Capsicum Onion Chutney | Thogayal

Capsicum is a flavourful vegetable. Also known as Bell Pepper, this vegetable has now taken an important place in cuisines worldwide. Added to a dish, it makes it colourful, flavourful and inviting.

How to select Capsicum :- It should be Firm, Glossy and well shaped. The stems should be looking green and fresh. Should be blemishless. Should be heavy.

We can make a wide variety of dishes using this vegetable, starting from humble sambar and khadi, it makes it's way into the continental , customised and fastfood dishes as well.

Sharing with you a simple and easy chutney using Capsicum with Onion which can make it an excellent side dish for Dosai, Idli and Rice.

Ingredients :-

Serves : 2 people

1. Capsicum (Bell Pepper) - 1/2 Cup
2. Onion - 1/2 Cup
3. Urad - 1 Tbsp
4. Red Chillies (Dried) - few nos.
5. Tamarind - few pieces
6. Salt to taste
7. Oil - 2 Tsp

Video Recipe is here :- 

Process :-

• Heat a wok, add 2 tsp oil and fry the tamarind and red chillies together till the chillies are roasted well and puffs up. Transfer to a plate to cool.

• Add whole Urad (Whole urad will roast evenly than the split ones). Fry till golden brown. Transfer to a plate.

• Add Capsicum and Onion, stir. Add salt, mix. Cover and cook till done, while stirring in between. Transfer to a plate.

• Let the friend items cool completely and then grind to a smooth paste (without adding water).

• Flavourful Capsicum and Onion chutney is ready!

Podi Pota Sambar - Using Sambar Powder

I have already shared the Traditional Sambar using freshly ground masala known as "Arachu Vitta Sambar" along with the History of the Dish "Sambar".

Today sharing the Powder version of sambar where sambar powder is used instead of freshly grinding the masala ingredients.

I have used Raddish | Mooli | Mullangi. This vegetable makes it more flavourful and irresistable to taste. After Onion Sambar, this stands next in the queue in terms of flavour.

Good to go with Rice, Chapathi, Dosai, Idli. You can adjust consistency as per your requirement.

The Video Recipe is here :- 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7wl378ltfw&t=24s

Ingredients :- 

1. Raddish or your choice of vegetables - 1/4 cup [diced]
2. Tamarind - 1/2 lemon size
3. Toor Dal - 1/4 cup
4. Turmeric powder - a pinch
5. Asafoetida powder - a pinch | solid asafoetida - a small bit
6. Sambar Powder - 2 Tbsp
7. salt to taste
8. Oil for tempering - 2 tbsp
9. Mustard seeds
10. Curry Leaves - few nos.

Process :-

• Boil tamarind in water and when it cools down, extract 1.5 cups of tamarind extract by adding required water.

• Pressure Cook Toor Dal adding few drops of oil (This prevents spilling) till stoft.

• Cook the vegetables adding turmeric powder, salt, asafoetida.

• Add the tamarind extract, bring to boil

• Mash the cooked dal, add sambar powder to it and mix well. 

• Add this to the boiling tamarind mixture and stir well till it blends well.

• Once foam forms on top, add the tempering. Sambar is Ready!!

Frozen Green Peas - Tip to store fresh peas for off season

It is winter time! Season for fresh Green Peas, Mustard green (Sarson ka Sag), Makkai Roti!

Green Peas brings a nice color to the dish it is added. But as they are seasonal and is available during winter season, we can store them in our freezer for the off season and use it all around the year.

Our ancestors used different methods viz., Pickling Preserve, Sun Dried etc for storing certain seasonal fruit / vegetable.

Sharing with you the way to store the fresh peas in frozen form for the off seasons (thanks to refrigerators!) to make your recipes always special!

Separate the pearls from the pea pod

Pour water in a vessel that is enough to immerse the peas.

Keep some cold water in another vessel as we may need it once peas are blanched to stop the cooking process.

Bring the water to boil and reduce the flame.

Put the peas in it and boil for exact two minutes.

Turn off the flame and drain the water immediately.

Add it to the cold water and leave it till the peas becomes cool.

Spread a clean towel and spread the Peas over it and let it dry.

Store in a ziplock pack and freeze it!

Tada! the Green Peas is ready for your off sesaonal usage!

Kada Prasad | Atte Ka Halwa

Kada Prasad | Atte ka Halwa is the Prasad made using whole wheat flour and is distributed in the Holiest Gurudwara - Darbar Sahib situated in the Holy City of Amritsar. Also known as Golden Temple.

