Tamatar Ki Chutney , Tomato curry with raisins and dates

It's been almost a year since I last posted any recipe. The reason for that is that I became a mom to little Mizo.he is now 8 months old and keeping me on toes .I have been so busy with him that I don't find time to post anything on blog :(
 I've so many pics of food and so many recipes in drafts yet to finalize and post it ( will try and do it soon :) ).

Recently I made this amazing tomato chutney  do try and let me know how it turned up.

Ingredients:-

1. 6 red Tomatoes chopped in pieces
2. 1/4 cup boiled  and pureed raw Mango or  AAM Papad
3. 8 Dates 
4. 15 - 20 Raisins
5. 50 gms Jaggery powder or Jaggery Syrup 5 tbsp if available.
6. 1 tbsp oil
7. 1 tsp cumin seeds
8. 1 tsp yellow mustard
9. 1 tsp fennel seeds
10. 1 tsp onion seeds ( Kalonji )
11. 1 tsp fenugreek seeds 
12. salt as per taste
13. 2 dry chillies
14. 1/2 tsp red chili powder

Method :-

1. Take a pan once its little warm add oil to it.then add cumin seeds . fenugreek seeds , fennel seeds , mustard seeds , Onion seeds and Red Chili and cook it for 1 minute.
2. Now add Tomatoes to the spice mixture above.Let it cook on slow flame and cover it for 5 minutes.
3. Mix it well and then add raisins , jaggery ,dates and raw mango ( or aam Papad if raw mango is not available)  to the pan . Mix it well . Cover and cook it for 5 minutes.Keep on stirring in between.
4. Now add Chili powder and salt to this . Mix it well . Tomato Chutney is ready to be relished. 

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Fab Bag December 2014 Review!

Hi everyone, it’s Fab Bag time. I subscribed to fabbag in month of December and this is my first fab bag :). This month they sent a Red Xmas themed cute bag with metallic Fab Bag logo. I really like the bright color of the pouch. The contents of this month’s Fab Bag are Just Herbs skin care kit, Sea Soul CC cream ,Kronokare Itsy Bitsy Massage Addict Lit-Cooling & Detoxifying , chocolato Chocolatey Christmas Gift and Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation – 52 Vanilla

Here is what the December bag looks like :-

Let’s get to the products :-

Sea Soul HD Finish CC Cream with SPF20 : I got a full size Sea Soul HD finish CC cream in shade light which closely matches my skin tone. It claims to improve discoloration, correct blemishes, minimize oil production and helps to lighten & brighten skin tone. It is very moisturizing and gives sheer coverage. It comes with SPF 20 and is free from harmful chemicals.                             

Sea Soul HD Finish CC Cream with SPF20 Price in India : Rs.650

Just Herbs 6 Step organic Skin Care Regime :  A  six step skin care regime from a herbal brand Just Herbs. The combo contains Silksplash Rehydrant face wash, Apricot Sparkle Skin Radiance scrub, Nourishing Massage cream, Fairever Protein Fairness Pack, Sun’nil Sun Protection lotion and Af’fair Skin Lightening cream. All the samples will last for 4-5 usages.  I received kit which is for combination to oily skin

Just Herbs 6 Step organic Skin Care Regime Price in India : Rs.595

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation – 52 Vanilla

I’m yet to try this foundation to see how it is .

Kronokare Itsy Bitsy Massage Addict Lit-Cooling & Detoxifying : I got 2 x 35 ml bottles.One is the Chill Pill Cooling massage oil and other is the Real Deal Detoxifying massage oil.Full size 2 x 60 ml costs around INR 390/-

Chocolato Chocolatey Christmas Gift : This contains 4 assorted  yummy chocolates.

I think they have out across better bags with better and more exciting products before. The Just Herbs kit was just too good and worth giving a shot.

What did you receive in your bag and what's your favorite product in it???

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Bajra Til Tikki Recipe | Pearl Millet Sesame Tikki Recipe | Sajjala Tikki

Bajra Til Tikki was often made by mom during winters . Recently I was in Bombay and mom made these for me. I wanted to share this healthy sweet recipe with you all.

Ingredients:

1. Bajra flour - 2cups 
2. Grated Jaggery - 1cup
3. Sesame seeds - 1tbsp
4. Oil as required
5. 2 cups water

Method :-

1. Add grated  jaggery in 2cups of water and let it stay for 10 minutes , once its completely mixed with water . strain it and keep the Jaggery water aside.
2. In a bowl take Bajra flour , add Jaggery water and sesame seeds .Mix it well . The Consistency of this mixture should be dough like .
3. Divide the dough into small balls and press it into round circles.
4. Heat oil in a kadai/Wok for deep frying on medium flame.
5. Fry Bajra balls in kadhai  on a medium flame. Cook till both sides become brownish.
6. Serve it hot.This can be even stored and it stays fresh for 3 to 4 days.

