How to make Tasty Rasam?

Rasam(also called as "sathamudhu") tastes best when made with a lead vessel called "eeya chombu".

• Always keep an eye on the vessel when you make rasam. Let it boil only in low flame. Otherwise the vessel will melt! :)
• Switch of the gas when you see froth forming on top(see picture).
  

Healthy Fruit Shake for breakfast

I have read in books that everyday we should include smoothie or milkshake for breakfast. Blend any fruits you have on hand together with milk. It is not required to add to sugar.

Ingredients:
Banana -1
Strawberries - a handful
Fresh Pineapple - chopped
Naked Mango juice - 1/2 cup (optional) or add any other 100% juice
Milk - 2 cups(add more if the shake is too thick)

Method:
Add all the ingredients except milk and blend together. Slowly add milk and blend to a smooth and thick consistency.

Fruity Wholemeal Bread

This is a wholemeal bread recipe given by a guru I knew recently. As he knows I'm very keen about wholemeal bread, therefore he shares this recipe with me. This bread contains nearly 25% wholemeal flour which is more than the basic wholemeal bread I have tried previously.

The original recipe was written it is optional to add some sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. I found that it is a good idea to add something in the bread so that it makes a little bit different from the previous bread I've made. Furthermore, added those seeds, nut or dried fruits could increase some nutrition. Therefore, I've added some sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds as well as some dried cherries and raisin to make it a fruity flavor.

When I cut out a slice, I found those little dried cherries looks quite pretty attaching the bread. If I will make this bread again, some dried apricot, dried mango, or other dried fruits and nuts will be adding in as well. I loves the wholemeal smell with every bite of dried fruits and seeds that I don't even need to spread jam or peanut butter on it. If you are a fan of wholemeal bread, why not give it a try!

Recipe from guru:

• 250g bread flour
• 80g wholemeal flour
• 30g sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 5g yeast
• 1 egg
• 150g ice water
• 15g milk
• 30g butter

Optional ingredients:

• 10g sunflower seeds (toasted)
• 2 tbsp sunflower seeds (toasted)
• some dried cherries, raisin or others dried fruits and nuts

Method:

• Mix all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
• Gradually add in all the wet ingredients and mix it by a flat beater at low speed until everything just combine.
• Add butter continue to mix for 1 or 2 minutes.
• Change to a dough hook continue kneading for about 20 minutes at medium speed.
• Off the machine and clear the stick dough at side of the bowl and add 1 tablespoon bread flour. Continue kneading for few seconds.
• Knead the dough on a lightly floured work surface until the dough smooth but not sticky.
• Mix pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds into the dough.
• Shape it into a smooth round dough, cover with cling film and let it rest for 20 minutes.
• Knead the dough and punch out the gas.
• Divide the dough into three equal pieces and roll to form three even 'ball' shapes.
• Flatten a dough and roll out into a longish shape. Roll up the dough like a Swiss-roll.
• Flatten the rolled-up dough and roll out again into a long rectangular shape. Add in some dried fruits on top then roll up the dough tightly.
• Do the same for the other two remaining doughs. Place the rolled dough in a greased bread tin.
• Spray with some water around the tin. Place it in the oven with door close, proof for 60 minutes without lid on.
• Put the lid on when the dough rise near to the top. Take out the tin from the oven and preheat the oven at 190'C.
• Bake approximately 40 minutes or until golden brown. (I increased the temperature to 210'C for extra 10 minutes until the bread had a golden brown color).
• Take out the bread to cool down before slicing into pieces. Store leftover bread in airtight container without slicing it into pieces to let it stay fresh for the next serving.