Almond /Badam Halva

Almond Halva /Badam Halva is one of the delicious sweet treat and I love to have it at any time of the  day. I am not a big fan of sweets but I always prefer to have this Badam Halva.

It is very easy and quick to prepare it. The taste is amazing when you do prepare at home.
The ingredients I used are almonds, sugar, boiled milk, ghee and Kesar/Saffron.
Posting this sweet dish for to note our son Rishikanth Got married to Kavitha Last week and We wish the newly wedded couple to all the best and lead Happy Life.
I also request all my friends to Wish  Rishi - Kavitha for their bright future.

Lets see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

Almonds : 1 Cup
Sugar : 1 Cup or little less
Milk : 1/2 Cup
Ghee : 2 to 3 Tbs
Milk Powder : 2 Tbs

Method :

1. Soak almonds in hot water and remove its husk.
2. Grind almonds with milk to paste consistency.

3. Add 1/2 cup of sugar to a big pan and keep the pan on the fire.

4.Put ground almond - milk mixture and milk powder.

5. Add a tbs of ghee and stir it slowly.

6. Let the flame be on slow flame.

7. Stir continuously it it starts to leave the pan.

8. Add a tbs of ghee and put off the fire.

9. Mix it nicely and put it in a serving dish.

10. Serve as You Wish.

Time : 15 to 20 minutes.
Serves : As you like it.

Note :

Adding more sugar to halva is optional. Adding more ghee is optional. Take out the halva once it starts to leave the pan. Then add a tbs of ghee. Grind it till paste to get good taste. Adding milk powder is optional.

Fresh Turmeric Milk

Turmeric milk is one of the healthy drink. It is good to have turmeric drink, since it helps to keep away the cold, cough and take care of your health in good way.

These turmeric roots are from our pot plants. Some time back/its almost a year back I have planted this plant and made use of the leaves for making Kadubu. (Traditional dish from Udupi). The new leaves grew and the plant started to dry up. I never thought so much it spreads and gives out the best roots.

Let us see some benefits of Turmeric.

Turmeric is said to be natural antibiotic and is used in our cooking. It is also used to heel the wounds as I know. It is anti inflammatory agent, good for treating arthritis, helps to decrease inflammation of joints and reduces the pain. Turmeric helps to promote the heart health. It regulates the blood pressure and reduces the heart diseases. The curcumin in turmeric boosts the brain health. It helps in to boost protein. It helps to increase the good cholesterol level in our body. Good for our skin and helps in removing dark circles.

Let us see the recipe now :
It is an easy recipe and helps to boost our health.
Use of jaggery is optional. 

Things Needed :

Turmeric Root : An Inch
Fresh Milk : 2 Cups.

Method : 

1. Boil milk and let it be hot.
2. Wash turmeric root and scratch out the outer layer. (Thin layer).

3.Grate the turmeric root and put it in 1/2 cup of hot water. Do not boil. (For 2 minutes).

4. Now add this to boiled milk and mix it well.

5. No need to sieve the milk. You can eat the last remained pieces as it is. (Optional).

6. Fresh turmeric milk is ready to drink or serve.

7. Adding jaggery is optional. (Little jaggery can be added at the end). Do not add when milk is boiling.

8. Hot Turmeric Milk is ready to serve.

Note : 

You can use organic turmeric powder instead of turmeric roots. Do not drink daily. It might heat up your body. This milk is good for cold, cough,throat pain and even fever.
Time : 10 Minutes.
Serves : 2

You can grow turmeric in pots. 

Snake Gourd - Moong Dal Curry

Snake Gourd is filled with fiberm minerals and vitamins.
Here is a yummy curry using Snake Gourd /Padavala Kai (in Kannada language).

I have used Snake gourd, moong dal, green chilly, ginger and milk.
It simple, quick, easy, delicious and very mild.
Snake gourd is known as Padwal/Chichinda in Hindi, Padavala Kai in Kannada/ Karnataka, Pudavalana in Malayalam/Kerala, Pudalankaai in Tamil/Tamil Nadu and Potlakkaya in Telugu/Andra Pradesh.

Let us see some benefits of Having Snake Gourd in our diet.

Snake Gourd is known for its medicinal values and health benefits in Ayurveda from Ancient periods.
Snake gourd supplies plenty of nutrition to our body. It is filled with water content and helps to cool our body. It is good for heart health and loaded with vitamins and minerals.
Snake gourd has very low calories and zero cholesterol. It is good for people who diet for weight loss. It is full of dietary fiber and digested easily. It is good for diabetes. Snake gourd is helps to remove the toxins from our body. Snake gourd is full of fiber and helps to prevent constipation and regulate the bowel movements. Snake gourd is rich in antioxidants. It helps to strengthen respiratory process in our body. It is good for hair, skin and hair growth.
 There is no Onion or No Garlic in this Snake Gourd Moong Dal Curry.
This simple curry is good for all age group.It is yummy, easy, quick and delicious.

