is not that difficult at all!<br /><br />Some fellow bloggers have used ricotta cheese,havent tried that though,but if anybody does do let me know how does turn out, here are some links <br />this is by<a href="http://afrecipes.blogspot.com/2005/04/rasmalai_15.html"> <em>AF of My recipe</em></a><br />Now <a href="http://myworksh0p.blogspot.com/2006/04/baked-rasmalai.html">this one </a>is very good with step by step pictures,it looks good!<br /><br /><strong>Ingredients:</strong><br />1)milk powder(Nido)-1 cup<br />2)Ghee 1 Tbsp<br />3)egg white-of 2 eggs<br />4)Maida-1 Tbsp<br />5)Milk 1 Litre<br />6)sugar 1/2 cup(adjust accd to ur taste)<br />7)condensed milk-1/2 cup<br />8)pistachios 1 handful(half chopped and half slivered)<br />9)Baking powder-1/2 tsp heapful<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSHajZyqIuI/AAAAAAAAAnA/qwfQkt07ISw/s1600-h/P1000098.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSHajZyqIuI/AAAAAAAAAnA/qwfQkt07ISw/s400/P1000098.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269733340753830626" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Method:</strong><br /><br />--In a large bowl put milk powder,baking powder,egg white,maida and mix until a sticky cohesive mass is formed,like dough,but sticky,now grease your hands with oil or butter and bring togeather the milk dough and knead with your knuckles for 2-3 minutes.keep aside(this dough gets hard,so work fast with it)covered.<br />--In a saucepan put milk,sugar chopped pistachios and condensed milk and bring to boil on high temparature,then lower the flame<br />--Meanwhile from the milk dough take small portion and make ball and then press it so that it forms the shape of a disc,because,to absorb the milk evenly,it needs large surface area,coz if it is round ,the inside part might not absorb the flavoured milk and will be dry! The disc should be the size of a coin,because when it is mistened it swells up,and if u make big discs then the ones made will be Humongous,so be careful!<br />--Repeat this untill you use up the entire dough,now immerse these discs in the milk on low flame one by one,so that they dont overlap,shut the lid of the saucepan for 1-2 minutes ,and then turn off the flame.<br />--Let it cool down,dont handle these at this point since there are chances that these discs might break,so let it cool.<br />after sometime,transfer them in the serving dish,very gently one by one and then pour the milk of the saucepan over the discs and garnish with slivered pistochios and chill in the fridge, Its is best served chilled!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSHajgyhEPI/AAAAAAAAAnI/gnQFg3y7-sY/s1600-h/P1000102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSHajgyhEPI/AAAAAAAAAnI/gnQFg3y7-sY/s400/P1000102.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269733342632284402" /></a><br /><br />Enjoy!!!<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-78538118210766037682008-11-14T17:07:00.000-08:002008-11-18T04:41:36.977-08:00Its MeMe time ......and award time<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSEctGVzD6I/AAAAAAAAAmc/9OzY7TwTVys/s1600-h/Sunset.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269524600121921442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSEctGVzD6I/AAAAAAAAAmc/9OzY7TwTVys/s400/Sunset.jpg" border="0" /></a>Hi,I have been tagged by <a href="http://yasmeen-healthnut.blogspot.com/">Yasmeen of Healthnut </a>and <a href="http://kitchenflavours.blogspot.com/">Lubna of KitchenFlavour</a> for this 7 Meme,so here goes..<br />I am also tagged by Hema of <a href="http://adlakstinyworld.blogspot.com/">Adlak's tiny world </a>for this memd<br /><br /><strong>7 Things I Say More Often:</strong><br />1)AllahuAkbar<br />2)Sameehaaaaaa....Hudduuuuuuuu..kya, kar kya rahe ho tum log(what are u guys doing?)<br />3)OK,OK fine, Its OK<br />4)Maafi Mushkil, Mushkil nahi,Masla nahi,koi baat nahi<br />5)Thank you soooooooooo much<br />6)I am soooo sorry<br />7)Alhamdulillah<br /><br /><strong>7 Things I Did Before:</strong><br />1)Did my Engineering in Electronics and Communication<br />2)Had the time of my life during the four years of my engineeing with my friends<br />3)Had the time of my life visiting the DISNEY(Magic kingdom,epcot,MGM) and Univarsal Studios ORLANDO<br />4)Streaked my hair secretly(but after coloring it wasnt secret anymore and I got a good spanking lol)<br />5)Spoke endlessly on phone with my best friend Sanober.. who is now in Australia<br />6)Ate very cautiously(no desserts,very little rice,very little oil)<br />7)Lived in Hyderabad for a major part of life,Bangalore,Tamil Nadu,Lybertiville and now Dubai<br /><br />7 Things I Do Now:<br />1)Cook,Clean,Wash,Laundry...<br />2)Blog and Browse<br />3)Play and chill out with Sam and Hud<br />4)Drop and PIck Sameeha(to school bus not to school,I have to get license ..)<br />5)Try and cook new things<br />6)Shop or window shop at shopping Malls(Love MOE)<br />7)Daydream<br /><br />7 Things I Want to Do:<br />1)See the holy Kaba,cave Hira, all the places with Islamic history !<br />2)I want to stop eating all the desserts and stuff and start excercising and get back to pre-marriage looks :-(<br />3)Be more efficient and improve on my time management<br />4)Start my career<br />5)Give a good islamic,ethical,disciplined upbringing to my kids<br />6)Do endless shopping(high hopes,or u can call this a fantasy)<br />7)Move to US<br /><br />7 Things That Attract me About Opposite Sex:<br />1)Understanding<br />2)trusting<br />3)caring<br />4)protective<br />5)committed<br />6)loving<br />7)Humorous<br />After sometime looks wont matter...that helps only in the initial phase..my point of view!<br /><br />7 Favorite Foods:<br />1)Mummy's Biryani<br />2)Basket Noodle from Chung Hua,Hyderabad<br />3)Shawarma plate of Al-Reef Dubai<br />4)Pizza Hut's Cheezy bites(droooool)<br />5)Mummy's tamate methi gosht,khatti daal,tala hua gosht,pasinde,chugar gosht.....<br />6)irani/persion food ,Lebanese food<br />7)coffee lovers only(cold stone),mocha almond fudge(London dairy), and 1 I dont remember its name, there was one ice cream in dairy queen with oreo cookies,gajar ka halwa<br /><br /><br />wow I love talkin about myself ;-)<br />I would like to tag <a href="http://malluspice.blogspot.com/">Mallugirl of Malabar Spices</a>,<br /><a href="http://mammuskitchen.blogspot.com/">Maimoona of mammus kitchen</a>,<br /><a href="http://armisblog.blogspot.com/">armina of live life my size</a>,<br /><a href="http://zeelicious-zee.blogspot.com/">zee of like deja vu all over again!