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Nivea Pure Effect Total Face Cleanup-Review

It’s my first review  for Nivea Pure Effect Total Face Cleanup . I tried this recently and found it amazing.It can basically be used as a face wash, a scrub as well as a mask and it does all that in like in 5 minutes.

Ingredients:

A long list of chemicals has been mentioned on the pack.

Price:

Rs. 99 for 50 ml

Regime as mentioned:

Step 1: Apply the product to moistened face by smoothly massaging in upward circles focusing on forehead, nose & chin, avoiding the eye area.
Step 2: Spread evenly across face & leave for 3-4 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse off with lukewarm water to get the perfect complexion.

It feels like a thin non-creamy mask, which has these very tiny particles that work as a scrub. You are supposed to apply it all over your face, scrub and then spread it evenly like a mask. It dries up in about 3 minutes and then you can wash it off with lukewarm water and you are good to go.It works real good and leaves your skin soft and smooth

This is a good  product is for people with Normal to Oily skin. If you  have dry skin  you might experience certain amount of dryness.
All in all, a super product especially if you are looking for a 5 Minutes Face Cleanup session at home 

Pros 

1. Leaves your skin fresh clean and soft.
2. Very gentle.
3. Very economical.
4. Travel friendly.
5. Good for people with Oily skin.

Cons 

1. list of chemicals.

Rating:

4/5

Would I repurchase/ recommend Nivea Pure Effect Total Face Cleanup?

Yes, I would. 

Have a nice day. Stay beautiful..

Links to buy this product

Nivea Pure Effect Total Face Clean Up Face Wash

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Matar Ke Chhilke Ki Sabji (Peels of Pea Pods with Potatoes)

My mom made this unique dry vegetable today , which is made from Matar ke chilke ( Peels of Pea Pods) which we usually throw off , its easy and tasty but a little time consuming

I am sure after tasting this sabji you will never throw away the pea pods again. It can be served i as a side dish with Dal and Chapati.

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup Matar Ke Chhilke (peel of pea pods) chopped small
2. 1 cup boiled potato peeled and cubed in small size
3. 1 tsp cumin seeds
4. Pinch of asafetida
5. Salt to taste
6. ½ tsp red chili powder
7. 1 tsp turmeric powder
8. ½ tsp amchoor powder 
9. 1 green chili finely chopped
10. ½ tsp garam masala (optional)
11. 1 tbsp cooking oil

Method:

1. Peel the pea pods and separate the two halves of each pod.Now fold and press each half of the pea pod in such a way that outer fleshy side of the pod remains outside . 
2. Remove the inner tough membrane of pod, by sliding it down slowly along the length of the pod from inside.Separate all the peels and then chop them in small pieces. Keep them aside for later use.
3. Heat the oil in a pan and add asafetida and cumin seeds. Add now chopped peels of pea pods.Let it cook for few minutes on a medium flame ,. Now add cubed potatoes to this and mix
4. Mix in turmeric powder, red chili powder, chopped green chilies and salt. 
5. Cook covered on low heat till vegetable is just tender. Mix in amchoor powder and garam masala powder.
6. Remove and serve hot with Chapati. 

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Crystalized GINGER candy Recipe | Adrak chini recipe

I happened to read about this Ginger candy in a facebook group ,I saved it to try it later and finally I tried it today and its just amazing .I like ginger and happen to add it loads of curry I make even in my tea. oh I just love Ginger tea :).Well about the recipe its pretty simple and just needs 3 ingredients and Ginger by the way is healthy is so many ways so its like a must try for you all too.

Ingredients :-

1. 1 cup Ginger root
2. 1 Granulated Sugar
3. 1 tsp salt
4. 3 cups of water

Method :- 

1. Peel and  the Ginger  root and thinly slice it or grate it . ( I grated it)
2. Cover it with water and boil it for 10- 15 minutes , strain the water ( this can be used to make Ginger tea). Repeat this process.
3. Now in a heavy bottomed pan add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup water and let the sugar dissolve.
4. To this add the boiled ginger and salt and let it thicken up , this might take up to 20 -25 minutes . Let it simmer on a low flame.
5. Once done transfer it to a plate and let it dry.
6. Ginger candy is ready. Store it in a air tight jar.

