SOFT DOSA.
Raw rice ----4cups, Udad dal ----1 cup,Grey pumpkin pulp---- 1cup,[or beaten rice 1 cup]Salt to taste. WAsh and soak rice and dal for 4/5 hours. Grind to a very fine paste remove from grinder and pour it in a big vessel[ the dough will rise as it forments], and keep aside over night or at 6/8 hours. Make dosa a little thick. cook on both sides till done.
HYAGRIVA MANDI
Chana Dal----Two cups, Jaggery----two cups, ghee 1/2 cup, Gus gussa---1tblsp, Dry coconut----1/4 cup, raisins and kaju as per taste. Dry coconut to be cut into small bits.
Preasure cook the dal till done4/4 whistles, remove and drain water. [Keep the water]. In a thick bottomed kadai put in the jaggery and enough water for the jaggery to melt. When the jaggery melts and is one thread syrup add the dal and cook till the mixture thickens. remove from fire. In another small kadai heat the ghee fry the raisins and kaju, remove add the coconut, when the coconut changes colour slightly add the gus gussa and fry till the gusgussa turns a little golden add this to cooked dal and jaggery mixture.Mix well and Serve.
KHEER
Wheat atta 1/4 cup, coconut milk----2/3 cups, kaju and drakshe,sugar or jaggery 3/4 cups or as desired. cardomom powder 1/2 tsp, ghee---1/4 cup.Milk Two cups.
In a kadai puta tbblsp ghee and fry the atta till golden and a pleasant smell emits, add the milk and boil till the mixture thickens add the sugara and boil for some more time add the coconut milk . remove from immiadiatly after the mixture starts to boill fry the kaju and drakshe with rest of the ghee and add to the kheer.
Sajappa
Incredents: coconut scrapings[scraped fine] of one coconut, Equal amount of jaggery,[ in the ratio one is to one] , cardamom powder, maida ---- one cup, fine rava[chiroti rava], 2 table spoon ghee to mix the dough, a pinch of salt and oil to fry.
In thick bottomed Kadai put in the jaggery with 1/2 cup water. let ie boil for a few mins add the coconut scapings and keep stiring till the Pooran is done ie it wil stat to leave the sides. another test is if you touch the pooran with a moist finger it should come clean. Mix the maida and rava , ghee and a pinch of salt and with water mix it into a stiff dough and keep aside half an hour or more. Make equal size balls of the dough. Apply a little oil to the hands and shape the dough into a cup, put a little pooran in side and close. On a placstic papper or banana leaf pat into a flat shape [like a puri]. Make a number of these. Heat oil in a kadai to medium heat and fry the Stuffed puris one by one , when it it fryed golden remove from oil and drain on a collander till a little cool then tranfer to serving dish. this can also be shallow fried, though the fried ones are tastier and last a few days more than the shallow fried ones.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Anantha Chaturdasi or Anantha Vratha.
This festival comes on Bhadrapada maasa shukla paksha chaturthi.
Materials and Puja Articles needed:-A thambya[Thumbige] made of silver or copper or pithal.Bunch of mango leaves, Ananthan Dora{this is made of red silk threads with 14 knots available in puja shops] This is bought in pairs. one pair for each couple.and one pair for the bramin couple invited for food. A coconut to be placed on the thambya for kalas. Select size suitable for the thambya used. [ too big a one may topple the thambya. the coconut must be of the size so that that 1/4 of the bottom half of the coconut fits into the thambya. In some house holds in the Kalas Five dry friuts are put namely badam, kaju, drakshe., dates and kal sakkare/ kade sakar. Some put water a little of both haladhi and kumkum and mantra akshitha.[ find out out from your elders the family custom. A snake made out of dharba grass if this is available. Flowers and Friuts and coconut. Raw milk a little and pancha amrutha.
This puja is performed by dhampathis ie husband and wife.
Select a proper place, clean and wipe the place. Place a plank, on this spread a cup of rice. On the thambya apply Lime [sunna/ chunam] fully or two lines around the thambya one line below the rim and the other about one or two inces above the bottom of the thambya. and in the centre Draw a eight pettaled padma with a mixture of lime and haldhi which will give a red colour. Inside the thambya put [dry friuts or water as per the family custom]. Over this keep the mango leaves[ make the leaves are wiped clean with a wet cloth]the the coconut with haldhi powder applied on it. [ wet the coconut a little and apply the haldhi powder]. The dharbha Snake if available is placed on top of the coconut. After puja this dharbha snake is to bo be kept in your safe or cash box.
Apply kumkum. This is kalas. Place this on the rice spread on the plank.and perform puja with haldhi kumkum gandha, geja vastra. There is a puja book available as also cds. If one has not got this, do archana reciting the Vishnu Ashtotara followed by lakshmi ashtotara either with flowers or kumkum to lakshmi. Perform the puja also reciting the Vishunu sahaara nama vali, if you have no book.
Perform puja to the dora too, after the puja is over, the dora is given to bramhana and savashni, if they have been invited, if not , the head of the family and his spouse and then the others,the dora is given by the person who performed the puja.The men wear it arround their neck [like a chain] the women are to tie arround their right hand. This dora can be removed after some time . KEEP THE DORA IN A SAFE PLACE. DONT DISREGARD IT AND KEEP IT IN BATHROOMS AND PLACES WHERE IT IS LIKELY TO STAMPED UPON OR THROWN AWAY CARELESSLY.
Narayana in this Vratha called Anatha is supposed to be a old man, so only soft foods are made.Dosa, spinach bhaji, Hayagriva mandi and Kheer made with rosted wheat flour and cocanut milk is made.
Story on Anantha Padma nabha.
There once a bramin . He had a daughter and after the passing away of his, he remarried and the step mother was troubling the daughter to a great extent.The bramin got his daughter married.On the way to her husbands house she saw some people performing the Anantha Padmanabha puja. While she watched the puja ssome one gave her the Dora and told her to wear it arround her arm and proceeded her husbands house.When the husband saw her wearing the Dora he grabbed it and threw it into the fire, but the wife retrieved it and put out the fire and soaked the Dora in milk asking forgiveness .