</a><br />Enjoy<br /><br />Best buddy award was given to me by Yasmeen of health nut and Malar Gandhi.thank u so much,I would like to pass it on to zee , armina ,anjum and mallugirl!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SR6G457VRxI/AAAAAAAAAmE/TEo2MpsOStQ/s1600-h/awardlagi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268796926250534674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SR6G457VRxI/AAAAAAAAAmE/TEo2MpsOStQ/s400/awardlagi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SR6G463PReI/AAAAAAAAAl8/iAMlh0ImQl4/s1600-h/kb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268796926501799394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SR6G463PReI/AAAAAAAAAl8/iAMlh0ImQl4/s400/kb.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Some more awards..I think it is awards season everywhere,everybody in the blogosphere is getting and giving awards,<br /><a href="http://adlakstinyworld.blogspot.com/">Adlak's tiny world's Hema </a>has honored me with the following awards<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSK1l002XWI/AAAAAAAAAo4/C4emwF64e7Y/s1600-h/InspirationAward%5B2%5D.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 143px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSK1l002XWI/AAAAAAAAAo4/C4emwF64e7Y/s400/InspirationAward%5B2%5D.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269974175416999266" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSK1mrkoyVI/AAAAAAAAApQ/6gHGCgG6K7A/s1600-h/HardWork%5B2%5D%5B1%5D%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 127px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSK1mrkoyVI/AAAAAAAAApQ/6gHGCgG6K7A/s400/HardWork%5B2%5D%5B1%5D%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269974190112950610" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSK1mZwPZSI/AAAAAAAAApI/GPdEak8mBX4/s1600-h/coffee%5B1%5D%5B1%5D_jpgfriendship%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 82px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSK1mZwPZSI/AAAAAAAAApI/GPdEak8mBX4/s400/coffee%5B1%5D%5B1%5D_jpgfriendship%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269974185329780002" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSK1mHkOb9I/AAAAAAAAApA/255XHj9YYVE/s1600-h/360_Degree_Foodie_Award%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSK1mHkOb9I/AAAAAAAAApA/255XHj9YYVE/s400/360_Degree_Foodie_Award%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269974180447547346" /></a><br />Thank you so much Hema<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kitchentantra.com/">Malar Gandhi of Kitchen Tantra</a><br />shared these awards with me<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSK3Vw965pI/AAAAAAAAApg/Xa0jsR903k8/s1600-h/360_Degree_Foodie_Award%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSK3Vw965pI/AAAAAAAAApg/Xa0jsR903k8/s400/360_Degree_Foodie_Award%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269976098526652050" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSK3ClOJ5II/AAAAAAAAApY/tJIytzvPHUM/s1600-h/yumyum%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 94px; height: 144px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SSK3ClOJ5II/AAAAAAAAApY/tJIytzvPHUM/s400/yumyum%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269975768956003458" /></a><br /> Thank you so much Malar<br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." height="16" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" width="234" border="0" /></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-56687365172787777132008-11-10T09:36:00.000-08:002008-11-11T22:28:33.984-08:00Chocolate Almond Biscotti<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SRkSMkeCRvI/AAAAAAAAAls/WrcVpuHEYn4/s1600-h/rusk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SRkSMkeCRvI/AAAAAAAAAls/WrcVpuHEYn4/s400/rusk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267261246343890674" /></a><br /><br /><em>The name biscotti is derived from 'bis' meaning twice in Italian and 'cotto' meaning baked or cooked.<br />Biscotti is said to have originated during Columbus's time and credited to an Italian baker . They became so popular that every province developed their own flavored version. Because of their long storage ability they were an ideal food for sailors, soldiers, and fisherman.<br /><br />Most European countries have adopted their own version of biscotti: English - rusks, French - biscotte and croquets de carcassonne, Germans - zwieback, Greeks - biskota and paxemadia, Jewish - mandelbrot, and Russians - sukhariki<br />The sticky dough is first shaped into a 12 inch (30cm) log and baked until firm. After a short cooling period, the log is sliced into diagonal slices and baked again to draw out the moisture thus producing a crisp, dry textured cookie that has a long shelf life. Recipes containing butter or oil will have a softer texture and will not keep as long as the traditional recipes that only use eggs to bind the ingredients together.</em><br /><em><br /> -----Joy Of Baking</em><br /><br />Finally I made a bakery item from scratch!It is so easy that I wonder why people go and buy it from Starbucks spending 7 Dirhams for each piece!!! I think you can make about 16-20 biscottis at home,with the amount with which u can buy 2 pieces at Starbucks!<br /><br />Since India was ruled by English,we better know it as Rusk,I ate the most original in shape and taste(the most original has aniseed in it for flavouring) in Delhi, Chandni Chauk, when I went there I was expecting 'kabhi khushi kabhi ghum' type of place,with kajol type gals dancing in it....'banno ki saheli........'<br /> Hey can anybody say this tongue twister in a single go.."Chandu ke chacha ne chandu ki chachi ko,chandni raat mein,chandni chauk mein,chaandi ke chammach se chaashni chataai"<br /><br /> uff.. bollywood has influenced me a lot,much to my husband's chagrin..lol<br /><br /> OK back to the rusk,when we were visiting Delhi, we liked it so much that we brought back dozens of it home,and due to its long shelf life enjoyed it for days..