Kakra (Methi) - Healthy Snack - 2

Methi Kakra (Healthy snack-2)

Ingridients :-

1. Wheat flour - 1 cup
2. Salt to taste
3. Ghee - 1 tbsp (optional)
4. Kasuri Methi (Dried methi leaves) - 2 tsp
5. Haldi - less than 1/4 tsp
6. Water to knead the dough
7. Kitchen towel

Procedure :-

• Mix wheat flour, kasuri methi, ghee (optional), haldi and salt. 
• Knead the wheat flour like you do for chapathis and keep it aside for 30 minutes. 
• If not using ghee, then add few drops of oil and apply all over the dough and then rest it for 30 minutes.
• Make small balls out of it. 
• Flatten each ball on a board using a rollingpin. Spread it very thin with occassional dusting of wheat flour to prevent it from sticking to the board. 
• Heat tawa, then turn the flame to medium.
• Fold the kitchen towel & keep it ready
• Cook the flattened thin chapathi. When it is partially cooked (to prevent it from sticking), keep pressing & rolling it with the kitchen towel till the side is crispy.When done, flip sides and cook. 
• Keep on pressing all over the chapathi with the kitchen towel. Though it raises, gradually it will settle down and become paper thin.
• Home made fresh, thin, cripsy and healthy Methi Kakra is ready!!! :-)

Check Plain Version of Kakra  

Mira's Talent Gallery: Kakra (Plain) - Healthy Snack - I

Mira's Talent Gallery: Kakra (Plain) - Healthy Snack - I: Kakra is a wheat based snack from the kitchen of Gujarath. Its less in calorie and crispy. The plain and methi falvour is best suited during...

Kakra (Plain) - Healthy Snack - I

Kakra is a wheat based snack from the kitchen of Gujarat. It's less in calorie and crispy. The plain and methi falvour is best suited during upvas. Various flavours like Plain, Methi, Onion, Garlic, Masala etc. available.

Sharing with you the plain version first.

Ingridients :-

1. Wheat flour - 1 cup
2. Salt to taste
3. Ghee - 1 tbsp (optional)
4. Water to knead the dough
5. Kitchen towel

Procedure :-

• Knead the wheat flour like you do for chapathis and keep it aside for 30 minutes. (add ghee while kneading the dough). If not using ghee, then add few drops of oil and apply all over the dough and then rest it for 30 minutes.
• Make small balls out of it. 
• Flatten each ball on a board using a rollingpin. Spread it very thin with occassional dusting of wheat flour to prevent it from sticking to the board. 
• Heat tawa, then turn the flame to medium.
• Fold the kitchen towel & keep it ready
• Cook the flattened thin chapathi. When it is partially cooked (to prevent it from sticking), keep pressing & rolling it with the kitchen towel till the side is crispy.When done, flip sides and cook. 
• Keep on pressing all over the chapathi with kitchen towel. Though it raises, gradually it will settle down and become paper thin.
• Home made fresh, thin, cripsy and healthy kakra is ready.

Keep Pressing with a cloth and rotate on the tawa

Plain Kakra

Very thin like paper - this is methi kakra

Padi kolams / Maakolam/Naalu moolai Kolam designs - friday special

Design-28

Mira's Talent Gallery: The Wise Villagers (Indian Folk Tale)

Mira's Talent Gallery: The Wise Villagers (Indian Folk Tale): There was a rich man in a village who was a miser. Whenever a poet or any poor man vists him, he wi...

The Wise Villagers (Indian Folk Tale)

There was a rich man in a village who was a miser.  Whenever a poet or any poor man vists him, he will get something done through them, but never paid any reward.  

It was his Birthday,  hence he announced that unlimited ladoos would be served to those who come  for the big party that he was going to organize with a good gift.  This message reached soon the nook and corner of the village. The villagers were surprised to hear this announcement from a Miser. They thought he had atlast changed himself for a day.

Every man, woman and child dressed themselves in their best attire, packed a gift and started towards the bungalow of the Rich Man. There was not any sign of a celebration there except a servant who  was standing outside welcoming & guiding them to a big hall after collecting the presents from their hands. The air there was filled with the aroma of delicious ghee laddu  and made the visitors’ mouth water.

After every village men and women arrived, the Rich man made his appearance in his best robe. His greed went to such an extent that he announced that unlimited ladoos would be served soon and that no one should eat it neither with their own hands or by bending & taking ladoos with their mouth. Hearing this, there was a deep silence prevailed in the hall for sometime.

Ramu the wise one whispered something into the ears of the man standing next to him. Soon the whisper was passed to others and the hall soon was filled with joyous cries accepting the challenge. The rich man was stunned seeing the reaction but greedily smiled in a corner thinking that his ladoos are saved.

The villagers seated themselves in a huge spiral formation.  Plates loaded with ladoos were placed in front of every one. Soon the rich man saw the wise villagers feeding the other one with unlimited ladoos. Hurray! the villagers are enjoying themselves well. Soon all the ladoos were finished. The rich man learnt a lesson for his greed.

