Thursday, January 31, 2013

Bookmarking for the Cooks!!

Hello friends, /hihi

Hope you are all doing great  :). I was just cleaning up my inbox today and I saw some wonderful recipes : )that I somehow missed /hmm...Then I thought, why not create a page and link it to all the wonderful bookmarked recipes that we have tried / would love to try =D>. The recipes could be our own recipe , or a recipe of a friend or a fellow blogger. Its all about your favorite recipes. Bookmark them, Share them and give a chance for all our friends to try them.

This page is dedicated to all bloggers and food lovers and please feel free to share your favorite recipes from the world. This would be a great platform to collect wonderful recipes and share it amongst our friends.

Bookmarking for the cooks

Feel free to let me know what you all think of this. You can mail me at gayu.kitchen@gmail.com. Let me know your comments/suggestions. Politeness would be highly appreciated /please.

You guys have a wonderful day and hope to see a great response from all my blogger friends /bye.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Homemade curry powder

I was on a cleaning spree and cleaned up my pantry and fridge. I saw that there was a loner in the fridge, a big green capsicum. I then quickly made this sabzi with homemade curry powder/ podi potta kaai which tastes yummy and delicious. You can make the powder and store it for a few days (approx.15 days) in the fridge. The method to make this delicious curry powder is very simple and is as follows.



Ingredients:

Corriander Seeds - 1 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tbsp
Black pepper - 10 count
Dry Red chillies - 5-6
Urad Dal - 1 tsp
Chana Dal - 1 tsp
Poppy seeds / Khus Khus- 1 tsp
Sesame seeds - 1/2tbsp
Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
Cloves - 2 
Dry coconut/ Copra - 3 tbsp
Fenugreek / Methi seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - 7-8

Method:

  • Dry roast all these ingredients until a nice aroma comes out.
  • Cool them and grind them to a medium coarse powder.
  • Add it to vegetables like capsicum, potato, brinjal/ eggplant and serve with Rasam rice.
  • Enjoy!!!

Sundal Kulambu / Channa Kuzhambu | Indian Curry Recipes




I made this Sundal Kulambu for a cozy lazy lunch one day. I am proud to say this kulambu-rice combo does not need any side dish but papads would be a lovely pair if needed. This is my MIL's recipe handwritten for my DH when he first came to US. There are a handful of recipes, all his favorite foods which she had chosen to write. I have tried quite a few of them and this sundal kuzhambu is one

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

6 Reasons Why Winter is the Perfect Time for Home Remodeling Projects

Kitchen Remodel Done by KHI
Winters in New England can be brutal. It seems we spend a lot of time indoors at this time of year which makes winter a good time to focus on your home and undertake updates or repairs that you’ve been putting off. Others will escape the cold and snow by heading south. Some homeowners we’ve worked with have found the time when they’re away to be an ideal time to undertake a remodeling project. Having the work done while you’re away means your home life won’t be disrupted.

If you’re thinking about a home remodeling project, here are several reasons why winter may be the best time to do your project:

  1. Flexibility in Scheduling. It is usually easier for some contractors to schedule work in winter months because there is a lot less exterior work being done. This will free up a contractor’s schedule for interior projects such as painting, replacing flooring, repairing drywall, updating lighting and replacing cabinetry.
  1. More Availability. During the winter you may find that your contactor may have more time to work with you in planning and designing your project. This would be a good time for refining the details before the work begins. This process may take slightly longer as work picks up for your contractor in the spring with outdoor projects.

  2. Avoid Spring Price Increases. Now is the time to take advantage of lower prices. For example, if you’re remodeling your kitchen, you may find close-out prices on appliances and be able to purchase materials before manufacturers increase prices. During the winter, manufacturers may feature special offers to reduce inventory. 

  3. Outside Projects. If the weather cooperates, you may be able to work with your contractor on outside projects to get ready for spring. Some contactors will even build decks, porches and additions for their customers in the winter.

