Pineapple Kesari

Picture clicked by my hubby :)

Kesari comes out perfect every time I follow my mom's recipe. The ratio of rava to water should be right to get the right consistency. I usually don't compromise on ghee because it is the only ingredient which makes this dish tasty.

Serves: 2-3

Ingredients:
Sooji/Rava/Semolina-1/2 cup
Sugar-1/2 cup
Water-1 cup
Ghee(clarified butter)-2 tbsp
Cardamom-1/4 tsp
Saffron-a few strands
Pineapple pieces chopped finely-1/4 cup
Milk-2 tbsp
Chopped nuts(almonds, cashews)-1 tbsp
Raisins-2 tsp
Food color(any color)-a pinch(I used pink)

Method:
Soak saffron in warm milk.
In a vessel, bring water and pineapple pieces to a boil.
In a pan, melt butter and make ghee. Roast nuts and raisins in ghee and transfer the mixture to a bowl. Return the pan to stove. Roast rava on low flame for 5-6 minutes. Add cardamom, saffron-milk, boiling water(with pineapple pieces) and food color. Keep stirring while pouring hot water to avoid lumps. Cook for a minute. Add sugar. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes. Add half of the ghee+nuts mixture and mix well.

Before serving kesari, top it off with remaining ghee and nuts.

Note: You may also add a few drops of pineapple essence to make it even tastier.
Instead of adding pineapple, you can make plain kesari and add a few drops of almond essence.



I am sending this to FIC: Pink/Rose - March 31st event started by Sunshinemom and hosted by priya.

BTW today is my parents' anniversary :) Last year they were here in the US with us and we went to Flower fields(in San Diego). The flowers are spread across 50 acres of land! It is a breathtaking view. They are open from March through May every year.

Navaratna Kurma

Why is my Navaratna kurma healthy?

* No potatoes
* No heavy cream
* No butter
* No cashews
* No coconut

Ingredients:
Chopped veggies(carrot, beans, capsicum, cauliflower)-2 cups
Chopped Onion-3/4 cup
Tomato-1
Finely chopped garlic-3 pods
Green chilli-1
Oil-2 tbsp
Jeera-1/2 tsp
Cloves-4
Cinnamon-2 inch piece
Cardamom-3
Bay leaf-1
Garam masala powder-1/2 tsp
Salt
Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Chilli powder-1/4 tsp
Coriander powder-1 tsp
Pineapple pieces-1/4 cup
Raisins-2 tsp
Milk-1/2 cup
Yogurt-1/4 cup
Coriander leaves to garnish

To grind to a paste with little water:
Cashews-soak in warm water for 15 minutes-about 20
or almonds-soak in hot water for 30 minutes and peel the skin-20
Coconut-2 tbsp(optional. I did not use it)

Method:
Heat oil in a pan. Add jeera, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaf. Saute for 10 seconds. Add onion, garlic and green chilli. Fry till onions turn golden brown. Add tomato and other veggies(except capsicum), turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and some salt. Saute for a couple of minutes. Add 1/4 cup of water. Close the pan with a lid and simmer for 5-7 minutes or until the veggies are cooked. Add capsicum and saute for 2 minutes. Add milk, yogurt, ground nuts paste, pineapple, raisins and salt(if needed) and cook for 5 minutes. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with roits or rice.

I used almonds in this recipe. So I am sending this entry to JZ's Lets Go Nuts: Almonds - March 31st event started by Aquadaze of Served with Love

As I won the first place in Santa's holiday Challenge for sending my guilt free oats and dates cookies, JZ(the host) sent me a Target gift card which I felt was a very useful gift! I went to shop the next day and bought this cute handbag :) Thank you so much for your gesture JZ. That was very sweet of you. I was so excited when I received the gift card!!

How is it? :) I have a fetish for handbags. I go for a walk everyday and stop by a couple of shops on the way and gaze at the handbags. ha ha....some day I am going to be thrown out of the shop :P

Tropical Smoothie/Milkshake

Fruits are one of the most wonderful things that mother nature has bestowed on us in my opinion. They are naturally sweet and also healthy. I enjoy each and every fruit as it is and enjoy even more in the form of smoothies. Mix and match any fruit and blend it with milk- it tastes so good! This is a pineapple-banana-coconut shake.

Ingredients:
Fresh Pineapple chopped-1 cup
Dessicated Coconut flakes(not fresh or frozen)-1 tbsp
Banana-1/2
Milk-1 cup(can use yogurt too)

Method:
Blend everything together and enjoy.
Add sugar if you want.
A dash of orange juice can be added for tangy flavor.

I am sending this to Sunshinemom's FIC-Yellow event.