Blissssssss……state of mind!

“FUN AND FRESH AIR ARE GOOD FOR YOU – Its Official :)”. Yep we sniffed some fresh Indian mangoes full of juice, flavor, fragrance and colour during our London trip and managed to flip them in our suitcases :). It was ages that I had tasted ‘maavina hannina seerkarne’ ( similar to mango milkshake but this is not completely pureed in a blender) as we always end up in India during off season :-p and today just a little of this gorgeous treat made me feel I was in heaven!

In context I would like to share a piece of writing that I read few days back about ‘Bliss’. It goes like this….
Learning an instrument, appreciating beautiful surroundings and relishing time with friends could be as important to your mental health as eating fruit and vegetables is to your physical well-being. A team of over 400 eminent scientists have identified 5 key areas that can help people lead happier, more fulfilled lives. Physical activity is high on the list, but the other feel good strategies they identify include learning new things, developing strong relationships, being curious and appreciative of the world around you, and doing things to help others…simple changes that could make all the difference to your state of mind…

Eating good and healthy food also elevates the state of mind, which I experienced in our lunch today. Thus, another quick, easy and no cook recipe i.e maavina hannina seekarne

Ingredients:

Mangoes –2
Fresh whole milk – 1 Cup
Elachi/ cardamom powder – ¼ tspn
Sugar is optional

Method

• Wash mango, peel the skin and squeeze the whole mango in hand to collect the pulp into a bowl (Do not completely puree the fruit). Discard the seed what we call it as vaate in Kannada.
• Add milk and mix well. Next add cardamom powder and mix well with a spoon.
  All Set....It couldn’t be any easier :).

Serving suggestions: This is generally served with chapathis. Some of them like to have as an accompaniment with holige/pooran poli.
You could also blend everything and chill it and serve as a drink.

Get into the spirit of season and enjoy the little essentials in life :) !!!

Seasonal Celebrations!

One of the delights of this time of the year is the range of fresh fruits and vegetables – bursting with flavour, colour and goodness. So we decided to make the most of British-grown produce with some of the inspirational recipes!
Here goes our experimentation with no-churn ice cream and it was fantastic as it looks and a perfect treat for a hot summer day!
This dish is really quick-easy and no-cook…U don’t require any domestic goddess skills either –But yes just hungry kids (Oh & men!) ;)

Recipe for strawberry ice cream
Serves: 6

225g of strawberries
140g golden caster sugar
100ml dessert wine (if you want to have a boozy feeling you could add 200ml)
500ml tub crème fraiche

Method

• Scatter two-thirds of the strawberries into a shallow dish. Sprinkle with 50g of the sugar and the wine, and then leave the fruit to macerate while you whisk the crème fraiche.
• Pour the rest of the sugar and crème fraiche into a bowl and whisk until thick.
• Use a spatula to fold the strawberries and wine into the cream.
• Spoon into a rigid container and freeze for at least 4hrs or until scoopable.
• Serve in chilled bowls scattered with the remaining strawberries.
  
  This couldn’t be simpler :) - no machine, no churning at all…
  Their season maybe short so linger over them now while they are at their best – Enjoyyyyyyy!

Traditional dish with a modern twist!

We all have our favorite everyday recipes and these recipes have proven to be as quick – easy – nutritious and comforting family choices. But then they become a little tired and boring after a certain time. So why not cook the same dish, substituting a key ingredient or add some new spices or flavorings. I think none of these costs much – in either time or money and yet can give a whole new dimension to the finished dish and your family a totally new culinary delight :).
Thus, I tried transforming one of our traditional dishes into a modern Indian food. It’s just a delicious combination of sweet veggies with tart pieces of bread with minimal spice – yes it just worked though it may not sound much.

Recipe for quick bread & vegetable stir-fry
Serves: 2

3 slices of bread, lightly toasted until hard but not colored, crusts removed
1tbsp natural yogurt (slightly sour if possible) or you can use Greek yogurt
2tbsp oil
1/4tsp mustard seeds
1 onion, finely sliced
1 potato, peeled and chopped into cubes
1 green chili, chopped or slit
1 carrot, peeled and grated into long shreds
¼ red or white cabbage, cored and finely shredded
1 tsp ginger paste
1 or 2 tsp of lemon juice
2tbsp of chopped cilantro

Method

• Cut each slice of bread into 9 squares. Brush the yogurt on both sides of the toast and leave on a plate in a single layer to dry off a little.
• Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan and add mustard seeds and wait for it to pop.
  Add onion and potato and fry over a moderate heat until golden.
• Later add green chili, followed by carrot, cabbage, ginger paste and salt. Fry for 5-6min or until they have wilted.
• Stir in the lemon juice and bread and cook for another 2mins. Garnish with cilantro and serve.
  

Variations: You could use wholemeal bread to get a nutty flavor.

Happy Weekend :)!!