  4. Vacation Time. If you are planning a vacation, it may be the perfect time to have your project done to avoid disruption of your daily activities.
Contact Kruse Home Improvement at 860.584.8784 if you'd like to obtain a price estimate for your next remodeling project. 


Source: http://www.mcclurgteam.com/blog/bid/50614/7-Reasons-Why-Winter-is-the-Perfect-Time-for-Home-Remodeling-Projects/


Monday, January 28, 2013

BADAM HALWA


After so many days, I have prepared the very old sweet-Badam Halwa in my home. It is true that this is the most delicious sweet if it is prepared in the traditional way. With a few ingredients, it needs only an exact ‘ padham’ to make a delicious Almond halwa. My grandson loves to have a small cup every day!
 
 

பாதாம் அல்வா
Ingredients needed:

Almonds- 2 CUPS

Sugar- 2 cups

Ghee – 1 cup

Thick milk- 1 cup

Rose essence or almond essence- a few drops

Saffron- a pinch

Yellow Food colour- a few drops

Procedure:

Soak the almonds in 2 cups of hot water for half an hour.

Then peel off the skin and grind them with the milk a little coarsely.

Mix in the colour and the saffron.

Heat a pan and add the sugar.

Pour immediately a little water enough to cover the top surface of the sugar.

Boil it on medium fire.

When the sugar syrup turns in to one thread consistency [ kambi paahu], add the ground paste of almonds. .

Turn the fire in to low medium and begin to stir it continuously.

Pour the essence and the food colour and mix well.

Almost after 20 minutes, the badam halwa leaves the sides the pan.

Pour the ghee in intervals.

Take a little halwa and make a smooth ball.

It it can be done smoothly, then that is the ‘ correct padham’.

The delicious Badam halwa is ready now!

NB: I have used the full cream milk powder to prepare the milk instead of any variety of milk to get an extra richness.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Kesari Baath

Hello all..

Happy Republic Day!!


 Welcoming fellow bloggers and all lovely readers with my first recipe post of the year. A sweet post. I made Kesari Baath, DH's favorite sweet.  It had been a while since I had prepared anything good for DH. A sudden wave of sympathy for him and Lo and Behold..Came out this yummy Kesari Baath..A very simple recipe and easy quick steps. The final product, I promise, will be a yummy, mouth melting Kesari Baath.



Ingredients:

Sooji/Semolina/Rava - 1 cup
Milk - 2 cups
Ghee/ Clarified Butter - 1and1/4th cup
Sugar - 1 cup
Cashews - 7-8
Golden Raisins - 7-8
Orange Food color - 1 drop

Method:

    • In a shallow fry pan, add 2 tbsp of ghee and roast the cashews and raisins, drain out the ghee from them and set it aside.
    • In the same pan and with the same ghee, add the sooji / rava and roast it till a nice aroma comes out of it and set it aside.
      • Heat milk in a sauce pan and allow it to boil. Once the milk boils, gradually add the sooji and keep stirring it well ensuring no lumps form and a creamy consistency is reached.
      • Also add the cup of ghee right after this step and blend all the ingredients well to make a smooth and a creamy  mixture.


        • Keep stirring the mixture gently for about 5-6 minutes to avoid burning of the mixture at the bottom of the pan.
        • Once the sooji is cooked, add the sugar, food color and the roasted cashews and raisins.

          • Mix all the ingredients well and serve hot.
          • Hot, yummy and delicious Kesari Baath is ready to melt in your mouth.

            Serving Tip:

            • Before serving, warm the Kesari Baath (if cold) and add a tsp or two of ghee on top and garnish with silvered almonds.

            Notes:
            • You can add any food color of your choice.
            • You can adjust the level of sugar according to your sweetness level.
            • You can also choose to NOT add food color and make it a white sheera.
            • You can add small pineapple pieces or banana pieces to have a different variety of Kesari Baath (add it before adding the food color).
            • The quantity of Ghee can be altered but the taste may not be as good as the one with the required quantity of ghee specified here.
            • Best to serve it hot with an additional tsp of ghee.



