Desi Fiesta

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Thalai Vazhai Illai Virundhu | Tamil Nadu Meals Recipes

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I am so excited to share this vazhai illai virudhu which I thoroughly enjoyed cooking. We love vazhai illai saapadu a lot, hailing from Chennai we never used to miss having meals in banana leaf when we were in India. Recently My mom and masi pulled out Tamil saapadu for 20 people at my mom’s place and I was only one missing. My hubby was highly tempted just by hearing about the saapadu and so I had to make this Special virudhu for him. Nowadays even in a marwadi wedding, we have started to include a function for Tamil saapadu . In my last visit for my bro’s marriage, we made Tamil saapadu function at home, when we wore pattu saree and men wore pattu vestti pattu sattai and fully south Indian attire. It was so much fun dressing up and enjoying the saapadu with Family. Ok now coming to the Virundhu I made, This is not the first time am making a banana leaf platter as you all know. I need to tell the story behind the green banana leaf I got from a restaurant nearby. A restaurant nearby gets their banana leaf from India which was so fresh and shameless went and asked if I can have one banana leaf please, The chef laughed and enquired why I needed 😛 I then had to tell him and then he gave me the banana leaf with so much excitement,  it feels so good to find fresh banana leaf in foreign country . Thanks to the chef who had a big heart to give me a banana leaf.

It took me 3 hours to plan and cook this saapadu. I had few more in my list but hubby came and stopped me 😛 idhuve podhum ma (in tamil). I never plan my thali recipes ahead It is a day before night or early morning, the first thing I do is go and check the fridge and plan my meal accordingly with whatever veggies are available. If I have plans for making thali I do stock my fridge with most important veggies beforehand. So for this Virudhu, I asked hubby what he wanted me to include and I included some from my end. I made a list of the menu and started with my cooking nonstop.Remembering my home science days were we used to get 3 hours deadline to make a full course meal starting from a soup to dessert, our teacher would start telling us to wind up before half an hour and start with the cleaning. So it was 2 1/2 hour of cooking full course meal, Plating, garnishing gourmet way ( at least try to plate clean :P) and cleaning up our dishes and kitchen counter in half hour. Though I was very slow back then, I used to complete somehow.I will stop my ramblings here and start with the menu.

Today’s thali or Banana leaf platter is called as Thalai vazhai illai ( means banana leaf) Virudhu ( means feast) or saapadu ( means meals). Hope I have served it right as there is some traditional way to serve.

Menu 

  1. Starting with salt (uppu)
  2. Pickle ( urukkai)
  3. Masala Vadai
  4. Potato Bonda ( Urulai Bonda)
  5. Yam Fry ( Senai fry)
  6. Raw Banana Stir fry ( Vazhaikai poriyal)
  7. Potato Roast ( Urulai Roast)
  8. Cabbage Kootu ( Kosu Kootu)
  9. Cluster beans paruppu usli ( Kotharanga paruppu usli)
  10. Beans Carrot Stir fry( Beans Carrot Poriyal)
  11. Paruppu
  12. Sambhar
  13. Snake gourd Kozhambu
  14. Urundai Kuzhambu
  15. Rasam
  16. Poosnikai Mor Kuzhambu
  17. Rava Kesari
  18. Rice
  19. Appalum
  20. Banana

Senai Kizhangu Fry

My Mom makes yummy Senai fry and I learned to make this from her. The recipe is very simple and it is easy to make as well. Me and my brother as kids used to fight for Senai kizhangu fry , my mom used to measure and serve so that we get equal amount 😛 See how crazy we were. My daughter has become a fan of Senai fry after me, this is getting hereditary now.


Hope you enjoyed reading this Thalai vazha illai saapadu or virudhu post.. Do leave your valuable comments.
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Punjabi Thali |Punjabi Chole Recipe ~ Thali Recipes

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I am here with yet another thali today. We are landing to the state which is also called as the breadbasket of India.I and hubby love to order north Indian food when we go out to eat, and I assume paneer butter masala and naan is mandatory to order if you are in a north Indian specialist restaurant. Today’s Thali is my version of Punjabi thali, I included all the Punjabi dishes which is our family favorite. Punjabi cuisine has some exotic flavors which have some of the flavors shared from its neighbor Pakistan.Punjabi recipes are most famous, all over India and even in south Indian many restaurants serve Punjabi dishes. Punjabi dishes are loved universally for its richness and taste. I didn’t get much time to do photography as I had to wind up soon, so didn’t click separate pictures of each dish. Hope it is not too bad…

Coming to the menu for this thali – I kept it very simple.Made 1 starter and accompaniment, 2 variety curry, 1 dal dish and a sweet.

  1. Paneer Tikka With Dahi Ki chutney
  2. Phulkas
  3. Aloo Paratha
  4. Punjabi Chole
  5. Dhaba Style Palak Paneer
  6. Moongdal Makhni
  7. Kada Prasad – same as whole wheat flour sheera.

