Happy First Anniversary!!

We completed a year for our marriage on 29th Nov 2011 :), time really flies off , can't believe it's been a year since we got married.
My whole 2011 has been exciting year with lots of changes from meeting new people, visiting new places, watching more movies, reading more ( I have more time on my hands now to kill), cooking lots more and thinking what new I should make so that I can put on my blog :) and much more .

On this special day Shivam had taken leave , I baked a chocolate cake  ( I missed taking its picture :(   ) .

We both went to Hampton beach  which was so serene and beautiful , we spend our time talking  remembering our wedding day last year and  walking along the beach.Shivam had taken his Guitar so he sang a song for me which he himself wrote on that very moment :) .I was so touched , my eyes were full of tears while he was singing , I feel I'm so blessed to have him in my life  and finally we ended our day with quite dinner at a Chinese place .

I got a lovely gift from Shivam :) and so many wishes from my friends and loved ones which made our day so special.

Life is so beautiful when you share it with someone special who treats you like good friend rather and loves you even more .Hoping our bond of love grows stronger with each passing day and God continues to guide us in the right direction. Thank you Lord :)

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Aubergine / Eggplant / Brinjal Sabzi (Baingain ka bharta )

Baingan Bharta is an easy and common recipe amongst North Indian food.I made few changes to it ( like adding peanuts :) ) and it came out pretty good.Instead of roasting the eggplant , I've boiled it and added to the gravy it tastes different than the roasted eggplant bharta but still good.

In a pan add 1 tbsp of oil , once warm add cumin seeds, ginger , garlic and peanuts , saute it for 2 minutes.

Add Onion , Green chili and salt to this and let it cook it Onions become translucent.

Now add tomatoes to this mixture along with turmeric , red chili ,coriander powder  and garam masala , let it cook for about 5 mins.

Add Boiled Eggplant to this and mix it well, then add Coriander to the mixture.

Mix it well and let it cook for about 7-8 mins on a slow flame. Baingan Bharta is ready.

Recipe Details

 Ingredients :-

1. 1 medium Baigan (eggplant)
2. 7-8 raw peanuts
3. 1 tbsp of ginger grated or paste
4. 3-4 cloves of garlic finely chopped
5. 1 tsp cumin seeds
6. 1 Finely chopped onions 
7. 1 Finely chopped tomatoes 
8. 1 Finely chopped green chilli 
9. 1 tsp Garam Masala Powder 
10. 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
11. 1 tsp of coriander powder 
12. 1 tsp of chili powder
13. 1 tbsp Vegetable oil 
14. Salt to taste 
15. Chopped green coriander leaves for garnishing

Method :-

1. Cut Baingan into pieces , boil it till soft or up to one whistle in pressure cooker.
2. Once done,Cool it, peel off the blackened skin and mash the flesh.
3. Heat oil in a pan / kadhai once warm add cumin seeds, ginger, garlic and peanuts to this  , let it cook for about 2 mins.
4. Add Onion , green chili and salt to this and let it cook till Onions become translucent .
5. Add tomato to this along with turmeric , red chili, coriander powder and garam masala and let it cook till tomato become soggy ( 6-7 mins)
6. Add mashed baigan (eggplant). Stir well. Add coriander leaves to this , mix well and let it cook for about 7-8 mins on a medium flame.
7. Baingan Bharta is ready.

Linking this recipe to Dish It out - Brinjal N Garlic Event hosted by Sangee

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Spinach Corn Sandwich

Spinach , Corn , Cheese and toasted bread ..yummy that sounds delicious :) isn't it ? 

The first time I had tasted Spinach Corn Sandwich was at CCD Mumbai and it was like wow!! , if you club it with cold coffee hmmm its just so awesome..Corn and Spinach are Powerhouse of dietary fibers and both the vegetables have loads of health benefits

I made this sandwich recently and have made it few times more after that .I skipped the cheese in it just to keep it healthy.

Things needed 2 cups of Spinach ,1/4th cup of Sweet corn and 2 cloves of Garlic

.

In a pan add 1 tbsp of oil and all the veggies and let it cook for on a slow flame for about 5-7 minutes.

Mix it well and add salt and freshly ground pepper to this mixture .and let it cook for about 2-3 minutes more.

Add Corn and Spinach mixture on a bread loaf a little shredded  Cheese ( Optional I didn't add Cheese in my sandwich but still it tasted good. ) and toast it , when both sides of bread slices and slightly golden brown remove it from the pan and enjoy it.