<br /> I made it from the recipe <a href="http://www.joyofbaking.com/biscotti/ChocolateAlmondBiscotti.html">here</a><br /><br />You can read on for a novice baker's version:)<br /><em>Ingredients:</em><br />3/4 cup whole almonds, toasted and chopped coarsely <br />2/3 cup granulated white sugar <br />2 large eggs <br />1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract <br />3/4 teaspoon baking powder <br />1/8 teaspoon salt <br />1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour <br />1.5 bar milk chocolate(galaxy,dairy milk,hersheys)chopped or chocolate chips<br /><br /><em>Method:</em><br />--blanch and chop the almonds<br />--chop the chocolate bar into small pieces.<br />-- preheat oven to 350 F, place the chopped almonds in a baking sheet and toast in oven for about 10 mins(I did not blanch jus chopped it)<br />--Line the baking sheet with a parchment paper.<br />--Now in a bowl or tray sift togeather flour,baking powder and salt<br />-- In bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the sugar and eggs on high speed until thick, pale, and fluffy (about 5 minutes). (When you slowly raise the beaters the batter will fall back into the bowl in slow ribbons.) <br />--Slowly add the flour in it,beat till it is mixed well<br />--Then fold in the chopped almonds and chopped chocolate .<br />--After a good mixing the mixture will be a sticky cohesive mass,grease ur hands with oil, or better what I did is filled a bowl of water,dipped my hand in the water and brought togeather the dough to a log shape,<br />--Transfer it to a baking sheet and place in oven at 350F,let it bake till it is firm on touch it will take around 20-30 mins,<br />--Then take it out and let it cool for sometime,Then slice the log horizontally into thin slices using a serrated knife.<br />--Now place the slices on the baking sheet and bake for 10-15 mins, then take out and turn over the slices and again bake for another 10 mins or until crisp and golden in color<br /><br />Enjoy!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SRkSNfAnvcI/AAAAAAAAAl0/oie1vuyukIk/s1600-h/rusk1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SRkSNfAnvcI/AAAAAAAAAl0/oie1vuyukIk/s400/rusk1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267261262058208706" /></a><br /><br />P.S: Sorry for the unclear pictures,the pictures are taken from my mobile, as my camera has gone on a business trip with my husband to Finland,on his way back he is going to stop over at Zurich :(<br />I asked him to get a cowbell from there, the one Kajol buys from ZUrich in DDLJ....oh again see what bollywood has done to me!<br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-57738654801486240562008-11-06T18:24:00.000-08:002008-11-07T18:26:42.845-08:00Bird's Nest<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SRQGFlXd3-I/AAAAAAAAAj8/98jLmoTc6l4/s1600-h/sony1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SRQGFlXd3-I/AAAAAAAAAj8/98jLmoTc6l4/s400/sony1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265840557302603746" /></a><br />This appetizer looks like the nest of a bird,therefore it is named bird's nest, a must try for people with kids,they will love it,my kids loved it:)<br /> Of late I have become a nostalgic soul,I miss my old days so much that I keep thinking of it all the time,is there a problem in me or is everyone like that?<br /> College days were fun! I miss all my friends, everybody is dispersed in one or the other corner of the globe,I just wish those days never ended, those were days filled with fun and mischief.<br /> <br /> If only life had a rewind button! We could go back to the days where life was so simple without any responsiblities or commitments and bloody expectations from everyone,days spent pampered by everyone...<br /><br />But life in reality is hard like rock without any rewind button.lol.<br />Ok bored you all with extra special 'gyan'.This avtaar of mine appears every now and then,when I feel that, why did we ever grow.... life should have been the way it was. but no we have to face the reality.. <br />Sometimes looking at Huda I feel how blissful she is,so innocently ignorant with this world and its politics...you know sometimes ignorance is a form of bliss...seriously!<br />Ok ,sorry I will go on and on..with my nonsense...so better get going with the recipe<br /><br /> <em>Ingredients:</em><br />1)chicken boneless-500 gms<br />2)potatp-3 medium<br />3)ginger garlic paste-2 Tbsp<br />4)salt<br />5)pepper-1 tsp<br />6)egg-2<br />7)shredded mozarella cheese-1/2 cup<br />8)zeera powder-1 tsp<br />9)garam masala- 1 tsp<br />10)Seviyan(sheerqorme waali)-1 cup (crushed)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SRQmjo3_LYI/AAAAAAAAAkE/AwUhsBYT5QQ/s1600-h/sony+945.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SRQmjo3_LYI/AAAAAAAAAkE/AwUhsBYT5QQ/s400/sony+945.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265876258012474754" /></a><br /><br /><br /><em>Method:</em><br /><br />--Wash the chicken pieces and put it in a pressure cooker along with ginger garlic paste,salt,pepper and some water and cook till the chicken is very soft,if there is any water remaining cook till all the water is absorbed.<br />--separately boil the potatoes,then peel and mash and keep aside.<br />--Now shred the chicken pieces,add to it the mashed potatoes,zeera powder,garam masala,check for salt and pepper if it is less you can add now,if you want you can add chopped cilantro,but thats optional, then add some lemon juice.<br />--Mix everything nicely such that a homogeneous mixture is formed.<br />--Now take portions of the chicken mixture,grease your hands with oil and form a ball of the mixture, now make a well in it using your index finger,add about a teaspoon of the mozarella cheese in the well,now press the mixture on top of the well such that the cheese is enclosed in it, make a ball, and repeat this with the rest of the mixture, you will be able to make aroun 25-30 balls with the mixture, the size should be that of a tennis ball.<br />--You can freeze this at this point if you want this to be used later,but first freeze it on a plate for a couple of hours and then when it has frozen,take it out from the plate and put it in a freezer bag and freeze.<br />--Put the frying pan on heat with some oil in it to shallow fry.<br />--Now break the eggs a in a bowl and whip a little ,such that the egg yolk and egg white mix well.Dip the chicken ball in the egg ,such that it is coated with it on all sides.