AFAM update

Thanks for all your wishes and support.Yeap..planning to take a relaxing and yet pampering vacation.Can't wait to eat mom's cooking since i missed it so much on my last pregnancy as well..:)).I know the event can take a little break but didn't want to lose the energy that kept AFAM going till now.Thanks for the outpouring support for AFAM.since i got 5 offers for hosting it , i had extended the guest hosting month till septemper.If anyone of you couldn't make it, just let me know..ok

AFAM - MAY hosted by Deepa of Recipes n' more
AFAM - JUNE hosted by Sharmi of Neivedyam
AFAM - JULY hosted by Bee of Jugalbandi
AFAM - AUG hosted by Sigma of Live to Eat
AFAM - SEPT hosted by Swapna of Swad


Thanks to all you once again...

A Request and AFAM - Apple round up

Hi all,
As you can see, my posts are less frequent now days.The good news behind this is that we are expecting our second baby this winter.So right now, suffering from all the wonders(?) of being pregnant...yeap..food aversion,nausea, etcetc..you name it ..i have it.I am not able to enter kitchen at all.All the cooking is done by H and got help from dear friends also.I couldn't participate in this month AFAM 'coz of the same reason.One day i love biryani, another day couldn't stand the smell of garam masala..weird isn't it?.Anyway coming back to the main request.I am heading for two monthes vacation to india.So i would like your help to host AFAM event during this time.Please let me know if you could do it for the monthes of MAY,JUNE and JULY.

Here we go ..the delicious entries for AFAM-Apple

Apple gojju by Ramya of Mane Adige

Apple pakoras by Swapna of Swad of India

Spicy Apple pancakes by Sukanya of Hot and Sweet bowl

Apple Cashew nut cake by Soumya of Foodlovers

Apple Chutney by Viji of Vcuisine

Apple Muffins by Viji of Vcuisine

Apple Carrot chutney by Asha of Aromahope

Applesauce oatmeal raisin cake by Bee of Jugalbandi

Sweet and Sour apple by Deepa of Recipes n' more

Chatpat fruit chat by Sridevi of Sreelu's Tasty Travels

Apple yogurt muffins by Swapna of Susarla's Kitchen

Apple Crumble n' spicy toast by Reena of Spice of Kerala

Apple ginger crescent rolls by Sharmi of Neivedyam

Apple salsa by Sigma of Live To Eat

Caramalised apples with vanilla by Coffee of The Spice cafe

Thanks once again to all of you for these delicious entries...

Mutton Biryani II

This yet another delicious n' mouthwatering mutton biryani recipe which i got from my sweet cousin sis.Was really worth all the work and wait..:)).Do enjoy this dish on a weekend , so that you could have as much as you like and take proper rest...D.
This is my entry for LakshmiK of Veggiecuisine's RCI - Tamilnadu Cuisine

Ingredients

Basmati - 2-3 cups
Mutton - 2lbs
Ginger garlic paste- 2 tbsp
Onion - 1
Small onion - 12-13
Green chillies -8
Tomatoes - 1
Coconut milk - 2 cup (made with 2 cups of water + 2tbsp of Maggie's Coconut milk powder)
Curd / plain yogurt - 2tsp
Lime juice - 1/2tsp
Oil - as needed
Ghee - as needed

Dry fry and powder the following

Cinnamon - 1 inch
Cloves -4
Cardamom - 2
Pepper corns -1/2tsp
Jeera - 1/2tsp
Fenel seeds - 1tsp
Kaskas/Poppy seeds - 1tsMethod
Put 1tsp of oil,1 tsp ghee in a hot pressure cooker.Once the oil+ghee mix hot enough, add biryani leaf,star spice(optional), chopped onions, chopped small onion and green chillies.Fry till onions are slightly browned.Then add gg paste, powdered masala and tomatoes.Fry till tomatoes are almost cooked.Now add the mutton and 1/2 of the coconut milk and curd.Cook it till mutton is 3/4 done (About 4-5 whistles).Now add the remaining coconut milk and washed rice,chilli powder,salt and lime juice.Cook it one medium flame for about 8 min.s or cook it for upto 1 whistle and switch off the heat.Open the pressure cooker only after all pressure is gone.Enjoy this delicious biryani with raita and boiled egg.

Only 2 cups of liquid , in this case coconut milk is required for upto 3 cups of rice, as mutton releases its own juice.Feel free to adjust the amout of liquid as per your measurement.

Carrot rice

Carrot rice, this family fav. variety rice is easy to make.And you can grind and store the powdered masala in large quantity.I use the same masala for mango rice as well.

Ingredients

Carrot - 1 cup (grated)
Rice - 1 cup ( boiled)
Oil - 2tsp
Mustard seeds - 1tsp
Urad dal-1/2tsp
Jeera - 1tsp
Green chilly - 1 (chopped)
Turmeric powder - 1/2tsp
Salt - as needed

Fry and grind

Red chillies - 5
Coriander seeds - 2tsp
Peanuts - 2tbsp


Method

Cook 1 cup of rice separately.In a pan heat oil and fry mustard seeds, urad dal,jeera and finally add green chilly.Now add the grated carrot, turmeric powder and salt.Saute well till carrot is cooked well.Finally add the powdered masala and fry for another 3 min.s.You can adjust the amount of powdered masala according to your spice level.Add this carrot mixture into the cooked rice and mix well using a fork and careful not to mash up the rice.Garnish with coriander leaves.Serve it hot with any pickle or chutney.

AFAM- April

First of all , Thanks to all of you for making AFAM , an event worth waiting for every month.

Apple, is the theme for this month's AFAM.Waiting for, all your unique n' extra delicious entries.