Yummy  healthy Spinach Corn Sandwich.

Recipe Details :-

Ingredients :-

 

1. 2 cups of Spinach
2. 1/4th cup of Sweet corn
3. 2 Garlic cloves finely chopped
4. 1 tsp of Salt
5. 1 tsp of freshly ground pepper
6. Shredded Cheese ( Optional)
7. 1 tbsp of Oil
8. 4 Slices of Whole Wheat bread

Method :-

1. In a pan add oil , once warm add garlic , corn and spinach , mix it well and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add salt and pepper to this , mix it and let it cook for about 2-3 minutes more. 
3. Now take 4 slices of bread and spread this mixture evenly on it. Add cheese on top ( Optional).
4. Toast this in a toaster or roast it on a pan by apply little amount of butter.
5. Once both sides of bread are evenly toasted , take it off the pan and enjoy it with ketchup.

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Methi / Kasuri Methi Paneer Sabzi ( Fenugreek and Indian Cottage cheese veggie)

I tried Methi Paneer for the first time and results were fantastic.Methi is bitter but when combined with Paneer it balances the taste.It goes well with Chapatis / Rotis. I made the dry version of it but one can make it with gravy as well depending on taste.

You would need following vegetables :- A bunch of Methi leaves , 1 Onion finely chopped,  1 tomato finely chopped,2 green chili chopped, 1 tbsp of ginger and 2 cloves of garlic.

In a pan add oil, once heated add cumin and mustard seeds, saute it for a while then add ginger and garlic to it and cook it for about 1 min. 

Now add onion and green chili to this and cook till onions become translucent. 

 

Now add tomatoes to this and cook till tomatoes become soggy.

Now add methi leaves and salt and cook it with a cover lid for about 8-10 minutes.

Add coriander , chili and turmeric powder to this and mix well, finally add crumbled Paneer to this  and mix it well , cook for about 2-3 min.Methi Paneer is ready.

Recipe Details :-

Ingredients :-

1. 1 bunch of Methi Leaves or (1 cup Kasuri Methi)
2. 1 Onion
3. 1 Tomato
4. 2 Green chili
5. 1 tbsp of Ginger
6. 2 cloves of garlic
7. 200 gm of Paneer ( Indian cottage Cheese)
8. 1 tsp of tumeric powder
9. 1 tsp of corainder powder
10. 1 tsp of chili powder
11. 1 tsp of cumin seeds
12. 1 tsp of mustard seeds
13. salt as per taste
14. 1 tbsp of oil

Method :-

1. Wash all the vegetables, Finely chop Onion , Tomato and Methi leaves, keep it aside.Chop Grren chili, garlic and Ginger.
2. Take a pan/ wok , add 1 tbsp of oil , once warm add mustard and cumin seeds , then add ginger and garlic to this and cook for about 2 minutes.
3. Add Onion and Green chili to this, cook till Onions become translucent.
4. Add tomatoes to this and cook till it becomes soggy ( about 5 min)
5. Add Methi (or Kasuri Methi ) and salt to this mixture, mix it well .Cook it by closing with a lid for about 8-10 minutes.
6. Add all the spices and mix it well.Now add crumbled Paneer to this mixture.Mix it well and cook for about 2 mins..
7. Methi Paneer is ready.

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Walden Pond State Reservation, MA

It was a lazy Sunday morning .We wanted to go to out to some place and relax so we started searching over the web to see if there is any such place nearby .We luckily happened to come across Walden Pond and thought of checking it out.

Walden Pond is a lake located at Concord, Massachusetts.It is a beautiful area with a lovely pond of cold, cool, clear water and forests of evergreen and deciduous trees. it is like an island in the sea of the modern world, with a busy highway running past it on one side and a railroad on the opposite end.

We Parked just across the pond for $5.We enjoyed a peaceful walk around the pond on a warm Sunday afternoon.The hike is easy, it's more like a stroll.We got some lovely photos of surrounding area, blue water , trees.It is a perfect place for some who just wants to chill , relax,  probably read a book.

It is definitely a very enjoyable place to visit and I'm pleased I had the opportunity to go there. if you are in the area you should definitely stop and visit Walden Pond.

Below are the few pictures we took.

Visiting Information
Walden pond State Reservation
Route 126, Concord, MA 01742
978-369-3254

Walden on the Web
Walden.org
Follow this link to find out more about Walden Woods, The Thoreau Society and The Thoreau Institute.

