Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Deepavali Sweets - Mohan Ladoo - Semolina and Sugar Balls.

MOHAN LADOO



I do not know how, why or who baptised our traditional sweet dishes with such beautiful names. But the names surely are enchanting and just adorable. One such sweet is Mohan Ladoo meaning Enchanting Ladoo! The taste justifies its name!





INGREDIENTS



Fine semolina (rava) - 1 glass (200 ml)

Sugar - 1 glass

Salt - 1 pinch

Cardamom powder - 1 pinch

Cashew nuts - a few

Ghee - 3 tbsps

Oil - for frying









METHOD



1. Add salt and knead semolina into a soft but stiff dough using the required amonunt of water.

2. Cover with a damp cloth and leave it aside for ten minutes.

3. Pinch and knead the dough again and roll out into thin ' poories' using rice flour for dusting.

4. Heat oil in a kadai and drop in a ' poorie' after marking it with a fork.

5. Press down the ' poorie' so that it does not puff up.

6. Turn the ' poorie' now and then so that both the sides are fried well.

7. Remove the crisp reddish brown ' poorie' with a perforated ladle and drain on a kitchen towel.

8. Fry all the 'poories' and allow them to cool down .

9. Powder the sugar and cardamom smoothly in a mixer.

10. Break the crunchy ' poories' and add the bits to the powdered sugar and give one swish in the mixer. The 'poorie' powder should be coarse and it should blend with the finely powdered sugar.

11. Empty the ' poorie' and sugar blend into a bowl.

12. Heat the ghee and fry the cashew nuts to a golden brown colour.

13. Pour the hot ghee and the fried cshew nuts all over the mixture.

14. Mix with a spatula so that the hot ghee melts away the sugar.

15. Take a handful of the mixture and shape into a golf ball size 'ladoo'. A sprinkle of hot milk will fecilitate the easy formation of Mohan Ladoos.





The crumbly "Enchanting" ladoos are sure to enchant anyone who savours it.

Sabudhana Khichdi/Sago Seeds Khichdi

Navrathri Went on very well. We bought a new steps this time for theGolu, got some dolls from india. Had Lot of friends coming home every day for the Vetrilai Paaku/Haldi Kumkum/Pooja. It was Wonderful. Kuttu had a great time with all his friends coming home in the evening and he visiting their place. After Vijayadasami, it took me 2-3 days to pack all the dolls and to unlock the stairs to Flat packs. phew!!!! Real Hard work!!!
Whenever i have some extra work to do, i try to keep our dinner a bit simple. Last week, one of my Friends brought me some Sabudana Khichdi, tasted so good, i asked her for the recipe. I just tweaked the recipe a bit(or more) and made it for the dinner. Made some raita from DK's Blog as a Combo. Will post the raita recipe's soon!!!!!

Ingredients
2 cups Sago Seeds
2 green chillies
1 Large Onion, Chopped
1 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste
hing, turmeric a pinch

1 tsp mustard seeds
2 tsp Gram/Chana Dal
Salt to taste
2-3 tsp of oil
A fistful of Curry leaves
Fresh Coriander for Garnishing

Method
Wash the sago seeds and drain the excess water, completely. Sprinkle Little water and Keep it covered. Keep Sprinkling water every hour. Soaking Sago fully in water, makes it mushy, so just sprinkle water. Let it sit like this for 5-6 hrs. So, if you are planning to make the Khicdhi @ 8:00PM, start the process by 2:30-3 PM.

Heat oil in a Kadai, Splutter Mustard Seeds, add green chillies, curry leaves, Chana dal, hing and turmeric. Once the Dal turns goldern brown, add onions, ginger garlic paste and saute till  translucent. Add the sago seeds and rest of the masala's, Mix well. Add Salt and Cover and cook for 10 minutes in a simmer flame, for the rawness of masala's to escape. Take it off the flame. Garnish with Coriander and Serve hot with any Raita.




Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Ten Safety Tips for Your Electric Furnace



Keep Warm, Keep Safe, Keep Zap-Free!

For some homeowners, an electric furnace is a practical, affordable home heating solution. But electric furnaces do pose a number of safety hazards, including the risk of electrocution and fire. If you are thinking of installing an electric furnace this winter or already have an electric furnace in your home, please be sure to keep these important tips in mind for optimal performance and safety:


Purchase a Certified, Name Brand Electric Furnace.
An electric furnace is a significant investment and will be essential in keeping your home warm and comfortable during cold weather. Never buy a furnace from a company you’re not familiar with; look for name brand units with a trusted reputation. Ask your friends and neighbors for references, and compare companies that have been in business for several years. Only buy a furnace that has been thoroughly tested and certified by an independent, recognized professional.

Make Sure Your Electric Furnace is Installed Correctly.
Proper installation is crucial to the efficient, safe operation of your electric furnace. Short circuits or loose connections can cause dangerous power surges or electrical fires. To ensure your electric furnace installation is conducted properly, hire only a licensed professional contractor or electrician with a solid reputation.

Clean and Change the Furnace Filter Often.
The filter keeps dirt and airborne pollutants out of your home. An electric furnace filter should be cleaned or replaced every three to four months. This will maintain good air quality inside your home, will keep your electric furnace operating efficiently, and will prevent overheating.

Schedule Yearly Professional Maintenance.
Even an electric furnace that’s running well should be checked by a professional at least once a year. Regular maintenance and tune-ups will keep your electric furnace in top condition, alert you to any potential problems, and address minor issues before they turn into major damage. Make sure the technician you hire is qualified.

Keep Your Electric Furnace Clean.
The area around your electric furnace should be clean and free of clutter. If possible, leave about a five foot clearance around your electric furnace on all sides.

Keep Combustible Materials Away from Your Electric Furnace.
Storing flammable materials like paper or volatile chemicals near your electric furnace is extremely dangerous. Having these items near your furnace dramatically increases the chance of fire or explosion. To prevent accidents, store things like paint, newspaper, wood, gasoline, chemical cleaners, and cloth as far from your electric furnace as possible.

Leave Electric Furnace Repairs to The Professionals.
Electric furnaces are complex devices. If your electric furnace seems to be malfunctioning or is not working properly, never attempt repairs or parts replacement on your own. Contact a certified professional to avoid the risk of personal injury or property damage.

Wear Proper Safety Gear.
When you clean your filter or electric furnace, always wear protective gear like safety goggles and thick gloves. This will protect your eyes and skin from sparks, heat, debris, and other potentially harmful materials.

Disconnect the Power Supply.
Before you go near your electric furnace for any reason, always be sure to disconnect the unit’s power supply. This will prevent the risk of electric shock, which can be extremely painful and potentially deadly.

Use Caution When Installing Other Whole-Home Systems.
Central air conditioners, home humidifiers, and air purification systems can all be connected to most electric furnaces. Still, these additional units should always be installed by a professional, who will ensure that the devices are compatible and safe to operate together.



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