Navratri is a festival celebrated all over India with great joy, enthusiasm and devotion. During this festival, Goddess is worshipped and also many people have a tradition of Fasting during 9 days of Navratri.

Why You Should Do Fasting in Navratri Festival

Fasting, on a general note aids in weight loss much effectively than dieting. It is the safest way to shed those pounds and control the structure of your body. It helps in improving your metabolism rate to burn calories effectively and it also strengthens your immune system enhancing more healing in your body.

Fasting helps to purify Blood, Mind and Soul. Fasting food is not only easy to prepare but also east to Digest.

Here are the 5 amazing Fasting Recipes.

VERMICELLI KHICHDI /Sama or Samvat KHICHDI

INGREDIENTS:-

1 cup roasted vermicelli (also called as sevaiya easily available in market) or you can use Samyak, fasting ingredient. Some people eat vermicelli too or else nowadays glass noodles made from peas and beans are available.
2 tbsp oil for tempering
1 green chilli finely chopped and few peanuts crushed
1 medium-sized peeled and chopped potato
¼ cup finely chopped capsicum
¼ cup finely chopped tomato
1/4 cup fresh green peas
10 to 12 curry leaves
1 pinch of asafetida (hing)
1/4 tsp mustard seeds (rai) and cumin seeds (jeera)
6 cashews (kaju)
few chopped coriander leaves for garnishing
1 tsp rock salt
1 tsp sugar
2 cups of water

METHOD

Take oil in a kadhai (vessel), add mustard and cumin seeds, then add hing, now add crushed peanuts and chopped green chillies let it fry and then add all the veggies i.e. chopped potato, peas and chopped capsicum and now cover the vessel with lid and allow it to cook for 5 to 8 minutes till the veggies are cooked.

On the other side put few drops of oil in a pan and roast the vermicelli/Samvat rice for 2 to 4 mins on low flame. After that add 2 cups of boiled water in it and cook the vermicelli /Sama rice on high flame for 4 to 5 mins, add the previously cooked veggies in it and also chopped tomatoes. Add the salt and sugar in it. Add cashews and use chopped coriander leaves to Garnish on it.

TIP: You can also add other healthy veggies in this recipe and can also add curd if necessary. If your using samvak, soak for an hour, drain and keep aside.

Almond – Makhaana Kheer

INGREDIENTS:

Half cup almonds
3 and 1/2 cup +1/2 cup milk
1 cup makhana
A pinch of saffron strands
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
1 cup sugar

METHOD:

Place the almonds in hot water for an hour, peel the skin and put them in a blender with half a cup of milk and saffron.grind it in a smooth paste.

Boil the milk, add the ground almond paste in it and stir the milk for 5-7 mins till the milk thickens. Add sugar and cardamom powder, mix it well and stir for another 5 mins. Add the Makhana and stir for few more mins i.e. 5-10mins. Remove from flame and add chopped cashews to it.Let it cool and can serve it when it is chilled.

TIP: Likewise you can also make Vermicelli kheer, even it tastes yummy and is also healthy.

Sabudana Spicy Pancakes

INGREDIENTS:

2 cup soaked and drained sabudana
1 boiled and mashed potato
Few crushed peanuts
2 chopped green chillies
1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
1 tsp sugar
Rock salt to taste
Few drops of lemon juice

METHOD:

Take the drained sabudana in a bowl, add all the remaining ingredients one by one and make a dough like ball. If it is too soft you can add any fasting flour (shingara flour or rajgiri flour).

Divide it into equal parts and make a smooth ball using your palm. Take a piece of aluminium foil or plastic, grease it with oil and put that ball on top of it and make a 4 inch diameter flat pancake by pressing the ball with your hand. On the other side heat a pan for frying the sabudana pancake, once the pan is hot add few drops of oil in it, carefully take pancake in your hand with the help of foil paper and put it in the pan, let it be brown on both the sides. Remove it from the pan and repeat the same process for the remaining pancakes.

TIP: With the same ingredients you can also make sabudana wada or pakoras but method may vary. You can also add extra veggies if required to make it healthy. Use tissue papers to remove excess oil.

