Since a long i wanted to make some spiced chutney with fruits especially with apples, yesterday i got an opportunity to try out some spiced apple chutney with golden apples cooked with cinnamon powder,dry ginger powder and ground cloves..This spiced apple chutney will get ready within 30minutes in microwave oven and this spiced apple chutney tastes fabulous with any sort of meats or with grilled bread toasts..For my surprise, even my H loved it and he enjoyed having with toasted bread slices..We loved it, obviously this spiced apple chutney goes directly to CMT-Chutney hosted by Jagruti..



2cups Golden apples (peeled & grated finely)
1/2tsp Cinnamon powder
1/4tsp Ginger powder
2pinches Cloves powder
Salt
1/4cup Sugar

Take the grated apples, cinnamon powder, ginger powder, cloves powder, salt and sugar in a microwave safe bowl, mix everything well and cook for 30minutes in high (stir twice or thrice in between)..Pour this spiced apple chutney in a sterlised jars and enjoy with meats and bread slices..

Personally i felt that making halwas or pedas through microwave oven was quite easy and quick also it doesnt take ur precious time and no need of stirring or sauting continously when compared while cooking them on stove top..I prepared this easy breezy apple halwa last week to celebrate our wedding anniversary and enjoyed having this delicious halwa with briyani and shahi paneer..We had a simple at the same time pretty much elegant lunch to celebrate our wedding anniversary..I prepared this halwa using red apples along with a golden apple, both together works out prefectly as halwa,i used orange food colour to give a beautiful colour to this halwa as i didnt like the original colour, its not an obligation to use food colour, u can completely skip that part if u dont like food colour in ur halwa..Sending this droolworthy halwa to MEC-Fruits guest hosted by Nivi, event by Srivalli..



2nos Red apples
1no Golden apple
1/2cup Sugar
1/4cup Milk powder
1tsp Cardamom powder
1tbsp Ghee
A pinch of Orange food colour
Few Almond flakes

Peel and core the apples and grate them..Squeeze out the juice and mix the sugar and milk powder to the grated apples in a microwave safe bowl..cook in microwave oven for 20minutes in high (stir twice in between)..Now add the cardamom powder, food colour,ghee to the almost cooked apple halwa and cook again for 10minutes until the ghee get separates (stir in between)..

Springle the almond flakes, give a stir and enjoy warm..

Am tried making out jam through microwave oven for the first time, for my surprise they turned out really tremendous and we enjoyed having these glossy and delicious plum jam with toasted bread for our breakfast and along with pancakes for our snacks..We loved this glossy plum jam and this jam takes out less than 40minutes in microwave to get ready and this jam tastes fantastic, even i dont believe my eyes when i saw this glossy plum jam..Within three days, we already finished half of the bottle, hope u would have guess how tasty this jam was...Sending this eye catching plum jam to MEC-Fruits guest by Nivi, event by Srivalli...



2cups Plum(without skin and seed)
1cup Sugar
1tbsp Lemon juice

Chop roughly the plums..Take the chopped plums, sugar in a microwave safe bowl and cook in high for 30minutes (stir twice in between)..now add the lemon juice and cook again for 10minutes until the jam turns glossy but bit watery..

Keep aside and let them get cool completely..fill the jam in a sterile bottles and enjoy with toasted bread or either pancakes..

Weekend went really very fast, i was bit busy with shopping and cooking, visiting friends and all...Saturday we had a small dinner at our friend's home, i prepared this quick and delicious watermelon kheer simply with thick coconut milk, sugar, cardamom powder and served chilled along with watermelon chunks and everyone loved it much, this kheer is really quick to get ready and when they served chilled none will say no once they tastes this kheer..This kheer is quite an easy way to finish watermelon chunks if they arent that much sweet, yeah the watermelon we bought from our farmer's market wasnt that much sweet this time, so i simply prepared this kheer with sweetened coconut milk to finish those watermelon chunks also i prepared this easy breezy kheer in microwave oven since the cooking time doesnt go for long process..Sending this droolworthy kheer to MEC-Fruits guest hosted by Nivi, event by Srivalli and finally to Neha's Kid's Menu..



