Search Chitra's Food Book

Showing posts with label COLLECTIONS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label COLLECTIONS. Show all posts

October 28, 2018

18 Halwa Recipes - Indian Halwa Varieties

INDIAN HALWA VARIETIES

Here is the collection of 18 different types of halwa recipes / Halwa varieties in my blog. In this list, you can find the links of 18 halwa recipes under one page. Most of them are popular, easy to make, must try Top South Indian and North Indian halwa recipes for Diwali and other festivals. As you all know Halwa (Halva/ Halawa/ Sheera in Hindi) is one of the most popular Indian dessert recipes. The word halwa means sweetness. It is prepared using flour or nuts as the base ingredient. 

In this collection, you can find the Indian halva recipes starting from easy carrot halwa using pressure cooker, suji halwa, beginners special corn flour halwa to the most time consuming Tirunelveli halwa / wheat halwa. Among these halwa varieties, my favorite is badam halwa, easy atta halwa and suji halwa. You too choose your favorite, try and share your feedback. I am yet to try Kerala halwa and some more popular halwa recipes. I will update this list whenever I share them. Lets see the collection of 18 halwa varieties below. Please click on the images to see the particular halwa recipe.

CARROT HALWA WITH KHOYA USING PRESSURE COOKER


This is an easy and quick carrot halwa (Gajar halwa in Hindi) that is prepared using grated carrot, khoya, sugar, ghee and nuts. This recipe is without milk and condensed milk. Please click the image below to know how to make carrot halwa easily using a pressure cooker.


Carrot halwa with khoya

BEETROOT HALWA USING PRESSURE COOKER


Beetroot halwa very similar to carrot halwa in cooking procedure . It is a healthy, yummy, quick halwa recipe. This recipe is without khoya/ mawa. Check how to prepare it.


Beetroot halwa

BADAM HALWA


Badam halwa / Almond halwa like sweet shop style. It is one of the popular halwa recipes in South India. This rich and costly halwa can be made easily at home too. check out the recipe link by clicking the image below.


Badam halwa

CORN FLOUR HALWA/ KARACHI HALWA


Bombay Karachi halwa, the most popular halwa recipe in North India. But its a very simple recipe prepared using corn flour, sugar and ghee. According to me this halwa is a beginners recipe. Anyone can make it easily and perfectly by following the steps. Do check it out.



Corn flour halwa

TIRUNELVELI HALWA USING WHEAT FLOUR


This is a simplified version of Tirunelveli halwa using wheat flour. It tastes close to original Tirunelveli halwa. Do give a try.



Tirunelveli halwa with wheat flour

MOONG DAL HALWA / MOONG DAL SHEERA


This is a popular North Indian style sheera recipe. It tastes so good. I have shared an interesting method to reduce the cooking time of this halwa. Do check out the recipe.



Moong dal halwa

SOOJI HALWA / SUJI KA SHEERA


Suji halwa is a very simple and quick halwa recipe prepared for most of the festivals. This halwa is served along with Poori, Chole for breakfast. Halwa puri chole is one of the most popular breakfast combo in North India and Pakistan.



Sooji halwa

MILK HALWA / DOODH HALWA/ PAAL HALWA


Milk halwa / Paal halwa in Tamil / Doodh is the first sweet which got me a good name from my relatives. This halwa is very easy to make and tastes very rich. It is different from milk kesari in ratio, method of preparation as well as taste. It tastes similar to paal khova.



Milk halwa


KASI HALWA/ ASH GOURD HALWA


Kasi Halwa (Vellai Poosanikai Halwa in Tamil,Ash Gourd Halwa /Winter Melon Halwa in English, Boodida Gummaikaya Halwa in Telugu, Kumbalanga Halwa in Malayalam, Kushmandha halwa, காசி அல்வா /  பூசணிக்காய் அல்வா / Kalyana Poosani Halwa ) is one of the most popular sweet recipes which is served in Brahmin weddings.



Kasi halwa

ASHOKA HALWA / PASI PARUPPU HALWA


Ashoka halwa is one of the most popular South Indian sweet which is popular in Thiruvaiyaru. Thiruvaiyaru Asoka halwa (Pasi paruppu halwa) made with yellow moong dal, sugar and ghee. This paasi paruppu halwa is completely different from North Indian moong dal halwa.



