Bread Fruit Thoran | Kadachakka(Cheema chakka )Thoran

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Bread fruit /Kadachakka closely relates to jackfruit and belongs to the mulberry family.Its also a good source of vit C ,excellent source of potassium and copper loaded with lots of calories and more of fiber.It helps in reducing cholesterol and acts as a bulk laxative.It.Here,its difficult to find bread fruit but at times its available in the korean markets.Earlier I had posted the kadachakka curry/Bread fruit curry sometime back,this is another healthy version with it too,a simple stir fry !!

Ingredients
bread fruit/kadachakka 1/2
shallots 8-10
green chillies 4-5 vertical slit
garlic cloves 3-4 sliced
grated/shredded coconut 1/2 cup
mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
garama masala 1/2 tsp
salt
oil 2tsp
curry leaves 1-2 sprigs


Method-Wash & peel the bread fruit removing the tough skin.Wash again,cut in small cubes.Add water(1 cup) in a pan with salt and turmeric powder,cook until tender & soft(takes about 20-25 mins) OR pressure cook the bread fruit with salt,water for 2 whistles.-Heat oil in a non stick pan or kadai(wok),splutter mustard seeds.Add in the shallots and garlic cloves along with green chillies.Saute until shallots are translucent.Add 1/4 tsp turmeric powder & garam masala.-Add the cooked bread fruit cubes,coconut shredded.Toss well,cover & cook for  another 5-7 minutes on low medium heat.-Uncover ,toss again and is ready to serve with rice !!


Servings~ 3 adults
NOTES* You can add chilly powder if required instead of green chillies.* You can also add onion in place of shallots but shallots taste better.* Check water in between while cooking bread fruit ,add if requires more to cook.

S'Mores Granola Bars

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Granola bars are my favorite grab and go snack and you really can't get any easier than this recipe. I love the Quaker Chewy S'mores Granola Bars, so I tweaked the recipe to be as s'mores like as possible. I used Kraft mini marshmallows, they taste like the marshmallows in Lucky Charms, or the kind that come in those little packets of hot cocoa, so they were perfect for these bars. The finished product was quite similar to the Quaker bars, but a bit chewier and more chocolaty tasting. Definitely a keeper. 
No bake S'mores Granola BarsAdapted From laurenslatest.com1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats {not rolled oats!}
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, plus more for topping1/2 cup mini marshmallows, plus more for toppingMix together Rice Krispies, oats, 1/2 cup marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips (if you want them with less chocolate flavor, leave out the chips till the end). Set aside. In a small pot, melt butter, honey, and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it starts to bubble. Reduce heat and cook for another two minutes. Stir in the vanilla. Remove from heat and pour over oat/rice mixture. Mix well ensuring that all ingredients are moistened. Line a small jelly roll pan (12x8x1) with aluminum foil.  Pour mixture into lined pan. Pack it in really tightly or the bars won't set and will fall apart when cooled.  Sprinkle the top with more chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Let cool, then cut into bars. Have a sweet day! 

I'm Blogging Again!

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Wow!  What a break I have had!  When I posted several weeks ago about taking a break from my blog I kinda left something out.  Sure, I was honest that I wanted to make impromptu and messy dinners without the worry of them looking photogenic.  I was also ready to "chill out" and relax with my family.  What I failed to mention was... well, I'll let my photos do the talking...


Wait one second... Are we on an airplane!?

Yep, we are flying high in the sky to...
The Sunshine State!!! 
Why hello there warm hot weather, swimming pools, beaches, sundresses and pedicures (on very pale feet.  Who cares...we were in FLORIDA!).

Fun bike ride for 4!  We got the kids bowls of ice cream while my husband and I pedaled around.
Red Sox fans vacationing on the west coast of Florida... you bet we made a trip to Spring Training.Beautiful new stadium.  It's a replica of Fenway.
This is simply the best way to get around these Florida developments.

Lovin' life!
Our own private beach.
When in humid Florida, do not attempt to straighten your hair.  Embrace the curls!
Those are my kids swimming in the "big" pool.
We even had a Date Night!
Scariest walk in my life!!!  I swear we were walking through crocodile alley!  This was between a parking lot and a (really nice!) hotel where we had a cocktail.  I was so freaked out!!!  We not only had to walk through swampy woods, but also over an area of water.  I think my husband still has my fingernail marks in his arm!
Our last day at the beach.  Pelican feeding time - they are huge!

beware ~ a sand witch! (get it?)