I made lassi but just went out of mind to place it while photographing 😛 ..

Punjabi Chole 

I am sharing my way of making Punjabi chole with the chai Patti in it, traditionally it is also made with amla but I did not have any amla in my pantry so made it without them. Chole is one of our family favorites, I can have chole without any bread as it by itself is a wholesome gravy which is protein packed. I didn’t add any chole masala to this gravy as I included some garam masala to it. If you have anar dhana powder ( pomegranate seeds pd) available you can add to the chole it will bring some authentic flavors but I didn’t add any still it tastes so yummy. I will quickly move on to the recipe.

 

5.0 from 1 reviews
Punjabi Thali |Punjabi Chole Recipe ~ Thali Recipes
 
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Punjabi chole is made with Kabuli channa / Chickpeas with lots of flavors add this curry simply delicious to go with any Indian breads.
Author:
Recipe type: Side Dish
Cuisine: Punjabi Cuisine
Serves: 5
Ingredients
  • Kabuli channa / Chickpeas - 1 cup
  • Potato -1 medium size
  • Tomatoes -1 medium size
  • Onion - 2 medium size
  • Tea / Chai patti - 2tbsp
  • Black Cardamom - 2 nos
  • Cinnamon stick- ½ "inch
  • Cloves - 2-3 nos
  • Cardamom- 2 nos
  • Cumin seeds - ½ tsp
  • Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp
  • Green chilli - 2 slit
  • Red chilli pd - 1 tsp
  • Coriander pd - 2 tsp
  • Turmeric pd - ½ tsp
  • Amchur pd - ¼ tsp
  • Garam masala - ½ tsp
  • Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp ( chopped)
  • Ginger - 2-3 Julience
  • Oil- 2 tbsp
Instructions
  1. Soak the chickpeas / Kabuli channa in water overnight.
  2. Make a potli (with cheesecloth) with chai patti / tea and black cardamom.
  3. Next day drain the water, add fresh water to the chole and also add the whole potato in a pressure cooker.
  4. Add salt and place the potli, close the lid and pressure cook them for 3 whistles
  5. After the pressure is released, remove the lid and strain the channa and remove the potato cut them into pieces (discard the potli).
  6. Grind tomatoes and make a puree. Grind the onions as well and make puree separately.
  7. In a pan heat oil add cinnamon, cloves, cardamom.
  8. Once it pops add green chillies, ginger garlic paste and sautes for few seconds.
  9. Add the onion puree and saute it well till raw flavor goes off.
  10. Add red chilli pd, turmeric pd, coriander pd, amchur pd, garam masala, salt and saute them well.
  11. Add tomato puree and boil the masalas for few minutes.
  12. Once the oil oozes out from the sides add the boiled channa and potato to the masala.
  13. Add water as needed to make gravy and let the gravy boil well so that all the flavors combine.
  14. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander, ginger julienne and serve hot with phulkas or naan or bhatura.

Moong Dal Makhni

Instead of making kali urad dal makhni I tried making dal makhni with moong dal and it was equally delicious. I share the recipe in a separate post.  Hope you joined this thali, do leave your valuable comments, I love hearing from you.


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Jain Thali |Paryushan Parva Recipes ~ Rajasthani Recipes

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I have been wanting to showcase my thali here for so long and here I am with a one another thali.This is going to be a long post sorry about that.This  jain thali is very very close to my heart as I did it in 2015 when I was in India for a year. Paryushan Parva is a very important 8 days festival for Jains usually falls in the month of August or September of the Hindi calendar. These 8 days we follow all the spiritual rituals, visit the Jain temple, Prayers, and fasting. The main motto of this festival is to forget and forgive, last day ( is called Samvatsari) of the festival we ask for forgiveness to each and every family members and close people around us( in Marwadi we say “Michami dukudam” or ” kamou sha”).We ask for forgiveness if we have hurt them by words, our actions or by any means… These 8 days are celebrated to purify our mind, body, and heart. We also follow a Jain diet which means we don’t eat any root vegetables, green vegetables and some people don’t eat fruits as well, This is because even plants are assumed as a developed form of life. People who follow strict Jainism don’t eat root vegetable or plant-based veggies throughout the year as they are grown on the ground they might have a lot organism on it while we wash and cook them they die. I would love to share the rituals behind paryushan parva and some ironical facts about Jainism in this post.

