Halloween 2009

Now that our festival season is over but the festivity is still all around. That's one big advantage of living in US. As we say, goodbye see u next year .. to Diwali, same time look forward excitedly for Halloween night trick or treat, planning for Thanksgiving dinner and shopping, shopping, shopping on black Friday, Christmas eve party and lastly New year eve.

Wow...But today lets talk about Halloween.
Halloween is an annual holiday celebrated on October 31 every year in US. Its a spooky, funky, sweet holiday because of all the candies and chocolates and cupcakes and cookies baked for the day.
I made these Cupcakes on Halloween for Maanav and his friends in our block.

These are Carrot cupcakes with whipped cream frosting.

I even tried my hands in Thumbprint Cookies. Thanks to this blog world for sharing wonderful recipes. These are Chocolate thumbprint cookies and Lemon curd thumbprint cookies.
We preferred Lemon curd, they comes out really good.



These cookies are really fun to bake. I'm not sharing the recipe coz this place is full of beautiful recipes if you still need, let me know I'll be happy to do it.

These cookies are Coconut Macadamias cookies and reallllly delicious. Anyways anything with coconut is really delicious for me. But it tastes like our Indian coconut cookies.


Saving for last, this is my first log cake I baked and decorated. The filling I used was vanilla whipped cream with strawberry and walnut.

Decorating any cakes is always a nice experience, its fun to explore, try new techniques and at last feeling of contentment when your family and friends enjoy eating it.
So this is the story of my Halloween waiting to hear from you guys!!...

Celebrating my triumph on Diwali.

Diwali, festival of light, signifies the triumphs of good over evil, light over darkness, triumph of love, sacrifice and faith.
Diwali 2009 marks my triumph over fear of making Gulab Jamun. Archana this post is dedicated to you as you motivated me that day to make GJ. You know the whole story, how I started, how many I spoiled, how many times I disappointed.
For my friends, the story behind this is - I used to make GJ in India with fresh Khoya and all required help from my mother. Gits and MTR are very popular here(US) for making GJ. They give quick tasty results. So, many times I tried these brands but the end results were always pimply, ugly, amorphous "Thing" which tastes like GJ if you eat them with eyes closed. I used to envy those good looking pictures of GJ posed by my friends and wondered how they manage to get this even nice shape and texture.
My son loves GJ or "Jamoon" as he lovingly asks me every time to eat. Keeping his demands in my mind I tried and really really glad with the results.
I used Gits but also added 1/2 cup of fresh khoya and 1 tsp of maida in it. (just to increase the Quantity).
Although Diwali 2009 is over but the festive fun and food still lingers in our mind and refrigirator.
Hope You had a wonderful Diwali.

Happy Karwachauth...

Hi Friends,
Better late than never, I know its almost a week now, but I still want to know 'How was your Karwachauth friends' ??
First of all "Thank You" to my Dear friend Sejal for this Marvellous Mehandi. Thank u Sejal, Sorry for the color, it did came out dark but I can't avoid my hands in water for long so after 24 hours, after all house chores(Thank u US) I was able to retain that much of color.
My Karwachauth was very busy, I wore this black and red sari with matching bangals and bindi. (In US wearing sari is so occasional) Whenever I watch this TV Show "yeh rishta kya kehlata hai" I love watching colorful saris, ethnic jewellery, bangles and bindis. No wonder that's my no 1 reason to watch that show.
Food on KC was very ethnic baniya style, I made Aloo Matar, Kattha mitha Petha(pumpkin), Boondi ka raita, mooli ka lachha, puri and our family's favourite Pude.

Sorry guys, after a long day, no formal table-setting just "Attack".
So food was good but what really able to get wow from my hubby dear was, saving for last sabodane ki kheer.

Sabudana Kheer

1/4 cup Sabodana
2 1/2 cup Milk
1/2 cup Sugar
saffron and Cardamom
Pistachios and grated coconut

Wash the sabudana and soak it overnight in a water to the level of sabodana.
Pour the milk into a wide and thick pan and give it a boil.
Add sugar and cardamom and turn the heat to medium. Stir every now and then to avoid sticking it at bottom. Add the sabudana slowly into the pan.
Add saffron and keep stirring occasionally. Boil it on medium heat until the sabudana's are swollen and translucent.
Add the pistachios. Serve hot or cold.
Really simple to make but too delicious to eat. Can serve cold with fruits of your choice too.

Happy sweet ending for this romantic looooong day!

Chocolate Cupcakes dedicated to a Friend.

Hi Sangi,

Thank u very much for all the awards. This post as promised is dedicated to u. I hope things are fine at your end. We your blogger friends are waiting for you and your spicy chatpati post.

Come back soon...

Thank U Sangi.

