Zipper lined pencil pouch(sewed)

Sewing is my new passion and obsession. I am going crazy looking at the number of projects, patterns & fabric that I can use to make simple, easy, usable things and can't wait until I try them out. I actually like the feeling of turning a plain piece of fabric to an accessory which can be used or worn. Isn't it cool to do that, that's the reason I also like to crochet or arts for that reason.

I have been doing some fun clothes for my daughter for sometime now and felt bad that I completely forgot my son. So one day when I was checking my stash and some bookmarked  projects I thought what could I make for him? Then came to know he is carrying his pencils in his bag with books and dosent have a pouch for it. There it was! I thought and got to work immediately. I did ask him to pick the fabric and here it is a pencil pouch for him on his first day of school. A proud mom and her proud son, lots of good wishes his way.

This project is super simple and takes about 20-30 mins to make. This pouch is 9x6 in dimension.

Materials needed:
2 pieces of 10x6 outer fabric
2pieces of 10x6 inches inner fabric
9 inch zipper(any color)
Coordinating thread
Sewing machine

Herbal coconut hair oil

Growing long hair is a challenge after you enter your 30s and also after you had kids. First thing I wanted to do was stop hairfall and greying. So I started to look for remedies and best brand products to help, but nothing helped. So I thought "old is gold" and tried some home made herbal products so I am Sure will not have any side effects. So I found couple of them like coconut oil massage, rosemary oil massage, curry leaf pack for hair.

After trying one at time got an idea of why not mix all these and make it one n try out. I bet it sure is working and I can see my hairfall has gone down and so has it helped to grow with nourishing and a natural hair dye. I am super happy. This oil reminds me of one I used to use during my teenage.

It's super easy to make, warm 1/2 cup of coconut oil in a heavy pan until warm. Turn off the flame, Now add 20 curry leaves and 5-10 strands of rosemary(I used fresh, you can use dried too). Let it cool, now strain it and store it in an airtight container. Now to use it take a scoop of oil in your palm rub it and apply all over your hair and massage your scalp. Leave it for 30 mins minimum. You can cover it with a damp cloth or shower cap if you like. Then rinse it well with a good quality shampoo and conditioner. Do this 2-3 times a week and you can see the results within a month or two. I do this for my 4yr old daughter, every once in week.

Next batch I plan to add some gooseberry and almond oil too. Will post if I see good results. I hope you all give it a try and let me know if it helps and any other tip that you had success with.

T-shirt toddler dress

I had this Blog bookmarked for over an year now and I wasn't sure if I can attempt it as I am still a beginner in sewing and didn't wanted to spoil the fabric or get discouraged. Uff, finally gave it a try for my girls 4th year Bday. It wasn't that hard as I thought, actually came out really well than I expected. It took me few hours to get things ready and 1-2 hrs to sew it. So its definitely a simple one project for sure. I definitely plan to try more T-shirt dress for sure in this pattern.

I would like to recommend to give it a try and make a little happy and yourself proud. I would like to say few things what I might wanna change in this project, try to find a light weight fabric for skirt and good quality T-shirt to go with it. I fell in love with my fabric(from Joann) which has velvet prints on it but had a very hard time finding a T-shirt for that of good quality and match the color. So I had to compromise on the quality:( .

So do attempt it and let me know if you try. Happy sewing.

My garden '15

I was always fond of gardening since my childhood, we had a little area next to our house where we had planted few Rose bushes and I used to water them regularly. That's when my interest in gardening started.

Gardening brings peace and its a kind of meditation and a satisfaction. Of course its a costly hobby until u invest some to begin.

Our new member is the Apple tree in our garden, I have two Red delicious apple tree which have fee apples this season. Not sure if we will get to taste them or else bugs & birds get lucky. But its really amazing to see the nature of life. In my following posts you will be seeing each one individually.

Thanks for stopping by and happy gardening.

I had a veggie garden of 5*5 area and recently I added an another bed of 10*5 area. Right now I am growing spinach, amarathus, peas, radishes, tomato and
Basela leaf plants. In my new bed I have planted cucumbers, beans, okra, ash guard, bell peppers, chayote squash & corn from seeds. So waiting to sprout.

