Dates & Banana Smoothie

Are you looking for a healthy and a filling breakfast? Then here it is Dates & Banana Smoothie. Just blend it in the mixer and your on-the-go breakfast is ready. Dates are good source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, sugar and energy. These essential minerals and vitamins help in strengthening the bones, curing anaemic conditions, intestinal disorders, boosts the nervous health etc. Dates along with bananas and milk make this Smoothie a super-rich and healthy breakfast.

Here’s how to make Dates & Banana Smoothie with step by step photos…

Onion Chutney /Onion Thokku– My mom’s Version [Side dish for Idlis, Dosas etc]

Today in Priya’s Virundhu it is a very authentic and traditional recipe of South India, none other than the Onion Chutney. But this onion chutney is a little different from the regular onion chutney. This onion chutney is my mom’s version which she learnt from my grandma. This onion chutney is commonly prepared in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu in most of the houses. This is very delicious and easy onion chutney that can be prepared in a jiffy. So try it out friends you will really like it. Check out the other chutney varieties here.

Here’s how to make Onion Chutney with step by step photos…

Hello Kitty Cake for Birthday Party/Hello Kitty Cake Recipe/How to make Hello Kitty Cake with step by step photos

Hello friends,

Last week was my little girls birthday, she loves Hello kitty so I ventured into making one for her. Though I have baked cakes, I have not done the piping of frosting before. So I tried my hands on it , my girls and all my friends liked it a lot. The cake was really a very big hit in her party. I thought of sharing with all of you so that it will come in handy for you all. Please check out how to make Vanilla Cake and Mascarpone Cheese Frosting in the respective links.

Here’s how to make Hello Kitty Cake with step by step photos…

Mascarpone Cheese Frosting & Whipped Cream Frosting for Cakes Recipes with step by step photos

There are many types of frosting or icing that is made in different ways for the cakes. I personally prefer soft, light and fluffy cream for the cakes rather than the fondants. Last week I made the Mascarpone cheese frosting for my little girl’s Hello Kitty birthday cake, which I will be posting soon. For now I am posting the mascarpone cheese frosting and whipped cream frosting which can be used on any type of cakes, cupcakes and even Tiramisu.

Here’s how to make Mascarpone Cheese Frosting and Whipped Cream Frosting with step by step photos…

Mascarpone Cheese Frosting

Paasi Paruppu Sundal Recipe/Moong Dal Sundal – Navarathri Special Sundal

Wishing all my lovely friends and readers a very “Happy Navaratri”. Navaratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. Navaratri means nine nights, during these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakthi are worshipped. In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, a special display of dolls and figurines (Golu) in the odd numbered steps (padis) will be held in the houses and temples. This year Navaratri is celebrated from Oct 5, 2013 to Oct 13, 2013. All these nine nights special poojas are performed and neivedhyams like sundals and payasams are offered to the Goddess and distributed as prasad to all the family members and to the guests visiingt our house.  Today being the first day of Navaratri, I am sharing a very simple, quick and easy paasi paruppu sundal/moong dal sundal with you all. Check the other sundal varieties and payasam varieties here. Please click on Navaratri Specials  for more details about Golu and Navaratri celebrations.

Here’s how to make Paasi Paruppu/Moon Dal Sundal with step by step photos…

Savoury Kugelhopf – Eggless

For this month’s IFC challenge we are exploring French cuisine chosen by Shobana. French cuisine is one of the most challenging vast cuisines of the world. In particular Alsace-Lorraine region is chosen for the challenge which inherits partly German and partly French Culture.

Alsace and Lorraine are separate regions in France’s North-Eastern corner, and share borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland. Alsatian cuisine, is based on Germanic culinary traditions, is marked by the use of pork in various forms. Traditional dishes include baeckeoffe, tarte flambee, quiche lorraine, choucroute and fleischnacka. Southern Alsace, also called the Sundgau is characterized by carpe frite that also exists in Yidish tradition. Though there are many recipes to try from this region, we were asked to pick one from Tarte Flambee, Kugelhopf and Quiche Lorriane.

I chose to make Savoury Kugelhopf, which is soft yeasted cake. Kugelhopf is usually a sweet cake made with raisins, almonds etc but this Kugelhopf is a savoury bread filled with vegetables like onions, bell pepper, tomatoes and zuchhini.

Thengai Sadam/Coconut Rice - South Indian Special

Coconut rice/Thengai sadam is a very popular, common and authentic rice variety of South India. Thengai sadam is a delectable and flavorful rice prepared with freshly grated coconut, along with red and green chillies. Thengai sadam is perfect lunch box item which can be prepared in no time in the morning rush. Not only an lunch box item it is also one of the important rice varieties prepared during Valai kappu (Baby Shower) in South India. I have already posted lemonrice, bisebelabath, curd rice, tomato rice in Valaikappu menu and will be updating with other rice varieties in my future post.

Here’s how to Coconut rice/Thengai Sadam with step by step photos…