Tangy Fruit Raita

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup finely chopped Apple
1/4 cup finely chopped Banana
1/4 cup finely chopped Pineapple
1/4 cup finely chopped Strawberry
2 tbsp Pomegranate seeds
2 cup refrigerated thick curd (yoghurt)
1/2 tsp cumin powder (Jeera powder)
1/4 tsp black pepper powder
1 tbsp sugar
Rock salt to taste

METHOD:

Take curd in a bowl, add sugar, salt, black pepper and cumin powder. After that beat the curd till it becomes smooth and creamy.

Add chopped Apple, Pineapple, Banana, Strawberry and Pomegranate seeds and mix well.

Chilled it in the refrigerator if essential.

One of the healthy fruit raita is ready.

TIP: Adjust the amount of salt and sugar as required. Use fresh fruits, avoid using ripen fruits. Using same fruits you can also make fruit custard (avoid using salt, cumin powder and curd) use thick milk and custard.

Dates and Cashew Milkshake

INGREDIENTS:

2 cup milk
12 dates
4-5 cashews and almonds
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
Ice cubes (optional)
Sugar or honey (optional)

METHOD:

Wash the dates properly, remove the seeds from the dates and cut the dates into small pieces.

Chopped the cashews and almonds into small pieces.

In a grinder put the pieces of dates and little milk and blend it properly, after blending add the remaining milk, then add the cardamom powder and ice cubes and blend it thoroughly. If want sweeter you can add sugar or Honey.

Keep it in the refrigerator and served chilled. While serving garnish it with cashew and almonds.

TIP: This is a shake full of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates and is very healthy. Along with dates you can also use figs (anjeer) and cashew also to make a more healthy drink, but you have soaked figs (anjeer) and cashews overnight and have to use a paste of them in the shake.

FOOD

Ganpati Festival with LAL HIT Clean Kitchen and Healthy Recipe.

By snehalata August 17, 2017

Here comes the festival of Ganpati which is one of the most exciting times of the year. The entire house has to be well cleaned as Bappa would be visiting us. I personally clean my house a week before Ganpati. My Broom, wet piece of cloth, detergents and LAL HIT are my weapons against the cockroach-gang. My main motto is to save my kids from food poisoning especially during festivals. I stand on #SayNoToFoodPoisoning. It’s a known fact that cockroach gang is very smart as they pick spots that are hard for the usual daily cleaning to reach. Spots such as behind the cylinder, behind the gas pipe, below the rack, inside the sink etc. Especially in the night, I feel sometimes that cockroaches play night party on feast we prepare. Such places contain a million germs, as the night approaches; they come out of their hiding spots and crawl over the utensils and the entire cooking area, which in turn could be very harmful to the entire family’s health. These night creatures escape if regular and monthly cleaning is not done, by hiding in hard to reach corners like under the cylinder, sink, cracks and deep crevices. They carry germs and bacteria, which come along with their legs and wings, crawl on food and utensils, contaminate food and spread Food Poisoning.

A simple habit of monthly cleaning using LAL HIT can avoid food poisoning at home.

Being a mom, I ensure to clean my kitchen and every corner of my home with LAL HIT. I made it as my monthly kitchen cleaning regime. I start with dusting and spraying LAL HIT which also has the Deep Reach Nozzel helps me get into those tight corners which are not easily accessible and kills hidden cockroaches. The Deep Reach Long Nozzle saves a lot of effort and time, the remaining time can be used for preparing tasty dishes. After cleaning I spent time with my family and decide on sweets to be prepared for Ganpati festival. I love to prepare and serve my entire family as it’s one of my ways to show love and affection towards them.

Now I am all set to prepare my Ganpati special dishes and welcome Bappa.

Yummy Healthy Recipe for Ganpati Festival

I would like to prepare Oats Dry fruit laddoo this season as my little angel would love it while being healthy too. Laddoos have been one of the all time favorites in the Ganpati festival. My main focus is on health, hence I chose this dish as it is very healthy. The kids don’t realize that the dish is healthy for them as it contains powdered dry fruits.