<br />--Put the crushed seviyan in a shallow plate,roll the checken ball coated with egg in seviyan such that the crushed seviyan get stuck on the chicken ball.<br />--Now shallow fry this ball in frying pan till all the sides turn golden brown, repeat with rest of the mixture.<br />--Enjoy it warm...<br /> Weather in Dubai is changing,its not hot at all, not cold, I enjoy this pleasant weather in our balcony,with my coffee mug and the Bird's Nest, watching the trafffic jam on the road from Dubai to Sharjah or Sharjah to Dubai :-)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-30872258514774341422008-10-31T08:40:00.000-07:002008-11-01T06:19:16.126-07:00Gajar ka Halwa(carrot dessert)<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SQXqcG3i2uI/AAAAAAAAAiU/pJUs6dtbjd0/s1600-h/101MSDCF2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SQXqcG3i2uI/AAAAAAAAAiU/pJUs6dtbjd0/s400/101MSDCF2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261869508253113058" /></a><br /><br />On a lazy Friday,leafing through the FRIDAY magazine,I saw this fantabulous recipe and equally inviting picture of Gajar ka Halwa. Now I was not at all in the mood of grating the carrots ,so I dropped the idea of making it ,but then I started craving for it,so much that I started wondering whether I was pregnant,because during my first pregnancy I was craving for gajar ka halwa like crazy,never knew it was so simple,that time following the instructions from shan masala mix and making a decent dish was an accomplishment,I couldnt cook! either the mutton wouldnt get soft,or I would have put LOT of salt,or once I had put lot of chilli powder,so after realizing that,I was terrified,so to mask the chilli powder I added sugar,1-2 tbsp!!!! just imagine,my husband had to put up with my food,cribbing all the time,why didnt I learn cooking!!<br />Anyways now he is happy that I am improving! Credit goes to him,for being my connoisseur !<br />So coming back to the topic,to fulfil my cravings I brought some from a desi sweet shop in Devon,I was not satisfied by the quantity,but then <em>beggers cant be choosers</em> right?<br />So as I went to drop Sameeha for school bus,I brought a kilo of carrots from the grocery and started working on it!<br /><br />Oh talking about Sameeha,she is enjoying her school,goes happily,sometimes she says "mumma school mein aapki yaad aayegi na mumma":)<br />Huda on the other hand is very very very naughty! She bullies Sameeha,breaks things,spills everything........and of all her mischievous endeavors,the most annoying one was when she dropped my NEW mobile phone in a cup half filled with tea!!!<br /><br /><em>Ingredients:</em><br />1)Carrots- 1 kg<br />2)Milk 1 Ltr<br />3)Ghee 150 gms<br />4)sugar 350 gms<br />5)cashews-50 gms(chopped)<br />6)almonds-50 gms(chopped)<br />7)unsalted pistachios 50gms (slivered)<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SQXv9szdJjI/AAAAAAAAAic/rU_1xmVx4FE/s1600-h/101MSDCF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SQXv9szdJjI/AAAAAAAAAic/rU_1xmVx4FE/s400/101MSDCF.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261875582930331186" /></a><br /><br /><em>Method:</em><br /><br />--Wash and grate the carrots. <br />--In a saucepan,put about a tbsp of ghee,and then put the grated carrot into it,saute for some time and then put milk,cover and let it cook on medium-low flame ,stir every now and then so that it doesnt stick to the bottom of the saucepan!<br />--Now after the milk has been absorbed and the carrots are soft,add sugar and mix well,and let all the moisture evaporate,such that the mixture is dry.<br />--Now in another saucepan,heat the rest of the ghee,when it is warm throw in the chopped cashews and almonds,and fry them till golden brown color,then put the carrot mixture into it,mix really well,such that the carot mixture glistens because of the ghee coatedover it.<br />--Serve warm garnished with slivered pistachios!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SQX3-g6QhuI/AAAAAAAAAik/XtQe3uwNUhs/s1600-h/101MSDCF3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SQX3-g6QhuI/AAAAAAAAAik/XtQe3uwNUhs/s400/101MSDCF3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261884393010530018" /></a><br /><br /><br />Enjoy!!!!<br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-37880120581728466682008-10-26T02:30:00.001-07:002008-10-26T02:43:25.935-07:00Dosa and Takkali ki chutney<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SQQ5MxX1T7I/AAAAAAAAAhc/Pz-1z2im-C0/s1600-h/101MSDCF1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SQQ5MxX1T7I/AAAAAAAAAhc/Pz-1z2im-C0/s400/101MSDCF1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261393156250095538" /></a><br /><br />Thakkali is the Tamil word for tomato. This chutney is an accompaniment to idli and dosa.<br />Now I have seen so many variations of tomato chutney,hyderabadi style is called tamate ki chutney is made like <a href="http://hydrofoodie.blogspot.com/2007/06/tamate-ki-chutney.html">this</a><br />this one is without onion, then again there is kache tamate ki chatney,then some people like it with onion....so the list goes on...<br /><br />This particular dip is a Tamil speciality,I learnt it from my MIL,since she is visiting us, idli,dosa has become a regular breakfast at home!<br />Back in my school days,on my reports day(the day on which our report cards were handed to our parents),for getting good marks we were given a treat by mummy,so our first choice was Taj Mahal,Abids...and there,I dont remember ordering anything other than masala dosa...little did I knew that I would be eating it so regularly, I mean when I am at my in-laws place,our breakfasts are either dosa or idlis or paniyaram or uthappam or aappam,.I never knew the names of last two dishes till I got married, for me the only two south indian dishes were idli and dosa...but there is more to it,the batter is same for all ,but you can make variations,I never thought that this would be so easy,some failed attempts to make dosa before marriage made me think that making dosa is not my cup of tea!<br /><br />But see I am here making dosas,like a pro.<br />Ok so enough of my self dabba,lets start up with the ingredients for dosa<br />4 cups parboiled rice<br />1 cup Urad daal<br />1 tbsp methi seeds<br /><br />--Wash and Soak the rice,daaland methi for 4-5 hours.