Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency:Energy Star


Right now is the time to consider upgrading your home appliances

  • Hot Water Boiler (95% AFUE rated Boiler)
  • Heat Pump Water Heaters
  • Domestic Water Heater (change to a tankless model)
  • Solar Domestic Water heating
  • Wood/Biomass Outdoor Boiler
The U.S. Government has never given this much of a credit before!
If you were to upgrade your existing Hot Water Boiler to an Energy Star rated unit you would receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost and labor. Outside Wood Boilers included.($1500.00 Max)
Homeowners installing Solar Panels for domestic water heating will receive a credit for 30% of the cost & labor with no limit.

I believe it is our responsibility to use less energy. Now we have an incentive (tax credits, all-time high fuel costs) to make the changes needed.

Eric Aune, Owner
Aune Plumbing, LLC
(763) 238-2385

Mutton Gravy

 Mutton gravy
  
Ingredients:
 Mutton - 1/2 kg
Onion- 2
Tomato - 2
Chilli powder -2 tsp
Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
Salt -To taste
Curry leaves
Coriander leaves

For Grinding :
Coconut Grated - 4 tsp
Pepper corns - 1/2 tsp
Poppy seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cloves - 3
Cinnamon - 1'
Fennel  seeds (Sombu) - 1/2 tsp
Ginger - 1'
Garlic - 8 cloves

Preparation Method :
1. Wash & cut Mutton into Medium pieces.
2. Add salt,Turmeric powder,Chilli powder,Coriander,curry leaves & required water along with Mutton.
3. Pressure cook for 10 min or 6-8 whistles.If mutton is hard cook for another 4 whistles.
4. Heat the oil in pan,add onion,saute until become golden color.
5. Add chopped Tomatoes,cook til it will become soft.
6. Now add Grounded masala,fry for 1 min.
7. After that add mutton pieces ,Mix well & cook for 5- 10 min.
8. Garnish with coriander & serve with Rice,Idly or Dosa.

Mutton gravy

I am sending this recipe to EFM  MUTTON SERIES    conducted by Srilekha

efm series

I prepared these dishes for Pongal celebration. Have a look & Enjoy.I will give recipe details Later.

Pongal special

 Carrot Sambhar,
 Coriander Rasam
 Puli sadam (Tamarind rice)
 Sakkarai pongal(Sweet pongal)
 Semiya payasam (Vermicelli kheer)

Pongal special

Parangikai pachadi ( Yellow pumpkin)
Kathirikkai masiyal (Brinjal Ghostu)
Vazhaikai poriyal ( Plantain)
Sarkarai valli kizhangu fry (Sweet potato)
Paavaikai pachadi (Bitter guard)
Avaraikai poriyal ( Broad beans)
 Finally plain Vadas.
Vadai

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Durian Butter Cake

I seldom bake recently, life without baking is just so boring and dull. I found an excuse to bake a butter cake last week that had shared with my cousin and family. Although it's just a simple cake, it makes me feel better touching the kitchen stuffs.
After the first attempt on berries butter cake, I would like to give it another try on durian flavour, and also took this opportunity to use a new cake mould. I'm not sure it's called bundt mould or something else, correct me if I'm wrong. Beside berries, durian is also one of my favorite fruit. So, I came out with this durian butter cake. The taste is very flavourful indeed with the slightly moist and rich texture. I feel the bundt cake mould make it looks prettier rather than just baking in a flat baking tray. Hope you will like this recipe of Kevin Chai. His recipes is quite simple and nice. Don't forget to use the sweet and flavourful durian and you will get the result.

Recipe:
250g butter
170g caster sugar
4 eggs
250g durian flesh
230g self raising flour
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  1. Grease a baking mould. Preheat oven to 170C.
  2. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.
  3. Stir in durian flesh. Fold in sifted flour, baking powder and soda. Mix until well blended.
  4. Spoon batter into prepared mould. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until cooked.