3cups Thick coconut milk
3/4cup Sugar
1tsp Cardamom powder
2cups Watermelon chunks
Few saffron strands

Combine the coconut milk, sugar,cardamom powder in a microwave safe bowl, heat them in microwave oven for 5-7minutes(stir in between), finally add the saffron strands..Let them cool, now add the watermelon chunks, stir them well and arrange them fridge..

Serve them chilled..

Turkish Apple tea was introduced to the local markets especially for tourists few years ago, this tea have nothing when compared to the traditional Turkish Black tea, this tea is caffeine free, slightly sweetened with mild apple flavour..I found this apple tea here and Binnur, the author of Turkish Cook Book says that Apple tea speeds up metabolism increases the amount of urine, as this tea is prepared by boiling apples and oranges with its skins, the orange skins have citric acid and this citric acid helps for losing weight and the mineral salts found in this apple tea acts as urine remover and blood cleaner..Apple tea also strengthens both the heart and stomach, this apple tea get ready easily and this tea goes for simple ingredients..Sending this apple tea to AWED-Turkey guest hosted by Saveur, event by DK..



2nos Red apples
1no Orange
1no Cinnamon stick
2nos Whole cloves
4cups Water
Honey as per need

Dont peel the apples and dont remove the seeds, just slice them as 4pieces, dont peel the orange and slice them as 4pieces..Take the sliced fruits, cinnamon stick, cloves and water in a saucepan, bring everything to boil, put the flame in simmer and cook until the fruits get cooked..Strain the cooked water in a bowl by pushing gently the cooked fruits with a back of spoon to remove the liquid completely..

Pour in tea glasses and add honey as per ur need..Enjoy the warm apple tea..

My cooking experience with watermelon white rinds finally ended to a sweet kheer, i simply prepared this delicious kheer by pressure cooking watermelon rinds with sugar and carrot puree cooked along with sago pearls..Am very proud to say that this kheer is one of my invention and am very happy that this kheer turned out very fantastic and delicious..One more new kheer gonna be prepared often in my kitchen...Can you believe it that this kheer is prepared within few minutes?? yea they hardly need very less time and the cooking process doesnt need long hours to prepare and i enjoyed making and having this droolworthy kheer..Sending this yummy kheer to CWS-Sago guest hosted by Niloufer..



1cup Watermelon white rinds (finely chopped)
2nos Carrots( pressure cooked & pureed)
1/2cup Sago
1cup Sugar
2cups Milk
1tsp Cardamom powder
Few almond flakes

Pressure cook the chopped watermelons and half a cup of sugar for 3hisses, meanwhile cook the sago in enough water until they turn transculent, add the pureed carrots, milk, remaining sugar, cook everything in simmer until the sugar get dissolved, finally add the cooked watermelon rinds along with cardamom powder..cook everything again for few minutes..Put off the stove..

Serve topped almond flakes...

I really enjoy making this cobbler recipe because its made with fresh (not canned) peaches.

Fresh Peach Cobbler Recipe

3 cups fresh sliced peaches
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable shortening
3 tablespoons cold milk
1 egg, well beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. You will need to use a 2 quart glass baking dish to make this recipe.

Place fresh sliced peaches in the bottom of your baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine the 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour and the 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon until they are combined. Pour this mixture on top of the sliced peaches. Dot the 2 tablespoons butter on top.

Re-using the same bowl, combine the 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and the 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir in the 1/3 cup shortening, 3 tablespoons milk and the well beaten egg until all ingredients are well combined. Place this mixture on top of the other ingredients in your baking dish.

Bake in a preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until done.

When summer is around, we guys couldnt stop buying watermelons, once they get finished either me or my H will definitely get them from the nearby chinese store, where we get tiny but very sweet seedless watermelons, after having the sweet watermelon chunks, immediately my H will cut the leftover white rinds and arrange in a plastic box so that i can cook them whenever i need to make something with those white rinds..I have prepared gravies and halwa with those white rinds of watermelon but this time here comes a roti which i saw in Usha's Veg Inspirations and immediately i wanted to try them, i prepared this rotis two days back and served with mixed veggies kurma for our dinner, this roti was really amazing, tasty, healthy at the same time none at home found out the secret ingredient i used in this rotis, when i told that i used some finely grated watermelon white rind in this rotis, they were surprised and enjoyed having this roti...Thanks to Usha for sharing this healthy roti and its gonna be often present in our menu...I followed the same process as Usha went for making this rotis, eventhough i have added few ajwain seeds to give more flavour to this beautiful rotis.