Ingredients

Wheat flour 1 cup/ Udid dal 1 cup
Jaggery powder 1 cup
Melted ghee half cup,
Roasted oats half cup
Dried coconut powder half cup
Mix dry fruit powder 1/4 cup
Edible gum 3 tbsp
Poppy seeds 2 tbsp
Cardamom powder 1 tsp
Take dry fruits like almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnut, dried dates etc warm it little n make the powder using mixi.

Procedure:

Roast oats in the wide pan on low flame for a minute or so. Keep it aside. Roast poppy seeds in the same way.
Now Heat 2 tbsp ghee in the same pan, add edible gum and saute on low flame to make it puffed n crunchy, take out and keep it aside.
In the same pan add wheat flour saute on low flame till you get a nice aroma, it turns little golden or light brownish.
In mixi jar take oats, poppy seeds and make powder.
In the same jar add dried coconut powder, puffed gum, dry fruit powder. Make powder all together.

Heat remaining ghee switched off the gas and mix all ingredients well add cardamom powder and make laddu or modak using the mould.

My Secret Tips to make it crunchier

Saute edible gum in small 2-3 portions to get it well puffed and crunchy.
Try to take wheat flour which has a texture like a coarse powder and not very fine like we use for making roti.
All ingredients are very power packed and healthy, keep it handy in the kitchen to satisfy the quick hunger of you n you child in a healthy way.
You can even add Protein seeds like flax seeds in your preparation, which helps for your hair n skin.

I love making dishes all the time during the festival because so many guests visit my place and kitchen being their one of their favorite spots for 3 reasons- 1. My deliciously made food resides there. 2. Spick and Span kitchen during festivals is rarity and 3. Of course, the Fresh Fragrance my kitchen gets with the use of LAL HIT it Not Just Clean, LAL HIT Clean!

For your secure and safe kitchen buy LAL HIT from Amazon or BigBasket Now!

FOOD

Chaubara 601 a Food Destination for Punjabi Delicacy.

By Blogsikka July 26, 2017

Welcome to Chaubara 601

Franz Kalka says that “Food for the body is not enough, there must be food for the soul”. Chaubara 601 makes the food, which satisfies your soul. As long as you have food in your mouth, your brain and heart work in sync, at least in my husband’s case. He needs proper food and satisfaction with the food. He just doesn’t eat to fill the Tummy, but he eats to satisfy his soul. As we all know In India we are united for food, even when we go abroad we miss our food so much especially Sabzi and dals. I feel like heaven when I get Indian food abroad and this is my personal experience as I have been privileged to be in Thailand n Singapore, searching for Indian food. On top of it being a vegetarian is more difficult. Since we all say India is the country of colours, tradition, culture, religions, festivals, but most importantly it is the food with appealing colours unites us more. Cooking in India is not just a mundane, but a way of sharing with other and spending quality time with family.

The family take major decisions on the dining table because everyone feels super content after having good food. So coming to most common food which we order in hotel and restaurants is Punjabi Sabzi, this means we are all stuck to flavours of Punjabi Sabzi, hope you agree with me and why do we love Punjabi Sabzi because of its gravy and food texture.

Being a vegetarian I always love to eat Punjabi Sabzi and kulcha, naan and Lassi at the end. But do we get that authentic food in any restaurant which serves Chinese and Continental too, no I guess you need a proper Punjabi restaurant and that’s how I landed to Chaubara 601 at Thane.

As soon as I entered the restaurant which was roof top restaurant, chilling breeze touched my face and I was thrilled already and as we enter from the lift,

I saw munimji sitting and welcoming us and colorfully painted tassels curtains and completely coloured wall paper wall with a decorated cycle in typical Punjabi style.

Moving on we went to reception and found a wishing well and Mannat ka Dhaga wali wall (Wish wall and wish well) where you can ask wish before you enter the restaurant.

As soon as we moved further I saw a big huge open restaurant with two sides shamiana giving a look of marriage reception, where a whole group of 20 can be accommodated.

