Gokulashtami

Gokulashtami, also known as Janmashtami or Krishna Jayanthi is the celebration of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, according to Hindu Mythology. It is usually celebrated over two days, as Krishna was born at midnight. As a child, Gokulashtami always meant lots and lots to eat. But of course we had to share the work load with amma.... roll out the uppu cheedai urundais and kodubele..and they all had to be similar in size, that was the challenge :-). and my favorite ...draw chinna chinna padangal...divine footsteps...tiny little feet for Little Krishna, made with rice flour all over the house starting at the entrance of the house...signifying the beginning of all good things just like most religious practices do...it was very childishly satisfying to actually believe that a a little boy is going to step into our house at midnight, so I would make sure that the footsteps I made were perfect..I still love to make those footsteps, make them every year for Gokulashtami. And now I have two little Divine Krishnas of my own who make their own footsteps with the Kolum-Mavu.

Nei Appam, Uppu Cheedai, Vella Cheedai, Murrukku, ThenKhuzhal, Kodubelai and Kuchelar's Aval(Sudama's Beaten Rice)....Well, cant make all of these things this time....just the Nei Appam, ThenKhuzhal and the Aval....So Happy Gokulashtami to all of you...God Bless!! and the recipes will follow....in just a few hours more when my delicacies are ready to be for Naivedyam...offerings to God and then to be gorged upon by my little angels, not to forget the older one !!!!

Braised Cucumbers

I guess like a lot of people, after watching the movie, Julie and Julia, I have been wanting to make Braised Cucumbers, just the way Julia Child would have made it. But of course I have tweaked her recipe just a little to my taste.

Ingredients:

1 Cucumber
1 tsp olive Oil ( Butter if you like)
1 tsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh Mint leaves

Method:

Peel, dice and deseed the cucumber lengthwise into long bite size pieces. Heat oil or butter in a pan. Add the cucumber. Add salt and pepper. Toss gently to coat all the pieces with the oil. Let it cook on a high flame for 2 -3 minutes. Add fresh mint leaves. Toss again. Serve immediately

Do not overcook or cover with a lid, otherwise you will end up with a squishy squashy cucumber mash. I love the crunch and juiciness in the cucumbers even after being cooked, glazed with the lemon and mint......Serve piping hot...

Tricolour Hungama

This Independence Day create magic with some yum recipes to woo your loved ones to the dining table.

Watch out for the Tricolour Hungama and in the meanwhile listen to one of AR Rahman's masterpieces.Click on the link below

 

Vande Mataram...