Ashoka halwa

CARROT HALWA WITHOUT KHOYA USING PRESSURE COOKER


Carrot halwa | Gajar ka halwa is the easiest and delicious sweet recipe that can be made in jiffy.The best thing about this sweet is it takes very less ghee unlike other halwa recipes. It tastes the best when served warm with ice cream.



Carrot halwa in pressure cooker

ATTA HALWA / KADAH PRASAD


Atta halwa also known as Atta ka sheera is one of the most popular sweet/ dessert recipe in North India. This is an Instant halwa made with whole wheat flour( atta in Hindi). This atte ka halwa is served as Kadah prasad ( Karah prashad) to all the visitors of Gurudwara ( A place of worship for Sikhs ) in Punjab.



Atta halwa

CHEWY CORN FLOUR HALWA


This chewy Bombay Karachi Halwa also known as Jelly halwa  is prepared using the same ingredients of corn flour halwa but slightly different in procedure. The basic difference between soft halwa and chewy halwa (rubbery halwa) lies in the cooking time. Do click the image to see the recipe with video.



Bombay Karachi halwa

MAIDA HALWA


This is yet again a beginners recipe. It never goes wrong. You can make it soft or chewy as per your taste by changing the cooking time.



Maida halwa

BREAD HALWA RECIPE


One of the best ways to use the leftover bread slices. It can be prepared so quickly with just milk, sugar and ghee.



Bread halwa

MICROWAVE SOOJI HALWA


Sooji halwa / Rava kesari in Tamil can be easily prepared in a microwave oven too. Check it out.



Microwave sooji halwa

TIRUNELVELI HALWA


If you are looking forward to try authentic Tirunelveli halwa recipe with whole wheat (samba godhumai), here is the link for you.


Tirunelveli halwa

CARROT HALWA WITHOUT KHOYA IN KADAI


Traditionally carrot halwa is prepared in a wide kadai by boiling the carrots in milk. I have shared the same here without using khoya or condensed milk.


Traditional Carrot halwa
Continue Reading...


March 22, 2018

Indian Potluck Party Recipes Ideas - Vegetarian Potluck Lunch, Dinner Recipes Menu

Indian potluck party recipes

Here is the list of Indian vegetarian potluck party lunch and dinner recipes menu ideas comprising of South Indian and North Indian party snacks, main course, side dish recipes and dessert. Potluck is nothing but a gathering of friends where each guest contributes a different, unique, homemade dish or food to be shared among everyone. 

In simple words, a potluck party is a meal or party to which each of the guests brings or contributes their own food to share. Smaller, more informal get-together with distributed food preparation may also be called potlucks. Other names for a "potluck" include: potluck dinner, potluck lunch, spread, Jacob's join, Jacob's supper, faith supper, covered-dish-supper, dish party, bring-and-share, shared lunch, pitch-in, bring-a-plate, dish-to-pass, fuddle, and carry-in. (Source : Wikipedia).

In India, it is also known as kitty party. Potluck lunch or potluck dinner is the most common one. The only traditional rule for potluck is that each dish should be large enough in quantity that has to be shared among a good portion with the guests. In some cases each participant agrees ahead of time to bring a single course, and the result is a multi-course meal. Guests may bring in any form of food, ranging from the main course to desserts. Nowadays people started to conduct potluck parties with themed lunch and dinners for special occasions and festivals.

People in abroad ( especially in US) conduct potluck parties almost every weekend. As my friend Shalini is in US, she used to share all the pictures of potluck and discuss the recipe menu with me. All the pictures and the recipe ideas given in this post are shared by my friend Shalini based on the various potluck parties conducted by her friends. Thank you so much dearie. 

As we had already shared Kids birthday party menu list, framing this potluck recipes menu ideas was not difficult for us. The list I have shared here comprises of the most popular dishes that is liked by all. I have also shared a list of 2 sample Potluck party menu for lunch and dinner at the end of this post with the most popular combinations to give you an idea. Hope this post will be helpful to you all.

 Friends, do share your potluck recipes in the comments section. It would be a great help for all.


HOW TO ARRANGE FOR POTLUCK / KITTY PARTY

I used to make potluck along with my school moms group friends when I was in my rented house. Mostly it would be a lunch party from 1 pm to 3 pm before kids come from the school. It would be good and fun filled if the number of participants is more in potluck. Our group have 8 people. 

