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Friday, December 15, 2017

MARGAZHI MONTH PRASADAM RECIPES

Madhangalil naan margazhi!!
'mAsAnAm mArgasheershoham' says Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna says that HE is the month of Margazhi among the 12 months, from which one can imagine the sanctity of this month.

Perumal and Shiva temples celebrate all the 30 days of the Tamil month Margazhi with many rituals and food offerings. Godha/Sri Andal observed 'Paavai Nonbu', sang 30 paasurams named 'Thiruppavai' during these 30 days and finally merged with Sri Ranganatha (Sriman Narayana) Himself. It is said that Gopikas observed 'Paavai Nombu' to get Lord Krishna as their husband. In Tamil Nadu, men will go for 'Unjavrithi'. They go for 'nagara sankeertan' in which they sing praises of the Lord and practice devotion. Women draw big kolams in front of their homes. Margazhi Utsavam is celebrated in a grand manner in Srirangam, Tiruvallikeni, Kanchi and in all Divyadesams and Perumal temples. A twenty days festival called 'Pagal Pathu' (day time festival) and 'Ra Pathu'(night time festival) is celebrated in all Perumal temples during the month of Margazhi(December–January). The first day of Ra pathu is 'Vaikunta Ekadashi'. The ‘Paramapadha Vaasal’(the gate to the heaven) is opened on this day. Lakhs and lakhs of devotees queue up to pass through this gate. 'Vratam' is observed on this day.

Lord Shiva worship on Tamil month Margazhi:
Thiruvathirai is the star of Lord Shiva and HE is worshipped in the full moon day of Margazhi month. Abhishekams and special poojas are performed in all Shiva Temples. Thiruvempavai which was sung by Manickavasagar is recited in all Shiva temples.

In this Margazhi month unmarried girls sing/recite 'Thiruppavai' and 'Thiruvempavai' daily and pray to get good husband for them.

Let us pray and worship God in this auspicious month and get blessings from HIM.
Happy Margazhi!!

I present here, a collection of 30 prasadam/offerings made during margazhi month. I have also given links for recipes made during vaikunda ekadashi vratham and dwadashi paranai.

CLICK ON THE PICTURES FOR RECIPES.👇👇
Tirukoshtiyurtirumalaichamba AkkaravadisalKalkandubhath  Kadambasadham  Vadai
Dadhiyonnam Vennpongal Iyengarpuliyodharai pulikachal Kadambam(Iyengar special) 
Payasam Sundal Ellorai Kuthiravalipanankalkandubhath Lentilskhichri Milagorai Melkotepuliyogare gojju Aama vadai Sakkarai pongal Mixed fruit panchamirtham Ulundhorai Bandi Tiruppullanipaalpayasam Coconutrice Lemonrice Kovilpuliyodharai Kesari Tiruvadhiraikali ezhukarikoottuthalagam tirumaalvadai kadugorai milletpanamkalkandubhath amirthakalasam azhagarkoildosai faralichutney singhadaraitha sabudanakhichdi ellupodiforellorai anjaneyarvadai buckwheatpoori sabudanavada 18payasamvarieties sabudanathalipeeth dwadashiparanairecipes

LEMON PEEL THOKKU RECIPE / LEMON PEEL GINGER THOKKU RECIPE

How-to-make-lemon-peel-thokku, Lemon-skin-thokku-recipe

I had lot of lemon peels left, after making green peppercorn pickle. Instead of wasting the lemon peels, I thought of making this thokku. This tasted great when mixed with hot steamed rice and ghee.

During my childhood days, while cleaning the avakkai or lime pickle jaadi (jar), my grandma used to put some cooked rice into the jar, mix well, put it in a vessel, and she used to serve on our hands with true love and affection. Who would not love this? Made me and my husband remember our childhood days.



Video on how to make lemon peel thokku

INGREDIENTS:

Key lime peels - from 12 Indian lemons
Tamarind- key lime size
Chopped ginger - 1/8 cup
Chilli powder - 4 tsp.
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp.
Roasted fenugreek powder - 1/2 tsp.
Jaggery - 1/8 cup
Mustard seeds - 3/4 tsp.
Sea salt - 3 level tablespoons
Hing - turkey berry size

Juice of 3 key lime
Oil - 1/2 cup


METHOD:

Remove the seeds from the peels.  

How-to-make-lemon-peel-thokku, Lemon-skin-thokku-recipe
Roughly chop the peels. Add water to immerse the peels. Add ginger, hing, tamarind, a teaspoon of salt and turmeric powder to it. Pressure cook for 1 whistle. Once the pressure is down, take out, strain the water in a colander and allow it to cool a bit. Now, coarse grind this in a mixie alongwith remaining salt. 
How-to-make-lemon-peel-thokku, Lemon-skin-thokku-recipe
Heat oil in a heavy bottomed kadai, add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add the coarsely ground mixture. Add chilli powder, jaggery. Mix well. Cook covered stirring in between. Cook in low flame until the mixture thickens and oil leaves from the sides. Add fenugreek powder and give a quick mix. Switch off the stove, add lemon juice and mix well. This thokku will be ready by the next day. When cool, store in an airtight container. Tastes great when mixed with hot rice or can be used as an accompaniment for curd rice.

TIP: As and when you get lemon peels, instead of throwing away, you can cut them, add little salt and store them in a glass/ceramic jar in the fridge. Once the jar is filled with lemon peels and layers of salt, you can prepare this thokku. If using like this, the lemon peels will be soft and you can skip the step of boiling the peels in water.

NOTE: Jaggery can be added depending on the bitterness of the peel.  

Thursday, November 30, 2017

RAGI BISCUITS / RAGI COOKIES/ HOMEMADE RAGI BISCUITS/ AIRFRYER RAGI BISCUITS

ragi-biscuits-with-airfryer,ragi-biscuits-with-airfryer-recipe
Ragi biscuits are very easy to make. These home-made ragi cookies/biscuits is a perfect and healthy snack for kids. Making ragi biscuits with Philips airfryer was so easy. Click here for  Kurkure bhindi in Philips Airfryer.  

INGREDIENTS: 


All purpose flour / maida - 75 gms.
Ragi flour - 75 gms. 

Butter - 100 gms. 
Icing sugar 50 gms. 
Vennila essence - 1 tsp 
Milk - to sprinkle (Optional)

METHOD:

Bring butter to room temperature. Sieve the flour.

In a mixing bowl, add in the butter and cream well using a wooden ladle. Add icing sugar, cream together until soft and fluffy. Add vennila essence and mix well. Now add maida and ragi flour. Mix well to make crumble dough. Scrape the sides with a spatula and mix. Do not knead too much. Its is enough if the ingredients gets mixed. If necessary, sprinkle a spoon of milk. 
ragi-biscuits-with-airfryer,ragi-biscuits-with-airfryer-recipe
Dust the surface / board with flour and roll the dough evenly with the help of rolling pin. Simultaneously, keep shaping the edges with your hands. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutter or any lid. 
ragi-biscuits-with-airfryer,ragi-biscuits-with-airfryer-recipe
Preheat Philips Airfryer at 180°C for 5 minutes. Arrange the cookies in the basket and air fry at 180°C for 10 minutes. Keep an eye in between. Mine got done in 8 minutes. Remove from the basket and allow it to cool. Store in an airtight container.
ragi-biscuits-with-airfryer,ragi-biscuits-with-airfryer-recipe
NOTE: It is not necessary to get browned. The cookies/biscuits will turn crisp when cool.