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Mutter Paneer Bhurji Subji (Indian Cottage Cheese and peas Recipe)

Paneer ( Indian cottage cheese ) is a high protein food , and there are numerous ways to cook it.I made this Paneer Bhurji last week  which a combination of Paneer, Peas, Onion and Tomato , it was just so delicious.here is the recipe of it.

In a pan , add oil , once warm add cumin seeds.

 

Add Onion to this and let it cook till Onions become golden brown.

 

Add tomatoes, ginger and Green chili to this .Let it cook till Tomatoes becomes mushy.

 

Add all spices , Peas and 1 cup o water to this, close the lid of the pan and let it cook for about 8-9 minutes.

 

Once peas are cooked it will something like this.

 

Add crumbled Paneer to this and mix well.

 

Once cooked, granish the Paneer Bhurji with Cilantro.

Recipe Details :-

Ingredients :-

1. 200 gm Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese)
2. 1/2 cup Peas
3.  1 onion
4.  1 tomato
5.  1 green chili
6.  1/2 tsp cumin seeds
7.  1/2 tsp turmeric powder
8.  1/2 tsp red chili powder
9.  1/4 tsp garam masala powder
10.  1 tsp coriander powder
11.  1/2 inch ginger, chopped
12.  1 tbsp oil
13.  1 tbsp crushed kasuri methi (optional)
14.  A few sprigs of coriander leaves/cilantro to garnish, chopped
15.  Salt as per taste
16. 1 cup water

Method :-
 

1. Wash all the vegetables ( Onions, Tomatoes, Green chili and Coriander), chop it finely and keep it aside.
2. If you are using fresh peas boil it till it becomes soft, in case you are using frozen peas you need not boil it .It can be used directly.
3. Heat oil in a pan, once warm add cumin seeds and saute it for 1 min.
4. Now add the onions, cook the onions till transparent.Add in the chopped ginger, green chili and tomatoes.Fry the tomatoes till it become mushy.
5. Add turmeric, chili,garam masala and coriander powder to this, mix well.
6. Add the peas along with 1 cup water.Cover the pan with the lid and cook the peas on a medium flame for 8-9 minutes.Keep on stirring in between so as to see that water hasn't dried up.
7. Crumble the paneer in the meantime.
8. Once the peas are done and the water has dried up, add the crumbled paneer.Mix well.
9. Add the kasuri methi and salt.cook for 2 minutes or till the paneer gets cooked.
10. Garnish with cilantro leaves.Serve hot with rotis.

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Aubergine/Brinjal / Eggplant and Potato Dry Sabzi ( Baingan Aalu Sabzi )

 Eggplant and Potato or Baingan aalu is a simple and tasty recipe although Baingan Aalu can be cooked in several ways by adding tomatoes, onions I wanted to keep it simple just by adding two vegetables.Following is the recipe I tried .Give it a try you might like it.

Wash Eggplant and potatoes, slice it . add oil in a pan once heated add both together.

After about 4 to 5 minutes , add turmeric and red chili powder , cover it with a lid and let it cook for about 10 - 15 mins on a medium flame.once cooked add amchoor and garam masala. Mix well and serve hot.

Recipe Details :-
Ingredients :-

1. 4 medium size Eggplants/Brinjal
2. 3 Potatoes
3. 1 tsp chilli powder
4. 1 tsp turmeric  powder
5. 1 tsp amchoor(dry mango) powder
6. 1 tsp garam masala powder
7. 1 tbsp mustard oil or vegetable oil
8. salt as per taste

Method :-

1. Wash the Eggplants in water.,slice the brinjals into 2 inch cubes, keep them in salted water for 15-20 minutes to remove their bitterness.also slice the potatoes in medium size slices and keep it aside.
2. Take a pan , add oil to it,once warm add the potatoes and brinjal to the oil.Cook in the oil for 4-5 minutes on a medium flame
3. Add Turmeric powder, chili powder and salt to the pan,mix the spice powders and salt properly with  the veggies.
4. Now cover the pan with a lid and let the veggies cook on a low flame for 15-20 minutes.
5. Keep checking the veggies after a few minutes so that they do not stick to the bottom of the pan.
6. Once potato and brinjal are cooked properly, sprinkle garam masala powder and amchoor powder.
7. Mix these thoroughly and cook for a minute
8. Close the flame and serve hot with chapatis.

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Sweet Corn Salad

Last week I came across fresh Corn at farmers market, In sheer temptation I bought it, Once back home I was thinking of a quick and easy recipe for corn, I remembered the Corn salad which my mother makes often.So  here it is :) My Sweet Corn Salad  which is simple yet delicious in taste, and very colorful.You can even use the  frozen package of Kernel Corn.

