Janmashtami & Ganesh Chaturthi Round Up

Festive Food announced not only one but two festivals. Festive Food event celebrated Janmashtami & Ganesh Chaturthi Event. together.

First of all my sincere apologises to my fellow blogger friends for delayed round up, my professional commitments were not allowing me to devote necessary time to my passion that's cooking and showcasing the same through blogging. But the long wait is over and here's the much awaited round up for the event. I am sure after seeing the lovely, divine and authentic dishes round up, I will see a mouth wtaering and tongue licking smile on every one's face.

Even this time there was an overwhelming response for the event. I was delighted seeing the lovely decoration and dishes prepared by enthusiatic bloggers. So let's not wait and start the lovely treat for our eyes. Let's first see the lovely decoration and pooja decor done

EC of Simple Indian Food has shared with us the lovely picture of Lord Ganesha which she had captured while she had visited Belur - Halebid, a historical place in Karnataka close to Hassan.

Nithya of Fourth Sense Samayal has showcased her lovely Krishna Janmashtami celebration and Ganesh Chaturthi celebration.

Priya's Feast had presented lovely feast to Lord Krishna Shama celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi with lots of Vigor and Zeal. Here Comes Lata Raja's with Different Flavors and Tastes and her divine Temple.

Priya Raj of Ensamaiyal had welcome Lord Krishna by making Krishna's Feet and had made cute Umbrella to protec Lord Ganesha.

Here are glimpses of Ganesh Celebrations at Gita's Kitchen.
Pavithra's Kitchen showcases lovely decoration during festivities.


Srivalli had made this cute Ganesh Idol.

Anu's Yummy Recipes showcases step by step lesson to make Ganesh Idol.

Priyanka of Asankhana gives lovely glimpses of Krishna Janmashtami

After sthapna of the Lords and pooja, Let's shree Ganesh with Daawat from my kitchen, with the Naivedya's offered to GOD.

Since Bal Gopal loves Milk and Milk products, I always stick with Dairy sweets for Janmashtami, This time I tried pleasing my Nandgopala with rich and creamy Basundi.

For Ganesh Chaturthi, Naivedya was Suji ka Halwa / Rawa Sheera and How can one forget Ganeshji's Ladoos, so I offered Churma Na Ladoo.

Aparna of Aps Kitchen was all geared up, and had prepared yummilicious treat to please the Lord. Her kitchen was filled with lovely prasadam like Kele Phodi, Duddhe Phodi, Daali Toy & Vermicelli Kheer.


Inside Suma's Cuisine one can find Banana Halwa, Banana Chips, Kheer, Sugar Cashew Nuts, Sweet Maida Puris and Pazham Poris.

Here comes Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes of Chickpeas Sundal, Wheat Flour Kozhukattai, Coconut N Jaggery Balls, Semolina Oats Kheer, Mixed Beans Sundal & Onion Medhu Vadai, Modak, Boorelu, Panchakhadya & Nugul-Untallu. What a healthy and Nutritrious way to celebrate Festivals.


Viki of Viki's Kitchen, eagerly participated in the event with her lovely dish called Aval Vellam. she also came up with healthy looking Sesame Ladoos and Mothagam

Prasu of Prasu's Kitchen has shared with us lovely recipe of Badusha and Kajukatli for Krishna Jayanti and For Ganesh Chaturthi she comes up with delicious dishes like Chitti Chegodilu, Aloo Bonda, Oats Pohe, Marmara Pakodi, Asparagus,Healthy Cutlet and Raw Banana. Sireesha of Mom's Recipes had prepared Aval Payasam for Shree Krishna Janmashtami.


Vijitha, who's a Foodie, let's see what's cooking in her hat for the festivities........and its Aval Payasam.
Divya's Cook Book, gives us lovely recipe of Modak for Lord Ganesha.

Nithya of Fourth Sense Samayal had prepared delicious Sweet Aval for Bal Gopal and traditional Modak and Kollukattai for Lambodar

Priya's Feast had authentic Kozhukattai for Ganesh Chaturthi.

Oriya Foodie had prepared special Chana dal on Janmashtami
Sowmya continues her Creative Saga, and comes up with her version of Kozhakattai.
My Dear Friend Sukanya of Sukanya's Musing, invites Ekdant, with hot and puffed up Puris.

Shama celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi with lots of Vigor and Zeal, she had pleased the Vighnaharta with lots of Naivedya.

Here Comes Lata Raja's Different Flavors and Tastes, one can see the long spread and tasty Naivedya offered to Lambodar and specially Panchagajaaya and also Janmaashtami Special Aval Payasam.

Visit Sailaja's Kitchen to grab varieties of Kolukattai, like Uppu Kolukattai, Poornam Kolukattai & Sweet Kolukattai

Priya Raj of Ensamaiyal had prepared scrumpious prasadam for Makhan Chor and Gajanana like Thattai, Seedai, Somaas

Jyoti's Panchpakvan for the Festival was Puran Poli and Modak.

