Broken wheat Payasam/Kheer

Asiatic lily

Red Amaranthus

Kolu 2024

LakeRose Wayanad Resort

Ooty

Gateway Coonoor IHCL SeleQtions

Tuberose / Rajanigandha flower

Turmeric plant

Barley Dalia Kitchadi

chow chow chutney

Radish Paratha/Mooli paratha

Radish paratha or Mooli paratha as it is called in hindi is a flat bread that is prepared in winter when radish is available in abundance.

Ingredients:

1 cup - grated radish/mooli

2 cups - wheat flour/atta

1 tsp - turmeric powder/haldi

1 tsp - cumin/jeera powder

1 tsp - chilli flakes

2 tsp - chick pea flour/besan

1/2 cup - coriander leaves

Oil and salt - as required

Turmeric Shots

 Turmeric shots is a very palatable drink that can help in increasing immunity. The proportion of ginger and turmeric can be altered according to ones taste. Even, sparkling water can be added instead of coconut water for that extra fizz.

Ingredients: 1 cup - turmeric 1/2 cup - ginger 1 - tender coconut 2 tsp - honey 1 tsp - cumin powder 1 pinch salt

Broken Wheat Pongal

A simple and easy to make diabetic friendly food.

Ingredients:

2 cups - broken wheat/daliya/samba rava

1/2 cup -  green gram/moong dal

6 cups - water

3 tsp - chopped ginger

1 - green chilli slit

1 tsp - cumin/jeera 

1 tsp - black pepper

1 tsp - asafoetida/hing

1 cup - ghee/clarified butter

1/2 cup - cashew nuts

curry leaves - few

salt to taste   

Fenugreek leaves dosa

Ingredients:

2 cups - par-boiled rice/idli rice

1/4 cup - black gram/urad dal

2 cups - fenugreek/methi leaves

1 tsp - cumin/jeera powder

1 tsp - pepper powder

salt and oil as required

Rava Idli

Rava idli can be served anytime. It tastes great with coconut chutney and sambhar. With added vegetables it becomes a  good option for people who are on low GI diet.

Ingredients:

2 cups - rava/semolina

2 cup - curd

1 cup - cold water

1 tsp - asafoetida powder

1tsp - oil

1tsp - roasted mustard

1tsp - roasted black gram

1tsp - finely chopped ginger

1tsp - finely chopped chillies

1tsp - baking powder

1 cup - grated coconut

1 cup - grated carrot

1 cup - chopped coriander

few curry leaves

salt to taste

Cashews for garnishing

Eggless fruit bar

I made this recipe with the  ingredients that had in my hand. However, more nuts and other extotic dry fruits can be added to make it rich. 

Ingredients:

2 cups - maida/all purpose flour

1 cup - brown sugar

1 cup - orange juice

1 cup - dry fruits(candied cherries, tutti frutti,black raisins, yellow raisins)

1/2 cup - cashew nut

1/2 cup - vegetable oil

1/2 cup - curd

1 tsp - baking powder

1/2 tsp - baking soda

Roast nuts without oil

Navarathri

Navarathri is celebrated through out India. In the southern states it is celebrated by displaying dolls in various sizes and colours in specific number of steps. In Tamil it is known as bommai (doll) golu or kolu. Colourful rangoli and lights also add up to the decoration. 

In the top step a kalash is placed along with few dolls of god. Kalash is a brass pot that has fresh water which is covered with a bunch of mango leaves and a coconut. 

Wooden dolls known as Marapachi bommai are the dolls that is first placed before the arrangement of other doll commences. Nine days of navarathri is represented by placing nine steps.

However, nowdays people opt for three or five steps for lack of space. Even kalash is placed in the pooja cupboard.

The best part of the celebrations begin in the evening with singing of songs and distribution of sundal. Sundal is protien rich pulses prepared in salt or sweet form. Besides, sundal all guests are also offered betel leaves, betel nuts, flowers, coconuts and some gifts. 

Ninth day of navarathri is celebrated as Saraswathi pooja. On this day, prayer is offered to books, musical instruments and vehicles. 

The tenth and final day of navarathri is considered auspicious for all new beginings and learning new skills. Small kids are also intiated into formal education on this day. It is known as Akshara abhyaasam or Vidyaarambham. Finally, the Marapachi bommai pairs are put to sleep as culmination of navarathri.

Happy navarathri to all the readers.

Myna talk