A week before the potluck, we used to frame the menu which includes starters, main course and dessert recipes. We write down the names of dishes and the person who is going to cook it. Mostly we all make the food at our home and conduct the party in one of the friend’s place. Some people used to buy it from outside especially sweets and snacks.

The person who is hosting the party in their house doesn’t have to cook anything but they take the responsibility of buying use and throw plates, cups and spoons.  As soon as all the friends meet, we used to display the food in the dining table. Our first job is to click pictures to share in social media pages. Then we go for tasting the food. 

After we finish eating, we used to chitchat or play UNO, cards or some one minute games for the last 30 minutes to 1 hour. It would be full of laugh and fun. Then we disperse to school to bring our kids back home. This is how we conduct the potluck parties at least once in a month. On the whole day, it keeps us refreshing, energetic and make us forget all the family or work related stress in the mind. I would strongly suggest all the ladies to have a fun gathering like this at least once in a month.

Now, lets move on to the collection of Vegetarian Party Recipes list. Hope you like this and find it useful.

THINGS REQUIRED 
  • Plastic/ Disposable plates
  • Disposable cups for juice, water
  • Disposable bowls
  • Thermal food bags for carrying food
  • Bowls and Ladles for serving food
  • Tissue papers
  • Water bottles


Potluck recipes Indian vegetarian

Starters
  1. Gobi 65 / Gobi Fry
  2. Paneer 65
  3. Baby corn 65
  4. Gobi manchurian
  5. Baby corn manchurian
  6. Vegetable manchurian
  7. Paneer manchurian
  8. Medu vada/ Urad dal vada
  9. Masala Vada 
  10. Sabudana vada with peanut chutney
  11. Pepper Vada (Anjaneyar temple vada)
  12. Mixed Vegetable Vada
  13. Sweet corn vada
  14. Cabbage vada
  15. Thattuvadai set
  16. Pakoda (onion, cashew pakoda, Veg pakoda, pudina pakoda)
  17. Pani puri
  18. Onion rings
  19. Punjabi Samosa
  20. Vegetable cutlet
  21. Aloo tikki
  22. Vada pav
  23. Dahi Vada
  24. Samosa chat
  25. Canapes
  26. Potato Chips Or Nachos with salsa
  27. Veg spring rolls
  28. Veg Puffs
  29. Masala papad
  30. Honey chilli potato
  31. Paneer tikka with green chutney
  32. Dhokla OR  Khandvi
  33. Paneer pakora
  34. Mirchi bajji / Chilli bajji
  35. Stuffed Chilli Bajji (Andhra style)
  36. Onion Bajji / Pakora
  37. Potato bajji / Aloo Pakora
  38. Raw banana bajji
  39. Hara Bhara Kabab
  40. Potato wedges
  41. French fries
  42. Falafel with hummus
  43. Dabeli
  44. Kachori
  45. Kerala Pazham Pori
SOUPS
  1. Tomato soup
  2. Lemon coriander soup
  3. Carrot soup
  4. Dal soup
  5. Mushroom soup
  6. Veg clear soup
  7. Minestrone soup
  8. Sweet corn soup
  9. Mulligatawny
  10. Tomato basil soup
DRINKS / JUICES
  1. Shikanji
  2. Jal jeera
  3. Thandai
  4. Aam panna
  5. Masala chaas
  6. Lemon juice
  7. Mango juice / Homemade Frooti
  8. Fruit punch
  9. Orange juice
  10. Rose milk
  11. Lassi (mango lassi)
  12. Smoothie
  13. Soft drinks
  14. Masala coke
  15. Buttermilk (Seasoned buttermilk tastes better)
  16. Pinacolada
MAIN COURSE
  1. Roti / chapathi
  2. Paratha varieties ( Aloo & Gobi is the most preferred ones)
  3. Kulcha ( Plain & stuffed Kulcha)
  4. Poori
  5. Idli
  6. Dosa (Masala dosa)
  7. Vada / Medu vada
  8. Ven Pongal and Sweet Pongal
  9. Rava kichadi OR Masala rava kichadi
  10. Uthappam (Plain, Podi, Onion, Mixed Veg)
  11. Rava idli
  12. Idiyappam / rice sevai
  13. Semiya biryani / Pulao
  14. Kuzhi paniyaram
  15. White sauce pasta
  16. Veg noodles
  17. Pav bhaji
  18. Vada pav
  19. Thayir vada
  20. Sambar vada ( Refer Sambar recipe)
  21. Sambar idli
  22. Idli fry
  23. Mini dosa recipes
SIDE DISH RECIPES / GRAVIES
  1. Sambar Varieties For Idli, Dosa
  2. Chutney Varieties
  3. Idli Podi
  4. Gravies & Kurma ( chana masala, saag, Paneer, Aloo, mixed veg, palak, dal makhani , dal tadka, veg kofta, methi malai, matar paneer, aloo gobi)
  5. Raita (Onion, cucumber, boondi, carrot raita, mixed veg, masala)
  6. Sambar For Rice
  7. Kuzhambu Varieties ( Vathakuzhambu, Kara kuzhambu)
  8. Rasam Varieties
  9. Kootu Recipes
  10. Poriyal recipes ( Potato, cauliflower poriyal works great)
  11. Vadam, Vathal
RICE VARIETIES
  1. Puliyogare / Tamarind rice
  2. Tomato rice
  3. Veg biryani varieties
  4. Lemon rice
  5. Veg pulao
  6. Hotel Veg Pulao
  7. Jeera rice
  8. Paneer pulao / biryani
  9. Mint pulao
  10. Karnataka Bisibelebath
  11. Tamilnadu sambar sadam
  12. Vegetable Fried rice
  13. Coconut rice
  14. Plain rice, sambar, rasam, Kara kuzhambu  any dry curry ( potato curry, mixed veg curry, bhindi fry (North Indian), cauliflower curry )
  15. Curd rice, pickle
SWEETS / DESSERT
  1. Kesaribath
  2. Rice kheer
  3. Sweet pongal
  4. Gulab jamun
  5. Carrot halwa
  6. Rava ladoo
  7. Rasagulla
  8. Rasmalai
  9. Moong dal halwa
  10. Easy Atta halwa
  11. Semiya payasam
  12. Ice creams
  13. Sabudana kheer
  14. Fresh fruit cream
  15. Fruit Custard
  16. Badam kheer
  17. Carrot kheer
  18. Kaju katli
  19. Cakes and muffins 
  20. Paal Kozhukattai
  21. Chettinad Paal Kozhukattai 
  22. Rava Ladoo 
  23. Besan laddu
  24. Moong dal ladoo
  25. Beetroot Halwa
SALAD