The best flour to be used is "Whole Wheat Flour" that is freshly ground as it enhances the flavour. The Flour should be coarse so that it gives the exact texture as given in Gurudwara. However, we can also use the normal Whole Wheat Flour, that we use for making chapatis. Only the texture differs.

It is a simple recipe as only Four ingredients are there and also there is no sugar syrup consistency required. Only care is on roasting the Flour to right colour.  

 A video is also published in "Mira's Akshaya Patram". So you may also check there.

Ingredients  :-

1. Whole Wheat Flour - 1 Cup
2. Ghee - 1 Cup [Clarified Butter]
3. Sugar - 1 Cup
4. Water - 2 Cups

Procedure :-

• To a vessel, add sugar and 2 cups of water. Heat and dissolve the sugar. Just bring it to boil. No Syrup consistency required. Once it starts boiling, switch off the gas.

• Heat a wok and add Ghee [Clarified Butter] to it. Once the ghee has melted, add Whole wheat flour and keep stirring till it changes light brown in colour.

• Keep in low heat only as the color changes quickly once it reaches golden color and it may get burnt. So keep in low flame and keep stirring and watching the colour. 

• Once the light brown color comes, add the sugar water and keep mixing. It will quickly start thickening. Keep mixing in low flame only. 

• The moment you see ghee start oozing out lightly on the sides, immediately switch OFF the gas and transfer it to a plate. (No need to grease the plate).

• Delicious Kada Prasad | Atte Ka Halwa is Ready!

Notes :- If you are trying it for the first time, you can switch OFF the gas once the light brown colour is achieved during roasting of flour in ghee. Then add the sugar water, mix it and then switch ON the gas again. Start cooking in low flame only.

Thenga Manga Pattani Chundal

Thenga Manga Pattani Chundal is not only a healthy nevedhyam for Navaratri but also a very Popular snack that is available in Chennai's "Marina Beach".

Thenga = Coconut , Manga = Raw Mango, Pattani = Dried Yellow Peas, Chundal = Stir Fry

Thus this makes a Healthy Evening Snack or a Morning Salad which is also a filling one. During Off Season, lemon juice can be used instead of raw mango.

Video Published in Mira's Akshaya Patram : 

You will need :-

1. Dried Yellow Peas - 1 Cup
2. Raw Mango - 4-5 Tbsp
3. Grated Coconut - 1/4 cup
4. Green Chillies - 3 -4 Nos. (crushed)
5. Curry Leaves - 13 Nos.
6. Asafoetida Powder - less than 1/4 tsp
7. Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
8. Salt to taste
9. Oil for Tempering - 2-3 Tbsp
10. Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp

Procedure :-

• Soak dried peas for 10 hours or overnight. Discard the water, fill fresh water, add turmeric powder, Salt and Pressure cook till 5 or 6 Whistles

• Drain and keep it aside.

• Heat a wok, add oil for tempering. Add mustard seeds, asafoetida and then curry leaves.

• Add the pressure cooked peas, crushed green chillies and adjust the seasoning.

• Switch OFF gas and then add grated coconut, raw mango and give it a mix.

• Healthy Khatta Tikha and Yummy Chundal (Stir fry) is ready!

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhutheshu, Lakshmi roopena samasthithaa

Namastasyay, namastasyay, namastasyay namo nama :

Jai Ma Ambe!

Arachu Vitta Sambar - (freshly ground coconut masala)

Sambar - through this Sambar with Idli or dosa and the ash smeared on forhead, this is how rest of India recognise South India.

The southern states are unique with it's cuisine and culture. Sambar definitely will not smell and taste the same in every home. Not even in it's home town Thanjavur. The ingredients and their quantity varies. Some add jaggery (only a little to get a tinge of sweet and some don't). Some use mix vegetables. Some use only one vegetable.... thus the sambar avatar goes on....

History of Sambar :-

Sambar originated in the Maratha's kitchen in Thanjavur says the historians based on the scripts available at Thanjavur Saraswathi Mahal Library.

