Authentic Recipes from the Kitchens of Shriya, Nithu & Arthi!

Sathu Maavu Kanji – Health Mix Powder

Posted by on Dec 5, 2014 in Beverages & Drinks, Breakfast Menu | 2 comments

  No. of servings: 3 Preparation time: 15 minutes Ingredients: Ragi flour – 200 grams Wheat flour – 200 grams Bhajra flour (pearl millet or kambu flour) – 200 grams Par boiled rice (pulungal arisi) – 100 grams Barley – 50 gram Tapiaco pearls (javvarisi or sago) – 50 grams Whole green moong bean – 200 grams Peanuts – 2 tbsp (with or without skin) Almonds – 1/4 cup Cashew nut – 5 to 6 Dried ginger (sukku) – 1″ piece Cardamom – 15 Chickpea or dry garbanzo beans – 2 tbsp Roasted chickpea (pottukadalai) – 2 tbsp Method of Preparation: Dry roast peanuts, pottukadalai and chickpeas, cardamom separately. And then dry roast par boiled rice. Also dry roast moong bean, almonds and cashews separately until just before it changes color. Dry roast other flours one by one until...

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Homemade Grape Juice

Posted by on Nov 13, 2013 in Beverages & Drinks | 3 comments

Do you have a lot of grapes sitting in your refrigerator for a long time? Then it’s time to make some grape juice. I was bored of eating all the grapes by myself and I thought why not make some juice which will be refreshing. It also has a lot of anti-oxidants and other benefits. It is very easy to make and nothing is better than a fresh homemade juice. You can cut down the sugar or even avoid it if you like. Enjoy!! Preparation time: 20 minutes No. of servings: 8 Ingredients: Black grapes – 1.5 lb ( 680 grams) Sugar – 1/2 cup Juice from one lemon Method of Preparation: Wash grapes, remove from their stem. Grind it in a blender until smooth. Strain it through a wire mesh or a strainer and extract the juice. Grind...

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Panagam

Posted by on Sep 27, 2013 in Beverages & Drinks, Indian Festival | 5 comments

Panagam or Panakam is a drink made with jaggery and spices. It is one of the best natural drink to beat the heat apart from Neer More (spiced buttermilk). Jaggery is unrefined natural sugar which contains iron and traces of other minerals. It is by far the most natural sweetener and it has the ability to cleanse your body, helps indigestion, relieves fatigue, etc. SInce it is unrefined it may contain some impurities but you can removed them by dissolving it in water and filtering it. Jaggery is used in many Indian sweets considering its health benefits. Panagam is one of the best way to add jaggery to your diet. This drink is generally made as a neivedhyam (offering to God) for any pooja at home and temples. Specially on the occasion of Rama Navami, it is one of...

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Neer More – Spiced Buttermilk

Posted by on Sep 17, 2013 in Beverages & Drinks, Onam and Vishu | 3 comments

Neer More, that is what Spiced Buttermilk is called in tamil. It is a refreshing drink and the best drink to beat the summer heat. It is very easy to prepare in a short time. Back in India, during summer time there would be “More Pandhal”, places where “Neer More” is served on the road side under a temporary shed set up by well wishers. It is just to serve people a refreshing drink which gives them a temporary relief from the scorching summer heat. Some people have a big pot full of this beverage outside their houses for the passers by as a token of good will. There is nothing better than serving people around us without expecting anything in return. Have a glass full of buttermilk and get refreshed!! Preparation time: 15 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients: Yogurt...

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Fruit Punch

Posted by on Sep 8, 2013 in Beverages & Drinks | Comments Off on Fruit Punch

This is a non alcoholic Fruit Punch which is easy to make and great for kids or adults parties. Adding soda gives it a sparkle and a refreshing taste. You can also add ginger ale to this punch if you like the taste. I made some strawberry ice cubes to float on top. You can either float the ice cubes on the punch bowl itself or you can serve individual glass of punch with one ice cube on each. If you have different shape molds, use it for making the strawberry ice. Kids will love it. Preparation time: 30 minutes Servings: 20 Ingredients: Frozen lemonade concentrate – 12 oz Frozen orange juice concentrate – 12 oz Frozen pineapple concentrate – 24 oz Sugar – 1 1/2 cups Water – 3 cups Strawberries – 2 cups (preferably frozen) Sprite or...

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Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie (Gluten and Dairy Free)

Posted by on Apr 3, 2013 in Beverages & Drinks, Gluten Free | 1 comment

If you are looking for a delicious, dairy/gluten free smoothie then this is perfect for you. I have used almond milk which is very nutritious and has a nutty flavor. This is also perfect for the 28 Day Weight Loss and Detox Program that I have written about in our blog. Ingredients: Strawberries (fresh or frozen) – 10  to 12 (washed and cleaned) Kiwi fruit – 2 (wash and peel the skin) Almond milk (gluten free) – 3/4 cup Agave nectar – 1 tsp Ground flax seed – 1 tbsp Method of preparation: Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend till everything is smooth. Transfer it to a serving glass and you can top it with chopped fresh fruits. You can add a few ice cubes to the blender along with the other...

