Sambar Powder or All Purpose Powder

Ingredients:

1. Corriander Seeds               -   1 Cup
2. Pepper Corns                     -   1/3 Cup
3. Toor Dal                            -   1/3 Cup
4. Channa Dal                        -   1/3 Cup
5. Fenugreek (Methi) Seeds   - 1 1/2 tbsps
6. Black Mustard Seeds         - 1 1/2 tbsps
7. Dry Red Chillies                 - 1 2/3 cups

Method:

1. Keep a non-stick pan on the stove and add the above ingredients, according to the above order in 30 secs interval. Dry roast them in a simmer flame for about 5 to 10 minutes.
2. No need for them to turn brown. Wait until it releases a pleasant aroma.
3. Then grind them in a blender to a coarse powder.
4. Store them in a air-tight container. It stays fresh for 2 months.

Uses:

1. Sambar
2. Puliothare
3. Spinach or Green's rice
4. Simply saute'd rice
5. Vegetable gravy.

I found the uses in the above recipes. I'll update them as soon as possible. If you could find more recipes you are always welcome to share your recipes.

Food for your external Beauty!

1. Crushed oats or ground greengram with a little amount of curd or water can be a good scrub for your skin.
2. 2 parts of Besan flour or Chickpea flour and 1 part of 'Kasthuri Manjal' also known as 'Curcuma aromatica' is good for acne. The besan flour actually removes the excess oil and the Manjal' is a good antiseptic for your skin. 1/2 part of cooking turmeric can be used instead of the 'Kasthuri manjal'. But be careful while using turmeric the color may stain your dress.
3. Before shampooing your hair just massage your hair with coconut oil. Massage oil to the skull. Leave it for minimum 30 mins. It leaves your hair soft and shiny.

Vegetarian Mutton Gravy!




Before going into this recipe. I sincerely thank my friend, "Kaveri" for sharing this awesome recipe. I made few changes for my convenience. 
Ingredients:

1. Soya Chunks or meal maker - 2 cups
2. Chopped Onion - 2 cups
3. Finely Chopped Garlic - 1 tbsp
4. Tomato - 1 cup
5. Ginger Garlic Paste - 2 tbsps
6. Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
7. Corriander Powder - 2 tbsps
8. Garam Masala - 2 tbsps
9. Turmeric powder - 2tsps
10. Salt - 1 tsp
11. Cloves - 2
12. Cinnamon - 1 stick
13. Anise star - 1
14. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
15. Chopped curry leaves - 1 tbsp
16. Water - 3 cups
17. Cooking oil - 1/2 tbsp
18. Grated Coconut - 1/2 cup
19. Corriander Leaves - to garnish

Method:

1.  Boil the water in a saucepan or any vessel, drop the soya chunks. Make sure the water covers all the chunks. Give a stir. Turn of the stove, cover it. Let it rest for about 10 mins.
2. Now strain the chunks, refrigerate the water.
3. Squeeze out the soya chunks a little, save that water too.
4. Now to the soya chunks, add

                   1 tbsp of Ginger-Garlic paste
                   1 tsp of turmeric powder
                   1/4 tsp of Chilli powder
                   1/2 tbsp of Corriander powder
                    1 tbsp of Garam Masala powder  
                   1/4 tsp of salt
   5.    Mix them well and let it sit for 2 hours to 8 hours. My recommendation would be over night.
   6.    Turn on the stove. Place a frying pan on the stove, add oil , anise star, cinnamon, cloves, curry leaves and cumin seeds.
   7.    Add the chopped onion and Garlic. Cook for a minute.
   8.    Add 1 tbsp of Ginger Garlic paste. Cook for another minute.
   9.    Add the tomatoes, salt and rest of the cooking powders. Add the saved soya chunks water.
 10.  Cover them and let them boil for 5 mins. Add the marinated soya chunks. Cover and boil for another 10 mins.
   11. Grind the grated coconut and add them to the boiling mixture. Let them boil uncovered for another 10 mins. Stir them. Check for the consistency. If you want them watery then turn of the stove. Garnish them with Chopped corrainder leaves or let them boil until the required consistency.
  
Ready to eat with Chappathis, Rotis, Naan, any kind of bread, or rice varieties.

Strawberry Short Cake

Ingredients:

1. Angel Food Cake - 1
2. Sliced Strawberries - 1 cup
3. Sugar - 1 tbsp
4. Reddiwip Whipped cream to decorate

Method 1:

1. Mix the strawberries and sugar in a bowl. 
2. Refrigerate it for an hour. (This process can be done before making the cake)
3. Cut a slice of the cake, place the strawberries and decorate with the whipped cream.

Method 2:

Cut the slice into cubes place it in a bowl, pour the strawberry mixture and top it with whipped cream.

Method 3:

1. Cut the cake horizontally, make it two layers.
2. Spread the strawberry mixture in the middle, add the whipped cream.
3. Place the second layer on top, spread the strawberry mixture on top and decorate it with whipped cream.

Angel Food Cake

Ingredients:

1. Egg Whites - 6
2. Cream of Tartar - 1/4 tsp
3. Sugar - 1/2 cup
4. All Purpose Flour - 1/2 cup
5. Baking Soda - 1/4 tsp
6. Salt - a pinch

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
2. Beat the egg whites in a bowl with a hand mixer in a medium speed
3. When it becomes white in color add Cream of tartar.
4. Now beat the egg mixture in high speed, gradually adding sugar ( 1 tbsp at a time).
5. Add salt. Beat the egg mixture until they form stiff peaks.
6. In a bowl add All purpose flour and baking soda. Mix them well.
7. Swift the dry ingredients a layer on the egg mixture, gently fold them together. Fold them from the corners to the center.
8. Repeat the process again and again until the ingredients are combined.
9. Pour it in the "Ungreased" Angel food cake pan. 
10. Place it in the Oven, middle rack and bake for about 35 to 45 mins.
11. Take it out and cool before inverting it.
12. Loosen the edges of the pan with a knife or a flat spatula and invert it.
13. To avoid crumbs use a serrated knife to cut it.

Topping: (Optional)

   See Strawberry Short Cake

My 3yrs old daughters version of eating this cake,
Add some berries, Whip Cream and Sprinkles on top.

Note:
I made it in a 'Pound cake' pan.