Thanjavur was ruled by Chozhas, Pandiyas, Vijayanagar dynasty and then by Naikars. The Naikar killed the King of Thanjavur and captured it. The Son of the King, approached the Sultan of Bijapur for help to regain the Kingdom. Sultan of Bijapur, sent his force, which was commanded by "Venkoji" - a Maratha. Venkoji captured Thanjavur but he proclaimed himself as the king. History says, Venkoji is half brother of Chatrapati Shivaji. Marathi's make a dish called "Amti" which is a mix of Lentil and Kokum (a native souring agent, tastes sour like tamarind). In Thanjavur when kokum went out of stock, it was replaced by tamarind and in went various vegetables along with tuvar dal. There are various versions of sambar story. One story says that it was made by a cook in the Maratha's Fort when the store ran out of kokum hence the cook managed it with tamarind. Another version says that it was Shambaji (Chatrapati's Son) who made it when the royal chef was away. Yet another version says that this was served to Shambaji, he liked it very much, thus named after him. Whatever the story may be, this prepration has won millions of hearts around the world.

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There are two types of Sambar

1. Prepared with Sambar Powder

2. Prepared with freshly ground coconut masala

Sharing the "Arachu Vitta" version (i.e.) Freshly ground coconut masala based.

Vegetables that are used (you use any one or a mix of vegetables) :- Ashgourd, Pumpkin, Drum stick, Onion, Shallots, Tomato, Carrot, Beetroot, Ladies Finger, greens (yes greens!) etc..

Onion sambar itself is a separate variety. Which I will share in the coming posts....

Sambar Making video is here :-

Ingredients :-

1. Tamarind - 1 lemon size
2. Ashgourd cubes - 1 cup
3. Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
4. Salt to taste
5. Jaggery (grated) 1 spoon
6. Asafoetida powder - 1/4 tsp
7. Curry Leaves - 1 sprig (for garnishing)
8. Tuvar dal - 1/4 cup

For masala :-

1. Channa dal - 1 tsp
2. Dried Red Chillies - 2-3 nos.
3. Coriander seeds - 1 spoon
4. Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
5. Curry leaves - 7 nos.
6. Grated coconut - 3 spoons

For tempering :-

1. Oil - 1 tbsp
2. Mustard Seeds - 1/4 tsp

Procedure :-

• Cook Tamarind and Extract 3 cups of tamarind water.

• In a vessel add the tamarind water, vegetable cubes, turmeric powder, salt, asafoetida, jaggery and bring to boil

• Roast the items 1 to 5 and along with coconut grind it to a paste.

• Cook Tuvar Dal, mash it lightly and keep it ready.

• When the vegetable is cooked, add the dal to it. 

• When it starts boiling, add the ground masala and let it cook till foam forms on top.

• Now make the tempering and add it to the prepared sambar.

• Put some curry leaves and leave it closed for sometime, so that the curry leaves flavour will get infused into the sambar nicely.

• Aromatic Arachu Vitta Sambar is Ready!

Puttuku man sumandha kadhai

This is one of the divine play known as "Thiruvilayadal" by God Shiva with his devotees, where the God himself came in digsuise and carried sand to stop the flood in the River Vaigai.

In Madurai, one day God Shiva made it rain heavily and the banks of the River Vaigai was flooding. 

Image courtesy :  google search

So the people rushed to the Pandya King for help. The king said we need to raise the height of the bank. One person from each household should come forward so that we can do this quickly.

Image courtesy :  google search

There lived an old lady named "Vandhi" and she made & sold Puttu (Steamed rice cakes) for her living. Delicious were the Puttu made by her.

Always she kept a portion of the Puttu as an offering to Lord Shiva before she starts her sale. Hearing the king's order, she was upset as she was weak and old to help them. She prayed to God Shiva and lamented that she is of no help to her country.

God was moved by these words from her sincere heart and he came down to help her in the disguise of a young boy. The God who was invisibly accepting her Puttu offering is now making his presence to taste her delicious Puttu!

He offered his help to her on a condition that she has to feed him unlimited puttu till his heart's content. Condition was agreed by Vandi Paati and she served him hot delicious puttu before he left for work.

When we over eat, we tend to feel sleepy. There is a saying in Tamizh "Unda Mayakam Thondanukum Undu".  So the god in disguise after his tummy was full, lied down and slept.  Seeing him not working, the people complained to the supervisor, thus this reached the King's ears. 

The King rushed to the place and saw the lad Sleeping. Angry king, took a cane and beat the sleeping lad. The pain was felt by everyone present there including the King. This unusual experience made them realise that it is not a man but a God.