After some time for one reason or other the prosperity of the family srated to decline and she was sure it was because her husband had thrown the Dora into the fire. When the time for puja aproached she convinced her husband and performed the Puja, after which their prosoerity recovered. The husband was repentent to his action. From then on they performed the Anantha Padmanabha Puja regularly.
IT is a custom to invite a couple for food [bramana and savashini]. This is not always possible with more and more women working. Do the puja and pay for hastoka in any matha for two.As for Onti and Vaagina dhana , Do the Onti to the godess and keep it by and also the Vaagina dhana, This can be given when some couple visit you.
Materials and Puja Articles needed:-A thambya[Thumbige] made of silver or copper or pithal.Bunch of mango leaves, Ananthan Dora{this is made of red silk threads with 14 knots available in puja shops] This is bought in pairs. one pair for each couple.and one pair for the bramin couple invited for food. A coconut to be placed on the thambya for kalas. Select size suitable for the thambya used. [ too big a one may topple the thambya. the coconut must be of the size so that that 1/4 of the bottom half of the coconut fits into the thambya. In some house holds in the Kalas Five dry friuts are put namely badam, kaju, drakshe., dates and kal sakkare/ kade sakar. Some put water a little of both haladhi and kumkum and mantra akshitha.[ find out out from your elders the family custom. A snake made out of dharba grass if this is available. Flowers and Friuts and coconut. Raw milk a little and pancha amrutha.
This puja is performed by dhampathis ie husband and wife.
Select a proper place, clean and wipe the place. Place a plank, on this spread a cup of rice. On the thambya apply Lime [sunna/ chunam] fully or two lines around the thambya one line below the rim and the other about one or two inces above the bottom of the thambya. and in the centre Draw a eight pettaled padma with a mixture of lime and haldhi which will give a red colour. Inside the thambya put [dry friuts or water as per the family custom]. Over this keep the mango leaves[ make the leaves are wiped clean with a wet cloth]the the coconut with haldhi powder applied on it. [ wet the coconut a little and apply the haldhi powder]. The dharbha Snake if available is placed on top of the coconut. After puja this dharbha snake is to bo be kept in your safe or cash box.
Apply kumkum. This is kalas. Place this on the rice spread on the plank.and perform puja with haldhi kumkum gandha, geja vastra. There is a puja book available as also cds. If one has not got this, do archana reciting the Vishnu Ashtotara followed by lakshmi ashtotara either with flowers or kumkum to lakshmi. Perform the puja also reciting the Vishunu sahaara nama vali, if you have no book.
Perform puja to the dora too, after the puja is over, the dora is given to bramhana and savashni, if they have been invited, if not , the head of the family and his spouse and then the others,the dora is given by the person who performed the puja.The men wear it arround their neck [like a chain] the women are to tie arround their right hand. This dora can be removed after some time . KEEP THE DORA IN A SAFE PLACE. DONT DISREGARD IT AND KEEP IT IN BATHROOMS AND PLACES WHERE IT IS LIKELY TO STAMPED UPON OR THROWN AWAY CARELESSLY.
Narayana in this Vratha called Anatha is supposed to be a old man, so only soft foods are made.Dosa, spinach bhaji, Hayagriva mandi and Kheer made with rosted wheat flour and cocanut milk is made.
Story on Anantha Padma nabha.
There once a bramin . He had a daughter and after the passing away of his, he remarried and the step mother was troubling the daughter to a great extent.The bramin got his daughter married.On the way to her husbands house she saw some people performing the Anantha Padmanabha puja. While she watched the puja ssome one gave her the Dora and told her to wear it arround her arm and proceeded her husbands house.When the husband saw her wearing the Dora he grabbed it and threw it into the fire, but the wife retrieved it and put out the fire and soaked the Dora in milk asking forgiveness .
After some time for one reason or other the prosperity of the family srated to decline and she was sure it was because her husband had thrown the Dora into the fire. When the time for puja aproached she convinced her husband and performed the Puja, after which their prosoerity recovered. The husband was repentent to his action. From then on they performed the Anantha Padmanabha Puja regularly.
IT is a custom to invite a couple for food [bramana and savashini]. This is not always possible with more and more women working. Do the puja and pay for hastoka in any matha for two.As for Onti and Vaagina dhana , Do the Onti to the godess and keep it by and also the Vaagina dhana, This can be given when some couple visit you.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Recipes
Desastha type Pitla
Incredents: To serve 6 people: Chana dal---11/2 tblsps, Udad dal--- 2 spoons, Dry cillies 4/5,
Pepper---one tsp. DRy coconut 1/2 cup, Dhania seeds ---one tsp. fry all these incredents with a little oil till agood arome emits, when cool grind to a fine powder or grind fine like chutney.
Vegetables beans, grey pumpkin, raw banana,Padval, potato,suran[yam], ground nuts .
Tamarind a small lemon size soaked .TUR DAL one cup. boil the dal, boil the vegetables with a little salt and haldhi powder.boil Till all the vegs are boiled add the boiled dal and the tamarind paste , boil till the raw smell of the tamarind dissappears, add the gound powder/ paste .Add water to bring it to required consistancy. Boil for a one or two minutes stirring all the time. Seoson with a little oil heated add hing and mustard and curry leaves.
Ambode
Incredents Tur dal one cup, Chana dal---1/2 cup, red cillies a few, green chillies a few, one tsp dhania seeds hing a little, ginger a small peice. coconut scappings 1/2 cup,oil for frying.
Soak both the dals for an hour or little more with the red chillies. Grind coursly along with the other incredents and salt to a course paste without adding too much water. It should be thick enough to shape into vadas.heat oil when the oil is hot reduce the heat to medium and fry the ambodes till golden and crisp. This is basic recipe you may add pudina leaves too if you like or even cabbage. Dont grind the dals too soft, if it is soft the ambodes will not be crisp.When grinding dont run the mixie for long periods, this will make the paste too soft. run the mixi shortly for a few seconds 5/ 6 times to make a course paste.
Incredents: To serve 6 people: Chana dal---11/2 tblsps, Udad dal--- 2 spoons, Dry cillies 4/5,
Pepper---one tsp. DRy coconut 1/2 cup, Dhania seeds ---one tsp. fry all these incredents with a little oil till agood arome emits, when cool grind to a fine powder or grind fine like chutney.