Uma's Essence of Andhra has unique Modak to offer, and its Arati Kudumulu

Sushma Mallya cooks Authentic Food Delights like Modak, Sheera and Madgane( a sweet made with jaggery) for the Festivities.

Sadhana & Muskaan, true to the name of their blog A2Z Vegetarian Cooking offers yummilicious and grand feast to the GOD, which has almost all the dishes from A 2 Z. Be prepared for their extensive list - Urad Gram Filled Rice Dumplings(Ulundu Kozhukkatai), Vegan Cracked Wheat Pudding(Godhumai Pradaman), Sweet Sesame Seed Balls(Ellu Urundai), Sweet Mixed Nut shells, Uppu Seedai(Fried Crispy rice balls), Churma Ladoo, Whole Wheat Sweet Appam, Ulundu Vadai(Urad Dal Vada) and last but not the least Ricotta Cheese Peda

Jyothivalaboju had prepared talikala payasam for Ganesh Chaturthi.
Shobhana's Rasoi also had Ganesha's Favourite Naivedyam.

Priti's mouth watering IndianKhana offers Almond Pistachio Milk and

Shobha of Anubhavati - Taste from My Kitchen had prepared Uppu Kopzhukattai, Vella Kopzhukattai, and Vella Cheedai

If you want Taste of Mysore try Lakshmi's Karida kadubu/Karjikayi.

One can find authentic Modak in Parita's World

After waiting Hour long moments, we have Sonia's delicious Gujhiya.

Sheba's Art Food and Travel Chronicles also includes Modak.

Renu's Kitchen have sweet and rich Seviyan.

Indu Comes up with unique dish called Puli Avil and Sweet Modak

Gita's Kitchen gives glazy Walnut Halwa

Vidhya gives recipes of varieties of Kozhakattai, on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi like Vella Kozhakattai, Uppu Kozhakattai and Ulundhu Kozhakattai. Kanchan had prepared delicious Gajar Ka Halwa.

Pavithra's Dishes from her Kitchen includes Karjikai/Kozhukattai and Udhu untallu, and Sundal.

Srivalli had made Churma Ladoo and Boorelu for Ganesh Chaturthi.

Anu's Yummy Recipes presents yummy recipes of Kozhukattai and Urad Dal Vada.
Dip's Kitchen gives us scrumpious Punjabi Samosa and Besan Ladoos.

Vani had also prepared authentic Sweet Kozhukattai.

Priya's Vegeterian recipes gives Sweet and Creamy Payasam / Kheer.

Jayshree's Ruchi (fondness) towards art had inspired her to make this cute Ganpati Card, she also gives details about Ganesh Chaturthi in depth in her article about the festival. She had made Thengai Thirattupal, Aval Vilayichathu

Sandhya brings Poornam Kozhakattai for Ganesha

Here's Shama's plaintain leaf with loads of Naivedya for Ganesha

And here comes Shanthi's Panchamirtham a yummy dish for the GOD

I hope you all have enjoyed this Festive treat and had celebrated the festivals by forgetting everyday’s stress and tensions, that’s what festivals are for and real motive of Festive Food Event. But this is not the end of the treat, Here comes, much announcement of much awaited Diwali Dhamaka Event. Let's celebrate the event with lots of Dhamaka.

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Event Announcement --- Holi Hai!!!

Last Year Festive Food celebrated all major festivals with a bang. This year was invited by celebrating Makar Sankranti. Let's welcome Spring with colourful event of Holi

Rang Barse Bheege Chunarwalli Rang Barse................Holi Hai!!!

Holi, one of the most important Hindu festivals, is a lively fiesta that is associated with India. It’s amongst the important festival of Hindus. Holi celebrates the spirit of life which is happiness and merriment. This festival is about letting go whatever has happened and enjoy life together with friends and family.

Holi is a festival that is usually celebrated right after winters. It is celebrated in the month of March-April. The dates vary every year due to the fact that the Hindu calendar is based on solar cycles. This is a colourful festival celebrated with much joy and fervour all over India. The most famous Holi is played in Vrindavan-Mathura regions of the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Holi is the festival of freedom from social norms. Colours and 'Gulal' are showered on the people dressed up in white clothes and the whole community seems to merge into one big fraternity under the guise of colours, without any distinction of caste, creed, colour or sex. Children with 'pichkaris' (big syringes to squirt coloured water) and faces smeared with colour look adorable. People exchange good wishes, sweets and gifts. Holi parties are organized in the grounds where people dance to the rhythmic beats of the drums and sing Holi songs. Light snacks and milk-based cool drink known as 'Thandai' are often served in these parties that may be intoxicated with 'bhaang'. Also known as 'Phagwah', Holi is celebrated with colours to welcome the Spring season.