Freshly cut onion, cucumber, tomato, carrot
Fruits salad

BEVERAGES

Tea / chai
Coffee
Water Bottles

POTLUCK LUNCH PARTY SAMPLE MENU 

  • Any Fruit juice
  • Masala vada / Gobi 65 / Medhu vada
  • Rava kesari / Kesaribath Or Sweet pongal
  • Bisibelebath & chips
  • Vegetable pulao or biryani with raita
  • Roti with mixed vegetable kurma or Paneer butter masala
  • Plain rice, Sambar , Rasam,  potato curry OR cauliflower curry
  • Gulab Jamun with icecream
  • Payasam/ Kheer ( Vermicelli or rice)
  • Sliced vegetables & fruits for salad.
POTLUCK DINNER PARTY SAMPLE MENU

  • Tomato soup or sweet corn soup
  • Gobi manchurian 
  • Vegetable spring rolls or samosa
  • Roti/ Naan/ Kulcha/ Rumali roti
  • Paneer butter masala / Dal makhani/ Mixed vegetable gravy
  • Vegetable Dum Biryani with raita
  • Vegetable noodles with sauce
  • Plain rice, dal tadka
  • Sambar or rasam
  • Papad or chips
  • Carrot halwa with icecream or fruits custard
  • Mixed fruits salad 

Continue Reading...


January 1, 2018

12 Kesari Varieties – Different Types Of Rava Kesari Recipes - Indian Halwa Recipes

Kesari varieties
Collection of 12 Rava Kesari varieties / different types of rava kesari / Sheera Recipes. In this new year 2018, I wanted to start with a sweet post. So here I made a collection of different types of rava kesari recipes from my website. Kesari is basically an Indian sweet dish prepared with semolina, sugar and ghee. 

People in South India and North India call this yummy dessert recipe in different names like rava kesari, Kesaribath, Sheera, Halwa etc. We love to make Rava Kesari / Ksheera at home for all the festivals and occasions. Even today I made kesari bath for new year celebration. Kesari is basically a beginners sweet. Its so easy to make and takes less time to prepare. Even though its considered as a beginners sweet, many of us doesn’t get it right in texture. Sometimes it becomes hard, chewy, dry or with lumps. 