Vegetables beans, grey pumpkin, raw banana,Padval, potato,suran[yam], ground nuts .
Tamarind a small lemon size soaked .TUR DAL one cup. boil the dal, boil the vegetables with a little salt and haldhi powder.boil Till all the vegs are boiled add the boiled dal and the tamarind paste , boil till the raw smell of the tamarind dissappears, add the gound powder/ paste .Add water to bring it to required consistancy. Boil for a one or two minutes stirring all the time. Seoson with a little oil heated add hing and mustard and curry leaves.
Ambode
Incredents Tur dal one cup, Chana dal---1/2 cup, red cillies a few, green chillies a few, one tsp dhania seeds hing a little, ginger a small peice. coconut scappings 1/2 cup,oil for frying.
Soak both the dals for an hour or little more with the red chillies. Grind coursly along with the other incredents and salt to a course paste without adding too much water. It should be thick enough to shape into vadas.heat oil when the oil is hot reduce the heat to medium and fry the ambodes till golden and crisp. This is basic recipe you may add pudina leaves too if you like or even cabbage. Dont grind the dals too soft, if it is soft the ambodes will not be crisp.When grinding dont run the mixie for long periods, this will make the paste too soft. run the mixi shortly for a few seconds 5/ 6 times to make a course paste.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Short Slokas for every Day
Ramayana.
Poorva Rama thapo vanaadhi-gamanam, Hathvaa mragam kaanchanam,
Vaidehi haranam , Jataayu maranam , Sugriva-sambaasham,Vaali nigra hanam, Samudra
Tharanam, Lankaa puri dhahanam,Pascha Raavana Kumbakarna mathanam,Yethadvi
Ramayanam.
Sundaraa Kaandam
Anjaana-nandanam Veeram, Jaanaki Shoka Naasanam,
Kapeesha Makshahanthaaram Vandey Lankaa Bayankaram,
Sundrey Sundere maa, Sundare Sundari Seethaa,
Sunderey Sundari-Katha Sunderey kim na Sunderam.
Bhagavathaa.
AAdhou Devaki Devi Garba Jananam Gopi grehey Vardhanam,
Maaya Puthani Jeevithaapa Haranam Goverdhano dhaaranam,
Kamsa Chedhana Koura vaadhi Haranam Kunthi Suthaa Paalanam,
Yethad Bhagavatha Puraana Kathitham Sri Krishna Leelamrutham.
Maha bharatha.
Aadhou Pandava Dhritharaashtra Jananam Laksha grahe Dhaahanam,
Dhyuthe Sri Haranam Vane Viharanam Mathsaa laya Vardhanam,
Leelaa gho grahanam Raney Vitharanam Sandhi kriyaa Jram-bhanam,
Bhishma Drona Suyo dha naadhi mathanam Yethad mahabharaham.
Ganapathi Stothra
Kadu Karuni-ninendu-aridhu herodale namisuve nina-adige,Bembidadhe paalisu karuna sindhendhu.
Nadi naduve baruva vignava thadedhu bhagavanama, Nudise-inindha prathidhivasadhali marayadhale.
Before starting to cook.
Surya narayana sarathi-agali, Attidha adige Akshaya-vagali, Lakshni narayanara Naividya-vagali, Lakshminarayanaru Thriptha-ragali, Lakshmi narayanara Laksha virali
Jaya Jayathu Sri Harige Jaya Jayathu Naraharige, Jaya Jayathu Sri hari Uradhali Nelaseshwarige, Chathur-mukha Bramhanige Thath Sraswathi-Bharathige,
Bakthi-indha Garuda, Shesha, Rudrarrige eruguve naanu. Thara thamyadha davalavanu heli-kelidhavarige Ananthaasana koduva Namma Hayavadhana.
Poorva Rama thapo vanaadhi-gamanam, Hathvaa mragam kaanchanam,
Vaidehi haranam , Jataayu maranam , Sugriva-sambaasham,Vaali nigra hanam, Samudra
Tharanam, Lankaa puri dhahanam,Pascha Raavana Kumbakarna mathanam,Yethadvi
Ramayanam.
Sundaraa Kaandam
Anjaana-nandanam Veeram, Jaanaki Shoka Naasanam,
Kapeesha Makshahanthaaram Vandey Lankaa Bayankaram,
Sundrey Sundere maa, Sundare Sundari Seethaa,
Sunderey Sundari-Katha Sunderey kim na Sunderam.
Bhagavathaa.
AAdhou Devaki Devi Garba Jananam Gopi grehey Vardhanam,
Maaya Puthani Jeevithaapa Haranam Goverdhano dhaaranam,
Kamsa Chedhana Koura vaadhi Haranam Kunthi Suthaa Paalanam,
Yethad Bhagavatha Puraana Kathitham Sri Krishna Leelamrutham.
Maha bharatha.
Aadhou Pandava Dhritharaashtra Jananam Laksha grahe Dhaahanam,
Dhyuthe Sri Haranam Vane Viharanam Mathsaa laya Vardhanam,
Leelaa gho grahanam Raney Vitharanam Sandhi kriyaa Jram-bhanam,
Bhishma Drona Suyo dha naadhi mathanam Yethad mahabharaham.
Ganapathi Stothra
Kadu Karuni-ninendu-aridhu herodale namisuve nina-adige,Bembidadhe paalisu karuna sindhendhu.
Nadi naduve baruva vignava thadedhu bhagavanama, Nudise-inindha prathidhivasadhali marayadhale.
Before starting to cook.
Surya narayana sarathi-agali, Attidha adige Akshaya-vagali, Lakshni narayanara Naividya-vagali, Lakshminarayanaru Thriptha-ragali, Lakshmi narayanara Laksha virali
Jaya Jayathu Sri Harige Jaya Jayathu Naraharige, Jaya Jayathu Sri hari Uradhali Nelaseshwarige, Chathur-mukha Bramhanige Thath Sraswathi-Bharathige,
Bakthi-indha Garuda, Shesha, Rudrarrige eruguve naanu. Thara thamyadha davalavanu heli-kelidhavarige Ananthaasana koduva Namma Hayavadhana.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Ganesha Chaturthi
Ganesha or Vinayaka is worshipped all over India. He is known to remove obstacles, bestow knowledge, and grant us our wishes. This festival for Ganesha comes in the month of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha Chaturthi. Generally an Idol of Ganesha is bought, or made of clay or in recent times made ganesha idols made of plaster of paris is also available. It is best to make your own Ganesha or buy the clay ones, as they are environment friendly. On the day Ganesha is brought home, an arathi is performed before entering the front door to the the Ganesha and then placed in a clean place on a plank, till the mantap is got ready.