<br />--then grind it in grinder(too good if you have sumeet mixie),use minimal water,coz if the batter gets watery its very difficult to handle.<br />--then a tip I learnt that if yoy have some leftover steamed white rice,put about a cup of it while grinding,as this will make the dosas softit seems.<br />--After grinding it to a fine paste,leave it on counter covered for about4 hours at normal temperature or 2 hours if it is really hot,for the dosa batter to get fermented.<br />--not after it gets fermented,using a deep spoon,mix the batter well,add some salt<br />--Heat tawa(i use non stick),put about 1.5 deep spooon of batter in the centre of the tawa,and take in in circular dirctions,using the spoon,till entire tawa is covered,put some oilfrom the sides,for crispy dosa put more oil,for soft dosa use less oil,wait till the colour of the dosa changes to golden brown colour,the outer sides of the dosa will not stick to tawa,then flip the dosa....u know this needs a practical demonstration,I dont think anybody can understand with what I am writing,anyways inshallah will take and post if possible.<br />the flame should be low when spreading the batter,once the batter is spread all over the tawaincrease the flame,cook the dosa, then after cooking dosa ,befor putting another dosa sprinkle some cold water on the hot tawa and lower the flame,this willbringthe tawa temperature down ,if tawa is hotthe batter will stick in one place.<br /><br />looks like I have confused you guys a lot..<br />I like to make this because my daughters love idli/dosa,I dont have to run around the house to make them eat it,I make it with a dollop of ghee for Sameeha,and sometimes I spread sme grated carrot on the dosa for her tiffin!<br /><br />Mostly Idli/dosa are accompanied by naaryal(coconut)chutey,or potato curry everywhere,but the Tamil Nadu speciality is tomato chutney,I prefer this to the naaryal chutney,because of its tangy taste!<br />Takkali chutney<br /><br />Ingredients:<br />1)Ripe tomatoes-3<br />2)onion 1 medium<br />3)whole dried red chilli<br />4)Ginger small flake<br />5)garlic 3-4 flakes<br />6)dessicated coconut-2 tbsp<br />7)curry leaves<br />8)chana daal-1 tbsp<br />9)urad daal-1 tbsp<br />10)mustard<br />salt<br /><br />Method:<br /><br />--Heat oil in a kadhaai,throw in the mustard seeds and the daals and fry till golden brown,then put curry leaves,dried whole red chilli.<br />--Then put chopped onion,tomato,ginger,garlic,curry leaves,cilantro and fry till tomato is soft ad sqeeshy.<br />--Turn off the flame ad let it cool,after sometime,blend the mixture coarsely in a blender.<br /><br />Enjoy this with idli/dosa/paniyaaram!<br /><br /><a href="http://">Yasmeen of Healthnut </a>has awarded me with the chocoholic award,Thank you so much Yasmeen!<br />I love chocolate,especially the crunchy ones like kitkat and crunch,I will let you in a secret,back when I was a kid,my eldest brother once sent us a bag full of goodies hershey's kisses,MnMs,snickers...which were divided equally between all of us,my sister and brothers kept it safely hidden from me,and had it once in a while, but within a couple of weeks I finished my share,and like sherlok holmes found out each ad every person's share of goodies and finished all of theirs:), but after some days when confronted by my brothers ad sister in front of my mom,I was cornered!<br />To protect me I had the most the powerful weapon....tears!Shedding few tears spared me,though Baji and bhayya were cross at me for almost a week:)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SQQ5MIdS-TI/AAAAAAAAAhU/jvUFWfFAdb8/s1600-h/chocoholic1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 192px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SQQ5MIdS-TI/AAAAAAAAAhU/jvUFWfFAdb8/s400/chocoholic1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261393145267157298" /></a><br /><br /><br />Thanx Yasmeen once again for the award!<br /><br /><br />I would like to give this award to <a href="http://kitchenflavours.blogspot.com/">Lubna</a><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."/></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-26623442909951976122008-10-11T02:30:00.000-07:002008-10-18T14:43:48.053-07:00Qubaani ka meethaQubani ka meetha is a traditional Hyderabadi dessert made from dried apricots! The dried apricots are soaked,deseeded and then cooked along with sugar to form an amber coloured saucy syrup.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SPZG519lRyI/AAAAAAAAAek/qX_LMF09AGc/s1600-h/qubanipic.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257467574553495330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SPZG519lRyI/AAAAAAAAAek/qX_LMF09AGc/s400/qubanipic.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This dessert is the most popular one in hyderabadi weddings! Qubani ka meetha is served with a topping of thick cream,generally I have seen some variations in the toppings,you can put custard or thick cream or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream!You can also put the apricot kernels in it to make the dessert nutty!In my recipe,when I was deseeding the soaked apricots and breaking the shells to take out almonds,Sameeha was sitting on the counter and watching the whole procedure,she got really excited to see tiny almonds coming out of the apricots, and was popping in the almonds as i deseeded each of 'em, so I chopped the regular almond & mixed it with the dessert.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SPZIPHwYskI/AAAAAAAAAes/DNsFfJkbs7A/s1600-h/qubain2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257469039618863682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SPZIPHwYskI/AAAAAAAAAes/DNsFfJkbs7A/s400/qubain2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The preparation is too simple,the result is too good and rich. I tell you, dont eat this in a hurry,take your time and let your taste buds tickle with each mouthful of this nutty dessert! A perfect end for a sumptuous hyderabadi meal of Biryani and mirchiyon ka saalan.<br /><br />As far as I remember,mom used to put qubani:sugar in the ratio of 1:1,i.e the weight of qubaani before soaking and deseeding it,I saw in the recipes online,very less quantity of sugar relatively,so you can adjust according to your taste ,because generally qubaani is little bit sour,so the sugar content will mask the sourness of the apricot,so you can go either way.I used 1:1 method.