Jains believe in Lacto- vegetarianism which means we do use milk and milk products in our diet, we get our protein and vitamins from the milk products.Some of my fellow followers and bloggers who have asked me and debated with me regarding you say Jains are vegetarians you don’t eat eggs but how can you drink milk or use colostrum milk, there is nothing wrong in asking I suppose. Jains believe in not hurting any minute organism or do violence, Our ancestors found no violence while getting Milk from the cow as the olden practice of agriculture and grazing was considered, whereas when it comes to Unfertilized eggs it is a potential murder of a 5 sensed being by stopping it to come to life as far as in Jain culture. It is always an individual wish to eat veg or nonveg, Jainism has not preached anyone to stop eating egg or meat, Jains have believed in following their ancestors.Hope the question why Jains don’t eat an egg is answered :).  I don’t consider myself as strict Jain as love potatoes, yams and I can’t live without garlic and onions, but we follow this at least for the 8 days festival this is least we can do.

Coming to the recipes in this thali – In this thali there are no root or green or any kind of fresh veggies used for obvious reasons. The side dishes are made with dried pulses and the platter itself is high in protein.  I made this thali to point out that though we have so many limitations yet I managed to pull out a thali 😛  not only these there is n number of dishes can be prepared considering the limitations. There is no strict rule for fasting as well, except for following the Jain diet and having the dinner before sunset.That said all the dishes in this thali is authentic Rajasthani cuisine from my district in Rajasthan ( Jetharan father side ), each district the method of making the dishes may vary. These recipes were passed by my mom to me so am used to these methods but I have learned and learning few more methods from my extended family.The learning process never ends when it comes to cooking even though it might be your own cuisine I believe in it.

Paryushan Parva Jain Thali Menu

Laapsi

We start with a sweet, this is one traditional Rajasthani sweet called laapsi made for all rituals from the wedding to after a person passes away. This sweet is considered very auspicious and mandatory for all functions, they are prepared at home by elders. There is a separate skill in making Laapsi, though it might sound easy to make with cracked wheat and jaggery they consistency and taste have to justify. I am still in the learning process when it comes to Laapsi.

 Rajasthani Kadhi

This yogurt-based side for rice is also enjoyed with roti. For Paryushan if we make kadhi we usually add any of the pulses to the kadhi, be it Moth, black channa, Chowla (black-eyed peas) , channa dal or any pulse. We also make kadhi with gatta in them. If Laapsi is made then the Thali must have kadhi because they go well good in the thali.Check for the Kadhi Recipe here..

3. Pachkutta Saag

Pachkutta saag is a very traditional dry sabzi from Rajasthan. As Rajasthan frequently experience drought condition most of the veggies are made with less water and so the veggies used are often dry or pulses. The use of curd to make it to gravy consistency is for the same reason.This recipe has 5 main ingredients Gunda, Amchur ( dried mango), Kumat, Sangri, and Ker. The name of the saag literally means Mixing of 5 veggies, in this case, dry veggies, There is another version of fresh veggie pachkutta saag as well. As everyone knows Ker sangri is a staple in Rajasthani, this pachkutta is a famous veggie as well. On Thursday we celebrated shitlasaptami which is an auspicious festival after holi when the kitchen is closed and no fire turned on the day, We cook food before day night to have on the festival day we called it Thanda Khanna.I Prefer making pachkutta as its shelf-life is longer and it is like mandatory in our home to make this veggie for shitlasaptami. I will do a detailed post on this veggie some day.

Gatta Saag 

Another very traditional Rajasthani dish which is very much popular on the internet than any other Rajasthani dish. Gatta saag is a Besan and curd based dish made with very minimum ingredients still tastes very delicious with phulkas or rice. I am a big time gatta saag lover I can have the steamed gattas as is. I already have this Recipe Here to check and try it.

Rabodi Saag

Rabodi Saag is another traditional paryushan Parva dish which made with Maize papad ( not exactly papad it is kind of vathal made of maize dough sundried ). When I was in India my mom gave me some rabodi our relatives got from Rajasthan so I enjoyed making and relishing these. These are very simple to make but still delicious with phulkas. There are two methods it can be made one is with curd other is without curd just like papad ki sabzi. I would do a separate recipe post for these in future.

Moth Saag

Moth beans saag is a very simple pulse saag made with minimum ingredients again, Soaking the pulse overnight and making to a sabzi is done for most of the pulses in Rajasthan.

Matho

Matho is curd based drink usually served after a meal. This is a very easy recipe just Like Boondi Raita but I won’t acknowledge this a raita, Just so that you all understand am referring it to as raita. Very simple ingredients and easy to make a drink, this usually served in summer weather and they are perfect refreshers. Will move on to this Simple recipe.