Everyone, appreciated and congratulated clever Ramu without whom they could not have enjoyed the feast.

Mira's Talent Gallery: Mahesh Das walks his way to the Hall of fame (Akba...

Mira's Talent Gallery: Mahesh Das walks his way to the Hall of fame (Akba...: Once Emperor Akbar declared a ransome prize money for the one who can draw him exactly and present the portrait to him. Many artists...

Mahesh Das walks his way to the Hall of fame (Akbar Birbal Story)

 

Once Emperor Akbar declared a ransome prize money for the one who can draw him exactly and present the portrait to him.  Many artists gave a try to their level best but Akbar was not satisfied with the work and denied all of them. 

During this period, Emperor Akbar was on his visit to a village in his mobile court. The artists from that village were showing the portraits they have drawn and was showing it to Akbar and he as usual was not satisfied with any work. 

Young  Mahesh Das  went to akbar with a covered portrait in his hand. He sought the permission to see the Emperor and opened the portrait. Akbar was astonished to see it. Mahesh Das has wrapped a mirror and showed it as a portrait. He asked “Jahanpanah, aren’t you looking exactly like how you are now?”. Akbar was very pleased with his wit and gave him the prize money along with his ring and told him to visit him at the palace.  BIrbal ‘s original name is Mahesh Das.

After some time, Mahesh Das  felt that time has come for him to meet Akbar. He started his journey towards the royal palace.  He reached the majestic gate guarded by soldiers. The One at the entrance stopped him and enquired about him. When Mahesh Das showed the ring gave by Akbar, the soldier immediately allowed entry but on a condition that Mahesh Das will give half of what he receive from the Akbar to him. 

Mahesh Das agreed and went inside. He reached the court, offered his salutations and showed the ring. Akbar recognized him seeing the ring gifted by him. Akbar pleased to see this wise man offered him a gift and asked him what he wanted for a gift and that will be granted to him.  Mahesh Das said “Oh King of Kings, I need 100 lashes from you as gift and half of it to be given to my friend”. Emperor was surprised to hear it and thought he might have gone crazy to ask for such a reward. Asked Mahesh “Oh gentleman, why do you ask for such a reward when you have not done anything wrong? Why do you include your friend also into it?”. Mahesh Das said “Jahanpanah! I promised your gate keeper to give half of what  I receive as per his demand. So give me 50 lashes and give the other 50 to your gatekeeper”. Hearing this the other guests and courtesans also confirmed to the emperor that the gate keeper is corrupt.

Emperor was pleased with the wit that Mahesh Das has very diplomatically brought the corruption to his attention . He thought Mahesh will be an asset if he is absorbed into his advisory board as a minister. He named him “Birbal” meaning brave heart and took him into his court as a minister. Soon Birbal became very close to Akbar with his wit, wisdom and humourous nature.

Butterfly Bookmark

 What's the butterflies doing here? ...hm....

Curious to read my diary?!!! mm......

aha!.... you know what they are upto?!!! they have become my "bookmarks".

Presenting two types of butterfly bookmark. One is 3rd butterfly pattern followed from the pattern provided by Cindi in her beautiful blog

and the other one (pink) my version.

Ch4, sl.st in 4th chain to form a ring. make 12 dcs into the ring.
Make 3 ch, [1 dc, 2 tr, 3 dtr, picot, 3dtr, 2 tr, 2 dc] into same space.
skip next 2 dc of the ring. SC in next dc.
7 tr, picot, 7 tr into 6th dc of the ring.
sc in next dc
7 tr, picot, 7 tr into 8th dc of the ring
skip next 2 dc
[2 dc, 2 tr, 3 dtr, picot, 3dtr, 2 tr, 2 dc] in next dc
sc in next dc of the ring. fasten off and sew the ends.

For Antenna :- Cut 2 meter yarn, wind it around the centre of the butterfly body leaving two ends of equal length hagning, using which  make 15 chains,  slst into 12th chain to form a ring. fasten off and sew the tail. repeat the same to the other piece of loose thread.

Tail for bookmark :-

attach yarn to the bottom centre of the butterfly. make required number of chain to suit your book. Make tassel and attach it to the end or crochet a big bead, fasten off.

sew the flat bottomed pearl into centre of each forewings.

warli painting - The feast

Warli is an art originated in Thane district of Maharashtra. It uses geometrical figures to bring out the day to day activities of the people of olden days.  Through this painting we come to know how active people were and what sort of life they lived, their culture etc.

Welcome you all to a wonderful feast! Luckily this painting got saved as the borders got damaged at frame work place when the new trainee made a wrong cut near the border. Happy that my painting is safe.