This divine play is still remembered and celebrated in Madurai. In the month of "Aavani" (Shravan /  (Chinga masam in malayalam) on the day of Moolam Star, this event is celebrated in Shiva Temple in Madurai as an event. Puttu is distributed as Prashad to all the devotees.

Those who want to try this recipe will find it here

These were the stories told to children and I was lucky that I was from that generation that I could here a lot of such historical divine plays and more.

Shambo Mahadeva!

Pulingari | Pulinkari | Uppadam

Today I am sharing a super recipe from our kitchen treasure..  "Pulungari" - a tamarind based curry to be had with white rice. A tangy & spicy curry with a tinge of sweetness from jaggery.''

There are many traditional recipes that are fading away from our kitchens, as they are cooked less frequently.  

This Pulungari is a dish from Palakkad and uses vegetables viz., Ladies Finger, Ashgourd, Pumpkin.

Two methods of making pulungari. One is with coconut and the other without. Hence without coconut, you follow the same recipe except that the dry roasted masalas are powdered finely, dissolved in water and then added slowly while stirring to avoid lumps formation.

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Ingredients :-

1. Ladies Finger - sliced into little big pieces - 1/2 cup
2. Tamarind - Gooseberry size (little more than what you take for sambar)
3. Turmeric Powder - a pinch (less than 1/4 tsp)
4. Salt to taste
5. Grated coconut - 2 tbsp
6. Curry Leaves - 1 Sprig
7. Jaggery - 1 tbsp (or as preferred)

For dry roasting 

1. Raw rice - 3 spoons
2. Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Dried Red Chillies - 2 Nos. (or as preferred)

Tempering :-

Coconut oil - 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Curry leaves - 8 nos.

Procedure :-

• Boil the tamarind till it becomes soft. Extract water from it.

• Heat a wok and roast the ingredients given for dry roasting.

• Let the roasted ingredients cool down to room temperature. Grind them along with coconut and little water to a fine paste.

• In a wok, add oil when it is hot, add mustard seeds. Once they start spluttering, add the chopped ladies finger (Bhindi / Vendaikai) and fry it till the stickiness goes.

• Add the tamarind water, Turmeric powder, salt and jaggery. Mix well and let it come to boil,

• Add the ground masala (wet / dry) while stirring to avoid forming lumps. (Rice paste tend to form lumps quickly if not stirred. so you can switch off the stove, add the masala, give it a mix and then again switch on the gas.). Cook on medium flame.

• Boil till it thickens and foam forms on top. 

Lipsmacking Pulungari is ready to be served with white rice!

Art of eating :- On the hot rice, pour a tsp of clarified butter (Ghee) and then add the pulungari and mix. Enjoy eating!

Aadi 18-aam Peruku - Celebrating water flow in the river Cauvery!

Aadi Peruku is a festival celebrated in the state of Tamizh Nadu on 18th day of the tamizh month Aadi (Sanskrit : Ashada) and Peruku means 'rising water flow' in the Cauvery river. Hence it is also known as "Aadi Padhinettam Peruku". Padhinettam in tamizh means 18th day.

Monsoon of the season brings more water in the river Cauvery thus making it overflow, bringing fertile agricultural opportunities along with it. This festival is celebrated as a thanks giving to mother nature (monsoon) as rivers as a water source is the lifeline of farmers. This tradition shows how our ancestors lived close to the nature, respecting, conserving and worshipping Nature and also offer thanks giving.

The "Dakshinayana Punya kalam" (The night of devas) starts when Sun starts travelling towards southern direction and the first month is Aadi. This is the month when farmers sow seeds in their fields. There is a saying in tamizh "Aadi Pattam Thedi vidhai". Thus the Farmers eagerly look forward to this season, hence they come to the river bank for pooja and celebration of this season on this auspicious day.

Image courtesy : Google search

Life's priority changed and farming got restricted to villages, corporates opened up careers in the city, people moved. Thus the City dwellers who don't want to give up that tradition, celebrate it at home  in their own way... at home, near river banks, near lake, near pond and on the beaches.

There are many Triveni Sangam in our country Bharath. In Tamil Nadu, the Triveni Sangam in Erode is important and is a confluence of 3 rivers, the Cauvery, Bhavani and Amudha. Of these three, the river Amudha is invisible and is believed to flow underground and join the other two rivers from below.  This Triveni Sangam us called as "Kooduthurai" (in Tamizh) (sangam), where the famous Sangameshwarar temple is located. Special poojas are conducted in the temple on 18th day of Aadi month (Tamil ashada month).