I do have a herb garden too with cilantro, dill, methi, chives, basil, mint, garlic, aloe vera and green chillies. Growing herb garden is very easy and during spring after the last frost. Just take some good garden soil and pots with proper drainage and plant the seeds and watch them grow. U will need to water them regularly until it sprouts. I would like to add holy basil/tulsi here too.

In my flower garden I have roses, tulips,  dhalia, star jasmine 2 different varieties, gerbera, hibiscus and crysantamums.

Bead-Ribbon Necklace

Bead Necklace and home made? Yes, it's a simple n elegant necklace with very minimum supplies to make is ready in no time. I love simple projects as you all know by now, anything which takes few steps and few items is what I keep looking. This is a super cute craft for any age and quick fix too. Perfect for parties and as a present too. Found this in a book I borrowed from my local library and fell in love with the picture and you know what next, have to try to make it. I am that a crazy person who goes nuts to make something when I get all excited in creating something. So I instantly went and looking into my big craft box of stash. Found the ones I needed and got to work instantly. My sweet little daughter wasn't left behind, she is always my good little helper and curious to know and make things with me😊.

So we started to pick beads and then no time it was ready and looked so pretty. So I recommend you all to give it a try for your self and or your loved one. They would really appreciate and love it for sure no and you get all the credit for your creativity. So let's get to the supplies and the way we do by not wasting any more time chit-chatting.

Supplies:
15-20 Beads of your choice(color& size)[you may need more for the longer necklace]
Needle and thread(color of the ribbon)
Ribbon about the length you need the necklace to be + 8inches
Hot glue(optional)

Method:
Take the ribbon and measuring about 4 inches from the end insert the needled thread and insert a bead, now fold the ribbon on top of the bead and needle through it and insert another bead and overlap the ribbon and needle through it making waves with the ribbon and beads in between. Finish it till you reach leaving 4 inches at the end. Not it well and hot glue it so you are sure it's not going to unknot. Whalah! The necklace is ready. Just tie it around the neck by forming a bow.

Note: you can hot glue every single hole bot it isn't necessary. You can make 2-3 lines and knot it and add one single string too. If 4 inches isn't enough to knot at the end add more ribbon, but check it before you start your project. I did this for my 3 yr old and 4 inches on each side was enough.

Menthya Matodi Palya( Fenugreek leaves & dal subzi)

I know I have a post already on Matodi-Palya but here is an other version with fenugreek leaves. I love this dry subzi, protein rich and tasty. It isn't an easy and quick recipe, sure needs some planning and time but it's all worth it. This can be made two ways either very dry or a little dry. This time went with the dry one as you can mix it with rice and eat.

It uses toor dal for binding and taste. I know some use channa dal but my Mom used to make it with Toor dal so do I. It was my all time favorite subzi, but I don't make it that often b'coz the amount of oil it needs to cook doesn't fit in my regular diet. But once in a while it's definitely worth it.

Without anymore  chat let's jump into the recipe and direction to make it.

Ingredients:

1cup  Menthya soppu/fenugreek leaves
2tbsp Toor Dal
5-6     Dry Red chillies(2tsp red chili powder)
4tsp    Fresh coconut
1tsp    Cumin seeds/jeera seeds
1tbsp  Oil(+more)
1/2tsp Mustard seeds
1tsp Turmeric powder
Pich of hing(asafetida)

Method:

Soak the Toor dal in water for about 30-45 mins. Drain the water completely once it soaked well, put it in a blender jar add dry red chillies/ powder, fresh coconut and cumin seeds. Grind  it into a fine paste without any water if possible (if not able to grind add very little water). Now make tempering with oil in a nonstick pan and add mustard seeds and when it splutters add hing and turmeric powder. Now add fenugreek leaves and fry for a while till it changes it's color. Now add dal paste, salt to taste and fry it till the oil dries out and the paste becomes a dry powder or like crystals.