<br /><br />I<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">ngredients:<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></span></span><br />Qubani/apricot-300 gms<br />sugar-300gms<br />thick cream for the topping<br />chopped almonds,for extra nutty dessert<br />food color(optional)<br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Method:<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></span></span><br />--Soak the qubaani overnight in water or at least for 4 hours.<br />--After getting soaked qubani will swell double its size,deseed and keep the seeds aside.<br />--Now take about 2 glasses of water and boil the deseeded apricot till it is soft andd mushy.When it is mushy press the mushy apricot with the back of the spoon to the walls of the saucepan,when the consistancy has reached the semi liquid state,add sugar,mix well and if you want a darker colour you can add food colour.<br />--Let it cook on low heat,meanwhile break the seeds that you deseeded from apricot to get a tiny heart shaped almond from it!<br />--Put the almonds in the qubani mixture,if for some reason(my reason,Sameha ate all:D) you fail to get apricot almonds deseeded,you can chop regular almonds and stir in the apricot mixture.<br />--When the desired consistency is reached,remove from heat and serve at room temperature or chilled, Spread thick cream on the qubani ka meetha generously.<br />--Close your eyes and enjoy each mouthfull.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm<br /><a href="http://kitchenflavours.blogspot.com/">Lubna of Yummy food </a>has honoured my blog with an award,my first award....thank you so much Lubna<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SPpGJk4dQ4I/AAAAAAAAAe8/TFLnJ8nH_7c/s1600-h/butterfly_award_jpg.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SPpGJk4dQ4I/AAAAAAAAAe8/TFLnJ8nH_7c/s400/butterfly_award_jpg.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258592645241717634" /></a><br />The rules of the award are:<br /><br />Put the logo on your blog.<br />Add a link to the person who awarded you.<br />Nominate other blogs<br />Add links to those blogs on yours, and leave a message for your nominees on their blogs. <br />I would like to nominate <a href="zaiqa.net">Mona</a>,<a href="http://yasmeen-healthnut.blogspot.com/">Yasmeen</a>,<a href="http://anjumsrasoi.blogspot.com/">Anjum</a>,<a href="http://armisblog.blogspot.com">Armina</a>. congratulation to all!<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." height="16" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" width="234" border="0" /></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-85908629617299006632008-10-07T14:15:00.000-07:002008-10-09T02:53:26.481-07:00mutton rogan gosht- the sequel<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SO23Eg1gj8I/AAAAAAAAAdc/ntlWHntW5F0/s1600-h/rg.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255057628372963266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SO23Eg1gj8I/AAAAAAAAAdc/ntlWHntW5F0/s400/rg.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Rummaging through an old carton of books, I found a really good cook book,which I almost forgot that existed in my kitchen bookshelf,that had come handy in many situations!<br /><br />A book on mughlai cuisine!<br />Mutton roghan gosht caught my attention, I generally make it using another method,this method was completely different from my method,so I decided to give it a try,it turned out really good,and my picky eater husband loved it.So the verdict is PASS for me, coz he seldom says that something is GOOD,so when he says that its good,that means its really good!<br /><br />Ingredients:<br />Mutton-1/2 Kg<br />onion-1.5 medium(blended to pastealong with 2 green chillies)<br />green chillies-4<br />tomato 1 medium(blended)<br />tomato paste 3tbsp<br />yogurt-3/4 cup<br />ginger garlic paste 2 tsp<br />haldi-1/8 tsp<br />red chilli powder-1/2 tsp(adjust accd to ur taste)<br />salt<br />coriander powder 2tsp<br />fennel seeds powder 1tsp<br />oil<br />caraway seeds 1/2 tsp<br />cinnamon 1 inch stick<br />cardamom 2<br />ghee 1 tsp<br />garam masala 1 tsp<br />cumin powder 1/2 tsp<br />cashews 1/2 cup<br />almonds 1/8 cup<br />cashews and almond grounded togeather with the help of little water to form a paste like consistancy.<br /><br />P.S: As you can see that I have used both tomato paste and tomato,because the recipe called for tomatoes, I am using tomato paste for the deep red color that is imparted to the gravy,and the tomato simply for the presence of a fresh tomato in my gravy:) (i know very stupid of me!), and one more point, the recipe does not call for blended onion and tomato,it just needs to be chopped, but my husband hates even when a single string of sliced onion is found in his plate,so I blended the onion.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SO23EoXPZDI/AAAAAAAAAdk/zIagmu6VfXo/s1600-h/rg1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255057630393492530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SO23EoXPZDI/AAAAAAAAAdk/zIagmu6VfXo/s400/rg1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Method:<br />--peel.chop and blend onion with 2 green chillies in a blender,keep aside.<br />--chop tomato and blend it in blender and keep aside.<br />--grind the cashews and almonds togeather with about 1/4th cup of water,to form a smooth paste.<br />-- In a bowl whip the yogurt.<br />--In a pressure cooker,put oil and ghee,and put it on flame,when it is hot,put caraway seeds,cinnamon and cardamom,then put half of the ginger garlic paste in oil(i.e 1 tsp),fry for some time,then put the onion green chillies paste, and fry till the paste is not watery ,put a thick paste,then add the remaining ginger garlic paste,salt,haldi,red chilli powder,garam masala,fennel seed powder,coriander powder,cumin powder.<br />--Fry for some time,then put tomato paste as well as the blended tomato,fry for about 5 minutes,then add the cashew,almond paste,fry it till the oil oozes from the sides.<br />--Then add the whipped yogurt,mix well add, little water if required...I dont think that will be needed.<br />--Shut the lid, and cook till the meat is tender.