Rivers are celebrated as female deties - like a mother. So the word 'Amman'  is attached to the river goddess thus they are addressed as Gangai Amman, Cauvery Amman etc... This shows how our ancestors followed the Sanathana Dharma and gave a lady an important & respectable status ; Elevating her to a motherly goddess position.

This year Aadi Peruku falls on 03rd August 2018. Hence I decided to write a brief post on this festival.

People visits the River near them, makes variety rices takes it along with them. Do pooja and eat the rice there sitting together.

Every community and family has a way to celebrate it as per their edler's advice. I am sharing few common and simple things which can be followed in the busy life schedule.

If you are going to do a pooja, do it at the 'auspicious hour' [Nalla Neram] mentioned in the Panchang / calendar, for the day.

Place a small pot or bowl filled with water and place a flower on it. Place Haldi and Kumkum (manjal kungumam).

5 types of Variety rices are prepared to be offered as Neivedhyam along with Milk Kheer [Pal Payasam]. All of them or whatever possible can also be made and offered.  If no time, then offer a fruit or sugar candy or raisins.

1. Lemon Rice
2. Coconut Rice
3. Tamarind Rice
4. Curd Rice
5. Jaggery Rice (Sakkara pongal or Vella payasam)

Sloka :- whatever slokas you know can be offered. 

Thank the God that our land should be blessed with sufficient Rains, make the Land fertile, help Farmers raise healthy crops without loss and may the land and the people prosper.

Let us come close to Mother Nature and celebrate it in simple way at least at our home. If you cannot make variety rices, just offer Fruits and Flowers to the God.

Sharing with you some songs that comes to my mind when I think of river Cauvery. If you know Tamizh, you can enjoy the lyrics which especially for the first song.

The following song is about Aadi Peruku festival sung by P. Susheela for a Tamil film.

Another sweet film song based on raga Hamsadhwani and Mohana by Maestro Ilayaraja.....

May the rain god bless us with good rains so that rivers, land and people prosper!

Lokah Samasthah Sukinah Bhavanthu 🌸🙏🏻🌸

Rahu Kala Pooja

Jai Ma Ambe!

Any obstacles or suffering that we go through the life is due to our karma of previous birth. Navagrahas just perform their duty. They are very sweet enough to bless us provided we sincerely pray to them and to the supreme god that they prayed to.  Through the sincere prayers we can request to minimise or remove those obstacles from our life's journey and make it more pleasant.

Today thought of sharing the pooja that I do during Rahu Kala at home. May it benefit those who would like to do it at their place. Those who go through Rahu Dasha and those who just want to pray to Goddess on her special day can do this and get benefitted.

Rahu Bhagawan

Rahu and Ketu are Chaya Grahas. There is no particular day that is devoted for them unlike the other planets viz Surya (Sunday), Moon (Monday), Mangal (Tuesday), Budh (Wednesday), Guru (Thursday), Shukra (Friday), Shani (Saturday). Hence everyday 1.5 hours is ruled by Rahu Bhagwan hence known as Rahu Kaal (Rahu Kalam). 

Rahu Kalam - 1.5 hours of duration per day. This varies with each day is allocated for Rahu

Yama Gantam - 1.5 hours of duration per day. This varies with each day is allocated for Ketu.

No auspicious work is done during Rahu Kal and Yama Gantam. If some important thing couldn't be postponed or cancelled, then the Vedic astrologers generally advise to start the work before the rahu kal or yama gantam starts on that particular day.

Why to pray to Ma Durga! :-

Jai Ma Durge!

We should pray to Goddess Durga during rahu Kal as she is the protector from all evils. Amongst the Navagrahas, Rahu is more devoted to Ma Durga.  The divine mother's grace cannot be described in words. Her blessings are abundant and like a mother, she comes to protect us from all evils.  Durga stands for the unified symbol of all divine forces; Strength, Morality, Power, Protector. 

Friday and Tuesday are considered auspicious for Devi Pooja. Hence, It is good to offer prayers to her on those days especially during the Rahu Kal that falls on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

Tuesday (3.00 pm to 4.30 pm) 

Friday (10.30 am to 12.00 pm)

Sunday (4.30 pm to 6.00 pm)

So, those who work, if they cannot afford time on any other day, can offer prayers to her in the Rahu Kal on Sunday.