In spite of being such a colourful festival, there are various aspects of Holi which makes it so significant for our lives. Though they might not be so apparent but a closer look and a little thought will reveal the significance of Holi in more ways than meets the eyes. Ranging from socio-cultural, religious to biological there is every reason why we must heartily enjoy the festival and cherish the reasons for its celebrations.

Guidelines for Celebrating Holi Hai Event

Prepare any dish traditionally prepared at your place to celebrate the festive spirit of Holi be it sweets, savoury snacks, curry, parathas etc . One can even participate by posting festive pictures, and description of Holi festival.

The last date of sending entries for Holi Hai is 23rd March 2009.

Bloggers need to add a link back to this event announcement. I would be glad if you can include the Vibrant and Colourful Holi logo. There are no restrictions on the number of entries.

Send in your entries at Indian.festivefood@gmail.com with the subject line
''Holi Hai'' along with the below mentioned information:

• Name:

• Dish Name:

• Blog’s Name:

• Blog URL:

• Post URL:

• Picture of the Dish:

Note ~ Entries without an email will not be included in the round up.

Non Bloggers need not get upset, email your recipe along with the picture. We will post it on your behalf and include it in the round up.

Old posts are accepted, provided they are republished by linking back this event announcement along with the logo.

So friends participate with full vigour and zest in this splash of joy and colourful festival of Holi!

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Cranberry and Apricot Swirl Cookies ~ Pinwheel Cookies

Christmas fruit cakes have been posted on many blogs, so I thought of doing something different and yet complement the Christmas flavour. My swirl cookies or pinwheel cookies are inspired by the classic swiss rolls. They are filled with the fruity combination of cranberries and apricots, infused with the flavours and aromas of Christmas spices (cinnamon and cardamom).


Ingredients:
11/2 Cup Maida / All Purpose Flour / Self Raising Flour
1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon of Salt
1/2 Cup of Butter (Cubed)
1/2 Cup of Sugar
1 Egg
1/2 Cup of Cranberries
1/2 Cup of Apricots
1/2 Cup of Raisins
1 Tablespoon of Orange Zest
1/2 Teaspoon of Cinnamon Powder
1/2 Teaspoon of Cardamom Powder
1/3 Teaspoon of Nutmeg Powder
1/2 Teaspoon of Butter
1 Teaspoon of Honey

Method:
1. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together and keep aside.
2. Take cubed butter and sugar in a bowl, and with the help of an electric beater or hand blender whisk them together for almost 3 minutes or till the butter becomes very fluffy and double in size.
3. Now add the egg in the butter mixture and whisk it again for 5 minutes. The mixture will become very fluffy and will increase in the volume. Use hand blender for whisking it makes life easy.
4. In a food processor pour the butter , egg mixture and flour, blend it till the flour turns in to a soft dough. You can knead the dough with your hands, but I prefer blending cookie dough in a food processor as it is less messy and you don't have to handle soggy dough in your hands. The dough will be soft and fluffy.

5. Wrap the cookie dough in a cling film and put in your deep freezer for 40 minutes to make the dough tough.

6. Meanwhile prepare a fruity filling. Soak raisins in a bowl of warm water for 20 minutes. In a bowl, add Cranberries, Apricots, Soaked and drained Raisins, Orange Zest, Cinnamon Powder, Cardamom powder and Nutmeg Powder. Blend them together and form a Coarse paste.
7. Add honey and butter in this fruity filling and mix properly and keep it aside.

8. Remove the tough cookie dough from the freezer and place the dough in between two wax papers or oiled cling film and roll it in a long rectangular shape.

9. Remove the top wax paper / cling film and spread the fruity filling on the rolled cookie sheet evenly.

10. With the help of the wax paper below roll it up the cookie dough. Once the dough is entirely rolled up, again cover it with a cling film and freeze it inside the freezer for 40 Minutes.

11. Preheat the oven on 180 degree Celcius.
12. Remove the roll from the freezer, unwrap it and cut the roll in to slices. These slices gives the swirl effects.
13. Place these cookies of the ungreased cookie sheets or baking paper and bake on 180 degree celcius for 8 - 10 minutes or till edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned.
14. Once baked, remove them from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack.
15. You can have this delicious cookies warm as well as cold and they can be stored in the air tight containers for a week. I have stored them in a cute Christmas Box.

This is my entry for my very own Christmas Feast Event

This entry also goes for Santa's Holiday Challenge and Baking for Beginners event

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Chocolate and Walnut Brownie

The brownies, also refered to as a Boston brownie, are a dense squares of chewy chocolate cake, usually containing nuts, named after its color. Brownies comes in all kinds of sizes and shapes and sometimes glazed with fudge and often containing nuts, chips, peanut butter etc. Brownies are simple to bake and is often used as an example recipe for novice chefs and bakers.