Serve immediately or store in air tight container in the fridge for couple of days.

Note: Do add oil if needed in the middle, try to use a hard anodized or a non stick pan so it dosent stick in the bottom or get burnt. It stays for 5-10 days if no water is added when grinding.

Chevron clutch (crochet)

This is my first chevron stitch to explore in crochet. I loved the way it looks so classy and elegant, it's easy to do too. I made this clutch to understand more about this stitch and to make a simple project. It makes a great gift to teachers, young girls or for ur self for storing your crochet needles or patterns or anything.

I had few colors left out so I tried to mix and match them, single color would also look good too I guess. I fell in love with this pattern and thinking of making a nice cute dress for my daughter, hopefully soon.

But for now if you do want to try this pattern don't hesitate and give it a try you will like it, I am sure. For the pattern I followed this youtube video. Happy crocheting!

Tinkerbell costume for Halloween

Every little girl would like to dress up like a princess for the Halloween and so is my little princess who loves to dress up any time of the year. She is one girly who likes to get dressed in new costumes and attire and I love to dress her up. I had in the back of my mind to make some DIY costume for her with a little TLC and fun to be. I love small projects and get creative. This was a real fun project to do and it turned our very well than I imagined, it was a Tinker Bell costume.                                                           

                                              

This costume is a day project but with my schedules I took couple of says to complete but it was all worth it's time. It's a no-sew project and that's one more good thing that u can do it anytime and anywhere and no sitting in front of the sewing machine😉.

I actually followed this Blog and it has some easy step by instructions and photos to help through the project. I made few changes though, like a added a strap out of the tulle and added some pearl string glued on both the sides and didn't add flowers on the dress as for 2 reasons, 1 b'coz I couldn't find them😛 and the other being to keep it simple (actually I ran out of time😁. ) I added a wing from dollar store to complete the costume.

Black Forest Cake

My son turned 9 in September and I made this gorgeous looking Black Forest cake for him. He loved it with chocolate gratings on the top and cherry with it.  It was easy to make n bake. It was my childhood favorite and lot of memories are attached to it. So I was happy to bake this for him to make new memories of his own. I Followed a youtube link and it helped me with simple steps. It turned out well and yummy.

Only thing I would do next time is not use machine hand blenders and use hand whip so I don't brake the gluten in the cake. It turned out a little dry but taste overpowered all that.

5 min head band

I love simple projects which takes less material and my time. This project takes less than or 5 mins to make once you have all your material handy. It's the few materials which am sure is available in most of the household. It's a perfect last minute gift too. Thanks to pinterest for this great project.

My daughter loves these and she has asked me to do many more of different colors and sizes, so I am heading towards the craft stores to grab few of these kind. It can be even done with kids as a project, it'll be a great family fun. I might add few flowers and buttons to give some more bling to it.

List of Materials:

1 Ribbonof you choice( measuring around 17 inches( of my daughter) or your head size)

2 Elastic hair bands

Hot glue gun

Method:

First tie a knot with the two elastic hair bands together to secure it. Hot glue on each end of the ribbon and secure it with the hair band on each end. Walah! The head band is ready.

Holige (Ganesh Chaturthi special)

Happy Gowri-Ganesha festival to all. I know wishing you all a bit late, but I got tied up with the festival preparations and couldn't wish all my blog friends. So here is a dish very traditional and must during this festival. I always get nostalgic during this festival as it's a big one in my maternal place and we always used to look forward for this festival even when we were young. With all the colorful flowers and clothes comes the traditional and elaborated lunch to fill the whole banana leaf made by the cook specially called for such occasion. They cook every dish on the wood fire pit and it has it's own smell and taste in the food. Oh! I guess I made some of you familiar with this nostalgic aswell. Once back from a long summer vacation with parents you always miss them more. Anyways here is the dish I made for this occasion.

