License to Kill

To get any sort of license, you need to prepare and then give a test.... for any field, for anything ! That is the law. But, there is an exception to this law. Really? Yes, from the day of our inception , we have a license. A license  to kill one human being... and sadly it is the "MOTHER" !

Knowingly or unknowingly, every child does it. The story starts from when a child is a mere thought for a mother. Sometimes, for some women ,it takes time to conceive and they truly night and day imagine about the non existent. The stress shortens her life... somebody, somewhere, from up above is using the license !

Once conceived, some women have hard times keeping the fetus in their bodies, due to physical or mental conditions. And if the fetus leaves her body, her life shortens. Somebody, somewhere, just used the license !

The process of delivering itself , makes a woman's body weaker and the immunity levels go down. Most of the problems, that a woman never faced in life, begin ! Life shortens. A normal delivery or a c section, risks are plenty and many and sometimes the woman has to leave this world. Life ends.

For months the beautiful baby that made a woman a mother, would not sleep in the nights... would want a feed every two hours or a diaper change three times in a row, would throw up without any reason, cry for reasons unknown... mother's stress levels are rising. Somebody is using the license !

Some children are healthy but some face problems - physical or mental or both. Stress levels go higher. Somebody is using the license!

Performer ,average performer or a non performer at school, now will decide the severity of stress. Somebody is using the license !

Child's decisions in life, like which stream to be chosen for further studies, which friends to hang out with or what and how much to surf on the internet, can also be of a great concern to a mother.

Entering the college life... teenage to adolescence issues... and nowadays, most of the kids go away to universities, far from home. A mother's heart skips a beat to see their little one taking independent steps in the world.

Marriage decisions, one of the biggest milestones in anybody's life. If one gets lucky, the mom's life increases but if not....
Jobs and everyday fluctuations..its not only the child whose mental state is affected, its the mom who is praying day and night for him/her to settle down happily.
Grand children , Health etc ... killing of "her" is a never ending process. Everyday a new battle and a new way to die ! And above all kids show their anger, depression and frustration the best to their mothers... anytime, anywhere.

The child has the LICENSE TO KILL ! Children have the first rights on their mothers and the mothers' give them this license ... everyday !

Lets take a deep breath and realize how our actions are going to hurt or make her happy. What best can we do for her. How special can we make her life... lets give her what she deserves and not what we want to give ! Lets celebrate this mother's day just as a reminder of what an incredible human being is the "Mother" !

With lots of Love to all the beautiful Moms and a bear hug to my Mummy,

Madhu

Restaurant Style: Paneer Butter Masala

Hi Guys !

We all love to eat at a restaurant... most of the times we get so much of a comfort in that delicious tasting vegetable or tandoori roti or even plain rice... but we do not know whats in there? How was it prepared... Were the chef's hands clean? Were the ingredients fresh or for that matter was the dish prepared the very same day for us? But we all know for a fact that there was loads of oil/butter or ghee in it... that is why we cannot eat it everyday ... The other day i was thinking why can i not have my favorite restaurant dish with lesser oil/butter and fresh ingredients at home? So, i decided to make one of my favorites "Paneer Butter Masala" for dinner that night. My husband actually thought that it was ordered from some restaurant and didnt believe it had such less butter in it... I still have that velvety taste in my mouth..am sure you are eager to make it for your family !

So, lets get going !

Gather Your Equipment:

A deep frying pan with a lid
Mixer/Blender

Ingredients:

4 Large Tomatoes pureed (do not add water while pureeing)

1 Large Onion cubed into large pieces
1 Clove Garlic (halved)
1 inch of Ginger (skinned and crushed)
1 Large Green Chilli (halved)

250 gms of Paneer cut into cubes or shape of you choice
4 cups of boiling water
1/2 cup of Heavy Creme
1 tblspn of Butter (unsalted)
1 tblspn of Tomato Ketchup

1 tspn Cumin seeds
1 Pinch of Asafoetida
1/2 tspn of Garam Masala
1/2 tspn of Kitchen King Masala
1/2 tspn of Turmeric Powder
1 tspn of Red Chilli Powder
1 tblspn of Coriander Powder
1/2 tspn of Sugar
Salt to taste

Green Coriander leaves and 1 tspn of creme for Garnish

Method:

•  Heat the butter in a pan. Add the Asafoetida and Cumin seeds.
• When the seeds start crackling add the Garam Masala.
• Wait for 5-10 seconds and add the Onion, Ginger and Garlic .
• Cook for about 5 minutes on medium-high flame/heat or untill the Onions start turning golden. Remember to not make the onions dark brown.

