Friday, July 31, 2009

Pazha Nurukku/Nendra Pazham Nurukku (Ripe plantain Dessert)

Pazha nurukkuu/Nedra Pazham Nurukku (Ripe Plantain dessert)

Pazham puzhugiyathu in Malayalam I make this in USA, because you can get the ripe plantain plenty here but the taste is different here. I just keep in the pazhams in microwave after chopping both sides. It is very healthy breakfast and very filling too.The sweet dessert is very tasty and we prepare on Onam day.

Ingredients
  • Nendran pazham(Ripe Plantain)…….2
  • Powdered Jaggery…………………1cup
  • Ghee……………………………….1tsp
Method
  • Cut the banana into 2” pieces with the skin .
  • Heat a pan with little water add the jaggery powder and banana pieces.
  • Keep the flame in low. Cover the pan. 
  • Stir from time to time. The jaggery becomes thick and banana pieces are cooked and incorporated with jaggery well.
  • Remove and serve. Remove the skin and eat it
  • In Kerala we prepare this recipe very often and especially children love this pazham nurukku.
  • This is one of the dish for Onam Sadya.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Athirasam (Sweet Athirasam)

Athirasam
 
Ingredients
  • Raw rice………………….2 cups
  • Jaggery...............................2 cup
  • Cardamom Powder………1/2 tsp
  • Dry Ginger Powder……….1 pinch
Method
  • Soak the rice for two hours. Remove the water and spread in a towel.
  • When it dries grind in a blender
  • Sieve it to get fine powder. 
  • The powder should be slightly wet.
  • Heat a pan with little water add the jaggery and make a syrup.
  • Filter this syrup to remove the stone.
  • Boil again till it forms one thread consistency Kambi padam(Put a drop jaggery in cold water then it should be like soft gel). 
  • Add this syrup, cardamom powder to the rice flour to a soft dough.
  • Heat a pan with oil to fry. 
  • Apply oil in plantain leaf of plastic, take small amount dough and spread like small discs. 
  • Deep fry them and keep them in paper towel.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Cucumber Raitha

Cucumber Raitha
 
This raitha is very soothing dish.


Ingredients
  • Cucumber..............1
  • Yogurt....................1cup
  • Mustard Seeds.......1/2 tsp
  • Red Chili.................1
  • Curry Leaves.............few
  • Salt to taste
Method
  • Peel the skin of the cucumber and grate it. 
  • Add yogurt and salt.Heat a pan with oil,mustard seeds, chili and curry leaves.
  • When the mustard splutters add to the raitha.
  • This dish goes with vegetable pulav.
  • Make dhuthi raitha with grated dhuthi
  • You can make okra raitha , karela  raitha, spinach raitha the same way.
  • But fry chopped spinach/chopped okra/ chopped bitter gourd and add to the yogurt.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Home remedy


Dry, lustreless hair


Good ole' grandma's warm coconut oil works best. Massage in about half hour before you shampoo.

You could also use a heavy duty conditioner like Boots' Honey Acacia (Rs 225, available at any store which houses imported products).

Amongst the Indian brands, you could use Ultra Doux with wheatgerm for dry hair, which will cost your approximately Rs 130.

Natural remedies!


For those who don't want to settle for anything less than 100 per cent natural, here are some home remedies you can concoct:


For that satiny feeling, apply virgin olive oil on your body, lips and nails; it's a great skin revitalizer.


Mix equal parts of boroglycerine (Rs 3 a vial, available at any chemist), rosewater and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this at bedtime on your face, hands and feet for magical results.

Mix a teaspoon each of milk cream, honey and oats. Apply on your face for 10 minutes and scrub off. It not only moisturizes but exfoliates gently, leaving your skin radiant. Use this pack once a week.

Whip up this pre-bath body scrub, massage all over your body and then shower:

Grind three tablespoons of sesame seeds (til) with three to four teaspoons of rosewater and half a teaspoon of sandalwood paste.


You now have a fragrant, hydrating pre-bath body scrub.


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