 Good-bye beach!
This is quite a nice way to eat lunch... a little different than this.
Our final family dinner.
...and the sun sets on a beautiful vacation.
Checking out our airplane.
Just about to board, but there is time for... Silly faces... along with a gigantic lollipop (and still wearing his pajama top.  Pick your battles, right?).  My son had this lollipop the entire day which saved the day, if you know what I mean ;)
Ahhh... Fabulous vacation.  I'm curly-haired, tanned (sort of), and I've got my Starbucks iced soy latte.
Next post...vacation food!

Happy Mother's Day and Sunday Links (May 13, 2012)

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Happy Mother's Day!  Every Mother's Day I look back at the pictures of my children on the days they were born.  The days that forever changed my life and gave me the honorable title, "Mom."

my daughter ~ 2006 
my son ~ 2008


This year will be different than last year.  I get a weekend off from the kitchen!  Of course I love being in the kitchen, but I definitely don't mind a time-out.  We'll be having a family brunch at my parent's Country Club - Ooh, la, la!

Sunday Links

MSNBC Week in Pictures

4 Sneaky Health Food Ingredients to Watch Out For

3 Health Habits that Are Good Enough

18 Most Sickening Food Ingredients (EIGHTEEN!?!  Wowza!)

Photography Tips and Tricks for Photographing Children

Good Enough to Eat - Nutritious Food Swaps

Udon Noodles with Soybeans and Carrots

Maurice Sendak, Children's Author, Dies at 83


Do you have a favorite Maurice Sendak book?  I have two favorites: Chicken Soup with Rice - kind of ironic, I know...being vegetarian and all... (video above) and Alligators All Around.  My children love In The Night Kitchen.

Announcing EP Series- Garlic Or Turmeric

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Starting from Dec1st,EP series starts its journey with one of my friend,Viya @ Spice N Flavors.A big bunch of thanx to Viya for taking the initiative to host the series this month inspite of her busy schedule these days.The theme for this month is "Garlic Or Turmeric".The rules remain the same except a few changes in the logo.Hope all my blogger friends would participate with the same zeal & enthusiasm as always.Thanx to all those who have been part of this series and participated to make it a great success.So,drop in all your recipes to the event with the theme,"Garlic Or Turmeric" :)
I would also love to thank Divya @Divya's Culinary Journey. for hosting last month's series-Asafoetida &  Fennel Seeds.Thanx all the wonderful participants  too!!

I'm Blogging Again!

To contact us Click HERE

Wow!  What a break I have had!  When I posted several weeks ago about taking a break from my blog I kinda left something out.  Sure, I was honest that I wanted to make impromptu and messy dinners without the worry of them looking photogenic.  I was also ready to "chill out" and relax with my family.  What I failed to mention was... well, I'll let my photos do the talking...


Wait one second... Are we on an airplane!?

Yep, we are flying high in the sky to...
The Sunshine State!!! 
Why hello there warm hot weather, swimming pools, beaches, sundresses and pedicures (on very pale feet.  Who cares...we were in FLORIDA!).

Fun bike ride for 4!  We got the kids bowls of ice cream while my husband and I pedaled around.
Red Sox fans vacationing on the west coast of Florida... you bet we made a trip to Spring Training.Beautiful new stadium.  It's a replica of Fenway.
This is simply the best way to get around these Florida developments.

Lovin' life!
Our own private beach.
When in humid Florida, do not attempt to straighten your hair.  Embrace the curls!
Those are my kids swimming in the "big" pool.
We even had a Date Night!
Scariest walk in my life!!!  I swear we were walking through crocodile alley!  This was between a parking lot and a (really nice!) hotel where we had a cocktail.  I was so freaked out!!!  We not only had to walk through swampy woods, but also over an area of water.  I think my husband still has my fingernail marks in his arm!
Our last day at the beach.  Pelican feeding time - they are huge!

beware ~ a sand witch! (get it?)

 Good-bye beach!
This is quite a nice way to eat lunch... a little different than this.
Our final family dinner.
...and the sun sets on a beautiful vacation.
Checking out our airplane.
Just about to board, but there is time for... Silly faces... along with a gigantic lollipop (and still wearing his pajama top.  Pick your battles, right?).  My son had this lollipop the entire day which saved the day, if you know what I mean ;)
Ahhh... Fabulous vacation.  I'm curly-haired, tanned (sort of), and I've got my Starbucks iced soy latte.
Next post...vacation food!