All in a day's work

Interview with a Gynaecologist.....

2009-04-30T12:34:00.001+05:30

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children are enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: How will I know if my vomiting is morning sickness or the flu?
A: If it's the flu, you'll get better.

Q: What is the most common pregnancy craving?
A: For men to be the ones who get pregnant.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: The more pregnant I get, the more often strangers smile at me. Why?
A: 'Cause you're fatter than they are.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: What's the difference between a nine-month pregnant woman and a model?
A: Nothing (if the pregnant woman's husband knows what's good for him).

Q: How long is the average woman in labor?
A: Whatever she says divided by two.

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Does pregnancy cause hemorrhoids?
A: Pregnancy causes anything you want to blame it for.

Q: What does it mean when a baby is born with teeth?
A: It means that the baby's mother may want to rethink her plans to breast feed.

Q: What is the best time to wean the baby from nursing?
A: When you see teeth marks.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

2009-04-28T13:13:00.000+05:30

Cooking Tips 3

2009-04-15T13:18:00.001+05:30

· A small piece of butter added to water prevents vegetables, macaroni or rice from boiling over.

· If the hard boiled eggs are put in cold water before slicing them, then the egg yolk doesn’t crumble into pieces.

· To keep cauliflower white, add a dash of lemon juice or vinegar to the cooking water.

· Add a teaspoon of butter to every two cups of old peas while cooking. It makes them tender and give s them a better flavor.

· Mint stalks have the same effect as the leaves for flavoring spinach, peas or new potatoes. So use them for this purpose and save the leaves for the sauce.

BESAN CHILLA

2009-03-15T21:56:00.002+05:30

(Gram flour pancakes)

INGREDIENTS :

Gramflour - 1 cup

Onions(chopped) - 2 , medium

Tomato(chopped) - 2, medium

Green chillies(chopped) - 2

Fresh coriander(chopped) - 2 tsp

Turmeric - ½ tsp

Salt to taste

Water as required

Oil for frying

METHOD :

· Make a thick paste of gram flour, salt, turmeric and water. Keep mixing for a minute, till the batter becomes smooth and fluffy.

· The batter should be of pouring consistency that is a little more fluid than a cake batter.

· Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well.

· Take a non stick tawa/frying pan and heat 2 tsp of oil. Take one big ladle of the batter and pour it on the frying pan

· Fry the pancake from both the sides (refer the picture).

· Serve hot with tomato sauce/chutney.

PAPAD PARATHA

2009-03-13T20:44:00.005+05:30

(Griddle Fried flat bread)

INGREDIENTS :

Wheat Floor 1 cup

Salt 1 tsp

Water as required

Oil

For Filling

Papad Any flavor ( as per taste)

Salt to taste

Fresh Corriander fine chopped

Red Chilli Powder 1 tsp

Cummin powder 1 tsp

METHOD :

· Mix wheat flower, salt and water . Knead in a soft dough.

· Fry / roast the papad as preferred. Once cool and crisp. Crush the papad in small pieces. (Refer picture).

· Mix fresh coriander, salt, chilli pdr and cumin pdr in the crushed papad.

· Divide the dough in even size balls. Roll out the ball in 4-5 inch flat puri shape.

· Fill in the prepared papad mixture and roll in the sides to form a ball (refer picture)

· Flatten out the balls using a rolling pin.

· Heat a flat tawa. Prepare the paratha on the tawa using oil. Cook till golden brown.

· Serve hot with chutney / pickle/ curd.

Cooking Tips

2009-03-12T20:39:00.004+05:30

# A cup of milk added to vegetable gravy thickens it, tastes good and is easy to digest.

# Add a teaspoon of corn flour to a small quantity of yoghurt and mix in hot milk. Milk will set in a shorter time, especially during winters.

# A few drops of lemon juice to the water when boiling, softens rice and improves the flavor.

# If you have forgotten to soak lentils the previous night, don’t panic. Soak them in a vacuum flask filled with steaming hot water for an hour or so.

# To make quick mashed potatoes .peel the required amount and cut into small cubes. Boil for ten minutes, drain and mash. They are ready to eat in under a quarter of an hour.