Jain Thali |Paryushan Parva Recipes ~ Rajasthani Recipes
 
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Rajasthani chilled drink similar to buttermilk served after a meal.
Author:
Recipe type: Drinks
Cuisine: Rajasthani
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • Yogurt/ Curd - 1 cup ( Not sour)
  • Roasted cumin powder- ½ tsp
  • Red chilli pd - a pinch ( optional)
  • Boondi - ¼ cup
  • Salt to taste
  • water as needed
Instructions
  1. In a bowl put the curd water and churn them well with a churner.
  2. The matho should be not too thick or thin , the consistency should be of slightly thick buttermilk.Add water accordingly.
  3. Add salt, red chilli pd, and cumin pd to it.
  4. Churn them well till you see nice froths on top.
  5. Add the boondi and mix well.
  6. Serve the drink chilled.

Ambalvan

Ambalvan is another summer drink served after a meal. This is made with tamarind extract, it tastes khatta- meetha and I fell in love with drinks when I first tasted it in Rajasthan in our district. My mom told me the recipe and I tried it to include in this thali. For now am sharing the recipe though am not happy with photographs, will do a seperate post on this drink as well :).


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Dulce De Leche Chocolate Truffle | Chocolate Truffles Recipe

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Raining truffles here… I am here with another super addictive truffle. Dulce de leche is my favorite to relish by itself, But I thought to combine this sinful dessert with chocolate and make soft and smooth truffles.After a long time, I took out my instant pot to make this delicious dessert, this creamy caramelized sauce is so sinful by itself. Traditionally it takes more than an hour to cook a perfectly colored dulce de leche, but it only took 45 mins to make these in the Instant Pot.

I have exploded a can of condensed milk years back when I tried them for the first time. Making it in the Instant Pot was a breeze.
I love making chocolate ganache truffles, so thought why not I make a dulce de leche chocolate truffles the same way. The consistency of the truffle depends on how thick your dulce de leche is. You can either coat them with cocoa pd or coat them with candy melts. These melt in the mouth, rich truffles are sinful dessert to indulge for sure. Diving into the recipe without further adieu. Am loading this post with more captures I know, I am out words and want you to virtually enjoy these yummy treats.


Dulce De Leche Chocolate Truffles
 
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These are melt in mouth truffles made with two sinful ingredients. Dulce de leche and chocolate make these truffles sinfully addictive and you won't stop having just one.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: International Cuisine
Serves: 20
Ingredients
For Dulce de Leche
  • Condensed Milk- 1 can
For Truffles
  • Chocolate Chips - 2½ cups
  • Heavy Cream - ½ cup
  • Dulce de leche - 1 can
  • Chocolate candy melts - 1 cup ( for coating)
  • Cocoa pd - To Coat
Instructions
How To Make Dulce De Leche In the Instant Pot
  1. Remove the label from the condensed milk, check if there is an opening or damage ( as we are cooking in a pressure cooker it can be hazardous ).
  2. Place the condensed milk in the instant pot.
  3. Pour water until the can is fully submerged in water.
  4. Turn the knob to seal mode on the lid of the instant pot.
  5. Cook in manual mode high pressure for 40 -45 minute.
  6. I left the can in low for 25 minutes.
  7. Once the pressure goes down open the lid.
  8. Leave it open till the water cools down.
  9. Remove the can and refrigerate it without opening this becoz the tin might be hot from inside still.
  10. After the can cool down completely open and tada dulce de leche is ready.
How To make truffles
  1. In a bowl put the chocolate chips and keep it ready.
  2. In a saucepan put the dulce de leche and cream.
  3. Turn on the heat to medium, Mix the mixture using a ladle or whisk till smooth.
  4. Once you see small bubbles popping from the sides, turn off the heat.
  5. Your dulce de leche ganache is ready.
  6. Now pour the hot dulce de leche and cream mixture on the chocolate chips.
  7. Whisk them well till all the chocolate melts down and the mixture looks smooth shiny in texture.
  8. Cover the bowl with a cling wrap and refrigerate for an hour.
  9. After the mixture becomes firm, using a scoop or a spoon make equal sized balls.
  10. You can dust your hands with cocoa pd or grease them with butter.So that it is easy to roll the balls.
  11. Place the balls on a tray, cling wrap it and store in the fridge for 30 more minutes.
  12. After 30 minutes melt the candy melts in a microwave for 30 seconds or use a double boiler method to melt them.
  13. Take each ball and drop it in the melted chocolate. Coat them from all sides.
  14. Using a fork tap the balls and remove the excess chocolate.
  15. Place all the chocolate covered truffle on a parchment paper lined tray.
  16. Do the same for rest of the truffles, drizzle some melted chocolate on top of each chocolate covered truffles or just coat the truffle balls with cocoa pd.
  17. Refrigerate the truffles or leave them at room temperature until the chocolate sets well.
  18. Enjoy this addictive truffle, store them in a refrigerator for 3 days.

