Vegetable Kurma in microwave

onion 1 big

peas 1/2 cup

cauliflower 1/2 cup cut

spring onion 1 with green

carrot 1

poppy seeds ( kas kas) 2 tbsp

cashew nuts 10

green chilies 3-4

fresh coriander leaves 2 tbsp

coconut 1 tbsp

cumin 1 tsp

ginger 1"

oil 2 tsp

capsicum 1 medium

in a micro safe dish, put poppy seeds, roast for 30 seconds, mix well, keep for another 30 seconds, remove, soak in water along with cashew nuts.

in the microwave dish, add oil, cumin, keep for 90 seconds.

then add onion & garlic if you use, saute for 2 minutes.

then add carrots, cauliflower, peas, capsicum, add salt, cook till done, if need be sprinkle some water.

grind soaked poppy seeds, cashew nuts, ginger, coconut, green chilies fine. fry this mixture well in microwave safe dish for 3 minutes stirring mid-way. then add it to the cooked vegetables, add water as required & salt as per taste, add coriander leaves,onion green, let it boil well for 4-5 minutes.

serve hot with biryani, roti, paranthas, puris, dosai, adai.

Coriander, tomato & Onion chutney

chana dal 2 tbsp

hing 1/4 tsp

onion 2 medium

tomatoes 2 big

coriander leaves 1/2 cup

salt to taste

green chilies 3-4 or to taste

tamarind small marble ball size

oil 1 tsp

mustard seeds 1/2 tsp

udad dal 2 tsp

Method

1) In a kadai, add chana dal roast it, remove.

2) In a few drops of oil, fry onion chopped till transparent, those who love garlic may add few pearls of it & fry along with onion., then add tomatoes, saute a while, once they're a bit soft, add tamarind, remove, cool.

3) In the mixie, grind all with salt to taste.

4) heat rest of the oil, add mustard seeds, once to crackles, add udad dal, once it turns golden, sesaon the chutney. 

ps- this goes well with idli, dosai, adai, roti, upma. 

It is healthier, than the usual coconut chutney, as it doesn't have cholesterol.

ps- those interested in cancer & health related news, can view my blog

http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com./

Chocolate Nut Pumpkin Bread

 (½ cup) butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup canned pumpkin
½ cup firmly packed unsweetened cocoa powder
2 eggs
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup milk
1 cups semisweet chocolate chips
¼ cup chopped nuts of your choice
¼ cup  raisins

Confectioners' sugar for topping as needed

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan.

In a large bowl, beat together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, pumpkin, and cocoa; beat well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to chocolate mixture alternately with milk, beating until mixed. Stir in chocolate chips, nuts and raisins. Turn batter into prepared pan.

Bake 1¼ hours, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Let loaf cool in pan 30 minutes, then transfer to a rack and let cool completely.
Sift confectioners' sugar over top before serving.

Oatmeal Chocolate Cookie Bars

Ingredients

Cookie:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, unsalted
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups quick cooking oatmeal
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt

Topping:

• 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1 Tbsp Butter
• 6 oz Milk Chocolate

Instructions

1. Cream brown sugar and butter together until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, and mix until combined.
2. In a separate bowl mix together dry ingredients. Slowly add in to wet ingredients and mix until combined. Press mixture into a 9x13 lined with parchment, non-stick foil, or well prepped with baking spray.
3. Using a double boiler, or a pot with an inch of water and another glass or metal bowl on top of it. Simmer water underneath, and add condensed milk, chocolate, and butter to top bowl. Stir until melted and combined.This you can do in a microwave for 1-2 minutes, depending on the power of your microwave.
4. Pour chocolate mixture over bars in prepped pan. Bake at 350 for 12-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Vegetable Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cups mixed vegetables cut into bite-size pieces (carrots, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, )
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 cup low fat plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 cup  breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
    
2. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onion and vegetables in oil for 15-20 minutes.
    
3. Place cooked vegetables in a colander to drain excess moisture and set aside.
    
4. In a mixing bowl, combine yogurt, salt, pepper, garlic powder and cheddar cheese and fold together. Fold in vegetables.
    
5. Pour into casserole dish and cover with breadcrumbs, press down on top of casserole to even out. Bake for 25-35 minutes.

