My Sister Bharati's Recipe Featured in The Hindu, Metroplus

My sister's "Palaa Kottai Varuval" recipe is featured under "Grandma's Recipe" column today (27-1-2012). Please checkout her recipe at the below link.

http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/Food/article2834538.ece

She has already shared many recipes in Nithu's Kitchen and you can checkout two of her recipes here and here.

Let's Join hands to fight against plagiarism - Chain Post

I know I'm very late to write about this but it's better late than never! Kumudam Snegiti published my Beetroot Halwa recipe with picture in one of their July-2011 issues, under someone else's name (K.Revathi, Theni). Initially, I was angry with this particular person alone for copying my content without my permission but after seeing Sowje's post in September-2011, I understood that the magazine itself is responsible for all this. I mailed them many times and even left comment in every page of their online magazine. But they didn't care to respond. 

Few months back, Sowje and I talked about this but we didn't do much about this by then. Yesterday, when  Kurinchi  posted about the same issue, we decided to talk about this on our blogs too. Friends, only if we all join hands together we can fight against this. So Friends, Please do write a post in your blog if you were affected by any magazine and please give link to this post. Let it go in chain, so that everyone will be aware of this.

Please check my original post here. See the below picture & recipe that was published in Kumudam Snegiti.

UPDATE :
Yesterday, I bought this month's issue (Jan, 16-31-2012). I could spot many of our blogger friends recipe pictures and recipes in that. I don't know how a reputed magazine is repeatedly involved in this type of act! 

Steamed Eggless Banana Cake

Today is our wedding Anniversary and I prepared this easy and delicious cake to celebrate the occasion. This is the first time I tried to steam the cake. It came out very well. 

Ingredients :

1. All Purpose Flour  - 1 cup 

2. Banana - 1

3. Vegetable Oil - 3 tsp

4. Water - 2 tbsp

5. Baking Powder - 2 tsp

6. Sugar - 1/4 cup

Procedure :

1. Grease and flour dust a dish and keep aside.

2. Mash banana and keep aside.

3. Mix flour and baking powder. Sift and keep aside.

4. Now, take a large bowl. Combine flour and sugar.

5. In a small bowl, mix together the mashed banana, oil and water. Add this to the flour and sugar mix. Gently mix them all together. 

6. Pour the mixture in to the greased and dusted dish.

7. Place the dish in a Idly cooker. Cook for about 20 minutes or till the knife or tooth pick passed in the centre comes out clean.

8. Cool and then cut in to pieces.

You may be interested in :

Eggless Carrot Cake


Chocolate Cake Truffle


Eggless Whole Wheat Fruit Cake


Eggless Chocolate Cake

This Eggless Banana Cake goes to Suma's "Cook-Eat-Delicious-Desserts #6 - Fresh Produce", an event started by Raven.

Sprouted Horsegram Sambar / Mulaikattiya Kollu Sambar

Ingredients :

1. Mulaikattiya Kollu/Sprouted Horsegram - 1/2 Cup (Cooked)

2. Thin Tamarind Juice - 1.5 Cup

3. Sambar Powder - 1 tsp

4. Onion - 1/2 Cup (Chopped)

5. Tomato - 1 (Finely Chopped)

7. Corainder Leaves - Small Qty

6. Salt - Needed Qty

7. Oil - 1/2 tbs

For masala powder,

1. Coriander Seeds - 1 tsp

2. Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp

3. Fenugreek Seeds - Few Seeds

4. Red Chilly - 3 or adjust to your taste

5. Thoor Dhal - 1 tsp
6. Channa Dhal - 1.5 tsp

7. Coconut - 1.5 tsp

8. Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp

Dry roast the above ingredients and finely powder.

