Asparagus Stir Fry

The past one week was chaos in our house. I could even go back and say the past on month has been chaos. It first started with the kid, he got the flu, passed it over to me and then the huss took it from there. And then the second cycle started with the kid ofcourse. This time his temperatures started soaring. His birthday has come and gone with no big deal. We kept it simple with a funfetti cake and his favorite t-rex dino fondant topper. He's starting to recover and we are still not into routine. I am keeping it simple for lunch with rasam saadam for the kid and a simple asparagus or broccoli stir fry for me and the night leftovers packed for the huss's lunchbox.

~*What U Need*~ Asparagus - 1 bunch, cleaned and pat dry Olive oil - 1/2 tbsp Chilli flakes - 1/2 tsp Garlic - 3 cloves, sliced Salt to season How I made it: Clean the asparagus and pat dry. Break the stem till the part of the asparagus that is tender. Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add the garlic and saute till golden brown. Add the red chilli flakes and saute for 20 seconds. Add the asparagus and saute in high heat till it has brown spots and slightly tender but still crisp.

Serve with a salad.

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Stove top Mac & Cheese

When I need cheese, I need cheese and I need the good one and when I mean good cheese, I usually mean cheddar cheese. Something about cheddar makes you want more and more. My son is a great sucker for mac and cheese and I make this atleast once every two weeks for the sake of him and me. Although I have tried the baked version, the ease of this stove top version always makes me to attempt the later every time.

~*What U Need*~ Elbow pasta - 1/2 a pack Whole milk 3/4 cup Flour -1 tbsp Sharp cheddar cheese - 1 1/2 cups Salt, pepper Pinch of chilli powder How I Made it: Cook the pasta as per package instructions. Warm 1/2 cup of milk. Whisk together the remaining milk and flour until there are no lumps in a separate bowl. When the milk begins to steam, whisk in the flour mixture. Whisk until it begins to thicken, about 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the cheese. Season well and cook till the the cheese has completely melted, add the pasta. Coat the pasta completely in cheese sauce. Serve immediately.

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Marshmallow Chocolate Krispie Balls / truffles | Easy Gifting ideas

This is a very simple party snack which can be served to kids. They will love it as this combines two of their favorites - marshmallows and chocos (chocolate flavored Kellogs). Also it makes a great gifting idea for the season if you are intending to impress children. Make them more elegant by dipping the balls in some melted dark chocolate and kids will love it.

I had bought this bag of marshmallows just because I used to and now due to the strict condition from the huss of cutting down the intake of sugar was not able to finish the bag. 'A' is not a big fan of marshmallows and hence the bag was left untouched. Not wanting to waste it, came up with this idea and now he wants the whole lot for himself. ;P

~*What U Need*~ Marshmallows - 1 cup Chocos - 1 packet(10 Rs) I used Planet and stars Butter - 1 tbsp Vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp

How I Made it:
In a non-stick pan, melt butter. Add the marshmallows and keep stirring so that it does not stick to the pan and melts evenly. Remove from flame. Add the chocos to the melted marshmallows and mix well till evenly coated. Allow to cool down.
Grease your hands and pinch desired size of balls and roll. Cool and store in air tight containers.

Serve as party sweets for kids. Easy to make and every kid will love this.

** My Notes:
** You can even dip this is in colored sugar balls/chocolate vermicelli. Give an even coating to make it more colorful
** You can also dip them in melted dark chocolate.

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Instant Kesar Doodh Peda | Diwali Sweet Recipes

Traditionally doodh pedas were done by reducing milk to a solid consistency, sweetening it and then forming desired shapes. Wheeew, that really needs time and most of all patience... Both of which I lack these days. There are many fail-proof recipes that are floating around which uses short cut methods to make these yummies and the main point is that you cannot question the taste too. Some use khoya, some milk powder and condensed milk while some use just condensed milk.

Here I have used milk powder and sugar... I didn't have condensed milk in my pantry and was searching for a recipe which uses only sugar when I landed @ Sangee's space. You can never go wrong with this recipe and the only step where you need to be careful is in melting the sugar. Add the milk powder after the sugar melts completely or else you will get sugary bits when eating 'em. Also once the milk powder has dissolved in the sugar, remove the pan from the flame. Excessive heating will result in hard pedas. I added saffron dissolved in milk and hence the shelf life is less. But I don't think these beauties will last more than a day, alleast not for us!!!

