Saturday, April 15, 2017

Mango Milk Shake & Watermelon Juice.

Who does not like mangoes? It is always best to have fruits and veggeis during their season. They are full of vitamins and minerals. Mangoes are of different varieties and you get mangoes in all corners of India. Here is a simple recipe of Mango Milk Shake which is prepared with " Alphansa " one of the best variety mango.
Watermelon helps you to keep your body cool when the temperature raises and the day turns as hot boiling water. The body needs to have the moisture because it gets dehydrated because of the hot temperature. Try to drink more water or fresh juice so that you can stay fit and healthy.

Mango is the fruits of kings. It is already pouring plenty in the market. Though it is said that this year mango yield is less still you see loads of mangoes every where. They have made a provision that each mango growing farmer can contact the public and supply mangoes to his needs. That way it is the best idea, where farmer or buyer will not be cheated unless the crook, greedy ones. Any ways all the best to both. The buyers and sellers.
These were the first mangoes entered our house. They were bought by our son Rishikanth in the Bangalore Market place where he had a photo sessions. He went early in the morning around 5 with his friend and shot some good pictures. They went around the market near by and took some pics also. In the mean while he has bought some mangoes( said to be Alphans- but I doubt 😈 ). It was  sweet and we had to be happy with those mangoes. Since they were soft and good for milk shake or rasayana. (Rasayana we add fresh coconut milk). So I turned these mangoes in to mango milk shake and its simple and quick and you can drink it without guilt. Not that harm since you add milk and I have added little jaggery (organic). Children are always ready to have mango milk shake and is really good for every one. If you are diabetic then drink 1/4 of the glass at time.
Lets see the recipe Now:

Things Needed :

Ripen soft Mangoes : 2
Milk : 1 Cup  (Boiled and cooled)
Jaggery/Honey/Sugar : 1 to 2 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and clean the mango and wipe it with a clean dry cloth.
2. Squeeze out the pulp. Put little water to a bowl and dip the outer layer and squeeze out the remaining juice part nicely.

3. Put the pulp and the watery pulp together. Blend it in a mixi jar. Add jaggery and give a churn.
4. Add milk and grind it for 1 to 2 minutes. Put it to a big bowl. Add a pinch of salt. Mix it well.

5. Pour it to the serving glass and serve.

Note :

Use the sweetest fruits for milk shake. Boil milk let it cool then use it for milk shake. Adding ice cube or cold water is optional. I have used jaggery. Use of sugar/honey is optional. Adding milk is not that good idea because it might not taste that good.
Time : 10 Minutes
Serves : 3 Glasses.

 Watermelon Drink :
Method :

Remove the red fruit part and grind it nicely. (Strictly do not add any extra water, because watermelon is loaded with water).
Grind it in a mixi jar and sieve with a strainer so that broken seed skin can be removed easily.
Pour it to the serving glass. Adding sugar/jaggery/ honey is optional. I have not added any sweet to this " WaterMelon Juice".


Thursday, April 13, 2017

Karchikai

ಕರ್ಚಿಕಾಯಿ, karchikai is one of the traditional sweet dish.

There are varieties of preparations of  Karchikai. The stuffing can be with, coconut, khoya (khova), paneer, semolina, dry fruits etc.
karchikai, a sweet dish is normally done during Ganesha festival, Deepavali and other festivals too.
It is called in different names in different places.
Karchikai - Karnataka,  ghughra - Gujarat, Karanji - Maharastra, Karachika - Tamilnadu, Nevri in Goa. It is also known as Gujias.
 I have used chiroti rava ( thin variety of semolina) and copra (dry coconut), sugar, raisins and cardamom. One has to kneed the dough well to get good crispy karchikai. You can just put them on the kitchen slab and beat them with chapati roller slowly. So it helps the dough to be soft.
Lets see the recipe now:

Things Needed :

For the outer layer :
Chiroti Rava/Thin variety of Semolina : 2 Cups
Maida / Alpurpose flour : 1 Tablespoon
Salt : A Pinch
Ghee : 2 Tablespoons
For Stuffing :
Dry Coconut /Copra : 1 (Small one)
Sugar : 1/2 Cup
Raisins : 2 Tablespoons
Cashew Pieces : 1 Tablespoon
Cardamom : 5 to 6 Pods
To Fry :
Cooking Oil : 1 Cup


Method :

1. Put Chiroti Rava in a big bowl. Add maida, ghee, salt and mix it well.
2. Put required water and prepare dough. Keep it aside.

3. Dry grind coconut, sugar and cardamom.

4. Put dry ground ingredients to a pan. Keep the pan on the fire. Mix all the ingredients nicely.
5. Let it get bit thick. Put off the gas and add raisins, cashews and leave it for cooling.


6. Now take the dough and knead it well.
7. Divide them in to small portion.

8. Roll them as small chapati and place a tablespoon of coconut mix.

9. Fold and join the ends and close it well. (Press a little at the edge and give a desired shape).


10. Keep oil on the fire and heat. Fry Karchikai on low and medium flame on both sides.


11. Remove from the oil and put it on a kitchen tissue.

12. Put them in a airtight box once it is cooled. Serve crispy crunchy Karchikai.



Note :

The outer layer dough is prepared with chiroti rava. It has to be kneaded well. Place the dough on chapati rolling board and hit it slowly with the help of rolling pin. It helps the dough to be soft and you can roll the outer layer as thin as you like. You can add less/more sugar to the stuffing. (Optional). Adding dry fruits helps the Kachori to be tasty.  Use of cooking soda is optional. ( I have not added). Adding maida is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes
25 to 30 Karchikai can be prepared.

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author
My name is Nalini Somayaji. Teaching is my profession. Cooking is my passion. Reading, travelling, visiting new places, having fun with kids are some of the hobbies I can say. My recipes are Healthy, quick, easy and simple. Grown up being a traditional family member I love and respect Indian culture and traditions. Love classical dance and music.
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