Jun 29, 2008

Bengali Sweets from Sri Durga Sweets - Chennai


Yummy Mishti Doi...Real taste of Yoghurt...

Mishti Doi in Earthen Pot





What is inside a Kachori.?.......................See it yourself




Samosa...crispy and delicious !!!!


Sri Durga Sweets is our favourite shop for Bengal Sweets and snacks. You will get all the special sweets of Bengal. Chchaner payesh available only in weekends. Enjoy the yummy taste of gulab jamun, rosgulls, rosmalai, kala jamun, different types of pedas, mishti doi in earthen pots, samosas, kachori and other sweets & snacks.
Sri Durga Sweets
Opp Titan & Tanishq
F- block, 2 nd Avenue ( towards Chintamani )
Anna Nagar East
Chennai # 26262413
Find out here more about Mishti Doi in earthen pots.


Find out here more about Sweets of Bengal.

God's Own Country's favorite '' Puttum Kadalayum''




Visit here for more about '' Puttu''.
You need

Raw rice powder – 1cup ( Roasted - just roast it while stirring until it gives out th
characteristic roasted smell – Do not wait until it turns brown)

Salt – ½ teaspoon

Grated coconut – ½ cup

Water for mixing – ¼ cup

METHOD

Take a big flat bowl. Add raw rice powder ( roasted ) and salt. Sprinkle water and mix it with fingers. Mix it slowly so that it won't roll into small balls. Break any rice flour balls which forms during mixing. Spray water little by little. ( Please note that to mix a cup of rice flour, one may not need more than 1/5th of a cup of water) After mixing rice flour; the powder should be just wet or moistened rice powder (un- like chapatti dough or batter for dosa). Rice powder should not be dry but wet enough for steaming . Keep aside for half an hour. In Kerala we used to say ‘’ podi nanakkal for puttu”.

Fill this rice powder in Puttu maker / gadget for making puttu. This puttu maker / gadget will essentially have a sieve at the bottom. Place a 5 mm layer of grated coconut at the bottom. The filling should be in such a way that a 5 mm thick layer of grated coconut should be layered every 3 – 4 inch thickness of rice flour; while filling. Top it with liberal layer of coconut scraping. Steam it on the pressure cooker on medium flame for 5-8 minutes till a consistent stream of steam emanates from the top of puttu maker.

Important while filling: Do not apply pressure on the filling. The filling should be packed loosely inside the puttumaker. Else the puttu will come out like a missile (there will be a pressure built up beneath it and steam will not pass thru it) and will end up as a big disaster.

Tips : For those who really want to avoid coconut can go ahead without using coconut. But in return you will get only half the original taste. There is an idiom in Malayalam “ Puttinu Peera Vachathu Poele” – Meaning an indispensable decoration.

Frankly blogging I’m always buy raw rice powder.

Recipe of Kadala Curry

Black Channa / black chick pea– 1 cup ( wash and soak overnight or 6-8 hours in water , add 1 teaspoon salt and pressure cook for 25-30 minutes )

Ingredients for coconut gravy

Grated coconut – 1 cup

Red chilly powder – ¾ teaspoon

Pepper powder – ¼ teaspoon

Turmeric powder – ½ teaspoon

Make a paste of grated coconut , red chilly powder, pepper powder and turmeric powder. Add this paste in pressure cooked kadala. Add salt to taste. Cook slowly on a medium flame for 10 -15 minutes. Stir in between.

Seasoning


Cooking oil- 2teaspoon

Mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon

Small onion- 10, chopped

Dark green curry leaves – 1 springs

Heat oil in a Kadai / frying pan..Add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add , curry leaves and chopped small onions. Fry slowly for 5-8 minutes till golden brown. Add this seasoning in cooked kadala gravy. Boil again for 3-4 minutes. Serve with Puttu. Kadala curry goes well with Idiyappam, Appam and chapatti also.
Enjoy God's Own Country's Puttum - Kadalayum... :)))

Jun 28, 2008

Hot Coffee from Saravana Bhavan- Spencer plaza- Chennai




Enjoy the real Chennai  HOT COFFEE   from Saravana Bhavan....