Holige or Obbattu in Kannada is similar to Pooran Poli in Marati/Maharastra. It's a sweet dish made during special occasions or Festivals. It's made with dal/lentils as stuffing into the dough and rolling it out like paratha. It's one of the popular dish in Karnataka and my favorite to say;)

Ingredients:
1 Cup Toor Dal
1.25 Cup Jaggery
1 tsp Kuskus/poppy seeds
1tbsp Fresh or dry coconut
1 pinch Cardamom powder
2.5 cups All purpose flour/Maida
1 tsp Turmeric
A pinch of salt
2-3 tbsp Oil
Round shaped cut parchment paper about 8 inch circumference.

Method:
In a mixing bowl take all purpose flour, turmeric and salt and mix well. Now add little water and make a soft sticky dough. Pour 2-3 tbsp of oil and coat it well , cover it and keep it aside for at least 2-3 hours. Cook the toor dal in a pressure cooker with very little water, so the dal isn't broken completely but cooked. Cool it completely. Now in a heavy bottom pan take the jaggery and once it melts add kuskus, cardamom powder, coconut and mix well. Once it starts to get sticky add the cooked dal and keep mixing till it for a little dry dough. You can add a tbsp of ghee/ clarified butter if it's getting too sticky or too dry. Now cool it completely. Divided them into small balls.

Now take small ball of the all purpose dough and make it into a bowl shaped with your fingers exactly the way you do it to stuff the filling for partita. Now add the jaggery filling inside and close it. Put it on the parchment paper and start spreading to with hands making it into round and as thin as possible. Put it on a hot skillet with adding a little oil from your dough base and cook on both the sides. Make the rest of them and store in an airtight container or serve them warm. Left overs you can refrigerate and warm them in microwave for. 30 secs with a wet tissue paper on top. Enjoy it with a spoon of ghee and warm milk.

Stuffed mini Bell Peppers

Hi all, we're back with a long. 2 months long vacation to India. It was quite a relaxing and a memorable trip, as got to spend some quality time with my parents and brother family. It's so wonderful to be around them. It's always exciting to see the kids getting along with their cousins and having fun, sleep and stay together. I treasured this vacation and hope to see more of this in future.

Once the vacation is done its time to get back to the routine and your normal life, kids r ready n excited to get back to school and I am ready to start the new year running with them all day. I wish them great success and lots of good memories. Saying all this I want to get to the dish I made today.

It's stuffed mini bell peppers, I am not a big fan of stuffed dishes but lot of people have asked me or mentioned about this and I had to try out to see what's the big deal about stuffed. Indeed it's worth all the time and effort as it tastes and looks yummy. It takes a little extra time in preparation than in cooking, so if you make more and freeze it save a lot of time in cooking.i loved the colors and the sweetness in this dish. Only complaint with this dish was its dry for roti/chapathi and my family likes a gravy dish. But I loved the taste and texture and more than all it's easy to make. Thanks to my cousin Savitha for sharing the recipe .

Ingredients:

5-6 Mini bell peppers

1 tsp Coriander seeds

1 tsp Jeera seeds

1 tsp peanut

1 tsp sesame seeds

4-5 Red chillies

1tbsp Dry coconut

1/2 tsp tamarind paste/powder

Salt to taste

1 tsp chopped coriander leaves

1 tsp Olive oil.

Method:

Preheat the oven to 300*F .Wash the bell peppers and dry and keep aside. In a frying pan, dry roast coriander seeds, Jeera seeds, sesame seeds, peanut, red chillies and dry coconut. Once it's cooled, grind it into fine powder and add tamarind and salt and keep aside. Now take the peppers one at a time and slit open in the back till 3/4th for all of them. Now fill the filling well and place them in an oven safe dish. Sprinkle some olive oil on the top. Now cook in the oven for about 20 mins or till the peppers have wrinkles on the skin. Once done decorate it with chopped coriander leaves and serve warm. It's good as an appetizer or with rice or roti.

Baby Blanket Bags

What do you all do with those receiving blankets that your kid or nephew or niece used it and you don't have anyone to pass it or? Throw them or donate them? Don't! Here is a wonderful idea which you can reuse them.