Fruit Coffee Cake

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups chopped, peeled apples, apricots, peaches, pineapple, OR
• 1 1/2 cups blueberries or raspberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 beaten egg
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  If using a glass pan, preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
    
2. In a saucepan, combine choice of fruit and 1/4 cup water.
    
3. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer (do not simmer raspberries) about 5 minutes or until tender.
    
4. Combine 1/4 cup of the sugar and the cornstarch. Stir into fruit mixture.
    
5. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Set aside.
    
6. In a mixing bowl stir together 1/2 cup of the sugar, the 1-1/2 cups flour, the baking powder, and baking soda.
    
7. Cut in 4 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
    
8. Combine egg, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened.
    
9. Spread half of the batter into an 8x8x2-inch baking pan.
    
10. Spread fruit mixture over batter.
     
11. Drop remaining batter in small mounds atop filling.
     
12. Combine the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the 1/4 cup flour.
     
13. Cut in remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
     
14. Sprinkle over batter.
     
15. Bake in a 350 degrees F oven (325 degrees F if using glass pan) for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve warm.  

Easy Coffee Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup hot coffee
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

1. Mix together the brown sugar, flour, and butter just until mixed; there will be lumps.
    
2. Take out 1 cup of sugar and flour mixture and set aside to be used later for a crumb topping.
    
3. Dissolve the baking soda in the hot coffee and add to the remaining flour mixture. Add the egg and vanilla and mix quickly; do not over mix.
    
4. Preheat ovento 350 degrees F.
    
5. Pour batter into a rectangular baking dish and sprinkle on crumb topping.
    
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes; turn to 325 degrees F if top starts to get too brown.
    
7. Remove from oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar or leave plain.

15 Brilliant Uses for Toothpaste...

Toothpaste: it whitens, brightens, deodorizes, removes stains, and restores and protects enamel. But toothpaste's cleaning capabilities work wonders on many things besides our teeth.    The same ingredients that help polish our pearly whites can also soothe some common ailments, make household items sparkle, and even get rid of stains and pungent smells. Try out these fifteen tricks with a white, non-gel toothpaste (unless otherwise noted), and watch that cavity-fighting, breath-freshening tube of wonder work its magic.    1. Relieve irritation from bug bites, sores, and blisters: These skin irritations all tend to weep and, in the case of bug bites, often itch. Apply a drop of toothpaste to a bug bite or insect sting to stop the itching and decrease any swelling. When applied to sores or blisters, it dries them up, thus allowing the wound to heal faster. It's best when used overnight.    2. Soothe a stinging burn: For minor burns that donot involve an open wound, toothpaste can deliver temporary cooling relief. Apply it delicately to the affected area immediately after a burn develops; it temporarily relieves the sting and prevents the wound from weeping or opening.    3. Decrease the size of a facial blemish: Want to speed up the healing of a zit? Apply a tiny dot of toothpaste to the affected area at night before bed. Wash it off in the morning.    4. Clean up your fingernails: Our teeth are made of enamel, and toothpaste is good for them, so it stands to reason that toothpaste would also be good for our fingernails. For cleaner, shinier, and stronger nails, simply scrub the underneath and tops of fingernails with a toothbrush and toothpaste.    5. Keep hair in place: Gel toothpastes contain the same water-soluble polymers that many hair gels are made of. If you are looking to style and hold an extreme hair creation, try gel toothpaste as your go-to product if you are out of regular hair gel. (This is also a great trick for making baby barrettes stay in place.)    6. Scrub away stinky smells: Garlic, fish, onion, and other pungent foods can permeate the skin cells on our hands. Scrubbing hands and fingertips briefly with toothpaste removes all traces of smelly odors.    7. Remove stains: Toothpaste can make tough stains on both clothing and carpets disappear. For clothes, apply toothpaste directly to the stain and rub briskly until the spot is gone, then wash as usual. (Note that using a whitening toothpaste on colors can sometimes bleach the fabric.) For carpet stains, apply toothpaste to the stain and scrub it with an abrasive brush, then rinse immediately.    8. Spruce up dirty shoes: This tactic works great on running shoes or scuffed-up leather shoes. As with carpet stains, apply toothpaste directly to the dirty or scuffed area, then scrub with a brush and wipe clean.    9. Remove crayon stains on painted walls: Rub a damp cloth with toothpaste gently on the marked-up wall and watch the Crayola marks disappear.    10. Make silver jewelry and other silver pieces sparkle: Rub toothpaste onto jewelry and leave overnight. Wipe clean with a soft cloth in the morning. Make diamonds shine by giving them a gentle scrub using a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a little water. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of toothpaste. Do not use this method on pearls, as it will damage their finish  11. Remove scratches on DVD's and CD's. This remedy has been use with mixed success rates. But it seems to work fairly well on shallow scratches and smudges.  Apply thin coating of toothpaste to the disc and rub gently, then rinse clean. 12. Tidy up piano keys before tickling them. Piano keys retain oil from the skin, which then attaracts dust and dirt.  Clan away grime gently with damp. lint-free cloth and toothpaste; after rubbing in the toothpaste, wipe the keys clean with a second lint-free cloth. 13. Deodorize baby bottles: if baby bottles develop a sour-milk smell, a good cleaning with some toothpaste and a bottle scrubber will clean away residue and deodorize. Always make sure to rinse well. 14. Remove the burned crust on irons: for those of you who still use an iron, you may find that after time, the plate of the iron develops a burned crust.  The silica in toothpaste gently grinds away this rusty - looking layer. 15. Defog goggles. ; Scuba divers, swimmers and triathletes may already know about this handy little trick.  Rub a smell spot of toothpaste into each legs of your goggles.  Then rinse thoroughly and voila!  There'll be no need to ever buy expensive defogger and gets again.  Avoid rubbing too vigorously, though, as the abrasive ingredients in toothpaste could scratch the lenses.               __._,_.___