For tempering,

1. Mustard - 1 tsp

2. Urad Dhal - 1 tsp

3. Oil - 2 tsp

Procedure :

1. Cook and mash the horsegram. Keep aside.

2. In a pan, add oil. Add onion and tomato.Saute for few minutes.

3. Now add tamarind juice, water, salt and sambar powder.

4. Once the raw smell of the sambar powder is gone, add horsegram (Kollu) and masala powder.

5. Medium the flame and allow the contents to boil well.

6. Temper and then garnish with corainder leaves.

7. Serve hot with rice ot roti.

This participates in Pari's "Only Sprouts" event guest hosted by Priya Mitharwal

Yellow Pumpkin Sweet Pachadi for Pongal

 "Wish You All A Very Happy Pongal"

Parangikai Inippu Pachadi or Yellow Pumpkin Sweet Pachadi is prepared during Pongal. It is offered to God along with other dishes. You can click here for Sakkarai Pongal Recipe, Breakfast Menu and Lunch Menu for Pongal.

Ingredients :

1. Yellow Pumpkin - 1 Cup (Cubed)

2. Salt - A pinch

3. Jaggery Syrup - 2 tbsp

4. Coconut - 1 tbsp (Grated)

For seasoning

1. Red Chilly - 1

2. Mustard - 1/2 tsp

3. Urad Dhal - 1 tsp

4. Curry leaf - A few

5. Oil - 2 tsp

     

Procedure :

1. Peel pumpkin and cut in to small cubes.

2. In a pan, add little quantity of water and a pinch of salt. Then add pumpkin cubes.

3. When the pumpkin is half-cooked, add jaggery syrup.

4. Again cover the pan and cook till pumpkin becomes tender.Add coconut. Keep aside.

5. In a small pan, heat oil. Splutter mustard. Add urad dhal, curry leaves and red chilly. Fry for a minute.

6. Add this to cooked pumpkin. Mix well.

7. Serve with any Indian bread/ rice.

Event Announcement - Healthy Food for Healthy Kids Series

It looks like just yesterday, I confirmed my pregnancy but days have moved fast and today, our little angel "S" is five months old. Most of you here already know this good news from my side and thanks to all for your mails enquiring about her. She needs all your blessings and wishes. Our Angel has made our life so beautiful. Her smile makes us feel how much we are blessed! 

Just after our little angel completed her four months, I was in a urge to start solids. But her Pediatrician said Lil "S" is gaining weight steadily and it is better to wait until 6 months. She said it is worth to wait because baby's digestive system would be more matured in 6 months which would help her to digest food easily. 

Soon "S" will complete her six months and here is where I want your help. I need ideas on first food that we introduce to baby. I have decided to have this as an event. The event will continue as series with different titles every month. The event will eventually move from baby food to toddler food and so on. I invite all my wonderful fellow bloggers to join hands with me to host this event. "Healthy Food for Healthy Kids" series will start from this month (Jan-2012). Please mail me to nithuskitchen@gmail.com if you are interested to guest host this event. Please note that only vegetarian recipes will be accepted. No eggs too. 

Now let us go to Event Title for this month, Logo & it's Rules :


Event Title :- Healthy Food for Healthy Kids - Baby Food (6 to 9 Months)

Rules :

1. Post recipes for Porridge, Fruits & Vegetables Purees, Juices or any other food that you feel suitable for babies between 6 months to 9 months of age. Event logo & link to this event announcement page is mandatory one.

2. Don't worry if you have your recipes in your archives. Just update the post with the link to this event announcement. Adding logo is important.

3. Send your entries to nithuskitchen@gmail.com with the subject line as ‘Healthy Food for Healthy Kids-Baby Food (6-9 Months)' with the below details.

Name :

Blog Name :

Recipe Name : 

Recipe URL : 

Picture of your recipe : 

4. Non-bloggers are welcome to send in their recipes. Send recipe in full with the picture and the same subject line as above. 


5. Person who sends highest number of entries will be declared as the Winner of the Month. A winner badge will be awarded which you can proudly post in your blog:-) 


6. I'l acknowledge your entries within 3 days else leave a comment in this announcement.

Note : 

There are few important things that we should be keep in mind while we prepare food for babies. 