Sambar Powder

2009-03-11T18:41:00.002+05:30

INGREDIENTS :

Dry red chillies - 2 cups

Asafoetida - 1 tsp

Bengal gram(chana dal) - ¼ cup

Black peppercorns - 10

Oil - 1 tbsp

Coriander - ¾ cup

Yellow lentil(arhar/tuvar dal) - ¼ cup

Salt to taste

METHOD :

· Roast the dry red chillies in oil with a little salt.

· Roast all the other ingredients and mix with the roasted chillies.

· Powder all the ingredients and store in an air-tight jar.

GUJHIYA

2009-03-10T20:37:00.004+05:30

INGREDIENTS

Maida 1 cup

Oil 2 tbsp

Oil for Frying

(For Filling)

Khoya 200 gm

Sugar powder 150 gm

Cardamom Powder 1 tsp

Chironji 2 tsp

Kishmish 2 tbsp

Coconut Powder 1 ½ tbsp

Clarified butter/ghee 2 tsp

METHOD

Mix maida and oil together and kneed into a soft dough. Keep aside and cover with a damp muslin cloth.

Prepare the filling. Heat a table spoon of desi ghee (clarified butter) in a kadhai and add khoya. Saute till it turns light brown. Swith off gas and allow to cool completely.

Add sugar powder, elaichi powder, chironji, kishmish and mix well.

Make a paste of one table spoon maida and two tsp water. ( this is used to bind the gujhiya) Keep aside.

Divide the dough in small balls. Roll out the balls using a rolling pin in thin flat round shape. Put a spoon full of filling on the round puris and fold from sides into half to form a semi circular shape.

Apply the binding mixture on the edges and press both the edges together. Roll the edges upward so that they don’t open up (refer picture).

Heat oil in kadhai (deep frying pan). Deep fry the gujhiyas till golden brown.

Cool the guzhiyas and serve.

Tandoori Masala

2009-03-10T19:57:00.001+05:30

INGREDIENTS

Cumin - 5 tsp

Black salt - 5 tsp

Cardamoms - 15

Cinnamon - 4 sticks

Dry mango pdr - 10 tsp

Black peppercorns - 5 tsp

Cloves - 10

Mace - ½ tsp

Ginger pdr - 2 tsp

METHOD :

Finely powder all the ingredients and store in an air tight jar.

Potatoes And Peas in Gravy

2009-03-09T20:05:00.002+05:30

INGREDIENTS :

Potatoes (cut in cubes) - 4, medium sized
Green peas - 1 cup
Onions (finely chopped) - 2 , medium
Tomatoes (grind to a paste) - 2
Ginger-garlic paste - 2 tsp
Bay leaf - 1
Cumin - 1 tsp
Red chilli pdr - 1 tsp
Garam masala pdr - 1 tsp
Mustard oil - 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Fresh coriander (chopped) for garnish

METHOD :

• Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add cumin. When it starts to splutter add bay leaf and chopped onions. Sauté till onions turn golden brown in color.

• Add tomato paste. Sauté for a minute and add ginger-garlic paste .Fry till the masala leaves oil.

• Add potato cubes red chilli pdr garam masala pdr and salt to taste. Sauté for a minute.

• Add green peas. Sauté for a minute. Add sufficient water to pressure cook the veggies.

• Garnish with coriander and serve.

A Simple Salad

2009-03-07T18:43:00.002+05:30

INGREDIENTS :

Carrot - 1 , large

Radish - 1, medium

Onion - 1 .medium

Tomatoes - 2 , medium

Lemon juice - 2 tsp

Salt to taste

Fresh coriander (chopped) for garnish

METHOD :

· Grate carrot and radish.

· Cut onion and tomatoes into small cubes.

· Now mix together all the ingredients and garnish with coriander.

Aloo Same

2009-03-06T17:58:00.004+05:30

INGREDIENTS :

Potatoes (cut in cubes) - 3 , medium

Same (refer the picture) - 200 gms

Garlic - 6 cloves

Green chillies (chopped) - 2

Turmeric - ½ tsp

Fenugreek - ½ tsp

Mustard oil - 1 tbsp

Salt to taste

METHOD :

· Heat oil in a pan and add fenugreek. When it turns light brown in color, add chopped green chillies and potato cubes.

· Sauté till the potatoes turn golden in color .add chopped same turmeric and salt to taste. Mix thoroughly. Cover and cook till all the veggies are done. Sauté in between.

