Sameeha ...off to school

Sameeha will be going to school from tomorrow, just today we went and finalised, got her uniform and books, Sameeha is all excited about going to school and meeting her CHEECHER.

I wonder why kids these days are so happy to goto school,I was told back when I went to school for the first time, I cried and cried and cried,maybe kids are more adventurous now.
So for the first day tomorrow,parents are asked to accompany the child, so no worries, this is the first time that I will be leaving her alone without anyone I know, I dont know how she willbehave in school,will she ne shy or active or a cry baby? hmmm lets see...just thinking how fast time has passed, I still remember loitering around my school corridors and playground, now my daughter will be doing the same!

Sameeha's school uniform--check
Sameeha's books---check
Sameeha's bag--check
tiffin box---check

everything is ready,but,I am nervous.
her uniform is really cute, ill post her pic in her uniform.

Leftovers.......

Food and drink are great bounties of Allah Ta`ala. Every grain of food and every drop of water or any halaal drink must be greatly appreciated. Wasting is the way of shaitaan. Allah Ta`ala says: "Indeed those who waste are the brothers of shaitaan. Verily shaitaan was most ungrateful to his Rabb" (S:17,V: 27). We have been especially warned against wasting food and drink. The Quraan-ul- Kareem proclaims: "Eat and drink and do not waste, verily Allah does not love those who waste." (S:7, V:31)

GROSS INGRATITUDE
Delibrately wasting even a little food is an act of gross ingratitude. Ingratitude draws down the wrath of Allah Ta`ala, as is clearly mentioned in the Quraan: "If you are grateful I will grant you increase (in your bounties) and if your are ungrateful then verily my punishment is very severe." (S: 14, V: 7)

UTENSIL SEEKS FORGIVENESS
In the beautiful Deen of Islam (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that after eating he would lick the
utensil clean with his finger and not leave behind even a tiny speck of food and drink. He would even lick his fingers clean of any food particles. He ordered his followers to also do the same, as has been mentioned in many Ahadith. In fact, great virtues have been mentioned for this. In a narration of Tirmizi it has been mentioned that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "The one who eats in a plate, then licks it clean (with his finger), the utensil seeks forgiveness for him." In another narration it is mentioned that the utensil prays for him in the words: " May Allah free you from the fire as you have freed me from shaitaan (by not leaving any food behind for shaitaan)" (Mishkaat)., true manners and etiquettes have been taught. Among these etiquettes is to appreciate every ni'mat (bounty) of Allah Ta'ala. This includes every grain of food and every drop of water. Hence, it was the practice of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that after eating he would lick the utensil clean with his finger and not leave behind even a tiny speck of food and drink. He would even lick his fingers clean of any food particles. He ordered his followers to also do the same, as has been mentioned in many Ahadith. In fact, great virtues have been mentioned for this.

In a narration of Tirmizi it has been mentioned that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "The one who eats in a plate, then licks it clean (with his finger), the utensil seeks forgiveness for him." In another narration it is mentioned that the utensil prays for him in the words: " May Allah free you from the fire as you have freed me from shaitaan (by not leaving any food behind for shaitaan)" (Mishkaat).

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Today was the fifth roza here in Dubai.Ramzan has brought a very busy schedule for me,and I bet to everybody,yeah I am dishing out things everyday ,but I am not able to find time for the photos,coz I usually get done a couple mins before iftar,
but nevertheless you should definitely try this out, since during ramadan,there is lot of leftover,coz you are full with all the snacks and fruits,there are lots of leftovers, like chana chaat,or any gravy or anything like this of a thick gravy kind,you can transform that leftover to a very tasty snack,I named it bread pakoda(:-D),yeah.

-- Bread Pakoda:

Ingredients:
1)Bread(depending on the amount of leftover you have)
2)leftover gravy(I used chana chaat,where the chickpeas were all mushy and soft)
3)besan-1 cup
4)chilli powder 1 tsp
5)turmeric 1/4 tsp
6)ginger garlic paste 1/2 tsp
7)salt
8)cilantro 2 tbsp
9)chopped green chillies 2nos

Method
--Mix all the ingredients from 3 to 9 and make batter using the necessary amount of water
--Take a bread slice,spread the gravy on the bread generously,cover it up with another bread,now press this,either in a sandwich maker if you have,or grill or in a waffle maker,so that the 2 breads are stuck well and gets a bit crispy,
-- now, cut diagonally so that 4 triangles are formed, now dip this triangular bread piece in the besan batter and deep fry.

do try it out! its worth trying and lemme know weather you like it

--Chicken puffs


Then day before yesterday I made this chicken from zaiqa.net, it turned out good,but again due to to excessive snacking there was a batch of leftover chicken.
The next day,thats yesterday, I made puffs using the puff pastries, and used this chicken as its filling, I tell you ,it was very good.
So puffs are ready in 10 mins,you just have to thaw the puff pastries and then fill in the leftover chicken and then seal it and coat it with beaten egg and then put it in oven, and carry on with other work,this way you are avoiding the wastage of food, and also adding variety to your menu without having to waste much of your time.