3cups Wheat flour
1cup Watermelon white rinds (finely grated)
1/2cup Carrot (grated)
1tsp Red chilli powder
1tsp Cumin powder
1/2tsp Coriander powder
1/2tsp Cumin seeds
1/2tsp Ajwain seeds
Salt

In a large bowl, add the wheat flour, chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder,cumin seeds and ajwain seeds and mix well, add the grated watermelon rinds and grated carrots, mix well into the dough and knead with enough water (if needed) as a smooth, stiff and non sticky dough..Let them sit for few minutes..makes medium sized balls with the dough and roll as circles..

Heat a tawa, once its hot, gently drop the rolled circles and drizzle few drops of oil, cook on both sides until they get cooked...Serve immediately with any sort of side dishes...

While its too hot, everyone at home love to have ice creams or else sorbets, two days back while its was too hot here i prepared this simple, creamy and delicious pops using kiwi fruits, thick cream along with agave syrup..This pops is really very quick to prepare also easy at the same time, its quite quick to prepare and after few hours, these pops are ready to relish..With few ingredients, an easy breezy delicious pops get ready to enjoy anytime, even a small kid with an adult's help can make out this pops very easily...Needless to say everyone at home enjoyed having this pops and its one of the easiest way to feed picky eaters who ever never like kiwi fruits in their diet as kiwi have numerous health benefits and they are extremely healthy..



2cups Kiwi chunks
3tbsp Double cream or fat free cream
Agave syrup or sugar as per need

Blend everything as a smooth paste, dont add water..pour this puree in popsicle moulds, kulfi moulds or plastic cups and arrange them in freeze..When the pops get partially firm, insert a popsicle stick in the middle of these pops and arrange in freezer until they get completely frozen..

After a better bitter chutney, here comes my recent favourite granita with pineapple chunks, most of us would have know that granita is low caloric refreshing frozen dessert, its usually prepared with fresh fruits, lemon juice and sugar and its really very easy to prepare, also its doesnt need any ice cream maker, whenever i feel like having this low caloric dessert i do them with any sort of fruits...I prepared this pineapple granita before two days and its suits prefectly for our today's lunch dessert as it was too hot here..Fantastic granita to enjoy without any guilt and am sending this granita to Yasmeen's Tropical Temptations..



3cups Pineapple chunks(chopped)
1/2cup Sugar
2tbsp Lemon juice
1/2cup Water

Barley water is a drink made from cooked barley grain or it can be made with barley flour. If made with grain barley, water is added and boiled then slowly simmered until the grain is very soft then finished in a number of ways. There are recipes that call for the water to be strained after reducing the liquid, after letting the mixture stand for several hours to allow the barley to really soften or strain as soon as the liquid is cooled. Recipes that call for barley flour call for a quick boil or simmer then straining..Lemon, lime and orange are all popular flavorings to add to the cooked barley water. If using a citrus juice, fresh squeezed lemon, lime or orange juice is added after straining and then sweetened. If using citrus zest, the citrus rind white pith removed is added to the mixture as it is being simmered. Spices such as cinnamon or ginger can also be used to flavor barley water. Sugar,maple syrup or honey are generally used as sweeteners.

These sort of flavoured barley water can be served and enjoyed anytime of the year and its most often prepared and drunk during the summer as a refreshing chilled drink, i prepared this simple and healthy barley drink with orange rinds and orange juice and we enjoyed having them, definitely a refreshing drink to enjoy without any guilt.



1/2cup Pearl barley
6cups Water
1tbsp Orange rinds
1no Orange (sliced)
1cup Fresh orange juice
Maple syrup or sugar as per need

Take pearl barley and water in a large sauce pan, bring to the full boil and then reduce the flame to simmer..add the orange rinds to the cooking barley, cover the pan and cook for 45minutes or either u can use a pressure cooker and cook the barley for 3hisses along with water and orange rinds..put off the stove, strain the water..now add the sugar or maple syrup as per ur need and add the sliced orange pieces, cool down the water, finally add the fresh orange juice and serve chilled or with ice cubes...

This barley orangeade can be conserved for three to four days in refrigerator, stir well before serving..