 Let us see the recipe :

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Moong dal : 1/2 Cup
Snake gourd : 1 Small size
Green chilly : 2 to 3
Ginger : An inch
Methi seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
To Add :
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A pinch
Coriander leaves : 1 Tablespoon
Boiled Milk : 1/2 Cup
Besan /Channa flour : 1/2 Tsp
Lemon : 1 Tsp. (1/2 lemon).
To Season :
Mustard Seeds : 1 Tsp
Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Tsp
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Ghee : 1 Tbs
Ingh/Asafoetida : A little

Method :

1. Wash and cut Snake gourd. Remove the pulp and seeds. Cut into small pieces. Keep it aside.

2. Wash moong dal.
3. Wash and peel off the outer layer of ginger, wash again and grate it.
4. Wash curry leaves, coriander leaves cut into small pieces. Wash and slit green chilly.

5. Put snake gourd pieces, moog dal, slit green chilly, grated ginger, 1/2 tsp of methi seeds and 1/2 cup of water in a pressure cooker and cook for 5 to 6 minutes.

6. Let it cool. Take out the cooker lid, add little turmeric powder and required salt. Mix it well.

7. Add little water and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
8. Add boiled milk and 1/2 tsp of besan/channa flour and mix it nicely. Cook for 2 minutes.

9. Put off the gas and add 1/2 lemon extract, Ghee seasoned mustard seeds, jeera, ingh and curry leaves and mix it well.

10. Shift Snake Gourd - Moong Dal Curry to a serving dish and serve as one of the side dish.

Note :

Adding more chilly is optional. Adding methi seeds is optional. Use of besan is optional.
Ghee adds to the taste. Adding any spice is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Apple - Dates - Banana Milk Shake

The weather is turning hot and dry and you need to keep your body cool and calm. Having some fresh cool drinks will surely help in keeping us cool and take care of us. I have prepared Carrot Lassi in my last blog. Here we go with one more cool drink Apple - Banana - Dates Milk Shake. 

It is easy, simple and healthy drink and definitely will help all age group people. 
I have used ripe banana , soft dates and an apple. Boiled and cooled milk is added.
It is NO SUGAR NO JAGGERY RECIPE. Dates are used for sweetening the milk shake that too in a milk taste. You can use more dates and make it more sweeten milk shake.
Let us see the recipe now ;

Ingredients :

Apple : 1
Dates : 6 to 8
Ripe Banana : 1
Boiled and cooled milk : 2 glasses.

Method :

1. Wash and keep the apple in warm water for 5 minutes. Clean it with a clean towel. ( Rub well and remove the wax if any).

2. Wash it nicely and cut into small pieces and discard the seeds and hard part.
3. Take out the seeds from dates and cut it into small pieces.
4. Peel off banana skin and cut into small.
5. Place all the above ingredients / cut banana, small pieces of dates and apple pieces in a mixi jar.
6. Add a cup of milk and grind it nicely till all the ingredients turn as soft and smooth.
7. Add some more milk /a glass and churn for 1 minute.

8. Put this milk shake to a serving bowl. Mix it again and serve

9, Add some ice cubes just before serving.

Note :

Adding more dates is optional. No need to add any sugar, jaggery or honey. You can add a pinch of cinnamon powder. I have not added because it gives out strong aroma.
Time : 10 Minutes
Serves : 2.

Watch :::::

Carrot Lassi

Carrot Lassi /Butter milk helps to cool our body and take care during the summer season.
It is a good filling and energy providing drink. Carrot lassi helps to keep us fit during fasting /Maha Shivaratri Upavas and Ekadashi Upavas. It provides energy and good for people who are into diet.

Carrot Lassi is one of the healthy lassi which provides vitamin and minerals to our body.. I have used carrot, banana, honey and a tablespoon of curd. Curd helps to cool the body and adds taste .This Lasso helps the body to be cool and quench our thirst in all the seasons.

Ingredients :

Carrot : Medium size : 1
Banana : ( Small size ) : 1
Honey : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Milk : 1/2 Cup
Curd : 2 Tablespoons
Ice cubes : ( Optional).

Method :

1. Wash and scrape out the outer layer of carrot. Grate or cut into small pieces.

2. Grind the cut carrot in a mixi jar /Liquidizer with 1 glass of water. Let it churn nicely.

3. Remove the juice in a big bowl. Sieve it to another bowl.

4. Now add banana and 1/2 cup of milk and grind it again nicely. Add curd and honey and churn for 2 to 3 minutes.

5. Shift the Lassi  to serving bowl .

6.  Put Carrot Lassi to serving glasses and serve. Add ice cubes just before serving. ( Optional ).

Note : 

You can grate carrot or use a chopper to cut carrot into very small pieces. Grind it nicely with water. Adding jaggery or sugar is optional. I have added honey. 

Time : 10 Minutes.                   
                                                Watch the video to prepare carrot Lassi 

Serves : 2.