Kesar Pista Kulfi

Beginning of every month, I eagerly await for many of the challenges that I participate in. 
One such challenge is Divya Pramil's South Vs North Challenge. A very fun event to be part of. I joined the group in April and except for missing the challenge last month, had participated in all of them. Let me explain the event. There are two groups of bloggers for the event - Northern Team and Southern Team. I am part of the Southern team. Both teams challenges each other with one dish the beginning of every month. Attractive awards are presented to many of the bloggers for completing the challenge. In the month of May, the challenge given by the Northern team was Dhokar Dalna, a Bengali dish. I received the award for "The Well Explained Dish". 

Loved the award. Thank you so much Divya Pramil and every one in the group. Do check out the round up for May and June here. This month, the challenge given to the Southern Team was Kesar Pista Kulfi by Shruti. As soon as I saw the pictures of the Kulfi, my mouth started watering. Its stiffling hot these days being summer and we enjoyed having Kulfi. Every time it so happens that I dont have the basic ingredients to make the dish and have to delay the making of the dish to mid of the month. August has been way too hectic for me and hence I am posting the dish very late even though I could make it by second week. Tasted awesome and my neighbours appreciated it so much as well :) Off on to the recipe now :)

Coconut Saffron Rava Halwa or Nariyal Kesar Suji Halwa or Coconut Saffron Semolina Pudding

Hello all, Happy Shree Krishna Jayanthi to all. In Kerala, the birth of Krishna is commonly known as Ashtami Rohini rather than Janmashtami, Gokulashtami and other names. Thats because the birth of Krishna falls on fourth lunar nakshatra Rohini on the 8th quart of the moon Ashtami (as per my google search) . At my home, my mom prepares Pal Payasam (Rice Kheer/Pudding) and we visit the nearby Krishna temple. If little kids are present, then they will be dressed up in either Krishna's or Radha's dress and they may participate in some Ghoshayatra (Temple processions). I remember the whole city being blocked due to processions that day. Today I was talking to my mom and she didnt have holiday at office. She had to walk almost all the distance back to home due to traffic block. And the distance is more than 4 - 5 km for sure !! I am not sure whether I will be be able to do the same even now and definitely not at all in my old age. 
As part of celebrating Ashtami Rohini at my home with hubby, I made Aval Nanachathu and Panchamrutam in the morning and served it before God. Afternoon I prepared Pal Payasam and Jagruti's Coconut Saffron Semolina Pudding. Yes, its time again for another Cyber style potluck party and this month lucky me had got Jagruti as my partner. 

Whats with my Cuppa 2 - Nupur's Event for August - September

Are you a tea or a coffee person? I am not a fan of either.. How ever that doesnt stop me from being a big fan of the tea time snacks that we enjoy in the evenings ( Nalu mani palaharam in Malayalam :) ). Well, During my childhood, after coming from school every evening I used to eagerly wait for my parents to come from office. As soon as they enter the home, the first question that I asked was "What did you bring me today to eat?". Most of the times, they used to bring me typical Kerala snacks like "Parippuvada"(Lentil Fritters), "Vazhakayappam" (Banana Fritters), Modakam/Sukhiyan, Neiyappam, Unniyappam, Murukku, Pakkavada, Bhajji, Laddoo and sometimes Kerala Porotta. As I grew up, the Kerala snacks got replaced by Puffs, Samosas, Cakes and Burgers :) And if nothing else, there would be Banana Chips or Jackfruit Chips at home. And if that too were not there, there will be some biscuits for sure along with hot tea for my parents and milk for me :) So what do you guys have along with your tea / Coffee ? I know some favors sweet dishes while some prefers savory items. What ever it may be, share your dishes to the event "Nupur's Whats with my Cuppa!! "

I am very happy to announce at my blog space the second event that I am guest hosting -Whats with my Cuppa 2? A lovely event for all the fans of tea time snacks !! Any cuisine, any snack that you would like to have with your daily cup of tea or coffee and in my case a glass of milk :) Thanks Nupur for giving me the opportunity to host such a wonderful event !! 

Kerala Style Soya Chunks Curry or Masala

Its supposed to be summer here in US. but slowly the weather is changing. A slight chill is present these days in the mornings and late evenings. Lovely weather I would say. Not too hot and not too cold. May be because of the weather change, fever, cold, sore throat and viral infections are rampant every where. First my neighbour's kids got the fever and slowly passed to me as I spend a lot of time with them :( That followed a fresh bout of allergy rashes has left me weak and home bound for a week. With all this, cooking has taken a backward seat and I am unable to try new dishes as much as I like. How ever I didnt want to miss Jagruti's Potluck Party, Cyber Style for this month. To those of you who are not familiar with the potluck party, it is a fun event for bloggers. They post new dishes for the party on 10 th of every month and then the bloggers are assigned a partner. We get to make the yummy dishes of our partners and post the recipe on 28 th of the month. I have already posted 2 sweets ( Khubani Ka Meetha and Kaju Katli ) and Vegetable Fried Rice for the party. This month I wanted to post a gravy and decided upon on Soya curry. The recipe source is my hubby and is based on what he calls Kerala Style Curries :) So here it is Kerala style Soya Chunks Curry.