Crystal Grandeur

Sharing this week a easy to make recipe.... steamed gram flour squares an appetizing fluffy spongy tea time vegetarian snack called Dhoklas from the Indian state of Gujarat. This can be eaten with puree of fresh mangoes or mint chutney. Scroll down for the recipe.    Preparation Time 1 Hour. Serves 4.  Ingredients: Gram flour--100gm Turmeric powder--1/2 teaspoon Green Chilies--1 teaspoon (chopped) Ginger--2 teaspoon (chopped) Sugar--1 tablespoon Oil--1 tablespoon Yogurt--1/2 cup Fruit salts(ENO's)--1 teaspoon Salt to taste. For the tempering: Oil--1 tablespoon Mustered seeds--1/2 teaspoon Asafoetida--1/4 teaspoon Curry leaves--10 leaves Green chilies 2-3  For the garnish: Fresh coconut--50 gm (2 oz) grated (optional) Coriander leaves-- Few sprigs finely chopped Method: Combine gram flour, turmeric powder, green chilies, ginger, salt, sugar, oil ...

I am happy to share my good friend Laila's lovely home at Crystal Grandeur. Laila and her husband Vimal created a warm and a beautiful home for themselves at Cochin in the state of Kerala. After spending their years in several places in and out of India they chose to settle down in their hometown of Cochin. Laila is a happy-go-lucky funny girl who finds humor in everything. Talented by nature with a good taste, she transformed her home this summer to give it a cool look. The blue pots in the corner, the flying birds, the bells on the wall, and the sea creatures on the door are her creations. Do take a look at her home with all the little touches she has given to it.  Kerala, s picturesque state is called "God's own country". Its beauty lies in its backwaters, beaches and tropical greenery. Cuisine from this region is unique and is special for it's fresh aromatic preparations. It is also known as the 'Land of Spices'. It is an important tourist de...

Who doesn't love the sea and why do we love the sea? It has some potent power to make us think things we like to think. It is always interesting to do a coastal based table with cool colors and from gifts of the ocean. They are charming and some time therapeutic too. I have set a beach themed table for two with blue wares. For the center piece i used a family of three dolphins as if they are enjoying their swim in the water as they always like to do.I love dolphins for their cuteness and intelligence. I payed a visit to a dolphin show in Perth Australia in 1984 and i was excited to see and touch the friendly dolphins.   This is my second blue table this season which i enjoyed setting by the window. We live near the coast and i can feel the sea breeze blowing slowly.   Thank you for your visit and please do drop your comments. Please visit Nap On The Porch Please visit Ivy and Elephants Pleas...