· Add a little water if required. Aloo same is ready to eat.

PENNE PASTA

2009-03-05T19:59:00.002+05:30

INGREDIENTS :

Penne pasta - 100 gms

Tomatoes (cut in cubes) - 2, large

Onions (cut in cubes) - 2 ,large

Green chillies (chopped) - 2

White vinegar - 1 ½ tsp

Green/red chilli sauce - 2 tsp

Tomato sauce - 2 tsp

Salt to taste

Oil - 1 tbsp

METHOD :

· Prepare penne pasta as per the instructions given on the packet.

· Heat oil in a wok. Add onions and green chillies. Sauté till onions become translucent.

· Add tomatoes and sauté for 2 minutes.

· Now add the prepared pasta. Mix thoroughly.

· Add white vinegar, green/red chilli sauce tomato sauce and salt to taste. Mix thoroughly.

· Sauté for about half a minute and penne pasta is ready to serve.

MASOOR DAL

2009-03-04T11:57:00.006+05:30

INGREDIENTS :

Lentils - 1 cup

Salt to taste

For seasoning :

Tomato(chopped) - 1 , big sized

Garlic - 8 cloves

Asafoetida - a pinch

Cumin - 1 tsp

Dry red chillies - 3

Ghee(clarified butter) 1 tbsp

METHOD :

· Soak lentils for ½ hour.

· Add half of the chopped tomatoes, 4 garlic cloves and salt to taste. Now pressure cook the lentils till they are done.

For seasoning :

· Heat ghee and add cumin. When it starts to splutter add the remaining chopped tomatoes and garlic cloves (chopped lengthwise).

· Sauté till the mixture turn light brown in color. Add dry red chillies and asafoetida. Now pour over the prepared lentils

· Garnish with fresh coriander and serve.

GAJAR KA HALWA

2009-03-03T13:20:00.003+05:30

INGREDIENTS:

Carrots (peeled and grated) - 2 kg, red & big sized

Whole Milk - 1 litre

Khoya (mawa) - 200 gms (recipe given below)

Sugar - 2 cups

Ghee - 1/4 cup

Cashew nuts - 10 (soaked in hot water and slivered)

Almonds - 10 (soaked in hot water, peeled and slivered)

Saffron ( soaked in the water) - 1 pinch

Cardamom Powder - 1/2 teaspoon

METHOD

To prepare Khoya (mawa) :

· Bring to boil, ½ liter of whole milk in a heavy bottom saucepan.

· Reduce the heat and let it simmer. Keep stirring so that milk does not stick to the base of the pan.

· As milk gets thicker stir more vigorously. The khoya is cooked when the milk is reduced to a thick, dry lump and it has stopped sizzling.

· Remove from the pan and leave it to cool. Use within fortnight.

To prepare Gajar Ka Halwa:

· Add 4 tbsp of ghee in a heavy bottom sauce pan. Add grated carrots. On medium heat mix thoroughly and sauté for 10 minutes or till the carrots turn a bright orange in color.

· Add 1 liter of milk and mix thoroughly. Let it simmer (approximately 1 hour) till all the milk is absorbed in the carrots and they start to leave oil.

· Add khoya. Cook on medium heat (approximately 15 minutes), stirring occasionally.

· Add sugar. Continue to cook and stir the carrot mixture till it dries.

· Add ghee. Cook till ghee shows separately (approximately 10 minutes), stirring constantly.

· Remove from heat when still moist.

· Garnish with saffron, cardamom powder, cashew nuts and almonds. Serve hot.

· If not serving immediately, refrigerate carrot halwa and re-heat and serve whenever desired.

ENGLISH NAMES FOR COMMON INDIAN BREADS

2009-02-28T11:58:00.008+05:30

HINDI ENGLISH

Baati Bread looking like bun cooked over ambers .

Bhature Deep fried Maida flat bread

Kulcha Baked Maida flat bread

Naan Leavened flat bread baked in clay oven.