            Cut Commercial Roofing Cost with Roof Coatings

            Cut Cost on Commercial Roof Replacements


            Myrtle Beach Hotels and Other Commercial Buildings, Cut Roof Replacement Cost With Roof Coatings


            For many businesses, building maintenance is an essential cost of doing business. Maintaining a visually appealing appearance, protecting merchandise, or offering a clean hotel room, can be the difference between success and failure, in competitive tourist markets like Myrtle Beach, SC.  Even with good marketing and advertising, a customer is likely to make their final decision on whether or not they will do business with you, based on the appearance and cleanliness of your building/store. Just like a bad score from the health department can deter customers from a restaurant, a leaky roof resulting in mildew and other foul smells, can run customers off, even after you draw them in the doors. A leaky roof not only poses the risk of losing potential customers, it can also add to the risk of having major structural damage.  Just like with health care, prevention is the best way to protect your buildings structural soundness, and overall appearance.

            There are many reasons why business owners often neglect their roofing systems, however one of the main reasons, is the cost associated with roof replacement.  Roofing products are often expensive and labor intensive to install, resulting in high replacement cost to the building owners.  Many factors play into the high cost of roof replacement such as manufacturer's warranty's, new regulations in the production of roofing materials, and the need for skilled labor to install roofing systems.  Another big factor in the past, associated with labor cost, has been the need to remove the old roofing system in order to install a new roofing system.  Roof tear off is priced the same as installing a new roofing system. Re-roofing over shingles with a second layer, and installing metal roofing over top of shingle roofs, has been going on for years. However, these methods are not acceptable by most manufacturer's warranty requirements, and also add a lot of extra weight to a roof framing system designed for holding only one layer of roofing.

            In recent years, due to a sluggish economy, and a push towards more environmentally friendly products, roofing product manufacturers have made strides into improving their products to help lower roof replacement cost, and improve sustainability. To help customers lower roof replacement cost, and improve their own company's sales, many new roof coating products have hit the market, which have lowered roofing cost for commercial building owners and homeowners a like. 

            Roof coatings, are roofing products that can be installed over most existing, low slope roofing systems. Low slope roofs, or more commonly referred to as flat roofs, are often used on commercial buildings. They offer many advantages to commercial building owners, such as being able to put HVAC systems on the roof, ease of maintenance, and improved storefront appearances. The major disadvantage is the cost of flat roofing systems, as there is a smaller market for flat roofs, resulting in higher cost of low slope roofing products. Just as with residential roofing systems, flat roofing systems also need replacement, on average, after about 20-30 years.  Advancements in roof coatings, have helped eliminate some of the cost associated with replacing a flat roofing system, and offer the same warranty lengths as traditional flat roofing systems. Roof coatings can go over most all existing flat roof systems, eliminating most tear off cost associated with traditional flat roof replacements. Roof coatings are also light weight, and will not add any significant amount of weight to structural members.  Being able to eliminate half the labor cost associated with replacing flat roofing systems, has resulted in huge savings to commercial building owners in need of a new roof. Also, in addition to lower roof replacement cost, roof coatings are also energy efficient, helping building owners lower utility cost. By eliminating waste associated with tearing off old roofing systems, also helps the environment.

            So if your a business owner or commercial building owner in the Myrtle Beach, SC or coastal Carolina areas, and in need of a new roof, then give MBS Services and Construction Company a call today. We can come out and assess your situation, and tell you how a roof coating can save your company money on roof replacement cost, and lower utility cost for most business owners.  If your roof is already leaking, and your worried about structural damage, our company uses thermal imaging technology which can pinpoint insulation and structural damage, which also lowers cost for insulation and structural roof repairs.  So give us a call today, or contact us through any of the contact methods listed below. Thanks for reading, and we look forward to helping business, hotels, and homeowners in the Myrtle Beach area with their next roofing projects.

