Kids Lunch Box Series Day 8- Tortilla with Jam and Steamed Brocolli

Today's lunch- Tortilla with Jam(Heat chapathi both sides and spread Jam on one side of chapathi. Roll, cut in half and wrap a aluminium foil to make it easier to eat) and Steamed Brocolli (Add brocolli and water with salt and pinch of pepper. Close the lid and microwave for 5 mins)
Snack- Fruit and Veg twist drink (Couldn't capture picture)
Prep time- 10 minutes
Rating:
             Elder one (6 yr old)       :
             Younger one (3 yr old)  :

Kids Lunch Box Series Day 6- Egg Sandwich with baked chips

Today's lunch-  Egg Sandwich(Boiled egg pieces spread on egg with salt and little chilli pwdr and toasted till brown) with baked chips
Snack- Cheez it Mix
Prep time- 15 minutes
Rating:
             Elder one (6 yr old)       :  5 out of 5 . Everything gone
             Younger one (3 yr old)  : 4.75 out of 5. Everything gone minus the bread edges. She asked me to cut the brown edges from bread next time. Well..sounds fair! I don't like them either :)

Kids Lunch Box Series Day 7- Egg Frankie with Fruit cake

Today's lunch- Egg Frankie (Heat chapathi both sides and spread Omlette mix on one side of chapathi and fry the egg side on pan till done. Roll, cut in half and wrap a aluminium foil to make it easier to eat) with Fruit cake
Snack- Cheez it Mix
Prep time- 10 minutes
Rating:
             Elder one (6 yr old)       : Everything gone 5 on 5
             Younger one (3 yr old)  :Everything gone 5 on 5

Kids Lunch Box Series Day 5- Veggie noodles and Fruit cake

Today's lunch- Veggie(carrots and Peas) long vermicelli noodles and Fruit cake
Snack- Cheez it Mix
Prep time- 10 minutes
Rating:
             Elder one (6 yr old)       : 5 out of 5.
             Younger one (3 yr old)  : 5 out of 5.Everything gone! Couldn't be happier :D

Kids Lunch Box Series Day 4- Alfredo pasta

Today's lunch- Alfredo Pasta and a Kaju burfi (Diamond sweet as kids call it)
Snack- Bourbon cookies, Muruku (Rice crispers)
Prep time- 15 minutes
Rating:
             Elder one (6 yr old)       : 3.5 out of 5. Half of Pasta came back :(
             Younger one (3 yr old)  : 3 out of 5. Pasta came back rest all gone

Kids Lunch Box Series Day 3- Chicken nuggets and Fries

Today's lunch- Dinosaurs shaped frozen chicken nuggets from Safeway, Orelda fries with Ketchup and Happy squeeze Fruit N Veggie twist drink
Snack- Plain cookies, Baked Potato chips and a Lindor candy (Surprise) :)
Prep time- 10 minutes
Rating:
             Elder one (6 yr old)       : 5 out of 5
             Younger one (3 yr old)  : 5 out of 5. Everything gone!

Kids Lunch Box Series Day 2- Tomato Basil Pasta and Stir fried Zucchini

Today's lunch- Tomato Basil Pasta (Used half penne and half Spirelli pasta) and Stir fried Zucchini with salt and pepper
Snack- Muruku (Rice crispers) , Hide and seek cookies
Prep time- 20 minutes
Rating:
             Elder one (6 yr old)       : 4.75 out of 5 Pasta and Zucchini was gone but she said don't give her that kinda Veggie again :)
             Younger one (3 yr old)  : 2.5 out of 5 Spirelli pasta and Zucchini came back. Only Penne was gone. She said she didn't like that kinda pasta(spirelli)! Kids!!

Kids Lunch Box Series Day 1 - Mini idly

Today's lunch- Mini Idly with sugar, Baked potato chips
Snack- Wafer ,Muruku (Rice crispers) , Hide and seek cookie
Prep time for idlies- 15 minutes as batter was ready
Rating:
             Elder one (6 yr old)       : 5 out of 5. Everything gone
             Younger one (3 yr old)  : 4.5 out of 5, Few Rice crispies and few chips came back

Paneer Butter Masala

Initially I never liked Paneer but Now I have now become a fan. Been trying many kinds of Paneer dishes and all are being successful so far.I got this recipe from my Sister- Neelima Janumpally.

Ingredients:

Paneer - 1/2 cube (5 oz)

Onion -1 big

Cashew nuts-4-5

Turmeric -pinch

Tomatoes- 2 big

Cloves- 3

Cardamom- 2

Cinnamon stick- 1/2 inch

Ginger garlic paste- 1tsp

Red chilli powder- 1tsp

Salt- as per taste

Dhaniya powder-1 tsp

Whipping cream - 2-3 Oz

Boil tomatoes for 8-10 minutes. Let it cool, peel the skin and cut them in to pieces.

Take 2 tbsp oil in a pan, add cloves, cardamom, cinnamon stick, Cashews, turmeric and julienne style cut onions (length wise).

Once the onions turn light brown in color, take them in a blender and blend it well.