The shamiana was so well decorated as if some one marriage is going on. In between the dining tables were arranged which was named in the name of Bollywood movie like Saudagar, coolie which is a tribute to Shri Amitabh Bachchan.

The moment we sat, the service was started. Initially, we were welcomed by jeera water and jeera chat pata alu and mukka pyaaz which was actually pressed with hands and marinated with spices n lemon and it was really tasty.

Then the real star plates started coming and since we had ordered all veg dishes, we were served veg starter consist of Veg platter of Panner(Cottage Cheese) Alu nazakat (Stuffed Potatoes), Gonchay bahar, (Tandoori Cauliflower) Bharwa kumbh (Mushrooms).

The starters were so well presented that we couldn’t wait to click a decent picture and we were tempted to eat fast. The best out of it was Gonchar Bahar I still remember the mouth watering dishes.

Moving to the main course, we ordered roti basket which consists of all kinds of India rotis and bread, and best was their special naan, which was spicy red naan stuffed with red chilli and butter.

Moving to Sabzi we had amritsari chole, they were just awesome, and badi lahshuniya, Sabzi made of Punjabi vadi with an excess of garlic and we also had panner and Dal Makhani which was so buttery and delicious but very heavy for me, that I couldn’t finish it.

Now comes the super star is corn peas pulav, now u will ask me, what’s the big thing in this, the moment u take the first bite, of rice pulav, you get hypnotised, why because they have cooked rice in mogra water and at last they serve with gulab jal and that floral smell makes rice so strong that your mouth is full of aroma.

Finally we were so full that we wanted to stop, but Chaubara 601 will not allow you, as they bring, dessert platter, which consists of golden papaya sheera, kheer biranj and bharwa rabdi roti, and I tell you, u can’t eat only one spoon though it’s a dessert, I finished kheer completely. The taste buds were so much activated by this time that I really wanted to get up, run and come back to eat more, but I didn’t and continuing, we got gulab and badaam ki Lassi, and I bet I have never tasted better Lassi than this in my life.

Now when you want to end up a meal, what else you want ice cream or pan, but Chaubara 601 gives u pan bahar ice cream (flavour of pan in ice cream.) And it was the cherry on top. Finally, I finished and got up after eating that royal supper, I went towards, kitchen which was transparent and happy to tell you that you can eat food which is being made in front of your eyes.

There was a wall which was given a cool look of rural places. The big wall of one side was completely decorated with half cut pots. Over all the feelings I have experienced is unexplained in words.

Here are some glimpses of Chaubara 601

FOOD

5 DIY Refreshing Drinks For Summer 2017

By snehalata May 30, 2017

5 DIY Refreshing Drinks To Make Your Summer A Cool One.

Let’s go back to drinking traditional Indian refreshments this year, rather than going for those high-calorie and nutritionally empty sodas. Here’s a list of DIY super-healthy, low calorie drinks that were popular till even a few decades ago in our homes.
Here’s to revisiting the home made refreshing drinks apart from the very popular ‘Shikran’ and ‘Chaach’.

Bael Sherbat

Bael Sharbat — naturally sweet refresher a Beal Sharbat.

Bael (wood apple) is effective in curing diarrhoea, quarantine cholesterol and reduce respiratory issues. Thia naturally sweet refresher is extremely delicious too.

Preparation :
Take one medium sized rope bael and break it open.
Scoop out the pulp into a bowl.
Add water and remove all the seeds.
Mix well.
Add jaggery powder and stir.
Add salt to taste, if you don’t want it too sweet.
Mix well, sieve and serve chilled.

Aam Panna

Aam Panna ia a unique sweet and sour drink made from unripe mangoes, salt, sugar, cumin seed powder, chillies, coriander leaves and mint. All these ingredients help you to be safe from sun stroke, as they maintain body temperature.
It prevents the loss of sodium chloride (salt), and iron, and is known to keep diseases like tuberculosis, anaemia, cholera and other stomach infections away.

