My version of Potato Sabzi

I experimented a little and my family loved it.

*NOTE- these recipes need not be unique to me. These are everyday recipes with a few moderations I've made. If someone has thought of similar ideas, I claim on knowledge of it.

Potato sabzi.

You will need:
~ 2 potatoes sliced into triangles
~ 1 finely sliced onion
~ 1 tsp chopped coriander leaves
~ 1/2 tsp each cumin seeds and onion seeds
~ 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
~ salt to taste
~ 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
~ oil for shallow frying.

Things to do:
+ heat oil in a pressure cooker. Saute cumin seeds and onion seeds till their splutter.
+ add onions and saute till translucent. Add turmeric powder, red chilli, and the potato slices. Saute well till oil separates.
+ add coriander leaves, salt and one tbsp water. Close lid and let it cook for two whistles.
+ check seasoning, dry excess water. Serve warm immediately with rice, khichdi, dosa or chapatti.

My recipe for Mint'o Carotene

I made this as a summer drink. Truly refreshing.

*NOTE- these recipes need not be unique to me. These are everyday recipes with a few moderations I've made. If someone has thought of similar ideas, I claim on knowledge of it.

Mint'o Carotene.

You will need:
~ 1 large carrot diced evenly
~ 2:1 cup of cold milk and water each.
~ 1 tsp mint leaves
~ 1 tbsp sugar
~ salt and black pepper powder to taste

Things to do:
+ put all the ingredients in a blender, and run on speed one for thirty seconds or till smooth.
+ pour in a large glass. Serve chill.

* you can strain the liquid if you don't like the fleshy texture but in that case, avoid water and use creamy milk.

Ajmer: Unique in Every Sense

Visiting Ajmer has been one of the most cherished wishes of my heart. The historic and revered shrine of the blessed Sufi saint Hazrath Moinuddin Chishti has proved to be my touchstone through various ups and downs of my life. So, when I finally got to see the city, it was amazing in every way.

Drive: My family travelled to the blessed city by train. It was an overnight journey but hassle free on the whole. But the other means of travel too are very well maintained and comfortable. I personally recommend a trip through the road meandering the hillock connecting Ajmer to Pushkar. It is an experience in its own. With the airport also getting ready to commence come 2016, it promises easy access to foreigners and the busybodies. But if you would ask me what drives this enigmatic city, I would say its the very air it holds, the people it shelters, and the aura of piety it exudes. Words can't define the hospitality and love the city offers. Suffice it to say, the city is rightly nicknamed as The City enveloping

Design: Its very appearance inspires regality and peace. Every fort, archway, monument and ensemble speak of the various kings and thrones the city honoured through centuries, and the place of pride it enjoyed during their reigns. Even nature has cradled it with love by enveloping it in the bosom of the Aravalli hills and the bank of the artificial lake Anasagar. The massive rocks of Nagpathar range that protect it from the Thar desert are a marvel on their own. But it's the meandering roads of the city, the impressive development of civilization, and the lore of the local folks that actually captured my heart. It makes you forget every bane of your life. And the energy and calm that embraces you at the Blessed Sufi's shrine, and the Taragarh hills' fort actually transport you to a different plane. It feels like a threshold of miracles and answers.

Connect: Art, Architecture, Adaption, Culture, Education, Geography, History, Science, Religion, Tradition, you ask for it, and it has it. Like the beautiful intricate patterns in its heritage sites, the manner the city is connected to every aspect of humanity, civilization and timelessness... It leaves you spellbound. Situated very conveniently midway between Mumbai and Delhi on the Golden Quadrilateral National Highway, Closely and comfortably connected to other cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Pushkar, and an important base point for pilgrimages, tourism and archaeological research; trust me,

I've never seen another city so blessed in every way, every aspect and every sense of the word. I thank #madeofgreat campaign initiated by Tata motors, for this prompt which allowed me to share my experience with others.

To find out more about the campaign visit http://www.madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/

My version of Bread Omlette

I first had during a train journey and immensely loved it. I tried to recreate it at home, and this is my recipe for it.

*NOTE- these recipes need not be unique to me. These are everyday recipes with a few moderations I've made. If someone has thought of similar ideas, I claim on knowledge of it.

Bread Omelette.

You will need:
~ 6-8 bread slices
~ 2 eggs
~ 1 finely chopped onion
~ 1 grated potato
~ 1 tsp chopped coriander leaves
~ 1-2 roughly cut green chillies
~ salt and black pepper powder, to taste
~ butter for basting.

Things to do:
+ preheat oven or sandwich maker. Butter up one side of all the bread slices.
+ mix together all the other ingredients well till eggs are well aerated.
+ heat a shallow frying pan, melt butter and fry omlette till soft and done.
+ cut omelette into sizes equal to the bread slices and place a slice of omelette on half the slices. Cover with the remaining slices.
+ grill till golden and crisp. Serve warm immediately with any sauce of your choice.

* you can crispen  the bread slices even on a shallow frying pan.

My version of Fruit dosa

I have used bananas. You can substitute with any fruit of your choice.

*NOTE- these recipes need not be unique to me. These are everyday recipes with a few moderations I've made. If someone has thought of similar ideas, I claim on knowledge of it.

10. fruit dosa.

You will need:
~ 1 banana sliced into rounds.
~ 1 tbsp roughly ground roasted almonds/walnuts/pista/groundnuts
~ 1 tbsp grated jaggery
~ 1 ladleful of dosa batter.
~ a pinch of baking soda.
~ salt to taste
~ oil for shallow fry

Things to do:
+ Mix well batter, soda and salt till it aerates well.
+ mix together jaggery and nuts.
+ pour batter into pan in small rounds, cover with banana slices, top with but mixture, drop a circle of oil around the roundels and cover the pan.
+ wait for 1 min till aroma emanates, open lid, turn over, wait for 10 seconds. Remove and serve warm.

My version of Frozen Hots

A easy fix delight.

*NOTE- these recipes need not be unique to me. These are everyday recipes with a few moderations I've made. If someone has thought of similar ideas, I claim on knowledge of it.

9. Frozen Hots.

You will need:
~ 1 pack of high fibre digestive biscuits
~ Ice cream scoops of any flavour
~ chocolate sauce or honey for drizzling.
~ oil for deep fry

Things to do:
+ Break the biscuits randomly, put in grinder and grind to a coarse paste.
+ Heat oil nicely and keep ready for frying.
+ coat each scoop quickly in the ground mixture and fry for 10 seconds immediately.
+ take off heat. Drizzle with chocolate sauce or honey and serve immediately.

My version of Bread tarts

An easy recipe for those lazy days. *NOTE- these recipes need not be unique to me. These are everyday recipes with a few moderations I've made. If someone has thought of similar ideas, I claim on knowledge of it. 8. Bread Tarts. You will need: ~ 6 any bread slices ~ 1 cup milk ~ 1 finely chopped onion ~ 1 finely chopped tomato ~ 1 tbsp boiled corn ~ 1 tsp chopped coriander leaves ~ salt and black pepper powder to taste ~ 1 tsp lemon juice. ~ Butter for basting. Things to do: + Soak the bread slices lightly in milk, press into tart shells. Cut extra. Blind bake. + Mix together all other ingredients. + top up the bread tarts. Bake for 5 mins at 180°c. Serve hot with any sauce of your choice.