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Classic Brigadeiro – Brazilian Chocolate Truffles

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Brigadeiro Brazilian Brigadeiro

Brigadeiro is a classic Brazilian delicacy which is made with 3 easy to find ingredients and the preparation is as simple as could be. According to wiki, it was created in 1940’s. This is again very easy to make no bake truffle recipe which tastes gooey and dense. I made these twice, The first time I made and my daughter couldn’t resist till I clicked so it was her treat and the light played hide and seek so gave up to photograph them. The second time I made again the light played with me and ended up shooting it in low light condition, But I had to. Hope I have done justice to this deliciousness.

Brazilian Brigadeiro

I am a big time chocolate lover and I assure you won’t stop just by having one of these beautiful truffles. The beauty is when these perfectly shaped truffles placed on the cupcake liner and you see them from sideways, you should see the perfect dome shape on the top. The Trick is cooking them perfectly not too less or not too long. This classic Brazilian delicacy is most famous candy in Brazil served in parties. It is can me had without rolling them in any kind of sprinkles or nuts. This addictive truffle had to be included in my theme this week for BM ” All that come round are ladoos”. Though I first thought to make Indian ladoos, it was a nice chance for me to experiment all the international dishes that looks like ladoos. So here is my classic Brigadeiro Recipe, Hope someday I make a Gourmet brigadeiro sweet box this is my future project :)…

Brazilian Chocolate Truffles

Classic Brigadeiro - Brazilian Chocolate Truffles
 
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These Brazilian truffles are easy to make and perfect gooey treats to indulge anytime. They are rolled in chocolate sprinkles traditionally but can be rolled with nuts, coconut or any sprinkles of your choice.
Author:
Serves: 10
Ingredients
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk - 1 can ( 14 OZ)
  • Cocoa pd - 3-4 tbsp
  • Butter - 2 tbsp
  • Salt - A pinch
  • Chocolate sprinkle - To coat
Instructions
  1. Take a saucepan, Mix condensed milk, cocoa pd, butter.
  2. Keep the heat medium and stir it constantly ( otherwise it will burn from the bottom) with a wooden ladle until the mixture thickens.
  3. To find the correct consistency just scrape the wooden ladle in middle of the pan and the mixture should take time to move back to its the place .
  4. The mixture will thicken in few minutes and leave the sides of the pan.
  5. Transfer the chocolate mixture to a tray and cool it down to room temperature.
  6. After it comes to room temperature cling wrap and store it in the refrigerator for an hour so that it firms up faster.
  7. In a plate pour the chocolate sprinkle.
  8. Use a teaspoon and scoop some of the chocolate mixtures and make equal sized balls.
  9. Roll each ball in the chocolate sprinkles and place them on a mini cupcake liner or a plate.
  10. Store them in a tight container for a week.

Brigadeiro | Brazilian Chocolate Truffles

No Bake Chocolate Truffles
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Orange Creamsicle Truffles| No Bake White Chocolate Truffles

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Orange Creamsicle Truffles

Orange creamsicle truffles are easy to make and no-bake version of making a yummy truffle with the orange flavor to it. I love making chocolate truffles a lot and have made many truffles when I found this on Pinterest I couldn’t resist to give it a try. These add soft melt in mouth kind of truffles, My hubby said it tastes like the Indian orange mittai.  These a super simple way to make truffles but yet delicious in taste.  I always have stock of oranges as we drink a lot of freshly squeezed orange juice, so gave this a truffle a try.  The only this is I didn’t have any orange food color so used yellow just a drop, you can skip it if. Apart from melting the chocolate in low temperature without burning, you can’t go wrong in this recipe. The taste of orange and chocolate marry so well and make you close your eye and enjoy 🙂 This is how my hubby reviewed these.

Orange Creamsicle Truffle

I am so glad to blog after a long break, had taken a  super long break but didn’t stop cooking and trying new innovations though. Starting the first recipe post of 2018 with this melt in mouth no bake truffles. I spent more than an hour to photograph these, though recipe looks simple it was really challenging to photograph. Hope I have done justice to this yumminess. For people who follow my insta who guessed what I was about to shoot in my stories, revealing time – these are ones I shot. For this week’s BM theme I chose ” All that come round are ladoos”. The first thing came to my mind was why not truffles as they are round in shape and looks like ladoos. read more here