For the puja materials wanted will be:- Flowers, Haldhi, KumKum, sandal paste[gandha], red sandal pase if available, akshitha, Geja vastra, coconuts, banana, other fruits, corn, sugar cane, jaggery, Patri{leaves] of gauva, mango and whatever is possible. Most important is grass called Arugam Pillu in tamil, Durva grass in Kannada. Pancha amrutha or madhuparka[a mixture of curds honey and ghee]. For Ganesha red colour is a favarite so try and get red flowers roses for example.
Perform Ganesha Puja with devotion. After setting up the Ganesha in a proper place, start the puja as I have described in the previous pujas.
It is said one should not see the moon on this day. If one does see it there is a superstition that the person will be accused of something the person has not done. Anyway seeing the moon is unavoidable. So after the morning prayers recite this prayer.
SIMHA PRASENA-MAVADHEETH SIMHO JAAMBA VATHH HATHAHA
SUKUMAARAKA MAA RODHISTHA HYASHA SYAMANTHAKAHA .
most people keep the Ganesha for three days. some five days and so on.Perform Ganesha Puja with devotion. After setting up the Ganesha in a proper place, start the puja as I have described in the previous pujas.
It is said one should not see the moon on this day. If one does see it there is a superstition that the person will be accused of something the person has not done. Anyway seeing the moon is unavoidable. So after the morning prayers recite this prayer.
SIMHA PRASENA-MAVADHEETH SIMHO JAAMBA VATHH HATHAHA
SUKUMAARAKA MAA RODHISTHA HYASHA SYAMANTHAKAHA .
For all the days you keep ganesha in the house, do panchupachara puja and neividhya everyday.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Swarna Gowri Vratha
This Festival comes usually a day before Ganesh Chaturthi. This is widly celebrated in karnataka. For this festival the daughters of the house are invited along with their spouses and gifts are given.
For the festival an idol of Gowri is bought along with the idol of Ganesha.
Materials needed for this are:-
Clean the place where Gowri is to be kept; [select a proper place as the Gowri my have to be kept for a couple of days].
Draw a rangoli and place a plank or a mantap and put a handfull rice, on it. Over this keep the Gowri.
To the right of the Gowri keep pan /spari and a friut.
To the left or front keep kadole, karimani toe rings haldhi kumkum, kajal and a small comb.
Do all this on the morning of the puja after a oil bath and when there is no rahu kala or yamaganda. When you start the puja, keep ready all the items mentioned , plus water, panchamrutha or raw milk, or Madhuparka ie a mix of honey curds and ghee. A little of this will do.
Start the puja first with a flower sprinkle a little water then milk and water again. This symbalises of giving bath. Sprinkle haldhi powder or apply to the two sides of gowri face near the ear. geja vastra.[Symbalises clothing the Gowri] now again sprinle haldhi powder then gandha and kum kum to be applied
to the the forehead, next come the flowers. Put a garland and put the flowers reciting the Ashtothara stothra. Next will be doopa, deepa and naividya. Perform puja to the Dhora(thread) coloured yellow with nine Knots as many as the number of women and children in the house. Keep this in front of gowri and do pua to this too. After this perform arathi.
Next give haladhi kumkum and flowers and thambula with dhakshina and a coconut or friut to all the Sumangalis and also tie the dora, while tieing dora on the right hand give a friut to keep in the hand while tieing the dora. Give a maradha bhagana with a choli or saree /blouse.In the evenig too a few sumangalis may be invited and pan supari, with a coconut can be given. In evening light lamps and perform arathi.
Swarna gowri is kept along with Ganesha for 3,5,7 9 and 11 days as per the convenience of the family. Some people to send them away on the same day.
It is said Gowri is on a visit to her parents house and Ganesha comes to take her back home. therefore the custom of inviting the daughters of the family to paticipate in the puja.
For lunch along with the festival food of 2 kosambris 2 bhajis and kadi/pitla POLI and kheer is made. A banana leaf is spread and all items served and offerd to Gowri and on the same leaf the Savshni is asked to partake her food.
For the festival an idol of Gowri is bought along with the idol of Ganesha.
Materials needed for this are:-
- haldhi kumkum,
- flowers,
- Pathri,
- geja vastra,
- gandha
- friuts etc for naividya.
- Keep a thread yellowed with turmeric and with nine knots also ready. One for all the savashnis called Dhora
Clean the place where Gowri is to be kept; [select a proper place as the Gowri my have to be kept for a couple of days].
Draw a rangoli and place a plank or a mantap and put a handfull rice, on it. Over this keep the Gowri.
To the right of the Gowri keep pan /spari and a friut.
To the left or front keep kadole, karimani toe rings haldhi kumkum, kajal and a small comb.
Do all this on the morning of the puja after a oil bath and when there is no rahu kala or yamaganda. When you start the puja, keep ready all the items mentioned , plus water, panchamrutha or raw milk, or Madhuparka ie a mix of honey curds and ghee. A little of this will do.
Start the puja first with a flower sprinkle a little water then milk and water again. This symbalises of giving bath. Sprinkle haldhi powder or apply to the two sides of gowri face near the ear. geja vastra.[Symbalises clothing the Gowri] now again sprinle haldhi powder then gandha and kum kum to be applied
to the the forehead, next come the flowers. Put a garland and put the flowers reciting the Ashtothara stothra. Next will be doopa, deepa and naividya. Perform puja to the Dhora(thread) coloured yellow with nine Knots as many as the number of women and children in the house. Keep this in front of gowri and do pua to this too. After this perform arathi.
Next give haladhi kumkum and flowers and thambula with dhakshina and a coconut or friut to all the Sumangalis and also tie the dora, while tieing dora on the right hand give a friut to keep in the hand while tieing the dora. Give a maradha bhagana with a choli or saree /blouse.In the evenig too a few sumangalis may be invited and pan supari, with a coconut can be given. In evening light lamps and perform arathi.
