Peppercorn flavoured vegetable oats - Potluck party, cyber style January 28th 2014

 How many of us,  look  for an instant breakfast oats,  at your favourite  stores??  Yes, I can see many hands raising!!  All  thanks to an casual check-up, my dietician advised to consume  oats atleast once an week, in order to enrich my good cholestrol... Now, for an girl like me, who thought that oats were only for saints.. this was an serious layback... :P

 Gradually, my attitude changed... With an NOT-SO-SWEET TOOTH,  I  opted for masala oats once an week, untill I came across Shama Nagarajan's oats porridge.  She was my partner for poluck party, cyber style and I followed her post.  With just oats and your own vegetable/spice blend, I could actually foresee an tasty and healthy breakfast here,for, this ensures zero preservatives or zero dehydated vegetables. This peppercorn flavoured vegetable oats is an fresh breakfast blend, which amplifies your morning stamina, to kick-start your day!!   :)  :)

Rava idly

  'At Hyderabad, you can never find rice idly, rava idly is the only option', this was one of my relative's opinion, about two years back.  And yes, he was right, starting from authentic Chutneys restaurant  to street-smart shops, all you can find is the magic of this rava idly.  But, the beauty of them, is that they are soft textured, that melts instantly in mouth.  Serve them with sambhar and chutney...... YOU ARE IN HEAVEN!!!  :)  :)  To all those fancy dishes, BEWARE, THE LORD IS HERE  :D  :D   :D

  About an month ago, I  experimented with initial quantities of urad dal and idly rava and to my surprise, they surpassed my test :)  So, I went on with same quantities, and this time blogging them with pictures.  YAY TO ME!   Just be aware to prepare them in large numbers - they are sure to vanish before your eyes!  For beginners, kindly note the tips shared at end of my post.

Kolyaas ki shaak (Mutton curry)

  This Kolyaas ki shaak  specializes in seasonal  blend of vegetables and spices. This seasonal blend along with boneless mutton chunks yielded an 'best dish' back, at home.   With flavour-enhancers like  Dill leaves, hariboot/green garbazo beans, radhish, laal mirch/fresh red chillies, I must say that this is most delecious curry I ever had :P

It was my mother who few days back, pointed out the fresh dill leaves growing in clusters near parking slot of my flat, I really felt ashamed of not noticing them before.  All thanks to her :), I am using them very often :)  And green garbazo beans/hariboot,  sub-catagory of kabuli chana  made this shaak/curry more detectable with nutty texture.  You can also add imli extract, yielding to ambat shaak or sour curry, which would go ideal with hot rice.  

My Liebstar award :)

First of all, very sorry for not posting often, and also not visiting my bloggermates.  Too busy here, with my parents and sister visiting us.  And to top that, Varsha's school granted her sankranti holidays.  Life is too messy :P  And everytime, I think to log in, there is some kind of pending work left behind.  Nevertheless, all will get sorted by next week-day.

And, coming to this award.... All I can say is  an big Wow.... I am so excited to be nominated for this award.  This pleasant surprise came from Preetha blogging at  A Bowl of Curry .  Thanks a lot Preetha, your nomination has motivated me to push my cooking skills and explore a lot :) And, today, I am nominated second time by Resna Nishad blogging at Resna tasty home.  Thanks a lot Resna.  This, being my first award will be very close to my heart.

For someone quite new to this, Liebster award is derived from german word, meaning 'dearest or favourite'.  So, as the name goes, if your blog is less than two years or with less than 200 followers with intense content, then you will be nominated for favourite award.  This is actually an chain of nominations, because after Preetha and Resna nominated me, I am nominating another ten bloggers, hence this award will be an pass-on.  This award is given in order to motivate fellow bloggers, to respect their content and create more traffic. 

