SHRIMP SPECIAL (dedicated to Solme Shetty)

SHRIMP SALAD

INGREDIENTS

·         10-15  medium size Prawns

·         4 tbsp  Mayonnaise

·         1 bunch Spring onion

·         2 tsp  Pepper powder

·         Salt to taste

METHOD

·         Boil prawns adding little salt to it, strain and keep aside

·         Mix mayonnaise with chopped spri ng onion & pepper and finally add prawns

·         Serve cold

FRIED SHRIMPS

INGREDIENTS

·         1 kg Prawns

·         2 tsp Worcestershire  sauce

·         1/2tsp Turmeric powder

·         2tbs Vinegar

·         3 tsp  Pepper powder

·         2 Egg white (beat egg white)

·         Salt to taste

·         1 cup fine Ground nut powder

METHOD

·         Clean prawns and put it in a strainer to remove excess water

·         Add salt to it

·         Marinate prawns in Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, pepper powder and egg whites

·         Dip the prawns in groundnut powder

·         Thread the prawns in a skewer (5’’ 8’’length)

·         Deep fry prawns to a crispy golden brown

·         Garnish with spring onions, if required

SHRIMP KEBABS stuffed with Green Chutney

INGREDIENTS

·         1 kg medium size Prawns

·         2 Eggs

·         Turmeric powder

·         Salt to taste

·         Oil for frying

·             

METHOD

·         Clean the prawns and put it in a strainer to squeeze the water from the prawns

·         Rub with a big pinch of salt and turmeric powder

·         The paste should be very dry  (don’t add water while grinding)

·         Grind to a paste and keep aside

·        Prepare the green chutney

·         Make a ball of prawn mix and fill the green chutney inside the prawn paste

·         Cover it neatly, so chutney does not come out of the surface

·         Take a deep pan filled with oil  

·         Dip the kebabs in the whipped egg

·         Fry till golden brown

INGREDIENTS for Green Chutney

·         1 bunch of Mint and Coriander leaves

·         2  inches Ginger

·         8  flakes of Garlic

·         8  green Chilies

·         little  Tamarind

·         Salt to taste

METHOD for Green Chutney

·         Grind all the ingredients together

    

PRAWN VINDOLA

INGREDIENTS

·          1kg Prawns

·         1 tsp Turmeric powder

·         ½ tsp Mustard seeds

·         1 large Onion

·         12 Red chilies

·         5- 6 Garlic flakes

·         1 tsp Cumin powder

·         ½ cup Oil

·         ½ cup Vinegar

·         ½ tsp Sugar

 METHOD

·         Grind  onions, chilies , garlic, cumin and mustard with vinegar ( ¼ cup)

·         Heat oil in a pan and fry the ground masala in a low fire, till the oil leaves the  masala

·         Put prawns and the left over vinegar, add salt to taste and sugar

·         Cook in a very low flame, until the prawns is cooked.

·         Serve hot with bread or rice

PRAWN IN COCONUT MILK

INGREDIENTS

·         ½  kg Prawns

·         1 inches piece Ginger

·         4 cloves of Garlic

·         2 Cloves

·         1 Onion chopped

·         2 tsp  Tomato puree

·         4 Green Chilies (slit lengthwise)

·         2 tsp Red chilly powder (optional)

·         3  tbsp Oil

·         1cup thick Coconut milk

·         Coriander leaves (chopped)

·         ¼ tsp Turmeric powder

·         Salt to taste

METHOD

·         Clean the prawns

·         Rub turmeric powder and salt

·         Marinate with ground ginger, garlic (freshly grounded ginger-garlic paste) and red chilly powder

·         Heat oil, put chopped onions and  fry the onion until it turns transparent

·         Fry  slit green chilies

·         Add the tomato puree

·         Finally add marinated prawns

·         Let it blend with prawns in a low fame, cook till the prawns are done

·         Pour coconut milk and let it boil for sometime

·         Sprinkle with coriander leaves

·         Serve with rice

SHRIMP BIRYANI

INGREDIENTS

·         1 kg big size Prawns

·         2 cups Basmati rice

·         3 big Onions

·         2 inch piece Ginger

·         7-8 Green chilies

·         1 tbs Coriander seed

·         8 Pepper corns

·         2 tsp  Cumin seed  (jeera)

·         5-6 flakes of Garlic

·         3 big Onions

·         3 Cloves

·         2 pieces  Cinnamon

·         2 green Cardamom

·         ½ cup thick Curds

·         8- 10 Almonds

METHOD

·         Grind to a fine paste of ginger, chili, coriander seeds, pepper, garlic and one onion

·         Slice 2 onions thinly and fry into a golden brown to garnish (keep aside)

·         Wash and drain the rice and soak enough water to soak for 2 hours (the rice becomes double the size)