Spinach-cheese rice

There is no hard & fast rule as to how much of each ingredient one wants to add.

I used
onion finely chopped 1
cauliflower cut 1 tbsp
carrot cut  2 tbsp
spinach chopped fine    1 cup
peas 1/4 cup
cheese grated  3-4 tbsp
green chilies 3 chopped fine
garlic 4 chopped fine
oil & ghee together 2 tbsp
salt to taste
chili flakes 1/2 tsp
cooked rice 1 cup
jeera/ cumin1 tsp

Method
Heat  oil & ghee in a heavy pan, add jeera/ cumin, once it crackles, add all the veges, chilies, garlic, except spinach with little salt, mix well.
cover & cook this till it is 3/4 done.
then add the spinach, mix well, let it all get cooked well, then add chili flakes, cheese, mix well.
add rice, salt to taste, remember that you've added little salt in the beginning, then cheese as salt, so add little less, mix well, let it simmer for some time. check for salt, if you need add more.
in case rice is too dry, sprinkle little water, mix well, as it helps to absorb all the flavours well.

this is a meal by itself, when you've with amla/gooseberry raita, as it helps to absorb the iron from spinach. Or you may have with any raita with some lime juice in it, or with lime pickle or amla pickle.

very healthy, simple meal.

apple & pumpkin dessert in microwave

apple 4 chopped fine ( I did it with the skin)
pumpkin about 150 gm peeled & chopped fine
maida ( all purpose flr.) 2 tbsp
milk pdr. 2-3 tbsp
ghee/ clarified butter 1 tbsp
sugar 3-4 tbsp
nuts & raisins optional
nutmeg pdr 3/4 tsp

Method
In a micro safe dish, I added maida, kept it for 1 minute, stirred well & again for another min. micro high. Then I added say 1/2 a glass of water, mixed it well, micro high for 2 minutes, stirring after each minute,

Then I added the apple & pumpkin mixed well, micro high for 3 min., adding about 3/4 tsp of nutmeg pdr.

Then I mixed it well, added the sugar, mixed, micro high for 3 minutes, smashing the fruits well. After checking, if the fruits were cooked or not, I micro high, as they're still not soft for another 3 minutes. Then I added the milk pdr., mixed well, cooked for another 3 minutes.
Finally added the ghee, mixed well, micro high for 2 minutes, checked if it was done, by wetting my hands, when you touch the mixture, it shouldn't stick to ur hand. Then I kept for another 1 minute, & let it remain in the microwave for 5 minutes, took it out, cooled it a bit, rolled small balls, but didn't add any nuts or raisins.
It was ready to eat.

ps- sorry can't load the picture as my connector is back at home, as I'm on a holiday.

I really loved this dessert, you can make with chikoo, only apple, banana etc. I'm sure that you all are quite imaginative & can try any combo that you desire.
To be very frank, when I cook, I never exactly measure anything, just add what I feel like, even while I bake a cake, I just have the packet of maida, sugar, butter, essence & keep adding what I feel is fine, luckily so far it has come out well !