Paratha Griddle Fried flat bread

Poori Deep fried flat puffed bread

Poori (Loochi) Deep fried Maida flat puffed bread

Roti Basic flat bread

Roti( Missi ) Multi grain basic flat bread

Roti (Makki) Corn (Maze) basic flat bread

HINDI NAMES FOR DAIRY PRODUCTS

2009-02-18T19:54:00.004+05:30

HINDI ENGLISH

Chach Churned homemade Yogurt with butter

removed

Chenna Cheese similar to small curd cheese

Dahi Homemade Yogurt/curd

Doodh Milk

Ghee Clarified butter

Khoya Reduced whole milk

Kheer Rice Pudding

Lassi Churned homemade Yogurt

Makkhan Butter

Malai Cream

Paneer Cheese similar to farmer's pot cheese

Raita Cold Yogurt Soup

HINDI NAMES FOR FRUITS

2009-02-15T21:10:00.002+05:30

ENGLISH HINDI

Apple Seb

Apricot Jardaloo

Avocado Makhanphal

Banana Kela

Cantaloupe Kharbooja

Cranberry Karonda.

Grapes Angoor

Grapefruit Chakotra

Guava Amrood

Java Plum Jamoon

Lime/Lemon Nimboo,

Mango Aam

Mulberry Shehtoot

Olives Jaitoon

Orange Santara/Narangi

Papaya Papeeta

Peach Aadoo

Pear Nashpati

Pineapple Anannas

Plum Aloo-bukhara

Pomegranate Anar

Sweet Lime Musambi/Mausami

Watermelon Tarbooz

HINDI NAMES FOR DRY FRUITS

2009-02-14T22:03:00.005+05:30

ENGLISH HINDI

Apricot dried Khubani

Cantaloupe seed Kharbooza ke beej

Charoli Chironji

Dates Khajoor

Dates Dry skin Chhuhara

Coconut Narial

Fig Anjeer

Gooseberry Amla

Peach Aadu

Peanuts Moongphali

Pine Nuts Chilgoza

Pistachio Nuts Pista

Pistachio Soft Chironji

Prunes Munakka

Raisins Kishmish

Watermelon seed Tarbooj ke beej

Walnuts Akhrot

Rose Essence Gulab-Jal

Screwpine Essence Kewra

Vetiver Essence Khas

KANJI

2009-02-13T19:51:00.004+05:30

( a fermented drink )

This is a special drink made during the winters.This drink is a specialty of the state of Uttar Pradesh. This drink gives warmth to the body.It builds immunity of the body.

In my earlier post about Kanji I have given the recipe and here is the follow up post about this drink which is now ready for consumption.

This is a drink which is made especially during HOLI, the festival of colors. It also gets the gastric juices flowing,but its taste is so unique that you either love it or hate it. i just love it....

HINDI NAMES FOR VEGETABLES

2009-02-12T21:21:00.004+05:30

ENGLISH HINDI

Aubergines /eggplant Baingan/brinjal

Bellpeppers Capsicum/Shimla mirch

Bitter Guard Karela

Cabbage Patta gobhi

Cauli flower Phool gobhi

Colocassia leaves Arvi patta

Corn Bhutta

Cottage cheese Paneer

Drumsticks Saijan/Phalli

Fenugreek leaves Methi leaves

French beans Beans

Fresh coconut Nariyal

Fresh coriander Dhania patta

Garlic Lehsun

Ginger Adrak

Green chillies Hari mirch

Green peas Matar

Lime Nimboo

Mint Pudina

Onion Pyaz

Okra Bhindi/Lady finger

Potatoes Aloo

Raw banana Kacha kela

Spinach Palak

Spring onions Hara pyaz

Sweet potatoes Shakarkand

Tomatoes Tamatar

Turnip Shalgam

Yam Jimikand/suran

Yellow pumpkin Kaddoo

If you want to know the hindi /english name for any vegetable you can ask me here...

PAV BHAJI

2009-02-11T19:20:00.005+05:30

INGREDIENTS:

Green bell peppers (finely chopped) - 2, big size

Potatoes - 4, big size

Carrots - 3 ,medium size

French beans - 100 gms

Green Peas (boiled) - 1 cup

Tomatoes (finely chopped) - 3, medium

Onions (finely chopped) - 2, medium

Pav Bhaji masala (readymade) - 4 tbsp

Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp

Garlic paste - 1 tsp

Lemon juice - 1 tbsp

Fresh coriander leaves (chopped) - 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

Dinner Rolls ("Pav") -1 pack

Salted Butter - 6-8 tbsp

Salt to taste

For Garnish

1/2 cup finely chopped onions and lemon wedges.

