Diwali Festival Special Recipes

Diwali Festival Special Recipes

Wishing all friends coming over to Anjali’s Kitchen a very Happy Diwali !!
Every year on the dark nights of Diwali the sound of firecrackers announces the celebration of the favorite festival of Indians. Homes are decorated, sweets are distributed by everyone and thousands of lamps are lit to create a world of fantasy. Of all the festivals celebrated in India, Diwali is by far the most glamorous and important. Enthusiastically enjoyed by people of every religion, its magical and radiant touch creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity.

Those who are intrested in making diyas for Diwali can check out my link: http://anjaliscreativity.blogspot.com/2009/10/diya-decoration.html

Here is a delectable collection of traditional Diwali Recipes to help you make this Diwali celebration more zestful!! The collection includes Recipes for Diwali. Choose and cook your favorite Diwali Recipe with love and delight your dear ones in a very special way!!

1. Diwali Faral:
The traditional Diwali Faral items are Chivda, Chakli, Sev, Ladoo, Shankar Pali, Karanji, Anarsa.
'Diwali Faral' as these food items are collectively called, are sometimes the only dishes consumed during the odd 4-5 days. Check out Anjali's Kitchen for the Diwali Faral recipes :-)
Diwali Faral: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/10/diwali-faral.html

2. Besan Ladoo:
One of the sweet dishes which is like a must for the Diwali Festival especially in the Maharashtrian household are these Besan Ladoos. The term “Besan” in Hindi denotes Chickpea flour and “ladoos” are Indian way of representing sweet balls. These ladoos come under sweet category in Diwali Faral with not so many complication involved in making them. Just few guidelines and you should be good to go.
Besan Ladoo: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/08/besan-ladoo.html 3. Chakli:
Chakli is one of the most popular snacks in and it is even more popular at Diwali festival time. It has been long been the tradition at most homes to make delicious snacks such as Chakli along with some special Indian sweets for Deepavali.
Chakli: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/10/chakali.html 4. Lambat Bhajke Pohe Chivda:
This chivda is specially made in Diwali.
Lambat Bhajke Pohe Chivda: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/10/lambat-bhajke-pohe-chivda.html 5. Karanji:
Karanji’s are flour dumplings stuffed with a sweet mixture of fresh or dry coconut and sugar and deep fried. The health conscious can bake instead of frying. Though preparation of Karanji requires little time and effort, the taste is worth all the patience. One major advantage of Karanji is that it can be stored for weeks and used as dessert as well as snacks. In case, you have still not tasted Karanji, this Diwali give it a try. Here is the recipe.
Karanji: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/08/karanji.html

6. Pohe Chivda:
Crispy beaten rice flavored with peanut and spices make a delicious any time snack.
Pohe Chivda: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/10/pohe-chivda.html 7. Shankarpali: It is traditionally enjoyed as a treat on Diwali. It is rich in carbohydrates making it an instant source of energy. The mixture is made into dough and then mechanically cut into diamond shaped units which are deep fried in ghee or butter.
Shankarpali: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/10/shankar-pali.html 8. Thin Poha Chivda:
Crispy beaten rice flavored with peanut and spices make a delicious any time snack. We generally make this chivda many times in the year, but on Diwali it tastes more delicious than any other time. Our Diwali faral is not complete without this Chivda.
Thin Poha Chivda: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/10/thin-pohe-chivda.html 9. Rava Ladoo:
Rava Ladoo is a delectable Indian dessert.
Rava Ladoo: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/10/rava-ladoo.html

"WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY DIWALI"

Masala Dudh for Kojagiri Poornima

Masala Dudh for Kojagiri Poornima

Kojagiri Poornima

Kojagiri Poornima or the Full Moon day in Ashwin month is celebrated as Kojagiri Poornima in Maharashtra. Kojagiri Poornima is also called as Sharad Poornima. In Maharashtra we observe Kojagiri as Kojagiri Laxmi Puja. People stay awake throughout the night and spend time in singing bhajans and reciting stotras of the Goddess. Devotees believe that Goddess Lakshmi keeps moving from place to place asking ‘Kojagarti’ (who is awake?). It’s said that the Goddess blesses those whom she finds awake. Kojagiri Lakshmi Puja is a big event at Kolhapur Mahalaxmi temple. Main attraction of Kojagiri is "Masala Dudh (Masala Milk)". After preparing Masala Dudh, may be around 12'o clock in the night, we keep the vessel on terrace exactly under moon, so that we can see reflection of full moon in it. Then we serve that 'Masala Dudh’ to everybody.
And one more thing is that on Kojagiri Poornima day eldest child of the family is honored.

