Microwave Mixed Fruits Halwa | Indian Microwave Recipes | Step By Step Recipes

With the quarterly exams going on for Konda, it's only talks of what questions were asked and not that is currently hot at home. Add to that fact with the boys also having their exams, you can imagine the scene. Please don't assume that they are seriously sitting down to study, far from it, they quote that very conveniently when required. Rest of the time is either spent playing or watching TV. This also mean that they get back home much early.

Most times the boys play together well but you never know which triggers the fight and they end up fighting. It will take a sumo wrestler to separate them on those times, really! Those times gets me blow my top and yell at the top of my voice, asking what the matter was. This is when Konda will play the ace card and teach my own lesson to me. That is handling kids with soft voice and utter sweetness. This is what I tell her when she yells at them. So she remembers those lectures very well and immediately applies on me.

 Microwave Mixed Fruit Halwa

She will pull both of them aside, with the voice that can't be much more sweeter, asking them who did what. One will say the other pulled his hair, while other claims he was pinched. Well it will continue for few more minutes with Konda saying they should promptly reach the next elder around (in this case herself) and tell the problem, rather than handling it themselves. By then the boys would've got vexed with the whole drama and being silent for 5 mins, they retreat back to their games. Within minutes, they both will be thick pals hatching new games. Sundays are spent mostly this way.

Yesterday was no different, hubby dear says we will soon become Panchayat Presidents with the number of cases these kids bring as disputes for us to solve. Breakfast was the usual affair, while lunch was to be a non veg one. Which was good because I was able to re-shoot one menu, which is very classic Rayalaseema special. Ragi Sangati with Andhra Mutton Pulusu and Mutton Roast. This is the updated picture. Check the post for details.

Knowing that days are running and I don't have any entry for MEC: Fruits, I knew I had to make that Mixed fruits Halwa that was shared by the MW Chef. The recipe was an approximation with 1 fruit each, I knew it was going to end up more. So eyeballed and added it.

But the fact that it came out very well and hubby dear liked it, made me think I should have made more.


Microwave Mixed Fruit Halwa ~ Step by Step

Take all the fruits you have on hand, cut them into small bits.

Make a puree of them together, mostly without water. Since I used very small quantity, I had to add 1/2 glass of water, which proved very expensive!

In a microwave safe bowl, take the puree, add 1 tsp of ghee/ clarified butter. Micro for 5 mins.

This is the condensed milk I used

After 5 mins, remove and stir well.

Ok stirring happens for 2 mins!

Then add 2 tsp of sugar, 2 tsp of Condensed milk.

Micro again for 5 mins.

Since I added water, it took about another 5 mins to get solidified like this. But if you don't add water, it should only take you about 7 mins. Add another tsp of ghee

If it requires micro for another 2 mins to get all the moisture off.

The recipe calls for 1 of each fruit, but I added only half or handful of them.

Ingredients Needed:

Apple - 1/2
Guava - 1/2
Pomegranate - 2 -3 tbsp
Banana - 1/2
Sapota / Chikoo - 1
Sugar - 2 tsp
Condensed Milk - 2 tsp
Ghee - 2 tsp

Method to prepare:

Wash, cut and puree all fruits together in a mixer.
In a microwave safe bowl, add the puree with 1 tsp ghee for 5 mins.
Then remove and stir well. Add sugar, condensed milk, mix well and again micro for 5 mins.

Remove and stir it again. If it is still watery, micro for another 2 mins after adding the remaining ghee. Else you can just remove and serve.

Sending this to Nivedita who is hosting the Microwave Easy Cooking Event, themed on Fruits,

Pidi Kolukattai Recipe - Sweet | Pidi Kozhukattai | Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes | Step By Step Recipes

After the Uppu Pidi Kolukattai that I made, I was so delighted seeing Amma planned to prepare the sweet version of Pidi Kozhukattai. I finished my preparation and pooja and hurried to help Amma as she was doing everything on her own. Of course Konda was all prepared to help her in making Kudumulu. She was so excited in making this along with us.

