Ramadan Mubarak : Joy from Fasting to Feasting

Ramadan Mubarak to all the viewers!Ramadan(ninth month of lunar Islamic Calendar) is the most joyous time for the muslims around the world. It was the month the last book of God,the Quran was revealed as guidance to mankind.O you who believe fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint" [Quran 2: 183] Once the Ramadan begins ,a typical...

Tried and Tasted Jugalbandi : Date-Tamarind-Nut Treats

These "Khatte Mitta kurmure"(Sour Sweet Crunchy) treats from Jugalbandi are so wonderfully delicious, an easy treat to try and taste for T&T:Jugalbandi event hosted by Zu. The super sweet taste of dates marries well with sour tamarind,toasted nuts give an appealing texture.Read More...Ingredients Needed8 deeseeded dates (I'm using the Medjool(big size) variety imported from Saudi,stocked up for...

Fruit Dark Chocolate and Almond Granola Bars

Nuts..Chocolate...Fruits..all in one granola bar! Its a nutritious low fat snack to relish on. The store brought Granola bars are packed with sugar usually corn syrup is used as a sweetener and binder ,but i'm using a natural sweetener and an organic egg as a glue for the bars. These are perfect to go snacks or even to go breakfast.Ingredients needed2cups cups old fashioned rolled oats1/2 cup Almonds...

Shrimp(Prawn) Biryani and A FriendShip Poem..Game of Tag

My love for biryani continues with Shrimp Biryani. Each of the biryanis have a slight variation in how its layered. In the shrimp biryani the shrimp mixture is laid at bottom with partially cooked rice on top.Shrimps tastes best when cooked fresh. They are soft and juicy if cooked for right amount of time,overcooking gives it a hard texture. Biryani makes shrimp spicy and flavorful.Ingredients 3cups...

Methi Kheema(Fenugreek Minced Meat)

Ingredients1 pound Minced lamb\veal\Beef\goat(99.9% lean)1/4 cup Methi(fenugreek leaves) chopped1 small onion finely chopped3/4 teaspoon ginger and garlic paste1/2 teaspoon turmeric1/2 teaspoon chilly powder1/2 teaspoon each of Garam Masala and Coriander Powder.1/4 cup chopped Mint or CilantroWhole spices 2 Cloves ,2 cardamom,1 cinnamon stick2 tablespoon Olive oilSalt for seasoning.MethodMarinate...

Whole Wheat Biscuits With Apple Butter

Indulge in the great taste of biscuits made from combination of whole wheat flour,for heartiness and fiber, and all-purpose flour, that keeps the dough light and airy. Top them with home-made fruit butter like apple butter(No dairy butter in apple butter)(recipe is an adaptation from Mayo clinic Williams-Sonoma Cookbook)Ingredients needed for Whole Wheat Biscuits1 cup whole wheat flour1 cup all purpose...

Yellow Carrots and Avocado Pasta.

Carrots come in many colors - Yellow,Purple,Maroon,Orange and white. The Yellow variety taste less sweeter. picture Source WikipediaPasta with carrots is quick and simple lunch . Creamy avocado on top add more flavor and nutrition to the meal.Ingredients Needed1 lb Whole Grain fussilli or rotini or penne pasta2 ripe tomatoes6-8 Yellow Organic Baby Carrots cut length wiseQuarter of Green pepper sliced1...

Garlic Herb Challah

Challah is a traditionally prepared without garlic. I'm using garlic and herbs to add flavor to the bread.I choose whole grain wheat flour to add essential vitamins and fiber to the bread.Braiding the challah reminded me of braiding my long hair as a school girl. There are number of ways to braid the Challah,choose the simplest one to start.Braiding bread for the first time ,my challah wasn't exactly...