Summer is here, its kinda hot since two days and its seems that hot sun will go for a round during this weekend while the rain darling will visit us..Yesterday while going through my freezer, i got a box full of strawberries i have freezed where sitting and i immediately prepared this simple but yet a guilt free pops using greek yogurts, maple syrup instead of sugar and frozen strawberries,u can also use honey or sugar in case if u dont have maple sryup.. These pops are completely a quick, easy, delicious, refreshing dessert which doesnt need to be cooked..Yes its a no cook pops get ready within few minutes, a fabulous pops to enjoy when its hot outside..We loved it and its quite a simple dessert to prepare easily anytime..



2cups Strawberries (chopped finely)
Maple syrup as per need
2cups Greek yogurt
1tbsp Lemon juice

Take the greek yogurt, lemon juice, strawberries, maple sryup in a blender and blend until they turn as a smooth puree, pour this puree in a popsicle moulds, kulfi moulds or plastic cups and arrange them in freeze..When the pops get partially firm, insert a popsicle stick in the middle of these pops and arrange in freezer until they get completely frozen..

Run warm water over the plastic cups or popsicle moulds to remove the pops before serving..

Are you guys used to trash  the mango peels after having some sweet mango flesh??? after seeing this lassi am damn sure that u rnt going to do this anymore, yep i prepared this lassi by using those mango peels which my family doesnt like  and we usually trash those peels whenever we enjoy some sweet mangoes..This time once i peeled those peels , i kept aside for making out some lassis, finally i prepared this delicious lassi with few mint leaves, both together works out wonder and this lassi tastes fabulous, the mild mint flavour doesnt dominate the mango flavour, also i prepared them simply with maple syrup, pepper powder and salt, yes this lassi wasnt either salt version or sweet version, its tastes tremendous... definitely a thirsty quencher which suits  prefectly for hot summer days..



2cups Sweet Mango Peels (chopped)
2cups Yogurt
1/2cup Milk
5nos Mint leaves
Maple syrup
Pepper powder
Salt

Blend the sweet mango peels with milk with pepper powder and salt, strain this blended juice..Blend again this strained juice along with yogurt, maple syrup and mint leaves and serve chilled or with ice cubes..

Enjoy !!!

This is a great recipe to make all year long but makes a fantastic dessert in the fall and holiday seasons. It does take some time to make but is well worth your effort and time.

Apple Cranberry Cobbler

6 med. apples (peeled, cored and thinly sliced)
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup orange juice
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tbsp. flour, divided
1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place apples and cranberries in a large rectangular baking dish. Drizzle orange juice over the fruit. Combine brown sugar, 2 Tbsp. flour, cinnamon and cloves in a small bowl. Pour over apple mixture; toss to coat. Combine remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar and baking powder in medium bowl. Add egg, milk and butter; stir to blend. Drop tablespoonfuls over top of the apple mixture. Sprinkle remaining 1 teaspoon granulated sugar over topping. Bake for 35 minutes or until topping is lightly browned and apples are tender. Cool slightly in pan on a wire rack.

This is a super easy recipe that you can use with fresh fruit or fresh vegetables as a dip. We also like it with crackers and the recipe is from the Taste of Tupperware Volume 2 recipe book.

Aloha Pineapple Fruit Dip

1 (8 ounce) pkg. cream cheese, softened
3 tbsp. confectioner's powdered sugar
1/2 cup canned pineapple, drained

In the Tupperware Thatsa Bowl, mix together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in the pineapple and chill until serving time. This dip will become firm once chilled, serve in a bowl or form into a ball.

During the spring and summer months we eat a lot of fresh strawberries and one of the things we like with our strawberries is homemade Strawberry Shortcake. This recipe was given to me several years ago by a friend who grows strawberries on her farm so every year we purchase our fresh strawberries from her. It does take some time to make but your efforts are well rewarded with a delicious tasting home dessert!

Strawberry Shortcakes Recipe

Shortcakes:

2 1/4 cups flour
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 large egg, well beaten
3/4 cup of milk

Filling:

1 quart strawberries, hulled and sliced
granulated sugar - to taste
1 cup whipping cream, whipped stiff

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening until flour is blended to form pea-sized balls. Using your hands, make a well in the center of the dough. Combine eggs and milk in a small bowl. Pour egg mixture into the well. Stir with fork for 30 strokes.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured dough board. Roll dough 1/2" thick. Cut with floured 4" biscuit cutter. Place 2" apart onto a baking sheet lined with the Tupperware non-stick silicone mat. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool. Cut open with a bread knife and set aside.