• To this, add the Tomato puree and cook for another 7-10 minutes with the lid on. Keep stirring every 2 minutes or so.

• Turn off the flame, remove the lid from the pan and let this mixture cool down.
• Transfer the mixture to the blender/mixer. (My blender allows pureeing warm items too, so i didn't have to wait for a long time to blend.)
• Blend to a smooth puree without adding any water.

• On the side boil 4 cups of water.
• Transfer the puree to the frying pan again and cook covered (while stirring every 1-2 minutes) for about 5 minutes.

• Once the water boils, add the paneer cubes and let it rest for about 2-3 minutes. Reserve a cup of water from this and set aside . Instead of boiling water on the gas i microwaved it with the paneer cubes for about 2 minutes and followed the same process of draining and reserving some water.

• To the puree now add,Turmeric, Chilli and Coriander Powder. 
• Cook for 2-3 minutes and add salt. Cook again for a minute.
• The puree might be looking a little thick now you can add some reserved wate that came from boiling of paneer and adjust the consistency according to your choice. I added about 3/4 cup.
• Now add the sugar and Kitchen King Masala. Keep stirring.
• Cover again and cook for 2 more minutes.
• Slowly add the Creme while stirring. After two minutes add the Ketchup.

• Mix well and add the paneer.
• Be gentle while mixing now because the paneer is very soft after boiling. it may break.
• Cover and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

• Garnish with a teaspoon of creme and some coriander leaves.

• Serve hot with Tandoori Rotis or Naan.

Enjoy this delicious recipe and do not forget to share it with your friends and family... because food tastes delicious only when shared !

Love
Madhu

Holi Cup Cakes

Hi Guys !

I hope you all had a very colorful and an auspicious Holi- The Festival of colors. I kept thinking for many days about what should i be making for a sweet for this day, that i could enjoy with my family and friends... and the idea of making colorful cupcakes struck me. These cup cakes can be made anytime during the year for any occasion or any theme party. The icing is optional here.The outside looks amazing and the inside just too colorful. The taste is marvelous and they literally melt in your mouth...

So, lets get started !

Gather your Equipment:

Cup Cake Tin/Moulds (i used the foil tin)
Cup Cake Liners
Sieve
2 Medium size mixing Bowls
2 Small Bowls
Measuring Cups and Spoons

Ingredients:

1 cup plain flour
2 tsp leveled, baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tin (200 grams) condensed milk
1/4th melted margarine or butter
1 tsp vanilla essence 

3 Food Colors of your choice

Preparing to start:

Line the cup cake tin with liners and keep on a side.

Method:

1. Sieve the flour, baking powder and baking soda together in a bowl.
2. Mix the condensed milk, melted margarine, vanilla essence and 1/2 teacup of water in a seperate bowl.
3. Now mix the sieved dry ingredients with the liquid mix.
4. Divide this mixture into 3 parts.
5. In each part, add the 3-4 drops of desired color.
6. Put 1 teaspoon of each mixture in each cupcake mould, one above the other.
7. Bake in preheated oven at 370°F for 20-25 minutes. 

 Cool the cup cakes. 

Colorful, Moist, almost melting in the mouth !!!

Icing is totally optional !!!

 
I hope, your family will be very excited when they get to see the colorful surprise inside these cupcakes and will love the taste of it ! Do not forget to share these with your friends too... because food tastes delicious only when shared ! 

Love 
Madhu  

 

Traffic Lights : Stuffed & Baked !

Hi Guys !!!

It is a great idea to include foods of various natural colors in our diet everyday. Each different color fruit and vegetables contains unique health components that are essential to our health.

For example, Red Fruits and Vegetables contain nutrients that reduce the risk of prostate cancer, lower blood pressure, reduce tumor growth and LDL cholesterol levels, scavenge harmful free-radicals, and support join tissue in arthritis cases.

Orange and Yellow Fruits and Vegetables contain nutrients that reduce age-related macula degeneration and the risk of prostate cancer, lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, promote collagen formation and healthy joints, fight harmful free radicals, encourage alkaline balance, and work with magnesium and calcium to build healthy bones. 

Greens contain nutrients that reduce cancer risks, lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels, normalize digestion time, support retinal health and vision, fight harmful free-radicals, and boost immune system activity.

 

So, with all this information around me I thought why not cook something that can give all the nutrients to my family at once. I created my recipe with these Traffic Lights... Red, Yellow and Green Bell Peppers !The usage of oil is very minimum in this recipe and is very easy to make.

 

 

So, lets get started !

