RESPECT

RESPECT! A great word, but does it still have the same power which it used to have... Over the years respect has become yet another word to preach, but how about following it? From home till classroom, and than towards professionals, have made this word extinct from their vocab.

Notice the next time when people are talking to each other, do u notice the power of respect in them?
Do we respect a elderly person from our heart? E.g, an old granny staying at home, how many times lets say in a week we have spoken to her politely without answering back..."wait am busy", "granny you are bothering me with your demands"... How many times a visitor came at your door and you happily went in the kitchen forget about preparing a meal, did you serve a cuppa tea with a smile from heart?
Respest is simply being polite to on another, which is reflected with your words, actions and deed. Hope we save yet another word from being dis-respected!

I AM, ME, MYSELF

My Mom is the Best!

Kesari Bhath (Dessert)

Ingredients

• 1 cup: Semolina (rava)
• 1 cup: Sugar
• 5 pcs: Almonds, slivered
• 5 pcs: Pistas, slivered
• 10-12 : Raisins
• 1/4 tsp: Cardamom powder
• 2 pinches: Saffron, soaked in 1 tbsp warm milk
• Few drops yellow colour (optional)
• 3 tbsp: Ghee
• 2 1/2 cups: Water

Method

1. Heat ghee in a large heavy pan, add rava.
2. Stir and roast on low for 7-8 minutes or till aroma exudes.
3. Side by side, put water to boil, add sugar, Bring to a boil.
4. Add boiling water to the rava, little at a time stirring continuously. Take care to protect hands from the spluttering.
5. When well mixed, check rava grain between fingers and taste for sweetness.
6. Adjust sweetness, and add more boiling water if grain is hard.
7. Add the remaining ingredients, cover and simmer till ghee separates. Save a small amount of almonds and pistas for garnishing.
8. Add colour if desired and mix well.
9. Grease a katori or steel cup. Press hot bhath inside it, and unmould onto a plate.
10. Garnish with a few slivers of almonds and pistas, serve hot.

Bisi Bele Bath

Ingredients

• 11/2cups: Rice
• 1/2cup: Tur dal
• 2 no: Small brinjals
• 1 : Fresh Carrot
• 2 : Fresh Drumsticks
• A small piece of vegetable marrow
• A handful: Madras onions
• A pinch: Turmeric powder
• 6 : Red chillies
• 4 : Green chillies
• 2 tsp: Mustard
• 20 gm: Cashew nut
• curry leaves few
• Coriander leaves few
• Tamarind size of a lime
• Ghee for frying
• Salt to taste

For Powdering

• 1tsp: Fenugreek seeds
• 1tsp: Coriander seeds
• 6 : Red chillies
• Grated coconut

For Masala

• 4-5: Cardamoms
• 4-5: Cloves
• ½ tsp: Aniseeds
• 1tsp: Poppy seeds
• A small piece: Cinnamon

Method

1. Peel Madras onions.
2. Peel and cut vegetables into 1 inch pieces.
3. Wash rice and dal thoroughly. Place it in a container with 21/2 cups of water, a pinch of turmeric powder and chopped vegetables.
4. Heat a little oil in a frying pan and fry the ingredients for powdering until fenugreek turns golden brown in colour. Powder and keep aside.
5. Heat some more oil and fry poppy seeds, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, aniseeds. Powder and keep aside.
6. Soak tamarind in a little water and extract juice.
7. Heat oil, add red and green chillies, mustard and curry leaves. When mustard crackles, add to rice and mix well. Add tamarind juice, salt to taste and mix thoroughly.
8. Heat a little ghee and fry cashew nuts until golden brown in colour.
9. Add to rice along with powdered ingredients and masala powder. Mix well. Remove from fire.
10. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and add some ghee just before serving.