Briefly about the Pooja :-

For any prayer or pooja, if we do Sharanagathi (total surrender at the lotus feet of god / goddess), our sincere prayers will be answered. This I am telling from my personal experience. Having that connect with the god, Trusting him, feeling his presence and enjoying that bliss is an Experience which cannot be described by words. It is a Bhakti Bhav. All our saints did that and tried to shows us also the same path. To help you initially, you can try to remember the goddess picture, slowly convert that into a physical presence and then feel the divine grace... picturising the lotus feet and surrending all our worries, happiness.... this is how we can train our mind to establish that connect with the supreme power!

Whatever we hear, good or bad, just chant the nama viz., 'Om Namo Narayananaya' / Om Namashivaya / Jai Ma Ambe / Jai Ma Durge etc.... and offer that experience at the lotus feet. This calms down our mind... will try to write a detailed post on this later.

Lighting a Lamp :- you can use brass or eathern lamps for this purpose. Earthern Lamps are always considered bringing in  more prosperity and please goddess.

Oil :-   Different oil has their own goodness. They purify the air. Brings in lot of psoitive vibes. Lighting the lamp is considered sacred and auspicious. Sesame oil is the most commonly used oil for lighting lamps. Apart from this, Cow's Ghee, Castor oil, Neem Oil, Mahua Oil are also used for lighting lamps. But for this pooja, We will use only cow's ghee or sesame oil. 

After lighting the Diya offer red flowers (if available)  and do a Namsakaram (Panchanga namaskaram in case of ladies). 

Prayer Slokas :- then we Offer prayers. We always start any pooja by chanting ganesh mantra. It will take time to get used to chanting all the slokas during Rahu Kal. So Initially you can recite the first 09 slokas from the list below during Rahu Kal and the remaining (those who know tamizh) can be chanted during morning or the evening hours. THe intention is to spend that time praying to Ma Durga.

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You will need

1. White rangoli powder / wet rice batter to make a small rangoli
2. A "Aasan" / " Palagai" - a wooden platform to keep the Lamp
3. Lamp (Brass or Earthern) - 1 No.
4. Cotton wicks - 2 nos.
5. Sesame oil - 1/2 cup
6. Flowers (specially red color)
7. Dhoop / Agarbati 
8. Match box to light the lamp
9. A Brass or copper plate to place the lamp
10. Slokas (giving below what I recite) :- The intention is to spend that rahu kala, praying to Durga Ma. You can google for these mantras. 

• Ganesh Gayatri and Ganesh Mantra ( that you know) - (Sanskrit)
• Durga Dyana Mantram (Sanskrit)
• Durga Gayatri (Sanskrit)
• Durga Pancharatnam (Sanskrit)
• Durga Saptasloki (Sanskrit)
• Mahishasura Mardini Stotram (Sanskrit)
• Durga Kavacham (Sanskrit)
• Sri NavaMangali Stotram (Sanskrit)
• Sri Durga Abhaduttarashtakam (Sanskrit)
• Lalitha Sahasranamam (Sanskrit)
• Mangala Chandika Stotra (Sanskrit) (to be recited on Tuesday - continuous for 9 tuesdays) and you can continue it without count as well.
• Slokas from Devi Bhagavatham (Sanskrit)
• Devi Paadam (Tamizh)
• Sri Rahu Kala Durga Ashtakam (Tamizh)
• Sri Dukkha Nivarana Ashtagam (Tamizh)
• Thiruvilakku Slokam
• Charana Slokam (Given at the end)

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Pooja Vidhi :-

• Draw a rangoli where you will be lighting the lamp and doing pooja.
• Place the Aasan / Palagai / Manai over the Rangoli.
• Light the regular oil lamp (that you light everyday) before the Rahu Kal Starts. You can use sesame oil or ghee for this lamp. You can either place this on a separate "Aasan" / Wooden platform (palagai in tamizh) after putting a small rangoli on the floor where we will be doing pooja (Facing east or west).  You can even place Goddess Durgas's photo on this "Aasan" if you have.. Do a Namaskara.

• Red color flowers are more auspicious for this pooja viz., Hibiscus (Chembaruthi), Red Rose, Red color Kasi Thumbai (Red Balsam), etc If you are not able to get red colour flower, you can use any other flower that is used for pooja. If no flower is available, just offer your sincere prayers as flower on her lotus feet. 

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Any pooja starts by praying to Ganeshji who is a vignaharta and pray that the pooja should go on well without any hindarance. Take a flower or some petals and chant the ganesh mantra and then offer it at the base of the lamp.