I had some receiving blankets of my son and then daughter which was in a very well condition and I didn't wanted to give it to any one nor throw them awaysenti girl!).  I had been thinking to give it a use and re-purpose. Finally I found the right use for it. Simple storage bags. I was in hunt for some bags to store my silver wares( here I mean silver bowls, lamps and cups) which gets black when expose to moisture. I used to rap it up in a cotton pieces cut from an old saree but it takes quite a time to wrap it and store and I wasn't satisfied the way it used to look. So I tried to pur them in this small bags made for them and easy to store nd carry and looks so cute.

You won't believe it how less time it took for me to stitch these simple bags. I was done making 5 bags in 15 mins. Isn't that amazing, they r very durable as the receiving cloths are made for babies so the material is soft and thick at the same time. 

You can make as many bags as you want with one blanket, it mainly depends on the size of bag. I made 2 bags in one blanket and 3 in another. I put some simple string pull tape, but you can use elastic or Velcro or buttons or even a zip( some ideas for you to try). It's left to how much you wanna work on it. I kept it very simple and easy for me to put things in and remove. I sure will be trying some other way in my other blankets.

Instructions: 

First cut the blanket to your desired size and shape, then fold the top portion on the wrong side of the fabric of one side piece and stitch in order to put the string later, repeat the same for the other side. ( we're still working on the wrong side of the fabric.Now join the sides.( I did double stich to keep it safe and strong). Note it not to join the folder string part of the fabric. Otherwise you will not be able to put the string through to pull. Now reverse the fabric the right side and add the string with a safety pin and Walah! The bag is ready.

So I hope you will give it a try and give me a feel back of how your project turned out and what was your idea and shape of the bag.happy stitching.

Dal Makhani

A punjabi dish rich and flavorful, as the name says it uses butter  and cream to make rich. It is a high protein dish(as it includes lentils) and very simple to make. Here is a simple version of it. It goes very well with Nan/Kulcha and so with roti/ chapathi(tortilla). 

Ingredients:

1 cup Black whole Urad dal & Rajma(kidney beans) mixed and soaked overnight

1 cup Tomato puree

1/2  onion( big pieces)

1 Big clove Garlic

1 piece Ginger

1tsp Cumin seeds

1tbsp oil

1 whole garam masala( or 1 tsp powder)

1 tsp Turmeric powder

1 tsp Red chilli powder

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp kichen king masala

1 tsp Kasoori Methi

1 tbsp Cream

1 stick butter( I used 1 tbsp)

Salt to taste

Method:

First pressure cook the lentil mixture in a pressure cooker for 2-3 whistles and cool it. Now, grind the onion, ginger and garlic into a fine paste and keep aside. In a frying pay take a tbsp of oil and add cumin seeds when hot, then add the onion paste and fry until brown. Then add tomato puree and lower the flame and cover a bit if splutters. Then add all dry masalas and fry until oil leaves the pan. Add the cooked lentils no and mix well and add salt to taste. Add water here if it's too dry as the lentils start to absorb water. Once it comes to a boil add Kasoori methi and butter and mix well. Finally add cream and serve hot with your favorite bread.

Rasberry chocolate mini Bunt cakes

Rasberry is my new favorite. The color the taste and looks is one of the Natures best. Rasberry goes very well with chocolate( I can say perfect duo after orange n chocolate). I have a book called "Cupcakes & Muffins" bought it at a book store for a bargain price and it has over 100 recipes with some pics too. It's very easy to follow and do. So you will see some recipes which I think turned out well and gets some thumbs up more often.

Ingredients:

4.5oz Semi-sweet chocolate

1/2 cup Milk

1/4 cup Unsweetened cocoa pwdr, sifted

1 stick Butter, softened

1/2 cup Superfine Sugar

2 Eggs

1 cup All Purpose Flour

1tsp Baking Powder

1 pint Raspberries for decoration

Whipped cream to serve(optional)

Method: 

Preheat the oven to 325*F.  Place chocolate, milk and powder cocoa in a small sauce pan and stir over a low heat without boiling, until chocolate is melted and mixed into a smooth paste. Keep aside and cool it.