Visit here for more delicious vegetarian dishes and sweets !!!

Jun 27, 2008

Nestle finest Swiss Milk Chocolate



NESTLÉ Milk Chocolate - NESTLÉ Superior Quality Milk Chocolate is made with real NESTLÉ milk chocolate for a rich and creamy eating experience. NESTLÉ Milk Chocolate tastes the way you expect great chocolate should taste, offering a milk chocolate alternative that the entire family can enjoy any time. Enjoy the divine taste.......:))))

Jun 26, 2008

Recipe of Cabbage polo with Onion topping ( Konkani Cuisine )





Cabbage polo is a very famous all time favorite dish in Konkani cuisine. It’s a healthy and wholesome polo and favorites of all age groups.


You need


Raw Rice – 2 cups

Onion finely chopped -1

Chopped Cabbage – 250 g

Grated coconut – 2 cups


Tamarind juice – ½ cup

Red chilly powder – 1 – ½ teaspoon

Turmeric powder – ½ teaspoon

Asafoetida / hing – ¼ teaspoon

Salt – to taste

Cooking oil- 1 teaspoon


Method

Wash and soak raw rice for 5-6 hours. Grind with grated coconut, tamarind juice, red chilly powder, turmeric powder and salt. ( if you add tamarind juice while grinding, then no need to add extra water ). Grind until the batter is fine consistency. Remove and mix with asafoetida / hing and finely chopped cabbage.


Heat Frying pan / dosa tawa. Apply little oil. Pour 1 ladleful of batter and spread it in a circle. Sprinkle chopped onions. Cover with a lid cook for 5-8 minutes on medium flame. Turn other side also. Color of cabbage polo should be in golden color with golden brown onions. Repeat for remaining batter. Instead of cabbage you can add Drumstick leaves also. Cabbage is rich in fibre and drumstick contains iron.


Alternately try with grated cheese topping instead of onions. It’ll have different taste.


Jun 25, 2008

Tulsi Tea & Tulsi Ginger Tea from ORGANIC iNDIA and say ''Yes '' to Organic








Also available  Herbal Supplements, Organic Spices, Organic Herbs & Organic foods

Visit  ORGANIC INDIA  for  more details


Store Locator in Chennai

 Foodworld, Nilgiris, Amma Nana, Fresh, Feel Good Stores, Nuts n Spices, Amethyst, Santhosh Super Stores, Simply Mmmm, & Team health shoppe


Say '' YES '' to organic....



Jun 23, 2008

Calories in Ethapazham Puzhungiyath ( Kerala special Banana )







Ethapazham is very famous in Kerala.  Steamed version is more nutritious.  It'll take only 10-15 minutes for steaming and another option is Microwave  high for 4-6 minutes.


Calorie content

Energy - 120 kcal

Protein - 1 g

Carbohydrate- 27g

Fat - 0 g

Iron -0 g



You can make different delicious dishes with Ethapazham.




1, Banana chips from raw banana .


2, Pazhampori : Slices of banana dipped in maida batter and  fry ( Banana fritters ). It's available in teashops , hotels , railway stations and  trains in Kerala.


3, Ethapazham halwa


4, Sarkarapuratti : One of the special '' item '' in Onasadya. Fried  1/4 '' pieces of raw banana  chips melt with jaggery syrup and a dash of '' chukkupodi "'.


5, Ethapazham paayasam



6, Ethakka kurukku for infants.  ( Raw banana powder for instant porridge, easily digest and nutritious )


7, Malabar style - Stuffed banana with rice flakes, peanuts, jaggery and ghee ( calorie content is 580 /  1 piece)



8, Kelya ambat in Konkani cuisine ( Sweet curry made with channa dal and jaggery )


9, Kelya phodi in Konkani cuisine ( Fried raw banana bits )


10, Ethakka bajji: Raw banana is  used to make bajji.

