Shirini Kishmishi- Iranian Raisins Cookies

Again another 10th of the month and yes time for our MFB Challenge.This time it's to prepare an Iranian dish.While browsing through their cuisine I found so many rice varieties and Kebabs.And I planned to do Kebab.But suddenly we made a plan to go to India for two weeks as the children have a two weeks break for  Winter.As we didn't go to India for the Summer vacation we that time itself had in mind we'll go during winter vacation,but fixing the date took time...

Bread Dahi Vada/Instant Bread Dahi Vada

Today's recipe is something I wanted to post before the weather  completely changes to winter.Actually I wanted to post this during Ramadan.Though I made this many times during Ramadan didn’t try taking a pic of the same during that month.

Beetroot Stirfry / Beetroot Thoran

We are having a heavy rainfall,thunder and lightning from the past few days.Few weeks back also there was strong wind along with thunder and lightning when the Internet connections were lost in many parts here.Actually at that time my Hubby was also not here,he was on a trip to India.The children were a bit scared at that time asking me when would he return.I think this is to mark the starting of winter but then once the rain stops Ac's are on.

Luqaimat/Kaimati - Arabic Sweets

Back to blogging after a short break,this time the break was not from my side but my Internet connection.After a strong thunder and lightning 3-4 weeks back the Internet connection was lost in many areas here which included ours too.So had to take a break forcefully.

Fish Curry - 1st Guest Post On My Blog

Today's post is very special because it's the first guest post on my Blog.I have been thinking to start a guest post series from a long time but being busy it just didn't work.Two weeks back somebody asked me if I accepted guest posts and that she would like to contribute,so didn't think twice and happily asked her to submit.She is none other than Fareeha,a Chennai based blogger who blogs at Fa's Kitchen with a wide variety of lovely recipes.Actually she is back to blogging after a break...
So lets see what she has for us....On to her words..

Chicken Mayonnaise Sandwich

After a two months break here we are back with the MFB Challenge.And this time the theme was 'Back to school lunch box ideas'.Yes one question all moms face -what to pack for their kids box!.Even if ones child has been going to school for years daily this question arises hehe...

Tomato Pasta

Though Pasta making is considered easy but sometimes I feel its like making a Biryani.I know not all of you will agree with me.First boiling pasta,then sauteing the ingredients,then if there is an addition of any meat then frying that too..hehe. Maybe its when I think of preparing it in this form,which is usually prepared back home.But I would not say that for this tomato pasta.

Watermelon Rind & Red Cow Peas Curry/Thannimathan Vanpayar Thenga Curry

The climate is slightly changing now a days.The temperature is going low but still the afternoons are very hot.And 24 hours AC On.As long as it is hot we have Watermelon always in stock in the refrigerator.My Hubby has been addicted to this drink from the time summer had started.We rarely prepare this Milkshake and otherwise it's just cut into pieces and served.This means I have the Watermelon rind also in stock hehe...

Watermelon Rind Stir Fry

Today's recipe is a stir fry more likely you can call it as kootu curry as it has both a lentil and a veggie...a veggie ??Have I used a veggie or has the Watermelon turned veg hehe...It's actually the rind of the Watermelon used in the cooking.

Dahi Methi Chicken - (Chicken in Yogurt gravy)

Sometimes I ask myself what curry will I make for dinner,and if by chance my sound becomes a little clear for my children then their answer is loud and clear 'Chicken'.It is not at all a problem if they had Chicken the previous day or even that day afternoon.

Prawns And Capsicum Salad

This is a filling Salad and can be prepared easily with very little ingredients.If you are a Prawns fan then you can go ahead because the main ingredient is Prawns.You can find a few of my other Salads here and here.

Paneer Green Peas Coconut Curry/Creamy Paneer Matar

Mostly Thursday and Friday dinner is from outside.That is either we eat from out or buy parcel.In one of my earlier post I have mentioned about my cousin's newly opened Cafeteria and so now it's sometimes from there or BBQ from our nearby Restaurant.But there are weekends when sometimes we don't go out or I feel like finishing off some veggies which has been there in my refrigerator from long.