Swarna gowri is kept along with Ganesha for 3,5,7 9 and 11 days as per the convenience of the family. Some people to send them away on the same day.
It is said Gowri is on a visit to her parents house and Ganesha comes to take her back home. therefore the custom of inviting the daughters of the family to paticipate in the puja.
For lunch along with the festival food of 2 kosambris 2 bhajis and kadi/pitla POLI and kheer is made. A banana leaf is spread and all items served and offerd to Gowri and on the same leaf the Savshni is asked to partake her food.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Recipes for Janma Ashtami
Fresh Cocnut Burfi: Coconut one to be grated finely.measure the coconut scapings. Sugar must be equal to the coconut scrapingsor a 1/4 cup more. 3/4tsp ---cadamom powder. 2/3 teaspoons ghee.
In thick bottomed vessel, preferably a kadai put the sugar and pour water just to cover the sugar. Boil the mixture till the sugar is two thread syrup, add the coconut scrapings , keep boiling and stiring all the while till the mixture changes colour[to whitish] and leaves the sides of the kadai add the cardamom and ghee, mix well and pour on to a greased plate. Mark into squares while still warm.
Varieties: kaju can be ground to powder and added along with the coconut.Any colour can be added too. USE ONLY FOOD COLOURS OF REPUTED BRAND.
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Doodh Peda. Boil one litre milk in thick bottomed vesselstiring now and then to prevent the milk sticking to the bottom of the vessel. Keep boiling till the milk thickens to a thick batter like consistancy. Add 1/2 cup powdered sugar and boil again till thick and the thickened milk leaves the sides of the vessel. When cool it will become like a dough and can be shped into pedas.If necessary Safron can be added.
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Ground Nuts Laddu.: 250 grams ---- ground nuts, jaggry--- 200 grams, 1/2 cup water.
Roast the ground nuts and rmove husk by rubbing it together on a plate. crush the jaggery add water and make 2 1/2 thread syrup, add the ground nuts and remove from fire and pour ona greased plate and cut into squares or as soon as the mixture is from hire apply a little rice flour to the hands and shape into desired size balls. Fryed gram can also be used instead of ground nuts.
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In thick bottomed vessel, preferably a kadai put the sugar and pour water just to cover the sugar. Boil the mixture till the sugar is two thread syrup, add the coconut scrapings , keep boiling and stiring all the while till the mixture changes colour[to whitish] and leaves the sides of the kadai add the cardamom and ghee, mix well and pour on to a greased plate. Mark into squares while still warm.
Varieties: kaju can be ground to powder and added along with the coconut.Any colour can be added too. USE ONLY FOOD COLOURS OF REPUTED BRAND.
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Doodh Peda. Boil one litre milk in thick bottomed vesselstiring now and then to prevent the milk sticking to the bottom of the vessel. Keep boiling till the milk thickens to a thick batter like consistancy. Add 1/2 cup powdered sugar and boil again till thick and the thickened milk leaves the sides of the vessel. When cool it will become like a dough and can be shped into pedas.If necessary Safron can be added.
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Ground Nuts Laddu.: 250 grams ---- ground nuts, jaggry--- 200 grams, 1/2 cup water.
Roast the ground nuts and rmove husk by rubbing it together on a plate. crush the jaggery add water and make 2 1/2 thread syrup, add the ground nuts and remove from fire and pour ona greased plate and cut into squares or as soon as the mixture is from hire apply a little rice flour to the hands and shape into desired size balls. Fryed gram can also be used instead of ground nuts.
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Mysore Pak: Bengal Gram Flour----one cup, Sugar ----two cups, Ghee ----- two to two and a half cup.
Method : In thick bottom vessel, a aluminium kadai is the best, put the sugar and add enough water to cover the sugar, keep stirring till the suger melt, then bring to boil, add a little milk and remove anu scum that floats. when the sugar comes to one thread syrup add the flour stiring all the while so no lumps are formed. After the mixture thickens a little start adding the ghee little by little . Keep stiring. Keep a greasd plate ready. When the all the ghee is over and the mixture startas to leave the sides and becomes frothy, pour it in the greased tray. Cut into Sqares or diamonds when it is still hot. If it becomed too cool it cant be cut.
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Badam/ kaju Barfi:- Incredents ---Badam/Kaju ----one cup, Sugar ---- two cups ,Milk --- one cup and Ghee ----one cup. Soak the Badam in hot water for an hour or two. Remove the outer brown covering and grind to a fine paste.{if using kaju fry it for few mins and let it cool, then grind to a powder.}Add the Badam paste to the milk, pour it into a thick bottomed kadai .Keeping the flame in sim stir the Badam milk mix till the raw smell of the badam dissappears, now add the sugar and keep stiring , when the mixture starts to thicken ad the ghee little by little till the ghee is over keep stiring till the mixture leaves the sides of the kadai and becomes a mass, at this stage pour it on to greased tray and level it. Cut into desired shape when cool.
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WHEN MAKING SWEETS ACCURATE MEASUREING OF INCREDENTS IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE.
MAKING SWEETS AT HOME IS MUCH CHEAPER AND THE INCREDENTS USED WILL BE PURE.WHEN PREPARED WELL THE FAMILY ENJOY IT IT MAKES THE WOMEN VERY HAPPY AND SENSE OF ACHEIVEMENT>
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Janma Ashtami
Janma Ashtami or Gokula ashtami, this day Sri Krishna took birth on earth to rid the earth the of ADHARMA. This festival is celebrated all over India, each state has its own unique way of celebrating the feastival. What i am i writing pertains to the Madhva/ Desastha comunities.
This festival comes in month of sravan in the second half, [krishna paksha]. Lord Krishna is worshiped late in the evening, having fasted the whole day.
Models of Krishna and Balarama are made in clay, small babys in twin cradles is made along with models of a Panchngi bramin, a lady selling jamoons[ of which Krishna is said to be fond of]
a cow with calf and a donkey[dont know why].If one cannot make it clay, A sdilver or Pancha loha crawling Krishna can be worshiped in cradle made of silver/white metal/pithal or wood can be decorated and used.
