Rangoli

Rangoli

It is an art form practised in India to decorate the houses, the front porch, the garden and is  considered auspicious . The floor is usually cleaned first and the designs and patterns are made with coloured powders or rice flour in geometrical or  freehand in an imaginative way thus giving a  pleasing sight .

The above rangoli is a simple design made from a book on the eve of a 'Hindu' new year falling on 21st march to welcome the new year.

Holi

'Happy Holi', Festival  of Colours In India

The festival signifies unity among diversity and evokes the  feeling of happiness around. It is celebrated through out the country.

Sweets like 'Gujiya', which are sweet deep fried dumplings of pastry sheets shaped in crescent moon made in plastic moulds as pictured above with dry fruits, grated coconut, sugar, milk solids as stuffing are made fresh and shared with family and friends and seek the blessings of elders. Children and all play with dry coloured powders and make merry. It is a festival of renewing the bonds of friendship all over again.

Dahiwada

Hello Everyone!

This is mouthwatering 'Dahiwada' which I made and enjoyed on a Sunday afternoon lunch.These are deep fried lentil dumplings dipped in seasoned, beaten curds.This dish, best enjoyed with sweet and sour 'chatnis' (seasoned sauces) and roasted cumin seed powder, salt, black pepper powder and chopped coriander leaves as garnish.It is best eaten refrigerated for an hour or two.

Mirchi Bhajji (Stuffed chilli Peppers)

Ingredients

Peppers (chilli) 10 in nos. (Washed, patted dry, de-seeded)

Roasted sesame seed powder- 3 Tablespoon
Salt- as per taste
Roasted coriander seed powder- 1 Teaspoon
Thick tamarind juice- 2 Tablespoon
Gram flour- 1 cup (Besan)
Oil- to deep fry
Red chilli powder-1/2 Teaspoon
Turmeric powder- 1/2 Teaspoon
Tomato ketchup

Method

In a bowl mix besan, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, and little salt. Make a paste of batter consistency  using water as per the requirement taking care that no lumps form and the mixture is smooth.

Slit peppers or mirchi lengthwise and deseed. Similarly in another bowl prepare the stuffing mixture for peppers. Take sesame seed powder, tamarind juice, salt, coriander powder, mix well. Stuff this in chilli peppers.

Heat oil in a wok, dip the peppers in prepared paste of gramflour (besan) earlier and drop in heated oil slowly and deep fry until crisp.
Serve hot with tomato ketchup. Enjoy these delicious bhajjis on a rainy day with a cup of hot tea!

Taro or Arbi Kebab

Ingredients

Boiled and mashed Colocasia or arbi: 1 cup
boiled and mashed Potato: 1 no
Salt as per taste
Rice flour: 1 tablespoon
Chopped green chillies: 2 teaspoons
Mint leaves,  coriander leaves  and curry leaves (all cleaned, washed and chopped finely): 1 cup
Ginger garlic paste: 1 teaspoon
Red chilli powder: 1 teaspoon
Amchur or dry mango powder: 1 teaspoon
Cumin seeds: 1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder: a pinch
Oil: 1/2 cup

Method

In a bowl take mashed arbi and potato, to it add salt, rice flour, ginger garlic paste, amchur and turmeric powder. In a skillet heat 2 tsp oil, add to it cumin seeds. As they crackle add green chillies and chopped mint leaves mixture until the mixture turns crispy, cool this mixture and add to arbi bowl, mix well. Now shape this mixture into flat patties and shallow fry on a frypan from both the sides, applying little oil while frying to light golden brown colour.

Serve hot with onion rings, lemon wedge and tomato sauce. Enjoy with hot cup of tea!!

Crochet Mandala

Hello friends!

Thanks Winkie! for the wonderful pattern!
This is the 'Crochet Mandala ' that I created and I am quite satisfied with the way it turned out.

I shall soon be posting few more crochet creations.

Bye!

Creative Crochet: Snowflakes!

Crocheting is one of my favourite hobbies! I have been crocheting tid-bits since my college days but now,  it has really taken a serious turn where i am trying to create by learning new techniques every single day and putting forth certain pieces. Crochet has caught fancy of my imagination in a delightful way and it is a relaxation of a kind. Trying my hand at delicate thread crochet pattern as one may call it 'flavour of the season'  a crochet snowflake!!

Here is the picture of my crochet snowflakes:

the pattern is from 

http://sarahlondon.wordpress.com/2010/12/19/simple-snowflake/ 

Thank you for the pattern Sarah!

The snowflakes are tied to a twig of plant and hung lightly on a garden shrub. In crocheting I do 'amigurumi' crochet, crochet appliques, motifs and doilies! I enjoy crocheting.
There is another crochet piece a 'crochet clown face motif' made by me which I used as a cake decoration at my son's birthday party.