For Considering my blog,

and showering me with all these beautiful awards.

Now the tag time...

What is your current obsession?
Baking

What are you wearing today?
Blue top and denim capris.

What's for dinner?
No Idea...

What is the last thing you brought?
Grossery

What are you listening to right now?
Moment of bliss, nth.

What do you think about the person who tagged you?
Simple, lovable, friendly, creative.. who cooks delicious food thats why known as Simply...Delicious.

If you have a house totally paid for,fully furnished any where in the world,where would you like it to be?
Seaside Penthouse.

What are your must have pieces for summer?
Sunscreen, white cotton clothes, lots of water.

Which language you want to learn?
French.

Who do u want to meet now?
Now....my hubby, nice weather we can go out for a nice drive.

What is your favourite colour?
Green

What do you try to cook when you have cooking blues(when you feel real lazy to cook something)?
Cook stories about the restaurent so that we can go out and eat there.

What are the cosmetics/make-up/perfumes that you can't live without?
Kajal Pencil

What is your favourite piece of clothing in your own closet?
Actually all my saaris.

If you had $100 now,what would you spend it on?
Mac cosmetics

Who are your style icons?
None

Describe your personal style?
Can't say my personal but I appreciate simple yet classy.

What are your favourite movies?
Favourite none but I enjoyed watching many of them.

Give us three styling tips that always work for you?
Nth for sure.

Coffe or tea?
Adrak ki chai

What inspires you?
Success.

Which other blogs you love visiting?
List is long...this place is full of best of the best.

Favourite dessert/sweet?
Gulab Jamun, rasmalai, rasgulla, gajar ka halwa, jalebi.........

Favourite season?
In US Spring and Fall

Which is your dream destination?
Comforts of home.

Which is your favourite international cuisine?
Italian

Who is your favourite singer?
Asha Bhonsle

Thank u Sangi for tagging and showering me with all these awards.

Now it's time for the recipe of the day....

Chocolate Cupcakes with vanilla ButterCream Frosting

Original recipe from Cupcakes Creations

5 oz Butter - softened
5 oz superfine (castor) sugar I used lesser suitable for my palate.
6 oz (175g)self-raising flour
3 eggs
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to moderate 350F.
Line 12 CC pan with paper cases.
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. Sift flour and cocoa and fold into butter mixture alternately with milk. Drop spoonfuls of mixture into prepared paper cases. Bake for 20 min or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Cool in pans.

Vanilla ButterCream Frosting
5 oz butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract (not synthetic vanilla)
1 C icing/confectioner's sugar
2 tbsp milk

Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add vanilla and 2 tbsp of milk. Beat until smooth and creamy. Pipped it on cupcakes and decorate them ur way.

Sure thing tastes yummy....if dieting forget about it for few minutes.

Home-Style Palak Paneer and an Award!!

PALAK PANEER

This palak paneer recipe is a typical home style recipe with basic ingredients and very important lal mirch ka tadka (red chilli tempering) before serving. Red chilli should be coarsely grinded for more taste. (My mother still believes in grinding all the masalas at home) They gives more taste and color.
Ingredients-
1 bunch chopped spinach (palak)
1 cup paneer cubes
2 tbsp oil + 2 tsp ghee
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp sweet corn flour (makai ka aata)
3/4 cup yogart (or cream, if you wish)
Salt to taste
2 Green Chillies- finely chopped
1 tsp chopped Ginger
1 small onion - finely chopped
2 small tomatoes - finely chopped
1 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp chilli powder (or to taste)
1/2 tsp garam masala

Heat 2 tbsps of oil in a heavy-bottomed pan and stir-fry paneer till golden. Remove and drain on paper towels. Keep aside. Cook spinach with little water until all soft and grind it in a grinder. ( Basically in old times spinach was roughly mashed with spatula instead of grinding in a grinder) Heat oil in a pan, add onions, green chillies and ginger. Fry onions till soft and light brown. Add tomatoes and fry until soft and pulpy. Add all masalas (turmeric pd, corriander pd, cumin pd, garam masala and salt) Fry for 30 seconds and add grinded spinach in it. Mix it well and give it a boil. Mix maize flour and yogart and add it in a spinach. Mix it well and cook till you can see oil on the surface. Now add fried paneer cubes cook another 2 minutes and palak paneer is ready to eat. Do not forget to temper palak paneer with desi ghee and red chillies before serving.
(It was really difficult to type this post while helping my son reading new words, green, frog, peas, pear....gosh sorry for the mistakes.)

Now comes the important news........horray got an award !!!!!



Thank U Bergamot and Jyoti , for considering my blog "Kreativ" and sharing this award with me. Thank U very much. Its always nice to get an award, like presents on your birthday.
Every award comes with its own rules. So lets check out terms and conditions of this award.