"Om Gam Ganapathaye Nama :"

Then.....

Om Gajaananam Bhoota Ganaadi Sevitam

Kapittha Jambuu phalasaara bhakshitam

Umaasutam Shoka Vinaasha kaaranam

Namaami Vighneshwara paada pankajam

Take a flower or some petals and chant the Durga Dyana mantra and then offer it at the base of the lamp.

TAM AGNI VARNAM TAPASA JWALANTIM.VAIROCHANIM KARMA PHALESHU JUSHTAM.

DURGAM DEVIM SHARANAM AHAM PRAPADYE.SUTARASI TARASE NAMAH..

.meaning-I seek that Durga as my refuge,the goddess who is of the colour of flame,who blazes forth with her power,who is the consort of the self-luminous Lord,and who is worshipped by devotees for obtaining the fruits of actions,this obeisance be to you,O excellent boat for taking one taking one across to salvation.

likewise do recite the slokas and then offer the flower.

After chanting all the slokas, Do a namaskara. 

When we chant sanskrit slokas, there is a possibility that we may pronounce it wrongly due to printing error etc...  So do a Devi Kshama Prarthana (Please google for it).

Sarva Mangala Maangalye Shive Sarvaartha Saadhikhe

Sharanye Tryambake Devi Naarayanee Namostute

Aayur Dehi, Dhanam Dehi, 
Vidhyam Dehi, Maheswari. 
Samastha Mahilam Dehi, 
Dehimey Parameshwari

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Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu!🌺🙏🌺

Jai Ma Durge! 🌺🙏🌺

Bell Pepper / Capsicum Soup

Bell Pepper or Capsicum can be consumed raw or cooked. It adds a unique flavour and color to a dish to which is added. They come in variety of colors.  

Bell Peppers are rich in Vitmain C and is a low calorie vegetable.

How to select :-  Bell Pepper / Capsicum - Should be blemish free, firm.  The bottom part differs in bell pepper. Some has 3 bumps and some has 4 bumps. The Bell Peppers with 4 Bumps will be little sweet and hence suitable for use in Salads. Bell Peppers with 3 Bumps are suitable for cooking.

Today sharing a soup recipe using the Bell Peppers or Capsicum. You can use a mix of yellow, red and green or you can use any one of them in this recipe as per your choice or it's availability.

This is a nice, satisfying and lightly creamy recipe as we will be adding little fresh cream.

You will need :-

1. Bell Peppers of your choice - 2 Nos. (diced)
2. Onion (big) - 1 No. (diced)
3. Tomato - 1/2 a tomato or 1 small  (Diced)
4. Oil - 4 tsp
5. Salt to taste
6. Crushed Black Pepper - 1/4 tsp  or as preferred
7. Water - 2 cups
8. Fresh cream - 2 tbsp

Procedure :-

1. Heat Oil and saute the diced onions. 
2. Add diced Bell Peppers (Capsicums) and tomato, saute for a minute on high flame.
3. Bring it to room temperature
4. Grind it to a coarse paste (not fine) adding salt
5. Add the crushed black pepper and heat it
6. Switch off the flame and add 2 tbsps of fresh cream
7. Serve it hot!

Relax and enjoy the yummy Bell Pepper Soup.

Vegetable Rava Upma

Vegetables when added to Upma not only makes it look colorful but also healthy.  I have shared a regular & simple version of Upma recipe. Vegetable upma also uses the same recipe and ratios with only few additions in the ingredients.

Upma making is so easy if you take care of few things.. rava should be roasted, ratio of water to rava , right amount of oil and the consistency to which it need to be cooked. You will get perfect upma every time.

1. Rava - 1 Cup (roasted)
2. Beans - 7 Nos. - finely chopped
3. Carrot - 1 small - finely chopped
4. Onion - 1 no. - finely chopped
5. Tomato - 1 no. - finely chopped
6. Curry leaves - 2 sprigs
7. Ginger - 1" piece - finely chopped
8. Green chillies - 2 nos. - finely chopped
9. Oil - 3 tbsp
10. Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
11. Channa dal - 1/2 tp
12. Water - 2.5 cups
13. Salt to taste

• Heat a wok, Add the oil. when it is hot, add mustard seeds. When they start crackling, add channa dal and fry till it turns golden in color.
• Add Chopped Onions, curry leaves, green chillies and fry till onion turns translucent.
• Add the vegetables, Tomato and fry for a minute.
• Add water and salt, bring to boil
• When vegetables are partially cooked, start adding rava slowly while stirring it to avoid lumps.
• once they all mixed well and solidified, cover it with a lid and leave in low flame for two minutes.
• Turn off the gas.
• Delicious healthy Rava Upma is ready!