Cut Paneer pieces in to small cubes and fry them till light brown in color in the same pan where you have fried onions (No need to add extra oil).

Once you have blended the onions, add boiled and peeled tomato pieces and blend it really well.

Now take a pan, add 2 tbsp of oil and Ginger garlic paste.

Fry it for few seconds and add Red chilli powder, salt and dhaniya powder.

Then add the blended onion-cashew-tomato mix.

Let it cook for 6-7 minutes by constantly mixing it.

Once the oil oozes out,Add whipping cream, fried paneer pieces and mix it well.

Take the curry into a serving bowl.

Enjoy with Naan/Roti/Jeera Rice!

Easy Mango Souffle

Mango Souffle!!

Ingredients:

Orange jello mix (3 oz) - 1

8 oz cool whip fat free(thaw before using it)-1

Deep Mango pulp -1 can

Condensed milk(6-7 oz) - 1can

To caramelize (Optional)
Berries -4-5
Sugar- 1tsp
Mango essence -1/2 tsp

Prepare the Orange jello as per the instructions on the box but don't set it in fridge yet. Let it cool.

In a separate bowl, Mix condensed milk, mango pulp.

Add thawed whipped cream to mango pulp and beat until the whipped cream is well blended without lumps

Now mix the mango pulp mixture with jello and mix it very well.

To add caramelized berries: This is optional. You can jump to refrigerating step

Wash berries and drain water. Coat them with mango essence in a bowl and add sugar and make sure all the berries are coated well with sugar

Heat a pan and add the sugar coated berries and fry for a minute. Voila! You just caramelized the berries

Top the Mango souffle mixture with caramelized berries

Refrigerate mango souffle overnite and enjoy!

How To Repair Your Hair From Hair Straightening Damage - Part 2

<Continued>

Procedure 2: Measurements are given for short/shoulder length hair. Please adjust the quantity as per your hair length.

Henna powder-100g
Lemon juice -2tsps

Thick Yogurt - 1 tsp
Egg(optional)-1

Water 
Hair oil -2 tsps
Tea powser (optional) -1tsp
Shower cap
Gloves

Day 1:

Mix Henna powder,lemon juice, yogurt,egg and oil. Mix it well.
Day 2:
Boil tea powder in water. (Avoid this if you want a nice burgundy color to your hair)
Add sufficient water/Tea water to bring it to muddy consistency.
Comb your hair well and make sure there aren't any knots.
Wear gloves so the mixture doesn't make your hands red
Apply the mixture to the hair. Make sure you avoid touching to scalp.
Knot your hair in the back using a rubberband and cover your head with the shower cap.
Have a tissue paper ready in your hand for any leaks.
After 5-6 hours
It is easier to wash your hair in kitchen sink rather than washing it in the shower. It's easy to clean the kitchen sink than cleaning the entire shower after the mess.
Run the water in kitchen sink and rinse off the mixture from your hair. It will take a while to do it.
After that rinse your hair with a conditioner (Do not use shampoo)
After the hair is dry. Apply hair oil. Leave it over night. (Make sure to protect your pillow cover and bed sheet from stains.
Day 3:
Wash your hair with mild shampoo.

Henna relaxes your hair and it straightens your hair eventually. But this is with non-chemical usage. Your hair will be repaired eventually and you will start loving your hair all over again!

How To Repair Your Hair From Hair Straightening Damage - Part 1

Are you one of those persons who got very excited seeing your friends/neighbor's hair getting perfect after Japanese hair straightening and got it done. It must have felt like this is one of the best things that have ever happened to you? And it wasn't long enough when you realized that your hair is a mess/ dry/ weird set of things dangling on your head? Welcome to the club! I got straightening done for 3 years straight and realized I am doing more damage than ever. So, I took a back step did lot of research on the internet with out any solution. I then came to a conclusion is to free my hair from all the chemicals I have applied for the last few years. So, I came up with a goal to "GO NATURAL" to fix my damaged hair.Also the results are not instant. You need to work really hard to get back your normal hair. After all the damage wasn't small. Isn't it?

Procedure 1: Measurements are given for short/shoulder length hair. Please adjust the quantity as per your hair length

Almond Oil /Any hair oil 3 tsps

Thick Yogurt - 1 cup

Fenugreek seeds powdered(optional)- 1 tsp 
Shower cap

Mix oil, yogurt very well. Adding fenugreek seeds powder is optional. It really helps with dandruff. Mix it well.
Comb your hair well and make sure there aren't any knots.
Apply the mixture to scalp and hair. Make sure you spread the mixture all over your hair and scalp.
Knot your hair in the back using a rubberband and cover your head with the shower cap.
Have a tissue paper ready in your hand for any leaks.
Leave it overnight. (Take precautions so your pillow/bedsheet doesnot get stains)
Wash your hair with a mild shampoo in the morning.

<Continued in next post with another good and effective solution>

Mirchi ka Salan

Ingredients:

Shahjeera- 1tsp

Onion -1

Cardamom -4

Cloves-5

Cinnamon stick- small piece

Star Anise- 3

Salt- as per taste

Mirchi ka Salan chillies- 8-9

Garam masala- 1 tsp

Red chilli powder- 1tbsp

Dhaniya powder - 1tsp

Bay leaves - 3-4

Tomato -1

Turmeric - pinch

Peanuts-handful
Sesame seeds -2 tbsp
Tamarind-lemon sized ball

Dry roast peanuts and sesame seeds and grind them to fine powder.