~*What U Need*~ Milk powder - 1 cup Sugar - 1 cup Saffron strands - 1/4 tsp Warm milk - 1 tbsp Butter - 2 tbsp Broken nuts - to garnish

How I Made it:
Soak saffron strands in warm milk for 10 mins. Heat a non stick vessel, add 3 tbsp water and sugar, and stir well. Allow the sugar to dissolve completely. Add the milk powder and stir well.

When done, add the warm milk+saffron and butter and mix well. Allow to cool not fully but hand-bearable**(see notes). Make balls, flatten and garnish with nuts of choice.

Delicious doodh pedas ready.

** My Notes:
** String consistency of the sugar is not necessary.
** You can skip the saffron and add cardamom powder instead.
** Since we have added milk, the shelf life is less. So consume in one day.
** Just when the mixture started to cool, the lil one started wailing and I had to move away. The mixture had cooled fully by the time I was back and had hardened. So added a few more drops of milk, kneaded and then shaped them. So take care that you shape them once you can manage the mixture with your bare hands.
** Grease your hands before shaping.
** I halved the recipe and got nearly 6 medium sized pedas.

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No-bake Nutty Dates Chocolate Balls / Laddoos | Healthy in every bite

Next in series is this easy peesy Dates laddoos which I made for Diwali. I wanted to add something healthy to the sweet gifts that I gave out to neighbors and friends and thats when I tried this healthy no-cook, no-bake and fuss-free recipe. It has no specific recipe and you can be as creative as you can, adding stuff as you go about the process and all you need is only your blender. How cool is that. And by creative, I say chuck in anything that you think would give some flavor like some tutti frutti or dark chocolate chips (when you knead)... Why not try adding some roasted, salted peanuts... worth a try na??? And wat more... you can get ideas from your kids and you will love spending time with them in the kitchen.. oh they give you the bizzarest of the bizarre combination. (come on, don't worry about the cleaning part, enjoying quality time is what matters.)

It was a winner with the seniors and they loved the fact that it had no sugar added to it... A couple of whizzes in the blender and you have a winner recipe.
This is not a festive recipe but can be made anytime... Chill them and cut them into bars and you have a perfect energy bar to boost up your day. A laddoo in your kid's daily snack dubba and you have no worries that your kids are not having their quintessential daily nutrients. Tweak the recipe as per your needs, as per the nutrients you want to incorporate.

~*What U Need*~ Pitted Dates - 1/2 cup Walnuts - 8 to 10 Drinking chocolate - 1 tbsp Digestive biscuits - 2 Dessicated coconut - to roll

How I Made it:
Add dates into your blender and run till chopped coarsely. Add the drinking chocolate and give it a pulse. Next add the walnuts and run the blender till you get a coarse but well blended mixture.

Remove into a wide bowl. Chop the digestive biscuits, add this to the dates mixture and knead till incorporated. Pinch small balls, roll them between your palms, and then in dessicated coconut or cocoa powder.

Chill and serve.

** My Notes:
** You can skip the cocoa powder and replace it with dessicated coconut.
** You can replace the walnuts with nuts of your choice.
** You can also the toast the nuts to add an extra crunch.
** You can roll them in cocoa powder or chopped nuts too.
** You can also dip them in melted chocolate. Kids will love it.

Sending this to Fast & Quick Healthy dishes held at Life with Spices from Priya's Versatile Recipes

...and Show me ur hits @ Divya's Culinary journey originally started by Sangeetha from Spicy treats

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Simple 'Single Serve' Biscuit Pudding | Digestive Biscuits in a Chocolate Custard Pool

Hi guys, hope you are having a great weekend... I have one question to ask you guys. How many have you eaten or are eating the age old Milk Bikis biscuits dumped in milk till they are soft even today? All my childhood days I have had biscuits like this only just like a toddler does. Even today whenever I have cookies, if I have some milk by the side, then the cookie automatically gets a dip in the milk. Nothing can beat this way of eating biscuits.

