Tricolor Party Popcorn

Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyara,

Jhanda ooncha rahen hamara;

Sada shakti sarsane vala, prem sudha barsane vala

Veeron ko harshane vala, matribhoomi ka tan-man sara;

Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyara,

Jhanda ooncha rahe hamara!!

Aaoo pyare veeron aaoo, desh-dharma par bali bali jao

Ek saath sab milkar gaao, pyara Bharat desh hamara;

Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyara,

Jhanda ooncha rahe hamara!!

Shaan na iski jaane paaye, chaahe jaan bale hi jaaye

Satya ki vijay kar dikhlaye, tab hove pran poorn hamara

Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyara,

Jhanda ooncha rahe hamara!!

Do view the recipe demo...:)

 I love popcorn one of my favorite past time snacks to munch on especially while watching the parade on TV its always been a tradition in my family where we get together and watch the parade this is my 6th post on a tiranga recipe I've given my own twist to the recipe I'm so proud to be and Indian food blogger...Jai Hind!! 

Ingredients:

250 Grams corn kernals
1/2 Cup Oil
1 Cup Sugar
orange and green food color
2 Tbsp Butter
6-8 Tbsp water for 1/2 cup Sugar

Magic Masala:
1 Tsp Chatmasala
1 Tsp Chilly powder
1 Tsp Cumin Powder
1 Tbsp Salt

I prepared a very large batch of popcorn to giveaway friends and family.

To make Popcorn:

• Heat a heavy bottom pot on medium flame add 1/2 the oil add half measure of cornkernals fry a bit till the corn starts to pop place a cover allow the corn to pop on high flame. 
• Try to prepare the pop corn in batches its easy to handle. at store or any super market you can also find air popped corn that is much more healthy and easy to use.
• once the popcorn is done divide into 2 equal portions.

To prepare:

• Heat a heavy and deep bottom pot on medium flame add half the measure of sugar and water stir and bring to boil.
• Once the sugar melts completely add the desired food color and keep stirring till the sugar forms pearl consistency.
• what i mean by that is when the sugar has melted and starts forming a toffee consistency  to be more precise when the melted sugar is dropped in bowl of water it should remain in place and form a ball when we roll it.
• At this point add half the pop corn and mix till well combined remove from flame and spread on a plate or on a flat surface and allow to cool.
• Mix the chilly powder,cumin powder,chat masala and salt add to the cooled popcorn mix well...serve...enjoy...:)

100%Being Original HP#Original Copy

I wanted to Blog about copyright issues a long time back jotting down my ideas on a book why copyright is an issue  and how do you feel when your content is stolen? I never really got a chance to speak about it on my food blog since i was focused on creating and uploading my own content today i want to talk loud and clear the issues I've been facing. this is also going to be my entry for HP being original.

Do view my video and enjoy the flower show...:)

On 20th of January 2013 I registered myself to attend an event organized by Indiblogger Original Blogger meet. It was an enjoyable event for all bloggers. I got to meet real people out from the virtual world everyone had some story to talk about copyright issues. Its sad to see when your hard work is stolen and rights reserved to someone else...

I'm not a tech savvy person to talk about HP Printers and cartridges. all i know as a layman i'm only going to purchase original cartridges from the company for my printer as I saw the print and picture quality at the event. its tough being a brand and delivering the right product to public. HP and Indiblogger has added that extra mile in bringing all bloggers together to blog a original content.

Since 26th January is around the block again Bangalore is gearing up with loads of events for republic day. this year its special  as we've stepped into 2013 and the world has not come to an end thanks to mother earth she loves us a lot...Bangalore is know for its parks and nature every year i make it a point to visit the flower show and post something about our culture on my blog we are so lucky to have such a wonderful event...thanks you mother nature...and also thank you lalbagh for giving us a wonderful treat and a serene surrounding to unwind and think about more blog posts...

I'm just guessing and wishing if only i could use the HP Printer to print out my clicks to create postcards for family and friends it would be so great...

Anyone can use my clicks but make sure to send me a mail vidyascooking@gmail.com please make it a point to acknowledge ones work...