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Methi Gajar Moong dal stir fry | Fenugreek leaves , split and husked Green gram and carrot stir fry

This side dish is routinely made in our house , its healthy tasty and doesen't take much time to cook , I wanted to share with you all this recipe as it makes wonderful side dish and when you are in for a quick side dish for dinner/ lunch. . It goes well with rice and any lentils / dals. Hope you like the recipe .

Ingredients:-

1.  1 small bunch of Methi/ Fenugreek leaves , washed cleaned and chopped
2. 2 carrots diced
3. 1 Oinion chooped
4. 1/4 cup  Moong dhal / split and husked Green gram, washed and parboiled 
5. ½ tsp ginger garlic paste
6. 1 Green chili finely chopped
7. ¼ th tsp Chili powder 
8.  ¼ tsp haldi / Turmeric powder
9. ¼ tsp Hing / asafotedia
10. 1/4 tsp Mustard seeds
11.  ¼ tsp Cumin seeds
12. Salt as per taste.
13. 1 tbsp oil for cooking

Method :-

1.  In a pan heat oil , add mustard and cumin seeds , let it splutter.Add chopped Oinions to this and let it cook for few minutes till Onion becomes tender
2. Add the green chilies and ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
3. Add the  carrots, turmeric powder, chili powder, salt, and mix everything well. Sprinkle some water and cook closed under very low flame for 10- 12  minutes until the carrots are cooked.
4. Once the carrots are cooked , add the methi leaves, cooked moong dhal, and hing and mix everything well.
5. Let it sit under low flame for 5 more minutes until the lMethi leaves are cooked.
6. Enjoy it with Chapatis

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Mooli Paratha How to make Mooli Parathas | Radish Paratha

Now with the start of winters I always feel like having Pratha in morning but somehow with lack of time it’s usually on weekends .Mooli Pratha was something which was always made in our house like in many Punjabi homes. Mooli paratha.

I was not so much into cooking before marriage but now I can cook various Pratha’s like Ghiya Pratha / Bottle Gourd Pratha ,Methi Paratha and all kind of Prathas

While making Mooli Pratha make sure you grate it and squeeze the juice from the grated mooli. otherwise the parathas might break.  Mooli juice can be used knead the dough for making parathas. 

Ingredients :- 

For making the dough

1. 3 cups wheat flour      
2. 1 tsp Ajwain / carrom / Bishops weed   A pinch
3. Water to knead the dough   
4. 1 tbsp ghee/oil   

For the stuffing

1. 2 big mooli / radish  grated
2. 2 Green chillies thinly chopped
3. ½ cup Fresh cilantro thinly chopped      
4. Salt as per taste
5. Oil to cook

Method :-

1. Make the whole wheat dough and keep it aside.
2. Grate the mooli/radish and keep aside for 10- 15 minutes. Squeeze the water from it. this is done so that the mooli parathas do not break while rolling the dough. this radish juice can be used to make the dough instead of water.
3. To this grated Radish add Fresh Cilantro , salt and green chilli , mix it well. 
4. Divide the kneaded dough into  portions.Roll out one portion of the dough into a circle.
5. Place one portion of the prepared filling in the center of the dough circle.Bring together all the sides in the center and seal tightly.Roll out again into a circle with the help of a little flour.
6. Cook the paratha on a tava (griddle), using a little ghee until both sides are golden brown.
7. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling to make more parathas.
8. Serve hot with curd or tomato ketchup , curd or Pickle of your choice

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Lemon Tomato and Spinach Pasta

Pasta has always been one of my favorites and I love to experiment wit it by adding different veggies . This time I made it with Spinach , Tomato and Lemon  and it tastes just heavenly in case you like tomatoes and Spinach :)  and wit a dash of lemon..its amazing. so do try and let me know your comments .

