Ultimate Blog Party

Well I'm quite new to blogging and have been having a good look around for inspiration and to find new friends. I've found this blogging party, so I'm joining in.

I am  single mum to 6 kids, I like to bake, and share my recipes here. I like knitting and sewing too, but you'll see less of that. I also blog about my kids - the good and the bad! Here they are.

I'd love some advice on how to improve the look of my blog, find new friends and find interesting blogs to read.

Welcome to my kitchen!!

Pooshanikkai Halwa - Ash Gourd Fondant

POOSHANIKKAI HALWA TO CELEBRATE

VARUSHA PIRAPPU ( Tamil New Year's Day) 

 Here is an additional sweet which can be prepared along with the customary menu to celebrate Varusha Pirappu. 
Wish you a very happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.



 INGREDIENTS

Grated ash gourd - 2 cups
Milk - 1/2 cup
Water - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 1 3/4 cups
Ghee - 2 tbsps
Cardamom - 2 ( Powdered with a small flake of edible camphor)
Almonds and raisins -  for garnishing

METHOD 

1. Remove the peel of the ash gourd piece . 

2. Grate the vegetable and squeeze out all the water.



3. Boil milk and water in a heavy bottomed pan and add the squeezed out gourd gratings.
4. Cook till the gratings are half done and almost dry.
5. Add sugar and cook till the sugar syrup becomes sticky.



6.When the halwa comes together and acquires the colour of honey, add the powdered cardamom and edible camphor, stir in one tbsp of ghee and remove from flame.
7. Blanch almonds, remove the skin and chop into thin slivers.
8. Fry almond slivers and raisins in the remaining ghee and pour over the Pooshanikkai Halwa.



Enjoy the warm Pooshanikkai Halwa with family and friends on the happy occasion.

Spinach,Green Beans and Red Lentil Saute

Sometimes I try to make a dish where I try to combine 2 or 3 vegetables or greens to make it healthier. This time  I tried all the different combinations and it turned out good. It's always healthier to include greens in our food at least few times a week.

Ingredients:
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1/4 cup Red Lentils
1 pkg Frozen Spinach or fresh
1 pkg French Cut Beans frozen
1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
2-3 Garlic pods peeled and chopped
1/4 tsp Nutmeg powder
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp Olive Oil

Method:
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1. In a pan add oil, when it's hot enough add the garlic, lentils, and beans frozen, so that u don't need to add more water for the lentils to cook.
2. Cover and cook until the lentils and the beans are almost cooked for about 10 mins.
3. Now add the spinach and nutmeg powder and again cover n cook for abot 2-3 mins.
4. Now add salt and red pepper flakes and stir it again.
5. Serve this as a side dish or with roti or just eat it like that.

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