Preparation :
Boil or steam raw mangoes (kacchi keri).
Once done, remove the pulp and keep in a bowl.
Add the spices, powdered jaggery or sugar, and cardamom powder as per taste.
Add a pinch of salt and black pepper.
Finish with cold water.

Kanji

Kanji is one of the best kept ‘good gut’ secrets of the world. This Refreshing Drinks helps put the balance of good and bad bacteria back in order, letting the helping-bugs increase in our intestines. They help us in better digestion of food, and absorbing micronutrients like vitamin B and K, also assist our digestive enzymes in being more effective.
The pollution, stress and unhealthy food habits kill these Helping-bugs.
Fermented Kanji can be called the Indian probiotic drink.

Preparation :
Cut 4 big dark red or purple carrots(500gm) into 3-inch pieces and put them in a ceramic jar or a matka.
Add 3 litree of water, 1/2 tsp red chilli powder,
1 tbsp black salt and 4 tbsp of powdered black rai (mustard seeds).
Ferment for a couple of days, strain the liquid and store it in a refrigerator.
Have it chilled.

Falsa Sherbet

Falsa Sherbat — full of potassium and vitamin C

Falsa is an ingenious fruitr refreshing drinks that is full of potassium and vitamin C and is loaded with antioxidants. Blood purification is boosted and and gives you a detoxed body and glowing skin.

Preparation :
Take 2-3 cups of falsa and soak on water for a few hours.
Later, mash into a fine paste.
Heat sugar and water in a pan, to make the sugar syrup.
Add it along with the desired amount of black salt to the falsa paste and top it up with cold water.
Best tasted with mint leaves garnishing.

Kokum Sherbet

Kokum Sherbet is one of the favourite Maharashtrian sweer drinks. It’s made with Garnicia indica or kokum squash. It helps in digestion, cools off the body and helps control body temperature, and is known to build appetite too.

Preparation :
Take two fresh kokum fruits, cut them in half, remove the seeds and grind into a fine paste.
Make and add the sugar syrup to kokum paste along with cummin and cardamom powder.
Put 2-3 tbsp of this paste into a glass, add cold water and serve with ice cubes.

Photo Credit – Beal Sharbat , Aam Panna, Kanji, Falsa Sherbet, Kokum Sherbet, Cover Photo.

FOOD

Recipe To Prepare Cafe Cutlet

By snehalata May 25, 2017

Cafe Cutlet

Cafe Cutlet a dish rich in good quality protein, dietary fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, carotene, vitamin c, b vitamins and low in fat.

Ingredients to prepare Cafe Cutlet

1/3rd teacup mini soy chunks (soaked and ground)
2 tablespoons chana dal (soaked and ground)
1 Boiled potato
3/4th teacup lotus stem (soaked and ground)
1 small capsicum (finely chopped)
1 teacup carrot (grated)
1/2 inch ginger (grated)
1/3rd teacup whole wheat bread crumbs
Red chili powder to taste
Coriander powder to taste
1 teaspoon flaxseed powder
Salt to taste
Oil for shallow frying

Method

1. Mix ground lotus stem, Potato, Chana dal, and Soy well.
2. Add grated carrots, chopped capsicum, grated ginger, breadcrumbs, flaxseed powder to this mixture.
3. Add the spices as per taste and mix well.
4. Make equal size cutlets and roll in bread crumbs.
5. Cook it on tawa/pan with minimum oil.
6. Serves 4

Tadaa! Here You Go, Your Yummy Cafe Cutlet is Ready To Make You Go Woww!

FOOD

JW Marriott and Thailand tourism host ‘Thailand Fest’

By Blogsikka March 22, 2017

Warm Welcome

The brand JW Marriott sparks a light in our hearts just by the sound of it. Visiting and dining at such spectacular place is an experience of a lifetime. Located in the centre of Mumbai, as we approach we can’t help but notice the elegance of the hotel.

The entrance is grand and massive, we felt like queens while entering inside. The gate attendants were polite and classy, maintaining the standard of the brand. The entire view of the property makes us realise how huge is the total area of the property. The Italian style reception is mind-blowing and the people working there are top-notch.