Masala Idli Fry (With leftover Idli)

While planning to make Idli or Dosa,the part I feel lazy is soaking the rice and dal and then the grinding process.But once that part is over I feel so happy that I don't have to break my head thinking what to make for breakfast for the next two days or for one day's breakfast and dinner hehe..

Bread Halwa

Bread Halwa is a delicious dessert which can be prepared easily.As the name suggests the main ingredient is the bread slices,which is easily available in every house.For me bread is always there in my pantry.Sometimes it gets over very quickly and other times I will have to make something different and finish it before the expiry date.

Masala Stuffed Mutta Bonda/Egg Bonda

There was a time when we used to make this snack often during Ramadan.Once at an Iftar party in my cousins house,while she was preparing a similar recipe with eggs suddenly the oil burst and from then on my mother was worried and didn't let us make these,but rarely we used to.But she didn't let us make this on our own ,she did the flipping etc and kept it covered while frying.All in whole she was extra careful while frying egg snacks...

Sweet Corn Chaat

Hello all of you!Got a little busy with Eid.There weren't much relatives to spent Eid time with as most of them were in India.Also there was no big celebrations by any groups as of the condition in Kerala now.Still we had our own guests on the following days of Eid.Within two weeks time the schools will also re-open after summer vacation,then everything will go back to routine.

Beef Biriyani - With Detailed Procedure

I have always got positive feedback for my Biriyanis,both from my relatives and guests whom I have served and even some have mentioned it in my blog after they had tried it like this and this one.

Caramel Pop Corn/ Sweet And Sticky Pop Corn

I remember when we were young once during our summer vacation in India Ummi prepared Pop corns and every one was like ''Ooh you have bought the pop corn machine eh?''They wouldn't or couldn't believe it was made on stove top in a cooking vessel.It was the time when there weren't any supermarkets nearby in our area and nobody used microwave or any such things.They didn't know about these kernels (other than Corn on the cob) nor did they know how to make this.There were a few bachelor relatives who had eaten Pop Corns but they too didn't know it could be made very easily at home.

Papaya - Avocado Salad With Vinegar-Honey Dressing

Days and weeks are just flying,already one month summer vacation is over.Two weeks back my Cousin started a Cafeteria and there was its inauguration.His elder son is Adi's age so when ever we meet in each others house they play together and are very friendly.My children know my Cousin only as Raz's Dad and not how we are all related.The maximum my children know about a relative is ,it is from their mother's side or Dad's side.Though their house is very far from ours his cafeteria is located just a signal away from our house .This two weekends our dinner was parceled from there.

Chicken Keema Matar / Chicken Mince With Green Peas

The temperature is going high day by day.As we haven't made up our mind to go to India or not,the kids are getting real bored here.Evenings they are not able to ride their bicycles as the sun shines bright till 5:30 pm and its only after that they can even think of going outside.Some mornings they go to their nearby friends house or vice versa.Then the only way is to sit inside with their electronic games,so to get rid of that we went to the National Library and got some books. It's much better now seeing them reading those.The new library is such a huge World of Books or you can say a paradise for book lovers.So planning to go there often.

Cucumber Coconut Salad

Today is the 10th of the month and yes guessed it right :) time for our July MFB Challenge.This time the theme or the ingredient to try was the humble green Cucumber,which I think is a veg loved by all age group.Children like eating it as such,even elderly people in my family back home have this but in a cooked way to make it a little soft.

Nutella Bread Pudding

A sweet dessert at the end of a meal or any time is loved by all.For my hubby,my dad and my younger sister a sweet is a must after lunch.It could be any thing like a Peanut brittle or a melt in mouth Cake or Pudding.Back home we store these in our store room pantry and after lunch when every one goes back to the sitting room,we can find my Dad and Sister going to the Storeroom.And my Umma laughing tells them it's the wrong route you'r going :)

Thalassery Mutton Biriyani

Anything cooked up with rice and meat is main meal in many parts of the world during Eid.It may vary from one country to another or from one state to another or even from one district to the other.There are dishes cooked apart from rice varieties but any meat is always included.