GRT Jewels at Anna Nagar - Chennai









GRT AT ANNA NAGAR

AND THE EUPHORIA BEGINS......


Visit
here for more jewels


GRT

Usman Road

Chennai # 24345062



GRT

Coats Road

Chennai # 23461515



Jun 22, 2008

re Store- Chennai for Organic foods..Go organic



reStore is


a not-for-profit organization in Chennai, India that works to restore wellness, livelihoods for the poor and ecological balance
a network of retail shops that promote Organic food, eco-friendly products and sustainable practices
a community of people interested in sharing restorative ideas, practices and knowledge
a way to connect consumers with the producers of their food and other articles of daily living
.


PRODUCTS 


Food: Organic, traditional and local. A commonly-felt need in Chennai is for affordable Organic food that is free of pesticides and other toxins. We are trying to make Organic food accessible and affordable to all in Chennai. In the process we strive to support local farmers and sustainable farming.


Books: Alternative social and environmental books


Household:

bags, baskets, toys, stationery, crockery and jewelry made of eco-friendly materials
Textiles: Handspun, hand-woven, natural-dyed and organic fabrics



Garden: Seeds, Saplings, Compost, Panchakavya, Tools



Health: Herbal and traditional health products



Renewable energy devices



Go Organic here  for more.....









Jun 21, 2008

Pure Ghee Sweets from Adyar Ananda Bhavan - Chennai






HOUSE OF EXCLUSIVE INDIAN SWEETS




ADYAR ANANDA BHAVAN  for Pure Ghee  Sweets & Snacks



Also available Bengali Sweets..


Adyar Ananda Bhavan

Chennai # 24469977, 42019988

Evening snack counter at Anna Nagar Branch ( 12th Main Road, Near Pizza hut). Try Sweet Boli, Coconut boli, Kuzhipaniyaram, Chole Batura,Pav Bhaji & other delicious snacks .




style one - Chennai






style one is spread over an area of 40,000 sq ft and features more than 100 renowned fashion labels.

It has been specifically designed not only to cater to one’s needs but also assist one in making their style statement and aesthetically soothe one’s senses.

Each floor is designated for specific categories and the ground floor is dedicated to men’s formal wear, first floor to men’s casual wear.


The second floor is for ladies’ western and ethnic wear along with exclusive designer wedding collection and the third floor is for infant and kids wear.

All these and more will be accompanied by the world’s renowned brands in accessories, lingerie and footwear.



Style one......It's your store... for ....Menswear, Womenswear, Kids wear, Designer sarees, Infant needs, Footwear, Travel gear, Toys......

Meet your style. Style one


Style One
# 19, 1 st Main Road
Gandhi Nagar
Adyar
Chennai # 42695222, 42695333

Jun 18, 2008

Ballyfabs- Chennai for Wonderful Jute Products



Fashion and utility take a unique blend at Bally fabs through its in-house Design Development team resulting in constantly upgrading ranges of diversified products including bags, purses, personal accessories, corporate gifts and rugs & floor coverings made from jute.

Having the backing of the best infrastructure in the industry including ISO 9001 certifications which bears testimony to the decades of striving towards quality parameters. The Kankaria group has taken another significant step towards the development of jute by launching Bally fabs-The Jute Shop.



Jute products are always pocket friendly and Eco friendly !!!! :))

Ballyfabs
F-93
Phase 2, 1 st floor, No 769
Spencer Plaza
Chennai

New outlet @ Ampa Skywalk Mall

Jun 16, 2008

Fried Chicken Sausages





You need



Chicken Sausages – 1packet

Onion- 1 , chopped

Dark green Curry leaves- 1 spring

Ginger – 1 piece , chopped

Green chillies - 2 , cut lengthwise

Garlic – 10 cloves, chopped

Salt to taste

Pepper powder – 1 teaspoon

Cooking oil- 2 teaspoon



Method


In a frying pan, heat cooking oil. Add chopped onions and garlic. Shallow fry till brown colour. Add chopped ginger, green chillies,  and curry leaves. Fry for 5 minutes. Add chicken sausages, salt and pepper powder. Stir sausages in between. Shallow fry for 10 minutes or till get brown color. Serve hot  with Whole wheat / brown bread.


