Happy Vishu with Raisin Paal Payasam (Kheer)

HAPPY VISHU, HAPPY BAISAKHI, HAPPY POILA BAISHAKH, TAMIL PUTHANDU VAZHTHIKAL TO ONE & ALL!!! :) :) :)

Friends, today in the midst of work & some more work I didnt really know what to prepare for this auspicious day.

I remember when at home with parents how my father would adorn the puja space of our home with lots of fresh beautiful fruits, vegetables, some oraments, silver coins & many many flowers. My mother would further beautify the space with her special kolams.

Appa would finish the decorations the previous night & my mother would draw the kolams in the morning. They would wake me up early in the morning, very unusual time for me. I would feel my father closing my eyes with his hand & holding me with the other leading me to the puja space. He would then ask me to open my eyes & look straight & heyy thatz me in the mirror reflection.

Yes! this is a tradition followed at my home & how much I miss to be with them today only I know. My heart beats faster thinking of the delicacies prepared today & all I could do today is write this quick post from work just in the middle of a coffee break. hmmmmmph!

Though I dont have much time in hand in the mornings on week days & with my husband travelling I am all the more demotivated to get up & cook, but I managed to prepare this Raisin Paal Payasam.

Sharing the recipe with you! Shall add the pic from home. Pic is now attached! :)

Look for:

• Milk - 1 ltr. (full cream)
• Rice - Qtr Cup
• Semiya/Sevaiyya/Thin vermicelli - Qtr Cup
• Sugar - As per taste
• Raisins - 2 tbsp
• Cardamom Powder - a pinch
• Rose essence - few drops

Method:
Quickly par boil the rice. I used the microwave & set it on full power (P100) for 7 mts.
Meanwhile, set the milk to boil & after some 10 mts add the sugar & cardamom powder to this along with the par boiled rice. let it cook for another 10 mts & add the vermicelli & raisins to this. Add the rose essence & simmer for 5 more mts & keep stirring. Remove from heat & empty in a serving bowl & garnish with some more raisins. This is a nutritious breakfast too! ;)


Note:

• If you do not want to mix the rice & vermicelli both then prepare separately in the same method
• Add some almonds & cashews if you wish  - I didnt want to add almonds as I munch some every day at work
• You may add some rose petals to this just before removing from heat & let it cool for a while so as to get the taste of the rose petals

My Quick Cupparoni (Macaroni)

Haha sounds so smilar to the new advt. on TV for the Maggi Souperoni. isnt it? If you didnt watch it yet, no problem! The names only rhyme & both recipes are different with only the macaroni in common.

I came back from work real hungry & this has been happening to me since a week & I end up eating all oily junk. Though Macaroni aint a very healthy option yet is anyday better than what I was stuffing my tummy with. Guess it is prepared with Durum wheat so shouldnt be bad. Right???

This one is real quick & super easy.

Though very similar to the ones you prepare at home I chose to serve it differently.

Get Prepared With:

• 180 Gms Macaroni - I used the MTR one - boiled
• Onion - 2 Medium & chopped
• Tomatoes - 3 Big & chopped
• Capsicum - 1 Big & chopped
• Green Chillies - 4 chopped & immersed in vinegar
• Chilli Flakes - as per tolerance
• Oregano - as per taste
• Tomato sauce - as per taste
• Green chilli sauce - as per tolerance
• Salt - as per taste
• Oil for cooking

Method:
Now that the macaroni is boiled, let it remain in the strainer. Take a wok & add oil. Add all the chopped onion & tomatoes, saute till it leaves oil. Add the chopped capsicum & saute only for 30 seconds. Let us add the macaroni, chilli flakes, oregano, salt & toss it for a while so that the macaroni is well coated. When almost ready add both tomato & green chilli sauce. Toss again & throw in the vinegar soaked green chillies.

REMEMBER TO SERVE IN A SOUP BOWL OR A BIGGER CUP & hog on this Cupparoni with CHOPSTICKS!!! :)

Trust me, kids would love this!

Note:

• It is okay if you do not want to add any sauce to this
• You may also add some other veggies to this like brocolli, green peas & sprinkle some cheese over this
• To give the Indian touch to this you may add Indian spices & the same goes any other national