Oats With Dry Fruits And Nuts

Already we are in the last few days of Ramadan.And the ten days goes with the best prayers one can make expecting Lailathul Qadr. 
Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni 
(O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me)
A little about Lailathul Qadr-the Night of Power/Decree expected during the the last days mainly the odd nights is of great significance. The Holy Quran was sent down in this night. Angels descend in this night.There is a chapter in the Holy Quran mentioning about this.

Drumstick and Jackfruit Seed Curry / Muringakka Chakkakuru Curry

Yesterday we had guests for Iftar,only bachelors.There are some leftovers.So there is no cooking today and I thought I will feed my blog :) Before Ramadan started my Hubby had gone to Malaysia and on his return he came via Kerala,so I got some fresh goodies from Umma.In which there were some sweet ripe Jackfruits,both raw and ripe Mangoes and then snack items.

Chicken Pakoda

Ramadan Kareem to all !
We have reached the seventh day of fasting today just like the blinking of the eyes.Soon we will reach the 1st tenth ,then the next tenth and with another blink the last tenth.The month of Shah'ban the prayer on each Muslim's tongue was Allahumma  Ballighna Ramadan...and now on the these 1st ten days it would be seeking for His Mercy,then forgiveness and then Protection from the Hell fire...

Paalooda - Malabar Special Iftar Drink

Its the 10th of May and time for our MFB Challenge,a challenge that sometimes forces me to blog :) As the minutes to hours ,days to months and years are all just flying and so is this lovely challenge from one 10th to the next.This time the theme was ''Ramadan Food''    which was just apt for the month.
Paalooda is a semi thick sweet drink served warm during Ramadan.Just like Thari Kaachiyathu or Nombu Kanji even this is served as a warm Iftar drink.In North Malabar this is sometimes served as a welcome drink on special occasions enriched with Cashew nuts,Condensed milk and garnished with Cashew nuts,shallots and raisins fried in ghee.

Vermicelli-Coconut Burfi

After my Carrot Burfi,here I am again with a Burfi.This is a very easy to make sweet without any complication,with Vermicelli and coconut as the main ingredient.If you have Vermicelli in your pantry,and you crave for something sweet  and not a Payasam then this is a very good option.

Carrot Burfi

Few days back,for lunch we had some leftover Biriyani(It was prepared the previous day).Suddenly my hubby called me from his company at 1 pm and told his sister's husband would also be accompanying him for lunch.Actually he was planning to go to a hotel after meeting my Hubby but my H forced him to come home and also told him,the only problem was it was the previous day's biriyani.But he being a very humble and friendly person had no problem with that but his doubt was, would there be enough for every one?To which my dear Hubby replied,she has no 'kanakk'(measurement) in cooking.Now that wasn't a compliment anyway,but I had no time to reply for that ;)

Guacamole/Avocado Dip

I had some ripe Avocados,made Milkshake and with the two left I made this Guacamole.Guacamole is an Avocado dip or spread you can use for your toasts or as a spread in sandwiches or simply as a dip for your chips or snacks.

Semolina Halwa/Sooji Halwa

Another 10th and time for the MFB Challenge.This month I never thought I would participate because the whole month of March till today I have been very busy.Once the school re opened I thought I will have enough time for myself but nothing happened like that.There will be always something or the other.We had guests most of the days and then my exams on Tajweed class I attend.

Creamy Prawns Curry

Again today I am here with a side dish,a non veg curry.If you are a regular reader of this blog,I have already mentioned that our favorite sea food is Prawns.Any thing made out of it,from snacks to side dishes or rice is completely wiped off.I have already prepared snacks like this and this.And gravy types like this and a Biriyani long back.