Konda was restless to start it, so I got her into making this also before starting on the Modek.

This sweet Pidi Kozhukattai is very easy to make and comes out quite well too!

Not only is this easy to make on a hurried festival day, you can plan for this on other days as snacks for kids.

Pidi Kolukattai Recipe - Sweet in Steps


Soak and shade the boiled rice for 30 - 45 mins. Then grind the boiled rice to a coarse powder.

Steam the rice flour for 15 mins.

Add roasted sesame seeds to the flour.

Add the melted jaggary to the flour.

Then goes the roasted Urad dal.

Mix well together.

Then add more jaggary depending on the fact if it is holding shape

When you press it should retain your finger shape like this.

Grease an Idli plate and stream it for 15 mins

This is how it looks after streaming.

Pidi Kolukattai - Sweet Recipe

Boiled Rice - 1 cup
Jaggary - 1/2 cup
Sesame seeds - 1 tsp
Urad Dal - 1 tsp
Grated coconut - 2 tbsp


Wash and soak boiled rice for 45 mins.

Drain and shade dry the rice till it is dry but still slightly damp.

Grind it to a coarse powder.

Meanwhile melt the jaggary in water, remove impurities and bring to boil. You need not get any thread consistency for this.

Dry roast both sesame seeds and Urad Dal. Keep it aside.

Take an Idli steamer, add a cup of water to the vessel, cover the opening with a muslin cloth, add the flour on the top of the cloth, close with lid and steam for 10 - 15 mines.

Once done, remove to a bowl, allow it to cool. When it is still warm but you can handle the heat, add the sesame seeds, Urad dal and grated coconut.

Mix well. Then pour the melted jaggary and mix well. The amount of jaggary used can vary depending on the variety you use.

Crumble to see if the Kolukkatis hold their shape. If not add little more of the melted jaggary.

Once you are done with all of them, grease the Idli plates, place the kollukattai on the plate, stream for 10 mins.

Transfer to a bowl once they are cooled.

This is one of the mandatory neivedyam for Ganesh Chaturthi.

Notes: Remember to ensure the rice flour is not a fine powder unlike we normally use.
Take a bit more than required jaggary as it depends on its quality on how much we require.

I found this to be an apt activity to get your kids involved. Konda was so excited to help me in making these.

Pidi Kozhukattai | Pidi Kolukattai Recipe - Salt | Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes

For Vinayaka Chaturthi this year I was planing to make something new apart from the usual dishes. Since about four days I have been asking what I should make. Amma replied that she has to really check what other things she can make. While Athamma said she normally makes the regular dishes on this day.

But things will have it, till the last moment I never got around checking on news. I had a clipping that elaborates on different Ganesh Chaturthi dishes. Every year I take that paper with hopes of trying from it but again return it back. This year on the day of festival I took out and saw it had fried Modek. I really tempted to make them.

Sometime back a colleague had got something that looked very much like a Pidi Kolukattai but I guess she called it differently. Having enjoyed quite a few over lunch I was keen on trying it at home. So had got the procedure to make it myself. But I never got around doing it. When I checked it called for rice being soaked overnight. Well thinking I can have a work around on it, knowing that Amma had ground fresh Rice Flour for the Modakam or Streamed Modeks, I thought of making it with approximately.

Surprise was seeing that Amma was making a sweet pidi kolukattai, which will come next.


Pidi Kozhukattai | Pidi Kolukattai Recipe - Salt

Rice Flour - 1 cup
Salt to taste
Water as required

For Seasoning

Mustard, Urad Dal - 1 tsp
Curry Leaves - 5 -6
Red Chili, long - 3-4
Oil - 2 tsp

Idli Streamer for streaming

Method to prepare:

Make Rice Flour and keep it ready

Take the measured quantity and add water, mix to get a lump less loose batter. It can be really thin batter too. Add Salt.