            MBS Services & Construction Company
            530 Piedmont Ave.
            Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
            Phone: 706-951-0158
            Website: http://www.scroofingcontractors.com

            Energy Efficient Roofing Systems | Spray Foam Insulation | Wall Foam Insulation | Crawl Space Encapsulations | Solar Energy Powered Hot Water Heaters | Solar Energy | Energy Monitoring | Standing Seam Metal Roofs | Tile Roofs | Slate Roofs | Historic Home Retrofits | Energy Efficient Roof Coatings | Gaco Western S-2000 Silicone Roof Systems | Mold Guard | Air Barriers | Commercial Roof Coatings | Roof Coatings | Silicone Roofs |

            Thursday, January 24, 2013

            Best of Houzz 2013!

            We are honoured to be recognized by the Houzz community as a winner of the Best of Houzz 2013 awards! 
            Braam's Custom Cabinets won in both the Design and Customer Satisfaction categories. YAY!
            Our portfolio includes some of the most popular images on Houzz in 2012, and we ranked highly in customer satisfaction among Houzz's 11 milion monthly users.

            We'd love for you to check out the press release here.
            You can also look at our photo in the "Best of Remodelling 2013" for one of our Laundry Rooms here.



             

            Wednesday, January 23, 2013

            Benda Kaalu On Toast - Boiled Beans On Toast

            BENDA KAALU ON TOAST

             'Benda Kaalu On Toast' - The unique title of the latest play by the renowned playwright Girish Karnad raked up my nostalgia, and fond memories of my childhood started brimming in my mind. I remembered the delicious Peas On Toast which I enjoyed with my parents and siblings at Sri Kanteerava Narasimharaja Sports Club, Mysore. Secondly I felt an unsupressable urge to taste THE DISH - BENDA KAALU ON TOAST - NOW! Both the thought processes culminated in bringing out this post! 



            INGREDIENTS TO PREPARE BENDA KAALU 
            Fresh Field Beans / Kaalu - 2 cups 
            Sesame oil - 2 tbsps 
            Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp 
            Finely chopped onion - 4 tbsps 
            Finely chopped garlic - 1 tsp 
            Finely chopped fresh ginger - 1 tsp 
            Sambar powder - 1 tsp 
            Salt - 1 tsp 
            Juice of 1 lime 
            Finely chopped fresh coriander leaves - 2 tbsps 

            METHOD 
            1. Boil Field Beans/Kaalu in enough water adding one pinch of salt. 
            2. Drain the cooked Kaalu and keep aside. 
            3. Crush the ginger and garlic together using a mortar and pestle and keep aside. 
            4. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. 
            5. When the seeds puff up add the crushed ginger and garlic. 
            6. Add the finely chopped onion and fry till they become golden in colour. 
            7. Keep a low flame and add the sambar powder and salt. 
            8. Retain one table spoon of Kaalu and stir the rest into the pan. 
            9. Mash the retained Kaalu with one table spoon of chopped coriander leaves using a mixer or a mortar and pestle since the quantity is not much. 
            10. Add the mashed coriander and beans mixture to the Kaalu in the pan and stir well. 
            11. Cook till the Kaalu curry becomes thick and comes together. 
            12. Mix in the lime juice and the remaining coriander leaves. 



             Benda Kaalu is now ready. 

            INGREDIENTS TO PREPARE THE TAVA TOAST 
            Bred Slices of your choice - 4 
            Unsalted butter - as required 

            METHOD  
            1. Place a thin slice of butter on the tava and heat it on low flame. 



            2. When the butter starts melting, place a slice of bread on the center and toast on low heat. 
            3. Gently push the bread slice around the tava using a spatula so that it absorbs all the butter melting around. 