1. Please wash hands before preparing baby food. 

2. Wash fruits and vegetables before cooking. 

3. Wash blender jar in clean water before blending anything for your little one.

4. Don't over cook or under cook. 

5. Please avoid additives like sugar, salt & fat. If you still want to use, keep them in minimum.

6. Most important thing is consult pediatrician regarding the food that may pose allergic risks to your baby.

7. Please don't use honey till your little one is one year old. Honey may cause rare form of food poisoning in babies. 

8. Avoid nuts in baby food preparation as they may pose allergy.

9. Use separate vessels and a small pressure cooker to prepare baby food.

Host Line-up & Event Titles 

S.No	Event Title	Child Age	Hosted By	Month
1	Baby Food - Porridge/Purees/Juice	6 to 9 Months	Nithu Bala	10th Jan to 10th Feb
2	Baby Food - Lentils	8 to 10 Months	Kiran	10th Feb to 10th Mar
3	Baby Food - Finger Food	9 to 12 Months	Sowje	10th Mar to 10th Apr
4	Healthy Breakfast/Dinner for Toddlers	1 to 3 Years	Roshni	10th Apr to 10th May
5	Healthy Lunch for Toddlers	1 to 3 Years	Priya Vaasu	10th May to 10th June
6	Rainbow Food for Toddlers	1 to 3 Years	Sara	10th June to 10th July
7	Healthy Snacks for Pre-Schoolers	2.5 to 3.5 Years	Pari	10th July to 10th Aug
8	Healthy Lunch Box Recipes for Kids	4 to 15 Years	Latha	10th Aug to 10th Sep
9	Healthy Combo Meal for Kids	4 to 15 Years	Food Lovers	10th Sep to 10th Oct
10	Healthy Chaat for Kids	4 to 15 Years		10th Oct to 10th Nov
11	Wraps & Rolls for Kids	4 to 15 Years	Asiya	10th Nov to 10th Dec
12	Paneer Delicacies for Kids	4 to 15 Years	Rachana Rege	10th Dec to 10th Jan-2013
13	Kids - Party Food	4 to 15 Years	Priya Mitharwal	10th Jan to 10th Feb-2013
14	Kids Favourite - Sandwich	4 to 15 Years	Jaleela	10th Feb to 10th March-2013
15	Kids Favourite - Pizza	4 to 15 Years		10th March to 10th Apr-2013
16	Kids Favourite - Pasta	4 to 15 Years		10th April to 10th May-2013
17	Kids Favourite - Noodles	4 to 15 Years		10th May to 10th June-2013
17	Kids Favourite - Ice Creams & Fresh Juices	4 to 15 Years		10th June to 10th July-2013

Rice Kheer for New Year - 2012

                         Wish you all A Very Happy New Year - 2012.

Ingredients :

1. Basmati Rice - 1/2 Cup

2. Milk - 1 litre

3. Sugar - 3/4 Cup or Adjust to your taste

4. Almond - A few

5. Cashew - A few

6. Ghee - 2 tsp

7. Cardamom Powder - 1/2 tsp

Procedure :

1. Fry nuts with a teaspoonful of ghee. Cool and finely powder. Keep aside.

2. Fry rice with a teaspoonful of ghee till it turns to light golden brown.

3. Bring milk to boil. Add rice. Medium the flame.

4. Keep stirring the contents. Add sugar, cardamom powder and powdered nuts once rice is cooked.

5. Wait till milk reduces to half of the actual quantity.

6. Serve hot or chilled. Both way it tastes great.

You may be interested in :

Rice Payasam 

Paneer & Apple Kheer

Mixed Fruit Custard

Poori Payasam

Nuts and Fruits Dessert

Poha Payasam

Mango Dessert

Moong Dhal Payasam

Beetroot Kheer

Carrot Kheer

Vermicelli Payasam