Residents of Vandalur Zoo

Welcome you to Arignar Anna Zoological Park, (அறிஞர் அண்ணா உயிரியல் பூங்கா) Vandalur, Chennai. This is also known as 'Vandalur Zoo' which is spread on aprrox. 600 hectares of land in the sub-urbs of chennai. As no vehicles are alllowed inside the park, you can either walk it up or hire the bicycles to meet the residents who are staying far away from each other wiith their privacy. There is a battery operated vehicle available which will take you tour around the park. Also Lion Safari (whcih was available when we visited) is available but there is a long wait to get the queue to see the asiatic lions. Everywhere in the park you can see the flora and fauna giving greenery to the park.

It houses various species of animals, birds & insects (nocturnal too) in separate enclosures. the wonderful sight you will have is at the Tiger's place. You can pack your lunch and cooly sit in the shade of the big tree near its enclosure and eagerly wait to watch the big beast to come out of its camouflage. Its a pity scene to see some stupid people trying to throw stones into the enclosure and hit the poor majestic beast and provoking it. It is separated by a big moat from the neighbouring enclosure of spotted dears - the prey of tigers roaming happily without any fear in front of the predator's eyes.

Let me introduce to some of them whom i have captured in my camera.

the black long tailed monkeys welcome you when you enter the park.

the Gaur or the Indian Bison is a very powerful animal which even a tiger will opt for a prey only when it is left with no other option for food. Only an experienced tiger can kill a bison. See the muscles it has developed without the help of a gym.

Indian Bison / Gaur

A small adolescent peacock trying to dance with its 'forming' tail spread.

Are you able to spot two tigers in this photo? two male tigers in separate encloures in open. It was a wonderful sight to see it.

Black Jaguar

dearies, sorry i have lost some of the photos :-(  hence could upload only a few here right now. Let me check whether i could retrieve the others.

Mira's Talent Gallery: Mysore Pak - Low calorie Microwave version

Mira's Talent Gallery: Mysore Pak - Low calorie Microwave version: "This is a low calorie microwave version, shared by my friend. Came out well. Also saved from the labour of continous stirring on gas top. ..."

Mira's Talent Gallery: Healthy Chutney Sandwich (without butter)

Mira's Talent Gallery: Healthy Chutney Sandwich (without butter): "I am giving you a low calorie version i.e. without butter healthy & delicious chutney sandwich. Ingridients :- Whole Wheat Bread
Boil..."

Mysore Pak - Low calorie Microwave version

This is a low calorie microwave version, shared by my friend. Came out well. Also saved from the labour of continous stirring on gas top.

1. Besan - 1 cup
2. Sugar - 1 cup
3. Ghee - 1 cup 
4. Milk - 1 tbsp

Procedure :-

• Powder sugar. Sieve besan without lumps. mix both powdered sugar and besan and microwave (medium) for 2 minutes. Mix well and MW for 1 minute. 
• Add 1 cup ghee to the mixture and mix well without lumps and microwave for 3 minutes (450w) then mix in 1tbsp milk.
• mix the mixture well and microwave medium heat till bubble appears, stirring it occasionally in between.
• When the mixture becomes thick, and bubbles well and leave sides, pour it on a greased plate
• leave it to cool. when it is thickens, make slices using cutter or the flat dosa laddle used for flipping dosai.

Variation :
you can add grated coconut to give it a additional flavour
can reduce sugar and ghee slightly further to make it even more low in calories.

Healthy Chutney Sandwich (without butter)

I am giving you a low calorie version i.e. without butter healthy & delicious chutney sandwich.


Ingridients :-

1. Whole Wheat Bread
2. Boiled potato slices
3. Boiled beetroot slices
4. Onion roundels
5. capsicum slices

 for chutney :

1. Coriander leaves - 3 tbsp
2. Pudina leaves (optional) - 1 tsp
3. Garlic pods - 2 nos
4. Ginger - 1" piece
5. sugar - 1/4 tsp
6. lemon juice - 1/4 tsp
7. salt and green chilli to taste
8. Chutney (putana) dhal - 1 tbsp

• Grind putana dhal, green chilli, ginger and garlic pods. then add chopped coriander leaves. add lemon juice, salt, sugar and little water and grind to smooth paste. transfer it to a bowl.
• Toasting is optional. 
• In a pop-up toaster toast two slices of bread.
• Apply the chutney on one side of both the slices
• Arrange the potato, beetroot, onion and capsicum slices. cover with another bread slice
• Healthy, Aromatic, Delicious chutney sandwich is ready.

PS : You can store this chutney in freezer and take & use as and when required.

Variation :-

1. You can apply butter to the breads and then toast them in a griller or in a manual sandwich toaster.
2. Vary the ingridients with tomato, cucumber slices or par boiled spinach / carrot slices

Fabric Painting - cloth preparation

1. First starch should be removed otherwise the paint will not be absorbed properly. 
2. Hence Wash the cloth and dry it.
3. The Iron it.
4. Fix the embroidery ring
5. Trace the design 
6. Colour using fabric paint (after you dip the brush in water, dry it completely then dip in paint otherwise the work will uneven)
7. Let it dry for 24 hours
8. Iron on the reverse side