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Rice Porridge – Puzhungal Arisi Kanji

Posted by on Jan 18, 2013 in Beverages & Drinks, Healthy Eats | 2 comments

Parboiled Rice Porridge called Puzhungal Arisi Kanji in tamil is a healthy and delicious porridge which is perfect for both adults and kids. This is generally served when people fall sick. It is easy to digest, good for health and easy to make. Parboiled rice is used for making this dish. If you like it savory, you can substitute sugar and milk with buttermilk and salt. It is also perfect if you are diabetic. I always have the rice powder handy so that I can make this porridge for a quick breakfast or if I am sick. You can also add palm sugar or honey to this porridge. Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes No. of servings: 2 Ingredients: Parboiled rice – 1/2 cup For Porridge: Parboiled rice powder – 4 tbsp Milk – 1 cup Sugar...

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Filter Coffee

Posted by on Sep 4, 2012 in Beverages & Drinks | 8 comments

Filter Coffee, a traditional South Indian Coffee made from dark roasted coffee beans is aromatic, milky with right amount of sweetness. In South India, coffee is served in a traditional steel cup and saucer topped with froth. Though I am not a coffee lover or addict, I would love to drink filter coffee once in a while. It is so refreshing. My husband is a coffee lover so I always filter coffee for him. For brewing coffee (also called decoction), we use a metal filter which has four parts, the top container has a lid and a perforated base, the bottom container is to collect the coffee and a stemmed disc for pressing. The metal filter keeps the coffee fresh and tasty for a longer period of time. For those who live outside India, you can check with your...

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Cantaloupe Berry Smoothie

Posted by on Jun 7, 2012 in Beverages & Drinks | Comments Off on Cantaloupe Berry Smoothie

This is a simple and delicious smoothie with berries and cantaloupe blended with milk. You can use fresh or frozen berries for this smoothie. This is a good way to incorporate fruits in your diet and kids will love it. My husband and I generally have these smoothies for breakfast or after a heavy workout. I am sure it will definitely quench your summer thirst. Enjoy… Ingredients: Half Cantaloupe Fresh strawberries – 3/4 cup Fresh blueberries – 1/4 cup Milk – 1 cup Sugar – 2 tbsp Honey – 1 to 2 tbsp Method of Preparation: Peel the skin off the cantaloupe and remove the seeds and pith. Cut into small cubes. Hull the strawberries. Now blend everything together until smooth. Add or cut sugar and honey according to your taste. Serve it in a tall...

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Berries and Peach Soda

Posted by on May 11, 2012 in Beverages & Drinks | Comments Off on Berries and Peach Soda

It’s summer time and are you ready to beat the heat?… I am going to share my recipes for blended fruit juices and many other summer drinks which will definitely quench your thirst. Most of them are rich in antioxidants and other vital nutrition and vitamins. This non-alcoholic mocktail is a combination of strawberries, blackberries and peach along with sparkling water which gives a fizz and makes it so refreshing. I got the idea of making this soda from Giada’s show and I tweaked it according to my taste. You will love this and will always want to have a pitcher of juice in your refrigerator to serve your family and friends. You can also serve theme at parties and not the least, kids will love it. So come join me… Ingredients: Fresh or thawed frozen strawberries – 1...

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Triple Berry Smoothie

Posted by on May 9, 2012 in Beverages & Drinks | Comments Off on Triple Berry Smoothie

Berries are nutritious and low in calories. They are naturally sweet (though some are tart). They are rich in antioxidants which helps to fight cancer, heart disease and provides other health benefits.  I have used three types of berries in this smoothie but you can try this with any berries that you have on hand. You can also add a tbsp of flax seed or protein powder to this smoothie. Start your day with a glass of smoothie and add berries to your diet for a healthy life style. Ingredients: Fresh or Frozen Strawberries, Blackberries and Raspberries – 1/2 cup each (preferably unsweetened frozen berries, thawed) Low fat flavored yogurt – 1/2 cup (you can also use plain yogurt) Honey – 2 tbsp 1/2 cup of ice cubes 1 cup of low fat milk Method of Preparation: In a blender, add all...

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Eggnog Recipe

Posted by on Dec 14, 2011 in Beverages & Drinks, Christmas Recipes | 6 comments

Eggnog is popular drink in the US and Canada and is traditionally associated with the holiday season especially Christmas. You can find ready-made eggnog drinks on store shelves around this time of the year. But, you may be surprised to find out how easy it is to prepare it at home. If you are having a Christmas party and looking for recipe ideas, this Eggnog recipe can come in handy in making this popular holiday drink! Eggnog is usually made with alcohol especially Bourbon but you can also make Alcohol-free Eggnog by not adding alcohol in this preparation. Preparation Time : 30 minutes No Of  Servings : 3-4 Ingredients: Egg yolks : 2 Whole milk : 1 cup Egg whites : 2 Bourbon (Whisky) : 11/2 oz (optional) Heavy Cream : 1/2 cup Ground Nutmeg : 1/2 tsp Granulated...

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