Ingredients :-

1.  3 Sweet Corn, Husked
2. 1 medium size Tomato
3. 1 Onion
4. 1/2 Cucumber
5. 1/2 cup - Coriander finely chopped
6. 1 tbsp - Fresh lime juice
7. 2 tsp - Chaat masala powder
8. 1 tsp - Cumin seeds
9. 1/2 tsp - Red chili powder
10. Salt to taste

Method :-

1. Dry Roast the Cumin seeds In a pan on low heat.Stirring it  till the aroma of the roasted cumin comes out and the cumin is well roasted.Now powder the seeds with a mortar and pestle or in a coffee grinder. You can make more of the roasted cumin powder and store for future use. Can sprinkle on raita and chaats.
2. Remove the corn seeds from the Cob by using a knife and boil it in enough water up to 1 whistle in  pressure cooker.Till the corn seeds are soft .You can even boil it in a pot
3. Wash Onion, Tomato, Cucumber and coriander leaves chop it all and keep it aside.
4. In a salad bowl combine, sweet corn, tomato, onion,cucumber and coriander leaves.Add roasted cumin powder, red chili powder, chaat masala powder, lime juice and sprinkle some salt to taste.

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Stir-fried Zucchini

This delicious recipe. It's easy to cook and so tasty, I found this recipe in one of the magazine, and it turned out pretty good.

Cut Zucchini into  1" pieces.

Put the cut zucchini into a large mixing bowl. Add the bengal gram flour, turmeric, cumin and red chilli powders, salt to taste and mix well to coat all the zucchini pieces. Keep aside for later.

 Heat the oil in a deep pan on a medium flame, till hot.Add the cumin and ajwain seeds.

 Add the zucchini and mix well.

Simmer the flame and cook till the bengal gram flour coating is cooked - it will look golden and give off a cooked aroma.

Details of the Recipe

Ingredients:-

1. 3 large zucchini
2. 3 tbsp bengal gram flour (besan)
3. Salt to taste
4. 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
5. 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
6. 1 tsp cumin seeds
7. 1 tsp carom seeds (ajwain)
8. 3 tbsp vegetable/ canola/ sunflower cooking oil

Method :-

1. Wash the zucchini thoroughly and pat dry. Now cut into quarters lengthwise and then dice into 1" pieces.
2. Put the cut zucchini into a large mixing bowl. Add the bengal gram flour, turmeric, cumin and red chilli powders, salt to taste and mix well to coat all the zucchini pieces. Keep aside for later.
3. Heat the oil in a deep pan on a medium flame, till hot.
4. Add the cumin and ajwain seeds and cook till they stop spluttering. Now add the zucchini and mix well.
5. Simmer the flame and cook till the bengal gram flour coating is cooked - it will look golden and give off a cooked aroma. Ideally the zucchini will also be cooked by this time.
6. Serve hot with Chapatis.
   

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Healthy Green Salad

We were at Dominos few  days back and ordered green Salad, It tasted real good with the salad dressing on it. I wanted to try it at home as well , so on my next visit to Stop and Shop I tried to get all the necessary stuff and made this wonderful salad. It can be had as a mid morning , evening snack or  along with Dinner.The Salad dressing used by me are Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad dressing and

Yogurt Dressing.One can use any as per their taste and liking.

 I made my salad by adding these Veggies..( Organic  grape tomatoes, lettuce , cabbage, shredded carrot, 2 jalapenos chopped, 1 /2 cucumber, boiled broccoli and boiled peas)

Take a pan ad mix all the veggies ,

Add Bread crumbs to make your salad cruncy ( you can even skip it if you don't like it)

Finally top it up with salad dressing and serve.

Recipe Details :-

Ingredients :-

1. 7-8 Organic grape tomatoes,
2. 1 cup cabbage.
3. 1 cup baby lettuce leaves
4. 1 carrot shredded
5. 1 cucumber peeled and chopped
6. 5-6 florets of Broccoli
7. 1/2 cup peas
8. 1/2 cup bread crumbs
9. Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad dressing
10. Yogurt Dressing.

Method :-

1. Wash all the veggies and keep it aside.
2. Boil Broccoli and peas and keep it aside.
3. Mix all the veggies in a pan.Add Bread crumbs to this to make it crunchy.
4. Just before serving add the salad dressing.
5. Mix well and serve.

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