Heat a non stick pan, add oil, then mustard, urad dal, curry leaves and broken red chilies. When the mustard starts crackling, pour the rice batter and whisk quickly.

Cook in low flame, while you keep stirring well. This takes about 5 - 7 mins. When it is well cooked it comes together as a thick mass.

Allow it to cool, when it still lukewarm knead the dough again. If required add 1 tsp of oil again.

Get the streamer ready, the grease the plates.

Remove the chilies, take a fist full of dough and press between your palm. You will see the shape of your fingers on the kolukattai.

This is really a fun thing to get your kid involved.

When you are done with all of them, place them on the plate and steam for 10 - 15 mins.

Remove when done.

Have a great week ahead, will be back with other recipes.

Vinayaka Chavithi Subhakanshalu | Ganesh Chaturthi Greetings | Festival Dishes for Ganesh Chaturthi

"Vinayaka Chaturthi Subhakanshalu to all my readers!"

This year with kids grown up, we had fun with them asking us every other moment when God Ganesh is going to come home. With their father telling them that they should get dressed up soon to welcome the God, they were ready in no time. 

So it was with difficulty that we dodged them to leave for the market. I went along with hubby dear to the market to get the Ganesh Idol. I made sure I took the camera to click few market pictures. Konda was upset that she wasn't called. But with two Idols we knew we can't manage her too. We got for Amma also.

Our Idol this year decorated with flowers and offered with fruits, his favorite sugar cane, Fresh Bajra

Please check out our previous years celebrations:
Vinayaka Chaturthi Pooja 2007
Vinayaka Chaturthi Pooja 2008
Vinayaka Chaturthi Pooja 2009

Neivedyam for Lord Ganesha! ~ From Left Front to Right Poli, Purnam Kudalu, Pidi Kolukattai (Salt), Sundal, Sesame Laddos, Puffed Rice with Jaggary & Fried Gram.

This is what Amma made, Konda and I helped her in making these Kudumulu, Nugul untallu ~Sesame Laddoo, Sweet Pidi Kolukattai


A scene on the market front..

Lots of Idols ready on the display..

Ganesh Idols in different sizes..

Grass, other flower garland for the Lord.

Busy Market scene..

Locals looking at different things to be bought..

You can see kids selling the flowers and Umbrellas for the God.

A young boy carrying the Idol to home..

Neivedyam prepared by Amma.

Our neighbor got a big Idol, such pretty one!

Will be back with recipes tomorrow..

Do share how you celebrated.

Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes | Vinayaka Chavithi Recipes | Vinayaka Chaturthi Recipes

With Ganesh Chaturthi / Vinayaka Chaturthi falling on September 11th, I thought I might as well compile a list for easy access.

Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated with much enthusiasm at home. Check out our celebrations that I have been sharing the last three years

Vinayaka Chaturthi Pooja 2007
Vinayaka Chaturthi Pooja 2008
Vinayaka Chaturthi Pooja 2009

Vinayaka Chaturthi Festival Dishes

Sundal
Kudumulu
Nugul untallu ~Sesame Laddoo

Biyam Undrallu Groundnut Laddos Check out other Indian Sweets for more ideas

Microwave Easy Cooking Potluck Party Round Up

Anniversaries kind of remind you the days that have passed and make you pause for a moment to think back on those wonderful days that slipped out without even you knowing. Well August month sure makes me feel nostalgic for many reasons.

On personal front, I have quite few and blog front, of course I have my favorite event Microwave Easy Cooking Event's Anniversary coming up. On this topic I also find it quite strange that while each year I celebrate this with a party with bloggers bringing on their favorite dish, I also pause every year to think back to how it all started!

There are always so many readers who write to me, who over many email exchange become pretty close. Then all of a sudden the communication just stops. I feel so dejected over such incidents. I really wonder what would have happened to those lovely folks who touched life in a different way. I really wish things are fine their end, they are just too busy to write back. Most times I almost think, almost ok that I am writing to myself. It's when I get these personal emails I get the feel that real people read this blog and I may end up being very opinionated. Well that's what makes this blogging more wonderful.