Recipe of Kuzhipaniyaram ( Uditha Appo in Konkani Cuisine )









Recipe of Kuzhipaniyaram / Udidha Appo in Konkani Cuisine


You need

Non – stick Kuzhipaniyaram Kadai
Idli batter- 1 small container


Cooking oil / ghee- 3 teaspoon


Method

Heat Kuzhipaniyaram Kadai on a medium flame. Smear each mould with little oil / ghee. Pour Idli batter in each mould. Sprinkle oil / ghee . Cover with a lid. Cook for 8-10 minutes in a low flame . Cook till crisp and sides will turn golden brown. Turn the other side with the help of yellow stick.. Serve hot with coconut chutney / tomato chutney / sambar.

Find out
here the recipe of IDLI & COCONUT CHUTNEY

Jun 14, 2008

Shallow fried Nutritious Vegetable cutlet








Vegetable Cutlet




You need

Potatoes- 3, boiled and mashed

Carrot, French beans and cabbage- 1 cup, chopped thinly

Onion – I, sliced thinly

Ginger – 1 piece, thinly chopped


Curry leaves -2 springs

Turmeric powder- ½ teaspoon

Red chilly powder – 1teaspoon

Garam masala powder – 1 teaspoon

Salt – to taste

Cooking oil – 1 teaspoon



Maida paste – 1 cup ( maida mixed with water and dilute, add ½ teaspoon salt also or you can use egg white instead of maida )



Bread crumbs – 1 cup

Cooking oil for – shallow frying cutlet


Method


Microwave vegetables high for 2 minutes 30 seconds.

Heat oil in a frying pan, add thinly sliced onion. Fry till golden brown. Add curry leaves, turmeric powder, red chilly powder. Saute it slowly for 5 minutes. Add mashed potatoes , vegetables, garam masala and salt.. Mix all the ingredients together and cook for 10 minutes. Cook in a slow flame and no need to add extra water. Switch off the gas flame and cool the cutlet mixture.


Make cutlet mixture into oval/ round shaped sizes. Dip in Maida solution and roll it in bread crumbs. Shallow fry  both sides  / deep fry in oil. Serve with Tomato sauce.


Indian coffee House cutlets are very famous in Kerala. They have branches in several states of India. . Indian coffee House cutlets ( Vegetable cutlet, Beef cutlet, mutton cutlet and chicken cutlet – beef cutlet and coffee is more famous)  usually served with Tomato sauce and onion salad. Onion salad has a divine taste.. I think they may sprinkle vinegar or lemon juice. You can sit and have something for unlimited hours. or order for a cup of coffee and read your favorite novel. They sell coffee powder also. Indian coffee house follows their ‘’ own ‘’ secret recipes. So taste won’t change… Visit here to find out more…

Jun 13, 2008

Kerala Chicken Curry Made with Eastern Chicken Masala










Kerala Chicken Curry


You will need



Medium sized chicken chopped into pieces – 1kg

Eastern Chicken Masala- 5 tablespoon

Big onion slices / ( small onion 250g )- 1 tea cup

Sliced ginger- 1 tablespoon

Garlic – 10 cloves

Green chillies – 2

Curry leaves - 2 springs

Coconut oil / cooking oil – 1 tablespoon

Mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon

Salt- to taste


Preparation

Add Eastern chicken masala and salt to chopped meat, rub in and leave for ten minutes. Grind ginger, garlic and green chillies into a fine paste, and set aside.


Heat oil in a frying pan, cracke mustard and fry onion. Add ginger, garlic and green chilly paste and stir well. Add curry leaves , chicken pieces   , salt  and 3 cups of water and cook till done. Kerala chicken curry goes well with Rice, Chapati, Parota and Appam . Click here and here to find out more  Eastern food products  and recipes.