Last but not least if your a cooking show host and prepare one of my recipes or my fellow bloggers recipes please don't chance the original content please kindly make sure to admit our existence on the virtual world...

Be a original and 100% good citizen because being fake is costly and does not hold ground for long...Jai Hind.

Basil Tea/Tulasi Kashayam

Right in time for Cold, Cough, Flu,body pain and also indigestion winter and harsh summers are always a pain. everyone of us have to suffer from such aliments the holy basil  is soothing and gives an instant relief...hope this recipe is helpful for you...:)

Recipe video watch enjoy...:)

Ingredients:
2 Fist Full Basil if you can find fresh basil where  you live 4 tbsp of dry basil can be used.
2 Tbsp Coriander Seeds
1/2 Tbsp Pepper Corns
4-5 Cardamom Pods
2 Inch Ginger
8 Tbsp Jaggery or Honey
4 Cups Water
3 Tbsp Lime Juice (Optional)

Method:

1. In a fry pan dry roast the coriander seeds, pepper corns and cardamom pods on a medium flame till light brown in color.
2. Transfer the dry roasted ingredients to a mixer jar and grind till fine powder.
3. Boil water in a heavy bottom pot add jaggery allow the jaggery to melt.
4. Crush ginger in a mortar and pestle add the ginger to the boiling water allow to boil for 5 minutes.
5. Add the spice powder and basil bring to a rapid boil strain and serve hot.

this drink can also be served cold during summer lime juice can be added to enhance flavor and tangy taste.

Do you know basil can help keep away pesty flies and cockroach away...:)

South Indian Special Prawn Curry/Eral Uralai Puli Kuzhambu

Most treasured family recipe and one of my favorites too...winter is the time to enjoy some hot and spicy soul food...it was fun to prepare soul food for my soul mates...:) 

Recipe video in english...:)

Ingredients:
1/2 Kilo Prawns
1 Cup Shallots
2 Whole Garlic Pods
2 Sprigs Curry leafs
2 Ripe Tomatoes
250 Grams Baby Potatoes

1 1/2 Tbsp Chilly Powder + 1/4 Tsp extra to fry prawns
1/2 Tsp Turmeric + 1/2 Tsp
1 Tbsp Coriander Powder + 1/2 Tsp
Lime Size Tamarind

1/4 Tsp Fenugreek
1/2 Tsp Mustard seeds
1/2 Tsp Cumin
1/2 Tsp Split Black Gram
Pinch Asafoetida

3 Tbsp Ghee
2 Tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

For Masala Paste:
Fist Full Shallots
1 Inch Ginger
2 Sprigs Curry leafs
1 Tbsp Black Pepper corns
1/4 Tsp Fenugreek
1 Tsp Cumin
4 Fresh Chilies
2 Tbsp Oil

Prep Up:

1. Shell and devein prawns wash twice drain and reserve in a bowl
2. Boil the potatoes. peel the skin. prick the potatoes with a fork and reserve.
3. Heat a wok with 2 tbsp oil  on medium flame fry shallots, ginger, curry leafs, black pepper corns, fenugreek , cumin, chillies till the shallots turn light pink in color remove from flame allow to cool add to a mixer jar grind to a smooth paste.
4. In a pot add 2 cups water add tomatoes and tamarind boil till the tamarind and tomatoes have cooked till mushy consistency strain the puree and separate the skin and seeds add extra water to the skin strain twice and extract the puree reserve.
5. In a mortar and pestle bruise the shallots and garlic. 

Method:

• Heat oil and ghee in a wok on a medium flame temper oil with fenugreek, mustard seeds, cumin, split black gram, asafoetida and curry leafs allow all the ingredients to splutter.
• Add the crushed shallots and garlic fry till transparent add the tamarind and tomato puree, masala paste, chilly powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder salt and stir bring to a boil.
• Heat another wok with 2 tbsp oil and add chilly powder, turmeric, coriander powder and salt allow the spices to fry a bit add the baby potatoes and prawns fry till the prawns are half cooked.
• Add the bubbling curry to the prawns and allow the prawns to cook till well done and till oil surfaces on top of the curry.

