Akshaya Tritiya with Aval Payasam

Akshaya Tritiya, falls on the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Vaisakha of the traditional Hindu calendar.
It is one of the four most auspicious days of the year for Hindus.
The word "Akshaya", a Sanskrit word, literally means one that never diminishes, and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. It is widely celebrated in all parts of India by different sections of the society irrespective of their religious faith and social grouping. The day is particularly considered auspicious for buying long term assets like gold and silver, including ornaments made of the same; diamond and other precious stones; and the real estate. The legend states that any venture initiated on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya shall continue to grow and bring prosperity.
(Source :Wiki)

Ingredients

1/2 cup beaten rice (Poha)
2 cups Whole milk
1 cup sugar (can use less if adding condensed milk)
1/2 cup Condensed milk (optional)
1 tsp crushed cardamom
1 tbsp cashewnuts
1 tbsp raisins
2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
Saffron strands to garnish



Preparation

Wash beaten rice, drain well and set aside. Heat the milk on medium and while it is warm enough, add the beaten rice and crushed cardamom. Let it cook for 10 -15 minutes.
At this stage condensed milk can be added to give some richness. It is purely optional.
In a pan fry cashewnuts and raisins to golden brown with ghee and let it cool.
Remove the payasam (kheer) from heat and add fried nuts and raisins. Garnish with saffron strands and serve warm.
This Payasam can be kept as Neivedyam to God on Akshaya Tritiya day.
I am sending this to Cooking for kids- Rice Hosted by Trupti's Food Corner

If you are wondering why I am not blogging regularly, the below picture is one of the reason.


Yes, This necklace is handmade by me for little Diya. This is my first attempt in Jewellery making. It is made of pearls and ruby.

Raw banana (plantain) subzi

After disappering for a while, I am back with a nice recipe. These days I am cooking from this lovely book "Cooking at home with Pedatha". Pedatha has very simple and authentic recipes from Andhra.
This recipe is called Mustard flavoured vegetable (ava pettina koora (Telugu)).

Ingredients

2-Raw Bananas (diced medium)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp oil
salt to taste

The Paste

1 1/2 tsps mustard seeds
1 tbsp raw rice
1 inch piece ginger
1/4 cup coconut (grated)
1/4 cup coriander leaves

The Tempering

1/2 tsp split black gram (husked) (urad dal)
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
2-4 green chillies slit
curry leaves a few
asafoetida powder a pinch

Preparation

Boil the diced bananas in water along with turmeric powder till tender. Strain and set aside.
For the paste, Soak the mustard and rice in a little water. Grind into a fine paste and set aside.

In a wok, heat the oil for tempering. Add the gram; as it turns golden, add the mustard. Lower the flame and add the green chillies, curry leaves and asafoetida.
Add the boiled banana, paste and salt. Mix welland continueto cook for 3-4 minutes. Switch off the flame.

Serve with rice of rotis.


This picture is from the Pedatha book.



Pedatha says raw banana can be substituted with cabbage or sweet pumpkin.

We celebrated Jai's 5th birthday on 21st march with this lovely Madagascar theme cake!




I have always had great passion for Traditional Indian cookware like Copperware, brassware, soapstone pots and earthenwares.


Picture courtesy:copper-accessories.com

Here is an article written for Neivedyam by cookware.com on Indian cookware.

From Tandoor to Tabletop: Traditional Indian Cookware for a Healthy Lifestyle

The usage of traditional cookware materials has been integral in the centuries-long development in Indian and South Asian cuisine. In particular, cookware sets made of earthenware and brass have shown to be just as important as the ingredients themselves in many dishes because the materials enhance the complex flavors of the dishes being cooked. This is why traditional cooking still remains a part of life all over India, from the tandoor ovens of Punjab to the terra cotta pots in Manipur and Nagaland. But in addition to providing flavor these materials can also benefit your health as well. In this article, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of cookware today that is made of traditional materials.

Earthenware and Ceramics

Ceramics have been used for cooking in India for over five thousand years, and the materials can vary a lot from region to region depending on the availability of materials. As mentioned above, one of the best things about ceramic and terra cotta cookware is that it brings out the flavor in many dishes, especially stews and other dishes that are simmered. Any type of earthenware is ideal for low-temperature cooking. And since the materials are not reactive, you don’t have to worry about toxins leaching their way into your food, making for dishes that are better tasting and healthier.

Ceramic and clay dishes are also easy to clean and are relatively inexpensive. However, they can be easy to break or chip and overall are not as durable as other types of cookware.

Copper and Brassware

Copper and brass has often been featured among the cookware and utensils of the wealthier households, particularly in Tamil Nadu. The reason why is simple, although these are some of the most expensive cooking materials, they are also the best. Copper and brass are nontoxic, conduct heat very well, and are stylish looking, making them very popular among professional chefs.

In addition their cost, both of these materials and copper in particular, are prone to scratching and may need to be polished often in order to maintain its appearance. But overall, copper and bronze provide best superior heat conductibility while remaining free of harmful toxins.

Aluminum and stainless steel have become popular in contemporary Indian cooking, as they are both affordable and durable. But sometimes it’s worth going to the basics. Aluminum unfortunately has the tendency to discolor and leach into food, as does nearly all types of nonstick materials. This is both bad for the flavor of the food and bad for your health. But if you stick to what worked best for centuries of Indian cooks, you’ll find yourself eating healthier and better tasting food at the same time.

Celebrations!! Got my own Domain!!

Yes!! With the help of Dear Sandeepa from Bong Mom's cookbook, I have my own domain http://www.neivedyam.com/

The new address should work for everyone after at most 3 days. At that time blogger will redirect the readers from old address to the new one.
I am happy to announce my own New Home "Neivedyam" :)!!
I will be back soon with some delicious recipes for Ugadi.