Shun the Money plant myth!!

Let's face it...we live in a country where myths and superstitions are more revered and fondly followed than facts and truths...I have been in a habit since childhood to ignore any superstition and to oppose any superstitions anyone tell me including if told by my parents.

Relying on science and truth rather than " it seems, if you do this.....so and so will happen" has always been my way.

One such blind belief I heard recently - ' If u want money plant cuttings from anyone's plant, you cannot ask for it! Instead you can cut it yourself without them knowing and take it!!'

Just to be clear- The plant is called 'Money plant' for the following reasons-
1) It is a very very very good purifier of air and the water it grows in. Hence is so Soo valuable/precious just like money , that it's good if everyone has it at their place. It is told ' it is good to have no ey plant at home' for this very reason.
2) people call it money plant...so that everyone will assume it is good( namesake) and grow it everywhere because of it purifying property.

So please remove the blind belief that if someone is asking for cuttings, then money from your home will become less. If that's the matter then we can surely distribute money plants to all poor people.

So kindly shun the superstitions and  always question " if you do this, this will happen statements! " Enlighten everyone around you with the truth...

DIY Diwali Lantern

Achooo....Achoo.....Chooooooooo......

Oops Sorry for that.

Oh No, its not the runny nose bcoz of the current bangalore weather. It's just that I was dusting the long unused space here in my blog which gave me the sneeze :)Too many cobwebs here!

Home is where the Heart is! 

Whats more fun than celebrating Diwali at home. The lights, the food, the laughter, the decorations, the people around, the family..it's the spirit and love that's enchanting about this festival.

This diwali I tried making a lantern at home. I used things lying around at home. 

Thermocol, crepe sheets, fancy silver sheets, stationary such as glue, scissors etc.

How I Made them are explained in the pictures below.

I had saved the thermocols from a package earlier and I now used them 

as a top hanger.

I then made holes 4 sides and run a string through 

it to use it as a hanger . Also a big hole is made in the centre to suspend lights inside.

I then took thick sheets of paper or thin sheet of cardboard which can bend you could say. Made 8 1" strips and stuck 2 each side and then stapled it all in a form of square

After that I used crepe papers to cover the lantern.

Last step is to stick crepe ribbons to hang down from the lantern.

And then hanged it. Lights could be suspended inside.

Hope you had a fab Diwali! And make them next time.
Watch this space for more such DIY's.

Paneer & Cabbage Stuffed Eggplant Rolls in Tomato Gravy

Do you like your carrots??

Well I like them..but my son has a different take on it. The other day he saw them in his dinner. He asked me, " Mommy, Why you want carrots?"

I said, "Carrots are good for health, You will become strong, you should eat them"

for which he promtly required, "Mommy..I am not a Rabbit".

He has his sweet innocent reasons for everything. 

The other day his friend pushed him. He came back complaining to me. So I told him that he also needs to push them if this continues and only then his friend will stop it eventually. He can't be quiet all the time. To which he replied, "Mommy, I am not *(his friends name)* to push and hit. I cannot do it. It's bad to hit ".

Wow..So I realized that my 5 year old son is growing big to have an opinion of his own. Awesome!! I love his attitude.So even kids do have a mind and opinion of their own.

Coming to this recipe you are about to read.  This recipe came up all of a sudden, I had this idea and thought why not try it. So I took out my camera and went clicking. It went out much without too much planning. I used just the ingredients what I had at that moment and it turned out well. So here it goes.

Ingredients:(for 2)

For the Roll:

1 medium sized eggplant

1/2 cup crumbled fresh paneer

1/2 cup shredded cabbage

Chopped cilantro

Red chilli powder to taste

Garam Masala powder - 1 tsp

Coriander powder- 1 tsp

Salt and a pinch of sugar

For the Gravy:

In Blender:

[ 5 medium sized tomatoes

1 Carrot

10 roasted Pistachios

2 cloves

1 cardamom

1 inch ginger

few garlic pods

2 Green Chilli    ]

Mustard Seeds - 1 Tsp

Cumin powder- 2 tsp

Dried Kasuri methi- 1 tbsp

Turmeric powder

Shredded Cheese

salt and a pinch of sugar

Procedure:

Cut the Brinjal/Eggplant vertically like almost a quarter centimeter thick. Spread salt on it and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then take each eggplant , wash it/run it under water to remove all excess salt. Wipe it with towel to remove all extra moisture,Take a pan, roast it on both sides with few drops of oil until light brown or if u have a grill pan..better use it.

Meanwhile blanch tomatoes and carrot(chop it and throw them in the same water to soften them up) and peel them.

Run the blanched tomatoes, carrots and all ingredients mentioned under gravy in a blender into a fine paste.

Take a pan, pour some oil/butter. When hot , add mustard seeds, fine paste, Turmeric powder, Cumin powder, salt, pinch of sugar.(Add a little red chilli powder if it's less spicy). Add some water, let it cook for 5 to 8 mins on medium heat. In the end add crushed Kasuri methi.[Note: You could pour some fresh cream in the end for a richer taste]

The Filling:

Mix all ingredients under filling and keep aside...

Take an oven safe dish and grease it. 

Take a small portion of filling in place it on the eggplant and roll it.  

Place all eggplant rolls in the oven safe dish, pour some gravy enough to cover it and place it in a preheated oven at 200 degrees C for ten mins. 

 After 8 minutes, remove pan sprinkle shredded cheese of your choice(I used Amul processed Cheese). Put it back on oven for a couple more minutes.

Serve it with Jeera rice , use more gravy if required. hmmmm...DIVINE!

Enjoy your Dish.