For prasad, as Krishna is a child, lots of savouries and sweets, laddus, doodh peda, butter, milk and curds,Pohe (is also a must) are offered , in addition to friuts of all kinds . as far as possible jamoons are offered.
As the day is spent fasting except for a liquids like milk or butter milk, Saligrama puja is performed in the evening. If this not possible, the Krishna idol will suffice. For some reoson or other the saligrama puja is done in morning, keep the milk used for abhisheka. Get ready the usual puja items haldhi, kumkum, gandha, geja vastra, janivara, flowers, pathri, pan supari, and dakshina. For argya cup supari, coins and the jambhu friut.
Perform the puja the usual way,if the man of the house is doing puja after fasting he can do abhisheka to krishna, if not sprinkle water over the idol, reciting a krishna stothra then raw fresh milk then water again[ same prosegure for abhisheka too].Next adore the idol with the janivara [three threads as for a bramhachari] the any jewel. do puja with haldhi kumkum gandha flowers and pathri. If one has the time do Krishna astothara offering flowers and pathri one by one , oneflower/pathri/mantra akshitha for each name.or at least reciting the keshava nama.
Then mangala arathi tree wicks, naividya, dhoopa arathi, maha mangala arathi with five wicks soaked in ghee.BEFORE THE ASHTOTHARA LIGHT LAMPS.
After the puja Argya is offered to Krishna and the moon.the following mantra said for the puja Yagnaaya Yagnapathaye, Yagneshwaraaya Yagnasambavaaya, Sri Govidhaaya Namaha.
Krishna Argya Mantra.
Jaathaha Kamsa Vadharthaaya, Bhoo-Baaro tha Rathaayacha
Kauravaanaam Vinaashaaya, Dhaithyanaam nidhaanaaya chaI
Pandavaa naam Hitharthaaya Dharma Samsthaapanaya cha
Graharnaaya argyam Devakya Sahitha HareII
Devaki Sahithaaya Sri KrishnaNamaha: Idham argyam Idham Argyam IdhamArgyam Samarpayaami.
CHANDRA ARGYA MANTRA>
Kshiro dharnava Sambootham Athri netra Samudhabna
Grahana Argyam Maaya dhaatham RohiniyaamSahthaaha ShashinI
Rohini Sahithaaya Chandramaase Idham Argyam, Idham Argyam Samarpaayami
These are two Argya Mantraas. All members of the family have to offer argya. Keep a supari, jamboo fruit and coin in the right hand over a Pyala or fairly big bowl .Keep the three things in ur hand till the first argya mantra , first water, milk from the abhisheka and water again, then drop all three coin friutr and supari in the pyala. pick it up again for the Chanra manthra , after the Chandra Mantra the Argya is over, all members to follow the same prosidure onle take a new coin.
Om Sri Vasudevaya Namaha can be repeated 108 times during the day. ONLY MEN SAY OM> Women say Sri Vasudevaaya Namaha.
Phe is offered, as Sri Krishna;s boyhood friend Sudhama had taken a little Pohe, when he visited Sri Krishna.
The Story of Krishna and Sudhama. When both were in the Guru kula. they go out to gather fire- wood for their Guru , but sudden rain makes them both take shelter atop a tree In the rain Krishna hears Sudhama eating crunchy Pohe, and asks Sudhama , what is it that he is eating , Sudhama does not disclose what he ate.
After studies are over all the boys part ways and go back home, so also Krishna and Sudhama. Years pass by , both get married, Krishna is King in Dwaraka, but Sudhama , a priest has a few children and is poor, finding it hard to feed his wife and children.
One day Sudhama's wife , pleads with her husband to visit Sri Krishna, who she feels will redeem them from their poverty, but Sudhama is reluctant. After repeated pleading , Sudhama agrees and asks his wife what will you give to take for my friend? She gives him a little pohe, with which, Sudhama starts his journey to Dwaraka. He reaches there, and guards want to know who is , when he tell them he is Krishna's friend they laugh and mock him , you poor man in tatters, our King's friend ? After a lot of resistance they go tell their king Krishna, A person named Sudhama, says he is your Friend want to meet you. Sri Krishna, at once runs down to meet Sudhama , brings him in makes him sit beside him, sees to it he given food etc, they talk of old times and time is spent, but Sudhama is not sure how to ask Sri Krihna for favors. After a few days he takes leave to go back. Krishna does not offer and Sudhama does not want to ask.
On the way he keeps wondering what to tell his wife, who was so hopeful of getting some relief from poverty. When he does reach his home, every thing is changed he has a new house and his family are well dressed wearing jewels etc looking very prosperous, he thinks he had made a mistake and come to some one else s house. When his wife greets him, he realizes, Sri Krishna, the all knowing had understood his want and given him everything.
Sri Krishna is known as KARUNAKARA.
Another name of Sudhama is Kuchela.
This festival comes in month of sravan in the second half, [krishna paksha]. Lord Krishna is worshiped late in the evening, having fasted the whole day.
Models of Krishna and Balarama are made in clay, small babys in twin cradles is made along with models of a Panchngi bramin, a lady selling jamoons[ of which Krishna is said to be fond of]
a cow with calf and a donkey[dont know why].If one cannot make it clay, A sdilver or Pancha loha crawling Krishna can be worshiped in cradle made of silver/white metal/pithal or wood can be decorated and used.
For prasad, as Krishna is a child, lots of savouries and sweets, laddus, doodh peda, butter, milk and curds,Pohe (is also a must) are offered , in addition to friuts of all kinds . as far as possible jamoons are offered.
As the day is spent fasting except for a liquids like milk or butter milk, Saligrama puja is performed in the evening. If this not possible, the Krishna idol will suffice. For some reoson or other the saligrama puja is done in morning, keep the milk used for abhisheka. Get ready the usual puja items haldhi, kumkum, gandha, geja vastra, janivara, flowers, pathri, pan supari, and dakshina. For argya cup supari, coins and the jambhu friut.