Take a big bowl and beat sugar and butter until fluffy with an electic mixer. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating until combined. Keep aside, now in a new bowl sift APF & baking powder.  Combine together flour and chocolate mixture to the butter mixture, stir well to mix( I added some chopped raspberries to the batter- if u want u need to add here and mix it once more ). Spoon the batter into the grease/ paper lined muffin trays( here I used small bunt cake tray). Bake it for about 25 mins or until a skewer comes out clean. Set the muffins to cook once baked and serve with chocolate glaze/ chocolate syrup/ powdered sugar and raspberries.

Note: 

I had to bake more than 25 mins as I like it a little hard and crisper.

I only did the half the portion of everything and I could make 12 mini sized muffins. The whole portion will yield 12 big muffins.

Bisibelebath in crockpot

Crockpot is also called slow cooker. This was something new to me and have been thinking of investing in for a while. Since we're rice eaters and use rice cooker quite a lot, almost everyday you can say, wasn't sure it will be of any use for me. Last november I went ahead and bought one of these and I fell in love . It's easy, simple and heavy of course. Have been trying dishes which might reduce my cooking and staying in the kitchen time.( my long cooking time, that's why I said I love it).

I have tried couple of dishes now and I still go and check every now and then to see if it needs any more liquid or is it boiling or is it burnt :P. But now have got an idea and still up for experiments. This one is of those experiment dishes I did and know now what changes I need to make next time. Crockpots are perfect for working ladies and whose family demands for fresh hot meals.

This crockpot  is a very basic one and has only 3 settings and there're quite in the market with automatic ones. This one is working well for me. I would definitely recommend who wants to buy a crockpot, don't hesitate give it a try. 

I guess it was big into on CROCKPOT, now lets get talking about the dish, Bisibelebath a South Indian Dish very well known and favorite for most of them. It's a main dish with lentil and rice with vegetables. It's a super filler and very tasty. It can be altered according to your spice levels/tastes. It is usually eaten with a yogurt dip(Raitha) and chips. My kids call this dish as BB Bath and we do have started to call it that way. So let's see what all we need to prepare it.

Ingredients:

1 cup Toor Dal

2cups Rice( uncooked)

2 cups fresh/ frozen vegetables( I used Greeb beans, carrot, peas, potato, capsicum)

1 medium sized onion chopped

1-2tbsp BBbath powder

1tsp tamarind paste

A small ball of jaggery

1 Tomato

Few curry leaves

1tbso oil

1/2tsp Mustard seeds

1/2 tsp Urad dal

5-7 Peanuts

1tsp turmeric powder

Method:

First cook the Toor dal in pressure cooker for 3 whistles. In a small pan add oil and once it's hot put mustard seeds, as the splatter add urad dal, peanut & curry leaves. Now add capsicum and fry for couple of mins until the capsicum is soft. Now pour this into the crock pot and add cooked dal, washed / thawed vegetables, and the rest of the ingredients except rice. Give it a nice stir and add rice.  Now add 8 cups water and salt to taste. Finally cover it and turn it on to low for 5 hrs or high for 2.5-3 hrs.. It's a perfect warm meal for any day.

Serve it with Raitha, chips and ghee.

Tips: 

1. Never add Dal/lentil directly before you precook it. Otherwise the Lentil will not break down and it will get to that consistency. 

2. Check for enough water, as each rice needs different amount.

3. Choose any vegetables you like.

4. 2 cups rice yields for 4 people easily.

Eat it warm with Raita and chips.Enjoy! Happy Cooking. My next dish would be vegetable Lasagna in Crockpot.

Granola cookies

I love the smell of the fresh baked cookies, if you're like me then this one is yummy in your tummy. I have tried couple of cookies but granola cookies ware new to me. We're not a big fan of granola in our house but when saw this recipe was drooling over the picture and I wanted them right away. I was very sure my son would love it who can munch a cookie any time of the day. It's really simple (even simpler with semi-home made when u buy ready granola at a store near you which I did ;)) with few ingredients and chewy, healthy home made cookies are ready for u. 