Add water soaked tamarind (Or microwave it for a minute if you do not have patience like me) and blend it with peanut mixture.

Add chopped onion and tomato and blend it again to make a paste.

Slit the mirchi ka salan chillies(Or use Jalapenos) and remove the seeds with a edge of spoon

In a non-stick pan, heat oil and add, shahjeera, bayleaves, Cardomon, cloves, anise, cinnamon stick and fry.

Add chillies and fry for few minutes. Make sure it doesnt get burned.

Then add the peanut-onion mixture to the chillies and mix it well.

Add turmeric, salt and chilli powder.

Close the lid and cook it for few minutes (mix it in between) until it leaves oil at the sides.

Add garam masala powder and  dhaniya powder and let it cook until it becomes dark brown in color.

Add a glass of water and let it boil. Adjust salt and chilli powder according to your taste.

Serve with Rotis or Biryani!

Mutton Dum Biryani

Dum Biryani! Hyderabad is famous for Charminar, pearls and last but not least for its authentic Dum Biryani! I was born and bought up in Hyderabad and was introduced to many styles of Dum biryani, I keep trying it with different variations and every time it comes out phenomenal! That credit doesn't go wholly to me but to the ingredients and style of cooking which gives simply awesome taste to it.

Ingredients:

Mutton- 2 lbs

Basmati rice- 5 cups

Shahjeera- 1tsp

Onion -1

Cardamom -4

Cloves-5

Cinnamon stick- small piece

Star Anise- 3

Ginger garlic paste- 1tsp

Pudina leaves(Mint leaves)- Full bunch

Salt- as per taste

Green chillies- 3-4

Garam masala- 1 tsp

Red chilli powder- 1tbsp

Dhaniya powder - 1tsp

Bay leaves - 3-4

Curd- 2 scoops

Jalapeños- 4

Turmeric - pinch

Eggs- 3

Ghee- 2 tsp

Cut onions in julienne style and Jalapenos

Heat oil in a pan and fry onions,few mint leaves and Jalapenos with a pinch of turmeric.

Boil eggs and keep them aside.

Cook Basmati rice with Shahjeera, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, Star anise, salt, cinnamon stick.

Water ratio is little different here. I use 1:1.5 rice:water ratio for basmati rice. But when making Biryani, Add a cup of water or two less on the whole.

For 4 cups of rice, we can use 4.5 cups of water instead of 6.

Add yoghurt to washed and cut mutton pieces.

Also add red chilli powder, salt, ginger garlic paste, turmeric, Dhaniya powder, garam masala and marinate for 10-15 minutes.

Take a pressure cooker, add 2 tbsp of oil and add mint leaves and fry for 2 minutes.

Then add the marinated mutton and cook it for 4 whistles.

Take a aluminium foil tray/non stick heavy bottom pan and coat it with ghee. Just be generous here :)

Put a layer of cooked basmati rice, then a layer of mutton, and then a layer of fried onions-jalapeños.

Repeat the layers and top layer should be onions-jalapenos

Place boiled and peeled eggs on top

Then mix red food color with a cup of milk and pour it on rice.

Squeeze lemon juice and cover the tray with aluminium foil.

Pre-heat oven on 350 degrees and then put the biryani tray in the oven.

Let it stay in oven for minimum 45 minutes to an hour.

** If you do not have a oven, Coat a thick bottomed vessel with ghee and put the layers as mentioned above. Close a lid and put a heavy weight in the lid and cook it for 45 minutes on very low flame on stove.

Enjoy with Raita or Mirch ka salan!

Uggani

Indian breakfast! Typical south indian breakfast items are Idly, Dosa, Vada, Upma. Uggani is a variation of upma and most famous in Rayalseema region of Andhra. It usually is served with mirchi bajji (What the rayalseema folks call it as 'Puggalu').

Ingredients:

Puffed rice- 2 cups
Oil -3 tbsps

Onion- 1

Mirchi - 4-5

Turmeric -1 tsp

Mustard-1 tsp

Jeera -1tsp

Curry leaves-5-6

Salt- as per taste
Red chilli powder -a pinch (optional)
Roasted chana dal (Putnala pappu) - 1/2 cup
lenon juice- 1tsp (optional)

Soak Puffed rice completely  in water for 4-5 minutes and in the mean while, powder the roasted chana dal.

In a non-stick pan, add oil and when it is hot, add mustard seeds, jeera, curry leaves, onion, mirchi and fry them util onions are transparent. Add turmeric

Now squeeze the water from puffed rice and add it the pan.

Add salt, chili powder(this is optional) and mix the puffed rice well.

Add the finely powdered roasted chana dal to puffed rice and mix it well until it coats the puffed rice.

After 2-3 minutes of constantly stirring, squeeze lemon (Optional)

Serve with Mango pickle and Mirchi bajji