            4. When the bottom becomes golden in colour place another thin slice of butter on top of the bread slice. Do not flip. 



            5. Top it with a thick layer of the Benda Kaalu



            6. Remove it on to a serving plate. 



            7. Repeat the procedure for the rest of the toasts. 

            Start biting into the luscious layer of the benda kaalu and proceed into the soft and buttery top portion of the bread slice, and experience the bliss when you arrive at the heavenly golden crunch at the bottom.The effect of the explosion of the flavour and taste of Benda kaalu On Toast on the taste buds is tantalizing! 
            Do not forget to sip a strong filter coffee in between bites to enhance the rich experience.

            Tuesday, January 22, 2013

            Mushroom Asparagus (crustless) Mini Quiche


            Do you want something quick for a busy mornings and do not want to stand near the stove cooking some dosas or oatmeal. Then these mini quiches are for you. These simple to make (bake) dish has all the goodness you need for the morning to keep you going until lunch. Eggs for protein, Milk and Cheese for Calcium and Mushroom and Asparagus adds up to your daily serving of vegetables for the day.

            Monday, January 21, 2013

            KHI Quarterly V4 Q1 - Winter 2013


            Six Key Questions to Sniff Out Bad Contractors By Lee Nelson - Yahoo! Homes

            Getting antsy to remodel your home? You might think your kitchen or bathroom needs a remodel right this minute, but remember: Haste makes waste. Rather than rushing to hire the first, or even cheapest, contractor you come across, asking the right questions upfront will help you filter out the bad apples and find a reputable contractor to meet your needs. "I want my clients to feel 100 percent comfortable with me," says Shawn Kruse, president of the Remodeling Contractors Association of Connecticut and owner of Kruse Home Improvement, LLC. "And honestly, the more investigation they do about me and questions they ask me, the better it is for me. It helps me get the job." As Kruse points out, a thorough investigation can benefit both parties in the end. "Potential clients learn about your credentials, background and experience. They start to get to know you and see if your personalities can get along," Kruse acknowledges.


            You may know exactly what you want out of your remodel, from the fixtures to the flooring, but you should know what you want from your contractor, too. Don't settle for the first or cheapest bid. Your contractor will control the project from start to finish, so it's important the two of you are a good match. If you want to find a contractor who suits your needs, try asking these six questions during the interview:

            Question #1: What's Your Business History (and More)? Here are a few other things Kruse thinks you should ask contractors: How long have you been in business? Are you licensed by the state? What percentage of your clientele is repeat or referral business? Are you a member of a national trade association? Do you have a list of references from past projects similar to mine? Have you or your employees been certified in remodeling or had any special training or education?

            Question #2: Do You Provide a Detailed Written Contract? Some things that should be on a contract - in great detail - include: names,   addresses, and phone numbers of all parties involved in the project, including vendors, detailed list of the work to be completed, list of each product along with its price and model number, who is responsible for pulling permits, where deliveries will go and where the dumpster will be placed, what time the workers begin and end their day, project's start and completion dates plus payment schedule and all work carried out by subcontractors.

             

            Question #3: How Much Do I Need to Put Down? The Better Business Bureau's suggests paying one third at the beginning of the project, one third when work is 50 percent complete, and one third after it is final and you are satisfied with the outcome.

            Question #4: Can I Get Itemized Price Estimates? An itemized price list should detail the cost of labor, demolition, materials, electrical, plumbing, permits, etc. If midway through the project you decide to put in a less expensive countertop than the one originally discussed, you need to know the exact cost of the first countertop to know how much of a credit you should receive.

            Question #5: Who Will Be at the Site? In their "Home Sweet Home Improvement" guide, the Federal Trade Commission urges homeowners to ask if subcontractors will be used on the project. If so, homeowners should ask to meet them to make sure they have insurance coverage and proper licenses. When meeting the subcontractor, ask if the lead contractor pays them on time. Why is this little detail important?   According to the Federal Trade Commission, "A 'mechanic's lien' could be placed on your home if your contractor fails to pay subcontractors or suppliers," who, in turn, could take you to court to retrieve their unpaid bills.