·         Drain the rice and keep aside

·         Shell out, clean  and wash the prawns and rub in ½ tsp salt and turmeric powder

·         Take a  thick bottom vessel, put ghee and add the cinnamon, cloves and green cardamom  and fry for a minute

·         Put chopped onions and fry till it is transparent

·         Add grounded  masala  fry for a minute

·         Finally add  the rice and prawns fry a little lightly without breaking the rice

·         Put salt and cover the lid let it cook till  the rice is half done  (approximately with 2 cups of boiling water)

·         When it is half done, add the thick paste of almonds with curds. stir lightly

·         Pour 2tbs of ghee and cover the lid

·          Seal the edges and put it in an oven till the edges are baked

·         Garnish with fried onions and dry grapes

·         Serve hot  with raita

Enjoy

Mama

MAKE OVER

Every woman wants to be beautiful and well dressed. Make-up helps in enhancing our appearance to a large extent. If applied properly, it will make you stand-out in the crowd.

Make-up doesn’t mean playing with all the colors. One should choose colours according to your age & personality.

Few tips and advice to try out at home.

Before you start make sure your face has been cleaned, toned and moisturized.

As a rule, always apply make-up on a clean face.

Concealer

·         Concealer's are the best way to hide the under eye dark circles, black spots & blemishes.   

·         Choose one shade lighter than your foundation.

·         Use Concealer lightly.

Foundation

·         One of the first Makeup tips you should observe is the importance of finding the right foundation.

·         Your skin should look like natural flawless skin

·         Always remember to blend and smooth the foundation evenly on your face

·         The foundation should be of your right skin tone

·         Apply foundation with your wet finger tips

·         It should be applied around the nose, eye area and mouth evenly

Things to remember:

·         Try the shade of the foundation cream out of your jaw-line and not your wrist or hand

·         Remember to choose and see the shade of your foundation by standing in sunlight

·         A foundation with a sunscreen is the safest way to choose

·         Go for different looks for the evening and day time

·         A light foundation is perfect for work 

·         A shimmer is great for evening

·         Pick the proper foundation color of your skin tone. Mat finishing for an oily skin. For dry skin try moisturizing based foundation cream

·         Use of sponge, a brush or you’re your finger tips is ideal.

Face Powder

·         Be careful in choosing the powder  

·         apply  the face powder very little with the help of brush

·         If you have an oily skin apply in double coat so after you finish full make up you can brush it again to remove the excess powder. It will hold you for longer time to look fresh

Blush

·         Broaden/ stretch your mouth as if saying ‘O’ while you start applying the blush

·         Move it upwards from your cheek level to temples along your cheekbone and forehead jaws and chin area. Remember you are shaping up face structure

Eyebrows

·         A woman with perfectly shaped brows can look good even without make-up

·         The eyebrows should be shaped weekly

·         Use eye shadows on the brows which should match your hair color

·         Start from the inner corner of the brow and move to the tip of your brows

Eye Shadow

·         Applying the eye shadow enhances the beauty of eyes and creates depth in the eye. The trick lies in application

·         For teens, putting on pastel shades like pink, light blue and violet looks trendy, soft & young

·         Applying white eye-liner pencil on your lower eye lashes inside rim, enlarges your eyes

·         Always use dark shades on the eye lids and lighter colors on the brow bone

·         Choose a shade that will compliment your skin, face and the dress

Eye Liner

·         To give a natural look, use a light eye-application

·         Add a thin and light eye liner

·         Choose an eye liner according to your skin tone

·         Colours like black, brown or blue brings out your attitude

Eye Mascara

·         Mascara is applied to look glamorous and stylish

·         Apply a second coat on the eye lids after the first layer of mascara has dried up

Eye Curler

·         Use an eye curler to look more attractive

·         Eye curler makes your eye lashes look longer and thicker

Lipstick

·         Use a lip liner as an outer line and apply foundation over your lip area

·         The lip liner should always match your lipstick

·         For big lips, choose colors such as purple and bronze

·         For small lips, avoid dark colors. Also try applying little Vaseline or lip gloss to the middle of the bottom lip. This brings out the pout.

·         For the full look on the lips, spotlight the lip gloss right in the middle of the mouth

·         If you are going for an evening-out, then try applying a shimmering lip gloss in silver or gold over the lip color

·         Choose your lip color according to your skin color and the shape of your lips

·         If you have a light skin you can wear pinks, peaches, beige, browns as well as dark rich colors. Deep wine colours are good otherwise try sheer colours with just a hint of red or pink to add colours

·         For medium skin tones, wear deep red browns, especially sheer shades and pinks. This will compliment your skin the most

Few tips for your lips:

·         When you wake up in the morning, gently brush your lips with a Turkish cloth or a baby smooth brush to remove all the dry skin. Apply some nourishing  lip gel thereafter

·         Use lip balm as a base of your lipstick, this not only smoothens your lips but also helps the color hold faster