For the filling, combine the strawberries and sugar. Spoon over bottom halves of the shortcake. Top with whipped cream and a shortcake top. Makes 6 servings.

During the Summertime, I like to make cold beverages using Watermelon. Here are a few of my family's favorite beverage recipes.

Watermelon Punch

6 c. watermelon juice
2 c. pineapple juice
1 (12 oz) can frozen raspberry flavored juice
1 (6 oz) can frozen orange juice concentrate
1/4 c. lemon juice

In a large bowl, blend all of the above ingredients. Chill for 2 hours. Makes 14 (3/4 cup) servings.

Watermelon Smoothie

2 c. seeded watermelon chunks
1 c. crushed or cracked ice
1/2 c. plain yogurt
1 to 2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/8 tsp. almond extract

Whip ingredients together in blend until smooth. Serve immediately. Makes 2-3 servings.

Watermelon Frappe

1/2 large watermelon
36 ozs. Ginger Ale
1 (12 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
Lime & Lemon Slices (fresh & sliced)

Remove seeds and rinds from watermelon. Cut melon into chunks. Combine melon, limeade and ginger ale in blender. Freeze for several hours. Thaw partially to serve. Spoon into tall glasses and garnish with lime or lemon slices. Makes 1 gallon.

Watermelon Guava Smoothie

1 1/2 cups watermelons
1 cup guava juice or guava nectar
1-2 cup ice

Mix the above ingredients together in your blender and blend until smooth. Serve in chilled glasses.


http://my.tupperware.com/Ravish30

Have you ever thought of making spiced lassi with avocado, but i did and finally i have accomplished by making spiced avocado lassi with mint leaves..This green lassi is quite a thirsty quencher suits prefectly for hot sunny days..I have never tried out lassi with avocado before, so before preparing this gorgeous green lassi i was quite anxious about the taste, but truly with mint, pepper powder, lemon juice and chaat masala this lassi tastes very refreshing and tasty..I was quite happy to see that everyone at home enjoyed having this minty avocado lassi....



1no Avocado
2cups Yogurt
5nos Mint leaves
1/4cup Milk
1tsp Lemon juice
Pepper powder as per need
2pinches Chaat masala
Salt

Scoop out the flesh from the avocado and blend as smooth lassi with yogurt, mint leaves, lemon juice, salt and milk..finally add the pepper powder, chaat masala, give a stir and serve immediately with ice cubes..

Who will say no when u r served with love by ur better half even with a simple salad, definitely not me..Coz my better half is quite a busyman with loads of work and its very rare to catch him often especially during week days, yesterday after a long month of work, he got enough time to spend his precious time with us and prepare this simple salad for us with loads of love, even this salad is simple i wanted to share along with u all coz am so proud of him also simple but yet a delicious salad to enjoy without any guilt as my H prepared with maple syrup and some nuts with loads of strawberries and pineapple chunks..We enjoyed this salad for our dessert...



1cup Strawberries (chopped)
1cup Pineapple chunks
Maple syrup as per need
Few almond flakes

Take everything in a bowl, mix well and serve chilled...

In the earlier post i have told that my DH surprised me sterday with a glass of healthy, delicious and refreshing smoothie for my breakfast, here is that gorgeous smoothie which he prepared for me and he took the pic since am pestering him to make out something specially for me for Priti's event..I have bought a bag of frozen raspberries long back and i told my hubby that am gonna make some shake with oats for a sunday breakfast quite a long back, seems he got hooked with my idea of making of smoothies with raspberries and oats and finally he prepared sterday for our breakfast which he served me specially..Am so proud of him and this smoothie is an excellent breakfast smoothie, definitely a best and better booster to start a day also suits prefectly to beat the heat..



1cup Raspberries (frozen)
2tbsp Quick Cooking Oats
1cup Yogurt
1/2cup Milk
Honey or Maple syrup as per need

Blend together the frozen raspberries, oats, yogurt, milk and honey or maple syrup per need as thick smoothie, serve immediately with ice cubes or chilled..

My H topped the smoothie with oats and garnished with a strawberry..So cute na!!