METHOD:

· Boil together potatoes, french beans and carrots. Now mash them roughly.

· In a large heavy bottomed flat saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter and add chopped onions. Sauté on medium heat till they turn pink.

· Add garlic paste and chopped tomatoes and sauté till the masala leaves oil.

· Add coarsely mashed potatoes, carrots and French beans and boiled peas. Sauté for 5-7 minutes.

· Add red chili powder, Pav Bhaji masala and salt to taste. Mix thoroughly.

· Add half cup of water to the vegetables. Cook on medium flame for 7-8 minutes while stirring and mashing the veggies here and there. The consistency should not be very thick. If required add little water.

· Add chopped coriander and lemon juice. Sauté till the spices start to give out a wonderful aroma.

To prepare the "Pav" or Dinner rolls:

· Slit the buns/rolls into half keeping the base intact.

· Melt butter in a flat pan and arrange all the buns on the pan. Roast both the sides of the buns on the butter.

Serve the "Pav" or rolls with the "bhaji" and a lemon slice. Garnish with chopped onions and a chunk of butter.

HINDI NAMES FOR SPICES

2009-02-10T13:23:00.007+05:30

ENGLISH HINDI

Asafoetida Heeng

Bay leaves Black cardamom

Black cumin Shahi Jeera

Black peppercorns Kali mirch

Cinnamon Dalchini

Cloves Lavang

Coriander Dhaniya

Cumin Jeera

Curry leaves Karipatta

Dry coconut Sukha nariyal/copra

Dry ginger Saunth

Dry mango powder Amchur/khatai

Dry red chilli Sukhi lal mirch

Fennel/Aniseed Saunf

Fenugreek Methi dana

Green cardamom Hari/chhoti elaichi

Honey Shahed

Mace Javitri

Molasses Gur/jaggery

Mustard Rai

Nutmeg Jaiphal

Nigella/onion seed Kalaonji/mangrail

Oregano Ajwain

Pomegranate seeds Anardana

Poppy seeds Khus-khus

Rock/Black salt Kala namak

Saffron Kesar

Sesame seeds Til

Tamarind Imli

Turmeric Haldi

Yellow mustard Peeli sarson

If you want to know the hindi name for any other spice you can ask me here....

HINDI NAMES FOR LENTILS

2009-02-08T22:04:00.008+05:30

ENGLISH HINDI

Bengal gram Chana dal

Black gram (whole) Sabut Urad dal/ Kaali dal

Black eyed beans Lobiya/Chawli

Chickpeas (brown) Kala Chana

Chickpeas (green) Cholia / Hara Chana

Chickpeas (white) Kabuli Chana

Green gram Hari Moong dal

Horse gram Kulthi

Mixed Lentils Mili-juli dal

Red Lentil Masoor dal

Red kidney beans Rajma

Split Red Lentil Masoor dal

Split Black gram Urad dal / kaali dal

Split Green gram Hari Moong dal

Yellow lentils Tuvar/Arhar dal

If you want to know the hindi name for any other lentil you can ask me here...

COOKING TIPS

2009-02-06T21:30:00.003+05:30

· To prevent eyes from watering while cutting onions, dip knife in hot water.

· Squeeze more juice from a lemon by popping it in hot water and leaving it for 15 minutes before squeezing for juice.

· Tomato soup tastes marvelous with a pinch of brown sugar added to it.

· Add a teaspoon of vinegar to the water when washing vegetables so that if there are any insects in the vegetable (especially during monsoons) they will fall out.

· Use scissors instead of a knife to cut dry fruits, for pudding. It is faster.

LEARNING....

2009-01-31T16:40:00.000+05:30

The more you learn, the more you know,

The more you know, the more you forget

The more you forget, the less you know

So... Why learn ??

STATION....

2009-01-31T16:34:00.007+05:30

A bus station is where a bus stops.

A train station is where train stops.

On my desk, I have a work station....

What more can I say.......

15 Rules That India Lives by.....

2009-01-31T16:30:00.004+05:30

1. The Other Side Law:

If my side of the road has a traffic jam, then I can start driving on the wrong side of the road and all incoming cars will be rerouted via Meerut.

2. The No Queue Rule:

If there is a queue of many people, no one will notice me sneaking into the front as long as I am looking the other way.