Gather Your Equipment:

A baking Pan/Dish

Mixing Bowl

Stove Pan

Ingredients:

Assortment of Bell Peppers (3 in quantity, seeded and cut into quarters)

Potatoes (boiled, peeled and mashed)

1 cup of Boiled Peas

1 small Onion (finely chopped)

2 cloves Garlic

An inch of Ginger

1 pinch of Asafoetida

1 teaspoon of Cumin seeds

2 teaspoons of Coriander powder

1 teaspoon of Chilli powder (adjust accrdng to taste)

1 teaspoon of Lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon of Sugar

2 teaspoons of Cumin powder

Salt to taste

Cooking Spray (optional)

1 tablespoon of oil

 

 

 

Preparing to start:

 

Grease the baking pan/dish with cooking spray or just by apply oil all around.

Method:

•  Heat Oil in a Pan and add the Asafoetida when hot. Add the Cumin seeds and let them crackle.
• Add the Onions, Ginger and Garlic. Saute till gold in color. 
• Add the peas and fry for a minute.
• Add rest of the spices, salt and sugar. Fry for another minute or so. 
• Add the potatoes and lemon juice. Mix well and turn off the heat.

• While the stuffing mixture cools down spray or apply little oil on the insides as well as outsides of the bell peppers and sprinkle very little salt on all of them. 
• Preheat the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Once the mixture has cooled down start stuffing the bell peppers with the help of a spoon, pressing the mixture tightly on the bottom as well as sides.
• Lay them on the prepared baking dish and spray some more oil on the top or just put a drop of oil on each pepper.
• Put the dish in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes.

• Serve with any sort of bread that you like or as a side dish to rice.

I hope, you will love making this nutritious dish soon! But do not forget to share it with your friends and family... because food tastes delicious only when shared !

Love
Madhu

Dessert for Breakfast? Parmesan Chocolate Croissants !

Hi Guys !!!

Me, my parents and parents in law and my siblings... we all love sweets... We could be called a family with sweet tooth... correction...sweet dentures !!!

Desserts carry a lot of calories and can be unhealthy enough when consumed regularly. So, while experimenting few days ago for a low cal dessert and something which is not very sweet (my husband and my daughter do not love anything that is too sweet), i created these Croissants which can be good for anytime of the day... breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Lets get started then.

Gather your Equipment:

A baking Tray
A Bowl for kneading the dough

Ingredients:

1 Crescent Roll (I used the Pillsbury brand)
Or You can make Pizza Dough
3-4 Drops of Green food coloring
1/2 Cup of semi sweet Chocolate morsels
1/2 Cup of powdered Parmesan cheese


Preparing to start:

Let the Crescent Roll be refrigerated until final use. Spray the baking tray with cooking spray or grease with oil. Gather your other ingredients.

Method:

1. Open the crescent roll ,ad the food color and knead it for a minute or so to make it a little pliable. You may want to put some oil or butter on your hands to make it easier to work with this sticky roll. Remember the food color will only give you some soft streaks on the dough and not change the entire color of the dough.
2. Divide the dough into 10 equal parts and make them into balls.
3. Flatten each ball enough to fill with the stuffing and close it again like a ball.
4. Fill each with a teaspoon of parmesan cheese and 8-10 chocolate morsels (approximately a teaspoon of shredded chocolate).

1. Close them like dumplings and flatten a little with the help of your palm.
2. Put the prepared balls in the refrigerator while your oven preheats at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Arrange the Croissants on the prepared baking tray and bake for about 25 minutes or untill they become golden brown. Do keep an eye on them.

Remove from the oven and let them cool.

I hope, your home would be soon filled with the aroma of these Chocolate Parmesan Croissants ... and you would feel like in a French Patisserie ! But do not forget to share this delicacy with your friends and family... because food tastes delicious only when shared !

Love
Madhu

Pizza Pinwheels : A mouthwatering Appetizer

Hi Guys !

Pizza Pinwheels are a great appetizer for any occasion, be it a birthday party, kitty party or cocktail party. They taste the best when served warm. Very easy to prepare and are gone before you know.
This dish is sure to call for not only a 'once more' but 'many more' !

I made them last night and the aroma of it filled not only my home but the whole floor right upto the elevators. So, lets get started with this delicious appetizer !