To prepare hotel style, soft and ghee dripping kesari must be the dream of many. Me too not an exception. When I was a beginner, I struggled a lot to make perfect kesari. So my MIL taught me some useful tips about the ratio of water and rava, perfect cooking of rava/semolina without lumps and much more. 

From then, I started to make good kesari every time and I got the confidence to explore different types of rava kesari recipes like milk kesari/ Paal kesari, pineapple kesari, mango kesari, Karnataka style kesaribath, microwave rava kesari, other kesari recipes like Vermicelli kesari, Aval kesari/Poha kesari and some North Indian Sheera recipes like suji ka halwa/ suji sheera, Atta ka sheera and Moong dal dal sheera. I am yet to try banana sheera and fruit kesari recipes. I will add them in this list once I do that. Now lets see the collection of 10 Kesari recipes from Chitra’s Food Book in this New Year 2018 as my first post .

I thank all my readers and followers of my website for your unconditional love and support. I am really blessed to have you all. Hoping to get more and more support, encouragement and love from you in this new year as well. Ok, lets move on to the post !

Kesari Varieties - South Indian, North Indian Sheera Recipes


Kesari varieties 12 Kesari Varieties – Different types of South Indian & North Indian Sheera Recipes
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Kesari Recipes
Serves: Serves 3-4
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 25 Minutes
Rava kesari recipe
Karnataka Kesaribath recipe

Chiroti rava kesari bath

Microwave Rava Kesari
Paal Kesari
Pineapple sheera
Mango sheera recipe
Semiya kesari
Aval kesari
Sooji sheera
Moong dal halwa


    Continue Reading...


    November 5, 2017

    20 Side Dish For Poori – Indian Vegetarian Side Dish For Puri Recipes

    Side dish for poori recipes / Indian vegetarian side dish for puri.This post is a collection of 20 South Indian and North Indian Side dish recipes for poori with potato, without potato, tomato based side dish recipes and few more with Besan,  peas, chana, mixed vegetables, paneer gravies and curry. 

    Most of them are easy to make as its done in pressure cooker and many gravies can be prepared without any grinding job. So bachelors can also try them. I have also shared some hotel style/restaurant style potato curry recipes too. Poori / Puri is one of the most popular Indian breakfast recipes.  It is loved by all irrespective of the age. 

    The most common side dish for poori is potato masala. Kids love to have it with sugar, ketchup, jam, potato and paneer gravy. Apart from potato curry, many other gravies can also be prepared. Recently I made a list of 10 different types of poori recipes from my website. So I thought of making this list of side dish recipes that my readers would find it helpful.


    Side dish for poori

    In this list, you can find Tamil nadu hotel style potato masala, Onion masala without potato, Chana kurma, Potato kurma, Veg kurma, Green Peas kurma, Karnataka style Veg sagu and avarekalu sagu, North Indian restaurant style potato bhaji/ aloo subzi, Chole masala, onion tomato sabzi, dahi aloo, easy chana masala using pressure cooker, Bombay chutney, Paneer butter masala, Paneer korma, Kadai paneer and aamras recipes. 

    You can also find video recipes for some of the kurma recipes. I am yet to try Andhra and Kerala style potato curry recipes. I will update this list as soon as I post them. Ok, now lets see 20 different types of side dish for poori with links. Please click on the image or the title to view the particular recipe.

    Do check out my 10 types of poori recipes !

    Side dish For Poori/ Puri Recipes - South Indian, North Indian Vegetarian Side dish For puri


    Side dish for Poori recipes Side dish for Poori / Puri - North Indian & South Indian Side Dish Recipes !
    Cuisine: Indian
    Category: Side dish for poori
    Serves:  3-4
    Prep time: 20 Minutes
    Cook time: 15 Minutes
    Total time: 35 Minutes

    Potato masala for poori
    Poori masala without potato
    Hotel Vegetable kurma

    Chole recipe for bhatura
    Chana masala
    Tomato sabzi
    Potato kurma
    Vegetable sagu
    Avarekalu sagu

    Peas kurma
    Cauliflower kurma
    Bombay chutney
    Aamras
    Dahi aloo
    Tomato onion thokku
    Paneer kurma
    Paneer butter masala
    Kadai paneer

    Continue Reading...