Strawberry Muffins

There was this sale in the library where, I could pick up any number of books that would fit a bag just for a dollar or two. I grabbed some lovely cook books. One of them is Betty Crocker's Easy Entertaining. I made the Strawberry Muffins from this book.




Ingredients

3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup chopped strawberries
1 tbsp grated orange peel
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1 egg
1/4 tsp Salt

Topping

chopped pecans




Preparation

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 12 medium muffin cups. Mix milk, oil, orange peel and egg in a large bowl until well blended. Stir in the remaining ingredients, just until moistened. Fill muffin cups . Sprinkle pecans on top. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.


Some of my visitors may wonder that I have used eggs. Well eggs are very essential part of baking. For making cakes, cookies, bread, brownies, scones etc, eggs become very mandatory. I thought of starting a separate blog for my baking and use of eggs, but it would be too much of work for me. So I have started a separate option in my Recipe box to the right called the International/ Egg-etarian recipes. All my bakery stuff will be added there now on.

Happy Independence Day!!

I wish all my Indian fellow bloggers a very Happy Independence Day.
My sweet memories of Independence day are, while I was in school. We get dressed in white n white, practice for the parade, sing the National Anthem and the best part is at the end, when we get sweet treats.

Even today we enjoy the day sitting at home , relaxing, watching TV and eating good food. Behind all this freedom, there was so much struggle, so many great people who sacrificed their lives, just to give us a better future. Every Indian should remember the struggle for Independence. That thought will make our country a better place to live, not only for us but for the future generations too.

Please share your sweet memories of Independence Day too.

Garden Harvest Recipes- Part 2

Dahi wali bhendi or Bendakaya Perugu pachadi (okra in yogurt sauce)
I came across Tomato Perugu Pachadi (yoghurt curry) in Sailu's blog and experimented it a little by adding okras to it. The results, you can see in the picture.

Bedakaya Perugu Pachadi (Okra- Yogurt based Chutney)

Ingredients

1 cup medium chopped Okra
1/2 cup tomatoes chopped or puree
1/2 cup chopped red onions
1 1/2 cup yogurt
2-3 green chillies
1/2 tsp turmeric
Fresh chopped cilantro
Salt

For tempering

1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp split moong dal
2-4 dry red chillies
dash of Asafoetida
2 tbsp curry leaves
2tsp oil

Preparation

In a deep bottomed pan, add oil and temper with all the given ingredients. Add onions and saute till translucent. Add the chopped okra and fry along with the onions until soft. Also add turmeric, tomato, salt and green chillies. Let them get cooked for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it cool. Beat the yogurt and add it to this mixture. It goes great with rice.



Fenugreek

Methi Aloo/ Fenugreek leaves with potato
Ingredients

3 medium potatoes peeled and cubed
1/2 cup of Methi/ fenugreek leaves
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
dash of Asafoetida
Salt
Oil

Preparation

In a pan add 2 tbsp oil and splutter the cumin seeds. Also add asafoetida and onions. Fry till translucent. Add the potatoes, turmeric, chilli powder, methi leaves and salt. Cover with lid and cook for about 10 - 12 minutes on medium heat till the potatoes are done. Delicious Aloo- methi is ready.

All these going to Green Blog Project hosted by Deepz of Letz Cook.

My Many Many Thanks to Cynthia of Tastes like Home for giving me this fabulous award. I really don't know if truly deserve it.

I wanted to pass this award to Sandeepa, Sra, Sig, Viji, Asha, Sia and Shn. But since they already possess the awards, I pass it to

Sailu of Sailu's food
WokandSpoon of Wok and Spoon
Trupti of The Spice who loved me
Kajal of Kajal dreams
Anh of Food lover's Journey
Musical of Musical's Kitchen
Dear friends you truly Rock