Ingredients :- 

For the tomato Spinach sauce:-

1. 500 g or 2 cups pasta, cooked and drained 
2. 2 teaspoons of  oil
3. 4 - 5 cloves of garlic, chopped finely /crushed
4. 4 cups of Tomatoes finely chopped 
5. 2 cups baby spinach
6. 1 tsp of oregano
7. 1 tsp chili flakes
8. 1 tsp of powdered black pepper
9. 1 tbsp of lemon juice
10. salt as per taste
11. 1/2 cup water

For the pasta:

1. 200/250 gms of Pasta
2. 3 or 4 cups water
3. salt

Method :- 
To make the  pasta:

1. Boil the water in a pan,add the pasta and cook for 6-7 minutes.Strain the water and reserve the pasta.

To make the Tomato Spinach sauce:

1. Heat the oil in a pan.add the crushed garlic and fry for a minute or two.Add the chopped tomatoes now and saute them till they become soft.
2. Now add all the herbs, salt and pepper and mix it with the rest of the tomatoes.Add Spinach and half cup of water  to the mixture and mix it well.
3. Saute the tomatoes and spinach  till they the entire mixture becomes one. this will take about 15 -20 mins on a low flame. keep on stirring in after couple of minutes till the tomatoes are cooked.
4. Add Pasta to this mixture and mix it well.
5. Serve it hot with a dash of Lemon.

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Ragi and Onion chapati | How to make Ragi chapati | Millet and onion chapati

Ragi –  is rich in calcium, fibre, protein, iron and other minerals. It is a low fat cereal and most of the fat are in the unsaturated form. There are various dishes prepared for Ragi like upma , idli , dosa and son on.The below recipe is made by adding Ragi and grated Oinion it's from one of my mom's repository and it surely makes a healthy and filling breakfast. 

Ingredients :- 

1. 1 cup Ragi flour
2. 1 medium Onion grated
3. salt as per tatse
4. I green chili finely chopped
5. 2 spoons of curd
6. water for kneading the dough
7. 1/2 cup chopped coriander leaves 
8. oil for cooking

Method :-

1. Add all the ingredients and knead it to a soft dough.
2. heat a pan , grease it with oil .
3. Now make equal size balls of the dough and make small chapatis wit your hand by applying little oil to your palms. as Ragi chapatis can break easily.
4. now.
5. Transfer it to the pan and cook it on a low flame . Once done flip it over and cook the other side.
6. Ragi chapatis can be enjoyed with curd , pickle or ketchup.

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Peas and Carrot Pilaf | Gajar Matar Pulao

Pulao's are comfort food that  can be made in minutes  and are delicious even . Carrot and pea are generally a delicious combo and by making puloa with this combo makes it more delicious and colorful too. This combo of veggie pulao needs can be made in jiffy . You can have it with any curry , curd or pickle of your choice.It's simple to make easy and healthy!!

Ingredients :-

1. 1 cup Basmati rice.
2. 2 carrots medium sized chopped
3. 1/2 cup green peas
4. 1 tbsp oil/ butter/ghee
5. 2 cloves
6. 2 bay leaf
7. 1/2 tsp turmeric
8. salt to taste
9. 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
10. 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
11. 2 cups water 

Method :- 

1. Wash and soak the rice in plenty of water for 20 minutes. Drain.
2. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan for 30 secs , add cloves, cumin seeds , bay leaf and cinnamon powder . Let it simmer for 20 secs.
3. Add carrots and peas and cook for a minute on a medium flame.Add turmeric powder and salt to this and mix it well.
4. Add soaked rice, 2 cups of water , bring it to boil and cook, covered on a low heat till rice is cooked.
5. Serve hot with curd , pickle or curry of your choice.

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Indian Flat/Broad Beans Recipe with potatoes , tomato and brinjal | saem aur baingan ki mix sabzi

Today i learned a very tasty mix vegetable form my motherinlaw and wanted to share with all of you . It comprises of borad/flat beans ( saem as we call in hindi ) , potato , tomato and brinjal .It tastes amazing and it a must try :) 

Ingredients :-

1. 10-12 flat beans , chopped
2. 1 medium size potato
3. 3-4 medium size Brinjal chopped 
4. 2 medium size potatoes
5. 1/2 cup chopped cilantro / coriander
6. 1 tsp fenugreek seeds / methi dana
7. 5-6 cloves of garlic washed and chopped
8. 1 tbsp mustard oil / or any other cooking oil
9. 1 tsp red chili powder
10. 1 tsp turmeric powder
11. salt as per tatste
12. 1 tsp coriander powder
13. 1/2 cup water

Method :-

1. Wash and chop all the vegetables and keep it aside.
2. In a heavy bottom wok / kadhai , add mustard oil and let it get warm .Add methi dana / fenugreek seeds .
3. Now add garlic cloves to this and let it simmer.
4. Add all the dry spices and let it simmer for few seconds.
5. Add all the chopped vegetables to this mixture along with chopped cilantro and mix it well.
6. Add water to this , cook it and cover it .
7. Keep on checking now and then till all vegetables are cooked well.
8. Serve it hot with Chapatis

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