Ardhanarishwarar - Kerala Mural Musings 2

Couple of days back, I have shared my first try on Kerala Mural painting using water color. Thrilled with the outcome, I decided I will make another one and this time something big and different from the first one.  Came across lot of pictures from internet and finally decided on Ardhanarishwarar.

Since I am doing this art by looking at a small picture from internet, I had little tough time in sketching it. After trial and error, finally drew a decent picture which definitely will not justify the beauty of the original but still I was happy as I felt the improvement from my first try.

This time, I tried to keep the color subtle as much as possible. Working with water color is always fun and this project, I enjoyed more.

Sharing with you my work step by step as it advanced...

Light pencil sketching and started darkening the outlines with outliner.

Completed outlined sketch

Started coloring.... 

The coloring stage normally starts with a similar color application and then getting into the details. However, I forgot that and it flowed naturally in my own way, which I will keep in mind in my next project.

Major coloring done. Now waiting for the details.

Major details added.... still some finishing minor ones to be done.

Now comes the final picture!........

Nama Parvathi Padhaye ; Hara Hara Mahadeva! _/\_

This painting was done as per God Shiva's wish and  I dedicate it at his lotus feet. Praying that all the  Kailash Manasaroar Yatris be blessed with a smooth journey to & fro and darshan. 

Shambo Mahadeva!

Usal - ऊसळ (with coconut)

Usal or ऊसळ is a Maharashtrian Gravy dish made using legumes and an excellent accompaniment with Pav Bread. This gravy uses an unique masala blended with fried coconut and the Maharashtrian speciality Goda Masala, which gives it an unique taste, color and flavour. 


I have attached two types of photos as they were taken at different days at different times. The lovely color of the Ras (liquid) is seen in the last photo and that was made little watery in consistency to show you how both consistency look like.

Usal can be prepared using any one of the following or with combo of these :-

• Turkish gram or moth bean - Matki (Marathi) - looks like green gram but color is dull.
• Yellow Peas - Vatana (Marathi) / Manal Pattani
• Black eyed Peas - Lobia / Chawli / Karamani / Payaru

This gravy is an excellent accompaniment for Pav Bread (soft) / Kadak Pav (hard) / Normal Bread that is toasted and crisp.

It is always on demand at home and I love making this.

Ingredients :-

1. Onion - 2 Nos. (Finely chopped)
2. Grated Coconut - 2 tbsp
3. Tomato - 1 No. (Pureed)
4. Ginger - 1/2 " Piece (Grated)
5. Garlic - 3 big pods (Grated)
6. Turmeric Powder - less than 1/4 tsp
7. Red Chilli powder - 1/4 tsp (or as preferred)
8. God Masala Powder - 1/4 tsp
9. Garam Masala Powder - 1/4 tsp
10. Salt to taste
11. Oil - 2 tbsp + 2 tbsp
12. Legume - (Any one or combo of all) - 1/2 cup
13. Finely chopped coriander leaves

Process :-

• Soak the legumes overnight (or for 8 hours) and pressure cook it adding salt.

• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a wok and fry half of the finely chopped onions, till golden brown and then add 2 tbsp of grated coconut and fry well till the coconut also turns into golden in color. Leave it to cool and then grind it to a nice paste.

• Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a wok and fry the remaining chopped onions till golder in color and then add the grated ginger garlic paste, fry till the raw flavour goes. Add the tomato puree and fry well (till oil separates)

• Add the turmeric powder, red chilli powder, Goda masala powder and Garam masala powders. Fry for a minute.

you can notice the color difference between these masalas. Goda masala will be darker in color.

• Add the fried and ground onion+coconut paste and cook for 2 minutes

• Add the cooked legume and adjust the seasoning and consistency of the gravy as per your preference. Some like thin consistency and i usually keep it medium (neither watery, nor thick).

• Cover and boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally in between.

• finally garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.

wow! Look at that lovely color on top of the gravy!!

• Lip smacking Usal gravy is ready!!

Adjust the number of units given as per the measure you take for legumes.

 A filling food!