Happy Cheti Chand/Gudi Padwa/Ugadi!

Sindhi/Marathi/Kannada & Telugu New Year
(Cheti Chand/Gudi Padwa/Ugadi) 
In Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka & Maharashtra, March 23, 2012 starts the Nandana Nama Samvatsara which is considered as the First day of Spring (Vasantha Ruthu)!

Puja 
Thoranam 
Mango Leaves (Mamidi Aakulu) 

The Sindhi New Year, Cheti Chand is on 24 March 2012

Samvatsara means about a Full Year & each year is significant with different names according to the Hindu (Telugu) Calender

To know more about the Effects of Samvatsara Year (especially for Birth) visit:

http://astrobytes.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/effects-of-samvatsars/

So while this year of Vikrati is going by, the coming year Nandana means the 60th Samvatsara!

In Telugu, the word 'Ugadi' (Yuga-Adi) means the Beginning of an Astronomical Cycle, this day brings the dawn of a New Year
The first thing Andhrites have on Ugadi early in the morning empty stomach is a Chutney/Pachadi (unique blend of Sweet Sour Bitter Salty Spicy Flavours!)

Banana mixed with Sweet (Jaggery), Sour (Raw Mango, Tamarind), Bitter (White Neem Flowers/In Tamil, the Neem Flowers are called Veppam Poo), Salty (Salt) & Spicy (Red Chilli Powder or Green Chillies)

Sweetened Stuffed Flatbread (Bhaksham/Bobbatlu/Puran Poli/Holige/Obbatu)

Do check out the Ugadi Recipes in the blog

In Karnataka, Mavu (Mango), Bevu (Neem Garlands) Thorana, Bevu Bella (Neem & Jaggery Pachadi)

The Ugadi Pachadi is called Bevu Bella made of simple Mixture of Unprocessed Powdered Jaggery & Fresh Neem Leaves 

Sindhi delicacies prepared for Cheti Chand are Juwar Jo Dodho, Aloo Tuk, Kanao etc.

In Marathi, the word ‘Gudi’ is used for the Victory banner raised high for Celebrating the start of a New Year!
My dear friend Dipti Shanishchar has also shared her customs and traditions followed at their true blue Marathi Home which I am going to share with you all soon :)

One of the Hinduism Blogs we like to follow has given things needed for Ugadi Pooja:

http://www.hindu-blog.com/2008/04/how-to-observe-or-celebrate-ugadi.html

now that we shifted to Michigan in 2013, we visited the Bhartiya Temple of Metropolitan Detroit in Troy on the eve of New Year and prayed for a Great Year ahead with loads of Blessings

Mixed Spice Infused Indian Black Tea (Masala Chai)

Indian Beverages Special

Mixed Spice Infused Indian Black Tea (Masala Chai)
Serves 2


Fresh Masala Chai Mix:
Cinnamon- 1 Inch Stick
Green Cardamoms- 4
Black Peppercorns- about 16
Nutmeg- 1/2 Tsp., Grated
Dry Roast all these for just about couple of Minutes

Grind in a Mortar Pestle

Can Sift this if needed as a Fine Powder (also to avoid any Coarse particles) in a Coffee Grinder/Stainless Steel Mixer Jar

Store in any Airtight Container for later use


For Tea:
Water- 3 Cups
Milk- 1 Cup
Tea Leaves- 4 to 5 Tsp.
Chai Masala- 1 Tsp.
Sugar- 4 Tsp.

In a Tea Pot, Boil Water
Add the Tea Leaves, Chai Masala & Let it Boil Once
Add Milk & Sugar (add now if the Sugar is Thick Crystals) & Boil the Tea for another Minute or so
Strain & Serve Hot with Parle G, Naan Khatai or any Indian Biscuit :)!!!
 
Tips:

Traditionally a Chai Masala has Black Pepper, Brown Cardamom, Cinnamon Stick, Clove, Ginger, Green Cardamom, Mace, Nutmeg which can be prepared with all Organic ingredients

Can also try the Brands available in India:

Organic India Tulsi Tea, Tulsi Chai Masala

ChaiXpress Special Indian Masala Organic Chai Tea

Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)

Spinach Fried Bread (Palak Puri) with Simple Potatoes simmered in Tomatoes (Tamatar Aloo)

Indian Vegetarian Breakfast Special 
Spinach Fried Bread (Palak Puri) with Simple Potatoes simmered in Tomatoes (Tamatar Aloo)
Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

For Spinach Dough:

Whole Wheat Flour (Gehun ka Atta)- about 2-1/4 Cups (for 18-20 Puris)

Caraway/Bishop’s Seeds (Barik Ajwain)- ½ Tsp.
Salt- 1 Tsp.
Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil- to knead the Puri Dough

leftover Blanched Spinach Water- to make Dough

Method:
In Boiling Water, Immerse the Tender Spinach Leaves & Stalks for few Minutes & immediately transfer in an Ice Water Bowl as part of the Blanching Process

Knead the dough without any extra water using just the Blanched & Pureed Spinach

Keep the Dough covered with a Moist Cloth for better results

Roll the Dough into Puri & Keep Aside for Frying

 

 

Light & Fluffy Puris!