3. The Mind Over Matter Law:

If a red light is not working, four cars from different directions can easily pass through one another..

4. The Auto Axiom:

If I indicate which way I am going to turn my vehicle, it is an information security leak.

5. The In Spit Of Thing:

The more I lean out of my car or bus and the harder I spit, the stronger the roads become.

6. The Cinema Hall Fact:

If I get a call on my mobile phone, the film automatically goes into pause mode.

7. The Brotherhood Law:

If I want to win an argument, I need only to repeatedly suggest to the other person that I have illicit relations with his sister.

8. The Baraat/ Marriage Right:

When I'm on the road to marriage, all the roads in the city belong to me. To ME….

9. The Heart Of Things:

If I open enough buttons on my shirt, the pretty girl at the bus stop can see through my mal-formed chest into the depths of my soul.

10. The Name Game:

It is very important for the driver behind me to memorize the nicknames of my children.

11. Parking up The Wrong Tree:

When I double-park my car, the road automatically widens so that the traffic is not affected.

12. The Chill Bill Move:

When I park and block someone else's car I am giving him a chance to pause, relax, chill and take a few moments off from his rushed day.

13. The Ogling Stare:

If you don't ogle and drool at every hot Chick that passes by, you're gay.

14. The Bus Law:

If I stop my bus at the correct place near the bus stop, the city will explode and blow into 6 million pieces.

15. The VIP Rule:

There are only 3 important persons in this city – I, Me, Myself!

ALOO JHOL

2009-01-30T19:48:00.005+05:30

(Potatoes in tomato gravy)

INGREDIENTS :

Potatoes (boiled) - 4 , medium sized

Tomatoes (finely chopped) - 3 , medium sized

Cumin - 1 ½ tsp

Red chilli pdr - 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Mustard oil - 3 tsp

Fresh coriander - 1 ½ tbsp

Water - ½ liter

METHOD :

# Break the boiled potatoes in to cube sized pieces, by hand.

# Heat oil and add cumin. When it starts to crackle, add the chopped tomatoes. Sauté till the tomatoes leave oil.

# Now add the broken potato pieces and sauté for 3 minutes.

# Add red chilli pdr, salt and ½ liter of water. Bring to a boil, them let it simmer for another 5 minutes.

# Garnish with chopped coriander.

My Emotional Quotient....

2009-01-24T11:29:00.000+05:30

Your EQ is 120

You usually have it going on emotionally, but roadblocks tend to land you on your butt.

On an average day, you're quite happy, together, and content. You live your life well.

Your emotions aren't always stable, but you can go along with the ups and downs pretty well.

You tend to be motivated, energetic, focused, and level headed.

You see the world pretty rationally, and you don't tend to over dramatize things. When things are bad, you know they eventually have to get better.

What's Your EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient)?

CHAAT MASALA

2009-01-23T17:11:00.005+05:30

Although this masala powder is easily available in the market but making it fresh makes a lot of difference in the taste. The photograph has not come out well . I guess I'll have to take help of hubby dear.

INGREDIENTS :

Cumin (roasted and powdered) - 2 tbsp
Mint leaves (dried and powdered) - 1 tsp
Black salt - 1 tbsp
Dry mango pdr - 1 tbsp
Red chilli pdr - 1 tsp
Salt - 1 tsp

METHOD :

Mix all the above ingredients and store in an air- tight jar.

KHICHDI

2009-01-22T21:00:00.006+05:30

(steamed rice and lentils)

INGREDIENTS :

Rice - 1 cup

Yellow lentils (arhar/tuvar dal) - 1 cup

Turmeric – 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Water as required

For seasoning

Onion (chopped) - 1, small

Garlic (chopped) - 4 to 5 cloves

Green/red chillies - 2

Cumin - ½ tsp

Dried Methi leaves (optional) - 1 tsp

Clarified butter (ghee) - 1 tbsp

METHOD :

· Soak rice and lentil for half an hour.

· In a pressure cooker add the soaked rice, lentil, turmeric, salt and sufficient water to cook it.

For seasoning

· Heat clarified butter. Add cumin .When it starts to crackle, add chopped onions. Sauté till they turn pink.

· Add chopped garlic and green/red chillies. Sauté till light brown. Switch off gas and add dried methi leaves.

· Pour on the prepared khichdi and serve.