This dessert has been inspired from that way of eating biscuits. I replaced the milk with a simple chocolate custard and substituted digestive biscuits in place of milk bikis. This is something similar to the biscuit pudding sans the multiple layering and dipping in coffee decotion ~ a simpler version of the biscuit pudding. You can use any kinda biscuits but I preferred Digestive cos they get soaked up real quick.

I made a single serving since only I like to eat biscuits dunked in milk. 'A' has an aversion to this habit of mine. I don't know how he grew up as a kid without eating biscuits like this. But this quantity given here can serve two. If you are too selfish put everything in a single bowl and have it just for yourself or split it between two bowls.

~*What U Need*~ Serves - 2 Cocoa Powder - 2 tbsp Corn flour - 1 1/2 tbsp Milk - 1 cup Sugar - 1 1/2 tbsp Digestive biscuits - 4 Cocoa powder - to dust Chocolate vermicelli White chocolate

How I Made it:
Lets prepare the custard first. Mix cocoa powder and corn flour with 2 tbsp milk without forming lumps. Set this aside.

Heat milk and sugar in a pan until boiled and sugar dissolves. Add the cornflour + cocoa mixture and keep stirring till smooth and thick, around 2-3 mins. Allow to cool.

In a serving glass, add 1 layer of the chocolate custard, sprinkle cocoa powder, place a biscuit, spoon some more custard on top and sprinkle with cocoa powder. Repeat layers till desired finishing with the custard.

Dust cocoa powder, sprinkle chocolate strands and grate some white chocolate on top. Refrigerate for 4-5 hours.

Serve chilled.

** My Notes:
**This amount gives a tad bit of bitterness which I preferred. But decrease the cocoa powder content to 1 1/2 tbsp if you prefer it sweeter.
** You can also add 1/2 tsp vanilla essence to the custard.

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Cheesy Onion-Capsicum Mayo Sandwich

I love trying out new kinda sandwiches. I love putting this and that on top of the bread slices, toasting them with some butter and having them hot alongside a tall glass of banana smoothie or just cold milk for my morning breakfast. While I can eat bread for breakfast all seven days of the week, huss is just the opposite. He twitches his nose when I say it is sandwich for breakfast. And so to make him interested, I try varieties of sandwiches.

This sandwich was born out of inspiration. Inspiration from a local bakery at my hometown. Back there, they serve chopped onions and capsicum mixed with so fresh mayo over a loaf of pillowy soft dinner rolls. I am addicted to these and during my stay there, I had them twice a week. Coming back, I was craving for those buns and when I had some bread slices resting on the counter, I made them my way... Not that good, but good enough to stop my craving till I go back...

~*What U Need*~ Onion - 1, finely chopped Capsicum - 1/2 of medium, finely chopped Cheese chilli spread/ any s/w spread - 1 tbsp Mayonnaise - 2 tbsps Salt, pepper - to season Bread slices - 6 Butter - to toast

How I made it:
Mix every ingredients in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper. U can add chopped chilli for spiciness. Spread the mixture on the bread slices, toast with some butter and serve warm...

Simple and yummy kid friendly sandwiches ready!!!

So thats it Folks...
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Chocolate coated Cornflakes and An award I would never forget!

Now this is a very simple recipe. Damn simple that even your kiddo can do it under your surveillance. You would have caught a glimpse of these in my 4-in-1 chocolate cup cakes. This can be used as a kids-evening-snack or can be used for decorating or as a munch-on snack or as a shoot-up energy source. Shoot-up energy source!!! That sounds ridiculous rite. Come on guys, u have chocolate in it. Wat else do you need to boost up your energy. For me even the word chocolate makes me jumpy on my feet.

I got this idea when I had some extra melted chocolate and luckily when my eyes fell on the cornflakes jar both at the same time.
Indulging in a handful of crunchy chocolate-y snack from time to time without any guilt is needy at times for all-the-time-on-the-toes beings like me.

~*What U Need*~
Any flavored cornflakes - a handful
Melted milk / dark chocolate - 1/4 cup
Vanilla essence - 1/4 tsp

How I Made it:
Melt the chocolate bar using double boiler method / microwave at high @ intervals of 15 secs.
Pour this in a wide heat resistant bowl. Immediately add in the cornflakes and with a spatula gently fold in so that the cornflakes are fully / semi coated. Spread this in a butter paper and chill for 1 hr / till the chocolate solidifies.
Gently scrap from the butter paper and use for decorating or store in an air-tight container in the fridge to be used later.