Crispy Crust on the Puri that we like!

For Simple Potatoes simmered in Tomatoes (Tamatar Aloo):

 

Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)

McCain Frozen Snacks

McCain Frozen Snacks launched in India around 2011

McCain Aloo Tikki

Aloo Tikki is a classic combination of mashed potatoes and traditional Indian spices that can be shallow fried or deep fried

These can be eaten just like that or with any Dip/Sauce or can also be used as a Stuffing in the Sandwich/Bun/Rolls

McCain Cheese Mozarella Sticks

McCain Chilli Garlic Bites

McCain French Fries & McCain Smiles

Smiles are Crunchy Potato Treats made from Mashed Potato that are Crisp on the outside and Creamy on inside

Prepared from Fresh Potato these are shaped into Happy Faces to add fun and variety to any regular meal

They can be Baked or Fried & can be served with either Tomato Ketchup, Mayonnaise or any other Dipping Sauce

McCain Smiles- 2 Pieces
Bread- 2 Slices
Cheese Slice- 1
Lettuce Leaves- Few
Tomato- Few slices
Butter- Optional
Oil- For Deep Frying

Deep fry McCain Smiles for 3 minutes or until golden yellow and keep aside.

Butter one side of each bread slice.

Take one buttered slice of bread and evenly top it with tomato mayonnaise.

Place some lettuce followed by slices of tomato and cheese.

Finally arrange McCain Smiles and close with the other slice of buttered bread to make your delicious sandwich!

McCain Super Wedges

McCain Tandoori Veggie Nuggets

Karnataka & Kannada Cuisine!

Mysore:
Can travel easily from Bengaluru on NH-17, distance of 142 Kms which takes about 2 Hrs 48 Mins


Famous Hanumanthu Mutton Pulao Hotel/Mess at Akbar Road, Mandi Mohalla is famous for its Special Mutton/Chicken Pulao 100/- per Plate, Muton Chaap 70/- 
nothing is available for Vegetarians here though
Celebrities like Actor Rajkumar frequented here


Kamath Lokaruchi on Mysore-Bengaluru State Highway (NH 17) is a Pure Vegetarian Restaurant
We can personally vouch for Kamath's presence on those never ending Highways (in between Chennai to Bengaluru & till Karnataka-Maharashtra Border)

Menu items like tempting Maddur Vada (famous in the Mysore Bengaluru Area made of Rice Flour, Semolina, Maida, Onion, Curry Leaves, grated Coconut, Asafoetida), Banana Coconut Chilli Bajji, Neer Dosa, Steamed Idli Vada wrapped in Banana Leaf, Rava Dosa






Mughal Darbar has Arabic influence in their Recipes

Special Mutton Biryani
Titar Kebab bred in Farms, dry spices rubbed & roasted
Chicken Afghani Chef's own creation



Phalaamrutha Ice Cream Shop:

can get a Scoop for as less as 8/-
made from locally grown Fresh Vanillla, Chocolate




City Tour:
One should definitely witness the Huge Grand Royal Celebration Phenomenon during the Major Indian Festival of Navratri in Mysore

Chamundeshwari Temple
Goddess Demon killed Demon Bakasura



Srirangapatnam
Tipu Sultan's Kingdom


Ranganata Temple
1200 years ago Tipu Sultan's father prayed here so this place was spared from attack

St. Joseph's Cathedral
Year 1234 

Clay Decorative Items sold on Highway by the Rajasthani/Gujarati Potters






Udupi:
Krishna Temple (Mutt)
serve about 10000 pilgrims everyday
temple's own Coconut Groves, Vegetable Gardens, Yoghurt with about 600 employees

Kitchens are almost 800 Years Old & areas where only Priests are allowed
prepared without Onion & Garlic

Rasam
Papad/Happala
Sambar secret here is the Molasses which isn't added in Homes
Steamed Rice
Sweets like Mysore Pak




Hampi:
Try the Luxury Accomodation Royal Orchid Hotel in Kireeti