             

            Question #6: Do You Think We Can Get Along? Just like any good relationship, the one between you and your contractor should have    harmony, communication, and collaboration. Some personalities and styles just don't mesh, so don't pick someone just because their bid is the lowest, says Kruse.

            Protecting yourself from these nightmares means knowing exactly who your contractors are before you hire them. After all, it  doesn't hurt to ask - but it sure could hurt if you don't. To read the complete interview visit our blog at http://www.khimprovement.blogspot.com.

            Kruse Home Improvement Lends a Helping Hand

            KHI volunteers
            At Kruse Home Improvement, LLC, we feel one of the best ways to show gratitude is by giving back to the community and with the recent Holidays, this seemed like the perfect time of year to contribute. We thought that a great way to give back was to do what we do best so on Saturday, November 3rd our whole crew and a few of their significant others, showed up at the Marshall Street Habitat for Humanity build in Hartford to donate a day’s worth of labor.

            Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Habitat welcomes all people - regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or any other difference - to build and repair simple, decent, affordable houses with those who lack adequate shelter.
            Our volunteers hard at work
            It was a brisk morning so luckily we were working indoors as the build was at the point where sheetrock was ready to go up. This was our first experience working with the Habitat for Humanity crew and I must say I was pleasantly surprised to see the level of detail and quality that goes into these buildings. Another interesting part of the process was that the very people who will eventually own these homes were onsite helping to build them with the volunteers! All Habitat homeowners are required to put in at least 150 hours worth of work to qualify for a home in the future.

            At lunch, we had the opportunity to tour one of the completed homes and the end result is amazing! There is not much in the way of frills and custom features but the craftsmanship is very solid and the homes are extremely energy efficient. The end result is a three bedroom townhouse that anyone would be happy to own.

            Great teamwork by Kruse and Cox
            The Habitat for Humanity staff took great care of us while we were at the site; there were donuts and coffee for us all day long and we ended up     having a great time getting to know the other volunteers as well. If you are interested volunteering your time or skills, I would suggest looking into   working with Habitat for Humanity, it was a wonderful experience. We all felt very much appreciated by the staff and other volunteers while at the job and look forward to donating our time again in the spring!

            For more information on Habitat for Humanity visit http://www.habitat.org.





            Sunday, January 20, 2013

            Tamarind Leaves Powder / Chinta Chiguru Podi






            I always like  the spice powders which is being served in Andhra restaurants. At home, without a dollop of ghee and Dal powder my weekend meal never ends. I always have Paruppu podi, Idly podi or Curry leaves podi at home to fulfill my craving. Sometimes, it is handy and helpful when you feel lazy to cook curries or gravies. 

            Fine, When I came across this powder from Prathibha's place, immediately bookmarked it.  We get plenty of tamarind leaves at our native and during my mom's last visit here, I asked her to bring fresh, tender tamarind leaves and dried them here to prepare this powder. I prepared it in the night time and I served it for lunch on the following day. You don't believe it, the husband who is not fond of any spice powder also liked it and took some extra spoons while eating lunch. Also, I told the recipe to my mom and asked her to prepare it as she gets tamarind leaves in large quantities there.



            Basic Information:
            Preparation Time: 15 minutes
            Makes: 1 cup

            Ingredients:

            Tamarind leaves - 1 and 1/2 cups
            Ground nuts / Peanuts - 1/3 cup
            White sesame seeds - 1 tablespoon
            Grated coconut - 1 tablespoon, fresh/dry
            Dry red chillies - 6-8 nos
            Oil - 1 teaspoon
            Garlic cloves - 3-4 nos
            Salt - to taste



            Method:

            1) Wash the tamarind leaves well and dry it in sun or under sunshade till it became crispy and dry.
            2) Take a pan, dry roast the peanuts till the skin of it turns brown. Transfer to a plate.



            3) In the same pan, dry roast sesame seeds. Transfer to the plate where we kept peanuts.
            4) Dry roast the dry red chillies and then the grated coconut till it turns dry and slightly brown. Transfer to the plate.



