Happy new year 2014

Happy new year to all my friends and relatives. May this new bring lots of happiness, luck and good health to all.

Green gram-spinach gravy

Green gram-spinach gravy is high on fibre, low on calorie and is packed with lots of nutrition. This spicy gravy goes well with flat breads and rice.

Green gram is a high fibre legume rich in potassium and digestive enzymes. The capsaicin compound in chilli pepper which gives it a pungent flavour has anti-bacterial, analgesic and anti-diabetic properties. Spinach, which is known as palak in Hindi is rich in fibre besides vitamin A and C.

Green chilli pepper

Ingredients;
Green chilli pepper (sliced) - 7
Green gram - 100gm
Spinach (chopped) - 2cups
Onion -2 (chopped finely)
Garlic paste -2tsps
Ginger paste -1tsp
Cumin seeds -2tsps
Turmeric powder -2tsps
Curry powder/sambhar powder -2tps
Oil and salt - as required
Chopped coriander leaves -2tsps

Method:
Soak the green gram for 12 hours or overnight. Cook it in a pressure cook till done. In a frying pan, heat cumin seeds and one teaspoon of oil. When it splutters add the onions and sauté. Once the onions turn transparent stir in the pastes first and then all the powders. Add the spinach and one cup of water.  Cook over a low flame. Once the spinach is done add the cooked green gram and green chilli peppers. Boil for few seconds and remove from heat. Garnish with coriander leaves before serving.

Note: Sprouted green gram can be used to make this gravy. 

Strawberry preserve

I found the vegetable and fruits market flooded with strawberries, which is also my favourite fruit. So I thought I can make a preserve out of it.
This preserve is made without using any preservative, artificial colour and essence. It is simple to make and can be stored in the refrigerator for nearly a month.
Strawberry preserve can be used as a spread for bread and flat breads. It can be added to cold milk to make milk shake, or to curd to make strawberry lassi. It can also be used while making plum cake.

Ingredients:
Crushed strawberry - 3cups
Sugar - 2 cups
Lemon juice - 4tsp

Method:
Mix the strawberry and the sugar in a thick bottom pan.

Place it on the stove and stir continuously. When it starts to thicken, reduce the heat and add the lemon juice. Allow it to thicken to the consistency of jam. Cool and store it in refrigerator.
Note: Crush the strawberries with a fork to get some pieces in the preserve. Orange rind can also be added along with lemon juice to give a tangy flavour.

Quick Lady's finger

This is a very simple and easy to make vegetable. It goes well with flat breads as well as with any variety rice.

Ingredients:
Lady's finger -250gms
Onion -1
Turmeric powder -1/2tsp
Curry powder/Garam masala -1tsp
Salt and oil - as required

Method:
Cut the onions into big pieces. Keep it aside.
Wash and cut the lady's finger into one inch length pieces.
Heat two teaspoons of oil in a frying pan. Add the lady's finger and fry till it changes colour.
Remove and keep aside.
In the same pan fry the onion till it turns transparent. Add the curry powder, turmeric and salt. Sauté till it releases nice aroma.
Then add the lady's finger and two teaspoons of water. Toss everything. Cover and cook till done.

Chennai’s changing sky

Currently, Chennai is experiencing a cool weather. It can neither be called winter nor summer. Occasionally, it rains with surface winds being very high. However, it is nice to view the sky that keeps changing by the hour. In fact, the weather is unpredictable. One cannot say anything by even watching the changing sky.


Here is a picture of Chennai with dark skies in the morning and another one with a rainbow in the afternoon.

My tryst with real people

 

After a long gap I have started painting again. I wanted to do a painting of  real people in my life.

This time I have done a painting of my niece.

In the left side is a picture of my niece. The right side is her painting. The painting is in oil on paper.

Myna talk