Gojju Powder

Gojju is a kind of dish prepared to add either with indian breads like chappattis, rotis or with rice.

Gojju can be made up of any vegetable viz., Lady's finger, Brinjal, Onion, Tomato, Onion with tomato.

Gojju Powder is a powder which needs to be added for spicing the gojju. It can be stored like sambar powder, or rasam powder.
Ingredients:
Urad Dhal - 1 cup
Gram Dhal - 1 cup
Fenugreek Seeds - 1 tsp
Jeera - 1 tsp
Red Chillies - 1 1/4 cup (more or less based on the hot/khara u want)

Method:
Fry each of the ingredient separately till it changes its color (but not to black :) which is over fried).
Blend the ingredients

Onion Gojju:
Heat 4 tsps of oil
Add 1 tsp of mustard and wait till it splutters
Add 1 tsp of urad dhal, 1 tsp of gram dhal and wait till it turns its color
Add few curry leaves
Add Salt
Add onion and fry it till it changes its color to light brown
Add little tamarind water and a glass of normal water and allow the mixture to boil
Finally add gojju powder

Thus, the onion gojju is ready.

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Pongal - New Year

Every year Pongal is celebrated on 13th, 14th and 15th of January. It is also considered as a New Year for Tamilians (especially for harvesting group).

The people would take out the paddy crops and make it as rice.

13-Jan is celebrated as Bhoogi Pongal.

• In Andhra, people collect almost all waste materials from their entire area and burn all of them. They call that as "Bhoogimantalu".

14-Jan is celebrated as Surya Pongal.

• People get up early in the morning prepare different dishes. Draw Surya(sun) and Chandra(Moon) and keep all the dishes for naivediya for god including sugarcane in banana leaves.
• Andhrites and Kannadigas mix groundnut seeds, til, hurigadale(roasted gram), small pieces of chopra, small pieces of jaggery and share with their relatives and friends saying "Yelu Bella tindu ole matadu" means "eat til and jaggery and speak good things".

15-Jan is celebrated as Mathu Pongal.

• Non-vegetarian people will avoid eating non-veg on 13th and 14th will prepare different non-vegetarian dishes on this day.
• In the evening, farmers decorate their cows, buffaloes, oxen, bulls and make them to jump across the fire by thanking God to give them good crop. And praying for the same till the next year.

Andhrites and Kannadigas call this festival as Makara Sankranthi, while Tamilians call this festival as Pongal.

I thank Saras to post on Pongal.

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2 Important things for Interview

Today is Swami Vivekananda's 147th Birthday, as I am inspired by this person here is a post.

Two qualities which I find interesting in Swami Vivekananda was: 

a. Inspired speech

     While attending interviews follow a saying "Communication is the weapon" to win them. Might be the interviewee just know the concept what a interviewer questioned but he/she should get into that scenario and then speak about it. Definitely the interview would be a hit.

b. High level thinking

    Swami Vivekananda used to go through the preface and index of the book and tell what contents might be there in the book, which would match accordingly. This shows that person was very intellectual, and had high level thinking quality.

Both of the above qualities are must to face an interview.

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Beans Pappu

Beans Pappu:

Ingredients:

• Beans - 1/4 kg
• Onion - 2
• Tomato - 2
• Toor Dhal - one hand full or 50g
• Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
• Oil - to fry
• Curry Leaves - for seasoning (few leaves)
• Coriander Leaves - for seasoning
• Sambar Powder - 2 tbsp
• Salt to taste

Method:

• Cook toor dhal and tomato
• Cook beans separately 
• Smash the beans and remove all the water from it (it shouldn't look like beans)
• Heat oil, add mustard seeds when it splutters add curry leaves
• Add salt
• Fry onion till light brown
• Squeeze tomato completely add it to the mixture
• Add toor dhal and smashed beans
• Add sambar powder and little more water
• Serve for 3 to 4 people.

NOTE: Water should be less in pappu.

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Travel Idea - Coorg

Coorg is a best place to be seen, which is also called as Scotland of India.

There are many homestays and resorts within anyone's budget right from Rs.1000 to Rs.6000 per day with/without food.