Perform the puja the usual way,if the man of the house is doing puja after fasting he can do abhisheka to krishna, if not sprinkle water over the idol, reciting a krishna stothra then raw fresh milk then water again[ same prosegure for abhisheka too].Next adore the idol with the janivara [three threads as for a bramhachari] the any jewel. do puja with haldhi kumkum gandha flowers and pathri. If one has the time do Krishna astothara offering flowers and pathri one by one , oneflower/pathri/mantra akshitha for each name.or at least reciting the keshava nama.
Then mangala arathi tree wicks, naividya, dhoopa arathi, maha mangala arathi with five wicks soaked in ghee.BEFORE THE ASHTOTHARA LIGHT LAMPS.
After the puja Argya is offered to Krishna and the moon.the following mantra said for the puja Yagnaaya Yagnapathaye, Yagneshwaraaya Yagnasambavaaya, Sri Govidhaaya Namaha.
Krishna Argya Mantra.
Jaathaha Kamsa Vadharthaaya, Bhoo-Baaro tha Rathaayacha
Kauravaanaam Vinaashaaya, Dhaithyanaam nidhaanaaya chaI
Pandavaa naam Hitharthaaya Dharma Samsthaapanaya cha
Graharnaaya argyam Devakya Sahitha HareII
Devaki Sahithaaya Sri KrishnaNamaha: Idham argyam Idham Argyam IdhamArgyam Samarpayaami.
CHANDRA ARGYA MANTRA>
Kshiro dharnava Sambootham Athri netra Samudhabna
Grahana Argyam Maaya dhaatham RohiniyaamSahthaaha ShashinI
Rohini Sahithaaya Chandramaase Idham Argyam, Idham Argyam Samarpaayami
These are two Argya Mantraas. All members of the family have to offer argya. Keep a supari, jamboo fruit and coin in the right hand over a Pyala or fairly big bowl .Keep the three things in ur hand till the first argya mantra , first water, milk from the abhisheka and water again, then drop all three coin friutr and supari in the pyala. pick it up again for the Chanra manthra , after the Chandra Mantra the Argya is over, all members to follow the same prosidure onle take a new coin.
Om Sri Vasudevaya Namaha can be repeated 108 times during the day. ONLY MEN SAY OM> Women say Sri Vasudevaaya Namaha.
Phe is offered, as Sri Krishna;s boyhood friend Sudhama had taken a little Pohe, when he visited Sri Krishna.
The Story of Krishna and Sudhama. When both were in the Guru kula. they go out to gather fire- wood for their Guru , but sudden rain makes them both take shelter atop a tree In the rain Krishna hears Sudhama eating crunchy Pohe, and asks Sudhama , what is it that he is eating , Sudhama does not disclose what he ate.
After studies are over all the boys part ways and go back home, so also Krishna and Sudhama. Years pass by , both get married, Krishna is King in Dwaraka, but Sudhama , a priest has a few children and is poor, finding it hard to feed his wife and children.
One day Sudhama's wife , pleads with her husband to visit Sri Krishna, who she feels will redeem them from their poverty, but Sudhama is reluctant. After repeated pleading , Sudhama agrees and asks his wife what will you give to take for my friend? She gives him a little pohe, with which, Sudhama starts his journey to Dwaraka. He reaches there, and guards want to know who is , when he tell them he is Krishna's friend they laugh and mock him , you poor man in tatters, our King's friend ? After a lot of resistance they go tell their king Krishna, A person named Sudhama, says he is your Friend want to meet you. Sri Krishna, at once runs down to meet Sudhama , brings him in makes him sit beside him, sees to it he given food etc, they talk of old times and time is spent, but Sudhama is not sure how to ask Sri Krihna for favors. After a few days he takes leave to go back. Krishna does not offer and Sudhama does not want to ask.
On the way he keeps wondering what to tell his wife, who was so hopeful of getting some relief from poverty. When he does reach his home, every thing is changed he has a new house and his family are well dressed wearing jewels etc looking very prosperous, he thinks he had made a mistake and come to some one else s house. When his wife greets him, he realizes, Sri Krishna, the all knowing had understood his want and given him everything.
Sri Krishna is known as KARUNAKARA.
Another name of Sudhama is Kuchela.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Gokulashtami
This festival comes in Shravana Krishna paksha . Lord Krishna was born to rid the world of the asuras who had become powerful and were troubling the sages and the devout.
On this day Lord Krishna is worshiped in the late evening. Fasting is observed for the full day. Some people make clay models of the Lord and Balarama lying in cradles .Many others keep a crawling idol of the Lord in a cradle. The cradle maybe of any metal. Silver, brass, any.
As Lord Krishna is worshiped as a child, a lot of savouries and sweets are offered as neividya. Fruits, milk, butter with a piece of sugar on it and poha, along with sweets and savouries is offered.The jamoon or jambul fruit should be a special addition on this day.
The puja is done as usual with haldi, kumkum,, gandha, flowers and tulasi. Those who hav a saligrama can do a full saligrama puja . After the puja is done argya is offered to Lord Krishna by all members of the family After Lord Krishna is worshiped, Balarama is to be worshiped. .The following mantra is said for the puja
Yagnaaya Yagnapathaye
Yagneshwaraaya Yagnasambavaaya
Sri Govindaaya Namonamaha
Krishnasthami day is spent in fasting. Some take palahara after the puja. The very devout eat only on the day after the puja.
Gokulashtami is a festival when little children in the house are dressed as Lord Krishna.
Tiny little feet of a toddler Krishna are drawn from the entrance of the house leading to the puja room.
The front of the house is decorated with rangoli and mango leaves thoran.
Bhajans and songs of Krishna are sung while awaiting the puja hour, which is by far late at night.
Besides fruits, a dish made of poha, kheer, butter and some snacks are a must for neividya. Even if not possible to make snacks, poha, butter and kheer is made. Some neividya items made this day are besan laadu, rava laadu, coconut burfi, and doodh peda or sweet khoa is definitely made. Thengul, chakli, sakkarpara , sweet and khara seedai are also prepared.
Recipes for some of these preperations follows.
Janma ashtami recipes.
Janma astami is celebrated on birth of Sri krishna. AS children like fried items, on krishna ashtami , varieties of fried eats are made.
Thengul: Rice flour----2 cups, fried udad flour---1/2 cup.Jeera---1/2 tsp, hing 1/2 tsp or less,salt to taste, butter----50/75 grams. Oil for frying.