So, let me answer the questions put forth by Preetha

1.  Describe yourself in 3 words

Passionate, hardworking and love to explore/experiment

2.  How did you pick your blog name

Well, actually my pick was 'savaadhjevana' meaning 'tasty food' from Marathi.  Though, I blogged initally with savaadhjevana id, my viewers were not comfortable with remembering the name.  So, in order to solve this confusion, I renamed my blog with Cook With Arthy Shama, quite simpler, isn't it?

3.  Your likes and dislikes

I like to travel, explore food from every part of world.  I, also like to make new friends, and have an casual chat with them.  My dislikes is that I don't like in wasting my food and also I, mostly dislike to cook oily, greasy food.

4.  My first cooking...

My first cooking dates back to ten years back, but sadly, I used to prepare only Tea :(  Honestly, I started to cook only after my marriage.  My first hand was to try an savoury vermicelli or semiya for morning breakfast, which I failed miserably.  I still remember, how my brother-in-law complained after eating them :P  LOL... 

5.  What ingredient you haven't used at kitchen, but love to experiment with?

I am always setting my eyes on olives.  Those bottled ones at store, catch my attention.  But, still I am postponing to buy them everytime :(

6. My Signature Dish

My signature dish would be Rajma masala.  I am well known, for this at my in-law's residence.  Even now and then, when my parent-in-laws visit us, my MIL requests me to prepare some :)  Also, Sindhi saag is following the same.  

7. Favourite recipe

My all-time-favourite is Sindhi saag, even planning to cook them for tomorrow's dinner

8. Fame or money

Personally, I, neither priortize them both, but, being given an question, I would opt for Fame.  Money has not been an problem for me, All Thanks to God !   I am interested in Fame, because I beleive that will earn me few friends....

9.  Best photographed pics from A BOWL OF CURRY

Pepper chicken - http://abowlofcurry.blogspot.in/2013/08/pepper-chicken-fry-hot-hot.html

Nargisi Kofta - http://abowlofcurry.blogspot.in/2013/08/veggie-nargisi-koftas.html

10.  Two recipes, I would like to try from A BOWL OF CURRY

Idly surprise - http://abowlofcurry.blogspot.in/2013/01/idli-surprise.html

Soya masala - http://abowlofcurry.blogspot.in/2013/07/soya-chunks-masala-curry.html

11. Big lavish parties or small intimate dinners

Definitely it will be small intimate dinners, I like to cheer up and be an part of dinner every moment.  I dont think that would be possible in case of lavish parties

12. Do you lick your plate, when done?

Yes, I do  <3 especially anything with Chicken and Maggi

And, my answers to Resna's questions are

1. Describe yourself and blog?

Hi, I am Arthy Shama, home maker from Hyderabad.  I love to try different cuisine and explore those flavours in my kitchen.  My blog portrays the latter. 

2. How much important you are giving for blog?

I, blog atleast five times an week, but that is on casual schedule, blogging gets difficult with travelling or due to guests visit at home.  Time management has been very crucial for me to handle blogging, still I give my best shot.

3. Favourite food?

I like all sorts of street food/chat item.  Apart from that, I love Chicken.  

4.  What are unavoidable stuffs in kitchen?

I should say, cleaning after an hectic cooking, it is too touch but completely unavoidable

5.  Any cookery tips?

Cooking is very much similar to Mathamatics, the more you do, the more you understand :)  And the more you understand, the more expertise you gain... Don't blindly follow any recipe.  Understand the concept behind them, and cook in your style, that will be my tip.

6.  Any dish you didn't prepare yet, but, love to prepare?

I like to try fondant cakes, and when I meant fondant, I mean very professional.  I am also looking forward to take classes.  \

7.  My big support?

Defenitely, my husband, Shama.  He encourages me an lot, whatever I am now today, is all because of his kind words.

8.  Who is criticizer?

Again, Shama.  :P  He is too fussy about food, and won't adjust if the endproduct turns messy even on slightest way.  It is because of his fussiness, that I hesitate to try more fusion.

9.  Working person?

No.