            5) Add a teaspoon of oil and add tamarind leaves. Fry till the leaves turns in its colour and became more crisp. Transfer to a plate and allow it to cool.

            6) When it is cooling, peel the skin of the garlic and remove the skin of peanuts by rubbing it in between your hands.



            7) When all the ingredients are cooled to room temperature, dry grind them to a fine powder.

            8) Towards the end of grinding, add salt and garlic. Grind for a minute or till the garlic cloves crushes well.
            9) Taste the salt and add more if required.
            10) Cool the powder to room temperature. Store it in a dry, air tight container. Store it in refrigerator for longer shelf life.



            Notes:

            1) Use only tender, fresh tamarind leaves. The dark green leaves and very tender leaves are not suitable for this powder. Dry them well before use.
            2) Make sure the grated fresh coconut is moisture free after roasting, otherwise, simply go for dry coconut for long shelf life of the powder.

            Yelchi Hannina Chutney - Chutney With Indian Jujube


            YELCHI HANNINA CHUTNEY/
            ELANDA PAZHA CHUTNEY

             

            Yelchi Hannu / Elanda Pazham is offered to Sun God during Sankranti pooja. In the evening children are seated on a decorated plank and an elderly lady of the family waves a cup full of Ellu Bella, Yelchi Hannu and coins around their heads which is later thrown far away from their sight.This ritual is supposed to ward off  any negative energy ( evil eyes) which might have befallen the children. On the next day rice balls, Pongal, Sugar Cane pieces, pieces of Banana fruit and Yelchi Hannu are served on a turmeric leaf and left in the court yard for the crows to feast. After all these rituals are over, I usually discard the remaining Yelchi Hannu as no one likes to eat the strong smelling fruit. This time I tried sneaking the Yelchi Hannu into a Chutney and surprisingly every one seemed to relish it! 

            INGREDIENTS 

            Yelchi Hannu - 1 cup 
            Chopped coriander leaves - 1 cup 
            Salt - 3/4 tsp 
            Powdered jaggery - 1 tsp 
            Sesame oil - 1 tsp 
            Mustard seeds - 1 pinch 
            Split Black gram dal - 1 tsp 
            Bengal gram dal - 1 tsp 
            Red chillies - 3 
            Asafoetida - 1 pinch 

            METHOD 

            1. Wash the Yelchi Hannu thoroughly and remove the stems and the seeds. 
            2. Retain the skin and the flesh of the fruits. Do not worry if you find no flesh in some fruits. The dry peels can still be used for the Chutney as they will be quite tangy. 
            3. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. 
            4. When the mustard seeds splutter add the dals and fry till golden in colour. 
            5. Add broken red chillies and the asafoetida and fry till the chillies turn crisp. 
            6. Add the prepared Yelchi Hannu and saute for a minute.

             

            7. Stir in chopped coriander leaves and switch off flame. 
            8. When the ingredients are cooled grind them into a slightly coarse Chutney adding salt and powdered jaggery.


            Relish the thick ( gatti) Yelchi Hannina Chutney with steaming hot rice topped with a spoon of fresh ghee. Add little water and loosen the chutney if you like to use it as a dip.

            Saturday, January 19, 2013

            Conversion chart for knitting needles

                
            US
            UK
            Metric
            0
            14
            2.0mm
            1
            13
            2.25mm
            2
            12
            2.75mm
            -
            11
            3.0mm
            3
            10
            3.25mm
            4
            -
            3.5mm
            5
            9
            3.75mm
            6
            8
            4.0mm
            7
            7
            4.5mm
            8
            6
            5.0mm
            9
            5
            5.5mm
            10
            4
            6.0mm
            10.5
            3
            6.5mm
            -
            2
            7.0mm
            -
            1
            7.5mm
            11
            0
            8.0mm
            13
            00
            9.0mm
            15
            000
            10.0mm
            17
            -
            12.0mm
            19
            -
            16.0mm
            35
            -
            19.0mm
            50
            -
            25.0mm