Serve hot with rice dosa or idlly...enjoy...:)

The best part about this curry is the taste enhances 3 times more after a days time the shallots and garlic are stars in my curry with a super sweet and mushy taste the prawns soak up all the spices and is super juicy this is what i call every bite of yumminess soul food served at its best...:)

Cheese Fondue with a Twist

Yummy yummy tasty tasty treat for my tummy and for some one special too...melting hot pot of spicy cheese served with favorite condiments is truly a feast for a dull cold winter nights...:) I've used few local and international blend cheese for this recipe.

Video recipe...watch...Enjoy...:)

Ingredients:

100 Grams Brie Cheese

100 Grams Grinzing Cheese or Monterey Jack Cheese

50 Grams Britannia Processed Cheese

All these cheese are available in major super markets in Bangalore @ MG 1 Food Hall, Auchan hypermarket, Big market and Big Bazaar.

3 Tbsp Corn Starch

1 Cup White Wine

5 Cloves Garlic

5 Sprigs Cilantro

2 Pinch Nutmeg Powder

1/4 Tsp Black Pepper Powder

A pinch Cinnamon Powder

1/4 Tsp Green Chilly Paste

Salt to taste.

To Serve:

Carrot Sticks

Celery Sticks

Par boiled Cauliflower 

Chicken Sausages

Bread Cubes

 Prep Up:

1. Grate the Cheese and mix the corn flour and reserve in a plate.
2. Clean wash and finely Chop the cilantro and garlic.

Method:

• On a medium flame heat a heavy bottom pot add wine and bring to a boil slowly add the grated cheese and keep stirring add garlic and cilantro to the melted cheese and keep stirring add salt if needed. add the spices nutmeg, pepper and cinnamon powder and stir add the chilly paste and stir bring to a boil and reserve in a fondue pot on a low flame and serve with condiments enjoy...:)

Handi Kabab Masala

As everyone knows I'm totally fida over seekh kababs I love those juicy smokey and extraordinarily spicy kababs I'm not allowed to use a BBQ in my apartment miss all my BBQ days I settle down preparing my seekhs on a tava never to compromise on taste one day when a friend asked me have you tried handi ka kabab i was like what on earth is that...she gave me this utterly marvelous delicious recipe excellent when served with roti....:)

Do view the recipe demo video...:)

To Prepare Seekhs:
1 Large Onion
6 Green Chilies
Fist Full Coriander and Mint
1 Egg
50 Grams Paneer (Optional)
2 Tbsp Ginger and Garlic Paste
1 Tbsp Garam Masala Powder
1/4 Tsp Chat Masala
1 Tbsp Coriander Powder
3-4 Tbsp Roasted Bengal Gram
1/2 Kilo Lamb Mince
Salt to taste
Oil for frying

To Prepare Masala:
1 Large Onion
1 Large Tomato
100 ML Cream
1 Tbsp Chilly powder
1 Tbsp Garam Masala
1/2 Tsp Turmeric
1 Tbsp Coriander Powder
1 Tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
Salt as per taste
3 Tbsp Oil

Method:

• In a mixer jar add onion, chilly, ginger garlic paste, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, chat masala and bengal gram grind to a smooth paste.
• Add meat to the masala and pulse twice or thrice till well combined reserve in a bowl add salt and egg mix well and cover allow to marinate for 6 hours before preparing seekhs
• I did add paneer to the meat since i had left over panner from a different recipe. you may totally leave the panner out.
• Heat a pan with oil and start preparing seekhs and shallow frying on a low to medium flame.
• Once the seekhs turn brown to all sides reserve on a plate and allow to cool cut them into bit size pieces and reserve.
• Heat oil in a wok add the ginger and garlic paste fry a bit till raw flavor has gone add dry spices chilly powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and fry a bit add onion and tomato and fry till oil surface to the sides.
• Add 2 cups water and cover allow the onion and tomato to cook down a bit.
• Add salt as per taste and add cream stir well bring to a boil.
• Add the kabab pieces and mix well in the curry bring to a boil garnish with lime juice coriander and serve hot with roti...enjoy...:)

preparing seekh kabab from my video archive do watch enjoy...:)