It was my Hubby's B'Day and thought to bake a Brownie this time instead of Cake. Since Rahul is not so fond of Walnuts, I have also added Almonds along with Walnuts in the Brownie. Brownies also goes well as a delicious dessert for Christmas Parties.

Instead of baking them in traditional way, I have tried to introduce few shortcuts and make it simple, and the result was dark, nutty and moist Brownie.

Ingredients:
1 Cup Maida (Plain Flour / Self Raising Flour)
3/4 Cup Butter
3/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
2 Tablespoons of Coffee
1 Tablespoon Hot Water
1/2 Cup Sugar
2 Large Eggs
2 Teaspoons Vanila Extract
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
3/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts and Almonds
1/4 Cup Chocolate Chips

Method:
1. Combine Butter and Coco powder in a bowl. Instead of following the traditional method of melting butter and cocoa on a double boiler, I have placed the bowl in a Microwave only for 1 Minute. Once the butter is melted remove it from the microwave and mix the butter with Cocoa well and see to it there are no lumps. It should be a smooth batter.

2. In a bowl break the eggs and add sugar to it. Use a hand blender and whisk the eggs and sugar together with the blender. Whisk the eggs till the mixture becomes double in size. One can increase the amount of sugar if one prefers more sweetness.

3. Since I prefer bitter Brownie, I have combine coffee and hot water and added to the butter and cocoa mixture.

4. Now combine the Egg and sugar mixture with the butter and Cocoa mixture. Add Vanila extract and mix both the mixture properly. Hand blender comes to my rescue, I have mixed both the mixture with the help of the blender. Keep this mixture aside.

5. Now in a big deep bowl, sieve Maida, baking powder and salt together. Now add the dark chocolate combined mixture in the flour. Fold the flour with chocolate mixture and while folding the mixture add chopped nuts and chocolate chips in between. If you cannot find chocolate chips add grated dark chocolate bar or chunks. Remember to fold the mixture in one direction.

6. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius. Grease the Square baking tray or place a grease proof paper or Butter paper. Pour the batter in the tray, sprinkle few chopped nuts and chocolate chips on top, I have sprinkled chopped almonds as it gives nice nutty look to the brownie once it is baked. Bake the mixture for about 25 - 30 Minutes or when you pierce the tip of the knife and it comes out clean or there are cracks on the top of the mixture.

7. Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool. Then cut in to small square pieces. Brownies are best served when they are warmed and accompanied with cold vanila ice cream. The warm chocolate brownie compliments the cold ice cream.

The Other goodies prepared for the B'Day Boy will be posted soon.

This is my entry for my very own Christmas Feast Event

This entry also goes for Home Made Christmas Gifts , Santa's Holiday Challenge

and Baking for Beginners event

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Hema of Adlak's Kitchen has celebrated her 100th Post and she has showered upon me Best Blogger Friend Award, Thnak you Hema, I am really thankful to you.

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Verry Berry Surprise - Revisited!

Well, as per my understanding of history, Christopher Colombus was actually trying to find another way to reach India - Land of Spice. But in that exploration he landed up discovering the world strongest country America. His biggest mistake, turned out to be a marvellous discovery. Now, the Colombus within me wanted to cook Strawberry Cream, an exotic dessert served at Wimbledon. I was amongst the fortunate ones to watch the current wimbledon match, with few of my friends who had paid visit to Land of Queen, Great Britain. My dear hubby being busy in the office, couldn't make it for the match. So, I thought of cheering him up by making strawberry cream at home for our Sunday Night Project. But when I went to the nearby supermarket to pick up fresh strawberries, they were all off from the shelves. Poor me :(, quick came the idea to pick up summer berries (rasberries and blue berries) instead. So here it is....presenting my ''Verry Berry Surprise''


Ingredients:
100g Rasberries
100g Blue Berries
50g of Creamy Custard
50g of Mascarpone (Dessert Cheese)
3 Tablespoon of Strawberry Jam
4 Trifle Sponges / Any soft sponge cake
1 Tablespoon of Ginger biscuit Crumbs
1 Tablespoon of Sugar

Method:
1. Take rasberries and blueberries, keeping few of them aside. Add sugar and blend both the berries together and make a smooth puree.
2. Mix Custard and Mascarpone together. Mascarpone is a cheese specially used for desserts to soften the cream or custard.
3. Now take a serving glass, add berry puree. Now make layer of custard and mascarpone mixture. On top of custard add few pieces of berries kept aside and Jam. Make one more such layer.
4. Decorate with remaining pieces of Berries and ginger biscuit crumbs and a dollop of Jam.
Your tongue is waiting to lick Verry Berry Surprise :)

This is my entry for my very own Christmas Feast Event

This entry also goes for Home Made Christmas Gifts and Santa's Holiday Challenge

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