<br />--If you find it less spicy,after cooking then what you can do is finely chop a green chilli,mix it in the gravy well and put little water and let the gravy simmer for about 3-4 mins.<br />Garnish with cilantro<br />Serve Hot with naan, I made the kawan's frozen parathas available in any indian grocery store.<br />P.S: the rogan gosht of this recipe is better than my <a href="http://syeda-indianspices.blogspot.com/2008/01/mutton-rogan-gosht.html">old one.</a><br />Hope you like it!<br />Leaving you with some quotes from a magazine based on parenting,which I liked a lot...<br /> <br /><em>*** There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life-happiness,freedom and peace of mind - are always attained by giving them to someone else</em> --Peyton Convey March<br /><br /><em>*** You must be the change you wish to see in the world.</em> --Mahatma Gandhi<br /><br /><br /><em>***The happiest people dont have the best of everything but,make the best of <br />everything they have.</em> --Marcus Aurelius<br /><br /><em>***Stop trying to perfect your child,but keep trying to perfect your relationship with him.</em> --Dr Henker<br /><br /><em>***Parents need to fill a child'sbucket of self esteem so high that the restof the worldcant poke enough holes to drain it dry.</em> -Alvin Price<br /><br /><em>***The most important thing that parents can teach their children is how to get along without them.</em> --Frank A.Clark<br /><br />Enjoy!!<br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." height="16" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" width="234" border="0" /></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-11884788905419993952008-10-05T11:54:00.000-07:002008-10-07T06:41:32.181-07:00Atlantis - The Lost ChambersEidakom Mubarak !!!So the festive season is over ,back to normal life.It was great fun during the eid holidays ,we had an entire week off here!<div>So,not much cooking was done during these days,first day was a trip to Abu Dhabi to exchange eid greetings,then second day was at the Dubai Festival City where we enjoyed the new initiative by Dubai called 'Eid In Dubai' with events ranging from laser and fireworks to Barney show for kids, lots of festive discounts especially on gold and jewellery,and offcourse lots of eating of eid delicacies at the well decorated eid tents,..<br /><br /> We then had a fishy third day of Eid when we visited this new resort called ATLANTIS which opened in Dubai Palm recently after its success story in the carribean. It was quite an experience to enter through the trunk of the PALM over the ocean until we reached the tip of it, to find nothing less than this gigantic setup of Atlantis.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SOkQJKCaTzI/AAAAAAAAAao/cFkOClf1fq8/s1600-h/atlantis_the_palm31.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SOkQJKCaTzI/AAAAAAAAAao/cFkOClf1fq8/s400/atlantis_the_palm31.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253748189803728690"></a><br />The above Photo, Courtesy PhotoPumpkin..<br /><br />We then visited The Lost Chambers in it, which showcased the beautiful underwater life . Sameeha and Huda truly enjoyed every bit of it..Here is a collage made by my husband of some of our favourite pictures<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SOp2UZVqo4I/AAAAAAAAAb8/nhsu2KDwMms/s1600-h/collage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SOp2UZVqo4I/AAAAAAAAAb8/nhsu2KDwMms/s400/collage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254142008052327298"></a><br /><br />It was a visual treat,to all of us. Just come to think of it how GOD has created so MANY different species,each having its own distinct color,shape and beauty ,and how beautiful they are....the fishes had such vibrant colours,even the best fabric designers will have to come down to check out how beautiful shades and tones these fishes have and the combnation of colors that these fishes have....Subhanallah,just look at this family below, as good as ours.. Dad, Mom and Kids.. don't these Creations point to the Creator..<div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SOtihOq6-xI/AAAAAAAAAcs/K9oTEaJAqeo/s1600-h/Atlantis1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SOtihOq6-xI/AAAAAAAAAcs/K9oTEaJAqeo/s400/Atlantis1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254401713271143186" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>So all in all we enjoyed the trip,my husband being a nature lover,loved the entire trip,Huda loved watching the fishes, but for me and Sameeha the best part was when we saw the starcast of FINDING NEMO(obviously the stars in it were NEMO,MARVIN AND DORI),I was pleasantly surprised to see that NEMO really does exist. Before this I thought,it was just an animation, and also Dori.Sameeha got all excited when she saw Nemo and Dori, and was jumping up and down when she saw the real underwater diver too, who CATCHES NEMO in the movie!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the collection of pics of REAL Nemo and Dori (actually clownfish and i dont know whats the real name of Dori) with a Nemo potrait as background </div><div><div> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SOs_ZVJ_-UI/AAAAAAAAAck/eaRyGeliI54/s1600-h/collage2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SOs_ZVJ_-UI/AAAAAAAAAck/eaRyGeliI54/s400/collage2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254363094666180930" /></a><br /><br />And if you can spare 6:06 minutes, here's a video on our trip.. Enjoy!!<br /><br /></div><div></div><div><object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q8MHNvd9NAc"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q8MHNvd9NAc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0"></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0"><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img border="0" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" width="234" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" height="16" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape."></a><object id="BLOG_video-FAILED" class="BLOG_video_class" width="320" height="266" contentid="FAILED"></object></div></div></div>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-52060189141443038232008-09-28T09:26:00.000-07:002008-09-28T15:01:08.417-07:00Bakhlawa<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SN-yhQ9vpwI/AAAAAAAAAaA/EcLubAaHXkg/s1600-h/DSC02467.