Jun 11, 2008

Home made Face Packs

Strawberry Face Pack
Ingredients
1 small cup fresh strawberries
1 small cup yoghurt
1 small cup honey
Remove leaves from the strawberries and place in blender along with honey and yoghurt. Blend until smooth. Apply on skin, let sit for 10-15 minutes. Remove with cool water and damp cloth. This pack is ideal for sensitive skins or problem skins.
Papaya Face Pack
You need
One quarter of fresh papaya
Quarter cup honey
Quarter cup yoghurt
Deseed papaya and remove the skin. In a blender, blend papaya, yoghurt and honey until smooth. Apply on clean skin for 10- 15 minutes. Remove with cool water. It helps the skin to glow.
Banana Face Pack
You need
One yellow banana
Quarter cup honey
Quarter cup yoghurt
Blend banana, yoghurt and honey in a blender until smooth. Apply on clean skin; leave for 10-15 minutes. Wash with cool water. Your skin will moisturise and it is suitable for dry skin.

Jun 8, 2008

Aromatherapy Candle in '' Uruli ''



Aromatherapy candles, pure aromatherapy candles and scented aromatherapy candles come in a variety of relaxing scentes to sooth the mind. Awaken your senses with sensational aromatherapy botanical fragrances and intriguing styles . You will find an array of aromatherapy candles including scented, unscented, floating, basic and signature candles, just to name a few. Reflect and rejuvenate with aromatherapy candles that relax your mind and body with natural essences and herbal splendor. Find out here more floating candles.

Make your Top Ramen Chicken Noodles more nutritious with Vegetables





Make your Top Ramen Chicken Noodles more Nutritious with Vegetables

You will need

Top Ramen Chicken Noodles – 2 packets

Mixed Vegetables- 2 cup ( carrot, cabbage & French beans, cut into equal size )

Scrambled egg- make it with 2 eggs ( optional )

Onion- 1 ( cut into thin slices

Garlic chopped -2 teaspoon

Cooking oil – 2 teaspoon


Method

Microwave high vegetables for 2 minute 30 seconds.

Make noodles as per the direction of the packet.

Heat cooking oil in a frying pan. Add sliced onions and fry slowly till golden colour. Add microwaved vegetables and scrambled eggs, saute it slowly for 5 minutes. Add Top Ramen Chicken noodles. Mix vegetables, scrambled eggs and noodles together. Serve hot.

Jun 7, 2008

Mutton Curry- Kerala Style




Mutton Curry ( Kerala Style )

Fresh Mutton – 250g ( washed and cleaned )

Marination

Turmeric powder- 1/ 2 teaspoon

Salt – 1 teaspoon

Ginger – Garlic paste- 2 tablespoon

Red chilly powder- 2 teaspoon

Coriander powder – 2 tablespoon

Vinegar- 1 teaspoon

Marinate mutton pieces with above ingredients for half an hour and pressure cook for 20 minutes. You will get approximately one and a half cup gravy along with the cooked mutton pieces. You can use this gravy for curry and no need to add extra water.

For Curry

You will need

Cooking oil ( if you use coconut oil curry will be more tasty ) - 1 table spoon

Onion – 3 medium size, cut into thin slices

Fresh curry leaves – 2 springs ( dark green )

Green chilly – 2 cut lengthwise

Shallow fried coconut pieces ( thengakkoth )- 4 teaspoon ( coconut pieces cut into cubes and marinate with turmeric powder and salt for half an hour and shallow fry in a pan . Colour should be in golden brown )

Pepper powder – 1teaspoon

Muttom Masala- 1 teaspoon ( 5 cloves + 4 cardamom+2 inch pieces of cinnamon- make a powder of above ingredients

Salt – to taste

Method

In a pan, heat cooking oil. Fry sliced onions till golden colour . Add fresh curry leaves, green chillies and shallow fried coconut pieces. Saute it slowly for 5 -8 minutes. Add pressure cooked mutton with gravy , pepper powder, salt and mutton masala. Cook slowly for half an hour till the gravy thickens.. It goes well with Chapati, Kerala parotta and Appam. You can find out Appam.