   
Recipe adapted from cooking classy

Orange Creamsicle Truffles
 
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Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 5
Ingredients
  • White chocolate bar ( chopped) - 1½ cup
  • Orange extract - ½ tsp
  • Orange zest - 2 tbsp
  • Butter - ¼ cup
  • Heavy cream - 4 tbsp
  • Confectionery sugar or powdered sugar - ½ cup
  • Orange or yellow food color ( optional)
Instructions
  1. Take the chopped chocolate in a clean bowl and melt it either in the microwave or use double boiler method as I did.
  2. To melt the chocolate in double boiler method, boil water in a saucepan and place the bowl with chopped chocolates on the sauce.
  3. See to that the chocolate doesn't have direct contact with the water. As it may ruin the chocolate (you know the rule chocolate and water are enemies).
  4. Keep stirring the chocolate until they melt completely. once the chocolate is all melted, keep them to cool a bit.
  5. Meanwhile, heat a saucepan add butter and melt it.
  6. Add the orange zest and saute them for few seconds.
  7. Lower the flame and add cream to the mixture and keep stirring.
  8. Once you see little bubbles popping from the edges of the pan, turn of the heat.
  9. Let the bubbles settle down and strain the orange zest butter mixture into the melted white chocolate.
  10. Use a spatula and press the orange zest so that all the essence from the zest comes out.
  11. Mix the chocolate and butter mixture well, then add orange extract and color if needed.
  12. Cover the bowl with a cling wrap and refrigerate for an hour.
  13. It should be firm enough so that you can roll under your palms and make balls.
  14. In a plate or tray add the sugar pd. Scoop or use a spoon to take a heaping orange truffle mixture and shape them into balls.
  15. Drop them in the sugar pd mixture and coat it all over.Do the same to the rest of the mixture.
  16. In the rolled truffles and leftover sugar pd in a container with a lid and shake it so the sugar pd gets coated all over the truffle.
  17. Refrigerate them for 20 more minutes. serve them when ready to eat.

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Zoutons launches Coupon app for Shopaholic

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One of the leading coupon aggregation website, Zoutons, has launched its new mobile app for its customers. With this mobile app, the users can access differentiated offers and coupons in one go.  The website is targeting the online e-commerce sector, which has garnered drastic boost and public interest over the past year.

More About Zoutons

Summing up numerous coupons on offers & discounts from around 170 online shopping stores, Zoutons has made distinctions into approximately 75 categories. It provides the best coupons for clothing & accessories, electronics, footwear, home appliances etc. Also, there are special coupons for services like utility bill payments, recharges and more. As the tagline, “The Loot is on” suggests, this is the new and innovative platform to get the purchases done at bargained rates.

The mobile app is launched in respect to the consumer satisfaction. With this app, users will be able to explore the related offers in a better way. As you download the app, you will be introduced to best offers & coupons across the internet, from leading stores like Amazon, Paytm, Flipkart, Jabong, Myntra and more.  

Currently ranked at 5315 nationally according to Alexa Rankings, this organisation is trying to expand and make stronger networks with the new app. The basic aim is to feed the users will regularly updated coupons & offers on respective categories. The interface has minimal projections which makes it easy for the users to scroll through the broad set of coupon options. As a whole, a target of 100k downloads by the end of January 2019 is set by the company.

Setting up new Horizons for better shopping experience

A company dedicated to the customers, flourishes to another level. This organisation has the best services organised collectively to help the user accomplish shopping satisfaction. After all the discounts & offers, coupons are known to be the next source of reaching the desired cost price. The app, accordingly, redirects the users to the particular online store or app with automatic activation of the offers.

The mobile app is definitely making the shopping easy as it ensures personalised feed from the choice of varied stores like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Jabong, Snapdeal, Paytm. One of the most efficient factor about this application is that it takes up negligible space in the device storage. The size of the app is 2.7MB which doesn’t even affect the RAM of the device.

Enabling the app to send notifications can benefit the users with automated information about the best offers or discounts that are being provided by a particular store. Ongoing sales, latest offers or exclusive coupons, this mobile app keeps the user updated with immediate notifications. The users can also subscribe to the newsletter conducted by the app wherein one can keep a check on ongoing and upcoming sales or discounts.

The app has a clean interface with offers getting listed according to what the user searches for. It is embedded with Night Mode which makes sure that the usage is not disturbing the view of the customer. Developed in a way which makes it easy to use for anyone- the user needs to shop according to the terms and conditions of the offer to get maximum benefits.

Top Coupons & Offers on Zoutons App for Shopping

  1. 80% discount on all products: This offer is applicable on Amazon website and only available on the Zoutons app. This offer is the best deal any shopper can hope for. This offer is applicable on appliances, clothing and electronics.
  2. Extra 10% cashback plus 70% discount: Get ready to shop on Flipkart with this Zoutons app offer. No deal is above this on Flipkart website. This is the best offer available on Flipkart right now. Use  Zoutons app to find out more about the extra 10% cashback deal.
  3. Flat 30% Off: This deal is only for Myntra users and only applicable on clothing and clothing accessories. You can avail this deal on Zoutons app promoted Myntra store. Just search for Myntra on the Zoutons app to get the best deal.

Zoutons App is the new way to facilitate shopping

Users can download the mobile app from Google Playstore, or from the iOS Appstore, and get a set of regularly updated coupons & offers from the best online stores, within the reach of the fingers. The app seems to be an handy addition to your online shopping arsenal.