I would want to thank all those nameless readers and some, including my wonderful blogger friends who made this event step forward. On blogger friends, I met a lovely blogger this afternoon. Rebecca mailed me few weeks back saying she was in town and would like to meet. Though we weren't sure if we would actually get down to meet, as she was on a tight schedule, I was so glad that we could meet. She has a lovely blog more of a global appeal, Chow and Chatter and her lil angel was so adorable. It felt as if I have always known her.

Coming to the round up, since this is a party, let me list out the menu!

PJ wanted to make the best when she found the tomatoes more in abundance. And nothing is more healing than a hot Tomato Soup and whats more convenient when she gets it done in just 10 minutes!

Being just back from a vacation Priya was feeling lazy to cook, which I don't really believe..:)..but I am glad that she got back to full swing with this easy breezy Tandoori Tofu done in Microwave 

As Smitha was wondering what to make for the MEC party, she thought these cute little Mexican party scoops will be the best option. She says these are so easy to make that even when you have an unexpected guest calling on you, you can have this ready within minutes.

Lataji had a grand rendezvous with Aparna's Diverse Kitchen. She cooked not a meal but an entire day's cooking from Aparna's lovely blog. Keerai Mulagootal was the one that took her least attention as it was so conveniently cooked in microwave!

Who doesn't like Paneer? So it is only naturally that Nive loves it and tries another version of a curry with Paneer and makes it sans onions and garlic. Now when you are on a fast, you surely know where to head on right!

It was wonderful knowing that PJ planned to send me a full course meal. Drumbstick sambar is my all time favorite, so it was way too good that she should make this in microwave!

As a combo to the sambar, PJ makes the best of the Okra by making a pepper saute in the microwave. This not only removes the sliminess but makes it much more crunchy! Way to go PJ!

Then a low calorie dish, I made this Paneer Butter Masala. Nobody believed that I didn't add even a tiny bit of butter in it!

When you think something is hard, Priya makes it and makes you aware it is infact very simple. That's what she goes to prove by dishing out a great looking pulao all in a microwave!

Aparna was inspired to make a kheer with apple as her son loves apples. I am sure we will love it too!

Indrani show how quickly one can make Peda at home using Microwave. She talks about how tedious this process was before but with microwave one can get to do this much more easily. And you can enjoy the Kaju Peda without much hassle!

Lataji sends in a tempting Aval Kesari made in microwave as a way to celebrate her mom's birthday. What better way to celebrate than with a payasam. 

Pedas are childhood love for Nivedita! And she confesses it continues to be so too. But she was always apprehensive making these at home. When she found an unused complan bottle, what else will her mind say to her! Lo a Complan Peda  and if you crave for more, you can try out Chocolate Horlicks or Boost too!

PJ rightly says there is no celebrations without sweets and for the occasion she made a halwa with Beetroot.

Whats more wonderful than to celebrate a birthday? Priya makes a eggless version of a tempting cake! to celebrate her son's birthday and it was done in 5 mins!

When you think about over 1000 recipes, do you think it was possible in about 24 months? Priya made it possible and celebrates her beautiful blog birthday with a Badam Peda

Satyasree makes this Rabri from her favorite book that her hubby gifted her. No wonder it looks so tempting!

Another simple to make dish comes from Smitha Pineapple Kaju Burfi is not something you will say no that easily, and if it looks as tempting as it is in the picture surely no no..

Another simple yet easy to make was this gulabi phirni that I made in microwave!

Vidya makes a payasam with Mango and nuts and it only took her 10 mins to get it done!


****************************************************

Thank you for joining us for the party! Hope you all enjoyed the dishes. I hope I added all the entries but do let me know if I missed any..


Next edition of MEC is hosted by Nivedita themed on Fruits. See you all next month.