Enjoy!

Dill fritters

Come Ramadan and we think of Iftaar, the yummy delicacies that are made especially for this month,but every house has it's must-have dish for ramadan, though the ramadan spirit is similar throughout,but the foods differ.
Back in Hyderabad,haleem was the food of the season, haleem was(still is) made at houses for iftaar party,or in hotels in a huuuuuuuge pot, one single person could not hold that big spoon to stir,then dahi vada,pakoda and boiled chana dal seasoned with lemon pepper and salt and cilantro, were the must haves everyday and of course dates!
Then in TN, a very nutritious porridge is a must have, along with crispy onion samosas.
And here in Dubai, Harees is a must,must-have. How is harees different from haleem?
that was the same doubt I got when I first heard of Harees.
Haleem is a spicier version,and harees is not spicy. If your taste buds are on the spicier side then you will find harees bland.

But due to easy availability of harees here during ramadan, I get Harees from take away ,and then alter it by giving a spicy tadka to it,so that harees is transformed to haleem:D, so much for these spoiled taste buds!

Ok, so inshallah when I make these ramadan specialities will definitely post,
but for now, one of my favourite,dill fritters(soya pakoda),if for some reason you cannot find dill, then you can replace it by chopped curry leaves.

I learnt this from my aunt,back in hyderabad, who is a very good cook.
I generally enjoy it all by itself,but my husband dear likes to dip it in a dash of tomato ketchup.
I find it easy to make and very tasty.So, here we go

Ingredients:
Urad daal-1/3 cup
Moong daal -1/3 cup
chana dal-1/3 cup
onion finely chopped-1 medium
cilantro chopped-1/2 cup
dill(soya)-1/2-1 cup chopped(depending on how much it's flavor you want)
ginger garlic paste-1/2 tsp
green chillies-3 chopped
turmeric
red chilli powder
salt
baking soda 1/2 tsp
oil for deep frying.

Method:
--Soak the dals for 2-3 hours after washing them.
--Grind the dals coarsely,so that the ground mixture is not a paste ,but semi ground.
--Put in the rest of the ingredients, and mix well.
--Heat oil in kadhaai or frying pan,when its hot lower the flame(lowering of flame later makes the inner part of the fritter get cooked well) and spoon in the batter .
--After spooning in the batter wait for about 30-50 secs and then turn the fritter, and fry till it gets golden .
--Take it out on a paper towel so that it absorbs the excess oil.
--Enjoy the fritters with tomato sauce.

Ramadan Kareem

Ramadan is only a couple days away. As this holy month approaches,its time that we know what is the fazeelath of this holy month.
Some quotations from the holy book 'Quran' about ramadan are,

Surah-e-Al-BAQARAH (verses 183, 184, 185) :

183. O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - see V.2:2).
184. [Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days.
And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor person) (or every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.
185. The month of Ramadân in which was revealed the Qur'ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).
So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadân i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month,
and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days.
Allâh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you.
(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allâh
[i.e. to say Takbîr (Allâhu-Akbar; Allâh is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadân and Shawwâl] for having guided you
so that you may be grateful to Him.

Tafseer:
“O You who have attained to faith! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained
for those before you, so that you might remain conscious of God:[fasting] during
a certain number of days. But whoever of you is ill, or on a journey, [shall
fast insted for the same ]number of days; and [in such cases] it is incumbent
upon those who can afford it to make sacrifice by feeding a needy person.And
whoever does more good than he is bound to do does good unto himself thereby;
for to fast is to do good unto yourself- if you but knew it.It was the month of Ramadan in which the Quran was was [first] bestowed fromon
high as a guidance unto man and a self-evident proof of that guidance, and asthe
standard by which to discern the true from the false. Hence, whoever of youlives
to see this month shall fast through it; but he that is ill, or on
ajourney,[shall fats instead for the same] number of other days. GOD willsthat
you shall have ease, and does not will you to suffer hardship; but [hedesires]
that you complete the number [of days required], and that you extol GODfor His
having guided you aright, and that you render your thanks [unto Him].”

Salman, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports, "On the last day of Shaban Rasulullah (PBUH) addressed us and said, 'O people there comes over you now a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night more greater in virtue than a thousand months. It is a month in which Allah has made Fasting compulsory by day. And has made sunnah the Taraweeh by night. Whosoever intends drawing near to Allah by performing any virtuous deed, for such person shall be the reward like the one who had performed a fardh in any other time. And whoever performs a fardh, shall be blessed with the reward of seventy faraa-idh in any other time.

