October 18, 2007

Dussehra Sambaralu....


Dussehra is a festival of triumph of good over evil. There are numerous legendary stories associated with this festival. Here is one such interesting story from the epic Ramayana.

STORY:

When Ravana, the king of Lanka abducted Lord Rama’s wife Sita, and held her hostage in Lanka, a fierce battle ensued. Although there were huge casualties on both sides, Ravana could not be defeated. So Rama decided to seek the blessings of Shakti or Goddess Durga in order to defeat the 10-headed demon.

But Rama needed 108 blue lotuses for the worship of the Divine Mother, while Rama had managed to procure only 107. He was on the verge of laying one of his eyes that was lotus-shaped and blue in color at the Goddess’s feet when Shakti, satisfied with the measure of his devotion, granted her blessings. And the righteous eventually triumphed.

Another well-know story is the defeat of the demon, Mahishasura at the hands of Goddess Durga.

All stories have the same moral of - "Victory of Good over Evil". It teaches us to destroy the 10 ugly faces of - deceitful, hypocritic, treacherous, malign tendencies and march forward in the path of righteousness and morality.

WHAT'S COOKING

Ok, with no further delay, Let me show what I did I cook on such an auspicious day: Aloo Pulao, Palak-Methi Paneer with Carrot Halwa.


Aloo Pulao: Its one such savory mostly cooked, when one observes fasting on Navratri.

Ingredients:

2 cups of Basmati rice
3 potatoes peeled,diced and boiled
1 bunch pudina leaves
1 bunch methi leaves
2 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp Dhania powder
1 tsp Jeera
1 Onion - thinly sliced
Salt - to taste
Oil/Ghee - 2 tbsp


Preparation:

1. Cook rice with 3 cups of water. Try not to overcook. Keep aside.
2. In a pan, heat some oil/ghee, Saute jeera and onions until brown.
3. Now add potato, pudina & methi leaves, salt, garam masala and dhania powder. Mix well and let it cook for few minutes.
4. Then add rice, mixx well. Cook the contents on low-medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
5. Garnish and Serve hot.

Palak-Methi Paneer:

Ingredients:

2 cup Palak/Spinach
1 cup Methi/Fenugreek leaves
1 Onion-finely chopped
2 Finely chopped Green Chillies
1 cup Paneer pieces
3 tbsp Oil/Ghee
1/2 tbsp turmeric
1 cup cream (or milk)
Salt - to taste

For Ground Masala:

1/2 medium onion
1 tomato- pureed
1/2 tbsp Ginger-Garlic paste
1 tbsp coriander powder
1 tbsp cumin powder
1/2 tbsp garam masala
1/2 tbsp chilli powder


Preparation:

1. Cook palak and methi leaves with some salt and water till wilted, on low flame. Cool it down and then puree. Keep aside.
2. Grind all the ingredients listed for 'Ground Masala" with some water/milk.
3. Take some oil/ghee in a skillet, saute onions untill brown, add green chillies and ground masala. Cook for 2-3 mins.
4. Add pureed palak and methi leaves; Mix well. Cook for 2 minutes.
5. Then add salt, turmeric and cream. Stir the contents well and let it simmer on low heat for 5-6 minutes. Finally add paneer cubes. Cook for 3-4 mins so that they are finely coated and soaked in the masala..:)
Not: Adding 1 tbp of corn flour to thicken the gravy.
6. Garnish with cream or coconut milk. Serve hot.

Carrot Halwa: This simple and quick carrot halwa would be an awesome dessert after cooking an elaborate spread.

Ingredients:

2 cans of sweeteneed condensed milk
2 cups of milk (to thin it out)
1 lb grated carrots
Nuts and Raisins

Note: Sugar is not needed as condensed milk already has it..:D


Preparation:

1. Boil condensed milk and milk together until its little thinned in consistency.
2. Add grated carrot. Stir the contents well.
3. Cook for about 15-20 minutes.
4. Fry some nuts and raisins, also some cardamom powder.Add to the halwa for nice flavor.

This is my entry to JFS:Dussehra event hosted by dear Vee of Past,Present and Me and also Viji's RCI: Tamil Festivals.