Coorg Misty is a resort to be seen. It is about 4kms from Kakabbe Junction. The rooms has thatched roofs and gives a feeling of a village with all modern amenities.

The dimension of a room includes a big hall with double cot and a small room with two cots one above the other with a western toilet cum bathroom, which is very spacious.

Its really known for its hospitality provided by Mr.Daniel (9448448629) and the Restaurant Chef Mr.Deepak (9980196079) and their friendly staff. They provided the best menu of both veg and non-veg food with a relaxed time of 2 hours.

Bharat Online is an event organizer who serves its customers' with different options and suitable for the budget given. Risto (9900001019) will definitely provide you the best service required as he did for us (a team of 30 enjoyed his service). 

From NDS, Bangalore we had been to this place on 10th December and returned back on 12th December in a bus provided by SRS Travels.

Near to this resort there is a natural waterfall and nalakanda palace. Away from city with a cool climate and without any pollution, a silent place indeed to be seen.

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Urgent Chutney

Urgent Chutney:

Ingredients:
Green Chillies - 3 Nos
Groundnut Powder - 2 tbsp
Salt - to taste
Coriander Leaves - 1 tbsp (optional)
Curry Leaves - 2 tsp
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
Tamarind Paste - 2 tsp
Oil - 2 tsp

Method:
1. Smash the chillies, groundnut powder, coriander leaves and add salt to taste
2. Add tamarind paste to the mixture
3. Heat the Oil and add curry leaves and mustard seeds. Add this to the mixture.

Serves: 2 Persons

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Home made Ghee

Home Made Ghee:
a. In the morning we buy milk and boil it, during this time the cream is formed.
b. In the night we put this milk into the refrigerator for next day usage.
c. In the next day morning before boiling this milk take out the cream and store in a container.
d. Add one tsp. curds every 3 days once.
e. Repeat the same till you found the cream is half/full container depending on the quantity of ghee you require.
f. Once the container is half/full with cream put it into mixer grinder and grind it for sometime, the cream and butter milk will get separated. (Do this in the morning)
g. Leave the cream also in butter milk till evening.
h. Remove the cream alone and boil it to get ghee.

NOTE: Full Fat milk to be used to prepare ghee.

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Shraddanjali - Sahasa Simha - Dr.Vishnuvardhan

Dr.Vishnuvardhan, the great actor of Kannada film industry expired today around 3am in the morning due to heart attack.

Tenure on earth: 1950 - 30th Dec 2009

Great actor who lived and will live in most of the kannadigas heart.

Fans are left behind and fabulous man reached heaven.

Let his soul rest in peace.

I started liking kannada movies because of Vishnu and Shankar Nag. Today, i am really very sad because both of them are no more in this world.

Jai Sahasimha!!

Jai Vishnuvardhan.

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Trick in Notepad

Copy this onto notepad, press cntrl + H, press 6 in find box and underscore(_) in replace box and click replace all button. U will get thrilled.



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Half a Century

Thanks to Google and Blogspot. It was a great pleasure for me being here since February 26th 2009. Today, I have successfully posted half a century i.e., 50 posts.

Thanks to all my blog readers and my fans.

Wish you all "PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2010"

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Zucchini

Zucchini or courgette is a vegetable.

It is yellow or green in colour and has a shape similar to a cucumber.

Peel and cut zucchini into stripes like french fries

Deep fry until crisp.

Sprinkle salt and pepper

Serve with tomato or chilli ketchup.

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Z for "Zoo Cookies"

Z for "Zoo Cookies"

Ingredients:

• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla essence
• 2 cups flour (maida)
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahreheit (F).
2. Cream together butter and sugar.
3. Add egg and vanilla.
4. Stir in dry ingredients, add slowly to butter mixture.
5. Roll out half of dough to 1/8" thickness.
6. Cut animals shapes with cutter.
7. Do the same for the remaining dough.
8. Bake for 15 minutes.
9. Cool and enjoy your zoo cookies.

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Yoghurt Recipes

Yummy Yogosicles:
1/4 cup yoghurt (vanilla, banana or plain)
1 tsp. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 tsp. honey

Mix well and pour the mixture in a small plastic cup and freeze.
When the mixture is solid enough to hold up a popsicle stick, put one in and refreeze until firm.
(Have each child measure the following ingredients into a small bowl.)