Masala Dudh Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 Cup Milk
• 3 Tbsp Sugar or as per your taste
• Charoli (chironji) - 1 tbsp for garnishing

Ingredients for Masala:

• ¼ cup Almond Powder (unsalted)
• 1 Tbsp Pistachio Powder (unsalted)
• ½ tsp Cardamom Powder
• Pinch of Nutmeg powder
• 1 pinch of Saffron

Method:

1. Grind unsalted almonds and pistachio at home, use the amount of measurement given above.
2. Add Almond and Pistachio Powder, Cardamom Powder, Nutmeg powder and Saffron in the mixer and mix all the ingredients very well.
3. In a thick vessel, boil 4 cups milk on low flame. Boil it for some time, stirring continuously.
4. Then add 3 tbsp sugar or add as per your requirement.
5. Add prepared masala in it and stir well with spoon. Bring it to boil.
6. Add Charoli to garnish. (Optional). Remove from flame.
7. Pour the milk in broad vessel and see the reflection of full moon in Masala Dudh.

8. Then serve hot glass of masala dudh to everyone in family :-)

“Wish You All A Very Happy Kojagiri Poornima”

Dussehra Special - Bengali Pyaaesh

Dussehra Special - Bengali Pyaaesh

Dussehra

It is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Ashwayuja or Ashwina, and is the grand culmination of the 10-day annual festival of Dussehra. This day marks the triumph of Lord Rama over Demon king Ravana. On this day, Rama killed Ravana.
It is also considered to be an auspicious day to begin new things in life. So come and let's celebrate Dussehra along with some delicious Bengali Pyaaesh.

BENGALI PYAAESH

Ingredients:

• milk - 1 litre
• basmati rice - 1 cup
• pure ghee - 2 tsp
• 1 piece - black cardamom
• 1 piece - bay leaves
• jaggery to taste

For Garnishing:

• kishmish/raisinsbroken cashew nuts

Method:

1. Boil the milk, stirring frequently, till it thickens. Remember to stir from bottom of the pan since milk burns very easily.
2. Saute rice in a vessel containing 2 tsp ghee, bay leaves & a piece of black cardamom for 2 mins.
3. Add the mixture to the milk. Don`t boil excessively.
4. Then add the jaggery.
5. When the jaggery is properly mixed, sprinkle kishmish and broken cashew.
6. Cool paayesh offer it to godess Durga and serve. :-)

Ganesh Festival Special Recipes!!

!! GANAPATI BAPPA MORAYA !!

Wishing all friends coming over to Anjali’s Kitchen a very Happy Ganesh Festival :-)

Dear All,
Thanks for your good wishes. Yes, the picture above is of the Ganpati idol at my place :-)
Ganesha Chaturthi, the great Ganesha festival, also known as 'Vinayak Chaturthi' is celebrated by Hindus around the world as the birthday of lord Ganesh.
On the day of the festival, Ganesh idol is placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents for people to view and pay their homage. The guruji then invokes life into the ganesh idol by chanting of mantras. This ritual is called 'pranapratishhtha'.
After this the 'shhodashopachara' tribute is paid to Ganesha as follows:
Coconut, jaggery, 21 'Ukadiche Modaks' (rice flour preparation), 21 'durva' (trefoil) and red flowers are offered.
Throughout the ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, and Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are chanted. So coming back to food here are some of the favorite dishes of Lord Ganesha:
Modak, the favorite food of Lord Ganesh, is an important offering without which the Ganesh festival is incomplete. :-) These are prepared in different ways - some are stuffed while others can be made from khava/mava.