10.  How to make kitchen fresh and neat?

I clean my kitchen regularly, that keeps them away from any dirt or pests like cockroach. 

So, finally, my nominees are

1. Renu Srikanth from http://sabzicurry.blogspot.in/

2. Shweta Agrawal from http://merrytummy.blogspot.in/

3. Sapana from http://cookingwithsapana.blogspot.in/

4. Harini from http://www.cookclickndevour.com/

5. Eliza Lincy from http://www.lincyscookart.com/

6. Priya from http://mykitchenodyssey.blogspot.in/

7. Lisha Aravind from http://nandooskitchen.blogspot.in/

8. Rachana Shah Sony from http://secondhelpinginservice.blogspot.in/

9. Vidya Chandrahas from http://vidyackitchen.blogspot.in/

Please note that I have not choosen them partially, I, didn't nominate many friends who already have been honoured with this award, because I felt that everybody must have equal chances to get awarded.  

Nominees must follow:

1. Blog about your award, thank and link back to blogger who nominated you

2.  Copy and paste the picture from here

3. Answer set of questions put forth by me

4.  Nominate about 6-13 bloggers of your choice

5. Comment your nominees on their respective blogs

So, my set of questions are as follows: 

1. How did you get introduced to blogging?

2.  Any special persons/bloggermates you would like to dedicate this journey to?

3.  Your favourite dish from your blog?

4.  Most earned credits goes to which dish from your blog, link them?

5. Nowadays, learning process is made very visible online,  various youtube videos has made even kids also to join this journey.  What do you feel regarding the same?  Any changes, you would like to specify?

6. Any obstacles to blogging?  How did you overcome them?

Koffiebroodges or Coffee rolls

Koffiebroodges or coffee rolls are from Dutch.  They are glazed, with custard filled rolls which find great company with Coffee.  They also make an great party-time snack.  Great to taste and easy to make, this is sure to please everybody at home.  Thanks to Swathi Iyer and Kaveri for introducing this sweet rolls to us.

Back at home,  I made them at two batches, we all relished.  My daughter, who just woke from her noon-nap, landed straight near oven and demanded them.  I, handed her some and she finished them in seconds, burping out loudly.  :P  These buns were too appealing since they had an shiny, pale red glaze.  This was  due to brushing of jam over the top of baked roll.  According to source,  powdered sugar is also added as glaze.   

Desi-styled spaghetti/ Ajwain flavoured spaghetti

    The heat of Degi mirch  along with pureed tomatos and aromatic  ajwain seeds.... Can anything go wrong with this??  Definitely not... :)  The sauce I made for this spaghetti had this strange medley blend, though they tasted heavenly together.. A strange marriage between two varied cuisine, yet they bonded each other very passionately and gave out an pleasant dining-out experience :)

Partially they are from my Morphy Richards guide, this sauce were used in Pizza.  I just transferred the idea to spaghetti, though I should also mention that I had made lot of modifications.  For cheese mentioned, I replaced them with cottage cheese/paneer.  Vegetables like onion, tomato and capsicum has also been replaced quantitywise to match up our Italian bridegroom :P

I, also dressed up this prepared spaghetti with olive oil before topping up with sauce.  Every bite was delecious, and I got an strong credit from my brother-in-law.  :P  Yeah.. that was an prestigious moment as I could recollect them...  Hope you would try the very same and let me know...

Strawberry Trifle shots

  For my potluck party, this month,  I decided to go for dessert.  What else can I settle for my awesome bloggermates??  :P  Yes, dedicating strawberry trifle shots for an rocking party...