How to Protect Your Home From Indoor Contaminants

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Indoor contaminants are a big concern in developed countries. Energy efficiency enhancements sometimes make houses airtight, that reduces ventilation and raises pollution levels. Indoor air problems are not always subtle and can have adverse impacts on health.

According to experts, indoor air quality can be deadlier than outdoor air quality. Considering the rate at which the level of pollution in the air is rising, you need to start taking measures to secure your loved ones and make your home healthy.

Here’s how you can protect your house from indoor contaminants

  • Avoid Tobacco Smoke

Tobacco smoke produces an extensive range of harmful chemicals and is one of the most common causes of cancer. Most people are aware that passive smoking leads to a vast array of health issues for the passive smoker.

Some health issues that can arise from tobacco smoke include burning throat, severe asthma, cancer, lung disease, and bronchitis. Therefore, you need to take steps to eliminate smoke. Either make your home a no-smoking zone or buy an air purifier to remove it from indoor air.

  • Invest in An Air Purifier

The previous point has led us to discuss the other significant step you can take to protect your home from indoor pollutants. Air purifiers are great for homes as they diminish the concentration of pollutants in the air. They also help in getting rid of tobacco, cigarette smoke and foul smell. Not only this, but they are also quite helpful for people who suffer from allergies or asthma.However, before investing in a purifier, it can be beneficial to understand the type of pollutants present in your indoor environment. Conducting Air Quality Testing in New London, CT, or a location nearby, can provide information about the air quality of your home. This knowledge can guide you in choosing the most effective air purifier for your needs.

With the advent of technology, there have emerged many air purifiers on the market from big brands like KENT. You can easily find a good quality air purifier in India, which can be used in both residential and commercial environments. As per your choice, you can purchase air purifiers from KENT that use an innovative “Ozone Disinfection” and “HEPA Air Purification” technologies to make indoor air pollution free.

  • Avoid Fragrances

According to research, most of the top-selling laundry products produce at least one substance regulated as hazardous or toxic. Dryer sheets and fabric softeners are the worst offenders. Also, products like scented candles, air fresheners, cleaning products, perfumes, and nail polishes contain phthalates and VOCs which are harmful hormone-disrupting chemicals that can affect a person’s reproductive development.

If you really want to use some sort of fragrance in your home, you can boil citrus peels or herbs like mint, rosemary, and cinnamon, or diffuse plant-based essential oils into the air.

  • Bring in the Houseplants

Plants tend to work as natural air purifiers by drawing in harmful substances and airborne chemicals through their leaves. They further deposit them in the soil where they are broken down by micro-organisms. This procedure effectively removes VOC toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and nitrogen dioxide.

To make the indoor air quality better, experts advise using around one to three plants for every 100 square feet of living space. However, the results can differ greatly on the basis of the types of plants you are growing, their health and size. Some of the plants which are best known for their air-cleansing capabilities are Golden pothos, spider plant, Chinese evergreen. Weeping fig, and bamboo palm.

Just reading the points is not enough, it’s time that you take steps to implement them. Remember, clean air is not only crucial but indispensable to us all. So, it is our duty to make sure that our lifeline remains healthy. You too need to understand the dire need of pure and healthy air and try following these steps as soon as possible.

Lithi Chokha Recipe

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Lithi Chokha is a Bihari dish which has gained a lot of popularity not only across the country but abroad as well in recent years. This mouth-watering traditional dish is the best way to enjoy with your family. When Lithi Chokha is around, one does not need an occasion to celebrate.

The Bihari food is influenced by the Buddhist and Hindu values back in old times. In those days people used to believe in nonviolence, i.e not eating eggs, chicken or fish.

As many years have passed, Lithi Chokha has added more to flavours and spices. This delicious dish could be best enjoyed in the monsoon season. When you are home locked due to heavy rain,  have a plate full of luscious Lithi Chokha and enjoy having it while sitting back and cherishing the weather . 

Ingredients

Below is the list of ingredients that you need to have handy before you start preparation of Lithi Chokha. Most of the ingredients would easily be available in a local kirana shop, or you can simply go to online grocery stores like Grofers, Nature’s Basket or Big Basket to get them.

  • Sattu ½ cup
  • Knead a whole wheat flour 3 cups
  • Ginger finely chopped 1 teaspoon
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • Green chillies finely chopped
  • Onion seeds (Kalonji) ¼ teaspoon
  • Carom seeds (ajwain) ½ teaspoon
  • Fresh coriander leaves chopped 1 tablespoon
  • Red chilli pickle masala 2 teaspoon
  • Mustard oil 1 teaspoon
  • Salt to taste
  • Ghee to serve

Preparation

Once the ingredients are ready, follow this step by step process to make delicious Lithi Chokha at home. The average preparation time should be between 40 minutes to an hour.