Terms & Conditions : 1. You must thank the person who has given you the award. 2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog. 3. Link to the person who has nominated you for the award. 4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting. 5. Nominate 7 other Kreativ Blogger. 6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate. 7. Leave a comment on which of the blogs to let them know they have been nominated.

Thank U Bergamot and Jyoti for passing this award to my blog. Thank You very much.

1. I wish if I can have a list of things that people might find interesting in me but there is definitely many things that i find interesting in others. Ooops count as 1.

2. I'm not stingy in appreciating what I like, can be beauty, recipe, art, craft, idea...anything. And I really like this quality in others too. Right this is 2.

3. I like cooking, and most of the time it is not a chore to me.

4. I like inviting people for lunch and dinners but what is more interesting is they think I'm Crazy,and ask me from where I get the time to cook with one Kid. Welcome to blog sphere and discover yourself its not just me.

5. I have a thing for empty glass bottles. It's weird but I always wash and keep them and forget about them when in need.

6. I'm not blindly religious but always wanted to follow all the customs and traditions away from home in US.

7. After 5 years of my marriage either I don't cook at all or if I cook, I still cook for my husband with same love and concern for his likeness. Do I need to prove.....blushing....

Now comes the nominations. There are many blogs I like and appreciate for their creative works. But I'm sure they already got this award long before.

Purva's Daawat
Simply Delicious
Daily Meals
Red Chillies
Archy's Recipes
Mom's Recipes
Enjoy Indian Food

Congratulations, and getting award second or third time still not bad you guys deserve more...

P.S- Thank You very much Sangi for the awards, next post is all about your tag, awards and a recipe dedicated for you.

Shri Satyanarayan Pooja

Yesterday I performed Satyanarayan Pooja at home. Purnima/full moon day is considered as an auspicious day to perform this Pooja. This is one of the widely performed pooja in different states of India.
Satyanarayan pooja brings prosperity, peace and happiness in life. This pooja is also a medium to thank God for giving us happiness and harmony in our lives.
Though faith, belief and God are same for the pooja but we can see and appreciate regional influences in different types of prasad/bhog offered to god. I'm from U.P and in my home my mom makes Kasar and Panchamrit every month for pooja. (I used to love panchamrit a lot and always asked my mom to gave me in a big bowl.)
This is the second time I'm doing this pooja away from home in US. Thank You mom for my upbringing and rooting traditions and customs in me. They are helping me in making home away from home.

This is the small Platfrom I Sthapit and decorated for pooja.

I used cover page of my story book as my idol to worship.

Talking about prasad this is my recipe-
KASAR or Prasad for Shri Satyanarayan Pooja
1 cup wheat Flour
2 tsp Ghee
2 tbsp grated coconut
few raisins
1/4 tsp Cardamom Pd
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
chopped nuts
Banana pieces

Heat ghee in a thick-bottomed pan and add wheat flour in it.
Keep stirring continuously until you get nice brown color and a mild smell of roasted wheat. Now add all the other ingredients leaving sugar. Mix it well and keep it aside to cool down.
Now add sugar mix it well and give to family members with banana slices after pooja.

Panchamrit
Yogurt
Milk
Honey
Tulsi Leaves
Saffron/Nuts

Mix well all the ingredients Panchamrit is ready for the bhog.


Shri Satyanarayan Bhagwan Ki Jai.

Celebrating Second Anniversary With Gulkand Kulfi

Hi Friends,
Today is the second anniversary of my blog. It has been a slow(still waiting for my 100th post) but steady journey. I like to thank this blogging world and all my blogger friends for giving us so many options and making our everyday food different and special.
In these two years I learnt a lot, tried lot many recipes and amazed my husband many times with some instant treats.
So today I want to share this quick no-work wonder recipe, that always gets WOW and 100% will impress your guests.
It works for me so hope will work for you too.

GULKAND KULFI



2 Cups Heavy Cream- Whipped
1 Can Condensed Milk
1 Can Evaporated Milk
3 Tbsp Gulkand
Few drops Rose Essence
Crushed Saffron
Crushed Pistachios

Mix gulkand in evaporated milk. Mix well cream, condensed milk and evaporated milk. Add essence and pistachios. Pour it in to a setting dish. Garnish with saffron and put it in to a freezer for overnight.
Serve next day and be ready to share the recipe.

Tip-1. can also add scoops to the cold milk, blend and quench the thirst with gulkand shake.
2. Add Mango Puree in place of gulkand for Mango Kulfi.

I will like to send this recipe for the Event:Festive Food~Raksha Bandhan hosted by Priti- Indian Khana and Purva-Purva's Daawat.

Thank u very much for celebrating this bond of scared thread.