The ambience is one of the key elements that melts our hearts and makes us fall in love with the entire environment. It certainly shows that the maintenance of the place is done perfectly and the staff are leaving no place for error for their work.

We visited JW Marriott for the ‘Thailand Fest’

The Thailand fest was done in collaboration with Thailand Tourism. Chef Rungtiwa was the head chef at the fest, she presented us with beautiful Thai dishes.

Chef Jolly Good was present too, he is the head chef at JW Marriott, Sahar and also appeared in the TV show ‘Masterchef‘.

As we approach the buffet the food looks mesmerising. It’s all surprisingly picture perfect and shows the effort that has been put in the minute details.

Amazing Phad Thai Salad

They have more options than one can possibly consume and they all are delicious. In our visit, we tasted the ‘Phad Thai Salad’ which is mainly made up of papaya, and it was awesome.

The quality of food is unquestionably amazing.

The entire experience of dining at JW Marriott, Sahar is overwhelming, and one must live it to believe it. I would personally recommend this hotel to friends and family.

FOOD

International Women’s Day 2017 Celebrations at Mini Punjab, Thane.

By Blogsikka March 16, 2017

International Women’s Day 2017 Celebrations at Mini Punjab

Firstly I would like to say thank you to the judges, organizers and the sponsors of this competition ‘Mini Punjab Masaledaar‘. Such a brilliant event would not happen without the time, dedication and support of everyone involved.

I must say it is an honor to speak here as the winner of ‘#8thHeaven’ contest on International Women’s Day at Mini Punjab Masaledaar. It is lovely to be back for the event this year and to see that the competition is yet again well supported by the women, both here and beyond.

It is a great opportunity for women to showcase a select portion of their talents and discover what others are creating. The efforts taken by ‘Mini Punjab Masaledaar’ to host such an incredible event are far more than just noteworthy. The atmosphere at the hotel is fabulous and the staff is co-operative and pleasant. It is also an inclusive opportunity, inviting the whole community to enter work for consideration.

I believe this is an important step to take. Talent is everywhere, manifesting itself in various different forms. As the winner of the contest, I was rewarded with a dinner for 8 women at ‘Mini Punjab Masaledaar’, the food was delicious and Masaledaar as the name rightly suggests, also the entire ambiance of the hotel was mesmerizing.

Delicious Masaledar

Jaw Dropping Dishes

Me and the fellow women enjoyed the dinner, we clicked selfies holding the lovely placards which increased the beauty of the photographs. We woman had a great time at ‘Mini Punjab Masaledaar’ and thank them for the opportunity to do so.

#8thHeaven Contest Winners — International Women’s Day 2017

Picture courtesy – Mini Punjab Masaledaar.

FOOD

Pizza Fruit Cup Cake

By Blogsikka March 14, 2017

A brand new and simple way of making pizza, that kids love to feast on, and is easy for mothers to prepare. The simplicity of the dish made me name it “Pizza Fruit Cup Cake”.

Ingredients:

Salt
Yeast
Jaw Dropping Pizza
Sugar
Olives
Onion
Olive oil
Tomatoes
White flour
Orange pulp
Red capsicum
Green capsicum
Yellow capsicum
Pineapple pieces
Pizza sauce /Tomato sauce

Directions:

Dough: In a glass or plastic bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, salt and olive oil.

Stir to dissolve the Yeast and let it ‘bloom’ for 3 hours.

In another vessel combine Red capsicum, yellow capsicum, Green capsicum.

Add Pineapple pieces, Olives, chopped tomato and fine onion.

Sauce:
Delicious Dish
Combine puree tomatoes, minced tomatoes, tomato paste and basil to make pizza sauce, or you can use regular tomato sauce.
The innovation here is, you can use silicon cups for the pizza.

Children would love to have heart-shaped pizza’s, creativity is king here.

Apply olive oil to the inside of silicon cups and place the flattened dough inside.

Cut the desired pizza shape, apply the prepared pizza sauce over the base and spread the mixture of veggies, olive oil, herbs, and salt (as required).

Top it with sliced mozzarella cheese and bake at 320° for 20 mins.