Off I am to lofty Smokies this weekend... see ya next week with loads of beautiful pictures and the adventures I did..:DD

23 comments :

  1. Loved all the recipes and of course the 'dancing' treat...happy dussehra to you and your family.

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  2. nice pictures...and happy dussehra to you and your family too...good to know that your next post will be on peaches...even I have asked hubby dear to search for them. Hopefully I should lay my hands on them else Mansi will have in the list too...hhehe..:)

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  3. Have a great time and come back safe! Looking forward to photos!:))
    Great feast, good for you!:))

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  4. siri...have fun girl :)...yummy food btw

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  5. Wishing you a very Happy Dussera too

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  6. Hey great.......chaala manchi vindu kada idi......carrot halwa color entha rich ga undo....nice......
    Happy dasara ra...to u and ur family :-)

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  7. @ Sunita: Thanks dear.. Happy Dussehra to u and ur family..:D

    @ Srivalli: Ya Srivalli, planning to make a dessert out of peaches.. :)

    @ Asha: Thanks ashaji. Will definitely post about my Smokies trip.. till then cya n have a great weekend.

    @ Rajitha: Thanks rajitha.. glad u liked the post..

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  8. @ Sandeepa: Happy Dussehra to u too dear.

    @ Sirisha: Thanksandi, carrot halwa nachinanduku..:)
    Dussehra Subhakanshalu meeku, me family ki..:D

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  9. Sri,
    Happy dasara to you, dear..
    Nice spread, as usual..

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  10. u too like methi, great to see two methi dishes :)
    gajar halwa looks so rich and creamy :)

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  11. Have nothng to say except that I was v v vhungry when i reached the end of ur post..yup this was after a heavy breakfast!

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  12. Siri, lovely entries and nice write up. It's interesting to read. Thank you so much for your interest. Viji

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  13. Siri!

    The aloo pulao looks amazing, I can't wait to try it out. I'm kind of stuck on that one, I haven't even checked the other 2 recipes out yet :)

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  14. thats a great feast Siri :) have a great time !

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  15. Siri,

    Navratri wishes to you too.I love your carrot halwa recipe.Man madhuri's smile is to die for :)

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  16. Happy dasara to you Siri!:)) Enjoy the festival! Loved the face of Goddess!:))

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  17. @ Seena: Thanks dearie..:)

    @ Richa: I like the flavor of Methi richa. glad to know even u like it and for visiting gurl. Do drop by again..:D

    @ Dhivya: Even u make me feel very very hungry when I visit ur blog.. so this my 'revenge' hehhe..:)

    @ Viji: Its my pleasure to participate in ur event da... Thanks dear..

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  18. @ Kaykat: Glad u liked the pulao dear. Do try it out. It has amazing flavor.. Happy Navratri to u n ur family gurl..:)

    @ Roopa, Sreelu: Thanks dearies. Happy Navratri to u folks too...:)

    @ Lathamma: Thanks amma. glad u liked my post. Happy Dussehra to u n ur family..:D

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  19. Warm Dassera Greetings to you and yours! You seem to be my kind of cook what with the abundance of cream and ghee!. I like it.

    I also like the Rama and the lotus story. I wasn't aware of that one. That;s the fun of the blogs. You learn something new everytime! Thanks for participating!

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  20. @ Vee: Oh, I love ghee and cream dear.. :D I just love them but refrain use them a lot due to health reasons..:)
    Glad u liked the story. Indeed, its so true, we learn something new from blogging and its my pleasure to participate in the JFS event dear.Looking forward for the roundup..:)

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  21. Siri and Srivalli!! thanks for making (or breaking:)) my image in public!!!

    Siri, this feast looks awesome!! I really need to make carrot halwa again after looking at your huge dish!! mouth-watering!!:) have fun in the Smokeys girl!

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  22. @ Mansi: Thanks dearie for hosting such a wonderful event and also for ur sweet comments on my dussehra spread..:D.. and we all love u ...:)

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  23. Hi Siri ! That was a good explanation, yummy dishes and thanx for the clip, i'm also really waiting for this MD's movie ! :-) See ya gal

    www.monaafzal.wordpress.com

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'Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind it' ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Siri

 
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