Apple and Dried Cranberry Chutney

It has been a long while since I posted anything on this blog! Plain lazy I have been!

Today's recipe comes from my drafts. I had seen it in one of Nigella's show and tried out instantly. I love it. Try it to check out yourself. Pretty easy yet delicious..

Apple and Dried Cranberry Chutney.

Ingredients:

2 granny smith apples, peeled cored and diced.
¼ cup dried sweetened cranberries.
1 tsp oil.
½ tsp nigella seeds.
1 green chilli (optional).
salt to taste.
¼ tsp turmeric powder.
½ tsp red chili powder.
½ tsp coriander powder.
½ tsp cumin powder.
1 tbsp lemon juice.(or vinegar)

Process:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add the nigella seeds and green chilli.

2. Now add the chopped apples, cranberries and all the spices and salt. Let it cook in a slow flame. The apples will cook and give out it juices as it get cooked.

3. Mash them and add lemon juice in the end. If you want it more watery add water and cook for 5 more minutes.

4. Let it cool completely before storing. Keep well for up to 7days. Have it with parathas or rotis.

Till I write again! Thanks fro stopping by! Cheers!

Pineapple Raita

I had this raita first time in a restaurant in India and O Boy! I was bowled. I am a big fan of this exotic lush fruit and of late my hubby is loving it too. It goes well with some spicy pulao or biriyani. But, I can simply devour the whole bowl of pineapple raita all by itself.

I found a few interesting facts about pineapples while surfing the net. I thought it might interest you guys too.  So, here they are:

- The pineapple is a member of the bromeliad family. It is the only available edible bromeliad today. It is a multiple fruit. One pineapple is actually made up of dozens of individual flowerets that grow together to form the entire fruit. Each scale on a pineapple is evidence of a separate flower. 

Is not that strange!

- The benefits of pineapple are all the vitamins and minerals the fruit is loaded with. Its nutrients include calcium, potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. In addition it is low in fat and cholesterol. It is valuable for easing indigestion, arthritis or sinusitis. The juice has an anthelmintic effect; it helps get rid of intestinal worms.

Sending this off to Yasmeen's Health Nut Challenge 7 - Tropical Temptations.

Coming back to the recipe:

Ingredients:

400 ml low fat yoghurt.
1/2 cup finely chopped pineapple.
Fresh chopped coriander leaves.
Salt and sugar to taste.
½ tsp roasted cumin powder.
¼ tsp red chilli powder.

Process:

Mix the yoghurt, chopped pineapple and fresh coriander. Season with salt, sugar, cumin powder and red chilli powder and its ready to serve!

  

Enjoy!!

A CSN $50 gift certificate giveaway and Raitas..my way

I am pretty much sure that you have already heard the name of CSN Stores. They have over 200 online stores where you can find everything from cookware to cribs to dining room sets and dog beds!  

CSN Stores has offered to giveaway $50 gift certificate to one of my lucky readers! Is not that great? And guess what you have to do?

1. Become my follower.

2. Say my blog is wonderful.

3. My recipes are the best.

Thats unethical. I know.. I know...

Well, all you have to do is to leave a comment on this post and tell me your favourite accompaniment with food and that finds a place on your dining table almost everyday. For eg. Chutney, Raita, Pickles.

So, friends, what are you waiting for? Share it with me and who knows you could be the lucky one! Time start from now till 8th August 2010 GMT. I will announce the winner on 9th August (thats my hubby b'day). I'll select one person randomly and he/she will be the lucky winner. You'll get the gift certificate code in email with instructions as to how to use it.

N.B: CSN stores ship only in U.S and Canada. Even if you don't live in either of the countries you can still participate in this giveaway and in case you win, you can use it to get something for someone who lives there.

Good luck guys!

Now, recipe of today's post: My favourite accompaniment with food-Raita.

Raita is an Indian condiment and goes very well with Indian spicy food. It is particularly served with Biriyani and spicy Pulao. I make raitas almost everyday as an accompaniment for our lunch. It is a matter of minutes to prepare them. Instead of having plain yoghurt I prefer to have them. Everybody has their specific way of making it. I prefer to keep the yoghurt thick and creamy while other make like to dilute it a bit. Here are my two favourite raitas: Boondi Raita and Cucumber Tomato and Onion Raita.

Ingredients for Boondi Raita:

3/4 cup Boondi.
400 ml yoghurt.
Handful fresh chopped coriander leaves.
Salt to taste.
½ tsp sugar.
½ tsp roasted cumin powder.
¼ tsp red chilli powder.

Process:
Soak the boondi in warm water till they are soft or alternatively microwave the boondi soaked in water on a high for 1-2 minutes. Drain and cool it under cold water.
Mix the yoghurt, soft boondi and fresh coriander. Season with salt, sugar, cumin powder and red chilli powder.

Now comes the second one..: Cucumber Tomato and Onion Raita:

Ingredients:

400 ml yoghurt.
1 tomato diced.
1 small red onion.
12 cm piece of cucumber peeled and diced finely.
Fresh chopped coriander leaves.
Salt and sugar to taste.
½ tsp roasted cumin powder.
¼ tsp red chilli powder

Process:

Mix the yoghurt, tomatoes, onion, cucumber and fresh coriander. Season with salt, sugar, cumin powder and red chilli powder.

Sending this off to Suma's Event- Side dishes from India
Enjoy!