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Snacks Time (esp Xciting)

X'Citing Snacks:

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup plain flour
• 1/3 tsp. soda bi-carbonate
• 1/3 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 cup condensed milk
• 1/3 cup crushed cornflakes
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup chocolate gems
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla essence and a pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Method of Preparation:

• Sieve the flour with the soda bi-carbonate and baking powder and keep aside.
• Cream the butter and brown sugar till light and fluffy.
• Add all the other ingredients and mix well.
• Press this mixture into a greased 150mm X 150 mm (6"X6") baking tray.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degree Celsius (or 360 degree Fahrenheit) for 30 to 40 minutes till the crust is golden brown.
• Cut into rectangles while hot and store when cool.

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Wheat as Main Ingredient

"Wheaty Wonders:"

Ingredients:

1 cup maida/all purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

3/4 cup milk

1/3 cup oil

4 tsp. baking powder

1 cup whole wheat flour

Preparation:

Have the children help measure and mix the ingredients.

Divide the mixture into 20 parts and have the children knead the dough for about a minute.

Have them press the dough flat to about 1/4 inch thick.

Place butter on a griddle. Place the dough patties on it and fry on each side for about 4 minutes, until brown.

Serve with butter, peanut butter or honey.

 ~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~o~~

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Vegetable Cutlet

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups cooked instant noodles
• 1/2 cup sweet corn kernels, cooked and crushed
• 2 spring onions
• 3 tbsp. tomato ketchup
• 1/2 cup grated cheese
• 1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
• some dried bread crumbs for coating and oil to fry
• salt and pepper

Method:

1. In a bowl, mix the noodles, sweet corn, spring onions, ketchup, cheese, bread crumbs, salt and pepper and mix well.
2. Divide the mixture into 12 equal parts and shape into cutlets.
3. Coat the cutlets with dried bread crumbs and fry in oil on both sides.
4. Serve hot.
   

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V for Vanilla Custard

Vanilla Custard:

Ingredients:

300 ml milk
1 tbsp custard powder
1/2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla essence


Method:
Mix custard powder with 1/4 cup of milk and form into a smooth paste
Boil remaining milk
Add paste to heated milk and stir until thick
Remove from heat
Add vanilla essence
Serve custard alone or pour over cake, fruit etc.

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Do you know this?

a. Ugli Fruit: Ugli fruit is a citrus fruit grown in Jamaica only. It can be eaten like tangerines (orange). Also called Unique fruit, it is a cross between an orange and grape fruit and it's delicious! It can also be added to fruit salad or yoghurt. Try it as a snack.

b. Plants grown above trees doesn't contain or contains less percentage of cholestrol, plants grown below tree has high percentage of cholestrol.

c. Put lime in hot water before squeezing the juice.

d. Drink atleast 2 litres of water early in the morning it reduces many diseases.


e. Put tamarind into hot water to squeeze, tamarind will become soft just in few minutes. But in cold water it takes atleast 15 minutes to become soft.

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"T" Tiffins

Trial Mix:

• 3/4 cup cashews
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 cup raisins
• 3/4 cup peanuts
• 3/4 cup shredded coconut
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
Store in an airtight container and refrigerator
Treat yourself to the trail mix whenever you want to munch something!
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Tropical Ball of Cheese:

• 8 oz light cream cheese, softened
• 4 oz light tropical fruit cocktail (drained)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Cut the fruit into smaller pieces.
Mix softened cream cheese, fruit and 1/2 cup walnuts.
Chill well in refrigerator.
Mould into a ball and roll cheese ball in remaining 1/2 cup of nuts.
Serve with carrots or crackers.

************************************************************************

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Spinach and Carrot Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• 2 sliced onions
• 2 large cloves chopped garlic
• 2/3 cup grated carrots
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• 1 seasoning cube (vegetarian)
• 2 tbsp. buter
• salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• Heat the butter and add the cumin seeds.
• When they crackle, add the onions and gralic and saute for 2 minutes.
• Add the carrots and spinach and saute for another minute.
• Add the rice, seasoning cube, salt, pepper and 1/4 cup of water and mix well.
• Cook on a low flame for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Serve hot.

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