Pirandai Thogayal/Veldt Grape Chutney

The Humble Pirandai, Known as Veldt Grape or Devil's Backbone, Has been used as a medicinal plant since antiquity. The Ayurveda mentions it as a tonic and analgesic, and prescribes its use to help heal broken bones, thus its name asthisamharaka (that which prevents the destruction of bones). Has also been used to treat osteoporosis,asthma, cough, hemorrhoids, and gonorrhea.

Picture from My Brother's In-Laws Garden

It contains a rich source of carotenoids, triterpenoids and ascorbic acid. Compounds that act as receptor antagonists of glucocorticoids have reduced the healing time of broken bones 30 to 50 percent in clinical trials. It has also been used to treat obesity and associated oxidative stress.[1] Its bactericidal effects on Helicobacter pylori hold promise as an effective treatment of gastric ulcers and preventative of stomach cancer

Info Source : WIKIPEDIA : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cissus_quadrangularis
http://www.a1tamilnadu.com/htmlfiles/238_Pirandai_(_Veldt_Grape).html

Pirandai Thogayal/Chutney is a tasty Condiment, made especially during Devasam/Pithru Devasam/Sraadham. The Feast prepared on these days will be heavy, So, to ease the process of digestion, Pirandai thogayal/Veldt Grape Chuntey is made.

Ingredients

3 Links of Pirandai/Veldt Grape (Cut into 1 inch piece)
1/4 cup Urad dal
4 tsp Gram dal
2 tsp White sesame seeds
6nos Red Chillie
1 small Tomato
Ginger a small piece
one tight fist Curry leaves
A small ball of Tamarind
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp - 1 tsp Jaggery (Depending on your taste)

Hing a pinch

Method

Roast All the above ingredients separately with little oil, except Tamarind, salt and jaggery. Grind all the ingredients, except pirandai/Veldt Grape to a coarse mixture then add pirandai/Veldt grape and grind them to fine paste with little water.

Makes a Wonderful Combo with any Heavy Meal. Sending this MLLA-26, hosted by Briciole, Event started by Susan

Monsoon Munches - Dhool Pakodas - Spicy Savoury Fragments prepared with Instant Semolina Idly Mix

MONSOON MUNCHES

DHOOL PAKODA

I saw my sister prepare Dhool Pakodas ( literally meaning fragments or particles of pakodas) in a jiffy using instant MTR Rava Idly Mix. I thought this would fit in appropriately in the Monsoon Munches series. I tried out the recipe which my sister willingly shared with me and the end product was ' DHOOL!', meaning ' awesome' in this context!
The instant rava idly mix already contains the required amount of seasoning and spice, including bits of cashew nuts ready for making Dhool Pakodas. If more spice is needed, chopped green chillies, green coriander leaves and more cashew bits can be added while preparing the pakoda dough. A little more of salt may also be added in this case.

INGREDIENTS


Instant Rava Idly Mix - 2 cups
Finely chopped onions - 1 cup
Chopped green chillies - 1 tbsp
Chopped coriander leaves - 2 tbsps
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Oil - for frying

METHOD

1. Mix all ingredients with a few sprinkles of water into a stiff dough.
2. Heat oil in a kadai.
3. Pinch very small fragments ( Dhool) from the prepared dough and fry them on medium flame. Since the pakodas are very small fragments - the size of peanuts - they cook very fast.
4. Carefully remove when the Dhool Pakodas turn golden brown in colour and drain them on a paper towel.

Enjoy the flavoursome, crispy Dhool Pakodas in between sips of hot coffee. .

Leaking Shower Valve Repair

Do you have a leaking shower valve in Mission Viejo that needs repair?

http://www.SPLASHplumbing.com is the website you need to click on! Give us a call 24hours 7 days a week for prompt plumbing service or repair to your leaking shower valve.

We service almost every make and model of shower valve ... there is not we have not seen!

MIXET Shower valves seem to be everywhere in Southern California .... especially South Orange County. Although unlikely to find one of them in one of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" house, I'll bet you might have one. Common problems you ask?

1. Plastic handle strips and you can't turn the water on.
2. Plastic temp. control handle strips and ..... you only got cold water .... BUUURRRRR
3. Internal cartridge seizes....... no water at all!

Our recommendation .... call 877-HEY-SPLASH and let one of our Technicians install a new code compliant shower valve for you today!

Don't have a MIXET .... do you live in Laguna Niguel and have a quality HARDEN shower valve? Wel'p we can fix thise too! Good luck finding the trim though!

For those in Laguna Hills .... do you see MOEN on the knob that keeps breaking off in your hand? Call us for fast friendly repairs!