Mint Lentil Soup

A quick ,simple , nutritious soup ,good for hydrating your body at the end of fast(in Ramadan) or start of any meal.Ingredients Needed1/2 cup Yellow Mung Lentil1/4 cup chopped mint leaves2 tablespoon chopped onion1/4 teaspoon turmeric1/4 teaspoon ginger and garlic paste1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oiloptional garnish Boondi or sev.To make this Simple SoupWash and Soak lentil for few minutes.Heat...

Fruit Chaat

PreparationJust chop up your favorite fruits and depending on the quantity of fruits ,mix in the Chaat Masala(blend of spices - coriander seeds, cumin seeds ,ajwain (thymol),dried red chilies ,black salt ,mango powder (amchoor), salt , garam masala, white pepper ). Chaat masala can easily be spotted in an Asian or even Middle-eastern stor...

Completely Nourishing Nursing Moms Recipes

Zucchini Garlic CurryBadam Harira(Almond Drink)Fruity Nutty Mix(Panjeri)Methi Kheema(Fenugreek Minced me...

Water Melon ginger Ale

An excellent drink for digestion and hydrating your body after fasting. Reciped was originally prepared by Nupur then tried by Nidhi. I loved the idea of having ginger in a fruit and couldn't wait to try it for Ramadan. The proportion of ginger can be adjusted more or less as per your spice tolerance.Ingredients Needed1/4 of a water melon(use grapes when melons are not in season)1 teaspoon fresh grated...

Semolina Veggie Soup

A very simple soup with mild flavors ,ideal for Iftar(Fast break after Sunset)Ingredients Needed1/4 cup Coarse Semolina(Sooji)2 cups water1/2 a ripe tomato ,finely chopped2 tablespoon finely chopped Onion1/4 teaspoon each of turmeric and chilly powder1/4 teaspoon ginger and garlic paste1 tablespoon chopped cilantrofew curry leaves1/4 cup crunchy topping(optional) like boondi or croutons or sev.1 tablespoon...

Egg less Recipes

CookiesFruity Chunky Chocolate CookiesAlmond Cherry Banana CookiesPancakesBlueberry Banana PancakesBreadVegan Pomegranate Br...

Okra Fritters

Okra is packed with so many nutrients that makes it ideal snack for Ifar(break of fast after sunset in Ramadan).Its appears like "mirchi bajji"(Chilly Fritters) from outside ,but surprisingly its a healthy stuffing of Okra.Ingredients Needed8 okras ,with top chopped off2 teaspoon Chaat Masala(I used Shaan brand) or 1 teaspoon amchur powder(Dried green mango powder)3/4 cup Gram flour(Besan)1/4 teaspoon...

Dahi Vade and Dahi Bade(Lentil balls in Yogurt)

"Dahi" yogurt is cooling after a long days fast. "Dahi Vade" are Urad lentil balls in yogurt and "Dahi Bade" are the Gram flour lentil balls in yogurt. I make either of these two yogurty coolers during Iftar(break of fast after sunset).Dahi VadeIngredients6-8 Vadas just as in the recipe Shallow fried Indian Doughnuts(Vada).11\2 cup of fat free yogurtpinch of turmeric1/2 teaspoon chaat masala for sprinkling...

Cooling Falooda

Originally a persian drink,very popular in India and Pakistan. The uncommon Ingredients used can be easily found at your local Asian Grocery store. It's a cooling drink especially after long day of fasting in Ramadan. Uncommon Ingredients #11 tablespoon of Takmaria\Sabja\Basil seeds Soaked in water. Soaked in water for 30 minutes. These seeds are good for digestion and have medicinal value.Uncommon...

Are you getting the daily dose of Calcium? : Dairy-free recipes

Milk and dairy products are not the only good sources of calcium. For those who dislike milk or suffer with lactose intolerant there is good news. Daily needs of calcium can be fulfilled with eating greens like Spinach ,Veggies like Broccoli Okra,Nuts like Almonds,Sesame Seeds. Some lentils like Green mung lentil and Urad Lentil are rich in calcium. So cook up some calcium-rich dairy-free foods. I'm...