Tuesday 29 March 2016

Moong Dal Halwa: A Rich Dish That Most Is Perfect For Festive Occasions

Indian sweets and desserts are popular all over the world and some traditional recipes are so delicious that no one can ever refuse. Halwa is a popular dish that can be made from different ingredients that include cereals, vegetables, and fruits and is usually prepared with lots of ghee, khoya, dry fruits which impart a beautiful taste and flavor to the dish. Halwa is also prepared on festive occasions like marriage party, holi, Diwali and etc. 
 
Moong Dal Halwa

Moong dal halwa is a traditional recipe from the Rajasthan kitchen and is mostly prepared during the winter months as it keeps the body warm and protects it from cold. This dessert is also prepared during celebrations. The cooking process takes a lot of time and patience, but the final result is worth the effort put into it. 

Moong dal halwa recipe is a rich, creamy dessert that is prepared from split yellow moong dal and is divine in taste. I have seen my grandmother prepare it by soaking the dal and removing the skin from it by washing it several times and then manually grinding it as we didn’t have a mixer grinder during that time. The mawa and khoya added to the halwa gave it a rich texture and the strong aroma of the roasted dal would make my mouth watery. 

Here in this blog, I will share with you the moong dal halwa recipe so that you too can enjoy the rich aroma and taste that the dish offers. 

  • Wash three cups of yellow moong dal and remove the dirt in it. Soak the dal for 4-5 hours and you will see that the dal will swell up. Drain the extra water and rinse the dal once again. 
  •  Now grind the dal in a mixer into a fine paste without adding any water. The paste should be very fine in texture and you can check this by rubbing it between the fingers. 
  • Heat 1.5 cups of ghee in a heavy bottomed pan and add the dal paste and start sautéing. As soon as you mix the dal mixture, it will soak the ghee and a thick ball of dough will be prepared. 
  • Add grated khoya to it and keep stirring and you will soon notice the color of the dish changing from light yellow to brown color. 
  • After it is roasted, add saffron and mix. Add a little bit of cream, cardamom powder and sugar till it blends well with the ghee and starts to leave the sides of the pan. 
  • Your moong dal halwa is ready to be served. Garnish it with chopped almonds and serve.

Monday 21 March 2016

Appear Sophisticated and Beautiful With Indian Hairstyles for Saree

Saree is the most ravishing attire that can be worn by all women in terms of fabrics, colors, designs and patterns. It is suitable for different purposes like special celebrations, business look, events and many more. 

To make yourself appear attractive, you have chosen your special saree, lipstick, blushes, nail paint and also other glittering accessories. It is sure that you will look special with all these, but it is equally important to choose a perfect hairstyle for the saree that you are wearing. Since your hair is the crown and it can greatly enhance your overall appearance and speak a lot about your image and personality, you should select a beautiful hairstyle that suits the particular occasion along with the saree that you plan to wear. 

Soft curls or wavy hair: This simple hairstyle for saree looks really gorgeous and it will definitely make you look elegant and beautiful. The curls can be side swept over your left shoulder or simply left on both sides. This style complements the face of every woman and can make you appear like a celebrity. 

Updos: If you are planning to go to a wedding party, then it is vital to get a proper hairstyle done. Though there are several varieties, an updo style works really well with any designer saree. Women who are above the age of 35 years can try this as it reflects a more matured and beautiful look. Along with the updo, you can create a front puff, which will add a retro style queen look. 

Braided hairstyles: This is a popular Indian hair style and is a common sight of many women. If you have thick, long hair, then this will give a very casual yet attractive look to your hair. There are usually two common types of braided styles, French braid and the Dutch braid that can be worn with a saree. If you plan to follow this design, then do not forget to decorate your braid with jasmine flowers, roses or even some hair accessories. 

Half bun with curls: If you are preparing to attend any traditional occasion like a Puja, then this style is perfect for a white saree with a gorgeous border. The half curls looks absolutely extraordinary with a traditional dress and will make you appear elegant on the occasion. 

Front twist with back bun: This is another simple hairstyle for saree that has a twist on either sides of your hair and this can also be made very easily. Make a bun at the back by giving it a modern touch. This is perfect if you are attending an anniversary party or going to attend an official meeting. You can impress everyone by wearing a traditional silk or cotton saree. 