1. Amba Modak: The khava modaks are just khava put in moulds and comes in various flavors like amba modak.
AMBA KHAVA MODAK (Mango Mawa Modak): http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/09/amba-khava-modak-mango-mawa-modak.html 2. Fried Modak: The stuffed ones are more popular and can be normal fried modaks or the steamed ukadiche modak.
Fried Modak: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/08/ganesh-festival-special-modak.html 3. Ukdiche Modak is feast for Ganapati festival. Lord Ganesha’s favourite food… Majority of the households in Maharashtra make these beautifully shaped mouthwatering Modak during Ganesh festival.
Ukdiche Modak: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/08/ukadiche-modak-steamed-modak.html

4. Sundal South Indian style Prasad for Ganpati. Healthy, wholesome, yummy and spicy festival specialty for those who are tired of eating just sweet stuff as prasad.
Sundal: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/08/sundal.html

5.Vatli Dal is traditionally prepared as a farewell dish to Lord Ganesha, on the Visarjan Day (Anant Chaturdashi).
Vatli Dal: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/09/vatli-dal.html

6. Spicy Dal is the specific Dal which we make as Prasad for Ganpati on occasion of Anant Chaturdashi/ Ganpati Visarjan.
Spicy Dal: http://anjaliskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/09/spicy-dal.html
May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May he remove all the obstacles that stand in your spiritual path! May He bestow on you all material prosperity as well as liberation!

APPLE JAM

APPLE JAM

This recipe is again shared by my mother in law with me in-fact she made it for me and my husband as I said she was staying for some days with us. :-)
Apple Jam tastes superb and it’s very quick and easy to make.
My hubby loves it so much that I need to increase the frequency of making it :-)

Preparation Time : 5 mins

Cooking Time : 5 mins

Ingredients:

• 2 Apples (Medium sized)
• 1 cup Sugar
• 2 cups Water
• 2 tsp Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

Method:
Normal cooking:

1. Peel and cut the apples into small pieces, cook in water until tender.
2. Add sugar and lemon juice and stir on a hot fire until jam sets when tested.

3. Cool and store refrigerated in air-tight container.
4. Serve after one day.
5. Rich amber colored jam with a lemon flavor makes yummy accompaniment to fresh bread, cakes and cookies for breakfast.

Microwave cooking:

1. Combine the apple, water (1 cup) and sugar in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 2 minutes.
2. Remove from the microwave and add the lemon juice. Mix well and microwave on HIGH for 2½ minutes.
3. Cool and store refrigerated in an air-tight container.

TIPS:

1. You can add cinnamon powder (optional). I wanted the pure apple flavor so have not added it to this jam.
2. The color of the apple jam will change to rich amber color after one day.
3. Substitute the apples for mashed strawberries, pineapple, mango to make fresh fruit jam. Depend on the season you can try out different variations.
   
   

Gopalkala for Janmashtami

GOPALKALA

Janmashtami, birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated all over India. In Maharashtra, people make a human pyramid, the person on top breaks the earthen pot filled with curds. This is called Dahi Handi. On the occasion of Janmashtami, the devotees of Krishna prepare every favorite dish of the Lord. Then on the midnight of Janmashtami, these delicious dishes are offered to Lord Krishna in order to welcome him on the earth. These include varieties of sweets and dairy products. One of them is the luscious Gopalkala. Prepared from beaten rice, curd, ghee and cucumber, this salty recipe is generally prepared in every home where the festival of Janmashtami is observed. It is extremely easy to prepare and hardly take few minutes to be ready to serve.
Check out the recipe for this extremely nutritious and scrumptious dish. Ingredients

1 cup poha ( beaten rice) washed and drained

1/2 cup murmura ( puffed rice)

1/2 cup Lahiya (this is used during Laxmi Puja during Diwali)

1 cup grated Coconut (fresh)

1 chopped Cucumber

2 Green Chilies

1 tbsp Ghee

1 tsp Jeera

1/2 tsp grated Ginger

1 & 1/2 cup Curd

1/2 tsp Sugar

Salt to taste

some finely cut coriander leaves

Method
1. Soak beaten rice for 10 minutes.
2. Take a big bowl and add soaked poha, lahiya, murmura, grated coconut, chopped cucumber. curd, sugar, salt and chopped corriander. Mix well.
3. Melt ghee in a small pan for the tempering and add the jeera, green chilies and grated ginger.
4. Pour over the above mixture. Mix well and serve.

Masala Bread!

Masala Bread

This is one of those “Easy to make” dishes for evening snacks!
Ingredients:

• 2 cups bengal gram flour (besan)
• Salt to tasteOil for deep frying
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• Chopped Corriander

Method:
1. Make a smooth batter with the bengal gram flour, salt to taste, cumin seeds, corriander, red chili powder and turmeric powder.
2. Add a teaspoon of hot oil when making the batter.
3. Let the batter remain thick.
4. Dip bread in the batter and deep fry till golden brown in color.
5. Serve hot with chutney/ketchup and some salad :-)