Wonder Wraps Series III - Three More Wraps

In my WonderWraps Series..here you go with another three variants to try :)

Would love to hear your feed backs :)

Neem Flower / Vepampoo Rasam

Neem Tree is a miracle tree and every part of it offers in numerous health benefits. Neem Flowers are used in alternative medicine to treat various ailments in India. It can be used both in fresh and dried form. The flowers can be dried when they are available in plenty during the season and can be used to treat digestive disorders. It also proven that it improves eye sight and helps in treating intestinal worms in kids. Neem flower oil makes your hair healthy, detoxifies the blood, improves liver health and balances the blood sugar level in the body.Here's an amazing Rasam recipe with this miraculous flowers that is loaded with medicinal values.

Love to hear your valuable feed backs..:)

Aarudhra Darshan - Tiruvaadirai Kali and Thaalagam / 7 Kari Kootu

Aarudhra Darshan is a festival celebrating the ecstatic Cosmic Dance of Lord Shiva (Anandha Thaandavam) in Natarajar Form. It is observed every year during the Tamil month of Margazhi on Thiruvaadirai Nakshatram. Aarudhra signifies the Shiva's dance inside the golden red flame.

This Cosmic Dance of Shiva is a symbolic representation of the continuous cycle of life on this universe ie., Creation to Destruction. Its believed that this dance takes place in each and every particle of the universe which is also a scientifically proven part that Universe is made of particulate matter which in turn is the source of energy (Einstein's Particulate Theory). The scientists have also shown that the movement of an atom is in the form of this Cosmic Dance performed by Lord Shiva. Hence Thirumoolar has also mentioned
"Avanandri Oru Anuvum Asayadhu"

Lord Shiva's Dance Pose is a complete symbolization of the cycle of life...

The Hour Glass Drum in his upper right hand is the symbol of creation which represents the Male and Female Vital Principles..Two Triangles infused..
The Flames of Fire on the left upper hand symbolizes the Destruction as per Hindu Mythology the Universe will be engulfed at the end by Fire.
Hence the two hands are kept at a balance...always there is a balance between creation and destruction..
The Second right hand showing Abhaya Muthra which means protection..
The crossed left leg and the and lower left hand indicates release from the cycle of birth and death..
The hand points the uplifted foot symbolizes Lord Ganesha who is the remover of obstacles..
Dwarf on which the Shiva Dances signifies creation is possible only when weight of the darkness of the universe is overcome and suppressed.
The ring of fire indicates the field of universe in which the dance takes place..
The Lotus Pedestal at the base indicates the universe in consciousness of each person...

On this day, we offer a sweet made of Roasted Rice Flour and Jaggery, Thirvaadirai Kali..which is a part of Hindu tradition. Along with this, a gravy is made with 7 vegetables also called as 7 Kai / 7 Kari Kootu or Thalagam.

My mom makes a very delicious texture of Kali and from her I learnt this recipe...There's a saying about this in Tamil ""Thiruvaadiraiku Oru Vaai Kali" 

Here's the Recipe for both...

This Year Aarudhra Darshan falls on 26th December.. Happy Aarudhra Darshan :)

Kadigara Rasam

In my Rasam Series, this is yet another interesting recipe from my grandma and the name itself shows that..Isn't it ? As a child, I always loved to hear her cooking stories that she tells every day to make me sleep..She tells a lot of Rasam Varieties and this name when she says every time, I laugh like anything..and hence this remains evergreen in my mind... I never had that curiosity to ask her the reason behind this name...
Yes...Its Kadigara Rasam my Grandma calls it...

Not only it has unique name but it has unique taste too..Its nothing but the rice washed water that we call Kazhuneer which imparts a unique color and taste to this Rasam..

Try this one and you will definitely have a special liking for it :)

Red Rice Flakes / Red Poha Delight

An easy recipe which needs no cooking and can be made in a few minutes which is a wholesome food anytime..be it a breakfast or evening snacks for children or a filling dinner..Red Poha being rich in fibre and Iron makes it a nutritious food..

Instead Red Rice Flakes, you can also use White Rice Flakes (the regular ones). If you use thick type of flakes..soak with water for few minutes and then mix all ingredients..

Wonder Wrap Series II - Quick Reference Cards

And here's two more interesting spicy variations of the wraps that you can try and they tasted yumm and got good appreciation from my master :)

Tangy Pineapple Lemon Rasam

Pineapple is my all time favorite  and I just love the flavor. This Rasam is one which is usually served in marriages and the richness is unbeatable. Normally it is done with tomatoes but I tried here with Lemon which imparts a unique taste to it. You can opt for this recipe when you are cooking for your guests or at any special occasions...

You can also add a teaspoon of Rasam Powder if you want it to be more spicy..