Bee hive design: If you are dressing up for your own wedding, then the bee hive style will make you appear stunning and offer a contemporary look. The style is not only gorgeous, but it will also draw the attention of the guests of the occasion. Add some stone studded jewelry to your hair for an enhanced look.  

Sunday 13 March 2016

Dahi Vada Recipe: The Most Liked Holi Special Snack Item

The popular street food chaat is always welcomed in every Indian family. Available in a wide variety, this yummy and spicy dish is an all-time favorite. Whether it is your Holi celebration or a party at home, you can easily prepare different chaat recipes for your guests. 

Dahi Vada

The beautiful combination of colors and the tempting flavor are simply very difficult to avoid. But why is it that every time you have to wait for the weekends to visit your favorite chaat parlour? Today, I will help you to prepare dahi vada recipe at home so that you can enjoy the gorgeous dish topped with chutneys and spices any time you want. 

How to make Dahi vada recipe? 
  • First, we will prepare the batter for the soft vadas. Soak a cup of urad dal overnight and when it becomes double the size after soaking, drain out the excess water from the dal. 
  • Now grind them to make a batter. You can use a little water according to the quantity of the dal, but do not make the batter too watery. It should have a thick consistency and the batter should be smooth without any broken pieces of dal. 
  • Add crushed ginger, chilli and salt to the batter and beat the batter till it becomes soft and fluffy. 
  • Now, heat oil in a frying pan and when the oil is hot, take a medium lemon sized portion of the batter and gently drop into the oil. Prepare 5-6 portions at a time and fry them till golden brown in color and crispy. Remove from oil and transfer into a bowl containing lukewarm water. 
  • Make more dahi vadas from the remaining batter. Squeeze the vadas gently to remove the excess water and transfer them to a plate. 
  • Now, beat the curd with a little sugar and salt till smooth and pour a generous amount of the beaten curd over the soaked vadas till they are fully covered. 
  • Garnish it with two teaspoons of sweet chutney, roasted cumin powder, red chilli powder and black pepper powder; you can also add some green chutney for extra flavor. 

This recipe of dahi vada should be served chilled for better taste. You can beat the curd in advance and keep it in the refrigerator to chill. This tasty and yummy dish can easily be served as a side dish in lunch or dinner or it can also be served as a party snack item or an evening chaat.

Thursday 3 March 2016

Positive Parenting Tips that Strengthens Relationship with Child

Once your infant grows into a walking and talking toddler who keeps all of you enchanted with his smiles and drives you crazy with his naughtiness, it becomes really difficult to handle him unless you set up a strategy listing positive parenting tips. Toddlers can be managed well, but only if you see things from their perspective and help them to understand various aspects of life. Parenthood is definitely a challenging task, but it becomes easier with honest communication and by teaching your children some essentials of good behavior. 

Positive parenting tips include teaching by your own actions and finding positive solutions to conflicts. Of course, all children throw tantrums or argue with parents, yet it is important for little kids to learn good behavior and witness how adults love each other and solve the differences through caring and supportive relationship. As parents, if you are more joyful and relaxed, then your kids will also mirror those sentiments and your home will remain more harmonious. It is by watching how we deal with negative emotions that our kids learn their own behavior in future. 

Where should we start? 
• No matter what age your child is, he or she always wants your full attention. As your child starts to go to school, devote more quality time to them and enjoy reading books and playing and share stories about what happened at school as this will help to effectively communicate and show your love and support. 

• Always maintain a positive relationship with your partner. Understand each other’s needs and listen to what others have to say. By following this positive parenting tip, you will help your kids understand what a good relationship is and this will be a great lesson when they grow up in future. 

• Help your kids develop emotional intelligence. Share with them the joyous moment and allow them to experience the pleasures of love, excitement and surprises. As parents, accept the fact that your child will have some difficult moments and share the sadness and acknowledge the emotion. It is also important to give your child a safe and supportive space to feel all emotions. 

• Try to find optimistic ways to explain things to your children. This positive parenting tip will help your child to easily overcome the situation when negative things happen. Do not generalize the situation, enjoy the situation when something good happens and actively support them for doing or saying positive things. Always be realistic in your reasoning and try to avoid your negative thinking patterns from influencing your decisions. 

Positive parenting always starts with a good relationship with your child, so follow the above tips to raise an emotionally intelligent and amazing child.