This is indeed the month of patience, and the reward for true patience is Jannah ( paradise. It is the month of sympathy with one's fellowmen. It is the month wherein a true believer's rizq is increased. Whosoever feeds another who fasted, in order to break the fast at sunset, for the feeder there shall be forgiveness of sins and emancipation from the fire of Jahannam (hell}, and for such feeder shall be the same reward as the one who Fasted (who he fed) without that persons reward being decreased in the least."

Thereupon we said, "O messenger of Allah, not all of us possess the means whereby we can give a fasting person to break his fast." Rasulullah replied, "Allah grants the same reward to the one who gives a fasting person to break the fast a mere date, or a drink of water, or a sip of milk."

"This is a month, the first of which brings Allah's mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of Jahan-nam."

"Whosoever lessens the burden of his servants (bonds-men) in this month, Allah will forgive him and free him from the fire of Jahannam."

"And in this month four things you should continue to perform in great number, two of which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot do. Those which shall be to please your Lord, are that you should in great quantity bear witness that there is no deity to worship except Allah (i.e. recite the Kalimah Tayyibah Laa llaaha illallaah) and make much Istighfaar beg Allah's forgiveness with Astagirfirul-laah)." And as for those without which you cannot do, you should beg of Allah, entrance into paradise and ask refuge in Him from Jahannam."

"And whoever gave a person who fasted water to drink, Allah shall grant that giver to drink from My fountain, such a drink where after that person shall never again feel thirsty until he enters Jannah."


----From Faza'il-e-A'maal

So inshallah lets make the most of this month and pray for our magfirath, and nek hidaayath

Allahafiz

Gulab Jamun

Gulab Jamun is one dessert that I love...this was also my sister's favourite,this ones for you Baji......

Generally,its a lengthy process to prepare gulab jamun from scratch,but due to the ready mixes,nobody cares to make it with the original painstaking long method,
but the difference in taste between the two is quite prominent.

Now,this method that I learnt....is very very easy and very close to the original taste....my mother in law taught this to me...thanx a ton MIL...the results were superb...and everybody loved it.
Back in TN,in my in laws place,I also tried out the original method using khoya etc...but the thing is,I liked this taste better than that, and the ingredients were at hand too...no need to go out for any exceptional ingredient like khoya, because here in dubai ,generally we have the milk powder (nido) at hand always...so,lets get started

Ingredients:
milk powder(I used Nido) 1 cup(standard sizes)
egg white from 1 egg
ghee 1 tsp
milk as required
1.5cup sugar(2 if you want really sweet)
water 1.5 cup(sugar:water ratio should be 1:1)
cardamom 2 pods
oil for deep frying

Method:
--> Mix togeather milk powder,eggwhite,ghee, using milk knead the mixture into dough,be careful do not put lot of milk,just enough to make it the consistancy of dough.
--> Leave it for 10 mins,meanwhile, in a pot, pu sugar and water and cardamom, and let it boil for around 10-15 mins,then lower the flame to sim.

-->now grease your hands with oil and make balls from the milk powder dough.
-->Heat oil in a wok, when it is hot enough lower the flame and fry the jamuns till they are golden brown.
-->Take out the jamuns and dump it in the sugar syrup(you can transfer the sugar syrup in the serving bowl,but take care that it remains warm or hot when the jamuns are being dumped into it).
--> Let it stand for at least half an hour befor serving so that the jamuns absorb the syrup.
-->Enjoy the Gulab Jamuns melting into your mouth...drooooooooooool..

hope you like it,do try it out and let me know....ras malai is on the similar lines but...a little bit different!

back in Dubai

Back in Dubai!!! The connection is back, and I am back on the blogging front!!

Had been cooking well last few days but did not find time to blog! learnt quite a lot of new stuff back in india, the must learn list includes....
gulab jaamuns, ras malai, boghur upma........
I made gulab jamun and mashallah it turned out yummilicious...and its easy...you can finish it off in a breeze,same is the case with ras malai.

I plan to bake cakes and breads and pizza soon...I had seen so many yummy recipes of cakes and breads, especially the challah bread, by nabeela of trial and error, but so stupid of me, I never wrote it down...now her blog is private...!
I made chocolate cake, and mashallah it turned out great!


Inshallah will post the recipe of gulab jamun in a couple of days
till then
MAA SALAAMA

In India now...

posting after really long time..almost 2-3 months,because we shifted to new place and then there were network problems there so no internet access there,then all of a sudden for unavoidable reasons we had to come down to India!
Its1.5 month here, today was the much awaited day for me, today Huda turned 1 alhamdulillah and I turned 25!

mashallah Huda has started walking, cant leave the front door unattended, as Huda sneaks out of the door every time she finds it open, and climb up the stairs...twice she climbed the entire steps and was sitting on the terrace making noise, we searched the entire house and finally found her on terrace! She has become very naughty!

Sameeha is enjoying her cousin s's company!
Especially today I am missing my mother a lot, for today I was treated very very special by her,now there is nothing special about today, its just another day!
missing you mummy...

I made biryani and bagaare baigan and custard.