I got almond granola mix with coconut from the bulk in one of the farmers market store. They were really yummy to eat just the way but I wanted in the form of cookies. I was a little scared it might crumble and will not get a cookie form, but it didn't happen and came perfect. Ok now let's get into the recipe and get you all baking.

Ingredients:

3 cups Granola( the recipe calls for no fruits or nuts, but I had almond and coconut )

3/4 cup Raisins

1/2 cup peanut

1/2 cup silvered almonds( I skipped this as I already had almonds in granola)

1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut(I skipped this aswell for same reason)

1/3 cup wheat germ

7oz unsalted room temperature Butter

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1 egg

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup All Purpose Flour

Direction:

Preheat the oven 375 degree F. Line the baking tray with parchment paper & Set aside. In a large bowl put all the dry ingredients ( granola, raisins, peanut, coconut, silvered almonds, wheat germ and give it a good mix making sure there are no lumps). In a seep rate bowl, add butter and sugars and beat with an electric mixer for about 3-4mins. With a low speed on the mixer, add all purpose flour slowly one spoon at time, so you are not covered in flour :). Stop it once it's incorporated and add granola mix to this and mix it with a spatula. 

Scoop one tablespoon of dough and make it into a ball and press a little bit and place it on the baking tray. Make the rest of them or enough to fit the baking tray.( I only bake I tray at a time and freeze the rest of the drought, so whenever I am out of cookies I bake fresh batch and use them, you can try this or bake all of them share them with friends and family). With this ingredients you can make about 2 dozen cookies.

Now bake them in the preheated oven for about 10-12 mins or until golden brown. Remove them from the tray and cool them on the rack and store them in an airtight container and enjoy some sweet treats.

Happy New Year 2014!

Hello to all my blogg friends and wish you all a very Happy New Year! Hope this year is everything you dreamed for. This year I am looking forward to be blogging and visiting you all more often. It's been a big roller coaster for us this past 3 yrs so am hoping for lots of good time this year. I see a lot of new recipes and dishes everywhere, so I am definitely giving them a try and bookmarking them.

I had lot of recipes in hand to make them or post them but wasn't sure which one to go first, then I tried one snack which was waiting in line for too long. It really didn't disappoint me on this 1st day of the new year. Was very happy and was all gone in less time than I took to make. It's a simple, easy n delicious snack for any evening or party. It needs all ingredients handy available in your pantry and refrigerator. With no more talks let's jump into the recipe and method to make.

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen sweet corn

1tbsp(or more) besan/ Bengal gram flour

1tsp rice flour

A pitch of baking soda(optional)

1tsp ajwain

1tsp red chilli powder

Salt to taste

1tsp chopped curry leaves

1-2cups oil for deep frying

Method:

Thaw the frozen corn and dry it on a paper towel or napkin. Chop it a little bit in the food processor(pulse). Remove it to a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients other than the oil. Parallely heat the oil in a pan. Mix all the ingredients into a dough form. Use more besan if it's too sticky. Divide it into equal proportion balls and flatten a little bit and deep fry it medium heat.( It takes a little longer to cook) remove it on paper towel when it's brown and serve it chutney or ketchup, when it's warm.

Crochet Boys Sweater

Here is one of my other crochet works I did for my son. It's a Baby blue colored which looks very sober and cool on any dark colored shirt.

Avocado custard

Avocado's in India are called Butter Fruit, it comes in a big size as we get the California Avocado here. This custard is very simple and yummy dessert. It was introduced for me by my MIL. I do like the avocado quite a lot and loved this dessert too. Simple ingredients and simple method, it's a quick fix on a surprise guest visit day.

Ingredients:
Avocado 1-2
Sugar 1 -2 tbsp(as per taste)
Cardamom powder 1/4tsp

Method:
First cut the riped Avocado in the middle and remove the seed. Scoop the avocado into a bowl and mash them well. Now add sugar and cardamom powder and beat them well. Now it's ready to be served.

Note: This dessert needs to be made and eaten. You can't make it in advance as Avocado turns brown when left for a while.