Love to hear from you :)

Red Rice FlakesPaniyaram / Sivapu Aval Paniyaram

Red Poha or Red Rice Flakes are the flattened red rice which is more nutritive when compared to White Poha. Rich in Iron and Easy to Digest. I have it in stock all time so that I can make some quick and healthy break fast and dinner. This is something I tried out and it tasted yummy and filling too.

All you need is this Poha and little left over idly batter. Hope you like this recipe which wont take you more than 10 minutes to make. When you have to make something in a jiffy when some guests are there or as evening snacks for kids, you can go ahead and make these golden delights which are absolutely healthy.

Would love to hear your feed backs :) 

Mixed Veggies Kuruma Kuzhambu

This is one recipe which is my Mom's signature recipe I would say and for the flavor and aroma that will appetize everyone at home whenever she makes this...The best part is we get the nutritive value of all the veggies in a more tastier way..Goes well with hot rice and even Idly, Dosa, Chapathi and Pooris. And its the best recipe to make when you have one or two of all veggies where we always end up in Avial,Kootu or even Kadhamba Sambar.

Thanks to Mom for such a great recipe which is most liked by all at home..

Try it and you will sure enjoy it :) I personally love this as side dish for creamy curd rice :)

Spicy Onion Rasam / Vengaya Rasam

In my Rasam Series, its yet another authentic and flavourful Rasam which is very close to my heart as this being the first Rasam Variety that my grandma taught me. A recipe which can be made in a jiffy and its flavour will simply mesmerize..and its very appetizing too. It goes well with Hot Rice and Coconut Mango Thogayal.

Try out and you will agree with me..I am a great fan of this particular recipe..

Wonder Wrap Series I

Having a fuzzy eating kid at home is what make moms tensed up in early mornings..Getting them to eat their breakfast and giving them a healthy and palatable lunch box is always challenging..For my son who is a fuzzy eater too, I found Wraps are the best way to make him eat all veggies and its almost 6 years by now..his lunch box is mostly Wraps.. My Wonder-wrap Series are the time tested ones with my Son and are obviously approved by him by showing his empty lunch boxes and in fact he gives many ideas now a days on fillings...I have a good number in this series for which I shall start sharing the recipes in the form of a table..as the method of wrapping remains the same except for the filling and wrap base.

Here comes my first set of recipes...

1. Choco Almond Wrap - Completely Power Packed and Yummilicious Wrap with the goodness of almonds and Kids Favorite Choco Syrup drizzled generously

2. Spicy Ridge Gourd Wrap - Wraps are the best way to include Desi Veggies into our Kid's Lunch Box..and this spicy filling with a dash of Oregano is truly a tempting one

3. Cabbage Olives Saucy Wrap - Cabbage and Olives with a dash of Oregano is an exotic blend with tomato ketchup to get the tanginess

The Recipe Table is here...

I will keep updating other recipes as similar sets :) Happy Wrapping :) Would love to hear your feed backs and see your wraps too :)

Veldt Grape / Pirandai Kuzhambu

After a gap, I somehow squeezed in some time to post this authentic,healthy, digestive and Lip smacking recipe  "Pirandai Kuzhambu" in my Kuzhambu Series. This recipe is very close to my heart as this is one which I have always relished in my childhood with my grandma..She is such a hardworking lady and I have never seen her giving rest for herself..Those were not the days wherein you will have the accessibility to painkillers when you really feel body ache due to heavy work. Whenever she feels that she is tired and have body pain, she immediately do this or the Pirandai Thogayal and have it mixed with Hot Rice with gingelly oil which she used to say will relieve her from those pain. This one has an unique taste and flavor and I kind of got addicted to this from my childhood..

Pirandai is a type of creeper which has lots of medicinal value and health benefits. It is also called "Adamant Creeper/Devil's Back Bone/Veldt Grape" in English and it's botanical name is Cissus quadrangularris and it is called Hadjot in Hindi. This can be grown easily at home and I do have this in my balcony.It treats indigestion, fractures and sprains, is a best worming medicine, treats piles, menstrual problems and is also the best home remedy for ear pain.

A Tangy Halwa - Apple Kiwi Halwa

I love trying exotic combos and my recent try is with Kiwis..I always have an attraction to this fruit..may be because of it luscious green colour studded with tweeny weeny black seeds..and an awesome pattern of flesh when we cut...nature is quite amazing..isnt it? Wanted to try some traditional sweet with this wonderful fruit..and thus I landed in this easy recipe which can be done in minutes..and the combo of Apple and Kiwi gives it an unique texture and flavour..

I tried two variations here..one without condensed milk which is truly exotic and the one with condensed milk which gives more a traditional touch..Try out this colourful and delicious Halwa..:)

A Tangy and Flavorful Strawberry Bansi Rava Kesari

In my Kesari Series, I tried this colourful and flavourful Strawberry Kesari with Bansi Rava as a sweet dedication for my friend Radhika on her birthday.. It was too good with the exotic flavour of strawberry with a tangy taste..A rich dessert for sure to treat our loved ones.. :) Happy Birthday Radhi :)