·         For the rest of the day, wear a lipstick with sunscreen. It nourishes the lips and does not dry up in the sun light/ cold

Nail Painting

·         Nail paintings make your nails attractive

·         Choose the color of your nail polish according to your skin tone

·         Follow your instinct to set your personality style

Make-up Tools

1.       Sponge:

·         Sponge can be used to wipe out excess blush or eye make-up

·         Use a triangular shaped sponge

2.       Powder Puff:

·         Powder puffs are used for touch-ups during daytime

·         Remember to tap the puff, so as to dust out excess powder from the puff, before applying

3.       Blush Brush

4.       Eyeliner Brush

5.       Eyes Curler

6.       Eye shadow Brush

7.       Lip Brush

8.       Eyebrow Brush

9.       Lip Brush

Make-up Remover

·         Water and soap is not sufficient to remove the make-up from your skin pores

·         Right make-up removing application is as important as the right make-up

·         You can use mineral oils as they are best for removing makeup. They are also not expensive

·         All types of oils are natural makeup removers. Olive oil is the most effective eye make-up remover

·         The best make-up remover and cleaner for all skin type is raw milk. Dip a cotton balls in raw milk and wipe your face very gently

·         Makeup removers are available in the market in the form of lotions, foams, cleansers  and cleansing milk etc,  but natural remedies are always effective and inexpensive

Love

Mama

Tulsi Vivah/ Pooja

Tulsi Vivah is the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant (holy basil) to Lord Vishnu or his avatar Lord Krishna.

As per Hindu tradition, the Tulsi plant is worshipped by offering water & flower and by applying turmeric powder & kumkum to its tender branches. It is performed in the evening by the ladies of the house by lighting Diya’s.

It is believed that Tulsi will bestow all round prosperity and sowbhagya for those who worship her thus.

It is always believed that no evil spirits or evil forces will enter the place where Tulsi is worshipped.

The Tulsi plant also has medicinal properties of purifying the surrounding atmosphere.

The Legend behind Tulsi Vivah: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsi_Vivah

On this day, Tulsi Vrindavan is adorned like a bride with Rangoli, diyas & flowers. Sugar cane, mango leaves, tamarind and Amla plant are also used for decoration around the Vrindavan.

A festive atmosphere is created to celebrate Tulsi’s vivah to Lord Vishnu/ Lord Krishna.

Children will rejoice this Vivah by bursting fire crackers.

A delicious  vegetarian dishes will be prepared, a full meal consisting of Puri, rice, green Moong curry, chutney  (ek paani), sweet dosa   (Surnoli) and  Kheer.

As a Prasad, Jaggery mixed with puffed rice is prepared along with other   sweets. Prasad is distributed after the pooja.

SPECIAL DISH FOR THE DAY

(a)  SURNOLI (a form of sweet pancake)

Ingredients

• Rice   1 ½ cup
• Methi seeds (Fenugreek) ½ tsp.
• Butter milk 1 cup
• Jaggery (powdered according to your taste, for sweetish touch)
• Coconut (grated) ¾ cup
• Turmeric powder ½ tsp
• Poha (pounded rice)  !/2 cup
• Salt to taste

Method

• Soak the rice and methi in water for 4 hours.
• Wash and drain the rice & grind with coconut & butter milk.
• When it is nearly done, add Jaggery & Poha. Make a smooth paste.
• Add turmeric powder & salt. Mix well and keep it for over night or about 8 hours, to ferment.
• Heat a dosa pan and apply oil or butter.
• Pour the batter into dosa.
• Close the lid cook in a medium fire till the bottom turns slightly brown. Turn over the other side and put 1 tsp. of oil
• Cook till the Surnoli turns very fluffy
• Serve with butter.

(If you don’t like sweet Surnoli, you can avoid adding Jaggery)

(b)  CHUTNEY with BRAMHI LEAVES (EKPAAN)

Ingredients

• ½ ‘’ ginger
• ½ cup grated coconut
• 4 green chilies
• Little tamarind or half lime juice
• Salt to taste
• A handful of brahmi leaves

Method:

• Grind all ingredients together to a fine paste adding little water, it should not be watery.

(c)  SWEET POHA

 Ingredients

• 1 cup grated coconut
• ½ cup powered jaggery
• 6 cardamoms (powdered)
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 cup Poha
• ½ cup flaked rice

METHOD

• In a big pan put ½ cup of water and jiggery. let it melt till it achieves semi thick consistency
• Remove from the fire and let it cool for sometime
• Add grated coconut, cardamom powder and 2 tbsp. melted ghee.
• Churn the Poha well
• Add flaked rice.
• Serve

Mama

I was introduced to the Tulsi pooja & its virtues at my parental house and I still follow it in the same way. I hope the tradition is followed by my daughters and the present & future generation.

God bless.