Pineapple Jam

Pineapple jam- a great way to eat this lovely fruit. This is the first time I tried making jam out of pineapple and it is o so delicious! Just that I cant believe that a whole pineapple is reduced to just one bowl of jam. Maybe next time, I'll put 2 pineapples for that. Your kids would love this one! If they dont go ahead and wallop it guilt-free.

Chickpea Crepes with Tofu Crumble/ Besan Chila

A chila is a North-Indian crepe made out of chickpea flour. You can have your chila with chutney or roll it around a stuffing like Tofu Crumble. Very simple to prepare, you can serve it for breakfast or for snacks.

Tofu Crumble

Many of my readers are very fond of tofu and have asked me to suggest more ways of using tofu. Here's a great way to prepare tofu loaded with veggies. You can serve this with rotis and also a great way to stuff a chillah. In my next post I will provide the recipe for chickpea flour( besan) chillah (crepes).

So here's a simple and yet nutritious recipe with your favourite tofu.

Healthy Wholemeal Spiced Veg Pizza- International Pizza Pie Incident

After the huge success of the International Gnocchi party, its time for the International Pizza party. Though I was a first-timer at gnocchi, this time I wasnt willing to risk that since it came to matters of the yeast, and its also our host's Birthday.

Pumpkin Bolo-de-fuba cremoso

Raw Mango Pickle

Summer in India is not only time to Beat the Heat, but a time to prepare your pickles and papads.

Easter Sunday and a White Chocolate Cheesecake- Guest Post

On the occassion of Easter Sunday I have a very special guest. It's none other than the lovely Divina from Sense and Serendipity.

Watermelon-Mint Crush- Beat the Heat!

Since its the first time I am blogging on the watermelon I thought of doing some research on this refreshing fruit. Was I in for a surprise with some of the facts I found!

Health Benefits

• Watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight, thus has an excellent capacity to rehydrate and gives a special cooling effect.
• It is packed with some of the most important antioxidants found in nature.
• Contains large amounts of beta-carotene (one can guess with the colour).
• The red flesh is a significant source of lycopene. This can help reduce the risk of prostrate cancer. Infact it is the only fruit that contains higher concentrations of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable.
• It is rich in electrolytes sodium and potassium that we lose through our perspiration.
• Watermelon is rich in the B vitamins necessary for energy production. Food experts recommend watermelon as a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin B1 and magnesium. Because of its higher water content approximately ninety percent and calorie value it is ranked more valuable than other fruits. 

Did You Know?

• Watermelon rinds are also edible, and sometimes used as a vegetable. In China, they are stir-fried, stewed, or more often pickled. When stir-fried, the de-skinned and de-fruited rind is cooked with olive oil, garlic, chili peppers, scallions, sugar and rum. Pickled watermelon rind is also commonly consumed in the Southern US, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria.
• In Japan, farmers of the Zentsuji region found a way to grow cubic watermelons, by growing the fruits in glass boxes and letting them naturally assume the shape of the receptacle. The square shape is designed to make the melons easier to stack and store, but the square watermelons are often more than double the price of normal ones. Pyramid shaped watermelons have also been developed and any polygonal shape may potentially also be used.
• There are more than 1200 varieties of watermelon ranging in size from less than a pound, to more than 200 pounds with flesh that is red, orange, yellow, or white.
• Yellow Crimson Watermelon has been described as "sweeter" and more "honey" flavoured than the more popular red flesh watermelon.

Watermelon-Mint Crush

Ingredients-
A sprig of mint leaves
Chilled watermelon cubes
2 ice cubes

Preparation-

• In a juicer, run the washed mint leaves, with a cube of ice.
• Add the deseeded watermelon cubes with another cube and juice.
• Serve chilled and Beat the Heat!

Alphabet Soup

I have not been able to blog of late, no thanks to the summer viral flu in the air. The kids took turns with it. But it gets even better now! Joel's got summer vacations, begining tomorrow. So I would be busy thinking of ways to keep my busy bodies busy. If I do think of sneaking in a post, the brother-sister duo would be at their creative best, with their freedom, and I would have to be prepared for surprises not necessarily pleasant. Hmm I would have to think of a few strategies here.

So here's some Alphabet Soup to herald the summer vacations! Simple to make easy to fascinate kids.

Ingredients-

1 onion sliced

1 carrot cubed

2 cloves of oven roasted garlic

1tsp butter

Alphabet pasta

salt to taste

pepper

Preparation-

• Heat butter in a heavy bottomed vessel, saute the onions.
• Add the cubed carrots, garlic and 1 cup water, cover and cook.
• When done, cool, drain(reserve) and puree the veggies.
• In a separate dish, boil water and cook the pasta and drain.
• Mix the puree, pasta, add the reserve to change the consistency, add salt and give it a boil.
• Add freshly ground pepper and serve hot.

Now how many letters and numbers can you spot?

Sending this post for Souper Sundays

Giveaway Winner!

We finally have the results of the Giveaway sponsored by CSN stores. The winner of this yoghurt maker worth $30 was picked up randomly.

The 6th comment. Who is it???
Mary Ann Dames

Congratulations Mary Ann. Do mail me your postal address so that I can inform CSN stores to send you this gift. Hope you enjoy this product.
A big thank you to CSN stores for making this giveaway possible. Hoping to make many more possible for my lovely readers.