To make the udad powder. fry 1/2 cup udid dal till it turns golden cool and grind to a powder and seive it in a fine sieve.
Method: in a big enough bowl mix the rice flour and the udad flour and the other incredents except butter. Melt this butter till just melted. Add this to the flour and mix well.with water mix it into a soft dough.heat the oil and in a chakli mould put the dough little at a time andpress it on to the hat oil in round shapes, fry till crisp. remove on to a plate with a slotted laddle. fry all the thengul, store after it is cool.
Seedai
For seedai processed rice flour is used. Wash rice and soak in enough water for half an hour. Drain through in collander and spread the rice on a thick cloth under in shade to dry.When water has all drained and there no moisture,run the rice in mixi till the rice is powdered. seive in flour seive, run the left over rice again to make powder and seive again. and keep aside. If this rice powder is well dried it can be stored in air tight tin for a longer time.
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To make seedai: Incredents:
Processed rice flour[fresh]--- 2 cups
Roasted gram flour ----------1/2 cup
chutney dal]
White til[sesame seeds.]----1tbl sp.
Sour curds----------------1/4 cup
Ghee/ butter-------------2 tbl sps
Hot oil for dough--------2 /3 tbl sps
Grind together 5/6 gr. chillies, salt and asafoetida.
Method:
Dry roast the processed rice flour, till becomes warm. Sieve and mix the dal powder. Add ghee and blend with the flour, mix the the ground paste hot oil and mix well. add the curds[beaten] , little by little to make thick dough. Make small balls and put them on a towel, for few mins and deep fry in oil till golden and crisp. Remove from oil , cool and store.
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Sweet seedai.
Plain Rice flour----21/2 cups, Roasted Udad flour----1/2 cup, Cardamom powder----1/2 tsp,
Fresh white butter---2/3 tsps,Grated jaggery----11/2 cup,Thick Coconut Extract[milk]to mix the dough. oil and ghee mix to fry.
Method. Mix rice four udad flour cadamom and butter togetherMix jaggery with coconut milk till jaggery disolves. Pour this little by little to the flour and knead to a thick dough. Prepare small balls, [a little bigger than a cherry] put on a cloth for 1/2 an hour. Deep fry on med flame, a hand full at a time till crisp and golden. As jaggery has been added this sweet seedai will become crisp only on cooling, so dont keep frying till it is crisp it will become hard] remove from fire when golden. if soft after they can be refried.
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Mullu murukku.
Rice flour ---3cups, Bengal gram flour---1 cup, Butter ----3 tblsps, Asophotida powder----to taste, salt to taste, red chilli powder---- 2 tspsor as required, oil to deep fry.
Mix both the flours together with salt, asophotida, chilli powder in a bowl. Heat butter till it melts, add to the flour and mix well.Divide into 4 portions. [If every thing is mixed together as the dough soaks the colour of the murukkus will become dark]sprinkle water on one part mix inti a stiff dough and fry using the murukku press and the star disc. fry till golden and crisp, remove slotted laddle on to a tray. after it cools store.
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Thengul: Rice flour----2 cups, fried udad flour---1/2 cup.Jeera---1/2 tsp, hing 1/2 tsp or less,salt to taste, butter----50/75 grams. Oil for frying.
To make the udad powder. fry 1/2 cup udid dal till it turns golden cool and grind to a powder and seive it in a fine sieve.
Method: in a big enough bowl mix the rice flour and the udad flour and the other incredents except butter. Melt this butter till just melted. Add this to the flour and mix well.with water mix it into a soft dough.heat the oil and in a chakli mould put the dough little at a time andpress it on to the hat oil in round shapes, fry till crisp. remove on to a plate with a slotted laddle. fry all the thengul, store after it is cool.
Seedai
For seedai processed rice flour is used. Wash rice and soak in enough water for half an hour. Drain through in collander and spread the rice on a thick cloth under in shade to dry.When water has all drained and there no moisture,run the rice in mixi till the rice is powdered. seive in flour seive, run the left over rice again to make powder and seive again. and keep aside. If this rice powder is well dried it can be stored in air tight tin for a longer time.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
To make seedai: Incredents:
Processed rice flour[fresh]--- 2 cups
Roasted gram flour ----------1/2 cup
chutney dal]
White til[sesame seeds.]----1tbl sp.
Sour curds----------------1/4 cup
Ghee/ butter-------------2 tbl sps
Hot oil for dough--------2 /3 tbl sps
Grind together 5/6 gr. chillies, salt and asafoetida.
Method:
Dry roast the processed rice flour, till becomes warm. Sieve and mix the dal powder. Add ghee and blend with the flour, mix the the ground paste hot oil and mix well. add the curds[beaten] , little by little to make thick dough. Make small balls and put them on a towel, for few mins and deep fry in oil till golden and crisp. Remove from oil , cool and store.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sweet seedai.
Plain Rice flour----21/2 cups, Roasted Udad flour----1/2 cup, Cardamom powder----1/2 tsp,
Fresh white butter---2/3 tsps,Grated jaggery----11/2 cup,Thick Coconut Extract[milk]to mix the dough. oil and ghee mix to fry.
Method. Mix rice four udad flour cadamom and butter togetherMix jaggery with coconut milk till jaggery disolves. Pour this little by little to the flour and knead to a thick dough. Prepare small balls, [a little bigger than a cherry] put on a cloth for 1/2 an hour. Deep fry on med flame, a hand full at a time till crisp and golden. As jaggery has been added this sweet seedai will become crisp only on cooling, so dont keep frying till it is crisp it will become hard] remove from fire when golden. if soft after they can be refried.
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Mullu murukku.
Rice flour ---3cups, Bengal gram flour---1 cup, Butter ----3 tblsps, Asophotida powder----to taste, salt to taste, red chilli powder---- 2 tspsor as required, oil to deep fry.
Mix both the flours together with salt, asophotida, chilli powder in a bowl. Heat butter till it melts, add to the flour and mix well.Divide into 4 portions. [If every thing is mixed together as the dough soaks the colour of the murukkus will become dark]sprinkle water on one part mix inti a stiff dough and fry using the murukku press and the star disc. fry till golden and crisp, remove slotted laddle on to a tray. after it cools store.
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