Step 1- The Dough

  • Mix the Sattu, whole wheat flour, ghee and salt
  • Add appropriate amount of water to knead the dough
  • The consistency of the dough needs to be harder than a regular roti dough
  • Divide the dough into 10 equal parts

Step 2- The Stuffing

  • Using very less amount of water, mix all the ingredients in a bowl (sattu, onion, ginger, green chillies)
  • After the first mix, add the rest ingredients and mix well. (carom seeds, onion seeds, salt, coriander leaves, red chilli pickle masala, mustard oil and 2-3 tablespoon of water)
  • Make sure the mixture is powdery but damp (not too dry or too wet)

Step 3- The Lithi

  • Take one piece of dough and make it into a ball
  • Hold the dough ball in your palm and press it with your thumb to create a depression in the center
  • Now fill generous amount of mixture into the center of the dough
  • Close the edges of the dough so that it is sealed completely and make it a round ball
  • Seal the dough properly so that the stuffing does not come out
  • Make 10 small lithi balls
  • Now you can roast these balls in different medium
  • If like to get the earthy feeling and want to go traditional then you can use cow dung cake or charcoal fire.
  • But being in cities it is difficult to get the authentic aroma
  • So you can grill the balls
  • Put the lithi balls in the pre-heated oven for around 20 to 25 minutes
  • Don’t forget to turn the lithi on time to time otherwise, the lithi will not become crispy
  • You can also grill the lithi halfway and then fry it in a pan with ghee for extra crispness
  • Once the lithi is roasted properly, take out the lithi and apply little pressure until it gets open

Step 4- The Serving

  • Now dip each lithi into ghee and make sure the stuffing has also ghee on it
  • Place it on the plate and pour generous amount of hot ghee over it and serve it with the chokha
  • If you want you can also garnish it with coriander leaves

Final Words

Follow the above steps and you’ll be just minutes away from an irresistible cuisine. You can even watch the video regarding the same and quell any doubt that you may have related to the cooking process.And if you are a lazy bone, you can order it online. There are many online sites like Zomato, Foodpanda, Swiggy and Faasos from where you can order this dish and relish it. However, order it from Faasos, using Faasos coupons, and avail 100% cashback up to Rs 150 on your order.

Go back to your childhood memories and dig into the flavours of Lithi Chokha. This traditional food fits into all type of occasion and seasons, whether it be Rakhi, or Diwali, enjoy having it with your family. See more tips here.

 

What Makes Lebanese Food So Good

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Lebanon is a beautiful country located along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean ocean, bordering Syria to the north and east, and Israel to the south. This historic geographic location has a rich culture that dates back thousands of years to the dawn of civilization. This country is very small at only 10,400 square kilometers, or roughly 1/6th the size of Tasmania. Since this is such a small country it has been controlled by dominant empires for hundreds of years and incorporating each of these cultures into their cuisine.

Roughly 30 percent of the country can produce crops, so the Lebanese people are heavily dependent on other countries resources to make their delicious cuisine. The country primarily produces potatoes, tomatoes, and cucumbers so fresh vegetables are the cornerstone of a Lebanese meal. To fully understand what makes Lebanese cuisine so distinctly delicious you must understand the rich history of the region and how this has affected their cuisine.

The rich history of Lebanon dates to 8,000 BC when the first people began to settle in the area. The ancient city of Byblos in Lebanon, is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world, with the first people settling in 5,000 BC. During the last 6,000 years, Lebanon has been ruled by Phoenicians, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, Arab rulers, Ottomans, and the French before becoming a sovereign nation in 1943. These empires have contributed greatly to the culture of the Lebanon. The people have adopted spices, fruits, vegetables, bread, and nearly everything in the kitchen from these various empires. In addition to the ruling empires, this coastal country was also one of the major trading posts for travelers along the ancient silk road. This kept the citizens of this historic region constantly stocked with the best ingredients from all over the world.

Now that you have learned about the rich culture of the region and the ingredients that make these meals mouthwatering, you can practice cooking the traditional Lebanese salad, Tabbouleh.

Ingredients
• 1/2 cup of bulgur wheat, extra fine
• 4 fresh Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 English cucumber, finely diced
• 15 fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
• 2 bunches of parsley, cut fine
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced
• Juice of one lemon, or lime if you prefer
• ¼ cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Served with Romaine lettuce if you like

Cooking Instructions
1. Wash the bulgur wheat and then soak it in warm water for 5-7 minutes. Remove from water and squeeze out as much excess water as possible. Set aside to dry while you prepare the rest of the meal.
2. Chop and slice vegetables as indicated above. Store tomatoes in a colander so the excess juice can drain.
3. Add vegetables and bulgur to mixing bowl and gentle mix by hand. Add salt as needed.
4. Add lemon juice and olive oil and continue to mix.
5. Refrigerate for 30 minutes and serve wrapped in lettuce leaves, or with pita bread depending on your preference.