Gather your Equipment:

A Rolling Pin
A Rolling Board ( I used the chopping board )
A sharp Knife
A baking Tray
A mixing Bowl
A Shredder
A Spatula

Ingredients:

1 Crescent Roll (I used the Pillsbury brand)
Or You can make Pizza Dough
1 Cup of shredded Paneer
1 1/2 Cups of assorted vegetables finely chopped ( I used Red, Yellow & Green Bell Peppers and Onions)
2 Teaspoons of Soy Sauce
1 Tablespoon of Tomato Ketchup
1 Teaspoon of Red Chilli Sauce
Salt to Taste

Preparing to start:

Let the Crescent Roll be refrigerated until final use. Spray the baking tray with cooking spray or grease with oil. Gather your other ingredients.


Method:

1. Mix the shredded Paneer, chopped Vegetables, all the Sauces and Salt. Keep this aside.

2. Open the Crescent roll and lay it over the Rolling Board or on a clean surface. Join the perforations on the roll and with a light hand use a rolling pin to make the dough even. Remember, you don't have to roll it but just make it even.

3. Spread the Paneer mixture evenly on the roll leaving the sides.

4. Start rolling to form a cylinder.

5. The dough would have got a little sticky by now and difficult to work with. Put the roll in the freezer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes just flip the roll and freeze for another 10 minutes for even texture.

6. In the meanwhile, preheat the oven on 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit .

7. Remove one roll at a time from the freezer (i.e., if you have more than one) and lay it on the board, away from the oven and cut into wheels of a about a quarter inch width. Lay the rolls on on the prepared baking tray.

8. Bake for about 18-20 minutes and you will see them turning golden brown. Do keep an eye on them. If you like the texture to be crispier you can increase the temperature for last 2 minutes and then shut the oven completely. Let them sit in the oven for another 2 minutes and then remove. Let them cool.

9. Remove with the help of a Spatula and serve them warm to your loved ones.


I hope, you would be soon making these mouthwatering Pinwheels and do not forget to share with your friends and family... beacause food tastes delicious only when shared !

Love
Madhu

Rava Dosa : A very pretty Dosa

Hi Guys !!!

I always thought of making this but the idea of it scared me...what if it doesn't look and taste the way it should... what if i dont get that crispy net all over... or what if i burn my hands... i may not have the right equipment to make it... so finally yesterday i gave into my fears and jumped into trying it.  And believe it... it turned out that even I can make such pretty rava dosas... So, if someone like me can do it, you can do it too ... lets get started !

Gather your Equipment:

A non stick Tava/ Griddle/Wide pan
A piece of cloth (maybe a small handkerchief or a thick paper towel)
A deep laddle/spoon
A wooden spatula

Ingredients:

1 cup of Sooji/ Semolina flour (i used the coarse version)
1/4th cup Rice Flour
1/4th cup Plain Flour
1 teaspoon of Cumin Seeds
Salt as per the taste (i added a little lesser than a  teaspoon)
2 cups of water

1/2 Cup of finely chopped corriander
1 teaspoon of finely chopped green chillies

Oil for cooking

Preparing to start:

Mix the Flours, Cumin seeds and salt. Slowly add water to this mixture and bring it to a consistency of buttermilk. The batter should be very runny so you would require to use all the 2 cups of water . Set this aside for 30 minutes.

When you are ready to make your Dosas, put the Tawa/Pan on high flame.  While the pan gets ready add the corriander and chillies to you batter and give it a good stir .

To check if your Pan is ready sprinkle some water on it and it should make a sizzle. If it doesnt you have to wait and let it get further heated. Check again and once the water sizzles you know you are ready to go for it. Pour about 2 teaspoons of oil on it. Wet the piece of cloth or the paper towel and just go over the pan in order to cover it with the oil evenly.

Method:

1. Stir the batter (the flour may settle down very quickly and thats why it is imporatnt to give it a stir every time you use it), fill up the deep laddle with it and pour the mixture in the pan starting from sides (remember this is not like the regular dosa where your laddle will go over and create a circle- your laddle should not touch the pan) and come to the center basically covering the circumference you want (i covered the whole pan). You may have to fill up your laddle again for the same dosa. Remember, do not go over the area where you have already poured the batter. You will see beautiful net formed, as you pour the batter and it sizzles.

2. Add a tablespoon of oil on the sides of the dosa and some  drops all over.Your gas flame should be on high all the time.

3. After about two minutes you will see the edges of the dos turning a little brown, slowly put you spatula under it and chekc for color on the other side. It should be golden brown. Flip the dosa and cook for another minute. Remove from heat and serve hot with coconut chutney .

Its very easy to make these dosas and they taste delicious. I hope you will enjoy making these soon. Do not forget to share these dosas with your friends and family... beacuse food tastes delicious only when shared !

Love
Madhu