Hummus/Chickpea Dip - Middle Eastern Dip

Days are just flying off.It's just like yesterday the school was closed after the Annual exams for two weeks and now, tomorrow it's re opening.As the climate was moderate children enjoyed playing outdoor games to the maximum.In India, my sister told me the summer vacation has started and it's time of the year when people  start Visiting Gulf or other countries.Here in Qatar now a days as the Visa is free we get to see so many families including elderly parents in Malls,parks etc.It's a lovely sight seeing them laughing and playing with their grand children :)

Arachu Vecha Kozhi Curry/ Chicken Curry (Pasted Gravy)

Today's recipe is a simple Chicken curry.The same curry which mostly every one cooks but the twist is the whole sauteed ingredients are pasted and then proceeded,which gives it all the difference.My children love chicken curry compared to fish or any veg.curries,but then too it's like they just dip and flip the rotis in the gravy and eat.

Mambazha Pulissery / Mango Pulissery

There are 2-3 Mango trees back home but a particular tree yields a lot of Mangoes.Umma says it has given a lot of raw mangoes for curries and pickles and also delicious ripe mangoes.Whenever there is plenty she gives it to our neighbours and relatives,that is every one gets these mangoes to taste every year but hardly I get to taste them.It is really hard to send it through someone because of the weight problems,and only very close relatives might take the trouble,also my Dad doesn't like troubling others with such loads.But as he comes during those six months gap (which now has turned to one year) Ummi sends whatever she could get which would be mostly raw.It's not that we don't get Mangoes here,actually we get a lot of varieties from different countries along with Indian Mangoes but something from our own garden means it elevates the love and taste somehow :)

Aloo Chapathi

How fast the time flies,from one challenge we have reached to the next 10th of the month's challenge.That reminds me just after two months its Ramadan Alhamdulillah..This time the theme was to prepare any breakfast.Though we all know how important it is to have  breakfast but its the one meal mostly skipped.I always feel there is enough time to have breakfast in India rather than compared to Doha.Specially for the school going children and working people,who have to go very early in the morning here.If children find eating things difficult early in the morning then the best part is to give them  something healthy in their tiffin.

Custard Apple Milkshake

Have you tried making Milkshakes or smoothies with Custard Apple.If it's a 'no' just because of the task of separating the seeds from this delicious fruit then no more worries now because the process is so simple which can be done in a jiffy,and you have your other  ingredients then bliss...

Chilli Paneer

I have already posted a Paneer recipe earlier and I have mentioned there how my children love eating paneer dishes.Now a days very week once or twice there will be a paneer dish at home.When my parents were here I prepared this chilly paneer and everyone liked it so much,that every thing was mopped up nothing left for packing for the kids tiffin.So this week when I started preparing my little one told me he needed the same for his school too,so I reserved some for the next day.I made chapatis,then I put this Chilly paneer inside and rolled it,that is how my younger one told me to do for his tiffin. 

Strawberry Milkshake

I don't know what to say about the weather condition existing now, it's been very hot for some days now.But did Winter end without any rains??Or is this for a heavy rain ahead,Almighty knows best :)                  Anyways,today's recipe is a simple Milkshake which can be made in a jiff.

Dal Bhorta

The Challenge for this month was to prepare a dish from Bangladesh...Yes for the monthly challenge of MFB.I had no idea of this country's any dish or the difference from this Country's and West Bengal's dishes.When the challenge for this month was given I started searching and it started with sweets,but not being very sure of it I just dropped it there.Then I came across a spiced yogurt drink and planned to do that for the challenge.In between I was not well for sometime due to the climate changes here. 

Home made Tomato Ketchup/Tomato Sauce

Getting compliments from anyone (for our cooking)does give a positive energy but if its from someone very dear to us then its something very precious.And when its not just words like 'tasty or yummy' then... 

Zanjabeel Haleeb - Ginger Milk

Today's recipe is a simple drink specially made during winter evenings to keep you warm.I had this milk first from my brother-in-laws house at a family get together.It was during last winter.It was a windy day and by night it rained.

Baked Pasta with Chicken And Olives

Another post for our MFB Challenge and the wonderful ingredient given was Olives.Olives is something always found in my refrigerator both the green ones and the black,because in my family some like the green ones and the others the black ones.

Chicken Majboos

Two weeks with parents just passed away so quickly,just like blinking of the eyes.Also it's already past a week after the new year.My Facebook friends know how the last week turned out with my parents all of a sudden ,my Dad being sick.