'Trifle' is an dessert made by layering of sponge cake, custard, jelly, fruits and finally whipped cream is used as an garnish here.  I, utilized this humble opportunity to clear my lazy strawberries resting @ refrigerator :P  :P   With an bit of planning, you can, also make them instantly. (Apart from whipped cream, which does not come at handy...)  I made mine at shot glasses and hence the name :)

At home, everybody feasted on them.  The crumbled cake-base went well with with sour jam and sweet custard.  I am planning to make them quite often :P

Lemon salt soda

My unique thirst for Lemon salt soda started, during my pregnancy period, about four years back.  I found them quite relaxing and soothing my taste-buds.  They were too addictive, to resist.  I used to order them during every restaurent visit, and even Shama grew fond of them.  It was like, one day, I thought to myself, 'why can't I make them at home?' When I googled, found that there was not accurate proportion or ratio existing between lime juice, water or plain soda.  The ratio can be experimented according to one's use.  I found following ratio quite adaptable to mine.  :)  And yes, there is no super-difference between lemon salt soda and lemon sugar soda :P , since latter requires addition of few more levels of sugar . 

I have dedicated this drink to lazy sunday afternoons, you get neck-to neck in preparing lunch and hardly there is any dessert left at refrigerator.  So, lemon salt soda comes handy in such cases :)  :)  Beleive me, it also relaxes any intense stomach from heavy sunday lunch :P :P  And, prepartion is sooo easy, that even Varsha can mix  and serve :)  Speaking about Varsha, offlate she is watching me a lot at kitchen, I can presume that she will be an wonderful chef, one day :P

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Serves: one

Ingredients required

• 1 tbspn freshly squeezed lime
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp powdered sugar
• 1 cup of cold water
• 1/2 cup of Kinley's plain soda
• Mint leaves, lemon slices and roasted cumin powder, to garnish

Method

Mix freshly squeezed lime with salt and sugar.  Lateron, add water, soda.  Garnish and serve chilled :P

Happy sundayss............. :)

Dates and raisin muffins

   For this CCC Challenge, I took my help from Morphy Richards Recipe Guide, that dates back to twenty years :)  Thanks to my dear mom, who saved it for me :)  From this book, I choosed Dates and Raisin muffins.  There has been an usual dilemma between cupcakes and muffins, isn't it?  So, let me resolve this before getting back to my post :)

         

Detox salad

Hi guys........  How are you all :)  And how was your new year celebrations?  We, celebrated ours @ Paradise :P  Yeah, that is an advantage of being an Hyderabadi, you know??  So, after an hectic schedule and exotic party foods, you must now feel to cut down some fat, opt for an brisk walk or prefer your green tea??  If so, then,  this salad is perfect for you :)  :)  Detox is nothing but, De + Tox, that is removing (De) the toxins/poisons from your body.  This is done by intaking fruits/vegetable known to nourish such properties.  

Detox salad, is an colourful platter of  such healthy vegetables and fruit in an glossy and sparkling dressing :)  I dressed them with olive oil, brown sugar, lime juice and crushed garlic.  Garlic, again is an pure anti-oxidant and I am used to eating them raw earlier days in order to get releived from monthly menstrual pain.  (Beleive me guys, garlic always does an ABRACADABRA magic to  periods pain)  If you guys are not used to raw garlic, you can avoid them and go with other dressings :)  I have also included spinach here, again it is not at all problem to include canned or raw baby spinach leaves.  I have used paalak, one can use mustard/Amaranthus too :)

Cooking time: 30 seconds

Cooling time/drying time: 15 minutes

Assembly: 10 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients required

For salad

• 1/2 cup of  beetroot, cut into thin strips
• 1/2 cup of carrot, cut into thin strips 
• 1/2 cup of pineapple, cut into thin strips
• 10 spinach leaves

For dressing

• 2 tbspn of olive oil
• 1 tsp of brown sugar
• 2 garlic pods, crushed
• 1 tsp lime juice

Method

Blanch spinach leaves in hot water, for about thirty seconds.  Remove and dry them for fifteen minutes.  Tear them into long strips.  In an bowl, mix all dressing and toss beet, carrot, spinach, and pineapple sticks into them.  Enjoy....

       Happy cooking and happy detoxing :P  :P  :P  :)  :)  :)