My Notes:
U can use milk or dark chocolate. However I preferred the milk chocolate the most as it was sweet and went well with crunchiness of the cornflakes.
I have come across recipes in which this mixture is dropped as balls / truffle like. You can go for that too.
Drop the dipped cornflakes into clusters, cool it. Melt some white chocolate in a double boiler, put it in a zip-lock bag and pipe this in a zigzag motion on top of the clusters, sprinkle some colored sugar balls and viola!!! U have Chocolate-cornflaky truffles in hand.
Now that you have different flavors of cornflakes coming out, experiment with them. I have been eyeing the strawberry one for a long time. Would love the color and taste as well.

Now to the award. This is not "just another award" but a very special one from my blog friend Laxmi. When Laxmi commented on one of my posts telling that I have an award waiting @ her space, little did I know that she had made my day. I went to her space expecting another lovely blog award but to my surprise she had written, composed and made an award for individual bloggers. I was awed by the pain and time she had put in to make special awards for each of us. She had given me the "Innovative blogger award" and had written some beautiful words on my blog. Thanks a lot Laxmi. U rock dear!!! *Hugs to U*
I am really happy to have made some sweet friends thro' blogging. Thanks u guys...

These were the sweet words that she had put up for me!

Check out her blog SamayalDiary for some yummy recipes!

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4 in 1 Choco-Cup-Cakes | Happy Friendship Day

Its friendship week fever everywhere and my outlook in-box has been overflowing with friendship chain e-mails for the past one week. E-mails wishing this understanding relationship to last for eternity, messages wishing good health and ever-lasting happiness to friends and kinsmen are in abundance. The season has come to an end and Friendship day is being celebrated today. So first and foremost, Happy Friendship day to all my blog friends !!!

When I was in college, me and my friends used to gather in our college cafeteria, have a small celebration with the then-available-pocket-money (that would be not exceeding Rs.10 per head) and then share the friendship bands with one another. Lovable days those were. We even had a sentiment that ppl who didn't remove the bands for more number of days where the ones with true friendship and so we would have it tied around our wrists for weeks together. But today, friends have scattered all around the world and friendship has gone down to yearly meet-ups, text messages and e-mails. Days when we joined hands to celebrate friendship day have gone by and we have moved on to update the FB status with Friendship day wishes.

Though I don't meet up with my friends often, Mr.A makes it a point that he meets his friends atleast once every month and on friendship day its a must. I envy boys in this matter. They liven up their relationships by meeting often. So when they put on a plan to meet up on friendship day, I made some chocolate delicacies for the entire lot. A simple yet chocolate filled happiness.

~*What U Need*~
Dark chocolate bar - as needed
Chocolate Ganache
Perfect Chocolate Cake
Colored Sprinkles / Chocolate Coated Cornflakes
Mini muffin liners

How I Made it:
To know how I made the perfect chocolate cake and chocolate ganache, click here. I used the same recipe.
Crumble the chocolate cake, pour few tablespoons of chocolate ganache over it and mix well. Now, how much cake and ganache u need is totally up to you and your sweet-tooth ;)
Melt the chocolate bar using double boiler method or microwave in high @ intervals of 15 sec till the chocolate completely melts. Now pour 2 tablespoons of molten chocolate into the muffin liners and using a pastry brush, coat the walls of the liners evenly. Pour out the extra chocolate. Freeze these liners for 2-3 hrs / till the chocolate has solidified. Once done, take them out and peel off the muffin liners. Freeze till use.

Take out the chocolate cups, fill it with desired amount of chocolate-ganache cake, top it off with a generous spoon of chocolate ganache, garnish with colored sugar balls / sprinkles / chocolate-coated-cornflakes (recipe coming soon) and chill it for half an hour and then serve. The crunchiness of the nearly tempered chocolate together with the rich cake and ganache is a feeling to die for.

Its not over yet. I have a small compliment to give away to all my dear blog friends on this lovely day. A token to your love and friendship. A small award. Do grab this (hope everyone would do it) and pass it around to all your dear ones to keep the love going around.

So thats it Folks...
With Love,

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