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251111975096657666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SN-yhQ9vpwI/AAAAAAAAAaA/EcLubAaHXkg/s400/DSC02467.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The above picture is an entry for <a href="http://jugalbandi.info/2008/08/click-september-2008-the-theme-is/">CLICK:Crust</a><br /> <br />OK, so here comes the Queen of Arabian desserts.... baklawa(or baqlawa or bakhlava)....<br /><br /><em>Baklava is a Mediterranean dessert made with Phyllo dough, nuts, butter, and sugar. After baking to perfection, a sweet syrup is immediately poured over the pieces allowing the syrup to be absorbed into the layers. </em><br /><br /> It is one of my favourite mediterranean dessert,with just the right amount of sweetness.Again this has different versions,greeks make it one way,arabs make it the other way,some use sugar syrup,and some use honey,some use vanilla and some use orange blossoms, so lets just stick to the basic bakhlawa recipe, once you master this ,you can go on and try other variations.<br /> I prefer selected bakeries for this because many bakeries put lottt of syrup making it gooey, I like it crisp.<br /> If you are somewhere near chicago,you will love the bakhlawa in a store called nusrath on Kedzie road,and right next to it,you will find an arabic restaurant,ypu will love the arabic food there.<br />Here in Dubai,its literally found in every other bakery!<br />Things to remember while baking this pastry are, to always take care of the temparature, since little high or low temperature may make it very hard or undone .<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SN_YybHID1I/AAAAAAAAAaY/XCaCcpcuVGE/s1600-h/bakhlawa.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SN_YybHID1I/AAAAAAAAAaY/XCaCcpcuVGE/s400/bakhlawa.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251154051319992146" /></a><br /><br /><em><strong>Ingredients:</strong></em><br /><em>for pastry</em>:<br /><br />1)phyllo dough sheets-1 packet<br />2)melted butter-1 cup<br />3)chopped nuts(your choice)-1.5 cup<br />4)nutmeg powder,cinnamon powder-1/4 tsp<br />5)ground pistachio for decorating<br /><br /><em>for syrup:</em><br />1)2 cups sugar<br />2)1.5 cup water<br />3)juice of 2 lemon<br /><br />--place sugar, water and lemon in a pot and let come to boil, let simmer for 10 minutes then remove from heat,and let cool completely before adding to sweet.<br />--Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.<br />--Mix nuts, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon .<br />--Butter each later of the philo dough,with the help of a brush,or if u dont have brush you can use a cotton swab to spread the butter on the philo sheets, and layer 4 sheets at a time then add nuts and repeat the layers.<br />--Cut the pastry,with a greased knife into any shape, most commonly squares or diamond shape. Place in oven and cook for 30-45 minutes or until golden brown. <br />--Drizzle the baklava while in the pan with the simple syrup and then let cool completely before serving. Top each piece with ground pistachio.<br /><br />Enjoy!!<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SN_bYmmd45I/AAAAAAAAAag/OexwEB0NLqI/s1600-h/bak3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SN_bYmmd45I/AAAAAAAAAag/OexwEB0NLqI/s400/bak3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251156906262520722" /></a><br /> <br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" />syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6067865202731149219.post-66060756056225390622008-09-27T14:39:00.000-07:002008-09-28T14:43:28.806-07:00Huda loves...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SNlpcJeD9iI/AAAAAAAAAZY/tk1_wKltKgk/s1600-h/17082008548.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__fnVRJRiKTs/SNlpcJeD9iI/AAAAAAAAAZY/tk1_wKltKgk/s400/17082008548.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249342772976285218" /></a><br />These are few things that Huda Loves:<br />--Huda loves to pull out and tear the tissues from the tissue box<br />--Huda loves to dance, even to tring tring of phone<br />--Huda loves to pluck out the olives from pizza<br />--Huda loves to hold phone near the ear and pretend to talk<br />--Huda loves shoes(genetic ,you see)<br />--Huda loves to fight with Sameeha aka Baji<br />--Huda loves when a fresh bedsheet is laid,she is the first one to climb on bed on it.<br />--Huda loves to put perfume..not coz ofscent but because of the dash of cooling sensation it generates on skin<br />--Huda loves to wave at everybody , all the passers by..anybody..*wave*<br /><br />--HUda loves to call MAMMA ,only when she is angry.<br />--Huda loves to call LULU(lelo),when I am in the kitchen.<br />--Huda loves to go downstairs to pick uo Baji from her school bus,and also loves to wave goodbye to the driver of baji's bus<br />--HUda loves to shift attention from same old mummy,to Baba as soon as he comes back from office.<br />--Huda loves to play peekaboo...Huda kahaan hai..Huda kahan hai...YAHAAAAAAAN HAI.<br />--Huda loves to show off her teeth and in doing so wrinkles up her nose.<br />--Huda loves to imitate a fish that has been removes from water(yeah she is so restless)<br />--Huda loves to drill her tiny toes on my feet ,when I am doing the dishes,believe me dont underestimate this,its really painful.<br />--Huda loves to hold her filled feeding bottle upside down,spill the milk on floor and play with it by splashing it splash splash<br />--Huda loves to follow mummy and shower her attention<br />--Mummy loves every second of her attention.<br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.pyzam.com/toys"><img alt="Pyzam Glitter Text Maker" src="http://www.pyzamstuff.com/blingfetti/f/f5/313d703582f84a62078c1ff5f8b0da.gif" border="0" /></a></p><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMTk5MDQ3NjMzMDcmcHQ9MTIxOTkwNDc4NDc1OCZwPTM5MDEmZD1mbGFzaHRveXMmbj*mZz*x.gif" width="0" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." height="16" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-re-234x16.gif" width="234" border="0" /></a>syedahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02372293726072588631noreply@blogger.com1